Party Time
[📘 Content Warning:
This story contains Boys’ Love (BL) themes. Reader discretion is advised. Please read the disclaimers mentioned in the Instagram post.]
The metro swayed gently as it hummed toward Deqing, morning light spilling in through the windows, catching in motes of dust and bouncing off metal poles.
Yibo stepped in from Linping station, his eyes scanning the crowd with a practiced instinct.
Two compartments ahead, he finally spotted him.
Zhan.
Yibo’s lips curved almost instantly, soft and unguarded.
As if the tightness in his chest he hadn’t even noticed all morning had suddenly dissolved.
Just seeing Zhan—black hair slightly tousled, dressed in a crisp white crew-neck tee under a navy-blue shirt left casually unbuttoned, and light grey cargo pants that tapered neatly over white sneakers—lit something up inside him.
One shoulder carried his backpack, the other bore the light slouch of habit.
In one hand he held his lunchbox bag and his slim thermal flask; in the other, an open book.
Yibo navigated toward him, weaving past half-asleep commuters and students with headphones on.
“Morning.”
Zhan greeted with that usual warmth, lifting his eyes from his book.
The corners of his lips curled, just a little, but it was enough.
That small expression, fleeting and real, made something flutter in Yibo’s chest again.
“Morning, Zhan-ge.”
Yibo replied, stepping beside him, eyes still lingering for half a second more than necessary.
“You look… sharp today.”
Zhan gave him a sidelong glance.
“Says the one who always looks like he walked out of a fashion shoot, even in oil-stained jeans.”
Yibo huffed a soft laugh, then looked at him curiously.
“You seem like you’re in a good mood.”
“Hmm. Got some good news, actually.”
Zhan said, lips tugging into a real smile now.
“Remember that publishing house I told you about a while ago? The one that once reached out for a possible collaboration?”
“The one with that illustrated children’s series thing?”
“Exactly. They called me yesterday. Offered me the republishing project. The contract’s pretty solid, decent royalties too. We’re meeting this afternoon at the bookstore. If things go well, I might even get the advance today itself.”
“Woah, seriously?”
Yibo’s face lit up.
“That’s amazing, Ge! That’s like… really good money, right?”
“Yup.”
Zhan nodded.
“But with it comes a whole lot of work. I’ll be swamped for a while.”
Yibo frowned a little.
“And your freelance work? You’re still doing that too?”
Zhan shook his head.
“No, I’ll finish whatever’s pending now and then take a break. I don’t want to stretch myself too thin. Ba also said he knows someone who can help manage the bookstore for the time being.”
“Sounds like everything’s falling into place for you.”
Yibo said, his voice genuinely happy.
“I’m glad.”
“Thanks. What about you? How’s college?”
“My exams are coming up next month.”
Yibo sighed.
“So I’ll be chained to notes and coffee soon. Probably less garage time, too.”
“Good.”
Zhan said firmly.
“Focus on your studies and crush those exams. No slacking.”
Yibo grinned, nudging his shoulder lightly into Zhan’s.
“Yes, Ge.”
The train began to slow, robotic voice announcing Deqing station.
They both stood, stepping off together into the slightly overcast morning.
The streets outside buzzed softly—street vendors already set up shop, and students and workers flowed past in steady currents.
They walked down the usual path toward the bookstore, their footsteps syncing without even trying.
The air was brisk but not cold, the kind of morning that made the city feel alive.
As they reached the corner where Zhan’s store came into view, Yibo paused.
“My scooter’s still at the delivery point from yesterday, so… bus life today.”
He said with a dramatic sigh.
“Take care.”
Zhan said, already unlocking the bookstore gate.
“And don’t sleep in class.”
“No promises.”
Yibo turned, then added with a half-smile.
“See you later, Zhan-ge.”
Zhan raised his hand in a small wave, watching Yibo jog toward the bus stop.
For a moment, he lingered there, leaning against the half-open shutter, feeling oddly content.
Like the day had already started right.
—————————————————–
The afternoon sun filtered gently through the bookstore’s tall front windows.
Zhan had cleared the small table near the reading corner, setting out two bottles of water, his notebook, and the draft contract he’d received earlier.
He straightened the spines of a few nearby books instinctively, a little nervous despite himself.
By 2 PM, the publishing house manager arrived—Mr. Lin Rong, a sharp-dressed middle-aged man with a warm smile and a younger assistant in tow.
They exchanged greetings and got straight to business.
The discussion flowed smoothly, and to Zhan’s relief, there were no surprises.
They finalized the contract for the illustrated children’s series—an initial republishing run with potential for future projects based on the performance.
“And the first part of your advance.”
Mr. Lin Rong said, tapping into his phone.
“We’ll transfer that today itself. Should reflect in your account by evening.”
Zhan exhaled slowly, a small smile settling on his face.
“Thank you. I’ll do my best to deliver on time.”
Once he left, the bookstore felt oddly quiet again, but for the first time in a while, that quiet felt good.
Like calm after a storm.
Zhan leaned against the counter, letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
That advance… it was enough to clear a few lingering debts, cover Yue’s next semester fees, and still leave a little buffer for the coming weeks.
The first thing he did—before calling home—was reach for his phone and dial Yibo.
Yibo picked up almost instantly.
“Ge?”
“It’s done.”
Zhan said, unable to suppress the grin in his voice.
“The deal’s finalized. Advance is coming through today.”
“Seriously? That’s amazing!”
Yibo’s voice lit up, bright with genuine happiness.
“I knew it! I told you they’d take it.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Zhan chuckled.
“Anyway, I thought I should tell you first. Before I call home.”
“You better.”
Yibo said.
“This definitely calls for a celebration.”
Zhan leaned back against the wall, smiling.
“A quiet one, maybe. I’m not exactly in party mode.”
“Well…”
Yibo drawled.
“I was planning to go out with a couple of friends from college this evening. Just a casual thing—nothing wild. In Linping. Wanna come with us? Only if you’re comfortable.”
Zhan raised an eyebrow.
“What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing, really. We haven’t caught up in a while.”
Yibo replied.
“Just a chill evening.”
Zhan thought for a beat.
“Alright. I’ll join.”
“Then you better tell your mom you’re not coming home tonight.”
Yibo said, and Zhan could hear the teasing tone slip in.
“Why?”
Zhan asked suspiciously.
Yibo grinned on the other end.
“Because we’re gonna booze. And you don’t go home when you booze, right?”
Zhan laughed.
“You punk.”
“Five PM. I’ll come pick you up.”
Yibo said.
“Don’t run away.”
“Yeah, yeah. See you.”
Call ended, Zhan immediately rang his father’s number.
Xiao Guoqiang answered.
“Ba, the deal’s sealed.”
Zhan said, voice still carrying a hint of excitement.
“They’ve already processed the advance. I’ll send it to your account in a bit—should help cover the old dues and we can keep the rest aside for Yue’s tuition.”
“That’s wonderful, Zhan.”
His father said with a chuckle.
“You finally caught a break, huh? I’m proud of you, truly.”
That made Zhan smile.
“Thanks Ba. I’ll forward the transaction details once it comes in.”
Next, he dialed his mom.
“Ma, I won’t be home tonight. Going out with some friends.”
A beat of silence. Then, a very pointed:
“Drinking?”
Zhan chuckled.
“A little, maybe.”
“Don’t go overboard.”
Liu Fang warned.
“I won’t. Promise.”
Zhan said, then quickly added.
“Can you handle Ba if he asks?”
“I’ll manage him.”
She sighed.
“You just don’t embarrass yourself.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
He said with a grin.
There was a pause before her voice softened again.
“And come home tomorrow early morning. Not afternoon, not evening—morning. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“Don’t make me call you.”
“You won’t have to Ma…”
He hung up feeling lighter—relieved, grounded, and maybe a little excited for the evening ahead.
The weight of the morning had shifted into something new.
And though he had no idea what the night would bring, a small part of him was just happy it would start with Yibo.
—————————————————–
By the time the clock neared five, the sky outside had softened to a golden hue, and the bookstore had quieted down for the day.
Zhan was wrapping up with his last customer when he spotted Yibo parking his scooter outside.
Through the glass door, their eyes met.
Zhan held up five fingers with an apologetic tilt of his head.
Yibo gave a small nod and leaned against the scooter, helmet in hand, watching with an easy patience.
Minutes later, Zhan walked the customer out with a smile and spun the CLOSED sign on the door.
He locked up in a bit of a hurry, tugging the strap of his backpack higher on one shoulder.
“Sorry.”
Zhan said, accepting the spare helmet Yibo handed over.
“Right on time.”
Yibo replied with a half-smile.
They took off into the evening rush, the city buzzing quietly around them.
Zhan sat behind, his hands loosely resting on Yibo’s shoulders, the wind tousling his hair as they passed familiar streets and neon signs flickering to life.
After catching the metro and riding a few stops, they got down at Linping station.
The place Yibo brought him to wasn’t anything fancy—just a small, tucked-away rooftop joint above a grocery store, scattered with old tables, mismatched chairs, and fairy lights strung overhead.
The kind of place you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it.
Casual, slightly noisy, and definitely a local haunt.
Two guys were already seated at a corner table, half-laughing over something on one of their phones.
Yibo led Zhan over.
“Hey, this is Zhan-ge.”
Yibo said as they approached.
“The one I told you about.”
Zhan gave them a polite smile.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Zhan-ge.”
Both chorused, straightening up just a little.
Chen, was tall with a perpetual grin, the other one Lele a bit shorter, with a messy fringe and dimples.
Friendly energy all around.
They settled at the table, and someone waved over a server.
They ordered a few bottles of beer, and Zhan, after a beat, asked for a whiskey—neat.
Yibo raised a brow.
“Whiskey? On a weekday?
He teased.
“You’re the one who told me to celebrate.”
Yibo smirked and nodded.
“Fair enough. But I’m just sticking to one beer. Still gotta go home.”
A round of crispy chicken wings, fried peanuts, and spicy tofu followed soon after, making the table look fuller and more festive.
“So, Zhan-ge…”
Lele leaned forward, mischief in his eyes.
“You got a girlfriend?”
Zhan smiled lazily, swirling the ice in his glass.
“Not yet. Too busy for all that, I guess.”
“Too cool, you mean.”
Chen grinned.
“Bet you break hearts just standing behind that bookstore counter.”
Zhan laughed, sipping slowly.
“I doubt that.”
Zhan turned his head slightly—almost instinctively—toward Yibo.
Yibo was already looking at him, quiet and smiling, the rim of his beer bottle still resting near his lips.
There was something unreadable yet warm in his gaze.
Like he was proud, or maybe just happy to be sitting beside him in this moment.
Then, naturally, the teasing turned to Yibo.
“Man, you should see him in class.”
Said Chen.
“Quiet as a monk. Doesn’t even talk to the girls who try to flirt with him.”
“Like, seriously.”
Lele chimed in.
“We thought he was mute for the first week.”
Zhan, amused, glanced sideways at Yibo.
“Really? That quiet?”
Yibo groaned and shook his head.
“They’re exaggerating.”
But Zhan chuckled.
“Funny. With me, he doesn’t shut up.”
Lele and Chen whooped and laughed, throwing dramatic looks at Yibo, who tried and failed to hide a sheepish grin behind his beer bottle.
“Oh, shut up.”
Yibo muttered, nudging one of them under the table with his foot.
Chen leaned in toward Zhan, grinning.
“Zhan-ge, so what did you get Yibo today?”
Zhan blinked.
“Huh? Get him what?”
“A gift, duh.”
Lele said, looking at Yibo like he was about to spill something big.
Zhan glanced between them.
“Wait—why would I get him a gift? What’s going on?”
The two guys turned to Yibo with exaggerated gasps.
“You didn’t tell him?!”
Chen asked.
Yibo groaned and slouched back in his chair.
“Seriously, you had to bring it up now?”
“Then when, birthday boy?”
Lele shot back with a wink.
Zhan’s eyes widened as he turned to Yibo.
“Wait—it’s your birthday today?!”
Yibo shrugged, looking a bit shy.
“Yeah. I just… I don’t like making a fuss. Feels weird. This hangout was their idea, not mine.”
Zhan reached across the table and gave him a light punch on the arm.
“I asked you earlier what the occasion was! You could’ve told me, you punk!”
Yibo laughed, rubbing his arm.
“Well, now you know.”
Chen chuckled and said.
“Zhan-ge, this guy never celebrates his birthday. We’re always the ones dragging him out and forcing a party.”
“Even today—his mom and grandma went off to their village for a wedding, on his birthday, and he’s just totally chill about it!”
Zhan shook his head but smiled, reaching out his hand.
“Happy birthday, Yibo. Seriously.”
Yibo shook his hand with a small smile.
“Thanks, Zhan-ge.”
The others lifted their bottles in a casual toast, and the group burst into laughter again.
The vibe settled into something easy and warm.
Zhan was surprised how quickly he gelled with Yibo’s friends—they were cheeky but good-natured, and clearly had Yibo’s back.
They kept chatting, the table slowly cluttering with empty bottles and plates.
The smell of grilled meat and spicy peanuts lingered in the air, blending with the sound of clinking glasses and low music from a nearby speaker.
“Zhan-ge…”
Lele said suddenly, leaning forward with a grin.
“Ever tried… the stuff ?”
Zhan frowned.
“What stuff?”
Lele reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white tablet, showing it discreetly.
“This.”
Zhan looked at it, curious.
“What’s that?”
“Something to make the night more fun.”
He said with a smirk.
“C’mon, just one. It won’t mess you up.”
Before Zhan could answer, Yibo straightened in his seat.
“Lele, no. Don’t offer him that. He’s not into all this.”
Zhan glanced at Yibo, grinning.
“Maybe I should try it once, yeah?”
Yibo looked uneasy.
“Zhan-ge, you’ve had whisky already. You don’t know how this will react.”
Lele waved a hand.
“Relax, Yibo. You’re here with him, right? He’s not alone. It’ll wear off by morning.”
“Exactly.”
Chen added.
“Let him live a little. Zhan-ge, trust me—it’s like floating.”
Zhan hesitated, eyes twinkling, then looked at Yibo again.
“Let’s do it. One time. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Yibo sighed, clearly not convinced, but didn’t say more.
Zhan took the tablet, popped it into his mouth, and washed it down with his drink.
At first, everything felt the same.
Then slowly, the room started to shift.
Not in a dizzy way—just… lighter.
The noise around him softened, and the lights got this hazy glow.
The laughter of the guys sounded deeper, warmer.
He blinked at the neon signs—they looked like watercolor paintings come to life.
His arms felt light, his whole body loose, like floating in warm water.
Someone said something—Zhan wasn’t sure what—but he laughed anyway, full and open.
He turned to Yibo, grinning wide.
“You’re glowing, man.”
Yibo looked at him, concerned but half-smiling.
“You’re high, Zhan-ge.”
Zhan giggled, leaning back.
“Nah. I’m flying.”
Yibo chuckled, shaking his head, let out a slow, dramatic sigh.
“Great. I’m officially on babysitting duty now.”
[To be continued…]
The Red Ribbon 