Shi Zhi opened his mouth but didn’t say a word.
“Shi Xiao Zhi, are you an idiot?” Fu Yuchu ran a hand through Shi Zhi’s hair, which was soaked from the rain, and said helplessly, “Didn’t you know to find a place to take shelter?”
Shi Zhi seemed not to have reacted yet. He asked blankly again, “How did you get here?”
How did he get here? Good question. Fu Yuchu was beyond exasperated.
Master Yu had gone to deliver a meal as usual, but after knocking for a long time, no one answered. He called Fu Yuchu to let him know, and only then did Fu Yuchu realize Shi Zhi wasn’t home. He couldn’t reach him via WeChat or phone, so he drove to find Fu Yumeng, who told him Shi Zhi had come here.
He was angry that Shi Zhi hadn’t taken the initiative to send him a single message, and he was jealous of what Xu Yining had done to deserve this. But no matter how many emotions Fu Yuchu had, upon seeing a rain-drenched Shi Zhi, all his temper turned into heartache.
“Truly stupid to death.”
Fu Yuchu put his arm around Shi Zhi’s shoulder and led him back. The umbrella was cramped, unable to fully cover two grown men. Shi Zhi was shielded tightly, while a large patch of Fu Yuchu’s shoulder got wet.
The arm around his shoulder was burning and powerful. Shi Zhi stared blankly at Fu Yuchu’s tense profile, allowing himself to be led forward. Fu Yuchu opened the car door and pushed Shi Zhi inside. “Get in first.”
Since he was already soaked, Fu Yuchu simply folded the umbrella. He leaned into the passenger side and reached out to peel off Shi Zhi’s wet jacket. “You’ll catch a cold wearing wet clothes. I’ll turn on the AC in a moment. Arms.”
Shi Zhi cooperated obediently.
As Fu Yuchu gripped the jacket he had just removed and prepared to stand back up, his wrist was pulled. He looked at the slender, fair fingertips resting on his forearm and raised an eyebrow at Shi Zhi.
As if being stubborn, Shi Zhi tilted his head and asked once more, “Fu Yuchu, why did you come here?”
Fu Yuchu didn’t speak. He pulled a towel from the car and draped it over Shi Zhi’s face.
His vision blocked, Shi Zhi’s world turned pitch black. He could smell Fu Yuchu’s scent approaching and then retreating. In the silent space, there was only the “thump, thump, thump” of a heartbeat.
The car door opened, and Fu Yuchu sat inside. He tossed the umbrella and their wet clothes into the back seat, pulled the towel off Shi Zhi’s face, and rather roughly began to dry Shi Zhi’s hair.
Light returned to Shi Zhi’s eyes. He looked at Fu Yuchu, whose face was covered in moisture, and gently poked his arm. “You still haven’t told me.”
“Oh, because I’m a lunatic who likes driving to the desolate wilderness where not even a ghost exists on rainy days,” Fu Yuchu said irritably.
Shi Zhi was choked by the reply. Realizing he had been asking stupid questions, he said dejectedly, “Then you’re quite impressive, calling yourself a lunatic… though this area is all cemeteries, so there should be ghosts.”
Fu Yuchu: “…”
Fu Yuchu glared at Shi Zhi. Only then did he notice a faint scratch on his chin. His face instantly darkened. He snapped, “Shi Xiao Zhi, you’re so sharp when it comes to talking back to me, so why didn’t you know how to dodge when someone hit you? You’ve saved all your energy just to bicker with me, haven’t you?”
Shi Zhi thought to himself: Not really. He did dodge, and he had other skills too. However, he stole a glance at Fu Yuchu’s unpleasant expression and wisely shut his mouth, not daring to say more.
Fu Yuchu turned up the AC and used the towel Shi Zhi had just used to wipe the moisture from his own hair and arms. He took a few deep breaths to calm down, then turned and pinched Shi Zhi’s chin, forcing him to look up. Staring at the reddened mark on his face, he asked, “Does it hurt?”
Shi Zhi hadn’t felt the pain when the fingernail grazed him, but now, hearing Fu Yuchu ask, grievance coiled around his heart and climbed onto his face. He said, “It hurts.”
“Bear it.”
“We’ll buy medicine when we go back,” Fu Yuchu added. “The scratch isn’t deep; it won’t leave a scar.”
“Oh.”
Shi Zhi’s current appearance was simply too docile and cute. Looking at his water-rimmed eyes, Fu Yuchu couldn’t resist pinching his cheek and asked casually, “Where to? Home?”
Shi Zhi fell silent. He didn’t know where to go.
The “Xi Zhu” small building was his home, but it was no longer complete after his parents left, and now even the name didn’t belong to him. The uncle’s house where he lived before university was a temporary home, but with his uncle’s family migrating, it was no longer his home either. The house at Yuelan Residence was the new home Xu Yining said he prepared for them when he proposed, but he couldn’t continue living there now.
He seemed to have no home again.
Seeing Shi Zhi’s despondent expression, Fu Yuchu guessed he might be thinking about Xu Yining again. He cursed under his breath, forced a very strained smile, and said, “Sleep for a while. It’ll take a long time to drive back.”
Driving was difficult in the rain. Shi Zhi shook his head. “I won’t sleep. I’ll talk to you so you don’t get sleepy.”
Fu Yuchu grabbed a clean piece of clothing from the back seat to drape over Shi Zhi, then leaned over to fasten his seatbelt. He touched Shi Zhi’s damp hair and said, “No need. Just sleep. If you talk to me, I’ll get distracted.”
“Oh.” Shi Zhi pulled at the clothing and gave a muffled response.
Fu Yuchu’s clothes had a cold, broad scent. Shi Zhi didn’t know if it was perfume; he hadn’t smelled it anywhere else. But he didn’t interact with many people, so it was normal not to have smelled it before. Thinking this, Shi Zhi pulled the clothes up further, covering his mouth and nose.
Wrapped in a scent that made him feel secure, Shi Zhi’s nerves, which had been tense for a long time, gradually relaxed. He stared at Fu Yuchu’s profile, watching him drive with focus and concentration.
The car turned out of the mountain road and onto the main road; the field of vision widened. In the retreating curtain of rain, Shi Zhi belatedly realized that Fu Yuchu wasn’t wearing glasses today. The eyes usually hidden by lenses were completely exposed to Shi Zhi’s gaze.
“Your eyes are really beautiful,” Shi Zhi said during a red light. His voice was so soft it sounded like he was talking to himself. “Usually, with the glasses on, I can’t see your emotions.”
Fu Yuchu turned to look at Shi Zhi. He wanted to ask, So can you see them now? Can you see my emotions? But meeting Shi Zhi’s gaze, which was full of sincerity, he said nothing. He only placed his hand over Shi Zhi’s eyes and commanded, “Sleep. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
Shi Zhi didn’t ask where they were going. He actually fell asleep.
When he was woken up by Fu Yuchu, his head felt a bit heavy. He looked around with bleary eyes and realized they were in an unfamiliar underground parking garage. He asked curiously, “Where is this?”
“Southeast Asia,” Fu Yuchu said. “I’m selling you.”
Shi Zhi: “…” So childish!
“Get out. Come with me to meet the buyer.” Fu Yuchu pushed the door open, not forgetting to take the wet clothes tossed in the back.
Shi Zhi followed him into the elevator and upstairs, speechless. Through the elevator mirror, Fu Yuchu saw Shi Zhi with his cheeks puffed out, and the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, unnoticeable arc.
Standing at the door of Fu Yuchu’s house, Shi Zhi played along: “Where’s the buyer?”
Fu Yuchu finally couldn’t help but laugh. “Stupid. The buyer is me, of course.” He patted Shi Zhi’s head and tossed him a pair of new slippers. “Change your shoes.”
“Oh.” Shi Zhi obediently put on the slippers, and then, as if discovering something amazing, he said in surprise, “Fu Yuchu, do you have a friend with feet the same size as mine? These slippers fit perfectly!”
Fu Yuchu: …Is it possible these were bought specifically for you?
Fu Yuchu didn’t explain. He sighed and said, “It’s easy to catch a cold after being in the rain. Go take a shower first. I’ll order delivery and buy some medicine.” He found a set of loungewear for Shi Zhi and said nonchalantly, “I live alone, so I don’t have spare pajamas. Is it okay to wear mine?”
Seeing that Shi Zhi didn’t immediately respond, he added, “They’re washed and never worn. Not dirty.”
Shi Zhi was embarrassed. He wasn’t worried about them being dirty; he just wasn’t used to wearing someone else’s undergarments. But he had no choice now; after all, clothes soaked in rainwater felt even worse against the skin.
“Thank you,” Shi Zhi said softly as he took the clothes.
Fu Yuchu took him to the master bedroom’s bathroom, found toiletries, and placed them on the vanity. He explained, “I live alone, so I usually only use this one bathroom. You’ll have to make do. These are all new.” His gaze then swept to the clothing rack nearby. “The underwear is also new and washed. It might be a bit big for you, but just make it work for now.”
Shi Zhi’s face instantly turned bright red. Although the two of them had slept together, that was all in… well, his consciousness had indeed been clear. But nearly two months had passed. If Fu Yuchu hadn’t mentioned it, he would have forgot—almost forgotten!
“Oh,” Shi Zhi bit his lip and responded in a small voice.
Fu Yuchu looked down at the person whose ears were turning red, his heart itching with a desire to tease him further. But he feared scaring him away, which would be a loss for him. So, he restrained himself and stepped back, leaning against the doorframe. “Is noodles for dinner okay?”
Shi Zhi hurriedly said yes. Fu Yuchu closed the door for him, but couldn’t help saying one more thing: “The door can be locked from the inside.”
Hearing the sound of something dropping in the bathroom, Fu Yuchu let out a soft whistle and went to prepare dinner in a very good mood.
When Shi Zhi came out after his shower, he found that Fu Yuchu had not only boiled noodles but also stir-fried two side dishes and made ginger soup.
“Drink some first. You absolutely mustn’t catch a cold.” Fu Yuchu handed Shi Zhi a small bowl of ginger soup.
Shi Zhi took it and said thank you.
“Perhaps you don’t have to keep saying thank you to me.”
“Hmm?”
“You could say ‘this tastes great’.”
Shi Zhi: “…How can ginger soup taste great? Don’t you taste it yourself?” As he looked up, he realized Fu Yuchu hadn’t changed his clothes yet—he was still wearing the shirt from when they returned. Looking down, his pants had been changed.
“You didn’t shower?” Shi Zhi’s mouth opened slightly in disbelief. “Aren’t you afraid of catching a cold?”
Fu Yuchu sighed, his tone sounding pitiful. “There’s no choice. My family is poor, and there’s only one bathroom. I couldn’t exactly run in and shower with you.”
Shi Zhi thought: With this luxury apartment that clearly exceeds 300 square meters, you’re calling yourself poor? Who are you kidding?
“But don’t worry, I exercise regularly and have great stamina…” Fu Yuchu slowly added as Shi Zhi’s ears turned redder: “I won’t catch a cold that easily.”
“…Drink all of this.” Shi Zhi felt it wasn’t that he was overthinking things, but that Fu Yuchu’s words were ambiguous. He didn’t want to talk to him anymore and pushed the remaining ginger soup toward Fu Yuchu, speaking assertively.
Fu Yuchu: “As you command.”
“…Let’s eat.” Shi Zhi lowered his head to bite into the noodles.
“No review?”
Shi Zhi looked up into Fu Yuchu’s smiling eyes. Seeing the playfulness there, he put down his chopsticks and said solemnly, “The noodles are a bit soft, the soup is a bit bland, the shrimp is overcooked, and the vegetables are too undercooked. Overall, it’s just so-so.”
“Really?”
“But it suits my taste quite well.” Seeing Fu Yuchu look a bit concerned, Shi Zhi said, “I’ll begrudgingly give it a 5.” Seeing the corners of Fu Yuchu’s mouth drop, he added with a smile, “Out of 5.”
Fu Yuchu: “…………”
“Since you’re so satisfied, your reward is to eat it all.”
Shi Zhi actually didn’t have much of an appetite. He had felt a bit faint when he woke up in the car, and after showering, his head felt even heavier. Right now, he just wanted to sleep. But since Fu Yuchu had made the meal without even changing his clothes, he gave him face and ate half a bowl. Unable to eat any more, he said, “I’m so sleepy. Maybe a carb coma. Can I sleep at your place for a while?”
Fu Yuchu took him to the master bedroom where he usually stayed. Shi Zhi, his head groggy, didn’t think too much. He crawled onto the bed, pulled up the covers, and fell into a deep sleep surrounded by Fu Yuchu’s scent.
Shi Zhi’s sleep was extremely unsettled; he had many fragmented dreams.
He dreamed that on the eve of the college entrance exam, his uncle’s family was preparing to migrate abroad and asked if he wanted to go with them. Shi Zhi didn’t want to; he wanted to return to Xi Zhu. So he ran and ran, and as he ran, he found himself on the campus of An University.
The summer campus was covered by lush ginkgo trees. Shi Zhi got lost in the crowd. He was afraid to ask for directions, so he explored slowly on his own. He came behind the “Small Red Building” and was stopped by two seniors who asked him, “Are you Xu Yining’s boyfriend?”
Shi Zhi wanted to say, I’m not. He confessed to me and I rejected him. But before he could speak, the senior stopping him seemed to know his thoughts and said firmly, “You are. Xu Yining said you are. We all know the most beautiful, strange youth at An University is Xu Yining’s boyfriend.”
“Yes, everyone knows. The whole school knows,” the other senior added.
Shi Zhi thought to himself: I’m not beautiful, I’m just a bit handsome, and I’m not strange at all. But the socially anxious Shi Zhi didn’t dare argue in front of strangers, so he hung his head like he had done something wrong.
A warm palm rested on his shoulder. Shi Zhi turned and saw Fu Yumeng with her hair in a ponytail, saying excitedly, “A-Zhi, Yu An is coming to An University! Isn’t he your idol? Go follow him to do some sketching. Go quickly!”
So Shi Zhi followed Yu An to sketch, and then he almost fell off a pine tree Yu An was painting. Someone caught him—it was Xu Yining. He said, “Wife, I’ll give you a home. Let me carry you home.”
Shi Zhi lay on Xu Yining’s back as he was carried back, the man’s footsteps uneven. At one point, the person carrying him turned around, and Shi Zhi saw Fu Yuchu’s face. He was so shocked he fell to the ground.
Shi Zhi felt very dizzy. His orange sky was spinning, and many familiar and unfamiliar faces were above his head: his parents, the uncle’s family, Grandpa Xu, Fu Yumeng… so many people, spinning constantly.
Shi Zhi’s head spun even more. He heard those people shouting over each other: Xiao Zhi, Xiao Zhi, wake up. Wake up quickly.
And so, Shi Zhi woke up.
He saw Fu Yuchu’s face up close, his voice filled with anxiety: “Shi Zhi, you have a fever. We need to go to the hospital.”
“Ah, I have a fever.” Shi Zhi stared into Fu Yuchu’s eyes for a long time before reacting. He reached out to touch his sweat-dampened neck and said blankly, “Oh, right. It turns out I have a fever. No wonder I felt so hot.”
Fu Yuchu brushed the hair stuck to his forehead back, revealing his smooth brow. He stared into Shi Zhi’s eyes, which were reddened from the heat, and coaxed him: “Get up and change your clothes. Let’s go to the hospital, okay?”
The word “hospital” was a taboo for Shi Zhi. Hearing it, he instinctively shook his head. “No, I don’t want to go.” His head was already dizzy, and those two shakes made it even worse. He frowned and said, “I’m so dizzy. There’s something moving inside my head.”
Fu Yuchu sighed, pressing one hand on his head to stop him from moving. He said warmly, “A cold definitely makes you dizzy. Let’s go to the hospital. You won’t be dizzy once we get checked out.”
“I don’t want to,” Shi Zhi said. “I just won’t go.”
Because of the fever, Shi Zhi looked as though he had been soaked in water. Fine sweat seeped from his forehead and neck. His cheeks were burning red, and his usually moist lips were dry. His brow was tightly knit, and his eyes were watery. He was in such distress, yet he stubbornly refused to go to the hospital.
Fu Yuchu felt both heartache and helplessness. He found clothes and firmly helped him up, intending to change him. “Just hold on for a bit. Once you’ve changed, I’ll take you to the hospital, and you’ll feel better soon.”
“No.”