Because Ke Bu and Zhi Li had known each other for so long, the transition from friends to lovers left Ke Bu at a loss. Their way of interacting hadn’t changed much at all. How did other people date, exactly? What was dating supposed to look like?
At that moment, Ke Bu was sitting in front of his computer, clicking through webpages while muttering to himself, “Ohhh, so that’s how it works.” After a while, he tilted his head and asked the Zhi Li sitting beside him, “How about we try learning some dating habits too?”
The pen in Zhi Li’s hand paused for two seconds. Ke Bu could clearly see the look of ridicule on his face.
“It’s not like I want to do this. But our relationship is so terrible that if we don’t repair it, we probably won’t survive this winter. The internet says couples should frequently express their feelings for each other.” Ke Bu dragged a chair in front of Zhi Li and sat down properly, looking completely serious. “Zhi Li, I love you.”
“Got it.”
Zhi Li didn’t even lift his eyelids.
“What kind of cold reaction is that? Hurry up, now it’s your turn.”
Only then did Zhi Li raise his head and reply seriously, “Those kinds of words depend on the mood.”
Ke Bu froze. It was true. He had said the sacred words “I love you” far too casually. Just as Zhi Li said, perhaps those words had more meaning when they came from a genuine desire to express them. His own approach was far too forced. He suddenly looked at Zhi Li in a new light. So this guy actually treated those words as something important.
“The internet also says couples need at least one kiss every day to strengthen their relationship. So starting today, let’s see if our relationship gets deeper after a month.” After saying that, Ke Bu leaned forward and lightly kissed Zhi Li on the lips before straightening up. “Prepare yourself for this, Zhi Li!”
The days that followed felt like completing homework assignments.
On the third day, early in the morning, Zhi Li was awakened by a knock at the door. Frowning, he opened it to find Ke Bu hurriedly putting on his coat.
“We’re both busy today. Hurry up, we’re running out of time.”
After saying that, Ke Bu quickly kissed Zhi Li on the mouth and rushed away.
On the fifth day, before he had even wiped his mouth after eating, Ke Bu dragged Zhi Li into an empty restroom.
“Hurry up. Today’s quota.”
He was just about to lean in when Zhi Li stopped him.
“Are you sure this is supposed to deepen our relationship rather than drive us further apart?”
“Trust me, this is definitely right.”
Realizing his mouth was still greasy, Ke Bu pulled out a tissue and wiped it clean before kissing Zhi Li. Then, like someone completing a daily task, he immediately left again.
On the seventh day, just before midnight, Ke Bu suddenly sat upright in bed. Checking the time, he opened his door and shuffled toward Zhi Li’s dorm room. Half asleep, he pressed his face against the door and knocked.
“Zhi Li, open up. Zhi Li. Are you asleep? Zhi Li.”
Eventually, Zhi Li opened the door with a chilly expression.
Ke Bu was still groggy.
“Hurry up. I almost forgot today’s quota.”
As usual, after kissing Zhi Li, he went straight back to bed and collapsed into sleep.
On the eighth day, during the freezing winter, Zhi Li was preparing to take a shower. He had just removed his shirt when Ke Bu pushed the door open.
“Yo, I’m back again. About to shower?”
“Or maybe I was waiting for you to come admire me?”
“Listen to yourself. Aren’t you cold?”
“What do you think?”
“I think maybe a little.”
Zhi Li no longer had any desire to deal with him. He was about to walk into the bathroom when Ke Bu called out.
“We haven’t done today’s kiss yet.”
“Do we have to do it right now?”
“I’m worried I’ll forget later.”
Ke Bu walked over, placed his cold fingers on Zhi Li’s shoulder, stood on tiptoe, and completed the daily kissing assignment. Then he wrapped his arms around himself.
“It really is freezing. What awful weather.”
Grumbling all the way, he opened the door and left.
On the tenth day, Ke Bu was carrying a book back to his dorm when he ran into Su You Yan.
Su You Yan opened the sacred black-and-red notebook and flipped through a few pages.
“Ke Bu, your points have been increasing alarmingly fast lately.”
“No way! I haven’t done anything! Did you accidentally record Chu Hao Yu’s and Ying Xiu Jie’s points under my name? Those two beasts are the real problem.”
Su You Yan didn’t answer. She simply closed the notebook, adjusted her glasses, and prepared to leave.
Ke Bu hurriedly called after her.
“Y-You Yan, if my points max out, what exactly will happen when you discipline me?”
“You’re under Zhi Li’s personal supervision.”
After delivering those chilling words, Su You Yan drifted away.
The entire journey back, Ke Bu remained on edge. He kept reassuring himself that the points had definitely been recorded incorrectly.
After dropping off his books in the dorm, he headed toward the base. Zhi Li was sitting there alone. Ke Bu walked over and took one look at his face before immediately turning around and trying to flee.
Lightly tapping the tabletop with his index finger, Zhi Li spoke in a calm voice.
“What’s wrong? Not kissing me today?”
“Haha… listen to you.”
“Come here.”
Ke Bu approached tremblingly. Zhi Li tilted his chin toward his lap. “Sit.” Ke Bu sat down on Zhi Li’s lap, feeling as if ten thousand nails were pricking his backside. He fidgeted restlessly. “Y—” Before he could finish, Zhi Li kissed him. “Listen—” Zhi Li kissed him again. “Just hear me—” Zhi Li kissed him a third time. Every time Ke Bu tried to speak, Zhi Li would seal his lips with another kiss, leaving him no chance to finish a sentence. After twenty kisses, Ke Bu was nearly out of breath. Covering his mouth with the back of his hand, he was immediately stopped when Zhi Li grabbed that hand and pulled it away. “That should cover the entire month’s quota. So stop annoying me, you bastard.”
“Isn’t that a little too careless?”
“The way you die will be even more careless.”
“The whole point of a daily kiss is to improve our relationship. I followed the internet’s advice exactly, so what are you unhappy about?”
Grinding his teeth, Zhi Li pinched Ke Bu’s cheek and forced out the words, “I’m very satisfied.”
“Ow~~ Don’t forget, my points are still one short. You can’t touch me.”
Ke Bu launched a clever counterattack. Sure enough, Zhi Li released him, then deliberately wiped the fingers that had pinched his face against Ke Bu’s clothes. That intentional gesture was infuriating. Yet Ke Bu remained perfectly composed. Reaching out, he pulled Zhi Li’s zipper up a little higher and brushed his fingers across Zhi Li’s face. “Then you can just keep waiting for that last point. Normally I don’t pay much attention to it, but if I’m careful, I’m basically a flawless person.”
“Where exactly does all that confidence come from?”
Ke Bu grabbed Zhi Li’s collar and leaned in. Just before their lips touched, he shifted to Zhi Li’s ear and whispered, “With no confidence, would I dare date someone like you?”
Two days later, Ke Bu had completely forgotten about the matter.
That evening, he carried a music CD into Zhi Li’s room. “Yu Tai took over the computer, so I’m borrowing yours.”
“Mm.”
“What are you doing?”
It was only a casual question, but instead of answering, Zhi Li suddenly said something completely out of nowhere. “Ke Bu. Hit me.”
“W-Why?” Ke Bu instantly became wary.
“Just try it.”
“Will there be consequences?”
“No.”
After receiving such reassuring confirmation, how could Ke Bu pass up the opportunity? He casually punched Zhi Li in the chest. The force was light; he simply wanted to enjoy the experience of hitting Zhi Li. Zhi Li immediately bent down, scooped him up, and threw him onto the bed. “Your points are officially maxed out. Got anything to say?”
“Yes! Plenty!” Ke Bu struggled miserably. “You said there wouldn’t be any consequences! Setting traps like this is way too low! I refuse to accept it!”
“And you believed me? Are you an idiot?”
“T-This is absolutely coercion!” Clutching his clothes tightly, Ke Bu wore an expression of tragic indignation, as though he were moments away from disaster.
Zhi Li stared directly at him. “Ke Bu, I love you.”
“The expression on your face and your tone are completely lacking in sincerity.”
Ke Bu, I love you.
Ke Bu, I love you.
Even though the words were spoken with such obvious insincerity, those three words wrapped around Ke Bu like a beautiful curse, and he slowly loosened his grip on his clothes. As Zhi Li leaned down, Ke Bu trembled beneath his touch, desire stirring through him. Just as he was about to lose awareness, his eyes suddenly flew open. “Zhi Li, you only said that to trick me into bed, didn’t you?”
Zhi Li said nothing.
Ke Bu immediately took the silence as his answer. “Right? Right?! You evil devil!” A wave of helplessness washed over him. How stupid. Back then, he had actually started seeing Zhi Li in a new light. He had genuinely believed Zhi Li thought those three words were sacred—something that should only be spoken in sacred moments. How stupid. This was Zhi Li. Zhi Li!
The truth was that he and Zhi Li had always interacted like this—comfortable, natural, effortless. Why bother learning from other people? This was their relationship. This was how Ke Bu and Zhi Li loved each other. A sweetness all their own.
Looking at Zhi Li’s face, Ke Bu felt once again that those handsome features belonged in a fairy tale. His voice flowed through Ke Bu like a current. A faint trace of desire shimmered in his eyes, as though it might melt into the cool air around them. At least, only he got to see this side of Zhi Li. The thought alone made Ke Bu tighten his arms around him, hugging him firmly.
Unfortunately, the affection in Ke Bu’s heart failed to reach its destination.
Zhi Li said coldly, “Take your hands off me. How am I supposed to continue like this?”
Next
Futile Devices Scans 
Leave a comment