Yin Wuzhi clearly didn’t realize what he had done.
After being caught, he quietly let go of Jiang Wu, but when they reached the escalator, he instinctively grabbed him again, saying, “Be careful.”
He even doubted whether Jiang Wu, with his level of coordination, could handle the moving escalator by himself without falling flat on his face.
In reality, he underestimated Jiang Wu. The latter had his own method of using an escalator. First, he crouched at the side, placing his hands on the moving rail. Then, as the escalator moved, it pulled his hands forward, slowly flattening his body out. Soon, Jiang Wu was lying flat on the escalator, riding it upwards.
As for the stares of onlookers, Jiang Wu didn’t care one bit.
Yin Wuzhi originally planned to have a proper lunch with Jiang Wu, but judging by Jiang Wu’s sluggish state, a heavy meal would drain what little energy he had left. If that happened, there’d be no time for a movie.
In the end, they kept lunch simple.
At the cinema, Yin Wuzhi cleaned a table for Jiang Wu to lie on and asked, “Want some Coke?”
No response—clearly a no.
“What about milk tea?” he tried again.
Still no response.
“You can’t watch a movie without something to drink,” Yin Wuzhi said, deciding for him. “I’ll get a bucket of popcorn and a Coke.”
He didn’t dare get two drinks since he didn’t have a third hand—Jiang Wu’s hands were practically useless.
While queuing for tickets, Yin Wuzhi glanced back only to find that Jiang Wu had disappeared.
What the—?
After searching for a while, he found Jiang Wu lying on a massage chair, looking utterly content.
At least he moved quickly when he wanted to.
Even though Yin Wuzhi had mentally prepared himself, he still struggled when they entered the theater. One hand held the Coke, an arm cradled the popcorn bucket, and his free hand dragged Jiang Wu along. They barely managed to find their seats before the advertisements ended.
Jiang Wu stared blankly at the massive screen. The dark theater did little to stir his emotions. He looked at Yin Wuzhi and, with a tone that seemed to carry a deeper meaning, said, “I really am a burden.”
Yin Wuzhi nodded. “You’re right.”
“Will you still take me to the movies next time?”
“Of course,” Yin Wuzhi replied without hesitation.
Jiang Wu slumped in defeat.
The movie was an animated film, beautifully produced but with a mediocre plot. Not that Yin Wuzhi cared about the storyline.
He silently kept his hand in the popcorn bucket, waiting for Jiang Wu to grab some. By the halfway point of the movie, Jiang Wu still hadn’t touched it.
Yin Wuzhi had no choice but to pick up pieces and feed them to Jiang Wu. Jiang Wu opened his mouth, letting the popcorn sit there until it dissolved from saliva before swallowing.
After repeating this several times, Yin Wuzhi grew irritated. But with so many people around, he couldn’t say anything, so he bottled it up.
When the movie ended, Yin Wuzhi immediately called, “Jiang Wu.”
Jiang Wu jolted awake and loudly replied, “What?”
“Did you fall asleep just now?”
Jiang Wu wanted to deny it, but he had indeed dozed off.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to watch the movie—he simply wasn’t used to going to the theater. The long walk, the sun and wind, and sitting there had worn him out completely. He barely had the energy to care about the plot.
Most of the audience had already left. Yin Wuzhi, holding the Coke, looked at him with an accusatory expression.
Jiang Wu: “…”
“Why didn’t you eat the popcorn?”
“It required reaching.”
“Didn’t you feel thirsty?”
“Coke kills sperm.”
Yin Wuzhi went silent for a moment before throwing the Coke away.
Carrying the leftover popcorn, Yin Wuzhi asked, “Where to next?”
“Can I go there?” Jiang Wu pointed to the massage chairs.
Yin Wuzhi, exasperated, gave in. “Fine, you can rest, but afterward, I want to shop for clothes.”
Jiang Wu’s face showed pure dread, but he forced himself to agree. “Alright, I’ll lie down for a bit first.”
Each of them took a massage chair. After inserting coins, Jiang Wu reclined immediately, closing his eyes in bliss.
Yin Wuzhi leaned against the chair, propping his chin in his hand. He thought to himself, This isn’t so bad.
But still, other couples would go shopping, watch movies, and do things together. Without dragging Jiang Wu along, something always felt missing.
Jiang Wu laid on the massage chair for nearly an hour. If Yin Wuzhi hadn’t called him, he probably wouldn’t have moved.
“Let’s go, time to shop for clothes.”
Jiang Wu reluctantly parted ways with the chair, clinging bonelessly to Yin Wuzhi as he mumbled, “Can we shop another day?”
“Are you planning to go out tomorrow too?”
No way. Jiang Wu needed at least a week to recover from a full day out.
After thinking for a moment, he said, “Let’s go next week.”
“Really?”
“Mm. We ate lunch and watched a movie today. We’ll shop next time.”
Yin Wuzhi pinched Jiang Wu’s soft, water-filled cheeks. His face looked heavy with exhaustion, his breaths uneven as if he might pass out at any moment.
In the end, Yin Wuzhi relented. “Alright.”
Finally freed, Jiang Wu’s hand slid from clutching Yin Wuzhi’s sleeve to holding his fingers.
Yin Wuzhi’s heart stirred as he softly asked, “Can you still walk?”
Jiang Wu replied, “Carry me.”
Yin Wuzhi scooped him up.
Jiang Wu nestled in his arms, letting out a long, deep sigh.
Dating is exhausting.
No matter how much Jiang Wu resisted, the weekend outing loomed closer.
By Friday night, the mere thought of going out the next day had Jiang Wu preemptively tired.
He sprawled on the couch while his mom watched a TV drama. Coincidentally, the male lead in the show faced the same predicament: the female lead insisted on shopping, eating out, and watching movies, while he preferred to work instead.
Mother Jiang sighed. “That male lead deserves to be single. Yesterday’s preview said they’re breaking up.”
Jiang Wu asked, “Why do you have to go shopping and eat out to prove you like someone?”
“Because couples need private time together,” his mom explained patiently. “Don’t all couples want to show off their happiness to the world?”
Jiang Wu thought of Yin Wuzhi holding him in the mall, the fleeting look of pride and satisfaction on his face.
So Yin Wuzhi wanted to go shopping with him… to show off their love?
Jiang Wu trudged back to his room, half-asleep as he dreamed.
In his dream, he and Yin Wuzhi went shopping for clothes. Not only did Yin Wuzhi pick out clothes for himself and ask for Jiang Wu’s opinion, but he also forced Jiang Wu to try on outfits. When Jiang Wu refused, Yin Wuzhi threatened to shave his head, leaving Jiang Wu no choice but to comply.
By the time they left the mall, Jiang Wu looked down and suddenly realized—his legs were gone.
Next, his arm disappeared.
And then, he was gone altogether.
Yin Wuzhi tugged at a handful of air, happily returned home, and even said affectionately to it, “Thank you for liking me so much.”
When Jiang Wu woke up, groggy and muddled, his mind was filled with ways to reasonably cancel his date with Yin Wuzhi.
He picked up his phone and typed out a message: “I don’t want to go out shopping.”
After staring at it for a while, he eventually deleted it.
It’s just one day. He could handle it.
Jiang Wu, you’ve got this.
Yin Wuzhi arrived soon after and immediately said upon seeing him, “You don’t look so good today. Did you not sleep well?”
Jiang Wu lowered his lashes and replied, “No.”
Yin Wuzhi crouched in front of him, looking worried. “If you’re not feeling well, you have to tell me.”
“Then can we not go out?”
“If you’re not feeling well, of course, we’ll stay home.” Yin Wuzhi ruffled his hair. “Do you have a fever?”
Even if Yin Wuzhi didn’t remember him, he was still so considerate. Jiang Wu felt awful. He couldn’t even fulfill such a small request for him.
Summoning his courage, he said, “I’m fine. I want to go out.”
“Really?” Yin Wuzhi still looked uncertain. “I’ll grab a thermometer just in case. If you’re really not feeling well, let’s stay home and rest.”
Jiang Wu wished he had a fever.
Then he wouldn’t have to go out.
A wave of guilt quickly swept over him—no, he couldn’t. He had promised the Yin Wuzhi from his previous life that he’d take good care of him.
Even if he was upset about how Yin Wuzhi treated him back then, this Yin Wuzhi didn’t remember anything. Revenge could wait for the one with memories.
The thermometer confirmed he was perfectly fine.
“Your body seems fine,” Yin Wuzhi said. “But you still don’t look well. Are you in a bad mood?”
Jiang Wu shook his head.
Yin Wuzhi finally relaxed completely. “Let’s go out, then. A walk might cheer you up.”
He went to pick out clothes for Jiang Wu, who wore an expression of quiet despair.
Yin Wuzhi, full of energy, led him to a mall and into a workwear store. After seating Jiang Wu on a store chair, he began asking, “Which one looks good on me?”
“All of them look good,” Jiang Wu replied honestly.
With his height, long legs, and youthful spirit, Yin Wuzhi’s figure rivaled a model’s, and his face was more striking than most celebrities.
As soon as he tried on the clothes, the store clerks eagerly started taking pictures. “Young man, you should try on a few more!”
Jiang Wu weakly protested, “Don’t take pictures of him.”
But his voice was too soft, and he laid slouched on the sofa like a dead fish, so naturally, no one paid him any mind.
Yin Wuzhi, sharp-eyed, noticed and said bluntly, “I don’t like being photographed.”
He firmly asked the clerks to delete the pictures before approaching Jiang Wu in a sleek outfit.
Jiang Wu was filled with dread.
He prayed Yin Wuzhi wouldn’t say it. Please don’t say it.
But Yin Wuzhi still said it: “This looks good. You should try it too.”
He leaned close to Jiang Wu’s ear and whispered, “It can be a couple’s outfit.”
Everything in his dream was happening in reality.
The clerks quickly brought over a smaller size. One of them, with bright red lipstick, smiled at Jiang Wu. “You’ll definitely look great in this.”
Another chimed in, “You’ll need to take off your sweater first; layering it won’t do it justice.”
The first added, “Should we pick an undershirt to pair with it?”
No, no, no.
Yin Wuzhi picked him up and carried him to the fitting room. “Just the same style as mine, please. No need for extras.”
Jiang Wu sat on the fitting room chair, and the narrow space soon felt even smaller as Yin Wuzhi squeezed in. He patted Jiang Wu’s head. “Come on, try it on.”
Jiang Wu double-checked the size to ensure it wasn’t too small or too large before putting it on.
The clerks hadn’t lied; the size was perfect for him.
Jiang Wu’s vibe was entirely different from Yin Wuzhi’s in workwear.
Yin Wuzhi exuded vitality and charisma, making the outfit look sharp and striking.
Jiang Wu, with his perpetually neutral expression, seemed unshakable. The clean-cut outfit emphasized his pale skin, making him look delicate and exquisite.
Standing in front of the mirror, Yin Wuzhi wrapped an arm around him and said, “You look great. Let’s get it.”
“Then let’s not change,” Jiang Wu replied.
Yin Wuzhi beamed. “Alright.”
One of the clerks couldn’t resist and approached them. “Can I take a photo of you two together?”
Yin Wuzhi glanced at Jiang Wu, who was too drained to argue, and his eyes gleamed. “Sure.”
Taking a picture alone wasn’t okay, but taking one together? Perfect.
As they left the store, Jiang Wu said, “I don’t want to change clothes again.”
Yin Wuzhi replied, “Let’s just get some shoes. I’ll pick them out for you; no fuss.”
True to his word, Yin Wuzhi didn’t make a fuss. Jiang Wu merely sat in the store while Yin Wuzhi, without needing help from the clerks, carefully selected shoes for him.
If a pair didn’t fit, he’d take them off and bring another.
Watching Yin Wuzhi’s serious figure standing before the shelves, Jiang Wu’s heart finally relaxed a little.
Just sitting and doing nothing was still within his tolerance.
Yin Wuzhi finally picked a pair of shoes that fit perfectly on Jiang Wu’s feet. He motioned for Jiang Wu to stand up. “See if they’re comfortable.”
Jiang Wu, still a bit numb, stood up with Yin Wuzhi’s help and took a few steps.
“How are they? Do they fit? Are they tight in the front?”
Jiang Wu replied, “They’re great, perfect. I’ll take these.”
Decision made.
Yin Wuzhi also bought himself a matching pair.
Though seemingly satisfied, Yin Wuzhi still looked like he wanted more, while Jiang Wu was at his limit. “I want to sleep,” he said.
“Alright,” Yin Wuzhi relented. “Let’s go back to the car. You can nap there.”
Jiang Wu nodded. Once in the car, he quickly curled up on Yin Wuzhi’s lap and fell asleep.
He slept for two or three hours. When he woke up, it was already dark, and the car was parked on a street he recognized. Blinking in confusion, he heard Yin Wuzhi say, “You’re awake.”
“This place…”
“It’s the old street near our middle school,” Yin Wuzhi explained. “I didn’t know what else to eat, so I brought you here. Remember the spicy and sour noodles place I told you about?”
Jiang Wu had some recollection.
Back then, he never ate at the shops near school. His mom said they weren’t hygienic, and after school, all he wanted to do was go home and sleep. While other students sampled every eatery in the area, Jiang Wu had never once eaten out.
Not once in three years of middle school.
Even when Yin Wuzhi invited him, it never worked.
Yin Wuzhi sighed nostalgically. “I always wanted to share a bowl of their noodles with you, but I never managed to. I didn’t expect to bring you here under these circumstances.”
Jiang Wu: “.”
They entered the shop together.
The place was small, but the tables and chairs were clean. Yin Wuzhi seated Jiang Wu by the window and ordered two bowls of the signature spicy and sour noodles.
Jiang Wu could handle spicy food but didn’t eat much of it. Yin Wuzhi was worse; he couldn’t tolerate spice well. He ordered his noodles mildly spicy and even got a bowl of plain rice to go with it.
Looking at the translucent noodles in the bowl, Jiang Wu muttered, “The soup… new clothes…”
“You won’t spill on yourself,” Yin Wuzhi assured him, tying a napkin around his neck. “There, all set. Now, let me feed you.”
The noodles were long, and Yin Wuzhi carefully scooped up a full strand onto a spoon to avoid splattering any soup. He then brought the spoon to Jiang Wu’s mouth.
Jiang Wu opened his mouth and slowly ate, taking his time.
Halfway through, Yin Wuzhi said, “I regret not being able to take you out to eat after school back then. Now, being back on this street, I realize there’s nothing here that holds memories of us, except for that milk tea shop you liked when waiting for the bus.”
Jiang Wu focused on eating but glanced at him to show he was listening.
“Now that we’re in high school,” Yin Wuzhi said, reaching out to lightly pinch Jiang Wu’s soft, white ear, “I won’t allow any more regrets between us.”
Jiang Wu unconsciously bit through the noodle in his mouth.
“My goal for the rest of high school is to fill the snack street near our new school with memories of us,” Yin Wuzhi declared.
Before Jiang Wu could process what he heard, tears began to well up uncontrollably.
To leave memories on the snack street near their new school…
That meant Yin Wuzhi planned to drag him out frequently to eat.
Various snacks, maybe even hard, mouth-poking fried chicken, or some complex, unfamiliar dishes.
Yin Wuzhi panicked. “What’s wrong? Jiang Wu, why are you crying?”
Jiang Wu hadn’t anticipated dating to be this exhausting.
After a long week of school, waking up early every day and returning home at dusk, he’d hoped for a peaceful weekend to sleep in. Instead, he had to go out for a date. He had tried his best to keep up with the day’s plans, but now Yin Wuzhi wanted to conquer an entire street.
It was too much.
Going out, attending school, eating meals, doing homework, facing teachers and exams—it was already overwhelming.
Why do people even date?
Jiang Wu cried silently as Yin Wuzhi wiped his tears. Several tissues were soaked through, and Yin Wuzhi was flustered. “Jiang Wu, Jiang Wu, what’s wrong? Is it too spicy?”
He even wiped Jiang Wu’s lips, which had turned red from the spice.
Jiang Wu said weakly, “I want to go home.”
“Alright, alright.” Yin Wuzhi quickly paid the bill. Jiang Wu wobbled out of the shop, tears still streaming down his face. The napkin around his neck was already soaked.
When they reached the car, the driver was nowhere to be found. Jiang Wu stared at the closed car door, realizing he’d have to wait for the driver to return and open it.
A fresh wave of despair hit him.
When Yin Wuzhi caught up, Jiang Wu was crouched by the roadside, crying uncontrollably.
“Jiang Wu, Jiang Wu…” Yin Wuzhi cupped his face in a panic. “What’s wrong? Tell me!”
“The car… the door…”
Yin Wuzhi glanced at the car, then kicked it twice before crouching back down. “It bullied you. I’ve taught it a lesson. Don’t cry anymore.”
“The driver…”
Yin Wuzhi pulled out his phone and called the driver. “He’ll be here soon, less than a minute. Anything else making you upset? Tell me.”
“Dating…” Jiang Wu choked out, “is exhausting.”
“Then let’s not—” Yin Wuzhi froze mid-sentence, his voice trembling. “Don’t tell me… you want to break up with me.”
The stars twinkled faintly in the sky.
When the driver rushed back, he found two teenagers crouched by the roadside, holding hands, gazing tearfully at each other.