Lin Xiaojin called Meng Kewen early the next morning, imploring him to handle everything related to Little Creek perfectly.
It was Saturday, and Meng Kewen was still asleep when he answered Lin Xiaojin's call. Not fully awake, he listened to Lin Xiaojin listing conditions on the other end. With his eyes closed, Meng Kewen said, "Are you picking a son-in-law or something?"
"Oops, big mistake!" Lin Xiaojin exclaimed, "It's a son-in-law!"
Meng Kewen covered his head with the blanket and mumbled, "Even your idol Wu Fengyi couldn't meet all these conditions, okay? Get real."
Thinking his childhood friend would come to his senses and lower his standards, Meng Kewen waited. But after a long silence, Lin Xiaojin asked, "Then who could meet them?"
"Over 185cm tall, eight-pack abs, excellent in academics and major courses, not from a rich family but doesn't scam for money, or from a wealthy family but not stingy, no dating experience but a quick learner, double eyelids but eyes not too big, good-tempered..." Lin Xiaojin shouted into the phone, "Is that so difficult? Is it really that hard?!"
"There is one guy, but his temper is average. Not bad, but definitely not great either," Meng Kewen yawned and opened his eyes.
"Who?"
"Old Zhou, Zhou Zeqi."
"Him?" Lin Xiaojin pondered, "Might he be too fierce? I'm worried Little Creek might be scared of him."
"Then we're out of options," Meng Kewen said. "Old Zhou comes from a wealthy family and is generous, 192cm tall, perfect eight-pack abs, double eyelids but not big eyes. He scored 700 points in the science stream after transferring in high school and got into Capital Academy. Then he transferred to CUSC just for fun in his sophomore year. You've known this all along, right? As for his studies and abilities, there's nothing to criticize."
"However, he's very deep and it's hard to tell what he's thinking. He's rejected so many confessions before. Your childhood friend..." Meng Kewen sat up. He had only met Xi Shui twice - once at CUDC's end-of-term performance, and recently at the gym. The junior seemed quite aloof. "Your friend is handsome, no doubt. He's even a rumored CP with Old Zhou on the forum. But Zhou, you know what happened last semester, right? When a guy suddenly rushed out to kiss him, Zhou picked him up like a chicken and threw him into the lake. He really hates being bothered."
Lin Xiaojin frowned, "Who said we're choosing him?"
As if Xi Shui was like those persistent admirers. Xi Shui was a proud little swan, nothing like those people.
"Then let's go for the next best option. I have someone in mind. I'll ask him this afternoon and send you his contact information."
"Conditions?" Lin Xiaojin asked.
"Law student at Capital Academy, same year as you two, sophomore, 185cm tall, eight-pack abs, very good-tempered."
"Alright," Lin Xiaojin agreed.
-
Xi Shui finished his morning practice and shower when Lin Xiaojin and the others called to say they'd be coming at noon.
With a few hours to spare, Xi Shui stuffed his clothes into the washing machine, then brought in the dry clothes, folding them neatly and putting them in the wardrobe.
His phone on the bedside table suddenly rang.
"Hello."
"Good morning. Did you do your morning practice?"
Xi Shui's breath caught, and he lowered his head to answer, "Good morning, Dad. Yes, I did."
"How are your classes lately? I called your teacher. You have a performance at the Grand Theater this summer. Do your best. The director of the New York Ballet has also been invited..."
Xi Shui took a deep breath and interrupted Xi Buyao, "I don't want to go abroad."
The New York Ballet was one of the world's six major ballet companies, located in France. It had its own ballet academy and mostly recruited members from within.
Xi Shui had passed the New York Ballet Academy's exam in middle school but ultimately stayed in a domestic school. He was thirteen then, partly because he didn't want to study alone in a foreign country, and partly because he wanted to stay in China.
Although Chinese ballet had gained some recognition in recent years, its international status was still low and underappreciated.
He loved ballet and loved the land that nurtured him.
Xi Buyao regretted raising Xi Shui to be so naive, along with the whole family. He suppressed his temper and said, "There's no future here."
"I don't need a future."
"Xi Shui!"
Xi Shui flinched at the shout, nearly dropping his phone.
After what seemed like an eternity, Xi Shui heard Xi Buyao say on the other end, "There's a boy at Capital City Dance Academy Affiliated Middle School. His parents are gone, and he lives on subsidies. He has the same talent for ballet as you. I'm planning to sponsor him."
Xi Shui knew what his father's sponsorship meant. It meant the main account was useless, and he was going to start a new one.
"Okay," Xi Shui said softly.
As soon as the call ended, Xi Shui's tears began to fall.
"Knock knock!"
It wasn't the doorbell, but someone knocking on the door.
Xi Shui wiped away his tears, but more fell. He wiped them again, only for more to come. He grabbed two tissues, pressed them against his eyes, and ran to open the door.
It was his neighbor, Zhou Zeqi.
Zhou Zeqi was holding breakfast and his basin. One look at the basin and Xi Shui knew he was here to borrow the bathroom. He stepped aside, "Come in." His voice still carried traces of crying, and the tissues were already soaked with tears.
When Zhou Zeqi saw Xi Shui's rabbit-like red eyes, the casual expression on his face gradually faded. He didn't enter, standing at the doorway, his voice slightly cold, "Why are you crying?"
People are like this. When no one asks or cares, it's fine. You'll be okay on your own.
But as soon as someone asks, the grievances burst forth like an unstoppable flood, surging out.
Xi Shui lowered the tissues and started crying openly, tears streaming down endlessly. Between sobs, he said, "I feel so sad, I really feel so sad. My dad and I are not on the same page."
Telling others might make him seem like he was making a big deal out of nothing. What did all that glory and shame matter to him? Ordinary people should just live their own lives well.
"He even wants to find me a brother." This was enough to overturn Xi Shui's entire worldview. Because he wouldn't listen, wouldn't follow arrangements, his own father had given up on him.
Rationally, Xi Shui knew his father wasn't wrong, but emotionally, he couldn't accept it.
Zhou Zeqi watched Xi Shui standing before him, sobbing uncontrollably, unable to speak clearly. He raised his hand and wiped away the tears on Xi Shui's face.
His sudden action startled Xi Shui. They weren't close enough to be wiping each other's tears.
He stepped back, covering his eyes, "Don't touch me, it's too intimate." The young man's voice was hoarse.
"Although I don't know exactly what happened, if what you're doing is right, you don't need anyone else's permission," Zhou Zeqi raised his hand and poked Xi Shui with his index finger. "What kind of person you become is up to you. Once you've made a decision, don't worry about others' opinions."
Xi Shui lowered his arms, his tears had stopped. He looked at Zhou Zeqi with glistening eyes, "Are you just saying that because you're not in my shoes?"
"No," Zhou Zeqi wasn't displeased by Xi Shui's directness. There was no malice in it. "It's the experience of someone who's been through it."
"Oh... Thank you," Xi Shui said.
"To express my gratitude, I brought you breakfast," Zhou Zeqi pushed the still-warm breakfast into Xi Shui's hands.
With food in front of him, Xi Shui immediately forgot all his troubles.
He happily accepted the breakfast from Zhou Zeqi, saying thank you twice.
As Zhou Zeqi walked in, he said, "I remember you're on a diet, so the soy milk isn't sweetened, the egg is boiled, and there's purple sweet potato."
Xi Shui was even more grateful to Zhou Zeqi.
When Zhou Zeqi came out after brushing his teeth and washing his face, Xi Shui was holding an egg, blowing on it and peeling the shell. His face was whiter and more translucent than the peeled egg. Having just cried, he looked even more fair-skinned and beautiful than usual, with red lips and white teeth.
"By the way, you said yesterday that I'd know in a few days. Know what?" Zhou Zeqi's sudden question startled Xi Shui. If he hadn't mentioned it, Xi Shui would have almost forgotten. Xi Shui turned his head and patted the sofa, "Sit."
Zhou Zeqi went over and sat down. He saw Xi Shui sitting cross-legged on the sofa next to him. There wasn't an ounce of extra flesh on his calves. His toes were fair, but due to years of dancing, there were injuries from his toes to the top of his feet. The little toe was somewhat deformed.
"I need to prepare a bit more before I tell you," Xi Shui said as he separated the egg yolk from the white. He then noticed Zhou Zeqi staring at his feet. The other's gaze was intense, his pupils dark, making Xi Shui's scalp tingle. He hurriedly stuffed his feet into slippers and said softly, "My feet aren't nice to look at. They've been fractured before."
"No," Zhou Zeqi looked up, the captivating aura in his eyes dissipating. He smiled, dimples appearing faintly on his cheeks, "They're quite beautiful."
Xi Shui felt he was just trying to comfort him. Who would think such feet were beautiful?
"You just said you needed to prepare. What are you preparing for?" If Zhou Zeqi couldn't figure out what Xi Shui wanted to do, he must be blind. Xi Shui's thoughts were written all over his face.
Xi Shui didn't know what he needed to prepare either.
But for something like this, he couldn't be too casual. He would search online for some tips.
He did quite like Zhou Zeqi. Although kissing could burn calories, you should only kiss someone you want to kiss. Those people Lin Xiaojin had introduced him to, he didn't like any of them, let alone want to kiss them.
Kissing for a minute, ten minutes, an hour... if it was with someone you disliked, it would be disgusting.
He had his sights set on Zhou Zeqi.
"Stop asking," Xi Shui stuffed the egg white into his mouth, chewing for a long time without swallowing, "It's my business."
Zhou Zeqi almost laughed out loud.
Fine, he wouldn't ask anymore.
"You're not eating the yolk?" Zhou Zeqi pointed at the lone yolk in his hand.
Xi Shui nodded, "It's too sticky." He usually fed the yolks to the big orange cat belonging to the old lady at the recycling station.
"Give it to me, I'll eat it." Zhou Zeqi reached out his hand.
Xi Shui generously gave the yolk to Zhou Zeqi, then watched as he tossed it into his mouth, barely chewing before swallowing. Xi Shui frowned, "Chew slowly and thoroughly."
The doorbell rang.
Interrupting their natural and relaxed interaction.
Xi Shui pattered over in his slippers to open the door.
"Xiao Xi!!!! Surprise!! We came early!" Lin Xiaojin's face appeared in Xi Shui's view. Xi Shui choked, stepped aside to block Zhou Zeqi, then closed the door.
He ran back to Zhou Zeqi, pulling him up with surprising strength, "You, you, you, quick, hide!"
Xi Shui dragged him to the bedroom, then out again, to the kitchen, then out again. Lin Xiaojin called Xi Shui's phone, making him even more flustered. Zhou Zeqi said amusedly, "Why do I need to hide?"
Xi Shui explained, sweating profusely, "If you appear here now, Lin Xiaojin and the others will definitely tease us and misunderstand our relationship."
"Can't be misunderstood?"
"Of course not." Xi Shui said, "I'm not ready yet!"
Zhou Zeqi: "......"
Xi Shui dragged Zhou Zeqi to the practice room, opened the floor-to-ceiling window, and the two stood on the balcony. Xi Shui pointed next door, "You, climb over."
Zhou Zeqi looked at Xi Shui, who was so panicked he seemed about to jump, and lowered his head, saying slowly: "Xiao Xi, I'm scared. I'm afraid of heights."
"Then, then what should we do?" Xi Shui instinctively grabbed Zhou Zeqi's shirt hem, "I don't want them to tease us. You, don't be afraid of heights."
Zhou Zeqi looked at Xi Shui's not-yet-dry eyelashes, wet and black, tangled together like damp feathers, looking as pitiful as could be.
Never mind six floors high.
Being looked at like this, he could jump from sixty floors.
Zhou Zeqi turned around, lifted his leg over the balcony, and easily jumped onto his own balcony. But he didn't immediately jump down. He crouched on the balcony, his eyes capturing the innocent and beautiful Xi Shui like a wild beast out of its cage, smiling yet not smiling, and said: "I've never been so pathetic in my life, Zhou Zeqi."
"Xi Shui, you just wait."
*
Xiao Xi: You, jump