RSDH CH82

On the day of the school anniversary, Duan Xingye set up his violin and astounded the entire school.

Cheng Duzhou sat in the second row, gazing at the radiant teenager on stage. Having just fallen into a crisis of drifting friendship, he plunged into ignorant youthful love again. So when he sensed Duan Xingye’s gaze about to be cast over, he panicked first, lowering his head to hide and pretending to play with his phone.

When it ended, Duan Xingye didn’t have the excitement of finishing a performance; instead, he looked a bit disappointed.

Walking home together, Duan Xingye suddenly asked: “Was my performance just now not wonderful?”

“No.” Cheng Duzhou looked at him blankly and said, “Very wonderful.”

Duan Xingye’s dark eyes were cold and heavy: “You sat in the front row; I saw you getting distracted.”

“……”

Duan Xingye didn’t allow the audience’s gaze to shift from him for a moment.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t know how to explain, so he could only emphasize: “You played very well; I listened the whole time.”

“Asking you to watch the performance, you only brought your ears to listen?” Duan Xingye was unrelenting, more confident now. “Then you might as well just plug in headphones to listen to music. I really should have given the inner field ticket to Jiang Siqi.”

Cheng Duzhou was silent for a moment and said: “I only looked at the phone for that moment.”

“Was someone looking for you then?”

“No.”

Duan Xingye stopped: “Liar.”

Cheng Duzhou also stopped, facing him, took his phone out of his trouser pocket, adding a bit of helplessness to his voice: “See for yourself.”

Duan Xingye unceremoniously opened QQ, scanned the list, then opened WeChat.

The chat boxes were all classmates he knew.

No girls.

Duan Xingye’s dark, heavy eyes melted slightly, but his face remained cold as he returned the phone, muttering: “Who wanted to see your phone.”

“……”

Cheng Duzhou always had a bit of anti-hypocrisy skill. He said: “You looked even though you said you wouldn’t; didn’t you just want to check my privacy?”

“Cheng Duzhou!” Duan Xingye seemed to have his tail stepped on, turning around and walking backward, his beautiful face arrogant. “You want to talk about privacy in front of me? Have I ever had privacy from you? Are we friends?”

Hearing this, Cheng Duzhou felt a bit warm inside because Duan Xingye still treated him as a friend to whom he could say anything. Immediately after, complex and chaotic feelings spread like wild grass—he had thoughts he shouldn’t have towards the friend he grew up with.

Cheng Duzhou’s voice lowered: “Of course we are friends.”

Duan Xingye snorted lightly with satisfaction. Just as he was about to turn around, he stepped on a small pebble on the road behind him and easily lost his balance because he was walking backward.

—”Careful.”

As soon as Cheng Duzhou’s voice came out, he grabbed his arm.

Duan Xingye didn’t even have time to feel scared before he steadied himself. He lifted his bright dark pupils. At the same time, Cheng Duzhou also raised his pitch-black eyes.

Their inadvertent eye contact seemed to have the function of pausing time.

On a May night, streetlights stretched the shadows of the two teenagers very long. Wind blew through the treetops, making rustling sounds. Two green leaves floated down leisurely, landing in the light and shadow, and also seemed to fall into the lake of Duan Xingye’s heart, causing ripples.

When Duan Qiwei and Kan Yu divorced, Duan Xingye had just started his second year of high school.

The once happy family shattered overnight. Duan Xingye became more and more silent, and his personality grew increasingly perverse.

Once, hearing that Cheng Xian had resigned as a driver and wanted to take Cheng Duzhou back to Shanghai, fire rose inexplicably in his heart. He decided the whole world was deceiving him and would eventually leave him, so he unilaterally started a cold war with Cheng Duzhou.

Cheng Duzhou understood Duan Xingye felt bad because of his parents’ matters and wanted to quietly accompany him through the hardest times. But Duan Xingye suddenly became cold to him, getting closer to Jiang Siqi and the others instead, no longer going home with him after school.

While confused, he strangely developed a terrible feeling of being abandoned.

That day after school, Jiang Siqi reminded everyone that next month was Duan Xingye’s birthday. He took out a necklace and dangled it in front of Cheng Duzhou, showing off maliciously. His words inside and out belittled Cheng Duzhou’s background, mocking the gap between him and the circle of rich second generations.

Cheng Duzhou endured it at the moment. After finishing duty, he was the only one left in the classroom. When putting the broom back into the locker at the back of the classroom, with a “bang”, he slammed the door a bit hard, then slammed it a second time with a frozen face.

Cheng Duzhou had upright values and didn’t compare with others. Although educated in a noble school, he was rich in spirit, never squandering materially.

Cheng Duzhou treated Jiang Siqi’s showing off as Satan’s temptation, refusing to fall into the trap of vanity.

But his mentality still collapsed into a mess.

Cheng Duzhou scooped up his schoolbag and made up his mind as he walked out of the classroom.

Based on his friendship with Duan Xingye for so many years, he also wanted to give gifts that others could give.

According to Duan Xingye’s experience, every cold war between them ended with Cheng Duzhou asking first without exception, but not this time.

Not only did Cheng Duzhou not sense his cold mood, but he also actively distanced himself—disappearing after school, and nowhere to be seen on weekends.

Duan Xingye’s anger seemed like a parabola, reaching a peak upwards, then going downhill day by day.

The feeling of Cheng Duzhou not revolving around him was equally terrible for him.

So Duan Xingye lost patience first, went to the room he hadn’t entered for a long time, threw two tickets on the table, and looked down condescendingly: “Accompany me to see this tomorrow.”

Cheng Duzhou glanced at them; it was a new play.

Although very happy that Duan Xingye took the initiative to talk to him after so long and invited him, but…

“I have something to do tomorrow.”

He was tutoring. Unfortunately, tomorrow he had to go to the mall to set up a stall for promotion.

Duan Xingye pursed his lips straight: “Is it very important?”

Cheng Duzhou nodded: “Yes.”

It was a task arranged in advance by the boss of the educational institution. Matters in society weren’t like child’s play that could be canceled at will.

Duan Xingye didn’t ask for details, took back the tickets, his teenage voice cool: “I heard you’re going back to Shanghai.”

Cheng Duzhou was also considering it himself, so he hadn’t mentioned it to Duan Xingye. Pausing, he told the truth: “My dad has this plan, wants to take me back with him.”

Duan Xingye lowered his thick eyelashes like two small fans, blocking the shadows in his eyes: “The textbooks in the two regions are different. can you keep up if you go back now?”

Cheng Duzhou always felt Duan Xingye meant to persuade him not to go. His Adam’s apple moved up and down as he said: “Should be no problem… why?”

Huist’s elite education was high quality. Besides comprehensively expanding students’ abilities, the courses taught were always advanced. They had already learned the knowledge points of three years of high school in the first year. Moreover, Cheng Duzhou’s grades were among the best in the grade. Even transferring now wouldn’t delay the college entrance examination.

Hearing Cheng Duzhou wasn’t worried himself, Duan Xingye smiled somewhat coldly and mockingly: “If you’re leaving, leave early, lest you can’t adapt after going back.”

“……”

Cheng Duzhou felt like a basin of ice water was poured on him.

Duan Xingye turned around holding the tickets but was suddenly grabbed by the hand. He looked back.

Cheng Duzhou’s expression was somewhat wooden, voice low: “Do you hope I leave or what?”

Feeling the temperature transmitted by the fingers, Duan Xingye’s mood wavered. He pursed his lips again and again, as if drafting many replies in his mind, but ultimately couldn’t beat his stubbornness, pulling his hand back: “Whatever!”

Duan Xingye left. Cheng Duzhou sat blankly at the table for a long while.

Then, he put down the pen, rolled onto the bed beside him, his tall teenage body curled up into a spiral.

Thought too much.

“Don’t go, okay?”—only the P.E. teacher would say such words to him during running exercises.

The next day was Saturday. After waking up, Duan Xingye thought about Cheng Duzhou going out for unknown reasons again today, feeling irritable inside, not even in the mood to stay in bed.

He picked up his phone, wanted to ask regardless, but canceled before sending.

Whatever Cheng Duzhou went out to do was none of his business.

Duan Xingye turned to invite Jiang Siqi’s group on WeChat to relieve his depressed mood.

Jiang Siqi was so happy receiving the message. He usually couldn’t get Duan Xingye on weekends; either Duan Xingye was busy himself, or he had an appointment with Cheng Duzhou. Somehow, he actually took the initiative to ask him out to play.

When they arrived at the mall they frequented, it was already lunchtime, so they randomly chose a Korean restaurant to sit in.

Duan Xingye’s seat was by the window. Looking up between ordering, he saw a familiar back at the mall entrance.

The teenager sat on a blue plastic chair, head lowered playing with his phone. A line of white was sandwiched between his coat collar and shirt collar. Up along the slender neck was short and neat hair ends. In front of him was a table covered with a banner, piled with stacks of books and booklets, surroundings deserted.

Duan Xingye’s hand paused, forgetting to flip the menu.

Almost simultaneously, Jiang Siqi also saw Cheng Duzhou through the bright glass wall, instantly becoming sarcastic: “Oho, isn’t that School Hunk Cheng? Really diligent, working part-time on weekends. Shall we go take care of his business later?”

Jiang Siqi had disliked Cheng Duzhou for a long time because growing up, they were all friends, yet Duan Xingye always favored Cheng Duzhou. Since knowing his goddess liked Cheng Duzhou’s type, he had even less good feelings for Cheng Duzhou, going crazy at the drop of a hat.

Another friend picked up his phone aimed at Cheng Duzhou, preparing to take pictures: “Is he that short of money? Shocked, our school has students working while studying…”

The next second, Duan Xingye knocked that person’s phone away without explanation: “He’s not short of money.”

The sound of the phone hitting the table was quite loud. The friend yelped: “I didn’t put a screen protector on!”

Duan Xingye ignored him, continuing to look outside.

Seeing Duan Xingye’s attitude, people around gradually restrained their joking mood. Their circle was gathered by Jiang Siqi, and Jiang Siqi obeyed Duan Xingye, so growing up, the core of their small group had always been Duan Xingye.

The waiter came to take orders.

Stir-fried rice cakes were the signature here; everyone ordered their favorite types.

After Duan Xingye ordered his, he glanced outside; Cheng Duzhou was still there.

He said: “One more portion, no spice, for takeaway.”

Everyone at the table instantly understood who the takeaway was for.

They were natives of Yu City, unhappy without spice. Only Cheng Duzhou, from Jiang-Zhe-Hu (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai), preferred sweet flavors.

Jiang Siqi propped his cheeks with both hands. Although used to it long ago, it still stung a bit.

The stir-fried rice cakes came quickly. Everyone’s attention shifted away from Cheng Duzhou outside, chatting aimlessly, talking and laughing.

Just then, a group of female students carrying schoolbags came out of the mall.

A girl’s eyes lit up, nudging the person next to her, pointing in Cheng Duzhou’s direction. So everyone noticed and swarmed forward.

Seeing work coming, Cheng Duzhou put away his phone, stood up, prompted scanning the institution’s QR code for registration, and distributed study manuals.

Jiang Siqi’s gaze was attracted over. Seeing girls surrounding the stall tightly, he exclaimed: “Damn, no wonder the institution sent him to set up the stall. understands high school girls’ preferences too well.”

Someone said: “Envious, I also want to set up a stall, take the chance to ask for some contact info.”

“Need to have that face first.” Another person immediately followed up, “You go set up a stall, no one will care.”

“Scram!”

Everyone laughed and cursed.

Only Duan Xingye said nothing, poking the red rice cakes in the bowl with a fork back and forth.

Jiang Siqi looked keenly at Duan Xingye, observing his expression calmly, suddenly falling into thought.

Cheng Duzhou had his back to the Korean restaurant. Only after sending off a batch of students, sitting down again, and turning around did he see Duan Xingye and Jiang Siqi’s group.

Before long, Duan Xingye sensed something, looking out through the glass. He met Cheng Duzhou’s gaze very lightly, then looked away as if seeing nothing.

Didn’t want to acknowledge.

After lunch, the group left the restaurant.

Seeing Duan Xingye carrying the takeaway bag, Jiang Siqi was preparing to go with him to the entrance to find Cheng Duzhou. Unexpectedly, Duan Xingye left the mall from another exit.

Duan Xingye said: “I’m taking a car back.”

“Not playing anymore?” Jiang Siqi glanced at the takeaway bag, unable to resist curiosity, “This…”

Duan Xingye followed his gaze: “What?”

Jiang Siqi hemmed and hawed instead, pointing at the mall: “Don’t need to give it to School Hunk Cheng?”

“Give him?” Duan Xingye said, “I’m feeding stray dogs.”

Jiang Siqi: “……”

There really were stray dogs sunbathing in the street corner. Duan Xingye opened the box lid and put it there.

The stray dog stood warily not far away but couldn’t help wagging its tail.

That night, Duan Xingye was lying in his room listening to music with headphones.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Thinking it was the auntie, he responded lazily.

After opening the door, it was Cheng Duzhou.

Duan Xingye only glanced once, turned on his side, back to the door.

Cheng Duzhou had a knot in his heart because he witnessed Duan Xingye eating stir-fried rice cakes without him at noon. On the way back, he barely managed to tidy up his mood and said: “I’m coming in.”

Duan Xingye had headphones in, acting as if he didn’t hear.

Cheng Duzhou walked around the bed to his side, hesitated a bit, then stood still and said: “Show you something.”

Duan Xingye slid his fingertip on the screen, not even lifting his eyes.

Cheng Duzhou took off his schoolbag, squatted on one knee, pulled out a sizeable paper bag from the bag, then took out a paper box from the paper bag.

The rustling sound hooked Duan Xingye’s curiosity. Couldn’t resist lifting his eyes to glance.

Cheng Duzhou put a shoe box printed with a huge logo on the floor, looked up, and met Duan Xingye’s dark upturned eyes.

The snow-white small face was still a bit unhappy, but the gaze no longer avoided. Thus, looking at people silently, there was always a bit of meaning of acting coquettishly wanting to be coaxed.

Cheng Duzhou said: “Try if it fits?”

Duan Xingye blinked, light returning to his dark pupils. taking off headphones, he sat up: “What for.”

Cheng Duzhou took off the lid, adjusting the shoelaces: “Next week is your birthday.”

Duan Xingye’s heart moved, some emotion rising. He sat forward, extending a foot to rest on Cheng Duzhou’s knee, the movement incredibly natural.

Cheng Duzhou was very used to it. One hand holding his foot wearing a white cotton sock, the other holding the new shoe with adjusted tightness, putting it on him.

White mid-low top style, unique logo on both sides printed in starry grey, a very trendy pair of sneakers.

Cheng Duzhou put the other one on Duan Xingye too, tying the shoelaces.

Duan Xingye stood up, stomped twice in place. Size just right, softness and hardness also moderate.

Only then did he look closely at the style, discovering it was a Nike collab model. Because it was new, the market price was hyped very high.

Duan Xingye sat back on the bed and said: “Why buy such expensive ones?”

Not expensive for him, but a price close to five figures—Cheng Duzhou had never bought such expensive shoes for himself.

Cheng Duzhou said lightly: “Thought they looked good, so bought them.”

Duan Xingye admired the shoes for a while, raised his eyes, and saw Cheng Duzhou lowering his eyes to pack the shoe box. Under the broken bangs, fan-shaped double eyelids were slightly blocked. Face lines handsome; due to seriousness, the slightly thin-looking lips were pursed straight.

Duan Xingye held back for so long in the cold war, couldn’t hold it anymore, tilting his head: “Did you with…”

He wanted to ask “Did you have fun with the girls today,” but subconsciously felt it was strange. Once said, it would seem like he cared about this kind of thing.

Cheng Duzhou was puzzled, looking at him: “What?”

Duan Xingye’s lips moved, putting away complex emotions, asked: “Have you eaten dinner?”

Cheng Duzhou: “Not yet.”

Duan Xingye grabbed his phone and stood up: “Let’s go, eat outside.”

Duan Xingye had eaten dinner; coming out was just to accompany Cheng Duzhou. Walking on the community road wearing new shoes, his steps were especially light today, unknowingly walking in front of Cheng Duzhou.

Cheng Duzhou glanced at Duan Xingye’s shoes from time to time, only feeling they looked better the more he looked. Moreover, seeing Duan Xingye wear shoes he bought, a strange emotion arose spontaneously—not just happiness, but also an inconspicuous sense of satisfaction.

October night, wind blew, golden crushed flowers falling from branches.

Duan Xingye hadn’t been this light since his parents divorced. Walking and walking, he spun a circle in place. Cheng Duzhou couldn’t help smiling silently.

Duan Xingye suddenly realized he walked too fast, turned back to grab Cheng Duzhou’s hand: “You’re too slow!”

Cheng Duzhou’s heartbeat accelerated without warning. Holding hands when they were little didn’t bring other feelings, but after growing up, the frequency of heartbeats became harder and harder to control.

The two walked hand in hand on the street like this. Surroundings very quiet. Cheng Duzhou didn’t mention the disappointment during the day and said: “Do you like these shoes?”

Duan Xingye raised his chin: “They’re okay, I don’t lack shoes anyway.”

But the smugness in his tone spilled over, no longer the icy appearance from before.

Duan Xingye indeed didn’t lack shoes. He was so happy because giving gifts showed Cheng Duzhou kept him in his heart; he liked this feeling more.

Cheng Duzhou unconsciously squeezed Duan Xingye’s palm and said: “I will buy you better ones in the future.”

Duan Xingye felt slightly warm inside because of the word “future” and deliberately asked: “How good?”

Under the light, soft and clean shadows outlined Duan Xingye’s features. The angel-like face was playful and vivid.

Cheng Duzhou tilted his head to look at him: “As long as it’s what you want, the best in the world.”

—”Hello, this is the package sent by President Cheng, please check.”

In February, major provincial stations were busy with New Year’s Eve. Duan Xingye was getting styled in the VIP lounge. A representative of a jewelry brand in a suit and leather shoes came personally to deliver an exquisite gift bag.

Duan Xingye’s face was cool. Opening the jewelry box, the yellow gemstone watch inside refracted dazzling light in the room.

Little Dai let out a “Wow!”, exclaiming with envy: “This is too beautiful! Must be very expensive since President Cheng bought it! How much is this?”

Duan Xingye said faintly: “Why don’t you ask Cheng Duzhou for me?”

Little Dai: “……”

Although President Cheng and Teacher Duan had each other’s contact information, they rarely contacted once a year. No wonder rumors online said they were a “plastic couple in the entertainment industry.”

Duan Xingye didn’t touch the watch, just gesturing it near his wrist. Then he took out his phone, took a picture to upload to Instagram, closed the box, threw it back into the gift bag, and relegated it to gather dust on the display cabinet after going home.

That was the first year of their marriage. Duan Xingye didn’t know yet that Cheng Duzhou celebrated the lunar calendar anniversary.

—”Your husband has received the gift.”

Cheng Duzhou sat in the car to the airport, receiving the report call from the jewelry brand representative, and asked: “What was his reaction?”

“……”

The representative who was very enthusiastic just now suddenly fell silent.

Cheng Duzhou understood, unsurprised. After hanging up, looking at the street lamps sliding past outside the car window, he recalled many years ago.

Cheng Duzhou didn’t expect Duan Xingye to give any response anymore, but still strictly kept his promise from many years ago.

Only the best in the world was worthy of his exquisite little rose.