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Everyone loved Mo Ran. It was practically a fact of life at Sisheng Peak.
Nobody could resist the tall, handsome man with a radiant grin and sun-kissed skin, as if his own sunny disposition had warmed him from the inside out. It made him so easy to talk to, and countless people flocked toward him, wanting to catch a glimpse of his dimpled smile or hear his rich, low voice and dulcet chuckle.
…The way he was chuckling right at that moment.
Chu Wanning glanced up from where he was practicing his sword forms. His shizun had arrived five minutes earlier for morning lessons, yet he hadn't actually been able to get past the gate, surrounded—to the point of being practically trapped—by various disciples who were all clamouring for his attention.
"Weiyu Elder, happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday!"
Chu Wanning frowned and lowered his sword, reaching up to wipe some sweat from his chin. Shizun's charisma really is powerful—as soon as it's his birthday, everyone immediately knows… And everyone immediately wants to celebrate with him too. The thought made his stomach tighten, although he wasn't entirely sure why. He wanted to say it was envy at Mo Ran's ability to get along so easily with everyone, but even then, he had a feeling it was deeper than that. Either way, it was a ridiculous emotion, and he kicked himself for it.
The other disciples, meanwhile, showed no such restraint:
"We got you a present, Weiyu Elder!" a female disciple exclaimed, holding up a perfume sachet.
"I want to send these to you!" another one added, lifting a basket of pork buns.
"And here's a gift from me too," a third said, holding out niupi candy.
More and more disciples pressed small gifts into Mo Ran's arms, with him shaking his head good-naturedly as he thanked them all. "You guys really didn't have to go through all that trouble for me," he concluded with a light laugh.
To Chu Wanning, it sounded like ocean waves lapping at the shore, washing over him alongside the comforting sunlight until he felt almost…refreshed. He let himself go to the tides of Mo Ran's laughter momentarily, until he remembered who exactly he was thinking of and flushed bright red, once again kicking himself for his disrespect.
Mo Ran didn't notice anything amiss with his disciple though, thankfully enough. He was still facing and talking to the youths surrounding him: "Sending gifts like this—it's almost as if we're strangers or something."
"If you'd prefer returning them, you can do that, you know."
At the sudden newcomer's slight scoff, all the disciples scrambled to attention, bowing and calling out, "Zunzhu!"
Only Mo Ran didn't bother with putting on airs, smirking as he swung an arm around the smaller man who'd come to a stop before the group. "Mengmeng, when did I ever say I didn't want these gifts? I could never toss out all the heartfelt presents these kiddos prepared specially just for me!"
"You were just saying there was no need for presents," their sect leader, Xue Meng, snapped back, drawing his shoulders up to his ears like a hissing cat. "And don't call me that!"
Chu Wanning, who'd similarly bowed as soon as Sisheng Peak's leader had walked into view, now lifted his head to take a peek at the two cousins. Mo Ran was ruffling Xue Meng's hair, much to the latter's chagrin, and the sect leader was pushing the taller man's hand away.
"Enough, don't you have work to tend to? You're already late as it is, yet here you are, killing time. Have you forgotten all about your disciples?"
Mo Ran shifted his gaze toward where Chu Wanning and his fellow disciples were standing, and the two briefly met eyes. Something flitted across Mo Ran's face that was almost quiet and contemplative, but it was so intense in its scrutiny—and lacked so much of the joy he'd displayed all morning—that Chu Wanning felt the need to look away. But that didn't stop the burning sensation he felt of his shizun's eyes on him, and he resisted the urge to squirm as he stared down at his sword, waiting for the man to speak.
"Right, sorry," his shizun finally said, beginning to move toward them. "Let's get morning lessons started."
"Wait," Xue Meng suddenly said.
Mo Ran glanced back at him inquisitively.
His cousin's face had become pink, but he nevertheless reached out and dropped a small item into Mo Ran's hand. As the recipient of his offering stared at him in disbelief, he mumbled out, "Happy birthday…Ge."
Mo Ran's eyes widened before brightening, glowing an iridescent plum under the morning sun. "Mengmeng!" he cried, clearly sounding touched. He immediately pounced on the smaller man, causing their very dignified sect leader to let out a very undignified squawk.
"Get off of me!" he shouted, all while Mo Ran hugged him tight and beamed.
"So you do care, Mengmeng! Ge is so moved!"
"Who says I do!? Hurry up and let go!!"
Chu Wanning watched the chaos unfold, a mixture of feelings blooming within him. It was part exasperation and part amusement, but…truth be told, a large part of it was fondness.
It was that same quiet fondness that suddenly asked, Should I give him a present too…?
But almost as soon as he thought that, he shot the idea down with all the swiftness of Houyi and his bow. Besides Huaizui, I've never really tried to send anyone anything, and even then, it was never this kind of "gift." He thought of the other disciples' offerings, of that almost flirtatious perfume sachet or those carefully homemade buns. None of them were items he could recreate, and he couldn't handle the implications behind giving them anyway.
What if Mo Ran read too deeply into it—to the point of reading what was actually being proffered?
Such audacity made his ears burn, and he shoved the thought away like a cat batting at cobwebs.
Never mind. Shizun has gotten so many presents anyway; it's not like he's in need of anything from me. He wouldn't miss a gift from someone such as myself, who's so reticent and bad at expressing themself.
And besides…usually only people who are rather close should exchange gifts, right? I don't want to overstep…
"A-Ning."
Starting, Chu Wanning's eyes widened at the sudden call of his name—or rather, his nickname. He looked up to see that in the time he'd spaced out, Mo Ran had left Xue Meng and finally reached his disciples. Chu Wanning quickly bowed his head in greeting.
Part of him was simply trying to abide by the expectations of conduct, but a lot of him was trying to hide how his face flushed at the nickname. Mo Ran had suddenly started calling him "A-Ning" fairly recently, and he still hadn't grown accustomed to how familiar and intimate it felt, as if it were an unexpected hug every single time. Especially since he also still had no idea why his shizun had switched his way of address.
No matter what though, he didn't dare read into the possible affection behind it, lest he be faced with a rude awakening for his arrogance in daring to assume there was any affection at all.
All of these complicated emotions running through him was probably why he reacted by stammering, "Sh-Shizun," before grimacing at himself for stammering.
Mo Ran's violet eyes softened. "Sorry," he murmured. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"No, it's fine." Because clearly no one else besides me is being strange and not fine, he thought sullenly. He wished his heart wasn't hammering in his chest and that his ears weren't scorching the way they were. He wished he could keep his emotions in check.
"Ah, you okay? Your face seems kind of red…"
A large, warm hand reached out to touch his forehead, causing him to jump.
Mo Ran frowned. "It is a bit hot…"
"Hey, Mo Ran! Stop bullying your poor disciple again!"
"I'm not doing anything like that!" he shot back at his cousin, spinning around with a glower. With that, the two descended into squabbling some more.
Chu Wanning was secretly relieved they'd apparently forgotten all about his mysterious "maybe fever." He released a breath, feeling fond again. His shizun was always like this. Rambunctious and lively but also caring and kind. He was truly the exact opposite of Chu Wanning, often to the point of him lamenting that Mo Ran could at least be a tad more mature or more careful, but that was only because he worried so often for the older man.
Chu Wanning knew a lot of people would have been surprised to learn how much he truly valued his shizun. He was well aware how cold he came across as on the surface, with an immediate impression of being prickly and difficult, and he had no doubt that Mo Ran had once thought that too. It was why they used to butt heads more often, with Mo Ran being harsher toward Chu Wanning, but that was then, and this was now.
Things had improved a lot after everything they'd gone through. He liked to believe that currently, even if he was "just another disciple" to Mo Ran, at least it meant his shizun did care about him as another disciple. Sometimes believing that made the emotions Chu Wanning worked so hard to keep tamped down surge forward—like a million anxious butterflies, with their wings brushing against his heart. And that was because his care for his shizun really…did go so deep…
"Ai, forget it. I don't have the energy to keep arguing with a peacock," Mo Ran sighed, turning back to his disciples.
"What did you call me!?"
As Xue Meng protested the comparison, Mo Ran put on a bright smile and glanced back at Chu Wanning. "Why don't we finally get started with our lesson? Shizun will happily give you a one-on-one session, so we can show that silly Mengmeng there's no bullying involved~"
"Mn. And Shizun…"
"Hm?"
Before he could stop himself, the corners of Chu Wanning's lips lifted in a tiny smile. "Happy birthday."
Mo Ran jerked his head toward him, his eyes growing large. "A-Ning…?"
The response made him stiffen, and he spun around. "I said happy birthday," he said. "If you don't like it, then…just forget I said anything." He was well aware how aloof he must have been acting again, but it was all he could do to prevent his heart from sinking while anxiety surfaced. Did I end up overstepping after all…? I shouldn't have said anything. Shizun and I… We aren't—We aren't that especially familiar with one another.
"No, no, I like it!" Mo Ran exclaimed, and Chu Wanning let out what sounded frustratingly like a squeak as he felt strong arms wrap around him and tug him into his shizun's well-built frame.
"Sh-Sh-Shizun, this is hardly proper," he spluttered.
Mo Ran ignored his protests and waited until his flustered disciple had stopped struggling to lean in closer, whispering, "I really liked hearing you wish me a happy birthday, A-Ning. Won't you say it again?"
Chu Wanning fell silent for a stretch of time, but he did eventually nod. "H-Happy birthday, Shizun."
Mo Ran beamed at that, looking so much like a large, happy husky that Chu Wanning could almost imagine a tail wagging into a grey-black blur.
It made Chu Wanning smile, bigger than his last smile, filled with all the fondness from before, except multiplied by a thousand times over. He really, really couldn't help it—everyone loved Mo Ran, after all.
And naturally, that included Chu Wanning.
"Alright, I'm all pumped up now! Come on; let's get this show started! Show me your sword forms first, and after that, I'll help all of you review before we do some sparring where you apply your knowledge to the matches…"
"Yes, Shizun!"
At the sound of those cheerful, exuberant voices chorusing together, Chu Wanning's lashes dropped. He gazed down at Mo Ran's arm, which hadn't been removed from around his shoulders, and he let out a quiet breath as a part of his smile fell. Yes… Everyone really adores Mo Ran…
Which was exactly why it was impossible for Chu Wanning to ever be too close to him.
There was no way for him to easily accompany Mo Ran beyond their current relationship, but the lessons at least provided him an opportunity to enjoy what closeness with the older man could be like. And Mo Ran had worked him extra hard, focusing a lot on his form and movements and even correcting his posture by repositioning him with his own hands.
Mo Ran was so muscular, towering over him, that Chu Wanning hadn't been able to stop himself from imagining what it would be like if he overpowered him. As a result, every touch had felt scorching hot. Mo Ran had noticed and asked after him a couple times, but Chu Wanning did his best to act unaffected and dismiss the concerns. Unfortunately, goosebumps still broke out along Chu Wanning's arms every time Mo Ran's fingers trailed along his skin, but at the same time…the contact and close focus was…nice.
It wasn't exactly like in the past, when Mo Ran would seem to pick on Chu Wanning more, reigniting some of their disagreements. This time it felt more like…special attention.
But that's probably just wishful thinking. Mo Ran was treating him better, but it couldn't have been that much better. Am I so desperate for Shizun's affection that I'd willingly dig through scraps?
Chu Wanning felt disgust at himself burn through his entire being. He didn't understand why he couldn't keep his admiration of his shizun pure and unadulterated—how could he have such shameless, despicable thoughts?
Shizun and I only recently started getting along so well. If he were to know the kinds of things that run through my head…then wouldn't he…hate me again?
To Shizun, I'm nothing more than—
"A-Ning! You're eating here too?"
His head shot up as his eyes grew large. "Shizun!" he gasped.
Mo Ran smiled back at him, big enough that one of those crescent dimples appeared in his cheek. He was holding onto the table and carrying a fully loaded tray, and he leaned forward with a glint in his purple-tinged eyes. "What a coincidence!"
"But…Shizun, we all eat here. It's Meng Po Hall."
"…Right." Mo Ran chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck in an almost sheepish manner. "Well…would A-Ning mind if I sit and eat here?"
"N-No. Of course not."
Mo Ran grinned and began sitting down, setting his tray of food and all the gifted snacks he'd received throughout the day on the table. As he did that, Chu Wanning made to stand up.
"What are you doing?" his shizun suddenly asked, his brow furrowing.
"I'll head back first," he mumbled. "You can enjoy your meal here in peace, Shizun."
"A-Ning," Mo Ran said, grabbing his wrist. His lips were now set in a thin line. "You don't have to go."
Chu Wanning didn't reply.
"I wasn't trying to kick you out."
He continued not to say anything. He didn't trust himself to.
"Shizun wants you here."
This time, it wasn't simply a blush. This time, his entire head exploded in a cloud of smoke like a fire erupting. Chu Wanning then stiffly turned back around and sat down again, moving as mechanically as the little robots he liked to cobble together from spare parts in his free time.
Mo Ran beamed as soon as he was reseated.
It appeared so genuine that he was taken aback, and he found himself getting lost in the other's eyes. And along with his embarrassment, it was a long time before he was able to snap himself out of his daze and utter questioningly, "Shizun…? I-Is there something you needed from me…?"
"Ai, can't a shizun simply dote on his precious disciples? Look at you; I could spot all the way from across the cafeteria that you were eating only plain bok choy and tofu soup again. That can't be nearly filling enough."
"It's fine…"
"It's absolutely not fine!" Mo Ran exclaimed in an exaggeratedly scolding tone, wagging his finger at his disciple. "You're already so thin—you need to eat more as a growing young boy!"
"But I…"
"Here, take one of these! I know you can't handle a lot of the food here because of the spice, and I have so many snacks I can share with you!"
"There's really no need… They're all birthday presents meant for you, Shizun. I couldn't possibly impose."
"It's not imposing! Come on, if you know it's my birthday, you know what I say goes, right? And I say you should eat something more to fill your appetite!
"Besides, it's so lonely eating snacks all by yourself without anyone to share it with… You wouldn't want to curse me to such a sad, pathetic fate, would you?" When he saw Chu Wanning visibly hesitate, he donned puppy dog eyes and stuck out his lower lip in a pout. "It's only when you eat with others that you can really appreciate the good taste and flavour and heartiness of a quality meal.
"Since it's my birthday, don't I get to celebrate with someone else? And considering A-Ning needs the extra nutrients, why not…?"
He's rambling again, not letting me get a word in, almost to the point of talking to himself… His shizun got like this sometimes, especially when he was being stubborn—which meant it would be difficult to refuse him. Chu Wanning bit his lip, glancing down at all the objects laid out before him.
He recognized the buns and niupi candy from that morning, but his shizun's pile had accumulated a lot more things since then. There were now custard buns and qingtuan and mahua and even lotus crisps, one of Chu Wanning's favourites. Seeing it made him pause for longer as his resolve truly wavered. He knew he should follow proper etiquette and keep rejecting the invitation, but he really did love lotus crisps…
Mo Ran seemed to sense his inner turmoil and let out a laugh as he leaned his cheek into the palm of his hand. "Okay, how's about this? Before I get you to eat these with me, you answer a question I want to ask you, and you can consider that as payment."
The suggestion served as a welcome distraction from his dilemma, and he looked back at his companion and nodded.
"So…we've spoken tons about my birthday, but what about your birthday?"
He hadn't been expecting this question. Chu Wanning froze, eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Shizun…wants to know my birthday?"
"Mm-hmm! I know the birth date of so many other people, yet I don't even know my own precious disciple's! I asked around, and that was how I found out recently that no one else knows when your birthday is either. I can't believe there's such a huge secret right here on Sisheng Peak!"
His eyes darted away. "It's not really a secret. I just…don't really have the habit of celebrating my birthday."
Mo Ran's cheerful expression may have slipped a tad at this, and his eyes flashed a darker shade of violet in the afternoon sun. "How come?" he asked, and Chu Wanning wondered if he was imagining it, but at the same time…his voice also suddenly sounded more akin to a growl, causing the younger man to shiver slightly…
"I-It's not because I think I'm better than anyone else and that no one deserves to celebrate my day of birth!" he blurted out anxiously. He blushed immediately after. He wasn't sure why he'd felt the need to say that, and he couldn't stop himself from cringing at the words, yet there had truly been something in Mo Ran's eyes that had made him scared of giving off that impression. He didn't want to appear arrogant again—not after how many misunderstandings it had caused between him and his shizun before.
"A-Ning…"
"Birthdays really weren't a huge deal growing up." This was a bit of an understatement. Huaizui had never been cruel about it, but he had always taught that such earthly desires were mere distractions. They were what chained humans to the mortal realm, and these kinds of frivolous wants had to be refused in order to guarantee one's ability to transcend mortality and achieve nirvana. "But I don't mind! It—It's not a huge deal to me either. I don't really need to be celebrated."
Mo Ran's eyes only grew darker at that.
Chu Wanning swallowed, afraid he'd once again said the wrong thing. If only it wasn't so often so difficult for him to read his shizun.
"A-Ning," he finally said, his voice low.
"Yes?"
"Shizun thinks you deserve to be celebrated."
"What…?"
"I said I think you deserve celebration." Mo Ran faced him, his expression softening as he smiled again—except this time there was something…almost sadder colouring his smile. "And I'm sorry if you ever felt like you don't.
"So please…won't you tell Shizun when your birthday is?"
Chu Wanning dropped his gaze. It wasn't like he didn't want to say, although he did nevertheless feel a bit weird about telling someone else after so many years of trying not to bother with it.
If he held back though…wouldn't Mo Ran end up thinking he was being conceited and distant again?
In the midst of so many thoughts running in all different directions, a gentle hand reached out and tilted his chin upward. He jumped at the contact, only to find himself staring into purple-black eyes that had grown even softer; there was this kind of…tenderness to them, along with what was likely pity.
"Please…?" Mo Ran cajoled, using the kind of tone he'd adopt when faced with a spooked kitten.
Realizing how silly he was being, Chu Wanning nodded. He thus opened his mouth to speak, but he found his tongue tied when he had to stare into Mo Ran's face like that, so he turned away as he mumbled out, "It's, um… It's in August."
Mo Ran froze at that.
Unsure if the man was annoyed at him for continuing to be so tight-lipped over the matter, Chu Wanning shifted in his seat and eventually eked out, "August…9th." It was so quiet he wasn't sure his companion would have been able to hear it, but he couldn't bring himself to repeat the date again. He already felt like he was being too spoiled.
"That…" Mo Ran blinked out of whatever trance had overtaken him, although his voice came out slow, like he was mostly talking to himself: "That early? Then it's already passed, hasn't it? And I didn't even know…"
"It's okay, Shizun."
"Well, I think you should get some love on your birthday! We'll do something better for the upcoming August—I promise—but for now, we'll have to make do with this…"
As he reached down to rummage for something in that giant pile of gifts, Chu Wanning tried to decline one more time: "There's really no need, Shizun—I'm fine with just—"
"Here."
Chu Wanning blinked.
The man beamed back at him. Both dimples were visible now, and his eyes curved pleasantly. "Something small to make up for the lack of a gift for your last birthday." In his outstretched hands were a bottle of soy milk, some milk candies, and a couple lotus crisps. "You like sweets, right? I've seen you sneak a bottle or some snacks occasionally, although it is rare."
"Shizun…" The knowledge that he'd been caught enjoying such childish things made his cheeks burn.
"It's a good thing! You deserve to indulge yourself—the same way I do." Mo Ran's grin stretched wider and he shook the bottle a little, lifting his hand to his mouth as his voice dropped to a playful stage whisper: "I like soy milk too, you know."
This time, he couldn't say anything. He remained embarrassed over making such a big fuss when it came to something as trivial as his birthday—especially considering how trivial he himself was; he was obviously simply eating up precious moments of a day that should have been focused on his shizun—but he was nonetheless deeply, deeply touched. This is the first time…anyone has given me a birthday gift besides Huaizui. And what's more, it's…the first time someone at Sisheng Peak has done this for me. He could feel his throat closing up as his heart grew mellow, and his eyes and nose began stinging slightly.
Mo Ran apparently noticed, because he quickly moved his thumb to wipe at the boy's encroaching tears. "What's wrong? Why do you look so sad?"
"I-I'm alright," he forced out. He shoved the mess that was his inner self aside, doing his best to adopt a more pragmatic air. "I…appreciate it a lot, Shizun. But…my birthday was so long ago; you should hold onto these for yoursel—"
"Nonsense," he said. "Take the gifts, A-Ning—it's not like they're anything too huge or fancy."
"But—"
"In fact, I plan to get you something much more worthwhile for next time!"
He opened his mouth to protest once more, but Mo Ran raised his hand to stop him.
"A-Ning," he said, this time with a hint of exasperation mixed into the pity from earlier. "Please—enjoy the present. That's an order from your shizun."
Chu Wanning's eyebrows drew together pensively, but he nevertheless took the items, managing a small "Thank you."
"Of course!" Mo Ran relaxed, his lips ticking upwards again. "This is what I should do as your shizun, after all."
That sentence only served to make his heart—and his face—burn even brighter. It was as if his entire body had been dunked in sunlight, with the liquid gold becoming a blanket that melted his icy exterior, as bright and comforting as Mo Ran’s own sunny presence.
I feel kind of…
He didn't let himself finish the thought yet, instead reaching into his bag and pulling something out that he held out in front of Mo Ran.
The man had leaned back in his chair, but at that moment, he sat back upright. "Eh?"
"I want to gift you something too," Chu Wanning announced shyly, forcing each word out in spite of his tightening throat and the red beginning to no doubt paint his skin. "For your birthday."
Mo Ran appeared stunned, his mouth agape, before he glanced down at the pink, traditional birthday peach bun that Chu Wanning had worked up the courage to request Meng Po Hall custom-make for Mo Ran earlier (ideally, he could have made it himself, but he knew his limits). It wasn't that one thing either—he also had some nuomici and his own bottle of soy milk that he was now offering.
"They're…a new flavour," he began.
As soon as he said that, the older man brightened as he recovered from his surprise. "Oh, I haven't tried this one yet!" He took the food from the younger man before bumping a nuomici against one of Chu Wanning's own, with the two round little glutinous rice balls getting stuck together to form a shape like a—
"Oops, looks like they've become a heart! Since they're stuck together, I guess we're also going to be stuck with each oth—"
Chu Wanning could feel his entire face flushing. "Shizun, please," he managed to say, carefully tugging his nuomici free. Don't suddenly say things like that. Internally, he forcibly pulled his own sticky heart as far from Mo Ran as he could and raised his glass bottle of soy milk. "If you want to toast, we can toast with these. Properly."
He hadn't meant to, but his tone came across as quite chiding—yet Mo Ran didn't seem all that bothered by it. In fact, he started chuckling. "Right, right, right," he said, and he lifted his own bottle and tapped it against Chu Wanning's. "Cheers!"
"Cheers…" Chu Wanning lowered his head, obfuscating the sparkle he knew was hidden beneath his lashes. But he still peeked out at his shizun's face, studying those mesmerizing violet eyes and that strong nose and full lips.
And being able to see the man's smile like sunlight rising to light up the sky and to know that he was the one who'd caused it... Chu Wanning couldn't stop himself from also smiling slightly. He thought back to the sentence his mind had been about to utter earlier, and this time, he let it be said, at least deep inside his heart:
I feel kind of…really happy.
He knew he couldn't deny it anymore. Although he could already foresee his future frustration at his lack of discipline, it was nonetheless nice to let himself admit it for the time-being. To accept—if only momentarily—that he enjoyed his shizun's company and getting to share this intimate celebration with him. To hopefully get to share more intimate birthday celebrations with him in the future too.
"These are delicious!" Mo Ran crowed, slamming his bottle down heartily. He took a bite of his nuomici, shooting Chu Wanning a cheerful glance. "We should do this more often, A-Ning."
"Mn…I—I'd like that, Shizun."
He really was greedy. The notion of getting to actually receive his shizun's love and affection, and on his actual birthday as well, made his heart flutter, and there was this…giddy anticipation that followed. But even getting to celebrate Mo Ran's own birthday with him was enough to make Chu Wanning feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Especially since Mo Ran was only doing this out of the kindness of his own heart, because he was just that kind of man... He would never know how much this fully meant to Chu Wanning.
Realizing this made him long to express it somehow, in a way that wouldn't come across as creepy. But he couldn't, so he settled with once again saying, "Shizun…h-happy birthday."
"You too. Belatedly, I mean." Mo Ran beamed. "And thank you for the lovely birthday present."
"Mn…" Chu Wanning ducked his head, covering his embarrassingly soft expression by drinking from his soy milk.
"Oh, and one more thing!"
"Mm?"
"Don't forget to make a wish~"
"Shizun, I'm not a child anymore."
The older man laughed his summertime laugh. "Of course. Shizun knows that. But you should make a wish anyway!" He winked, and the smile on his face took Chu Wanning's breath away. "I know I will."
"Then…okay. I'll make one too."
Mo Ran perked up. "What will A-Ning wish for?"
He grew slightly rigid, afraid of being seen through, which meant—before he could think better of it—he exclaimed pretty childishly, "I can't tell you! It won't come true if I do." And I definitely can't tell you specifically, or else it may really not come true. You might even hate me for it…
"Right, right. Of course. Well, whatever it is, I hope both our wishes get fulfilled."
Gazing into Mo Ran's resplendent smile made him dare to hope as well, and he nodded shyly in response. If birthday wishes really could become reality, then getting to experience this closeness with Mo Ran was all Chu Wanning really wanted. He simply hoped he could keep enjoying this in the future too.
Because in spite of the fact that he could never hold onto this sun, at least he was now allowed to bask in its rays and experience its warmth.
Truly…everyone loved Mo Ran so much. And Chu Wanning was the same. Which did mean he could never be too close with Mo Ran, but to get to be like this with the man… It was enough—in fact, it was more than he could ever hope for.
Chu Wanning knew he was hard to get along with. He was glacial and distant and icy, like the edge of a blade. But he was willing to accept his role as a lonely star fated to darkness amidst a sea of other stars—he just counted himself as lucky for getting to share a sky with the sun that was Mo Ran, no matter how brief the moment.