"Do you have any other sports events?" Ruan Qiuping asked.
"No more," Yu Huan said, taking Ruan Qiuping's hand and leading him forward. "The school sports meet lasts for three days, but I'm only participating in two events - today's long-distance run and the relay race the day after tomorrow."
The young man's feverish body heat transmitted through their skin contact. Despite the cold winter weather, it made Ruan Qiuping's palm sweat.
Although holding hands had become a natural and familiar act for them over the past days, today Ruan Qiuping suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He couldn't help but focus on their intertwined hands.
Ruan Qiuping thought it might be because Yu Huan had just finished the long-distance run, so his hand was too hot, making him feel uneasy.
With this in mind, Ruan Qiuping still pulled his hand away.
Yu Huan stopped and turned to look at him. "What's wrong?"
Ruan Qiuping told the truth: "Your hand is too hot. It's making my heart race."
"Is Ruan Ruan feeling too warm?" Yu Huan seemed a bit surprised.
Ruan Qiuping nodded.
"But you look very cold," Yu Huan said. "The clothes you're wearing are quite thin."
Ruan Qiuping said, "I'm not afraid of the cold." I'm an immortal, he thought to himself.
"Is that so?"
Yu Huan suddenly reached out with both hands, covering Ruan Qiuping's ears, which had turned slightly purple from the cold.
Feeling the warmth from Yu Huan's palms, his eyes crinkled with a smile. "Ruan Ruan, your ears are telling me they're very cold."
Ruan Qiuping's ears had already been somewhat numb from the cold, but when Yu Huan covered them, it was as if they had thawed, with a warm, tingling sensation spreading through them.
Fortunately, before Ruan Qiuping could swat Yu Huan's hands away, Yu Huan removed them himself. He took off his white down jacket and put it over Ruan Qiuping's thin coat. "Ruan Ruan, why do you always wear clothes that are so unsuitable for the season when you come here?"
"I really don't feel cold."
"I know," Yu Huan said with a smile as he zipped up the down jacket for Ruan Qiuping. "I'm just too hot from running. You wear it for now, and you can give it back to me later."
After saying this, he took Ruan Qiuping's hand again.
Ruan Qiuping was about to pull away once more, but Yu Huan held on tightly.
"It's hot," Ruan Qiuping said.
Yu Huan turned to look at him. "Do you dislike holding hands with me, Ruan Ruan?"
"...I don't dislike it."
"But I really like holding hands with Ruan Ruan," Yu Huan said, his eyes like black jade, shimmering with a gentle, warm light. "Can Ruan Ruan indulge me a little?"
Ruan Qiuping: "..."
As soon as Ruan Qiuping looked into Yu Huan's eyes, he knew he had lost the battle.
He sighed and held Yu Huan's hand tightly.
Never mind, he thought. It's rare for the kid to act spoiled with him, so he might as well indulge him.
From the spectator stands behind them came a few cheers, seemingly encouraging the participants who had not yet reached the finish line in the long-distance race.
Ruan Qiuping turned to look, then turned back. "I heard those girls saying you were two whole laps ahead of the track and field team. Did you specially train for long-distance running?"
Yu Huan said, "I wouldn't say I trained specially. I just occasionally participate in city marathons."
"Do you really like long-distance running?"
"It's alright," Yu Huan said. "Running helps me calm my mind, and I really like the moment when I see the finish line."
Yu Huan paused for a moment. He looked at Ruan Qiuping, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "Although the marathon course is very long, it gives me a sense of peace because I know I'll eventually reach the finish line. Because I look forward to seeing that moment, the entire running process becomes beautiful."
Ruan Qiuping said, "I can't do that. I especially hate running, particularly long-distance running. As soon as I start, I feel exhausted. I just want to jump straight to the finish line without waiting a single moment."
That's why he learned to fly on a sword, and why he learned instant teleportation.
Unfortunately, he hadn't mastered either of these spells very well. In emergencies, he still had to rely on his two legs.
"It seems you really have great endurance!" Ruan Qiuping sighed, summarizing his impression of Yu Huan.
Yu Huan looked into Ruan Qiuping's eyes and suddenly smiled.
"How could I not have endurance? Ruan Ruan, I wait for you every day."
When Yu Huan smiled, his eyes were beautiful, twinkling like stars.
"Ruan Ruan, I learned to wait first, and then I learned to run.
"I like long-distance running because it feels similar to waiting for you. The only difference is that in a race, I know how many meters are left to the finish line, but I don't know on which day you'll appear. Still, I know you'll always come.
"Ruan Ruan, you are my finish line."
Ruan Qiuping stared at Yu Huan, momentarily at a loss for words.
The 16-year-old boy looked at him directly, his eyes clear and bright, his smile radiant and pure. He expressed his feelings without any reservation, sincere and passionate.
Ruan Qiuping felt as if he had been wandering aimlessly through a desolate, ruined wasteland when suddenly a clod of earth fell into his hand. As he wiped away the dirt, he discovered it was a handful of brilliant, sparkling diamonds.
These diamonds were too precious, so weighty that he was even afraid he might not have the ability to keep them.
Yet he desperately wanted to hold onto them.
He felt that if he didn't do something - the diamonds would run away.
So Ruan Qiuping looked at Yu Huan and stammered, "...Yu Huan, you are my... my..."
Yu Huan had said he was Ruan Qiuping's finish line in a long-distance race, but what was Yu Huan to him?
Ruan Qiuping racked his brains trying to come up with a corresponding description.
"...I'm your what?" Yu Huan asked.
Ruan Qiuping's mind went blank.
For the first time, he began to regret locking himself in his room for three whole days when he was seven years old to avoid going to the National Language Academy.
As a result, he couldn't even say something nice now.
"Ruan Ruan?" Yu Huan asked again.
"...You're my... diamond... fishing boat, good luck? The 75th nursery rhyme in the Red Forest Book, six-winged white rhinoceros beast, blue-feathered Bifang bird, chocolate cloud bread..." Ruan Qiuping's voice grew softer as he spoke, feeling increasingly that something wasn't right.
Yu Huan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Ruan Ruan, what are you trying to say?"
Ruan Qiuping lowered his head and said softly, "I wanted to find some beautiful words to express how much I like you... but I couldn't find any."
At that moment, Yu Huan felt as if his heart had almost stopped beating. He asked, almost trembling, "...Ruan Ruan, you like me?"
Ruan Qiuping nodded. "More than all those things I mentioned."
After a pause, Ruan Qiuping continued, "Last year, you asked me what the closest relationship between people is. I said it was parent-child and partners, but now I think there's another kind of relationship - the one between you and me. We're not parent and child, nor are we partners, but I just feel like I can't be without you. Actually, I wait for you every day too. Actually, I feel happy and joyful when I see you. Actually, every time it's time to leave, I don't really want to go. I want to stay by your side always, always watching you... watching you fall in love, watching you get married, watching you have children. Even if you die, I'll buy you the best coffin. I'll definitely... definitely try my best to make sure you die without any suffering, and after you die, I'll remember you. I won't forget you at all..."
As Yu Huan listened, he felt his heart grow cold.
Not just cold, but a bit empty too.
But looking at the serious and solemn expression on Ruan Qiuping's face, he couldn't bring himself to feel angry at all.
He thought to himself: It's okay, this is already very good. Ruan Ruan said he's happy when he sees him and sad when he leaves him. Ruan Ruan has already planned to stay with him for a lifetime. Ruan Ruan even said he'd buy him a coffin and remember him after he dies.
But still...
Yu Huan reached out and gently hugged Ruan Qiuping. "Ruan Ruan, thank you for liking me so much, but it's not enough."
"How is it not enough?" Ruan Qiuping asked, confused.
Yu Huan nuzzled his cheek against Ruan Qiuping's neck, his voice muffled. "You need to like me more, to the point where you don't want to give me to anyone else at all."
Ruan Qiuping didn't quite understand what Yu Huan meant, but he still nodded and said, "I'll try my best."
Yu Huan released Ruan Qiuping and looked into his eyes, a gentle smile spreading across his lips. "I'll try my best too."
After following Yu Huan out of the school campus, Ruan Qiuping noticed that the streets were particularly lively today.
Even though it wasn't dark yet, many shops had already hung colorful lanterns outside, creating a festive atmosphere.
"Is today a special occasion?" Ruan Qiuping asked.
"It's Christmas Day."
Ruan Qiuping glanced back at the school still holding its sports meet, then looked at the bustling street, and said, "Your school is holding a sports meet on this day."
"Yes," Yu Huan nodded and said, "Our school doesn't celebrate Western holidays."
"It's the same in my hometown!" Ruan Qiuping exclaimed, "Our culture clashes with Western culture, and our books never mention Western things. I only learned about Christmas from... from books here."
Human books said that Christmas is on December 25th every year, a grand holiday celebrated as lavishly as New Year's abroad, while in China it has evolved into a popular date night for couples.
December 25th... Thinking about this, Ruan Qiuping let out a soft sigh.
"What's wrong?" Yu Huan asked.
"I wish I had come a few days later," Ruan Qiuping said wistfully. "That way, I could have spent New Year's with you. I've never celebrated New Year's with you before."
"Coming today is great too. Because of Christmas, there are many fun things on this street, and..." Yu Huan paused, then smiled and said, "I was very happy when I saw you at the finish line today."
I was very happy too, Ruan Qiuping silently added in his heart.
The holiday street was indeed more entertaining than usual. From one end to the other, Ruan Qiuping and Yu Huan ate at seven or eight stalls and played over a dozen games. By the end, Ruan Qiuping was so full he could barely walk, yet he was still adorned with various prizes Yu Huan had won from the games.
As expected of a lucky god!
Ruan Qiuping happily patted the plush long-armed monkey hanging around his neck.
If he had to win these things himself, it would probably take decades.
As they were walking, Ruan Qiuping suddenly noticed a stall crowded with children. Being fond of joining in the fun, he immediately pulled Yu Huan over.
Upon closer inspection, they realized that an employee dressed as Santa Claus was interacting with the children.
Santa Claus led the children in singing Christmas carols, then swayed his body as he played a guessing game with them.
"There's a tree, big and green, with lights and a star on top. What tree is it—"
"Christmas tree!" the children answered in unison.
"There's a man who appears only once a year, bringing surprises and gifts every time he shows up. Who is he—"
As the children loudly answered "Santa Claus," a 16-year-old boy in white mixed among the children, laughing and shouting:
"—Ruan Ruan!"
.
After returning home, both were exhausted.
But instead of immediately sitting on the sofa, Ruan Qiuping began placing the prizes they had won from the games in various corners of the room.
"Ruan Ruan, do you like these plush toys that much?" Yu Huan asked with a smile.
"Someone born lucky like you wouldn't understand," Ruan Qiuping said. "To you, these are just ordinary plush toys, but to me, they're medals of good luck."
Ruan Qiuping paused, then added, "...Although these are your lucky medals, when you won these prizes, I was by your side, so I guess I absorbed 1% of your luck."
"Does Ruan Ruan like my good luck that much?" Yu Huan asked.
"Of course," Ruan Qiuping walked over and pinched Yu Huan's cheek. "It's because you're lucky that I dare to touch you."
Ruan Qiuping hugged Yu Huan tightly, contentedly nuzzling against him.
"I love your good luck so much!"
The smile on Yu Huan's lips seemed to fade for a moment, but quickly returned.
.
When Ruan Qiuping lazily lay back down on the sofa, a bundle of red string slipped out of his pocket, caught by Yu Huan's eye.
"What's that?" Yu Huan asked.
For some reason, Ruan Qiuping suddenly felt a bit guilty: "...Red string."
"What's it for?" Yu Huan inquired.
Ruan Qiuping glanced at Yu Huan's expression and said, "It's supposed to be a red string blessed at the Matchmaker God Temple, used for matchmaking... but don't misunderstand, I didn't intend to use the red string to find you a partner. Someone forced it on me."
"Really?"
"Really, I swear! I had no intention of using the red string to tie you to any girl! Look, I've been here for so long and never asked if you had a partner!"
"In that case, wouldn't it be a waste of this blessed red string?"
Huh? What does he mean?
Ruan Qiuping leaned his face close to Yu Huan's, blinking excitedly: "Does that mean you have someone you want to tie the red string with?"
"Yes."
Yu Huan unraveled the bundle of red string, finding its left and right ends. Then he tied one end to his left wrist.
"Little Yu Huan, what are you tying now? You should wait until you meet that girl in the future..."
Ruan Qiuping's words trailed off abruptly.
Because he saw Yu Huan tying the other end of the red string to his, Ruan Qiuping's, right wrist.
Ruan Qiuping was stunned for a moment: "Little Yu Huan, this is a matchmaking string, you can't tie it casually."
"I'm not tying it casually," Yu Huan looked up at him, his eyes twinkling with mischief and scattered light. "Didn't Ruan Ruan say you wanted to stay by my side forever, to always watch over me? So I'm using this blessed fateful string for good luck, to continue our bond, praying that our friendship can last long. Am I doing something wrong?"
Ruan Qiuping was stunned for a moment.
What Yu Huan said seemed right, but not entirely right.
Wait, Ruan Qiuping hurriedly realized something was off. He looked at the red string on his wrist that was gradually becoming transparent, frantically trying to untie it while exclaiming, "But what you're talking about is karmic connection, this red string is for romantic destiny!"
"Oh?" Yu Huan blinked, seemingly quite troubled, "Then it seems I misheard. What should we do? Nothing bad will happen, right?"
Yu Huan had tied dead knots on both their hands, and before Ruan Qiuping could manage to untie it, the red string had already dissipated into their skin and bones.
Ruan Qiuping: "..."
"By the way, Ruan Ruan," Yu Huan asked with a look of innocent curiosity, "How did the red string disappear? Is it magic? That's amazing."
"Ah..."
Ruan Qiuping let out a long groan, burying his entire face into the sofa.
Yu Huan watched from the side, his eyes curving into crescents as he smiled.