Wilderness Vegetation Extra 5

Extra 5

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The day before his roommate's wedding, Xu Yan returned to his hometown early and went to the bridal store with the other two groomsmen to try on their suits.

The suits had been selected based on their measurements from a couple of months ago, and while they had tried them on before, it was possible that someone might have gained or lost a few pounds since then. So, they decided to try them on again today.

Xu Yan hadn't gained weight, in fact, he had lost some, and the white shirt inside was a bit loose on him.

"What are you doing, why are you losing weight all of a sudden?" one of his roommates asked.

"Been working out," Xu Yan replied with a smile, lifting the hem of his suit to show off his abs, "See?"

His roommate touched his abs, "Come on, these abs are even smaller than when you were in university, how can someone's abs shrink with more exercise?"

Xu Yan didn't say anything further and just smiled, putting on the suit jacket.

Of course it wasn't because of working out, it was actually because a relative of Shen Zhi had passed away recently, and Shen Zhi had been in low spirits. One night, after drinking at a social event, he caught a cold from being outside in the wind.

For Xu Yan, 'catching a cold' and 'Shen Zhi catching a cold' were entirely different matters – apart from having a bad stomach, Shen Zhi rarely fell ill, but when he did, it would take at least half a month to recover. At the time, Xu Yan had been swamped with a major project and was working around the clock. After coming home from working overtime, he had to make nourishing late-night snacks for Shen Zhi and then continue working in his study.

Mr. Shen, this sick and delicate flower, lived up to expectations, recovering after half a month. Under Xu Yan's care, he showed no signs of withering and was looking as radiant as ever. Xu Yan, on the other hand, had lost a little more weight.

While the others were choosing their bow ties in the changing room, Xu Yan was in the lobby drinking water and eating desserts. His phone rang, and he stared at the screen showing "A Shen Zhi" – It must be fake, Shen Zhi wouldn't usually call, his assistant would handle any issues.

Even if it was fake, Xu Yan answered the call, his voice tight, "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Shen Zhi asked.

"I'm... near my place," Xu Yan replied, stumbling over his words. "I mentioned it last night, you might not have caught it, but my roommate is getting married tomorrow, so I..."

Shen Zhi interrupted him, "Specific location."

"At the bridal store trying on groomsmen outfits, why..." Xu Yan paused suddenly, then stood up from his chair, "Are you here?"

Shen Zhi also paused for a moment before replying, "Mhmm, I'm taking care of some things."

Although it was clear that Shen Zhi hadn't come specifically for him, Xu Yan was still pleased, and his voice carried a hint of happiness. "I'll send you the location, or should I send it to the driver?"

"I'm driving myself."

"?" Usually, if it was for business, it would be the driver driving.

Xu Yan asked, "Did you come alone?"

"Address," Shen Zhi repeated, ignoring the question. Xu Yan then obediently sent the location.

In the evening, the traffic was a bit heavy, and it took Shen Zhi over half an hour to arrive. Xu Yan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of the bridal store, waiting. One of the store assistants joked that he looked like he was waiting for the bride.

When the familiar car pulled up outside, Shen Zhi got out, and Xu Yan immediately pushed open the door to go out.

The sunset was particularly beautiful that day. Shen Zhi, still in his suit, looked tall and elegant, with his fair and aloof face bathed in the warm light, like a winter oil painting.

Xu Yan stood quietly on the steps, watching Shen Zhi walk towards him.

"It doesn't suit you," Shen Zhi said as he got closer, giving Xu Yan a faint glance of assessment.

The splash of cold water was timely, otherwise, Xu Yan might have been immersed in a beautiful fantasy and unable to come out.

"I agree," Xu Yan replied with a smile. "It still fit two months ago, but now I guess I've lost a bit of weight, so it doesn't fit as well."

Shen Zhi's expression paused for a moment, as he thought of something unknown.

Xu Yan took a deep breath of the evening air, stuck his hands in his pockets, and said, "Let's go inside and have a drink."

His roommates were stunned to see Shen Zhi. Xu Yan handed Shen Zhi a drink and explained, "He's here on business and decided to stop by."

Xu Yan had automatically translated Shen Zhi's "taking care of some things" into "stopping by the bridal store." He was very self-aware, clearly, between the two of them, Shen Zhi's business was more important, and as for what 'taking care of some things' was, it was obvious.

The photographer approached with a DSLR. "Shall we take a few photos first?"

"Okay," the roommates said. They turned to Xu Yan and Shen Zhi with a mischievous look. "Xu Yan, why don't you two take a photo first? You're both in suits, so it's quite fitting."

"Take a photo?" Xu Yan looked at Shen Zhi with bright eyes. Shen Zhi furrowed his brow slightly, and before he could speak, Xu Yan leaned a little closer and said to the photographer, "Let's do it like this."

The photographer responded quickly, lifting the camera without adjusting any settings, and clicked a shot.

The result was unexpectedly good. Both of them looked at the camera, dressed in suits, one with a smile, the other with a calm expression. Xu Yan was slightly leaning towards Shen Zhi, their shoulders touching, and the gentle glow of the sunset coming through the window illuminated their profiles.

Before Shen Zhi could show any displeasure, Xu Yan sensibly moved away and said, "Wait for me, I'm going to take a group photo with them."

Shen Zhi just looked at his back, his lips pressed together with no expression.

The wedding day happened to be Valentine's Day. Xu Yan was busy with the wedding preparations and was exhausted. He also had no idea what Shen Zhi's "taking care of some things" involved or if it was done.

As the default best man's family member, Shen Zhi was also invited to the wedding. When the bride and groom were making their vows on stage, Xu Yan stood at the edge of the stage, looking towards the guest seats. He saw Shen Zhi sitting in the dim light, facing towards him, as if watching him, but maybe not.

This was one of the few Valentine's Days they had spent together. Xu Yan should have been happy, but as he listened to the groom and bride's emotional vows, he felt a sudden weariness in his heart.

By the time the wedding ended, it was very late, and Shen Zhi drove Xu Yan home.

As the car was waiting in the queue at the toll booth, Shen Zhi glanced at Xu Yan, who was dozing off in the passenger seat. Seeing him leaning his head against the window, Shen Zhi reached over and adjusted his neck.

Xu Yan opened his eyes blankly, stared for a moment, and then took out a slightly wilted rose from his coat pocket – the boutonnière from his groomsman suit.

"For you," Xu Yan placed the flower on the centre console, "Happy Valentine's Day."

Shen Zhi glanced at it but said nothing.

"Are you upset that I didn't get you a gift?" Xu Yan mumbled with a half-sleepy chuckle. "You didn't get me anything either, so it's even, and I even gave you an extra rose."

A car in front of them moved onto the highway, and Shen Zhi released the brake, driving forward a couple of meters before stopping again. He then leaned towards the passenger seat, his fingers resting on Xu Yan's chin, and kissed the corner of his mouth.

Shen Zhi sat back upright, one hand on the steering wheel, and said, "Even."

Xu Yan maintained his position, twisting his head to look at Shen Zhi. After several seconds, he let out an "Oh," and turned to look out the window. Shortly after, he lowered the window, as if feeling warm.

The bright light from the toll booth streamed in, and Xu Yan stubbornly gazed outside, leaving Shen Zhi with just his back and slightly reddened ears.

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Merry Christmas! 🎅🎄

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: October 22, 2024 by Angel

Edited: October 27, 2024 by Angel