“He… he’s gay?”

Xu Er’s voice got louder.

Xu Chen: “I think? Maybe?”

Xu Er: “What do you mean by ‘maybe’? How do you know about this?”

Xu Chen thought for a moment. “Well, I think I found out around the time I first started following him on Weibo. There were some comments saying things…”

Xu Er pressed, “What did they say?”

Xu Chen tilted his head back, continuing to think. “Let me think…”

Xu Er tried asking, “Does he have a boyfriend?”

Xu Chen: “Probably not right now.”

Xu Er: “Had one before?”

Xu Chen: “Well, not really.”

Xu Er was speechless. “What the hell.”

Xu Chen let out an “Oh” and continued, “I remember now. There was a guy who was really obviously chasing him. For a while, the comment section was full of that guy, and there were some others making jokes about it and egging him on.”

Xu Er relaxed his shoulders. “So, does that mean he’s gay?”

Xu Chen frowned. “Hmm…”

Xu Er: “That just means a gay person liked him.”

Xu Chen continued, “Hmm.”

Xu Er: “That makes sense.”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, it makes sense.”

Xu Er: “So, what happened after that?”

“After that?” Xu Chen thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen that guy in a while.”

Xu Er was about to ask something else when his watch suddenly buzzed.

He lifted his wrist and saw the watch notification: his heart rate had exceeded a certain level for over ten seconds, advising him to pay attention.

Xu Er then realized his heart was racing, and his ears were buzzing.

“Why are you so nervous?” Xu Chen noticed too.

Xu Er froze. “I don’t know.”

But that wasn’t important.

Xu Er lowered his hand. “Continue.”

Xu Chen: “Where were we?”

Xu Er: “The guy, the one from later.”

Xu Chen: “Oh, there was no ‘later.’ I haven’t seen that guy since.”

Xu Er licked his lips. “Did they get together?”

Xu Chen: “Probably not.”

Xu Chen: “How can you be so sure?”

Xu Chen: “From Song Ruichi’s Weibo status and the comments, it doesn’t really seem like someone who’s in a relationship.”

Xu Er made a low, quiet “oh” sound.

Xu Chen leaned back in his chair. “His Weibo used to be pretty fun, kind of like his friends’ circle. But later, I don’t know what happened, it turned into a studio account, and now it’s just all work, work, work.”

Xu Er gave a dry laugh. He checked his watch again, and saw that his heart rate had dropped.

It was all so strange.

“How about,” Xu Chen said suddenly.

Xu Er: “How about what?”

Xu Chen: “How about you ask Song Ruichi tonight?”

Xu Er’s eyes widened in horror. “Ask what?”

Xu Chen mimicked Xu Er’s usual soft, teasing tone: “Song Ruichi, are you gay?”

Xu Er: “If you want to ask, you ask.”

Xu Chen: “Hahaha.”

Xu Er added, “So what if he is? So what if he isn’t?”

Xu Chen wore a look that suggested he had something to say but was holding back. After a moment, he just gave a dry laugh and muttered, “True.”

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was evening. The two saved their game progress, and Xu Chen spent another five minutes in the bathroom fixing his hair before they set off.

The restaurant for the evening was reserved by Song Ruichi, a place Xu Er had heard of but never been to.

The reason? It was expensive.

Though not ridiculously so, it was still pricey. So, in the car on the way there, Xu Er reminded Xu Chen to help him pay for the meal—he would secretly cover the bill later.

Xu Chen agreed at first, but after a while, he commented, “It’s pretty expensive.”

Xu Er replied, “That’s why it’s expensive.”

Xu Chen asked, “Did you get paid or did you suddenly become rich?”

Xu Er briefly explained the story behind the typewriter humidifier and the medicine box.

After hearing this, Xu Chen stared at Xu Er for a long time.

Xu Er asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xu Chen: “Song Ruichi is treating you like this?”

Xu Er still: “What’s wrong?”

Xu Chen shook his head. “Nothing, nothing,” he nodded again, “it’s nothing, really.”

There was a bit of traffic in Song Ruichi’s direction. Xu Er and Xu Chen waited in the restaurant for a little while before he arrived.

Song Ruichi had booked a small private room. When he opened the door and walked in, Xu Chen immediately stood up with a whoosh, causing Xu Er to stand up in surprise as well.

Then Xu Er heard Xu Chen mutter a “Damn.”

He understood—it was Xu Chen’s way of saying Song Ruichi was unbelievably handsome.

Song Ruichi was wearing a deep blue coat today, which was just as impressive as a black one. This man, in dark-colored clothes, exuded an air of sophistication and was incredibly handsome.

“There was a bit of traffic.”

Song Ruichi’s first words as he entered.

Then he turned to Xu Chen and said, “Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Xu Chen, overwhelmed, replied, “No, I’ve heard so much about you.”

Song Ruichi smiled slightly. “I often hear Xu Er talk about you.”

Xu Er also chimed in, “I often hear Xu Chen mention you.”

Xu Chen suddenly became a little embarrassed and elbowed Xu Er.

The process of ordering was unusually quiet. The two brothers, Xu Er and Xu Chen, simply said “Anything’s fine” and left the decision entirely to Song Ruichi.

So, after the waiter left, the silence grew even heavier.

Xu Er and Xu Chen exchanged glances.

One of them thought, Aren’t you guys pretty familiar with each other? Say something.

The other thought, Didn’t you really want to see him? You speak up.

It was Song Ruichi who broke the silence first. “I heard from Xu Er that you’re still in school?”

Xu Chen immediately nodded. “Yeah, I’m in my third year now.”

Song Ruichi suddenly smiled. “You’re in your third year.”

After speaking, he exchanged a look with Xu Er, who also laughed with a quiet “Pfft.”

This left Xu Chen completely baffled. “Huh?”

Xu Er explained, “He’s in his third year too.”

Xu Chen was even more confused. “Huh?”

Xu Er shook his head and smiled. “It’s nothing.”

Xu Chen: “…”

In his mind, Xu Chen was thinking, Alright then.

After not seeing each other for several days, Xu Er felt that he and Song Ruichi weren’t as close as before. But with this little joke, the unnecessary distance between them vanished in an instant.

So, without hesitation, Xu Er went straight to the point.

“Where’s the signed photo?” Xu Er held out his hand directly in front of Song Ruichi.

Song Ruichi gave him a helpless glance, then took an envelope out of his coat pocket.

But instead of handing it to Xu Er, he bypassed his hand and directly handed it to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen quickly took it. “Thank you, thank you.”

The envelope was quite thick, containing not just a photo but something with a bit of heft to it.

To put it simply, it was a gift.

Xu Er’s hand remained outstretched as he looked at Song Ruichi. “What about mine?”

Song Ruichi rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a handful of air, patting it on Xu Er’s hand. “This is yours.”

Xu Er furrowed his brow.

Song Ruichi smiled and then took out another envelope from his pocket. He playfully tapped it on Xu Er’s forehead before placing it in his hand.

Now that was more like it.

The two brothers, in perfect synchrony, eagerly tore open the envelopes.

They first looked at the photo.

It was a proper signed photo—both of them were identical. It was a photo from Song Ruichi’s Weibo, and on each one, he had written “so. Song” in gold ink.

Next, they looked at the other item.

This was wrapped in craft paper, and the two of them unwrapped it together. Inside was the much-talked-about wooden carving.

The carving in Xu Chen’s hands was clearly the gate of A University, while the one in Xu Er’s hands depicted a boy eating sugar-coated hawthorns.

If the boy hadn’t looked so much like Xu Er, he would’ve asked about it.

Xu Chen also noticed and immediately commented, “Wow, this looks so much like you.”

Xu Er quickly pushed the memory to the back of his mind. “That night I was drunk, right?”

Song Ruichi nodded. “Mm.”

Xu Chen chuckled. “Yeah, you definitely looked drunk, but it’s pretty cute.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Who’s cute?”

Xu Chen replied, “My brother.”

Xu Er snapped, “Why are you answering him?”

Xu Chen was silent. “…”

In his mind, Xu Chen thought, Alright then.

As they put away the small gifts, Xu Chen’s sharp eyes spotted something else. “Hey, your signed photo has writing on the back.”

Xu Er immediately flipped it over.

Xu Chen said, “It says ‘臭…'”

He didn’t finish reading the last two characters, but it clearly said “臭尔尔” (“Stinky Er Er”).

Xu Chen turned his photo over as well, but his was empty.

Of course, his didn’t have anything—it’s not like he was someone important.

“You’re the stinky one,” Xu Er retorted.

He glanced at Song Ruichi and then asked, “Is your English name ‘So’?”

Song Ruichi shook his head. “I don’t have an English name. I guess it’s more like a nickname.”

“So, ‘So’ as in ‘宋’?” Xu Er suddenly seemed to understand. “So, it’s ‘Soso,’ like ‘Song Song’?”

Song Ruichi smiled. “Exactly.”

Xu Er laughed. “It’s rare that someone would use their nickname as a signature.”

Song Ruichi shrugged. “I thought it sounded good, so I just went with it.”

Xu Er nodded. “It does sound good.”

Song Ruichi added, “I’ve never signed like this before. I thought, since it’s a signed photo, I’d write something a bit different.”

Xu Er asked, “So, what do you usually sign?”

Song Ruichi simply replied, “My name.”

Xu Er blinked. “…”

Xu Er muttered to himself, Well, that’s obvious.

At that moment, Xu Chen suddenly raised his hand. “What a coincidence, my brother has a similar nickname too.”

Xu Er stared at him. “…”

Xu Chen continued, “He’s called ‘Sure.'”

Song Ruichi laughed. He looked at Xu Er and said, “I’m not just ‘So,’ there’s more to it.”

Xu Er mentally repeated Song Ruichi’s name: “So, rich?”

Song Ruichi picked up his drink and raised it. Xu Er understood and also lifted his glass. The two clinked their cups together.

“So rich,” Xu Chen repeated. “Sure, that’s pretty interesting, you two.”

Xu Er gave a silly grin.

For as long as he could remember, Xu Er had always disliked his own funny nickname, especially during English class. Every time someone said “sure,” everyone would turn to look at him.

But today, thanks to Song Ruichi’s casual approach—first openly writing the nickname on a signed photo, then naming his own cat “Soso,” and even sharing with Xu Er that his name had an English pun—Xu Er suddenly felt something shift.

It felt strangely freeing. He finally let go of the discomfort.

In that instant, he thought, Sure isn’t so bad after all.

Sure, sure, sure.

If anyone asks him for a signed photo in the future, he might even write “Sure, Xu.”

Ha, he thought, That’s a little too much. Who even wants your signed photo?

But still, the whole thing lightened his mood.

The rest of the meal was especially enjoyable. Xu Er, usually quiet, found himself talking more, especially with Song Ruichi joking around with him. He laughed so hard his eyes nearly disappeared.

Xu Chen seemed happy too. It was clear he had met Song Ruichi with the excitement of seeing a small idol, but Song Ruichi treated him like a friend.

Toward the end of the meal, their conversation turned to Xu Er.

Yes, it was as if Xu Er was sitting right in the middle, while the two people on either side of him spoke about him as if he weren’t there at all.

The topic started with grades. Xu Chen mentioned that he had always admired Xu Er since they were young, looking up to him as a role model. The reason he wanted to get into A University was because of Xu Er, too.

He went on to say that although Xu Er seemed quiet and reserved, deep down, he was a very cheerful and sunny person.

Song Ruichi listened with great interest, and Xu Er found himself listening just as intently.

“This is the first time I’ve heard you praise me,” Xu Er said after Xu Chen finished.

Xu Chen replied, “Isn’t it important to praise you in front of others?”

Xu Er sighed and raised his cup, clinking it with Xu Chen’s.

Song Ruichi chimed in, “I’m an outsider.”

Xu Chen quickly raised his hand, “I am, I am.”

Song Ruichi smiled, and when he saw Xu Chen also raise his cup toward him, he clinked it with his as well.

Xu Chen continued, “My brother is a slow-to-warm-up kind of person.”

This was the first time Xu Er had heard Xu Chen say this, so he was even more curious than Song Ruichi. “What do you mean by that?”

Xu Chen asked, “Don’t you realize it yourself?”

Xu Er replied, “Should I realize it?”

Then he turned to look at Song Ruichi. “Am I?”

Song Ruichi nodded. “You are.”

Xu Er seemed to have unlocked a new version of himself. “How am I slow to warm up?”

Xu Chen answered, “Aren’t you? You’re super slow to warm up,” then he paused and added, “But once you become friends with my brother, you’ll realize that he’s actually a really great person.”

The latter part of this sentence was directed at Song Ruichi, almost as if Xu Chen was proudly showing off his older brother.

Xu Chen continued, “Sometimes my brother is really unpredictable.”

Xu Er raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?”

Xu Chen laughed. “You often get lost in your own world, then suddenly say something shocking, do something surprising, or just act on a whim.”

Xu Er turned to Song Ruichi with a look of confusion, but Song Ruichi simply said, “You are like that.”

Xu Er sighed. “…”

Well then.

After dinner, they watched a movie nearby before heading home.

Song Ruichi first dropped Xu Chen off at the nearest subway station, then took Xu Er back to his place.

On the city’s main road, just after 9 PM, Xu Er hummed along to the music Song Ruichi had playing, his eyes fixed ahead.

“You’re in a good mood,” Song Ruichi suddenly said.

Xu Er stopped humming. “Is that me you’re talking about?”

Song Ruichi replied, “You.”

Xu Er swayed a bit, then grinned. “Why not?”

Song Ruichi asked, “Why are you so happy?”

Xu Er answered, “Because I’m meeting you.”

Song Ruichi seemed to pause for a moment before breaking into a smile.

Xu Er repeated, “I’m really happy when I’m with you.”

“Xu Er.”

Song Ruichi suddenly called his name.

Xu Er responded, “Hmm?”

Song Ruichi said, “Nothing.”

But after a while…

Song Ruichi said, “Actually, there is something.”

Xu Er asked, “What is it?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Why haven’t you contacted me these past two days?”

Xu Er was confused. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Song Ruichi stayed silent for a few seconds. “We haven’t talked in two days.”

Xu Er took out his phone. “Really?”

He opened WeChat and saw that the last message they exchanged was two nights ago. Xu Er had mentioned that he was exhausted from working overtime, and they had both said goodnight to each other.

Xu Er sighed. “You’re right, it’s been two days.”

Song Ruichi was silent for a moment.

Song Ruichi said nothing.