NHWSG chapter 75

As for what happened on Christmas Day, Sheng Zhao had no idea. He even felt that this matter had the potential to become a mystery in the building.

Hu Huanyang had returned that day, just in time to cross paths with Sheng Zhao as he went out to take out the trash.

Sheng Zhao wanted to gossip and ask him about the three hundred thousand, but Hu Huanyang seemed to be in a trance, with a face that looked like his worldview had collapsed, as he passed by Sheng Zhao without a word and even ignored the elevator, heading straight for the stairwell.

He looked like he was lost in thought, as if his body had returned, but his soul had flown away somewhere.

What’s going on? Sheng Zhao looked at his retreating figure, suspiciously thinking, Did Zhang Jian confess to him?

But that couldn’t be it. As a fox spirit, Hu Huanyang should be used to such things, especially since there was a gay couple living in his building. It didn’t seem likely that he would be so shocked.

Sheng Zhao’s curiosity was piqued, and he lost all interest in taking out the trash. He left the garbage bag at the entrance of the building and hurried back to the elevator, rushing to gossip with Xing Yingzhu.

Xing Yingzhuo was awake at night, and he was a little surprised to see Sheng Zhao return within three minutes.

“Hu Huanyang is back,” Sheng Zhao said mysteriously, leaning in. “He looked like he lost his mind.”

Xing Yingzhuo was quite shocked. He never expected that one day he would hear such gossip from Sheng Zhao. For a moment, he didn’t know whether to criticize Sheng Zhao for his lack of self-awareness or to criticize Hu Huanyang first.

“I’m serious,” Sheng Zhao didn’t notice anything wrong with himself and continued, “What do you think? Is Zhang Jian really trying to pursue Hu Huanyang… Do you forbid relationships between humans and demons?”

Xing Yingzhuo’s attention was quickly diverted by Sheng Zhao. He snorted and patted him on the forehead, asking, “And how did you come to that conclusion?”

Sheng Zhao rubbed his forehead, thinking, How should I know what you’re thinking? What if you’re the kind of person who starts a fire but doesn’t allow others to light a lamp? —But he didn’t dare to say this sarcastic remark out loud. After all, Xing Yingzhuo was fully awake now, not the easy-to-bully type he was when half-asleep. It was risky to poke his sore spot.

“Their affairs are their own business, outsiders shouldn’t meddle,” Xing Yingzhuo lazily said. “Why are you so concerned?”

Sheng Zhao was slightly stunned, and he keenly sensed some vague implication in this sentence.

“What do you mean?” Sheng Zhao whispered mysteriously, lowering his voice, making a gesture with his thumbs crossed inside, and said, “Do they have a history together?”

Xing Yingzhuo smiled but didn’t say anything.

His attitude was obviously an acquiescence. In Sheng Zhao’s eyes, it was equivalent to saying, “I know, but I don’t want to tell you.”

“You’re something else,” Sheng Zhao chuckled. “Are you going to charge a storytelling fee next?”

Xing Yingzhuo picked up a strawberry from the coffee table and put it in his mouth, saying, “While you’re busy thinking about Hu Huanyang’s affairs, why don’t you check your phone—It rang twice in the few minutes you were gone.”

“Huh?” Sheng Zhao was slightly stunned, quickly got up from the sofa, and rushed to the kitchen to find his phone. He casually asked, “Is it a delivery? Why didn’t you answer it?”

“Didn’t feel like it,” Xing Yingzhuo said.

Sheng Zhao: “…”

Alright.

Xing Yingzhuo watched Sheng Zhao rush into the kitchen, then gently curled his lips.

He didn’t respond to the first half of Sheng Zhao’s sentence because he knew who was on the other end of the line and could probably guess the purpose of the call.

Xing Yingzhuo sat up and picked up an orange from the coffee table.

As a snake by nature, he didn’t usually have the patience for these troublesome fruits, but since Sheng Zhao moved in, he often added things to the house, and in return, Xing Yingzhuo would eat a few bites.

Xing Yingzhuo absentmindedly peeled the orange, listening to the noise from the kitchen.

Sheng Zhao initially thought it was a missed call from a delivery service. He had bought a new garment steamer online last week, and it was probably due to arrive these days. If not, it might be the broadband customer service asking if he wanted to upgrade his package.

But when he opened his phone, he realized that the caller wasn’t from the delivery service or customer service, but it was Zhao Tong.

Staring at the missed call, Sheng Zhao was genuinely stunned for a moment, and he couldn’t immediately figure out why Zhao Tong would be calling him.

After returning from attending a wedding in Shanghai, Zhao Tong had only contacted him twice. The relationship between them was awkward, and they had nothing to say to each other. They would exchange a few words like plastic dolls and then fall silent. Apart from Sheng Zhao asking about Liang Fu’s recent situation due to his injury, there was nothing else.

Ironically, when they were on Mount Longhu, Sheng Zhao blurted out that Xing Yingzhu should meet his “parents,” but in the end, he didn’t even contact the “parents” himself.

Counting the last time they contacted each other, it had been about three months since Zhao Tong had last called.

Sheng Zhao subconsciously glanced back towards the living room, seeing that Xing Yingzhu was focused on watching a program, apparently not paying attention to him. So he relaxed, put a hand on the door, and called out to his mom.

“What’s up?” Sheng Zhao said. “I was taking out the trash just now and didn’t carry my phone.”

“It’s nothing,” Zhao Tong hesitated for a moment, as if unsure how to broach the topic. After a while, she cleared her throat awkwardly and said, “It’s almost Chinese New Year, and I was thinking if you’d like to come to Shanghai for the New Year, to be with your step dad and brother, so you won’t be alone.”

Sheng Zhao was slightly surprised, as it was unexpected.

Since the passing of his grandparents, Sheng Zhao had mostly chosen to stay at school during holidays. Zhao Tong, working hard in Shanghai without any formal relationship, didn’t feel comfortable asking Sheng Zhao to spend the New Year with her. They tacitly understood each other’s feelings – one didn’t invite, the other didn’t ask. They would just call each other on New Year’s Eve, and they had been doing this for many years.

Perhaps this year, because Zhao Tong finally entered Liang Fu’s family, she felt a bit more confident and thus made this suggestion.

If it were before, Sheng Zhao would probably have agreed.

In the end, he didn’t harbor any resentment towards Zhao Tong. If going home for the New Year could allow Zhao Tong to enjoy the joy of being with her son, he didn’t mind.

But now—

He fell silent for a moment, then said softly, “I’m sorry, Mom, I have to work overtime during the New Year.”

“Who works on New Year’s Eve?” Zhao Tong felt it was an excuse, although she was uncomfortable with it, she still tried to persuade him, “Do you feel uncomfortable coming over? It’s okay, you don’t have to visit relatives. Your brother doesn’t like visiting relatives either. You two can just stay at home.”

“It’s not that, I really have to work overtime,” Sheng Zhao smiled and said, “The company requires staff to be on duty during the New Year, with triple pay for holidays, and I’ve signed up for it.”

In the living room, Xing Yingzhu threw the orange peel into the fruit bowl, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

Such a good boy, Xing Yingzhu thought.

“So I won’t be coming this year,” Sheng Zhao said, “If nothing comes up next year, I’ll visit you for the New Year.”

Zhao Tong didn’t know whether to believe his “overtime excuse” or not, but her tone sounded noticeably lower. She probably felt that her coldness in recent years was a bit too much, and she didn’t have the confidence to invite Sheng Zhao again after his clear refusal.

“Then…take care of yourself over there,” Zhao Tong said, “Remember to eat dumplings for the New Year.”

“Yeah, I got it,” Sheng Zhao said amiably, “You guys take care too.”

Zhao Tong responded with a murmur on the other end of the phone, and the mother and son fell back into their familiar silence. Having been apart for so long, they had very little to talk about. Sheng Zhao didn’t want to force a conversation, so he made some excuses like “I’ll come to see you after the New Year” before hanging up the phone.

He locked his phone screen, seeing that Xing Yingzhu was still watching TV in the same posture, he breathed a sigh of relief, put his phone away, and walked out.

“It’s nothing major,” Sheng Zhao said, “It’s—”

“Come here,” Xing Yingzhu interrupted him.

“Huh?” Sheng Zhao was momentarily puzzled, walked over with a questioning look, and casually asked, “What’s—”

Before he could finish his sentence, Xing Yingzhu reached out and grabbed his collar.

His slender fingers slid around Sheng Zhao’s neck, making him flinch at the chill.

Sheng Zhao pursed his lips, about to smile, but Xing Yingzhu exerted a bit of force, pulling him closer in this posture.

Sheng Zhao’s knee knocked against Xing Yingzhu’s leg, and he stumbled forward, unstable on his feet, and was caught effortlessly by Xing Yingzhu.

Xing Yingzhu acted on a whim, often improvising. Sheng Zhao was about to ask what he was up to when he felt Xing Yingzhu’s hand pinch his chin, lifting his face up and examining him for a couple of seconds.

Xing Yingzhu’s eyebrows curved, with a faint smile at the corners of his lips, unexpectedly looking in a good mood.

“Such a good boy,” Xing Yingzhu said.

Sheng Zhao was filled with question marks, not sure where this praise came from. He was about to ask for clarification when he saw Xing Yingzhu lower his head and lightly brush his lips with his fingertips.

—Immediately after, Xing Yingzhu kissed him.

Since the onset of winter, although Xing Yingzhu often stayed close to him, these overtly affectionate gestures had been rare. Sheng Zhao hadn’t experienced such treatment in a long time and was completely defenseless. In just a dozen seconds or so, he was kissed thoroughly by Xing Yingzhu, feeling completely dazed.

Xing Yingzhu parted his lips, plundering them like he was conquering a city, before finally slowing down his attack satisfied, lightly hooking Sheng Zhao’s tongue and teasing him.

Sheng Zhao was kissed breathless, his face flushed, frowning slightly uncomfortably, but reluctant to push him away, looking pitiful.

Xing Yingzhu didn’t have any tender feelings in his mind. He thoroughly tasted Sheng Zhao, inside and out, before finally releasing him contentedly and wiping the corner of his lips with his fingertips.

“A reward for you,” Xing Yingzhu said.