The next morning, sunlight spilled across the hallway as Qiushi stood outside Nanzhu's room again. This time, he wasn't going to run away.
He knocked.
"Come in," Nanzhu called, his voice still husky with sleep.
Qiushi pushed the door open. Nanzhu was sitting on the edge of the bed, hair mussed, tying the sash of his robe. He looked up, smiling faintly. "Morning."
"Morning…" Qiushi stepped in, shutting the door behind him. His palms were sweating. "About what I wanted to say last night—"
But before the words could form, Nanzhu's phone rang. Loud. Urgent.
He sighed, answering it. "Yes? …Alright, I'll be there soon." Hanging up, he gave Qiushi an apologetic look. "Sorry. Emergency."
And just like that, he was gone—leaving Qiushi standing in the quiet room, the confession burning on the tip of his tongue.
Ifi don't say it soon, he thought, i might explode.
Qiushi sank into the sofa, shoulders slumping. Twice now—twice—he'd tried to confess, and both times the moment had been ripped away by the shrill interruption of a phone call.
He raked a hand through his hair and let out a long breath.
A few minutes later, soft footsteps padded into the room. Chestnut, his favorite cat, hopped gracefully onto the sofa beside him, tail flicking. She gave a plaintive meow, tilting her head in that way she knew would melt him instantly.
"Alright, alright," Qiushi murmured, scooping her into his lap. He rubbed behind her ears, earning a happy purr, then let her bat lazily at his fingers. At least someone would let him pour out affection without interruption.
The sound of hurried footsteps drew his attention. Qianli bounded down the stairs, spotting Qiushi immediately. His eyes lit up.
"Linlin-ge! How was the confession? Are you guys together now?"
Qiushi's smile faltered. "…No. We've been interrupted by two calls already."
Qianli's face fell for a moment before he stepped forward and patted Qiushi's shoulder. "Don't give up, Linlin-ge. You can do it."
Qiushi reached up, ruffling the boy's hair with a faint smile. "Thanks, Qianli."
Qianli beamed at him, and for a brief moment, Qiushi's mood lightened. But when his gaze drifted toward the stairs where Nanzhu had disappeared earlier, the ache in his chest returned.
***
It was late afternoon when Nanzhu finally came downstairs again, hair still damp from a shower, loose strands clinging to the side of his neck. He spotted Qiushi still on the sofa with Chestnut curled in his lap.
"You're still here," Nanzhu said lightly, moving toward the kitchen. "Haven't eaten?"
Qiushi shook his head. "Not hungry."
Nanzhu returned with two glasses of water and set one on the table in front of Qiushi. "Then at least drink something."
The gesture was simple, casual—but the way Nanzhu lingered beside him, one hand resting on the back of the sofa, made Qiushi's heartbeat stumble.
"You've been quiet today," Nanzhu remarked, studying him. "Something on your mind?"
Qiushi hesitated, fingers curling in Chestnut's fur. This was it—the perfect opening. No phone ringing, no one barging in. Just the two of them, the faint hum of the fridge in the background, and Nanzhu's steady gaze waiting for an answer.
"I…" Qiushi's mouth went dry. He forced himself to look up, to meet those dark, patient eyes. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while."
Nanzhu tilted his head slightly. "Oh?"
Qiushi took a breath. "I—"
And just then, Chestnut leapt from his lap onto Nanzhu's chest, meowing loudly in his face.
Nanzhu laughed, catching her. "Seems someone else wants my attention first."
Qiushi bit back a groan. Even my cat's against me.
But Nanzhu didn't move away. He shifted Chestnut to one arm and sat down beside Qiushi, close enough that their knees brushed. "Go on," he said, smiling faintly. "I'm listening."
Qiushi's pulse roared in his ears.
This time… he wasn't going to stop.