After finishing dinner, Xie Ziyue took the initiative to roll up his sleeves and wash the dishes and chopsticks. It was already impolite to arrive at someone else's house so late to visit, and if Xie Zixing was left alone in the living room now, it would be even more impolite. Qi Zihao pursed his lips and sat still on the sofa, and the living room fell into silence.

Until Xie Ziyue finished washing the dishes and walked out of the kitchen, he asked, "Is Haoge sleeping in my room tonight or in Gege's room?"

Xie Zixing and Xie Ziyue currently live in a two-bedroom, one-living room apartment, located on the Fourth Ring Road. Although it's not considered very expensive, when they decided to buy this apartment, Xie Zixing clenched his teeth and accompanied someone to drink countless amounts of alcohol in exchange for an opportunity to run errands. Afterwards, he managed to gather enough money to purchase this two-bedroom, one-living room apartment.

No matter how expensive it is, Xie Zixing can no longer afford it.

Xie Zixing smiled and lightly tapped his younger brother's head. "What are you saying? Mr. Qi has come all this way, it wouldn't be right to make him squeeze into bed with us. I'll sleep on the sofa, and let Mr. Qi sleep in my room."

Qi Zihao's originally excited mood because of Xie Ziyue's words instantly turned cold. He glared at Xie Zixing with displeasure, his lips forming a tight line.

Xie Zixing simply pretended not to see it.

Whether you say he's selfish or call him stupid, it doesn't really matter.

He didn't want Qizi Hao to sleep together with Xie Ziyue tonight.

Because, Xie Ziyue only likes girls.

Xie Ziyue is straightforward.

He was more clear than anyone else.

But he didn't want Qi Zihao to find out.

Xie Ziyue exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Ah, big brother, big brother, big brother! I'm no longer a child, can you please stop hitting me on the head in the future?"

Xie Zixing smiled slightly and pushed Xie Ziyue's head, saying, "Hit your dog head."

Xie Ziyue's face displayed a pitiful look as he turned to Qi Zihao and complained, "Brother Hao, look at how Brother Jing bullies me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Zixing froze. Countless times in his midnight dreams, he would encounter such a sentence.

"How did you become a big brother?"

He was afraid upon hearing such a sentence again.

However, it was not the phrase that stabbed him in the heart like a dagger that Qizi Hao's voice resounded with: "Hmm, then you bite his dog's paw."

Xie Ziyue burst into laughter upon hearing this, and Xie Zixing paused for a moment before involuntarily looking up at the man sitting on the sofa.

Qi Zihao himself looks good, and now, after the tempering of time, he has shed his youthfulness, leaving behind a mature aura. The decisive and ruthless demeanor of a leader is best reflected in Qi Zihao. And now, a smile can be seen in Qi Zihao's eyes, softened by the glow of the living room lights.

Boom... boom boom boom...

Whose heartbeat accelerated?

Xie Zixing lowered his gaze, and a warm smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

That night, Xie Zixing and Xie Ziyue squeezed onto one bed, sleeping soundly like they did when they were children.

Xie Zi Yue was already fast asleep, but Xie Zi Xing couldn't fall asleep no matter what, tossing and turning with a man's face constantly occupying her mind.

Fifteen years old, twenty-one years old, and twenty-four years old.

A 15-year-old boy emerged from the twilight and extended his hand, telling him, "Don't be afraid."

And then that person became the warmth of his life.

After getting drunk, the 21-year-old youth embraced him and spent a passionate night together, repeatedly calling out in his mouth: "Ziyue."

And then that person became a distant figure that he could only hope for but never reach.

Xie Zixing revealed a self-mocking smile in the darkness, his hand gently caressing his abdomen as he pondered. Xie Zixing understood the terrifying power of time, how it could alter a person.

But he never understood, how could the person who claimed to bring him warmth suddenly become a sharp blade, stabbing his heart mercilessly.

Even so, he still cherishes him.

At first glance, it is a lifetime that cannot be escaped.

Xie Zixing slept deeply until the early hours of the morning. His slender body looked extremely fragile beneath the loose-fitting nightwear.

How can one persevere for so many years?

The next morning, when Xie Zixing woke up, Xie Ziyue was still asleep. He softly opened the door of the room and planned to go to the bathroom to wash up. Then he heard some slight noises coming from the kitchen. Xie Zixing's heart stirred and he walked to the doorway of the kitchen.

Qi Zihao was frying eggs in the kitchen, wearing an apron. The cold aura surrounding him had slightly diminished, and there was a hint of warm and cozy atmosphere in the air, accompanied by a soft background music.

Xie Zixing chuckled at his own thoughts, but Qi Zihao spoke aloud, "Have you seen enough?"

Xie Zixing rolled his eyes, secretly thinking, "He really isn't lovable."

Xie Zixing ignored the impatience in Qi Zihao's words and leaned forward, resting on Qi Zihao's back, clasping his neck gently. He exhaled a fragrant breath and said, "Mr. Qi, why don't you get some more sleep?"

Qi Zihao's hand paused for a moment, then he coldly spat out a word, "Get lost."

Xie Zixing's heart tingled slightly, but her face still wore an extremely charming smile. "Oh, Mr. Qi, you really are heartless. Back then, you couldn't bear to let me go."

At this moment, it would be best to lick Qi Zihao's earlobe or neck again, Xie Zixing thought, but then he choked on his own thoughts. The level of embarrassment was too high; he hadn't maxed out his skill yet!

At this moment, Xie Ziyue stumbled and walked to the entrance of the kitchen in a daze. As soon as she saw the scene inside, she immediately turned around and murmured to herself, "Don't look if it's indecent, don't look if it's indecent, don't look if it's indecent."

As soon as Xie Zixing saw Xie Ziyue coming, he immediately slid down from Qi Zihao's back and instinctively turned to look at Qi Zihao who had already turned around. Sure enough, the man still had an expressionless face, but his lips were pressed into a straight line, obviously showing anger.

Xie Zixing stammered, about to apologize, but then he heard a cold voice speaking beside his ear, "Did you do it on purpose?"

Xie Zixing felt a chilling sensation coursing through his entire body. He blamed Xie Ziyue, that little scoundrel, for setting the air conditioning temperature too low. Xie Zixing could only force a bitter smile.

Xie Zixing lowered his gaze and fell silent. Qi Zihao calmed himself down and turned around to continue making breakfast.

Awkwardness spread in the small space.

Qi Zihao finished cooking and ignored the person standing behind him. He carried the food and was about to leave when Xie Zixing moved his lips and finally said, "I'm sorry."

Qi Zihao's footsteps paused as he walked away without saying a word, leaving the kitchen. Xie Zixing saw this and displayed a bitterly ironic smile. It turned out that this was the impression he held in the man's heart.

By any means necessary.

Utterly despicable.

Xie Zixing took a shallow breath, feeling an overwhelmingly suffocating sensation in his chest. Who had just drained the oxygen from his lungs?

After lowering his gaze for a moment, Xie Zixing walked towards the bathroom to wash up. Just as he reached the bathroom, Xie Ziyue happened to walk out and greeted him with a radiant smile and a confident demeanor, saying, "Good morning, brother."

Xie Zixing glanced up at Xie Ziyue and smiled before noticing a peculiar spark in her expression. She quickly walked into the restroom.

Xie Zi Yue saw Xie Zi Xing's appearance and revealed a knowing smile. She walked into the living room and sat down, wearing a mischievous smile towards Qi Zi Hao, who was busy setting up breakfast. "Brother Hao, quickly go and comfort Brother Xing. He's thin-skinned and definitely feeling embarrassed."

Qi Zihao paused his actions upon hearing the words, and looked up at Xie Ziyue with a complex gaze. He asked, "Xiao Yue, do you not oppose homosexuality?"

Xie Ziyue, upon hearing these words, displayed a perplexed expression and said, "Hao ge, it has been so many years since the downfall of the Great Qing Dynasty. Why do you still think this way?"

Qizi Hao's eyes immediately filled with joy upon hearing the words. He slightly curled his lips and said, "Yes, yes, Brother Hao misunderstood our Xiaoyue."

With a slightly raised voice, Xie Ziyue let out a faint hum, showing a slightly spoiled and petulant appearance, causing Qi Zihao's smile at the corner of his lips to unconsciously widen.

This person, how can they be so cute.

Xie Zixing closed his eyes, shielding the darkness within. In just that instant, as he looked at Xie Ziyue's radiant smile, a surge of jealousy welled up in Xie Zixing's heart. Why were they both children of the Xie family, yet Xie Ziyue could smile so brilliantly?

Not being influenced by the mundane world, it is pure and beautiful.

And he had to roll in the mire, gritting his teeth and persevering amidst the dust.

It's been three years.

He is very tired.

He was on the verge of being unable to hold on any longer.

Just like every day and night before he turned twelve, he once again fell into darkness.

Endless.

And so, there is no hope to be seen.