When Xu Er mentioned eating fish, his mind had already mapped out the route.

On the surface, it was just a simple response, but in reality, he had already decided on the evening’s menu.

This was a grilled fish restaurant he had loved since college. The snails there were delicious, the fried shrimp were excellent, the salt-baked razor clams were amazing, and the stir-fried intestines were also very good. However, if Song Ruichi wasn’t used to eating intestines, he could skip that dish.

The restaurant was conveniently along the way to the high-speed rail station—perfectly on the route.

After hanging up the call, Xu Er changed his clothes, freshened up, and took a cab over.

There were many trains from City B to City A, almost one every thirty minutes. Based on Song Ruichi’s words, Xu Er made a rough estimate and locked onto the one arriving at 6:38 PM.

He wasn’t the only one waiting at the station exit. To his left, another young man was standing.

Why did he particularly notice him? Because he was holding a bouquet.

A particularly large bouquet. Just a quick glance, and Xu Er could tell it was beautifully arranged. The young man was quite handsome, too. Instinctively, Xu Er’s mind conjured up a scene—soon, a beautiful girl would appear, see the flowers, and with light, joyful steps, throw herself into his arms.

Just as that imagined scene concluded, another image suddenly surfaced in his mind—Song Ruichi.

Xu Er blinked and wondered what kind of expression Song Ruichi would have if he walked out and saw him holding a bouquet of flowers.

He lowered his head and let out a quiet laugh, afraid of being noticed.

What nonsense.

Over a thousand yuan… How was he supposed to pay Song Ruichi back? He couldn’t just treat him to meals every day, could he?

Giving flowers would be a bit strange, but… maybe not entirely unacceptable.

The thought made Xu Er laugh again.

Come on, don’t be ridiculous.

After waiting for a while, people started coming out from the visible area.

More and more people appeared, and Xu Er’s eyes scanned through the crowd. Finally, as the wave of passengers was about to thin out, he spotted that familiar figure emerging from around the corner.

When their eyes met, Xu Er raised his hand and waved twice.

At this moment, they were outside. Song Ruichi was still wearing the same trench coat from the morning, but from a distance, he looked completely different.

Xu Er quickly found the right words in his mind — a familiar sense of unfamiliarity.

The familiarity came from the smile Song Ruichi gave him when their eyes met. The unfamiliarity… well, that was because they were still half-strangers after all.

Or maybe it was because, among the bustling crowd, Song Ruichi’s long legs and steady stride, along with his cold and aloof expression, made him seem like just another passerby in the years of faces Xu Er had encountered.

From the corner to the escalator, Xu Er kept his eyes fixed on Song Ruichi. But at some point, his attention was suddenly drawn away by something in his peripheral vision.

He turned his head and saw that the handsome guy holding the bouquet had finally met the person he was waiting for.

What surprised Xu Er a little was that the person he was meeting… was a man.

A man slightly taller than the flower boy, also quite handsome. Let’s call him the “tall handsome guy.”

When Xu Er looked over, they were less than three meters apart, smiling at each other.

The scene felt like it was framed, with the bustling crowd becoming their background.

The tall handsome guy walked toward him with noticeably lighter steps, while the flower boy smiled brightly. When they reached each other, the flower boy pushed the bouquet into the tall handsome guy’s arms.

The tall handsome guy’s happiness was obvious. After exchanging a few words, the two of them walked off together.

Watching this, Xu Er thought to himself, So, it’s perfectly normal for a guy to give flowers to another guy. Not weird at all.

“What are you looking at?”

It wasn’t until Song Ruichi walked up to him that Xu Er realized how long he’d been staring.

Xu Er shook his head. “Nothing. Let’s go.”

With the person he’d been waiting for now by his side, they began walking side by side once again. Xu Er secretly enjoyed a few seconds of happiness in his heart.

But that happiness was quickly diluted by a wave of awkwardness. That familiar sense of unfamiliarity… At this moment, the unfamiliarity seemed to outweigh the rest.

After all, they’d only known each other for less than two days.

“How long have you been waiting?”

A few steps later, Song Ruichi broke the silence.

Xu Er thought for a moment. “Five minutes.”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “So precise.”

Xu Er shook his head. “Not really. Could’ve been four minutes, or maybe six.”

Song Ruichi’s smile widened. “Are you always this serious when dealing with people?”

Xu Er paused for half a second. “I feel like there’s something hidden in your words.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What do you think I meant?”

Xu Er squinted at him. “Are you saying I’m bad at conversation?”

Song Ruichi replied casually, “That’s not what I meant.”

–

“Then what did you mean?”

Song Ruichi looked at him with a faint smile.

“I meant… you’re really cute.”

Xu Er: “Huh?”

Song Ruichi: “Has anyone ever told you that you’re bad at conversation?”

Xu Er pouted. “A lot of people say that.”

Song Ruichi: “What do they know anyway?”

Xu Er raised an eyebrow. He had a feeling that what Song Ruichi really wanted to say was, What the hell do they know.

Xu Er explained, “I’m often the conversation killer in group chats. And when everyone’s joking around, I can never keep up with their references.”

Song Ruichi: “So you just sit there and smile awkwardly?”

Xu Er was slightly startled. “How did you know?”

Song Ruichi laughed. “I can picture it now.”

With that, Xu Er’s mouth finally loosened up. “My friends are all really funny. Listening to them chat is so entertaining. They’re great at bantering, and they always come up with…” Xu Er started gesturing with his hands, “so many new memes and inside jokes. It’s really interesting.”

Song Ruichi seemed to catch on to something. “You like interesting people?”

Xu Er nodded. “Yeah.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Am I interesting?”

Xu Er turned slightly to look at him and nodded. “You’re interesting too.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “What’s interesting about me?”

Xu Er replied without hesitation, “This morning when you told me, ‘Dalang, drink water,’ that was hilarious.”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “That’s enough to be considered interesting?”

Xu Er blinked. “Isn’t it?”

Song Ruichi looked like he was about to say something, but his phone rang.

The atmosphere felt just right. The happiness Xu Er had lost earlier had unknowingly been restored by Song Ruichi.

The trench coat that Song Ruichi was wearing today was something Xu Er really liked.

Earlier in the morning, because there was a friend around, they couldn’t get too close. Now, as they walked through the crowded station, Xu Er’s hand occasionally brushed against the fabric of Song Ruichi’s coat.

Feeling the texture, Xu Er thought to himself, I should find some time to go to the mall and buy a similar one.

Though… he wasn’t sure if he’d look as good in it as Song Ruichi did.

But probably not too bad either. After all, he was pretty handsome too.

They were, after all, a pair of “Little Handsome Guy” and “Big Handsome Guy.”

After a few more steps, they reached the taxi line outside.

There were quite a few people waiting, but not too many — they’d probably get a ride in a few minutes. Since Song Ruichi was still on the phone, they followed the crowd and slowly moved forward.

And as fate would have it, the first in line, the ones currently getting into the car, were none other than the “Big Handsome Guy” and “Little Handsome Guy” from earlier at the station exit.

Big Handsome Guy opened the car door and made way for Little Handsome Guy to get in, while he prepared to put their luggage in the trunk. But instead of getting in, Little Handsome Guy gently reached out and touched the bouquet in Big Handsome Guy’s hands.

Yet, Big Handsome Guy didn’t hand it over.

Xu Er could almost imagine their conversation at that moment.

“I’ll hold it for you first.”

“No need, just get in the car.”

Hmm, that’s probably how it went, right?

“Do you know them?”

Beside him, Song Ruichi had finished his call.

Xu Er shook his head. “Nope.”

Song Ruichi glanced in their direction. “You looked at them twice.”

Xu Er grinned. “I was admiring handsome guys. There are two of them, after all.”

Song Ruichi glanced over again. “Are they really that handsome?”

Xu Er withdrew his gaze and said casually, “You’re even more handsome.”

Song Ruichi was momentarily at a loss for words and replied with a hint of awkwardness, “Thank you.”

Three minutes later, they got into the car.

It was already past the usual dinner time, so when they arrived, there was no need to wait for a table.

The restaurant was still lively, and Xu Er confirmed that Song Ruichi indeed didn’t eat pork intestines.

Dinner ended in a quiet yet pleasant atmosphere.

By the time they finished, the restaurant had emptied out even more. Xu Er wiped his mouth and asked, “Was it good?”

Song Ruichi nodded. “Not bad.”

Xu Er smiled. “I really love the fish here.”

Song Ruichi replied, “I can tell.”

Xu Er chuckled awkwardly and instinctively patted his stomach.

“Ate a bit too much,” Xu Er muttered to himself.

“What’s next?” Song Ruichi asked.

“Huh? Go home, of course,” Xu Er looked confused. “Unless… do you have other plans?”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “Nope.”

“Oh.”

After a brief pause, Song Ruichi asked again, “What do you plan to do tonight?”

Xu Er thought for a moment. “Probably revise my draft.”

Song Ruichi nodded, took another sip of water, and asked, “What do you do for work?”

Xu Er, aware of Song Ruichi’s profession, answered simply, “Something related to engineering design.” He smiled. “I draw too.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “Half a colleague, then.”

Xu Er chuckled, “Alright.”

After leaving the restaurant, the two hailed a cab. Based on the most convenient route, they should have dropped off Song Ruichi first. However, Song Ruichi insisted on taking Xu Er home first.

Left with no choice, Xu Er gave the driver his apartment address.

Also, Song Ruichi was really stubborn.

And… he noticed that Song Ruichi seemed to be staring at him.

Turning his head, sure enough, Song Ruichi was looking at him.

“Hmm?” Xu Er asked in confusion, “What is it?”

Song Ruichi said to him, “Your hand.”

Xu Er blinked, “My hand?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Give me your hand.”

Xu Er didn’t understand but obediently stretched out his hand.

Song Ruichi sighed helplessly, “Palm up.”

Xu Er turned his palm over.

The next second, Song Ruichi took something out of his pocket and placed it in Xu Er’s hand.

Xu Er was stunned for a moment. “What is this?”

He was merely expressing confusion, not actually asking what the item was.

What it was could be seen at a glance.

“Chocolate?” Xu Er asked.

Song Ruichi replied, “My favorite.”

Xu Er withdrew his hand and looked at it. He usually didn’t eat chocolate, but since Song Ruichi liked it…

Right then and there, Xu Er peeled off the wrapper and popped a big piece into his mouth.

It wasn’t just plain chocolate; there were nuts inside.

Xu Er nodded, “Hmm, not bad.”

“Not bad?” Song Ruichi tilted his head and stared straight at Xu Er. “I’ll give you one more chance.”

Xu Er almost burst out laughing and immediately changed his words, “This is amazing!”

Song Ruichi smiled.

Then, out of nowhere, Song Ruichi grabbed Xu Er’s hand, took another piece of chocolate from his pocket, and placed it in Xu Er’s palm.

“A reward,” Song Ruichi said.

Xu Er covered his mouth and chuckled, “Alright, alright.”

Song Ruichi carrying chocolate around…

What a surprise.

­­­

A surprise?

Something seemed to be stirring in Xu Er’s mind, as if he’d felt this way about Song Ruichi before.

After swallowing the piece of chocolate, Song Ruichi asked, “Do you know how to brew coffee?”

“Coffee?” Xu Er echoed.

“Coffee,” Song Ruichi confirmed.

Xu Er thought for a moment. Clearly, Song Ruichi wasn’t talking about instant coffee.

“I’ve seen others do it, but I’m not sure if I can. Why?” Xu Er asked.

“I really like coffee,” Song Ruichi replied.

Xu Er stared at him blankly for a moment. “So… do you know how to make it?”

“A little. I have a machine at home,” Song Ruichi said.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Xu Er said.

Song Ruichi burst into laughter, the kind that was completely genuine and carefree.

Then, he reached out and ruffled Xu Er’s hair a few times.

Xu Er was a bit confused. What was that supposed to mean?

“You’re home,” Song Ruichi said.

Indeed, the car had stopped.

And just like that, Xu Er got out of the car and watched as Song Ruichi left.

Yet, even after the car disappeared from sight, Xu Er remained standing there, staring blankly in the direction it had gone.

Maybe two minutes passed, maybe five. Only then did Xu Er snap back to reality.

But instead of heading home, he hailed another cab.

Forty minutes later, he found himself standing at Song Ruichi’s front door.

Yes. That’s right.

Everything went unbelievably smoothly — no traffic, all green lights, and at the entrance, he bumped into a resident who happened to be returning, allowing him to slip through without issue. Even the elevator was conveniently waiting on the first floor.

It was so quiet. Xu Er stood there, staring blankly at the doorplate of Song Ruichi’s apartment.

It felt a bit abrupt.

But whatever.

He pressed the doorbell.

The moment the chime echoed, an unexpected wave of nervousness washed over him.

This was just one of those impulsive things he loved to do. Today, he decided to dedicate this impulse to Song Ruichi — and honestly, it felt pretty good.

He began to imagine the look on Song Ruichi’s face when he opened the door.

He’d be surprised, right?

Definitely surprised.

Perhaps it was impatience, but Xu Er felt like he’d been waiting for too long.

Just as he was about to press the doorbell again, the lock clicked.

With a soft sound, the door opened from the inside.

Standing there was Song Ruichi, fresh out of the shower, his hair still damp.

“Heh.”

Xu Er flashed him a grin.

Then, he handed over what he was holding — a bouquet of flowers.

After carefully describing Song Ruichi to the florist, they had customized this arrangement together — cold and elegant, noble and expensive, perfectly matching Song Ruichi’s vibe.

Xu Er smiled again, feeling a bit unsure of what to say, so he awkwardly added, “Good evening, Mr. Song.”

Song Ruichi glanced down at the flowers, and right at that moment, a droplet of water from his damp hair fell precisely onto the most vibrant bloom in the bouquet.

And then, he smiled.

In the very next second, Song Ruichi took the bouquet with one hand and pulled Xu Er into his arms with the other.