Chapter 17

The next day, the journalists’ conference was held in Beijing. Reporters from various provinces and cities filled the entire venue. Lin Ze saw many well-known figures in the industry. As a small fry, he sat in a corner next to a reporter from Southern Metropolis Daily. The two chatted for a while and quickly became familiar, exchanging business cards. Lin Ze didn’t dare to discuss too much about the news, as this conference was mainly about conveying the Party Central Committee’s political ideology.

This kind of meeting, filled with the spirit of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, was incredibly sleep-inducing. Lin Ze flipped through the materials he received and decided not to listen anymore. As long as he brought the meeting content back, held a briefing at the newspaper office, made a PPT, and summarized the key points, his task would be considered complete.

The conference would last three days, and Lin Ze planned to skip most of it.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Lin Ze told the reporter after chatting for a bit. He sneaked out along the corridor of the conference room, looking around like an underground operative. On the way, he even saw a fairly well-known journalist smoking and making a phone call.

Lin Ze: “…”

The famous journalist: “…”

The famous journalist was a middle-aged man, already somewhat old and slightly overweight, but it was clear he was definitely gay and took skincare very seriously.

“Hello,” Lin Ze greeted, his eyes sparkling with admiration.

The famous journalist raised an eyebrow, nodded, and after hanging up the phone, took the initiative to shake Lin Ze’s hand. While shaking hands, his pinky finger lightly scratched Lin Ze’s palm.

Lin Ze: “…”

This was a widely circulated hint in the gay community that Lin Ze had only heard about but never experienced firsthand. For some reason, it gave him goosebumps.

“I… I’ve read the textbooks you wrote before.”

“Are you here for the conference too?”

“Yes,” Lin Ze replied.

“Which room are you staying in? Did you come alone?”

“Uh, I’m not staying at this hotel.”

The famous journalist was about to say something more when Lin Ze hurriedly cut him off. “I… I should go now. Goodbye.”

This was the first time Lin Ze felt somewhat flustered. He had only wanted to express his admiration, but now he felt a bit disillusioned. His thoughts were complicated as he walked out, where Situ Ye was waiting for him.

“Is it over already?” Situ Ye asked.

“Just signing in is enough. Let’s go. What were you looking at?”

“I was chatting with a college student. Take a look.”

Situ Ye showed Lin Ze his iPhone, which had Jack’d open.

“You’ve already hooked someone in just a few days! Are you meeting up with him?”

Situ Ye tilted his head to look at Lin Ze. “Do you want to, or should I?”

“You’re the one who hooked him, so of course it’s up to you. Why would I get involved?”

Situ Ye laughed. “Forget it. I was just bored and wanted someone to chat with.”

Lin Ze egged him on: “Call him out! What if there’s chemistry?”

The two returned to the hotel first. Lin Ze put away the materials and went out to have fun with Situ Ye. Situ Ye called out the guy he met on Jack’d. The guy claimed to be a student at Tsinghua, but Lin Ze could tell at a glance that he was already working in society—he just didn’t bother to expose him. Situ Ye chatted idly with the guy, and the three of them went to the Forbidden City.

After meeting, Situ Ye didn’t like the guy much either. The guy was eager to go to a hotel with Situ Ye. Lin Ze glanced sideways at Situ Ye, and the two made an excuse to return to the hotel, said goodbye to the guy, and went to eat Peking duck.

The duck was a bit greasy, not much different from what they had in Chongqing. It was their first time trying the authentic version. Situ Ye had originally planned to invite the online friend to join them, but the group-buying voucher they purchased was for four people. After eating, Lin Ze felt like his whole body was about to “seem-da”, his brain stuffed full of pancakes, duck, and duck noodle soup. Back at the hotel, he lay on the bed for a long time to recover. Luckily, Situ Ye had brought digestive medicine.

“I’m never eating Peking duck again this year,” Lin Ze groaned.

Situ Ye laughed. “Eat your fill once, and you won’t crave it later.”

The next day, Lin Ze asked a friend to sign in for him and went out to have fun with Situ Ye again.

Situ Ye had researched the itinerary in great detail, handling everything from tickets and transportation to snacks and drinks. Lin Ze just had to follow along. Walking past the entrance of the Forbidden City, they heard a young man shouting through a loudspeaker, “Little master, your lost baby is waiting for you at [REDACTED] front.” Lin Ze almost got lost several times himself and couldn’t help but feel touched. Situ Ye was actually quite good at taking care of people—it was almost as if he was treating Lin Ze like a girlfriend, arranging everything from drinks to food. He even made a fake student ID and used his youthful face to get into attractions.

“So beautiful!” Situ Ye exclaimed on a road lined with maple trees. “Boss, walk down the road, and I’ll take a photo of you.”

“Not interested. I’m not that vain,” Lin Ze replied. “Take it yourself.”

“Come on, come on,” Situ Ye urged. “Hurry up.”

Lin Ze looked helpless.

“I’ll take it with you. Come on.”

He set up the camera on the road and adjusted it. Lin Ze moved closer, and the two stood very close as they checked the framing.

“This angle looks good.”

Situ Ye glanced at Lin Ze. They were silent for a moment before he said, “I set the timer. Hurry!”

He then helped Lin Ze take off his suit jacket.

“What are you doing?!” Lin Ze exclaimed.

“Hook it over your shoulder like this. Yes! That’s so cool!”

Situ Ye walked onto the path, and the two strolled down a long corridor lined with falling maple leaves. Lin Ze wore a white dress shirt with his suit jacket hooked over his shoulder, while Situ Ye wore a V-neck sweater over a warm plaid shirt, his hands lazily tucked into his pockets as he walked side by side with Lin Ze.

“Turn your head—”

“You’re way too vain,” Lin Ze teased.

Both of them laughed. Behind them, the camera clicked, capturing the moment.

That evening, Zhao Yuhang invited them to dinner and said he wanted to introduce them to some friends. Lin Ze was a bit nervous and kept checking himself in the mirror at the hotel.

“You look great,” Situ Ye assured him.

“Really?” Lin Ze looked at his reflection. His eyebrows were well-shaped—two sharp arches that gave him a handsome, youthful look. He tried to dress more maturely and added, “I don’t know who Zhao Yuhang wants to introduce us to. I feel like I still look too young.”

“What’s wrong with looking young? If you want to look like an uncle, just wear a tie.”

Lin Ze tried on a tie but felt it was too formal. “Where’s your suit vest? Lend it to me. That one looks good.”

Situ Ye: “Are you going on a blind date?! You don’t need to go that far!”

Lin Ze: “Watch your tone when talking to your boss.”

Situ Ye went to get the vest. His chest was slightly slimmer than Lin Ze’s, and the vest was custom-made. Lin Ze even put on Situ Ye’s shirt and looked in the mirror—it was very fitted and stylish. All he needed was a hat to look like a traitor from ‘Shanghai Beach.’

“Now you’re the boss,” Lin Ze said, sighing at his reflection—what a pity for such a beauty to play the villain—before adding, “I’ll be the photographer. Boss, you go first. I’ll be your lackey.”

“I hope Uncle Zhao doesn’t take us to eat Peking duck again.”

“He won’t. At the very least, it’ll be seafood or a high-end restaurant. I’m guessing a buffet. Mind your manners, and don’t give him any nicknames. Call him Brother Zhao, and be careful not to slip up.”

Lin Ze took a taxi to the restaurant and nearly fainted as soon as he sat down.

A huge plate of Peking duck was on the table.

Zhao Yuhang beamed. “Come on, let me introduce you. This is my good friend, Ke Maoguo, an army officer.”

Lin Ze knew Zhao Yuhang was trying to set him up, but he had no interest in military men. He smiled. “Hello, Brother Ke.”

“Hello, Brother Ke,” Situ Ye echoed. Though he often failed to recognize important people, this time he could tell—this man had a calm, capable demeanor.

Ke Maoguo smiled. “Hello, Lin Ze.” Then, turning to Zhao Yuhang, he added, “He looks a bit like that celebrity… what’s his name?”

Zhao Yuhang didn’t know who Ke Maoguo was referring to either. This was the first time Lin Ze had been told he resembled a celebrity. He figured Ke Maoguo wasn’t into pop culture and was probably thinking of some obscure talent show contestant or TV drama newcomer… so he just smiled. Zhao Yuhang ordered red wine, and the four of them started eating. Lin Ze had just eaten Peking duck the day before and now felt like banging his head against the wall at the sight of it. But not wanting to spoil the mood, he smiled and said, “Yeah, I’ve been wanting to try Peking duck for a while.”

The four of them sat there, and Lin Ze felt like he was on a blind date—awkward beyond words. However, Ke Maoguo was quite witty. Though he didn’t talk much, his presence made it clear he was the leader, while Zhao Yuhang was just a sidekick.

“It’s fine if you can’t drink. I’ll finish my glass; you can take your time.”

Zhao Yuhang was in high spirits. “Reporters who can’t drink? Come on! I know you Sichuan folks can hold your liquor! I won’t drink—I’ll be the designated driver!”

Lin Ze drank and gradually became more talkative. He knew some military gossip and insider stories, so he chatted with Ke Maoguo about many things, including military exercises in Chongqing. Ke Maoguo occasionally commented but avoided sensitive topics with a smile.

After the meal, Lin Ze kept saying he was full, but Zhao Yuhang kept stuffing him with more duck. Lin Ze thought, I’ll just take more digestive pills later.

Before leaving, Ke Maoguo joked, “A’Ze, don’t go publishing the insider info I gave you as news, okay?”

Lin Ze laughed. “I won’t. I was just curious. Besides, even if I dared to write it, the newspapers wouldn’t let me publish it, right?”

Ke Maoguo nodded. During their conversation, Lin Ze learned Ke Maoguo’s military rank. When he tried to ask his age, Ke Maoguo held up four fingers.

Lin Ze was shocked. Forty?! He looked no older than thirty. Ke Maoguo was a bit tanned, with a sturdy build and slightly rough skin. His hair was short, the kind of man who looked thirty at twenty and still thirty at forty.

After the meal, Zhao Yuhang even packed a whole Peking duck for Lin Ze to take back. Lin Ze and Situ Ye immediately turned pale.

“I’ll take Situ back,” Zhao Yuhang said. “Brother Ke, how about you…”

Ke Maoguo nodded. Lin Ze knew Zhao Yuhang was giving them time to talk alone. He didn’t want to date Ke Maoguo—being friends was fine. Ke Maoguo was fifteen or sixteen years older, and Lin Ze wasn’t into older men or military types. He figured if Ke Maoguo made any advances, he’d just politely decline.

At eight o’clock, under the glow of streetlights, Ke Maoguo, slightly tipsy, walked with Lin Ze.

“Brother Ke, are you married?” Lin Ze asked.

“My kid is eight years old,” Ke Maoguo gestured.

Lin Ze nodded, wondering if he was divorced. “I heard from Zhao Yuhang that you just ended a relationship?”

“Yes, due to objective factors.”

“Two years ago, I dated a young man too. He was hardworking, ambitious, and talented.”

“You broke up later? Why?”

They walked slowly under the bright lights. Ke Maoguo’s posture—whether standing, sitting, or walking—was upright. Though he was the same height as Lin Ze, he exuded the steadfastness of a pine tree, and his words carried a sense of security.

This kind of man made you feel protected in his presence. He spoke to Lin Ze like an older brother, casually.

“He wanted to study design abroad. I sent him to Germany. We haven’t been in touch for a long time. Youth is a wonderful thing.”

Lin Ze nodded, guessing the other guy had used Ke Maoguo as a stepping stone. The way Ke Maoguo casually mentioned the relationship showed a breezy confidence. Ke Maoguo was doing well in Beijing, so his marriage was likely tied to his career. The truth could be inferred: in the military system, climbing the ranks meant never revealing one’s homosexuality. The only possibility was that Ke Maoguo had married, had a child, and maintained the facade of a happy family while dating handsome young men on the side.

China had twenty million “tongqi”¹tongqi: wives of gay men. Society, the system, and the quality of gay men themselves had created this vast group of victims. Lin Ze didn’t approve of such behavior, but he had no right to interfere in others’ personal lives. The only way forward was through advocacy, legislation, and challenging traditional Chinese values.

This path was undoubtedly long, like the relationship between the gay community and AIDS. Lin Ze even doubted he’d live to see change. But he believed that as more people paid attention to and understood these issues, their thoughts, opinions, and voices of condemnation would converge into waves that pushed for broader societal transformation, leading to a more orderly future.

“I feel like, for people like you,” Lin Ze said carefully, trying to tactfully decline Ke Maoguo’s interest, “relationships have become a kind of… pastime. Not that I’m judging.”

“Not necessarily.” Ke Maoguo placed a hand on Lin Ze’s shoulder and explained, “I know what you’re thinking. You’ve misunderstood me. I’m not some ‘second-generation official’ or ‘second-generation military brat’ like people online say nowadays.”

“Hmm?”

He was starting to get a bit interested in Ke Maoguo. “Brother Ke, are you raising your child alone?”

“Didn’t Xiao Zhao tell you? His family and mine are similar. Mine is another kind of ‘marriage of convenience.’ My parents and a nanny are raising the child. His mother mostly lives with her own family. Among our circle of friends, it’s an open secret, so there’s no need to hide it from you.”

Lin Ze nodded. “Does your wife know about your… situation?”

“There’s no hiding it from her. Even her parents know. But as long as we don’t divorce, everyone coexists peacefully. Her father has some influence. I married her when I was thirty-two. She doesn’t love me and has her own partner.”

“But her father wouldn’t let her choose freely. You know how military families are—strict fathers. We each got what we needed. After marriage, we don’t interfere in each other’s private lives.”

Lin Ze understood. He hadn’t expected this to involve two families. It was another tangled mess. The two fell silent, each lost in thought. Then Lin Ze’s phone rang—it was Zhao Yuhang. Lin Ze thought he had already dropped Situ Ye off at the hotel and was coming back to pick them up.

But the call went: “Lin Ze, I’ve invited a few people. Let’s go to Cashbox KTV²Cashbox KTV: a well known chain of upscale karaoke bars in China to sing!”

“…”

Ke Maoguo had been quiet. “Probably not. I should go back and help Situ Ye organize the conference materials…”

“Situ Ye is already with me! I’ve invited a few friends. It’s fine.”

Ke Maoguo looked at Lin Ze questioningly. “Zhao Yuhang wants to go sing.”

“I don’t mind. Since we’re already out, do you have work to do tonight?”

Since Situ Ye had already been taken by Zhao Yuhang, Lin Ze couldn’t refuse. “Alright, which Cashbox? We’ll take a taxi.”

Ke Maoguo signaled for him to wait and took the phone. “Xiao Zhao, we’ll go ourselves. No need to pick us up.”

He hung up, took out his own phone, and called for a ride. Lin Ze thought it was a good time to exchange numbers—it’d be rude not to. “Brother Ke, what’s your number?”

Ke Maoguo gave him his number. “This is my private line.”

Lin Ze understood and saved the number before calling it.

Ke Maoguo saved Lin Ze’s number. “How do you like the capital? When are you heading back?”

Ke Maoguo spoke and acted with great seriousness. Lin Ze wasn’t sure how to turn him down. “It’s nice. Very… traditionally quaint. I’ll leave after the conference ends. Tomorrow night, probably?”

“I know about your conference. At the Beijing Hotel?”

Lin Ze smiled. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

After just a few sentences, a Jeep arrived. Lin Ze opened the door for Ke Maoguo, and they headed to the place Zhao Yuhang had mentioned.

Zhao Yuhang had booked a large private room where five or six people were already seated. Situ Ye looked somewhat reluctant. He nodded at Ke Maoguo when they entered, then lowered his head to fiddle with his camera.

The others greeted them politely. No one knew Ke Maoguo, who said, “Have fun. Don’t mind me.” His presence alone subdued the group of gay men.

Lin Ze and Ke Maoguo sat on another couch. Lin Ze grabbed an ashtray. It seemed Ke Maoguo didn’t frequent karaoke bars. Lin Ze himself didn’t like singing with strangers, so he sat in the corner chatting with Ke Maoguo.

“What’s your position at the newspaper?”

Lin Ze smiled self-deprecatingly. “Just a regular reporter.”

“Being a reporter is tough.”

“It’s alright. What I like is the flexible schedule.”

“Not bad.”

The room was dimly lit. Zhao Yuhang came over to ask Ke Maoguo to order drinks, but he waved him off, not drinking or singing, just sitting quietly. Meanwhile, Situ Ye was telling the newcomers about places he’d visited.

Lin Ze and Ke Maoguo sat on the couch near the door, feeling a bit out of place—not quite like a couple. Lin Ze treated Ke Maoguo as a mature, steady older brother and started talking about his work in journalism.

Ke Maoguo listened for a long time. “This line of work isn’t easy. A friend told me there aren’t many journalists with a ‘professional conscience’ left in the news industry.”

“‘Professional conscience’… I think the term itself is problematic. It’s like when people say ‘so-and-so is an honest official.’ The very existence of ‘honest officials’ proves the legal system is flawed.”

Ke Maoguo nodded.

Lin Ze noticed Ke Maoguo reaching for his pocket and took out a lighter. He offered Lin Ze a cigarette, lit it, and Lin Ze smiled. “So if the journalism industry needs ‘professional conscience’ as praise, it means something’s wrong. The industry is sick and needs treatment.”

“I used to believe in that for a while.”

Lin Ze figured Ke Maoguo had seen his share of darkness in the military. “And now?”

Ke Maoguo chuckled. Lin Ze shook his head, realizing he still sounded a bit naive in front of him, and changed the subject to gay community gossip. Ke Maoguo rarely interacted with Beijing’s gay scene and was intrigued by some of Lin Ze’s stories, asking a few questions. Lin Ze answered, even mentioning Xie Chenfeng.

Ke Maoguo was a great listener. Talking to him about personal matters felt safe, and his deep voice was comforting.

So Lin Ze shared some things about Xie Chenfeng. Ke Maoguo just listened and nodded. Lin Ze didn’t mention Xie Chenfeng’s illness, only saying he had health issues, went to Guangzhou, and they separated.

“You still love him.”

Lin Ze was quiet for a long time before nodding. “Yes, I can’t forget him. I didn’t even get to say goodbye properly.”

Lin Ze knew this was his way of subtly signaling that, regardless of Ke Maoguo’s intentions, he wasn’t ready for a relationship—at least not now.

Their conversation was often interrupted by karaoke, making it a slow-paced chat. When the music quieted, Lin Ze and Ke Maoguo talked casually. When someone started singing, they just watched the screen in silence. This rhythm gave Lin Ze time to think, allowing them to exchange meaningful messages between the lines.

Zhao Yuhang was singing Legend: “Just because I took one more glance at you in the crowd…” Situ Ye seemed to remember something and glanced at Lin Ze. Lin Ze leaned back on the couch, lost in thought. The alcohol from earlier was hitting him, making his mind foggy. After a while, he suddenly said, “Brother Ke, I need to make a call.”

Ke Maoguo gestured for him to go ahead. Lin Ze stepped out, closed the door, and walked to a corner, staring at his phone with mixed feelings before finally dialing the number. The call connected.

“A’Ze,” Xie Chenfeng’s voice sounded tense.

The line was quiet. Lin Ze said, “Nothing urgent. Just checking in.”

Xie Chenfeng laughed softly. “I know.”

“What are you up to?” Lin Ze asked.

“Just turned off the lights, lying in bed, thinking of you, can’t sleep. You finally called me.”

“Get some rest. Goodnight.”

“Wait! Don’t hang up. Are you at home? Is Zheng Jie there? Have you eaten?”

“I’m in Beijing for work. Have you settled in?”

Lin Ze asked about Xie Chenfeng’s recent life. Xie Chenfeng calmed down and explained he was sharing an apartment with a volunteer. The weather in Guangzhou was cooler now, and work was fine—he made over 3,000 yuan a month and cooked for himself. His workplace was behind Tianhe City.

“How’s your health? Don’t overwork yourself.”

Xie Chenfeng sounded fine, which reassured Lin Ze. He added, “It’s under control. No need for medication during the latency period, and testing is free. Come see for yourself if you don’t believe me.”

Lin Ze hummed in acknowledgment. The two fell silent for nearly a minute.

“A’Ze, I love you.”

“Xie Chenfeng, I hate you.”

“If you don’t love me, why did you call?”

“I just wanted to know if you were dead or infecting others. I’d be happy if you were dead.”

“You’re not that kind of person. You’re afraid I’ll die. You can’t let go.”

Lin Ze didn’t respond to that. “Are you seeing anyone?”

“No. None of the other patients are my type.”

Lin Ze murmured, “Hmm, good luck.”

“You too.”

Lin Ze hung up and leaned against the wall. A moment later, Zhao Yuhang slid out with lightning speed.

Lin Ze thought the private room was on fire from his dramatic entrance and was about to ask when Zhao Yuhang urgently signaled him to stay quiet and answered his phone.

“I’m at my sister’s place!” Zhao Yuhang snapped. “I told you already!”

Lin Ze: “…”

“I’ll be back soon. My nephew needed help with homework…”

A man’s voice on the other end snapped, “Put him on the phone! What subject does he need help with? I’ll tutor him!”

Zhao Yuhang lowered his voice. “It’s done. I’m coming back now.”

The man kept scolding. Lin Ze nearly laughed himself sick. Zhao Yuhang hung up and went to pay the bill.

“Let me handle it,” Lin Ze offered.

“Don’t embarrass me…”

After some back-and-forth, Zhao Yuhang finally shoved Lin Ze aside with a “double ear slap” and growled, “Lin Ze! I’m going to get chewed out all night because of you today. You’d better behave!”

“You should’ve gone home earlier.”

Zhao Yuhang led Lin Ze back into the room. “You guys have fun. I’ve got to go. Brother Ke, can you take A’Ze back to the hotel later?”

Ke Maoguo teased, “Xiao Zhao getting checked on by the wife again?”

Zhao Yuhang looked exasperated.

“I’m a bit tired. I want to go back and sleep,” Situ Ye murmured.

Lin Ze also wanted to leave. “Then I…”

“I should head back too. I need to put my son to bed. Have fun, everyone,” Ke Maoguo added.

The remaining people in the room bid him goodbye. Lin Ze hadn’t spoken to these “NPCs” the entire time. The lighting was so dim he couldn’t even see their faces clearly—they seemed like filler Zhao Yuhang had invited to pad the room.

Situ Ye, however, had gotten to know a few of them and suggested they should hang out again. Ke Maoguo led the three of them downstairs and told Zhao Yuhang, “Drive safe, Xiao Zhao.”

Zhao Yuhang, looking harried, forgot to say goodbye to Lin Ze and Situ Ye. He dashed to the parking lot and sped off.

“Brother Ke, your son is lucky to have a father like you.”

“His mother lives with her family most of the time, and my parents are getting old. I don’t want him to feel too lonely.”

“My dad never slept with me as a kid. He and my mom were always fighting.”

“But you didn’t turn out bad. Adversity can build character.”

Lin Ze burst out laughing. Ke Maoguo dropped him and Situ Ye off at the hotel and patted his shoulder. “Get some rest. Let’s stay in touch. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. It was great meeting you, Brother Ke.”

Situ Ye looked resigned and glanced at Lin Ze.

“Accompanying the boss to social events is part of the job,” Lin Ze remarked.

“Fine. The guy next to me kept trying to touch me.”

“Where?”

Situ Ye grabbed Lin Ze’s hand and pressed it against his crotch. “Here.”

“Damn it!” Lin Ze cried. “We’re in the hotel lobby!”

Situ Ye entered the room, sniffed his sweater, and muttered, “It reeks of their smoke.”

“You shower first.”

The phone rang again—Zhao Yuhang.

“Did your wife make you kneel as punishment?” Lin Ze joked.

“I haven’t gone up yet. I’m downstairs. Want to go to the Great Wall tomorrow? You free?”

“If your legs aren’t broken, maybe. Probably not, though.”

“Do you want to talk to Brother Ke?”

“Did he say something? Did he call you?”

The shower stopped running.

“No! That guy never tells anyone what he’s thinking.”

“Stop playing matchmaker. He has a wife and kid. You want me to be his son’s stepmom?! The kid would bite me to death if he found out!”

“Oh, A’Ze…”

“Brother Zhao, I don’t like guys much older than me. Plus, his circle is too complicated…”

“Those aren’t problems! If he likes you, he’ll protect you. Brother Ke treats the people he loves well. The last one…”

“I know! He told me. But how do you know he’s interested in me? He didn’t seem into me at all… and I’m not into him either…”

“…That little gay guy spent his money, cheated on him, refused to sleep with him, and Brother Ke still paid for his study abroad. What’s not to like? Why do you think I introduced him to you? He’s been lonely for too long. If you two got together, it’d be fireworks… Lin Ze, have you heard the saying? An old man in love is like an old house…”

“You’re overthinking it!” Lin Ze roared.

Zhao Yuhang continued, “You’re a great match for him in every way… He even said you look like a celebrity…”

Lin Ze: “For fuck’s sake, Zhao Benshan and Xiao Shenyang are celebrities too. Are you sure he was complimenting me?”

“Just think about it seriously,” Zhao Yuhang replied. “Brother Ke is the kind of person who cherishes his partner. He wants someone to love him and share his life. As for the kid, if you two hit it off, he’ll figure it out. His son doesn’t get along with his wife at all—he’s only eight but very mature. You’re both men. It’s not like you’d be a ‘stepmom.’ If you’re nice to his son, the kid will like you…”

Lin Ze: “This isn’t about being a stepmom. The issue is I’m not attracted to him…”

Zhao Yuhang shrugged. “That’s how matchmaking works. You need time to get to know each other. Anyway, I’ve got to go upstairs now.”

Lin Ze, torn between laughter and tears, chuckled. “Goodnight, goodnight. Got your crutches ready?”

He hung up, speechless.

“Done showering?” Lin Ze asked.

Situ Ye smiled. “Almost. Just a few more clothes.”

Lin Ze felt exhausted just talking to Zhao Yuhang. Dealing with his logic was even worse. Ke Maoguo was a great guy, but no matter how great, Lin Ze just wasn’t interested.

After some thought, he decided to send Ke Maoguo a text to thank him for his kindness. It’d be rude not to.

Lin Ze texted: [It was a pleasure meeting you in Beijing, Brother Ke. I learned a lot today. Do you eat spicy food? Next time, I’ll bring you some Chongqing beef.]

A reply came shortly after:

[I’m not picky. Thanks for the thought. I enjoyed meeting you too. If you ever need advice on relationships or work, feel free to reach out. Don’t stress too much. If you can’t let go of your past, try facing it head-on. Talk to your ex and reconcile. I support you.]

Lin Ze was surprised. Ke Maoguo was more open-minded than he’d thought. He replied with a thank-you and an invitation to visit Chongqing anytime. There was no further response.

Situ Ye came out, and Lin Ze went to shower and do laundry, only to find his clothes missing.

“Is washing the boss’s underwear also part of the job?” Lin Ze said. “From now on, I’ll wash my own underwear… okay? Situ, sometimes you’re too enthusiastic. I can’t handle it.”

Situ Ye: “I just mixed them up by accident and washed yours thinking they were mine… I was confused because I’d already washed mine yesterday, so why were they there again today…”

Lin Ze: “…”

• 1
  tongqi: wives of gay men
• 2
  Cashbox KTV: a well known chain of upscale karaoke bars in China