Loneliness

Chapter 21

After returning from the forest park, Chen Dong Lan and Yuan Yuan started a new week of work. Although they had confirmed their relationship, their lives didn't have much of a change.

It was still as before. Every morning, he waited in the kitchen for Yuan Yuan to walk out in his pyjamas. Chen Dong Lan would ask him what he wanted to eat for breakfast and made it.

After that, they would sit together to eat and watch the morning news.

Once it was time, they would leave together. He would take the metro and Yuan Yuan would drive. When they bade farewell to each other, they would say "see you tonight".

When they got home at night, they would prepare dinner together in the kitchen, sit facing each other as they ate, then finally wash the dishes together.

The only change in this so-called simple daily life was that they would stick close together, hug each other, kiss each other, really getting into it, and like at the forest park, use their hands to relieve each other.

On the day of the Lantern Festival, Yu Lin took the initiative to call Xiao Zhou, Ou Yang, Yuan Yuan and Chen Dong Lan for a hotpot gathering.

Yu Lin arrived first, followed by Xiao Zhou and Ou Yang. They were shocked to realise that Yu Lin had brought a female companion. She was sweet-tempered, and when introducing herself, she told everyone that she was Yu Lin's girlfriend. Her last name was Zhang, and she was an elementary school teacher.

Ou Yang and Xiao Zhou rushed to speak. "Teacher Zhang, what do you see in someone like Yu Lin? I tell you, Yu Lin, he..."

Yu Lin was somewhat embarrassed and anxious to interrupt Ou Yang, "Go go go, if you have something to say, go talk to yourself."
Xiao Zhou laughed and attempted to "help" Yu Lin out of his predicament.

"Teacher Zhang, Yu Lin is normally an unreliable person. Once he arrives at a gathering, he'll chatter continuously and order a lot of alcoholic beverages. But he didn't today and he's being as quiet as an old man.

Seems like it's because you're here and able to control him."
Teacher Zhang was easily embarrassed. These few simple words of teasing had made her face red. "No.Mr. Yu has always been very staid."

Yu Lin laughed like a fool.

Xiao Zhou and Ou Yang exchanged glances as they rubbed the goosebumps on their arms.

They had chatted for a few minutes when Yuan Yuan and Chen Dong Lan arrived

"Sorry, we're late. It's a bit congested on the roads." Yuan Yuan pulled out a chair for Chen Dong Lan and waited for him to sit down. He then moved close to his ear and asked, "Are you hot? Do you want to take off your coat?"

After Chen Dong Lan shook his head, he sat beside him.
Four pairs of eyes stared at them.

"What?" Yuan Yuan didn't understand their stares. "Have all the dishes been ordered?" After he said this, he noticed the long-haired female sitting beside Yu Lin.

When she said this, the five of them stared.
Yu Lin awkwardly explained to his girlfriend, "No, it's just that their relationship is more..."

"Is it so easy to tell?" Yuan Yuan looked at Teacher Zhang in surprise. "We haven't been together for long. I thought it wouldn't show."

Chen Dong Lan forgot to chew and looked at Yuan Yuan with bulging cheeks.

Yuan Yuan held his hand tightly under the table.
Yu Lin almost fell off his stool. "Lao Da...don't joke around. Is it April Fool's Day today?"

Teacher Zhang was also surprised, but no matter what, the Lantern Festival would not overlap with April Fool's Day. "Of course it's not. Why would you ask that?"

Xiao Zhou covered her mouth and let out a small exclamation.
Ou Yang had the calmest reaction. "When did this happen?"
Yuan Yuan was also very calm. "Just a few days ago."

"The relationship was established just a few days ago and you tell everyone immediately..." Ou Yang looked at him. "You're serious?"
"Yes." Yuan Yuan nodded. "I'm serious."

Ou Yang fell silent. He didn't speak, and neither did anyone at the table.

When Teacher Zhang showed an uneasy expression, Yu Lin took the initiative to start a topic and everyone chatted again. But the atmosphere was unable to return to the relaxed one from before. Only Teacher Zhang was unclear about the situation.

After dinner, everyone headed home separately. Yu Lin stopped Yuan Yuan and said, "Yuan Lao Da, I only have one thing to say. As long as you're serious about this, your brothers will support you."

Xiao Zhou stood behind him with her head bent, forcing her tears back.

When she lifted her head, there was a smile on her face.
Yuan Yuan patted his shoulder. "Thanks."

After they said goodbye to their friends, Yuan Yuan and Chen Dong Lan drove home. Instead of fastening his seat belt immediately, Chen Dong Lan asked Yuan Yuan, "Why did you suddenly say it?"

It was as if his resolute frankness had affirmed his intentions and he would never regret it.

Yuan Yuan gave him a reassuring look. "Because I'm serious."
Chen Dong Lan fastened his seat belt, using this action to conceal his red eyes.

On the way home, they passed by a pharmacy and Chen Dong Lan asked to stop the car. He hurried out of the car. "I need to buy something. Wait for me a moment."

He returned carrying a small bag. Yuan Yuan was afraid that he was feeling unwell so he had to buy medicine immediately. Taking it from him, he saw a few boxes of condoms and a bottle of lubricant inside.

Chen Dong Lan's hands were shaking. Embracing his shoulders and kissing his lips, he said, "Yuan Yuan, I want to make love with you."

After that, Yuan Yuan didn't know how he drove or whether or not he had exceeded the speed limit. He only knew he had hugged Chen Dong Lan in the lift while caressing his hair as if this was the only way to calm his restlessness.
• NSFW Scene