ABMSI Chapter 68

When Fu Duqiu finally finished speaking, Duan Wei slowly came back to his senses. To Fu Duqiu, these things had happened many years ago, yet he recounted them calmly and fluently, without a single pause—as if those memories had replayed in his mind countless times, so deeply etched they’d never fade.

Realizing this, Duan Wei felt a sudden complicated weight in his chest. He understood perfectly well that what Fu Duqiu remembered wasn’t actually him, but the original Duan Wei. So, if you rounded it up, this confession today wasn’t even directed at him; it was built on feelings for someone who had already “existed” before he arrived.

Once he figured that out, he even felt a bit relieved. Good thing Fu Duqiu didn’t like him. Otherwise, he honestly had no idea how he’d handle it.

Seeing the shifting expressions on his face, Fu Duqiu’s brows scrunched together. “You still don’t remember?”

“…” Duan Wei paused. He didn’t know how to respond, so he could only say, “It’s been a long time. I don’t really remember much.”

His top priority right now was to muddle through this. If he exposed even a hint that he wasn’t really Duan Wei, the fallout would be crazy.

Hearing this, Fu Duqiu’s eyes flickered slightly. He quietly withdrew his emotions and tightened his grip on the leaf in his hand. “It’s fine. As long as I remember.”

“Mm…” Duan Wei gently coughed. This was the first time in his whole life—solo since birth—that he’d had to deal with a romantic dilemma. And the crazy thing was, it wasn’t even his romance.

He took a moment to organize his words, then suggested in a negotiating tone, “I think… it’s better if we don’t talk about this right now. What do you think?”

Fu Duqiu raised his head. Though he didn’t quite understand what he meant, he still nodded patiently.

“We need to focus on the college entrance exam. Get into a good university. Maybe when you’re in a new place, your feelings will change.” Duan Wei tried his best to be gentle, mindful not to accidentally crush the heart of a teenage boy.

But Fu Duqiu didn’t hesitate at all. He looked straight at Duan Wei and said firmly, “They won’t.”

“…”

“I won’t like anyone else.” Then, remembering how Duan Wei kept trying to push him toward Xu Jianian, he added, “Don’t ever think that way again.”

Seeing how serious he was, Duan Wei really couldn’t push it any further. Though his life experience wasn’t exactly rich, living across two worlds had long worn down the burning teenage enthusiasm for love. Besides—Fu Duqiu wasn’t even actually in love with him.

What’s so special about dating? Building a career isn’t way more satisfying?

The two sat there awkwardly for a while until the milk-tea buyers finally drifted back. After the confession, Duan Wei suddenly understood why Peng Yan had always tried to stop him from talking to Fu Duqiu. He used to think Peng Yan was just annoying and in the way. But looking back now—Peng Yan was practically a saint silently suffering for everyone.

Thinking of this, Duan Wei jumped up like he’d just spotted a savior. “Why did you two take so long?”

Of course Peng Yan wasn’t about to admit they ran away to KFC because they couldn’t handle the weird atmosphere and hid there half the night. He forced a grin and lied without blinking, “We couldn’t find a milk tea shop. Walked a few kilometers.”

Duan Wei believed it immediately. As Fu Duqiu approached, he hurriedly ducked behind Peng Yan like he’d seen a ghost. “It’s almost time, right? Let’s go release the lanterns.”

“Sure.”

Peng Yan nodded, then turned around and noticed Duan Wei sticking to him like a plaster strip. Wherever he went, Duan Wei went. Meanwhile, Fu Duqiu—who earlier looked like he wanted to strap his eyes to Duan Wei—was now keeping his distance.

Peng Yan frowned. Something felt wrong. He lowered his voice. “What’s up, bro? Did you guys fight?”

“No.” Duan Wei didn’t want to talk about it. Even if he knew Peng Yan could probably guess most of it, he speed-walked ahead like he was running for his life. “Come on, hurry—release the lanterns!”

To prevent accidents, the lantern square was wide open. Vendors lined both sides of the avenue, shouting as they sold their lanterns.

The lanterns came in all sorts of designs and bright colors. Duan Wei picked the simplest plain white one. The four of them bought two markers and headed toward the square.

Night had deepened, and the open space was already crowded. Duan Wei walked to a quiet corner and prepared to write a wish.

There were only two markers—one in Peng Yan’s hand, one with Fu Duqiu. Duan Wei watched Peng Yan scribble on his lantern like some kind of cryptic talisman maker. When he finally finished, Duan Wei reached out to take the pen—only for Peng Yan to casually pass it to Xu Jianian.

Duan Wei: “…”

Peng Yan clearly sensed the energy coming off him and looked up, confused. “What? Doesn’t Fu Duqiu have another pen?”

He said it loud—so loud that Duan Wei nearly strangled him on the spot. Of course, Fu Duqiu heard it. He was half squatting on the ground, holding the other marker. He looked up and said to Duan Wei, “I’m done. Here.”

Duan Wei had no choice but to walk over. Fu Duqiu was squatting in a corner with a blank wall behind him. Just as Duan Wei reached for the pen, a sudden force yanked him forward.

!

Duan Wei instinctively squeezed his eyes shut, certain he was about to faceplant into the wall—but a pair of hands caught him in the dark, pulling him straight into someone’s arms.

The familiar scent of white pine resin filled his nose. He finally realized that one of his hands was firmly held by Fu Duqiu. There was no mistaking who had yanked him over just now.

“You—!” Duan Wei struggled hard and finally broke free, rubbing at the slight ache where he’d been grabbed. “What are you doing?!”

Fu Duqiu said nothing. He could clearly feel Duan Wei trying to avoid him. It bothered him—but he could also understand.

But just because he understood didn’t mean he’d allow the distance to grow.

He knew exactly what kind of person Duan Wei was—soft tactics worked better than force. So he handed the marker back, even helped remove the cap, and said quietly, “Sorry.”

“….” Duan Wei, who had been all fired up for a fight a second ago, suddenly felt like his punch had landed on cotton. He couldn’t get a single word out. He took the marker and began scribbling his wishes on the lantern, occasionally enduring the burning gaze from the side.

Yet every time he glanced over, there was nothing unusual in Fu Duqiu’s expression. That man’s ability to change faces could rival a Peking opera master.

When they finished writing, the four of them moved to an open spot. The light illuminated their small corner of the plaza, and a staff member approached when he noticed them preparing to light the lantern.

“I recommend two people work together,” the worker suggested. “One holds it, the other lights it—it’s easier that way.”

Everyone nodded. As soon as Peng Yan turned around, Duan Wei grabbed Xu Jianian beside him and said, “I’ll help you. I’ll hold it, you light it.”

Xu Jianian blinked, then smiled. “Sure.”

Standing behind them, Fu Duqiu naturally understood Duan Wei’s obvious attempt to keep a distance. He lowered his head and secured the wax to the wire at the base of the lantern, pressing and wrapping it neatly. Peng Yan finally sensed something was off. He took a lighter from his pocket and whispered to Fu Duqiu:

“What happened? You and Duan-ge?”

“I did something earlier that scared him.”

Around them, the boys and girls were looking devout as they held their lanterns. Fu Duqiu took the lighter and lit the wax without hesitation. He had never been interested in lantern rituals anyway; since Duan Wei wasn’t doing it with him, there was no point in being sentimental.

Watching the lantern slowly float upward, Peng Yan turned to him. “What did you do? Commit murder on the street?”

Fu Duqiu stayed silent. He stared at Duan Wei standing on the opposite side, and the tenderness in his eyes was practically calling out, ‘Look, everyone, I like him’. Duan Wei seemed to sense the gaze too; his movement was stiff as he deliberately turned away.

Sometimes silence speaks louder than anything. In that instant, Peng Yan realized everything. He pointed at Fu Duqiu, then at Duan Wei’s turned back, his eyes going wide.

“You—don’t tell me you—”

Before he finished, he saw that Fu Duqiu wasn’t denying it. His mouth slowly closed. He’d always known this day was coming; he just didn’t expect it so soon. And judging from how badly Duan-ge was avoiding him… he definitely got rejected.

Peng Yan let out a long sigh.

The sky was starless, but countless lanterns drifted upward like a sea of little stars, filling the night with light. Everyone in the plaza stood still with clasped hands and shut eyes, making their wishes with solemn sincerity.

Duan Wei followed tradition, pressing his fists together under his chin and closing his eyes. In his heart he quietly wished:

May everything go the way I want. May I stay healthy. May Old Man Duan get more handsome. May Aunt Qiao get even prettier…

And most importantly—may the plot straighten itself out already. Please let Fu Duqiu keep his distance from me. At least stop looking at me like that…

After finishing his prayers, he opened his eyes. The moment he turned his head, he felt a gaze land on him. He hadn’t noticed that Fu Duqiu had moved right next to him.

The boy’s scent drifted toward him with the breeze—cool, clean, like the faint sweetness of pine resin. Even if Duan Wei didn’t want to admit it, Fu Duqiu’s pheromone smelled ridiculously good. Exactly his type, annoyingly enough.

Fu Duqiu was taller, so he lowered his head slightly. There were other visitors nearby lighting their lanterns, so the flickering lights kept catching in his eyes like little stars.

Duan Wei froze for a second, utterly useless against this kind of accidental “romantic moment.” A few months ago he would’ve thought nothing of it. But now, with their relationship stuck in this awkward place, even one look felt like dangerous emotional misdirection. He quickly turned away—

But he wasn’t fast enough.

“Hope your wish comes true,” Fu Duqiu said softly.

“…”

In this noisy environment, his voice sounded unusually gentle, almost out of place, and it made Duan Wei’s ears heat up. Luckily, it was dark enough that no one could see his face. He cleared his throat and muttered, “Same to you.”

Fu Duqiu chuckled and lifted his gaze toward the sky full of drifting lanterns.

Silly.

If you knew what my wish was, you wouldn’t have said that.

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