Bo Xiyun couldn't be easily persuaded by Gu Sheng's words.
He thought to himself, "What a strange habit this is?"
But when Bo Xiyun turned to look at Yizhong Shen, he noticed that the other's shoulders seemed somewhat stiff.
Upon closer inspection, there was a faint bluish-black hue under the boy's eyes.
It seemed he hadn't slept well.
Bo Xiyun changed his mind.
"I'll give it a try."
"Is it settled then?" he asked.
However, upon hearing him, the boy's neck and shoulders seemed to stiffen even more.
(boy here is YZS)
Yizhong Shen hesitated for a second before asking, "Will it affect your rest?"
Gu Sheng also chimed in, asking, "That's right, Xiyun. If you have trouble falling asleep, wouldn't having one more person make it even harder for you to sleep?"
Bo Xiyun shook his head instead. "It won't have any effect."
Normally, to fall asleep, he indeed needed to count from 1 to 1000 or start over from the beginning.
But since it was already like this every day, having one more person by his side wouldn't make much of a difference. What he was more concerned about was whether Yizhong Shen would mind.
"If it's comfortable for you, Senior, then forget about it," Bo Xiyun said.
"It is," Yizhong Shen replied promptly, without hesitation.
However, regarding the suggestion of sharing a bed, he added, "These nights, I might be busy."
"That's true," Gu Sheng said, "Let's wait and see how it goes when evening comes."
Bo Xiyun nodded. "Alright."
He added, "I'm available anytime."
Yizhong Shen fell silent once again.
Perhaps it was indeed a beneficial suggestion.
But it could also lead to something else happening.
Like falling asleep because of his junior.
After Bo Xiyun and Yizhong Shen completed their detailed examination and received medical advice, they headed back. Before leaving, Bo Xiyun asked the doctor for a handbook that contained various massage techniques to relax muscles. He planned to study it when he returned home.
Yizhong Shen and Gu Sheng both had things to attend to, so after dropping Bo Xiyun back at school, they left first.
It wasn't yet time for class, and the campus was quiet. Bo Xiyun was flipping through the massage handbook when he suddenly heard someone calling his name.
"Xiyun?"
He looked up and saw Xu Xinyi running towards him from a distance behind. Her thick white scarf hung down like a fluffy ball, making her look exceptionally adorable.
"It's really you! Why aren't you in class?" she asked.
"I had to go out for something," Bo Xiyun replied.
He glanced in the direction from which she came, which was towards the school gate.
"Did you just come back too?"
"Yes," Xu Xinyi adjusted her fluffy scarf and raised her hand, indicating the bag she was carrying.
"I went to a book signing event and just finished signing autographs before coming back."
Bo Xiyun looked at the bag, which had a cartoon figure drawn on it, tall and with beautiful legs.
Curious, he asked, "What's in the bag?"
"Book signing? Is it a manga?" Bo Xiyun asked.
"Yes," Xu Xinyi replied. "Remember I mentioned that I saw a drama about unrequited love? Well, that drama was adapted from this manga. Today, the author came to Q city, so I went to queue up for the signing event."
Bo Xiyun inquired, "Did you take a day off to attend?"
"My dad helped me get a leave," Xu Xinyi looked around, "I'll have to hide when we see the headmaster later, so he won't notice."
Noticing Bo Xiyun's expression, she tilted her head and asked, "What's wrong? Are you surprised?"
"No," Bo Xiyun smiled, "I just remembered you liked it."
As they chatted, Xu Xinyi continued, "You know, going to a manga signing event is a good choice for me this year because I'm in my senior year, and I've reduced my outings a lot. Around this time last year, I was flying all over the place to attend concerts."
"Concerts?" Bo Xiyun was a bit surprised.
He didn't expect her to be a fan of stars or concerts.
"Yeah, there's this small idol group with a fantastic stage presence," Xu Xinyi said. "They had a total of eight concerts last year, and I attended all of them."
So she must really like them a lot.
Bo Xiyun continued the conversation, "If you went this year, will you still go after graduation?"
"Graduation?" Xu Xinyi raised her eyebrows. "Of course! I've climbed over walls to see that group this year; I've been following them."
Bo Xiyun was taken aback, "Following them?"
Did she attend every concert last year?
Xu Xinyi explained, "That group joined a new variety show this year, and they became even more popular. It's just that my interests change quickly, so I moved on to follow someone else."
She shrugged, "It's the joy of being a fan—chase after them until you're satisfied, then switch to another."
"When I used to follow concerts, I met a sister who was much older than me. She followed another idol group and traveled all over the country for their performances. But after just two concerts, she ended up staying in the same hotel as one of the members. He directly asked her via WeChat if she was interested in going to his room that night."
Xu Xinyi made a disgusted expression, "Ugh."
Bo Xiyun was taken aback, "At night? That's a..."
"Yeah, that's a date," Xu Xinyi confirmed. "That's why being a fan is all about having fun for a couple of days. If you like someone, just enjoy the moment. It's not about genuine feelings."
Xu Xinyi spoke candidly, even using Bo Xiyun's advice about safety, showing that she was well aware of her actions.
"It's just goodbye, and on to the next one who's even cuter," she said.
"Now I've climbed over the wall to become a fan of a beautiful older sister. Older sisters are great, and they can stick close to you."
Xu Xinyi pointed to her own scarf.
"This one is the same as the one she bought, and it goes well with many outfits," Xu Xinyi said.
Bo Xiyun looked at her scarf and genuinely complimented, "It looks really nice."
Xu Xinyi smiled and lifted her delicate chin.
"I'll take that as you complimenting me."
Indeed, she was a very likable person.
Perhaps Xu Xinyi's great charm doesn't solely come from her appearance or family background, but also from her intelligence, openness, and transparency.
She continued, "Now there's not much else to say. Actually, when I confessed my feelings to you earlier, I also had a bit of this feeling."
"I like you because you let me be myself," Xu Xinyi added after a moment of thought. But then she felt something was not quite right and quickly clarified, "But I didn't mean that 'onto the next one who's even cuter' part."
Bo Xiyun chuckled and reassured her, "I understand."
In fact, after listening to Xu Xinyi's words, Bo Xiyun realized, "Actually, my situation might be similar to yours."
He might also have favorable feelings or admiration for someone.
But that kind of liking is more about pleasing himself, fulfilling an ideal he desperately wants to achieve.
Bo Xiyun's affection is one-sided.
That's something he keeps to himself.
"So, he needs a response."
Bo Xiyun thought.
Perhaps this is the essence of unrequited love.
The two of them walked back to the teaching building together. Since Xu Xinyi's bag was too big, Bo Xiyun helped shield it, successfully avoiding the passing teachers' attention.
They attended their classes as usual during the day, and in the evening, after Bo Xiyun finished dinner, he returned to the classroom.
Because Yizhong Shen was busy today, and Gu Sheng mentioned that Yizhong Shen had to go out again.
So, Bo Xiyun prepared early for the evening self-study session to meet with the teaching assistant.
However, before the self-study session started, he was surprised to see Yizhong Shen rushing back, looking somewhat dusty.
"...Senior?" Bo Xiyun was taken aback. "Why did you come over?"
Yizhong Shen had a hint of outdoor chill on him. He pulled off his gloves and said calmly, "I came to attend the evening self-study session."
Buxi Yun asked with some understanding, "Do you have a lot of things to do?"
Yizhong Shen took a seat beside him, "Yes, I'm busy."
Bo Xiyun hesitated as he looked at him and noticed the slight frown on Yizhong Shen's face.
Suddenly, Yizhong Shen turned his head and leaned forward swiftly.
Since they were already sitting at the same table, their proximity now brought them even closer, with only a palm's width separating them. Even the subtle curves of Yizhong Shen's prominent nose bone were so captivating at such close range.
Bo Xiyun could clearly smell a faint fragrance on Yizhong Shen, which seemed to be intensified by the cold winter air.
"What's wrong?" Bo Xiyun asked.
Yizhong Shen looked at the young man, then glanced at his own seat, furrowing his brows. Suddenly, he mentioned a name.
"Bai Xiu?"
"Huh?" Bo Xiyun took a moment to react.
"You're asking if Bai Xiu came here?" he clarified, surprised that Yizhong Shen could figure it out.
"He came to ask me about some problems in the afternoon, and I reminded him that he didn't sit in your place."
Yizhong Shen's furrowed brow didn't ease, as he sensed a faint medicinal scent lingering on the half of Bo Xiyun's sleeve.
Bo Xiyun also had a suspicion, "Did you... smell some medicine?"
Bo Xiyun explained, "I recommended a set of exercise books to Bai Xiu in the afternoon. Most of the questions he asked are explained in detail in that book, so he should be able to study on his own after that."
(Tn: here the text said YZS but according to the scene it should be BXY so i changed it.)
Bo Xiyun glanced at Yizhong Shen's desk.
"Sorry, I wiped it with a wet tissue in the afternoon. Should I wipe it again?" Bo Xiyun said, intending to find a wet tissue, but Yizhong Shen lightly held his arm.
"It's fine," Yizhong Shen said, holding Bo Xiyun's slender arm directly in his palm through the soft coat and removing the unnecessary scent.
"It's all right now."
Hearing his words, Bo Xiyun stopped his actions, but he didn't forget about the previous topic.
"Are you really busy today, Senior?" he asked.
Yizhong Shen replied quietly, "En."
Bo Xiyun looked at him and asked, "Then, can you go straight to sleep when you go back in the evening?"
Yizhong Shen fell silent for a moment.
Bo Xiyun guessed the answer and said, "Then you should go and take care of your matters first. I'll keep an eye on the evening self-study session, and I'm also planning to head back on my own later."
(Tn: I removed a line here because it was repetitive and unnecessary)
"You should finish your work early so you can rest sooner," Bo Xiyun advised.
Yizhong Shen looked at him, and a hint of weariness appeared in his handsome and profound eyebrows. His voice also softened slightly.
"I've been busy for too long. I wanted to take a break here for a while."
Hearing this, Bo Xiyun immediately softened his attitude. He instinctively reached out and supported Yizhong Shen's previously affected right arm.
"Okay... then, Senior, take a good rest."
Perhaps the work at the evening self-study session was indeed not too demanding, as after a night had passed, Bo Xiyun noticed that Yizhong Shen's expression no longer showed any signs of fatigue.
They both returned to the hotel together, and Bo Xiyun initially thought Yizhong Shen had to go out again. However, Yizhong Shen stayed, explaining, "I can finish the remaining work online."
Bo Xiyun's beautiful round eyes instantly lit up. "Then, can I help you with a massage?"
Yizhong Shen looked at him, and the muscles in his jaw moved slightly, tightening slightly.
"Yes," he replied softly.
"You've worked hard," Bo Xiyun said, shaking his head. "You're the one who's been working hard, Senior."
Due to their agreement for a massage, Bo Xiyun finished his shower early and went to Yizhong Shen's room.
Yizhong Shen responded to the knock and let him in.
As Bo Xiyun passed by him, a faint and pleasant soap fragrance enveloped the air.
Yizhong Shen's thin lips pressed together, and his adam's apple rolled slightly. It was hard to say whether the current situation was good or bad.
Bo Xiyun trusted him too much. After his shower, he had come directly in his sleepwear.
The back of the boy's smooth and fair neck caught Yizhong Shen's eyes, making him appear somewhat delicate and fragile. His slender wrist emerged from the thick and soft winter sleepwear, appearing even more delicate by comparison.
Moreover, Bo Xiyun came over wearing slippers, with a pair of white and slender ankles exposed.
Amidst the clean soap scent, there was a distinct cool and sweet scent unique to the young man.
Bo Xiyun didn't notice the gaze behind him as he saw Yizhong Shen's computer still on and asked, "Are you busy, Senior?"
Yizhong Shen also sat down, his voice remaining calm and indifferent. "I'm busy now."
Both of them settled on the sofa, and Bo Xiyun consciously restrained his gaze, casually glancing at Yizhong Shen's work.
However, Yizhong Shen didn't seem to mind him looking at his work. He placed the computer directly on the coffee table, and the screen was large.
Yizhong Shen opened a messaging app and sent a message, saying, "I'm waiting for a report now, so I have some free time."
As Bo Xiyun looked up, he saw the densely packed data on the spreadsheet on the desktop screen and couldn't help but exclaim, "There's so much..."
He recalled what Gu Sheng had said about Yizhong Shen being busy with his family's projects.
"Are these reports you're handling for your family?" Bo Xiyun asked.
Yizhong Shen nodded, then opened a few more spreadsheets. "These types of spreadsheets are common in universities too, for class affairs or group work. Excel is widely used."
These additional spreadsheets appeared to be more concise than the previous one, but they still categorized and recorded various data.
Bo Xiyun sighed softly, "Amazing."
Yizhong Shen replied, "If you're interested, I can take you to T University sometime after school. There are many activities next semester, and the student council and clubs on campus are very active."
Indeed, Yizhong Shen's words piqued Bo Xiyun's interest. While Q City First High School also had a student council, it was nothing compared to the vibrant student activities at a prestigious university like T University.
For high school students whose lives were often monotonous and dull, almost everyone fantasized about the lively and diverse activities in college. Even someone as outstanding and disciplined as Bo Xiyun couldn't be an exception to this longing.
As Bo Xiyun looked at the spreadsheets with a somewhat puzzled expression, his gaze turned full of admiration when he looked at Yizhong Shen. There was anticipation and reverence in his eyes, making them shine brightly.
Unable to hold back any longer, Yizhong Shen raised his hand and gently wiped away a water mark on the young boy's slightly pointed chin.
"You can take a look at more activities, choose some, but there's no need to participate in too many," Yizhong Shen said. "Spend more time on things you enjoy."
Bo Xiyun blinked his eyes. The touch of Yizhong Shen's fingers, slightly calloused, on his tender skin elicited a subtle feeling. He nodded obediently and made a mental note.
"En."
Throughout his memories, Bo Xiyun had been independent since childhood. Even during the ten-plus years in the Bai family, with the so-called "family" around, he mostly acted on his own, relying on himself.
But at this moment, looking at Yizhong Shen in front of him, Bo Xiyun suddenly felt a novel emotion.
It was the first time he thought like this: Having a senior is really nice.
Yizhong Shen's report would take a little more time, so Bo Xiyun took out the massage manual he carried with him and prepared for his work of the night.
He asked Yizhong Shen, "Can you show me your medical records?"
There were some medical instructions written by the doctor today.
Yizhong Shen went to find the medical records, while Bo Xiyun started flipping through the massage manual. He had already studied the thin booklet carefully several times today, but because he wasn't very confident, he decided to review it again.
The manual only contained schematic diagrams with key points labeled in text. Bo Xiyun realized that this was a truly professional technique. As for his own massage skills from the last time, he was well aware that any compliments he received from Yizhong Shen were more of an exaggeration. He didn't possess any real expertise.
Bo Xiyun had thought about it before; the reason his assistance worked the last time was probably because Yizhong Shen's muscles had been tense for too long and needed external help to relax.
Now it was time to test Bo Xiyun's actual skills.
When Yizhong Shen came over and handed him the medical records, Bo Xiyun took them, but before he could examine them closely, he noticed Yizhong Shen furrowing his brows and asking, "Your hands are cold?"
Indeed, there was a noticeable temperature difference as their fingers briefly touched. Just as Bo Xiyun was about to reply, he felt the back of his hand being covered by a warm sensation.
The young man was slightly taken aback.
His hand was directly held by Yizhong Shen. Yizhong Shen's palm was wide and slender, contrasting with the slender fingers of Bo Xiyun, creating a significant size difference, to the extent that it could envelop the young man's hand completely.
And indeed, Bo Xiyun felt the warmth that enveloped him.
For him, it even felt slightly warm.
The young man's fingers were warmed by the other, and Yizhong Shen's brow was slightly furrowed, showing great concentration.
Bo Xiyun's surprise from the sudden hand-holding was dispelled by this warm gesture. He sniffled slightly and blushed, "Did I... freeze your hand last time?"
Yizhong Shen raised his eyes and moved his fingers, rubbing the soft skin of Bo Xiyun's hand. He then turned his hand, palm to palm, holding Bo Xiyun's hand firmly.
The touch of Yizhong Shen's slightly calloused palm against the delicate back of Bo Xiyun's hand sent a tingling sensation through him. The young man's pale fingertips instinctively tightened, allowing himself to be entirely embraced within Yizhong Shen's grasp.
"No," Yizhong Shen spoke with a cool tone, candidly saying, "I was just worried that you might be cold."
The warmth in his voice was evident as he held Bo Xiyun's hand gently.
"...?"
Bo Xiyun was taken aback by Yizhong Shen's straightforward response. Yizhong Shen then asked him again, "Is the water warm? It's cold after taking a shower."
"It's warm," Bo Xiyun replied, coming back to his senses. "I tend to have cold hands."
"Even during the day?" Yizhong Shen frowned. "Do you wear gloves?"
Bo Xiyun honestly said, "I do wear gloves, but it doesn't help much. I naturally have cold hands."
Yizhong Shen lowered his gaze again, looking at the young man's slender fingers. The palm, so pale that faint blue veins were visible beneath the skin, was held within Yizhong Shen's strong hand.
The young man's delicate skin was warmed by Yizhong Shen's grasp, and a hint of faint pink color appeared on his fair fingertips.
Yizhong Shen's voice became deep and soft as he spoke.
"From now on, if you feel cold, just come to me," Yizhong Shen said.
Bo Xiyun was taken aback. "How can I accept such a kind offer..."
Before he could finish his sentence, his attention was drawn to the movement between their hands – Yizhong Shen's wrist slightly exerted pressure on Bo Xiyun's cupped palm, and his long fingers gently interlocked with the young man's slender ones.
It was an intimate gesture – their fingers intertwined, holding each other's hands directly.
Bo Xiyun was surprised, "Senior?"
Yizhong Shen looked up, his eyes calm, "Even your finger gaps are cold."
Bo Xiyun was speechless.
Even the back of his hand, exposed to the air, was now gently warmed by the calloused thumb of Yizhong Shen.
Yizhong Shen held one of Bo Xiyun's hands and used his left hand to envelop the other side.
His large and powerful hands covered Bo Xiyun's, holding them securely.
Bo Xiyun had to admit that he felt much warmer now.
The room suddenly fell quiet, and even the howling wind outside seemed to have disappeared. Bo Xiyun's originally cold and soft fingers gradually warmed up, and occasionally, Yizhong Shen would lightly pinch his fingertips, warming his hands. While the warmth spread through his fingers, Bo Xiyun strangely felt that his own ears were also being gently warmed.
The original plan to start the massage was forgotten as Yizhong Shen's warm grip held his hand. Bo Xiyun blushed slightly at this unexpected turn of events. He had intended to warm his hands first so that he could proceed with the massage, but now it seemed like Yizhong Shen was the one warming his hand.
In the midst of this intimate moment, Bo Xiyun suddenly had a bright idea.
"Senior Yizhong, I thought of something," he said.
"Hmm?" Yizhong Shen responded, still holding onto Bo Xiyun's hand.
The sensation of their skin touching gave Bo Xiyun an inspiration. He personally experienced how skin-to-skin contact brought genuine comfort.
"Today, the doctor mentioned that my good sleep might be due to a lack of trace elements, and improving it could be as simple as taking some vitamins," Bo Xiyun explained.
"That's a possibility," Bo Xiyun continued. "I was thinking, maybe you need a specific type of hormone that my body produces naturally. The doctor mentioned that everyone's hormone secretion is unique and varies from person to person."
Yizhong Shen listened to Bo Xiyun's explanation and nodded in understanding. "I see. So, you're suggesting that the hormones your body produces could have a beneficial effect on my body, which is why your massage worked even though you feel you lack the skill."
Bo Xiyun's excitement grew as he elaborated on his theory. "Yes, exactly! It's like my body has all the right elements to help you relax and sleep better. That's why my massage seemed to work even though I'm not that skilled."
Yizhong Shen couldn't help but smile at Bo Xiyun's enthusiasm. "You have an interesting hypothesis there. It's possible that there's something in your touch or the hormones your body releases that has a soothing effect on me."
Bo Xiyun's eyes sparkled with curiosity and determination. "I really want to find out more about this. Maybe I can help you in ways beyond just massages."
Yizhong Shen's warm grip on Bo Xiyun's hand tightened slightly. "I appreciate your concern and willingness to help. If you ever discover anything new, don't hesitate to let me know."
The two of them sat there, hands still held together, engrossed in their conversation. The room filled with a sense of warmth and connection that went beyond the physical touch. Bo Xiyun's inquisitive nature and Yizhong Shen's openness created an atmosphere of trust and understanding between them. And in that moment, they both knew that their encounter was something special and rare.
Bo Xiyun's explanation was sincere and carefully thought out, using normal language to describe his theories. However, the person listening to him fell into an unexpected silence.
"So, it's possible that what worked on you that day wasn't just the massage technique itself but the physical contact that transmitted useful hormones," Bo Xiyun explained, growing more convinced of his hypothesis. "In that case, would it be more effective if I embraced your entire arm instead of just massaging it?"
As Bo Xiyun pondered, he withdrew one of his hands to check the medical records, hoping to find any relevant information or precautions that would allow him to test his theory.
While Yizhong Shen remained silent, he also released the grip on Bo Xiyun's right hand, allowing the young man to proceed with his investigation.
As Bo Xiyun carefully examined the handwritten notes on the medical records, he tried to decipher the words. He read aloud, "High mental stress causing emergency skin reaction, affecting the entire body..."
But then, his voice suddenly faltered, and his eyes widened with surprise. "The entire... body? Does it include the arms?"
Bo Xiyun's mind was racing as he realized the implications of the medical notes. If his touch could indeed have an effect on Yizhong Shen's entire body, it meant that there was a broader impact beyond just the massage. The idea that his body might naturally produce hormones that could help Yizhong Shen relieve stress and improve sleep filled him with both excitement and curiosity.
Yizhong Shen continued to remain silent, watching Bo Xiyun's reactions with keen interest. The realization seemed to have sparked a sense of wonder in the young man, and Yizhong Shen was curious to see how Bo Xiyun would interpret the new information and what conclusions he would draw from it.
Bo Xiyun was stunned and looked at Yizhong Shen, but the latter appeared calm and unfazed. Clearly, the medical records were accurate.
Yizhong Shen responded nonchalantly, "Yes, it affects the entire body."
Bo Xiyun felt a sudden stiffness in his body. Did that mean his suggestion implied...
...that he needed to embrace the entire body?
The realization hit him, and he felt his face flushing with embarrassment. He hadn't expected the implications of his hypothesis to go in that direction. Bo Xiyun's mind was in turmoil, trying to process the situation and figure out how to respond.
He stammered, "I-I didn't mean... I was just thinking if it could help you with stress relief, b-but maybe it's not necessary, and I shouldn't have suggested such a thing."
Bo Xiyun's words trailed off, feeling flustered and not knowing how to continue the conversation. The idea of embracing Yizhong Shen's entire body was too intimate and personal, especially considering their current relationship as classmates and friends.
Yizhong Shen looked at Bo Xiyun and noticed his discomfort. He raised an eyebrow slightly, as if amused by the young man's reaction.
"You don't need to worry about it," Yizhong Shen said calmly. "Your intention was to help, and I appreciate that. But it's not necessary to take it to that extent."
Bo Xiyun felt relieved and nodded, grateful that Yizhong Shen understood his intentions without making things awkward. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.
"I'm sorry for the misunderstanding," Bo Xiyun said sincerely. "I'll stick to the massage techniques and avoid anything that might make you uncomfortable."
Yizhong Shen smiled gently. "Thank you for your concern. Your massages have already been helpful, and I trust your skills."
With the tension eased, Bo Xiyun smiled back, feeling grateful for Yizhong Shen's understanding. He returned his focus to the medical records, intending to continue with the massage. The incident had taught him the importance of being mindful of boundaries, and he was determined to respect Yizhong Shen's comfort level while continuing to support him in any way he could.
______________________________________
Tn: The deleted line for the curious people out there:
He advised him.
That's it so i removed it. it was repetitive.
By the way is it only me or does everyone think that BXY should become a conspiracy theorist instead lmao. The way he comes up with weird theories had me rolling ;)
Enjoy <3