Yu Xi looked at Jian Ci, his heart unsteady, the rhythm of it pounding against his ribs as though it wanted to break free. The urge rose sharp and sudden, he wanted to bring one hand up, cup the back of Jian Ci’s neck, and pull him close. He wanted to kiss him fiercely, press him against the wall, and let the tension that had been building spill out in a single, undeniable moment.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. "It’s nothing," he muttered, stepping back quickly, forcing distance between them.
Jian Ci tilted his head, oblivious to the storm raging inside Yu Xi. "Oh wait, do you want to try it on?"
Yu Xi chuckled, though his voice was hoarse, the corners of his eyes tinged red. "No. I don’t want my hair getting stuck too. I wll be waiting outside."
"Alright," Jian Ci said easily. "I will just put on my clothes."
Yu Xi closed the thick curtain behind him and walked toward an empty corner, trying to breathe. His chest rose and fell sharply, the strain in his body undeniable. He needed to calm down before Jian Ci came out, before his composure cracked.
Meanwhile, Jian Ci hurriedly dressed, his mood light. Shopping with Yu Xi filled him with joy, and he hoped they could do more of this in the future.
A few minutes later, Jian Ci finished and told the attendant which clothes to deliver to their house, his smile lingering as though the day had been perfect.
After he was done paying, Jian Ci slipped the gift card into his pocket and, without hesitation, placed his hand firmly on Yu Xi’s waist. He pulled him closer, his voice casual yet commanding. "Let’s go. There’s a jewelry store around the corner."
Yu Xi nodded, forcing his tone to remain steady. "Okay." He tried to ignore the sensation of Jian Ci’s large palm pressed against his waist, the warmth seeping through the fabric of his shirt. The attendant behind the counter watched their interaction with wide eyes, fascinated by the closeness between the two young men.
When Jian Ci finally let go, Yu Xi felt a wave of relief wash over him. With Jian Ci’s status, wouldn’t such public displays cause trouble if someone recognized him? He barely had time to dwell on the thought before Jian Ci caught his wrist and tugged him toward the jewelry store.
Inside, the polished counters gleamed under soft lights, rows of glittering ornaments displayed like treasures. Jian Ci gestured expansively. "If you like anything in here, tell me, and I will get it for you."
Yu Xi chuckled, his voice low. "Hearing you say that, people are going to think you are my sugar daddy."
Jian Ci laughed, picking up a dangling earring and holding it against Yu Xi’s ear. "Sugar daddy where? We are practically the same age. They will think I am an older brother spoiling his younger brother."
Yu Xi smirked faintly. "Like you said, we are the same age. So they wouldn’t think that either."
The sparkle of the jewelry reflected in their eyes, but the warmth between them outshone every gem in the store.
Jian Ci handed the earring back to the attendant, his smile playful as he pointed at another one. "But you are younger than me," he teased.
Yu Xi’s brow furrowed. "By months," he countered flatly.
Jian Ci ignored the protest, lifting the new earring and holding it against Yu Xi’s ear lobe. He tilted his head, studying the effect, and his grin widened. "It still counts."
Yu Xi tsked, pulling Jian Ci’s hand away. "My ears aren’t pierced."
"Have you ever considered it?" Jian Ci asked, his tone light but his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Yu Xi had never thought about it before. But seeing Jian Ci’s expression, the way his gaze lingered when the earring rested against his ear, something shifted inside him. If piercing his ear meant Jian Ci would look at him more, then maybe it was worth it.
"Will it look good on me?" Yu Xi asked quietly.
Jian Ci placed his hands firmly on Yu Xi’s shoulders and turned him toward the mirror. His voice was steady, certain. "You look dazzling."
Yu Xi stared at his reflection. He had never cared much about his appearance, but even he had to admit, it looked good.
"Then let’s get my ear pierced," Yu Xi said.
Jian Ci’s smile broke into pure delight. Like a child playing dress-up with his favorite doll, he began selecting earrings one by one, pointing out which ones he thought were pretty, his excitement spilling over in every gesture.
Yu Xi watched in disbelief as Jian Ci continued to pick, one after another, holding them against his face with playful seriousness. "This one," Jian Ci said, tilting his head. "That one. This one too." The attendant’s arms were already full, and Yu Xi’s brows furrowed. He knew these weren’t cheap, and the mounting pile confirmed it.
"Isn’t this enough?" Yu Xi asked, his voice low, almost pleading.
Jian Ci only smiled, his tone light but firm. "Money is supposed to be spent on things that make me happy."
Yu Xi sighed, but Jian Ci wasn’t finished. His eyes caught on a display case, and he pointed to a pair of expensive communicators designed for formal occasions.
They were sleek, elegant, and unmistakably luxurious. The pair was identical except for the faceplates—one emerald green, the other violet. They were the kind of communicators popular among lovers, a subtle symbol of connection.
Jian Ci chose the emerald one, saying it reminded him of Yu Xi’s eyes when his psychic powers were engaged. He slipped it onto his own wrist, then gently fastened the violet one around Yu Xi’s.
"It looks so good on you," Jian Ci said warmly.
Yu Xi pursed his lips, his heart leaping out of his chest. Jian Ci was doing everything couples did ,shopping, choosing matching items, even gifting him symbols of intimacy, all under the banner of friendship. For Yu Xi, it was both invigorating and achingly sad, a bittersweet reminder of how close they were and how far they remained.
Yu Xi knew deep down that Jian Ci would never accept such a relationship between an Esper and another Esper. It was Jian Ci’s bottom line, a boundary carved into his heart.
And so Yu Xi could only settle for this bittersweet feeling, cherishing the closeness while knowing it could never become what he truly longed for.
Jian Ci, oblivious to Yu Xi’s turmoil, bought so many things that the attendant’s arms were overflowing. By the time he finished paying, his communicator chimed with an immediate call from Jian Rui.
"What the hell are you buying?" Jian Rui’s voice was sharp, paternal.