Qin Cheng has his own definition of the word ‘tired’.
Streaming live until the early hours of the morning every day is very tiring.
Constantly thinking about things at home is very tiring.
Dealing with family members demanding repayment is very tiring.
But after meeting Li Liguo, he realized his definition was still lacking.
Early the next morning, when Qin Cheng was woken up by the 5 AM alarm, he momentarily questioned his life.
Is this what 5 AM air feels like? Does he have to immediately get up, wash up, eat, and then rush to the playground for a refreshing 10-kilometer run? What about his boyfriend?
Right, Qin Cheng suddenly looked to the side, where’s his boyfriend???
“Awake?” Jian Heng pushed the door open.
“Ah?” Qin Cheng suddenly turned around to look at him, his neck cracking, heart pounding, “Oh my god, I thought you were gone.”
“Making breakfast,” Jian Heng wrapped his arms around Qin Cheng’s waist and forcibly pulled him out of bed, “Hurry up, eat, wash up, or you’ll be late.”
Qin Cheng moved slightly, his joints and muscles protesting collectively, sore and painful. He gritted his teeth and started putting on his clothes.
In this state, he was practically inspirational enough to be on the list of the top ten people who moved the campus tomorrow.
“Why are you up so early?” Qin Cheng shoveled a big mouthful of food into his mouth, swallowed, and then said, “Just buy two buns for me tomorrow, no need to cook, it will delay your sleep.”
“Slept early yesterday, not tired,” Jian Heng picked up a piece of meat for him, “Can I keep replacing you for the live stream?”
Yesterday, he was exhausted to that extent, so Jian Heng didn’t let Qin Cheng do the live stream at all, sitting in front of the camera doing homework until midnight.
Qin Cheng was both touched and determined not to let his boyfriend’s efforts go to waste, so he slept deeply.
“I’ll discuss it with the boss,” Qin Cheng said, “maybe I’ll get used to it in a couple of days and it won’t be so tiring.”
Jian Heng drove him to the training ground and patted his arm: “I’m leaving.”
Qin Cheng looked around; it was still quite early, and there weren’t many people. He quickly hugged him again, still feeling it wasn’t enough, and then patted the back of his hand: “Go on, mwah.”
Jian Heng responded with an ‘mm’ and left.
Qin Cheng sighed, feeling like his heart went with his boyfriend.
Newlyweds, so close yet so far apart. Is there anything more frustrating than this in the world?
“Qin Cheng, step forward!” One day later, Li Liguo still had the expression of someone who felt the whole world owed him money. “The rest of you, start your morning training!”
Qin Cheng sighed and stepped forward.
More punishment.
“Do you think I’m targeting you?” Lao Li asked him in a rare moment.
Qin Cheng wanted to say he thought Lao Li was trying to kill him, but he smiled and waved his hand: “How could that be? You’re just looking out for me; I know that in my heart.”
Lao Li snorted, “No need for pleasantries. I’m targeting you.”
Qin Cheng choked. This way of speaking was getting more and more suffocating each year.
“After slacking off for more than a year, if I don’t target you, you’ll be useless!” Lao Li glared at him. “Don’t always think that just because you have good physical fitness, you can do whatever you want. You know the examples of good seeds wasting themselves without me having to tell you. I don’t want you to be the next one, understand?!”
“Understood.” Qin Cheng nodded.
This is why he looks down on Director Zhao, who is equally fiery. Lao Li genuinely cares about the students and is angry because he can’t stand them wasting their prime years. Director Zhao, on the other hand, is just showing off.
“Go on,” Lao Li glanced at the weights by the track. “Ten kilometers.”
Qin Cheng put on the weights and ran towards the track.
From now on, every step he took was carrying the future of him and Jian Heng.
He runs alone, but behind him follows the belief in Jian Heng, bringing with it the strength of a thousand troops.
The winter mornings in the north are still quite a challenge for night owls. A yawn can cause tears to form at the corners of your eyes, and in the next second, they can freeze. If you run a bit faster towards the sunlight, you can even see the remnants of tiny ice shards flying out.
At first, the throat feels the chill of the cold air being inhaled, then it turns hot, and finally it becomes a burning pain.
Qin Cheng had to hypnotize himself.
Five kilometers is a test of willpower, five kilometers is the path every real man must take. If you’re a man, you run five kilometers. Ah, he is a real man.
He finally understood that the two small weights only seemed ‘small’ at first. By the end of the run, they felt like two mountains hanging on his feet, making him want to crawl instead of walk. Even encouraging words were no longer effective.
He could only play a little movie in his mind to cheer himself up.
As for what kind of little movie it is, of course, it’s an indescribable little movie, and the main characters are, of course, him and his boyfriend.
To be honest, he was dog tired yesterday and didn’t get to do any of the usual pre-sleep activities. Although doing that kind of thing too often isn’t good, he was sure that he was in good health, with a strong back and kidneys, and that if he didn’t do something more, he might just burst…
When can I indulge again…
***
Qin Cheng managed to get through the morning training with a head full of mosaic, and when he returned, it was just in time for the third period to end.
The schedule for the sports class and the regular class is different. Qin Cheng is currently training according to the sports class schedule while attending classes according to the regular class schedule.
According to Lao Xu and Lao Li, the plan is to officially integrate him into the sports class next semester, but since the end of this semester is approaching, he should just make do with it for now.
Lao Li’s original words: “Anyway, you little rascal don’t pay attention in class.”
Qin Cheng, who was attending class with his boyfriend, felt even more wronged than Dou E1比窦娥還冤 (bǐ Dòu É hái yuān): The Injustice to Dou E (popular drama by 關漢卿). Dou E Yuan, commonly translated as The Injustice to Dou E, and also known as Snow in Midsummer, is a Chinese zaju play written by Guan Hanqing (c. 1241–1320) during the Yuan dynasty. The full Chinese title of the play is Gan Tian Dong Di Dou E Yuan, which roughly translates to The Injustice to Dou E that Touched Heaven and Earth. The story follows a child bride turned widow, Dou E, who is wrongly convicted of crimes by a corrupt court official for actions perpetrated by a rejected suitor, Zhang the mule. After her execution, three prophesied phenomena occur to prove her innocence, including blood raining from the sky, snow in June and a three-year drought. After a visit from the ghost of Dou E, her father eventually brings the corrupt court official, a doctor and Mule Zhang to justice, thereby vindicating his daughter.. Unfortunately, with too many past offenses, he could only wave his hand at the words; ‘The innocent are clear’.
In biology class, he was dozing off.
Jian Heng felt sorry for him being too tired from training and didn’t wake him up.
However, Qin Cheng couldn’t sleep soundly.
There was no pressure, nor any psychological issues; Qin-ge was just pondering.
With the way he was training, barely surviving each day, when would he have the energy to eat meat!
This was a serious problem, okay? It was no less important than making a living.
He couldn’t help but tap Jian Heng’s thigh and give him a pat: “Boyfriend, are you online?”
Jian Heng’s hand reached down to hold his hand, rubbing it in his palm and squeezing: “Yes.”
“Ahem…” Discussing such an unhealthy topic in the glorious and serious classroom, even Qin-ge’s face couldn’t hold up.
But in the end, the spirit of the leek triumphed over embarrassment. He leaned closer to Jian Heng, speaking in a very low voice: “Well, life has been too bitter lately… I want to get a bit of sweetness.”
Jian Heng didn’t understand and looked at him: “What sweetness?”
The radar for mutual understanding malfunctioned, forcing Qin Cheng to throw away his face and shamelessly say ‘uh-huh’ mosaic in the classroom.
“Just, um, Ge isn’t doing it for love, that what else…” Qin Cheng’s ears turned hot. Jian Heng’s expression went from confusion to deep understanding in just a second, making one feel a bit itchy inside. “Don’t laugh, Ge have sacrificed so much for you. When will… Well, I will help you unilaterally… set a time, give me some motivation.”
Qin Cheng thought that if he didn’t agree immediately, he would at least show some urgency. After all, the person who was in a hurry and couldn’t control himself a few days ago was Jian Heng, not him.
But what was with Jian Heng’s expression now, as if he had seen through the world of mortals?
“Wait until you have a break,” Jian Heng said.
“What?” Qin Cheng was shocked, shouting in a suppressed voice, his voice cracking, “This student, can you knock open your brain and let me see if there’s still me inside?”
“If I agree now,” Jian Heng poked his stomach, “don’t even think about training tomorrow.”
“Huh?” A hint of confusion flashed across Qin Cheng’s face, then he reacted, his ears turning hot, “Damn it, are you looking down on your Ge? Is that it?”
“No,” Jian Heng pinched his fingertips, knowing how to coax him perfectly, “I feel distressed for you.”
Qin Cheng’s immediate response of ‘let’s have a fight’ got stuck in his throat, his mouth twitching in an effort to hold back, but he couldn’t help but laugh. He rubbed his face and said: “Alright then, you keep an eye on when I’m not tired, and you ask me first. Don’t always make it seem like I’m so desperate…”
“Not desperate?” Jian Heng said beside him, “So eager.”
“No,” Qin Cheng sat up straight and seriously opened his book, “Ge is a serious person. Serious people need to attend class. This student, please stop your flirting.”
“Biology class,” Jian Heng looked at him, “Why are you flipping through the Chinese book?”
Qin Cheng paused, and after two seconds, he gave his dear boyfriend a middle finger.
***
To be honest, if it hadn’t been for the fact that he had lived a bland and clean life in the past eighteen years, Qin Cheng would have suspected he was originally a lustful A who acted foolishly out of desire.
Otherwise, why would he have a weak expression and ask Jian Heng to get flowers from Tan Qi’s house, and then sneakily run out the moment Jian Heng left, standing at the entrance of a certain adult store?
Qin Cheng touched the mask on his face, glanced at his inconspicuous sportswear, and hesitated behind a tree at the entrance for five minutes without daring to go in.
In the 21st century, the handsome student Qin Cheng, a law-abiding citizen who earns money to support his family, respects the elderly and loves the young. As an adult, he should have walked in with his head held high, chosen items with ease, paid calmly, and then walked out.
Yes, that’s right, Qin Cheng took a deep breath.
“Hey, young man over there!” The store door suddenly swung open, and a middle-aged man came out, looking at him with an expression of hating iron for not being steel. “Turn left for fifty meters, the pharmacy is right there. Young man, take care of your health, don’t buy any random stuff!”
For a moment, Qin Cheng felt that the temperature on his face could instantly vaporize him, sending him flying far away along with the old north wind.
He had never felt so embarrassed in his life.
After being lectured by the middle-aged man, Qin Cheng obediently walked to the pharmacy. Like a bandit about to rob a store, he pushed the door open forcefully, rushed to the counter as fast as he could, pointed to the must-have items from Baidu, and said in a hushed voice: “Two boxes of each.”
Buying everything at once, so he wouldn’t have to come back and be embarrassed again.
See, spending time with a school tyrant boyfriend has significantly improved his IQ!
The store clerk, obviously a veteran of many battles, was not surprised by his ‘night outfit’ and calmly asked: “What size?”
What size? Do these things even come in different sizes?
Fuck, Qin Cheng couldn’t help but look at his hands, trying to recall the size in front of the crowd.
What size? The one that fits him?
It’s over, it’s over. He had messed up. Why didn’t he stubbornly insist on measuring the size last night?
The clerk, perhaps unable to watch any longer, took out a size comparison chart and handed it to him, leaving a remark, ‘Think about it, and call me when you’re sure’, before turning around to do other things.
Qin Cheng immediately felt like his face, which had just been blown away away by the old north wind, had drifted another two miles away.
Looking at the numbers on the size chart, Qin Cheng was shocked. Was it this detailed?
That’s right, a man’s dignity must be accurate to the millimeter.
No, that’s not the point. The point is, what size does Jian Heng wear?
It was too chaotic the day before yesterday, and he didn’t have time to look closely. Afterwards, he had almost no impression of Jian Heng except for his own feelings.
He really is a scumbag.
Qin-ge believed his size was among the top in the big A category, and Jian Heng couldn’t be too far off.
This one will do.
If it’s too big or too small and it doesn’t fit, just switch it to him. It’s not like he doesn’t have the conditions.
Qin Cheng weakly called the clerk back and bought a bag of indescribable items to take home.
After such a long delay, when he finally got home, Jian Heng still hadn’t returned.
He must have been held up by Mother Tan for a meal.
Qin Cheng sat alone on the sofa, staring at the bag of items in a daze for a while. After a moment, he couldn’t help but reach out with a trembling hand, took out a box, and carefully opened it. He didn’t even dare to touch it, he just picked out the instruction manual and started reading.
So thrilling.
Jian Heng wasn’t wrong. He was just a thirsty big A, and now just looking at the set without seeing the person made him want to stand at attention.
***
Jian Heng carried a flowerpot downstairs, with Tan Qi following closely behind.
When they reached downstairs, Jian Heng stopped, turned around to look at him, and asked: “Is there something?”
Tan Qi cleared his throat and replied: “Yes.”
Jian Heng could almost guess what he was going to say, so he didn’t speak and waited for him to continue.
Tan Qi’s face showed a rare seriousness. He paused for a moment and said: “You and Qin-ge are together. I wish you both happiness first.”
“Thank you,” Jian Heng said.
“You’re welcome,” Tan Qi replied.
The atmosphere was painfully awkward.
Tan Qi experienced the king-level silence for the first time, and having lost completely, he could only take the initiative to break the silence, scratching his head and saying: “That… I want to say, my Qin-ge is a very principled person. Generally, once he decides something, we can’t change it. He decided not to go to college a long time ago, and even with our group of brothers and teachers trying to persuade him for a long time, it didn’t work.”
Tan Qi paused for a moment and continued: “He can change the trajectory of his future life for you, which means he must have made a huge decision. I hope you can understand his sincerity and not think he is just playing around.”
“I know,” Jian Heng looked at him, “I know what kind of person he is.”
“That’s good,” Tan Qi handed over the things in his hands, “Take this pork rib, consider it a congratulatory gift from my mom to both of you. Anyway, Qin-ge always brings something back every time he comes.”
Jian Heng took it: “Thank you.”
Tan Qi waved his hand: “No need to thank me. Just remember, even though I’m quite cowardly with both of you, if you treat Qin-ge poorly, I’ll risk my life to fight you.”
Jian Heng nodded, his impression of Tan Qi improved a bit.
However, after Tan Qi finished speaking, he immediately turned his head arrogantly and dashed up the stairs at lightning speed, disappearing without a trace.
As if afraid of getting beaten.
Jian Heng deleted the ‘improved’ part from his mind in an instant.
He picked up the pork rib and cockscomb flower, hopped on his bike, and planned to stop by the store to buy a bottle of juice.
He accidentally wasted quite a bit of time. He didn’t know what his boyfriend was doing, probably starving by now.
When he opened the door, Qin Cheng was sitting on the sofa, holding something in his hands, looking very serious as he read.
He wasn’t this serious even when studying math.
Hearing the door open, Qin Cheng seemed to wake up from a dream. He first shivered all over and quickly stuffed whatever he was holding under the cushion.
Jian Heng stood at the door watching him.
Qin Cheng seemed to feel that this behavior wasn’t quite right, so he took it out again, fiddled with it in his hands, and placed it on the coffee table, his face a mix of embarrassment and helplessness: “You’re back?”
“Mm,” Jian Heng took off his down jacket and hung it on the door, walked over, placed the flowers and pork ribs on the coffee table, sat down next to him: “What are you looking at?”
Qin Cheng pointed to the black plastic bag on the coffee table, cleared his throat: “That… you can see for yourself.”
When Jian Heng’s hand landed on the plastic bag, Qin Cheng swallowed hard, a wave of indescribable embarrassment washing over him. He suddenly started to regret it. Why didn’t he let Jian Heng go buy it? He was the one doing 0 for love, 1 wasn’t in a hurry, so why was he, the 0, in such a rush!
A miscalculation!
When Jian Heng saw this wonderful bag of packaging, his expression was very calm. Qin Cheng felt like he was looking at a stack of review materials, the kind that had no new tricks, like the 5-32五三 (wǔ sān): “5-Year College Entrance Examination 3-Year Simulation” (abbreviated as: 五三) is a book published by Capital Normal University Press and Educational Science Press in June 2008, edited by Qu Yixian. This book mainly summarizes the content of college entrance examination questions, analyzes the form of college entrance examination questions, and predicts college entrance examination questions..
“Buying so much?” Jian Heng casually picked one up, “Empty, heat sensation…”
“No, wait,” Qin Cheng pried his hand open and placed it on the sofa, “No need to read, I can read, really, more genuine than pearls.”
“0.01,” Jian Heng took out another box with his other hand, “Cold sensation…”
“Jian-ge, my dear Ge,” Qin Cheng said, raising his hand, “Please spare me the face that has drifted twenty thousand miles with the wind, I feel like I’ve been internally injured.”
Jian Heng laughed, put down the items, and said: “So serious.”
“Super serious,” Qin Cheng clutched his chest, “You have no idea what I’ve been through. I’m dressed like a black man in Conan. If I can still be recognized like this——”
“Just say you bought it for Tan Qi,” Jian Heng said.
“Right,” Qin Cheng paused for a moment, then nodded seriously, “Bought it for Tan Qi.”
“Then should we mention it to the DaMas when we pass by the market tomorrow?” Jian Heng reasoned clearly, “Otherwise, it won’t spread.”
Qin Cheng hesitated for a few seconds, “No, what if my acting is so good that no one can tell? That would be a loss.”
***
After finishing dinner, as Qin Cheng walked towards the bedroom, his gaze inevitably fell on the coffee table——things were still not cleaned up.
To be honest, if it weren’t for Lao Li saying there would be extra training tomorrow, he really wanted to shamelessly take the things and roll with Jian Heng.
Sports training is indeed sacred; it makes him not know where to start even if he wanted to indulge.
In the kitchen, Jian Heng said while washing the dishes: “If you have nothing to do, just sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”
“You sound like a little wife urging her husband to work hard,” Qin Cheng took advantage of the situation, carrying the things to the kitchen door and leaning against it, “Cough… so, where should I put these things?”
Jian Heng glanced and said: “By the bedside.”
Qin Cheng paused his movement of turning around: “Hmm? Do you have to be so rampant?”
“Convenient,” Jian Heng smiled, “Isn’t it so I can see if you’re comfortable at any time?”
“Fucking hell——” Qin Cheng pointed at him, and after a while, he resignedly carried the things towards the bedroom, “You’ve got me! After you’re done washing, come in and give me a massage! Your Ge is angry.”
Qin Cheng lay on the bed, with Jian Heng sitting on his butt, giving him a massage.
The hands on his back had thin calluses, applying just the right amount of pressure, and the back-and-forth motion was so comfortable it made him want to hum.
“Student Heng Heng, tell me the truth,” Qin Cheng closed his eyes. The air was filled with the undisguised pheromones of the two people. Soaking in it, his whole body softened, even his fingertips relaxed, “Last time when you applied medicine on me, did you have any thoughts about Ge’s upper body?”
“Got hard.” Student Heng Heng was never one to be subtle, and those two words made Student Cheng Cheng utterly defeated.
“Stop studying medicine,” Qin Cheng slapped his thigh with the back of his hand. “You should study psychology for provoking people, especially me. You hit the mark every time! We can’t even have a normal conversation anymore!”
Jian Heng stopped his movements, leaned down, placed his hands on his shoulder blades, and thrust his lower body hard: “Yes, just to ‘provoke’ you.”
“Hey, fuck…” The heat and hardness were too obvious, and Qin Cheng almost immediately felt it too. He shifted his lower body, which was being pressed uncomfortably, feeling a bit itchy and embarrassed, “Damn it, I still have training tomorrow.”
“Mm,” Jian Heng straightened up, continuing the massage without any reluctance, “Goodnight.”
“…”
Qin Cheng slammed his fist on the bed, “So can’t you just take the initiative to say something like ‘let’s help each other’? We’re short on time and the mission is urgent!”
Jian Heng laughed: “Mm, coming.”
The author has something to say:
The author, holding a tea mug and drinking goji berry tea, said: Today’s ’emptiness’ is not ’emptiness’, it’s ‘air pollution’~~~~ Aiyoyo~~~~~ specifically ‘poking fun’ at Cheng Cheng~~~~ Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or nourished me with nutrient solutions during the period from 2020-05-25 10:59:59~2020-05-26 15:19:31~
Thank you very much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
About the author’s note… I don’t know how to explain it, but the author said; 今天的空烏不是空烏是空污 (jīn tiān de kōng wū bù shì kōng wū shì kōng wū). Specifically, 空烏 (kōng wū) and 空污 (kōng wū). Both have the same pronunciation, but the meaning is different. The first one means ‘black hole’ or ‘void’, while the second one is short for 空氣污染 (kōng qì wū rǎn), air pollution. I’m guessing the author is poking fun at QC, because his mind is ‘polluted’. Or maybe it’s the indescribable item that JH read aloud.
List of Idiom in Chapter 56
提神醒腦 (tí shén xǐng nǎo): to refresh and clear the mind (idiom); invigorating; bracing; to refresh oneself and invigorate the function of the brain.新婚燕爾 (xīn hūn yàn ěr): newlyweds; love birds; (of newlyweds) enjoy their married life; be newly married; originally meant that an abandoned wife told her husband about remarrying and having fun with the new lover. Later, it was used as a celebration of the new marriage. It describes the joy of a newlywed.
千軍萬馬 (qiān jūn wàn mǎ): thousands of troops and horses; a powerful army; magnificent army with thousands of men and horses (idiom); impressive display of manpower; all the King’s horses and all the King’s men; a mighty force. a vast and formidable array. an overwhelming force.
必經之路 (bì jīng zhī lù): the route that one must take to reach a particular destination; the stage that one must experience to attain a certain goal; the road one must follow or take; the only way; the only way which must be passed; the road that must be passed.
清者自清 (qīng zhě zì qīng): lit. a clean hand wants no washing; a person who is innocent will naturally prove his innocence even if he does not say anything to clarify himself.
看破紅塵 (kān pò hóng chén): to see through the world of mortals (idiom, of Buddhist monk); disillusioned with human society; to reject the world for a monastic life; be disillusioned with the mortal world; see through the vanity of life or the world; to see through worldly pleasures and desires.
爐火純青 (lú huǒ chún qīng): lit. the stove fire is pure blue; the stove fire has turned bright green (allusion to Daoist alchemy) (idiom); to have reached high perfection or complete mastery; fig. (of an art, a technique etc) brought to the point of perfection; perfected skills; consummate mastery; highly skilled; reach the acme of perfection; reach the pinnacle of proficiency; success is achieved when the furnace emits a pure blue flame. It is later used to describe the state of Kung Fu that has reached a state of perfection.
清湯寡水 (qīng tāng guǎ shuǐ): (of a dish) watery and tasteless; meager fare; (fig.) insipid; colorless; the dish is too watery, rough and tasteless.
遵紀守法 (zūn jì shǒu fǎ): to observe law and discipline; observe disciplines and obey laws; abide by the law; comply with rules and regulations; follow the law; obey the law.
尊老愛幼 (zūn lǎo ài yòu): respect the old and cherish the young; show respect for the elderly and care for the young; respect the aged and take good care of children; respecting elders and caring for younger ones. It describes a person’s good character. Respecting the old and loving the young is a traditional virtue in China.
身經百戰 (shēn jīng bǎi zhàn): lit. veteran of a hundred battles (idiom); fig. experienced; seasoned; have fought a hundred battles—have gone through numerous battles; to have great experience; be battle-seasoned.
見怪不怪 (jiàn guài bù guài): to keep one’s calm in the face of the unexpected; not to wonder at strange sights; not be surprised by anything unusual; become inured to the unusual; be used to uncommon goings-on.
數一數二 (shǔ yī shǔ èr): reckoned to be first or second best (idiom); among the top; to be one of the best; to enumerate; to list one by one.
迅雷不及掩耳 (xùn léi bù jí yǎn ěr): lit. a sudden peal of thunder leaves no time for covering the ears; as sudden as lightning; extremely sudden and swift.
如夢初醒 (rú mèng chū xǐng): as if awakening from a dream; (figuratively) to suddenly realize; to suddenly see the light; to wake up to reality; awaken as if from a dream; suddenly realize the truth; have a rude awakening; come to one’s senses; snap out of it; see the light; as if just waking up from a dream. It describes just waking up from a confused or wrong situation.
潰不成軍 (kuì bù chéng jūn): to be utterly routed; to be soundly defeated; utterly defeated; be completely defeated; be in total disarray; be in a state of collapse; be in shambles; fall apart; to be beaten to pieces and not form a team; it describes a disastrous defeat.
Check out my completed & current project at my carrd. If you like my translation, you can buy me coffee at Ko-fi~ Thank you.
