When Xie Xiaobao said “like,” he turned his face away, looking elsewhere.
For some reason, even though he wanted to say he liked the sweets He Yu had bought, the moment the words came out toward He Yu, his face inexplicably flushed and his heart raced.
‘I like it, I like the snacks you bought, I like…………… you.’
Xie Xiaobao was startled by his own wild thoughts.
He lifted his water cup and gulped down a big mouthful of water.
The cool water finally eased the sudden redness in his face.
“Drink slower.”
Xie Xiaobao had drunk too quickly, and water spilled over the corner of his mouth, forming droplets that hung from his chin, sparkling.
He Yu pulled out a tissue and wiped the droplets off his chin.
His warm fingers unintentionally brushed against the skin on Xie Xiaobao’s face.
A tremor ran through Xie Xiaobao’s heart, and he suddenly stood up and ran off.
“I’m going to the restroom.” The words floated on the breeze as He Yu lowered his head to look at his right hand.
The warmth from just moments ago seemed to linger on his fingers.
He lightly twirled his fingers and suddenly smiled.
Xie Xiaobao dashed into the restroom like a ghost, turning on the faucet and splashing water on his face.
He lifted his wet cheeks and stared at the mirror.
The face in the mirror was soaked, eyes showing a bit of panic, pale cheeks flushed bright red.
If he hadn’t run away so fast, He Yu would definitely have chased after him, asking what was wrong.
But how could he possibly explain this?
Xie Xiaobao stared blankly at the mirror, lost in thought.
He had always regarded He Yu as his best friend, never imagining that one day he would actually like his best friend.
The realization hit too suddenly, catching him completely off guard.
He didn’t even know if it was just a mistaken feeling because He Yu had been too kind to him.
He wildly wiped the mirror with his hand, then stormed back into the restroom, huffing.
He needed to calm down.
Sitting on the toilet lid, lost in thought for a long while, when his restless emotions finally settled, Xie Xiaobao washed his face again and then slowly returned.
He Yu saw how downcast he was and asked what was wrong.
Xie Xiaobao shook his head, “Nothing.”
Seeing that he clearly didn’t want to talk about it, He Yu didn’t press further and switched to another topic.
By evening, after finishing their scenes, Xie Xiaobao went to eat with He Yu.
The shock was too great; he was still a bit dazed.
Even the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll, taking advantage of his distraction, clung to He Yu’s arms, ignoring the belly rubs He Yu gave it.
He Yu’s attention was entirely on Xie Xiaobao, holding the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll and absentmindedly rubbing its belly.
They took a car and left through a side entrance.
At the hotel, Xie Xiaobao sat dazedly in the car.
“We’re here. What are you spacing out for?” He Yu opened the nearby car door and leaned down to look at him.
Startled by He Yu’s sudden closeness, Xie Xiaobao instinctively stood up but bumped his head loudly on the car roof.
Clutching his head, he sat down again, his face scrunched up in pain.
“Does it hurt?” He Yu pursed his lips and gently massaged his head.
He was still too impatient.
Xie Xiaobao shook his head, got out of the car, and entered the hotel with him.
It was still a private room, but this time Xie Xiaobao was far more uneasy than ever before.
He held the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll, unconsciously pinching its fur tail with his fingers.
At first, the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll was happily purring, but Xie Xiaobao kept pinching the same spot, and his grip grew tighter.
The Cat-Shaped Paper Doll felt like its tail was about to go bald.
It meowed sharply, breaking free from Xie Xiaobao’s grasp, and ran to He Yu’s legs, meowing pitifully.
He Yu picked it up and comforted it by stroking its spine.
The Cat-Shaped Paper Doll stopped meowing and curled back up on his lap, purring again.
Xie Xiaobao couldn’t taste a single bite of the food during the meal, lost in his own world.
He didn’t respond several times when He Yu called him.
He Yu sighed helplessly, “Are you tired?”
After a long moment, Xie Xiaobao came back to his senses, “Not tired.”
“No need to force it. Let’s go back and rest early.” He Yu ordered seafood congee, had the waiter pack it up, and then sent him back to the hotel where he was staying.
After putting down the congee and the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll, He Yu moved closer to Xie Xiaobao.
Xie Xiaobao widened his eyes, watching his figure slowly approach reflected in his pupils.
He instinctively took a step back, feeling a little nervous.
“I’m heading back first. Get some rest early. I’ll come see you next time.”
He Yu reached out and gently pressed on his head.
His hands were dry but warm with human heat.
Xie Xiaobao slightly hunched his neck and whispered, “Okay.”
He Yu smiled and turned away.
Once He Yu left, Xie Xiaobao finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He flopped face down on the bed, buried himself in the soft blankets, and vented by giving the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll, who was aggressively scratching at the seafood congee’s packaging, a rough pet.
The Cat-Shaped Paper Doll looked at him in confusion.
Xie Xiaobao rolled wildly on the bed.
The Cat-Shaped Paper Doll, thinking it was some game, abandoned the congee packaging and quickly jumped onto Xie Xiaobao’s back, excitedly meowing.
Kicking his legs.
Turning over, Xie Xiaobao hugged it tightly, burying his face in its furry belly.
The Cat-Shaped Paper Doll felt uncomfortable being squished and kicked back in protest.
“Don’t move.” Xie Xiaobao pinched the scruff of its neck, voice muffled.
Perhaps sensing his mood, the Cat-Shaped Paper Doll hesitated and then calmed down.
Holding its warm little body, Xie Xiaobao unknowingly fell asleep.
What one thinks by day, one dreams by night.
When Xie Xiaobao was awake, he worried about He Yu; even in his dreams, it was all about He Yu.
In his dream, He Yu gently held his hand as they strolled through the Park.
Xie Xiaobao knew he was dreaming and awkwardly tried to pull his hand away, but He Yu refused to let go.
He Yu looked down at him, the deep tenderness in his eyes unmistakable.
His lips moved as if saying something, but Xie Xiaobao didn’t catch it.
He asked in confusion, “What are you saying?”
He Yu smiled and suddenly leaned close to his ear, lips almost touching his sensitive earlobe.
Xie Xiaobao tilted his head, trying to avoid that ticklish feeling.
He Yu pressed his shoulder, lips still in his ear, and repeated the words in a low voice.
“I… like… you. I like you.”
Xie Xiaobao’s eyes suddenly widened, his heart pounding violently, almost leaping out of his chest.
He clutched his chest and abruptly sat up.
The dozing Cat-Shaped Paper Doll was startled, letting out a sharp meow.
Xie Xiaobao looked around confusedly.
It was the familiar hotel room; everything that just happened was only a dream.
‘Not real.’ Xie Xiaobao sighed with relief, but inside, a faint, indescribable sense of loss lingered.