Fu Ruien's plans were clicking along smoothly, but when he saw the single-person tent on the bedroom floor, all those plans suddenly scattered and clattered to the ground like spilled beads.
At that moment, Qiu Qiu was studying in the living room. Fu Ruien had returned to the bedroom intending to change into his loungewear, never expecting to push open the door and see such an eyesore of an ugly thing in his line of sight.
Fu Ruien lifted the tent flap and looked inside—well, well. Mosquito net, hanging lamp, sleeping bag, small fan—all fully equipped. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was preparing for guerrilla warfare.
One sleeping on the bed, one sleeping in a tent. What was this, were they planning a long-distance relationship?
Fu Ruien was past the age of acting on impulse, and with his good upbringing, he naturally wouldn't do something like dismantle the tent.
He was unwilling to force anyone, so he left the choice in Qiu Qiu's hands. If his sweet son felt sleeping in a tent was more suitable, then he could only respect that.
So, with a dark expression, Fu Ruien walked over to the tent, picked it up with both hands, and threw it onto his own vast, boundless bed.
—See, a solution that satisfied both parties could still be found.
In the living room, Qiu Qiu was completely unaware that Fu Ruien had relocated his tent to a better camping spot. He was absorbed in watching his study materials.
Curry beef was simmering gently on the stove, filling the room with the enticing aroma of curry spices. Once his godfather changed clothes, they could have dinner.
Just then, a chat window popped up on the computer.
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: Qiu, thanks for buying me the underwear. Our homeroom teacher only gave me a few of his old clothes. I almost thought I'd have to survive the month with just one pair.
Qiu is Autumn Qiu: ...You're describing it so vividly, I can picture it.
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: By the way, did you get the notice? Some big sponsor is paying to reinforce our Building 4 and install fireproofing. The construction period is pretty long, though. We definitely can't move back this semester, not until next term starts.
Qiu is Autumn Qiu: That long?
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: The longer, the better! Our dorm is tiny and rundown. Here we have air conditioning and a shower room. No one wants to go back.
That was true. The boys relocated to the hotel were over the moon—the wifi was super fast, perfect for online gaming. It was just a shame Big Bear's computer had been burnt to a crisp in the dorm fire. He could only drift from room to room, sometimes checking out one dorm's dungeon progress, other times spectating another's ranked matches.
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: Oh yeah, didn't you leave your laptop charger in the dorm? How does your computer still have battery?
Qiu is Autumn Qiu: Oh... my godfather bought me a new one...
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: A new charger? Wow, that old lecher is pretty considerate.
Qiu is Autumn Qiu: No, he bought me a new computer.
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: ...
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: ........
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: ..............
Big Bear, Not Second Bear: [Smile] Does our dad need another son?
Qiu is Autumn Qiu: ?????
...
After Fu Ruien had quelled the anger brought on by the tent and changed into comfortable loungewear, he walked into the kitchen. The diligent Qiu Qiu had already served the curry rice onto the table.
Qiu Qiu loved spicy food, but every time he ate it, he'd break out in terrible acne. While most people got it on their faces, his appeared behind his ears—red, swollen pimples right where his glasses' temple tips rested, rubbing painfully.
To avoid this trouble in the future, Qiu Qiu later learned to wear contact lenses.
...When it came to "finding alternative ways to solve problems," Qiu Qiu and Fu Ruien really did have common ground.
This batch of curry was indeed made extra spicy. Even Fu Ruien was gulping down water from the heat. It was only then he noticed the house's original transparent glass cups were gone, replaced by a pair of brightly colored cartoon mugs. Their childish designs clashed terribly with the minimalist, cold-toned decor.
"Did you buy these?" Fu Ruien picked up the cup beside him to examine it. Surrounded by a blue sky and green field, a grinning Grey Wolf with a stalk of straw in his mouth looked utterly mischievous.
Qiu Qiu, clutching his own mug with both hands, gulped down water, sticking his tongue out from the spice. It took him a moment to speak: "Phew... so spicy... No, when I was buying toothpaste, the salesperson said if you buy the family pack of three, you get a pair of mugs."
Fu Ruien asked with interest, "Who's on yours?"
Qiu Qiu blinked and silently turned his mug to show his godfather.
The character printed on it wasn't the love-hate best friend Pleasant Goat, nor the official spouse Red Wolf.
—It was their son, Little Grey.
So these weren't couple mugs; they were father-and-son mugs.
Fu Ruien was truly worn down by Qiu Qiu, feeling like each time he arrived brimming with tenderness, only to be left holding something absurd and laughable moments later.
But he just couldn't help falling for it. Maybe this was what they called being bewitched.
...
After dinner, Fu Ruien went back to his study to work, while Qiu Qiu continued to occupy the living room. Although the apartment was quiet, a sense of understanding and warmth naturally filled the air.
During this time, Teacher Qiu and Teacher Dong sent a video call. Having heard about the school fire, they were frantic to see if their eldest son was hurt. When the call connected, they were surprised to find Qiu Qiu in a very large room. The decor wasn't overly luxurious but was steady and tasteful everywhere, especially the entire glass curtain wall behind their son, beneath which the distant starlight seemed to tread.
Teacher Dong asked curiously, "Qiuqiu... where are you staying? Is A University so rich now they can put students up in five-star hotels?"
Qiu Qiu answered honestly, "I'm staying at my godfather's place. The school only arranged hotels for out-of-town students. I wanted to go home, but my keys burned up, and Dad's away on a business trip."
Teacher Qiu frowned. "Didn't you tell us before that you and your godfather broke up? How long has it been, and you're imposing on him again?"
"...We, we had a fight." Godfather wanted to sleep with him, and he wouldn't let him. That counted as a kind of fight, right?
Teacher Dong sighed. "So it was just a fight. Mom thought it was something serious. Alright then. Since you're staying at his place now, be good, be helpful, so he'll like you more."
"But Godfather already likes me a lot..."
"Mom knows you too well. You seem clever enough during the day, but come nightfall, you turn into a three-year-old. Afraid of the dark, rolling all over the bed. And remember not to sleep naked. Such a big boy, can't even button your pajamas properly. Aren't you ashamed?"
Indeed, no one knows a son like his mother. In just a few words, she exposed Qiu Qiu's true nature.
The three of them chatted for a long time, mostly the mother expressing concern for the child's daily life and casually criticizing the father for only knowing survival, not living. Qiu Qiu spent the whole time nodding in agreement, swearing he wouldn't lose any weight over the next month and would also fatten his godfather by three kilograms.
Before hanging up, Father Qiu patted his shiny bald head and added, "My seminar ends next month. I'll come personally then to thank your godfather and formally arrange a marriage for you two."
"...Huh??? What kind of kinship ceremony?"
"What other kind could it be? Definitely not a marriage alliance. You called him your godfather, but you didn't kowtow or serve him tea—what kind of godson does that make you?"
Qiu Qiu thought about it and realized it was true. Their relationship currently had no proper name or standing. If he called him 'godfather' in public, people would misunderstand their connection. It was all Fu Ruien's fault for being too handsome and having such a strong presence; standing next to Qiu Qiu, he didn't seem like an elder but more like a walking hormone dispenser.
The problem was... the 'kinship' his godfather had in mind... and the 'kinship' his own father had in mind had a tiny, minuscule difference.
Logically, Qiu Qiu should be happy about this—it meant Fu Ruien could no longer get handsy with him.
But when the video call ended, Qiu Qiu saw his own frowning, troubled face reflected in the dark screen.
His natural wood-colored guitar leaned against the sofa beside him, and scattered sheets of music lay in the open case. Qiu Qiu stared at them blankly, feeling suddenly lost. He didn't know who he would sing his love songs to anymore.
