Fireworks

[Not long, probably around a hundred thousand words. One-on-one romance. I might put this one off until the climate is a little more welcoming, but once I start, I'll finish it.]

When Xu Yan was seventeen, a beautiful, aloof transfer student joined his class, and Xu Yan was drawn to him at first sight.

Sheng Xinghe was just like his name, with a cool light and shadow in his eyes.

Xu Yan was a brat and a troublemaker. He deliberately teased the transfer student, sneaking him out after school and whispering to him during class.

Before long, the other boy would quickly look away whenever he saw Xu Yan, refusing to talk to him.

The novelty soon wore off. Xu Yan forgot all about him and went back to fighting, skipping class, and causing trouble.

Until one day, Sheng Xinghe's biological parents suddenly came looking for him.

In the middle of a stormy night, Xu Yan was called out of his house by an urgent knock at the door.

The rain poured down. The boy was soaked through, but his gaze was soft. With his ears red, he quietly made Xu Yan a promise.

Xu Yan stared at him under the umbrella, utterly stunned and confused.

The other boy seemed to realize something. His face suddenly went pale, and he turned and walked away in the rain.

Sheng Xinghe left in a hurry and was gone for many years. Xu Yan didn't even get the chance to tell him that he was about to leave, too.

He carried that promise with him, strangely holding on for years to the damp, warm embrace beneath the umbrella.

When they met again, the boy from back then had become handsome and aloof, yet the light and shadow in his gaze remained deep and steady.

He narrowed his eyes and taunted him under his breath. "Must have been hard, avoiding me all these years."

Xu Yan: "..."

Wait, I think I need to explain something.

Premise: Study hard and make progress every day.