Expired Lover

After returning to China, Zhu Cheng opened a flower shop and started a small business.

One snowy winter day, his ex-boyfriend, whom he hadn’t seen in years, appeared at the door.

They’d agreed never to contact each other again three years ago, but seeing each other still left them at a loss.

Xie Wangyan walked over and asked, "Have you been doing well lately?"

Zhu Cheng had practiced saying, "Come in if you’re buying flowers. Leave if you’re not," all night, but after going back and forth, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

Instead, he said tactfully, "You’re allergic to pollen."

Xie Wangyan blinked, wincing at the soreness in his nose, and said nonchalantly, "I got over that ages ago."

Zhu Cheng was dazed.

He suddenly remembered them seven years ago, when they were both in their youth.

The good old days were beautiful, but the memories had expired.

In the end, they were strangers.

*Told in flashback

-

Next up: "The Scheming Straight Guy"

Bai Ke had studied dance since childhood. He was handsome and fair-skinned, and stood out at school. He received so many love letters he could barely keep up.

College was no different for Bai Ke.

Everyone treated him specially, except for his straight roommate, who had been forced to share a dorm with him after arriving late at the start of term.

Except for Shao Shu.

From the moment they met, he treated Bai Ke with cool indifference.

Bai Ke couldn’t figure it out.

Until one day.

Bai Ke accidentally overheard Shao Shu chatting with someone else

"Why do you dislike your roommate so much?"

Shao Shu replied casually, "He’s too good-looking."

His friend laughed. "You’ve never even looked him in the eye. How do you know if he’s good-looking?"

"Who says I haven’t?" Shao Shu denied it. "I look at him every night."

After that, Bai Ke kept an eye out and pretended to be asleep.

That night.

At midnight, a rustling sound broke the silence.

A warm palm gently stroked the top of his head.

The low, husky voice was the same one that had turned down his invitation to breakfast that morning.

This time, the voice’s owner was less distant and cold.

There was a touch more tenderness.

"Baby, you talked to a guy again today."

"You’re not being good at all."

I’m going to punish you.

-

He fell asleep.

I stole a kiss for five minutes.

His lips are so soft.

His body, too.

Excerpt from Shao Shu’s Diary

Theme: Make the most of your youth, study hard, and live well.