After his younger brother finished submitting his college applications and Qi Ji’s own energy had recovered, he resumed preparations for their trip.
This time, arranging things with Yuntu wasn’t much of an issue—the design department had been quiet lately, and taking leave wasn’t difficult. What troubled Qi Ji more was another matter: going out with only him and Qi Mingyu naturally meant Pei Yusheng wouldn’t be coming. That meant the insomnia that had just started improving for Pei Yusheng would return, leaving him alone in the empty house.
Qi Ji fretted over it quite a bit.
But he didn’t have much time to hesitate. July was approaching, and if they didn’t leave soon, they would run into the summer holiday peak. After some inner struggle, Qi Ji went to ask Pei Yusheng for leave.
“Sir, I’m going out with Mingyu. I promised him that once he finished submitting his applications, we’d go on a trip.”
Mentioning the trip visibly dampened Pei Yusheng’s mood. He tried to mask it when he spoke, not wanting to affect Qi Ji’s excitement: “How long will you be gone this time?”
Recalling that he had been busy helping his brother with applications ever since the exams, spending little time together, and seeing Pei Yusheng’s expression now, Qi Ji felt even more guilty. “Maybe ten days… or about a week?”
He deliberately shortened the estimate and added, “I’ll make sure to call every day!”
The man in front of him said nothing further, only forcing a slight smile: “It’s fine. Just have fun. Mingyu just finished his exams; he should relax a bit.”
He even brought up helping Qi Ji plan the trip: “Have you decided where to go? I can arrange tickets and hotels.”
Pei Yusheng saying this made Qi Ji feel even guiltier than if he had opposed the trip.
“No, no need. We haven’t decided the destination yet—we’re still discussing,” Qi Ji hurriedly replied.
But in secret, he had already made up his mind: he would splurge on round-trip flights to save travel time and return early to accompany Pei Yusheng for sleep.
Pei Yusheng didn’t insist further and simply sent him a link: “This travel agency has complete packages and customizable routes. You can take a look.”
Qi Ji obediently nodded.
The travel agency’s private line assisted him, and the packages were very affordable. Service fees were nearly zero, and even admission tickets were discounted by 30% through group channels—Qi Ji’s budget was saved considerably.
After careful consideration, he chose a domestic destination: Yundian.
Yundian had many scenic areas. With its high altitude, the climate was relatively cool, perfect for a summer trip. With Pei Yusheng’s pre-prepared sun protection gear, strong UV rays caused them minimal trouble. The two of them enjoyed about a week in a nearby province before flying back to S City.
They landed around noon. After an afternoon nap, Qi Ji couldn’t stay still—he wanted to see Pei Yusheng.
During the trip, they had been up early and out late, sharing a room for most of the time. Even calling at night didn’t allow Qi Ji to speak much with Pei Yusheng; he mostly listened to his breathing.
The first few days were fine, but by the last few, no matter how early Qi Ji woke, Pei Yusheng always heard him and greeted him with “Good morning.”
Qi Ji loved hearing that voice, but he couldn’t help worrying whether Pei Yusheng had slept at all. By the last night, Qi Ji himself barely slept.
He wanted to leave but couldn’t tell Qi Mingyu the real reason. Finally, he found another excuse: “Mingyu, I have to work overtime tonight…”
Qi Mingyu, chopping mangoes in the kitchen, paused.
Qi Ji expected him to say something, but Mingyu just flipped the peeled mango pieces over and continued slicing.
“Mingyu?” Qi Ji prompted.
“Hm? I heard you.”
Mingyu stacked the mango in a clear glass bowl, then opened a jar of honey, drizzling a spoonful over it.
“What time are you leaving?”
“Around seven,” Qi Ji replied—his usual work overtime hour.
Mingyu glanced at the clock. There was still time. He placed the bowl on the table and tilted his chin toward Qi Ji: “Eat first, then go.”
Qi Ji sat on the sofa. The mango chunks were fragrant and sweet, lightly coated in honey.
Like Pei Yusheng, Mingyu wasn’t fond of sweets. The honey was specially added for Qi Ji.
After two pieces, Qi Ji pushed the bowl toward Mingyu, wanting to share, but Mingyu crossed a leg over his knee. “You eat. That’s enough.”
Qi Ji didn’t remember that his brother didn’t eat mango, and tried to persuade him again. Mingyu peeled a banana and took a bite, then glanced up at him.
“When will you be back?”
Qi Ji hesitated. “Probably all night.”
“Oh.”
Mingyu responded casually, without emotion.
“I have a meeting tomorrow morning. I’ll be busy, and then come back in the afternoon,” Qi Ji added, fearing Mingyu might suggest picking him up.
Mingyu asked nothing else, only: “Will you eat lunch at home?”
“At the company. I’ll come back tonight.”
After carefully explaining the next day’s schedule, Qi Ji left. Using such an excuse exhausted him.
Arriving at Tan Palace villa, he saw Pei Yusheng—though concealing it well, he looked far more tired than before the trip. Qi Ji’s heart wavered even more.
Should he tell Mingyu about Pei Yusheng?
Not just because of today—Qi Ji felt there was no need to hide their relationship from close people.
He no longer felt insecure like before.
But being in a same-sex relationship was special. He worried about Mingyu’s reaction and wasn’t sure if he would believe him. After all, Qi Ji and Pei Yusheng were from entirely different worlds; even a year ago, Qi Ji wouldn’t have believed it himself.
After much inner struggle, Qi Ji told Pei Yusheng, asking for his opinion. Unexpectedly, Pei Yusheng remained silent for a moment, then said: “Mingyu probably already knows.”
“…Huh?” Qi Ji was stunned. “How would he know?”
Pei Yusheng didn’t answer directly. Instead: “Qi Qi, Mingyu used to live at school. You went out without much issue. But after the exams, you kept staying out overnight. Did he ask you anything?”
Qi Ji thought for a moment. “He didn’t ask, but every time I went out, he seemed a bit unhappy.”
“I always explained it as overtime… huh?”
Now Qi Ji noticed something odd.
Before, when he worked late or stayed up making drafts, Mingyu often scolded him and tried to make him sleep on time. But after the exams, Qi Ji spent nearly half the time out overnight, and Mingyu never objected.
Seeing Qi Ji’s realization, Pei Yusheng said no more. He squeezed the boy’s hand, stopping at: “This is just my guess. You can ask him yourself.”
This revelation shocked Qi Ji. After finishing work the next day, he hurried home.
Before entering, he smelled the rich aroma of cooking. Pushing the door open, the scent drew him in.
Hearing the sound, Mingyu emerged from the kitchen holding a ladle: “Back so early today?”
He wore an apron with a white fox pattern—one of the samples Qi Ji had designed for a kitchenware brand.
Although slightly cartoonish, it didn’t look out of place on him.
“Not much work this afternoon. I finished early,” Qi Ji said, sniffing the aroma. “What did you make? It smells amazing.”
“Chicken soup,” Mingyu replied. “I didn’t expect you back early. The ribs aren’t fried yet, so we’ll eat in a bit.”
Qi Ji shook his head. “No rush.”
After changing shoes, Mingyu returned to the kitchen. Qi Ji washed his hands and asked, “Can I help?”
Mingyu was about to chop the ribs. “No, rest for now. When the rice is ready, I’ll call you to serve it.”
Qi Ji glanced at the rice cooker—the light hadn’t turned green.
There wasn’t much else he could help with, and the kitchen was small. Entering would only get in the way.
He hesitated, then stood at the doorway.
Mingyu chopped two ribs, noticing him still there. “What’s up?”
“Mingyu…” Qi Ji mustered courage and asked the question he had pondered all day: “Do you know I’m not single anymore?”
Mingyu didn’t show surprise, continuing to chop: “I know.”
“You mean with that…” The knife hit the ribs with a loud clang, teeth-grating.
Mingyu calmly finished the sentence: “…Pei Yusheng.”
Qi Ji, startled, hadn’t noticed the sound, but was puzzled. “How did you know?”
Mingyu: “…You brought him to pick me up after the exams. Why would I not know?”
Qi Ji froze. “I… I didn’t realize. I was only thinking about your exams…”
Mingyu didn’t speak further.
He knew Qi Ji’s focus was on him, but Qi Ji didn’t notice because he had long been accustomed to Pei Yusheng’s presence, making it feel natural.
…Although Mingyu wouldn’t remind Qi Ji, he still felt somewhat annoyed.
Qi Ji noticed his silence and called softly: “Mingyu?”
“Nothing,” he replied coldly, his tone different from usual.
After staring at the blood-streaked ribs, Mingyu asked: “Are you sure it’s him?”
Qi Ji’s voice was quiet but certain: “Yes.”
Mingyu nodded, “Good that you’re sure,” then resumed chopping.
Though the noise remained, his expression no longer betrayed anything. Qi Ji was surprised—he hadn’t expected his brother to accept it so quickly.
Without Qi Ji saying a word, Mingyu could already tell what he was thinking. He chuckled: “What were you thinking? You’ve made your choice. I can’t oppose it.”
“I didn’t mean that…”
Qi Ji felt awkward. The rice cooker light turned green. He hurried to get two clean bowls.
“Use the wooden spoon,” Mingyu reminded him. “The plastic one’s too soft.”
“Okay.”
Qi Ji served the rice to the living room table.
Behind him, Mingyu looked at the unevenly chopped ribs and sighed softly.
Qi Ji only knew Mingyu accepted it quickly; he didn’t know that his brother had collected even more information about Pei Yusheng than he had, reading everything carefully—both Chinese and foreign sources.
Mingyu, who usually skimmed through reading passages at lightning speed for exams, had gone through all the materials word by word.