DCTMOAS Chapter 59

The apology stuck in Chu Cheng’s throat, promptly blocked by that snark. He changed his line: “Who was snooping through your phone?”

“Then what were you doing?” Yu Siting tapped the screen a couple of times, then raised the phone again and somehow pulled up his hidden photo folder. “Looking for this?”

“You—” Chu Cheng opened his mouth, but the moment he saw the screen, he choked up.

Because that wasn’t an ugly photo at all. On the contrary, it showed a clean, fresh-looking face. There was just a red smudge at the corner of his lips—probably from a smudged dye marker. For a raw front camera pic, it was shockingly decent.

“Want me to delete it?”

“Do what you want.”

Since it wasn’t actually embarrassing, Chu Cheng didn’t dwell on it. He leaned back against the ship’s railing and continued admiring the view.

By now, the sky had brightened further. Above the deck, seagulls circled and danced.

Chu Cheng took off the blanket and pulled a breakfast bun out of his pocket to share with the birds.

Yu Siting stayed nearby, still helping take photos. This time, Chu Cheng had learned his lesson and handed over his own phone.

A young man surrounded by white seabirds. A breathtaking face, the free-spirited sea breeze, and the golden morning sun—all the elements blended in perfect harmony, like a magazine cover waiting for its logo and filter.

Every photo taken by Yu Siting turned out beautifully. Especially the shots of feeding the seagulls—even though his face wasn’t captured directly, the atmosphere was perfect.

Chu Cheng sincerely praised him, “You’re really good at photography. How did you get this good?”

Yu Siting replied, “Born with it. You need a model this handsome to make it worth the talent.”

Born with it—means he’s never taken pictures for anyone else.

Needs a model this handsome—means he’s only ever wanted to photograph you.

Yu Siting’s words always carried some hidden meaning, and annoyingly, Chu Cheng could always read between the lines.

That quiet, ambiguous sentiment nestled itself in his chest, warm and unmistakable. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt… favored.

While flipping through the photos on his phone, Chu Cheng suddenly noticed a large flock of seagulls gathering behind Yu Siting. He quickly opened the camera. “This angle’s perfect. Let me get one of you too.”

A few seconds later, the camera captured the moment.

In the shot, Yu Siting stood at the cruise ship’s railing in a high-collared coat, hands in his pockets, slightly tilting his head to gaze up at the sky.

His tall figure, impeccable fashion sense, and the majestic backdrop of sky meeting sea made the whole image feel cinematic.

Chu Cheng admired the photo, and as he swiped absentmindedly, he accidentally exited to the photo gallery overview. Seeing the two photos side by side, he froze for a second.

Wait a minute… why do these two look exactly like a matching couple’s profile picture?

“Nice shot,” Yu Siting leaned in and commented, interrupting his train of thought.

Chu Cheng smiled, “I’ll send it to you once we get better signal.”

By then, the sky had fully brightened, and the cruise ship docked at the port. After disembarking and queuing for a bit, the three of them headed straight to the hotel by car.

Due to the May Day travel rush, the hotel was fully booked. Yu Siting had only managed to reserve two rooms in advance.

While checking in, Lu Yan suddenly recalled the tragic night before—getting scolded for all kinds of reasons—and boldly made a request. “Can’t I have a room to myself?”

Yu Siting, leaning against the front desk, countered with a question, “What do you think?”

“Then I want to room with Mr. Chu tonight.” Lu Yan changed tactics, ignoring his uncle’s reaction and turned directly to the person in question. “Is that okay?”

Naturally, Chu Cheng didn’t object. He smiled and nodded, “Sure, sounds good.”

At this moment, Yu Siting’s opinion was clearly no longer important. Wearing a blank expression, he could only hand over the keycard for the twin-bed room to the two of them.

“Yay~” Lu Yan was delighted to have gotten his way. Completely unbothered by the possibility of consequences later, he stuck out his tongue at his uncle and happily followed Chu Cheng into the room.

The hotel’s WiFi signal was full bars—perfect for sending photos and watching videos smoothly. After a bit of tidying up, the two of them collapsed onto their beds, each playing on their phones.

Chu Cheng had stayed up late the night before and gotten up early to watch the sunrise. Curled up in the soft bed, drowsiness quickly overtook him.

Back in the king-bed room, Yu Siting was also scrolling through WeChat and saw that the photo of feeding the seagulls from that morning had already been posted to someone’s Moments.

But he wasn’t Lu Yan, so he couldn’t openly express his desire to share a room with Teacher Chu.

Staring at that meticulously edited face in the photo, Yu Siting let out a helpless sigh, put his phone down, and face-planted into the pillow for a solo nap.

The peaceful morning quietly passed by.

When Yu Siting opened his eyes again, it was already around lunchtime. He got up, changed into fresh clothes, and headed to the other room to ask about lunch plans.

The twin-bed room and the king-bed room were separated by half a hallway. Wearing hotel slippers, Yu Siting arrived at the door. Before even touching the handle, he felt a chill around his ankle.

The door wasn’t locked, just secured from the inside with the security latch. He gently pressed the handle, peeking through the narrow gap to see what was going on inside.

Both of them were fast asleep, each bundled tightly in their own blankets. The wall-mounted air conditioner had been set to 19°C and had clearly been running for a while—the entire room was filled with invigoratingly cold air.

Who on earth thought this was a good idea? It’s only May, and they’re already blasting the A/C like this? They’re both going to catch colds at this rate.

Yu Siting couldn’t help but worry about these two’s basic survival skills. Frowning, he knocked lightly on the door.

Chu Cheng curled up further under the covers, but didn’t move otherwise. Lu Yan, still groggy, got out of bed and visibly shivered from the cold.

Knock knock—

“Coming.”

As the door opened, Yu Siting reached out and touched his nephew’s wrist. Sure enough—ice cold.

He clicked his tongue in disapproval and began his lecture, glaring at the dazed teenager: “You’re old enough now. Can’t you look after him a little?”

Lu Yan: “……”

Still wrapped in his blanket, Chu Cheng heard the voice and abruptly opened his eyes, his thoughts sharpening instantly.

Wasn’t that just an obvious case of calling out one person while blaming another?

It was a lazy midday, and none of them felt like going out. After a brief discussion, they decided to just eat at the hotel restaurant and try the chef’s recommended dishes.

Toward the end of lunch, as the waiter brought over some water, Yu Siting suddenly asked, “Is there a printer here?”

The waiter nodded politely. “There’s one at the front desk.”

“Great, thank you.” Satisfied with the answer, Yu Siting got up and left the restaurant with his phone.

About ten minutes later, he returned with a small stack of A4 papers. The crisp white sheets were placed on the table—two complete sets of advanced math and physics exercises, clearly printed and ready for battle. The other two at the table stared in stunned silence.

Yu Siting glanced indifferently at Lu Yan. “Take them back to the room after lunch and finish them.”

Well then. Retribution might come late, but it always comes.

“……” Lu Yan swallowed hard, then turned to Chu Cheng for help.

He’s abusing his power for personal revenge! Aren’t you going to say something?

Chu Cheng did help ease the situation a little. He finally understood what all those test paper photos in Teacher Yu’s phone gallery were really for.

Before he could speak up, Yu Siting silently shot him a look.

Just one glance, and Chu Cheng immediately recalled his solemn promise back in the haunted house—next time the golden child and his uncle had a disagreement, he vowed to be objective and stand on the reasonable side.

He raised his lips in a gentle smile and said to the boy, “We’ve been out having fun for two or three days now. It’s reasonable to balance work and rest.”

Clang. Lu Yan’s dinner knife dropped to the table with a metallic thud. The rest of his lunch instantly lost all flavor. But he still made a final plea: “Then can I at least do Chinese homework instead?”

Yu Siting was quick to respond, “Since you made that request, then do the math and physics first—then you can do Chinese.”

And just like that, he was completely doomed.

“In the afternoon, can you two just go out without me? Please?” Lu Yan groaned and buried his face in his hands in despair.

*

Because they had plenty of time, the schedule for this trip was deliberately relaxed. After lunch, Yu Siting drove off with a well-rested Chu Cheng to explore the city.

The two of them wandered aimlessly through the city, playing and snacking along the way, and didn’t head back until night had fully fallen. Upon returning to the hotel, Chu Cheng made sure to bring back lots of tasty snacks for the hardworking student.

Lu Yan was still in the room, pitifully doing his assignments. He hadn’t turned on the bright ceiling light, instead working by the soft glow of a desk lamp designed to protect his eyes.

Chu Cheng tiptoed over and stood behind him without saying anything.

The two sets of advanced practice worksheets were absurdly tricky. It felt as if the person who designed them knew Lu Yan too well—each question aimed straight at his weak points.

Curious, Chu Cheng opened a study app to try solving them with a photo.

Hearing the subtle click of the camera beside his ear, Lu Yan let out a weary sigh. “Don’t bother. Just from the look of them, I can tell my uncle made these questions himself.”

Chu Cheng chuckled and pushed the snacks he’d bought toward him. “It’s fine, eat something first. Watching you do homework is my job anyway.”

Lu Yan, completely used to this dynamic, mimicked his tone and replied, “It’s fine, you don’t have to keep me company. I’m used to it.”

Suddenly, Chu Cheng remembered something. “The first time I saw you being punished in the math office, you said those exact words.”

“Things have changed,” Lu Yan said without looking up, his pen scribbling rapidly across the page. “Some people are now openly pursuing their crushes, don’t need me as a wingman anymore, burned the bridge after crossing it, and are treating me even worse than before.”

That sentence… carried a lot of information.

Chu Cheng took a while to react before realizing he was talking about Mr. Yu and himself. Stunned, he asked, “Even you know?”

With his back turned, Lu Yan chuckled. “In our house, everyone knows—except for Grandma and Grandpa way out in Iceland. Even Aunt Chen, who just makes soup, eventually figured it out.”

Then…

Did that mean everyone had taken turns sizing him up back then? Chu Cheng thought back to when he’d visited the Yu family home as a guest and felt his face grow hot.

But Lu Yan added, “Relax, they’re not the type to judge. Before the semester started, Mr. Yu even told me to go easy on you.”

Intrigued, Chu Cheng pulled over a chair and sat down beside him, testing the waters: “So, what kind of wingman stuff have you done for Mr. Yu? Anything I don’t know about?”

Lu Yan pinched his lips together like a vault. “My lips are sealed. I’m not telling.”

Chu Cheng clicked his tongue. “What, our friendship’s gotten that shallow?”

“Unless you make me a promise.” Lu Yan finally put down his pen and looked at him seriously.

“What kind of promise?” Chu Cheng asked.

Lu Yan snorted a laugh, his pretty eyes narrowing with mischief. “Tell me, if you two break up one day… who do I get to stay with?”

“You little rascal, what are you saying?” Chu Cheng froze for a second, then burst out laughing. He gave Lu Yan’s bangs a rough ruffle. “Go finish your homework.”

Lu Yan was only joking to lighten the mood. After a few moments of fun, he turned back and quietly continued solving his problems.

After several nights of staying up late and sleeping in, Chu Cheng’s schedule was a mess. Even though it was already late at night, he didn’t feel the slightest bit sleepy.

He remembered seeing a small, stylish bar in the hotel lobby when he’d first come back, and since he had nothing better to do—and didn’t want to disturb his brilliant kid’s studies—he headed downstairs for a walk.

At this hour, most of the hotel guests were already asleep. Only the night-shift bartender remained, surrounded by a few cool-toned ambient lights.

Noticing a guest approaching, the bartender enthusiastically asked what he’d like to drink.

Chu Cheng told him to freestyle and then settled into a seat off to the side.

Maybe the bartender was the earnest type—or maybe just bored late at night—but he gave an impressive performance with the shaker. After a flurry of movement, he presented a Collins glass topped with foam as tall and fluffy as a cloud.

Chu Cheng sipped through a paper straw. The alcohol wasn’t strong; it tasted a bit like fruity Fizz, mostly sour and not really his style. So he finished it quickly and asked the bartender to make another.

The second drink was harder to describe. It had a flavor somewhat like a Manhattan, rich with a sweet, spicy punch of vermouth and a bitter aftertaste that lingered.

With the bar’s slow, mellow music playing in the background, Chu Cheng unknowingly finished two drinks.

“What’s going on with you?” A familiar voice came from behind. A tall, slender shadow approached, blocking the light above him.

He hadn’t expected Yu Siting to show up this late. Caught mid-drink, Chu Cheng looked at the other’s serious expression and squinted with a smile. “Just once in a while. It’s no big deal.”

Yu had already stepped in front of him and said, “I meant—why are you drinking alone like this?”

“You’re mad because I didn’t invite you?” Chu Cheng lifted his arm and pointed at Yu’s sharp, handsome brow, then patted the seat beside him in invitation.

Yu Siting looked at Chu Cheng’s slightly off-kilter smile, picked up the glass and sniffed it, then said in a low voice, “This stuff hits fast. You seem a little drunk.”

“I’m fine,” Chu Cheng sniffled, convinced he was still totally sober.

“What are you thinking about all by yourself?” Yu Siting naturally sat down beside him and gestured for the bartender to bring him a whiskey cut with water.

Chu Cheng replied, “Contemplating life.”

Yu Siting raised a brow. “What’s there to contemplate? Young Master Chu already figured out his grand ambitions ages ago, and he’s well on his way to fulfilling them, isn’t he?”

“How are they grand? If anything, I’ve always been afraid to talk about them with other people,” Chu Cheng muttered. Maybe it was the alcohol, but his emotions felt more fragile than usual, and he ended up chatting more openly than he normally would.

Because his way of thinking was different from others who grew up in the same environment—and because he was content simply doing things that pleased himself—he always worried that people would think he was just drifting through life without ambition. To put it bluntly: a loser.

“I don’t see it that way,” Yu Siting replied, unwavering as ever. “There’s always a higher mountain out there. Not everyone has to climb to the top just to enjoy the view.”

Chu Cheng lay his head down on the bar, resting his chin on his arms, and looked over at him with a hint of anticipation. “Then what kind of person do you think I am?”

Yu Siting answered without hesitation, “You’re carefree, but also incredibly resilient. Most importantly, you always know exactly what you’re doing with each step.”

“So what if I do?”

“It means that once you decide on something, you’ll do your best to see it through. You’re not easily swayed by things you don’t care about. That makes you someone who chooses—actively—rather than someone who waits to be chosen. And that’s actually a pretty rare thing.”

“Didn’t know you rated me so highly, big bro.” Chu Cheng raised his glass and drank the last of it, though he took too big a gulp, puffing his cheeks out like a hamster.

“And after all this time, that’s all you’ve noticed?” Yu Siting looked at him with eyes so gentle it was like they could melt into silk. “Nothing else?”

Chu Cheng didn’t look away. He gave a hazy nod, indicating that there was something more.

Because of the alcohol, his thoughts were muddled and his words came out fragmented, but Yu Siting still understood him.

What he said was—until now, in his vision of the future, emotions and romance never really existed. He always thought the ideal life was one of complete freedom and solitude, doing whatever he wanted without needing to share it with anyone. But now… things were a little different.

Chu Cheng stared hard at the person in front of him, but his vision had started to blur. He could only fixate on the sharp silhouette of that proud nose bridge.

Yu Siting asked, “What’s different?”

What was different? Even if he were sober, Chu Cheng probably couldn’t explain it clearly. Because it was the kind of feeling you could only understand, not describe.

Like how, despite seeming like two completely different kinds of people, they could be astonishingly in sync in their thoughts, effortlessly comfortable in each other’s presence—even drawn to one another. There was a strange kind of resonance, one that stirred up boundless anticipation for whatever story the future might bring.

“The difference is…”

Chu Cheng’s gaze grew more and more unfocused, and eventually, his head lolled to the side, landing on his arm. He murmured one last sentence before completely knocking out:
“…Thank you, Teacher Yu, for making me start imagining a life different from before.”

Yu Siting couldn’t help but smile as he listened, finishing the remaining half of his drink in one gulp.

“How are you thanking me, exactly? Next exam, our class’s Chinese ranking will finally break into the top five?” he said to himself. But after a while, hearing no response, he turned to look—and saw Chu Cheng had already passed out.

Yu Siting was a little surprised at how fast he collapsed onto the table. In the end, he let out a helpless laugh, then gently reached out to brush his elegant brow with his fingertips.

“There’s really no need to thank me,” he whispered.

Because I’m more than willing to be part of your vision for the future, Teacher Chu.

---

Author’s Note:

Chu Cheng’s mental image of the future: Damn it, he’s going to retire years before me.