Since Li Xuan was a beginner and had never tried skateboarding before, the senior led him, teaching him the basics step by step. Li Xuan didn’t glance at Su Xingchuan once during the whole process.
Su Xingchuan thought to himself: Good, I’ll do my own thing.
He placed his skateboard on the ground, catching glimpses of the senior holding Li Xuan’s arm, helping him determine his dominant foot. Li Xuan seemed weak, leaning entirely in the senior’s direction. The senior said something that made Li Xuan smile shyly.
Initially, Su Xingchuan had been worried that Li Xuan, with his limited social skills, would feel uncomfortable in a crowd of strangers.
But Li Xuan was more at ease than he had expected.
Suddenly, Su Xingchuan felt that skateboarding wasn’t that interesting anymore.
He had joined the club because his roommate dragged him into it. Now that his roommate no longer came, he only occasionally attended because he’d made some friends there. In truth, his height wasn’t very suited for skateboarding.
As he grew bored, a friend from the club approached, asking what had kept Su Xingchuan so busy lately, as he hadn’t been around much.
Su Xingchuan chuckled dryly. “A lot going on with the debate team.”
His friend said, “It’s getting colder. In about a month, the roads might freeze over. The club is planning to go to Bai River Park before the real cold sets in, just before New Year’s. Will you join?”
Su Xingchuan couldn’t focus on the conversation. He stared at the steps ahead, but his attention was still on Li Xuan not far away.
He listened to the sounds coming from that direction.
“Xingchuan, will you join?”
“Huh?” Su Xingchuan finally registered his friend’s words a moment late and politely declined, “I won’t go. I’m not that good.”
“What’s up with you? You seem distracted.” His friend sounded puzzled.
Su Xingchuan glanced at Li Xuan, who was chatting with a girl. He immediately turned away, responding to his friend, “What do you mean I’m distracted? I’m just—”
Before he could finish, a girl’s shout came from not far away. Su Xingchuan looked over to see Li Xuan had fallen.
His skateboard rolled far away.
Without a second thought, Su Xingchuan ran over.
Li Xuan was sitting on the ground, propping himself up with both hands, looking dazed and pale.
Su Xingchuan asked, “Are you hurt?”
Li Xuan kept his head down, not saying a word.
Su Xingchuan checked his right hand, moving his wrist slightly. “Did you sprain it here?”
Li Xuan remained silent. Su Xingchuan’s voice grew anxious. “Say something. Your wrist, ankle, knee—where did you get hurt?”
Li Xuan glanced up at him briefly.
Then he lowered his head, muttering softly, “You’re too harsh.”
Su Xingchuan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
He was too harsh? Wasn’t he supposed to be? It was bad enough that this little prince had pestered him to this extent, almost stealing his first kiss. And now he was being blamed for using a stern tone. It was as if he owed Li Xuan something.
“Did you hurt yourself anywhere?” Su Xingchuan asked gently.
Li Xuan, looking aggrieved, said, “My butt.”
“Can you stand up?”
Li Xuan reached his hand toward Su Xingchuan, but Su Xingchuan immediately said, “I’m not carrying you. Stand up by yourself.”
Li Xuan, annoyed, pulled his hand back with a pout.
And so, the two of them remained at an impasse.
If Su Xingchuan wasn’t going to carry him, Li Xuan wasn’t going to get up.
As the other members of the skateboarding club gradually left, only a few people remained scattered around the hall entrance, and the area grew quiet.
Su Xingchuan asked, “Why are you here?”
Li Xuan answered bluntly, “To find you.”
The days of avoiding each other had exhausted them both. Su sat down beside Li Xuan and sighed, “Don’t bother. Li Xuan, I really don’t like boys. If you keep this up, we can’t even be friends.”
Li Xuan, puzzled, replied, “I don’t want to be your friend.”
Su Xingchuan’s lips twitched.
He had been pursued before, but this was the first time it had been so frustrating. Li Xuan didn’t respond to softness or firmness. If Su Xingchuan was gentle, Li Xuan would immediately take advantage. If he was stern, Li Xuan would pitifully try to gain sympathy.
Su Xingchuan had no idea how to handle Li Xuan.
It was tough.
As the evening breeze blew across Li Xuan’s face, he sneezed, sniffled, and muttered, “Why don’t you date any girls? Someone just said that several girls are interested in you.”
Su Xingchuan shot him a sidelong glance, taking out a tissue from his pocket and handing it over. “What’s that got to do with you?”
“It does.” Li Xuan glared at him.
Su Xingchuan looked around, then asked sarcastically, “Why didn’t that senior come to help you when you fell?”
“What senior?” Li Xuan tilted his head.
“The one in the white T-shirt earlier. I remember he’s in the physics department, a junior this year.” Su Xingchuan deliberately added, “Isn’t he the type you guys like in the gay community?”
“I don’t know; I don’t have a community.”
Clearly, he was pretending to be innocent, speaking slowly. While Su Xingchuan wasn’t paying attention, Li Xuan rested his piglet hand on Su Xingchuan’s leg, tapping his knee as if to advertise himself. “Forget about the senior; he’s not as good-looking as me. I’m great.”
Su Xingchuan found it amusing.
He first laughed at Li Xuan’s peculiar logic, then laughed at himself.
Turning to Li Xuan, he asked, “What’s so great about you? Needing someone to feed you at twenty?”
“I’ll treat you well. I can buy you whatever you want. I like you.” Li Xuan’s voice was serious and sincere.
The last few words made Su Xingchuan’s heart jolt.
For someone who had never questioned his straight identity in twenty years, those words hit Su Xingchuan like a ton of bricks.
Feeling flustered, Su Xingchuan quickly stood up. “It’s getting dark; hurry and get up.”
Li Xuan looked up at him, extending both hands.
Su Xingchuan frowned, “I’ll pull you up, but you can’t hug me or… or kiss me.”
Li Xuan nodded.
Reluctantly, Su Xingchuan extended his hand, grabbed Li Xuan’s wrist, and pulled him up. Li Xuan didn’t take advantage of the opportunity as Su Xingchuan feared; instead, he stood there with his hands obediently at his sides.
Su Xingchuan leaned down to brush the dirt off Li Xuan’s pants.
Li Xuan stood still, behaving himself.
“Su Xingchuan, do you hate me?”
Su Xingchuan didn’t answer immediately.
Li Xuan asked softly, “If you don’t hate me that much, can you take me off your block list?”
Su Xingchuan’s movements paused.
“I sent you messages, but you didn’t reply. I don’t like it. And I bought you a gift.”
“There’s no need.”
“But I already bought it. It was hard to find—a signed basketball from an NBA All-Star.”
Su Xingchuan said, “I really don’t need it.”
“You do hate me.”
“Aren’t you the one who hates me?”
Li Xuan looked surprised. “You saw my messages?”
Su Xingchuan: “…” He had let it slip.
Li Xuan, thrilled, said, “You didn’t block me. You saw all my messages!”
Su Xingchuan sighed, “Yes, I saw them. But if I don’t reply, you’ll come find me. Do you think that’s fun? Can’t you tell I don’t want to talk to you?”
Li Xuan pouted, looking like he was about to pout for a kiss. Su Xingchuan averted his gaze, his tone cold. “I don’t like boys. Stop bothering me.”
Li Xuan stared at him, and Su thought he looked hurt. Unexpectedly, Li Xuan’s lips curved into a smile.
When he smiled, dimples appeared.
“As long as you didn’t block me.” He said.
“…”
Su Xingchuan suddenly realized: Li Xuan was the epitome of selective perception. He only absorbed what he liked to hear.
Su Xingchuan picked up Li Xuan’s skateboard and handed it to him.
Li Xuan held it to his chest. “I’m heading back to my dorm.”
His steps were surprisingly light as he bounded up the steps, leaving Su Xingchuan standing there, speechless.
That night, Su Xingchuan received a message from Li Xuan.
Cat: [Picture]
Cat: [This is Bobo. He’s a silver shaded cat and my profile picture. He’s very cute, and I wanted to share him with you.]
The picture included Li Xuan, wearing a white sweater while sitting on the sofa with a cat asleep on his lap, looking utterly content.
Su Xingchuan stared at the photo of Li Xuan.
He couldn’t deny it; Li Xuan was very attractive.
His features were both delicate and refined, his skin fair, and his eyes seemed to speak, shining like glass beads.
Cat: [I’ll only send you ten messages a day, so I won’t disturb you. Please don’t block me.]
Su Xingchuan thought for a moment and replied with a simple [Okay].
Cat: [Good night. Moon.jpg]
He probably went to sleep happy.
Su Xingchuan, however, couldn’t sleep well.
Ever since Li Xuan kissed his cheek, he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep, constantly plagued by dreams. After a week of sleepless nights and vivid dreams, he finally broke down.
He caught a cold.
His temperature was high—38.8 degrees Celsius.
When he went to the campus clinic to get medicine, he happened to see Li Xuan walking out of the library, looking at his phone.
The next second, Su Xingchuan received a message from him.
Cat: [Are you done with class?]
Cat: [Are you going to the cafeteria for lunch? I heard the North cafeteria has mung bean soup today; I want some.]
Su Xingchuan snorted.
Was this how you pursued someone? Su Xingchuan thought the last line would be, I want some; do you want me to get you some too?
Su Xingchuan watched as Li Xuan walked toward him.
He was wearing a backpack and walking slowly, his hair catching the sunlight, turning a light shade that made his skin appear even paler.
Cat: [Which cafeteria are you going to?]
Cat: [Reply, reply. You always waste my message quota. You’re so annoying.]
Oh, he was annoyed again.
There was no agreement about a ten-message limit per day; Li Xuan had made it up himself, and now he was blaming Su Xingchuan for it.
Su: [You’re such a moody clingy little thing.]
Cat: [I knew you were reading them!]
Su: [Someone like you is too clingy to be in a relationship. Who could stand it?]
Cat: [You could.]
Su: [I can’t. I don’t like you.]
Li Xuan didn’t reply, and Su Xingchuan’s fingers hovered over the screen, feeling a bit regretful. He realized he didn’t need to tease him like that.
He had said he didn’t like him so many times, and Li Xuan never listened.
Su Xingchuan watched as Li Xuan walked within five meters of him. Li Xuan was still looking at his phone, his face devoid of its usual smile, appearing a bit pitiful.
He didn’t even notice Su Xingchuan. As he was about to pass by, Su Xingchuan reached out and grabbed his backpack, warning, “There’s a hole in front of you.”
Li Xuan blinked a few times, then broke into a smile.
He quickly turned and walked over to Su Xingchuan, asking happily, “Why are you here?”
“Just passing by.”
Li Xuan tilted his head, concern replacing his smile. “Are you okay? You don’t look well.”
“Aren’t you studying medicine? Can’t you tell what’s wrong?”
Li Xuan felt his forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re a bit warm. Do you have a fever?”
Su Xingchuan stepped back, avoiding his hand, his voice a bit hoarse. “Yeah, I’m heading to the clinic now.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No need.”
Li Xuan insisted, “I’m coming with you.”
He followed Su Xingchuan to the campus clinic. After the doctor prescribed Su Xingchuan some medicine, Li Xuan took the box and read the instructions seriously, mumbling under his breath.
Su Xingchuan asked, “Figured anything out?”
“Can you even take medicine properly? Let me come to your dorm to take care of you.”
Su Xingchuan chuckled, “I’m not like some people who need someone to feed them after getting a little injury. I can manage taking a capsule for a fever.”
Li Xuan’s face fell.
He handed the box back to Su Xingchuan.
Sometimes Su Xingchuan felt Li Xuan was very self-centered. For example, at that moment, Su Xingchuan expected Li Xuan to show some concern or ask what he wanted for lunch, but Li Xuan didn’t.
He just walked with his head down, occasionally glancing back at Su Xingchuan. “I’m going back to the dorm.”
Li Xuan opened his mouth but said nothing.
Su Xingchuan returned to his dorm, took his medicine, and drank half a cup of hot water before going to bed.
He slept until the afternoon.
When he woke up, he was about to order takeout when his roommate said, “Xingchuan, a girl dropped off some food for you. It’s on the table.”
Su Xingchuan was puzzled. “A girl?”
“Yeah, she had someone deliver it. She said you had a fever and that porridge was best.”
“When did she bring it?”
“Just now.”
Su Xingchuan immediately rushed downstairs.
He had a sneaking suspicion.
Sure enough, he saw Li Xuan’s figure.
Li Xuan hadn’t left. He was looking down at his phone, probably typing a message that Su Xingchuan couldn’t see.
So, Su Xingchuan quietly walked up behind him to peek.
Cat: [I bought some porridge.]
Deleted.
Cat: [I went to several places to find this plain porridge, along with some side dishes and vegetable dumplings.]
Deleted.
Cat: [Not sure if you’d like it.]
Deleted.
Cat: [According to Baidu: Plain porridge is nutritious and can replenish essential nutrients in the body. Drinking porridge while sick can increase appetite, rehydrate, and aid recovery.]
Just as he was about to send it, Su Xingchuan whispered in his ear, “Is this what you’ve come up with after all that editing?”
Li Xuan jumped in surprise, then slowly turned around, wide-eyed.
There was a soft smile in Su Xingchuan’s eyes as he asked, “Cat, maybe you should look up some tips online on how to pursue someone properly?”
