After the bell rang for the end of the last get out of class in the afternoon, Jiang Xu's phone beeped with a message notification.

It was a message from the student union; Jiang Xu happened to be checking attendance at evening self-study today.

After reading it, he sent a message to Gu Li.

Jiang Xu: I have to go check on people tonight, so I can't stay with you. You can continue contemplating life.

"But I'm already here."

Jiang Xu turned around when he heard the sound. Gu Li was standing behind him. The young man's white short-sleeved shirt and the white gauze around his neck softened his strong and flamboyant demeanor, adding a touch of approachable frailty.

Jiang Xu looked at the gauze a few more times. "I sent the message too late. Otherwise, you should have rested at home more."

Gu Li said, "Thanks to your recliner and blanket, I rested really well. I'd be rusty if I rested any longer." He pointed to Jiang Xu's phone, "And you didn't send it late, I just arrived early."

Jiang Xu: "It's not early. I was just thinking of inviting you to dinner."

Gu Li: "That's just right."

The two walked side by side, and Jiang Xu asked Gu Li, "Is there anything you'd like to eat?"

Gu Li looked at Jiang Xu and said, "Let me think about it."

Seeing Gu Li deep in thought, Jiang Xu added, "Something light."

"Jiang Xu, you see, we have pretty similar tastes, right?" Gu Li asked.

Jiang Xu nodded.

"Then look again. You asked me what I want to eat, right?" Gu Li continued.

Jiang Xu nodded.

"So, in the end, you think it's unreasonable to make it too bland, right?" Gu Li asked three times in a row.

Jiang Xu looked at Gu Li and smiled. "Normally, that's how it is, but Gu Li, you can't see the gauze on your neck, but I can see it every second. I think," his voice was a little lonely, and his smile faded, "was it because I discovered it too late that the gauze is so glaring."

Looking at Jiang Xu's expression, Gu Li hooked his arm around Jiang Xu's shoulder and ruffled Jiang Xu's hair with his other hand, his fingertips running through the soft, fluffy strands. "You're not allowed to think like that. I'll tell you how to think. Scars are a man's badge of honor," he said, trying to keep his tone light. "Besides, you came just in time. I think the last sentence is perfectly reasonable. Let's go."

Jiang Xu pulled Gu Li's hand down and quickly reached out to touch Gu Li's red hair. The hair felt just as good as he had imagined, making him want to touch it a little more. "You won't have any scars." He lowered his hand, and Gu Li's gaze was already on him.

Gu Li watched as Jiang Xu withdrew his hand. "You're quite vengeful, aren't you? You have to pay back for this too." He then added, "So I don't have any medals left."

Jiang Xu said, "This isn't about revenge, it's about curiosity." He thought for a moment and then continued, "You have one." He spoke with certainty, lightly tapping the edge of the gauze with his fingertip, "An invisible medal, the kind that only a few of us know about."

Gu Li smiled. "Sounds good."

Finally, the two sat down at the mala tang stall where they first met. Jiang Xu thought for a moment and asked, "Lighter?"

Gu Li nodded and said to the busy aunt, "Sister, both of them should have tomato soup base." He smiled at the aunt who looked over and then looked at Jiang Xu, "That's quite light."

Jiang Xu smiled and nodded, "Indeed."

Then the aunt's words interrupted Jiang Xu's laughter, "Is it still the same as before, with less spice?"

Jiang Xu looked calmly at Gu Li, "Oh? Less spicy?"

Gu Li gave Jiang Xu a smile, then replied to the aunt, "Sister, I forgot to mention, not a single spice, not even a little bit."

The aunt had just finished picking out dishes for the previous customer when she came over. Only then did she notice, "Oh dear, what happened to your neck? You really can't eat spicy food."

Gu Li waved her hand, "It's nothing, he just bumped into something while playing around. Seriously, don't add any spice, sis. His bowl too."

The aunt nodded. "Then please sit down."

Jiang Xu smiled at the aunt and said, "Thank you, sister."

After the aunt finished her work, Jiang Xu said, "You always added chili to your tomato soup before, you must have been really tired."

Gu Li slowly drank the water. "I added it before, but I forgot because I hadn't had tomato soup for a while. I didn't do it on purpose." He put down the cup. "Besides, didn't I ask you to come with me? We're in the same boat, it's not bitter at all."

At the small stall, conversations never stopped, and the aunt was busy carrying soup bowls, her movements swift and skillful.

The tomato broth was thick, and a sweet and sour aroma wafted through the air. Jiang Xu handed a spoon to Gu Li, saying, "Eat more to nourish yourself."

Gu Li took the spoon. "If you keep getting nosebleeds, eat more and nourish yourself. I haven't seen you gain any weight."

Jiang Xu said, "You've lost weight."

Gu Li, "I've always noticed that you're very thin."

Jiang Xu and Gu Li exchanged glances, and Jiang Xu curled his lips into a smile, "The loser from the gym last time was pretty arrogant."

Gu Li raised an eyebrow. "Next time you go to the gym, you'll see what real power is."

Jiang Xu: "Would you dare to double the amount?"

Gu Li, "Add, how many times?"

Jiang Xu, "What do you think about the decision to win then?"

Gu Li: "Are you very confident? I need to think carefully about how much to multiply."

Jiang Xu responded, "Oh," "You haven't finished paying off your debts yet, but you're already thinking about dating."

Gu Li smiled confidently, "Having more debts is not a burden."

Jiang Xu: "Then let me help you with some more debt, it won't be a burden, will it?"

Gu Li said, "Of course we should share good fortune. I'll share it with you next time."

The dinner ended when only a little red tomato soup remained in the bowl.

This time, Gu Li was sitting alone by the classroom window. He took out his phone and was replying to messages in the group chat when someone sat down next to him.

Gu Li turned his head and looked over. Zhao Rangwen was looking at him with a smile.

Zhao Rangwen was stunned when he saw Gu Li as soon as he entered the classroom. He walked over and sat down. "Gu Li, may I sit next to you?"

Gu Li pressed the black phone button, "Whatever." The progress bar officially started.

Zhao Rangwen put down the book and faced Gu Li directly. "What happened to your neck?" he asked, his voice full of concern. "I saw it as soon as I came in. How did you get hurt?"

Gu Li tapped his neck. "You mean this?" he said casually. "Just think of it as decoration."

Zhao Rangwen clearly sensed that Gu Li's attitude had become more peaceful. He thought it must be because Jiang Xu wasn't there. Sure enough, what he lacked was the opportunity to be alone.

Zhao Rangwen's eyes were full of concern. "Even so, you haven't been to class for several days, you must be feeling very uncomfortable," he paused and continued, "It's a pity I don't have your contact information, otherwise I really want to come and see you."

Gu Li, "Do you know I haven't been to class for several days?"

Zhao Rangwen blushed slightly. "Gu Li, you are very conspicuous. I don't know how other students see you, but in my eyes," he paused and looked straight at Gu Li, "I knew you were there the moment I entered the classroom."

His deep gaze was interrupted when the school bell rang.

Gu Li replied calmly, "Let's go to class."