It was late. Qi Shi’an turned on several lamps to their brightest setting, then grabbed the toiletries bag and headed to the spring with Shen Duoyi to wash up. Along the way, the ground was covered with thick layers of fallen leaves, scattered twigs, and stones.

Shen Duoyi held onto his clothes and asked, “Are we the only ones camping here?”

“No, this place is pretty big,” Qi Shi’an replied. “When you register, they tell you which areas are free to avoid running into others. Otherwise, it wouldn’t feel like camping.”

Shen Duoyi said, “I thought camping would be tough, but it turns out it’s pretty romantic.”

They reached the spring, and after hanging up the lamps, they began to wash their faces and brush their teeth. The mountain spring water was sweet but freezing cold. With the low temperatures, they both felt remarkably awake after finishing their routine.

On the way back, Shen Duoyi held the lamp while Qi Shi’an carried two buckets of spring water. Once they reached the tent, he poured the water into a thermos and said, “I mixed in some warm water. Do you want to wipe down a bit?”

Shen Duoyi, wearing slippers, said, “Even though no one’s around, it still feels like streaking in the open…”

“It’s pitch dark. Who could see you streaking?” Qi Shi’an said, though he still went to the front of the tent and pulled down a waterproof tarp. “I’ll set up a shower area for you. Grab your towel and come over.”

He went to the jeep, opened the door, and tied a long branch to the roof rack. Then, he clipped the tarp onto the branch, forming a triangular space between the car body, door, and tarp.

Shen Duoyi went inside, stripped off his clothes, and immediately shivered. But as soon as the warm water poured down, he felt comfortable again.

Outside, Qi Shi’an held the thermos, pouring water as he murmured to himself, “I wonder if the little flower at home is still wilting. I miss it.”

“What are you mumbling about? I’m done.” As the hot water stopped, the cold wind blew in. Shen Duoyi quickly wrapped himself in a bath towel, shivering. Qi Shi’an set down the thermos, wrapped Shen Duoyi in his own coat, and picked him up, carrying him toward the tent.

Shen Duoyi was stunned that Qi Shi’an would carry him, a mix of shock and embarrassment. Once inside the sleeping bag, with only his head sticking out, he tried to explain himself. “It’s just too cold in the mountains. I’m not actually weak.”

Qi Shi’an chuckled. “Being cold isn’t weakness. You’re the top-performing consultant in the consulting department. Strength is about ability.” He brushed Shen Duoyi’s hair back, revealing a smooth forehead. “Besides, I finally got a chance to carry you, and now you’re embarrassed.”

Lying in the sleeping bag, the bath towel tangled and twisted, Shen Duoyi started to warm up. He prepared to get dressed to bring a towel to Qi Shi’an, who was showering alone. Crawling out of the sleeping bag, he realized he’d forgotten to bring the bag with his clothes into the tent.

Not even his underwear.

Qi Shi’an finished showering, wiped off briefly, and put on a T-shirt and shorts from the car. Standing outside the tent, he reattached the tarp and asked, “Still cold? I’ll make you some hot water in a bit.”

Shen Duoyi, with a pleading tone, said, “Can you grab my clothes from the car?”

Qi Shi’an fetched the clothes, came inside, and sprayed some insect repellent while pulling the flap closed. Shen Duoyi sat up and quickly put on a T-shirt. As he bent his legs to pull on his underwear, he heard Qi Shi’an chuckle softly.

“What are you laughing at?”

“At you. Still bare?”

“My clothes were in the car.” Shen Duoyi changed the subject. “Aren’t you cold? Get in the sleeping bag and warm up.”

They both slipped in. Qi Shi’an’s hands and body radiated heat. He squeezed closer to Shen Duoyi and tossed his unused shorts into the corner. The small tent lamp was running low on power, and its light grew dimmer. In the faint glow, Shen Duoyi found himself pressed tightly against Qi Shi’an, all traces of cold disappearing.

Qi Shi’an said, “I bought this double sleeping bag a long time ago. This is the first time I’ve used it. Thanks for giving me the chance.”

Shen Duoyi groaned, “You’re heavy… get off.”

Qi Shi’an teased, “Only if you promise to come try out my double bed at home.”

“Stop being shameless…” Shen Duoyi struggled but froze suddenly, his legs tensing. He felt something pressing against his leg, just like during that massage night. He looked up at Qi Shi’an, not calling him out or moving, waiting to see his reaction.

Qi Shi’an, unbothered by shame, kept exploring. Seeing Shen Duoyi’s compliant expression, he wrapped an arm around his waist, lifted his back, and held him close.

The lamp finally went out.

Outside, the world was pitch black. Inside the tent, there wasn’t a hint of light. Shen Duoyi straddled Qi Shi’an’s lap, his hands on Qi Shi’an’s shoulders. He asked knowingly, “What do you want me to do?”

Qi Shi’an, still holding his waist, whispered, “Be good and help me, okay?”

The night was silent. Shen Duoyi didn’t respond verbally, but his hands slid down Qi Shi’an’s torso, stopping just above his abdomen. He loosened the drawstring, pulled down the waistband, and almost immediately touched the heat radiating from him.

Qi Shi’an’s arm tightened around him, pressing their bodies together. A faint vein pulsed on Qi Shi’an’s neck, and he swallowed a satisfied sigh.

Shen Duoyi moved carefully, worried about being too rough. He tilted his head, brushing his nose along Qi Shi’an’s cheek before biting his earlobe.

He whispered, “Don’t think you’re the only one who knows what to do. I’m just low-key.” After trying to sound confident, he softened. “Did that hurt?”

Qi Shi’an’s hand covered his, guiding the pace, the heat intensifying. Shen Duoyi, resting his forehead on Qi Shi’an’s shoulder, began to panic at the growing intensity.

“Are you almost done?”

“My hand’s tired…”

“Hurry up, or do it yourself.”

Shen Duoyi muttered complaints, none of which made a difference. He looked away into the darkness, as if he could see the world outside, and murmured, “Thanks for showing me the stars. They’re really beautiful.”

Finally, warmth spread across his palm. Qi Shi’an hugged him tightly, whispering, “I’d bring you the stars if it makes you happy.”

Once they settled down again, the sleeping bag was small, but their warmth filled it completely.

The forest wind continued, and the birds were quiet.

They set an alarm to watch the sunrise, exchanged “goodnight,” and drifted to sleep.

The night passed in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, reality didn’t match their ideal plan. When the alarm rang, neither of them responded. By the time they opened their eyes, daylight had already filled the tent.

Lying flat on his back, a smile lingered on Shen Duoyi’s face. He wondered aloud, “I usually get up easily for work. Why did I sleep so well today?”

“Because it’s too comfortable in my arms,” Qi Shi’an shamelessly boasted, lying on his side facing him. “Besides, it’s cloudy today, so the sunrise wasn’t very visible. Missing it isn’t a big deal.”

They chatted lazily in their sleeping bags until their drowsiness finally faded. Then, they got up slowly and began to pack. First, they tidied themselves up, then tackled the various tools and supplies.

Shen Duoyi handled the packing while Qi Shi’an dismantled the tent. By the time they finished loading everything into the trunk, it started to rain. After a quick check, they hopped into the car and drove out of the campsite before the rain intensified.

They regrouped with the others at the villa. With the bad weather, everyone was lounging in the living room. Zhang Yiming, having recovered his lost ring, kept fiddling with it as if to reassure himself. He sprawled on the couch next to his girlfriend, determined to make their closeness obvious to everyone.

Shutiao, sitting on a high stool by the bar in the dining area, was waiting for his kid’s meal. When he saw Qi Shi’an and Shen Duoyi return, he jumped down and landed hard on his backside.

Worried he would cry, Shen Duoyi hurried over to lift him up, then took out a packet of cookies and turned to ask, “Miss You, can Shutiao eat sandwich cookies?”

You Si, stirring porridge at the stove, replied, “Three at most. Team Leader Shen, how was camping? Was it cold last night?”

“It was fine. The sleeping bag kept us warm.” Shen Duoyi set Shutiao back on the chair and offered to help. You Si quickly declined, “No, no, take a break.”

Qi Shi’an rolled up his sleeves and walked over. He suddenly missed having breakfast ordered by Annie. For now, though, he had to do it himself. With nothing to do, Shen Duoyi called home, gave some instructions, and soothed his father before hanging up.

You Si said, “Team Leader Shen, I think you’re so patient with both the elderly and children. You give off a sense of safety and thoughtfulness. If you don’t mind me asking, do you have a girlfriend?”

Before Shen Duoyi could answer, he felt Qi Shi’an’s gaze. Panicking, he snatched the cookie from Shutiao’s hand. The child immediately protested, “I still want to eat that!”

You Si turned around. “No more cookies. Wait for the porridge.”

The topic was deftly sidetracked. During breakfast, the five adults and one child gathered around the dining table. Zhang Yiming, ever the troublemaker, snatched Shutiao into his lap and fed him messily, crumbs scattering all over his bib.

The sandwiches Qi Shi’an made smelled delicious. Shen Duoyi munched away, sipping coffee loaded with milk.

“Pass me the knife,” Qi Shi’an said, holding out his hand. After receiving it, he carefully cut the crusts off his bread before eating. Watching this, Shen Duoyi wondered just how much bread crust was wasted every year.