Chapter 19
That weekend, Han Qiaoye called, giving an address—a resort. He laughed, “This time you can bring your spouse, Long Yu. Remember to bring your partner.”
Long Yu told Fang Jing Yao, who liked lively events. “Sure, going out is good. Otherwise, staying home makes my bones stiff. Who did Han Qiaoye invite? All people you know?”
“Half and half. Mostly classmates, some from the city.”
“From the city? Han Qiaoye’s also our classmate?”
Long Yu’s relaxed at Fang Jing Yao saying “our.” He hugged him on the couch, feeling content. “Yes, same year as me, two grades ahead of you.”
Fang Jing Yao nodded. “Then he’s my senior too. I’ll be polite next time.”
“He’s well-liked. Probably a lot will come. We hardly know anyone; we can find a spot to ourselves.” Long Yu pinched his hand, suggesting, “The barbecue here is good, with grills. We can grill ourselves. If you don’t feel like talking, we can leave early.”
Fang Jing Yao laughed, “Maybe I’ll meet an old classmate thanks to my senior.”
Long Yu looked at him seriously. “You’re not afraid they’ll recognize you?”
Fang Jing Yao: “So what if they do?”
Long Yu said nothing, just wrapped him in his arms, gaze gentle.
Fang Jing Yao held his hand, rubbing fingers together. “About our relationship… If they recognize me, so what? I have no intention to change. Even if Han Qiaoye didn’t host, I’d eventually invite some friends to show them you. Hey Long Yu, we agreed, right? You won’t change?”
Long Yu tapped his forehead. “Naughty.”
Fang Jing Yao, used to independence outside, now at home with his parents and Long Yu, was pampered freely, feeling he could act spoiled anytime. He lay in Long Yu’s arms, smiling eyes upturned. “I’ve gotten used to your cooking; you really won’t switch?”
Long Yu kissed him. “No switch.”
Long Yu worked Saturday; Sunday morning, he took Fang Jing Yao to the resort, about an hour away. Beautiful scenery, mountains and water, a horse ranch nearby. Few people walking horses.
Han Qiaoye was popular; many came. Long Yu greeted a few he knew and then took Fang Jing Yao to a barbecue spot.
Fang Jing Yao helped set up the grill, handled charcoal, asking, “Aren’t you going to chat with Han Qiaoye’s group?”
Long Yu: “You said you were hungry for barbecue on the way.”
Fang Jing Yao: “Not that hungry. You go, if you like. They seem familiar with you…”
“I want to be with you.” Long Yu lit the charcoal, carefully threaded meat and peppers.
Fang Jing Yao smiled dumbly, mood lifted, helping while enjoying the view. Long Yu handed him a cup of yogurt. “Eat this first, meat early can be heavy.”
Fang Jing Yao sipped slowly, chatting with him. The barbecue aroma rose, and he couldn’t take his eyes off it. Long Yu’s cooking was good but usually light; he preferred fish. Fang Jing Yao, from the north, loved hearty meat. Seeing juicy pork belly dripping, he salivated.
Long Yu, responsible for his diet, brought a few skewers, and Fang Jing Yao’s eyes lit up green. Long Yu handed him pickled cucumbers: “Eat some to balance it.”
Fang Jing Yao didn’t care. He indulged in tender beef, lamb, and pork belly. Long Yu, rolling up sleeves grilling seriously, looked tempting too, but didn’t let him eat—he just watched longingly.
The barbecue aroma spread; neighbors set up grills too.
Some recognized Long Yu, greeted him politely, knowing his reserved personality. Others’ eyes lingered on Fang Jing Yao, curious but not hostile, wondering who could be so close to Long Yu.
Two groups passed by, just nodding politely. Finally, a chubby man ignored Long Yu, staring at the grill, then Fang Jing Yao. “Oh, Jing Yao!”
Fang Jing Yao recognized the round, friendly face, glasses and lab coat. “Chubby… no, Mali?”
Mali laughed, patting his belly. “Yes! Jing Yao remembers me, old classmate!”
Fang Jing Yao patted his shoulder, warmly: “How could a classmate be forgotten? Our dorms were next to each other. You fetched water for me a lot.”
Mali laughed too. “Yes, so many years! Hard to meet here. Have you eaten? Let’s eat together.”
He hadn’t brought anything; clearly came for free food.
Fang Jing Yao punched his shoulder jokingly: “Still the same after all these years, love eating, huh?” Turning for a plate, only one left. Long Yu said: “Give it to him. One plate is enough for us.”
Fang Jing Yao generously filled it. Mali smiled broadly, praising: “Thank you! Didn’t expect to eat Long Senior’s grilled meat in this life. A top student’s work is definitely different. The smell alone—yours smells best on the way here…”
Fang Jing Yao was momentarily stunned. “What did you say?”
The chubby guy, chewing on grilled meat, mumbled, “Yours here smells the best…”
Fang Jing Yao said, “Not that—do you know Long Yu?”
The chubby guy swallowed and looked even more surprised. The little eyes behind his brown glasses widened. “What? You forgot? Back in first-year high school, we joined that school literary club—Senior Long was the club president.”
