During Spring Festival, when Mu Lin was twenty-two, he fell in love at first sight with Gu Zhinian at a family dinner.
Eight years his senior, the man was gentle and refined. He was a classmate of Mu Lin's stepfather's younger brother, and one glance was all it took to lodge him in Mu Lin's young heart.
Keeping his feelings hidden, Mu Lin left for Haicheng. A month later, he realized he had already fallen deeply in love. Nervously, he added Gu Zhinian on WeChat, beginning a long, ambiguous relationship.
Gu Zhinian was gentle and considerate, but the eight-year age gap filled him with doubts. He didn't dare cross the line, and could only quietly dote on the sweet, soft young man in front of him.
Long-distance yearning, affectionate messages on WeChat. Mu Lin kept his worries to himself and went to Haicheng to surprise Gu Zhinian. When he saw the younger man rush into his arms with red-rimmed eyes, all his restraint crumbled.
An age gap? It didn't matter.
On their date during National Day, the gentle man let go of all his reserve and leaned down to confess softly:
“Mu Lin, I like you. Not as an older man likes a younger one, but the way a lover does.”
From then on, their eight-year age gap meant nothing but devotion. His gentle older lover spoiled him rotten.
Nestled in his arms, Mu Lin laughed softly. “Uncle Gu, you've spoiled me so much I can't live without you.”
Same-sex marriage is legal | Gentle, doting older top × lively, adorable, sweet younger bottom | Mutual pining + a very long period of romantic ambiguity | One falls first, then they fall passionately in love. Pure sweetness, no angst.
