Xia Xinghe soon woke up fully. Rubbing his sore eyes, he looked slightly embarrassed. “Sorry… I must’ve fallen asleep just now, huh?”
“…Yeah.”
Bai Qingzhou silently pressed the button to open the car door. The moment it clicked open, Bamboo jumped in with a leap.
“Woof woof woof!”
Seeing its long-lost little master, Bamboo was clearly ecstatic. Bamboo had come up from Bai Qingzhou’s side, but quickly bounded over countless obstacles and pounced straight onto Xia Xinghe.
“Woof! Woof!”
Bamboo’s big tail wagged like a fan, its front paws resting on Xia Xinghe’s shoulders. It stuck out his wet tongue and licked his face eagerly, eyes sparkling with visible joy—like a child seeing candy.
The ticklish sensation lingered on his skin, and Xia Xinghe couldn’t help but laugh at Bamboo’s direct reaction. Hugging the fluffy head, he ruffled its long fur playfully. Encouraged, Bamboo let out happy snorts, curling into Xia Xinghe’s arms like a spoiled puppy.
“Bamboo, good boy, don’t mess around—haha, stop that!”
Even though he said no, Xia Xinghe clearly didn’t have the heart to scold it. He let Bamboo playfully crawl all over him, even planting a kiss on its nose.
The closeness between the boy and the dog made the figure in the driver’s seat—Bai Qingzhou—seem a little neglected. He sat stiffly, face stern, and called out coldly, “Bamboo.”
Bamboo pretended not to hear and continued clinging to Xia Xinghe. Bai Qingzhou called again, voice serious: “Get down.”
Only then did Bamboo unwillingly jump down from Xia Xinghe, letting out a small whimper, clearly feeling wronged. Bai Qingzhou remained unmoved, ordering coldly, “Out.”
Bamboo walked out with a reluctant, three-steps-backward glance, finally standing pitifully outside with its ears and tail drooping.
Feeling sorry for the dog, Xia Xinghe asked Bai Qingzhou, “Why are you being so harsh with him?”
Bai Qingzhou lowered his gaze, his tone slightly cold.
“Dogs shouldn’t jump on people. It’s a rule.”
…Fair enough.
A large dog pouncing on people like that was a bit much.
Bamboo stood as tall as a human when on its hind legs, and weighed over 40 kg. If it leapt on someone unexpectedly, it could be dangerous. Xia Xinghe usually made a point of teaching it not to jump, but it had been so long since they’d seen each other… in the heat of the moment, he hadn’t the heart to stop it.
Now that Bai Qingzhou had brought it up, Xia Xinghe nodded in agreement. “You’re right. He does need to be taught better.”
Even as he said it, he clearly didn’t really mean to discipline Bamboo—he was just too affectionate.
The two of them got out of the car. Bamboo followed cautiously behind. Xia Xinghe quickly forgot what he’d just said and called Bamboo over again with a smile, adding half-defensively, “I didn’t spoil him—he jumped on me first!”
“…”
Bai Qingzhou said nothing. His light-colored eyes stared quietly at Bamboo. Bamboo turned to glance back, tilted its head as if thinking for a moment… then abruptly twisted back around and pressed itself hard against Xia Xinghe’s leg, almost glued to him in open defiance.
No matter how Bai Qingzhou glared, Bamboo refused to budge.
Bai Qingzhou: “…”
This dog definitely needed some disciplining.
Once inside the house, Xia Xinghe moved naturally and without hesitation—his first instinct was to refill Bamboo’s food bowl.
Bai Qingzhou had already fed Bamboo before he went out earlier that evening, but the moment Bamboo saw its little master, it acted like it hadn’t eaten in days. It rushed to the bowl and started crunching loudly, like it was starving.
If Xia Xinghe didn’t trust Bai Qingzhou—and if Bamboo’s fur wasn’t so clearly glossy and healthy—he might’ve suspected the guy had been neglecting the dog.
Bamboo buried its face in the bowl, munching away, but its body was far from idle. Its fluffy tail swished back and forth, brushing against Xia Xinghe’s calves, and it kept glancing up between bites, as if afraid its master would disappear again.
It was almost like the words “Why didn’t you come see me for so long?” were written all over its face.
Xia Xinghe squatted next to Bamboo, smiling as he patted his head. “Did you miss me?”
“Awwooo!”
Bamboo clearly understood, barking enthusiastically.
Xia Xinghe laughed. “I missed you too.”
“Ahem.”
Bai Qingzhou cleared his throat subtly, interrupting the warm scene between the boy and the dog.
Xia Xinghe turned back. “What is it?”
Expressionless, Bai Qingzhou said, “It’s getting late. You should go.”
Xia Xinghe blinked. “Didn’t you just say Bamboo missed me, and I should keep him company?”
Bai Qingzhou paused. “…Bamboo’s grown up now. He should learn to be independent.”
Xia Xinghe: “…”
What—he grew up overnight? Is Bamboo some kind of special species?
Still, it was getting late. The sky outside was completely dark. After spending a bit more time with Bamboo, Xia Xinghe stood up, bent down to stroke Bamboo’s head, and said gently, “I’ll come see you again soon, okay?”
Then he turned to Bai Qingzhou. “I’ll head back now.”
“I’ll take you.”
Bai Qingzhou responded smoothly, already walking over to change his shoes.
Xia Xinghe nodded. “Thanks. Sorry for the trouble.”
The motion of changing shoes was something Bamboo had seen many times before, so it immediately realized that Xia Xinghe was about to leave. It let out a “wooo” and anxiously tried to pounce and grab hold of Xia Xinghe’s pants leg. Bai Qingzhou shot it a faint glance and ordered, “Bamboo, lie down.”
Reluctantly, Bamboo lay down on the floor. Bai Qingzhou let Xia Xinghe go ahead, followed behind him out of the room, and then locked Bamboo inside.
Dissatisfied barking came through the crack in the door. Bai Qingzhou headed to the garage and drove the car out, the corners of his lips curling into an unconscious smile.
….
Xia Xinghe had always thought Bai Qingzhou was a changeable and unreadable person. Just like now—earlier at home, Bai Qingzhou had looked like he couldn’t stand Bamboo, but now, on the way to taking him home, he brought Bamboo up again.
While waiting at a red light, Bai Qingzhou took the initiative to speak. “Bamboo seems to really like you.”
Xia Xinghe let out a soft “Hmm?” and chuckled. “I guess so.”
Bai Qingzhou asked again, “Do you like Bamboo?”
“Of course I do.”
Xia Xinghe was a little puzzled and asked in return, “Why? Is there something you want to tell me?”
Bai Qingzhou stared straight ahead and spoke as if casually, “Not really, just…”
He paused before continuing, “Just remembered—you never paid for the sofa you dirtied at my place. It’s French-imported, handmade, can’t be cleaned domestically, has to be shipped back for maintenance. The cleaning fee alone is at least twenty thousand.”
Xia Xinghe: “…”
A busted sofa costs that much? Is it too late to run?
“How about this,” Bai Qingzhou said, “Since I have to pay you a salary anyway, I’ll just deduct it. Two thousand a month for ten months. But since we know each other, I’ll give you a discount. Let’s call it six months. For the next six months, I’ll trouble you to keep taking care of Bamboo—”
His tone was generous, expression natural, but the erratic drumming of his fingers on the steering wheel betrayed his nervousness. Before he could finish, Xia Xinghe cut in.
“No need,” Xia Xinghe said. “Just send me the invoice. I’ll transfer the money directly.”
Bai Qingzhou’s brows furrowed sharply. “Afraid I’ll scam you? I—”
“No, no,” Xia Xinghe quickly shook his head, then smiled. “It’s just that I’m planning to go back to my hometown. I might not be around here much longer.”
Bai Qingzhou was stunned. “Go back? When?”
“Sometime soon. Once I finish packing.”
Bai Qingzhou’s tone stiffened a bit. “Why? You don’t like it here?”
“No special reason,” Xia Xinghe said. “I don’t have a proper job here, and I’ve always been on my own. My parents are getting old. I can’t stay here alone forever.”
Yes, he admitted he liked the environment at Liaohu, liked the rain here, but adults can’t always do as they please. More importantly, his home wasn’t here—he had no real reason to stay.
Learning to weigh and let go was one of adulthood’s compulsory lessons.
The sudden turn of conversation made the atmosphere tense. Bai Qingzhou fidgeted awkwardly for a long time before asking, “So sudden—don’t you have anything… or anyone you’re reluctant to leave?”
“Not really.” Xia Xinghe smiled. “Friends will always have chances to meet again. Doesn’t have to be in the same city.”
“Then… boyfriend?”
Bai Qingzhou’s tone sounded odd. Xia Xinghe glanced at him, chuckled lightly, and said, “It’s not like you don’t know—I’ve been single for years.”
“Why not date?”
“Who’s suitable?” Xia Xinghe countered.
Maybe it was the relaxed mood, or maybe some unspoken feeling at the bottom of his heart, but Xia Xinghe half-jokingly said, “Can’t exactly get together with you again, can I?”
Bai Qingzhou’s throat suddenly tightened. “I—” He had just begun to speak when Xia Xinghe interrupted again.
“Alright, alright, I’m joking.” Xia Xinghe hurriedly said. “I know you don’t like me. I won’t hold on to anything anymore. Don’t worry.”
All his words were stuck in his throat. Bai Qingzhou went silent, and the atmosphere suddenly turned quiet and stagnant.
Xia Xinghe felt a bit awkward, guessing that it was because of his impulsive joke. But what was done was done—there was no going back. All he could do was silently curse himself several times.
They sat in awkward silence for about twenty minutes. The car turned a corner, and Xia Xinghe saw the gate of his residential complex in the distance.
He didn’t want to linger in this stiff atmosphere, so he quickly said, “Here we are. Just drop me at the gate, I’ll walk.”
The car slowly pulled over. Bai Qingzhou didn’t say a word.
Facing away, Xia Xinghe said “thanks,” eager to escape this awkward, enclosed space. His seemingly indifferent movements only made the shadow in Bai Qingzhou’s eyes deepen.
A store in front of the complex was playing music through speakers. The sound was muffled and echoey, and a gentle female voice drifted through the window cracks.
“No one like you / so free / can let go whenever you want to—”
The long-suppressed emotions finally exploded. Bai Qingzhou couldn’t hold it in anymore. A bitter thought came to him: Is he going to disappear from my life just like that? Not even a trace of hesitation?
Xia Xinghe pulled on the door, only to realize it was still locked. He turned around, intending to ask Bai Qingzhou to unlock it. When he looked up, he heard Bai Qingzhou speak.
He asked: “Can’t you just not leave?”