Chapter 48: Responding to a Confession

Like saying he likes him.

Jian Mingzhou suddenly froze, his face blushing.

The hand hugging him tightened again. Xie Jing laughed and asked, “Is it that I’m too self-aware?”

His messy heartbeat pressed against Xie Jing’s front.

The slanting sunlight refracted over.

The coat on his shoulders slipped to the side, hanging on Xie Jing’s arm. The air came in, but it didn’t feel cold. There was only the gradually accelerating heartbeat and the rising body temperature.

Jian Mingzhou opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But his thoughts were in chaos in his mind. He grabbed Xie Jing’s T-shirt in front of him, lost his voice for a moment,

“I…”

Xie Jing hugged him again.

Then he rubbed against his shoulder and lifted his head.

The face of Mingjun came into view, and Xie Jing buried his head against his forehead, with lowered eyelashes concealing the gleam in his eyes.

A droplet of water slid down from the damp tip of Jian Mingzhou’s hair.

Descending along the cheek, it warmed up along the way.

“It’s okay, Uncle,” Xie Jing said with a smile. “I’m already happy as it is now.”

…

The class reunion was approaching.

Jian Mingzhou dried his hair, tidied up, and was about to leave.

He changed his shoes at the entrance, with Xie Jing standing by to see him off.

At this moment, Jian Mingzhou had calmed down a lot, but there was still a lingering unease. He didn’t look at Xie Jing and said, “I’m leaving now, Xiaojing.”

“Okay,” Xie Jing asked again. “How long will you guys be there, Uncle?”

“I don’t know; it depends on the atmosphere.”

“If it’s too late or if you’ve had some drinks, message me, and I’ll come to pick you up.”

Jian Mingzhou pushed the door open, diverted his gaze, and said, “It’s fine, no need.”

He turned sideways, facing the room, and there was a moment of silence.

Then, a movement approached, an arm encircled his waist from the side, and Xie Jing hugged him, resting his head on Jian Mingzhou’s shoulder.

“You always get lost in your own world after drinking. Let me pick you up.”

The voice fell gently and lazily into his ear.

Jian Mingzhou’s heartbeat momentarily became chaotic again. His hand holding the doorknob tightened for a moment, and in his haste, he only managed to utter a feigned calm “Hmm.”

By the time he reacted the next second, Xie Jing had already let go.

Leaning against the door frame with a big smile on his face,

“Then I’ll wait for your message.”

–

After being tempted three or five times, Jian Mingzhou had no time to reflect.

The class reunion was about to begin.

The dinner was scheduled at a restaurant on Commercial Street, with about a dozen people reserving a private room. After graduation, everyone went their separate ways, so it was not easy to gather this many people.

When Jian Mingzhou entered the private room, most of the people had already arrived.

Everyone was chatting away, and as he walked in, someone warmly greeted him, “The class flower is here!”

“Where should the class flower sit, in the central spot?”

“… These people!”

Jian Mingzhou greeted them and sat in a corner, saying, “I’ll take the Z position.”

It had been years since he had seen his old classmates.

All around, people of the same age, 27 or 28, were catching up on their lives, careers, and relationships.

Just as he poured himself a glass of water, someone turned to him and asked, “Where’s the class flower? What are you doing? Have you got a boyfriend?”

Jian Mingzhou hesitated for a moment, briefly replied, “Editing,” and then added, “No, I haven’t been in a relationship.”

“What!?”

The people around him suddenly looked at him. Shocked gazes and voices filled the air. “You haven’t been in a relationship!?”

The first half of his profession was completely ignored.

Jian Mingzhou breathed a sigh of relief and confessed, “…Hmm.”

A series of resentful glances fell on him, and a faint comment was heard, “Wasting a precious resource!”

Another guy looked pitiful. “I can’t even find one.”

Consoling words flooded in, “It’s okay, just don’t think about it.”

“In this lifetime, or maybe the next one…”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Wasn’t this person his enemy during their student days?

Attention shifted away from him.

Jian Mingzhou was just starting to relax, sitting in the corner, when a girl named Xu Jiatong suddenly turned to him. Whether it was half-joking or serious, she asked openly,

“Hey, class flower! If you don’t have a boyfriend, what do you think of me?”

He blinked for a moment, then casually sipped his water. “You’re intelligent, beautiful, sunny, and generous. The class flower title should go to you.”

“…,” the other person was left speechless.

Another girl laughed, “No, Mingzhou. How can you be so calm? Can’t you charm anyone?”

In Jian Mingzhou’s mind, Xie Jing’s face flashed for an instant.

Direct gaze. Warm embrace.

And the frantic beating of his own confused heart…

His fingertips trembled imperceptibly, then he took a sip of tea and suppressed his emotions. “Is that so?”

…

This class reunion was organized by the class president.

Jian Mingzhou looked around but didn’t see him until it was almost time for dinner when he finally saw him arriving.

Zou Wensong hadn’t even changed out of his work shirt. After a greeting, he sat next to Jian Mingzhou, put down his briefcase, and loosened his collar, exhaling, “Phew…”

Jian Mingzhou looked at him sideways.

The class president had indeed turned himself into the shape of a 996 work schedule…

Feeling his gaze, Zou Wensong looked over and smiled helplessly, “Last-minute overtime.” He picked up a dish and continued talking, “Does Huang Jue have overtime too?”

Everyone was chatting animatedly, creating a noisy atmosphere.

Sitting in a corner with him, Jian Mingzhou and Zou Wensong spoke quietly:

“It gets busy around the middle and end of the month, but it’s okay at other times.”

He casually brushed off the term “busy,” as it was challenging to describe the bustling scene at Huang Jue’s mental hospital during the deadline period.

Besides, Zou Wensong looked tired at the moment.

So, Jian Mingzhou didn’t share his grievances in front of others.

“Mingzhou, let me tell you. It was the same last week, and this week our director…”

While eating, Zou Wensong started complaining.

After a long rant, he finally realized and apologized awkwardly, “Sorry, I’ve been talking all this time.”

“It’s okay.”

“By the way, Mingzhou, do you remember in high school during lunch break, we all sneaked into the stairwell?”

Jian Mingzhou paused for a moment, realizing that the class president remembered too.

He nodded. “Yeah, that time we…”

Just as the topic was opening up, someone suddenly stood up from the table.

“Come on, everyone, pick up your soy milk and let’s toast together!”

The group raised their cups in unison.

Jian Mingzhou had to pause the conversation and raise his soy milk to clink with the others, saying, “Nice to see everyone; let’s toast more often!”

–

Dinner lasted until around eight o’clock.

After the meal, people split into two groups: one heading home and the other moving to a KTV for more fun.

The KTV was conveniently located next to the restaurant.

After seeing off those going home, Jian Mingzhou joined the remaining group and went to the KTV room with them.

As they entered the room—a large sofa, flickering lights—it felt like they had been transported back to their student days.

Jian Mingzhou, at the back, took a couple of photos. Zou Wensong noticed and asked, “Hey, what are you taking pictures of?”

“Material,” he replied.

Zou Wensong exclaimed, “Wow…”

Everyone took their seats.

The girls enthusiastically went to choose songs, while Jian Mingzhou went to a corner and sent the material to Xiao Lu.

Xiao Lu had drawn a modern urban comic, and the photos he took were perfect for reference in promoting the animation.

After sending the photos, Xiao Lu became instantly excited.

[cc Xiao Lu]: Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh…! Editor, where are you hanging out!? [Sneakily peeking]

[cc Xiao Lu]: Ambiguous lights, swaying dance floor~ Suitable for…

Jian Mingzhou replied: Class reunion.

Perhaps disappointed for not having the desired meal, Xiao Lu instantly deflated. Instead, she immersed herself in her work.

[cc Xiao Lu]: Help me take some classic crime scene photos.

Such as sofas, coffee tables, aisle corners, restroom stalls, etc.

“…”

Jian Mingzhou responded in amusement: Am I being captured at a crime scene?

[cc Xiao Lu]: Aiya. [Shy bird]

As he was sending messages, a classmate next to him called out, “Mingzhou, what are you doing in the dark? Still saying you haven’t been in a relationship.”

Jian Mingzhou smiled. “It’s work.”

As he was about to put away his phone, it vibrated again.

Unprepared, he opened it and saw Xie Jing suddenly appear. He even brought a freshly made set of emojis: a big dog happily running towards him with a heart on its head.

In the dim light, the phone lay on the table, and the heart on the screen was dazzling!

Everyone around looked over at the same time.

“…,” Jian Mingzhou calmly said. “The business partner is quite cute.”

After saying that, he ignored the curious gazes and walked to a more secluded place. Then, Xie Jing sent another message:

[Jing]: Little Uncle, what are you doing? ^^

[Mingzhou]: Still at KTV.

[Jing]: How long until it’s over? I’ll come pick you up.

Jian Mingzhou wasn’t sure how long it would take, but he planned to be home before 10 p.m.

[Jing]: Got it. [Big dog, ready to pounce]

He couldn’t help but chuckle. “What’s with the big dog ready to pounce?”

Lowering his head, he replied to the message.

As the ambiguous lights flickered, they shone on his clean profile. Whether it was due to the lights or alcohol, there seemed to be a hint of dazzling crimson at the corners of his eyes and ears.

Xu Jiatong, who was nearby, turned her head to grab a drink and was stunned for a moment.

Then she pressed her chest and said to her friend, “Although we were joking about the ‘class flower’ earlier, Mingzhou is indeed beautiful.”

A few people looked over together.

He was indeed beautiful, possessing a gender-neutral charm.

After a moment, they withdrew their gazes and whispered softly,

“Oh, he hasn’t been in a relationship…”

“The flower of the class—is it a rare and precious flower?”

–

Inside the dimly lit KTV.

Time passed unknowingly quickly.

Jian Mingzhou sat for a while and was pulled into another conversation:

“By the way, Mingzhou, you said you’re an editor. What kind of editor? Magazine, books? We can also show our support!”

After a pause, another classmate added, “Is it literature? I remember in high school, Mingzhou always had the best Chinese scores, almost always in the top three in the grade!”

Jian Mingzhou smoothly changed the topic: “But I’m a bit biased in my subjects. Your comprehensive scores have always been at the top, right?”

“Hahaha, not really! One time I…”

The topic was diverted again.

He sighed with relief, and at that moment, his phone rang.

Looking down, it was a call from Xie Jing.

Jian Mingzhou’s heart suddenly beat faster, but he calmed down and answered, “Hello?”

Xie Jing’s deep voice came through the earpiece, as if it were next to his ear. “I’m here, Uncle. In which room are you?”

He hesitated for a moment; had Xie Jing already arrived?

“Wait a moment; I’ll come out to find you.”

Jian Mingzhou said this and hung up the phone, not bothering to say goodbye. He went out to find Xie Jing.

Exiting the room and turning the corner.

As soon as Jian Mingzhou came out, he saw a familiar figure standing in the lobby. Xie Jing was there, wearing a fitted black T-shirt and a coat over it.

In the dim light of the lobby, there was an inexplicable sexy and casual vibe.

He gathered his thoughts and walked over. “Xiaojing.”

After a few steps, he reached him. Xie Jing’s gaze lingered on his ear and cheek for a moment. “Had a drink, Uncle?”

“A little bit,” he added, “not enough to compete with shellfish.”

“I guess so,” Xie Jing said softly. “They don’t sell seafood on KTV.”

“…”

The conversation couldn’t continue, and the awkward topic came to an end.

 Jian Mingzhou turned back and said, “Wait for me; I’ll go say goodbye and grab my bag.”

Xie Jing followed him and said, “Sure.”

The two chatted all the way back.

When they reached the door of the private room, as Jian Mingzhou pushed the door open, he faintly heard some commotion inside. The room fell silent the moment the door opened.

Bright lights illuminated the scene, and all eyes focused on them.

Seeing Xie Jing behind him, there was a brief moment of surprise, but it was overshadowed by something else.

The girls seemed hesitant to speak, and the guys were mostly silent. One or two had peculiar expressions. Only Zou Wensong hadn’t looked at him, sitting on the side with a flushed face, showing signs of inner conflict and regret.

Jian Mingzhou felt a pang in his heart, sensing something was wrong. “What’s going on?”

Xu Jiatong hesitated. “Nothing…”

Another guy spoke up, his expression subtle, “I heard you’re a BL manga editor; is that true?”

Xie Jing suddenly lifted his gaze, and for a moment, Jian Mingzhou’s mind went blank.

Under the bright lights, all eyes were on him.

Speculation, suspicion, and strangeness.

It was the reaction he had anticipated when he chose to keep it a secret.

Jian Mingzhou’s knuckles tightened at his side, but he nodded, “Yes.”

The guy who spoke up suddenly became animated. “Damn! Do you like men? Are you gay?”

“Hey!” Xu Jiatong frowned. “It’s just a profession.”

A heavy feeling pressed on Jian Mingzhou’s chest.

The guy continued, “No, really, do straight guys create BL manga? Ming… Jian Mingzhou, with such high academic qualifications, wouldn’t he be forced to choose this path?”

The more he spoke, the more unpleasant it became. “Damn. When we were in high school together, what did he think of us?”

The others also began to look at him with strange expressions.

As their gazes fell, the air grew heavy.

Jian Mingzhou pursed his lips, about to speak, when suddenly a casual and amused voice came from behind him:

“I also like reading BL. What do you think I’m thinking right now?”

Jian Mingzhou was suddenly stunned and turned around.

Xie Jing was leaning against the door. He had been silent the whole time, and the people inside the room had almost forgotten about him. Now, he was lifting his eyelashes lazily, tall and imposing, his icy expression sending shivers down people’s spines.

It seemed like he had the intention of beating someone up.

On the opposite side, a chill ran through the guy who spoke first. The room fell silent.

Xie Jing lifted an eyebrow, calmly saying, “What’s wrong with being a BL manga editor? Is there anything to be ashamed of when creating such brilliant works?”

His tone was casual and indifferent.

Jian Mingzhou, however, felt something suddenly touch his heart. There was an inexplicable surge of emotion, as if something that had been pressing on his chest was suddenly lifted. Though his eyes were hot, his heart felt light.

He exhaled a breath, calmly saying, “It’s not just me working on it; the original author worked even harder. There’s an upcoming animation to be announced.”

Jian Mingzhou smiled. “If you’re interested, you can go watch it.”

Zou Wensong, sitting beside him, suddenly looked up and said, “Animation!”

The room was instantly surprised. “Impressive! Is it a famous work?”

Xu Jiatong stood up and said, “I can watch BL, BL, for the class flower!”

Jian Mingzhou’s heart stirred slightly, and he said gently, “Sure.”

A guy on the other side also spoke, “Congratulations.”

Amidst the lively discussions, the guy who spoke first gradually turned red. Several pairs of eyes were now looking at him, urging him to apologize.

Ignoring him, Jian Mingzhou picked up his bag, about to leave with Xie Jing. Suddenly, a voice spoke out with a semblance of dignity:

“But I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”

His gaze fell on Jian Mingzhou and Xie Jing. “Aren’t they in that kind of relationship? That’s why I said they’ve never dated…”

Jian Mingzhou’s footsteps paused.

Xie Jing also suddenly stopped. He moved his lips as if to say something, but restrained himself.

Jian Mingzhou realized:

Because he hadn’t responded yet, whatever he said now wouldn’t be right…

A strange emotion surged within him.

After a silent moment, he turned around and said, “You already know my standards; why worry about what I would do?”

He said goodbye to the others and walked over, grabbing Xie Jing’s tightened hand.

“We’re leaving.”

Xie Jing seemed to be in a daze, but then he followed Jian Mingzhou as he was led away.

As the door to the private room closed, there was a muffled explosion inside.

Jian Mingzhou didn’t care about the possible reactions inside. He led Xie Jing to the street outside.

The street, in the late hours, melted into the night.

Dimly lit signs illuminated the surroundings, and the tails of passing cars painted streaks of bright red. People strolled in pairs or threes on the street.

The cool night wind awakened his senses.

Yet his heart still felt hot, as if something were colliding in his chest.

Emotions were turbulent and surging.

The things he had cared about for so long now seemed insignificant. They were replaced by a more vivid emotion.

“Sorry, Uncle,” came a soft voice from behind.

Jian Mingzhou turned around, seeing Xie Jing’s gaze on their joined hands. “I was too meddlesome today; they might feel even more…”

The surging tide of warmth rushed up to Jian Mingzhou’s heart.

He tightened his grip on Xie Jing’s hand, then let go.

Xie Jing’s eyelashes lowered. The next moment, his arms buried Jian Mingzhou in an embrace, and Jian Mingzhou held him tightly.

“It’s nothing,” Jian Mingzhou said.

Xie Jing’s eyes widened.

Jian Mingzhou was now buried in front of him, for the first time, not caring about the possible strange glances around. With fluctuating emotions, he spoke clearly while nestled in Xie Jing’s embrace.

“Liking BL is not something to be ashamed of; liking you is not either.”