CoP 43

Sui Cannong’s thoughts were actually quite simple.

Sui Cannong had planned to return home for the Spring Festival, and these past few days, Ji Ling had been subtly asking about his holiday plans. So, Sui Cannong thought it would be a good idea for them to go home together for the holiday.

Sui Cannong was born in the United States, but his mother always believed that one should never forget one’s roots. She insisted that while Chinese people could be ignorant of many things, they must never be ignorant of their own language. Thus, she brought Sui Cannong back to China when he was young. During his high school and college years, she gave him complete freedom to choose and plan his own education.

Sui Cannong’s parents were relatively open-minded, and their relationship with him was more like that of friends.

During the last Christmas, Sui Cannong had gone home and directly told his parents that he was in a relationship with a man.

In the eyes of Sui Cannong’s parents, any partner who could support and confide in each other was a good one. So, when Sui Cannong’s mother heard this, she clutched her chest, screamed, and fainted, insisting that he must bring his partner home for the Spring Festival.

However, Sui Cannong also realized that given Ji Ling’s personality, he would likely feel a lot of pressure and burden if he knew he was meeting his parents.

“Why don’t you just pretend you don’t know us and bring him back first,” Sui Cannong’s mother suggested.

“Besides, your mother and I will be out of town on a trip, so you’ll have some privacy,” Sui Cannong’s father chimed in, rubbing his hands together with a grin. “We can also ask him what dishes he likes, and I can cook them for him.”

Thus, the “homestay” and “acquaintance couple” story came to be.

When they entered the house, Sui Cannong’s mother tried to control her emotions, but he could tell she was visibly excited.

What Sui Cannong hadn’t anticipated was how strongly Ji Ling would react upon learning the truth.

Ji Ling began to replay his every move in his mind.

“I shouldn’t have worn this,” Ji Ling muttered. “The cuffs and edges are already pilling, and my hair should have been cut shorter…”

Sui Cannong couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time. “What are you talking about? It’s not noticeable at all…”

Ji Ling didn’t hear him. He looked up at Sui Cannong anxiously and said, “And I ate a lot of meat, and I finished all the chestnuts you peeled for me…”

“Hey, I peeled the chestnuts and gave you the meat. You didn’t ask for them,” Sui Cannong explained. “Eating a lot means my dad’s cooking is good. Don’t be so anxious…”

Ji Ling paused for a moment before softly saying, “But I could have done better.”

“You did great,” Sui Cannong sighed. “My mom even told me she likes you and wanted to chat more, but we had to catch our flight, so I hurried them out.”

“My dad likes you too. Everyone likes you,” Sui Cannong added, pointing to the Samoyed wagging its tail by Ji Ling’s feet. “Even Suixie likes you.”

Ji Ling looked at the dog’s cheerful face and realized how slow he had been.

Maybe it was because he trusted Sui Cannong so much that he hadn’t questioned his story. Upon closer reflection, the couple’s features did bear some resemblance to Sui Cannong, and the way they chatted with him was familiar…

Ji Ling took a deep breath.

He looked up and asked, “Why did you…?”

Sui Cannong didn’t answer directly.

“Come on, don’t think about it anymore,” Sui Cannong said, petting the Samoyed’s face. “You’ve been busy all day. Why don’t you take a shower?”

Ji Ling: “But I—”

“Go take a shower, and I’ll prepare some fruit for you,” Sui Cannong said, walking to the fridge and opening it. “Do you want blueberries or oranges?”

Ji Ling looked at Sui Cannong’s back, realizing he might not want to answer right away. After a moment, he said, “Oranges.”

When Ji Ling came out of the bathroom, he found a plate of sliced oranges on the dining table, but Sui Cannong was nowhere to be seen.

The oranges looked juicy and sweet, but Ji Ling hesitated and called out Sui Cannong’s name.

No one answered.

Ji Ling wasn’t very familiar with Sui Cannong’s house, so he searched the first floor and finally found Sui Cannong in the backyard.

When Sui Cannong saw Ji Ling approaching, he straightened up, looking somewhat exasperated. “Did you not finish the oranges? Why are you here so soon?”

Ji Ling didn’t respond. He just stared at the object in Sui Cannong’s hand.

It was a pack of sparklers.

Sui Cannong took out a lighter and lit one of the sparklers.

Then he cleared his throat and said, “Crackle, crackle, crackle.”

Ji Ling looked at him in confusion.

“Big fireworks are banned now, but we’re in the suburbs, so we can still play with these small ones,” Sui Cannong explained, somewhat exasperated. “The sound is too quiet, so I’m providing the sound effects. Sorry.”

Ji Ling: “…”

Sui Cannong said, “I have something to tell you, so you don’t need to do or say anything. Just watch the sparklers I light for you.”

Ji Ling still didn’t react.

“I counted, and there are fifteen sparklers in the pack. I should be able to finish what I want to say before they’re all gone,” he said. “But I might ramble a bit. Do you want to listen?”

Ji Ling looked into Sui Cannong’s eyes.

Anticipating something, Ji Ling’s Adam’s apple moved, and after a moment, he softly nodded.

The backyard lights were dim, but the sparklers in Sui Cannong’s hand were bright and dazzling. He looked at the sparkler for a moment, then smiled at Ji Ling.

“It’s not a big deal, just some things I want to share with you,” Sui Cannong said. “But I think it’s important for you to know.”

The first sparkler burned quietly, the flames bright and vivid. But sparklers are fleeting, and the first one was soon about to burn out, so Sui Cannong took out the second one.

“Ji Ling,” Sui Cannong said, “I’ve never really described to you what you mean to me.”

“You know, because I teach biology, I’ve always loved plants and observing their growth patterns,” Sui Cannong said. “I know this might sound strange, but in my eyes, you’re like a plant that grows quietly.”

“You’re quiet, but you’re also resilient and full of life,” Sui Cannong said. “Plants might seem simple and monotonous, with only roots, stems, and leaves, but if you look closely, you’ll find their systems are vast and complex.”

“Each leaf has a unique shape, and the way they produce oxygen is fascinating. Different pigments in the leaves correspond to different wavelengths of light,” Sui Cannong said, shaking the sparkler in his hand. “Even the simplest things can be special, it just depends on whether someone is willing to understand them.”

“After the café incident, when I saw you standing by the bridge, I was genuinely scared. And with the coincidences that followed, I admit I misunderstood you,” Sui Cannong said. “But that was just the beginning, the start of my journey to understand you.”

The first sparkler burned out completely, and Sui Cannong shook his hand, smiled, and lit the second one.

“After that meeting, I started observing you,” he said.

“At first, I was trying to analyze your every move to see if you had any negative thoughts,” Sui Cannong thought for a moment. “But over time, my reasons for observing you changed.”

“I’m not sure when it started,” he said. “Maybe it was during the hot pot dinner when you told me mushrooms look like umbrellas, or maybe it was during the ramen performance when you analyzed the forces on the noodles.”

“You take everything seriously, and you always give thoughtful answers,” Sui Cannong said, lighting the third sparkler. “After watching a movie, you’d sneak off to the bathroom to cry, and when you were drunk, you’d quiz me about MRI imaging principles.”

Sui Cannong looked into Ji Ling’s eyes.

“You say you’re a plain person,” Sui Cannong said. “But to me, you’re gentle, responsible, and determined. And you’re very special.”

The sparkler burned, the flames a warm orange, and there were faint popping sounds.

“I’m a good person, but I don’t just be nice to anyone unconditionally,” Sui Cannong said. “I approached you not just to protect or save you, but because I wanted to spend more time with you.”

“The Halloween confession might have seemed sudden, but I had a strong liking for you even then,” Sui Cannong said. “I was nervous because I knew you wanted a relationship, but I didn’t know how you felt about me. I was afraid you’d reject me.”

“But you said yes that day. When I got home, I was so happy,” he said.

The sparkler’s flames slowly dimmed, and Sui Cannong patiently waited for it to burn out before lighting the next one.

“You said our meeting in the game was a carefully planned coincidence, but I don’t see it that way,” Sui Cannong said. “In fact, I was the one who suggested meeting at the café, wasn’t I?”

“Why did I suggest it? Because antelope always builds beautiful houses, and I thought he was a well-planned, excellent, and kind person. I wanted to meet him,” Sui Cannong said, shaking the sparkler in his hand and smiling. “So you see, I’ve been attracted to you for a long time.”

Ji Ling’s eyelashes fluttered.

Sui Cannong continued lighting the sparklers.

“It was a funny and absurd misunderstanding,” Sui Cannong said. “But every time we held hands, kissed, or got close, it was always because of one reason—”

“I really, really, really like you,” he said.

There were only two sparklers left, and Sui Cannong hadn’t expected the pack to burn so quickly. He paused, then lit the next one.

As it lit, Ji Ling heard Sui Cannong clearly repeat, “I like you.”

“You always say you want to pursue me,” Sui Cannong said with a smile. “But Ji Ling, if you turn around, you’ll see I’ve been standing behind you all along.”

Perhaps the sparkler was of poor quality or damp, and it quickly dimmed and went out silently.

Sui Cannong exclaimed, “Ah, only one left.”

He placed the extinguished sparklers at his feet and carefully held the last one.

“I asked you this once before on Halloween,” Sui Cannong said. “But a lot has happened since then. As you said, we can’t continue our previous relationship. We need a fresh start, so I’ll phrase it differently this time.”

Sui Cannong raised his hand and lit the last sparkler.

This time, instead of keeping it in his hand, he looked up and smiled, offering it to Ji Ling.

“This time, I don’t want to just try. I don’t want to set any limits.”

The sparks were brilliant, like a gentle, bright starlight dancing in Sui Cannong’s hand. Ji Ling heard Sui Cannong ask, “Ji Ling, will you be with me?”