Chapter 30

Spring arrived, and the humidity instantly soaked the entire Mountain City. The light rain seemed endless, enveloping the world in a sticky layer of moisture. Every day on his way to work, Lin Ze couldn’t help but wonder—going to work, coming home, eating, sleeping—when would it ever end?

After working for several years, he had saved up 50,000 yuan, enough for a down payment—but only enough to buy a bathroom. The cheapest small apartment would require a 20-year mortgage, let alone buying a car. After scrimping and saving, all that hard-earned money was just a drop in the bucket compared to the soaring prices. Ten years ago, when Begonia Courtyard was only 2,000 yuan per square meter, he was still in high school. Back then, just over 100,000 yuan would have been enough to buy a home.

Now, 100,000 yuan wasn’t even enough for renovations and appliances.

Lin Ze looked at the new real estate developments outside the light rail. Every day, developers in this city were building and selling properties, yet not a single unit was within his reach.

“Hey,” Lin Ze called.

“Hmm?” Situ Ye, holding onto the light rail pole, didn’t look up. “What?”

Lin Ze suddenly didn’t know what to say. After that night, he and Situ Ye had reverted to this ambiguous relationship—not quite lovers, not quite friends. Lin Ze took care of him as his superior, but he had no idea what Situ Ye was thinking.

Situ Ye had been chatting on his phone all morning. He put it away and asked, “How many more stops?”

“We’re here,” Lin Ze replied simply, leading Situ Ye off the train. Situ Ye hadn’t been doing much work lately, mostly resting. Lin Ze planned to let him resume driving after the Qingming Festival holiday. Most of the time, Situ Ye had been hanging out with Yang Zhiyuan.

Not long ago, Zhao Yuhang had called—after returning, he had reconciled with Xiao Bai. This was within Lin Ze’s expectations. Breaking up, making up, quarreling, and making up again—that’s how life went. Lin Ze actually envied them—at least they had someone to argue with every day.

“Tomorrow, I’m going with Zheng Jie to help him pick up girls,” Lin Ze mentioned.

“I’m not going,” Situ Ye replied expressionlessly. “It’s my time off.”

“Fine, suit yourself. Where are you going?”

He had originally thought Situ Ye could take some photos of Zheng Jie and Rongrong, but Situ Ye seemed to be sulking, so Lin Ze let it go. He knew a bit about photography too, though not as well as Situ Ye.

“Going out with Brother Yang. To Chengdu.”

“Can I borrow your camera?”

Situ Ye neither agreed nor refused. Lin Ze knew he didn’t want to lend it, so he muttered, “Never mind, I have a digital one too.”

They arrived at the office. Situ Ye didn’t speak a word all morning, just kept texting. Lin Ze wasn’t in a great mood either. After the weekly meeting, he started working on the news—mostly trivial matters. He planned to do a feature on the top ten romantic dating spots in Chongqing: the cherry blossoms behind the business school in Nanping were nice in spring; dining by the riverside on Nanbin Road was great; flying kites on the riverbank at Ciqikou was fun… Spring had arrived, and a long-dormant emotion was stirring in his heart.

After gathering some photos, he realized Situ Ye’s folder already had them all. He gave a quick heads-up and used them directly—after all, payment was based on photo usage, so this would earn Situ Ye 700 yuan.

The original title for the feature was “Chasing Spring,” but after some thought, he changed it to “Romantic Spring, Citywide Love.”

“Eh?” a reporter chimed in. “Boss, are you in love recently?”

Lin Ze replied offhandedly, “No.”

Another colleague laughed. “Why do a feature like this, then?”

“Is it bad?” Lin Ze asked, still looking at his phone.

Situ Ye smiled. “What are you doing?”

Lin Ze showed him his phone—he was chatting with someone on Jack’d. Situ Ye looked for a while and commented, “This guy’s not bad. He’s your type.”

He tapped on an avatar—a tall, skinny guy who looked like a bamboo pole.

Lin Ze glanced at Situ Ye, wondering why he seemed like a different person. Another male reporter, intrigued, asked, “Which one? Let me see?”

Lin Ze: “…”

Situ Ye: “…”

“Hey, what’s this?!”

“Shake!” Lin Ze blurted out.

“Shake,” Situ Ye echoed.

They both swiftly put their phones away. The male colleague asked, “A hookup app? Any girls on there?”

“No, no,” they said in unison. Lin Ze put on a stern face. “Go do your interviews.”

The reporter left, bored. The office was now just Lin Ze and Situ Ye. After a moment, Lin Ze took out his phone again and clicked on the guy Situ Ye had mentioned.

“Let me help you set it up,” Situ Ye offered with a grin.

“Never mind, I’ll do it myself.”

He realized Situ Ye was being unpredictable—one moment acting like an enemy, the next all smiles. In front of colleagues was one thing, but now, alone in the office, the guy seemed to be in a good mood again.

“Let me, let me,” Situ Ye insisted. “I’ll help you reel one in. Watch me.”

Lin Ze: “…”

Resigned, Lin Ze handed him the phone. Situ Ye started chatting with the guy, very focused. Lin Ze didn’t watch, instead organizing his files.

At lunch, Situ Ye announced, “Done. He agreed to go out with you on Saturday.”

Lin Ze hummed in acknowledgment.

“I’m moving out today. Going back to my place.”

“Do what you want.”

“Give me the keys.”

Lin Ze thought for a moment, then silently took off his house keys and handed them to Situ Ye. Maybe some distance was good—if they weren’t dating, living together was awkward. They each needed their own space after work. He added, “Let’s go back together. Zheng Jie can help you move tonight.”

“No need. I don’t have much—just a bag. I’ll pack up and go.”

Lin Ze suddenly noticed a faint red mark on Situ Ye’s wrist when he reached out. He’d seen it before, but after the cast was removed, Situ Ye’s skin had paled, making the mark more noticeable.

Situ Ye took the keys and quickly pulled his sleeve down to cover his wrist.

“What’s that?”

Situ Ye smiled.

“Did you cut yourself?”

“Just an old scratch. Bye.”

After work, Lin Ze returned home to find Situ Ye had already moved out. He kept wondering if he should talk to Situ Ye again. But what was there to say? Maybe it was better to go back to how things were before. Some things, once said, could ruin even a friendship. Living separately and staying colleagues was fine. No wonder people said office romances were a bad idea—there really were no benefits.

His phone rang. Zheng Jie mumbled, “A’Ze… I need you… Where are you…?”

Lin Ze knew immediately he’d been dumped again. “Starbucks at Bei Cheng Tian Street. I’ll wait for you.”

Lin Ze didn’t feel like going home—he didn’t know what to say if he ran into Situ Ye. He sat at Starbucks instead. When Zheng Jie arrived, he stared blankly at Lin Ze.

Lin Ze stared back. After a moment, Zheng Jie said, “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

“I also have good news and bad news…”

They both laughed. Zheng Jie bought coffee while Lin Ze calculated last month’s expenses on his iPad. Zheng Jie brought the coffee over. “You go first. The good news.”

“Good news is, Situ Ye and I won’t be fighting at home anymore.”

Zheng Jie: “Oh. Bad news is he moved out, right?”

Lin Ze hummed.

“He texted me today.”

“What did he say?”

“Just thanked me for taking care of him. That’s it. Want me to ask him to come back?”

“No. We’re not dating. Let him be. He’ll leave eventually anyway. It’s better if we’re not too close. What’s your good news?”

“Good news is, starting today, I’m doing all the housework!”

Lin Ze: “???”

“Because the bad news is, I quit my job.”

Lin Ze frowned. “Why?”

“I was doing fine, but headquarters wanted to transfer me to a new branch and let some connected guy take over my current store. I’d have to start from scratch there, and the place is dead. I was pissed, so I quit.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me first?”

Zheng Jie stayed silent, looking at him. Lin Ze was speechless. Sales jobs were hard to come by, and Zheng Jie had finally been doing well. Quitting like this was reckless.

Lin Ze thought for a moment. “Did you ask your girlfriend?”

Zheng Jie nodded. Seeing his dejected, pitiful expression, Lin Ze suddenly felt bad for him. When Lin Ze had quit his job, Zheng Jie had said, “Quit then. It’s just an extra pair of chopsticks. You won’t starve.” Remembering this, Lin Ze smiled. “Quit then. Laozi will take care of you, eh.”

Zheng Jie laughed. “I’ll find another job.”

“Alright. Let’s go out to eat tonight—celebrate your resignation.”

Zheng Jie laughed heartily. That night, they went for hot pot. Tomorrow, they were meeting Rongrong, so they needed to buy her a gift. Lin Ze asked Zheng Jie how much savings he had left. The answer: 3,225 yuan. Lin Ze nearly collapsed. How could you quit with so little savings?! What about the year-end bonus? Zheng Jie said the bonus was being withheld—others would get theirs in April, but his was uncertain. Headquarters had planned this. Today, he’d argued with the managers in front of the boss, then stormed out.

Lin Ze thought—Zheng Jie was about to start paying his mortgage. Now he had a girlfriend to support too. God, what were they going to do? But after thinking it over, he didn’t say anything. Zheng Jie knew the situation. Lately, he’d been working nonstop, even on weekends. At this rate, he’d be sick by his thirties. Not worth it.

The pressure was too much. Let him rest for a few days.

“I’ll handle it,” Lin Ze offered.

“No, no, I’ll do it,” Zheng Jie insisted.

“Situ’s not going tomorrow, so I won’t third-wheel either. I’ve picked a spot for you two. Go have fun.”

“Come on. Rongrong’s been wanting to meet you. Your sister talks you up so much.”

Lin Ze thought for a moment, then relented. “Fine.”

After dinner, they went home. Lin Ze checked the guy Situ Ye had found on Jack’d. A message came in.

Dream-Chasing Wind: [Have fun tomorrow.]

Dreamcloud Marsh: [You too. Did you get your stuff moved?]

Dream-Chasing Wind: [Yeah.]

Lin Ze scrolled through the chat, seeing the guy Situ Ye had set him up with—21 years old. He sent a message: [Hi.]

Lonely Smoke: [?]

Lin Ze: [Free to talk?]

Lonely Smoke: [Meet now? I’m at school. Dorm’s about to lock up—can’t leave.]

Lin Ze smiled. [No, the guy who messaged you this morning was my colleague. Sorry, I didn’t explain earlier.]

Lonely Smoke: [Oh. Still meeting tomorrow?]

Lin Ze: [Yeah. What year are you?]

Lonely Smoke: [Junior.]

Lin Ze: [How’s school?]

No reply. Maybe the guy thought Lin Ze was asking too much, or maybe the vibe was too different from Situ Ye’s earlier messages. Lin Ze suddenly thought dating a student might be nice—they were innocent. After work, he could visit campus, study together, just date without sex.

Still no reply. Lin Ze got up to shower. After, he tidied the closet, putting Situ Ye’s pillow back inside. A message came.

Lonely Smoke: [It’s okay. My roommates are all gaming. I don’t really like playing with them. How old are you?]

Lin Ze: [Older than you. Already working.]

He replied occasionally while cleaning. As he organized, he found Situ Ye’s photo album—he’d forgotten to take it.

Lin Ze flipped through it—the same one Situ Ye had shown him before. He turned to the back, remembering how Situ Ye always seemed nervous when he tried to look at the last pages. What was there?

He stopped just before the end. If Situ Ye didn’t want him to see, he wouldn’t.

He closed the album and left it on the coffee table. Another message from Lonely Smoke: [Was the guy I talked to today also your colleague?]

Lin Ze: [Yeah, he’s two years older than me. Where should we meet tomorrow?]

Lonely Smoke: [You pick. I’m fine with anything.]

Lin Ze suggested a place, then got no reply. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Zheng Jie answered—Situ Ye was back.

“I forgot my photo album,” Situ Ye explained as he entered.

“It’s on the coffee table,” Lin Ze told him.

“Did you look at it?” Situ Ye asked, his gaze sharp.

Lin Ze looked back at him, confused. “No?”

Situ Ye studied him silently. Lin Ze said, “You didn’t want me to, right?”

Situ Ye nodded, seeming unconvinced. He took the album. “Goodnight, A’Ze.”

Lin Ze hummed, not seeing him out. Situ Ye left.

Lin Ze felt Situ Ye had been acting strange lately—no, very strange. He hadn’t been like this before. Was it because their relationship had changed? Maybe he should’ve looked at the last pages. Situ Ye’s behavior was baffling.

He was starting to find Situ Ye annoying—not like when they first met. When had it changed? At first, they could joke around, chat freely, work together as good friends. Now, it felt like there was a wall between them, both inexplicably distant.

But Lin Ze knew—Situ Ye had changed because of him. It was the same with his first boyfriend. At first, the guy had adored him, but after getting together, they fought, grew distant, and eventually split.

A vague feeling welled up in Lin Ze. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. After a night of thinking, he had to admit—he did like Situ Ye a little. He opened his phone. Situ Ye’s icon was still online. After a long pause, he sent a message.

Dreamcloud Marsh: [Still awake?]

Dream-Chasing Wind: [Woke up early. Heading to Chengdu today.]

Lin Ze glanced outside—still dark. 5 AM. He didn’t reply, drifting off to sleep.

“A’Ze—”

“A’Ze!!”

“A’Ze Ze Ze…”

“Ugh! I’m not going!” Lin Ze wailed. “You guys go! Stop torturing me!”

At 8 AM, Zheng Jie finally dragged Lin Ze into the bathroom. Lin Ze, dark circles under his eyes, brushed his teeth numbly. Remembering he’d made plans, he forced himself to get ready.

Lin Ze had chosen an old rural spot for Zheng Jie’s date—a secluded farmhouse. The spring mist veiled the green mountains, refreshing everyone as they stepped out of the car. Rongrong smiled. “I didn’t know this place existed!”

Zheng Jie grinned. “We came here a lot as kids. Let me show you around.”

Lin Ze stood by the car, looking wrecked, waiting for the college student. The guy was very handsome, with great skin and striking eyes. “This is Banan District?”

Lin Ze hummed. He’d slept the entire ride, still exhausted. The spring outing held no appeal. “You’re Chaoqing, right?”

The student nodded. Lin Ze gestured. “Follow me.”

Lin Ze liked Chaoqing—not effeminate, clean-cut, with a scholarly air Lin Ze had lost long ago. On the ride, while Lin Ze slept, the guy had quietly read an e-book—a novel from Qidian. Even if that wasn’t his real name, it’d do as a placeholder.

Zheng Jie and Rongrong walked ahead, chatting and laughing. Lin Ze and Wu Chaoqing followed, strolling along abandoned train tracks that wound through misty mountains, valleys, and fields, leading to a long-closed train station.

Wu Chaoqing seemed interested in Lin Ze, asking about his job. Lin Ze explained he was a reporter, and Wu Chaoqing asked about the workload, pay, etc. Lin Ze answered, but for some reason, he didn’t feel particularly drawn to the student. No desire for sex—just to treat him like a younger brother.

Wu Chaoqing studied Chinese. Seeing him, Lin Ze remembered his own college days. Wu Chaoqing asked if Lin Ze’s newspaper was hiring interns. “Not this year,” Lin Ze replied. “Try other papers. Send your résumé.”

Wu Chaoqing didn’t reply. Lin Ze walked along the tracks, occasionally glancing at Zheng Jie.

“Just walking around today?” Wu Chaoqing asked.

“Bored?”

Wu Chaoqing shook his head. “That guy up front is my childhood friend. This is his first successful relationship. Took a while.”

“What about you?”

“Two relationships,” Lin Ze admitted. “Both failed.”

“You’re such a player.”

Lin Ze laughed. “Yeah, I am.”

“You look good when you smile. Stop frowning.”

“I’ll try.”

Zheng Jie and Rongrong stopped at the station. Lin Ze balanced on the rusty tracks—like a seesaw, something he and Zheng Jie used to play on. He gestured to Wu Chaoqing. “Stand over there.”

They played for a bit, but Wu Chaoqing’s expression said it all—he was bored. Lin Ze sighed. “Let’s go.”

“Do you usually use Jack’d for hookups?”

“I don’t. How long have you used it?”

“First time. How’d you meet your exes?”

“One on Jack’d, one on a gay forum. You? Ever dated anyone?”

Wu Chaoqing shrugged. “No. Kinda want to try, though.”

Lin Ze studied his youthful face, his unfamiliarity with the gay scene. In the past, he might’ve said, “Wanna try with me?” Now, he didn’t.

After a pause, he murmured, “Oh.”

Zheng Jie called, “Let me take a pic of you two!”

“Want to?” Lin Ze asked.

Wu Chaoqing declined. Lin Ze nodded. As they stood on the old platform, Wu Chaoqing suddenly said, “I’ll head back. Meeting friends this afternoon.”

“I’ll take you.”

“No need.”

He hopped off the platform and walked toward the road, where motorcycle taxis waited. Lin Ze called after him, “Keep in touch?”

Wu Chaoqing nodded. Lin Ze paid for the ride, then rejoined Zheng Jie on the tracks.

Zheng Jie laughed. “Your turn to strike out, A’Ze!”

Rongrong, confused: “What do you mean?”

Lin Ze smiled, walking along the tracks.

“He used to mock me for failed blind dates. Now it’s his turn,” Zheng Jie explained.

Rongrong grinned. “Is A’Ze a heartthrob? Must be. Sister Yanru praises you all the time.”

“Ah, flattery. Just not a good match. Didn’t want to push it.”

He took photos of Zheng Jie and Rongrong. He could tell Rongrong genuinely liked Zheng Jie—he was happy for him. Rongrong, worried Lin Ze felt like a third wheel, kept chatting, asking about their childhood. As they talked, a car approached.

Yang Zhiyuan’s Wrangler pulled up. The door opened, and Situ Ye stepped out, a DSLR around his neck.