CFHE Chapter 73.3

Wen Yu, who had secretly decided this morning not to be randomly jealous anymore, narrowed his eyes once more.

 

Before he could speak, Fu Yuhan suddenly looked around and lowered his voice: “My roommate isn’t here right now. Let me tell you, it’s not that I want to randomly save money. First, I have to stay out here for half a month, and sharing a room saves quite a bit; second, this classmate’s family is struggling financially. But there are only a few boys in our art studio total, and for T University, only he and I applied. If I don’t share with him, his financial pressure would be too great.”

 

Fu Yuhan paused and added: “…He’s straight, no problem.”

 

Wen Yu was silent for a moment, then said word by word: “The bathroom is glass.”

 

“Frosted glass, bro.” Fu Yuhan glared at him, “Budget hotels are all like this nowadays, there’s no choice. Besides, I…” His voice lowered as his gaze drifted toward the window, “…I don’t get aroused by just anyone.”

 

“I wasn’t saying you—” Wen Yu bit his lip, forcibly suppressing his unreasonable anger, “But don’t you dislike people seeing you change clothes?”

 

During the sports meet, he had been sneaky even changing a shirt, but now he was going to shower in front of a stranger.

 

Just thinking about it made Wen Yu unhappy.

 

Due to internet speed, the video was slightly laggy, freezing for a second on Wen Yu’s barely visible eye roll.

 

Even handsome people would lose points, but Fu Yuhan couldn’t bring himself to be disgusted.

 

“My roommate went out for late-night snacks with some examinees he just met today.” Fu Yuhan said helplessly, “So I’ll go shower now, okay? He probably won’t come back.”

 

“Fine,” Wen Yu nodded in agreement, “then call me after you shower?”

 

“After I shower, I’ll help you write the self-criticism, then we’ll talk after I finish writing.” Fu Yuhan licked his lips, “What’s there to call about? With your face, I could draw it with my eyes closed.”

 

“Then draw it.” Wen Yu said.

 

Fu Yuhan’s lips moved slightly as he hung up the phone.

 

Who said I haven’t drawn it before, he thought to himself.

 

He hadn’t really taken the roommate situation to heart, but Wen Yu’s comments made him feel awkward. He quickly went into the bathroom to shower. After washing, he sent Wen Yu a message and sat on the bay window to start writing the self-criticism.

 

Self-criticisms were practically routine for Fu Yuhan. He could pad out a hundred words just writing about sunny weather at the beginning, then describe what happened and be done.

 

After finishing, he photographed the content and sent it to Wen Yu for him to copy.

 

Then he opened his sketchbook.

 

Even though he had an exam the next day and should be practicing more, he couldn’t draw anything with the pen in his hand.

 

After thinking for a long time, Fu Yuhan took out another sketchbook, turned to the newest page, and wrote a few words in the upper left corner.

 

—January 30th.

 

—Then, his pen tip moved lightly, drawing a corner of the bustling train station on the white sketch paper.

 

–

 

Art exams were in deep winter.

 

Cold, and usually lonely. Companions met on the road typically shared only an afternoon’s friendship, longer ones lasting at most two or three days before parting ways after exams.

 

The phone in their pocket became the students’ only connection—some to parents, some to lovers, some to friends.

 

While waiting for preliminary results, Fu Yuhan casually wandered around this city.

 

Every intersection could become a sketching sanctuary. When drawing, he wasn’t afraid of being watched because all his attention was focused on the paper.

 

Besides sketching, he tried visiting various places, from famous to unknown. He sampled street food, chatted with shop owners about cooking methods when he found delicious places, visited the city’s famous attractions, and selected some good-looking local specialties to bring back for Wen Yu to try.

 

Admittedly, this was an era where online shopping could get you 80% of items, and Young Master Wen wasn’t that sheltered, but he still insisted on doing some meaningless yet joyful things.

 

Every night, Fu Yuhan would set aside time to chat with Wen Yu—sometimes voice calls, video calls when convenient, and they continuously exchanged messages throughout the day.

 

He attended classes at Third High.

 

He traveled between different cities.

 

No one brought up their previous conflict—this was their brief understanding, limited to these two weeks.

 

A few days later, preliminary results came out, and Fu Yuhan successfully advanced to the interview. After completing the interview, he had to rush to the next city for other “backup” school exams.

 

Until half a month later—

 

He finally returned home by car late on the 12th. Arriving too late, with an early exam the next day, Fu Yuhan didn’t go find Wen Yu. He went home, showered, and fell asleep.

 

After finishing the day’s exam, it was nearly dinner time. Fu Yuhan calculated the travel time back to school and felt he should be able to make it for evening self-study.

 

Having been apart for only half a month, even with video calls every few days, he suddenly really wanted to see Wen Yu.

 

However, plans couldn’t keep up with changes. Just seconds after turning on his phone, he received a text notification showing that Uncle Qin had called him while his phone was off.

 

Uncle Qin was a stranger to him.

 

They maintained polite standards at home and rarely disturbed each other unless necessary. If Uncle Qin called him, there must be something important.

 

Fu Yuhan thought for a moment and called back.

 

“Hello? Uncle Qin, what’s the matter?”

 

“Xiao Han? Wait a moment,” footsteps could be heard on the other end of the phone. Uncle Qin seemed to have moved to a quieter place before picking up the phone again, “Are you free tonight?”

 

“…Mm?”

 

“Would it be convenient for you to come to the hospital for one night shift?”

 

Fu Yuhan blinked.

 

Wen Yu…

 

“I can, I can,” he pressed his lips together, “isn’t it convenient for you and Mom?”

 

“I’ve been on duty all day today, your mom… she…” Uncle Qin hesitated for a long while, then sighed, “she’s sick.”

 

“What illness? Is it serious?”

 

“…Not too serious, just that the doctor told her to rest for two days.” Uncle Qin said, “I’ll find a caregiver, but could you help out tonight? Just tonight, I won’t disturb your studying after this.”

 

“Uh, it’s fine,” Fu Yuhan said, “I’ll go.”

 

After hanging up, he sighed softly.

 

It seemed he could only see Wen Yu the next day.

 

–

 

Wen Yu knew his exam schedule and had been looking forward to tonight’s meeting, but unexpectedly, after school in the afternoon, he received a message from Fu Yuhan saying “Uncle Qin asked me to help at the hospital tonight, I probably can’t return to school.”

 

Disappointment aside, he wasn’t an unreasonable person, just puzzled.

 

Wen Yu: Didn’t they stop asking you to go to the hospital before?

 

Fu Yuhan: I heard my mom is sick. He said he just needs my help for tonight, and he’ll find a caregiver after that.

 

Wen Yu: Alright.

 

Wen Yu: What’s wrong with your mom? Is it serious?

 

Fu Yuhan: I don’t know, he didn’t say.

 

Wen Yu: Mm, okay then, come early tomorrow?

 

Fu Yuhan: For what?

 

Wen Yu: I have something to tell you, what else?

 

Fu Yuhan: …Oh.

 

Fu Yuhan’s eyes flickered slightly upon receiving the message.

 

The tacit understanding between them of harmonious peace and only talking about trivial matters seemed about to be broken.

 

Half a month of exam life and physical exhaustion seemed to have cured Fu Yuhan’s light sleep that naturally woke him at 5 AM every morning. Although Wen Yu had told him to come to school early, Fu Yuhan slept until 6 o’clock.

 

Though 6 o’clock wasn’t too late either…

 

He felt a bit guilty as he left home carrying his easel and art bag.

 

When he arrived at school at 6:30, Fu Yuhan was surprised to find that Class 6’s classroom already had seven or eight people in it.

 

Wen Yu was there, Sun Wenrui was there, Chen Mengxian was there, Ge Ran was there, Xu Qianyi was there, and another low-key couple who had been secretly dating for over a year was also there.

 

The empty seats also showed signs of being used, as if several people had come to school and then left the classroom.

 

“What’s going on? Why are so many people here today?” Fu Yuhan muttered as he walked toward his seat carrying his things.

 

Wen Yu hadn’t seen him in person for half a month. Although his expression was calm, his eyes had already followed him over: “Why did you bring all this stuff? Aren’t the exams over?”

 

“Can’t keep them at home,” Fu Yuhan said quietly, “if my mom sees them, it’ll all be over.”

 

Wen Yu smiled: “Want to put them at my place tonight?”

 

“Mm.” Fu Yuhan nodded, “I’ll take them straight to university after summer vacation.”

 

“Good.”

 

Fu Yuhan placed his things in the empty space between his seat and the cabinet air conditioner. After arranging them, he sat back down and looked at Wen Yu: “Alright, I’m here. What did you want to say?”

 

“I…”

 

Wen Yu had just said one word.

 

In the middle of the classroom, Ge Ran stood up and said clearly, though not loudly: “Fu-ge.”

 

“Mm?” Fu Yuhan looked up.

 

Wen Yu also turned his head.

 

“I have something to tell you,” she said steadily, “could you come out for a moment?”

 

“…Ah.” Fu Yuhan glanced at Wen Yu.

 

It was obvious that what Wen Yu wanted to say wouldn’t be brief.

 

If he made Ge Ran wait, she might wait a long time.

 

But he couldn’t leave Wen Yu hanging first, so he could only ask for his opinion.

 

Wen Yu’s eyes darkened: “Do you remember what we talked about?”

 

“What?” Fu Yuhan didn’t know which conversation he was referring to.

 

“…Never mind,” Wen Yu felt he might be too paranoid, “go ahead first. We can talk slowly.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Fu Yuhan felt the same way, so he stood up and asked Ge Ran: “Where to?”

 

“The hallway is fine.” Ge Ran walked outside.

 

She went out through the back door and walked until she reached a position slightly behind the classroom before stopping.

 

Outside Class 6’s back door was a longitudinal hallway connecting to the other teaching building, forming a T-shape. Many people liked to talk there.

 

Fu Yuhan didn’t think much of it and walked over with his hands in his pockets, his voice lazy: “What did you want to say?”

 

Ge Ran turned around to look at him.

 

She looked at him steadily for a while, then smiled: “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

 

Fu Yuhan opened his mouth.

 

Damn, today was Valentine’s Day?

 

Half a month of exams had made him dizzy, completely forgetting about such occasions.

 

Then he… seemed to understand what Ge Ran wanted to tell him.

 

“I know it’s not very likely, so I wanted to tell you on this special day before graduation.” Although Ge Ran was smiling, her eyes seemed to be crying, “I actually… have liked you for a long time.”

 

Fu Yuhan pressed his lips together and softly hummed in acknowledgment.

 

“You don’t seem very surprised?”

 

“Because, to speak boldly, many people at school like me.” Fu Yuhan lowered his eyes.

 

When he was expressionless, he always looked somewhat cold, which made him seem very distant.

 

Ge Ran thought this might be why she couldn’t get close to him.

 

“You don’t need to feel it’s bold,” she nodded, “it’s a fact.”

 

“Others are one thing.” Fu Yuhan’s gaze turned to the distance, where the opposite sophomore teaching building was still dark. He could look at those empty classrooms and remember how several sophomore girls had pursued him, “You’re our class monitor, everyone in class likes you very much.”

 

Ge Ran smiled.

 

“You might not be able to tell, but I really like Class 6,” Fu Yuhan turned his gaze back and looked down at the girl with tears in her eyes, “I respect you, so I want to say…”

 

Ge Ran looked up.

 

“Class monitor, the biggest reason I have no feelings for you is because… you’re a girl.”

 

Ge Ran was slightly surprised.

 

Fu Yuhan looked at her, seriously, softly, saying word by word: “I’m gay.”

 

Ge Ran: “…”

 

She had originally just wanted to avoid leaving regrets in her high school life, but didn’t expect to hear such a big secret.

 

What surprised Ge Ran even more wasn’t anything else, but that after Fu Yuhan finished saying that, Wen Yu suddenly strode out from around the corner, grabbed Fu Yuhan’s arm and pulled him into the stairwell.

 

Ge Ran hurriedly followed and shouted down the stairwell: “Hey!”

 

“We’re both taking leave from morning self-study!” Wen Yu shouted back up.

 

Ge Ran: “…”

 

Holy shit.

 

–

 

Wen Yu pulled him with such force that Fu Yuhan’s arm hurt: “Slow down… where are we going?”

 

“Empty building.” Wen Yu only dropped these two words.

 

He walked incredibly fast, and Fu Yuhan could only stumble along behind him: “I know the way to the empty building… can you calm down? What did I say wrong?”

 

In the early morning, the campus was covered with a layer of white mist, and there were early-rising students jogging on the playground.

 

People coming to the playground didn’t initially attract others’ attention, but unfortunately their pulling and tugging made too much noise, and those two faces were too recognizable.

 

“Holy shit? Are those two big shots from Class 6 finally unable to hold back and going to fight?” The onlooking joggers were so shocked they stopped running, watching as the transfer student dragged their Third High’s famous school bully into the empty building and disappeared.

 

“Can you let go now… it hurts!!” Fu Yuhan was speechless, “What are you doing? If you just said to come to the empty building, wouldn’t I have followed you?”

 

“You…” Wen Yu looked at him, his pupils shaking, as if shocked and incredulous, “I thought you were just rejecting Ge Ran… you… you came out to her…”

 

Fu Yuhan rubbed his wrist and looked at him puzzledly: “What’s wrong with coming out? Is being gay something shameful?”

 

“No… no… but…” Wen Yu thought for a moment, still unable to calm down, “I don’t know, I feel a bit… happy.” He steadied himself, “Is your hand okay?”

 

He was even a bit taller than Fu Yuhan, but his expression was like a helpless child.

 

The empty building still had no windows. To avoid being seen by people outside, they habitually stood near the edge.

 

“You still have the nerve to ask?” Fu Yuhan looked at him for a while, then suddenly sighed, “Sigh, forget it, it doesn’t really hurt that much. Since we’re here, can you say what you wanted to say?”

 

Wen Yu lowered his head and thought.

 

Fu Yuhan wasn’t in a hurry either, shrinking his neck into his scarf.

 

He used to dislike having things around his neck, choosing peach-shaped collars for clothes and never buttoning up to the top, but ever since Wen Yu threw him this scarf that day, he had been wearing it these past few days.

 

This should be something Wen Yu used very often, because that Le Labo fragrance seemed to have marinated into it, and after so many days you could still faintly smell some of it.

 

“That day… I thought you had prepared a gift for Yang Fan, saw him being sweet with Zhao Tong, was in a bad mood so didn’t give it, and even cried.”

 

After a long while, Wen Yu finally spoke. Fu Yuhan lifted his eyelids and looked at him sideways.

 

“I was just jealous, I…”

 

Wen Yu raised his eyes and met his gaze, then sighed.

 

After this sigh, it was as if rushing water had washed away years of accumulated blockage in his heart.

 

There was such a person whose very existence was meant for him to find himself.

 

Always doubting things was exhausting both physically and mentally. Wen Yu finally decided to give himself a break and choose to trust his intuition.

 

He pushed Fu Yuhan back regardless, pulling off the scarf around his neck that belonged to him—

 

“If you hate it, push me away.”

 

He said this, sealing his surging emotions in a kiss, kissing him intensely and devoutly.

 

Fu Yuhan’s eyes widened: “Mmph—!”

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)