Kang He’s heart skipped a beat.
He instinctively turned his head toward the person beside him, stunned—he hadn’t expected this at all.
Fan Jing only then subconsciously realized what he had done.
He had always been so relaxed around Kang He, having spent decades together day and night. After eating, he’d be with him again, and in that moment of zoning out, he acted on autopilot just like before.
It was only after he snapped back that he remembered Kang He wasn’t the person he had lived with for so many years now.
His brow twitched; this unfamiliarity felt uncomfortable, but he had no choice but to let go of Kang He’s hand.
However, just as he was about to truly release it, Kang He’s hand gripped his even tighter.
Kang He’s ears flushed red as he stared straight ahead at the cross-river bridge. The city lights had just begun to shine, and the night view was beautiful.
His heart thudded wildly. He had wanted to do this for a long time, but he was afraid Fan Jing wouldn’t be interested, and he worried that Fan Jing might think he was frivolous—after all, this was their first meeting.
But to his surprise, Fan Jing, who rarely spoke, was so proactive. How could he not cherish the opportunity?
Kang He’s heart burned, deliberately ignoring the fact that their hands were intertwined, not caring if anyone was watching. He feigned casualness and chatted with Fan Jing, “You don’t talk much, huh.”
Fan Jing felt the sweat on Kang He’s palm, sensing a bit of nervousness.
When he learned that Kang He didn’t remember their past, he had been worried he wouldn’t be the same anymore.
But now, it seemed he had taken a small step forward.
“Mm.”
He replied softly, then looked for something to say, “I’m not very talkative, don’t mind me.”
Kang He said, “I don’t mind. I’m just afraid you mind. I talk quite a bit.”
He tilted his head toward Fan Jing. “Don’t you think I’m noisy?”
Fan Jing shook his head, and a smile lifted the corners of Kang He’s mouth.
The two of them held hands and walked along the riverside for at least three or four kilometers, ignoring the gazes of others.
Though they didn’t say much, their hearts were sweet.
After the walk, Kang He drove Fan Jing back to his apartment building, still reluctant to part.
He slowly turned off the engine and even more slowly walked with him for a few steps.
Kang He hadn’t felt this way in years. Ever since his parents divorced and he dropped out of school to make a living in the city, he’d never relied on anyone and thus never experienced this kind of attachment.
They had only known each other for a short time after all.
Still, he admitted that at first it was Fan Jing’s face that caught his eye. But after spending just a little time together, he realized Fan Jing’s calm personality—though it should have made him difficult to approach and get along with—was surprisingly a perfect match for him.
If it weren’t for Fan Jing’s strong sense of righteousness, he might have thought this was some tailor-made scam.
After all, scams were everywhere these days, and Kang He didn’t have much money.
A summer breeze brushed his cheek. The night in City A was already cool after nine o’clock.
His thoughts were carried back by the wind as he looked at Fan Jing. “Be safe going home. Message me when you get back.”
“And no sending emojis.”
Fan Jing stayed silent. He lifted his eyes to glance at Kang He.
In the past, no matter how late it got, Kang He would come home—because he didn’t want to part from him…
Seeing him not speak, Kang He asked, “What’s wrong?”
Fan Jing stood still. “How long is your drive back?”
“Not too bad at this hour. Out of the city, it’s probably just about an hour.”
Fan Jing was quiet for a moment. “That’s still pretty late.”
Kang He smiled. “It’s fine. I usually stay up late anyway. Just getting started.”
If he could see Fan Jing every day, he wouldn’t mind driving two hours each way to the city.
Fan Jing, hearing this, suddenly had nothing to say.
Sensing the atmosphere grow a bit stiff, Kang He worried Fan Jing found him too chatty and said, “Well, you should go inside then, get some rest early…”
But Fan Jing suddenly said, “Come up and sit for a bit.”
Kang He raised an eyebrow at the words. Looking at Fan Jing’s face, making sure he heard correctly, his Adam’s apple bobbed.
Was this a bit… too much?
Seeing Kang He’s expression, Fan Jing felt even more certain things were different now. He quickly added, “I forgot you have to livestream tonight, so you should get back early…”
“Sure!”
Kang He quickly interrupted him.
Worried Fan Jing hadn’t expressed himself clearly, he added, “As long as you don’t mind me disturbing you.”
They exchanged a glance, both suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed.
The evening breeze blew, stirring emotions, and Kang He quietly reached out to hold Fan Jing’s hand again.
Together, they went upstairs.
Fan Jing’s place wasn’t large but was very tidy.
Kang He’s heart was still pounding, but upon entering, his attention was drawn to a whole wall of display cabinets filled with different bows and arrows.
They were all made of pure wood and bamboo, without modern technology—very artisanal.
“Are these collectibles?”
Fan Jing slowly replied, “If you like, I can give you one.”
Kang He’s heart swelled with happiness.
He looked at Fan Jing and said, “Giving someone a fish isn’t as good as teaching them to fish. If you could teach me how to make handcrafted arrows, I could even make a video about it.”
“That’s fine.”
Fan Jing agreed readily. Kang He was patient and meticulous, and quickly learned. Teaching him to make bows and arrows was much easier than teaching him to shoot.
Unaware that Fan Jing found him a bit much, Kang He smiled brightly, feeling that Fan Jing was truly kind to him.
In his mind, he was already picturing the two of them making bows together seriously. If Fan Jing appeared on camera, their views would definitely spike.
But whether Fan Jing wanted to be on camera was another matter. Kang He selfishly didn’t want him to appear too much—he hadn’t even firmly won him over yet, so how could he let others see?
“Feel free to look around. I’m going to wash some fruit.”
Fan Jing didn’t know what Kang He was daydreaming about and made an excuse to slip into the bedroom.
There was a watercolor portrait hanging above his bed—impossible to miss when you entered. Now that the real person was here, it wouldn’t do to keep it so conspicuous.
Fan Jing took the painting down and locked it away in a cabinet, feeling more at ease.
He carried the sliced fruit to the coffee table but saw Kang He holding a sketch, looking up blankly at him.
“You… can draw too?”
Fan Jing glanced at the sketch and was silent for a moment.
Kang He had secretly looked around the apartment while Fan Jing was washing fruit. It was a one-bedroom, one-living room studio. His mind started wandering.
Then he noticed the portrait on the coffee table. At first, he had felt a pang of jealousy when he saw Fan Jing’s sketch at home, worried it might be from an ex.
But when he picked it up and looked closely, the facial features were exactly like his own. His heart skipped a beat.
Fan Jing had only thought about the paintings in his bedroom and had forgotten about the sketches casually placed in the living room.
He had lived alone before and left them wherever he wanted, but hadn’t expected to invite Kang He over today.
Now that it had been discovered, there was no hiding it. He calmly admitted, “Yeah, I’ve learned a bit.”
“The one you drew here is…”
Kang He held up the paper, half knowing but uncertain, hoping for a clear answer.
“You.”
Fan Jing sat down beside Kang He, took back the sketch, looked at Kang He, then at the drawing, murmuring, “It’s not very accurate.”
Kang He appeared calm but sighed deeply.
There was an indescribable feeling in his heart, and he couldn’t help but test the waters: “When did you draw this?”
“The day before yesterday.”
Fan Jing was honest. The drawing made from memory was rough, so he had locked it away. After seeing Kang He’s livestreams and videos, he had redrawn it better.
“The day before yesterday, we hadn’t even met yet.”
Kang He spoke softly. “Did you know me before then?”
Fan Jing looked at Kang He. “Don’t worry, I’m not a bad person.
I did know you before, but you didn’t know.”
Kang He’s brow twitched. “I already know you’re not a bad person. I was just surprised. No one’s ever drawn a portrait of me before.”
“So how did you know me? From short videos?”
Fan Jing knew it was useless to explain their past. Even if he did, Kang He might not believe him.
But he also didn’t want to lie, so he said nothing.
Kang He felt a bit embarrassed. After all, falling for someone through the internet probably felt a little unreal to Fan Jing.
He didn’t press the matter.
But that meant… Fan Jing had secretly liked him?
Kang He’s heart pounded louder. Sitting so close, he could smell the faint scent of Fan Jing’s orange-scented body wash—his favorite fragrance.
He had noticed it earlier during their riverside walk but now it was even stronger.
To smell someone else’s body wash was a distinctly intimate feeling, especially at a time like this…
Suddenly, the two fell silent, and the room seemed to grow warm.
Kang He wanted to say he was just using the air conditioning to adjust the atmosphere.
Fan Jing moved slightly, then leaned closer to him.
Unguarded, Kang He’s nose was filled with the orange scent, and his lips grew warm.
His eyes snapped wide open. Just as he realized what Fan Jing was doing, a faint, warm breath brushed past his ear.
Fan Jing’s voice remained soft, but his breath was hot: “What about you? Do you like me?”
Kang He’s mind went blank, and it felt like he had lost all ability to act in that instant.
He looked at Fan Jing, so close, unable to think much, and instinctively nodded.
Fan Jing’s lips twitched, seemingly pleased with the answer.
His fingertip brushed over Kang He’s lips, then, after a moment, pressed another kiss upon them.