Looking Over at the Guy Across the Way

The August weather, even in the early morning, was so hot that people didn’t even want to take a single step outside. The cicadas in the trees outside were constantly chirping over and over. The dazziling sun shone brightly into the house, leaving the place a golden yellow.

Chen Xiao took a deep breath, touching his freshly-shaved chin and smiling at the mirror. Well, his hair was neat and his face was clean; his simple, white t-shirt made his whole appearance seem younger. Yo, yo, this is just a positive, sunshine youth; anyone who sees me will like me! He nodded in satisfaction. The hot summer had also become warm and wonderful in his eyes. He wanted to go outside in flip-flops and run a few laps in the sun.

He was going to tell Gu MengYang that he liked him. Since he had moved in next door, smiled shyly and said, “eat watermelon”, he had liked him.

He thought about it; whether the other person agreed or not, he had to take this step. Even if Gu MengYang actually didn’t like him back, then he just had to let him know he had liked him. In any case, it was almost like a confession for himself as well; if he didn’t do it, wouldn’t he regret it for the rest of his life?

Love makes people become timid and humble, but it also gives them the desire and courage to pursue happiness; it was that kind of contradictory thing.

Chen Xiao finally said “jiayou” to the young man in the mirror and left the bathroom. His hands were trembling slightly with nervousness, so he squeezed them for a while and then released them. There was a layer of sweat on his palms, his heart was racing violently, and every step o the way was heavy because of his subconscious desire to escape or just give up.

When he reached the door, he once again whispered to the air: “Gu MengYang, I like you.”

See, it’s not that hard. Big strong men! Be free and grasp at love, let’s go! 𝗳r𝗲𝙚w𝐞𝚋𝘯𝚘ѵ𝗲l.𝑐oｍ

Even on the weekends, Gu MengYang would regularly get up very early. Chen Xiao stood at the door and knocked. No answer…..did you go out? He suddenly felt frustrated so he called out again but no one came to open the door.

This wasn’t in line with his plan,. Chen Xiao had to resist the urge to want a cigarette and instead get ready to wait for Gu MengYang to come back.

He sat on the window sill at the end of the hallway, leaning half his body out and looking down. An old man was sitting under a big tree, waving a fan to cool himself off. Kids were running around under the hot sun in their underwear. Not afraid of the heat, near the corner, there were a man and a woman laughing, who knew what they were talking about.

Ah, it’s good to be young, Chen Xiao thought enviously. He couldn’t resist looking again. The woman was wearing a mint green dress, with long, black hair draped over her shoulders. The man was very tall, wearing a black t-shirt and jeans, laughing while scratching his head.

Chen Xiao was shocked. It was Gu MengYang.

What the hell, running to see a woman so early…..is it a jiejie or a meimei? Maybe it’s just a random stranger, hahaha……

He shivered and pulled out a cigarette, playing with it in his hand. He squinted his eyes and studied the woman closely. He thought she seemed a little familiar, where had he seen her…..

Ah – that’s right.

Isn’t this the woman in that picture?! She’s….the woman Gu MengYang has always liked.

Chen Xiao’s hand shook and the cigarette fell to the ground.

He didn’t know how long he’d been standing in the hallway, it seemed like just a moment and also like a long time. The hot sun was shining on him, almost blinding him.

His eyes became sore from staring at the two people for so long. He thought, look, these two are better suited, can Gu MengYang finally be with the person he likes? Ah, that’s good too.

But what am I going to do?

Chen Xiao’s chest felt stuffy, almost suffocating. He remembered the shame he felt before when he was dumped by He JinFei, remembered how many times he sat on the couch thinking someone would always sit next to him, but wasn’t that man already here? They would sit on the little couch, with the electric fan blowing, watching TV; when the man laughed, he would lean against him, and apparently he could even hold him a little bit?! How, how can you look at another person so tenderly?!

The sudden chime of a ringtone gave Chen Xiao a fright. He answered it in a trance. Luo Xin’s cheerful voice sounded out: “How’s it going, Chen Xiao? Aren’t you and Gu MengYang supposed to send me a red envelope?”

Chen Xiao was afraid to look at the two people again. He raised his hands and covered his eyes. Opening his mouth, he found his mouth too dry to speak.

“Chen Xiao?”

“Ah….that, don’t joke, I told you he has someone he likes……” His voice was very hoarse, especially when it came to the word ‘likes’; his voice even trembled.

“……what’s going on? The one he likes is clearly you……”

“That’s enough! He likes women! Not men like me!”

“You calm down and listen to me…..”

“No, I’m busy now. I’ll call you again later.”

Chen Xiao directly hung up the phone. The sun had made him a little dizzy, so he sat on the stairs with his butt against the wall. He closed his eyes, saying to the air as he did in front of the door: “Gu MengYang, I like you.”

When Gu MengYang came back, there was no one with him. As soon as he came up, he saw Chen Xiao sitting on the stairs, with his eyes closed as he leaned against the wall, who knew what he was thinking.

“Chen Xiao? Why are you sitting here?!”

Chen Xiao opened his eyes and looked at him, replying feebly: “Heehee, basking in the sun…..”

Gu MengYang got angry, still sunbathing on such a hot day?! He reached out to grab the man and the places where his palms touched were hot.

“Do you have heatstroke?!”

Chen Xiao didn’t answer either, staring at him and giggling ‘heehee’, so he got pulled up by the angry Gu MengYang. Supported by the other’s shoulder, he couldn’t help thinking, in fact, Gu MengYang somewhat likes me anyway, right? Even that little bit will do.

Gu MengYang helped Chen Xiao into the house, then poured him a glass of water. He didn’t dare turn on the a/c right away, instead picking up a fan and fanning him, so gentle that Chen Xiao could barely stand it.

“I’m going to take a shower first……”

Gu MengYang nodded. He thought there was something off about Chen Xiao today, the whole man was in a daze, so he was thought he would have to carefully check on him later. Just then, Chen Xiao’s phone rang. He glanced at it, it was Luo Xin, and he looked towards the bathroom where there was the sound of running water. Then, he picked it up.

When Chen Xiao came out, Gu MengYang wasn’t there anymore. He was stunned. He smiled bitterly. Yes, in the future, the bridge will always return to the bridge and the road will always return to the road.

His face felt itchy, so he reached up and touched it. It was wet.

Fuck you.