Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 14

Chapter 14 

Although Zhang Shixu had said he’d return by the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, he didn’t get back to school until right before classes resumed on Monday.

Qi Junhe wasn’t pleased—he’d been looking forward to seeing Zhang Shixu sooner. But like always, he still went to the Computer Science building to wait for him after class.

By now, most people knew about their relationship. Chen Nan and Zhang Yan, who often passed by, would nod or casually greet Qi Junhe whenever they saw him lingering outside the lecture hall.

“Waiting for Zhang Shixu again?” Chen Nan asked as he left with Jin Heng.

Qi Junhe nodded in response.

“He’s still packing up,” Chen Nan said, gesturing toward the classroom door. “It’s chilly—why don’t you wait inside?”

Qi Junhe smiled in thanks and headed in.

Having been around him long enough, Chen Nan had picked up bits of sign language. He watched him go, then turned back to Jin Heng. “What do you want for lunch?”

“You decide,” Jin Heng replied.

“I feel like Chang Xiangyue,” Chen Nan said thoughtfully.

Jin Heng frowned. “You’ve been eating too much spicy food lately. Bad for your throat.”

Chen Nan rolled his eyes. “Then you pick.”

“You decide,” Jin Heng repeated without a hint of irony.

Chen Nan gave him a look. “Do you have a death wish?”

They bickered their way to Jinfuzhai, Jin Heng’s family-owned tea restaurant, to settle things over dim sum.

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Shixu was doing everything he could to coax Qi Junhe out of his mood.

“Still mad?” he asked, looping his arm through Qi Junhe’s.

“You’re ignoring me again?” he whined, leaning in close, trying to tease a reaction out of him like a persistent little bird chirping in his ear.

Eventually, Qi Junhe cracked a smile.

“Come on, don’t be upset,” Zhang Shixu grinned, sensing victory. “Please, baby.”

Qi Junhe signed back with a pout, You promised to come back on the fourth day.

“I know, I’m sorry,” Zhang Shixu said, rubbing his arm apologetically. “An old high school friend dragged me out and time got away from me.”

That made Qi Junhe even more upset. Those friends—most of them Alphas—could ask Zhang Shixu to hang out anytime. But for Qi Junhe, Zhang was the only person in his world.

He had no one else.

And deep down, he feared that maybe his world wasn’t enough for Zhang Shixu.

Zhang waved a hand in front of him. “Hey, still in a daze? Forgive me, okay?”

After a long pause, Qi Junhe finally gave in and nodded. The two went off to eat together.

It didn’t matter how lonely or quiet his world was—having Zhang Shixu in it was enough.

…

Time flew. Before they knew it, March had arrived—along with Qi Junhe’s 18th birthday.

For someone like Qi Junhe, turning 18 wasn’t just a milestone. It was a public event. A formal coming-of-age celebration. As Xu Canyang’s grandson, there was no avoiding the spotlight.

Lately, he’d been holed up in the music room, practicing cello. Zhang Shixu learned there was going to be a solo performance at the banquet.

Qi Junhe had tried protesting, but Xu Xinyi had just smiled, eyes closed, ignoring it.

Zhang Shixu: …well, good luck arguing with that.

So while Qi Junhe practiced with single-minded focus, Zhang Shixu often sat nearby, quietly watching him play. He admired how serious and graceful he looked while performing—completely immersed.

After finishing a piece, Qi Junhe looked up at him, eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“That was beautiful,” Zhang Shixu said honestly. “Way more polished than the first time I heard you.”

Qi Junhe beamed and walked over, signing, What are you getting me for my birthday?

Zhang smirked. “Guess.”

Qi Junhe thought hard—he’d been wondering for weeks.

No clue.

Zhang chuckled. “You’ll find out soon.”

He ruffled Qi Junhe’s hair, tugged his ear, and asked, “Still want to practice?”

Qi Junhe laid down on his lap with a shake of his head.

“Wanna go for a walk?”

Since he’d started preparing for the solo, their days had become repetitive: class, cafeteria, dorm, music room.

Qi Junhe took a deep breath and finally nodded.

At the door, Zhang Shixu noticed Qi Junhe was only wearing a thin sweater. He grabbed a jacket and draped it over his shoulders, muttering like an overbearing parent, “It’s still cold—don’t catch a chill.”

As he fastened the buttons, Qi Junhe suddenly reached out and cupped Zhang Shixu’s chin, pulling his gaze upward.

“What’s wrong?” Zhang asked.

Instead of answering, Qi Junhe leaned in and kissed him—gently but with intent.

“Mm—!” Whatever Zhang Shixu was going to say vanished into the kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, Zhang’s face was red. “W-We’re supposed to be going for a walk!”

He pushed Qi Junhe out the door, hand-in-hand.

Qi Junhe’s fingers were long and his grip always warm. Zhang liked the way his hand fit perfectly inside his.

As they strolled toward the lake, they unexpectedly ran into Zhou Ying.

Tian Tian spotted them first. “Senior!”

Zhang Shixu, who’d been nestled in Qi Junhe’s arms, flinched at the voice. He peeked up and realized who it was.

He froze for a moment, then greeted them. “Oh, what a coincidence.”

Zhou Ying’s gaze landed on their clasped hands. “You two are together?”

Zhang Shixu hesitated for half a second but then nodded, not bothering to hide.

“This is my boyfriend, Qi Junhe.”

Qi Junhe seemed reassured by the introduction and squeezed his hand.

Zhang Shixu exhaled, relieved. He hadn’t expected to run into an ex today.

“Congratulations,” Zhou Ying said emotionlessly, then turned to leave.

“Hey, I haven’t even said hi yet—bye, Senior!” Tian Tian waved before being dragged off.

Zhang waved back with a smile.

Qi Junhe stayed quiet.

“Jealous?” Zhang nudged him playfully.

Qi Junhe stayed silent and walked ahead.

“Really?” Zhang caught up. “You are jealous, huh!”

Still nothing.

Zhang sighed dramatically. “So sad… if only someone wanted to know the truth. That Zhou Ying and I barely held hands, and—”

Before he could finish, Qi Junhe spun around and kissed him—hard and full of emotion.

Zhang’s knees nearly gave out, and he clung to Qi Junhe’s arms as the Alpha kissed him like he never wanted to let go.

When it ended, Zhang was breathless, nestled against his chest.

“You’re my first love,” he whispered. “So don’t be jealous.”

Qi Junhe’s ears flushed red, and he looked away, embarrassed.

“Still not jealous?” Zhang teased.

Qi Junhe nodded solemnly.

“…Right.”

Zhang pulled away and walked ahead. “Clearly, someone’s very secure in their position!”

Qi Junhe caught up and gave his earlobe a playful bite.

“Ah—ow! You dog!”

They strolled on, just another couple in love on campus.

…

March 22nd.

The big day arrived—Qi Junhe’s 18th birthday.

The event was held at the Qi family’s villa. Though the guest list wasn’t massive, every attendee mattered. Business elites, political figures—people who needed to know the heir of the Xu family had officially come of age.

Zhang Shixu was swept off to get styled the moment he arrived.

Xu Xinyi checked over both boys like a general inspecting her troops.

“You need to be dressed up too,” she said to Zhang Shixu firmly.

He was shoved into another room where stylists worked their magic.

“You’re so beautiful,” one makeup artist sighed. “I thought you were an Omega at first.”

Zhang just chuckled. He’d heard it before.

When handed a white tailored suit Xu Xinyi had picked herself, he said nothing and changed into it.

Once ready, he passed a mirror and paused.

He looked… elegant. Almost like it was his birthday.

He eventually found his way back to Qi Junhe’s room—just as Junhe emerged.

Zhang was momentarily stunned.

With his hair slicked back and his suit perfectly cut, Qi Junhe looked like the lead in some coming-of-age movie—powerful, refined, magnetic.

For the first time, Zhang truly felt the difference between them.

But then Qi Junhe looked up, saw him, and smiled the same familiar smile.

Do I look good? he signed.

“You look amazing,” Zhang whispered.

The banquet soon began. Qi Junhe made his formal entrance with his parents.

While guests whispered and toasted, Zhang Shixu quietly stood by the snack table, eating cake to soothe his nerves.

Eventually, Xu Xinyi found him.

“Is it good?” she asked with a warm smile.

Zhang nodded, mouth full. “Really good.”

“Then come with me for a bit,” she said, dragging him off to meet the socialites.

Introduced as “Junhe’s friend,” Zhang was immediately swarmed with compliments.

“So handsome,” one lady remarked. “Is he Omega?”

Xu Xinyi’s smile turned cold. “No, he’s not.”

That shut down the probing questions.

Zhang, uncomfortable, excused himself and slipped into the garden.

He texted Qi Junhe:
z: I’m in the garden.

After a while, Qi Junhe appeared, a bit tipsy.

“Waited long?” he asked.

“No,” Zhang replied, helping him to a bench.

He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket and handed it over.

Qi Junhe opened it with shaking hands—a pair of silver rings, slightly imperfect.

Zhang Shixu looked at his expression. “You don’t like them?”

Qi Junhe shook his head quickly, eyes glistening.

He’d gotten dozens of fancy gifts tonight, but none meant more than this.

Zhang smiled. “I made them myself. That day I didn’t reply to you? I was in the workshop.”

Qi Junhe remembered.

Zhang took out one ring. “Yours has my name in it. Mine has yours.”

He handed it to Qi Junhe. “Put it on me?”

Qi Junhe was crying now. Silently, he slipped the ring onto Zhang’s finger.

Zhang interlaced their hands. “Happy birthday, baby. We’ll always be together.”

Qi Junhe couldn’t hold back the tears.

Zhang laughed and wiped them away. “Why are you crying? Is this a trend now—crying on your birthday?”

Was that a proposal? Qi Junhe signed.

Zhang grinned. “Yeah. We’re engaged now. You officially claimed me the moment you turned eighteen.”

In that moment, Qi Junhe felt like the luckiest person alive.

Because how many people get to spend forever with the first person they ever loved?