Ch42 - Chance Encounter

Editor: MinMin

Because this was only a weekend vacation, Bai Xi and Qi Xun’s stay on the island was short.

After lunch, they went to visit several old buildings on the island. They were several garden houses left behind a hundred years ago. They were all close together. Now they have been converted into a museum, exhibiting the history of the island and some precious treasures. Collection.

The next day, they first went snorkeling, then played beach volleyball with other tourists they knew. Afterward, they held each other’s hands as they went to have lunch. After lunch, they visited several old buildings on the island, which were several garden houses left from a century ago, leaning against each other. Now they have been transformed into a museum to display the history of the island and some precious collections.

Bai Xi had always liked to admire these old buildings.

As it was spring now, the flowers in the garden were in full bloom. There were lush trees lined along the sidewalk together with brightly colored flowers. When he took pictures of the building while wearing a white coat and jeans, he looked no different than a college student.

He said, “Our magazine can also feature these old bungalows in the future. This place is amazing for scenery pictures as well.”

Qi Xun nodded and handed him the iced coffee he had just bought.

Once they went through most of the museum, they sat on the stone bench under the tree shade to rest. Bai Xi inspected the photos he took with his camera.

Most of the photos he took these two days were of landscapes, the rest were single photos of him taken by Qi Xun, and only a few were group photos of them.

Because Qi Xun did not like having his picture taken.

As Bai Xi scrolled through the photo, he suddenly laughed and looked at Qi Xun.

Qi Xun asked, “What?”

Instead of telling, Bai Xi smiled brightly and said, “Not telling.”

He just remembered that time when he first started college and went to see Qi Xun play basketball. He secretly took many photos of Qi Xun. Many girls held their phones and did the same anyway, so he did not stand out in the crowd.

Later, he used one of them as his phone wallpaper, but he did not keep it for long because he feared someone might see it, so he replaced it with something else.

But he did make a photo album out of Qi Xun’s photos. During the midsummer afternoon, he would be looking slowly through the photos in his room alone, during that time, there would be an uncontrollable smile on his face.

It was so easy to feel happiness and contentment as a youth.

.

When the duo came out of the old buildings, it was almost dark. They went back to the hotel after dinner.

Bai Xi tasted a specialty cake on the island. It was in the shape of green fruit, and he could taste a touch of tartness.

Qi Xun could accept the taste, but Bai Xi, after eating half of the cake, firmly protested, “I cannot finish it, I still like them sweet.”

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He was a little bored waiting and didn’t want to look at his phone, so he took the brochure next to him and looked at it. They had been to most of the places. He was quite comfortable during the two days on this island. While reading, Percy was thinking about whether to write a travelogue in the future.

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As he pondered, he suddenly felt someone sit down next to him.

Without raising his head, he shifted a little to the other side to maintain a distance. But soon, he heard a hesitating voice.

“Bai Xi?”

He did not expect to meet an acquaintance here. He looked up as though he was called by a teacher and uttered, “Ah?”.

But when he saw who sat next to him, his expression immediately became blank.

It was Zhao Qingtong.

.

Zhao Qingtong, who should have been abroad, was now wearing casual clothes with a suitcase next to him. It seemed that he had also visited here. Now Bai Xi was being looked at oddly.

To be more specific, it seemed the other man was looking at the engagement ring around his finger strangely.

Bai Xi unconsciously curved his fingers.

He didn’t know why. Logically speaking, Zhao Qingtong had been abroad these years and should not have known about his relationship with Qi Xun. It was Zhao Qingtong who initiated the breakup in the first place, so he shouldn’t have any reluctance towards Qi Xun.

He did not know why. It was reasonable to say that Zhao Qingtong had been overseas all these years. He should not know about his relationship with Qi Xun. The one who proposed the break up was also Zhao Qingtong, so there should be no unwillingness to give up Qi Xun for the other man.

But Bai Xi instinctively felt the unkind feelings Zhao Qingtong had towards him.

Now he felt gloomy inside.

The world was so big that it had so many domestic tourist attractions. How could he bump into Zhao Qingtong in this island’s lobby of all places? What was with this tangled fate?

He could only try to remain calm and nodded to Zhao Qingtong, greeting, “Long time no see.”

Zhao Qingtong’s lips twitched as if he wanted to smile but wanted to act cold. “Long time no see indeed. I think the last time we met was before I graduated.”

Bai Xi nodded and did not know how to continue the conversation. There was really nothing for them to talk about.

When he was in school, because he had a crush on Qi Xun, and Qi Xun already had a boyfriend named Zhao Qingtong, he consciously kept a distance from Qi Xun. He would only stay with Qi Xun during social gatherings or school activities. There is contact.

When he was still in college, he kept his distance from Qi Xun as a secret admirer because the other man already had Zhao Qingtong as his boyfriend. Only during club gatherings or campus activities would he be in contact with Qi Xun.

He and Zhao Qingtong could be labeled as friends of a friend because Qi Xun would occasionally take him to parties. But their contact with each other ended there.

Now, one of them was Qi Xun’s current partner while the other was the former partner. As they sat on the sofa, staring at each other, three words flashed inside Bai Xi’s head in a large bold font—a scene of carnage.

But he did not have any malicious feelings towards Zhao Qingtong except for slight jealousy, so he tried to find a topic. “Did you just come back from abroad for a vacation?”

Zhao Qingtong replied, “Yes, I am actually onjob rotationand will be staying in China for a few months. I took advantage of the holiday and came here for a two-day rest. I did not expect to meet you here of all places.”

Zhao Qingtong paused, suddenly smiled at Bai Xi, and asked, “Who did you come here with?”

Bai Xi: “…”

He did not know why, but he could only sum up four words written over Zhao Qingtong’s face: Such a fake smile.

But he did not plan to lie about his answer.

Zhao Qingtong broke up with Qi Xun four years ago. Although meeting his predecessor would always be awkward, he had nothing to hide.

He replied, “I am with Qi…”

But a voice interrupted him when he was only halfway through.

“He is here with me.”

Bai Xi turned and found that Qi Xun was behind him without him noticing it.

Qi Xun first met his eyes, then looked up at Zhao Qingtong. There was no emotion visible on his face. It was as if he was looking at a stranger.

But almost unintentionally, Bai Xi took another look at Zhao Qingtong.

To see Zhao Qingtong’s expression became more vivid. Bai Xi could not describe it. It was calm, but also like enduring something as the other man’s eyes were fixed on Qi Xun without blinking.

Bai Xi’s heart thumped once.

He was too familiar with this expression, because in his years as Qi Xun’s secret admirer, he probably had that expression every time he saw Qi Xun.

For a moment, he was upset.

But before the emotion could go away, he heard Zhao Qingtong say to Qi Xun in a voice a hundred times more gentle than him, “Long time no see, Qi Xun. I have not been in China for long and am already meeting with my old classmates. Why don’t we have a get-together?”

Bai Xi felt even more stuffy in his heart as he became more upset.

Having a get-together as old classmates was fine, but not as a former boyfriend! What was this call again? Stealing his fiance openly!

He immediately turned to look at Qi Xun, puffing his cheek like an angry little pufferfish. If Qi Xun dared to agree to the other man’s suggestion, prepare for his tantrum!

Qi Xun noticed it and found it funny, stroking Bai Xi’s hair.

Then he raised his head and looked at Zhao Qingtong with an indifferent expression. “It has been a long time since we last met, but a get-together is not necessary. I am not in the habit of meeting my ex. You may not be aware of this but I am engaged to Xi Xi. We came here to celebrate.”

There was a trace of embarrassment flashed through Zhao Qingtong’s face.

His line of sight shifted to Bai Xi and Qi Xun’s hands and saw a pair of engagement rings.

He pursed his lips before smiling again, he replied softly, “Is that right? Then congratulations. I did not know you two were together.”

He was also very good-looking, a different type from Bai Xi. When he smiled with his thin, pale lips and his lovely phoenix eyes, his charm was different.

But Qi Xun did not look in his direction.

It wasn’t that he did it to Bai Xi on purpose, but that he and Zhao Qingtong had been separated for too long and had nothing to say. If they met by chance, it was just an accident and not worth taking to heart.

He did not mean for Bai Xi to witness this, but he and Zhao Qingtong had been separated for too long, and there was no more conversation between them since long ago. Their occasional encounters were only by chance and were not worth taking to heart.

He lowered his head and asked Bai Xi, “Let’s head out now? The car is waiting outside and the ship will be leaving soon.”

Bai Xi stood up and agreed in haste, “Sure.”

He did not need to double-check for any forgotten items. Because the suitcases had long been taken away by the hotel staff. He only needed to worry about his phone.

Qi Xun politely bid goodbye to Zhao Qingtong, “We will be heading out first. You enjoy your vacation.”

Then he led Bai Xi out while holding the other’s hand.

Zhao Qingtong did not try to add anything more.

But when the duo walked out of the hotel entrance, Bai Xi turned back to see the other man sitting on the sofa, eyes still on them.

He did not know why, Qi Xun clearly did not give Zhao Qingtong any special attention or responses, but the pleasant mood he got from their two-days trip got swept away.

The author has something to say:

Pine Nut Tea: Keep calm and do not panic