“Let him rot in jail!”

“Chu Lai, aren’t you scared at all? I’m terrified!”

“How did I never realize this kid was so extreme before?!”

…

By the time they finished recording the statement, it was already dawn. Liu Yuan, cursing under his breath, handed Chu Lai a cup of strawberry milk from the convenience store.

The two of them stood talking inside the store. Jiang Liyong had been there earlier but left after taking a call to return to the hospital.

Cen Wei was still talking with the lawyer and hadn’t come out yet.

Chu Lai held the paper cup, the straw already bitten flat. His wet T-shirt had dried but was still a little wrinkled. He said, “I’m scared too.”

Liu Yuan closed his eyes. Just thinking about the scene made him shiver. If Shen Quanzhang had really stabbed someone, they’d all probably be making headlines on the social news by now.

A class reunion turning into a criminal case—unbelievable.

Liu Yuan muttered, “He brought it on himself, yet he still blames you. I can’t believe it.”

“They should lock him up for a few years. He’s too dangerous.”

Chu Lai had cleaned his face, but he still felt like there was a lingering smell of steak blood and grease, so he wiped his face again with a wet tissue.

They stood there for over ten minutes, and Chu Lai wiped his face several more times. Liu Yuan couldn’t help but ask, “Is it really that uncomfortable?”

Chu Lai looked calm, which only made Cen Wei’s earlier outburst seem even more violent in contrast. He had rushed in, breaking a few of Shen Quanzhang’s ribs with a kick. Thankfully, there had been an orthopedic doctor present, so there was no life-threatening danger.

“It feels sticky,” Chu Lai put down the tissue and picked up the small mirror Liu Yuan had handed him. His face had turned red from all the wiping.

Liu Yuan still found the whole situation terrifying. “How did he know we were there?”

He glanced at the group chat. Everyone was talking about what had happened earlier. Other customers at the bar had taken videos, and now they were spreading online.

Shen Quanzhang was the ultimate scary ex. Yet, online, there were all kinds of trolls, some even sympathizing with Shen Quanzhang and calling Cen Wei’s retaliation too harsh.

But Shen Quanzhang had already pulled a knife. Cen Wei was practically holding back. It was the first time Liu Yuan had seen Cen Wei so angry. Normally, Cen Wei was the epitome of grace, always polite to Chu Lai’s friends. But the look he gave Shen Quanzhang at that moment was so intense it felt like he could crush someone. With his tall frame and sharp features, he exuded an overwhelming pressure. Some people around them had gasped, and even the onlookers online were startled.

But for someone on their side, Liu Yuan felt a sense of safety. He glanced at Chu Lai and said, “Go home and get some rest.”

“You look fine, but I know you were scared too.”

Liu Yuan had known Chu Lai for many years, and he could always tell when Chu Lai was pretending to be calm. No one’s really fearless, and Chu Lai wasn’t someone devoid of feelings.

“When Boss Cen gets here, let him hold you for a bit,” Liu Yuan said as he ate a few skewers of oden. “It’s unlucky to run into something like this during the New Year, but at least you’re not hurt. Think positively: the past is over, and without it, you wouldn’t have a future with Cen Wei.”

Chu Lai responded with a soft “mm.”

The messages in the group chat kept increasing. After the chaos, the planned raffle drawing had been moved online.

The group owner tagged Chu Lai, congratulating him for winning an indie game and matching equipment.

Chu Lai looked at the message, and Liu Yuan sighed regretfully, “It was supposed to be such a lively event.”

Still, Liu Yuan chuckled, knowing full well the raffle had been rigged. “Congratulations! You got what you wanted.”

Chu Lai also knew that Cen Wei had orchestrated this favor. He glanced outside the floor-to-ceiling window, where the district police station stood across the street.

Just then, Cen Wei came out with the lawyer, discussing something.

Suddenly, it started to rain, the drops hitting the glass. Liu Yuan clicked his tongue, “I was planning to visit the temple tomorrow, and now it’s raining.”

“What for?” Chu Lai asked.

“The God of Wealth, of course,” Liu Yuan replied.

Chu Lai looked surprised, “I thought you were going to pray for romance?”

Liu Yuan took a bite of fish cake, “Only wealth can be sought. You can’t force love.”

“Don’t you know that nowadays, temples are packed with people praying for money, career, and education? No one cares about romance anymore.”

He sighed while watching the cold rain outside the window, “Romance is fate, but fortune—well, I believe in making my own destiny.”

Chu Lai seemed thoughtful.

Liu Yuan added, “Isn’t your relationship with Boss Cen a bit like destiny too?”

The Cen family had their own legal team, and the lawyer with Cen Wei was an old acquaintance. Liu Yuan never expected he’d be dealing with something like this.

In his memory, Cen Wei had never been this angry, but anyone would be furious in this situation.

After finishing his statement, Mr. Chu and his friend left first. Cen Wei still had more to discuss, so the lawyer stayed by his side.

Shen Quanzhang, having failed in his attempt to harm someone, was still locked up inside. Meanwhile, Cen Wei stood nearby, watching Shen Quanzhang in handcuffs and recalling the promise he made when he signed those papers the other day.

Shen Quanzhang sneered, “If you’re so capable, why don’t you just kill me?”

His eyes were bloodshot, and he no longer cared about saving face. Meanwhile, Cen Wei stood tall and imposing, his cold expression a stark contrast to Shen Quanzhang’s unhinged appearance.

Shen Quanzhang gritted his teeth, seething with jealousy. “You’re just a rich guy with some dirty money, aren’t you?”

Cen Wei’s gaze remained icy. “You still don’t get it, do you?”

“If Chu Lai didn’t like you, why did he date you for so many years?”

Normally, Cen Wei wouldn’t bother saying such things. But when he saw that knife pressed against Chu Lai’s neck, his whole body froze with fear.

He couldn’t even imagine how he would live if Chu Lai wasn’t in this world.

His mind was filled with memories of past bloodshed—his father’s death playing out before his eyes. From then on, love had become something Cen Wei didn’t want to touch.

But people are people, and some things are hard to suppress.

Cen Wei had already restrained himself a lot by the time he struck. Now, looking at Shen Quanzhang, his jaw tightened, his hand clenched into a fist. To the lawyer rushing over, it was a clear sign of barely contained rage.

This same lawyer had handled the case of Cen Wei’s father back in the day. Over the years, he had watched Cen Wei grow up and was well aware of the differences in him now compared to before.

The lawyer had also attended Cen Wei and Chu Lai’s wedding. He could see the genuine happiness in the grown-up child’s smile, debunking the online rumors about it being a marriage of convenience. The Cen family was very open-minded, favoring free love.

Those close to them could see clearly that Cen Wei’s love for Chu Lai was his deepest vulnerability.

Shen Quanzhang sneered, “Are you sure he likes me?”

He let out a hollow laugh as the two men, one behind bars and the other free, stared at each other—one an ex, the other the present love.

One had been a campus romance, the other, a lifetime of happiness.

Cen Wei said coldly, “If you don’t want to hear that, then let me tell you something else.”

He smirked, a mocking curve to his lips, “You never made him happy.”

“Only I can.”

It took Shen Quanzhang a few seconds to process this. He gripped the bars in fury, wincing as the pain from his injuries flared up. But Cen Wei had already turned to leave.

Outside, he told the lawyer, “Uncle Zhang, I’ll leave the rest to you. I won’t agree to any settlements.”

“You know what I mean.”

The lawyer nodded. It had begun to rain, and a driver had brought an umbrella for Cen Wei. But instead of getting in the car, he strode through the drizzle toward the convenience store across the street.

The Cen family’s Lianxin umbrellas were even more famous now than before, not just as a century-old brand but as a trendy new luxury.

With his natural elegance, even the high-end, crystal-embedded umbrella looked like an everyday accessory in Cen Wei’s hand. Some netizens joked that their boss selling umbrellas was borderline fraud, as it was hard for ordinary people to carry off such a luxurious look without appearing over the top.

Red lanterns lined the street for the New Year. Chu Lai was still checking his phone messages when Liu Yuan nudged him, “Your Cen is here.”

Chu Lai looked up. Under the streetlight, Cen Wei walked over with an umbrella, looking like a model straight out of a magazine. Liu Yuan chuckled, remembering Chu Lai’s past comments about his ideal partner. Teasingly, he asked, “How does it feel? Your spouse doesn’t match your original fantasy, huh?”

Chu Lai smiled faintly, “Not exactly unmatched.”

“What do you mean?” Liu Yuan asked.

With his usual understated tone, Chu Lai responded, “His hugs are really strong.”

Liu Yuan clicked his tongue, casting a meaningful glance at him. Chu Lai, realizing what he meant, coughed and muttered, “Can’t you be a little more pure?”

When Cen Wei pushed open the door to the convenience store, Liu Yuan tactfully excused himself, “I’m going to grab a taxi home. Let’s meet up next time.”

Chu Lai glanced outside, “It’s raining.”

Cen Wei handed Liu Yuan the umbrella, “It’s hard to get a taxi in this weather. Take my car; the driver’s waiting, I’ve already told him.”

This umbrella had become wildly expensive, so much so that Liu Yuan had seen it mentioned by fashion bloggers on Weibo. Many people bought it but couldn’t bring themselves to use it. He didn’t expect Cen Wei to use it casually and even give it away.

Liu Yuan declined, “It’s too fancy. I’d rather stick with a ten-dollar umbrella.”

Chu Lai stopped him, “Just take it. Isn’t it a bit rude to say you’ll buy another umbrella in front of the guy who sells umbrellas?”

Raising an eyebrow, Cen Wei nodded in agreement, following his partner’s lead, “Rude, right?”

Unable to handle the couple’s combined persuasion, Liu Yuan gave in and took the umbrella, saying, “Don’t take it back later!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Cen Wei replied.

Liu Yuan opened the umbrella and headed out. Upon seeing the golden thread inside, he couldn’t help but curse under his breath. His initial hurry slowed, and he waved to Chu Lai more cautiously before getting into the car.

After watching Liu Yuan leave, Chu Lai turned to Cen Wei and asked, “So, what about us?”

“I had someone bring my car around. Let’s wait a little longer,” Cen Wei replied, his gaze resting on Chu Lai’s face. There was a noticeable red mark on his right cheek, which made Cen Wei’s heart ache. He reached out, hesitated, and then pulled back. “Does it hurt?”

Chu Lai shook his head, “It just feels uncomfortable.”

“Maybe you rubbed it too hard. Let’s put some ointment on it when we get home.”

Chu Lai hadn’t finished his cup of strawberry milk yet, though the straw was now completely flattened. Without a second thought, Cen Wei took it from him and took a sip.

The strange texture of the straw didn’t stop him from taking another, though the sweetness made him squint. Chu Lai looked up and caught the man’s reaction. Cen Wei pursed his lips, “So sweet.”

“Then why are you still drinking it?” Chu Lai asked.

Taking another sip, Cen Wei replied, “Wanted to experience the flat straw.”

Chu Lai tilted his head slightly, “I’ve always done that since I was a kid. It’s a hard habit to break. Back then, my biggest luxury was buying a whole pack of AD calcium milk and poking straws into all of them to drink.”

He tapped his fingers on the table in a rhythm that matched the falling rain outside. As he lowered his head, the faint marks of being grabbed earlier were still visible on his neck.

Seeing this, the hand that Cen Wei had relaxed clenched into a fist again. He regretted not hitting Shen Quanzhang a few more times. Reaching out, he pulled Chu Lai into his arms. “Well, let’s buy some now. I’m sure they sell it here.”

Before Chu Lai could respond, he was already being dragged off.

The two men walking side by side down the narrow convenience store aisles made for a tight fit. Glancing around, Cen Wei grabbed several packs of drinks off the shelf in front of Chu Lai.

“Isn’t that too much?” Chu Lai asked.

“I’ll drink them with you,” Cen Wei said casually.

Though the company head appeared elegant and refined on the surface, at home, he often got scolded by Cen Jiansun for his lack of taste.

He couldn’t even tell the difference between Jin Junmei and Dianhong tea. When Cen Jiansun scolded him, Chu Lai, who would be playing with their dog, felt genuinely sympathetic. Who could really tell those teas apart anyway? In fact, young master Cen actually preferred cheap iced tea, much like how Chu Lai, who loved grilled green peppers from street vendors, shared similar down-to-earth tastes.

By the time they got into the car, the backseat was piled with drinks. It was nearly dawn when they finally got home.

Chu Lai headed upstairs to shower first, while Cen Wei took the bags into the study, where he stored them so that Chu Lai would have snacks while playing games.

The bathroom was filled with steam when the man knocked on the door and asked, “Can I join you?”

Through the sound of the water, Chu Lai didn’t hear him clearly. He thought about what Liu Yuan had said earlier and then about how, when Cen Wei had hugged him, his body had been trembling.

Someone had been so scared for him that they themselves had become afraid, and in the end, it was Chu Lai who had to comfort them.

It was like how, back in school, someone would get nervous before an exam, but seeing them so anxious made Chu Lai calm down instead.

Now, with the hot water pouring down like a burning rain, Chu Lai didn’t turn it off and instead shouted, “Come on in.”

Come into my world. Let’s go together toward our future.

As they embraced, Chu Lai closed his eyes. Cen Wei kissed the cheek that had been wiped red too many times, the same cheek that had been pressed with a knife and stained with blood.

His lips brushed over the back of Chu Lai’s neck, the gentle motion as if trying to erase the marks left by someone else’s harm.

Chu Lai held him tightly, wishing that Cen Wei could reach deep inside his heart and stay there forever, while at the same time not wanting him to pull away.

The steam from the shower fogged up the glass, and occasionally, a hand would press against it, leaving an ambiguous handprint that slowly slid down, the soft whimpers swallowed by the sound of the water, turning into a rising wave, their first time expressing their passion intensely.

As Cen Wei kissed away Chu Lai’s tears, he whispered his name, saying, “I love you.”

Chu Lai replied with a soft “mm.” His response was a plea for Cen Wei to hold him even tighter, stronger than just a hug, so his body could forever remember the shape of the man he loved.

Like a brand, like the lines of life on a palm, they were each other’s precious treasures.

“I love you too.”

After that, Chu Lai couldn’t say anything more.

His soft sobs turned from resistance into acceptance, calling out Cen Wei’s name.

And the response was always the same:

I’m here.

And I’ll always love you.

/

Chu Lai thought he would fall asleep out of sheer exhaustion, but after the shower, lying in bed with his eyes closed, he found himself still wide awake.

The bedside lamp was on, and Cen Wei glanced over at him, asking, “Can’t sleep?”

Chu Lai hummed in response. “It’s strange. I should be really tired.”

The man holding him hesitated for a moment and then asked, “Could it be because you weren’t satisfied?”

Chu Lai stayed silent for a few seconds before saying, “But I still feel like you’re inside me.”

This made Cen Wei choke a bit. He ran his fingers through Chu Lai’s hair and asked, “Well, then… how about we go again?”

Chu Lai quickly refused, “No.”

“Then how about we chat for a bit?” Cen Wei suggested.

Still with his eyes closed, Chu Lai asked, “Chat about what?”

“About what we’re going to do after we visit Grandpa,” Cen Wei said.

Their flight was the next day, scheduled for the morning, and they were expected to arrive by the evening. The accommodations had already been arranged.

Chu Lai had never been on a plane before, and he admitted softly, “I’m a little scared.”

“Scared of what?” asked Cen Wei.

Chu Lai sighed, “This is my first time traveling, and it’s out of the country.”

For as long as he had known him, Chu Lai had always been the biggest homebody. Curious, Cen Wei asked, “How come you never traveled during college?”

He had heard from previous conversations between Chu Lai and Xuan Rongqing that during the summer before his senior year of high school, Chu Lai had been busy with part-time jobs and getting his driver’s license. Xuan Rongqing treated Chu Lai even better than her own son, feeling both proud and worried for him. Whenever she asked for more details, Cen Wei would eavesdrop so attentively that his speed at winding yarn for Grandma Hong would slow down, earning him a smack from Grandma with her knitting needle.

Now, in the deep of the night, Chu Lai’s voice grew drowsy as he spoke. His body was exhausted, but his mind remained alert. Once, he had found conversations like these boring, but now, surrounded by the scent of Cen Wei, he closed his eyes, taking in more of it, “There was no time. I had to save money and find internships.”

“What about Liu Yuan? Didn’t he ask you to go out?” Cen Wei asked.

He had heard during a reunion that some of Chu Lai’s classmates went camping in college.

Yawning, Chu Lai felt his body growing heavier, though his mind remained unusually clear. He replied, “He did, but most of the time it was for him to chase after someone. I wasn’t much of a help, so he’d usually ask someone else.”

The way he put it was amusing, and it made Cen Wei chuckle. “So, is there anywhere in the country you want to visit?”

In reality, Chu Lai’s life had mostly been a routine of going between two points—work and home. He even avoided the company’s annual trips and team-building events because he didn’t like the hassle of sharing a room with people he wasn’t close to, nor did he want to pay extra for a single room. Plus, since he had a dog, he didn’t want to leave it behind, which only made him more of a homebody.

“Of course, I want to go to the beach and ride a bike. I want to take a cable car up to Bijiashan, and I want to eat authentic luosifen…”

He spoke slowly, and at this moment, the conversation felt relaxed and open, almost like another form of intimacy.

As he listened, Cen Wei mentally went through the upcoming holidays in the year, “Shall we plan it out?”

“Right now? I don’t want to think about it,” Chu Lai replied.

Since he had quit his job, he could go anywhere, but for Cen Wei, work was all-consuming, and it was impossible to let go. As Chu Lai rested his legs on Cen Wei’s, he said, “You won’t have time anyway.”

Looking up at him, he saw the lingering blush at the corners of his eyes from earlier. The commotion that night had cost Chu Lai a pair of glasses, so now he needed to get a new pair.

Earlier, Liu Yuan had joked in their group chat that it was about time Chu Lai ditched those outdated glasses and suggested either getting surgery or buying new ones, teasing him for hiding such beautiful eyes behind lenses.

Unable to resist, Cen Wei kissed his eyelids.

The man in his arms closed his eyes, letting out a soft sound. “Mm.”

“You’re my priority,” Cen Wei said, “I can rearrange my schedule.”

Chu Lai teased him, “Wow, I’m so honored! The busy Boss Cen is making me his top priority.”

At the company, Cen Wei was indeed a workaholic. After their marriage, Chu Lai had added Vice President Shen Yangxu on WeChat and had once joined their work group chat, only to discover that after work hours, they spent time gossiping and chatting casually. That was how he learned about the double standards that revealed how much Cen Wei had changed since falling in love.

Sensing a strange tone in Chu Lai’s voice, Cen Wei shook his head and corrected him, “You’re not my top priority. You’re my destination.”

Smirking, Chu Lai couldn’t help but laugh, “So, love cured your indifference?”

Pressing his forehead against his husband’s, Cen Wei responded, “Haven’t you also changed?”

Their situation had caught Liu Yuan’s attention, who had even asked Jiang Liyong for advice.

Doctor Jiang’s response had been, simply, “Go away,” followed by an added note: “This is nothing close to indifference.”

Liu Yuan had immediately sent a screenshot to Chu Lai.

Now, with a slight smile, Chu Lai wrapped his arms around Cen Wei’s neck, “Maybe I’ve swung to the opposite extreme.”

Cen Wei ran a hand down his back, asking, “Does it still hurt?”

Chu Lai shook his head, “No, but it’s hard to describe this… feeling.”

He fell silent for a moment, his fingers brushing against the tips of Cen Wei’s lashes. “But overall… I feel really happy.”

In the dim light, Cen Wei examined Chu Lai’s face, noticing the redness was still evident. “Even with the ointment, it still looks red.”

Recalling the lawyer who had been called in earlier, Chu Lai said, “Maybe we shouldn’t let the elders know about this incident.”

“I’ll handle it,” Cen Wei replied.

Then he hugged Chu Lai again, and the two of them rolled around on the big bed like children, making Chu Lai laugh. “You have no idea how scared I was.”

Most of the time, they didn’t talk much during their intimate moments, not because they didn’t want to, but because there wasn’t the time or energy. For Chu Lai, it took a lot of effort, and for Cen Wei, actions conveyed emotions.

In a soft voice, Chu Lai whispered in his ear, “I was scared too.”

“You seemed much calmer than me,” said Cen Wei.

These days, he didn’t need Chu Lai to guide him to find the perfect way to hold him. “I was afraid of losing you.”

Running his fingers through his hair, Chu Lai hummed, “That’s when I realized, I can’t live without you either.”

“Before, I thought words like that were so fake,” he continued, “but now…”

The blankets wrapped tightly around them, and they seemed intertwined like two vines. Few people knew how clingy Cen Wei could be behind closed doors, even more so than a puppy.

“When I was younger, I thought I couldn’t live without my parents.”

“But later, I managed on my own. I found out that after 9 PM, many things in the supermarket were half-priced. On Saturdays, I could use my points to get discounts at dessert shops, and on the 20th of every month, I could get five yuan off my second strawberry milkshake…”

His voice flowed into Cen Wei’s ears, allowing him a glimpse into how Chu Lai had lived all these years.

He was frugal, but he also knew how to reward himself. It was the moment when his routine life of going between two points suddenly shifted, bringing him into a bar to search for truth. It was also in his gaming livestreams, where he introduced himself as Laic, with a light joy in his voice.

Chu Lai could have lived well on his own, if not for his intense pursuit of love.

That pursuit of love proved that his “doing well” had always hidden a deep desire for love.

“If Shen Quanzhang had actually stabbed me, my biggest regret would’ve been…” Chu Lai said softly.

“…not going on a trip with you.”

Outside, the rain continued to fall, a quiet lullaby in the dead of night as it mixed with Chu Lai’s voice.

“Cen Wei, I’ve realized how much I’ve been looking forward to our honeymoon.”

“It should be really happy. My dad used to say that once I finished my high school entrance exams, he’d take me on a trip.”

“I waited and waited… but it never happened.”

“So now we’ve met, and tomorrow, we’ll be setting off,” said Cen Wei.

Chu Lai hummed in agreement. “Can you plan the itinerary? I really don’t want to make a travel plan.”

With a soft chuckle, Cen Wei asked, “Aren’t you worried I’ll plan a trip that doesn’t suit your tastes?”

Nestled comfortably in his arms, Chu Lai shook his head slightly, “I’ve already taken all of you in. How could I be worried about the itinerary?”

There was no denying the ambiguity in those words, and Cen Wei was certain Chu Lai had said it intentionally. Teasingly, he asked, “How so?”

“I’m not saying any more,” Chu Lai replied.

“You’re amazing, Lai Lai,” Cen Wei praised, sounding like he was talking to a child.

“Yes, I’m going to sleep now.”

With that, he pressed a kiss to his forehead.

“Goodnight.”

The next evening, they arrived at their destination. Cen Jiansun had already completed his medical examination, though the surgery date had yet to be determined, as the doctors were still in meetings.

When they arrived at the hospital to see him, everyone immediately noticed the red mark on Chu Lai’s cheek.

Xuan Rongqing hesitated but didn’t say anything.

Grandma Hong smiled, watching the two of them with keen interest, while Cen Jiansun turned his attention to his grandson. Just as Cen Wei was about to explain, Chu Lai touched his face and said, “It’s nothing. A bug bit me yesterday, and it was really itchy, so I scratched it.”

Unfortunately, no one believed him. It was still cold outside despite it being after the New Year—where would any bugs come from?

Plus, the Cen family prided themselves on their home’s cleanliness.

Cen Jiansun shrugged, “I’m not going to say much. You’re young—nothing wrong with fooling around a bit.”

Grandma Hong chimed in with a chuckle, “And going on a honeymoon too! How wonderful.”

Xuan Rongqing added, “Shall I have someone make some nourishing soup for you two?”

She said “you two,” but her eyes were on Chu Lai.

Feeling a bit awkward, Chu Lai glanced at Cen Wei, who actually nodded. “Lai Lai could use some nourishment.”

At this point, preserving his dignity seemed particularly important. Chu Lai stomped on Cen Wei’s foot and replied to Xuan Rongqing, “No need, Mom. Awei said he’s feeling a bit tired.”

Finally, sensing a chance to critique, Cen Jiansun jumped in, “Tired at thirty? When I was thirty, I could still carry hundred-year-old tree trunks up the stairs! These young people today…”

The old man never missed an opportunity to boast about himself. Cen Wei rolled his eyes, “Why don’t you tell them you could lift a whole cauldron?”

With one hand connected to an IV, the old man raised his other arm to flex his muscles, only to be smacked down by Grandma Hong, who scolded him, “You’re way too old for this competitive nonsense. Once your surgery is done, you can practice all you want—maybe even join the square dance crowd and find a second spring!”

Quick on his feet, Cen Jiansun shot back, “Second spring? I only have eyes for our Spring Hong.”

Turning to Chu Lai, who had been quietly watching all this, Cen Wei whispered, “Me too.”

With a soft laugh, Chu Lai whispered back, “But I’m not named Spring Hong.”

Repeating himself, Cen Wei said, “I just love our Lai Lai.”

And with that, he was lightly pushed away by Chu Lai.

By the time they left the hospital, it was already completely dark. It was Chu Lai’s first time abroad, so everything seemed fresh and exciting to him, and his enthusiasm was evident.

“Are you going to post on your Moments?” asked Cen Wei.

Even though he occasionally updated his Weibo, Chu Lai never posted anything on WeChat Moments. It wasn’t until recently that Cen Wei found out he had disabled the Moments feature entirely.

In contrast to his work-life fused social media accounts, Chu Lai enjoyed much more freedom, and this was something that made Cen Wei envious.

“Sure,” Chu Lai replied.

Just as Cen Wei was about to offer to take a photo for him, Chu Lai pulled him closer and took out the polaroid camera that Xuan Rongqing had gifted him. “Let’s take one together.”

During his school days, he had always been busy, never thinking about preserving memories.

In contrast, Liu Yuan’s albums were filled with photos of Chu Lai, and after asking Liu Yuan about it, the latter had happily sent him a full collection.

The Chu Lai in those dormitory photos looked even younger than he did now, though he seldom smiled. At such a young age, he had already become a snow-covered statue.

Now, the snow had melted, and someone had broken the hardened shell, lovingly holding the person inside.

Behind them, the church bells chimed the hour, a double-decker bus passed by, and even the pigeons had gone to sleep. A street band played a classic piece by a famous composer in the distance.

As Chu Lai counted down from three to one, someone seized the last second to kiss his cheek.

A passerby let out a whistle, and Chu Lai waved the developing polaroid in the air.

With a marker in hand, Cen Wei signed the back of the photo. Looking at him, Chu Lai asked, “Why are you so good at this?”

Passing him the pen, Cen Wei smiled, “Because I did my homework beforehand.”

He had spent his student days in this city, though always alone. Like an old, rusty red telephone booth left to peel away over time, he too had remained solitary.

But now, the bell of destiny had rung, a bird had taken flight, and the ferry had docked.

He and Chu Lai had met for this very moment. Once Chu Lai had finished signing his name, in the middle between their two signatures—

Cen Wei drew a little heart with the marker.