“I didn’t expect you to break away from the group¹“脱离大部队” (break away from the group) is often used metaphorically to describe someone who has taken an unconventional path or stepped out of line with what others are doing. Should be referring to SQY no longer being a virgin lol,” Mu Weiyun said with mixed feelings when he learned about this. “Shen Xiao Yan, should I prepare red eggs²Red eggs (红鸡蛋) are a traditional Chinese symbol often associated with celebrations, particularly births or significant life events. for you?”

Shen Qingyan laughed, “Go away, that’s not our custom. Where we’re from, we find someone single and give them a good beating. Come here, let me teach you a lesson.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Mu Weiyun’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “I thought Mr. Perfect Gu wasn’t capable, but you ended up resting for a whole day. Tsk tsk, he’s quite something.”

Shen Qingyan pushed away the approaching Mu Weiyun with a flushed face. “Stop joking around. I’ll wait for you to eat later. You can pick whatever you want.”

“Sure thing!”

A month passed like this, and Shen Qingyan was quite satisfied. After all, his boyfriend had a strong back and kidneys, and sometimes even stayed over on weekends.

However, Gu Yunjue’s mood wasn’t so good.

Li Xun looked at the newcomer with a hint of sarcasm, “Yunjue, I thought you’d forgotten about me as a friend.”

Hearing this, Gu Yunjue didn’t react much. Instead, he took the cigarette Li Xun handed him.

Li Xun was surprised, “I thought you didn’t smoke?”

“You handed it to me, didn’t you?” Gu Yunjue exhaled a puff of smoke, clearly in a bad mood. “I’ve been feeling off lately.”

Li Xun couldn’t help but frown, “Why? Haven’t you been getting along well with Shen Qingyan this past month? What, are you tired of him? If you’re tired, just leave. It’s not a big deal.”

“I just… never mind,” Gu Yunjue paused before continuing, “What do you think of Shen Qingyan?”

Li Xun didn’t understand why Gu Yunjue asked this but answered anyway, “He looks decent, he’s the handsome guy from their College of Arts. Quite a few girls like him.”

“You’re only talking about his looks,” Gu Yunjue tapped off some ash. “You don’t know, he’s not only good-looking, but also gentle, well-behaved, and he’s a great cook. I feel I shouldn’t treat him this way.”

Li Xun’s heart skipped a beat, “H-have you fallen for him?”

Gu Yunjue looked at Li Xun, appearing confused. “He’s so gentle and well-behaved. Lately, I’ve wanted to let him go, but I can’t control myself. Our bodies are so compatible. But he doesn’t seem to want to see me. When we do it, he asks me to blindfold him.”

Li Xun’s expression twisted, “This…”

Gu Yunjue interrupted Li Xun and continued, Also, Shen Qingyan might be afraid he’ll struggle, so sometimes he asks me to tie his hands and feet. After a few times, there were marks left on his wrists and ankles.”

Li Xun stared at Gu Yunjue expressionlessly, “Yunjue, I didn’t know you were into such things.”

“I am having fun,” Gu Yunjue sighed, “but he’s just too good. Should I really be treating someone so kind like this?”

Li Xun’s expression turned cold. He patted Gu Yunjue’s shoulder and sneered, “Yunjue, what are you worried about? It’s only been a month, and you’ve already given him over a hundred thousand. He’s just a plaything. You bought him with money, and he agreed. No need to care so much. It’s just bondage play. There are people in the circle who do way more extreme things. What you’re doing is nothing compared to them.”

Gu Yunjue pushed Li Xun’s hand away and remained silent.

“I’m telling the truth,” Li Xun smiled indifferently. “Why else would you spend so much money? Just do whatever you want.”

Gu Yunjue let the cigarette burn out in his hand before saying, “We’ll see.”

—

“Junior, why haven’t you come back to the apartment for dinner these past few days?”

Shen Qingyan went straight to the College of Physical Education and easily found Gu Yunjue.

Seeing that Shen Qingyan had come to find him in person, Gu Yunjue was stunned. “This is the first time you’ve come to find me.”

“Oh? Really?” Shen Qingyan suddenly felt he wasn’t being a good boyfriend and carefully suggested, “Then should I come find you every day from now on?”

He was just worried that Gu Yunjue would find him clingy, and besides, freshman life was already colorful. He shouldn’t be thinking about his boyfriend all the time.

While Shen Qingyan was muttering to himself, feeling proud of being so considerate, in Gu Yunjue’s eyes, it looked like—

“No need, just do what you want to do.”

Senior’s expression seemed so unwilling, it only made him feel more troubled.

“Alright then,” Shen Qingyan was confused but figured Gu Yunjue really didn’t like clingy people. He couldn’t help but sigh in relief, thankful that he was given an out. “Junior, are you coming for dinner tonight? Today aun- I mean, I made braised beef with potatoes. Isn’t that your favorite dish? And I made a lot.”

That was close, Shen Qingyan thought with relief. He almost said the auntie made it.

But I did cut a potato myself!

“You came to find me just for braised beef with potatoes?”

Shen Qingyan felt that Gu Yunjue was a bit angry. He hesitated, “Then, will you stay over tonight?”

How could his senior be this sweet? At this rate, how could he ever bear to let him go?

“Yunjue, I’ve asked around. Shen Qingyan is straight.”

Li Xun’s words pierced his ears without warning.

If he hadn’t used coercion and threats, using graduation to threaten Shen Qingyan, the other party would never have been with him.

Gu Yunjue closed his eyes briefly, then looked steadily at Shen Qingyan. “Okay, I’ll go back tonight.”

As expected, Gu Yunjue wasn’t angry with him. He must just be dealing with something.

Shen Qingyan smiled with narrowed eyes. “Then, I’ll wait for you tonight.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Qingyan turned and left.

Gu Yunjue reached out, wanting to grab him, but he was a step too late. He could only watch helplessly as the other person walked away.

The first step was wrong. From then on, no matter how hard he tried, every step forward would be wrong.

Shen Qingyan felt that Gu Yunjue was still acting strange. Even while eating braised beef with potatoes, his expression was dark as if nursing a deep grudge.

“Junior, is something bothering you lately?” Shen Qingyan asked worriedly. He had ordered a special little outfit a couple of days ago, thinking he could have some fun with Gu Yunjue tonight.

Now, he felt too embarrassed to bring it up.

Seeing Shen Qingyan’s concerned gaze, Gu Yunjue’s face darkened. “It’s nothing. I’m done eating, I’ll head back first.”

So what exactly happened?

Shen Qingyan wasn’t happy about this. He grabbed Gu Yunjue’s hand, frowning as he swallowed nervously before saying fiercely, “Y- you’re staying tonight.”

Gu Yunjue was stunned for a moment. He looked down at Shen Qingyan’s hand gripping his wrist, his eyes darkening. “Okay.”

How could he possibly push away his senior who was practically delivering himself to his doorstep?

Shen Qingyan was finally satisfied. What troubles could a freshman possibly have?

They should just focus on dating properly!

Gu Yunjue was in agony. The better Shen Qingyan treated him, the more he felt like a terrible person.

—

“Yunjue, why are you drinking again?” Li Xun coldly watched Gu Yunjue drowning his sorrows. “Do you like Shen Qingyan that much?”

Gu Yunjue looked up, saw who had come, and downed his drink in one gulp. “I- I need to find my senior.”

Li Xun’s face darkened. “What do you want with him? Have you really fallen for him? Gu Yunjue, he’s straight!”

“You’re right,” Gu Yunjue slumped down in his seat, giving a self-deprecating laugh. “Li Xun, I’m such trash.”

Li Xun suppressed his anger and sat down beside Gu Yunjue. “I’ll drink with you.”

Mu Weiyun didn’t expect to run into Gu Yunjue drinking his sorrows away when he just came to the internet cafe looking for a hookup.

Did he have a fight with Xiao Yan?

Mu Weiyun felt this wasn’t right and immediately sent Shen Qingyan an address. “Your boyfriend’s here, come quick!”

Half an hour later, Shen Qingyan rushed over in a panic.

When he saw Gu Yunjue half-collapsed in Li Xun’s arms, he felt a strange sense of unease.

His boyfriend was being the bottom with someone else?

Shaking off this unreliable thought, Shen Qingyan hurried over. Before he could speak, he saw Gu Yunjue suddenly push Li Xun away, making him stumble.

Shen Qingyan: “…”

So it was just his imagination earlier.

“Don’t get so close to me,” Gu Yunjue was still mumbling. “I want to find my senior.”

Senior Shen Qingyan quickly squeezed over. “Junior, I’m here.”

Li Xun’s face turned as black as a pot bottom.

Looking at the person before him, Gu Yunjue blinked his eyes, doubting what he saw. “Qingyan?”

“Mm.”

“Shen Qingyan.”

“I’m here!”

“Senior.”

“I’m here,” Shen Qingyan quickly helped him up. “Why did you drink so much? Let me take you back.”

After speaking, Shen Qingyan looked apologetically at Li Xun. “Thanks for looking after Yunjue.”

Li Xun coldly looked at Shen Qingyan. “I’m his best friend.”

Shen Qingyan was bewildered. “Then thanks, best friend?”

Without waiting for Li Xun’s reaction, Shen Qingyan left with Gu Yunjue.

A drunk tall guy was hard to handle.

Shen Qingyan regretted it now. “I should have asked our good friend Li Xun to help take care of you. Yunjue, wake up, let’s get you to shower first.”

Hearing his name, Gu Yunjue opened his eyes, his gaze momentarily clear.

But Shen Qingyan found it strange. Why was Gu Yunjue looking at him with such guilt?

Did Gu Yunjue cheat on him while he was drunk?

That shouldn’t be right. If that were the case, how could Mu Weiyun keep it from him?

“You rest first,” Shen Qingyan bent down and touched Gu Yunjue’s forehead. “I’ll order some hangover soup.”

After all, he couldn’t make it himself.

“Don’t go.”

Shen Qingyan was pulled straight into Gu Yunjue’s arms, held so tightly he couldn’t move.

“Don’t- don’t get crazy when drunk,” Shen Qingyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’ve already showered.”

Gu Yunjue ignored his struggles and kept holding him, even restlessly nuzzling against him. Shen Qingyan could only helplessly let him do as he pleased.

Just as Shen Qingyan was about to fall asleep in Gu Yunjue’s arms, he suddenly heard Gu Yunjue say:

“Shen Qingyan, I’m sorry.”

TL Notes

• 1
  “脱离大部队” (break away from the group) is often used metaphorically to describe someone who has taken an unconventional path or stepped out of line with what others are doing. Should be referring to SQY no longer being a virgin lol
• 2
  Red eggs (红鸡蛋) are a traditional Chinese symbol often associated with celebrations, particularly births or significant life events.