It was Song Ruichi who drove them back.

At first, Xu Er thought that Song Ruichi was quiet because Xiao He was with them, but even after dropping Xiao He off, Song Ruichi remained silent.

Before they left the exhibition, Song Ruichi received a phone call, and Xu Er automatically assumed that the silence was due to that call.

Xiao He’s house was a bit far from Xu Er’s, and even with smooth roads, it would take about half an hour to get there.

In the first five minutes, Song Ruichi seemed to feel that the silence was a bit too much, so he turned on the music.

The atmosphere improved a little, but it was still quiet, so after another five minutes, Xu Er started to feel a bit uncomfortable. It was the kind of awkwardness you feel when you’re in a colleague’s car, someone you don’t know well.

But this person was Song Ruichi.

“Hello.”

Xu Er spoke first, trying to break the silence.

Upon hearing him, Song Ruichi lowered the music volume a little.

Clearly, something was going on. Normally, wouldn’t one ask something in return? But all Song Ruichi did was lower the volume.

This action made Xu Er feel as if Song Ruichi was silent because of him.

“You don’t seem to be in a good mood,” Xu Er said quietly, trying to probe.

Song Ruichi said, “Hmm.”

Xu Er paused for a moment.

He… hmm’d.

The atmosphere fell silent again.

Xu Er felt as though he had taken on a responsibility himself.

Well… then.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Er asked. “Is it because of that phone call earlier?”

Song Ruichi replied, “What phone call?”

Xu Er said, “Didn’t you take a call before you got in the car?”

Song Ruichi answered, “No.”

Xu Er furrowed his brows.

No.

Then…

He truly didn’t know.

But since he was in a bad mood…

Xu Er glanced at the road ahead.

“Song Ruichi,” Xu Er said, as if there were others in the car. He covered his mouth with his hand and said to Song Ruichi, “Let me take you somewhere.”

The light ahead turned red just in time, and after Song Ruichi stopped the car, he turned his head to look. What he saw was Xu Er, his big eyes wide open, lips pressed together, eagerly looking at him.

His hand was still covering his mouth, and he gave off the vibe of “hurry up and agree.”

Song Ruichi couldn’t help but laugh.

“Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m in a bad mood?” Song Ruichi asked.

Xu Er’s tone returned to normal, and his hand lowered. “Will you tell me?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Do you want to know?”

Xu Er nodded. “Yes.”

Song Ruichi smirked. “I’m not telling you.”

Xu Er choked for a moment.

But clearly, Song Ruichi was no longer the silent Song Ruichi from before. So, Xu Er, with a bit of boldness, dared to say, “If you’re not going to say it, then fine.”

Song Ruichi smiled and said, “I’m in a bad mood.”

Xu Er asked, “Then…?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Then?”

The red light had five seconds left.

Song Ruichi suddenly leaned toward the passenger seat, mimicking Xu Er from earlier. He covered his mouth with his hand and whispered to Xu Er, “Lead the way.”

Xu Er raised his finger, slicing through the air, and pointed toward the road ahead. “Turn right at the next traffic light.”

Xu Er took Song Ruichi down a narrow alley.

Of course, he didn’t forget about Song Ruichi’s car. When it was parked perfectly at the entrance of the alley, Xu Er got out of the car and smugly said, “See? Perfect timing.”

Song Ruichi responded, “Wow.”

Xu Er laughed. “You’re learning from me.”

Song Ruichi smirked. “Where are you taking me, Mr. Xu?”

Calling him “Mr. Xu” meant his mood had improved considerably.

Xu Er tilted his chin toward the alley. “Follow me.”

And so, Xu Er led Song Ruichi into a place that seemed completely ignored by the world…

Of course not. Xu Er took Song Ruichi to a place that clearly showed signs of being lived in.

“A game hall,” Xu Er said as they walked a few steps and then asked Song Ruichi, “Want to play, Mr. Song?”

Mr. Song replied, “Let’s go.”

The alley was filled mostly with wooden houses, which had obviously been there for many years. So, as soon as they entered the game hall, the strong scent of old wood filled the air.

“This is a game hall I discovered back in middle school. It’s been running for over ten years now,” Xu Er said.

Song Ruichi focused on the key point. “You played games in middle school?”

Xu Er even added, “The day before a competition.”

Xu Er continued with the story. “I was here for a competition in A City. I don’t even remember how I ended up in this alley, but I spent the entire night playing games.”

Song Ruichi asked, “How did the competition go?”

Xu Er raised one finger. “First place.”

Song Ruichi responded, “You’re that good?”

Xu Er smiled. “I was just good at playing games.”

There weren’t too many or too few customers inside. After Xu Er walked in, he exchanged some game coins and then grabbed Song Ruichi’s wrist, leading him straight to the second-to-last game machine.

“This one is fun, let’s play this first.”

Xu Er enthusiastically recommended it.

Song Ruichi sat down next to him and asked, “So, when you’re in a bad mood, you come here to play games?”

Xu Er shook his head. “No.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “Then why did you bring me here?”

Xu Er smiled. “I come here when I’m in a good mood, and also when I’m in a bad mood. It’s unpredictable.”

Song Ruichi seemed to understand and responded with a soft “Ah.”

“So it’s just that you wanted to play,” Song Ruichi said.

Xu Er chuckled. “You can’t put it that way,” he said with a playful sigh. “Don’t mind the details,” he added before quickly adding, “This is my favorite game.”

Song Ruichi asked, “And me?”

Xu Er grinned. “Yes, you have to like it too.”

Song Ruichi laughed. “Alright, alright.”

Xu Er inserted the game coins and asked, “Have you played this before?”

Song Ruichi had actually played it, but he said, “No, you introduce it to me.”

Xu Er straightened up. “Alright.”

The rules of the game were simple: you fight monsters.

If you’re playing solo, you just defeat the monsters to win. If you’re playing as a pair, the two players have to work together to defeat the monsters first, and then, at the end, they compete against each other to determine the winner.

To explain the game clearly, Xu Er gave a detailed introduction.

He focused on the screen while Song Ruichi looked at him. For the parts where mistakes were more likely to happen, Xu Er gave special emphasis, and Song Ruichi nodded in understanding.

Once the explanation was over, Xu Er said, “You’re definitely going to win.”

Song Ruichi was puzzled. “Why?”

Xu Er smiled. “I’ll go easy on you.”

Song Ruichi laughed lightly. “So you’re comforting me here?”

Xu Er grinned. “Ah, you caught me.”

Song Ruichi teased, “You might as well just write it on your face.”

Xu Er shook his head. “Then I definitely wouldn’t let you notice,” he said, nudging Song Ruichi with his elbow. “It’s starting, it’s starting.”

They played for over an hour.

Out of the ten rounds, Song Ruichi won nine.

Xu Er’s deliberate “letting him win” was so obvious, yet without a single trace. The only reason Xu Er ended up winning was because, in the final round, after Song Ruichi rushed forward for the last blow, he stood still, allowing Xu Er to finish him off.

Having won, Xu Er’s hand trembled in disbelief as he looked at Song Ruichi. “What did you do?”

Song Ruichi simply replied, “I cheated.”

Xu Er clicked his tongue but, returning to his playful nature, tilted his head and looked at Song Ruichi. “Feeling better now, Mr. Song?”

Song Ruichi turned his head and locked eyes with Xu Er.

After a long pause, Song Ruichi said, “Call me ‘ge’ (brother).”

Xu Er, ever obedient, complied. “Feeling better now, ge?”

After saying that, Xu Er burst out laughing. He glanced at the game machine. “This feels weird.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Why?”

Xu Er shrugged. “I’ve never called anyone ‘ge’ before.”

Song Ruichi seemed like he wanted to say something, his hand reaching out, but he hesitated and stopped, his hand hovering near the side of Xu Er’s head before pulling back.

Xu Er, having already leaned in, found only empty space.

Song Ruichi said, “You’re really good at playing games.”

Xu Er nodded. “I am good.”

Song Ruichi smiled. “So much for being humble?”

“The truth is,” Xu Er not only didn’t humble himself, but also became quite smug, “I’m good at any game I play.”

When they left the game hall, the sky was already beginning to darken.

In that case…

“I’ll treat you to dinner tonight,” Xu Er said.

Before Song Ruichi could respond, Xu Er quickly added, almost as if afraid Song Ruichi would refuse, “Ge.”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “Alright.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“What do you want to eat?”

Both of them spoke at the same time.

But this time, Xu Er took the initiative. “I want to know what you want.”

Song Ruichi’s eyes curved in amusement. “Learning from me?”

Xu Er grinned. “Yeah, what’s it to you?”

This time, Song Ruichi didn’t hold back. He tapped Xu Er’s forehead. “Crab.”

Xu Er snapped his fingers. “It’s arranged.”

But before going to eat crab, Xu Er led Song Ruichi a little further down the alley.

“There used to be a handmade shop here,” Xu Er leaned in a little. “Ah, it’s open! Let’s go!”

It was as though he was afraid the shop would close soon. Xu Er hurried over with quick steps.

In no time, he found what he was looking for.

“Isn’t it cute?” Xu Er took a knitted hat off the hook. “I’ll get this for Soso.”

Song Ruichi immediately spoke for Soso. “Thank you.”

Xu Er then turned and picked up another item from the hook. “This one’s for you.”

Song Ruichi lowered his gaze and stretched out his hand.

Xu Er happily helped him put it on, but after adjusting it, he made a thoughtful noise. “It doesn’t really match your outfit,” he said. “But, ge, I have an identical one.”

Song Ruichi raised his wrist. “Couple’s version, huh?”

Xu Er chuckled and mumbled, “What couple’s version?” He then turned to ask the shopkeeper, “How much is it?”

When they left the alley, the sky was completely dark.

Having lived in A City for so many years, Xu Er knew exactly where to find all the best food. He expertly led them to his favorite crab restaurant.

They arrived just at the right time, about ten minutes before the usual rush, so there was no need to wait in line.

After finishing their meal, Xu Er couldn’t help but once again marvel at how similar he and Song Ruichi were.

Even their food preferences—the level of spiciness, the saltiness—were strikingly in sync.

How could there be such a perfectly in-sync pair of people?

After dinner, Song Ruichi drove him back. This time, he parked his car properly in a parking space, and Xu Er realized that he was about to be dropped off right at his doorstep.

Not knowing how Song Ruichi felt, Xu Er, who seemed to have coaxed others but ended up cheering himself up, felt quite pleased.-

Especially when he noticed that Song Ruichi was still wearing the woven bracelet that didn’t match his outfit at all today.

Well, might as well ask.

“Feeling better now, ge?” Xu Er asked after getting out of the car.

Song Ruichi laughed. “You’re addicted to it, aren’t you?”

Xu Er tucked his hands behind his back. “I realized that when I call you ge, you seem to be happier.”

Song Ruichi felt as though he had been outwitted. “I do?”

Xu Er answered honestly, “You do.”

Suddenly, Xu Er leaned in close to Song Ruichi’s face. “Ge.”

Song Ruichi’s reaction was a laugh that he couldn’t hold back.

Xu Er, with his eyes crinkled in a smile, pointed at him. “Look at you.”

Song Ruichi pinched the back of Xu Er’s neck, and Xu Er playfully dodged it.

The short drive back was filled with casual chatter.

For instance, Xu Er would mention how the flower in the neighborhood had just bloomed last week. He’d talk about how the company’s benefits for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival were pretty decent. Or he’d remark how the crabs they had for dinner were well worth the 4.8 rating—really delicious.

And before they knew it, they had reached the doorstep.

Xu Er, with a mischievous grin, said, “Ge, I’m home.”

Song Ruichi, unable to stay mad, just smiled without much response.

Then Song Ruichi picked up the earlier conversation, “Do you know why I feel happy when you call me ge?”

Xu Er raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

Song Ruichi looked into Xu Er’s eyes but didn’t respond immediately.

Until the motion-sensor light, just like countless times before, suddenly turned off.

Xu Er, almost instinctively, was about to stomp his foot in frustration, but Song Ruichi interrupted him.

Song Ruichi said, “No need to turn it on.”

Xu Er, a little confused, just replied, “Oh.”

Song Ruichi extended his hand, and this time, he placed it firmly on Xu Er’s head.

“You mentioned homosexuality this afternoon,” Song Ruichi said.

Xu Er was puzzled. “What about it?”

Song Ruichi gently ran his thumb over Xu Er’s temple. “Are you one?”

Xu Er froze, caught off guard. “Me?”

Song Ruichi let out a soft, almost imperceptible laugh, withdrawing his hand. At the same time, he lightly tapped the window beside him.

With a soft thunk, the motion-sensor light flickered on.

“Go inside,” Song Ruichi said, his voice calm.

Xu Er took a step back, waving a hand at him. “Make sure you cheer up, alright?”

Without looking back at Xu Er, Song Ruichi turned and walked toward the elevator.

Cheer up?

Not a chance.

As the elevator doors closed, Song Ruichi tapped a few quick words on his phone before putting it away.

The night in A City was always alive with energy.

Some people are playing Mahjong, some are at a bar, some are in a pool hall, and some are on a pedestrian street.

At the same time, they all pick up their phones in different places and open the group that has just jumped to the top of their chat list.

There’s a new message lying there.

Song Song: [Damn it.]