As a result, they did indeed go to the hospital, and it was the same hospital where Bai Yang’s sister was, the Shao family’s hospital.
There were too many unexpected events happening that day. Bai Yang had just processed one, and the next one came right after.
Shao Cheng took him to the hospital room he was already so familiar with.
Upon entering, Bai Yang was still in a daze, sensing something faintly in his heart, but he still found it hard to believe.
Meanwhile, Shao Cheng had already walked up to the hospital bed, gazing at the sleeping Bai Tao, and said slowly, “Your sister is truly adorable.”
Bai Yang was momentarily puzzled, then recalled the first time he had dinner with Shao Cheng when he had mentioned that his sister was cute. He didn’t expect that Shao Cheng would remember their conversation from that time.
“… You knew?”
“Yeah, I heard it from her attending nurse yesterday,” Shao Cheng looked at him, his expression less aloof than usual.
Suddenly, everything clicked in Bai Yang’s mind. He understood why Shao Cheng had suddenly kissed him this morning and treated him so kindly. It was because Shao Cheng had learned about his situation and felt sorry for him, which led to this sympathy and charity.
Shao Cheng was truly a gentle person.
Thinking this, Bai Yang’s heart inexplicably felt a tinge of sourness.
Why was he feeling so upset? Wasn’t this good? He could receive Shao Cheng’s care and continue being with him, enjoying his attention. Wasn’t this what he had longed for?
Shao Cheng sensed that Bai Yang’s emotions were off, so he walked up to him, raised his face, and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Taking a deep breath, Bai Yang looked up at Shao Cheng with a serious and resolute gaze and said, “Don’t pity me.”
He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t stoop so low as to manipulate someone’s sympathy for his own advantage, to indulge in their kindness. He didn’t want this kind of charitable affection.
“I know you pity me, and that’s why you’re treating me so well. But it’s really not necessary. My sister is still lying in a hospital bed, unable to wake up, while I’m a healthy person using her critical condition to receive your care. I don’t want to do that.”
Shao Cheng looked at him deeply for a few seconds before saying, “You’re overthinking things.”
Bai Yang was taken aback by this response, feeling a bit confused. Could it be that he had misunderstood?
Shao Cheng’s grip tightened on his chin. “Why would I pity you? There are plenty of people in the world who have it worse than you. Right now, you’re not only not burdened with your sister’s medical expenses, but you’re also earning a living on your own. The money I give you allows you to live better than most people your age. Why should I pity you?”
Listening to these sarcastic words actually made Bai Yang feel somewhat relieved. He smiled lightly and said, “I’m glad you see it that way. You’re right. I’m living better than most people, all thanks to you, Shao Cheng. If it weren’t for you taking on my sister’s medical expenses back then, I wouldn’t even know if I could stand here healthy.”
His words sounded nonchalant, but Shao Cheng’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“When you went to the hospital for charity, I was originally planning to sell my organs…” Bai Yang explained, fearing that Shao Cheng might misunderstand. He quickly added, “I’m being serious. I’m not trying to elicit pity. It’s not a big deal, actually…”
“Not a big deal?” Shao Cheng’s grip suddenly tightened, and Bai Yang winced in pain. Shao Cheng let go of his chin but looked unusually serious and displeased. “You’re not allowed to have such thoughts again.”
Bai Yang smiled. “Of course not anymore. That’s why I’m thankful to you. You saved me.”
If Shao Cheng hadn’t helped him, perhaps the resilience and toughness he had deep inside him would have been worn away by reality, and he might not even be able to uphold his cheap dignity and principles. He would have fallen into decay in some dark corner of society.
Shao Cheng didn’t seem too pleased by this heartfelt gratitude. Instead, his expression grew darker.
“Bai Yang,” Shao Cheng suddenly called his name with great seriousness. “I want to know, have you been saying you like me all this time because I helped you? Have you been accepting all my demands, all in return for my favor?”
Bai Yang was momentarily taken aback, blurting out, “That’s one of the reasons…”
Shao Cheng’s expression instantly turned unpleasant. The warmth in his eyes seemed to drop drastically. “So, your so-called ‘liking’ is just gratitude?”
Bai Yang didn’t immediately understand and was about to explain when he finally caught on to the misunderstanding. He quickly reached out to stop the angrily storming Shao Cheng and nervously explained, “Of course not!”
He extended his arms to block Shao Cheng’s path. “Yes, you helped me, and I’m grateful for that. But I’m sure I genuinely like you!”
“How can you be sure?”
“Gratitude and liking are different! For example… for example…” he became increasingly flustered, “for example! If it was just gratitude, I might agree to be with you if you asked, but I would feel reluctant inside. But because I like you, I want to be with you even if you don’t ask. There’s a distinction between the two!”
After he finished, he realized that his analogy wasn’t quite appropriate. Embarrassed, he pursed his lips, but Shao Cheng’s expression had softened considerably after hearing this explanation.
Bai Yang saw this change in Shao Cheng’s expression and couldn’t help but cautiously ask, “Do you really care about whether I genuinely like you or not?”
“Of course,” Shao Cheng replied coldly. Leaning in closer to Bai Yang’s ear, he breathed warmly, “Just as you said, I also hope you willingly give yourself to me in bed.”
Bai Yang’s face turned completely red in an instant.
They didn’t dwell on this topic any further. After leaving the hospital, Shao Cheng drove him back home.
Bai Yang thought Shao Cheng was just dropping him off. Before getting out of the car, he said his goodbyes. Unexpectedly, Shao Cheng also got out of the car from the other side.
Bai Yang looked puzzled. “Do you want to come in for a while?”
“I’m coming in to help you pack,” Shao Cheng casually said. “You’ll be living with me from now on.”
He said it as if it were the most natural thing, but Bai Yang was left stunned.
There had been too many shocks and surprises all in one day.
Walking ahead, Shao Cheng turned back to urge him, “Why are you just standing there? hurry.”
Under this undeniable command, Bai Yang could only follow behind him back into the house. He was surprised to find that the front door had been broken. He looked at Shao Cheng in confusion, but Shao Cheng walked past as if he hadn’t seen the broken door and went straight in. Bai Yang could only suppress his questions for the time being.
The food from last night was still on the table and in the kitchen. Fortunately, he had turned off the gas before falling asleep, or else the whole building might have gone up in flames.
Shao Cheng mercilessly dumped all the food into the trash can, although it was indeed inedible. Bai Yang felt a bit pained, but he didn’t say anything.
His belongings weren’t much, so packing was quick. After all, the room was too small to hold many things. Shao Cheng tossed out Bai Yang’s old clothes and everyday items, stating that they were “unnecessary.” In the end, only one box was left, containing his computer and books.
“Give me your landlord’s number,” Shao Cheng said.
Bai Yang couldn’t refuse, so he provided it, knowing that Shao Cheng was probably going to pay the remaining rent and repair fees for him.
Shao Cheng was overbearing, yet his demeanor was incredibly gentle. However, it was a gentle dominance.
When they walked out of the house, Bai Yang looked back at the small room he had lived in for almost a year. Although he didn’t have deep feelings for it, he felt a hint of reluctance. At the very least, it was his own space. As long as he could afford the rent each month, he could return at any time and stay there in peace.
Shao Cheng’s home, on the other hand, didn’t belong to him.
