Chapter 13: Who is that man?

Due to his back issues, he couldn’t cook, and he didn’t want to eat outside. In the end, He Shi, with his rather ordinary culinary skills, prepared a bowl of noodles for him and only left after wreaking havoc on his stomach. Before leaving, he couldn’t resist a couple of nagging remarks.

“For the next couple of days, take a break and rest. Don’t let your back give you trouble at thirty. Tonight, assess the situation. If your back still hurts and your foot isn’t better in the morning, give me a call. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“I understand.” Because his foot was inconvenient, Su Lixu sat on the sofa, watching He Shi, who kept talking even while standing at the entrance.

“Alright, I’m leaving.” He Shi put on his coat.

“Drive safely.”

“Mm.”

The home door closed slowly, accompanied by the sound of the password lock “beeping,” securing the door.

Just as He Shi had left for less than two minutes, the doorbell suddenly rang. Su Lixu looked puzzled. Could it be that He Shi forgot something? Supporting himself with the sofa, he stood up; the location of his twisted back was still uncomfortable, and there was a soreness when he put weight on his foot. With difficulty, he made his way to the door.

“Did you forget something? I didn’t see anything here—”

As the door opened, he saw Fu Xingran crouching at the doorway, a towering figure holding something, looking up at him with a pitiful gaze, resembling a large loyal dog, staring at its owner who had abandoned it in extreme distress.

“Xingran? Why are you crouching here?”

.

Fu Xingran stood up. He had been crouching at the door for quite a while, making his feet somewhat numb. When he stood up, he could still feel the tingling pain as the numbness and soreness dispersed. However, none of the discomfort from before compared to the unease caused by what he had just witnessed.

He had crouched for as long as Su Lixu and the other man were inside. When the man left, he hid in the nearby stairwell. It was only after the man had gone that he came back and rang the doorbell.

The moment he saw Su Lixu, he didn’t utter a word; his eyes instantly turned red.Su Lixu, seeing Fu Xingran suddenly start to cry, was momentarily stunned. Ignoring the soreness in his lower back and ankle, he asked, “What happened? Did you have a fight with your dad?”

Perhaps it was Su Lixu’s overly gentle tone, but Fu Xingran, locking eyes with Su Lixu’s concerned gaze, found it even harder to accept what he had witnessed and the myriad possibilities flashing through his mind.

He took a few steps forward, standing in front of Su Lixu. “Brother, are you in a romantic relationship?”

Su Lixu hadn’t processed this question yet. As Fu Xingran approached, the overwhelming sense of height difference hit him, and then he caught a whiff of the August night osmanthus fragrance on the guy.

Directly meeting Fu Xingran’s flushed and moist eyes, the deep resentment and bitterness in his gaze made the question sound like an accusation.

“Me?” he countered.

How could he not know if he was in a romantic relationship?

“Who is that man?” Fu Xingran didn’t beat around the bush, staring at Su Lixu, tightly gripping the string of the gift bag. “Why can he carry you? Why did he come to your house? Why did he stay for so long before leaving? You two, were you…”

He choked up midway.

In truth, he wanted to ask, ‘What were you doing inside?’ but he was afraid of hearing unpleasant things, afraid of seeing Su Lixu’s awkward expression, afraid that his questions would make Su Lixu uncomfortable.

Hearing Fu Xingran’s series of questions, Su Lixu’s expression changed. Did this guy squat here for the entire afternoon? His gaze fell on the bag Fu Xingran held, his brows slightly furrowed. Could it be that he saw him with He Shi when he came to find him?

“Fu Xingran, you—”

“I understand,” Fu Xingran muttered, as if confirming a certain speculation in his mind. He could no longer control his emotions.

In the quiet corridor of the two-apartment complex, it was extraordinarily silent. The large young man in front of him looked so devastated, as if he had been abandoned by the whole world. His shoulders slumped, tears silently streaming down, a picture of extreme grievance.Su Lixu leaned against the door frame, feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation at the sight of Fu Xingran crying. He understood? What did he understand?

Finally, seeing Fu Xingran cry so sadly, Su Lixu couldn’t help but burst into laughter. It was a feeling akin to wanting to laugh when seeing a child crying at home.

Fu Xingran abruptly stopped crying halfway, staring at Su Lixu in astonishment at his teasing expression, feeling even more wronged. “Why are you laughing? You’re laughing at me again. I’m sad; I’m really sad.”

“I know you’re very sad.” Su Lixu found it hard to stop laughing. He walked up to Fu Xingran, raised his hand, and used the back of his hand to wipe away the tears. Helplessly, he said, “But at least let me finish speaking before you start crying, or else you’re sad for no reason.”

Fu Xingran caught a whiff of the medicinal scent on Su Lixu’s hand and suddenly froze.

“He is my classmate, He Shi. We accidentally twisted our backs and feet while playing basketball, and he carried me back.” Su Lixu explained, “You should be familiar with He Shi, your psychology professor.

“Fu Xingran: “…”

“So, can you tell me what you know now?” Su Lixu asked with a smile.

Meeting Su Lixu’s teasing gaze, Fu Xingran suddenly seemed to realize what he had just done. His ears turned red, and he silently lowered his gaze. He didn’t look at Su Lixu at all, only wishing there was a hole he could disappear into.

After all speculations were denied, the joy in his heart gradually overcame the previous embarrassment. He reached out and pressed the hand Su Lixu used to wipe his tears, then lifted his head.

“So, Brother, you’re not in a romantic relationship with him, right?”

Su Lixu found this absurd question somewhat amusing. “Where did you get the idea that I’m in a romantic relationship?”

Fu Xingran pursed his lips, trying to contain his joy. In the end, upon hearing this answer, he couldn’t hold back the subtle curve of his mouth, and the delight in his eyes was evident. “That’s good.”

“So, you spent the whole afternoon squatting here just because of this assumption?” Su Lixu asked.

“Yeah.”

“Silly, isn’t it?”

“Silly,” Fu Xingran nodded earnestly.

Su Lixu couldn’t help but laugh again, flicking Fu Xingran’s forehead with his fingers. “Come in, little fool.”

Saying that, he hobbled inside.

Fu Xingran only now noticed how Su Lixu walked, and his eyebrows furrowed suddenly. He took a quick step forward.

Su Lixu hadn’t reacted when his whole body was lifted into the air. Instinctively, he hugged Fu Xingran, who was holding him horizontally. With a cry of surprise, he looked up at Fu Xingran, his expression astonished.

His gaze fell on Fu Xingran’s tense jawline. From the side, the contours were even sharper, exuding a completely matured charm, devoid of the youthful innocence. If this guy were a bit older, it would be extraordinary.

Fu Xingran placed Su Lixu on the sofa, placed the gift aside, and then squatted in front of him. He glanced at the bare feet and ankles without shoes, finally accurately grasping the seemingly swollen right foot.

Perhaps because his hands were cold, at the moment of contact, Fu Xingran saw Su Lixu’s foot flinch, as if plucking heartstrings. Even such a slight movement could make his heart tremble.

“Does it hurt?”

Meeting Fu Xingran’s concerned gaze, perhaps due to the excessively gentle tone, Su Lixu had a moment of trance. After a brief moment, he felt surprised again. This guy actually cared about people.

“It’s fine.”

“It’s clearly hurting. Look at how swollen it is.” Fu Xingran lowered his head, looking at the swollen and bruised ankle. Compared to the other foot, it was quite obvious, making him feel particularly uneasy. “Can you still go to school like this?”

“It’s just a common sprain. I had emergency treatment on the court. It’s not very serious; a few days of rest will make it better.”

“What do you mean ‘not very serious’? This is very serious!” Fu Xingran responded with annoyance. “Look, your two feet are completely different now. Why didn’t you just go to the hospital? Simple treatment might not be enough to handle it properly.”

“It has already reduced a bit,” Su Lixu lowered his head, moving his foot for a serious comparison.

“Don’t move randomly!” Fu Xingran glared fiercely at Su Lixu, grabbing his calf to prevent any movement.

Seeing Fu Xingran’s fierce appearance and recalling the tears he shed without saying anything earlier, Su Lixu pursed his lips and couldn’t help but laugh.

Fu Xingran was puzzled by Su Lixu’s laughter. He cleared his throat, asking, “What are you laughing at?”

Su Lixu laughed, “The boy who used to hide in the corner has grown up and learned to care about people.”

Patients with borderline personality disorder have intense emotions, and dealing with them requires patience, as a hard approach never leads to results.

So, no matter what reasons led him to leave four years ago, he left an indelible mark in Fu Xingran’s heart. It was regrettable for him that the child who could have gradually improved under his care was interrupted in his treatment.

The current Fu Xingran is vivid, bright, and dazzling compared to four years ago.

Just like that day passing by the basketball court, playing basketball with classmates. If it were four years ago, Fu Xingran wouldn’t have been willing to interact in a group, undoubtedly a significant improvement.

Regardless of how Fu Xingran is in front of others or in front of Mr. Fu, at least in front of him, Fu Xingran is consciously and purposefully changing. For this reason, he is naturally willing to guide Fu Xingran to turn this conscious change from himself to everyone.

Consider it as making up for the regret of that year.

“So, does big brother think I’m different from before?” When Fu Xingran heard Su Lixu say this, he suddenly wanted to know.

“The same.”

Fu Xingran’s eyes darkened slightly, as if a sense of gloom descended. “The sa-same?”

He almost forgot Su Lixu’s profession. Could it be that he saw through his disguise? But he should look much better now than before. Clearly, he had been working hard to learn how to be a cheerful and sunny person.

“Not entirely the same,” Su Lixu smiled. “What’s the same is that Fu Xingran is still Fu Xingran, the boy who does as he pleases, loves and hates fearlessly. What’s different is the Fu Xingran now in front of me, who has become a big boy caring for others and taking care of them attentively.”

A glimmer of light returned to the dim depths of Fu Xingran’s eyes. He looked up at Su Lixu with eyes full of expectation. “So, big brother, do you like the way I am now?”

“I like both versions; you’re doing great now.” Su Lixu leaned forward, extending his thumb to gently tap Fu Xingran’s forehead. “I hope you’ll keep getting better.”

The warm sensation of the thumb on his forehead made Fu Xingran feel a rush of warmth in his heart.

“I used to be terrible.”

Su Lixu spoke gently, “You’re not terrible, so you need to take care of yourself. The past is in the past, and you can’t do anything foolish. If you have any confusion, you can talk to me.”

Fu Xingran thought, Su Lixu thinks he’s not terrible. If he’s not terrible, that means he likes him. If he likes him, could it be possible… No, he couldn’t wait.

“Big brother, I like men.”

Su Lixu was slightly taken aback.

“This is my current dilemma. I like a man, even though there’s an age and gender gap between us. I still can’t help but fall for him. I like him, I love him, and I want him to be the one.”

Fu Xingran’s hand rested on the sofa next to Su Lixu’s legs. He stood up slightly but not completely, his long arms seeming to encircle Su Lixu.

The distance was instantly shortened, and the exhale of a deep breath fell on the lips.

It felt like a dangerous proximity.

Su Lixu instinctively leaned back, widening the distance. He looked into Fu Xingran’s eyes but couldn’t find the image of the little puppy crying and looking pitiful in front of him a moment ago.

Fu Xingran gazed at the man encircled in his arms. Emotions surged in his deep, dark eyes, like a cunning wolf lurking in the shadows, having found its desired prey.

Ready to devour.

“If the one I like is a man, big brother, would you dislike me?” Fu Xingran asked with a light smile, his voice low. “You probably wouldn’t, right?”

Su Lixu: “…”