A little over a year later.
It was 11:30 PM at the airport, but there were still plenty of travelers. Under the bright lights reflecting off the pitch-black night outside the glass windows, a young man in a white T-shirt and a gray-and-white spliced casual jacket walked through the crowd.
Even though it was late, there was no sign of fatigue on his face. In fact, his phoenix-shaped eyes gleamed with vitality.
“Cousin.” The young man saw the person waiting not far away, quickened his pace, and walked over. As soon as he reached the other, he was hugged tightly.
“You’re finally back! After such a long flight, you must be hungry. The shops outside are all closed by now, so let’s make do with a meal at home tonight. Tomorrow, we’ll go out for a big feast to celebrate your return.”
Huo Youqing agreed readily, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he walked side by side with his cousin. It had been a long time since he last returned to the country. The last time was a few months ago, but he only stayed for two days before leaving again.
This time was different. He planned to stay in the country for the long term.
Not only had he successfully graduated, but he had also completed his first long-distance road trip, crossing three countries and meeting many interesting people.
The shadow cast by events from a few years ago seemed to have been swept away with the passage of time. He had no psychological issues, was in good health, and could maintain normal friendships. Life was actually going pretty well.
Upon his return, Huo Youqing received a flood of invitations. He couldn’t attend all of them at once, so he had to pick and choose which gatherings to attend.
Today, he met up with a few high school classmates, and naturally, they talked about their high school days and some of their former classmates.
“By the way, Youqing, are you still in contact with Gong Lang? I heard his family is doing really well now, and they’ve expanded their business to South America.”
Huo Youqing’s fingers gently rubbed the glass of juice in his hand as he answered honestly, “I haven’t really kept in touch since I went abroad.”
This statement made everyone present exchange glances. They all knew how much Gong Lang used to stick to Huo Youqing back in high school. But on second thought, everyone had grown up, and feelings naturally change.
Someone quickly stepped in to lighten the mood.
“We haven’t really kept in touch with Gong Lang either. He didn’t even come to the last class reunion. Youqing, tell us more about your time abroad. The volcano photos you posted on your Moments were so cool.”
The conversation quickly shifted, and Huo Youqing went along with it.
To him, losing Gong Lang as a friend was regrettable, but Gong Lang wasn’t a topic he couldn’t discuss. He was an adult, and at least in front of others, he could control his emotions well enough not to cause trouble.
After the gathering, Huo Youqing politely declined his high school classmates’ offer to drive him home and took a taxi alone. He thought it might be time to buy a car in the country.
The next day, he followed through on that thought and went out early to look at cars. As he listened to the salesperson’s introduction, he mentally compared a few models he liked but hadn’t made a decision yet when a few people walked in.
Huo Youqing keenly noticed the salesperson beside him brighten up, seemingly wanting to greet the new customers but hesitated because of his presence.
“I’d like to browse on my own. Perhaps you can introduce me to the cars again later?” He offered.
The salesperson glanced at the entrance, a bit embarrassed, and said, “I’ll get you a fresh glass of water.” Instead of heading to the door, the salesperson went to fetch water for him.
Naturally, Huo Youqing wasn’t interested in the people at the entrance and continued checking out the cars.
“Youyou?”
A voice interrupted his actions. He turned to see a man in a suit walking toward him. It took him a second to recognize that it was Gong Lang approaching.
It had been years since they last saw each other. Gong Lang had changed a lot, taller, more robust, and his handsome face now had a mature, steady air. A few people followed behind him, likely assistants or something.
Gong Lang stopped in front of him, about to say something, but Huo Youqing extended a hand first.
“Long time no see, Gong Lang.” Huo Youqing’s eyebrows arched slightly, his pale, slender fingers as finely sculpted as if made from snow.
Months of a long road trip had left his skin pale after just a couple of weeks indoors.
A few seconds later, Gong Lang grasped his hand. “Long time no see.”
They shook hands firmly for three seconds before letting go.
Gong Lang glanced at the car beside them. “Here to check out cars?”
“Yes,” Huo Youqing replied. He looked at the people behind Gong Lang and greeted them politely, “Hello, I’m Huo Youqing.”
He thought of explaining his relationship with Gong Lang but decided against it.
Clearly, Gong Lang didn’t intend to introduce them either. He felt there was no need and continued discussing the car. “I’m here to pick up mine today. Since we’ve run into each other, pick one, and I’ll buy it for you.”
“Thank you for the offer, but no need,” Huo Youqing thought to himself that he probably wouldn’t buy a car today. “I haven’t made a decision yet.”
Hearing this, Gong Lang looked at the person standing half a step behind him. “Is the model I chose still available?”
“It is, but it won’t be ready for pickup right away. Chief Gong, the car you’re getting today took a month to arrive.”
Gong Lang frowned.
Hearing the exchange, Huo Youqing spoke again, “There’s really no need, Gong Lang.” His voice was soft and gentle, a tone that somehow stirred emotions. Not only did it catch Gong Lang off guard, but the others were also momentarily stunned.
But Huo Youqing wasn’t aware of this. During his time abroad, he had worked as a tutor for a young child, and unknowingly, his voice had become increasingly gentle. Of course, it also reflected his personality.
Due to an incident at the airport, his temperament had become very calm and composed overnight.
Gong Lang’s expression shifted slightly. He then turned to the people behind him and said something. After a while, he took an elegant invitation from one of them and handed it to Huo Youqing. “It’s my birthday in a few days. Come, we haven’t seen each other in a long time. We should catch up.”
Huo Youqing didn’t refuse and accepted the invitation. “I’ll be there. Thank you for inviting me.”
Hearing this, Gong Lang gave him a long look before finally leaving, gently urged by the people behind him. But after a few steps, he turned around again. “You’ll come, right?”
“I will.”
Satisfied with the confirmation, Gong Lang smiled slightly, his tone suddenly carrying a hint of something indescribable. “Then I’ll wait for you.”
After everyone left, the salesperson returned and exhaled deeply before stepping forward. “Mr. Huo, here’s your water.”
Huo Youqing thanked him, then looked down at the invitation in his hand. He was definitely going to attend Gong Lang’s birthday party. Although it would probably be awkward, he owed Gong Lang for the time years ago when he left his own birthday party to find him.
For Gong Lang’s birthday, Huo Youqing put a lot of thought into selecting a watch, a brand that Gong Lang used to like, and it was the latest model. Thinking back on it, he regretted not paying attention to the brand of watch Gong Lang was wearing that day.
But it didn’t matter. With their current relationship, the gift was merely a formality. Gong Lang would probably not even bother to unwrap it.
And even if it were unwrapped, it wouldn’t be Gong Lang who did it himself.
***
Gong Lang’s birthday banquet was on Friday.
Huo Youqing drove his newly purchased car to the event. Upon reaching the hotel parking lot, as expected, he saw a row of luxury cars, but one in particular caught his attention.
Men’s hobbies often overlap, and cars are one of the more popular ones. Huo Youqing was no exception. His gaze lingered for a moment on a luxury car not far away, a globally limited edition model—one that money couldn’t necessarily buy.
Carrying his gift, Huo Youqing stepped into the elevator. The banquet hall was on the fifth floor. Shortly after, with a “ding,” the elevator doors opened.
He wasn’t early; the hall was already filled with people. After handing his invitation to the waiter at the door, Huo Youqing immersed himself in the splendor of the occasion. It had been a long time since he attended such an event—not for a lack of invitations, but because as he got older, he found himself losing interest.
In the past, he would have avoided these banquets whenever possible.
Glancing around, he didn’t see Gong Lang, so he picked up a glass of alcohol, intending to blend into the background for the time being. But someone recognized him.
It was a high school classmate, one who had been friends with both him and Gong Lang. They still exchanged holiday greetings, though truthfully, the classmate was likely closer to Gong Lang.
“I just found out you’re back in the country! Why didn’t you let me know?” the classmate said, feigning annoyance.
“I did,” Huo Youqing replied, taking a sip of his wine. “I posted it on my Moments.”
The classmate’s expression shifted quickly, and with a sheepish laugh, he muttered, “I’ve been too busy lately to check Moments.” Then, in a lower voice, he asked, “Are you and Gong Lang back on good terms?”
It was a difficult question to answer. After thinking for a moment, Huo Youqing responded, “We ran into each other at a car dealership, and he invited me to his birthday.”
The classmate said, “You two were so close back in the day. If you hadn’t gone abroad, you might have…” His words trailed off.
Huo Youqing smiled faintly, lowering his eyes, then glanced back up. His almond-shaped eyes remained calm. “The alcohol tastes pretty good.”
After a while, the birthday boy finally arrived. Gong Lang was dressed in a black suit, his slicked-back hair perfectly styled with gel. The moment he appeared, he was quickly surrounded by people. Seeing this, Huo Youqing decided to wait a bit before offering his birthday wishes.
Having recently returned to the country, most of the guests in the hall were strangers to him, which afforded him some peace. He took the opportunity to step out onto the terrace to enjoy the breeze.
After estimating enough time had passed, Huo Youqing returned to the hall, gift in hand, and walked toward Gong Lang. There were still a few people around him, but not too many.
“Gong Lang,” he called softly.
Gong Lang, who had been conversing with someone, turned his gaze toward him, his eyes first pausing on Huo Youqing’s face before trailing down to the gift he held.
Huo Youqing handed over the gift. “Happy birthday.”
Gong Lang didn’t immediately accept it. After about ten seconds, he gestured for his assistant to take it instead. “Why a gift? You didn’t have to.”
Before he could finish, his eyes abruptly shifted to something behind Huo Youqing. What had been a distant gaze suddenly lit up, like fireworks igniting the room. Gong Lang bypassed Huo Youqing and strode purposefully toward the direction he was looking. “Little Yuan.”
His tone was exactly the same as when he used to call out to Huo Youqing years ago.
Little Yuan?
Stunned, Huo Youqing instinctively turned to the side.
Above, the opulent chandelier cast warm orange and yellow light onto the guests adorned in their finest attire. Through the crowd, he saw the person Gong Lang was walking toward.
That man was tall, dressed in a white suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs. Under the artificial lighting, his skin appeared unnaturally pale, almost otherworldly, with blue veins pulsing under the surface like a massive web.
Compared to the joy radiating from Gong Lang, this man’s demeanor was more restrained. He handed over a prepared gift to the birthday boy.
Then, Huo Youqing noticed the eyes of others on him.
Those amber eyes, like a beast’s, blinked softly. A slow smile formed on the man’s lips.
Found you.
