Across a Youth

After dinner, Ye Shuang started unpacking the packages that had arrived that day—mostly computer equipment and such. After all, if he was going to live here long-term, a computer was essential, and the internet had already been set up.

Ye Shuang deftly assembled the computer and, after confirming the screen lit up, went outside to install the surveillance cameras.

Bai Yuyou watched as Ye Shuang busied himself back and forth, wanting to help but unable to do much, so she simply stood quietly by his side.

At one point, a neighbor passed by and, seeing Ye Shuang installing the cameras, didn’t seem the least bit surprised. Given what had just happened—rumors circulating that the son of the family on the seventh floor was still detained, awaiting prosecution and likely prison time—it made sense.

"That should do it," Ye Shuang muttered as he secured the camera in a corner and stuck a sign below it: "You are under surveillance." He finally felt a little more at ease.

Truthfully, the biggest purpose of surveillance wasn’t recording footage but deterrence. That was why fake cameras sold so well online.

Back inside, Ye Shuang closed the door and checked the camera feed on his phone. Satisfied that it was working properly, he nodded. "All set."

He then turned his attention back to the computer, while Bai Yuyou sat on a small stool beside him, watching.

She didn’t understand what he was doing.

But just being near him was enough to make her feel safe.

Noticing Bai Yuyou lingering beside him, Ye Shuang said, "Go take a shower first. You must’ve worked up a sweat during P.E. today, right?"

"Together," Bai Yuyou replied, tugging at his sleeve. When he didn’t answer, she asked, "No?"

"Only married couples bathe together," Ye Shuang explained, sighing at how clingy she was.

Bai Yuyou lowered her hand, her gem-like eyes downcast, even the usual unruly strand of hair atop her head drooping listlessly.

"..." Sensing her disappointment, Ye Shuang thought for a moment before relenting. "Fine, let’s go."

"Are we married now?" Bai Yuyou tilted her head curiously.

"No. Consider it a reward for your good behavior today," Ye Shuang said.

But as he looked at the girl’s delicate face, he couldn’t tell whether this so-called "reward" was for her or for himself.

Bai Yuyou didn’t fully understand, but as long as they could bathe together, she was content.

A few minutes later—

Steam filled the bathroom as Bai Yuyou sat on a small stool while Ye Shuang washed her hair from behind, rinsing it clean before applying shower gel.

"Arms up."

"Okay."

Ye Shuang continued lathering her with bubbles.

After a while, Bai Yuyou suddenly turned around and pointed to her chest. "Here... no bubbles."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"Bubbles," she insisted.

With no choice, he reached over and spread the foam evenly, immediately feeling a wave of guilt.

Bai Yuyou noticed him spacing out and blinked before leaning closer. "What’s wrong?"

The bubbles nearly smeared onto him. Mentally repeating "I am not a degenerate" a hundred times, Ye Shuang’s eyes suddenly cleared, filled with pure resolve.

"Alright, let’s rinse you off," he said, his voice even adopting a hint of a broadcaster’s cadence, radiating righteousness.

"Okay."

Once they finally finished, Ye Shuang dried Bai Yuyou’s hair with a blow dryer, staring at her fair neck and resolving never to do this again.

He was acutely aware of the gap between them.

Eight years.

It wasn’t just an age difference—it was an entire lifetime of experiences separating them.

There were things Bai Yuyou didn’t understand, but he did. Ye Shuang refused to let his own selfish desires ruin her future.

"Bai Yuyou."

"Hm?" She turned to look at him.

"Come here. Let’s watch an educational video about relationships." Ye Shuang sat at the computer desk, pulled up a documentary on a streaming site, and motioned for her to join him.

Men and women were different—they couldn’t just casually bathe or sleep together.

Bai Yuyou obediently sat beside him, and they watched the video together.

About half an hour later, as the video ended, Ye Shuang asked, "Well? Did you understand the content?"

Bai Yuyou nodded softly.

"Do you get now that men and women are different?"

"Yeah."

Ye Shuang exhaled in relief. "Good."

But Bai Yuyou fixed her gaze on him and said earnestly, "From now on, I’ll only let you see me. Only bathe and sleep with you."

Ye Shuang: "..."

"Wait, did you actually understand the video?"

"It said these things are only for married couples, the closest people..." Bai Yuyou explained. "We’ll be married later, so I’ll only do them with you..."

Her logic was flawless, leaving Ye Shuang at a loss for words. The phrase "We might not end up married" stuck in his throat, impossible to voice.

Fine. She could learn the rest later.

Ye Shuang pulled up a movie instead—after all, when it came to learning, visual storytelling was far more engaging. Human memory retained scenes much better than text.

By the time the movie ended, night had deepened.

Bai Yuyou clutched a pillow, kneeling on the futon as if ready to sleep together.

Ye Shuang let her be, turning off the lights before lying down beside her.

The faint floral scent of her body drifted over in the dim room. Bai Yuyou, already curled against him, breathed steadily in sleep.

But Ye Shuang lay awake, staring at the ceiling as memories flickered through his mind.

Suddenly, he felt the urge for a cigarette.

Quietly, he tried to slip out to the balcony for a smoke—only to find his shirt firmly gripped.

Under the pale moonlight, he saw Bai Yuyou’s hand tightly clutching his clothes.

"Always holding onto me in her sleep," he mused with a faint smile. As he gently tried to pry her fingers loose—

The moment he touched her hand, her fingers tightened slightly, and a murmur escaped her lips:

"Don’t go... I’ll be good..."

Ye Shuang froze. After a long silence, he sat up and reached for his lighter.

Lighting a cigarette, he wondered what exactly Bai Yuyou had been through.

Her father was a murderer, her mother a mistress?

Regardless of whether the rumors were true—what was the real story?

"Cough—" A soft cough snapped him out of his thoughts. He blinked, noticing the wisps of smoke curling in the moonlight and Bai Yuyou’s slightly furrowed brow, discomfort clear on her face.

Remembering someone’s words from the past, Ye Shuang stared at the nearly finished cigarette in his hand.

Slowly, he raised it—

And took one last drag.

Then, he tossed both the pack and the lighter into the trash bin.

Starting today, he’d quit.

Ye Shuang made up his mind.