As expected, after the message was sent, there was only silence from the other side.
Xia Xinghe wasn’t in a hurry and kept sending more messages.
[@Bamboo: I really want to meet you once.]
[@Bamboo: There are things I’ve never told you, but I’m truly grateful. Without your encouragement, I might have stopped writing long ago.]
[@Bamboo: I hope you’ll give me the chance to know you. You’re the most important person on my writing journey.]
Xia Xinghe deliberately wrote in a sentimental tone, brimming with deep emotion, as if no one else could compare. Sure enough, when the two met that evening, Bai Qingzhou’s first words were: “You’re going to hold a signing event?” His expression was still a bit cold.
“Yes, probably in half a month.”
Xia Xinghe found it hilarious inside but kept a calm face. He asked casually, “But how did you know?”
Bai Qingzhou coughed twice and quickly came up with an excuse: “My mother told me.”
“I see…”
Xia Xinghe almost burst out laughing, finding this side of Bai Qingzhou impossibly cute. On their way back to Bai Qingzhou’s house, he couldn’t stop smiling.
Dinner was millet and pumpkin congee with lightly stir-fried greens. The rich congee was soft and fragrant, the vegetables juicy and fresh. The warm meal filled his stomach with comfort. After eating, the two sat together on the sofa watching TV, and Xia Xinghe recalled his plan again.
“By the way, you know something?”
Xia Xinghe smiled casually, as if in passing. “I have a really amazing reader who’s been with me for a long time.”
Bai Qingzhou froze slightly, while Xia Xinghe took on the look of someone ready to pour his heart out.
“He’s really special—gentle and considerate. Whenever I’m down, he comforts me. Whenever I feel like giving up, he encourages me.”
“Don’t you think he’s just so wonderful?”
“I really like him.”
Xia Xinghe spoke with great sincerity, while Bai Qingzhou’s brows furrowed bit by bit.
How could he say he liked another man right in front of him?
…Even if that man was actually him.
A subtle jealousy spread in Bai Qingzhou’s chest. He looked sideways at Xia Xinghe in dissatisfaction, only to see the corners of Xia Xinghe’s lips curve higher and higher, laughter practically spilling from his eyes.
Xia Xinghe asked, “What does nsxhss mean?”
Bai Qingzhou was stunned for a moment, then quickly understood.
“When did you find out?”
He sounded a little deflated.
Xia Xinghe smiled brilliantly. “Not long ago. That day when I was starting a new story, I sent a private message to that reader. Just so happened you’d left your phone behind, and I saw it.”
Bai Qingzhou’s expression was still a bit cold. Xia Xinghe scooted closer to him, wrapped an arm around his neck, and kissed his cheek.
Although his words earlier had some exaggeration, Xia Xinghe still thought fondly of that reader. He knew that without that reader’s support, perhaps he really wouldn’t have made it this far. So when he found out that the person who had been silently standing behind him all along was Bai Qingzhou, his heart softened even more.
Xia Xinghe whispered, “You did so much for me. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Soft lips brushed his cheek, and Bai Qingzhou turned his head, deepening the kiss.
Back then, he hadn’t intended to do any of this.
He was not a gentle person, he disliked trouble, and he wasn’t particularly kind. After their breakup ended badly, he had resolved never to have any further contact with Xia Xinghe.
When Xia Xinghe deleted him from WeChat, he blacklisted all his other contacts too, cutting all ties with him. But one quiet night, he suddenly remembered that pen name.
“Bamboo, Bamboo Branch, this thing holds the deepest longing.”
As if under a spell, Bai Qingzhou opened an internet search and eventually stumbled upon Xia Xinghe’s Weibo.
At that time, Xia Xinghe only had a dozen or so followers. Bai Qingzhou swore to himself that he was only going to block that account—yet by chance, he saw the little things Xia Xinghe had written to himself there.
[@Bamboo: Come on, Bamboo! Let’s work hard on writing today too!]
[@Bamboo: A reader commented on me today! Even though it was just an ad, I’m still so happy.]
[@Bamboo: Let’s set a small goal first—hope one day I’ll see a real reader’s comment! Just one would be enough!]
In his mind’s eye flashed Xia Xinghe’s radiant smile, so bright. Almost without realizing it, Bai Qingzhou clicked on a link Xia Xinghe had shared and left a comment underneath.
[@MobileUser187xxxxxxxx: Keep it up.]
From that moment on, everything slipped completely out of his control.
For several years, he left Xia Xinghe many comments, carefully reading his stories, giving him feedback and encouragement. Countless times he had wanted to just block him, his finger hovering above the red button, yet he could never press down.
Later, he registered a Weibo account with the name: nsxhss0905.
nsxhss — you are Xinghe, shimmering starlight.
You were the Milky Way that once shone in my dark night. You flared briefly, but forever became my eternal light.
Later.
Later.
Bai Qingzhou had always hated his own hesitation and softness. Still following an ex after a breakup was pathetic, a weakness that should have been cut off and discarded. But in this moment, seeing the brilliance in Xia Xinghe’s eyes, seeing his dazzling smile, he suddenly felt that all the years of struggle, wavering, obsession, and not letting go had finally found their resting place.
“Now I’m telling you,” Bai Qingzhou’s lips brushed over Xia Xinghe’s as he spoke, “I won’t lose you again.”
….
Half a month later, Xia Xinghe’s book signing took place as scheduled.
After so many years of writing, this was his very first signing event, his first face-to-face meeting with readers. Nervous yet expectant, he barely slept the night before. On the way there, driven by Bai Qingzhou, he finally couldn’t hold out and dozed off for a while.
When he opened his eyes again, they were already at the venue. There were still two or three hours before the signing began, yet small groups of people had already gathered outside. Men and women, young and old, every single one of them holding one or several of Xia Xinghe’s physical books.
It was a strange and wonderful feeling.
They had originally been complete strangers with no connection at all, yet through words alone, a bond had formed, and now here they were, meeting.
In a way, the relationship between reader and author was subtle and fragile. Xia Xinghe had seen too many people who swore eternal loyalty one day, only to message him the next day saying they were disappointed in him. It wasn’t necessarily that anyone had done something wrong—on the road ahead, there would always be people who drifted farther and farther away.
But in this moment, seeing those familiar online IDs turned into real, living people, Xia Xinghe felt nothing but moved. It was because of these supportive readers that he was able to come this far step by step.
The event was complicated, with a packed schedule. The endless repetition of signing left his wrist stiff and sore, but every time he saw the expectant smiles on readers’ faces, Xia Xinghe felt it was all worth it.
The signing lasted from morning until night. Even after darkness fell, there were still a few stragglers in line. Having signed his name all day, using up who knew how many pens, Xia Xinghe’s wrist was nearly numb. Yet he still insisted on writing every signature beautifully, never perfunctory.
At eight in the evening, Bai Qingzhou came over after work. What he saw was this scene:
Under the warm yellow lights, Xia Xinghe’s expression was gentle. In front of the table stood a slightly shy girl. Xia Xinghe tilted his head as he listened to her, then carefully signed his name on the title page of the book she handed over.
The light fell on him, glowing golden, as if he were shining himself.
Bai Qingzhou’s lips curved faintly as he walked over to his side.
“You’re back?”
Catching sight of Bai Qingzhou coming over, Xia Xinghe’s eyes immediately lit up, like a small, obedient animal dropping all its defenses in front of him.
“Mm.”
Bai Qingzhou gave a slight nod and asked, “Is it over?”
“Just a little longer,” Xia Xinghe glanced at the clock. “It’s rare to have this chance, I don’t want any readers to miss out.”
“Alright.”
Bai Qingzhou nodded, not urging him. From time to time, as the occasional reader came over for a signature, he just sat to the side, quietly waiting.
Before, it was always Xia Xinghe waiting for Bai Qingzhou, like a little tail, quietly accompanying him. Bai Qingzhou had never really understood what that felt like. But now, with the roles reversed, in this moment, he felt the joy of it.
His lover was dazzling, outstanding, admired by so many people—yet he knew that he belonged to him.
“Alright, let’s stop here for today.”
After a long time with no one else coming, Xia Xinghe finally breathed a sigh of relief. He called the staff over to help him pack up. Just as he was about to leave, a young boy came running up to him, out of breath.
The boy looked about fifteen or sixteen, wearing black-rimmed glasses. The moment he saw Xia Xinghe, his face flushed red.
“Ex-ex-ex… excuse me, are you author Bamboo?”
Xia Xinghe smiled and said, “Hello.”
The boy’s expression lit up instantly. “author Bamboo!!! I really love your work!”
“My Weibo ID is ‘Bamboo’s Little Cotton Jacket’! You once noticed me, do you remember?”
“Oh my god, I can’t believe this. I took a four-hour trip just to come today. I’m so, so happy!”
Since no one else was around, the boy chattered with Xia Xinghe for quite a while, asking for photos, confessing his admiration, asking for autographs. Bai Qingzhou lowered his gaze and whispered to Xia Xinghe, “I’ll wait for you outside,” then quickly walked off to the side.
Xia Xinghe was outstanding, radiant. He knew that. But every time he saw someone admire him so much, he still couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.
Not wanting to stand there with a cold face and dampen Xia Xinghe’s mood, Bai Qingzhou simply stepped aside. The boy was especially enthusiastic, and Bai Qingzhou thought he would have to wait a long time. But just as he settled into place, Xia Xinghe was already walking out toward him.
Bai Qingzhou was taken aback. “So fast?”
Xia Xinghe gave him a brilliant smile. “Because I told him my boyfriend is waiting for me.”
“Boyfriend?” Bai Qingzhou frowned slightly. “Is that okay?”
After all, Xia Xinghe was half a public figure now. To openly reveal his orientation like that might not be ideal.
“There’s nothing shameful about it,” Xia Xinghe said carelessly.
He was so open, his eyes bright and clear, leaving Bai Qingzhou nowhere to hide his feelings.
Bai Qingzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “I just felt a little jealous.”
“I know.” Xia Xinghe laughed. “That’s why I came to catch up to you.”
It turned out that being honest about one’s feelings wasn’t so hard after all. Bai Qingzhou chuckled lightly, lowered his gaze, and kissed Xia Xinghe’s lips.
Outside, the sky was already completely dark. As their lips and tongues touched, bursts of fireworks lit up the night. Xia Xinghe took the initiative to wrap his arms around Bai Qingzhou’s neck, wanting to deepen the kiss. Just then, from the flowerbed nearby, came the sound of shuffling footsteps.
“Why did you push me?!”
“I didn’t push you! You just lost your balance yourself!”
The two people in the flowerbed were bickering. Xia Xinghe instinctively straightened his posture.
“…Dad, Mom? Why are you here?”
[mfn]
Author’s Note:
Next chapter is the finale.
[/mfn]