On the day Nie Shanglin was discharged from the hospital, the weather was beautiful.

Cheng Zhou asked for Nie Shanglin’s address. Upon learning that Nie Shanglin now lived in the room they had once shared, he showed no surprise or astonishment and drove the two of them home.

Although there was a scar on Nie Shanglin’s leg, it didn’t affect his mobility much. He just needed some time to recuperate before he could fully recover.

Once they got home, Cheng Zhou briefly gave a few instructions and asked, “Is there food at home?”

Nie Shanglin had been watching him the whole time: “I fired the housekeeper, so no one has been restocking the food in the fridge during this time.”

Cheng Zhou nodded thoughtfully. “Then I’ll go buy some for you.”

Nie Shanglin immediately grabbed his jacket. “I’ll go with you.”

“No need, I can go by myself,” Cheng Zhou said, waving his hand in refusal as he walked to the entrance. “You should rest for now, your leg can’t handle intense activity yet.”

Nie Shanglin looked at his leg and, fearing that he would burden Cheng Zhou, could only suppress the urge to go with him. “Alright, come back soon.”

Cheng Zhou responded with a light “mm.”

After Cheng Zhou left, Nie Shanglin began to feel restless. He was afraid that Cheng Zhou might not return, and even more terrified that the past few months had merely been an illusion, and that when he woke up, everything would be gone.

Fortunately, it was only an hour later when Cheng Zhou hurried back with bags in hand. Nie Shanglin quickly stepped forward to take the bags, asking if he was tired and if he needed to rest.

Cheng Zhou made lunch, and the two of them ate together.

After finishing the meal, Cheng Zhou cleaned up the dishes and said to Nie Shanglin, “I’ve explained everything that needed to be explained. When it’s time for the follow-up check, I’ll accompany you. There’s food in the fridge, so you can hire a caregiver when you need one. If anything urgent comes up, you can contact me. I’ll head back now.”

“Back?” Nie Shanglin stood up anxiously at the words. “Where are you going back to?”

Cheng Zhou looked at him curiously and replied, “Home.”

Nie Shanglin stepped forward and grabbed his wrist. “This is your home.”

Cheng Zhou shook his head. “This is you home. I said, if you have any urgent matters, just call me, and I’ll rush over. After all, you got hurt because of me.”

Nie Shanglin felt that speaking was somewhat difficult. “You’ve been with me these past few months just because I got hurt for you?”

Cheng Zhou nodded. “Yes, I feel very sorry for your injury, and I’m also immensely grateful. Fortunately, the injury isn’t serious; it’s just that you lost a bit of blood. After a while, you’ll fully recover, and then I can feel more at ease.”

Nie Shanglin tightened his grip on Cheng Zhou’s wrist. “Just out of sorry and to ease your conscience?”

Cheng Zhou removed his hand. “Regardless of the nature of our relationship, at the very least, I am someone who knows how to be grateful. If you need any help, just call me.”

Hearing this, Nie Shanglin felt an overwhelming surge of emotion. He realized that the ‘mending of past grievances’ and ‘reconciliation’ over the past few months were merely his beautiful illusions. Unable to contain himself, he pushed Cheng Zhou down onto the sofa. Nie Shanglin locked Cheng Zhou’s arms above his head, closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he took Cheng Zhou’s injured hand to his lips and gently kissed it with great care. In a hoarse voice, he asked, “But what about the injury on your hand? Why did you instinctively block that wooden plank for me?”

At that moment, Nie Shanglin felt a mix of heartache and uncontrollable joy when he saw Cheng Zhou block the wooden plank for him. Cheng Zhou’s instinctive act of saving him might mean that he still held some feelings for him deep down, even if he wouldn’t admit it.

Cheng Zhou then realized what was happening. He forcefully broke free from Nie Shanglin’s grip and pulled his hand back, furrowing his brow and rubbing it vigorously.

Thinking about how Nie Shanglin had once affectionately kissed Cheng Yuze’s forehead, Cheng Zhou’s grip on his own hand tightened, filled with an uncontainable sense of disgust.

The disgust in Cheng Zhou’s eyes was too apparent, leaving Nie Shanglin stunned.

Cheng Zhou looked up at Nie Shanglin and said slowly, “Even if it were just a cat or dog in that situation, I would still try to save it. If I couldn’t, I would feel anxious and sad, leaving a shadow on my fragile heart for a lifetime. What’s more, you were trying to save me at that time. So, it means that no matter who it is, I would instinctively try to help in that situation. After all, I’m a well-rounded, enthusiastic, and lovable model citizen. Do you understand what I mean?”

Nie Shanglin didn’t believe it: “That can’t be the same.”

Cheng Zhou was taken aback and smiled, “Yeah, how could it be the same? At least I don’t dislike cats or dogs, or other strangers; they haven’t done anything to hurt me. Your leg injury and my back pain can be considered even, but saying that means I lost out by saving you.”

After finishing his sentence, Cheng Zhou tried to get up but was once again pushed back down onto the sofa by Nie Shanglin.

Nie Shanglin looked down at him, his eyes already red: “I don’t believe you really have no feelings for me.”

Clearly, they had been getting along well not long ago. When Cheng Zhou was taking care of him, they shared good times and laughter’s. Just few days ago, Cheng Zhou had mentioned that once he recovered, they could go home together.

Cheng Zhou sighed and said, “Nie Shanglin, I admit that I don’t have no feelings for you.” After pausing for a moment, he continued calmly, “For a while, every time I saw you, I felt sick. I couldn’t help it. Do you know how much self-control I had to use just to greet you calmly?”

Nie Shanglin was stunned.

Cheng Zhou continued, “Every time I think about what you’ve done, like the kiss you left on Cheng Yuze’s forehead, the indifference I faced, the pain I endured, and the foolish things I did, I really feel sick. It’s like having a stomachache—my stomach churns, and I want to throw up.”

Cheng Zhou pushed away the confused Nie Shanglin and said, “I thank you for saving my life, and I’ll help you with any difficulties in the future, but don’t get too close to me. It’s really disgusting.”