Chapter 106
Shen Yisi held him tightly, muttering “Little Yu, Little Yu.”
Shen Shuyu was silent for a moment before hugging him back.
Shen Yisi held on tight, as if afraid Shen Shuyu would leave. Shen Shuyu felt a bit breathless. He patted Shen Yisi’s back soothingly and asked gently, “What’s wrong, Brother?”
He heard Shen Yisi sigh heavily in his ear. Then, Shen Yisi released him. Shen Yisi’s face was flushed from the alcohol. He raised a hand to stroke Shen Shuyu’s head. “Go rest.”
With that, he leaned back against the sofa and closed his eyes, his knuckles massaging his temples. He seemed a bit more sober.
Shen Shuyu blinked. He sensed Shen Yisi was in a bad mood, but since Shen Yisi dismissed him, asking more probably wouldn’t yield answers.
Shen Shuyu said, “You sleep early too, Brother. I’m going upstairs.”
He stood up and shuffled upstairs in his slippers. Only after the footsteps disappeared did Shen Yisi open his eyes. His head rested against the sofa back as his narrow eyes looked toward the second-floor landing.
After a long while, he let out another heavy sigh.
Back in his room, Shen Shuyu instinctively felt that Shen Yisi had been acting strange today. He called out to the System as usual, but there was still no response.
He burrowed into his blankets, staring blankly at the ceiling light. It took a long time before he rolled over.
Shen Shuyu felt a vague stifling sensation in his chest. He felt like something was wrong, something he had missed.
Like a major event was brewing.
He needed to contact the System as soon as possible.
But how?
Shen Shuyu buried his head in the blanket irritably. He’d just have to take it step by step.
The next day, Shen Shuyu woke up specially early. When he went downstairs, Shen Yisi was sitting at the dining table eating breakfast. He wasn’t wearing a suit today, but casual clothes. He wore plain glasses, and his usually styled hair was down. The sharp edge he usually carried was diminished, making him look several years younger.
Shen Yisi was only a few years older than Shen Shuyu anyway, but years in the business world had matured his temperament.
Seeing Shen Shuyu, Shen Yisi put down his coffee cup and smiled. “Good morning. Why up so early?”
Shen Yisi showed no trace of last night’s drunkenness. Shen Shuyu walked over, and the housekeeper immediately set a place for him.
Shen Shuyu said, “Brother, why are you up so early? Isn’t it your day off?”
“Habit.” Shen Yisi took a sip of coffee. “Why are you up so early?”
He glanced at his watch. Usually, Shen Shuyu would still be dreaming.
Shen Shuyu made up an excuse. “The anniversary is next month. I’m in a program. First rehearsal is today.”
Shen Yisi chuckled. “When is the performance? Brother will come support you.”
Shen Shuyu said, “End of next month. I’m playing the big villain.”
Shen Yisi laughed. “Alright, big villain.”
Shen Shuyu picked up a piece of toast. “By the way, Brother, why did you drink so much yesterday? First time I’ve seen you like that.”
Shen Yisi asked, “Did I scare you?”
“Nothing to be scared of.” Shen Shuyu took a bite of toast. “I’m not that fragile.”
Shen Yisi said, “Yue Cheng and I were reminiscing about our youth yesterday. Drank a few too many. Just feeling sentimental about the past.”
Shen Shuyu chewed slowly. “So that’s it. But Brother, how old are you and Brother Yue Cheng to be reminiscing about the past? Isn’t it too early? If you reminisce now, what will you do when you’re old?”
Shen Yisi peeled an egg for Shen Shuyu. Just as he was about to place it on his plate, hearing Shen Shuyu’s words, he said helplessly, “Big villain, just eat your breakfast. Stop talking.”
Shen Shuyu took the peeled egg and bit into it. “Eating.”
Shen Yisi sighed. “By the way, I have to go on a business trip next week. Don’t know when I’ll be back. Don’t tear the roof down while I’m gone.”
“Business trip again.” Shen Shuyu nodded. “Don’t worry, I’m not a kid.”
Shen Yisi expressed doubt. He added, “I’ll bring you a gift when I return.”
“Okay.” Shen Shuyu saluted. “I promise the house will be in one piece when you get back.”
Shen Yisi looked at him, and they smiled at each other.
Although Shen Yisi wasn’t going to the office, he still had work to handle at home. Shen Shuyu dawdled a bit. He had made up an excuse, so now he had to go out.
He looked up at the blue sky, wondering where to go.
Right!
Shen Shuyu realized where he should go. He called a car on his terminal and gave the hospital’s name.
He had told Wen Jiafei he would visit Wen Yue when he had time. Today was perfect.
He messaged Wen Jiafei. Wen Jiafei was at the hospital too; his bar shift was later, so he was free in the morning.
Shen Shuyu arrived at the hospital smoothly. Wen Jiafei was at the ground floor payment counter.
He was holding some fruit.
Wen Jiafei glanced at it. Shen Shuyu said, “Etiquette.”
Wen Jiafei withdrew his gaze. They walked to the elevator. Shen Shuyu asked, “Is Auntie awake?”
“No, still sleeping.” Wen Jiafei organized the payment receipts.
Shen Shuyu said “Oh.” Seeing Wen Jiafei press thirteen, he asked, “Why go to the 13th floor?”
Wasn’t Wen Yue on the 8th floor?
Wen Jiafei explained, “She’s been transferred to a regular ward.”
The cost of the 8th floor was heavy, so after Wen Yue stabilized, Dr. An moved her to a regular ward.
“That’s great,” Shen Shuyu said. “Regular ward means she’ll be well soon. Congratulations, Wen Jiafei.”
Shen Shuyu was smiling broadly. Wen Jiafei saw it clearly in the elevator reflection. His heart felt lighter.
They reached the twelfth floor. It was busier than the eighth, with patients walking slowly in the corridors.
Wen Jiafei led Shen Shuyu to the end of the hall. It was quieter there. Wen Jiafei pushed the door open and entered first, with Shen Shuyu following close behind.
There were two beds in the room, separated by a curtain.
Wen Yue was in the bed by the window. The patient in the outer bed wasn’t there; likely out walking.
Wen Jiafei looked back at Shen Shuyu, who was following obediently. Seeing Wen Jiafei look at him, Shen Shuyu asked blankly, “Why are you looking at me?”
Before Wen Jiafei could speak, a female voice spoke up.
“Is that Jiafei?”
Shen Shuyu looked past the curtain. Wen Jiafei walked quickly to the window bed. Wen Yue had woken up at some point. Lying in bed, seeing Wen Jiafei, she smiled gently.
Wen Jiafei pulled the curtain back, brightening the room and revealing Shen Shuyu standing nearby.
Shen Shuyu looked at Wen Yue. She lay in bed, still looking weak and thin, but much better than when he saw her on the eighth floor.
Wen Yue looked at Shen Shuyu with confusion, then at Wen Jiafei. Wen Jiafei didn’t know how to explain, but Shen Shuyu reacted first. Holding the fruit, he walked to the bedside and said enthusiastically, “Hello Auntie, I’m Shen Shuyu, Jiafei’s friend. We’re classmates.”
Wen Yue’s expression brightened. “Friend?”
She repeated the word. Shen Shuyu nodded. “Yes, Jiafei’s friend. Heard you were doing better, so I came to visit since it’s Saturday.”
Wen Yue noticed the fruit. “You shouldn’t have brought anything.”
She coughed a few times, trying to sit up, but had no strength.
Shen Shuyu said, “Hey, don’t move, just lie down.”
Wen Yue was very happy. She stared at Shen Shuyu, a gentle smile on her face.
Wen Jiafei silently raised the head of the bed for her. Wen Yue beckoned, “Shuyu, sit.”
Shen Shuyu didn’t stand on ceremony and sat on the stool. Wen Yue looked at Wen Jiafei. “Jiafei, go wash some fruit for Shuyu.”
Wen Jiafei went to the bedside cabinet, opened it, and took out fresh apples he had bought last night. The doctor said she could eat some fruit to help recovery.
There was a sink in the room. Shen Shuyu watched Wen Jiafei standing nearby, diligently washing apples. For some reason, he felt a secret thrill.
After all, the future big villain was washing apples for him. It was hard not to feel smug.
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