There’s a saying: no discord, no concord.
But in the case of Song Cheng and Qin Wunian… well…
It didn’t seem like any saying quite fit.
After learning that Song Cheng was a first-year student at his alma mater, Qin Wunian realized he had made a mistake.
That afternoon, he had gone back to school with his classmates to play basketball. Afterward, he rushed off to meet his manager, then went to the company, then to an event venue. Only then did he realize his phone was missing. There was nothing incriminating on it, but the thought that someone—possibly a paparazzo—had stolen his phone made him furious.
Who would have thought he had simply dropped it?
Graduates were not allowed back into the school, so he had thrown on an old sports jacket to sneak in. It had been too hot while playing basketball, so he took it off—and later forgot to pick it up. After all, he had only come back for nostalgia. He probably would not return to play here again.
Knowing he was at fault, the next day at the agreed time, Qin Wunian even canceled an event at the last minute—much to his manager’s fury. Even so, he was still late.
The kid was simple—whether he was happy or not, it was written all over his face. Taking back his phone, Qin Wunian teased him, “You’re still mad, aren’t you?”
Song Cheng kept a straight face. “No.”
Qin Wunian laughed. “If you’re mad, just admit it. This was my fault anyway. How about this—whatever compensation you want, I’ll give it to you. Got a favorite celebrity? I can arrange a meeting.”
Song Cheng frowned. “I don’t follow celebrities.”
Qin Wunian nodded. “I can tell. You didn’t even recognize me.”
“…”
“So, what do you want?” he asked again, sizing him up. “At your age… do you still like toys?”
“…………”
From his expression, Qin Wunian could practically read the words idiot. After a pause, he said, “I really do want to thank you—and make it up to you. I’m your senior, after all. How about I treat you to a meal?”
Song Cheng opened his mouth to refuse. He had no interest in eating with someone like this—but just as the words were about to come out, he hesitated.
“Where?”
Qin Wunian thought for a moment. “You pick. I’m busy today—how about Saturday? If you don’t have anything in mind, I know a few places. You won’t be disappointed.”
“I don’t want to go to a restaurant.”
“…Then where do you want to eat?”
For a moment, Qin Wunian wondered if this junior wanted him to cook.
Fortunately, Song Cheng spoke again. “I don’t want to eat. Do you know XingSa Mega Player?”
Qin Wunian hesitated. “You mean the arcade on Hongguang Street?”
He nodded, pressing his lips together. When he said he didn’t want something, the words came easily. But now that he did want something, he found it hard to say.
Watching his shy expression, Qin Wunian felt an odd itch in his chest.
He had never been anyone’s “big brother” before. Looking at the younger Song Cheng, he suddenly felt like he could understand the joy of it. He nodded readily. “No problem. Saturday—”
“Thursday. I’m only free on Thursday.”
“…You’re busier than I was when I was juggling school and debuting.”
They set a time to meet again, but before they finished talking, Qin Wunian’s phone rang. He stepped aside to take the call.
Song Cheng waited patiently for a while—but soon, the class bell rang.
He turned and left.
At the same time, Qin Wunian heard the bell too. He was about to tell him to go ahead when he saw only his retreating figure—and heard him mutter under his breath:
“You made me late… rude idiot.”
“…”
Watching him jog all the way into the school gate, Qin Wunian stood there for a moment—then burst out laughing.
You can’t even insult people properly… and you call yourself polite?
In the end, Song Cheng did not get to see the arcade that day.
Because Qin Wunian showed up in formalwear.
He had clearly just come from an event—still wearing stage makeup that made him look almost strikingly sharp, even a little seductive. Driving a sports car, he kept urging Song Cheng to get in.
Under normal circumstances, he never would have.
But today was different.
For the past few days, he had been counting down the minutes. That arcade he had never seen or experienced kept rising in importance in his mind. Three hours ago, his heart had already been racing, his palms sweating.
If he could not go today—if he had to turn back now—he felt like all the momentum in him would collapse.
As if competing with himself, he got into the car.
Sitting in the air-conditioned passenger seat, the outside noise vanished. He instinctively turned his head toward Qin Wunian—only to find that Qin Wunian had been watching him all along.
With eyeliner, he looked even more unapproachable than usual. Over the past few days, Song Cheng had read through all his news since debut. At this moment, he had to admit—the internet was right.
Qin Wunian had the kind of face destined to explode into fame.
Beauty could make people unable to look away—but it could also feel aggressive, almost scorching.
But really, he just was not used to being this close to someone else.
“I don’t have clothes in the car,” Qin Wunian said. “I’ll go home first and change into something more low-key. Want to come up with me?”
Song Cheng’s eyes widened slightly. “Your place?”
“Not far—ten minutes. And I live alone.”
In the end, Qin Wunian was only eighteen. He had just gotten his driver’s license this year and had only graduated high school a few months ago. He was not thinking as much as Song Cheng.
After a brief storm of thoughts, Song Cheng nodded. “…Then I’ll come up for a bit.”
He did not misunderstand.
He could tell that Qin Wunian was simply careless with words, not a bad person.
And more than anything, he wanted to try new things.
Visiting a friend’s home… he wanted to try that too.
And that one attempt stretched across his entire high school life.