When several dorm mates gathered around eagerly to continue asking Chu Yi about his 'love affair', Zhou Chunyang clapped his hands: "We've filled up on snacks, shall we go for some kebabs?"

In the bitter winter cold, Zhou Chunyang's words were more attractive to these foodies than anything else. They immediately yelled in unison: "Let's go!"

"Then let's head out," Zhou Chunyang waved his hand. "I'm actually craving teppanyaki..." He sighed. "Too bad there's none near campus."

With food on their minds, everyone headed out together.  

Chu Yi tagged along at the back. He wasn't actually that hungry.

Zhou Chunyang slowed down to walk beside him.  

"About you," Zhou Chunyang said in a low voice. "Don't tell the dorm mates."

"Huh?" Chu Yi didn't react at first, just looking at him.

"Whether you're dating anyone, who you're dating," Zhou Chunyang said. "Just keep it to yourself, no need to tell people casually."

"Okay," Chu Yi nodded, then asked after thinking for a bit: "What about you..."

"I wasn't planning to say anything either," Zhou Chunyang said. "Wasn't I outed by that idiot Wang Min?"

Chu Yi sighed.  

"With people like him around, even if our dorm gets along now, who knows what'll happen with others," Zhou Chunyang said. "You saw how Wang Min reacted... If they know about you too... Then we'll never hear the end of it. Might even get an anti-gay squad."  

Chu Yi smiled wryly, then couldn't smile anymore.

"As long as you're fine with yourself, that's enough," Zhou Chunyang said. "Some things don't need others to approve."

Chu Yi remembered how frightened he'd been by Wang Min's intense reaction. He didn't know when that fear left him. Maybe it was Zhou Chunyang's casual attitude, or his growing feelings for Yan Hang occupying his thoughts, squeezing out the anxiety.  

Only now did he realize—he had become one of those "gross gays" he used to dread.  

Although he tried to convince himself it was no big deal, it was still hard to truly not care like Zhou Chunyang.  

But the more he thought about it, Zhou Chunyang was right about many things. As Zhou Chunyang said, it's enough to know and accept yourself, no need to announce it so everyone knows, or make everyone understand.

Yan Hang stood by the garbage bins outside the staff hallway, smoking and taking a break.  

With the New Year approaching, he felt a strong urge to quit from being so busy. He had never persisted at any job like this.

If not for his plan to get into the kitchen, he might have actually quit.  

Even managers from other restaurants approached him last week, offering better pay and hours for the same position. He didn't consider any of them.  

His mind was set on the kitchen. Once established here, his chances would improve.

"Little Yan," Manager Tang called from behind.  

"Yes," Yan Hang responded and turned around, "You need me, Manager?"

"Just wanted a chat," Manager Tang walked over and lit a cigarette, standing side by side. "I happened to step out for some air."  

"By the trash bins for air huh," Yan Hang said.

Manager Tang laughed. "Right."  

"Do you have any tasks for me?" Yan Hang asked. Manager Tang didn't usually come out here for smoke breaks. He had his own office to freely smoke out the window.

"You and Little Wang are already so busy," Manager Tang smiled, "I don't dare give you more work. Don't want to overwork my two capable captains till you quit."

Yan Hang just smiled without responding.  

"Plus someone's been dying to get into the kitchen," Manager Tang looked at him knowingly. "Am I right?"

Yan Hang put out his cigarette. "It's not that I don't want to be captain, I just prefer the kitchen... I'll do my job properly every day I'm in this position. Won't affect my work."  

"I know. I was going to have you double as captain first, but you did well so it's hard to switch you out now."  

"Just say it straight, Manager. I'm easygoing, no need to beat around the bush with me." Yan Hang knew Manager Tang must have plans, he was probably aware of the recent poaching attempts.

Manager Tang laughed aloud. "I remember you wanting the kitchen. I do want to help you get in when there's a chance. You'll have to wait for Jin Ling to come back first. Her duties may change, so I'll see if I can get you into the kitchen then."

"Okay." Yan Hang nodded without hesitation.  

"I'll try my best to arrange it. With your foundation, getting you an assistant position or something shouldn't be an issue."  

"Thank you, Manager Tang," Yan Hang said. "Let me wish you an early happy new year."

"Oh stop it," Manager Tang flicked his cigarette and patted Yan Hang's shoulder with a smile. "Just work at ease. I promised about the kitchen so I'll think of something."

"Mm-hmm." Yan Hang smiled.

Near the end of his shift, Cui Yi called: "Wanna go fight for some new year goods if you're free?"

"You think I'm very free huh." Yan Hang sighed.  

"Just making conversation," Cui Yi said. "Gotta have some opening line right."

"I always thought the opening line was 'Hello'," Yan Hang laughed. "I'll have Chu Yi go. They have their last final today. Free after exams."

"How are you spending new year this year?" Cui Yi asked.  

"Not sure yet. Sis Wang and I haven't arranged shifts. Don't know who has the night shift on the 30th. She insists on taking it," Yan Hang said. "I was thinking, she's a woman going through all that trouble, such a gentleman."

"We can book a table at your restaurant," Cui Yi said. "What about Chu Yi?"

"He wants to go home to see his grandparents," Yan Hang said. "If I'm off, then I'll..."

"Then go with him," Cui Yi said.  

"Then you'll be so pitiful, I gotta think of something foolproof."  

"Give up on me. I've spent so many new years alone," Cui Yi said. "And you're so annoying, forcing me to set off firecrackers."

Thinking about Cui Yi sprinting around wildly with firecrackers last year, Yan Hang couldn't help laughing hard for a while.  

"There's another thing," Cui Yi said. "I was originally going to bring it up after New Year's, but since you're going out during the holidays, you should still be careful."

"Hmm? Any news over there?" Yan Hang asked right away.  

"We haven't found the cripple who attacked you," Cui Yi said, "But among the people he had contact with, one of them is suspicious. That's all I know for now. I'll update you if there's more news."

Yan Hang frowned. "So there's at least two people involved?"

"Yes," Cui Yi said. "But we're not sure yet if the cripple has anything to do with what happened back then. He may have just been a helper brought on board."

"Got it," Yan Hang hesitated for a moment. "Any leads on Chu Yi's dad?"

"No," Cui Yi said. "The case now spans two jurisdictions, so there are more difficulties and they can't disclose much either."

"Thanks for the hard work, Officer Cui," Yan Hang sighed. "I hope they can...catch the suspects surnamed Chu and Yan soon."

"I've recorded this. I'll play it for the one surnamed Yan in the future," Cui Yi said.  

Yan Hang laughed. "Damn."

Every time Chu Yi took out his keys to unlock the door to Yan Hang's home, he would feel a strange sense of joy.  

It wasn't just because this was Yan Hang's home, but also because there were more and more traces of himself here - a few changes of clothes in the closet, a toothbrush Yan Hang prepared for him next to the sink, and his slippers.  

Although it was just a rented apartment, it gave him a much happier feeling than going back to his own home.

Today was the last day of final exams, and the dorm building instantly emptied out.

The dorm was emptier compared to National Day, and the winter break carried a greater sense of "reunion" than simply a vacation.

So Chu Yi quickly packed up and escaped with everyone else, afraid of being the last one to leave.

He didn't have a home to return to for the moment, but at least he could stay with Yan Hang.