Chapter 24
Editor: Princess
Yu Pei had no idea that Luo Changzhou hadn’t spent the weekend studying properly at home. He himself, on the other hand, had asked Luo Changzhou quite a few math, physics, and chemistry questions and had also practiced his English speaking skills a bit on his own. Though his academic level still wasn’t up to par with regular students, among art exam candidates, his grades were already considered pretty good. He was even looking forward to the first monthly exam of senior year. He wanted to see how well he could do in class after taking a six-month break from school.
On Monday morning, Yu Pei saw Luo Changzhou waiting for him at their usual spot. He was standing under a phoenix tree, hands tucked into his coat pockets, with a bunch of red petals scattered around his feet. His tall frame and sharp features caught the eyes of quite a few girls, but his expression was indifferent. It was only when he saw Yu Pei that he finally smiled, a soft and warm smile just for him.
Yu Pei waved at him and then jogged over, slightly out of breath. His fair cheeks had turned a little pink from the movement. “Changzhou, good morning!”
“Good morning.” Luo Changzhou frowned slightly. “It’s still early for class, so don’t run so fast.”
Yu Pei was no longer bothered when he saw Luo Changzhou frowning. He just grinned and said, “I saw you and wanted to get over here quicker.”
Hearing this, Luo Changzhou laughed helplessly, then asked, “You’re not wearing a scarf today?”
“Nope, it’s spring already, and so it’s not cold anymore.” As Yu Pei said this, he reached into Luo Changzhou’s coat pocket. “Changzhou, Changzhou, where’s my hand warmer?”
“What do you mean ‘your’ hand warmer? It’s mine.” However although he said this, he didn’t stop him at all, letting Yu Pei fish the warm hand warmer out of his pocket. “Didn’t you just say it’s not cold anymore? Then why are you still taking this?”
Yu Pei reached into his pocket again, this time touching the back of Luo Changzhou’s hand so he could feel how cold his fingers were. “I’m cold.”
Yu Pei’s hands were freezing, something Luo Changzhou had already noticed when he first grabbed the hand warmer. Frowning, he asked, “Then why aren’t you wearing a scarf?”
“Nobody else in school is wearing one anymore. If I keep wearing mine alone, it’d look weird.” Yu Pei said, a little frustrated. Then he tilted his head to look up at Luo Changzhou and smiled. “Besides, I’ve got you bringing me a hand warmer.”
Luo Changzhou glanced down at the teenager beside him. He was smiling, and in his light brown eyes, there was a reflection of him. That smile was brighter than the morning sun, making people feel warm just looking at it. The corners of Luo Changzhou’s lips curved into a small smile, then shifting his gaze forward, he said, “Then I won’t bring it for you next week.”
“Nooo.” Yu Pei tugged at the hem of his coat with his finger, begging. “Changzhou, bring it for me one more week, okay? Summer’s still far away. I’ll treat you to something good after school.”
Luo Changzhou walked alongside him, asking casually as he did, “And what are you going to bribe me with?”
Yu Pei thought for a moment, then remembered the text message he sent last Friday and asked, “How about egg pancakes?”
Mentioning egg pancakes was a mistake, because the moment Yu Pei brought them up, Luo Changzhou frowned and said, “I was just about to ask you. Who made that egg pancake you texted me about last time? It was completely burnt. Eating burnt food too often isn’t good for your health.”
Yu Pei hesitated for a moment before replying, “Uh… my family’s chef made it.”
After saying this, he secretly glanced at Luo Changzhou’s face. Most students didn’t have private chefs at home. And although he had Zhang Geng picking him up every day, plenty of students had their parents drive them to and from school, what’s more Zhang Geng’s black Audi wasn’t exactly flashy.
But Luo Changzhou’s expression didn’t change. He still looked serious as he lectured, “Don’t eat burnt food anymore.”
Seeing this, Yu Pei was relieved and quickly agreed. “Mm-hmm, I got it.”
Luo Changzhou could tell he wasn’t taking it seriously and said helplessly. “And you’re still saying you’ll treat me to egg pancakes? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”
“Huh?” Yu Pei blinked his big, bright eyes and looked up at him. “Changzhou, are you going to buy me egg pancakes after school?”
“Not after school.” Luo Changzhou said. “Right now.”
“Huh?” Yu Pei didn’t get it and stared at him in confusion.
Luo Changzhou grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the classroom. “Come on.”
Yu Pei’s hand was soft, completely untouched by any rough work. From his knuckles to his fingertips, his skin was smooth and fair like a crescent moon, and his palm was still warm from holding the hand warmer earlier. Luo Changzhou curled his fingers tighter, secretly savoring the feeling of holding the hand of the person he liked. When they reached the classroom door, he finally let go and slowed his pace. “We’re here.”
Luo Changzhou’s hand was bigger than his, easily able to wrap around all of his fingers. His palm was dry and warm, and maybe it was that warmth that lingered, because Yu Pei found himself zoning out, dazed. It wasn’t until Luo Changzhou’s voice sounded next to his ear that he realized, they had walked all the way here hand in hand.
“What are you spacing out for?” Stepping behind him, Luo Changzhou nudged his shoulder gently. “You sit inside, so go in and take your seat.”
The moment Yu Pei sat down, he suddenly remembered what had happened that first morning he met Luo Changzhou, the way he had walked faster than him but deliberately slowed down near their desks so he could sit first.
“Changzhou…” He looked up, his eyes shining as he stared at Luo Changzhou, who was about to sit beside him.
Being stared at like that made Luo Changzhou a little uncomfortable. He asked, “What is it?”
Yu Pei met his deep blue eyes, then quickly averted his gaze and smiled softly, lowering his voice. “You’re really nice.”
Luo Changzhou’s eyes fell on Yu Pei’s flushed ears. The redness spread from the tips of his ears down to his neck, like a thin layer of mist. He sighed, like he had no choice but to accept his fate. “Did you eat too much sugar?”
“Hm?” Yu Pei thought he was actually asking and looked up at him. “Why do you say that?”
Since they had arrived at school early, there weren’t many people in the classroom yet. What’s more most of the students who were already there were either reading quietly or napping with their heads down on their desks, so no one was paying them any attention.
Luo Changzhou suddenly leaned in slightly, as if he were about to kiss him, his eyes locked onto Yu Pei’s without blinking.
Yu Pei met his gaze head-on. Luo Changzhou’s breath lightly brushed against his lips, making them feel a little tingly. Reflexively, he licked his lips, only to see the corners of Luo Changzhou’s lips curve. Then, reaching out, Luo Changzhou pinched his lips between his fingers, rubbing them lightly. “Otherwise, why are your lips so sweet?”
Yu Pei turned red immediately. His ears burned even hotter, his cheeks warming up too. The moment Luo Changzhou touched his lips, his heart skipped a beat and then started pounding like crazy, echoing against his ribs. Luo Changzhou’s deep blue eyes were so intense, like they were about to swallow him whole. Panicked, he lowered his head hurriedly as he said, “Because you’re really nice to me.”
He stared at his desk, and so was unable to see Luo Changzhou’s expression, however he still heard the soft chuckle in his voice. “Then how are you going to thank me?”
Before Yu Pei could figure out how to answer, a white food container was pushed in front of him. Inside was a pale yellow, heart-shaped egg pancake. Yu Pei froze for a moment, then looked up at Luo Changzhou immediately.
The corners of Luo Changzhou’s lips hooked up as he nodded toward it. “Hurry up and eat it. I made it for you.”
Yu Pei looked at the egg pancake in his hands, and his eyes started feeling sore and tight. That message he sent the other day was a mass text. And sure, Luo Changzhou was the only one who got it, but that didn’t change the fact that it was originally meant to go out to multiple people. But Luo Changzhou actually replied. Not only that, he really made him an egg pancake.
He took a deep breath and, in a slightly hoarse voice, said, “Thank you, Changzhou…”
“My dad cooks for my mom all the time, and we only have heart-shaped molds at home.” Luo Changzhou, trying to cover it up, explained why the pancake was made in a heart shape. However as soon as he said it, he regretted it. Why was he explaining so much? Wouldn’t it be better to just let Yu Pei misunderstand?
But Yu Pei didn’t overthink it at all. He’d already had breakfast before coming to school, so he wasn’t hungry. But still, he took his time eating the entire egg pancake, bite by bite.
It was sweet. A filled pancake, with soft, fragrant honey inside. The moment he bit into it, the rich honey oozed out, practically melting right into his heart.
When Yu Pei was done, Luo Changzhou asked, “How was it?”
“It was good, really good!” Yu Pei nodded repeatedly. “This is the best egg pancake I’ve ever had.”
Smiling, Luo Changzhou reached out to take the container back. “Unfortunately it’s a little bit time consuming. I made it last night and just microwaved it this morning. I’ll make it for you again when I have time.”
Yu Pei, hearing how much effort Luo Changzhou had gone through just to make him this egg pancake, immediately hugged the container and refused to let him take it back. “Changzhou, I’ll wash it for you. I’ll give it back in the afternoon after I’ve cleaned it.”
Last night, Yu Qing had come home from work and even brought him a whole box of cherries. But it was too late, so he didn’t get to eat them. Now, he planned to take some to school and share them with Luo Changzhou.
Hearing this, Luo Changzhou let go. “Alright.”
At noon, after school, the first thing Yu Pei did when he got home was head straight for the kitchen.
That was something that had never happened before.
Uncle Zhuang followed him in. “Little Young Master, are you hungry? Lunch is almost ready. You should put your backpack down first.”
“No, I came in to wash this.” Yu Pei said as he pulled a white food container out of his backpack.
Uncle Zhuang glanced at the unfamiliar container and asked, “This is…?”