Chen Songyan stared at the transfer notice on the table in silence. The golden light above cast shadows over his head and shoulders, deepening his expression. No one could tell what he was thinking, but his father spoke first.
“You’ve been coming home later and later. I don’t know what you’re up to outside, or if you’re rebelling against the transfer by staying out late but let me be clear. Don’t waste your effort.”
For an Alpha, the highest honor was to protect the country and maintain order, from the military preparatory school to Long Island Military Academy.
Dragon Island Military Academy was the best military school, famous for its closed-campus education system. It was a ten-year program. Those who could endure these ten years were basically officer material. Each year they recruited 500 students, but by the tenth year, fewer than five remained.
Obviously, Father Chen had already paved Chen Songyan’s future path. Chen Songyan just hadn’t expected this day to come so soon.
He hadn’t revealed his identity to his Xiao Jiu yet, hadn’t waited for Xiao Jiu to fall in love with him.
When he first saw the transfer notice, countless thoughts raced through Chen Songyan’s mind, but his heart always tipped toward Xu Jiu’s side.
He even considered defying his father for Xu Jiu’s sake, but given the current situation, such rebellion might become Xu Jiu’s burden, since Xu Jiu was always so considerate of others.
If Xu Jiu misunderstood and thought Chen Songyan had fallen out with his family because of him, it would become a “sweet” burden for Xu Jiu.
But if he didn’t resist and just left like this, not only would Chen Songyan be reluctant, but he would also worry even more about Xu Jiu’s state.. How could he focus on his studies at the military academy?
He had even entertained the absurd thought of running away with Xu Jiu. After all, he was tired of being controlled by his father all these years. They could elope and live in their own sweet little world.
But that wouldn’t work either. Xiao Jiu was too precious. He surely had loving parents and relatives. He couldn’t bear to make Xiao Jiu choose.
So Chen Songyan chose a compromise. He threw down his schoolbag. His father thought Chen Songyan was about to rebel and was ready to suppress him with his mental power.
Instead, Chen Songyan knelt before him, confusing his father.
Chen Songyan’s back was ramrod straight.
“I can promise to attend Dragon Island Military Academy for ten years and guarantee graduation.”
“But in exchange, I have one request.”
His father naturally responded, “You want freedom?”
“Half of it.”
“Half?”
“There’s a boy in my class called Xu Jiu, the young Alpha of the Xu family. I’ve liked him for a long time, but his family has run into some trouble lately and I heard their business isn’t doing well. I hope you can help them and protect them throughout these ten years.”
His father snorted coldly. No wonder that collar carried someone else’s scent. But it was normal for someone his age to have a crush. He was also curious about what kind of Alpha could make Chen Songyan kneel.
As an Alpha himself, Father Chen knew Alphas valued face and dignity above all. Clearly, this Xu Jiu held a significant place in Chen Songyan’s heart, far above Chen Songyan’s own interests.
“You’ve thought this through quite well.”
“Giving you this leverage is my highest sincerity.”
“…”
However, Chen Songyan didn’t make it clear. When he said half, he meant freedom and Xu Jiu. He wanted both his freedom and Xu Jiu, not trading half his freedom for Xu Jiu.
It started raining outside. Raindrops drummed against the bedroom window with muffled sounds. It was pitch black outside, with the street lamp below glowing cold white light like a lonely boat.
Chen Songyan took out a piece of paper from the drawer and began writing a letter. He had rehearsed meeting Xu Jiu countless times in his mind, so the letter flowed smoothly without much thought.
Chen Songyan took two days off. Xu Jiu’s condition worried him too much, so he decided to take Xu Jiu out to relax. Early in the morning, he brought breakfast to Xu Jiu, but Xu Jiu was still asleep. Chen Songyan sat by his side and waited patiently.
Last night’s rain had been heavy, and Chen Songyan’s pant legs got wet on his way over.
Xu Jiu opened his eyes, half-asleep. He stared blankly at Chen Songyan for a moment, rubbed his eyes hard, then pulled the blanket over his head. After a moment, he peeked out like a caterpillar emerging from its cocoon.
Chen Songyan suppressed a smile as he looked at Xu Jiu’s stunned expression.
Chen Songyan: [Cute.]
Hearing Chen Songyan’s thoughts, Xu Jiu confirmed it was really him. Xu Jiu sprang up from bed like a carp, kneeling beside Chen Songyan, asking enthusiastically like a puppy spotting treats:
“Aren’t you going to school today?”
“It’s a makeup day off. We’ll have three straight weeks of classes after.”
Chen Songyan: [Perfect timing, the aquarium won’t be crowded today.]
Xu Jiu hadn’t been out in so long. Hearing Chen Songyan’s thoughts, he got excited. If he had a tail, it would have been wagging like a fan. He asked, “Are you taking me out today?”
Chen Songyan didn’t know why Xu Jiu could always guess his thoughts so accurately. He deliberately said the opposite, his expression calm.
“No, I just came to check on you.”
If Xu Jiu couldn’t hear Chen Songyan’s thoughts, he would have believed it. Xu Jiu crossed his arms and tilted his head, arguing, “Chen Songyan, you’re lying.”
Chen Songyan’s pockets were shallow, and two aquarium tickets with little blue jellyfish printed on them peeked out. Xu Jiu thought Chen Songyan was the king of lying with a straight face and laughed as he retorted.
“You’ve already bought the tickets, and you got two.”
Chen Songyan only realized he’d been exposed when he looked down. Xu Jiu got up to change clothes after speaking, but the hospital clothes were all temporary ones given to him. Xu Jiu spent a long time without finding anything suitable.
Finally, he settled on a white hoodie and ripped jeans. His hair was too messy from sleep and wouldn’t stay down even after several attempts at smoothing it with water. In the end, he put on a maroon baseball cap.
Chen Songyan wore a grey knit vest over his white shirt, with a red and white striped tie, and loose black dress pants.
When they reached the doorway, Chen Songyan stopped and looked down at Xu Jiu seriously, saying, “Should we tell your mom before you go with me?”
Xu Jiu pushed Chen Songyan’s arm, urging him to walk outside.
“Oh, she’ll call me if she sees I’m not there. Besides, I’m going out with you, not some bad person.”
Chen Songyan squinted like a large Maine Coon cat, his suppressed smile finally breaking through as he said, “How do you know I’m not a bad person?”
“My intuition tells me.”
“Did your intuition tell you who I am?”
“You’re Chen Songyan!”
Xu Jiu still hadn’t recognized who Chen Songyan really was. Chen Songyan wasn’t upset; he just thought Xu Jiu was a slightly forgetful little Alpha. If Xu Jiu still couldn’t recognize him in the end, Chen Songyan planned to confess everything himself.
The weather cleared up, but the aquarium was still quite a distance from the hospital. They walked leisurely, stopping here and there, and even bought a delicious donut from a roadside stall. Xu Jiu felt a bit hot and rolled up his sleeves.
Xu Jiu couldn’t believe that they used to be rivals but now could talk like old friends.
After checking their tickets and entering the aquarium, there weren’t many people, probably because it was a workday.
They went to see the jellyfish first. A meters-high glass tank contained a blue ocean world. The aquarium lights were dim, with purple jellyfish pulsing like dark elves.
Xu Jiu saw the fried egg jellyfish and moon jellyfish. A huge moon jellyfish floated in front of Xu Jiu and paused for a moment. Xu Jiu pressed his hands against the glass, his delicate profile captivating Chen Songyan.
While Xu Jiu watched the jellyfish, Chen Songyan watched Xu Jiu.
“The dolphin show is about to start.”
“Let’s go.”
Chen Songyan and Xu Jiu were the only ones in the entire orca performance arena. They sat in the front row watching the trainer interact with the little orca. Under the trainer’s guidance, the little orca spun in circles and balanced balls. Xu Jiu found it quite entertaining. The trainer even let the little orca interact with Xu Jiu, who patted its soft head.
Just as the little orca was about to kiss Xu Jiu, Chen Songyan suddenly stood up and blocked between them. The orca kissed Chen Songyan’s chin instead. Chen Songyan wiped his face with his sleeve in disgust, his usually composed face showing cracks.
Chen Songyan: [I hate orcas.]
The little orca got angry too, snorting loudly before diving into the water without looking back.
The trainer fed it a whole bucket of fish, but the angry orca kept swimming back and forth underwater, ignoring several whistle calls. The trainer could only give Chen Songyan an awkward smile.
Chen Songyan pulled out tissues from his pocket and wiped his face again, saying to Xu Jiu, “Well, there’s nothing we can do. The orca’s throwing a tantrum, let’s go.”
“You don’t like it?”
Chen Songyan’s hand paused mid-wipe, his eyes flickered away before quickly returning to normal.
“I quite like it.”
Xu Jiu directly snatched the tissue from Chen Songyan’s hand. Chen Songyan froze.
“What are you doing? I wasn’t finished wiping.”
They wandered for a long time. Finally, they came to a place where they could rent a Polaroids and take pictures. Xu Jiu thought it wasn’t interesting and was ready to leave, but Chen Songyan lingered there.
He stood there without saying a word, glancing at the fish, then at the ceiling, but his gaze kept returning to the Polaroid.
Chen Songyan: [Want to take a photo together.]
After hearing Chen Songyan’s thoughts, Xu Jiu cleared his throat with a smile. “We’re done looking around, Chen Songyan, we should go.”
Chen Songyan pretended not to hear. His eyes darted around, and after a while, he asked Xu Jiu, “Are you happy?”
Xu Jiu nodded and said, “Of course I’m happy.”
“Then why not take a photo to remember it?”
Xu Jiu’s eyes twinkled like beautiful stars in the sky.
“Then do you want to take a photo with me?”
Chen Songyan stayed silent, his eyes saying yes while his mouth remained tightly shut.
Xu Jiu felt like teasing Chen Songyan, so he frowned and said, “If you don’t want to, forget it. I’m leaving, I should head back.”
Chen Songyan grabbed Xu Jiu’s wrist and said, “I want to.”
Chen Songyan: [Want to, really want to.]
Because for the next ten years, he would have to get by with just this one photo.
Dragon Island Military Academy was on an isolated island. Getting off the island was very difficult. For the first three years, students basically couldn’t leave at all, and in the later three years, they could only leave for missions.
Chen Songyan and Xu Jiu stood together, shoulder to shoulder this time. Since no one was there to take their photo, they held the instant camera reversed.
With their hands holding the camera, the distance was limited. In their first attempt, only half of each person appeared in the photo.
Xu Jiu tilted his head up and whispered to Chen Songyan, “Should we move closer?”
Chen Songyan leaned in to listen, his hair brushing against Xu Jiu’s ear. Xu Jiu’s ear visibly turned red. Chen Songyan looked at Xu Jiu, whose cheeks were a pretty cherry blossom pink.
Although the aquarium was dimly lit, he could still clearly see the starlight hidden in Xu Jiu’s eyes under his baseball cap.
That gaze flowed into Chen Songyan’s heart like a gentle spring, yet also like the crater of a volcano about to erupt. Magma spread across the cracked surface, making Chen Songyan feel hot and thirsty as he moved closer to Xu Jiu. His heart raced and his mouth went dry.
He stared deeply at Xu Jiu and said, “Yes, moving closer would be good.”
Chen Songyan: [If only time could freeze at this moment.]
Xu Jiu couldn’t detect the hint of farewell in Chen Songyan’s words, treating everything as just a normal outing.
They each shifted slightly closer until their shoulders pressed together, and their scents, Chen Songyan’s cedar and Xu Jiu’s white camellia, quietly intertwined.
Chen Songyan casually draped an arm over Xu Jiu’s shoulder. Xu Jiu stiffened for a moment but quickly relaxed.
Two clicks of the camera were heard.
Along with countless heartbeats.
Chen Songyan stared at the photo for a long while before tucking it into his pocket. Xu Jiu didn’t look at his photo, simply stuffing it into his hoodie pocket.
Feeling his face about to explode, Xu Jiu hurriedly said goodbye to Chen Songyan.
“Chen Songyan, my mom will worry about me. I need to go.”
“I had so much fun today. Thank you.”
Chen Songyan’s expression revealed neither joy nor sorrow as he asked, “Won’t you stay and play a bit longer?”
Chen Songyan: [There’s too little time.]
Hearing Chen Songyan’s thoughts, Xu Jiu explained, “It’s okay, we can meet again. We can play next time.”
Xu Jiu’s heart was racing too fast. Just catching Chen Songyan’s scent made him feel like he was going mad, so he hurried away.
Chen Songyan remained where he was, watching Xu Jiu’s retreating figure.
Xu Jiu still had time,
But he truly had none left.
Leave a Reply