Bo Xinghang remembered the first time he learned how to smoke.
It was right after the high school entrance exams had ended. All his classmates were in a celebratory mood. Some went so far as to get perms to commemorate the past three years of obedience, while countless others bought new clothes and manicures. Some even begged their parents for the latest iPhone, earning a storm of likes on their social media.
In contrast, he remained calm. His WeChat Moments were silent, not a single post.
Later, when others tried to invite him out, they found that his WeChat had been deactivated.
In a world where everyone else was celebrating, this guy seemed to have vanished into thin air.
He still remembered the date, June 29th, the first day after the exams ended. The sun was bright, and the sky was clear.
His dad had committed suicide.
–
“Don’t be afraid.”
The person holding him close spoke in a gentle voice. Even with so many people around, he patted Bo Xinghang as if soothing a child, each movement careful and deliberate.
Given the recent fight, no one would have guessed he was scared. This Doctor Ji must have had some vision problem to think he was frightened.
Bo Xinghang’s red eyes drooped slightly as he forced a smile, but it lasted only half a second before disappearing. His whole body was in Doctor Ji’s embrace, so his expression was naturally hidden from Doctor Ji’s view.
“Afraid, my ass.”
His voice was muffled. After the fight, he was still slightly panting, making him sound a little aggrieved.
Ji Wenzhen continued to comfort him, his hand never stopping, maintaining a gentle and caring demeanor. Yet, his eyes had already turned cold.
The person on the ground had been caught off guard and looked pitiful. Ji Wenzhen only glanced at him briefly, showing no interest. Instead, he looked directly at the homeroom teacher.
“My younger brother isn’t feeling well. I’d like to request a day off for him. Please excuse me, teacher.”
His words were polite, but despite being a request, they carried a strong, uncompromising tone.
The Provincial Experimental School was a well-known local institution. Small scuffles were not unusual, but this kind of outright brawl within the school was a first for him.
However, as a teacher, he had already recovered from the initial shock. He nodded seriously and told Ji Wenzhen, “Don’t worry, we’ll investigate this incident thoroughly and deal with it. Since Bo Xinghang isn’t feeling well, let him rest for the day, and I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
While speaking, the homeroom teacher took out his phone. “Let’s add each other on WeChat. What should I call you?”
“Alright.” Ji Wenzhen stayed in position without moving and looked at the QR code on the screen. “I didn’t bring my phone. Could you give me your WeChat ID so I can add you later?”
“Oh, no problem!”
But he obviously had his phone.
The boy playing dead in his arms shifted slightly. The redness around his eyes had faded, leaving only a faint pink hue. He lifted his head slightly and saw Doctor Ji’s refined, fair chin.
Bo Xinghang was entranced and startled when Ji Wenzhen suddenly lowered his head.
“Why are you suddenly lowering your head?!”
Bo Xinghang tried to act fierce, showing his small, sharp canine teeth. Seeing his fierce look, Ji Wenzhen couldn’t help but tease him, “Why did you suddenly lift your head?”
“Mind your own business!”
Ji Wenzhen was full of mischief. “Yes, I’ll mind my own business.”
Bo Xinghang: “…” So annoying!
The homeroom teacher found their interaction peculiar. This kid Bo Xinghang might seem young and easygoing, always going along with whatever others said or thought, but at the same time, no one really understood what he was thinking.
For the first time, the homeroom teacher sensed a childlike quality in him, leaving him momentarily stunned.
“I’ll write you a note. You can go home with your brother.”
“Thank you, teacher.”
Before Bo Xinghang could respond, Ji Wenzhen had already thanked the teacher. Throughout the journey, with the boy’s intense gaze on him, Ji Wenzhen pretended not to notice and casually hailed a taxi with ease.
It wasn’t until they arrived in the familiar yet unfamiliar setting that Bo Xinghang realized…
He… He had ended up at Doctor Ji’s house again.
Ji Wenzhen took his phone out of his coat pocket and scrolled through it a few times, his expression relaxed, as if bringing Bo Xinghang back home was completely normal. He even asked, “What do you want to eat? I’ll order some takeout for lunch.”
Bo Xinghang’s attention was immediately drawn to Ji Wenzhen’s phone. He couldn’t help but ask, “You brought your phone? Why did you tell the homeroom teacher you didn’t have it?”
Ji Wenzhen hung his coat on the rack and explained, “I have my personal phone with me.”
“Oh, so what?” Bo Xinghang looked at Doctor Ji’s back and rolled his eyes.
How pretentious.
Even having a personal and a work phone.
Bo Xinghang slipped on the slippers he had worn during his last visit and followed Ji Wenzhen into the house. This time, he felt much more at home than before. He sat on the sofa, staring at Doctor Ji.
Ji Wenzhen came out of the kitchen with two glasses of water. Seeing Bo Xinghang sitting there so obediently, he felt a strange sensation stir inside him, a feeling that made his heart itch, as if licked by a kitten’s tongue.
He suppressed the strangeness and remained calm as he replied to the young man, “I add strangers on my work WeChat and acquaintances on my personal WeChat. Get it?”
“…Got it.”
Now it was Bo Xinghang’s turn to feel weird.
…It wasn’t unreasonable for his thoughts to wander—what Ji Wenzhen said could be easily misunderstood.
That definitely sounded off.
Fortunately, Doctor Ji didn’t continue with the topic. “What do you want to eat for lunch? I’ll order takeout.”
Bo Xinghang let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The lock that was about to be opened shut again. He took a sip of water. “Anything is fine.”
Suddenly, something occurred to him, and Bo Xinghang nudged Ji Wenzhen with his elbow. “Are you taking the day off today?”
“Mm.”
“Oh~” The boy’s eyes lit up as he met Doctor Ji’s gaze and hugged his arm. “Then let’s go have some barbecue tonight!”
Maybe they could even have a few drinks!
Seemingly guessing Bo Xinghang’s little plan, Doctor Ji flatly refused, “If you don’t drink, we can go. If you do, we won’t.”
Bo Xinghang: “…Why not!”
“Because you have to work tonight, don’t you?”
“…Tsk.”
For the first time, Bo Xinghang felt annoyed about working. But he could take a few days off every few weeks at the bar. Previously, he had turned down vacations to earn more money, so taking a day off now wouldn’t be hard.
Plus, after the mess this morning, his mood had been down. He just wanted to go out with Ji Wenzhen for a few drinks to relax.
He pursed his lips and quickly pulled out his phone to message the bar manager.
Ji Wenzhen raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”
“Sending a message to ask for a day off to have dinner with you.”
The kid’s expression was adorable. Doctor Ji hid his smile behind a sip of water, maintaining a calm tone. “Alright, aren’t you going to earn money?”
“Not today.”
“Aren’t you going to rest?”
“Not today.”
“Aren’t you going to drink?”
“Not… Fuck, you tricked me!”
Doctor Ji pretended to be innocent. “How did I trick you?”
–
As Bo Xinghang suggested having barbecue for dinner, lunch needed to be lighter. Ji Wenzhen ordered some noodle soup and a few side dishes.
Once everything was ordered, Doctor Ji returned to his room.
Bo Xinghang hadn’t participated in ordering the food at all. He curled up on the sofa with a pillow, watching TV. Doctor Ji, being well-off and busy, had paid for a VIP subscription even though he didn’t have time to watch TV. Bo Xinghang ignored Doctor Ji and spent the whole morning watching on his own.
When the takeout arrived, he finally snapped out of it, turned the volume down with the remote, and called out without taking his eyes off the screen, “Doctor Ji, the takeout is here!”
No response.
Bo Xinghang glanced around and realized Doctor Ji wasn’t in the living room. He raised his voice and called out again, “Doctor Ji! Did you hear me? The takeout is here!”
Still no response.
For some reason, Bo Xinghang felt uneasy. He tossed the pillow aside, hurriedly put on his slippers, and went to find Doctor Ji, shouting, “Doctor Ji!”
“Doctor Ji!”
“Doctor—”
As soon as he entered the room, he saw Doctor Ji lying soundly asleep on the bed. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top two buttons, hanging loosely open and revealing a glimpse of his fair skin.
The midday light cast a shadow on his face, making his features appear sharper than usual. At that moment, Bo Xinghang noticed the dark circles under his eyes, which were deep and prominent.
Two weeks of working day and night, coupled with a hectic morning, couldn’t hide his exhaustion, no matter how hard he tried to appear composed.
After ordering the takeout, he had finally relaxed completely.
And now, with everything settled, he had fallen into a deep sleep.
Bo Xinghang pressed his lips together, unable to find words to express how he felt. But amid the persistent knocking on the door, he could clearly hear his own heartbeat.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
