The sound of Li Wei’s keyboard clacking echoed through the small apartment, blending seamlessly with the steady hum of his desktop fan. His neatly organized desk bore testimony to his structured life: pens in their holder, sticky notes stacked by size, and a coffee mug that proclaimed, “Workaholic for Life.” Outside, the city buzzed with life, but within these four walls, Li Wei found solace in the monotony of his routine.

“Just one more report,” he muttered, adjusting his glasses. The glow of his monitor bathed his face in soft blue light. He liked it this way—predictable, quiet, and safe.

That illusion of peace shattered when his phone buzzed violently against the wooden table. With a frown, Li Wei picked it up and froze at the name on the screen.

Zhang Jun.

It had been five years since he’d last seen that name on his phone. Five years since the flamboyant whirlwind of a man had disappeared from his life, leaving only a vague promise to “stay in touch.” Li Wei had long since buried the memories, convinced that their paths would never cross again.

Curiosity overrode caution. Swiping to answer, he pressed the phone to his ear.

“Hello?”

“Li Wei!” The familiar voice, rich and lively, hit him like a bolt of electricity. “Still alive, I see! I was worried you’d become some boring hermit by now.”

Li Wei blinked, struggling to keep up with Zhang Jun’s usual rapid-fire tone. “Uh, hi… What’s going on? Why are you calling out of the blue?”

“Wow, no ‘I missed you, Zhang Jun’? Not even a little excitement?” The teasing lilt in Zhang Jun’s voice was maddeningly familiar. “Well, lucky for you, I’m back in town. Let’s catch up. Tonight.”

“Tonight?” Li Wei echoed, bewildered. He glanced at the pile of unfinished work on his desk. “I’m kind of busy—”

“Busy being boring. Got it. I’ll text you the address. Don’t flake on me, Li Wei. It’s been five years, for crying out loud!”

Before he could argue, the line went dead. Li Wei stared at his phone, his stomach a knot of anxiety and something else he couldn’t quite name.

The bar Zhang Jun had chosen was everything Li Wei hated: loud, crowded, and overwhelming. The pulsating music thudded in his chest as he navigated through throngs of people, his nervousness growing with each step.

And then he saw him.

Zhang Jun stood near the bar, leaning casually against the counter, a glass of something vibrant in hand. His striking presence hadn’t changed; if anything, he was even more magnetic than Li Wei remembered. Dressed in a sleek black blazer and a white shirt left teasingly unbuttoned at the collar, Zhang Jun exuded effortless confidence.

“Li Wei!” Zhang Jun’s eyes lit up as he spotted him. “You actually came!”

Li Wei gave a small, awkward wave. “You didn’t really give me a choice.”

Zhang Jun grinned, closing the distance between them in a few quick strides. Before Li Wei could react, he was pulled into a firm, warm hug.

“You’re skinnier than I remember,” Zhang Jun said, pulling back to give him an exaggerated once-over. “What have they been feeding you at that soul-sucking job of yours?”

Li Wei flushed, suddenly self-conscious. “I’m fine, thanks. And you look… well.”

“Well? Try fabulous,” Zhang Jun corrected with a wink. “Come on, let’s get a drink.”

Li Wei followed reluctantly, feeling out of place as Zhang Jun effortlessly charmed the bartender into making something “special” for his “boring friend.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Li Wei muttered as the colorful concoction was placed in front of him.

“Of course I did. You deserve a little fun, Wei.” Zhang Jun raised his own glass in a mock toast. “To old friends and new beginnings.”

Li Wei clinked his glass against Zhang Jun’s, though he couldn’t shake the unease bubbling in his chest. “So, why now?”

“Why now what?”

“Why reach out after all this time?”

Zhang Jun’s playful expression faltered for a fraction of a second, so brief that Li Wei might have imagined it. “Does there need to be a reason? I missed you, Wei. Isn’t that enough?”

Li Wei studied him, searching for sincerity in those dark, enigmatic eyes. Zhang Jun had always been hard to read, a master of deflecting with charm and wit.

“Okay,” Li Wei said finally, deciding not to press.

“Good.” Zhang Jun’s grin returned, brighter than ever. “Now tell me everything I’ve missed. Don’t spare the juicy details.”

Hours passed in a blur of conversation and laughter. Zhang Jun’s energy was infectious, drawing Li Wei out of his shell in a way no one else ever could. They reminisced about their college days, shared embarrassing stories, and caught up on lost time.

But as the night wore on and the alcohol loosened tongues, the conversation took a more personal turn.

“You’ve really never dated anyone since college?” Zhang Jun asked, his tone hovering between disbelief and curiosity.

Li Wei shrugged, swirling the last of his drink in his glass. “I’ve been busy. And dating isn’t exactly my forte.”

“Please. You’re cute, responsible, and have that whole ‘quiet intellectual’ vibe going for you. Guys should be lining up.”

Li Wei’s face heated. “Stop exaggerating.”

“I’m not.” Zhang Jun leaned closer, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur. “You just don’t realize your own appeal, Wei.”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat, the intensity of Zhang Jun’s gaze leaving him momentarily speechless. He quickly looked away, focusing on the condensation pooling around his glass.

“What about you?” he asked, desperate to change the subject. “Are you… seeing anyone?”

Zhang Jun smirked, leaning back in his chair. “No one serious. Relationships are messy. I prefer to keep things… simple.”

Simple. The word hung in the air, its meaning ambiguous but heavy.

“Well,” Zhang Jun said suddenly, breaking the tension with a mischievous grin. “That’s enough serious talk for one night. Let’s dance!”

“What? No, I—”

But before Li Wei could protest, Zhang Jun grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the dance floor.

Li Wei didn’t remember how they ended up back at his apartment. The night was a hazy blur of music, laughter, and the intoxicating presence of Zhang Jun.

What he did remember was the moment Zhang Jun leaned in, his breath warm against Li Wei’s ear.

“You’re too uptight, Wei,” Zhang Jun murmured, his voice low and teasing. “Let me help you loosen up.”

The kiss that followed was electric, stealing Li Wei’s breath and igniting something deep within him. It was messy and sudden, a collision of lips and emotions that left him reeling.

When they finally pulled apart, Zhang Jun’s smirk was back, but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“See?” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Not so boring after all.”

Li Wei’s heart raced as he struggled to process what had just happened. “Zhang Jun, I don’t—”

“Shh.” Zhang Jun pressed a finger to his lips. “Don’t overthink it, Wei. Just… let it be.”

And for the first time in years, Li Wei let himself let go.

The sunlight streaming through Li Wei’s apartment was harsh against his hangover, each ray feeling like a sharp poke in his skull. He squinted against it, groaning as his head throbbed. The remnants of last night—the chaos of clothes scattered across the floor, empty glasses on the coffee table, and a scent of Zhang Jun’s cologne lingering in the air—told him he wasn’t dreaming.

The thought of what had happened made his stomach churn. He didn’t remember every detail, but the kiss—the way Zhang Jun had kissed him—was burned in his mind. He couldn’t escape it, no matter how much he wanted to.

He sat up slowly, his body sore from the awkward positions they’d ended up in. His shirt was wrinkled, and the sheets were tangled around his legs. A slight rustle next to him made him glance over, and sure enough, Zhang Jun was lying next to him, still asleep, the faint rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was alive.

Li Wei groaned, burying his face in his hands. What have I done?

A soft chuckle startled him. “Good morning to you too.”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat. Zhang Jun was awake, his voice playful, as always.

“You’re already in crisis mode,” Zhang Jun added, rolling over to prop himself up on one elbow. His lazy grin was unmistakable.

“I—uh, we—” Li Wei stammered, feeling his cheeks heat up. “I can’t believe we… did that.”

Zhang Jun raised an eyebrow, stretching in a languid fashion. “Did what? You mean kiss?”

Li Wei winced. “Yeah. Kiss.”

Zhang Jun’s expression softened, and he moved closer, his voice lowering in an almost teasing tone. “It wasn’t a crime, Wei.”

“It feels like one,” Li Wei muttered.

Zhang Jun smirked. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I’m not sorry.” He stretched his arms behind his head, looking incredibly comfortable in a way that Li Wei envied. “You’re overthinking it.”

“I’m not overthinking anything!” Li Wei snapped, though his voice lacked conviction. “It’s just—we’re friends. That’s all we are.”

“Yeah, and we’re also adults,” Zhang Jun replied smoothly, his gaze flicking to Li Wei’s lips for a moment before meeting his eyes. “Friends can kiss, Wei. You’re acting like it’s the end of the world.”

Li Wei stared at him, torn between wanting to slap him for his casual attitude and wanting to kiss him again. Zhang Jun’s grin never faltered.

“We don’t have to make it awkward,” Zhang Jun added, getting up and grabbing his clothes from the floor. “You don’t have to freak out.”

Li Wei watched him dress, but the casual way Zhang Jun moved made it clear that he wasn’t worried at all. If anything, Zhang Jun was the picture of nonchalance.

He could feel a sense of unease creeping over him as Zhang Jun turned back toward him. “You’ve been quiet. What’s on your mind?”

Li Wei took a deep breath. “I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”

Zhang Jun tilted his head, clearly intrigued. “How would you ruin it? By being honest?” He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “Wei, let’s be real here. I’m not asking you to move in with me or anything. But there’s something between us. I think we both know it.”

Li Wei stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden shift in Zhang Jun’s tone. The playful facade was gone, replaced by something more serious, more genuine.

“What are you saying?” Li Wei asked quietly.

Zhang Jun leaned forward, his eyes locking with Li Wei’s. “What I’m saying is… I don’t do relationships. Not the way other people do them. But we both know there’s chemistry here. So why not take advantage of it?”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you proposing?”

“Friends with benefits,” Zhang Jun said, his voice calm and sure. “No strings, no expectations. Just two people who enjoy each other’s company. No drama. No questions. Just… fun.”

Li Wei’s mind raced. This was absurd. He couldn’t even fathom the idea. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious.” Zhang Jun stood up, taking a few steps back to give Li Wei some space. “Look, Wei, I get it. It sounds risky. But we’re adults, and we know each other. No one else will understand us the way we do. So why not? It’s simple.”

Li Wei shook his head. “I don’t know, Jun. I just… it doesn’t seem right.”

Zhang Jun smiled, the cocky grin returning. “You’re overthinking it. You always do. Why complicate things when they can be easy?”

Li Wei swallowed hard. He wanted to say no, wanted to turn this whole situation into a distant memory. But a small part of him—the part he had kept locked away for years—whispered that maybe, just maybe, this could be the answer he was looking for.

“Think about it,” Zhang Jun said, breaking the silence. “You don’t have to decide now. But when you’re ready, just let me know. No pressure, okay?”

Li Wei barely registered Zhang Jun’s departure, his mind still reeling. Friends with benefits? It sounded so simple, so easy. But nothing about this felt easy.

The days following Zhang Jun’s proposition were a blur. Li Wei tried to focus on work, but his thoughts kept drifting to the conversation they’d had. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Zhang Jun’s grin, heard his voice. It was maddening.

And then, the text came.

Zhang Jun: Miss me already?

Li Wei stared at the message for a long moment before typing a response.

Li Wei: I’m still thinking.

The reply was almost immediate.

Zhang Jun: Good. Don’t overthink it, though. Life’s too short for that.

The words stung, but they also comforted him. He didn’t have to decide right away. He could keep pretending like everything was fine. He could ignore his feelings and go back to his boring, predictable life. But something about Zhang Jun’s proposition made that life feel small.

That night, Li Wei found himself sitting on his couch, staring at his phone. It was 9 p.m. Zhang Jun had texted again.

Zhang Jun: You ready to talk?

Li Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. There was no avoiding it. He had to face this head-on.

He typed a quick response.

Li Wei: Let’s talk.

Zhang Jun’s apartment was a far cry from Li Wei’s minimalist space. It was a loft in the heart of the city, decorated with an eclectic mix of modern and vintage items, each one chosen with the precision of someone who knew exactly what they wanted.

When Li Wei entered, Zhang Jun was already waiting for him, looking effortlessly stylish, as always.

“Hey,” Zhang Jun greeted him with a smile that was half playful, half sincere.

Li Wei nodded in response. “You wanted to talk.”

“Yeah,” Zhang Jun said, leading him to the couch. “Let’s make this official.”

Li Wei sat down, his hands trembling slightly. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said.”

“And?” Zhang Jun leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” Li Wei admitted. “But I don’t know how to say no to you.”

Zhang Jun’s grin widened. “So you’re in, then?”

Li Wei hesitated. His heart was pounding in his chest. “I don’t know if I’m in. But I’m willing to try.”

Zhang Jun’s expression softened, and for the first time, there was something almost tender in his gaze. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

Li Wei took a deep breath. “Let’s set some ground rules, though.”

Zhang Jun’s eyebrow arched. “Rules? This is supposed to be fun, Wei.”

“No falling in love,” Li Wei said, his voice steady. “No jealousy. And if either of us wants to stop, we stop. No questions asked.”

Zhang Jun chuckled. “Deal.”

Li Wei’s stomach did a somersault as Zhang Jun extended his hand. With a deep breath, he took it.

This was happening. There was no turning back now.

Chapter 3: A New Arrangement

The air in Zhang Jun’s apartment felt heavy as Li Wei sat on the couch, still reeling from their agreement. It wasn’t just the absurdity of what he’d agreed to; it was the way Zhang Jun had looked at him—confident, knowing, like he’d already mapped out the entire situation in his head.

Li Wei couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d just walked into a storm without an umbrella.

“Well, now that we’re all set,” Zhang Jun said, breaking the silence as he walked into the kitchen. His voice was casual, almost teasing, like they’d just decided on a dinner menu. “Drink?”

“I don’t think I should,” Li Wei muttered, more to himself than to Zhang Jun.

“Relax, Wei. You’re not signing your soul away,” Zhang Jun called over his shoulder. Moments later, he returned with two glasses of wine, setting one in front of Li Wei.

“Jun, I—”

“No overthinking,” Zhang Jun interrupted, his tone light but firm. He took a seat across from Li Wei, leaning back with an easy grace that Li Wei could never hope to replicate. “This isn’t a contract. It’s just us… having fun. Nothing more, nothing less.”

Li Wei picked up the glass but didn’t drink, instead swirling the dark liquid around as if it held the answers he was looking for. “I’m just worried,” he admitted after a moment.

“About what?” Zhang Jun asked, genuinely curious.

Li Wei hesitated, his fingers tightening around the glass. “About how this will change things between us. What if it gets messy? What if we can’t go back to the way things were?”

Zhang Jun leaned forward, his gaze softening. “Wei, you worry too much. This won’t change anything unless we let it. At the end of the day, we’re still friends. That’s not going to change.”

Li Wei wanted to believe him. He wanted to trust that Zhang Jun’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. But deep down, he knew that once they crossed this line, there was no going back.

---

The first time they tested their arrangement, it was awkward, almost laughably so. Zhang Jun had invited Li Wei over for dinner, insisting it was a “casual hangout.” But as the evening wore on, the tension between them became impossible to ignore.

Li Wei fidgeted with his chopsticks, barely touching his food. Zhang Jun, on the other hand, was as relaxed as ever, effortlessly charming as he regaled Li Wei with stories from his latest fashion projects.

“So then the model—this six-foot-tall guy with zero sense of humor—tripped over the backdrop and landed right on the stylist,” Zhang Jun said, laughing as he gestured animatedly.

Li Wei managed a weak smile. Normally, he would’ve found the story hilarious, but tonight, his nerves were getting the better of him.

“You’re tense,” Zhang Jun observed, his tone softening.

“I’m fine,” Li Wei lied, his voice a little too high-pitched to be convincing.

Zhang Jun leaned across the table, his gaze steady. “Wei, if you’re not comfortable, we don’t have to do this.”

Li Wei shook his head, his cheeks flushing. “No, I want to. I just… I’ve never done anything like this before.”

Zhang Jun’s lips curved into a small, reassuring smile. “That’s okay. We’ll take it slow.”

After dinner, they moved to the couch, where Zhang Jun poured them another glass of wine. The atmosphere was warm and intimate, but the unspoken tension lingered.

“Relax,” Zhang Jun said, shifting closer to Li Wei. “This isn’t a test. There’s no right or wrong way to do this.”

Li Wei nodded, though his heart was pounding in his chest. He took a sip of wine, hoping it would calm his nerves, but it only seemed to make him more aware of Zhang Jun’s presence beside him.

Then, Zhang Jun leaned in.

It wasn’t sudden or forceful. It was gentle, almost hesitant, as if Zhang Jun was giving him a chance to pull away. But Li Wei didn’t.

Their lips met, and for a moment, all of Li Wei’s doubts melted away. Zhang Jun’s kiss was warm and familiar, yet it ignited something entirely new in him.

---

The weeks that followed were both exhilarating and confusing. Their arrangement was exactly as Zhang Jun had promised—casual, unhurried, and without the complications of labels or expectations.

They would meet a few times a week, sometimes at Zhang Jun’s place, other times at Li Wei’s. They shared dinners, watched movies, and occasionally spent the night together. It was fun, thrilling even, but Li Wei couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in over his head.

Despite Zhang Jun’s insistence that nothing had changed, Li Wei couldn’t help but notice the subtle shifts in their dynamic. Zhang Jun’s texts became more frequent, often peppered with flirtatious comments that made Li Wei’s heart race. Their conversations, once light and easy, now carried an undercurrent of something deeper, something neither of them dared to name.

Li Wei told himself he was imagining it. This was what he’d agreed to, after all. Friends with benefits. No strings, no expectations.

But late at night, when Zhang Jun was asleep beside him, Li Wei would lie awake, staring at the ceiling, and wonder if he’d made a mistake.

---

One evening, after a particularly long day at work, Li Wei arrived at Zhang Jun’s apartment to find him in an unusually serious mood.

“Everything okay?” Li Wei asked as he stepped inside, shrugging off his coat.

“Yeah,” Zhang Jun replied, though his tone lacked its usual playfulness. He gestured for Li Wei to sit, pouring them both a glass of wine.

Li Wei frowned, taking a seat on the couch. “You’re acting weird.”

Zhang Jun chuckled, though it sounded forced. “Just thinking.”

“About what?”

Zhang Jun hesitated, his gaze fixed on his glass. “About us.”

Li Wei’s heart skipped a beat. “What about us?”

Zhang Jun sighed, setting his glass down on the coffee table. “I know we said no strings, but… I feel like something’s changed.”

Li Wei stared at him, his chest tightening. “What do you mean?”

Zhang Jun met his gaze, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. “I mean, I care about you, Wei. More than I probably should.”

Li Wei’s breath caught in his throat. This was the one thing he hadn’t prepared for, the one possibility he’d tried so hard to avoid.

“Jun, we agreed—”

“I know what we agreed to,” Zhang Jun interrupted, his voice firm but not unkind. “But I can’t help how I feel.”

Li Wei looked away, his mind racing. This wasn’t supposed to happen. They’d set rules, clear boundaries to protect themselves. But somewhere along the way, those boundaries had blurred, and now, they were teetering on the edge of something far more complicated.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Li Wei admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Zhang Jun reached out, his hand brushing against Li Wei’s. “Wei, I’m not asking for anything. I just… needed you to know how I feel.”

Li Wei looked at him, his chest aching with a mix of emotions he couldn’t name. He wanted to run, to escape the weight of Zhang Jun’s confession, but he also wanted to stay, to let himself fall into the warmth of Zhang Jun’s gaze.

“I need time,” he said finally.

Zhang Jun nodded, his smile soft but understanding. “Take all the time you need.”

---

That night, as Li Wei lay in bed alone, he couldn’t stop thinking about Zhang Jun’s words. The lines between friendship and something more had always been blurry for them, but now, they were completely erased.

And for the first time, Li Wei wasn’t sure what he wanted.