After Valentine's Day
The morning light streamed in through the curtains like a soft thread. When Song Mingye woke up, it was quiet beside him. He turned to his side and saw Song Linchuan still asleep, his breathing light and steady. He was clutching the blanket tightly, as if afraid it would fall off during the night.
Song Mingye didn't move. He just looked at his profile, at the light blue under his eyes, and his heart slowly softened. Last night they talked a lot, and then not a lot. Some words were spoken under the lamplight, some were still hidden in the wind. He knew that from today onwards, their relationship was no longer just that of brothers. It had become heavier, and warmer.
He got up and tiptoed to the kitchen. He boiled water in the kettle and put the rice in the pot. He opened the refrigerator and saw the leftover red bean glutinous rice balls from last night, along with some green vegetables. He cooked the rice into porridge, chopped the green vegetables finely, and slowly added them to the porridge. The house was filled with a faint aroma of rice, like gently waking someone from a dream.
When Song Linchuan woke up, his first instinct was to reach for the spot beside him. It was empty. His heart tightened, but then he heard sounds from the kitchen and relaxed. He sat up, the blanket slipping off his shoulders. He rubbed his eyes and slowly got out of bed.
"Awake?" Song Mingye turned around and saw him standing at the door, wearing loose pajamas and with his hair a little messy.
"Mmm." Song Linchuan's voice was still sleepy.
"Wash up first, the porridge will be ready soon," Song Mingye said.
Song Linchuan nodded and turned to go to the restroom. In the mirror, his eyes were a little red, but there was an unconscious smile on his lips. He raised his hand and touched his cheek, as if to confirm that last night was not a dream.
Breakfast was simple: a bowl of porridge, a plate of glutinous rice balls, and some pickled vegetables. They sat at the small table and ate quietly. Song Mingye pushed the glutinous rice balls in front of him, "Eat these. We have a follow-up appointment today, and we'll get hungry on the way."
"Mmm." Song Linchuan picked one up and took a small bite. The sweetness slowly melted in his mouth, like gently soothing the tension in his heart.
The follow-up appointment went smoothly. The doctor reviewed the scans and said the recovery was better than expected. He advised Song Mingye to take his medication on time, avoid overexertion, and keep warm during weather changes. Song Mingye wrote down all the doctor's instructions on his phone, then on sticky notes, which he then attached to the refrigerator.
As they left the hospital, the wind was a bit chilly. Song Mingye took off his coat and draped it over Song Linchuan's shoulders. The coat was a bit too big, completely enveloping him. Song Linchuan looked up at him, his eyes shining, "Aren't you cold?"
“I’m not cold,” Song Mingye said. He put his hands in his pockets, his fingertips touching a piece of paper inside. It was a flyer that a vendor had given him last night when he bought his ticket for the light show; it was printed with many colorful lights, like lighting up the night sky.
They walked along the riverbank. The water was clear, and the wind swayed the willow branches gently. Song Linchuan walked slowly, so Song Mingye accompanied him. They didn't talk much, but there was no awkwardness. Sometimes, Song Mingye would stop and wait for Song Linchuan to catch up; sometimes, Song Linchuan would suddenly point to the water and say there was a small fish there.
When they reached the flower shop on the street corner, Song Mingye stopped. He looked at the flowers in the window, hesitated for a moment, then pulled Song Linchuan inside. The shop smelled wonderful; roses of all colors were arranged together, like a gentle flame.
"Which one do you want?" Song Mingye asked.
Song Linchuan looked at the flowers, his eyes brightening, yet also a little embarrassed. He pointed to a bunch of white roses in the corner, "That one."
The shopkeeper wrapped the flowers and handed them to him. Song Linchuan held the flowers, his fingertips gently touching the petals, as if he were touching something very precious.
On their way home, they ran into Jiang Ziyu and Mu Nanjin. Jiang Ziyu was holding a large cotton candy, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "Are you out for a walk too?" he asked.
"Yes, I just finished my follow-up appointment," Song Mingye said.
Mu Nanjin glanced at the flowers in Song Linchuan's arms, then at their clasped hands, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Then you two take your time browsing. We'll go check out the lantern festival up ahead."
"Okay." Song Mingye nodded.
They stood by the roadside, watching the two people walk away. Jiang Ziyu even turned back and waved, the cotton candy shimmering with sugar frosting in the sunlight. Song Linchuan suddenly smiled, "They looked very happy."
“Yes.” Song Mingye looked at him. “We can too.”
Back home, Song Mingye placed the flowers in a glass vase in the living room. The water was clear, and the flowers slowly unfurled inside. Song Linchuan sat on the sofa, looking at the flowers, then at Song Mingye. He wanted to say something, but didn't know how to begin.
"I'll cook this afternoon," Song Mingye said. "You can rest on the sofa."
“I also want to help,” Song Linchuan said.
"Could you help me wash the vegetables?" Song Mingye conceded.
They went into the kitchen together. Song Mingye tied on an apron, his movements not very practiced, but very earnest. Song Linchuan stood beside him, slowly washing the vegetables. The water murmured softly, and sunlight streamed in through the window, casting long shadows of the two of them.
"Brother," Song Linchuan suddenly called out to him.
"Um?"
"Did you used to hate me?" Song Linchuan's voice was very soft, as if he was afraid of touching something.
Song Mingye paused for a moment. He turned around and looked at him. "Yes." He didn't deny it. "I blame a lot of things on you. My mother's departure, my father's favoritism, the rain on the day of the car accident. I felt like you were a jinx, like you made me lose so much."
Song Linchuan lowered his head, his fingers moving gently under the flowing water.
“But later,” Song Mingye continued, his voice softening, “I realized I was wrong. It wasn’t your fault. When I was at my lowest point, you were there for me. You didn’t say much, you just quietly stayed with me. You made me feel like I wasn’t alone. I started to get scared, wondering what would happen to you if I wasn’t there. I didn’t want you to go through the pain I went through. So, I chose to stay and take care of you.”
He looked into Song Linchuan's eyes and said, "Over time, I've realized that my feelings for you are more than just familial. I don't know if this counts as love, but I know I care about you a lot. I want to spend many, many ordinary days with you."
Song Linchuan's eyes reddened. He looked up at him, "Brother, I also..." He paused, as if searching for the right words, "...I also care about you a lot. I've cared about you since I was very young. I've always wanted you to like me, even if it's just a little bit."
Song Mingye reached out and gently took his hand. His hand was warm and soft. Holding it, Song Mingye felt as if he were holding the whole world. "From now on, I won't let you be alone anymore."
Dinner was a simple meal of two dishes and a soup: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup. They sat at the table and ate quietly. Song Mingye picked the egg from the tomatoes and gave it to him, saying, "Eat more, it'll help you get better."
"Mmm." Song Linchuan nodded and put the egg in his mouth. The saltiness was just right, with a hint of home flavor.
After dinner, Song Mingye cleared the table, while Song Linchuan sat on the sofa reading. The book was old, with many creases along the edges. He was reading intently, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were engrossed in the story.
When Song Mingye finished washing the dishes and came out, he saw him looking like that and couldn't help but laugh. He walked over and sat down next to him. "What are you looking at? You seem so engrossed."
“A novel.” Song Linchuan closed the book, revealing the cover. “It’s about two people who have been together for many years.”
Is it pretty?
"Yes." Song Linchuan nodded. "They had a lot of misunderstandings at first, but they were gradually resolved."
Song Mingye looked at him, "We can too."
"Yes." Song Linchuan looked at him, his eyes shining. "We can too."
At night, a cool breeze blew in through the window. Song Mingye closed the window a little, leaving only a crack. The evening breeze slipped in through the crack, kissing the windowsill and the curtains.
They sat on the sofa and watched TV for a while. An old movie was playing; the picture was a bit blurry, but the sound was clear. Song Mingye leaned back on the sofa, and Song Linchuan leaned on his shoulder. They didn't speak, just listened to the dialogue in the movie and to each other's breathing.
Time passed slowly. The movie ended, and the television screen went dark. Only the warm, soft light of the table lamp remained in the room.
"Are you sleepy?" Song Mingye asked.
“A little.” Song Linchuan’s voice was very soft.
They got up and went to the bedroom together. Song Mingye first drew the curtains closer, leaving only a small gap to prevent the night breeze from being too chilly. He unfolded the quilt, spread it out smoothly, and then fluffed up the pillows before placing them on the bedside table. He filled the water glass on the bedside table with warm water, and a fine layer of water droplets quickly condensed on the glass.
Song Linchuan stood by the bed, watching him bustle about, a smile in his eyes. He folded his coat and placed it on the chair at the foot of the bed, then gently rolled up the cuffs of his loungewear. Song Mingye looked up at him, walked over, and straightened his collar, his fingertips inadvertently brushing against his neck. Both of them paused for a moment.
"Are you tired?" Song Mingye asked.
"It's alright." Song Linchuan's voice was even softer.
Song Mingye turned off the main light, leaving only a dim nightlight. The light slanted down from the headboard, spreading a soft layer of fabric across the blankets. He moved to the other side of the bed, turned to face Song Linchuan. They were very close, able to see the light in each other's eyes.
Song Mingye reached out and gently took his hand. Palm to palm, their warmth gradually mingling. He didn't speak, just looked at him, his breathing slowly becoming steady. Song Linchuan also looked at him, his eyelashes fluttering gently, like butterflies landing in the night. He shrank closer into the blankets, his forehead only a fist's distance from Song Mingye's.
Song Mingye could smell the faint fragrance of his hair, like grass after the rain. He raised his hand and gently tucked a stray hair behind Song Linchuan's ear, his movements so light as if afraid of disturbing something. Song Linchuan's cheeks felt a little hot. He lowered his head, then quickly looked up again, his eyes filled with dependence and reassurance.
Song Mingye smiled, very softly, almost inaudibly. He tightened his grip, pressing his hand into his own, as if confirming the reality of their moment. The nightlight cast long shadows of them against the wall, pressed close together.
They fell silent. Their breaths aligned slowly in the quiet, like a gentle river carrying the night forward. A breeze slipped in through the cracks in the window, softly brushing the curtains. Only the rhythm of their heartbeats and breaths remained in the room, slowly blending together like an undisturbed nocturne.
Song Mingye's fingertips slowly slid along the back of his hand, stopping at his wrist bone, then gently moving upwards to rest at his fingertips. He didn't move, just looked at him. Song Linchuan's breathing became lighter, and he reached out his other hand, covering Song Mingye's hand. The warmth of his palm layered on top of Song Mingye's, as if softening the night.
Song Mingye moved closer, their foreheads almost touching. He could see the light in his eyes, like lamplight, like stars reflected in water. He didn't speak again, but simply tightened his grip on Song Mingye's hand. Song Linchuan also leaned closer, their shoulders gently touching. They pulled the blanket closer together, and warmth slowly seeped out from the gaps.
The light from the nightlight flickered between them, like a soft thread. Their breaths intertwined along this thread, slowly becoming synchronized. Song Mingye's fingertips gently traced between his fingers, stopping at his palm. He didn't move, just looked at him. Song Linchuan's eyelashes trembled slightly, like butterfly wings. He closed his eyes, then quickly opened them again, his eyes filled with trust and tenderness.
They leaned against each other, their breathing in sync, their heartbeats in sync. A breeze slipped in through the cracks in the window, carrying a hint of floral fragrance and a touch of the future. The room was quiet, save for their breaths rising and falling gently in the night.
Song Mingye slowly approached and placed a light kiss on his forehead. Song Linchuan's eyelashes trembled, but he didn't pull away; instead, he gripped Song Mingye's hand tighter. Their foreheads touched, and their noses lightly brushed together. The light from the night lamp overlapped their shadows, like a slowly spreading painting.
Song Mingye's hand moved from his palm, gently landing on his shoulder. He paused for a moment, then slowly slid down to his back, remaining there without moving. Song Linchuan's breathing became lighter, and he pressed his forehead closer, as if confirming that this closeness was not a dream.
Song Mingye's voice was low, like the wind brushing past his ear. "Is it okay?"
Song Linchuan didn't speak, he just nodded. His fingertips lightly traced the back of Song Mingye's hand, as if in response.
Song Mingye moved closer, his kiss landing on the corner of Song Linchuan's eye, then gently moving to the corner of his mouth. He didn't go deeper, just lingered there, as if waiting. Song Linchuan's breath grew warmer, and he turned his head slightly, bringing the kiss even closer. The light from the nightlight flickered between them, and a breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, seeped in through the window cracks, only to be slowly melted away by their warmth.
Song Mingye's hand slowly slid down his back, stopping at his waist and gently tightening. Song Linchuan's body trembled slightly; he raised his hands and hugged Song Mingye's neck. Their distance instantly closed, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats colliding.
They pulled the blankets tighter, warmth seeping through the gaps and softening the night. Song Mingye's kisses slowly moved down, landing on the crook of his neck, then gently shifting to his collarbone. His movements were light, tentative yet restrained. Song Linchuan's fingers ran through his hair, gently grasping it, as if trying to hold onto something real.
They didn't rush, but slowly drew closer, gradually closing the distance between them. Song Mingye's hand gently caressed his back, a tender yet strong touch. Song Linchuan's breathing grew lighter, and he buried his face in Song Mingye's shoulder, as if searching for a safe haven.
The light from the nightlight flickered between them, like a soft thread. Their breaths mingled on that thread, slowly becoming synchronized. Song Mingye's kiss landed on his shoulder, then gently moved to his earlobe. His voice was low, a little hoarse, "Don't be afraid."
Song Linchuan didn't speak, but simply hugged him tighter. His fingertips lightly traced Song Mingye's back, as if in response. Their bodies pressed together, their temperatures gradually merging, as if softening the night.
They drew closer, as if bridging a distance that had lasted for years. There was no panic, no chaos, only a slow sense of certainty and calm. The night spread out around them, soft as a blanket, covering all their unease, leaving only their warm breaths and each other's gazes.
The wind slipped in through the cracks in the window, kissing the old windowsill and the curtains. The room was quiet, save for the sound of heartbeats and breaths, like two parallel rivers flowing forward together.
——
The next day, the sun shone brightly. Song Mingye opened his eyes and saw Song Linchuan still asleep, a slight smile playing on his lips. He didn't move, just looked at him, his heart at peace. He knew that from that Valentine's Day onward, their story had entered a new chapter. It would have many ordinary days, many small moments of warmth, and many storms they would face together. But whatever it was, they would be together.
Song Mingye got up and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. He put the rice in the pot, boiled the water, and the room filled with a faint aroma of rice. He opened the refrigerator and saw that the bouquet of white roses was still there, the petals still glistening with dew. He smiled, thinking that this was just right.
When Song Linchuan woke up, breakfast was already on the table. He sat down at the table, looked at Song Mingye, and suddenly said, "Brother, let's spend Valentine's Day together from now on, okay?"
Song Mingye looked at him, his eyes shining, "Okay."
They picked up their spoons and slowly sipped their porridge. The aroma of rice spread in their mouths, and a sweetness lingered in their hearts. A gentle breeze blew outside the window, kissing the old windowsill and also kissing their future.
(End of extra chapter)
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