“Lin Qiu, this hot spring is so comfortable. Why don’t you come in and bathe too?”

Mu Yunhe seemed to have held it in for a while before he finally burst out laughing and pulled the person down into the water with him.

Bai Fanlu, hearing that laugh, knew he had been tricked again. He wanted to break free from his embrace, but the riverbank beneath his feet was full of slippery pebbles. After several failed attempts to steady himself, he had no choice but to use his hands for balance. However, no matter where he placed his hands, he kept touching smooth, wet skin.

Panicked, he tried to back away, but just as he managed to put some distance between them, he was pulled back again and ended up sitting on Mu Yunhe’s lap, realizing that his legs were still bare.

His upper body was bare, his legs were bare—needless to say, the little prince soaking in the hot spring was completely naked.

As for Bai Fanlu, after all that struggling, most of his clothes were now drenched.

Bai Fanlu immediately froze, not daring to move any further. He couldn’t retreat, and he absolutely couldn’t move forward either.

Mu Yunhe continued to laugh, grabbing Bai Fanlu’s hands, which were hovering awkwardly in the air, and placing them on his shoulders.

His shoulders, which should have been bare, were now covered with a strip of wet cloth. Bai Fanlu, embarrassed and flustered, remarked, “Your wound got wet.”

“Isn’t that because you reacted so strongly just now? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have gotten wet. So…”

Bai Fanlu frowned. “So what?”

“So, you need to take responsibility for me,” Mu Yunhe said with a sly grin.

Bai Fanlu caught onto that and replied, “Fine, I’ll take responsibility by re-bandaging your wound. Now, could the little prince kindly accompany me out of the water?”

Taking advantage of the brief moment of calm in their conversation, Bai Fanlu steadied himself and easily stood up. Mu Yunhe was about to throw up his hands in mock resignation when he suddenly noticed Bai Fanlu walking to the left, as if about to step ashore.

His pupils contracted. “Careful!”

Before Bai Fanlu could react, he stepped down with his right foot and found himself plunging into nothingness. It turned out that there was a sudden drop-off beneath the shallow water, something even Mu Yunhe hadn’t noticed, where the water was significantly deeper than the surrounding area.

Bai Fanlu stepped right in, and was immediately submerged.

The crushing pressure quickly surrounded him, the darkness, the heat—his chest constricted as the little air he had left was forced out and replaced by the mineral-laden spring water that aggressively poured in through his nose and mouth.

It hurts…I can’t breathe…

On the other side, as soon as Mu Yunhe dove into the water, he was swept away by the rapid current. He forced himself to dive deeper, and finally, a shadowy figure appeared in his blurred vision, swaying with the water.

Mu Yunhe swiftly swam over, not caring about anything else, and pressed his lips to Bai Fanlu’s, prying them open to transfer his warm breath.

In the dimness of the water, their hair intertwined, obscuring Mu Yunhe’s vision. Just as he was about to bring Bai Fanlu back to the surface, he felt the other man wrapping his arms around him, pressing his lips even more firmly against his.

Although he greatly enjoyed this unexpected kiss, the priority was to get to safety. He wrapped one arm around Bai Fanlu’s waist and began to rise toward the surface.

As soon as they reached the shore, Bai Fanlu pushed Mu Yunhe away and coughed for a long time before finally catching his breath. Exhausted, he slumped on the riverbank, panting heavily.

Mu Yunhe watched him recover. After a while, he said, “Just a moment ago, you were clinging to me and wouldn’t let go. And now you’re discarding me so quickly? So I was just a lifeline for you, huh? How heartbreaking.”

Bai Fanlu only wanted to hit him. “Who told you to drag me into the water?”

“Yes, yes, it’s all my fault,” Mu Yunhe replied with a laugh. “But, my dear, you can’t swim. That’s quite dangerous. How about I teach you?”

“No need,” Bai Fanlu replied coldly, trying to climb ashore while saying, “Your wound is completely soaked through. It needs to be treated immediately. Come on, hurry up.”

Suddenly, Mu Yunhe came up from behind, wrapped his arms around him, and before Bai Fanlu could react, he was pulled back into the water. As the water rushed around them, he barely had time to gasp before Mu Yunhe’s lips were on his again.

All he could hear was the sound of water. This time, there was no panic like when he first fell into the water, because he knew someone was there to protect him. Although Bai Fanlu was angry, he couldn’t pull away from those lips, as they were his only source of air.

He had to admit, this guy had an incredible lung capacity. Bai Fanlu was left marveling at this fact when Mu Yunhe finally brought him back to the surface for air.

Even though he was struggling to breathe, Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but ask, “Your wound…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was pushed back underwater again, forced to take in the limited air Mu Yunhe provided.

After repeating this process several times, Bai Fanlu was utterly exhausted. Clinging to the shore, he gasped for breath, his face flushed. “I-I give up. You’re just… just taking advantage of me!”

Mu Yunhe swam over and propped his chin on one hand, tilting his head to look at him. “But didn’t you notice?”

“Notice what?”

“You’re not as afraid of the water anymore.”

Bai Fanlu froze. It was true. He was much more comfortable in the water now, and the psychological barrier from falling in earlier had vanished, replaced by a shadow of the kissing maniac next to him.

“And your breath-holding time has also improved,” Mu Yunhe added with a smile. “You should thank me for that.”

His kissing skills were so good that they could make someone forget themselves completely.

Even without saying it, Bai Fanlu knew what he meant. But right now, he didn’t want to move. He turned his head away, showing only the back of his head to Mu Yunhe as he rested it on his arm, wanting nothing more than to rest.

“Hey, your wound…” Bai Fanlu mumbled, not forgetting.

Mu Yunhe was touched and heard Bai Fanlu’s resentful tone as he continued, “Forget it. I can’t be bothered with you.”

Mu Yunhe chuckled softly and leaned back against the shore. The two of them fell silent.

The surface of the hot spring water steamed gently, and as their legs stirred the water, the steam rose in layers, floating upwards.

Bai Fanlu’s clothes were soaked through, his figure outlined by the water’s ripple-like strands. His long hair was casually draped over his shoulders, complementing the translucent fabric, giving him an understated allure that was mesmerizing.

Mu Yunhe’s gaze lingered on the water’s surface, his eyes darkening slightly.

“After midnight, it will be your birthday,” Bai Fanlu suddenly broke the silence.

He didn’t turn his head, continuing to ask, “Do you have any birthday wishes?”

So Bai Fanlu had been keeping track of his birthday time.

Mu Yunhe stared at the back of Bai Fanlu’s head for a moment before replying, “You already know what my wish is.”

Bai Fanlu’s arms tensed slightly. “…Except for that…”

“Except for you, I have no other wishes.”

Bai Fanlu blushed. “It’s not necessarily about… that…”

About what? Even Bai Fanlu didn’t know what he meant.

But Mu Yunhe continued, “Indeed, it doesn’t have to be that to count, but if you’re unwilling, it means that deep down, you still… unlike me. When I see you, I want you, want to hold you, want to make you mine. If you truly like someone, that’s only natural, right?”

Mu Yunhe’s words were blunt but sincere, and the truth was just as he said—nothing could be more natural.

“…” Bai Fanlu was silent.

Mu Yunhe sighed helplessly. “So, it just means you don’t like me as much.”

“I…” Bai Fanlu almost blurted out something but was stopped by a lump in his throat.

“Why are you so nervous on my birthday?” Mu Yunhe teased, pretending to be relaxed. “Are you thinking about fulfilling the promise you made after my birthday?”

Bai Fanlu bit his lip. That wasn’t what he was worried about.

Mu Yunhe thought he had hit the mark. “Alright, don’t be like that. Look how scared you are. I was just teasing you. How could I force you in such a way? I’ll wait until the day you genuinely want to.”

“No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait.”

Bai Fanlu felt his heart tremble slightly, as if something had gently squeezed it. After a brief pause, it started beating uncontrollably again.

He heard the sound of water beside him, as if the other person was about to get out.

Bai Fanlu suddenly turned around. Mu Yunhe, caught off guard, thought he was slipping and quickly reached out to hold him, but instead, Bai Fanlu threw himself at him by the edge of the spring.

“Now

… it’s okay…”

Mu Yunhe’s breath hitched. What did he just hear?

Bai Fanlu clung tightly to Mu Yunhe, as if afraid to leave himself any room to back out. Burying his face in Mu Yunhe’s neck, he declared resolutely, “I’ll give you your birthday gift.”

Mu Yunhe’s mind buzzed, his entire face burning hot, along with the violent pulse at his neck that felt like it might melt.

“Lin Qiu…”

“You can call me ‘Shixiong.’ I like it when you call me that.”

“……”

Once the words started flowing, it wasn’t so hard to be honest and upfront. But just when Bai Fanlu had mustered the courage, the other person seemed to have gone dumb. Usually, when he didn’t want Mu Yunhe to flirt, he would flirt; but now that he was offering himself up, Mu Yunhe was acting timid.

Although his own hands were trembling slightly, Bai Fanlu still raised one to try touching Mu Yunhe’s face—his eyebrows, eyes, nose… It was the first time he had “seen” someone so clearly in this way.

When his fingers reached Mu Yunhe’s lips, he felt them part slightly, and Bai Fanlu, not knowing what came over him, slipped his fingers inside, only for Mu Yunhe to catch them in his mouth.

Bai Fanlu shivered all over, and then heard Mu Yunhe say, “Shixiong, you look really cute when you’re being honest. So, are you… seducing me?”

“Clearly, you’re the one seducing me.”

Mu Yunhe chuckled lowly and bit down on that finger. “I’ve been seducing you every day, but unfortunately, it hasn’t worked.”

“In fact…” Bai Fanlu tried to withdraw his hand, but Mu Yunhe held onto it and pulled it down.

In their current position, every slight movement was crystal clear, especially one of such “non-small” changes.

“Are you really sure? I’m… hard to satisfy…” Mu Yunhe said, pressing Bai Fanlu’s obviously hesitant hand, forcing him to feel.

“So what if I’m not sure…?”

Mu Yunhe looked at the flushed face in front of him, the half-lowered lashes clearly betraying Bai Fanlu’s current fluster, yet he bit his lip, speaking as if firmly resolved.

Mu Yunhe leaned in for a kiss, prying his lips open. “If you want to bite, bite me, not yourself. Tell me, why the sudden willingness?”

“…” Bai Fanlu wanted to say, because in two hours, it will be your life-and-death ordeal.

But he realized that this reason was flimsy, even he couldn’t convince himself with it.

Perhaps feeling unsatisfied or needing to prove something, Bai Fanlu hooked his arm around Mu Yunhe’s neck and kissed him.

The kiss lasted a long time, and even after they parted, they were still reluctant to let go.

“A-Zhan…”

“Hmm, I’m listening…”

Mu Yunhe’s kisses moved from Bai Fanlu’s lips to his ears, then to his neck, more tender and cherishing than any previous time, as if fearing that he might break him.

Bai Fanlu tilted his head slightly, his hands cradling the back of Mu Yunhe’s head, fingers threading through his hair.

Everything was quiet, only the sound of water could be heard.

Even their breathing was so soft it was barely noticeable.

And when that kiss finally landed on his heart, Bai Fanlu suddenly understood. He smiled softly and said, “Whatever you think the reason is, that’s the reason.”

Which essentially meant, “A-Zhan, I like you.”

It wasn’t your face or your voice that I like, but you. Even if we were in a different world, I’d still fall for you.

Now, Bai Fanlu was certain. He had been in denial all along. Something must have happened between him and Yun Zhan after they came down the mountain, something unrelated to Chen, something far from what he currently thought. Even if he couldn’t retrieve his memories, his feelings for this person were unmistakable.

One day, he would regain his memories, but until then, he didn’t want to lose this person. More than that, he wanted him to be happy, even if it was just to make this birthday a joyful one.

Having figured it out, he felt an immense sense of relief. It turned out that admitting the truth wasn’t as hard as he had imagined.

“You think the reason is the reason?” Mu Yunhe repeated.

“Yes.” Bai Fanlu responded softly, without hesitation.

After a long moment, Mu Yunhe buried his head against Bai Fanlu’s chest, listening to the intense beating of his heart.

With a sigh, Mu Yunhe suddenly tightened his grip, kissing Bai Fanlu once more and pushing him back into the water.

This time, there was no resistance, no struggle. They held each other tightly as their clothes were slowly peeled away. What was once an intricate robe unraveled under the water’s influence, until it too was stripped away.

Mu Yunhe gazed at Bai Fanlu, watching as his half-closed, narrow eyes, devoid of any light, were veiled in a thin layer of shimmering water, with a hint of mysterious dark purple beneath.

Though his eyes were fragile and blind, they seemed to harbor a profound, captivating emotion—an allure so striking it could drag one into eternal damnation with just a glance.

The two of them entwined like two fish, exchanging kisses as bubbles floated from beneath the water’s surface.

They swam together underwater, then rose to the surface for air, and finally rested on the shore.

Mu Yunhe held Bai Fanlu, looking at his stunning reflection under the moonlight.

This moment felt like a dream, yet the reality of it was so overwhelming that he couldn’t stop himself from confirming it, over and over again, from taking more and more.

Until he finally released the uncontrollable, intense love he had for this person.

In the haze, Bai Fanlu heard something echoing in his mind, but before he could understand it, he was once again drawn into a new, mesmerizing realm by the person beside him.

The world was their pillow, the stars and moon their lamps.

The campfire had long burned down to white ash, scattering a few sparks as it crumbled.

But the warm spring water remained, and this night, hotter than the fire, was just beginning to blaze. The end was far from sight…