He saw Shen Mengzhi's eyes brighten as if they held the starlight. Then, his lips moved slightly, uttering a few words: "The kind of way that makes my heart... inexplicably happy."

The clear scent of wine lingered at the tip of his nose. Chu Jin said in a low voice, "Senior Brother, did you drink?"

Shen Mengzhi replied, "Yes, a little."

Chu Jin asked, "How much is a little?"

Shen Mengzhi said, "Just one cup. Qi Yu gave it to me."

He answered every question, appearing completely compliant, which seemed no different from usual. But Chu Jin knew he was drunk.

He sighed softly. "...I told you not to drink."

Shen Mengzhi said, "I wanted to, so I did."

Chu Jin would bet that a sober Shen Mengzhi would never say such a thing, nor would he ever laugh so hard he couldn't stand up straight. He rarely had such lively and cheerful moments, full of emotion, and he seemed to love smiling.

'Did the alcohol bring out a second personality?'

Chu Jin's gaze rested on the relaxed smile on his lips, and as if moved by it, he also slowly began to smile. "Senior Brother, so... is this your true self?"

It was unclear what nerve this sentence struck, but Shen Mengzhi's expression instantly became bewildered. After a moment, he shook his head.

He slowly regained his wandering senses and spoke softly, "Am I drunk?"

He had only ever seen drunk people insist they weren't drunk; he'd never seen one with such a clear self-awareness. Chu Jin smiled. "Yes."

Shen Mengzhi hesitated. "What did I just say? ...Did I make a drunken scene?"

'He blacked out that quickly?'

"Nothing much," Chu Jin said meaningfully. "But it did let me see an unknown side of Senior Brother."

Shen Mengzhi's face paled. "...What?"

Chu Jin glanced at him, deliberately keeping him in suspense, and recalled bit by bit, "A little willful, a little spontaneous, a little... cute."

No one had ever used these words to describe him before. Shen Mengzhi took a long time to process them. He turned his face away, the night wind sobering him up a bit. "It was just a drunken lapse. Don't take it to heart."

The Red Sleeve Pavilion was the tallest tavern in Xufang, and the view was exceptional. They were on the highest floor, and looking down, they could see the city's lights twinkling like stars. A solitary moon hung in the sky, casting its glow on the green tiles and red walls, the glazed flying eaves, and the passing pedestrians, draping them all in moonlight. Fiery trees and silver flowers lined the ten-li street, fine horses and carved carriages filled the roads with fragrance, the night market was lit by a thousand lamps, and the streets bustled with noise—a prosperous mortal world filled the eyes.

Chu Jin leaned lightly against the railing in a casual posture, watching this vast world with him. After a long while, he said with a hint of a smile in his voice, "How unfortunate. I've already taken the liberty of placing you in my heart."

Shen Mengzhi's eyes suddenly widened. He turned his head. "What?"

At that very instant, a loud bang suddenly came from downstairs, tearing through the worldly clamor. Immediately, several streaks of red light shot straight up, piercing through miles of azure clouds, and exploded with a boom at the zenith. The fiery blossoms branched out, momentarily illuminating the night as if it were day, scattering the city's stars like rain.

The dazzling fireworks instantly deprived him of his sight and hearing. His vision went white, and his ears were filled with the sound of the fireworks exploding mid-air and the laughter of the people. As a result, his senses of smell and touch became more acute.

Amidst the clamor, a faint scent of sandalwood suddenly brushed past his nose, followed by a pair of cool lips pressing against his forehead, giving a long kiss between his brows.

A night-blooming cereus in the depths of the smoke and clouds, gone in an instant like passing smoke. When the dust and smoke settled and silence returned, the pounding of his heart could no longer be hidden.

Chu Jin gazed at him and, after a moment, let out a low laugh.

"In Flower and Willow Lane, I didn't finish what I was saying."

He gently pressed his forehead against Shen Mengzhi's. Seeing that the other didn't push him away, his smile deepened. Their breaths mingled, and he could hear how ragged Shen Mengzhi's breathing was, which in turn made his own heart beat wildly.

"When you said you don't dislike me, what did you mean?" Chu Jin whispered. "Is it just 'not disliking'? Then what's the difference between me and Qi Yu and the others?"

He was not satisfied, nor was he willing to accept it.

He raised a hand and punishingly touched the corner of Shen Mengzhi's lips. They were very soft, and the light brush of his fingertip left behind a lovely shade of pink. "I was really almost fooled by you."

Shen Mengzhi's lips moved, and he said stubbornly, "...You were the one who asked it that way."

Back then, Chu Jin had asked if he disliked him, and he didn't really have anything else he could say.

Chu Jin smiled. "Then shall I ask again now?"

Without waiting for a reply, he looked deep into Shen Mengzhi's eyes and enunciated each word with perfect clarity, "Senior Brother, I bet you like me."

Shen Mengzhi looked back at him, saw his deep gaze, and heard him part his lips, each word stirring his heart.

"—This bet, did I win?"

Chu Jin saw his own reflection in Shen Mengzhi's eyes. Focused, composed, with a deep smile, all his trepidation and unease were well hidden.

He hadn't misspoken. He was indeed making a bet.

Since childhood, his life had been filled with one life-or-death gamble after another. In order to survive, he was always calm, always rational, and always winning.

There had never been a gamble that made him as nervous and anxious as he was today.

The silence at this moment became very long. Chu Jin was afraid that if it lasted even one second longer, he wouldn't be able to maintain his smile. The sound of his heartbeat thundered in his ears like a war drum. He let out a breath and closed his eyes.

The next moment, he felt a hand cover his eyes. Shen Mengzhi touched his lips, a touch as light as a comfort.

He said, "You won."

The moment Shen Mengzhi's hand covered his eyes, Chu Jin could no longer hear his own heartbeat.

He froze for a long time before the cold blood in his limbs began to warm again. After a moment, he suddenly said, "Senior Brother, were you just kissing me?"

Shen Mengzhi: "..."

Just as he was regretting his recent impulse, the hand covering Chu Jin's eyes was suddenly grabbed and pulled down. Chu Jin held his hand, brought it to his lips, and said softly, "That doesn't count as a kiss."

The world spun, and Shen Mengzhi was caught off guard as he was pressed against the railing. His back was against the vermilion-lacquered railing, and Chu Jin held the nape of his neck with one hand, looking down at him with a beaming smile.

"This is called a kiss."

The lanterns of the Red Sleeve Pavilion were dazzling, the songs and dances decadent.

He lowered his head and kissed the bright moon.

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Sprinkling flowers