Perhaps it was because Xie Dongcheng was exposed to the cold wind outside the bank yesterday, but he actually caught a cold early the next morning.

This person was usually as strong as an ox, enduring the sun and rain for so many days without any issues. They had lived together for so long, yet this was the first time Yu Zi had seen him sick. Xie Dongcheng’s cold wasn’t severe, but he kept coughing, indicating that he shouldn’t go out again and expose himself to the cold.

Originally, the two of them were supposed to visit a site and then find a renovation company that day. But because Xie Dongcheng fell ill, everything was put on hold.

Yu Zi thought about it and decided to go to the pharmacy downstairs to get him two boxes of cold medicine. When he got home, he saw Xie Dongcheng standing in front of the fish tank wearing only a vest, coughing while tending to his fish.

“Aren’t you afraid of infecting the fish?” Yu Zi threw the medicine to him.

“I’m fine,” Xie Dongcheng replied while coughing.

“Yeah, you’re fine. You’ll be comfortable with a fever of 40 degrees tonight,” Yu Zi sarcastically remarked as Xie Dongcheng took the medicine and drank it with hot water.

The sky outside the window was still gloomy, and the air pressure on the fifth floor seemed low. The house was very quiet.

He slept for the whole afternoon and woke up in the evening. When he woke up, he sat up, feeling much more comfortable, probably just a spontaneous wind-cold infection.

When Xie Dongcheng got up from the sofa, he found Yu Zi cooking porridge in the kitchen.

“Is this how you cook it?” Yu Zi heard him approaching from behind and opened the lid to show him.

Yu Zi had hardly ever cooked in his life, and the few times were mostly at Xie Dongcheng’s house.

Xie Dongcheng took a look and nodded approvingly, “Yes.”

Yu Zi served the porridge and brought it to the coffee table. Then he watched as Xie Dongcheng drank half a bowl.

Yu Zi had no appetite and looked down at his phone. Just as he was about to lock the screen, his phone rang.

Two words were flashing on the screen: Sheng Chuan.

What was he calling for at this hour? Yu Zi found it strange but still answered the call.

Xie Dongcheng also saw the name on his phone and looked up at him with his pitch-black eyes, like a wild deer.

Yu Zi casually responded a few times and then hung up. Xie Dongcheng didn’t hear what the other person said.

Soon, Yu Zi put on his coat and prepared to go out.

“Where are you going?” Xie Dongcheng asked from behind.

“Drinking.”

“With that Sheng Chuan?”

“Yes.” Yu Zi nodded and wrapped a scarf around his neck before walking out.

Xie Dongcheng stood up but didn’t say anything.

Sheng Chuan had said it was rare to meet up and wanted to catch up with Yu Zi. After thinking about it, Yu Zi agreed since Sheng Chuan had helped him with the bank matter yesterday. Besides, it had been a long time since they sat down together for a drink.

Sheng Chuan sent him a series of addresses. When Yu Zi opened them, he found them somewhat familiar. He called a taxi and went over.

Upon arriving at the location, Yu Zi found that it was the same bar they used to frequent. Before Sheng Chuan went to Australia, it happened to be his coming-of-age ceremony, and they held a party for him here.

As soon as Yu Zi entered the bar, he felt his eyes blinded by the lights. Perhaps it had been too long since he had been in such a place, and he felt somewhat uncomfortable.

He was wearing a thick coat and a woolen scarf, which made him stand out among the crowd.

He took off the scarf and hung it on his arm as he walked inside. After just a few steps through the crowd, he spotted Sheng Chuan had reserved a large booth.

“You’re crazy, reserving such a big booth just for yourself. Trying to show off your wealth?” Yu Zi couldn’t help but tease him as he approached.

“The owner was willing to reserve it for me,” Sheng Chuan replied. Hearing Yu Zi’s familiar sarcastic tone after all these years brought back some fond memories.

“You know I’m broke, yet you invite me to such an expensive place. You rich people only know how to waste money.”

“I didn’t ask you to foot the bill, did I?” Sheng Chuan didn’t mince words, giving Yu Zi a sarcastic look. “You’ve really changed, Yu Zi. You used to be more extravagant.”

Yu Zi spat, “Bah. You’d change too if you went bankrupt.”

Yu Zi thought to himself that Sheng Chuan had changed more than just his fortune. He seemed like a different person altogether.

“Here’s your drink,” Sheng Chuan pushed a fancy glass towards Yu Zi.

Yu Zi didn’t hesitate to take it, gulping down a sip before remaining silent for several seconds with lowered eyelids.

After a while, he looked at Sheng Chuan and said, “This expensive wine tastes good.”

Sheng Chuan laughed at his lack of restraint and then asked, “What are you busy with now?”

“Just busy with odd jobs, working as a laborer,” Yu Zi said with a helpless smile.

“Don’t give me that. Yesterday, the manager contacted me, saying you’re planning to open a shop?” Sheng Chuan inquired.

“Nothing’s set in stone yet,” Yu Zi didn’t want to explain too much to Sheng Chuan.

Sheng Chuan cleared his throat and tentatively asked, “How about I lend you some money? You can pay me back when you have money.”

“I’m not that desperate yet.” Yu Zi didn’t want to borrow money from him. They had grown up together, and while Yu Zi could earn money from anyone, even taking bank loans, he couldn’t use Sheng Chuan’s own money. If he really borrowed it, he would owe Sheng Chuan a debt of gratitude that he couldn’t repay. He didn’t like that feeling.

Knowing that he had his pride, Sheng Chuan didn’t insist. He changed the subject, “Who was that guy yesterday? Your new boyfriend?”

Yu Zi had come out with Sheng Chuan back in high school. They could hang out together because they shared the same sexual orientation. However, over the years, despite both being good-looking, they had never seen eye to eye.

Yu Zi knew he was asking about Xie Dongcheng. He smirked and shook his head, “No.”

Sheng Chuan chuckled, “Don’t lie to me. That guy was practically glued to you.”

“I’m not lying to you. He’s straight.”

Sheng Chuan hesitated for a while before saying, “Yu Zi, be careful.”

“Why?” Yu Zi finished his drink and looked up at him.

“Don’t mess with straight guys.”

“Do you need to remind me?”

After chatting for a while, Yu Zi learned that Sheng Chuan’s family hadn’t been peaceful in recent years either. After expanding their business, there had been intense factional struggles among his uncles and cousins. Yu Zi didn’t inquire further, but he guessed that Sheng Chuan had suffered quite a bit because of it.

Yu Zi initially thought that Sheng Chuan had invited him over for a wild night out, but surprisingly, Sheng Chuan only stayed for over half an hour before getting up to leave.

He glanced at his phone, looking like he was facing a major enemy, “Alright, I have to go back now.”

Yu Zi found it unbelievable, “Seriously? You’re this old and your parents still have a curfew for you?”

“Don’t spread rumors.” Sheng Chuan stuffed his phone into his coat pocket. “It’s my secretary who called me.”

Yu Zi had heard some gossip about him and his male secretary and couldn’t help but burst out laughing, “Even you have days like this, Sheng Chuan? Protect your butt!”

“Shut up!” Sheng Chuan said, but didn’t stop moving, quickly leaving the bar. Yu Zi followed behind him and saw him urgently get into his sports car and speed away.

You’re the last person to advise me. Yu Zi thought to himself.

After leaving the bar, instead of calling a cab, Yu Zi turned around and took the subway. He glanced at the time on his phone; it was not even ten o’clock yet, so he should be able to catch the last train.

The reason was simple. Taking a taxi at night would incur extra charges, and he didn’t want to waste money like that.

When he arrived home, it was already past eleven at night.

He noticed that the living room light was still on through the crack in the door. This was unusual. Usually, when there was nothing going on, Xie Dongcheng would turn off the lights and go to bed early at eleven.

He gently opened the door and saw Xie Dongcheng sitting on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, staring at the fish tank, unmoving.

“Aren’t you sleeping yet?” Yu Zi took off his coat and hung it on the rack. “Still watching the fish?”

He only knew of people watching eagles, never thought he’d see someone watching fish.

Xie Dongcheng didn’t answer but coughed several times in a row, indicating that his cold had not yet completely healed.

Yu Zi only realized how cold it was in the room after taking off his coat. This year was unusual; usually, after the beginning of winter, the heating in North City would start, but this year it was delayed. Xie Dongcheng’s house was on the fifth floor, the top floor of the building, and the roof of this old house was not insulated. It was getting colder day by day due to the cold wind blowing every day.

“Why is it so cold?” he couldn’t help but ask as he rubbed his hands and touched the radiator by the wall, which was colder than his heart.

“There’s a notice posted on the unit door, saying that the pipes in this area need repairs, so heating will be delayed by fifteen days this year,” Xie Dongcheng stopped coughing and replied.

Yu Zi rubbed his hands together and then touched his own icy ears. It would be another fifteen days, and the temperature was dropping every day, almost reaching below zero. How would he get through the next half month?

His bedroom was okay; there was an oil heater by the bed for warmth. But the living room faced northwest, usually didn’t get any sunlight, and was always chilly. Now that winter had arrived, it was like an ice cellar at night.

Yu Zi went to the room, got out of his clothes and took a hot shower in the bathroom. That helped him regain some energy. As he walked out of the bathroom, he saw Xie Dongcheng still sitting there like a Buddha, looking somewhat pitiful.

Yu Zi walked past him, then pushed open the bedroom door and walked in. After a couple of seconds, he turned back out and leaned his head out to ask Xie Dongcheng.

“Hey, do you want to come in and sleep?”