Xie Xiaojiang had accepted his sexual orientation when he started dating Wei Yuhuan. However, their relationship was too special for the outside world, so they never went public. Only a few of Wei Yuhuan’s close friends and their driver knew about it.
Xie Xiaojiang was surprised by Zhao Yan’s sensitivity, and he also felt a little nervous, unsure of the deeper meaning behind Zhao Yan’s direct approach.
Zhao Yan shrugged and said, “Actually, I find it quite distasteful when our classmates talk about MB. MB hasn’t done anything to anyone. Although their behavior may be immoral, it’s not a heinous crime. I believe that every industry has its own reasons for existing, and no one should suffer unfounded discrimination and criticism.”
Zhao Yan’s words struck a chord with Xie Xiaojiang. He remembered the girls he had met while working at “Hanbao,” most of whom came from poor backgrounds. They had all gathered in this big city, with their battered bodies, doing the most shameful work, counting their meager income, feeling lost yet easily satisfied, fragile yet resigned.
Indeed, some people were greedy and got themselves deeper into trouble for more money or vanity. But if these girls had had happy families and received a normal education from the start, who would be willing to sell their souls and bodies?
“Exactly. Everyone has their own difficulties,” Xie Xiaojiang sighed.
Despite living under the same blue sky, everyone’s world was so different. If it weren’t for Wei Yuhuan, Xie Xiaojiang would still be struggling at the bottom of society.
Zhao Yan didn’t probe any further and, ignoring other people’s stares, took the initiative to invite Xie Xiaojiang to have a meal with him.
In the seemingly “isolated” situation that Xie Xiaojiang found himself in, Zhao Yan’s heartfelt gesture warmed his heart. Although he was also affected by the rumors, he remained clear-headed and even closer to Xie Xiaojing than usual, which was truly not easy.
Feeling a bit better, Xie Xiaojing suddenly became conflicted while eating. “Zhao Yan, did I have a weird expression when I talked about my brother?”
Zhao Yan was chewing on a chicken leg and nodded in response, “Yes!”
Xie Xiaojing pinched his face, perplexed. “Where was it weird?”
“You often smiled foolishly, very silly, like this,” Zhao Yan swallowed his chicken leg and made a “foolish smile” expression. He wasn’t as cute as Xie Xiaojing, and after taking a mouthful of oil, his smile was lewd and made people shudder.
Xie Xiaojing hugged his arms and quickly furrowed his brows, kneading his face to make himself look more serious.
Zhao Yan was amused by his actions and said, “Xie Xiaojing, don’t worry about how others see you. You can’t control your mouth and brain. If it makes you happy, it’s good enough.”
After hearing these words, Xiaojiang Xie suddenly felt relieved and completely let go of his feelings towards Zhao Yan. However, even though he denied the rumors in front of Zhao Yan, Xiaojiang was still anxious. After all, Wei Yuhuan had given him a lot of money, and they had indeed been having a physical relationship. On the surface, it looked like they were indeed doing what the rumors said.
It was just a terrible label, like condemning someone to the depths of hell.
When he returned home that evening, Xiaojiang didn’t mention any of this to Wei Yuhuan because he knew that even if he vented to him, it would be of no use. As Zhao Yan had said, words were spoken by others and couldn’t be stopped. Xiaojiang feared that even if he tried to explain, he wouldn’t be able to clear things up.
Wei Yuhuan could at most comfort him and tell him not to overthink it, but this time, his insecurity and distress couldn’t be resolved by Wei Yuhuan’s comfort and explanation alone. He had to figure it out himself.
Perhaps due to his inner turmoil, Xiaojiang felt an intense desire to be intimate with Wei Yuhuan that night. After dinner, they rolled together and Xiaojiang satisfied himself three times, but still felt unsatisfied.
After their passionate encounter, he lay exhausted in Wei Yuhuan’s arms, tracing his fingers over his heart.
Wei Yuhuan sensed that something was amiss and asked, “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”
“No, I’m very comfortable,” Xiaojiang replied weakly, uninterested in moving.
“Then what’s wrong? Did something happen at school that upset you?” Wei Yuhuan lowered his eyes and caught a glimpse of a rare hint of sadness in Xiaojiang’s watery eyes.
“Wei Yuhuan, do you like me?” Xiaojiang suddenly asked.
Wei Yuhuan chuckled and his chest heaved uncontrollably. “Baby, you’ve almost squeezed me dry. Do you think I like you or not?”
Xiaojiang squirmed his body up an inch, holding Wei Yuhuan’s head and licking his lips like a kitten lapping up milk. He whispered, “I like you too.”
A low moan escaped Wei Yuhuan’s throat as he deepened the kiss and let out a loving sigh.
After the kiss ended, Wei Yuhuan affectionately stroked Xiaojiang’s hair and hoarsely said, “You silly boy, why are you so unsatisfied today? Do you still want more?”
Xiaojiang hugged Wei Yuhuan tightly and gently touched his stubble with his soft lips. He murmured, “No, kisses are enough.” He didn’t want to completely drain this old man, it would be too pitiful.
Wei Yuhuan gently patted his back, like coaxing a child to sleep. Xie Xiaojiang squinted his eyes and made a comfortable sound.
Absorbing the warmth that Wei Yuhuan gave him, Xie Xiaojiang’s heart was filled. Suddenly, he felt that being defined by labels like MB, lover, or any other identity title was meaningless. Wei Yuhuan loved him, and he could feel it. That was the real fact.
After coming to this realization, Xie Xiaojiang continued to be himself. Although he was a commuter and didn’t interact much with his classmates, he cherished everything in front of him and tried to experience everything he hadn’t before. However, he didn’t forget his main goal for going to college, which was to study hard.
Other things like friendship, networking, and socializing were icing on the cake, and he didn’t mind not having them. He knew that most of what he had now was based on the conditions Wei Yuhuan created for him, and he didn’t have the ability to make friends based on his own abilities.
Apart from Zhao Yan, he was the first “genuine friend” Xie Xiaojiang recognized after starting college. Because of the conversation they had before, Xie Xiaojiang believed that Zhao Yan wouldn’t divide people into superior or inferior, and would treat him as a friend no matter if he was a dropout, a doorman, or a delivery man.
In a hurry, the first semester of freshman year came to an end with the ringing of the last exam bell. Once the exams were over, the students were on holiday and could go home for Chinese New Year. The results wouldn’t be released until after the holiday.
Students walked out of the exam room, their faces showing a relieved expression. Xie Xiaojiang was the same. Because he was afraid of not keeping up with the high-scoring students who had entered prestigious universities, he had worked hard this semester, even spending the big weekends studying finance cases with Wei Yuhuan, who he had inspired to improve himself.
During the two weeks of exam revision before the finals, Xie Xiaojiang was under immense pressure. One day, while he was reviewing the key points of “Fundamentals of Financial Economics” in the study, Wei Yuhuan, who had been ignored for several days, couldn’t resist the urge to come in and be intimate. Xie Xiaojiang exploded and kicked him out. Wei Yuhuan was left with tears in his eyes, feeling lonely and cold, and could only pray that Xie Xiaojiang’s savage phase would pass quickly.
Now that the exams were over, Xie Xiaojiang could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Just as he was wrapping his scarf around his neck, Zhao Yan caught up with him from behind and said, “Oh my god, that exam was so difficult. I’m done for. I don’t know if I’ll pass.”
Xie Xiaojiang widened his eyes and said, “Don’t scare me, I answered all the questions. Is it really that difficult?”
If it were someone else saying this, Zhao Yan would want to kick them to the end of the world! But the one who said it was Xie Xiaojiang, and after spending half a year with him, Zhao Yan knew that he wasn’t the type to show off. In fact, the comment he just made was probably genuine… Damn, that just made it even more annoying!
Zhao Yan sighed, “Congratulations, Xie Xiaojiang, you have successfully earned my resentment!”
Xie Xiaojiang was still nervously recalling the exam questions and his own answers, making sure he didn’t misunderstand the questions.
Zhao Yan said helplessly, “Forget it, let’s not talk about it. The grades won’t come out until the end of February anyway, we can discuss it after the Chinese New Year.”
As they chatted, they walked towards a small restaurant outside of campus. Xie Xiaojiang was happy after finishing the exam and wanted to treat Zhao Yan to a meal.
Zhao Yan came from a small place in Hubei and his family wasn’t well-off. He was the second child in the family, with an older sister and a younger brother. Fortunately, their parents were teachers, so even though they came from a humble background, Zhao Yan had a good upbringing and a strong moral compass.
At first, Xie Xiaojiang thought that Zhao Yan looked older and assumed he was slightly older than the other students, but it turned out that Zhao Yan was actually three years younger than him. After that, Xie Xiaojiang subconsciously treated him like a little brother.
Zhao Yan didn’t have much money each month, so Xie Xiaojiang often invited him to meals.
At the restaurant, Xie Xiaojiang ordered three dishes and a bottle of Red Star Erguotou, which cost 18 yuan, and asked if Zhao Yan wanted to have a drink with him.
Zhao Yan shook his head and said, “No, I can’t handle it. I can’t even take a sip!” He was a lightweight and couldn’t handle alcohol at all.
Xie Xiaojiang didn’t force him and asked what Zhao Yan planned to do during winter break.
“I have to share a room with my younger brother who’s about to take the high school entrance exam. He hasn’t finished school yet, so I’m planning to stay in S city for a few extra days and go to the library to study. I’ll leave when the dorms close. How about you?” Zhao Yan said.
Xie Xiaojiang said, “Wow, you’re so diligent! Take me with you! Let’s study together!”
Zhao Yan said, “Sure, let’s go to the library together. But where are you staying? Is it close to the school?”
“It’s close, at the Chunjiang Huajing Garden. It’s about a ten-minute walk from the school,” Xie Xiaojiang replied.
As they mentioned “Chunjiang Huajing Garden,” a young man at the next table suddenly looked up. Unfortunately, it was Cong Yuan.
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