On the twentieth day after the fall of Smiley City, surviving players from all over the country created a WeChat group.
"Finally, we don't have to go to work every seven days" WeChat group.
Passerby 1: "So the beautiful store manager finally came back with us???"
Passerby 2: "Fuck, the store manager is back in the real world too?!"
Passerby 3: "?!!! So excited!"
Passerby 4: "Which city is the beautiful store manager in?"
Passerby 5: "Why, you still want to meet in person? I'm dying of laughter!"
Passerby 4: "[Shy]"
sy: "In S City."
Passerby 6: "The beautiful store manager is in S City??? Fuck, it's very close to me, I'm leaving tomorrow!!!"
Passerby 4: "sy thanks brother!"
Passerby 7: "? I just came back from the Special Affairs Processing Bureau today, and I heard that the beautiful store manager is in City A!"
Passerby 6: "?"
Passerby 5: "?"
Passerby 4: "? sy brother, are you mistaken?"
Passerby 8: "By the way, does the beautiful store manager have a mobile phone and WeChat? Does anyone have his contact information? Can you add him to the group?"
sy: "He doesn't use WeChat."
Passerby 9: "The store manager has been away from the real world for a long time, maybe he hasn't adapted to life in the real world yet [laughing and crying]"
Passerby 10: "What a pity, it's actually very easy to learn. I really want the store manager's WeChat qaq"
["Xia" joins the group chat by scanning the QR code shared by "Xiao Fei Yizhuan"]
sy: "==凸"
sy: "Fei, are you very idle?"
Xiao Fei Yizhuan: "Indeed, I am a little bit [picking nose][picking nose]"
Passerby 11: "Who just joined the group?"
Passerby 12: "Xia? It can't be the beautiful store manager!"
Xiao Fei Yizhuan: "It's your beautiful store manager [cat watching the show]"
sy: "==凸"
Passerby 13: "Ahhhhhhh, store manager, welcome, welcome Xia"
Passerby 14: "Welcome, beautiful store manager, muahmuahmuahmu!"
Passerby 15: "What is the beautiful store manager doing in S city? Come to B city when you have time, I'll treat you!"
sy: "He's busy :)"
Passerby 8: "By the way, who are you, brother sy? Why do I feel like you're weird since just now?"
Passerby 2: "That's right, you've been misleading the group members. Could it be one of my love rivals?"
sy: ":)"
Xiaofei said for a while: "[laughing][laughing][laughing] Xia, come out and watch the show!"
Xia: ""
Passerby 13: "Ahhhhhhh hello, manager, hello!"
Passerby 4: "Beauty manager!!!! Welcome back to the real world!"
Passerby 14: "Welcome, beautiful manager!"
Passerby 15: "Will the beautiful manager open a store in the real world in the future? If so, I will definitely patronize it in the future!"
Passerby 16: "Suddenly discovered a bright spot, sy = Song Yang?"
Passerby 17: "Welcome, welcome, beautiful manager!"
Passerby 17: "Passerby 16 What the hell?"
Passerby 8: "?"
Passerby 2: "?"
Passerby 5: "Sy boss?"
Passerby 2: "Damn, the case is solved. No wonder I was wondering why this brother is always sarcastic!"
Passerby 4: "Damn, I had to eat dog food from these two in Smiley Face City, and now I have to eat it in the real world?!"
Passerby 8: "Are the boss and the manager real? qaq"
sy: "It really can't be more true :)"
Passerby 12: "[tears streaming down the floor]"
Passerby 10: "I used to idolize big guys as big guys, but now when I see big guys I just want to roar——"
Passerby 10: "Give me back my manager!!"
Passerby 12: "Wait, big guy sy, you don't live in S city, do you?"
Xiaofei said: "Passerby 12 you guessed right [picking nose]"
Passerby 13: "Damn, big guy has evil intentions. If any group members really went to S city, wouldn't that be a direct gift to big guy [dog head]"
sy: "Xiaofei said, just wait, I'll bring Xia Xia to find you by the end of the year [smile]"
Xiaofei said: "Waiting for you [whistle]"
Passerby 16: "Xiaofei said, this big guy can't be Lu Chenfei, right?"
Xiaofei said: "[picking nose]"
Passerby 12: "Fuck, another big guy!"
Passerby 2: "Damn, when on earth was my beautiful manager seduced away qaq"
sy: "It's mine :)"
Passerby 4: "Damn it!"
Passerby 5: "Damn it!"
Passerby 12: "Damn it!"
Passerby 10: "No matter how much you flaunt your love, it's still a long-distance relationship [laughing][laughing][gloating]"
Xia: "Reply to sy: Have you been playing with your phone in the bathroom?"
Passerby 10: "?"
Passerby 12: "?"
Passerby 5: "?"
sy: "Xia will be out soon"
sy: "[mysterious smile]"
Jia: "Passerby 10 [pats the shoulder] Brother, today is the weekend. Did you know that brother Yang drives straight to City A after class every Friday?"
Passerby 10: "[Blood all over the floor]"
Passerby 12: "[Blood all over the floor]"
Passerby 5: "It's only 8 o'clock in the evening. What are you doing showering so early? [Flip the table][Flip the table][Flip the table]"
...
Five minutes later, the name of this WeChat group was changed to "Broken Glass Hearts After Being Shot Deadly".
In late July, Xia Jing had just walked out of the examination room of the Special Affairs Processing Bureau when Song Yang took him to the car and drove straight to City S.
On the way to the Song family's house, Jia Qing kept gossiping with them about Feng Shi and Bian Ya.
Song Yang was driving and couldn't reply, so the phone was handed back to Xia Jing.
Jia Qing said excitedly, "I was wondering why Brother Feng was so secretive and refused to tell me where he was going! Turns out he went to G City to find Brother Bian!"
Jia Qing said, "There's definitely something going on with these two. Why would Brother Feng fly all the way to G City for no reason?"
S City and G City are a million miles apart, and the flight takes over five hours!
Song Yang was also a little surprised, but he quickly recalled Feng Shi's delicate state after the NPC "Jiang Ying" pointed out his shadow.
That was the first time Feng Shi felt hurt by being called boring.
Could it be that there were signs of it back then?
After hearing this gossip, Xia Jing's attention was completely distorted.
He said thoughtfully, "The natural scenery in G City seems quite nice."
"Yes," Song Yang said, raising his lip. "Want to go? It's perfect for viewing the snow there in winter. If you're up for it, we can go there for a few days in January."
Xia Jing thought for a moment and said, "Okay."
Song Yang lived in a villa complex, and after entering the complex, it took several minutes to drive home.
After parking the car, he began to feel nervous.
In fact, he had come out to his family shortly after they all left Smiley Face City.
His family was naturally shocked at the time, and Song Yang waited until they had fully accepted the news before suggesting that he bring Xia Jing home to meet them.
He had prepared everything to this extent; theoretically, he shouldn't be nervous anymore.
Yet, when Xia Jing actually stood at his doorstep, Song Yang's heartbeat quickened.
Xia Jing, on the other hand, immediately surveyed the surroundings with interest, his hands in his pockets, his expression relaxed and at ease, as if Song Yang wasn't bringing him home to meet his parents, but rather, he was bringing Song Yang home to meet his parents.
Song Yang laughed, took Xia Jing's hand and said, "Is there nothing that can make you nervous?"
Xia Jing glanced at him lightly and said, "Doctor Song, your memory is not good at such a young age?"
Song Yang: "?"
Why is there a hint of sarcasm!
When he opened the door, Song Yang suddenly remembered.
Back then, in the copy of "The Way to Kill Him", Xia Jing had lost her temper for him.
How could he not be nervous when she looked like that?
Song Yang couldn't help but curl his lips.
The process of meeting the parents went quite smoothly.
The Song family was shocked by Song Yang's coming out at first, but after accepting it, their attention was all on Xia Jing.
Upon seeing Xia Jing, Song Yang's sister pulled him over and said with a meaningful smile, "You're the one who got eaten to death, right?"
Song Yang: "..."
Song Yang's sister grinned mischievously, "Of course, Song Yang! I didn't expect you to look so serious all your life, seemingly uninterested in love, yet once you do, you're so passionate."
Song Yang's mouth twitched wildly, "What are you imagining?"
Song Yang's sister: "I'm imagining how that pretty little brother took you in."
Song Yang opened his mouth to retort, but then he fell strangely silent.
...as if he couldn't refute anything at all.
Over there, Song Yang's parents were clearly enamored with Xia Jing.
Xia Jing's handsome and harmless appearance was something any elder would admire.
Coupled with the intelligence that shone through in his words, the two elders now looked at Xia Jing like their own son.
"So you're coming to S City after school starts? Great, then you can move in with A-Yang," Song Yang's mother said happily.
Song Yang hadn't told his family about Smile City, and Xia Jing's past was even more so.
They only knew that Xia Jing had missed the college entrance exam four years prior due to unusual circumstances, and only now had he successfully "realized" his dream.
Song Yang's father admonished his son, "Ayang, remember to take good care of Xia Xia from now on. Be proactive in handling any paperwork after school starts."
Song Yang approached and said with a smile, "I know. How can I not take care of my own boyfriend?"
Xia Jing smiled, looking incredibly well-behaved.
After dinner, as they walked upstairs, Xia Jing remarked, "Your family is very welcoming."
Song Yang, without looking back, extended his hand, saying, "Your family will be too."
Xia Jing paused, looking at the hand.
Then, he smiled, reached out, and shook it.
The Song family was very open-minded. Song Yang said Xia Jing could sleep in his room, and they obliged.
Song Yang's room was at the end of the second-floor hallway. It was very large and had its own bathroom.
The bedroom's decor was very much Song Yang's style: simple and clear, with a predominantly gray palette. Yet, it didn't look cold, instead evoked a warm, steady feeling.
In the display case above the desk were a collection of competition trophies and certificates. Xia Jing paused for a long moment, examining them with rapt interest.
As Song Yang approached, Xia Jing pointed to one of the trophies and asked, "The preliminary rounds of this competition were originally held in City A, right?"
Song Yang was startled and looked up.
It was a math competition he'd participated in during junior high school. It had been so long ago that it took him a moment to recall. "Yes,"
he said, realizing something. "You participated there, too?"
"Wait," Song Yang said, startled. "I remember. I think I heard there was a really talented student in the junior high department of City A No. 1 Middle School who tied with me for first place in the finals. The finals were held in the capital, but I didn't see him at the finals."
All his memories came rushing back.
Song Yang murmured, "Xia Jing, that student's name was Xia Jing."
"Yes, I remember that too, Senior Song," Xia Jing said with a smile.
Song Yang suddenly felt an indescribable feeling.
He and this young man had met so long ago.
Or perhaps, just brushed past each other?
Song Yang asked, "You really didn't participate in the finals?"
"My mother was seriously ill around that time, and I couldn't leave," Xia Jing said nonchalantly. "But I did take the finals exam after the competition. The questions were very interesting, and the quality was better than in previous years."
Song Yang thought, if Xia Jing had been able to participate in the finals, they might have stood on the podium together.
Then, perhaps, he would have met this person years earlier...
Xia Jing turned around, looked at him, and raised an eyebrow. "There was a national physics competition later on. Didn't you participate?"
Song Yang tried to recall it, and said, "I remember that physics competition overlapped with another biology competition, and I participated in the biology competition."
Xia Jing said, "Really? That's a shame."
He did take first place in the national physics competition.
Song Yang fell silent.
Xia Jing curled his lips and said, "What are you thinking about?"
Song Yang covered his forehead and said, "Maybe I really should find a way to change my luck."
What kind of luck is this?!
Xia Jing laughed out loud.
Song Yang now really felt that he should have been very lucky to be able to run into the same dungeon with Xia Jing every Monday.
Seeing Xia Jing still smiling mercilessly, Song Yang looked resentful.
"So cute," Xia Jing smiled and scratched his chin, "Where is the change of clothes? I'm going to take a shower first."
Song Yang bent down and kissed him, saying, "You go in and take a shower first, and I'll bring it in for you later."
The sound of water in the bathroom soon rang out.
After Song Yang handed Xia Jing pajamas, he sat back at the desk.
He stared at the trophy for a long time, trying to dig out that familiar face from his past memories.
It was vague, but he did vaguely recall something.
He remembered that the junior high school uniforms of City A No. 1 Middle School back then were a refreshing blue and white.
Because they were the strongest competitors, the teacher had specifically reminded them to pay attention, and Song Yang had also cast a glance at that team.
He vaguely remembered the back of the figure at the end of that team.
Slender, with a leisurely gait.
He didn't know why, but just from the beautiful back of his neck, he could tell that guy was definitely good-looking.
With his hands in his trouser pockets, he walked slowly, probably a very confident guy.
He didn't know what his face looked like, what expression it would have.
At that time, Song Yang was curious for a moment.
Song Yang thought about it and laughed.
The bathroom door opened.
Footsteps slowly approached.
A warm air spread with the fragrance of shower gel.
A pair of arms reached out from behind, and Xia Jing said lazily, "You're smiling so happily thinking about the past?"
Song Yang coughed lightly.
He held Xia Jing's hand and asked, "Xia Xia, when your mother was still alive, did you find that life boring?"
Xia Jing didn't know why Song Yang asked so suddenly. He thought for a moment and said, "Not so bad."
In fact, it wasn't until his mother's death that he felt everything around him become increasingly boring.
Song Yang smiled.
He remembered the boy's leisurely steps in his memory.
It certainly didn't seem like the pace of a bored person.
He whispered, "Xia Xia, the boredom you felt later was actually loneliness, wasn't it?"
Xia Jing paused.
Song Yang raised his hand and gently stroked Xia Jing's face. "I won't let you feel that way again."
Xia Jing stared at Song Yang for a long moment, then smiled. "Because you'll always be there for me no matter what I want to do?"
Song Yang said, "Yes."
Song Yang held his hand and kissed it. A sudden thought struck him, "Let's go order a pair of rings later."
It seemed as if he was constantly hoping to make Xia Jing feel, in some way, that he would no longer be alone.
He wanted to give Xia Jing so much, to fill his world with it.
Xia Jing stared at him, his eyes intense.
For a moment, Song Yang had no idea what Xia Jing was thinking.
A few seconds later, the young man opened his lips and whispered, "Song Yang, I want to play some games."
Song Yang didn't react, puzzled. "Now? What do you want to play? I have a Switch, but I haven't used it in ages. Wait, I'll find it—"
Xia Jing lowered his head and began to laugh.
"Doctor Song, are you really twenty-three this year? Why do you look only thirteen?"
Song Yang: "?"
Such a sudden, elementary school-age attack!
"You've been sleeping beside me for the past few weekends. Is your relationship platonic?" Xia Jing opened his mouth and gently bit Song Yang's ear.
"That would be a little embarrassing."
Song Yang paused.
His Adam's apple rolled.
At that moment, he finally realized Xia Jing's intention.
His blood boiled.
"...Xia Xia."
Xia Jing kissed behind his ear, his voice barely a whisper. "Play?"
Song Yang's breathing became a little erratic.
"Or is it because you're in your own home and don't dare?"
Song Yang couldn't help but laugh.
He pulled Xia Jing toward him and gritted his teeth, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
Picking today to seduce him?
His parents and sister were still downstairs.
Xia Jing settled herself on Song Yang's lap, a look of innocence on her face. "Didn't you say you'd play with me in any way that was exciting?"
"You have everything I want, and you can give it to me," the young man said slowly, extending his slender index finger and gently plucking Song Yang's Adam 's apple.
"I'm curious what it's like to sleep in Dr. Song's bed."
"Come?"
The guy raised his eyes, speaking with that innocent yet enchanting face.
Song Yang took a deep breath, feeling his nerves throbbing. He stared at Xia Jing and asked hoarsely, "Is it me you want?"
Xia Jing smiled and answered calmly, "Yes."
Song Yang's Adam's apple rolled again, and his voice dropped.
"Xia Xia... I didn't prepare a condom."
"Really?" Xia Jing's lips curled into a smile. His next words directly irritated Song Yang.
"That sounds even more exciting," Song Yang cursed inwardly. He picked up Xia Jing and walked towards the bed. It had come to this point, and it would be a shame not to get up.
Song Yang reminded him competitively, "Xia Xia, do you remember what your mother said? If people want to play, they'll kill themselves."
Xia Jing said lazily, "Wait until you've 'played me to death' before you say that."
Song Yang laughed out loud. He put Xia Jing on the bed and said, "Then let's see who wins and who loses between the two of us tonight."
It was four o'clock in the morning of the next day. Song Yang and Feng Shi sent each other an emoji at the same time.
Song Yang: "[Sighs]"
Feng Shi: "[Sighs]"
Song Yang: "? You haven't slept yet?"
Feng Shi: "I slept for a while, then woke up again... Have you been awake all this time?"
Song Yang: "I lost, completely lost."
He thought he would be the one to teach Xia Jing a lesson on "how to behave" tonight, but he didn't expect that guy, as the one who was on the receiving end, to play so recklessly... cough.
Feng Shi: "...Yeah, me too."
Song Yang: "What are you doing?"
Feng Shi: "...I don't know how to describe it, how about you?"
Song Yang: "...me too."
[The other party is typing]
Ten minutes later.
Feng Shi: "Actually, the brand xxx is pretty good, you and Xia Jing can try it in the future."
Song Yang: "?"
Song Yang went to Taobao to search for this brand, and when he saw the various erotic products there, he fell silent. Feng Shi, his good childhood friend, when did he learn to show off so calmly?
Song Yang immediately sent a message: "Next time you play any game, remember not to play non-stop from 8:15 pm the previous night to 4:00 am the next morning."
Song Yang said in a low-key and reserved manner: "Remember to get enough rest."
Feng Shi: "…"
Feng Shi: "You go to sleep."
Song Yang: "You should go to bed early too."
A strange conversation between brothers ended here.