Dust of Sin

Ling Chen stood in the doorway, watching the scene, and suddenly felt his eyes grow hot.

He walked over and crouched beside Qi Zui.

“Senior.”

Qi Zui looked up at him, his dark eyes glowing softly in the sunset.

“What is it?”

“Nothing,” Ling Chen said, smiling as he buried his face against Qi Zui's knees. “I just wanted to call out to you.”

Qi Zui glanced at him, then closed the book in his hands and reached out to gently ruffle his hair.

The sunset stretched their shadows long, merging them until it was impossible to tell them apart.

The orange cat looked up at them, then lowered its head, yawned, and went back to sleep.

On the windowsill, two bracelets lay quietly side by side, one black and one red, one silver and one gold, like two clasped souls shining through the years.

Ling Chen thought, this was the life he wanted.

To be with Qi Zui.

A simple, peaceful life.

Together until they grew old.

Theme: Youthful days, the aloof top student, and a sunny, warm heart.