VFGRC Chapter 51

Like the stall owners and shopkeepers in Sanjiaokou, who anxiously refreshed the webpage, waiting for the food safety regulatory department to release the investigation announcement, Yu Bai was soothingly putting a sleepy Xing Xing to bed.

Xing Xing had played all day and was a bit tired. After dinner, Xing Xing played with building blocks while dozing off. His round ink-black eyes seemed as if they were dipped in water, hazy and dreamy.

Yu Bai noticed how Xing Xing’s little head bobbed as he dozed off, resembling a pecking chick, so he decided to let Xing Xing sleep early tonight.

The night’s wind was strong, and gradually, the pitter-patter of raindrops could be heard outside the window.

With the gentle sound of rain, Xing Xing soon fell asleep.

Yu Bai quietly closed the bedroom door, and as he took a step back, he bumped into a warm and solid chest.

“Is Xing Xing asleep?” came a soft voice from behind Yu Bai.

While Yu Bai was putting Xing Xing to sleep in the bedroom, Ji Rongyu was in the living room, helping tidy up the scattered building blocks.

Yu Bai replied, “Yes, he’s asleep.”

The two of them walked into the living room, and Ji Rongyu glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall. He blinked his eyes.

Ji Rongyu said, “It’s getting late, I should go back.”

Seeing the time on the clock, Yu Bai’s eyebrows twitched briefly.

It was currently ten in the evening. Unconsciously, Ji Rongyu had stayed at his house for this long.

Just as Ji Rongyu opened the door, the sound of rain outside became more pronounced.

A slight chill ran through the air, causing Ji Rongyu, who was dressed somewhat lightly for the day, to shiver slightly.

His movement was subtle, but Yu Bai still caught it.

Winter was cold, and with the added mix of cold wind and rain, it was even wetter and cooler when it landed on a person. A little carelessness could easily lead to catching a cold.

Yu Bai suggested, “You didn’t bring an umbrella, so it’s inconvenient for you to go back. How about staying at my place for the night? You can go back tomorrow?”

Click—

Ji Rongyu closed the door slightly, his gaze fixed on Yu Bai. He asked, “Is it convenient for you if I stay at your place for the night?”

“My place is small, and the rooms aren’t spacious enough,” Yu Bai hesitated for a moment and said, “You…”

Ji Rongyu quickly interjected, “I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“Well, okay then,” Yu Bai agreed.

Returning to the bedroom, Yu Bai fetched a clean set of pajamas for Ji Rongyu.

Yu Bai said, “This is the largest size I have. You can manage with it.”

Ji Rongyu tightly held the pajamas in his large hand, his lips curling into a smile. “Alright.”

Yu Bai’s clothes often carried the simple scent of lemon. Perhaps it was the aroma of his usual laundry detergent, which was why the pajamas he handed to Ji Rongyu also carried a faint lemon fragrance.

The fragrance wafted gently, almost imperceptible yet extraordinarily refreshing.

As the late night approached, Ji Rongyu, invigorated by the fragrance, felt a surge of energy.

This aroma was more pleasant than any expensive perfume.

The curve of Ji Rongyu’s lips curled up a bit more.

However, his good mood came to an abrupt halt after he changed into the pajamas.

Yu Bai usually preferred simple, plain cotton pajamas. Yet the pajamas he gave Ji Rongyu were the only satin ones in his wardrobe – they felt cool to the touch and were exceptionally smooth.

However, Ji Rongyu had never seen Yu Bai wear this pajama before.

Earlier, when Yu Bai gave him the pajamas, Ji Rongyu thought it was a sign of Yu Bai valuing him, offering him the best pajamas from his collection.

But now…

The mirror in the bathroom was slightly fogged.

In the reflection, Ji Rongyu wore the well-fitting pajamas, but his eyebrows were knit in displeasure.

The pajamas fit Ji Rongyu well, except for the pants being a little short. However, for Yu Bai, who had a slightly slimmer build, the pajamas were significantly oversized.

Who would buy themselves ill-fitting clothes?

Unless… this clothing wasn’t Yu Bai’s.

Then whose pajamas could these be?

Since Ji Rongyu had known Yu Bai, he occasionally visited his home, and Ji Rongyu had never seen the presence of any other unfamiliar men at Yu Bai’s house.

Moreover, considering Yu Bai’s habits, he definitely wouldn’t have time to associate with others.

If that’s the case, then why would Yu Bai have these oversized pajamas?

Ji Rongyu touched the button at the collar of the pajamas. There were traces of sewing on the button, evidence that it had been mended, and also signs that it had been worn by someone before.

Knock, knock, knock.

Before Ji Rongyu could think further, there came a knocking sound from the door.

“Ji Rongyu, are you done washing up?”

Taking a deep breath, Ji Rongyu relaxed his expression and pushed open the bathroom door.

Ji Rongyu replied, “I’m done.”

“Does the pajama fit well?”

“It’s alright.” Ji Rongyu smiled and casually asked, “Yu Bai, why did you buy such a large pajama? It feels a bit loose on me.”

“This big?” Yu Bai’s eyebrows showed a faint surprise as he assessed Ji Rongyu, who was wearing the pajamas. “Seems like it’s a bit big…”

Pausing for a moment, Yu Bai continued, “I used to be a bit heavier, so I bought this set of pajamas back then. They fit me well at the time. But gradually, as I lost weight, they became too loose.”

Of course, Yu Bai wouldn’t tell Ji Rongyu that these pajamas were the ones he used to wear when he was pregnant with Xing Xing.

During a certain period in the height of summer, when the weather was scorching hot, Yu Bai, who was pregnant with Xing Xing, suffered severe morning sickness. He would lie in bed every day, unable to sleep due to the heat. His grandmother, who had raised him from childhood, felt sorry for him and especially went to the store to buy this smooth and cool satin pajama for him.

Wearing this ice-cold pajama, Yu Bai’s summer became somewhat more bearable.

However, during that time, Yu Bai was already visibly pregnant, so his belly had grown slightly larger.

Pregnant individuals can’t comfortably wear tight-fitting clothes, so the pajama Yu Bai’s grandmother bought for him was larger than usual. After bringing the pajama home, his grandmother even personally adjusted the pant legs to make them fit Yu Bai perfectly. Hence, the pajama fit him well at the time.

Yu Bai continued to wear this pajama until he gave birth to Xing Xing and his body returned to its original state.

While wearing this set of pajamas, Yu Bai accidentally broke one of the buttons, but later his grandmother sewed it back on for him.

Although the pajama was now oversized and slightly worn in places for Yu Bai, and the fabric showed signs of repairs, he couldn’t bear to part with it as it was a gift from his grandmother, the only person who had cared for him for the first twenty years of his life.

As a result, Yu Bai kept this set of pajamas tucked away at the bottom of his closet.

However, the idea of a man giving birth was just too astonishing for ordinary people. Yu Bai didn’t want to publicize this matter, so he came up with the excuse of “having gained weight in the past,” casually passing it off.

Yu Bai’s explanation was too casual. After he said it, he changed the subject and started talking about other things.

“I’ve laid out a new set of bedding on the sofa. The sofa is a bit small, so check if it’s comfortable for you to sleep on.”

Because Yu Bai deliberately changed the subject so nonchalantly, Ji Rongyu naturally didn’t believe his excuse.

However, apart from the explanation of “Yu Bai gaining weight,” Ji Rongyu couldn’t think of any other reason for Yu Bai to have such an oversized pajama.

Taking a deep breath, Ji Rongyu forced down the faint unhappiness bubbling in his heart.

As for why he was feeling unhappy about such a small matter, Ji Rongyu himself wasn’t clear.

Ji Rongyu lay down on the sofa in silence.

Since Yu Bai had set up his stall these days and earned quite a bit of money, he had to buy a new sofa because his previous one was old and worn out. However, the new sofa turned out to be slightly smaller.

Ji Rongyu was tall and had long limbs, and lying on the sofa, he didn’t know where to put his hands and feet, making him quite uncomfortable.

Yu Bai frowned, “Sleeping on this… must be uncomfortable, right?”

Yu Bai continued, “How about… you go to the bedroom? You can sleep with Xing Xing, and I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

Yu Bai is slightly smaller in stature compared to Ji Rongyu, so him sleeping on the sofa is much more comfortable than Ji Rongyu sleeping on it.

Ji Rongyu pouted and mumbled, “No need. You sleep in your spot…”

Yu Bai could tell that Ji Rongyu’s mood seemed a bit off.

“What’s wrong? Upset?” Yu Bai inquired.

“Not at all,” Ji Rongyu pulled the blanket over his head, his voice becoming even more muffled.

Yu Bai sighed in helplessness.

The more Yu Bai spent time with Ji Rongyu, the more he realized that Ji Rongyu was like a child, with a childlike temperament.

Yu Bai said, “Since you’re not upset, I’ll go back and sleep with Xing Xing…”

As soon as Yu Bai finished speaking, before he could even take a step, a hand swiftly emerged from under Ji Rongyu’s blanket and grabbed hold of Yu Bai’s wrist.

Yu Bai arched an eyebrow, “What’s the matter?”

Ji Rongyu flipped the blanket off himself, sat up on the sofa, and in the dim lamplight, his slender eyes glinted with a faint light.

Ji Rongyu said, “Can’t sleep. Will you… chat with me for a while?”

“Are you, too, like Xing Xing, needing someone to talk to before sleep? Do you want me to tell you a bedtime story?” Yu Bai couldn’t help but chuckle and asked.

Ji Rongyu: “…”

Somehow, when he heard Yu Bai mention “telling a bedtime story,” Ji Rongyu’s heart inexplicably skipped a beat.

Yu Bai’s voice was like the person himself, as if it were the most gentle and lustrous jade pendant in the world, pleasing to the ears.

Ji Rongyu had seen how Yu Bai put Xing Xing to sleep.

Every time, Yu Bai would hold Xing Xing in his arms, his warm and gentle hands lightly patting Xing Xing’s back, and his melodious voice gently telling stories.

Even the most mundane stories seemed to come alive at that moment, becoming lively and interesting.

Ji Rongyu imagined himself as that little child, picturing himself being held in Yu Bai’s arms, Yu Bai’s hand caressing his back, and Yu Bai’s beautifully moist apricot eyes reflecting only his image…

This… doesn’t seem too bad, right?

Ji Rongyu blinked, “Hmm, is it not okay?”

Hearing Ji Rongyu’s response, the smile on Yu Bai’s face froze for a moment.

Clearly, he had just indirectly said that Ji Rongyu was like a three-year-old child who needed someone to accompany him to sleep, similar to Xing Xing. Yet, Ji Rongyu, upon hearing this, didn’t seem the least bit angry. Instead, he boldly acted like Xing Xing…

 

Author’s Note:

Yu Bai: Shameless?

PS: Just a few days ago, I mentioned the neighboring residential area, and tonight, the area where I live got locked down…

So, I went to line up to buy groceries this afternoon…

I promise to update at least five chapters tomorrow!!

Because tomorrow, I can openly not go to work!!