BOSF 030: Date

At 9:30 AM, Ji Yan took Xiang Yang to the village bus stop.

Ji Yan didn’t go out often, but he knew there were bookstores and art supply shops near his high school. The bus stop was quiet that early, mostly filled with teens like him, brimming with curiosity about the outside world. Older folks, like his parents, preferred staying in the insular village.

Taking Xiang Yang out made Ji Yan a bit nervous. He knew Xiang Yang rarely ventured far and worried he might not adjust or that something unexpected could happen. He recalled Li Lilian saying Xiang Yang once refused to walk to school, turning back home, only going after several tries.

Ji Yan was concerned but thought if Xiang Yang didn’t want to go, they could stay—it wasn’t essential.

When the bus arrived, Xiang Yang seemed tense but didn’t resist strongly, just kept looking back at Ji Yan. Ji Yan held his arm, gently guiding him onto the bus.

The back of the bus had four rows, each with four seats—two on the left, two on the right, with an aisle in between. Ji Yan picked a row, seating Xiang Yang by the window and himself by the aisle.

The bus’s privacy seemed to ease Xiang Yang’s nerves. But as it moved, he kept glancing out, looking back at the village.

Knowing Xiang Yang was likely anxious, Ji Yan wanted to comfort him but hesitated with others around. Thinking it over, he took off his thin sunscreen jacket, draped it over their laps, and secretly held Xiang Yang’s hand underneath.

Despite the warm weather, Xiang Yang’s fingers were cold, his palm slightly sweaty.

Xiang Yang’s fingers paused, then, realizing who held him, he turned to Ji Yan, interlocking their fingers.

Their hands clasped tightly.

With a focus for his gaze, Xiang Yang’s tension seemed to ease, his eyes fixed on Ji Yan.

But before Ji Yan could relax, Xiang Yang leaned closer.

“Xiang Yang…” 

Ji Yan realized his intent and pushed him back, blushing, whispering, “Not outside…”

Spending so much time together, especially in private, had made them overly affectionate. Ji Yan found Xiang Yang’s actions adorable, his frequent kisses perhaps rubbing off on him, becoming a reflex.

Rejected, Xiang Yang showed no reaction, just looked at Ji Yan before turning back to the window.

Ji Yan felt inexplicably guilty. Glancing around, he saw others sleeping, scrolling phones, or watching scenery—nobody noticed them. He’d overreacted.

Still, kissing openly in public was beyond him. But…

He glanced at Xiang Yang’s profile, then closed his eyes, resting his head on his shoulder. Pretending to sleep was fine, right?

Feeling the weight, Xiang Yang glanced over, then leaned his head against Ji Yan’s, gently nuzzling his soft hair.

Their hands stayed clasped under the jacket the whole ride.

Ji Yan led Xiang Yang off at his school’s stop. As shops opened, the streets grew busier. Xiang Yang stood on the sidewalk, looking around, everything unfamiliar yet intriguing, his gaze steady and calm.

Though distracted, Xiang Yang snapped back when Ji Yan called, far better than other autistic kids who might wander. Each case was unique, but Ji Yan could see Xiang Yang’s progress, most noticeable during their nearly two-year separation. It was as if Xiang Yang had desperately tried to fit into the world, to stay close to Ji Yan, unwilling to lose him again.

Ji Yan felt it deeply. That’s why, after reuniting, he could face his feelings openly. Xiang Yang had touched his heart.

Not wanting to linger too long in case Xiang Yang felt uneasy, Ji Yan led him straight to a bookstore. Its quiet, private atmosphere might comfort him, a reason Ji Yan felt safe bringing him here.

Having visited before, Ji Yan guided Xiang Yang to the art book section, letting him choose.

Xiang Yang stared at the shelves, slightly lost, then looked at Ji Yan.

Ji Yan pulled out books he thought were good, showing Xiang Yang different styles and themes, flipping pages and asking which he liked.

The bookstore, newly opened, was quiet with soft music, perfect for browsing, and the staff didn’t rush them.

They sat on the wooden floor, sharing a book. Ji Yan was endlessly patient, never bored, while Xiang Yang, oddly focused in this new setting, listened to Ji Yan’s voice and absorbed the book’s contents.

They browsed flowers, animals, watercolors, and comics. To Ji Yan’s surprise, Xiang Yang chose a monster guide—dinosaurs, deep-sea creatures, mythical beasts, and legendary beings.

Ji Yan had guessed wrong, laughing but finding Xiang Yang’s childlike interests and dreams endearing. He paid for the book and took Xiang Yang for lunch.

The heat left them sweaty after eating.

Not just Xiang Yang, Ji Yan wasn’t fond of going out either. After buying the book, he was unsure what to do next. Not wanting to take a stuffy bus home in the heat, he checked his wallet and took Xiang Yang to a movie to enjoy the air conditioning.

Near his school was a second-run theater showing films no longer in major cinemas, where one ticket covered two movies. Affordable, it was a student hangout.

Perhaps because of summer break, the theater was surprisingly empty.

No assigned seats meant they could sit anywhere. Ji Yan bought tickets and led Xiang Yang inside, finding the middle back row taken, so they settled in the left corner’s back row.

Xiang Yang sat in the corner, relaxed by the dim lights despite others around, less anxious than outside.

The theater’s air conditioning was strong, almost too cold. Ji Yan put his jacket back on, and here, he could hold Xiang Yang’s hand openly.

Though just a trip to buy something, this felt like their first date.

As the movie started and lights dimmed, the screen’s effects drew Xiang Yang’s attention. He watched, yet seemed not to, his dark eyes reflecting the flickering light.

Ji Yan watched briefly before turning to Xiang Yang. Moments later, Xiang Yang looked back.

Recalling Xiang Yang leaning close on the bus and being rejected, Ji Yan cupped his face, kissing his lips to make up for it.

Xiang Yang’s attention shifted from the movie, focusing on Ji Yan. As Ji Yan pulled back, Xiang Yang pressed his lips forward.

This kiss lasted longer.

They left halfway through the second movie.

At 2:30 PM, the streets grew busier. Ji Yan decided to head home, worried about bus seats and wanting Xiang Yang to ease into new environments, this being his first outing.

At the school’s bus stop, Ji Yan unexpectedly ran into classmates.

Several boys in sports clothes, likely playing at school during break, recognized him. 

“Ji Yan.”

Ji Yan, still holding Xiang Yang’s arm, didn’t let go, meeting their curious gazes. 

“You guys playing ball?”

“Yeah.”

His classmates were smart and kind. Despite high school’s pressures, they didn’t judge struggling students and happily helped with questions—a new experience for Ji Yan. He didn’t avoid them, introducing Xiang Yang. 

“This is my neighbor, Xiang Yang.”

Noticing Xiang Yang’s disinterest in responding, he added, “He’s a bit shy, because of his autism.”

The boys didn’t judge, greeting Xiang Yang normally, chatting cheerfully, and even asking about him without exclusion.

Ji Yan noticed their reaction differed from the villagers’. They treated Xiang Yang as a quiet but normal person, not shying away.

Their kindness wasn’t just goodwill—it came from education and broader perspectives. They understood autism, making it unremarkable, like Ji Yan’s own research-driven curiosity.

Though the condition was Xiang Yang’s, Ji Yan found validation. Climbing higher broadened one’s view, shielding them from judgmental stares. The village, like a frog’s well, was confining.

This strengthened Ji Yan’s resolve to take Xiang Yang away someday, to a place where he’d be accepted.