The Gentle Man Next Door is a Rabbit - 87

 

TGMNDIAR - 87 | If-line (6)

Xu Mu had been acting paranoid at school recently.

"Stop turning your head, you're making me dizzy," Bai Nian said, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

Xu Mu's expression didn't change as he casually twirled the pen in his hand. "I'm not turning my head, it's your head that's spinning."

Bai Nian: "..."

Xu Mu propped his chin on his hand and said lazily, "I'm a bit hungry."

During the break after the fourth period, he had gotten used to eating something, previously it was sweets, and now it was snacks.

Bai Nian casually pulled out a few pieces of chocolate from his desk and handed them over.

Xu Mu didn't take them, instead, he calmly opened his mouth.

"You're so lazy," Bai Nian smiled, used to this behavior, and unwrapped the chocolate, feeding it to him.

Luo Haoyu happened to see this scene and clicked his tongue, "Xu Mu, are you acting like a little wife needing to be fed?"

Xu Mu responded with an "Oh" and said expressionlessly, "Yeah, I am."

Luo Haoyu choked for a moment.

—Great, shamelessness is invincible.

Xu Mu unwrapped a piece of chocolate himself, intending to feed it to Bai Nian.

"I don't want it," Bai Nian declined. These chocolates were too sweet for his taste but suited Xu Mu's preference.

Xu Mu, dissatisfied, elongated his voice, "Not eating? Are you going to find another best friend to feed you, oh no, your lifelong partner to feed you?"

Bai Nian: "..."

Xu Mu continued to offer the chocolate.

Bai Nian ate it, then pinched the palm of Xu Mu's hand.

Xu Mu pinched back.

The two of them immaturely wrestled under the desk, neither willing to give in.

The class bell rang.

"Class rep, Teacher Zheng said he needs your help to get the teaching equipment," a girl shouted through the window.

Bai Nian looked up, nodded with a smile, "Okay, I'll be right there."

"Let's go, I'll go with you," the girl said.

Bai Nian prepared to stand up, but Xu Mu still held onto his hand.

"Let go for a bit," Bai Nian said, shaking his wrist.

Xu Mu lowered his eyelashes, "You let go first."

Bai Nian looked at him steadily and softly called, "Ah Mu?"

Xu Mu: "..."

Reluctantly, he let go and lay back down on the desk.

Bai Nian quietly patted his head.

Xu Mu lifted his eyelids but didn't move, instead leaning his head into Bai Nian's palm.

Bai Nian's mouth curved into a slight smile.

At noon, when school ended, Bai Nian was called to the office by the physics teacher to get something.

Xu Mu said, "I'll wait for you."

Bai Nian agreed and hurried out.

Xu Mu slowly followed behind, walking out of the classroom, turning a few corners, and going down to the second floor where the physics office was located at the very end.

The silver automatic door was tightly closed. He glanced at it, then turned around to lean on the windowsill, looking at the scenery outside.

The late spring sunlight was not intense, falling on the branches without being blinding.

Under the shade of a tree, someone was pacing, seemingly waiting for a friend just like him.

A few minutes later, the other person met their friend first.

Judging by the direction they left, it was towards the Canteen 3..

"Click," a faint sound reached his ears, followed by footsteps.

"Hey, Ah Mu, why weren’t you waiting in the classroom?" Bai Nian asked in surprise.

Xu Mu raised an eyebrow, standing at the office door. "Why, only someone you want to spend your life with can wait for you?"

Bai Nian nudged his arm, "Keep your voice down, this is outside the office."

Xu Mu retaliated with a nudge, and Bai Nian glanced sideways, playing along.

The two walked, nudging each other the entire way.

It ended with Xu Mu almost tripping and Bai Nian catching him quickly.

"...Cough, cough, that was an accident." Xu Mu awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"You are so childish," Bai Nian said helplessly.

Xu Mu tilted his chin up slightly and muttered, "We're only eighteen, not seventy or eighty. This is youth! Liveliness! Energy! Bouncing around is normal!"

As he spoke, he convinced himself.

"You're not eighteen yet, you're just a few days short."

"You can round it up."

"..."

"Isn't that okay?"

Bai Nian couldn't help but laugh, "Fine, fine, the lively and energetic Xu Mu, what do you want for lunch?"

"How about barbecue rice? I heard the new sweet and spicy sauce is delicious."

...

On his eighteenth birthday, after having dinner with friends, Xu Mu sat in front of a cake personally made by Bai Nian, wearing a birthday hat amidst the loud cheers from Lou Haoyu and the others.

Nian Yueyue also clapped vigorously, adding to the festive atmosphere.

"Make a wish, make a wish!" Nian Yueyue cheerfully called out, encouraging Zou Ning beside her.

Bai Nian gently clapped his hands, looking at Xu Mu with a soft gaze.

Luo Haoyu said, "Shouldn't we sing the birthday song?"

"Yes!" Nian Yueyue nodded and started singing, "…Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…"

Bai Nian joined in, clapping in rhythm, staring at Xu Mu without blinking, as if trying to imprint the moment into his heart.

Xu Mu clasped his hands together and closed his eyes. The orange-yellow candle flames flickered, slowly burning.

The melody of the song echoed in his ears, and he silently made his wish.

"Done." Xu Mu opened his eyes and blew out the candles.

Luo Haoyu was the first to stand up, "Alright, let's officially congratulate our Xu Mu on stepping into the world of adults!!!"

Xu Mu: "Why does that sound so off to me?"

Luo Haoyu casually threw an arm over his shoulder, "What, isn't it true? The adult world is now open to you. Want me to show you the way?"

Xu Mu disdainfully brushed him off and leaned against Bai Nian.

"No need, Mr. Adult who's only two months older than me."

Luo Haoyu clicked his tongue, "Speaking of which, among us, you're the youngest, right?"

He measured Xu Mu's height, "Yet you're the tallest and biggest."

"Oh." Xu Mu responded nonchalantly, his eyes fixed on the cake.

—He wondered how Ah Nian's new flavor tastes...

“Want some cake?” Bai Nian asked with a soft laugh, looking down.

“Yeah.” Xu Mu blinked, then got up and pushed the chattering Luo Haoyu aside. “I’m cutting the cake now, don’t get in the way.”

Luo Haoyu leaned over again, “Give me that big strawberry and the pink carousel next to it.”

Nian Yueyue swatted his head, “No way, the pretty pink one is for Ning Ning.”

Zou Ning tilted her head without saying anything, but she affectionately rubbed Nian Yueyue’s cheek, expressing her thanks and fondness.

“Ladies first.” Xu Mu handed the big strawberry to Zou Ning.

Zou Ning whispered a thank you.

“You’re welcome.” Xu Mu carefully cut the cake, making sure each piece was just right before giving them to his friends.

Finally, he selected the most perfect piece, with the most fruit and the best design, for Bai Nian—a complete, cute cartoon-style green bamboo viper, standing adorably on the cream frosting, vivid and lifelike.

“You cut out the whole snake?” Bai Nian accepted it cautiously. “This should be for the birthday boy…”

“No, the birthday boy decides who gets it!” Xu Mu lowered his voice, “The birthday boy wants you to have it, to share some good fortune with you.”

Bai Nian’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, the flickering candlelight casting soft shadows on his cheeks, making his expression even more charming.

Bai Nian scooped a small piece of cake with a spoon and tasted it.

“How is it?” Xu Mu asked.

Bai Nian smiled, “That’s a question I should be asking you.”

Xu Mu suddenly realized, right, Bai Nian made the cake.

“Want a bite?” Bai Nian offered him a piece of cake.

Without thinking, Xu Mu opened his mouth and ate it, as if it were instinctive.

“How is it?” Bai Nian asked.

Xu Mu answered seriously, “The best cake in the world.”

Bai Nian chuckled, “Alright, thank you.”

He thought for a moment and then added, “Happy birthday, Ah Mu.”

“Mm.”

…

After eating the cake, Xu Mu received a pile of gifts. Luo Haoyu yawned first, saying he had to leave. Shortly after, Nian Yueyue and Zou Ning also left, leaving only Xu Mu and Bai Nian.

Xu Mu took a bath first, then returned to his room to wait for Bai Nian. When Bai Nian finally entered, Xu Mu was sitting upright on the edge of the bed, looking expectantly at him.

Bai Nian’s hair was still wet. Smiling, he walked over. “Why are you just sitting there and not opening your gifts?”

Xu Mu replied, “I’ll open them later.”

Next to the bed was a circle of beautifully wrapped gifts. Besides the ones from Luo Haoyu and the others, there were gifts from Aunt Tao, Aunt Xi, and some of the kids he interacted with at the orphanage, like Tiantian and Yan Yu.

“I’m waiting for your gift,” Xu Mu said, looking up at him.

Bai Nian teased, “Didn’t I already give it to you? The blue box over there, aren’t you going to open it?”

Xu Mu pouted and pulled Bai Nian onto the bed. He grabbed a hair dryer and started to dry Bai Nian’s hair.

“Be gentle,” Bai Nian said helplessly. “You’re pulling my hair out.”

Xu Mu retorted, “No, I’m not,” but instantly lightened his touch.

The sound of the hair dryer faded away, and Xu Mu leaned closer to Bai Nian's neck, whispering, "My gift."

He held up two fingers. "The second one."

Bai Nian teased him, "Which one? I don’t remember."

Xu Mu narrowed his eyes, making them even more narrow, and lowered his voice, "----Ah Nian? You’re doing this on purpose."

Bai Nian blinked, looking back at him innocently.

Xu Mu pounced on him, grabbing his ankle, and began using his ultimate move—

"Hahaha... alright, I remember... stop tickling my feet, aren’t you tired of using this trick... hahaha..."

Bai Nian laughed until tears came out, and Xu Mu said slowly, "As long as it works."

Finally, Bai Nian caught his breath, his stomach was faintly aching. He rolled into the blanket, the fluffy cotton against his cheek making him feel drowsy.

Xu Mu leaned closer, rubbing his forehead against him. "Ah Nian... tell me, what's wrong with your health? Can it be cured? How does it affect you? Do you usually feel uncomfortable—"

He paused, then softly continued, "I've been observing you these past few days. It doesn’t seem like you look uncomfortable. Is the pain not frequent?"

Bai Nian was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "No wonder you're always following me. Haoyu even said we’re like little girls, holding hands to go to the bathroom."

Xu Mu coughed lightly, "It was just a coincidence, I happened to run into you."

Bai Nian smiled but didn’t say anything. After the commotion, the tension in his heart eased a lot. 

Yes, he had actually been nervous all along. On the surface, he had the presence of mind to tease Xu Mu, but in reality, his mind was buzzing too.

"It's not really a big deal, I wasn’t lying to you." Bai Nian said softly, his fingers brushing through Xu Mu's bangs, his eyes not moving away for a second.

Bai Nian kept a close watch on Xu Mu's expressions. "My body is a bit different from a normal guy's. I have an extra organ."

His tone was light, as if he were talking about something trivial.

Xu Mu repeated, "An extra... organ?"

He didn't understand immediately, and his thoughts stalled for a moment before restarting.

Bai Nian responded with a hum, his fingertips slightly curling. He almost held his breath as he looked at Xu Mu.

Xu Mu's expression didn't change much; he seemed puzzled, as if he were deep in thought.

"Is it hard to understand?" Bai Nian asked.

Xu Mu paused, "It’s not hard, but I'm not sure if I understand it correctly."

Bai Nian prompted, "Why don't you tell me what you think?"

Xu Mu cautiously asked, "Is it like me? Like how a snake has...?"

Bai Nian was speechless for a moment, nearly forgetting that Xu Mu also had an extra organ.

He propped himself up on his elbow, smiling. "No, it's not like yours. Yours is normal; mine is considered abnormal."

Bai Nian then opened his smart device and showed Xu Mu the prepared documents. It was his medical report.

Xu Mu held it carefully and read from start to finish without missing a word.

As the silence stretched, Bai Nian rested his hand on his knee, his eyes constantly focused on Xu Mu's expression.

"Ah Nian," Xu Mu said, looking conflicted.

Bai Nian's heart skipped a beat. "What's wrong?"

Xu Mu hesitated, "You—"

"Yes?"

"You can have children?"

“...”

Xu Mu scratched his face, feeling a bit complicated. He couldn't shake off the feeling that their brotherly bond had changed somehow.

Bai Nian softly remarked, "Is that all you want to ask?"

A flicker of panic crossed Xu Mu's brow, and he quickly shook his head. "No, no, I just... casually asked. Uh, it's not important, you don't have to answer."

"..."

Embarrassed, Xu Mu flipped through Bai Nian's medical report, then suddenly his gaze froze.

"Surgical evaluation..." he asked, "Are you planning to have surgery in the future? To remove that organ."

Bai Nian fell silent for a moment. "Probably. I was supposed to have surgery when I was a kid, but because I was young, there was a risk of affecting another underdeveloped organ, so the danger was high. I decided to wait until I was an adult to observe it."

"Right now... I'm managing it okay. The doctors say the surgery has a high risk, and lifelong maintenance might be better. I don't know what to do, so I'll just wait and see for now."

"Okay, listen to the doctor," Xu Mu said earnestly.

"Do you think I should do it?" Bai Nian asked.

"It depends on whether it's good for your health. If the benefits outweigh the risks, do it; if the risks outweigh the benefits, don't. Everything should be based on your health," Xu Mu emphasized. "In any case, your health is the most important."

Bai Nian softly asked, "Do you find it... disgusting? Having such a strange and abnormal body..."

Xu Mu looked at Bai Nian quietly, then leaned in slowly until their foreheads touched.

"Not at all. It's not disgusting," he frowned. "Did someone say that to you? Don't let it get to you, Bai Nian is still Bai Nian, and you won't change because of anything. You will never change."

Bai Nian relaxed his arm, sinking into the pillow. He turned his head to look at Xu Mu, silent.

Xu Mu settled on the other pillow, speaking softly. "Really, don't worry about it..."

Bai Nian uttered a soft "Hmm," and replied, "I know."

"Then don't be upset," Xu Mu held his hand, gently moving his fingertips as if to comfort him.

Bai Nian smiled lightly, "I'm not upset."

Xu Mu didn't think so; he was convinced that someone had said something unpleasant to Bai Nian.

 Bai Nian seemed to understand Xu Mu's emotions and said softly, "I don't care about what others say; I only care about you."

Xu Mu's normal attitude made Bai Nian's heart burst with tiny fireworks of affection. 

"Yeah, that's right," Xu Mu nodded in agreement.

Bai Nian smiled and buried his face in the pillow. 

"What are you doing? Are you trying to suffocate yourself?" Xu Mu pushed his shoulder and shook him. "There's still the third gift that I haven't mentioned yet. You promised, so don't pretend to be asleep..."

Seeing no response, he hugged him from behind, just like before, and rolled around on the bed with him. 

Bai Nian didn't struggle, just turned his head, looking at Xu Mu with surprise.

Xu Mu paused, his hand reaching out into thin air before slowly retracting it. As their eyes met, the atmosphere became strange. 

Suddenly, Bai Nian lowered his head. "I thought you..."

"What did you think?" Xu Mu swallowed, his voice hesitant.

"Don't you feel awkward?" Bai Nian suddenly smiled, his eyes flashing. "After all, you also know that my body has an extra..."

Xu Mu exclaimed, "Can you get pregnant from me holding you? Will you give birth?"

Bai Nian twisted his ear. "Nonsense, I can't give birth."

Xu Mu felt relieved. "Then it's fine. We've been so close all these years. Are we suddenly going to change just because of this?"

Bai Nian pondered Xu Mu's words for a moment, then smiled and said, "You're right."

He propped up his elbow and casually said, "But there are still some differences. Have you heard of 'familiarity breeds contempt'? If we're too intimate, can we still be considered friends?"

"How can we not be considered friends? It's precisely because we're friends that we can be intimate," Xu Mu said matter-of-factly.

Bai Nian added, "Then what about Lou Haoyu and Nian Yueyue? They've known each other since childhood, but they don't walk arm in arm. If they did, it would be considered puppy love, and they'd be thinking about getting married in the future."

Xu Mu responded, "That's different. They can get married..."

He realized his mistake, his voice lowering. "It seems like men can also get married to men."

"Yeah, it's not uncommon," Bai Nian chuckled lightly, and said, "And besides, you should like girls, right? You wouldn't marry a man, let alone me, so there's really no need to worry..."

Xu Mu tried hard to turn his brain, but his thoughts froze. 

His brain was saying, ‘Hurry up, realize your mistake and let go; you're taking advantage of him.’

 But his body had its own will, holding onto the warmth in his arms firmly.

The faint scent of shower gel, mixed with the familiar sweetness, made him feel dizzy.

Getting married... with Ah Nian...

As Xu Mu continued to think, a voice quietly said, ‘It doesn't seem like a bad idea?’

Bai Nian's lips curled slightly as he decided to leave it at that.

His heart was beating fast, faintly touching upon the vague feelings of Ah Mu’s. 

Subtle and elusive, but it does seem to be there.

Three months to go...

Bai Nian's mood became excited, and he grabbed Xu Mu's hand, abruptly changing the subject.

"What's the third gift you want?"

Xu Mu instinctively replied, "I want the fur that you shed from your mimicry."

Bai Nian: ?

Xu Mu came back to his senses and quickly explained, "Well, it's almost summer, and your fur has been shedding constantly. It seems like a waste, so I thought I could collect it and make a little plush toy or something."

Bai Nian said with a strange expression, "Make a plush toy?"

"Just as the filling for the toy."

"..."

"Is it okay?" Xu Mu cleared his throat. "There's a shop that customizes toys. I can order one based on your mimicry appearance. Inside the toy, there will be cotton mixed with your fur, so..."

He faltered, not knowing why. At the time, he didn't think there was anything wrong because he really liked Bai Nian's long-eared rabbit mimicry. But now, thinking about it again...

He felt strange, like having a rash all over his body, making him itch all over.

Bai Nian stared at Xu Mu for a moment, then softly said, "Sure, that's fine."

"Um, thank you."

"You're welcome." Bai Nian chuckled as if amused, and his confidence in his heart.

He said, "Can I ask for a gift from you too?"

"Sure." Even though it was his birthday, Xu Mu didn't feel like anything was wrong.

"I want to apply to Torville University."

Xu Mu exclaimed, "Oh, that... Isn't that the Torville University where, they say, if you randomly drop a brick from the sky, it will hit the top student in every planet and region?"

"Yeah."

“...Why do you suddenly want to apply there? Didn't you say you were going to Beethoven Academy for architecture?” 

He studied the Interstellar Network major.

"That's not important." Bai Nian shook his head, "What matters is that I want to apply to Torville University."

"Then you definitely can," Xu Mu said. "Your grades..."

"I want you to go with me."

Xu Mu: ???

"Who's going with you? Me??? I'm going to Torville University????" He was shocked. "How could I even get in? You might have a chance, but me, I..."

"Don't you want to go to the same university as me?" Bai Nian lowered his gaze. "Ah Mu, we agreed on this."

Xu Mu: "...Is this something I can do just because I want to?"

"Why wouldn't you be able to?"

Xu Mu wanted Bai Nian to come to his senses. "Even if I want to, don't I need time? The college entrance exam is only a few months away, and I haven't..."

"So let's start working hard from today." Bai Nian gently interrupted, "I'll help you review, you'll definitely make it."

Xu Mu wanted to argue, but looking into those eyes—

His translucent gray-blue eyes, with a faint smile, like a lake shimmering with blue light.

Xu Mu gave in.

"Oh... that makes sense. It's not impossible."

Bai Nian rubbed his head, "Then let's work hard."

He glanced at the time, "It's still early, do you want to review your weakest subject and fill in the gaps?"

Xu Mu: ...What was he even saying just now?

He was utterly bewildered.

Three months to apply to Torville University?

It seemed like a dream.

But his mouth had a mind of its own, "Okay."

Bai Nian's gaze became even more tender.

Xu Mu followed Bai Nian to the desk, opening the eye-protecting suspended lamp. 

A night of knowledge was absorbed, leading to dreams until dawn.

---

"Xu Mu, have you been too nervous because of the college entrance exam lately?" Luo Haoyu asked with concern. "You were studying after class, I even went to the dorm to borrow a washing machine, and you were still studying."

Nian Yueyue also turned around, "Yeah, your grades are stable, you'll definitely get into your dream school, don't worry."

Luo Haoyu echoed, "Three years of hard work, these three months are the eve of testing the results, there’s no need to be too nervous."

Xu Mu: ...

Internally he screamed: You don't understand!

"No, I'm just filling in the gaps." Xu Mu said calmly, pretending.

Luo Haoyu was about to say something, but Xu Mu made a "stop" gesture. "Alright, let's not talk about it, I need to correct some mistakes."

Luo Haoyu: ...

"Ah Mu." Bai Nian came in from the back door, speaking softly, "Do you want to go for dessert tonight?"

"Okay." Xu Mu replied subconsciously, but then remembered he hadn't finished the questions given by Bai Nianye. "I haven't started the fourth volume yet..."

"No need to rush, combine work and rest." Bai Nian asked, "Do you trust me?"

"I do!" 

Bai Nian gently said, "Then let's go."

Xu Mu nodded dazedly.

Luo Haoyu: ...

Something's not right, really not right!

Xu Mu looked like he was possessed by something!!

---

For three months, Xu Mu was tense like a tightly strung string, making the final sprint.

Every time Xu Mu felt overly nervous, Bai Nian would promptly notice and take him to relax before continuing to study. 

Xu Mu always felt something was off, but the daily mental exhaustion left him unable to spare the energy to think about the reasons. 

Or perhaps he had a vague guess, but now was not the right time to discuss it. 

He thought: Did Bai Nian really want to attend Torville University? And did he want him to accompany him? If so, there should have been hints three years ago. 

But there weren't, only three months ago. Xu Mu twirled his pen, realizing there were hints.

…

On the day of the college entrance exam. 

Auntie Xiao Tao and Auntie Xi came to the school to bring Xu Mu lunch, and they also brought one for Bai Nian. 

Because Xu Mu and Bai Nian happened to be assigned to the same examination room, they saw Mrs. Bai outside, earnestly giving instructions to Bai Nian. 

Mrs. Bai also brought Xu Mu's lunch. 

They exchanged lunches and began to eat. 

"Why do you keep looking at me?" Xu Mu asked. 

Bai Nian shook his head, smiling, "I just want to look at you." 

"Oh," Xu Mu thought for a moment. 

"The questions are quite simple, I think I should be able to achieve the target score." 

Bai Nian said, "Forgetting one subject after another isn't important. What's important now is to fill our stomachs." 

Xu Mu nodded and took a few bites, then leaned in close to Bai Nian's ear. 

"Don't worry, even if I don't get into Torville University, I'll still apply to nearby universities. We can move out and live together when the time comes, and we can still go to university together." 

Bai Nian looked up, staring directly at Xu Mu. 

Xu Mu was startled. 

"What's wrong?"

Bai Nian sighed inwardly, confirming once again that he was indeed a fool. He shook his head and said, "It's nothing." 

After a pause, he added, "You're right, though. We'll definitely go to university together." 

Xu Mu's lips curled up. "Of course." 

In the afternoon after the exam, the students of the entire school rushed out of the gates like wild horses released from their reins. 

The crowd surged in one direction, while Xu Mu stood calmly to the side, leaning against Bai Nian lazily. 

"It's so crowded..." 

"We'll leave later," Bai Nian said. 

"What do you want to eat tonight?" 

"Anything's fine. Do you want to go out?" 

"I don't feel like going out," Xu Mu said honestly. 

Just now, when asked by Lou Haoyu and his group if he wanted to go out to celebrate tonight, he had directly refused. 

"In that case, I'll cook at home." 

"But Auntie..." 

"I already told her. She's going out with friends today," Bai Nian said with a smile. "You need to relax after the college entrance exam." 

Xu Mu paused. "We'll go to..." 

Bai Nian continued, "My old house tonight." 

"Oh, okay," Xu Mu couldn't quite pinpoint what felt wrong, but he instinctively nodded. 

Bai Nian asked, "What do you want to eat tonight? I'll make it for you."

"Let's order takeout instead," Xu Mu said. "We've been taking exams all day today, It’s too tiring." 

"I'm okay with that," Bai Nian shrugged, not minding. "How about I cook one dish and order the rest?" 

"Alright." 

"What do you want to eat?" 

Xu Mu thought for a moment. "Steamed pork ribs with taro." 

"Okay." 

On the way, they stopped by the mall to buy fresh pork ribs. Back home, Xu Mu went to take a shower first while Bai Nian prepared the ingredients in the kitchen. 

When Xu Mu came out, steam was billowing from the steamer in the kitchen, filling the air with a fragrant aroma and emitting a faint sound. 

In the bathroom down the hall, there was the sound of running water. 

Oh, Bai Nian was taking a shower. 

The screen on the coffee table in the living room was lit up, displaying the food delivery app. 

Bai Nian had already selected a few items, and Xu Mu sat down beside him, instinctively starting to choose as well. 

A few minutes later. 

"What did you order?" Bai Nian walked over, his hair still damp with water droplets. 

"Here, just these. Take a look if you want to add anything." 

"No need, these are fine." 

"Then I'll place the order." 

"Okay."

Xu Mu selected the address, completed the payment, and felt accomplished. He lay back on the sofa, feeling relaxed all over. It was nice not to have to rush through the questions. 

Bai Nian sat beside him, chin resting on his hand, watching Xu Mu. 

His gaze wasn't intense, rather overly gentle. Xu Mu opened his eyes and met Bai Nian's gaze. Bai Nian blinked, pursed his lips, but didn't look away.

"Why are you looking at me?" Xu Mu asked, touching his own cheek. "Is there something on my face?"

"No," Bai Nian replied.

"Then why?"

Bai Nian looked away, getting up to go to the kitchen. "I think I heard the timer go off, the ribs should be done. I'll go check."

"Hey..." Xu Mu didn't have time to call out before Bai Nian disappeared. He scratched his head and lay back again.

Dinner was very sumptuous, and although the taste remained unknown, the appearance was unexpectedly appetizing. 

Xu Mu picked at a few dishes, feeling a bit disappointed.

"Not enjoying it?" Bai Nian noticed.

"It's not that it's not good," Xu Mu pondered. "It's just that your ribs taste better, they have more flavor."

Bai Nian chuckled. "I did say I'd cook tonight."

"You must be tired," Xu Mu swallowed a piece of refreshing bamboo fungus. "I'll start cooking too in the future."

He began to envision their future college life. "We'll rent a small house, then buy a household robot to take care of cleaning, and occasionally cook. Of course, most of the time it will be me cooking. Maybe I'm just average now, but I'll definitely get better and better..."

The lights overlapped, Bai Nian kept looking at Xu Mu quietly, with a slight smile on his lips.

"Why are you looking at me again?" Xu Mu stopped.

"I'm not..." Bai Nian shifted his gaze.

"You are," Xu Mu insisted, "you are—"

"This taro is steamed soft, try it," Bai Nian interrupted.

"Oh, okay."

After finishing dinner, the two returned to their room, leaning against the head of the bed, snuggling up to each other.

"I want to play a game, do you want to join?" Xu Mu asked.

Bai Nian replied, "Sure."

They started playing a game, a simple two-player cooperative game, not very demanding in terms of skills, mainly testing their coordination.

While their coordination was good, Bai Nian's gaming skills were average at best.

"I might not be good at playing games, it makes me dizzy..."

"It's okay, I'll lower the virtual reality setting."

"You play single-player first, I'll learn from you."

"Alright."

Xu Mu started playing alone. From time to time, he would give Bai Nian instructions on how to play and what actions to take.

Bai Nian responded with "uh-huh"s.

After some time passed, Xu Mu paused the game and sighed, looking at Bai Nian as if he was troubled by something.

“You have been staring at me, ever since I came back……” he tilted his head, pondering, “Do you have something you want to tell me?”

Bai Nian's heart skipped a beat, his palms sweaty, his throat feeling as if it had a lump in it.

"I... I..."

"You do," Xu Mu preemptively answered, "you have something to tell me."

Bai Nian licked his dry lips, and Xu Mu's attention unconsciously focused on them.

Moist, red...

Wait, what was he thinking? Xu Mu cursed himself inwardly.

Bai Nian leaned in slowly, their breaths blending together.

Xu Mu was distracted and didn't move away, a mysterious premonition surfacing once again.

The last time a clue appeared, wasn't it... like time?

Ah, no, it was three months ago.

"I do have something to tell you," Bai Nian said softly.

"Oh, um, I know, you, you can say it."

Xu Mu inexplicably stumbled over his words.

Bai Nian's hand pressed against the pillow, palm facing downwards.

He remained silent, his eyes tracing Xu Mu's features. Some words had been held back for a long time, making it difficult to find the right words.

"What do you think... I’m going to say?" Bai Nian took a deep breath, jokingly asking first.

He expected to to hear "I don't know" in response, but he didn't anticipate—

"Um, Ah Nian, maybe it's just my ego, but my intuition tells me, are you, are you..." Xu Mu hesitated, his fingers twisted into knots.

He suddenly leaned forward and planted a kiss on the corner of Bai Nian's lips.

Bai Nian was stunned.

Xu Mu cleared his throat. "Do you like me?"

Bai Nian touched his lips, looking straight at Xu Mu.

Xu Mu felt inexplicably awkward and whispered, "I didn't actually kiss your lips, so your first kiss is still intact, and so is mine."

"I swear," he emphasized.

Bai Nian smiled, a hint of redness appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"It tastes like lemon."

"Huh?"

"The candy you just had was lemon-flavored."

"Oh, right."

Bai Nian sat directly in his lap, crossed his legs, leaned forward, and stared at Xu Mu without saying anything.

Xu Mu couldn't hold out any longer. "What do you want to say?"

"You already know, but you pretended not to know." Bai Nian said softly.

"I didn't know before, I found out that day by myself," Xu Mu said, "You didn't hide it, so I found out. Although I'm a bit slow, I also realized my feelings."

He sounded like he was reciting a tongue twister, but Bai Nian understood every word.

"Why did you want me to do practice problems every day?" Xu Mu was puzzled. "Because you didn't want me to find out."

"That's not it." He contradicted himself. "You actually hoped I would realize."

Bai Nian's eyes lit up, smiling as he asked, "So... do you like me?"

"I do," Xu Mu nodded. "These days, you were in my dreams."

Bai Nian was stunned for a few seconds, his face slightly red as he awkwardly responded.

Xu Mu blinked awkwardly. "Uh, not that kind of dream, at most it was just... kissing."

Bai Nian's eyelids trembled. "Uh-huh."

Xu Mu felt like he was digging himself deeper.

He was about to say something more but was cut off by Bai Nian.

"I like you too, Ah Mu. I don't know since when, but my eyes only see you."

Xu Mu said earnestly, "My eyes have always been on you too, so I don't know when I started liking you."

Bai Nian chuckled softly. "...Well, what a coincidence, it must be fate."

Xu Mu disagreed. "If only I had realized earlier, we could have started dating sooner."

Bai Nian: "..."

Xu Mu sighed, "What a missed opportunity for some great youthful memories."

Bai Nian didn’t know whether to laugh and cry, "What are you talking about?"

Xu Mu chuckled, "But it's not too late now, right?"

"Yeah, you're right."

As their noses drew closer, Xu Mu realized that something was about to happen.

He lowered his head, his Adam's apple sliding lightly.

"We..."

"Just now..."

Bai Nian's hand rested on Xu Mu's shoulder. "You go first."

"Uh, can we... be in a relationship?" Xu Mu asked, feeling a bit embarrassed. "It might sound silly, but I just feel like if I don't ask, I won't be able to sleep tonight."

"I was supposed to ask this question..." Bai Nian chuckled softly. "Hmm, yes, we can."

He thought for a moment, softly calling out, "Boyfriend, we're dating now."

"Mm, boyfriend, I know," Xu Mu's lips couldn't help but curve upwards.

"Oh, by the way, what were you going to say just now?" 

Bai Nian asked, "Was the lemon candy you just ate tasty?"

"Oh, the lemon candy." Xu Mu reached for the bedside table, "Do you want some? It's not bad, it’s sour and sweet." 

Bai Nian also took one, unwrapping the candy and putting it in his mouth, the fragrance of lemon exploding on his taste buds.

"Tasty, right?" Xu Mu said.

Bai Nian nodded and smiled, "Not bad."

He tilted his head back, biting down on the lemon candy, his tongue gliding over his teeth, a hint of rosy color appearing.

Xu Mu couldn't resist, he slowly caressing his cheek, then sliding down to his lips. He lowered his eyelids, and rubbed his lips with his fingertips tentatively, kneading the edges.

"I..." His throat was dry, "I've heard that each lemon candy is tastier than the last..."

Bai Nian's eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, trembling.

He smiled slowly, "Sounds like nonsense, but you can try."

Their breaths intertwined, their noses brushing against each other.

The warm yellow glow of the lamp cast a halo on the corner of the wall, the two figures almost indistinguishable.

Xu Mu's heart pounded like a drum as he slowly kissed downwards.

The sour sweetness of the lemon candy surged up, slowly, the sourness faded away, leaving only sweetness, it was the best candy Xu Mu had ever tasted in eighteen years.

“Muah~”

Their lips slowly parted, their gazes entwined.

"Ah Nian..."

"Mm?"

"I like you."

"I like you too."

"After the first kiss, is there a second kiss?"

"...Yes."

"So, shall we...?"

"Wait, remember, we... there’s still a third kiss."

"...Alright."

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