Translator: Lynn
Cheng Ke feels torn between fighting and kissing, thinking that fighting might be more appropriate in this situation.
Jiang Yuduo, perhaps due to extreme embarrassment, seemed to be extra forceful. This “kiss” slammed Cheng Ke against the wall, and then Jiang Yuduo grabbed his neck and kissed him.
It was more like a fight, and surprise attacks never win.
Speed is of the essence.
Before Cheng Ke could be suffocated, Jiang Yuduo had already let go and stepped back.
Cheng Ke leaned against the wall, holding his arms, and it took him a while to regain his composure. The moment of being dazed seemed longer than the duration of the kiss.
“Let’s go,” Jiang Yuduo mumbled.
“…What are you doing?” Cheng Ke looked at him and walked into the bedroom. “Where’s the dip dish?”
Jiang Yuduo didn’t answer, instead, he walked to the bedroom door and leaned against the doorframe. After a moment, he burst into laughter. “You’re such a damn cheapskate.”
“Did you taste it?” Cheng Ke pulled out a woolen sweater, glanced at the sleeves, and put it back. Then he pulled out a shirt.
“You’re wearing a shirt now? Aren’t you afraid of the cold anymore?” Jiang Yuduo asked, amused.
“The sleeves of a shirt are looser,” Cheng Ke explained. “It won’t be too cold if we’re indoors or in the car.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo approached, took the shirt, and shook it. “Do you always put on shirts by pulling them over your head?”
“Of course,” Cheng Ke replied.
“That’s so lazy,” Jiang Yuduo said, putting the shirt over his head and pulling his arm out.
“Do you always button up your shirt?” Cheng Ke asked. “You have to button it anyway, so why unbutton it?”
“…I wasn’t wearing a shirt,” Jiang Yuduo confessed.
Cheng Ke glanced at him. “Haven’t you worn the dirtiest plaid shirt?”
“You said it was the dirtiest one, why would I wear it?” Jiang Yuduo frowned. “Am I dirty? Is Chen Qing just dirt?”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Cheng Ke chuckled. “Chen Qing is not dirt. It’s all right.”
“So it’s me?” Jiang Yuduo stared at him.
“What did I say that made you think you’re dirty?” Cheng Ke said. “I asked if you wore it!”
“No,” Jiang Yuduo replied.
Cheng Ke sighed. “Well, that’s fine then.”
“The important thing is, I’m not dirty,” Jiang Yuduo declared.
“I get it!” Cheng Ke exclaimed, finding it amusing. “Stop repeating, let’s go.”
After leaving the apartment and getting into the elevator, Cheng Ke leaned against the car wall, glancing at the numbers and lost in thought. Jiang Yuduo started planning a bunch of tasks for the day, while Jiang Yuduo was fixated on his phone.
But Cheng Ke noticed that Jiang Yuduo hadn’t touched the screen, and the phone screen remained black. He remained in the same posture, gazing forward as if he were looking at the gap in the middle of the elevator doors.
“What do you feel like eating later?” Cheng Ke asked.
“Anything,” Jiang Yuduo replied. “I’m fine with whatever.”
Cheng Ke also glanced at the gap in the elevator doors and realized that Jiang Yuduo wasn’t lost in thought. What was there to see in that gap?
It wasn’t until the elevator doors opened on the first floor that Cheng Ke realized there was nothing worth staring at.
As they passed by the security room, the security guard stood at the door and greeted them. “Heading out?”
“Yeah,” Cheng Ke smiled.
“Is the light in the corridor on the fourteenth floor not working?” Jiang Yuduo suddenly asked.
“Huh?” The security guard was taken aback. “Is it not working? The owner hasn’t reported it. I’ll call the maintenance department, and they’ll send someone to check it out.”
“Oh,” Jiang Yuduo replied.
“How did you know the light was out?” Cheng Ke asked softly.
“Not sure,” Jiang Yuduo glanced at him. “I saw a faint glow through the gap in the elevator doors.”
Cheng Ke pondered for a moment, realizing that he could occasionally see lights flickering through the crack.
“The fourteenth floor doesn’t have any lights,” Jiang Yuduo stated.
“Oh,” Cheng Ke nodded. “You have quite the observation skills…”
“If it’s not because the light is broken,” Jiang Yuduo said, “then someone or something is blocking it. If it’s a person, why are they standing right in the middle? And so close?”
“What?” Cheng Ke was taken aback.
“If someone is going downstairs,” Jiang Yuduo continued, “why didn’t the elevator stop on the fourteenth floor?”
Cheng Ke looked at Jiang Yuduo, suddenly feeling a sense of unease. “What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting anything,” Jiang Yuduo snapped back, raising his head abruptly as if awakened from deep thought. “I was just… just thinking out loud.”
“Should we go back and check?” Cheng Ke asked. “Didn’t the security guard say they would call the maintenance department?”
“Look at that,” Jiang Yuduo smirked. “We’ll find out when we get back.”
“Yeah,” Cheng Ke smiled.
It was already too late for breakfast, and it was still a bit early for lunch. The two of them casually had a bowl of noodles in a small shop across the street, then hailed a taxi and headed to the store.
During the journey, Jiang Yuduo remained quiet. Although he no longer looked around like before and kept his eyes closed while leaning against the car window, Cheng Ke could sense that he was not asleep, nor lost in thought, nor distracted.
The familiar tension in Jiang Yuduo’s body, which had disappeared for a few days, resurfaced.
Cheng Ke focused on the road ahead and couldn’t find anything to talk about with Jiang Yuduo. His mind was in a state of confusion.
The questions that he had temporarily set aside due to being overwhelmed by various matters resurfaced, occupying his thoughts.
I’m here for therapy.
It’s quite resistant… revealing my scars…
The effect.
They’re mostly invisible.
It’ll be fine after a while.
You don’t have to… avoid me.
Jiang Yuduo’s words echoed in Cheng Ke’s ears, playing over and over again. Cheng Ke marveled at his ability to remember them so clearly, perhaps because he was taken aback, he could even recall the cautious tone Jiang Yuduo used at that time.
He still remembered the faint uneasiness he felt back then.
What kind of psychological or mental illness could be healed in such a short time?
And after Jiang Yuduo admitted to seeing a therapist and implicitly acknowledged that “they” didn’t exist, all the behaviors in Jiang Yuduo that had raised doubts disappeared in just one month when they met again. He no longer peeped through the peephole before opening the door.
Cheng Ke stole a glance at Jiang Yuduo.
Jiang Yuduo turned his head to look at him and smiled.
“Quit laughing,” Cheng Ke said. “I have work to do soon.”
“The young master is afraid of work,” Jiang Yuduo teased.
Cheng Ke smiled but remained silent.
He didn’t know what to do anymore. He didn’t dare to discuss these issues with Jiang Yuduo again, but he needed to sort out his thoughts.
He chose to leave because he believed that Jiang Yuduo’s “abnormality” was somehow related to him.
Jiang Yuduo quickly returned to “normal” after he left.
This cause-and-effect relationship made him uneasy.
He suddenly realized that he hadn’t changed anything.
Except for the sudden closeness between him and Jiang Yuduo.
It was what he wanted, but not at this moment.
When they arrived at the store, there were people inside, and several workers were cleaning up the debris after the renovation.
After exchanging a few words with them, Cheng Ke headed to the second floor. When he turned around, he saw Jiang Yuduo looking at the door for a couple of seconds.
“What are you doing?” Jiang Yuduo climbed up the stairs.
“I’m double-checking the placement of things,” Cheng Ke said. “The table and chairs on the second floor need to be positioned correctly. After that, I’ll buy cement, wooden planks, and steel bars.”
“It’s quite a construction site style,” Jiang Yuduo remarked.
“You don’t have to patrol the streets today, right?” Cheng Ke asked.
“No need,” Jiang Yuduo smiled. “I have something to do tomorrow, I’m going to inspect the rental property. I’ll check the streets after the new year. Can’t let them find any faults, and then I have to buy you a birthday present.”
“A birthday present?” Cheng Ke looked at him.
“Yes, don’t you give gifts on your birthday?” Jiang Yuduo said.
“…You can keep it a secret and surprise me,” Cheng Ke suggested.
“You think I won’t give you a gift?” Jiang Yuduo frowned.
“I think you definitely will,” Cheng Ke replied.
“Then I’ll keep it a secret. You all know that I’ll definitely give you one,” Jiang Yuduo said. “But let me ask you, would it ruin the surprise if I buy it tomorrow? What kind of surprise would it be?”
“Ah, never mind,” Cheng Ke sighed. “You’re right.”
Jiang Yuduo wanted to continue speaking, but Cheng Ke hastily interrupted him, saying, “There’s still the surprise!”
“Huh?” Jiang Yuduo looked at him.
“Just don’t tell me what gift you’re buying,” Cheng Ke pleaded earnestly. “Let there still be surprises.”
“But how will I know if you’ll like it if I don’t tell you?” Jiang Yuduo furrowed his brow.
“I’ll like it, I’ll like it,” Cheng Ke nodded desperately. “I beg you, San-ge, don’t tell me. I’ll like whatever you give me.”
“Alright, you’re such a bother, just like a child,” Jiang Yuduo said.
“I’m your three-and-a-half-year-old younger brother,” Cheng Ke joked. “You don’t have to tell me anyway.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo nodded.
Cheng Ke took the design drawings and walked around the store twice. After the tour, he realized that he had forgotten where to place the items that were scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.
Frowning, he glanced at Jiang Yuduo, who was smoking on the stairs with his back turned.
That’s right, Jiang Yuduo’s mind is preoccupied.
Putting aside Jiang Yuduo, who was covered in question marks, the Jiang Yuduo who was kissed by him on the sofa last night, the Jiang Yuduo who sat by his bed until he woke up, and the one who shared kisses like vinegar-dipped dumplings…
“Are you ready?” Jiang Yuduo turned his head back.
“Not yet,” Cheng Ke replied, turning around and heading to the third floor.
Standing in the middle of the third floor, he gathered his thoughts. He played a role in setting up this store, and Xu Ding trusted him a lot. He didn’t want any issues on his part.
Perhaps he was considered a failure in the eyes of his family, but he would try his best to pursue what he wanted.
Regardless of why he was kicked out of the house, the fact remained that he had to do something, not to prove he wasn’t a failure, but to prevent himself from becoming one.
He carefully surveyed the space on the first floor, ensuring that everything was organized and reserved for placing the items. Then he looked at Jiang Yuduo.
“Is everything alright?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“Yes,” Cheng Ke nodded. “Go buy the cement or whatever we need.”
Cheng Ke didn’t know where to buy cement, but Jiang Yuduo surprisingly did.
“As for Lu Qiang’s rented properties, she was afraid of being cheated by the workers, so I accompanied her in sourcing most of the materials,” Jiang Yuduo said. “I know where to buy everything.”
“How old were you back then?” Cheng Ke marveled.
“Just a kid,” Jiang Yuduo replied. “I had to do something to help Lu Qiang, so she wouldn’t just pity me and support me.”
“Yeah,” Cheng Ke extended his hand and rubbed Jiang Yuduo’s back. Even though it may not have been his earliest past, Jiang Yuduo’s past still made him feel sympathetic.
“In the future, when this store is open, do you have to come here as if you’re going to work?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“It’s not as strict as going to work, but you should come if you have nothing else to do. Sometimes Xu Ding needs to organize events here,” Cheng Ke explained with a smile.
“Then you’ve started your career,” Jiang Yuduo observed.
“Perhaps,” Cheng Ke nodded.
Jiang Yuduo remained silent and walked ahead with his head down.
“Does the subway go directly there?” Cheng Ke inquired.
“Yes, it’s only four stops,” Jiang Yuduo replied. “Then we can take a taxi to get there.”
From the shop to the subway station, and then on the train, Cheng Ke quietly observed Jiang Yuduo throughout the journey.
Jiang Yuduo seemed fine. He wasn’t looking around and didn’t say anything strange. However, the feeling of not being completely at ease still lingered.
After Jiang Yuduo returned from the psychiatrist, he seemed relaxed. In the days leading up to today, as long as he didn’t encounter “them” or bring up the past, Jiang Yuduo was even more at ease. This heightened tension in him was rare.
What went wrong?
Who or what caused it?
When did it happen?
What’s the matter?
What made him suddenly become tense?
The subway was crowded with many people. Cheng Ke stood near the door, surrounded by people. Jiang Yuduo leaned against the doorframe, holding onto the pole with his left hand, keeping Cheng Ke’s area in front of him clear.
“It’s too crowded,” Cheng Ke crossed his arms. “I’ll protect them with my hands.”
“What if,” Jiang Yuduo whispered, “I get hurt. If I had gotten hurt a month ago, you wouldn’t be like this now.”
Cheng Ke smiled.
After the train passed one-stop, more people boarded. Jiang Yuduo leaned slightly in front of Cheng Ke to make room for those behind him.
Cheng Ke looked at him, unable to decipher his true feelings.
He didn’t want any changes in their relationship, but it felt like they were trapped in a house with frosted glass — there was light, air, and warmth, but he couldn’t see clearly through it.
He wished he could splash water on the glass, just to see what lay on the other side.
Whatever it may be.
“Are you tired?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“What?” Cheng Ke looked at him.
“You seem a bit down,” Jiang Yuduo said.
“Maybe I slept too much,” Cheng Ke smiled, looked down, lowered his left arm, held Jiang Yuduo’s right hand, and lightly squeezed it in his palm. “I’m a little confused.”
Jiang Yuduo looked at him and whispered, “What are you doing?”
“Someone might see us,” Cheng Ke replied with a smile, releasing his hand.
But after a while, Jiang Yuduo discreetly pinched one of Cheng Ke’s fingers again and softly said, “That’s not what I meant.”
“What did you mean?” Cheng Ke asked softly.
“Just…” Jiang Yuduo pondered for a moment. “I don’t dislike you.”
“What’s there to dislike?” Cheng Ke clicked his tongue.
“That’s right, even an incompetent elf is still an elf,” Jiang Yuduo also clicked his tongue.
Cheng Ke laughed for a long time. “Are you going to keep going?”
Jiang Yuduo smiled and said nothing.
There was a small road near the back entrance of the building materials market where various cement and sandboard vendors were located. The prices and quality were similar. Usually, two stores would be enough to find what Cheng Ke needed.
While buying the cement, Jiang Yuduo stood by the door, not entering, and turned to face the street. Cheng Ke spoke with the store owner while occasionally glancing at him from the corner of his eye.
After purchasing the cement, Cheng Ke walked out of the store and looked in the direction Jiang Yuduo had been facing.
There were people on the street, some passing by and others pulling carts with goods.
Cheng Ke couldn’t figure out what Jiang Yuduo was looking at. Everyone appeared to be ordinary pedestrians.
“Should we buy it?” Jiang Yuduo glanced in that direction once more, then turned around and asked.
“Yes, let’s leave it here for now. We’ll come back to collect everything and have the boss arrange for delivery,” Cheng Ke replied while stealing a quick glance at the same direction.
In front of a hardware store, two people were chatting with cigarettes in their mouths.
Cheng Ke didn’t notice anything unusual.
“Should we buy some wooden boards?” Jiang Yuduo turned and headed towards several shops diagonally across that sold wooden boards.
“Yes,” Cheng Ke followed him.
After passing by several wooden board shops, Jiang Yuduo didn’t stop until reaching the last one. If he continued, they would have exited the market.
“Let’s go with this one,” Jiang Yuduo said.
“…Why? Is there a difference?” Cheng Ke entered the shop.
“It’s fate,” Jiang Yuduo replied, stepping into the shop with him.
“What kind of wood are you looking for?” the shop owner asked.
“Cement molds and some treated wood,” Cheng Ke explained.
“We have all kinds. What kind of treated wood are you interested in?” The owner presented a few options.
Cheng Ke took them and selected two types of carbonized wood. He was about to ask Jiang Yuduo which one looked better when suddenly, Jiang Yuduo took two steps back and stepped out of the shop.
Jiang Yuduo could still see “them”!
That was Cheng Ke’s immediate conclusion.
Without a second thought, he rushed out without even having time to put down the wooden boards.
He wanted to see it with his own eyes.
He wanted to see these “them.”
The “them” in Jiang Yuduo’s eyes.
Ordinary strangers, extraordinary strangers, or… nothing.
Regardless of what it was, he wanted to witness it simultaneously and from the same perspective as Jiang Yuduo.
As he burst out of the store, there was no one outside.
Wait, there were people.
Two shops away from them, someone entered another wooden board shop, but Cheng Ke didn’t get a clear look, just catching a glimpse of some clothes.
“Did you see them?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“What?” Cheng Ke’s spine tingled when he heard those words. “Did someone enter that shop?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yuduo confirmed. “One of the men who were smoking, the one with white stripes on the bottom of his clothes.”
Cheng Ke hesitated. Jiang Yuduo’s words triggered a memory—the two men who were smoking earlier, one of them seemed to be wearing a sports jacket with white stripes.
“I’ll go check it out,” Cheng Ke quickly threw the wooden boards back to the bewildered shop owner and rushed toward the shop.
“Cheng Ke!” Jiang Yuduo called out from behind.
Inside the shop, Cheng Ke only saw the boss, who had a cigarette in his mouth, staring at him in astonishment.
“Did two people just come in?” Cheng Ke asked.
“…Yes,” the boss pointed to the other side. “They went out through that door.”
Cheng Ke immediately rushed to the back door, with Jiang Yuduo following closely behind.
As he burst out of the back door, Jiang Yuduo instinctively extended his hand to protect Cheng Ke and scanned both sides.
Outside the back door was a patch of decaying soil with yellowing weeds growing. Numerous cars, including small ones and carts, were parked there, and there was a row of three delivery vans.
However, the two men who were smoking earlier were nowhere to be seen.
Across the entire open space, only a few workers were loading cars in the distance.
“Are they the ones?” Cheng Ke looked at Jiang Yuduo. “The two people you saw, were they here?”
Jiang Yuduo frowned. “No.”
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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