BOSF 042: We Made a Promise

Having resolved the contract issue, Shen Xiuqing ran into another problem—Xiang Yang refused to leave.

Xiang Yang was unwilling to leave this familiar place, not only because he was used to the environment, but more importantly, because he was waiting for Ji Yan to come back.

Shen Xiuqing had anticipated this kind of situation, but she hadn’t expected it was because of the neighbor until she noticed the circles on the wall calendar, which now filled up two entire months. She asked Xiang Yang, “You’re waiting for her to come back, aren’t you?”

Xiang Yang touched the calendar, a gentle light reflecting in his eyes. He didn’t answer, but he seemed very resolute.

Shen Xiuqing asked again, “Did you make a promise with her?”

Only then did Xiang Yang give a soft “mhm.”

“You two…” 

Shen Xiuqing had wanted to ask how far their relationship had progressed, but she held her tongue. Xiang Yang had a simple mind and probably wouldn’t mind telling her, but for her to exploit that to pry into someone’s private life would be very rude. At first, she thought it was just one-sided affection from Xiang Yang’s part, but later she sensed that their relationship seemed different from what she had imagined, almost as if they were dating.

The more she learned, the more hesitant she was to ask for Ji Yan’s contact information, afraid she might inadvertently reveal a secret they both wanted to keep. It wasn’t that Xiang Yang wasn’t good enough, but that the world’s prejudice ran too deep. If her parents found out their daughter was dating Xiang Yang, they would undoubtedly object strongly. It would be a case of trying to help but only making things worse.

But Shen Xiuqing had to take Xiang Yang with her. If he stayed in this kind of environment, he would only become more withdrawn and face more discrimination.

Since Xiang Yang was so stubborn, Shen Xiuqing had to think of another way.

In all the days she had been here, she had spent all her energy on Xiang Yang and hadn’t had a chance to walk around. Although this wasn’t a scenic area, it had a rustic, village charm. In the past, whenever she went to a new place, she made it a habit to observe the local customs and people to see if she could spark any new ideas or inspiration. She also wanted to see how well Xiang Yang could adapt to the outside world, so she asked, “Shall we go for a walk outside?”

Shen Xiuqing learned from Li Lilian about the route Xiang Yang used to take to school, and she took him for a walk along it.

Although Xiang Yang hadn’t been out for a long time, he seemed accustomed to this path, neither flustered nor nervous. He was relaxed, as if reminiscing about something. He would stop to look at the stationery store and gaze around in front of the candy shop, as if searching for someone’s shadow. He lingered longest at the entrance of the barbershop, watching motionlessly as the old barber gave a customer a haircut. He subconsciously touched his own hair, tugging at the slightly overgrown ends.

Throughout the walk, Shen Xiuqing observed Xiang Yang. She had a strange feeling that what Xiang Yang was seeing were memories of the past.

She saw his gesture, and sensing that he didn’t want to leave, a strange intuition prompted her to ask, “Xiang Yang, do you want to get a haircut?”

Xiang Yang suddenly turned to look at her and gave a definite “mhm.”

So, Shen Xiuqing took Xiang Yang into the barbershop. When the old barber saw Xiang Yang, he didn’t seem surprised and greeted him familiarly, “Hey, handsome, you’re here again. Just a moment, I’ll be done here soon.”

It was a line that seemed to have been spoken countless times, and Xiang Yang seemed used to hearing it. He sat obediently in a chair and nodded. There was an empty seat next to him, as if reserved for someone.

Shen Xiuqing looked at Xiang Yang’s reaction with some surprise, then at the old barber. Xiang Yang’s ability to adapt to his surroundings was better than she had imagined.

She couldn’t help but think to herself, That girl really taught Xiang Yang so, so much.

Xiang Yang got a neat, short haircut, which made him look much more energetic. With his eyebrows visible, his eyes appeared more spirited as well.

Shen Xiuqing couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him, her eyes filled with admiration. When she had decided to sign Xiang Yang, although she didn’t regret it, she had still been a little worried. But now, those doubts seemed to have vanished inexplicably. She was already thinking about what kind of image to style for Xiang Yang.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman walking together was quite an eye-catching pair.

This was, after all, a more conservative place. For a young woman like Shen Xiuqing to come all this way and visit Xiang Yang’s house almost every day, rumors had long since spread throughout the village, with people guessing if they were in a relationship with an older woman and younger man.

Many people on the street were watching them. Shen Xiuqing had heard some of those rumors but didn’t pay them much mind.

On the contrary, she confidently linked her arm with Xiang Yang’s, maintaining a distance that was intimate but not romantic, like family.

Xiang Yang turned his head to look at her.

Looking at Xiang Yang’s innocent expression, Shen Xiuqing was suddenly reminded that this handsome and adorable young man was not loved by his parents or doted on by his family. Perhaps moved by this thought, she said in a low voice, “Xiang Yang, you’re a few years younger than me. Let me be your big sister.”

Xiang Yang didn’t seem to understand what this meant and didn’t reply.

Shen Xiuqing continued, “I’ll treat you like a little brother. I hope you and Ji Yan can have a good life together in the future. Of course, being together, you’ll inevitably have to walk a difficult path…”

Shen Xiuqing wasn’t afraid of gossip because she was just an outsider who would be leaving in a few days; it didn’t affect her. But in just these few days, she could truly feel the power of that idle talk, let alone what it must have been like for the two of them who grew up here. She completely understood what they were afraid of. She was also aware that this environment was a huge obstacle for Xiang Yang and Ji Yan, one they would have to face and overcome together, if not now, then in the future.

“So, you have to work hard, achieve good results, and earn more money, so no one can look down on you. When that time comes, nothing will be able to stop you from being together.”

Shen Xiuqing’s words were profound, the kind that even an ordinary person would need to think about carefully. But Xiang Yang just watched her quietly, and it was unclear if he understood. After a moment, he actually nodded.

After that, Xiang Yang agreed to leave.

Shen Xiuqing helped him pack his things. She didn’t think the pieces he folded from scrap paper were useless; they might all be sources of his creative inspiration, so she carefully packed them into cardboard boxes.

She also wrapped a few art books in bubble wrap to protect the corners, but she singled out the monster encyclopedia and placed it in Xiang Yang’s hands. She could tell this was his favorite book; it was the same one that had made him kick her out of his room before. He treasured it dearly.

Xiang Yang hugged the book tightly to his chest, as if he intended to carry it like that the entire way.

Seeing that the packing was almost done, Shen Xiuqing called for a courier and had the boxes shipped to the dormitory the studio had arranged for Xiang Yang.

Before leaving, she left her phone number with Li Lilian, saying that if anyone was looking for Xiang Yang, they should call this number. This was the most tactful way Shen Xiuqing could think of.

In any case, during the New Year, both Ji Yan and Xiang Yang would surely make a trip home. She wasn’t worried they wouldn’t be able to see each other.

Worried that Xiang Yang wouldn’t be able to handle taking a bus and then transferring, Shen Xiuqing thought for a while and decided to just spend the money to hire a car to take them straight to their destination. Before getting in the car, Xiang Yang seemed a bit anxious, clutching the art book tightly in his hands, nervous about encountering something unfamiliar.

Shen Xiuqing couldn’t help him with this, because to take this step, Xiang Yang would have to overcome this problem sooner or later.

This time, Ji Yan wasn’t there to guide him. Even if he turned around, Ji Yan’s figure wouldn’t appear behind him, and no one would be there to take his hand and lead him onto the car.

But Shen Xiuqing saw it. Xiang Yang’s fingers gently caressed the cover of the art book, as if trying to draw some of that person’s comfort from it. Then, Xiang Yang slowly calmed down. He took that step, leaving the place he knew for an unfamiliar environment. He had always been working hard to get closer to Ji Yan. But this time, what he had to do was more than just get closer…

A gratified smile appeared on Shen Xiuqing’s face as she closed the car door for Xiang Yang. She walked around to the other side of the back seat, opened the door, and got in.

Xiang Yang maintained his posture of hugging the art book, closed his eyes, and even pressed his face against it. His long fingers curled as if to interlock with someone else’s. Even though the other side was empty, with no one’s hand to hold, an expression of peace settled on his face.

Shen Xiuqing didn’t disturb Xiang Yang. The driver just gave him an odd look but didn’t say much and immediately started the car.

This time, as the car drove away from the village, Xiang Yang did not look back.

One month before the New Year, on the first day of the university’s winter break, Ji Yan booked the earliest ticket for that day and rushed home in a hurry. He had a smile on his face the entire journey, eagerly anticipating seeing Xiang Yang. He had no idea so much had happened in the months he was away. So when he finally arrived home, travel-worn after a full day on the road, he learned that Xiang Yang was gone.

He had missed him.