Cen Chi glanced at his watch and said to Chi Zhan, “It’s time. I have to visit my teacher now. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again tonight.”
There was something subtly suggestive hidden in his words.
Chi Zhan didn’t overthink it. He simply nodded and turned to gaze out the window. Outside, the snowstorm had passed. Sunlight spilled through gaps in the lingering clouds, bathing the once-chilled town in warmth. Locals had already come out to set up their street stalls, and the group decided to head out for a stroll.
Most of the stalls were selling local delicacies or handmade crafts. Chen Che and Wen An walked side by side, Chen Che glancing back now and then. Wen An quipped, “You look like a total creep right now.”
Chen Che threw up his hands, exasperated.
“I still can’t believe it! Captain Qi’s boyfriend is actually Secretary Chi? In my head, they’d never even met before! That one time during the last trip doesn’t count!”
Wen An didn’t hold back.
“You were the only one who didn’t see it.”
“To Seven, Secretary Chi is someone special.”
“As for why… only he knows.” Wen An patted Chen Che’s shoulder. “You really are straight as a board. It’s obvious now.”
“……”
But how come it felt like Secretary Chi was even straighter than he was?
Even though he and Captain Qi looked good together, Secretary Chi seemed to regard Qi Song with little more than admiration. If anything, it felt more like Captain Qi was the one doing the chasing…
Chi Zhan had already eaten some snacks earlier, so he wasn’t too hungry now. But for everyone else, it was just an appetizer—they rushed toward the food stalls like a tidal wave.
Chu Xingxiao walked silently beside Chi Zhan, hands stuffed in his pockets, face blank. Chi Zhan glanced at him a few times. Seeing his dazed expression, he asked, “Didn’t sleep well? Want to head back to the inn?”
Chi Zhan was a little worried about him. They’d spent most of yesterday cooped up on the bus, and then played games until late into the night. Chi Zhan couldn’t even remember when he fell asleep. They’d been pulled out early this morning for more activities—anyone would be wiped out by now.
Chu Xingxiao blinked and, instead of answering, asked softly, “Gege, you’re not mad at me?”
Chi Zhan blinked in surprise.
“Why would I be mad?”
“Because I…”
Chu Xingxiao cut himself off. He seemed to realize something was off about Chi Zhan’s response—but Chi Zhan’s expression was so calm, it didn’t look faked.
Wouldn’t someone normally be angry after hearing him say he “liked his cousin’s boyfriend,” and even deliberately hiding the fact that he was Qi Song’s cousin?
Chu Xingxiao felt something wasn’t adding up. Maybe it was just sleep deprivation messing with his head. He’d lost the battle with Zhou Yanxing last night and slept terribly. His brain was still foggy this morning.
“I’m gonna head back and nap. See you tonight.”
Chi Zhan nodded. A few others were planning to return to the inn as well, so they left together with Chu Xingxiao.
Once Chu Xingxiao was gone, only Qi Song remained at Chi Zhan’s side.
“Is your injury better?”
Chi Zhan gave a quiet “Mm.” It was much better now. But then he frowned slightly.
“Wait, when did I ever tell you I was injured?”
Qi Song’s lips curved into a faint smile—but it vanished almost immediately.
“You told me. You just forgot.”
It had been quite a few days ago, and Chi Zhan genuinely couldn’t remember.
“Chu Xingxiao seems to like you a lot. He almost never addresses someone that intimately.”
Chi Zhan paused.
“Really?”
He couldn’t recall why Chu Xingxiao started calling him gege. Maybe because he was older, and had helped him out once—enough to make Chu Xingxiao develop a sort of natural dependence.
Chi Zhan decided to probe a bit.
“Do you know if he’s into anyone?”
Qi Song said coolly, “With that push-and-pull personality of his, even if he did like someone, he’d end up getting rejected.”
It was the first time Chi Zhan had heard anyone describe him that way, and he found it unexpectedly amusing.
“I think his personality’s fine. A bit clingy, maybe, but he doesn’t seem to talk much with people his own age.”
Every time Chi Zhan saw him at work, the guy was either dozing off in a classroom, zoning out by himself, or eating solo in the cafeteria—always with that aloof, untouchable look.
“Probably because no one wants to talk to him. But I’ve never seen him act clingy before.”
His gaze shifted toward a nearby shop selling handmade trinkets. Inside the glass case were pendants of various sizes—jade, jadeite, bracelets, and more.
He seemed particularly interested in that store.
They walked in together. The shop owner was watching a drama on their laptop and called out lazily, “All high-quality jade here. Handsome, are you buying for yourself or someone else? It’d make a great gift for a partner too.”
Chi Zhan knew nothing about jade, but Qi Song examined the display seriously. After a moment, he tapped the glass and said, “I’d like to see this one.”
“Sure thing.” The shopkeeper readily pulled it out. “You’ve got a good eye. This one’s the best piece we have.”
It was a round jade pendant threaded with a red cord, faintly carved with intricate patterns. Its surface glowed with a soft, translucent luster and hints of green. Beside it was a small red bean charm—said to ward off evil.
Qi Song rubbed the jade between his fingers, lost in thought. Chi Zhan figured he was probably picking out some gifts for family, so he didn’t interrupt and wandered the store by himself.
There was quite a variety, and most of the pieces had meaningful symbolism. Maybe he should get a few to bring back as gifts for friends. Once the idea struck, it was hard to stop.
He picked out a piece shaped like bamboo to give to Tao Ran—wishing him continuous growth and success. Then… should he get one for Zhou Yanxing too? Just so he’d stop complaining about never receiving a gift.
But knowing how picky Zhou Yanxing was, would he even appreciate something from a humble little shop like this? After a long while of browsing, Chi Zhan finally settled on a jadeite pendant carved with a landscape motif. It felt cool to the touch but was surprisingly smooth—very comforting. And then… one for Doctor Cen too. He’d helped him a lot. For him, Chi Zhan picked a simple safety charm, which seemed fitting for someone so Zen.
Finally, he had to get one for Chu Xingxiao as well. Thinking of the tattoo on his wrist, Chi Zhan chose a butterfly-shaped jade pendant.
