Cheng Yue noticed that Ji Xu had been acting strangely these past few days, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong.
It was just that… Ji Xu kept staring at his phone. Since both of them were quite busy, they only had time to chat during car rides or meal times. Yet, Ji Xu was always busy typing on his phone, occasionally laughing at something while on the call. Ji Xu had never been someone who liked to use his phone much before.
Moreover, Ji Xu often didn’t come to pick him up after school…
After receiving the message from Ji Xu telling him to go home by himself for the eleventh time in these days, Cheng Yue couldn’t remain calm any longer.
He felt like Ji Xu was hiding something from him, or maybe he was hiding something he was doing with someone else.
Cheng Yue hesitated for a while in the classroom and then decided to call Tang Jing.
The call was answered quickly.
“Hello, Little Yue?”
“Uncle Tang.” Cheng Yue said quickly.
“Oh.” Tang Jing responded with surprise, “You didn’t call me by my full name. Little Yue, is something up?”
“Not really…” Cheng Yue, holding the phone with one hand and carrying his backpack with the other, exited the classroom. He spoke hesitantly, “Um… is Ji Xu busy with work recently?”
“Ji Xu?” Tang Jing was taken aback. “What could he be busy with? You’re in your senior year, and he only handles the more difficult tasks here. He spends most of his time in the office…”
Tang Jing suddenly stopped midway, his brows furrowing as he realized that things might not be so simple. “What’s going on? Is something wrong with Ji Xu?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Cheng Yue forced a smile, but his face grew serious.
“Really nothing?” Tang Jing could sense that something was off.
“Mm, I’ll hang up now, Uncle.” Cheng Yue frowned, tightened his grip on the phone, and put it into his pocket, just as he was about to head downstairs around the corner.
At that moment, a couple suddenly burst into the hallway.
The man grabbed the running woman and shouted, “What’s your relationship with that guy? What are you so busy with every day?”
The woman shook off his hand and said, “There’s no relationship! I need to study! Stop jumping to conclusions!”
The man quickly shouted back, “What do you mean I’m jumping to conclusions! You’re always glued to your phone, sending messages to someone! I can’t even find you in your classroom after school. Tell me where you’re going!”
“Where else would I go? Why do you care where I go? It’s none of your business!” The woman replied with three quick retorts and ran off.
The man, looking dejected, ran after her.
Cheng Yue, who had been watching the whole scene from the stairs, was thoroughly annoyed.
He immediately called Ji Xu, but no one answered before the call was automatically disconnected.
After hanging up, Cheng Yue, still somewhat irritated, went home and sat on the sofa, sulking while waiting for Ji Xu to come back.
It was past midnight, and after Cheng Yue had completed four practice papers, the front door of his room was finally pushed open.
When Ji Xu came in and saw the lights in the living room still on, he was somewhat surprised.
Cheng Yue heard the noise, got up from the sofa, and was about to question Ji Xu when he saw Ji Xu looking exhausted. His anger subsided significantly.
But Cheng Yue felt he still had to put on a certain act.
So, he deliberately sat back on the sofa, resisting the urge to get Ji Xu a glass of water.
“Why are you still up?” Ji Xu looked at the time, walked to the sofa, and rubbed Cheng Yue’s head. “Didn’t you see the messages I sent you?”
“We need to talk.” Cheng Yue’s expression was serious.
Ji Xu, who was quite tired, found Cheng Yue’s serious demeanor somewhat amusing. He had never seen Cheng Yue like this before.
“Don’t laugh.” Cheng Yue reached out and pinched Ji Xu’s smiling mouth. “I’m serious.”
Seeing Cheng Yue’s serious expression, Ji Xu stopped laughing. “What’s wrong?”
“What have you been doing these days?” Cheng Yue asked.
“Work has been a bit troublesome,” Ji Xu replied.
When Cheng Yue heard this, he felt a jolt in his chest and his mind went blank, unable to remember what he wanted to ask next.
“What’s the matter?” Ji Xu looked at him. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”
Hearing this, Cheng Yue remembered the couple he had seen at school earlier. He rolled his eyes, stood up, and went to the bedroom.
He didn’t believe that Ji Xu was up to anything outside, but it was clear that Ji Xu was lying. There was no way he was busy with work—Tang Jing said there was no work!
But if Ji Xu wouldn’t tell him, he wouldn’t ask.
Let’s see who can hold out longer.
Ji Xu smiled at Cheng Yue’s back, took a shower, and then quietly climbed into Cheng Yue’s bed, hugging him until he fell asleep.
The next day, before school ended, Cheng Yue received a message from Ji Xu saying, “I’m here to pick you up,” and he rolled his eyes without replying.
After school, he deliberately took his time to leave the school gate, carrying his backpack slowly.
He got into the car with an indifferent attitude.
“What’s wrong today?” Ji Xu pinched his face.
“Nothing,” Cheng Yue turned his head away.
As long as Ji Xu didn’t tell him what he had been up to, Cheng Yue wouldn’t take the initiative to speak to him.
Let Ji Xu suffer!
Ji Xu, seeing Cheng Yue’s attitude, secretly laughed. He knew Cheng Yue was throwing a little tantrum, but once things were said, there would be no surprises.
Anyway, even when Cheng Yue was throwing a tantrum, he was still quite cute.
After driving for a while, Cheng Yue turned his head to look out the window and realized they weren’t heading home. After holding back his curiosity, he finally asked, “Where are we going?”
“Don’t you remember what day it is today?” Ji Xu frowned and put on a serious expression, intending to tease Cheng Yue a bit.
“Day?” Cheng Yue was momentarily stunned, and his mind started racing.
Is it the anniversary of the day Ji Xu and I met?
Ji Xu fell in love with me on the 520th day?
The 1314th day of Ji Xu being madly in love with me?
Our wedding anniversary?
No, we’re not married yet.
Cheng Yue’s mind was a complete mess trying to figure it out.
He had been buried in study all day, and if Ji Xu asked him about early Chinese political systems, he might be able to recite several clauses.
But back to the point—what day is it today?
Cheng Yue furrowed his brows, his mind working hard but failing to come up with an answer. He finally looked up at Ji Xu with embarrassment and asked, “What’s today for?”
“Last year on this day, you were holding another man.” Ji Xu raised an eyebrow, “So today is…”
“Your cuckold anniversary?” Cheng Yue quickly guessed.
“Shut up.” Ji Xu stopped the car.
After getting out of the car, Cheng Yue was still puzzled.
“Who? Who was I holding last year?” Cheng Yue asked in confusion, “Who was the guy I was holding?”
“It doesn’t matter who you were holding before.” Ji Xu, with a smile, pinched Cheng Yue’s cheek. “From now on, only I get to hold you.”
“But… who was it last year?” Cheng Yue still couldn’t remember.
“It’s better if you don’t remember.” Ji Xu led Cheng Yue to the front of a villa.
As Cheng Yue was about to push the door open, a group of people suddenly poured out of the house.
About ten or so, and Cheng Yue was startled but soon recognized most of them.
Tang Jing, with his round belly, Duan Changsheng holding a pot of plump green plants and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and Song Yi in high heels towering over the rest.
Also, there was President Chen, Jiang Gezi, and some of the students he was familiar with.
He knew all of them, but he couldn’t understand why these unrelated people were gathered together.
Are they debuting? This combination is too strange.
“Happy birthday.” A male voice suddenly interrupted, making Cheng Yue even more confused. He turned towards the voice and was surprised to see Bai Zhen.
“Birthday gift.” Bai Zhen smiled and handed over a black gift box.
Cheng Yue was still stunned, and before he could react, Ji Xu took the gift box from Bai Zhen.
“Thank you.” Ji Xu smiled lightly. “The chocolate you gave last time was delicious.”
“…You’re welcome.” Bai Zhen, a bit fearful, glanced at Duan Changsheng. Seeing that Duan Changsheng wasn’t looking his way, Bai Zhen sighed in relief and stepped aside, cautiously moving next to Duan Changsheng.
Duan Changsheng, without looking at him, handed Cheng Yue a plump cactus he was holding and said with a smile, “Happy birthday. Hope you grow strong.”
After Cheng Yue took the plump cactus, he finally understood what was happening.
It’s his birthday today?
“Happy birthday!” Tang Jing came over, shouting, and handed a very fat red envelope. “Wishing Cheng Yue to grow taller and surpass Ji Xu! Sing a song of freedom!”
“…Thank you.” Cheng Yue took the red envelope, glancing at Ji Xu.
Ji Xu was smiling and seemed to be in a good mood.
“Happy birthday.” Song Yi, also in high heels, handed over a small cake. “It’s a new flavor.”
“Thank you, Sister Song.” Cheng Yue smiled.
“You’ve grown taller.” Song Yi patted his head. “It feels different to touch now.”
When Song Yi wanted to pat him a bit more, Cheng Yue was pulled aside by Ji Xu.
Song Yi raised an eyebrow and suggested quietly to Ji Xu, “Come over to my place sometime?”
Cheng Yue: “…”
“Let’s not argue.” Cheng Yue laughed and played mediator.
With so many gifts, Cheng Yue had to carry them all to the car before returning.
Ji Xu led Cheng Yue, surrounded by everyone, into the house in front of them.
Once inside, the first impression was that the hall was very spacious but felt empty due to the lack of furniture. The room was well-lit, with framed paintings hanging on the walls.
Is this an art exhibition?
Cheng Yue glanced at Ji Xu beside him.
“Start from here.” Ji Xu led him to the first painting.
Cheng Yue looked up.
The first painting depicted a particularly ugly black… egg?
The painting was not only ugly but also messy, with all kinds of horizontal, vertical, and curved lines.
It was hard for most people to tell what it was, but strangely, Cheng Yue thought it was an egg.
The most surprising part was that he thought this egg looked familiar.
Cheng Yue puzzled over it for a moment, then his gaze landed on the signature at the bottom of the painting.
– Cheng Zou
Who is Cheng Zou?
“Can’t remember?” Ji Xu smiled with narrowed eyes.
Cheng Zou…
Something clicked in Cheng Yue’s mind, and his eyes widened with surprise. “It’s my painting!”
“When did you paint this?” Ji Xu smiled.
“Uh… when I was one?” Cheng Yue was unsure but guessed it was from when he was very young.
When he was little, he was too lazy to write out “Yue” and just wrote “Zou” instead. His elementary school textbooks were filled with “Zou.”
His elementary school teacher probably thought his name was Cheng Zou.
This painting was indeed an old relic of his; he had long lost track of it.
“Where did you find it?” Cheng Yue looked up at Ji Xu, gripping his hand tightly.
“Whenever I want.” Ji Xu smiled and said, leading him further, “Since it’s a rare art exhibition, let’s enjoy it.”
As Cheng Yue went through the paintings, he realized that the entire gallery was filled with his works.
From the egg he painted when he was one to the most recent ones.
Seeing these paintings, Cheng Yue felt as though he was witnessing the trajectory of his own growth.
His life had been shattered by a huge impact at the age of 16, and it was Ji Xu who put it back together, just like now, Ji Xu had found every painting he ever made.
Cheng Yue’s eyes were slightly moist as he hugged Ji Xu around the waist and buried his head in Ji Xu’s chest.
“The paintings were ugly before.” Ji Xu stroked his head. “But they weren’t this severe.”
“How can you be so wonderful…” Cheng Yue’s voice was a bit nasal as he hugged Ji Xu. “I don’t even know how to repay you; I can’t repay you at all.”
“Repay me?” Ji Xu suddenly chuckled. “I don’t want you to repay me…”
“Then what do you want?” Cheng Yue, a bit embarrassed, looked up at him and wrapped his arms around his neck. “I’ll give you that egg painting.”
Ji Xu leaned close to Cheng Yue’s ear and said clearly, “I want you to come home with me now, as a form of payment.”
The last two words were especially emphasized.
Cheng Yue’s heart raced, and his face turned bright red.
Ji Xu’s words seemed to be directly etched into his heart, twisting around like a delicate touch.
It made Cheng Yue’s waist go weak and his legs tremble.
Author’s Note:
The gratitude pixie Cheng Zou: Pamper your own man!
