“Single-status celebration dinners” aren’t a one-person-per-time thing. Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie stayed single all the way to graduation, while Qi Xu and Xie Huai held theirs nearly once per semester.
No particular reason—Xie Huai simply enjoyed it, almost addicted to the ritual, using it as a way to publicly announce his relationship with Qi Xu. Their dorm neighbors were lucky enough to attend one such dinner.
Everyone sat down without fully understanding why, only realizing halfway through that the purpose of the meal was to celebrate Qi Xu and Xie Huai officially becoming a couple.
Qi Xu, still picking shrimp shells for Xie Huai, heard the familiar words again: “Qi Xu and I are no longer single. This meal is a single-status celebration.”
The neighbors applauded sincerely, with some even jokingly requesting wedding invitations when they got married after graduation.
The conversation drifted, soon turning to how much money one should give as a wedding gift.
As their brothers, Xie Huai and Qi Xu would treat everyone equally, though the actual amount would depend on how well their friends fared after graduation.
At this point, Xie Huai generously quipped: “Just one gift is enough.”
Except for Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie, no one else quite understood. Someone joked, “What, are you holding both weddings in the same hall on the same day? Even if you’re brothers, that’s two weddings—we’ll have to tighten our belts and give two gifts.”
Qi Xu vaguely realized the purpose behind Xie Huai organizing this dinner before graduation.
In the past two years, Xie Huai had barely managed to keep their relationship under wraps, largely because Qi Xu didn’t want to reveal they were a couple too early.
They focused on student life, not caring about gossip, but spending most of their time on campus, avoiding unnecessary attention to live more freely.
By junior and senior year, internships gradually reduced their time at school. Plus, under Xie Huai’s management, Luozi had developed rapidly over four years. The gambling agreement was nearing its conclusion.
The elders of the Qin and Xie families had turned a blind eye. The four years of ups and downs—the quarrels, fights, hospital visits, emotional reasoning—couldn’t break them. They were inseparable, their bond visible to all.
Xie Huai would seriously ask Qi Xu in bed when he would give him an official status.
Every time, Qi Xu nearly fainted, too flustered to respond. Xie Huai asked again and again, either out of obsession or simple enjoyment of Qi Xu’s exasperated expressions.
From cautious testing, Xie Huai had now stopped hiding anything.
“One invitation. The wedding hosts are Qi Xu and me.”
Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie calmly helped each other with crab legs, appreciating the rich roe and tender meat.
The neighbors, however, were jaw-dropped, still processing the news. They weren’t as quick to accept it, their smiles tinged with awkwardness.
Not everyone could accept homosexuality easily.
As more dishes arrived, and the hotpot heated up, the topic of invitations passed. Conversation flowed freely, laughter replacing the earlier discomfort.
After all, being gay simply meant two people who liked each other were together—and Xie Huai and Qi Xu looked quite attractive standing side by side.
The gathering ended. With graduation a few days away, they took a few days off school, waving goodbye to friends shoulder-to-shoulder.
Qi Xu and Xie Huai returned home, parking nearby. Qi Xu suggested a walk in the park to let their clothes air out.
Near the shopping area was an artificial lake park. It was post-dinner, and nearby residents were out strolling.
A light summer breeze made them squint and savor the moment.
At the park entrance were stalls selling glowing toys beloved by children: luminous balloons, moving light-up wings, bouncy balls that glowed while flying.
Families with children had stopped to browse. The kids clamored for them, but parents generally refused—the toys were pricey and impractical.
Qi Xu glanced at the noise, and Xie Huai asked, “Want one?”
Qi Xu smiled: “You buy it for me.”
Xie Huai led him to the stall, giving him free rein to choose, joking generously: “Get them all.”
Qi Xu teased him: “Why so many? Planning to sleep hugging them?”
Xie Huai relented, letting the vendor hand down a single blue balloon.
Qi Xu didn’t really want it—having lived two lifetimes, he’d never touched such childish things—but he took it anyway, comforted by Xie Huai’s company.
At twenty-two, a little childishness wasn’t a problem, especially with someone by your side.
Amid envious children’s eyes, Qi Xu received his first glowing balloon.
Inside the park, the balloon glowed blue among a kaleidoscope of lights. Passersby glanced curiously. Qi Xu walked a bit, then handed it to Xie Huai.
Qi Xu sensed Xie Huai’s cheerful mood intuitively, for no reason other than feeling it.
“I’ll get you wings next, so you can feel like you’re flying,” Qi Xu teased.
Xie Huai caught the joke, holding the balloon in one hand, Qi Xu’s hand in the other: “If I fly, I’ll take you with me. We’re not about to be two birds in different trees, flying away at the first danger.”
Qi Xu laughed: “Your metaphors aren’t that great…”
Then he realized Xie Huai had cleverly given himself an official status: “Wait, you just gave yourself a title?”
Xie Huai shook Qi Xu’s hand: “Titles are given by oneself. If you don’t give me one, I’ll take it myself.”
He looked mockingly aggrieved.
Qi Xu raised an eyebrow: “Weren’t you supposed to chase me your whole life? Done chasing so soon?”
Xie Huai replied: “As your boyfriend, I’ve chased enough. After graduation, I’ll chase in other ways.”
Xie Huai no longer bothered to hide his possessiveness, perhaps influenced by fragments of past dreams.
Qi Xu rarely mentioned their past life, preferring to focus on the present and the new life.
“Not graduated yet, planning to force the issue?”
“Just a few days. I can wait.” Xie Huai turned to Qi Xu, who looked back. “I can’t exactly drag you abroad to register our marriage.”
Qi Xu snorted: “Sounds nice. You’ve done that before.”
Xie Huai feigned forgetfulness: “Really? No memory. Tonight, you’ll have to guide me to relive it.”
Qi Xu: “……”
Back home, Xie Huai was shooed away, taking the balloon to his room.
Late at night, he abandoned the balloon and snuck into Qi Xu’s room. Qi Xu woke, kicked him a few times, and after some playful fighting, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
On graduation day, it was the last early class at school—afterward, early mornings would be for work.
Everyone dressed in gowns, fussing with caps and gowns. Even though they’d worn them for graduation photos before, chaos still reigned: caps wouldn’t sit right, hair styles fell apart, cries of frustration mixed in.
Qi Xu used the dorm’s only mirror to fix himself; Xie Huai adjusted his collar.
Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie, slightly envious, helped each other. Li Yan exclaimed: “Let go, I can’t breathe!”
Feng Zhenjie, tying his tie, immediately complied to avoid roommate murder on graduation day.
Qi Xu helped them tie ties. Li Yan, impressed: “My dad never did this for me. Qi-ge, you’re my honorary father.”
Qi Xu grinned: “On graduation day, that honorary father title is worth it.”
The ceremony was fast-paced: speeches, awards, degree conferral, student representatives’ addresses.
Qi Xu heard the school anthem again after eight years, still unable to sing, yet deeply touched.
During the break, a girlfriend in the front row waved for photos; the back row boys, including Qi Xu and Xie Huai, joined.
They weren’t ready, but the photo was snapped. Someone commented: “Huai-ge and Qi-ge look on a different layer than us.”
Qi Xu laughed: “We’re from another dimension?”
Xie Huai added: “Maybe we’re just too handsome.”
Everyone groaned, unable to argue—indeed, breathtakingly handsome.
Qi Xu and Xie Huai shared a quiet smile, savoring the four years on campus. Most importantly, the person beside them on the first day of school remained there four years later.
With fireworks and confetti, their university life ended.
They would continue with graduate studies at the same school, meaning another graduation ceremony awaited.
Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie stayed in the capital; fortunate for them, dorm 314 was in the same city, making reunions easier.
During the group photo, dorm 314 had previously taken one together. At that time, parting was still far off, and the mood wasn’t so heavy.
Now, under Li Yan’s organization, another photo was taken. Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie struck wild poses, while Qi Xu and Xie Huai, accustomed to public events, smiled calmly.
Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie complained: “Last time… not really last, maybe at your wedding… can we have some passion this time?”
Xie Huai obliged immediately, much to Qi Xu’s surprise.
During the photo, Xie Huai wrapped one arm around Qi Xu’s waist and kissed him.
The neighboring dorm, taking the photo, couldn’t contain themselves.
The kiss was brief; everyone returned to their tasks, only a few witnessed it.
Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie scolded them.
Xie Huai countered: “You wanted passion—wasn’t that enough?”
Qi Xu laughed helplessly at his shamelessness.
From then on, Li Yan and Feng Zhenjie’s photo obsession ended, leaving the spotlight to the couple.
Qi Xu and Xie Huai stood side by side, holding bouquets in sunlight, shadows dancing across flowers.
Xie Huai touched Qi Xu’s hand, drawing out the word: “Happy graduation.”
Rarely did Xie Huai sound so playful.
Qi Xu smiled back: “Happy graduation.”
The shutter clicked, capturing their hands intertwined—youth frozen, time paused, happiness preserved.
Their bright future was just beginning.
Author’s note:
Pretty passionate, indeed.
