Li Heng: I guessed right.
A wave of revulsion washed over Jiang Yu; it was the kind of feeling that makes you want to vomit from head to toe.
J: Where is he? Li Heng: Brother Chen? J: Who else? You? Do not be narcissistic. Li Heng: He is sitting right next to me. The confession happened during the long break. J: Why are you only telling me now? Li Heng: Was I not just too excited? It is my first time seeing a guy confess to another guy. J: What is there to be excited about? Are you the reincarnation of a gorilla?
Jiang Yu gave his hair a quick blow-dry, not even bothering to style it. He had the driver take him to school. Seeing Chen Zhiyan looking his usual indifferent self, Jiang Yu sat down and bumped him with his knee. He crossed his arms, his stray locks of hair giving him a lazy, slightly weary look. “Did you say yes?”
Chen Zhiyan moved his knee away. “Say yes to what?”
“The confession.”
“Whose confession?”
“Stop playing fucking dumb.”
Chen Zhiyan let out an “Mhm,” though it was unclear if he was answering Jiang Yu’s first question or acknowledging the “do not play dumb” part. He asked, “Are you very concerned?”
Of course he was concerned. If Chen Zhiyan kissed someone, he would feel it through the shared pain; if someone touched Chen Zhiyan, he would feel the sensation too! It was beyond ridiculous! Besides, with a guy
“I am warning you, you must keep your distance from those guys. At least for now. I will tell you when you do not need to keep your distance anymore.”
“A turtle reciting sutras; I am not listening.”
Watching Jiang Yu deflate, Chen Zhiyan felt he had finally regained some ground.
Li Heng returned from the restroom and, seeing Jiang Yu in his seat, ran over in surprise. “Brother Jiang, did you not take the morning off? Why are you here so soon? Oh, I get it. You must have been anxious because you knew Brother Chen got a confession.”
“Anxious my ass. I am just afraid he will ruin someone else.”
“But you buttoned your shirt wrong by one button.”
Li Heng sighed, remarking that Jiang Yu was truly stubborn. Only Chen Zhiyan, who was bullied and tormented daily, knew how much Jiang Yu’s words actually came from the heart.
Attending class while having a cold was truly miserable. Not to mention, Jiang Yu had taken a shower before coming and had not dried his hair properly. His mind felt even fuzzier now, and his nose was severely blocked. Every time he blew his nose, it sounded like a motorcycle. He slumped on the desk, looking at Chen Zhiyan resentfully. “Did you purposely stop me from using the blanket last night?”
His voice was entirely breathy; he could barely hear himself, and naturally, Chen Zhiyan could not hear him either.
Jiang Yu reached out to soothe his throat and then pinched the skin on the back of Chen Zhiyan’s hand. When the latter looked down, Jiang Yu repeated, “Did you fucking purposely stop me from using the blanket last night?”
Chen Zhiyan leaned in close. “What did you say?”
This move made Jiang Yu freeze for a couple of seconds. Fearing he still would not be heard, he also leaned forward. “I said, did you purposely throw my blanket on the floor? I kept waking up from the cold.”
Chen Zhiyan’s expression was a bit complex.
“What is with that face?”
“I did not throw your blanket.”
“Liar.”
“Not lying.” Chen Zhiyan straightened up and wrote a note for Jiang Yu: “You were running and fighting in your dreams, rolling from your bed to mine. If you do not believe me, install a security camera tonight.”
“There is no need for that.”
Jiang Yu tore the note into tiny pieces, scattered them over Chen Zhiyan’s desk, and went back to sleep. He was woken up by the cold from the air conditioner and sneezed twice. He tried to burrow into Chen Zhiyan’s side, but just as he moved, the person beside him stood up, causing Jiang Yu’s forehead to bump against a firm waist. Drowsily, he thought he heard the word hospital.
By the time he was conscious again, Jiang Yu felt his body moving up and down as if he were being carried. It was incredibly hot; his chest and back were drenched in sweat. Opening his eyes, he saw a hospital corridor.
For some reason, a wave of panic hit him. Jiang Yu instinctively called out, “Chen Zhiyan?”
“Mhm?”
Hearing it was him, Jiang Yu asked, “You brought me to the hospital?”
“Mhm.”
“I want to go home.”
“Get a shot first.”
Upon hearing those words, Jiang Yu instantly became more alert than ever, transforming into a pig about to be slaughtered for the New Year. “What shot? Who is getting a shot? I am definitely not getting a shot.”
Slap.
“Behave.”
“I am not getting a shot!” Jiang Yu held onto Chen Zhiyan’s shoulders, arching his whole body upward while Chen Zhiyan held his waist tightly. “It is not up to you.”
As they spoke, they had already turned the corner into the clinic.
Five minutes later.
Jiang Yu’s eyes were red. Chen Zhiyan had two extra teeth marks on his arm.
“That doctor definitely bought his degree; he poked me so hard it hurt.”
“No, seriously, why was his hand so heavy? He almost poked through my butt.”
“Chen Zhiyan, go complain about him! Where are you going?”
Chen Zhiyan said, “To get your medicine.”
“What medicine?”
“Medicine for your cold and fever.”
“I already got the shot; I am not taking medicine.”
“Jiang Yu, your fever reached 39 degrees. Any worse and your brain will fry until you are a fool who drools as soon as you open your mouth.”
After returning from the hospital, Chen Zhiyan brought Jiang Yu home. When they reached the door, Jiang Yu refused to get out, saying he had no strength. Chen Zhiyan said heartlessly, “Your body is not as hot anymore. Walk yourself.”
“I will not. I am a patient. If you dare talk to me like that, I will tell my godmother you are dating a guy.”
“Who is dating a guy?” Mu Chuxia asked as she suddenly appeared.
“No one.” Chen Zhiyan bent down, hoisted Jiang Yu over his shoulder with one arm, and grabbed the medicine with the other. He kicked the car door shut. Seeing Mu Chuxia watching, he explained that Jiang Yu had a fever and he had taken him to the hospital for a shot.
After tossing Jiang Yu onto the bed, Chen Zhiyan went to pour water. He dissolved two packets of granules and approached with a capsule, but Jiang Yu had hidden himself early. A small lump rose under the blanket; judging by the shape, he was likely kneeling and face down.
Chen Zhiyan walked to the other side. “Get up and take your medicine.”
“It is bitter.”
“It is sweet.”
“You are lying.”
“I am not.” Chen Zhiyan waited for four or five seconds. Seeing him stay in that position without moving, he spoke coldly, “Take it yourself or I will force-feed you. Pick one.”