Confession
December weekends always bring a lazy coolness. The afternoon sun shines through the glass windows of the cafe, casting tiny spots of light on the wooden table.
As soon as Xu Yang pushed open the glass door, he saw Lu Jinyu sitting by the window, two steaming drinks in front of him and an open history notebook in his hand. He immediately waved when he saw him: "Here! I ordered your favorite hot cocoa with double milk, not too sweet."
Xu Yang walked over and sat down. His fingertips touched the wall of the hot cocoa cup, and the warm feeling spread along his fingertips.
He glanced at the table. Besides his notebook, there was a delicate little cake sprinkled with cocoa powder, and two small forks beside it. "Why did you order cake?" He picked up the fork and gently dug out a small piece. The rich chocolate spread in his mouth, and the sweetness was just right.
"I passed the physics test last week," Lu Jinyu said, his ears reddening slightly as he scratched lightly on his notebook. "The teacher praised me for my progress. This is a reward. Let's eat it together."
As he spoke, he scooped a piece of cake into his mouth and looked at Xu Yang with sparkling eyes. "You said last time that the cakes here were delicious, so I came here early to reserve a seat."
Xu Yang felt warm at heart as he watched him take it seriously. As they ate cake, they reviewed historical points. Lu Jinyu compiled the contents of the Boxer Protocol into a mnemonic, reciting it with great precision. Occasionally, when he made a mistake, he would laugh out loud, like a small animal that had made a mistake but wasn't afraid of being scolded.
The sun slowly sets in the west, more and more people gather in the cafe, and the warm yellow lights come on, making the atmosphere particularly gentle.
"Do you want to go for a walk by the river tonight?" Lu Jinyu suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with anticipation. "My mom said there's a new pub opening by the river that sells non-alcoholic fruit wine. I heard the grape-flavored one is especially sweet. Shall we go try it?"
Xu Yang looked at the gradually darkening sky outside the window and nodded: "Okay, just enough time to digest it."
The two packed up their things and walked slowly along the street toward the river. The evening breeze blew, bringing a hint of moisture from the river. The streetlights lit up one by one, the warm yellow light stretching their shadows out.
Lu Jinyu walked on the outside, and occasionally he would subconsciously lean towards Xu Yang to prevent him from being hit by a passing bicycle. His fingertips occasionally rubbed the back of Xu Yang's hand, and then quickly retracted it, and the tips of his ears turned red.
The tavern by the river wasn't large, but the decor was cozy. Behind the wooden bar were various bottles of wine, and on the wall hung several hand-painted riverscapes. Lu Jinyu pulled Xu Yang to a window seat and expertly ordered two glasses of grape-flavored wine from the owner, even specifically instructing, "Less ice, thank you."
The fruit wine was quickly served. The transparent glass contained a light purple liquid with a few fresh grapes floating on top, exuding a light fruity aroma. Lu Jinyu picked up the glass, took a sip, and his eyes lit up instantly. "So sweet! Sweeter than the orange juice I drank last time. Come and try it."
Xu Yang picked up the cup and took a sip. The sweet aroma of grapes mixed with the faint aroma of wine spread in his mouth. There was no spicy taste of alcohol, only a refreshing sweetness, like summer grape soda, but with a warmer feeling.
"It's really delicious." He put down the cup and looked at the river view outside the window. The river was shimmering in the night, and the bridge lights in the distance were on, like a string of stars falling on the river. "The scenery here is really beautiful."
"This is my first time here too," Lu Jinyu said, looking at Xu Yang's profile. The light fell on his eyelashes, casting a faint shadow. Suddenly, his heart felt like it was gently bumped by something. "I heard from my classmates that this place is great for chatting, so I wanted to bring you to see it."
As he spoke, he picked up the glass and took another sip. The sweetness of the fruit wine slowly spread over his face, making his cheeks flush slightly and making him bolder.
The two chatted idly, from the knowledge points they reviewed today, to last week's physics test, to interesting things in their childhood.
Lu Jinyu talked about the first time he built a snowman as a child. He wrapped his scarf around it, but the snowman melted and the scarf got wet. His mother scolded him, but he still smiled happily. Xu Yang couldn't help laughing as he listened, and thought Lu Jinyu was particularly cute.
The two glasses of fruit wine were quickly finished. Lu Jinyu's cheeks became more red, and his eyes became a little blurry, but he still held Xu Yang's wrist tightly and whispered, "Xu Yang, I have something to tell you."
Xu Yang looked at his serious expression and suddenly felt a little nervous. He nodded and said, "Go ahead."
"I like you," Lu Jinyu's voice was a little shaky, but very clear. His fingers tightly grasped Xu Yang's wrist, afraid that he would run away. "I have liked you since the first time you helped me with a physics problem. I bring you soy milk every morning because I want to see you more. I organize the wrong answer book because I want you to praise me. I set the alarm to remind you to review because I'm afraid you forget... I have liked you for a long time, so can you... like me a little bit too?"
Xu Yang was stunned. He looked at Lu Jinyu's red eyes and his fingers that were trembling slightly with nervousness. The emotions in his heart suddenly surged up like a flood.
In fact, he had already liked Lu Jinyu for a long time. He liked his seriousness, his gentleness, his carefulness every time he handed over the soy milk, and the light in his eyes that only cared about him.
He held Lu Jinyu's hand, his fingertips touching his warm palm. His voice was soft, but firm: "I don't like you a little bit, I really like you. I have liked you since you stayed with me every day."
When Lu Jinyu heard this, his eyes lit up instantly, like stars that were suddenly lit up. He held his hands tighter, leaned forward slightly, and got closer to Xu Yang.
The two of them were very close to each other. They could smell the faint scent of fruit wine on each other and feel each other's warm breath. The air seemed to be filled with a sweet scent.
"Then... are we together now?" Lu Jinyu's voice was very low, with a little expectation, his eyes fixed on Xu Yang's eyes.
Xu Yang nodded, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise: "Yes, we are together."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Jinyu suddenly came over and gently kissed the corner of Xu Yang's mouth.
His lips were soft, with the sweet scent of fruit wine, and they brushed past Xu Yang's fingertips like a soft cloud, instantly making them feel hot.
After the kiss, Lu Jinyu immediately backed away with a red face, his eyes a little evasive, but he still held Xu Yang's hand tightly and whispered, "I... This is my first time kissing someone, am I a little stupid?"
Xu Yang looked at his shy appearance, and his heart seemed to be filled with sweet candy. He took the initiative to move over and gently kissed Lu Jinyu's forehead, his voice very soft: "Not stupid, very sweet."
The tips of Lu Jinyu's ears turned red instantly, but he still mustered up the courage and moved closer again, this time kissing her more seriously.
The evening breeze blew through the window, carrying the scent of the river. The music in the pub flowed gently, and the warm yellow light fell on the two of them, freezing the tenderness of this moment into eternity.
After the kiss, Lu Jinyu buried his head in Xu Yang's shoulder and said in a muffled voice: "Xu Yang, I'm so happy, happier than passing the exam."
Xu Yang patted his back gently, his fingertips touching his soft hair, his heart filled with happiness: "Me too."
The two sat for a while. Lu Jinyu's cheeks were still red, but he kept holding Xu Yang's hand tightly, as if he was afraid that he would run away.
When leaving the pub, Lu Jinyu took the initiative to hold Xu Yang's hand, holding their fingers tightly, and the two walked slowly back along the river.
The river shimmered in the night, and the streetlights stretched their shadows long and close together, as if they would never be separated.
"I'll be waiting for you under the old locust tree tomorrow morning," Lu Jinyu looked into Xu Yang's eyes, his eyes full of smiles. "I'll ask my mom to make some red date soy milk and bring two sugar cakes for us to eat together."
"Okay," Xu Yang nodded, clasping his fingers tighter. "I'll go down early tomorrow, so you don't have to wait too long."
When they reached the fork in the road, Lu Jinyu was reluctant to let go. He gently shook Xu Yang's hand and whispered, "Can I hold you again?"
Xu Yang smiled and nodded, then took the initiative to open his arms and hugged him. Lu Jinyu hugged him back tightly, buried his face in Xu Yang's shoulder, and said softly: "I will miss you tomorrow, and I will send you a message tonight."
"Okay," Xu Yang patted his back gently, "Be careful on your way, and send me a message when you get home."
Lu Jinyu let go of her hand and walked home, looking back every few steps. After a few steps, he stopped and shouted to Xu Yang, "See you tomorrow! I love you!"
Xu Yang watched his back disappear around the corner before turning back home. Back home, he sat at his desk, looking at his slightly reddened lips. He could still smell the faint aroma of fruit wine and Lu Jinyu's scent.
He took out his physics notebook, opened the last page, and wrote: "On December 8th, Lu Jinyu and I confessed our love at a tavern by the river. We are together. His kiss is sweet, like fruit wine. From now on, we will review together, improve together, see more scenery together, and walk further together."
After finishing writing, he closed the book of wrong answers and thought to himself that he would be able to see Lu Jinyu again tomorrow morning, drink the hot soy milk he brought, and hold his hand on the way to school.
Those memories of the evening breeze, of being tipsy, and of hot kisses will become the warmest light in youth, illuminating every path ahead.
The next morning, just as Xu Yang walked under the old locust tree, he saw Lu Jinyu standing there, holding a thermos bag in his arms and two sugar cakes in his hands. Seeing him, he immediately ran over and handed the sugar cakes to him: "The soy milk is still hot. I carried it all the way, afraid it would get cold. Come and try it."
Xu Yang took the cake and took a bite. The bean paste in the crispy shell was still hot. The sweetness slid down his throat and warmed his heart.
He looked at Lu Jinyu's red ears and said with a smile: "It's delicious, better than before."
Lu Jinyu pursed his lips and said, "Xu Yang, I love you."
Xu Yang came back to his senses and responded with a smile: "Lu Jinyu, me too, I love you too"
Lu Jinyu smiled happily, took his hand, and walked towards the bus stop. The sunlight shone through the branches onto them, stretching their shadows very long and close together, like two little suns that would never separate.
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