Xu Chi had Yan Shu's contact information, but he still preferred to write sticky notes by hand.
Every time Yan Shu went out or came home, he would see a note stuck on the door.
At first, it was just some reminders like dressing warmly in cold weather or bringing an umbrella when going out. Later, he gradually wrote about everything.
"I have a gathering today, so I might be back late. Do you want any late-night sacks?"
When Yan Shu saw this sentence, a smile crept onto his lips without him realising it. He took out his phone, clicked on the WeChat chat interface with Xu Chi, and typed a reply. "No need, be careful on your way back."
Yan Shu tore off the sticky note and had just walked in when his phone vibrated.
"Got it, um... I haven't been drinking, you should get some rest early, good night."
"Good night."
After a while, another goodnight emoji came through.
Yan Shu didn't reply. He knew that if he did, the other person would send another message, and they would go back and forth forever.
He didn't know where this habit of always having to have the last word came from.
Leaning against the door, Yan Shu scrolled through their chat history. He and Xu Chi had only known each other for a little over a month, yet they had more messages than he did with coworkers he'd known for about a year.
He wasn't someone who would actively start conversations, and unless necessary, he would remain silent if he felt uncomfortable during a chat.
Yan Shu always followed Xu Chi's lead in their conversations. As they spent more time together, he found Xu Chi to be very considerate and gentle.
The next day, when Yan Shu was about to leave for work, Xu Chi was already waiting for him at the door with breakfast.
Yan Shu seemed accustomed to this and wasn't surprised, "So early?"
"Just finished my morning run."
Yan Shu looked up at Xu Chi. He was wearing a clean white hoodie, his hair still damp from the shower and hanging over his forehead. If you got close enough, you could smell the faint scent of shower gel.
Knowing that Xu Chi went for a run every day, Yan Shu was genuinely impressed. He knew he could never do it himself. What was the point of running when you could be cozy in bed?
Yan Shu took the breakfast as usual, "Thanks, I'm off to work."
"Okay."
Xu Chi nodded and watched him enter the elevator before turning back into the house.
His phone on the table buzzed.
He unlocked his phone, scrolled to the message box, and returned a call.
Yu Yang stretched his legs, then sat on the edge of the hospital bed, looking out at the traffic outside the window. He asked, "Bro, how's your progress? I'm about to be discharged."
Xu Chi thought for a moment and answered honestly, "It's just like that."
"Like what?" Yu Yang paused, looking a bit exasperated. "You're not still not talking to him like you did in college, are you?"
"How could that be? I've already added his contact information, and we get along really well."
"So when are you going to confess your feelings?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"Come on, man, can you do it? I say you confess tomorrow."
Tomorrow was too soon for Xu Chi. He pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "I know what I'm doing. Why don't you stay in the hospital a little longer? I'll pay the bill."
"Is it a matter of hospital fees? This is a major event in your life. I'm telling you, you have to hurry up, or someone else will snatch him away, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself."
Yu Yang continued to talk for a long time, and every time he paused, Xu Chi would perfunctorily agree, telling him he was listening.
After all, Yu Yang was just trying to help him.
Finally, when Yu Yang had finished speaking, Xu Chi replied and hung up the phone, "I'll keep trying, okay, bye, let's chat again another day."
He sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and his gaze suddenly fell on the corn on the table. Hesitating for a moment, he leaned over and picked it up, patiently and carefully peeling off the corn kernels and placing them in a bowl beside him, repeating a few words over and over in his mouth.
"Confess."
"Don't confess."
...
"Confess."
The last kernel of corn plopped into the bowl. Xu Chi stared at the bare corncob in front of him, finally made up his mind, and excitedly repeated, "Confess."
Okay, so I'll confess.
But I need to wait a bit. I need to prepare properly.
Xu Chi waited until the middle of the semester.
After the last exam of the morning, Yan Shu went to the cafeteria for lunch when Song Yu suddenly appeared and sat down next to him.
"Why haven't I seen Xu Chi today?"
"He has something to do."
Song Yu smiled, "Tsk tsk tsk, look at you, lost in thought. You're not used to him not being around, are you? You like him so much."
Hearing the second half of Song Yu's sentence, Yan Shu furrowed his brow and looked up at him, "What are you talking about?"
"Don't you think Xu Chi treats you differently?"
"What's different? He's just my neighbour, and we have a neighbourly relationship."
"Oh." Song Yu changed the subject, "So, do you think you feel a little differently about him?"
Yan Shu replied without hesitation, "No, I don't."
"Look at your attitude towards him, and then look at your attitude towards me," Song Yu felt he needed to point this out. "Aren't you the one who's best at keeping men at a distance? But your attitude towards Xu Chi seems a bit indulgent."
Yan Shu retorted, "Where do you see me being indulgent towards him?"
"It's obvious from the way you accept his kindness. Even I, as an outsider, can see that he treats you differently. He cooks for you, picks you up from work, you can't not notice that, right?"
Yan Shu paused for a moment and said nonchalantly, "That's just how he is. We're neighbours, we help each other out."
Ignoring his words, Song Yu continued, "Honestly, I think Xu Chi is a pretty good guy. He's handsome, gentle, and dedicated. You're not getting any younger, maybe you could give him a try."
"You don't even have a partner yourself, why are you so worried about this?"
"Isn't love all about seizing opportunities? Here's your chance."
Yan Shu thought about it. That made sense, but did he like him?
"I have my own ideas, don't worry about it."
Song Yu shrugged, "Alright, alright, let's eat."
Song Yu's words really affected Yan Shu. During his nap, he had a dream. In the dream, he confessed to Xu Chi, but he couldn't remember if the confession was successful.
Yan Shu woke up and opened his eyes, muttering a few words about Song Yu. If it weren't for what he said, he wouldn't have had that strange dream.
But one thing was certain, he felt differently about Xu Chi.
In the afternoon, a heavy rain started to fall. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and the weather was gloomy.
When the last exam ended, the previously quiet school suddenly became noisy.
Yan Shu finished his work and waited for Song Yu in the office. Having forgotten his umbrella, he could only hitch a ride with Song Yu.
As he walked to the school gate, Yan Shu saw a familiar figure walking towards him.
Xu Chi, upon seeing him, quickened his pace and walked up to Yan Shu.
It was quite common for Xu Chi to pick up Yan Shu, as he always claimed to have worked out nearby and was simply on his way home.
Before Yan Shu could say anything, Song Yu pushed him towards Xu Chi, smiling and saying, "You're here to pick him up again? Then please send him back."
With that, he turned around and walked away without looking back, umbrella in hand.
No one knew how much force Song Yu had used, but Yan Shu lost his balance and fell into Xu Chi's arms. Xu Chi quickly reached out to steady him, and Yan Shu collided directly with his chest. His body stiffened suddenly, and his heart raced.
With his chest pressed against Xu Chi's, Yan Shu seemed to hear something. Startled, he quickly stood up and distanced himself from Xu Chi.
Xu Chi suppressed the heat in his heart, pursed his lips repeatedly, and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
Yan Shu feigned calmness, shifting his gaze forward and shaking his head. "I'm fine, let's go."
"Mm."
The two walked side by side in the rain, the umbrella tilting involuntarily.
Neither of them spoke along the way. Yan Shu looked down, secretly glancing sideways several times.
Whose heartbeat was that he had just heard?
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