The kiss was impulsive, reckless at first, but then it became careful and restrained, a tentative touch after losing control. It was clumsy in its execution.
Wen Xia had never imagined that kissing someone you like could feel like this—soft, warm, as if he were treading on clouds of cotton candy, on the verge of melting.
When his lower back bumped against the edge of the stove, he let out a soft grunt, and the long, yet shallow kiss finally ended.
Lin Fengqi’s eyes were still red. Before Wen Xia could decipher the emotions within them, he was pulled into another tight embrace.
This man was like a koala, hugging him and refusing to let go.
Their heartbeats mingled, making it impossible to tell whose was whose.
Wen Xia still didn’t understand why this kiss had come so suddenly. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he said, “I… I didn’t even agree.”
“Sorry.”
Wen Xia chuckled, though it was more out of disbelief than humor. “You don’t even think before you apologize now, do you?”
“…Sorry.”
“…”
It felt like Lin Fengqi wasn’t just apologizing for this one thing.
Using the hand that hadn’t touched the oil-covered knife, Wen Xia gently pushed him away. “Let go… for now.”
Lin Fengqi didn’t move.
“Lin Fengqi, you…” Wen Xia sighed in exasperation, noticing A Mo and Wen Da Ge peeking around the kitchen door, the cat and dog both watching with interest. He blurted out, “…the kids are watching.”
Lin Fengqi: “…”
Finally, the koala-like grip loosened.
Wen Xia quickly put some distance between them, turned around to wash the oil off his hands, and almost stumbled back into Lin Fengqi’s arms. Barely catching himself on the edge of the sink, his face flushed with frustration. “What’s wrong with you?”
Lin Fengqi didn’t answer and just hugged him again.
Wen Xia started to question his sanity. Was he in some kind of alternate reality? Had he traveled to the future, to some day when he and Lin Fengqi were already together?
Who was this clingy guy, and what had he done with Lin Fengqi?
He hesitated, then asked cautiously, “You didn’t take the wrong meds, did you…?”
“No,” the koala answered immediately, his voice low and muffled, still tinged with the sound of tears. “This should have happened a long time ago.”
“What?”
Lin Fengqi was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Eight years ago, I should have done this.”
It was as if someone had rung a bell in Wen Xia’s head, and the sound reverberated through his brain.
He froze for a moment, then asked, “Did you remember?”
But Lin Fengqi seemed confused. “…Remember what?”
“Then what do you mean by that?”
Lin Fengqi slowly let him go and asked, “Did you… try to pursue me before?”
He hadn’t recalled the incident from the night he was drunk. Wen Xia countered with a question of his own, “Where did you hear that from?” It couldn’t have been Zou Boyan who told him, right? Had the mole really gone that far?
Lin Fengqi’s gaze flickered momentarily before he looked back at Wen Xia. “I overheard your conversation with Zou Boyan after we left the escape room.”
Wen Xia was momentarily stunned, then quickly pieced together what he was referring to.
No wonder…
No wonder Lin Fengqi had been acting so strangely after that conversation.
Wen Xia didn’t know what to say for a moment. He licked his lips, only to be reminded that he had just kissed Lin Fengqi… He had actually kissed Lin Fengqi.
His face heated up again, and he turned his head away. “Even if I did pursue you before, that doesn’t mean I still like you now.”
But suddenly, Lin Fengqi grabbed his hand.
Wen Xia’s hand was still wet, and Lin Fengqi’s warm fingers pressed against the ring he hadn’t yet taken off.
“…Really?” he asked.
Something still felt off. Why did it seem like, despite asking, Lin Fengqi didn’t believe a word he said?
Wen Xia turned to face him, deliberately saying, “Isn’t it true? You asked if I pursued you ‘before,’ but that’s past tense, eight years ago. Did you really expect me to stay single all these years, waiting for you?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Lin Fengqi said, his grip tightening in his urgency. “But your Moments…”
“My Moments?” Wen Xia couldn’t recall anything special about his WeChat Moments, and even if he could, he didn’t think Lin Fengqi would know. After all, only he could see who they were visible to.
But Lin Fengqi said, “You posted something visible only to me…”
The more he spoke, the weaker his voice became, likely realizing that he had spoken too hastily. But the words were out, and there was no taking them back.
Wen Xia froze, then froze again. He couldn’t immediately figure out how Lin Fengqi knew about his limited-visibility posts, until he suddenly remembered that Lin Fengqi had asked to borrow his phone to check the surveillance footage—had he really only checked the surveillance footage?
In a flash, Wen Xia put the pieces together.
His face immediately fell. “Did you go through my phone?”
The grip on his hand trembled, and Lin Fengqi’s eyes, still damp, showed a flicker of guilt. The confidence from moments ago was gone. “I…”
Wen Xia stared at him, expressionless.
Lin Fengqi, looking thoroughly ashamed, lowered his eyes. “…I’m sorry.”
Wen Xia: “Let go.”
Lin Fengqi: “…”
He obediently released Wen Xia’s hand, and when Wen Xia gave him a slight push, he sheepishly stepped aside.
The room fell into silence. After taking care of Wen Da Ge, Wen Xia washed his hands, grabbed his phone from the living room, and retreated to his room without a word.
He left Lin Fengqi standing outside, feeling both regretful and aggrieved.
Back in his room, Wen Xia was still simmering with anger. He wasn’t sure how much Lin Fengqi had seen, but he opened Zou Boyan’s chat, only to close it and go to his own Moments instead.
He had indeed posted several Moments that were visible only to Lin Fengqi, but he had deleted most of them shortly afterward, considering them trivial tactics meant to provoke Lin Fengqi, with no real reason to keep them. But there was one that he hadn’t deleted, thinking at the time that it didn’t really matter if it stayed.
As he stared at that post, he figured it was the one Lin Fengqi had seen.
His phone buzzed, and a message from Ye Shixue popped up: [Xia, did you get home safely? I messaged Ah Qi, but he hasn’t replied.]
Wen Yi Xia: [We’re home.]
Ye Shixue: [That’s good.]
Ye Shixue: [By the way, I didn’t want to ask with Ah Qi around, but did you two have a fight?]
A fight… That would require a fight to begin with.
Wen Xia sighed at the message, feeling somewhat deflated. Was he being too harsh? He always seemed to end up cornering Lin Fengqi until he had nothing left to say… Just because he knew Lin Fengqi would never get mad at him.
Being spoiled was exactly what this was.
Wen Yi Xia: [No… Mom, don’t worry, we didn’t fight.]
Ye Shixue replied: [Ah Qi is just not good with words. He’s been like that since he was a kid. If he’s upset you in any way, you can tell me, and I’ll scold him for you.]
As a mother, Ye Shixue didn’t want either of them to be unhappy, but she also didn’t want her son to suffer.
Ever since she learned about their marriage, she had truly treated Wen Xia as her second son. Wen Xia figured she probably said the same thing to Lin Fengqi too.
The more Wen Xia thought about it, the more he felt he should be kinder to Lin Fengqi… At least for Ye Shixue’s sake.
Wen Yi Xia: [It’s really nothing, Mom. Please don’t scold him. We’re doing fine.]
He added another [Really.] for emphasis, just in case she still had any doubts.
Ye Shixue didn’t ask further, only reassuring him that it was fine and checking on his dinner plans.
After replying to Ye Shixue, Wen Xia let out a long sigh. He lay on the bed for a while, then turned his head and saw the small robot sitting quietly on the bedside table.
He remembered its name: “Xiao Wu.” It was named after “Lin Fengqi’s five failed attempts to give Wen Xia a birthday present.”
He didn’t think that story was in the diary…
Or maybe it was, but he hadn’t finished reading it. He had only made it to the end of the first semester of their second year of high school before closing the diary in a hurry. His birthday was March 5th, which fell in the second semester of that year.
How had he spent his birthday that year?
March 5th of that year was a Monday, just after the start of the new semester.
A lot of people knew about his birthday; almost everyone paid attention to it, with many competing to give him gifts. Whether their intentions were sincere was debatable, as some people couldn’t resist adding a remark or two when presenting their gifts. He received so many birthday wishes and presents that he couldn’t even keep count. By the end of the day, he had to ask Old Wen to send a driver to pick him up.
Although, in the end, it was Old Wen who came to pick him up himself.
Wen Shan Hai had delayed his morning schedule on purpose, even though he had a big event to attend. He had waited until Wen Xia was awake, personally gave him a birthday gift, wished him a happy birthday, and even made a detour to drop him off at school.
Even though he was usually very busy, so much so that it was hard to see him most days, Wen Xia was still happy that day.
But in the afternoon, after saying he would come to pick him up, Wen Shan Hai didn’t show. Wen Xia sat in the classroom until the grade director came in to shoo him out: “It’s so late already, why are you still here?”
Looking at the pile of gifts he couldn’t possibly carry home by himself, Wen Xia couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful, but he just packed his things quietly and left.
But after the grade director left, he ended up sitting on the school field instead.
He knew that if he waited much longer, the school would close its gates. The school was strict about this. Once the gates were shut, Wen Shan Hai wouldn’t be able to get in, and Wen Xia wouldn’t be able to get out until the senior students finished their evening self-study. But when a teenager is sulking, they tend to think their actions will somehow punish others.
Wen Xia sat on the bleachers, idly chatting with Zou Boyan on QQ. Zou Boyan attended a boarding school and only came home on weekends.
Zou Boyan said: [Come on, just admit it. Are you upset because Uncle Wen didn’t pick you up, or because Lin Fengqi didn’t wish you a happy birthday?]
Wen Xia angrily replied: [Mind your own business. I’m upset about everything, okay?]
Zou Boyan: [Fine, fine, whatever you say, Young Master Wen!]
After sending that message, Wen Xia looked at his bulging backpack, his anger flaring up even more. He couldn’t resist kicking the bag.
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching from behind.
Someone was running toward the field.
He assumed it was a security guard or a teacher who had noticed him and was coming to ask what was going on. He stood up and dusted off his pants, only to see Lin Fengqi standing there.
The boy was dressed in the same school uniform as Wen Xia, with a single-shoulder backpack, standing against the light so that his expression was obscured. His shoulders moved slightly as he caught his breath.
Wen Xia was stunned. He remembered Lin Fengqi leaving as soon as school was over, so why was he back?
For a moment, Wen Xia felt a surge of joy, thinking that maybe Lin Fengqi had come back to wish him a happy birthday. But then Lin Fengqi explained that a teacher had called him in to discuss a competition and had seen Wen Xia heading toward the field, so the teacher asked him to check on Wen Xia.
At that time, there was a citywide youth robotics competition.
The little spark of hope in Wen Xia’s heart was extinguished with a “poof.”
He responded with an “oh,” sat back down, and ignored Lin Fengqi, playing a game on his phone instead.
After a while, someone sat down next to him.
There was some distance between them.
Wen Xia was both angry and sad, thinking to himself, “It’s my birthday today. Would it kill you to sit a little closer? Do you really suffer so much sitting next to me every day as desk mates?”
He didn’t speak, just kept his face sullen as he continued playing his game.
Lin Fengqi didn’t say anything either. He didn’t even say “happy birthday.” He just stayed there, sitting with Wen Xia from dusk until dark, until Wen Shan Hai called and Wen Xia vented his frustration at him over the phone. As it happened, the senior students had just finished their evening self-study.
After that, he and Lin Fengqi parted ways at the school gate.
When they entered their senior year, everything became too hectic. His birthday that year passed by in a blur, and Wen Xia barely remembered it. At that time, he was also upset with Lin Fengqi’s cold and unresponsive behavior, so much so that they were practically in a cold war throughout the second semester of their senior year—though they had never been particularly close to begin with.
Later, they went their separate ways, and after that, they never acknowledged each other’s birthdays.
Now, Wen Xia poked at the little robot, wondering when Lin Fengqi had made it. Was it supposed to be a birthday present from that year of high school?
As he kept poking, he accidentally hit the robot’s power button.
Xiao Wu: “I’m online! Your personal robot Xiao Wu is at your service!”
But Wen Xia didn’t really need its services right now. He only had one question: “Xiao Wu, why are you called Xiao Wu?”
Xiao Wu: “Because Lin Fengqi failed five times to give Wen Xia a birthday present!”
This was the same answer as before. Wen Xia then asked, “Do you know your date of production?”
Xiao Wu: “I was created on February 29th, 20xx! I was made just for Wen Xia!”
That date… It really was from the year they were in high school.
February 29th, during the last few days of winter break. School would resume soon, starting the second semester of their sophomore year. Did Lin Fengqi finish making this robot then?
Wen Xia’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked, “Why did he fail five times?”
Xiao Wu: “Yes, I’m called Xiao Wu because Lin Fengqi failed five times to give Wen Xia a birthday present!”
Wen Xia: “…”
And there it was, the loop.
It seemed the robot’s AI didn’t have a record of this event. It made sense—why would Lin Fengqi have programmed that in?
Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Lin Fengqi’s voice came from the other side, muffled by the barrier. It was soft. “Wen Xia…”
Wen Xia sat up. “What is it?” He bit his tongue as soon as he said it, wondering if his tone was too harsh.
“…Dinner’s ready,” Lin Fengqi replied.
There was a drawn-out meow from a cat trailing behind him.
Wen Xia glanced around the room and realized that even his cat had been shut outside.
Well, then.
He dawdled for a moment, then patted the robot’s head.
Xiao Wu: “External force detected! Please don’t hit me! Please don’t hit me!”
The little robot’s voice wasn’t quiet, and Lin Fengqi likely heard every word from outside.
In a tone loud enough for Lin Fengqi to hear, Wen Xia said, “Xiao Wu, bring the food to the master bedroom.”
Xiao Wu: “Roger that! Command received!”
The round little robot started rolling toward the door, but it couldn’t open it. Wen Xia couldn’t be bothered to get up and open it himself, so after the robot bumped into the door three times, Lin Fengqi turned the knob and opened it.
The robot rolled out slowly.
Wen Xia sat on the bed, locking eyes with Lin Fengqi at the door.
Lin Fengqi still looked somewhat nervous. “Are you planning to eat in the room?”
“Yep.”
Lin Fengqi pressed his lips together, nodded, then turned to leave.
Wen Xia flopped back down on the bed, but instead of the robot, Lin Fengqi returned.
He brought the food into the room himself and asked, “Should I put it on the desk?”
Wen Xia sat up, watching him.
Lin Fengqi’s eyes flickered, but he placed the food on the desk anyway. However, he didn’t leave. Instead, he approached the bed and called out, “Wen Xia.”
Wen Xia crossed his legs and looked up. “What now?”
“Um…” Lin Fengqi’s eyes lowered. “Can I sit down?”
It seemed Lin Fengqi had just taken a shower. He had changed into clean loungewear, and Wen Xia could smell the fresh scent of his body wash as soon as he approached the bed.
Wen Xia nodded.
Lin Fengqi sat down at the edge of the bed and said, “I’m sorry.”
He must have said that countless times today. Wen Xia’s anger had mostly dissipated by now. “Stop apologizing.”
Lin Fengqi didn’t speak, just quietly looked at Wen Xia. This reminded Wen Xia of his earlier disheveled appearance, with red-rimmed eyes from crying.
“Actually… I’m not that mad anymore,” Wen Xia admitted, feeling his irritation completely drain away. “I was, at first, but only a little…”
Lin Fengqi responded with a soft “mm.”
Then he asked, “Can I… hold you again?”
Wen Xia was taken aback, not understanding how the conversation had veered in this direction.
Lin Fengqi’s ears turned slightly red, but he continued to gaze at Wen Xia earnestly, adding, “If you’re willing to be my boyfriend.”
—Am I willing?
How could he not be?
Wen Xia felt his face heat up again, as if he were about to burst into flames. This time, Lin Fengqi definitely noticed because he saw the blush spread from Lin Fengqi’s ears down to his neck.
Lin Fengqi was sitting on the bed, turned slightly toward Wen Xia, with one hand propped up on the bed. As he spoke, his fingers nervously gripped the bedsheet.
Even so, despite his usual self-doubt and awkwardness around Wen Xia, this time he refused to look away.
“You…” Wen Xia began, trying to find the right words. “Was Xiao Wu supposed to be a birthday present for me?”
Lin Fengqi: “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you give it to me back then?”
Lin Fengqi’s hand clenched tighter around the sheet. “Back then, I thought… I wasn’t worthy.”
“And now? You think you’re worthy now?”
Lin Fengqi paused, then lightly nodded.
“Why?” Wen Xia pressed.
“I…” Lin Fengqi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, his voice so low it was almost inaudible. “Because now, whatever you want, I can give it to you.”
Wen Xia didn’t ask anything else.
The aroma of the food quietly filled the bedroom. A Mo lay at the door, while Wen Da Ge daintily walked in, hopped onto a chair, and stretched its neck to peek at the food on the desk.
But the two humans remained silent.
“How could you not be worthy?” Wen Xia finally spoke, suppressing the lump in his throat. “All I ever wanted, whether in the past or now, was just you, Lin Fengqi.”
The response was a warm, firm hug that enveloped him.
Lin Fengqi had always thought that Wen Xia’s kindness and affection toward him were merely because Wen Xia was inherently good-hearted. He believed Wen Xia was like the sun, shining warm rays that could drive away winter’s chill. No matter how stormy or snowy his world became, the sun would always shine somewhere else, undimmed and unwavering.
He never realized that the sun just wanted to be his own personal star.
Just as Wen Xia didn’t know that on that spring evening at sunset, the boy who sat beside him had wanted to say “happy birthday” countless times, had wanted to give him the small robot he’d spent all winter break making as a birthday present.
But the boy had been too timid, so the gift was never given, and as night fell, the words went unsaid.
Because compared to all the expensive gifts Wen Xia had received that day, his own gift seemed far too cheap.
“If you ever dare say you’re unworthy again, I’ll break up with you right away,” Wen Xia threatened as Lin Fengqi’s hug sent them both tumbling onto the bed. Inhaling the faint scent of mint from Lin Fengqi’s hair, he added fiercely, “Boyfriend.”
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![Fateful Encounter [BL]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/164273041-416-k477912.jpg "Fateful Encounter [BL]")
