A minor rear-end collision occurred on a road in City A, and as luck would have it, Song Ruichi’s car was stuck in the traffic jam caused by it.

And as luck would have it, the stopped time was just enough for Xu Er to have him say.

“I’ve been so busy these past few days,” Xu Er said, turning off the screen that showed a “Goodnight” message from two days ago: “I’ve been working overtime. This client demands so many details. I’ve had to visit the construction site several times over the past two days, and when I get home, I basically just collapse into bed.”

What started as an explanation slowly turned into a complaint.

“My boss is out of town, and one of my colleagues just resigned. I have so much work on my plate, and there are things I’ve never dealt with before. I have to start learning all over again.”

Originally, Xu Er just wanted to briefly mention how busy he was, but the more he spoke, the more he shared.

By the time he finished speaking, the car in front had finally moved, opening up a parking space.

Song Ruichi gently pressed the gas pedal: “I guess I’m the one being inconsiderate.”

Xu Er chuckled: “Ah, no, it’s not like that.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Why did you secretly pay for dinner?”

Xu Er hadn’t yet figured out how to respond when Song Ruichi added, “Do you want to settle up with me?”

Xu Er quickly replied: “Of course not.”

Then he began another round of explanations: “You bought me so many things, so I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Song Ruichi didn’t offer any opinion, clearly unsatisfied with the answer.

Xu Er thought for a moment before replying, “Isn’t that how friends are?”

Song Ruichi spoke up, “I’m not that kind of friend.”

Xu Er immediately asked, “Then what kind of friend are you?”

Song Ruichi fell silent again.

Xu Er bit his lip, then subtly but rather obviously turned his head to glance at Song Ruichi, biting his lip again.

Xu Er: “Are you angry?”

Song Ruichi: “Mm.”

Xu Er: “You’re the kind of friend who gets angry.”

He quickly observed Song Ruichi after saying that. It seemed like the corner of Song Ruichi’s mouth twitched slightly, but in the end, his face remained expressionless.

No use!

Not funny!

Xu Er then thought for a long time, but in the end, all he could come up with was, “Then what should I do?”

Song Ruichi paused for a moment before responding, “You figure it out.”

Xu Er nodded, “I’ll think about it.”

The silence that followed made it seem like Xu Er was thinking of a solution.

But in reality, he didn’t have any solution at all; he was just passing the time.

Thinking that enough time had passed, Xu Er tentatively called out in a soft voice, “Mr. Soso.”

Mr. Soso didn’t respond.

Xu Er tried again, “Mr. Rich?”

Mr. Rich didn’t respond either.

Xu Er then called, “Song Song?”

Song Song still didn’t say anything.

Xu Er tried once more, “Song Song gege?” (gege meaning “older brother”)

Song Song gege remained silent.

Xu Er: “Gege?”

It had to be “gege” after all.

Finally, a hint of a smile appeared at the corners of Song Ruichi’s mouth.

Seizing the moment, Xu Er immediately pressed on, “Gege, you’re smiling.”

Song Ruichi: “So what if I’m smiling?”

Xu Er: “That means you’re not angry anymore.”

Song Ruichi: “Can a smile really mean I’m not angry?”

Xu Er: “Yes, it can!”

Song Ruichi: “It can, my foot.”

Xu Er burst into laughter: “You’re swearing.”

Song Ruichi: “So what if I am?”

Xu Er replied, “So cool.”

This time, Song Ruichi really smiled and called out, “Xu Xiao’er.”

Xu Er: “Here.”

Song Ruichi: “Do you have a conscience?”

Xu Er: “I do, I really do. I have a lot.”

Song Ruichi: “You have a conscience, my foot.”

Xu Er let out an exaggerated “Wow!” “So cool!”

Song Ruichi: “…”

Song Ruichi’s expression, a mix of speechlessness and reluctance to speak to Xu Er, was something Xu Er found absolutely adorable.

The longer he knew this man, the more he found a certain charm in him.

“It’s Saturday today,” Xu Er thought for a moment. “Do you, like us, work on weekdays?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Not exactly, but go ahead and tell me.”

Xu Er scratched his chin, thinking, “I have tomorrow off, and it’s not even ten yet.”

Song Ruichi: “What, are you hinting that you want to spend more time with me?”

Xu Er: “I think I’m being pretty straightforward.”

Song Ruichi smiled a little: “What’s on your mind?”

Xu Er’s eyes flickered for a second: “Nothing for now, how about you?”

Song Ruichi glanced at the brake lights ahead: “Give me time to get off this road.”

Xu Er: “Okay!”

The police car was already on its way, so they probably wouldn’t have to wait too long.

The blaring horns on the road filled the air, a clear sign of how impatient the people stuck in the area were.

Xu Er, however, didn’t feel any of that impatience. He genuinely enjoyed being with Song Ruichi. Even just sitting in silence and listening to music was pleasant. It felt comfortable.

The two of them sat there quietly, waiting.

After a while, Xu Er suddenly let out a small laugh.

Song Ruichi turned his head, puzzled.

Xu Er cleared his throat and wiped the smile off his face, shaking his head. “Nothing.”

Of course, Song Ruichi didn’t believe him.

So Xu Er explained, “I was just thinking, I feel like you’ve changed a little.”

Song Ruichi asked, “How have I changed?”

Xu Er thought for a moment. “How should I put it…”

It was true that Song Ruichi was still the same as before, and his attitude toward Xu Er hadn’t changed, but there was something different.

“It feels like you’ve become more genuine,” Xu Er finally summarized after some time.

Song Ruichi: “Wasn’t I genuine before?”

Xu Er thought for a moment again, then said, “You’re more genuine now.”

The wrecked car up ahead finally moved, and traffic began to ease up.

Song Ruichi pressed down on the gas and casually threw out a sentence: “I’m done pretending.”

Xu Er: “Pretending what?”

Song Ruichi gave a small laugh. “Nothing.”

But after a moment, he asked, “Can you accept who I am now?”

Xu Er nodded without hesitation. “Of course I can. Why wouldn’t I?”

The corners of Song Ruichi’s mouth twitched slightly.

The road ahead was finally smooth again.

And just as expected, once they were past that stretch, Song Ruichi’s idea came to him.

He said, “A friend of mine gave me some new coffee beans a few days ago.”

Xu Er immediately nodded. “Sure, sure!”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “I didn’t even say anything yet, and you’re already agreeing.”

Xu Er replied, “You said you’re inviting me to your place to try the new coffee beans.”

Song Ruichi raised an eyebrow. “Did I say that?”

Xu Er grinned, “This time, I’ll make it for you. I want to give it a try.”

Song Ruichi: “Xu Xiao’er.”

Xu Er burst out laughing. “What is it, Song Song?”

Song Ruichi didn’t answer, but reached out his hand.

His thumb and index finger curled—clearly about to give a playful pinch.

Fine, you can pinch me.

Xu Er leaned his face over.

“I haven’t even had any yet,” Song Ruichi said as he gave a gentle pinch and withdrew his hand.

Xu Er: “I haven’t either.”

Song Ruichi laughed again.

Right?

Xu Er also felt like Song Ruichi had gotten a lot more humorous lately!

After driving a short stretch more, Xu Er’s phone rang. It was a message from Xu Chen, saying he’d arrived at the school.

Only then did Xu Er realize that the earlier traffic jam had eaten up quite a bit of their time.

He opened the message and replied:
Xu Er: [okk]

But Xu Chen didn’t end the conversation there. He followed up with:
Xu Chen: [Not gonna lie, this wood carving painting is amazing—so intricate.]

Xu Er: [Of course it is. Look who made it.]

Xu Chen: [You’re not wrong.]

Then he added:
Xu Chen: [By the way, your relationship with him is even better than I thought.]

Xu Er: [There’s a lot you don’t know.]

Xu Chen: [Exactly!]

Xu Chen: [I just wanted to say, bro, you’re totally different around him.]

Xu Er: [Different how?]

Xu Chen: [How do I put this… You’re way more relaxed. You’ve even gotten funnier.]

Xu Chen:[And he really dotes on you. What’s going on there?]

Xu Er suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of pride. [Twenty-five years old, and I’ve paid in full for a brand-new older boyfriend.]

Xu Chen replied, [Would you listen to yourself? You’re actually hilarious right now.]

Xu Er loved it when people called him funny—it was his absolute favorite compliment. Every word hit the mark, and his mood instantly soared.

Still, he had to play it cool: [I’m alright, I guess.]

Xu Chen: [Oh wow, look at you.]

Xu Er could barely keep a straight face; his mouth was practically twitching from holding back a grin.

Xu Chen went on, [Since you two are so close, why don’t you ask him if he’s gay?]

Xu Er: “…”

Xu Er: [Are you nuts? I’m not asking that.]

Xu Er: [You have him on WeChat, don’t you? You ask.]

Xu Chen: [Are you nuts? No way I’m asking.]

Xu Er chuckled and put away his phone. Casually, he turned to Song Ruichi and said, “My brother says you’re really good at cooking.

Song Ruichi: “Tell him thank you.”

Xu Er: “You’re welcome.”

Song Ruichi asked, “What about you? Aren’t you going to give me a compliment?”

Xu Er made a thoughtful hum. “I’ll reflect on it when I get home. After I’m done reflecting, I’ll write Mr. Song a little essay.”

Xu Er already knew the way to Song Ruichi’s place like the back of his hand. After parking in the basement, he got out of the car with practiced ease and waited by the door.

Once upstairs, he opened the door and immediately saw Soso squatting at the entrance.

Now that he knew the origin of Soso’s name, it felt like getting to know the cat all over again. Xu Er scooped Soso up and kept calling out over and over, “Soso, Soso!”

“Doesn’t that mean your name overlaps with the cat’s?” Xu Er asked Song Ruichi.

Song Ruichi replied, “I’m not called Soso.”

Xu Er said, “You’re called Song Song.”

Song Ruichi didn’t respond.

Xu Er took a step closer to him. “So you’ve accepted being called Song Song now?”

Song Ruichi said, “And what if I haven’t?”

Xu Er grinned. “Even if you don’t, I’m still gonna call you that.”

Song Ruichi gave Xu Er a look that said Does it matter if I accept it or not?, gave him a light pat on the head, and headed off to the dining room.

Song Ruichi opened the fridge, first taking out some grapes, then grabbing two bottles of water.

But just before closing the door, he paused and opened it again.

He swapped the two bottles of water for two bottles of wine.