Li Huangxuan, always so clueless, just had to tag along with Zhuang Zi’ang for their afternoon nap. Su Yudiel said her goodbyes and headed back to class.

Zhuang Zi’ang shot Li Huangxuan a look that could kill. You little pest, I swear, I might just have to get rid of you.

This two-bedroom apartment Xu Hui rented was a place Zhuang Zi’ang had brought Li Huangxuan to before. But this time, it was much tidier, and a real treat for the eyes. Two little goldfish darting around in the fishbowl added a lively touch to the place.

“This is awesome, man. I wish I could move out and live on my own.”

Zhuang Zi’ang rolled his eyes. “Is your 180-square-meter duplex not good enough for you? I mean, it’s practically a mansion!”

Li Huangxuan chuckled. “Gotta love freedom, man!”

This kid’s got it made and doesn't even know it. Zhuang Zi’ang thought. If I had his kind of happy family, why would I ever run away from home?

Shoes off, they flopped onto the bed side-by-side, staring up at the blank white ceiling. Sleep wasn't coming yet, so they started shooting the breeze.

“Dude, Su Yudiel is seriously hot. You going after her?” Li Huangxuan, the gossip king, couldn’t resist asking.

“What are you talking about? We’ve only known each other like, three days,” Zhuang Zi’ang instantly denied.

“A girl like that? Dude, it’s love at first sight material. What are you playing at?” Li Huangxuan called him out, no mercy. This animal, Zhuang Zi’ang, perked right up the second he saw Su Yudiel. Animal Planet would call it mating season, plain and simple.

They were just chilling, and then bam, this question hits Zhuang Zi’ang right in the gut, that familiar pang of hurt. His voice dropped low. “I’m not going after her. I’m not worthy.”

A guy with three months left on the clock? What right did he have to chase after some girl? All he’d do is mess her up. He wasn’t even in the running for love anymore.

Li Huangxuan was totally confused by Zhuang Zi’ang’s sudden downer mood. He shoved Zhuang Zi’ang playfully. “You’re not gonna chase after a girl that cute? Are you sick in the head?”

Zhuang Zi’ang just kept staring at the ceiling, a sad smile creeping onto his face. “Yeah… I’m sick.”

Li Huangxuan didn’t catch the real meaning behind it. Just figured Zhuang Zi’ang’s brain was playing tricks on him, or maybe he was just too shy to admit he was totally crushing on her.

Silence hung in the air for a bit. Then Zhuang Zi’ang suddenly asked, “Hey man, if we… you know… if we don’t see each other again, will you miss me?”

“Miss you? Like a hole in the head! The farther you are, the better. I’m green with envy, man. You’re good-looking, smart as hell, makes me look like absolute garbage.” Li Huangxuan launched into a classic rant. “Seriously, I’m an idiot for being buddies with the top brain in school. My parents are always throwing you in my face, ‘Why can’t you be more like Zhuang Zi’ang?’ blah blah blah.”

“You’re so annoying, you know that? If you just disappeared off the face of the earth, I’d buy a string of firecrackers and throw a party!”

…

Zhuang Zi’ang turned slightly away, a single tear escaping and soaking into the pillow. Memories flickered in his mind, like old home movies.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

First day of school, that’s when he and Li Huangxuan clicked, became “father and son” in jest, just like that. This dude was all big and goofy, no hidden agendas, always a bit simple-minded, never seemed to have a sad day in his life.

And he really did treat Zhuang Zi’ang like his own “son.”

When Zhuang Zi’ang was class monitor, Li Huangxuan was his biggest cheerleader. Always jumped in to help with class stuff, made Zhuang Zi’ang’s job way easier.

When romance rumors circulated about Zhuang Zi’ang and Lin Mushi, he was all over it, trying to clear things up. Said Lin Mushi was actually head-over-heels for him, and then got chased around the ping-pong table by the school beauty for like, a million laps.

Whenever his family cooked up something amazing, Zhuang Zi’ang was always invited over. Even Li Tianyun and Fan Ling joked they were raising two sons.

Li Huangxuan finally ran out of steam, eyelids getting heavy. Zhuang Zi’ang heard him start to snore and turned to look at his friend’s face.

Growing up in that kind of family… lucky he’d bumped into a bro like this. Otherwise, looking back on his youth would be nothing but a bitter taste.

Dude, promise me, when I’m gone, don’t be too bummed out, okay? Do like you said, buy some firecrackers, set ‘em off, send me out with a bang.

And hey, if you ever see the end of ‘Detective Conan’ – you know that anime that’s been going on forever? – burn a copy for me. And hey, when I’m gone, celebrate with some firecrackers, okay? Up there, I’ll be watching over you, making sure you’re safe and sound, always.

Heart heavy, Zhuang Zi’ang couldn't drift off. Half-awake, half-dreaming, he heard the alarm go off.

Li Huangxuan next to him was out cold, drool dribbling down his cheek.

Zhuang Zi’ang kicked him hard, sending him tumbling out of bed. “You just messed up my new sheet! I’ll break all three of your legs!”

Li Huangxuan bounced right back up, pounced on the bed, and they were wrestling again. “You ungrateful brat, trying to off your own father?!”

Just another day in the simple, happy life of teenage boys.

Walking to school, Li Huangxuan was like a hyperactive kid, air-balling imaginary hoops, kicking pebbles down the sidewalk.

Zhuang Zi’ang pointed at a ginkgo tree lining the street. “Think you can reach that leaf?”

Li Huangxuan sniffed, all confidence. “If I grab it, what do I get?”

“Street cred,” Zhuang Zi’ang grinned. Those two words? That was the ultimate praise in guy-speak. Worth risking life and limb for.

Li Huangxuan backed up a few steps, took a running leap, and snatched a big ginkgo leaf right off the branch. Ginkgo trees, ancient as time, only grow in China. Makes you realize how tiny humans are, dust in the wind.

Spring and summer, ginkgo leaves are green. Fall hits, they turn gold, fluttering in the breeze like golden butterflies.

For Zhuang Zi’ang, ginkgos now meant something extra special. He’d never forget that jaw-dropping moment, first meeting Su Yudiel under a ginkgo tree.

“How awesome is your dad?” Li Huangxuan puffed out his chest, handing over the leaf. “These leaves are way prettier when they turn yellow in the fall, though.”

“Yeah, fall’s ages away… doubt I’ll even be around to see it,” Zhuang Zi’ang mumbled, more to himself than anyone.

Li Huangxuan frowned. Zhuang Zi’ang had been acting a bit off lately. But then again, makes sense, right? If he was friends with a girl that gorgeous, and things were maybe heating up… he’d probably be acting weird too. Just comes with the territory.

Third period that afternoon, ten minutes in. Zhang Zhiyuan showed up at the door, mumbled an apology to the teacher, and called Zhuang Zi’ang out to the hallway.

Classmates were all whispering, heads tilted. Old Zhang had been pulling Zhuang Zi’ang out of class way too much lately. And he wasn’t even class monitor anymore!

“Mr. Zhang, you keep calling me out like this, people are starting to look at me funny,” Zhuang Zi’ang complained in the hallway.

Zhang Zhiyuan just shrugged. “Can’t help it. Dude, your dad’s here.”

“My dad? What’s he doing here?” Zhuang Zi’ang was stunned.

Since Zhuang Zi’ang started at this school, Zhuang Wenzhao had only shown up once – registration day, first day. Stayed for half an hour, got a company call, and bailed.

Ever since then, end of term, start of term, parent-teacher night, you name it, always some excuse. Sometimes he wouldn’t even bother with an excuse, just straight up say, “You’re not a little kid anymore. You still need me to hold your hand?”

Zhuang Zi’ang could only manage a bitter smile. When I was a kid, I didn't see you picking me up and dropping me off!