Two handsome boys walking side by side always attracted attention. Girls in various school uniforms would glance back at them, whispering in hushed tones to their friends.
It wasn’t until Fu Zhi’an got closer that he noticed the puppy in Chi Yu’s arms. The little dog had white, curly fur, but it was matted and dirty from not being washed for a long time. There was even a piece of gum stuck to the fluffy fur on its head, right where its ears met.
Chi Yu’s white sweater was stained all over, but he didn’t seem to care at all. Instead, he lowered his head to adjust his hold, trying to make the little creature in his arms feel less miserable.
“This little thing is as dumb as a rock,” Chi Yu suddenly said. His voice wasn’t loud, but every word was clear. “It was lying right in the middle of the road, too scared to move.”
Fu Zhi’an turned his head and met the puppy’s round, pitch-black eyes.
Because they were carrying the dog, neither buses nor taxis were willing to let them on. Chi Yu wasn’t the most patient person, and he stubbornly refused to set the dog down, so they had to walk along one long road after another until they finally stood in front of an animal rescue center.
Fu Zhi’an stayed outside, watching through the large glass window as the tall boy carefully placed the dog on the counter. Chi Yu fished out his wallet from his pocket and tossed a handful of bills onto the table.
In just a few days, Chi Yu seemed to have lost weight. The way his sweater draped over his body outlined his well-defined shoulder blades and sharp, sculpted shoulders.
After settling the dog, Chi Yu walked out without looking back. He stood next to Fu Zhi’an in front of the window, both of them watching as the little white dog tilted its head and barked at them. Chi Yu lowered his head, biting his lip.
“About why you… why you like me,” Chi Yu began, shoving his hands into his pockets as he stared at the dog inside, still struggling against having its fur cut. “I’ve been thinking about it for days.”
“I’ve never met anyone who genuinely liked me completely. They all say they like me, but halfway down the road, they’re gone.”
Fu Zhi’an turned his head to look at the boy’s delicate and handsome profile. Chi Yu’s lips were slightly upturned, and his long eyelashes fluttered occasionally. A face like his wasn’t meant to look so lonely.
“Chi Yue Di loves himself the most, and Chi Yin loves her mom the most.”
“Even Wen Hua doesn’t love me the most.”
Chi Yu turned to face him, his dark eyes startlingly bright, as if something was about to spill out. He sniffled, wrinkling his nose, and leaned lazily against the glass window.
“You see, not even my mom loves me the most.”
“Your feelings… they make me panic a little.”
Fu Zhi’an didn’t say anything, but the expression on his face grew more solemn. Chi Yu had never spoken this much before, nor had he ever sounded so heart-wrenching. His affection had thrown Chi Yu into such confusion that he needed several days just to figure out why someone might love him. No one had ever chosen him first or seen him as special; he was always the second choice.
The shops along the street had turned on their lights, casting a soft yellow glow through sheer curtains. A couple walked out, holding hands and exchanging smiles as they looked at each other.
“This morning, I was in City A.”
“I bought a bag of oranges, and when I tasted one, it was really sweet.” Chi Yu smiled faintly, staring intently at his white sneakers.
“I didn’t expect the only thought in my head would be this.”
“I thought, ‘It would be nice if I could share these oranges with Fu Zhi’an, that idiot.’” He laughed at himself, the corners of his mouth lifting into a gentle, pleasant curve. He pulled his hand out of his pocket, and only then did Fu Zhi’an notice that his pockets were bulging. Chi Yu straightened up and took a few steps closer to him, extending his arm and opening his palm towards Fu Zhi’an.
A bright yellow-orange sat quietly in the boy’s palm, its color vivid and its skin smooth.
“But on the way here, because of that little idiot, all the other oranges got crushed by a car,” Chi Yu said stiffly, with that mix of awkwardness and youthful sincerity that only a teenage boy could muster.
“That day, when you asked me to think about whether I wanted to like boys, I thought it over.”
“And I still think that liking boys feels too weird.”
Only then did Fu Zhi’an lift his head, meeting the boy’s clear eyes. He felt something inside him collapse. The little flower that had been growing wild in his heart suddenly seemed like it might wither at any moment.
Before he could respond, the boy in front of him suddenly smiled, his delicate face lighting up like a river reflecting sunlight, bright and dazzling.
“Liking boys might be strange, but I think I can like you.”
Fu Zhi’an stood there, stunned, his quick-thinking brain seemingly frozen. He had imagined countless scenarios—Chi Yu finding him disgusting, thinking he wasn’t sincere, joking about it, or even transferring to another school…
But he had never considered this one. Fu Zhi’an had always prided himself on being able to handle anything, but it seemed he had lost his footing countless times when it came to Chi Yu.
After receiving no response for a while, Chi Yu’s pale face started to turn red. He stared down at the orange in his hand, embarrassment slowly creeping up on him. He cleared his throat and was about to retract his hand when—
A cool hand clasped around his wrist, and Chi Yu looked up to meet Fu Zhi’an’s gaze.
Fu Zhi’an stepped closer, so close that the tips of their shoes almost touched. Just as Chi Yu was about to speak, he felt a weight on his shoulder. Fu Zhi’an leaned his head weakly against Chi Yu’s shoulder, the scent of mint filling the air. Chi Yu stiffened, standing completely still.
“Chi Yu, let’s date,” Fu Zhi’an murmured.
The soft strands of hair on Fu Zhi’an’s head brushed against Chi Yu’s neck, the delicate, smooth sensation sending a tingle through his fingers. The warm breath against his skin made him feel nervous and flustered. The person on his shoulder seemed utterly exhausted, his usual aloofness and detachment completely gone. Fu Zhi’an rested his forehead against Chi Yu’s shoulder and let out a quiet sigh.
“I really, really like you.”
“It’s the kind of liking that makes me feel like I’m suffocating.”
Translator Note :
I hope to see everyone’s comments! I don’t want to be playing this game alone! 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
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