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Snow fell gently, covering the roof of Yuzhi-Tang Clinic with a thin white layer. The city felt quieter in the winter, but the silence was not something that disturbed. For Chen Yuzhi, it was a silence he was grateful for—the calm after so long living in fear and loss.
Jiang Yuelou stood by the window, lighting his cigarette with a movement that had become a habit. Thin smoke mingled with the cold air, but his gaze remained fixed on the figure behind him. Chen Yuzhi, with his calm face, was arranging medical books on the table. There was something in the way the doctor moved that always managed to soothe his heart—reminding him that there was still warmth in this harsh world.
"Are you cold?" Jiang Yuelou asked, his voice hoarse but soft.
Chen Yuzhi turned with a small smile. "If I say yes, would you do something about it?"
Jiang Yuelou snorted, flicking the ashes from his cigarette into the ashtray before walking over. "I don't like nonsense." Casually, he removed his thick coat and draped it over Chen Yuzhi’s shoulders. "If you're cold, wear this."
Chen Yuzhi let out a small sigh, but the corner of his lips curved. "You’ll get cold yourself, Yuelou."
"I’m used to it," Jiang Yuelou answered briefly, but his eyes looked at Chen Yuzhi with care. In silence, he savored this moment—the moment where it was just the two of them, without the shadows of the past or the threats that always followed them.
Chen Yuzhi reached for Jiang Yuelou’s hand, their warm fingers intertwining with his rougher ones. "You say you're used to it. But I don't want you to keep feeling that way." His voice was low, yet carried a sincerity that pierced straight to Jiang Yuelou’s heart.
Jiang Yuelou looked at him for a long time before finally offering a small smile. "Alright, then... let me learn."
"Learn what?"
"Learn to get used to warmth."
Chen Yuzhi paused for a moment before smiling wider. He tightened his grip. "I’ll help you."
Outside, the snow continued to fall. But inside that small room, there was warmth that the winter could not touch.
As Chen Yuzhi looked at Jiang Yuelou, a sudden warmth spread throughout his body. Their eyes met, and in that silence, the world seemed to stop for a moment.
Jiang Yuelou moved closer, closing the remaining distance between them. His hand reached for Chen Yuzhi’s cheek, gentle yet full of conviction.
"Yuzhi," Jiang Yuelou’s voice was low, almost a whisper. The name felt so light on his lips, as if it was something he said every day, even though it wasn’t always spoken.
Chen Yuzhi looked at him, his once calm heartbeat now racing. He felt the warmth of Jiang Yuelou’s body drawing closer, and unconsciously, his body moved a little closer, as though answering that silent invitation.
Without further words, Jiang Yuelou tilted his head, slowly bringing his lips to Chen Yuzhi’s. The first touch was so soft, like the snow falling slowly outside—careful, but full of feeling. Chen Yuzhi closed his eyes, letting the sensation wrap around him.
As their lips met deeper, there was a freedom that came with it. It was as if they had forgotten time, forgotten the world that could limit them. There was warmth flowing from that kiss, like hundreds of full moons that never dimmed, lighting them in the dark.
Jiang Yuelou felt every small movement of Chen Yuzhi’s body, as if he understood without words. Gently, he held him tighter, while Chen Yuzhi responded to the embrace calmly, as if he knew that in this world, there was only the two of them.
They stayed in that embrace for a long time, savoring the closeness that was more than just physical. It was an unspoken promise—that even though the world was full of uncertainty, they would stay here, under the same sky, together.
The snow continued to fall outside, covering the world in profound silence. But inside that warm room, time seemed to stop. Jiang Yuelou and Chen Yuzhi stayed in the embrace, as though they had found a safe place, a place that only the two of them knew.
After a while, Jiang Yuelou slowly released the embrace, though not entirely. He looked into Chen Yuzhi’s eyes with a gentler gaze than usual. "You know," he said softly, "I don’t know what it’s like to have someone care about me the way you do."
Chen Yuzhi lifted his hand, gently touching Jiang Yuelou’s cheek. "You don’t need to know, Yuelou. Love isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about giving to each other, without fear of accepting each other’s flaws."
Jiang Yuelou stared at him deeply, with doubt still visible in his eyes. "I... I’m afraid. Afraid that I won’t be able to give you the best."
Chen Yuzhi smiled softly, touching Jiang Yuelou’s lips with his fingers. "The best doesn’t always come from perfection, Yuelou. But from effort and a sincere heart. I’ve already accepted everything about you, even before I decided to love you."
Jiang Yuelou’s eyes grew moist, but he tried to hold back his tears. He gripped Chen Yuzhi’s hand tightly, as if he never wanted to let go. "You’re so kind to me," he said, his voice hoarse.
Chen Yuzhi nodded, gazing at him with affection. "Because I love you, Yuelou. With all your flaws and strengths."
They both fell silent for a moment, enjoying the peace in the silence they had created together. The outside world may have been full of storms and uncertainty, but here, under the same sky, they found the only comfort they could rely on—each other.
After some time, Chen Yuzhi and Jiang Yuelou got up to leave. The snow that fell outside made the streets look emptier, but there was a tranquility in every step they took, as though the world belonged to just the two of them.
Arriving at Jiang Yuelou’s house, they took off their shoes and coats, feeling comfortable in the warmth of the house. Jiang Yuelou, usually quiet, now seemed more relaxed. He took off his jacket and then looked at Chen Yuzhi. "Do you want to bathe first, or should I?" he asked, his voice lighter than usual.
"If you don’t mind, I’d like to bathe with you," Chen Yuzhi answered with a soft smile, as though offering something more intimate than just a bath.
Jiang Yuelou paused for a moment, then smiled faintly with meaning, finally nodding. "Alright, let’s."
In the bathroom, warm water flowed freely, washing away the fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day. Chen Yuzhi and Jiang Yuelou stood under the shower, sharing the warmth of the water as their bodies gently touched. Their eyes met in the misted mirror, and their smiles were unavoidable.
Jiang Yuelou swore many times in his heart that the man who stood three centimeters taller than him was the most handsome and sweetest man he had ever seen. His round eyes sparkled with the glow of spring inside them, and his thin lips always drew a smile as beautiful as a peach blossom with charming dimples on either side, making a man as cold as Jiang Yuelou unable to resist his charm. Jiang Yuelou had fallen deeply in love with Chen Yuzhi.
Jiang Yuelou’s hand, which had been gently caressing Chen Yuzhi’s chest, slowly moved up and touched his lover’s cheek; so soft and warm. Chen Yuzhi smiled gently while holding Jiang Yuelou’s hand against his cheek. Their eyes met beneath the flowing warm water.
Chen Yuzhi kissed the hand that had made his cheek so warm, kissing it gently and lovingly. It made Jiang Yuelou’s heart race with thousands of butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Somehow, the usually calm young doctor became so provocative when it was just the two of them.
Jiang Yuelou, who had been slightly provoked, lost some control, pulling Chen Yuzhi’s face toward him for a deep, soft kiss. Chen Yuzhi took the initiative to pull their bodies closer, so close that they could feel each other’s skin. His smooth hand gently and teasingly caressed Jiang Yuelou’s back.
The soft, deep kiss made the two men forget their main activity. Under the warm water that kept flowing, washing away all the fatigue and cold, Chen Yuzhi deepened their kiss. He kept sucking on Jiang Yuelou’s thin lips, feeling like they released the sweetest nectar in the world—realizing that those lips were the most addictive thing for him.
Jiang Yuelou, who usually kept so many feelings inside, felt as though the world existed just for them. He pulled Chen Yuzhi closer, deepening their kiss, without fear or hesitation. He felt so free, so alive in this embrace.
That kiss wasn’t just about physical desire. It was a confession, a feeling flowing freely between them, erasing all doubts and uncertainties. It was a bond of the heart stronger than anything they had ever experienced before.
They ended the kiss, remembering that they had been under the water for a long time and Chen Yuzhi was worried about making Jiang Yuelou catch a cold.
After the bath, they dressed comfortably and went to the living room. Chen Yuzhi lit the fire in the fireplace, creating an even warmer and more intimate atmosphere as they sat on the sofa, tucking their feet beneath them, while Jiang Yuelou went to the kitchen to brew their favorite tea.
The fragrant tea filled the air, and soon after, Jiang Yuelou returned with two cups of hot tea. They sat side by side on the sofa, exchanging soft glances. Jiang Yuelou gently touched Chen Yuzhi’s half-dry hair, then handed him one cup of tea.
Jiang Yuelou stared at the tea in his cup. "I never knew that moments like this could feel so peaceful."
Chen Yuzhi rested his head on Jiang Yuelou’s shoulder, feeling the tranquility that enveloped him. "Sometimes, happiness comes from small things, Yuelou. From simple togetherness."
Jiang Yuelou looked at him with deep affection, slowly reaching for Chen Yuzhi’s hand lying beside them. "I don’t want to lose this moment," he said, his voice soft but full of meaning.
Jiang Yuelou touched Chen Yuzhi’s cheek gently, caressing it with his attentive fingers. "You know, sometimes I feel like I’m living in a completely different world. Everything I’ve experienced before, everything I’ve gone through—nothing really seems to make sense. But you... you make this world feel brighter."
Chen Yuzhi looked at him softly, a small smile blossoming on his lips. "I understand everything that’s happened in your life, Yuelou. I just want you to know that I’m here, always. And I won’t leave."
Jiang Yuelou chuckled softly, the sound breaking the silence like a melody. "You make me feel like I could be better," he said, shifting slightly closer to Chen Yuzhi. "Even though I’m not a good person."
"You think so?" Chen Yuzhi asked, his eyes sparkling. "To me, you’re far better than you think. Your goodness may not always show on the surface, but it’s inside, Yuelou. And I see it."
Jiang Yuelou sighed, a little awkward but full of warmth. "You’re too good to me."
Chen Yuzhi reached out and grasped Jiang Yuelou’s hand, holding it tightly. "I just want you to feel like you deserve happiness, Yuelou. I want to be a part of that happiness."
They fell silent for a moment, feeling the subtle vibrations between them. Chen Yuzhi rested his head on Jiang Yuelou's shoulder, drawing closer. "You know," he said softly, "I feel so lucky to be here, beside you."
Jiang Yuelou smiled, though there was a hint of doubt in his eyes. "I feel lucky too, though sometimes I don't know if I deserve all of this."
"You do," Chen Yuzhi replied with firm conviction, "you are more than deserving."
They both smiled at each other, feeling comfort in the simplicity of the moment. No more words were needed, for their feelings were already clear in the gaze they shared. In that silence, the outside world felt distant, as if it were just the two of them in this world, celebrating the love that grew between them—a love that was pure, unconditional.