Liang Chu found himself with nothing to do again. It wasn’t even 11 o’clock yet—too early for lunch, and since he had just eaten breakfast, he wasn’t hungry either.
Holding the flowers and cat food, he had to be extra careful with the roses. They were so delicate, easily crushed if handled carelessly. He thought about taking them home, but he wouldn’t really appreciate them there, and deep down, he didn’t want to go back to that place anyway. Better to give the flowers away.
So, Liang Chu found a busy intersection and earnestly started handing out the flowers. Perhaps because everyone was cautious, knowing that nothing in life comes for free not even roses they suspected the flowers might be laced with something, that smelling them could cause them to faint and be trafficked. None of the women passing by accepted his offer.
Liang Chu didn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, he sighed with a mix of relief and worry, saying, “If only our people were this vigilant about protecting themselves in all matters—never taking small advantages, because small gains often lead to big losses.”
Banya Bear chimed in, “What about the flowers? Are they tasty? Let me try one. If they’re good, I’ll eat them.”
Banya Bear nibbled on a leaf, smacked its lips, then spat it out in disgust. “Not tasty at all. I’m not helping you with this.” With that, it burrowed into the cat food, stuffing kernels into its mouth one by one.
Liang Chu stirred the cat food, burying Banya Bear, who then blew upward, creating a small vortex, climbed out, and sat atop the pile licking its paws. Liang Chu glanced around. He couldn’t just throw away several hundred dollars’ worth of flowers. After a moment’s thought, he went into a supermarket, bought a cardboard sign and a marker, and wrote: “2 yuan per flower, 5 yuan for three.” Then he stood on the street selling them. Ironically, while no one wanted them for free, they sold quickly when priced. All gone in just over half an hour.
Having recouped some of the cost, he headed home. On the way, Banya Bear tapped its eggshell and said, puzzled, “Mission value +2. Current mission value: 86.”
Liang Chu slowed his pace slightly. “It went up again so soon?”
Banya Bear replied, “Only 14 left now.”
Liang Chu nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. No matter what, the choice he had made was the right one, and whichever path he took, he knew he had to bear the corresponding responsibilities and emotions.
Arriving home, he stood at the doorway changing his shoes. Xie Shenxing’s slippers were still boldly placed on the shoe rack alongside his—one large, one small, side by side.
Liang Chu kicked off his shoes and bent down to look at the rack. He usually tossed his shoes haphazardly around the house. The shoe rack, aside from the first few days after he bought it when he was still excited about it, rarely saw any use. Xie Shenxing was truly an organized person. He had tidied everything up neatly just one day after moving in.
Holding Xie Shenxing’s shoe in his left hand and his own in his right, Liang Chu pressed the soles together to compare. Xie Shenxing’s was larger by two knuckles’ length. He couldn’t help but marvel at how everything about him seemed to be on a larger scale.
Liang Chu placed the shoes back on the rack and sat on the sofa. The room was quiet. He propped his feet on the coffee table, let out a long sigh, and took out Banya Bear, placing it on his stomach. “How about we go out and have some fun?” he suggested.
Banya Bear, its belly round from eating, replied weakly, “What? Had a change of heart? What about your boss dreams?”
Liang Chu said, “I don’t feel like selling things anymore. Since I don’t have to work or go to school, we might as well go out and relax. Even though I’ve been here for a while, I haven’t really explored much. I wonder if the mountains, rivers, and scenery are the same as back home.”
Banya Bear sat up, its little black bean-like eyes looking at him for a moment before saying, “Sure, that’s fine.”
Soon, it lay back down on Liang Chu’s stomach, both of them with their bellies facing upward. Banya Bear remarked, “Isn’t that how mountains and rivers are? But staying cooped up at home isn’t so bad either. I’m just worried you’ll get dull from staying in all the time.”
Liang Chu stayed silent for a while, lost in thought.
The mission points had grown rapidly over the past year. With a bit of luck, they might max out in just a few months.
Liang Chu stood up from the sofa. The living room was tidy. The clothes and socks that had been strewn across the couch were all washed and hung out to dry on the balcony. The half-eaten snacks on the coffee table had been neatly covered by Xie Shenxing, with clip-sealed bags and washed fruits arranged in a plate. Everything was in perfect order.
Liang Chu sighed heavily. “Why is Xie Shenxing so diligent? Comparing myself to him is just depressing.”
Banya Bear comforted him, “Don’t worry, the vast majority of men are just like you—not fond of doing housework. People like Xie Shenxing are the exception.”
Liang Chu thought for a moment, then shook his head in disagreement. “I’m an exception too. If I had a girlfriend, I’d learn to do housework as well.”
The exceptional ones are always the outstanding ones.
After saying this, Liang Chu set Banya Bear aside and went to the bedroom to fetch his travel bag. Banya Bear sat on the table, scratching its fur. Xie Shenxing didn’t have a girlfriend, yet he still knew how to keep house.
Liang Chu haphazardly stuffed a few pieces of clothing into the bag. Banya Bear, perched on the table, asked, “Leaving now? Are you worried Xie Shenxing might come? I don’t think he’s the type to hold on to things.”
Liang Chu bustled around the room, packing his things while shaking his head and humming, “When it’s time to go, we go, charging through the world with fiery spirit.”
Banya Bear asked curiously, “What song is that?”
Liang Chu chuckled. “A song for one and a half heroes.”
Banya Bear was delighted and swayed along with him. “Oh, so I’m half a hero too!”
As Liang Chu passed by the table, he patted Banya Bear’s head. It wasn’t that he didn’t feel lonely, but he was grateful to have met this little companion who would always be by his side.
The luggage was packed quickly. In truth, he only brought cat food and some essential personal items. Summer clothes were light, so he traveled with minimal baggage. He had enough money with him, and anything else he needed could be picked up along the way.
Banya Bear stood at the edge of the table, rising on its tiptoes and stretching its paws out in a hugging gesture. “Don’t forget about me! I’m the most important.”
Liang Chu laughed and said, “How could I?” He casually placed Banya Bear on his shoulder, and the little bear clung tightly to his clothes as the two of them stepped out.
He didn’t know if he would ever return to this place again. Holding the doorknob, Liang Chu took one last, longing look at the familiar living room before closing the door. There would always come a day of parting with people and with places alike.
Pressing the button for the elevator, Liang Chu opened his phone to book a hotel room. The elevator arrived quickly, and he stepped inside. It descended without stopping until it reached the first floor. As the doors opened, Liang Chu noticed a pair of black leather shoes in front of him likely another resident waiting to go up. He continued scrolling through his phone, stepping aside to let the person pass as he exited.
The moment they brushed past each other, a hand suddenly gripped his arm. The force was strong, pressing into his bones, and Liang Chu felt a sharp pain. He blurted out, “Who is this?”
Liang Chu didn’t know anyone in the neighborhood. He turned around curiously, paused for a moment, and said, “Oh, it’s you.”
The grip on his arm tightened, the man’s knuckles turning white with tension. Liang Chu struggled slightly, and Xie Shenxing’s hold loosened, his hand slowly withdrawing.
Xie Shenxing closed his eyes briefly before reopening them, a faint smile playing on his lips as he asked, “Planning to go out?”
Liang Chu studied his expression. Xie Shenxing looked at him with the same familiar smile, no different from before, without a trace of sadness.
Liang Chu replied, “Yeah!”
Xie Shenxing remained silent. The lobby was empty, with no one around to ease the tension. Despite Xie Shenxing’s smile, the atmosphere felt heavy and oppressive. Liang Chu frowned, troubled by Xie Shenxing’s silence, feeling increasingly awkward.
Liang Chu sighed inwardly to Bucktooth Bear, “Sigh.”
Bucktooth Bear replied, “I don’t know what to say either. Sigh.”
Liang Chu sighed again, “Sigh, sigh, sigh.”
He hoisted his bag higher and decided to say nothing more. The more he spoke, the more mistakes he’d make, and everything would just become more awkward. Liang Chu waved goodbye to Xie Shenxing, “I’ll be going now. See you.”
As Liang Chu walked toward the exit, Xie Shenxing watched his retreating figure.
He’s avoiding me. Where does he think he’s running off to?
If he had any doubts before whether to continue simmering him slowly like warm water or to seize him outright, this moment solidified his decision.
Trying to shake me off? Not a chance.
Xie Shenxing’s mind was calm as he leisurely followed, falling into step beside Liang Chu. Liang Chu glanced at him, and Xie Shenxing said, “Where are you headed? Let me give you a ride.”
Several black Bentleys were parked outside, ones Liang Chu had never seen before.
His instincts screamed danger, so he stopped walking straight ahead and sidestepped like a crab, moving away from the cars. “No need. I have plenty of money.”
Xie Shenxing chuckled and adjusted his direction, both of them moving away from the unfamiliar vehicles. Liang Chu felt a flicker of doubt. Was I overthinking it? I thought he was angry and petty, here to kidnap me or something.
The street was narrow, only a dozen steps wide. Focused on keeping an eye on Xie Shenxing, Liang Chu neglected to watch where his crab-like sidestepping was taking him. He accidentally bumped into a slowly approaching car—fortunately, it was crawling along at a snail’s pace. Startled, Liang Chu was about to apologize when Xie Shenxing swiftly closed in, trapping him between his body and the car door. Liang Chu reacted quickly, pausing for a second before trying to escape, but Xie Shenxing was faster. In a flash, he opened the car door and shoved Liang Chu inside.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, taking only a few seconds. Before Liang Chu could process it, there was the sound of doors opening and closing. The driver stepped out without hesitation, and Xie Shenxing slid into the car, locking the central control.
Liang Chu felt a surge of fear, swallowing hard as he shifted to the far side of the seat. Knowing it was futile, he still tried to open the door.
Xie Shenxing leaned back in the seat, slowly loosening his tie. “You’re just running straight into my arms.”
Liang Chu pressed his back against the door, arching slightly as he stared at Xie Shenxing, his thoughts a chaotic mess. This posture isn’t imposing enough. It’s too timid. Do I look like a helpless maiden being bullied by a tyrant right now?
Liang Chu held the Bullet Bear egg in his hand. Xie Shenxing didn’t look at him, his eyes lowered, his expression icy cold. Xie Shenxing’s voice was low as he said, “I haven’t properly kissed you yet.” Before, it had always been just a light touch, a brief meeting of lips.
Liang Chu said righteously, “There are surveillance cameras in the neighborhood. You’ll get caught if you do this.”
Xie Shenxing seemed not to hear him. He unwrapped a piece of candy and murmured softly, “It’s very comfortable, don’t be afraid.”
The man leaned in, pressing closer. No matter how spacious the car was, it still felt cramped, leaving no room to escape. Liang Chu didn’t even have time to put up a token resistance. His hand loosened, and the egg rolled down below. By then, Xie Shenxing had already pulled him into his embrace. His movements were rough and inexperienced, but the way he kissed seemed innate, requiring no instruction. It was raw and unrestrained, bold and domineering, as he enveloped Liang Chu’s lips entirely. Liang Chu wanted to hit him with a bag, but his hands were firmly held by Xie Shenxing. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free.
Liang Chu’s eyes widened, his lips numb from the suction. Xie Shenxing pried them open and pushed in a sweet-tasting candy—a flavor he liked. The candy rolled around in his mouth, quickly melting. Their bodies pressed tightly together, and Liang Chu could feel the terrifying, rigid pressure against him. Suddenly, Xie Shenxing paused, pulling away from his lips and stating the obvious: “Coco, you’re reacting.”
Liang Chu wanted to touch his own lips, but his hands were still restrained. For some reason, his mind felt muddled. In a daze, with a mix of grievance and embarrassment, he mumbled, “I didn’t mean to.”
He sounded like a child who had done something wrong. Drowsiness gradually washed over him, and he soon lost consciousness.
Xie Shenxing watched him silently, emotions churning in his eyes. How selfish he was, keeping him trapped in his arms, unwilling to share even a finger’s worth with anyone else. Yet, no matter what happened, he still wished for him to have a little more happiness.