“Brother Cheng.” Luo Jingshu wasn’t sure what expression to wear, but at the same time, he felt it was all within expectations.
The fact that Xiao Cheng would go through the effort of buying him Five Years of College Entrance Exams and Three Years of Mock Tests was just another way of expressing his gratitude.
Luo Jingshu could only console himself this way.
Xiao Cheng couldn’t say it wasn’t intentional. Initially, he had only planned to buy the exam prep books, subtly suggesting that Luo Jingshu should focus on studying and not think about unnecessary things.
But as he left the bookstore, he saw Taishang Ganying Pian.
At that moment, Xiao Cheng thought this book was perfect for Luo Jingshu, especially the line on the cover. It couldn’t have been more fitting.
Without hesitation, Xiao Cheng bought it.
The broth in the pot bubbled, and the rich aroma of spicy hotpot filled the air. Xiao Cheng took a deep breath, his stomach growling louder.
Rubbing his hands together, his fingers still cold, he picked up the chopsticks slightly stiffly.
“Let’s eat.”
Everything could wait until after they were full.
The restaurant pre-mixed the dipping sauces, a bowl of green flecked with scallions and cilantro.
Xiao Cheng wasn’t picky and had no food aversions. He stirred his sauce absentmindedly, glancing at Luo Jingshu’s bowl.
He remembered Luo Jingshu didn’t like scallions.
But since Luo Jingshu hadn’t said anything, Xiao Cheng wasn’t about to meddle.
It reminded him of the time he bought steamed buns and couldn’t help but jab his chopsticks aggressively into his bowl.
Luo Jingshu, indeed, didn’t eat scallions. He had forgotten to tell the waiter earlier, but now he wasn’t in the mood to ask for a new bowl.
His appetite wasn’t great, and the emotional rollercoaster from earlier had left him listless, not even managing a smile as he watched Xiao Cheng eat.
Xiao Cheng, in stark contrast, had an excellent appetite.
When they first broke up, Xiao Cheng tried to brainwash himself into treating Luo Jingshu as a stranger. In reality, though, he hadn’t truly moved on.
After all, he had genuinely liked Luo Jingshu. No matter how rational he tried to be, he couldn’t completely detach his feelings.
That’s why Xiao Cheng resisted Luo Jingshu’s advances—afraid of softening his heart and letting Luo Jingshu manipulate his emotions.
But after these two incidents, Xiao Cheng finally came to terms.
There was no need for such extreme avoidance. He could just treat Luo Jingshu as an ordinary acquaintance, someone he might greet but never confide in.
With this realization, Xiao Cheng felt a weight lifted off his chest, like a stone finally dislodged. He even found the food more delicious than usual.
Luo Jingshu rested his chin on one hand, silently watching Xiao Cheng eat. When Xiao Cheng struggled to pick up a quail egg, Luo Jingshu scooped it up with a spoon and placed it in his bowl.
Xiao Cheng paused. “Thanks.”
Luo Jingshu froze momentarily, confused by his thanks. He stared at Xiao Cheng for a while, only to see him casually return to eating, as carefree as ever.
Feeling a bit disheartened, Luo Jingshu dropped his gaze. The look in his peach blossom eyes grew heavier under the mist rising from the hotpot.
Xiao Cheng knew Luo Jingshu was watching him. But he was thick-skinned in this regard. If it had been in the past, being stared at by someone he liked would have made him uncomfortable. Now, he felt nothing.
Luo Jingshu barely touched his food, but Xiao Cheng didn’t care. He ate his fill.
Eating hotpot in the winter was blissful. The cold in his body melted away, and Xiao Cheng even broke into a sweat. His lips turned red, and a faint flush spread across his cheeks.
Having worked up quite a sweat, Xiao Cheng removed his coat and left it draped over the back of his chair.
He wore a fitted sweater with the sleeves rolled up, revealing a slender wrist.
Luo Jingshu tilted his head, watching him intently. His idle fingers fidgeted with the spoon, lightly tapping the bowl’s edge.
The sound was faint, like a pet trying to get its owner’s attention with small movements.
But Xiao Cheng didn’t look at him, not even once.
Luo Jingshu adjusted his posture. Noticing Xiao Cheng’s sweaty nose, he grabbed a napkin and handed it over.
Xiao Cheng paused, pinching the corner of the napkin, carefully avoiding any contact with Luo Jingshu’s hand.
“Thanks.”
Luo Jingshu’s expression grew more complicated. His peach blossom eyes reddened slightly under the steam, and he replied in a muffled tone, “Mm.”
Xiao Cheng finally glanced at him, feigning surprise. “You’re not eating?”
Luo Jingshu licked his lips, trying to calm his inner turmoil, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes. “I don’t have much appetite…”
“Oh. I think this place is pretty good,” Xiao Cheng replied blandly.
With that, he lowered his head and continued eating, his actions proving he meant every word.
Luo Jingshu felt as if he had punched a cloud, all his energy dissipating into nothing. It was like talking to a wall.
At this moment, he thought Xiao Cheng resembled the person he first met—a detached and indifferent stranger.
The only difference was that Xiao Cheng’s air of indifference was genuine back then, while the coldness just now was deliberate.
Or rather, it was genuine too—Xiao Cheng truly didn’t want to deal with him.
If it hadn’t been for the last two incidents, Xiao Cheng probably wouldn’t want anything to do with him anymore.
Luo Jingshu finally understood. Compared to Xiao Cheng’s cold face and disdain, what he feared more was this indifferent attitude, as if nothing he said or did could stir Xiao Cheng’s emotions in the slightest.
“Brother Cheng,” Luo Jingshu moved his lips, unsure what to say. “Are you working as an assistant for Bai Yiheng?”
Xiao Cheng had just finished eating. He wiped the grease from the corners of his lips, then pulled a pack of wet wipes from his coat pocket and cleaned his hands.
“Yeah.”
Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Cheng reached into another pocket of his coat, took out a tube of ointment, and handed it to Luo Jingshu.
Luo Jingshu froze for a moment. When he took it and saw that it was for scar removal, he was briefly stunned.
The scar on the back of his hand had reopened a few days ago, though it wasn’t serious. Luo Jingshu’s pale skin made the pinkish scar stand out, but it wasn’t unpleasant to look at.
Xiao Cheng explained, “My sister asked me to give this to you.”
Xiao Ziyue had inexplicably insisted on bringing this scar cream to Luo Jingshu. She must have asked Xiao Yu about it and learned that Luo Jingshu’s scar hadn’t healed yet.
Xiao Cheng hadn’t bothered to ask more questions. He brought it along since he was going to see Luo Jingshu anyway.
The faint joy in Luo Jingshu’s heart didn’t have time to take root before Xiao Cheng’s words sent it plummeting.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, unsure of what he’d been expecting.
Having finished cleaning his hands, Xiao Cheng met Luo Jingshu’s gaze with a serious expression. “After I woke up yesterday, you were already gone. I didn’t get a chance to ask you.”
“When you came to rescue me, was I…” Xiao Cheng hesitated, lowering his voice, “…presentable?”
He actually wanted to ask if his clothes were still intact or if Jiang Ying had done anything strange.
But discussing this with an ex-boyfriend felt a bit inappropriate.
Xiao Cheng’s awkward and conflicted look made it clear to Luo Jingshu what he was implying.
“He didn’t have time to do anything,” Luo Jingshu said softly.
Though Jiang Ying had unbuttoned Xiao Cheng’s suit jacket and loosened two buttons on his shirt, there weren’t any visible marks on him. Jiang Ying’s clothes were also intact, so it seemed like nothing had happened.
Xiao Cheng exhaled in relief. He knew his own body well enough to confirm that Jiang Ying hadn’t succeeded. Still, the thought of what might have almost happened made him feel sick.
Thank goodness.
“That’s good.”
Xiao Cheng leaned back in his chair, shifting uncomfortably. He propped his elbows on the armrests and clasped his fingers together.
Relaxing his legs, he naturally spread his knees apart. Under the table, his foot accidentally bumped into Luo Jingshu’s. Xiao Cheng immediately pulled his foot back.
Luo Jingshu’s long legs stiffened slightly. He lowered his gaze and pressed his lips together. “Brother Cheng, I need to confess something to you.”
Xiao Cheng responded with a half-hearted “Go ahead.”
Luo Jingshu then told him about the night at the fruit garden when Fu Ju had sent over the alcohol.
At the time, Xiao Cheng assumed Luo Jingshu had ordered the alcohol. Later, when he sensed something was off, he didn’t ask Luo Jingshu directly but instead discreetly inquired with the front desk. He hadn’t gotten any useful information.
So Luo Jingshu had known.
Xiao Cheng asked, “Was there something in the alcohol?”
Otherwise, how could he have gotten drunk so quickly?
Luo Jingshu nodded slightly, his fingers nervously curling. He looked up at Xiao Cheng and said softly, “Brother Cheng, if you’re mad, you can hit me or scold me. I won’t resist.”
Xiao Cheng’s expression was conflicted. He should be angry at Luo Jingshu—for drugging him even back then.
But in the end, he had also benefited from it.
After a long pause, Xiao Cheng muttered, “Not necessary.”
The hand Luo Jingshu had placed on his leg clenched into a fist, his expression tinged with sadness. “Brother Cheng…”
Xiao Cheng cut him off. “Let’s not bring up the past anymore.”
“Thanks for helping me twice.”
Xiao Cheng added sincerely, “Make good use of the books I gave you.”
Even if he didn’t read the scripture, he could at least do the practice problems.
Xiao Cheng lowered his hands to rub his stomach, feeling uncomfortably full and experiencing a faint pain.
At first, he thought it was just from overeating, especially since the hotpot broth was spicy. Xiao Cheng’s stomach wasn’t great and tended to hurt when he ate something too stimulating.
But the pain in his stomach had worsened by the time they left the restaurant. The redness in Xiao Cheng’s flushed cheeks had drained away.
Not wanting to show weakness in front of Luo Jingshu, he endured the pain in silence, standing as straight as possible while discreetly pressing a hand to his stomach and exhaling slowly.
Luo Jingshu had been paying close attention to his every move. Noticing this, he frowned. “Does your stomach hurt?”
Xiao Cheng let out a faint hum, his voice weak. “A bit.”
It sounded like he was brushing it off, but in truth, the pain was intense. He was afraid if he said more, he might groan in pain.
This pain didn’t feel like the usual discomfort from overeating. Xiao Cheng suddenly recalled the last time he had an allergic reaction after eating crayfish—his stomach had felt similar.
No way…
Xiao Cheng tried to recall but was sure he hadn’t eaten any crayfish earlier.
After a few steps, he stopped altogether, leaning one hand against a nearby tree and pressing his palm firmly against his stomach.
Luo Jingshu hadn’t expected the pain to be this severe. He hesitated to help Xiao Cheng, fearing he’d be rejected, so his hand hovered awkwardly in midair. “Let me take you to the hospital.”
In just a few minutes, Xiao Cheng’s pain had worsened to the point where walking was unbearable. Retracting his hand, he forced himself to take a few steps forward. “I can go by myself.”
The moment the words left his mouth, his steps faltered, and he nearly collided with a parked car by the roadside.
Luo Jingshu quickly grabbed Xiao Cheng’s arm, half-forcing him into his embrace to steady him. His tone brooked no argument.
“I’ll take you to the hospital.”
It was the same driver as two days ago. However, Xiao Cheng wasn’t conscious then and had no idea that this was the second time in a matter of days that this driver had taken him and Luo Jingshu to the hospital.
Xiao Cheng rested his head against the car window, his eyes half-closed. His hand remained pressed against his stomach, and he occasionally took deep breaths to manage the pain.
Luo Jingshu frowned deeply. “Do you want some hot water?”
Xiao Cheng shook his head weakly. “Just go straight to the hospital.”
Luo Jingshu dared not touch him, worried it would worsen his pain.
When they arrived at the hospital, Xiao Cheng insisted on walking in himself. Luo Jingshu grabbed his arm. “I’ll carry you inside.”
Xiao Cheng’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you crazy?”
Perhaps too startled, his voice was louder than usual, momentarily overriding the pain in his stomach.
Luo Jingshu frowned. “I carried you inside two days ago.”
Xiao Cheng opened his mouth to argue that it wasn’t the same.
When unconscious, embarrassment was irrelevant—he wasn’t aware of it anyway.
But now he was fully awake. Being carried into the hospital would be utterly humiliating.
Seeing his severe discomfort, Luo Jingshu held onto Xiao Cheng’s arm, seemingly preparing to carry him by force.
Xiao Cheng panicked. “Don’t touch me!”
He’d rather endure the pain and walk in than be carried like that.
Luo Jingshu exhaled heavily. “Fine, I won’t carry you. Can I piggyback you instead?”
Xiao Cheng reluctantly agreed. Once on Luo Jingshu’s back, all his strength seemed to drain away, and his complexion turned alarmingly pale.
Embarrassment, it seemed, could become less daunting the more you endured it.
Xiao Cheng silently comforted himself. Who carried him and how didn’t matter—getting treated was the priority.
Looking at it from another perspective, using Luo Jingshu as a tool wasn’t a bad deal.
After a series of examinations at the hospital, it turned out to be an allergic reaction again.
Xiao Cheng couldn’t figure it out. Maybe one of the meatballs he’d eaten contained shrimp. If he’d known, he wouldn’t have indulged.
Now hooked up to an IV, Xiao Cheng curled up on the hospital bed, visibly drained.
Earlier, Luo Jingshu had tried to help him take off his shoes, nearly earning himself a kick from Xiao Cheng in shock.
After being rejected, Luo Jingshu seemed a little aggrieved, but Xiao Cheng pretended not to notice.
He realized Luo Jingshu had incredibly thick skin—give him an inch, and he’d take a mile.
The moment Xiao Cheng’s attitude softened, Luo Jingshu would latch onto him like glue.
Impossible to shake off.
Lying in bed and playing with his phone, Xiao Cheng noticed a message from Xie Zhao sent a few minutes ago, asking if he’d had dinner.
Xiao Cheng replied: [I ate.]
[Xie Zhao: I just saw someone at the central hospital who looked a lot like you.]
Xiao Cheng winced. Is the world really this small?
All he’d done was come to the hospital for treatment and run into Xie Zhao.
He replied: [Have you considered that maybe it was me?]
[Xie Zhao: ???]
[Xie Zhao: Are you sick?!]
Xiao Cheng then explained his allergic reaction.
How could someone have such bad luck?
In just a few short months, Xiao Cheng had experienced two allergic reactions.
Xie Zhao asked for the ward number, clearly intending to visit. Xiao Cheng glanced at Luo Jingshu, who had his back to him, filling a paper cup with hot water. Xiao Cheng replied slowly: [Luo Jingshu is here too.]
Though unintentional, Xie Zhao probably wouldn’t want to see Luo Jingshu.
[Xie Zhao: Oh, so what’s the ward number?]
He didn’t seem to care about Luo Jingshu’s presence at all.
Xiao Cheng sent him the location.
Luo Jingshu turned and walked over, handing him the water. “Brother Cheng, have some water.”
Xiao Cheng’s attention was on the door, and he absently responded, “Mm, just leave it there.”
Luo Jingshu held the cup momentarily, then silently set it down.
Noticing Xiao Cheng constantly glancing at the door, as if waiting for someone, Luo Jingshu’s expression darkened. “Waiting for someone?”
Xiao Cheng ignored him. About four or five minutes later, Xie Zhao appeared at the door.
Xiao Cheng was scrolling through Weibo and looked up just as Xie Zhao strode in. He put down his phone. “Senior Xie.”
Luo Jingshu’s expression grew tense, his gaze cold as it swept over Xie Zhao before returning to Xiao Cheng.
Xie Zhao glanced at Xiao Cheng’s pale face, still breathing heavily from walking too fast. “Is it another allergic reaction to crayfish?”
“Mm.” Xiao Cheng subconsciously rubbed his stomach, which didn’t hurt as much anymore.
Another.
Luo Jingshu caught the word. He already knew what had caused Xiao Cheng’s reaction, but from Xie Zhao’s tone, it sounded like this wasn’t the first time.
Why didn’t he know about this?
The worry and concern in Xie Zhao’s heart turned to anger the moment he saw Luo Jingshu.
“Was it because of Luo Jingshu again?”
Xiao Cheng thought about it. Technically, yes, since Luo Jingshu had ordered the dishes. But it was mostly his own fault—he was too focused on eating and didn’t check carefully.
Besides, Xiao Cheng thought indifferently, Luo Jingshu probably didn’t know he was allergic to crayfish.
But Xie Zhao couldn’t hold back anymore. He snapped at Luo Jingshu right in front of Xiao Cheng. “You, come with me.”
He turned and walked out. Luo Jingshu glanced at Xiao Cheng, then got up and followed him.
“Senior Xie!” Xiao Cheng guessed what Xie Zhao wanted to say. It was embarrassing enough without it being said aloud. He called out, but no one responded.
Xiao Cheng took a deep breath, pulled the blanket over his head, and decided to ignore them altogether.
Luo Jingshu closed the door to the ward. Xie Zhao walked a few steps ahead before stopping, turning to face him with a fierce expression.
“Are you trying to kill Xiao Cheng?”
“Do you not know he’s allergic to crayfish? Was once not enough? You want to harm him a second time?”
Luo Jingshu’s jaw tightened, his hands unconsciously forming fists. For the first time, he didn’t retort. Instead, he asked in a low voice, “When was the first time?”
Xie Zhao was momentarily stunned, then let out a cold laugh, his disbelief evident.
“I didn’t know, so I’ll let it slide. But Luo Jingshu, you didn’t know either?”
He clenched his fists, struggling to control his emotions, afraid he might punch Luo Jingshu in anger.
Xie Zhao: “The first time was when you bought him a late-night snack.”
Late-night snack?
Luo Jingshu pressed his lips together and thought for several seconds before suddenly remembering. Once, Xiao Cheng had sprained his ankle. Luo Jingshu had waited for him at the entrance of S University and asked Jiang Yi to help pack some food.
Could it have been that time?
Seeing his prolonged silence, Xie Zhao guessed the truth.
Gritting his teeth, Xie Zhao sneered, his tone dripping with scorn. “Luo Jingshu, you’re a lunatic.”
“You don’t deserve Xiao Cheng’s love.”
