Chapter 14

Song Ruichi was the one who drove them back.

At first, Xu Er thought Song Ruichi was silent because Xiao He was there, but even after Xiao He got out of the car, Song Ruichi remained quiet.

Before they left the exhibition, Song Ruichi had taken a phone call. Xu Er naturally assumed that the call was the reason for Song Ruichi’s silence.

Xiao He’s home was quite a distance from Xu Er’s, and even with clear roads, it took about half an hour to drive.

About five minutes into the drive, Song Ruichi seemed to find the quiet a bit too much and turned on the music.

The atmosphere lightened somewhat, but the silence continued. After another five minutes, Xu Er began feeling awkward, like sitting in the car with a colleague he didn’t quite know well.

But this was Song Ruichi.

“Hello.”

Xu Er broke the silence first, trying to probe.

Hearing that, Song Ruichi lowered the volume a little.

Usually, when there’s something on one’s mind, wouldn’t a reply follow? But all Song Ruichi did was reduce the volume.

This gesture even gave Xu Er the odd impression that Song Ruichi’s silence was because of him.

“You seem to be in a bad mood,” Xu Er tested softly.

“Hm,” Song Ruichi replied.

Xu Er paused.

He had said “hm.”

Silence returned.

Xu Er felt he had taken on a task.

Well then...

“What’s wrong?” Xu Er asked, “Is it because of that call just now?”

“What call?”

“You took a call before you got in the car.”

“No.”

Xu Er frowned.

No?

Then...

He really didn’t know.

But since Song Ruichi was in a bad mood...

Xu Er glanced ahead.

“Song Ruichi,” Xu Er covered his mouth with his hand as if there were others in the car, lowering his voice, “Let me take you somewhere.”

The light ahead turned red. Song Ruichi stopped and turned to look, meeting Xu Er’s expectant gaze, his eyes wide and lips pressed together.

His hand still covered his mouth, exuding a “Please say yes, please say yes” vibe.

Song Ruichi couldn’t help but smile.

“You’re not going to ask why I’m in a bad mood?” Song Ruichi said.

Xu Er’s tone returned to normal as he lowered his hand, “Would you tell me?”

“Want to know?”

“Yes.”

“No telling.”

Xu Er was momentarily speechless.

But clearly, Song Ruichi was no longer the silent man from before, so Xu Er dared to say, “If you don’t want to tell me, then that’s fine.”

Song Ruichi smiled, “I’m in a bad mood.”

“Then...”

“Then?”

The red light had five seconds left.

Suddenly, Song Ruichi leaned slightly toward the passenger seat, mimicking Xu Er’s earlier gesture, covering his mouth and whispering, “Lead the way.”

Xu Er raised a finger, tracing the air, and pointed ahead, “Turn right at the next traffic light.”

Xu Er took Song Ruichi into a small alley.

Of course, he hadn’t forgotten Song Ruichi’s car. When they parked just right at the alley’s entrance, Xu Er got out and smugly declared, “See? Perfect.”

“Wow.”

“Learn from me.”

“Where are you taking me, Mr. Xu?”

Calling him Mr. Xu meant his mood had improved considerably.

Xu Er tilted his chin and beckoned into the alley, “Follow me.”

Thus, Xu Er led Song Ruichi into a place long forgotten by most—

Not really forgotten, just a place marked by clear signs of habitation.

“A game arcade,” they were there in a few steps, and Xu Er asked, “Want to play, Mr. Song?”

Mr. Song said, “Let’s go.”

The alley was filled with old wooden houses that had seen many years, so entering the arcade brought a strong scent of aged wood.

“This is the arcade I discovered back in middle school. It’s been open for over ten years,” Xu Er said.

Song Ruichi caught the key point: “You played games in middle school?”

Xu Er added, “Right before a competition, too.”

He completed the story: “I came to City A for a contest, don’t remember how I ended up in this alley, but I played games all night.”

“How did the competition go?”

Xu Er raised one finger: “First place.”

“That impressive.”

“Because of the games.”

There were a moderate number of customers inside. After exchanging coins, Xu Er grabbed Song Ruichi’s wrist and pulled him to the second-to-last machine.

“This one’s fun. Let’s start here,” Xu Er enthusiastically recommended.

Song Ruichi sat down and asked, “So you come here when you’re in a bad mood?”

Xu Er shook his head.

“Then why bring me here?”

“I come when I’m happy, and when I’m sad too. Who knows?”

Song Ruichi responded understandingly, “So basically, you just wanted to play.”

Xu Er laughed, “Don’t put it that way,” then said, “Don’t mind the details,” before adding, “This is my favorite game.”

“And me?”

“Yes, you have to like it too.”

Song Ruichi smiled, “Alright, alright.”

Xu Er inserted the coins, “Have you played this before?”

Actually, Song Ruichi had, but he said, “No, you explain it to me.”

Xu Er sat up straight, “Okay.”

The rules were simple: fight monsters.

Single player wins by defeating monsters, two players must cooperate to defeat monsters first, then compete against each other to decide the winner.

Xu Er explained carefully, pointing out potential pitfalls while looking at the screen. Song Ruichi nodded along.

After the explanation, Xu Er said, “You’ll definitely win.”

“Why?”

“I’ll go easy on you.”

Song Ruichi chuckled, “Comforting me here?”

“Ah, you caught me.”

“Why don’t you just write it on your face?”

Xu Er shook his head, “I definitely won’t let you see it,” and nudged Song Ruichi with his elbow, “Game on.”

They played for over an hour.

Ten rounds total; Song Ruichi won nine.

Xu Er’s letting up was obvious but flawless. Xu Er’s only win came when Song Ruichi charged at him and stood still, allowing Xu Er to land the final blow.

Xu Er shook his hand in disbelief, “What are you doing?”

“I’m cheating.”

Xu Er clicked his tongue but went back to the original question, tilting his head, “Feeling better, Mr. Song?”

Song Ruichi looked back, staring straight into Xu Er’s eyes.

After a moment, he said, “Call me brother.”

Xu Er obediently said, “Feeling better, brother?”

Then he burst into laughter, looking at the game machine, “So strange.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never called anyone brother before.”

Song Ruichi seemed to want to say something, hand reaching over, then hesitating, stopping beside Xu Er’s head and withdrawing.

Xu Er leaned forward, but found only empty air.

“You’re really good at games,” Song Ruichi said.

Xu Er nodded, “Yeah, very good.”

“Not humble at all.”

“It’s the truth,” Xu Er bragged, “I’m good at every game I play.”

Leaving the arcade, twilight was falling.

Since that was the case...

“I’ll treat you to dinner tonight,” Xu Er said.

Before Song Ruichi could respond, Xu Er seemed afraid he’d say no, adding, “Brother.”

Song Ruichi smiled, “Alright.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“What do you want to eat?”

They spoke simultaneously.

But this time, Xu Er took the initiative, “I want you to decide.”

Song Ruichi’s eyes curved into a smile, “Copying me?”

“Yeah, how about that?”

This time Song Ruichi didn’t stop. He tapped Xu Er’s forehead, “Crab.”

Xu Er snapped his fingers, “Done.”

But before heading to eat crab, Xu Er led Song Ruichi further into the alley.

“There used to be a handmade crafts shop here,” Xu Er peered inside, “Ah, open! Let’s go.”

Like fearing the shop would close at any moment, Xu Er hurried inside.

In no time, he found what he wanted.

“Cute, right?” Xu Er took a knitted hat off a hook, “For Soso to wear.”

Song Ruichi spoke on behalf of Soso, “Thank you.”

Xu Er turned and took a necklace from the hook, “This one’s for you.”

Song Ruichi lowered his gaze and reached out his hand.

Xu Er happily helped put it on, then pondered aloud, “Doesn’t really match your clothes,” before adding, “But brother, I have the exact same one.”

Song Ruichi raised his wrist, “Couple’s set, huh?”

Xu Er chuckled, muttering, “Couple what,” then asked the shopkeeper, “How much?”

Coming out of the alley, night had fully fallen.

Having lived in City A for so many years, Xu Er knew all the best places to eat. He confidently found his favorite crab restaurant.

At this hour, arriving just ten minutes before the working crowd, there was no need to queue.

After the meal, Xu Er once again marveled inwardly at how much he and Song Ruichi were alike.

Their tastes, the degree of spice, saltiness—all astonishingly similar.

How could two people be so in sync?

After dinner, Song Ruichi drove Xu Er home. This time, Song Ruichi parked properly in a parking space, and Xu Er realized he was about to be dropped off right at his doorstep.

Unsure of Song Ruichi’s mood, Xu Er felt the comforting had somehow turned back on himself, and he was quite happy about it.

Especially seeing Song Ruichi still wearing the woven bracelet that didn’t quite match his outfit today.

So he asked.

“Feeling better, brother?” Xu Er asked as he got out.

Song Ruichi laughed, “Addicted to calling me that.”

Xu Er hid his hands behind his back, “I’ve noticed when I call you brother, it makes you happier.”

Song Ruichi felt like he’d been outplayed, “Do I?”

Xu Er honestly said, “You do.”

Suddenly, Xu Er leaned in close, “Brother.”

Song Ruichi’s reaction was uncontrollable laughter.

Xu Er’s eyes curved as he pointed at Song Ruichi, “See what you did.”