CFHE Chapter 55

Because of Wen Yu’s interruption, Fu Yuhan hadn’t seen clearly who was calling before answering the phone.

 

So when he heard Fu Xuecheng’s extremely regretful “Xiao Han, would you consider coming to live with me,” he was truly surprised.

 

Actually, was Fu Xuecheng good to him? Pretty good.

 

Not to mention when the family of three still lived together, but even after he separated from He Yan, he would still occasionally have his secretary drop by to bring him things.

 

Sometimes clothes, sometimes limited edition shoes, from basketball shoes to running shoes.

 

Limited edition items, once hyped up by domestic scalpers, were all sky-high prices. But Fu Xuecheng had money and didn’t care about this, so Fu Yuhan accepted them—after all, He Yan wouldn’t buy him such things, but young boys liked them.

 

He started refusing gifts after high school. Perhaps because he was older, he lost interest in external things, or maybe because He Yan would often nag him when she saw the shoes in his shoe cabinet with the same old three complaints—”I can’t afford these shoes, do you think I’m poor, go live with your dad”—and Fu Yuhan found it annoying.

 

Or perhaps it was because when He Yan really couldn’t get away from overtime work, and the homeroom teacher at the time insisted that every student’s parent must attend the parent-teacher conference, Fu Yuhan waited outside Fu Xuecheng’s company all night and didn’t wait for him.

 

At the agreed time, Fu Xuecheng didn’t show up.

 

The next day he called to say “Sorry son, there was a problem with a shipment at the last minute, flew out of town, forgot to tell you,” and then had his secretary send over a gift.

 

Sometimes Fu Yuhan would wonder if, as a boy, he was being overly sensitive and dramatic, and he had even blamed himself for it. Later he discovered that his dad was always like this—

 

The wealthy father would give him easily obtainable material gifts, then use the excuse of needing to make money and work, unwilling to give him a bit more time.

 

His mother would pay attention to his daily life, but the pressure of life could easily drive people crazy. Her logic was flawed, she was hysterical, she educated Fu Yuhan in her own way, unwilling to listen to his thoughts.

 

Would things have been better if he had chosen the other one back then?

 

Not necessarily.

 

Fortunately, he still had friends, and he still had himself.

 

Yang Fan had once told him, “Where you were born, what kind of parents you have—these aren’t your choices, it’s not your fault.” Fu Yuhan said okay, and then slowly walked out of it relying on that sentence.

 

He learned not to blame himself for his sadness anymore, learned not to care—so much so that he gradually grew into a famous “poker face” among his classmates.

 

There was nothing wrong with no longer fantasizing about relying on either of them.

 

This was called growing up.

 

Therefore, when he heard Fu Xuecheng say this, Fu Yuhan’s first reaction was wariness—he wouldn’t extend an invitation for no reason, so what had happened?

 

Before his inner doubts could be answered, his hand was already being held.

 

Today Wen Yu didn’t know what had gotten into him, actually taking the initiative to comfort him, like Yang Fan would.

 

—No, that’s not right. Even when Yang Fan comforted him, he wouldn’t use this method.

 

For straight men, even “mutually disgusting” mouth-to-mouth kisses could be acceptable, but holding hands and hugging were absolutely not—that was too mushy.

 

But Fu Yuhan wasn’t straight, so this action was just right for him now.

 

Even though this was Wen Yu.

 

Even though… they had been at each other’s throats not long ago.

 

But at this moment, this gesture that expressed “I’m here” gave him strength very well.

 

Fu Yuhan lowered his eyelids and gripped Wen Yu’s hand back. He wanted to smile at him, but unfortunately didn’t succeed. Then Fu Yuhan took a deep breath and said to his dad: “Did something happen this morning?”

 

His voice still carried some hoarseness from just waking up. Fu Xuecheng on the other end of the phone was stunned: “Were you sleeping?”

 

“I’m awake.” Fu Yuhan paused, then added, “Just woke up.”

 

“Are you at home? How about Dad comes to pick you up now?” Fu Xuecheng said, “I’ll drive over, including parking it should take about half an hour. Pack up your usual things, come home with Dad today. From now on you’ll live with me, there are spare rooms at home…”

 

“Dad,” Fu Yuhan interrupted him, his expression cold, “What’s wrong with you?”

 

As soon as the word “Dad” left his mouth, he keenly felt Wen Yu’s grip on his hand tighten.

 

Fu Yuhan looked down and saw that Wen Yu wasn’t looking at him, but was staring at his hand, lost in thought.

 

He pulled the person up a bit and moved himself toward the middle of the bed. When Wen Yu looked over, Fu Yuhan mouthed and gestured with his eyes: “Sit.”

 

Wen Yu thought for a moment, then stood up and sat on the edge of the bed.

 

On the other end of the phone, Fu Xuecheng was silent for a few seconds, as if hesitating whether to tell him what happened. Fu Yuhan wasn’t in a hurry either, just waited like that.

 

After about half a minute, Fu Xuecheng finally spoke: “About the living expenses before, and your wanting to learn painting, I originally wanted to have a good talk with your mom. But recently… Aunt Zhou mentioned to you last time that the company hasn’t been doing well lately, I’ve been a bit busy. I only flew back last night and planned to talk with your mom today.”

 

Fu Yuhan’s eyelid twitched.

 

“She really is… she really lives up to being…” Fu Xuecheng seemed to suddenly be unable to find the right adjective, “I really don’t understand how she became like this. Less than three sentences and she starts yelling? That was a coffee shop! A place that needs quiet! My god, and she actually told me she took all the money I gave her to treat her daughter. What a joke?! I entrusted you to her, is this how she takes care of you?”

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

“Come live with me, son,” Fu Xuecheng said irritably, “I don’t think any normal person could stay under the same roof with such a woman for more than a whole day!”

 

Fu Yuhan lowered his head, holding Wen Yu’s hand, his tone flat: “I’ve been living with her for seven or eight years, Dad.”

 

Fu Xuecheng: “…”

 

Fu Yuhan really wanted to say, “Don’t drag me into your conflicts,” but the words circled around his mouth twice. Feeling it was really too harsh, he didn’t have the nerve to say it.

 

He thought for a moment and said softly: “We usually eat dinner together at home. During the day I go to school, she… gives me two hundred yuan a week for expenses. Saying that money all went to Xiao Lu’s treatment was definitely just to spite you on purpose.”

 

“…” Fu Xuecheng paused, then snorted coldly, “I didn’t yell at her. This woman is really unreasonable.”

 

“She’s probably in a bad mood today. She scolded me yesterday too.” Fu Yuhan said calmly, “Xiao Lu’s condition might not be good. Maybe she wasn’t in the mood to listen to you talk about these things.”

 

“You don’t need to make excuses for her! Xiao Han, what I was talking to her about was your studies. Isn’t this important? Not as important as her daughter’s health? Let me say something unpleasant—how many years has her daughter been sick? And how many senior years do you have? That’s her daughter, but aren’t you her son?” Fu Xuecheng took a long breath, “Anyway, I’m heading to the garage right now. I’ll come pick you up in a bit, you pack your things.”

 

“…”

 

Fu Yuhan licked his lips: “…But I’m not at home.”

 

“Not at home?” Fu Xuecheng was stunned, “If you’re not at home, where did you sleep?”

 

“At a classmate’s house, today…”

 

Speaking of this, Fu Yuhan unconsciously looked up and found that Wen Yu was also looking at him, smiling as he mouthed “don’t go back.”

 

“…I’m not going back today.” Fu Yuhan said.

 

Once the first lie was out, the subsequent false words came naturally. Fu Yuhan said half-truthfully: “I’ve been studying hard recently, at… at our grade’s top student’s place, and… and a few other people, studying together.”

 

Hearing it was for studying, Fu Xuecheng didn’t pester further. His tone became gentler: “Won’t you all be bothering them?”

 

“I don’t think so,” Fu Yuhan glanced at Wen Yu, “He invited me… us to come.”

 

“Alright then.” Fu Xuecheng said, “When you go back, still remember to pack your things and come to my place. If I’m not there, Aunt Zhou should be home during this period. I’ll tell her.”

 

Fu Yuhan didn’t respond.

 

“Anyway, I can see your mom has no mind to care about you. What’s good about living at her place? I heard from Xiangyan that some new… what was it… model came out, the kind you used to always want to buy—”

 

“Figures.”

 

“Oh right, figures.” Fu Xuecheng asked, “Do you think your mom can buy you these things to play with? Think about it carefully, Xiao Han.”

 

“…I’ll consider it.” Fu Yuhan said, “I’ll study first.”

 

“Good, good.”

 

Fu Yuhan hung up the phone.

 

He lowered his eyes and was silent for a second, casually throwing the quiet phone into the middle of the bed, where it instantly sank into the soft bedding and disappeared from sight.

 

Wen Yu’s hand was still holding his, his gaze constantly fixed on him.

 

Fu Yuhan belatedly felt uncomfortable. He pulled his hand back, his eyes dodging: “…Time to let go.”

 

“Ah? …Oh!” Wen Yu instantly snapped back to reality and let go of his hand.

 

Fu Yuhan: “…”

 

“What did your dad say to you?” Wen Yu asked.

 

“Asked me to go live with him.” Fu Yuhan yawned and pushed Wen Yu, “Get up, I’m going to shower.”

 

“Not sleeping anymore?” Wen Yu stood up with him.

 

“I’m already awake.” Fu Yuhan said while walking toward the bathroom, “Do you have any T-shirts or something you don’t wear that I can borrow for the day? I sweated a lot carrying you last night, I want to change clothes.”

 

“Yes.” The wardrobe was right by the door. Wen Yu didn’t look carefully, just opened the cabinet door and randomly grabbed a set of clothes and pants to stuff into his hands, “Do you want… underwear?”

 

“…” Fu Yuhan paused and turned back to look at him, “Huh?”

 

“…I have new ones.” Wen Yu explained to him.

 

“Oh,” Fu Yuhan’s expression relaxed, “New ones are fine, thanks.”

 

Wen Yu found another pair of underwear still in its box from the drawer below and gave it to him. After standing up, he said as if possessed: “Put the clothes you change out of here to wash together later. When they’re dry, I’ll bring them to you.”

 

Fu Yuhan looked at him and frowned.

 

“…Anyway, since we both lay on this bed in our outer clothes, I’m definitely going to wash the sheets and bedding.” Wen Yu said.

 

“I feel like you’re acting a bit strange today…” Fu Yuhan thought for a moment, “Does drinking too much have this kind of side effect?”

 

Wen Yu was speechless.

 

He knew he was acting strange too, like an under-rehearsed clown who had suddenly taken the stage and didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

 

Maybe it would be better to let Fu Yuhan go back so he could adjust his state alone, but when the other person was on the phone just now, he still followed his instincts and said “don’t go back.”

 

Fu Yuhan was probably toxic.

 

“Isn’t your dad pretty wealthy? Living with him wouldn’t be bad either.” Wen Yu stiffly changed the subject, “Look at me and my dad—although our relationship isn’t good, he gives me plenty of money to spend.”

 

Fu Yuhan’s frown deepened.

 

Wen Yu was stunned: “Did I say something wrong?”

 

Fu Yuhan: “You actually didn’t argue with me?”

 

Wen Yu: “…”

 

“…Fuck.” He almost burst out laughing, cursing quite ungracefully while turning his head away, unable to stop laughing.

 

Fu Yuhan’s expression also relaxed.

 

He held the pile of clothes and thought for a moment, saying: “If this was a month ago, I probably would have agreed.”

 

“What about now?” Wen Yu was still laughing.

 

“Zhou Xiangyan told me before that his mom is pregnant. I feel like moving there now would be a bit redundant.” He lowered his eyes, “And actually… I quite like Xiao Lu.”

 

His expression, and his profile under this expression, was incredibly gentle. Wen Yu was stunned and suddenly couldn’t laugh anymore.

 

He felt like he was a bit thirsty.

 

“Xiao Lu is my half-sister from the same mother.” Fu Yuhan thought and said, “I’ll consider it more, actually… whether I move or not, it’s only eight more months.”

 

Eight more months until the college entrance exam, then he could leave this place.

 

“Mm, that’s true.” Wen Yu finally found his voice again, “Go shower, what do you want for breakfast?”

 

“Can you use the kitchen?”

 

“No, but I can order takeout.”

 

“…Then just order whatever, get something with soup,” Fu Yuhan suddenly moved closer to him, sniffing lightly with his nose tip, “You still seem to smell like alcohol, drinking soup helps with metabolism.”

 

“…Oh.”

 

“Don’t drink so much in the future.”

 

Fu Yuhan said this as he entered the bathroom. Wen Yu followed behind him: “I don’t usually drink this much… got it.”

 

The final words were shut out by the bathroom door. Wen Yu stood for a while, and just as he was about to leave, he suddenly saw the door open a crack and a pile of clothes was thrown out by Fu Yuhan from inside.

 

“If you’re going to change the sheets, just wash these together.”

 

“…”

 

Wen Yu was stunned for two seconds, then picked up the clothes and pants: “…What about your underwear?”

 

“…Fuck,” Fu Yuhan cursed through the door, “Can’t you let me wash that myself?”

 

Fine, absolutely fine. Wen Yu felt like his brain must have been caught in a door to ask such a question.

 

He could probably understand that Fu Yuhan was afraid he was eager to change the sheets and worried about making him wait longer, so he threw out his clothes first for him to wash, but this kind of… scene where someone he liked was showering at his house and throwing out all their changed clothes was really…

 

People who didn’t know might think they were actually living together.

 

Too stimulating.

 

Holding clothes that still carried the other person’s body warmth, Wen Yu felt for the first time that the wisest birthday gift he’d ever asked his father for in his life might be this apartment.

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)