Chapter 64
It was a pity that although this beast lacked big money, he was never short on small money!
Lou Xiao turned to Wei Blue Hair. He gave him a call. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”
Wei Jiayu asked, “Is there something with Shen Ge?”
Lou Xiao: “En.” He won’t tell him the reason for now. He was afraid this kid might run.
Wei Jiayu’s tone was hesitant. “That …”
Lou Xiao asked, “Are you busy?”
Wei Jiayu was too embarra.s.sed to say it.
Lou Xiao said, “Oh, if you have something, then forget it.”
Wei Jiayu: “!”
Xiao Ge had asked him to eat dinner with him, how could he be fool enough to reject a face saving offer!
Wei Jiayu said, “It’s fine! It’s fine!”
Lou Xiao was never one to force others. “I’m just having a quick meal. If you’re busy, it’s fine.”
“I’m not busy!” Wei Jiayu asked the place and said, “See you then.”
He hung up the phone and said to Four-eyed Chen next to him, “That … For the time being, I have something I need to do.” They were originally schedule for their tutoring session.
“Oh.” Chen Su then turned around to leave.
Wei Jiayu said unhappily, “What are you such a hurry for?”
Chen Su stopped.
Wei Jiayu scratched his head and said, “You go find something to eat first, um, I’ll reimburse you. We can have the tutoring after dinner.”
Chen Su, “En.”
Wei Jiayu thought for a while and said, “You can rest a.s.sured that I will pay you from the time we left the school.”
Chen Su, “No need.”
Wei Jiayu said, “I don’t want to have wasted your time for no reason!”
Chen Su said expressionlessly, “I’m here to tutor you; not to watch you eat, drink or have fun.”
Wei Jiayu: “…”
Had this four-eyes been so p.r.i.c.kly before! Could it be that he was bullied so wretchedly in the past, that he was biting back now?
He could no longer attend to this matter, Wei Jiayu saw that time was short and took a taxi to Chongqing Road.
Meanwhile…
Qiao Shao said, “Couldn’t we have just eaten anywhere? Why do we have to go so far away?”
The food in the cafeteria was very good. Aunt Wu said that it was the healthiest. Speaking of, why was Aunt Wu so sure that the food in the cafeteria was healthy?
Forget it, like this, they were already very restrained. They just changed the school uniforms and subsidized the cafeteria. He could make this much of an allowance for them!
Here comes He Shen’s daily blame-shifting. “They say the beef there is really delicious. Lao Xiao mentioned it specifically.”
Thankfully, Lou Xiao wasn’t clairaudient; else, he might have been angry enough to stab his brother once or twice.
Qiao Shao sighed.
He Shen thought he was worried about spending money, and coaxed him, “Don’t worry. Lou Xiao orders food enough for an entire table just for himself. By going, we’re actually saving him from wasting food.”
This was something Qiao Shao had seen for himself. No matter where the school tyrant goes to eat, he would always order seven or eight dishes. Even if he never touches the food, he’ll still order for an entire table. It was like an obsessive-compulsive disorder. If the table wasn’t full, he had no appet.i.te to eat.
Some people grasped this point and secretly ridiculed him. “Well, look who’s got money to burn!” Qiao Shao, though, felt that there was something more to it that was being kept secret.
He also knew that Lou Xiao was not an extravagant person. … Not in his eyes anyway.
Qiao Shao said, “It’s not good to always have Lou Xiao treating us…”
He Shen said, “I can return the favor later.”
Qiao Shao felt that he was dropping hints and said, “I really will pay you back!”
He Shen’s mouth curled up. “I’m not worried. If worst comes to worst, you’ll just promise me your hand in marriage.”
Qiao Shao resented that. “You can’t be sure who’ll be richer in the future.”
He Shen said, “Of course, how could Young Master Qiao lack for money?”
Qiao Shao: “…”
He Shen teased him again, “I, on the other hand, am quite poor. Maybe it would be better if I were the one to promise you my hand in marriage.”
Qiao Shao looked up at him. “He Shen Shen.”
He Shen: “En?” When he was called by this repeated word nickname, it somehow sounded soft and sticky. The more he heard it, the more he felt it was pleasing to the ear.
Qiao Shao said in earnest, “I remember that you said you don’t engage in gaoji.”
He Shen was startled. “That’s right. I don’t.”
I only want to date and go steady with you.
Qiao Shao couldn’t hear his thoughts, and gave him a blow, saying, “Then stop talking so k2018;gay’!”
He Shen smiled and said, “You’re wrong about this.”
Qiao Shao: “Huh?”
When the taxi arrived, the two of them got on, and He Shen said, “Everything that I say comes from the bottom of my heart. How could you not allow me to say it?”
Qiao Shao: “…”
If he hadn’t known that this guy’s mouth basically had no zipper, he would have seriously begun to doubt that he really did want to engage in “gaoji” with him!
En……
Qiao Shao Shao’s mind began to float away.
Wei Jiayu came last. When he got to the private room and saw He Shen and Qiao Shao, it all “clicked”. Was it too late to run?!
However, the poor-sighted Lou Xiao caught a hold of him. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
Wei Jiayu’s felt conflicted. Xiao Ge, are you wearing contacts? Why is your vision so good!
Qiao Shao warmly welcomed him. “Dorm Room Leader, come on. We’ve already started cooking.”
This beef restaurant was in the form of a hot pot. Ordering fresh beef and cooking it by yourself was quite fun.
Wei Jiayu wanted to run, far and fast. If he never had to go over there, it would be too soon.
Lou Xiao threw a glance at him.
Wei Jiayu: “!”
Even if he could run, he dared not to. He could only go over there and bear it silently with Xiao Ge.
He Shen also glanced at him. “Is your foot injured?”
Wei Jiayu: “…”
He Shen: “Should I help you?”
Wei Jiayu staggered and almost fell!
He hurriedly turned each step into three, and quickly took a seat. He looked over at Qiao Shao and was relieved to see that he hadn’t taken it seriously. Being a light bulb was already hard enough. There was no need to add a show on top of it.
As expected the beef was really delicious. They fished it out at just the right time and it was incomparably tender.
Qiao Shao was eating very happily and couldn’t be happier at being invited as a guest.
He said, “The j.a.panese food from before and this beef are really delicious! Lou Xiao, you really know how to pick a place.”
These two places were really not his choices. Feeling someone’s piercing stare, the school tyrant put on a bold face and said, “They’re ok.”
Qiao Shao continued: “He Shen is really lucky to have a friend like you.”
“You really take good care of him …”
“… That you’re even so nice to me.”
“It might come off as a bit overly polite, but thank you very much.”
Lou Xiao: “…”
What kind of little cutie did this old beast deceive into going home with him?!
Most of the hot pot-style restaurants had a self-service counter.
Qiao Shao already experienced it from last time, and this time he took the initiative to offer. “I’ll get the fruit.”
Before He Shen could speak, he said, “I already know what you want to eat.” He asked Lou Xiao and Wei Jiayu.
Lou Xiao said, “Nothing for me.” What was so good about such sweet and cloying food? He might as well just smoke a cigarette.
Wei Jiayu didn’t want to do anything that might produce any side issues. “Nothing for me either.”
Qiao Shao was surprised. “The fruits are very fresh and don’t cost any money.”
He Shen smiled. “They don’t like sweet stuff.”
Qiao Shao didn’t doubt him, and said, “Alright, then I’ll go get some for you.”
Qiao Shao left, He Shen stared at his back and asked. “Is he cute?”
Lou Xiao & Wei Jiayu: “…”
This was a f*cking deadly question, who would dare to answer!
He Shen also didn’t want them to answer. He said, “What do you think? Does he have me in his heart?”
This entire meal, Qiao Shao couldn’t go three sentences without mentioning He Shen. His grat.i.tude towards the host was like a little wife who was speaking for her husband.
Wei Jiayu now knew why he doesn’t want to eat anymore fruit. This was already so sweet, he was about to die from a sugar overdose. Who would want to eat anymore sweets?
No wonder his two sisters screamed in excitement over a couple of men. If two men could be this sweet together, there really wasn’t any need for a woman!
Qiao Shao went with He Shen to head home after eating.
It is said that the first time, you would be unfamiliar but the second time, you"d already be accustomed. With this being Qiao Shao’s third or fourth time here, he couldn’t be any more familiar.
When he entered the room, he began to undress. “I’ll take a shower first.”
He Shen: “…”
With his clothes half off, Qiao Shao suddenly thought of something and asked him, “Are you going to work tonight?”
He Shen tried not to let his eyes stray to his thin pale waist. “No.”
“That’s great,” Qiao Shao said, taking off his T-shirt. “We can sleep together.”
He Shen whispered, “En.”
Qiao Shao took a shower, and He Shen mouthed to himself over and over — “He’s just a child, he’s just a child!”
After he’d finally attained some calm, a single statement popped into this mind — he’s only a month younger than yourself.
The first few dozen times of repeating the same sentence collapsed in an instant.
“Ding.”
His cell phone rang. He Shen picked it up and took a look. What he saw was like a bucket of ice-cold water, and all the heat was snuffed out.
Xie Qing: “Xiao Shen, don’t be mad at your dad and come home.”
He Shen stared at it for a while, his eyes were getting darker and darker, like a heavy dark cloud, so dense it couldn’t be seen through.
As though the other party knew he wouldn’t reply, and the other side sent another message. “You’re your dad’s only son. The Xie family will be yours in the future. Why do you need to quarrel with him?”
“Listen to your aunt’s advice. Father and son shouldn’t have these little spats.”
Seeing this sentence, He Shen gripped the phone firmly.
Little spat?
Can this man bring his mother back!
Xie Qing sent him another message. “You are so cold to your father. You’re only giving a chance to those smoke-billowing people.
He Shen turned off the phone and threw it behind the sofa.
He leaned back on the sofa and looked at the plain undecorated ceiling. The rental apartment had poor sound insulation, and he could clearly hear the sound of rushing water in the bathroom. It seemed like the child was very happy and was even humming some unknown little song.
Qiao Shao … Qiao Shao …
He Shen laughed lowly, covering his eyes with his arm.
Isn’t he being a bit too much lately?
People like him.
How could he be worthy of him?
Qiao Shao came out wiping his wet hair. He saw He Shen sitting back against the sofa.
“Hey, you should go to bed.” He went over and poked at him.
He Shen swiftly opened his eyes. There was no trace of sleepiness in his dark eyes.
Qiao Shao was startled.
He Shen looked away. “You’re done?” His voice was very low.
Qiao Shao responded instinctively, “En, it’s your turn.”
He Shen got up and went to the bathroom.
Qiao Shao was dazed and it took him a long time to return to his senses.
He Shen … what happened?
The scene just now lingered in his mind.
The two have known each other for so long, and Qiao Shao believed that he knew him by now. But he has never seen He Shen like that. A pair of eyes so dark, as if it were a cold winter night. Except for ice shards bundled in the biting wind, there was no vitality.
Just what was wrong?
Qiao Shao’s heart tightened.
He wasn’t afraid, but instead he was very distressed. Because he had “seen” very clearly: in that world of snow and ice, was only He Shen himself.
He Shen stepped out after his shower and saw Qiao Shao still rubbing his hair dry.
He turned back and took the hair dryer. “Come here.”
Qiao Shao looked up at him. He Shen smiled at him like usual.
The child was clearly relieved and went to him and said, “There’s no need for the blow dryer. I can just wipe it dry.”
He Shen said, “That just means it can be dried faster with the hair dryer.”
He turned it on and used his fingers to stroke his soft, short hair.
It’s soft, very nice.
If he were just He Shen …
How good would that be?
The moment when their eyes met just now was just a little episode, and neither of them mentioned it again, as if returning to the way they were before. They chatted idly, and before they knew it, it was time to sleep.
Qiao Shao yawned and said, “Let’s go to bed early. Tomorrow, I’ll get my homework done, and then let’s start the tutoring session.”
He Shen responded, “OK.”
The two went to bed and each covered themselves with a quilt.
Because of the hot weather, the air conditioner was always on, and when covered with a thin quilt, it was neither cold nor hot, just right.
Qiao Shao hesitated before going to bed, but ended up wearing no headphones.
He wanted to try …
He felt that he had been doing much better recently. Especially with He Shen here, he thought he could really do it!
He Shen felt his nervousness and patted him on the shoulder. “Sleep.”
Qiao Shao tilted his head and looked at him. “I thought you were going to sing a lullaby for me.”
He Shen had wanted to say that, but … He whispered, “Would you like to hear one?”
Qiao Shao said immediately, “No!”
He Shen’s lips curved into a smile and his voice was soft. “Good night.”
Qiao Shao closed his eyes and said, “Good night.”
Qiao Shao was a little nervous after closing his eyes. Everything suddenly turned quiet and his nerves tightened. He wasn’t afraid of darkness, but was afraid of the silence.
Ever since … he couldn’t stand the quiet atmosphere anymore. Once he sunk into this environment, his nerves would be stimulated one by one, causing him so much pain, he might just go crazy.
Not wearing headphones was a disaster for Qiao Shao.
But this time, he was fine.
At first his body was still stiff, and there was a chill running up his arm, but when He Shen’s hand fell on his shoulder …
Everything faded.
The fear, accompanied by severe pain, fell like a tide.
The surging sea was calm.
Qiao Shao slowly fell asleep.
And He Shen also fell asleep.
He dreamt and his mother was in it, that beautiful woman who was like a picture.
She looked at him and said to him, “Mom will take you away. Mom won’t leave you alone.”
The next moment, she was lying in a pool of blood. The meandering scarlet dripping down, stung his eyes.
She said, “I’m sorry …”
He Shen awoke violently, he gasped lightly, and his back was drenched in sweat.
That very last moment……
He saw that the person in the pool of blood was Qiao Shao.
No, no, that’s not possible …
At this time, Qiao Shao was still asleep, shifting closer to him. Like a small animal seeking warmth, trying to snuggle close.
He Shen froze.
He heard Qiao Shao talking in his sleep.
Soft, a bit coquettish, but containing so much strength-
Don’t be afraid.
He Shen, I’m here.
He Shen couldn’t move.
The pitch-black room, the horrible nightmare, his cloudy heart, were all illuminated by this dazzling light.
He Shen slowly reached out his hand and lightly touched his cheeks with his fingertips.
So what if he didn’t deserve him?
He didn’t want to let go.