Time Has Grown Dim, And Evening Has Already Fallen - Chapter 28

Chapter 27

Jiang Tiao had previously mentioned his parents—both teachers—when they all hung out together. Their strictness was well-known among the neighbors.

Because of that, Lu Xingshu knew that day that it was impossible for Jiang Tiao to stay; otherwise, he would have taken Cheng Xun away long ago instead of staying for a meal. As for Jiang Tiao’s suggestion to “let bygones be bygones,” Lu Xingshu had only humored him because he didn’t want Cheng Xun to overthink things.

But now, because of an accidental kiss, he was having dreams night after night—dreams filled entirely with Cheng Xun. He couldn’t help but question himself.

If the person who had confessed to him amidst the summer fireflies back then had been Cheng Xun, would he have said yes?

He felt that… he probably would have.

He remembered the coldness and defensive posture Cheng Xun showed to strangers when they first met, and contrasted it with the completely unguarded smile Cheng Xun gave him once they became close. Cheng Xun was so dense and blunt about so many things, yet so incredibly delicate and gentle when it came to taking care of others.

That thug before had clearly been aiming for Lu Xingshu, yet Cheng Xun had gotten hurt for his sake.

Cheng Xun might never know just how terrifying Lu Xingshu looked when he lost control after that bottle shattered across Cheng Xun’s face.

Perhaps he had cared for him much earlier than he realized; those slow, simmering feelings had just been hidden, waiting for a catalyst to erupt.

Lu Xingshu went to the canteen to pack two breakfasts and returned to the classroom. He placed Cheng Xun’s portion on his desk and tossed his own into his desk drawer. As soon as he sat down, he slumped over, so exhausted he couldn’t even lift a finger.

He still had no idea how to face Cheng Xun.

Cheng Xun, on the other hand, had slept beautifully without a care in the world, having the kind of dream many high school boys have.

He dreamed of someone exceptionally beautiful—tall and lovely. Although their features were hazy, Cheng Xun just felt they were gorgeous, so gorgeous he wanted to kiss them…

Since it was just a dream, he went for it without hesitation. The kiss felt so real and warm that he nearly confused dream and reality. The sensation was soft and slightly cool—it was strange.

Cheng Xun was woken up by his phone alarm. He fumbled around for a while before finding it, finally sitting up with messy hair and a series of yawns. As he cleared his sleepy eyes, he realized his phone was on the desk.

Once he woke up a bit more, he realized he had slept in Lu Xingshu’s bed again.

God knows how a few sips of beer could make him that drunk. He pinched his collar and looked down, realizing he was still wearing last night’s clothes. He puckered his lips, feeling a bit disgusted with his own sloppiness.

Rubbing his eyes and yawning, he hurried to the bathroom to take a cold shower and clear his head. By the time he finished drying his hair and came out, the top bunk was empty. Lu Xingshu was nowhere to be seen.

Strange, did that guy go to school early?

Cheng Xun checked his watch and saw it was still early. He leisurely changed into his uniform and went downstairs. Since he hadn’t even brought his backpack home last night, he was heading to class light-handed.

“Morning, Grandma.”

“Oh? Xiao Shu didn’t come down with you?” Grandma seemed surprised.

It turned out Lu Xingshu had gotten up even earlier than Grandma and had left quietly by himself. Cheng Xun shook his head. “He was gone by the time I woke up.”

“Honestly, what is a kid like you doing drinking? Coming home drunk like that last night…” Grandma put on a rare stern face, clearly disapproving. “If Xiao Shu hadn’t carried you back, you wouldn’t have made it home at all.”

Cheng Xun scratched his head awkwardly. “It was my birthday. Xie Qiubai ordered beer to celebrate me becoming an adult. I didn’t know my tolerance was that bad; I’ve never drunk before.”

“Alright, Grandma isn’t mad. Hurry to school, or you’ll be late.”

On the way to school, Cheng Xun couldn’t stop yawning. Hangovers were no joke, not to mention the chaotic, bubbly dreams that had left his head throbbing. But he considered it a good dream nonetheless—a product of a young man’s budding romantic imagination.

When he reached the classroom, he found Lu Xingshu face-down on the desk catching up on sleep. His head was pillowed on his arms, facing the window, leaving only the back of his head for Cheng Xun to see. However, his favorite breakfast was sitting on his desk.

Luckily, he’d saved some room in his stomach after his morning porridge. He could finish the buns now.

“Lu Xingshu, thanks!” he whispered, not caring if the other heard.

Lu Xingshu actually slept through the entire morning reading period. With the first period—Chinese—about to start, the guy was still out cold. Cheng Xun nudged his shoulder, but there was no response.

Is he really that tired?

The Chinese teacher had already entered the room. If Lu Xingshu kept sleeping, he was going to get a face full of chalk. Cheng Xun leaned into his ear and enunciated: “Lu—Xing—Shu! Wake up, class is starting.”

Cheng Xun gave his shoulder a firm push. Lu Xingshu finally jerked awake, eyes snapping open. He sat bolt upright, his chair screeching against the floor, drawing quite a bit of attention.

What bothered Cheng Xun the most was that through this entire fluid motion, Lu Xingshu didn’t look at him once. In fact, he seemed to be pointedly avoiding him.

“What’s wrong with you?” Cheng Xun asked, bewildered.

Lu Xingshu’s expression was cold and distant, and he said nothing. His icy demeanor left Cheng Xun completely confused. Wasn’t everything fine during dinner last night? Why is he so fierce today?

The bell rang for class, so Cheng Xun had to drop it. He stared at his textbook, racking his brain for any reason Lu Xingshu might be angry with him.

They skipped class last night without getting caught, had hotpot and cake, and drank beer. But his memory after the beer was a total blank.

Did I become a crazy drunk? But I have no memory of it at all!

The awkward tension lasted until the end of second period, when it was time for the morning exercises on the playground. During the first break, Cheng Xun had tried to ask what was wrong, but Lu Xingshu had bolted to the restroom and didn’t return until the bell rang for the second period.

Cheng Xun became increasingly certain the guy was avoiding him. So what if I was a bit of a drunk? Is it worth being this scared? Did I hit him? Throw up on him? He ran through every “drunk disaster” scenario he could imagine.

Unfortunately, he was nowhere near the truth.

Lu Xingshu had already gotten permission from the teacher to skip the morning exercises. Cheng Xun felt a flare of irritation—what was with this calculated distancing? Even if he was mad, he should at least say why.

In a fit of pique, Cheng Xun didn’t tell the teacher and stayed in the classroom himself.

As the students filed out, leaving only the two of them, Cheng Xun couldn’t hold back anymore. He was about to ask him directly when Lu Xingshu suddenly stood up and headed for the door, the sound of his chair scraping the only noise in the room.

He walked against the crowd, seemingly heading for the restroom again. Cheng Xun stood up and chased after him, weaving through the students heading down for exercises.

Lu Xingshu was walking too fast. Cheng Xun finally managed to grab his arm at the tail end of the hallway.

“Lu Xingshu!”

Cheng Xun kept his voice low but gripped his arm tightly. He noticed the cold expression but failed to see the faint flush behind Lu Xingshu’s ears.

Cheng Xun was about to speak, but standing at the restroom door was awkward. He pulled Lu Xingshu’s arm and led him back. He didn’t want to discuss things in a smelly bathroom.

The classroom was empty. Cheng Xun shut the door, pulled the curtains along the corridor, and dragged Lu Xingshu by his clothes into a corner. Lu Xingshu didn’t resist; he allowed himself to be pulled around, appearing lost in thought or simply dazed.

“What exactly did I do yesterday?” Cheng Xun asked quickly and urgently, fearing the others would return soon. “Even if you’re mad, you have to tell me why. Let me know what I’m ‘dying’ for.”

Lu Xingshu remained silent, his Adam’s apple bobbing, but he still said nothing.

“…Did I get drunk and hit you? Or accidentally throw up on you?” Cheng Xun paused. “Whatever it was, I’ll let you hit me back, okay?”

Cheng Xun tilted his face up and pointed to his chin. “Go ahead, punch me.”

“…” Lu Xingshu looked at the face that was dangerously close to his personal space and sighed helplessly. He finally spoke: “Why would I punch you?”

“To vent your anger,” Cheng Xun replied.

The light in the classroom was dim. Lu Xingshu lowered his gaze, looking at Cheng Xun’s eyelashes. They were long and thick, fanning out like little wings, trembling slightly.

The boy before him had his face tilted up, his pale lips moving as he spoke. They looked exactly like they did last night when that light kiss had brushed against Lu Xingshu’s heart like a feather.

“Anyway, whatever I did yesterday, I’ll let you do it back to me. Will that make you feel better?” Cheng Xun rambled on. Seeing no response, he looked up and tilted his head. “Lu Xingshu?”

Lu Xingshu’s eyes were dark as ink, hiding all his thoughts and emotions.

The taller boy lowered his head and suddenly kissed him, his hand reaching out to cup the back of Cheng Xun’s neck.

His lips were dry.

The warm, familiar touch spread and burned like a wildfire.