As Christmas drew near, Fang Li’s English was steadily improving, thanks to Qiao Shi’s patient guidance. The progress was slow, but definitely noticeable.
He’d never been someone who thrived under intense pressure. If he had to live a non-stop, high-speed life like Qin Weidong’s—spinning like a top day in and day out—he’d probably jump off the Brooklyn Bridge within minutes.
Recently, a cold front had swept through. The U.S. National Weather Service had even issued a winter storm warning on TV. Heavy snow had already fallen across neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and much of New England.
The apartment’s heating was on. After wrapping up the day’s English lesson, Fang Li took a sip of hot cocoa. Qiao Shi told him he’d made great progress.
“Brother Li, I think you’ve got a real talent for pronunciation. You’ve improved a lot lately.”
Fang Li was pleased—he felt it too. Just the other day at the supermarket, Qin Weidong had encouraged him to handle the checkout on his own, and he’d done it without a hitch. That small success had given him a real confidence boost.
“By the way, what time’s the show tonight?”
“Seven o’clock. Two hours from now.”
Over the past few months, Fang Li and Qiao Shi had grown much closer. Qiao Shi had a wide range of interests—music, dance, hiking, skiing—and he was good at all of them. On Sunday nights, he even worked part-time as a sound engineer at a bar near campus.
With Christmas approaching, there were tons of art events happening around the city. Tonight, they had plans to see a live performance by the jazz band House of Liquor at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
“I’ll give you the money for the tickets—hold on a second.”
Fang Li began looking for his wallet and a small notebook. He really liked House of Liquor’s female lead singer; he’d even bought one of their records before. Though it wasn’t a collector’s edition, he was hoping to pick up their new album tonight and maybe even get it signed.
As he searched, it was obvious he wasn’t the most organized person. His books, sheet music, guitar, and harmonica were all scattered in a mess. Every Friday when Qiao Shi came over, he’d see music scores, English textbooks, records, and a laptop all strewn across the carpet. But by Saturday, everything would be neatly tidied up again—clearly not by Fang Li himself.
Fang Li turned every pocket of his coat inside out and still couldn’t find the money. Qiao Shi watched him turn the room into chaos, but he had something else on his mind.
“Brother Li… are you sure it’s okay to go out tonight without saying anything to Qin Weidong?”
Even though Fang Li hadn’t spelled it out, Qiao Shi had more or less figured out the relationship between him and his employer, Qin Weidong.
In a place like Manhattan, where every square foot is precious, it was hard not to notice that Fang Li wasn’t studying or working, yet he lived in a luxurious duplex apartment. His daily routine consisted of playing piano and studying English. Most telling of all, whenever Qin Weidong dropped by, there was a natural intimacy between the two of them that was impossible to ignore.
Qiao Shi didn’t think much of it—love knew no borders, and certainly no gender. Still, he couldn’t quite understand that deep-rooted Chinese tendency to tiptoe around romance—especially same-sex relationships, which remained a social taboo.
Who you like, who you fall in love with—wasn’t that something not even God could control?
Even Fang Li wasn’t entirely sure how to define things. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ll call him in a bit and let him know. He usually comes home pretty late anyway.”
Unable to find his wallet, Fang Li thought aloud about checking out some of the hundred-plus cafes, galleries, and artisan shops over in Brooklyn. If they had time, it’d be fun to explore. But for now, he had no choice but to call Qin Weidong.
“Where did you put my wallet…?”
The phone rang just once before it was picked up. Fang Li didn’t hear clearly what the man on the other end said, and as he spoke, he leaned over the couch, still searching. “No, it’s not here… I clearly remember putting it in my coat pocket the other day when I went out…”
After a while, he said, “You’re home early today? But I’ve got plans later… okay… I’ll wait for you.”
He hung up with a vague sense of unease. Qiao Shi asked, “Qin Weidong doesn’t want you going to the concert?”
Fang Li rubbed his nose. “He wouldn’t dare.”
Maybe he was embarrassed that even Qiao Shi could tell how tightly Qin Weidong kept tabs on him. Trying to save face, Fang Li changed the subject. “Do you play video games?”
There wasn’t much to do while they waited, so he turned on the TV, pulled a console out from the cabinet, and handed a controller to Qiao Shi.
“Although… I kinda forgot how to turn this thing on.”
The console had been a gift from Qin Weidong. He’d bought it to keep Fang Li from getting bored at home. Fang Li had tried a few games, but most were designed for two players, and Qin Weidong never had the time to play with him. It had been collecting dust ever since.
Qiao Shi, on the other hand, was thrilled. “Wait—this is the new Nintendo?!”
“Nin… what?”
Fang Li looked at the logo. “Is this made by a Chinese company? Then why’s everything in English?”
“It’s Japanese,” Qiao Shi explained. “I actually asked a friend in Kyoto to get me one, but even there, they were sold out. Resellers were jacking up the price like crazy. I had no idea Qin Weidong had that kind of pull.”
Qiao Shi was a serious gamer. In no time at all, he had the console set up and the game ready to go.
This was the last console co-developed by Nintendo and Sony before the two companies parted ways. Back then, TV-connected console gaming was just starting to take off, and game developers were releasing titles at a rapid pace to capture market share.
The two picked a two-player action fighting game. The in-game sound effects exploded with each punch and kick as their characters battled through levels—it was fast-paced, chaotic, and thrilling. They had a blast in front of the TV.
Not long after, the door buzzer sounded. Qin Weidong was home.
“You’re back.”
It wasn’t Qiao Shi’s first time meeting Qin Weidong, his young employer, but every time he saw him, he couldn’t help being taken aback by the man’s looks.
Sharp, striking features, a tall, commanding presence—Qiao Shi had dated his share of handsome men from all over the world, but Qin Weidong’s looks were in a league of their own.
His features had an intense, almost aggressive kind of Eastern sharpness. There was a natural chill in his cold, refined expression—so much so that every time Qiao Shi saw him, he couldn’t help but feel a shiver down his spine.
Especially now, having spent time teaching Fang Li and witnessing firsthand just how possessive Qin Weidong could be with his lover—Qiao Shi had long since decided he preferred someone gentle and affectionate. That’s what love should feel like: sweet and comforting.
If you needed someone’s permission just to eat another slice of cake, then what was the point of living in a luxury apartment in Manhattan? You might as well be homeless.
“You’re home early today?” Fang Li asked.
“The professor let out early. I had Feng Hui organize some documents. He’ll be sending them over via international fax later,” Qin Weidong replied, taking off his coat. The apartment was climate-controlled, not too cold, but the outside temperature was dropping. He walked over and gently adjusted the collar of Fang Li’s shirt.
“You two keep playing. What do you want for dinner? Aunt Lu’s off today.”
Fang Li said, “Qiao Shi and I already made plans to see a live show at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. We’ve got tickets. It starts at eight.”
“Tonight?” Qin Weidong asked.
“Yeah. I need my wallet—might even buy a souvenir.”
Qiao Shi saw Qin Weidong’s brow tighten and immediately knew it was over. Qin Weidong’s possessiveness over Fang Li was something he feared every time he witnessed it.
“No.”
Sure enough.
Fang Li had clearly anticipated this. He pulled Qin Weidong into the downstairs bedroom and shut the door. Wrapping his arms around Qin Weidong’s cold neck, he reached out with his hands to warm him.
Qin Weidong seemed to know exactly what he was going to say and cut him off: “I said no.”
“Why not?” Fang Li fumed inwardly, then added aloud, “Just because I didn’t tell you earlier that I asked Qiao Shi to get the tickets? You’re acting just like you did when you were a kid. I was on the phone with Qi Jian late last night—you know how busy he is with accounting these days. The only time he has is during lunch breaks. I called a bit late and simply forgot to tell you…”
Qin Weidong said nothing in response.
Since they still had to take the subway over, Fang Li leaned in and kissed him again, trying to smooth things over: “Don’t look so upset. The tickets are already bought; Qiao Shi paid for them. If we don’t go now, we’ll miss it. That would be so rude.”
But Qin Weidong wasn’t buying it. He kept his face cold. “I said no.”
“You’re being so overbearing!” Fang Li snapped, eyes widening in frustration. “Those tickets cost money, you know! And I told you—I just forgot to tell you, that’s all. Qin Weidong, I’m an adult now! I’m not sixteen anymore!”
“This time, no means no,” Qin Weidong said firmly. “You need to learn a lesson. Maybe next time you’ll remember to inform me.”
“You—!” Fang Li was livid. “Qiao Shi’s still out there—he already paid for the tickets!”
“I’ll reimburse him.”
Fang Li bit his lip, furious. “And what if I insist on going?”
Qin Weidong stared at him and frowned.
Qin Weidong could be incredibly accommodating—sometimes he acted like a loyal dog, obeying Fang Li’s every whim without complaint.
But he hated it when Fang Li did things without telling him. The moment anything even came close to that, the gentle-lover mask he wore would tear off in an instant and fly straight into space.
Fang Li grabbed the front of his shirt in frustration. “I don’t care! I’m going! It’s just a show—not some big deal—and it’s right in Brooklyn! Qiao Shi’s waiting outside. He’s only been tutoring me for a while, and even he knows how you treat me like a kid! If I go out now and tell him I’m not going, anyone with half a brain will know it’s because you didn’t allow it! Do you have to embarrass me like this?”
“This isn’t about saving face,” Qin Weidong replied calmly.
Qiao Shi waited in the living room for a while and started getting nervous. This wasn’t looking good. He thought back to the last time he and Fang Li went to a play.
All that had happened was that an arts student asked them to do a quick survey after the performance, so they came out a bit late. Qin Weidong’s face had gone completely dark. God, when Qin Weidong got angry, he was seriously the scariest East Asian guy Qiao Shi had ever met.
If he’d known Qin Weidong was coming home, he wouldn’t have let Fang Li go look for his wallet. Who knows? They might’ve already been on the subway by now…
Qiao Shi sighed and started packing up his bag. But before long, Fang Li came out. He’d changed into a thick coat with a fluffy white fur trim on the hood. He smiled and said cheerfully, “Let’s go—Qin Weidong’s driving us there.”
Qiao Shi looked up in surprise—Qin Weidong was right behind them, though his face now bore several fresh scratch marks.
Qiao Shi didn’t dare ask. Qin Weidong drove them through the Brooklyn Bridge and dropped them off at the music conservatory.
The timing was just right. Fang Li got out of the car, and Qin Weidong rolled down the window to hand him a pair of gloves.
Fang Li frowned slightly. “It’s a jazz concert. Nobody wears gloves at a jazz show—it’s tacky.”
Qin Weidong shot him a look. “Put them on.”
Fang Li relented. “Fine.” Qin Weidong handed him his wallet. “I’ll pick you up here at 10:05 p.m.”
If it weren’t for the materials Feng Hui was sending him later about Rongshan, he would’ve stayed and watched the concert with Fang Li.
Fang Li nodded, slipping on the gloves. “Got it. Go on, I’ll call when it’s over.”
Once Qin Weidong drove away, Qiao Shi finally let out a breath of relief.
“Oh my god… Qin Weidong looked so scary, I thought I was going to die.”
He took his water bottle from his backpack and drank deeply. God knows he didn’t even dare to drink water in the car while Qin Weidong was driving!
“He’s always like that. It’s nothing to be afraid of…”
“Always like that?” Qiao Shi gaped.
“Yeah.”
It had been over four months since he started tutoring Fang Li, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Brother Li, how long have you two been together? Was he like this even before you started dating?”
Fang Li thought for a second. “We’ve known each other since we were kids. It’s a long story. But actually dating? Probably around three years now.”
“Three years?” Qiao Shi whistled. “Brother Li, I seriously admire you. Qin Weidong looks scarier than my Latin American Lit professor when he’s silent, and you’ve lasted three years with him?!”
Fang Li chuckled. “Is it really that bad?”
Qiao Shi thought: He sets pickup times down to the minute—how is that not terrifying?
“He’s always had this temper. Been like this since we were young.”
Fang Li added, “No, actually, he was cuter when he was little. He used to listen to me all the time. I’d say go east, and he wouldn’t dare go west. Now he doesn’t listen at all.”
Qiao Shi’s jaw dropped. “So you guys are each other’s first love?”
Fang Li nodded. “Yeah. First love.”
Though where they grew up, no one really cared about that kind of thing. Plenty of people lived their whole lives married without ever even falling in love.
Qiao Shi had originally just felt a bit sorry for Brother Li, but now he couldn’t help feeling regret on his behalf. “Brother Li, if you ever can’t take it anymore and want to switch boyfriends, please let me know. I have plenty of quality options I can introduce you to…”
With looks like his, it was only a matter of time before Fang Li found someone who could afford a luxury apartment in Manhattan.
Fang Li was amused. “Isn’t he your employer?”
Qiao Shi gave it some thought. “Love is precious, but freedom is even more so.”
Fang Li laughed. Qiao Shi was a funny guy—always full of unexpected ideas.
“Brother Li, next time I’ll take you to the bar where I work. There are tons of hot guys there.”
A bar? Fang Li had never been to one. They agreed to find a time to go check it out sometime soon.
They arrived at the concert hall, surprised by how packed House of Liquor’s show was tonight.
Most arts institutions in New York were nonprofit; they relied on public donations and grants from various foundations to survive. That meant every performance was carefully prepared to attract a crowd and raise more funds.
Tonight’s concert had been well-promoted, riding the momentum of the upcoming Christmas season. It had drawn not only students from the Brooklyn Conservatory but many from other schools as well. Since they had arrived late, they only managed to find a standing spot toward the middle and back.
Soon, the performance began. House of Liquor lit up the stage with their presence. They were a rising gypsy jazz band whose music blended wild freedom with mysterious romance.
The most captivating part was the lead singer, Vadina. Her voice had a unique, intoxicated warmth—like being gently buzzed from white wine. The moment she sang, it was as if every listener had taken a sip, her enchanting voice resonating through their eardrums and flowing through their whole bodies.
By the end of the concert, Fang Li was still visibly caught in the moment, holding the band’s new record he had just bought.
Qiao Shi knew Fang Li played piano and wrote songs at home, so he said, “Brother Li, if you’re free during the day, you could sit in on classes here. I’ve got classmates studying at this school.”
“Sit in?”
“Yeah! Besides instrument training, the school offers many classes open to the public. And there are lots of arts programs around Brooklyn—you can take your pick.”
Fang Li looked tempted. Snow had started to fall. Qin Weidong’s car had already arrived. Qiao Shi had plans that evening, so after declining Fang Li’s offer to give him a ride home, he disappeared down into the subway.
Axolotl Translations 
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