Like a raging fire calming down to a mild flame, Shao Cheng's face went smooth, and he became completely calm. Like a big brother, he took Li Jun by the shoulders, so that they were both holding each other's shoulders now—an endearing and somehow nostalgic sight. And then, out of nowhere, he smiled—a small, gentle smile for Li Jun.
Somehow, coming from Shao Cheng, such a smile felt incredibly ominous.
"Ah Jun," he said slowly. "I'm eighteen now, and you're seventeen. We're both past the age where we would have received courtesy names if we were people of high status. How about it, then? Why don't we give each other courtesy names right now?"
Li Jun stared at Shao Cheng, bewildered and slightly afraid. At the same time, a slight blush dusted his cheeks. "Is Cheng-ge saying…that we should pick courtesy names for each other?"
Shao Cheng nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Can I pick a name for you?"
