“Your reaction is so intense, yet it’s not even a tenth of how you treat Cheng Meng,” Cheng Shuoning said coldly. “I don’t agree with your view that my birth caused conflict in the family and that it’s my fault.”
“Ning Ning, that’s not what I meant.” Mother Cheng seemed taken aback by his strong reaction, a hint of surprise in her voice. “I just wanted to talk to you. You’re more sensible, and Cheng Meng’s situation is particularly…”
“His situation is special, but have you ever considered me? Do you see my sensibility as just a value to back down willingly? You’re disappointed in me because you think I’m sensible but don’t listen to you.”
Cheng Shuoning let out a light laugh, his dark eyes filled with a chilling coldness. He said nothing more and stood up to leave.
“Ning Ning.” Mother Cheng never expected things to escalate like this. A pang of guilt surged in her heart as she got up to follow him, but she couldn’t catch up.
She sighed, feeling a bit helpless. “Neither of them is easy to deal with. This time, it’s all over a bird. I thought Ning Ning was sensible and that I could talk to him, but…”
Her tone was full of disappointment towards Cheng Shuoning.
Was it really about the bird? By now, it had nothing to do with the bird at all.
Chen Yi’s wife, as an outsider, could see things clearly. She never expected to witness favoritism in a wealthy family and hesitated before speaking. “Madam, the young master is already very… very good.”
She had never seen a situation where siblings targeted each other, yet one could endure the other for so long, only protesting when the mother blatantly showed favoritism.
Mother Cheng rubbed her temples, feeling conflicted. “Did I really say something wrong? But Cheng Meng is like this because of Ning Ning.”
Chen Yi’s wife was grateful that Cheng Shuoning wasn’t here now. She said, “But the young master is innocent.”
Mother Cheng was speechless, and the guilt in her heart began to grow under Chen Yi’s wife’s words.
Was she really that biased?
*
Cheng Shuoning ran away from home.
He didn’t go to school, wandering aimlessly through the streets, not even noticing when it started to rain.
When he finally realized, the streets were empty, and he stood alone in the rain, like a fool, drawing attention from people in the nearby shops.
In just a few days, everything around him had been overturned.
Cheng Shuoning felt dazed, as if his life for so many years had been a terrible script.
A script can be rewritten, but his life couldn’t be overturned. Some people even thought he didn’t have the right to make his own choices and had to follow what they decided.
Han Tian thought he shouldn’t be cold to him; his mother thought he should give in to Cheng Meng, who wanted him dead, just because Cheng Meng hated him, so it was his fault.
The cold rain seeped into his bones, and Cheng Shuoning’s face was pale and bloodless.
It was so cold that his body was stiff and unable to move.
He belatedly realized he needed to find shelter and moved under an awning.
His clothes were soaked through, and a cold wind made his shoulders tremble as he clenched his teeth.
Students in school uniforms passed by with umbrellas, reminding him he still needed to go to school. He walked through the rain to the bus stop, boarded the bus when it arrived, and paid the fare.
His wet hair clung to his face uncomfortably, and his soaked clothes stuck to his back, sending a biting chill through his body.
The bus was crowded, the humid and stuffy air making it hard for Cheng Shuoning to breathe. He couldn’t help but tilt his head back and take a deep breath, catching a glimpse of his disheveled reflection in the window.
Pale face, messy hair, vacant eyes, trembling lips.
Was this him? Cheng Shuoning was stunned.
Something overwhelmed his heart, spreading through every corner of his body, and Cheng Shuoning finally understood what it was—the suppressed grievance he had almost forgotten.
He felt wronged too, but no one ever considered him.
Heat gathered around his eyes, and Cheng Shuoning tightened his grip on the handrail, staring blankly at his mud-stained shoes.
The bus stopped, and as the door opened, someone folded their umbrella and slowly boarded.
A casual glance made Cheng Shuoning feel as if something inside him collapsed and rebuilt. He stared at the newcomer, a bit dazed.
“Excuse me, please.” The boy with a cool demeanor politely asked those around him.
He made his way through the crowd and stopped in front of Cheng Shuoning, silently watching him without saying a word.
The familiar scent filled his nose, the noise around him fading away. Looking at Xu Wangzhi’s expressionless face, Cheng Shuoning forced a smile. “Good morning, Xu.”
His hoarse and weak voice was unpleasant, and Cheng Shuoning didn’t want to speak anymore. He lowered his long lashes and pressed his pale lips together.
The next moment, a warm coat was draped over him, wrapping him up completely.
Xu Wangzhi took hold of Cheng Shuoning’s cold left hand.
The heat made Cheng Shuoning’s fingers tremble, and he instinctively tried to pull away, but the grip tightened.
Warmth spread from his palm, and Cheng Shuoning felt a little better.
“Why were you in the rain?” Xu Wangzhi asked, seeing the boy’s silence.
“Just felt like it,” Cheng Shuoning replied vaguely, trying to ignore the nervousness Xu Wangzhi’s touch caused.
His body was cold, but Xu Wangzhi’s gaze was intensely warm, making Cheng Shuoning stiffen.
“Want to come to my place?” Xu Wangzhi suddenly asked.
Cheng Shuoning looked up at him in surprise.
“You can’t go to school like this,” Xu Wangzhi said, his eyes on Cheng Shuoning’s almost translucent face. “You’ll get sick.”
If it were someone else, Cheng Shuoning wouldn’t want to be approached or seen in such a sorry state.
But in front of Xu Wangzhi, he didn’t know why he could relax.
Cheng Shuoning sneezed, feeling dizzy and his mind foggy.
This was bad, and it meant he really couldn’t go to school. If he caught a cold or fever, it would be troublesome.
“Is it okay?” he asked Xu Wangzhi softly. “Can I go to your place?”
“Yes.” The bus arrived at the stop, and Xu Wangzhi held an umbrella with one hand and Cheng Shuoning’s hand with the other as they got off the bus and hailed a taxi.
They got in, and Xu Wangzhi gave the driver an address, and the car started moving.
Cheng Shuoning began to tremble uncontrollably.
His mind was a mess, and his previously clear thoughts started to unravel. Images of Han Tian’s words, Li Shengfei, and his mother’s disappointed gaze flashed through his mind.
Everyone’s faces mixed together, like demons trying to tear him apart.
The boy huddled in the corner of the car, covered by the coat, only a bit of his pale skin and reddened eyes visible.
Xu Wangzhi heard him weakly ask, “…Do you hate me?”
“I don’t,” Xu Wangzhi replied, lightly touching Cheng Shuoning’s forehead, which was slightly warm, and instructed the driver to head to the hospital.
“I don’t want to go to the hospital,” Cheng Shuoning mumbled, hearing his words.
He opened his eyes, seeing the umbrella in Xu Wangzhi’s hand, and mumbled, “Your umbrella looks like mine. I had one like it, I think it’s at home, or maybe I lost it, I don’t know where it went…”
Xu Wangzhi said, “It’s yours.”
“Huh?” Cheng Shuoning blinked his wet eyes, confused by Xu Wangzhi’s words.
“This umbrella is the one you gave me,” Xu Wangzhi said softly after a moment of silence.
It was a cloudy day when he bumped into Cheng Shuoning, who was chatting and laughing with someone beside him.
Even though he was the one who got hurt, Cheng Shuoning asked if he was okay and apologized after calming down.
Xu Wangzhi’s first thought was that he was foolish, but when he met his bright, smiling eyes, an unfamiliar emotion crept into his heart, creating a strange impulse.
The umbrella had been forgotten on the ground, and just as he reminded the boy that he had dropped it, the rain began.
Cheng Shuoning had already gotten into a car, smiling as he said, “It’s yours now.”
Xu Wangzhi picked up the green umbrella from the ground. No one knew that beneath his cold and distant exterior, his heart was already trembling violently, beating wildly because of the boy.
“Mine?” Cheng Shuoning tilted his head, recalling something before quickly forgetting it again.
He closed his eyes, feeling tired, and mumbled, “I want to sleep.”
“Don’t sleep.” Despite the air conditioning in the car, it was ineffective. Xu Wangzhi spoke softly, but the boy had already fallen asleep.
“Are we still going to the hospital?” the driver glanced at them and asked.
Xu Wangzhi decided to take Cheng Shuoning home first.
When they got out of the car, he placed the umbrella in Cheng Shuoning’s hand and then carried him on his back. By the time they reached home, he was soaked through.
Cheng Shuoning opened his eyes to see Xu Wangzhi’s clothes clinging transparently to his chest, revealing his abs.
He blinked, his dark eyes bright with surprise. “You have abs.”
“Yes.” Xu Wangzhi handed him some clothes, pausing slightly when he noticed Cheng Shuoning still staring at him. “Do you want to touch them?”
Cheng Shuoning froze for a moment, his face suddenly turning red. “Can I?”
“You can.” Xu Wangzhi said, taking his hand and placing it on his abs without hesitation.
Cheng Shuoning touched them briefly before pulling his hand back, too embarrassed to explore further. His face flushed with heat as he stammered, “Thank you…”
Xu Wangzhi led him to the bathroom. “Can you shower by yourself?”
“I can.” Cheng Shuoning shivered, nodding.
Xu Wangzhi left the bathroom, closing the door and waiting outside.
When the sound of running water stopped and there was no further noise, he patiently waited five minutes before knocking on the door. When there was no response, he pushed the door open.
Cheng Shuoning hadn’t locked the door, so it opened easily.
The bathroom was empty except for a haze of steam. Xu Wangzhi’s gaze fell on the bathtub, where he saw the boy submerged in the water, his cheeks flushed from holding his breath. Finally, unable to hold it any longer, he opened his mouth.
With a “glug,” the water rippled, and Cheng Shuoning began to struggle.
Xu Wangzhi: “…”
His eyes darkened as he pulled the boy out, watching him gasp for fresh air. He frowned and said, “Cheng Shuoning, is this what you meant by ‘I can’?”
The boy kept his eyes tightly shut, his wet lashes glistening, his pale features giving the impression of fragility.
He opened his eyes, looking at Xu Wangzhi’s close face, his eyes filled with confusion, like a rabbit lost in a forest, standing still without guidance.
Only when he started shivering from the cold did Cheng Shuoning realize his upper body was exposed. He clumsily tried to cover himself, though it was futile, but it helped suppress some of his embarrassment.
“Why did you come in?”
The boy’s skin was flawless and white, his fingers leaving red marks with the slightest touch. Xu Wangzhi released his grip on Cheng Shuoning’s arm, averting his gaze, and asked, “Can you shower by yourself?”
“I can.” Cheng Shuoning nodded obediently, completely forgetting his earlier lapse in the water. “Of course I can.”
His vision was blurry, and he could barely see Xu Wangzhi. His head throbbed with a dull ache, and his awareness flickered between clarity and confusion. He sneezed again.
This time, Xu Wangzhi didn’t leave. He stood by, eyes closed, waiting.
A few minutes later, Cheng Shuoning, dressed in his clothes, stood before him. “I’m done.”
Xu Wangzhi opened the door and left the bathroom.
Cheng Shuoning followed him, not fully comprehending, as Xu Wangzhi began to towel dry his hair.
The gentle action left Cheng Shuoning feeling dazed, and he asked with a hint of a nasal tone, “Why are you so good to me?”
After drying his hair, Xu Wangzhi took out a hairdryer and thoroughly dried Cheng Shuoning’s hair before checking his temperature. Fortunately, he didn’t have a fever.
Xu Wangzhi was taller than Cheng Shuoning, and the clothes looked oversized on him, appearing loose and baggy.
He sat on the sofa, sipping the warm milk Xu Wangzhi had prepared for him, his nose red, looking inexplicably obedient and gentle. Having just showered, his skin had a faint pink hue.
“Thank you.” Cheng Shuoning couldn’t remember how many times he had thanked him. “I’ll go back to school when the rain stops.”
“I’ve already taken a day off for you. Rest well before going back,” Xu Wangzhi said.
Cheng Shuoning nodded, feeling a bit sleepy.
It was strange. He had gone to bed early the previous night and shouldn’t have been tired, but now he felt a wave of fatigue, making him want to collapse onto the sofa.
Before falling asleep, he forced himself to ask Xu Wangzhi again, “Why are you so good to me?”
Unfortunately, he didn’t get an answer before drifting off.
The room fell silent, with only the sound of the boy’s steady breathing. Xu Wangzhi walked over to him, paused for a moment, then gently carried him from the sofa to the bedroom, tucking him in.
Underneath his soft, black hair was a face flushed with a rosy hue, his long lashes curled and thick, his delicate features forming an exquisite visage.
Xu Wangzhi reached out, removing a strand of hair from his face. His thumb lingered at the corner of Cheng Shuoning’s lips, pressing lightly.
His fingertip sank into the softness, and Xu Wangzhi’s gaze darkened as he looked at the boy.
He finally suppressed all his desires for the boy, withdrawing his hand, and sat in the chair by the bed, propping his face on his hand, watching Cheng Shuoning as if he couldn’t get enough.
The rain outside continued, and Xu Wangzhi watched until Cheng Shuoning woke up.
“What time is it?” Cheng Shuoning rubbed his eyes, sitting up to ask.
After a nap, he felt much better.
Cheng Shuoning didn’t notice that the oversized clothes he wore had slipped, revealing a large expanse of smooth, pale skin that glowed warmly under the light.
Xu Wangzhi adjusted his clothes. “It’s eleven. Are you hungry?”
Cheng Shuoning touched his empty stomach. “A little.”
Xu Wangzhi said nothing, leaving the room.
Not knowing what he was doing, Cheng Shuoning got up to follow and found him in the kitchen.
With nothing to do, Cheng Shuoning began to take in the room.
It was a one-bedroom apartment, with a large living room, a bookshelf filled with books, and a balcony with some flowers.
Before long, Xu Wangzhi brought out the dishes and set them on the table, calling him to eat.
The aroma of the food filled the air, and Cheng Shuoning walked over to find that both dishes were his favorites, even the soup.
“We seem to,” he couldn’t help but say, “like the same food.”
Xu Wangzhi said nothing, handing Cheng Shuoning a bowl of rice and chopsticks.
Not long ago, he could only sit on the sidelines, watching Cheng Shuoning eat with Han Tian and the others.
Now, Cheng Shuoning was in his home, sitting across from him, closer than ever.
Thinking of this, Xu Wangzhi’s hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly.
Cheng Shuoning noticed his unease. “Are you cold?”
“No.” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his dark eyes reflected Cheng Shuoning’s image. Xu Wangzhi said, “I’m very happy.”
*
Mother Cheng had a terrible headache and didn’t go to the office.
By evening, only Cheng Meng had returned home. Cheng Shuoning still hadn’t come back, and he wasn’t answering his phone.
She knocked on Cheng Meng’s door. “Did you see Ning Ning at school today? He hasn’t come home yet.”
“What does it matter to me if he hasn’t come back?” Cheng Meng’s impatient voice came from inside the room. “I don’t want to hear his name. Even if he dies, don’t tell me.”
The sharp words were especially jarring in the quiet night. Mother Cheng was stunned, slowly realizing how harsh Cheng Meng’s words were, and her face darkened. “Cheng Meng, what are you saying?”
“Don’t bother me.” Cheng Meng’s temper flared, and he even threw a cup, venting his dissatisfaction.
Knowing how much he hated Cheng Shuoning, Mother Cheng was afraid that pressing him further would provoke something bad, so she turned and went back to her room.
Her headache worsened, and she couldn’t concentrate on work, so she turned off her computer.
Looking out at the rainy night, she reflected on what she had done during the day and felt her words were utterly absurd.
Her favoritism towards Cheng Meng didn’t make him feel cared for; he always resisted and disliked her, never showing concern or respect.
In contrast, Cheng Shuoning was very attentive. Sometimes, when he noticed she was tired, he would voluntarily massage her shoulders to relieve her stress.
The more she thought about it, the more blocked her heart felt. Mother Cheng called the Han family to get Han Tian’s contact information, asking if he had seen Cheng Shuoning.
“No.” Han Tian, still sulking, hadn’t gone to find Cheng Shuoning. He went home right after class, unaware that Cheng Shuoning hadn’t gone to school. “Has Ning Ning gone missing?”
Mother Cheng said, “We had a bit of an argument, and now I don’t know where he is. Han Tian, did you have a falling out with Ning Ning?”
“No,” Han Tian immediately replied. “It’s just a misunderstanding. I’ll clear it up as soon as possible.”
“That’s good.” Mother Cheng sighed with relief, ending the call before dialing Li Shengfei.
Upon hearing that Cheng Shuoning hadn’t come home so late, Li Shengfei was extremely worried and ended the call with Mother Cheng to try and find Cheng Shuoning.
Zhou Xundu also received a call, pausing slightly. “He hasn’t come home?”
“Ning Ning isn’t with you?” He had stayed at Zhou Xundu’s place before, so Mother Cheng thought he might be there. Hearing Zhou Xundu’s words, her last hope was dashed.
“Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll find Ning Ning. Please take care of yourself. You sound exhausted,” Zhou Xundu said gently.
Mother Cheng was indeed tired, and hearing Zhou Xundu’s words, her impression of him improved significantly. She smiled and said, “Thank you. It’s just…”
“Yes?”
Mother Cheng said, “Ning Ning and I had a disagreement. He might not want to come back. If he doesn’t want to return…”
“I understand. I’ll take care of Ning Ning and talk to him,” Zhou Xundu said, setting aside his work and looking at a photo of the boy on his desk before calling Cheng Shuoning’s homeroom teacher.
“Cheng Shuoning? He didn’t come to school today. He took a sick day. As for where he is, I don’t know,” the teacher said.
Cheng Shuoning’s social circle was very small. Besides a few people, there was hardly anyone who could take him in. Staying at a hotel was a strong possibility.
Suddenly, a person flashed through his mind, and Zhou Xundu chuckled softly, slowly asking, “Did Xu Wangzhi attend class today?”
“No, he also took a sick day.”
……
There was only one bed in the room. At night, Xu Wangzhi wanted to sleep on the floor, but Cheng Shuoning stopped him.
“I can sleep in just this little space,” Cheng Shuoning said, curling up at the edge of the bed.
He was so close to the edge that he could fall off with just a slight movement.
Xu Wangzhi watched him quietly, his thoughts unreadable.
Cheng Shuoning felt inexplicably nervous, thinking Xu Wangzhi didn’t want to share a bed with him. He got off the bed. “Then I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“You’re sick. Sleep on the bed,” Xu Wangzhi said, not giving him the blanket.
“Then you…”
Xu Wangzhi placed a pillow on the bed. “Half each.”
He left the room and returned with medicine, handing it to Cheng Shuoning. “Drink this before you sleep.”
Seeing the dark liquid, Cheng Shuoning’s face scrunched up.
He had drunk this medicine at noon. It was so bitter he could barely swallow it. It was the most bitter medicine he had ever tasted, and he had to pinch his nose to get it down.
“Can I not…” He swallowed his words when he met Xu Wangzhi’s dark gaze, obediently taking the cup and gulping it down.
But the bitterness spread in his mouth, and he immediately rushed to the bathroom to rinse his mouth before returning.
Xu Wangzhi sat on the bed, seemingly waiting for him. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head.
Meeting his gaze, Cheng Shuoning’s heart raced uncontrollably.
He quickly walked to the bed and lay down, pulling the blanket over himself.
Soon, the other side of the bed dipped slightly.
The light was turned off, and the room plunged into darkness.
Cheng Shuoning stared at the ceiling, motionless.
“Can’t sleep?” The boy’s low voice sounded in his ear.
“Just thinking about some things,” Cheng Shuoning replied.
Beside Xu Wangzhi, he always felt relaxed and comfortable, unable to help but share his inner doubts with him.
The room fell silent, with only their breathing audible.
After a moment, Xu Wangzhi’s steady voice broke the silence. “Don’t overthink it, Cheng Shuoning. If something makes you sad, distance yourself from it.”
Cheng Shuoning responded, his eyelids growing heavy. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
He slept curled up, gradually inching toward Xu Wangzhi until he touched him, finding a sense of security and ceasing to move.
Xu Wangzhi opened his eyes, watching the boy’s vague outline, feeling the warmth of his breath.
He gently ruffled the boy’s soft hair, a smile of indulgence and satisfaction on his lips.
The next moment, his clothes were tightly grasped. Cheng Shuoning, dreaming of something, mumbled incoherently, moving closer to him.
Xu Wangzhi reached out, gently patting Cheng Shuoning’s back to soothe him until he calmed down and then withdrew his hand.
The door suddenly knocked three times, and Xu Wangzhi turned on the bedside lamp, feeling resistance as he got out of bed.
He glanced down, seeing Cheng Shuoning’s hand clutching his clothes, and gently pried it off, tucking it back under the blanket. He turned off the lamp and left the bedroom.
The person outside knocked three more times, seemingly patient.
Xu Wangzhi turned on the living room light, unhurriedly walked to the door, and opened it.
A man in a black suit stood outside, tall and handsome, with a gentle and refined appearance, wearing glasses that added a scholarly touch.
He smiled slightly at Xu Wangzhi, seemingly unfazed by the late-night disturbance, and propped the door open to prevent Xu Wangzhi from closing it.
Seeing him, Xu Wangzhi’s expression remained unchanged, and he didn’t ask why he was there.
The surroundings fell into an eerie silence.
Zhou Xundu chuckled softly, his face, with its smile, exuding a bewitching warmth in the dim corridor light.
“I told you before not to have inappropriate thoughts about Ning Ning. Why don’t you have the self-awareness?” He looked at Xu Wangzhi, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses, pushing the door open completely, his tone cold and commanding, “Now, hand over Ning Ning.”