Chapter 20 (2/2)

After hanging up, Ji Qinyang did not return immediately to his room. Frowning, he scanned through his contact list and dialled Zhuo Xiaoyuan’s number as he leaned against the railing.

Zhuo Xiaoyuan picked up very quickly, his voice alert and a little cool. “Hold on for a bit,” He told Ji Qinyang. Then he sounded like he was comforting someone, his tone low and gentle. “We’ll go back after this injection. If you’re sleepy, just take a nap, Gege will accompany you…”

Ji Qinyang waited for him to settle down before asking, “What’s wrong with Jinjin?”

“It’s the same old problem, it’s nothing urgent,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan was composed. “I’ve been wanting to contact you. I haven’t been able to get through to Xie Meng recently, and he hasn’t been replying my texts…”

Ji Qinyang raised his brow. “I’ve just spoke to him on the phone.”

“…” Zhuo Xiaoyuan choked, gritting his teeth. “Are you going to let the single person talk!?”

Ji Qinyang, “…”

“Forget it,” Zhuo Xiaoyuan huffed, grumbling. “Then, what did he talk to you about?”

Ji Qinyang had just opened his mouth, only to hear Zhuo Xiaoyuan speaking gloomily, “If it’s nothing but sweet talk, you can just shut up… Abusing a single dog in the middle of the night, be careful of me suing you!”

Ji Qinyang laughed evilly, “Then I better not say anything.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan, “…”

“You guys really…” Zhuo Xiaoyuan clicked his tongue, feeling a headache. “I really don’t know if I should say your relationship is very good or what. Forget about Xie Meng not telling us about it, but he’s also hiding it from you… But you’re going through an exam in Beijing, he probably doesn’t want to trouble you.”

Ji Qinyang’s smile disappeared. “What exactly is going on?”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan kept silent for a while, before he slowly said, “Grandma Zhang has passed away. It happened last Saturday, and Xie Meng has applied for a leave of absence til the 7th. I wanted to go down today, but then Jinjin’s health… Zhang Ganggang and Qi Fei have arranged to go over first tomorrow, when are you coming back?”

Ji Qinyang’s fingers tightened over his phone.

Seeing that he had yet to respond, Zhuo Xiaoyuan called out to him doubtfully. “Hey, are you still listening… Anyway, just come back as soon as you can. Xie Meng has a very quiet nature, if he doesn’t cry or make a fuss, I’m afraid he’ll get sick from it…”

“He won’t,” Ji Qinyang insisted. “With me around, he won’t.”

Zhuo Xiaoyuan sounded scornful. “… Where is your confidence coming from? He didn’t even tell you anything.”

Ji Qinyang laughed. “He doesn’t need to say anything and I would still know.”

The boy looked up, and the colourful neon lights from the opposite building reflected upon his face. Ji Qinyang looked calm and gentle. “Whatever Xie Meng is thinking, I understand everything.”

Ever since Zhang Xiujuan passed away, Xie Meng’s schedule had turned irregular. Since the first night he stood vigil, his sleep schedule had never adjusted back. For the next few days, he was unable to fall asleep.

Exhausted in the morning, unable to sleep at night, the only thing Xie Meng could do was to force himself to eat a little more, so as to not collapse.

After calling Ji Qinyang that night, Xie Meng held his phone and finally groggily fell asleep. The next morning when he woke up, the sky had cleared up.

Clearing the ashes in the burner, Xie Meng again wiped the photo frame.

Once October was over, the feel of autumn became more intense. Clouds were high, and the breeze was light. The fragrance of the sweet-smelling osmanthus wafted all the way to the courtyard. Xie Meng thought about it, then stood up to open the gate. He planned on airing the place, but just as he opened the door, someone was standing there.

Ji Qinyang’s hand was raised, looking as though he was about to knock on the door. Standing outside, his luggage was next to him, and his hair was in a mess, doing nothing for his image.

Xie Meng, “…”

Ji Qinyang was taken aback, then he smiled. “Good morning.”

“…” Xie Meng blinked. “Aren’t you…”

“I bought the earliest flight ticket, spending the night in the train station. Fortunately, there was a train from Shanghai to Suzhou in the morning.”

Xie Meng could not say a word.

Ji Qinyang’s eyes were fixed on Xie Meng’s face. He looked for a very long time, before opening his arms and smiling, “Come, give me a hug.”

After filling his stomach, the next thing Ji Qinyang was in a hurry to do was to wash his hair. The water heater was not yet turned on, and Xie Meng could only boil some water instead. He prepared a basin for Ji Qinyang, and after soaking his hair, the boy washed his face as well. Standing behind him with a scoop, Xie Meng slowly poured water over his head.

“Is it too hot?” Xie Meng combed Ji Qinyang’ soft hair with his fingers.

The boy shook his head, mumbling, “It’s not too hot… Pass me the shampoo.”

Xie Meng rolled up his sleeves. “I’ll help you.”

“Mn.”

Xie Meng foamed up the shampoo and rubbed it into Ji Qinyang’s hair. Massaging his head a few times, he then rinsed it with water.

“Don’t move,” Xie Meng instructed. Handing a towel to Ji Qinyang, he went into the house to grab a hairdryer. When he came out, he saw the boy rubbing at his hair.

Ji Qinyang hung the towel around his neck. He held Xie Meng’s hand, and trapped him between his legs.

Xie Meng looked down at him.

Ji Qinyang reached out to touch the boy’s hair, then his cheek, and finally his lips. He pulled at Xie Meng’s neck. The latter bent down, and the two exchanged a kiss.

“… Blow your hair dry first.” Xie Meng kissed Ji Qinyang’s forehead.

After lighting a joss stick for Zhang Xiujuan and bowing, Ji Qinyang saw Xie Meng on the phone in the courtyard. When he hung up, Ji Qinyang asked, “Zhang Ganggang?”

Xie Meng nodded. “Mn. He’ll be coming over with Qi Fei in the afternoon.”

Ji Qinyang raised his brow. “The afternoon…”

Xie Meng, “?

Ji Qinyang took a few steps over to Xie Meng. Crouching, he lifted Xie Meng up in his arms.

“!” Without thinking, Xie Meng wanted to struggle. However, Ji Qinyang did not let go, and even raised him up a little as though he was weighing him.

“You’ve lost weight again.” The boy turned to look down at Xie Meng. “Let’s go take a nap first?”

Xie Meng was embarrassed. “A nap… What if I can’t sleep?”

Carrying him, Ji Qinyang headed to his room, speaking calmly, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely make you fall asleep.”