ITC Chapter 59

Wen Ruqing paused for a long time, suddenly alighting on some distant memories.

When they first met, that evening the wind was strong, making the wind chime sway forever—its sound clear and sharp, urgent.

He remembered that time: Bai Xizhou had just arrived in YunDuan Town. Neither of them knew they would later have such a deep connection.

That day, Wen Ruqing handed him the new room key, then stood up to close the window. Standing by the window, the wind brushed his cheeks and entered his clothes. He seemed to utter “The wind has risen,” a sigh of the moment’s circumstance.

He thought no one heard—his voice was low and the wind loud. No one would notice a stranger’s sorrow in that voice.

Yet somehow, tonight when Bai Xizhou said “The wind has stopped,” he suddenly felt that back then Bai Xizhou must have heard—and understood.

It seemed everything began to change that windy night.

Wen Ruqing got up from the bed and walked to Bai Xizhou, leaning on his shoulder. As his shoulder sank in, Bai Xizhou’s arm wrapped around him. They pressed closer.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” Bai Xizhou’s voice was somewhat hoarse. “Did the firecrackers outside wake you?”

“This is the second New Year I’ve spent with you.”

Wen Ruqing felt a certain emotion: last year he couldn’t have imagined bringing Bai Xizhou back to Yundaun Town for New Year. Yet fate is so strange: two seemingly unlikely people cross paths—and then remain entwined.

“I’ll take you to set off firecrackers.”

The snow had stopped outside. The wind also ceased. Since sleep was elusive, he might as well fulfill the promise. There was still a string of firecrackers in the house, left by Wen Qing for the midnight countdown.

Bai Xizhou did not refuse. Wen Ruqing simply threw on a coat and took the firecrackers outside. Snow piled at the door. He roughly swept an empty space and laid out the firecrackers.

“Did you bring a lighter?” Wen Ruqing asked, turning to Bai Xizhou.

He shook his head: “I don’t smoke anymore—no lighter.”

Since being with Wen Ruqing, he rarely smoked. He never had a real addiction—he just used it to cope. But now he doesn’t need it.

So Wen Ruqing went back inside, found a lighter from the miscellaneous cabinet—it still had gas. That would do.

He told Bai Xizhou to stand still and watch. Wen Ruqing lit the fuse and quickly ran away. In the slippery snow, he tumbled into Bai Xizhou’s arms. Bai Xizhou pulled him in tight just as the firecrackers began a crackling explosion.

“Bai Xizhou—that’s what New Year’s should be!” He hugged Bai Xizhou’s neck, loudly declaring, afraid he wouldn’t hear: “A big dinner alone, watching a long movie, staying up to the countdown—that’s not New Year’s.”

“What is New Year’s then?” Bai Xizhou had to speak loudly over the explosions.

“Happy New Year! May you prosper and earn big money!” As Wen Ruqing’s well-wishes landed in his ears, Bai Xizhou didn’t quite understand.

Suddenly he felt something placed in his hand. Looking down—it was a red envelope.

He had only seen those from his grandfather. After his grandfather’s death, he’d never receive one again.

The surrounding sounds shook his eardrums. Apart from firecrackers and Wen Ruqing’s heartbeat, he heard nothing.

“This is Auntie’s red envelope for you.” Wen Ruqing released Bai Xizhou, smiling slyly. “I didn’t take advantage of you, Uncle Bai.”

“Since you call me ‘uncle’, should I also give you a red envelope?” After all, elders give them.

“You can owe me. Plenty of time later.” Wen Ruqing turned away. Nearby someone set off fireworks—colorful blasts that bloomed briefly against the dark sky.

“Qing qing, from now on, let’s always spend New Year’s in Yundaun Town.” Bai Xizhou wrapped an arm around Wen Ruqing’s waist to watch. “I like it here.”

This place is where their story began—and where Bai Xizhou found a sense of belonging. If Xin City is his birthplace, then YunDuan Town is his utopia.

“As long as Auntie doesn’t mind your presence, we can come anytime.”

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They stayed in Yundaun Town until the seventh day of the new year, then returned to Xin City, which greeted them with a pile of things to handle.

After the holiday, Wen Ruqing was very busy. New staff arrived in the department; he was no longer the least experienced. Feng Yuhua sent the new arrivals under his guidance—and he took that responsibility seriously.

He also participated in several TV programs—mostly cultural bureau–led programs that needed participants from their department. As the experienced one, Wen Ruqing naturally took part.

Several times it was fine. But as episodes accumulated, after-work filming—often running into the late night—became insufferable. Although Bai Xizhou sometimes came to pick him up, this schedule wasn’t good for him.

He was still on medication that had a sedative effect. Staying awake through long filming after taking it was miserable.

He told Bai Xizhou he was tired, that his waist ached, neck hurt. Bai Xizhou would have him lie down and give him a relieving massage.

“I feel I’ve strayed. I should hone my craft—not become a TV presence every day.” Wen Ruqing murmured while receiving the massage, reflecting on his recent feelings.

He wasn’t accustomed to being filmed. But as department staff, he couldn’t refuse Feng Yuhua’s requests.

“Still,” Bai Xizhou comforted him while massaging, “a lot of people now know about the art-restoration field because of you. One may even join this profession thanks to you someday. You might become their guide. That’s not bad.”

Wen Ruqing often overthinks and complicates simple matters. Thankfully now he shares his thoughts with Bai Xizhou, letting him offer timely guidance—and that made Bai Xizhou quietly pleased.

Their journey never had grand dramatic events. Their transition from romance to stability happened quickly. Mostly, it was simply companionship.

Wen Ruqing kept his promise: every year he brought Bai Xizhou back to Cloud‑Top Town for the holidays. Sometimes in May too—to catch Wen Qing’s green plum wine.

He never got to drink the wine made together—that remained an obsession for Bai Xizhou. In their third year together that wish came true.

Once the wine was ready, Wen Qing packed and sent it to them. On the night they received it, Bai Xizhou drank a lot. Fortunately, plum wine is low in alcohol. He was pleasantly tipsy.

That night, riding the buzz, Bai Xizhou pressed Wen Ruqing on the dining table several times. The next day Wen Ruqing replaced the table—and ignored Bai Xizhou for two days.

In their fourth year together, they heard Qu Qingchen and Teng Yuan adopted a child. Bai Xizhou dragged Wen Ruqing to join the fun.

The little boy was delicate, about five. He seemed shy around strangers, but very close with Qu Qingchen—stretching his arms to be held.

Bai Xizhou joked that the expressionless Qu Qingchen holding a child was hilarious.

That year, Xin City welcomed new staff—including a woman Bai Xizhou had met during legal aid work in Yundaun Town. She joined Xin City firm—and was assigned to his training group.

They still had no plans for a wedding. Teng Yuan had asked several times. He and Qu Qingchen had overseas registration experience—they told Bai Xizhou the process wasn’t complex; even just a ceremony without registration was possible. But Bai Xizhou shook his head: things were fine as is.

“I just want to attend my brothers’ wedding banquet someday,” Teng Yuan tapped his back, a mix of mock grief and insistence.

“Probably not going to happen—but I can offer you a beer.” Bai Xizhou handed Teng Yuan a chilled beer.

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Not having a wedding was their tacit agreement. Yet over the holiday, Bai Xizhou took Wen Ruqing to the island where Teng Yuan and Qu Qingchen had held their wedding.

They had once mentioned possibly having a wedding there. Wen Ruqing had said the island was beautiful.

Strolling the beach, Wen Ruqing let waves lap his instep, crouched to pick up shells buried in the sand.

Bai Xizhou walked ahead, watching the breeze lift Wen Ruqing’s hem, watching him crouch and study shell patterns—when he found a good one, he ran to Bai Xizhou to show him, then returned to digging treasures.

This playful behavior was new within recent years—something Bai Xizhou loved. Only with special people does one act childish.

As they walked along the shore, Bai Xizhou suddenly recognized a familiar figure in the distance. That person seemed to see him too, froze a moment, then hurried his pace.

“Xizhou—it really is you! I thought I was mistaken!” Yan Mo adjusted her hair, her face lighting up at seeing someone she hadn’t seen for a long time. “Did you come alone?”

“I…”

Before Bai Xizhou could answer, a man stepped up behind Yan Mo and stood guardily. Bai Xizhou quickly understood.

“I’m not alone.”

He lifted his hand to show the ring on his ring finger. She hadn’t expected that. Her face shifted from surprise to disbelief.

“You’re married—why didn’t you tell me?” Yan Mo’s voice cracked. “I’m your mother, you know.”

“I never intended to tell you.” Bai Xizhou looked toward Wen Ruqing picking shells, lips curving. “And there’s no need.”

“But…” Yan Mo’s voice waned. She understood she no longer had any right to question Bai Xizhou’s life. “Anyway—it’s good. At least you’re no longer alone.”

The sun was bright that day; the sand beneath their feet was gently warm. The distant shoreline blurred. Sunlight scattered gold on the sea. Bai Xizhou called out. Wen Ruqing turned. The breeze lifted his hem. He waved at Bai Xizhou and smiled brightly.

“Yes—I already have a real family now.”

—End of text

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Author’s note:

Frozen Starlight—Extra chapters will feature Qu Qingchen and Teng Yuan. This story of Bai Xizhou and Wen Ruqing ends here. If you like, please bookmark, comment, or give it a sea-star ⭐