Chapter 03

Since then, Ye Ji’an often had lunch with Liang Xiao, occasionally bringing along a few younger colleagues, but most of the time it was just the two of them.

It all started with Liang Xiao. Just a few days after he mentioned a “secret,” he stood in front of Ye Ji’an’s desk after the morning meeting. “I found a place that serves really good soup dumplings. Senior, want to give it a try?”

Ye Ji’an was a bit surprised. From his observations, this person never lacked for lunch companions; he was not like Ye Ji’an, who quietly munched on rice balls and bread. But the two unwavering, bright eyes before him seemed to insist on a response, as if they wouldn’t blink until he agreed. Feeling somewhat guilty, Ye Ji’an nodded.

The soup dumplings that day were indeed exceptional, and the duck blood and vermicelli soup was almost authentic. The surrounding tables were filled with office workers out for a treat, and Ye Ji’an found himself sweating as he ate. How had he not noticed such a place before? In the chilly end of October, he vividly recalled the flavors of his hometown.

“When I was a kid, I often went to the market near Cangxiang to help my mom buy groceries. There was a place selling these right at the entrance. It was so cold in winter, and if I had enough change left, I would go in and eat,” Ye Ji’an said with a smile. “It’s quite similar to what I remember.”

Liang Xiao’s eyes lit up. “I’m glad you like it, Senior.”

It had been over a decade since he last returned home, since university, Ye Ji’an suddenly thought. But he felt that lamenting this to a local young person would make him sound like a nostalgic old man, so he lowered his head to eat the vermicelli, trying to avoid awkward conversation.

Liang Xiao, however, seemed quite at ease. He could easily keep the conversation going, and in the comfortable silence between them, he appeared very self-composed, eating elegantly, his expression revealing nothing of his preferences. After the meal, he seemed invigorated, taking off his coat to drape it over Ye Ji’an’s shoulders.

Ye Ji’an was momentarily taken aback, suddenly realizing that after sweating, his white shirt was even more transparent. Although he wore an undershirt, there were indeed a few suspicious dark marks on his shoulders and upper arms, just as he had glimpsed in the mirror. His own coat had been sent to the dry cleaners downstairs before he left, intending to freeze on the way back and pick it up after work.

“It’s fine,” he said, tilting his head slightly to look over, feeling inexplicably stiff. “I wouldn’t know what to do if you got cold.”

“I won’t. I have a good constitution, and I’m wearing thermal underwear,” Liang Xiao said seriously, casually draping his long coat over Ye Ji’an’s shoulders, quickly unbuttoning two of his shirt buttons, eager to prove something. “And I have a cashmere sweater.” He lifted his chin, indicating for Ye Ji’an to take a good look.

Well, there it was, a V-neck, soft cream color, with great elasticity, and he even pulled it up to show off. The thermal underwear underneath was a comfortable floral gray.

This kid really knows how to take care of himself? How does he not look bulky?

Ye Ji’an even felt his face heat up, not because of the curious glances from other diners, but because the heavy coat draped over his shoulders made him feel like a delicate girl, while the one caring for him was a strangely enthusiastic young man who would show off his thermal underwear to a not-so-familiar colleague.

He pulled the coat up a bit, slipping his arms into the sleeves to keep it from sliding down. “Thank you.”

Liang Xiao indeed smiled, carefree, “This coat really suits you, Senior.”

Please don’t say you’ll give it to me, even if your family has a fortune, that’s Hermès, Ye Ji’an thought.

Fortunately, he didn’t.

From then on, there were many more occasions where these two seemingly mismatched individuals became lunch companions. Whenever they weren’t too busy, Liang Xiao would naturally extend an invitation, as if he had a constantly updated map of nearby eateries in his head, but he never mentioned it online, insisting on discussing it face-to-face. Later, when Ye Ji’an thought of a restaurant, he would invite this food-loving junior along.

For Ye Ji’an, this was both beneficial and detrimental.

The benefits were numerous. For one, after years of monotonous lunch breaks, Ye Ji’an suddenly had some variety, which undoubtedly improved his quality of life and happiness index. Occasionally, his gaze would drift past the glass wall to the desk in the diagonal front, catching sight of that focused figure. He would have fleeting thoughts, hoping the door would be knocked on at noon, and Liang Xiao would come in, looking full of ideas.

The downside was that his lunch companion seemed to have no concept of money; the only thing he considered was food, and the average cost per person was completely off his radar. Generally, casual meals were fine, but there were a couple of times when he invited Ye Ji’an to restaurants he had never even thought of stepping into, and he had kindly made reservations many days in advance. Ye Ji’an had to grit his teeth and go in, maintaining his calm demeanor, and the food was indeed delicious, but it was also quite expensive.

Liang Xiao, as usual, was carefree, not even glancing at the bill before they split it.

“Senior, you’re too hard on yourself,” he said.

“You can’t push yourself too hard; otherwise, is working hard just for a bank card?” It sounded quite reasonable.

Ye Ji’an looked at the smooth, fair skin on Liang Xiao’s cheeks and thought, this is a friend who tempts me into indulgence, but he’s young and living well, truly different. Then he thought, fine, I’ll spend money to buy happiness.

Such grand ambitions often ended with him queuing to buy roasted sweet potatoes after squeezing through the evening rush hour subway.

If one day I can’t pay the mortgage, I’ll just be done for; at least I bought insurance, so I won’t be left without a place to be buried, Ye Ji’an thought casually. He held the paper bag, breathing in the warmth, preparing to go home and tidy up his wardrobe, looking for his thermal underwear to wear.

And so, they passed through to the end of December.

Before the New Year’s Day holiday, the company organized a free health check-up for half a day. Ye Ji’an was working in the office, and so was Liang Xiao. Ye Ji’an was again watching Liang Xiao’s figure through the glass, thinking that this guy was indeed determined to join him for this thankless task. What could that secret be? Why was he so eager to tell me, yet for the past two months, nothing seemed to show? He was lively and enjoying his meals, and his gym time was no less than mine, so what could it be?

Could it be some minor issues that are hard to talk about, like… having six toes?

Only a child who hasn’t been beaten down by society would consider that an important secret. Ye Ji’an thought Liang Xiao could do something like that.

On New Year’s Day at eight in the morning, during the beautiful holiday, the two met at the health check-up building. Liang Xiao arrived earlier, standing awkwardly in the middle of the lobby, wearing a pullover, jeans, and basketball shoes, with a soft, puffy down jacket on top. This casual outfit was something Ye Ji’an had never seen before. He looked down at himself and felt like an old man doing morning exercises. Then he thought again, this hospital is right across from my neighborhood; I just had to get up at seven-thirty and walk a couple of steps to get here, but he didn’t know where Liang Xiao lived, how he got here, or how long it took.

“Good morning, Senior,” Liang Xiao smiled as soon as he saw him.

“Good morning, good morning,” Ye Ji’an felt relaxed. He walked over, leading him to the self-service registration machine. He had specifically asked the General Affairs Department beforehand; this guy had gotten medical insurance since returning to the country, which made things much easier. “You probably haven’t been to the hospital by yourself, right? Let me show you how these work.”

“Okay.” Liang Xiao obediently stood beside him, watching intently, a diligent student.

“We’ll draw blood first; it’s early, so we won’t have to wait in line. I brought some bread to snack on afterward,” Ye Ji’an said, taking their examination forms and heading toward the escalator. “The blood draw is on the second floor. After that, the tests will be mixed up. You can stick with me or go your own way, whichever you prefer.”

Liang Xiao didn’t say anything, just silently followed. Ye Ji’an glanced at him, wondering if he was being too motherly and annoying.

Unexpectedly, when they reached the second floor and were halfway up, Liang Xiao suddenly spoke.

“Are you still afraid of me now?”

Ye Ji’an was momentarily taken aback.

Liang Xiao didn’t wait for him to respond and asked again, “You haven’t forgotten about that secret, have you, Senior?”

Ye Ji’an widened his eyes. “Uh-huh.”

“But you haven’t asked me about it, and I’m very grateful,” Liang Xiao smiled, stepping down the escalator first. “Senior, you’re really a good person, to everyone. You care more about others’ feelings than your own curiosity.”

The blood collection room was right at the foot of the escalator, without even needing to enter the hallway. Ye Ji’an hurried to catch up. “Can I ask now?”

Liang Xiao suddenly turned back, “Ah, yes, of course,” sounding a bit like he had just woken from a dream, and a bit like he was still dreaming. As he spoke, he turned away and walked briskly, “I’m afraid of needles, and I don’t like blood draws,” the examination form in his hand was already crumpled, and he finally stopped, staring expressionlessly at the door of the blood collection room, calmly saying, “Senior, I really hate needles.”