Time slowed down, becoming immeasurable.
Li Xuan gradually lost strength, and his phone slipped from his fingers, clattering to the ground.
The loud noise snapped him back to reality. He shoved Su Xingchuan away, ignoring the wetness at the corners of his eyes and lips, as well as Su Xingchuan’s reflexive attempt to pull him back. Panicked, he grabbed his phone, rushed to the door, put on his shoes, and fled.
Leaving Su Xingchuan alone in the living room.
The door was left ajar, and a breeze from the hallway blew in, slowly dispersing the lingering warmth and scent.
It was like a dream.
On the cabinet beside him, a small cat figurine caught Su Xingchuan’s eye. He picked it up and smashed it to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
He closed his eyes.
Leaning against the wall, he felt the intensity of the moment fade, like fireworks leaving only a trail of smoke. For the first time, Su Xingchuan felt like a joke. It was one thing to be dumped, but to brazenly interfere with someone else’s relationship? He must be crazy.
Maybe he really was losing it.
Or maybe he was just too lonely.
He missed Li Xuan terribly.
When he first met Li Xuan seven years ago, he hadn’t realized just how deeply Li Xuan would mark his life.
.
Seven years ago.
Su Xingchuan watched as Li Xuan left the basketball court. A friend approached and asked, “What are you looking at?”
Li Xuan had already disappeared from his view, but all Su Xingchuan could remember was his name.
And those beautiful eyes.
Like a kitten’s, narrow on the inside and wider on the outside, with slightly upturned corners.
Seeing Su Xingchuan staring blankly outside the court, Yu Qinglan punched his shoulder. “What’s wrong with you?”
Snapping back to reality, Su Xingchuan answered absentmindedly, “He’s from the medical school. I just met him yesterday.”
Yu Qinglan thought Su Xingchuan was acting strangely.
“What did you say just now?” It took a moment for Su Xingchuan to catch up, continuing the conversation, “Barbecue? Sure.”
He thought that his brief encounter with Li Xuan was over.
But that night, he ran into Li Xuan again on the back street.
He was leaving the lobster place with friends. The wind was strong, and only a few customers occupied the outdoor seating. Casually scanning the area, he spotted Li Xuan in a light blue tracksuit, sitting on a plastic chair with his back to them.
His right hand hung down while he ate with his left.
Su Xingchuan recognized him instantly.
Thinking about their second chance encounter, he hesitated briefly before telling his friends a few words and walking over to Li Xuan alone. Li Xuan seemed to hear his footsteps and looked up suddenly. Su Xingchuan paused.
Li Xuan’s mouth was smeared with sauce, like a little cat.
He blinked innocently at Su Xingchuan with his kitten-like eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Su Xingchuan asked.
Li Xuan didn’t answer, lowering his head to continue eating. He was holding a plate of oily fried noodles, struggling with the chopsticks in his left hand. Every time he picked up noodles, some would splatter onto his face.
Sighing, Su Xingchuan pulled out the chair next to Li Xuan and sat down. “Need some help?”
Without a word, Li Xuan pushed the plate towards him.
“…Were you waiting for me?” Su Xingchuan asked, a bit taken aback.
“Yes.” Li Xuan was honest.
He lifted his bandaged hand, gesturing with his eyes: I can’t manage eating like this.
“Your hand’s like that, and you still ordered fried noodles. Why didn’t you just get fried rice?” Su Xingchuan took Li Xuan’s chopsticks and asked the owner for a spoon. He scooped up some noodles and brought them to Li Xuan’s mouth.
The first time he did it, he didn’t think much of it.
But as the spoon touched Li Xuan’s lips, his heart skipped a beat. It felt too intimate. No matter how beautiful Li Xuan was, he was still a boy—a twenty-year-old boy. But before he could process the thought, Li Xuan had already opened his mouth and taken the spoonful of noodles.
He seemed to be enjoying himself.
“I think we’ve only met twice,” Su Xingchuan noted.
Li Xuan nodded. “I want some sausage.”
“…Fine,” Su Xingchuan said, dutifully picking up a piece of sausage for him.
Li Xuan seemed content, swinging his long legs out from under his light blue shorts.
“Why were you waiting for me? What do you want?” Su Xingchuan asked, suspicious.
Li Xuan raised his bandaged hand again.
“I’m hurt.”
“It’s not my fault. Go find those thugs.”
“It’s your fault,” Li Xuan said quietly. “You pulled me behind you, and that’s how I got cut by the glass.”
“So now it’s my fault? If it weren’t for me, those guys would’ve made your face look like a pig’s head, not just your hand!” Annoyed, Su Xingchuan added, “You’re really ungrateful, pushing the blame on me. I was being a good person, helping you out of the kindness of my heart. I’m not responsible for your hand.”
He quickly drew a line between himself and Li Xuan.
Li Xuan moved his lips, as if wanting to say something, but remained silent.
When Su Xingchuan got up to leave, Li Xuan’s expression was pitiful. He slowly pulled the plate back and clumsily used his left hand to eat, making a mess.
Once again, Su Xingchuan found himself giving in.
He sat back down, taking the chopsticks from Li Xuan.
“Alright, alright. I’ll feed you this one last time, and then we’re even.”
Li Xuan’s legs started swinging again.
As he fed him, Su Xingchuan asked, “What did you want to say earlier?”
He thought Li Xuan was going to thank him.
After all, what he did that night was brave—not everyone would dare charge into a dark alley, scare off thugs, and save a stranger. It was the kind of heroic act that could make the school newspaper and might even earn some extra credits.
Plus, Li Xuan hadn’t thanked him yet.
He waited for the thanks.
But Li Xuan said, “I want some vegetables. I don’t like eggs; don’t give me any more.”
“…Did I owe him a favor in a past life?” Su Xingchuan thought.
Li Xuan smiled when he got his vegetables.
It was the first time Su Xingchuan had seen him smile.
His eyes curved like little crescent moons—cold, fleeting ones, as Li Xuan’s smile quickly faded.
At that moment, only one thought crossed Su Xingchuan’s mind: What does he taste like—sweet or salty?
“Su Xingchuan,” Li Xuan said suddenly, “I know your name. I asked several people.”
Stunned, Su Xingchuan didn’t know what to make of it.
“Thank you for saving me. I’ve already told my dad, my teacher, and the school administrators. They’ll recognize you for it. Do you want a banner? I can get one for you tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
Hearing Li Xuan speak so much at once caught him off guard, especially the way his soft voice contrasted with his cold expression. It felt jarringly contradictory.
“No, what banner? I was joking,” Su Xingchuan quickly waved his hand. “I was joking.”
“Is that enough?” Li Xuan mused. “Then, can I eat with you from now on?”
Li Xuan stared directly at Su Xingchuan. His eyes weren’t exactly almond-shaped, but when he lowered his head and looked up at Su Xingchuan, they seemed especially round, innocent, and adorable.
The word “yes” was already on the tip of Su Xingchuan’s tongue but was caught by his reason.
He furrowed his brow. “What do you mean, eat together?”
“Just eat together.”
Li Xuan opened his mouth again. “I want more sausage.”
Su Xingchuan’s mouth twitched. “…You don’t mean I feed you, do you?”
Two days later.
In Cafeteria No. 2 of the North Campus.
Su Xingchuan glared at Li Xuan. “Is this going to end? Are you going to keep waving that bandaged hand and playing the victim forever?”
Even as he spoke, he handed the spoon to Li Xuan, who opened his mouth, taking a big bite of rice soaked in tomato beef broth. Satisfied, he lowered his right hand, his legs swinging again.
Today, he was wearing a white T-shirt with cartoon doodles, black shorts, and a pair of sneakers that, if genuine, were easily worth over five thousand.
Su Xingchuan finally figured out the identity of this little rascal.
Rumor had it that Li Xuan came from a wealthy family, and everything he wore cost at least four figures. He had a private driver during holidays and chose to stay in the country for college because he was introverted and couldn’t be far from his parents.
His classmates said: “He’s extremely hard to get along with. Even though he’s not arrogant, doesn’t skip class, and hands in his assignments on time, it’s like he doesn’t understand others at all. He follows his own rules and ignores everyone else.”
Initially, Su Xingchuan thought they were exaggerating.
After spending two days with him, he could only agree: “That’s an accurate description.”
“The tomato beef here tastes like ketchup,” Li Xuan remarked.
“Then what do you want? Michelin?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Realizing he was being too harsh, Su Xingchuan cleared his throat and asked, “How’s your hand?”
Li Xuan shook his head again.
“So, you’re going to stick with me?”
Li Xuan nodded.
“Why me? Because I saved you? That’s like repaying kindness with ingratitude!”
Li Xuan’s gaze dropped from Su Xingchuan’s face to his stomach. “Aren’t you playing basketball today?”
“What’s it to you?”
Li Xuan paused, looking hurt.
He stopped swinging his legs, pressing them together.
“Fine, fine. I’ll play.”
Su Xingchuan handed him the spoon again, feeling resigned. “Just finish your food. I’m starving.”
They were both free that afternoon.
Li Xuan watched Su Xingchuan play basketball from the sidelines.
A friend nudged him, teasing, “Seems like your charm’s working. You’ve got a boy watching you play now instead of a girl.”
Su Xingchuan glanced back at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was arranging the bottles next to him.
He had bought a bunch of drinks, including energy drinks and sodas. First, he arranged them in a square shape, then put the cola and vitamin water on the outside, clearly enjoying himself.
Su Xingchuan didn’t get what was going on in his head.
“Let’s just play,” Su Xingchuan urged.
The first half ended with a perfect three-pointer from Su Xingchuan. As he lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat, he noticed Li Xuan staring directly at him.
Su Xingchuan quickly dropped his shirt, covering his abs.
Li Xuan pouted.
…Something’s off, Su Xingchuan thought.
He walked over to Li Xuan, who immediately stood up, proudly gesturing to his makeshift drink stand assembled from the vending machine’s offerings.
“Anything you like?”
Li Xuan’s eyes were full of anticipation.
Su Xingchuan didn’t want to give in. “Sorry, I only drink water.”
Li Xuan’s face fell.
Taking a bottle of water from a friend, Su Xingchuan drank deeply, mentally repeating: Don’t soften, don’t let this mysterious rich kid get to you. You don’t even know his intentions. Keep your distance. Do not give in.
But when he looked down at Li Xuan’s disappointed face, he blurted out, “I’ll take the vitamin water.”
Li Xuan immediately smiled.
He handed Su Xingchuan the vitamin water.
The rest of the drinks went to waste. After checking with Li Xuan, Su Xingchuan distributed them to the other players in Li Xuan’s name. But Li Xuan didn’t seem to care about the gesture; he barely acknowledged the thanks from others, keeping his eyes fixed on Su Xingchuan.
Su Xingchuan sat down next to him, and Li Xuan asked, “Is it hot? You can lift your shirt to cool off.”
“…Could you be more obvious?”
Li Xuan tilted his head, eyes innocent.
“If you like abs so much, why don’t you work out yourself instead of staring at others?” Su Xingchuan said, leaning over with a playful grin. “Do you have any?”
Li Xuan froze, and Su Xingchuan gave his stomach a pat.
It was flat but soft.
Su Xingchuan laughed, and Li Xuan’s ears turned bright red. He jumped up, tossed a pack of wet wipes at Su Xingchuan, and walked off without looking back.
“Fiery temper,” Su Xingchuan remarked.
He expected Li Xuan to ignore him for a few days, but they ran into each other again the next day at the library.
Li Xuan sat across from him, using his left hand to pull out his laptop and books.
The medical books were thick, but Li Xuan skillfully flipped to the middle, focusing intensely.
Seeing Li Xuan study so seriously changed Su Xingchuan’s opinion of him. Su Xingchuan found it hard to focus on his own book, his mind wandering. This rich kid could’ve coasted through life with his looks or his family’s money, but he chose medicine. That’s impressive. But with his temper, his future patient relations are going to be a mess.
Lost in thought, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
It was Yu Qinglan.
“Don’t forget about the club anniversary event tonight. Come early to help set up the place.”
Su Xingchuan had almost forgotten.
Li Xuan had taken up his attention so much that he hadn’t even done his assignments, let alone remembered the club event.
He nodded and whispered, “Got it.”
Yu Qinglan glanced at Li Xuan before leaving the study room.
Su Xingchuan didn’t notice the deepening frown on Li Xuan’s face. After finishing his assignments and checking the time, he began packing up.
Then he remembered Li Xuan.
He hesitated, sneaking a glance at him.
Li Xuan caught him looking and glared.
Su Xingchuan felt a bit awkward, pulling out his phone to message Li Xuan: [Debate club event tonight. I’m heading out.]
Cat: [No.]
Su Xingchuan: [Why not?]
Cat: [Just no.]
Su Xingchuan: [I don’t take orders without reasons.]
Cat: [I hate you.]
Su Xingchuan could almost hear Li Xuan’s pouty voice in his head, and he chuckled, deciding not to respond further. He pocketed his phone, packed his last book, and left.
Still a little worried, he paused at the corner outside the door, peeking back into the study room. Li Xuan was still reading, seemingly unaffected, so Su Xingchuan breathed a sigh of relief.
Summer made the campus look its best, sunlight filtering through the trees.
The leaves rustled.
Su Xingchuan walked towards the debate club, the breeze brushing past him.
Every so often, he glanced back, checking that Li Xuan wasn’t following.
He managed to escape the clingy little cat, but Su Xingchuan felt something was off—like something was missing.
It was hard to pinpoint.
When he got to the club, he was immediately the center of attention, everyone crowding around him as he effortlessly made them laugh.
Seeing the chaotic setup, he quickly took charge: “One person inflates balloons, two put up streamers, the guys move the tables, and someone adjust the projector. Let’s get this done in twenty minutes.”
Su Xingchuan naturally became the leader of the group.
He’d always been like that, ever since he was a kid.
That made him popular with the girls. Just now, he received a friend request from a new club member.
He hesitated and decided to ignore it.
It wasn’t that he disliked girls; he’d just had past experiences where accepting a friend request led to constant messages. He wanted to avoid that happening again.
Yu Qinglan came over, whispering, “Got a friend request from a freshman?”
“How did you know?”
“She asked me, wanted to know if you had a girlfriend.”
Yu Qinglan pointed to the right side of the classroom. “It’s that girl over there. She’s pretty, huh? I love her hairstyle.”
Su Xingchuan looked over and nodded. “Yeah, she’s pretty.”
“Still not your type? You’re so picky.”
Su Xingchuan smiled. “I’m not picky.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Just no spark. I guess I haven’t met the right one.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar figure appeared at the classroom door. Su Xingchuan instinctively walked over—it was Li Xuan.
Li Xuan held a pen in his left hand, acting serious. “You left your pen in the library.”
Trying to be inconspicuous, Su Xingchuan decided not to call him out.
Leaning against the door frame, Su Xingchuan said, “I won’t be eating with you tonight. Go to the cafeteria by yourself and get some porridge. It’ll be easier for you to eat.”
Li Xuan raised his bandaged hand.
“No pity points.”
Li Xuan turned away and walked off, his back exuding irritation.
Su Xingchuan chuckled.
“So, that’s your type?” Yu Qinglan’s voice startled Su Xingchuan from behind.
He flinched, turning. “What?”
Yu Qinglan glanced towards the end of the corridor where Li Xuan had disappeared and asked, “Are you pretending or serious?”
“What are you talking about?” Su Xingchuan was confused.
“You can’t tell he’s gay?”
Su Xingchuan’s heart skipped a beat. “No way.”
Yu Qinglan shook her head. “I better let the freshman know so she doesn’t waste her time on someone who’s not even out of the closet.”
