Chapter 12: Green Eyes (12)

The next day.

Shen Qiuxun ran into Jace during lunch.

The two walked to a corner together. Jace was silent for a long time before he finally looked up and asked, “Why did you help him? Clearly… we are the same kind.”

Shen Qiuxun had his hands shoved in his pockets. He lifted his eyelids, looking a bit like he hadn’t woken up fully. “Shopkeeper, do you think using privilege to force a civilian into submission demonstrates a sense of equality between us?”

Jace was speechless, only looking bitterly into those cold, alluring eyes.

On the other side of the wall, Xu Zhiyuan looked down. He paused for a moment, and when the familiar footsteps drew closer, he turned and silently walked away.

…

Mid-year, Shen Qiuxun discovered that this lifeless planet actually had a holiday, one that everyone took quite seriously.

According to Sister Ellie, on the 18th of June, the planet’s residents would hold a bonfire party together, singing and dancing to pray for blessings and express their hopes for the future. It was the only day of the year like this.

“Speaking of… you weren’t bothered that night, were you?” Ellie looked over at him, holding a bill.

Shen Qiuxun gestured down at himself. “Nope. I’m fine.”

Ellie nodded thoughtfully. “Do you have time to help after work tomorrow?”

“What’s that?”

“Setting up for the bonfire party. We need to cut some paper window decorations and tie balloons and stuff. It’s at my place.”

And so, Shen Qiuxun found himself sitting among a group of Betas, embarking on his grand paper-cutting project. His hands-on skills were indeed not great, and his aesthetic sense was a bit lacking too, but luckily, his memory was outstanding. He only needed to see something demonstrated once to roughly mimic it. After some practice, he even received quite a few compliments.

To prepare for this party, Shen Qiuxun had been leaving early and returning late for several days, barely crossing paths with Xu Zhiyuan.

He heard there would be fireworks the night of the holiday. Such a meaningful moment would be perfect for getting closer. Shen Qiuxun even considered just seizing the moment to confess, or maybe give a gift.

If all else failed, he could even try to steal a kiss—actually, no, that was a bit too shameless. But with the fireworks going off and the atmosphere charged, who knew, maybe a different kind of magic would happen!

[You’re quite the romantic thinker.]

‘That’s how they do it in TV dramas.’

Chatting with his System like this, Shen Qiuxun made his way home. It was already very late, the wind was strong, and when he reached the bottom of the stairs of his rental building, he couldn’t help but take off his scarf, muss his hair, and shake the sand off his body. After doing so, he went upstairs.

A man was sitting by his door, leaning against the wall, dozing. Hearing a sound, the man opened his eyes and looked over. Grass-green eyes stared at him unblinkingly in the dim hallway, dark and intense, like a predator watching its prey.

Shen Qiuxun, hands in his pockets, took two steps closer. “Forgot your keys again?”

The man didn’t answer. He just silently stood up from the ground, crossed his arms over his chest, and stared blankly at the door frame.

He was much taller, standing behind him like a small mountain.

“…” Shen Qiuxun took the key from his pocket, lowered his head, and approached the keyhole to unlock the door. The two walked into the rental, and he turned on the light.

Neither of them spoke.

Shen Qiuxun headed further into the room. Feeling the burning gaze on his back, he couldn’t help but turn around at the doorway. “Is something the matter?”

Xu Zhiyuan had been coming home on time the past two days, but he hadn’t seen Shen Qiuxun in the rental even once. Their shifts were different, and on top of that, Shen Qiuxun had been busy with who-knows-what lately, leaving early and returning late, making it even harder to meet.

Until… this afternoon, when he went to the first floor to move goods. He happened to see Shen Qiuxun and Ellie getting off work together. The two were walking close to each other, one tall and one short, heading into another alley. Shen Qiuxun was holding a few boxes, and when he saw the boxes in Ellie’s arms tilt, he freed a hand to steady them.

Xu Zhiyuan just watched from behind, wanting to gnash his teeth to dust. So this was what Shen Qiuxun had been up to all these days—early departures and late returns because he was with Ellie. And sure, even in the interstellar world, a union between a male Beta and a female Beta was still the majority. But being so lovey-dovey every day… where did that leave him?

It was truly infuriating.

But when the man in front seemed about to turn around, Xu Zhiyuan instinctively ducked into a corner. Staring at the bare wall, his heart felt sour, as if he’d drunk a whole bucket of vinegar.

Tonight, when he returned to the rental and saw the dark windows from outside, he knew Shen Qiuxun hadn’t come back again. Dejectedly stopping at the door, he patted his pocket and realized he’d forgotten his keys that morning.

This scene inevitably reminded him of the last time. Reminded him of the wire used to pry the lock. The plain, quiet face. The slightly parted bangs… and—and the subtly pursed lips at the moment the door opened.

He suddenly realized how vividly that image was etched in his mind, down to the slightest, most fleeting change in expression.

With these bitter thoughts, Xu Zhiyuan let go of the doorknob, shoved his hands in his pockets, and sat down on the floor against the wall by the door, staring blankly at the stairway. He wanted to see just when Shen Qiuxun would come back.

Did this guy have any awareness of the boundaries between men and women?

And didn’t he say he liked him? How could he neglect him for a woman? Clearly… clearly just a few days ago, he had risked his life to save him.

By the time Shen Qiuxun actually returned, after the initial joy, Xu Zhiyuan felt an indescribable shame. This behavior was a bit like a child throwing a tantrum over a candy they didn’t get. And… and this guy wasn’t even giving him a proper look!

He stared resentfully at Shen Qiuxun’s back in a daze. Then, the man unexpectedly turned his head and looked at him. All Xu Zhiyuan could do was blink, suddenly unsure what expression to put on his face.

He heard the man ask: “Is something the matter?”

Of course, something was the matter!

His face cold, Xu Zhiyuan gritted his teeth. “Nothing.”

He turned around first and walked into his own room.

‘What’s his problem?’

[Alphas are always a bit moody certain days of the month.]

‘Makes sense.’

Shen Qiuxun scratched his head, went inside, and changed his clothes.

The party preparations were almost complete, but because the sound equipment malfunctioned, Shen Qiuxun spent ages tinkering with the repairman to fix it, so he got home late again tonight.

Only one lamp was lit in the quiet rental. Xu Zhiyuan sat at a table in the corner, applying medicine to himself. Hearing the door open, he silently broke open the wound he’d just coated with ointment. He let out a soft yelp of pain.

Shen Qiuxun, who had just walked in, heard it and looked over. “What’s wrong?”

“None of your business.”

“Oh.” Shen Qiuxun took off his scarf and was about to head to his room, but was stopped halfway.

“Wait. I’m a bit inconvenienced. Help me apply this medicine.” Xu Zhiyuan was fuming inside, his cold aura terrifying, but he was still very honest in calling the man back.

He looked up and gave Shen Qiuxun a resentful glare.

Shen Qiuxun turned back and sat down beside him, deftly opening the bottle of disinfectant. “How did you get hurt?”

“The crate wasn’t secured. It fell over.” Xu Zhiyuan secretly raised his gaze to look at the other’s eyes. The lashes were straight and dense, fanned out like a folding fan.

Shen Qiuxun nodded. After disinfecting, he picked up the ointment. He paused for a moment, then looked up at him. “Let me ask you something.”

“What is it?” Xu Zhiyuan leaned against the chair back, his uninjured hand tucked in his pocket, looking very relaxed.

“What’s a good gift to give a good friend?” Shen Qiuxun felt Sister Ellie was truly good to him, but on this resource-poor planet, finding a gift for a female friend was just too difficult.

A gift?

A good friend?

What other good friends did Shen Qiuxun even have?

The corner of Xu Zhiyuan’s mouth unconsciously curled up. He lifted his eyelids to assess the quiet Beta before him, pretending to think for a moment. “Actually, the other person would probably like any gift that holds your sincerity.”

Truthfully, he didn’t know what gift he’d want to receive. He’d simply be happy just knowing it was a gift from Shen Qiuxun. And he even knew to get him a gift. He could grudgingly forgive the man for neglecting him the past few days.

Shen Qiuxun nodded thoughtfully. ‘What’s the difference between him saying that and saying nothing?’

[Bodhi originally has no tree, the bright mirror also has no stand. Originally there is not a single thing, where could dust collect?]

‘?’

…

The 18th arrived in the blink of an eye. Everything was the same as usual, completely unchanged. Had Shen Qiuxun not known there was a party tonight, he’d have thought his days of preparation were all a dream.

After finally making it through the day’s work, Shen Qiuxun went home to change after his shift, then was due to meet at the square at 8 PM sharp.

After discussing it with the System for a while, he decided to give Sister Ellie a red-and-brown striped scarf. After wrapping the scarf, he prepared to head out for his appointment.

Just as he left his bedroom door, he happened to run into Xu Zhiyuan coming home. Xu Zhiyuan entered from outside, looking a little surprised to see him. When his gaze landed on the gift box in his hand, his lips curved up noticeably. He looked to be in a good mood.

“Are you going to that party too?” Shen Qiuxun asked.

“Hm?” Xu Zhiyuan pulled his attention away from the gift box. “The Mid-Year Festival? I’m not going. Too many people.” His mental state was already poor, and noisy, crowded places were unbearable for him, so he usually preferred to be alone.

“You’re going to that party?”

Shen Qiuxun nodded. He was a little disappointed, but then thought maybe it was fine if Xu Zhiyuan didn’t go. He could just confess to him after the party was over. Two men alone in a room might be awkward, but at least they wouldn’t be watched by a crowd. That wasn’t so bad.

His mood improved a bit. He lifted the gift box in his hand. “Then help me check—is this kind of wrapping okay to give to Sister Ellie?”

Xu Zhiyuan’s expression froze for a split second. He stared at the gift box, then turned his head back to Shen Qiuxun. “For Ellie?”

“?” Shen Qiuxun glanced at the gift box. “Is there a problem?”

“Hah.” Xu Zhiyuan let out a cold laugh, so furious that his scalp tingled, as if someone had just slapped him across the face. He shot a restrained look at the ungrateful Beta in front of him, walked into the bedroom without a word, and slammed the door shut with a “Bang!”

‘What’s his problem now?’

[Who knows.]

Shen Qiuxun’s chat had delayed him a little. By the time he hurried to the square, the party had already started. Younger men and women were dancing hand-in-hand around the bonfire, while some older people sat on the benches by the square chatting.

Food was scarce. People with surplus brought a bit—there were roasted potatoes and roasted sweet potatoes. Genuine smiles finally appeared on the faces of these toiling people.

The sound system’s quality was poor, still a bit glitchy. Shen Qiuxun just sat next to Uncle Repairman eating roasted potatoes. The uncle beamed at him and took out a small box of chili paste from his pocket. It was so delicious, Shen Qiuxun wished he could swallow his own tongue along with it.

“Is that Little Robot of yours still for sale?” the Uncle asked. “It’s just a decoration at your place anyway. Might as well sell it to me for some cash.”

“Not selling.”

“Tsk, too bad the robot’s core crystal is gone. That thing’s a valuable treasure.”

Valuable?

Shen Qiuxun bit into his potato. Xu Zhiyuan, a penniless guy who couldn’t even afford a Suppressant—where would he get money to buy a crystal?!