Shen Mo lowered his gaze, his long eyelashes trembling slightly.
Over the past month, Sheng Yiyang had taken such good care of Shen Mo that his pale, delicate face had rounded out a bit. Not rushing him, Sheng Yiyang gently pinched Shen Mo’s soft cheek with the pad of his thumb, quietly waiting for his answer.
After a short moment, the figure in his arms nodded slightly.
Instantly thrilled, Sheng Yiyang picked Shen Mo up and planted an affectionate kiss on his lips. "Momo is such a good boy."
"So, Momo, how about we have glutinous rice porridge for breakfast tomorrow?"
Sheng Yiyang gazed at Shen Mo, eagerly awaiting his response.
Shen Mo’s eyes flickered, and he gave a light nod.
Sheng Yiyang always casually asked for his preferences; sometimes Shen Mo would reply with his eyes, and other times with a nod or a shake of his head. Nodding and shaking his head were what Sheng Yiyang loved and looked forward to the most.
The next day, the air still carried a damp freshness. Last night's rain had blown away some of the late-summer heat, though it still felt a bit muggy.
After spending the morning watching one of his own dramas with Shen Mo, Sheng Yiyang opened a book to teach him how to read and write.
Every time, he marvelled at Shen Mo's intelligence. As long as he explained something once, Shen Mo could remember its meaning. As for characters, after seeing them just once and practicing the strokes a few times, he mastered them completely.
Hanging on the wall of their bedroom was a piece of calligraphy: *Sheng Yiyang and Shen Mo will be together forever.*
Shen Mo had written this when he first started learning. Written in neat, square strokes, every single line carried his deep attachment to Sheng Yiyang.
Lunch was cooked together. Shen Mo had an extraordinary capacity for learning. Whenever Sheng Yiyang struggled with a dish, he would dictate the steps while Shen Mo manned the stove, and within moments, a rich aroma would fill the air.
At times like these, Sheng Yiyang would praise Shen Mo until his eyes crinkled into a happy smile.
After a spell of light, pattering rain, Sheng Yiyang took Shen Mo by the hand and went downstairs.
Shen Mo tightly linked his arm through Sheng Yiyang's, pressing his entire body close, his muscles stiff.
Sheng Yiyang wrapped an arm around Shen Mo's waist, rubbing his chin against the top of his head. Beneath his mask, his voice was low. "Momo, I'm right here."
Shen Mo nodded, his body relaxing slightly, though he still stayed pressed right against Sheng Yiyang, his dark, round eyes scanning his surroundings.
Whenever someone passed by, he would shrink back slightly behind Sheng Yiyang, only to lean forward again once the person had walked away.
Hearing children shouting and playing excitedly, his gaze would linger a little longer—it was hard to tell whether he was looking at the kids or at the cheering parents nearby.
"Hey, watch out, my ball!"
Suddenly, a shout rang out. Before Shen Mo could even move his head, Sheng Yiyang pulled him aside, and when Shen Mo looked up, he was met with Sheng Yiyang's broad back.
Shielding Shen Mo behind him, Sheng Yiyang batted the basketball flying toward them down to the ground, and as it bounced back up, he caught it firmly in his palm.
He glared at the boy of about eight who came running over, his tone unfriendly. "Hey kid, the basketball court is in the back!"
"I know, I know, I'm really sorry! I couldn't help it!" The boy scratched his head, glanced somewhat guiltily at Shen Mo hiding behind Sheng Yiyang, and asked, "Is... that older brother scared of me?"
Sheng Yiyang shot him a look. "You know it! There are too many people in the small park right now. If you want to play basketball, go to the court or come when there are fewer people."
"Got it, got it!" The boy gave a proper-looking salute, though less than half a second later he was grinning cheekily. "Mister, the move you just pulled was seriously so cool! Did you study basketball specially? Can you teach me? I have a basketball tournament next semester, and I'm going to crush everyone! I'm going to be the basketball king!"
Sheng Yiyang: "..."
Are kids these days all this thick-skinned?
Peering out from behind Sheng Yiyang, Shen Mo looked at the boy with curiosity.The boy also glanced at him, then gave Sheng Yiyang an ingratiating smile. However, he quickly shifted his target, turning his head toward Shen Mo. "Big brother, do you like playing basketball?"
Shen Mo glanced at the basketball in Sheng Yiyang's hand and gently shook his head.
Seeing this, the boy lowered his head, crestfallen as he took back the basketball. "Oh, sorry to bother you then."
Shen Mo tilted his head, looked at Sheng Yiyang, and tugged at his hand.
Sheng Yiyang rolled his eyes. This kid was quite the actor!
Still, since Shen Mo had agreed, then he would...
"Kid! It's not that I won't say yes, but it just rained, and the ball is all wet. Let's do it another time." Sheng Yiyang looked with distaste at his own hands stained with dirty water.
The moment he was called back, the boy whipped his head around in instant delight. Upon hearing Sheng Yiyang's words, his bright, round eyes rolled around.
Meanwhile, Shen Mo looked at the dirty water on Sheng Yiyang's hands, pulled a tissue from his pocket, and gently wiped them clean for him.
Looking up, the boy caught this sappy scene, his eyes carrying a familiar look of resignation and disgust. He lifted his chin. "Then let's exchange contact info. You have to come find me when you have time!"
Sheng Yiyang: "..."
The boy opened his smart watch and raised his chin at Sheng Yiyang.
Sheng Yiyang sighed helplessly and added the boy. "Next time it clears up."
The boy couldn't wait. "We can go to an indoor basketball court when it rains."
Sheng Yiyang: "..."
Isn't basketball something you just teach yourself? Do you really need someone to teach you?!
Sheng Yiyang gritted his teeth. "Fine!"
The boy cheered, "I'm going to go tell my dad—wait, where did my big dad go? ... You guys go on with your stroll, I'll go find my dad first! ... I'll message you! Make sure you remember me, okay~"
Sheng Yiyang: "..."
It seemed he never even mentioned what his name was?
The boy skipped and bounced away with his basketball, while Shen Mo's eyes curved into crescent moons.
Sheng Yiyang lowered his head and kissed his eyes, which seemed to hold a galaxy of stars. "Does Momo like him that much?"
Shen Mo nodded.
Sheng Yiyang pouted, pretending to be displeased. "Momo doesn't like me as much~"
Shen Mo looked at him, a hint of helplessness in his eyes, then wrapped his arms around his waist and rubbed against his chest, expressing his exclusive affection for him.
Sheng Yiyang ruffled Shen Mo's fluffy little head and took his hand to continue walking.
The lake shimmered with ripples, the water glittering.
This Mingxing Lake had been artificially reserved during the construction of Mingxing Residence. Now, it had become a scenic spot, dubbed by the residents as a "mini-mini-mini" West Lake.
A covered walkway ran along the perimeter of the lake, its roof draped with vines. In the early autumn season, the leaves had turned yellowish yet still stubbornly clung to the branches.
Children occasionally ran past under the corridor, and companions walked by them from time to time.
Curious gazes also sized them up, whispering for a moment before walking away with a smile. There was no malice in it; perhaps they had guessed something, or perhaps they were talking about something else.
Sheng Yiyang would occasionally lower his head to murmur something quietly to Shen Mo, and use his other free hand to pinch his cheek, until he suddenly noticed Shen Mo staring intently ahead—
An elderly man with crane-white hair was sitting by the edge of the corridor near the lake, brush in hand, sketching away with swift strokes.
Seeing how intently Shen Mo was watching, Sheng Yiyang led him a step closer.
Shen Mo watched as the elderly man drew a stroke and then looked up at the scenery before him. Within just a few glances, the scene came vividly to life on the canvas, and a flash of bright amazement crossed his eyes.
"Would the young brother like to sit for a portrait?"