The dinner date was set for next Friday, so Mai Dong started looking forward to it this Saturday.
When Mai Dong was admitted to Nanjing University, it was also during the summer. His aunt had bought him an expensive set of clothes, a seemingly ordinary short-sleeved shirt that cost a whopping four thousand yuan. Although he brought it to college, he had never worn it.
After the dinner, the first thing he did when he returned to the dormitory was rummaging through his things to find that set of clothes.
One of Mai Dong’s roommates, named Wu Zimo, was a rich second-generation. He had seen Mai Dong in this set of clothes back in their freshman year. Naturally, he recognized the value of it and was surprised to find out that Mai Dong was also a rich second-generation. He wondered why he was so low-key.
Mai Dong had to explain that he would never usually buy such expensive clothes. It was a gift from his aunt when he got admitted to Nanjing University.
After a year, Wu Zimo saw Mai Dong take out this set of battle armor again and raised an eyebrow, asking if he had a crush on a girl.
Mai Dong felt a bit embarrassed but didn’t deny it. It wasn’t exactly lying because the person he liked wasn’t a girl, “No, I just wanted to… feel like there might not be many chances to wear it. It’s too attention-grabbing, isn’t it?”
Wu Zimo shrugged, “Just wear it. It doesn’t look much different from a hundred yuan one on Taobao. These big brands ah, big brands are just for showing off by rich people. Besides, your brand is so niche, and it doesn’t have a tacky big logo. No one will recognize it.”
Mai Dong shook his head, “Forget it. What if he recognizes it and thinks I’m showing off my wealth?”
Wu Zimo chuckled, “She? Spill the beans ba. Come on, spill it. Who are you going on a date with?”
It’s as if secret admirers have superpowers; even when their crush is at such an advanced stage, they manage to keep it a secret from everyone around them. The fact that Mai Dong likes Yan Xuming is known only to himself, his diary—and now Yan Xuming himself. No one else knows.
It’s not that Mai Dong is afraid to admit he likes guys, or that he’s afraid of being mocked for liking someone like Yan Xuming. He just feels that liking someone is his own business. He dislikes being teased, and even if he can handle being teased himself, he knows the other person might also become a target of teasing.
Obviously, Mai Dong liking Yan Xuming is a decision he made for himself, completely unrelated to the other person. But in the eyes of his friends, Yan Xuming will now be tied to him. This is such an unfair thing, and Mai Dong doesn’t want that. So, he never mentions that he’s currently liking someone.
Mai Dong paused in the act of folding his clothes, “I really don’t have a date. I’m just going to have dinner with a senior on Friday.”
Wu Zimo knew that Mai Dong wasn’t someone who would lie, so he suddenly found the conversation less interesting and didn’t press any further.
After the National Day holiday, they have to make up for two days of classes, so this week feels particularly long as classes start on Saturday.
The restaurant was chosen by Yan Xuming, and Mai Dong had checked the reviews online. The first tag for the restaurant was prominently “Couple Date.” Despite knowing that Yan Xuming probably wanted to find a decent place to reject him, Mai Dong still felt his heart racing at the sight of that tag.
On Saturday night, Mai Dong was still writing in his diary.
October 7, 2023. Sunny
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.
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P vbc’a xcbk kts tf jrxfv wf ab vlccfg. Coafg atlcxlcu jybea la, atf bcis qbrrlylilas P mjc mbwf eq klat lr atja tf kjcar ab obgwjiis gfpfma wf. P vbc’a gfjiis ecvfgrajcv ragjluta uesr, yea P uefrr atfs’gf jii ilxf atlr. Ktfs jikjsr rjs atlcur atja mjc yf fjrlis wlrecvfgrabbv, ilxf rjslcu “Jjwf ab rff sbe,” ktlmt mbeivc’a qbrrlyis wfjc rfflcu wf, yea atfs lcrlra bc rjslcu la.
Because straight guys saying these things carries no pressure, I understand. It’s like how a straight guy might kiss another straight guy’s face to express strong gratitude or say “I love you.” They do it casually, causing a lot of distress for gay people.
If I get rejected, will I still continue to like him?
The answer is, of course, I shouldn’t continue to like him. Continuing to like him would be impolite; it’s not a joking matter but a reality. The diary has caused him trouble, but luckily he found it. If someone else had found it, everyone would know that he was being secretly admired by someone, and no one would like that feeling.
Should I try a normal romantic relationship?
At this point, Mai Dong paused in his writing, his mind contemplating how to start a normal romantic relationship.
Du Chuan suddenly exclaimed, “Woah, it seems like Yan Xuming is in a relationship ah!”
Mai Dong sat up straight, an invisible antenna erecting on his head, automatically tuning in to any information about Yan Xuming.
Du Chuan and Yan Xuming were acquaintances, having had meals together. Du Chuan’s girlfriend was also friends with Yan Xuming. The news of Yan Xuming’s relationship was relayed to Du Chuan by his girlfriend, and Du Chuan was broadcasting it in the dormitory.
“I knew it! Why would Yan Xuming come to help with the Hanfu Club? It turns out, it’s for Qiangwei.”
Qiangwei.
Mai Dong found the name somewhat familiar, but he couldn’t recall where he had seen it.
Du Chuan quickly clarified this puzzle for him, “Ai, Mai-zi, you should have seen it that day. I heard Yan Xuming went to your debate competition?”
With the reminder, Mai Dong quickly remembered. Liu Qiangwei, the name of the first speaker on the opposing team during the debate competition. Her name tag was right in front of Mai Dong. What was the appearance of the girl sitting behind that name tag? Neat short hair, delicate makeup, articulate speech, and a strong presence.
On the day of Hanfu Club’s recruitment, Liu Qiangwei was also present. With short hair and dressed in male attire. She exuded a heroic and striking aura, captivating both men and women alike. Her popularity was comparable to Yan Xuming.
Mai Dong felt a sudden clarity; everything that seemed perplexing now had an explanation. So that’s how it was, that’s it. It turned out that Yan Xuming went to see Liu Qiangwei.
Mai Dong wasn’t in the mood to listen to what his roommates were saying at that moment.
At this very moment, Mai Dong genuinely felt that Yan Xuming was a scoundrel. Clearly, he went to see Liu Qiangwei. Why did he have to claim he was there to see him?
He was just having a crush, not a foolish person without dignity!
Mai Dong was very angry. In frustration, he forcefully marked a heavy ink dot in his diary and continued to complete today’s entry.
Should I try a normal romantic relationship?
Yan Xuming, you bastard!
After writing these words, Mai Dong slammed the diary shut, conveniently tucked it into a corner out of sight, and then lay on his bed, feeling depressed and distressed.
Dr. God Mai felt quite aggrieved in his heart.
This couldn’t be a coincidence. Yan Xuming is the vice president of the student union, and judging from what Du Chuan said, he doesn’t have a close relationship with Du Chuan’s girlfriend. So, going to the Hanfu Club’s recruitment was probably for someone specific.
Regarding the debate, Mai Dong never believed Yan Xuming’s statement about coming to watch him. On the last day of the National Day holiday, if not for someone specific, who would waste their time going to an insignificant little debate?
It turns out it was for Liu Qiangwei.
Mai Dong is quite a principled person. He won’t vent his anger on the innocent Liu Qiangwei, but he genuinely feels that Yan Xuming is a scoundrel.
What’s this? He clearly knows that Mai Dong has a crush on him, and he’s dating Liu Qiangwei, yet he still says such things.
Even though he was internally ranting at Yan Xuming, labeling him as a scoundrel and a scumbag, deep down, Mai Dong was constantly contradicting himself. He couldn’t believe that Yan Xuming was truly such a person.
What if it’s a misunderstanding?
Mai Dong has always known that Yan Xuming is a considerate and warm-hearted person. He indeed might have gone to help with the Hanfu Club’s recruitment simply because a friend asked for help, not necessarily for Liu Qiangwei. He might have genuinely come to watch Mai Dong due to curiosity about the secret admirer, not necessarily for Liu Qiangwei.
In this internal struggle between seeing Yan Xuming as a bad person and a good person, Mai Dong’s mind became a tangled mess. Eventually, with a sigh, he covered his head and drifted into sleep.
In the dream, Yan Xuming and Liang Qiangwei were holding hands in front of him. Yan Xuming smiled and warmly called out to Mai Dong, using the nickname “Mai-zi,” just like his roommates. He said, “Mai-zi, let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend, Qiangwei.”
Mai Dong lowered his head, reluctant to witness their affectionate display. In his heart, he muttered, “Mai-zi, Qiangwei, are you running a botanical garden? With Mai-zi and Qiangwei, the two cannot exist together!”
Despite that, Mai Dong managed to adjust his emotions and smiled, offering his blessings, “I heard from my roommates. I’m glad you two are together.” His face smiled brightly, but deep down, there was a lingering bitterness, like aged vinegar spilled, creating a strong fragrance for ten miles.
Waking up in the morning, Mai Dong looked in the mirror, his face full of resentment. He quickly rubbed his face to adjust to a normal expression.
Feeling a bit emotionally charged from last night, Mai Dong wanted to discreetly find out if Yan Xuming was truly together with Liu Qiangwei.
While brushing his teeth, Mai Dong casually sidled up to Du Chuan and nonchalantly said, “Hey, last night it seemed like I heard you say Yan Xuming and Liu Qiangwei are together.”
Du Chuan had a mouthful of toothpaste, speaking unclearly, “Hmm ah, my girlfriend saw it on her friend’s Moments, but who knows if it’s true or not.”
Mai Dong further inquired, “Why do you say that ah?”
Du Chuan replied, “Think about your debate competition. It’s not a major event organized by the school, just a casual thing. No one really goes to watch. Yan Xuming is a busy person. He must be there to see someone. By process of elimination, your team’s third speaker is not single, and in Liu Qiangwei’s team, the other girl is romantically involved with their class monitor. That leaves only Liu Qiangwei.”
Mai Dong felt unconvinced. Why should it be only Liang Qiangwei?
Is Yan Xuming really going to a debate just for a girl? These people have such shallow thinking. Maybe he just enjoys debating, or maybe… maybe Yan Xuming went to watch Mai Dong! Mai Dong!
But he only thought about it and, of course, wouldn’t say it out loud.
Brushing his teeth with a dejected air, deep down, he actually agreed with Du Chuan’s words.
Isn’t it just Liu Qiangwei left?
Mai Dong held back for a while but couldn’t resist in the end.
He was acting unusually. In the past, he would have definitely held back and never uttered such inexplicable words.
Biting onto his toothbrush, he muttered under his breath, “He said he went to see me.”
Du Chuan didn’t catch that, “Huh?” He asked.
Mai Dong lost his courage again, blinked innocently, and said, “Huh?”
Du Chuan spat out the mouthwash, “What did you just say?”
Mai Dong shook his head, “I didn’t say anything. You must have misheard.”
awww it’s totally normal to be jealous!! i just hope the misunderstanding (if it’s one) will be cleared during their date
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
I’m surprised he said that it’s common for straight guys to kiss each others’ faces. This takes place in China, right? I thought that was more common in France (American speaking, so 🤷♀️
Ahahah, he’s jealous babe!!!!
Thank you for your translation 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Hold in there bubu! QAQ
Thank You for the new chapter (｢･ω･)｢♥
Aii look at this cutie patootie getting depressed before knowing which one is the truth. Hopefully yan xuming isn’t a scummy guy fr!