Chapter 14

Starbucks had a new barista. Lin Ze ordered a glass of ice water, and the person responded, “Five yuan.”

Lin Ze: “…”

“Even ice water costs money?” Lin Ze asked.

The person nodded. “Yes, it’s always charged.”

“Then I’ll have a mocha,” Lin Ze replied.

Situ Ye hadn’t gotten up yet. Previously, he had to clock in every day when working at Starbucks, and being late would result in deductions, so Situ Ye was always punctual. But since becoming a photographer, arriving ten minutes early made no difference, and being late wouldn’t cut his bonus, so the guy had gotten lazier and lazier.

He didn’t want to sleep at night and couldn’t get up in the morning. At 2 a.m., he was still watching TV and texting Lin Ze to chat.

At nine in the morning, Lin Ze went to find him, only to see Situ Ye curled up in bed like a worm. Lin Ze tried to rouse him, but Situ Ye just shifted to the side, leaving space for Lin Ze to join him.

Lin Ze was speechless. He left breakfast on the table for Situ Ye and went downstairs for coffee, sorting out today’s interview content along the way. It was November, and today was his and Situ Ye’s day off. But Lin Ze planned to work on a new feature about Line 3, riding with Situ Ye from the starting station, Er Tang, to Jiangbei Airport, making three round trips while scouting for potential side-story material in the train cars.

Situ Ye, on the other hand, intended to do some photography on the subway. Unfortunately, he had stayed up too late the night before, borrowing Lin Ze’s iPad to play Angry Birds until past three in the morning.

Lin Ze retrieved the iPad in the morning and sat in Starbucks to browse the internet. Jack’d was already downloaded.

Faced with the myriad of avatars on the iPad, Lin Ze suddenly felt a wave of weariness. Behind each profile was a complex story. From meeting someone to fully understanding them, then walking together and spending a lifetime side by side—how difficult was that?

He was getting old, too tired to search for love.

Just as Lin Ze was about to set the iPad aside, a message popped up.

[Hey, big bro. Wanna be friends?]

Lin Ze glanced at it. The profile showed a very handsome young man with dyed hair, sitting cross-legged under a tree, the light and shadows hazy, wearing a cap.

Lin Ze checked the details: 21 years old, 173 cm, 53 kg. The “role” field was blank—neither top nor bottom.

A very handsome, sunny young man with a bit of a celebrity vibe. Lin Ze felt a slight flutter but reminded himself that such a good-looking kid probably had no shortage of suitors. The chances of him being serious about a relationship were slim.

[Big bro.] The other person said: [Is that your real photo?]

Lin Ze replied: [Yes, but it’s from a few years ago. I’m old now, an uncle.]

He glanced at the other’s signature, which read: [Looking to make more friends.]

Lin Ze: [How old are you? Still in college?]

The other replied: [Yeah, you can call me Xiao Jin. No ulterior motives, just killing time while waiting for a friend. Wanted to chat.]

Lin Ze: [Are you at Starbucks? Let me buy you a coffee.]

Xiao Jin: [I passed by earlier with a friend. Now we’re shopping upstairs.]

Lin Ze didn’t press further, nor did he offer to meet. Xiao Jin asked again: [You’re always at Starbucks. Where’s your boyfriend? You two look great together.]

Lin Ze chuckled: [That’s not my boyfriend, just my work partner. I broke up with my ex not long ago.]

Xiao Jin: [Why did you break up? Can you tell me?]

Lin Ze: [We weren’t compatible.]

Xiao Jin: [How long were you together?]

Lin Ze: [A few months. We split up, and I haven’t been in the mood to date since. Do you have someone?]

Xiao Jin: [No, the friend I mentioned is just a regular friend. Want me to introduce you to someone?]

Lin Ze: [Thanks, but no. Work’s busy, and I’m not really in the mood.]

Xiao Jin: [Don’t be discouraged. Sometimes, love is right beside you.]

Lin Ze thought this little bottom was quite understanding, radiating a gentle warmth. Having a partner like this—coming home after work, cooking together, tidying up, maybe getting a dog and taking it for walks—sounded nice.

Lying on the couch at night, letting his “wife” snuggle on top of him, kissing, cuddling, and watching TV until eleven—that wouldn’t be bad either.

Situ Ye appeared out of nowhere: “Found a new boyfriend? Oh, this one’s not bad.”

Lin Ze told Xiao Jin: [Big bro’s gotta work. Bye.]

Xiao Jin didn’t reply. Lin Ze put away the iPad and said to Situ Ye, “Good-looking guys are always popular. I just want someone average.”

Situ Ye twirled the car keys and smiled: “Car’s parked behind Darongcheng. Where are we going today?”

Lin Ze: “No driving today. Got your city card? Let’s ride the subway to spring.”

They boarded the bus. Lin Ze took out his iPod, plugged in the earphones, and shared one side with Situ Ye. Sitting in the last car, legs crossed, they rode from the middle to the terminal station. Passengers came and went. Situ Ye pulled out a sketchbook, glanced up, and started drawing.

Lin Ze lounged lazily, left ankle on his right knee, elbows on the backrest, exuding full “top energy” as he watched the passengers.

Situ Ye filled page after page. When the car emptied, he moved across to sketch Lin Ze.

Lin Ze gathered plenty of material. At four, they went to the terminal station’s duty office for interviews. Situ Ye filled a whole sketchbook and took some photos.

Lin Ze compiled the interviews into a hundred-word snippet for the editor to fill next month’s layout. On their way out, Director Li called, assigning him to a training trip in Beijing—with a plus-one.

Director Li always looked out for Lin Ze, giving him an extra slot. Normally, Lin Ze would’ve let Situ Ye take the paid leave and invited Zheng Jie for a free trip. But Zheng Jie had already used his annual leave.

“Hey.” Lin Ze poked Situ Ye’s waist.

Situ Ye still looked half-asleep. The cooling weather made for perfect napping conditions. Dressed in a long-sleeved cotton shirt and slacks, the two young men spaced out on the escalator.

“What?” Situ Ye asked blankly.

“Expense-covered Beijing press conference training. Wanna go?” Lin Ze said. “But it’ll use your annual leave. Not much left this year anyway. If you’re in, it’s just us. Back by November 10th.”

Situ Ye perked up: “Yes! Awesome! Never been to Beijing. When?”

Lin Ze: “Only two tickets. You fly first. No accommodation reimbursement from the 5th to the 7th, but I’ll cover it. Book a standard room, explore a bit. I’ll join you on the evening of the 7th.”

Situ Ye frowned: “Can’t we go together?”

Lin Ze: “Tickets can’t be changed. Originally for other reporters and editors, but one backed out—wants to save leave for Christmas and New Year’s abroad. The editor bailed when the reporter did.”

Situ Ye: “Five days?”

Lin Ze nodded. Situ Ye asked, “What’ll you do without me for two days?”

Lin Ze laughed: “You’re not my mom. Think I can’t interview alone?”

Situ Ye sighed: “Fine, no need to cover my stay. I’ll check group deals—Home Inn or Hanting. Maybe try Peking duck.”

Lin Ze nodded: “Pack your bags. Let’s go today.”

Thrilled by the windfall, Situ Ye rushed to the office to file for leave. As a first-year, he technically had no annual leave, but he’d always followed Lin Ze’s schedule.

Afterward, Situ Ye packed a backpack and even bought travel T-shirts and towels from Muji.

Lin Ze sighed, “Can’t you spend less? Buying all this expensive stuff—how’s your salary enough?”

Situ Ye just grinned. Muji was about 40% pricier than average—not exorbitant but still painful. Lin Ze always winced at ¥38 towels, ¥128 bath towels, and ¥108 wrinkled cotton T-shirts. A ¥200+ ceramic teapot? Seriously?!

But Situ Ye loved the brand’s design. A few small items already totaled over ¥500.

Lin Ze sighed: “Let me get it.”

Situ Ye waved him off: “No no no, I’ve got it… Self-reliance, prosperity…”

Lin Ze: “You haven’t even paid off your credit card. Planning to default?”

Situ Ye laughed: “My short-term goal is to stay broke. Earn it, spend it. Enjoy life, heh.”

Lin Ze facepalmed. Situ Ye also bought imported snacks for the flight. Lin Ze gave up and saw him off at the subway.

“I’ll miss you, partner.”

Lin Ze: “Get lost.”

Situ Ye left. Lin Ze’s flight wasn’t until the 7th. He was fed up with the paper—they’d booked him a midnight flight, arriving in Beijing at 3 a.m. on the 8th.

At home, Zheng Jie looked like a zombie after a CEO-induced massacre, staring blankly at Lin Ze.

Zheng Jie: “Why him and not me…”

Lin Ze smiled: “You can’t get leave anyway. Used yours up during New Year’s, right? I’ll bring you something.”

Zheng Jie roared: “Peking duck!”

Lin Ze: “No problem.”

Zheng Jie roared again: “Hot pot!”

Lin Ze: “That’s… trickier. How about ‘ludagunr’ (fried glutinous rice rolls)?”

Zheng Jie ignored him, bellowing: “A beauty! Bring back a Beijing beauty!”

Lin Ze: “…”

Though leaving on the 7th, Lin Ze’s mind was already wandering by the next day. Miserably, he sat in Starbucks with his laptop, scouring QQ groups for leads.

Situ Ye texted photos from Beijing—the deep autumn there was stunning. Maple leaves carpeted the streets, cyclists passed old houses, tree branches framed the sky in beautiful fragments, and the national flag guards cast heroic silhouettes against the sunset at Tiananmen Square.

Situ Ye: [See? The flag guards are so handsome. Wonder if any are gay.]

Lin Ze: [Don’t drool over soldiers. Admire from afar. Crowded there?]

Situ Ye: [Nope, not at all.]

He sent a subway photo—packed like sardines during rush hour.

Lin Ze foresaw his own miserable future.

Situ Ye: [Took a cab from Chaoyang to Dongcheng. Stuck in traffic for 20+ minutes.]

Lin Ze was speechless.

Situ Ye: [Heard cabs can be stuck for an hour during traffic control.]

Lin Ze: [Situ, cabs aren’t reimbursable! Can you save me some money?]

Another message popped up on the iPad.

Xiao Jin: [What’s up, big bro?]

Lin Ze: [Waiting for my trip. Flying to Beijing tomorrow night.]

Xiao Jin: [Oh, Beijing’s nice this season.]

Lin Ze: [Been there?]

Xiao Jin: [Yeah. For tourism? Check out Nanluoguxiang. Fun place, sells rabbit ears.]

Lin Ze: [Work training. Where’s Nanluoguxiang? Rabbit ears—food? Come for coffee? I’ll bring you something back.]

Xiao Jin: [Better not meet. I might fall for you.]

Lin Ze laughed: [You’re great and single. What if you do?]

In a rare playful mood, Lin Ze teased to gauge his reaction.

Silence.

Lin Ze followed up: [What? With your boyfriend?]

Xiao Jin hurriedly replied: [No no. Why are you alone today?]

Lin Ze: [My partner’s already in Beijing.]

No response again. Lin Ze browsed gay forums for Beijing tips—plenty about hookups during business trips.

As he skimmed, Xiao Jin messaged: [Actually, I’ve seen your ex. Tan, thin, kinda tall. Gentle, gentlemanly. Who topped? Can you tell me?]

Lin Ze replied: [Both tops. No bottoms. We booked twin beds, did push-ups together.]

Xiao Jin: [Hahaha.]

Lin Ze: [You? Top or bottom?]

Xiao Jin: [Not sure.]

Lin Ze thought: A virgin? Rare. Probably just curious, not yet in the scene.

Lin Ze: [Stay out of this circle. Seriously, it’s messy.]

Xiao Jin: [I know. Why’d you break up? Was it losing feelings over time? I’ve seen you two at Starbucks—you online, him reading, not talking.]

Lin Ze: [No, we loved each other. No cheating. Just couldn’t make it work.]

Xiao Jin: [I think he wasn’t good enough for you.]

Lin Ze: [Love isn’t about ‘good enough.’ If you truly like someone, that’s what matters. My sworn brother is picky—no one over 30, no unattractive guys. That’s not healthy. Some average-looking people grow on you, becoming warm presences. Miss one, and they might never come back.]

Xiao Jin: [Then why split? You don’t seem the type to take love lightly.]

Lin Ze: [A little monkey had a wound on its belly from a wolf. Every time it met friends, it’d show the bloody cut, saying, ‘Look how much this hurts.’ Later, it bled to death.]

Xiao Jin: [Got it.]

Lin Ze: [Still haven’t told me where Nanluoguxiang is. Besides the Forbidden City, what’s worth seeing? Alone today? No class?]

Xiao Jin: [Yeah, alone.]

Lin Ze: [Come to Starbucks. Help me with directions.]

Xiao Jin: [Don’t be mad when you see me, okay?]

Lin Ze: “…”

He reflexively looked around—no one. Was Li Chiran messing with him? Unlikely—Li spoke heavy Chongqing dialect and wouldn’t do this.

An ex-friend of Li’s who’d had a crush on him?

The Starbucks door opened. A pretty girl walked in, holding an iPad, smiling as she sat across from Lin Ze.

“Not mad, right?” she said. “You promised.”

Lin Ze was floored: “No way.”

The girl: “This is Yabu Hikaru’s photo—a Japanese celeb… Sorry.”

Lin Ze didn’t know what to say. The girl quickly added, “Sorry, sorry, didn’t mean to trick you.”

Lin Ze laughed wryly—he’d flirted first, so no complaints. “No worries. What’ll you have?”

The girl smiled: “I’m Li Yanru. What’s your name? I’ll get it myself.”

Lin Ze: “It’s fine, I offered. What’ll you have?”

“Latte,” Li Yanru said.

Lin Ze went to order, glancing back. She was tapping her iPad—a fujoshi. His old website had plenty, always shipping male coworkers. Others didn’t mind—they were straight. But Lin Ze, being gay, avoided them.

You can’t stop gossip. If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. Being gay meant accepting the chatter.

Li Yanru looked 26-27, not a student. With a great figure—Zheng Jie’s type—she wore sparkling diamond earrings and a ¥2000 bag, likely a high-end office lady.

“You wounded my fragile heart,” Lin Ze said, returning with coffee. “So, as compensation, you owe me some gossip.”

Li Yanru giggled: “How about I adopt you as my little brother?”

Lin Ze laughed: “Save it. You’re probably younger than me.”

Li Yanru covered her smile with the iPad. Lin Ze asked, “What’s so funny?”

She composed herself: “What’s your zodiac?”

Lin Ze: “Tiger.”

Li Yanru: “I’m a monkey.”

Lin Ze: “…”

Li Yanru: “Don’t believe me? Here—”

She showed her ID, shattering Lin Ze’s worldview.

Born in 1980… After Situ Ye, Lin Ze suffered another blow.

“No way!” Lin Ze wailed.

Li Yanru pocketed her ID: “Little bro, what do you do here all day?”

Lin Ze, defeated, explained his work: “I’m a reporter, leaving the day after tomorrow. Need to prep today’s and tomorrow’s news. What about you? Any interesting stories lately?”

Li Yanru thought: “What kind? Political? I know a bit about [REDACTED] committee’s [REDACTED].”

Lin Ze was stunned: “Forget it. The paper wouldn’t run that.”

Though initially miffed, Li Yanru’s cheerful, witty banchee lifted his mood. She had great charm and warmth.

Zheng Jie would love her, Lin Ze thought, considering matchmaking. But such women likely had suitors—or were married. He’d test the waters first.

Li Yanru leaned in, eyeing his laptop: “Oh? You really are a reporter.”

Lin Ze hummed: “The one you said matched me is my partner. Here, my press pass.”

Li Yanru glanced: “Can I call you A’Ze?”

Lin Ze: “Sure. Friends call me that.”

Li Yanru: “Is your partner ‘also’? No offense, just curious.”

Lin Ze laughed: “You know the lingo! How many gays have you tricked?”

Li Yanru: “I have a gay bestie. He taught me all about your world. Just went shopping with him for clothes.”

Lin Ze: “Oh, you’re both official kids?”

Li Yanru shook her head: “Not exactly. You deal with them often?”

Lin Ze scrolled: “Know a few, but don’t hang out.”

Li Yanru: “Why? Reporters know everyone, right?”

Lin Ze: “Sometimes they ask for favors through my connections. I help if I can, then call in favors later. But I avoid socializing—their dads’ situations are too complicated. They know loose lips sink ships, and any leaks could mean big trouble. So no deep ties, no digging. If someone falls from grace, no one suspects me.”

Li Yanru nodded: “I don’t like dealing with them either. Boring. Prefer my own friends.”

Lin Ze: “What about you? Off work today?”

Li Yanru: “It’s Saturday. I’m at Jiangbei Water Resources Bureau—come and go as I please. Heard the NDRC’s raising oil prices again. How’s that for news?”

Lin Ze was surprised: “Not bad. Sure about that?”

Li Yanru: “From my husband. Don’t take my word, but prep now—it’ll be front-page when it breaks.”

Lin Ze nodded, lamenting Zheng Jie’s missed chance while sensing a golden opportunity. “What does your husband do?”

Li Yanru smiled: “Oh, just a small civil servant. No big deal.”

Lin Ze side-eyed her. She added: “Here, sis’ll tell you where to go in Beijing.”

After finishing his article, Li Yanru took the laptop, searched Baidu for locations, and showed him a travel site with old Beijing snacks and attractions.

“Hire a guide at the Forbidden City,” she said. “Worth it. Get a handsome one—learn some history.”

Lin Ze: “Mhm.” Perfect.

Li Yanru was effortlessly sociable, quickly bonding with Lin Ze. Well-traveled and financially free, she bored easily and often vacationed with friends. Lin Ze envied her.

His initial annoyance long forgotten, Lin Ze said: “My partner would get along with you. His dream is to travel the world.”

Li Yanru laughed: “Sister is picky—spoiled with luxuries. I’d just annoy you guys.”

Lin Ze knew she wasn’t bragging but was clearly pampered—the type who stayed at four- or five-star hotels. “Your husband travels with you?”

“Him?” Li Yanru said. “No time. But sis is trying for a baby this year, so no trips. Your family not pressuring you to marry? Many of my friends split over that.”

Lin Ze: “Nope. Came out long ago. My dad wanted to kill me.”

Li Yanru nodded: “Don’t settle. Someone will stick with you unconditionally.”

Lin Ze: “We’ll see. Lost confidence—scammed left and right, even by fujoshi like you…”

Li Yanru laughed hysterically: “Sister’ll treat you to a movie. Hubby’s busy tonight.”

Lin Ze: “My sworn brother’s coming to Bei Cheng Tian Street.”

Li Yanru: “Great! Bring him. Is he straight?”

Lin Ze thought—it’d been ages since he hung out with girls. “Dinner’s on me, you cover the movie. Meet at the square in front of Bei Cheng Tian Street after he gets off work.”

Lin Ze found Li Yanru delightful. They chatted easily, laughing freely—a rare, genuine connection.

She treated him like a younger brother. They wandered Bei Cheng Tian Street until Zheng Jie arrived. Li Yanru linked arms with Lin Ze, greeting Zheng Jie with a smile.

Zheng Jie was dumbstruck.

“This is my sister,” Lin Ze introduced.

Li Yanru smiled: “Hi there.”

Zheng Jie greeted her eagerly, shooting Lin Ze a look: Since when do you have a sister?

Lin Ze tried to telepathically reply: Adopted. But conveying two words via eyebrow Morse code proved challenging, so he ignored him.

They dined at a Western restaurant—the nicest Lin Ze could afford. Li Yanru didn’t fuss. Afterward, they caught a movie, and she quickly warmed up to Zheng Jie.

Zheng Jie orbited Li Yanru, showering her with attention—buying her DQ milkshakes and popcorn. While he was away, Lin Ze said, “My sworn brother’s single.”

“He’s a catch,” Li Yanru said. “Handsome, spirited, considerate—how’s he single? Unless he likes you?”

Lin Ze sighed: “Long story. Plus, he doesn’t get girls. Neither do I, honestly.”

Li Yanru smiled: “Women are enigmas. You’ll both find someone. Love comes when you least expect it—don’t settle.”

“Mm.” Lin Ze agreed silently. He clicked with Li Yanru.

Work and orientation had left him with few female friends. Yet their gentleness was soothing—like water eroding stress. Between Situ Ye at work and Zheng Jie at home, a female confidant was refreshing.

After the movie, Li Yanru took a call: “Sister has to go. Little bro, what time’s your flight tomorrow?”

Lin Ze: “No no, don’t see me off. It’s late, and I might stop by the office first.”

Li Yanru: “Then here—” She named a bakery. “If you pass by, grab some scallion oil walnut cookies. No rush—only if it’s convenient.”

Lin Ze: “Got it. I’ll get some as gifts. If even you don’t complain, they must be good.”

Zheng Jie chimed in: “Sister, let me call you a cab.”

Li Yanru smiled: “No need. Hubby’s here.”

An Audi A7 pulled up.

In that moment, Lin Ze heard Zheng Jie’s hopeful heart shatter into dust. He barely stifled his laughter.

Li Yanru bid them farewell and left.

Lin Ze burst out laughing. Zheng Jie stood like a zombie, tears drifting in the autumn wind.

“You wounded my fragile heart!” Zheng Jie roared.

Lin Ze dodged Zheng Jie’s lunge, howling with laughter. Zheng Jie was crushed—he’d thought Lin Ze was setting him up, only to find she was married… to an Audi owner!

“She’s trying for a baby,” Lin Ze said. “Give it up.”

Zheng Jie sighed: “Damn.”

Lin Ze: “I just met her this afternoon.”

Zheng Jie had treated dinner like a date—wallet ready, fighting to pay for everything (and losing).

Li Yanru had shown interest too, asking about his store manager role, how he handled staff, even joking she’d happily be scolded by a boss as handsome as him.

She’d promised to bring friends for discounts…

Zheng Jie, unused to such attention, was smitten—ready to ditch Lin Ze for alone time.

Life was like fiction—the twist always came last.

At home, Lin Ze got a call from Li Yanru.

“Little bro,” she said worriedly, “I just realized—was I too friendly with your sworn brother? Hope he didn’t misunderstand.”

Lin Ze: “No, he sees you as a sister too.”

Li Yanru: “Good. See you when you’re back.”

Lin Ze bid her goodnight.

Zheng Jie slumped on the table. Lin Ze couldn’t stop laughing: “Beijing’s full of reporters. I’ll find you a Chengdu beauty.”

Zheng Jie: “Finally met someone I liked.”

Lin Ze: “You’re just lonely. Next good one’ll make you forget this.”

Zheng Jie grunted. Lin Ze added: “Got any blind dates lined up?”

Zheng Jie: “Yeah, my aunt set one up next week. An accountant.”

Lin Ze: “Nice. Wife handles the books—perfect.”

Zheng Jie stretched: “Gonna go jerk off…”

Lin Ze: “Don’t. Bad for your health. Let’s get foot massages.”

He dragged Zheng Jie out. Chongqing’s foot baths were cheap—herbal soak, shoulder/neck massage, pedicure, and reflexology for just ¥25. Afterward, they ate skewers, chatting about work before turning in.

Next day, Zheng Jie lazed at home until afternoon. Lin Ze skipped clocking in. They snacked, then Lin Ze packed and they hit the arcade. After an early dinner, Lin Ze headed to the airport while Zheng Jie endlessly reminded him to bring duck before trudging home alone.

At the airport at nine, Lin Ze spotted Li Yanru.

“Sister?” he called.

“Little bro!” Li Yanru smiled. “What a coincidence—seeing off hubby’s friend. You’re early.”

Lin Ze waved: “Came ahead. Security’s slow.”

His flight was at 12:20—no need to arrive so early, but the light rail’s last run was at eight. With his iPad, he settled at the gate.

Situ Ye would meet him at two in Beijing, but Lin Ze told him to just send the hotel address—he’d cab there.

Three hours to kill. Lin Ze opened Jack’d, sipping coffee and checking nearby users.

Most passengers were business types—not many people.

At eleven, drowsiness set in. A message popped up:

[I’m in the bathroom by Gate 3. Wanna come?]

Lin Ze: “…”

Lin Ze: [Come for what?]

The other: [A quickie. You’re a top, right? Hot pic. What time’s your flight?]

Lin Ze spat coffee all over the screen.

Lin Ze: [Dude, not cool! Easy way to get AIDS. Don’t be so reckless.]

Lin Ze: [Trust me, you’ll regret it. Don’t let sex rule you—you’ll lose yourself.]

He lectured at length.

Five minutes later, the reply came: [Oh.]

Lin Ze: [Come out. Let’s chat?]

The other: [Come to the bathroom to chat.]

Lin Ze facepalmed.

He blocked the user, then noticed someone watching him—a tall, mature man in his thirties, also holding an iPad. Expensive watch, broad hands. White shirt under a wool vest, black slacks, brown leather shoes. Thick eyebrows, square jaw—a northern look, exuding wealth.

Browsing profiles, Lin Ze saw only one other nearby gay—ten meters away.

183 cm. A top.

Lin Ze whistled. They exchanged smiles.

The high-SES man pocketed his iPad and approached.

“That guy hit on you too?” His voice was deep and masculine.

Lin Ze: “Yeah! You got propositioned?”

They laughed. The man eyed Lin Ze’s iPad: “How’s the 2nd gen?”

Lin Ze: “From my brother. Not bad—never tried the 1st. You?”

“Zhao Yuhang,” the man introduced himself.

They shook hands. Lin Ze offered, “Lin Ze. Why Beijing so late? You don’t sound local.”

Zhao Yuhang: “Flight was delayed from nine. Lucky I sent my friend home.”