Chapter Sixteen: Whispers of a Dream

As the clock struck 5 pm on a lazy Saturday afternoon, the dorm room resonated with a newfound energy. Alex, with a glint of mischief in his eyes, turned to Yue, who was engrossed in a novel.

"Hey, Yue," Alex called out, his voice carrying a sense of excitement. "How about we shake things up a bit and cook something together? I'll handle the groceries; you, my talented friend, will be the culinary maestro."

Yue looked up from his book, his usual calm expression replaced by a hint of curiosity. "Cook together? You sure you won't burn down the kitchen?"

Alex chuckled. "I promise, no fires this time. Plus, it's about time you share your culinary expertise with me."

Yue closed his book, giving Alex an amused look. "Alright, but you're responsible for the groceries. I'm not going to chase around the supermarket with you."

"Deal!" Alex declared, already grabbing his wallet and slipping on his shoes.

As they navigated through the aisles, an enthusiastic foreigner approached Alex, a glimmer of recognition in their eyes. "Hey, are you @AlexZhao_Official, the racing ace? I follow you on Gram! Mind if I grab a quick pic with you?"

Alex, taken aback by the sudden recognition, glanced at Yue, who seemed oblivious to the fan's excitement. "Sure thing!" he replied, posing for the photo while Yue raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed.

Later, at the checkout counter, another fan recognized Alex. "Wait, you're @AlexZhao_Official, right? The Auto racing sensation? Can I get a selfie too?" she asked, phone in hand.

Alex looked at Yue, seeking permission, and Yue sigh. "Fine, but please make it quick," Yue said with a hint of approval.

As the fan snapped the picture, Alex threw his arm around Yue, causing the fan to gasp in surprise. "Meet my lovely wifey, Yue!" Alex declared, causing the fan's eyes to widen.

Yue, not amused by the sudden declaration, smacked Alex lightly on the head. "Wifey? Seriously, Alex? Keep your fantasies to yourself."

The fan, caught in the amusing banter between the two, couldn't help but laugh. "OMG! Is he really your lover?"

Alex grinned, "Well, in my dreams, maybe." Yue, still unamused, rolled his eyes again.

As they left the supermarket, Yue couldn't resist teasing Alex. "Wifey, huh? I should've charged you for playing along with that."

Alex laughed, "Come on, it was all in good fun. Besides, you secretly enjoyed it."

Yue shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Let's just get back and cook. No more wifey business."

As they walked back to the dorm, Yue's mind seemed preoccupied, lost in the depths of his memories. Alex, noticing Yue's distant expression, couldn't help but ask, "Hey, what's on your mind? You've been quiet since we left the supermarket."

Yue, shaking off his thoughts, turned to Alex with a thoughtful expression. "Auto racing... it just struck a chord, you know? It feels kind of familiar, but I can't quite place it."

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Familiar? How so?"

Yue furrowed his brows, trying to recall. "I remember a guy... in Tokyo. It was December 31, around 10:45 pm, just before New Year's. He... kissed me."

Alex's eyes widened in surprise. "Kissed you? In Tokyo? That sounds like a scene from a movie."

Yue sighed, "It does, but it happened. And I remember him mentioning something about auto racing, like it was a big part of his life. The details are fuzzy, but the mention of racing triggered that memory."

Alex, intrigued by the unexpected revelation, couldn't help but tease nervously, "A mysterious guy kissing you in Tokyo? Sounds like the plot of a romance novel. Did he leave you with a rose and a note too?"

Yue shot him a deadpan look. "Very funny, Alex. It's just a random memory. I don't even remember his name."

Alex nudged Yue playfully. "Maybe he's a famous racer, and you were the lucky one to get a New Year's Eve kiss from a racing heartthrob."

While slicing the chicken breast for their dinner, Alex couldn't help but bring up Yue's mysterious memory. "So, Yue, spill the details. Why does that New Year's Eve memory stick with you so vividly? What made it so memorable?"

Yue, busy washing the rice meticulously, smirked at the question. "Well, for one, he was a surprisingly good kisser. I mean, not that I make a habit of kissing strangers, but the memory is... unique."

Alex, suppressing a grin, continued chopping vegetables. "Unique, huh? Must've been some kiss to make it this unforgettable. Did he have any distinguishing features?"

Yue chuckled, glancing at Alex with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I don't remember his face I do remember his lips. Soft yet assertive. And he had this mysterious aura, like he belonged to another world. Honestly, it's a memory I never thought I'd recall."

Alex, trying not to reveal his secret, played along. "Must've been a magical night. Did he say anything memorable?"

Yue sighed, his expression turning pensive. "Not much. But he said something Greek I guess I-Its uh...'Agapiménos'. The details are hazy, but that mention triggered the memory. Odd, isn't it?"

Alex nodded, feigning innocence. "Very odd. Maybe he finds you cute, and the thrill of speed and excitement lingered in that kiss."

Yue chuckled, shaking his head. "Who knows? Life is full of surprises. Anyway, let's focus on this dinner. Mystery or not, we've got hungry stomachs to satisfy."

With dinner served and their stomachs satisfied, Alex and Yue settled down at the dining table. They shared a meal filled with laughter and casual banter, savoring the flavors of the dish Yue had expertly prepared. As they finished the last bites, Yue looked at Alex with a content smile.

"Good, right?" Yue asked, his eyes shining with pride.

"Delicious," Alex replied, patting his satisfied stomach. "You really are a master in the kitchen, Yue."

Yue's cheeks tinted with a hint of pink, appreciating the compliment. "Well, I do what I can. Now, let's clean up and head to bed. Got a lot to tackle tomorrow."

Alex nodded, assisting Yue in clearing the table. Once the kitchen was in order, they headed to their respective beds. Standing in the doorway, Alex wished Yue a good night, and Yue reciprocated the sentiment.

"Sleep well, Yue," Alex said, his tone warm.

"You too," Yue replied, a genuine grin on his face.

In the depth of his slumber, Yue found himself wandering through the vivid landscape of dream.

Yue found himself standing in the midst of a bustling Tokyo cityscape. Neon lights painted the night, and the air was filled with the lively hum of the metropolis. As he wandered through the crowd, a mysterious figure gradually came into focus – the same stranger who once kissed him on a New Year's Eve in Tokyo.

The stranger's presence was exhibiting, drawing Yue closer with every step. Though surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the city, an invisible force seemed to create a serene bubble around them, isolating them from the chaos.

Approaching Yue with a confident stride, the stranger's eyes held a familiarity that sparked a distant memory in Yue's mind. Yet, despite racking his brain, Yue couldn't place where he had encountered those captivating eyes and that mischievous smile before.

The stranger spoke in a language unknown to Yue, a melodic cadence that seemed to transcend linguistic barriers. "Tha se periméno panda agápi mu," the stranger uttered, his words carrying an unspoken promise that resonated through the dream.

Yue stood there, entranced by the rhythmic flow of the stranger's speech. The unfamiliar words held a poetic charm, and though he couldn't understand the meaning, the sentiment behind them seemed to bridge the gap between their souls.

As the Tokyo night enveloped them, the stranger's gaze met Yue's, and a subtle smile graced his lips. "Tha se periméno panda agápi mu," the stranger whispered, the words cascading like a soft melody. Yue, captivated by the unfamiliarity of the language, tilted his head in confusion.

"What does it mean?" Yue asked, his eyes searching for a clue in the depths of the stranger's mysterious gaze.

The stranger, still smiling, responded cryptically, "It's a secret." The words hung in the air, a tantalizing promise that left Yue yearning for more.

Yue, intrigued yet perplexed, felt a connection that transcended language. It was as if the stranger's words were etched into the very fabric of their encounter, an enigma waiting to be unraveled. In the silence that followed, Yue found solace in the shared understanding that some mysteries were meant to be lived rather than deciphered.

The stranger's smile deepened, resonating with an unspoken warmth. "Perhaps," he mused, "our paths will cross again when the stars align." With that, the stranger took a step back, blending into the tapestry of Tokyo's bustling streets, leaving Yue to ponder the ephemeral magic of that enchanting night.

As Yue woke up from the dream, the resonance of the stranger's words lingered, echoing in his mind like a haunting melody, and the secret remained locked within the folds of a shared, otherworldly connection.