After playing with Yun Hu for hours, the girls finally left.
The apartment returned to its quiet rhythm.
Chen stood at the sink, sleeves slightly rolled up, washing the dishes. The soft sound of running water filled the kitchen.
Behind him, Xu Jin wiped down the table slowly, his movements unhurried.
When he finished, he didn't immediately sit.
Instead, he glanced toward Chen.
Chen was focused on the dishes, unaware.
Xu Jin walked over.
Without warning, he wrapped his arms around Chen from behind.
Chen froze.
Xu Jin's chest pressed firmly against his back. One arm circled his waist securely, the other resting higher, holding him in place. He lowered his chin onto Chen's shoulder, breath warm against his neck.
Chen's fingers tightened around the dish he was holding.
"Xu Jin…"
He instinctively tried to step forward—
But Xu Jin's hold tightened slightly.
"Don't move," Xu Jin murmured softly near his ear.
The tone wasn't loud.
But it was intimate.
Too intimate.
Chen's ears began turning pink.
Xu Jin's voice dropped lower, almost brushing against Chen's skin.
"Let's make it real."
Chen's mind went blank.
"…What?" he managed.
Xu Jin chuckled softly right beside his ear, the vibration sending warmth straight down Chen's spine. He pulled Chen even closer until there was barely any space left between them.
"What those girls said," Xu Jin whispered. "Be a couple."
Chen's entire face turned red—bright, undeniable.
A small, unconscious hum escaped his throat.
Soft.
Barely audible.
But Xu Jin heard it.
Something in his eyes darkened.
In one swift motion, Xu Jin turned Chen around to face him.
Chen barely had time to react.
Xu Jin leaned down—
And just as their faces were inches apart—
A sudden force struck his cheek.
Smack.
A sharp scratch followed.
Xu Jin jerked back.
The dream shattered instantly.
Between them, lifted high in Xu Jin's hands without him even realizing, was Yun Hu—
Fur slightly puffed, eyes narrowed, paw extended with clear warning.
The murderous aura was undeniable.
Back off.
Xu Jin stared at the tiny creature.
Then slowly… very slowly… he loosened his grip.
Yun Hu dropped lightly to the floor, tail flicking with authority.
Xu Jin stared at the small "creature" on the floor.
Yun Hu stared back without blinking.
The scratch on Xu Jin's cheek stung slightly.
A moment ago—
Chen's flushed face, that soft sound, the closeness—
Xu Jin blinked.
And the kitchen was normal again.
Chen was standing at the sink, washing dishes calmly, sleeves rolled neatly, expression peaceful as ever.
No red face.
No turning around.
No almost-kiss.
Just the steady sound of running water.
Xu Jin exhaled slowly.
"…So it was just a honey illusion," he muttered under his breath.
That explained it.
How else would he suddenly get that much courage?
He ran a hand over his face, half amused, half embarrassed.
Yun Hu flicked his tail like he had seen through everything.
Xu Jin straightened and walked toward Chen.
"Let me help," he said casually. "I'm good at washing dishes."
Chen glanced at him in slight surprise.
"You are?"
"Yes."
Chen studied him for a second, then shifted slightly to make space. "Alright."
Xu Jin stepped beside him.
Their shoulders brushed lightly.
This time, neither of them reacted dramatically.
Chen passed him a rinsed plate. Xu Jin took it and began drying.
The kitchen filled again with quiet sounds—water, ceramic, soft movements.
Yun Hu jumped onto a nearby chair and watched them both like a silent supervisor.
After finishing the dishes, both of them dried their hands.
Chen turned slightly and glanced at Xu Jin's cheek.
"Did you just get that wound?" His eyes shifted toward Yun Hu, who was sitting nearby looking innocent.
Xu Jin touched the scratch lightly. "Seems like it."
Chen sighed softly. "Come sit here. I'll disinfect it."
Xu Jin's eyes immediately lit up.
So that demon cat can actually be useful, he thought.
He obediently sat on the sofa.
Chen went to get the first aid kit. On the way back, he paused in front of Yun Hu and lightly flicked his forehead.
"This is your punishment," Chen said gently. "You can't scratch people every time you get irritated, okay?"
Yun Hu showed absolutely no remorse.
He gave a small, dramatic meow as if pretending to reflect on his actions.
Chen shook his head and walked back.
He opened the first aid kit and leaned closer to Xu Jin.
"Stay still."
Xu Jin watched him quietly.
Chen's fingers were careful as he dabbed the disinfectant onto the scratch.
The cold sting hit—
Xu Jin jerked slightly.
That small movement threw off Chen's balance.
Before he could react, he tipped forward—
And fell directly onto Xu Jin.
The first aid kit slid to the side.
Xu Jin reacted fast, wrapping an arm around Chen's waist to steady him.
Unlike before—
This time, they were on the sofa.
Chen was on top of him.
And Xu Jin didn't let go.
His hand remained firm around Chen's waist, keeping him close.
Too close.
Their faces were only inches apart.
Xu Jin's voice dropped into a low murmur.
"Aren't you a little too clumsy, Brother?"
Chen's face flushed instantly.
He pushed against Xu Jin's chest and hurriedly tried to get up.
"You—"
Before he could finish, Xu Jin caught his wrist.
"Don't forget," Xu Jin said calmly, a faint smirk forming, "my surgery is on the way."
Chen froze.
"You…" he started, flustered beyond words.
But he couldn't argue.
He quickly steadied himself, sat properly beside Xu Jin this time, and resumed cleaning the wound with stiff movements.
No more leaning.
No more falling.
Xu Jin watched him quietly, amused.
Chen finished applying the medicine and wrapped the bandage neatly.
"There," he said quickly, avoiding eye contact.
Xu Jin glanced at the clean bandage, then at Chen's still-pink ears.
Yun Hu, from the chair, stared at them both.
Completely unimpressed.