Song Ruichi was really good at making people happy.

Xu Er’s friends were also good at cheering people up. Aside from their usual jokes, they would amplify Xu Er’s strengths and shower him with compliments, but it seemed like Song Ruichi was different.

Though the result was always the same—Xu Er was always happy.

So, he replied to Song Ruichi: [I’m so happy to know you.]

Then, he started to worry. He looked at his typewriter, then at the humidifier.

He had just searched the price on the official website—such a small thing, and yet so expensive.

Mainly, he had no idea what to give Song Ruichi. He couldn’t keep sending flowers, right? That would be creepy.

Song Ruichi’s reply came through: [What’s with the formal tone?]

Xu Er: [It’s the truth.[

Song Ruichi: [Alright, alright.]

Xu Er: [Where did you learn to say ‘alright’ like that?]

Song Ruichi: [What do you think?]

Xu Er: [Could it be from me?]

Song Ruichi: [Otherwise?]

Xu Er tilted his head slightly, feeling that this “otherwise” was also something he’d picked up from him. Chen Nan had said something similar to him recently, that he had been saying “otherwise” all the time.

But he didn’t ask. What if it wasn’t from him? It was such a common phrase.

So, Xu Er replied: [Alright, alright.]

After a few days of vacation, Xu Er’s body had become lazy. The next day when he went back to work, for the first time in a long while, he was late.

Being late wasn’t exactly rare at his company, but the fact that he was late this one morning caused even the dogs he passed on the way to ask him, “You’re late today?”

He thought he needed to reflect a bit—maybe he was too rigid at work.

The last project had gone smoothly, so although he arrived at the office in the morning, he actually had nothing to do.

He missed the morning meeting because he was late, and the rest of the time, he was called to his boss’s office to make tea and chat about random things. The whole morning passed just like that.

In the afternoon, after a quick lunch and a brief rest in the office, he went out.

A new project was about to kick off, and his boss had asked him and a colleague to visit the site first.

In their eyes, the underlying meaning of this request was clear: the afternoon was basically free to leave early.

Even better, the new project was located in the city center, and it only took a twenty-minute taxi ride to get there.

The two of them walked around the project site with the other representative, and by the time they were done, the afternoon shift was over.

“Good thing I’m out with you this time,” his colleague Xiao He said with a satisfied grin on the way back.

Xu Er was eating the ice cream Xiao He had bought for him and nodded: “Got it, go back and tell Jiang Tao you dislike him.”

Xiao He laughed: “Haha, is that what I meant?”

Xu Er asked, “What’s wrong with Jiang Tao?”

“He’s a bit slow in handling things,” Xiao He gestured in the direction he wanted to go: “Just the stuff we talked about earlier—Jiang Tao could probably keep you going in circles for over an hour, believe it or not.”

Xu Er smiled slightly.

Xiao He continued, “Among the engineers in the company, I still like you the most. This project almost got taken by Xiao Min, but luckily he didn’t show up today because he had something else to do.”

Xu Er nodded again, without saying much.

But then Xiao He said, “Do you know what Xiao Min’s issue is?”

Xu Er raised an eyebrow. Something going on?

Xu Er took a bigger bite of the ice cream and switched to a smaller one: “What’s going on?”

Xiao He lowered his voice: “He’s breaking up with his boyfriend.”

Xu Er made a strange face: “Huh?”

The expression was exactly what Xiao He had hoped for, and his tone shifted: “That’s right, he’s gay.”

Xu Er let out a long “ah” and started to recall what he knew about Xiao Min.

Their interactions hadn’t been many, so all he could remember were Xiao Min’s height and appearance.

Xiao He added, “If it weren’t for the time his boyfriend caused a scene downstairs at the company, we wouldn’t have known.”

Xu Er’s mouth formed an “O” shape.

Xiao He was quite satisfied with Xu Er’s reaction, but it seemed like he didn’t know much more than that. He chuckled and said, “I’ve been secretly competing with him over this project for a few days.”

Xu Er obviously didn’t know that. He thought Xiao He was here today because they had worked together on other projects before.

Their department was always full of gossip. One of the supervisors who had been arguing in the group chat was from their department. During boring moments at the company, they would shamelessly rely on that kind of gossip to pass the time.

“So, what now? Going back?” Xiao He asked as they crossed the street.

Xu Er squinted and pointed across the road. “What’s going on over there?”

Xiao He looked in the direction Xu Er was pointing and adjusted his glasses. “Looks like an exhibition,” he said, then withdrew his gaze. “Shall we go?”

Xu Er: “Let’s go.”

After crossing the street, they threw away their empty ice cream sticks and headed toward the exhibition.

At the entrance, there were flower baskets and some introductory materials. From this, they could roughly tell it was an art exhibition. Neither of them really knew much about art, but since they were already there, they figured they might as well go in.

Naturally, Xu Er thought of an artist with the surname Song.

So before entering, he took a photo of the large characters at the entrance and sent it to Song Ruichi.

However, things took a turn for the worse. After they entered, they were stopped at the door. It turned out that the exhibition required an invitation, and the security guard spoke through his nose, saying they only recognized invitations. This place wasn’t meant for casual strolls.

“Ugh, what’s so high-class about it?”

Turning around, Xiao He immediately rolled his eyes. “It’s just a crappy exhibition. If they knew what they lost…”

Xiao He continued, “They lost us, such distinguished guests.”

“Exactly,” Xu Er smiled and added, “What kind of exhibition would make us come all the way here to see it?”

“Exactly.”

“Exactly.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice chimed in from behind.

Xiao He and Xu Er turned around.

“Hey,” Xu Er said in surprise, “Song Ruichi, what are you doing here?”

Song Ruichi waved his phone in the air. “I felt your call.”

Xu Er laughed.

It seemed like with Song Ruichi’s appearance, Xu Er felt an unexpected sense of joy, as if his workday had suddenly ended. His identity switched from a worker to a free person.

He stepped aside a little and introduced Song Ruichi, “This is my colleague.”

Then he turned to Xiao He and said, “My friend.”

The two extended their right hands for a friendly handshake, each saying, “Hello.”

Xiao He leaned a little closer to Xu Er and asked, “Is your friend a staff member?”

Although Xiao He directed this question at Xu Er, it was clearly intended for Song Ruichi to hear.

Song Ruichi, with great tact, answered, “Yes, I’m a staff member.”

At this, Xiao He directly asked Song Ruichi, “So, does that mean you can take us inside?”

Song Ruichi stepped aside. “Please, go ahead.”

Xiao He muttered softly, “Wuhu.”

A few seconds later, they found themselves standing in front of the security guard once again.

At first, Xiao He’s expression remained calm, but when he saw the security guard bow respectfully to Song Ruichi and call him “Mr. Song,” Xiao He’s posture straightened immediately.

Before entering, he glanced expressionlessly at the security guard who was looking at him through his nostrils.

“Mr. Song.”

Once they were inside, Xiao He leaned close to Xu Er’s ear and whispered, “What’s the deal with your friend?”

Xu Er looked up at Song Ruichi, who, coincidentally, also turned to look at him. Their eyes met.

Xu Er smiled faintly. “A staff member.”

Xiao He nudged Xu Er with his elbow. “Seriously.”

Xu Er glanced back at Song Ruichi, then, using his hand to block the direction Song Ruichi was facing, he whispered—loud enough for Xiao He to hear but not too loudly—”He’s a master.”

Xiao He opened his mouth in surprise.

Song Ruichi chuckled. “Should I pretend I didn’t hear that?”

Xu Er lowered his hand. “Of course, please keep Mr. Song away from the life of a fan.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “Who’s my fan?”

Xu Er raised his hand. “Hey.”

Song Ruichi smiled. “Let me test you.”

Xu Er hesitated but quickly regained his confidence. “Go ahead, test me.”

Song Ruichi asked, “What color are the shoes I’m wearing today?”

Xu Er was about to look down, but Song Ruichi caught his chin.

Ah, Xu Er actually knew the answer.

“White,” Xu Er answered, even adding, “Sneakers.”

Song Ruichi released Xu Er and smiled. “Good, certified.”

Xu Er grinned. “I’m impressive, right?”

Song Ruichi replied, “It’s nothing that would stump you.”

Haha.

Today, Song Ruichi was quite amusing.

In just a few steps, they entered the hall. A few more steps, and they passed by three exhibits.

Naturally, Xu Er began to tease. “Mr. Song, aren’t you going to give us a little explanation?”

“Do you need one?” Song Ruichi asked. “I’m afraid you’ll fall asleep.”

At just the right moment, Xiao He yawned.

It should have been a huge yawn, but because of Song Ruichi’s words, Xiao He held it back midway.

Song Ruichi threw Xu Er a look, as if saying, “See?”

“Then where are Mr. Song’s works?” Xu Er asked, curious himself.

Song Ruichi replied, “On the second floor.”

Xu Er nodded. “Let’s go directly then,” he asked Xiao He, “Shall we go?”

Xiao He nodded eagerly. “Let’s go, let’s go.”

After all, they wouldn’t understand much anyway. The two of them didn’t exactly have an “artistic gene.”

On the way, Xiao He quietly marveled, “Is he really a master?”

Xu Er replied, “Otherwise?”

Xiao He’s mouth formed an “O” again, and he whispered, “A master this handsome? And so tall, how tall is he?”

Xu Er answered, “About 1.9 meters.”

Song Ruichi interjected, “1.□□ meters.”

Xu Er chuckled and said to Xiao He, “He heard you.”

Song Ruichi commented dryly, “It’s hard to stay far from you.”

Xu Er then asked, “Why didn’t you react when I said you’re handsome?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Thank you.”

Xiao He quietly added, “He’s used to being praised.”

They turned a corner, and Song Ruichi asked, “Aren’t you working today?”

Xu Er answered, “I’m off work.”

Xu Er’s artistic sense was so lacking that even with Song Ruichi’s works, he couldn’t make heads or tails of them.

He and Xiao He stood in front of the exhibits, lacking any eloquence, and just  said a couple of “Wow”s before their appreciation ended.

But since they were already here, they continued to stroll around the second floor.

“Mr. Song.”

As they walked, a man approached them.

Song Ruichi looked at him and said, “What are you doing here?”

The man replied with a quick “Finished” and then turned his attention to the person beside Song Ruichi.

Then he said, “Xu Er?” and reached out his right hand. “Is that right?”

Xu Er took a small step forward and shook his hand, saying, “Yes, hello.”

He smiled and said, “This guy was in the middle of talking to me when he came out to meet you.”

Xu Er chuckled.

He then asked, “Aren’t you curious about how I know you?”

Xu Er answered honestly, “I am curious.”

His gaze shifted to Song Ruichi. “Ask him.”

Standing off to the side, looking as though it had nothing to do with him, Song Ruichi’s eyebrows twitched.

It was impossible for him to be uninvolved—three pairs of eyes were fixed on him.

Xu Er added, “He told me to ask you.”

The friend also chimed in, “Come on, what’s the deal, Mr. Song?”

Song Ruichi looked at his friend helplessly before turning to Xu Er. “That night, you drank with me.”

Xu Er was momentarily speechless.

Alright, looks like this was his moment of fame.

The friend laughed. “Is that so?”

Song Ruichi shrugged. “Otherwise?”

The friend said, “Well, that’s exactly it.”

He then turned to Xu Er and said, “I wasn’t there that night; today’s the first time we’re meeting.”

Xu Er blinked and said once more, “Hello.”

Song Ruichi, standing nearby, reminded them, “That’s enough.”

The friend laughed, then asked Xu Er, “Did you come specifically to see Mr. Song?”

Xu Er shook his head. “I work nearby, just passing by.”

The friend nodded in understanding. “So you didn’t come here just to see our Mr. Song.”

Xu Er glanced at Song Ruichi.

Song Ruichi shot back, “You wanna die?”

The friend burst into laughter. “Hahahaha, I’ll shut up.”

But he didn’t fully stop, walking a couple of steps before adding, “You look like you just graduated from university.”

Xu Er shook his head. “I’m 25.”

The friend nodded. “Ah, so you’re a third-year guy.”

Xu Er asked, “Who’s in their third year?”

The friend answered, “I’m in my third year.”

Xu Er was surprised. “You’re in your third year?”

The friend paused for a moment, then laughed, looking at Song Ruichi. “This is so cute.”

Song Ruichi placed his hand on Xu Er’s head and turned it toward him. “Don’t mind him.”

The friend came over but seemed to have no particular business, following them through a small corridor, glancing at a few paintings before leaving.

Before he left, he politely told Xu Er they should grab a meal together sometime. It didn’t sound like mere politeness—if it weren’t for Song Ruichi helping Xu Er with a “Sure, sure,” it seemed like he might actually try to schedule it right then and there.

It didn’t feel like much earlier, but as soon as the friend left, the surroundings suddenly became quiet.

Only then did Song Ruichi speak up. “He’s the event planner for this exhibition.”

Xu Er nodded and asked, “Is he really in his third year?”

Song Ruichi couldn’t help but laugh. “How are you so cute?”

Xu Er: “…”

Of course, Xu Er could tell that the friend didn’t look like a third-year student at all.

“So what does that mean?” Xu Er asked.

Song Ruichi shrugged. “It doesn’t mean anything.”

Xu Er asked, “You’re not going to tell me?”

Song Ruichi replied, “I don’t even know what he meant.”

Xu Er responded, “You’re lying.”

Song Ruichi suddenly laughed, then slowly said, “He said I’m three years older than you.”

Xu Er froze for a moment, then reflected on the conversation they had just had.

What was it again?

“You’re three years older than me,” Xu Er repeated that sentence aloud.

Song Ruichi asked, “What, doesn’t seem like it?”

Xu Er shook his head. “It’s not that, but it’s close enough.”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “I’m three years older.”

Xu Er now understood. “You’re three years older.”

As they left the corridor and entered another exhibition hall, the first thing they saw was a sculpture.

It was half a painting, half a wood carving. The painting featured a faint rainbow, and the wood carving depicted two figures, seemingly extending from the painting.

But this figure…

Xu Er was about to speak, but before he could, Xiao He asked first, “Are both of them men?”

Xu Er saw it too—the two figures, almost naked and entwined with each other, both with short hair and distinct masculine features.

So, this is… this.

Xu Er turned his head and exchanged a glance with Xiao He.

After just talking about Xiao Min downstairs, and then coming up to see this—both of their expressions silently conveyed the words “Oh boy.”

Xu Er’s voice involuntarily lowered as he asked Song Ruichi, “Is this about homosexuality?”

As soon as he asked, Xu Er realized that the exhibition hall was now empty except for the three of them. The silence was so intense that it almost echoed.

Song Ruichi seemed to have a somewhat complicated expression when he heard Xu Er’s question.

But it was only for a moment before he answered, “Yeah.”

Xu Er’s mouth hung open again. He rarely came across anything so directly related to homosexuality, and now, faced with this, he didn’t know whether he should look more or just leave.

He felt strangely a bit embarrassed.

The artwork itself was incredibly artistic. After reading the introduction below, Xu Er understood that it was meant to convey an idea of equality.

“It’s quite beautiful,” Xiao He also whispered his opinion.

Xu Er nodded. “It is quite beautiful.”

Xiao He then said, “I’ve heard that there are a lot of homosexuals in the artist’s circle.”

Xu Er seemed to have heard something like that too.

After all, there were artists around him.

So Xu Er turned to ask, “Is that true?”

His expression was very sincere, clearly wanting to find an answer.

Song Ruichi stared into Xu Er’s eyes for a moment before slowly replying, “Is it?”