Chapter 51
“Someone you like? Who is it?”
“Are they here right now?”
“Brother Zhen, how long have you liked them?”
Everyone started making a fuss at once. Only Fang Jingrao was still puzzling over who He Zhen liked. From childhood until now, other than treating Yu Chen well, He Zhen had never cared about anyone else.
Inside the private room, the dim, hazy lighting fell across Yu Chen’s body. His soft hair covered his flustered eyes, the tips of his ears reddened faintly, and before he could stop it, even his cheeks turned red as well.
To cover the turmoil in his heart, he picked up his milk tea and lowered his head to drink quietly, afraid that everyone’s attention would fall on him.
Sinking into the soft sofa, Yu Chen felt dizzy and light-headed, with no mind left to listen to what the others were saying.
Boss probably likes him, right?
This was the eleventh year they had known each other. It could be said that they understood each other better than anyone else in the world.
If He Zhen liked someone, Yu Chen would definitely have known long ago.
There was only one reason he did not know.
That person was probably himself.
Yu Chen grabbed the cushion on the sofa and buried nearly his whole body in it. He could clearly feel the heat in his body rising.
Worried that Yu Chen would feel uncomfortable, He Zhen only observed his every movement from the corner of his eye, his fingertip resting on his cup as he rubbed it lightly.
Xiao Yu had already achieved his goal. In order not to make Yu Chen too embarrassed, he cleared his throat. “Alright, let’s keep going.”
In the next few rounds, the kings were Fang Jingrao and Lin Jiashu.
Yu Chen no longer had the heart to pay attention to the game. The whole time, he was dazed, so obviously preoccupied that anyone could see it.
After the game, Xiao Yu still did not want to go home. He had the waiter turn on the KTV, then dragged He Zhi’an over and started howling into the microphone. Though they were both hopelessly tone-deaf, what mattered was the atmosphere. Lin Jiashu joined them from the back, and the three of them sat on the high stools, clinking glasses while singing together.
Fang Jingrao did not like singing. He sat quietly between Yu Chen and He Zhen and asked gently, “Chencheng, what do you want to sing?”
Yu Chen murmured, “I don’t want to sing.”
Fang Jingrao turned to He Zhen again. “Brother Zhen, do you want to sing?”
Yu Chen’s gaze secretly shifted over, sizing up He Zhen.
“I haven’t picked a song yet.”
Fang Jingrao handed him the tablet. “Take a look. It’s got everything on there.”
He Zhen thanked him and started browsing through the song list.
When Xiao Yu noticed that He Zhen seemed inclined to sing, he quickly walked over. “He Zhen, why don’t you sing with Fat Chencheng?”
Before He Zhen could answer, Yu Chen hurriedly started making a noisy explanation from the side. “I can’t, I can’t. I’ve been tone-deaf since I was little. Boss knows that.”
Only then did He Zhen look at Yu Chen.
This was the first time the two of them had looked at each other since He Zhen’s honest truth-or-dare confession.
Yu Chen gave a little shiver and immediately looked away awkwardly.
“Mm, then I’ll sing by myself.”
He Zhen chose an English song, All of Me, picked up the microphone, and looked quietly at the screen.
This was Yu Chen’s first time hearing He Zhen sing.
He Zhen’s voice was already close to that of an adult—low, rich, magnetic. Blended into the background melody, it carried a gentleness and spirit unique to a young man.
Recently, Yu Chen had been practicing English hard, so he could understand most of He Zhen’s lyrics.
One line seemed to go something like this: The starting point of my whole life is because of you. Even if my life sinks into the mud, with you, I am still a winner.
Xiao Yu’s English listening had always been terrible, but he simply looked up the lyrics on his phone. After reading them, he shared them with He Zhi’an. The two exchanged meaningful looks, then smiled at Yu Chen in a way full of implication.
The cool, clear boyish voice echoed in his ears. Yu Chen tilted his head back and took a deep breath, feeling that He Zhen was not singing at all, but voicing what was in his heart.
“You’ve got to admit it, He Zhen actually sings really well. He’s got that built-in magnetic deep voice.” Xiao Yu showed an approving smile and took out his phone to record a short clip.
Taking advantage of no one paying attention to him, Yu Chen hid beside Fang Jingrao and secretly looked at He Zhen.
He Zhen’s expression was deep and unreadable, though he looked very relaxed. Leaning against the sofa with his long legs crossed, he had his sleeves rolled up a little, revealing fair, slender wrists.
In Yu Chen’s clear, pure eyes flickered feelings that had never been there before. Before He Zhen finished singing, Yu Chen lowered his head again and silently hugged the cushion.
“Great! That was so good!”
He Zhi’an said with heavy suggestion in his tone, “Not only did he sing well, the lyrics are pretty good too.”
He Zhen set down the microphone and leaned back against the sofa with one leg bent. “I’ve listened to this song for a long time. I like it a lot.”
Xiao Yu raised his brows. “Fat Chencheng, you should learn to sing too. Then you can aim for a duet with your boss.”
Yu Chen gave a small sound of acknowledgment, his gaze dropping awkwardly.
The others sang a few more songs, and only when it was nearly ten at night did the gathering finally end.
He Zhen had not arranged for a driver to pick them up and called a taxi at the KTV entrance instead. Yu Chen was extremely stiff the entire time, wrapped in his thick school uniform coat. He followed after He Zhen step by step like a little potato, but did not say a word.
After getting into the car, He Zhen told the driver the destination, then turned to ask Yu Chen, “Are you cold?”
“No.” Yu Chen scratched his head. “I’m just sleepy.”
“Mm. We have TOEFL class tomorrow afternoon, so you can sleep in during the morning.”
Yu Chen nodded, only to accidentally meet He Zhen’s eyes.
He panicked for two seconds and quickly changed the subject. “Boss, when did you learn how to sing?”
He Zhen said, “If you listen often enough, you’ll learn.”
“I wouldn’t.” Yu Chen placed both hands properly on his knees, twisting them together. “You can do everything. You’re perfect at everything.”
He Zhen stared at him. “Yu Chencheng.”
Yu Chen said, “Hm?”
He Zhen chuckled softly. “Do you really need to sit that far away from me?”
Ever since getting in the car, Yu Chen had been squeezed all the way into the innermost corner of the back seat, as if he wished there were an entire galaxy between him and He Zhen.
“Ah… I’m just a little cold. It’s warmer huddled over here.” Yu Chen explained incoherently, while secretly sneaking glances at He Zhen.
He Zhen’s voice was low as he looked at the stubborn cowlick on top of Yu Chen’s head. “Wouldn’t it be warmer leaning against me?”
Yu Chen’s eyes flickered. A flush climbed up the side of his face. “Mm… but I’m not cold now.”
Looking at Yu Chen, He Zhen regretted his impulsiveness that day a little.
Yu Chen seemed unable to accept it.
“It’s alright. Sit however you feel comfortable.” He Zhen turned his head and appeared to look out the window, but through the glass reflection he was secretly watching Yu Chen.
In the reflection, Yu Chen knocked himself on the head, then folded his arms, his whole face full of regret and conflict as he let out a long sigh.
That look reminded He Zhen of Yu Chen as a child.
Whenever Yu Chen got angry, he would scrunch up his chubby little face like a small tangyuan dumpling.
He Zhen could not help glancing back at Yu Chen. Yu Chen immediately stopped all his little movements and sat there obediently.
“Yu Chencheng, you…”
He Zhen casually pulled out an excuse. “What do you want to eat tomorrow?”
Sure enough, Yu Chen’s attention was instantly drawn away. “Can I have a starch sausage?”
He Zhen had originally wanted to tease Yu Chen and make him remember what he had said the last time he wanted to eat starch sausage. But he was afraid it would make Yu Chen even more uncomfortable and cause him to start avoiding him, so he only said softly, “No.”
The hopeful look on Yu Chen’s face immediately collapsed. Wrinkling his small nose, he sat like a silent little gourd in the corner and stopped talking.
He Zhen found it funny and flicked Yu Chen lightly on the forehead. Yu Chen shot him a resentful little glare and went back to picking at his fingers, refusing to acknowledge him.
At this hour, everyone else in the house was already asleep. Only Li Huan was still sitting on the sofa, reading and waiting for them.
Seeing Yu Chen walking ahead with urgent steps, Li Huan frowned slightly.
Had he fought with his classmates?
Sure enough, Yu Chen said goodnight and then ran upstairs with a thump-thump-thump. Li Huan looked baffled. “Xiao Zhen, what’s wrong with Chencheng?”
As the culprit, He Zhen admitted it directly. “I teased him with buying starch sausage.”
“They’re already so grown up, and he still gets mad over food every day.” Li Huan sighed with a smile. “Old Master He went to bed early today. Said his heart wasn’t feeling well. Before you leave tomorrow morning, go check on him.”
He Zhen frowned. “Why would his heart suddenly feel unwell?”
“The doctor came and said it was an old problem. He advised him to avoid dealing with company matters as much as possible.” Li Huan glanced toward the kitchen. “Uncle prepared late-night snacks for you two. Want a few bites?”
He Zhen said, “If you’re hungry, you should eat some. The two of us ate a lot tonight.”
Li Huan nodded. “Alright, then you two hurry and get some sleep.”
When He Zhen returned to the room, he found Yu Chen was in the shower.
Seeing Yu Chen’s books spread across the desk and his schoolbag slightly open, he planned to tidy things up for him.
His gaze accidentally landed on that comic book. For some reason, as if possessed, he picked it up and casually flipped through a couple of pages, attracted by the beautiful artwork inside.
No wonder Yu Chen wanted to read it. This kind of comic was probably very popular among students.
“Boss! What are you doing?!”
He Zhen looked toward the voice. Yu Chen was already running over with a towel on his head, still dripping wet. The comic in He Zhen’s hand was snatched away. He Zhen lifted his eyes and said flatly, “I was a little curious what was inside.”
“I already told you, I didn’t borrow it on purpose.” Because he had been in such a hurry, Yu Chen had rushed over before even drying himself properly. His soft black hair was dripping water, and his damp eyes carried the air of someone demanding an explanation. He looked adorably fierce.
Leaning lightly against the desk, He Zhen did not expose Yu Chen’s clumsy excuse, only teased him. “Mm, I believe you.”
“You were definitely mocking me.” Yu Chen stuffed the comic into his schoolbag and brushed the water from his cheek. His fair skin was tinged with a faint red, obviously from panic.
He Zhen laughed softly. “Mm.”
“Mm?”
“You still dare admit it?”
Yu Chen packed his schoolbag, then ran to He Zhen’s walk-in closet and started fussing with something.
He Zhen found it amusing and quietly followed after him. But when he saw Yu Chen pack up all his own clothes, a hint of tension rose between his brows.
“Yu Chencheng, what are you doing?”
Ever since Yu Chen had moved into his bedroom in elementary school, more and more of Yu Chen’s belongings had filled the room. For the convenience of changing clothes, He Zhen had even specially had the closet expanded, leaving half of it for Yu Chen.
“I’m going back to sleep in my own room.” With his cheeks puffed out, Yu Chen slung the travel bag onto his back, grabbed his schoolbag, and headed out.
“Yu Chen.” He Zhen caught up with him. “That room hasn’t been used in a long time. Even though people clean it regularly, it still needs a proper disinfecting. If you move in right away and breathe in dust, you’ll get sick.”
“I saw Aunt Wang clean my room yesterday.” After going inside, Yu Chen shut the bedroom door and leaned against it as he explained, “Your bed is too small. We’ve both grown taller, and there isn’t enough room for us now.”
Outside the door, a complicated look appeared on He Zhen’s face. “Yu Chen—”
“Boss!” Yu Chen cut him off. “Good night. I’m going to sleep now.”
He Zhen stared at the hard, unyielding door and only left after standing there for a very long time.
Inside the room, Yu Chen had been listening carefully to the sounds in the hallway the whole time. Only after hearing He Zhen’s footsteps leaving did he quietly push open the door and peek his head out.
In those clear, bright eyes lingered a happiness and inner conflict difficult to describe. Wearing his bathrobe, with wet hair hanging over the worried look in his brows and eyes, Yu Chen still had no idea how to face He Zhen for the time being.
His boss actually liked him?
Since when?
Closing the door again, Yu Chen absentmindedly dried his hair.
So He Zhen must have been very serious about that child bride thing, right?
No wonder he had suddenly gotten sick during those military training days. Could it have been because Yu Chen had angered him?
When he had seen those two boys kissing in the little woods and found it strange, He Zhen had probably linked it back to himself, which was why he had been so upset.
Now everything made sense.
Lying on the bed, Yu Chen played with his phone in agitation and saw a message Li Ye had sent him two hours earlier.
Not long ago, because he had been so absorbed in studying, he had turned down Li Ye’s invitation to join the drama performance. Judging by Li Ye’s meaning tonight, he still hoped Yu Chen would play a role and make the play even more perfect.
Yu Chen sighed silently, his mind full of scenes from the time he and He Zhen had spent together from childhood until now.
He actually liked He Zhen a lot too.
No—it was super a lot.
Before, he had always thought what they had was purely brotherly affection. Only recently had he discovered that he probably liked He Zhen too.
When He Zhen played with other people, he would feel upset.
If there were someone around He Zhen who was more important than himself, he would get jealous and could not possibly be as free and easy as he wanted to be.
That counted as liking someone, right?
That was how the male and female leads always acted in idol dramas.
Lying on his stomach on the bed, Yu Chen fell asleep while thinking about all this. Only the next morning, when Li Huan knocked on the door, did he wake up.
“Chencheng, breakfast.”
Still half-asleep, Yu Chen pulled the blanket over his head. “Okay.”
At the dining table, Li Huan had been watching the two boys the whole time.
It should not have been possible for them to fight this badly over one little starch sausage. They had even slept in separate rooms. Back when they had first started high school, Li Huan had tried persuading Yu Chen for ages, but Yu Chen had refused to compromise and insisted on sleeping next to He Zhen.
He suspected they had not fought over starch sausage at all.
“Xiao Zhen, want me to serve you some morel mushroom chicken porridge?” Li Huan saw that He Zhen had no appetite, which only confirmed his suspicions.
“Uncle, I’m full.” He Zhen had only drunk a glass of milk, without touching either the sandwich or the buns. “I have fencing class this morning, so I’m leaving first.”
Yu Chen, meanwhile, had a good appetite, his cheeks stuffed full. Seeing that He Zhen was about to leave, he immediately called after him, “Boss, eat more. Otherwise you won’t have any strength this morning.”
He Zhen looked at Yu Chen, and in the end still took one bun with him.
Watching He Zhen’s retreating back, Li Huan casually wiped the filling from the corner of Yu Chen’s mouth. “How old are you already? You still eat this messily?”
Yu Chen did not dare talk back and obediently chewed his meat bun.
“You were neater when you were little.” Li Huan served him another bowl of porridge and asked as if by accident, “Chencheng, why did you switch rooms last night?”
Yu Chen’s eyes turned guilty. “Mm, Boss’s bed is too small.”
“Xiao Zhen’s bed is 2.4 by 2.0 meters. The two of you could roll around on it and still have room.” Li Huan clearly did not believe him. “Tell me, did you fight?”
“No.” Yu Chen slurped his porridge, speaking unclearly through a full mouth. “We’re fine.”
So fine that they were even mutually in love now.
“Then why are you sleeping separately?” Li Huan laughed in disbelief. “Don’t tell me it really was because of starch sausage?”
Yu Chen muttered, “No. We’re really fine.”
Since he could not get anything out of him, Li Huan did not want to meddle anymore. The two kids were already fifteen or sixteen. As an adult, he had better stay out of matters between friends.
“After you finish eating, go for a walk. Don’t let the food sit in your stomach.”
Li Huan helped smooth down the messy fluff of his precious boy’s hair. “If you ask me, Xiao Zhen has just spoiled you too much. You even came downstairs without combing your hair. If other people saw you, they’d say our family was sloppy.”
Yu Chen had absolutely no way to refute that.
At school, he usually cared a lot about his image. But weekends were another matter. Since he did not need to go to class, he let himself go completely, sometimes wishing He Zhen would even put on his socks and comb his hair for him.
And He Zhen had always been willing to indulge him. One time, when Yu Chen refused to get out of bed, He Zhen had carried breakfast to his bedside. When Li Huan saw it, he nagged for a long time.
While teasing the swans in the artificial lake, Yu Chen kept thinking about He Zhen’s state today.
His boss seemed a little dispirited.
Was it because they had slept in separate rooms?
But now that he knew He Zhen’s feelings, if they still lived together, would that not be way too improper?
As he walked, Yu Chen ended up at the family apartment building. Ever since he and Li Huan had moved into the main castle, he had rarely come here.
Sitting under the tree where he had acknowledged He Zhen as his boss back then, Yu Chen could not help curling his lips upward.
It seemed that day he had wet his pants.
And He Zhen had been the one to help him change them.
The two days of the weekend passed in the blink of an eye.
Yu Chen had been secretly observing He Zhen’s every move.
On the surface, the way the two of them got along looked little different from before, but only Yu Chen and He Zhen themselves knew the change within it.
For example, in the past, after TOEFL class, Yu Chen would definitely flop around on the sofa in He Zhen’s arms to celebrate. But recently, he did not dare get too close to He Zhen at all. At most, they would only discuss how to solve math problems.
On the way to school Monday morning, Yu Chen took the initiative to bring up Li Ye inviting him to perform in the play.
“I definitely can’t play the male lead, but I should have time for the Little Prince role.” Yu Chen stared at He Zhen without blinking. “Boss, what do you think?”
He Zhen hoped Yu Chen would participate in more kinds of activities, so he nodded lightly. “That’s fine.”
Yu Chen let out an “oh” and followed after He Zhen upstairs.
Yu Chen listened to He Zhen very much. Since He Zhen supported him, he was willing to spend some time trying something new.
Li Ye was the president of the school drama club. Because his mother worked in that field, he had been steeped in the arts since childhood and had learned directing-related knowledge.
This time, he had personally written the script to prepare for applying to the best drama academy in the world.
After deciding to join the play, Li Ye arranged for Yu Chen to try on costumes during the afternoon break that day.
Hongwen High had a forty-minute afternoon break every day. Students usually used it to go down to the field for some air, while boys who liked basketball would hold a small game on the court.
“Brother Zhen, I ran into a little problem. Can you do me a favor?”
He Zhi’an rarely sounded this serious, and even Yu Chen looked up to wait for him to continue.
“Those bastards from Class Four tried to steal our court this morning. Letting them have it would’ve been one thing, but they even mocked our basketball skills! How could we swallow that? So we directly arranged a match this afternoon to see who actually sucks!”
In a low voice, He Zhen asked, “So you want me to join?”
“Exactly!” He Zhi’an lifted his brows at him. “You’ve got great athletic ability. You’ll definitely make those bastards eat dirt.”
Before He Zhen could say anything, Yu Chen chimed in, “My boss can take on three of them by himself!”
He Zhen glanced at Yu Chen before replying calmly, “I don’t play much basketball. I’m not sure I can help.”
“You call that not good at basketball?” He Zhi’an waggled his brows at Yu Chen. “Hongwen’s Rukawa Kaede wasn’t called that for nothing!”
Yu Chen nodded. “Exactly! My boss’s basketball skills are NBA level!”
“You’re just all talk.” A faint smile rose on He Zhen’s lips as he looked at Yu Chen. “You have to go try on costumes this afternoon. Can you still come cheer for me?”
“Ah! This afternoon?” Yu Chen quickly got up to ask Li Ye for leave. “I’ll ask him.”
Watching Yu Chen walk away, He Zhen lowered his eyes in dejection, all spirit gone from him.
“Brother Zhen, what’s wrong with you?” He Zhi’an noticed something off and asked with concern.
“On Friday, when we got back, Yu Chen moved into the next room.” He Zhen had been thinking a lot these past two days and had slowly trapped himself in a dead end. He truly had no idea what to do, so he wanted to hear someone else’s opinion.
He Zhi’an knew they had shared a room.
He laughed in exasperation. “Brother Zhen, don’t tell me you think Yu Chen doesn’t like you and is deliberately avoiding you?”
“I’m not sure.” He Zhen’s eyes dimmed slightly. “I regret my answer that day now. Yu Chen might not have been prepared. He may be afraid of contact with me. I should have waited until Yu Chen liked me before confessing.”
“I don’t think so.” He Zhi’an analyzed it for him. “Come on, if you already like him, how could he still get into the same bed with you? He has to show a little restraint at least.”
He Zhen lifted his eyes. “You mean… he’s shy?”
“He’d only be shy if he likes you. Otherwise he’d just avoid you and hate it.” He Zhi’an clicked his tongue in disgust. “What’s the point of being good only at studying? When you have time, watch more idol dramas.”
He Zhen frowned uncertainly. “He likes me?”
The entire morning, He Zhen kept thinking about He Zhi’an’s words. It was not until the afternoon break that He Zhi’an dragged him to the basketball court to gather up.
On the other side, Yu Chen had already arrived backstage at the auditorium and was trying on outfits one by one. He had asked Li Ye for leave, but Li Ye told him the auditorium was already booked, and if he missed it now, the next appointment would be far in the future.
“I originally thought He Zhen would stop you.” Li Ye picked out a blue-and-white prince costume for Yu Chen and lifted up the crown. “Back in kindergarten, you played the guard, I played the prince, and He Zhen played the tree. He nearly slapped me to death.”
Yu Chen burst out laughing as he carried the costume inside to change.
“If Boss were willing to act, he could definitely play the prince too.”
Li Ye deliberately frowned. “Classmate Yu Chen, could you spare a thought for the feelings of the actual prince here?”
Yu Chen quickly changed clothes and walked out smiling. “Sorry. I’ll treat everyone to drinks later.”
The other members of the drama club all gathered around the moment they saw Yu Chen, their faces full of amazement.
“Li Ye, he’s still missing a crown.”
Li Ye handed it to Yu Chen. “Put it on and let’s see.”
Yu Chen nodded and pinned the crown on in front of the mirror.
“Li Ye, your eye really is sharp. Yu Chen genuinely suits the role of prince!”
“He really has that noble air! Just like a young master should!”
“So cute! Yu Chen! Look at me, look at me! Let me take your picture!”
Embarrassed by all the praise, Yu Chen slowly turned his head and looked into the mirror.
The outfit was exquisitely made. Pale blue and white were woven together, making Yu Chen look red-lipped and white-toothed, with a noble bearing. On top of that, his features were already delicate to begin with. His gentle brows and eyes made him look like an immortal untouched by dust, bright and transcendent.
“There’s also a pure white set. Let’s see which one suits you better.”
Yu Chen nodded and walked into the dressing room again.
This pure white outfit gave him a completely different feeling. With the gold crown on, his bright eyes shone brilliantly, like stars scattered in the night, so clean they seemed untouched by worldly dust.
Praise rose one after another around him.
Yu Chen smiled faintly, also feeling that he looked pretty good like this.
“I think the blue and white one looks good.”
“I think white suits Yu Chen even better.”
Yu Chen glanced at his watch and quietly started scheming.
At this hour, the basketball game should be in full swing.
“You all worked hard helping me try on costumes. Are you thirsty? How about I treat everyone to drinks?”
“Wow, Yu Chen, you’re too polite.”
Yu Chen pointed outside the building. “There’s a vending machine over there. I’ll go buy them first, and meanwhile I can think about which outfit to wear. You all keep rehearsing.”
Li Ye narrowed his eyes slightly. “Mm.”
Now that he had permission, Yu Chen quickened his steps and ran to the vending machine in no time. But he only bought one bottle of mineral water, then hurried toward the nearby basketball court.
Sure enough, before he even reached it, he could already hear the loud cheers. Yu Chen sped up and spotted He Zhen at once. Judging by the delighted faces of their classmates, the game seemed to be over already. He Zhen’s side had probably won.
Yu Chen gripped the bottle of water more tightly, his heart beating faster and faster.
Not far away, the students who had played basketball were already surrounded by girls from the class, everyone enthusiastically offering them water.
The tips of Yu Chen’s ears grew hot. Suddenly, he felt his own skin was way too thick.
Coming to watch a basketball game dressed like this—probably only he could do something like that. But none of those worries could stop his determination to let He Zhen personally see him wearing the prince costume.
He wanted He Zhen to help him pick which outfit looked better.
Just as he was about to walk up to He Zhen, a few voices of “holy shit” suddenly rose from the crowd standing around the basketball court.
Yu Chen lowered his long lashes, his face growing hotter and hotter.
“He Zhen, someone’s looking for you.”
“Fat Chencheng, why are you dressed like that?”
“Chencheng looks so good—is that a prince costume?”
“Holy shit, are they filming something?”
At the center of the court, He Zhen’s neat short hair was lightly damp. A few drops of sweat slid down his cool pale forehead and disappeared into his deep brows and eyes.
The moment he saw Yu Chen suddenly walking toward him, He Zhen’s breathing unconsciously quickened. His calm eyes became like a lake touched by a feather, rippling with surprise and delight.
Yu Chen had already walked up to him, one hand stretched out behind his back. “I was just going to buy water, and then I remembered you were playing, so I bought you one too.”
He Zhen looked at Yu Chen’s reddened earlobes and took the water. “Thanks.”
Smiling, Yu Chen’s eyes shone with unhidden anticipation. “Is the game over?”
He Zhen’s voice was slightly hoarse. “Mm. It just ended. We won.”
“I told you you were amazing.” Yu Chen curled his lips and secretly looked around, only to realize no one had left. Everyone was still gathered around the court, watching the excitement.
“I actually wanted you to see which outfit looks better on me.” Yu Chen lowered his eyes and shifted his weight slightly. “This one is the white one. The blue one is on my phone.”
A faint smile flickered in He Zhen’s light brown eyes. Looking at Yu Chen’s crown, he raised a hand and helped straighten it.
“Which one do you think looks better?”
Yu Chen’s clear, shining eyes were full of expectation as he eagerly waited for He Zhen’s answer.
In that moment, all of He Zhen’s confusion and gloom from the past few days suddenly vanished.
The expectation in Yu Chen’s eyes could not lie.
Who would go out of their way to ask someone they did not like whether their clothes looked good?
At this point, he could finally be certain of one thing.
His little prince probably liked him too.
“I think you look good in either one.”
