Chapter 32: Qixi

Five minutes later, Xia Ye came back.

Seeing his face, Jian Mingzhou couldn’t help but laugh.

“…” Xia Ye was puzzled by his laughter and pushed up his glasses. “Why are you laughing at me?”

“Nothing,” Jian Mingzhou said gently. “After not seeing you for five minutes, I felt you were quite friendly.”

“?” Xia Ye wanted to say something else, but the taxi arrived.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The conversation was interrupted, and the two got into the car.

The booked hotel was near the city center.

Forty minutes later, Jian Mingzhou and Xia Ye checked in at the hotel, as usual, getting a twin room.

Pushing the luggage into the room. It had two beds and a bathroom that was spacious and bright.

Xia Ye suggested, “Let’s go eat first.”

Jian Mingzhou had just finished making himself a meal, feeling content. “Thanks for the treat.”

Xia Ye turned around and said, “Who said I’m treating you? Let’s go Dutch.”

Jian Mingzhou smiled tolerantly and didn’t argue further.

After lunch, they went to the event venue.

The event was held at Baocheng Center.

As Jian Mingzhou entered the lobby, he saw the marble floor shining, and overhead were dazzling crystal lights.

Various leaders and authors had already arrived.

This Qixi Festival event planning involved not only BL manga artists but also Shoujo and Shounen manga artists.

The first time Jian Mingzhou participated in a Qixi event, he didn’t understand why there were “shounen manga” artists involved. It wasn’t until he saw a mix of dozens of protagonist groups with various styles of merchandise that he suddenly realized—

It turned out that Shounen manga was a potpourri of various elements!

In retrospect, various editors and teachers approached him, “Editor Xia, Assistant Editor Jian!”

Jian Mingzhou greeted each one of them.

Suddenly, someone called out to him, “Jian! Assistant! Editor~”

He looked up and saw the familiar Shoujo manga artist, Suqing, running towards him excitedly. Suqing dragged him to take a photo. “I’m starting a new work soon; let me take a reference character design!”

Jian Mingzhou was pleasantly surprised. “Male or female?”

Suqing gladly responded, “The female lead of Moonlight.”

He tilted his head. “???”

The accompanying editor took Suqing away, apologizing to Jian Mingzhou, “Sorry, sorry…” He turned to Suqing, “Ms. Suqing, this is too impolite!”

Jian Mingzhou was understanding, “It’s okay, it’s just a character design, gender…”

The editor continued in a hushed voice, “The female leads in Moonlight usually don’t last long…”

“…” Jian Mingzhou looked at him sharply.

Are you questioning the gender?!

After sending off the two who were still debating the character design, Jian Mingzhou calmed his emotions a bit, and Xia Ye emerged from the side.

“What are you doing? Dallying.”

“…”

He looked at Xia Ye and asked for advice, “What about you?”

Xia Ye was serious: “In the sea of flowers, Xia Ye doesn’t get involved.”

Jian Mingzhou nodded. “Amidst countless flowers and grasses, you fear no stain. Where will He Luchen keep his innocence?”

“Ha!” Xia Ye smirked. Just as he was about to say something, he laughed again. “Forget it; I won’t argue with you.”

Jian Mingzhou was suspicious—very tolerant, strangely so.

Before he could figure out the other’s peculiarity, his phone suddenly vibrated, and he saw a message from Xie Jing.

【Jing】: Uncle, have you arrived?

【Mingzhou】: Already at the event venue *^0^*

【Jing】: Oh, sorry to disturb your work.

On the sidelines, Xia Ye’s gaze drifted again. Jian Mingzhou suppressed that subtle feeling and moved away a bit.

【Mingzhou】: No problem, just finished greeting the organizers and teachers, taking a break. Anything, Xiaojing?

【Jing】: Just finished running, taking a break. Coming to find Uncle. [Big dog panting]

The accompanying emoji of a [big dog panting] was particularly fluffy.

Jian Mingzhou was instantly charmed! Unresistant to such cuteness, he briefly immersed himself in the thought of Xie Jing.

Suddenly remembering that day when Xie Jing descended from the competition stage, his tall figure falling onto his shoulder, and the memory of the coarse warmth brushing past his shoulder crevice…

Heartbeat, breath, and warmth surged simultaneously.

Lost in his thoughts, Xia Ye called out to him:

“Mingzhou, Xiaomu-sensei is here. Don’t be so absorbed in your own world. Come and say hello!”

“…”

He clenched his fist. Xia Ye’s mouth!

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath and walked over. There were also other teachers standing there. Hearing Xia Ye’s call, they were surprised and gossiped.

“Assistant Editor Jian finally has a target.”

“Indeed, it’s Qixi Festival after all. He came for work during the holiday, probably to soothe his target!”

Jian Mingzhou remained calm: “…Xia Editor is telling jokes. Xiaomu-sensei, long time no see.”

Xiaomu looked at his earlobes and pursed her lips. “Hmm hmm~ Oh oh.”

As they were talking, they suddenly heard an explosive exclamation: “Ah!? ‘Still working during Qixi’!”

“Did Liu Fei-sensei say that?”

Jian Mingzhou looked up, seeing the leader talking on the phone, almost jumping up. “On the way? Ask which road they’re on!”

“What… my heart’s road? Does he know how rugged and long my current heart’s road is!?”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Who is this master of juggling fire?

His facial expression was too complex, and Xiaomu explained on the side, “Oh, Liu Fei-sensei is quite carefree and often skips various activities.”

Jian Mingzhou looked over. “Is that so…”

Xia Ye floated over lightly. “Your envy is too obvious. Where did your passion go?”

He composed himself, “Currently on rotation with my laziness.”

“…”

–

However, indulging in laziness could only be a wishful thought.

The next day was the Qixi Festival.

On the day of the event, many book fans came to the exhibition hall downstairs, and various booths and displays were full of attractions.

Upstairs, the hall hosted the meet-and-greet sessions for editors and authors. Authors could go down at scheduled times for photos and interactions with fans.

Jian Mingzhou was organizing the event on the second floor.

As expected, Liu Fei-sensei didn’t come, and they could still hear the leader’s furious roar from afar. Just then, Xiaomu walked by, and Jian Mingzhou asked,

“What’s going on?”

“The leader asked Liu Fei-sensei why he didn’t show his face, and Liu Fei-sensei said, ‘Is my book not better-looking than me?'”

Xiaomu giggled, “Hey, quite carefree~ I also want to be so indifferent one day! I was planning to have a date with my boyfriend today!”

 Jian Mingzhou exclaimed, “Xiaomu-sensei has a boyfriend now?”

“Yes,” she said, holding her face. “In order to meet today, he should still be waiting outside the venue!”

“…” Jian Mingzhou widened his eyes.

It seems like you’re not concerned about your boyfriend at all!

“What about Assistant Editor Jian? No date?” Xiaomu suddenly asked.

Jian Mingzhou hadn’t fully recovered his thoughts and subconsciously blurted out, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

As the words fell, both of them froze for a moment.

His eyes trembled slightly, and he added, “…and a girlfriend.”

Xia Ye passed by from the side, and a strange laugh floated over. “Hmmm~!”

…

The event kept them busy all day, and it wasn’t until 8 o’clock that it concluded.

Jian Mingzhou stayed behind to help clean up, packing up book stalls and various character standees. As he was collecting them, he saw a standee of a character he liked, the seme from a post-apocalyptic manga.

Tall, handsome, and with a rebellious vibe.

Taking advantage of the lack of people around, he called Xia Ye, “Quick, take a photo of me with the standee.”

Xia Ye took a photo for him and chuckled, “Oh, you like this type, tall, fierce, aggressive, dog-like… a bit like your home…?”

“…” The more Xia Ye spoke, the more it resembled.

Jian Mingzhou quickly controlled his emotions, “Don’t talk nonsense.” He picked up the cardboard cutout and said, “Lusen is not that one-dimensional.”

“Hehe.”

After working hard, it was already past 9 o’clock.

Jian Mingzhou remembered that he needed to buy local specialties. After asking around, he went to a nearby shop and bought a box of banana pastries to take back to the hotel.

It’s a local specialty and quite sweet.

Seeing this, Xia Ye laughed again.

Jian Mingzhou ignored his smirk and went to take a shower first.

When he came out after the shower, he saw two missed calls and WeChat messages from Xie Jing.

At this hour, after two phone calls, is there something urgent?

Jian Mingzhou sat on the bed and opened the messages:

【Jing】: Uncle, I received the local specialties.

【Jing】: I really like it ^^

【Jing】: [Image]

…Wait a minute. What are the local specialties?

Jian Mingzhou quickly opened the image, and it was a familiar box of almond chocolates!

He sat up straight in an instant and said, What the heck!

What is this? He was supposed to send it to Xia Ye and He Luchen. Why…

A smug smile suddenly appeared in his mind.

Jian Mingzhou suddenly understood, and waves of embarrassment surged up.

—Xia Ye!!!

And it’s right before the Qixi Festival, sending chocolates and all; it’s simply…

He buried his face in his hands, feeling a sense of shame. There was already a hint of anxiety surging from behind…

After a moment, he took a deep breath and calmed himself. It’s okay.

He still had a boomerang.

Jian Mingzhou looked in the direction of the bathroom. Xia Ye was still inside, cleansing his soul. The sound of water trickled out, and in his mind, he speculated—

Since Xie Jing received it, Lusen should also be in the process of savoring it now.

Jian Mingzhou thought for a moment and sent a composed reply.

【Mingzhou】: I was afraid the chocolate might melt, so I sent it back directly. Also, there’s banana pastry; I’ll bring it back for you tomorrow. ^0^

The response from the other side came quickly.

【Jing】: Thank you, Uncle. [Big dog nudging]

He was instantly charmed again! Well, forget it.

Shortly after sending the message, the bathroom door opened.

Xia Ye came out.

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him, and their eyes met. Xia Ye’s footsteps paused; he took a step back.

“…What are you doing? Your gaze is very dangerous.”

Jian Mingzhou closed his eyes and changed to a gentle look. “Perhaps you’ve spent too much time in hot water, causing your eyes to blur.”

Xia Ye approached suspiciously, “Is that so?”

“Yeah.” Jian Mingzhou pulled up the blanket and laid down. “Sleep. Let’s welcome a beautiful tomorrow together.”

…

The next day, the high-speed train departed at 8 a.m.

Jian Mingzhou and Xia Ye boarded the train. Just after the Qixi Festival, the train compartment still retained a festive atmosphere.

There were quite a few couples returning, and there were suitcases with roses inserted.

Xia Ye took his seat. “Returning today, we can still catch the tail of the Qixi Festival.” He glanced sideways. “Don’t you have an appointment today? With your home… that one?”

…”One” as a measure word for what?

Jian Mingzhou, who was already lying down, replied lazily, “Yes, yes.”

Xia Ye prepared a phrase but choked on it.

Just then, his phone vibrated. Jian Mingzhou opened it, and it was a message from Xie Jing:

【Jing】: Uncle, have you arrived?

【Mingzhou】: Just boarded the train; probably two hours until I’m back.

【Jing】: I’ll come to pick you up.

【Mingzhou】: It’s okay, no need ^▽^

After a few seconds, a voice message popped up.

Probably finding it troublesome to type, Xie Jing directly said, “I’ll come to pick you up, and then we can have lunch and go shopping.”

A voice with a hint of laughter suddenly came through the speaker, and it felt like an electric current running through his fingertips.

Jian Mingzhou collected himself and replied with a simple “okay.”

Xia Ye glanced over and said, “Oh, you can’t wait even for a moment to meet.”

Jian Mingzhou spoke softly, “Why isn’t Editor He coming? Is he at home making soup for you?”

Xia Ye was caught off guard for the second time and finally shut his mouth.

…

The two-hour train journey arrived at the station after 10 a.m.

They got off the train, and a brisk cold air hit them. The ground was still a bit damp, and it seemed that there had been rain on the night of the Qixi Festival.

Even the platform was cleaned to a clean, white state.

Xia Ye and Jian Mingzhou bid farewell, “You go.”

Jian Mingzhou waved his hand and walked out.

Once out of the station, he saw a familiar figure standing at the end. Xie Jing was there, with distinct features and an exceptionally conspicuous height that was above average.

Seeing him come out, Xie Jing’s gaze fell on him, “Uncle.”

Jian Mingzhou recalled the box of chocolates from yesterday and was initially worried that the other party might find it awkward. However, seeing Xie Jing’s casual attitude, he also eased his mindset.

“Have you been waiting for long, Xiaojing?” Jian Mingzhou asked.

“Not for long,” Xie Jing said, handing over the cup in his hand, “The temperature dropped this morning, so I bought you a hot drink.”

“Oh, thank you,” Jian Mingzhou replied.

Xie Jing naturally took the luggage and walked ahead.

The warmth from the hot drink seeped into his fingertips through the paper cup.

Jian Mingzhou held it, took a sip, and his steps suddenly stopped:

It was hot chocolate.