Chapter 9

Knowing that Li Jun had returned, Zhao Yang turned to face the cave wall instead of facing Li Jun as he usually did. Observing this unusual behaviour, Li Jun questioned Zhao Yang about it.

"Why are you facing the other way? I thought you didn't like looking at the wall," Li Jun asked, receiving no response. He waited for a while, but still received no answer. Sensing that Zhao Yang wouldn't reply, Li Jun settled in his spot. He felt tired after spending the entire day searching for his own item. Fortunately, he found it near a den filled with fire tigers. Dealing with the tigers was relatively easy, but locating the item took longer than expected, and he even got lost at one point. Now that he had found what he came for, he had to return. This meant leaving Zhao Yang behind, a thought that pained him. He didn't want to dwell on it because it hurt knowing he couldn't bring Zhao Yang along. However, he acknowledged that it was his fault.

He had promised himself not to get too attached to Zhao Yang and that once he recovered, he would find the item and leave. Unfortunately, everything backfired. He let his guard down and allowed Zhao Yang to take care of him. The incident that morning, with Zhao Yang asking about their bathing habits, troubled him. He didn't know how to respond and had hoped Zhao Yang would let it slide. But now, sensing the item's presence, he had to leave immediately, without much time for explanations.

The next morning, when Zhao Yang woke up, he discovered that Li Jun was nowhere to be found in the cave. Although Zhao Yang knew that Li Jun was capable of taking care of himself, he couldn't help but worry. He stepped out of the cave and saw Li Jun sitting on a large rock. As Zhao Yang approached him, Li Jun stood up and made direct eye contact, which startled Zhao Yang and made him freeze in his spot. He couldn't decipher Li Jun's emotions from his expressionless eyes. Slowly, Li Jun began walking towards Zhao Yang, interrupting him before he could say anything.

"Look, about what happ--" Zhao Yang was interrupted when he suddenly felt Li Jun's cold lips on his own. Li Jun had decided to be firm with himself and leave that day, but he couldn't depart without a proper goodbye. Upon seeing Zhao Yang, knowing it might be their last encounter, Li Jun felt a surge of emotions and approached him. Li Jun wrapped his arms around Zhao Yang, and the warmth emanating from him left Li Jun feeling numb. Inclining his face towards Zhao Yang's, Li Jun pressed his lips against Zhao Yang's soft, rosy ones. The kiss started softly but grew more passionate and intense, causing Zhao Yang's body to weaken and cling to Li Jun. The overwhelming sensations made him feel dizzy, as if the world around him was swaying.

Li Jun wasn't finished yet; his insistent mouth parted Zhao Yang's trembling lips, and his tongue entered Zhao Yang's mouth, eliciting wild tremors and sensations he had never experienced before. Despite the fuzziness in his mind, Zhao Yang didn't push Li Jun away; instead, he kissed him back. It was Zhao Yang's first kiss, but he derived immense pleasure from it. 

The sweetness he felt was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, as if fireworks were bursting inside him at the touch of Li Jun's lips.

When their lips finally parted, both Li Jun and Zhao Yang were panting heavily, struggling to catch their breath. Zhao Yang's body still trembled from the overwhelming sensations of the kiss, and Li Jun used his strength to support him, preventing him from collapsing.

"Are you okay?" Li Jun asked, looking at the slightly trembling Zhao Yang. Zhao Yang, with a flushed face, gazed straight into Li Jun's eyes and replied quietly, not knowing what to say or do. Li Jun's sudden kiss had caught him off guard. Zhao Yang stole glances at Li Jun, searching for any sign of a reaction, but his face remained expressionless. Zhao Yang wondered if this was still the same man who had passionately kissed him just moments ago. Among everyone Zhao Yang had encountered in both worlds, Li Jun was the most difficult person to read. He was like an empty book, with nothing to be found no matter how much one looked.

"There's something I need to tell you. I know now isn't the best time, but I didn't know what else to do," Li Jun said as he held both of Zhao Yang's small hands in his large ones, looking directly into his eyes.

He locked eyes with Zhao Yang, searching for his reaction. Zhao Yang gave a slight nod, indicating for Li Jun to continue speaking. "I'm leaving," were the only two words that escaped Li Jun's lips. Zhao Yang raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Li Jun meant by leaving. Seeing Zhao Yang's confusion, Li Jun felt guilty.

"I'm going back to my home. I came to the forest to retrieve something, and now that I've found it, I have no reason to stay. But after meeting you, I didn't want to leave and postponed my departure. Unfortunately, I can't delay things any longer, and I have to leave today. I'm sorry," Li Jun expressed genuine emotions on his face while explaining this to Zhao Yang. He truly didn't want to leave, but he had no other choice.

Li Jun looked at Zhao Yang, hoping for a response, but received nothing. His guilt intensified, leaving him uncertain of what to do. Even if he wanted to leave, he needed to ensure Zhao Yang's safety in the forest.

"Yang?" Li Jun called out his name, and only then did Zhao Yang seem to snap out of his thoughts. Zhao Yang gave Li Jun a strange look and forcefully released his hand from Li Jun's grip. He turned around and walked back towards the cave. After being inside for ten minutes, he emerged again and walked past Li Jun, completely ignoring him. Zhao Yang approached the spot where he had initially fallen and was about to start climbing the hill when Li Jun grabbed his arms.

"Don't touch me, you f***er!" Zhao Yang screamed, attempting to break free from Li Jun's grasp. Unable to control the enraged boy, Li Jun pushed him until his back was against the hill, holding both of his hands above his head.

"Zhao Yang, please try to understand. I don't want to leave, but I have to. My feelings for you are sincere, and the time we spent together were the best moments of my life. You're the best thing that ever happened to me," Li Jun spoke sincerely to Zhao Yang, who still wore an angry expression and glared at him.

"Don't try to sweet-talk me, you f***er! After you're done with what you came for, you were going to leave anyway. You should have just left a long time ago instead of getting involved with me," Zhao Yang responded, his words laced with hurt. Li Jun was hurt by Zhao Yang's words; he never intended to hurt him.