The early summer in A City was unbearably hot and stuffy. On the basketball court, a group of teenage boys was sweating profusely under the scorching sun. It was just a casual lunchtime friendly match, yet the deafening cheers and shouts around the court shook the air.
The score between the two sides was nearly tied. Finally, with a beautiful three-point shot, the game came to an end.
The players shook hands amicably, bumping shoulders.
Duan Baisui lifted the hem of his jersey to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The sudden burst of high-pitched screams around them almost felt like it would blow the roof off.
Startled by the shrieking, Duan Baisui paused, slightly confused.
Zhou Xu ran over and slung an arm around his shoulder, saying, “Alright, alright. You made the three-pointer and even gave them a look at your abs?”
Only then did Duan Baisui realize the reason behind the screaming. He silently pulled his shirt back down and tidied it.
The two were just about to wash their faces and head back to the classroom when an Omega suddenly popped out of nowhere and blocked their path.
His face was flushed red as he shyly held out a bottle of sports drink. “Senior Duan, I bought you some water.”
Duan Baisui didn’t take it. His voice was calm and indifferent as he said, “Thanks, but there’s no need.”
He couldn’t even remember how many people he had already turned down. The newly enrolled underclassmen didn’t understand his temperament yet, and they often tried to curry favor with him. Duan Baisui had never remembered a single face and politely refused them all.
He stepped around the Omega in front of him and headed straight toward the water faucet. Zhou Xu didn’t manage to stop him. Seeing that the young Omega was on the verge of tears, Zhou Xu said, “Hey, little freshman, you already bought it, no need to waste it. How about giving it to me?”
The Omega quickly recovered from the sting of rejection. Stepping down from the platform, he said, “Mm… as long as Senior Zhou doesn’t mind.”
Zhou Xu reached out and took it with a carefree grin. “What’s there to mind? Thanks!”
Duan Baisui splashed cold water on his face a couple of times and pushed his bangs back. Zhou Xu jogged up behind him with a grin. “You were a bit too heartless just now, weren’t you? Rejecting someone like that in front of so many people… That Omega’s probably going to cry his eyes out when he gets back.”
Duan Baisui replied, “Accepting it would only bring trouble.”
He didn’t want to give anyone unrealistic hopes.
Of course, he knew exactly what the other party was thinking. At this age, hearts were beginning to stir. It was the time when curiosity about love started to bloom. Having someone you admire among your peers was perfectly normal. But if you couldn’t return those feelings, then it was better to shut down the possibility from the start.
The water droplets on his face slid down along his neck. Duan Baisui didn’t find any tissues, so he shook the water off his hands, ready to head back to class.
“Gege…” A soft, timid voice called out.
Zhou Xu had been splashing water onto his face, but upon hearing the voice, he looked up as well. Then, grinning, he teased, “Ah, it’s Xiao Nian. Are you here to look for your Duan-gege again?”
Zuo Nian looked a bit uneasy. He pulled a packet of tissues from his pants pocket and handed it to Duan Baisui. “For gege.”
Duan Baisui naturally accepted it. “Thanks.”
Zhou Xu chimed in, “Xiao Nian, what about me? Do I get one?”
Zuo Nian said quietly, “Sorry… there’s only one pack, but there are a lot of sheets inside. Gege will share with you.”
Duan Baisui wasn’t stingy. He casually pulled out two sheets and handed them to Zhou Xu.
The tissues were lightly scented and decorated with cartoon designs. Zhou Xu held them and said, “Oh, how cute. Just like you.”
Duan Baisui said coldly, “Are you done?”
Zhou Xu made a zipping-his-mouth gesture.
Zuo Nian was already used to Zhou Xu’s smooth-talking ways. He knew Zhou Xu meant no harm and wasn’t actually teasing, so he didn’t take the words to heart.
His left hand, which had been hidden behind his back, came forward as he said, “Gege, have some water.”
Zhou Xu looked toward Duan Baisui and said, “If you don’t want it, I’ll happily take it again.”
Duan Baisui shot him a glance, raised his hand, and took the water bottle, then turned to Zuo Nian and said, “Class is starting soon. Head back.”
“Mm… This afternoon, after school…” Zuo Nian hesitated.
“No need to wait for me. I have cram school this afternoon,” Duan Baisui said.
“Oh…” Zuo Nian responded softly, sounding a bit disappointed.
Watching Zuo Nian’s thin, frail back, Zhou Xu curled his lips and said, “Heartless bastard. Took the kid’s water and still won’t walk home with him after school?”
Duan Baisui didn’t respond. He twisted open the bottle cap, took a sip, and headed back to class.
The last class that afternoon was self-study. Duan Baisui finished his homework and, once the dismissal bell rang, packed up and went downstairs.
His shadow-like companion, Zhou Xu, never attended cram school. He was too busy dating the school belle from the girls’ high school across the street and made sure to pick her up on time every day. Today was no exception.
When Duan Baisui left, Zhou Xu was still furiously copying his homework, grumbling that if the teacher called his house again, his dad would definitely enroll him in a class too, and then he’d have even less time with his girlfriend. They were bound to break up sooner or later.
Duan Baisui didn’t comment one way or another.
Not long after the car had started moving, Duan Baisui received a voice message from Zhou Xu: When I went downstairs just now, I ran into your little child bride. He fell down the stairs. I took him to the infirmary. It’s nothing serious, just scraped his skin a little. You owe me a meal.
Duan Baisui thought about it, then replied with a single word: Okay. Thanks.
The next day at noon, Duan Baisui didn’t see Zuo Nian, who usually came to bring him lunch. By this time on a normal day, Zuo Nian would already be waiting in the corner at the end of the corridor. Once most people had left, he’d come over and ask if Duan Baisui wanted to eat together, always with a homemade bento box.
Recalling that Zhou Xu had said Zuo Nian fell yesterday, Duan Baisui felt a little uneasy. Zuo Nian didn’t bring his phone to school. Apparently, he often lost things, so he kept valuables at home. After thinking it over, Duan Baisui decided to go check Class 3 of the first-year students.
As usual, Zhou Xu tagged along, even saying that today he wanted to try Xiao Nian’s cooking for himself.
By now, most of the first-year students had already left. Duan Baisui wasn’t sure if Zuo Nian was still in the classroom, but judging by his slow and gentle personality, even if he had left, he probably hadn’t gone far.
Just as the two reached the back door of Class 3, they saw two boys running around a desk with two lunchboxes in their hands. Zuo Nian, limping, was chasing after them, calling out, “Give them back!”
“Come get it yourself,” one of the boys said, clearly teasing.
Both lunchboxes belonged to Zuo Nian. Whether Duan Baisui ate with him or not, he always prepared two portions. He thought, one day, Duan Baisui would get tired of the cafeteria food, tired of the nearby restaurants, and come try his cooking.
The boys each held a lunchbox and ran in different directions. Zuo Nian looked like he was about to cry. He didn’t know which one to chase, and his leg still hadn’t healed.
“Dummy, this way, this way! Come over and I’ll give it back,” one of the boys shouted, taunting him as he ran outside.
He was so focused on mocking Zuo Nian that he didn’t notice the person entering the classroom. He ran straight into them.
He was used to being arrogant and immediately scowled, shouting, “Who the hell doesn’t—” Halfway through the sentence, he recognized the person and instantly changed his tone, respectfully saying, “Senior Duan…”
Duan Baisui was tall and looked down at him with a cold gaze. “Who were you calling a dummy?”
The boy swallowed nervously. “I… I was just messing around with him. We’re good friends…”
“Gege!” Zuo Nian lit up with joy the moment he saw who it was.
Duan Baisui asked, “Is he your friend?”
Zuo Nian shook his head. “No. He took Nian Nian’s lunchboxes and won’t give them back. He even threw Nian Nian’s book… into the toilet. The Alpha toilet. Nian Nian hasn’t gotten it yet… He’s really mean. Nian Nian doesn’t want to be friends with him.”
“Alright. Which one’s his seat?” Zhou Xu crossed his arms and asked.
“I-I was really just joking…” the boy tried to explain again.
Zhou Xu patted his head. “When a senior asks you something, just answer. Got it? That’s basic manners.”
The boy, flustered, pointed to a seat.
Zhou Xu turned to Zuo Nian. “Xiao Nian, is that his seat?”
Zuo Nian nodded.
Zhou Xu walked over, took out all the boy’s books and game cards, and dumped them straight into the trash can. Then he smiled and said, “Your senior’s just joking with you too. Smile.”
The boy barely managed to pull the corners of his mouth into a stiff smile.
The lunchboxes in his hands had already been taken by Duan Baisui. Duan Baisui grabbed the boy by the collar and dragged him to the restroom entrance, then shoved him inside. “Pick them up.”
The boy stumbled a couple of steps, then obediently walked in.
He’d often heard that the “idiot” claimed he had a gege in the second year of high school, and that the food was made for his gege. But every time, he only ever saw him eating two portions by himself. He thought it was a lie. He hadn’t expected that he really did have a gege. And not just any gege, but that campus legend.
Before long, the boy returned, holding a few books in his arms, looking much more subdued. “I picked them all up. They’re not dirty.”
Duan Baisui dragged him back to the classroom by the collar again and shoved him in front of Zuo Nian. “Apologize.”
There was a natural fear of upperclassmen, especially one this outstanding and famous. That huge disparity made it impossible for him to resist.
No matter how much he looked down on Zuo Nian, he had no choice now but to bow his head and say, “I’m sorry, Classmate Zuo. I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have thrown your books and shouldn’t have taken your lunchboxes. Please forgive me.”
“Hey, what about the other one over there? Just standing there like a stump?” Zhou Xu waved at the other boy.
That boy had also lost all his arrogance. He walked up to Zuo Nian, bowed, and handed over the lunchbox. “I’m sorry, Zuo Nian. I won’t take your things again without asking.”
“Good kid,” Zhou Xu patted his head with a “kindly” look. “Next time, I’ll use you both as basketballs, okay?”
“We won’t! Never again!” the boy hurriedly promised.
Zuo Nian had always been soft-tempered and didn’t want to cause trouble for Duan Baisui and Zhou Xu. They stood up for him, but what if the teacher found out and punished them?
Thinking of that, Zuo Nian waved his hands and said, “Forget it. You guys go. Go eat. Just don’t bully me again. I really do have a gege.”
Duan Baisui had come to check on him, had stood up for him. He was truly, overwhelmingly happy. His gege was still the same as when they were little. He hadn’t grown distant at all. Just… just wasn’t good at expressing himself.
The two bullies left in embarrassment, and only the three of them remained in the now-empty classroom.
Zuo Nian handed the blue lunchbox to Duan Baisui. “Gege, this one. Nian Nian made it this morning. It’s still warm.”
Zhou Xu said, “What about me?”
Zuo Nian handed the other one to him. “This one’s for Zhou Xu-gege. Thank you for speaking up for Nian Nian earlier.”
“Good boy, Nian Nian.” Zhou Xu was just about to reach out and take the lunchbox when another, larger hand suddenly intercepted it mid-air. Duan Baisui’s face remained expressionless as he said, “Didn’t you say I owed you a meal? Let’s go.”
Zhou Xu: ?
“Does it have to be today? Right now?”
Duan Baisui ignored his protest and said, “Mm.”
Then he turned to Zuo Nian. “Want to come?”
Zuo Nian nodded enthusiastically. “Yes!”
Right outside No.1 High was a street lined with snack stalls and eateries.
The three of them sat down in a fast food shop. Zhou Xu ordered a pork cutlet rice bowl, then handed the menu to Duan Baisui.
Duan Baisui lifted the lid of his lunchbox. “I’ve got food.”
Zhou Xu said, “Sometimes I seriously don’t know what to say to you.”
Duan Baisui replied, “You could bring your own lunch too. Or… someone else could bring it for you.”
Zhou Xu glanced at Duan Baisui’s lunchbox—stir-fried beef, lotus root meatballs, scrambled eggs with tomato. The box was double-layered, with the bottom tier filled with fruit.
Jealousy makes people ugly.
Zhou Xu huffed, “Still not better than pork cutlet rice.”
Duan Baisui picked up a meatball, put it in his mouth, and then praised Zuo Nian, “Very good.”
Zuo Nian’s eyes curved into a happy smile. “I actually wanted to make tomato egg soup. I thought Gege could drink more soup. But it’s hard to carry. It might spill. If Gege likes it, Nian Nian can buy a thermal container next time and make soup for Gege.”
“No need,” Duan Baisui said seriously. “Boiling soup takes a long time. If you get up too early, you’ll be tired during class. You should spend more time on your studies.”
Zuo Nian’s smile dimmed. He thought, Gege must be telling him not to bring lunch anymore. But he really, really wanted to eat with Gege…
He quietly responded, “Oh…”
“I’ll ask Auntie Liu to prepare it in the future. Come find me at lunch,” Duan Baisui added.
Zuo Nian’s eyes widened. “Really? Gege?”
“Mm.”
Zhou Xu pinched his voice, pretending to be cute: “Gege, I want some too~”
Duan Baisui: “Go ask your girlfriend.”
Zhou Xu: …
The pork cutlet rice arrived. Zhou Xu tried to sneak some food from Duan Baisui’s bowl while he wasn’t paying attention, but Duan Baisui reacted swiftly and blocked him. Zhou Xu pleaded, “Just one meatball. Just one!”
Zuo Nian hadn’t realized Duan Baisui was so protective of his food. Not wanting them to keep bickering, Zuo Nian picked a meatball from his own bowl and placed it into Zhou Xu’s. “Zhou Xu-gege, here.”
“You really are the best, Xiao Nian—”
Before he could even finish the sentence, the meatball in his bowl was picked up by Duan Baisui and swiftly eaten.
Zhou Xu broke down. “Duan Baisui! You’re so childish!!”
Zuo Nian’s heart bloomed with joy. Was his cooking really that tasty?
That night, back home, Zuo Nian opened his diary.
June 13th, 20XX
Today, Gege and Zhou Xu-gege helped Nian Nian teach those bad classmates a lesson and made them apologize to me. Nian Nian was really, really happy. Gege protected me again. At noon, I had lunch with Gege and Zhou Xu-gege. Gege ate all the food I made and even praised my cooking, hehe. He said I could eat lunch with him from now on!
Nian Nian finally has a lunch buddy. I’m not some little dummy no one wants. What a wonderful day.
Today was a happy day for little Nian.
