1.

When the Head and the Deputy Head of the Student Union Art Troupe burst into the boys’ dormitory A-502, only three people were left.

The head, panting heavily, asked, “Where’s Lin Shiyu?”

Three hands pointed to an empty lower bunk. “He’s already run off with his luggage.”

“Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Sister, you know how Shiyu gets when he’s angry. Nothing can survive within a hundred miles.”

The Head was distraught. “The New Year’s party is next week, that little rascal—ah!”

2.
Meanwhile, Lin Shiyu, dressed in a thick white coat and carrying a bag, jumped off the high-speed train that had arrived in Beijing.

The northern wind immediately made his head ache. Lin Shiyu hurried up the stairs into the station, his hair tousled by the wind. He skillfully found the subway entrance, squeezing onto the train while nervously scrolling through his chat history with Zhong Qi, making sure he hadn’t given anything away due to his excitement. He stared at the screen with a serious expression, scrolling up and down, and sent a message.

[What are you doing?]

Reply: [I’m in the library doing homework.]

[Is that the one at your college?]

[Yeah. What about you? Still rehearsing?]

Lin Shiyu deleted the senior sister’s soul-searching triple exclamation mark message and continued typing, [I finished rehearsing and am on my way back.]

[Don’t use your phone on the road, chat in the dorm.]

Lin Shiyu put his phone back in his pocket, held onto the handrail, breathed in and out, and occasionally tiptoed, shaking himself.

They hadn’t seen each other since National Day. Zhong Qi was busy with his studies, and Lin Shiyu was forcefully assigned to the Student Union Art Troupe to prepare for both the New Year’s and New Year’s Eve parties. He also had to work on weekends, so sometimes they couldn’t even manage a video call in a day and could only send each other goodnight messages.

Busy and unable to meet, their phone calls would be cut short because they both had things to do. Over time, Lin Shiyu visibly began to withdraw, most tangibly evidenced by the fact that as soon as he returned to his dorm, he would curl up in bed with the teddy bear Zhong Qi had given him for his birthday, playing dead. His roommates would call him to play basketball, but he wouldn’t play, ask him to go out to dinner, but he wouldn’t go, or to play games together, but he wouldn’t play.

Finally, his roommates couldn’t stand it anymore and urged him to buy a ticket and go to Beijing for a date, saying they would cover for him. Without saying a word, Lin Shiyu bought his ticket and disappeared.

 

3.
There were many people entering and leaving the school at night, so Lin Shiyu took advantage of the chaos to sneak in and found his way to the Mathematics Library. The aftereffects of the harsh northern winter were too strong, making Lin Shiyu sniffle uncontrollably.

Unable to bear the cold at the entrance, Lin Shiyu moved to a corner inside the library, standing there, and looking down at the message Zhong Qi had sent before he could reply.

[Have you reached the dorm?]

[Did you drop your phone in the sink again?]

Leaning against the wall, Lin Shiyu struggled to type with his stiff, frozen fingers [I went to take a shower. Have you finished studying?]

[Got a bit of homework left, will be back by 10:30.]

Lin Shiyu checked the time—it was 9:30.

 

4.

He had been waiting at the library door for an hour.

The library had heating, but the automatic door opening and closing let in air that chilled Lin Shiyu to the bone. He tried to move farther away, occasionally bouncing up and down, so as not to feel too cold.

He checked his phone now and then, replied to his roommate’s messages, and glanced at the time. After a while, he looked at it again.

10:25.

Lin Shiyu’s heart began to race. He put his phone back in his pocket and looked up at the gate.

A few minutes later, a tall figure emerged from the elevator. He wore a knee-length black cotton coat, simple jeans, casual shoes, and carried a bag. His steps were steady, and his long legs kicked up a gust of wind.

Since university, Zhong Qi had grown another two centimeters taller, now standing at 1.83 meters. His features were still handsome and charming, his gaze straight when walking, his temperament aloof and calm, appearing even more mature and stable than before.

Lin Shiyu’s heart suddenly raced. Stupidly staring at Zhong Qi as he swiped his card through the gate, their eyes met immediately.

Zhong Qi clearly froze for a moment, staring at him for a whole three seconds before walking towards him.

Lin Shiyu stood still, swallowed nervously, and only remembered to say something when Zhong Qi was right in front of him. Just as he was about to speak, two sneezes came out in a row.

He quickly covered his nose. The next moment, Zhong Qi grabbed his wrist. He held Lin Shiyu’s hand to his lips, frowning. “Why are your hands so cold?”

He reached out to touch Lin Shiyu’s face. “Your face is frozen stiff.”

Lin Shiyu stupidly let him hold his face, lifting his chin, saying, “No, I’m not cold.”

Zhong Qi used his large hand to cover Lin Shiyu’s icy cheek, staring into his dark eyes for a while before suddenly smiling.

Then he lowered his head and kissed him hard.

Lin Shiyu was so scared he froze for two seconds, and when he finally reacted, he pushed him away quickly. Zhong Qi held him tightly and kissed him fiercely before letting go. Lin Shiyu blocked his bitten lips and looked around in panic, seeing a teacher on the sofa holding a newspaper and looking at them through his glasses.

Lin Shiyu pushed Zhong Qi away and ran away in a panic.

 

5.

Zhong Qi went back to the dormitory to get things and also brought Lin Shiyu a woolen hat. The hat was his, a bit big, covering Lin Shiyu’s head.

“You came to Beijing without knowing to wear a hat.” Zhong Qi helped him put on the hat and straightened his scarf. “Be careful not to let your head fly off.”

Zhong Qi took Lin Shiyu to a nice hotel near the school.

As soon as they entered the room, Lin Shiyu didn’t even have time to unpack his bag before Zhong Qi lifted him and pressed him against the wall, kissing him. His feet left the ground and he kicked around wildly, kissed by Zhong Qi so much he could hardly breathe. The two stumbled to the bed. Zhong Qi threw Lin Shiyu’s scarf and hat onto the bed, pressed the back of his head fiercely, and bit his neck. Lin Shiyu was bitten so hard that he had to turn his face aside, grabbing Zhong Qi’s clothes and panting hard. “Shower… shower!”

He threw his clothes and pants on the bed, the backpack crooked on the floor. There were the sounds of water splashing in the bathroom, a pair of hands suddenly bracing against the frosted glass, convulsing and curling into a fist.

When Zhong Qi pushed in, Lin Shiyu felt like crying. The lubricant was squeezed out roughly, sliding down his legs. Zhong Qi pinched his waist tightly and pressed him against the glass, thrusting from behind like a wild beast. Lin Shiyu’s face flushed and he gasped for breath. After a few times, he was forced to beg, “Slower… mmm!”

Zhong Qi pushed deeper into him as if he were starving, pushing him up on tiptoe a few times. He pinched Lin Shiyu’s chin and kissed him, his teeth tearing at his lips and tongue, blocking his rapid breaths, the force of his thrusts so great that Lin Shiyu was almost pressed against the glass. The stream of water hit the floor, splintering and mixed with the chaotic sound of crying gasps, flesh slamming, and the watery stains of deep kisses.

Lin Shiyu was pinned against the bathroom glass and taken hard, his trembling erection rubbing against the glass, smearing it with sticky fluid that slid down. After they finished, without even putting on his clothes, Lin Shiyu was carried out of the bathroom by Zhong Qi, who pressed him against the wall and entered him again.

“Ah! No…” Lin Shiyu, overwhelmed, left deep scratches on Zhong Qi’s back. “Go to the bed, go… ah!”

Zhong Qi lifted his legs, bit his lips, and thrust deep, hitting Lin Shiyu’s most sensitive spot. Lin Shiyu felt like he was losing his mind, his body stretched to the limit, his abdomen convulsing violently. He couldn’t make a sound, just a weak whimper. Zhong Qi was so deep that the weight of his body forced Lin Shiyu to take even more. Lin Shiyu, intensely stimulated, blushed all over and came again, spilling sticky fluid over his abdomen

“Do you like it?” Zhong Qi pinned him to the wall, grinding against his sensitive spot, feeling the extreme pleasure of the contractions. He bit Lin Shiyu’s sweat-damp ear and whispered hoarsely, “Want more?”

Lin Shiyu, gasping for breath, shook his head in discomfort. Zhong Qi then carried him to the bed, pressing him down and thrusting back in.

“—Mm!” Lin Shiyu’s back arched, and his waist caved in. “I can’t… ah!”

Zhong Qi gripped his waist and kept thrusting, causing their fluids to splash everywhere. Lin Shiyu clutched the sheets, whimpering, his knuckles turning white from the strain, nearly tearing the sheets apart.

The bed shook violently. Lin Shiyu’s voice grew hoarse. Unable to take it, he reached out to push Zhong Qi’s hips. “Not so… hard… mm…”

Zhong Qi grabbed his wrist and pulled it behind his back, becoming even rougher, turning Lin Shiyu’s inner thighs red and slick. Lin Shiyu’s toes curled and turned white.

“Too hard?” Zhong Qi leaned down, biting his neck and leaving a conspicuous mark. “Then stop clenching so tight.”

Lin Shiyu was driven into the bed, his bones feeling like they were falling apart. His legs tensed and then went limp. Finally, the mixture of their fluids ran down his back, and Zhong Qi climaxed, pressing against him. The liquid overflowed, covering Lin Shiyu. He nearly passed out, lying motionless in the corner of the bed, his vision blurry. Zhong Qi carried him for another bath, dressed him in clean clothes, and left him collapsed in the bed like a broken doll.

“Beast.” Lin Shiyu, hugging the blanket, declared a one-sided temporary breakup with Zhong Qi, and pouting. “I’m never coming to see you again.”

6. 
   He sulked alone in the corner, but by midnight, he found himself being held again.
   It was still more comfortable sleeping while being held.

7. 
   He sulked alone in the corner, but by midnight, he found himself being held again.

It was still more comfortable sleeping while being held.

The next day was sunny, with a bright sun but cold weather. Lin Shiyu woke up in the morning, feeling lazy and unwilling to get out of bed. Zhong Qi held him under the covers, talking to him and occasionally touching his hair and giving him a kiss.

“Why did you lose weight?” Zhong Qi measured his waist with his hands. “Haven’t you been eating properly?”

Lin Shiyu, drowsy in his embrace, replied, “The people in the arts department are always keeping me busy. I even have to work on weekends.”

Zhong Qi reached for Lin Shiyu’s phone, unlocked it, and looked through his chat history. Ever since Lin Shiyu was randomly picked by the instructor to perform during the freshman military training and reluctantly sang a song, has made everyone aware of this handsome guy with a great voice. The head of the arts troupe kept urging him to join, and Lin Shiyu eventually agreed, reluctantly stepping into the life of being forced to perform.

Zhong Qi, scrolling through the phone, said, “Every time your school’s arts troupe posts a video of you, the views skyrocket.”

“Why are you even following our arts troupe’s social media?”

“To save your videos.”

He said this so matter-of-factly that Lin Shiyu had no retort. Saving videos was one thing, but Zhong Qi knew his class schedule, his roommates, and the contacts of the arts troupe members. He even had the phone number of the senior whose studio Lin Shiyu worked at, ensuring he could always reach Lin Shiyu and know what he was up to.

Lin Shiyu slapped the phone out of his hand, annoyed. “Why do you always look through my messages?”

“Some people at school treat you like a celebrity now, and try to take advantage of you,” Zhong Qi said after reading the messages. “Don’t agree to random gigs. Just focus on your club activities with your senior members.”

Lin Shiyu muttered, “Got it. You’re so controlling.”

Zhong Qi immediately grabbed his leg. Lin Shiyu, alarmed, struggled, but he was still soft inside, and Zhong Qi easily entered him with just a little pressure. Lin Shiyu, humiliated, apologized and pleaded, but Zhong Qi mercilessly pushed in deeper, holding him and started to move.

8.

On the way to school, Zhong Qi bought a candied haw for Lin Shiyu. Lin Shiyu ate the candied haw. His legs were still a bit weak, so Zhong Qi held his hand firmly.

Zhong Qi took Lin Shiyu to the university cafeteria for a meal. They had chicken leg rice, fried tofu, soaked bread, soup dumplings, barbecue, and soy milk, filling the table and causing others to stare in amazement. Lin Shiyu grabbed his chopsticks and ate hungrily. The two of them, both having good appetites, quickly cleared the table.

After eating, Zhong Qi took Lin Shiyu for a walk around the university, visiting the famous lake and the legendary tower. However, the campus was too large, and they couldn’t cover everything in one go.

“Want to see a movie?” Zhong Qi asked.

Lin Shiyu shook his head.

“The museum?”

“Too big, I don’t want to walk.”

“How about the pear orchard?”

Lin Shiyu pondered, and Zhong Qi lifted his chin, saying, “You get lazy as soon as winter comes.”

Lin Shiyu whispered, “We could go back to the hotel, lie in bed, and watch a movie or something.”

Zhong Qi raised an eyebrow, watching him lower his head and scratch his ear, a hint of red appearing on his fair cheeks.

 

9.

In the hotel room, the curtains were drawn, and the light was dim. The big bed creaked.

“Ugh… I didn’t mean to do… this kind of thing…”

“So, what do you want to do?”

“I just… want to… cuddle and sleep… ah!”

“But aren’t we cuddling and sleeping now?”

“Ah… you…”

Lin Shiyu was on the verge of tears.

10.
When the curtains were drawn open again, it was already deep into the night. Thousands of lights lit up, and people and vehicles moved through the city that never slept.

It had snowed outside at some point, and the snow had accumulated to ankle depth. The world was covered in a flurry of white, quiet and peaceful.

Lin Shiyu, being from the south, was very interested in the snowy scene. He moved from the bed to the sofa and looked out through the glass window. Last winter, he had also seen snow in Beijing. That time, he and Zhong Qi went ice skating at Houhai. Lin Shiyu couldn’t stand steadily on the skates, so Zhong Qi held his hand the whole time. After leaving the ice rink, it started snowing.

That day, they sat face to face in a small shop in Houhai, eating spicy hot pot. The shop was warm and steamy, while the snow fell continuously outside. An old cat in the shop meandered around Lin Shiyu’s feet. Lin Shiyu’s mouth was red from eating, and he looked like a cat himself.

The shop was bustling, but Lin Shiyu remembered Zhong Qi holding him, speaking close to his ear, “Lin Shiyu, think of me when you get back, okay?”

Then he thought Zhong Qi was being too clingy and pushed him away to continue eating.

Lin Shiyu exhaled a mist on the glass window and said to Zhong Qi, “Let’s go play in the snow.”

Zhong Qi, sitting on the sofa with his computer, responded, “You’re quite energetic.”

Lin Shiyu excitedly turned around to put on his sweater. Zhong Qi had to close his computer and get up to put on his shoes. They dressed warmly and went downstairs to play in the snow.

There was a park downstairs, and snowflakes danced under the bright streetlights. Lin Shiyu left a trail of footprints in the snow, crouched down, and started making a snowman. He wore a big white cotton jacket, a knitted hat, a scarf, gloves, and snow boots, making him look like a little snowman himself.

Zhong Qi watched him for a while from behind and took a photo with his phone. Then he switched to video mode and casually walked over, squatting beside Lin Shiyu. “What are you doing?”

In the frame, Lin Shiyu’s profile looked focused and serious, his eyelashes drooping when he looked down. “I’m making a snowman.”

“You’re making a pancake, aren’t you?”

Lin Shiyu shot him a look, only then realizing he was filming. “What are you filming?”

“Your senior films you every day, can’t I?”

“That’s work for me.”

“And this is dating.”

Under the clear, close-up camera lens, Lin Shiyu’s fair skin showed a hint of red. He pressed two lopsided snowballs together and said, “This is you.”

The camera turned to a pitiful white mound of snow, and Zhong Qi’s laughter could be heard in the recording. “Not bad, a work of art.”

Lin Shiyu seemed to think his craftsmanship was too poor and laughed at the ugly snowman.

He reached to push it away. “No, let’s make a new one.”

Zhong Qi held his wrist. “It’s cute like this.”

He gently kissed Lin Shiyu’s cold, soft lips. “You’re even cuter.”

A few passersby walked by the park fence, and they kissed quietly in the snow under the streetlight. Zhong Qi’s lips were warm and hot, making Lin Shiyu’s tongue tingle slightly. Lin Shiyu tilted his head back, and when he opened his eyes, he looked into Zhong Qi’s deep, dark eyes.

Those eyes looked like a deep universe, calmly and coolly enveloping him.

They had been enveloping him like this for a long time.

11.
When the door closed, Lin Shiyu took the initiative to wrap his arms around Zhong Qi’s neck and kiss him. Zhong Qi locked the door, held his waist with one hand, and kissed him back, laughing softly. “Are you already missing me now?”

Lin Shiyu, feeling embarrassed by his words, didn’t say anything. Zhong Qi picked him up and placed him on the bed, gently kissing his neck. “Want to watch a movie?”

Lin Shiyu responded with a “Mm” and hugged his waist. “I want to talk with you.”

They lay under the blanket together, watching a movie on the computer. The snow continued to fall outside, and the room was warm and cozy. Lin Shiyu nestled in Zhong Qi’s arms, watching the movie and occasionally chatting with him about the people and events they encountered while apart; how classmates and friends were doing, and how things were at home. Zhong Qi intermittently kissed him, holding him close, as if he liked and adored him deeply, repeatedly marking him to show everyone that he belonged to him.

The bed was sometimes quiet, sometimes filled with soft touches and kisses. As the night grew late, the movie played its slow, melodious ending theme. The computer was placed at a slant on the bedside, and no one cared about it.

12. Zhong Qi took Lin Shiyu to the high-speed train station, and they said goodbye at the gate.

“It’s getting cold, don’t wander around alone,” Zhong Qi said as he fixed Lin Shiyu’s scarf. “During winter break, plan to take a trip to Yunnan with Mao and the others.”

Lin Shiyu immediately nodded. Zhong Qi smiled, pulled him close, and kissed him for a while. “Call me when you get to school.”

Lin Shiyu replied with an “Mm,” waved at him, and turned to enter the station after swiping his card.

They had both gotten used to it. They would either say goodbye at Wuhan Station or at Beijing Station. Over time, they stopped saying much when parting and didn’t look back at the lonely figure in the crowd always watching them leave.

Then, during their busy times, they would count the days until their next meeting.

 

Edited by: Jaisland

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