RSDH CH83.2

Signed with an abstract single character “Duan.”

Cheng Duzhou frowned. Knowing it was Duan Qiwei, his first feeling was displeasure.

No matter how polite Duan Qiwei was to him in the past, he now only considered from Duan Xingye’s standpoint. Since Duan Qiwei gave up custody after the divorce, he never came back to see Duan Xingye. If he decided not to give fatherly care anymore, he shouldn’t disturb their lives. But sending a postcard during holidays like now, the positioning was awkward, insincere, treating his biological son like a company client to maintain.

Cheng Duzhou asked: “What do you plan to do?”

Duan Xingye put the postcard in the large pocket of his coat and said: “Go in and put things down first, then accompany me to the post office.”

Cheng Duzhou didn’t understand but didn’t ask extra questions. He always respected Duan Xingye’s decisions.

The two didn’t enter the house. Putting the purchased items and letters under the porch, they walked together to the post office not far from the community.

Duan Xingye didn’t need to carry things, so he didn’t wear gloves. Both hands were stuffed in the furry pockets inside the coat, but he still felt not warm enough. Like a ball, walking and walking, he roundly pressed close to Cheng Duzhou’s side.

Cheng Duzhou glanced at him and extended a hand. Duan Xingye held it, and then was led by Cheng Duzhou into his pocket.

Obviously, this wasn’t the first time the two did this.

In winter, Duan Xingye liked holding hands. Especially since Cheng Duzhou had vigorous firepower (body heat), skin-to-skin contact was very comfortable.

Duan Xingye took a deep breath of cold air, his nose tip turning moist pink again, and said easily: “I plan to return the postcard.”

Cheng Duzhou was quiet for a moment and said: “If you don’t want it, you can just not deal with it.”

Duan Xingye shook his head, his tone adding a bit of firmness: “Have to return it. Otherwise, next year, the year after next, the year after that, there will be such postcards every year. Returning it is to state my position: I don’t need his charity of kinship.”

Inside the coat pocket, Cheng Duzhou squeezed Duan Xingye’s soft palm.

Duan Xingye stepped on the snow step by step, soles making creaking sounds: “Actually, it’s not as difficult as I imagined.”

Cheng Duzhou looked at him: “What?”

“The matter of parents divorcing.” Duan Xingye lowered his head, concentrating on stepping on the snow. His tone was very calm, his face also indifferent. “The first time I went to the law firm with them, it was sunny, but looking out through the glass of the office building, it always felt like a cloudy day. During that time, I didn’t want to go home either, feeling the house had no sound, a bit suffocating… But not anymore. If I hadn’t received this postcard today, I wouldn’t have realized I haven’t thought of them for a long time.”

Cheng Duzhou relaxed. He was afraid the appearance of the postcard would disturb Duan Xingye, but Duan Xingye was no longer troubled by his parents’ matters.

Duan Xingye didn’t know how he got better either. Anyway, knowing his grandfather would cherish him and Cheng Duzhou would accompany him, these were two things he was sure of. Over time, the uneasy heart settled down. Gradually, he understood that his parents’ divorce wasn’t his fault, and his parents’ past didn’t represent his future.

Walking and walking, Duan Xingye suddenly said: “I want to play with snow.”

The two decided to take a detour midway.

Duan Xingye put on gloves, took the umbrella and held it. Cheng Duzhou squatted by the bushes to help him collect snowballs.

Suddenly, the back of Cheng Duzhou’s neck felt icy. He shrank his shoulders in excitement and looked back.

The handful of snow Duan Xingye just grabbed was all sprinkled into his back collar. Succeeding in the prank, he ran away laughing loudly.

Cheng Duzhou’s teeth itched from being teased, but seeing Duan Xingye’s unstained smile amidst the ice and snow, that little bit of unwillingness turned into helplessness.

In the new year, he still hoped Duan Xingye would be happy every day.

Many years later, Duan Xingye asked: “Why do you wish me happy every day every year?”

Cheng Duzhou said: “Because if you are happy, you won’t torment me.”

“……”

Duan Xingye let Cheng Duzhou witness how to torment him when happy.

Entering the third year of high school, Huist students were divided into two groups: one focused on applying to foreign universities, and the other preparing for domestic college entrance exams.

Cheng Duzhou knew Duan Xingye wanted to study music and said: “You’re going abroad, right?”

According to his understanding, Jiang Siqi’s group were all going abroad.

Duan Xingye asked: “What about you?”

Cheng Duzhou lowered his head to pull the plush toy’s ears and said: “I’m going to take the Gaokao.”

Cheng Xian talked to Cheng Duzhou several times, expressing hope that he could study abroad and telling him not to consider the family.

Cheng Duzhou couldn’t help but consider. He knew the family could afford it, but it would take a quarter of the family assets. He hoped his father wouldn’t spend the money on him, but travel himself, or save for retirement, instead of lowering the family’s quality of life because of him.

Duan Xingye was different. The cost of going abroad was just a drop in the bucket for the Kan family; he could leave whenever.

The two were lying on the bed at this moment. Duan Xingye tore off a domestic map from the side table, spread it out, and said: “You choose a place, we’ll fill that in. Apply abroad for grad school.”

Achieving results and projects in undergraduate studies made applying for full scholarships easier.

Cheng Duzhou turned his head to look at Duan Xingye.

Duan Xingye tapped him with a pen: “What?”

Cheng Duzhou lowered his head, resting it on Duan Xingye’s arm.

Duan Xingye: “……”

Cheng Duzhou indeed planned to accumulate strength domestically for undergraduate studies and apply abroad for grad school. He thought this section was a journey alone, never thinking Duan Xingye would walk with him.

In the scorching August, Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye occupied the front row of Huist’s honor list and received admission notices from target universities.

Cheng Duzhou was admitted to Architecture, and Duan Xingye to Economics and Finance—he ultimately didn’t take the art exam.

In mid-September, the nineteen-year-old duo went to Beijing together for registration and military training.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye were in different colleges. After communicating with the counselor, they were arranged into a mixed dormitory.

The dormitory had four people in total. Duan Xingye had never lived with so many people growing up, nor in such a small space. Initially, he wasn’t used to it, but fortunately, Cheng Duzhou was there. Every day after military training, he could shower in the independent bathroom and go to sleep.

And Cheng Duzhou would help him wash clothes, washing them with the same scent as at home, taking over his cleaning duties, waking him up in the morning, folding his quilt into a tofu block to prevent surprise inspections, and preparing breakfast for him in advance.

The other two freshmen in the dorm watched dumbfounded. Seeing a super handsome guy like Cheng Duzhou busy front and back, over time, they inexplicably felt he had a kind of… house husband vibe.

Cheng Duzhou treated Duan Xingye too well.

The roommates asked themselves, no matter how close the relationship, they couldn’t treat a brother like this. Couldn’t help asking: “Excuse me asking… are you two biological brothers?”

Duan Xingye was sitting by the table gnawing an apple. Hearing this, he lifted his pitch-black eyes to glance at Cheng Duzhou beside him and said: “No.”

Roommate “Huh?”-ed.

Duan Xingye licked the corner of his lips: “But better than biological brothers.”

Cheng Duzhou: “……”

Roommate “Oh!”-ed, relieved, made sense.

Cheng Duzhou, who was folding clothes, threw down the clothes, a bit emotional.

Who is better than biological brothers with you?

After Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye entered the school, they were explosive existences. Their faces were outstanding even on the big screen. Even wearing uniform military attire, they still shone dazzlingly in the crowd.

Reporters from the school publicity department held cameras taking pictures among various formations all day, lingering especially long in Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye’s respective classes.

So the campus official account in those few days, because of posting photos of the two during military training, broke historical records in views.

Relying on their awesome looks, their fame spread far and wide. During training breaks, students from other departments came attracted by their reputation. Their formations practically became internet celebrity check-in spots.

When dismissed in the evening, Duan Xingye would poke Cheng Duzhou’s waist with a mineral water bottle: “Hurry up hurry up hurry up…”

Urging him to hand over his phone.

Duan Xingye would first check QQ, then WeChat. Seeing Cheng Duzhou didn’t add those students who came to ask for contact info, he returned the phone to him.

Cheng Duzhou asked: “Satisfied?”

“What satisfied or not.” Duan Xingye poked his shoulder with a finger while walking backward, saying, “Do you know how many people waste time on online chatting when just starting college? Don’t think entering college means everything is fine. Perk up; the primary task is still to study well.”

Cheng Duzhou looked at Duan Xingye’s pretentious tsundere expression under the setting sun. Warm heat suddenly surged in his heart, pursing his lips to hold back a smile.

After military training ended, the honest Cheng Duzhou suddenly remembered he wanted to see Duan Xingye’s phone. All along, Duan Xingye checked his list; he had never checked Duan Xingye’s.

“I think this is unfair.”

To show fairness, Duan Xingye gave him the phone.

Cheng Duzhou pulled out the WeChat request list, showing Duan Xingye added two hundred people in the past half month.

“……”

Cheng Duzhou turned the phone over, silently demanding an explanation.

Duan Xingye was very calm: “All connections (renmai).”

“……”

Duan Xingye had the potential of a social butterfly since childhood. He indeed added connections, but wouldn’t hold the phone to chat. He was too lazy to cope and maintain. With anyone, it was strictly business, efficient and neat.

After a period of running-in during military training, he got used to dormitory life.

But Cheng Duzhou wasn’t used to it.

Once Duan Xingye came out after showering, hair still wet, wearing a large T-shirt, pants reaching knees. A roommate playing games glanced, catching a glimpse of Duan Xingye’s calf, and exclaimed: “Holy crap! Little Duan, your legs are amazing, even better looking than girls’ legs in manga. By the way, how can your skin be so white?”

Duan Xingye’s calves were long and straight. Military training didn’t tan him; his skin was still snow-bright and clean, without losing the smoothness of milk skin. Water droplets hanging on the calf belly could undoubtedly trigger wolf howls.

Reminded, Cheng Duzhou looked over, and his face turned black instantly.

He blocked the roommate’s line of sight by a step, forced Duan Xingye to sit on the lower bunk, scooped up his ankles to put on the bed, and pulled the quilt to cover them.

After doing these, he turned to continue finding clothes.

Duan Xingye sat on the lower bunk, pitch-black upturned eyes looking up, following Cheng Duzhou’s movements. His expression always seemed to hide a smile. He seemed to understand something, suddenly his dark eyes curved, bright.

Rubbing the water droplets on his calves in the quilt with both hands, he looked at the roommate and answered the question just now: “Don’t know, born with it I guess.”

That night, Cheng Duzhou tossed and turned in the dark, searching for blackout bed curtains on Taobao with his phone.

Just because the roommate looked at Duan Xingye’s calf one more time, his mentality collapsed.

Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye were both on lower bunks, beds connected, pillow to pillow.

The weak light from opposite reached Duan Xingye’s side. He climbed up, upper body crossing the bar, lifting Cheng Duzhou’s quilt, whispering: “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Cheng Duzhou lay flat, turned off the phone, struggled for a moment, summoned his courage to reach out, hooked Duan Xingye’s neck down, and also whispered: “Let’s move out.”

Duan Xingye turned his head. The two were upside down now, very close. Both could smell the fresh shower gel fragrance. Floating leisurely underneath was the scent on each other they were more familiar with—one sweet warm white peach, one cold ocean.

Surroundings dark, Cheng Duzhou couldn’t see Duan Xingye’s expression clearly, only knowing those dark eyes were shining.

Duan Xingye whispered: “You should have studied Civil Engineering.”

“Why?”

Duan Xingye approached his ear, warm breath spraying all over sensitive skin: “Really tu (earthy/corny) and mu (wooden/dull).”

“……”

Cheng Duzhou didn’t follow the advice, remaining an Architecture student.

He had a habit of saving money since childhood, a huge sum by now. So renting wasn’t hard. Before the weekend, he rented a two-bedroom apartment close to the school. Space big enough for two, environment very tidy.

Because they were freshmen, Cheng Duzhou and Duan Xingye didn’t have much luggage temporarily. However, they both had evening classes, so the moving time was quite late that day.

Cheng Duzhou tidied up the master bedroom for Duan Xingye first. Just as he was about to tidy the second bedroom, Duan Xingye collapsed on the bed: “Forget it, tidy tomorrow weekend. Sleep first tonight.”

Cheng Duzhou didn’t fuss anymore, took a shower, and also stayed in the master bedroom to rest.

But after lying in bed, they became awake instead, face to face, big eyes staring at small eyes.

Although sleeping together since childhood, tonight was different. Couldn’t say exactly where.

Maybe because… knowing there were no others here, a space belonging completely to the two of them.

The surrounding atmosphere seemed to turn into threads, becoming strange.

Cheng Duzhou lowered his eyes. Just opening his mouth, he cleared his throat again, covering the stagnation in his throat, saying: “How about we chat?”

Duan Xingye nodded, subconsciously pursing his full rosy lips.

Cheng Duzhou’s gaze was attracted. Maybe without thinking much himself, he approached without warning.

Then the two started chatting. Without experience and tools, they chatted particularly deeply.

Since then, busy with studies while managing a shameless life, the four years of university passed busily and fulfillingly.

In sophomore year, while shopping, Duan Xingye was discovered by a talent scout.

That scout was very enthusiastic: “Hello, I’m from Shengxing Entertainment Agency. This is my card.”

He originally wanted to recruit Duan Xingye as a god-tier visual idol, but as soon as Duan Xingye spoke, he was attracted by that unique voice, hurriedly asking: “Can you sing?”

Duan Xingye nodded.

The scout said: “Can you find time to come to our company for an audition?”

Duan Xingye returned the card, waving his hand: “Sorry, I’m not interested.”

Leaving the scout standing on the street with a disappointed face.

After returning home, Duan Xingye chatted with Cheng Duzhou about this.

“Don’t you like music?” Cheng Duzhou asked. “Why not try?”

Although they hadn’t talked about it, Cheng Duzhou knew Duan Xingye gave up the art exam to accompany him through undergraduate studies.

Duan Xingye thought for a moment and said: “Liking music doesn’t mean having to be a singer. Music is an art, a life experience. Studying finance doesn’t affect me writing good songs, nor does it affect me singing.”

Cheng Duzhou squatted in front of Duan Xingye, holding his hand and kissing it: “I only hope you can do what you like, not owing your life experience because of me.”

“Because of you? You wish. It’s good now, and you know,” Duan Xingye said, “I don’t like the entertainment industry; too noisy.”

“Mn, indeed.”

However, in another world, another time and space.

Eighteen-year-old Cheng Duzhou gave up Architecture, took the art exam, wanting to become a box-office movie actor.

Twenty-one-year-old Duan Xingye turned on the TV and saw Cheng Duzhou on the screen.

The man had grown handsome and mature, emerging in the film industry.

At that time, he and Cheng Duzhou hadn’t seen each other for four years. Duan Xingye was too proud to call, but he finally participated in a music variety show talent selection, step by step, approaching the circle where Cheng Duzhou was.

—”No matter in which world, which time and space, I will tidy myself up and walk towards you calmly.”

—”My dear, me too.”

[Question: What is the most awesome person you have seen in reality like?]

[Anonymous User:]

I have a say in this! Nominating my mentor. He is the most awesome person I have ever seen, bar none!

Declaring in advance, this is not a novel.

My mentor is twenty-seven this year, already granted a professorship. He graduated from the Royal College of Music in the UK with a master’s degree. You might say this is nothing, but he cross-majored from Finance at a TOP domestic university! Awesome or not! His lyrics even won top international awards. Really giving no way out for people in the major!

My mentor just returned from abroad at the beginning of the year with his husband. Yes, my mentor is married, to the same sex. All the girls in our group cried to death. But his husband is also very awesome; press pause on that for now.

Still remember the first time meeting my mentor. Without exaggeration, us three girls were dizzy from beauty. Really beautiful. He, a man, has that kind of very fairy and spiritual look. And skin super good, looking much younger than actual age. Defying heavens. First teacher-student meeting, we stared at his face the whole time, like bewitched, didn’t know what he said. (But missed tasks because of this and got scolded later. His character is not vague at all, very strict.) So my mentor is the kind of person with awesome looks.

He and his husband were college classmates. Strictly speaking, childhood sweethearts, same class in kindergarten kind. (Smell the scent of fairy-tale love yet!) My mentor studied Finance in undergrad, right? Wide connections. Dragged his husband to start investing and managing finances from freshman year. By senior year, the tuition for both to study abroad was earned, and much more. So four years abroad, they didn’t ask family for a penny, and lived very freely. My mentor’s financial management ability is just awesome.

Although he is good at making money, besides his job at the music academy, he also plays the violin, writes lyrics and composes. Taking out any casually is professional level. But miraculously, there is no scent of materialism on him. Can only say fairy man is indeed fairy man. A sentence he often says to us is “Life is an experience.” So it’s easy to calm down around him, a sense of reality living in the moment. His mentality is very awesome. (But still have to involute/rat race out of his office TAT. Can’t learn from the boss; after all, boss has money, looks, talent, and a husband who spoils him to the sky.)

Finally speaking of the part I think is most awesome, his love with his husband.

Introducing his husband’s background. Same age as him, standard configuration of childhood sweethearts. Is an architect, already opened an architectural design company as a partner, also a boss. Won international awards during undergraduate studies. Let’s give him a code name “CEO.” (CEO from CEO novels shining into reality.)

CEO is very handsome, not ordinarily handsome. Over 1.9 meters. Standing with my mentor, there’s a height difference. People around howl and ship randomly. Saying something without fear of being scolded, I haven’t seen stars better looking than them. Natural beauty kind. It’s really a pity they didn’t go to the entertainment industry. Entertainment industry’s loss.

Recalling the first time seeing CEO, he high-profiledly drove a Bugatti and parked at the school gate—waiting for my mentor to get off work.

Then caused congestion, got scolded by my mentor. Orz

You absolutely can’t imagine, a huge Alpha domineering CEO, super well-behaved when scolded. Made me dumbfounded.

Heard they have been married for four years, but very ritualistic. Rings never leave hands. And during the work week, fixed Thursday dates.

My mentor set rules with students under him in advance. One, do not disturb after work. Two, do not disturb after work. Three, refuse to discuss papers half an hour before getting off work on Thursday. Afraid of being late for the date.

He is highly efficient during the day, so he opposes overtime very much.

However, last end of term, the academy wanted data, pressing very hard, requiring all teachers to grade papers for a theory course that day and submit summarized scores.

That day happened to be Thursday. My mentor exploded. Couldn’t leave because his leaving would affect the whole academy’s summary result. So he cursed the leaders in the office. His voice is very bright and penetrating, could be heard through the door. I was there too. Just happened that the academy leader passed by the window, looked into the office, and walked away.

That expression made me laugh to death; flesh on cheeks twitching. Unforgettable to this day. But he dared not do anything to my mentor because the academy relied on my mentor to publish, and my mentor has wide connections, a hot cake everywhere.

This is the cause.

After cursing, my mentor still had to grade papers and work. He called CEO, saying date canceled today. At first, tone very strict, allowing no rebuttal. Maybe CEO wasn’t happy there. Then my mentor’s voice gradually became small. Finally covering the microphone, whispering. Occasionally a few words drifted over. His southern accent, very soft, like coaxing a child.

I was lying on the coffee table in the office then, using a laptop to help him with work, pinching my thigh green to stop myself from revealing an auntie smile.

I thought this matter ended here. But less than half an hour later, CEO arrived, bringing packed exquisite big meal.

I was lucky that day to have dinner with them.

CEO looks high and cold, actually very approachable. Even asked about my employment status, telling me to find mentor if I can’t find a job. Then my mentor glared at him but didn’t mean to refuse me. Wuwuwu, eating with them is super happy. They look like celestial beings but have no airs at all, like two big brothers.

And I found that although CEO has a cold face, whenever my mentor speaks or talks about my mentor’s matters, there will be sparkling smiles in his eyes. Silent, calm kind. I banged my head shipping again.

My mentor grades papers a bit slowly; he’s the type to read every word. Later it was eight o’clock. I said goodbye and left. CEO was still waiting for my mentor then.

At nine o’clock, I passed under the academy building returning to the dorm. Seeing the light in that second-floor window still on, wanted to detour to take a look.

Passing by the window, I found the person sitting behind the desk had become CEO, grading papers seriously.

Then where is my mentor?

My mentor was sitting in CEO’s arms, leaning on his chest sleeping, covered with CEO’s coat. That face felt even smaller. He slept very peacefully.

I can’t describe that feeling. Used to seeing the chaotic marriages of elders and peers, everyone seems to be complaining about injustice, poor communication. I don’t think marriage is beautiful, but my mentor and CEO gave me a different answer.

My mentor and CEO’s marriage is awesome. More accurately, their way of managing love is awesome. Not a conclusion drawn from eating a meal with them, but just looking at the state of the two. Whenever you see them, they are in a state nourished by an intimate relationship.

As individuals, the two may not be perfect. But when they are together, souls must fit exactly, tightly snapped together. Just like how my mentor looked sleeping in CEO’s arms. One body became the puzzle piece of the other body; they are so inseparable.

Comment Section:

“Wuwuwu! Fairy-tale love! Showed off right in my face!”

“Don’t believe, unless you post photos!”

“Hurry up and start VIP (charging); don’t use novels to deceive people. I’d rather spend money than believe it’s true.”

“Watching two excellent people fall in love is so cool.”

“Recommending a Weibo to everyone. A real couple in reality, similar to this, musician x architect. Very sweet @Night Crossing Star River (Ye Du Xing He).”

Some users saw the recommendation, rushed to Weibo (Big Eye Boy), and searched the username.

Under that Weibo, the latest post was a photo released last week.

Night Crossing Star River:

Two felines in my house.

One is a three-year-old kitten, one is my kitten.

The tone of the photo was very comfortable. In the blurred background were large patches of green plants. A man sat in a recliner, the angle taken from his side-back. He held a cat in his arms. That cat leaned against his neck. Because the focus was on the cat, the man’s face was also blurred, but one could see snow-white skin, smooth facial contours. Head slightly tilted, eye corner slightly upturned, eyelashes very long. A beauty.

Looking at the cat in the center of the photo again. Three faint stripes on the forehead, but a small tuft of gray-brown fur under the nose.

Sigh, looks like a matchmaker.