It was already five o’clock in the afternoon when Xia Zhiye finished the last science course.
In Nanwu No.3 High School, seniors in the second semester of their final year are not entitled to weekends off, so Xia Zhiye had to first seek permission from Ruan Tian to take time off.
It would have been a very simple thing to complete in his plan.
Because Ruan Tian has always been understanding and aware of Xia Zhiye’s situation with Song Yan, and considering that Xia Zhiye already has a gold medal in the Math Olympiad, which guarantees him admission to a Qingbei. So, most teachers in the school have turned a blind eye to his occasional absences. In conclusion, Ruan Tian had even less reason to refuse his request.
But Ruan Tian refused.
Ruan Tian sat in the office without hesitation and said, “You just stay in school obediently and don’t think about going anywhere else.”
“Come on, Tian-mei, it’s Song Yan’s birthday today. If I don’t go, I’ll definitely be dumped. If I’m dumped, I’ll be heartbroken. If I’m heartbroken, my mood will definitely be bad, and if my mood is bad, I’ll be depressed. If I’m depressed, I might not even pass the college entrance examination. So, for the sake of our school’s performance this year, Tian-mei, please help me with a sick leave note. I beg you, my most lovely and beautiful Tian-mei~”
Xia Zhiye combined threats with coquetry, even grabbing Ruan Tian’s wrist and pitifully swaying, blinking his peach blossom eyes endlessly.
It was like he had no shame at all.
However, it’s useless.
Ruan Tian, who usually wore a sweet smile, remained cold and unyielding in her refusal. “No, I said you have to stay in school and behave yourself, so you have to stay in school and behave yourself. There’s no room for negotiation.”
Xia Zhiye had never seen Ruan Tian so strict and cold before, and his intuition told him that something must have happened. However, when he checked the time and realized it was getting late, he didn’t have time to dwell on it. He could only clutch his backpack straps and throw out a quick “Laoshi, I’m leaving first. I’ll make up for the absence with a note later,” before hastily turning and heading towards the door.
Ruan Tian got up quickly, but before she could stop him, Xia Zhiye stopped at the door.
Outside the door, someone was lazily leaning against the door frame with one shoulder, casually hooking their backpack strap. When he saw Xia Zhiye coming out, he arrogantly raised an eyebrow and asked, “Where do you think you’re going?”
Sharp and beautiful phoenix eyes, an aura that’s not easy to provoke, a pale complexion bordering on sickly, and the audacity to openly block Xia Zhiye at the office door.
Except for Song Yan, there wouldn’t be a second person.
But why is Song Yan here?
Didn’t he tell himself that he was busy today and not interested in celebrating his birthday, so he didn’t want Xia Zhiye to come see him?
He had already prepared to secretly run to Beijing, act first and report later, celebrate the birthday first and then beg for mercy by kneeling on the washboard. But now, why did Song Yan suddenly appear here? What does it mean?
He hadn’t recovered from the anxiety just now when he was suddenly hit with such a big surprise. Xia Zhiye stood still for a moment and asked, “How did you come?” His tone sounded as if he was pleasantly surprised and hadn’t fully recovered yet.
The young man in front of him, however, still had a teasing tone and raised an eyebrow, sounding a bit arrogant, “Why can’t I come? Did you own this school or something?”
Xia Zhiye: “No…”
“Or do you think I shouldn’t come?”
“No…”
“Then what do you mean?”
Song Yan, emboldened by Xia Zhiye’s favoritism towards him, pushed his boundaries, advancing relentlessly step by step.
Unfortunately, they were at the office door, where Xia Zhiye couldn’t do anything. He could only stand obediently in front of Song Yan, answering whatever questions were asked, with a hint of gentleness that seemed to say, “I don’t know why I have to appease him, but I’ll do it first and figure it out later.”
When Ruan Tian saw the appearance of the two bullies of this school, she finally couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Alright, you two, mind your manners. The show’s over, get your fake absence note and leave, don’t linger here and bother me.”
Saying this, she pushed the already signed leave slip over from the table.
Xia Zhiye finally reacted. He was deceived by Ruan Tian and Song Yan.
Ah, this little brat has learned how to collude with the teacher to deliberately make him worry and afraid. He’s gotten quite bold.
Xia Zhiye lowered his gaze and looked at Song Yan, squinting slightly as he lightly ground his teeth.
This expression was a very dangerous warning.
In order to ensure that he wouldn’t be involved in anything unsavory on the sacred campus, Song Yan hastily turned around and ran away.
Xia Zhiye picked up the fake note from the table and quickly followed him.
So before Song Yan could run away, Xia Zhiye pulled his wrist and blocked him into a deserted corner.
When the overwhelming height advantage and familiar hormonal scent pressed aggressively against Song Yan, he quickly pushed away. Just as he was about to sternly warn Xia Zhiye not to defile the pure campus, he heard a low voice from above him, “It’s too tiring to run back and forth. Why don’t you just wait for me obediently?”
With a low and gentle tone, carrying an unmistakable trace of concern and longing, the words reached Song Yan’s ears, stirring something within him.
He lowered his eyelids and answered very lightly. “Because I don’t want you to always come to me. You are my boyfriend, and I am your boyfriend too.”
So their love and devotion should be a mutual, two-way thing.
Not Xia Zhiye’s sole duty and dedication.
Upon hearing these words, Xia Zhiye suddenly felt an indescribable flutter and warmth in his heart.
It seems that Song Daxi has indeed grown up, an 18 years old adult now, learning to be caring and becoming more likable.
Xia Zhiye looked at his trembling eyelashes, lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on his eyelids. “Song Yan, I’m very happy.”
He’s glad that when he wanted to see Song Yan, he also wanted to do the same.
“So can I kiss you now?”
Xia Zhiye lowered his head slowly, inching closer and closer to Song Yan’s lips.
Song Yan tightened the fingers hanging on his side, but did not refuse.
The evening spring light outside the window was charming and ambiguous.
The narrow and deserted corners of the campus were just the right places for teenagers to secretly express their love.
However, just as their lips were about to touch, suddenly there came an extremely angry scream from behind Xia Zhiye:
“Lord Xia! Stop right there! How dare you kiss someone else behind Yan-ge’s back! You scum!!'”
So all the beautiful atmosphere disappeared in an instant.
Xia Zhiye sighed deeply.
“Move aside,” said Song Yan, his voice numb with the familiarity of being blocked by his figure.
“Little Fatty is still young, don’t kill him yet.”
After saying that, Xia Zhiye stepped aside, revealing Song Yan who was pushed against the corner by him.
Song Yan leaned against the wall, casting a cold glance towards Little Fatty and Zhao Ruiwen at the other end of the corridor, who suddenly widened their eyes. He was about to issue a death threat, but before he could speak, he was stunned by two excited screams that pierced through the air.
Then two figures, one fat and one thin, rushed towards him at a rocket-like speed: “Yan-ge, you are finally back!! We miss you so much!!”
The two of them, one on each side, hugged Song Yan tightly, rendering him immobile. He couldn’t move, let alone commit murder, and they even added the cruel attack of heart-piercing sound waves.
“Wahhhhhhhhh—!! Yan-ge, you’re out today, why don’t you tell us when you come back! Do you only have Ye-ge in your heart, you don’t remember your friends?”
“Sob sob sob, Yan-ge why you are so thin, you are almost half as wide as Little Fatty.”
“Yan-ge, did you get abused at home?”
“He must be! Where is the wound, let me see, let me help you with love…Ouch! Lord Xia, take it easy!
It’s one thing to dramatically hug him and howl. But it’s a step too far to lift up his clothes.
“Hands off!” Xia Zhiye used force to pull the two people away from Song Yan. “Are you two tired of living, getting physical like this?”
“No, Lord Xia, we’re just two big straight dudes. Why are you jealous for no reason? We’re just genuinely concerned about Yan-ge.” Zhao Ruiwen expressed his dissatisfaction with Xia Zhiye’s domineering behavior. “But Yan-ge, what are you doing here? Did you transfer back again?”
“No,” Song Yan hooked the strap of his backpack on his shoulders, “I’ll just come back and have a look.”
“What’s so good about this schoo—”
“You’re stupid, it’s Yan-ge’s birthday today.” Before Zhao Ruiwen could finish speaking, Little Fatty interrupted directly.
Zhao Ruiwen suddenly realized, slapping his forehead. “Right! Oh my god, that’s why! Well then, we should celebrate tonight!”
Song Yan: “What?”
Zhao Ruiwen was very excited. “Let’s have a coming-of-age ceremony! You’re a real man now! It’s time to do what an adult man should do! Otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste of your trip all the way here to find Lord Xia? Come on, let’s celebrate, we must pass every exam, have a drink or two, and then get down to business!”
Zhao Ruiwen sounded righteous and impassioned.
Little Fat: “…?”
Song Yan: “…??”
Xia Zhiye: “…???”
What the fuck is Zhao Ruiwen taking about?
He usually looks honest, but his thoughts are so wretched and dirty-minded?
The most crucial point was that he had no interest in doing what “an adult man should do” with Xia Zhiye!
Song Yan’s ears reddened. He kicked Xia Zhiye hard, turned around and left.
Zhao Ruiwen looked confused. “Yan-ge, what’s wrong?”
“How dare you ask what’s wrong?” Xia Zhiye kicked him over, “Don’t you know that your Yan-ge has thin skin? And yet, you bring up such things recklessly? Are you trying to get me into trouble?”
“???” Zhao Ruiwen looked innocent, “No, as a man, on the first day of adulthood, finally not having to use a fake ID, openly going to the internet café to experience it, what’s there to be embarrassed about? Can I get beaten up for this too?”
“…？”
The remaining three people stopped still, question marks adorning their faces.
Zhao Ruiwen became increasingly bewildered as he spoke, “But this is turning eighteen! Isn’t the first page of an internet café all-nighter a rite of passage for men? Isn’t it exciting to call up Zhou Ziqiu and have a blast with him? What’s going on with you guys?!”
“…”
Long silence.
It turned out that it was them who were wretched and dirty-minded.
Little Fatty sighed. “Yan-ge.”
Song Yan said coldly, “Mn.”
“Sorry, I shouldn’t let this stupid straight man appear in front of you, I’ll take him away now.”
“Good.”
After speaking, Little Fatty quickly dragged Zhao Ruiwen, who hadn’t realized where he had gone wrong, and fled even faster than before.
Xia Zhiye couldn’t help but smile and draped his arm around Song Yan’s shoulder. “So, Yan-ge, how about considering experiencing another true rite of passage for men on your first night at eighteen as a coming-of-age ceremony?”
As a coming-of-age ceremony?!
Shameless!
“…Xia Zhiye, you need a new face!”1implying that his current one is too thick.
Song Yan kicked him away fiercely, with a stinky face and red ears, and quickly walked out.
Xia Zhiye hurriedly followed with a smile, wrapping his arms around Song Yan’s shoulders.
After a whole year apart, the two of them finally walked together again on the long tree-lined road of Nanwu No. 3 Middle, once again strolled along the bustling old street, and once again ventured down the Wine Alley that symbolized home.
One is still laughing, one is scolding, just like before, those halcyon days.
However, Song Yan was no longer wearing the Nanwu No. 3 Middle uniform, and the shops lining the streets had all changed with new openings. At the entrance of Wine Alley, there was a bright red sign indicating demolition.
That day was the last time they walked in front of the old street wearing the same school uniform.
The boyhood that was missed in that year was also the boyhood that will never be found again, no matter how hard they tried for the rest of their life.
Because in the passage of time, there are always things quietly changing in places they can’t see.
However, some things will never change.
When she heard their voices, Little Mahjong would still rush out with her short legs and quickly hug Song Yan’s legs, saying, “Yan-gege, LIttle Mahjong has been good! I miss you so much!”
When Grandma Liu saw Song Yan, tears immediately welled up in her eyes. She grabbed his hand, repeatedly saying, “How did you become so thin? How do the adults in your family take care of you? How could they let you become so thin?”
The small and cozy courtyard of the humble house remained warm and crowded, just as it always was.
The longevity noodles made by grandma are still delicious.
A table full of birthday feast, the best meat, the most nutritious ingredients, the most exquisite parts, were still always picked into Song Yan’s bowl.
And Grandma Liu had long known about the hardships of these two youths. So after finishing the birthday feast, she took Little Mahjong to rest early, leaving time and space for these two youths who had really been through a lot.
Song Yan was lying on the window sill of the bedroom, looking at the night sky outside the window, without speaking for a long time.
Xia Zhiye came to his side, laid beside him in the same posture, and asked him, “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing in particular. I’m just thinking… if Wine Alley is really demolished next year, the home you gave me will be gone.”
When Song Yan said this, his tone was very light, but Xia Zhiye could hear the sadness inside.
He took Song Yan’s hand. “Come with me.”
Song Yan was led to sit on the sofa by him, then watched as Xia Zhiye opened the drawer of the coffee table. Immediately, his eyes fell on that familiar seaweed-green Omega watch.
Recalling the experience of being deceived by Xia Zhiye, anger momentarily overwhelmed the sadness. Just as he was about to hit Xia Zhiye again, he was quickly hugged tightly and pressed into his arms. “I was wrong, you can hit me later. Let me show you something first.”
Fuck!
Song Yan stretched his legs to kick Xia Zhiye. Then, a photo album appeared in front of him immediately.
It was quite an old photo album. On the cover, there were the words of “My Family” written with a childish handwriting.
Song Yan stopped in tracks. “What is this?”
“This is my home.” Xia Zhiye opened the first page and pointed to the old photo. “This is when my mom was pregnant with me, and this is my dad. So, this is a family photo of the three of us.”
“And then what?”
“Flip it over.”
Sitting on Xia Zhiye’s lap, Song Yan was embraced by him as they flipped through the pages one by one. All the photos were of Xia Zhiye with his parents, portraying a happy family. However, Song Yan didn’t understand the purpose of Xia Zhiye showing him these photos.
He was about to ask a question when he saw a certain photo. His fingertips immediately stopped.
The photos were of them, the first time they were secretly photographed and posted on the school forum, titled “Elopement”.
Behind this photo was a photo of them participating in a parent-child activity at the amusement park.
After that were the photos of him sleeping, taken sneakily, the photos of him winning the English speech competition, and the photos of him dressed in wedding attire during the performance of “The Butterfly Lovers”.
All of them were his photos.
Besides Xia Zhiye’s parents and himself, he was the only other person featured in this photo album.
Song Yan turned the album slowly with reverence.
Xia Zhiye hugged him and whispered in his ear, “This album was my favorite thing when I was a child. After my parents passed away, this album became the symbol of my family in my heart. So when I put your photos in it, I knew that I wanted to spend my life with you, to live together in one home for the rest of our lives, that kind of forever.”
“It doesn’t matter where the house is, it doesn’t matter if we share the same household registration, it only matters if we are together, if we still love each other.”
“I know that saying these things at our age might seem naive and unreliable, but at least for now, I genuinely mean it and I’ll strive to make it happen for the rest of my life. So I hope you can trust me.”
“I had booked a wonderful hotel restaurant in Beijing, prepared a romantic ceremony and gifts, with a violin band, a cake tower, roses, and candlelight. But who knew you’d suddenly attack and return to Nanwu, leaving me unprepared like an incompetent boyfriend.”
“Fortunately, I carry this thing with me. I want to give it to you as your birthday present. I don’t know if you are willing to accept it.”
“So Song Yan, are you willing to be my lover, family, and the person who will spend a lifetime with me together?”
Xia Zhiye’s voice was so gentle and firm.
Like the spring water during the peach blossom season flowing gently through the night, bringing a lifetime of beautiful spring scenery.
Song Yan turned to look at him, and he also looked at Song Yan back.
Then, Song Yan realized how beautiful his eyes were, so beautiful that he couldn’t help but lower his head and give him a gentle kiss.
This shallow kiss soon received the warmest and gentlest response.
Until the album fell to the ground, until the roses blooming on the windowsill silently dropped a petal.
Song Yan leaned over Xia Zhiye and said in a low voice, “Xia Zhiye, this time I’m not underage. My body is better, and I’m willing.”
So he felt that their beauty in spring do not matter. [1]
The author has something to say:
[1]: Adapted from “It doesn’t matter if you’re beautiful in spring”! It’s Yu Xiuhua-laoshi’s “Meeting in the Spring”! It’s not my original phrase!
