BOSF 049: Encouragement

Being at home came with many inconveniences.

Ji Yan didn’t dare let Xiang Yang go all the way, nor could he make too much noise. Straddling Xiang Yang, he bit his lower lip, resting his head on Xiang Yang’s shoulder, their lower bodies pressed together, grinding intensely. The sensitive, vulnerable parts rubbed against each other, the thrill akin to a forbidden affair spiking their adrenaline.

Ji Yan’s breaths grew rapid, his suppressed moans sounding like soft cries or a kitten in heat, warming the air around them. Xiang Yang’s hand slipped between them, grasping both their tips. When his calloused fingers grazed Ji Yan, he couldn’t hold back, letting out a hum as he climaxed. Xiang Yang followed, spilling into his hand.

They stayed in that position, panting, clinging to each other in a sticky, intimate embrace. Xiang Yang leaned in, kissing Ji Yan’s flushed cheek. Ji Yan returned a kiss to his jaw before reluctantly sliding off, pulling on his pants.

When Ji Yan stepped out of the room, Li Lilian was no longer in the living room, possibly out shopping. It was New Year’s Eve, a busy day, so Ji Yan didn’t linger, hurrying back home.

That evening, after the New Year’s dinner, neighbors began visiting, and the house buzzed with its usual festive energy. Xiang Hongxiu and his wife arrived with Xiang Jie, their nearly six-year-old son, who was lively, adorable, and dutifully followed his mother to collect red envelopes.

Since Xiang Jie’s birth, Li Lilian had become more social with neighbors. Though past her prime, she still dressed meticulously, wearing light makeup and a floral dress. Perhaps due to the holiday, her face carried a gentle smile, masking the anger she’d directed at Xiang Yang that afternoon.

When Li Lilian saw Ji Yan, she hesitated briefly before shoving a red envelope into his hand.

“Auntie…” Ji Yan, though still a student, was an adult and felt awkward accepting a neighbor’s red envelope, unlike one from a relative.

“Take it,” Li Lilian insisted, pressing it into his palm, leaving no room for refusal.

Ji Yan understood her intent—it felt like hush money. That afternoon, in a fit of anger, she’d spoken harshly to Ji Yan about Xiang Yang. She likely regretted not her words to Xiang Yang but feared Ji Yan might spread them. Knowing he had to accept to ease her mind, Ji Yan nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Auntie.”

Li Lilian visibly relaxed.

Xiang Jie, still at an age where he clung to his mother, stood nearby, staring at Ji Yan expectantly, clutching a stack of red envelopes. He seemed to think Ji Yan was also someone to collect from. It had been a while, and Xiang Jie, too young to hold grudges, had forgotten Ji Yan scolding him once. Forgetting unhappy memories came easily to kids.

Ji Yan wasn’t one to hold a grudge against a child either. He pulled a prepared red envelope from his pocket and handed it to Xiang Jie. “Here you go.”

Xiang Jie beamed. “Thank you, big brother!”

After collecting it, Xiang Jie ran off to play with other kids. Adults chatted over food and drinks at the table, while children played nearby, creating a lively New Year’s atmosphere.

Ji Yan, however, left the bustle and entered Xiang Yang’s house. During such times, doors were left unlocked, open to visitors.

Inside, he saw Xiang Yang in the living room, as if waiting for him. Ji Yan suddenly recalled the first time Xiang Yang stole a kiss from him—also during a New Year’s celebration. So much time had passed… What once felt bitter and tough now seemed sweet in memory.

Smiling, Ji Yan took a red envelope from his pocket and gave it to Xiang Yang. Since the first time he’d given Xiang Yang one, it had become an annual tradition. He hadn’t prepared one specifically for Xiang Jie; he’d made an extra because of Xiang Yang.

They’d spent so many New Years together, and they would continue to walk this path forward.

Time flew, and the holiday ended quickly. Xiang Yang, no longer idle, had to return to the studio. Shen Xiuqing came to pick him up, visiting his home again.

Ji Yan wasn’t present and didn’t know what Shen Xiuqing said to Xiang Yang’s parents, but Li Lilian’s attitude softened, and she no longer opposed Xiang Yang’s departure.

Still on winter break, Ji Yan watched Xiang Yang leave this time.

Shen Xiuqing, pretending to be unfamiliar with Ji Yan, handed him her card in front of others. “I’m Xiang Yang’s manager, surnamed Shen. Come visit anytime.”

This gesture respected Xiang Yang’s parents, signaling the studio valued him, while giving Ji Yan a legitimate reason to visit without raising suspicion.

Catching Shen Xiuqing’s subtle wink, Ji Yan smiled and played along. “Sure, I’ll come.”

Shen Xiuqing grinned slyly. “One more thing—I need your help with something.”

Ji Yan: “?”

On the way back to the studio, Xiang Yang seemed subdued. Though he rarely expressed emotions, Shen Xiuqing could tell he was down without Ji Yan.

Xiang Yang was different from most. Others had varied interests to distract them, recovering quickly from setbacks. But Xiang Yang’s world revolved around Ji Yan and origami—losing either left a void nothing else could fill.

Shen Xiuqing’s earlier use of Ji Yan to motivate Xiang Yang was temporary. Ji Yan couldn’t always be there, especially before graduating, meaning long periods apart. So she devised a plan.

The next morning, the dorm’s phone rang. Xiang Yang opened his eyes but ignored it, letting it ring.

The caller was persistent, refusing to hang up until answered. When Xiang Yang first arrived, he’d shut himself in, ignoring the phone. Shen Xiuqing had to visit, teach him to answer, and call daily to establish a routine.

She’d once told him, “Don’t make those who care about you worry.”

Xiang Yang stirred, finally reaching for the phone on the bedside table. “Xiang Yang, good morning…”

It wasn’t Shen Xiuqing’s voice—it was Ji Yan’s. Stunned, Xiang Yang sat up, the voice continuing.

“Get up, brush your teeth, wash your face. Work hard today, okay?”

Xiang Yang nodded at the phone, gripping it tightly as Ji Yan’s voice repeated.

“Xiang Yang, good morning. Get up, brush your teeth, wash your face. Work hard today, okay?”

It was a recording.

Unaware, Xiang Yang listened a third time before speaking into the receiver. “Ji Yan.”

He didn’t linger in bed. Following Ji Yan’s words, he got up, brushed his teeth, washed his face, and appeared at the dining hall on time. Shen Xiuqing greeted him with a smile, pleased with his punctuality.

Her favor from Ji Yan was the recording. She’d prepared the lines; Ji Yan just had to read them. Though simple instructions, Ji Yan was mortified when he learned their purpose, as Shen Xiuqing asked him to speak gently, almost flirtatiously.

Xiang Yang brought his breakfast to his usual seat. The studio’s dining hall offered balanced meals—meat, vegetables, fish—but Xiang Yang favored only a few items.

Shen Xiuqing pulled out her phone, playing another recording. “Xiang Yang, don’t be picky. Eat more vegetables…”

He stared at the phone, then stood and returned with a plate of vegetables.

During work, another recording played: “Xiang Yang, keep up the effort at work… I’ll visit when I’m on break…” Ji Yan’s tone was cheerful, his soft voice brimming with anticipation.

Xiang Yang’s mood lifted, a subtle smile spreading across his face, unnoticed even by himself.