 Chapters 27-28 part 1
“Of course I know! We’ve eaten together in the cafeteria so many times!” Bai Sinian pretended to be calm as he spoke.
Bian Rui fell into deep thought. Could the cafeteria food really reveal his taste preferences?
Taking the opportunity, Bai Sinian changed the topic. “Try this steamed lemon fish. It’s tender and juicy, the signature dish of this place.”
Bai Sinian didn’t eat any himself. Instead, he picked out a piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and placed it into Bian Rui’s bowl. Then, he pushed a plate of Thai mango sticky rice in front of him, acting like a restaurant waiter, fully dedicated to serving his customer.
Bian Rui didn’t stand on ceremony and began savoring the classic Thai dishes before him.
After the meal, Bai Sinian brought Bian Rui to a nearby bubble tea shop, bought two cups of hot milk tea, and the two of them walked home while drinking.
Bian Rui made a point to walk Bai Sinian home. As they reached the entrance of the residential area, a speeding car rushed past, splashing a puddle of muddy water. Bian Rui reacted quickly, turning to shield Bai Sinian. As a result, the muddy water splashed all over Bian Rui’s pant leg, soaking almost the entire left side of his pants.
“Ah, Bian Rui!” Bai Sinian saw the scene unfold. He was both furious at the reckless driver and felt guilty for Bian Rui’s action.
“It’s fine.”
Bian Rui looked down at his now dirty and wet pant leg. His expression was hard to describe. He had instinctively pulled Bai Sinian aside, but who could’ve known the water would splash like that?
“Sinian, Bian Rui?” Bai Sinian’s mother called out to them from behind, carrying a bag of groceries.
“Mom?”
“Sigh, I saw the whole thing. That driver had no manners! Bian Rui, are you okay?” Bai Sinian’s mom handed the grocery bag to Bai Sinian and walked over, checking Bian Rui’s pants. “Oh no, your pants are completely soaked! That driver, driving without paying attention to the road.”
“Come on, come inside. Change out of those wet pants. It’s winter, you’ll catch a cold.” Bai Sinian’s mother warmly pulled Bian Rui towards their house, her previous grievances seemingly forgotten.
Bian Rui politely declined. “No need, Auntie. My house is just across the bridge. I can go home and change.”
Bai Sinian’s mom pulled him further into the residential area. “That bridge will take you at least ten minutes to cross. Don’t be so polite, just wear Sinian’s clothes. You two are about the same height, it’ll fit perfectly.”
“Yeah, Bian Rui, just come to my place and change. Besides, my mom’s cooking is really good. You should try some before you go.”
“Exactly! Sinian has always loved my cooking. Come on, try it for yourself.”
Unable to resist the enthusiasm of mother and son, Bian Rui was dragged back to Bai Sinian’s home.
As soon as they entered the house, Bai Sinian suddenly remembered. His bedroom was filled with photos and hand-drawn sketches of “Dazzling Star”!Â
Oh no! Bai Sinian rushed to his bedroom. “Bian Rui, wait for me in the living room! I’ll change into my pajamas first!”
Before Bian Rui could respond, Bai Sinian slammed the door to his room.
Bai Sinian’s mom was still changing her shoes at the entrance. Seeing her son’s strange behavior, she laughed awkwardly, “Don’t mind him, Bian Rui. It’s probably the first time he’s brought a classmate home, so he’s a bit nervous.”
“He’s never brought a classmate home before?” Bian Rui, ever observant, offered to help Bai Sinian’s mom carry the groceries into the kitchen.
“Not really. He had a close friend in middle school, but they went to different high schools, and the relationship faded. After high school started, you’re actually his first friend!”
Bian Rui smiled. “I wouldn’t have guessed. He’s got such a good personality, very sociable. I thought he’d have lots of friends.”
“Just put it here, thanks,” Bai Sinian’s mom gestured for Bian Rui to place the vegetables on the counter. “He does have a nice personality, but after starting high school, he didn’t really make new friends. Maybe he’s got his own little world. His father and I don’t pry too much.”
“Auntie, let me help you wash the vegetables.” Bian Rui offered.
Bai Sinian’s mom quickly and politely refused. “Go rest, go on. There’s no reason for a guest to be working!”
After saying that, Bai Sinian’s mom craned her neck to peer out of the kitchen, wondering why her son hadn’t come out yet. Was this how he was treating a guest?
Inside his bedroom, Bai Sinian was on the verge of losing his mind. He opened his wardrobe and kicked four boxes deep into the back, then grabbed seven or eight pieces of clothing and threw them over the boxes.
His desk was covered with doodles—Q-version sketches of the four of them. He opened the drawer and stuffed the drafts inside.
And under his pillow? Photos! Just in case, he lifted the blanket and shoved the photos underneath.
After scanning the room, it seemed like there was no visible trace of his obsession with “Dazzling Star.”
“Phew~~” Bai Sinian exhaled and quickly changed into a thick, coral fleece pajama set.
“Bian Rui, come in and see if these pants fit.” Bai Sinian opened the door, pretending he had just finished changing.
Bian Rui walked over, and Bai Sinian shut the door, tossing him a pair of jeans.
“Change here?”
“Yeah, just change here.”
Bian Rui held back his questions. If they could change face-to-face, why had Bai Sinian shut him out earlier?
Without asking directly, Bian Rui simply took off his dirty pants, revealing his muscular, long legs.
Bai Sinian sat on the bed, pretending to nonchalantly scroll through his phone. But with just a quick glance, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Bian Rui was wearing tight boxers, his butt perfectly shaped like a model in an underwear ad! His long legs were full of strength, clearly belonging to someone who exercised regularly.
Bai Sinian’s face turned red, all the way to the tips of his ears. Damn it, seeing his idol’s body this close for the first time was making him feel so embarrassed!
“They’re a bit short.” Bian Rui lifted his heel to check. The jeans just barely covered his ankles.
Bai Sinian was half a head shorter than Bian Rui, so it made sense his pants would be shorter. He was about to look for a longer pair when Bian Rui said, “It’s fine, I’ll only wear them for ten minutes.”
Just as Bai Sinian was about to get up to search the wardrobe, he accidentally bumped into Bian Rui’s chest, who had just turned around. He staggered backward a couple of steps, falling back onto the bed.
“Are you okay?” Bian Rui hadn’t expected Bai Sinian to bounce off him. He himself was completely fine.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
To prove he was okay, Bai Sinian quickly got up from the bed. But in his haste, he accidentally caught the bed sheet, pulling up one corner and sending a photo flying out.
The photo fluttered like a butterfly, spinning through the air before gently landing on the floor.
Bian Rui’s gaze fell on the photo, and he fell silent.
It was a picture Bai Sinian had secretly taken of Cui Yeyi playing the drums during a rehearsal!!
Bai Sinian stood frozen in place, feeling like his social life had just ended. He stared at the photo on the ground.
The silence in the air felt like a death sentence. His mind raced in loops, even considering the option of just pulling the entire bed sheet off and showing Bian Rui exactly how many photos he had collected of them!
But a sliver of reason held him back. If he did that, they might be so freaked out they’d never talk to him again.
Why did it have to be Cui Yeyi’s photo that flew out?!
Sure enough, Bian Rui broke the silence with a thoughtful tone.
“You really like him?”
“No, no, it’s not like that…” Bai Sinian’s voice lacked any conviction.
His denial sounded weak, and with the evidence right there on the floor, there was no way to explain it away.
Bian Rui picked up his dirty pants and said, “It’s fine. Sexual orientation is something you’re born with. Do you need me to keep this a secret for you?”
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