Lu Yan wasn’t sure when Fang Xu had taken the photo or posted it on his social feed, but just as they stepped out of the bar, Liang Mu’s call came in.

Liang Mu: “You went to a bar?”

Lu Yan felt a bit guilty, “I’m already out.”

Liang Mu: “Who were you with?”

Lu Yan glanced at Fang Xu, who was drunkenly leaning on his shoulder, and said, “Squeak.”

Fang Xu: “Squeak…”

Lu Yan: “…”

Liang Mu: “…”

“Lu Yan’s with me,” Lu Yan pinched Fang Xu’s waist, making him say a few more words. Fu Shipei, standing nearby, tried to lend a hand, only to be pushed away by Fang Xu.

Liang Mu: “And who else?”

Lu Yan looked at Fu Shipei, who was standing next to him with a harmless smile, and outright lied, “No one else.”

Liang Mu’s tone was slightly annoyed, “You might want to check the photo on Fang Xu’s feed before saying that.”

Lu Yan pulled out his phone and checked. Sure enough, the fool Fang Xu had not only tagged him but also included Fu Shipei.

Liang Mu asked again, “He came back looking for you?”

Lu Yan mumbled, “Mhm.”

Liang Mu: “He’s not a good guy; stay away from him.”

Lu Yan thought to himself, I’m not much of a good guy myself.

“I got it.”

Liang Mu sounded like a mother hen protecting her chick, “Call me when you get home.”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Lu Yan looked at Fu Shipei apologetically, “Sorry, I can’t go to your place today. I need to take him home.”

Fu Shipei glanced at the drowsy Fang Xu, concerned, “Are you sure you can handle it alone?”

“No problem.” Lu Yan hailed a cab and stuffed Fang Xu into the back seat.

“Should I come see you tomorrow?” Fu Shipei leaned over, blocking the car door, looking at Lu Yan inside.

“Aren’t you flying out tomorrow afternoon?” Lu Yan said, “No need.”

Fu Shipei withdrew his hand, “Alright then.”

Lu Yan: “Goodbye.”

He didn’t even wait for Fu Shipei to reply before rolling up the window. As the car drove off, Lu Yan could still see Fu Shipei’s tall, bamboo-like figure standing by the road through the rearview mirror.

When Lu Yan first saw Fu Shipei again yesterday, he thought he wanted to know why Fu Shipei had broken up with him back then. But after spending a day together, he suddenly felt it didn’t matter anymore. Whether he knew or not, it made no difference—they’d broken up, anyway.

In the past, curiosity had driven him to feel strange seeing Fu Shipei again, but now he didn’t even have that small bit of curiosity left.

Lu Yan wasn’t in the habit of taking care of others. After helping Fang Xu home, he simply threw him onto the couch and left him there, while he comfortably showered and slept in the guest room.

The next day, when Lu Yan woke up and came out, he saw Fang Xu lying on the couch in the same twisted position as last night, one leg hanging off the carpet, his entire posture awkward to the extreme.

Lu Yan couldn’t bear the sight. He wondered if Fang Xu’s back would break after sleeping like that.

“It’s already afternoon, and you’re still sleeping?” Lu Yan kicked Fang Xu’s knee. He didn’t react at all, just clutching a pillow and snoozing sweetly.

“Si Si’s back?” Lu Yan said in a spooky voice.

Fang Xu, who had been sleeping like a log, suddenly sprang up like a startled fish, still groggy, his eyes darting around for Si Si, “Baby?”

“Lu Yan, you jerk! You’re looking for trouble, aren’t you?” Fang Xu, realizing he’d been tricked after scanning around, glared at Lu Yan.

And Lu Yan’s guess was right. Fang Xu now felt aching all over, his entire body sore as if it weren’t his own.

Grumbling, he stretched his neck and limbs, “You couldn’t have taken me to bed? It’s just a few steps away!”

“Be glad I didn’t leave you on the street. And you still have the nerve to complain?” Lu Yan, holding a milk bottle, looked at Fang Xu with amusement.

“Heartless,” Fang Xu muttered. “You sleep comfy in the guest room, and I’m dumped on the couch.”

Ignoring Fang Xu’s grumbles, Lu Yan said, “I’m heading out.”

Fang Xu, looking like he hadn’t slept well, half-opened his eyes and lazily leaned on the couch, “Where are you off to so early?”

“Look at the time,” Lu Yan said, annoyed.

Fang Xu glanced at his phone, then yelped, “Damn, it’s two already? I haven’t even called Si Si yet today!”

Lu Yan turned and left, shutting out Fang Xu’s loud yells as he headed straight for Wei Yuhe’s place by cab.

It was four in the afternoon when he arrived at Wei Yuhe’s place. The security guard, who had seen Lu Yan leaving Wei Yuhe’s place just two days ago, let him through without any hassle. Lu Yan went up and rang the doorbell, pressing it for ages without any response.

“Not home?” Lu Yan took out his phone, intending to message Wei Yuhe, when he suddenly remembered he’d forgotten to tell him he was busy yesterday.

What was this? His mind tricked him into thinking he’d already handled it?

He called Wei Yuhe several times, but there was no answer. Even his messages went unanswered. He figured Wei Yuhe must be upset. Could it be that he’d actually waited for him at home yesterday?

No way, right?

Just his luck! Just when he’d finally made some progress with Wei Yuhe, it seemed he’d ruined it all over again.

Lu Yan went over to the security guard and asked, “Do you know when that really tall, handsome guy from Area A, Building Six, went out?”

The guard knew he meant Wei Yuhe. After all, anyone who looked like that was hard to forget, especially since he’d seen them together before.

“If he’s not home, he probably left early. I didn’t see him.”

Lu Yan thanked him with a smile and walked away.

The big iron gate at Wei Yuhe’s place was tightly locked, with no place to sit. Lu Yan resignedly crouched by the entrance, not knowing when Wei Yuhe would return.

He shifted from squatting to standing, then from standing to sitting, and eventually, he just sat down on the ground, leaning against the iron gate, hugging his knees and resting his head on his arms.

When Wei Yuhe returned, it was already eight in the evening. Even from afar, he could see Lu Yan squatting by the gate.

Like a startled rabbit, Lu Yan immediately looked up as he approached. The dim light flickered in his eyes, making him think he was seeing things. After blinking a few times, he confirmed that it was indeed Wei Yuhe standing in front of him.

Wei Yuhe stopped at a distance, silhouetted against the light, his expression unreadable.

The streetlight cast his shadow long and thin, a faint glow outlining his head, making his fine, soft hair seem veiled in mist.

“You’re finally back. I’ve been waiting for you for so long.” Maybe because he hadn’t spoken for hours, Lu Yan’s voice was a bit hoarse, sounding soft, almost like he was whining.

His legs had gone numb from squatting, and he leaned against the iron gate to stand up, “Where’d you go?”

Wei Yuhe remained silent. Even he wasn’t sure why he was angry. Lu Yan had casually broken their plans, then showed up unannounced. But somehow, it didn’t feel like something he should be angry about.

“I’m sorry, okay? I had something come up yesterday and forgot to tell you,” Lu Yan said softly, apologizing to Wei Yuhe.

“And today?” Wei Yuhe’s tone was flat. Now that he was closer, Lu Yan noticed a slight difference in his expression—it seemed like he was upset. His emotions were so restrained, unlike a newly grown adult.

Without thinking, Lu Yan said, “I came early today, waited for you a long time, but you didn’t answer your phone or messages.”

“How early?” Wei Yuhe asked again.

“Early in the morning.” Lu Yan figured it couldn’t hurt to fib a little, considering he’d waited for quite a while.

“Morning?” Wei Yuhe repeated thoughtfully.

Lu Yan nodded eagerly, “Yeah, morning.”

“But I only went out in the afternoon. How come I didn’t see you?” Wei Yuhe’s face showed no sign of catching Lu Yan’s lie. Calmly, as though stating a fact, he seemed devoid of any emotion.

He’d skipped a family gathering to wait for Lu Yan at home, waiting from morning till afternoon. This guy had set up plans all on his own and included him in them, but when he’d canceled without explanation, he hadn’t even bothered to provide an excuse. And now, he had the audacity to lie straight to his face.