Chapter 3
ZHENG WEIZE was stunned when he arrived at No. 7 Riverbay Road. Such a wonderful house, going for just ¥3,700 a month?! But he made sure to feign composure and adopt an aloof display, nodding from time to time to show his approval.
Zhang Yuwen saw through this young man’s pretense at a glance, but being a mild-tempered person, he didn’t take offense. He had nothing against this guy’s personality either. In fact, the more eccentric the potential tenants, the better the material he’d be able to gather for his novel.
“I have exactly the same dining table as you do,” Zheng Weize said with a smile.
“Are you a bottom?” Zhang Yuwen asked in passing. He could see that the guy had light makeup on, and there weren’t that many guys in this city who wore makeup regularly.
“I’m a top!” Zheng Weize was quick to clarify.
Twenty-two years old this year, Zheng Weize had fair, delicate skin and dressed like an internet celebrity bottom. Zhang Yuwen was half a head taller than him.
Zhang Yuwen smiled at him again. “Are you studying or working?”
“I’m in university,” Zheng Weize lied. In truth, he hadn’t made it into university—or rather, he hadn’t wanted to continue with his studies after graduating from high school.
Zhang Yuwen hummed in reply. The nearest university was five stations away, but there was nothing out of the ordinary about renting a place off campus if your studies weren’t too demanding.
“I’ll take this one.” Zheng Weize chose another room on the first floor. “That room’s taken, right?”
“Yeah,” Zhang Yuwen replied. “He’ll move in later.”
“What kind of person is he?”
Zhang Yuwen was very protective of his tenants’ privacy. “A tenant just like you. It’s not my place to reveal more about him. When you become friends with him, you can ask him yourself.”
“Can you make it cheaper?” Zheng Weize asked.
“It’s already the lowest it can be.”
A 345-square-foot bedroom in a wealthy neighborhood with convenient access to transport and utilities included in the rent—and he still wanted to bargain? Zhang Yuwen was astounded, but he knew some people haggled out of habit. Instead of getting angry, he found Zheng Weize interesting.
“All right then,” Zheng Weize said. “I’ll move in tomorrow, but can I pay you a few days later? My salary for the month isn’t in yet.”
“Sure,” Zhang Yuwen agreed. “Are you working part-time while you study?”
“Oh.” Zheng Weize, lacking in social experience, had accidentally given himself away. “I’m working on a project for my senior, and there’s funding.”
Zhang Yuwen only asked in passing, but he noticed Zheng Weize was constantly sizing him up. This guy’s efforts to uphold his image and persona reminded him of his ex-boyfriend—a young man who was always all bluff and bluster, not wanting to be seen as the weaker party in their relationship.
Zhang Yuwen informed Zheng Weize of some things he ought to keep in mind, while Zheng Weize absently listened, nodding occasionally. He showed no objection to the rule prohibiting tenants from bringing their partners to stay overnight.
When he was done, Zheng Weize asked, “Any parking space here?”
Zhang Yuwen was surprised. “You can reach the underground garage from the side road. There are two parking spaces there. Do you need parking?”
“Oh…” Zheng Weize didn’t have a car or a driver’s license. “Never mind.”
Zhang Yuwen felt puzzled.
“It’s nothing.” This was just one part of Zheng Weize’s bluff.
“Need help moving?” Zhang Yuwen asked.
“Nope. Give me the keys, I’ll move in myself.”
Zhang Yuwen took Zheng Weize to the main entrance to record his fingerprints, and with that, Zheng Weize’s new residence was decided.
Starting today, Zheng Weize needed to pay his own rent. ¥3,700 a month—he would have to scrimp and save to afford it. He walked a short distance along the river to catch the bus, as it was two yuan cheaper than the subway. After a shaky ride, he arrived at his destination, a sixth-story apartment building. He fished out his keys and opened the door.
“Where have you been?” asked his former colleague, who was eating takeout at home. The living room was a mess, with heaps of drink cartons and instant noodle cups strewn everywhere. A Korean drama was playing on the television.
“I’ve found a new place to live,” Zheng Weize said with cool indifference. “I’ll move out soon.”
“Eh!” His former colleague was a straight guy who lived with his girlfriend. He used to work with Zheng Weize at the same cosmetics counter selling lipsticks. At first, being the senior, he took good care of the newcomer, Zheng Weize. Not only did he personally guide him in his work, but he even allowed him to stay in his rented apartment—a move that touched Zheng Weize, who was on his own in the big city.
Innately and instinctively unable to resist the protective nature and indiscriminate flirting of straight men, Zheng Weize developed a deep attachment to him, at one point thinking he could turn this former colleague gay. He cooked for him, bought him clothes, and took meticulous care of him, trying his best to nurture feelings that weren’t destined to blossom. The result was inevitable. Not only did he fail, he also incurred significant sunk costs. What was more, after he boldly confessed his feelings, he also saw the straight guy’s cold-hearted side, as the guy quickly got himself a girlfriend and made a clean break with him.
Then there was also the exhaustion of his job, and the dual disillusionment of both work and love had left Zheng Weize despondent; in the end, he quit his job at the cosmetics counter.
However, he still hadn’t found a satisfactory place to live after his resignation, so he shamelessly continued to stay in this straight guy’s house for five days. These five days were so torturous, it had worn down the last bit of feelings he had for the guy. Zheng Weize didn’t even want to look at him as he made a beeline for his room to pack his stuff, all the while calculating the money he’d get next month and wondering how to pay rent to Zhang Yuwen…
At the same time, he heard the discussion in the living room. The straight guy’s girlfriend had been unhappy with Zheng Weize for quite some time, and even on his departure day, she was still criticizing him for not paying his share of the utility bills and for things like not cleaning the common areas… Zheng Weize threw things around his room, making some noise to remind her he still hadn’t left yet.
The closet was full of cheap, low-quality impulse buys he had only worn once. When he opened it, these musty-smelling clothes came tumbling out like an avalanche, and he was almost buried underneath them.
Under the bed lay a heap of wigs, cosmetic samples, and stuffed toys. The desk was a mess too, and beside it was his live streaming equipment: his lighting setup, a ring light, and a small fabric backdrop.
Zheng Weize pulled out two large suitcases. He didn’t know how to pack them, though, nor did he want to fold his clothes; instead, he simply shoved everything into the suitcases and kneeled on them to close the latches.
When he’d packed half of his belongings, he dragged the suitcases out of the house and left under the watchful eyes of his straight ex-colleague and his girlfriend. Struggling, he carried them down to the ground floor of the elevator-less building and dragged them to the bus stop, where he boarded a bus. By noon, he was back at No. 7 Riverbay Road.
Zhang Yuwen was having lunch, and the sight of Zheng Weize with his two huge suitcases startled him. He hadn’t expected him to keep his word and move in today. Putting down his chopsticks, he went over.
“Have you had lunch?” Zhang Yuwen asked. “Want a bite?”
“I already ate,” Zheng Weize said. “No worries, I can manage. Thanks.”