SIIL Chapter 41

The boy stood alone in the empty corridor, where the only sounds that occasionally broke the silence were the faint rustles of paper coming from behind the doors. As winter set in, the temperature dropped steadily day by day, and the biting, dry wind that cut across his skin made him instinctively take a step back. Fu Zhi’an pulled the collar of his turtleneck sweater higher, hiding the lower half of his face in the fabric, leaving only his light brown eyes exposed. Even though his face was nearly chapped from the cold, he stubbornly remained in the drafty hallway, occasionally blowing warm breath into his frozen hands.

Despite being a top student, Fu Zhi’an was never the first to turn in his exam papers. He thought it was considerate—if he finished too quickly and too accurately, it might discourage the other students. Though when Chi Yu heard this reasoning, he had scoffed, raising an eyebrow and muttering, “You really have a knack for annoying people.”

Thinking of this, Fu Zhi’an couldn’t help but chuckle, the sound echoing through the long corridor. Realizing it might seem odd, he quickly pressed his lips together and shifted his gaze back to the boy inside the classroom, who was frowning in frustration by the window. This time, Chi Yu had been the first to finish his exam, not even bothering to check his answers. He had stuffed his things into his bag and walked out as soon as he wrote the final word. The school exams were arranged by grades, so Fu Zhi’an was in the top class, while Chi Yu was in the eleventh class.

“Don’t turn in your paper early. Make sure you finish it,” Fu Zhi’an had told him.

Chi Yu had waved his hand dismissively, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he turned back into the exam room, not seeming to take Fu Zhi’an’s words seriously. But now, forty minutes had passed, and Chi Yu was still sitting quietly in his seat, chin resting on the desk as he sighed at the dense rows of English words on his paper. Time seemed to stretch on as more and more students finished their exams and walked out of the classroom, each one pausing in surprise at the sight of Fu Zhi’an, standing there with his nose red from the cold.

It wasn’t until the bell rang that Chi Yu reluctantly rubbed his head, but even then, he remained focused on his paper. Finally, his previously furrowed brow relaxed, and he picked up the pen from his mouth, bending over to write something down, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

When Chi Yu opened the door, the cold wind hit him like a slap, making him shiver involuntarily. He looked down to adjust his jacket but then noticed the clean white sneakers in front of him. Following the shoes upward, he met Fu Zhi’an’s warm, smiling eyes.

“When did you get here?”

“Just now,” Fu Zhi’an replied, though Chi Yu’s quick glance at his red nose and windblown hair suggested otherwise.

Unlike them, Wang Xiao clearly had no patience. He had already sent countless selfies to their group chat, filtered beyond recognition. When no one responded, he bombarded the chat with a series of obnoxious yellow emoji. Ten minutes later, Ji Xiaoxiao had kicked him out of the group.

For high school students buried in notes and test papers, few things could excite them like birthdays or sports events. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t their birthday—just being at a birthday party was enough to make them feel like it was their special day too.

By the time Fu Zhi’an and Chi Yu reached the private room at the restaurant, they could hear Wang Xiao’s voice through the walls, complaining loudly, “Where the hell are those two? It’s been forever! I could’ve downed three buns by now.”

Chi Yu barged in, immediately spotting the chubby boy across the room and hurling his school bag at him. “Why don’t you try eating a little less?”

Perhaps it was the post-exam hunger, but the cold dishes on the table were devoured in an instant. The girl sitting next to them arched an eyebrow, setting down her chopsticks slowly. “This food is terrible.”

Chi Yu didn’t even look up, spitting out a chicken bone before replying, “Then eat outside.” He turned to the person next to him, nudging them with his elbow. “Why did you invite her?”

Fu Zhi’an wiped his mouth, glancing at Chi Yu’s sister, Chi Yin, who was smiling calmly. He grinned back, “I wanted the rich to experience the hardships of the common folk.”

Chi Yin seemed amused by the comment. She raised her glass, laughing softly, “Well then, this rich girl wishes you a happy birthday.”

Wang Xiao, too busy chewing on a rib, hurriedly wiped his greasy hands before digging into his backpack for a box. “To show my respect for our top student, I’ve spared no expense on this gift.” He handed the box to Fu Zhi’an, adding, “I’ve never spent this much on a gift, not even for my ex.”

“Your ex? The anime character you call your girlfriend?” Hu Yushan rolled his eyes and pulled out his own bag, unzipping it to reveal a stack of thick worksheets. “These are internal exam papers my dad got for me. I haven’t written a single word on them, so they’re all yours.” Tossing his bag onto the floor, he clasped his hands together in mock seriousness, “Don’t forget about us when you make it big.”

Fu Zhi’an simply smiled as he watched Wang Xiao and Hu Yushan bicker. He then noticed the weight of the box in his hands. The girl had walked up to him at some point, tossing her gift into his lap before staring down at him. After a long pause, she finally muttered, “Happy birthday.”

It was a watch, and it didn’t look cheap. Fu Zhi’an accepted it with a smile, thanking Ji Xiaoxiao softly. Lin Chuan, who followed her, seemed awkward, having already spent most of his allowance for the month. But since he was there, he figured he had to give something.

Fu Zhi’an looked at the black pen in his hand, its end adorned with four bold red characters: “Ace Every Exam.”

Before he could say anything, Chi Yin burst into laughter, winking at Fu Zhi’an as she walked over. She had nothing in her hands, but she suddenly leaned in close, whispering in his ear, “Brother-in-law, happy birthday.”

Chi Yu, who was sitting farther away and hadn’t heard, only saw the relaxed expression on Fu Zhi’an’s face and the widening smile. When Chi Yin returned to her seat, Chi Yu raised his glass at her. “You’re more considerate than your brother.”

“Thanks,” Chi Yin chuckled, taking a sip of orange juice, avoiding the dark gaze beside her. Chi Yu put down his chopsticks, nudging Fu Zhi’an’s shoulder with a frown, “What did she say to you?”

“Nothing,” Fu Zhi’an replied, spooning some walnut salad into Chi Yu’s bowl, nodding toward it. “Eat up, it’s good for your brain.”

Looking at Fu Zhi’an’s smiling face, Chi Yu felt his irritation simmering, but he couldn’t find an outlet for it. He slammed his chopsticks down, stood up abruptly, and stormed over to join the wrestling match between Wang Xiao and Hu Yushan in the corner.

The two who had been grappling quickly separated when they saw Chi Yu’s dark expression, even shaking hands amicably.

“Done fighting?” Chi Yu rolled up his sleeves, revealing his well-defined forearms.

“It was just a friendly match,” Wang Xiao laughed nervously, exchanging a look with Hu Yushan before both slunk back to their seats. Fu Zhi’an turned, still smiling, to find Chi Yu glaring at him, so he gestured for him to come over.

“Damn it,” Chi Yu muttered under his breath, stomping over despite his anger. His lowered eyes hinted at a touch of inexplicable frustration. He pushed the walnuts aside and grabbed a piece of bitter melon, placing it on Chi Yu’s plate.

“Eat some bitter melon. It’ll help with your temper.”

Faced with Fu Zhi’an’s cheerful grin, Chi Yu sneered, turning away, “If you keep this up, I swear I’ll kill you.”

Fu Zhi’an set down his chopsticks, turning to face him fully. Their knees bumped under the table, and he propped his chin on his hand, smiling softly. “Alright.”

Chi Yu’s anger seemed to deflate in an instant. He looked away, scoffing softly before reluctantly taking a bite of the bitter melon.

With Wang Xiao’s lively presence, everyone was in high spirits, and they didn’t realize how late it had gotten until the restaurant was closing. Wang Xiao cursed as he helped a tipsy Hu Yushan down the street. The holiday spirit was strong, with Christmas lights decorating the trees outside the mall, casting colorful reflections on the faces of couples as they walked by, hand in hand.

The square was packed, but Wang Xiao used his imposing stature to clear a path, creating a small space in the middle for their group. With only five minutes left until midnight, the square was filled with couples waiting to celebrate Christmas. Fu Zhi’an glanced at Chi Yu, who seemed uninterested in the festive scene, and leaned closer to ask quietly, “Tired?”

Chi Yu didn’t look at him, just pouted slightly, turning his head away. “No.”

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”

“Merry Christmas!”

The crowded square erupted in cheers, and amidst the noise, fireworks shot into the sky, bursting into brilliant colors against the night. Couples huddled together, their smiles unrestrained as they exchanged warm embraces. Chi Yu watched the fireworks and the kissing couples with a blank expression, but his hand, hanging at his side, was suddenly grabbed. Fu Zhi’an slowly pried open his clenched fist, intertwining their fingers.

No one seemed to notice how the two boys’ shoulders grew closer and closer, or how their hands, hidden beneath their coats, tightened around each other.

Only after the crowd began to disperse did they let go. Wang Xiao hailed a cab to take the drunken Hu Yushan home, and Chi Yu entrusted Ji Xiaoxiao and Chi Yin to Lin Chuan, handing him some cash from his wallet. “Don’t take any sketchy cabs.”

When everyone else had left, Fu Zhi’an reached out to take Chi Yu’s hand, but Chi Yu dodged it. He glanced at Fu Zhi’an once, then flagged down a taxi, climbing inside without so much as a glance back. The backseat was spacious, but Chi Yu curled up by the door, facing away from him.

“Where to?” the driver asked, glancing back through the rearview mirror. Fu Zhi’an was about to answer when Chi Yu spoke up, his tone unfriendly, “Police Housing Complex.” With that, he turned his head again.

Fu Zhi’an had no idea where Chi Yu’s sudden bad mood had come from, but he followed him out of the cab, only to realize they weren’t heading toward the housing complex.

Chi Yu stopped in a park’s playground, pointing to a mound of sand. “Get up there.” Before Fu Zhi’an could ask any questions, Chi Yu had already turned and walked away. Fu Zhi’an eyed the mound, noting it wasn’t very high. He pushed his way up through the soft sand, which crept into his shoes, but he didn’t mind. He climbed up with a bit of effort.

Just as he reached the top, a series of explosions went off nearby, and fireworks lit up the sky. But Fu Zhi’an didn’t focus on the display. His attention was entirely on the boy who was now running toward him, panting heavily. The wind swept through Chi Yu’s hair, revealing his deep, shining eyes, and the sight made Fu Zhi’an’s head spin. In a few swift moves, Chi Yu had climbed up beside him, gasping for breath.

“Two fireworks shows in one night,” Fu Zhi’an mused, watching the lights flicker across the sky.

“It’s not the same,” Chi Yu said slowly, his voice deliberate. “They’re celebrating Christmas. I’m celebrating you.”

“And mine cost a lot more,” Chi Yu added, turning to meet Fu Zhi’an’s fire-lit gaze. He raised his phone, speaking earnestly, “Even though it’s twenty-eight minutes late, I still want to say.”

“Fu Zhi’an, happy birthday.”

Fireworks adorned the night sky as the two boys stood atop the mound, first holding hands, then leaning in for a kiss. Their breaths mingled, their skin flushed, and their lips tingled. Despite the booming fireworks, all they could hear was the pounding of their hearts, each beat echoing with whispered confessions of love.

---

Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
────୨ৎ────
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨