Madam Xue stared at him coldly, tapping the table as if to remind him, “In the Feng family, what I say goes.”
“Just because I’m a man?” Xia Xunqian whispered.
Madam Xue’s lips curled in a faint, disdainful smile. “Isn’t that enough?”
“The Feng family is a respected household. Keeping a man in the backyard would invite gossip. Besides, I’m only asking you to live somewhere else. Since Old Master had a good connection with you, the Feng family will make sure you have food to eat.”
She studied Xia Xunqian’s expression. These past days, many in the courtyard had quietly called him a flirtatious little thing.
Being brought home by Third Master Feng was one thing, but Second Master’s obvious interest made things worse.
Everyone knew Madam Xue cared most about rules—whether it was play or novelty, order was key.
Someone like Xia Xunqian, with a beauty that stood out even among women, was dangerous anywhere.
Or rather, with his looks, if he wanted to get close to someone, it was only a question of whether he was willing to.
She could not allow someone like Xia Xunqian to stay in the Feng family.
She pushed the tea in front of her toward Xia Xunqian. “You like men, right?”
Her sharp eyes studied him carefully.
Xia Xunqian fully understood her meaning. He lowered his eyes bitterly. “I don’t like men.”
Madam Xue’s smile was fake. “Good. That way I don’t have to worry about the two brothers coming after you.”
“Go pack your things. I’ll have the driver take you out.”
“Once you leave the Feng family, don’t mention any connection to us again.”
Xia Xunqian held the teacup nervously. “I… want to see Master Feng…”
Madam Xue looked as if she could see through him. “Feng Lin went to the company. He spends half the month there. Seeing him might be difficult for you.”
She gave a light, sharp laugh:
“Or do you think my child would defy me just because an outsider wants to see him? Hmm?”
Her words trailed off in a tone that made one shiver.
Xia Xunqian’s voice was steady. “Master Feng brought me back… I… just wanted to say goodbye.”
“You don’t need to say goodbye. Not everyone can waste his time,” Madam Xue said as she stood.
“Pack your things and go to the door. My driver will take you.” With that, she turned away coldly, without lingering.
Xia Xunqian put down the teacup. The shade under the pomegranate tree was mottled, and even though it was a good day, everything looked strangely dark.
He sat under the pomegranate tree for a while, then went inside.
Some things cannot be forced.
Xia Xunqian stood in the room, looking around. A small desk was under the window. The room was not big, but clean, without any musty smell. When the wind blew, it carried the scent of pomegranates. Xia Xunqian liked it.
He stood there quietly for a while.
No one could ever truly read the emotions deep in Xia Xunqian’s eyes.
If you want too much, you can end up with nothing.
He understood this a little more now.
Xia Xunqian raised his wrist. On his pale wrist was the silver bracelet Feng Lin had given him.
Nowadays, people like to use watches to show status.
Feng Lin gave him a silver bracelet, like he was coaxing a child.
No man would normally wear something like that.
But somehow, the bracelet fit Xia Xunqian’s white wrist perfectly. Its elegant simplicity made his hands look long and beautiful. Hidden under his sleeve, it was perfect.
With the silver bracelet, Xia Xunqian was a child someone wanted.
He lifted his hand and took off the bracelet. As he fiddled with it, it made a soft tinkling sound.
He took off the silver bracelet and rubbed it in his hand, his eyes full of reluctance.
After an unknown amount of time, Xia Xunqian placed the silver bracelet on the desk by the window and then turned to leave.
The clear, crisp sound of the silver was unique—pleasant and sharp to the ear.
He did not want gifts given out of charity.
When he reached the main gate of the Feng family, he got into Madam Xue’s driver’s car.
The driver had a fierce-looking face, and Xia Xunqian didn’t speak to him.
The destination was a rundown old house on the outskirts of Beijing. When they arrived, the driver handed Xia Xunqian a key.
After the driver left, Xia Xunqian threw the key into a cheap trash can.
He didn’t take anything from the Feng family. He only had 200 yuan, which the housekeeper had previously given him to buy food.
Xia Xunqian dragged his body as he walked.
In this world, no one would die without someone else.
But Xia Xunqian would.
In Beijing, where the average monthly wage of a normal person was less than 300 yuan, the most Xia Xunqian ever earned in 10 days was 60 yuan.
60 yuan was nothing compared to the thousands he needed a month to pay for his medical care.
Still, he could survive, if he was willing to give up his dignity. In the wealthy districts, there were countless places and people who could support him.
But he didn’t want that, and he never would.
The only thing he ever wanted was for Feng Lin to love him.
Xia Xunqian walked to the main street and bought a newspaper.
He looked through many job postings and called one by one.
He honestly explained his health condition, but unsurprisingly, he was rejected each time.
“The salary doesn’t matter, as long as there’s a place to live…”
“I’m 19 years old this year… I can read and write…”
“I learn things very quickly…”
“I don’t often take sick leave… maybe you can consider me…”
“Yes… I also know some English…”
“Sorry… I’m sorry to bother you…”
With each call from the phone booth, the young man’s voice grew more lonely, each word a plea for help, but it was useless.
Xia Xunqian sat down at the bus stop, his long hair brushing against his nose, eyes empty and lifeless.
He looked at the vehicles passing by, one of them resembling Feng Lin’s car.
Bitterly, he whispered to himself, “What does Master Feng really think of me…”
…………………………
At the Feng family mansion:
While eating at the dining table, Madam Xue was being reported on Xia Xunqian’s situation.
“He didn’t stay at the place you found for him. He threw away the key.”
“Hmph.” Madam Xue was somewhat surprised. “What would a sickly child need with useless things like that?”
“Foolish,” Madam Xue said, slightly scolding.
“He’s looking for work and has made quite a few calls. It seems he has no intention of returning,” the driver reported respectfully from behind her.
“Hmm,” she replied. “Third Master has been busy these days, don’t tell him everything. He rarely goes to the East Courtyard anyway.”
“He’s just an unimportant person. After a while, he’ll probably forget about it himself.”
The driver nodded. “Yes, madam.”
That day, Feng Lin returned home at 11 p.m.