I Only Choked on Noodles, Why Am I Here?! [BL]-Chapter 33 – Friendship Takes a Step

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Before they could leave, Bao Rui hurried forward, short legs stumbling as he tugged at his sleeves. His breath came out uneven.

"W-wait... don’t go!"

He glanced once toward where Han Bo had already gone, then lowered his head and bowed, small body folding clumsily.

"I—I’m sorry," he said, voice trembling. "I shouldn’t have taken it." He sniffed, fingers curling tight. "I didn’t mean to cause trouble."

He turned toward Dong Hai and bowed again. "Didi, I’m sorry," he said quietly. "I didn’t know you’d get in trouble because of me."

Dong Hai was silent for a moment, standing straight, hands neatly at his sides. His gaze rested on Bao Rui, steady and thoughtful.

"You already gave it back," Dong Hai said at last, voice even and gentle. "That’s good. But next time," he added, not unkindly, "you should ask first. Things like this cause misunderstandings."

Bao Rui nodded quickly. "I will," he said at once. "I promise."

Dong Hai gave a small nod in return, accepting the apology without fanfare. Bao Rui exhaled a tiny breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, shoulders relaxing as his fingers loosened their grip on his sleeves.

He lifted his gaze cautiously, then a little brighter, eyes lingering on Dong Hai’s face. When Dong Hai didn’t look away, Bao Rui straightened slightly, courage returning in small pieces.

"Didi..." he began, voice soft and trembling, "you... you’re so nice."

He blinked rapidly, as though seeing the kindness in Dong Hai’s eyes made him nervous. "I—I was really scared you’d be mad... but you’re not... Thank you... really... Didi, thank you for being so nice to me."

He shuffled closer, tiny hands twisting at his sleeves. "I... I don’t have many friends," he admitted quietly, eyes dropping. "The other children... they won’t play with me anymore... I... I’d like to... to be friends with you, Didi... if... if that’s okay."

Dong Hai looked flustered for a moment, eyes darting toward Han Yan as if asking for help.

Han Yan bent slightly, offering a warm, gentle smile. "Bao Rui is sincere," he said softly. "He just wants to be your friend. I think... you should give him a chance."

Bao Rui’s eyes lit up. He bounced on his little feet, hands flailing slightly in excitement. "Thank... thank you, Didi!" he blurted. "I... I’ll listen to you! I promise!"

Then he turned and tiptoe towards Dong Hai, eyes wide. "Didi... we... we’ll be really good friends, won’t we? I... I’ll play with you, and I won’t get into trouble again. You’ll see... we’ll have lots of fun!"

Dong Hai paused, expression calm, and gave a small nod. "I will watch over you," he said quietly, voice even but firm. "Since I’m older, it’s my responsibility."

Bao Rui’s face brightened further. He reached out and held Dong Hai’s hand shyly, squeezing it gently. "Really? Didi... really?!" he squeaked. "I’ll do my best too! We’ll be the best friends ever!"

Han Yan watched quietly as their eyes met, a small, fragile connection forming. Dong Hai, usually reserved, looked slightly lighter; Bao Rui seemed more at ease, the weight of being alone easing a little.

Han Yan felt a soft warmth in his chest. Seeing this small bond form filled him with quiet satisfaction.

"It’s getting late, Bao Rui," Dong Hai said. "You should probably head home. But... if you want, you can come over to our house sometime to spend time with me. I’m sure your parents might be looking for you."

Bao Rui nodded hard, clutching his sleeve, then ran down the earthen lane. After a few steps, he glanced back, lifting his hand in an eager wave before disappearing around the bend.

Dong Hai watched until the small figure was gone, a faint smile lingering on his lips, silently hoping this was the start of something that would make his world a little brighter.

Before Han Yan could take Dong Hai’s hand, hurried footsteps echoed from the village path.

"Dong Hai—!"

Lin Xin emerged between the houses, hair slightly disheveled, chest rising and falling. His eyes landed on Dong Hai dirty, bruised, and standing close to Han Yan his face drained of color.

"Dong Hai!" Lin Xin rushed forward, dropping to his knees. Hands hovered anxiously, afraid to touch yet unable to pull away. "What happened? Who hurt you? Are you injured anywhere else?"

Dong Hai startled, then shook his head. "I—I’m fine, Xin’ge. Really."

Lin Xin clearly didn’t believe him. His gaze swept over Dong Hai’s scraped knuckles, faint swelling on his cheek, and torn sleeve. His lips trembled, anger and fear warring in his eyes.

"I only turned away for a moment," Lin Xin whispered. "I told you to wait at home... why did you come out?"

Dong Hai lowered his head, worn-out shoes scuffing lightly against the dirt. After a moment, he spoke softly, "I wanted to look for some wild mushrooms... and maybe catch a fish too. I thought... if I could bring something back, I could help. Both of you have been doing everything."

Han Yan, standing quietly at his side, let out a low breath. His gaze rested on Dong Hai, then shifted to Lin Xin. The tension in Lin Xin’s shoulders eased, and Han Yan spoke in a steady, calm voice:

"He wasn’t being reckless," Han Yan said. "He was only trying to help."

Lin Xin still looked worried, but Han Yan gently explained the scuffle with the other children and the little friend Dong Hai had unexpectedly made. Words measured, careful, meant to ease Lin Xin’s heart.

As the explanation ended, Lin Xin’s tense shoulders gradually relaxed. He leaned slightly toward Han Yan out of habit, then reached out to draw Dong Hai closer. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"It’s good that nothing worse happened" Lin Xin murmured softly, finally letting a breath escape.

Lin Xin’s worried gaze swept over Dong Hai before it slowly drifted to the bamboo basket Han Yan carried. Only then did his eyes widen, and his chest tighten at the sheer weight and abundance within it. His voice trembled, disbelief and awe mingling as he whispered, "Yan’ge ... you... you have brought so much..."

For a long moment, he merely stared, hand unconsciously lifting as if to steady himself. Then, with a hurried exhale and a voice still tinged with shock, he added, "Let us... let us head home quickly you must be tired."

"Dong Hai, I will carry you, you are still hurt" said Han Yan, his voice calm but firm. He bent slightly, lifting the boy into his arms. Dong Hai hesitated for a heartbeat, shaking his head stubbornly. "I can walk!" he protested, but after a moment, he finally settled against Han Yan without further resistance.

With the heavy bamboo basket in one hand, the bow and arrow slung across his back, and Dong Hai cradled in the other, Han Yan began down the earthen lane, Lin Xin walking beside them. The late afternoon sun cast long, warm shadows ahead, and the soft rustle of leaves accompanied their steady, unhurried steps as they made their way home.

As they approached the familiar rusty iron gate, its surface rough and pitted from years of weather, the scent of warm earth and herbs drifting from the garden greeted them. Han Yan carefully stepped over the threshold, setting the bamboo basket down with a soft thud while still holding Dong Hai in his arms.

Lin Xin followed behind, pausing to glance at the neatly stacked firewood and the faintly flickering shadows cast by the setting sun through the latticed windows. The familiar sounds of creaking floorboards and the distant call of a bird from the courtyard added a quiet sense of homecoming.

The bamboo basket Han Yan carried shifted slightly and out tumbled a small, sleek black cat, its golden eyes glinting as it let out a soft, surprisingly articulate.

"meow."

Han Yan froze, his face a mixture of genuine confusion and astonishment this arrogant little cat actually knew how to behave! While Lin Xin and Dong Hai stared at it with wide eyes then as if sharing a single thought, they blurted out in perfect unison.

"Why is it so... ugly and bald?"

Lin Xin and Dong Hai exclaimed their voices rising in shock as they leaned closer, eyes widening at the little creature. The black cat sat there, tail flicking lazily, ears slightly back, its expression a perfect mix of arrogance and disdain, making them even more bewildered.

"Where did you get this bald cat? It... it has no hair on its head!" Lin Xin exclaimed, taking a careful step back as if the sight might be contagious. Dong Hai, on the other hand, crouched slightly, studying the cat with unnervingly serious eyes, as if trying to determine whether it was sick.

Han Yan sighed helplessly, shaking his head ever so slightly, but a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He couldn’t help but watch them with quiet amusement, finding their over-the-top reactions both ridiculous and endearing.

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