Chapter 26 - He Came Back

Translator: Ruriko

Zhishu He opened the door, finding his home neat and tidy. It was obvious that Doctor Ai asked someone to clean it up. The four little cats were snuggling against each other and sleeping soundly with small snores.

Zhishu He sighed softly. He knew that things were developing beyond his limited imagination. He could neither ignore nor accept them.

The following days were so quiet that Zhishu He’s life seemingly came to an end, because Doctor Ai didn’t answer He’s repeated calls. Zhishu He intended to invite Doctor Ai for a dinner. Wenxu Jiang didn’t call him either, and only sent a few short messages expressing tender feelings late at night.

It was four or five days later when Zhishu He finally went out again. He didn’t have any appetite, but he needed to buy fruits and vegetables.

It was windy outside today with snowflakes coming down.

Tightening the scarf around the neck, Zhishu He was wondering to go home as soon as possible after buying some necessary stuff. He was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to notice a puddle of frozen water on the ground of an alley. He grazed his knees when he fell very hard to the ground.

It was really painful, but Zhishu He didn’t allow him to indulge in self-pity since he knew that no one cared about him. Silently, biting the lower lip, he picked himself up and collected his stuff scattered all over the ground. He couldn’t stand up straight because of the pain in the knees, so he hobbled home slowly with a slightly-bent back.

Zhishu He had been used to the loneliness as he lived alone for a long time. The longer one lived alone, the more taciturn one would become. Zhishu He wasn’t born to be like this, but he had experienced too many hurts and separations.

The four little cats grew fast. They had become very familiar with Zhishu He and liked to cling to He. Their naughty paws always tickled his arms or neck, making him feel warm in the heart. He was tired, but he didn’t forget to prepare a pot of fish soup for them, which was still stewed in the kitchen.

But Zhishu He didn’t expect that Wenxu Jiang would come home after 11 p.m. He was a light sleeper, so he was instantly wakened upon the first noise of door opening.

Kicking the Italian cow-leather boots off, Wenxu Jiang then threw his woolen overcoat onto the sofa as he always did. Wenxu Jiang would never remember to wear a scarf without Zhishu He’s repeated demands.

“You’re back?”

“Why do you still stay up?” Wenxu Jiang was surprised with raised eyebrows.

Zhishu He came up to Jiang, softly held his hand, which was bloody cold, and said, “I just woke up. Why don’t you tell me when you would land at the airport, unless you don’t want me to pick you up?”

Wenxu Jiang came close to He and kissed him on the forehead, “The flight is too late. I don’t want to disturb you, and it’s too cold at Beijing’s winter night.”

Zhishu He smiled noncommittally, but he withdrew his hand from Wenxu Jiang, said, “How about fish soup? There is still some soup in the kitchen. Let me warm up it for you.”

Wenxu Jiang’s cold eyes became warmer after he heard Zhishu’s words, and then he said, “I go to take a shower first.”

Wenxu Jiang just took a short shower. When Jiang came out, Zhishu He was just pouring the hot soup into a white china bowl.

“This soup is so light.” Holding the bowl, Wenxu Jiang sipped the soup as naive as a teenager.

Zhishu He replied, “The cats can’t eat oil, and I don’t like salty food.”

After drinking the soup as if taking the medicine, Wenxu Jiang called Zhishu He over, scooped He into his arms and pressed him on the sofa, “Did you miss me? Were you having a good time with cats when I was away?”

Zhishu He only shook his head. The expression in He’s face was always gentle, but no one could ignore He’s alienation.

Jiang moved closer to kiss He’s lips, but only lightly kissed He on the cheek as He turned his head away.

“I am really tired,” Zhishu He touched Wenxu Jiang’s nose with his finger tip, avoiding Jiang’s eyes filled with complex feelings, “You must be tired too, so go to bed early.”

“But I really miss you.” Wenxu Jiang frowned, and he got close again to Zhishu He to whisper in his ears, “Let’s have a hug.” Zhishu He knew that it was Jiang’s trump card to call for sex, because He was very sensitive to whispers in the ears, not to mention Jiang’s sexy voice.

However, Zhishu He only frowned with a sudden strike of sickness in the throat. Zhishu He didn’t want to have sex with Jiang, so He voluntarily reached out to hug Jiang, and said “Let me hug you. Now go to sleep.”