Chapter 4: Walking the Dog

Sunlight slanted through the gap in the curtains at dawn, falling onto the bed in the room. Ji Huaizhi stepped forward and drew open the curtains. Sunlight instantly flooded the entire space, and the crystal ornament on the desk refracted specks of golden light.

Those light spots scattered across every corner of the room like fallen stars. But on closer inspection, their shapes resembled butterflies.

Ji Huaizhi stared at the butterfly-shaped light spots for a moment, then wordlessly draped a piece of black cloth over the ornament.

A full-length mirror hung on the door of the wardrobe in the room. Ji Huaizhi walked over to it and smoothed back his slightly disheveled hair while gazing at his reflection. Today, he had changed into a dark short-sleeved shirt tucked into long pants, accentuating his slender waist. The skin exposed on his arms had a cool pallor, giving him an overall air of listlessness.

He bent down to retrieve a watch from the bedside table and fastened it around his wrist, concealing most of the mark there.

Just then, he heard the sound of the door opening downstairs.

Ning Shuang had returned.

Panting heavily, Ning Shuang entered the house from downstairs. He hung his bag and jacket on the coat rack.

Ning Shuang wore a loose athletic top with shorts that barely reached his knees, revealing a pair of lean, well-proportioned calves.

The morning air’s dampness mingled with the thin sheen of sweat on his forehead, trickling down his jawline and matting the fine hairs at his temples. His eyelashes were damp with sweat, making his eyes gleam especially brightly.

He looked up and caught sight of Ji Huaizhi descending the stairs. The other young man wore a dark short-sleeved shirt and fitted long pants, his long hair loosely tied back with strands falling loose around his temples. They swayed gently with his movements as he came down, his expression carrying a hint of aloof severity.

Ning Shuang’s eyes lit up. He raised his hand and greeted him enthusiastically. “Ji Huaizhi! Good morning.”

As Ji Huaizhi descended, he had already spotted Lu Yuyang sprawled languidly on the sofa, engrossed in a game on his phone. He gave him a single glance before looking away.

He responded coolly to Ning Shuang. “Morning.”

Ning Shuang felt a little hurt by his indifferent tone.

“Back from your morning run? Nice work, nice work.” Lu Yuyang tore his gaze from the phone screen and looked at Ning Shuang.

Ning Shuang hummed in affirmation. “Oh, right—I picked up breakfast. Come eat.”

He pulled the breakfast he had bought from the messenger bag hanging on the coat rack and set it on the dining table.

Then he glanced toward Ji Huaizhi in the kitchen, took a deep breath to steel himself, and called out. “Ji Huaizhi, I got breakfast for you too. Want to eat with us? Or are you planning to make your own?”

Ji Huaizhi paused with the glass of water in his hand, then walked over to Ning Shuang. He pulled a sheet of tissue from the box and offered it along with the water.

“Eh?” Ning Shuang was pleasantly surprised. “For me?”

Ji Huaizhi: “Mm-hmm.”

It seemed like a simple gesture of reciprocity because Ning Shuang had shown him some care.

“Ah, thanks!” Ning Shuang was still thrilled nonetheless. He took the glass and tissue with both hands, then invited him openly. “Join us for breakfast. I got some for you too.”

Ji Huaizhi looked into Ning Shuang’s expectant eyes and hesitated for a few seconds before murmuring softly, “Sorry, I need to head to school.”

“You have an eight a.m. class today?” Ning Shuang had nearly forgotten that the other was a year below him.

“Yes.” Ji Huaizhi nodded.

“Alright then. You can still catch the bus in two minutes if you leave now. Hurry—don’t be late!” Ning Shuang said with some regret.

Ji Huaizhi replied, “Okay.”

Ning Shuang saw him to the door and reminded him, “Don’t forget your keys. Message me on WeChat if anything comes up.”

He waggled the phone in his hand as he spoke.

Ji Huaizhi: “Okay.”

His gaze lingered on Ning Shuang for a moment before he turned and left. The morning breeze billowed his thin shirt, and his long hair danced with it, the whole of him emanating a clear, distant chill.

Ning Shuang clutched the glass of water, leaning against the doorframe as he watched Ji Huaizhi’s retreating figure until it vanished from sight. Only then did he reluctantly withdraw his gaze and return to the dining table.

Lu Yuyang had already started eating on his own. He took a sip of soy milk. “I thought you could fill up just by staring at him.”

Ning Shuang huffed and plopped down in a chair. He immediately showed off the glass in his hand to Lu Yuyang. “See this? He poured me water and gave me a tissue to wipe my sweat. What does that mean?”

“It means he’s polite.” Lu Yuyang bit into a steamed bun and offered his assessment.

Ning Shuang shot back at once. “Which means you’re not.”

Lu Yuyang snorted dismissively, not taking Ning Shuang’s words to heart at all. Ning Shuang slumped over the table, gazing at him with an expression of desperate pleading. “Young Master Lu, Big Brother Lu, got any advice? Help a guy out.”

Lu Yuyang used the other end of his chopsticks to push Ning Shuang’s head away. “Not into playing strategist. Besides, when I chase someone, I just throw money at them. Want me to spot you some cash? No interest.”

“Uh…” Ning Shuang fell silent for two seconds before blurting out, “Player.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a knock sounded at the entryway. Lu Yuyang swallowed the retort he was about to make, and Ning Shuang jumped up to answer the door.

The morning breeze was slightly cool, tousling the long hair of the person standing there.

When Ning Shuang saw who it was, his clear almond-shaped eyes brightened. He asked excitedly at once, “Ji Huaizhi, why are you back? Forget something?”

Ji Huaizhi was looking at the bits of tissue clinging to Ning Shuang’s forehead from the wiping.

“Your forehead…” he prompted.

Ning Shuang blinked in confusion and touched his forehead. Seeing the flecks on his fingers, he looked at Ji Huaizhi with instant gratitude.

“Thanks!” His thanks rang out loud and clear.

“No need.” Ji Huaizhi met Ning Shuang’s eyes before answering his earlier question. “The notice said the first class this morning was canceled, so I came back.”

“Oh, I see.” Ning Shuang didn’t suspect a thing and was glad Ji Huaizhi had returned. “Come on in then. Breakfast is still hot. Let’s eat together.”

Ning Shuang happily ushered him inside.

Ji Huaizhi sat in the empty seat next to Ning Shuang’s spot.

Ning Shuang hesitated behind him for a moment before circling around the table to sit beside Lu Yuyang. He knew enough to keep a proper distance.

Ji Huaizhi glanced at the empty seat beside him, then at Ning Shuang. A strange emotion flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Ning Shuang didn’t notice his gaze at all. He enthusiastically got up and placed an unopened cup of soy milk and a steamer of buns next to Ji Huaizhi. “These are sauced meat-filled. If you don’t like them, we can swap—I’ve got pork and corn ones here too.”

Ji Huaizhi wasn’t picky and gladly accepted what Ning Shuang offered. “It’s fine. I can eat these.”

He ate quietly and elegantly, not uttering a word throughout the meal or making even the slightest sound. Influenced by him, Ning Shuang and Lu Yuyang fell silent as well.

Lu Yuyang finished eating and left.

Ning Shuang had no classes or Student Union duties that morning. After seeing Lu Yuyang off, he went back to his room to change clothes, preparing to take the dog for a walk. When he came out, he found Ji Huaizhi sitting on the sofa downstairs with a book open on his lap. Ning Dundun was obediently crouched in its dog crate for once, not bothering anyone.

Ning Shuang was a bit surprised. After all, Ning Dundun was an enthusiastic dog, and he had worried just now while changing that it might startle Ji Huaizhi.

It seemed he had overthought it.

He quietly watched Ji Huaizhi downstairs for a few seconds.

Suddenly, he clutched his chest and sighed. So handsome.

Perhaps sensing Ning Shuang’s gaze, the person reading looked up abruptly, locking eyes with Ning Shuang at the upstairs hallway. Ning Shuang’s gaze darted away in embarrassment as he clambered down the stairs, all awkward limbs.

Ning Shuang sat down across from Ji Huaizhi and turned to call Ning Dundun. “Dundun, come here.”

Ning Dundun opened its mouth, tongue lolling out, and trotted over to squat beside Ning Shuang—miraculously not jumping on him. Ning Shuang patted its head contentedly.

Ji Huaizhi glanced up at Ning Shuang’s hand on the dog. That hand had long fingers with neatly rounded nails and evenly distributed muscle and bone—a hand full of quiet strength.

He watched for a bit before suddenly speaking up. “Its name is Dundun?”

Ning Shuang jumped on the question. “Yeah! It took my surname—Ning Dundun.”

“I picked it up at the market my freshman year. Super lively and friendly with people, but it’s been so quiet around you. Maybe it knows to play it cool around handsome guys.” Ning Shuang joked with a grin.

Ji Huaizhi’s long lashes slowly lowered, a shadow passing through his eyes as he murmured softly, “It probably doesn’t like me.”

Look at that pitiful expression. Ning Shuang’s heart ached, and he immediately refuted it. “How could that be? Dundun gets quiet sometimes too! Someone as good-looking as you? Impossible not to be liked.”

Ji Huaizhi’s hand on his knee clenched slightly. He lifted his gaze to Ning Shuang, the corners of his usually taut lips curving faintly upward.

“Can I pet it?” he asked.

Ning Shuang nodded and moved his hand aside. “Sure. It doesn’t bite.”

Ji Huaizhi leaned down, and as soon as he extended his hand, Ning Dundun walked right up to his feet. Ning Shuang quickly pointed it out. “See? It does like you.”

“You can even teach it to shake.”

Ji Huaizhi stroked Ning Dundun’s head and, following Ning Shuang’s instructions, commanded, “Shake, Ning Dundun.”

His voice was even and flat, yet Ning Shuang somehow detected a hint of sexiness in it. He looked up and saw the loose strands of long hair framing Ji Huaizhi’s face. With his head bowed, Ning Shuang could make out his long, straight lashes and the high bridge of his nose. Simply sitting there, he looked like a painting.

Ning Dundun lifted its front paw, but Ji Huaizhi didn’t reach out to shake it. Instead, he commanded, “Sit.”

That sexy, magnetic voice burrowed into Ning Shuang’s ears. His knees buckled, and he nearly slid off the sofa to squat on the floor right alongside Ning Dundun.

Ji Huaizhi seemed to sense something and looked up at him.

Ning Shuang quickly cleared his throat and averted his eyes. Propping himself up on the sofa, he changed the subject. “Don’t you have classes this morning?”

Ji Huaizhi thought for a moment before replying, “I can skip them.”

“Huh?” Ning Shuang blinked, not quite following.

Ji Huaizhi turned the question back on him. “Do you?”

“Yeah, I’ve got one this morning and another this afternoon,” Ning Shuang answered honestly.

“Same here,” Ji Huaizhi said then.

“Then let’s head to school together later,” Ning Shuang suggested eagerly.

Those almond-shaped eyes of his were always so bright and optimistic. Ji Huaizhi’s gaze flickered darkly, and the corner of his mouth curved up again in a faint smile as he nodded. “Sure.”

“Right, then…” Ning Shuang shot to his feet, tearing his gaze away from Ji Huaizhi’s face. He was already weak for that handsome visage, and with Ji Huaizhi staring at him like that and smiling, he nearly lost control and slid right off the sofa to kneel on the floor again.

A hint of confusion flickered in Ji Huaizhi’s eyes.

Ning Shuang hurriedly bent down and grabbed Ning Dundun’s collar, his expression awkward. “I-I’m going to take Ning Dundun for a walk.”

He headed to the entryway drawer, pulled out Ning Dundun’s leash, and clipped it on. Ji Huaizhi watched the man and his dog quietly, a whirlwind of thoughts churning in his eyes.

But the next second, after changing his shoes, Ning Shuang turned back and asked, “Ji Huaizhi, want to come with?”

Ning Shuang could tell Ji Huaizhi wasn’t much for socializing, but he asked out of politeness anyway. Leaving the guy high and dry at home wouldn’t be right.

Right now, all he wanted was some distance from Ji Huaizhi to clear his fuzzy head. Besides, he had no clue how to pursue someone yet—he figured he’d ask his friends for advice while walking the dog.

Ji Huaizhi’s lashes lifted as he considered it, then agreed. “Sure.”

Huh? He… just agreed, like that?

A flash of surprise crossed Ning Shuang’s face. He coughed lightly to compose himself. “Great! I’ll show you the park nearby. You can go there for walks on your own sometime too.”

It was still early morning. A cool breeze brushed their skin, carrying the damp freshness of dawn through the air.

Ning Shuang held the leash as he walked shoulder-to-shoulder with Ji Huaizhi. They were both quiet. Around them, elderly folks were out walking their dogs, and the wind rustled through the leaves, sending them spiraling down in curls.

Ning Shuang broke the silence. “Ji Huaizhi, what do you do for fun?”

“Nothing,” Ji Huaizhi said. Then he tilted his head toward Ning Shuang. “You?”

“I like playing Steam games, swimming, and badminton. I’m even in the school’s Badminton Club!” Ning Shuang shared enthusiastically.

Ji Huaizhi listened attentively, without interrupting.

“Sometime when you’re free, I can take you to check out the club. Everyone there is great,” Ning Shuang said, his words laced with a probing tone right through to the end.

Ji Huaizhi’s voice was warm and smooth. “Sounds good.”

He hadn’t turned it down.

Ning Shuang felt a rush of elation just then, but he didn’t push his luck with more requests. He had a knack for being content with what he got.

Contentment was the key to constant joy, after all.

Spotting Ning Dundun eyeing a nearby patch of grass, Ning Shuang unclipped the leash.

With a whoosh, Ning Dundun bolted onto the lawn.

The two of them settled onto a bench in the middle of the grass. Overhead, the massive tree’s leaves rustled wildly in the wind. Dawn’s light filtered through the branches in mottled golden patches, dappling their faces.

Ning Dundun circled at their feet, gnawing on its own leash. Ning Shuang chuckled at the sight. “Silly dog.”

It was affectionate toward Ning Shuang, but even after all this playtime here, it only cozied up to him. It hadn’t approached Ji Huaizhi at all—unless Ji Huaizhi reached out first.

Ning Shuang didn’t read into it much. He just figured Ji Huaizhi’s aura was too aloof; even this bubbly little pup could tell he wasn’t easy to win over.

After that, conversation between Ji Huaizhi and Ning Shuang dried up almost completely.

Ning Shuang found Ji Huaizhi’s attitude odd. He just couldn’t figure it out—Ji Huaizhi clearly disliked going out, yet here he was, walking Ning Dundun with him.

Remembering he’d been the one to invite first, Ning Shuang realized Ji Huaizhi had probably just gone along with it. The guy probably hated turning down requests.

That was the only explanation that made sense.

Lost in his thoughts, Ning Shuang didn’t hear the bicycle bell chiming behind him.

Ji Huaizhi glanced at Ning Shuang’s distracted, daydreaming expression and grabbed his arm, pulling him back toward the roadside.

“Watch out,” Ji Huaizhi warned.

Ning Shuang bumped into him just as the bike whizzed past, grazing by.

The cool, sandalwood scent—like a fresh snowfall—filled Ning Shuang’s nose. He looked up at Ji Huaizhi. The wind lifted the other man’s long hair, strands brushing across Ning Shuang’s face and tickling his heart.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought,” Ning Shuang said once he’d steadied himself. He quickly stepped back half a pace to put some distance between them.

Ji Huaizhi’s hand felt unusually cold; Ning Shuang could swear the veins in his wrist had frozen solid.

“What about?” Ji Huaizhi wasn’t the chatty type—he always seemed aloof and terse. For him to ask so directly caught Ning Shuang off guard.

Of course, he couldn’t say what was really on his mind. His eyes darted as he came up with a quick fib.

Ji Huaizhi said nothing more. His gaze lingered on Ning Shuang’s face for a moment before falling silent for good.