As soon as he heard that “Mr. Tao,” Tao Ling immediately knew that they were at the right place.
He glanced at Wen Qingying, who grasped his hand tightly for a moment before they both stepped into the shop together.
Seeing their hands separate, the boss carefully examined Tao Ling a few more times.
Tao Ling nodded: “Hello, boss Qian, I’m not Tao Jun, I’m his younger brother. You were probably referring to Tao Jun just now, right?”
Boss Qian opened his mouth, closed it again, as if he wanted to say something. After a while, he laughed out loud and said, “I was wondering why I was the only one who had changed. You look exactly the same as he did five or six years ago.”
Tao Ling smiled faintly. “Boss Qian, if you don’t mind, may I ask how you knew my ge?”
“He was my customer,” Boss Qian replied.
Tao Ling: “But you run a shop here. You must have had many customers coming and going, yet you just mentioned that you hadn’t seen him in five or six years.”
Boss Qian leaned forward, resting his upper body on the counter with an air of mystery. “It’s different. He had an eye for things—he immediately understood what I made.”
Tao Ling took a deep breath and raised his left hand. “Are you talking about this?”
“How did you get that?” Boss Qian looked surprised.
Tao Ling’s pale lips curled into a faint smile. “My ge left it to me.”
Boss Qian chuckled. “Where did he go? Did he go to dig wells in the Sahara Desert? Or plant poplar trees in the wastelands of Xinjiang? My goodness, don’t tell me he went to Vietnam to mine coal?”
After he finished speaking, silence filled the air. Sensing something was off, Boss Qian looked back and forth between the two men’s faces, one eyebrow raised. “Hmm?”
Tao Ling said, “He passed away. It’s been over three years.”
Boss Qian’s hand holding the teapot paused midair. After a moment, his expression shifted back to neutral, and he simply nodded. “Oh.”
No condolences, no words of comfort. Tao Ling let out a breath of relief—suddenly, he understood why Tao Jun had gotten along with this man.
“Boss Qian,” he said, “we came here rather unexpectedly, but it’s actually about this ring.”
Boss Qian nodded again, sat back down on his reclining chair with the teapot in hand, and pointed to a long wooden bench beside them. “Sit.”
Wen Qingying and Tao Ling walked over and sat across from him, separated by a glass counter. Boss Qian took a few sips of tea and asked, “Where do you want me to start?”
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “Never mind, I’ll just tell it my way.”
“This shop was passed down to me from my old man. Business was always slow. The very first sale I made after taking over was to Mr. Tao. He said he had wandered in here by chance. When he came in, I was polishing a ring. He stared at it for a long time before suddenly telling me—he was gay.”
Tao Ling’s nose tingled, but he managed to hold back his emotions, maintaining a calm appearance.
Boss Qian glanced at him. “Does homosexuality run in your family or something? Is it hereditary? How come both the older and younger brother are gay?”
Tao Ling smiled. Wen Qingying, seeing him smile, lowered his gaze and smiled as well.
“But your partner here,” Boss Qian now looked at Wen Qingying, “I can read faces. This one’s a good kid—handsome too. Just a little too quiet.”
“He can’t speak,” Tao Ling said matter-of-factly.
Boss Qian paused again, teapot still in hand. After a long silence, he simply said, “Oh,” before continuing where he left off.
“He told me he was gay and wanted to have a pair of rings made for himself and his lover. He said that once they had the rings, he would take his lover to meet his family.”
Tao Ling pressed his lips together tightly as he listened.
“I agreed. But when he came back to pick them up, he only took one and asked me to keep the other. He said the other person would come for it someday.”
Tao Ling asked, “Did someone come for it recently?”
“Yeah.” Boss Qian tapped the side of his chair. “Someone with the surname Xia.”
Tao Ling: “You didn’t ask him why he came so many years later?”
“Why should I ask?” Boss Qian chuckled, as if the question were ridiculous. “Other people’s business is none of mine.”
At that point, Tao Ling knew there was nothing more to ask.
Pulling Wen Qingying up with him, he glanced one last time at the counter. Boss Qian sighed. “If you’re only looking to buy something to thank me, don’t bother. You’re not appreciative of my craft at all. Saying these few sentences didn’t cost me anything.”
“No, it’s not like that,” Tao Ling smiled. “Thank you, Boss Qian.”
As they were about to step out the door behind Wen Qingying, Boss Qian suddenly said, “Oh, I just remembered—that surnamed Xia had said something.”
Tao Ling turned his head, catching a glimpse of Boss Qian’s gentle eyebrows and eyes.
“He said that now, there’s someone more suited to wear that ring than him.”
After leaving the jewelry shop, Tao Ling remained absent-minded. Wen Qingying held onto him the entire time, ensuring he didn’t have to worry about the road ahead.
Their fingers intertwined, tucked into Wen Qingying’s large pocket as they strolled through the town—uphill, downhill, stepping on stone stairs.
At a small rose cake store, Tao Ling suddenly shivered as if cold, but his expression remained unchanged. Wen Qingying gently squeezed his fingertips, his thumb tracing from the back of Tao Ling’s hand to his knuckles.
At night, they found a nearby hotel. Tao Ling asked Wen Qingying if he wanted to go out, but Wen Qingying sensed his low spirits and shook his head.
Tao Ling smiled, looked down at Wen Qingying’s hand, and suddenly remembered that it was time to change the dressing. So, they still ended up heading out to find a pharmacy.
After changing the bandages, on their way back, they passed a dark, sloping path. Tao Ling had been walking with his head lowered when a sudden flash of light caught his eye.
At the same moment, Wen Qingying tugged him to a stop.
Tao Ling was startled and lifted his head. In the distance, the sound of fireworks burst through the air, illuminating a patch of the night sky.
Fireworks had been banned in Wu City for many years. It had been a long time since Tao Ling had seen real fireworks. Even though he was far from the source, he seemed to catch the faint scent of firecrackers.
It was the scent of New Year celebrations during his childhood.
He turned to Wen Qingying, and before he could clearly see his face, he was met with a cool, unexpected kiss.
Tao Ling closed his eyes. The initial chill on his lips gradually warmed.
Inside his heart, fireworks were blooming too. He was kissing the person he loved under a shower of falling stars.
As long as they didn’t separate to breathe, the night would retract its claws, truly becoming night.
That night, neither of them slept early. Tao Ling nestled in Wen Qingying’s arms. He had fallen asleep at first but woke up groggily in the middle of the night.
It was so quiet here at night. Lying awake, Tao Ling suddenly thought of Tao Jun and found himself unable to close his eyes again.
He stared at Wen Qingying for a long time, replaying Boss Qian’s words in his mind before carefully removing Wen Qingying’s arm from around him and slipping out of bed.
The next morning, when Tao Ling opened his eyes, Wen Qingying was already awake.
“Good morning,” Tao Ling said, instinctively leaning in to kiss Wen Qingying’s collarbone.
Wen Qingying smiled gently, rubbing his face against Tao Ling’s.
It wasn’t until Tao Ling got out of bed that Wen Qingying sat up. His gaze casually swept over his hand, but then he suddenly froze.
Standing by the window with his back turned, Tao Ling pulled open the curtains. Outside, the rare bright winter sky stretched out, tinged with a faint orange hue at the horizon.
Wen Qingying raised his right hand, gently pulling away the half-covered bandage. Under the morning light, he examined his middle finger, where a new ring now sat. It was identical to the one on Tao Ling’s finger.
Surprisingly, it fit perfectly, as if it had been made just for him.
One on the left, one on the right—when they held hands, the rings would touch.
Wen Qingying stared at it for a long time before shifting his gaze. He closed one eye, observing Tao Ling’s back. From this angle, Tao Ling looked as small as his hand.
Wen Qingying smiled, got out of bed, and hugged Tao Ling tightly from behind.
Then, the sun rose.
A few days later, it would be Lunar New Year’s Eve. Most shops around town were closing, but the flower shop remained open. It didn’t really matter where they spent the holiday—as long as they were together, anywhere felt like home.
On the 29th day of the lunar month, the Yun sisters and Bai Guan stopped by, bringing a load of New Year’s supplies.
Yun Xin, as usual, looked like the world owed her something. She sat in the car, coldly observing everything.
After greeting everyone, Bai Guan immediately started unloading the goods. Wen Qingying, watching for a moment, joined in to help despite his bandaged hand.
Meanwhile, Yun Nan chatted with Tao Ling inside the shop, “Teacher Tao, you and my ge have such a great relationship!” she marveled..
Tao Ling simply smiled.
Then Yun Nan asked, “Teacher Tao, aren’t you going home for the New Year?”
“My home is nearby,” Tao Ling replied. To avoid further similar questions, he added, “Besides, I’ve invested in your brother’s shop. Selling flowers here keeps me busy, so I won’t have to worry about unemployment in the future.”
Yun Nan giggled cutely, “How could you ever be unemployed, Teacher Tao?”
“Then will my ge always have to keep an eye on you?” she teased.
Tao Ling chuckled. “Maybe.”
He glanced at Wen Qingying’s back, then casually asked, “Yun Nan, why doesn’t your ge go home? Just because your sister doesn’t like him?”
Yun Nan peeked at the car outside and whispered, “Oh, Teacher Tao, you’ve misunderstood. My sis and my ge don’t get along, but she doesn’t really have any bad intentions.”
Tao Ling nodded.
“My ge never liked living at home much. When we were younger, we lived at our old house. After Mom passed away, everyone was heartbroken. I had just moved here for school, so the family relocated too. After we moved, my ge spent some time in the hospital. When he was discharged, he said he didn’t want to live with others anymore, so he moved out on his own.”
The word “hospital” made Tao Ling’s heart clench. He was about to ask more when Yun Xin’s impatient voice called from outside, “Yun Nan! Time to go home!”
Seeing that Bai Guan was already in the car, Yun Nan quickly responded, “Teacher Tao, I’m leaving now!”
“Take care,” Tao Ling said, walking her to the door.
Outside, Wen Qingying ruffled Yun Nan’s hair and waved goodbye.
As the car drove away, Wen Qingying turned back to see the shop filled with New Year’s goods. He spread his hands helplessly.
Tao Ling playfully swatted Wen Qingying’s hand, but his fingers were quickly caught and held tight. He turned with a smile, only to notice that the shop owner next door was looking their way.
He hesitated, but before he could react, Wen Qingying—almost as if afraid he would let go—tightened his grip and even smiled at the shop owner.
The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward. But after a few seconds, the shop owner simply chuckled and said, “You two have a great relationship.”
“Ah…” Tao Ling wasn’t sure if the shop owner had figured something out or not. He recalled the words Jue Xia had said a few days ago and wasn’t sure how to interpret them. In the end, he simply replied, “Yes.”
“Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year.”
Back inside the shop, Tao Ling remained silent. Wen Qingying made a hand gesture, asking, “Sir, are you mad?”
Tao Ling guessed at the meaning and shook his head.
Wen Qingying took out his phone and typed, “Sorry, sir, I shouldn’t have done that.”
Tao Ling smiled. “Done what?”
Wen Qingying gazed at him for a long moment before blinking and confessing, “I did it on purpose. I wanted people to know we’re not just ordinary friends. I shouldn’t have.”
After a moment of eye contact, Tao Ling typed, “Not at all. I’m not mad. I gave you the ring so you could show the world.”
Wen Qingying grinned, revealing his small tiger teeth, then pulled off the bandage to look at his ring. Finally, he typed, “Then is it okay if I keep it on when school starts?”
Tao Ling, overwhelmed by emotions, replied, “Okay, whatever you want.”
No matter what Wen Qingying thought, Tao Ling didn’t mind the Yun family’s gifts at all. Before closing up shop, he picked some out, thinking that it’d save them from crowding with others at the supermarket.
The two of them had been living together lately. This time, they went to Tao Ling’s apartment.
When Wen Qingying went to the kitchen to boil water, Tao Ling sent Yun Nan a sudden and direct message: “Yun Nan, sorry to bother you, but can I ask why your ge was hospitalized?”
