“Alright?”
Soothing him, Xu Nian’s voice dropped even lower. His gaze seemed veiled in a faint mist, softer and all the more easy to lose oneself in.
Chen Zhou looked into his eyes and forgot what he was supposed to say, the little wooden bird in his hand pressing painfully against his palm.
“Brother, what you said… is it true? Are you just saying this because you drank…”
Stammering, Chen Zhou felt his heart beat faster and faster as he looked at Xu Nian’s long eyelashes.
Seeming quite displeased with his words, Xu Nian suddenly reached out and pinched his chin. “I’m not drunk.”
With that, he lightly nipped Chen Zhou’s face, then squeezed his cheeks so that the flesh on Chen Zhou’s face was pushed together into a bunch.
“! Ungh…”
Locking eyes with him, Xu Nian said, “Your brother really likes you.”
Chen Zhou blushed, his heart hammering against his chest, his brain practically grinding to a halt. “But Brother, I’m a guy…”
“So what?” Xu Nian said dismissively. “Your brother isn’t afraid.”
He gave Chen Zhou’s head another rub. “You don’t need to be afraid either. Your brother will carry it for you.”
Looking into Xu Nian’s eyes, Chen Zhou knew that Xu Nian wasn’t lying. He himself didn’t know whether he felt more surprised or overjoyed.
At this point, saying anything else seemed redundant.
He leaned in to kiss Xu Nian’s lips again, pressing against the corners before tracing the shape of the other man’s lips.
Then, hugging Xu Nian, he tilted his head up and whispered, speaking in a jumble of reckless words, “Brother, next time you kiss me, you can use your tongue. I won’t bite you.”
The statement was sheer sincerity through and through. Hearing it, Xu Nian’s gaze grew heavy again, while Chen Zhou remained completely oblivious to what he had just said.
After a moment of thought, he leaned close to Xu Nian’s ear. “Brother, I like you too.”
That heavy rain had soaked them both to the bone, but when they embraced through the thin layer of clothing, they didn’t feel cold at all.
[Ding-dong, host, progress reminder: four tasks have now been completed, and there is only one final task left.]
The next morning, Chen Zhou was woken up by 126’s voice.
Disturbing someone’s sweet sleep!
Reluctantly waking up, Chen Zhou suddenly remembered what had happened last night, how Xu Nian had held his hand all the way back.
His face turned red once more against his will.
Instantly losing his temper, Chen Zhou replied that he understood, then got up to head downstairs.
“Brother Wang Qi, where’s the boss?” As soon as Chen Zhou came downstairs, he couldn’t find the person he was looking for and naturally had to ask.
“Boss, boss,” Wang Qi rolled his eyes and raised a broom as if to hit him. “All you do every day is look for the boss. Is the boss your man or something? He went to help someone work at that place from yesterday.”
Scratching his head with a smile, Chen Zhou turned around and dashed off.
The weather wasn’t as scorching as it had been a few days ago, but the sun was still blindingly fierce. By the time Chen Zhou reached the location, his back was already soaked through with sweat.
As soon as he arrived, he saw Xu Nian smoking under the shade of a tree. Seeing him approach, Xu Nian held out his hand, palm facing upward.
Running over, Chen Zhou called out, “Brother.”
Without a word, Xu Nian tossed away his cigarette, pulled Chen Zhou in front of him, and turned him around so his back pressed against the trunk of the tree, casting a shadow over him.
Xu Nian gave him a soft kiss, then reached out to stroke his face. “Hot?”
Chen Zhou shook his head. “Not hot.”
“Brother, you smoked again. There’s a smell of smoke on you.”
Xu Nian pinched his cheek. “Starting to manage me already?”
Chen Zhou retorted, “Are you not going to let me?”
With a smile, Xu Nian replied, “Fine, fine, fine. I let you. Your brother listens to you.”
A vast stretch of farmland lay behind them. Once Xu Nian finished his work, he brought Chen Zhou over to sit on the raised ridge of the field. The grass had scratched Chen Zhou’s ankles, leaving some reddish marks.
“Brother, my legs hurt a bit.” Sitting down and noticing the scratches on his legs, Chen Zhou saw that they weren’t serious, but they looked somewhat alarming.
“Let me see.” Xu Nian yanked up his trouser legs.
“This hurts?” Xu Nian teased him with a smile. “Such a delicate crybaby.”
“You’re the delicate one,” Chen Zhou protested, refusing to accept it. “I am not.”
Watching him with a grin, Xu Nian’s smile widened, not a fake grin, nor a restrained chuckle.
Dazzled by the sight, Chen Zhou leaned in closer. “Brother, you look good when you smile. Can you smile more often from now on?”
Looking at the person who had suddenly leaned in close, Xu Nian realized that ever since he met him, his emotions had grown so much richer. How lucky he was to meet you again. And how fortunate that someone like you is willing to draw close to me.
He felt it was a stroke of luck to encounter this youth who had undergone such a transformation, and hearing those words, “I like you too,” was equally precious.
Thus, Xu Nian leaned in closer once more, lowering his head to kiss him.
This time it was no longer a brief, shallow touch. Xu Nian parted Chen Zhou’s teeth and conquered his territory, their breathing turning heavy and tangling together.
Xu Nian cupped the back of Chen Zhou’s head, and Chen Zhou instinctively grabbed the collar of his shirt as if he wanted to hang onto him.
“Mmh…”
Xu Nian kissed him in a chaotic, unstructured manner, his teeth accidentally bumping against Chen Zhou’s lips, yet he was utterly reluctant to pull away. A slight sting caused Chen Zhou to give a little shudder, but he couldn’t bear to push Xu Nian away either.
The faint taste of rust in their mouths was replaced by the other’s scent, and Chen Zhou seemed to taste a hint of sweetness.
When they finally parted, Xu Nian looked down at Chen Zhou. Chen Zhou’s lips were slightly split, and Xu Nian reached out to brush a thumb across them, staining them red with the natural tint, looking just like lip rouge.
A layer of mist veiled Chen Zhou’s eyes as he complained with dissatisfaction, “I said I wouldn’t bite you, but you shouldn’t bite me either.”
With a chuckle, Xu Nian pulled him tightly into his arms. “Your brother will definitely be careful next time.”
Reluctantly, Chen Zhou chose to believe him.
Chen Zhou went back with Xu Nian. That afternoon, the restaurant had matters to attend to, so Xu Nian went out while Chen Zhou stayed in his room alone.
[Host, a task has arrived.] 126 suddenly piped up.
Chen Zhou had been spacing out and got startled by the voice. “126, you scared the life out of me.” Then remembering something, he added, “Wait, you didn’t…”
You didn’t see everything, did you?
Maintaining a high level of professional integrity, 126 replied, [Rest assured, host, I would never pry into your privacy. I entered sleep mode at that exact moment.]
That was more like it.
Regaining his composure, Chen Zhou asked, [Spill it. What’s the task?]
[This is the final task. The protagonist gong and the protagonist shou have had a falling out. Cao Ying is still lying in the hospital, and the host needs to go deliver some warmth.]
“…”
Chen Zhou wished he could send 126 away.
[The host needs to deliver meals to the protagonist until he recovers fully.]
Chen Zhou let out a sigh. [Got it.]
At least it was the final task, after all.
Only…
[126, will I leave directly after completing the task?]
[No, host. I cannot disclose the exact time, but you will leave when the time comes.]
Chen Zhou fell silent. Originally, he hadn’t been afraid of leaving this place. But now, with Xu Nian in his life, there was someone he couldn’t bear to leave behind.
No matter what, though, he would live through this period of life properly. When the time came to leave, even if it was unavoidable, he at least wanted to say a proper goodbye.
At noon, Chen Zhou planned to go to the hospital to deliver food, and take the opportunity to check on Aunt Wang as well. Aunt Wang was recovering very well now and would probably be able to go home after a bit more time.
Looking at Xu Nian busy downstairs, Chen Zhou still decided to go over and clear things up.
“Brother.”
Seeing that Chen Zhou had something to say, Xu Nian immediately walked off to a deserted spot and made a gesture as if to kiss him.
“No, Brother, I have something to say.”
Reluctantly, Xu Nian let go of him. “What is it?”
“Brother, I want to go to the hospital to deliver food for Brother Cao Ying.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Nian’s expression soured.
“Brother, don’t worry. I don’t like Brother Cao Ying. The only person in my heart right now is you.” Not wanting to hide anything from Xu Nian, Chen Zhou spoke with complete candor. “I’m not lying to you.”
“My feelings for Brother Cao Ying are purely out of gratitude.”
Chen Zhou wasn’t lying. Perhaps the original owner had indeed liked Cao Ying, but was that kind of liking born of gratitude and admiration, or true romantic affection? Chen Zhou didn’t know, nor was there any way to investigate further, but he genuinely loved Xu Nian.
“Brother. Come with me. He’s been in the hospital recently and suffering a lot from his illness; I’m just helping him out a bit, I won’t stay long.”
Fearing Xu Nian wouldn’t believe him, Chen Zhou added, “I swear, if I’m lying, may heav—ungh!”
Xu Nian instantly covered his mouth. “Don’t talk nonsense!”
“I’ll go with you.” Xu Nian stroked his head with a sigh. “Your brother believes you.”
Xu Nian certainly wasn’t happy about it, but he wasn’t worried that Chen Zhou would develop any feelings for Cao Ying again either. Even if he did, he could sweep those thoughts away once more.
The suppressed control and possessiveness in his heart were perhaps things even he himself hadn’t noticed.
Driving together, Xu Nian and Chen Zhou went to the hospital. While Xu Nian went to visit Aunt Wang, Chen Zhou went to find Cao Ying by himself.
Cao Ying’s ward faced south, catching plenty of sunlight, yet he himself looked utterly listless. His once-rounded jawline had grown sharp and thin, and his entire demeanor lacked spirit.
“Brother Cao Ying.” Carrying the container, Chen Zhou walked over and called out to him.
“Xiaojia?” Cao Ying’s eyes brightened. “What brings you over here?”
“I came to see you.” Chen Zhou offered a shy smile. “I brought you something to eat. I wasn’t sure if you’d eaten yet?”
“I actually haven’t eaten yet.” Cao Ying coughed twice. “Thanks, Xiaojia.”
Cao Ying spoke very gently with a soft tone, but his exhaustion couldn’t be masked.
“Have a taste, I made it myself.”
Hearing those words, Cao Ying looked very surprised. “You know how to cook now? When you were little, your mom used to scold you every time you tried doing chores.”
“Yeah. I know how to do a lot of things now.” Chen Zhou paused slightly. “Actually, I’m working at Brother Xu Nian’s restaurant right now, and I’ve learned quite a bit.”
Stunned into silence for a long time, Cao Ying finally spoke. “I never expected the two of you to get so close. When you were little, you used to tag along behind me all the time…”
Chen Zhou smiled. “I’ve grown up now, too.”
“Besides, I have someone I like now.”
Not expecting Chen Zhou to bring that up, Cao Ying stopped what he was doing to look at him.
The young man’s gaze was earnest, but it wasn’t fixed on him; he seemed lost in thought, as if thinking of someone special.
“I really like him. He has helped me a lot.”
“Brother Cao Ying, I feel like you’ve probably been having a really hard time lately, haven’t you?” Chen Zhou asked him cautiously.
Silently watching him, Cao Ying didn’t voice his thoughts.
“But I hope you won’t forget that there are still people around you who love you and care about you. If there’s any problem, just communicate in time.”
Trying to play matchmaker with a clumsy cleverness, Chen Zhou only realized how presumptuous and overstepping he sounded after saying all that.
Rubbing his nose in embarrassment, he waved goodbye to Cao Ying. “Brother Cao Ying, take good care of your health, I’m heading out!”
Watching the youth’s retreating figure, Cao Ying fell into a thoughtful silence.