The Balloon Ring

Of course, that wasn’t the main reason Lu Xingyan had come to find Xu Yi.

He grabbed Xu Yi’s hand and slipped a cool, thin ring onto his finger.

Xu Yi looked down and saw a deep blue glimmer, sparkling with fine light.

A sapphire ring… and it looked exactly like the earring Lu Xingyan wore on his earlobe.

A couple’s set?

“Do you like it, baby?” Lu Xingyan’s lips curved as he held Xu Yi’s hand. The slender, pale fingers were set off by the exquisite dark blue gemstone, making them look even fairer—a sight to behold.

Xu Yi stared blankly for a few seconds, then suddenly asked, “How did you know my size?”

Lu Xingyan laughed, a hint of pride in his voice. “Measured it countless times when we held hands.”

Xu Yi didn’t know what to say.

He could easily handle sweet talk online, and he didn’t mind shallow, physical contact.

But Lu Xingyan was different.

He could satisfy Xu Yi’s craving for the thrill of an unconventional relationship, yet he kept giving him these genuine experiences.

How did Lu Xingyan manage to hit every one of his buttons so perfectly?

Xu Yi’s pursuit of excitement stemmed from a lack of love since childhood.

But hidden beneath that was a distrust of feelings, and never being truly treated with sincerity.

How could one person fulfill all his needs at once?

Xu Yi’s eyes grew hot, and his chest ached.

He looked away, not wanting to lose composure.

Lu Xingyan noticed the moisture in Xu Yi’s eyes and nervously reached up to touch them.

Xu Yi stayed still and obedient. Lu Xingyan’s fingers brushed against warm skin and damp lashes. The peculiar sensation made his heart race, and he couldn’t help pulling Xu Yi into his arms.

“Who bullied you? Why are you crying?” Lu Xingyan soothed, gently rubbing his back.

Xu Yi bit his lip and said nothing, but clear droplets slid uncontrollably down his cheeks.

Lu Xingyan was such a good person.

Too bad they could never be together.

It was only after Xu Yi had calmed down in Lu Xingyan’s arms, his hands tracing the eight-pack abs beneath his shirt, that Lu Xingyan spoke hesitantly, “Today’s my birthday.”

Xu Yi looked at him. Lu Xingyan’s ears were red, and his gaze was restless—what was he shy about?

The meaning was probably that he wanted a gift.

Xu Yi thought for a moment. Lu Xingyan seemed to really value the emotional support that the identity of “girlfriend” provided.

So the gift shouldn’t be just a simple object.

He blinked. “Want to skip class this afternoon?”

Even though it was an easy class, as freshmen, if they didn’t go today, it would probably be their first time cutting class together.

The thought was a little thrilling.

“Of course.” Lu Xingyan’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t help feeling excited.

They quickly gathered their things and left the library.

As they passed through the lobby, Xu Yi noticed the sky outside was dark and overcast, almost like evening.

But the words were already out. Even if it wasn’t great weather, they had to go.

“Let’s go back to the dorm first,” Xu Yi said. He needed to drop off his things and grab an umbrella.

Back in the dorm, Li Yuan was packing for the afternoon class.

“Can you take attendance for both of us? We’re going out to buy something,” Lu Xingyan lied casually.

He was probably planning to buy a cake and celebrate back at the dorm.

Li Yuan looked up and immediately noticed the ring on Xu Yi’s finger. It was so beautiful and big that it was hard to miss—and it hadn’t been there when they left.

Especially since Lu Xingyan had dressed up earlier and deliberately put on earrings.

Li Yuan suddenly felt he understood everything.

Bro Yan got dumped and then set his sights on Xiao Yi.

Come to think of it, Xiao Yi and Bro Yan’s ex-girlfriend actually looked quite similar, even their builds were alike.

Could he be using Xiao Yi as a substitute?

But didn’t Xiao Yi have a girlfriend?

The more Li Yuan thought, the more alarmed he became. No wonder the atmosphere between Xiao Yi and Bro Yan had been so awkward lately.

But why did Xiao Yi agree to wear a couple ring?

Was he being forced?! Or did he choose Bro Yan and break up with his girlfriend?

Bro Yan was really attractive—even if he were a guy, he’d like Bro Yan. If Bro Yan pursued him, he’d agree too.

And guys with Xiao Yi’s melancholic beauty were rare.

Li Yuan thought it over for a long time. Only when Lu Xingyan shot him a strange look did he quickly say, “Okay.”

“Remember to take an umbrella; it’s going to rain,” Lu Xingyan reminded casually.

Li Yuan’s heart grew even more complicated.

Such a great Bro Yan and such a great Xiao Yi—why did they have to end up in a relationship like this?

He sighed, pulled out his phone, and sent Xu Yi a message.

After thinking for a moment, he painfully sent Bro Yan a message too.

Li Yuan: “Bro Yan, if you’re just messing around, don’t go hurting others!”

Xu Yi was a bit surprised when he saw the message.

But soon, he found it reasonable.

Li Yuan was always a rough-and-tumble guy, but he was actually very perceptive. It made sense that he’d noticed Xu Yi was being coerced by Lu Xingyan.

But Xu Yi knew this was his own doing.

Still, since the other person meant well, Xu Yi thanked him sincerely and explained that everything was fine, no need to worry.

Meanwhile, Lu Xingyan was completely baffled.

What was Li Yuan even talking about?

Lu Xingyan hesitated for a moment before remembering that he had mentioned breaking up a few days ago.

Probably because he had dressed up, Li Yuan thought he was jumping into a new relationship without a break.

Since all three were still in the dorm, Li Yuan could tell they hadn’t communicated privately.

In other words.

The story of three people ultimately had no place for him.

#Three-person dorm: the other two got together—what now? Urgent!

Hot comment: Either become their son and figure out who you’d stick with after they break up, or decide now whether you’ll be the bride’s or groom’s side.

Li Yuan made up his mind: he would definitely not be the son.

Xiao Yi was so soft and delicate—when he frowned, that fragile look made Li Yuan willing to give up the last kill of a pentakill for him.

As for Bro Yan? Who could bully him? Even if Li Yuan and Xiao Yi teamed up, they probably couldn’t beat him.

Li Yuan decided: he would be on the groom’s side.

So he silently changed Bro Yan’s contact name to “Daughter-in-Law.”

On the other side, Xu Yi was going on a proper date with Lu Xingyan for the first time as a guy.

He took a taxi to a newly renovated mall.

They had to walk a bit after getting out of the car. Lu Xingyan opened his umbrella and wrapped an arm around Xu Yi’s shoulders, pulling him closer.

In the noisy rain curtain under the transparent umbrella, it felt like they were isolated from the world. For a moment, Xu Yi felt they were the only two people left.

Raindrops mixed with cold wind seeped into Xu Yi’s collar, making him shiver.

Lu Xingyan held him tighter. “You always wear so little. Who are you trying to impress?”

Xu Yi’s face suddenly flushed.

Flirting over the phone with a fake identity was one thing.

Saying such words as his real self was another.

He pressed his lips together. “Who else would I be trying to impress but you?”

As he spoke, Xu Yi felt Lu Xingyan’s body stiffen for a moment, his lips pressed into a straight line, and his ears turned bright red.

Xu Yi lowered his head, hiding the scornful and triumphant smile on his face.

Too easy to tease.

It was only two hundred meters from the drop-off point to the mall—a two-minute walk.

Xu Yi almost wished it could have been longer.

Lu Xingyan folded his umbrella, and Xu Yi noticed that one of his shoulders was completely soaked.

He himself was perfectly dry, except for a few splashes on his shoes and pants.

Quite attentive.

Xu Yi felt a warmth in his heart. He turned and walked to the balloon seller in front of the door, who was sheltering from the rain.

The man had many classic and cute cartoon character balloons.

Xu Yi picked out a beautiful little white cat balloon—his favorite cartoon character.

Lu Xingyan followed. As soon as Xu Yi paid, he took Lu Xingyan’s hand and tied the balloon string into a butterfly knot around Lu Xingyan’s middle finger, which had distinct knuckles.

Lu Xingyan couldn’t help staring at Xu Yi’s focused face. His beautiful eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings, itching his heart.

Just as he was lost in the sight, Xu Yi suddenly looked up at him with a sweet smile. “Do you like it? My return gift.”

A balloon ring.

And it was Xu Yi’s favorite cartoon character.

Lu Xingyan was already happy because his baby bought him a balloon, tied it with his own hands, and smiled so sweetly.

All the young couples in the mall—the girls were holding balloons.

It meant his baby was good to him.

But after hearing Xu Yi’s words, Lu Xingyan’s heart softened even more.

The ring he had given was an auction item worth millions, a matching set with his earring.

Yet that gift was nowhere near as fun as the balloon ring.

Lu Xingyan touched the butterfly knot on his finger with satisfaction, smiling sweetly.

“I love it, baby.” Lu Xingyan’s eyes were overflowing with affection.

Xu Yi felt a little shy and turned his head away.

As expected, Lu Xingyan only liked the emotional value provided by his fake girlfriend identity.

Emotional value—the kind of gift that poor people like him were best at giving.

And completely worthless.

Lu Xingyan probably only liked his fishing skills, not him as a person.

Then they entered the mall and headed upstairs. A tall guy holding a balloon was very noticeable, especially two boys holding hands—many people turned to look at them along the way.

Xu Yi felt a bit embarrassed. “Maybe you should untie it. I’ll hold it for you.”

“No.” Lu Xingyan answered decisively. Even though the string was cutting into his finger, making it pink and swollen, he deliberately hid his hand behind his back. “No one’s taking my ring.”

“Are you going to wear it forever? The string will hurt your finger.” Xu Yi couldn’t help laughing. Lu Xingyan could be so childish sometimes.

Playing with him was always so light and happy.

Lu Xingyan looked disappointed and pressed his lips together. “If my finger gets ruined, would you still love me, baby?”

Xu Yi glanced meaningfully at that beautiful, slender finger, then his gaze drifted downward.

“Hmm… as long as the biggest one isn’t damaged, I’ll still love you.”

—Because of that dirty joke.

Xu Yi was dragged into the bathroom halfway, and they spent another half hour kissing and cuddling.