2011.
As the summer officially began, both Bo and Xiao started their internships. Xiao Zhan was in the finance department of a food company, while Wang Yibo interned in the investment department of a financial firm. Because his company was a large-scale financial institution, Wang Yibo's workload was heavier and his working hours longer than Xiao Zhan's.
Although they were just second-year students interning, there was still a possibility of being offered a full-time position if they performed well. Wang Yibo, therefore, was extra cautious—so busy he barely knew day from night, let alone had time to eat properly.
It was well-known that Xiao Zhan was a great cook. Since he wasn't as busy and had more free time, he made elaborate dinners every night. That way, even if Wang Yibo came home late, there would be a hot meal waiting for him. He could also bring lunch the next day instead of constantly ordering takeout. As for breakfast, since Wang Yibo left earlier than Xiao Zhan, it was beyond his capacity to prepare it.
Since the beginning of summer break, Wang Yibo had been practically living at Xiao Zhan's place, freeloading his meals.
Over time, they were almost inseparable—coming and going together every day.
That day, Wang Yibo finished a long-running investment case and came home much earlier than usual. Xiao Zhan had just finished cooking and was surprised to see him.
"I didn't expect you back this early. I was thinking of making some mung bean soup later—it's been so hot lately; we need to cool down."
Wang Yibo obediently helped set the table while sneaking glances at a box on the sofa. He cleared his throat... and then again.
Xiao Zhan, not one to beat around the bush, smiled.
"No need to beat around the bush—it's for you! You've been working so hard lately. I saw there was a discount online today, so I bought it to reward you."
He had actually wanted to buy it for Wang Yibo during their last trip to the mall, but got sidetracked by a touching phone call and didn't make it.
It was a LEGO car model Wang Yibo had been eyeing—last year's Porsche 911 RSR from LEGO. It had just over a thousand pieces, something Wang Yibo could easily finish in a morning. There were models with even more pieces, but Xiao Zhan figured that since work was already stressful, the LEGO was meant to help him unwind, not add more pressure.
Wang Yibo dropped the tableware and ran to the living room to admire it, then returned and gave Xiao Zhan a bear hug.
"Xiao Zhan, you're a genius! You're amazing!"
After dinner, Wang Yibo enthusiastically washed the dishes, swept, and mopped the floor, leaving the kitchen spotless.
The two boys each cracked open a beer and sat at the table working on the LEGO. Xiao Zhan followed along for a while, then got distracted with his phone. LEGO was fun, but not really his thing like it was Wang Yibo's.
Every time Wang Yibo completed a section, he'd eagerly explain what part of the car it was, how the components worked, and how brilliant LEGO's designers were.
Xiao Zhan couldn't help laughing.
"Looks like I've found the key to making you happy—you're so easy to please."
Wang Yibo shook his finger in disagreement.
"It's not about being easy to please. I'm selective—it depends on who it's from."
Xiao Zhan smiled, eyes crinkling, and clinked his bottle against Wang Yibo's.
Just as Wang Yibo was about to attach another part of the car, his phone rang.
He put down the piece, glanced at the caller ID, and softened. He brought the phone to his ear.
"Mom, you called?"
Xiao Zhan had been watching a video, but quickly paused it when he realized it was a call from Wang Yibo's mother.
"I'm taking care of myself, and growing up too... Yeah, I'm interning now, super busy every day... My coworkers are great, most of them are experienced seniors, and I've got a lot to learn... I'll try, but I'm not sure if interns get days off. I'll have to ask... Don't just worry about me, take care of yourself too..."
It was a normal parent-child conversation, and Xiao Zhan lost interest after a bit. Unable to resume his video, he started browsing the campus forum instead.
Something must have changed in the conversation because Wang Yibo's previously gentle expression suddenly turned cold.
He stood up. Xiao Zhan was slightly surprised as Wang Yibo walked out to the balcony and shut the door behind him.
Xiao Zhan didn't know much about Wang Yibo's family—after all, they hadn't been together that long, and he'd never been too curious. From the looks of it, Wang Yibo had a caring mother and seemed to have a good relationship with her, but there were obviously things that upset him and that he didn't want to talk about in front of Xiao Zhan.
He didn't know what Wang Yibo's mother was saying.
"Xiaobo, stop avoiding your dad. You've only seen him once since starting university. Every time he comes back, he keeps asking when you'll visit. He brings food you like just to cook for you. He cares about you, and he misses you."
And he didn't know what Wang Yibo replied.
"Every time I see him, we fight. He always insists I should live with him. We never end things well. What's the point?"
He remembered the last time they met; Old Wang was so angry he almost chased him with a kitchen knife. If it weren't for Wang's mom stepping in, who knows what might've happened—maybe even a bloody incident in City A.
Not long after, Wang Yibo returned to the room with a sullen face. His cheeks puffed slightly, like an angry squirrel, and he flopped down on the sofa.
Xiao Zhan was always sensitive to the moods of those around him. The moment Wang Yibo felt a little off, he could sense it. After weighing it briefly, he pointed at the LEGO set.
"Still feel like building? If not, we can put it away for next time."
Wang Yibo picked up a piece and muttered in a low voice.
"Not in the mood."
Xiao Zhan smiled gently. "Then let's do it next time. I'll go make that mung bean soup."
As he got up to leave, Wang Yibo grabbed his wrist.
Looking up, his expression was a bit gloomy.
"Aren't you curious about what happened?"
Xiao Zhan smiled sincerely.
"Wang Yibo, everyone has secrets—that's just human nature. Just because we're together doesn't mean you have to give up all your privacy. If there's something you don't want to talk about, then don't. When the day comes that you want to tell me, I'll be ready to listen."
Every word of that hit Wang Yibo right in the heart, warming him from the inside. The gloom on his face began to lift, and he even smiled a little. His soft hair and obedient demeanour made him look like a cuddly junior student, but he suddenly wrapped his arms around Xiao Zhan's waist tightly, refusing to let him go.
Xiao Zhan struggled symbolically, but couldn't break free, so he let him be.
He laughed. "It's so hot out, and you're hugging me this tight—you're not afraid of overheating?"
Wang Yibo shook his head. "Not afraid."
Then he became serious, his voice low—not at all like the junior with the fluffy hair and cowlick.
"Xiao Zhan, I told you I've never been in a relationship before, right? I never knew being cherished by someone could feel this good. I'll work hard too—I'll cherish you just the same."
Xiao Zhan was half touched, half amused by the sudden sincerity.
He leaned down, ruffled Wang Yibo's hair.
"Snap out of it, Wang Yibo. Work's over—you don't need to keep performing. I'm not your boss."
But Wang Yibo wasn't joking at all. "I'm serious."
His eyes sparkled as he looked at Xiao Zhan, then he nodded firmly.
Xiao Zhan bent down and kissed Wang Yibo's forehead.
"I never said I didn't believe you. Now let go and let me make the soup, okay?"
Wang Yibo was clearly reluctant, but that forehead kiss made him float. He behaved for the rest of the evening and obediently let go.
***
Once summer break began, everyone settled into their respective routines, and Wen Qing started her internship at B University's affiliated hospital.
Fang Tianze, the eldest son of the Fang Corporation, was supposed to be at the company supervising operations. However, due to health issues, he could only manage half a day at work. He was smart—half a day was enough for him to keep up, especially since the company was a publicly listed corporation that could already run itself maturely without requiring too much of his attention.
That left him with plenty of free time in the afternoons, and every evening, he would head to the hospital to pick Wen Qing up after her shift.
By coincidence—or fate—because of his long illness, Tianze had become quite familiar with the hospital and its staff. Everyone there knew and liked him.
So, when Wen Qing wasn't too busy with rotations or paperwork, Tianze could even accompany her during her internship and often stayed by her side. That evening was one such instance. Tianze met Wen Qing on the third floor at the department of cardiothoracic surgery, and as they were walking downstairs, they passed by the obstetrics department and saw a nurse pushing a newborn baby toward the nursery.
Wen Qing instinctively slowed her steps, a thoughtful look appearing on her face.
"If I have a child in the future who's just like me," she said, "wouldn't that be terrifying?"
Fang Tianze turned to her. "Terrifying?"
Wen Qing shrugged and took his hand.
"I'm picky, have high standards, and I'm super stubborn about how I do things. You're the one who says that."
Fang Tianze laughed.
"If I still love you this much even though you're like that, then you must be pretty perfect! If we had a kid like you, it'd be a perfect child! No matter what the baby looks like, I'll love them. As long as they don't take after me, that's ideal. I'm lazy and never enthusiastic about anything."
Wen Qing glanced sideways at him.
"If it's a boy and he takes after you, that's not too bad. At least he'd be handsome."
Tianze didn't deny it—in fact, he looked rather pleased with himself and stroked his chin.
"I admit I've got a good-looking face."
Wen Qing opened her mouth to call him narcissistic but remembered that she was the one feeding his ego, so she let it go with a sigh.
After a busy day, she was feeling hungry. She was texting Xiao Zhan, who had just sent several food pics in the middle of the night, clearly trying to tempt her. Wen Qing decided to invite Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo out for a late-night snack.
Good thing she invited them late—if she'd asked earlier, Wang Yibo, the investment banking intern, probably wouldn't have made it home from the office yet.
The four of them met at a highly rated food stall, happily sitting down to enjoy steaming bowls of wonton noodles.
As Wen Qing sipped her soup, she remembered something and turned to Xiao Zhan.
"Zhan Zhan, that little girl with myocarditis was admitted again. Remember the chibi comic you drew for her last time? She keeps asking me for the next episode."
Back when Xiao Zhan and Fang Tianze had visited Wen Qing at the hospital, they met the little patient she was looking after. The girl was only four or five years old then, loved drawing, but was not cooperating well with treatment. Xiao Zhan, who had learned to draw as a child and still sketched cartoons and portraits in his free time, had created a short cartoon story to encourage her to take her medicine.
Xiao Zhan was surprised and pleased.
"Really? She liked it that much? I haven't drawn in ages."
"She loved it!" Wen Qing said. "Whenever she sees me, she asks for 'Brother Zhan Zhan' and wants him to draw with Qiqi. She talks in these cute doubled words—I need a second just to figure out what she means."
Xiao Zhan, hungry, had already finished most of his wonton noodles.
"I'll check if I still have the files saved on my computer—I can't even remember what I drew."
Wang Yibo had already finished his food and was drinking water. Curious about their conversation, he asked Xiao Zhan,
"You can draw?"
Before Xiao Zhan could answer, Wen Qing jumped in.
"He's amazing at it! He once drew portraits of me and Tianze. I showed them to my friends at the art school—they said the style was unique, super lifelike. And his cartoon drawings are adorable."
Xiao Zhan chuckled. "Wen Qing, stop flattering me like that."
But Wang Yibo seemed to take it all seriously, his eyes lighting up like an eager little lion cub.
"Can you draw one for me sometime?"
Xiao Zhan gave him a sidelong glance, half amused, half sceptical.
"Fang and Wen are gorgeous—just recreating their looks makes the drawing impressive. You want me to draw you? Campus heartthrob Wang, better think about how to be a good model first."
He stretched out the last few words deliberately, teasing.
But to young Wang Yibo—who had just entered his first relationship and was flushed with new romantic feelings—those words took on a different tone. His eyes lit up even more.
Luckily for him, his cold, aloof face didn't show emotions easily.
"What counts as a good model?" he asked earnestly, ears turning red. "I'll pose however you want."
At that, Fang Tianze let out a low whistle and clapped.
"Zhan Zhan, the possibilities are endless. Take your pick."
Wen Qing smacked Tianze on the head. "Eat. You're the only one still with food left!"
Xiao Zhan tilted his head, weighing how serious Yibo was being, and teasingly asked,
"What if I want you in a dress?"
Fang Tianze almost choked on his water and had to gulp some down quickly.
Wen Qing patted his back, laughing loudly. She couldn't help it—the idea of getting the cold, icy Finance Prince Wang Yibo to wear a dress was just too funny.
Yibo didn't answer right away. His ears grew even redder, almost glowing, and he lowered his head slightly in thought. When he looked up again, he took Xiao Zhan's hand.
"If you think I'd look good, then I'll wear it."
..."!"
This time both Wen Qing and Fang Tianze choked at the same time, exchanging helpless, amused looks as they reached under the table and held hands.
Xiao Zhan rested his chin on his hand and looked sideways at Wang Yibo.
"Is this really our cold, clever junior Wang Yibo? He's acting a little silly tonight."
Despite his words, his smile was radiant—he looked truly happy.
They'd originally planned to get dessert, but Wen Qing got a call from the hospital, summoning her back.
That's just what it's like being a medical intern. And it'd only get worse when she became a resident. Wen Qing was used to it by now. She hung up and started hurrying back. It sounded urgent—who knew how long she'd have to stay. She told Fang Tianze to go home and rest, strictly forbidding him from following her to the hospital to stay up all night.
Tianze, knowing she was in a rush, accepted her command with a smile and didn't want to make her worry.
The hospital wasn't far from their apartment, and the wonton place was only a few minutes away on foot.
Wen Qing caught a cab back to the hospital. Tianze and the other two decided to enjoy the nice weather and walk home to digest.
Soon, they reached the base of the apartment complex. Fang Tianze turned and said,
"Finally, another couple in our circle! Wen Qing and I have been waiting so long. We should go out together more—next time, let's hit our usual bar!"
Xiao Zhan nodded.
"Definitely. Now that it's summer break, there's more time. But you have to take care of yourself—everything depends on your health."
Tianze smiled and playfully punched Xiao Zhan's arm.
"Jiang Cheng, Mo Ran, and Nie Huaisang say the same thing. Stop treating me like I'm already dead."
Xiao Zhan dramatically cried out in fake pain.
"We're treating you like royalty, not a corpse!"
Tianze rolled his eyes, waved at Wang Yibo, and headed into the building.
The other two continued their walk. The neighbourhood was close to the university, and summer nights here were anything but quiet—colourful and full of light.
Wang Yibo remembered Xiao Zhan once telling him that Fang Tianze had a rare, incurable form of hemophilia. So, he understood why everyone was so protective of him. As for Wen Qing and Tianze, Yibo had heard about their on-and-off relationship when he first met Xiao Zhan.
Now, after spending more time with them, he could tell—they really loved each other deeply.
After a moment, he asked, "If they love each other that much, why do they break up so often?"
Xiao Zhan looked at him, smiling.
"They do love each other—but there are other things to consider. That's just how Wen Qing is."
He didn't elaborate, just held Wang Yibo's hand and changed the topic to the dessert they'd missed, brushing off Wen and Fang's story with a smile.