Ji Yan drove You Fu to the hospital to get his wounds bandaged. He didn’t do it out of any particular concern for You Fu.
On the way back, You Fu, sitting in the passenger seat, pointed out his intention, "Was it fun?"
Ji Yan did it purely out of boredom. If he were truly kind-hearted, he would have reported it to the police.
Instead, he merely proposed a condition.
Talking about transferring him to another school was just for show. Ji Yan wouldn’t bother with such a troublesome matter.
Ji Yan said dismissively, "I got rid of two nuisances for you. Shouldn’t you be thanking me?"
You Fu didn’t need him to do that. If he could fight them once, he could fight them a second and third time.
You Fu didn’t mind getting into fights with them repeatedly, being called to the principal’s office, or being punished to kneel.
Ji Yan continued, "But that little girl should thank me. Tell her she should thank me. Now she won’t have to be on edge at school, hiding from that… what’s his name, Yang No Money? Is that right?"
"Yang Jiacai."
"Jiacai? Why not call him Wanguan?"
"His brother’s name is Yang Wanguan."
"Jiacai Wanguan, what a fitting name," Ji Yan remarked, glancing at You Fu. "Unlike you, You Fu, which backwards is ‘ephemera,’ a fragile little creature with only a day’s life."
You Fu’s neck still bore red finger marks, his Adam’s apple moving slightly. The injured part of his neck ached. He asked, seemingly out of nowhere, "Why did you come to the parent-teacher meeting for me?"
"For you."
You Fu silently watched the traffic ahead.
At a red light, Ji Yan slowly stopped the car and gave him a nudge, "Hey, show some reaction. You’re like a block of wood all day, it’s boring."
You Fu turned his eyes to him, his voice flat, "You’re lying."
Ji Yan lamented, "Why don’t you believe me? You used to believe when you were younger. Played the boy who cried wolf too much?"
You Fu ignored him.
Ji Yan wasn’t annoyed, "One of your classmates’ parents happens to be my client. You benefited from that connection."
You Fu was always quick to end conversations. If he didn’t want to delve into a topic, he’d decisively switch to another, "I’m going on winter break soon."
"Don’t tell me you plan to do whatever you want. Just remember, don’t die outside, and don’t bring trouble to me."
"I’ll stay home."
"Suit yourself. If you’re looking for trouble, there’s nothing I can do."
Every year during the holidays, You Fu stayed home, rarely engaging in social activities. He’d clean the house and occasionally cook a meal or two for Ji Yan.
Sometimes, when bored, he’d wander to Ji Yan’s office building, sit in the lobby, read a book, and wait for Ji Yan to finish work.
Ji Yan’s aversion to him never changed. He couldn’t understand why You Fu, knowing he was disliked, would still come around to annoy him. Several times, Ji Yan would sneak out from behind him after work, trying to shake him off, but only succeeded once. That night, You Fu waited for him until late, calling him repeatedly with no answer.
When You Fu returned home, he found Ji Yan already asleep, and he showed no reaction to it.
Since then, Ji Yan never managed to slip away from him again.
…
Night fell.
Ji Yan rummaged through his drawers for a long time but couldn’t find his clothes. He raised his voice to ask You Fu outside, "Where’s my cream-colored pajamas?"
You Fu brought out the neatly folded pajamas from the balcony and handed them to him.
Ji Yan said, "Put them in the bathroom for me."
"Okay."
"Ding dong—"
Messages popped up on You Fu’s phone screen.
It was Xiao Jiaruan inquiring about the incident with the bully today and thanking him and Ji Yan for getting Yang Jiacai expelled.
You Fu didn’t reply. He listened to the sounds from the bathroom, swiped to his photo album, and tapped his fingers on the table in rhythm with the sound of running water.
On the screen was a photo of a boy who bore a striking resemblance to Ji Yan, with a gentle, warm smile and a small dimple beside it.
The sound of water in the bathroom abruptly stopped, and soon Ji Yan’s angry voice came from inside, "You Fu, are you out of your mind? The pajamas are so stiff from the cold, how am I supposed to wear them?"
You Fu came to the bathroom door. Ji Yan poked his head out from the door crack, holding the stiff pajamas, and threw them at him, "They’re like this and you didn’t tell me?"
You Fu caught the pajamas steadily, and they made a crisp "crack" sound. Ji Yan figured if he hit You Fu on the head with them a few times, he might give him a concussion.
You Fu said, "You didn’t ask me."
Ji Yan almost fainted from anger. Not wanting to expose himself in front of You Fu without clothes, he stretched half his upper body out of the door crack, grabbed You Fu’s arm, and twisted it hard, "Go get me another pair of pajamas."
"I washed them all."
"Are you crazy? What am I supposed to wear now?"
"You told me to wash the pajamas, you didn’t say which ones."
"I…" Ji Yan was at a loss for words, pressing his temples in exasperation. Sometimes he felt You Fu was sent by the heavens to drive him insane. Talking to him was like banging his head against a wall, "Then give me your pajamas, you can sleep naked."
When You Fu handed over his pajamas, Ji Yan’s hand moved faster than his brain, trying to slap him, but he underestimated the distance between them, missing by a finger’s width.
You Fu watched the hand waving in front of him and tilted his head in confusion.
Ji Yan felt inexplicably humiliated. He released his grip on the door frame, gathered strength on his tiptoes, and lunged at You Fu. Just as he was about to hit You Fu’s face, You Fu seemed to anticipate his move and leaned his face forward.
That lean was all it took. Ji Yan missed hitting the back of his neck, lost his balance, and almost fell to the ground. He let out a startled cry.
You Fu quickly grabbed him, but Ji Yan’s knee hit the door frame, and he stumbled, ending up hanging onto You Fu, groaning in pain. His knee throbbed, and his wet body soaked You Fu’s clothes.
Ji Yan finally seized the opportunity, grabbing You Fu’s ear with force, "One day, you’ll be the death of me."
You Fu’s voice carried a hint of amusement, "Brother, put on some clothes."
Reminded by him, Ji Yan suddenly realized he was stark naked, clinging to You Fu. Never having been naked in front of anyone, a wave of shame washed over him, "Close your eyes."
Once You Fu closed his eyes, Ji Yan pushed him away, grabbed the clothes from his hand, and limped back into the bathroom.
You Fu opened his eyes slightly, his gaze steady and unruffled.
Fool.
…
Ji Yan didn’t work overtime today. He finished the design and sent it to the client early, entering the house with a cigarette in his mouth.
He wasn’t much of a smoker, only lighting up when he was in a foul mood. This time, the client was too demanding, and he was annoyed, having to act subservient like a dog.
However, compared to others, Ji Yan wasn’t overly accommodating to clients. Many clients found him cold. If not for his exceptional skills, his attitude would have made it hard for him to succeed in the industry.
He usually replied to clients with simple "Hmm," "Oh," or "Okay."
But he felt he was already accommodating enough, as he silently revised plans repeatedly without protest when clients demanded changes.
If it weren’t for the paycheck, who would do this thankless job?
Unexpectedly, the house was lit, and the aroma of spicy hot pot wafted through the air.
He thought for a moment, recalling that You Fu was on winter break today.
You Fu emerged from the kitchen, placing a pot of spicy hot pot on the dining table, along with a stir-fried lettuce dish to balance the flavors.
Seeing Ji Yan, he didn’t greet him, just nodded in acknowledgment.
Ji Yan changed into his slippers, and as if he thought of something amusing, he blocked the kitchen doorway, stopping You Fu from bringing out the rice. His gaze fell on the bandage on You Fu’s face. The swelling had subsided, and the bruise at the corner of his mouth had almost disappeared.
"Your injuries are healed, right?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you still bandaged?" Ji Yan’s cigarette was almost burned out. He pressed the butt against the thick bandage on You Fu’s face.
The cigarette’s embers were extinguished, leaving a small round mark on the bandage, a wisp of smoke brushing past You Fu’s nose and entering his nostrils.
"You dislike my face."
Ji Yan seemed to hear something amusing, "You mean you’re keeping the bandage on because I dislike your face? If I dislike you as a person, would you disappear from my sight?"
You Fu didn’t respond.
His expression was too calm, like still water. Ji Yan found it dull and stuffed the cigarette butt into his school uniform pocket, "Take it off."
You Fu raised his hand and decisively tore off the bandage, tossing it into the trash, "Let’s eat."
There was no laughter at the dining table, barely any conversation.
Ji Yan poked through the spicy hot pot, noting there were no bean sprouts, which he disliked.
After picking through the dish, he mischievously added a lot of chili and Sichuan peppercorns to You Fu’s bowl.
You Fu slowly ate them with rice.
As Ji Yan continued picking at his food, a bank transfer notification popped up on his phone.
The bully’s parents had transferred You Fu’s medical expenses and emotional distress compensation.
Ji Yan transferred the entire amount to You Fu, deducting the cost of the hospital visit.
"Your hard-earned money."
"Why give it to me?"
"Why so many questions? I don’t care about this little bit of money." Under the table, Ji Yan kicked him, "Save up while you’re still a minor. Once you’re an adult, I’ll kick you out without a penny, and you’ll end up on the streets."
You Fu swallowed the spicy and numbing peppercorns and chili, then ate a piece of lettuce. After a while, he said, "I’ll live on campus then."
"Oh, seems like you’ve got it all planned out. But college costs a lot. If you can’t pay the tuition and have to drop out, don’t come crying to me for help. It won’t work… cough… cough…" He hadn’t finished speaking when the spicy oil choked him, causing him to cough uncontrollably.
You Fu poured him a cup of warm water and pushed it in front of him, "I won’t ask you."
Ji Yan coughed and drank several gulps of water, ready to retort, but first swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
His tongue explored his mouth for a while before he decisively headed to the bathroom, opening his mouth wide to check his tongue in the mirror.
He found a small Sichuan pepper shell stuck at the base of his tongue.
The shell was lodged awkwardly, causing discomfort.
He tried to remove it with his fingers, but his vision was obstructed when his fingers reached the base of his tongue. Several attempts failed, and the probing at the base of his tongue only made him feel nauseous.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Ji Yan looked up to see You Fu in the mirror, "Next time, no Sichuan pepper in the food."
You Fu stood at the door, looking at Ji Yan in the mirror, "Without Sichuan pepper, it won’t taste good."
"Then pick them all out after cooking."
Ji Yan rinsed his mouth several times but couldn’t dislodge the pepper shell. The discomfort at the base of his tongue persisted. After thinking for a while, he noticed You Fu’s slender, white fingers in the mirror.
"You," he nodded, commanding, "wash your hands thoroughly."
He supervised You Fu as he washed his hands with soap repeatedly.
After drying his hands, You Fu’s gaze fell on Ji Yan’s tightly closed lips, signaling him to open his mouth.
Ji Yan found You Fu increasingly annoying. Just moments ago, he had told You Fu not to ask him for help, and now he needed his assistance.
He pursed his lips and opened his mouth.
You Fu lifted his chin, half-lowering his eyelashes, "A little lower."
Ji Yan cooperated by bending his knees slightly.
You Fu observed the pepper shell at the base of his tongue and reached into his mouth.
Ji Yan felt the cool fingertips touch his tongue, frowning. As the fingers brushed past the base of his tongue, he instinctively wanted to gag, but couldn’t.
You Fu’s pupils reflected Ji Yan’s slightly displeased expression, his eyes still glistening with tears from the earlier gag reflex.
The sensation in his mouth was soft and warm. You Fu gently dislodged the pepper shell. Although he could have removed it directly, he subtly pressed down on his tongue.
The stimulus finally became unbearable for Ji Yan, who instinctively shuddered, pushed You Fu away, and leaned over the sink, retching.
After rinsing his mouth several times, he wiped the water from his lips, ready to scold You Fu.
But You Fu held up his wet fingers with the pepper shell, "Couldn’t get it out any other way."
Ji Yan gritted his teeth, swallowing the curse words he was about to utter, and left the bathroom without looking back.
You Fu looked at his fingers for a moment, then turned on the faucet to wash them.
The water flowed over his fingertips, down the drain, like time slipping away silently.
Water can’t be held, and neither can time.
The time he spent by Ji Yan’s side was slipping away, minute by minute.
A countdown?
You Fu scoffed.
Time is just a useless thing.
You won’t be able to do without me, brother.