By the time you figure out the rules I broke

That makes two of them who are surprised, then. He half-expected Jiang Cheng to want to back out and he wouldn't have blamed with him with a mother like Madam Yu. The ever so brief contact of lips and the tightened grip on his hand reassure him, however. Though if Jiang Cheng had wanted to just forget about it, he would've agreed, even he would've been sad about it.

Maybe Huaisang's more of a romantic than he'd ever thought he was because all he can think now is how much closer he feels to Jiang Cheng now, after sharing this experience together. It's nice, really nice. The physical pain, not so much, but the rest of it.

"I'm glad you think so, too, A-Cheng," is all he says though, feeling a warmth inside he can't name. His eyes drift closed.