For most college students, weekends might be a time for relaxation and entertainment, but for Bai Yang, they were prime opportunities to work hard and earn money.
Currently, he mainly worked at a restaurant during evenings and weekends. The restaurant was quite well-known, ranking among the top ten Chinese restaurants in City A. The pay was higher compared to other places, and although Bai Yang was just an ordinary waiter, he had a handsome appearance, a friendly demeanor, and had received almost no negative feedback from customers. His colleagues sympathized with his circumstances and helped him with any difficulties he faced. The boss also never delayed paying his rightful bonuses. Therefore, he cherished this job.
However, now that he was in his junior year of college, perhaps he could look for a more formal job. After all, he was a top student in the Chinese department at S University. If he hadn’t been in a tight spot initially, he wouldn’t have chosen such physically demanding work. Fortunately, his sister’s medical expenses were mostly secured now, so he finally had the freedom to pursue things that truly interested him.
Nevertheless, until he found his next job, Bai Yang continued to report to the restaurant on weekends as usual. He put on his uniform among the staff, dressing neatly and tidying his hair. He smiled brightly at his reflection in the mirror, his clean and fresh handsome face reflected back at him.
With a sturdy and tall build, his posture was always erect. He carried large dishes with a stable and swift pace, shuttling back and forth between the dining hall and private rooms.
He thought it would be another busy and routine day, but when he entered the VIP private room carrying hot dishes, he unexpectedly encountered a pleasant surprise.
The spacious private room had a round table with only four or five people sitting around it, and one of them was unmistakably Shao Cheng.
With just a quick glance, Bai Yang recognized him by his cold and distinct profile. Shao Cheng looked rather disinterested, leaning casually against the back of his chair and occasionally murmuring in agreement with the conversation around him.
Bai Yang suppressed his emotions, calmly serving the dishes onto the table one by one, all while stealing a few glances at the people present.
He knew the middle-aged man next to Shao Cheng—Shao Cheng’s father, Shao Guokang, the director of City Hospital. He was currently half-jokingly, half-seriously scolding his son in front of the others.
“This kid, he’s about to graduate and still doesn’t know what he wants to do in the future. He has no plans at all. I’m more anxious about it than he is.”
The others consoled him, “Director Shao, Shao Cheng is so smart that he could excel in any field effortlessly. You don’t need to worry.”
“Ah, you guys just keep praising him. He’s being praised to the point that he doesn’t even know his own strengths anymore. Shao Cheng, don’t you want to thank Uncle and Auntie?”
“Thank you,” Shao Cheng replied perfunctorily.
From their conversation, Bai Yang gathered that this was probably a private gathering. Director Shao likely intended to help Shao Cheng expand his social network, but Shao Cheng clearly wasn’t interested, listening to the others’ conversation with a cold expression.
Suddenly, Shao Cheng’s chilly gaze lifted, locking onto Bai Yang as he approached with the hot dishes.
Bai Yang had been consciously or unconsciously observing Shao Cheng, and he felt a sudden intense gaze from him. His heart raced, causing him to lose his grip on the plate, and a drop of soup splattered out.
He quickly apologized in a hushed voice and wiped away the soup with a wet towel. Fortunately, the others were engrossed in their conversation and didn’t notice the incident.
Except for Shao Cheng.
Bai Yang didn’t dare meet his gaze. After placing the other two dishes on the table, he promptly left the private room. Even after closing the door behind him, he still felt as if he were being pierced by a sharp edge, making it difficult for his emotions to settle.
He hurried to a secluded corner and leaned against the wall, letting out a long sigh of relief.
It was time to confess.
Otherwise, if he continued to delay, with Shao Cheng’s keen and frightening insight, he might soon become aware of Bai Yang’s inappropriate feelings.
It would be too regrettable if he got rejected without even confessing.
Although he was well aware that his love was a hopeless one. While society had become more tolerant with the legalization of same-sex relationships over a decade ago, hierarchical differences between individuals would never disappear. The vast disparity between him and Shao Cheng meant that the moment he confessed would also be the moment his love would end.
Beginning and ending simultaneously, that’s why he had procrastinated until now. Of course, another reason was that Shao Cheng had been in a stable relationship with Zheng Hanqin for over a year, leaving Bai Yang no opportunity to express his feelings.
However, now that the two had broken up, perhaps he should confess before Shao Cheng found a new girlfriend.
It could be considered fulfilling a wish he had harbored for the past two years.
