Chapter 58
Xuan City summers are stifling.
No breeze, just heat.
Tan Ning was constantly worried that Lin Song’an wouldn’t be comfortable in his old house. He dragged out chairs to fiddle with the outdated air conditioner, and then, after finding an old fan with a too-short cord, ran out to look for an extension cable.
Lin Song’an, half-amused and half-exasperated, pulled him into his arms. “Ning Ning, I’m not hot.”
Sitting in Lin Song’an’s lap, Tan Ning slapped a mosquito and frowned. “Why isn’t the electric mosquito repellent working?”
Lin Song’an laughed, wiping his hands with a wet tissue. “It is. There are way fewer mosquitoes here than in the living room.”
Tan Ning seemed a bit displeased, always feeling as if Lin Song’an, a young master used to finer things, was putting up with these conditions. But in fact, Lin Song’an had adapted well, lying in the bed Tan Ning had slept in for over ten years, looking at the simple desk and the books and pen holder on top of it. He could almost picture a teenage Tan Ning sitting there, quietly working.
He must have been adorable, he thought.
Maybe he would occasionally look up, chewing his pen, and watch other kids laughing and walking home together with a tinge of envy. And then he would have gone back to his work, studying diligently.
Just imagining it made Lin Song’an smile.
In the evening, Lin Song’an took Tan Ning’s hand and said, “Ning Ning, let’s go for a walk.”
Tan Ning’s grandfather was at a neighbor’s house playing cards, so Tan Ning thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to this porridge shop I love; it’s delicious.”
Hand in hand, they walked south along the road, passing many familiar spots.
Tan Ning pointed to the school on the right. “That was my high school.”
“Can we go in?”
“Maybe.”
Tan Ning walked over to ask the guard, who recognized him. “I remember you. Sure, go on in.”
Lin Song’an grinned, “Why do you remember him?”
The guard gestured with his hands, “Long hair. He was the only boy in school who kept long hair back then. The grade director wanted him to cut it, but he wouldn’t. Every time he was asked, he just ran laps on the track. In the end, the director had to give up because his grades were too good. So he kept it until graduation. Left an impression, that’s for sure.”
With a laugh, Lin Song’an wrapped an arm around Tan Ning, “So, my Ning Ning has quite the personality, huh?”
Tan Ning, expressionless, continued walking inside.
“Which building were you in, Ning Ning?”
He thought for a moment, “Freshman year was the building on the left. Sophomore and junior years were that one at the back on the right.”
As they walked by, Tan Ning noted, “They’ve changed all the desks and chairs, and even installed new projectors. We used really outdated ones.”
He led Lin Song’an toward the sports field, who asked, “Why did you want to keep your hair long, Ning Ning?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm?”
“I just wanted to do something different,” Tan Ning said, moving forward a couple of steps. His hair blew in the wind. “I studied so diligently that everyone thought I was the model student, but I didn’t want to be that. If I didn’t do at least one rebellious thing, my school years would’ve been so boring even I wouldn’t remember them.”
Lin Song’an quickly caught up. “So, is being with me one of your rebellious choices?”
“It is.” Tan Ning looked at him. “It’s the most rebellious thing I’ve ever done.”
Lin Song’an smiled at him.
Tan Ning turned and started walking backward, facing Lin Song’an. “I didn’t even think about dating or marriage, assumed I’d grow old alone. But then I met you and thought, If I’m going to try, why not try with the best? Even if it fails, I won’t regret it.”
“Well, I’m honored.”
Tan Ning suddenly turned and ran, and Lin Song’an chased after him.
Tan Ning wasn’t particularly athletic and quickly became winded, leaving Lin Song’an to tease, “Ning Ning, you’re really not cut out for running.”
Tan Ning shot him a glare.
After last night, where he was kept up late by Lin Song’an’s insistence, it was a miracle he could walk or run at all today.
“Ning Ning, did you really never like anyone in high school?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Just didn’t. Does there need to be a reason?”
Lin Song’an opened his arms, and Tan Ning huffed, deliberately sidestepping him. He only made it a few steps before Lin Song’an caught him, laughing. “Ning Ning, how about I carry you?”
“Why?”
Lin Song’an echoed him teasingly, “Does there need to be a reason?”
Tan Ning, amused, climbed onto Lin Song’an’s back, arms wrapped around his neck. Lin Song’an effortlessly supported his legs, carrying him with ease.
They walked through the sports field, past the school clinic and the classrooms. As Tan Ning spoke about his unremarkable school days, Lin Song’an found joy in his every word. To him, everything Tan Ning did was endearing.
With his face resting against Lin Song’an’s neck, Tan Ning took in shallow breaths.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of class, Tan Ning slipped off his back, taking his hand and quickly leading him out of the school grounds.
Lin Song’an thanked the security guard as they left.
They continued south.
Finally, they arrived at the porridge shop Tan Ning wanted to show Lin Song’an. “The pork and preserved egg porridge here is the best. It was a little expensive for me, so I only came here once every two weeks.”
They found a table, and Tan Ning rinsed Lin Song’an’s chopsticks and bowl.
“Let’s bring some home for Grandpa too.”
Tan Ning nodded. “Okay.”
“Ning Ning…what do you think about visiting your mom?”
Tan Ning shook his head. “Let’s wait until we’re married.”
Lin Song’an understood there was still resentment, and it wasn’t his place to pressure him.
Two steaming bowls of porridge, two vegetarian buns, and some side dishes. For the first time, Lin Song’an noticed a glimmer of joy in Tan Ning’s eyes as he ate. It was as if happiness filled the very air, so he couldn’t help asking, “Is it really that good?”
“No, it’s because you’re here.”
Lin Song’an paused, caught off guard by the sudden sweetness, taking a sip of his porridge to hide his smile. “You’re just…just…”
After finishing, they strolled back, with Lin Song’an carrying a portion of porridge and two buns.
Just as they reached the end of the road, a crowd of first graders, fresh from school, came running up. One boy in a bright yellow hat paused to stare up at Lin Song’an, head tilted in curiosity.
“Hello there. What’s your name?” Lin Song’an greeted.
“Wow, you’re so tall! Are you an alpha?” the boy asked, never having seen someone so tall in Xuan City.
Lin Song’an squatted to his level and said, “I am. I grew tall by drinking milk, eating well, and getting lots of sleep.”
“Really? But I don’t like milk.”
Lin Song’an patted his head, “It’s good for you. If you keep drinking it, you’ll grow tall, too.”
Tan Ning watched the exchange, arms crossed, indifferent to the kid.
Unexpectedly, the boy pointed at Tan Ning and asked, “Is that your girlfriend?”
Tan Ning froze.
Lin Song’an laughed, “This is my boyfriend. He’s a boy.”
The boy, incredulous, said, “Boys don’t have hair that long.”
Lin Song’an pulled Tan Ning down beside him, explaining, “Boys can have long hair, too. Don’t you think he’s handsome?”
The boy thought it over, then frowned. “He is, but I still don’t like long hair. I want to be a tall alpha, like you.”
“What’s so great about being an alpha?”
The boy, puzzled, had never questioned it. Everyone around him seemed to believe alphas were the best—tall, strong, like superheroes.
“Omegas and betas are great too. It’s not just alphas that matter. Even alphas sometimes aren’t happy when they grow up. I wouldn’t choose to be an alpha.”
Tan Ning glanced over at him.
“Really?” The boy tilted his head, thinking hard. “All right, then I’ll drink more milk and just grow tall.”
With that, he ran off, bouncing with each step. Tan Ning asked, “You really didn’t want to be an alpha?”
“Not really,” Lin Song’an replied casually.
“Even a top-level alpha?”
“Not even that.”
Tan Ning chuckled, “As if it’s up to you to decide.”
Lin Song’an only laughed and took his hand, interlocking their fingers.
They visited Tan Ning’s grandfather at the neighbor’s house, watching him play cards. Lin Song’an quickly picked up the rules of mahjong. When his grandfather insisted he play a round, Lin Song’an reluctantly agreed, only to win immediately, making his grandfather laugh with pride.
Tan Ning chuckled as well.
Holding the five-yuan winnings his grandfather gave him, Lin Song’an grinned at Tan Ning, who extended a hand. “Confiscated.”
Lin Song’an gave up his seat, pulling Tan Ning outside. “Why confiscated?”
“No gambling allowed; gambling money has to be handed over.”
“Got it.” More than happy to play along, Lin Song’an slipped the money into Tan Ning’s hand, then leaned in to nibble his cheek, only for Tan Ning to push him away, grumbling about his clinginess.
That night, Lin Song’an didn’t tease Tan Ning, simply holding him until he fell asleep. Snuggled in Lin Song’an’s arms, Tan Ning couldn’t stop replaying the afternoon conversation with the boy. If it hadn’t been for him, Lin Song’an probably wouldn’t reject his identity as an alpha. A ninth-level alpha—revered by all, the very kind of alpha parents prayed for their children to become. And yet, Lin Song’an said he didn’t want it.
Tan Ning thought of the stray cat from yesterday. Too bad he didn’t have a tail of his own. He took a small lock of his own hair, wrapping it around Lin Song’an’s finger like a ring.
I want to get married so badly, he thought.
I just want someone legally mine.
But Lin Song’an said they would wait until after his studies abroad. It frustrated Tan Ning a little, though he felt shy to say it out loud.
When Lin Song’an drifted off to sleep, Tan Ning let himself become clingy again. After unwrapping his hair from Lin Song’an’s finger, he embraced him, nuzzling against his neck and jaw as if he were addicted to catnip. Finishing, he propped himself up and leaned in to listen to Lin Song’an’s breathing.
Even and slow. He was fast asleep.
Swallowing, Tan Ning lowered himself, kissing Lin Song’an’s cheek, his nose, and finally, his lips.
One kiss, then another two, just to make sure.
Before he could pull back, Lin Song’an’s arms wrapped around his waist.
Tan Ning’s heart skipped a beat. Startled, he tried to retreat under the covers, but Lin Song’an followed him, pulling him close. In the dark cocoon of the blankets, Lin Song’an’s voice was low and sleepy, stirring up a thrilling intimacy. “What should I do with a little cat who plays rogue in the middle of the night?”
In the pitch-black space, Tan Ning suddenly felt a bold surge of courage.
Tracing his hands along Lin Song’an’s abdomen, up to his collarbones, neck, and then face, Tan Ning cupped Lin Song’an’s cheeks and kissed him again.
