Sheng Yiyang paused slightly, then waved a hand at Ji Rong.
Shen Mo watched him. Always keenly attuned to human emotions, he raised a hand to smooth out the slight frown between Sheng Yiyang's brows.
Sheng Yiyang's expression softened instantly. He caught Shen Mo's hand, pressed a light kiss to his fingertips, and murmured softly, "When my older brother meets Momo, he will definitely like him too~"
Shen Mo said nothing, his expression calm, yet anyone could tell how happy he was.
Late that night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse outside the window. Sheng Yiyang called Sheng Jingyao to briefly update him on Shen Mo's condition and what had happened with Ling Chen.
Sheng Jingyao's cold, questioning voice came over the phone: "Sheng Yiyang! You are not a child anymore! One Ling Chen wasn't enough, and now you bring in another Shen Mo! Even when you act out, there has to be a limit!"
"Brother, Momo is not like Ling Chen! For the rest of my life, having him alone is enough for me!"
The line fell silent for a moment, followed by a sharp click as the call was disconnected.
Sheng Yiyang leaned against the window frame, staring out into the night. At eighteen, reckless and full of youthful bravado, he had come out to his family for Ling Chen's sake and was driven out of the Sheng Family. Even so, he had never stopped using the title of the young master of the Sheng Family.
It was a pity that in his past life, because of Shen Ping's appearance, he had been framed as a "buyer" and branded with labels like murderer and drug addict. To find evidence to prove his innocence, the Sheng Family had fallen step by step into the enemy's trap, and in the end, they were unjustly saddled with heinous crimes and dragged off to prison.
Startled awake by a nightmare, Shen Mo looked around and spotted Sheng Yiyang standing beneath the window. Bathed in the moonlight, looking cold and desolate, Shen Mo frowned imperceptibly, scrambled out of bed without even taking time to put on his shoes, and ran straight over to wrap his arms around Sheng Yiyang's waist.
Sheng Yiyang started in surprise, then grabbed Shen Mo's hands, turned around, and looked at him. "Momo, why are you awake?"
Shen Mo carefully traced Sheng Yiyang's face, moving his hand from the bridge of his brow to the outer corner of his eye, as if trying to comfort him.
A warmth spread through Sheng Yiyang's chest. Lowering his gaze, he saw Shen Mo's fair, bare feet standing on the floor. With a helpless smile, he ruffled Shen Mo's hair, swept him up in a horizontal embrace, rubbed his forehead against Shen Mo's, and said softly, "Momo, you must remember to wear shoes. Otherwise you'll catch a cold!"
Shen Mo blinked. Mimicking Sheng Yiyang, he rubbed his forehead against his, and looked puzzled when Sheng Yiyang suddenly burst out laughing.
Sheng Yiyang looked at Shen Mo. Within those pitch-black eyes of his, it seemed as though a star had taken up residence—a star born solely for him.
Shen Mo recovered exceptionally well and was able to be discharged in less than a month. During his final checkup, the doctor looked at Sheng Yiyang with a gratified expression, adding a parting reminder: "Don't let your guard down! Take good care of him!"
Sheng Yiyang nodded vigorously. Needless to say, that was exactly what he intended to do! His current goal was to fatten Momo up until he was plump and rosy!
Shen Mo had grown accustomed to the environment of the hospital room. Despite everything Sheng Yiyang had told him, he still felt a lingering timidity as they left, his fingers gripping Sheng Yiyang's arm until his knuckles turned white.
Sheng Yiyang cradled Shen Mo in his arms, offering a steady stream of reassurance. "Momo, we're going home now~ Our home."
Only after these words were repeated three times did Shen Mo finally stir, slowly following along beside Sheng Yiyang.
From the driver's seat, Ji Rong watched the scene with an indescribable feeling in his chest. He had never seen Sheng Yiyang show such patience with anyone before. Not even with Ling Chen!
Sheng Yiyang now lived at Mingxing Residence in Shangdu. True to its name, it was home to many major celebrity stars, and rumor had it that even a few national-level figures lived there. As for how people knew—once, a paparazzi reporter had sneaked in while trying to stalk a celebrity and ended up getting arrested as a spy, after which the security at Mingxing Residence had been multiplied several times over.
Those who could live there were invariably either extraordinarily wealthy or prominent.
Ji Rong dropped them off upstairs and returned to the studio. Sheng Yiyang programmed Shen Mo's fingerprint into the smart door lock, then softly guided him through the process.
Shen Mo stared at the door lock, looked down at his own hand, and then turned his gaze back to Sheng Yiyang.
Having spent days and nights together in the hospital, Sheng Yiyang could understand Shen Mo's glances to a certain extent. With a smile, he ruffled Shen Mo's hair and led him inside.
Sheng Yiyang had specially arranged for someone to clean the apartment beforehand, and the refrigerator was stocked with supplies prepared by Ji Rong. Motioning for Shen Mo to sit on the sofa, Sheng Yiyang retrieved some ingredients from the fridge, held them up with a smile, and said, "Momo, I learned how to make a new dish. Let me cook it for you to try?"
Shen Mo blinked and followed close behind Sheng Yiyang, watching him clumsily whip up a plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes.
Sheng Yiyang stared at the rather unappealing plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, his brow deeply furrowed.
Shen Mo stepped forward, wrapped his arms around him, and raised a hand to smooth away his frown.
Looking aggrieved, Sheng Yiyang hugged Shen Mo back, rested his chin on his shoulder, and let out a long sigh. "Momo~ Looks like we'll have to order takeout today after all~"
Shen Mo gazed at the plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, then rubbed his face against Sheng Yiyang's cheek.
Sheng Yiyang looked puzzled. "Momo, do you want to try making it?"
Shen Mo blinked.
Sheng Yiyang nodded, retrieved more ingredients from the refrigerator, and began explaining while watching Shen Mo's movements. The longer he watched, the more astonished he became. He couldn't help staring at his own hands—the steps were clearly identical! Why was Momo able to complete everything methodically, producing a dish that looked and smelled wonderful, not to mention the taste......
Unable to wait, Sheng Yiyang took a bite, beamed with delight, and planted a kiss on Shen Mo's cheek. "Momo, you're amazing! You learned it on the very first try!"
Shen Mo's brows curved softly, the corners of his lips lifting into a slight smile.
"Momo~ You smiled! You look so pretty when you smile!" Filled with joy, Sheng Yiyang felt tears prick the corners of his eyes.
Shen Mo tilted his head. He didn't fully understand what a "smile" was, but he liked being praised by Sheng Yiyang. He hugged Sheng Yiyang, stood on tiptoe, and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
Happier than ever, Sheng Yiyang rubbed his face against Shen Mo's once more before carrying the food out to the table.
The two of them enjoyed their meal together immensely.
Even so, Sheng Yiyang had still ordered takeout. Seeing that the dishes were all vegetarian items he loved, Shen Mo's eyes curved into crescents, and he picked up a piece with his chopsticks to place it in Sheng Yiyang's bowl.
Before long, they were feeding each other back and forth, having the time of their lives.
Shen Mo had developed a habit of taking an afternoon nap—something Sheng Yiyang had forced him to adopt during their time in the hospital.
With the meal finished, a wave of sleepiness washed over Shen Mo, and he gazed drowsily at Sheng Yiyang.
There were two bedrooms. After a moment of thought, Sheng Yiyang led him into the master bedroom, planning to sleep in the adjacent room that night. As much as he wanted to marry Shen Mo, Shen Mo was currently innocent and naive, like a blank sheet of paper. He wanted to help Shen Mo step out of his own isolated world and willingly choose him.
Perhaps because he was still unfamiliar with the surroundings, or perhaps because Sheng Yiyang's scent was missing from the bed, Shen Mo slept restlessly. He snapped his eyes open to find the room plunged in darkness, the bedside lamp casting a faint, warm orange glow.
Shen Mo's breathing instantly turned ragged. He clenched his hands into tight fists and curled his legs up involuntarily. With a sharp snap, he swiped the bedside lamp off the table, and only when the light went out did his breathing slowly begin to even out.
"Momo?"
The room lights flickered on abruptly. Shen Mo's body stiffened instinctively as he stared warily at the newcomer, but upon seeing that it was Sheng Yiyang, he blinked slowly.
A pang of anxiety pierced Sheng Yiyang's chest. He hurried over, sat down on the edge of the bed, took Shen Mo's tightly clenched hands in his, gently pried them open, and interlocked his fingers with Shen Mo's. "Momo, don't be afraid. I'm here. I'm right here with you!"