Translator: Lynn
Sponsored chapter (3/3)
Cheng Ke had always considered himself someone who thrived in solitude.
He could spend entire days in a room alone, engrossed in books, melodies, or even building intricate sand creations. In the most secluded corner of his home’s garden, he could watch the sky and detach himself from the world’s clamor.
Even when out with friends, amidst the bustle of bars and karaoke lounges, he could mentally detach, cocooned in a serene bubble.
He might have people he admired, individuals who intrigued him, and occasionally, he’d entertain alluring ambiguities. But, the moment even a small portion of his personal space was encroached upon, he’d instinctively recoil.
Cheng Ke had never imagined that he’d one day confront loneliness so piercing, so inescapable, that it became unbearable.
Right now.
At this very moment.
He sat alone in Jiang Yuduo’s now-empty home, where Jiang Yuduo’s presence had vanished.
Seated on the floor, before Jiang Yuduo’s bed, often speckled with ashes.
Within the house, silence reigned supreme. Occasional nocturnal sounds from the outside world only accentuated the overwhelming quietude.
The acute loneliness of his solitary state was suffocating, and even the gentle presence of Meow, who settled at his feet, seemed to constrict his breathing.
In this hushed environment, the solitude felt even more profound.
All of this was the result of Jiang Yuduo’s inexplicable absence.
Cheng Ke had always been acutely aware of his feelings for Jiang Yuduo, from the initial “curiosity” to genuine interest, to affection, and now…
Every step he had taken had been a manifestation of his genuine emotions.
He didn’t comprehend the fear Jiang Yuduo felt of losing someone he cared for, or the anguish of someone dear vanishing. All Cheng Ke knew was that he was currently grappling with loss and grappling with disappearance.
It was an uncomfortable sensation.
Time, in this desolation, appeared to have come to a standstill.
In his mind, Cheng Ke kept retracing his steps, meticulously piecing together every moment from those cigarette wrappers. It was as if he was watching an endless movie, fearful of missing even a single frame, yet knowing it would come to an abrupt end.
His phone remained perpetually in his hand, while Jiang Yuduo’s phone stayed silent, never to be powered on again.
And his own phone never chimed with a message or call.
Both Sister Luo and Chen Qing appeared to have vanished alongside Jiang Yuduo, leaving no trace of their whereabouts.
Cheng Ke acknowledged that he was currently grappling with a complex mix of emotions. In one moment, he felt intense concern and longing for Jiang Yuduo. In the next, he seethed with anger. He could empathize with Jiang Yuduo as a patient, understanding the myriad uncontrollable thoughts and behaviors that could plague him, but in the next moment, he’d want to hurl his phone against the wall.
So, he did.
The phone crashed onto the ground, ricocheting against the wall.
Meow leaped onto the bed, startled.
The phone, despite the impact, began to ring.
After nearly ten seconds of staring at the illuminated screen, Cheng Ke finally realized that he had an incoming call.
Rushing to pick up the phone, he banged his shoulder against the wall. The pain was sharp, but he scarcely felt it.
The caller was Xu Ding.
His shoulder throbbed.
“Hello,” he answered, his voice strained.
“Are you coming to the shop tomorrow?” Xu Ding inquired.
The shop had already opened for the day. Not only had Cheng Ke failed to go to the store, but he hadn’t even called Xu Ding.
“I’ll be there,” Cheng Ke cleared his throat, “I got held up today. I apologize.”
“Xiao Ke,” Xu Ding hesitated, “Is something wrong? Do you need assistance?”
“I’m okay,” Cheng Ke replied.
“We have a few interviews at the store tomorrow, and Mi Lier will be coming in to help this month. She knows the exact schedule,” Xu Ding informed him. “If you… I can cover for you.”
“No,” Cheng Ke hastily responded, “I’ll be there.”
From the outset of the store’s establishment, it was understood that Cheng Ke primarily handled management while Xu Ding still had his own company to oversee.
“That’s fine,” Xu Ding replied, then, after a pause, he added, “Xiao Ke, I don’t usually pry into your personal affairs, but if you ever run into trouble or need help, you should let me know. After all, we’re friends.”
“I understand,” Cheng Ke replied with a smile. “Thank you.”
After ending the call, he remained in a daze for a long while. When he finally stood up, he felt a stiffness in his lower back, and a faint soreness seemed to emanate from his waist down.
For at least five minutes, he leaned against the wall before gradually making his way out of the bedroom and into the bathroom.
The bathroom appeared unchanged, with Jiang Yuduo’s towels and toothbrush still in their respective places, the shower gel and shampoo neatly arranged. Cheng Ke noticed a T-shirt of Jiang Yuduo’s tossed aside, awaiting a wash.
Seeing these items, the memory of that day in the bathroom resurfaced, and Cheng Ke could almost hear the gasps again.
Turning on the faucet, he buried his face in his left hand, letting the cold water splash onto his face. When he raised his head once more, he felt considerably more alert, facing his own reflection in the mirror, displaying signs of visible exhaustion.
He reached under the sink, retrieving a fresh towel and toothbrush. He had bought two sets of these items, with Jiang Yuduo taking one set when he left.
Cheng Ke felt a twinge of annoyance while wiping his face with the towel. Jiang Yuduo wanted to use the same things as him, so he bought the same set and took it with him. Cheng Ke didn’t want to cooperate.
He didn’t know when these surges of anger that flared up and ebbed away would dissipate. Nevertheless, he continued using them.
Before exiting the bathroom, he positioned his new toothbrush next to Jiang Yuduo’s old one.
“Just stick with this arrangement for now,” he mumbled, “wait until you return to cry, you idiot!”
Cheng Ke left the bathroom and decided to grab a casual meal even though it was a bit late for dinner. He strolled down the familiar bar street and ordered a bowl of Kanto cuisine at a small eatery, which helped ease his mood.
As he exited the establishment, someone called out to him.
“Brother Ke?”
Cheng Ke turned and saw Da Bin accompanied by a few of his associates.
“Where are you eating, Brother Ke?” Da Bin approached, while the others remained a few steps away.
“Just having a quick meal,” Cheng Ke replied, glancing at them. “You…”
“We’re going to Zhang Daqi’s bar,” Da Bin explained. “Brother Qing is waiting there.”
“Why? Didn’t you say everything was already settled?” Cheng Ke inquired.
“Yes,” Da Bin nodded, “Zhang Daqi made an appointment today, and they’ve clarified things. No one should cause trouble anymore.”
“Will there still be problems?” Cheng Ke expressed concern.
“There shouldn’t be,” Da Bin assured him. “The appointment is… Third Brother is away, so we’re heading there. Come along, Brother Ke.”
“I’ll join,” Cheng Ke replied.
“Brother Qing said you shouldn’t,” Da Bin told him. “He just wants to chat for a bit. We’ve got people with us in case any trouble arises.”
“I invested in this matter,” Cheng Ke insisted.
“Invested…” Da Bin paused for a moment, then sighed and took out his phone to call Chen Qing.
Cheng Ke had no intentions of taking over San-ge’s significant responsibilities, nor did he plan to forge close bonds with his fellow associates. However, he recognized that these individuals were a part of Jiang Yuduo’s sense of security and were a testament to his existence. They had been integral to his life for numerous years.
If Jiang Yuduo reclaimed this place, Cheng Ke hoped that it would remain as it was, with Chen Qing, Da Bin, those younger brothers, and the trash cans that Jiang Yuduo counted. This solution had been his own suggestion, and it had already shown positive results, so he wanted to bring it to a close.
In reality, perhaps he simply sought something to divert his attention and ease his overwhelming sense of melancholy. These people still served as a reminder of Jiang Yuduo’s presence.
Although there would typically be a significant crowd in a bar at this hour, Zhang Daqi’s establishment was relatively empty. Half of the tables in the main area remained unoccupied. It appeared that the previous incidents had affected the bar, causing both patrons and the owner to be apprehensive. Cheng Ke understood that it would take at least another month for business to recover fully.
Chen Qing occupied a corner booth, his legs crossed. He stood up promptly upon seeing Cheng Ke approaching. “Brother Ke.”
Cheng Ke admired his ability to effortlessly switch his address without any fixed formality.
“You didn’t really have to come,” Chen Qing remarked. “Zhang Daqi simply wants to ensure we won’t cause any trouble for each other in the future.”
“I have some free time anyway,” Cheng Ke replied as he took a seat.
“His business is quite slow now,” Chen Qing noted. “I reckon he doesn’t want any more problems with us.”
Cheng Ke had never seen Zhang Daqi before, but as this person approached, he was certain it was him. He also recalled that it was Zhang Daqi’s associates who blocked Jiang Yuduo behind this bar when Jiang Yuduo was at his most vulnerable and distressed.
“Where’s San-ge?” Cheng Ke inquired.
Zhang Daqi arrived with two others and, upon arrival, wore a disapproving expression. He remained standing and wasn’t particularly polite. “I’m not meeting with San-ge. Who are you?”
“This is our Brother Ke,” Chen Qing introduced. “He’s here for the same reasons as me.”
“If San-ge doesn’t show up, we can still talk,” Zhang Daqi responded, turning away with a stern expression as if he intended to leave.
“If I didn’t come, your chat with San-ge would be a waste of time,” Cheng Ke commented from his seated position, leaning back on the sofa.
Zhang Daqi turned back to face him, a sneer on his face. “I know who you are. You’ve been with San-ge for a while. Have you seized control now? Impressive. I’ll acknowledge you if you have. I’ll acknowledge San-ge.”
“My surname is Cheng,” Cheng Ke calmly corrected him. “Cheng Ke.”
Zhang Daqi maintained an expression that seemed to convey his indifference to Cheng Ke’s identity.
“You’re renting this place, aren’t you?” Cheng Ke casually sipped his orange juice, then asked, “Go back and inquire about the name of this street.”
Zhang Daqi turned around, still wearing an irritable look, but he begrudgingly responded, “What do you mean?”
“If you plan to operate your bar here, no one will interfere with you,” Cheng Ke explained. “No one will demand protection money from you. It’s your choice.”
Someone standing behind Zhang Daqi made a phone call and whispered something in his ear. Zhang Daqi squinted at Cheng Ke.
“We can consider this matter settled, and everyone can move on,” Cheng Ke declared as he stood up. “If you don’t want this bar, just say so. Boss Zhang can explore other options if he wishes.”
With that said, he tossed his empty glass to the ground, creating a clatter. “Let’s go.”
“Let’s go!” Chen Qing waved his hand in agreement.
Cheng Ke took a couple of steps towards Zhang Daqi, and after a few seconds of silence, Zhang Daqi moved aside, allowing him to pass.
Kicking the discarded glass aside, Cheng Ke walked out of the booth. Several others followed him, and none of them seemed inclined to leave.
Cheng Ke was about to speak when he heard Da Bin’s hearty laughter. “Well done!”
Another one of the younger brothers chimed in, “Yeah, you showed ’em!”
“Keep it civilized,” Cheng Ke said with a smile as he retrieved a cigarette from his pocket.
“Brother Ke,” Chen Qing produced a lighter and lit the cigarette for him. “You nailed it! Acting more authentically than San-ge?”
“It’s a different style,” Da Bin remarked beside him.
“But will this work?” Chen Qing’s tone shifted to a more serious one. “This street belongs to your father. People will find out your mother got kicked out if they ask around.”
“I’ve got two things going for me,” Cheng Ke replied confidently. “First, I’ve been disowned, and I actually went ahead and made an interstellar phone call to my dad. Second, this deal can go through.”
Chen Qing burst into laughter. “Impressive!”
“Very impressive!” echoed the others.
“I’m heading back. I’ve got a full day of work tomorrow,” Cheng Ke stated.
“Sure,” Chen Qing nodded. “I’ll grab a bite to eat with the guys.”
As Cheng Ke turned to leave, Chen Qing followed him for a couple of steps. “Jijia.”
“Hmm?” Cheng Ke glanced at him.
“Any… news?” Chen Qing inquired.
“Not yet,” Cheng Ke replied.
Chen Qing remained silent, his expression clouded with disappointment, and he appeared somewhat uneasy.
“I promise to keep you informed as soon as I hear anything,” Cheng Ke assured him, then added after a moment’s thought, “If you hear anything, let me know too.”
“Alright,” Chen Qing nodded.
Cheng Ke patted him on the shoulder, then turned and walked away.
On Jiang Yuduo’s first day of disappearance, Cheng Ke was fuming with frustration.
Seated behind the bar, Cheng Ke listened as Mi Lier briefed him about the upcoming interviews for the day.
“We have two piano players scheduled for interviews, both are students, and honestly, I’m not much of a judge when it comes to their skills,” Mi Lier explained. “Both appointments are at ten in the morning.”
“Yes,” Cheng Ke nodded. “I’ll pretend to be an expert.”
He wasn’t particularly close to Mi Lier, but she was outgoing and chatty, which suited him just fine. He didn’t need to put in much effort to keep the conversation going.
“Don’t worry about hiring waitstaff; I’ll handle the selection. I’ve got years of experience in the service industry,” Mi Lier said with a grin. “I was a senior theme restaurant waiter.”
“Alright,” Cheng Ke agreed. “Sounds like you’ve got it covered.”
“One more thing,” Mi Lier added, “the appointment in the afternoon, that one is definitely yours.”
“Understood,” Cheng Ke replied. “The schedule seems pretty tight.”
“We want to get through it quickly so we can gauge how things are going. If it’s not working out, we can make changes right away,” Mi Lier explained.
“Thank you,” Cheng Ke said. “I’d be quite lost without your help.”
“I’m not doing this for nothing; I’m changing shops, you know?” Mi Lier chuckled. “Brother Xu asked if I wanted to join, but I declined to work for now. Instead, I offered to help here for free. Consider me your number one fan.”
A faint smile touched Cheng Ke’s lips, but he remained silent.
“I thought San-ge would be here with you,” Mi Lier commented, peering outside the door. “He’s usually around to help, right? I saw him on the opening day.”
A pang of sadness struck Cheng Ke’s heart. “He’s gone on a trip.”
“Wow, I’m envious,” Mi Lier replied.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Sitting by the window, Jiang Yuduo calmly inquired, “Who is it?”
“It’s me, young man. I’ve brought your dinner,” the landlady’s voice floated in from outside. “Should I leave it on the table by the door for you?”
Jiang Yuduo remained silent, rising from his seat and approaching the door. He opened it slightly, peering out while keeping his foot wedged against it.
Only the landlady stood outside.
Seeing him open the door, the landlady beamed. “Hurry up and eat, or it’ll get cold.”
“Yeah.” Jiang Yuduo opened the door wider and accepted the tray offered by the landlady. The tray held two plates of stir-fried vegetables and a small bowl of soup. There was also a large bowl of rice on the small table outside the door.
“I’ll bring the rice in for you,” the landlady offered, picking up the bowl.
Jiang Yuduo hesitated for a moment, then turned with the tray and headed towards the room’s table.
It’s alright. It’s going to be okay. It’s been three days, and there’s no danger.
No danger.
“You’re not going out yet,” the landlady sighed, following him to place the rice on the table. “I don’t know what you’re going through, young man, but you need to stay strong. There’s nothing you can’t overcome.”
Jiang Yuduo remained silent.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll bring you breakfast at eight o’clock,” the landlady promised.
Jiang Yuduo nodded.
After the landlady left and closed the door, he sat down at the table.
The landlady seemed to be a kind person. During his three-day stay at this small, rundown hostel, she had delivered his meals punctually, right to his door. She even engaged him in a few conversations.
Jiang Yuduo didn’t feel like talking to the landlady, but he didn’t stop her either.
He understood that her voice was the only genuine sound in his life.
Besides, the last sound he had heard was Cheng Ke’s gentle breathing.
Real, tender breaths that provided him comfort when he heard them.
He fingered Cheng Ke’s coat.
It was a bit too warm for the current weather, especially with the rain, but he had worn it constantly, even during sleep.
Before eating, he got up and approached the window to gaze outside. As long as the rainy days persisted, they would remain there…
He could try giving them a deadline, telling himself they’d leave at a specific time—daylight or darkness, it didn’t matter.
Jiang Yuduo stared at the figures beneath the tree outside.
When the rainy days were over, they would depart.
This was a method he had never attempted before, knowing that he had rejected countless approaches.
It was the first time he hadn’t managed to rid himself of them for such a long time. Strangely, it was also the first time he yearned to be rid of them.
Translator’s notes:
There are more chapters to come, but I’m sleepy so I’ll continue tomorrow along with the weekly update. See you~
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
Support me on ko-fi for faster releases ^^
