Translator: Lynn
Cheng Ke was uncertain of Jiang Yuduo’s feelings towards the kiss, as he fell silent after his initial response, constantly furrowing his brows, making it difficult to decipher his thoughts.
Although Cheng Ke wanted to reassure him that the kiss was less intense compared to their previous encounter, he knew better than to express these words aloud, as he might end up getting punched for his honesty.
The car pulled up outside and Jiang Yuduo, seated on the right side of the back seat, was the first to open the door and step out. Cheng Ke followed suit, leaving the car door open. Jiang Yuduo noticed this and closed the door, commenting, “Young master, someone has to close the car door for you.”
Cheng Ke was taken aback by the unexpected gesture, thinking that Jiang Yuduo would simply leave after dropping him off. However, the car drove away and Jiang Yuduo turned to lead Cheng Ke into the building. “I’ll stay with you all night tonight,” he announced as he pressed the elevator button.
Cheng Ke was puzzled by the sudden change of plans but refrained from asking. He had expected Jiang Yuduo to keep his distance after their kiss, but now he realized that the near-miss car accident earlier in the day had probably influenced Jiang Yuduo’s behavior. From Jiang Yuduo’s reaction, Cheng Ke could tell that the accident was more than a simple mishap on his part. However, he didn’t want to pry and risk getting an irrelevant response.
“Do you have the key?” Jiang Yuduo asked as they entered the elevator.
Cheng Ke patted his coat pocket and replied, “I do.”
Jiang Yuduo suggested, “You should change the fingerprint lock. It’s a to see you have the key.”
Cheng Ke smiled in response.
As the elevator door opened, Jiang Yuduo walked out in front of Cheng Ke just as he was about to exit, which was a slick move. If Cheng Ke hadn’t already suspected something, he wouldn’t have noticed. Cheng Ke took out the key and unlocked the door, letting the warm air from the heating rush in and create a cozy atmosphere. Unlike before, Jiang Yuduo didn’t hurry inside and instead followed behind him.
“Would you like something to drink?” Cheng Ke offered as he took off his coat and threw it on the sofa.
Jiang Yuduo was about to sit down when Cheng Ke preemptively took the seat he wanted. Jiang Yuduo glanced at him and then picked up his clothes, hanging them on the coat rack. “Do you have anything to drink besides tap water?” he asked.
“We have milk tea,” Cheng Ke replied, “I bought a bunch of them. You can make it yourself.”
“Is it the kind you tear open in a long strip from the supermarket?” Jiang Yuduo asked. “If so, then it’s not worth drinking.”
“No,” Cheng Ke said as he opened the cabinet and took out two bags of milk tea. “The milk bag, tea bag, and sugar bag are all separated.”
“Wow, that’s fancy,” Jiang Yuduo said, picking up a bag with interest and tearing it open to take a closer look. “I’ve never had anything like this before.”
Cheng Ke boiled some water and asked, “Is it good?”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo nodded sincerely. “It’s really good.”
As the water boiled, Cheng Ke glanced at Jiang Yuduo behind him and asked, “Would you like to take a bath?”
“No,” Jiang Yuduo replied, “Don’t worry about me, I won’t sleep tonight.”
“Really? Why not?” Cheng Ke couldn’t help but ask, despite not wanting to pry.
It wasn’t because he was afraid of being played with while he slept.
“I just can’t sleep,” Jiang Yuduo said, fumbling for a cigarette and lighting it. “You go ahead and get some rest.”
“Oh,” Cheng Ke turned back to the stove and watched the water boil. “Then, would you like to watch a movie to pass the time? Something not scary.”
“No need,” Jiang Yuduo replied, “I don’t need any distractions.”
Cheng Ke didn’t press the matter any further. After the water boiled, he put two tea bags into a cup and poured the boiling water in.
Jiang Yuduo walked over and stood beside him, staring at the cup with interest. “Did you buy a new cup? You only had one before, right?”
“Well, when I bought milk tea, they gave me two small mugs,” Cheng Ke explained.
“How much did you buy to get the two mugs gift?” Jiang Yuduo said, turning the cups around. “Are they couple cups?”
“I just put them in the disinfectant,” Cheng Ke said, realizing that there was a heart printed on the mugs. “Oh, I didn’t notice that. I guess they are a couple’s mugs then.”
Jiang Yuduo used his fingers to push one cup towards the other, causing the mugs to clink and the two half-hearts printed on their sides to merge into a complete heart.
“This is how it’s supposed to be,” Jiang Yuduo commented.
“Oh,” Cheng Ke observed, “I see it now…”
“You didn’t know, did you?” Jiang Yuduo glanced at him.
“No, I didn’t. I haven’t used them before,” Cheng Ke explained.
Jiang Yuduo wanted to say something more but decided against it and simply stood there, staring at the cup.
“What do you mean?” Cheng Ke asked, “If you don’t like them, I can change the mugs.”
“I didn’t mean that. I was just saying something,” Jiang Yuduo clarified.
Ignoring him, Cheng Ke retrieved his own cup and transferred the tea and tea bags from one of the mugs to it.
Jiang Yuduo then sighed and revealed, “I used to wear couple T-shirts with Chen Qing.”
“What?” Cheng Ke turned his head in disbelief, “Couple T-shirts? Aren’t those designed for men and women?”
“Do they still not make two men’s shirts?” Jiang Yuduo looked at him and realized, “Yes, there probably are. There should also be two women’s shirts… After all…”
“No,” Cheng Ke interjected, “Why did you and Chen Qing wear couple T-shirts?” he asked.
“Oh, it was just a lucky draw,” Jiang Yuduo replied. “We entered a lottery and won third prize, which happened to be a pair of T-shirts.”
Cheng Ke chuckled, “I’m usually not that lucky. When my mother participates in such events, she sometimes lets me draw. But even then, if everyone wins something, I’ll always get the last prize.”
Jiang Yuduo found this amusing and teased Cheng Ke, “Looks like you’re a veteran at receiving consolation prizes. You’ve even been kicked out of your home and still managed to win something…”
He paused mid-sentence, cleared his throat, and decided not to finish his thought.
Cheng Ke checked the temperature of his cup, trying to figure out how hot the milk was supposed to be. “Is that the same couple’s T-shirt that Chen Qing wore as a woman?” he asked.
Jiang Yuduo replied, “Yes, but he’s so thin that he can fit into women’s clothes. I couldn’t wear it. I actually wanted to wear the women’s clothes myself. The men’s clothes have a cartoon girl on the front, which is very silly. The women’s clothes have a little boy on them.”
Cheng Ke inquired, “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Yuduo laughed and said, “There are letters printed on the back of the clothes, along with an arrow. Chen Qing didn’t know until he wore it for two months, and it said ‘This is my boyfriend’. When standing side by side with a man, the arrow behind the text points at my boyfriend. If you don’t know, you might mistakenly call him an idiot pervert…”
Cheng Ke remained silent.
After a while, Jiang Yuduo stopped laughing abruptly.
“Get out and wait,” Cheng Ke said.
“I wasn’t talking about you,” Jiang Yuduo protested.
“How dare you!” Cheng Ke exclaimed. “I told you to go out and wait!”
Jiang Yuduo clicked his tongue and returned to the living room.
Cheng Ke continued to gaze at his cup.
“It’s not like they can read English anyway,” he muttered.
Cheng Ke lacked confidence in his cooking skills, so he had to follow the milk tea instructions precisely. He was afraid that if the temperature was wrong, the taste of the milk tea would be affected. However, he couldn’t judge the temperature with his hands, so he went to the living room and rummaged through the small drawer under the coffee table.
Jiang Yuduo, who was leaning on the sofa and playing with his phone, noticed Cheng Ke’s actions and asked, “What are you looking for? Is the milk tea ready?”
“Not yet. I’ll take the temperature first.” Cheng Ke said as he found a thermometer in the drawer.
“You have a fever?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
“No, the instruction says to put the milk when the water temperature is 80 degrees180 °C = 176 °F.” He took the thermometer and walked to the kitchen.
“80 degrees?” Jiang Yuduo inquired.
“En.” Cheng Ke entered the kitchen, ready to sterilize the thermometer.
“Young master, have you ever used a thermometer?” Jiang Yuduo followed, leaning against the kitchen door.
“Yes, I have used electric ones. But I have never used this kind of mercury thermometer. Will it be accurate?” Cheng Ke asked.
“It’s not even above 80 degrees on the indicator. Who the hell can have a fever of 80 degrees?? Are you drunk?”
Cheng Ke was stunned.
This is very embarrassing.
For the sake of saving face, he picked up the thermometer and took a closer look. “Fuck, it’s 42 degrees.”
Jiang Yuduo snatched the mug and touches it. “It’s 80 degrees now.”
“Can you even sense it with your hand?” Cheng Ke looks bewildered.
“No.” Jiang Yuduo picked up the milk and tore it open, pouring it into the mug.
“If you can’t figure it out, why say 80 degrees?” Cheng Ke became anxious when he saw his movements. “Fuck, what if it’s not delicious because it’s not 80 degrees!”
“I said it’s 80 degrees then it’s 80 degrees,” Jiang Yuduo poured the milk powder in the milk bag into a cup, quickly picked up another bag and poured it in, then stirred it with a spoon, “It’s 80 degrees when I want to drink it “
Cheng Ke took a sip of the milk tea from the cup and remarked, “Okay, it’s not bad.”
Jiang Yuduo raised his glass to him and clinked it. They drank together, and Jiang Yuduo complimented, “It’s delicious, even better than some shops.”
Cheng Ke nodded in agreement. “But I’m afraid it won’t taste good if the temperature is not right. I usually just cook instant noodles, but I don’t like them because they always taste bad.”
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Jiang Yuduo said. “Chen Qing cooks at my place when he’s free, and his cooking is worse than pig food, but I don’t dislike him.” He took another sip of the milk tea and let out a satisfied sigh.
Cheng Ke smiled, feeling slightly drowsy from the warmth of the milk tea. “Do you usually sleep at night?” he asked.
Jiang Yuduo replied, “Not really. If you’re sleepy, you can go to bed.”
Cheng Ke suggested, “I’ll bring you some bedding, in case you want to take a nap later.”
Jiang Yuduo declined, “No need.”
Cheng Ke then left to take a shower and go to the bedroom.
“Don’t close the door.” Jiang Yuduo said while sitting on the sofa in the living room while playing with his mobile phone.
Cheng Ke hesitated for a moment, and let go of the hand that was about to close the door.
Cheng Ke took a sip of the milk tea from the cup and remarked, “Okay, it’s not bad.”
Jiang Yuduo raised his glass to him and clinked it. They drank together, and Jiang Yuduo complimented, “It’s delicious, even better than some shops.”
Cheng Ke nodded in agreement. “But I’m afraid it won’t taste good if the temperature is not right. I usually just cook instant noodles, but I don’t like them because they always taste bad.”
“I don’t think it’s a big deal,” Jiang Yuduo said. “Chen Qing cooks at my place when he’s free, and his cooking is worse than pig food, but I don’t dislike him.” He took another sip of the milk tea and let out a satisfied sigh.
Cheng Ke smiled, feeling slightly drowsy from the warmth of the milk tea. “Do you usually sleep at night?” he asked.
Jiang Yuduo replied, “Not really. If you’re sleepy, you can go to bed.”
Cheng Ke suggested, “I’ll bring you some bedding, in case you want to take a nap later.”
Jiang Yuduo declined, “No need.”
“Fine, up to you then.” Cheng Ke then left to take a shower and go to the bedroom.
“Don’t close the door.” Jiang Yuduo said while sitting on the sofa in the living room while playing with his mobile phone.
Cheng Ke hesitated for a moment, and let go of the hand that was about to close the door.
Once he had lain down, Cheng Ke sat up again and looked at Jiang Yuduo on the sofa in the living room. “If you’re hungry, there’s food in the fridge.”
“Just go to sleep,” Jiang Yuduo said, still staring at his phone without looking up. “You’re the only one who worries about others.”
“Good night,” Cheng Ke sighed and lay back down.
Jiang Yuduo glanced into the bedroom and said softly, “Good night.”
Seeing Cheng Ke turn over and fall asleep on the balcony, he stood up, turned off the living room light, and walked over to the window.
Cheng Ke’s curtains were usually closed, and he couldn’t see anything without turning off the lights. The building was over ten floors high, and he had to lean out the window to see downstairs, which was too conspicuous with the lights on.
But at this moment, the engine noise downstairs had disappeared, just after Cheng Ke had laid down.
When Cheng Ke was talking earlier, the engine had been running. Jiang Yuduo had wanted to listen carefully and judge the distance and location, but he couldn’t because of Cheng Ke’s chatter.
Now there was no one and no cars downstairs.
Jiang Yuduo lay on the windowsill and looked out for a while. The old north wind blew at this height, and it was a bit too much for him. He retreated into the room and closed the window.
Actually, he was a little sleepy at the moment, but he knew that if he lay down, he wouldn’t be able to sleep.
When the car came out of the corner, the headlights were on. In this kind of weather, turning on the headlights in the city was like announcing to people that you were here to hit them.
The only thing Jiang Yuduo wasn’t sure of was who the car was going to hit.
Him or Cheng Ke.
If the target was him, then staying with Cheng Ke would also cause trouble for Cheng Ke, but if the target was Cheng Ke…he didn’t believe anyone could understand Cheng Ke’s opponent better than him if Cheng Ke were really in danger.
Jiang Yuduo rubbed his face.
Staying here was the best option.
He has no way to convey these thoughts to Cheng Ke, nor will he ever disclose such information to him. Unlike Chen Qing, Cheng Ke doesn’t believe in such things.
When you become accustomed to a certain routine, time seems to pass by quickly, just like now. Jiang Yuduo sat on the sofa in the dark, not using his phone or watching TV, simply listening to the surrounding sounds. The distant honking of car horns, someone singing in a building behind him, and the sound of snow falling on the windowsill could be heard when it was quiet. These sounds held both safety and danger.
Time seemed almost non-existent. Jiang Yuduo only moved when he heard the sound of someone stepping on the snow outside on the balcony at three in the morning. He quietly walked into the bedroom without disturbing Cheng Ke, who was fast asleep.
Jiang Yuduo’s steps were so light that the wooden floor didn’t make a sound. His breathing was so quiet that it was barely audible. Even if Cheng Ke was awake, he couldn’t hear it. Cheng Ke couldn’t help but think of horror movies, but he reasoned that Jiang Yuduo knew where to step without making noise.
Jiang Yuduo didn’t linger by the bed but went straight to the balcony’s sliding door, opened it quietly, stepped out, and closed it behind him. Cheng Ke was puzzled as he knew the balcony was chilly despite being closed with radiators. He wondered what Jiang Yuduo was doing out there, but from his vantage point, he could see that Jiang Yuduo stood motionless, facing the night sky.
In the darkness, Cheng Ke observed Jiang Yuduo’s motionless back without making a sound. After twenty minutes, his eyes were tired and tears streamed down his face due to fatigue. He was not only afraid of being beaten by Jiang Yuduo but also feared that he might jump off the building. As he stared at Jiang Yuduo’s still figure, he started to wonder if Jiang Yuduo’s soul had left his body, leaving only an empty shell. He even thought of touching and kissing it if that was the case. However, he dismissed the idea, thinking it would be dull to have only a shell, and considered getting a customized doll instead.
Cheng Ke dozed off at some point and woke up in the middle of the night, still in the dark. He was startled by the black shadow on the balcony but then remembered it was probably Jiang Yuduo. He checked the small alarm clock next to the bed, and it was 4:45 AM. Jiang Yuduo was still in the same position as before, and he had been standing on the balcony for almost two hours. This realization brought him back to his senses and cleared his dizziness.
Jiang Yuduo stood on the balcony like this for almost two hours!
Even if Jiang Yuduo did not plan to jump off the building, the chilly temperature on the balcony, coupled with his only wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt, could cause him to catch a cold or fever.
Cheng Ke could no longer bear the situation and sat up in bed. He coughed before getting out of bed, so as not to startle Jiang Yuduo, and put on his pajamas shakily before slowly opening the balcony door, causing it to rattle. He eventually made his way outside.
“Are you up to use the bathroom?” Jiang Yuduo asked.
Cheng Ke let out a sigh of relief as he was able to speak again, “No, I just woke up and saw someone on the balcony.” He shivered in the cold and pulled his pajama collar tighter, “If you want to smoke, you can do it in the room.”
“I don’t smoke,” Jiang Yuduo replied.
“Come inside, it’s cold out here,” Cheng Ke said as he walked behind him, “How long have you been standing here?”
“Less than two hours,” Jiang Yuduo replied.
Cheng Ke was surprised that Jiang Yuduo could accurately tell the time in his current state.
“Are you cold?” Cheng Ke asked again.
“It’s alright,” Jiang Yuduo said, “Just go back to sleep.”
Cheng Ke hesitated for a moment, but eventually mustered up the courage to ask, “Is someone downstairs?”
Jiang Yuduo tilted his head slightly.
“Is it them?” Cheng Ke asked, feeling the cold breeze coming through the unsealed window.
Jiang Yuduo looked surprised and turned his head to look at him, “Did you hear something?”
“…No,” Cheng Ke answered honestly.
“Oh,” Jiang Yuduo replied before turning back to look out the window, “I’m used to standing here for a while, don’t worry about me. I won’t feel much until tomorrow night.” Cheng Ke remained silent. He had never intended to find out what was troubling Jiang Yuduo, but at that moment, he couldn’t help but feel concerned.
As Cheng Ke spoke, he quickly sorted out his thoughts, trying to understand Jiang Yuduo’s perspective.
‘If ‘they’ were outside and the target was him, Jiang Yuduo wouldn’t have stayed here tonight.’ Cheng Ke thought to himself.
He realized that Jiang Yuduo was protecting him, just like when he had asked Da Bin and the others to follow him home.
Cheng Ke looked at Jiang Yuduo’s back, feeling a mix of emotions. He was trembling badly, his heart pounding so hard that his hands shook.
Finally, after thirty seconds of hesitation, Cheng Ke hugged Jiang Yuduo from behind. Jiang Yuduo tensed up but didn’t move.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Cheng Ke whispered, holding onto Jiang Yuduo’s neck, “but this is the first time anyone has stayed up in the cold to protect me.”
Jiang Yuduo didn’t respond.
“I don’t know how to say it,” Cheng Ke continued, struggling to express his emotions, “No one… has ever cared about me so much.”
“Well then,” Jiang Yuduo finally spoke, “That’s really pathetic.”
Cheng Ke’s emotions turned from vulnerability to anger.
“Get out!” he exclaimed, “You can’t fucking hold back and talk like that. Do you have any EQ at all?”
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