After finishing their meal, Qin Youyou and Wei Dong took a taxi back home. At the neighbourhood entrance, Wei Dong first got out of the passenger seat, then he opened up the back door. One hand took Qin Youyou’s backpack and the other hand reached inside.

Qin Youyou smiled. Without a moment of hesitation, he took his hand and used his strength to get out the car.

Chen Yushen was standing under a tree a distance away, staring blankly at the two people.

Qin Youyou just happened to look up at that very moment. When their eyes me, his entire body froze for a second.

Wei Dong noticed the change in Qin Youyou’s expression. He asked, “What’s wrong?” as he turned his head to follow his gaze.

He had never met Chen Yushen. There were so many people walking around on the street during the summer night, and he wasn’t quite sure who Qin Youyou was looking at.

Qin Youyou subconsciously grabbed Wei Dong’s hand, his heart beginning to beat erratically. He didn’t know how Chen Yushen had found out about this place, and he didn’t know what he wanted to do either.

Wei Dong turned back to look at him and hold him closer. “Who do you see?”

“Nobody, let’s go.” Qin Youyou grabbed on to him and refused to let go.

Wei Dong didn’t pull away, but he looked back.

Two men walking down the street holding hands is quite noticeable. Most people would take a second look when seeing them, and Wei Dong was still not used to making such intimate gestures outside of their house.

Someone walked past them and Qin Youyou finally reacted—he let go of his hand.

Wei Dong didn’t say anything further, he just put his hand on his shoulder and led them through the neighbourhood.

After walking for a distance, Qin Youyou turned around to sneak a look back. Chen Yushen was still standing there, his expression too distant to discern, but he hadn’t moved at all.

The lights around the neighbourhood weren’t very bright and there were trees and shrubbery on both sides of the walkway. The two of them reached a secluded area and Wei Dong lowered his hand to wrap around Qin Youyou.

Qin Youyou looked up at him.

“What just happened? Did you feel there was something wrong?”

Qin Youyou realised, Wei Dong was truly perceptive. He’d only had a moment of panic, and yet Wei Dong had sensed it.

He smiled. “I saw a pedicab selling watermelons on the side of the road and wanted to go buy, but then I remembered we still have one in the fridge at home.”

Wei Dong gave a hmm. “When we get back home I’ll prepare some of it for you.”

After entering the house, Wei Dong put the backpack down. He then went to wash his hands and walked into the kitchen, taking out the watermelon from the fridge.

Qin Youyou went to the bathroom and took a shower, and then changed into short sleeves and shorts before coming out.

Wei Dong was sitting on the couch watching TV with the remote. The watermelon had already been cut into small chunks and put in a glass bowl with a fork in it. Qin Youyou walked over and picked up the bowl, and used the fork to put a piece in to Wei Dong’s mouth before he sat down.

Wei Dong pulled out some napkins and folded them in his hand, so Qin Youyou could spit out the seeds.

Qin Youyou ate for a little bit. He sighed, suddenly feeling delighted.

Too sweet.

All of a sudden, he’d recalled all of the mundane actions Wei Dong constantly did for him: loosening the lid of a water bottle before handing it over; when walking across the road he would always walk on his exposed side; when holding an umbrella completely over him, half of him would always get soaked; after cooking congee or egg custard and bringing it to the table, calling out “be careful, it’s hot” before Qin Youyou could even lift his spoon.

So many little actions that are so attuned, and completely subconscious.

Qin Youyou’s heart couldn’t help but soften again. It turns out, a person can really turn their kindness towards another person in to a habit, integrating it into daily life until it becomes as instinctual as breathing.

Qin Youyou thought, with this kind of person, living this kind of life, who wouldn’t want to spend the rest of their lives like this?

But to Wei Dong, it seems like all of these little actions aren’t a big deal. Wei Dong never seemed to feel like these actions were worth much—to him, these are just ordinary actions.

But Qin Youyou knew very well, not everybody gets to experience this.

Previously when he would throw a tantrum or become over-emotional, he would stick to Wei Dong and ask him, “Ge, why are you so good? Why are you so good to me?”

At first, Wei Dong would seriously think about this question before replying: “You are living with me, and I’m a lot older than you—why would I not be good to you?”

Qin Youyou would grumble, unsatisfied with this answer, but later on, Wei Dong told him the truth: “Because I like you, and I want to be good to you.”

Then Qin Youyou would continue his grumble, so Wei Dong would simply pick him up, kiss him, rub him and say “Because you’re so lovable.”

This answer would always hit the mark, especially when they’d just done it. Qin Youyou would immediately settle down, nestling into Wei Dong’s arms where he was held until he could no longer move. If he kept acting up then Wei Dong would show him exactly why he was so lovable, and show him repeatedly.

And then Qin Youyou would have a guilty conscience when he couldn’t take it anymore…

That night as he got into bed, Qin Youyou received a text message from an unknown number. There was no doubt that it had come from Chen Yushen.

Chen Yushen had asked: Youyou, you truly are doing well now… Is there anything else than I can do for you?

Qin Youyou didn’t bother with a response. With expert proficiency he deleted and blocked.

Yes, he thought, I’m great, especially because I no longer have anything to do with you.

As autumn came around, after he’d reached for the stars and moon, Qin Youyou finally obtained the undergraduate certificate he’d been thinking about day and night.

He was so ecstatic, he even slept with it under his pillow for several nights, hoping it would even show up in his dreams.

But compared to him, Wei Dong was even more overjoyed.

Without a second word from Liu-ge, the studio signed an employment contract with Qin Youyou. At long last, Qin Youyou had taken that final step into becoming a white-collar worker with five insurances[1] and a housing fund.

After the contract was signed, this group of people who loved to celebrate organised another feast, this time to celebrate Qin Youyou.

And this time, Wei Dong came with. And Qin Youyou really had too much to drink.

He was brimming with happiness and another emotion that he couldn’t quite express. He didn’t refuse a single person who came up to toast him. Wei Dong sat next to him watching but did not intervene.

Liu Jingwen spoke to Wei Dong. “Do you think our Youyou’s alcohol tolerance has gotten better?”

Wei Dong nodded. “Seems to have.”

Qin Youyou overheard them and held out his glass. “Jingwen-ge, let’s have another drink. I want to thank you.”

Liu Jingwen laughed and tossed away the edamame bean shells in his hand. Picking up a beer he toasted Qin Youyou. “Tonight, how many more times are you going to thank me?”

“As many times as I should,” he answered.

Liu Jingwen looked up and then dropped his gaze. “There’s no need for thanks, didi.”

Qin Youyou finished his drink with a gulp, and then stood up and burped. Liu Jingwen looked at him and laughed until his shoulders shook. “Is him drinking this much okay?” he asked Wei Dong.

“It’s fine. When he’s drunk he doesn’t make a scene.”

Liu Jingwen relaxed. “Alright then. But when it’s time to leave, don’t come hold on to me and cry.”

Qin Youyou really did feel like crying but he restrained himself. With his red eyes, he held it in the entire evening, drinking and laughing like he was supposed to.

After finishing their meal, Wei Dong led him slowly down the road home; only then did the tears finally run down his nose.

Wei Dong didn’t say anything, he only took out a tissue and quietly wiped away his tears. Qin Youyou straightened up and took a deep breath.

“Ge,” with tears still dripping from his nose, he looked up at the brightly lit buildings on the street. “From now on, there’s only good days ahead of us.”

Wei Dong agreed with him. “Hmm.”

Qin Youyou thought for a moment then changed his words. “That’s right. Actually, from the day I’ve met you, when you pulled me out of that pit… If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Wei Dong held on to his arm as they walked slowly, a smile on his lips.

“But starting from today, my situation is stable and protected, right?” Qin Youyou gazed up at him, his expression thoughtful.

“Yes,” Wei Dong gently patted his back. “You’re journey to this point hasn’t been easy. You’ve gone through a lot, Youyou.”

Qin Youyou turned away, the tears freely running down his face again.

Wei Dong stopped walking and gently wiped him. “From now on everything will be fine. Keep looking forward, and it will only get brighter.”

Qin Youyou lifted his arm and wiped his face, nodding animatedly.

Everything in his heart seemed to feel lighter. The breeze on the street was cool, gently blowing away the past. The streetlights and the bustling, combined with the smiling expressing in Wei Dong’s eyes… All of it seemed to light the path ahead for Qin Youyou.

If only I could freeze time right at this moment, Qin Youyou thought as he looked at Wei Dong. He truly wished for this to last a lifetime.

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[1] The mandatory social insurances