Although Wen Yan had managed to get Yu Feng’s WeChat ID her, Ding Xiaonan felt that suddenly sending a friend request out of the blue would still be quite presumptuous. Besides, Ding Xiaonan was a straightforward person who disliked beating around the bush. After some thought, she decided to ask Yu Feng for his WeChat ID herself. If it worked out, great; if not, so be it.
“Thanks for getting his WeChat for me,” Ding Xiaonan said to Wen Yan. “But I think I’ll just go ask him myself. Sorry for making you go through the trouble for nothing.”
Wen Yan glanced at her. “You’re planning to just ask him directly?”
“Yeah.”
“Good luck.”
Wen Yan had eaten nearly all the skewers Ding Xiaonan had grilled. She turned her head and saw a pile of empty skewers on the metal tray. Annoyed, she slapped Wen Yan on the back. “You really enjoyed yourself, huh? I grilled those for ages, and you polished them all off.”
“Hey, if they’re gone, we can just grill more. I’ll help you,” Wen Yan said, glancing at Yu Feng’s table. “Besides, he’s not even there. Who were you planning to give them to?”
While they were chatting, Yu Feng and Xie An’yu were still making out in the tent, so neither of them was at their seats.
Yu Feng reappeared after being gone for a while. Ding Xiaonan, who had been talking to a friend nearby, spotted him out of the corner of her eye. Smiling, she said to her friend, “I’ve got something to take care of. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Because of the things Yu Feng had said, Xie An’yu couldn’t stop replaying what they’d done in the tent just now—the taste of that orange-flavored kiss lingered, leaving his mouth dry. He gulped down his beer in big swigs.
“So, everyone having a good time?” Ding Xiaonan asked as she walked over.
Zhou Yi grinned. “How could we not? I’ve eaten so much I can barely stand. Thanks for your hospitality, Boss Ding. You really went all out.”
Ding Xiaonan smiled. “Glad you’re enjoying it. It’s no trouble at all—you’re all my guests, so it’s only right to treat you well. Just leave a good review for my guesthouse on the app later.”
Ding Xiaonan casually took a seat, facing Yu Feng. “I was looking for you earlier, but I couldn’t find you anywhere.”
Yu Feng lifted his eyes to look at her. “Something up?”
“Yeah.” Ding Xiaonan smiled, her eyes curving. She got straight to the point. “We’re all adults, so I’m not going to beat around the bush. I wanted to ask you for your WeChat.”
The expressions around the table varied. Out of politeness, Yu Feng asked, “What for?”
Ding Xiaonan looked down and chuckled. “What else would I want your WeChat for? No reason, really. Just thought it’d be nice to chat.”
Her meaning was clear. Rejecting her outright in front of everyone would be rude, but Yu Feng didn’t want her to think there was any chance of something developing between them. To avoid future misunderstandings, he declined directly. “Sorry.”
Not only did he refuse, but he also gave a reason. “I already have a boyfriend.”
The statement was a lot to take in. The three others at the table all turned to look at him, each with a different expression. Ding Xiaonan froze for a couple of seconds before her stiffened lips slowly relaxed. “Oh… I see. That was forward of me.”
She accepted the fact quickly and laughed. “How is it that all you handsome guys like men? You’re the second gay guy I’ve been interested in.”
Zhou Yi chuckled. “You’ve had the same experience before?”
“Yes. It was so upsetting that I didn’t even eat dinner that night.”
“Then make sure to eat extra today.”
Shi Wuyang was amused by Zhou Yi. “Why do you have to be so snarky?”
“I was young before, but now? Whatever. I’ll make sure my stomach is happy, even if no one else is,” Ding Xiaonan said.
“Well said.” Zhou Yi handed Ding Xiaonan a can of beer. “Come on, let’s have a toast.”
Ding Xiaonan took the beer and clinked cans with him, taking a big swig. She raised the can to the group. “Then I’ll toast all of you. Welcome to my guesthouse, and welcome to Shuangye Isle.”
She gave Yu Feng a special toast. “How bold and forthright!”
Yu Feng clinked his drink with hers and offered a simple blessing: “Hope you find true love soon.” He paused, then added, “It’s okay if you don’t, though. Just being happy is what matters most.”
Though Ding Xiaonan had retreated defeated, her mood was light.
The barbecue lasted until ten at night. Guo Tianyang later brought Ding Ying along, but he didn’t see Xie An’yu, who had already returned to the guesthouse with Yu Feng around nine.
At that point, Xie An’yu had no interest in staying. He had been in a daze ever since leaving the tent, as if his soul had left his body. When Yu Feng asked if he wanted to go back, he immediately nodded.
At that point, Xie An’yu hadn’t been in the mood to stay any longer. Ever since leaving the tent, he’d been dazed, as if his soul had left his body. When Yu Feng asked if he wanted to go back, he immediately nodded and said ‘Yes’.
Zhou Yi and Shi Wuyang stayed behind to keep drinking, while Yu Feng took Xie An’yu back to the guesthouse.
At half past nine, dazzling fireworks lit up the night sky outside the guesthouse. Yu Feng and Xie An’yu stood at the entrance, both turning to look at the same time.
The front desk was empty—everyone had gone to the beach for the barbecue. Ding Xiaonan, ever the free spirit, had hung a ‘Temporarily Closed’ sign on the door, leaving it slightly ajar. The guesthouse didn’t get much foot traffic anyway; aside from the current guests, no one else would come in.
A few cats were in cages, meowing lazily.
The two remained silent all the way upstairs to their rooms, not speaking a word during the entire walk back.
How could Xie An’yu possibly hold a normal conversation with Yu Feng now? In just the span of a barbecue, Yu Feng had become his boyfriend. Before this, he’d even been agonizing over Yu Feng’s sexual orientation.
Xie An’yu took out his key card to swipe it. Yu Feng stepped close behind him, his body nearly pressing against his back.
Xie An’yu’s hand froze on the doorknob. Yu Feng’s breath brushed against the nape of his neck, silent yet carrying an unspoken weight.
Xie An’yu clearly hadn’t adjusted to their sudden change in relationship, remaining stiff and unmoving.
“Turn around,” Yu Feng said from behind him.
Xie An’yu slowly turned. Yu Feng wrapped an arm around his neck, leaned in, and kissed him on the lips.
“Goodnight,” Yu Feng said, releasing him and heading to the room next door.
Xie An’yu turned to open his door, sitting on the bed in a daze as he watched the bursts of fireworks outside. He got up, showered, then climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over his head and closing his eyes. Scenes from his time with Yu Feng earlier replayed in his mind.
He’d been too caught up in kissing Yu Feng to process much else. Only now, with his emotions finally settling, did the reality of everything that had happened tonight truly sink in.
Xie An’yu opened his eyes and reached for his phone on the bedside table, scrolling through his WeChat contacts until he found that familiar yet unfamiliar profile picture. He stared blankly at the chat interface—his last conversation with [Xiao Zhou Sails Away] had been in April, and now it was midsummer. He typed a few words and hit send.
Xiao Dao: 【Are you asleep?】
The reply came quickly.
Xiao Zhou Sails Away: 【No】
Xie An’yu called Xiao Zhou Sails Away via WeChat.
“Is it you?” Xie An’yu asked.
Yu Feng hummed in response on the other end.
Xie An’yu gazed at the ceiling, touching his lips before asking, “Brother, do you like me?”
“Very much.”
Yu Feng’s voice overlapped with the one in Xie An’yu’s memories.
Xie An’yu’s heart fluttered.
“The WeChat you gave me before—”
“That was my work account,” Yu Feng said. “This one is my personal account.”
“Why didn’t you tell me from the start?”
“At first, I didn’t think it was necessary. Later, I didn’t dare.”
Xie An’yu was taken aback.
“I wanted you to stay by my side.”
Putting down his phone, Xie An’yu lay in bed, his thoughts in turmoil. He began replaying the kiss again, recalling the softness of Yu Feng’s lips.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
Xie An’yu closed his eyes and tried to steady his breathing, He heard Yu Feng’s voice through the speaker: “Calmed down yet?”
Yu Feng knew Xie An’yu too well—he even knew what Xie An’yu was thinking right now.
How could he possibly calm down?
“Not yet.”
“Then don’t bother,” Yu Feng said. “Open the door for me.”
Xie An’yu was stunned. He jolted upright and looked toward the door. He threw off the blanket, got out of bed, and walked over to open it.
Yu Feng stood outside, freshly showered, his hair still damp, wearing a loose T-shirt and sweatpants. He reached out and touched Xie An’yu’s face—it was hot enough to fry an egg.
“Wanna come to my room?” Yu Feng asked Xie An’yu.
Xie An’yu looked at him and nodded.
They entered the room, and Yu Feng closed the door before walking to the window to draw the curtains. The rustling sound made Xie An’yu’s heart race. Worried he might be too nervous, Yu Feng thoughtfully turned on the TV.
This young man, now getting a taste of things, was completely baffled by Yu Feng’s actions. Xie An’yu stood against the wall and whispered, “Brother.”
Yu Feng turned to look at him.
“Turn off the TV,” Xie An’yu said.
“Still not calmed down?”
“I don’t want to calm down,” Xie An’yu stared at him. “With you here, I won’t calm down by tomorrow.”
Yu Feng met his gaze for a few seconds before stepping forward and kissing him without another word.
In fact, he didn’t want to put Xie An’yu in too passive a position, but he didn’t have that kind of self-control.
After kissing Yu Feng for a while, Xie An’yu couldn’t help but wrap his arms around his waist.
A knock sounded at the door, freezing them both.
“Did you forget your bag? Left it in the tent without taking it,” Zhou Yi said from outside. “I brought it back for you. Open up.”
Yu Feng let go of Xie An’yu. Xie An’yu scrambled like a headless fly, looking for a place to hide. Yu Feng pinched his ear and said, “He already knows. No need to hide.”
With that, Yu Feng went to open the door, leaving Xie An’yu no time to hide. Zhou Yi handed the bag to Yu Feng, his gaze sweeping over the young man in the room.
Xie An’yu appeared surprisingly composed, nodding politely. “Professor Zhou.”
Zhou Yi clicked his tongue and pointed at Yu Feng, asking Xie An’yu, “Did he lure you here?”
“I came on my own.”
Zhou Yi chuckled. “Your Brother Yu has finally seen the end of his hard days. Must be living the dream now…”
Before leaving, Zhou Yi pulled Yu Feng aside and warned him. “Take it easy. Don’t forget he’s only nineteen.”
Yu Feng shot him a sidelong glance. “What about nineteen? He’s not underage.”
“Oh? So you’re really planning to stop being human tonight? You probably did a lot of stuff with that magazine featuring Xiao Xie before, didn’t you?”
Yu Feng laughed and cursed. “Get lost.”
Yu Feng walked back inside. The TV was still playing some brain-dead family ethics drama. He found the remote and turned it off.
“Are you going back later?” Yu Feng confirmed with Xie An’yu.
Although he was shy, Xie An’yu was always honest. “…No.”
Yu Feng turned off the main light, leaving only the bedside lamp on. He got under the blanket and moved to the side, making space for Xie An’yu.
Xie An’yu lay down beside Yu Feng. The air conditioning was set very low, and Xie An’yu carried a chill with him as he settled in.
Yu Feng touched Xie An’yu’s hand and asked, “Should I turn the AC up a bit?”
“No need.” Xie An’yu’s palm gradually warmed. After a few seconds of silence, he said, “Brother, turn off the light.”
Yu Feng hummed in agreement, releasing Xie An’yu’s hand to switch off the bedside lamp.
The room plunged into darkness. Yu Feng’s voice was right next to Xie An’yu’s ear. “Did you like it when I kissed you earlier?”
The question was unbearably direct. Xie An’yu’s throat tightened, and he let out an almost inaudible hum, his palm growing damp with sweat.
Yu Feng leaned closer, his tongue lightly tracing Xie An’yu’s lips before teasing upward along the curve of his mouth, brushing his nose, and finally lingering near his eyes.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long. Every day since I fell for you, I’ve thought about it.”
“Xie An’yu.” Yu Feng’s voice was hushed. “I’ve liked you for a very long time.”
[dropdown title=”List of Idiom in Chapter 57″]
拐彎抹角 (guǎi wān mò jiǎo): lit. going round the curves and skirting the corners (idiom); to twist and turn; to turn a corner here and there; (figuratively) to speak in a roundabout way; to beat around the bush; to equivocate; proceed along a zigzag road; talk in a roundabout/crab-wise way.樸實無華 (pǔ shí wú huá): unadorned and not ostentatious; plain and not showy; simple and unadorned; not flashy. This idiom can be used to describe the style of a text, such as “plain arch” and “plain style”. This idiom is also used to describe a person’s personality traits, such as “unpretentious and silently devoted”.
無聲無息 (wú shēng wú xī): soundless; silent; obscure; uninfluential; wordless and uncommunicative (idiom); without speaking; taciturn; not providing any news; quiet; noiseless; unknown. The idiom originally meant the absence of sound and smell, but now it is often used to describe the state of something being silent and secretive, or a person being unknown.
情不自禁 (qíng bù zì jīn): cannot hold back one’s emotion; can’t help; unable to restrain emotions; cannot refrain from (doing sth); cannot help (doing sth)； be seized with a sudden impulse (to do sth); feel impelled (to do sth); feel an irresistible impulse (to do sth); the emotions are too excited to be controlled. Emphasis on being completely dominated by a certain emotion.
無頭蒼蠅 || 沒頭蒼蠅 (wú tóu cāng yíng || méi tóu cāng ying): headless fly (a metaphor for sb who is rushing around frantically); like a headless chicken; aimless; without direction; in a fluster; in a panic; running around in circles; a person or thing that acts recklessly and lacks a goal.
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