Chapter 14 I Like You (Three-in-One)

Jiang Ran sat somewhat awkwardly on the back seat of Su Mu's blue electric scooter.

The seat was narrow, so he had to bend his long legs slightly, following Su Mu's brief instructions before getting on the bus, and grabbed the hem of Su Mu's work jacket.

Because he was so close, he could smell the faint scent of laundry detergent left on Su Mu's body after washing, a clean and gentle aroma.

This posture was hardly comfortable for Jiang Ran, who was tall and had long legs; in fact, it felt somewhat cramped.

He felt as if he had been forcibly stuffed into an oversized container, curled up and awkward, struggling to maintain his balance so as not to fall off the bumpy country road.

The evening breeze blew in from the side, ruffling the stray hairs that had been tousled on his forehead.

This is the hairstyle he got up early this morning to style.

Jiang Ran pursed his lips, his gaze fixed on Su Mu's slender and straight back, then swept over the simple farmhouses and fields rushing past on both sides. The complex emotions in his heart, a mixture of fatigue from the long journey, discomfort in the unfamiliar environment, and surging feelings when facing Su Mu, made him exude a sense of grievance that was completely different from usual.

Before they started their electric scooter and left, Su Mu's uncle insisted on stuffing 150 yuan in cash back into Jiang Ran's hand, repeatedly apologizing: "Oh dear, classmate, I'm so sorry. Look at this mess, it's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, we're family now, we've cheated our own family. Take this money back, take it back, consider it making friends! Next time you need a ride, just call me anytime! I guarantee you the lowest price!"

Jiang Ran didn't really care about the three hundred yuan. He even thought that if he could use that money to leave a good impression on Su Mu's relatives, it wouldn't be bad.

But Su Mu told him to keep it, so he had no choice but to comply.

But his attention was more focused on Su Mu. He could sense that from the moment Su Mu saw him, he was like a taut string, silent, stiff, and even a little resistant.

He wasn't happy, at least not with the joy or surprise one would expect from a long-awaited reunion.

Jiang Ran was a little unhappy.

The electric scooter moved slowly along the narrow, uneven village road. A cool breeze swept away the last bit of the daytime heat and brought the fresh scent of plants from the fields.

Finally, Jiang Ran broke the silence.

"...I was afraid you would avoid me again, that's why I didn't tell you beforehand."

Su Mu's complete disappearance last time, severing all contact, nearly drove him mad. This time, he dared not take the risk again, fearing that giving advance notice would alert Su Mu and allow him to slip away right under his nose once more.

The electric scooter passed through the last vegetable patch and turned into a wider road lined with camphor trees on both sides. Su Mu's two-story house was at the end of the alley, with a warm yellow porch light shining in the doorway, looking especially cozy in the gradually darkening sky.

Su Mu slowly parked the car in the open space in front of the gate, turned off the engine, and removed the key. He didn't get out of the car immediately, but remained seated with his back to Jiang Ran, remaining silent for a few seconds.

“I’m not deliberately avoiding you. I just… I was working in City B before, and the work was too stressful and I felt suffocated. That’s why I wanted to go back to my hometown for a while to get some peace and quiet.”

What he said was partly true, but he omitted the most crucial and unspeakable reason.

“You should have told me you were coming.” Su Mu turned around and looked at Jiang Ran.

Looking at Jiang Ran's face, which, despite its weariness and travel-worn appearance, was still excessively handsome and out of place with its surroundings, Su Mu's tone carried a hint of disapproval, even a touch of lingering fear: "You came all alone, to a place you don't know anyone, and in that kind of car. What if you ran into bad guys and they took you to some remote mountain village to kidnap you?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran replied, "I'm a black belt in Taekwondo."

Su Mu was momentarily speechless after being choked by Jiang Ran's mention of a Taekwondo black belt. He stared at Jiang Ran's still handsome face under the dim door lamp and a ridiculous thought popped into his head: With that face and that aura, if he were really kidnapped, he'd probably be sold to a high-class nightclub to be a gigolo, not some poor mountain village...

Jiang Ran, however, was already carrying his lightweight suitcase that seemed out of place with his surroundings. Like a curious yet somewhat reserved guest, he tilted his head slightly and looked around at Su Mu's courtyard and building.

My gaze swept from the green plants by the door, across the peeling tiles on the wall, and then to the warm light shining through the window.

There was no disdain in his eyes, but rather a pure sense of wonder.

Between the two of them, the sparks that had accumulated in the phone calls and messages, those sharp words filled with anger, accusation and disappointment, seemed to have been quietly smoothed out by an invisible hand as they faced each other and were at a distance where they could hear each other's breath.

A subtle, awkward, and unfamiliar calm permeated the air.

No one could utter those hurtful words anymore.

Su Mu looked at Jiang Ran standing at his door, looking slightly helpless yet trying to remain calm. The coldness and hardness he had been forcing in his heart, trying to draw a line, unconsciously softened again.

He seems to be someone who can never truly harden his heart.

Especially when you think about how Jiang Ran, a young master who is used to being surrounded by people and always having a private car to pick him up, actually traveled alone by high-speed rail, then by taxi, and even got ripped off by his uncle in a tricycle for 300 yuan, all to come to this small town that might not even be clearly marked on a map, just to find him.

This sentiment, or rather, this stubbornness, regardless of whether it stemmed from anger, resentment, or something else, made it impossible for Su Mu to truly shut him out and let him wander the streets.

"Okay, I apologize for blocking you before." Su Mu glanced at Jiang Ran. "But you can't have so many SIM cards, it's like you're a spy."

Upon hearing his apology, Jiang Ran immediately replied, "I apologize too. I was very rude to you on the phone and in the messages before."

He was referring to those "liars," and harsh words like "fuck him."

Mentioning those harsh words inevitably brings up the chaotic, out-of-control memories of that night.

Su Mu's cheeks flushed uncontrollably, the blush spreading to his ears. He looked away somewhat flusteredly, staring at his shadow on the ground, and said quickly and vaguely, "We didn't do it on purpose. Let's just... let's just consider it an accident and forget about it."

Jiang Ran looked at his reddened ears and evasive eyes, and her Adam's apple bobbed.

He wanted to say that he... was actually doing it on purpose.

That night's loss of control was certainly fueled by alcohol and the atmosphere, but it was also mixed with his impulse to get close to her, to possess her, and even to mark Su Mu in the most primal way.

"Then add me back first," Jiang Ran said, seizing the opportunity to make a request.

“Alright,” Su Mu finally relented, “Let’s go in first.”

However, Jiang Ran stood still, her face showing a rare expression that was a mixture of hesitation and embarrassment.

“But I came in such a rush today, I didn’t prepare anything. It’s so impolite of me not to bring gifts for Uncle and Aunt.” He seemed to have made up his mind, “How about… how about I find a hotel to stay in today and come to visit Uncle and Aunt formally tomorrow?”

This was said very politely, perfectly in line with the etiquette he had received since childhood regarding visiting other people's homes.

Su Mu found it a little funny to see him suddenly become so particular; why was he still thinking about gifts and etiquette at a time like this?

“We don’t have any hotels here. The only ones in town are small, privately run guesthouses, and the conditions may not be very good.”

Jiang Ran's expression went blank for a moment.

Seeing him like this, Su Mu felt a pang of pity well up in his heart again. He reached out and gently tugged at Jiang Ran's sleeve, softening his tone and coaxing her: "Come in, we don't stand on ceremony like this in our family, don't stand outside."

This time, Jiang Ran didn't insist. The way Su Mu tugged at his sleeve was somewhat like a puppy being pulled by its owner. He followed Su Mu and stepped over the threshold.

The lights inside were much brighter than outside, and the warm yellow light instantly enveloped them. The air was filled with a rich, enticing aroma of food, the fresh scent of crucian carp soup, the aroma of stir-fried vegetables, and the steaming smell of rice.

Just as Su's mother was carrying a plate of freshly stir-fried vegetables out of the kitchen, she saw Su Mu entering the room. She was about to complain about why he was back so late, but then she suddenly stopped herself from speaking.

Her gaze passed over Su Mu and landed on the tall, well-dressed young man behind him, whose demeanor seemed completely out of place in the house or even the entire town.

"I was just about to call you, why are you taking so long?" Su's mother only said half of her scolding to Su Mu, but her eyes were curiously looking at Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran immediately stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said with utmost respect and politeness: "Hello, Auntie. I am Su Mu's college classmate. My name is Jiang Ran. I'm sorry for the sudden visit and for disturbing you and Uncle."

His polite demeanor, coupled with his excessively handsome face and overall air of refinement, instantly won over Su's mother. The expression on her face immediately shifted from surprise to a warm smile.

Su Mu also introduced, "Mom, this is my college classmate, Jiang Ran. He's here to visit for a few days, and he'll be staying at our house tonight."

Su's mother: "Jiang Ran, oh dear, I've heard Xiao Mu mention you! He said you used to take good care of him at school."

"Come in, come in! Honestly, Xiao Mu, you didn't even tell me your classmate was coming! I'll go cook two more dishes! Do we have enough food at home?" she said, turning to head towards the kitchen.

At this moment, Su's father also came out from the inner room. He pushed up his reading glasses and looked at the young guests in the living room who were obviously not locals. His face showed surprise, but it was quickly replaced by a simple and hospitable kindness.

“This is…” Su’s father looked at Su Mu.

"Dad, this is my college classmate, Jiang Ran. She's here to visit," Su Mu explained again.

Mr. Su nodded: "Why didn't you tell me you were coming? This child! It's already lunchtime, and we haven't prepared any good dishes. Should I go to the street and see if the braised food shops are still open, and buy some cooked food?"

Seeing the genuine enthusiasm and slightly flustered preparations of Su's parents, Jiang Ran quickly waved his hand, his tone sincere and even a little embarrassed: "Uncle, Aunt, really, there's no need to trouble yourself. It's my fault for bothering you; you came too suddenly. Just have something to eat, there's really no need to prepare anything special. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

He spoke sincerely and humbly, which made Mr. and Mrs. Su feel even more at ease.

Su's mother repeatedly said, "No trouble at all," but insisted on going back into the kitchen to add two more of her signature dishes. Su's father busied himself pouring tea for Jiang Ran and asking him what kind of car he had come by and whether he was tired on the way.

Su's mother called Su Mu into the kitchen to "help".

The kitchen was filled with the rich, milky-white steam of crucian carp soup, mingled with the sizzling sound of freshly cooked vegetables popping in hot oil and the aroma of garlic. Su's mother deftly stirred the vegetables in the pan, while the range hood hummed softly.

She didn't speak immediately, but used a spatula to spread the vegetables evenly. Then, she turned her head and glanced at Su Mu, who was standing by the sink, fiddling with a scallion: "It's him, isn't it?"

Su Mu's fingers, which were holding the scallion, froze: "...Huh?"

With a pointed remark, Su's mother focused on Su Mu's abdomen, which was not obvious due to his loose clothing, but could still be seen by those in the know.

After several seconds, Su Mu nodded very slowly and with very small movements.

Su's mother looked at him and nodded, her face not showing much surprise. Instead, it was as if a weight had finally been lifted from her heart. She reached out and took the crumpled scallion from Su Mu's hand, putting it aside. "I'm your mother, how could I not know anything? From the moment he walked in the door, the way you looked at him, the way he looked at you, and the way you looked so uneasy when your father asked him questions, I felt something was off. It was completely different from when you brought other classmates home before."

"What does his coming mean?"

Su Mu felt even more flustered after his mother pointed it out, and an embarrassed blush rose on his face: "Mom, he doesn't know, I... I don't know how to tell him, and their family is quite well-off. They're not like us."

The words were spoken vaguely, but Su's mother understood them immediately.

Having better conditions means a difference in social status, the possible attitude of the other party's family, and that this matter will be more complicated and difficult to handle.

"Then what's he doing here?" Su's mother frowned. "He came all this way by himself. It can't just be a whim to visit you for a few days, can it?"

“I wasn’t planning on contacting him,” Su Mu said. “I went back to my hometown because I wanted some peace and quiet to sort things out. I didn’t expect him to come looking for me. I don’t know what he’s thinking now.”

Seeing him like this, Su's mother felt both pain and anger. She raised her hand and gently patted Su Mu's back, without much force.

“Since he’s here, there’s no way to avoid him. You have to make things clear with him and say everything that needs to be said.”

“You actually want to keep the child and not tell him. If that's your decision, we as parents will support you and won't object. But…”

“He is the child’s other father, so he has the right to know, right? That’s a basic principle. No matter how well-off or wealthy they are, this is something you can’t keep secret from them, and you shouldn’t.”

She glanced at the living room again, with a touch of practical consideration: "Besides, they look like a rich family's child, well-mannered. They were quite polite to us today. The longer you drag this out, the worse it will be for everyone if it blows up later. It could be trouble for you, for the child, for our family, and even for their family."

Su's mother said, "If they don't want the child, we'll keep it ourselves. We'll sign some kind of agreement and then we won't have any ties anymore. Son, you must remember that there is a little life inside you."

Su Mu finally made up his mind: "I will talk to him and find a time to make things clear."

Su's mother looked at him, nodded, and said nothing more.

Some things are best left unsaid; the rest of the journey is for the child to walk alone.

Dinner was quickly set on the table. The small square table was crammed full with four dishes and a soup, and the milky white crucian carp soup in the middle was steaming hot, emitting an enticing aroma.

Jiang Ran was surrounded by Su's parents on either side, who kept putting food on his plate.

"Xiao Jiang, try this. It's homegrown greens, no pesticides used!"

"Come on, have some soup. Your aunt has been stewing this for a long time. It's made with wild crucian carp, so nutritious! You can't get this fresh food in big cities!"

"You're the only son in your family, right? You're so well-behaved, your parents must cherish you a lot!"

Surrounded by this unexpected enthusiasm, Jiang Ran's expression gradually changed from polite and reserved at the beginning to one of being somewhat overwhelmed, even revealing a rare shyness and helplessness that belonged to young people.

He nodded repeatedly, praising, "Delicious! Auntie's cooking is really good. This fish soup is so fresh. Uncle, these vegetables are delicious too."

He spoke sincerely, not just as a polite formality.

Compared to those elaborate but cold business meals, these home-style dishes with their wok-fried aroma and simple yet fresh ingredients have a unique and comforting flavor.

Especially seeing the genuine smiles and concern of Mr. and Mrs. Su, the tension he felt due to the unfamiliar environment and unclear purpose eased considerably.

Su Mu's family members are just as easy to get along with as he is.

"The uncle and aunt cook very well. Xiao Mu seems much more energetic and has a better complexion than before."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Su smiled, his eyes narrowing into slits, with a touch of simple pride: "Of course! The vegetables we eat here are all home-grown, the chickens we raise, and the fish we catch in the river—the healthiest of all! You can't buy that in big cities no matter how much money you have!"

He patted Jiang Ran on the shoulder, as if to pass on his health to him: "Xiao Jiang, eat more, don't be shy."

So, under the earnest persuasion of Su's parents and the constant barrage of dishes, Jiang Ran managed to eat two full bowls of rice and drink two bowls of fish soup.

This was unprecedented for Young Master Jiang, who was usually extremely careful about his diet, strictly controlled his carbohydrate intake, and even pondered for a long time before drinking a cup of coffee.

Su Mu sat opposite him, silently picking at the rice in his bowl. Occasionally, he would glance at the mountain of dishes piled up in front of Jiang Ran, wanting to laugh, but also feeling a little schadenfreude.

He knew Jiang Ran's habits and understood that he was being so accommodating now largely to leave a good impression on his parents.

Dinner is over.

While clearing the dishes, Su's mother took the opportunity to whisper a few words to Su's father. Su's father's cheerful expression froze for a moment, then he looked at Jiang Ran, who was sitting on the sofa, looking down at her phone—actually trying to relieve the discomfort of overeating—and his eyes became somewhat complicated.

Su Mu noticed the change in his father's eyes and his heart tightened. Taking advantage of Jiang Ran's inattention, he quietly put his hands together in a pleading gesture towards his father, his eyes full of "Please, Dad, don't ask yet, let me handle it myself."

Seeing his son's expression, Su's father pursed his lips, let out a very soft snort from his nose, a sound that carried a hint of helplessness and "a grown son is no longer under his father's control," and then turned to help Su's mother tidy up the kitchen.

After resting for a while after the meal, Su Mu took Jiang Ran to wash up.

Their bathroom was a small, separate room in the corner of the yard, and it was always kept very clean. Su Mu gave Jiang Ran a new towel and toothbrush and showed her how to use the water heater.

Jiang Ran came out of the shower with her hair still wet and hanging over her forehead. She looked less aloof than usual and more relaxed and at home.

"Can I sleep next to you tonight? I won't do anything else."

Su Mu was pulled along by him: "We don't have a third bed in our house."

This wasn't entirely a lie. There were indeed only two proper bedrooms in the house, one for his parents and one for him. In the past, when relatives occasionally stayed overnight, they would either sleep on a makeshift bed on the floor in Su Mu's room or sleep on the old sofa in the living room. But that sofa was small, and the springs were somewhat worn, clearly unsuitable for Jiang Ran, who was tall and had long legs.

There was an old, unused bed board in the attic, but it was piled with clutter and covered in dust. There were no bedding or anything prepared, so it was impossible for anyone to sleep on it.

Jiang Ran grew up in a privileged environment and has a slight obsession with cleanliness and is quite picky. He definitely wouldn't be comfortable sleeping well in an unfamiliar place. Rather than making him feel awkward all night, it's better for him to get a good rest.

After all, we'd traveled such a long way.

At night, after Su Mu finished washing up and changed into clean cotton pajamas, he walked back to his room while drying his still slightly damp hair. He saw Jiang Ran leaning against the headboard of his bed, holding a somewhat old photo album with cartoon patterns on the cover, and looking through it with great interest.

That was a collection of photos of Su Mu from childhood to adulthood, from a wrinkled baby in swaddling clothes to a Young Pioneer wearing a red scarf, and then to a slightly immature high school student in a school uniform.

Su's mother kept it carefully and would take it out to look at it from time to time.

Hearing the noise, Jiang Ran looked up, her gaze shifting from the photo album to Su Mu, her eyes filled with a strange light, a mixture of focus and emotion.

He pointed to a photo in the album of Su Mu's elementary school ID photo. The little boy in the photo had delicate features, clear eyes, and a shy smile on his lips.

"How come you seem to have hardly changed from childhood to adulthood?"

Su Mu walked over, sat down on the edge of the bed, and leaned in to take a look.

Indeed, his appearance is the kind that is delicate and gentle, typical of a southerner. His facial features are not sharp, his eyebrows and eyes are warm, his nose is straight, and the curve of his lips always has a natural, slightly upturned feel, making him look gentle even when he is not smiling.

When I was little, my face was chubby and round, which made me look even more innocent and cute. Now that I've grown up, I've lost my childishness, my facial features have become clearer, and my figure has become slender and upright, but the gentleness and refinement in my bones have never changed.

Unlike Jiang Ran, whose handsome features are visually striking—deep-set, with sharp eyes and brows, like a meticulously sculpted work of art, dazzling and with a strong presence—he possesses a striking presence.

Su Mu glanced at Jiang Ran, a hint of smugness in his eyes: "With my appearance, I don't look old, you know? When you get old and your face is full of wrinkles, I might not be able to tell your age."

That was said with a hint of sarcasm.

Jiang Ran was not angry at all. On the contrary, she seemed to be pleased by the words, and a very faint smile flashed in her eyes.

He closed the photo album and leaned slightly towards Su Mu: "Then you can call me brother."

Su Mu was actually a few months older than him. Su Mu's birthday was in the summer, June, while Jiang Ran's birthday was in the winter, December. Su Mu was indeed the older brother.

Su Mu's face flushed slightly. He glared at Jiang Ran but didn't refute her. Because when Jiang Ran said "brother," she clearly wasn't referring to someone older.

If all goes well, the baby's due date will likely be in winter.

Su Mu said, "Go to sleep."

He reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness instantly, with only the moonlight filtering through the thin curtains and casting a hazy glow.

Although Jiang Ran's words were harsh and even threatening and angry in the phone call and text message, it was clear that now that they were lying on the same bed next to Su Mu, he didn't dare to do anything out of line.

There was no questioning, no coercion, and they even deliberately kept a distance from each other, simply lying obediently on their own side with an almost docile quietness.

Su Mu opened his eyes in the darkness, and after a while, he spoke softly, "How long...are you going to stay here?"

Jiang Ran, who was beside her, didn't answer immediately. Several seconds later, a muffled, heavily nasal voice came from behind her: "Hmm?"

The voice was visibly drowsy, as if clinging to the last vestiges of consciousness; the last syllable trailed off, fading into silence. After a long day of travel—from the high-speed train to a taxi, then to a bumpy three-wheeled motorcycle—he was finally forced to eat two large bowls of rice and a considerable amount of vegetables.

Su Mu felt that Jiang Ran was largely dizzy from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Su Mu waited a while, but received no further news. He only heard the sound of Jiang Ran's breathing gradually becoming even and long beside him. He sighed silently in the darkness, the tension he felt preparing for the negotiations being greatly relieved by Jiang Ran's sudden and rapid sleep.

"Never mind," he muttered to himself, "Go to sleep, go to sleep."

That's strange.

Su Mu thought to himself, lying in bed again with a man he had once had a one-night stand with, a man who had drastically altered the course of his life and could even be considered the culprit, he wasn't afraid at all. There was no awkwardness, disgust, or sense of being violated as he had expected.

Perhaps it's because, in his mind, Jiang Ran was first and foremost a very important and close friend of his, a college classmate who would walk him home late from tutoring, who would cherish and share the inexpensive book lamp he had given her, and who would be polite, considerate, and try her best to behave well in front of his parents.

Then, there was the one-night stand with whom he had an inappropriate relationship, fueled by alcohol and chaotic emotions.

He had expected to be restless and toss and turn all night.

However, the truth is that Su Mu slept quite well.

The next morning, Su Mu's first feeling was a warm, heavy sense of constraint.

A fluffy head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. Jiang Ran had somehow moved closer in her sleep, burying her face in the crook of his neck and the junction of his shoulder, her warm, even breath brushing against his skin, bringing a slight tickle.

A strong, muscular arm draped across his chest. The owner of the arm was clearly searching for a more comfortable position in his sleep, and was now loosely wrapped around his waist, with his palm even unconsciously resting on his slightly protruding abdomen covered by the soft fabric of his pajamas.

This posture is intimate to the point of attachment, carrying a sense of complete trust, an unconscious closeness during sleep.

Su Mu stiffened for a moment, but didn't push him away immediately. He remembered the last time. The scene of waking up after sharing a bed.

That morning, he was in the same position, being held tightly by Jiang Ran in a way that was almost like embedding himself in her arms, with her arms across his waist, sleeping soundly without realizing it.

It seems that Jiang Ran's sleeping habit is to like hugging something.

Morning light streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting thin beams of light into the room, illuminating the dust motes floating in the air, and also illuminating Jiang Ran's profile as she slept, her guarded and cold demeanor softened, revealing a gentler, even somewhat childlike, face.

Long eyelashes cast quiet shadows under her eyelids, and her lips were slightly pursed.

Su Mu tried, very carefully, to move Jiang Ran's arm that was across his waist.

It's not rejection, but rather... it's suppressing their offspring.

His movements were very light; his fingertips had barely touched Jiang Ran's warm skin when the person beside him moved.

Jiang Ran woke up.

His eyes were initially somewhat blank, but after a few seconds of focusing, he finally saw Su Mu's face, which was right in front of him.

Su's mother had a habit: ever since Su Mu started working, she never woke him up. She felt that her son worked hard outside and should sleep until he naturally woke up when he got home.

So at this moment, apart from the two people's soft breathing and movements, the room was quiet, with only the increasingly bright morning light outside the window and the faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking in the distance.

Jiang Ran withdrew her hand: "I'm sorry."

Seeing that Jiang Ran was awake, Su Mu picked up his phone from the bedside table and glanced at it. There was a message from his parents on the screen; it was simple, telling him to treat his classmate Jiang Ran well now that he was awake. Breakfast was keeping warm in the pot; one of them had gone to square dancing, and the other had gone to play cards, so they might not be back for lunch.

The two silently got up and washed up. Sure enough, there was a pot of warm white porridge, boiled eggs, a small dish of pickled vegetables, and a few freshly steamed buns in the kitchen. Su Mu brought the food to the table and made Jiang Ran a bowl of hot soy milk.

During the meal, Su Mu asked, "How long do you plan to stay here?"

Jiang Ran placed the peeled, smooth, and white egg onto the plate in front of Su Mu, then looked up at him. Instead of answering directly, she asked in a casual tone, "Where are your aunt and uncle? I didn't see them having breakfast together."

Su Mu: "My mom went to square dancing, and my dad went to play cards with the neighbors."

Seeing that no parents were around, Jiang Ran breathed a sigh of relief, said "Oh," and nodded. He picked up his bowl of still-steaming soy milk and slowly stirred it with a spoon.

The only sound was a soft clinking as the spoon touched the side of the bowl.

Then, Jiang Ran stopped stirring. He raised his head and looked directly at Su Mu. His eyes, which always seemed deep and unfathomable, were unusually clear at this moment, carrying an unprecedented, almost straightforward seriousness.

“Su Mu,” he called his name, “After that night, I’ve been trying to find you and have a proper talk. But you’ve been avoiding me, blocking me, changing all your contact information, and disappearing completely. I can’t find you.”

He looked at Su Mu: "Do you hate me? Because of what happened that night, do you hate me so much that you never want to see me again?"

Su Mu was taken aback by his sudden, soul-searching question.

He looked into Jiang Ran's eyes, and there was no anger, no accusation, only a pure, persistent waiting for an answer, and a trace of cautious vulnerability, afraid of being completely rejected.

He immediately shook his head: "No, I don't dislike you."

How could he possibly hate Jiang Ran?

Those times we spent together, those secret and sincere feelings, even the undeniable flutter and warmth left over from that chaotic night... all of it, interwoven into a complex web of emotions, containing guilt, unease, escapism, and fear of the future.

But one thing I didn't dislike was...

Hearing his resolute denial, Jiang Ran's tense shoulders seemed to relax almost imperceptibly. Then, he put down his spoon, leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands on the table, and adopted a more solemn posture.

"Then think about it and see if you want to be with me."

Su Mu's eyes widened instantly, his mouth opened slightly, his expression froze completely, and he was stunned by the bluntness of the words and the sudden shock.

Should I consider... being with him?

What does this mean? Is it another way of apologizing? Is it compensation for guilt? Or something else entirely?

The morning sun was still shining brightly, and the steam from the soy milk was still rising in wisps, filling the air with the aroma of food.

Su Mu's world was as if a bomb had been dropped on him because of Jiang Ran's short sentence, leaving him dizzy and his thoughts shattered into pieces. For a moment, he was completely unable to understand or react.

He just stared blankly at Jiang Ran, at that handsome, serious, even resolute face with a sense of desperation, his mind completely blank.

Su Mu: "Why?"

Jiang Ran's answer was direct, straightforward, and even a little too simple. It was so simple that Su Mu's heart stopped beating for a moment, and then started pounding wildly again, making his eardrums buzz.

"I like you."

Four words. Clear, steady, without any embellishment or hesitation.

It should have been more formal, but Su Mu didn't give him the chance.

Jiang Ran found it hard to pinpoint exactly when he fell in love with Su Mu. By the time he realized it, he was already very reluctant to part with him.

I'm reluctant to graduate, reluctant to leave Sumu.

He remembered their first meeting very clearly. On the first day of university, when he pushed open the dormitory door and walked in, Su Mu was facing away from the door, bending over and wiping his desk with utmost care.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, falling on his thin but straight back and on his shoulder blades, which were slightly protruding from exertion.

Su Mu wiped very carefully, not even missing the crevices at the corners of the table. After finishing the last wipe, he straightened up with satisfaction, took a step back, and wanted to admire the fruits of his labor.

As a result, this step landed squarely on Jiang Ran's foot, who had just walked in.

"Ah, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!" Su Mu jumped back as if he had been burned, turned around, his face instantly turned red, and apologized repeatedly. His usually gentle eyes were filled with panic and helplessness, like a little animal that had accidentally caused trouble and was eager to be forgiven.

Jiang Ran looked down at the clear shoe print on her white sneakers, then looked up at the boy in front of her, who was wearing a simple white short-sleeved shirt, slightly panting from nervousness and apology, with flushed cheeks and moist eyes.

"It's nothing," he heard himself say.

But Su Mu clearly took this matter very seriously, insisting on expressing his apology and even offering to wipe the table for him. Jiang Ran couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had to step aside.

Jiang Ran watched as Su Mu picked up the rag again and meticulously wiped every corner of the table that originally belonged to him. His serious profile and slightly pursed lips looked particularly vivid in the afternoon sunlight.

He was a very hardworking and adorable boy.

This was Jiang Ran's first impression of Su Mu.

Later, Jiang Ran gradually discovered that Su Mu had a habit of rarely looking back when he walked. Whether going to class, to the cafeteria, or taking a walk on campus, he always focused on looking ahead or had his head slightly lowered as he thought about something.

Occasionally, when they have to take a few steps back due to crowds or to avoid something, they never look back to see who is behind them.

Jiang Ran, however, had somehow gotten used to standing behind him. It was a natural, somewhat protective position.

Su Mu stepped back and bumped into someone, but when he turned around, Jiang Ran was smiling at him.

Su Mu abruptly stood up from the stool, his movement so sudden that the chair leg scraped against him with a sharp sound. He felt his coordination momentarily fail, and he almost stumbled as he walked: "You like men?"

"I like you."

"I...I need to think about it."

Jiang Ran felt as if a withered tree had been revived upon hearing this. Su Mu actually said he could consider it, but her eyes were fixed on him: "How long?"

Su Mu's cheeks belatedly flushed, the heat spreading all the way to his ears: "Think it through yourself."

"How long will it take you to consider this?" Jiang Ran asked again.

Su Mu: "...How long can you stay?"

"I've taken a long leave. If you agree, I'll leave."

Su Mu thought, if I don't agree, does Jiang Ran intend to stay here indefinitely? This thought made his heart pound even harder, and he almost blurted out, "Ten days... I'll think about it."

In the afternoon, he went to the factory and told Jiang Ran to stay home. Before leaving, he sent a message to Su's mother: "Mom, Jiang Ran is at home. Don't let him go hungry."

Su's mother asked: Did you tell her?

Su Mu's cheeks flushed again: ...He confessed his feelings to me.

Su's mother: You only think about dating now that you have a child?

Su Mu couldn't respond. He couldn't very well tell his mother that it was a one-night stand, could he? Only after receiving his mother's assurance that "Don't worry, he won't go hungry" did he feel somewhat at ease.

When I returned in the evening, I saw that familiar yet abrupt figure at the gate of my yard from afar. Jiang Ran had taken off her coat, wearing only a dark short-sleeved shirt, and was holding a shovel, digging the drainage ditch in front of the gate with Su's father.

His movements weren't particularly skillful, but they were steady. With each shovel strike, the soil turned up, carrying a solid strength that seemed somewhat out of place with his overall demeanor.

Su Mu: "…………"

Neighbor Aunt Wang, carrying a shopping basket, passed by, stopped and stared for a while, then called out to Su's father with a smile, "Old Su, is this your relative? He's really handsome, like a movie star!"

Su Mu walked over in a few steps and pulled his father aside, saying, "Dad, why did you make him do this? He's a guest, after all."

Father Su looked completely innocent: “I didn’t ask him to, but he insisted on doing it. However, this son-in-law who is not yet married into the family is really willing to put in a lot of effort. He’s even more capable than our old donkey.”

Su Mu: "…………"

-

A note from the author:

Father Su: They should have brought them back when they harvested the corn.

Little Wooden Head: …………