The entrance of the school was at its liveliest. Streetlights glowed warmly, and students drifted back and forth beneath them, laughter and chatter mingling with the soft hum of the night.
Bai Zhou tugged Fu Linchen toward a quieter corner. He was trying to think of something to say, anything to stall for a bit more time, but before he could open his mouth, the man beside him spoke first.
“This is what we made together at the pottery studio last week. The owner finished firing it, and as soon as I got your message yesterday, I went to pick it up.”
Fu Linchen’s eyes shone brightly as he looked at Bai Zhou. Right in front of him, he carefully opened the gift bag in his hands and took out the abstract cup he had made himself. He handed it over as if it were something fragile and precious.
“Look,” he said with a smile, “isn’t it cute?”
His tone was soft and sweet, full of expectation, like a child showing off a prized toy.
Bai Zhou took the cup, and for a brief moment his thoughts turned heavy. He thought of what he had to do later that evening, and something in his chest tightened. After a pause, he forced a small smile and said, “If you look closely, it really does have a certain charm.”
At those words, Fu Linchen’s smile bloomed, sweet as the taste of candy from his childhood. After a moment of hesitation, he added in a low, bashful voice, “Actually, I sculpted it after you.”
Bai Zhou froze. That last sentence… really didn’t need to be said.
“Where’s my bear bowl?” he asked quickly, trying to change the subject.
Fu Linchen opened another bag, his movements even more cautious and reverent than before.
Inside was a round little bowl in a soft cream color, chubby and adorable. At the bottom of the bowl, a small brown bear was painted with gentle strokes.
On the way here, Fu Linchen had taken it out over and over again to look at it, staring at it with an affection that made his heart ache. Every time he saw it, he thought of Bai Zhou. He wanted to use it immediately, to eat bowl after bowl of rice from it, and in his fondness, he almost wanted to swallow the bowl whole.
When Bai Zhou took the bowl from him, Fu Linchen’s gaze was locked on him, tense and nervous, as if afraid that Bai Zhou might suddenly change his mind and refuse the exchange.
Luckily, Bai Zhou kept his promise. He examined the bowl for a few seconds, then handed it back and tucked his own awkward-looking cup into his backpack.
Fu Linchen’s heart melted at the sight. It was bubbling with warmth, full to the brim with sweetness.
Zhou Zhou was so good to him.
There was still some time left before his appointment with Chi Shuyi, so Bai Zhou wandered around the school gate with Fu Linchen.
Fu Linchen looked like a country boy seeing the city for the first time, amazed by everything he saw. Every shop, every light, every trinket caught his attention.
Then something up ahead seemed to catch his eye, and he grabbed Bai Zhou’s hand with excitement, dragging him forward.
It was a claw machine arcade.
The shop was popular among the students, especially couples. Fu Linchen went all in, buying an entire basket full of tokens in one go.
He wasn’t really interested in claw machines. He had simply read online that this arcade was a must-visit dating spot for campus couples.
This was their second date, and Bai Zhou had been the one to ask him out this time. Fu Linchen didn’t want to miss even the smallest chance to make memories with him.
So all evening he had been cheerful, brimming with energy, wanting to try everything together.
Inside, the place was filled mostly with students. Even though Fu Linchen’s face was striking, his calm, mature air, honed by years of business experience, set him apart from the youthful crowd at once.
The store was decorated in soft pinks, the claw machines filled with bright, plush toys. Bai Zhou stood in front of one, his delicate features illuminated by the lights.
His fair skin glowed under the warm tones, his small nose was damp with a thin sheen of sweat from running earlier, and his pale pink lips were pursed slightly in concentration as his gaze followed the claw inside the machine.
He looked as bright and youthful as the whole store itself.
As he stood there, the noisy chatter of the arcade seemed to fade. Students who had been laughing and playing froze mid-motion, their attention drawn to the pretty boy by the machine.
A girl nudged her friend and whispered, “Hey, isn’t that the one from the forum?”
Her friend followed her gaze. “It is! That beautiful boy from the Computer Science department. But isn’t he usually with Fu Shao? A bunch of people wanted to confess to him, but Fu Shao scared them all off. Why isn’t he here today?”
The first girl silently pulled up a search page on her phone, handed it over, and pointed subtly toward the tall man standing next to Bai Zhou.
The two exchanged wide-eyed glances, like they had just uncovered a scandalous secret.
“Oh my god. Don’t tell me they’re, ”
“Stop!”
Their murmurs, and the subtle gazes that followed, fell on both Bai Zhou and Fu Linchen.
Fu Linchen knew he was considered attractive, but standing beside Bai Zhou, so young, so radiant, he felt something rare. A flicker of uncertainty.
Compared to people Bai Zhou’s own age, was he too dull? Would there come a day when Bai Zhou no longer had anything to say to him?
Bai Zhou, oblivious to the growing attention, stayed focused on the claw machine. Just as he was about to grab another plush toy, his phone buzzed with a message notification. He glanced down, already guessing who it was.
Chi Shuyi: I’m at the gate.
Bai Zhou immediately set the joystick aside and grabbed the dazed Fu Linchen by the wrist.
That soft, boneless hand pulled Fu Linchen out of his anxious thoughts. Bai Zhou gave him a small, obedient smile, so sweet that for a moment, Fu Linchen forgot everything else.
He led Fu Linchen outside, to a quieter corner again, and quickly sent his location to Chi Shuyi. The place wasn’t far from the gate. Before long, Bai Zhou saw him approaching from a distance.
Bai Zhou took a deep breath and silently counted in his head. Three, two, one.
The moment Chi Shuyi looked in his direction, Bai Zhou rose on tiptoe, cupped Fu Linchen’s face with both hands, and kissed him.
[Task 3: Be caught seducing the main protagonist’s lover, Completed]
[Task 4 loading…]
Fu Linchen’s brain froze for several seconds. Just as Bai Zhou was about to pull away, he reacted on instinct and seized the moment, reversing their positions.
The kiss deepened abruptly, wild and hungry. The man pressed forward, lips tracing the soft curves of Bai Zhou’s mouth, tasting the sweetness there.
His hand gripped the boy’s slender waist with unconscious strength, holding him tightly as their chests pressed together. Their heartbeats pounded violently, thump, thump, thump, like a trapped fawn in Bai Zhou’s chest.
Time slowed. Bai Zhou realized, with startling clarity, that he had really kissed him.
To Fu Linchen, nothing else mattered at that moment, age, experience, nothing. The only thing that mattered was Bai Zhou’s affection. As long as Bai Zhou liked him, he feared nothing.
The boy’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes misted, his knees trembling. When Fu Linchen finally let go, he rested his head on Bai Zhou’s shoulder, kissing the pale skin at his neck, drunk on the sound of Bai Zhou’s uneven breaths.
His heart felt too full, almost overflowing with joy.
“Zhou Zhou,” he whispered softly, “let’s be together.”
“Let him go.”
Two voices rang out at once.
Fu Linchen lifted his head, and saw Fu Linyi standing a few paces away, face dark with fury.
The previous night, after receiving that text message, Fu Linyi’s heart had leapt to his throat. He had hardly dared to breathe, terrified it was just a dream. Could it be that Bai Zhou was finally coming back to him?
He had always believed he was different, special. Bai Zhou couldn’t replace him, couldn’t live without him.
When he saw Bai Zhou’s message, his lips curled upward involuntarily but then, the message was withdrawn.
So, it had been sent to the wrong person.
Who was Bai Zhou really trying to meet?
He told himself it didn’t matter. Whoever Bai Zhou wanted to see, it had nothing to do with him anymore. And yet, the next morning, when he saw Bai Zhou carefully dressed and leaving early, his chest tightened painfully.
Who was it for? His stupid older brother? Chi Shuyi, that scheming fox? Or someone else entirely?
He followed them without even meaning to, telling himself he was just curious. Just watching.
But when he saw Bai Zhou holding that ugly cup and smiling so tenderly at his brother, his stomach churned with jealousy.
He followed them the whole way, watching as they wandered like a couple, watching as Fu Linchen gazed at Bai Zhou with adoration.
Pathetic.
He didn’t know if he was insulting himself or someone else.
Then Bai Zhou rose on tiptoe and kissed Fu Linchen, gently cupping his face.
A gust of wind blew by, carrying dust that stung his eyes. It wasn’t the dust, though, it was the ache.
Bai Zhou had never kissed him first. Never cupped his face. Never once went out with him like this.
He had wanted to leave then, but his feet refused to move.
Why? Why couldn’t Bai Zhou kiss him like that?
Why didn’t he choose him?
Fu Linyi stood there, forcing himself to watch the entire scene. He watched Bai Zhou melt in Fu Linchen’s arms, trembling, weak from the kiss.
Something in his mind snapped.
He really was pathetic. Even now, he still likes him, only him. Always him.
And if he liked him, he had to have him. That was the one lesson he had always lived by.
Even if it meant taking him from his own brother.
Their gazes met in the air, Fu Linchen and Fu Linyi, sharp, defiant, and full of hostility.
“Fu Linyi, what are you talking about?”
Fu Linchen pulled Bai Zhou’s head against his chest, his tone cold and threatening.
But Fu Linyi didn’t back down. He took a slow step forward, his voice calm but cutting.
“Brother, I already told you. You should call him sister-in-law.”
Bai Zhou blinked, stunned.
Wait. What?
Where was Chi Shuyi?
He was supposed to be the one who saw that kiss!
Has the mission target changed? Or had Chi Shuyi seen everything, realized the truth, and left heartbroken?
No, something wasn’t right. Why was Fu Linyi here?
Bai Zhou gently pushed against Fu Linchen’s chest and peeked up from his arms.
That tiny movement made Fu Linchen’s heart sink, and he loosened his hold, his eyes full of hurt.
But Bai Zhou didn’t notice. Because standing just a few meters behind Fu Linchen,
It was Chi Shuyi.
He was wearing a thin white shirt, his face pale under the light. The usual warmth in his smile was gone, replaced by cold indifference. His eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath his eyes, and in his pale gaze there wasn’t a trace of emotion.
He stood there silently, having watched everything.
When Bai Zhou’s eyes met his, Chi Shuyi lifted his head slightly and curved his lips into a faint, mirthless smile.
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
Statistically speaking, coffee would be appreciated.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Green Tea Bun (1)Chapter 2 · Green Tea Bun (2)Chapter 3 · Green Tea Bun (3)Chapter 4 · Green Tea Bun (4)Chapter 5 · Green Tea Bun (5)Chapter 6 · Green Tea Bun (6)Chapter 7 · Green Tea Bun (7)Chapter 8 · Green Tea Bun (8)Chapter 9 · Green Tea Bun (9)Chapter 10 · Green Tea Bun (10)Chapter 11 · Green Tea Bun (11)Chapter 12 · Green Tea Bun (12)Chapter 13 · Green Tea Bun (13)Chapter 14 · Green Tea Bun (14)Chapter 15 · Green Tea Bun (15)Chapter 16 · Green Tea Bun (16)Chapter 17 · Green Tea Bun (17)Chapter 18 · Green Tea Bun (18)Chapter 19 · Green Tea Bun (19)Chapter 20 · Green Tea Bun (20)Chapter 21 · Green Tea Bun (21)Chapter 22 · Green Tea Bun (22)Chapter 23 · Green Tea Bun (23)Chapter 24 Part 1 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 24 Part 2 · Green Tea Bun (24)Chapter 25 · Green Tea Bun (25)Chapter 26 · Green Tea Bun (26)Chapter 27 · Green Tea Bun (27)Chapter 28 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (1)Chapter 29 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (2)Chapter 30 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (3)Chapter 32 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (5)Chapter 33 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (6)Chapter 34 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (7)Chapter 35 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (8)Chapter 36 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (9)Chapter 37 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (10)Chapter 38 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (11)Chapter 39 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (12)Chapter 40 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (13)Chapter 41 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (14)Chapter 42 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (15)Chapter 43 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (16)Chapter 44 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (17)Chapter 45 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (18)Chapter 46 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (19)Chapter 47 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (20)Chapter 48 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (21)Chapter 49 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (22)Chapter 50 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (23)Chapter 51 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (24)Chapter 52 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (25)Chapter 53 · The Fake Young Master in an ABO Novel (26)Chapter 54 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (1)Chapter 55 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (2)Chapter 56 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (3)Chapter 57 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (4)Chapter 58 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (5)Chapter 59 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (6)Chapter 60 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (7)Chapter 61 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (8)Chapter 62 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (9)Chapter 63 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (10)Chapter 64 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (11)Chapter 65 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (12)Chapter 66 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (13)Chapter 67 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (14)Chapter 68 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (15)Chapter 69 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (16)Chapter 70 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (17)Chapter 71 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (18)Chapter 72 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (19)Chapter 73 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (20)Chapter 74 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (21)Chapter 75 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (22)Chapter 76 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (23)Chapter 77 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (24)Chapter 78 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (25)Chapter 79 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (26)Chapter 80 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (27)Chapter 81 · The Poor Little One at the Noble Academy (28)Chapter 82 · Apocalyptic Lord (1)Chapter 83 · Apocalyptic Lord (2)Chapter 84 · Apocalyptic Lord (3)Chapter 85 · Apocalyptic Lord (4)Chapter 86 · Apocalyptic Lord (5)Chapter 87 · Apocalyptic Lord (6)Chapter 88 · Apocalyptic Lord (7)Chapter 89 · Apocalyptic Lord (8)Chapter 90 · Apocalyptic Lord (9)Chapter 91 · Apocalyptic Lord (10)Chapter 92 · Apocalyptic Lord (11)Chapter 93 · Apocalyptic Lord (12)Chapter 94 · Apocalyptic Lord (13)Chapter 96 · Apocalyptic Lord (15)Chapter 97 · Apocalyptic Lord (16)Chapter 98 · Apocalyptic Lord (17)Chapter 99 · Apocalyptic Lord (18)Chapter 100 · Apocalyptic Lord (19)Chapter 101 · Apocalyptic Lord (20)Chapter 102 · Apocalyptic Lord (21)Chapter 103 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 104 · Apocalyptic Lord (22)Chapter 105 · Apocalyptic Lord (24)Chapter 106 · The Real World (1)Chapter 107 · The Real World (2)Chapter 108 · Extra 1