Chapter 5 A Goodbye Kiss Before Work

It wasn't until last night's lovemaking that Lu Heyang realized that what stirred his feelings wasn't just the eighteen-year-old Lu Xun. It was also the twenty-eight-year-old Lu Xun, and perhaps even the thirty-eight, forty-eight, fifty-eight-year-old Lu Xun. It wasn't teenage lust, excitement, or thrill; it was just Lu Xun. It could only be Lu Xun.

His brother, Lu Xun.

When he got home, Lu Heyang was surprised to find the table actually set with two sets of dishes and three plates of food. The rib soup had gone cold, with a layer of white fat floating on top.

"You really made dinner?"

Lu Xun walked over, stacking the plates and calmly dumping the food into the trash can. "You didn't eat, so whatever."

Lu Heyang hesitated.

"I'll come home for dinner tomorrow."

Lu Heyang realized that in every tug-of-war with Lu Xun, he was always the one to give in. Lu Xun was like an unyielding steel bar—he didn't need to say a word, but still managed to get what he wanted.

For instance, regarding where they would sleep at night, Lu Heyang suggested Lu Xun sleep on the couch. Lu Xun complained the couch was too short, so Lu Heyang gave up the bed to him and took the couch himself. But after his shower, he found a large wet spot on the couch, with Lu Xun sitting innocently in the dry corner.

"Did you wet the bed?" Lu Heyang asked in exasperation.

"I spilled water," Lu Xun replied. "From my mouth."

"That's not a spill; that's a firehose."

In the end, they had no choice but to share the bed. Lu Heyang lay with his back to Lu Xun, his whole body tense, aware of the warmth radiating from behind him. The air conditioner hummed above their heads.

He stayed tense all night until he finally drifted off, Lu Xun hadn't touched him.

But he wasn't used to having someone beside him, so he didn't sleep deeply. In the early morning, he woke again to the creak of footsteps. He reached out to feel the bed beside him—empty, with just a cold indent on the pillow.

But he was too tired to think much of it and fell back asleep.

He woke up to the smell of porridge. Lu Xun had gotten up early again to make breakfast. The rice was from their own stock; there was no point in fighting his own appetite, so after washing up, Lu Heyang sat down to eat.

"What's in the buns?"

"Cabbage and beef from your fridge." Lu Xun poked his head out of the bathroom, having just finished shaving. He'd applied aftershave, and his hair was slightly damp, sticking to his forehead.

"Why are you using strawberry-scented aftershave?" He waved the bottle at Lu Heyang.

"It was a gift from a student abroad for Teacher's Day."

Lu Xun raised an eyebrow.

"Did you get up last night?" Lu Heyang asked suddenly.

Lu Xun paused, then answered, "I was hungry, got up to find something to eat."

Before Lu Heyang could ask anything else, Lu Xun added, "In case you forgot, I didn't have dinner last night."

Lu Heyang knew he shouldn't feel guilty, but the emotion crept in, wrapping around him like vines, turning him from the accuser to the one at fault.

He fell silent. Before leaving, he said again, "I'll be home for dinner tonight."

He had classes all day today, and usually grabbed lunch at the school cafeteria. After his morning class, it was just about lunchtime. The cafeteria would be packed, so he decided to stay behind and answer questions. Once the last student left, he packed up his teaching materials, only to notice a student in the back row of the lecture hall, wearing a mask and a baseball cap.

This student had been there during class too, without any books or notes, one hand propping up his head, the other tapping the desk, staring intently at Lu Heyang. But with all kinds of students in university, he hadn't paid much attention.

But something was off. Lu Heyang realized that this student's gaze wasn't on the projector or the blackboard, but on him. Even when he turned to write on the board, he could feel eyes on his back, specifically on his backside.

When the class ended, the student still didn't leave. Lu Heyang decided to investigate.

The student's cap was pulled low. It wasn't until Lu Heyang got closer that he looked up, revealing eyes full of amusement.

"Professor Lu."

He seemed to relish this title, carefully enunciating each syllable, adding a layer of ambiguity.

"…" Lu Heyang was speechless. It was Lu Xun.

"I've been waiting a long time," he complained.

Lu Xun remembered Lu Heyang as reserved and aloof, a thief who stole and the one who led him astray. He was the root of all evil, the sinner of all sinners. But now, here he was, this model teacher, with a warm smile he shared freely with everyone.

Suddenly, Lu Xun felt jealous of the students who could crowd around him, chirping "Professor Lu," and even give him strawberry-scented aftershave.

"What are you doing here?" Lu Heyang asked.

"Came to get something," Lu Xun said, patting the lunch bag beside him. "And to bring you a homemade lunch."

He really saw himself as a dedicated little husband.

"What do you want?"

Lu Heyang saw Lu Xun's lips move, but couldn't hear the words.

"What?"

"Come closer."

Lu Heyang hesitated but leaned in closer.

Lu Xun's lips quickly brushed against his cheek, a fleeting kiss.

Lu Heyang flinched as if burned, quickly stepping back. Luckily, the large lecture hall was empty, and no students were passing by the door.

"A goodbye kiss before work," Lu Xun said, pulling his mask back on and pushing the lunch bag into Lu Heyang's hands.

"Alright, Professor Lu, enjoy your lunch."