After the heavy revelation from Wang Yang's father, silence lingered in the room like a soft fog. Li Ming sat still, his thoughts spinning.
His father had loved another man.
His whole life, he had grown up believing his mother's bitterness came from heartbreak—but now he knew the full truth. And in that moment, something in his chest loosened, like an invisible chain breaking.
"Thank you," Li Ming said quietly, looking at Wang Yang's parents. "For accepting us… and for being honest."
Wang Yang's mother gave a gentle nod, standing up to bring some tea. "Love doesn't always come in the shape people expect," she said. "But when it's real… it's worth protecting."
That night, after Wang Yang's parents left, the two boys stayed up in Wang Yang's room, lying side by side on the bed in comfortable silence.
"You okay?" Wang Yang asked softly, brushing Li Ming's bangs away from his eyes.
Li Ming looked at him and nodded. "Yeah. Just… still thinking about everything."
Wang Yang moved closer, wrapping an arm around his waist. "I'll protect you from everything. Your mom, the rumors, the world. I don't care what anyone says."
Li Ming chuckled under his breath. "You don't have to sound so dramatic."
"I mean it," Wang Yang insisted, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I love you."
Li Ming's heart skipped.
It wasn't the first time he'd heard it—but it was the first time it felt this raw, this true. No teasing. No playing around.
"I love you too," he whispered back, voice barely audible.
They stayed like that—tangled in each other's arms—until sleep gently took over.
---
The Next Morning
University life continued, but things were different now. Rumors about them dating still floated through the air, but Li Ming and Wang Yang walked through the halls hand in hand—fearless, unapologetic.
People stared. Some whispered.
But others… smiled.
Their close friends supported them openly. Some even said, "Finally, you two stopped pretending."
Li Ming, usually more reserved, had begun to change. With Wang Yang by his side, he smiled more. Laughed louder. Walked taller.
Still, in the shadows, not everyone was happy for them.
A certain student—Rui Chen—watched them from afar, eyes narrowed. He had always liked Li Ming. And he wasn't going to let Wang Yang have him so easily.
But for now… nothing could dim the warmth between them.