In the scene, two teenagers embrace, kiss, and get married. Each innocent love story is like a sweet jasmine tea, with a delicate fragrance and an endless aftertaste.
Ling Shuangjiang also thought of herself in school.
At that time, same-sex marriage had just been legalized, and he had fantasized about having a clean and pure campus romance.
After high school, he would stay under the locust tree and draw, surrounded by the sweet fragrance of locust blossoms.
He likes athletic boys, which is probably related to his weak physique and poor running and jumping skills since childhood.
Sometimes, he would watch the boys play basketball on the playground. The feeling of sweating freely and youth blossoming freely is a precious memory he still cherishes to this day.
The moment Xie Wang appeared in his world, he was reminded of locust blossoms, basketball, and all the beautiful things from his high school days.
He found it to be a very fantastical thing, because he had never believed that there would be such a person in the future who happened to be exactly his type.
After spending time together, he discovered Xie Wang's cuteness and also liked his sincerity.
Perhaps no one can be perfect or have everything go smoothly.
Fate played a cruel joke on Xie Wang, making him an extremely straight man, which caused him a lot of headaches and struggles over this matter.
If what Lin Jiayi said is true, and Xie Wang likes him deep down, then he doesn't need to be too anxious, since everything is already under control.
After thinking about all this, Ling Shuangjiang felt a little tired.
As the soothing background music played, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier until he slowly closed his eyes.
"Frost's Descent, the movie is over."
Hearing the sound, Ling Shuangjiang opened her eyes and found herself resting her head on Lin Jiayi's shoulder.
He looked up, rubbed his eyes, and found Xie Wang staring at him with a dull expression.
Lin Jiayi explained that during the movie, the person next to him left with his daughter, so Lin Jiayi came over to sit for a while. Just then, Ling Shuangjiang started to doze off, so Lin Jiayi let Ling Shuangjiang rest his head on his shoulder and coaxed him to sleep.
"Didn't you sleep well last night?" Lin Jiayi asked.
“Yes, I woke up twice in a daze during the journey,” Ling Shuang replied.
Xie Wang's deep voice came through: "If you're tired, let's go back. Tomorrow's recording schedule is heavy, and if you don't get enough rest today, I'm worried your body won't be able to handle it."
Ling Shuangjiang thought for a moment: "I just took a nap and I feel much better. Jia Yi finally came all this way, and I want to spend more time with him."
Xie Wang didn't speak this time, he just nodded.
As they left the theater, before Xie Wang could follow, Lin Jiayi whispered to him, "After you fell asleep, I kept observing the two of you. Xie Wang glanced at you several times along the way. When he secretly touched your head, trying to make you lean on him, I sat down next to him. His eyes made me suspect that he wanted to assassinate me on the spot."
Ling Shuangjiang chuckled: "Indeed, you didn't lose out by being assassinated."
Lin Jiayi sensed something was wrong: "I'm doing all this for your happiness."
Ling Shuangjiang said humorously, "Would you like me to dance a little something for you so I can say thank you?"
Lin Jiayi rolled her eyes and turned around to look for Xie Wang.
—
The food street was bustling with activity in the evening. The three of them strolled along the street and bought many kinds of local specialties.
Just then, a girl who looked to be about ten years old walked towards Lin Jiayi carrying a flower basket. "Brother, are you buying flowers for your boyfriend?"
Lin Jiayi immediately laughed, bent down and patted the little girl's head: "My boyfriend? Which one do you think is my boyfriend?"
The little girl pointed at Ling Shuangjiang: "This handsome brother."
Lin Jiayi smiled brightly: "How did you figure out he was my boyfriend?"
The young girl bluntly stated, "Because you two look very close and well-matched."
Lin Jiayi silently gave him a thumbs up in her heart for these words.
"Fine, I'll take all your flowers."
The little girl said happily, "Thank you, brother. I wish your love will last forever."
Ling Shuangjiang watched from the side without saying anything, which made Xie Wang uneasy and his heart wavered again.
Perhaps Ling Shuangjiang also likes Lin Jiayi?
He remembered that Ling Shuangjiang had told him a while ago that she had broken up with her boyfriend. Could it be because of Lin Jiayi?
After graduation, Ling Shuangjiang returned to China, while Lin Jiayi chose to stay in the UK to continue his studies. The two had fewer and fewer opportunities to meet, which is why Ling Shuangjiang said she had broken up with her boyfriend and was so heartbroken.
"Ah Jiang, here are some flowers for you." Lin Jiayi bought all the flower baskets from the little girl and handed them to Ling Shuangjiang. "My Ah Jiang is more perfect than flowers. I hope you have a good day."
Ling Shuangjiang lowered her eyes and smelled it: "Thank you."
Xie Wang silently observed everything, beginning to wonder whether he should continue shopping with the two of them.
Lin Jiayi was very good at talking and knew how to make Ling Shuangjiang happy. Even a small yogurt cup could make Ling Shuangjiang laugh endlessly. This was the first time Xie Wang had seen Ling Shuangjiang's lively side.
"Ah Jiang, I want to eat your stinky tofu." Lin Jiayi opened her mouth and blinked her eyes: "Feed me."
Ling Shuangjiang: "Give me your chopsticks."
Lin Jiayi grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Why change the chopsticks? Yours are fine."
Ling Shuangjiang nodded obediently, picked up a piece of stinky tofu and fed it to Lin Jiayi, "How does it taste?"
Lin Jiayi commented: "Not bad."
Perhaps noticing Xie Wang's taciturn nature, Ling Shuangjiang tentatively picked up a piece of stinky tofu and asked Xie Wang, "Do you want to eat some?"
Xie Wang shook his head: "I'm not used to this kind of food, you eat it."
Ling Shuangjiang picked up another bite for herself, then frowned, looking quite full: "I think I'm too full today."
Lin Jiayi said disdainfully, "You're already full from this little bit of food? Give it to me, don't waste food."
Lin Jiayi comes from a well-off family; his family is in the wine business. But he is no different from children from ordinary families; he is never extravagant and wasteful. During his four years of university, he ate almost half of Ling Shuangjiang's boxed lunches.
"Because of you, my abs have never been perfect." Lin Jiayi complained as she ate the remaining stinky tofu, "I've already graduated from university, and I still have to eat your leftovers."
Ling Shuangjiang smiled helplessly: "My mistake, I'll buy less next time."
Lin Jiayi relentlessly criticized: "Just knowing is enough."
Their bickering was no different from that of any ordinary young couple, and even Xie Wang could sense that he couldn't connect with their relationship.
This made him feel very upset and frustrated.
After a day of suppressed bad mood, Xie Wang felt that if he didn't leave soon, his mental state would explode.
"I'm going to rest in the car for a while. Call me when you're done."
Lin Jiayi called out to him, "You haven't given me your phone number yet."
Xie Wang recited a string of numbers and quickly left.
Lin Jiayi patted Ling Shuangjiang on the shoulder: "Just bear with it a little longer, you'll get it soon."
—
Inside the car, Xie Wang reclined the seat, rested his wrist on the half-open window, and stared blankly out the window.
He felt that he must be sick.
Otherwise, how could I be so easily swayed by these little things, with my mood fluctuating like a rollercoaster all day long?
If things continue like this, he feels he won't live past 30 and will lose normal cardiopulmonary function.
The cause of all these illnesses is Ling Shuangjiang.
The WeChat group on my phone kept buzzing.
His group of friends were chatting enthusiastically, discussing which country would be most comfortable for a business trip a month from now.
The friend who had investigated Xie Chongyan with him last time suddenly tagged him in the group chat.
[Old Xie is busy dating lately, he probably won't have time to accept our invitation.]
[Where's Lao Xie? I saw him in the group chat the day before yesterday.]
[They're probably asleep by now.]
Xie Wang: I'm not asleep.
[Huh? That's unusual today? Didn't you go on vacation to the manor with your partner to enjoy some time alone?]
[Haha, you guys are so free, you're actually watching Lao Xie's dating reality show? Wait for me, I'm going to watch it too.]
Xie Wang: The production team has a day off today, and I'm waiting for someone in the car.
[Waiting for whom? Not out on a date, is he?]
[Wow, something's up? Who's so important that they'd make you wait?]
[Yes, who dares to keep you waiting? Tell me their name!]
Xie Wang: Today, on the day of Frost's Descent, he had a gathering with his friends. I went with them and drove them around.
[? ? ?]
[Old Xie, you're being a bit too eager.]
[Excuse my bluntness, but you're acting like a simp.]
"Simp" was a new term to Xie Wang. He looked it up online, understood its meaning, and felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Does loving someone mean you're a "simp"?
Does loving someone in such a humble way mean you don't even deserve to be called a human being?
He felt that the word was very insulting, rendering a person's full of love worthless.
Unbeknownst to him, a heavy rain began to fall outside the car. He turned on the windshield wipers, feeling irritable and frustrated.
There are many more descriptions of "simps" on the web.
Xie Wang's phone was still buzzing as he browsed.
Frustrated, he opened the WeChat group and found his friends still discussing the term "simp." Annoyed, he quickly replied, "This isn't called 'simp'."
Friends: "So what's this called?"
Xie Wangxiao casually replied with four words: "Dog-like boyfriend".
The WeChat group fell silent immediately after this reply was sent.