Chà Chà Novel

There was something decidedly strange about Yi Feng today.

Watching him repeatedly hesitate as though he wanted to say something, Gu Yan couldn’t help frowning.

Yi Feng, who was walking ahead, looked less like an ordinary university student and more like an envoy entrusted with some momentous mission.

Every step he took radiated unwavering determination.

“We’re almost there,” Yi Feng announced.

As though afraid Gu Yan might lose his way, he kept glancing over his shoulder to make sure he was still following.

They passed the library, walked beneath a long corridor draped in blooming wisteria, and continued along the shore of the university’s Swan Lake.

The bell rang, signaling the beginning of another class.

Gu Yan looked back.

The academic buildings had already disappeared behind the trees and the library, completely hidden from sight.

A little farther ahead lay a place the students affectionately called Lovers’ Hill.

On sunny afternoons, couples would gather on the lush green grass, sitting close together as they enjoyed the leisurely hours, talking and laughing without a care in the world.

Gu Yan rarely came here.

The reason was simple.

In this place, even a random butterfly you caught probably already had a partner.

He had once imagined sitting shoulder to shoulder with Yi Heng on that very lawn.

Unfortunately, Yi Heng had already graduated.

As they continued walking, Gu Yan gradually noticed that something wasn’t quite right.

Normally, Lovers’ Hill was always crowded with students taking photographs or basking in the sunshine, no matter the time of day.

Yet today, despite the beautiful weather, the entire hill was deserted.

Not a single person was in sight.

Except…

Standing in the middle of Lovers’ Hill was a strangely familiar little boy holding a balloon.

The child was waving at Gu Yan with a delighted smile.

Gu Yan searched his memory for a couple of seconds before recognition finally dawned.

“Hey, little guy. What are you doing here?”

It was the same boy who had brought him an umbrella on that snowy day.

“The big brother from last time told me to come!”

“He gave me a chocolate bar and said I should give you this balloon!”

“And he promised me another one after you find him!”

Perhaps the boy was in the middle of losing his baby teeth, because his words came out with a slight lisp, making his childish voice even more endearing.

Yi Heng?

A gentle breeze swept past, carrying the unmistakable fragrance of spring.

Gu Yan accepted the balloon in a daze.

Only when he examined it more closely did he notice a small line of writing.

Come to the Astronomy Center.

The handwriting was bold and powerful, every stroke deliberate and beautifully controlled.

One glance was enough for Gu Yan to recognize Yi Heng’s writing.

He immediately looked toward the pointed tower rising in the distance.

And somehow, his heart seemed to lift with the spring breeze drifting around him.

A faint suspicion began taking shape in his mind.

He thought he might know what was happening.

But he hardly dared believe it.

Seeing Gu Yan standing motionless, the little boy grew anxious about the second chocolate bar he hadn’t received yet.

“Why aren’t you going? Hurry up!”

Urged forward by the child, Gu Yan took two hesitant steps.

Then he suddenly remembered Yi Feng.

He turned around, intending to coax a few answers out of him.

But when he looked back, the little path through the university grounds was completely empty.

Yi Feng had vanished without a trace.

With no other choice, Gu Yan gathered his courage and continued toward the Astronomy Center.

With every step closer, his heart seemed to rise a little higher in his chest.

It felt as though countless unknown possibilities were waiting ahead, inviting him to discover them.

Half anticipation.

Half curiosity.

Some distance behind him, a rustling sound came from a flowerbed.

Wang Zhiliang desperately pried Yi Feng’s hand away from his mouth and gulped down two enormous breaths of fresh air.

“Fuck! Were you trying to kill me?”

Yi Feng’s grip was no joke.

The skin on Wang Zhiliang’s supposedly “delicate” face had been squeezed so hard that pale marks remained.

Yi Feng irritably smacked him on the head and whispered a fierce warning.

“Shut up! You almost ruined my brother’s big moment!”

Wang Zhiliang continued muttering to himself.

What kind of big moment could possibly be so important?

But while he was distracted, Yi Feng quietly slipped several meters ahead.

“Hey! Wait for me…”

As Wang Zhiliang scrambled out of the flowerbed, he tripped over a stone and nearly fell flat on his face.

The two of them followed Gu Yan like a pair of thieves sneaking around after committing a crime.

Every time Gu Yan so much as turned his head, they scrambled frantically for cover.

Two tall, broad-shouldered Alphas somehow ended up squeezing themselves behind the same tiny sapling, neither willing to give the other an inch.

Fortunately, Gu Yan wasn’t paying any attention in their direction.

Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible to overlook the enormous shoulders sticking out from either side of the little tree!

The Astronomy Center was shrouded in darkness.

Designed to recreate the mystery of the universe, it had a ceiling painted pure black and not a single window along its walls.

All kinds of celestial bodies hung suspended throughout the vast space.

There was even a recreation of the Milky Way, its luminous galactic bands radiating brilliant light—the only source of illumination in the entire center.

The air conditioning was turned up high, filling the room with a distinct chill.

Gu Yan curled his fingers inward, tightening his grip on the balloon in his hand.

He began climbing the stairs, making his way toward the top of the tower.

The closer he came to the summit, the more nervous he became.

When only a few steps remained, he unconsciously held his breath.

His mouth had gone dry.

At some point, cold sweat had gathered in his palms.

He was filled with anticipation.

And yet, he was terrified that he’d misunderstood everything, that all his hopes were nothing more than wishful thinking.

That fear gave rise to a quiet timidity, spreading through the barren, desolate landscape of his heart.

He felt like a traveler who had wandered through the desert for days, only to glimpse a lush oasis shimmering on the horizon.

It was so beautiful.

So unexpectedly wonderful.

The promise of it was almost too much to believe.

And so the traveler hesitated, afraid to take another step.

Afraid that the paradise ahead was nothing more than a mirage.

Gu Yan pressed his fingernails lightly into his palm, gathering his courage.

At last, he climbed the final few steps.

And there, before his eyes, stood a tall, unmistakable figure.

Yi Heng was waiting in the center of the room.

A shaft of light from the tower’s peak fell perfectly upon him, making him seem almost one with the light and the dust drifting through it.

He wore a black shirt with the top two buttons undone, the fabric neatly tucked into a pair of tailored suit trousers.

In his hands, he held a bouquet of roses.

Gu Yan’s mind went completely blank.

Before entering, he’d carefully rehearsed what he wanted to say.

He’d even thought about how to begin.

But now that Yi Heng was standing before him, all those carefully prepared words vanished.

He couldn’t think of anything else.

Couldn’t find a single thing to say.

His heart was pounding so fiercely that he didn’t even notice Yi Heng quietly approaching.

Yi Heng had always been extraordinarily handsome.

But today, there was something about him that made him seem even more striking than usual.

In an instant, he captured every last bit of Gu Yan’s attention.

The stars, the galaxies, the dazzling celestial wonders surrounding them—none of it mattered anymore.

Gu Yan could see only him.

“I’m sorry for pulling you out of class without asking.”

Yi Heng spoke softly.

His fingertips brushed gently across Gu Yan’s brow and the corners of his eyes.

With that tender gesture, all the love he’d been holding within him seemed to spill freely into his gaze, impossible to conceal any longer.

“It’s okay…”

Gu Yan felt as though his very soul were trembling.

His throat was dry, and those were the only words he could manage.

“Look around you,” Yi Heng said.

All around them were extraordinary replicas of the universe’s countless wonders.

There were glittering stars, shining with brilliant light.

There was the breathtaking Rose Nebula, so mesmerizing it seemed capable of stealing one’s soul.

And there were beautiful planets suspended silently in the darkness.

Then Yi Heng’s voice reached Gu Yan’s ears once more.

This time, he began speaking from the depths of his heart.

“Our first meeting was an accident.”

“I’m not someone who takes a long time to warm up to people. And to be honest, I’m not particularly inclined to help others, either.”

Gu Yan’s breath caught.

He listened with all his heart, terrified of missing even a single syllable of what Yi Heng was about to say.

“Perhaps it was the influence of pheromones back then. Or perhaps it was because there were Alphas lurking outside that day, watching for an opportunity, and I couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing…”

Yi Heng paused.

“But whatever the reason, a few seconds later, I made the best decision of my entire life.”

“And no matter how many times I were given the chance to relive that moment, I would make the same choice every single time.”

Gu Yan held the bouquet of roses Yi Heng had given him close to his chest.

Every flower had been carefully selected, tiny droplets of water still clinging to the delicate petals.

Then he watched as Yi Heng reached into his pocket and took out a small box he’d prepared in advance.

Slowly, Yi Heng lowered himself onto one knee.

Inside the box lay a dazzling, custom-made men’s ring.

Yi Heng looked up at Gu Yan, his gaze so earnest and sincere that it made Gu Yan’s heart tremble.

“Gu Yan.”

“You deserve to keep shining like these stars. The entire universe is your stage.”

“And as for me…”

“Please allow me to become a little planet orbiting around you, staying by your side for all eternity.”

“Will you let me?”

Not once did he speak the word love.

And yet, every single word was a declaration of it.

A sudden roar filled Gu Yan’s mind, as though something had burst open deep inside him.

He met Yi Heng’s profound gaze, and without warning, his nose began to sting.

So that was it…

Yi Heng had been so busy these past two days because he’d been preparing all of this.

Realizing that he’d spent those same days quietly sulking and worrying over nothing, Gu Yan suddenly found his own behavior almost laughably foolish.

Yi Heng waited patiently for his answer.

Kneeling before Gu Yan, he gazed up at the person he loved with the reverence of a devoted believer looking upon the very center of his faith.

Previously, pressure from various circumstances had forced them to register their marriage in a rush.

Yi Heng had always felt that he’d deprived Gu Yan of a proper, solemn marriage proposal.

He wanted to give Gu Yan the very best of everything.

No one was allowed to shortchange him.

Not even Yi Heng himself.

And so he’d meticulously planned every detail of this moment.

He’d contacted the university, obtained permission to use the Astronomy Center, and arranged for the entire place to be decorated.

There was only one thing he couldn’t be certain of.

Would the person he loved say yes?

For the first time, Gu Yan caught a flicker of nervousness on Yi Heng’s face.

It vanished almost immediately.

But Gu Yan was certain he’d seen it.

So even Yi Heng could feel nervous.

And the reason for that nervousness…

Was Gu Yan’s answer.

Once he understood that, Gu Yan blinked.

Every trace of hesitation disappeared.

“Yes.”

Before the word had even fully left his lips, a light flashed through Yi Heng’s eyes.

The man who was usually so composed and restrained showed a rare loss of control.

The corners of his mouth trembled slightly, betraying the depth of his excitement.

He took Gu Yan’s hand and slowly slid the ring onto his ring finger.

A perfect fit.

Gu Yan’s eyes reddened.

He threw his arms around Yi Heng and held him tightly, burying his face against his chest.

A breathless, almost disbelieving laugh escaped him.

“W-When did you measure it?”

A low laugh vibrated through Yi Heng’s chest.

He lifted Gu Yan’s chin, tilted his head, and kissed him.

“Take a guess.”

It was as though a floodgate had opened.

One passionate kiss followed another.

Their breaths mingled, and the faint sounds of their kisses echoed through the otherwise silent space, stirring feelings hidden deep beneath the surface.

Gu Yan eagerly tried to return Yi Heng’s affection.

But no matter how hard he tried, he always seemed to fall one step behind.

Gradually, the overwhelming intimacy clouded his thoughts, leaving him flushed and dazed.

Surrounded by a universe of carefully constructed celestial models, they stood wrapped in each other’s arms.

Gu Yan was struggling slightly to keep up, but Yi Heng held the back of his head and drew him into an even deeper kiss.

“Hah… mm!”

Gu Yan tilted his head back, finally managing to steal a breath, gasping as though he’d nearly forgotten how to breathe.

And then—

A sudden burp came from the staircase.

There was someone else here?!

Gu Yan’s cheeks turned scarlet.

He immediately covered his mouth and struggled out of Yi Heng’s embrace.

Yi Feng silently cursed.

In a panic, he reached out to cover Wang Zhiliang’s mouth, but accidentally stepped directly on his foot instead.

“OWWW!”

Wang Zhiliang let out a miserable scream.

Their hiding place was completely exposed.

Yi Heng lowered his brows, turning a dark, displeased gaze toward the staircase.

Yi Feng went rigid from head to toe.

Yi Feng: “…”

Wang Zhiliang stepped forward, trembling.

“Uh… Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt. Please, carry on.”

There was still a faint trace of moisture at the corner of Gu Yan’s lips.

His entire face was burning red.

Carry on, my ass…

To be fair, Wang Zhiliang hadn’t meant to interrupt anything.

He and Yi Feng had originally followed Gu Yan simply to make sure he didn’t take a wrong turn.

Eventually, they’d gone upstairs too.

And there, to their astonishment, they’d stumbled upon Yi Heng’s marriage proposal.

Unable to resist their curiosity, they’d stayed to watch for a while.

Neither of them had expected the couple to start kissing afterward.

By then, leaving would have been awkward.

But staying wasn’t any better.

Caught between advancing and retreating, they had no idea what to do.

In the end, they’d quietly crouched in a corner of the staircase, desperately pretending to be invisible.

As for Wang Zhiliang’s unfortunate burp, it had been entirely caused by fright.

He stole a couple of glances at Gu Yan, still unable to believe that those breathless sounds he’d heard earlier had actually come from his best friend.

Omegas really were different from normal people.

Even the way they breathed sounded so… so…

So good.

Unfortunately, Wang Zhiliang’s limited vocabulary failed him completely.

For a moment, his brain simply couldn’t process what he’d just witnessed.

Meanwhile, Yi Feng was standing beneath his older brother’s murderous glare, feeling as though his life might end at any second.

He hastily grabbed Wang Zhiliang and began dragging him away.

After a considerable amount of pulling and shoving, he practically bundled the two of them together and hauled them out of the place.

Unfortunately, after being interrupted like that, Gu Yan no longer had the courage to continue kissing.

Instead, he lowered his gaze and gently stroked the ring on his finger, pressing his lips together to suppress a smile.

Yi Heng wore an identical ring on his own hand.

These custom-made rings could only be commissioned once in a person’s lifetime.

Once you had chosen the one person meant for you…

You would never let go again.

Ever since Yi Cen’s unexpected death, the Yi Group had undergone extensive personnel changes.

Mr. and Mrs. Yi had also gone a long time without truly smiling.

That was why Yi Heng’s successful marriage proposal became one of the few genuinely happy occasions the family had experienced in the past two months.

After spending so long beneath the weight of grief, Mrs. Yi finally found something to occupy herself with.

The wedding hadn’t even officially been put on the schedule, yet she was already enthusiastically contacting wedding planning companies left and right.

And that wasn’t all.

She had even started scouting out honeymoon destinations for the young couple.

Recently, whenever Gu Yan wasn’t attending classes, he would visit the Yi family residence and help Mrs. Yi review the various designs and proposals submitted by wedding planners.

“Xiao Yan, which do you think would look better for the tablecloths? Pale yellow or ivory?”

“The ivory ones don’t have lace trim. Wouldn’t that look a little too plain?”

“And the wedding cake… Do you prefer blue or purple? Actually, perhaps we should go with purple. Purple looks so elegant.”

“Those flower baskets on either side don’t look quite luxurious enough. Why don’t we replace them with two crystal ice sculptures?”

“And the decorative lighting overhead… Something about it just doesn’t feel right.”

Gu Yan sat beside her, listening attentively and occasionally offering a few words of agreement.

Truthfully, decorating wasn’t his strong suit.

As far as he could tell, all the proposed designs looked more or less the same.

But Mrs. Yi was so enthusiastic that he simply went along with her preferences.

And seeing him agree so readily made Mrs. Yi so happy that she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.

The fruit platter on the coffee table had barely been emptied before the housekeeper brought over another enormous plate of freshly cut fruit.

Yi Feng, meanwhile, had been upstairs for half the day without a single person paying him any attention.

Eventually, he began questioning his entire existence.

He wandered downstairs, settled himself on the sofa, and started helping himself to the food and drinks.

At long last, they finished choosing the wedding venue decorations.

Mrs. Yi took a deeply satisfying sip of tea, feeling refreshed in both body and spirit.

The enormous weight that had rested on her heart for so many years had finally been lifted.

Her eldest son’s marriage was settled.

Naturally, her attention now shifted to her younger son, who was sitting nearby with a numb expression, mechanically chewing on a piece of fruit.

Gu Yan and Yi Feng exchanged glances.

Both immediately sensed trouble.

Sure enough, Mrs. Yi spoke in the very next second.

“Xiao Feng, you’re all grown up now. Have you ever even been in a relationship?”

“Or have you been fooling around so much outside that no little Omega wants anything to do with you?”

“N-No! That’s not— I…”

Yi Feng had been sitting peacefully in his own home when disaster suddenly dropped straight out of the sky.

He opened his mouth, desperately searching for an explanation, but found himself completely at a loss for words.

Gu Yan tried to come to his rescue.

“Auntie, Yi Feng is actually very popular at school. He’s just been so busy studying that he hasn’t had time for a relationship.”

“Oh, don’t try to fool me. Do you think I don’t know exactly what kind of person my own son is?”

Mrs. Yi crossed her arms and raised one elegantly arched eyebrow.

Then, as though remembering something, she abruptly changed the subject.

“Speaking of which, Xiao Yan, why are you still calling me Auntie?”

“Isn’t it about time you changed how you address me?”

Yi Feng breathed a sigh of relief when he realized the flames of interrogation had shifted away from him.

He calmly resumed his position on the sofa and continued munching on fruit.

Gu Yan, however, was suddenly at a loss for words.

Mom.

Such a simple word.

Only two syllables.

Yet actually saying it aloud felt impossibly difficult.

He hesitated for two seconds.

Those unfamiliar syllables caught in his throat.

They seemed ready to emerge, needing only the smallest final push.

But somehow, that last bit of courage refused to come.

Mrs. Yi smiled with gentle understanding.

“It’s all right. There’s no need to rush. Have something to eat first.”

Gu Yan lowered his gaze awkwardly, rubbing his fingers together without knowing quite what to do.

Mrs. Yi took an elegant sip of tea before turning to ask the housekeeper to cut some more of Gu Yan’s favorite peaches.

Noticing that he still seemed uncomfortable, she thoughtfully changed the subject.

“From now on, you should think of this place as your own home. Come visit whenever you have time.”

“And if Xiao Heng ever makes you feel the slightest bit wronged, you just come and tell us.”

“We’ll always stand up for you.”

Mrs. Yi’s slender hands were beautifully maintained, their skin soft and smooth.

She gently placed one hand over the back of Gu Yan’s.

It was wonderfully warm.

Gu Yan looked down at her hand, feeling a quiet warmth spread through his heart.

All of them were reaching out to him.

Step by step, they were drawing closer, offering him their sincere affection, their care, and their acceptance.

How could he possibly turn them away?

Slowly, Gu Yan nodded.

A soft smile touched his lips.

“I understand.”

“Thank you, Mom.”