Since being kicked out a few days ago, Qian Wang felt that everything was going wrong. Just as he returned to school, the neighboring province’s university announced an academic conference, leaving him unable to find time to talk to Zhao Ziqiang. But even when he tried to focus on writing his report, he couldn’t concentrate.

Sun Kan was his student and had been persistently following him around these past few days, making him feel almost mentally unstable.

“I’ve told you so many times, it’s impossible for us! Are you deaf or just out of your mind?”

For the nth time, Qian Wang found himself cornered in the faculty restroom, helplessly shouting this at the stubborn person in front of him. He couldn’t understand how Zhao Ziqiang, after living with him for seven years, could leave so decisively and confidently, while this kid, who hadn’t even shared his bed, kept stubbornly pestering him.

The two remained silent in the restroom stall. Sun Kan kept his head down, not speaking, tears dripping from his chin. Qian Wang was the one he had truly fallen for, and he couldn’t understand why, just when he thought everything was opening up for him, this always gentle man would suddenly show a fierce expression and push him away, piercing his heart with each word.

“Teacher, why? Can you tell me why……”

Qian Wang furrowed his brows in frustration. He had always been firm in his stance as a gay man, but why had he recently gone mad, criticizing his long-time lover and even finding himself getting involved with this sticky, ambiguous figure whose gender was impossible to determine just by looking at them?

“I’ve already told you, I’ve never liked you. We both know the rules: once it’s over, it’s over.”

He had intended to say something nice to part on good terms, but thinking of Zhao Ziqiang’s tone when he said those words a few days ago, the phrase got stuck in his throat, making it hard to swallow.

Upon hearing this, Sun Kan lifted his face and opened the door, stepping out first. Qian Wang watched the boy’s proud back and sighed with relief.

Zhao Ziqiang had expected that person would at least come looking for him one more time. Instead, after waiting three days, it was Sun Kan who showed up. Before he could say anything, Sister Wang cheerfully ran out and grabbed Sun Kan’s hand.

“Kan Kan is here! Oh my, you’ve lost weight…”

Seeing this scene, Zhao Ziqiang immediately understood Sun Kan’s identity.

As soon as Sister Wang saw the child’s already wide grin, she couldn’t help but smile even more, pulling Sun Kan over to chat. Meanwhile, Zhao Ziqiang and Sun Wanjue noticed something was off, and they gently urged Sun Kan upstairs, leaving Sister Wang to continue greeting guests downstairs.

The two of them quietly led Sun Kan to Sun Wanjue’s bedroom. Zhao Ziqiang had a gut feeling this might be related to him and instinctively intended to back out, but Sun Kan stopped him with his words.

“Zhao Ziqiang. Don’t go. I came here to find you today.”

Seeing that neither of them had any intention of avoiding him, Sun Wanjue decided to stay and simply stood to the side, watching.

Zhao Ziqiang helplessly turned his head, crossing his arms at the doorway, and raised an eyebrow at the agitated yet red-eyed boy.

“What’s going on?”

He felt like he had said this phrase countless times recently.

Sun Kan lowered his head, sniffled a few times, and then looked up at Zhao Ziqiang.

“He dumped me.”

Seeing Zhao Ziqiang’s face remain calm, without showing any of the reactions he had expected, Sun Kan stubbornly repeated himself.

“We’re not together anymore.”

Still, no one responded to him.

“He won’t tell me why, and I just can’t understand it. I can’t accept it. He must have liked me at some point.” Sun Kan’s voice began to choke with emotion.

Only then did Zhao Ziqiang let out a cold snort. He walked over to the window and deliberately struck a tragic pose.

“What’s impossible about that?” He lit a cigarette. “Seven years ago, he confessed to me while pinning me down on the sofa in his office. At that time, I was his class representative, and I thought Professor Qian was so handsome and great that I mindlessly agreed. Later on, it was the same old chaotic family drama—what kind of storms haven’t we weathered? But after stumbling through seven years, he still just cheated on me without a second thought. Do you really believe he ever liked me?”

He spoke slowly, taking occasional puffs of his cigarette, reminiscing about the past. So many details were hard to put into words but somehow, they had muddled through seven years together.

“It’s not worth it,” Zhao Ziqiang concluded.

“You’re still young. Don’t get hung up on one person. Don’t blindly rush into things when you’re not sure of the other person’s feelings. If you do, the only one who’ll end up hurt is you.”

Sun Kan stared blankly at the man leaning against the windowsill. Though his tone was indifferent, anyone listening could sense the self-mockery and helplessness in his words. Oddly, his own pain and sadness felt much lighter.

Sun Kan turned his gaze to Sun Wanjue, whose serious expression was softened by concern. He realized that the strength he thought he had lost, even the ability to wipe away his tears, seemed to be slowly returning.

After finishing a cigarette, Zhao Ziqiang headed downstairs, his demeanor so carefree that it felt as if his back carried the words ‘Take care of yourself.’

As he swiftly chopped vegetables, Zhao Ziqiang felt secretly pleased with how cool he had just been. It turned out that not getting stuck in a rut and being more open with people felt so good.

Meanwhile, Brother Sun distractedly stirred the pot, trying to catch a glimpse of the lively atmosphere.

“You know Kan Kan? What a small world, haha.”

“…Ah.”

Zhao Ziqiang also found the world to be quite small. Previously, he only knew that Sun Wanjue and Sun Kan were acquainted; he hadn’t realized they were relatives. It was interesting how, after all the twists and turns, they still managed to connect.

Sun Wanjue walked Sun Kan home, and they didn’t speak along the way. When they arrived at the entrance of the Sun family’s building, Sun Wanjue finally asked quietly,

“Why do you guys like men?”

His voice was just starting to change, sounding hoarse and magnetic after a long period of silence. Sun Kan paused, looking at his cousin, who he had always had a good relationship with. In his eyes, Sun Wanjue was handsome, and his gaze was serious when he looked at people. Not long ago, he had even had a crush on this cousin.

But that was all in the past now.

“It’s just infatuation.”

Sun Wanjue heard this answer and, uncertain if he was satisfied, furrowed his brows slightly, almost imperceptibly.

“Then you should head upstairs. Goodbye.”

Sun Kan turned around, murmuring as he sighed softly,

“It really is just infatuation.”