1. The Date

Jinjiang Literature City Exclusive

Chapter 1

Written by: The White Moonlight of the Scumbag Always Throws Straight Balls at Me
Original work by: No Trace of Immortals

“Nan Nan, I’m waiting outside your school gate. Come out. I’ll take you to eat.” Shen Qian’s voice was gentle and magnetic. After hanging up, Xuan Congnan’s mind contained only the thought of returning to school.

The room had four windowless walls, no ventilation, dark and damp, the space cramped and narrow. The bed, pressed against the wall and measuring barely one meter twenty wide, took up almost two-thirds of the area. Sleeping an adult of one meter eighty would feel suffocating.

There was only one chair here, tidily placed. On the east, west, and north walls, two rows of solid wood shelves were nailed up, filled with paint boxes, brushes, sketch paper, watercolor sheets, and other art supplies.

Xuan Congnan put sketch paper and a few charcoal pencils into his backpack, picked up the flexible drawing board from the chair, rolled it into a tube, and stuffed it in as well.

He locked the room—barely more than a storage room—with an old brass lock commonly used in rural areas decades ago. Xuan Congnan checked twice; if someone insisted on smashing it open with a hammer from outside, there was nothing he could do.

There was nothing important left inside. Xuan Congnan touched his collar to make sure everything was in place, then prepared to leave.

“Nan Nan.” A woman, refined and utterly out of place in this ordinary house, blocked his path with folded arms.

She wore the latest haute couture dress, a Swarovski necklace on her neck, sparkling like an aristocratic lady from high society. “You haven’t had lunch yet, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Your uncle will be back from his appointment soon. Let’s wait for him.”

Xuan Congnan gripped the faded backpack strap, his expression calm. “If Uncle drinks too much, he’ll abuse you. I can’t stop him.”

Zhuoya Jun laughed coldly. “Is it that you can’t stop him, or are you just a coward, scared to get hit so you run fast?”

Xuan Congnan replied, “I don’t feel unhappy when he hits you. Why should I stop him?”

Zhuoya Jun’s face changed. “You!”

She looked as if she could swallow Xuan Congnan alive, but she held back her temper, locked the living room door, and said, “Don’t worry, he has proper business today and won’t drink. We’re expecting guests, and they specifically asked to see you. Eat before you leave.”

Xuan Congnan said, “I have something to do. I need to go back to school.”

“What for? To flirt with your boyfriend, who’s just a sales manager at best? Dressing up every day like a peacock, wearing handmade suits and cufflinks worth tens of thousands—who are you fooling? Either rented or fake, but in reality, he’s just a pauper, probably drowning in debt. Nan Nan, I’ve told you, you’re handsome and smart, the best of the best. You should marry someone rich. You like men, don’t you? Coincidentally, last time Mr. Zhang met you, he told your uncle he really liked you and even wants to marry you.” Zhuoya Jun emphasized, “He’s not just keeping you as a lover; he wants to marry you. The bride price is a million. What’s there to be dissatisfied about?”

Xuan Congnan said, “Are you talking about Uncle’s debts? He does owe more than two million. If he can’t repay, he’ll go to prison. I won’t visit him. If Mr. Zhang is so wonderful, you marry him. The million bride price can be yours, and it can help Uncle pay off his gambling debts.”

He answered Zhuoya Jun’s every question calmly and logically, as if working through a math problem.

But to Zhuoya Jun, Xuan Congnan himself was a difficult equation she couldn’t solve, only wanted to tear apart.

She fumed, “My son is already nineteen. He wouldn’t want me.”

Xuan Congnan said, “You getting old isn’t my fault.”

“Shut up!”

Xuan Congnan glanced at her, knowing not to linger, and went to open the door.

Zhuoya Jun grew anxious. “I’m doing this for your own good… Xuan Ye, you’re finally back. Did you bring Mr. Zhang?”

The living room door opened. Xuan Ye appeared at the entrance, his eyes bloodshot from last night’s hangover and a sleepless night, his face haggard.

Zhuoya Jun craned her neck, looking behind him.

Xuan Ye said, “Nan Nan, eat at home, just do Uncle a favor.”

“Xuan Zhuoyao is nineteen,” Xuan Congnan sincerely suggested, “he can help you.”

Xuan Ye stared at him intently, as if eyeing a deal about to close. “Mr. Zhang only wants you. Parents decide marriage…”

Xuan Congnan’s face was cold. “My parents died long ago.”

Xuan Ye said, “I’ve raised you for ten years. Your aunt and I are your parents now.”

Xuan Congnan declared, “My parents are in their graves.”

The sober Xuan Ye was still rational, his eyes twitching with restraint. “You…”

“Brother Xuan, why are you standing at the door, not entering?” Mr. Zhang appeared behind him, holding a large bouquet of roses, vivid and dewy, “Or do you not want me to come in? Oh, Nan Nan is really at home, so my roses weren’t wasted.”

The fresh rose petals were sprinkled with dew, crystal clear, fragrant, but squashed against Mr. Zhang’s unmanly chest, their beauty spoiled.

What a waste of good roses.

Xuan Congnan stepped back in disgust.

Shen Qian called again.

“Nan Nan, you’re not at school? Come meet me,” Shen Qian’s gentle voice came through.

Xuan Congnan walked to the corner of the living room to take the call, closed his eyes briefly, and said, “I came home at noon to pick up some things. I’ll be there soon.”

The school was nearby. Shen Qian said, “I’ll wait half an hour.”

Xuan Congnan: “Mm.”

Mr. Zhang asked, “A call from your classmate?”

Afraid Xuan Congnan would say something unpleasant, Zhuoya Jun quickly said, “Yes! Just a classmate.”

“My boyfriend,” Xuan Congnan interrupted coldly, as if determined to shock.

Mr. Zhang was stunned. “You have a boyfriend?” He turned sharply to Xuan Ye. “You never said he was with a man. Didn’t you say he was a virgin?”

Xuan Congnan said, “We’ve been together a year.”

Mr. Zhang shrilled, “God knows how many times they’ve done it. Xuan Ye, do I look like someone who eats leftovers?”

Xuan Ye’s face changed drastically, roaring at Xuan Congnan, “Brat, stop talking nonsense!”

Then, lowering his voice to Mr. Zhang, “The family is strict; where would he get a boyfriend? He’s lying to you.”

Mr. Zhang’s gaze lingered lasciviously over Xuan Congnan’s face, then wandered elsewhere.

Suddenly, he laughed, “Heh, playing hard to get? Nan Nan’s long hair is so beautiful, suits his face perfectly.”

Boys’ hair grows slowly; after ten years, Xuan Congnan’s hair still hadn’t reached his waist, just past his back, black and glossy, tied loosely with a black band, a few strands falling over his forehead, adding a chill to his appearance. Because of this long hair, Zhuoya Jun often attacked him for being effeminate.

From birth, Xuan Congnan’s parents had him grow his hair long, never cut. At twelve, Zhuoya Jun cut it once.

“Uncle, Aunt says you owe two million, you’re a burden, she’s tired of living in fear of creditors, wants you to go to jail,” Xuan Congnan said.

Xuan Ye glared fiercely at Zhuoya Jun, spitting, “Bitch.”

Zhuoya Jun screeched, “You believe what he says?!”

“Bald Mr. Zhang,” Xuan Congnan’s tone was calm and polite, “Aunt says you don’t deserve me. She wants me to endure marrying you so the family can get a million bride price, my cousin will have a new house, and Uncle won’t have to repay your gambling debts. But I don’t want to endure. You’re ugly.”

Mr. Zhang’s eyes widened in shock. “You, you actually said I…”

Xuan Congnan continued, “You’re ugly.”

The roses fell to the floor. Mr. Zhang threw them aside and clutched his head, shouting, “You keep saying I…”

“You’re bald,” Xuan Congnan said.

Mr. Zhang’s mouth twisted in anger, tears streaming down his face.

He shouted, “Xuan Ye, you really have a good wife! How could she teach a naive child to say such things!”

“It’s nothing to do with me! When did I ever teach him this?!” Zhuoya Jun was ready for battle. “Deliberate, isn’t it? You want an argument today?! Xuan Ye! Argue if you want, but if you break my dress and necklace, you’ll have to return them yourself!”

Having offended everyone, the house fell into chaos, with curses flying and animals scattering.

Xuan Congnan left the mess behind, departing openly.

He didn’t walk the usual half-hour back to school, but called a car, ten yuan.

Upon arrival, he used a 1.2 yuan coupon, paying 8.8 yuan.

It was the weekend, few students were at school—most holed up in dorms watching dramas or playing games, or out shopping.

Across from the school gate, a black car was parked, the logo two crossed Ms encircling a spherical triangle, ordinary and inconspicuous. Xuan Congnan spotted it immediately.

Sunlight filtered through leaves, scattering patterns across the ground. Shen Qian sat in the back seat, a black shirt perfectly fitting his form. His left leg crossed over his right knee, holding an iPad, head bowed as if reviewing documents.

A shadow approached the car. Alert, Shen Qian looked up, turning toward the window.

The first thing he saw was the long hair drifting in the wind, catching the sunlight and appearing to glow, slightly tousled from running. Long hair on a boy was strange, yet unique.

The window was lowered halfway. Xuan Congnan bent over, hands on knees, peering inside. The glass hid the lower half of his face in shadow, so Shen Qian could only see his upper face clearly.

As their eyes met, those eyes curved slightly.

“Qian-ge,” Xuan Congnan called softly.

“Ah, ah, ah—it’s real, really real—Gu...! Gu...!” In the quiet backseat, a sudden burst of excited, crowded shouts erupted. Xuan Congnan glanced at the iPad on Shen Qian’s lap, puzzled at the name being shouted.

An airport scene flashed by.

A man wearing a baseball cap and mask was surrounded by a crowd of men and women, struggling forward, escorted by two staff members.

The three-dimensional black mask fit perfectly to his face. Having drawn thousands of portraits, Xuan Congnan could tell from the exposed brows and nose bridge that underneath was surely an excellent face, well-proportioned in every aspect.

The iPad’s sound faded; Shen Qian turned off the screen. “Why did you run so fast?”

He got out, taking a tissue to wipe the sweat from Xuan Congnan’s brow.

With a ten-centimeter height difference, Xuan Congnan had to look up to meet Shen Qian’s gaze.

Fingers brushed against his cheek, and Xuan Congnan lowered his lashes, carefully taking the tissue. “I’ll do it myself.”

After wiping away the sweat, he looked up again, smiling gently. “I was afraid you’d wait too long, I—”

“Nan Nan,” Shen Qian interrupted, voice tender beyond measure.

Xuan Congnan replied, “Mm?”

Shen Qian looked into his eyes, reached out to tuck the stray hair behind his ear, and said, “Don’t smile.”

The curve in Xuan Congnan’s eyes slowly faded, returning to his usual cool expression.

It seemed Shen Qian was looking at someone through him.