Lin Xingchen didn’t understand. “Why?”
He genuinely thought it was a good idea. Pei Qingjian didn’t want to go back to his messy family, and celebrating at his place was nice for him. So why not do it every year?
His uncle, aunt, Ning Rong, Ning Yuan—everyone liked him.
“This isn’t appropriate,” Pei Qingjian said.
“What’s inappropriate about it?”
“Our relationship isn’t appropriate.”
“Aren’t we good friends?” Lin Xingchen frowned. “Friends celebrating New Year together—what’s wrong with that? Shao Kang does it.”
“But Shao Kang doesn’t go to your house every year.”
“That’s because his parents were no longer busy later on.”
“So if his parents were busy, would you expect him to come every year too?”
Of course not—Shao Kang wasn’t Lin Xingchen’s only friend.
But Pei Qingjian was different. Pei Qingjian had other friends, like Song Ye, but none were as close as he was to Lin Xingchen.
“See?” Pei Qingjian shrugged.
Lin Xingchen frowned. “See what? I think you’re overthinking.”
He rapped Pei Qingjian on the head.
Rubbing his head, Pei Qingjian sat on the sofa and began opening the gifts Ning Yuan and Ning Rong had given him.
Ning Yuan gave a watch, Ning Rong a brooch—both versatile pieces suitable for future events.
“Wanna see yours?” Pei Qingjian asked curiously.
Lin Xingchen, now curious, opened his gifts. To his surprise, they were also a watch and a brooch, plus a pair of cufflinks that matched the brooch.
However…
Pei Qingjian looked at his own watch and then at Lin Xingchen’s. “Same model, right?”
Lin Xingchen nodded. Only the colors were different: Pei Qingjian’s dial was white, his was indigo.
If Pei Qingjian had initially assumed the watches were mid-range because he didn’t recognize the brand, he now realized how absurd that thought was.
With Lin Xingchen’s status, there was no way this watch was mid-range!
“This watch…” Pei Qingjian asked cautiously, “how much?”
Lin Xingchen estimated, “A few million, I guess.”
Pei Qingjian: !!!
“That’s way too expensive!” Pei Qingjian hesitated, wanting to return it.
“No need,” Lin Xingchen said. “If someone gives you a gift, you keep it. Returning it would be awkward for them.”
“But it’s so expensive.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Lin Xingchen said matter-of-factly. “I’ll buy them something similar to return the favor later.”
Pei Qingjian: ???
So that would put him back in Lin Xingchen’s debt again?
Noticing Pei Qingjian’s expression, Lin Xingchen immediately frowned. “Why are you drawing such a clear line with me?”
Pei Qingjian: …
“I just don’t want to keep taking advantage of you,” he said.
Lin Xingchen chuckled. “Fine. Starting today, make a list. Price every meal you cook, include delivery fees when you bring me food—I don’t want to take advantage of you.”
Pei Qingjian laughed. “I wasn’t saying that.”
“But I am,” Lin Xingchen said, looking at him. “If you insist on keeping accounts, list everything. Include your labor cost. Don’t let me get away with anything.”
Pei Qingjian was helpless. “Fine, fine, I won’t count it, okay?”
“Better,” Lin Xingchen said, pinching his face. “I’m not anyone else—why are you drawing lines with me? Planning to go independent?!”
Pei Qingjian: …
He just felt he was taking too much advantage of Lin Xingchen. Even as friends, that wasn’t right.
And, for now, he was still Lin Xingchen’s little treasure.
Deciding it wasn’t worth arguing, Pei Qingjian smiled helplessly at him. “Got it.”
The two stayed up past midnight before finally showering and going to sleep.
The next morning, Pei Qingjian woke early. Not being in his own home and without Lin Xingchen by his side, he felt a little shy and stayed in bed, cuddled beside him.
Lin Xingchen opened his eyes and, seeing him there, felt it was a rare sight.
He reached out, pulled Pei Qingjian into his arms, and kissed him. “How long have you been awake?”
“Not long,” Pei Qingjian replied.
Lin Xingchen squinted and kissed him on the cheek. “Hungry?”
“A little.”
“I’ll go wash up then.”
As he took two steps, he paused, turned back, and pulled Pei Qingjian along into the bathroom with him.
Zhou Man had already prepared toiletries for Pei Qingjian. Perhaps thinking that disposable items felt a bit impersonal, she had chosen a set matching Lin Xingchen’s but in different colors.
Last night, Pei Qingjian had noticed how couple-like they looked. Now, standing in front of the mirror with Lin Xingchen, holding toothbrushes and cups of the same design but different colors, that feeling intensified.
Lin Xingchen seemed pleased. “Auntie is really thoughtful about these little details.”
Pei Qingjian nodded, thinking she was indeed meticulous.
“Like this, you can use them whenever you come over,” Lin Xingchen said.
It was clear he hadn’t given up on his idea from last night about celebrating New Year together every year.
Pei Qingjian: ……
He decided not to argue for now, letting reality teach him a lesson. When Lin Xingchen eventually married someone he loved, such remarks would naturally stop.
When people find someone they truly care about, many things are automatically yielded to the other person—without a word spoken.
Still…
As Pei Qingjian wiped the foam from his mouth, he realized that when Lin Xingchen met the person he truly liked, he might see that their friendship wasn’t exactly suitable.
They weren’t purely friends—they had been physically involved and had a patronage agreement.
It would be awkward for a future partner to overlook that, and Pei Qingjian himself felt uneasy confronting it with someone else.
Their friendship might not last long.
Pei Qingjian rarely thought about this—it wasn’t a pleasant topic—but he had to face it eventually.
It was already February. Only four months remained until their patronage agreement ended.
After washing his face, Pei Qingjian followed Lin Xingchen downstairs.
Zhou Man was making dumplings, with Wen Yuan helping her.
Ning Rong was still asleep, and Ning Yuan was busy with work.
Seeing the two of them, Zhou Man smiled. “You’re awake. Did you sleep well?”
Pei Qingjian nodded. “Very well.”
“That’s good. There are some snacks on the table—have a little something to tide you over. We’ll cook dumplings soon.”
Seeing this, Pei Qingjian offered, “I can help you make dumplings too.”
“No need,” Wen Yuan said. “You two go play for now. We’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”
Hearing that, Lin Xingchen led him to the sofa, handed him a snack, and casually draped an arm over his shoulders. He opened some shopping apps he frequented and asked Pei Qingjian to help pick gifts for Ning Rong and Ning Yuan.
Pei Qingjian, conscious of Lin Xingchen’s aunt and uncle nearby, quickly put his hand down. “Be careful,” he whispered.
Giving Lin Xingchen a subtle glance, he reminded him that this was his uncle’s house, not his own.
Lin Xingchen complied and sat properly, holding up the phone for Pei Qingjian.
He selected a few items that looked reasonably priced and stylish, adding them to the cart. Lin Xingchen added the gifts he wanted to buy as well and submitted the order.
Soon, Ning Rong woke and came down the stairs.
Seeing Zhou Man making dumplings, she rolled up her sleeves, ready to help.
“There are only a few wrappers left. You don’t need to help—go play for now,” Zhou Man laughed.
Then Ning Rong noticed Pei Qingjian and Lin Xingchen. She happily approached Pei Qingjian.
“Xiao Pei, do you have any upcoming engagements?”
“Not yet,” Pei Qingjian replied.
Drunken Moon River was set to air around June. Zhou Peng had high hopes for this drama to boost Pei Qingjian’s fame, so he was being very selective about scripts, rejecting many at Pei Qingjian’s level.
“That’s great,” Ning Rong said excitedly. “When I wished Jiang Dao a Happy New Year last night, he mentioned a suitable movie role for you. You should audition.”
Pei Qingjian’s eyes brightened. “Really?”
“Yes, a film role. Jiang Dao said the part has substantial screen time. Tell your agent to free up your schedule.”
“Okay,” Pei Qingjian said happily. “Thank you, sister.”
“You’re welcome.”
Lin Xingchen: ……
Tentatively, he asked, “If you get the role, when would filming start?”
Ning Rong straightened instinctively. “Around April or May.”
Lin Xingchen nodded, relieved. April–May was fine—Pei Qingjian could still spend two more months with him.
Hearing April–May, Pei Qingjian hesitated. He wanted to spend the final months of their agreement with Lin Xingchen.
But…
He calculated his current savings—it still wasn’t enough for three million.
He couldn’t end the contract without having the full amount. Otherwise, he’d effectively be selling himself for a year.
It wasn’t that Pei Qingjian wanted to nitpick with Lin Xingchen. He just didn’t want to feel like a commodity with a price tag—it made him uneasy and tainted their past relationship.
These concerns pushed him to plan on repaying Lin Xingchen’s patronage in advance.
He’d have to work. Otherwise, how could he return the money?
He wanted to spend the remaining time with Lin Xingchen, but even more, he wanted to settle the debt first.
Lin Xingchen, on the other hand, wasn’t worried. To him, their agreement ending simply meant transitioning into a friendship. He didn’t see these last months as particularly precious.
Even after the contract ended, Pei Qingjian could still stay at his house. Friends could live together too.
So, for Lin Xingchen, nothing would really change.
If Pei Qingjian knew what Lin Xingchen was thinking, he’d probably be both exasperated and amused. Friends could certainly live together—but after their contract ended, that was clearly off-limits.
At least, Pei Qingjian had no intention of staying with Lin Xingchen once the agreement expired.
He had already planned it out: he would move back to his original grandparents’ house and keep a proper distance from Lin Xingchen, doing nothing beyond the bounds of friendship. That way, their friendship could last longer.
Just as he was thinking this, Zhou Man called out, “All right, the dumplings are ready. Xiao Rong, go tell your brother to come down for lunch.”
“Okay,” Ning Rong replied.
Lin Xingchen stood, taking Pei Qingjian by the hand as they walked toward the dining room.
Pei Qingjian slowly withdrew his hand.
Lin Xingchen looked back.
“Be careful not to be seen by your uncle and aunt,” Pei Qingjian whispered.
Lin Xingchen: ……
Suddenly, he realized that being “just friends” was inconvenient! Hugging wasn’t allowed, holding hands wasn’t allowed… If he’d known, he wouldn’t have insisted on calling them friends in the first place.
But if not friends, then what? Boyfriends? How would he explain a breakup to Wen Yuan and Zhou Man when the contract ended?
Sigh—boyfriend was out of the question. Friends were awkward.
For the first time, Lin Xingchen felt human relationship labels were overly simplistic and careless.
Was there no term that allowed intimacy while letting others remain unbothered?
Author’s note: Human relationship labels: ???? Seriously, do you see how unreasonable this request is?!
Auntie: Both are “couple sets” ^_^
Lin: Very good, very satisfied
Pei Qingjian: …… Too couple-y!