After holding hands, rolling around in bed, and experiencing small romantic and pure moments despite some gritted teeth, Qian Wang thought the days of rekindling their relationship and sharing the same bed were finally approaching, all thanks to his charming gestures.

But little did he know that the day after their night together, Zhao Ziqiang acted as if nothing had happened…

The restaurant was especially busy, and as Qian Wang left the hotel in the morning, he thought he should at least give Zhao Ziqiang a half day off.

Zhao Ziqiang heard the suggestion and gladly agreed. He then slept soundly until 11 a.m., got himself ready before the noon checkout at the hotel, and disappeared without a trace.

Qian Wang didn’t get a break until the evening. The cashier Xiao Gao had called in sick, so he had to take over the job himself. After handling everything for the day, his eyes were practically swimming with RMB, and he felt a bit dizzy as he walked out of the shop. But he believed nothing would stop him from visiting his lover.

He took a taxi to the hotel, and the front desk staff, professional and polite, informed him that Zhao Ziqiang had checked out and left at 12 o’clock.

This puzzled Qian Wang a bit. He picked up his phone and dialed Zhao Ziqiang’s number.

The call connected, and amidst the noisy background, Qian Wang could instantly tell from the commotion where Zhao Ziqiang was.

“Hello? Hello?”

Zhao Ziqiang must have been drinking. His voice was both laughing and slurred. Qian Wang, with a darkened face, took a deep breath and asked:

“Where are you?”

On the other end, it was unclear if Zhao Ziqiang heard clearly, as all that came through were faint, blurry sounds of him drinking. Qian Wang felt the bright weather suddenly turn cloudy and chaotic.

He repeated, “Where are you?!”

The other side may have already mumbled an answer, but Qian Wang didn’t hear it. Hearing Qian Wang raise his voice, Zhao Ziqiang sounded a little annoyed and said:

“Where else but Apollo!”

Then, with a click, the call ended with a busy tone. Qian Wang furrowed his brows tightly. He got into the car and said in a deep voice:

“To the Apollo Club.”

The driver, seeing the once sunny demeanor of Qian Wang now turned dark and unsettling, didn’t dare to engage in conversation like before. He stepped on the gas and sped off.

The evening had already fallen, but the night at Apollo was just beginning. Qian Wang knew what day it was. In Apollo’s tradition, today was the day when both new and old guests celebrated together in wild, unrestrained revelry!

He clenched his fists and stormed in, miraculously spotting Zhao Ziqiang with one glance.

Zhao Ziqiang was clearly drunk and disoriented, with the few young men around him also stumbling and speaking incoherently.

Qian Wang had been brimming with anger, fending off several kids who tried to strike up conversations along the way. But when he finally reached Zhao Ziqiang, his rage deflated like a punctured balloon, vanishing without a trace.

“Had enough fun? Let’s go home.”

Zhao Ziqiang had been sitting facing the direction where Qian Wang was coming from. Swaying slightly, he finally noticed Qian Wang approaching, and he looked up at him.

Some drunks glare with bloodshot eyes, full of rage, while others, no matter how old they are, wear expressions of innocence, almost like they’ve reverted to childhood.

Clearly, Zhao Ziqiang was of the innocent type.

He blinked, trying to adjust his focus, but those few figures of Qian Wang just wouldn’t come together.

He really hadn’t been to this place much, but tonight there was a feast, and he thought it would be a good opportunity to try something new.

But before the party even started, he was suddenly surrounded by a group of strangers who had appeared out of nowhere, pulling him into a drinking game with wild abandon.

The group around them saw the two staring blankly at each other and burst into laughter.

It had been a while since Qian Wang had been here, and these people were all unfamiliar faces to him. The boy next to Zhao Ziqiang narrowed his eyes, slowly sliding his hands and feet over Zhao Ziqiang’s body like a snake, his gaze mocking as he looked at Qian Wang, whose veins were practically about to burst from anger.

Qian Wang, feeling frustrated, decided to ignore the situation and slapped away the hands on Zhao Ziqiang. He grabbed Zhao’s wrist, attempting to pull him up. But Zhao, barely conscious, was too weak to stand and whined softly in pain as he dangled from Qian Wang’s grip.

Seeing that pulling him wasn’t working, Qian Wang squatted down and, unable to manage alone, asked the bystanders for help in getting the uncooperative drunk onto his back.

As they exited the bar, the city lights were already shining brightly. Away from the noisy crowd, with his body pressed against Qian Wang’s back, Zhao Ziqiang suddenly felt a wave of nausea rising. He quickly patted Qian Wang on the head, gasping, “I need to get down… get down!”

As soon as Qian Wang loosened his grip, Zhao Ziqiang leaned over the nearby trash can and vomited forcefully. Qian Wang gently patted his back to comfort him, glanced around, and then turned back to re-enter Apollo.

Zhao Ziqiang, now half-kneeling on the ground, looked around, not seeing any sign of Qian Wang. Feeling a wave of frustration, he rested his head against the trash can and whimpered softly.

Then his gaze shifted, and he noticed a strange little alley diagonally across the road. While the surrounding area was brightly lit, that alley was dim and shadowy. Propping his chin in his hand, Zhao Ziqiang stared at it, pouting as if deep in thought.

Qian Wang returned with a bottle of mineral water, squatting beside Zhao Ziqiang and wrap an arm around him, ready to offer him a drink. Zhao Ziqiang glanced at him, blinking hard as he struggled to sit up, only to let out another loud retch. Having eaten nothing all day, he vomited nothing but beer. Qian Wang gently patted his back, trying to soothe him gradually.

Zhao Ziqiang gradually began to feel a bit better, so he grabbed the water bottle and moved it toward his mouth. However, the cap was still on, and it hit his gums hard, causing a sharp pain. He immediately dropped the bottle, covering his mouth with his hand, and groaned, “Mmm, mmm,” in pain.

Qian Wang watched with a mix of frustration and amusement as Zhao Ziqiang, like a child, sat on the ground pouting. He bent over, picked up the bottle, twisted off the cap, and handed it back, while also grabbing a pack of tissue just in case.

Zhao Ziqiang, unable to hold the bottle steadily, tilted it at an awkward angle as he tried to drink. He would take a sip only to spit it out immediately. Finally, he earnestly mimicked someone who had just learned how to brush their teeth, tilting his head back and gargling with exaggerated motions.

He had vomited enough, and now he was even more drunk.

Zhao Ziqiang couldn’t even lift his head properly. Qian Wang squatted down, grabbed Zhao Ziqiang’s arms from behind, and with a bit of effort, hoisted him onto his back. He himself was struggling to walk, and just as they approached a taxi parked by the roadside, Zhao Ziqiang, who had almost fallen asleep, started squirming again, still muttering incomprehensibly under his breath.

“Down… Teacher… Down.”

Hearing the word “Teacher,” Qian Wang almost lost his balance and nearly collapsed on the roadside. He gently lowered Zhao Ziqiang, holding him in his arms. Though the drunkard could barely move, he stubbornly insisted on walking into a nearby alley. Qian Wang had no choice but to drag him along, unsure of what he intended to do.

The alley was as usual, with a few couples kissing. Qian Wang felt a strange sensation and instinctively wanted to leave.

But Zhao Ziqiang still clutched his shirt, urging him repeatedly:

“Yes… a bit more… just a little more… we’re here~”

They moved into a dim corner, next to a pile of clutter that partly hid them.

Zhao Ziqiang leaned against the wall, reaching out clumsily for Qian Wang’s hand. Qian Wang, confused and unsure, followed his movement, placing his hand on Zhao Ziqiang’s waist and slipping it under his shirt until his fingers brushed against his ribs.

Zhao Ziqiang panted, his voice full of laughter as he spoke:

“Just… hmm… just then… I was… right over there! Haha…”

He pulled his hand back, weakly pushing Qian Wang’s face, turning it toward the alley entrance. Then he raised his hand, vaguely pointing, before turning his face back. His eyes were full of innocence as he said,

“You both… were just… like this…”

At this moment, Qian Wang finally understood what Zhao Ziqiang was saying. To be honest, his memory was fuzzy. All he remembered from that night was Zhao Ziqiang’s breakup words, but he could almost imagine how Zhao must have felt—standing alone at the alley entrance, sadly witnessing those disgusting things he done.

Qian Wang’s gaze had completely dimmed, his forehead resting against Zhao Ziqiang’s. He couldn’t even bring himself to say “sorry” anymore, feeling utterly lost for words on how to respond.

Zhao Ziqiang’s eyelids grew heavier, and Qian Wang supported him under his arms. Zhao Ziqiang sighed in contentment, rested his head on Qian Wang’s shoulder, and drifted off to sleep.

Qian Wang felt the person in his arms suddenly lose his balance and quickly held on tightly, not having time to think too much. He pressed a gentle kiss to Zhao Ziqiang’s forehead before half-carrying him into the taxi.

Zhao Ziqiang, when drunk and asleep, was surprisingly obedient. Even when being changed or wiped down, he remained vaguely aware, following along passively.

Qian Wang fumbled until midnight, finally managing to settle Zhao Ziqiang comfortably. He sat at the edge of the bed, his fingers gently winding around Zhao Ziqiang’s.

The dim light cast a soft glow, and Zhao Ziqiang slept like a child who held no grudges.

Qian Wang lowered his gaze: …Indeed, some things can be forgiven, but not necessarily forgotten.