When it comes to what a foreign student will do for a Chinese meal—there’s really no limit. Just for a meal, Fang Chen followed along behind Seth back to his place.

Seth was very pleased by his “catch.” After buying groceries, he took Fang Chen to his nearby apartment.

The spacious place was close to campus. Seth didn’t stay there often, but a regular cleaning service kept it spotless, like a brand-new home.

As soon as Fang Chen walked in, a little regret hit—he felt like he’d let appetites cloud his mind, how could he follow someone home so easily?

He started to feel like leaving, but Seth asked, “Boiled fish, sweet and sour pork, garlic shrimp, blanched greens, and a tomato egg soup—how does that sound?”

Fang Chen’s retreat stopped immediately.

He then politely asked, “Where do I change my shoes?”

Seth’s lips barely lifted in a smile as he opened the shoe cabinet—inside, all the shoes were black and gray, but off to the side was a much smaller pair with a lamb pattern.

He paused for a few seconds, but chose a pair of the standard black-gray slippers.

Once Fang Chen changed, his feet looked tiny inside—just little pink toes peeking out.

Even those toes were pink.
So cute.

Seth looked away, trying to act casual. “Want something to drink? Milk?”

Why did he always get offered milk, like a little kid? Although, drinking more milk might help him grow taller?

Fang Chen peered into the kitchen. “Okay—can I have some sugar with it?”

“Of course.”

Seth quickly brought him a glass of milk. “Just sit and relax. If you get bored, you can watch some videos, or play a game.”

Fang Chen sat on the couch, took the milk, and obediently nodded. “Okay. Do you need help in the kitchen?”

“No, you just wait.”

Seth found a tablet and game console for Fang Chen, making sure his little lamb could entertain himself before heading into the kitchen.

Fang Chen took a couple sips of milk, but the moment Seth left, he was up, curiously checking out the apartment.

It was almost as if the furniture had been sized up for Seth—everything looked a size bigger to Fang Chen, like he’d wandered into a world of grown-ups.

After a few laps, his gaze landed on a shelf beside the living room, on the very top was a red boxing glove—really pretty.

He remembered the last time he saw Seth fight, he’d been wearing black gloves.

Did he have lots of boxing gloves?

Fang Chen spaced out for a while, not noticing Seth had returned until he was standing behind him.

Seth glanced at Fang Chen’s round crown, thinking—how is someone’s head so round, so adorable?

He paused, then spoke quietly, “Those are my gloves from my first match.”

The sudden voice made Fang Chen jump.

He quickly spun around and found Seth so close, he almost crashed right into his chest.

Seth steadied him, half-smiling: “Want to take a look?”

Fang Chen’s eyes shone. “Can I?”

“Why not.”
Seth nodded towards the shelf. “Go ahead.”

Fang Chen reached—but couldn’t even come close.

Awkward…

He hesitated, tried jumping, still couldn’t reach…

Seriously! Why make the shelf so high!

Seth began, slow and teasing, “What now, can’t reach?”

Definitely on purpose!

Fang Chen gritted his teeth—just to see him struggle!

Just as he was stewing, Seth suddenly grabbed Fang Chen around the waist and hoisted him up to the shelf.

“If you can’t reach, I’ll carry you.”

Seth’s low voice brushed Fang Chen’s ear, his breath tickling.

Fang Chen’s ears turned pink, awkwardly bit his lip, and grabbed the glove.

This time Seth let him down right away.

Fang Chen made a fist, steeling himself—he’d drink lots of milk and grow taller!

Seth had no idea the little lamb was plotting, and asked, “Want to try them on?”

Fang Chen looked up blankly, “Me?”

Seth’s smile deepened, “Give me your hand.”

Fang Chen shyly stretched it out; Seth helped him put the gloves on. Those slim arms now sported the oversized gloves, making him look comical and cute.

Fang Chen was thrilled, swinging his fists in the air.

Seth watched with amusement, then said, “Give me a punch.”

Huh???

Fang Chen blinked, paused a second, then actually took a swing.

His fist landed on Seth’s chest—Seth barely reacted, but Fang Chen staggered back a couple of steps.

So embarrassing!

He puffed his cheeks.

Seth chuckled, reached for Fang Chen’s wrist. “I’ll teach you next time. For now, let’s eat.”

Fang Chen pouted, removed the gloves and handed them back.

To Seth, those gloves signified the start of his boxing career—a memory. He actually wanted to give them to Fang Chen, but guessed the boy wouldn’t accept.

The little lamb’s hands were so small; he’d need custom gloves. In white, to match Seth’s black—a perfect pair.

Lost in thought, Seth watched as Fang Chen dashed into the kitchen, sniffing, “Wow, smells great!”

Turns out Seth could really cook, at least based on appearances.

Fang Chen, on the other hand, was hopeless—his cooking always ended up like disaster food, mostly relying on instant stuff.

At the table: two bowls of steamed rice, two pairs of chopsticks. Before Fang Chen, Seth hadn’t eaten much Chinese food and was still clumsy with chopsticks, but he managed to serve Fang Chen some dishes. “Try it.”

Fang Chen shoveled in a mouthful, nodding rapidly. “Super good!!”

It’d been ages since he’d had Chinese food. He felt bubbles of happiness all over.

After half a bowl, Fang Chen asked, “How did you learn to cook Chinese food?”

He wasn’t overthinking—after all, he was the only one eating it.

Thinking about that made him a little shy. He sneaked several glances at Seth.

Seth raised a brow, “What do you think?”

Fang Chen didn’t answer.

Seeing this, Seth chuckled, ladled soup for him, and casually said, “I try all sorts of things in my spare time. Even learned French cuisine—maybe I’ll make you some next time.”

Fang Chen gulped down some soup and mumbled, “Forget it… Chinese food is better.”

Seth watched him for several seconds.

“Alright, just Chinese food then.”
He said it—in Chinese.

At first Fang Chen didn’t react, focusing on his rice. Then suddenly he realized, snapping his head up.

Chubby cheeks puffed out, eyes wide. “You…”

“If you won’t teach me, I have to study on my own,” Seth drawled. “Does it sound strange?”

“No!”

Fang Chen answered fast, “It’s perfect.”

He couldn’t help but ask, “Can you say anything else?”

“A little.”
Seth said, “But that’ll be for next time.”

It wasn’t the right time—if he said it now, Fang Chen would probably go red as a tomato, trembling and glaring at him.

Which was cute, but Seth didn’t want to scare him off.

After feeding his lamb, Fang Chen was practically patting his stuffed belly.

It’d been ages since he felt so satisfied.

“You can come over anytime,” Seth said. “You can revise here, ask me for help, and I’ll cook for you.”

A tempting offer.

Fang Chen struggled, finally shaking his head, “You’re busy, I shouldn’t bother you so much.”

Seth pursed his lips.

He wanted to say—
It’s not a bother.
It’s a reward.

Right now, every minute with Fang Chen was pure joy for Seth.

He looked down, saying nothing more—just added, “Saw you bought pumpkin candy earlier. Like sweets? I have other flavors—take some with you.”

So Fang Chen loaded up on food and sweets, heading back to his dorm with stuffed bags.

His roommate was busy carving pumpkins, carefully scooping out the insides.

When he saw Fang Chen come in, he invited him to join. “If we dry these out, we can decorate the dorm for Halloween.”

“Sure!”

Fang Chen washed up and joined in.

As they worked, his roommate chatted, “Did you go out to eat?”

Fang Chen replied, “Yeah, went to a friend’s place.”

“The friend you call every day?”

Fang Chen’s hand slipped, nearly carving the pumpkin’s eyes all wonky.

“Um… yeah.”

Roommate grinned, “Are you two dating?”

Fang Chen coughed, startled. “What are you talking about?”

“Eh? You’re not?”

Roommate looked genuinely surprised.

“Of course not!” Fang Chen mumbled, head down. “Not yet.”

The last part was so soft the roommate didn’t hear, just shrugged, “Well, if you’re close, invite him out for Halloween.”

Fang Chen finished his pumpkin. It wasn’t as pretty as his roommate’s, but its weird cuteness made him happy anyway.

He smiled and habitually snapped a pic, sending it to Seth.
He realized too late he shouldn’t have…

Fang Chen regretted it.
He really had developed the habit.
Every little thing, he wanted to tell Seth.

He pouted, hoping to delete the message, but Seth had already replied.

[First time seeing such a cute pumpkin.]
[Want to hang out at Halloween?]

Fang Chen was still pouting, but his lips curled up as he messaged back:
[I can dress as a little lion ghost.]
[What’s a little lion ghost?]
[Kebab. Dead little lion.]

__

Author’s note:
Seth’s learned Chinese phrases:
腿再張一些，寶寶哭的好漂亮，吐舌頭我看一下，這裏可以咬嗎？
(Spread your legs a little more, baby you look so pretty when you cry, stick your tongue out, let me see, can I bite here?)