A crash came from the kitchen. He rushed over and saw Qi Shi'an had dropped the colander on the floor.

“You’re awake?”

“Yeah. Got up too early this morning, so I fell asleep.”

Shen Duoyi washed his hands, opened the fridge to check the ingredients, and reached in. Qi Shi'an came up behind him and slipped an apron over his head, tying a perfect bow.

“Just so you know, I can cook, but I’m not a great chef.” Shen Duoyi had taken on chores early in life and knew how to cook, though he never honed the skill. “But I do have a couple of signature dishes.”

“Whatever you make is fine. I’m not picky.”

As night fell, their home joined the countless others with glowing windows. Shen Duoyi cooked while Qi Shi'an assisted. The long-unused range hood finally roared to life, and the dishes and cutlery got some air.

Four dishes and a soup—two meat, two vegetable—and each had a bowl of Shen Duoyi’s signature stir-fried noodles. Qi Shi'an poured a little baijiu into two small cups. “Just this much; we can’t get drunk.”

“Are you afraid I’ll get drunk and misbehave?” Shen Duoyi asked.

“No, I’m afraid you’ll get drunk and lose control.” Qi Shi'an took a bite of the lion’s head meatball. The fragrance filled his mouth. He swallowed and added, “You need to be clear-headed.”

After dinner, Shen Duoyi left the cleanup to Qi Shi'an and lounged in the living room, digesting. He glanced at the coffee table and saw the notebook he had gifted Qi Shi'an.

He picked it up and flipped through it, expecting to see neat work notes. Instead, it was a chaotic, witty mess that made him reluctant to close it.

"Annie didn’t remind me that today was a trading day. The non-delivered positions weren’t closed out. I think she wants to quit."

"The main force transferred positions, futures contract prices surged like crazy, retail investors rushed in, and when the market stagnates, they'll feel like fools."

"Today’s meeting focused on stop-loss strategies, but I don’t like stop-losses. Only idiots stop-loss. I choose to fight and recover."

"Sydney business trip itinerary: surfing, teppanyaki, shopping."

At first, Qi Shi'an thought the noise came from the TV. Then he heard Shen Duoyi’s hysterical laughter and knew something was wrong. He wiped his hands and walked to the living room, immediately turning red with embarrassment: “Why are you reading other people’s notes?!”

Shen Duoyi laughed until his stomach hurt, and shamelessly said, “Other people? My name is clearly on the title page.”

“Stop reading.” Qi Shi'an walked over to grab it, but missed.

Shen Duoyi dodged and sprawled onto the carpet. Even with Qi Shi'an’s weight on his back, he didn’t give up and continued reading aloud: “1475 is hopeless, five consecutive bearish lines are hideous. I need to see Team Leader Shen to cheer up.”

Shen Duoyi burst out laughing: “What does that have to do with me?!”

The person underneath was shaking with laughter. Qi Shi'an’s chin bumped against Shen Duoyi’s trembling shoulder, so he gave up trying to control the situation. Shen Duoyi grew even bolder, flipping through the notebook while lying there.

There were many data charts, simplified tables, and proper summaries of key points. He skimmed through them, feeling like he laughed enough for three years’ worth of jokes.

“Hydrangea cultivation methods and tips: mix leaf mold, garden soil, and river sand; add ferrous sulfate at appropriate times. Plant mood cues: say ‘Duoduo, you look beautiful today’ once a day.”

“Beautiful my foot!” Shen Duoyi didn’t know whether to be angry or amused. He flipped to the next page and found the key points from the training session that day. He hadn’t expected Qi Shi'an to listen so carefully to his talk, and for a moment, he felt happy.

The notes ended there. He quickly flipped through the blank pages like a film reel and saw a page with two lines of text. Qi Shi'an pressed down on him: “That’s it, stop looking.”

“I clearly saw it.” Shen Duoyi found the page and read aloud: “Before I met you, how would I have known? Concealed beauty like a fleeting dream.”

He closed the notebook, rolled over, and hugged Qi Shi'an. “I want to know every side of you — mature or childish, no matter what, I’ll like it all.”

Qi Shi'an supported Shen Duoyi’s waist and lifted him up: “Really all of it?”

“Really.” Shen Duoyi looked at him, eyes unreadable. “Are you going to carry me to the bath?”

Hot water gradually filled the bathtub, steam enveloping the bathroom. Qi Shi'an hung the bathrobe and towel, then looked down at Shen Duoyi, who was sitting in the water with his knees drawn up.

Shen Duoyi grabbed the shower curtain: “I need to close this.”

Moments ago, he was laughing so loudly. Now he was subdued. With a swish, the view was completely blocked. Qi Shi'an chuckled softly, turned, and entered the shower. The sound of water filled the air. He finished quickly, dried off, and left the bathroom.

No need to make the other person so nervous they couldn’t even bathe properly.

Hearing the door close, Shen Duoyi let out a breath of relief and finally relaxed. He enjoyed his bath, then donned his robe and dried his hair.

Qi Shi'an hadn’t left him any underwear, so he tied the robe tightly for security.

The bedroom was lit only by a bedside lamp, but it was bright enough. Shen Duoyi walked over to Qi Shi'an, who was standing by the wardrobe. He spoke just to fill the silence: “These curtains are so thick. The ones at my place are too thin and don’t block sound.”

Qi Shi'an guided him to the wardrobe: “This section is yours now. The back section is for seasonal clothes, you can use it too. The sleepwear earlier was a bit big — maybe pick a t-shirt.”

Shen Duoyi reached out, but froze mid-air. His eyes locked onto a black lace thong in the middle section.

“Oops, you found it,” Qi Shi'an feigned panic.

Shen Duoyi turned and glared: “Don’t tell me you wear this.”

Qi Shi'an snatched it back: “Of course not.” He unfolded the thong while squatting down. “This came with the box of condoms you chose. Did you think I was cheating?”

“…I don’t.” Shen Duoyi flushed. When Qi Shi'an grabbed his ankle, he finally realized why he was squatting and asked incredulously, “What are you doing?”

Qi Shi'an rubbed his ankle. “Helping you put it on.”

Shen Duoyi stepped back, but his ankle remained captive. One side was already on. Qi Shi'an reached for his other foot. Shen Duoyi clutched the wardrobe door in protest: “Don’t go too far.”

“What did I do? I didn’t even use grappling techniques.” Qi Shi'an looked up, unabashed. “Didn’t you say you’d like every side of me?”

The thong was now around his calves. As Qi Shi'an stood, he pulled it up. The robe blocked the view as it reached Shen Duoyi’s upper thighs.

Shen Duoyi pressed against the wardrobe: “It’s too tight… I can’t wear it.”

Qi Shi'an lost his patience and yanked it up, fitting the fabric snugly around Shen Duoyi’s hips. He lifted him and growled, “A small, round butt like this needs to be properly restrained.”

He set Shen Duoyi on the bed, propped up by soft pillows. The comfort contrasted with the tension as Qi Shi'an leaned over him. Qi Shi'an pressed his knee down: “You know bending your legs is even more dangerous, right?”

Shen Duoyi clenched his legs together, his toes curling. He didn’t argue or speak, just lightly tapped his lips with his finger.

Qi Shi'an’s eyes darkened, and he leaned in to kiss him.

It felt like a dream. When he woke, he was utterly exhausted.

His thighs were stained pale pink, evidence and fluids mingling. Qi Shi'an brushed Shen Duoyi’s damp hair back and kissed his forehead: “Duoyi, it’s been ten years. Our paths have wandered far apart, but my heart has always been with you.”

Tears marked Shen Duoyi’s cheeks. He used his last bit of strength to kiss Qi Shi'an’s lips.

Since you came, you never left. Ten years of traces, ten years of heart.