After learning about Shao Ming’s background, Zhu Tong began to understand why Shao Ming’s affinity levels with others remained stable and why he always seemed so rational.
His soul had once been a set of data — even as a human, his rational nature wouldn’t change.
Shao Ming thought for a moment and said, “I never thought about staying in this place before. The people I meet here, even after we part ways, will meet new people in their lives. No matter how deep the feelings, if contact is lost for a long time, new experiences will dilute them. So…”
Zhu Tong interrupted in astonishment, “Are you already thinking that far ahead?”
“…”
Shao Ming seemed amused, “Am I being overly cautious?”
Zhu Tong decisively said, “Yes.”
“…”
“You shouldn’t think like that,” Zhu Tong said, “Regardless of what our friends might become in the future, at least they are sincere to you now, companions with whom you can share joy and sorrow. The future is unrelated to the present, and besides… you can stay here now.”
Even if they returned to A City in the future, even if they went to university and went their separate ways, they could still come back here, to this small county that, despite being remote, was full of joy.
Shao Ming’s eyes flickered slightly as he said seriously, “You’re right. Enjoying the moment is important.”
Zhu Tong nodded, “Yes…”
Before he could finish nodding, his words were cut off.
Zhu Tong smiled faintly, closed his eyes, and suddenly felt something strange. He opened his eyes wide, “Wait… wait, what are you doing?”
“…”
Blushing with embarrassment, Zhu Tong pushed the person on top of him forcefully.
Shao Ming’s voice was low and husky as he whispered in his ear, “Cooking the raw rice.”
“……”
Suddenly realizing something, Zhu Tong froze for a moment, then stiffened completely. “No… no, you… Are you mistaken?”
Shao Ming replied calmly, “I’m not mistaken.”
“…”
“Scared?”
Zhu Tong nodded without hesitation, “Scared! I’m scared…”
He couldn’t help but try to sit up and move away.
Shao Ming immediately let go, holding him and soothing him with gentle kisses. “Don’t be scared. I won’t do anything. Don’t be scared.”
Zhu Tong immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
After calming down for a while, he hugged Shao Ming again and said, “It’s not that I’m scared, I just… I wasn’t ready, I…”
Shao Ming kissed his forehead, “It’s okay, I was too impatient.”
As long as he didn’t scare Zhu Tong away, that was good.
Zhu Tong insisted, “I really wasn’t scared.”
Shao Ming couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “Alright, our Little Young Master is fearless, not afraid of anything.”
“…”
Zhu Tong didn’t argue further, burying his head, which now felt like a spicy crayfish, in Shao Ming’s chest. “Just… just give me a little more time.”
Shao Ming said gently, “Okay, we’ll take it slow.”
“……mn.”
Walking into the classroom the next day, Zhu Tong sported a pair of very serious dark circles under his eyes. He was exhausted but insisted on attending class, much to the concern of the “culprit”.
Shao Ming had to step in personally, using his knowledge to help Zhu Tong forget about what happened last night, and he refrained from teasing him for many days thereafter.
Time passed quickly, and over a month later, the school organized a spring outing.
It was Zhu Tong’s first time participating in an off-campus group activity, and he didn’t quite know what to do. He stuck to Shao Ming like glue, obediently following him around and doing whatever he was told, which was quite unlike him.
Unable to bear watching any longer, Luo Suo called Zhu Tong over to gather firewood with him while Shao Ming prepared for a picnic.
Zhu Tong didn’t refuse.
As they walked towards the picnic area near a small grove, Luo Su went in with high spirits but came out looking dejected.
Zhu Tong, on the other hand, seemed unchanged, holding a bundle of dry branches in his hands.
Shao Ming ran over from afar and first checked on Zhu Tong. “What happened?”
“We…” Zhu Tong started.
Luo Su sighed and said, “We didn’t check the map before leaving and ended up taking the wrong path.”
…What does that have to do with checking the map?
Zhu Tong, feeling helpless, said, “He just had to pick up a dry branch on the lower slope. He accidentally slipped there.”
“Pfft—” Tang Nuan, who had just approached, couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this. “Are you talking about that slope next to the mud pit? You dared to go down such a steep slope, Luo Suo, you’re quite brave.”
Luo Suo: “…”
His reputation was ruined today.
Luo Suo sighed and tried to explain, “You guys don’t get it. The sunlight makes the branches drier and easier to ignite. Isn’t that logical?”
Tang Nuan replied, “Even if the branches are drier, are you planning to use friction to start a fire? Don’t justify your foolish behavior, okay?”
Luo Suo: “….”
Suddenly, Zhu Tong turned around. Shao Ming looked puzzled. “Where are you going?”
Zhu Tong said, “I’m going to get alcohol and band-aids. He hurt his hand just now.”
Shao Ming turned to Luo Suo. “Your hand is injured?”
Luo Suo waved it off casually. “It’s nothing, just a scratch. It’ll be fine after washing.”
The tent was nearby. Zhu Tong brought out the tools and handed them to Shao Ming.
Luo Suo watched as Shao Ming squatted down and reached out his hand. “Hey, how can I accept this?”
Ignoring him, Shao Ming skillfully treated his wound.
Luo Suo watched as Shao Ming meticulously cleaned even the mud on the edges of the wound. He sighed and said admiringly, “You two really are like a married couple. Your OCD is beyond cure. Just now, when I didn’t clean the mud off my butt, Zhu Tong stared at me all the way… Ah!”
The cotton swab dipped in alcohol unexpectedly pressed onto the wound, causing Luo Suo to suck in a sharp breath.
Shao Ming smiled at him. “Who was staring at your butt all the way?”
Luo Suo replied hastily, “I meant he stared at the mud on my butt…”
“Take this.” Shao Ming handed him the alcohol. “Clean it yourself.”
Luo Suo: “….”
He stood up straight and pulled Zhu Tong into the small grove, not avoiding the presence of others.
They didn’t mind, especially Luo Suo, who watched the service he got fly away. He shouted at Shao Ming’s back, “Didn’t we agree to be blood brothers? Taking a stab in the stead of the other?”
Why was he feeling jealous now? What was there to be jealous about?
A nearby male student chuckled, “That’s for those without partners. If you have a partner, you’d rather stab your brother for them. Just be content.”
“……”
“Hahaha!”
The surrounding group burst into laughter, finding it amusing but unsurprising to see the two entering the small grove hand in hand.
After all, there were no teachers around.
Zhu Tong was being led by Shao Ming, initially thinking they were there to gather branches, but Shao Ming hadn’t made any move in that direction the whole way.
Zhu Tong couldn’t help but ask, “Where are we going?”
Shao Ming replied, “We finally got out, so I’m taking you to a nice place.”
Zhu Tong asked, “What nice place?”
“We’re almost there.”
“…”
Ahead, the sunlight became noticeably brighter, causing Zhu Tong to squint. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the glaring sunlight. When his pupils refocused, what lay before him was a sea of flowers.
Fresh green grass dotted with flowers swayed gently in the warm breeze. On the distant hills, peach and plum trees bloomed in full, resembling a frozen picture, capturing Zhu Tong’s gaze completely.
Seeing Zhu Tong mesmerized, Shao Ming squeezed his hand gently. “Do you like it?”
Zhu Tong nodded unconsciously. “It’s beautiful.”
“Then let’s come here every year to different places together.”
Zhu Tong turned to look at him.
The breeze shifted, bringing with it waves of floral fragrance.
Whether it was the scent of flowers that brought peace to the heart, or the person beside him who made him feel intoxicated, Zhu Tong’s eyes shimmered with delight. He gently smiled and said, “Okay.”
In the warmth of spring and amidst blooming flowers, the two youths stood hand in hand, promising each other a future filled with seasons of beauty and resilience.
–end of main text–
The author has something to say:
I tried my best to edit it _(:з”∠)_ Please censorship reviewer, let me go T^T
This might be the end—
But I’ll cook something up, add some details for their sweet daily lives~
