"Zhang Hao! Would you be interested in joining me for some Zhajiangmian (炸醬面) after school? I've heard that the new hotel prepares it exceptionally well."
"Very well, let's proceed. However, should I consider changing my attire for this date?"
"It's not a date! I'll celebrate our time together romantically, unlike those typical dates!"
"Every moment spent with you feels like a special occasion..."
Shou Yi and Zhang Hao were childhood friends who grew up in the same neighborhood in Qingdao. They went to the same school, played the same games, and shared the same dreams. They also realized that they had feelings for each other, but they never dared to confess them openly. They only exchanged shy glances and gentle touches, hoping that one day they would be brave enough to say "I love you".
Shou Yi lived with his mother Wu Ling, who was very sick and could not work much. His father had died in an accident when he was young. Because of that, his mother was not able to afford Shou Yi's educational expenses. That's why he had to work at a cafe to support himself.
Zhang Hao lived in an orphanage in Qingdao. No one knew what had happened to his parents or where they were. A lady had found Zhang Hao by the side of the Jiaohe river and taken him to the orphanage when he was so young. From that day on, he lived there.
One day, when they were in elementary school, Zhang Hao was sitting alone in the school's field, crying. Shou Yi approached him and asked him why he was crying. Zhang Hao replied that he had no parents to comfort him when he was sad. Shou Yi said, "You know what? I also don't have a father, but I don't cry because I have my mom with me. But if you feel very sad, call me! I'll play with you, I'll listen to you!" From that day on, they became friends.
In high school, they started to care more and more for each other as if they were not friends but a couple. They started to be called "the handsomes" in the whole school. They knew that they were more than friends but never had the courage to say that. So, they stayed the way they were, caring for each other and having the mindset of caring for each other forever.
But fate had other plans for them. One day, when they were 15 or 16 years old, they decided to skip class and go for a ride on Shou Yi's motorcycle. They enjoyed the wind in their hair and the freedom in their hearts, unaware of the danger that lurked ahead. A speeding truck ran a red light and crashed into them, sending them flying off the road. Shou Yi was thrown into a nearby ditch, while Zhang Hao was flung into the air and landed on the other side of the street. Shou Yi survived the accident with some injuries, but Zhang Hao was nowhere to be found. The truck driver fled the scene, leaving no trace behind. The police searched for Zhang Hao for days, but they could not find him or his body. They assumed that he was either dead or kidnapped and declared him missing.
Shou Yi was devastated by the loss of his best friend and lover. He blamed himself for taking Zhang Hao on that ride and wished he had died that day.
Shou Yi wanted to give up on his life because he had lost his lover before even starting their relationship. But he had his sick mother Wu Ling to take care of. However, his mother was not supportive of her son because she did not want to accept the fact that her son was gay. She also wanted Shou Yi to marry a beautiful girl and start a family with her. She was secretly happy about Zhang Hao's disappearance, thinking that her son would forget about him and start a new life.
But Shou Yi loved Zhang Hao with all his heart. Zhang Hao always wanted Shou Yi to progress in life no matter what happened. So Shou Yi remembered Zhang Hao's words and tried to become a successful man.
Consequently, the once carefree and naive boy underwent a transformation, evolving into a dedicated and industrious individual. He committed himself to rigorous studies, ultimately pursuing a scholarship to a prestigious university in London, where his acceptance stemmed from exceptional grades, unwavering passion, and relentless effort.
Following his graduation, he secured a position at Zhou Corporation and Management, an enterprise under the ownership of Zhou Wei, a prominent millionaire businessman renowned throughout China. Shou Yi's tireless work ethic and innate sense of responsibility swiftly propelled him to the role of marketing manager within the company. His impeccable dedication earned him not only a commendable status within the department but also garnered respect and admiration in Zhou Wei's eyes. However, every achievement and milestone Shou Yi attained remained an homage to the memory of his beloved Zhang Hao.