Qin Youyou moved all of his things over to Wei Dong’s house.

He didn’t actually have a lot to move—he only had a suitcase on wheels, a large snakeskin bag with bedding and a few pieces of clothing, and a bag containing simple everyday items. This is all his belongings in the world.

“I really can live here?” Qin Youyou still didn’t dare to believe it.

“You don’t want to live with me?” Wei Dong laughed at him.

“I really do,” Qin Youyou put down his things and walked over to hug Wei Dong. “But what if someone finds out and gossips about you…”

“Then I’ll just tell them. Nobody here knows me anyway.” Wei Dong stroked the back of his head with his large hand. “We can stay here for now, and if it doesn’t work out then we can move somewhere else.”

Qin Youyou leaned into Wei Dong’s broad embrace. Words could not describe the feeling of peace and relief in his heart.

Indescribable comfort. He never would have dared to dream about experiencing such warmth.

He did feel a little ashamed—ashamed that he was relying on a man to support him. But from now on, he has someone who he can depend on, who can love him, protect him and he doesn’t need to suffer alone.

“What’s in the case?” Wei Dong held his neck softly, looking at the rolling suitcase. “Can I help you with it?”

Qin Youyou hesitated for a bit, then crouched down to open the zipper.

Books. The suitcase was stuffed to the brim with books.

Wei Dong went over to have a look and pulled out a book to page through. It was old textbooks, teaching material and mock questions.

“This is yours? You study these?” Wei Dong was amazed.

“Mm. Some are new, some I bought from the second-hand bookshop…” Qin Youyou’s voice was low. “Ge, I’m sorry. I wasted some of the money you gave me.”

Wei Dong looked at him.

Qin Youyou didn’t dare look at him directly. “I want to register to take the exams… This year I was supposed to go to university, but of course that didn’t happen. So I thought I could get a diploma by self-study.”

“That’s great,” Wei Dong rubbed his head smiling.

“You don’t think it’s a weird idea? It’s hard to make money, and I just wasted it. I can’t even get a proper job…”

“You wanting to improve your situation is a good thing, and studying is the best way to do that,” Wei Dong picked up another book and paged through it. “I’ve said it many times, Youyou. You are young, and there will be many more opportunities for you in the future. Going to school gives you the best chance to change your life, and I will support you.”

After not getting a response for a while, Wei Dong looked up at him. Qin Youyou’s mouth was pursed and his eyes were red.

“Thank you, Ge. I was scared you would see this and be unhappy with me… I thought of not bringing it all with, but I couldn’t bear to throw it away…”

“Why would you throw it away—you bought it.” Wei Dong wiped the corner of his eyes. “Spending money on study materials and using them is a good thing. Having goals is also good, and I believe you can achieve it.”

Qin Youyou blinked. A tear fell over the rim of his eye and made its way down to the tip of his nose. He lowered his head and wiped it away with his hand.

Wei Dong reached out and pulled him into his arms and patting him. “You just follow your plans and if you need anything, tell me. I will look after you.”

Qin Youyou gripped Wei Dong’s clothing and choked out, “How did I meet you, Ge… Why are you so good to me? I won’t be able to pay you back in the future—”

“Can you not…” Wei Dong said softly. “For the two of us to meet, walk together for a little while, accompany each other—I am already content with that. I never dared to think about having that before.”

“It’s not only for a little while—it’s for a lifetime.” Qin Youyou lifted his head and stared with his reddened eyes.

“Here we go again,” Wei Dong laughed. “Making a solemn vow every time.”

“Because it’s for a lifetime.”

“Yes, yes. A lifetime.” Wei Dong rubbed his face. “You’re still young. I’m looking forward to it.”

Qin Youyou is a kid with good living habits. Even someone like Wei Dong, who was accustomed to living by himself for years, didn’t feel uncomfortable from living together. He was hardworking and even when he had some free time, he didn’t remain idle. He kept the apartment neat and tidy, and even cooked a few simple meals—and Wei Dong praised every one.

After the relationship settled, Qin Youyou’s somewhat clingy personality had no further need to be concealed. He was dependent on Wei Dong from top to bottom, and Wei Dong liked it. Every time he had someone held in his warm arms, he had a feeling of peace and satisfaction. The days seemed to have a shine on it, and a completely different feeling from before.[1]

But when it came to studying, Wei Dong didn’t think he would have taken it so seriously. When he left in the morning, he always took one or two books with in his bag. Taking advantage of the time spent on the subway and eating, he read then as well. He was busy the entire day, and when he returned in the evening, after finishing his dinner and tidying up, he did mock exams. He often lay in Wei Dong’s arms, muttering to himself with a book in his hand.

On this evening, Wei Dong woke up and saw the bathroom door was closed and the light was on. He opened the door. Qin Youyou was sitting on a cushion on the floor, using a small stool as a table, absorbed in writing.

“Can your body endure this?” Wei Dong frowned. “If you wear out your health, what use is it to pass the exams?”

“It’s fine, Ge. I can handle it.” Qin Youyou nibbled his pen. He looked up and smiled. “It’s only for a few months and I’m a little short on time. When the exams are over it will be okay.”

Wei Dong said nothing for a while, and Qin Youyou continued writing. “Then come out and write. Why are you sitting in here?”

“I didn’t want the light outside to disturb your rest. Ge, go back to sleep, don’t worry about me.” Qin Youyou put down his pen and grabbed hold of Wei Dong’s hand. “If I disturb you, I won’t be able to study properly. It’s fine sitting here, really.”

Wei Dong stared at him for a while.

Qin Youyou’s left hand held on to two of Wei Dong’s fingers and didn’t let go. While he spoke, he continued his train of thought—he continued writing.

Wei Dong rubbed his head after a moment. “Finish early and then come to bed.”

“I will, Ge.”

---

[1] Quick Chinese word lesson. So earlier in the chapter when QYY’s internal monologue was saying he was a bit ashamed he was dependent on a man, he used the word 依靠 yikao—to ‘depend/rely on’. In this paragraph, after they’ve settled in to a routine, the word 依赖 yilai is ‘to be dependent on’ is used. They both mean kind of the same thing, but I (personally) feel like there’s a subtle difference. Before, QYY said he was dependent on WD, because he’s got no place to stay/eat etc without him–WD was giving him his basic needs. In this paragraph, the 依赖 is more ‘he can’t exist without him/there’s no QYY without a WD/they exist together’. At this point, QYY is really living up to the ‘forever’ he decided on.