Lian Zhouxing returned to live at school after a big argument with his family.
His elderly grandfather, who had been frequently ill this year, kept worrying that he wouldn’t live to see Zhouxing’s wedding. His mother took these concerns to heart and arranged several blind dates for him during his five-day visit home. Lian Zhouxing refused to be treated like breeding stock. He had a huge fight with his mother and fled back to school.
Fortunately, one of his roommates who had previously applied to stay on campus was dragged home by his family before the break. Lian Zhouxing naturally took over his spot. The dormitory management only cared that someone occupied the room, not who exactly lived there.
This afternoon, his mother called again, urging him to settle down with an Omega quickly.
Lian Zhouxing was so annoyed that he hung up and took his skateboard to the small plaza. He usually found pleasure in skateboarding, but today, he got carried away. While attempting a high jump, his board hit a small stone, and he fell, clutching his ankle in pain.
After a moment, Lian Zhouxing retrieved his board and sat under the wisteria trellis, checking his ankle. Unexpectedly, within those few minutes, the weather seemed to flip a switch, and heavy rain suddenly poured down.
That was when he met Yang Xun.
Strangely, he felt he had seen Yang Xun somewhere before but couldn’t piece together a complete memory.
Lian Zhouxing lay in bed and found himself thinking of those evasive eyes. They held pools of warmth that would overflow with gentle affection when he smiled.
Just like his name – the spring flood season, when melting snow caused rivers to swell, and flowers and leaves fell into the water, heralding another warm spring.
Back in his dormitory, Yang Xun took a shower first. While drying his hair, he recalled the day’s events and couldn’t help but smile behind his towel.
His phone’s vibration jolted him from his joy. He opened the message. It was from Lian Zhouxing.
“Want to have dinner together tomorrow?”
Yang Xun hesitated before replying: “I have work, it’s not convenient.”
“You’ll come back in the evening, though, right? Could you help bring up some takeout I’ll order to the building entrance?” Lian Zhouxing replied quickly. “I can’t go out easily, so I can only trouble you.”
Yang Xun’s heart softened again. “Okay.”
The next day, Yang Xun smiled throughout his work shift. Students teased him about being in love. He froze, then forced himself to calm down.
How was he any different from a homewrecker taking advantage of the situation?
So, when Lian Zhouxing opened the door that evening with a joyful expression, he was met with an Omega who kept averting his gaze.
“I’ve brought up your food. I have something to attend to in my dorm, so I can’t stay.” Yang Xun quickly delivered his rehearsed lines, placed the takeout on the table, and turned to leave.
Lian Zhouxing froze. This time, he couldn’t stop Yang Xun, watching helplessly as he limped away.
“What’s all this about?” Being stood up without reason left Lian Zhouxing frustrated.
Gritting his teeth, he wheeled after Yang Xun, who heard the movement and turned to look. Eventually, Yang Xun hesitated and stopped.
“Why are you running away?”
Lian Zhouxing looked very serious now, while Yang Xun avoided his gaze, remaining silent as a sealed bottle gourd.
“It’s not appropriate to argue in the hallway. Let’s talk in the dorm,” Lian Zhouxing reached for him.
Yang Xun stepped back, softly mumbling with his head down, “Let’s go.”
Once inside, Lian Zhouxing went straight to unpack the takeout. Yang Xun stood awkwardly to the side, unsure whether to help.
“Here.” A cup of milk tea appeared before him. Yang Xun froze for a moment before feeling its warmth in his hands.
“I specifically asked my Omega friend about which milk tea to get you,” Lian Zhouxing muttered. “I didn’t know what food you liked, so I ordered spicy dishes, mild ones, and desserts. If you’re really busy, you can take them with you.”
Somehow, Yang Xun detected a hint of grievance in his voice.
“I’m not…” he tried to speak, but Lian Zhouxing looked up at him with furrowed brows:
“Am I so unworthy of being considered a friend?”
“Of course not!” Yang Xun hurriedly objected. “You’re so outstanding, people always ask about you on the confession wall, you’re amazing at skateboarding, so many people like you, they all want to be your friend…”
How could it be my turn?
Yang Xun lowered his head.
Lian Zhouxing’s eyebrows raised as he listened.
“How do you know I’m good at skateboarding?”
Yang Xun panicked, stammering, “I… I’ve passed by the small plaza a few times and saw you.”
“I see.” Lian Zhouxing didn’t press him, changing the subject instead. “Do you want some pudding?”
“Thank you.” Yang Xun forced a smile, but his mood was still low.
“Yang Xun,” Lian Zhouxing softened his voice, “even if you don’t want to be friends with me, I deserve a reason, don’t I?”
“I just feel I shouldn’t get too close to an Alpha who’s already taken,” Yang Xun said.
“Don’t slander me!” Lian Zhouxing exclaimed, startled. “Since when do I have a partner?”
“But that day with an Omega… someone took photos… at the shop…” Yang Xun became so flustered his speech turned confused.
Lian Zhouxing pulled out his phone, scrolled through his moments, and showed it to him. “I clarified it that same day. He just dropped his pen, and I picked it up for him. It wasn’t clear from far away. You have me on WeChat, didn’t you see?”
“I…” Yang Xun was speechless.
“You spread rumors about my love life based on one blurry photo. Yang Xun, that’s too much.”
Yang Xun felt deeply ashamed. “I’m sorry…”
“Fine, I forgive you,” Lian Zhouxing arranged the takeout. “Have dinner with me as compensation.”
Afterward, Lian Zhouxing often used this excuse to convince Yang Xun to dine with him.
Yang Xun was gentle and introverted, a good listener. Although he usually kept his head down to avoid others’ gazes, when those eyes focused attentively on him, Lian Zhouxing found himself unconsciously sharing his troubles.
The winter break was ending, but his leg hadn’t healed. His mother called to say that his grandfather was hospitalized again, hinting that she wanted him to visit. Lian Zhouxing agreed but heard his mother complain, “If only you could bring home a partner.”
“Mom, can you stop going on about this? Grandpa’s just getting old. Although he’s often in the hospital, it’s nothing serious…”
Wait, perhaps there was someone.
“Mom, I’ll be back in a few days. Take good care of Grandpa.”
He knew Yang Xun had recently finished his internship and was looking for another part-time job.
That evening, Yang Xun was again persuaded to join him for dinner. Lian Zhouxing pretended to share his troubles, secretly watching Yang Xun from the corner of his eye. Sure enough, Yang Xun’s brows furrowed, seeming to want to say something but holding back.
“If only someone could help me,” Lian Zhouxing concluded.
Yang Xun lowered his head and picked at his food.
“My mom must have lined up a bunch of blind dates for me again.”
Yang Xun took a sip of water and pursed his lips, the corners of his mouth turning down.
“And with my leg like this, what if something happens on the way back? Won’t it make my injury worse?”
Yang Xun finally looked up, his expression very serious. “You must be careful with your foot. You can’t risk making it worse.”
Lian Zhouxing had never asked about his foot before. He opened his mouth, but Yang Xun noticed his hesitation and smiled, “My foot suffered permanent damage like this, so don’t take it lightly.”
Lian Zhouxing stopped beating around the bush and asked directly, “Would you be willing to come home with me and put on an act?”
“That wouldn’t be appropriate…” Yang Xun quickly refused.
“But I can’t find anyone else to help me on such short notice. It’s just pretending when we visit my family, to put my mom and grandfather at ease. Besides, you could help me on the way too. Please?” Lian Zhouxing pressed his hands together, begging.
Yang Xun indeed wavered. He thought about the potential bumps along the way, and if Lian Zhouxing were to develop a chronic condition too…
“Al-alright, I’ll go with you,” he said.
On the day of their return, Lian Zhouxing ordered a rideshare. His home was within the province, and without traffic, they arrived in two hours.
Yang Xun helped him out of the car. Since the wheelchair wasn’t convenient, they’d switched to crutches. Lian Zhouxing’s mother was already waiting at the community entrance. Seeing his condition, she was startled and quickly asked, “What happened?”
“Just accidentally fractured it,” Lian Zhouxing said dismissively.
“I’ve always told you to be careful. Now you’ll be restricted for over three months. I knew you were reckless. You don’t pay attention when doing things…”
“Mom,” Lian Zhouxing pulled Yang Xun out from where he was completely hidden behind him, “stop, we have company.”
Mother Lian was startled, looking Yang Xun up and down before hesitantly asking: “And this is?”
Lian Zhouxing drew him closer and said, “This is my boyfriend. He’s here to visit Grandpa with me.”
“Oh, you sweet thing,” Mother Lian’s face bloomed into a smile as she took Yang Xun’s hands. “What’s your name? How long have you been dating Zhouxing? This child never tells us anything.”
Yang Xun had frozen the moment he saw Mother Lian and now stammered, “We-we just started dating, Auntie.”
“Come upstairs and sit down, tell Auntie what you like to eat, don’t be shy.” Mother Lian pulled him toward the building entrance. Lian Zhouxing followed on his crutches and, seeing Yang Xun stumbling, called out, “Mom! Slow down, your son can’t keep up!”
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