Xie Chengye had never hidden anything from Yang Jiayang yet he had never once said that he liked him. At most, he would occasionally circle around the topic, asking what kind of partner Yang Jiayang preferred and what expectations he had for his future significant other.
Yang Jiayang had always taken him as a friend who was simply good at listening. Xie Chengye had mentioned before that he liked someone but Yang Jiayang had never imagined that person could be himself.
It was Su Yi’an who awakened him to the truth.
Thinking back on their past interactions, Xie Chengye’s gaze seemed to have always rested on him, gentle, tender, brimming with affection and yet, he had never noticed!
“Crap!”
He suddenly let out a wail.
“I even asked him for advice before on how to pursue a handsome guy I met at a bar! I said so many things I shouldn’t have. Do you think he’ll see me as frivolous, promiscuous, someone with a messy private life?”
Su Yi’an sipped his water slowly, watching his friend fidget in agitation before finally speaking. “You don’t even like that guy. Why worry about what he thinks?”
Yang Jiayang’s expression stiffened, his eyes darting away. “Actually, I’ve always thought he was handsome but his figure just wasn’t my type but now that he’s worked out… I.. I kind of feel like he’s pretty good too.”
Su Yi’an stared at him and mercilessly uttered two words: “Scumbag.”
“I’m not a scumbag, okay? Every relationship I’ve had was serious. When I was with them, first, I never cheated; second, I never flirted around. I even stopped going to bars.”
Yang Jiayang felt aggrieved. He had genuinely invested himself in every relationship yet the outcome was always the same, either betrayal or being dumped. Su Yi’an had often said his taste in men was terrible and though he refused to admit it, thinking carefully now, among all the men he knew, only Xie Chengye seemed somewhat reliable.
“Brother Xie just messaged me. We’re heading out,” Su Yi’an said.
“An’an.” Yang Jiayang stopped him, the corners of his mouth drooping. “Am I really that bad?”
Yang Jiayang had been slow to mature as a child. At eight years old, he still couldn’t do simple addition and subtraction within ten. Su Yi’an, on the other hand, had been small and frail. One was bullied for being “slow,” the other for being short. Though they never spoke of it, those childhood shadows lingered quietly in their hearts.
Su Yi’an was afraid of the dark, while Yang Jiayang feared loneliness above all else, aching for affection. Since childhood, he had longed for a home of his own, a loving partner, an adorable pet. Even if the house were bare, it would still be enough to make him happy.
But his judgment had been poor and his desperation to escape loneliness led him to people with ulterior motives. Only Xie Chengye had been drawn to his sincere heart, slowly making his way toward him.
Seeing his friend remain silent for a long time, Yang Jiayang lowered his head, his voice strained. “I understand.”
“You’re not bad at all.”
Su Yi’an looked at the dispirited figure on the screen. “You just need someone by your side too much and that’s not your fault. The fault lies with them. You’ve relied on your own abilities to survive in this world and you’re running two online stores. You’re already more capable than most people.”
Yang Jiayang slowly lifted his head, a faint light returning to his eyes.
“When we were kids, I always thought you were amazing, and especially strong. Whenever I was bullied, even if you couldn’t win the fight, you still stood up and fought back for me. Do you remember what you said in middle school? You stood there with your hands on your hips, boldly declaring that one day you’d buy a home of your own in the city center. Now that dream is already halfway realized.”
“You’re my friend. Of course I’d help you.” Yang Jiayang rubbed his eyes, his voice thick with tears. “How is it halfway realized? This place I’m living in is rented. The lease ends in three months and I haven’t even figured out the next rent payment yet.”
Su Yi’an smiled. “No rush. We’re still young.”
“Do you know how expensive property in the city center is? Forget being twenty, even if I started earning money from the day I was born, I still wouldn’t be able to afford it after a hundred years.”
“That doesn’t sound like the Dayang I know.” Su Yi’an put his hands on his hips, imitating Yang Jiayang’s tone in exaggerated fashion. “Thirty years on the east side of the river, thirty years on the west, don’t bully a poor youth!”
Yang Jiayang burst out laughing. “Am I really that cringey?”
“That’s not cringey. That’s passion.”
Knock, knock.
A sound came from outside the door, followed by Xie Chengye’s voice.
“Yi’an. Are you ready?”
“Brother Xie’s urging me. Go take a shower and get ready too, tonight we’re all going out for dinner together.”
After giving his reminders, Su Yi’an ended the video call, put on his cap and headed out.
Liao’an was not considered a major tourist destination yet it still had its fair share of attractions. Su Yi’an spent the day showing Xie Chengye around various spots, wandering leisurely through the city. By evening, the three of them met up and went together to a barbecue restaurant for dinner.
“Jiayang, long time no see.” Xie Chengye spoke naturally, his demeanor open and composed.
Yang Jiayang looked at the tall, handsome man standing before him and momentarily lost himself in a daze.
Su Yi’an nudged him from behind, prompting him to finally greet, “Brother Chengye.”
Xie Chengye nodded and extended a hand. “Come on, let’s talk while we eat.”
The three took their seats. After placing their order and waiting for the meat to arrive, Xie Chengye volunteered to handle the grilling. While tending the barbecue, he chatted with an easy smile, asking how their online stores were doing and whether they needed any help.
In truth, he had already done quite a bit behind the scenes, helping with promotion. There were even a considerable number of orders coming from Jiangyang City.
Yang Jiayang, however, was unlike his usual self tonight. He spoke far less than before, keeping his head down as he focused on eating. Whenever Xie Chengye addressed him directly, he would lift his head, reply with a few brief sentences, then retreat back into silence, huddled in his corner and diligently working through his meal.
Xie Chengye sensed his restraint and did not press him into conversation yet he never stopped placing meat onto the grill. He seemed to know everything, what kind of dipping sauce Yang Jiayang preferred, what drinks he liked, all of it was second nature to him.
After dinner, Xie Chengye took the initiative to pay the bill. Su Yi’an and Yang Jiayang stepped outside to get some air. Watching his friend kick absentmindedly at a pebble with his head lowered, Su Yi’an said, “You hardly spoke tonight. That’s not like you at all.”
Yang Jiayang stared at the tip of his shoe, his voice shy and hesitant. “I’m just… a little embarrassed.”
“Brother Xie already knows what kind of person you are. The fact that he still likes you just the same means he doesn’t care about any of that.”
“I know but every time I see him, I can’t help wanting to hide and yet at the same time, I want to stay somewhere I can still see him. I’ve never felt like this before. It’s so contradictory.”
Su Yi’an slipped his hands into his pockets, adopting the air of someone experienced. “What’s contradictory about that? It just means you care about him. You like him.”
Yang Jiayang froze, stunned into silence. It wasn’t until a message from Song Xiangchen arrived, informing him that Yan Yi and Bai Yunchi had gone to a bar to meet friends, that he finally snapped back to his senses.
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The Realm is pleased. The translator would be even more pleased with coffee.
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · New neighborsChapter 2 · Let’s just wash it.Chapter 3 · Pretty little girlChapter 4 · It’s impossible for us.Chapter 5 · Not as handsome as Teacher BaiChapter 6 · Happy cooperationChapter 7 · Making breakfastChapter 8 · LostChapter 9 · He’s hopelessly in love.Chapter 10 · Three CloudChapter 11 · Am I Old?Chapter 12 · Victory celebration banquetChapter 13 · Power outrageChapter 14 · Online dating meetupChapter 15 · Am I really that bad?Chapter 16 · Boyfriend?Chapter 17 · ConcertChapter 18 · Use Privileges.Chapter 19 · A night AloneChapter 20 · Do You Like me?Chapter 21 · The End