Chapter 6: Illusion of Light

Main role: Fang Qijun, born in 2004 (male)

Fang Qijun's mother divorced his father when he was very young. From then on, he lived with his father.

However, this home that was supposed to provide him with shelter from wind and rain became the beginning of his nightmare - his father drank heavily every night and would beat him crazy after getting drunk.

Liangyue's childhood was either about being beaten or about being afraid of being beaten again. Day after day of violence left his world with only pain and despair.

January 4, 2016

Qijun has transferred to another school and arriving in an unfamiliar environment has made him somewhat uneasy.

As he watched the children around him being accompanied by their parents, he silently lowered his head and clenched his backpack strap - it would be great if he could also have a complete family.

In the first Chinese class, he was staring blankly at the textbook when he suddenly felt his arm lightly touched. Turning his head, he saw the boy at his desk winking at him and secretly handing him a piece of paper with a funny face.

Qijun was stunned for a moment, and his mouth involuntarily curved slightly upwards. When the bell rang, the lively boy took out a pack of teddy bear cookies from his backpack and generously stuffed two into Qijun's hand,

"Here you are. "

Qi Jun took it with a red face and whispered

"thank you"

but didn't have the guts to tell the other person that he was actually allergic to peanuts.

"What's your name? "

The boy asked while chewing on a biscuit, unaware of the crumbs sticking to the corners of his mouth.

"I... my name is Fang Qijun, "

Qijun stuttered as he unconsciously scratched the dent on the edge of the desk.

"Hello Fang Qijun! "The boy suddenly leaned in, his bright eyes filled with a smile." My name is Huang Jiaxuan! "

He reached out his hand, and the Pok é mon watch on his wrist shone brightly in the sunlight. The sunlight slanted through the classroom window between the two boys, and Qijun suddenly felt that this unfamiliar classroom seemed to have become warmer.

May 19, 2016

Qijun went to school and found Jiaxuan as usual. Due to Jiaxuan's relationship, Qijun has become increasingly outgoing.

Halfway through class, Qijun was suddenly called into the office. In the office, there was a pair of fierce eyes watching him. That's right, it's his father. As expected, upon returning home, Qijun was severely beaten again.

June 22, 2016

Today during physical education class, Jiaxuan was running with Qijun on the playground.

The spring breeze brushed past his ears, and the sunlight shone on the fluttering hair of Jiaxuan. Qijun suddenly felt his heart skip a beat. He didn't understand why there was a tingling sensation in his chest, but felt his cheeks burn and even his palms sweat profusely. Running, Qijun unconsciously slowed down his pace. He secretly glanced at Jiaxuan's face, gilded by the sunlight, but couldn't tell what emotions were surging in his heart.

After the bell rang, the two of them returned to the classroom. Jiaxuan suddenly turned around, his hands resting on Qijun's shoulders, and his eyes sparkling as he said,

"You are my best friend in the world, and we want to be together forever."

Qijun was stunned, with a soft smile on his eyelashes. He lowered his eyes, fingertips unconsciously rubbed the hem of the school uniform, and whispered,

"Hmm."

The shadow of the wutong tree outside the window swayed on them, crushing the unspoken heart into the mottled light and shadow.

December 10, 2016

Qijun returned home with his head down, his backpack strap loosely resting on his shoulder, as if he couldn't even lift his spirits. He stood at the entrance of the living room, his fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of his clothes. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke softly,

"Dad, there is a life camp during school holidays... can I go?"

Dad was staring at the TV, not even lifting his eyelids, impatiently waving his hand:

"Go ahead, go ahead, don't bother me here. "

After closing the door, he leaned against the door panel, feeling a tightness in his chest as if he had pressed a stone.

But soon, he shook his head again, trying to shake off that uncomfortable feeling - at least, he could go to the life camp. At least there, he may be able to temporarily forget about this home.

December 12, 2016

As soon as Qijun walked into the gathering point of the life camp, his gaze was eagerly searching among the crowd.

Suddenly, he saw the familiar figure - Jiaxuan standing not far away, smiling and waving at him. Qi Jun's heart skipped a beat and he almost ran over, hugging him tightly. Jiaxuan seemed to be stunned for a moment, but then he tightly hugged him, his arms warm and strong, as if he wanted to knead all the missed memories of these days into this embrace.

The activity started soon, and the campsite prepared various games and challenges. They naturally formed a team and even gave their squad a serious name - 'Fantasy Team'.

Qijun has never played these games before. When he was a child, he could only lie by the window and watch the children chasing and playing outside, but he never dared to join in. But now, by Jiaxuan's side, he felt the unbridled joy for the first time.

They crossed the level together, laughed heartily, and even tried rock climbing under the instigation of Jiaxuan. Although his legs were weak and he screamed halfway through the climb, when Jiaxuan laughed and shouted

"Don't be afraid, I'll follow you!"

below, he suddenly felt like he wasn't afraid of anything anymore.

After nightfall, the campsite's bonfire party began. The performer held a burning torch and drew a brilliant arc in the darkness. The fire ball was thrown high and steadily caught, and the blazing flames reflected on everyone's face, as if even the night had been ignited. Qijun was mesmerized, his eyes sparkling with light, and the flames flickering in his pupils, as if filled with stars.

After returning to the tent, the two of them lay side by side, and the noise outside gradually quieted down, leaving only the chirping of insects and occasional crackling of the fire. Qijun turned his head and looked at Jiaxuan's profile, whispering,

"Today... is the happiest day for me."

Jiaxuan turned his head and their eyes met. The dim light in the tent softened each other's expressions. Jiaxuan smiled, his eyes curved as he said,

"Me too."

Qijun also smiled, as if his heart was filled with something warm. He quietly moved towards Jiaxuan, closed his eyes, listened to the other person's steady breathing, and thought to himself - how great it would be if time could stop at this moment.

As soon as the morning sun shone into the campsite, everyone was awakened by the urgent whistle.

The instructor announced a mysterious mission - a precious

"treasure"

is hidden somewhere in the school, and the first person to find it will win the mysterious prize.

The crowd instantly boiled and everyone rushed out of the tent.

Qi Jun was still groggily rubbing his eyes when Jia Xuan grabbed his wrist and said,

"Hurry up! We can't fall behind!"

The two searched around the campus, from the library to the gym, searching every corner where something might be hidden.

Finally, they arrived at an old school building, pushed open the creaking wooden door, and walked into a storage room filled with miscellaneous items.

"No one should have searched here... "

Qi Junzheng said, suddenly hearing a" click "behind him - Jiaxuan locked the door.

"What are you doing? "

Qijun turned around in confusion, only to see Jiaxuan's eyes shining brightly in the dim light.

"Qijun... "Jiaxuan took a step forward and gently held his face with both hands." I love you so much. "

Before Qijun could react, his soft lips pressed against him. Qi Jun widened his eyes, his heart beating as fast as if it were about to burst out of his chest.

But soon, he closed his eyes and responded to the kiss with a raw yet passionate expression. In the musty smell of miscellaneous items, he smelled the faint sunshine on Jiaxuan's body.

At this moment, he felt that he had found a treasure more precious than any grand prize.

Soon, the life camp came to an end.

January 2, 2017

School has started, but Qijun and Jiaxuan are still in the same class. They still played very well, inseparable, sharing each other's happiness and troubles as usual.

But recently, Qijun noticed that his classmates in class always looked at him with strange eyes, gathering in twos and threes to whisper and occasionally pointing and whispering. He vaguely heard someone say things like

'Qijun is sick' and 'stay away from him'

feeling both confused and uncomfortable. During the break between classes, Qijun sat alone in his seat, with his head down and a pencil, his eyes slightly reddened. Jiaxuan walked over and gently patted his shoulder, asking with concern,

"What's wrong?Did you hear those idle talks again?"

Qijun looked up and his voice choked up.

"Why do they always say that... I clearly didn't do anything..."

Jiaxuan sat down beside him and firmly said, "Don't pay attention to them, I know what kind of person you are. You are my best friend, that's enough."

On the way home from school, the setting sun stretched their shadows long. Qijun kicked the small stones on the roadside, feeling gloomy. Jiaxuan suddenly took out two bags of potato chips from his backpack and handed him one.

"Here, your favorite flavor!"

Qijun took the potato chips and finally smiled. Jiaxuan rested his shoulder and said,

"Let's go play football in the park tomorrow weekend? Call those friends who truly understand you."

Qijun nodded, feeling warm in his heart. Although I don't understand why he was misunderstood, at least there are friends like Jiaxuan who understand and support him.

March 13, 2017

Today is Qijun's birthday. As soon as the school bell rings, Jiaxuan excitedly takes his hand and says,

"Let's go! I'll take you to buy a cake, and today I must celebrate for you!"

Qijun rarely shows an expectant smile and follows Jiaxuan to the cozy dessert shop near the school.

But as they pushed open the store door, the crisp sound of the bell had not yet subsided. The owner behind the counter glanced up and his face instantly darkened. Before Qijun could speak, the boss coldly said,

"We're not selling it."

Jiaxuan was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion, "Why? We want to buy a birthday cake..."

The boss impatiently waved his hand, as if catching a fly,

"Not selling is not selling, there's no reason! Roll away, don't appear in my store again!"

His voice was sharp and sharp, causing several customers in the store to turn their heads and look at him with strange eyes.

Qi Jun froze in place, his fingers unconsciously clenched the backpack strap, and his throat tightened. Why... why does everyone have such malice towards him? He didn't do anything, but the world seems to be hostile towards him. His eyes were burning, but he held back his tears. Jiaxuan was so angry that his face turned red. Just as he was about to argue, Qijun gently grabbed his sleeve and whispered,

"Forget it... let's go."

His voice was so soft that it was almost inaudible, as if he had been hit hard and lost. In the end, they could only celebrate with candles lit on top of cookies.

October 22, 2017

It's the annual sports meet again, and Jiaxuan is participating, so Qijun went to see it. Qijun watched as Jiaxuan finished first in the 100 meter race and felt proud of him.

However, the first place medal is not from Jiaxuan, and the name Jiaxuan is not on the list. Just as Qijun was about to ask the teacher, Jiaxuan said,

"Forget it, if there's nothing, then there's nothing. I don't care. I only care about you."

After saying that, the two hugged each other.

They never went home outside, they went to a corner, and then they kissed each other.

After kissing, Jiaxuan said,

"Remember to walk slowly in the future. In the days without me, you will live a happy life."

Qijun didn't understand what he was saying and then fainted.

The next day, I woke up and found myself at home. He hurriedly went to school and found that Jiaxuan had disappeared from his world.

He didn't understand why, and his mind began to ache. During class, he asked the teacher,

"Is there anyone named Jiaxuan in our class?"

The teacher looked at him with confusion and said,

"No, what's wrong with you lately?"

He frantically packed his backpack and rushed out of the classroom. He returned home and rushed into the living room, pulling his father's collar and saying,

"Do you know someone named Jiaxuan?"

His father stood up angrily and said,

"What are you doing? Do you want to die?"

After listening to his father's words, he fainted.

October 24, 2017

At the hospital, the doctor told Qijun's father about his condition:

"He is currently suffering from delusions, which may be due to a long-term lack of love."

(When the bell rang, the lively boy took out a pack of teddy bear cookies from his backpack and generously stuffed two into Qijun's hand. Qijun blushed and took them, whispering "thank you," but didn't want to tell him that he was actually allergic to peanuts.) He picked up the cookies on the ground and then fantasized about Jiaxuan giving him cookies.

(Halfway through class, Qijun was suddenly called into the office. Inside the office, there was a pair of fierce eyes looking at him. Yes, it was his father. As expected, when he returned home, Qijun was beaten hard again.) It was because Qijun talked to the air every time he was in class.

(The boss behind the counter glanced up and his face instantly darkened. Before Qijun could speak, the boss coldly said, "We don't sell it." Jiaxuan was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion, "Why? We want to buy a birthday cake..." The boss impatiently waved his hand, like catching a fly: "Not selling is not selling, there's no reason! Roll away, don't show up in my store again!") It's because the boss kept seeing him talking to the air and thought he was crazy, so he didn't sell it.

All of this is just a fantasy.

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