Date: March 2, X Year
Clear weather
Today, Wu Yunfei suddenly mentioned craving skewers. As a native Northerner, my immediate thought was charcoal-grilled lamb skewers.
Speaking of skewers from my childhood, they were always from roadside stalls. Due to concerns about us getting upset stomachs from eating unclean food, our family repeatedly warned us not to eat such things. However, as kids, we all had a rebellious streak, and the more our parents prohibited something, the more we wanted it.
I remember back in junior high school, I casually mentioned to this guy that I wanted to eat skewers. Surprisingly, without saying a word, he actually rode his motorcycle to buy them for me. Later, he discreetly handed them to me through the window and even considerately disposed of the skewers to eliminate any evidence.
We thought our actions went unnoticed, but in the end, our parents found out and scolded us severely.
Afterward, we analyzed it, and it was probably because the smell of the skewers was too strong. Even with open windows, the odor couldn’t dissipate, leading to the discovery of our secret indulgence.
For a considerable period after that, I didn’t eat skewers. It wasn’t until my family eased up on restrictions, that I went on my own a few times. Strangely, it never tasted quite the same, as if it wasn’t as delicious as the first time.
He said it’s the thrill of eating in secret. Back then, worried about being caught, the adrenaline rush during the illicit feast made the skewers taste exceptionally good.
“Thinking about it, you’re quite lucky. Most people would probably feel sick after eating cold skewers, but you didn’t have any issues,” he said. “Luckily, you’re fine; otherwise, I’d probably have been beaten to death by my dad.”
Curious, I asked him why, and he told me that in his dad’s eyes, I’ve always been the legendary kid from someone else’s family. Anytime something out of the ordinary happened, it was assumed that he corrupted me.
“Sometimes, I suspect you’re actually his biological son. His bias is even reaching the maternal side,” he teased.
Hearing him say that, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
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.
“Tbeg vjv lr gluta; sbe vlv mbggeqa wf. Snfgs alwf P uba rmbivfv, la kjr yfmjerf bo sbeg lcoiefcmf,” P mtemxifv.
Lf gbiifv tlr fsfr ja wf jcv rjlv, “P fcglmtfv sbeg mtlivtbbv fzqfglfcmfr. Qlatbea atja ecvfgtjcvfv fcnlgbcwfca, sbe’v qgbyjyis tjnf aegcfv lcab j kflgvb lc rlifcmf.”
Ktlcxlcu jybea la, wbra bo ws obcv mtlivtbbv wfwbglfr jgf rbwftbk gfijafv ab atlr ues.
“Well, I should thank you then,” I said.
“Verbal thanks lack sincerity. How about treating me to a meal?” he grinned. “Yesterday when I ordered takeout, I discovered a roadside stall nearby. Although it’s an indoor place, it has that street food atmosphere.”
Hearing the words “roadside stall,” something stirred inside me.
It’s been ages since I last had food from a roadside stall! One reason was that work kept me too busy, and I didn’t have time to wait in line. Another concern was being seen by someone who might spread rumors like me falling into a financial crisis again.
Even in a crisis, I wouldn’t degrade myself to the point of only affording roadside stall food, right? It’s just a personal interest!
“With your dressed-up appearance, people will notice you even in such places. If you want to go to these down-to-earth places, you should dress a bit down-to-earth,” he laughed. “How did you dress when you were alone in Japan? Just stick to that style.”
I chuckled but didn’t say anything.
Recalling my past, during my time in Japan, I went out every day wearing otaku T-shirts, even more eye-catching than my current attire. If I really went out like that, I’d probably be trending in no time.
Wu Yunfei thought for a moment and asked if I wanted to wear his clothes.
“People have fixed impressions of you, so as long as your style changes a bit, others might not recognize you,” he said.
I thought he had a point.
However, for some reason, just thinking about wearing this guy’s clothes made my cheeks feel a bit hot, and my heart raced uncontrollably.
“Don’t be nervous. If needed, I can even provide you with a wig. I guarantee no one will recognize you,” he said.
My expression must have looked dumbfounded, and he laughed again, that kind of sneaky laughter where he suppressed it with his mouth.
Unintentionally, my gaze shifted toward his wardrobe, and I noticed that I’d seen him wear almost all the clothes inside.
“You’re a bit taller than me. Try these on,” he said, tossing two pieces of clothing to me.
The combination felt familiar; I think he wore it the day I went to the bar to pick him up.
Thinking about the ambiguous atmosphere in the bar, I absentmindedly looked out of the window.
Perhaps because spring had arrived, the sunlight today seemed exceptionally radiant,
giving a warm feeling.
He suddenly reached out and patted my shoulder, and I shivered as if an electric shock passed through me.
“What are you thinking?” he asked. “Don’t tell me you suddenly remembered some work you haven’t completed.”
“No, I just feel that the sunlight is nice today. Will it be too hot wearing so much?” I said.
I always thought I was someone who couldn’t lie, but unexpectedly, in this situation, the lie slipped out.
“Ever heard of dressing for the season? If it’s hot, you can take it off. But if you’re cold, there’s nothing you can do,” he laughed. “Do you want to prance around in the street like an idiot to keep warm?”
“You’re the idiot,” I retorted.
He didn’t mind, happily pushing me to change clothes.
In my room, after closing the door, I took a deep breath.
Why do I suddenly feel a somewhat shy emotion towards someone so familiar?
Looking at the clothes in my hands, I inexplicably moved closer and took a whiff.
Perhaps because this guy likes using scented detergent, the scent was the same, but it smelled especially good on his clothes.
Collecting myself, I put on the clothes he gave me.
On him, it was a loose fit, but on me, it was just the right size.
In a daze, I remembered the last time I wore his clothes. Back then, I was still in elementary school, and one time when I went to play with him, I accidentally got my clothes wet. With no other option, I had to temporarily wear his clothes.
At that time, his clothes on me were loose and baggy, like a bathrobe. He even teased me for being a short little dwarf. …Did I grow taller than him without realizing it?
