AD Chapter 22

That night, a video titled “Rich Young Master Racing Luxury Cars in the Middle of the Night” went viral in the local trending section.

Far away in a remote mountain area where even birds wouldn’t fly, Xu Qingluo, after climbing half a mountain with the team, finally got a signal. As soon as he connected to the network, he saw this video pop up.

In the video, three sports cars sped past Jinyue Avenue. Turning up the volume, he could vaguely hear a fleeting voice shouting, “Slow down!!!”

Xu Qingluo didn’t think much of it at first and was about to scroll past the video, but then something caught his attention. He furrowed his brows and dragged the progress bar back to the beginning of the video.

“Slow down!!!”

He set the video to 0.8x speed and listened again.

“Slow, down, please!”

His companion, who was about the same age as him, and both were brought along by their elders, asked curiously, “A-Luo, what are you doing?”

Xu Qingluo put on a serious face. “Shh, I’m thinking.”

The voice in the video was unmistakably familiar. However, in his memory, that person didn’t know any wealthy young masters in Yunshan, nor would they be out racing cars in the middle of the night. It was very likely that he had mistaken the person.

But the voice was so distinctive, even if it cracked, he would still recognize it.

Everything must be based on evidence. Xu Qingluo seriously set the video to 0.5x speed and listened to it again from the beginning.

“Slow—down—”

Well, now not only could he hear it clearly, but he even saw a familiar profile in one of the frames. Xu Qingluo was shocked and immediately took a screenshot to send to Shen Du: “Brother Shen! Is this you? How did you get into someone else’s phone? The man next to you looks a bit familiar!”

“Damn! You’re hiding a dog behind my back, who are you fooling around with?”

“You liar!”

As the car slowed down, Shen Du couldn’t wait to cover his mouth with a tissue, trying to dry heave. Fortunately, it was just psychological; he couldn’t throw up.

Damn, he almost couldn’t breathe earlier!

“But wasn’t it exciting?” Qin Yi smiled casually, “How does it feel when your heart races?”

Behind them, Fang Zhaoyi and Zheng Qing’s car, which had been pulled a certain distance away, caught up with them as Qin Yi slowed down. In the time it took to say a few words, those two had already caught up.

Qin Yi turned his head, wanting to say something more, but when he saw the pale face of the boy, he suddenly calmed down.

“Sorry.”

He unexpectedly said this.

Shen Du, who had been sulking: “…………”

It was like a balloon with no air left, the pent-up frustration inside him suddenly dissipated, and he had nowhere to vent.

“What are you doing?” he said irritably.

Why was he suddenly acting so weird? Normally, he would tease him, but he had never apologized before. Why was he being so sudden today? This didn’t seem like his style.

Qin Yi sighed and said, “I was just a little too happy.”

Happy to the point of losing control.

He was passionate about anything that brought intense sensory stimulation. Perhaps the night had been so wonderful that he had indulged a bit, gone overboard, and forgotten that a timid, sensitive little kid was sitting next to him.

“What are you so happy about?” Shen Du was confused.

Happy that you got into my car.

After asking, “Are you willing to put your life in my hands?” and the other person still got in his car, even though it was a joke, didn’t that at least show that, in Shen Du’s heart, he was trustworthy?

But it seemed like he had betrayed that trust.

“I won’t do it again,” Qin Yi said. “I won’t make you try things you don’t like next time.”

Shen Du: “…”

So, this is slapping me and then giving me a candy?

Where was this earlier?

The sensation of a racing heart after speeding wasn’t pleasant; he kept feeling like his heart was about to jump out of his chest.

“Actually, I wasn’t that scared,” after a long while, he finally managed to say.

Although he liked to act tough, he had to admit that he was indeed scared. This was purely physiological—once exposed to those stimulating activities, his body would react with fear first. Racing heart, rapid breathing, restlessness—yet this didn’t mean his mind was scared.

What truly scared him was Qin Yi earlier.

That kind of manic state made him feel like Qin Yi had become a different person.

He had thought that after spending so many days together, he understood the person in front of him, but in that moment, it was clearly still Qin Yi.

Serious, steady, and always teasing him… scenes kept flashing in his mind.

He was starting to get confused.

In a daze, he felt like there was a finely woven net in front of him, each grid containing a different Qin Yi. Inside, many things were pulling at him, but he vaguely sensed that if he stepped into it, he would never get out.

A bit of fear, but also… a bit of anticipation.

“Shen Du,” Qin Yi interrupted his thoughts.

“What?”

“Look outside.”

They had already driven halfway up the mountain, and the view from the convertible was great. The mountain road was winding and steep, and below, the lights of the city painted the shape of the town in the night.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Qin Yi asked him.

“Do you like Yunshan?”

Had he ever thought about whether he liked Yunshan? Shen Du had only been here for two years, not long, not short, but not enough to feel a sense of belonging to the city.

But if he said he didn’t like it… He turned his head and saw Qin Yi’s profile, illuminated by the streetlights, and hesitated. “…I guess, I do.”

“Really?” Qin Yi chuckled lightly. “Then stay here.”

Two hours later, when Shen Du saw Xu Qingluo’s message, he was still surprised. Qin Yi had just dropped him off. When he saw the content, he was stunned. Seriously, why is there surveillance everywhere? Can’t they just tear it down?!

He was walking on a dark road, kicking small stones as he spoke. “Although I won’t admit that you said I was fooling around with someone, there’s one thing you’re right about, that person is indeed a dog.”

Xu Qingluo replied quickly this time.

“No, brother, the more I look at that guy, the more he looks like the tattoo shop owner, what’s his name again?”

Xu Qingluo also sent a voice message, and Shen Du was surprised he still had internet: “No, you don’t even remember his name, and you wanted to chase him?”

“I’m back in the city with the volunteer team, staying for the night. I took a nice, hot shower and now I’m lying in bed, it’s so refreshing.” Xu Qingluo was wearing a face mask, a gift from a companion he met late in life. The UV rays here are strong, and the wind and sand make the skin very prone to dehydration.

That companion had originally bought it to give to their crush, but after being rejected, it was a waste to throw it away, so Xu Qingluo casually accepted it.

“When did I say I wanted to chase him? I only said I liked him, don’t spread rumors,” Xu Qingluo drawled, “Oh, I remember now, that handsome shopkeeper’s name is Qin Ge, right?”

“Calling you illiterate is no joke, why not call him Tai Ge?” Shen Du really wanted to fly over and pinch his eyelids.

In the voice message, Xu Qingluo laughed nonstop for 8 seconds, all of which were spent laughing.

Shen: “…”

After a moment, Xu Qingluo called. As soon as Shen Du picked up, he heard him still laughing. At first, Shen Du found it quite annoying, but then, for some reason, he ended up laughing too, both of them acting like fools.

“What’s so funny? There’s nothing that funny.”

“I don’t know, gegege, when I heard you call that handsome guy ‘Tai Ge,’ I just wanted to laugh.”

“You’re crazy.” Shen Du said, annoyed. “You got it wrong, his name isn’t Tai Ge, and it’s not Qin Ge either.”

Xu Qingluo: “Then what is it?”

“Qin Yi.” Shen Du said without thinking.

After saying that, he paused for a moment. Instinctively, he looked back, but there was no one there.

Xu Qingluo started laughing again: “Brother Shen, I feel like you and your landlord have gotten along pretty well these days in Yunshan.”

Xu Qingluo still didn’t know that Shen Du had been working at the tattoo shop.

Shen Du didn’t expect him to bring it up: “What do you mean?”

“You mentioned this handsome shop owner last time when we talked, and you weren’t like this.” Xu Qingluo lay on the hotel bed, feeling very comfortable.

Shen Du was confused: “What do you mean?”

“You know, the way you talked about him last time, saying he was gay and you were worried he might have feelings for you. He accidentally touched you, and you freaked out.”

Shen Du reflexively retorted: “I didn’t freak out…”

“This is just a metaphor, do you understand? Let me finish first,” Xu Qingluo said. “When we talked last time, you were so worked up and didn’t want to see him. But this time, you didn’t say anything bad about him and even got mad at me for getting his name wrong.”

It wasn’t that he was mad about Xu Qingluo getting the name wrong.

Also, he did call that guy a dog, okay? Shen Du was speechless.

Xu Qingluo shouted on the phone: “I was just joking, didn’t you get it?”

Shen Du: “…”

He really didn’t get it.

“Uh-oh, looks like you really do have a dog outside, you can’t even understand my jokes anymore.” Xu Qingluo peeled off his face mask and got up from the bed. “I have to talk to my grandpa and see if I can go back early.”

He was worried about his position in Shen Du’s heart.

After washing his face, Xu Qingluo saw the phone screen still on, the call hadn’t ended yet. He wiped his hands and said, “Brother Shen?”

“Ah.” Shen Du’s voice came from the phone, and as expected, the call hadn’t been hung up yet.

“What’s up?”

“Nothing. It’s just…” Shen Du hesitated for a moment, then said, “Do you really think I’m different now?”

Xu Qingluo didn’t understand what he meant: “What’s different? You’re still you.”

“No, I mean, my attitude towards Qin Yi.”

“Oh, you mean this.” Xu Qingluo finally understood, saying, “It is different. You didn’t talk about him like this before.”

Xu Qingluo laughed: “Shen Ge, don’t you realize? You’re not afraid of him anymore.”

“You’re not afraid of him anymore.”

Xu Qingluo’s words struck Shen Du like a hammer, waking him up as if from a dream.

The temperature in Yunshan was just right tonight. Shen Du turned off the air conditioning and opened the bedroom window. The curtains fluttered in the wind, and moonlight poured into the room like silver threads.

Shen Du lay on his side in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

It was all Xu Qingluo’s fault! Making him overthink!

The next morning, as the first light of dawn broke, the frisbee alarm clock rang. Shen Du felt like he had just fallen asleep. He moved, hiding under the covers, trying to cover his ears with his hands.

The alarm kept ringing, driving him mad. Shen Du suddenly sat up, his face red from the pressure, his pajama collar drooping to his chest, and his hair a mess.

“Eeek—ah~ clank! Boom~~”

The alarm had reached its highest level, sounding like a chaotic scene from “Journey to the West.” Shen Du felt like it was putting on a big show for him.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to get up, but his state felt off.

Very off.

Shen Du threw off the covers and looked down, expressionless, before pulling the covers back up.

By the time he had gotten ready, half an hour had passed. He knocked on room 1602’s door, dripping with moisture.

“Did you sleep in today?”

Qin Yi opened the door, and the fresh scent of oranges hit him. He recognized the smell—it was Shen Du’s body wash.

First thing in the morning, and he smelled like this… Qin Yi took a step back, breathing more lightly.

Shen Du wasn’t one to usually shower in the morning, but if he hadn’t taken his time today, he wouldn’t have…

Thinking about it made him feel a bit guilty and awkward. When he saw Qin Yi step back, his heart skipped a beat: “What’s wrong? Did you smell something weird?”

There was nothing weird about the smell.

It was just that Shen Du smelled like a sweet orange today…

Normally, Qin Yi would have made a joke, but this morning was too sensitive. He couldn’t say anything, or it might lead to an awkward situation.

It wasn’t the right time.

“I didn’t smell anything weird,” Qin Yi said. “Did you?”

Shen Du froze for a moment, then quickly replied, “No, I didn’t.”

“Exactly, nothing weird.”

The two of them were talking past each other. Qin Yi coughed and motioned for him to come in. Shen Du noticed that Qin Yi was wearing the same black tank top from last time.

He casually glanced over and thought, “Damn, this guy’s body has gotten even better.”

“You sit first, I’ll go change.”

Qin Yi quickly said that and went back to his room.

Shen Du felt awkward, though he didn’t really know what he was embarrassed about. This morning, they had Cantonese dim sum. Shen Du liked char siu bao and shrimp dumplings, and he could easily eat a bunch.

Qin Yi came out wearing loose pants, still in the same tank top. As he passed the dining table, Shen Du caught a whiff of fragrance and couldn’t help but look at him a few more times.

“Do I have something on my face?” Qin Yi poured two cups of tea.

Shen Du took a sip. It was the same Maojian tea from last time. After finishing, he couldn’t stop looking at him. Qin Yi, noticing, lost his patience: “Just say what you want to say.”

Shen Du thought for a moment but couldn’t resist asking, “Did you spray perfume?”

“Is that all you’re asking?”

The guy nodded.

Qin Yi paused.

…He thought he had been caught, and while he felt a bit relieved, there was also a tinge of regret. “I didn’t spray any perfume.”

Shen Du felt like he was expecting something. “But I think I smell something.”

Not as fragrant as you.

Qin Yi didn’t respond directly and casually said, “Hmm, does it smell good?”

“…” Shen Du silently took a sip of tea, then said, “It smells pretty good.”

Qin Yi was a bit surprised that Shen Du actually responded to his comment. Usually, at this point, Shen Du would be flustered.

He looked up, wanting to see what was going on, but found that Shen Du had almost buried his head in the bowl.

Qin Yi: “.”

“Shen Du,” he called.

The guy didn’t respond.

He continued, “You’re holding your chopsticks wrong.”

“…”

Two days later, Niao Niao started taking Shen Du out to shop. They had a lot of things to buy, and Niao Niao asked, “Shen Du, can you drive?”

Shen Du replied, “I can.”

His family made him get a driver’s license as soon as he turned 18, but he didn’t drive often because they had a chauffeur.

“Then let’s borrow Qin Ge’s car and go to the city center. There’s a lot to buy there.”

“Okay,” Shen Du didn’t mind. “Is there a special occasion?”

“In half a month, it’ll be the shop’s seventh anniversary.” Niao Niao was focused on her list and said, “You’re lucky, you just arrived and you’re already in time for it.”

“This shop has been open for so long?” Shen Du was surprised. “Were you here from the beginning?”

“No, I came four years ago,” Niao Niao replied.

At that time, she had just graduated and was struggling to find a job. In the hot summer, she was handing out resumes everywhere, but kept getting rejected. Passing by the shop, she saw the recruitment notice and noticed two handsome guys inside, so she decided to try here.

She didn’t expect that “trying” would last for four years.

“Alright, I’ll get ready. You go get the car keys from Brother Qin.”

Shen Du said, “Okay.”

“Can you drive?” Qin Yi looked at him, hesitated, and said, “How about you wait for me, and I’ll go with you?”

“??”

Shen Du retorted, “Who are you looking down on?”

Qin Yi sighed, “That’s not what I meant.”

“That’s exactly what you meant!” Shen Du said firmly.

“…”

“Lost for words?” Shen Du hummed, feeling quite pleased for finally getting one over on him. “You’ve got your comeuppance.”

Seeing Shen Du’s excited expression, Qin Yi couldn’t bear to tease him any further. He nodded and said, “You’re so impressive.”

Shen Du clicked his tongue, his smile practically reaching his ears. Qin Yi curved his lips and said, “The keys are in the drawer, be careful on the way.”

Shen Du already knew where the keys were, and before Qin Yi could say anything else, he was already heading towards the desk.

“Got it.”

So naggy.

Just like his parents.

Shen Du opened the drawer, took the keys, and was about to leave when his gaze was drawn to the photo frame on the desk.

Qin Yi had framed that butterfly tattoo design.

When did this happen?

There wasn’t time to think too much because Niao Niao called to hurry him up. Shen Du gave one last look at the photo frame and turned to leave.

Although it was a weekday, the streets were still crowded. Niao Niao, sitting in the passenger seat, shouted in frustration, “What kind of person can afford not to work?!”

Shen Du thought for a moment and said, “Someone whose family owns a mine.”

“Then there must be a lot of mines, but I haven’t seen any.”

After saying that, they both laughed.

At first, Shen Du tried driving with one hand. But as the traffic increased, he became more nervous and had to give up trying to look cool.

They spent half an hour getting to the city center and another ten minutes finding a parking spot.

Niao Niao put on her sun hat and ice sleeves, fully equipped. In contrast, Shen Du didn’t take any precautions, standing directly under the sun, his pale skin nearly blinding.

Niao Niao looked at him, his arms and legs exposed, feeling a mix of envy and sadness.

Good looks really are unfair.

People can be so frustrating.

Qin Yi had three clients today, and his schedule was a bit tight. The last client had a more complicated design, so it took longer. By the time he finished, it was already an hour past closing time.

Master Xiang, Master Xia, and the others had left half an hour ago.

Qin Yi rubbed his sore neck, stood up, and started packing his tools. Twenty minutes later, after everything was packed, he was ready to close the shop. While tidying up, he called Shen Du.

No answer.

He hung up and called Niao Niao. She answered quickly, “Shen Du dropped me off at home and left. He said he was taking the stuff back. Didn’t you see him?”

“Got it.”

After hanging up, Qin Yi tried calling Shen Du again, this time on his mobile. The call went through, but no one picked up.

Qin Yi stood up and was about to head out.

Just then, the shop door opened from the outside, the wind chimes jingling.

Shen Du, spinning the car keys in his hand, leaned against the door and whistled at him. “Handsome, all alone, want a ride?”