Chapter 23: Autumn
Pei Xilin was waiting for Chu Yang in the booth. The person who had gone to wash his hands hadn’t returned for a long time, and he began to imagine strange scenariosâfor instance, someone harassing Chu Yang in the restroom.
With a face as extraordinary as Chu Yang’s, it wasn’t safe.
Frowning, he stood up and went out to look. He checked the restroom but didn’t find him, which made him panic. Just as he was about to ask a server for help, he stepped out and his gaze went straight aheadâlanding on two figures on the balcony.
The two were standing very close. The taller one was leaning down, and with the smoke swirling between them, the space was filled in. From this angle, it looked as if the man were kissing Chu Yangâs face!
Pei Xilinâs pupils contracted. He watched in a daze for a moment before the serverâs inquiry brought him back to his senses, and he walked over.
Smoke drifted, yet Jiang Baibai didn’t retreat. Chu Yang glanced at him, moved the cigarette to his fingers, and exhaled. Jiang Baibai still didn’t move, only squinting his eyes.
“…” Chu Yang helplessly turned his face away, not understanding why this man wanted to “catch” the smoke with his face.
After another puff, Jiang Baibai finally stood up straight to look at him. But he still said nothing.
Chu Yang frowned. “You offered me a smoke, but you aren’t smoking yourself. Are you trying to lead me astray?”
His expression was cold, yet his tone was quite confused. Jiang Baibai was suddenly amused. He had thought Chu Yang saw through his intentions, but it turned out the boy was just confused about why he wasn’t smoking.
Jiang Baibai continued to watch Chu Yang as he casually put a cigarette in his mouth, lit it, and took a deep drag.
The rumors are true, he thought. Chu Yang has zero interest in men.
Chu Yang looked away. Then, a hand draped over his shoulder.
He and Jiang Baibai turned their heads at the same time. It was the “crippled friend,” Pei Xilin.
Chu Yang immediately extinguished the cigarette in the balcony ashtray. Pei Xilin is a patient.
“Sorry. I ran into someone I know and kept you waiting.” Chu Yang turned naturally, then looked back at Jiang Baibai. “Iâm heading back now. See you if fate allows.”
Jiang Baibai gave an “mm.” He stood in place, watching the two walk away.
‘If fate allows.’ Does that mean we can only meet if weâre lucky?
He still hadn’t sent a single text to Chu Yang.
Pei Xilin followed Chu Yang back to the booth in silence, asking and saying nothing.
However, Chu Yang didn’t sit in his original seat, instead leaving one empty between them. Facing Pei Xilinâs gaze, he explained, “I have the smell of smoke on me.”
Pei Xilinâs eyelashes fluttered. “Mm. Do you like smoking?”
“Itâs alright.” He hadn’t even finished that one cigarette just now.
Pei Xilin hesitated, wanting to say that smoking was bad for the health, but he was afraid Chu Yang would find him an “old fogey” and that there would be a generation gap. In the end, what he said was: “When youâre in an unfamiliar place, itâs best not to accept cigarettes from others.”
He didn’t think Chu Yang was very close to that man.
“Okay.” Chu Yang agreed.
After the meal, they headed back. Since Chu Yang had afternoon classes, he drove off as soon as he dropped Pei Xilin home.
Pei Xilin entered the house carrying his medicine, only to be startledâChu Yuanzhou was there, sitting on the sofa and staring at him. Pei Xilin paused for a moment before walking forward calmly: “Mr. Chu.”
“Mr. Peiâs arm should be mostly healed by now. When do you plan to leave?” Chu Yuanzhou asked coldly. Even if Pei Xilinâs arm wasn’t fully healed, he handled everything himself except for meals.
Meals could be solved with a simple delivery. Furthermore, he had looked into Pei Xilin; the man had many enemies and a lot of baggage. Someone like him would only bring disaster.
Chu Yuanzhou absolutely could not accept Chu Yang being involved. He had even started considering whether to pick Chu Yang up from school every day and keep him at home.
But Chu Yang would definitely be unhappy.
Pei Xilinâs throat bobbed. After a long while, he spoke with difficulty: “I will bid Chu Yang farewell tonight.”
“I apologize for the disturbance during this time.”
“That would be for the best. I hope Mr. Pei doesn’t use ‘gratitude’ as an excuse to get close to Chu Yang.” Chu Yuanzhou stood up and prepared to leave, satisfied.
He had specifically rushed back from the company during his lunch break, knowing Chu Yang was on his way to school.
After Chu Yuanzhou left, Pei Xilin didn’t stay in the guest room. He took the laptop and phone Chu Yang had lent him downstairs to the living room to handle matters. However, his progress today was noticeably slow; he was frequently distracted.
His gaze often swept over the living room, the kitchen, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and some dog toys. The Border Collie was lying on the floor and wagged its tail upon sensing his gaze.
Pei Xilin was very reluctant to leave. He hadn’t celebrated a holiday in many years. The guest room was just a standard guest room; before, he had stayed there because he didn’t want to be a bother. Today was different. After saying goodbye tonight, he would leave tomorrow at the latest. He didn’t know when he would see Chu Yang again.
Chu Yang liked this home and this environment. Pei Xilin didn’t take any photos without permission; he simply used his eyes to memorize everything.
This year’s Mid-Autumn holiday was extended by two days. Including the matter with Pei Xilin, Chu Yang hadn’t streamed for several days and hadn’t even replied to many messages.
The reason was that the messages from others were all similar and aimed at idle chatting; once he replied, they would keep coming…
As soon as he stepped onto campus, before he even reached the dorm, someone draped an arm over his shoulder: “Hey, itâs good to live in the same city. Where did you go for Mid-Autumn? You didn’t update anything.”
Recognizing the voice, Chu Yangâs movement to shrug the hand off was a bit lighter: “Nowhere. Just stayed home.”
Ke Yuan didn’t quite believe him. He “tsked”: “You didn’t even play games?”
“I played on my alt.” Chu Yang shot him a glance and quickened his pace.
Ke Yuan chased after him: “Why are you walking so fast? Aren’t you afraid of the heat?”
Chu Yang frowned: “Talking to you makes me feel even hotter.”
Ke Yuan: “Fine, Young Master Chu is looking down on me.”
He saw that Chu Yangâs tone was flat and didn’t dare call him “Baby” to provoke him.
Fortunately, they were in the same class. As soon as they pushed the door open, a wave of cool air hit them. Chu Yangâs heart relaxed, a smile touching his lips as he went straight to sit beside Lin Zhiheng.
Xie An and Si Yao both looked back at him, gritted their teeth, and changed their seats.
Chu Yangâs seat selection really had no pattern. They usually occupied three rows, but Chu Yangâs choice was as random as “picking a concubine.”
In reality, Chu Yang just sat next to whoever he saw first.
Once he sat down, Si Yao and Xie An naturally fought for the seat on his other side. The one who lost would sit either in front of or behind him.
Everyone else in the classroom was used to this “seat war.”
Five minutes before class began, once his surroundings had stabilized, someone immediately asked where he had gone during the holiday and why he hadn’t streamed.
Chu Yang: “I really didn’t go anywhere. Just stayed home with family.”
He added a question: “What about you guys?”
The people around him immediately began to share their holidaysâgoing home, traveling with family or roommates, or staying in the dorm. Everyone had eaten mooncakes; the class advisor had distributed them the day before the holiday.
They even recommended many tourist spots to Chu Yang.
After class, Chu Yang went to the gym to play ball for a bit, showered in the dorm, and prepared to go home.
The others in the dorm were somewhat surprised. Chu Yang wasn’t the type to toss and turn. He had two classes tomorrow; driving to school for two classes and then driving back wasn’t normal.
Lin Zhiheng immediately pulled out his phone and checked the forum. There were no posts about Chu Yang arriving with someone; it was unlikely he was dating.
Si Yao asked directly: “Why are you going home? Haven’t you been home for days?”
Chu Yang tied his shoelaces: “I have something to do at home. Why?”
Si Yaoâs expression was strange: “With all this back and forth, you aren’t dating, are you?”
“Not yet.” Chu Yangâs tone was flat. He had grown desensitized to this question; it had been asked too many times.
Hearing his words, Si Yaoâs expression improved. Lin Zhiheng and Xie An weren’t as optimistic; they were both wondering what “not yet” meant. Did it mean he was currently in contact with someone?
Right, itâs autumn now. It was the season Chu Yang said he could date. Perhaps he really was preparing to.
The two both stole glances at Chu Yang, their expressions filled with anxiety.
Chu Yang went home because Pei Xilin was still there. But he hadn’t expected that after dinner, Pei Xilin would tell him he was leaving.
Chu Yang was stunned for a moment and instinctively looked at the man’s arm. But he also knew Pei Xilin had much to handle. He nodded: “Alright. Do you need me to drop you off?”
Pei Xilin shook his head: “Thank you. No need.”
He had many places to stay and couldn’t guarantee that every one was safe.
Chu Yang smiled: “Okay. I hope that the next time we meet, youâll have handled everything.”
Pei Xilin looked down at him: “I definitely will.”
He would be more careful and not let himself fall into danger again, requiring Chu Yang to risk himself repeatedly to save him.
“Are we… friends now? Can I contact you once Iâve settled everything?” Pei Xilinâs tone was a bit hesitant.
Chu Yang hadn’t expected him to ask that and nodded immediately: “Of course.”
After spending these days together, his impression of Pei Xilin was quite goodâthe man was polite and respectful. He would make a good friend.
After Pei Xilin left, life returned to normal for a while.
Chu Yang played ball more frequentlyâbasketball, tennis, and badminton. Occasionally, he went with his roommates.
The only thing he didn’t participate in was the morning run; waking up early was too painful for him.
Classes, streaming, going home, playing ballâthis was his routine.
The most troublesome thing was the reappearance of love letters. Autumn was like a “promise” between Chu Yang and his pursuers.
After all, Chu Yang had said he couldn’t date in summer or winter.
The ginkgo leaves turned yellow and fell on the paths. Someone romantically picked them up, washed them, and made a small bouquet; Chu Yang even “liked” the photo.
Many people began to make their moves, and there were even boys. It wasn’t that Chu Yang was prejudiced, but he hadn’t expected people to still confess to him after he had rejected so many men.
Do I look that undecided?
Chu Yang continued to reject them. After being asked countless times, he began to consider if he should pretend to have a girlfriend or a fake “online date” to trick them, but it felt too boring and unnecessary.
Before the Winter Solstice arrived, Chu Yuanzhou told him that the “much-missed” Zhou Ningyu was coming to find him and would stay for a few months.
Although “much-missed” was Chu Yuanzhouâs interpretation, Chu Yang was indeed looking forward to it.
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