CFHE Chapter 72.1

Wen Yu shook off his hand and walked away.

 

Originally, he thought their recent state was pretty good—just wait a little longer, wait a bit more and he could touch that final goal. But that jar of paper stars and two tears made him understand that they were still far, far away.

 

A wake-up call—he had finally sobered up.

 

But the more sober he became, the more painful it was. He heard Fu Yuhan’s footsteps following closely behind him, and before long, his heart softened and he slowed his pace.

 

How deep he had fallen—you only know after it hurts.

 

And the moment he slowed down, he vaguely had expectations again—thinking the other person would catch up and say something to him.

 

He thought he was considerate enough.

 

Who would have thought Fu Yuhan also slowed down, just walking behind him at that distance.

 

This mountain path wasn’t long or short. After a painful and torturous twenty minutes, they finally reached that open area.

 

The view suddenly opened up. They could continue up the mountain in another direction, but people who couldn’t walk further could treat this as the summit.

 

Fu Yuhan immediately saw the pile of things on the ground that were so big they looked like cardboard boxes.

 

“Fireworks…?” he murmured, suddenly remembering the complaint he had casually made that afternoon on the second day of New Year.

 

—”They haven’t allowed fireworks these past few years. You can’t hear any noise during New Year, always feels like something’s missing.”

 

His nose suddenly felt a bit sour.

 

If a person is ignored for a long time, then just a little care and attention becomes like fireflies in the dark night.

 

“Yu-ge…” Fu Yuhan looked at him, “You…”

 

“I’ll go light them for you.” Wen Yu avoided his gaze and said softly, “Happy birthday.”

 

The practiced tone ultimately wasn’t used. Wen Yu paused, walked over, and took out a lighter he had prepared in advance from his pocket.

 

The fuse burned with a “hiss.” Wen Yu walked back and stood beside Fu Yuhan, separated by a shoulder’s width.

 

“Yu-ge…” Fu Yuhan wanted to speak but hesitated.

 

“Watch the fireworks.” Wen Yu looked up, “For the sake of how long I prepared.”

 

Bang.

 

Before Fu Yuhan could say anything, a huge sound exploded nearby. A ball of sparks shot up into the sky and burst open brilliantly at its highest point.

 

Pop—

 

Red, yellow, blue, purple… flowing fire crisscrossed in the pitch-black sky, dancing into flower-like shapes, brilliant until the last moment before disappearing.

 

But by then, the second firework had already bloomed.

 

Wen Yu had prepared many—this fireworks display lasted a long time.

 

So long that Fu Yuhan’s neck, tilted back, began to ache.

 

To be fair, the fireworks were beautiful.

 

However.

 

Although he carefully watched every firework bloom, his attention was always on the person beside him—Wen Yu hadn’t worn a coat when coming out, his soft sweater looked inexplicably thin, the wind lifted his cashmere scarf, and the tassels on it fluttered.

 

The fireworks finally finished, and the strange lights in his vision instantly turned into empty darkness.

 

Wen Yu turned his head: “Was it beautiful?”

 

Fu Yuhan also turned around and looked at him: “Are you… cold?”

 

Wen Yu was stunned, then laughed: “That’s all you wanted to say? I’m not cold.”

 

His hand in his pocket twitched.

 

Fu Yuhan thought he would do what he usually did—touch the back of his hand or his cheek with his palm to tell him he wasn’t cold with his warmth—but he didn’t. Wen Yu moved, then put his hand back, smiling lightly: “Since you have no thoughts to share, let’s go back after watching. There will be staff to clean up here tomorrow morning, I’ve already contacted them.”

 

He started walking away.

 

“Yu-ge!” Fu Yuhan called out with a frown, “What exactly are you angry about? Can’t you just say it?”

 

Wen Yu stopped.

 

He didn’t turn back, just turned his face slightly, his voice very low: “I’m not angry.”

 

“You’re lying.” Fu Yuhan said irritably.

 

“…” Wen Yu took a deep breath, “It’s fine, just leave me alone for one night. Yang Fan just asked me to watch a movie, I’m going back first… Happy birthday.”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

“Happy my ass.” Fu Yuhan cursed under his breath, “Why are you even more unwilling to talk now…”

 

His voice wasn’t loud, and the person who had walked away couldn’t hear.

 

Fu Yuhan stood in the mountain wind for a while, thinking in a daze that he might have to go to the exam alone.

 

–

 

When he finally returned to the townhouse, the KTV room and pool room doors were already closed, and the living room had become very quiet. Before going upstairs, Fu Yuhan passed by the movie screening room and glanced inside, immediately seeing Wen Yu sitting side by side with Yang Fan.

 

He was watching very intently, but Yang Fan noticed him and waved: “Xiao Han, want to watch a movie? It’s a horror film you like.”

 

All three girls looked over, but only Wen Yu didn’t move.

 

He was in such a bad mood he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend.

 

Fu Yuhan suddenly remembered how he used to constantly tell Wen Yu “stop pretending” and “can’t you be more real,” and felt like he had brought this on himself.

 

“Never mind, I’m a bit tired.” He said softly, “You guys watch, I’m going upstairs.”

 

The slender figure disappeared from the doorway, and only then was there new movement in the screening room.

 

Zhao Tong nestled into Yang Fan’s arms and whispered: “Is he in a bad mood? Should you go check on him?”

 

“Forget it.” Yang Fan held her, “When Xiao Han is in a bad mood, you can’t get a word out of him. Let him sleep, I’ll ask him tomorrow morning.”

 

“Is that okay?”

 

Yang Fan shook his head and smiled at her: “We at least have that much understanding.”

 

Wen Yu inconspicuously pinched himself and barely maintained his expressionless face.

 

“But that little brother actually likes watching horror films, he’s so brave.” Li Sisi, who was scared and shivering but had no boyfriend to hold, could only embrace Song Ting.

 

“He watches them because he’s timid.” Yang Fan smiled, “We’ve been using horror films to build courage since we were kids. After watching so many, we’re not scared anymore.”

 

Wen Yu finally spoke his first words: “…He asked you to watch them?”

 

“Mm,” Yang Fan nodded, seeming somewhat surprised as he glanced at him, “His old house was big, and when his parents weren’t home it was like a haunted house. One time I think he had a nightmare? When he woke up and saw that empty house, it was even scarier, so he came to find me to watch horror films.”

 

Zhao Tong laughed: “What kind of logic is that?”

 

“The logic that after being scared by horror films, you realize empty houses are just paper tigers,” Yang Fan said helplessly, “but then I was too scared to sleep.”

 

All three girls laughed, and the atmosphere that had been tense from the horror scenes relaxed slightly.

 

Only Wen Yu’s eyes were dark—empty big houses, he thought of himself.

 

After Yang Fan finished laughing with them, he leaned close to Wen Yu’s ear and whispered: “Hey, what’s wrong with you two? Did you upset him?”

 

Wen Yu came back to his senses and laughed: “How could that be… I wouldn’t dare.”

 

Yang Fan looked at him suspiciously and shook his head: “Forget it, you two figure it out yourselves.”

 

With that, he turned back to continue watching the horror film famous for making children cry.

 

–

 

Wen Yu followed along to finish watching a horror film before going upstairs. The room door was closed but not locked.

 

He hesitated for a moment when turning the door handle, but ultimately went in.

 

However, the awkward scene he had imagined didn’t happen. The room had a warm yellow bedside lamp on, but there was no sound.

 

“Xiao Han?” Wen Yu’s pupils contracted slightly, thinking for a moment that Fu Yuhan had disappeared without his knowledge.

 

But he hadn’t.

 

He quickly walked in, past the entrance, and found Fu Yuhan sleeping against his pillow.

 

He must have showered—his hair was half-dry, wearing a T-shirt with half his shoulder exposed.

 

Admittedly the room had floor heating, but this look still seemed somewhat bold.

 

Wen Yu breathed a sigh of relief, then felt somewhat helpless. He walked over to pull up the blanket for him, and unexpectedly saw his slightly flushed cheeks.

 

Looking to the side, there was a bottle of whiskey by the bed and an empty glass.

 

Today was a group activity, and considering general acceptance levels, Wen Yu had gone easy when mixing drinks, using less alcohol, so there was a lot left downstairs.

 

Besides, he had originally planned to drink a little with Fu Yuhan tonight, so he had brought extra.

 

Fu Yuhan must have taken a bottle upstairs before coming up, drank half of it before sleeping. His pale face was now covered in a rosy flush, the color change very obvious. If they hadn’t just had an argument, Wen Yu might have been distracted.

 

But now, he could only sigh, pick up the bottle from the floor and put it somewhere else, then stare blankly for a while before going to shower.

 

The childhood experience of being scared by an empty dark house was almost identical, but Fu Yuhan had Yang Fan to remember for him.

 

Time and companionship were truly things that couldn’t be ignored, and he could only swallow the sourness and bitterness himself.

 

After Wen Yu finished showering, he thought for a long time, then got into the other bed.

 

–

 

When the first ray of morning light shone into the room from outside, Fu Yuhan’s eyelashes moved lightly, then he woke up.

 

He was dazed for a few seconds, then turned back to look and saw Wen Yu’s back on the other bed. That person was clearly asleep, but his breathing wasn’t very steady.

 

Fu Yuhan’s first reaction was that at least he had come back last night.

 

His second reaction was that he was clearly someone who couldn’t sleep well with light, so why hadn’t he drawn the curtains?

 

Fu Yuhan sniffled and instinctively lifted the blanket to get out of bed, tiptoeing over to pull the curtains tightly shut.

 

After pulling them closed, he suddenly realized he was being a bit meddlesome.

 

He was still annoyed himself, so why was he taking care of someone who wouldn’t even say one more word?

 

Really unnecessary.

 

The alcohol he had consumed last night seemed to still be in his system, and he could still smell that distinctive odor when breathing. Fu Yuhan frowned, looked with disgust at the figure that gradually calmed down after the curtains were closed, and went into the bathroom to clean himself up.

 

After getting ready, someone in the group was already awake.

 

Ge Ran: Is anyone up?

 

Ge Ran: Qianqian has something this afternoon, so we’re planning to go back first.

 

Yang Fan had rarely managed to ask his girlfriend out, so naturally he wanted to play until this evening before going home. According to the original plan, they would sleep until they woke up naturally, then eat, go up the mountain for a stroll in the afternoon, and return in the evening.

 

Everyone had stayed up late last night, and it was only after 7 AM now, so the group was dead silent.

 

Fu Yuhan thought for a moment and also sent a message in the group.

 

Fu Yuhan: How are you getting back?

 

Ge Ran: Taking a taxi.

 

Ge Ran: You’re awake?

 

Fu Yuhan: Mm, I’ll go with you guys. I suddenly remembered I have some things to buy this afternoon.

 

Ge Ran: Okay, shall we meet in the living room?

 

Fu Yuhan: Mm.

 

He didn’t want to accompany Sun Wenrui in seeing his goddess home, didn’t want to be a third wheel with Yang Fan, Zhao Tong’s two best friends were unfamiliar and noisy, choosing Chu Lei wouldn’t let him avoid Wen Yu… thinking it over, Ge Ran and Xu Qianyi were actually his best choice.

 

He could go back with anyone, anyway he didn’t want to ride in Wen Yu’s car today.

 

Fu Yuhan quickly changed clothes, organized his backpack which didn’t contain much, and when preparing to go downstairs, his heavy clothes caught on the clothes Wen Yu had casually placed on the small sofa, causing a pair of pants to fall to the floor.

 

He picked them up casually—

 

A delicate small box silently fell onto the carpet.

 

What was this…

 

Fu Yuhan picked it up to look. The palm-sized paper box had no markings on the surface, and shaking it produced no sound.

 

It had some weight and looked like a gift.

 

Yesterday was his birthday, so Fu Yuhan instinctively wondered if it was for him.

 

But actually, that fireworks display was already enough as a birthday gift.

 

It really was beautiful… if Wen Yu hadn’t inexplicably gotten moody again, he definitely would have been very happy.

 

Thinking of this, Fu Yuhan’s eyelids lowered, and he coldly stuffed the box back into the pants pocket and put the pants back.

 

Then he tiptoed out of the room.

 

–

 

“As expected of you, waking up this early.” Hearing footsteps, Xu Qianyi looked up and smiled at him.

 

Fu Yuhan had always been an early riser—otherwise the classroom key wouldn’t have been given to him. Almost everyone in Class 6 knew this.

 

“You two are quite surprising to me.” Fu Yuhan replied flatly.

 

“Qianqian has something this afternoon, so I set an alarm to wake up.” Ge Ran smiled at her.

 

Fu Yuhan glanced at Xu Qianyi: “Why didn’t I hear you mention this before?”

 

“Because I only confirmed last night that I could get tickets from a scalper.” Xu Qianyi winked at him, “I’m going to see my idol.”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

Today the class beauty had put on dazzling heavy makeup, as if she was about to go clubbing the next second.

 

Fu Yuhan didn’t quite understand her excitement, but he respected her hobby.

 

“Shall we go then?” Fu Yuhan asked.

 

Xu Qianyi stood up generously, but Ge Ran looked toward the stairway and asked hesitantly: “Don’t we need to say goodbye to them?”

 

Fu Yuhan: “Who do I need to say goodbye to?”

 

There was a hint of anger in his words. Ge Ran thought she had said something wrong and felt awkward: “Like that First High classmate of yours?”

 

“No need, Yang Fan won’t be angry.” Fu Yuhan was listless, as if he had no energy, “Let’s go.”

 

“…Okay.” Ge Ran said, shouldering her bag.

 

This was a vacation destination, so the three of them weren’t worried about how to get down the mountain. When they reached the management office area, there were already early-rising drivers smoking by their cars waiting for passengers.

 

They randomly found a taxi to get in, with Fu Yuhan in the passenger seat and the two girls in the back. As soon as they got in, Xu Qianyi asked him: “Where are you going?”

 

“The market behind the stadium.” Fu Yuhan looked out the window.

 

Some people were going down the mountain while others were going up. He inexplicably thought of last night’s grand fireworks display.

 

Fu Yuhan bit down on the soft flesh in his mouth.

 

He wondered if Wen Yu would call him after waking up… damn it, who cares.

 

After hearing the destination, the driver stepped on the gas, and the taxi drove down along the mountain road they had taken yesterday.

 

Throughout the journey, Fu Yuhan remained silent, only listening to the two girls chatting in the back seat. Xu Qianyi was going to see her idol and excitedly told Ge Ran many things, most of which Fu Yuhan couldn’t understand.

 

But he just listened casually, treating the voices in the car as entertainment.

 

However, before long, the topic turned to him.

 

Ge Ran smoothed the hair by her temples, hesitated for a moment, then said softly: “Fu-ge, are you going to take about half a month off?”

 

“Mm? Mm.” Fu Yuhan came back to his senses and turned to look at her, “Why?”

---

 

 (advanced chapters available on kofi)