Chapter 26

Zheng Jie instantly turned into a zombie, his face looking like he was ready to ride the wind and depart.

“Six months, twelve thousand,” the gangster said.

Zheng Jie replied wearily, “Don’t have it, really don’t.”

Situ Ye looked a bit puzzled but didn’t interrupt—he wasn’t fully aware of Zheng Jie’s messy debts. The gangster continued, “Pay it all at once, and we’ll leave you alone from now on.”

Zheng Jie had been hounded by debt collectors so often that he was completely numb. Someone had made a similar promise before, and he hadn’t fallen for it. “Really don’t have it. Only two thousand.”

Lin Ze suggested, “Come in, come in, let’s talk inside.”

But the gangster refused, “No need. Just hand over the money. I’ll leave right away. Can’t the three of you scrape together twelve thousand?”

Lin Ze recalled the last incident. Though the man was wearing sunglasses, it seemed to be the same person. He probably still thought they had AIDS and didn’t dare enter the house. Hmm… in his memory, Lin Ze and Zheng Jie had AIDS, while Situ Ye was just there for a threesome… Maybe if he scared him by self-harming and drawing some blood, he’d run off.

This place was no longer livable—they’d have to move sooner or later. Zheng Jie bargained with the gangster outside while Lin Ze took Situ Ye inside. After listening for a while, the final agreement outside was, “Fine, four thousand it is.”

Lin Ze listlessly opened a drawer to get the money, counted out two thousand, and just as Zheng Jie came in to borrow from Lin Ze, he waved the cash. Zheng Jie pooled together his last bit of savings and, after much persuasion, sent the gangster away. He closed the door and let out a long sigh.

Lin Ze and Situ Ye remained silent.

Zheng Jie smiled, his expression bright and sunny, and offered, “I’ll pay you back next week when I get my salary. Let’s cook first.”

“Did he say he wouldn’t come again?” Lin Ze asked. “Wait, do you know which gang they’re from?”

“Know it, yeah,” Zheng Jie called back as he went into the kitchen to wash vegetables. Situ Ye volunteered, “Let me help.”

“Rest,” Zheng Jie insisted. “A’Ze, don’t let him work.”

Lin Ze knew Situ Ye wouldn’t sit idle, especially on his first day moving in, so he didn’t stop him. He let him help Zheng Jie wash vegetables while he sat in the living room, lost in thought. Maybe the gangster’s words were true—he wouldn’t come again. After all, as a journalist, Lin Ze knew better than anyone that this year’s anti-gang campaign was the most intense in years. If these people fled, did that mean Zheng Jie wouldn’t have to repay the debt?

“I’ll go get Situ’s things,” Lin Ze decided. “Is Brother Zhao coming over for dinner tonight?”

Zheng Jie confirmed, “I called him. He’s coming.”

Lin Ze took Situ Ye’s keys and headed out. Situ Ye immediately chased after him, saying, “Let’s go together.”

“Follow me,” Lin Ze replied, but instead of going straight to Situ Ye’s place, he first went to the police station to ask the captain he’d met last time. He got a definitive answer—most of the gangsters who had been harassing Zheng Jie for debt repayment had already fled.

Zheng Jie’s mother had borrowed from an underground loan shark in Chongqing nearly a decade ago. That company, tangled up in too many gang-related affairs, had been swept up in the recent crackdown. The police captain didn’t hide anything from him, sharing what he could. On February 2nd, a major case had gone to trial, triggering a chain reaction that led to a full-scale purge.

Lin Ze was somewhat surprised—this was like a pie falling from the sky. As he mulled over the news, he thanked the captain repeatedly before leaving the station to help Situ Ye pack. Whether the loan shark debt was truly forgiven remained uncertain, so Lin Ze didn’t dare tell Zheng Jie prematurely in case it fell through.

Entering Situ Ye’s apartment, the place was empty—the girl he shared the place with wasn’t home.

“The lease still has a little over a month left,” Situ Ye noted, haphazardly stuffing underwear and shirts into a travel bag with one hand. He added, “When are you guys moving?”

“Not sure yet. Zheng Jie’s about to buy a house. Once it’s settled, we’ll all move in with him.”

Situ Ye didn’t have many belongings, so they finished packing quickly. Lin Ze checked the fridge to see if there was anything that needed to be taken to avoid spoilage. As he opened the fridge, his phone rang—Zhao Yuhang was calling.

“Ah, A’Ze, I’m dying,” Zhao Yuhang groaned. “My classmate’s family issue has blown up. What do I do?”

“What?” Lin Ze asked, confused.

“You know, my classmate’s affair. On Lantern Festival, the other woman called, and his wife got suspicious. She’s been interrogating me these past few days, crying and making a scene. Every day after work, it’s nonstop drama. Laozi’s life is hell.”

Lin Ze suddenly laughed. Situ Ye appeared at the kitchen door, leaning against the frame, watching him with a serious expression as he took the call.

“Stay out of it. Come stay at my place for a few days. You can sleep in Zheng Jie’s room. When does your semester start?”

“That’s not the issue! You don’t know how hard it is being caught in the middle. The couple’s fights are earth-shattering…”

Zhao Yuhang ranted on the phone. When Lin Ze looked up, Situ Ye was flipping through his photo album. Lin Ze moved closer to look while still on the call, but Situ Ye immediately closed the album.

“Hey, A’Ze, can you hear me? Where are you guys now? Should I come straight over or—”

Situ Ye shifted his casted arm slightly. Lin Ze, curious, was blocked by Situ Ye’s hand. Lin Ze gestured for him to grab the bag and took his phone from the fridge, continuing, “Wait for us at the Guanyinqiao subway station exit.”

“A’Ze, I’ve realized you’re a life winner with a harem of admirers,” Situ Ye remarked.

“Not at all,” Lin Ze smirked.

Situ Ye slung an arm over Lin Ze’s shoulder as they waited for Zhao Yuhang at the subway exit. Once they picked him up, they headed home for dinner. Zhao Yuhang had come to relax, but he ended up even more frustrated. The couple’s fight had dragged him in, and he’d even been accidentally hit by the wife—a bump on his head from an ashtray. After being teased by everyone, he ate and drank gloomily.

“This toast is to celebrate A’Ze officially cohabiting with my little brother…” Zhao Yuhang raised his glass.

“Enough!” Lin Ze, cigarette dangling from his lips, sleeves rolled up, squinted through the smoke. “Stop being disgusting!”

Situ Ye chuckled but didn’t respond, heading into the room to organize his things. Lin Ze added, “Situ, don’t move around too much. Be careful with your hand.”

“Aiyo,” Zhao Yuhang sighed.

“Aiyo—” Zheng Jie frowned, and the two of them teased Lin Ze in unison.

Lin Ze clinked glasses with Zhao Yuhang and Zheng Jie. Zhao Yuhang, a university lecturer, was about to start the new semester and had to fly back tomorrow. He’d stay one more night. After a few more drinks, Zheng Jie watched TV in the living room while Lin Ze, slightly drunk, collapsed onto the bed. Situ Ye lay on the bed reading and observed, “Why are there so many stray hairs on your bed? You must jerk off a lot.”

“Nope—” Lin Ze said lazily, reaching out to grope around. He found Situ Ye’s hand, gave it a squeeze, then let go.

“What’s wrong? Need tea to sober up?”

Lin Ze opened his drunken eyes to look at Situ Ye, thinking to himself that Situ Ye really was handsome. Why had he been so quiet lately? What was on his mind? Was he feeling awkward about moving in?

“Situ,” Lin Ze murmured, glancing at him sideways.

“Hmm.” Situ Ye had long limbs, fair skin, and a smile playing on his lips as he undid Lin Ze’s buttons with one hand. This kind of versatile guy was truly a rare find. Lin Ze had never really considered him before, but now that the thought had crossed his mind, he realized he’d overlooked such a catch. He should’ve made a move sooner.

But between them, something always felt missing—was it the spark of passion when falling in love, or the mutual concern that made it hard to let go?

“Sleeping?”

Lin Ze was tired today and mumbled, “Yeah.”

Too lazy to brush his teeth after drinking, Lin Ze lay there lazily. The TV volume outside lowered as Zhao Yuhang went to shower and sleep. Zheng Jie was still in the next room commanding a team dungeon raid. The lights went out. Lin Ze turned over, lying on his side—he slept on the outer edge, Situ Ye on the inner side.

Situ Ye scooted closer, pressing against him. Lin Ze, careful not to bump his injured hand, shifted slightly. In the darkness, they listened to each other’s breathing. Both of them felt warm, and Lin Ze was hard, his erection tenting his underwear.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was just the long stretch of loneliness, but Lin Ze really wanted a wild one-night stand—to fuck Situ Ye senseless. But it was just a thought. Under the influence of alcohol, Lin Ze couldn’t help but wonder—what if he and Situ got together? The thought lingered until he fell asleep.

The next day, Zhao Yuhang left. Lin Ze called a cab to take him to the airport before heading to work. Without Situ Ye, work felt incomplete. Over the past few months, Lin Ze had planned to work only half-days, finishing his tasks in the morning so he could go home in the afternoon to take care of Situ Ye.

At lunch, Lin Ze was stuffing his face when Situ Ye called. “A’Ze, can I eat the stuff in the fridge?”

Lin Ze, mouth full, replied, “Of course. What’s up? Didn’t I tell you this morning to help yourself? Did you eat breakfast?”

Situ Ye laughed. “No, I’m about to. What are you doing?”

Lin Ze suddenly understood—Situ Ye missed him.

For a moment, Lin Ze felt warmth bloom in his chest, as if he could hear flowers blooming outside the window. He replied, “Just waiting for the editor-in-chief to stamp it. Once it’s proofread, I can bolt. I’ll be home soon.”

“Mm-hmm.” Situ Ye hung up. Lin Ze wolfed down his food, finished his tasks. “I’m heading back to check on Situ Ye.”

“Ooooh—” a junior reporter teased. “You two are even closer than if you were dating.”

Lin Ze left with a smile, buying groceries and a little something for Situ Ye on the way home.

Situ Ye seemed to have regained some of his old carefree demeanor, sprawled on the couch like a corpse. “Ah, this unemployed life is so decadent—”

Lin Ze went to wash his hands and said, “Let me wash your hair. It’s practically a bird’s nest.”

Situ Ye lazily got up, noticed the flowers in the bag, and stared at them for a while. Lin Ze took off his suit jacket and went to the bathroom to test the water temperature. He motioned for Situ Ye to sit in front of the sink, then removed the showerhead to wash his hair. Situ Ye hummed in pleasure.

Lin Ze: “Feels good?”

Situ Ye: “Yeah…”

Lin Ze: “Still planning to leave?”

Situ Ye stiffened slightly at the sudden question. Lin Ze grabbed a towel to dry his hair and asked, “Still want to travel the world?”

Situ Ye’s hair, now longer, dripped around his ears as he looked up at Lin Ze. “Didn’t you say you’d come with me? You promised before.”

Lin Ze thought for a moment and smiled. “What if I don’t go?”

Situ Ye replied, “Then I’ll go alone.”

“Alright.” Lin Ze felt a pang of sadness. He led Situ Ye out and blow-dried his hair, lost in thought. He wasn’t really interested in a nomadic life—after years as a journalist, he’d traveled enough. He’d rather stay home, watch TV, eat, and sleep.

But Lin Ze understood Situ Ye’s fear—the lack of security in Muslim societies, the constant running, the terror of being caught and hanged. It was an ingrained, subconscious reaction. Maybe Situ Ye had even witnessed such things as a child.

“Even if you stay, no one’s going to drag you back,” Lin Ze said. “Would staying in one place kill you?”

“I’ll think about it,” Situ Ye replied.

Situ Ye’s contract with the newspaper still had a year left. Lin Ze suddenly felt it was all a bit pointless. What was this? Amid the whirring of the hairdryer, Situ Ye muttered, “Xie Lei.” Lin Ze turned it off. “What?”

“If Xie Lei had another year, would you have dated him?” Situ Ye asked.

Lin Ze knew what he meant but didn’t answer. He turned the dryer back on. Just then, the phone rang. Situ Ye took the dryer while Lin Ze answered. It was Li Yanru.

Lin Ze smiled. “Sister…”

“A’Ze,” Li Yanru’s tone was sharp. “Put Yuhang on. I know he’s at your place. I heard him call you the day before yesterday.”

In an instant, all the fragmented clues clicked into place in Lin Ze’s mind.

“He’s already gone,” Lin Ze replied, reaching out to take the dryer from Situ Ye and turning it off. The room fell silent.

“Don’t lie to me. I know he’s there. This has nothing to do with you. I just need to ask him a few things,” Li Yanru said.

Lin Ze answered patiently, “Sister, Zhao Yuhang really isn’t here. School’s started—he had to go back…”

Li Yanru seemed to be crying. “I knew you wouldn’t help me. You’re all in this together!”

Lin Ze heard wind in the background—she wasn’t at home. “Come over. I’ll pick you up. Where are you? You can see for yourself if I’m lying.”

Li Yanru didn’t answer, sobbing into the phone. Lin Ze waited, then comforted her, “Come over, sis. Where are you?”

Li Yanru stopped crying. “I’m at Xiaoshizi.”

Lin Ze’s heart skipped a beat—that subway station was closest to Chaotianmen. Was she thinking of jumping into the river? “Go into the station. I’ll come get you.”

Situ Ye asked, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Ze smiled bitterly. “Zhao Yuhang’s friend’s wife is my sworn sister.”

Situ Ye burst into exaggerated laughter—he knew about Zhao Yuhang’s situation. Lin Ze frowned. “Don’t gloat. It’s not funny.”

Situ Ye realized his mistake and nodded repeatedly. Lin Ze offered, “I’ll bring her over…”

Situ Ye grabbed the phone and followed Lin Ze out, calling Zheng Jie on the way. “Great opportunity, Zheng Jie. Your spring has come…”

Lin Ze immediately snapped, “Stop talking nonsense!”

He tried to grab the phone, but Situ Ye dodged, saying into the receiver, “Remember that girl you liked last time? She’s getting divorced…”

Zheng Jie’s voice came through: “Really?! My aunt just called—I’ll tell her to cancel the blind date! I’ll come back early! Where is she now? Does she need comforting?!”

Lin Ze: “Hey! You bastard! How do you know everything?!”

Situ Ye followed Lin Ze downstairs. On the subway, someone offered him a seat. As he sat, Lin Ze stood beside him, lightly poking his head. “You can’t say that! You can’t take advantage of her vulnerability! Couples’ issues should be resolved by them. Outsiders shouldn’t interfere.”

The entire subway car watched as a young man who looked like a boss lectured his subordinate, whose left arm was in a cast. Situ Ye, holding onto the pole with his good hand, swayed playfully, a smirk on his lips. Lin Ze glared. “Stop laughing. Be serious!”

“So cute—” a girl in the car whispered.

Lin Ze was speechless.

When the train arrived, Lin Ze called Li Yanru. Before they even exited the station—sparsely populated in the afternoon—Lin Ze spotted her on the stairs.

She looked terrible. “Sister!”

Just as Lin Ze moved to meet her, Li Yanru missed a step and tumbled down the stairs.

Everyone froze. Her high heels flew off as she hit two steps, knees slamming into the ground. Her handbag smacked against a pillar, scattering lipstick, a compact mirror, and loose change down the stairs.

“Careful!”

“Watch out! Why didn’t someone hold her?!”

People rushed to help. Lin Ze’s heart ached as he lifted her, settling her on the last few steps. Li Yanru’s knees were red and swollen. Situ Ye asked, “Should we go to the hospital?”

Li Yanru shook her head. Bystanders gathered her belongings. Lin Ze murmured, “It’s okay, it’s okay…”

Li Yanru, disheveled, sat on the steps, staring at Lin Ze silently. She didn’t cry, remaining composed. Situ Ye handed her the reassembled bag. Lin Ze asked, “Did you sprain your ankle? Need a doctor?”

Li Yanru waved him off, indicating she could walk. Limping up, her voice hoarse, she murmured, “Let’s go.”

“Wait, let’s see if you can move,” Lin Ze urged.

Lin Ze and Situ Ye supported her on either side. Before the next train arrived, a young man approached, offering Li Yanru a bottle of water. Lin Ze opened it, pouring some on her injured knee and wiping it clean with a tissue. The guy, around twenty, encouraged, “Try moving it, sis.”

He gently rotated her ankle. “It’s fine—probably not a sprain. Just rub some ointment when you get back. If you’re worried, see a TCM doctor.”

The train arrived. Li Yanru boarded, and someone gave her a seat. Another offered theirs to Situ Ye, who declined politely. Lin Ze realized he’d forgotten to thank the young man.

“Where do you guys live? And what’s your name, little brother?” Li Yanru asked.

“Behind Bei Cheng Tian Street. I live with A’Ze—his lackey and part-time housekeeper,” Situ Ye replied.

Li Yanru’s eyes softened with amusement, glancing between Lin Ze and Situ Ye. She understood the dynamic and teased, “A’Ze, you can delete your Jack’d now, right?”

“Then how would I find a partner?” Lin Ze retorted.

Finding gay friends was always tough. Beyond the flamboyant types, spotting a gay man in the wild was like finding a needle in a haystack. Unlike the obvious divide between “men” and “women,” there were no clear markers. You could flirt with a girl, exchange numbers, or get set up by friends. But with guys, were you supposed to ask, “Are you gay?” Gay forums were niche, and while Jack’d was mostly for hookups, some users genuinely wanted relationships. Beyond that, there were only gay bars.

“Don’t you have a ready-made one right here?” Li Yanru nodded at Situ Ye.

Lin Ze flushed. Why was everyone bringing this up lately?

Situ Ye leaned over to look at his phone. Lin Ze opened Jack’d and saw a new message: [Hey, handsome. Need help?]

Situ Ye: “??”

Lin Ze clicked the sender’s profile—it was the young man who’d just helped them. He and Situ Ye burst out laughing. Lin Ze replied with a quick “Thanks,” thinking the world wasn’t so bad after all.