Xi Siyan was the one who finally cleaned up the express packaging papers on the living room table. He also changed the trash bags in all the bins around the house and took them downstairs.
When he came back up, Chen Mo commented, “Every time I think you have a serious case of mysophobia, you always surprise me. But when I think you don’t, you suddenly start cleaning with obsessive-compulsive precision, making me feel like I’ve been living in a garbage dump.”
“I’m just used to it,” Xi Siyan replied casually.
Chen Mo nudged his calf with his slippered foot. “So you pick and choose when and where to be like this?”
Xi Siyan glanced at his foot and dodged. “Stop messing around.”
“Tsk, now you’re acting all reserved,” Chen Mo muttered, still feeling the lingering numbness on his lips. He couldn’t help but tease, “For someone who plays the model student, you seem pretty experienced.”
A faint smile played on Xi Siyan’s lips.
Ever since receiving his early admission letter, Chen Mo had rarely seen him wear a school uniform.
His casual outfits weren’t branded, mostly in simple colors, but the quality was excellent. He wore a cap slanted lazily on his head, yet he still stood out in any crowd.
“Are you going back today?” Chen Mo asked.
Xi Siyan sat down next to him, draping a blanket over Chen Mo’s exposed knees. “Yeah, I have to go back,” he answered. Then, as if reminding him, he added, “Don’t be too reckless with the air conditioning.”
Chen Mo wasn’t paying attention to his nagging. Instead, he turned his head, squinting at him. “You come and go so freely. Now that I think about it, this house you bought makes me feel like I’m just waiting here every day for you to drop by.”
“What kind of metaphor is that?” Xi Siyan raised a brow. “Something came up at home recently.”
Chen Mo asked seriously, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing major.” Seeing Chen Mo still looking at him, Xi Siyan explained, “Even though my family has produced quite a few high-achievers in different fields in recent years, my grandfather has always been the one managing the core business. His health has declined this year, so he handed over overseas affairs to my second uncle, while my father temporarily took over the domestic side. But since my parents have been running their own businesses abroad for years, he’s not very familiar with the internal workings. So my grandfather asked me to start getting involved.”
Chen Mo didn’t know much about the Xi family’s internal affairs.
But he did know that Xi Siyan had grown up under his grandparents’ care. The fact that the Xi family had grown so powerful in such a short time wasn’t just because of Xi Siyan’s own abilities—it was also influenced by his upbringing.
Chen Mo asked, “Is your grandfather’s condition serious?”
“For now, it’s under control.”
In his previous life, Chen Mo had vaguely heard that the real reason for Xi Siyan’s return to China was because his grandfather’s health had taken a turn for the worse. He hadn’t paid much attention at the time, but about a month later, news of his passing came out.
Everyone in the Yang family had attended the memorial service—except for Chen Mo, who had been sent on a sudden business trip by Yang Zhi.
At the time, he had found it odd.
That business trip had been arranged by Yang Zhi’s own people, and it seemed too convenient that Chen Mo would miss such a significant event.
When he returned from the trip, he overheard conversations at the company that gave him some insight. Apparently, Yang Shule’s internship at a major company under Xi Siyan had been finalized at the memorial service.
Back then, Yang Shule was highly favored in the Yang family. Many within the company speculated about which of the three sons would have the upper hand in the family business.
Chen Mo still remembered the words he had overheard:
“Well, that opportunity is gone. I always said Master Shule was too soft-hearted—he can’t compete with the other two.”
“But he landed a spot at Huading, a company where fresh graduates fight tooth and nail to get in.”
“Connections, you know. That’s just how it works.”
“Young Master Huading is in charge now. He grew up with Young Master Yang, so naturally, they have a special relationship. Compared to Second Young Master Yang, if Shule really joins the business, he’ll be eaten alive.”
“But the Eldest Young Master has always protected him. If we’re talking about closeness, he’s always been more attached to his adopted brother than his real one.”
“Not that it matters. Young Master Yang doesn’t need the family business anymore. Now that he’s married into Huading, his future is set.”
At the time, those words had stung.
Chen Mo had started at the company early, but Yang Qi’an had deliberately placed him in grassroots positions for three years—not because he valued him, but because cracks in their relationship had already started forming.
He had fought his way up with difficulty.
His ambition was obvious.
Yang Group, like many family-run businesses, was riddled with internal conflicts and power struggles. Even though Chen Mo had spent years building his own influence, he had made countless enemies along the way.
When he overheard those words, he had instinctively placed Xi Siyan in the “enemy” category in his mind. That was why, at the final celebration banquet of that project, he had refused to even give him a proper look.
Now, away from that environment…
The man he had only ever heard about from others—only ever seen from a distance—was now sitting right beside him.
The feeling was surreal.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Xi Siyan asked.
Chen Mo shook his head. “Nothing. I was just thinking—maybe my luck isn’t all that bad after all.”
To fail in one life and get the chance to start over.
To rewrite a path that once led to regret.
And to find that someone who had only been a distant shadow in his past was now painting vibrant colors into the bleakness of his youth.
Xi Siyan didn’t understand the meaning behind the look in Chen Mo’s eyes.
But when he heard him say he wasn’t that unlucky, his heart clenched slightly, and he frowned.
A mix of emotions—complex and heavy.
“I have some free time next week. Anywhere you want to go?” Xi Siyan suddenly asked, interlocking his fingers with Chen Mo’s as if it were casual. Then he added, “Just think of it as the first step of our experiment.”
Chen Mo turned to him. “Haven’t we already done the first step?”
Xi Siyan was briefly caught off guard before chuckling. “That didn’t count.”
“Then what does?” Chen Mo pressed, suddenly intrigued.
Xi Siyan thought for a moment and answered seriously, “You’re curious about what it’s like between two men. I think we should start with something simple—just a date. Just the two of us.”
Chen Mo was unexpectedly moved by his words.
But deciding where to go became a new challenge.
They weren’t in a rush.
Over the next few days, Xi Siyan would drop by occasionally, staying in the guest room at night.
They would cook simple meals together in the kitchen.
When Chen Mo needed a break from studying, he would drag Xi Siyan to the basketball court downstairs to play a game with others—though always within limits, because Xi Siyan wouldn’t let him overexert himself.
In the afternoons, they would sit cross-legged on the carpet in front of the sofa—Chen Mo solving endless summer worksheets, while Xi Siyan worked on his laptop.
It was a slow, peaceful rhythm.
But the subtle tension between them never faded.
Chen Mo occasionally glanced over, catching bits and pieces of what was on Xi Siyan’s screen—some things he understood, others he didn’t.
But he chose not to ask. After all, this wasn’t something a high school student should be concerned with. Instead, it was Xi Siyan who seemed more bothered by Chen Mo’s habit of slacking off while writing his test papers, reminding him of the times in their second year when he used to tutor him.
At night, they would sit on the sofa and watch a movie together.
Then they would wash up and head to their separate rooms to sleep.
Except for that kiss that day, their interactions were much like two roommates who had yet to move out of the dorms, continuing the habits and routines they had in school.
But there were clear differences.
Chen Mo could distinctly feel the presence of another person within his personal space—when he got up, brushed his teeth, showered, or changed into fresh clothes in the afternoon.
Habits are a terrifying thing.
Without realizing it, he had already grown used to someone else quietly and completely occupying his private space. And he accepted it without resistance.
A Sudden Storm
On the last day of July, the city was hit by the heaviest rainstorm of the summer.
The downpour was so strong that a few leaves fell from the succulent plants Chen Mo had bought from an elderly vendor downstairs.
He rushed onto the balcony to bring them inside, but in the process, half his body got drenched.
Standing by the glass door, wringing water from his clothes, his phone suddenly buzzed with an incoming group call from Jiang Xu on social media.
Chen Mo initially wanted to ignore it but accidentally hit the accept button.
By the time he entered, four or five other members were already there.
Jiang Xu was the first to shout, “Brothers! After tonight, I’ll transcend to a higher plane! Bless me!”
Someone asked, “What’s that noise in the background?”
Jiang Xu wailed, “Damn it! I live on the top floor, and the roof is leaking! The water’s already up to my calves! The downstairs neighbors are banging on our door, arguing with my mom!”
Sure enough, the sounds of furious cursing and objects crashing to the floor came through the call.
“Damn, it really is pouring tonight.”
“I was just finishing up my English test paper. This weather makes me want to sleep all day. Ugh, when can I finally graduate and be free?”
The group chat was buzzing with chatter.
Lao Gou chimed in, “I’m at my grandma’s place in the countryside. You guys ever experienced this? No air conditioning, no fans, just lying on a bamboo mat in the middle of a storm. Feels like a childhood throwback.”
“I grew up in the city, thanks.”
“Aren’t the mosquitoes in the countryside vicious? One bite, and you’re left with a massive welt.”
“Lao Gou, if I see you next semester, will you be rocking an African tan?”
“Get lost.”
Amidst the lively conversation, Chen Mo suddenly felt a towel thrown over his head.
He stopped squeezing water from his clothes and turned around abruptly. “Did you finish showering?”
“Yeah,” Xi Siyan replied. His hair was still damp, a light gray towel draped around his neck. However, his expression was far from pleased.
He reached out to dry Chen Mo’s hair, frowning as he said, “How did you manage to get drenched in the few minutes I was in the shower?”
“This isn’t Yu…”
Before Chen Mo could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a loud “Holy shit!” from the phone.
Jiang Xu exclaimed, “Did I hear that right?! Chen Mo, did you just say you and the squad leader took a shower together?!”
Bai Cheng chimed in, “I can confirm—I heard it too.”
The group instantly erupted into an uproar.
Lao Gou tried to defend him, “What’s the big deal? Haven’t you guys ever bathed in the same river with other kids when you were younger? And don’t even get me started on public bathhouses.”
As expected of Lao Gou.
At a critical moment, his first instinct was to cover for Chen Mo. Even though he had seen plenty of gossip about them on the school forum—and even though he knew Chen Mo was gay—he was determined not to let any rumors spread.
After Lao Gou’s comment, the group gradually lost interest in teasing him.
But then, Xi Siyan suddenly spoke up.
“We didn’t shower together.”
The chat went silent for a second. Then everyone collectively sighed in relief.
“Ohh, got it, got it.”
“Yeah, makes sense.”
“Glad we cleared that up.”
But then, as casually as if discussing the weather, Xi Siyan added, “But we could, if we wanted to.”
The group chat went dead silent.
Chen Mo’s eyes widened. “…”
For a solid ten seconds, no one said a word.
Then, in a hushed tone, someone muttered, “Did I just hear what I think I heard?”
“…Holy crap.”
“As expected of him.”
“As expected of him.”
“As expected of him.”
…
Xi Siyan hung up the call for Chen Mo and completely ignored the flood of notification pings from Lao Gou.
Then, he continued drying Chen Mo’s hair and asked, “Are you scared?”
“So?” Chen Mo quickly composed himself and allowed him to continue rubbing his hair. He picked up his phone and sent a message to Lao Gou: Didn’t expect you to be so chill about this.
Xi Siyan paused for a moment, then said calmly, “I want the whole world to know.”
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. “Alright then. Approved.”
True to his words, before heading off to shower, Xi Siyan even sent a voice message to the group.
“Don’t go spreading rumors. Your Brother Mo still has to graduate.”
After getting everyone’s promise, he turned to Chen Mo, smiling. “How about we wait until you graduate?”
Chen Mo scoffed, “You talk as if you’ve already graduated.”
Meanwhile, Lao Gou was still spamming the chat.
“!!!”
“!!!! ANSWER ME! Chen Mo, you traitor!”
“Didn’t you tell me personally that Xi Siyan wasn’t into guys? You two actually got together behind my back???”
Chen Mo, completely unfazed, sent a reply:
Silence isn’t golden, but you’re my uncle.
Also, we haven’t done anything. We’re both pure.
Lao Gou: “…FUCK.”
