ASPWL Ch112: Zhang Qiran x Song Zhehan

“…Did you hear me clearly?”

Zhang Qiran stared blankly at Song Zhehan, the voice in his ears seeming as though it came from the heavens.

Tears blurred his vision, turning even the figure before him into a hazy silhouette.

Zhang Qiran felt dazed, unable to react for a long time.

It wasn’t until the fingers pinching his chin brushed over his lips, and Song Zhehan’s slightly impatient voice sounded, “Did you hear me clearly? And you said you’re not foolish?”

The flow of tears finally stopped, and Zhang Qiran saw Song Zhehan’s expression clearly.

The two of them were so close that Zhang Qiran could even feel the intertwining of their breaths.

As he raised his eyes slightly, he met Song Zhehan’s gaze—

A pair of eyes completely unguarded, exposing emotions rarely shown to others.

Zhang Qiran didn’t even need to scrutinize; he was already overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of emotion within them. His heart raced uncontrollably.

The next moment, those eyes lowered slightly, and Zhang Qiran saw clearly as Song Zhehan leaned in, gently enveloping his lips with a pair of slightly cool ones.

Zhang Qiran was startled. “You…”

“You can open your mouth, but no more talking.”

Before Zhang Qiran could say another word, the kiss deepened, binding them together. Their breaths intermingled, their lips and teeth met.

The beating in Zhang Qiran’s chest was almost deafening.

He felt a single tear fall uncontrollably from the corner of his eye.

In a brief moment to catch his breath, Zhang Qiran trembled as he whispered, “I… You didn’t lie to me, did you?”

Song Zhehan’s thumb gently brushed over Zhang Qiran’s cheek, his low chuckle rumbling in his throat. One arm circled Zhang Qiran’s waist, and instead of responding verbally, he deepened the kiss.

When they finally parted, both breathing heavily, Zhang Qiran awkwardly turned away. His exposed skin, even the tips of his ears, was a bright red.

Watching Zhang Qiran flusteredly cover his face, Song Zhehan found it amusing. Still, he refrained from teasing further, instead asking, “Do you want me to get out of the car?”

Zhang Qiran blinked in confusion. “Get out of the car for what?”

Song Zhehan crossed his arms, his gaze slowly lowering.

Before his eyes could settle where they intended, Zhang Qiran’s indignant voice erupted, “Song Zhehan—you! Don’t you dare look!”

Song Zhehan raised his eyebrows slightly, deciding not to push further. He opened the car door and stepped out.

The moment the door shut, Song Zhehan heard Zhang Qiran’s frustrated scream from inside the car: “Ahhhhh—!”

Unable to hold back, Song Zhehan covered his face and chuckled softly.

It took another ten minutes before Zhang Qiran finally stepped out of the car.

Song Zhehan’s gaze followed him.

The flush that had just subsided returned instantly. Gritting his teeth, Zhang Qiran huffed indignantly, “I didn’t—”

Song Zhehan’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Mhm, I know.”

“It’s just a normal physiological reaction…”

“Right,” Song Zhehan replied.

Zhang Qiran fell silent, his face turning a deeper shade of red before he spun around.

Song Zhehan quickly caught up and grabbed his arm. “Where are you going?”

Zhang Qiran’s eyes reddened. “I’m leaving!”

“And you’re not going to see Gou Shi?” Song Zhehan asked.

Glaring at him, Zhang Qiran retorted, “Haven’t I seen enough of your Gou Shi (bullshit) already?!”

Okay, maybe he had teased him too much. The poor guy was already spouting nonsense in frustration.

Song Zhehan decided to relent, tugging him along. “My parents are still waiting for you at home.”

Zhang Qiran froze, eyes wide. “Gou Shi isn’t living with you?”

Leading him toward the elevator, Song Zhehan explained, “I’m usually busy with work. Gou Shi was sick a while back, and I couldn’t take care of him all the time, so I sent him home to my parents.”

“Then suddenly showing up at your place like this… won’t it be inappropriate?”

Song Zhehan raised their intertwined hands and glanced at him. “Haven’t you met them enough times as a kid? Or are you saying you never intended to stick around? Were all those years of saying you liked me just lies?”

Blushing furiously, Zhang Qiran glared at Song Zhehan. “You… I…!”
He stammered for a long while, unable to form a coherent response.

By the time they reached the elevator, Zhang Qiran realized something shocking—ever since the day before yesterday—no, ever since meeting Song Zhehan—he had always been the one led by the nose.

The only act of defiance he ever managed was that embarrassing drunken escapade.

Zhang Qiran’s thoughts were a chaotic mess. He hadn’t even processed the earlier kiss or Song Zhehan’s confession.

He likes me too?

Zhang Qiran’s pupils shrank.

How could he have forgotten something so important?!

Without thinking, he blurted out, “Song Zhehan, just now you said you liked me too?”

The elevator doors opened directly into a private apartment, where Song’s parents were already waiting at the entrance. “Xiang Yang! You’re back!”

Heat surged to Zhang Qiran’s face, nearly knocking him out.

Song Zhehan turned his head slightly, throwing him a casual glance. His tone was light, as if poking fun: “…”

Before he could say more, Mother Song smacked him lightly. “How are you talking to Xiang Yang like that?!”

Father Song also nudged Song Zhehan aside. “Go let Gou Shi out,” he said before smiling warmly at Zhang Qiran. “Come in, Xiao Yang. It’s been so many years. You’ve grown so much more handsome!”

The two elders laughed as they warmly pulled Zhang Qiran into the house, completely ignoring Song Zhehan behind them.

Song Zhehan shook his head, changed his shoes, and followed them inside.

The house where Song’s parents lived was a duplex. Usually, Gou Shi wasn’t confined to a room, but since Zhang Qiran was visiting today, they were worried that the dog wouldn’t recognize him, so they temporarily locked it in a room.

Gou Shi hadn’t seen Song Zhehan for a while. Even before the door opened, the dog’s excited barks could already be heard.

Zhang Qiran glanced toward the commotion.

Mother Song brought him a glass of water and noticed his reaction. She smiled and said, “Let him bring Gou Shi out first. Here, drink some water. Are you feeling hot or tired?”

Zhang Qiran answered each question politely.

Not long after, an excited bark rang out again. Zhang Qiran turned his head to see Gou Shi bounding joyfully toward him. Unprepared, he was knocked onto the sofa by the overexcited dog.

Father Song quickly moved to pull the dog away, while Mother Song glared at Song Zhehan. “Didn’t I tell you to bring it out on a leash?”

Song Zhehan shrugged. “It was too excited and wouldn’t let me put the leash on.”

His gaze then fell on the sofa.

Gouqu, clearly recognizing Zhang Qiran’s scent, hopped up and down excitedly and even seemed eager to lick him.

Had Song parents not intervened in time, it might already have jumped onto Zhang Qiran, licking his face.

Looking at the dog squatting at his feet and whining softly, Zhang Qiran’s eyes were filled with surprise. “It… Gouqu still remembers me?”

The doubt wasn’t unwarranted.

Many animals have poor memory, relying on scent to identify humans. If too much time passes or a person’s scent changes, the animal might not recognize them anymore.

It had been nine years since Zhang Qiran last saw Gouqu. Naturally, he assumed the dog had forgotten him.

Now ten years old, Gouqu’s fur no longer shone as it did in its prime. Zhang Qiran reached out and patted its head, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

Song Zhehan observed the interaction, then glanced at Zhang Qiran, letting out a self-deprecating chuckle.

He said nothing, but Song’s mother shot a look at Song’s father and then leaned back with a teasing smile. “You see? Even our Gouqu has sharper eyes than some people in this house.”

Song’s father nodded enthusiastically in agreement. “Exactly!”

Zhang Qiran glanced at Song Zhehan and tried to suppress the upward curve of his lips, but he failed.

Song Zhehan’s expression didn’t change, though his lips pressed together slightly.

Just as everyone thought he wouldn’t respond, he leisurely sat down next to Zhang Qiran, gestured for Gouqu to come over, and rubbed the dog’s head. Then, in a slow drawl, he said, “I might have poor judgment, but you two professors are hardly any better.”

The words landed, and Song parents’ smiles froze in place.

Song’s mother hurriedly explained, “Xiang Yang…”

Song’s father chimed in as well, “It’s true we didn’t handle it well, but Xiang Yang, you know your aunt and I aren’t really into the entertainment industry…”

Back in middle school, Song Zhehan often bickered with his parents.

This wasn’t new to Zhang Qiran, who found the scene oddly comforting instead of off-putting.

He couldn’t hold back and laughed.

Seeing him laugh, Song parents also chuckled, and the atmosphere quickly became harmonious.

That evening, after dinner, Zhang Qiran left with Song Zhehan.

Even after getting in the car, Zhang Qiran couldn’t stop smiling.

Starting the engine, Song Zhehan glanced at him. “That happy?”

Without hesitation, Zhang Qiran nodded. “Yes, I didn’t expect Gouqu and Uncle and Auntie to still remember me.”

Of course, it wasn’t just those two things.

More importantly—

Zhang Qiran glanced at Song Zhehan. As soon as the man’s gaze met his, he quickly looked away.

What mattered most was knowing that Song Zhehan also liked him.

There were still many questions in his mind.

But for now, none of them seemed to matter.

Song Zhehan understood Zhang Qiran, just as Zhang Qiran understood Song Zhehan.

If Song Zhehan hadn’t truly acknowledged him, he wouldn’t have brought him home or introduced him to his parents.

But—

When had it all started?

The sky outside was already dark, and the car’s interior was unlit.

Zhang Qiran turned to admire Song Zhehan’s handsome profile under the faint glow of passing streetlights.

After watching quietly for a moment, he turned his head back, only for Song Zhehan’s voice to suddenly ring out. “What are you looking at?”

Zhang Qiran felt like he’d been caught red-handed.

After confirming Song Zhehan’s feelings matched his own, he no longer felt the tension or awkwardness he did earlier that afternoon. So, instead of panicking, Zhang Qiran simply shook his head without answering.

Song Zhehan wasn’t surprised by the lack of a response. He had already noticed the change in Zhang Qiran’s attitude toward him.

Gone were the caution and hesitation, replaced by a subtle joy.

Nine years of separation, and yet it didn’t take long for them to reconnect and understand each other.

Looking back, the time apart hadn’t been wasted after all.

At least they had used it to confirm their feelings.

Even though time had passed, their emotions remained the same.

When Song Zhehan dropped Zhang Qiran off at the hotel, he suddenly grabbed his hand before he got out of the car.

Startled, Zhang Qiran’s face turned slightly red. “What are you doing?”

Staring at him, Song Zhehan remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

“When are you planning to leave?”

Zhang Qiran was stunned for a moment before he understood the meaning behind Song Zhehan’s words: “You mean—”

Song Zhehan’s gaze was heavy, fixed on him without any movement.

Zhang Qiran swallowed hard, the heat on his face intensifying. But since the car’s interior was dimly lit, it wasn’t visible. After a long moment, he lowered his voice and said, “Right now… isn’t it still a bit early? Besides, I’m currently…”

Song Zhehan raised an eyebrow, letting go of Zhang Qiran’s hand and looking at him with an amused expression: “So you’re planning to use me and not give me a proper title?”

Zhang Qiran was taken aback: “What do you mean by…”

The smile on Song Zhehan’s lips deepened with meaning.

Suddenly reminded of the kiss in the car that afternoon, Zhang Qiran instinctively straightened his back. “I… I thought we were already together today?” The last part of his sentence sounded uncertain.

Zhang Qiran couldn’t quite figure out why he was so nervous. While this was the relationship he had long yearned for, now that it was real, it felt almost too surreal.

Just one glance was enough for Song Zhehan to discern what Zhang Qiran was thinking. He leaned closer abruptly.

As the distance shortened, Zhang Qiran froze again, not daring to move.

It wasn’t until their breaths seemed to intertwine that Zhang Qiran realized his lips had been lightly bitten.

Zhang Qiran pushed him away. “Song—Song Zhehan, there are paparazzi outside the hotel…”

Song Zhehan didn’t deepen the kiss but looked at him with dark eyes. “Set a date.”

“A date for what?” Zhang Qiran asked, then immediately reacted. “Wait, hold on, there’s no rush for this, right?”

“We just got together today. You’re busy with work, and I’m busy too. Plus, you’re currently at the peak of your career. If we announce our relationship now, wouldn’t it affect your work?”

Song Zhehan didn’t reply. He merely studied Zhang Qiran with a scrutinizing gaze. After a moment, he straightened up, glanced at him lightly, and said, “So you never planned to make our relationship public?”

Zhang Qiran hurriedly explained, “No, I just feel like it’s not appropriate to announce it so soon…”

“Get off.” Song Zhehan said.

Zhang Qiran’s heart sank instantly, and his eyes reddened on the spot. “Song… Song Zhehan.”

Song Zhehan felt a headache coming on. He truly thought Zhang Qiran was a bit dense, though the man himself refused to admit it.

After a moment, Song Zhehan softened his tone. “Just go back for now. Like you said, there’s no rush. I’m the one being too impatient. It’s late, and you said you have an early shoot tomorrow, didn’t you?”

Zhang Qiran remained seated, uneasy in the passenger seat, nervously observing Song Zhehan’s expression. He waited for him to speak, but after a long time, Song Zhehan didn’t say anything further.

This only made Zhang Qiran more anxious.

“Song Zhehan…” Zhang Qiran mustered his courage again.

Abruptly, Song Zhehan stepped on the gas pedal.

Zhang Qiran’s eyes widened. “Where are you taking me?”

Song Zhehan didn’t reply, simply driving calmly.

It didn’t take long for Zhang Qiran to figure out where Song Zhehan was taking him.

Song Zhehan drove him to his apartment.

Once there, he didn’t give Zhang Qiran any time to react. He pulled him into the elevator.

Suddenly, Zhang Qiran felt a wave of nervousness wash over him. What was Song Zhehan planning to do, bringing him here so late? Could it be…

Inappropriately, Zhang Qiran remembered the passionate moment in the car earlier that afternoon.

His heart started to pound, his breathing grew rapid, and he became visibly tense.

When they entered the apartment and the door shut behind them, this tension became even more palpable.

What Zhang Qiran didn’t expect was that after bringing him inside, Song Zhehan didn’t lead him to the bathroom or even kiss him.

Instead, Song Zhehan went straight to the study.

After waiting there for a moment and not seeing him enter, Song Zhehan came out, slightly exasperated. “What are you standing there for?”

Zhang Qiran’s eyes were red, and he even took a step back. “I… For the first time… in the study… isn’t that a bit inappropriate?”

Song Zhehan: “?”

A long silence followed before Zhang Qiran heard Song Zhehan lean against the doorframe and laugh heartily.

He laughed so hard that his shoulders shook, and even tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Seeing this reaction, Zhang Qiran suddenly realized that he had misunderstood!

For a moment, Zhang Qiran wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

But there was no such hole in the apartment. Even if he wanted to escape, he couldn’t. With a face as red as a tomato, Zhang Qiran was dragged into the study by Song Zhehan.

On the desk in the study lay a contract Song Zhehan had signed with his company.

“I signed a ten-year contract with the company. This is the tenth year. According to the agreement, I couldn’t be in a relationship during the first five years. What you said earlier is correct, which is why I plan to terminate my contract with the company. What about you?”

Zhang Qiran’s mind was still a mess when he heard Song Zhehan’s words.

“Huh?”

“Huh, what?” Song Zhehan lowered his head, staring into Zhang Qiran’s evasive eyes.

Song Zhehan nearly laughed in exasperation. “Zhang Qiran, I’m discussing serious matters with you.”

Zhang Qiran’s gaze wavered, his cheeks still flushed. “I… I know.”

“Know my foot,” Song Zhehan said bluntly.

Zhang Qiran lowered his head. “Well, it’s because you… you didn’t tell me anything, so I…”

“Then why don’t you explain specifically what I haven’t told you?” Song Zhehan asked.

Zhang Qiran lowered his head, bit his lip, and finally spoke up, “You never told me when you started liking me, nor did you explain why you suddenly brought me back here. I… all I know is that you like me, but… but we’ve already been apart for nine years. So why, when I confessed to you, did you suddenly agree and even start a relationship with me? It feels like a dream…”

Song Zhehan looked at him. “I’m standing right in front of you, and you still think it’s a dream?”

Zhang Qiran carefully raised his eyes and, seeing that Song Zhehan’s expression remained calm without a hint of anger, nodded slightly.
He was truly a mess, his mind in chaos, his heart in turmoil.

These doubts had lingered in his heart all day, and now he couldn’t hold them back any longer.

Zhang Qiran wanted a reason—one strong enough to keep him from backing down.

Otherwise, he would rather not begin at all.

Song Zhehan raised his eyebrows slightly. “So, you want to know when I started liking you?”

The question made Zhang Qiran’s ears flush red. He looked into Song Zhehan’s eyes and nodded hesitantly. “Mm… because I really can’t figure it out…”

Suddenly, Song Zhehan cupped his face and leaned down to kiss him.

Caught off guard, Zhang Qiran slightly parted his lips, only for Song Zhehan’s overwhelming kiss to capture him completely.

When he was finally breathless, he heard Song Zhehan’s voice, low and gritted, close to his ear. “Do you think I agreed to be with you because you’re no longer that little chubby kid from back then?”

The words “little chubby kid” made Zhang Qiran freeze momentarily. His breathing faltered, and a pang of grievance rose in him. “I…”

His eyes reddened, and tears started welling up.

Song Zhehan sat down on the chair in front of the desk, pulling Zhang Qiran to sit on his lap. His thumb brushed against the corner of Zhang Qiran’s eyes as he leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on them.

Startled by the gesture, Zhang Qiran instinctively tried to pull away.
But Song Zhehan, as if anticipating this, had already secured his waist, preventing him from retreating.

“I’m not someone who likes to say sweet things,” Song Zhehan murmured, his breath tickling Zhang Qiran’s tightly closed lashes. Unable to bear it, Zhang Qiran tilted his head slightly. Only then did Song Zhehan continue, “So, just like the way I said I like you, I’ll only say this once.”

Zhang Qiran opened his eyes, his dark pupils glistening with a misty sheen.

Song Zhehan’s large hand moved up to hold Zhang Qiran’s neck, and his searing kisses landed on his lips, his neck—everywhere he could reach.
Amidst the kisses, Song Zhehan spoke, “I don’t like you because you’ve grown more attractive now.”

“Xiang Yang, it’s because it’s you that I like you. Understand?”

Zhang Qiran’s breathing grew erratic. He struggled to avoid Song Zhehan’s kisses, but the beast that had been suppressed in Song Zhehan’s heart was unleashed at that moment, trapping him firmly in place.

All resistance was effortlessly subdued. With reddened eyes, Zhang Qiran stammered, “Because it’s me… you mean…”

“Mm,” Song Zhehan bit down on his now swollen lips before huskily admitting, “Nine years ago, when I was just a freshman, I already liked you.”

Zhang Qiran’s whole body trembled. “N-no way…”

“If that weren’t the case, why would I get so mad and throw away my SIM card?” Song Zhehan countered.

“SIM card?”

“Mm. The reason you couldn’t find me wasn’t because I moved and changed my number. It was because I was angry at you, Xiang Yang…”

“I was angry that you didn’t contact me for a month, angry that you broke our promise that day, angry that you clearly knew I was allergic to cow’s milk but still tried to make goat milk cake for me. And in the end, after making just one cake, you disappeared.”

“Xiang Yang, you were too much.” Amid the intimate kisses, Zhang Qiran heard these heartfelt words in a daze.

Song Zhehan rarely opened up to anyone.
But when he did, it spoke volumes about the other person’s significance in his heart.

Zhang Qiran didn’t even remember how he left the study.
He only knew that after parting, Song Zhehan had pushed him away to take a shower, leaving him sitting on the bed, unable to calm his racing heart. Slowly, he walked to the bathroom door and pushed it open.

Song Zhehan’s deep gaze fell on him. “Are you sure?”

Zhang Qiran’s response was to offer his lips of his own accord.

On the fourth day of their reunion, Song Zhehan and Zhang Qiran confirmed their relationship.

Two years later, upon learning how quickly the two had gotten together, Ye Leyao was utterly shocked. “You mean to say you got together so early on? Then why was Teacher Gou Shi sulking during the fourth episode’s filming?”

Hearing this question, Zhang Qiran’s face instantly flushed.

Song Zhehan gave him a faint glance and replied, “Because the day before we left to film, I found out he still had a fiancé behind my back.”

“What fiancé!” Zhang Qiran stood up in anger. “I’ve explained this to you! My mom was just worried I wouldn’t move on, so she arranged a matchmaking prospect for me. I only met him once!”

“Ha, and you still met him once,” Song Zhehan retorted with a cold, sarcastic tone. “Didn’t you even say you were satisfied with his conditions?”

Zhang Qiran glared at him, his expression fierce. “I already explained! That meeting wasn’t something I insisted on; it just so happened he attended the same banquet at my house…”

Song Zhehan turned and walked away, clearly indicating he didn’t want to hear more of Zhang Qiran’s excuses.

Zhang Qiran quickly stood up and chased after him. From a distance, Ye Leyao and the others could still hear Zhang Qiran explaining.

Once the two were out of the camera’s range, Song Zhehan stopped and pointed to his own face.

Zhang Qiran hesitated for a second before standing on tiptoes to plant a kiss on Song Zhehan’s face.

Witnessing this, the group couldn’t hold back anymore and all exclaimed, “Ew—”

The sound was loud and exceptionally synchronized, making Zhang Qiran’s face flush red again—just like when he had confessed to Song Zhehan in the restaurant all those years ago.

Time passed, but their love remained unwavering.
There was still a long, long future ahead of them.

[Zhang Qiran x Song Zhehan Extras Complete]