After three rounds of drinks, the afternoon KTV plan was also canceled.

As they parted ways, the class monitor affectionately put his arm around Mai Dong’s shoulder, speaking drunkenly and nonsensically, “Mai Dong ah, I really have to thank you. I’m actually quite vain. Back when we were in school, I really couldn’t stand you, you know? I couldn’t compete with you academically, so I couldn’t become the class monitor. But the things I desired so much, you just tossed them aside so casually, it felt like I was picking up something you didn’t want. I was immature back then, I thought you were just showing off ah. But it’s different now, Mai Dong. I’ve matured. I know it’s because I couldn’t measure up to you. Only when you give me something do I have the chance to grasp it properly.”

Mai Dong licked his lips and responded haltingly, “Don’t say that. You’ve done well, taking care of everyone and even organizing class reunions after graduation. That’s something I couldn’t do.”

The class monitor shook his head. “To be honest, I don’t know about others, but do you know why I hardly spoke to you during high school?”

Mai Dong let out an “en” and asked, “Why?”

The class monitor chuckled, “Jealousy, of course! Remember back in freshman year? We all thought you were dirt poor. Wasn’t it during that time that everyone suddenly became friendly? Because you always seemed aloof, excelled academically, and didn’t talk much. We envied how you were better than us in every way. Knowing you were poor made us feel better about ourselves. But then, when the misunderstanding cleared up, it felt even more unfair. Why should you still be so well-off ah?”

Mai Dong choked, unsure of what to say.

The class monitor patted his shoulder. “I’ve had a bit too much to drink, my mind’s a bit foggy. But everything I’ve said is from the heart. Being able to talk to you like this shows that we’ve grown up, right? We can talk about those trivial matters from the past because we now realize how childish they were. You’re a good guy, Mai-zi. Let’s keep in touch more often, okay?”

Mai Dong nodded vigorously. “En, let’s keep in touch more often.”

As the group dispersed, Mai Dong stood still for a moment. After bidding farewell to his classmates, he suddenly remembered Yan Xuming. Turning around, he saw Yan Xuming standing quietly behind him. Mai Dong’s heart was filled to the brim, unable to articulate why he was so happy at this moment. He quickened his pace, not caring whether any lingering classmates could see, and dashed into Yan Xuming’s embrace.

Yan Xuming’s voice was hoarse from drinking. “Hmm?”

Mai Dong didn’t speak, only hugging him for a while before remembering, “Oh no, you can’t drive. Forgot about that. I should have stopped you from drinking.”

Yan Xuming chuckled indifferently. “What do you think I’m here for, boyfriend?”

Mai Dong took a moment to react, “Ah, to stop me from drinking ya.”

Yan Xuming responded, “Class reunions are inevitable, I’m afraid you won’t refuse.”

Mai Dong, this person, from childhood to adulthood, had very limited entertainment. Most of his time was spent studying. Though he didn’t particularly enjoy studying, he believed that studying was what students should do. He didn’t have any friends, and of course, he wouldn’t go to the mall, watch movies, or play video games alone. During junior high, almost every boy had a comic book or martial arts novel in hand, but Mai Dong had no interest in them.

So, at a very young age, many people had encountered relatively perfect fictional characters in novels and had repeatedly been disappointed by real human beings. However, Mai Dong didn’t have such an experience. He first glimpsed the reality of human beings in kindergarten, but it wasn’t until university that he encountered Yan Xuming.

What kind of person was Yan Xuming, exactly?

Every word Mai Dong had used to praise Yan Xuming, such as mature, stable, considerate, and so on, felt increasingly inadequate each time it was used.

Yan Xuming didn’t look like he was drunk.

His complexion was slightly redder than usual, just a tiny bit. He stood firmly, walked in a straight line, and conversed with the same clarity as usual.

Mai Dong called for a chauffeur. As they sat in the car waiting for the driver to arrive, Mai Dong unexpectedly felt the difference in Yan Xuming. With his eyes closed, he leaned against the back seat, his right hand intertwined with Mai Dong’s fingers, their thighs pressed tightly together.

Mai Dong felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He discreetly tried to move his left leg a bit to the right, but Yan Xuming quickly moved closer. Glancing at the person resting with closed eyes, whose eyes still hadn’t opened, Mai Dong sat up straight, twisting his left wrist, wanting to end the hand-holding gesture.

Yan Xuming asked hoarsely, “What’s wrong?”

Mai Dong cleared his throat. “Oh, nothing ah. I just wanted to check my phone. Why hasn’t the chauffeur arrived yet?”

Yan Xuming said, “Can’t you use your other hand?”

Mai Dong replied, “Well, it’s inconvenient to hold it with just one hand.”

Yan Xuming: “Then don’t look, wait.”

Mai Dong suppressed a smile and asked, “Yan Xuming, are you a bit drunk?”

Yan Xuming opened his eyes, those eyes like hooks, instantly catching Mai Dong’s attention. “Why would you say that.”

Mai Dong lifted their tightly clasped hands. “You’re being quite clingy.”

Yan Xuming closed his eyes again. “If I’m not drunk, can’t I be clingy to you?”

Mai Dong thought for a moment. “Of course not. It’s just that you don’t usually show it. Are you always holding back?”

Yan Xuming admitted, somewhat unexpectedly straightforward, “En.”

Mai Dong was curious: “Why?”

Yan Xuming remained silent for a moment. “There’s no reason.”

Mai Dong didn’t quite understand. “Then why?”

The person with closed eyes suddenly took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, as if forcefully suppressing some impulse. He let out a low “Hmm.” Mai Dong was a genius at being clueless in this aspect. He wanted to take advantage of Yan Xuming’s alcohol-induced state to pry further, but before he could speak, his wrist was seized.

Yan Xuming asked him, “How long until the chauffeur arrives?”

Mai Dong unlocked his phone, “About ten minutes.”

Then came the kiss, reeking of strong alcohol. Mai Dong was caught off guard by the kiss, pressed against the right side of the car door, his head against the window. Yan Xuming was not being gentlemanly. With his left hand, he firmly held Mai Dong’s jaw, forcing him to endure the kiss in the most convenient position. Mai Dong was startled and instinctively tried to pull away.

He struggled up and let out a small cry of pain.

Yan Xuming’s actions seemed to flip a switch, suddenly becoming much gentler. He caressed Mai Dong’s lips with his tongue as if soothing, his hand that had been holding Mai Dong’s jaw moved to the back, his palm stroking the nape of Mai Dong’s neck. It was as if he had transformed from a wild animal on the brink of losing control into a domesticated, gentle-natured large dog.

As the kiss ended, Yan Xuming sat upright, returning to his previously serene posture with closed eyes, leaving behind a question, “Do you understand now?”

Mai Dong’s face was so hot it could fry an egg. Afraid of answering too late, he stammered, “Y-yes, I understand.”

The car fell into an uncomfortable silence, Mai Dong alone digesting the somewhat unfamiliar behavior of Yan Xuming.

Once again, he began to ponder the question that currently had no answer: What kind of person was Yan Xuming, exactly?

Before he could come up with an answer, Yan Xuming spoke up. “I’m sorry.”

Mai Dong quickly interjected, “No, don’t apologize. Why are you apologizing?”

Yan Xuming smiled, “Did I scare you?”

Mai Dong hesitated. “Not really. It was just sudden, so it caught me off guard. But it’s not because of… anything else.” He was somewhat surprised, yet not entirely surprised. On the night they first confessed their feelings to each other, Yan Xuming had kissed him once in the restroom of a Western restaurant, which was far from gentle. However, many subsequent encounters had been polite and restrained, almost causing Mai Dong to forget about their first kiss.

In truth, Mai Dong quite liked it, but he was too embarrassed to say so. How does one express such feelings?

Blushing discreetly, he quickly changed the subject. “Um… Why don’t you come home with me? I want to give you the diary.”

Yan Xuming agreed. “Sure.”

It was a little after three in the afternoon when they arrived home. Normally, at this time, there would be no one at home except for the housekeeper.

Mai Dong hurried back to his room, grabbed the notebook, and dashed downstairs. Halfway down, he suddenly saw Madam Du coming out of the kitchen, startling him so much that he nearly jumped on the stairs. Madam Du raised an eyebrow. “What are you up to? You look guilty as if you’ve got something to hide ah.”

Mai Dong’s gaze wandered nervously. “Ah, nothing, ah? Why would I be guilty? I’m not guilty.”

Madam Du almost burst out laughing. Her son was just too cute sometimes. She teased Mai Dong, “Where were you rushing off to just now? I swapped shifts this afternoon to have a break and cook with the housekeeper. Why don’t you come and taste?”

Mai Dong hid the notebook behind his back. “Um… I’m not hungry? I had a classmate gathering today, just had lunch.”

Madam Du stared at him. “Oh, it’s okay. Just have a taste. It’s my first time cooking. Can’t you give me a little face?”

Mai Dong started to feel anxious. “Um, I… I need to step out for a moment. I think I left something outside.”

Madam Du burst into laughter this time. “Left Xiao Yan outside? Invite him in for a while, have some manners! You’re at the doorstep and not letting him in.”

Mai Dong quickly refused on behalf of his boyfriend without a second thought. “It’s not convenient today, forget it. He’s had a bit to drink.”

Madam Du didn’t inquire further, nodding understandingly. “Okay, then. You go ahead. Make sure he gets home safely.”

The afternoon sky began to cloud over as the chauffeur quietly waited for the next leg of the journey to begin.

Mai Dong knocked on the car window. The window rolled down, and he slipped the diary through the crack. Yan Xuming didn’t say anything, but Mai Dong felt his gaze was unusual. He struggled to find an appropriate analogy; it was like… like a hunting dog waiting for its master to take hold of the leash around its neck.

Almost involuntarily, Mai Dong reached out and ruffled Yan Xuming’s hair, then motioned for him to lower the window a bit more. Then, leaning in, Mai Dong gave his intoxicated boyfriend a kiss on the cheek, his face flushed as he said, “Go home, okay? Thank you for being with me today.”