PTBLSI chapter 25

 

When Qi Xi arrived home, he saw the orange cat that he hadn’t seen in a day. He picked the cat up, spun around, and lifted it high. Afterward, he hugged the cat and rubbed his face against its fur again and again. “Dasheng, did you miss me? Were you lonely by yourself? Couldn’t sleep? Were you scared?”

“Meow.”

The orange cat answered flatly. Qi Xi didn’t care and took it as his cat missing him dearly. He leaned in and rubbed the cat again, then suddenly remembered something. “Did you miss Brother Yan? Come on! Go find him and let him hug you!”

Fu Yanchuan was behind him, twisting open the suitcase, when Qi Xi suddenly lifted the cat up to his face. The orange cat was forced to stick to him.

He glanced sideways and met the cat’s eyes, seeing the same helplessness there. He took the cat and set it down. Then he said to Qi Xi, “Don’t jump around. The doctor told you to rest properly.”

“Brother Yan!”

Qi Xi had already forgotten the rules that Fu Yanchuan had set. Since Fu Yanchuan wouldn’t let him hug the cat, he hugged Fu Yanchuan instead. He wrapped his arms around Fu Yanchuan’s waist, rubbing against him the same way he rubbed the cat. He rubbed against Fu Yanchuan’s chest and said smugly, “Why do you care about me so much? Do you like me to death too?”

Fu Yanchuan let go of the suitcase and removed Qi Xi’s hands. “Ask your school for a few more days off. I’ll have people prepare your three meals during this period. Don’t order food randomly anymore.”

“But what about you?” Qi Xi blurted out. Over the past two days, Fu Yanchuan had practically been inseparable from him. Subconsciously, Qi Xi wanted Fu Yanchuan to always be by his side.

Fu Yanchuan stared at him for a long while, then suddenly touched his face with his knuckles and said, “I’ll come back at night.”

“Every day?”

“Every day.”

Qi Xi smiled, forgetting Fu Yanchuan’s rules once again. He hugged Fu Yanchuan and wrapped his legs around him. Acting spoiled, he said, “Brother Yan, hug me.”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t react. He brought up the contract again. “The contract says you have to take care of me. I’m sick now.”

“So go take your medicine first.”

Fu Yanchuan grabbed Qi Xi by the waist, as if lifting a sloth from a tree, and pulled him down. He turned to pour water and brought the medicine over to Qi Xi.

Qi Xi had taken so much medicine since childhood that he could eat it like candy. But right now, he relied on being favored.

Fu Yanchuan sat with him on the sofa. Qi Xi leaned over, making Fu Yanchuan hold the medicine for him. One sip of water, one pill. It took a long time. After finishing, he leaned on Fu Yanchuan’s shoulder and said, “So bitter! I want candy.”

He was just being spoiled, but he didn’t expect Fu Yanchuan to pull out a chocolate candy as if magic. Curious, he asked, “Where did you get this?”

Fu Yanchuan didn’t answer. He put the candy in his mouth and said, “So sweet. Do you like eating such sweet candy?”

“I don’t.”

Fu Yanchuan answered without any emotion. Qi Xi looked at him even more strangely. “Then why did you buy it?”

Although Qi Xi thought the candy was too sweet, he ate it because Fu Yanchuan gave it to him.

It was already past noon. Lunch was delivered directly. After Fu Yanchuan finished eating, he went to work. Bored with nothing to do, Qi Xi remembered the nude drawing and immediately went back to his room to set up the easel.

Fu Yanchuan wanted to come back before dinner but was still late. By the time he entered the house, it was almost eight. Seeing the dishes covered with moisture-preserving lids on the table, he went straight to Qi Xi’s room.

Qi Xi was working on a new painting. Fu Yanchuan stood at the door and watched for a moment before walking in. Qi Xi was so focused that he was startled when Fu Yanchuan came in. He jumped up from the cushion and asked, “Brother Yan, you’re back?”

Fu Yanchuan stared at Qi Xi’s painting. It depicted a terrifying monster in an equally unsettling scene. At the very bottom, however, there was a tiny, weak figure. The monster’s claw touched the small figure, revealing an incomparable love throughout the entire painting.

He asked Qi Xi, “What are you painting?”

“Monster’s love,” Qi Xi explained. “It’s a painting Boss Bai asked me to do. I’ve only done a draft.”

Fu Yanchuan looked over in confusion. “Isn’t this the one that Scumbag got for you? Why are you still painting it?”

“But I already accepted it. Since I accepted it, I have to finish it.”

Thinking that Fu Yanchuan was worried about being tricked again by Brother Zha, Qi Xi hurriedly said, “I’m not contacting him. I added Boss Bai directly. I don’t really want to deal with him, but if it’s just about the painting, it’s okay.”

Fu Yanchuan stared straight at Qi Xi. He didn’t understand why Qi Xi would still paint under an unfair contract. However, he did understand why Qi Xi, who couldn’t even manage to kiss him properly, always talked about sleeping with him.

In Qi Xi’s understanding, finding a stand-in was just for sleeping together. Since he had agreed, he had to do it.

He couldn’t tell whether he felt shock, source-less anger, or sadness at that moment.

He took the brush from Qi Xi’s hand, put it aside, and said, “Eat first, then paint. You need to eat on time.”

Qi Xi didn’t know what was going through Fu Yanchuan’s mind at that moment. His hands were stained with paint, so he hurried to the bathroom. “I’ll wash my hands and come right away.”

Standing there, Fu Yanchuan couldn’t help but look at Qi Xi’s painting again. The love in portrayed, breaking through all barriers, shook him.

In the following days, Fu Yanchuan came back every day. Qi Xi painted during the day. At night, after eating dinner with him, he stopped painting and stayed by his side. No matter what Fu Yanchuan did, Qi Xi didn’t disturb him; he just watched from the side.

Fu Yanchuan couldn’t help asking, “Qi Xi, aren’t you bored?”

“No. Do you know what’s most important in painting?”

Fu Yanchuan stopped what he was doing and looked at Qi Xi. Qi Xi smiled and said, “The most important thing in painting is observation. You have to observe even the smallest details. Right now, I’m observing you.”

“So, are you painting me?”

Qi Xi immediately looked as if he had been seen through, but firmly denied it. “I’m not. After last time, I haven’t painted anymore.”

Fu Yanchuan leaned against the sofa with Qi Xi beside him. Turning around, he leaned down close and said softly, “I allow you to paint. Can you show me what you painted?”

Qi Xi didn’t notice that he’d exposed himself and continued to pretend that he hadn’t painted. “Oh, then I’ll show you next time I paint.”

“Okay. I’ll wait.”

Qi Xi’s illness had improved, and he finally returned to school. However, Fu Yanchuan told him not to eat in the cafeteria anymore. Qi Xi thought he meant to eat outside of school.

Although he now knew Brother Zha had scammed him out of a lot of money, he hadn’t received the money back yet. He didn’t have enough savings to eat out every day. He also didn’t use the card that Fu Yanchuan gave him very often, afraid of exceeding his salary.

By noon, Qi Xi was still trying to decide where to eat when he received a call from Uncle Quan saying that he was on his way to deliver lunch.

He was so shocked that his mouth dropped open. When he went outside, he saw Uncle Quan standing there with an insulated food container. Moved to tears, he hugged Uncle Quan and said, “Uncle Quan, why are you so good to me?”

Uncle Quan smiled and said, “It was arranged by Sir.”

“You bringing it to me is great enough! Sir is great, too! Thank you, Mr. Fu! Thank you all!”

After thanking them, Qi Xi took the insulated container. Uncle Quan told him, “Just bring it back when you’re done eating. I’ll have someone come get it.”

“Okay, thank you, Uncle Quan.”

“No need to thank me. This is my duty!”

Qi Xi disagreed, saying, “Just because it’s your duty doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thanked! I insist on thanking you! Thank you, Uncle Quan.”

Uncle Quan laughed softly. “Go eat quickly. Don’t let yourself get hungry.”

“Then I’m leaving. Goodbye, Uncle Quan.”

He watched Qi Xi run away before turning around and walking out of the school gate toward a car parked by the roadside.

The backseat door opened. Uncle Quan stood by it and respectfully addressed Fu Zhenrong inside, “Chairman, would you like to meet him?”

Fu Zhenrong snorted disdainfully. “Do you think I don’t understand Fu Yanchuan’s little scheme? He’s just doing this to avoid the marriage with the He family—he’s deliberately finding someone to inform the He family, and then he’ll take the initiative to back out.”

Uncle Quan didn’t dare reply. After a moment of silence, Fu Zhenrong suddenly asked, “What kind of person do you think Qi Xi is? Why is he with Yanchuan?”

Uncle Quan chose his words carefully and answered, “Young Master Qi is a very simple person. He probably doesn’t have that many ulterior motives.”

“Are there any truly simple-minded people nowadays? The simpler they seem, the more they’re pretending. Yanchuan falls for that type, just like Qin Hui back then.”

After saying this, Fu Zhenrong asked again, “How many years have passed since Qin Hui died?”

“Five years.”

After Uncle Quan answered, Fu Zhenrong closed the car door. The sound of it shutting echoed his displeasure.

Qi Xi only had one class in the afternoon and got back at four. He was extremely happy today because Fu Yanchuan had treated him so well. On the way back, he held the insulated container as if it were a treasure.

He had just opened the door and changed his shoes when he saw Fu Yanchuan come out of the room. Fu Yanchuan also seemed surprised to see him back so early. He stopped in place to look at Qi Xi.

“Brother Yan!”

Qi Xi called out, ran over, circling around Fu Yanchuan once, and stopped in front of him. He looked him up and down.

It seemed that Fu Yanchuan had come back specifically to change clothes. He had taken off the suit that usually made him look armored, and he had let his hair down. Wearing a casual tweed jacket, he exuded a gentler air, though his presence was still imposing.

Qi Xi finally finished looking him over and said with admiration, “Why are you so handsome? Who are you going on a date with, dressed like this?”

Fu Yanchuan struggled to speak, but he managed to say, “I’m going to visit someone. Would you like to come with me?”

Without asking who it was or where they were going, Qi Xi answered without hesitation, “Wait for me. I’ll go put down my backpack! And the lunch Brother Yan asked Uncle Quan to bring! Wait for me!”

Fu Yanchuan watched Qi Xi run back to his room to put down his backpack. After half a minute, he came out again with books on his back. He put the insulated container in the kitchen and went back into the room.

After going back and forth several times, Qi Xi finally stood in front of him. “Let’s go.”

Only after they got into the car did Qi Xi ask, “Brother Yan, who are we going to see?”

“You’ll know when we get there.”

Fu Yanchuan was driving the same off-road vehicle he had used to take Qi Xi to the hospital that day. They drove from the city center to a relatively remote urban village.

This area was left over from the city’s development. It used to be part of the city center, but as the new center kept shifting, this area gradually became forgotten. Not even migrant workers would rent here anymore. What remained were a group of elderly people who also seemed forgotten by the city.

The alleys’ roads had long been worn unevenly by time. Driving through them felt like riding a roller coaster. Qi Xi leaned against the window to look outside. When people sitting at their doorways saw him, he smiled and greeted them.

After winding around, the car finally stopped in front of a building. Qi Xi followed Fu Yanchuan out of the car. Fu Yanchuan went to the trunk and took out various necessities, including rice, oil, meat, tissues, and laundry supplies.

Qi Xi helped him carry two bags and followed him into the building.

The houses here were all built in the last century. They weren’t illegal constructions; they were only three to five stories tall and made of green bricks from decades ago. Many places were already mottled and peeling.

Qi Xi felt that this place seemed even older than his grandfather’s house. The stairwell lights weren’t on. He shouted, “I want light!”

The light didn’t come on. Instead, Fu Yanchuan stopped and looked at him. Then he said, “The lights here are broken. Be careful.”

Qi Xi nodded and followed him up to the second floor. Fu Yanchuan put his things down and knocked on the door.

After quite a while, an elderly voice came from inside.

“Who is it?”

The door opened and Qi Xi saw an elderly woman who appeared to be in her seventies. Her hair was gray, and her body was hunched as she held the door and looked out.

The moment she saw Fu Yanchuan, the old woman immediately closed the door again. Fu Yanchuan skillfully caught the door, though, and said to the person inside, “Grandma Qin, I’ll put the things down and leave.”

“I don’t want them. You leave.”

Grandma Qin kicked the pile of things that Fu Yanchuan had brought in. Fu Yanchuan, who was usually on edge even when his subordinates reported to him, calmly opened the door, as if nothing had happened. He carried everything from outside to the inside of the house and put each item neatly in its designated place.

Qi Xi felt that Fu Yanchuan must have come here many times before. He followed him to put things away. Fu Yanchuan noticed that the faucet in the bathroom was leaking. He took off his coat and went to fix it.

Qi Xi became even more curious about this woman and decided to ask her about it directly.

Grandma Qin was still standing at the door, angry, with her hands in front of her as she stared into he corridor.

Qi Xi walked over, smiling, and leaned closer to the old woman before saying, “Grandma, would you like to go inside and sit down? Standing here is tiring.”

Grandma Qin glanced at him, snorted, and ignored him.

He continued, “Why are you so angry at Brother Yan? He bought you so many things and helped you fix the faucet. He’s such a good person, clearly helping you. Why are you still angry?”

“What do you know!”

Qi Xi nodded. “I don’t know anything. Can you tell me? If he really did something to wrong you, I can be angry with him too.”

Grandma Qin looked at Qi Xi for a long while, then couldn’t help but laugh. “Who is this little kid? Why did you come with him?”

“My name is Qi Xi. I came with Brother Yan to help him carry things. Is there anything else broken here? I can ask him to fix it for you. Also, the streetlights outside aren’t lit at all. It’s easy to fall when walking at night; it’s very dangerous. Would you like those fixed too?”

Grandma Qin stared at him strangely and sized him up. “Do you know he’s a big boss? He wouldn’t care about the lives of ordinary people like us.”

“What are you talking about?” Qi Xi felt like he didn’t understand a word of it. “How could Brother Yan harm others?”

Grandma Qin suddenly said through clenched teeth, “He killed my grandson! Do you think buying things can make up for it? No matter what he buys, my Xiao Hui won’t come back!”

Seeing that Grandma Qin suddenlybegan to cry, Qi Xi hurriedly said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. Grandma, don’t cry! Brother Yan is a good person; there must be some misunderstanding.”

“There’s no misunderstanding! You go, go!”

As Grandma Qin spoke, she saw Fu Yanchuan come out. She hurried over and pushed him out. “Go! All of you, go! Don’t come back! Just let this old woman die and be done with it!”

“We’re leaving. Please take care of yourself.”

Fu Yanchuan picked up his coat and pulled Qi Xi away.

Back in the car, Qi Xi fastened his seatbelt and looked at Fu Yanchuan. Seeing that he wasn’t preparing to drive, he took a chocolate candy out of the storage box, the same kind he’d given him last time. He peeled it and put it in his mouth.

After silently looking at Fu Yanchuan for a long time, he asked, “Brother Yan, are you sad?”

Fu Yanchuan turned his head to meet Qi Xi’s gaze. “Aren’t you going to ask who I killed?”

Qi Xi tilted his head, confused. “Why should I ask?”

“What about what Grandma Qin said just now? Aren’t you curious?”

Without hesitation, Qi Xi answered, “I don’t believe what she said. You’re so good; how could you harm someone?”

Fu Yanchuan sneered and looked at Qi Xi for a long time before suddenly saying, “Qi Xi, only you think I’m a good person.”

“You are one to begin with!”

“I’m not.”

Fu Yanchuan leaned back against the seat and looked toward the endless alley stretching ahead. After a long while, he said, “I once had a friend.”

“Once?” Qi Xi asked, “Did he cut ties with you?”

“He died.”

Fu Yanchuan’s answer startled Qi Xi. He didn’t know what to say for a moment, but Fu Yanchuan took the initiative to tell him more.

“His name was Qin Hui. Like you and Xie Hui, i met him when we were thirteen. When I was twenty-three, he jumped into the sea and drowned.”

Qi Xi couldn’t speak. Suddenly, Fu Yanchuan turned to face him. His eyes seemed to pierce straight through Qi Xi, as if deliberately telling him, “Before he died, he told me he loved me. Then, I listened on the phone as he jumped into the sea.”

“Did he jump into the sea because you didn’t love him?” Qi Xi asked.

Fu Yanchuan turned his gaze back to the endless old alley ahead.

In fact, he had never known what kind of feelings Qin Hui had for him. Maybe back then, he let Qin Hui stay by his side because he truly needed a friend.

At that time, his mother had gone crazy because of Fu Zhenrong. He hated Fu Zhenrong the most then, and Qin Hui was the only person he could talk to.

He thought Qin Hui was loyal to him as a friend. It wasn’t until Qin Hui died that he found out Qin Hui had liked him since he was eighteen. He hadn’t noticed at all, but Fu Yuejiang had seen it.

Fu Yuejiang used this fact to threaten Qin Hui for five years without Fu Yanchuan knowledge. This matter could have remained hidden forever, but Fu Yuejiang deliberately revealed it to him.

After finding out, he almost drove Fu Yuejiang to his death, thinking he was helping Qin Hui take revenge on Fu Yuejiang. He never expected everyone in the Fu family to blame Qin Hui, saying he caused the brothers to turn against each other. Qin Hui couldn’t stay with the Fu family and quietly left.

If it had ended there, perhaps Qin Hui could have started over again. However, Fu Yuejiang found Qin Hui, brought him back, and exposed him again.

In a deliberate scheme orchestrated by Fu Yuejiang, he stumbled upon their encounter. The next day, Qin Hui made his final phone call and jumped into the sea.

He didn’t understand why Qin Hui did this or why he fell in love with him. He also didn’t understand why, even after seeing his most despicable and filthy side, Qin Hui was still willing to give up his life for him.

He calmly told Qi Xi, “Because I’m not worth it.”

Qi Xi thought seriously about Fu Yanchuan’s words and said, “That’s not right! Why do you think like that? Love isn’t about worth or not worth!

As he spoke, he unfastened his seatbelt, knelt on the seat, and leaned toward Fu Yanchuan. He turned Fu Yanchuan’s face toward him and continued firmly, “If you weren’t worth it, but he still loved you, that means you were better than anyone else in the world to him. Then you’re worth more than anyone else in the world.”

Fu Yanchuan looked at Qi Xi for a long time and asked, “Is that so?”

“Yes, it must be like that.”

“Do you think I was good to him?”

Without thinking, Qi Xi answered, “Of course you were! You took care of Da Sheng in his old age and saw him through to the end. You’re good to me, too! You even take care of his grandmother, so you must have been good to him!”

“Then would he regret knowing me?”

“How could he regret it? In the end, all he said was that he loved you. How could that be regret? He must have thought that knowing you was the luckiest thing in his life!”

At that moment, Fu Yanchuan’s heart trembled uncontrollably, as if an earthquake had occurred, shattering old, rotten ravines and reshaping them into mountains and plains, letting sunlight shine in again.

He touched Qi Xi’s face, rested his forehead against his, and steadied his breathing for a long time. Gently leaning forward, he brushed against Qi Xi’s lips and softly asked, “Qi Xi, may I kiss you?”

 

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