Wild Bird Rescue Guide

[Unemployed sunshine of an office drone x younger CEO with a calculating streak]

Everyone calls Yan Xiaoming "Xiao Ming." Like the Xiao Ming in math problems, he's the most unremarkable office drone in Shanghai. Though he has no one to rely on and gets exploited every day, one good meal is enough to make him happy all day. He lives like a wild sparrow.

The day after he was told he was being laid off, Yan Xiaoming drank with his colleagues late into the night. He was sitting on the curb smoking when a van pulled up in front of him. The glossy Oxford shoe that stepped out reflected Yan Xiaoming's expression as the sight sobered him up in an instant.

He got to his feet and ran.

Just like he had five years ago, after waking up in Zhou Ren's bed.

Yan Xiaoming knew Zhou Ren. He loved birds, and he would follow the rules for rescuing wild birds to the letter.

What should you do when you find a fledgling fallen by the roadside?

Don't pick it up. Don't pick it up. Don't pick it up.

If its injuries are too minor, don't pick it up.

If its parents are around, don't pick it up.

If it can survive on its own, don't pick it up.

So it wasn't until a month later, when Yan Xiaoming was completely homeless, that Zhou Ren could rightfully "take him home."

He believed that once he found a job and a new place to live, Zhou Ren would release him, just like a wild bird.

Because Zhou Ren never got attached to wild birds.

But wild birds did.

*

From top student to CEO, every step of Zhou Ren's life had followed his family's plan. Rescuing wild birds was the only hobby he'd been allowed since childhood.

Of course he knew that patience was essential when rescuing wild animals.

So he waited five years for Yan Xiaoming.

With a wary wild bird, you first build trust, approach it gradually, rescue it, then release it as soon as possible.

Of course, wild birds don't belong in cages. Once they no longer need rescuing, they can leave whenever they want.

Unless they choose to stay.

*

These two appeared in "Carry My Oranges Along," but this is a standalone story with a somewhat different style.

*The protagonist's personality gives the story a slightly bittersweet tone. The shou has trouble expressing himself and is prone to insecurity, but the gong is quick to pursue him once he realizes his feelings.

* A short story with a simple plot.

* I'm a complete novice when it comes to rescuing wild birds, so please forgive any mistakes.

* Free story, not going behind a paywall.

Theme: Love should be spoken aloud.