Chapter 722: May I Ask...
After that emotional episode, they took a seat on the bench in the greenhouse, relishing in the tranquil and peaceful scenery in front of them. It was so quiet all around, giving off the impression that only the two of them were left in this world.
Zeke snuggled into the crook of Lu Yizhou’s neck and rubbed his cheek intimately on the soft material of Lu Yizhou’s shirt. "I’m sorry..." he murmured, glancing abashedly at the obvious wet patch on Lu Yizhou’s shirt, victim to his overactive tear glands.
Now you’ve gone and done it... Zeke thought despairingly. Not only have you lost control of your emotions, you have also lost your face in front of Lu Yizhou’s family! How embarrassing is that!
As Zeke recalled how he had bawled his eyes out like an aggrieved baby, the feeling of mortification crashed down on him with the weight of a thousand kilos mountain. He buried his burning face deeper into Lu Yizhou’s shoulder and wished that he could live there forever so he did not have to lift his head and face reality anymore. He was supposed to accompany Lu Yizhou today, as his friend, partner, lover – anything. Yet in the end, the one who cried their heart out was not Lu Yizhou but him instead! Goddamnit!
A mirthful chuckle sounded above him. Zeke felt the man’s broad palm rub his head in a soothing manner. It would have been more effective had he not sounded so amused. "I’m sure they wouldn’t mind."
Zeke gritted his teeth. ’And how the hell do you know that?!’ He almost blurted out the question only to hold back at the very last second. Was this not a perfect replica of their argument earlier? Zeke choked on his breath as he could just imagine what Lu Yizhou’s reaction would be like. He could not find a suitable response to refute Lu Yizhou, so he could only sulk quietly by himself.
Lu Yizhou glanced at his pouty lips and could not resist another chuckle. As much as he wanted to tease Zeke further, he also knew that Zeke placed very great importance on this event. It was quite silly of him to brood over making the best impression on his deceased family, yet it was this demeanor of him that melted Lu Yizhou’s heart, filling it with nothing but warmth and tenderness.
"You’ve cried in my stead," he said, his voice a bit hoarse. "So I have to thank you for that." Just the fact that he could bring Zeke to this place, that he could finally stand in front of his family again and tell them he had moved on, that he was finally ready to embrace this happiness that belonged only to him, was already more than enough for Lu Yizhou. Perhaps Zeke could never guess how much courage Lu Yizhou had drawn from his presence alone...
Zeke let out a derisive snort, it was unknown whether he bought Lu Yizhou’s attempt to coax him or not.
Just as Lu Yizhou was wrecking his brain on how to bring his lover out of the somber mood, he heard Zeke ask in a hesitant tone, "May I ask..."
"Hmm?"