Ex-boyfriend

Xu Yue received a postcard from Nigeria.

　　The photo on the front-side was of a group of antelopes galloping through a grassland. The shot was perfectly timed. It had captured the agility of the antelopes. A dew drop that barely clung to a blade of grass shone iridescently in the sun. There was nothing on the back save for a messily scribbled line: “All is well. Don’t worry.”

　　From the scribble it seems like the man was in a hurry to go on a date or something, so he could write only a few perfunctory words.

Xu Yue also has a date to go to. A few years back, he came out to his family. But that didn’t deter his parents from forcing him to go on blind dates, only that his blind dates are men now. This time the blind date is with a middle school teacher with a good temper. He was informed that the teacher has an excellent appearance to boot.

Even though Xu Yue wasn’t keen, he didn’t wish to be discourteous. So, he left work early in the afternoon and planned to change his clothes before going to the date. He entered the elevator holding the postcard and pressed the number “11″. He lives in room number 1102, a small suite with two bedrooms and one living room. It will take him twenty years to repay the loan.

　　When Xu Yue reached the door, he entered a string of numbers to unlock it. When the door opened, he spotted an unfamiliar pair of men’s shoes in the hallway. Light brown, pointed toe, a couple of inches smaller than his own.

　　Xu Yue calmly picked up the pair of shoes and put them on the shoe rack before going into the living room.

　　There was a man sitting on the sofa in the living room.

　　A young and handsome man. He sat there with his legs folded. When his wanton gaze fell on Xu Yue, his eyes were like the sun shining outside the window.

　“A’Yue[3] ,” he said, “Long time no see.”

　　Xu Yue looked at him and felt that the world wasn’t as bleak[4] as the novels made it out to be. He just said calmly, “Hello, Chu Yi.”

　　Like in countless dreams, Chu Yi smiled at him.

　　Xu Yue asked, “When did you return?”

Chu Yi clearly didn’t consider himself to be an outsider. He had already prepared tea for himself. While sipping from a fine white porcelain cup, he said, “I came back two days ago. I went to my hometown before coming to see you.”

“How did you get in?”

　　Chu Yi smiled and said, “The password is my birthday. Can’t I come in?”

He looked at Xu Yue with ink-colored eyes and a childlike innocence in his expression.

He said, “A’Yue, I missed you a lot.”

　　Chu Yi was a casual flirt and Xu Yue didn’t take him seriously. He looked at the postcard in his hand and asked, “Didn’t you pursue a freelance photographer all the way to Africa? Where is he?”

　“Freelance photographer? Who?” Chu Yi thought for a while before remembering, “Oh, you mean Alan? It’s been a while since we broke up. I can’t even recall his face now.”

　　Xu Yue handed him the postcard. “Isn’t this (photo) your ex-boyfriend’s work? It was sent from Lagos last month.”

　　Chu Yi glanced at the postcard. His expression was unchanged as he replied, “That was a month ago.”

　　That tone seemed to have passed through a lifetime.

　　Xu Yue had no choice but to say, “Yes, that’s enough time for you to change your lovers a hundred times.”

　　Chu Yi burst out laughing. He laughed enough before he got up from the sofa, stepped into his slippers and walked up to Xu Yue. He was slightly shorter than Xu Yue. When the two of them stood facing each other, Xu Yue could just see Chu Yi’s black eyebrows. In the past when they were still together, Xu Yue loved to kiss Chu Yi’s brow bone repeatedly, until that spot turned red.

　　Chu Yi put both of his hands on Xu Yue’s shoulders. His warm breath brushed Xu Yue’s cheeks as he asked, “A’Yue, don’t you want me?”

　　Xu Yue pulled Chu Yi’s hand away and said, “I have to go out. I have a date tonight.”

　“Who is the date with? Man or woman?”

　“Man, blind date.”

　“Are you really going?”

　　Xu Yue asked, “Why not?”

　　He went into the bedroom and changed his clothes. When wearing the tie, Chu Yi leaned against the door and looked at him. With his face half in light and the other shrouded in darkness, he said, “No need to dress up. You look good already.”

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　　Xu Yue ignored him.

　　Chu Yi continued, “It just so happens that I have to go out to eat. Can you take me with you? Just drop me off at the city centre.”

　　It was actually early. But Xu Yue didn’t wish to be in the same room with Chu Yi any longer. After he changed his clothes, he said, “Let’s go.”

　　Chu Yi followed him to the door and sat on the low stool in the hallway to tie his shoelaces. Xu Yue caught a glimpse of him working the two knots. After so many years, he still can’t tie his shoes.

　　In the past, Xu Yue would squat down to help him. But now, he pretended not to notice. So, it took Chu Yi some effort to change his shoes and to follow Xu Yue.

　　Xu Yue drove an SUV. Chu Yi, even though used to riding in luxury cars, was not picky. He chatted with Xu Yue all the way. He is born with the temperament of a young master , but when he is willing to please someone, it can make people feel like they were being bathed in spring breeze.

　　Xu Yue thought he would mention the weather in Africa, or that photographer ex-boyfriend of his. But Chu Yi said none of that. He only persistently inquired about how Xu Yue had been over the years.

　　Xu Yue concentrated on driving and didn’t talk to him much.

　　Chu Yi asked, “A’Yue, don’t you still want me?”

　　Xu Yue was annoyed by his question and replied coldly, “I don’t.”

　　Chu Yi seemed to have expected this. He smiled and said, “Don’t you think I am an effing bastard?”

　　Xu Yue said nothing.

As it wasn’t rush hour yet, there weren’t very many cars on the road. Chu Yi looked at the scenery outside the window and soliloquized, “That should be it. Back then… it was my fault. I shouldn’t have cheated on you. Much less, getting caught in bed.”