As night fell, the streetlamps along the corridor clicked on one by one, casting a dazzling brilliance.
Elder Gong packed away Yu Zimo’s portrait and placed it solemnly into Yu Chen’s hands, saying meaningfully, "Keep it safe."
Yu Zimo said excitedly, "Dad, I want to hang it in my bedroom! Is that okay?"
Yu Chen glanced at Shen Mo, nodded, and expressed his gratitude to Shen Mo and Sheng Yiyang.
Shen Mo had already stood up by this time. He shook his head at Yu Chen, then quickly buried his face in Sheng Yiyang’s arms.
Sheng Yiyang curled his lips into a smile, gently patting Shen Mo’s back. His gaze toward Yu Zimo carried a hint of thankfulness as well. "Thank you too. Momo has had a wonderful time."
Yu Zimo scratched the back of his head, his little face flushed red and looking somewhat embarrassed.
Zihuai, standing beside Yu Chen, rarely saw Yu Zimo looking so bashful and let out a sudden burst of laughter.
Yu Zimo glared at Zihuai. Before he could say anything, his stomach let out a loud rumble, and right on cue, Shen Mo’s stomach grumbled as well.
Shen Mo and Yu Zimo stared at each other with wide eyes, both of their adorable faces flushed red. Shen Mo dove back into Sheng Yiyang’s arms, while Yu Zimo grabbed Zihuai around the waist and hid behind him.
Zihuai burst out laughing, giving Yu Zimo’s head a playful ruffle. Yu Chen’s cool eyes held a trace of a smile as he said, "Elder Gong, Xiao Sheng, this brat has caused you trouble. Let me treat you to a meal."
Sheng Yiyang wasn't surprised at all that Yu Chen had recognized him. Who was Yu Chen? An entertainment industry god who had won eight Best Actor awards and retired behind the scenes a decade ago. That award-winning film and television project of his had actually been directed by him, though he had used the stage name Huaiyu externally, leaving internet users unaware of his true identity.
Sheng Yiyang felt the hands of Shen Mo, who was holding onto him, stiffen slightly. He declined politely, "Thank you, Brother Yu, but Momo is still a bit unaccustomed to this. I'll treat you next time."
Yu Chen looked at the completely rigid Shen Mo, nodded, and didn't press the matter, merely reminding him, "You must protect him well."
Sheng Yiyang was in the entertainment industry and was naturally subject to intense scrutiny. He himself didn't mind, but Shen Mo most likely wouldn't be able to bear it.
Sheng Yiyang’s eyes flickered before turning resolute. "I know. I will protect him well."
Sheng Yiyang took Shen Mo by the hand and left. Beneath the corridor, the lamplight cast shifting shadows, their tall figures seemingly melting into one.
"Big brother, you have to remember that you still owe me basketball lessons!"
Yu Zimo’s loud shout instantly shattered the somewhat romantic atmosphere.
Sheng Yiyang turned his head and glared at him, causing Yu Zimo to guiltily make a zipping gesture across his lips.
Zihuai raised an eyebrow, grabbed a stray tuft of hair on top of Yu Zimo’s head, and said with a roguish smirk, "Well, well. In the blink of an eye, you've gone and found yourself a master? Didn't you say I was the one teaching you?"
Yu Zimo shook his head, slapping away Zihuai’s mischievous hands in an attempt to rescue his hair from the "bad guy's" clutches, and muttered, "You teach me? Someone who can't even dribble a basketball is going to teach me!"
Zihuai: "……"
Zihuai looked aggrievedly at Yu Chen. "A-Chen, look at your son, he's looking down on me~"
Yu Chen swept a light glance his way, and Yu Zimo instantly quieted down.
Elder Gong looked at the three of them with kind, smiling eyes, chuckling heartily as Yu Zimo held Elder Gong’s hand and skipped happily ahead of Yu Chen and Zihuai, ready to go eat.
"It looks like Elder Gong really likes that young man," Zihuai said with a smile.
Elder Gong nodded. "He’s a very good boy. His talent in painting is extraordinary. The piece he drew for Zimo is only his second one ever."
"His second one?" Even Yu Chen was surprised.
"That's right." Elder Gong nodded, then sighed, "But that child might have some psychological issues."
Yu Zimo shook his head. "What kind of psychological issues?"
As punishment, Zihuai gave his little ear a light pinch. "Go back and ask Baidu yourself."
Yu Zimo pouted and humped a sound of disapproval at Zihuai.
Zihuai humped right back at him, then turned to Yu Chen with a curious look. "You know, do you think Sheng Yiyang and Ling Chen falling out previously had anything to do with that kid?"
"Put that way, doesn't it seem like Sheng Yiyang might be a bit of a scumbag? Getting together with that kid so quickly~"
"Don't talk nonsense." Yu Chen pinched the back of Zihuai’s neck, then smoothly smoothed upward to ruffle his fluffy little head. "Sheng Yiyang doesn't seem like that kind of person."
Zihuai pouted, grabbed Yu Chen’s hand, and intertwined his fingers with his.
Sheng Yiyang, who was currently buying painting supplies for Shen Mo, had no idea that he had almost been labeled a "scumbag." While shielding Shen Mo, he led him over to look at the art materials.
Getting Shen Mo to enter a supermarket at all had required Sheng Yiyang to coax and persuade him for a long time. Just as he thought they would have to postpone it to next time, Shen Mo had given a slight nod.
Shen Mo looked up at Sheng Yiyang, seeing the gleam of pleasant surprise in his eyes. He blinked, stood on tiptoe over his mask, and pecked him on the lips.
Sheng Yiyang ruffled Shen Mo’s hair and nuzzled his cheek. "Momo is amazing. We'll buy Momo art supplies, and then buy a picture frame to hang 'me' up."
Sheng Yiyang shook the scroll in his hand.
Shen Mo curved his eyes, a glimmer of anticipation in his gaze.
The supermarket was quite crowded in the evening, but mainly around the snack and fruit sections; the other areas were relatively quiet. Sheng Yiyang didn't force Shen Mo to go into crowded places either. Holding his hand, they bypassed the busy spots and arrived at the art supplies section.
This area mostly featured children's toys, with sketchbooks and markers geared more toward kids and teenagers. Professional tools like the ones Elder Gong used were not available here.
Shen Mo couldn't yet tell what was professional and what wasn't. He saw a sketchbook and immediately liked it, then curiously looked at the small toys nearby. Whenever he found something he liked, he would turn his head and blink at Sheng Yiyang.
Sheng Yiyang: "Buy it. Momo, put everything you like into this shopping basket."
With this validation, Shen Mo took a sketchbook, a box of markers, and a small toy, placed them into the shopping basket, and then stood obediently watching Sheng Yiyang.
Sheng Yiyang leaned down and kissed his cheek. "Wonderful~"
Checking out was also the most nerve-wracking time for Shen Mo. He gripped Sheng Yiyang’s hand tightly, kept his head down, and remained tense all over.
It seemed someone said something to him, but Sheng Yiyang brushed them off.
It wasn't until they returned home that Shen Mo finally relaxed completely, collapsing onto the sofa and looking at Sheng Yiyang with a pitiful expression while rubbing his stomach.
Sheng Yiyang couldn't help laughing or crying, pressing a kiss to Shen Mo’s forehead. "Shall we cook noodles today, then~"
Shen Mo nodded and skillfully turned on the television, playing one of Sheng Yiyang’s television dramas.
The sound of the stove igniting came from the kitchen. Shen Mo tilted his head, pulled out the newly bought sketchbook and pens, sat on the sofa, and buried himself in his creation, occasionally glancing toward the kitchen.
After Sheng Yiyang finished cooking the noodles and placed them on the dining table, Shen Mo held up his sketchbook with curved eyes, looking at him expectantly.
The sketchbook clearly depicted him in the kitchen and him watching TV on the sofa.
This time it was a sketch without color, but Sheng Yiyang could still see the pink romantic bubbles radiating from it.
He lunged forward, picked up Shen Mo for a spin, and pressed his lips against Shen Mo’s, tenderly and delicately lingering.
Shen Mo hooked his arms around Sheng Yiyang’s neck, wrapping himself around him with bright, smiling eyes, like an excited child who had just received candy.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang. The two of them, tightly embraced inside the room, looked at each other in dismay. Shen Mo looked at Sheng Yiyang in confusion, blinking his eyes: Was it Ji Rong?
Sheng Yiyang set Shen Mo down on the sofa and checked his phone; Ji Rong hadn't sent him any messages, so it wouldn't be him.
Suddenly thinking of someone, his eyes froze.