1.
Ever since Fu Zhi’an accepted the company’s offer, he became even busier, constantly shuttling between school and work. For a long stretch of time, Chi Yu didn’t even know when Fu Zhi’an got into bed at night or when he left in the morning.
Chi Yu tried staying up late to wait for him, but usually, as soon as the clock struck two, his eyelids would start to droop.
But today, Chi Yu downed several cans of Red Bull. After showering, he sat cross-legged on the carpet, shirtless. His hair was still dripping wet, and he draped a towel around his neck as he opened his laptop.
Financial news rarely gets broadcast live on major online platforms. Chi Yu wiped his hair as he focused on the screen.
Fu Zhi’an was seated in a modern sofa chair, his black suit and gold-rimmed glasses giving him an air of maturity beyond his years. He seemed a bit uneasy in front of the camera, his legs slightly bent, fingers intertwined and resting on his knee. He looked distant and aloof, but when the host asked questions, his expression became serious and focused. He maintained eye contact with the host and nodded politely when appropriate.
Chi Yu watched for a long time. The show was discussing the intersection of pharmaceuticals, business, and charity. At first, he could understand a bit, but as the conversation veered deeper into medical jargon, Chi Yu’s eyelids began to droop.
Shaking his head to stay awake, Chi Yu leaned over to grab another can of Red Bull and gulped it down.
The video suddenly went quiet for about ten seconds, and Chi Yu, puzzled, put down the can.
The female host smiled and looked at Fu Zhi’an’s left hand resting on his knee. “Let’s talk about something off-topic.”
“There’s something I think a lot of people are curious about.” She paused, raising a hand to point at the ring on Fu Zhi’an’s left ring finger. “Why are you wearing such a large ring?”
The camera zoomed in abruptly, showing the black ring hanging loosely on Fu Zhi’an’s slender finger. It looked so oversized that it seemed it might slip off at any moment.
Chi Yu’s ears grew hot. He licked his lips, reaching out to close the laptop screen, but he didn’t shut it all the way.
The video continued playing, and Chi Yu thought he heard the faint sound of Fu Zhi’an chuckling softly, his voice low as he responded.
“Strict house rules. Whatever they buy, I have to wear.”
Fu Zhi’an didn’t finish his TV appearance until past two in the morning. He stood by the curb, waiting for the driver to bring the car from the parking lot. The long hours of wearing glasses had left the bridge of his nose sore. Fu Zhi’an took off his glasses and pressed his fingers against the root of his nose.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. Fu Zhi’an pulled it out.
It was a message from Chi Yu, brief as always but perfectly capturing his tone.
“Fu Zhi’an, you jerk! Since when have I ever been strict with you????!!!!!!!”
2.
A faint melody played from inside the house. Fu Zhi’an didn’t immediately unlock the door; instead, he stood outside for a moment, recognizing the tune as music from a laundry detergent commercial.
It was Chi Yu’s most hated commercial—the kind he’d usually frown at and change the channel before it even played for two seconds.
Fu Zhi’an pushed open the door to find the main light in the living room still on, and Chi Yu’s laptop was on the glass coffee table, broadcasting the unfinished laundry detergent ad. Fu Zhi’an knelt down beside him, lowering his gaze as he reached out to shield the young man’s eyes.
The furrowed brows on Chi Yu’s face relaxed a bit. Half of his face was hidden in the shadows, and his long eyelashes fluttered slightly.
“Why didn’t you go to bed?” Fu Zhi’an’s voice was soft. Chi Yu’s lips moved, but no sound came out.
On the laptop, a popular idol drama was playing. Fu Zhi’an glanced at the screen, where the male and female leads were kissing under a basketball hoop. He reached out to turn off the screen before looking back at Chi Yu, who was curled up on the carpet. It was strange. Most people, when they sleep, are completely unguarded. But not Chi Yu—he slept with his lips tightly pressed together, the creases between his brows clearly visible.
As Fu Zhi’an’s fingertips brushed against the lines between Chi Yu’s brows, the young man mumbled in frustration, “So tired…”
Even Fu Zhi’an found the overhead lights too harsh. As he pushed himself up to stand, Chi Yu suddenly grabbed the hem of his shirt.
“Why is it so late again?” Chi Yu’s eyes remained shut. After a long pause, he added, “You went on TV spouting nonsense. Since when was I ever strict with you…”
Fu Zhi’an squatted back down, gently grasping Chi Yu’s wrist, chuckling softly.
With Fu Zhi’an’s support, Chi Yu sat up, squinting as his head drooped against Fu Zhi’an’s shoulder.
“You wore a tie.” Chi Yu’s voice was thick with sleep. He raised a hand to tug at Fu Zhi’an’s tie, giving it a little shake. “I’ve never worn one.”
The room was quiet, the only sounds being the faint trickle of liquid in the humidifier and the increasingly loud thump of Chi Yu’s heartbeat in his chest.
Chi Yu watched as Fu Zhi’an loosened his tie with one hand, then draped it around Chi Yu’s neck.
A gentle force lifted Chi Yu’s chin, and he raised his head, his nose grazing Fu Zhi’an’s cool lips. He saw Fu Zhi’an’s lips move slightly, his deep voice murmuring in Chi Yu’s ear.
“You look better in it than I do.”
3.
[Check Weibo]
4.
Chi Yu nestled into Fu Zhi’an’s arms, lips pressed into a tight line. He raised his hand to touch Fu Zhi’an’s arm.
“The ring is too big,” Chi Yu said, turning his head slightly in discomfort. “Should we get it resized…”
“No need.” Fu Zhi’an squeezed Chi Yu’s hand, spreading out his palm before lowering his head to kiss each of Chi Yu’s fingertips.
“It’s already perfect.”
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
────୨ৎ────
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
