The hug was so sudden that Xu Er couldn’t keep his balance. He stumbled a few steps after falling into Song Ruichi’s arms before barely managing to stand upright.

He knew Song Ruichi would be surprised.

But this… this was a bit too surprised, a bit too enthusiastic, making Xu Er’s heart race uncontrollably.

Song Ruichi’s grip was tight. Xu Er had never been held like this before; he could almost feel Song Ruichi’s breath on his shoulder.

But soon, Song Ruichi let go.

“What do you mean, Mr. Xu?” Song Ruichi’s gaze was gentle, with a hint of a smile as he stared at Xu Er.

Xu Er, of course, smiled even brighter than him. “Do you like it?”

Song Ruichi glanced down at the flowers. “I like it very much.”

Xu Er raised his chin proudly. “I carefully picked them out.”

Song Ruichi asked, “Why are you giving me flowers?”

Of course, Xu Er couldn’t say he gave the flowers to repay a favor, so for a moment, he couldn’t come up with a reason. He could only smile at Song Ruichi.

Surprisingly, Song Ruichi didn’t press him. Instead, he smiled even more warmly and said, “I really like them.”

Xu Er’s mind worked quickly this time, and he immediately followed up, “Do you like them more than chocolate?”

Song Ruichi chuckled and raised the bouquet slightly. “Today, they surpass chocolate.”

Xu Er lifted his chin. “I’ll give you another chance.”

“Then,” Song Ruichi replied, “not just today.”

Xu Er asked, “How many days, then?”

Song Ruichi smiled, “Until they wither completely.”

Xu Er let out a laugh and pointed at Song Ruichi. “You’re quite the smooth talker.”

Song Ruichi reached out and pinched Xu Er’s cheek. “Aren’t you the same?”

With that, the conversation ended, and Song Ruichi stepped aside to make way for Xu Er.

Actually, Xu Er’s plan was just to deliver the flowers, but since Song Ruichi was acting this way, he might as well come in.

As the door closed, Song Ruichi asked, “Weren’t you supposed to go back and revise your draft?”

Xu Er responded with an “Oh,” then said, “That’s not urgent.”

For some reason, upon hearing this, Song Ruichi pinched his cheek again.

It wasn’t exactly gentle.

Xu Er rubbed his face and squatted down to pick up Soso.

Soso was quite friendly with him. As Xu Er held the cat, it stayed obediently in his arms. One person and one cat sat on the sofa, and when Xu Er turned his head, he noticed a small teddy bear in the corner of the couch.

He placed Soso on his lap and reached for the bear.

“Is this my reward from yesterday?” Xu Er asked.

Song Ruichi took a bottle of water from the fridge, twisted the cap open, and placed it on the coffee table in front of Xu Er.

“Mm.”

Xu Er brought the teddy bear closer to Soso, but the cat stretched out its paw and swatted the bear away.

“Does he not like it?” Xu Er tried again, only for Soso to swat it away once more, looking rather disdainful.

Xu Er looked at Song Ruichi in confusion.

Song Ruichi opened another bottle of water and said, “Maybe.”

Xu Er frowned. “Didn’t you say he likes it?”

Song Ruichi replied, “Yeah, I did.”

Xu Er was even more confused. “Huh?”

Song Ruichi chuckled. “Maybe he doesn’t.”

Xu Er still didn’t get it, but he decided not to ask any further. He had no idea what was going on between this master and his pet.

As soon as Xu Er put the teddy bear aside, Soso became obedient again, curling up on the sofa and resting its head on Xu Er’s leg.

Xu Er gently patted Soso’s head, stroke after stroke.

“I’m going to blow-dry my hair,” Song Ruichi said as he set down his water.

Xu Er responded casually, “Oh, go ahead.”

He continued petting Soso.

And then… there was nothing else to do.

Xu Er glanced around the room, unsure of what to do next, so he took a sip of water.

Still clueless, he pulled out his phone.

The moment he unlocked it, he knew exactly what to do.

He snapped a photo of Soso and sent it to Xu Chen.

Xu Chen, who was always on his phone: [What is this???]

Xu Chen: [Don’t tell me this is Song Ruichi’s cat.]

Xu Er: [Mhm.]

Xu Chen:[!!! Don’t tell me you’re at Song Ruichi’s place again?]

Xu Er: [Mhm hm.]

Xu Chen: [!!!! How did you two end up tangled together again?!]

Xu Er opened the keyboard.

How should he explain this? It seemed like he had to start from that Lego typewriter yesterday, then dinner, and finally the flowers.

Dinner was fine, but the flower part… Xu Er felt a bit embarrassed.

Honestly, it was quite a romantic gesture. Delivering flowers late at night was definitely romantic — except he was giving them to a guy, which made things a little strange.

Xu Er decided to keep it simple: [We had dinner together last night.]

He sent the message, worried that Xu Chen would ask him why. But surprisingly, Xu Chen replied, [Why didn’t you invite me!]

Two words popped into Xu Er’s mind: Good question.

Xu Er: [Good point.]

Xu Chen: [Did you two have dinner alone?]

Xu Er: [Yeah.]

Xu Chen: [Who asked who out?]

Xu Er: [I asked him.]

Xu Er clenched his back teeth, ready for Xu Chen to scold him for being inconsiderate.

But unexpectedly, Xu Chen suddenly called out, [Bro.]

Xu Er: [Huh?]

Xu Chen: [Haha, nothing, nothing.]

Xu Er: [Anyway…]

Xu Er: [I’ll find a chance to mention you later.]

Xu Chen: [Hahaha, no need.]

Xu Er: [Really?]

Xu Chen: [Hahaha, actually, yeah, you should.]

Xu Er: [See if I can get an autograph.]

Xu Chen: [A signed photo would be even better.]

Xu Chen added, [But you have to mention it casually, not too obvious.]

Xu Er: [I have a younger brother, junior year in Computer Science at University A, 1.8 meters tall…]

Xu Chen: [I’m done with you.]

Xu Chen: [Also, I’m 1.81 meters!]

Xu Er: [Hahaha.]

Xu Er: [Alright, alright.]

The bedroom door suddenly opened, startling Xu Er. He quickly put away his phone and scooped up the already dozing Soso, cradling the cat in his arms and stroking it.

If it weren’t for Xu Chen’s antics, Xu Er had originally planned to head home as soon as Song Ruichi came out.

But now, he needed to reconsider.

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Yes!”

Maybe his response was a bit too loud and eager, because Song Ruichi turned to look at him with a hint of confusion.

Xu Er had already stood up. “Didn’t you say you know how to make coffee?”

Song Ruichi chuckled, “Alright.”

There was a bar counter next to the dining area. Song Ruichi headed over, and Xu Er put down Soso and followed him.

The host makes the coffee while the guest watches. That’s reasonable, right?

Very reasonable.

So, Xu Er pulled out a chair and sat down on his own.

When it came to brewing coffee, Xu Er had only ever seen his graduate advisor do it.

Of course, his advisor couldn’t compare to Song Ruichi. Song Ruichi was way more handsome.

Speaking of which, Song Ruichi’s loungewear looked great too. Xu Er couldn’t help but envy everything about him. He even wanted to buy the same outfit.

So, staying at home didn’t always mean wearing shorts. Pants like Song Ruichi’s looked amazing. Absolutely stunning.

“It’s ten o’clock,” Song Ruichi said while grinding coffee. “Are you staying over tonight?”

Xu Er froze for a moment. “Huh?” He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

Song Ruichi responded with a simple “Hmm.”

He didn’t press further. It seemed like he was just being polite.

Before long, the coffee beans were ground.

Xu Er licked his lips and cleared his throat inwardly.

“I have a younger brother,” Xu Er said, thinking he sounded casual.

Song Ruichi glanced at him.

Since Xu Er didn’t continue right away, Song Ruichi asked, “What kind of younger brother?”

“My cousin,” Xu Er explained. “My uncle’s son.”

“What about him?” Song Ruichi asked.

Xu Er decided to start with some background. “He’s also in City A and attends A University.”

“Also?” Song Ruichi caught the word.

“Oh,” Xu Er replied. “I graduated from A University too.”

Song Ruichi nodded.

Xu Er pressed his lips together.

Why didn’t he ask more?

If you don’t ask…

Would I not say it?

“Do you want to meet him?” Xu Er said.

Before Song Ruichi could answer, Xu Er denied it himself, “No, no, haha.”

What am I doing…?

Song Ruichi chuckled. “What are you trying to say?”

Xu Er sighed inwardly. Whatever.

“My cousin… he likes you.”

Song Ruichi’s hands slowly came to a stop. He looked up at Xu Er.

The air froze for a few seconds before Song Ruichi finally asked, “What?”