Qiao Nan slept through the entire day and only regained his energy by evening, when he went out with Pei Xu to buy daily necessities.
Pei Xu had originally planned to find a hotel, but small towns had few lodgings, and the only one available was too far from the school to be convenient.
After discussing with Teacher Zhang, Qiao Nan temporarily borrowed an old dormitory room.
Pei Xu had taken seven days of annual leave and could stay in Ping Shiba for another five days.
There were no large supermarkets in the small town, so the two of them wandered around a budget convenience store for half a day before finishing their shopping.
When Qiao Nan was about to pay, he saw Pei Xu casually place a bottle of lubricant and two boxes of condoms on the cashier counter.
His face instantly flushed red.
He nervously glanced at the shop owner’s wife, then discreetly kicked Pei Xu’s calf.
Pei Xu lowered his eyes and looked at him: “Missing something?”
If it weren’t for not having paid yet, Qiao Nan almost wanted to grab the bag and run.
He didn’t respond but pressed his lips together, blushing as he pretended not to understand.
Fortunately, the shop owner’s wife was probably too old to be sensitive to these things and didn’t notice the awkward atmosphere between them.
She quickly finished the bill.
Outside the store, Qiao Nan glared at him: “Why did you buy that? You’re leaving in just a few days!”
Pei Xu said, “Just in case.”
Qiao Nan: “66”
Their levels of shamelessness were clearly different, so he wisely chose not to pursue the topic further.
After resting for a day, Qiao Nan returned to class.
His schedule wasn’t packed, and after some adjustments with other teachers, he concentrated his courses in the morning and the first period in the afternoon.
While Qiao Nan was teaching, Pei Xu worked remotely in the dormitory.
After the afternoon classes, Qiao Nan took Pei Xu out to walk and explore.
Ping Shiba was small, without any notable scenic spots.
But the two of them, dressed in matching T-shirts and shorts under the sunset, wandered through vast rice fields with mountains and forests in the distance—a more relaxed and carefree atmosphere than the big city.
Occasionally, Qiao Nan would bring his sketchpad to paint, and Pei Xu became his sole model.
The climate in Dongzhao was hot and humid, and locals dressed lightly.
Pei Xu, adapting to local customs, changed out of his meticulous shirt and trousers.
A simple black T-shirt with gray five-point casual pants and sneakers softened his mature appearance, making him look about the same age as Qiao Nan.
Qiao Nan really liked this look on him.
Tall with long legs, Pei Xu’s not-too-loose T-shirt subtly outlined his strong muscles, making him appear especially robust.
His slightly long bangs were cut short to reveal sharp, narrow eyebrows and eyes.
Without glasses, his aura was particularly fierce, like a student from the nearby sports school, and even the sweat beads under the blazing sun carried an intoxicating hint of raw masculinity.
Qiao Nan wandered absentmindedly by the riverbank, looking for a suitable spot to paint, but his gaze kept drifting back to Pei Xu.
He casually pointed: “Let’s just stay here.”
Pei Xu followed his directions, setting up the easel and sketchpad, then placing the paintbox and palette within easy reach.
“Where should I sit?”
Qiao Nan looked around for a moment, then pointed to a large rock under a nearby tree.
Pei Xu walked over and sat down.
Behind him, the river shimmered, and dappled light from swaying branches sprinkled over him.
The soft evening light was the most natural filter, and Qiao Nan couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances before picking up his brush.
But today, he found it hard to concentrate.
Pei Xu was only staying here for five days and was leaving tomorrow.
Biting his lip, Qiao Nan zoned out, but his mind was stuck on the condoms they bought at the supermarket that day—he hadn’t even used them yet.
Maybe they should use them tonight?
His eyes flickered, cheeks flushed as he unconsciously looked at Pei Xu again.
Unexpectedly, their eyes met, and he shyly averted his gaze.
When he looked back, the man had already walked over, bent down, lifted his chin, and stared deeply into his eyes: “What’s Qiao Laoshi thinking about? Your face is all red.”
Qiao Nan’s lashes trembled. His eyes darted around, but the blush on his face deepened.
For some reason, the three words “Qiao Laoshi” sounded especially sexy coming from Pei Xu’s mouth.
Qiao Nan felt like he was melting into a puddle, being dried by the hot evening breeze.
He swallowed hard.
Pei Xu’s hand moved down, his thumb pressing gently on Qiao Nan’s Adam’s apple, applying light pressure as he stroked before releasing.
The neck was a very vulnerable and sensitive spot—predators often target the throat first when hunting.
Qiao Nan stared at him, feeling a slight suffocation as if his vital spot was being gripped.
This sensation made him swallow even more frequently, his lips parting slightly as he breathed softly.
Pei Xu bent down to capture his tongue.
Qiao Nan let out a low moan involuntarily, his body softening as he leaned against him, just in time for Pei Xu to catch him.
Holding his waist to help him stand upright, Pei Xu changed positions and pressed him against the sketchpad, continuing to kiss him fiercely.
After the first night, he had restrained himself out of concern for Qiao Nan’s body, never crossing the line.
But with the impending farewell, he found it harder to hold back.
Before leaving, he wanted to mark him, to leave his scent.
His powerful tongue penetrated deep into Qiao Nan’s throat, stealing scarce air. Gasping for breath, Qiao Nan tried to pull back but was pushed forward by the grip on his nape.
The intense choking kiss made his body spasm slightly; his beautiful eyes were wet with tears, dazed.
It was as if even his soul was being branded.
While kissing him, Pei Xu rummaged in his backpack and soon placed a square packet into Qiao Nan’s palm, coaxing him: “Nan Nan, be good. Put this on for me.”
Qiao Nan trembled, glancing nervously around, shaking his head: “Let’s go back first.”
“When we came here, I checked. No one will come,” Pei Xu licked his cheek and, a little forcefully, held his hand to open the packet: “Be good.”
Qiao Nan’s fingers trembled slightly but could only obey.
When they left the riverbank, Qiao Nan’s legs felt so weak he could barely stand.
Pei Xu tidied up the mess, then told him to lean on his back.
He carried him home.
The broad back gave a special sense of security.
Although Qiao Nan had been annoyed before, being carried wrapped him in overwhelming satisfaction, and his anger faded.
He buried his face in Pei Xu’s neck, rubbing gently: “What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Ten o’clock.”
Pei Xu asked again, “Really not coming back with me?”
Ten o’clock…
He had a class then and probably couldn’t see him off.
Qiao Nan was a bit disappointed but still shook his head: “Everything has a beginning and an end. I said three months when I came.”
Pei Xu had asked before and received the same answer, so he didn’t insist, only saying: “Then I’ll come pick you up when your teaching ends.”
Qiao Nan turned his face, kissed his ear softly, and whispered, “Okay.”
The next day, when Pei Xu left, Qiao Nan was in class.
Pei Xu stood outside the classroom for a moment, silently waved to Qiao Nan, then pulled his suitcase and left alone.
During lunch break, Qiao Nan returned to the old dormitory where they had stayed and, seeing it emptied, clearly felt the pain of parting.
Before leaving, Pei Xu had moved all the daily necessities back to the original four-person room.
Qiao Nan returned to the four-person room somewhat despondent.
His bed was neatly made with bedding and sheets, and the electric fan at the foot of the bed whirred with the wind.
He lightly patted the fan and pouted unhappily.
The days then returned to normal.
Every day was spent preparing lessons and teaching.
On weekends, he took the kids who stayed on campus to sketch around the school.
Although the students had no formal training in painting, every immature brushstroke was lively and full of vitality.
In this busy life, Qiao Nan learned a lot and gained a deeper understanding of painting.
Each day was fulfilling to the point that he hardly had time to miss anyone.
Only late at night, lying in bed, would he think of the person far away in Nanjiang.
Just thinking of him filled his heart.
When June arrived, Pei Xu received a call from Zhou Ruo.
The decisive, ruthless lawyer hesitated for a long time on the phone before finally speaking: “Nan Nan’s birthday is coming. You should go pick him up.”
Her voice was low, full of resigned helplessness.
In the background, Qiao Shian’s displeased grunt could be faintly heard, but he didn’t object.
Since Pei Xu’s visit to Yanjing over half a month ago, they must have gone through many quarrels, thoughts, and compromises to finally make this decision.
Even if they had been absent in the past, as parents they still couldn’t bear to let their child suffer too much.
Clenching the phone, Pei Xu solemnly agreed: “When I went to Dongzhao last time, Nan Nan said he would wait until after teaching to come back. His birthday will probably be in Dongzhao this year. Don’t worry, I’ll be with him.”
Zhou Ruo made a soft “eh” sound, reminded him of a few things, then hung up.
Pei Xu looked at the ended call screen, couldn’t help but smile, and sent Qiao Nan a WeChat message: [Mom and Dad agreed.]
Qiao Nan, resting between classes, saw the message and blinked in disbelief: [Really?]
[Really.]
Pei Xu asked: [So this year’s birthday is in Ping Shiba?]
[Yeah, we’ve thrown parties every year before, but there’s nothing special about them.]
Pei Xu stared at the screen for a long while, then slowly typed: [Then this year, it’s your call.]
Qiao Nan’s birthday was on a Sunday.
No early classes, he slept in.
But his WeChat buzzed nonstop early in the morning, filled with birthday wishes from friends and classmates.
Even Luo Xinyang, on the opposite bed, was woken up and peeked over curiously: “What’s the occasion today? Such a busy schedule?”
“A completely ordinary day.”
Qiao Nan replied to messages one by one, smiling softly.
Pei Xu’s message was buried beneath the flood of new messages.
After replying to several others, Qiao Nan finally saw his brief note:
[Probably arriving around noon.]
He glanced at the time; it was already 11:30.
Qiao Nan jumped up, hurriedly changed clothes, washed up, and borrowed a bike from the gatekeeper to ride toward the bus stop.
The sun was already blazing at noon, but he didn’t feel hot.
His eyes fixed on the coming and going vehicles, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Pei Xu parked his car and entered the school to look for him but didn’t find him.
He called: “Where are you?”
“Have you arrived?”
Qiao Nan looked around: “I’m at the bus stop, but I don’t see you.”
Pei Xu immediately understood.
Last time he had flown then transferred to a bus, so Qiao Nan must have assumed he’d do the same and waited early at the bus drop-off point.
“Wait a moment, I’m coming.”
Pei Xu got out of the car, took Qiao Shushu out of the passenger seat, held Qiao Shushu’s leash in one hand and his phone in the other, continuing to talk to Qiao Nan: “How long have you been waiting? Hot?”
Qiao Nan leaned on the bike handlebars, squinting to spot him: “Not hot. I rode the bike here. Where are you? Why didn’t I see you?”
Pei Xu didn’t answer but changed the subject.
They chatted about everything under the sun for nearly ten minutes before Qiao Nan heard a familiar bark.
He turned holding the phone and saw Pei Xu walking toward him with Qiao Shushu.
Qiao Shushu hadn’t seen him in a long time and ran quickly toward Qiao Nan, paws flying.
Unfortunately, the leash was still held by Pei Xu, limiting its speed, so it could only wag its tail wildly.
Qiao Nan’s eyes widened in surprise.
Pei Xu took big steps forward and hugged him tightly.
“Happy birthday.”
Qiao Shushu stood on his hind legs, trying to squeeze between them.
Qiao Nan disregarded everything and hugged Pei Xu back, the little beast rubbing happily against him, overjoyed.
Passersby threw curious and surprised glances, but neither of them cared.
“How did you get here?”
“Drove.”
Pei Xu kissed the top of his head before letting go.
“Back to school or a walk?”
Qiao Nan petted Qiao Shushu’s head, eyes sparkling: “Don’t want to go back.”
Pei Xu pushed a bike nearby, swung his long legs over, and looked at him: “Get on.”
Qiao Shushu barked excitedly, trying to climb onto the back seat but was pushed aside by Qiao Nan.
He sat sideways, one hand holding Qiao Shushu’s leash, the other hugging Pei Xu’s waist, excitedly saying: “GOGOGO!”
The old-fashioned bike creaked and rattled as Pei Xu carried him forward, leaving curious gazes behind.
They passed the concrete main road and turned onto a quiet dirt path.
On the left were uneven houses, on the right vast fields and rivers.
Scorching sunlight filtered through leaves, and the summer breeze carried the sound of barking dogs.
Qiao Nan rested his cheek against Pei Xu’s back: “This is the happiest birthday I’ve ever had.”
Pei Xu said, “I didn’t prepare a gift this year, but you can make a wish.”
Qiao Nan thought seriously but found he couldn’t think of any wishes.
When he was very young, he had woken from nightmares and wished upon stars for an older brother to accompany him.
Then Pei Xu appeared.
He had never been scared awake by nightmares again.
The family love and romance he longed for, Pei Xu had more than fulfilled.
“All my wishes have already come true.”
Qiao Nan tightened his hold around Pei Xu’s waist and pressed a burning kiss onto his taut back: “The day you appeared.”