Chapter 41: I’m Better to Touch

Jiang Shi: “…”

Cheng Ye, who was plugging in the computer, lowered his head. Seeing that Jiang Shi didn’t speak, he paused his actions and turned his head to look at Jiang Shi’s straight, well-proportioned calves.

“Young Master, will you let me look?”

Jiang Shi’s legs stiffened. He could neither walk away nor hide them. Cheng Ye’s gaze felt as if it had a temperature, a tingling sensation brushing over his skin.

How could someone say something so roguish with such self-assurance?

Jiang Shi’s face hardened, and he said stiffly, “If you look again, I’ll gouge your eyes out.”

Quite fierce…

Cheng Ye plugged in the last cable and, half-bent over, pressed the power button on the computer tower.

The ancient, bulky computer flickered, alternating between white and blue light, before finally displaying wave after wave of static.

It looked as if it might crash and die at any second.

Jiang Shi forgot his embarrassment about his legs being stared at. He walked over and stood behind Cheng Ye, craning his neck to look at the static-filled screen. “This is the computer you bought? You didn’t get scammed, did you?”

“No scam. I bought the cheapest one, only a hundred.”

Cheng Ye patted the computer screen. “There’s probably a problem with the display connection inside. It’ll be fine after I fix it.”

Speaking of which, he seemed to remember something. He turned and went back to his room, emerging with a brand-new box in his hand.

He handed the box to Jiang Shi. “There was a phone shop next to the computer store. I bought you a new one.”

Jiang Shi froze, staring at the box in front of him without reaching out to take it.

Since he didn’t move, Cheng Ye wiped his hands on his clothes and took the initiative to open the box, revealing the new phone inside.

“I asked the owner, and he said this one is very popular. It’s a semi-smartphone, and it even has several games downloaded. You can play with it when you’re bored during the holidays.”

“How much was it?”

“Not expensive.”

Liar.

Jiang Shi cursed inwardly.

It was clearly the latest model on the market, which had to cost over a thousand at least.

He put his hands behind his back. “I don’t want it. You use it.”

Cheng Ye said, “You use the new one. Just give me your old one.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

By now, Jiang Shi was tired of complaining about this kind of behavior from Cheng Ye. He truly couldn’t understand what went on in his head.

“Why did you waste money on this? With this money, you could have bought a better computer. Look at yours, it’s flickering like crazy!”

Cheng Ye seemed unconcerned. He took the new phone out of the box, reached his long arm back, and hooked Jiang Shi’s hand out from behind him.

He shoved the phone into Jiang Shi’s hand. “The computer will be usable after some repairs.”

The phone felt cool against Jiang Shi’s hot hand. “Isn’t it the same for the phone?”

“It’s not the same,” Cheng Ye said. “You have to use the best.”

He could be poor himself, but he couldn’t let Jiang Shi be poor.

Whatever others had, Jiang Shi had to have it too.

The young man pressed his lips together, not saying a word.

Cheng Ye coaxed him, “See if it’s fun to play with.”

He leaned against Jiang Shi, his broad shoulders and back almost enveloping him. The firm muscles of his arm pressed against the boy’s thin shoulder, his honey-colored skin a stark contrast to Jiang Shi’s snowy complexion.

Cheng Ye took Jiang Shi’s hand and pressed the power button. “The owner said you can control the phone just by tapping the screen with your finger. The games inside are the same. It’s much better to operate than your old keypad phone.”

Being held by him, Jiang Shi’s fingertips burned. He tried to pull his hand back, but Cheng Ye held it fast. The moment he moved, the other’s grip tightened, mercilessly suppressing his resistance.

In terms of strength, the difference between them was heaven and earth.

But the moment Jiang Shi glared, Cheng Ye released his hand. He looked on eagerly. “Please accept it.”

Sunlight slanted in through the half-open window, landing on Jiang Shi’s eyelids. Half of him danced in the light, the other half grew in the shadows.

He knew why Cheng Ye was so good to him.

When he was a child, he yearned for his parents’ love, so he would eagerly try to please them. He strived to become the kind of child they liked, and he worked hard to give them whatever they wanted.

But one-sided effort always becomes exhausting.

When he didn’t get the response he wanted, he gradually stopped trying.

Jiang Shi didn’t like to reciprocate feelings. In his view, all feelings would fade one day. Rather than ending up in a miserable state, it was better not to get together in the first place.

No matter how thrilling the novelty was, it wasn’t love.

He had shamefully given Cheng Ye the cold shoulder, not initiating, not responding, just waiting for the day his passion cooled. But a semester had passed, and he was the one who had become afraid of Cheng Ye leaving.

The cold shell of the phone was warmed by Jiang Shi’s body heat. The sunlight stung his eyelids, and he took a step back, letting the shadows swallow him completely.

“Cheng Ye, you gave me such an expensive phone. What do you want me to do to repay you?”

Cheng Ye wanted many things. He wanted to strip his clothes off, to kiss him, to possess him. He wanted to merge himself into him, to have that beautiful mouth accept his own filth, to cover his entire body.

His body’s desires were primitive, so primitive that only skin-to-skin contact could fill the void in his heart.

…

Cheng Ye was quiet for two seconds, then reached out and pulled Jiang Shi back into the light.

Sunlight once again fell into Jiang Shi’s eyes. In them, Cheng Ye saw fragmented specks of light, light that refracted from the boy’s amber-like pupils. At that moment, Cheng Ye felt that he too was illuminated by the light.

“Just smile for me, Young Master,” Cheng Ye said.

“When you’re happy, I’m happy.”

---

The tree by the entrance swayed in the wind. Gao Xinhe pushed the door open, holding several popsicles.

As the shadows covered him, he let out a long sigh. “Damn! This weather is killing me!”

He poked his head into the main room. “Brother Cheng! Brother Cheng! I came to find you. Is your computer set up? Can we play games?”

He went inside and found Jiang Shi was there too.

The young master was sitting like a lord on a chair, playing with his phone. Next to him was a plate of sliced watermelon. Cheng Ye, in black pants and a white tank top, was squatting on the ground, repairing the computer.

His pants were stained with several smudges of dust, and his white tank top was soaked with sweat. He held a screwdriver in his mouth and a wrench in his hand. Without deliberately striking a pose, the muscle lines of his arms made Gao Xinhe burn with envy.

Gao Xinhe first walked over to Jiang Shi and, like making an offering, presented the popsicles for him to choose from. Only after Jiang Shi had chosen did he help himself to a slice or two of the watermelon.

With watermelon in his mouth, he spoke unclearly. “What’s Brother Cheng doing?”

Jiang Shi, feeling lethargic from the heat, tore open the packaging of a pineapple popsicle. “The computer he bought is like an antique. He has to fix it himself before it can be used.”

Gao Xinhe had thought they could play games. Hearing this, he glanced at the disassembled computer parts on the floor, somewhat disappointed. “How much did you buy it for?”

Cheng Ye tore open a popsicle with one hand and took a bite. “A hundred.”

Gao Xinhe was stunned. “You can buy a computer for a hundred?”

Sitting to the side, Jiang Shi snorted coldly. “Of course not. The genius spent a hundred on a pile of scrap metal. If you’re so good at fixing things, why don’t you just build one from scratch?”

Cheng Ye: “…”

Gao Xinhe quietly moved closer to Cheng Ye. “Did you make my little cousin angry again?”

Cheng Ye pushed his approaching face away and installed the last screw. “Done.”

He placed the computer on the table, connected the colorful wires, and patted the bulky monitor that looked like it could fall apart at any moment before pressing the power button.

The three of them immediately fixed their gazes on the small screen. The computer screen whirred for a long time before finally lighting up.

Gao Xinhe gave a thumbs-up. “Brother Cheng, you’re awesome.”

He had come to see what Cheng Ye’s computer was like and hopefully play some games. But now, looking at this antique in Cheng Ye’s room, forget playing games—the fact that it could even turn on was a testament to its disabled but determined spirit.

Gao Xinhe sat for a while, his butt feeling like it was on fire, unable to sit still. He coaxed Jiang Shi to go out with him. “Little cousin, let’s go out and play. The Torch Festival is in two days. My mom and your mom are making clothes. Let’s go have a look.”

Jiang Shi’s attention was immediately captured. “What Torch Festival?”

“The Torch Festival is the Torch Festival! It’s on the twenty-fourth of the sixth lunar month. Everyone in Xiliu Village has to participate. It’s really lively. Auntie Jiang is rushing to make the clothes you’ll wear for the festival. Let’s go see?”

Jiang Shi was pulled up from his chair by Gao Xinhe and subconsciously glanced at Cheng Ye.

Cheng Ye grabbed a handful of candy and stuffed it into Jiang Shi’s pants pocket. “Go on. I’ll come find you tonight.”

After leaving the house, Gao Xinhe belatedly scratched his head. “Cousin, why do I feel like Brother Cheng is weird towards you?”

The candy in his pocket felt heavy. Jiang Shi pursed his lips. “How is it weird?”

“I don’t know. I just feel like he treats you like a little kid.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

He patted Gao Xinhe’s head affectionately. “Let’s go, you silly child.”

In the center of the village stood a large banyan tree. The tree was tall and massive, its branches and leaves layered upon each other like a gentle and serene sage, standing quietly, watching over generations of people in Xiliu Village.

Many people were sitting under the tree to cool off. Jiang Xue and Liu Yuying were sitting with a group of women, all holding fabric, needles, and thread.

As Jiang Shi approached, Jiang Xue beckoned to him. “You’re just in time. Come over so I can check the measurements.”

She measured the boy’s waist with her fingers and said with her head down, “Our Yi families all have Yi ethnic clothes. I was supposed to make them for you a long time ago but have been busy until now. The Torch Festival is in two days, so I’m rushing to get them done for you to wear new clothes for the festival.”

Jiang Shi looked at the black fabric in her hands. “Do I have to wear it too?”

Beside Jiang Xue, Liu Yuying burst out laughing. “Everyone in Xiliu Village wears them. Are you trying to be special?”

She suggested to Jiang Xue, “Jiang Shi is handsome and fair-skinned. Don’t always use those drab black colors. Change it to some brighter colors for him, it’ll look much better.”

Gao Xinhe leaned in. “Mom, I want bright colors too.”

Liu Yuying slapped him on the head. “You want bright colors? With your final exam scores, I really want to give you a piece of my mind.”

The slap was solid. Just watching made Jiang Shi’s head ache. By comparison, Jiang Xue could be called gentle.

Gao Xinhe was clearly used to being hit. He clutched his head and protested, “My bad grades are definitely because you hit me stupid.”

Liu Yuying picked up a stick from the side and brandished it as if to hit him. “Why don’t you say it was inherited from your father?”

Gao Xinhe: “…”

It wasn’t that he wouldn’t say it; he didn’t dare.

Laughter erupted from the crowd. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, sprinkling flecks of gold on the ground, soft and beautiful.

Jiang Shi stood in the crowd for a while, suddenly thinking of Cheng Ye, all alone at home.

Children’s clothes were all sewn by their parents. What about Cheng Ye? Did anyone sew them for him?

Jiang Xue patted Jiang Shi’s back. “What are you spacing out for? Come and see, do you like this color?”

Jiang Shi wasn’t picky about colors. He sat beside Jiang Xue and watched her sew for a bit before asking, “Does everyone have to wear these clothes for the Torch Festival?”

“Of course,” Jiang Xue said. “This is a custom.”

“Oh…”

After a while, Jiang Shi asked again, “Can you buy the clothes?”

“How can bought ones be as good as homemade? If you’re going to wear one, it should be homemade.”

Jiang Shi fell silent again.

Jiang Xue stopped her work and looked at him. “What is it you really want to say to me?”

The boy fidgeted with his fingers and finally squeezed out a sentence, “Then what about Cheng Ye?”

Jiang Xue smiled at his words. Her hands didn’t stop, but she let out a faint sigh. “There’s nothing to be done. I still have to make your clothes, so I really don’t have the time.”

Her words made Jiang Shi anxious. “Why don’t you make it for him then? It doesn’t matter if I wear one or not.”

After all, he had only changed his household registration to be with Jiang Xue; his mindset was still that of a native Han Chinese.

Jiang Xue poked Jiang Shi’s forehead. “Are you silly? Do you think your mom wouldn’t have thought of what you’ve thought of?” She nudged her chin towards the side. “Your mom doesn’t have time because she’s making clothes for you, but that doesn’t mean others don’t have time. Look at the clothes the aunties next to us are holding. They’re all for Cheng Ye.”

“He lost his parents, so we can’t really let him be all alone. This way, it can be considered that he’s wearing a hundred-family robe.”

She lowered her voice and whispered to Jiang Shi, “They can be gossips and love to wag their tongues when they’re idle, but they aren’t bad people. We’re all from the same village. We can only live well by helping each other.”

After speaking, she shook out the clothes in her hands and held them up against Jiang Shi. “Hmm… red still makes my son look the most handsome.”

Jiang Shi’s lips curved into a faint smile.

The Torch Festival arrived quickly.

Waves of heat rolled through the air, with temperatures soaring past thirty degrees Celsius.

No one in the village went to work that day. The huge banyan tree cast a wide shadow, under which firewood was placed. Gao Xinhe, holding half a watermelon, darted through the crowd, finally getting tired and plopping down under the tree.

The sun was still high, shining brightly, making the day feel exceptionally long.

Jiang Shi chewed on a popsicle, poking a small yellow dog at his feet with a branch in his hand.

Gao Xinhe scooped a spoonful of watermelon into his mouth. “Why isn’t it getting dark yet…”

Jiang Xue called out to Jiang Shi from a higher spot, “Jiang Shi, stop playing! Hurry back and try on your clothes.”

Jiang Shi threw the wooden stick aside and said to Gao Xinhe, who was sprawled out, “I’m leaving.”

After walking a few steps, Jiang Xue added, “Call Cheng Ye over too.”

So Jiang Shi made a turn, a small, tail-wagging dog following behind him.

As summer deepened, the weather grew hotter. Even with the windows open, Cheng Ye’s house had a stuffy heat that the wind couldn’t disperse.

Jiang Shi pushed the door open and went in. Cheng Ye was still sitting in front of his antique computer.

He leaned in for a look and saw it was a forum, the screen paused on a chat interface. Jiang Shi politely avoided reading the words on it and said to Cheng Ye, “My mom told me to call you to my house.”

Cheng Ye’s typing hands paused. He looked up at Jiang Shi. “Call me for what?”

“How would I know?” Jiang Shi gave him a push. “Let’s go. What are you still doing?”

“Chatting.” Cheng Ye shifted sideways to give Jiang Shi a clearer view of the content. “I met someone on the forum who taught me a lot.”

Since he said that, Jiang Shi took a look. The chat content was all dry knowledge, without even a single superfluous pleasantry. Just one glance made Jiang Shi’s head spin.

“So are you done chatting?”

Cheng Ye said goodbye to the person on the other end, logged out, and shut down the computer. “Let’s go.”

The little dog was still squatting obediently at the door. Seeing Jiang Shi, it stood up, its tail wagging enthusiastically. Cheng Ye looked down. “Where did this dog come from?”

Jiang Shi bent down and petted the dog’s head. “I found it under the big banyan tree. I don’t know whose dog it is, but it’s been following me.”

The little dog affectionately nuzzled Jiang Shi.

Cheng Ye walked to Jiang Shi’s side, discreetly kicked the dog away, and stood there himself.

Jiang Shi glanced at him.

Cheng Ye met his gaze, paused, and then slowly said, “Young Master, I’m better to touch than it is.”

Jiang Shi: “…”

Have some shame.

The two of them dawdled on their way back, and Jiang Xue was growing impatient. “Why are you so slow? It’s almost dark.”

Jiang Shi said, “It’s all Cheng Ye’s fault. If you’re going to blame someone, blame him.”

Jiang Xue shot him a glare.

She stepped inside and brought out two sets of clothes, stuffing one into each of their hands. “Hurry up and try them on. If they don’t fit, I can make some last-minute alterations.”

The clothes felt suddenly heavy in his hands. Cheng Ye froze, first looking at Jiang Shi, then down at the clothes. “For… me?”

The boy next to him bumped him, a sly glint in his eyes. “If not for you, then for me?”

Cheng Ye caressed the fabric in his hands, taking a moment to come back to his senses. “Auntie Jiang, did you make this for me?”

“Not me,” Jiang Xue said. “I only had time to rush Jiang Shi’s clothes. This was made for you by everyone. It’s the festival, you have to dress up nicely.”

“Alright, stop standing around at the door. Hurry up and try the clothes on.”

She pushed both Jiang Shi and Cheng Ye into the house. “Just go change in Jiang Shi’s room.”

Jiang Shi, holding his clothes, turned back. “I don’t want to change with him…”

Jiang Xue paid no attention to his whining. “You’re so fussy. You’re both boys, and you two have such a good relationship, what’s wrong with changing clothes together? If you dawdle any longer, it’ll be dark. By then, everyone will be playing under the banyan tree, and I won’t care about you anymore.”

Jiang Shi was still unwilling, but Jiang Xue’s surprising strength pushed him and Cheng Ye inside.

With a bang, the door was shut. Jiang Shi turned around to see Cheng Ye looking at him with an innocent expression.

Jiang Shi: “…”

Jiang Shi choked for a moment, then said to Cheng Ye, “You turn around to change.”

This time, Cheng Ye was very obedient. When told to turn around, he really did.

Jiang Shi’s room wasn’t large. A bed, a wardrobe, and not much space left. The wooden window was cracked open, letting a sliver of light in, but the room was generally dark.

Cheng Ye stood in front of the wardrobe, facing it. Jiang Shi turned to look, and only after confirming that he was honestly facing away did he relax and start taking off his clothes.

But what he didn’t know was that a piece of a cracked mirror was stuck to the wardrobe. The mirror hadn’t been used in a long time and was covered in a layer of grime.

In the dim light, the dusty mirror outlined the boy’s slender figure.

Cheng Ye watched as Jiang Shi, with his back to him, took off his t-shirt. The boy’s shoulders and back were thin, his skin like jade, so pale it seemed to glow in the dim environment.

His Adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously. His gaze was nailed to the mirror, as if trying to pierce through that small, narrow piece, slowly scraping over every inch.

The rounded shoulders, the protruding shoulder blades, the thin and narrow waist, the curve that cinched at the waistline before extending downwards, becoming rounder.

Jiang Shi turned his head to put on the new clothes, and two plum blossoms in the snow flashed past Cheng Ye’s eyes.

Hmm…

Pink.