As winter break approached, Shi Zhu excitedly packed his luggage. He turned to Yang Xun and asked hesitantly, “Yang Xun, are you sure you don’t want to come to my place?”
“No need.” Yang Xun appreciated his kindness. “I found an internship, so I’ll stay at school.”
Knowing Yang Xun’s family situation, Shi Zhu didn’t press further. “Alright, then. I’ll bring you some local specialties.”
Yang Xun’s birth mother passed away before he could remember. When he was eight, his stepmother came into their lives. Although not particularly affectionate, she treated him fairly and gave birth to a son the following year. After Yang Xun and his father’s car accident, she divided the inheritance into two parts, sending Yang Xun monthly living expenses. When he turned eighteen, she gave him the remaining sum all at once.
The last time Yang Xun returned home, they met briefly. His stepmother had remarried years ago, and his stepbrother was doing well. Not wanting to impose, Yang Xun left some money and departed.
He didn’t feel homesick, to begin with, so he might as well work and earn more money during the holidays.
His internship company specialized in training, where he worked as a teaching assistant for IELTS classes. The company wasn’t far from school. He bought a second-hand electric scooter and always used the back entrance, unconsciously glancing at the wisteria trellis whenever he passed the small plaza.
Few students stayed on campus during winter break, and Lian Zhouxing had no reason to be there. Yang Xun knew this, yet he couldn’t help but hope.
That day, Yang Xun stayed late organizing materials. When he finished, he discovered it was already quite dark. As he walked to the entrance and thought about what to eat for dinner, he noticed occasional umbrellas among hurrying passersby and realized it was raining.
Remembering his hanging laundry, he rushed back to school on his scooter. The rain grew heavier, and even with a raincoat, he couldn’t escape the bone-chilling cold. Rain blurred his vision, but as he passed the small plaza, he noticed a familiar silhouette under the wisteria trellis.
He could hardly believe his eyes, but he clung to the possibility. He slowed down and wiped his face, suddenly noticing the skateboard at the trellis entrance.
It really was Lian Zhouxing.
Yang Xun’s heart raced, wondering if he was stranded by the rain. As he hesitated to approach, the other noticed his headlight.
“Hey!”
Yang Xun startled, then quickly rode over. Lian Zhouxing remained seated, asking, “Can I borrow your electric scooter?”
Yang Xun parked and hastily wiped off some water before hurrying inside. Lian Zhouxing continued, “Just take me to the dorm, then I’ll ride it to the hospital. I’ll leave my student ID with you as collateral. I won’t cheat you.”
“What happened?” Yang Xun felt a moment of panic hearing about the hospital.
“Might have twisted my ankle,” Lian Zhouxing replied honestly.
Yang Xun took out his phone to call him a taxi, but during rush hour and heavy rain, few drivers were accepting rides.
Lian Zhouxing saw what he was doing and said, “Even if we get one, they can’t drive in. The school doesn’t allow outside vehicles.”
“It’s fine.” Yang Xun pulled out tissues to wipe the water off his screen. “I know the security guard at the gate. He’ll open it if I explain the situation.”
“You’re quite capable.” Lian Zhouxing smiled, taking out his phone. “In that case, I’ll call the taxi myself. Just help me talk to the guard.”
Yang Xun nodded and was about to head to the gate when a ride was accepted. Lian Zhouxing noticed his limp and couldn’t help asking, “Did you twist your ankle, too? The rain really makes things inconvenient.”
Yang Xun froze, wiping his face again before stammering, “This is… permanent.”
He rushed into the rain before seeing Lian Zhouxing’s reaction.
After speaking with the guard and guiding the taxi to the small plaza, Yang Xun asked the driver to wait while he returned to the trellis to help.
He reached out to help Lian Zhouxing up, but the other hesitated to take his hand. Yang Xun noticed water still dripping from his raincoat and was about to remove it, thinking it bothered him.
Lian Zhouxing stopped him. “I’m worried it might be difficult for you to support me. I’m quite heavy.”
“It’s fine.” Yang Xun removed his raincoat anyway, pulling Lian Zhouxing up with one arm. “Don’t put weight on your injured foot. Lean your body toward me. I won’t let you fall.”
Lian Zhouxing shifted most of his weight onto Yang Xun, gritting his teeth as he hopped forward. Being so close, Yang Xun’s slightly damp hair accidentally brushed his cheek. Lian Zhouxing paused, momentarily distracted by the thought: There’s actually preserved plum-scented shampoo.
They arrived at the hospital safely, and after an X-ray, it was found that he had a fracture. The doctor put a cast on him, and Lian Zhouxing’s handsome face earned him a borrowed wheelchair from a nurse.
He wanted to thank his kind classmate, but when he left the examination room, the other had vanished. A nurse told him his companion had just asked for directions to the cafeteria before heading downstairs.
Warmth spread through Lian Zhouxing’s chest. Soon after, Yang Xun appeared, out of breath. Although he couldn’t walk fast, seeing Lian Zhouxing waiting, he hurried over and handed him something. “The cafeteria was almost empty. I bought corn juice and steamed buns from the convenience store. You can have them.”
The corn juice was still hot, making Lian Zhouxing’s heart grow warm. He asked, “Aren’t you eating?”
Yang Xun hesitated before offering a shy smile. “I already ate.”
Lian Zhouxing didn’t quite believe him and pushed the buns back. “I’m not feeling well. I can’t eat. Just a few sips of this is enough.”
He shook the corn juice as he spoke.
Yang Xun believed him and, being hungry, cupped the buns in both hands, taking small bites. Lian Zhouxing held the corn juice without drinking, removing the lid to blow on it. When Yang Xun choked on a bite, he timely offered it to him.
With his cheeks full of bun, Yang Xun mumbled, “You should drink this…”
“I had a couple of sips already.” Lian Zhouxing smiled, tilting his head slightly. “I really can’t drink anymore. You don’t mind, do you?”
Yang Xun avoided his gaze, unaware of his reddening ears.
The hospital wheelchair could be rented out. Yang Xun pushed Lian Zhouxing to the taxi, then to his dormitory once they reached campus.
Thankfully, with few students staying over break, hardly anyone was around. Yang Xun relaxed slightly. At Building A, he hesitated, “Should you call a friend to help?”
“Foreign language students stay in this dorm, too, right?” Lian Zhouxing had already figured out Yang Xun’s department and year.
“I… I’m in the last building.” Yang Xun stepped back slightly.
“That’s the Omega dorm… wait,” Lian Zhouxing looked shocked, “you’re an Omega?”
Yang Xun instinctively shrunk into himself. Due to his late differentiation, the Omega hormones hadn’t altered his already-set height and build. His appearance was closer to a Beta’s, or perhaps a low-level Alpha’s, nothing like an Omega’s.
“I should head back. Take care.” Yang Xun tried to escape in a panic.
“Hey, don’t go!” Lian Zhouxing tried to grab him, forgetting his cast. He nearly fell forward as he left the wheelchair.
Yang Xun panicked and rushed to steady him. Lian Zhouxing seized the chance to grip his wrist. “Why are you running?”
“I need to get back… do you need anything else?”
“This might be imposing, but could you help me upstairs?” Lian Zhouxing asked.
Yang Xun glanced at the entrance, trying to free his wrist.
Lian Zhouxing held on, his lips turning downward in an exaggerated pout that looked completely out of place on his handsome face.
“There’s nobody here during break, and I can’t find anyone I know. You’re my only option. The dorm manager isn’t checking anyway. Please help me.”
Yang Xun’s face grew increasingly red. Avoiding Lian Zhouxing’s eyes, he softly agreed, “Okay then.”
They had to leave the wheelchair at the stairs, so they could only walk the rest of the way. Lian Zhouxing leaned and put his arm around Yang Xun’s shoulder, hopping up one step at a time. The intimate contact made Yang Xun dizzy, and his face grew redder with each step.
Fortunately, the room was on the second floor. Yang Xun went back down to carry up the wheelchair. Lian Zhouxing said sincerely, “Thank you so much. Could I get your contact info?”
Yang Xun never imagined Lian Zhouxing would ask to exchange contacts. He stammered his agreement and fumbled with his phone.
The screen still had water stains. He wiped it on his clothes before opening his QR code: “Here, scan mine.”
“Done.” Lian Zhouxing moved quickly, smiling at him. “I’ll treat you to a meal sometime. You must come.”
“O-okay.” Yang Xun responded dazedly. He left the building amid Lian Zhouxing’s repeated thanks.
The rain outside became lighter, but the wind grew stronger. As Yang Xun’s face cooled, he recalled that well-matched couple photo. He pressed his lips together, fingers hovering over the characters of “Lian Zhouxing’s” name before opening his profile and selecting “Don’t show moments.”
Perhaps this way, he could fool himself into just being friends.
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