DHWB Chapter 1

“Wei Jie, catch this!”

Zhuang Yi shouted as he tossed the basketball over.

Wei Jie jumped up, but out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a figure slipping past the edge of the basketball court. He froze for a moment, and the ball whooshed past his ear, landing with a loud “thud” on the ground nearby.

Zhuang Yi watched helplessly as their opponent intercepted the ball, slapping his thigh in frustration. “Damn it, Wei Jie! What are you spacing out for?!”

Someone next to him nudged him and smirked mischievously, “Hey, Wei Jie’s little wifey just walked by.”

Zhuang Yi followed his gaze. The sun was glaring, making the figure look somewhat distorted, but it was clearly Fang Shucheng.

Fang Shucheng’s posture was distinctive. Unlike most boys these days who slouched, his back was always perfectly straight, like he carried the weight of discipline on his shoulders.

Zhuang Yi scratched his head and looked at Wei Jie. “Still playing or not?”

Wei Jie had already taken a few steps towards the exit. Without turning back, he replied, “You guys go ahead. I’m heading out.”

Zhuang Yi gave a knowing look, exchanging glances with the remaining players. “What about you guys?”

“How are we supposed to keep playing? Let’s just call it a day.”

Zhuang Yi sighed, “Alright, fair enough.”

As Wei Jie was about to leave the court, he suddenly turned back and shouted, “I’ll treat you all to barbecue this weekend!”

Zhuang Yi cursed back, “Barbecue my ass! Go chase after your wifey!”

Wei Jie laughed, then sprinted off.

Someone from another class, unfamiliar with the situation, asked, “His girlfriend showed up? I didn’t see any girl around.”

Zhuang Yi patted the guy on the shoulder and pointed at Fang Shucheng’s retreating figure. “See that person over there?”

The guy blinked, confused. “Isn’t that a dude?”

Zhuang Yi gave a sly grin. “So what if it’s a dude? Want me to teach you something?”

The guy flinched, “You’re joking, right?”

Zhuang Yi stopped messing with him, not wanting him to take it seriously. “Relax, don’t overthink it. They’re childhood friends, practically inseparable. Everyone’s just teasing. You’re not from our class, so keep it to yourself, alright?”

The guy sulked, “Who started this rumor in the first place?”

Wei Jie caught up with Fang Shucheng and grabbed the strap of his backpack, sounding a little annoyed. “Didn’t you say you’d call me when you were leaving? Why’d you go off by yourself?”

Fang Shucheng tried shaking him off but couldn’t. He wasn’t too happy either. “You were playing basketball. Why would I interrupt you? Let go of my bag; I’ve got stuff to do.”

Effortlessly, Wei Jie caught both of his hands, pulling the backpack off his shoulder and holding it himself. “What’s so important?”

“First, give me back my bag.” Fang Shucheng stood on his toes, trying to snatch it back but failed. “Just go back and play basketball, will you?”

“No way.” Wei Jie lifted the bag high, watching as Fang Shucheng stretched on his tiptoes to grab it, unaware that their bodies were now pressed close together. A grin crept into his eyes. “Tell me what you’re up to first.”

Fang Shucheng gave up with a sigh. “I’m heading to the bookstore to buy a book. It’s not like our routes overlap on the way home. I didn’t purposely avoid calling you.”

“How is it not on the way? I’m going home with you, wherever you go, I’ll follow.” Wei Jie slung an arm around Fang Shucheng’s shoulders and started walking. “I’ll come with you to the bookstore.”

Seeing no way out, Fang Shucheng gave in. “Fine, but let’s go back to the classroom first so you can grab your bag.”

Wei Jie asked, “Why do I need my bag?”

Fang Shucheng, exasperated, replied, “Aren’t you going to do your homework? This stuff we’re covering right now is super important. How can you not do it?”

Wei Jie shrugged. “I’ll do it tomorrow morning.”

The look on Fang Shucheng’s face said it all. He knew exactly what Wei Jie was thinking. “Oh, you’re planning to do it tomorrow, huh? Well, let me tell you now, I’m not letting you copy my work this time. Think carefully.”

Wei Jie grinned, “I’ll do it myself, okay?”

Fang Shucheng eyed him suspiciously. “I’m serious this time. I’m not going to go easy on you. If you don’t hand in your homework, just wait for Mr. Qin to chew you out.”

Annoyed, Wei Jie retorted, “If you keep nagging, you’ll turn into an old granny. You think that’s fun?”

Fang Shucheng shot back, “Then let go of me. Aren’t you hot?”

Wei Jie pulled him even closer. “No way, you’re nice and cool.”

Annoyed, Fang Shucheng jabbed at his waist, “Let’s see how cool you feel now.”

Wei Jie winced in pain but didn’t let go. Instead, he chuckled wickedly and teased, “Hey, do you know what people are calling you?”

Curious, Fang Shucheng stopped jabbing and asked, “I have a nickname?”

Wei Jie shook his head, “No, it’s not exactly a nickname.”

Fang Shucheng looked puzzled. “Then what is it?”

Wei Jie’s grin widened, “They’re saying you’re my little wifey.”

Fang Shucheng froze, feeling a rush of heat rise to his face. “Who’s spreading this nonsense?!”

Wei Jie laughed, “Well, I think they have a point. I mean, I give you all my pocket money. What’s the difference between you and my wife? We’ve known each other since we were kids, so technically, you’re like my childhood fiancée, right?”

Irritated, Fang Shucheng grabbed his backpack and started rummaging through it. “I’ll give you back your pocket money then.”

Wei Jie quickly dodged, teasing, “Can’t catch me, can’t catch me…”

Fang Shucheng chased after him, but Wei Jie’s athletic skills were way beyond his reach. By the time they reached the bookstore, he still hadn’t caught up.

At the bookstore, Fang Shucheng busied himself with picking out books, while Wei Jie wandered around the magazine section. Bored after a few minutes, Wei Jie went back to find Fang Shucheng in the educational materials aisle.

Fang Shucheng was meticulously browsing the books, frowning slightly. He’d pick one up, put it down, then pick up another, clearly struggling to make a decision.

Wei Jie leaned in close, lowering his voice since they were in a bookstore. “You done yet? I’m bored to death here.”

Fang Shucheng replied quietly, “I told you to stay and play basketball, but you insisted on coming.”

Wei Jie thought for a moment. “Playing ball’s nowhere near as fun as hanging out with you.”

Frustrated and still undecided, Fang Shucheng retorted, “Who’s here to play?”

Wei Jie glanced at the two books in his hands. “Can’t decide again, huh?”

Fang Shucheng nodded.

Wei Jie shrugged casually. “Just get both then.”

Fang Shucheng frowned, “Both would cost over a hundred. I was planning to try out that new dessert place this week, but if I get both, I’ll be broke.”

Wei Jie offered, “Use my pocket money for now.”

Fang Shucheng hadn’t forgotten the “little wifey” remark from earlier. “No way, your money is yours. I’m not using it.”

“It’s not like you won’t pay me back.” Wei Jie grumbled, grabbing the two books from his hands and picking out another one for himself. “I’ll get one too. Let’s go pay.”

Caught off guard by Wei Jie actually buying a study guide, Fang Shucheng was amazed. “You’re finally taking your studies seriously!”

Wei Jie placed the books on the counter, then looked at Fang Shucheng and said, “Wifey, pay up.”

Too focused on Wei Jie’s sudden interest in studying, Fang Shucheng didn’t have time to correct his nickname or argue about whose pocket money was whose, nor did he notice the strange look the cashier gave them.

With one hand carrying Fang Shucheng’s backpack and the other holding the newly bought books, Wei Jie led the way out of the bookstore. Fang Shucheng, noticing the load, reached out. “Give me one.”

Wei Jie glanced at him. “Just walk on your own. You still trying to lose weight or something? Look how skinny your arms are.”

Fang Shucheng replied, “I’m naturally thin, alright? Hey, where are you going? Aren’t we heading home?”

Wei Jie grinned, “Didn’t you want to get dessert?”

Fang Shucheng hesitated, “Let’s save it for the weekend.”

Wei Jie shrugged. “We’re having barbecue with Zhuang Yi and the others on the weekend. It’s so hot right now; let’s go get something cold.”

Without much argument, Fang Shucheng followed along. “Are you even going to eat? You don’t like sweet stuff.”

Wei Jie’s response was simple, “But you do.”

“Wait, how much do I owe you again?” Fang Shucheng asked, trying to recall. “I’ll send you twenty via Alipay when I get home.”

Their school didn’t allow phones, so he’d have to wait to use the app.

Wei Jie shrugged, “We’ll figure it out after dessert.”

Agreeing, Fang Shucheng nodded.

When they reached the dessert shop, Fang Shucheng had planned to order mango sago, but when he saw the picture of the double-skin milk on the menu, he remembered its smooth texture and found himself torn between the two.

Wei Jie, never much of a fan of sweets, watched as Fang Shucheng debated his choice, leaning his chin on his hand and counting the flutter of Fang Shucheng’s eyelashes. As Fang Shucheng lowered his head to examine the menu, his lashes quivered slightly, stirring something inside Wei Jie.

He allowed this fluttering feeling to fill him. His mood was bright, just like he’d said earlier—hanging out with Fang Shucheng was way more fun than basketball.

After much internal debate, Fang Shucheng finally made his decision. “I’ll have the mango sago. What about you?”

Wei Jie snapped out of his thoughts and grinned. “I’ll take the rose and cherry double-skin milk.”

Fang Shucheng’s eyes lit up. “Then we can swap halfway!”

Wei Jie chuckled, “Sure, but you have to eat all the rose.”

Fang Shucheng replied, “If you don’t like rose, just pick another flavor.” After all, any flavor of double-skin milk was delicious.

Wei Jie shook his head, “Who said I don’t like rose? I ordered it for you to eat.”

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