Heard your son is gay?

The last time Gu Zhuoyan and Gu Shibo had a conversation was at the end of September, in the coffee room at home. The father and son duo had pretended to drink coffee together, both feigning civility and rationality, but after beating around the bush for a long while, they revealed their true colors—an identical, unyielding stubbornness.

In this family, Gu Shibo had grown up with the children of diplomats. He later left politics for business, eventually reaching his current position. He was haughty but had the capital to back it up. Xue Manzi had always been strong-willed. A graduate of Peking University Law School, she worked hard alongside Gu Shibo after marrying him. Her style changed somewhat through the ups and downs, but it was true that she was becoming more and more of a career woman.

The child raised by this couple, you didn't even have to think hard to know he wouldn't be easy to handle. The genes in his blood and the influence of what he saw and heard growing up would inevitably create a new tough nut to crack.

The old tough nut and the young tough nut had clashed many times. Even if they wounded each other until they were bloody and aching all over, neither was willing to bow their head and give in. Their last encounter in the coffee room had nearly ended with a flipped table and smashed cups. After that, they hadn't met again, nor had they spoken a single word to each other, directly cutting off contact all the way into the new year after New Year's Day.

At this very moment, Gu Zhuoyan could hardly believe it when he heard Gu Shibo's voice. He pulled his phone away to glance at the caller ID. It really was Gu Shibo, his long-unseen, almost-forgotten father. He had no idea why he was calling—whether it was for something good or something wicked. Hopefully, he wasn't trying to cause him trouble right at the start of the year.

Putting the phone back to his ear, Gu Zhuoyan asked, "Is there something?"

Gu Shibo said, "You're staying in Rong City for the Spring Festival this year?"

'The news travels fast.' It was probably leaked when Gu Baoyan video-chatted with the family last night. Gu Zhuoyan didn't plan to hide it, replying, "That's right, I'm not going back for the Spring Festival this year."

His tone was firm. He didn't use Xue Maochen as an excuse. Xue Manzi already knew that he and Zhuang Fanxin were together, so Gu Shibo must know too. In that case, he might as well be open about it.

Unexpectedly, Gu Shibo brought up Xue Maochen instead. "What if your grandpa comes back for the New Year?"

Gu Zhuoyan walked towards home, his strides long, but he reined in his temper. "Can you even persuade him to come?"

"If your mother and I ask him together, you think we can't persuade him?" Gu Shibo's deep voice was a bit softer, holding the relaxed tone of someone with a winning hand. "Your grandpa has been wanting to catch up with his in-law for a long time. If he extends a personal invitation, that should be enough to persuade him, don't you think?"

Chinese New Year is all about family reunions. Being in Rong City with his grandson was a small reunion, but going back would be a grand reunion. Gu Zhuoyan was momentarily silenced. He knew Gu Shibo's call couldn't be for anything good. He entered the house. The living room was empty. Standing in the middle of the room, he reiterated once more that he was going to spend the New Year in Rong City.

If his father wanted to argue or quarrel, he could bring it on. He wasn't scared.

Uncharacteristically, Gu Shibo laughed. He didn't even utter a single "bastard." He understood that if he forced Gu Zhuoyan to come home, his own son would make sure nobody had a good New Year.

His own family getting headaches and being angry behind closed doors would be a light punishment. What he feared was that this bastard would repeat the coming-out disaster, make a huge scene, and have the bad news spread like wildfire. Then, at every cocktail party in their circle, he and Xue Manzi would be asked one thousand eight hundred times—"Heard your son is gay?"

Gu Zhuoyan's gayness had made Gu Shibo afraid. Having reached middle age, Gu Shibo was starting to become mildly homophobic.

"I saw the promise you made to your mother," Gu Shibo said. "You can stay in Rong City for the Spring Festival, but there's a condition."

After the call ended, Gu Zhuoyan sat on the sofa in a daze for a moment. He had agreed to the condition. What dazed him was Gu Shibo's last sentence before hanging up: 'You're still young, don't mess around with your little partner.'

Gu Shibo had almost never cared about trivial matters, like how much he ate or if he was dressed warmly enough. He hadn't even thought to ask if Gu Zhuoyan was hurt after getting into a five-on-one fight. So Gu Zhuoyan was a little stunned. Was that concern? An admonishment? In any case, after hearing it, he checked the caller ID again, confirming that it was, in fact, his dad.

Since he didn't respond for more than ten seconds, Gu Shibo guessed that his warning had come too late and added, "Be sure to take safety precautions." Then he hung up.

It was truly incredible. There was no intense hostility, no pointed opposition, and it even ended with a rare display of warmth. Perhaps Gu Shibo's tone wasn't gentle, but it was enough to make Gu Zhuoyan happy.

While this feeling of happiness was still present, Gu Zhuoyan composed a text: "Thanks, Dad." After typing it, he deleted it. The progress in their father-son relationship was too fast and felt uncomfortable. He changed it to, "Forgot to say, Happy New Year's Day."

Over a thousand kilometers away, Gu Shibo had already opened a file to work on. Seeing the text, he too was dazed for a moment.

Before the vacation ended, Zhuang Fanxin's fever had subsided and the swelling had gone down. He went to Professor Pei to discuss Zhuang Xianyang's request for leave. After that was settled, he stayed in the room with Pei Zhi to talk about design.

Pei Zhi was already in his third year of high school. A few months after the New Year, he would be graduating. He had no plans to study abroad; his grandmother was getting on in years, and he wouldn't be at ease leaving the old woman in China by herself. Zhuang Fanxin's family situation was the exact opposite. His elderly grandparents lived overseas, and sooner or later, they would need someone to go over and care for them. Just like with this current disastrous illness, Zhuang Xianyang had to drop everything to fly back and forth.

"Sigh." Pei Zhi was a bit gloomy. "Let's talk about something happy."

Zhuang Fanxin immediately said, "How are things with you and that upperclassman?"

This topic was even more depressing. Pei Zhi shook his head. Not good at all. Ever since being caught by his grandmother, he had been cautiously playing the part of a model filial grandson and had become a homebody. But he held no resentment. To him, his grandmother was the only family who had painstakingly raised him, the person he loved most. No one and nothing was more important than the old woman.

Zhuang Fanxin asked, "So if your grandmother objects, will you and the upperclassman break up?"

Strictly speaking, Pei Zhi wasn't actually together with him, which was why he said the relationship was complicated. They weren't dating, but they had done everything imaginable. If his grandmother forbade it, he would behave himself. But when they met in secret, he would still lose control when the time came.

'Then what does that count as...' the relatively pure and simple Zhuang Fanxin asked.

Pei Zhi said, "Let's just call it... making do. It's not like gay people can get married anyway." He casually unlocked his phone, remembering the stupid text Zhuang Fanxin had sent him yesterday. "You got fucked so hard you ran a fever and you still made a special point to tell me. Is there something wrong with you?"

Zhuang Fanxin said, "I, I didn't lose."

Pei Zhi gave him a look. "You really have issues."

After New Year's Day, there were no more holidays left. All they could do was eagerly await winter break. The leadership at Tianji High School was full of energy, holding a mandatory class meeting on the evening of the first day back from the holiday to rally the students for final exams.

Xia Wei was full of drive. Science Class 3 was an advanced class, after all. In the past, it had been overshadowed by Classes 1 and 2, but now that they had absorbed a powerful general like Gu Zhuoyan, and after his stunning performance in the midterms, their final exam results had to be even more brilliant.

Qi Nan nudged Zhuang Fanxin. "If Gu Zhuoyan gets first in the grade, do you think Old Xia gets a bonus?"

"I don't know, maybe," Zhuang Fanxin said. "Even without a bonus, it would still give him a lot of face."

Qi Nan said, "If Gu Zhuoyan gets first in the grade twice, he can get a scholarship, right?"

Zhuang Fanxin hadn't thought about that. The suggestion was a wake-up call. "Right, he should be able to." Before he had even closed his mouth, Xia Wei's gaze swept over. He called out his name, asking what he was muttering about.

People in love are bold. Zhuang Fanxin stood up and tossed the question to the teacher: "Teacher Xia, if Gu Zhuoyan gets first in the grade again, will he get the scholarship for this semester?"

Gu Zhuoyan was in the back row working on a practice test, not hearing a single word of Xia Wei's lecture. He hadn't even noticed when Zhuang Fanxin was called on, only looking up when he suddenly heard his own name. It was truly intoxicating. On a late evening with the stars twinkling, instead of worrying about whether his homework was finished or what to eat at home, his boyfriend was worrying about whether he could get a scholarship.

Xia Wei was also caught off guard, pausing for a moment. "Well, scholarships aren't based on academic performance alone. Daily conduct and other factors are also considered. Although Gu Zhuoyan's grades are excellent, he has a demerit for fighting, and he recently skipped an entire afternoon of classes. These issues cannot be ignored."

"Oh," Qi Nan chimed in. "He has a dark history."

Zhuang Fanxin sat down. Xia Wei continued to motivate the class and made a point of encouraging Gu Zhuoyan, "Since you can excel in your studies, I believe you can be perfect in other areas as well." The high hopes he had for him were as plain as a louse on a monk's head.

However, as soon as school let out, Gu Zhuoyan ran up to the teacher's podium to ask Xia Wei for leave. He wouldn't be taking the final exams; he had to go home for half a month. His parents, he said, would call personally later to explain the details.

Xia Wei looked as if he'd been struck by lightning, nearly tumbling off the podium.

Zhuang Fanxin wasn't any better. He couldn't lose it on the spot, but the moment they were out the school gate, he stopped on the curb and demanded, "Why are you suddenly going back? You're not even taking your exams. Are you transferring schools? Why!"

A gust of cold wind hit them, and Gu Zhuoyan's stomach growled, a sound even louder than the wind itself.

The old spot, the McDonald's where the initial misunderstanding had occurred. Zhuang Fanxin had no appetite. Hugging his schoolbag with furrowed brows, he stared fixedly at Gu Zhuoyan's back as he ordered food.

'He's still in the mood to eat! His tray is full, so it looks like his appetite is great!'

Gu Zhuoyan came over with a tray of food, took a sip of Coke, and then unwrapped a Big Mac and took a few bites. Across the table, Zhuang Fanxin was silent and fuming. Gu Zhuoyan pushed an ice cream sundae toward him, with a few fries stuck in it.

Zhuang Fanxin didn't move, sparks of fire flaring and dying in his eyes.

"My dad called me," Gu Zhuoyan said. "I can stay in Rong City for Spring Festival this year, but I have to go back for a bit beforehand. There's a Physics Competition Winter Camp I need to attend, and a few classes I have to take."

In addition, there were two banquets he had to attend. Since Gu Shibo had arranged them, there must be a reason, something for him to learn and observe. In total, he would be gone for about half a month, missing the final exams. By the time he came back, it would probably be winter break.

After he finished explaining, Gu Zhuoyan nudged Zhuang Fanxin's sneaker with his foot under the table. "That was the condition, so I agreed."

Zhuang Fanxin listened intently, not daring to miss a single word. When he finished, he hugged his bag tighter, his frown deepening. He sought confirmation, "You'll really come back, right?" As long as he was coming back, it didn't matter if they couldn't spend Spring Festival together.

"Don't worry. My grandpa wouldn't let me stay away," Gu Zhuoyan said. The ice cream was half-melted. He pulled out a fry, offered it over, and dabbed it on the pearl of Zhuang Fanxin's lip. "Eat one. They're not crispy anymore."

Zhuang Fanxin bit into it, chewed, and swallowed. Then he went still again.

While gnawing on a Big Mac with one hand, Gu Zhuoyan was busy serving with the other—nuggets, pie, Spicy Wings—until his hand was sore. There weren't many customers at this hour, so their antics were quite conspicuous. Shoving a piece of fish filet into Zhuang Fanxin's mouth, he said, "People are going to think I'm taking care of my mentally handicapped little brother, that I even have to feed him."

Zhuang Fanxin picked up the fish sandwich himself and asked, "What day do you leave?"

"The ninth. Next week," Gu Zhuoyan said. "Will you come see me off at the airport?"

Zhuang Fanxin nodded. The last time, he had flown out early and returned late, and it had been Gu Zhuoyan who saw him off and picked him up. This time, it was his turn to send him off and pick him up. Now it was his turn to get a taste of what it was like to wait for someone.

It was late when they left McDonald's. Parting in the alley, Gu Zhuoyan pushed his bicycle toward the end of the lane. Just as he reached his door, Zhuang Fanxin caught up to him and asked in the pitch-dark, "You'll definitely come back, right?"

'He must be so anxious.' Gu Zhuoyan deliberately asked, "And what if I don't come back?"

He thought Zhuang Fanxin would be scared enough to throw himself into his arms, maybe even shed a few tears. Instead, in the dark, Zhuang Fanxin opened the notepad on his phone. "Give me your home address. If you don't come back, I'll come capture you."

The word "capture" was used brilliantly. Gu Zhuoyan laughed in the darkness for a long while.

Zhuang Fanxin became neurotic. In the morning, while being squashed like a meat patty on the subway, he would still crane his neck to ask Gu Zhuoyan, "You will come back, right?" During a pop quiz in class, he would read halfway through a comprehension passage, turn around to make sure Gu Zhuoyan was still there, then turn back and start reading from the beginning again. He would wake up in the middle of the night to pee and feel a sense of loss afterward, huddling under his covers to text Gu Zhuoyan: 'I'm here waiting for you to return, waiting for you to come back and see the peach blossoms bloom.'

It took him several days to become desensitized. Thinking about how they wouldn't see each other for a while, he went to the Xue Family's house every day to do his homework. After he finished, he would be "detained." For seventeen-year-old boys who had already had their first taste of meat, a fleeting exchange of glances was enough to send them into disarray.

Gu Zhuoyan acted like a sweet-talking bastard. "I'm leaving soon, for half a month. How fatal it will be to not be able to see or touch you during that time." As he spoke, his hands were already stripping off the school uniform, pressing him against the desk. The finished test paper was soaked through with a patch of sweat.

On that armchair, Zhuang Fanxin cried with his legs draped over the arms and his mouth covered. Who knew how many times the bedsheets had been changed. Leaning against the wall, the curtains were almost yanked down. His back pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window, fogging up the glass, hazily revealing the terrace and the distant sky beyond.

Each time, Zhuang Fanxin would be exhausted to the point of near-unconsciousness, tear stains dried at the corners of his eyes, his body a mottled canvas of pinks and reds, constantly refreshed and never quite fading. Gu Zhuoyan said he was as pure as a sheet of scratch paper, and then he would rub him, crumple him; showing no mercy was perhaps the most intense form of his affection.

On January ninth, the driver took Gu Zhuoyan to the airport with Zhuang Fanxin in tow. That intense sorrow of parting had already passed its peak. On the way, he just focused on giving instructions, "The local specialties you brought back last time were really good. Bring some more this time, thanks."

Once the boarding pass was in hand, the two of them stood together in the bustling airport terminal for the fourth time. Before heading to the security check, Gu Zhuoyan hugged Zhuang Fanxin and said, "Wait for me."

Zhuang Fanxin said, "I'll be counting the days."

Gu Zhuoyan took two steps back, then turned and merged into the long line for security. He glanced back before entering. Zhuang Fanxin was still standing there, watching him. He went through and was out of sight. Beyond the departure hall, the tarmac was vast, under a gray-blue sky.

It wasn't exactly sunny, but it wasn't gloomy enough for rain either.

As for when the rain would come, it probably wouldn't be very long.