Chapter 10 (2/2)

“When I went to the supermarket yesterday, I actually bumped into some classmates who are from the same lab as me,” Fang Zhaomu fiddled with his bedsheets, speaking softly to Andrew. “I was standing by a shelf sending you a message, and they were laughing at me behind my back. They drove there, but they would never give me a lift, and of course I would never want to take his car as well, do you understand?”

Andrew was silent, quietly listening to him. However, to Fang Zhaomu, the silence was a comfort that was beyond any words, as Fang Zhaomu only needed to know that there was someone listening to him, and he did not need him to say a word.

After a moment, when his emotions settled down a little, Fang Zhaomu heard Andrew asked him, “Are you crying?”

He paused, then touched his face. Blinking a few times to get rid of the dampness in his eyes, he then told Andrew, “No, why would I cry that easily?”

Seeing that Andrew did not respond, Fang Zhaomu said, “However, if you’re here giving me a hug, I might cry.”

“Oh?” Andrew asked.

Fang Zhaomu switched off his bedside lamp, and the little bedroom turned pitch black.

Looking into the dark was like looking at Andrew. He softly asked, “Andrew, why are you unwilling to meet up with me? Why did you start using the dating app?”

“I accidentally downloaded it.”

Fang Zhaomu could not help laughing. “Oh, it was an accident downloading it, but you also accidentally registered an account?”

“No.” Andrew replied instantly.

“Did you accidentally match me too?” Fang Zhaomu did not let him answer, and continued asking. “Then, who did you want to match with?”

“No, the match wasn’t an accident.” Andrew’s resistance had completely been broken down by Fang Zhaomu’s questions.

“Then why,” Fang Zhaomu asked. “You’re so nice and gentle, you should have many friends. Why do you decide to use a dating app?”

“I’m nice?”

His voice had a very aloof tone to it, but it made Fang Zhaomu feel a warmth spreading throughout his body.

It felt like the sun of early spring, and Fang Zhaomu knew that the weather was about to warm up, so he was looking forward to each moment.

“You’re very nice,” Fang Zhaomu told him. “Are you afraid that I’ll think you’re not good looking enough?”

Andrew did not speak, and Fang Zhaomu took it as though he was agreeing silently. “I don’t mind. I feel that you’re really a nice person. I don’t care about looks, not a single bit, and we’ll only be chatting when we meet up too.”

It was followed by a bout of silence. Just when Fang Zhaomu was about to suggest that if it was not possible now, they would talk about it in the future, Andrew finally spoke.

“Next time,” Andrew seemed to have made up his mind. “Wait for me to come back from my business trip.”

“You’ll be leaving for work?” Fang Zhaomu straightened up. “Where are you going? For how long?”

“I’m going to Seattle for 2 months.”

Fang Zhaomu thought about it, then told Andrew seriously, “Then you must meet up with me when you return, don’t lie to me.”

After a few seconds, Andrew promised him. “I’m not lying.”