Training and work finally came to an end. Shen Huaiyun took the tissue handed to him by his instructor, wiped his hands clean, and tossed it into the trash bin.
He hadn’t listened to Ning Yanfeng’s rambling at all, simply nodding along with a series of “uh-huhs” while his mind had already drifted toward the figure by the door.
He had noticed it as soon as he stepped out of the training room the familiar clothes and silhouette of the person standing with their back to the entrance. It was none other than Shen Tangmo.
Seeing him so distracted, Ning Yanfeng clicked his tongue in annoyance, turning his head toward the door and calling out, “Come take this kid away already! Hmph, his soul’s already flown off after you.”
Without any hesitation, Shen Tangmo turned and walked in, pulling Shen Huaiyun along as he went. “We have things to do. If you have anything to say, Professor Ning, just send a WeChat message. See you tomorrow.”
“No, you won’t! You didn’t listen at all either, kid. I’m going back tomorrow to debug the system. You don’t need to come. Just practice according to the usual requirements, got it, Shen Huaiyun?”
“Got it”
The reply drifted from afar as the two of them sped off, disappearing like rabbits in the blink of an eye. Ning Yanfeng took a sip of tea, already planning to go to Lin Ziyan’s place to snag some good tea leaves.
He couldn’t understand how Shen Tangmo managed to get off work early every day to pick up his younger brother. It must be because Lin Ziyan wasn’t giving him enough work.
Lin Ziyan, overhearing his thoughts: So it’s my fault my student is too efficient? Mind your own student.
The drive from the academy to Central Street took only about ten minutes. Shen Tangmo had already mapped out the route and took the boy straight to a piercing shop to get his ears pierced.
The piercer worked swiftly. By the time Shen Huaiyun was told it was done, he hadn’t even processed it. “Huh? I didn’t even feel any pain.”
In truth, having a needle pierce through the earlobe did hurt, but Shen Huaiyun’s pain tolerance had increased over the years, so he simply didn’t pay it much mind.
After the initial studs were placed, the piercer reminded them not to change to new earrings until the piercings had fully healed, handing each of them a bottle of saline spray for disinfecting the piercings.
“Keep them clean daily to prevent infection.”
“Alright, thank you.” Shen Tangmo reached out to take the spray and tucked it away, then opened his phone’s calendar. Under “Important Dates,” he noted “Disinfect ear piercings” and set a desktop reminder to keep track of it.
The slight foreign sensation of the ear studs felt novel to both of them. After leaving the shop, Shen Huaiyun kept wanting to touch and fiddle with his, but Shen Tangmo pressed his hand down and tucked it into his pocket. “Don’t touch it for now it’s still a wound. How about we go pick out some earrings? After that, we can grab some roast duck to take home. I have a coupon.”
The boy obediently stopped touching his ear, growing a little excited. “Sure! I think I have a discount coupon too. I’ll order two milk teas. Which one do you want?”
“Mango pomelo sago, no ice.”
“Alright. Hmm… I’ll get an iced tea with ice cream, loaded with toppings.”
“Not calling it ‘eight-treasure porridge’ this time?”
“That’s different.”
Shen Huaiyun’s mood was as bright as the day’s weather. Seeing the smile on his lips, Shen Tangmo couldn’t help but let the corners of his eyes curve slightly as well.
When they arrived at the accessory shop, Shen Huaiyun felt like Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden utterly dazzled by the variety. Every time he saw something pretty, he wanted to buy it, mostly because he wanted to see Shen Tangmo wear it.
Ear studs, earrings, ear cuffs, ear clips.
The styles and designs were overwhelming. If Shen Tangmo hadn’t already browsed through online shops beforehand, he would have found it difficult to choose as well.
He quickly settled on a pair and waited by the counter for the boy to come over and pay together. His eyes lingered on a pair of rose gold lovebird earrings in the corner of the display case, unable to look away, but he felt the meaning behind them was too obvious and hesitated.
“In heaven we shall be as two birds flying wing to wing; on earth as two trees with branches intertwined.”
The imagery of lovebirds was universally understood giving them would be no different from a direct confession.
Shen Tangmo still didn’t know what Shen Huaiyun was thinking. He worried that if he misled Huaiyun before the boy had fully understood his own feelings, causing him to confuse his emotions or orientation, their future would be fraught with hidden troubles.
Besides, the boy still had over three months before coming of age. It would be better to give them later.
The young man glanced around the shop, confirming that the boy was still far away and showed no sign of coming over. He quietly asked the shop assistant to wrap up and purchase the pair of lovebird earrings, explaining they were a surprise gift. As he turned, he glanced once more in the boy’s direction before quickly tucking them into his bag to hide them.
Like a thief. He mocked himself inwardly, pressing a hand to his chest to calm his nervously pounding heart.
Not long after, Shen Huaiyun walked over holding a small box: “I’ve chosen, Brother.”
“Alright.” Both boxes were placed into the same bag. “Let’s check out. Hey, can you give us a discount?”
After some haggling, they bought them at a discounted price. After all, they had actually purchased three pairs it wouldn’t make sense not to offer some discount.
The two happily went on to buy roast duck, picked up their milk tea, and set off for home.
After enjoying the milk tea, filling up on roast duck, and polishing off a plate of fruit, they finally showed each other the earrings they had chosen. Shen Huaiyun had picked a pair of fox-head earrings two simple silver fox heads with teardrop-shaped rubies dangling beneath. Coincidentally, Shen Tangmo had also chosen something canine-themed: a pair of double-sided ear studs, one side featuring a gemstone puppy paw and the other a simple black-and-white circle.
Shen Huaiyun wanted to see his sworn brother and crush wearing red earrings, and foxes suited him well. Shen Tangmo’s plan was this: the double-sided ear studs were twist-on, making them difficult for one person to put on alone they would require the other to get close and help.
Moreover, when he had treated Shen Huaiyun’s mental landscape, he had seen that Huaiyun’s spiritual form usually had dog ears and a tail, and when weakened, it could transform into a small dog. Puppy paws would suit him perfectly.
While Shen Tangmo was lost in thought staring at the earrings, Shen Huaiyun picked one up and held it near his earlobe, feeling it was just right. The young man’s cool earlobe was right there, his fingertips almost able to sense the warmth and texture of his skin.
The last rays of twilight slanted through the window, brushing past Shen Tangmo’s cheek and making the little silver fox gleam. The ruby beneath refracted colorful light, catching Shen Huaiyun’s eye and leaving the boy momentarily entranced. He couldn’t help but regret not having thought earlier to take this person to get his ears pierced now they’d have to wait for the wounds to heal before wearing them.
He wanted to see that touch of red hanging by the young man’s cheek, swaying gently with his movements.
Maybe he should just let Shen Tangmo wear them at home? He didn’t really want to share this visual treat with others, but he also wanted to mark his territory like a claim: “See how good he looks? He’s mine!”
The young man had actually been watching his expression closely ever since he picked up the earring. Pretending to snap out of his daze, he reached out and took the earring from his hand, placing it back in the box: “Let’s put them away for now. We’ll wear them once the piercings have healed.”
“Alright.” The youth reluctantly lowered his head, watching as the other deftly stored the box away with one hand. Only then did he realize their hands had been clasped together all along. He gave a slight tug but couldn’t free his hand. Glancing at Shen Tangmo’s expression, he decided not to remind him, content to savor the warmth from the other’s palm.
“By the way, the liaison officer informed me that the frontlines have stabilized. Mom and Dad can start taking their monthly leave again next month. They won’t miss your eighteenth birthday.”
Shen Tangmo’s thumb gently brushed against Shen Huaiyun’s palm, and when the latter instinctively tried to pull away, he tightened his grip, refusing to let go. He thought to himself that once their parents returned on leave, he would confess his feelings to them openly and apologize.
Yet, he felt not a shred of remorse. How could he let such a fine cabbage he had nurtured at home be taken by an outsider? He had seen the emotions flickering in Shen Huaiyun’s eyes just moments ago it was clear that the feelings between them weren’t one-sided. And he had no intention of letting go.