Bedmates

After arriving at the stop, Ji Ze disembarked.

To his surprise, Jiang Hao followed suit.

Jiang Hao offered a grand excuse: “Your aunt entrusted me to look after you properly.”

“Of course, I can’t rest easy until I see you safely home.”

‘The original words were simply, “Be careful!”‘

Since they were both off the bus, Ji Ze had no choice but to walk alongside him until they reached the entrance of his residential complex.

Ji Ze turned around.

“I’m here.”

Jiang Hao, hands tucked into his pockets, exuded the carefree air of a rebellious youth.

“Go on in.”

“I’ll watch you.”

While Ji Ze didn’t feel he needed anyone to escort him to his doorstep, it was, at the very least, a kind gesture—a gesture that inexplicably made his imagination run wild.

He nodded, then turned and entered the complex.

After walking a considerable distance, he couldn’t help but stop and glance back.

To his astonishment, Jiang Hao was still standing exactly where he’d left him.

This wasn’t a joke or playful teasing; Jiang Hao genuinely intended to watch until he was out of sight.

‘I’m not a girl!’ he thought.

‘Usually, such gentlemanly behavior to ensure a girl’s safety is understandable.’

‘But I’m a guy!’

As Ji Ze turned his head, Jiang Hao also noticed him and offered a bright smile.

Bathed in the sunlight, it was exceptionally striking.

Ji Ze instinctively averted his gaze, then realized how impolite that was.

He hurriedly waved his hands twice as a quick acknowledgment, then turned and broke into a run.

‘This idiot!’

‘Can’t he see how strong the sun is?!’

‘Standing there will roast him alive!’

On the other side, Jiang Hao’s first reaction was to shout, “Ji Ze, don’t run so fast!”

He worried Ji Ze might get out of breath.

Ji Ze paused, then shifted to a brisk walk, not daring to look back.

After turning a corner, his shadow vanished entirely.

Only then did Jiang Hao withdraw his gaze.

He walked back towards the bus stop alone, his steps remarkably light.

Though he had never been in love, he had certainly observed it.

There wasn’t much difference between heterosexual and homosexual relationships, he mused; both involved an endless desire to be good to and pamper the other person.

Jiang Hao’s heart felt as if a great gust of wind had inflated it, brimming with an inexpressible excitement and joy.

This was the first time he truly wanted to pursue someone, to cherish them in the palm of his hand.

His biggest concern now was whether the other person liked boys.

From what he could tell, at least Ji Ze wasn’t repulsed by him.

That was a promising sign.

Student Jiang possessed a great virtue: he was exceptionally optimistic.

Humming a little tune, he boarded a bus going in the completely opposite direction and headed home.

On Sunday evening, all the students were due back at school for evening self-study.

Jiang Hao walked into the classroom, whistling cheerfully, a triumphant spring in his step.

Yu Huageng, who was engrossed in a game, fumbled her phone, which promptly chimed, “Excellent!”

Yu Huageng casually glanced at him.

“Such a good mood?”

“Did you win the lottery?”

“Nah, I just figured some things out.”

“The future looks bright and full of hope,” Jiang Hao replied with a beaming smile.

Yu Huageng clicked her tongue.

“So mysterious.”

Jiang Hao then began to tease his deskmate, placing a cake box near Ji Ze’s hand.

“I passed by the bakery on the way here and bought this for you.”

Ji Ze had accepted his treats several times before and felt it was inappropriate to keep doing so.

He shook his head.

“You eat it.”

Jiang Hao said with a flourish, “I’ll be copying your homework later, so consider this a bribe.”

With that, he swiftly snatched Ji Ze’s homework with one hand, as if intending to exchange the assignments for the cream puffs.

Ji Ze, resigned, accepted the cream puff and slowly began to eat it.

As Jiang Hao copied the homework, he would occasionally turn to watch Ji Ze take bite after bite of the puff.

A little cream clung to the corner of Ji Ze’s mouth, and Jiang Hao’s heart swelled with warmth and profound satisfaction.

After evening self-study, it was back to the dorms for showers and sleep.

Jiang Hao emerged from the shower and saw Ji Ze lounging against his bed’s headboard, playing on his phone.

He feigned curiosity, walking over and leaning on the wooden railing.

“What are you playing?”

The sudden voice by his ear startled Ji Ze, causing him to flinch sideways.

Not wanting to seem overly jumpy, he stiffly replied, “Just browsing Weibo.”

Jiang Hao, with a casual, ‘straight-man’ demeanor, draped his arm over the railing, his chin practically touching Ji Ze’s shoulder as he peered at the phone.

He began to read aloud:

[All the other little kids are home, when are you coming to pick me up?]

[All the other little kids have ice cream, when will you take me to get some?]

[Still loving you today.]

[I’ll be good, so you have to come back and kiss me…]

These were several popular internet emojis, specifically for couples showing affection.

Jiang Hao delivered them with the emotional depth of a textbook recitation, adding the appropriate tone as if he were pouting.

Hearing these words in his deep male voice somehow didn’t feel out of place at all; in fact, Ji Ze felt a tiny flutter in his heart!

Ji Ze seriously suspected his brain was waterlogged!

Jiang Hao tilted his head, looking at Ji Ze’s fair, faintly flushed face, and chuckled.

“It’s my first time realizing the word ‘little kid’ can sound quite sweet.”

“This set of emojis is really interesting, send them to me.”

Ji Ze pretended to be calm, his gaze flickering away from his phone.

“Can’t you find them online yourself?”

“That’s too much trouble.”

“You already have them, just send them to me.”

Jiang Hao tugged on Ji Ze’s pajama sleeve, drawing out his words, which made him sound even more like he was pouting.

Ji Ze saw his clothes being pulled so hard that half his shoulder was exposed.

He immediately yanked his sleeve back.

“Alright, alright!”

“You’re going to tear my clothes!”

“I’ll send them right away.”

Only then did Jiang Hao retract his hand, satisfied.

He picked up his phone from the desk, watching the emojis arrive one by one, his gaze lingering on Ji Ze’s back with a smile.

[Hello? Can you hear me?]

[I want to tell you something.]

[I miss you.]

[I’ll be good, so you have to come back and kiss me.]

[Still loving you today.]

Ji Ze’s fingers slid across the screen, tapping ‘send’.

The chat window was filled with the emojis he had just sent, making it seem as if the two of them were incredibly intimate.

The air itself seemed to sparkle with pink bubbles, despite them being two boys.

A fake couple.

His phone vibrated.

Jiang Hao had suddenly sent an emoji too.

[I like you a little too.]

Ji Ze’s hand froze, almost dropping his phone.

He turned, looking at Jiang Hao with disbelief.

Jiang Hao feigned nonchalance, acting as if nothing had happened.

“I found another one like this, so I sent it to you.”

It was a very ordinary gesture, like simply sharing emojis.

Ji Ze stiffened for a moment, then lowered his head and continued playing on his phone as if nothing had occurred.

“…Oh.”

Jiang Hao’s lips curled into an uncontrollable grin.

He covered his mouth with his fist, constantly stealing glances at Ji Ze from the corner of his eye, feeling as if he had just gained a huge advantage.

As lights-out approached, Ji Ze turned off his phone and put it aside, preparing for sleep.

Jiang Hao, who had already climbed into his own bunk, suddenly poked his head out, his eyes sparkling.

“Ji Ze, I accidentally spilled water on my bedsheet.”

“Can I sleep with you?”

Ji Ze tilted his head.

“Huh?”

Jiang Hao was already climbing down the bed ladder, continuing his explanation.

“I was drinking water and playing on my phone at the same time, and I didn’t hold it steady.”

He stood by Ji Ze’s bed, looking at him expectantly.

“Can I?”

Ji Ze hesitated for a second, then clutched his blanket and scooted towards the wall, clearing half the space for him.

Jiang Hao immediately climbed onto the bed.

“Thank you!”

Ji Ze huddled under the covers, his body rigid, barely daring to move.

He asked, “Your blanket tomorrow…”

He was about to ask if it would be dry by then.

Before he could finish, Jiang Hao interjected, “I’ll wash it tomorrow.”

“It’ll probably take a few days to dry, so I might have to trouble you to squeeze in for a bit during these days.”

Ji Ze’s heart tightened.

He immediately asked, “It was just drinking water, you don’t need to wash it, do you?”

Jiang Hao had already prepared his explanation and rattled it off smoothly.

“It was salt water.”

“I’ve been feeling a bit overheated lately.”

He turned, looking apologetically at Ji Ze.

“Is it too crowded?”

“I’ll move further out.”

With that, he shifted a few centimeters.

On a single bed, with two people, they were bound to touch.

Ji Ze’s thigh pressed against Jiang Hao’s leg.

Jiang Hao was strong and healthy, radiating ample body heat, which distinctly transferred over.

Ji Ze immediately felt uncomfortable, shrinking his leg inward to avoid contact.

Jiang Hao, feigning sleep with his eyes closed, moved his foot and pressed against him again.

Ji Ze retreated once more, practically plastered against the wall.

Only when the other person finally stopped moving did Ji Ze relax and slowly drift off to sleep, his breathing even and deep.

After a long while, he unconsciously rolled over.

This roll brought him face-to-face with Jiang Hao.

Jiang Hao opened his eyes, completely awake; he hadn’t slept at all.

He propped his chin, smiling contentedly as he gazed at Ji Ze’s sleeping face.

Outside on the balcony, the streetlight glow filtered through the glass door, falling upon Ji Ze’s features.

Jiang Hao watched for a long moment, then carefully raised his hand, placing it on Ji Ze’s face, gently caressing it.

The next morning, the moment the wake-up bell rang, Ji Ze frowned, still reluctant to rise.

The area his palm touched was smooth and firm, with perfectly sculpted muscles that felt incredibly good to the touch…

Wait!

Ji Ze finally sensed that something was amiss.

He abruptly opened his eyes and found himself clinging to Jiang Hao with both arms and legs, practically dominating him in a possessive embrace, using him as a body pillow.

The scene was far too intimate!

Ji Ze was so startled that he recoiled as if electrocuted, his slender eyelashes trembling uneasily.

He unconsciously held his breath, pretending he hadn’t done anything, and stealthily, quietly, stepped over Jiang Hao, preparing to get out of bed.

Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes, as if just waking up, and shifted the blanket.

The sudden movement caused Ji Ze’s calf to be bumped, his legs went soft, and he landed directly on Jiang Hao’s thigh.

Though separated by the blanket, everything that should be felt, and shouldn’t be felt, was intensely felt!

Ji Ze’s face instantly flushed crimson.

Early in the morning, teenage boys were usually full of energy, but that kind of energy became incredibly awkward when one boy was sitting on another boy’s lap.

At this moment, the best solution was for both of them to pretend nothing had happened.

Ji Ze intended to do just that, nervously hopping barefoot onto the floor and scrambling to find his slippers.

However, Student Jiang, ‘not understanding the atmosphere,’ ‘innocently’ offered a sincere apology: “Sorry, it’s early morning, and I couldn’t quite control myself.”

Ji Ze nearly stumbled, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at Jiang Hao for a moment. Then, snapping back to reality, he quickly turned and hurried to the balcony, pretending he hadn’t heard a thing.

As they brushed their teeth, standing side-by-side, Ji Ze stiffened slightly the moment Jiang Hao approached. He sped up his washing, then, head down, hurried back to the dorm.

Usually, at this hour, he’d still be half-asleep and groggy, but today he was thoroughly shocked awake.

He walked forward when suddenly, a slender arm blocked his chest. The wheat-colored skin, with its rippling muscle lines, was a physique many boys envied and desired—strong and firm. He had just touched it!

Jiang Hao smiled innocently. “Just grabbing my towel.”

Ji Ze: “…Oh.”

He turned sideways to make space, walking from another direction, only to be blocked again.

“Just putting my cup down.”

‘Can’t he just do things all at once?!’

Ji Ze felt a surge of anger. He forcefully stomped on the floor as he walked back to his bed to change his shoes, radiating a furious aura.

Jiang Hao watched his retreating back, a smile curving his lips.