He pulled out a tissue and, while wiping the milk on the table, looked at Song Lang with an inquisitive gaze.
If Song Lang listened any longer, he wouldn't need to eat all day, so he slammed the phone down.
Shen Zhifei wiped the tissues in her hand until they were torn, but she still didn't stop.
Song Lang felt a little guilty under his gaze, so he cleared his throat and said, "It's Xingzi, acting crazy."
Shen Zhifei looked away, threw the tissue into the trash can, and gave a faint "hmm".
"Um," Song Lang thought for a moment, still wanting to help Meng Fanxing out, and said, "He has a few friends who want to go out and have some fun, and they'd like you to join them. What are your plans for later?"
Instead of answering, Shen Zhifei asked, "Are you going?"
Song Lang shook his head; he had no interest in joining in on Meng Fanxing's pursuit of a girlfriend.
"Just think of it as making more friends. You've been either in class or stuck at home reading during the Spring Festival. Going out and having some fun isn't a bad thing. Anyway, your parents are away on a business trip, so no one will care if you leave early or come back late."
Having said all he could say, Song Lang thought to himself that he had done everything he could for Meng Fanxing.
Shen Zhifei remained silent for a long time before saying, "I have an appointment today."
Song Lang was taken aback: "Huh?"
Shen Zhifei didn't offer much explanation. He went into his room, changed into a loose hooded sweatshirt, and came out carrying a down jacket, looking like he was about to leave.
Song Lang stood in the entryway watching him change his shoes before remembering to ask, "Where are you going? Who are you meeting?"
Shen Zhifei was bending down to tie her shoelaces when she heard this. She looked up and smiled at him, "Who else could it be?"
Song Lang's face immediately darkened.
"Don't wait for me for lunch or dinner. Just order takeout or eat at the entrance of the complex." Shen Zhifei waved her phone at him. "Call me if you need anything."
Before Song Lang could ask another question, Shen Zhifei left.
Seeing how eager he was to keep the appointment, Song Lang felt very uncomfortable, like he had eaten two plates of bitter melon and then drunk a whole bottle of vinegar. It was both bitter and sour, and he felt terrible.
After leaving the house, Shen Zhifei first sent a text message to Song Xianji, then headed straight for the newsstand two streets away.
When the shopkeeper heard that he wanted to buy a phone card again, he couldn't help but ask curiously, "Didn't you buy one before the New Year? Why do you need to change it again?"
Shen Zhifei shook his head without saying a word, but took out three red bills from his pocket and handed them over.
The shopkeeper didn't take it, and sighed, "Young man, it's not that I don't want to sell it to you, but you know how it is these days, these unregistered phone numbers are getting harder and harder to get. If you buy 20 of them at once, I'll lose a fortune for only 300 yuan."
Shen Zhifei added another 200.
The shopkeeper reluctantly accepted the money, took out a phone card from his waist pocket, and said while silently counting, "I really didn't make any money off you, consider it a gift."
Shen Zhifei took the small stack of cards, pedaled his bicycle, and disappeared around the street corner like the wind.
He and Song Xianji arranged to meet at a nearby coffee shop, which was the closest commercial area to the school. Many students from No. 5 Middle School and No. 18 Middle School would choose to meet here during holidays or when they sneaked out to play.
He arrived first, ordered a hot Americano, and sat at a small table by the window by the door while waiting for someone. He took out a cell phone from his pocket, inserted the newly bought SIM card, and then sent a text message to the number he knew by heart.
Do you like drinking milk? Your lips are so red and soft, you must look beautiful drinking milk.
As she edited the text message, her slender, strong fingers trembled almost imperceptibly.
After sending the message, he locked his phone, gripped it tightly in his hand, and buried his face in his arms.
His knuckles turned white from the force he exerted, and the hard metal frame of the phone almost embedded itself in his palm.
Shen Zhifei was trembling all over.
He knew how much trouble this would cause Song Lang, but he just couldn't help himself.
She felt so suppressed inside. Every day, the urge to kiss him and hug him grew stronger, but she had to suppress it for fear of scaring him away, pretending to be nonchalant.
He'll go crazy if he doesn't find an outlet for his emotions.
No, he went mad long ago. He went mad back in that summer when he had a nocturnal emission because he dreamed of Song Lang.
But what does it matter?
He wanted Song Lang, and he was willing to do any despicable and shameless thing.
Hey! Asleep?
Suddenly, Shen Zhifei felt a heavy pat on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Song Xianji dressed in trendy clothes.
He's a classic example of prioritizing style over warmth, not even wearing a down jacket, and sporting a two-finger-wide black headband around his forehead—a quintessential cool gay street style.
Oh no, cool guy.
Shen Zhifei glanced at the time, then put his phone away and asked, "Have you booked a place?"
Song Xianji flipped his hair with a flirtatious gesture, flicked his chin in response, and raised an eyebrow with an ambiguous smile, saying, "Of course, the room is clean, spacious, and bright. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."
Shen Zhifei ignored his suggestive expression, got up and walked towards the door, saying, "Let's finish this quickly."
"Hey? You haven't drunk your coffee yet!" Song Xianji grabbed the paper cup on the table. The coffee was still hot, and he carried it with both hands as he chased after her.
They went to the mall across from the coffee shop, took the elevator directly to the fifth floor, where there was a fitness club.
Song Xianji gave his name at the front desk, and after the staff verified the information, they led the two of them to a spacious classroom. In the center of the room was a boxing ring, and in the corners of the room were equipment such as sandbags and bench press machines.
This is where private lessons are usually held. In free time, members can practice or have private matches, but advance booking is required.