Ch48 - Night Marathon

Extra Ko-Fi chapter~

An alpha being willing to carry an omega’s inhibitor showed how much he wants to cherish and protect. 

Even someone as loud and rambunctious as Duan Jiayan knew that such a move by Lu Xingci can’t just be summed up as him simply being attentive.

A few days later, he thought back to the inhibitor. Duan Jiayan’s thoughts would inexplicably be reminded of the noisy cafe, and the way Lu Xingci spoke to him.

He felt quite perplexed.

The other’s gentleness was like a net, slowly reeling him in. Duan Jiayan belatedly realised some things were gradually going out of his control. 

After the parent-teacher meeting, Fu Yuan went home to pack for her move to Hai City. She had planned to leave on the weekends which was good as Duan Jiayan would have time to send her off.

But on Wednesday morning, He Yunsheng’s condition suddenly deteriorated. The doctors advised them to hurry and bring him to the doctors in Hai City. Fu Yuan had no choice but to buy tickets for the flight on that very day.

Duan Jiayan received Fu Yuan’s call while he was still in class.

Fu Yuan first gave him a call and perhaps realising that he had no way to answer in class, dropped the call and sent him a message instead.

[Ah Ye, Yunsheng’s condition got worse. I’ve discussed it with Uncle He and we’ve decided to take the plane to Hai City this afternoon.]

Duan Jiayan saw the news and immediately replied, [What time’s the flight?]

Fu Yuan, [4.50pm]

She hesitated for a little while and sent a follow-up text, [It will take around three hours to travel to and fro the school and airport, it’ll be too much trouble. You concentrate in class, mom will come back next month to celebrate the new year with you.] 

Duan Jiayan directly replied, [I’ll come to send you off.]

After receiving the news, Duan Jiayan took a look at the time.

It was almost three o’clock, with ten more minutes left till the end of class. It would take approximately 30 minutes to get to the airport from school.

After class, Duan Jiayan told Song Yi, “I’m going to the airport to send my mom off. If any teacher asks later, help me ask for the afternoon off.” 

Song Yi immediately asked, “Auntie is leaving now? Wasn’t she leaving this weekend?”

Duan Jiayan, “He Yunsheng’s condition is too serious.”

After saying that, he headed for the backdoor and left the classroom.

Seeing him leave, Lu Xingci was deep in thought. 

After Duan Jiayan left, Chen Yue asked in a hushed tone, “His family…?”

Lu Xingci shook his head, indicating he was not too sure of matters himself.

When Duan Jiayan reached the airport, Fu Yuan happened to be checking them in for the flight.

At this time of day, there were not many people in the airport. Sunlight shone in from the roof, illuminating the grey and white airport, turning it clear and bright. 

Duan Jiayan first caught sight of He Yunsheng.

He was too obvious, a skinny little boy with pale skin sitting in a wheelchair. Passers-by would ever so often turn to look his way.

Duan Jiayan walked up to him.

As Fu Yuan and He Cheng were getting their boarding passes, He Yunsheng was the first to see him. 

“Ge ge!” His voice was loud and his eye instantly brightened.

Following his greeting, Fu Yuan and He Cheng also turned around. Fu Yuan also greeted Duan Jiayan, “Ah Ye.”

Duan Jiayan walked over, “Mom, Uncle He.”

He reached out and gently rubbed the top of He Yunsheng’s head, “Little fellow.” 

The staff motioned for He Cheng, “Sir, please place your luggage on the conveyor belt.”

Duan Jiayan saw the luggage by He Cheng’s feet and reached out to carry it.

He Cheng did not react in time and tried to stop him when he realised what the other was doing, “I’ll do it, I’ll do it.”

Before he could finish his sentence, Duan Jiayan had already placed their luggage on the conveyor belt. He Cheng quickly said, “Thank you.” 

“It’s nothing.” Duan Jiayan asked, “When do you need to board the plane?”

Fu Yuan, “In roughly another 20 minutes.”

He Cheng knew Duan Jiayan had rushed over from school. He looked at Fu Yuan and Duan Jiayan before saying, “Do you guys need some private time together?”

He Yunsheng pursed his lips, “I also want to talk to ge ge.” 

Duan Jiayan laughed, “What do you want to tell me? That I’m handsome?”

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

He Yunsheng nodded, and actually said seriously, “Ge ge is indeed very handsome.”

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Me Tejc rjk tfg akb xlvr lcafgjmalcu jcv ofia j aklcuf lc tfg mtfra. 

Vtf rjlv rboais, “Pc j ktlif, atf afwqfgjaegf klii vgbq. Po sbeg vbgw ufar abb mbiv, sbe mjc tfjv yjmx tbwf ab rajs. Po sbe vbc’a kjca ab yf jibcf, sbe mjc jrx Vbcu Tl lo tf kjcar ab rajs klat sbe lc atf tberf.”

Duan Jiayan nodded.

Fu Yuan, “During the new year, if you don’t want to come over, I can come back to Ning City—”

Duan Jiayan interrupted her, “I’ll go to Hai City for the new year.” 

Fu Yuan paused and nodded.

She rambled on, talking about trivial things related to his daily life. Fu Yuan was rarely this naggy with him, Duan Jiayan listened, not feeling bored at all.

As they conversed, somehow 20 minutes had passed.

If they did not pass the security check, it might be too late for them to board the plane. Duan Jiayan saw He Cheng checking his phone and felt bad holding them back. He rushed them along, “Mom, you all should get going.” 

Fu Yuan also took a look at the time.

“Alright then,” She hesitated before reaching out to hug Duan Jiayan. “You take care of yourself.”

Feeling her warmth on him, Duan Jiayan hugged her back and quietly agreed.

Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence. 

“Ge ge, I’m sorry.”

His sudden apology caused the other three present to freeze.

Duan Jiayan was the first to react. He looked at He Yunsheng who was silently watching him. The latter’s eyelashes quivered, making him look a little lost.

He Yunsheng seemed to be unsure of whether he should have said that to Duan Jiayan. 

In the face of his clear eyes, a corner of Duan Jiayan’s heart collapsed.

After the apology, the tall wall that seemed to always have been between He Yunsheng and him collapsed. But there was nothing on the other side of the wall.

His heart felt hollow and empty, and at the same time strangely heavy.

Fu Yuan lips moved, trembling but she did not say anything. 

Duan Jiayan stayed silent for a long while before slowly kneeling down.

He lowered himself to He Yunsheng’s eye level and looked at the little boy’s dark eyes. Speaking slowly, Duan Jiayan softly said, “You have to grow up healthily.”

He did not mention his apology, and did not ask why He Yunsheng was apologising.

For an instant, they seemed to be a pair of normal brothers, with a tacit understanding of one another. 

He knew why He Yunsheng apologised. He felt as if Fu Yuan accompanying him to Hai City, was stealing away Duan Jiayan’s share of their mother’s love.

When Duan Jiayan was around He Yunsheng’s age, he did indeed have such thoughts.

He Cheng and He Yunsheng’s appearance had resulted in Fu Yuan having no choice but to split her attention and energy with her new family, and there were times when she naturally could not take care of Duan Jiayan.

It was not like he had never felt bitter about it before, never felt disappointed about it before. 

However as Duan Jiayan slowly grew up, he saw his ailing little brother and gradually came to the realisation that not everything in life can be measured as something to be lost or given back.

“Alright, off you go,” Duan Jiayan said as he stood up. “When it’s the new year, ge ge will come to Hai City to visit you.”

After hearing this, Fu Yuan’s emotions which she originally had under control could no longer be suppressed.

Her eyes turned red. 

Fu Yuan turned to Duan Jiayan, her voice quivering, “I told you before, just do your best in your studies. Your happiness is most important.”

She reiterated, “Ah Ye, you being happy every day, growing up healthily…… is enough for me.”

Duan Jiayan smiled, “I am pretty happy every day.”

Afraid that she’ll be upset, Duan Jiayan lightly clasped her shoulder and pushed her forward, “Hurry on, or else you guys won’t be able to make your flight.” 

Fu Yuan seemed to have received a sudden stimulation. Her originally reddened eyes became even redder. Duan Jiayan could not bear to see her with tears in her eyes, he turned to He Cheng and said, “Uncle He, you guys should go.”

He Cheng softly agreed and reached out to pat Fu Yuan’s back.

After they were gone and Duan Jiayan could no longer see them, he kept his gaze and turned around.

The airport PA system would occasionally play, reminding passengers to head to their boarding gates. 

In that instant, Duan Jiayan became aware of the fact that he no longer had any relatives in this city.

For the next few years, for a considerable length of time, this is how his life would be like.

After a long while, he closed his eyes.

After leaving the airport, Duan Jiayan took a cab back to school. 

He did not know how he made it back to Yi Zhong’s school gate. As if he was sleepwalking, he slowly made his way back to class ten’s door.

He just so happened to hear Zhou Xingchen saying, “…heard those that took part in last year’s Bai Li night marathon ran around seventy to eighty kilometres. Even though it’s not a hundred, it’s already very impressive. This year’s organisers are even providing fluorescent body spray, it sounds quite fun.”

Duan Jiayan opened the backdoor and was spotted by Zhou Xingchen who waved to him, “Duan Jiayan, where did you go?”

Duan Jiayan whispered, “To the airport, I was sending mom off.” 

Zhou Xingchen realised something was not right, “Your mom’s going on a business trip?”

Duan Jiayan shook his head, then nodded.

He sat down and bent his head down to use his phone. Zhou Xingchen saw that he was not acting like he usually would and could tell that he was feeling down. He turned to look at Lu Xingci.

The latter looked at Duan Jiayan’s back, not saying anything. 

The chemistry representative started to hand out the test papers to groups of students.

Only then did Duan Jiayan remember that there was a weekly test for chemistry tonight. Duan Jiayan sprawled over his desk at the thought of it.

He did not want to take any test, he just wanted to lie down somewhere and not move.

He decided to take a nap in the classroom and figure things out after his nap was over. 

Just as he had shut his eyes, someone behind him called out his name.

Duan Jiayan turned around and saw Lu Xingci looking at him.

After noticing Duan Jiayan’s emotionless face, Lu Xingci asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing,” Duan Jiayan cracked open an eye, not looking at him. “Just tired, I want to nap for a little while.” 

After he was done speaking, he thought Lu Xingci would leave him alone. Who knew that the latter would continue asking, “Why are you tired?”

Duan Jiayan, “……”

As someone who is usually very aware of what is going on, both him and Duan Jiayan were aware that the excuse was just a perfunctory one. Still, he did not back down.

Duan Jiayan did not feel like continuing the conversation and quietly said, “I’m just tired.” 

Lu Xingci did not respond.

Duan Jiayan was prepared to lie back down when the person behind him pinched him on the shoulder lightly, “Want to go out to play?”

Even after they had reached the starting point of the Bai Li marathon, Duan Jiayan still felt like this was all rather unbelievable.

It was a Wednesday night, and the number one student in school had skipped their chemistry test to follow him to a place close to their city’s university for a thousand-people night marathon. 

Previously in the classroom, after Duan Jiayan nodded, both of them headed out of the classroom. Just as Duan Jiayan wanted to ask him what they were going to play, Lu Xingci showed him the poster of the Bai Li night marathon on his phone.

Duan Jiayan was fine with anything, he just did not want to continue lying by himself in the classroom.

After Duan Jiayan agreed, Lu Xingci took out his phone to register the both of them. They both managed to sign up just before the deadline.

Most of the night marathon participants were university students, with some being working adults. While a few female university students were handing out light sticks, they saw Duan Jiayan and Lu Xingci and gave them a few too. 

Duan Jiayan was considering if he should wear it on his wrist. It seemed silly to do so but it’ll seem like he’s not soaking in the atmosphere if he did not.

Just as he was deep in thought, a voice came over. It sounded surprised.

“Duan Jiayan?”

Duan Jiayan turned around and saw Teacher He. 

Teacher He spotted Lu Xingci and was even more surprised, “Both of you aren’t studying tonight?”

Duan Jiayan rubbed his nose, unsure of whether he should confess to skipping class. Somehow, Teacher He had already processed everything in his head and exclaimed, “Both of you… are you on a date?”

Duan Jiayan, “……”

Lu Xingci, “……” 

Teacher He saw the both of them not replying and thought he had scared the two students into silence.

He happily added, “Relax, relax. I won’t tell on both of you to Director Jiang, him and I don’t see eye to eye on this issue. I’ve seen your story on the forum and I think it is a rather good thing. A romance when you’re still a student is the most innocent one you can have. What’s more, your grades are improving when the both of you are together. You can mutually encourage and put pressure on one another, what’s so bad about this?”

Duan Jiayan, “……”

Duan Jiayan silently commented in his heart, ‘You’re still looking at a high school forum, that’s quite hip of you.’ 

Teacher He frowned, “But the both of you skipping class……”

Lu Xingci suddenly chimed in, “Teacher He, we decided to skip class because we were feeling too stressed, hence why we decided to join the marathon to relax.”

Seeing him speak up, Duan Jiayan quickly added, “Yes yes yes, plus we usually don’t have many physical education classes. Ever since he got first place, he’s been nervous every day, afraid that someone will surpass him. So I thought it’ll be good come out with him to relax, lest he studies himself silly.”

Lu Xingci curled his lips, in the end still going along with Duan Jiayan, “He got 500th place last time and was also worried that his ranking will drop. So we both…accompanied one another to relax.” 

Duan Jiayan also praised Teacher He, “Teacher, you teach sports, you should be able to understand us students best, sports is the best way to relieve stress.

“The stress high school students face are indeed quite high,” Teacher He sighed while shaking his head. He looked at the two and agreed that studying is indeed not easy, “There’s nothing wrong with occasionally relaxing.

Seeing Teacher He accepting their excuse and going to the side to redeem his light stick, Duan Jiayan heaved a sigh of relief.

Just then, a staff member with a bucket filled with cans of fluorescent body spray walked over, letting those who needed it take them. 

After seeing quite a few people around them spraying their wrists and calves with the fluorescent spray, with some even spraying it on their clothes, Duan Jiayan reached out to take a can for himself.

Just as he was thinking of something cool to spray on himself, suddenly he saw Lu Xingci fiddling with his phone.

A sudden thought entered his head. Even though the idea was a little unsuitable but Duan Jiayan got excited just thinking about it.

He should not be doing it but he still wanted to. 

He bent his head down and drew an image on his hand.

After he was done, Duan Jiayan admired his handiwork, feeling quite satisfied by it.

“Is it nice?” Duan Jiayan raised his arm and asked Lu Xingci.

It was a star. 

A gold star.

Lu Xingci glanced at the star of his hand. He leaned down slightly and looked him in the eye, his tone unexplainable, “Why a star?”

The boy’s tone was neither too fast nor too slow, carrying hints of ambiguity.

“Because I want to,”  After his initial bout of excitement, Duan Jiayan also knew his behaviour could be considered against the rules. His heart got slightly flustered and he looked away but it felt as if he was covering something up. “Don’t overthink it.” 

“Before I had time to overthink what connection it had with my name,” Lu Xingci said slowly. “You reminded me.”

“……”

“It looks good,” Lu Xingci said, staring straight at him, his dark eyes exuding hints of **. “It looks so good, I want one.”

He’s clearly praising the fluorescent star on his hand, but Duan Jiayan’s thoughts went wild at Lu Xingci’s ‘want’. 

It was as if his ears got stimulated, they suddenly felt a little hot.

Lu Xingci saw him not moving and extended his arm out, showing off the pale skin of his hand. “Draw one on me too.”

His hand was very big, with long fingers and pronounced veins

Duan Jiayan saw him reaching out towards him. As he was spraying the fluorescent spray on him, his fingers trembled slightly. 

This resulted in Duan Jiayan’s final product looking more like a paint splatter than a star.

Duan Jiayan stopped his spraying and looked at the messy drawing on the other’s hand. Feeling quite a bit embarrassed, he said, “Why not you touch it up a little?”

Right as he said that, the countdown for the night marathon started.

“Ten, nine, eight……” 

Lu Xingci studied the drawing on his hand.

“I’ll leave it as it is,” he laughed. “It’s quite creative.”

Everyone around them started counting down too.

“Seven, six, five, four……” 

This was not the first time Duan Jiayan saw his smile.

He knew Lu Xingci was good looking. After all, with so many people in school liking him, his title of school hottie is not a false one.

But it’s weird.

In that instant, with his lazy smile and laugh, he managed to jump across several of Duan Jiayan’s boundaries, surpassing the boundaries of a ‘classmate’. 

Even the blurry corners of their ‘friendship’ boundary have become lively and solid.

“Three, two, one……”

At the sound of the gunshot, the participants of the night marathon set forth on their run.

The author has something to say: I wish that everyone will be happy and content.