Chapter Fifty: The little white egg…was gone. After leaving the hospital, Ji XiaoYu greedily breathed in a few mouthfuls of air clear of the disinfectant smell and medicinal taste. Just like a prisoner who was suddenly released after several years of imprisonment, he dearly wanted to dance down the road.
When they arrived at the parking lot, he was about to get in the driver"s seat, but he was firmly stopped by Cheng YuTang, “The doctor said that although you"ve recovered, it"s better not to overdo it anytime soon, to avoid burdening your just-healed heart. Darling, wait a few days before you start driving.”
Ji XiaoYu wanted to say that it was just driving a car, how hard could it be, but he could only give in after seeing the man"s concern and fear. He sat in the back seat with him as they were driven by Yang YiPeng.
Only ten days have pa.s.sed since the New Year. The streets of Ning City were decorated with lights and lanterns and there were flowers arranged everywhere; it was all festive and lively.
Ji XiaoYu looked at the streetscape outside the window with great interest. And when they had driven about halfway, he realized that the direction was a bit wrong. He asked, “Captain, where are we going?”
The captain, in an act of discretion, didn"t make a sound. So Cheng Zong opened his mouth, “We"re going to my place, you moved in to live with me.”
Ji XiaoYu was tongue-tied, “Th-that"s okay?”
Cheng YuTang ambiguously pinched the slender fingers in his pocket, and said lightly with a flirtatious expression, “What"s wrong? We"ve been living together for a month. I thought it was very good in every aspect. Why shouldn"t we continue?”
The h.e.l.l should! Ji XiaoYu was embarra.s.sed to death, it was just having attached hospital beds, it wasn"t really living together, the difference is too big!
Besides, the hospital room was an open environment, the doctors and nurses would come and go at any time, so he never felt like there was a problem living together in the hospital room. In fact, most hospital rooms were shared. But to be discharged and live together, to live behind closed doors as a pair of single men, that would be of a completely different nature.
Isn"t this the same as the legendary c-cohabitation?! Aren"t we going a little too fast?
I remember after waking up that this man said something about brewing soy sauce after a month; but, in that case, I won"t be able to stop from……
His feathers puffed out all over!
The image is really stimulating when I imagine it. If it really happens, I definitely won"t be able to control the transformation into my original form!
As he was trying to come up with a way to convince this man to turn away from this terrible idea, Cheng YuTang"s phone rang.
Cheng YuTang glanced at it and then answered the phone, “h.e.l.lo. Yes, I"m Cheng YuTang…… Tomorrow? When will it end?…… Alright, I"ll be there on time.”
Hanging up the phone, he turned to Ji XiaoYu and said with a very solemn expression, “Baby, I"m so sorry. The provincial authorities are holding the annual New Year"s group meeting tomorrow. I must go as the business representative of Ning City, so I have to go to the airport. I probably won"t be back until the day after tomorrow.”
It turned out that it was just going to a meeting and he"d be back in a few days; he had thought it was some big deal. Ji XiaoYu said casually, “Alright, then you go on, eh.”
(t/n: JXY ends this sentence with a character that expresses disinterest/lack of enthusiasm in the topic)
Then you go on.
You go on.
Go on.
Eh.
This heartless little bad egg!
Look at the pain-free expression on his face, Cheng YuTang"s teeth got a bit itchy. If he wasn"t concerned over the little thing"s condition, unable to bear making him travel long-distance, he would definitely be tying him up and taking him with him.
He ground his teeth, “You want me to leave, are you going to be peaceful and tranquil alone?”
Ji XiaoYu was slow to notice that the man was upset. He quickly corrected, “No! How could I think that? If you leave, no one will tell me stories. I"ll be so bored. But work is also very important, you"re Ning City"s business representative. If you don"t go to the meeting, then what? There will definitely be a lot of disappointed people. HongSheng"s performance will be affected and you maybe won"t make as much money next year. Well, can you say otherwise?”
As he said a few things in a muddle, he saw the man"s expression getting darker and darker. He finally had to cross his heart and pull out his secret weapon. He chirped out and gave him a quick kiss on the face, “I"ll miss you when you"re gone!”
The expression on Cheng YuTang"s face finally cleared like clouds on a sunny day. He reached out to hold his head in place so he couldn"t back off, straight out kissing him on his lips.
Yang YiPeng: “……”
Now he didn"t even have to eat dinner, because he had been filled up by this dog food.
A minute later, Cheng YuTang reluctantly let go of the little thing with watery eyes who was bewildered by their kiss, and he said softly, “Baby, will you go back to the villa and wait for me to come home?”
Ji XiaoYu sat upright with a struggle and gasped for breath as he said indecisively, “I don"t know, the house over there is too big and so empty. It"s so boring to stay there alone. I"ll go back to the dorm. When you get back, I-I"ll go over there again.”
Hearing him say so, Cheng YuTang could no longer insist, “Alright, you stay in the dorm for two days. Don"t run around outside during this period, just stay in the dorm. I"ll call Ning Cheng Spring and Autumn and tell Old Yang to deliver three meals a day to you. I"ll probably return to Ning City at noon the day after tomorrow, and then I"ll come pick you up. Don"t go back on your word at that time.”
"Absolutely not!" Ji XiaoYu took a vow, "If I lie, I"m a dog!"
In these two days, he would do a good job on mental preparation, to improve his ability to withstand stimulation. After waiting two days for the man to come back, he should pretty much be ready, right?
“Good.” Cheng YuTang smiled. He reached out to wipe a trace of saliva on his lips, and then directed Yang YiPeng, “Turn back and go to HongLe Garden.”
“Yes, Cheng Zong.”
Half an hour later, when they arrived at HongLe Garden, Cheng YuTang spoke a few words without any confidence. Ji XiaoYu was full of promises in reply, and then the man left.
Returning to the dormitory after a month, facing his cold, empty room, Ji XiaoYu suddenly understood the witty phrase often mentioned by many people – empty, lonely, cold1.
Ay, he used to be fine by himself. How come he wasn"t used to being alone after just one month living with someone in a hospital?
They had only been apart for less than ten minutes and he already kind of missed him.
But the man"s going to be gone for two days! Ah, ah, ah, ah, how can it be so long!
Ji XiaoYu took out the little white egg and gloomily said, “My child, what should I do? Daddy can"t live without your father now. What if, when he comes back and I confess to him, he doesn"t want to be with us father and child anymore?”
The little white egg swayed gently in his palm, but who knew if it was saying “no way” or “don"t worry about it.”
Ji XiaoYu clenched his other hand into a fist and heaved a sigh, saying, “Hmph, he won"t even be able to think about it! Daddy will tie him up at that point, so he can"t go anywhere!”
This time, the little white egg gave off a dazzling light, lighting up the dim room brightly.
“Okay, that"s what I"ll do!” With that countermeasure in mind, Ji XiaoYu was happy. He took off his coat and lay down on the bed.
Go to sleep, time will pa.s.s faster when you sleep!
……
The next night, Ji XiaoYu was sleeping in the middle of the night and, in a daze, heard a scream from outside, “Fire! Help! Come on, somebody!”
Then a smoldering smell of charred things floated in through the window, causing him to wrinkle his nose uncomfortably.
Immediately after that, the door was slammed open and Liang ShaoGang said from outside in a hurry, “Xiao Yu, there is a fire in the community, Block 2, Unit 4. I"ve already reported the fire and now I"m going to help evacuate the people!”
Ji XiaoYu hesitated for a few seconds, then shouted loudly, “Liang Ge, wait for me, I"ll go too!”
A fire had broken out and others were going to the rescue to save people, so if he huddled in the room to hide, could he be called a man? If there were any serious consequences, not only would he not be able to forgive his own cowardice, he was afraid that he"d never get over it for the rest of his lifetime.
Liang ShaoGang asked with some concern, “You just got out of the hospital, can your body take it?”
Ji XiaoYu got up and dressed himself as he said, “No problem, I"m all good!”
When he was dressed and saw the little white egg on the bed, he hesitated a little again. Did he want to take his child with him? But wait, he was going into a fire, the environment would be too dangerous. If he carried the little white egg with him, what if it was accidentally burned by the fire?
He didn"t want to think about his child turning into a small roast chicken before it hatched, that would be terrible.
If the fire wasn"t serious, then he would just check it out and return right away. It should be okay here.
After thinking it over, he left the little white egg in the quilt on the bed, then locked the door and trotted down the stairs with Liang ShaoGang.
When he got outside, he saw there was smoking rolling out of the balcony of a household on the fifth floor of the opposite building. Some residents were already running out in their pajamas, pointing at the smoking household and chattering nervously. There were many people panicking as they made their way down the fire escape.
Previously, while the security team was out in the morning, they had trained in the use fire-fighting equipment and how to respond to a fire. However, every time Ji XiaoYu had just skimmed by and muddled his way through. Right now, although he didn"t mean to be a coward, he still felt a bit scared when he saw this situation. He could only force himself to follow Liang ShaoGang, who headed towards the fire escape.
“Everyone, don"t panic! Be careful when going down the stairs, don"t push, the firefighters will be here soon!”
Liang ShaoGang climbed the stairs while continuing to loudly rea.s.sure the people who were running down the corridor. The people who had been panicked calmed down greatly and there was some order established below as well.
Ji XiaoYu admired this and felt rea.s.sured and, with Liang ShaoGang, moving against the crowd to reach the fifth floor. They found that room 505 was on fire and that the door was closed, a few puffs of black smoke leaking out of a crack under the door.
“Is there anyone in the house?” Liang ShaoGang banged on the door and asked.
There was no answer from inside.
Liang ShaoGang frowned and said, “The person in this household may have pa.s.sed out. We have to open the door immediately.” As he spoke, he turned to his side and hit the door with his shoulder.
The steel security door was very strong and firm. After being hit a few times, the door frame on both sides was a bit crumpled, but the door didn"t move.
Ji XiaoYu could see that this wasn"t working, so he offered, “Liang Ge, I"ll do it.”
“Alright?” Liang ShaoGang now knew that he could fight, but he was still a little skeptical. After all, Ji XiaoYu was skinny, so he didn"t look like he was very strong.
Ji XiaoYu gulped, a little nervous, “I-I"ll try.”
Liang ShaoGang couldn"t bear to strike a blow to his enthusiasm, so he took a few steps back, “Then try it.”
Ji XiaoYu applied a little of his strength, lifting his leg and kicking the locked door. And then he flashed to the side, for fear of a burst of fire coming out of the house.
With a loud *bang* sound, the door opened – no, the entire security door fell down, slamming into the ground with a loud bang.
Liang ShaoGang was stunned, staring at the door on the ground with amazed eyes and then looking at Ji XiaoYu, who was hiding by the wall.
“Sorry, I used too much force.” Ji XiaoYu clicked his tongue, “Liang Ge, I won"t have to pay for this door, right?”
Liang ShaoGang: “……”
A cough came from inside the room, so he didn"t answer. He used a pre-prepared wet towel to cover his mouth and nose, then rushed into the smoky living room.
Ji XiaoYu took a peek inside. He freaked out a little, groping at the tail feathers that didn"t exist behind his rear.
A moment later, Liang ShaoGang shouted from inside the room, “Xiao Yu, not much of the house is on fire, but two people have pa.s.sed out. Come in and help me!”
Ji XiaoYu clenched his jaw and stomped his feet, then covered himself with a towel and rushed in.
There was a young couple lying on the bed in the bedroom. They had no injuries, but were just coughing with their eyes closed. The woman was of medium build and the man was a big chubby guy, estimated at a look as at least 200kg (440lb….). A leather sofa and a plastic computer desk in the corner were burning, releasing a lot of pungent smoke, but fortunately the fire wouldn"t spread to a large area for the time being, so Ji XiaoYu felt a little relieved.
Liang ShaoGang looked at the couple, hesitating for a moment. Ji XiaoYu immediately understood and, without speaking, pulled the chubby man onto his back, and then he steadily carried him out.
Liang ShaoGang once again learned what it meant to "not judge based on appearances". After shaking himself out of his daze, he picked up the woman and followed him.
When he went out, Ji XiaoYu didn"t pay attention and his arm got caught up by a metal sc.r.a.p that was protruding from the door frame. He took a deep breath of the clean air and kept running forward.
The pair went down the stairs of the fire escape and then put the couple down on a bench in the open-air garden.
Then the fire truck came, quickly starting up their fire-fighting operations. An ambulance followed. The initial diagnosis of the couple was that it wasn"t serious. The excessive inhalation of smoke had caused a temporary shock, but that Liang ShaoGang and Ji XiaoYu had broken into the room and rescued them in time. Otherwise, if they were a few minutes later, it would be hard to say.
As the couple was taken away by the ambulance, the fire was extinguished and the crowd dispersed too. It was almost 2am.
On the way back to their dorm building, Liang ShaoGang said with a little lament, “Xiao Yu, I really never imagined that you were actually so strong. If you hadn"t been there just now, I"m afraid that man would have been in danger.”
“Liang Ge is flattering me. My strength is just a little bit more than the average person. If the man was a few kilos fatter, I may not have been able to carry him,” Ji XiaoYu said humbly, “You"re the one who"s really strong, rushing in desperately to save lives. I was a little scared at the time.”
Liang ShaoGang said with a smile, “It"s okay, the first time I entered a fire to save people, I was afraid, it"s normal. You did a great job.”
Ji XiaoYu laughed "heh heh." He raised his hand and scratched his nose. In fact, he also felt that he was very brave and couldn"t resist praising himself in his heart.
As they walked towards the ground floor of their building, Liang ShaoGang suddenly asked, “Xiao Yu, why is your arm bleeding?”
Ji XiaoYu raised his arm and took a look, sure enough, his sleeve was red, that"s right, I got hung up when I was carrying the man out on my back.
Unperturbed, he washed his hands of the matter, “It"s nothing, just a small scratch.”
“Don"t move or more blood will flow out.” Liang ShaoGang took his wrist and brought his arm up to his eyes to look at the wound carefully. “It"s better to go to the hospital for the insurance.”
Ji XiaoYu had just got out of the hospital, he didn"t want to go back so quickly. Just as he was about to refuse, someone suddenly shouted from not too far away, “Liang ShaoGang, you let go of him!”
Then the man strode over.
The two were shocked simultaneously and Liang ShaoGang hurriedly released Ji XiaoYu"s wrist.
Ji XiaoYu looked at the man who wasn"t supposed to be here at this time. He said in surprise, “Hey, how come you suddenly came back early?”
With a dark expression, Cheng YuTang didn"t answer and instead asked, "What were you two doing just now?"
In the dead of night, courting in the moonlight, gazing at each other hand-in-hand, confiding in one another? (t/n: a bunch of romantic idioms)
He hadn"t been sleeping well, so he had finished things up as quickly as possible and flown back to Ning City on an overnight flight. He had intended to surprise the little thing and wasn"t this result great? He got a scare of his own!
Ji XiaoYu was stunned when he heard this, “We didn"t do anything.”
What had happened to this man? His expression was so stinky like this as soon as he got back and he also using a tone like he was interrogating a prisoner?
Liang ShaoGang explained with some embarra.s.sment, “Cheng Zong, one of the households in Block 2, Unit 4 had a fire just now. Xiao Yu and I went to save people. When he was exiting, Xiao Yu accidentally injured his arm, so I was just helping him look at the wound and wasn"t doing anything else.”
Cheng YuTang just now noticed that Ji XiaoYu"s arm was bleeding. He suddenly felt distressed and guilty. He held his hand and said, "Baby, does it hurt? Didn"t I ask you to stay in the dorm? What if there was danger?"
Ji XiaoYu was still reacting to what he had implied with that question. Suddenly, he exploded with rage. He broke his hand free and said angrily, “Go away! Do you even care if I"m hurt or if it"s dangerous! Even if it hurts, it has nothing to do with you!”
This man was actually doubting him? Suspecting that he was doing something shady with another man?
Ah, ah, ah, ah, outrageous! How could I do that kind of thing?!
He had been thinking about him all this time, missing him day and night, even the person he dreamed about was him, but he actually……this was just too much!
Cheng YuTang quickly hugged him and whispered, “Baby, I"m sorry, I was wrong. I was just concerned and became a mess and said something that shouldn"t have been said. Do you forgive me?”
He did say something bad just now, but he definitely wasn"t wrong about the look in Liang ShaoGang"s eyes. And he was so close to Ji XiaoYu. How could he endure that as a man? So he had spoken in a moment of anxiety.
But the most important thing at the moment is to coax back the little thing first and then he could come back and deal with the other later.
“No, no!” Ji XiaoYu"s eyes were red with anger. He had never felt so wronged in his life. “Leave, right now I don"t want to……”
Before he finished speaking, he trembled all over. His heart felt as if it had been struck by something like a sharp pain, which made it a little difficult for him to breathe.
Seeing his face go white and his hand cover his heart, Cheng YuTang anxiously said, “Baby, it"s all my fault, don"t be angry.”
Ji XiaoYu pushed him away and, without a word, ran upstairs. Cheng YuTang quickly chased after him.
Liang ShaoGang sat down on the edge of the flower bed and hugged his head in frustrated regret.
After rushing back to the dormitory at the fastest speed he had ever reached in his life, Ji XiaoYu"s heart sank. The door was open and his bedroom door was open too, as if it had been violently struck.
N-no way, the wind must have blown the door open.
As he comforted himself, he slowly walked into the bedroom on stiff legs. He saw the quilt that had been laid out before he left had been thrown to the ground and the little white egg, which should have been lying in the middle of the bed, was gone.
Ji XiaoYu"s vision went dark and he almost pa.s.sed out.
—
Footnotes:
1. empty, lonely, cold (空虚寂寞冷): a slang idiom, meaning to feel empty and lonely, and as a result, feel cold inside ↩
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CYT was being a jealous b****, but he was right so [shrug]. meanwhile, enjoy your cliff until Monday!