"Morning’s long gone. Go wash up. We missed the flag-raising today, but I’ll take you to the Forbidden City first, then explore some Beijing alleys. Brother Ren’s courtyard house is beautiful, we’ll visit sometime. Thanks to your cordyceps, Grandpa Ren’s cough is much better. He’s been wanting to meet you."
Yang Jiabo: "I brought another box this time, emptied my stock. Perfect for gifts."
Wei Jing: "I thought you were going to fleece the rich?"
Yang Jiabo: "Changed my mind. Figured clinging to a tycoon’s leg is more profitable."
Wei Jing: "Oh, Brother Ren said he’s treating you to dinner tonight. Anything specific you’d like?"
Yang Jiabo: "No, you guys decide."
That day, Wei Jing took Yang Jiabo sightseeing. At noon, they ate famous Beijing snacks at Wangfujing.
"Sightseeing is exhausting, my legs feel like noodles." Yang Jiabo stomped his sore feet.
Wei Jing: "You’re just out of shape."
Yang Jiabo: "I disagree, I get plenty of exercise."
Wei Jing glanced at his shoes. "Your shoes aren’t great for walking. Let’s buy you a pair."
Yang Jiabo looked down at his comfortable oxhide loafers but didn’t object. Wei Jing took him to buy branded hiking shoes. Once he changed, his feet felt much better.
"My outfit doesn’t match these shoes, it’s ruining my image." Yang Jiabo frowned at his casual clothes paired with hiking boots.
"Then let’s keep shopping." So Wei Jing took him to buy a new outfit.
Freshly dressed, Yang Jiabo felt much better. "This sightseeing trip turned into a shopping spree."
Wei Jing checked the time. "Took you long enough. Let’s meet up with Brother Ren."
"Feels like a waste buying these now." Yang Jiabo muttered.
"Not a waste. We’re hiking the Great Wall tomorrow." Wei Jing reminded him.
Ren Boying had reserved a private courtyard-turned-restaurant. Xu Chen, Meng Fan, and Chang Jin were all there.
Chang Jin asked immediately, "Jiabo, did you bring my flowers?"
Wei Jing cut in, "They’re at my grandpa’s place. Pick them up tomorrow."
"Perfect! I broke the old man’s flowerpot, he’s pissed. It’s just a pot, right?"
"Chang Five-Year-Old, is the plant okay?" Meng Fan asked.
"Probably still alive…?" Chang Jin sounded unsure.
"Chang Jin, where’s your girlfriend?" Yang Jiabo asked.
Chang Jin sighed dramatically. "She’s traveling with her family."
Xu Chen: "Jiabo, did you bring what I asked for?"
Yang Jiabo: "Everything’s in Wei Jing’s car, plus gifts for you all."
"Jiabo, what’d you get us?" Meng Fan asked curiously.
Yang Jiabo: "I foraged a lot of porcini mushrooms recently and dried them. Also, honey from my dad’s bees and my special eight-treasure fish. Nothing fancy, just a token of thanks."
Xu Chen: "Jiabo, you’re the best. Ever thought of opening a farmstead in Beijing?"
Yang Jiabo stared at him in surprise. Where did that come from? "No way. Beijing’s too big, I wouldn’t adjust. I like slow, easy living."
Xu Chen: "What a shame."
The dinner was lively among friends. Afterward, everyone dispersed. Ren Boying was busy, and Meng Fan, the lightweight, was drunk. Ren Boying helped him out, a routine everyone was used to.
Full and exhausted, Yang Jiabo didn’t want to move. Wei Jing’s car was parked far, so he waited roadside. Spotting Ren Boying’s familiar SUV, he went to say goodbye.
The interior light was on. Meng Fan was slumped in the passenger seat. Ren Boying leaned over to buckle his seatbelt—from Yang Jiabo’s angle, it looked like a kiss.
But Yang Jiabo saw clearly: Ren Boying did peck Meng Fan’s lips. Just a brush, but undeniable.
Eyes wide, Yang Jiabo froze. Ren Boying noticed him, smiled, and pressed a finger to his lips in a shh gesture before driving off.
"Jiabo, what’re you staring at? Get in." Wei Jing pulled up.
"Coming." Yang Jiabo got in. On the way back, he couldn’t resist asking, "Brother Ren and Meng Fan are really close, huh?"
"Yeah. Brother Ren’s the oldest among us, Meng Fan’s the youngest. The elders always had Brother Ren look after him, and it just… stuck."
Yang Jiabo thought it was like feeding a lamb to a wolf.
The next few days followed the same pattern: sightseeing with Wei Jing by day, dinners hosted by Meng Fan and the others by night. On Yang Jiabo’s fourth day in Beijing, Wei Jing finally took him to visit the Ren family.
Only Grandpa Ren and Ren Boying lived in the courtyard house, with a housekeeper and nurse tending to the elder. The place was impeccably maintained, exuding timeless elegance. Grandpa Ren, frail and less spirited than Wei Jing’s grandfather, chatted briefly with Yang Jiabo before retiring.
Ren Boying apologized, "Don’t mind him, Jiabo. Grandpa’s health has been declining."
"It’s fine. Mind if I look around?"
"Go ahead."
Just then, Wei Jing got a call, something at the company required his attention. He left Yang Jiabo with Ren Boying.
As they toured the courtyard, Ren Boying suddenly asked, "You saw it that day, didn’t you?"
Caught off guard, Yang Jiabo stammered, "S-saw what?"
"That kiss."
Yang Jiabo froze. "You… and Meng Fan are together?"
"No."
"Eh?!"
Ren Boying: "I’m the one with feelings. He’s still young, and I don’t want to drag him into this."
"But he seems to rely on you a lot?" Yang Jiabo recalled how Meng Fan always talked about Ren Boying.
"What about you and Wei Jing? You rely on him too, don’t you?"
Yang Jiabo said matter-of-factly, "We’re just good friends, brothers."
Ren Boying: "Really? Don’t you think your relationship’s unusually intimate? Beyond normal friendship?"
Yang Jiabo stood stunned, Ren Boying’s words echoing in his head.
Ren Boying sighed. "I didn’t mean anything by it."
"Oh." Yang Jiabo replied dumbly.
Even when Wei Jing returned to pick him up, he was still dazed. On the way back, he stole glances at Wei Jing’s profile. Objectively, Wei Jing was exceptional - handsome, composed, intelligent, from a good family.
Someone like him would inevitably marry a well-matched, accomplished woman once his career took off. The thought made Yang Jiabo’s chest tighten, as if he’d lost something precious.
Then Ren Boying's words replayed in his mind, and his face drained of color. Could he have fallen for Wei Jing without even realizing it? Panic took hold.
Back at Wei Jing’s apartment, Wei Jing noticed his distress. "Jiabo, what’s wrong? Are you sick?"
"I’m fine. Just homesick." Yang Jiabo deflected, then changed the subject. "Brother, did you date anyone while studying abroad?"
"No. Between school, starting a business, and worrying over a certain fool, I had no energy for girls." The answer inexplicably relieved Yang Jiabo. Wei Jing eyed him. "Why the sudden question?"
"Just curious. You’re in your twenties."
"Wait—do you want a girlfriend?" A sharp glint flashed in Wei Jing’s eyes.
"Not at all. My condition can’t handle stress, I’m not cut out for relationships." The words tasted bitter, his heart aching.
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