A Sweet Porridge Truce

“An English Department competition?”

Jian Yixun was in a good mood.

Looking at Qu Chao’s overly ingratiating smile, he gave a faint grin.

“What does an English Department competition have to do with me?”

“It may be hosted by the English Department, but the dean hopes everyone will participate.

It’s livelier that way.

After all, it only happens once or twice a year.

Students from the Physics Department have even signed up to compete.”

Qu Chao beamed brightly, his gaze eager and attentive.

Coming to invite Jian Yixun had been an impulsive decision.

He had not expected such a calm exchange.

Did this mean Jian Yixun disliked him a little less now?

Jian Yixun had seen too many delicate-looking boys today.

He could not help comparing them.

And after all the comparisons, the result was still the same.

Just seeing Qu Chao made him uncomfortable.

Strange.

Why was it that Xu Shuche was also beautiful, yet he enjoyed being around him?

Probably because Xu Shuche had a good personality.

And wasn’t gay.

Jian Yixun withdrew his thoughts and noticed Qu Chao still standing there expectantly.

“So?”

“So if you’re free this Saturday, could you honor us with your presence?”

Qu Chao’s eyes shone.

“We’ve prepared gifts for audience members.

Branded basketballs and knee pads.

You use those often, right?”

“I do.

But I buy a fixed brand.

No need to trouble yourself.”

Jian Yixun smiled politely.

His words, however, were merciless.

“I’m not interested in your department’s singing competition.

Please head back.”

He turned to leave.

After two steps, he paused and looked back with a half-smile.

“Oh, right.

About what happened in the dorm building last time.

You still owe my senior an apology, don’t you?”

“And I believe I told you.

If you show up in front of me again, I’ll beat you so badly your own mother won’t recognize you.

Did you forget that too?”

Xu Shuche carried his books into the teaching building.

He had just found a seat when someone called his name.

He turned and saw a junior girl hurrying toward him with a stack of papers.

“Senior Xu, sorry to bother you.”

She placed the materials on the desk and glanced at him shyly.

“You’ve probably heard about the English Department singing competition?”

Xu Shuche nodded, watching her curiously.

“We invited a senior from the Art Department to host.

But he got a fever yesterday and was hospitalized with tonsillitis.

He still can’t speak.”

She sighed.

“If we weren’t truly desperate, we wouldn’t disturb you.

I know you’re busy with research projects, but…”

Xu Shuche had intended to refuse.

Yet seeing her troubled expression, the words dissolved.

“Give me the script.”

He sighed softly.

“I’ll read it tonight.

If it works, I can help.”

She lifted her head abruptly, delight clear in her eyes.

“Really?

You can refuse if you’re too busy.”

“It’s fine.

We’re from the same faculty.”

He slipped the pages into his book.

“But be prepared.

I’ve never hosted something like this before.

I’m not sure I’m suitable.”

“You’re definitely suitable.”

She blurted it out in excitement.

“Senior, you wouldn’t even need to speak.

Your face alone could save the event.”

Xu Shuche froze.

A faint blush spread across his cheeks.

“That’s exaggerated.

A host has to speak.”

But she seemed reassured already.

“Then it’s settled.

After the event, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

They added each other on WeChat, and she rushed off.

Xu Shuche found himself saddled with a new task.

He could barely focus on reading.

Soon he returned to the dorm to figure out how to “host.”

The only thing he had ever done remotely related to hosting was giving a speech as an “Outstanding Freshman.”

The script required little speaking.

Just an opening and closing.

Brief announcements in between.

No complicated transitions.

With his memory, a few hours would be enough.

He sent his thoughts on the script to the junior girl and began reading the English lines aloud.

Half a page in, his phone buzzed.

“Senior, what are you doing?”

“Are you still mad?”

It was Jian Yixun.

Xu Shuche instinctively typed a reply.

After two characters, he remembered he was still angry.

He deleted them and tossed the phone aside.

Jian Yixun sent several more messages with no reply.

He spent the afternoon bothering his cat, still feeling something missing.

Finally, he shamelessly called Xu Shuche.

The call was answered quickly.

“Hello?”

“Senior, it’s me.”

Jian Yixun sounded lazy.

“Want to have dinner together tonight?”

“No.”

Xu Shuche refused without hesitation.

“I’m still angry.

Why aren’t you reflecting properly?”

Jian Yixun laughed.

“You’re really still mad?”

“Yes.

I am.”

He sounded almost childlike.

“Mind your own business.”

“Alright.

I won’t tease you.”

Jian Yixun changed the subject.

“Why can’t we eat together tonight?”

“Why do you always want to eat with me?”

Xu Shuche shot back.

“You can eat alone.”

“It’s Senior who won’t eat on time.”

Jian Yixun began listing on his fingers.

“You don’t eat fish because you hate picking bones.

You don’t like stir-fried cabbage because it’s too oily.

You don’t eat spicy food because your lips turn red.

Like strawberry jelly…”

“Jian Yixun!”

Xu Shuche’s ears burned.

“Stop it!”

“You won’t even let me say that?”

He could imagine Xu Shuche’s flushed ears.

“They must look nice to pinch,” he thought idly.

“Just stop.”

Xu Shuche accused him.

“You always bully me.”

“That counts as bullying?”

Jian Yixun was used to the accusation.

“What are you busy with?”

“None of your business.”

“Fine.”

Jian Yixun sighed.

“Then are we sleeping together tonight?”

Xu Shuche nearly bit his tongue.

“What do you mean sleeping together!”

“Wrong phrasing.”

Jian Yixun corrected quickly.

“Voice call sleep again?”

“No.”

Xu Shuche refused coldly.

“If you have nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

“Wait.”

Jian Yixun pressed.

“What are you busy with?

If you don’t tell me, I’ll go downstairs and find you.”

“I won’t come down.”

“I’ll wait until you do.”

Silence lingered.

Finally, Xu Shuche spoke reluctantly.

“The faculty is holding a singing competition.

The host lost his voice.

They asked me to step in.

I’m practicing the script.”

Jian Yixun raised a brow.

The same competition Qu Chao had mentioned.

“Oh.

That one.”

“So I need to practice.”

“I’m hanging up.”

“Wait.”

“Go downstairs later and get your delivery.”

“I ordered sweet porridge and soup dumplings.

From your favorite place.”

Xu Shuche’s finger froze above the screen.

“…Why would you order that?”

“You’ll skip dinner if you’re busy.

Your stomach just got better.”

Jian Yixun paused.

“And I made you mad at lunch.

Let me coax you a little.

Senior, can you not be mad anymore?”

His voice was low and magnetic through the phone.

It struck Xu Shuche’s ears like a ripple across still water.

Flustered, he mumbled a goodbye and hung up.

His ears burned for a long while.

Was Jian Yixun really straight?

Were straight guys this smooth?

Weren’t they supposed to be blunt and insensitive?

Jian Yixun shattered every stereotype he had held.

Things were beginning to feel out of control.

Jian Yixun, oblivious to the storm he had stirred, leaned back in his chair.

To him, if you upset someone, you apologize.

Treat them to food.

Make peace.

Simple.

But Xu Shuche hosting that competition lingered in his mind.

Tilting back in his chair, he opened Lin Xiu’s chat.

“Lin Xiu, you free Saturday?”

“There’s a singing competition at the English Department.

I want to check it out.

Come with me?”