Chapter 18: 17. Aquarium

Xia Fei had been lounging on his couch, flipping through a textbook while pretending to study when his phone buzzed on the coffee table.

Vein: Are you free tomorrow?

Xia Fei furrowed his brows, glancing at the message. Vein rarely asked vague questions like that—it was usually something work-related or some teasing remark that made Xia Fei groan.

Xia Fei: Depends. Why?

The reply came almost instantly.

Vein: I thought we could go out. I have the day off, and so do you. It’s about time we did something that wasn’t work or... other business.

Xia Fei stared at the screen for a moment. Vein asking him out? Not exactly unusual—he’d gotten used to Vein’s persistent attempts to spend time together—but this felt different.

Xia Fei: Go out where?

Vein: The aquarium.

Xia Fei blinked. He hadn’t been to an aquarium since he was a kid, and the idea of going with Vein felt... strange. Not unpleasant, just unexpected.

Xia Fei: Why the aquarium?

Vein: Because it’s relaxing. And I figured you could use a break.

Xia Fei sighed, running a hand through his hair. It wasn’t like he had anything better to do, and a day out sounded nice, even if it was with someone as unpredictable as Vein.

Xia Fei: Fine. What time?

Vein: I’ll pick you up at 10. Wear something comfortable.

Xia Fei couldn’t help but roll his eyes at the last comment. Comfortable? What did Vein think he was going to wear—formalwear?

---

The next morning, Vein was punctual as ever, showing up at Xia Fei’s door exactly at 10 a.m. Dressed in a sleek black jacket and a casual shirt, Vein looked effortlessly put together, as always.

Xia Fei, on the other hand, had opted for a simple hoodie and jeans, hoping to keep things casual.

“You’re late,” Vein teased as Xia Fei opened the door.

Xia Fei frowned. “No, I’m not. You’re just early.”

Vein smirked, not bothering to argue. “You ready?”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.”

__

The aquarium was quieter than Xia Fei had expected. Vein was walking confidently beside him, exuded a calm energy that Xia Fei found oddly comforting. Though he initially thought it would be awkward, the serenity of the place and the muted chatter of visitors around them settled his nerves.

“This place is... peaceful,” Xia Fei admitted, glancing at a massive tank filled with gently swaying jellyfish, their translucent bodies glowing with hues of blue and purple.

Vein smiled, leaning slightly closer to him. “I figured you’d like it. Something about this place reminds me of you.”

Xia Fei raised a brow. “What, you’re saying I’m like a fish?”

“No.” Vein smirked. “You’re just mesmerizing, like everything in here.”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress the heat rising to his cheeks. He turned back to the tank, hoping Vein wouldn’t notice. “You’re ridiculous.”

They moved through the exhibits, Vein occasionally pulling out his phone to snap pictures—not of the fish, but of Xia Fei. The latter, oblivious at first, caught him mid-photo and narrowed his eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Taking pictures,” Vein said nonchalantly.

“Of the fish?”

“No. Of you.”

Xia Fei groaned but didn’t stop him. He turned back to the glass, pretending to admire the fish while Vein continued to snap away. “You better delete those later.”

“Not a chance,” Vein replied, chuckling softly.

As they wandered deeper into the aquarium, they stumbled upon a massive tunnel where sharks and rays swam overhead. The light refracted through the water, casting rippling patterns across the walls and floor. Vein gently took Xia Fei’s hand, his larger palm enveloping Xia Fei’s as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Xia Fei froze for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. “What are you doing?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Vein glanced at him, his expression calm yet teasing. “Holding your hand. Is that a problem?”

Xia Fei wanted to say yes, that it was too much, too soon. But instead, he found himself shaking his head. “No. It’s fine.”

They walked through the tunnel like that, fingers entwined, the world around them fading into the background. Xia Fei found himself sneaking glances at Vein, wondering how someone so composed could make him feel so utterly unbalanced.

When they reached the final exhibit—a massive tank filled with colorful coral and schools of vibrant fish—Vein pulled him closer. “Stay still for a second.”

Xia Fei frowned. “What now?”

Vein held up his phone. “One last picture.”

Xia Fei sighed but didn’t protest, standing awkwardly as Vein snapped a few shots.

“Perfect,” Vein murmured, looking at the photo.

“Let me see.”

Vein handed over the phone, and Xia Fei was stunned. The photo was candid, capturing him in soft light with the vibrant colors of the tank behind him. His usually sharp features looked relaxed, almost ethereal.

“Wow,” Xia Fei muttered.

“Told you. You’re mesmerizing,” Vein said softly, his voice closer than Xia Fei had expected.

Xia Fei turned to respond, but the words caught in his throat. Vein was looking at him with an intensity that made his pulse quicken. Before he could think, Vein leaned in, his lips brushing against Xia Fei’s in a kiss that was as tender as it was electrifying.

The world seemed to stop around them. The soft hum of the tanks, the gentle glow of the water, the distant footsteps of other visitors—all of it faded away.

When they finally pulled apart, Xia Fei’s face was flushed, his breath shaky. “You—”

“No one was looking,” Vein said, smirking. “Relax.”

Xia Fei groaned, covering his face with one hand. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet, here you are.” Vein’s smirk softened into a genuine smile.

They stayed there for a while longer, hands intertwined as they admired the vibrant life in the tank. The moment felt perfect, untouched by the chaos of their usual lives.

On the way out, Vein nudged Xia Fei playfully. “So, what’s the verdict? Did I pick the perfect date spot?”

“You didn’t pick it. I did,” Xia Fei shot back, though his tone lacked its usual bite.

Vein laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Fair enough. But I made it perfect.”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. Deep down, he couldn’t deny it: the day had been perfect.