Extra 5: Late-Night Conversations

The stars were beginning to twinkle as the night crept in, painting the sky a deep indigo. Shen Yu and Lu Zhixuan lay side by side on the grass behind the school, the world around them quiet and still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was a perfect, peaceful evening—one of those rare nights where the chaos of the world seemed miles away.

Shen Yu stared up at the sky, his hands resting behind his head, fingers brushing the cool blades of grass. "You know, I've always wanted to travel," he said, his voice soft and thoughtful. "I want to see the world—Japan, Italy, the beaches in Greece... There's so much out there that I want to experience."

Lu Zhixuan, lying next to him, turned his head to look at him, his face half-lit by the glow of the moon. "You're going to drag me along with you, right?" he asked, his voice playful but with a hint of genuine curiosity.

Shen Yu chuckled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Of course. What kind of travel buddy would I be if I didn't drag my favorite person along?"

Lu Zhixuan's grin widened, but instead of teasing him, he just looked at Shen Yu for a long moment. "You're serious about this," he observed quietly.

Shen Yu nodded, turning his gaze to the stars. "Yeah. I mean, there's so much to see, and I don't want to spend my life wondering what it would have been like to see those places. I want to experience it all. I want to live without regrets."

There was a long pause. For a moment, the only sound was the wind whispering through the trees. Lu Zhixuan shifted beside him, his hand subtly reaching out to brush against Shen Yu's, his fingers lingering there for a moment longer than necessary. When Shen Yu didn't pull away, Lu Zhixuan gently laced his fingers through his, the simple touch sending a warmth flooding through Shen Yu's chest.

"You know," Lu Zhixuan began, his voice more serious now, "I've never really thought about traveling much. I guess I've been so focused on other things that I never gave it much attention."

Shen Yu tilted his head, glancing at Lu Zhixuan out of the corner of his eye. "You're telling me you've never wanted to go anywhere?"

Lu Zhixuan shrugged, a playful glint returning to his eyes. "Not really. But maybe... if I was going to go somewhere, I'd go with you."

Shen Yu felt his heart skip a beat at the thought, but he played it cool. "Huh. Well, good thing I'm planning on dragging you along," he teased, nudging Lu Zhixuan with his elbow.

Lu Zhixuan laughed softly, the sound so warm and real that it made Shen Yu's stomach flutter. There was something about the way Lu Zhixuan's eyes softened when he looked at him, something that made the air around them feel warmer, more intimate. It wasn't just the playful teasing—it was the way he listened, the way he cared without saying much, the way his presence made everything feel like it was exactly where it should be.

Shen Yu shifted, sitting up slightly to prop himself on his elbows, still holding Lu Zhixuan's hand. "What about you, though? What's your dream?"

Lu Zhixuan took a moment to think, then smiled. "I guess... I've always wanted to do something that matters. You know? Something that isn't just... going through the motions. But I'm not sure what that is yet. Maybe I'll figure it out."

Shen Yu nodded, understanding. "Yeah. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who's figured out what I want. The future's a little scary when you don't know what you're working toward."

Lu Zhixuan gave a quiet chuckle, squeezing his hand. "You're not the only one. But maybe that's why it's nice—talking like this, without worrying too much about what comes next. We don't have to figure everything out right away."

Shen Yu smiled, feeling the weight of his words sink in. He hadn't realized how much he needed these quiet, peaceful moments until now. The world felt simpler when it was just the two of them, lying under the stars, talking about nothing and everything at the same time.

They both fell into a comfortable silence, letting the night wrap around them. Shen Yu felt more at ease than he had in a long time, as though nothing could touch them here, in this little bubble they'd created. The world felt far away, and all that mattered was the soft brush of his fingers against Lu Zhixuan's, the sound of his breathing, and the warmth that grew between them with each passing moment.

"I'm glad I'm with you," Shen Yu said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "I don't think I'd want to be anywhere else."

Lu Zhixuan turned his head toward him, his gaze softening even more, his lips curving into a small but sincere smile. "Me too, Shen Yu. Me too."

They sat there, their hands still entwined, the moments passing slowly but perfectly, as if time itself had decided to give them a break. Shen Yu felt that quiet happiness settle deep in his chest—the kind of happiness that came not from big gestures or declarations, but from these simple, everyday moments that felt like they could last forever.

And, for once, Shen Yu didn't feel the need to rush. He didn't need to have all the answers, didn't need to know what the future held. As long as he had these moments with Lu Zhixuan—these late-night conversations under the stars—he was content. And for the first time in a long time, Shen Yu felt like he could truly say that he was at peace.