Chapter 26 – Jealousy

The Christmas festivities were quickly followed by New Year’s Day.

The restaurant was incredibly busy during the New Year holiday, leaving Ye Zhou with little time to see Guan Heng. Coincidentally, the school term was also nearing its end, with exams and assignments piling up. Guan Heng was swamped with work and even had to go to the school on his days off.

As a result, they barely saw each other over the next few days.

By the time Ye Zhou could finally bring a meal to Guan Heng again, a week had passed. After their kiss on Christmas night, things seemed poised to heat up between them, but something felt off. Whether it was the week-long gap before meeting again or the sudden appearance of Yue Shu, Ye Zhou felt as though he and Guan Heng had regressed to the awkward stage before their confession on Christmas.

Ye Zhou was inwardly anxious, but he didn’t let it show on the surface.

Despite appearing magnanimous when he talked with Yue Shu at the restaurant, Ye Zhou couldn’t help but be affected by Yue Shu’s words. He truly cared. He understood that everyone had their secrets, and Guan Heng would share them when he was ready, without needing anyone else’s input. But he couldn’t shake the irritation at Yue Shu’s tone, which implied an intimate knowledge of Guan Heng.

Guan Heng sensed Ye Zhou’s low mood as soon as he stepped into the office. “What’s wrong? You’re unusually quiet today.”

Ye Zhou was taken aback, then chuckled. “Am I usually loud?”

“It’s not that,” Guan Heng replied, opening the lunchbox but not starting to eat as usual. Instead, he looked intently at Ye Zhou. “What’s on your mind?”

They spent so little time together as it was, and Guan Heng’s meal times were precious. Ye Zhou suddenly felt a bit self-indulgent, sitting on the couch with his head hanging low. After a moment of silence, he said, “It’s nothing. I’m just a little jealous.”

Guan Heng smiled. “Because of Yue Shu?”

Ye Zhou didn’t respond, which was as good as confirmation. It was embarrassing to admit, but at his age, this was his first taste of jealousy. He couldn’t recall what his previous relationships were like; it seemed as though they had all been in vain.

Guan Heng didn’t shy away from the topic. “Don’t be jealous. I haven’t contacted him privately.”

Ye Zhou looked up at him and asked, “Then will you go to the alumni gathering?”

He knew asking this was selfish, clearly indicating he didn’t want Guan Heng to attend. He didn’t know how Guan Heng got along with his former classmates, but these reunions were often nostalgic, easily stirring memories of school days and rekindling old flames. Yue Shu’s attitude when he came to the restaurant that day was clear – he wanted a fair competition.

Just as Guan Heng was about to answer, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, his expression subtly changing. Apologizing to Ye Zhou, he answered the call. “Teacher.”

Though Guan Heng appeared gentle and modest on the surface, Ye Zhou had never seen him speak to anyone with such respect. Nor had he ever seen Guan Heng take calls from others during his lunch break. This person must hold a special significance to Guan Heng – perhaps it was Teacher Zhan?

Ye Zhou looked at Guan Heng, unsure if he should leave. But a glance from Guan Heng made him sit back down.

During the call, Guan Heng suddenly said, “January tenth?”

When Ye Zhou heard that date, his breath caught in his throat, and he unconsciously clenched his fists.

Guan Heng noticed Ye Zhou’s reaction out of the corner of his eye and frowned slightly. He stared at Ye Zhou, sensing something was amiss, and quickly said, “Sorry, teacher. Something has come up here. I’ll get back to you.”

After Guan Heng hung up the phone, Ye Zhou’s expression had returned to normal, but beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his breathing was still rapid.

“Ye Zhou.” Guan Heng left his seat and walked to Ye Zhou’s side. He first touched his face, calling his name twice before getting a response. “Ye Zhou?”

“Huh?” Ye Zhou looked up at Guan Heng, his gaze still a bit dazed.

Guan Heng reached out to gently massage his neck, helping him relax before asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Not… nothing.” Ye Zhou met Guan Heng’s somewhat intense gaze and swallowed the words “nothing.”

Even though Guan Heng didn’t think Ye Zhou’s reaction was solely due to the alumni gathering, he still asked, “You don’t want me to go to the alumni gathering?”

“No…” Ye Zhou wasn’t the type to lose himself in romantic fantasies. He knew that relationships weren’t child’s play, and just because he didn’t want Guan Heng to contact Yue Shu, it didn’t mean Guan Heng had to obey. Such behavior was too childish for him. Adult relationships were complicated, especially in professional settings where maintaining appearances and connections was essential. Guan Heng’s assurance that he wouldn’t contact Yue Shu privately was enough to demonstrate his stance. But there was indeed another matter Ye Zhou was concerned about, one he was hesitant to discuss. Since Guan Heng had noticed, he couldn’t hide it anymore. “I’m sorry, I overreacted. Because that day happens to be… my parents’ anniversary of death.”

Guan Heng continued to watch Ye Zhou, but his eyes softened. “Do you need me to accompany you?”

“Huh?” Ye Zhou quickly responded, “No, no need. That day, I should be going to the cemetery, so…”

Their relationship wasn’t that intimate yet, so it wouldn’t be right to ask Guan Heng to come along. Now he understood why he’d been prone to wild thoughts over the past few days – this reason likely played a role. Ye Zhou only visited the cemetery once a year, not during Qingming Festival, but on the anniversary of his parents’ death. Every year around this time, his mood tended to dip.

Ye Zhou added, “I don’t want you to go to the alumni gathering, indeed because of Yue Shu. I don’t want you to meet him, afraid that you still have feelings for him and that you’re only with me out of obligation. But since your teacher called personally, I don’t want to put you in a difficult position. I trust you, and you have your boundaries.”

This time, Guan Heng truly couldn’t refuse the alumni gathering. His hand remained on Ye Zhou’s neck, and he affectionately pinched the back of his neck. “Don’t overthink it. Ye Zhou, I chose you.”

Ye Zhou suddenly felt a tingle somewhere, unsure whether it was due to Guan Heng’s words or because he touched a sensitive spot. He blankly responded with a “Mm.”

Only after Guan Heng withdrew his hand did Ye Zhou realize his ears were burning hot. With that pinch, all his jumbled thoughts vanished. “You… hurry up and eat. Lunch break is almost over.”

Guan Heng studied Ye Zhou for a while before finally starting to eat.

Ye Zhou curiously touched the back of his neck. He hadn’t known this spot was so sensitive. Just that touch nearly elicited a reaction from him.

Ye Zhou stayed for only a short while before leaving, not lingering. Guan Heng watched Ye Zhou’s retreating back, lost in thought.