Chapter 21: The Second Corner

As they departed from the small town, Guan Qing was still trying to persuade Auntie Zhang.

“Auntie, the city has everything. If you bring the child up there, his schooling will be much more convenient. Besides, you’re alone; it must be so exhausting for you.”

Auntie Zhang shook her head.

Her features still gave off a sharp, critical impression, and her voice sounded like she was constantly arguing. Yet, at this moment, she exuded an incredible gentleness.

“No need. I’ll wait for him.”

Auntie Zhang’s husband had gone missing during the war. Everyone knew he was gone, though his body was never found.

“Until he returns, I will wait for him, one day at a time.”

She spoke with such plainness.

However, Guan Qing’s heart suddenly constricted with an indescribable pang. For a fleeting moment, he truly felt tears welling up.

Perhaps it was a profound sense of empathy.

It was as if, across years of time, he had met the gaze of his past self. During those helpless winter nights, in the days when Xie Xu had vanished without a trace, he must have thought the same.

Even if Xie Xu never returned.

He would still wait. He would rather cling to old memories, barely surviving for the rest of his life, than bid farewell to Xie Xu and to the part of himself that loved Xie Xu, just to embrace a new beginning.

Call him foolish, or ignorant.

There was no meaning, no one would praise such persistence, yet he was willing, no matter how long it took.

Auntie Zhang, her back slightly hunched, led the little boy by the hand as they slowly disappeared down the path.

****

“Have you seen everything you wanted to see?” Xie Xu asked him, a blade of grass dangling from his lips, his hands clasped behind his head.

“Yes.” Guan Qing nodded, then suddenly took Xie Xu’s hand and spread his fingers open.

Xie Xu: “…?”

Guan Qing intertwined their fingers tightly, a smile gracing his lips. “Thank you.”

‘For giving me a complete childhood.’

Together, they had ventured into Guan Qing’s shadowed nightmares, battling monsters and discovering a glimmer of light amidst the pervasive gloom. Guan Qing realized that from now on, these figures could finally make their exit.

‘From his dreams, from his life.’

He had thoroughly turned this page. For better or worse, those people and events would remain quietly in their place, never truly vanishing, but also never reappearing.

“Guan Qing, I feel like you…” Xie Xu watched him, still chewing on the grass. His gaze was both playful and incredibly serious. “You’ve changed.”

Guan Qing swayed their clasped hands, unconcerned. “Have I?”

“You’ve become even more handsome,” Xie Xu replied.

Guan Qing’s lips curved into a smile. He suddenly rose onto his tiptoes and whispered softly into Xie Xu’s ear, “Then do you like it?”

He spoke almost in a breathy whisper, his warm exhalations fanning against Xie Xu’s ear.

“…And you’ve become naughty.” Xie Xu turned his head to kiss him, his earlobes flushing crimson.

“Let’s go, time to head back.” Guan Qing tugged at Xie Xu’s hand. Their helicopter had arrived.

These two brief days felt like a dream, quickly passing. Yet, something significant had clearly shifted, subtly unfolding.

****

Guan Qing was exhausted. He fell asleep shortly after boarding the helicopter.

Guan Qing was awakened by a phone call.

He found himself, surprisingly, already back in his own home. Xie Xu had left him a note, explaining that he had been sleeping too soundly, so Xie Xu had simply taken him home. He assured Guan Qing that he had retrieved the key from his wallet without any ulterior motives, not even removing his clothes, so there was no need to worry.

Guan Qing: “…”

He rubbed his hair and checked his phone.

Professor Wang.

“Hello?”

– Guan Qing, your previous paper was quite good, but there are still some revisions needed. Take a look, and let’s discuss sending it to an international competition. Oh, right, you’re planning on taking the postgraduate entrance exam, aren’t you? Remember to register in December.

“Ah…” Guan Qing’s hand, which had been rubbing his hair, paused. He was now fully awake. “Huh?!”

The air of the late summer morning was fragrant. The curtains were open, and Guan Qing could vaguely see a burst of light on the distant horizon.

—The sun had risen.

****

Xie Qing and Chris had matters to attend to in Country M, so they departed first.

They left a message for Guan Qing and Xie Xu: “If Xie Xu comes back alone next time, he’s not allowed in.”

Xie Xu looked at Guan Qing. “See? That’s what they said.”

“It depends on your performance,” Guan Qing said, smiling as he ruffled Xie Xu’s hair.

Xie Xu blinked. “Can I get a little advance?”

Guan Qing beckoned with a finger, and Xie Xu leaned in. They shared a brief kiss.

They were in a private booth at a restaurant, separated by plants, but not entirely enclosed. At that moment, there were few people around. A waiter, suddenly looking over, gasped, their mouth forming an ‘O’ shape.

Guan Qing: “…”

The waiter approached, carrying a dish, and asked hesitantly, “Excuse me, may I ask—”

Guan Qing: “It’s a misunderstanding. There was a mosquito on his mouth just now…”

The waiter handed a small notebook to Xie Xu. “Could you please sign it for me?”

Guan Qing: “…”

Xie Xu signed it, then took a selfie with them, displaying his usual smile for fans. “Thank you for your support.”

“I’ll always be your fan!” The young person, clutching their notebook, happily ran off.

Behind them, Xie Xu added coolly, “I won’t like you back, though.”

“Hey, that’s a bit much, isn’t it?” Guan Qing said, placing some food on his plate, a helpless look on his face.

“Because I already have someone I like,” Xie Xu stated matter-of-factly.

“Oh, really?” Guan Qing lowered his head, peeling a shrimp, his face subtly flushing.

After dinner, it was time for another farewell.

Everyone was busy, with little time to linger together. After returning from the small town, life had settled back into its routine.

When Xie Xu’s new drama began filming, Guan Qing was in class.

Guan Qing intended to entrust the matchmaking agency to another partner, remaining only as a shareholder, so he could dedicate himself to preparing for his postgraduate entrance exam.

He wasn’t the type to curry favor, but he wasn’t a bad person either, always willing to help others when he could. When people heard he was leaving, many were reluctant to see him go. Young women stuffed snacks into his moving box, while the young men clapped him on the shoulder, inviting him for drinks another day.

Guan Qing smiled and agreed to each invitation.

“Boss, remember to come back and visit us!”

“Let’s play basketball sometime, Boss!”

“Boss, you’ve been smiling so much lately. Is there something good happening?”

Guan Qing also noticed that his temper had improved, and he was in a good mood every day. Perhaps it was because his relationship with Xie Xu was developing positively. They would occasionally go out for dinner or catch a movie. They behaved properly, like ordinary friends, yet the atmosphere between them was anything but ordinary.

It just hadn’t been explicitly stated yet.

It hadn’t been stated because the time wasn’t right. The issues between them still existed, and the scars from the past hadn’t vanished. Yet, he truly couldn’t bear to let go of Xie Xu’s hand. He had once cut himself over and over, exhausting both himself and Xie Xu, but even then, he couldn’t let go.

Xie Xu wasn’t his illness; he was his cure.

He had once believed that everything would improve if he left Xie Xu, only to realize that the further he distanced himself, the more severe his condition became. It wasn’t Xie Xu’s fault; it was merely that the dosage of his ‘medicine’ had been wrong before, leading to an adverse effect.

Now, he felt that he and Xie Xu were just one crucial moment away.

As he reached the entrance, the gatekeeper handed him a large bouquet of roses, saying mysteriously, “A handsome man sent these.”

Guan Qing, holding both the cardboard box and the roses, pulled out the card inside.

It was Xie Xu’s handwriting, a simple message: ‘Second corner.’

Guan Qing tucked the card back, waved goodbye to his colleagues, and gradually quickened his pace, almost breaking into a run by the end.

‘Second corner’ meant that Xie Xu was waiting for him at the second corner after he left the company.

His steps suddenly halted.

Ye Zi leaned against the wall, clearly waiting for him. He saw Guan Qing, noticed the large bouquet of flowers in his arms, and smiled, though his face was pale. “Have you and Xie Xu gotten back together?”

“No, no.” Guan Qing’s face reddened slightly as he tried to subtly change the subject. “Speaking of which, what have you been up to these past few days? I haven’t been able to reach you for a while. Oh, right, Ye Zi, thank you for introducing me to Professor Wang. I’m planning to pursue my postgraduate studies under him. If it weren’t for you…”

Ye Zi looked at him deeply, speaking earnestly, “Think carefully. Don’t make a decision only to regret it later. You’re a fickle person, aren’t you? You said you absolutely had to break up before, but Xie Xu just coaxed you a little, and you went right back to him.

“Your credibility means nothing in front of Xie Xu anymore. You need to be aware of that.”

Guan Qing, who had been smiling, slowly straightened his lips. He looked at Ye Zi, stating seriously, “Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Ye Zi meant well for him; he knew that.

He also knew his own capriciousness, how cheap his vows had become. But that was Xie Xu. He couldn’t help it. Who could maintain composure, control everything, and speak appropriately when facing the love of their life?

His every action, every word, every joy and sorrow, moved with Xie Xu.

That was why he was so fickle, so neurotic, inexplicably sad one moment and suddenly happy the next.

It was all because he was in love with Xie Xu.

After saying goodbye to Ye Zi, Guan Qing, clutching the roses, turned the second corner, walked into the alley, and bumped into an embrace.

Xie Xu held him, flowers and all, and gently kissed the top of his head. “Guan Qing, congratulations. You’re finally one step closer to your dream.”

Guan Qing’s heart swelled with an inexpressible joy and happiness. He looked down at the flowers in his arms and replied with a smile, “Congratulations to you too. Your new drama has started filming; I wish you an early win for an award.”

Xie Xu took the cardboard box from him, placing it in the back seat of the car. Only after Guan Qing settled into the passenger seat did he speak. “I’d prefer you to wish me an early congratulations on something else.”

“What?” Guan Qing loved the bouquet so much he held it even in the car.

Xie Xu kept his eyes straight ahead, turning on the navigation. “Wish me an early happy wedding.”

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