Chapter 124: An Jing, YanYan has no pain receptors
Dinner was oddly awkward. Yu Qingtong kept glancing at the two seated opposite her, with a doting, aunt-like smile that was hard to miss.
An QingYan, shy, blushed slightly, burying his face in his rice, only picking the greens in front of him.
Seeing this, Gu Fei silently placed a piece of meat into his bowl, naturally and casually.
“YanYan, don’t just eat rice, eat some meat.” Yu Qingtong noticed and enthusiastically put a piece of chicken in An QingYan’s bowl, with a kind smile, “This spicy chicken is delicious, try it.”
She ordered spicy chicken at lunch with Shuman and liked it, so she had the housemaid make some. It tasted great.
An QingYan politely thanked his aunt, thinking nothing of it, and was about to eat when a pair of chopsticks suddenly reached into his bowl, stopping him.
He looked at the owner of the chopsticks in astonishment, as did Yu Qingtong.
“What’s wrong?”
“You can’t eat spicy or heating food these days.”
Gu Fei’s tone was his usual calm, his expression serious. He removed the chicken from the boy’s bowl and put some lighter dishes in its place.
An QingYan: “…”
Realizing something, his cheeks silently flushed, his head bowed lower. He ate silently, increasingly faster.
Seeing this, Yu Qingtong remembered the red marks on An QingYan’s neck that afternoon, supposedly mosquito bites… those weren’t mosquito bites!
She finally understood, glaring at her son before smiling kindly at An QingYan, “YanYan, eating bland food is good for your health.”
“Mm…” An QingYan wished he could disappear. He quickly finished his food, “Um, I’m full, you guys eat slowly.”
Then, blushing, he turned and left, disappearing in a moment.
Yu Qingtong’s smile vanished, her face stern as she looked at Gu Fei, who was faintly smiling, helplessly scolding, “I said, don’t you know YanYan is shy?”
Gu Fei said nothing, eating quietly.
After dinner, mother and son strolled in the backyard. Yu Qingtong decided to have a heart-to-heart with her son. Looking at the dark blue night sky, a few faint stars twinkled.
“It’s been seven years since your father passed,” she sighed.
When her husband died in a car accident, Yu Qingtong felt like her world had collapsed. She felt hopeless, wishing she were dead.
Fortunately, there was Gu Fei, her son.
Even for her son, she had to live on.
Gu Fei was only twenty then, a university student. His father’s death was a huge blow, but he couldn’t afford to grieve.
He needed to handle his father’s affairs and take over Gu’s Corporation. He was busy with almost no time to rest, but he got through it.
Looking at the silent Gu Fei, Yu Qingtong smiled, patting his shoulder, “Son, your father would be proud of you.”
“Mm.” Gu Fei nodded, seriously, “I’m proud of him too.”
Yu Qingtong smiled, “My biggest worry is you. You’ve always been cold, few friends, let alone dating, falling in love, or getting married and having kids.”
“I’m worried about you, always so lonely. When I’m gone, you’ll be all alone, without a companion.”
Gu Fei’s lips moved, hesitating, ultimately saying nothing. He didn’t feel lonely; it was his normal life, and he didn’t need a partner, let alone marriage.
But since meeting An QingYan, his thoughts had changed.
“Now that you have YanYan, I’m relieved.” Yu Qingtong smiled with relief, “I can see you really like YanYan, and YanYan likes you too.”
“You know, this afternoon when YanYan confessed, he was so nervous and conflicted. After he finished, he thought I’d object to your relationship.”
“He immediately apologized, saying it was his fault, that he was the one who fell for Gu Fei first. He said he deserved any punishment, but please don’t blame Gu Fei.”
“He loves you so much…”
Hearing Yu Qingtong, Gu Fei paused. He couldn’t describe the feeling; it was like his heart was wrapped in soft cotton candy, so sweet.
Even the night’s cold wind felt gentle.
He slightly tilted his head, looking at the twinkling stars, his deep eyes seeming softer than the night. He said earnestly, “We’ll always be together.”
“Of course! Let me tell you, if you dare to bully YanYan or treat him badly, I’ll be the first to not let you off. I’m risking a falling out with your Aunt Shuman to support you two!”
Yu Qingtong’s tone softened, “I learned online, and your Aunt Shuman told me, YanYan had a rough time before.”
Shuman had cried while telling her.
She looked at Gu Fei seriously, “So son, you really need to treat YanYan well, don’t let him suffer anymore, okay?”
——
Two days later, the An family car stopped outside the Gu residence. An Fu, An Mu, An Jing, and An Yu came to pick An QingYan up.
Having lived at the Gu residence for so long, An QingYan had a lot of luggage. Clothes and shoes alone filled several suitcases, all provided by Gu Fei.
Gu Fei didn’t let him take everything, leaving most behind. The boy would be back anyway; moving things back and forth was a hassle. The man stated this firmly.
An QingYan mumbled something. When did he say he’d be back? Though he said that, he followed the man’s instructions, packing only some belongings, leaving the rest.
He left the wooden rabbit on the bedside table in the Gu residence. “Fei Ge, this rabbit has been with me since I was little, I’m leaving it here.”
“When you sleep and wake up, you’ll see it first, and remember me.”
The boy’s eyes curved as he said this.
Gu Fei picked up the delicately crafted wooden rabbit, his fingertips gently caressing its head, seemingly lost in thought. After a while, a smile appeared on his face, “Will YanYan miss Fei Ge too?”
“Mm!” The boy nodded solemnly.
After a while, he said, “Fei Ge, I want orange juice.”
Gu Fei readily agreed, “Okay, wait.”
He ruffled the boy’s hair and turned to leave.
An QingYan watched his back, quickly closed the door, then returned to the dressing room, his gaze sweeping across the neatly arranged clothes, finally settling on a familiar white shirt.
He took the shirt, opened his suitcase, carefully folded it, placed it at the very bottom of the suitcase, hid it, and zipped it up.
——
The rooftop terrace was quiet. Gu Fei and An Jing sat side-by-side on the sofa. He lit a cigarette and offered the pack to An Jing.
“So worried you’re smoking,” An Jing knew his friend didn’t usually smoke. He also lit one, smoke curling around them.
“Gu Fei, what do you want to say?” An Jing asked.
Gu Fei slowly took a drag, then held the cigarette between his fingers, letting the ash fall. His voice was slightly hoarse:
“YanYan doesn’t like fish, celery, or cilantro. He usually prefers fruits and vegetables, eating less meat. It’s not balanced; you need to tell him to eat more meat.”
“He likes sweets, like cakes and puddings, but don’t let him eat too much.”
“Remember to have him drink a glass of warm milk before bed.”
“And, he’s introverted and sensitive, keeping things to himself, not wanting to bother others. Pay attention to his emotions.”
…
“…” An Jing’s hand holding the cigarette trembled slightly.
Was this still the cold, aloof, and taciturn friend he’d known for over twenty years? He sounded like a mother fretting over her son, detailing every single thing.
And still with a calm expression!
Gu Fei seriously asked, “Did you remember?”
An Jing: “Re… remembered.”
Gu Fei: “Then repeat it.”
An Jing: “?!” That’s going too far!!
But he had listened. Using years of experience memorizing lines, he easily repeated what had been said, “Mr. Gu, are you satisfied?”
“Actually, you don’t need to tell me. I’ll take care of him. He’s my brother.”
Gu Fei didn’t speak, silent for a moment, before saying:
“There’s something you need to know.”
“YanYan… doesn’t feel pain.”
——
“Then we’ll go.”
“Be careful on the road. YanYan, remember to visit Auntie often.”
“Mm, I will. Goodbye, Auntie.” An QingYan looked at the man less than two steps away, wanting to hug him, but hesitated, his family was nearby.
“Goodbye, Fei Ge.” He smiled at Gu Fei.
As soon as he finished speaking, the man took two steps forward, opening his arms to embrace An QingYan. The boy, somewhat at a loss, let his hands hang down, not returning the hug.
To others, it was just a polite embrace. But An QingYan heard the man’s whispered words in his ear, magnetic and gentle: “Baby, see you later.”
Then, Gu Fei released him. His handsome face remained calm and composed, but his eyes held a gentler smile, his pupils reflecting the boy’s figure.
“YanYan, we’re going now.”
An QingYan was flustered, stunned for a moment before saying okay, hurriedly getting into the car.