"Cheng Yifei! Teacher Yang is looking for you! Good heavens, what are you two doing sitting here?" A figure ran toward them from a distance, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. He called out to Cheng Yifei, "I've practically turned the school upside down looking for you. Hurry up, the teacher’s been waiting for a while."
Fei Cheng stood up and gave Cheng Yifei a nudge. "Go on, don't keep him waiting. It's probably about some competition."
"Yeah. If I'm not back by dinner, go ahead and eat without me," Cheng Yifei said, waving as he left. He wasn't one to be overly clingy in front of others.
The playground was right next to the basketball courts, and the sounds of cheering and shouting drifted over from time to time. Since he didn't have any close friends to play with, Fei Cheng didn't feel like joining a group of strangers. Within three seconds, he had decided where to go.
The library was a quiet place to kill time. It was quieter than the classrooms and more convenient than the study halls—the perfect spot to think or simply pass the hours.
Just as he reached the library steps, he saw Qiu Minmin coming out. She was clutching two books in one hand and pushing the door open with the other. Her expressionless face made her look unhappy.
Standing at the foot of the steps, Fei Cheng smiled and called out, "Minmin!"
Qiu Minmin maintained her cold expression as she looked toward the source of the voice. When she saw it was Fei Cheng, a smile quickly spread across her lips, and her previous gloom vanished.
She walked over to him, her eyes curving into crescents. "Cheng-cheng, long time no see. Are you here to borrow a book or just to read?"
Fei Cheng took the books she had just borrowed and glanced at the covers. "Just killing time. I haven't finished the last one I borrowed yet. You're done already? Your reading speed is incredible."
"I was just skimming without really thinking, so it goes fast. Where's Cheng Yifei?" Qiu Minmin looked around but didn't see him. Usually, if he saw her standing with Fei Cheng, he would have popped out from some corner by now.
Even though he mostly just stood by Fei Cheng's side without speaking, his presence was always... extremely intense.
Qiu Minmin was sensitive; she could sense Cheng Yifei's dislike for her. She didn't know how she had offended him, but since he never said anything, she didn't ask, pretending not to notice. Gradually, however, she made a habit of asking where Cheng Yifei was whenever she saw Fei Cheng, just to avoid him suddenly appearing and interrupting their conversation.
Fei Cheng blinked, a hint of doubt rising in his mind. Looking at her expression, it didn't seem like she liked Cheng Yifei at all. He laughed and said, "Why do you ask about Cheng Yifei every time you see me? That’s a bit much, don't you think?"
Qiu Minmin was amused by his sighing and head-shaking. "How is it too much? You two are inseparable. Am I not allowed to ask when I see you alone? Cheng Yifei treats words like they're made of gold. He barely speaks and always looks so stoic. Standing next to you, he’s as terrifying as my homeroom teacher."
"Ha! Is your homeroom teacher as handsome as Cheng Yifei?" Fei Cheng laughed. "Maybe it's because he spends so much time with the teachers; it’s rubbed off on him. You guys never talk, even though you've been classmates for years. Once you get to know him, he talks so much he might annoy you to death."
Qiu Minmin tried to imagine a talkative Cheng Yifei. Her lips twitched; she felt that breaking his character like that would be even scarier than he was now.
Fei Cheng handed the books back to her. "Teacher Yang called him away. Probably discussing another competition. Are you heading back to the dorm?"
Qiu Minmin shook her head and suggested they find a place to sit. Fei Cheng had no objections.
The school's tree-lined paths were dotted with benches, and a few people were scattered about. Fei Cheng bought two cups of milk tea, and he and Qiu Minmin picked a relatively quiet corner to rest.
He handed one to her and took a sip of his own, feeling quite relaxed.
Looking at his profile, Qiu Minmin silently marveled. Back in middle school, he had been like a little brother, barely taller than her. He was good-looking then, but he lacked a certain masculine charm. Now, he had shot up past her, and his features had matured. Every frown and smile made her heart race. No wonder so many girls in class had secret crushes on him.
She had liked him since middle school, let alone now.
*What a pity...*
She suppressed her thoughts and took a sip of milk tea, smiling. "Your grades are so good. Didn't the teachers ask you to join the competitions? Your scores are almost the same as Cheng Yifei's, and you don't have any weak subjects."
Fei Cheng leaned back on the bench, playing with his cup. "They asked, but I didn't agree. I don't like those competitions. My nerves aren't steady enough. I'm not a freakish machine like Cheng Yifei who's good at everything."
"In my eyes, you two are two peas in a pod. Both freaks!" Qiu Minmin huffed, looking lively and spirited.
Fei Cheng smiled but didn't argue. It was only on the surface; his knowledge wasn't nearly as vast as Cheng Yifei's, and his adaptability wasn't as flexible. But there was no point in explaining that.
He sat up straight and asked, "The day after tomorrow is your sixteenth birthday. How do you plan to spend it? Would you do me the honor of going out for a meal?"
Qiu Minmin's eyes widened in surprise, then curved into crescents again. "You actually remembered my birthday! Xiujuan and the others never remember."
"How could I forget? I remember everything you've told me." Fei Cheng's casual remark made her breath hitch for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.
Fei Cheng didn't notice her reaction. He was trying to recall what she used to like, but he realized he didn't actually know what she liked at this age. Jewelry was out of the question, but maybe a plushie? Even if she didn't love it, it would probably make her happy.
"The day after tomorrow is Friday, so we can go out in the evening. I know you don't like crowds, so how about we just invite Cheng Yifei, Yu Qing, and a few of your close friends?"
Qiu Minmin silently sipped her milk tea. The cold liquid traveled down her throat to her stomach, suddenly giving her courage. "I don't want to. Can it just be the two of us? If they know it's my birthday, they'll feel obligated to bring gifts, and I don't want them to waste money."
Fei Cheng looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. You're the birthday girl; we'll do whatever you want."
"Then don't tell anyone else about it."
"Sure."
Fei Cheng agreed readily. He knew Qiu Minmin best; she disliked noise and hated trouble. If he hadn't brought it up, she probably would have treated it like any other Friday. But with him around, he couldn't let it pass without doing something.
Fei Cheng clinked his cup against hers. "You're lazy, and I'm lazy too. Let's just go out for a good meal and skip the formalities, okay?"
Qiu Minmin agreed. "Perfect. Just meat. If you get a cake, I'll judge you."
Fei Cheng laughed. "No big cake, then. But maybe one of those tiny ones that cost a few yuan, just for the sentiment. It's just the two of us anyway—are you really that afraid of trouble?"
Qiu Minmin shook her head, her smile so wide it nearly hid her eyes. She seemed to be radiating colorful bubbles of happiness.
Watching her, Fei Cheng smiled too, his expression holding a trace of unconscious fondness. "Why are you so silly?"
Qiu Minmin felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly took several large gulps of milk tea to calm herself, rubbing her cheeks to check their temperature. Trying to stay calm, she said, "Don't smile like that. It's easy to cause misunderstandings."
"Hmm?"
Qiu Minmin looked up, pretending to check the time. "It's getting late. I should head back!"
Fei Cheng looked up at the blue sky and white clouds before standing. "I'll head back to the dorm too. Friday at six, I'll wait for you at the school gate. Don't forget!"
Qiu Minmin threw away her cup and waved back at him.
***
Cheng Yifei was helping the math teacher grade papers. Seeing that it was past five and there was still a pile left, he used the excuse of going to the restroom to send Fei Cheng a text, reminding him to eat. He waited a few minutes for a reply before returning to the office to continue working.
Teachers didn't usually ask him to grade papers; it was only an occasional request. More often, they gave him advanced problems or explained concepts beyond the current curriculum. It was a form of specialized instruction.
In a key school, the academic atmosphere was thick, and the teachers were very dedicated. When they encountered a student as bright and studious as Cheng Yifei, they were eager to teach him everything they knew. Producing an outstanding student was a point of pride for any teacher.
It was a mutually beneficial relationship.
The math teacher who had called him today, Yang Zhihao, was a forward-thinking educator in his early thirties. With only four or five years of experience, he wasn't a veteran, but he advocated for relaxed learning—playing when it was time to play and studying hard when it was time to study.
Feeling guilty for taking up Cheng Yifei's free time, he had brought him dinner and pulled two tickets from his drawer. "Yifei, thanks for the help with the grading. You boys probably like sci-fi movies, right? I have two tickets here. I was going to surprise my son, but the little rascal already made other plans. It would be a waste to let them sit here. Take them and find a classmate to go with. It starts at seven on Friday night. It'll be over by nine at the latest, and curfew is at ten, so it won't be a problem. It's good to relax on the weekend after a week of classes."
Cheng Yifei thought about it. They had gone home last week, so they wouldn't be going back this weekend. Seeing a movie with Fei Cheng sounded like a great idea. He didn't stand on ceremony, thanked the teacher, and took the tickets.
However, once he got busy, he forgot to tell Fei Cheng. It wasn't until Friday lunch that he remembered. To show he hadn't forgotten his brother Yu Qing, Cheng Yifei treated him to lunch.
Yu Qing was in the same class as Cheng Yifei, so they saw each other often. He had already heard about the movie tickets. Although he felt a tiny bit slighted, the tickets were a gift and there were only two of them. It was only natural for Cheng Yifei to choose Cheng-cheng. Those two were practically joined at the hip; they both had their quirks, and when he wasn't around, they at least had each other for company.
Besides, even if Cheng Yifei had chosen him, he would have stepped aside for Cheng-cheng anyway. It wasn't like the three of them hadn't seen movies together before. Plus, he was currently mooching a lunch off Cheng Yifei. Looking at the three braised chicken drumsticks on his tray, he felt quite content.
"The movie starts at seven. Are you guys going to shower before or after?" Yu Qing asked around a mouthful of chicken. "If you wait until ten, the water won't be warm anymore. But if you shower before, you'll probably just get sweaty again in the crowd."
Cheng Yifei didn't hesitate. "We'll shower when we get back."
Yu Qing nodded. "Have you told Cheng-cheng yet?"
"In a bit."
Yu Qing put one of his drumsticks onto Fei Cheng's tray and started on his second, having no intention of sharing with Cheng Yifei.
A moment later, Fei Cheng arrived. Since Yu Qing was facing the cafeteria entrance, he clearly saw Qiu Minmin's figure. Swallowing his food, he asked, "Did you run into Qiu Minmin again?"
Fei Cheng nodded naturally. "Met her on the way down. Oh, are we having drumsticks today?"
Yu Qing grinned. "My treat! Friday drumsticks aren't as good as usual, but they'll do."
Fei Cheng didn't stand on ceremony. "Got it."
"You've been running into her a lot lately. At least once a day," Cheng Yifei said once they were nearly finished. He had been holding it in for a while and finally had to speak up.
Fei Cheng knew exactly what he was thinking and teased, "Is the cafeteria cooking something else? Why do I smell vinegar?"
Yu Qing naively sniffed the air. "You must be smelling things. There's no vinegar. Hurry up and eat; you guys have a movie to catch tonight."
"Movie?" Fei Cheng forgot about teasing Cheng Yifei and looked at him. "When did we buy movie tickets?"
Before Cheng Yifei could speak, Yu Qing blurted out the whole story. "Teacher Yang gave them to him. He was going to go with his son, but his son stood him up. He didn't want them to go to waste, so he gave them to Cheng Yifei."
"Oh," Fei Cheng said. He looked at Cheng Yifei's expression and said cautiously, "But... I already promised Minmin I'd go shopping with her tonight."
"Shopping for what?" Cheng Yifei frowned.
Yu Qing wisely stayed silent and focused on his rice.
Fei Cheng rubbed his nose, his eyes darting left and right before finally settling on Cheng Yifei. "A poster for a recent anime. We were going to check the Jiahui Bookstore in the city center."
"Does it have to be tonight? Can't you go on Saturday?" Cheng Yifei's frown didn't budge.
"I already promised her. I can't just go back on my word." He was a teenager of integrity!
Cheng Yifei didn't say anything else, and the atmosphere turned heavy. Yu Qing spoke up then. "Well, that's unlucky. Looks like fate wants me to have the ticket, haha. No worries, Cheng-ge, I'll go with you. Of course, if Cheng-cheng can talk to Qiu Minmin... it's just a poster, it's not urgent. You could go tomorrow."
"No, it has to be tonight."
Fei Cheng's refusal was blunt, making Cheng Yifei's thoughts spiral. His face lost all warmth, turning into a cold, expressionless mask that radiated dark pressure. He was clearly unhappy.
Yu Qing knew Fei Cheng wasn't stubborn without reason; something must be up today. He quickly said, "What's with you guys? Are we not brothers anymore just because of one movie? Just eat! If you want to see a movie together, just buy tickets tomorrow! It's not like you two are broke."
Cheng Yifei didn't speak again. It wasn't until they returned to the dorm after dinner that he handed the two tickets to Yu Qing.
"What's this?" Yu Qing asked, confused. "You're not going?"
Cheng Yifei shook his head. "No." *What's the point of going with you?*
Yu Qing: "..."
Cheng Yifei frowned. "Find someone else to go with."
Seeing no one else around, Yu Qing leaned in. "Cheng Yifei, what is wrong with you? Don't think I didn't notice you've been moping ever since you heard Cheng-cheng was going out with Qiu Minmin!"
Cheng Yifei slowly looked up at him. *This guy... finally noticed?*
Under the weight of Cheng Yifei's gaze, Yu Qing became even more certain of his guess. Truly, the spring breeze blows, and the grass grows again!
He clicked his tongue. "No wonder you get upset every time Cheng-cheng gets close to Qiu Minmin. You can fool others with that calm act, but not me!"
Cheng Yifei had long been prepared for Yu Qing to find out, so he calmly replied, "Is that so?"
Yu Qing nodded. "Being a brother is a hard road."
Cheng Yifei hadn't expected Yu Qing to be so calm. He thought the other boy would be shocked and need time to process the fact that his friend was gay. He softened his tone. "I understand."
"No! Are you really not planning to turn back?" Yu Qing's brows snapped together.
This question was also expected. Cheng Yifei gave him a clear answer: "There's no turning back."
Yu Qing clicked his tongue. How could there be no turning back?
"Are you... that deeply in love?"
"Yes."
*It's over!*
Yu Qing clutched his head. Their trio was going to fall apart!
Cheng Yifei lowered his eyes and patted Yu Qing's shoulder. He didn't have much to say. If Yu Qing could accept it and stay his friend, he would be happy. If not... sorry, he would make him accept it. He believed their years of friendship were stronger than personal orientation.
"Just look at it with an open mind. There's nothing wrong with Cheng-cheng and me."
Yu Qing let out a groan and stared at Cheng Yifei. "There are so many women in the world!"
Cheng Yifei's expression was indifferent. He was about to respond when Yu Qing shouted excitedly, "Why does it have to be Qiu Minmin?!"
Cheng Yifei: "???"
*Who the hell likes Qiu Minmin?*
"What are you talking about?" Cheng Yifei's face turned icy, his voice chilling Yu Qing to the bone.
Yu Qing shrunk back slightly. "Th-threatening me won't work! I'm on Cheng-cheng's side because he liked her first. Fine, we should let Minmin choose, but I think she likes Fei Cheng more. You two just ignore each other when you meet; she won't like you."
Cheng Yifei: "..." *So my gratitude was misplaced. Heh.*
"Pig-brain."
He dropped that remark and started gathering his clothes for a shower.
Yu Qing could tell that "pig-brain" wasn't a joke this time. Indignant, he said, "Cheng Yifei, have you lost your mind? If Cheng-cheng and Qiu Minmin like each other, are you going to force yourself between them?"
"Of course. I won't just force myself between them; I'll make sure they cut ties completely." Cheng Yifei was so angry he laughed. Listening to Yu Qing's wild guesses was enough to give him an aneurysm. He continued, "My boyfriend can only be in love with me!"
"You're sick! Why are you being such a tyrant? Do you know how sad that would make Cheng-cheng? Are you even his brother anymore!" Yu Qing hadn't processed the words yet, still stuck in his own mental drama.
Cheng Yifei ignored him and walked into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
Yu Qing's chest heaved with anger. What a mess. It was all Qiu Minmin's fault!
Wait, no!
It wasn't her fault!
So frustrating! What was he supposed to do? QAQ
Cheng-cheng looked like he had a good temper, but that was just on the surface. If you crossed him, he was capable of anything.
Wait...
Boy! Friend?!
A boom echoed in Yu Qing's mind, as if something had shattered.
"It must have been a slip of the tongue. Cheng Yifei just misspoke!"
Every time Yu Qing got close to the truth, he found a thousand reasons to patch over it.
Cheng Yifei came out after a cold shower. Seeing Yu Qing still standing there motionless, he ignored him and walked right past.
Yu Qing scratched his head. Looking at the two tickets and then at Cheng Yifei, he tried to play the peacemaker. "Fei-ah, there's no point in us fighting. If anyone should fight, it shouldn't be us, right? Let's think this through. Feelings fade. Focus on your competitions, and in a year or so, you'll realize you didn't like Qiu Minmin that much."
Cheng Yifei threw his clothes down, his voice serious and laced with impatience. "I told you, I don't like Qiu Minmin."
"Don't be so stub—" Yu Qing swallowed the word "stubborn," his heart starting to race again. "Then... then who do you like?"
Cheng Yifei smirked. "I'm not jealous of Qiu Minmin. Can't you guess whose jealousy I'm actually feeling?"
Yu Qing: "!!!"
"Don't try to distract me with jokes! I won't fall for it!"
*Never!*
Cheng Yifei scoffed. He glanced at the half-open dorm door. The midday sun was bright, illuminating the dust motes in the air. Because of the upcoming sports meet, the dorm was empty; the teenagers were all out burning off their excess energy.
He withdrew his gaze and gave Yu Qing a half-smile. "Go call Fei Cheng over, and you'll know if I'm lying. I'll prove it to your face. How about it?"
Yu Qing was uncertain, but Cheng Yifei's expression was just too punchable. He shoved the tickets back into Cheng Yifei's hand. "Wait here. I'm getting Cheng-cheng right now!"
Cheng Yifei raised an eyebrow, his smile remaining as he silently urged him to go.
Yu Qing sprinted to Fei Cheng's dorm. During the lunch break, the doors were usually unlocked. There were seven or eight students in Fei Cheng's room. They greeted him and helped him wake Fei Cheng up.
Fei Cheng was truly exhausted. Being woken up just as he'd fallen asleep made his temper flare, but Yu Qing dragged him away so fast that the summer breeze in the hallway left him dazed and confused.
Back in their dorm, Yu Qing looked at Cheng Yifei, gesturing for him to prove it.
Cheng Yifei glanced at the open door. "Close it."
Yu Qing let go of Fei Cheng and hurried to close the door, sliding the bolt into place. His heart was pounding for some reason.
As he turned around, he froze as if his pressure points had been struck.
He... he... he was actually seeing his two best friends k-k-k-kissing!!!!
Heavens!
He must be on drugs!
He was hallucinating!
Cheng Yifei had one arm around Fei Cheng's waist, pulling him close, while his other hand tilted Fei Cheng's chin up as he leaned down to kiss him. It wasn't aggressive; it was tender and lingering, a high-definition display for Yu Qing to see every detail.
Fei Cheng clearly hadn't processed what was happening yet.
Cheng Yifei didn't have a hobby of being watched, so he pulled away after a moment. Even as they separated, he looked reluctant, a sight that nearly blinded Yu Qing.
"Do you understand now?" Cheng Yifei looked at Yu Qing, appearing for all the world like he was showing off his treasure.
Yu Qing nodded, then shook his head, then nodded again. He looked like he was being driven mad by the scene. He wailed, "Aaaaah! You! You guys! What the hell are you doing?!"
"Can't you see? We're dating," Cheng Yifei stated plainly.
Yu Qing was still wailing "I don't believe it," so Cheng Yifei reached out to cup Fei Cheng's face again...
Yu Qing couldn't even wail anymore. In his seventeen years of life, no one had ever told him that two guys could be together...
By the time Fei Cheng came to his senses, he saw a catatonic Yu Qing. He looked at Cheng Yifei with a silent accusation.
Cheng Yifei ruffled his hair, his smile doting. "He insisted I liked Qiu Minmin. But my heart and eyes only have room for you. How could he slander me like that? So, I had to show him exactly who my crush, my love, and my partner really is."
Fei Cheng met his eyes. The emotion in them was so raw and intense that it burned, forcing him to look away. Since things had come to this, he had to be honest with Yu Qing.
He scratched his head. "Brother, Cheng Yifei and I are indeed a couple. Don't be scared; neither of us feels that way about you."
*What?!*
Yu Qing snapped out of it and stomped over to them, pointing at his own nose. "What do you mean you don't feel that way about me? Am I that bad?"
Fei Cheng: "???"
Cheng Yifei: "??????"
Yu Qing's anger flared. "How could you do this to me? This is wrong! What if the teachers and students find out? What about your grandparents, Cheng-cheng? What about your parents, Cheng Yifei? Have you both gone mad?!"
"I'll handle those things once I'm an adult." Seeing that Yu Qing's first reaction was to worry about them rather than run away or show disgust, Cheng Yifei felt a bit relieved.
Yu Qing was an only child, the precious darling of his family. But his parents, fearing they would spoil him, had taught him self-preservation from a young age. Just like in middle school when he felt sorry for Fei Cheng—he wouldn't blindly stand up for him if no one else did, because he knew he didn't have the weight to fight the trouble Fei Cheng attracted. You could call him cowardly, but it wasn't quite that; let's call it being pragmatic.
Over time, he had developed a habit of thinking long-term. Regarding the relationship between Cheng Yifei and Fei Cheng, he was more worried about their future than the nature of two men loving each other.
Hearing Cheng Yifei's calm words, he said irritably, "Handle it when you're an adult? Is this something that can be solved just by turning eighteen? Stop playing around. I should have noticed sooner. I should have suspected something was wrong when you got drunk and kissed Cheng-cheng, instead of believing your lies about being too drunk to remember!"
Cheng Yifei remained perfectly calm. He reminded him, "Cheng-cheng and I have been together since last semester. We've been showing off in front of you countless times; you were just too slow to notice."
"How is that my fault!! How the hell is that my fault? Who would suspect their brother of falling for their other brother?" Yu Qing's emotions were high, his voice rising. Realizing the danger, he rushed to the door, checked the hallway to make sure no one was around, and slammed it shut, locking it again.
Given the gravity of the situation, he returned to them, suppressing his chaotic thoughts. "This isn't the place to talk about this. If someone hears, we're in trouble. You two! Absolutely! Cannot! Do that in front of anyone else! Do you have a death wish? Dammit, you nearly scared half the life out of me." His voice turned tearful at the end.
Fei Cheng and Cheng Yifei exchanged a look. Finally, Fei Cheng stepped forward to comfort him. He reached out to pat Yu Qing's shoulder as usual, but as soon as his hand touched him, he felt Yu Qing's body stiffen.
Fei Cheng pulled his hand back as if burned, feeling awkward. "Don't be scared. I won't touch you, I won't touch you."
Yu Qing looked up, his eyes rimmed with red. Suddenly, he lunged forward and hugged Fei Cheng, wailing, "Cheng-cheng, why did you have to like this freak Cheng Yifei? There are so many soft, cute, kind girls out there who like you! What kind of mess is this! Did Cheng Yifei threaten you? I know that bastard loves to use people's weaknesses against them!"
"Uh..." Fei Cheng was speechless. He knew Yu Qing would be emotional, but he hadn't expected him to cry. What was there to cry about?
Cheng Yifei's face darkened. He stepped forward and pulled Yu Qing away. "This is my person. Don't just hug him. Get lost."
"I won't! You're a damn idiot." Yu Qing hadn't calmed down yet, and his courage was unusually high.
"Let go!"
"I won't!"
"Are you going to let go?"
"I won't!"
Fei Cheng, being pulled back and forth between them, finally lost his patience and punched them both!
Yu Qing and Cheng Yifei were both stunned, staring at Fei Cheng. That actually hurt!
Fei Cheng straightened his collar and glanced at them. "Have you both lost your minds?"
Yu Qing and Cheng Yifei watched him walk away. "..."
Neither of them had expected the "coming out" to end like this.
***
At 5:50 PM, Fei Cheng stopped by Cheng Yifei's dorm to say goodbye before heading to the school gate to wait for Qiu Minmin.
Only then did Cheng Yifei remember: his boyfriend was ditching him to go out with a girl who had been eyeing him for a long time! He stared at the door with a look of deep resentment.
Yu Qing's nerves were currently very fragile. He didn't quite understand how two guys could like each other or what they did together. His current thought process was: Cheng Yifei and Cheng-cheng's relationship was a secret, so even if another girl tried to steal one of them, they couldn't say anything. Although he secretly hoped a couple of girls would come along and "save" them, it didn't seem likely.
Seeing Cheng Yifei standing in the hallway, motionless and silent, he felt bad but didn't know how to comfort him. As he turned around, he saw the movie tickets on Cheng Yifei's bed. He had a sudden idea. Grabbing the tickets, he went to Cheng Yifei. "What are you staring at! Come on, let's go too! Jiahui Bookstore isn't far from the cinema! We might even run into Cheng-cheng."
Cheng Yifei's brow remained tightly furrowed. Seeing the tickets and Yu Qing's eager expression, he deliberately needled him. "Aren't you afraid of us anymore?"
"Bullshit! What's there to be afraid of? Are you coming or not? Don't say I didn't warn you—Qiu Minmin really does have a thing for Cheng-cheng." Yu Qing was a good judge of character.
Cheng Yifei was impressed by his adaptability. He snatched the tickets and started walking. Yu Qing grinned and followed.
From a distance, Cheng Yifei saw Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin at the school gate. He instinctively sped up, but Yu Qing grabbed him. "What's the rush! Do you even know how to tail someone? If Qiu Minmin sees you, she'll be on high alert!"
Cheng Yifei hadn't intended to stalk them, but since Yu Qing kept talking, he decided to... go along with it.
He was being quite shameless.
The two of them followed Fei Cheng from a distance, hidden behind other students. Fortunately, they didn't have to act too suspiciously.
However, seeing Yu Qing acting so naturally, Cheng Yifei felt uncertain. He asked, "Yu Qing, do you really... not feel uncomfortable?"
"Like what?" Yu Qing was focused on Fei Cheng's figure.
"Disgust? Loathing?"
"Screw you. I'm not pregnant; why would I feel disgusted?"
Cheng Yifei tried a different way. "No discomfort in your heart? No urge to stay away? Truly no prejudice?"
"My heart is uncomfortable enough to explode! Stop asking. I'll search online later to see what's going on with you two and then figure out how to fix it." Yu Qing didn't look at him, his tone strangely solemn.
Cheng Yifei managed a rare smile.
It was 6:00 PM, and the setting sun provided a perfect, warm glow.
Fei Cheng hadn't lied when he told Cheng Yifei he was going to the bookstore for posters, but that was only one part of the plan. After leaving campus, they first hit the snack street. They ate as they walked, chatting happily. Their faces were full of youthful energy, making everyone around them think they were a young couple. Neither of them seemed to notice—or rather, only Fei Cheng didn't notice.
He probably never considered the possibility of a romantic relationship with her.
His kindness toward Qiu Minmin was, in the end, a way of being kind to his past self. It was a form of compensation, wanting to give her everything he had once craved but never had.
When Qiu Minmin got some sauce on the corner of her mouth while eating grilled wings, her hands were full. Fei Cheng didn't take the things from her; instead, he pulled out a wet wipe and cleaned it for her himself.
He didn't notice her flushed cheeks or her racing heart. He didn't notice the teasing looks from passersby. And he certainly didn't notice Cheng Yifei, not far away, with his hands clenched into fists.
Everyone was smiling and laughing, making Cheng Yifei feel utterly out of place in the crowd.
Several times he wanted to go up and confront Fei Cheng, but he held back. He wanted to see just how far Fei Cheng would go.
Yu Qing felt like he had made another mistake. Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin were clearly on a date; encouraging Cheng Yifei to watch was a death wish! Although he wanted his friends back on the "right track," he didn't want to hurt either of them! He had grown up with Cheng Yifei and knew his personality well. He was quiet now, but an atomic bomb was probably going off in his head!
What kind of bad luck was he having today?
Dammit.
"Uh, Cheng-cheng did say he thinks of her as a sister. Wiping a sister's mouth isn't that weird, haha." Yu Qing tried to explain for Fei Cheng.
Cheng Yifei said nothing.
Yu Qing: QAQ!
He followed behind Fei Cheng, watching them smile brightly. They walked close together, less than thirty centimeters apart—an intimate distance. Occasionally, when the crowd got thick, Fei Cheng would reach out to protect her. Even though he didn't actually touch her, it was still...
Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin each had a cup of juice. Except for the liquids, they shared all the snacks they bought. After they had their fill, they finally went to the bookstore.
Yu Qing hadn't eaten dinner. A snack street was paradise for a hungry person. He endured for half an hour, but seeing that Cheng Yifei was ignoring him, he went to a less crowded stall and grabbed two pancakes and a hot dog to fill his stomach. He didn't forget to bring some for Cheng Yifei, but the other boy didn't even spare him a glance.
Yu Qing knew things had gone south.
They followed them into the bookstore. Cheng Yifei seemed to have a natural talent for stalking, using the blind spots of the bookshelves to perfectly avoid Fei Cheng's line of sight. It actually scared Yu Qing a little. Once a smart person got serious, they were good at everything, even stalking...
He didn't dare speak. He watched as Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin picked out posters together. They really did have similar interests. *Sigh.*
Fortunately, they didn't do anything intimate in the bookstore. Fei Cheng paid for the posters and handed them to her, and she accepted them happily.
Qiu Minmin's smile was quite cute.
Yu Qing kept one eye on them and the other on his friend's expression. Aside from being a bit dark, he didn't look too terrifying yet. He wasn't sure when Cheng Yifei would reach his breaking point, but an explosion was inevitable.
Yu Qing sighed again, feeling like an old man.
An hour and a half had passed. The posters were bought. Surely these two were heading back now?
The route was correct; they seemed to be returning. It made sense—they went out for posters, got hungry, and ate some snacks.
As Yu Qing was lost in thought, he suddenly saw Fei Cheng lead Qiu Minmin into a plushie shop. Without much hesitation, he bought a Totoro pillow. When they came out, Fei Cheng handed it to her with both hands. This was definitely... a gift-giving move!
Dinner, snacks, and now a plushie? These were all the steps of a date!
*Cheng-cheng, what are you doing! Even if you've fallen for someone else, you have to break up with the first one first!*
What a headache!
"Minmin, happy birthday," Fei Cheng said with a smile as he gave her the pillow. "It's a small gift, but I hope you like it."
"Thank you!"
Qiu Minmin's face had been red all night. Under the dim yellow streetlights, it wasn't too obvious, and since she'd been eating and was happy, a red face wasn't strange.
Fei Cheng felt they were done. "Let's grab a small cake at the bakery and then head back. Anything else you want to buy?"
"Mmm, nothing else."
She had no objections. This was the first time in sixteen years someone had celebrated her birthday, and it was the person she liked. It felt like a dream!
This was the happiest birthday she had ever had!
Cheng Yifei followed them all the way to the school gate but stopped outside. He didn't move, and Yu Qing didn't dare to either.
Only after Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin disappeared from sight did Yu Qing hesitate. "Aha... we haven't eaten all night. How about we go get some late-night snacks?"
Cheng Yifei remained silent.
Yu Qing was deeply worried. Everything that had happened today was more serious than the entire past year combined. He softened his tone, racking his brain. "Don't just stay silent! Look, I'll go get Fei Cheng and ask him straight out what's going on with him and Qiu Minmin. Think about it—if they were really having an affair, why would he tell us he was going to the bookstore with her? Right?"
"What if," Cheng Yifei's voice was incredibly raspy after two hours of silence, "what if Fei Cheng did it on purpose, just for me to see?"
"Huh?" Yu Qing didn't react for a moment. *Why would Cheng-cheng go through all that just to show you?*
Cheng Yifei bit his lip. "You were right. I was the one who started it. I was the one who confessed. I was the one who shamelessly seduced him. I was the one who promised he wouldn't have any trouble, and only then did he agree."
Yu Qing was stunned. After a silence, he said, "I don't think Cheng-cheng is indifferent to you."
"But he still can't let her go. He's happy the moment he sees her. He takes the initiative to greet her. He's so attentive to her, and he worries when she's unhappy. Yu Qing, tell me—is that not love?" Cheng Yifei's voice had a hint of a nasal quality.
Yu Qing didn't dare speak. He had always felt that Fei Cheng cared deeply for Qiu Minmin, ever since middle school. So, even though Fei Cheng had said several times that he didn't like her, Yu Qing never believed him. He thought they would eventually end up together and that Fei Cheng was just being stubborn.
Who would have thought Cheng Yifei and Fei Cheng would get involved?
And before he could find a way to break them up, they were already falling apart!
*Sigh!*
No matter how smart and mature Cheng Yifei was, he was still only seventeen. What he saw tonight didn't prove Fei Cheng was cheating, but it was a fuse that ignited all the little things from their past.
His mind was racing so fast it felt like it would explode, and he finally became certain: he couldn't compare to Qiu Minmin.
Yu Qing scratched his head, trying a last-ditch effort. "But look at it from another angle. If you think of them as siblings, it's not that weird. They didn't do anything overly intimate! It's too complicated! Let's just ask Fei Cheng what he's thinking! If he really likes Qiu Minmin, then... just be brothers!"
Being brothers wasn't bad, but after kissing and dating, could they ever go back to the beginning?
Cheng Yifei didn't agree to the suggestion. He said he needed time to think.
What could Yu Qing do? He could do nothing. He secretly decided to ask Fei Cheng what he meant tomorrow, to prevent them from becoming enemies.
However, the next morning, Cheng Yifei told him: forget about last night, pretend nothing happened.
Yu Qing was filling his thermos at the time. He was so shocked he couldn't move for a long time. The boiling water overflowed, but he didn't notice until it burned his hand. He instinctively dropped the thermos. With a loud *crash*, it shattered on the floor.
Yu Qing stared at the hot water spreading across the floor. He understood exactly what Cheng Yifei meant. In short, he wasn't giving up; he was going to pretend he knew nothing and continue the relationship.
But who was the one who had almost cried last night?
Regardless of whether Cheng-cheng liked Qiu Minmin, shouldn't they talk it out?
But Cheng Yifei didn't dare. Why?
Yu Qing grabbed the broom from behind the door to clean up the glass. He stopped mid-sweep. He understood. Cheng Yifei didn't dare take the risk. He was afraid of hearing something he didn't want to hear from Fei Cheng.
Was this the Cheng Yifei he knew?
It was madness.
Yu Qing had planned to talk to Fei Cheng privately, but Cheng Yifei had warned him not to interfere. Throughout the first semester of their second year, a cloud of worry hung over him. In contrast, the two involved were as clingy as ever.
Yu Qing found it unbearable. He felt it was unfair to Cheng Yifei, but he couldn't blame anyone because it was Cheng Yifei's own choice. Now, there were only two possible outcomes: lovers or strangers.
Either way, he was stuck in the middle. Lovers was a mess, and strangers was an even bigger mess!
Cheng Yifei seemed to have truly put that night behind him. He was incredibly good to Fei Cheng and even more clingy.
Yu Qing couldn't stand them walking with their arms around each other's shoulders. He used to think nothing of it, but now it felt awkward. He was terrified their classmates would notice something. He hurried forward and pulled Fei Cheng behind him, whispering, "Watch yourselves! Don't you see how many people are around?"
Fei Cheng poked his shoulder from behind. "Don't panic. No one thinks it's weird for two guys to put their arms around each other."
"Still, no!" Yu Qing said firmly. "Brothers, if you won't think of yourselves, think of me! I'm going to have a heart attack because of you two! I've been having nightmares lately—dreaming that you guys get caught being intimate, and it becomes a huge scandal. The school expels you, and everyone looks at you with disgust and points fingers."
Fei Cheng had actually had similar dreams. He wasn't afraid for himself, only of dragging others down.
Yu Qing sighed. "The three of us get kicked out of school. We have nowhere to go and no education. We end up moving bricks for a living, eating instant noodles every day. It's miserable."
Fei Cheng: "..." *Why would you get kicked out too?*
Cheng Yifei said disdainfully, "You're the only one who would end up moving bricks."
Yu Qing was about to argue when he spotted Qiu Minmin coming out of the teaching building. He avoided her like the plague now. Before Fei Cheng and Cheng Yifei could notice her, he immediately suggested, "Let's go play basketball!"
The topic change was... incredibly abrupt.
Then both Fei Cheng and Cheng Yifei saw Qiu Minmin walking toward them.
"To the library again?" Fei Cheng smiled, seeing the books in her hand.
Yu Qing's nerves were on edge. *A statement, not a question! Familiar tone! They must be in frequent contact!*
Qiu Minmin greeted Cheng Yifei and Yu Qing before answering Fei Cheng. "Yeah, finished these. Going to return them and borrow two more. Want to come along?"
Yu Qing's first reaction was to look at Cheng Yifei. Seeing him as calm as Mount Tai, Yu Qing was frantic. He signaled with his eyes: *Look! Look! She's hitting on him right in front of you! How can you stay so calm!*
Cheng Yifei didn't stop them. He let them talk. As long as they were at school, as long as Fei Cheng was in his sight and didn't do what he did that night, he could tolerate it.
Just as Fei Cheng was about to agree, Yu Qing jumped in. "No can do! Cheng-cheng, didn't you just promise to play basketball with us? A real man keeps his word. How can you go back on it?"
Fei Cheng looked at him with an expression that said, *When did I ever promise you that?*
Qiu Minmin glanced at Yu Qing and waved to Fei Cheng. "Then you guys go play basketball. I'll head to the library first."
"Okay," Fei Cheng replied. Once she was gone, he scrutinized Yu Qing. "Yu Qing, what were you so nervous about just now?"
"Huh? Was I nervous?" Yu Qing rubbed his ear, playing dumb.
Fei Cheng shook his head. "Your acting is terrible."
Yu Qing's teeth ached. "As if yours is any better! Why are you still so close to Qiu Minmin? I think she likes you. She looks quiet and introverted, but her eyes light up when she sees you. She gets all lively like a rabbit."
Fei Cheng thought: *A rabbit? Doesn't she act like a rabbit in front of everyone she knows?*
He gave a slightly mischievous smile and put his arm around Cheng Yifei's shoulder, threatening Yu Qing. "Why do you think everyone likes me? My 'official' is right here. Careful, or he'll beat you up."
Yu Qing: "..."
Cheng Yifei smiled too, saying softly, "Alright, I'll beat him up."
Yu Qing: "!!!" *If I ever care about your mess again, I'll write my name backward!*
Fei Cheng was triumphant. Seeing Yu Qing's grumpy face, he decided not to tease him too much and went along with him. "Didn't you say we're playing basketball? Let's go."
Yu Qing perked up instantly. "Let's go, let's go!" In his excitement, he didn't forget to warn Fei Cheng. "Cheng-cheng, don't you dare actually fall for Qiu Minmin, or Cheng Yifei will be heartbroken."
Fei Cheng looked at Cheng Yifei's calm face. He couldn't imagine what he would look like if he were heartbroken. He said helplessly, "I only see her as a sister. You never believe me. Cheng-ge, you believe me, right?"
Yu Qing pursed his lips, waiting for Cheng Yifei's answer.
Cheng Yifei met Fei Cheng's eyes for a moment and nodded. "I believe you."
"See?" Fei Cheng shrugged at Yu Qing.
Yu Qing said nothing. *See my foot!*
***
Life went on peacefully for over a month, making it easy to let one's guard down. When the classes were finally split into Arts and Science streams, Yu Qing, Fei Cheng, Qiu Minmin, and Cheng Yifei all ended up in the same class.
If the previous month had been quiet and peaceful, the days ahead were a constant source of anxiety for Yu Qing!
He was on guard, alert, and observant, terrified that Fei Cheng and Qiu Minmin would end up together the moment he looked away. And since they were in the same class, Cheng Yifei never left Fei Cheng's side unless he was going to the teachers' office. He even dragged him along to the restroom.
After a while, someone made a joke, saying the two top students in their class were like Siamese twins—if you saw one, you were bound to see the other. It was just a casual remark, but it sparked a lively discussion.
"I noticed that too. They're never apart. Impressive. I've never seen brothers so close!"
"Hey, 'close' isn't the right word. But the Great Scholar is definitely different toward Cheng-cheng. Oh, I heard they're cousins."
"Bullshit. My old classmate went to the same school as them. They said they aren't cousins at all. But I heard Cheng-cheng was bullied pretty badly in middle school."
"Cheng-cheng was bullied? No way."
"Don't get off track. Why do I feel like the Great Scholar treats Cheng-cheng the same way I treat my girlfriend?"
"Haha, are you sure? Do you treat your girlfriend as well as he treats Cheng-cheng?"
"You girls are so weird. Fei Cheng and Cheng Yifei just have a good brotherhood, and you're comparing them to a couple. So stupid."
"Hmph! Have you seen the way the Great Scholar looks at Cheng-cheng? Do you tilt your umbrella toward your brother when it rains? Do you block the sun for your brother when he's sleeping? Do you gently flick your brother's forehead?"
"..." *I don't get it. What's wrong with those things?*
"Hey, hey, I also heard they slept in the same bed during the winter!"
"...Σ(⊙▽⊙")"
"Wow, they're like a model couple!"
The boys shivered at the girls' excited expressions. *What's wrong with sleeping together in winter? It's warmer, you idiots!*
Just then, Cheng Yifei and Fei Cheng walked into the classroom. The boys immediately reported, "Fei Cheng! these girls are saying you're Cheng Yifei's wife!"
*Huh?*
Fei Cheng was stunned. *How did you guys find out?!*
Cheng Yifei's eye twitched when he heard it, but seeing the girls' guilty looks, he guessed what had happened. He returned to his seat with a cold expression.
The group of boys looked smugly at the girls who had been gossiping. *Scared now, aren't you? That's what you get for saying such scary things.*
But the girls' fighting power was not to be underestimated. In their embarrassment, they fired back. One thing led to another, and the classroom turned into a chaotic mess of arguing and chasing. It was like a marketplace. The class monitor kept calling for silence, but no one listened.
Finally, when the argument reached a fever pitch, Yu Qing walked up to the podium and slammed his hand down. The loud bang drew everyone's attention. He frowned. "Stop it. If the teacher sees this, how are you going to explain? Fine, let's just say Cheng-cheng is Cheng Yifei's wife. Everyone quiet down. The people involved are being gentlemen and not making a fuss. You guys should show some chivalry, or you'll never find girlfriends. And you girls, don't just say whatever you want, or you could be sued for slander, understand?"
His words actually managed to quiet them down.
However, the atmosphere remained stiff. No one wanted to be the first to speak. Fei Cheng laughed and patted Cheng Yifei's shoulder. "That's too much. If you're going to say that, at least say Cheng Yifei is *my* wife. He's the one with the poker face, yet you're all taking his side. Sigh."
Everyone knew Fei Cheng was trying to ease the tension. The girls giggled. "Alright, we'll take your side. Scholar Cheng is your wife! The person involved said it himself, so you boys have nothing to say now."
"Tch." *He only said that to appease you.*
At her desk, Qiu Minmin felt all her doubts finally find an answer.
*So... that's how it is.*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
文科 | Arts Stream | Humanities and social sciences academic track.
理科 | Science Stream | Science and mathematics academic track.
锅锅仔 | Guo-guo | A playful, affectionate nickname for "Gege" (older brother).
媳妇 | Wife | Literally "daughter-in-law," but commonly used as "wife" in casual speech.
两情相悦 | Mutual Affection | When two people are in love with each other.
泰山不崩于色 | Calm as Mount Tai | An idiom meaning to remain perfectly calm and composed under pressure.
