Chapter 48: Moving House

Chapter 48: Moving House

Outside the classroom window, the rain drizzled persistently throughout the day. Yun He, overcome with boredom, rested his head on the desk, staring blankly at the rain. The study load of the fourth year of junior high was indeed much heavier than before; he now understood why Gu Jiabei had spent his days with his head on the desk, buried in exercises. However, Gu Jiabei's workload only multiplied after entering high school. Yun He often found himself messaging Gu Jiabei past midnight when he got up for the bathroom, and Gu Jiabei would reply instantly, indicating that he was still immersed in his studies at such late hours.

"Ai, so handsome yet so devoted to studying..." Yun He sighed, gazing at the rain outside the window.

"Hmm?" Zheng Han, sitting next to him, looked up from his math book at Yun He.

"I was just talking to myself."

"Hmm." Zheng Han continued to immerse himself in solving the problems.

After Yun He was lost in thought for a while, he refocused his gaze on his adorable and soft classmate. He noticed that the boy had a cute habit of nibbling his fingers while doing his exercises, which couldn't help but amuse him.

Upon hearing Yun He's laughter, Zheng Han lifted his eyes and took another look at him, his gaze filled with confusion.

"Zheng Han," Yun He called out to him.

"What's the matter?"

"Why are you so passionate about studying? Apart from learning, what else do you enjoy? With your introverted personality, it's rare to see you socializing with classmates. Don't you ever feel bored?"

Zheng Han shook his head and said softly, "I'm not bored, I enjoy learning..."

"Why do you love studying so much? I know someone else who enjoys it too. What is it about studying that you both find so appealing?"

"Are you referring to Gu Jiabei?" Zheng Han asked in response, which caught Yun He off guard.

"Hehe." Yun He nodded somewhat awkwardly, "Yeah, it's him. He could easily rely on his good looks to get by, but he insists on being so exceptionally talented and hardworking. It's like he doesn't want to leave any room for others, isn't it?"

Zheng Han lowered his head and smiled faintly, "You really like him."

The statement was made in the form of a declarative sentence, not an interrogative one.

Yun He was taken aback by the straightforwardness of Zheng Han's words, as he had always perceived Zheng Han to be an introverted individual who was solely focused on studying and oblivious to the world around him. Consequently, he was unsure about the exact nature of the "liking" that Zheng Han was referring to.

"Well, yes... I do have quite an affection for this friend of his..." Yun He chose his words carefully.

"Hmm." Zheng Han's expression didn't change much, he just nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "I don't know why he likes studying, but I like studying because there are places I want to go."

"Where would you like to go?"

"I've made a promise with my brother to study together at Xiamen University in the future," said Zheng Han.

"Brother?" Yun He asked, propping his cheek with one hand, "Blood-related brother?"

"No, oh right, you've met him at the ski resort last time, the one who went skiing with me." Zheng Han's voice became a bit louder, and his tone a bit more excited: "He's in the second year of high school and he's doing very well in his studies."

"Oh..." Yun He recalled that there was indeed a young man following behind Zheng Han at the ski resort, but at that time, he only caught a fleeting glimpse and did not get a clear look at the person's appearance: "You two must have a very good relationship, right?"

"Hmm." Zheng Han nodded, then fell silent again, continuing to work on his math problems with his head down.

Yun He fell silent, too. The rain pattered against the window, and from time to time, a distant rumble of thunder echoed in the air, making this afternoon seem particularly long and serene.

As the school day ended, the rain continued to fall. Yun He and Zheng Han both found themselves without umbrellas. Lin Yong, who was pursuing Jiang Lingling with great enthusiasm, offered to escort her home with his umbrella in hand, showing his attentiveness.

Yun He and Zheng Han, two children without umbrellas, exchanged a glance in front of the teaching building.

"Run," Yun He urged.

"Hmm." Zheng Han nodded.

The two of them dashed headlong into the rain, despite it having subsided significantly; yet, a myriad of raindrops still pelted them relentlessly.

"Zheng Han," a male voice suddenly rang out as he ran to the school gate.

"Brother!" Zheng Han stopped in his tracks, calling out to a young man holding an umbrella in the rain.

Yun He couldn't help but stop in his tracks and gaze at the person Zheng Han was calling out to, musing to himself that this must be the brother Zheng Han intended to go to Xiamen University with.

The young man, who stood at an approximate height of 1.8 meters with a handsome and masculine appearance, quickly approached Zheng Han with an umbrella in hand. He then swiftly extended the umbrella over Zheng Han's head, shielding him from the rain.

"Brother, how did you come here?" Zheng Han asked with a pleasant surprise. Yun He rarely heard him express his emotions so openly.

"The school had a power outage, so we were dismissed early. I came to pick you up on my way, and sure enough, you didn't bring an umbrella." The elder brother said affectionately, ruffling Zheng Han's head. At around 1.72 meters tall, Zheng Han is not as tall as Yun He and the others, and being ruffled on the head made him appear even more like an innocent child.

"Yun He, come on in and share the umbrella with us," Zheng Han suddenly remembered that Yun He was still standing alone in the rain. "Brother, this is my classmate. He didn't bring an umbrella. Let's give him a ride to the station."

"Very well." His brother offered Yun He a subtle smile.

"No, no need," Yun He waved his hands hastily, sensing that the atmosphere was a bit off. "This umbrella is too small for the three of us. You two go ahead, don't worry about me. The station is just —"

"Enter," Yun He started, but before he could finish, he was pulled aside, colliding with a firm chest. Familiar warmth and scent enveloped him amidst the downpour, the deep and reassuring voice stirring something within Yun He's heart.

Gu Jiabei didn't realize when he had walked up behind Yun He. Upon seeing Yun He in the rain, he frowned and pulled Yun He under the umbrella he was holding.

"How did you come here?" Yun He realized that he had asked the same question as Zheng Han, and even their tones were strikingly similar.

"The school's power is out," Gu Jiabei replied, his words echoing with a sense of déjà vu.

It turns out that Gu Jiabei and the brother of Zheng Han attend the same school...

"Since Gu Jiabei has come to pick you up, then my brother and I will leave first." Zheng Han snuggled up obediently under his brother's umbrella.

"Alright, goodbye." Yun He waved his hand to Zheng Han and his brother.

Gu Jiabei and Zheng Han's elder brother nodded slightly to each other, acknowledging each other's presence.

Then, Zheng Han's brother took Zheng Han away.

"Damn, this scene is so reminiscent of two fathers picking up their child from school..." Yun He commented, looking at Gu Jiabei.

"Then hurry up and call me 'Dad'," Gu Jiabei replied with narrowed eyes.

"Dad, did you know..." Yun He lowered the umbrella in Gu Jiabei's hand slightly, obscuring their faces from passersby. "When you came to get me just now, it was like a heroic rescue from a downpour. I was watching everyone else being picked up, while I was all alone in the rain. Then suddenly, you descended from above, holding an umbrella for me..."

"Touched?"

"Mm, touched enough to offer myself to you," Yun He whispered, gently kissing Gu Jiabei's lips. Amidst the bustling crowd rushing for cover from the rain, no one noticed the two teenagers beneath the unassuming "Charity House" branded umbrella.

"You've grown quite bold, young man," Gu Jiabei raised an eyebrow. "You dared to forcefully kiss me right in front of the school gates?"

"Alas, it's probably due to the provocation from Zheng Han," Yun He rubbed his face in an attempt to clear his mind, walking and talking with Gu Jiabei by his side.

"Zheng Han?" Gu Jiabei inquired.

"It's that fair and clean-cut young man from just now. I told you, he was a classmate of mine before, and now we're desk partners," Yun He explained.

"Oh," Gu Jiabei nodded. "No recollection."

"Yes, he's that quiet, introverted type who only focuses on studying. Sometimes, when I look at him, I feel like I'm looking at a younger brother," Yun He said. "But this very boy, whom everyone tends to overlook, I think he might be in love."

Yun He surveyed the area again and leaned closer to Gu Jiabei, whispering in his ear, "That guy who picked him up just now, he claimed to be his brother, and they're planning to attend Xiamen University together. Does that seem normal to you?"

Gu Jiabei didn't respond, only gazing at Yun He. Yun He didn't need an actual answer and whispered again, "Or is it because I've been gay for too long and now I see gay vibes in everyone?"

"How can you speak like that?" Gu Jiabei chuckled.

"I didn't mean it that way! Damn it! Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore. Anyway, today was quite a shock for me."

"Well, if I hadn't come to pick you up, and you were standing alone in the rain watching your deskmate leave with his brother, wouldn't that have been an even bigger shock?"

"Yes, it would have," Yun He playfully smiled at Gu Jiabei. "That's why I've never been happier. Being gay brings joy!"

"Bullshit! It's being in love that brings happiness," Gu Jiabei laughed.

"Well, I don't care. Others may be in love, but I'm gay. So what?"

"Would you dare shout it out loud in the rain, 'I'm gay, and I'm happy'?"

"Perhaps we should call it a day, the rain is so heavy. Let's hurry home together."

Ever since then, Yun He found it difficult not to notice Zheng Han. He observed that Zheng Han would often become more animated and cheerful when mentioning his brother. Sometimes, receiving a message on his phone could make him happy for a long time. Yun He had reason to trust his intuition, but he never asked Zheng Han about it. Zheng Han, in turn, never explicitly revealed anything.

Between the two of them, there was an unspoken understanding: I know who your love interest is, but I just won't say it. Unconsciously, their relationship became closer than that of ordinary classmates, as if they had found a kindred spirit in each other. Although Yun He often thought that Zheng Han was just a naive child, and it was quite bizarre for such a thing to happen to him. However, upon second thought, Yun He realized that Zheng Han was actually the same age as him, and it was wrong to think of him that way just because of his deceptive appearance.

Days slipped by amidst heavy studies and stolen moments of romantic dalliance, until the tranquility was unexpectedly disrupted by a notification of demolition served by Zhang from the relocation office towards the end of the year.

The neighborhood where Yun He had lived since childhood was finally facing demolition. The community committee brought the notice, offering incentives to those who cooperated and moved out early. Within just a few months, more than half of the residents had relocated. Looking at the deserted streets, Yun He felt an overwhelming sense of desolation within him.

"Why would everyone leave a place they've lived in for so long?" Yun He asked Cai Mingzhi, who was tidying up the fruit shop at the entrance.

"Because people have had enough of this dilapidated place. Who would choose to stay here when there are more comfortable new homes available?" Cai Mingzhi replied nonchalantly.

"But I've grown up here, and it's filled with my memories," Yun He exclaimed, looking up at the sky.

"How old are you? I have more memories than you do. Your father and I moved in here when we got married. I'm not as nostalgic as you; we've been working hard for this moment, waiting for the day we can finally upgrade. We'll save a bit more and get a spacious eastern-facing flat in a new complex."

"Are we going to move soon, then?"

"Nonsense, half of the businesses here have already vacated. Our lease is almost up too. Your dad and I have already scouted another location. After the New Year, we'll have to move this shop as well."

"Where will we move to?" Yun He asked, wondering where Gu Jiabei's family would relocate. Would they still be neighbors?

"You don't need to worry about these matters. Your dad and I will take care of it. Anyway, it won't be too far from your school."

As the cold weather approached with the impending snow, Yun He felt his heart grow colder and more restless alongside the season's change. Perhaps it was the sudden emptiness and desolation on the once bustling streets that he was familiar with, or the thought that he could no longer spend every moment with Gu Jiabei, seeing him just by opening the door, that saddened him.

This winter was an uneasy one for Yun He.

"Mom, I'm heading home first," Yun He called out to Cai Mingzhi, who was still tidying up the shop. Without waiting for a response, he wrapped himself tightly in his coat and walked towards Gu Jiabei's school.

It was only seven, over an hour before Gu Jiabei would finish classes. Yun He felt inexplicably anxious, yearning to see Gu Jiabei earlier, to hold onto his warm body for reassurance.

Yun He didn't ride his bike; instead, he strolled along the familiar streets until he reached Gu Jiabei's school. Standing outside the entrance was too chilly, so he sought refuge in a nearby milk tea shop to wait. Seated by the large glass window, he could see the school gate clearly. As he sipped his milk tea with a straw clenched between his teeth, Yun He's brows furrowed when he spotted Zhao Ming and his gang of troublemakers again. He couldn't fathom why they would frequent school entrances in such cold weather as if they were welcome. However, after observing for a while, Yun He noticed that Zhao Ming's group left after meeting a student who had seemingly skipped class.

Sigh, there seemed to be plenty of worries. Zhao Ming was like a ticking time bomb, and Yun He couldn't predict if or when he might explode into Gu Jiabei's life.

Just as the milk tea shop was closing and the bell for the end of classes at No. 3 High School rang, Yun He thanked the young lady behind the counter and rushed to the school gate, afraid of missing Gu Jiabei.

However, it wasn't that simple to overlook Gu Jiabei in a crowd. After all, a tall and handsome young man like him stood out prominently among people.

The moment Yun He saw Gu Jiabei's face, all his unease and coldness vanished automatically. Gu Jiabei was his little sun; being by his side brought him a sense of security and comfort.

Gu Jiabei waved at Yun He from a distance before they reached each other. Yun He's lips curled up uncontrollably, and he hurriedly ran towards Gu Jiabei, who was accompanied by some of his classmates.

"Oh, you're really here every day to pick him up? Your mom must be generous with her wages," Li Shang, now quite familiar with Yun He, had gotten used to his sharp glares and thus spoke more casually.

"Yeah, she only has this one precious son after all," Yun He replied with a grin to Li Shang.

Li Shang felt slightly uncomfortable under Yun He's smile and waved goodbye to the other classmates before leaving.

"Didn't ride your bike today?" Gu Jiabei put his arm around Yun He's shoulder affectionately as they walked home together.

"No, I wanted to walk with you."

"But you hate walking the most, don't you?"

"I just want to spend more time walking with you."

Gu Jiabei paused in his tracks, and Yun He followed suit. "Why have you stopped?"

"I told you, I know what's on your mind the moment you shift your behind. So don't think you can hide anything from me," Gu Jiabei said with a frown as he looked at Yun He. "You seem down today."

"We're moving soon…" Yun He said.

Yun He had mentioned this to Gu Jiabei many times, including his concerns.

"But we can still see each other every day," Gu Jiabei stepped closer to Yun He. "I'll ask my mom to rent a place near your home. If not next door, then upstairs or downstairs, or if we can't get a place in the same building, I'll rent one right beside yours. In any case, I won't be too far away. Didn't we discuss this already?"

Yun He shook his head. "I know, but I can't shake off this uneasiness. Maybe it's because I've lived here for so long and now it's being demolished, making me feel reluctant to leave…."

And there was also the feeling of helplessness. A place he'd lived in for so long was going to be torn down. Would the person he liked also leave him?

"Yun He, you overthink too much. You always imagine all sorts of things that might not even happen. Do you know that's called anxiety?" Although Gu Jiabei's expression was serious, his tone and gaze remained as gentle and affectionate as always.

"I know, but isn't it easy to become anxious when you care too much about something?"

"It depends on what you're worried about. If it's the familiar house, I can't offer much comfort. But if it's the fear of losing me, let me assure you, there's no need to worry."

Gu Jiabei's dark eyes held an irresistible conviction. Looking into Gu Jiabei's eyes, the wild beast that had been raging within Yun He suddenly calmed down. It seemed that Gu Jiabei had changed, becoming more resolute, while Yun He found himself increasingly uncertain. Yun He couldn't tell whether he should rejoice in Gu Jiabei's transformation or worry about his own.

"I want to hug you," Yun He pouted.

"Come here," Gu Jiabei opened his arms warmly and took a step forward, pulling Yun He into his embrace. He kissed Yun He's ear gently and mimicked Yun He's coquettish tone, "Just a hug? Would you like a kiss, some touch?"

Yun He was successfully amused by Gu Jiabei's attempt at coyness, "First time hearing you act cute, it's like you're talking with your tail between your legs."

"Well, it's because my little treasure has stepped on my tail."