Watching the Setting Sun Along the Same Path - Chapter 11

“Fei Yuan, what did you just say?”

Shen Duoyi asked in disbelief. He had thought it was just bad luck running into this guy surnamed Lu, but Fei Yuan actually said Lu was his partner? Fei Yuan likes men?

Lu Ketong’s heart started racing wildly again. He hadn’t decided whether to play dead or strike first, so he just stood there dumbly with his mouth hanging open, looking like a little brain-dead idiot. But maybe it was better to wait and see, since Shen Duoyi hadn’t said anything yet.

Fei Yuan replied, “That’s how it is.” Then he patted Lu Ketong’s shoulder and said softly, “Go back. Don’t walk with your head down.”

Lu Ketong felt as if he’d been granted a pardon and was about to bolt. Just as he turned to leave, Shen Duoyi said from behind, “Wait.”

Matters of life and death couldn’t wait. He turned back, clutching his backpack straps and standing stiffly, asking weakly, “What? Are you going to invite me to stay for dinner?”

“I’m just a bit surprised,” Shen Duoyi smiled, though his eyes were cold. “You broke up with Qiu Luomin so quickly.”

The inevitable had arrived.

“Qiu Luomin?” Fei Yuan stuffed his hands into his pockets and sniffed. “Broke up?”

“…It wasn’t me, it was my twin brother. His name is Lu Wutong…” Lu Ketong pursed his lips, painfully spouting nonsense, then choked up when he saw Fei Yuan’s expressionless face. “Actually, Qiu Luomin and I grew up together. That day was just pretend, all a misunderstanding, really.”

Shen Duoyi said to Fei Yuan, “They went to Guobin for a meal, and Qiu Luomin even called him ‘baby.'”

Fei Yuan laughed angrily. “Baby?”

Lu Ketong felt his fighting spirit had dropped to zero because whenever he saw Fei Yuan’s cold expression directed at him, he lost his confidence. That useless Shen Duoyi still wouldn’t shut up, asking, “Do you know Qiu Luomin got beaten up? Knowing that, you still got together with Fei Yuan. What were you thinking?”

Ignoring him, Lu Ketong stepped forward and hugged Fei Yuan, asking, “First, promise me—will you crack my skull open?”

Fei Yuan pulled him away like he was scolding a child. “Stand right here and explain. If you can’t make it clear, I really will hit you. Don’t think I’m bluffing.”

Why? He was so unlucky! That little trash Shen Duoyi was watching the show like he thought he was the second male lead with a chance! Lu Ketong took a step back, glaring at Shen Duoyi and saying, “What’s it to you? Stop stirring things up!”

Then he turned to Fei Yuan, his fighting spirit slowly returning. “Qiu Luomin and I are just childhood friends. Who doesn’t have childhood friends in the 21st century? I’d take a bullet for him! You cracked my brother’s skull open, and I still like you. You should be secretly thrilled!”

Shen Duoyi looked at Fei Yuan. “Is he crazy?”

“Shut up!” Lu Ketong was revving up like an engine, not done yet. He turned back to Fei Yuan. “He just pretended to call me ‘baby’ once. It’s not like I asked him to. If you’re not happy, you call me ‘baby’ too! If you call me that, I’ll answer!”

After he finished, he saw Fei Yuan and Shen Duoyi standing together, judging him like a tribunal. He stepped forward and pushed them apart, shouting, “Why are you standing so close? I don’t like the two of you together either!”

He glared at Shen Duoyi. “Why do you care about his business? Do you like him?” After glaring at Shen Duoyi, he turned to glare at Fei Yuan, saying sourly, “I get it now. You’re the lamp from his past life, lighting up his later years, and the fire in his present life, burning away his sense of self. I’m done playing!”

Fei Yuan was utterly overwhelmed by Lu Ketong’s rapid-fire tirade, watching the other boy run off and nearly spitting blood in frustration. Shen Duoyi was also stunned by the scolding—hadn’t it been Lu who deceived them first? How did he manage to take control of the situation?

Lu Ketong dashed into the street to hail a cab, glancing back to make sure Fei Yuan wasn’t chasing him down. Yet he felt a pang of disappointment—not even a pursuit? Could his relationship be over after just one day?

When the driver asked where to go, he gave Qiu Luomin’s home address.

“Lulu’s here? Qiu just got back too—go on up and find him.” Mrs. Qiu was kind, and he knew her well. Hesitating for a moment on the stairs, he added, “Auntie, I’m staying over tonight.”

Qiu Luomin seemed to be searching for something, his door wide open. Lu Ketong stepped inside, closed the door behind him, and leaned against it without moving. Qiu Luomin looked up, puzzled. “You look awful. Did your dad get investigated?”

Lu Ketong blinked pitifully. “Qiu, are we brothers for life? If so, you have to forgive me no matter what I do.”

Qiu Luomin replied, “Absolutely not.”

“Come on, what’s wrong? Come here.” Qiu Luomin waved him over, sensing the bedroom had taken on an air of heartbreak. Lu Ketong walked to the bed and sat down, whispering, “Qiu, I’m dating a guy.”

Qiu Luomin froze. “What did you say?”

“…I’m dating Fei Yuan.”

“Lu Ketong!” Qiu Luomin looked ready to uproot a willow tree in rage. He stood up, shoved Lu Ketong onto the bed, and pointed at him, yelling, “Who said you could avenge me like this?! Are you an idiot?”

You’re the idiot! Lu Ketong simply lay back, exhausted. “At first, I wanted to get revenge for you, but then it was like an addiction—I just fell for him.”

Qiu Luomin, heartbroken, yanked him up. “Did he take advantage of you?”

A wave of sorrow washed over Lu Ketong. That afternoon, they’d been calling each other “hubby” and “wifey,” and now Fei Yuan was probably sitting in the yard with his childhood sweetheart, eating the strawberries he’d bought. He hugged Qiu Luomin and said, “I’m so upset about my eight hundred bucks.”

“You’re driving me crazy, you really are.” Qiu Luomin felt like spitting blood too. “He’s my arch-enemy, and you like him? That’s like embracing the enemy as family—no, embracing the enemy as your man!”

“And you like guys? I’ve known you for over a decade, and you turn out to like guys?!”

Lu Ketong lay back down again, murmuring, “Times have changed—men and women are equal. You’ve flirted with little white rabbits before, so why can’t I tame a wolf?”

That wolf was currently lounging on Old Man Shen’s recliner, eating strawberries while replaying Lu Ketong’s sharp-tongued performance in his mind. Lately, he’d been so well-behaved that Fei Yuan had almost forgotten—the little sapling was inherently a troublemaker with a tractor engine inside, ready to rev up at any moment.

And when he revved up, he even rhymed. Quite the literary flair.

Shen Duoyi finished washing the dishes, brought a small stool over, and sat down beside Fei Yuan to share the strawberries. After eating a few, he finally couldn’t hold back any longer and asked angrily, “What do you even see in him?!”

Fei Yuan replied, “He’s both an idiot and beautiful. Too much fun.”

The next day, Lu Ketong didn’t go to school. He stayed at Qiu Luomin’s house, sleeping. He was afraid Fei Yuan would beat him up if he showed up, and even more afraid Fei Yuan would break up with him. Qiu Luomin rolled his eyes so hard he almost considered finding a new brother to befriend.

The class monitor remarked curiously, “You and Lulu are taking turns taking breaks, huh?”

Fei Yuan looked at the empty seat in front of him and felt like laughing. It seemed that idiot had been putting on a tough act yesterday—otherwise, why would he be too scared to even show up today? But Fei Yuan wouldn’t bother reaching out, because bad habits shouldn’t be indulged.

After school in the afternoon, he picked up his motorcycle and headed in the opposite direction, accelerating all the way.

Qiu Luomin had no idea whether Lu Ketong had left or not. He’d packed his bag ten minutes before class ended, but the teacher had dragged on. By the time class was finally dismissed, the bell had already rung ten minutes earlier. He grabbed his bag and left the classroom.

Once he stepped out of the school gate, he immediately regretted it.

Fei Yuan stood leaning against his motorcycle with his arms crossed, looking at him lazily and even giving him a faint, damn smile. Qiu Luomin felt utterly defeated. He walked over a few steps and said, “What do you want? My head just healed.”

Fei Yuan tossed him a can of cola and said, “I’m treating you to a drink. Consider us even.”

Qiu Luomin caught it but didn’t believe a word of it. Just then, Fei Yuan rolled up his sleeves, and Qiu Luomin nearly lost it—last time, that was exactly what he’d done before throwing a punch! Fei Yuan seemed to be deliberately trying to scare him. After rolling up his sleeves, he didn’t move and said, “I think brothers should act like brothers. Like how you treat Lu Ketong.”

So that’s what this was about. Qiu Luomin retorted, “What’s it to you?”

Fei Yuan smiled again, damn him. “Of course, it is. From now on, he’s under my care.”

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