Because of that one kiss, Baixi didn’t sleep well the entire night. He tossed and turned, thinking about Qi Xun and grinning foolishly.
He recalled the feeling of Qi Xun’s eyelashes brushing against his face, the way he looked down at him after the kiss, and the moment they parted in the underground parking lot, with Qi Xun giving him a hug. His heart was in chaos, and it felt like he had suddenly returned to his innocent teenage years overnight.
Luckily, he was staying in his own apartment that night, where he lived alone. He laughed out loud without worrying about anyone overhearing him.
Baixi realized that his earlier hesitation had been a waste of time. Being in a relationship with Qi Xun was like winning a lottery, and only a fool would push such a great opportunity away.
The next day, he woke up with dark circles under his eyes, which he managed to conceal with some concealer. However, despite the lack of sleep, he felt refreshed and energized because he was so happy.
Becoming Qi Xun’s boyfriend was a thousand times better than Baixi had imagined.
At first, he struggled to adjust to the change in their relationship. He still maintained the boundaries of friendship and was hesitant to make any bold moves. However, over the next few days, Qi Xun continued to pick him up after work, and they acted like any normal couple—holding hands, kissing, and saying goodnight before sleep. Baixi was initially awkward, but he gradually became more comfortable with it.
During his lunch breaks, he would chat with Qi Xun on his phone, exchanging trivial and meaningless messages. Normally, he wouldn’t dare to bother Qi Xun, as he understood that they were friends and didn’t want to be overly clingy. However, Qi Xun patiently responded to his messages and even fulfilled his requests, such as taking photos of the newly potted plant on his desk.
Baixi couldn’t help but smile, and his colleagues, who had suspected he was dating someone due to his recent behavior, teased him, “Bai Chief Editor, why are you in such a good mood? Are you in a relationship?”
Baixi didn’t mind being asked. He simply touched his face and replied, “Is it that obvious?”
A colleague took a sip of coffee and teased him, “It’s written all over your face.”
Baixi didn’t refute it and leaned against the desk. “Yes, it just started. It’s someone I’ve liked for a long time.”
His colleague wore a subtle smile but didn’t press for details. Those who understood, understood. When you became a couple with your crush, nobody could resist feeling ecstatic.
“Congratulations,” she raised her cup to Baixi.
After pouring a cup of coffee, Baixi returned to his office and was engrossed in reading a manuscript when his phone rang.
It was a call from his childhood friend, Liang Song.
Baixi looked at the screen, and only then did he realize that he had been so immersed in his relationship with Qi Xun over the past few days that he had almost forgotten about his closest childhood friend.
It was a bit of a shame.
Unlike his recently acquainted friend Qi Xun, Liang Song was a true childhood friend. They had been friends since their parents’ generation, meeting when they were still wearing diapers. They had been classmates from elementary school to university, and their friendship was unbreakable.
Even when Baixi came out as gay in high school, their friendship remained intact. Liang Song had struggled briefly but eventually accepted it and even provided emotional support for Baixi.
Because of this, Liang Song was the only person who knew about Baixi’s feelings for Qi Xun. He had witnessed Baixi’s six-year-long secret crush.
Normally, they met up every once in a while, played games together, and enjoyed each other’s company. However, Baixi hadn’t contacted Liang Song for about eight or nine days.
When he answered the phone, Liang Song asked, “Hey, XiXi, what have you been up to lately? You’ve been quiet for a few days. How about we go out for a barbecue tonight?”
Liang Song’s voice was slightly hoarse, likely because he had just woken up. He was a painter, and his work hours and daily routine were quite flexible.
Baixi held his phone and hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should tell the truth.
Baixi had yet to inform anyone about his relationship with Qi Xun, not even his close friends or his younger sister. He wasn’t intentionally hiding it; he just didn’t want to complicate things by announcing it prematurely. If he and Qi Xun broke up, it would only add unnecessary complications.
However, Liang Song was different. Besides being the witness to his long-standing crush, he was his closest friend. They had virtually no secrets from each other.
The only small problem was that Liang Song didn’t particularly like Qi Xun.
“I do have something going on,” Baixi stammered, “and these past few days have been quite busy.”
Liang Song believed him, thinking it was work-related.
“How about you join me for dinner tonight?” Liang Song sounded excited. “I’ll introduce you to a friend of mine. He’s my cousin’s colleague, two years older than you, incredibly handsome, 185 cm tall, and a designer with a good personality.”
Baixi instantly understood.
Liang Song wasn’t thrilled about Baixi’s infatuation with Qi Xun. While he had managed to tolerate it in the past couple of years, he had become increasingly impatient over the past year, seeing Baixi make no progress in his love life. It was as if Baixi intended to secretly pine for Qi Xun forever. That’s why Liang Song had taken it upon himself to help Baixi move on by finding him a new romantic interest.
Baixi found this situation a bit troublesome. “No, Song-ge, there’s no need to introduce someone to me. Let’s just have dinner together. Don’t bring anyone else.”
Liang Song wasn’t pleased. “Why not? What’s wrong with meeting new people? Baixi, I’m telling you, your lack of dating experience is the reason…”
Seeing that Liang Song was about to launch into his usual lecture, Baixi cut him off with one sentence.
“Actually, I’m already dating someone.”
As Baixi said this, he felt a bit uneasy. He absentmindedly twirled a pen in his fingers, and it landed on his desk with a small thud.
Liang Song was silent for a few seconds on the other end of the line and then let out an astonished exclamation. “Who? Damn, who’s the lucky guy? Are you serious, Baixi?”
Baixi winced at the sudden excitement, and his eardrums hurt. He moved the phone slightly away from his ear.
But Liang Song seemed genuinely happy. “Do I know this person? you’re amazing! Are you serious about this?”
Baixi found it somewhat amusing. He knew that Liang Song was genuinely thrilled for him. However, if Liang Song were to find out who his boyfriend was, he might not be so enthusiastic.
“He’s quite busy, and I won’t introduce you to him just yet. Let’s meet up tonight, and I’ll tell you some things. Please don’t bring that designer with you.”
Liang Song readily agreed. “You should have told me earlier that you’re in a relationship! I won’t play matchmaker for you anymore. Okay, it’s a deal. Let’s meet tonight at 7 pm, our usual place, the barbecue restaurant near our university.”
Liang Song hung up the phone after confirming the plans.
Baixi continued to work on reviewing manuscripts, knowing that he would face an interrogation from Liang Song later in the evening.
As it approached the end of the work shift, he called Qi Xun and informed him that they wouldn’t be meeting that night because he had plans to have dinner with Liang Song.
Qi Xun and Liang Song knew each other, although their relationship was ordinary. They were part of the same social circle and occasionally crossed paths. If Liang Song had some reservations about Qi Xun because of Baixi, then Qi Xun’s feelings toward Liang Song could be summarized in just two words: not familiar.
“Okay, have fun. Do you need me to pick you up after you’re done?” Qi Xun asked.
“No need,” Baixi smiled and replied, “I won’t drink alcohol, so I can drive.”
He hesitated for two seconds and then said to Qi Xun, “I might tell Liang Song about our relationship. Do you mind? If you do, I won’t say anything.”
He knew that Qi Xun hadn’t publicly declared this relationship to the people around him either.
For people like them, who had transitioned from being friends to lovers, with a high degree of overlap in their social circles, once news of their romantic relationship got out, it wouldn’t take long for everyone to hear about it.
Qi Xun was still at the office, and the sound of typing on a keyboard came through the phone, mixed with Qi Xun’s even-toned voice. “Why would I mind? Isn’t he your friend?”
Qi Xun’s response was so matter-of-fact that Baixi was momentarily taken aback.
“I just thought that maybe you wouldn’t want it to be public knowledge. It might not be convenient if too many people know,” Baixi said verbally, but he was secretly pleased. “Don’t worry though, Liang Song isn’t really a talkative person.”
“Baixi, it’s not like we’re having an affair or anything. What’s there to hide?” Qi Xun’s voice remained calm, and he even asked, “Am I not up to your standards? You’re not daring to let your friends know about me?”
“How could that be,” Baixi chuckled. “If you weren’t up to my standards, then nobody would be. You’re amazing.”
The last words were spoken sincerely, and his voice carried a hint of sweetness, as if he were being affectionate.
Qi Xun paused in typing on the keyboard. He realized how restrained Baixi had been in front of him in the past. Despite his naturally playful and affectionate personality, Baixi had forced himself to be mature and reserved in their interactions, never being overly intrusive and always knowing when to step back.
The two of them chatted a bit more, and then Baixi hung up the phone and prepared to meet Liang Song.
They had arranged to have dinner at a barbecue restaurant that Baixi and Liang Song often frequented during their university days. It was located on a small street near the university.
Liang Song arrived first, dressed in a thin down jacket, sitting by the window, and wearing a duckbill cap. He had a delicate face and a slim figure, a complete contrast to his fiery personality.
Baixi sat down across from him.
As soon as Liang Song saw him, he smiled as if a farmer were looking at a bountiful harvest of cabbage, radiating an aura of affection.
“I’ve already ordered. Take a look and see if you want to add anything.” Liang Song pushed the menu toward him.
Baixi glanced at it and felt that it was sufficient. “This should be enough; no need to add more.”
He unbuttoned two buttons on his shirt, opened a bottle of iced cola, and since the air conditioning inside was quite strong, he was starting to feel a bit warm.
Liang Song couldn’t contain himself any longer. After Baixi had taken a few sips of cola, he couldn’t wait to ask, “You said you’re in a relationship? Who is it? Do you have a photo? What’s their name, age, and height?” It was as if he were conducting a census.
Baixi didn’t rush to answer. After drinking more than half of his cola, he slowly put down the glass.
He looked into Liang Song’s eyes earnestly and said, “Buddy, I didn’t mean to keep it from you. I was just afraid you might have some trouble accepting it. My boyfriend is someone you actually know.”
At this point, Liang Song still hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation and was still in a cheerful mood. “Oh, I know him. Who is it? It can’t be Xiao Pan, can it?”
He was referring to another friend of theirs, one of the few gay people they all knew.
“It’s not him,” Baixi shook his head. “While Xiao Pan is quite good-looking, he’s not really my type.”
Liang Song was still anxious for his answer.
Baixi cleared his throat and decided not to beat around the bush with Liang Song. He said straightforwardly, “I’m in a relationship with Qi Xun, and we’ve only been dating for six days.”
Liang Song chuckled, not taking it seriously at all. “Come on, you’re teasing me, there’s no way it’s Qi Xun. I mean it, don’t mess around. Have you really found a partner?”
Baixi knew this would be Liang Song’s reaction.
He had to emphasize it once more, “I’m not lying; it really is Qi Xun. We’re together.”
He looked at Liang Song with sincerity.
Ten seconds later, the smile gradually disappeared from Liang Song’s face. He looked at Baixi in disbelief, and when he realized Baixi wasn’t joking, he erupted with a thunderous “What the hell!”
Liang Song slammed the table and yelled, “This is even worse than dating Xiao Pan!”
