ALCSRB Chapter 98

Qin Hao went off to handle Jiang Group’s affairs. Jiang Mingyi went right back to curling up on Shen Xingyan’s lap. After a while, he began, “Today…”

He had only spoken two words when Shen Xingyan cut him off. “I’ll take you out later to celebrate Qixi.”

Hearing that he was going to be taken out, Mingyi’s already good mood grew even better.

He climbed up from Shen Xingyan’s lap, half-kneeling beside his thigh. With one smooth motion, his long arm lifted to hook lightly around Shen Xingyan’s neck.

Shen Xingyan’s eyes brimmed with laughter, though he said nothing—just quietly gazed at him.

Jiang Mingyi shifted slightly, then plopped himself right down on Shen Xingyan’s lap. The muscles beneath him tensed for a split second before gradually relaxing.

The corners of Jiang Mingyi’s lips curled into the faintest smile as he slowly leaned in. When only a centimeter remained between them, he stopped.

Sunlight streamed through the window, spilling across the floor in a hazy glow, while just a short distance away, two figures leaned together intimately.

“Boyfriend.”

Jiang Mingyi’s voice was soft, carrying an uncharacteristic sweetness. Shen Xingyan, however, found it very pleasing, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.

“Weren’t you just calling me President Shen?”

Compared to Mingyi’s gentle, syrupy tone, Shen Xingyan’s low, magnetic voice was far more sensual.

“You really are fickle, little President Jiang.”

Both of Shen Xingyan’s hands settled on Mingyi’s slender waist, his thumbs gently rubbing and kneading, heat from his fingertips seeping through the shirt.

“Little President Jiang is in a good mood right now, so he wants to reward his boyfriend.” Mingyi let out two light giggles, his delicate brows and eyes brimming with joy.

Shen Xingyan’s brow quirked, his dark eyes filled with amusement. Following his lead, he asked, “And how does little President Jiang plan to reward his boyfriend?”

“Close your eyes.” Mingyi poked at his neck with a fingertip, urging him.

Seeing the faint shyness in Mingyi’s gaze, Shen Xingyan resisted the urge to press him down on the sofa and kiss him senseless. Instead, he cooperated and closed his eyes.

Mingyi’s ears flushed red, but he still leaned in, pressing his lips against Shen Xingyan’s.

Unlike the stolen kiss that morning when he’d woken up, this time Mingyi kissed him with true seriousness and reverence. Carefully, he nudged Shen Xingyan’s lips apart with the tip of his tongue, pausing briefly when he touched his teeth.

He was a little nervous. Normally, Shen Xingyan was the one to initiate, but now that he was in control, the inexperience carried an odd, thrilling excitement.

Their heated breaths tangled together. His tongue brushed the barrier of teeth again—this time it yielded instantly.

With a rush of eagerness, Mingyi pressed forward, clumsy but impassioned, tangling with Shen Xingyan’s tongue.

Eyes still closed, Shen Xingyan felt his lover’s unpolished attempts, and a deep tenderness spread within him.

At some point, the hands on Mingyi’s waist had moved up to the back of his head. With a light press, Shen Xingyan kept the boy from retreating.

There was no way he would let him go so soon—not when he hadn’t had nearly enough. So he turned passive into active, kissing Mingyi until the younger man went completely weak and pliant.

Ten minutes later, when the kiss finally broke, Mingyi’s tongue felt numb, his waist soft. If not for Shen Xingyan’s arm around him, he probably would’ve collapsed right into the sofa.

His face was flushed red, but even redder were his lips—bright and tempting.

Shen Xingyan brushed his thumb lightly over those lips, narrowing his eyes. His dark pupils were as deep as ink, and his low voice came out hoarse:
“Shame it’s not convenient right now.”

Not convenient for what? Jiang Mingyi understood in a second.

Before he could figure out whether he felt disappointed or secretly relieved, he lifted his gaze—only to meet Su Wanxin’s eyes at the doorway.

He froze awkwardly, while Su Wanxin smiled knowingly, silently mouthing to him: Go on, pretend I’m not here.

Jiang Mingyi: “…”

—

It was Qixi Festival. As night fell, the streets filled with bustling crowds, the air thick with the warmth and intimacy of lovers everywhere.

Shen Xingyan took Jiang Mingyi to a downtown restaurant for a delicious Qixi couples’ dinner.

Afterward, Mingyi, thoroughly satisfied, strolled slowly down the roadside, hand in hand with Shen Xingyan.

Couples brushed past them one after another. As the evening deepened, the crowd thickened.

Someone bumped into Jiang Mingyi, spoiling his good mood.

Seeing him pout, Shen Xingyan chuckled softly. “It’s getting crowded here. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Jiang Mingyi was just about to ask where when another couple passed by, chatting:
“I heard there’s a drone show over the Imperial River at eight. Let’s head over and grab a spot.”

Jiang Mingyi’s eyes lit up. “Ge, let’s go too!”

Shen Xingyan, expression unreadable, simply said: “Alright.”

It wasn’t quite eight yet. Walking unhurriedly, they soon saw that both banks of the Imperial River were already packed with people.

Jiang Mingyi gasped. “So many people!”

Among them were not only male-female couples, but plenty of same-sex pairs as well.

After a few steps, Jiang Mingyi suddenly leapt onto Shen Xingyan’s back. “Ge, carry me.”

With their striking looks and extraordinary presence, they already stood out in the crowd. Jiang Mingyi’s sudden action drew even more eyes their way.

Whispers floated past them on the night breeze, but Mingyi paid them no mind.

He buried his face against Shen Xingyan’s neck, soft hair brushing skin, tickling faintly.

Shen Xingyan’s gaze flickered, and he glanced at the boy clinging to him before adjusting his hold and walking steadily toward the riverbank.

Comfortably perched on his back, Jiang Mingyi let his bright, clear eyes roam over the passing crowd.

Couples surrounded them in every direction, but to him, they were the sweetest of all—because they weren’t just brothers, but the closest of lovers.

Pressing his lips together, Mingyi secretly reveled in the thought. Shen Xingyan felt the faint vibration of laughter against his back, and it infected him, his eyes soft with tender amusement.

The damp river breeze brushed their faces. Spotting the packed riverbank with no space left, Jiang Mingyi felt a pang of disappointment.

His palm was squeezed. He glanced over.

Shen Xingyan pointed toward the riverside observation tower. “Let’s go up there.”

Jiang Mingyi’s eyes instantly sparkled. “Ge, you’re a genius!”

The tower rose 488 meters high, the most famous viewing spot along the Imperial River. Some couples were already buying tickets and heading up by elevator.

Following closely behind Shen Xingyan, Mingyi kept sneaking glances at other couples around them. Realizing that none of them came close to Shen Xingyan’s tall, striking presence, his smile brimmed with pride.

Unaware of his little expression, Shen Xingyan spoke briefly with a staff member, then led Jiang Mingyi into a different elevator.

This one had transparent walls on all sides. As they ascended, the entire city center spread out before their eyes.

Jiang Mingyi leaned against the glass wall, full of wonder as the people below shrank smaller and smaller, while the Imperial River stretched out clear and wide into the distance.

Both riverbanks glittered with endless lights, forming a golden dragon that illuminated the waters.

Shen Xingyan frowned slightly and pulled the excited boy back from the glass.

Puzzled, Mingyi tilted his head at him, then suddenly asked:
“Ge, don’t tell me—you’re afraid of heights?”

Seeing the man’s calm gaze, with no hint of emotion showing, Jiang Mingyi still reached out and took his hand.

“Being afraid of heights isn’t something to be embarrassed about. Don’t be scared, I’ll hold onto you.” He smiled brightly at Shen Xingyan, giving him a reassuring grin.

He had always been the one protected, but now that their roles were reversed, Jiang Mingyi proudly puffed out his little chest.

The fingers at Shen Xingyan’s side twitched slightly. He didn’t refute him—he simply tightened his grip on Jiang Mingyi’s hand.

The elevator rose to the observation deck at the top floor and stopped.

The two of them walked out, their clasped hands inseparable.

It was Jiang Mingyi’s first time on the highest level, and the night view was magnificent—thousands of lights stretching endlessly across the horizon, dressing the city into the most dazzling, colorful painting. Truly breathtaking.

“Ge, the view here is amazing!”

Compared to Jiang Mingyi’s excitement, Shen Xingyan only calmly patted his head. “Then make sure you enjoy the drone show later.”

“Okay.” Jiang Mingyi nodded.

The two stood side by side—one tall, one shorter—but perfectly matched.

The waiting time passed quickly. At the exact second the clock struck eight, sudden exclamations rose from the crowd below.

“It’s starting, it’s starting!”

“So many drones!”

“Are there a thousand of them?”

“Looks like more—look, there are still so many coming up.”

The drones rose slowly into the air, higher and higher under the gaze of countless people, and their numbers kept increasing.

“This has to be at least five thousand.”

Curious, Jiang Mingyi asked Shen Xingyan, “Ge, do you know how many there are in total?”

“Ten thousand.” Shen Xingyan’s calm voice delivered a number that left Jiang Mingyi stunned.

He wanted to ask how Shen Xingyan could be so certain, but by then the drone show in the night sky had already begun.

In the still night sky, clusters of fireworks suddenly bloomed—formed not by fire and gunpowder, but by countless points of light—an immense, dazzling spectacle that filled the heavens.

Everyone gasped in amazement. Since fireworks were banned in the city center, this grand, silent display brought forth thunderous cheers.

Jiang Mingyi was just as stunned. His hands instinctively tightened around Shen Xingyan’s. Tilting his head back, eyes wide and unblinking, he gazed at the glowing fireworks, starlight reflected in his pupils.

“Ge, look! It’s so beautiful—”

A faint smile played on Shen Xingyan’s lips, his eyes brimming with tenderness and devotion. He whispered softly by his ear:
“Do you like it?”

Jiang Mingyi answered with a firm “Mm,” the brilliant lights above making his eyes shine clear and bright, joy spilling out unrestrained.
“Holidays really are the best. You get to see so many amazing things you’d never see on ordinary days.”

Shen Xingyan’s lips curved ever so slightly as his hand gently stroked the young man’s head, tender as flowing water.

Ten minutes later, just when everyone thought the drone-firework show had ended, Shen Xingyan suddenly spoke in a deep voice:
“It’s starting.”

Jiang Mingyi’s face still carried traces of excitement, now replaced by surprise. He was about to ask what’s starting when the drones in the sky shifted formation.

A small figure appeared in the night sky, catching every eye.

“That’s… me.”

Jiang Mingyi could hardly believe it. He stared blankly upward, his heart clenching as it skipped, then raced wildly.

The tiny figure, with short steps, walked slowly forward—toward a tall, slender boy who appeared ahead.

When the two hands—one small, one large—clasped together, Jiang Mingyi suddenly recalled that moment years ago when Shen Xingyan had gently held his hand and led him into the Shen household.

Every image that followed was so familiar his eyes grew hot.

Scenes from his birthday banquets.
Photos from each of his first days at school.
Countless fragments of his daily life, woven together into a splendid gallery across the night sky.

He had seen these very images not long ago, in another place. Yet now, seeing them again, his heart was no less shaken, brimming with an indescribable, soaring emotion.

At some point, he had already been drawn into the man’s embrace. Above his head came a low, magnetic voice.

“The last time, at the cinema, I wasn’t prepared enough. I want to confess to you again.”

“Jiang Mingyi.” Shen Xingyan gazed at him deeply, his lips parting to pour out his truest feelings.
“I love you. Will you stay with me, forever?”

Intense love intertwined with tender devotion, the night sky itself like a canopy of stars, wrapping their figures in a golden halo.

Jiang Mingyi, his heart trembling with suppressed emotion, raised his arms and hugged Shen Xingyan back.

His soft voice carried unwavering passion:
“I will.”

“I love you too.”

A lifetime, two souls—together as one.