The weather in early spring was still very cold, as winters in the north are always exceptionally long. But despite the cold, the necessary transitions still had to occur, and the trees by the roadside still had to sprout buds. Willow catkins began to float in the air with the wind, scattering everywhere, seeming to arrive a bit earlier than usual this year.

At this time last year, Qin Fang was not yet familiar with Xing Yan. By the time they became close, the weather had already warmed up.

So it was only this year that Qin Fang learned that Xing Yan was slightly allergic to willow catkins and other small, fluffy particles, which made him uncomfortable. That's why Xing Yan never ate peaches or anything similar.

As a result, Qin Fang got into the habit of carrying a couple of masks in his pocket for Xing Yan when going out, in case he forgot to wear one. But occasionally, when taking off the mask indoors, Xing Yan would still encounter allergens and start sneezing continuously.

"Your nose is all red, you look so pitiful," Qin Fang said as he walked past Xing Yan, casually stroking his chin.

Xing Yan had been sneezing all afternoon, and now his voice was very nasal, sounding like he had a cold. He bumped his head against Qin Fang's belly, following the force of his touch.

Ever since Si Tu returned, he had been coughing. With one sneezing and the other coughing all afternoon, the room looked very unhealthy. Han Xiaogong, lying on the sofa, said, "My goodness, if you're going to sneeze like this next time, don't come. You're too disruptive."

Xing Yan glanced at him without saying a word. Qin Fang wouldn't stand for it and said with a laugh, "You're the one who called and invited us over. We weren't sneezing before we came, so you should be glad I'm not blaming you."

"So what should we do? Do I have to compensate you?" Han Xiaogong asked with a chuckle.

Qin Fang said, "Well, you can consider it."

Han Xiaogong picked up his phone and sent him a red envelope with two hundred yuan. Qin Fang accepted it without any hesitation.

"You really don't stand on ceremony," Han Xiaogong said.

Qin Fang nodded and said with a smile, "We'll use it to buy masks to wear."

During the Qingming Festival, Qin Fang had to visit his grandfather's grave. He had originally wanted to bring Xing Yan along to show his grandfather his amazing boyfriend, but since Xing Yan was allergic to willow catkins, Qin Fang decided against having him come.

However, the next morning, as soon as Qin Fang went downstairs, he saw Xing Yan standing at the bottom of the dormitory building with his hands in his pockets, his mask leaving only his eyes exposed. Xing Yan was wearing a dark denim jacket, with his back to the dormitory building. From the building, one could only see his very handsome back view.

Qin Fang's steps paused for a moment, his heart feeling a bit warm.

He walked over and bumped Xing Yan's shoulder, asking softly, "Waiting for someone, handsome?"

Xing Yan turned his head, his eyes above the mask blinking with a smile, and said in a low voice, "Waiting for a cute guy."

"Am I good enough?" Qin Fang asked him.

Xing Yan nodded, "More than good enough."

"Didn't I tell you we'd go together next time?" Qin Fang asked him on the way.

Xing Yan took off his mask and simply said, "I'm accompanying you."

As they spent more time together, Qin Fang felt less and less of Xing Yan's original aura. Although he still didn't smile often and wasn't particularly talkative, most of the time now, Qin Fang found Xing Yan to be very gentle. Moreover, the feeling of being cared for and valued by someone made his heart warm and moved.

Xing Yan didn't put his mask back on after getting out of the car, and certainly wouldn't wear it while standing in front of the tombstone. He placed the yellow flowers in front of the tombstone, looked at the old man in the photo, and respectfully bowed.

Qin Fang, as usual, wiped the tombstone with a small towel, smiling and saying to his grandfather, "See, the good name you gave me was not in vain. I really did find a star. I like him so much, so very much."

Xing Yan looked at him, at his especially beautiful and satisfied smile, for a long time.

The cemetery was a disaster area for all kinds of fluff. After one visit, Xing Yan's nose was practically ruined, and he sneezed to the point of despair.

"I told you not to go," Qin Fang said with a frown, feeling a bit distressed for his boyfriend.

Xing Yan acted as if he hadn't heard and didn't respond, occasionally pulling out a tissue to wipe his nose.

"My grandfather will have to visit me in my dreams tonight," Qin Fang said with a laugh, "and say, 'Little star, does your friend have rhinitis?'"

Xing Yan also laughed, sneezing in the middle of his laughter.

Qin Fang touched his nose, his feelings written in his eyes.

Xing Yan asked him, "Are we going back tonight?"

Qin Fang lowered his eyes, "What else can we do? With you sneezing like that, what can the two of us do?"

Xing Yan rested his head on the table, looking at him with a smile, "Do I have no other significance besides doing something?"

Of course he did, so Qin Fang said, "Then let's not go back."

Qin Fang also rested his head on the table, and the two of them lay face to face in a secluded corner of the coffee shop, looking at each other, both silly and childish. Their cool guy and school hunk personas had long since crumbled.