A pair of hands cradled the back of his head, as if to shield him from hitting anything. But before Chi Zhan could process it, his thoughts were already spiraling into chaos.
Qi Song’s lips were cool to the touch—soft beyond belief. Those dexterous fingers, once the very tools of countless victories in the e-sports arena, now curled around Chi Zhan’s hand, interlacing their fingers, holding tight.
His kisses fell like a gentle, endless drizzle, brushing from the corner of Chi Zhan’s eye, down the bridge of his nose, then sweeping along his cheek. Each one was saturated with tenderness. Every touch silently whispered “I love you.” Chi Zhan had never imagined Seven’s emotions could be this intense. It was as if he were sinking into the ocean’s depths—yet somehow, he felt no fear, no pain.
The sheer intimacy of it all chipped away at his defenses. Qi Song murmured, “You can push me away,” even as he held Chi Zhan close in his arms, making escape entirely impossible.
Such a hypocritical man.
“Don’t break up with me. Please?”
Qi Song’s voice was so quiet, it rippled like a tiny fish’s tail flicking across the water’s surface—barely audible, yet relentless. He kept asking, again and again, as if unwilling to ever stop. As though if Chi Zhan didn’t give an answer, he’d go on asking until the end of time.
When Chi Zhan didn’t respond, Qi Song’s kiss finally landed on his lips—but didn’t press fully. Instead, he just hovered, lightly brushing the corner of Chi Zhan’s mouth.
The scent of pine resin and winter snow mingled in the air between them as Qi Song kissed him again and again, softly, watching his expression.
Chi Zhan looked dazed, as if lost in thought about something entirely unrelated.
Who are you thinking about… at a moment like this?
But the truth was—Chi Zhan wasn’t thinking of anyone.
In his mind, two tiny figures had popped up. One was white, saying, “You already owe him so much. Breaking up now would be cruel.” The other was black, countering, “And what about the end of the world? Can you just ignore it? Everyone will be dragged down! Once it happens, there’s nothing left!”
The two bickered, voices rising, each claiming the moral high ground. Chi Zhan had never felt so tormented. He was truly torn.
Before either side could win the argument, Qi Song’s voice pulled him abruptly back to reality.
“Are you breaking up with me because of someone else?”
Qi Song had leaned back slightly. He wasn’t kissing him anymore, but his tone had turned cold, as if something inside him was being forcefully restrained.
Chi Zhan blinked, confused by the sudden shift.
“No, but…”
Qi Song wasn’t listening anymore.
His breath grew heavier, the calm detachment he usually carried fading from his eyes. In the next instant, he leaned in and kissed him.
This time, it wasn’t a fleeting peck.
Qi Song caught Chi Zhan’s lips fully, drawing them in with the gentleness of someone savoring cotton candy—no aggressive force, no deep invasion, just a soft pull that tingled like a faint electric current racing through every nerve in Chi Zhan’s body. Reflexively, Chi Zhan tightened his grip, trying desperately to stay calm.
But they were still holding hands.
Even the subtlest reactions couldn’t go unnoticed, let alone something like this. No matter how well he tried to mask it, some things the body simply couldn’t fake.
He didn’t know how long the kiss lasted before Qi Song finally released him, reaching up to softly brush his fingers across Chi Zhan’s swollen lips.
“Sorry. I think they’re a little puffy,” he said, studying his face. “It’s my first time kissing you… guess I’m a bit unpracticed. I’ll be gentler next time.”
“……”
That’s what you’re focusing on right now?!
He had already decided he was going to push Qi Song away—but Qi Song gave not even a hint of his usual calm restraint. Every time Chi Zhan tried to pull back, the kiss only deepened. He’d nibble, just lightly enough to distract him, all while pinning his wrists with a firm grip. In the end, Chi Zhan didn’t even have the chance to act.
“We’re not breaking up,” Qi Song repeated, eyes locked on him, unwavering.
At this point, Chi Zhan couldn’t even say “no.”
Because the moment he said that word, Qi Song would lean in and kiss him again—like he was absolutely determined to win him back with sheer persistence. Chi Zhan had no strength left to resist. He could only step back.
“…Let me think about it.”
“Okay.”
Finally, Qi Song stopped giving him that half-pleading, half-obsessive gaze.
Chi Zhan let out a quiet breath of relief.
He hadn’t expected Qi Song—the one he thought would be easiest to walk away from—to be the hardest of all four targets to shake off. Completely unshakable. Left with no options, he could only resort to vague delay tactics.
It was a good thing Chi Zhan had an iron will. Anyone else, faced with such relentless affection from their adored idol, would’ve melted on the spot.
The fact that he hadn’t already given in was impressive enough.
“By the way,” Qi Song suddenly said, as if remembering something. “Close your eyes.”
Chi Zhan immediately went on high alert.
“No more kissing.”
“No more,” Qi Song replied, a faint smile in his eyes. His gaze drifted to Chi Zhan’s lips again, still clearly tempted, but he said, “It’s the gift I mentioned before. I want to give it to you now.”
Chi Zhan looked at him, skeptical. He had a strong suspicion that Seven was bluffing—and he swore, if Qi Song tried to sneak another kiss, he’d genuinely snap.
Watching Chi Zhan shut his eyes, unusually obedient for once, stirred something in Qi Song. His heart scratched with the sensation of a cat pawing at it. But he held back. Another kiss, and Chi Zhan would absolutely lose it.
Little Cat Chi was even more sensitive than milk—couldn’t handle too much spice, fiercely protective of his pride, would bristle after too many kisses, and always on high alert to avoid being snuck up on. Like he might bolt to a corner at any second to lick his wounds alone.
Qi Song could only be patient. He had to wait until Chi Zhan came out on his own, let his guard down. Coax him with sweets and games. One day, the little cat would choose to love him back.
Chi Zhan had no idea what Qi Song was thinking. He was a little nervous, but he didn’t think Seven would actually break his word. Still, he braced himself.
After just a few seconds—or maybe a dozen—Chi Zhan felt Qi Song’s arms around him, doing something he couldn’t quite place. Then he heard his voice.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Chi Zhan blinked in surprise. What did Qi Song give him?
He was completely lost until Qi Song pointed to his own neck.
Chi Zhan tilted his head, confused, and leaned closer to look at Qi Song’s slender throat.
“What is it?”
Kissing really does lower Chi Zhan’s IQ, Qi Song thought to himself. Seems like I need to do it more often.
“It’s this,” Qi Song said, tapping lightly at Chi Zhan’s neck.
Chi Zhan reached up—and felt something smooth and cool: a piece of jade.
