The Midnight Cake

“High school graduation photo?” Xu Chi asked, scanning his bookshelf. “What do you need that for?”

Chu Nian stood behind him, cradling a glass of ice water. His fingertips were flushed pink from the cold glass, and a thin layer of sweat still clung to his forehead—he had clearly rushed over in a hurry.

“I just thought of something,” Chu Nian replied softly.

His long lashes fluttered downward as he pressed his lips to the rim of the glass, the clear liquid flowing slowly into the red seam of his lips.

Xu Chi pulled an album from the top shelf, flipped through it, and handed it over. “Here. Lucky I didn’t throw it out.”

Chu Nian thanked him, set the glass aside, and took the album. He looked down at one specific photo. He pulled it out for a closer look. “Xu Chi, back in high school… besides you, was I close to anyone else?”

“Anyone else? Lin Tian and those guys were acquaintances at best.” Xu Chi flopped into his office chair. “With that weird temper of yours back then, I was the only one who could stand you.”

He smacked his lips. “Good thing we were friends, though, or I never would’ve been able to copy the homework of the top student in our grade.”

Chu Nian pursed his lips. It was true; for certain reasons, his personality in high school had been particularly eccentric. Aside from his good grades, he hadn’t been very likable.

His eyes scanned every face in the photo. Because so much time had passed, the image wasn’t sharp, and he barely recognized anyone. Chu Nian flipped the photo over. The names of everyone in the class were written on the back.

His eyes skimmed the list until they landed on three familiar characters, and his expression froze.

Lu Jinnian.

On his high school graduation photo… he saw the name Lu Jinnian.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Chi noticed his face turn pale and leaned in.

Chu Nian frowned. “Xu Chi, was there someone named Lu Jinnian in our class back then?”

Xu Chi propped his chin on his hand, thinking hard. “I think… maybe?”

As soon as he spoke, Chu Nian placed the photo on the desk and pointed to the name.

Xu Chi widened his eyes, following the order of the names to find the corresponding person. The person in the photo was standing in the very back corner—a spot so obscure it was easily overlooked. He had long hair that nearly touched his shoulders, and his bangs covered his eyes. He was wearing large, black-framed glasses that hid almost his entire face.

He looked absolutely nothing like the Lu Jinnian they knew now.

Furthermore, the pixel quality was poor, making the faces look like they were covered in a layer of mosaic.

“Yikes,” Xu Chi took a deep breath. “Who could tell what he looked like from this?”

He picked up his phone. “Let me ask Lin Tian and the others.”

Chu Nian nodded.

A few moments later, Xu Chi continued, “Lin Tian says he doesn’t have a strong impression of the guy, but he vaguely remembers he transferred in during their second year. His grades weren’t great, and he dropped out before taking the National College Entrance Exam.”

Thinking back, Chu Nian realized that in the year they didn’t take the exam, besides himself and Pei Yu, there really had been one other person.

“You don’t think this person is the Lu Jinnian, do you?” Xu Chi seemed to read Chu Nian’s thoughts. “No way! If they’re the same person, I’ll eat this photo right now.”

“It’s just a common name at most.”

Chu Nian bit his lip. Xu Chi had a point.

The “Lu Jinnian” in the photo looked incredibly gloomy—a person who pushed everyone away, cold and isolated in his own world. He didn’t share a single trace of the “Lu Jinnian” currently in his life.

“Maybe I’m overthinking it,” Chu Nian said slowly, dismissing the absurd thought. He then told Xu Chi about “Aeogen.”

Upon seeing the photo of the pendant, Xu Chi was slightly startled. Then his lips curled up, and he nudged Chu Nian with his elbow. “Hey, could it be one of your high school admirers? Staying mysterious just to get your attention?”

Chu Nian frowned. “I didn’t have any admirers.”

“The hell you didn’t!” Xu Chi shouted indignantly. “I know of at least four or five. Look at your face back then—you were even prettier than you are now. I used to be so jealous of how someone could be born that beautiful.”

He tapped his finger on the seventeen-year-old Chu Nian in the photo. Back then, he still had a bit of baby fat, and his mouth was pressed tight with nerves that were written all over his face.

Chu Nian’s lashes trembled as his gaze fell on the person standing next to him.

It was Pei Yu, the son of his adoptive mother, Liao Ling. They had grown up together, thick as thieves, only for Pei Yu to die at his most vibrant age.

He stood in the center, sporting a bold, radiant smile. Even the July summer sun wasn’t as bright as him. Compared to the Chu Nian beside him, he was born to attract eyes, to be the focus of a thousand crowds.

Chu Nian’s slight smile vanished. Xu Chi noticed the shift, followed his gaze, and quickly snatched the photo away, tucking it back into the album.

Fearing Chu Nian would spiral into a memory, Xu Chi watched him worriedly. When Chu Nian remained silent, Xu Chi bit his lip. “Chu Nian, what’s past is past. Don’t think about it too much.”

Chu Nian looked up, the fragmented sunlight from the window falling into his eyes. His lips trembled slightly. “I know.”

“Regardless, Pei Yu was a scumbag.” Xu Chi ground his teeth just saying the name.

“I know.”

Chu Nian didn’t realize how ghastly his complexion had become.

“So…” Xu Chi frowned, changing the subject. “How is your mother doing lately?”

Chu Nian nodded. “She’s okay. The doctor said her emotions have been stable recently, and she’s cooperating with treatment. I want to visit her while she’s asleep one of these days.”

“She still refuses to see you?” Xu Chi sighed.

“Yeah.” Chu Nian forced a stiff smile. “If I were her, I wouldn’t forgive myself either.”

Xu Chi patted his shoulder. “It had nothing to do with you. Why do you keep taking the blame?”

The room fell into a silence so deep you could hear the faint sound of breathing.

“It does,” Chu Nian said after a long time. He closed his eyes and then opened them, looking at Xu Chi.

“Back then… I actually could have saved him.”

Night had fallen.

Chu Nian sat alone in the living room, with only a floor lamp lit beside him. The warm yellow glow wrapped around him, warding off the darkness that threatened to swallow him whole.

Auntie Yang had already gone to bed. Before leaving, she had thoughtfully turned up the AC and told Chu Nian not to stay in the living room too long.

Chu Nian had agreed and watched her leave. Once she was gone, the villa felt completely deserted. He curled up on the sofa, hugging his knees. His phone screen was open to a news article stating that eight years ago today, a horrific arson case had occurred.

The culprit had been arrested on the spot and sentenced to life imprisonment a few months later. The comments section was filled with rage—some calling for the culprit’s immediate execution, others mourning the victims.

Chu Nian stared blankly at the news. His face was devoid of expression—not because he couldn’t empathize, but because he, too, was a victim of that arson.

Pei Yu had died in those roaring flames.

Chu Nian pinched the bridge of his aching nose and leaned back, sinking into the soft sofa. He stayed there until a chill began to creep over him. He sat up, put on his slippers, and prepared to go upstairs. Just as he reached the stairs, he heard the sound of the digital lock clicking.

Chu Nian paused. He turned and saw Lu Jinnian entering. His hair was windswept by the summer night, his clothes carried the scent of the outdoors, and he was carrying something in his hand.

He propped himself against the shoe cabinet, struggling to change his shoes. When he looked up and saw Chu Nian, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

[Wife…?]

Lu Jinnian clearly hadn’t expected Chu Nian to be downstairs. His crutch slipped, and his body twisted as he lost his balance.

Chu Nian instinctively reached out to go to him, but the man quickly repositioned the crutch, steadying his falling body in a strange, awkward pose.

The two of them stood there, staring at each other. The cicadas outside suddenly sounded much noisier.

“You aren’t in bed yet?” Lu Jinnian asked.

Chu Nian hesitated. “I was just about to go.”

Lu Jinnian didn’t say anything else. He used his crutch to head toward the stairs. Just as he struggled onto the first step, Chu Nian walked to his side and grabbed his arm.

Feeling the warmth on his arm, Lu Jinnian turned back, his dark eyes staring directly at him. His expression shifted through a kaleidoscope of emotions.

Feeling awkward under the gaze, Chu Nian tightened his grip on Lu Jinnian’s arm and whispered, “I’ll help you up.”

“No need,” Lu Jinnian instinctively refused.

“Your injury is severe and you’re carrying things. How are you going to get up?” Chu Nian countered calmly, taking the item from Lu Jinnian’s hand. He glanced down; it was a cake.

Lu Jinnian turned his head away awkwardly. He didn’t speak but began to cooperate with Chu Nian as they climbed the stairs.

Their bodies were close, and their warmth seemed to rise. Chu Nian felt his heart thumping in his chest; fortunately, the darkness helped hide the heat in his ears.

[Wife actually initiated closeness!]

[Why is Wife so hot…?]

[Hehe, Wife, let’s cuddle!]

Lu Jinnian clearly closed the distance between them even further. Chu Nian lowered his eyes and a small smile touched his lips. He didn’t seem as resistant to Lu Jinnian’s touch as he used to be.

The distance from the living room to the bedroom wasn’t long, but it took them nearly ten minutes. By the time he got Lu Jinnian back to his room, Chu Nian’s forehead was damp with sweat.

The lights flickered on, banishing the darkness. Chu Nian looked at Lu Jinnian and caught the flickering look in his eyes.

“And this.” Chu Nian held up the cake.

Lu Jinnian’s gaze swept over his pale fingers. He raised a hand to cover his lips and turned away, saying nonchalantly, “An employee gave it to me. I don’t like cake, so you take it.”

Chu Nian frowned slightly.

“Isn’t today your…” Lu Jinnian’s eyes shifted as he added in a cautious, testing tone, “Birthday?”

Chu Nian froze.

It was true; today was his birthday. But because that event eight years ago was so significant, he had almost forgotten the day held any other meaning.

Back then, the thought of blowing out candles while burning paper money for Pei Yu had created such a bizarre image in his mind that he had simply stopped celebrating.

But it was strange. How did Lu Jinnian know today was his birthday?

Chu Nian’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Thank you.”

The two fell into silence once more.

Then, Chu Nian backed out of Lu Jinnian’s room. He looked at the cake in his hand. Just then, a white piece of paper fluttered to his feet.

Chu Nian stopped and leaned over to pick it up. Back in his room, he saw it was a receipt—and the item ordered was this very cake.

The time… was only thirty minutes ago.

Chu Nian realized the truth.

Lu Jinnian had bought this specifically for him…?