Song Jianchu had a dream all night long.
When he woke up, his body felt cold, and his forehead was covered in fine cold sweat.
His heart was still pounding rapidly, his throat was dry and sore, and he struggled to swallow saliva.
He turned his head slightly on the pillow, and it was still dark outside. A faint blue light seeped through the lower end of the curtains.
Song Jianchu closed his eyes, trying to calm the heavy emotions that hadn’t dissipated from his mind. The images from the dream still played vividly before his eyes. It had been a long time since he had dreamed of his father and grandfather.
Sensing his slight movements, Mu Ye also woke up. He closed his eyes and tightened his grip on Song Jianchu’s arm. He patted him lightly, half asleep, half awake, trying to comfort him.
The gentle patting on his body inexplicably brought back the sense of security that had been shattered by the nightmare.
Song Jianchu’s heartbeat gradually returned to normal.
He turned over in the bed and hugged Mu Ye’s waist tightly, nestling against his chest with affection.
They had slept late the previous night, and when Mu Ye woke up, there was no one beside him. Song Jianchu’s phone was still by the pillow. He got up and left the bedroom, following the sound of chopping vegetables coming from the kitchen. He saw Song Jianchu in his pajamas, preparing breakfast.
Mu Ye glanced at him a few times and walked over, embracing him from behind.
Mu Ye kissed Song Jianchu’s face and lazily rested his arm on his shoulder. “Why did you wake up so early?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Are you going to the studio today?” Song Jianchu placed the chopped vegetables into the pot.
“I’m not going. I’m spending time with my boyfriend today,” Mu Ye said lazily.
“Boyfriend has something to do today,” Song Jianchu replied calmly. “Go to work.”
“What could be more important than snuggling with a boyfriend?” Mu Ye pressed his lips against Song Jianchu’s ear.
Song Jianchu turned towards the pot. “Visiting the grave.”
Mu Ye’s expression changed, he released his hold and stood upright. He moved to the side, examining Song Jianchu’s face, and asked softly, “Can I come with you?”
Song Jianchu looked at Mu Ye for a few seconds but couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
After finishing breakfast, Mu Ye changed into a formal dark suit and they left together.
Mu Ye drove, his expression serious and they didn’t speak much during the journey.
When the car stopped in front of a flower shop, Song Jianchu was about to get out, but Mu Ye held his shoulder and said warmly, “I’ll buy the flowers. Wait for me in the car.”
Song Jianchu nodded in agreement.
At the cemetery, Song Jianchu found his father’s and grandfather’s tombstones, and Mu Ye placed the flowers he bought in front of the two graves side by side.
“Uncle, Grandfather, hello,” Mu Ye bowed deeply. “I am…”
Mu Ye hesitated and stopped.
Song Jianchu introduced, “His name is Mu Ye, my boyfriend.”
Mu Ye turned his head in a daze, surprised.
Mu Ye helped clean the tombstones, and when they were about to leave, Song Jianchu said, “Mu Ye, can you wait for me in the car? I have something to say privately, it won’t take long.”
Mu Ye patted his head. “Take your time.”
As Mu Ye walked away, Song Jianchu withdrew his gaze and faced the cold tombstone in front of
“I know you, Dad, Grandpa. I have the same illness as you. You already know,” Song Jianchu said. “I came here today to tell you the things I couldn’t say in my dream last night.”
Song Jianchu’s tone became even more composed. “Even if you condemn me, I won’t change my decision. I don’t need you to remind me. When the matching results come out, whether it’s a success or a failure, I will tell him. I will compensate him for everything I have. I know this is an irreparable mistake, and for the unforgivable parts, let’s just say I’ve become a selfish person. If the final result is the same as yours, I won’t be just a passing figure in his life.”
Song Jianchu put on his hat and said calmly, “I don’t need him to bring flowers for me. I want him to remember me forever.”
…
On the way back, Mu Ye kept trying to find topics to talk about with Song Jianchu.
Mu Ye suggested, “Shall we go back and play games together? I’ll stay at your place today.”
Song Jianchu kept looking at his phone, then suddenly said, “Mu Ye, let’s go to the house. The current place is too small. We’ll move in a few days.”
Mu Ye smiled meaningfully and said, “So we’re already at the stage of buying a house together so soon?”
“We’ve already bought it,” Song Jianchu replied.
Mu Ye was stunned. “When did you buy it?”
“A while ago,” Song Jianchu said. “Originally, I was going to give it to you on your birthday. Do you mind receiving it a bit earlier?”
Mu Ye was silent for a few seconds and then confirmed, “Chu Chu, are we in a relationship?”
Song Jianchu could sense a faint displeasure in Mu Ye’s tone and hesitated. “Hmm.”
Mu Ye’s expression faded as he said, “I’m not your kept lover anymore. I’m your boyfriend.”
Song Jianchu turned his head and saw the emotions clearly written on Mu Ye’s face. He asked, “I know, why can others buy houses for their lovers, but I can’t buy a house for my boyfriend?”
“…,” Mu Ye fell silent.
Mu Ye sighed, “You have a point.”
Song Jianchu tightened his lips.
“Then I’ll also buy one for you,” Mu Ye said softly. “Otherwise, I’ll still have the illusion of being kept by you.”
“I also spend money on my boyfriend, but it seems like you already have everything,” Mu Ye sighed. “It’s a bit troublesome when your boyfriend is too wealthy.”
Song Jianchu turned his face and looked out of the car window, pursing his lips, trying to hold back his emotions.
Feeling thirsty, Song Jianchu picked up his water bottle.
Suddenly, Mu Ye asked, “Is your birthday on May 20th?”
Song Jianchu took a sip of water and replied, “Yes.”
“Then, before that, can you endure for a while?” Mu Ye asked seriously.
Song Jianchu tilted his head, confused. “?”
Mu Ye said earnestly, “I want to give you my first time as a birthday gift.”
Song Jianchu almost choked on his water, struggling to swallow it and coughing violently, his face turning red.
Mu Ye handed him a tissue and said, “Drink slowly.”
“My most precious thing seems to be nothing compared to this,” Mu Ye said, focusing on the road ahead. “This is the best birthday gift for you, and I hope you’ll like it.”
Song Jianchu’s eyes were filled with confusion. “???”
“You can endure this period,” Mu Ye said. “And if you’re not happy with it, I can find other ways to make you happy. I’ll try harder, come up with new ideas…”
“Mu Ye,” Song Jianchu interrupted with a flushed face. “Let’s go eat first.”
Mu Ye gave him a teasing look, as if he had misunderstood Song Jianchu’s meaning, and narrowed his eyes. “In the car?”
Song Jianchu remained calm and corrected him, “Let’s have a proper meal.”
Mu Ye felt the low mood dissipate beside him, and he also felt relieved. He playfully asked, “What do you want to eat?”
Song Jianchu smiled faintly and hadn’t thought of anything special to eat.
He glanced around and realized it wasn’t yet lunchtime. He slightly raised the corner of his mouth and said, “Let’s go to a place near the school.”
Song Jianchu took Mu Ye to a small eatery near the school.
The shop was small but clean, with only four tables. It wasn’t yet lunchtime for the students, so the shop had just opened and had no customers.
Mu Ye leaned against the counter with his coat on his elbow as he followed Song Jianchu into the shop.
He looked at the rectangular boiling pot with steam rising from it and smiled, “It’s been a while since I had oden.”
The owner, a woman, was busy at the oden station. She looked up and was pleasantly surprised, “Oh, a big star is here.”
“Hello,” Song Jianchu took off his mask and sat on a stool next to the pot, giving Mu Ye a small plate. “I’ll have a serving of cart noodles.”
“Is it enough for you?” the owner generously said. “I’ll make you an extra large portion without charging you much.”
Song Jianchu smiled and saying, “Thank you.”
Mu Ye remarked, “Auntie is really kind.”
The small eatery was managed solely by the auntie, and customers mostly helped themselves. They would take the oden themselves and only pay for the skewers at the end.
Song Jianchu went to the fridge to get drinks and asked Mu Ye, “What would you like to drink?”
Mu Ye draped his coat over his legs, picked up his phone, and took a picture of the oden. He turned his head and said, “The same as you.”
Once the extra-large portion of cart noodles was ready, Mu Ye took another photo and posted it in a group chat with their friends.
Beside Song Jianchu, who was still eating, there was a hint of happiness on his face, but he didn’t say anything.
[Pei Shinian: Drooling.jpg]
[Pei Shinian: Let’s eat it properly!]
[Pei Shinian: Where? I haven’t had lunch yet. I want to go too!]
[Bai: Tsk, spreading the poison so early?]
[Bai: [Photo]]
[Bai: A dark dish made for stray dogs]
[Lu Shen: .]
[MY: Boyfriend brought me here [Wink]]
[Pei Shinian: …Oh, then I won’t go, I’ll order takeout instead.]
[Bai: It’s good to have a young and food-loving partner. I fucking have to be poisoned early in the morning…]
[Bai: Tired.jpg]
[Lu Shen: Then don’t eat.]
[Bai: Then don’t give me that look [Rolling Eyes]]
[Pei Shinian: I’m so hungry. When will the takeout arrive? [Sigh]]
[MY: [Photo]]
[MY: [Photo]]
[MY: It’s delicious [Heart]]
[Pei Shinian: [Wiping Sweat]]
[Bai: [Goodbye]]
Song Jianchu ate his noodles, his eyes fixed on his phone placed beside him. He took a deep breath to control himself.
After finishing their meal, Song Jianchu scanned the QR code to pay, adding a few extra yuan for the noodles.
The auntie said, “I said it’s on me, no need to be so polite.”
Song Jianchu said, “We’ll come again next time.”
Mu Ye stood up and said, “No wonder it’s a shop that Chu Chu likes. The food is really delicious. We’ll come here often in the future.”
“Could you leave us a signature?” the auntie asked shyly. “It’s rare to have a big star visit. I want to show off in the shop.”
Mu Ye replied, “Sure.”
They left their signatures.
The auntie was hesitant to touch the signatures with her hands. She carefully placed the signed paper away and said happily, “I’ll hang it up later!”
Leaving the eatery, Song Jianchu put on his mask and walked towards the car, looking down at his phone. He said, “I’ve given you the address of the new house. Let’s go there now.”
Suddenly, the hand that was hanging by his side was held and their fingers interlocked.
“Wait a moment.”
Song Jianchu stopped and became aware of their surroundings. Even though they were both wearing masks, he still felt a bit worried.
He turned around and saw Mu Ye standing slightly behind, holding his hand, raising his phone to take a picture of their intertwined hands.
Song Jianchu realized what Mu Ye was doing and couldn’t help but smirk, playing along by staying still.
“Mu Ye,” Song Jianchu couldn’t hold back, “You’re so childish, like a little girl.”
Mu Ye lowered his eyes and posted the photo in the group chat, his eyes filled with joy.
Once done, Mu Ye put his phone back in his coat pocket, still holding onto Song Jianchu’s hand, and walked towards the car with him.
Mu Ye turned back to him and said, “Although I can’t go back to being a teenager to experience the immature first love with you, we can still have our own version of it, Chu Chu.”
Song Jianchu was momentarily stunned.
Mu Ye’s eyes were gentle and affectionate as he said, “I won’t let you miss out on this stage of love.”