Wen Lin’s restless heart suddenly calmed down. Although the feeling was a bit strange, it didn’t seem to be a bad thing.

“Happy birthday, Classmate Wen. It’s time for you to blow out the candles and make a wish. Don’t think it’s childish; your wish might just come true.”

Already knowing what Wen Lin might say, Ming Che preemptively blocked that possibility.

Wen Lin stepped forward and blew out the candles in one breath, plunging the living room into darkness.

“Wen Lin.”

Ming Che called out to him.

“What is it?”

Ming Che took a step closer to him, raising his hand. He estimated that just a little further, he could touch Wen Lin’s face, but he didn’t move and instead lowered his hand.

Better not. He didn’t want to ruin this rare birthday.

Snap—

A small flame suddenly appeared in the darkness.

In the warm orange light, Wen Lin saw a face very close to his, with eyelashes like small fans casting shadows under his eyes, inexplicably tender.

“I’ll go turn on the lights.”

Ming Che released the lighter, and the flame disappeared instantly.

“Okay.”

The sound of their voices covered the momentary sound of their heartbeats.

The living room returned to brightness. Ming Che removed the candles and took out a cake knife to cut the cake, giving the first piece to Wen Lin.

“Oh, and there’s a birthday gift.”

Ming Che took out the wrapped box.

“I can’t accept this. I really can’t.”

Seeing Wen Lin’s strong reaction, Ming Che didn’t insist.

“Alright, then just eat the cake.”

Wen Lin nodded and started on the cake on his plate. He poked at it, glanced at Ming Che, and poked again.

Though a bit embarrassed, he still had to say it.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

After finishing the cake, Ming Che planned to take Wen Lin home. At night, there were few cars, and everything was quiet except for the engine’s hum.

Wen Lin couldn’t help but glance to the side, then shifted his gaze back out the window.

They arrived quickly. Ming Che parked the car at Wen Lin’s house, watching him get out and leaning against the window to continue watching him.

Wen Lin turned back and said, “I’m about to take the college entrance exam.”

Hmm?

“I’ll come find you after the exam.”

Is that a promise?

“Okay.” Ming Che agreed.

Wen Lin’s lips curled into a smile, unnoticed in the darkness.

[Host, you were planning to complete the plot today, weren’t you?]

977 saw it clearly, but in the end, the host gave up.

[977, one must have a conscience. On someone’s birthday, you can’t do bad things.]

Ming Che returned home, putting the leftover cake in the fridge. Even with two people, there was still a lot left.

…

The place he was living in was rented. Ming Che called the landlord to discuss the situation and arranged to terminate the lease.

He had decided to go to that entertainment company. Ming Che knew that although the agent spoke well, the reality might not be as good as promised once he got there.

He also planned to sell the tricycle. With the help of people he knew from the night market, Ming Che quickly found a buyer. Since he was selling in a hurry, the price wasn’t high. As for the goods, he gave them to a few stall owners he knew at the night market.

With these matters settled, June arrived. Ming Che had a lot of free time, taking walks around the neighborhood and hearing interesting gossip. During this time, several groups came to view the apartment.

Ming Che stood in the living room, watching them come and go. The neighbor across the hall, disturbed by the noise, opened the door to chat with him.

“Are you moving?”

The neighbor was a regular working person with a different schedule from Ming Che, so they rarely met.

“Yeah.”

“When are you leaving?”

It was a day off, so the neighbor had time to chat.

“Soon.”

“Why are you moving? This place is old, but the rent is cheap.” The man pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, offering one to Ming Che before lighting one for himself.

“Need a light?”

Ming Che waved it off. “Planning to go somewhere else.”

“Ah, youth.” The man exhaled a smoke ring, and Ming Che turned his head to avoid the smell.

The neighbor didn’t chat for long before going back inside. Ming Che returned to the sofa, putting the cigarette in his mouth. There was a lighter on the table, so he picked it up and lit it. The cigarette started to burn.

Holding the thin cigarette between his index and middle fingers, Ming Che watched the glowing ember, wrinkling his nose in distaste.

This taste wasn’t pleasant.

Ming Che stubbed out the cigarette and tossed it into the trash.

…

As the college entrance exam approached, the atmosphere among students grew tense, and the classroom was always filled with the sound of studying.

After looking down for a long time, Wen Lin would lift his head to relax by looking out the window. Suddenly, his pupils contracted as he saw a tricycle in his line of sight.

It was too far to see the license plate clearly.

The long-awaited bell rang, and Wen Lin left his seat. With a mindset of absolute impossibility, he went downstairs. Seeing the license plate, he couldn’t tell if he was disappointed or relieved.

It wasn’t him.

He was overthinking it. Wen Lin found his behavior amusing.

Days passed in the blink of an eye, too fast to react, and the college entrance exam finally arrived.

Every time he left the exam hall and saw the waiting parents outside, Wen Lin couldn’t help but let his gaze linger on them.

June’s weather was hot, and standing in the sun for too long felt like being roasted. Only when the time came were the students allowed to enter the exam hall. Wen Lin used his book to shield himself from the sun, suddenly hearing someone call his name.

“Wen Lin, good luck on the exam!”

The classmate’s face was blurred by the glaring light, and Wen Lin replied, “You too.”

The barrier was lifted, and the students began to enter.

…

[Host, the college entrance exam is over.]

Ming Che lay on the windowsill, responding with a hum to 977’s words.

[Is he coming to find you?]

[Not so soon, probably in a few days.]

Ming Che straightened up, yawning sleepily. As he stretched, his white T-shirt rode up, revealing a strip of pale skin.

[Do you think I should go out for dinner tonight or use up the leftover ingredients at home?]

Having lived alone for so long, Ming Che could cook simple things.

His steps towards the kitchen were interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

It might be someone viewing the apartment. The old door didn’t have a peephole, so Ming Che opened it directly.

Standing at the door was Wen Lin, his face still sweaty, with his hair dampened by sweat.

Ming Che quickly regained his composure, showing a gentle smile as he pulled Wen Lin inside and gave him a hug.

“Congratulations.”

Wen Lin was startled by the overly intimate gesture, but Ming Che quickly let go, leaving Wen Lin to suppress the strange feeling inside.

“I was just about to make something to eat when you arrived.”

Ming Che, as if unaware of any issue with his behavior, led him to the kitchen.

“Anything you want to eat?”

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Then I’ll just whip something up. Don’t mind my cooking skills.”

Ming Che took out meat and vegetables from the fridge and started working.

“Need help?”

“No need. Let me treat you well.”

Ming Che noticed Wen Lin’s uneasy avoidance and began to wonder if he was overdoing it. But without this, it would be hard to proceed with what came next.

Ming Che wasn’t modest when he said he’d whip something up. When he called Wen Lin over to eat noodles, he felt a bit guilty for a moment. But Wen Lin was gracious and ate a lot.

After dinner, Ming Che pulled Wen Lin to sit on the sofa. He fiddled with the remote, switching to a movie channel.

“Tired?”

“Not really, just like usual.”

Ming Che tapped his fingers on the sofa cushion, estimating the timing to get closer. “Very confident, Classmate Wen.”

“Why don’t you call me by my name, Ming Che?”

Ming Che paused, lowering his gaze to hide his emotions, and chuckled softly.

“Wen Lin.”

The TV continued playing, but when Ming Che looked over again, he found Wen Lin had fallen asleep.

Today wasn’t a good time, it seemed. Ming Che watched him for a while, then carried him to the bedroom, gently placing him on the bed.

After two days of exams, he must be really tired.

Ming Che pulled the blanket over him, then took a spare blanket and pillow from the cabinet and set them on the sofa in the living room.

Tonight, he’d have to make do with the sofa.

Sleeping on the sofa wasn’t comfortable. Ming Che woke up earlier than usual, rubbing his sore neck and feeling like he hadn’t slept enough.

There was a noise from the room. Ming Che looked over and saw Wen Lin coming out.

“Good morning.”

Wen Lin looked at him awkwardly, stumbling over his words.

“Sorry, I fell asleep last night.”

“It’s fine. You just finished your exams. You should rest.”

Ming Che got up, walking towards Wen Lin.

“I could have slept on the sofa. I didn’t even change my clothes, and I might have dirtied your bed.”

“Sleeping on the sofa isn’t comfortable. Seeing you so tired, I couldn’t just leave you there.”

Wen Lin pushed him into the room.

“Want to take a shower? You can pick any clothes from in there.”

Wen Lin nodded, taking a T-shirt and pants under Ming Che’s gaze.

“Underwear.”

Ming Che opened the drawer below, handing him a pair.

“New, never worn.”

“Ah… okay.”

Wen Lin lowered his head, carrying the clean clothes into the bathroom.

While Wen Lin showered, Ming Che went into the kitchen. Breakfast was noodles with vegetables and eggs, looking quite appetizing.

When Wen Lin finished showering, Ming Che brought him a new toothbrush, and they brushed their teeth together at the sink.

The mirror was fogged up, temporarily unable to reflect the people in front of it. Ming Che stood behind Wen Lin, staring at the back of his head, and reached out to touch it.

Wen Lin flinched, turning to look at him.

“Finish brushing, and I’ll dry your hair.”

Wen Lin widened his eyes, unable to speak with the toothbrush in his mouth, so he nodded.

The noodles were left in the pot. Ming Che pressed Wen Lin to sit on the sofa, found a hairdryer in the drawer, and started drying his hair.

It was his first time doing this for someone, so he was gentle. Boys’ hair wasn’t long, and it was summer, so it didn’t take long to dry.

“Alright, let’s have breakfast.”

Ming Che turned off the hairdryer, ruffling Wen Lin’s soft hair.