November 2, 2025 — 12:23 pm

Chapter Three

“You’re actually out with us today, Lu Bai?” Xu Yan spat out the toothpaste foam from his mouth and turned to Lu Bai. “Normally, besides class and sleeping in the dorms at night, you’re like a bodyguard following Xiaotian.”

“Can’t always cling to my Tian’er, might annoy him,” Lu Bai said.

“Yes, yes, your Tian’er, you say it so familiarly,” Xu Yan teased him.

“What, jealous of our friendship? Doesn’t matter if you’re jealous!” Lu Bai boasted, hooking his arm around Xu Yan’s neck. The two started playfully wrestling.

Zhou Bin, who was folding his quilt upstairs, overheard and became interested. “How did you two meet? Have you always been this close since the first year of high school?”

“Me and Tian’er?” Lu Bai still held Xu Yan’s fist. “We met in the second year of high school. He transferred into our class.”

“Second year of high school, so you were classmates for two years then?” Zhou Bin said.

“Not two years. Tian’er transferred schools again in the third year,” Lu Bai said.

“Transferred again? So you were only classmates for one year?” Xu Yan broke free from his arm and also asked.

“Mm.”

“Just one year as classmates and you’re still this close? You two must be fated,” Zhou Bin clicked his tongue.

Lu Bai didn’t say anything.

“Lu Bai?” Seeing Lu Bai seemed lost in thought, Xu Yan patted him.

“Hm?” Lu Bai seemed to snap back to reality. “Yeah, very fated.”

“I’m done tidying up, let’s go!” Zhou Bin said. The three left the dorm together.

“Tian’er!” As soon as they entered the shop, Lu Bai darted to Zhang Xiaotian’s side.

“Here.” Zhang Xiaotian pressed Lu Bai down and led him to a private room further inside. “Reserved seats for you guys.”

“Are these all your roommates?” A stout-looking man emerged from the kitchen, standing next to Lu Bai and Zhang Xiaotian, about half a head taller than them.

“Brother Liu,” Zhang Xiaotian greeted him.

“Alright, I’ll take good care of Xiaotian’s friends. Just tell me what you want to eat or drink, and I’ll give you a discount!” Brother Liu’s laugh was hearty. He chatted briefly with them before returning to the kitchen to work.

After ordering their food, Zhang Xiaotian glanced around the shop and said, “I need to get back. I’ll come back if it’s not too busy later.”

“Why don’t you eat your fill first?” Lu Bai grabbed him, stopping him from leaving.

“Lu Bai, let Xiaotian get busy first. We’ll eat slowly and save some good food for him,” Zhou Bin said.

“Then go ahead,” Lu Bai released his hand, watching Zhang Xiaotian disappear into the kitchen.

“Are we just going to eat here? Shouldn’t we help Xiaotian with some work?” Zhou Bin turned to the other two.

“I don’t think so, we’d just be in the way,” Xu Yan said, reaching for hot water to warm the bowls. He patted Lu Bai, who was still looking towards the kitchen. “Lu Bai, stop watching. Hand me your chopsticks and bowl.”

Lu Bai finally turned and handed them over.

“He’ll be back soon. Watch him less. Xiaotian won’t fall into a pot,” Zhou Bin teased, handing his own chopsticks and bowl to Xu Yan. “Excuse me, warm mine too.”

Xu Yan accepted them all.

“Look at you two, my Tian’er working hard looks quite handsome,” Lu Bai clicked his tongue.

“Hurry up and eat, fanboy,” Xu Yan placed the warmed bowl in front of him.

“It looks like his eyes are glued to Xiaotian,” Zhou Bin said, only to be lightly tapped on the head with chopsticks by Lu Bai. He quieted down for a moment, then asked again, “Are you and Xiaotian really not neighbors or relatives or anything?”

“Why do you ask?”

“No reason, just feels like you two have known each other for a long time.”

“Maybe you just hit it off and get along well,” Xu Yan said, using the teapot to fill Zhou Bin and Lu Bai’s cups.

“We,” Lu Bai lowered his head and smiled slightly. “We get along very well. When we were deskmates, we always chatted, ate together, went out for walks. Thinking back, I did so many things with him.”

“And after Xiaotian transferred schools? Didn’t you miss him terribly, crying yourself to sleep!” Zhou Bin picked up a piece of food and put it in his mouth, sucking in air from the heat. “And then you two arranged to get into the same university to continue your story? Like in novels?”

“Cough, after he transferred…” Lu Bai cleared his throat and took a sip of water. “After he transferred, we lost contact.”

“Ah!” Zhou Bin gasped. “Why?”

“He changed his phone number,” Lu Bai lowered his head and fiddled with his chopsticks. “And… didn’t tell me.”

“Why?” Zhou Bin couldn’t help but ask.

“Eat your food, Zhou Bin,” Xu Yan threw a piece of vegetable stalk into Zhou Bin’s plate. “Why are you so curious about everything?”

“My apologies, my apologies,” Zhou Bin obediently put the vegetable stalk into his mouth. After swallowing, he glanced at Lu Bai and then added, “Perhaps, he left in too much of a hurry and didn’t have time to give it to you.”

“Anyway, you’re classmates again now, and in the same dorm,” Xu Yan also said.

Lu Bai just lowered his head and drank water. The atmosphere became a bit awkward for a moment.

“Brother Liu sent us a fruit platter.” Zhang Xiaotian entered, lifting the curtain with the fruit platter, and met Zhou Bin’s pleading gaze, only then noticing the strange atmosphere in the private room.

“What’s going on with you three…”

“Nothing much,” Xu Yan took the fruit platter. “Just talking about some old things.”

“Old things? When?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Nothing,” Lu Bai asked him, “When will you be done?”

“Can’t say for sure,” Zhang Xiaotian wiped his hands on his apron. “You guys eat first, don’t wait for me.”

“We’re saving some for you,” Zhou Bin also said. “Come quickly after you’re done.”

“Mm,” Zhang Xiaotian nodded and turned to leave the private room.

Zhang Xiaotian was busy until late before he had any free time. By the time he went to find the three of them again, only Lu Bai was sitting there.

“Where are the other two?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Xu Yan took Zhou Bin to the restroom. Don’t ask for now, eat quickly,” Lu Bai quickly handed him a new pair of chopsticks. “Eat this quickly, it’s saved for you.”

Zhang Xiaotian was indeed very hungry and started eating without looking up.

“You’re working too hard. Why don’t you find something else?” Lu Bai looked at him and finally said it after much hesitation.

“I haven’t found anything suitable yet, and our school is too far from the city,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

“That’s true,” Lu Bai nodded. “Then I’ll keep an eye out for you too. If we have a lot of classes later, working here won’t be convenient.”

“Xiaotian, are you done?” Xu Yan returned with Zhou Bin. “What were you two talking about? I saw Lu Bai shaking his head.”

“Talking about whether I need to find a new part-time job.”

“Then I’ll help you ask around,” Xu Yan said.

Xu Yan’s family was local, so he would definitely have more useful information. Zhang Xiaotian figured it was a good idea and didn’t refuse.

“In the next class, we’ll have group reports. Those who perform well will get bonus points for participation,” the teacher said as he packed his things and walked out. Lu Bai immediately tried to drag Zhang Xiaotian to the cafeteria again, but the Class Monitor sitting behind them pressed him back into his seat.

“Everyone, don’t leave yet. Let’s have a class meeting. Lu Bai, you can take some pictures for everyone.”

“My photos aren’t good, Class Monitor,” Lu Bai tried to deny it but failed, so he took his phone and stood at the back of the classroom waiting for the Class Monitor’s instructions.

“Tian’er, Tian’er?” Xu Yan, sitting on Zhang Xiaotian’s other side, leaned over and whispered, “Do you want to be a tutor?”

“Tutor?”

Tutoring offered flexible hours, which would be a very suitable part-time job for Zhang Xiaotian. Zhang Xiaotian was tempted and asked Xu Yan, “Why did you suddenly think of helping me find a tutoring job?”

“Ah, I live around here. My neighbor’s child is in junior high, and he dislikes crowded cram schools, so his family is looking for a tutor,” Xu Yan explained. “Besides, our Medical School will have evening self-study classes after National Day. Will you still be able to go to the restaurant?”

He had been worrying about this, and now he had a solution. Zhang Xiaotian felt much relieved. “Thanks, I’ll treat you to a meal another day!”

“Oh, don’t mention it, it’s a small thing,” Xu Yan waved his hand.

“Everyone, please be quiet. After we take the photos, we can go eat!” The Class Monitor displayed a PPT on the multimedia screen, signaling Lu Bai to take pictures. Lu Bai took two shots. After the Class Monitor nodded, he immediately pulled Zhang Xiaotian, who was chatting with Xu Yan, up from his seat.

“Wait a moment, I’m packing my things,” Zhang Xiaotian broke free from him, saying as he put things into his bag. “Eating, eating, why are you so eager when it’s time to eat?”

“If we’re late, there won’t be good seats. Besides…” Lu Bai stood there muttering like a little wife.

“Let’s go,” Zhang Xiaotian stood up. “What did you say for the second half? I didn’t hear clearly.”

“Nothing, I said I’m starving, let’s go.” Lu Bai slung an arm around Zhang Xiaotian’s shoulder and headed towards the back door.

The weather in September always seemed clear. A gentle breeze weaved through the crowd, full of youthful vigor. Lu Bai skipped along as he walked, restless.

“Can you act like a university student?” Zhang Xiaotian reached out and tugged at his shirt hem.

Lu Bai grinned widely. “What should a university student act like? And aren’t you happy? We’re going on a trip this weekend, going out to play!”

This weekend? Busy from dawn till dusk every day, Zhang Xiaotian only then realized that the month was almost over.

He had to tell Brother Liu in advance that he was quitting, and he also had to check out the tutoring job Xu Yan mentioned.

“Are you really not happy? Why, aren’t you happy going out with me?” Lu Bai asked when Zhang Xiaotian didn’t answer immediately.

“No, no,” Zhang Xiaotian said.

Once he changed his part-time job, Lu Bai wouldn’t have to accompany him to the restaurant every day. He felt both happy and a bit lost. But Lu Bai had to have his own life. Now that they had just reunited, over time, Lu Bai would make new friends. He had to get used to it quickly.

Once he finalized things with the tutoring position, he would tell Lu Bai, and Lu Bai would surely be happy for him.

“Alright,” Brother Liu agreed readily. “You’re quick and capable, I’m really reluctant to see you go. You can work normally until the end of this month, and I’ll pay you at the end of the month.”

“Thank you, Brother Liu,” Zhang Xiaotian bowed to him.

“Hey, hey, don’t do that. My wife went home to recuperate after childbirth, and the shop was short-handed, so you came to fill my spot. Otherwise, this month is right at the start of the school year, it would probably be very busy. I should be thanking you,” Brother Liu patted Zhang Xiaotian on the shoulder. “Bring your friends to my shop to eat next time!”

“Mm.”

Exiting the shop, Zhang Xiaotian looked at the message from Xu Yan on his phone.

They’re quite satisfied with you, Xiaotian. They said the salary will be as you discussed. You can go directly after class after the holiday.

Xu Yan was truly a warm-hearted person. Zhang Xiaotian thought about it and sent a thank you message.

Xu Yan must have been holding his phone, as he replied quickly: Don’t mention it, you’re too polite.

Zhang Xiaotian put his phone back in his pocket and let out a long sigh of relief. Everything was going smoothly. It seemed like heaven had opened its eyes and started to show some care for his life. When he had free time, he started to worry about his mother. He didn’t know how she was doing over there.

She must have been completely disappointed in him, as there had been no news for such a long time. Zhang Xiaotian took out his phone again, tapped his mother’s profile picture, and stared at it for a long time without typing a single word. Just as he was about to put it away, his phone suddenly vibrated twice. He tapped it and saw it was Lu Bai.

Are you at the shop? I’m coming to find you now.

Seeing his message, Zhang Xiaotian’s mood improved considerably. He typed back: I’ve left the shop, don’t come.

Before he could send it, he heard someone call his name. He looked up and was embraced by a running Lu Bai.

“Why did you come?” Zhang Xiaotian was startled. How did he appear so suddenly, like a magician?

“We agreed that I’d accompany you every day you worked. I couldn’t today, but I still have to come pick you up.” Zhang Xiaotian’s head was pressed against his chest, and his laughter, filled with tremors, entered Zhang Xiaotian’s ears.

“Alright, alright, stop hugging,” Zhang Xiaotian felt too embarrassed being hugged like this, especially at the entrance of his workplace. Zhang Xiaotian pushed Lu Bai, and Lu Bai released him with his force. The two walked side-by-side towards the dorms.

“You said you were eating with high school classmates today, which classmate was it?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Li An. The Class Monitor from our high school class, do you remember him?” Lu Bai asked.

“I have some impression,” Zhang Xiaotian thought for a moment, and a figure seemed to appear in his mind.

“He remembers you too. Last time I helped him with something, he asked how you were doing. He actually wanted to invite you to dinner today, but I said you had to work. He also said he didn’t expect our relationship to still be so good!” Lu Bai seemed very happy. “See, everyone in the class knows we have the best relationship!”

“That’s because you’ve always clung to me,” Zhang Xiaotian also laughed.

“And it’s because you’re willing to let me cling to you!” Lu Bai bumped into Zhang Xiaotian. “Isn’t that right, tell me, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, yes, I am willing,” Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t refute him. He looked at the lively Lu Bai in front of him, and the figure gradually overlapped with the Lu Bai from the second year of high school. The same chatterbox, the same clinginess, as if nothing had changed.

It’s good that he can forget, Zhang Xiaotian sincerely thought again.