The Long Road Ahead: C11

Chapter: 11 | Boyfriend

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Boyfriend

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This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"}
Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

_{Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."}"Um... I uh..."

Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

_{"Um..." Xia Li shook his head in confusion, "It's just... way too sudden."}
Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"

"Um..." Xia Li shook his head in confusion, "It's just... way too sudden."

_{His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"}
"Um..." Xia Li shook his head in confusion, "It's just... way too sudden."

His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"

_{{When will this day end...}}If you know Lu Yan's credit card, you basically know his passwords, again, Xia Li's thoughts unknowingly went to that suspicious place.

When will this day end...

_{"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming.}So now, inside of that shop where the scent of the coffee's bitter warmth filled the air, without any sign or warning, without an ounce of preparation, Xiao Ning, with his own two hands, had buried the one-sided love he held on to from the age of ten, until his twenty-seventh year.

"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

_{"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,}To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

_{But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.}
Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.

_{Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."}"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."

_{With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"}"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

_N/A
Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.

N/A

_{At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"}"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

_N/AThis time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.

N/A

_{They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.}
There was no need.

They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

_{"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming.}Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"

"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

_{If you know Lu Yan's credit card, you basically know his passwords, again, Xia Li's thoughts unknowingly went to that suspicious place.}
They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

If you know Lu Yan's credit card, you basically know his passwords, again, Xia Li's thoughts unknowingly went to that suspicious place.

_{Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.}"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"

Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

_{At that moment, he truly needed a friend.}
From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.

At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

_{Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."}
But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.

Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."

_{At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"}His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"

At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

_{However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.}
So now, inside of that shop where the scent of the coffee's bitter warmth filled the air, without any sign or warning, without an ounce of preparation, Xiao Ning, with his own two hands, had buried the one-sided love he held on to from the age of ten, until his twenty-seventh year.

However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.

_{"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true.}At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

_{Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"}Xiao Ning had nothing to say to that.

Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

_{After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.}
Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.

_{"What is he like..}
It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.

"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

_{"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all.}Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

_{Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."}
Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but... the matter before him was one he had to continue dealing with. "I understand. You want to know more about Lu Yan and know more about me as well. It's just that I'm not courageous when it comes to handling things, and I think things over quite carefully before I dare even say a word to someone else. So if it wasn't for me being afraid you'd have some sort of misunderstanding, I would've never said anything to begin with."

Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

_{Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.}"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.

_{There was instant silence over the phone.}The phone call ended neatly.

There was instant silence over the phone.

_{"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,}
With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

_{"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"}At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"

_N/AXiao Ning had nothing to say to that.

N/A

_{Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.}
"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."

Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.

_{Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."}But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.

Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}The phone call ended neatly.

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{{What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.}}However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.

What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

_{Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."}
Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.

Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."

_{It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.}From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.

_{Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"}They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"

_{From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.}
But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.

From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.

_{So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."}Boyfriend

So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

_{Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"}N/A

Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"

_{The phone call ended neatly.}
At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

The phone call ended neatly.

_{Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."}From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.

Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."

_{But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?}
"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?

_{Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.}Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

_{It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.}This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.

_{There was instant silence over the phone.}Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

There was instant silence over the phone.

_{It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.}
Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.

_{Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"}"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."

Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

_{Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."}But once he heard this, Shan Haiming only asked again impatiently, "Nonsense. There's nothing? Are you a garbage can?"

Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."

_{"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"}
"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

_{Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"}For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?

Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

_{This time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.}
Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"

This time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.

_{So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."}"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

_{Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"}Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

_{Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"}"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

_{"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."}
Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."

_{"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"}From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

_{"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,}Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

_{Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"}
"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"

_{"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."}The phone call ended neatly.

"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

_{Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."}Xiao Ning thought, If Lu Yan really likes Xia Li, then it wasn't impossible for him to let this kid stay at his place.

Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."

_{Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"}At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"

_{Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."}
For a while afterwards, the two talked casually, and having noticed enough time had passed, he suggested to Xia Li they should go walk around. "So, how long are you planning to stay in A-City?"

Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."

_{With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"}
"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

_{Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."}It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.

Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

_{"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"}"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."

"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"

_{It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.}
Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."

It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.

_{"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true.}At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

_{Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."}
"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

_{"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."}What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

_{There was no need.}Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?

There was no need.

_{To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"}
Xiao Ning thought, If Lu Yan really likes Xia Li, then it wasn't impossible for him to let this kid stay at his place.

To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

_{Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.}Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.

_{"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.}
Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

_{They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.}"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

_{"Um... I uh..."}
"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, speaking of looking for a new place...

"Um... I uh..."

_{Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"}What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

_{To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"}His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"

To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

_{Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"}With Xia Li then asking, "Which brand does he usually like to use?"

Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

_{But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.}
"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.

_{"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, {speaking of looking for a new place...}}Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."

"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, speaking of looking for a new place...

_{Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."}At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."

_N/AWhich is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

N/A

_{Xia Li's gaze turned to the shelves, so the store clerk suggested, "Those are designs from our previous season."}
Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

Xia Li's gaze turned to the shelves, so the store clerk suggested, "Those are designs from our previous season."

_{Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"}"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

_{"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

_{Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.

_{With Xia Li then asking, "Which brand does he usually like to use?"}
"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."

With Xia Li then asking, "Which brand does he usually like to use?"

_{Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."}
A flush of red descended on Xia Li's face as he looked at Xiao Ning slashing the card, then helping him pick up the things to carry, with him suddenly asking, "Why do you know the pin for his card?"

Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."

_{Xiao Ning thought, If Lu Yan really likes Xia Li, then it wasn't impossible for him to let this kid stay at his place.}
"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

Xiao Ning thought, If Lu Yan really likes Xia Li, then it wasn't impossible for him to let this kid stay at his place.

_{"What is he like..}But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.

"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

_{Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"}
Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.

Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"

_{A flush of red descended on Xia Li's face as he looked at Xiao Ning slashing the card, then helping him pick up the things to carry, with him suddenly asking, "Why do you know the pin for his card?"}
"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

A flush of red descended on Xia Li's face as he looked at Xiao Ning slashing the card, then helping him pick up the things to carry, with him suddenly asking, "Why do you know the pin for his card?"

_{Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."}"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."

_{"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."}
If you know Lu Yan's credit card, you basically know his passwords, again, Xia Li's thoughts unknowingly went to that suspicious place.

"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

_{From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.}Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.

_{"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"}After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.

"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

_{"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."}
At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."

_{It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.}With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.

_{"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."}From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

_{Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.}Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

_{"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"}
Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."

"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

_{{When will this day end...}}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

When will this day end...

_{Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"}"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."

Seeing him speak in such vivid detail, Xia Li believed him, and so asked, "Being a bit younger can't be that big of a deal, right?"

_{Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.}
"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."

Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.

_{Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.}What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

_{"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"}"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

_{There was instant silence over the phone.}"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

There was instant silence over the phone.

_{Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.}
Xiao Ning stared at the black wood of the table, adding, "Yeah, he does like spicy food."

Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.

_{But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?}This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.

But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?

_{What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.}
"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"

What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

_{"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming.}Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

_{This time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.}"Um... I uh..."

This time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.

_{"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."}"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."

_{"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."}
What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."

_{"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."}With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."}
"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."

_{{When will this day end...}}Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."

When will this day end...

_{"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."}
Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."

_{This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie.}"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

_{Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."}Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."

_{"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.}Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?

"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

_{Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"}
"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."

Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

_{Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.}Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

Within his own mind, there were also the words, written in ink, written in bold: there is no need to continue.

_{"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."}"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."

_{Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.}
Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."

Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.}"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.

_{Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."}Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"

Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."

_{This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.}
After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.

This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}
This time, to pay the bill, Xiao Ning took out his own money. Xia Li didn't know if it was because he was just accustomed to being the one paying the bill, also understood he should go along with the wishes of his host, and didn't offer to pay again.

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.}
Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"

Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.

_N/A"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."

N/A

_{To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"}Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

_{At that moment, he truly needed a friend.}Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

_{Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but.}
"I want to buy something for Lu Yan." Xia Li thought about it for a moment, "I want to buy him a wallet."

Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but... the matter before him was one he had to continue dealing with. "I understand. You want to know more about Lu Yan and know more about me as well. It's just that I'm not courageous when it comes to handling things, and I think things over quite carefully before I dare even say a word to someone else. So if it wasn't for me being afraid you'd have some sort of misunderstanding, I would've never said anything to begin with."

_{Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.}Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."

Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

_{At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"}Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.

At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

_{For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?}
Xiao Ning had nothing to say to that.

For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?

_{But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.}"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.

_{"What is he like..}"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

"What is he like..." Xiao Ning thought about Shan Haiming for a while, but nothing really came to his mind quickly regarding this question. He couldn't exactly mention them helping each other out once. But despite him not having known Shan Haiming for long, he did however feel that with a favour of this kind, the other man would most likely help. "It's not easy to put into words, but in the beginning, he didn't seem like someone easy to get along with. However, after we hung out with one another I felt he wasn't such a bad guy."

_{"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."}Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

_{For a while afterwards, the two talked casually, and having noticed enough time had passed, he suggested to Xia Li they should go walk around. "So, how long are you planning to stay in A-City?"}
With Xia Li then asking, "Which brand does he usually like to use?"

For a while afterwards, the two talked casually, and having noticed enough time had passed, he suggested to Xia Li they should go walk around. "So, how long are you planning to stay in A-City?"

_{Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"}"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"

_{"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true.}Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

_{"I want to buy something for Lu Yan." Xia Li thought about it for a moment, "I want to buy him a wallet."}
This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

"I want to buy something for Lu Yan." Xia Li thought about it for a moment, "I want to buy him a wallet."

_{{What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.}}Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but... the matter before him was one he had to continue dealing with. "I understand. You want to know more about Lu Yan and know more about me as well. It's just that I'm not courageous when it comes to handling things, and I think things over quite carefully before I dare even say a word to someone else. So if it wasn't for me being afraid you'd have some sort of misunderstanding, I would've never said anything to begin with."

What about it wasn't easy? All that was needed was for one of them to yield to accommodate the other.

_{For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. {This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?}}"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?

_{Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.}
Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

_{"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, {speaking of looking for a new place...}}"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, speaking of looking for a new place...

_{"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

_{Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.}
A leather belt was not much cheaper than a wallet, and Xiao Ning looked around at the floor below. "I remember there was one here, do you want to look around?"

Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

_{"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"}
Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"

_{However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.}"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.

_{"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all.}
Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."

"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

_{"Oh, so that's how it is..}Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

_{This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.}Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.

This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.

_{Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.}There was instant silence over the phone.

Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

_{From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"}
Xia Li's gaze turned to the shelves, so the store clerk suggested, "Those are designs from our previous season."

From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"}Lu Yan may have truly had a lifelong friend in Xiao Ning, but in the end, Xiao Ning had the guilty conscience of a thief.

"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

_{Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"}Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

_{Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."}
His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"

Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."

_{Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"}His gaze soon stopped, shocked, he took up a wallet and examined it. Seeing this, the store clerk, then explained, "That style is very popular. It's both practical and generous and is also available in two colours. Would you like to see them?"

Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

_{Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"}
"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

_{With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"}Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.

With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

_{{When will this day end...}}Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."

When will this day end...

_{"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."}Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."

"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

_{Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."}
Xiao Ning was slightly stunned, helplessness spreading through him. He truly had forgotten about this, and could only say, "Yes. I bought one the last time I came here with Lu Yan. I don't have a favourite brand in particular."

Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."

_{Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.}"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

_{"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."}So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

_{"Um... I uh..."}But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?

"Um... I uh..."

_{Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.}
Truthfully, back then when Lu Yan saw the two wallets, both the one on the left and the right, he had chosen the one with the crocodile pattern and Xiao Ning just figured he'd buy the one Lu Yan hadn't chosen. In the end, Lu Yan paid their bills together, so this wallet can actually be considered to be a gift chosen by Lu Yan and gifted to Xiao Ning.

Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

_{"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."}Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but... the matter before him was one he had to continue dealing with. "I understand. You want to know more about Lu Yan and know more about me as well. It's just that I'm not courageous when it comes to handling things, and I think things over quite carefully before I dare even say a word to someone else. So if it wasn't for me being afraid you'd have some sort of misunderstanding, I would've never said anything to begin with."

"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

_{So now, inside of that shop where the scent of the coffee's bitter warmth filled the air, without any sign or warning, without an ounce of preparation, Xiao Ning, with his own two hands, had buried the one-sided love he held on to from the age of ten, until his twenty-seventh year.}
"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."

So now, inside of that shop where the scent of the coffee's bitter warmth filled the air, without any sign or warning, without an ounce of preparation, Xiao Ning, with his own two hands, had buried the one-sided love he held on to from the age of ten, until his twenty-seventh year.

_{"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."}Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."

_{"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."}"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."

"Huh?! What are you doing? I was going to pay for it myself." Xia Li was shocked, wanting to snatch it, but Xiao Ning dodged out of the way, telling him, "This isn't my card, it's Lu Yan's. So if you want to say something, say it to him. I'm just an errand boy."

_{Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"}Xia Li's gaze turned to the shelves, so the store clerk suggested, "Those are designs from our previous season."

Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

_{At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"}
When will this day end...

At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

_{A leather belt was not much cheaper than a wallet, and Xiao Ning looked around at the floor below. "I remember there was one here, do you want to look around?"}
It felt as though he was carrying around a child afraid others would covet their treasured object, so Xiao Ning was not only exhausted, but his head was hurting too. But, suddenly, the phone in his pocket rang, and he hoped it was Lu Yan calling as he fished it out of his pocket.

A leather belt was not much cheaper than a wallet, and Xiao Ning looked around at the floor below. "I remember there was one here, do you want to look around?"

_{"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."}Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

"Oh, don't tell Lu Yan this, but I'm actually planning on finding a job here." Since he held no animosity towards Xiao Ning, there was naturally no probing in his tone while he giggled happily and added, "I've already sent out my resume, and I have an interview in a few days."

_{At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"}Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

At this obvious joke, the two laughed in tacit understanding. Xia Li's eyes had changed now, the suspicion once held within them decreasing, "Hey, that other guy... what's he like?"

_{"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."}"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"

"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."

_{When will this day end...}
However, the name Shan Haiming was displayed on the screen.

When will this day end...

_{After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.}"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.

_{"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming.}
Xia Li, hearing the phone ring, turned to look at Xiao Ning and saw him answer, "Haiming?"

"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

_{This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie.}"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."

This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

_{Xia Li, hearing the phone ring, turned to look at Xiao Ning and saw him answer, "Haiming?"}
From the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

Xia Li, hearing the phone ring, turned to look at Xiao Ning and saw him answer, "Haiming?"

_{Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."}Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

_{"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."}
"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."

"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

_N/A
Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

N/A

_{So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."}Xiao Ning asked curiously, "What? Do you think I'm lying to you or something? Is there any need for me to lie to you?"

So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

_{Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.}
"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

Seventeen years. It was long enough for a babe to have grown into a fresh-faced youth. It was also long enough for arduously undergo worry and fear, as well as harbour infinite joy and emptiness, while he walked that far and hopeless road alone.

_{At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"}"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

_{{Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.}}At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

_{"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."}
"With your brother?" Xiao Ning glanced at Xia Li who again turned back to pick out items, "Alright, where?"

"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."

_N/AOf course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

N/A

_{Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.}"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

Of course, it was too abrupt! Even Xiao Ning felt he was not ready to do so before. But now that he had gone through with saying those words absentmindedly, the tightly stretched string in his heart had been severed. It was painful, but it allowed him to be able to gradually breathe comfortably.

_{{Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.}}So now, inside of that shop where the scent of the coffee's bitter warmth filled the air, without any sign or warning, without an ounce of preparation, Xiao Ning, with his own two hands, had buried the one-sided love he held on to from the age of ten, until his twenty-seventh year.

Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

_{"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."}
Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."

"You two really are two peas in a pod." Xia Li laughed, putting back the wallet, adding, "He just changed his wallet last season so let's go look at some belts."

_{Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"}"That's very kind of you." Xia Li sighed before continuing, "I'm fine with spicy food, but I'm not very fond of sweets. Lu Yan seems to not like sweets much either. Like, fruits are fine, but sweetened products are just too much."

Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

_{They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.}Xiao Ning nodded, agreeing, "Usually it's girls who have a preference for sweets."

They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

_{After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.}"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

After the dishes arrived, the platter of sashimi basically all went into Xia Li's stomach. Xiao Ning only took a thin piece of salmon in the tasting dish, never moving it from that place following that. Afterwards, he only tried a piece of the mackerel pike (probably because it's pickled), then moved on to eat a few pieces of the roasted beef.

_{Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."}
Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."

Arriving at the Tom Ford speciality store, Xia Li and Xiao Ning were led to the wallet display by a store clerk, "These are our latest arrivals for our spring collection."

_{"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, speaking of looking for a new place...}
Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

"I don't know. You might have to ask the security staff at the building. Sometimes they know a lot about these things." Xiao Ning replied faintly, his own thoughts beginning to wander, speaking of looking for a new place...

_{Xia Li, hearing the phone ring, turned to look at Xiao Ning and saw him answer, "Haiming?"}But once he heard this, Shan Haiming only asked again impatiently, "Nonsense. There's nothing? Are you a garbage can?"

Xia Li, hearing the phone ring, turned to look at Xiao Ning and saw him answer, "Haiming?"

_{Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"}Xiao Ning was actually quite happy with this silence, all he had to do was pull the card out of his wallet, slash it and pay.

Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

_{This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie.}Shan Haiming didn't reply, only saying, "I'll come pick you up. Oh, and send me your bank account number later."

This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

_{Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"}
"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

_{"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"}They... actually he, himself, could no longer go on like this.

"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"

_{A flush of red descended on Xia Li's face as he looked at Xiao Ning slashing the card, then helping him pick up the things to carry, with him suddenly asking, "Why do you know the pin for his card?"}A leather belt was not much cheaper than a wallet, and Xiao Ning looked around at the floor below. "I remember there was one here, do you want to look around?"

A flush of red descended on Xia Li's face as he looked at Xiao Ning slashing the card, then helping him pick up the things to carry, with him suddenly asking, "Why do you know the pin for his card?"

_{Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."}Xia Li gave a disappointed cry, then added, "Then I'll just buy him a belt. Where is this Tom Ford place?"

Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."

_{There was no need.}
At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

There was no need.

_{"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.}Xiao Ning currently felt as though he could hear the wind howling within his chest and thus, closed his eyes. In truth, there was nothing else he had wanted to say, but... the matter before him was one he had to continue dealing with. "I understand. You want to know more about Lu Yan and know more about me as well. It's just that I'm not courageous when it comes to handling things, and I think things over quite carefully before I dare even say a word to someone else. So if it wasn't for me being afraid you'd have some sort of misunderstanding, I would've never said anything to begin with."

"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

_{"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.}When will this day end...

"I mean, I'll have dinner tomorrow with you and your brother. It's not a big deal." Xiao Ning then hesitated for a while before releasing his held breath, hoping they could become friends.

_{From today, he began not liking this cuisine.}
This act of his was too brazen. Lately, he had gotten so brazen. Xiao Ning understood that, as a human, there were a lot of things he couldn't always hold in. But, at current, he couldn't say any of those things to Shan Haiming.

From today, he began not liking this cuisine.

_{"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"}
But friends aren't, particularly in such extravagant relationships, so it shouldn't matter... right?

"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

_{"Um..." Xia Li shook his head in confusion, "It's just... way too sudden."}"I want to buy something for Lu Yan." Xia Li thought about it for a moment, "I want to buy him a wallet."

"Um..." Xia Li shook his head in confusion, "It's just... way too sudden."

_{Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"}Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."

Xiao Ning then asked, "Where do you want to go now?"

_{But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.}At noon, Xiao Ning took Xia Li to eat Japanese food, an act which was in consideration of Xia Li's preference for Japanese cuisine. While they both sat down, Xia Li remembered then asked, "You don't dislike Japanese food, right?"

But the appearance of Xia Li made him aware things can always change. Even if it wasn't Xia Li, there would always be someone else who could become the one most held dear to Lu Yan in the end. Such a person could be a man, or they could be a woman, but the one person they would never be was Xiao Ning.

_{Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"}
Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

Xia Li then muttered to himself, seeming as though he hadn't said anything, going on to ask, "So how did the two of you meet?"

_{"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."}"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."

"My brother and a friend," Shan Haiming explained simply, "It's just the four of us."

_{This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie.}
There was instant silence over the phone.

This made Xiao Ning hesitate for a while, because Lu Yan's favourite brand was Tom Ford, and some time ago he had accompanied that man to a speciality store to buy some clothes. So, the items of this brand may be rather expensive to a college student who just graduated, however, Xia Li did ask, and it wasn't easy for Xiao Ning to tell such a surface-level lie. "He likes to buy things from Tom Ford, but it hasn't been that long since he last bought a wallet there."

_{"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"}At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

_{"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true.}
Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?

"Who usually makes me run around doing all sorts of errands for him? This card is only a prepaid one he lets me use when I'm doing work for him." Xiao Ning explained it to him casually, but none of what he said was actually true. That card was actually a credit card with a limit of fifty-thousand. Xiao Ning just never thought of using the card secretly, but even if he did use it regularly, Lu Yan wouldn't bat an eye.

_{"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"}Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."

"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"

_{"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."}"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

"I'm with a friend right now," Xiao Ning said this line as a way of explaining, without explaining. Shan Haiming wasn't bothered about it, so he went on to say, "We're having dinner tomorrow night."

_{So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."}
"Um... I uh..."

So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

_{"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"}Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

"I kind of want to try finding one on my own first," Xia Li said, while noticing a nearby store, "I also want to check out an apartment too, so are there any rooms for rent where Lu Yan lives?"

_{"Oh, so that's how it is..}Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

_{"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,}It was not pleasing, but it was one which had long reached its end.

"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

_{"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."}
"Understood." Shan Haiming broke the silence, his tone sluggish as he added, "Is there anything you don't like to eat?"

"Oh. it's like that, huh?" Xia Li clicked his tongue twice, "Having such a good friend is really nice."

_{Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"}N/A

Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

_{Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."}Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."

Those words made Xiao Ning slow to react for a few seconds, as expected, Shan Haiming was referring to work. He remained silent for a good while before saying, "That isn't necessary."

_{There was instant silence over the phone.}
Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."

There was instant silence over the phone.

_{"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."}Xia Li was unfamiliar with the Tom Ford brand, given university students shop at nothing but Jack Jones or Mark Fairwhale for their accessories and clothes. But since Xiao Ning said it was Lu Yan's favourite, he agreed saying, "Okay, let's go."

"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."

_{Xiao Ning had nothing to say to that.}Shan Haiming was also silent for a while before asking, "What do you mean?"

Xiao Ning had nothing to say to that.

_{Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"}
But once he heard this, Shan Haiming only asked again impatiently, "Nonsense. There's nothing? Are you a garbage can?"

Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

_{Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."}"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."

Xiao Ning recalled Lu Yan having mentioned Xia Li's internship at the advertising company, so he said, "Ask Lu Yan to help you find one. He usually deals with people from advertising agencies."

_{"Oh, so that's how it is..}
So, as a result, pursing his lips, Xiao Ning whispered, "Japanese food."

"Oh, so that's how it is..." Xia Li seemed to be considering the positives and negatives of such a situation, so Xiao Ning thought he should offer him a few words of comfort. If Xiao Ning truly wanted to only be regarded as someone who is a friend of Lu Yan's, now should be his moment to show this sincerely, but he said nothing. His doing something like that at this point had felt extremely awkward, and was quite simply too much. He truly had no more energy to do so.

_{"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."}At that moment, he truly needed a friend.

"Lu Yan doesn't like to eat this stuff at all. He says the flavours are too light." Xia Li let out a chuckle, continuing, "So I made him use more wasabi."

_{Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"}
From today, he began not liking this cuisine.

Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

_{Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.}"Oh, I need to buy some shoes, want to go check out that place over there?" Xia Li took the lead, walking into a sporting brand store, Xiao Ning following behind him. He led Xia Li to the shoe rack with sports shoes he rarely wore himself, where his most recent pair was one gifted by Shan Haiming. While shopping, Xia Li was very self-reliant, neither listening to the store clerk's recommendation nor asking Xiao Ning's opinion. He simply bought a pair of trainers and a pair of vans. Picking contrasting colours was not Xiao Ning's strong suit.

Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

_{But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.}With his lips drawn into a line, Xia Li seemed as though he had nothing more to say. But following him taking a few sips of his coffee, he asked, "So... I can't tell Lu Yan?"

But none of these words could be said to Xia Li, so as to prevent the younger man from getting any strange ideas.

_{Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."}Xia Li's mouth fell open even wider, "Really?"

Seeing him ask this, Xiao Ning understood Xia Li was talking about himself and Lu Yan. After all, the younger man had just graduated from university, so he was about twenty-three years old. "Not really, but Lu Yan and I aren't the same. He can prefer those a little younger than himself because he has the energy to go running around to play with them all over."

_{"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"}
To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

"Then that means you must like spicy foods too, right?", Xia Li asked, "Otherwise, it couldn't be easy for you both to eat together, right?"

_Boyfriend
"I won't forget," Xiao Ning replied simply,

Boyfriend

_{{Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.}}Xiao Ning was surprised; but then immediately understood, asking, "With whom?"

Anyhow, he doesn't need to go back there himself either.

_{Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.}Concealing these preferences of his gave him a sense of security. It meant that others would not give him any special consideration, as well as, not making them perceive him troublesome.

Truthfully, he didn't want Lu Yan to know, not for the sake of others, but because of Lu Yan's temperament. He could not shake the feeling it would lead to more problems cropping up later on. Additionally, admitting his sexuality right to Lu Yan's face made him extremely embarrassed.

_{Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."}
"Good." Shan Haiming, utterly absentmindedly, replied, "Bye."

Xiao Ning paused, then replied, "No."

_{"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."}"Xiao Ning." Xia Li called out, "Isn't this just like the one you use?"

"It wasn't that long ago. I had a colleague ask me to a bar some time ago and we met there." This was the truth, Xiao Ning would naturally not beat around the bush, adding, "After we hit it off, it felt nice. But... he is a bit younger than me, though."

_{From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.}There was instant silence over the phone.

From the start, that ought to have been something he understood. Despite him only thinking of being a good friend in his heart of hearts, along with knowing they can never have any future with one another, Xiao Ning had ultimately not completely banished the thought, always wanting to stay within reach of that place even if only to bask in the slivers of warmth such delusions can bring.

_{Xiao Ning stared at the black wood of the table, adding, "Yeah, he does like spicy food."}Xiao Ning was not accustomed to eating raw dishes and had in truth preferred traditional Chinese-styled cuisine. "I don't hate it, and I can eat whatever."

Xiao Ning stared at the black wood of the table, adding, "Yeah, he does like spicy food."

_{Xiao Ning stared at the black wood of the table, adding, "Yeah, he does like spicy food."}
The phone call ended neatly.

Xiao Ning stared at the black wood of the table, adding, "Yeah, he does like spicy food."

_{But once he heard this, Shan Haiming only asked again impatiently, "Nonsense. There's nothing? Are you a garbage can?"}To which Shan Haiming lightly hummed, "Tomorrow after work I'll call you. Don't forget, alright?"

But once he heard this, Shan Haiming only asked again impatiently, "Nonsense. There's nothing? Are you a garbage can?"

_{"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."}"Either is fine with me. Whether it's spicy or not spicy, I can eat it all." Xiao Ning had always never been picky about food even if he was not particularly fond of it. He does, however, have a special partiality towards fish and sweets, except he never took the initiative to add these to dishes when he was dining in public. In order to be considerate of those around him, he also never stared at any one dish. This is why in the eyes of the people around him, Xiao Ning did not have any food one could see was his favourite.

"I hope you won't tell him." Xiao Ning sighed, there was no use in pretending. "But if I'm going to see that person I mentioned before, I still have to tell the friends around me, and Lu Yan isn't homophobic anyhow, so it doesn't really matter. If you want to tell him, just tell him."

_{Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?}Which is why Xiao Ning could only whisper, "Who was it that made me become yours, huh?"

Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?

_{Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?}
For a moment, Xiao Ning remained unmoving, unable to help the gentle smile from emerging as he shook his head. This smile... Why does it feel like a real one?

Xiao Ning smiled for a moment, suddenly coming to his senses. Was that a joke he just played? Were they close enough for such a joke to be played?

_{The phone call ended neatly.}Xia Li's gaze turned to the shelves, so the store clerk suggested, "Those are designs from our previous season."

The phone call ended neatly.

_BoyfriendFrom the other end of the line, Shan Haiming's laugh echoed, "So you switched it again?"

Boyfriend

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

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