Striving for Science C97 pt1

The collective shock of the group chat didn't bring Shen Chang'an back. After a brief silence, Wu Wei suddenly sent a message.

Wu Wei: This girl must be truly in love with Chang'an.

Cai Ran: True love is true, but as for the rest...

Wu Wei: But I just feel something's not quite right.

Cai Ran: He.

Feeling perfectly at ease, Shen Chang'an blocked the group messages and snuggled up to Dao Nian, listening to his stories. The content of the stories didn't matter, what mattered was the storyteller.

Dao Nian was telling Shen Chang'an about the secrets of the dynasty when he felt Shen Chang'an's arm wrap around his waist, his head leaning against him. He looked down and met Shen Chang'an's smiling face.

Shen Chang'an wasn't the kind of handsome man who would make all the men within a ten-li radius lose their composure upon his appearance, but he had a face that was very likable, regardless of gender.

Especially when he smiled, his eyes curved like crescent moons, making people unconsciously soften their hearts.

"Why did you stop?" Through the thin fabric of the sleepwear, Shen Chang'an twisted like a pampered silkworm, "Continue, please."

"You... speak properly, don't act cute." Dao Nian shifted uncomfortably, but couldn't bring himself to push Shen Chang'an away, nor could he bring himself to say anything harsh to him, "This sleeping position is unhealthy."

"What's unhealthy about it?" Shen Chang'an felt himself resting his head on Dao Nian's leg, "I think it's pretty good, comforting."

Dao Nian was stunned, gently patting his back: "I understand." Chang'an lost his parents when he was very young, and it's natural for him to want to be close to him.

Shen Chang'an didn't know what Dao Nian understood, but as long as he was with his lover, flattery was the way to go.

Dao Nian sacrificed so much to be with him. Before, he wouldn't even say an extra word, but now he patiently tells him bedtime stories. Rounding it up, this is practically a vow of eternal love.

For a lazy person, having someone who can make him be more active is a huge sacrifice. Shen Chang'an felt that Dao Nian's sacrifice for him was already great, and he should be content.

The only problem was... Dao Nian was too proper. Even after they lay down to sleep, Dao Nian didn't make any overly intimate moves towards him, making him feel awkward about being too forward.

In the darkness, he stared with wide eyes, listening to Dao Nian's breathing, and after a long time, asked: "Dao Nian, are you asleep?"

A moment of silence followed.

"No."

"I can't sleep." Shen Chang'an turned to face Dao Nian.

Dao Nian was silent for a few seconds: "Is it because I'm lying here?"

"Yes."

In the darkness, Dao Nian could clearly see Shen Chang'an's expression. They were so close, but he couldn't bring himself to get too close to Chang'an: "Then I'll go back..."

"Go back where?" Shen Chang'an grabbed Dao Nian, who was about to get up, "We're already lying here, how can you leave?"

Dao Nian saw that Shen Chang'an's eyes were bright, his lips curved upwards, Chang'an was smiling.

"I get so excited when you lie next to me." Shen Chang'an's hands stealthily climbed onto Dao Nian's arms, "How about you give me a goodnight kiss, to soothe my restless sleep."

Dao Nian: "..."

"Hurry, hurry, hurry! If you don't come soon, sleep will just run away, and I'll be up all night!"

A gentle kiss landed on Shen Chang'an's forehead.

"Alright, go to sleep now, good boy." Seeing Shen Chang'an's flushed cheeks, Dao Nian tucked him in with the blanket, "Don't move around."

Shen Chang'an reached out in the darkness, cupped Dao Nian's face, and leaned in to give him a light kiss on the lips. The sound echoed unusually loud in the dark room.

Taking advantage of the fact that Dao Nian couldn't see his face in the dark, Shen Chang'an, with a face as red as a monkey's bottom, pretended to be nonchalant and said, "This is what a goodnight kiss between lovers is supposed to be, understand?"

"Understood."

Shen Chang'an was finally satisfied. He burrowed his head into Dao Nian's chest, "Goodnight, my dear."

"Goodnight, my, my, dear." The ancient being, who had lived for countless years, struggled for a long time before finally managing to utter the words "my dear."

After an unknown amount of time, the person in his arms had fallen into a deep sleep. Dao Nian lowered his head and gently kissed his forehead, sending him a dream-filled blessing.

He opened the door and went downstairs. Everyone else in the villa was waiting for him downstairs, even the little phoenix, who usually only cared about eating and drinking, was being forcibly held awake by Fei Ying, who used her wings to prop up its chin.

"Sir." Everyone stood up when they saw Dao Nian come down.

"Why aren't you all sleeping? What are you doing here?" Dao Nian sat down on the sofa, his expression indifferent.

"Sir, we're not human, so it doesn't matter who stays awake." Liu Mao whispered, "Should we try to cover up what happened between you and Chang'an?"

"Cover up?" Dao Nian frowned, "You mean, let Chang'an be with me without knowing the truth?"

"That's not what I meant. I'm worried that if other beings find out about this, they might think you're favoring humans…"

"So, I should make Chang'an suffer for them?"

Liu Mao: "..."

How was he supposed to answer that?

"This is fine." Dao Nian said mercilessly, "Since my birth, I have never changed my decisions because of other beings. It was the same then, and it's the same now."

"What if this person is Chang'an?"

"How could Chang'an be considered another being?" Dao Nian retorted, "You're all guarding here, is it just to let Chang'an be with me without knowing the truth?"

"No, no, no. We're here to congratulate you, Sir, on your mutual affection with Chang'an, and to celebrate your union." Shen Tu said, "May you and Chang'an be together forever, and live eternally.

Other yaos and gods: Shen Tu, this flatterer, is even faster than us!

"Yes." Uncle Zhao picked up the conversation, "We've seen the love between you and Chang'an, and we've kept it in our hearts. We're just happy."

These gods who have been receiving human incense for years are different. Even their flattery is more refined than ours.

Tsk, those two shameless people.

***

The next morning when he woke up, Shen Chang'an noticed the sky outside was gloomy. Dao Nian had already gotten up, but the place where he slept still held his warmth.

He checked his phone and saw that it was a mix of rain and snow today. Such weather would be cold to go out in.

Thinking about this, he burrowed back into the covers.

Not long after, the chat group lit up. It was Chen Panpan reminding them not to be late for their lunch date.

He almost forgot about Chen Panpan's boyfriend treating them to lunch. He knew he would have to watch Chen Panpan and her boyfriend show off their love, so Shen Chang'an also decided to treat them to lunch.

He had a boyfriend too!

He went downstairs in his pajamas to eat breakfast, then spent another two hours being affectionate with Dao Nian before reluctantly going upstairs to change clothes and head to the restaurant.

If he wasn't worried about stealing the spotlight, he would have really liked to bring Dao Nian along.

Right now, he wanted to drag Dao Nian out onto the street and let everyone know that this incredibly handsome man was his.

Humans are truly amazing creatures. A year ago, he was still staunchly defending materialistic ideology, but now he was able to have a cross-species relationship. This was truly a leap forward.

"Chang'an," Shen Tu saw Shen Chang'an going to get the car and handed him a set of car keys. "It's going to snow today, don't drive your old car."

"Rain and snow? That's nothing, it's just a magic attack at most." Shen Chang'an took the car keys Shen Tu handed him. "If I drive this car out, I'm afraid it will attract attention."

"It's okay, you'll get used to it." Shen Tu smiled. "You driving this car out will make the Master feel at ease."

"Alright." Shen Chang'an remembered that before he knew Dao Nian's true identity, he was worried that Shen Tu would hurt Dao Nian, so he forced him to swear an oath. He felt a little embarrassed and apologized to him.

"How can you blame yourself for that?" Shen Tu chuckled. "It's normal for you to care about the Master. I'm just glad you don't blame me for hiding the Master's identity from you."

Shen Chang'an smiled and patted Shen Tu's shoulder. "I'll head out now, I'll be back this afternoon."

"Alright." Shen Tu smiled and waved, thinking to himself, hopefully, when Chang'an finds out the Master's true identity, he'll be merciful enough to go easy on him, considering the Master's handsome face.