AS [EXTRA 1]

Extra 2: After That (1)

Back then, Lü Chenyu had said he didn’t want to go to university, yet he would secretly stay at home to study. Eventually, Xu Wenhao discovered him and began tutoring him.

Lü Chenyu’s grades were average in class, but he was actually a very diligent and attentive student. Through hard work, he and Xu Wenhao eventually got into the same university.

Although they attended the same university, they were in different departments—Lü Chenyu, interested in design, enrolled in the Fashion Design program, while Xu Wenhao got into the Foreign Languages department.

After graduating high school, they successfully found a small apartment, about fifteen ping (≈50 sqm), conveniently located near the university. And so, the two of them—along with their cat—began a new chapter of university life together.

Once they started university, they only needed to go to campus for classes. While it seemed easygoing, in reality, endless reports, research, and design projects awaited them, keeping them constantly busy.

As they adapted to university life, both also worked part-time jobs to help cover living expenses, rent, and school fees.

Lü Chenyu set his cup back on the table, picked up his pencil again, but didn’t start drawing. His mind seemed elsewhere—was he thinking about the design sketches? Or maybe not?

“What are you thinking about?” Xu Wenhao sipped his coffee and asked, watching him closely.

“Wenhao… there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

“What is it? Sounds mysterious,” Xu Wenhao chuckled.

“Well…” Lü Chenyu hesitated for a long moment, unsure how to bring the words out.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Wenhao put down his cup, gently placed his hands on Lü Chenyu’s shoulders, turned him to face him, and looked at him with tender eyes.

“I was thinking… winter break starts next month, so… maybe we could plan a few days to go out somewhere?” Meeting Xu Wenhao’s gaze, Lü Chenyu immediately looked away, shyly adding, “If you don’t have time, it’s okay… I was just suggesting. Don’t take it seriously.”

Since the five-day, four-night graduation trip during high school, Lü Chenyu hadn’t traveled far. Today, he suddenly remembered those days with Xu Wenhao and wanted to ask his opinion—but didn’t dare to speak it outright.

“But I’m serious,” Xu Wenhao replied immediately, putting down his coffee without hesitation.

Hearing Xu Wenhao’s firm answer made Lü Chenyu even more flustered. “You don’t have to force yourself. I know your program is busier than mine… I’m sorry, I…”

“I have time,” Xu Wenhao said with a faint sigh, gently cutting him off. “How many days do you want to go? When do you want to go? I’ll request the time off from work tomorrow.”

It was the first time since they started dating that Lü Chenyu had actively made a request to Xu Wenhao. Xu Wenhao was thrilled, yet he also felt a pang of pity—his Chenyu always tended to hold back his own wishes.

Lü Chenyu lowered his gaze, nodded slightly, and smiled faintly.

Suddenly, a large hand covered the top of his head, forcing him to look up at Xu Wenhao. “Remember what I told you? Say what’s on your mind without worrying I’ll be upset. You need to fix this bad habit, understand?” Xu Wenhao said softly.

He could always sense that whenever Lü Chenyu wanted to say something important, he would think over it carefully in his head, measure it again and again, and finally say it hesitantly, then peek at Xu Wenhao before quickly looking away. He didn’t need to do all that.

Lü Chenyu froze and tried to lower his head again, choosing to avoid him.

“But I’m really happy because this is the first time you’ve made a request to me. No matter what it is, I’ll make time to go out with you. I’ll borrow my sister’s car, and wherever you want to go, we’ll go.”

A deeper smile spread across Lü Chenyu’s face. Xu Wenhao lowered his head and habitually kissed his left eye as a small promise.

(To be continued…)