No Ghosting Allowed

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Zhou Qingbo was a person with a strong offense but weak defense. When teasing Pei You, it seemed natural and effortless, with him having the upper hand, and he didn’t feel like anything was wrong. However, when the tables were turned, and he was the one being teased, he couldn’t handle it. He stumbled over his words for a moment and finally blurted out, “Get lost.”

“What’s wrong?” Ge Xing, with a hint of amusement, asked as he pushed his luck, “Can’t take a joke? huh?”

Zhou Qingbo: “…”

Zhou Qingbo opened his mouth, subconsciously wanting to retort, but nothing came out.

The bar’s music was deafening. Zhou Qingbo unconsciously grabbed an ice glass nearby, and the cool sensation of the glass flowed into his body, bringing a slight tingling sensation along with it.

For a brief moment, Zhou Qingbo surprisingly didn’t dare to look at Pei You’s eyes.

He found it difficult to describe his feelings at that moment. He had known Ge Xing for a long time, and as adults, they had always had open conversations without holding back. They had even made more extreme jokes before. But this time, Zhou Qingbo’s reaction was especially noticeable.

Subconsciously, he didn’t want Pei You to be mentioned  in such a carefree way by Ge Xing. Even if it was just a harmless joke.

Pei You himself didn’t react much. His gaze shifted slightly, part acknowledgement and part disregard for the comment. He silently let the comment go and focused his attention on gently massaging Zhou Qingbo’s stiff wrist and forearm.

The bright light in the bar left a pattern of light and shadow on his strong shoulder line, making him seem like a silent and inconspicuous shadow.

However, Ge Xing didn’t know when to quit. He playfully swirled his wine glass, indicating something to Zhou Qingbo.

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“If someone didn’t know better, they’d think you’re a delicate young lady from the old society who can’t handle a single joke,” Ge Xing said, “Even Pei You hasn’t said anything.”

Not mentioning Pei You would have been better, but when Pei You was mentioned, all those complex and uncomfortable feelings Zhou Qingbo had suppressed surged back. He suddenly felt uneasy, as if all the previously suppressed restlessness had resurfaced, urging him to do something to ease it.

Surprisingly, Zhou Qingbo didn’t react this time. He subconsciously took a deep breath, paced around the bar in circles, as if trapped without an escape. Just then, a server walked over from the booth area and mentioned that Zhou Qingbo was requested to set up a table for “Western Sun” in the VIP section.

Zhou Qingbo inexplicably let out a sigh of relief, not even leaving the customary “I’ll be back later” to the two at the bar. He simply stood up, and with hurried steps, followed the server.

He abruptly pulled away his hand, leaving Pei You’s palm empty. It took a moment for Pei You to adjust, and his fingers subconsciously curled.

“Don’t spoil him too much,” Ge Xing, watching Zhou Qingbo’s receding figure, calmly took a sip of his drink and chuckled, “He’s like a cat, climbing up the pole. The nicer you are to him, the more spoiled he’ll act.”

Pei You retracted his hand and took a sip of his own drink.

The alcohol-free Mojito had soda water as its base, with the refreshing taste of lime that was both refreshing and tangy.

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“It’s okay,” Pei You said calmly, “Let him be as spoiled as he wants. He usually doesn’t go overboard.”

“Speaking of which, your relationship seems to have improved quite a bit compared to before,” Ge Xing, propping up his head, gazed toward where Zhou Qingbo had left, casually commenting, “I’m quite surprised.”

Unlike Zhou Qingbo, who was a “love instructor” on paper, Ge Xing had seen and experienced a lot, and his eyes were sharp and discerning. He could easily tell who was suitable for whom long-term.

However, compatibility didn’t necessarily mean destiny. Zhou Qingbo and Pei You were quite different in terms of upbringing and personality. While Ge Xing had attempted to play matchmaker for them before, he hadn’t held high hopes for them.

“Yeah,” Pei You acknowledged the statement that their “relationship had improved.” He nodded and softly said, “He’s been teaching me how to flirt and pursue someone recently.”

“Huh?” Ge Xing seemed afraid he had misheard, and asked in confusion, “Teaching you what?”

“To date,” Pei You said.

Ge Xing: “…”

Ge Xing was momentarily speechless. Zhou Qingbo was all grown up, yet he hadn’t even held hands romantically with anyone before, let alone dated. He was like a young boy who had never experienced romance. Ge Xing couldn’t believe that he could actually teach Pei You, another inexperienced young man, how to date.

Ge Xing looked at Pei You with pity, as if he was watching a naive child who had been cheated and was being led astray.

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“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Ge Xing took out his phone with a pained expression and started scrolling rapidly on the screen without further ado, “A guy in his thirties who has never been in a relationship and doesn’t know how to date. Just wait, I’ll find you a reliable dating coach.”

“No need,” Pei You cut him off before Ge Xing could find the contact information he was looking for. He suddenly smiled briefly, speaking softly, “He’s teaching me pretty well.”

When he said this, there was a hint of a smile on his face, and his gaze unconsciously dropped slightly, as if recalling something.

Pei You’s tone unintentionally softened, carrying a hint of gentle affection. It seemed that just mentioning Zhou Qingbo could make him become more tender.

Ge Xing listened to the tone in his voice and paused for a moment. He cautiously and hesitantly asked, “You have… for him?”

Zhou Qingbo was a slow-witted person, and Ge Xing knew him quite well. But Pei You was warm and tender yet distant, clearly having his own thoughts. Ge Xing vaguely felt that Pei You might be interested in Zhou Qingbo, but he couldn’t be entirely certain.

“Yes,” Pei You admitted straightforwardly, saying, “I have feelings for Zhou Qingbo, so I’ve been pursuing him recently.”

The word “pursuing” was pronounced by Pei You very clearly, with a touch of unwavering determination, revealing his true intentions to some extent.

“…So, have you confessed your feelings to him?” Ge Xing asked.

“Not yet,” Pei You replied earnestly, “I think it’s not the right time yet—I want our relationship to improve a bit more, become more stable, and then I’ll confess to him. It feels safer that way.”

Ge Xing recollected Zhou Qingbo’s possessiveness and how he treated Pei You almost like an accessory, and he couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment. Then, he sincerely said, “I mean, is there a possibility—just a possibility—that he might not need you to pursue him?”

“What do you mean?” Pei You asked in confusion, “I know that in the gay community, some people might think that if they’re compatible, they can just get together and that’s that. But even if it’s about being gay, they still have the right to be pursued.”

Pei You paused and then added seriously, “Moreover, he’s a great guy. I think he should have the right to choose.”

Ge Xing: “…”

Is that the point? Ge Xing couldn’t help but wonder. It seemed like they were both equally skilled at missing the point.

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Pei You hadn’t experienced this before and his perspective was limited. Ge Xing had seen many relationships, probably not a hundred but at least eighty. However, he had never seen such a situation where adults were acting like school kids with crushes.