Translator: Lynn
“What do you want from me?” Cheng Ke asked, trying to get to the point.
“I was just wondering, do you like small animals?” Jiang Yuduo inquired.
“I don’t like them,” Cheng Ke replied plainly, “Why do you ask?”
“…Why don’t you go take a shower first?” Jiang Yuduo suggested, “We can talk more after we eat.”
“Sure, you can wait in the lounge area,” Cheng Ke directed him before hesitating for a moment. Seeing the bandage on Jiang Yuduo’s right hand, he realized that he had become accustomed to his friend’s frequent injuries. “Did you hurt your hand? When did this happen?”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo responded nonchalantly.
“How did you get injured?” Cheng Ke asked again.
“Isn’t it normal for me to get hurt?” Jiang Yuduo smiled, walking towards the lounge area, “It would be strange if I didn’t get injured for months.”
Cheng Ke couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off about Jiang Yuduo’s injury and attitude. He had wanted to ask more questions, but Jiang Yuduo seemed to have no intention of telling him anything.
Normally, if it was a fight on the street, Jiang Yuduo would have readily shared the details. But now, he was completely avoiding talking about “them”. Cheng Ke suspected that this behavior had something to do with the people who had caused Jiang Yuduo’s injury.
As Cheng Ke showered, he accidentally knocked over the shampoo bottle, but he managed to catch it before it fell to the ground. However, this incident made him stop and think. Jiang Yuduo was left-handed, but he seemed to be using his right hand more often now, which was unusual for him.
Cheng Ke knew that Jiang Yuduo’s left hand was dominant in fights, and he had seen him use it many times to gain the upper hand. There are very few people who could force him to use his right hand. Jiang Yuduo even holds his knife with his left hand. So it was strange that he was injured on his right hand. Cheng Ke couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
After showering, Cheng Ke packed up his belongings and left the bathroom, still puzzled by what had happened. He couldn’t find a reasonable explanation that could entirely convince him. His doubts persisted, and he couldn’t shake off his sense of unease.
Jiang Yuduo was seated at a table, holding a cup of fruit tea and appeared lost in thought, while Xiao Yang stood beside him, chatting away.
Cheng Ke emerged from the bathroom and traversed the corridor, passing two rows of treadmills, and finally arriving at the equipment area. Xiao Yang continued to talk, and Jiang Yuduo kept holding his cup with a vacant expression.
“If Mr. Jiang is interested,” Xiao Yang stood up as he saw Cheng Ke coming out, “you can come here with Brother Cheng. It would be more fun to work out together.”
“He probably doesn’t have the time,” Cheng Ke answered for Jiang Yuduo. “He’s very busy.”
“That’s why he needs to exercise,” Xiao Yang grinned. “Anyway, you guys can get back to business now.”
Jiang Yuduo seemed to wake up from his thoughts after hearing Cheng Ke’s voice. He stood up, turned around, and walked towards the gym’s exit.
“Thanks for today,” Cheng Ke said.
“Don’t be so formal, Brother Cheng,” Xiao Yang replied. “Let me see you off.”
“No, it’s okay,” Cheng Ke declined quickly. “You’re busy with your work, so there’s no need for you to see me off.”
“Alright then,” Xiao Yang nodded. “I’ll see you the day after tomorrow, Brother Cheng.”
As Cheng Ke left the building, he couldn’t spot Jiang Yuduo. However, upon reaching the street level, he saw Jiang Yuduo standing on the side of the road, smoking a cigarette with a frustrated expression.
“Should I have asked you to apply for a membership card?” Cheng Ke felt like he was hit with a bucket of cold water, and his body froze on the spot.
“Your hair is wet?” Jiang Yuduo touched his head and pushed him into a nearby shop. “Are you feeling unwell? Doesn’t the gym have a hairdryer?”
“I forgot,” Cheng Ke’s head, waist, and eyelids felt numb from the cold. “I just forgot about it.”
“Stay here for a moment,” Jiang Yuduo took out his phone. “I’ll call a car.”
“I’ll do it,” Cheng Ke also pulled out his phone. “I think I have some useless coupons.”
Jiang Yuduo didn’t say anything but stared at him.
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Ke asked.
“You still use coupons?” Jiang Yuduo said. “You actually know how to use them?”
“There are discount coupons too,” Cheng Ke replied.
“…how many coupons do you have?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“I don’t know, I don’t remember,” Cheng Ke tapped the app a couple of times and glanced at Jiang Yuduo. “Fuck.”
Jiang Yuduo stood against a shelf and chuckled. “It’s expired,” he said.
“Well, I guess so,” Cheng Ke replied, frowning. “Anyway, there are no more.”
Jiang Yuduo smiled for a while. “So, do you want to call the car or should I call it?”
“You call,” Cheng Ke said, stuffing his phone back into his pocket unhappily. He realized that there were no discounts when he used his coupons. He had saved up for a long time and was finally able to use them, but now they were gone. He was angry, feeling as if someone had taken away his food just as he was about to starve to death.
The store was warm and cozy, and by the time the car arrived, Cheng Ke’s hair was almost dry.
“Is there anything you want to eat?” Jiang Yuduo asked as they got into the car.
“What do you usually eat when you go out with friends?” Cheng Ke inquired.
“We’re having hot pot tonight,” Jiang Yuduo replied. “I’ll take you to a place that serves hot pot with sour soup and fish. Ertu used to work there, and it’s quite authentic.”
“Okay,” Cheng Ke said, his mouth watering at the mention of fish in sour soup. He realized that it might be because he had just finished exercising, and his body was craving for something savory.
“Driver, please head north,” Jiang Yuduo instructed, giving the driver an address. “Turn into the parking lot at the intersection.”
Cheng Ke suddenly looked up upon hearing the address.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Yuduo, who was seated in the passenger seat, turned to ask.
“It’s nothing,” Cheng Ke said.
The radio played a cross-talk and Jiang Yuduo chuckled occasionally while conversing with the driver. Cheng Ke, on the other hand, kept his gaze fixed on Jiang Yuduo’s profile without saying a word or looking away.
After they got off the car, Cheng Ke stood by the roadside, lost in thought for a moment. He had been living in the area for more than two decades but had never taken this route before.
“Young master,” Jiang Yuduo whispered into his ear, “If you want, we can go to their branch in a different location…”
“No need to change,” Cheng Ke interrupted him, “I’m hungry.”
Jiang Yuduo led him through an intersection and into a small alley, explaining that they wouldn’t bump into anyone he knew at this inconspicuous eatery. Cheng Ke gave him a quick glance, surprised that he didn’t seem like a meticulous or sensitive person.
“Where do you live?” Jiang Yuduo inquired with a smile.
“Guess,” Cheng Ke replied.
Jiang Yuduo turned around and walked back slowly, pointing to the intersection where they had entered: “It must be over there. The first batch of villas here are all single-family houses with front and back yards.”
“Yes,” Cheng Ke agreed.
“On these two streets,” Jiang Yuduo continued, “there are many delicious restaurants that are not so noticeable.”
“No,” Cheng Ke replied, looking ahead, “I’ve only passed through the intersection a few times, but my car couldn’t get in.”
Jiang Yuduo mentioned that he would need to act as an introducer to get Cheng Ke into the foreigner-friendly establishments near his home.
“Where are you from?” Cheng Ke asked.
“I don’t remember,” Jiang Yuduo replied.
As I turned a corner, my eyes fell upon the Sour Soup Fish Hot Pot shop, which was surprisingly spacious compared to other eateries in the vicinity. Cheng Ke couldn’t help but notice a large cotton shed erected at the door and asked, “What is this?”
Jiang Yuduo explained, “It’s for customers waiting for a table. We’re lucky to come at this hour, and we’ll have a table soon.”
Cheng Ke was surprised, “Even this place has a waiting list? Do we really have to squeeze into that shed?”
“Come on,” Jiang Yuduo grabbed his arm and lifted the cotton curtain, pulling him inside. “It’s a unique experience.”
The shed was cozy and warm with wires connected from the shop, air-conditioning, and multiple heaters. After taking a number, Jiang Yuduo told Cheng Ke that the wait time would be around 30 minutes. Cheng Ke agreed with a nod, and they both found chairs to sit on.
“If you’re really hungry, I’ll buy you something to eat first.” Jiang Yuduo asked.
Cheng Ke was hungry, but he replied with a smile, “I’m not really hungry, just a bit peckish after practicing for three hours this afternoon.”
Jiang Yuduo joked, “Just exercising with that chatterbox?”
Cheng Ke laughed and replied, “Yeah, didn’t you make him say things until he was dizzy to offer you a card?”
Jiang Yuduo frowned and said, “I’m not paying attention,” before quickly changing the subject. “Hey, young master, you go to the gym…are you, uh…”
Cheng Ke interrupted, “No.”
Jiang Yuduo looked at him quizzically, “What isn’t it?”
Cheng Ke rolled his eyes and asked, “Tsk, what do you want to say?”
“Never mind,” Jiang Yuduo hesitated for a moment before shaking his head and gesturing dismissively, “It’s impolite to keep asking such questions, so let’s drop it.”
“Are you finished?” Cheng Ke asked.
“No, it’s not that I’m disgusted or hate other people, but I feel a bit awkward,” Jiang Yuduo whispered as he pulled his chair closer. “Hey, remember when I went to the flower shop the other day and the boss…”
“What about the boss?” Cheng Ke leaned in and whispered.
“Fuck, the boss is actually a man,” Jiang Yuduo cleared his throat and quickly corrected himself, “But he was so good at doing his makeup that he looked like a pretty girl.”
Cheng Ke inquired, “And then?”
He acknowledged that he wouldn’t have the patience to endure someone else’s questions, but Jiang Yuduo was different. Jiang Yuduo’s endless queries were not born out of curiosity or contempt, but from confusion and bewilderment, which Cheng Ke found cute. In the face of such an endearing trait, Cheng Ke could ignore other pressing issues such as the abrupt avoidance of “they,” the wound on his right hand, and the possibility of Jiang Yuduo having mental problems, or whether being with him posed a danger.
“What then?” Jiang Yuduo asked, edging closer to Cheng Ke until their chairs were almost touching. “I just thought, do you like that?”
“Did I say that?” Cheng Ke retorted, “Pretty little cutie.”
Jiang Yuduo scowled, trying to recall something. Cheng Ke gazed into his eyes, which were different from the rest of him; he could be quite rough around the edges, and his facial scar only added to that impression. Yet his eyes, especially at this moment, were disarmingly simple, unadorned by any pretense or falsehood.
It was difficult to fathom that someone with such eyes had suffered an unbearable childhood.
“You never said that,” Jiang Yuduo slapped Cheng Ke’s leg, “Your fucking brother said it!”
“Oh,” Cheng Ke rubbed his leg, “so don’t ask me next time. Just ask Cheng Yi.”
“But you nodded when I asked you…” Jiang Yuduo said.
“Is that on the same wavelength as ‘pretty little cutie’?” Cheng Ke said, exasperated.
“…I get it,” Jiang Yuduo had a moment of realization, “You don’t like that kind of pretty little cutie. You probably prefer someone like Coach Yang, who’s cute.”
Cheng Ke gave Jiang Yuduo ten seconds before letting out a sigh, “Get out!.”
“Isn’t my point right?” Jiang Yuduo asked. “Usually, if you hire a private tutor, you’d want them to be someone you like. For example, if I go to the gym, I’ll choose a personal trainer who’s attractive and has a fit body. It’s more enjoyable to work out that way, right? Lu Qiang went to the gym before, but switched three times because she didn’t like the looks of the personal trainers.”
As Cheng Ke listened to Jiang Yuduo’s analysis, he had the sudden urge to touch his own face with his hands. But to keep himself from acting on the impulse, Cheng Ke shoved his hands into his pockets.
“But that Yang,” Jiang Yuduo sighed. “It’s fine if he doesn’t talk, but once he starts, he can talk your ear off… I’ll let him off the hook for your sake, and he’d better keep quiet.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Cheng Ke also sighed. “I just happened to find a private trainer who I knew before. You’re overthinking things.”
“So, what kind of girl do you like?” Jiang Yuduo asked, clicking his tongue. “I’ve asked you many times, there’s nothing wrong with answering.”
“In that case, what kind of girl do you like?” Cheng Ke laughed.
Jiang Yuduo was taken aback by the question, and after pondering for a while, he finally said, “Beautiful, with a big chest and a small waist.”
“Childish,” Cheng Ke said, smiling.
With this kind of response that only focused on a person’s appearance, Cheng Ke could tell that Jiang Yuduo had never been in a serious relationship before.
It was astounding to think that at the age of 21, a successful businessman like him had never been in a relationship.
“I’m not a child,” Jiang Yuduo said, looking at Cheng Ke. “What kind of person would someone your age, in their mid-thirties, like?”
Cheng Ke looked at him without saying anything.
Jiang Yuduo didn’t say anything either, but looked at Cheng Ke and waited for his answer. After a brief moment of staring at each other, Jiang Yuduo suddenly sat up straight and said, “Fuck, it’s me?”
As Jiang Yuduo exclaimed, Cheng Ke immediately regretted not giving any hints. He hadn’t even considered dropping any clues. Jiang Yuduo was as straight as an arrow, and although he wasn’t homophobic, he was always caught off guard. If Cheng Ke had tried to hint at his feelings, it could have damaged their amicable relationship.
But now there was no turning back, and Cheng Ke could only hope that Jiang Yuduo’s “fuck, it’s me” was followed by a series of guesses.
“You can’t be…” Jiang Yuduo hesitated and pointed at himself, “You’re into my type?”
Cheng Ke was worried when he saw Jiang Yuduo pointing at himself, but he was relieved when he heard Jiang Yuduo say “my type” instead of “me”.
“What’s your type?” Cheng Ke asked.
“Just…” Jiang Yuduo was surprised by the question, looked down at himself, and pondered for a while, “It’s just me…this…”
Cheng Ke smiled.
“Fuck you,” Jiang Yuduo was probably feeling a little awkward about not being able to categorize himself accurately, and he impatiently clicked his tongue and said, “Just say it.”
“Close enough,” Cheng Ke nodded with a smile.
Jiang Yuduo looked at him for a moment, then sighed, “Well, your taste isn’t very good.”
“Why do you say that?” Cheng Ke asked.
“Anyway, as a young master,” Jiang Yuduo said, “if you’re into my type, you could have gone for Ba Bai, Chen Qing, Er Tu, Da Bin… Come to think of it, you must have been influenced by some kind of spiritual contamination.”
…
Cheng Ke felt that the conversation couldn’t continue any longer. Once Jiang Yuduo’s thoughts began to wander, he became much more stubborn than Chen Qing.
Cheng Ke tried to shift the topic and asked, “What did you want to ask me today?”
Jiang Yuduo looked a bit embarrassed and replied, “Oh, I almost forgot. I just wanted to ask if I could leave Meow with you for two days.”
Cheng Ke was surprised, “What? Meow?”
Jiang Yuduo quickly explained, “It’s just for two days. Lu Qiang’s mother is going back to their old house, and I have to go out. There won’t be anyone to take care of the cat.”
Cheng Ke asked, “The house you live in now belongs to Lu Qiang?”
Jiang Yuduo nodded, “Yes, it’s his family’s house. Are you surprised?”
Cheng Ke replied, “I always thought it was yours.”
Jiang Yuduo asked, “Don’t you know about money? Even if I wanted to buy this house, I couldn’t afford it. It’s a second-hand house in this area, on the first floor, with a small yard behind it.”
Cheng Ke pondered for a while and said, “I guess the down payment is about the same as my current rent.”
Jiang Yuduo laughed, “Nobody here can afford it. I can’t either.”
Cheng Ke felt uncomfortable and said, “I didn’t mean that. I just haven’t thought about it.”
Jiang Yuduo shrugged and said, “I can afford it by default.”
Cheng Ke smiled and said, “That’s just inertial thinking. I’m renting a house too.”
After a brief silence, Jiang Yuduo recalled the subject, “So, can you take care of it?”
“If I recall correctly,” Cheng Ke retrieved the contract photos from his phone album, “Party B is not allowed to keep any animals in any form in the house without Party A’s permission…”
“You don’t need to take pictures of the contract. Just recite it, damn it,” Jiang Yuduo covered the screen with his hand, “Party A agrees now.”
“I’ve never raised a cat, so I don’t know how to take care of it,” Cheng Ke said.
“Let me tell you, it’s very easy. Just give it something to eat and it will go to the toilet by itself,” Jiang Yuduo said, “I’ll bring all its belongings, such as the litter box, toilet, cat food, etc.”
Cheng Ke looked at him and noticed that Jiang Yuduo’s tone had become imploring, as if the cat’s well-being was of great importance to him.
“Why did you choose me?” Cheng Ke asked.
“Chen Qing’s family can’t take it, and I don’t trust others,” Jiang Yuduo said, “I’m afraid they will lose the cat.”
“What if I…” Cheng Ke hesitated, not knowing if he was up to the task. If he lost the cat, Jiang Yuduo seemed so anxious that Cheng Ke feared he might come after him with a knife.
“You won’t,” Jiang Yuduo smiled, “Although you don’t know much, if you agree to this matter, nothing will go wrong.”
Cheng Ke looked at him skeptically, “Are you sure?”
“I have a strong feeling that everything will be fine,” Jiang Yuduo said.
Cheng Ke wanted to tell him that his feelings were not always reliable.
“Can you do it?” Jiang Yuduo asked again.
“Where will you be staying during these two days?” Cheng Ke asked.
“In a hotel,” Jiang Yuduo said, “it doesn’t matter where I stay, the main thing is that cats are not allowed in hotels, and it’s easy for them to escape.”
Jiang Yuduo spoke in a calm and natural manner, but Cheng Ke couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Perhaps it was due to his sensitivity at the moment or for some other reason, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the ten-year-old child who slept by the bridge… “Um…what if…” Cheng Ke spoke hesitantly, “You can stay with me for the next two days.”
Jiang Yuduo was taken aback by Cheng Ke’s suggestion. “Huh?”
“You don’t have to go to the hotel,” Cheng Ke continued, feeling awkward, especially after Jiang Yuduo’s “my type” comment. “It’s only two days, you can sleep on the sofa or something. It’s more comfortable than a hotel.”
Was sleeping on the sofa more comfortable than a hotel? Probably not.
Cheng Ke felt like hitting Jiang Yuduo on the head with a chair to make him forget about the embarrassing situation.
“I…will stay at the hotel,” Jiang Yuduo said.
Cheng Ke wanted to hit himself with a chair again for asking such a pointless question.
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