05

As winter drew closer, Yi He’s clothes grew thicker. He was extremely sensitive to cold, but making jianbing made it inconvenient to wear gloves. In less than two months, Yi He’s hands developed four or five frostbites that hurt when cold and itched when warm. Qi Shuitang noticed and felt heartache. He kept gloves in his pocket every day but never mustered the courage to give them to him.

“Yi He!” Yi He looked up at the sound of his name and saw Qi Shuitang excitedly running from the school gate with a basketball in his arms. Perhaps from just exercising, steam was rising from his body as he waved and bounced over to the jianbing stand.

“Here,” he pulled out a lollipop from his pocket and stuffed it into Yi He’s hand, saying, “One every day.”

Yi He looked at him, pocketed the soda-flavored lollipop, then slowly frowned and said, “Dressed like that, you’ll catch a cold.”

Qi Shuitang tugged at the cotton jacket draped over his shoulders carelessly and waved his hand. “It’s fine. I just finished playing basketball, and I’m still warm.”

Yi He felt envious but didn’t show it. He turned on the gas stove and asked, “The usual again today?”

“Just add one sausage today,” Qi Shuitang said, then changed his mind after a thought, “No, make it two.”

He promptly paid, and when the sausages were grilled, he stopped Yi He and said, “Just put one in the jianbing. Leave the other one separate.”

Yi He complied, but when he handed over the second sausage, Qi Shuitang quickly stuffed it into his mouth when he wasn’t paying attention. Yi He’s eyes widened. He instinctively took a bite before slowly swallowing it while breathing out the heat, furrowing his brows slightly. “What are you doing?”

“I noticed you like sausages, my treat!” Qi Shuitang, taking advantage of his quicker reflexes, dropped the sausage and ran. Before leaving, he finally placed the gloves he’d been warming for a week on the counter and disappeared in a flash before Yi He could speak.

Yi He looked at the abandoned basketball, carefully picked it up, and broke into a surprised yet endearing smile.

06

Qi Shuitang ran back to the dormitory in one breath, only then realizing he’d forgotten his basketball at the jianbing stand.

He slowed down and considered whether to go back for it now. In the dorm, his roommates were all present. He sat at his desk, lost in thought, until Lao San¹Old Third, probably the third oldest in their dorm suddenly clapped his shoulder, startling him back to reality.

“What are you thinking about?” Lao San tapped his forehead with a book and said, “Lao Qi, did you forget something?”

“What?” Qi Shuitang asked while retaliating, and Lao San withdrew his hand to tap him again in exasperation, shouting, “Where’s the jianbing you promised to bring me? Don’t tell me you ate it on the way!”

Qi Shuitang’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, “I forgot, I’ll go get it now! Wait here!”

A perfect excuse had presented itself. Qi Shuitang rushed out the door, unable to suppress a gleeful chuckle.

Lao San’s hand froze midair as he scratched his head in confusion, muttering, “Has this guy been possessed…?”

Qi Shuitang ran like the wind to the school gate but slowed down as he approached. While catching his breath, he leisurely walked out the gate and looked toward the jianbing stand like a thief.

Yi He was playing with his basketball.

He clearly had never learned, probably hadn’t even seen the basic moves. Playing merely meant bouncing the ball twice, yet his face lit up with pure joy. Then, he carefully set the ball aside, looking as if he wanted to wipe it down completely with a towel. Qi Shuitang watched his smiling face with fascination while an uncontrollable ache rose from the depths of his heart.

He knew Yi He’s family circumstances must be difficult, otherwise he wouldn’t be selling jianbing alone right after coming of age. But he couldn’t imagine Yi He had never even played with a basketball before.

After Yi He finished playing, he slowly walked over, wearing his usual smile and appearing cheerfully, “Boss, make me a jianbing.”

“Why are you back?” Yi He grinned, asking, “Are you here for your basketball?”

“I’m getting jianbing for my roommate.” Qi Shuitang watched him skillfully pour and spread the batter, casually asking, “Yi He, do you want to play basketball?”

“Sure!” To Qi Shuitang’s surprise, Yi He agreed immediately. He sighed in relief and took the jianbing. “Then I’ll come find you weekend afternoon, keep the ball for now!”

Then he ran off.

Yi He turned off the stove, watching Qi Shuitang’s retreating figure. He pressed his lips together and carefully held the basketball, placing it in his small box.

07

In the early spring chill, Qi Shuitang deliberately chose a warm day to ask Yi He if he had time in the afternoon.

Yi He pulled down his rolling shutter door and hung up a “Break Time” sign. He informed the malatang shop owner next door, then carried the ball and followed Qi Shuitang to the nearby sports park.

“When dribbling, pivot from your elbow, use your forearm’s strength, then spread your fingers, hollow your palm, like this.” Qi Shuitang bounced the ball twice and passed it to Yi He. “You try.”

Yi He took the ball and tried to imitate Qi Shuitang’s movements. Seeing Yi He learn well, Qi Shuitang continued teaching step by step, not noticing the sky darkening until the street lamps lit up. He suddenly checked the time. It was almost seven o’clock.

“Qi Shuitang! I made it!” Yi He unexpectedly scored. He jumped up with joy. He instinctively looked for Qi Shuitang’s figure, rushing over to tightly hug his neck.

“I’m so awesome!” Yi He released him after one hug, eyes sparkling like scattered stars. Qi Shuitang stared at him dazedly and blushed suddenly. Yi He’s faint soap fragrance and hair brushing against his cheek felt like a fleeting kiss.

Yi He remained oblivious, happily staring at the hoop. Qi Shuitang clenched and unclenched his fist, draped his arm over Yi He’s shoulders, and smiled, “It’s late. Let’s head back.”

“Mm-hmm.” Yi He hugged the ball, unconcerned about dirt, and followed Qi Shuitang’s lead. Qi Shuitang casually brushed Yi He’s bangs. “They’re wet.”

Yi He was incredibly happy today, his smile endearingly silly. Qi Shuitang touched his cheek, as if discovering new territory, poking it. “It’s the first time I’ve seen your dimples.”

“So that’s what they’re called.” Yi He touched his cheek, smiling shyly. “I thought my face was broken, and there are small holes.”

“Nothing’s broken.” Qi Shuitang poked again, quickly withdrawing his hand. “Your face is the most beautiful.”

“R-really?” Even naive Yi He could detect the weight in those words. Unexpectedly, Qi Shuitang suddenly stopped, hands on his thighs, bending slightly to carefully study his face.

“Really.” Qi Shuitang finally spoke. Perhaps because they stood under the street lamp, his face was backlit, edges impossibly soft. Yi He stared back at him, suddenly reaching out to touch his cheek, quietly sighing in relief.

How wonderful, he didn’t disappear.

Somehow, he suddenly felt flustered. He lowered his head, mumbling to himself for a moment, then avoiding Qi Shuitang’s gaze, stammered, “Let’s go.”

Qi Shuitang responded and followed. His sharp eyes immediately noticed Yi He’s reddened ears, glowing like red agate under the lamplight.

TL Notes

• 1
  Old Third, probably the third oldest in their dorm