Although Zhan and Yibo were only supposed to spend the weekend together, they spent every day of the week together. After Zhan managed to convince Yibo on Monday evening to let him help him move, the two spent every day together.

Since Yibo's mother preferred to escape reality and first take a peaceful vacation instead of fighting her husband and brother-in-law, Zhan was able to go to Yibo's house on Tuesday morning and help him move.

It was a cold wintery morning when Zhan arrived at Yibo's house on Tuesday. But Zhan found the winter cold outside was more pleasant than the feeling he had when he came into this cold and lifeless looking house. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he entered the house, leaving him with goosebumps.

Although the house is furnished in a modern way, it did not look nice to Zhan. Empty white walls, empty picture frames on a shelf next to some ugly little vases, white leather sofa with protective foil, artificial green plants and a big fake fireplace. The only picture on the wall in the living room, is a copy from the floor plan of the house. The kitchen with its white tiles, white walls and white furnishings, looked almost sterile. But somehow, everywhere in the house, with its cool white lighting, bare white walls, and almost exclusively white furnishings, seemed sterile and uninviting. There was nothing to suggest that a family really lived there.

Shuddering, Zhan thought about how a house is also always a bit of a mirror of a soul. But the way Yibo's parents' house was decorated, Zhan rather felt that their souls had already died. In this house there was no love, no warmth. There was only a sterile coldness that reminded him a little of the funeral home that his grandmother ran.

Zhan could still remember what the room looked like where the bodies were prepared for burial. Everything was white, from the floor to the ceiling. In fact, only the dissecting table on which the bodies were prepared and the equipment, such as the embalming fluid, were not white. And it had always been cold in there. Just the thought of entering that room gave Zhan goose bumps. And it was the same today when he saw Yibo's parents' house. Especially when he saw the kitchen and the bathrooms.

So Zhan was also glad that they could divide Yibo's 10 moving boxes, between their two cars, and not have to drive back to the house again. They could drive to the city apartment, take the moving boxes to the freight elevator at their leisure, and then to Yibo's apartment, where they also immediately started unpacking the moving boxes after a coffee break.

At least, and Zhan was more than relieved about this, the city apartment was the absolute opposite of the house. There, not only were the walls painted a warm and friendly beige, but the furnishings, with their beech and cherry wood furniture, were much nicer to look at. In terms of style, they were perhaps no longer quite so modern. But because of that, they also had much more charm and radiated warmth from that alone.

Of course, Yibo had not failed to notice how uncomfortable Zhan had felt in the house. And he could understand why. But he had to say that it wasn't always like this. At least not like now. It was only four or five years ago, when the relationship between Yibo's parents became more icy, that they had started to renovate and redecorate the house. By doing so, in Yibo's opinion, they were also showing the outside how it looked inside them.

And just like Zhan, Yibo had often felt a cold draft in recent years when he came home and entered the house. Often, his neck hairs had already stood up at the front door. Most of the time he would unlock the door and then hurry upstairs to his room as fast as he could, leaving it only for the communal meals.

Thanks to Zhan's help, the move and the subsequent unpacking and putting away went much faster than Yibo had thought. He was glad afterwards that he let himself be persuaded by Zhan to let him help. So he was already done with everything in the early evening and he could fully concentrate on Zhan. And much to his delight, Zhan would not go home that night, but stay with him before they finally spend the whole weekend together.

The two of them, after showering and putting on clean clothes, went shopping together in the evening. Because Yibo's refrigerator was empty. Actually, they wanted to cook together, but then decided to eat, at least that evening, in a restaurant. Because both had been quite exhausted from the move.

After the restaurant, the two went back to Yibo's apartment with their purchases, unpacked everything, and then sat down in the living room. Both were very tired, but neither wanted to admit it. And anyway, it was more important to them to use the time they had together as extensively as it was somehow possible.

Since they were both still quite inexperienced in these things and didn't want to rush into anything, they sat next to each other on the sofa in the living room and played cards. Yibo proudly showed Zhan one or the other magic trick with his cards, which was rewarded by Zhan with a lot of applause.

They also talked again about their time at the youth club, with Zhan clearly saying once again, "I saw you and immediately had a huge crush on you." And this was just to make Yibo realize once again how in love he has been with him since that time.

For Yibo, Zhan's already very open and direct nature is still foreign, in his family, after all, you do not talk about feelings and was therefore very embarrassed when he replied, "I liked you back then too. But I thought you stopped coming because of me and our accidental kiss. And that I therefore missed the chance to get to know you. Whereas I was hoping you'd make the first move."

"Back then, it didn't seem like you were shy. I mean, you were always giving everything you had when you were playing basketball or anything else. I thought you were more of a doer who knew exactly what he wanted and took it."

"Hahaha, be honest. You actually mean you thought I was a show-off and not a doer."

"No, no. I would never think something like that."

"Yeah, yeah. You're sussed."

"No way in hell haha."

"Ah you're so cute Zhan."

"Hey, where did that come from all of a sudden."

"Why? It's the truth! I think you're cute all over. And I'm glad we got another chance. I'm really thankful for your parents and that they were so supportive in finding me. I had really given up hope of ever seeing you again. And then suddenly you show up in my life again. I can't describe to you how happy that makes me. But I can promise you right now, I'm going to hold you tight this time and never let you go."

"Wow you leave me speechless. You know, after our night two years ago, I was absolutely sure I wanted to see you again. Even though you didn't recognize me. I wanted you then 10 years ago, I wanted you 2 years ago and I still want you. I'll stay even if you don't hold me."

"I'd rather hold you anyway. Then I can be absolutely sure you'll never be out of my life again."

"Well that could be a problem. Because I have to go back home tomorrow."

"Ah no, sigh. That' s not exactly what I wanted to hear right now."

"What did you want to hear instead Yibo?"

"That you'll stay with me."

"I will."

"Then stay with me tomorrow and the next day and every other night too. At least this week. I don't expect anything, promised. I just want you with me."

"Well, if that's the case, I'll talk to my parents about it tomorrow and ask them if that's okay with them. But I guess they won't mind. As long as we don't rush into anything and are careful."

"Careful?"

"Well, if it does come to more, then only with protection."

"Ah, yes we've had this subject before."

"Exactly. This is very important to me and my parents."

"I understand. But I can tell you, I'm really in good health."

"Yes, I believe you. But I already told you, there is a reason why I insist on it. And I say again, I am also healthy and have nothing contagious. But that's all I want to say about that now."

"All right. Then tell me when you're ready."

"I will." Zhan didn't find it easy not to tell Yibo about getting pregnant if they didn't use birth control. Most of all, he would want to explain it to him. But it was still too early. And he still doesn't know how to even explain it to Yibo.

"So, do you want to play another round of cards?"

"Sure. And maybe you'll let me win this time?"

"No way. Hahaha."

"Ah how mean. And you want to be my boyfriend Yibo?"

"I am. I love you. But that doesn't mean I'm just going to let you win."

Zhan blinked playfully and put his hands in front of his chest. "Awww, say that again." He prompted Yibo.

Yibo smirked, gave Zhan a kiss, looked deep into his eyes and said, "I love you."

Full of happiness and joy, Zhan hugged him and replied, "And I love you my handsome Yibo."

They kissed each other very tenderly and intimately for a few minutes before Yibo said, "We'd better stop now. Before I get really naughty." Zhan laughed and agreed.

The two sat in the living room for a long time that night, playing cards and talking, before finally going to bed and falling asleep arm in arm.

The next day, after sleeping late and eating a late breakfast, the two headed to Zhan's parents' house to ask them if it was okay for Zhan to stay at Yibo's place tonight as well and stay until Sunday.

Zhan's parents thought about it for a moment and finally gave their consent. "You are both adults and we trust you. We agree. But please remember, if there is anything more between you, use a condom for protection." Said Zhan's father.

"Don't worry. There is nothing planned in that direction. We actually want to get to know each other better and get closer before we think about wanting to sleep with each other." Replied Yibo. Of course, this was very gratefully and relievedly received by Zhan's parents.

Only Zhan was suddenly not so sure whether he could resist Yibo's charm and good looks for very long. But he preferred to keep that to himself. He simply nodded with a broad smile and explained, "We do have time for these things. First of all, it's important that we get to know each other properly." He was already surprised that he didn't bite his own tongue at those words.

What Zhan didn't know, however, was that Yibo had figured him out. After all, he was thinking the same thing as Zhan. Even though he doesn't want to rush into anything, of course, yesterday's evening already showed him how hard it is for him to hold back. If he hadn't broken off the kiss last night, he certainly wouldn't have been able to hold back.

With the consent of Zhan's parents, Zhan packed a few more clothes and after having dinner together with Zhan's parents, the two went back to Yibo's apartment. For this evening they planned to watch a movie on the sofa. But it wasn't quite that relaxed, because both of them were struggling with their own thoughts and fantasies.

How long could they endure before they gave in to their feelings and lust for each other? Could they really be together for a whole week, even share the bed, without more happening between them?