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Join the ServerZhang Xingkuo remained hospitalized for an entire week.
Every day, Yu Xi would carve out some time to visit him, occasionally running into Zhang Xingkuo’s mother.
Catching him in the corridor, the mother conversed with him for a short spell: “Xiao Xi, it’s been hard on you during this recent period, having to run over to the hospital every single day despite having classes.”
Yu Xi offered a well-behaved smile: “It’s really nothing, Auntie.”
The mother appeared to hesitate mid-sentence: “In truth, his injuries aren’t severe at all; the doctor already recommended discharging him three days ago, yet he stubbornly insisted on staying. The moment he did, I could guess exactly what kind of schemes he was cooking up. Auntie knows you are a clever child, so you must have seen through it long ago. Even so, you still accompanied him in his fussing, coaxing him to be happy, and even helped repair the relationship between him and his father. Over the past few days, the two of them have actually been placing phone calls to each other; you were the one who persuaded them, right? Auntie truly doesn’t know how to thank you enough.”
Catching sight of the slight rim of redness around the mother’s eyes, Yu Xi hastily retrieved the tissues he carried on his person.
The mother let out a bitter smile: “I’m not sure if you are aware, but Xingxing’s older brother actually passed away in a car accident… That is precisely why his father opposes his racing so vehemently, utterly terrified that the tragedy might repeat itself. Xiao Xi, Auntie has one more request to beg of you…”
The mother caught hold of Yu Xi’s hand as though clutching onto a literal life-saving straw. “Help Auntie persuade him, get Xingxing to give up on racing cars, and stop engaging in such dangerous activities, alright?”
Yu Xi fell into a prolonged silence. After a long spell, he spoke: “I will talk to him.”
Before the mother’s face could blossom into sheer joy, he added, “But I will only convey your feelings to him; I won’t actively persuade him to give it up. I know you both mean well for his sake, but… how he ultimately chooses to proceed depends entirely on Xingxing’s own desires.”
Even if it was just this much, the mother was already overjoyed: “Thank you, thank you so much, Xiao Xi.”
…
Yu Xi related everything the elder Zhang and the mother had said to Zhang Xingkuo, who was currently leaning against the head of the hospital bed, peeling a mandarin orange.
“I know.” Zhang Xingkuo wasn’t surprised in the slightest upon listening to the end, letting out a soft scoff. “Even though that broken mouth of my dad’s never says it out loud, I can guess what he’s thinking. It’s nothing more than being terrified that an accident might happen to me just like it did with my brother—to the point where he doesn’t even dare to watch my races.”
As his words fell, Zhang Xingkuo first sampled a slice of the orange, nodding his head in sheer satisfaction before placing the cleanly peeled fruit—lacking even a single trace of white pith—straight into Yu Xi’s palm.
“This one is exceptionally sweet.” Zhang Xingkuo bared his teeth in a wide grin.
Yu Xi tugged the topic back on track: “Then what do you plan to do?”
Zhang Xingkuo propped his frame over the small overbed table, lounging across it. “In truth, even if he didn’t force me to terminate the contract, my agreement with the racing team was already reaching its expiration date. I don’t plan to renew it, nor do I plan to sign with any other team.”
Yu Xi froze: “Your meaning is…”
“Mm, I don’t plan to continue.” As Zhang Xingkuo spoke, he surreptitiously reached out to hook his pinky finger around Yu Xi’s small finger. “Although racing is highly entertaining, playing it for these many years is already enough.”
“Don’t you love it immensely?” Hearing Zhang Xingkuo give it up so decisively, Yu Xi felt a wave of worry instead.
“I do love it, and I was entirely serious about being a racer all these years. However, I have already achieved the goal I established at the very beginning—obtaining the championship. Because of that, I am already satisfied.” Zhang Xingkuo spoke with a smile, “There are still plenty of things I love; racing is merely one among them, and it is still not my absolute most important thing.”
He also seemed to perceive Yu Xi’s underlying anxiety. “So you don’t need to worry either; I, Zhang Xingkuo, never force myself into anything.”
Beholding this, Yu Xi also put his mind at ease.
He nudged away the finger hooking onto his own, asking, “Then shouldn’t you be discharged from the hospital?”
The moment the topic shifted, Zhang Xingkuo’s expression stiffened. Turning his head away, he muttered, “Probably still need to wait a few more days…”
“How many days is a few days?” Yu Xi pursued the question.
Zhang Xingkuo rubbed his nose: “Err, probably five days? That’s what the doctor said…”
“Is that so?” Yu Xi let out a sigh. “Then that’s a bit of a pity. Two days from now is New Year’s Eve, and Xiao Juan and the others already agreed to watch the fireworks together down by the riverbank. When the time comes, you’ll only be able to stay in the hospital all by yourself.”
“When did you guys decide that?! How come no one informed me!” Zhang Xingkuo scrambled out of the bed instantly, marching toward the exterior without a single moment of delay. “I’m going to find the doctor right now and tell him I want an early discharge—”
Seated in his original spot, Yu Xi couldn’t help but chuckle, popping the sweet orange slice into his mouth.
New Year’s Eve.
Because Pei Lexin had deliberately left work early wanting to have a hotpot meal at home with him and Pei Wang together, Yu Xi hadn’t scheduled a dinner date with his friends.
Since he wasn’t going, the remaining individuals similarly stated that they wouldn’t hold a group dinner either, merely arranging to meet up by the riverbank after their respective meals.
Pei Wang had made massive strides in his most recent examination. Pei Lexin was in high spirits, drinking a bit of alcohol before wrapping her arms around Yu Xi to deliver a heavy plant of a kiss straight against his forehead: “Once our Xiao Xi arrived, even Xiao Wang became sensible. You are the ultimate champion of credit!”
Following that, she caught hold of Pei Wang to give him a thorough kneading as well. “Mom knew full well that you could do it nicely, entirely worthy of being my, Pei Lexin’s, son!”
Pei Wang had rarely been this close with Pei Lexin, twisting around awkwardly to evade her grasp the entire time. Yet his strength was completely no match for hers, his hair kneaded into a total mess and his face flushed bright red.
Yu Xi sat to one side, his eyes curved into beautiful crescents as he smiled continuously.
“You’re still laughing! Hurry up and help me!” Pei Wang used his strength to pry at the arms locked around his neck. “Mom, Mom—”
Yu Xi stepped forward to render assistance, carefully detaching the completely passed-out Pei Lexin onto the sofa, remarking helplessly, “Getting drunk is one thing, but she’s practically committing a murder against her own biological son.”
Yu Xi smiled softly, adjusting a blanket to cover her.
Pei Wang let out a sigh: “Forget it, didn’t you agree to watch the fireworks with your friends? Hurry along, I’ll stay behind to take care of her.”
Speak of the devil, the doorbell to the Pei residence chimed right at that moment.
Yu Xi was rapidly bundled by Pei Wang into a warm, lightweight down jacket, alongside a fluffy scarf adorned with small pompoms, plus a matching pair of gloves.
“Put the earmuffs and hat on properly as well.”
Just like that, Yu Xi was wrapped into a literal ball of fluff before stepping out the door. Even if it would take less than a minute to step into a vehicle filled with ample heating, Pei Wang refused to let him suffer even a single trace of chill.
After offering his thanks to the driver who opened the rear door for him, he bent his waist to sit inside the back seat, only then locating the man dressed in a fine-check, greyish-black suit resting within the interior.
His movements paused for an instant, sitting down stiffly against the edge of the car door. “Why is it you…”
“Xiao Shu and Xiao Juan had some matters crop up at home, delaying them for a bit of time, so I came ahead to pick you up first.” As he spoke, Gu Chuanzhou stuffed a box of sweet and sour preserved fruits he had prepared long ago into Yu Xi’s hands to satisfy his cravings and pass the time, before switching to the driver’s seat and letting the driver head back.
Yu Xi stole a quiet glance at him. He understood that Gu Chuanzhou didn’t feel at ease letting anyone else drive out of fear that he might get carsick, and he was also afraid that he would feel uncomfortable.
It felt as though… some places truly hadn’t changed.
Yu Xi gradually relaxed. Resembling a snail that only extended its tentacles after confirming the surroundings were entirely safe, he shed the protective winter gear from his frame.
Gloves, scarf, earmuffs… once these fluffy accessories were stripped away, followed by the down jacket, ultimately only a single cashmere sweater remained.
His face was baked into a powdery pink by the heater. Failing to notice that his hair was a bit disarranged, he pinched a piece of preserved fruit to eat, the cheek adorned with the red mole puffing out into a small bulge. His red lips shifted rhythmically, his eyes narrowing; he was clearly very fond of it.
All of this was unobtrusively etched into Gu Chuanzhou’s gaze through the medium of the rearview mirror.
Yu Xi had originally assumed everyone would simply wait for the fireworks alongside the massive crowds down by the riverbank; he hadn’t expected Zhang Xingkuo to book the entire top floor of a hotel restaurant.
This allowed them to possess the absolute best line of sight, entirely free from any obstructions, let alone having to suffer the biting cold wind.
Yu Xi propped his frame against the sofa, staring at the night scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The river water rippled with gleaming light, reflecting the city illumination like a brilliant, star-studded Milky Way.
“Xiao Xi, look at me,” Sheng Yunjuan called out.
Yu Xi turned his head blankly, meeting the camera resting in Sheng Yunjuan’s hands.
Click.
It was far too sudden, leaving Yu Xi slightly bashful: “Won’t my expression look really blank?”
“Not at all, it’s exceptionally cute! Let’s do one more!” Sheng Yunjuan made her preparations, but just as the camera was lifted once more, she discovered an eyesore of a person had inserted himself into the frame. “Can you please roll far away? I only want to take a beautiful solo shot of Xiao Xi, alright?”
Zhang Xingkuo slung an arm around Yu Xi’s shoulders: “What’s wrong with taking a picture together? Hurry up!”
Sheng Yunjuan could naturally never obey his command. Just as she stepped forward intending to yank the man away, she witnessed Lin Shuhuai also taking a seat right beside Yu Xi, crossing his legs as he leaned toward Yu Xi entirely bonelessly.
Following that, Gu Chuanzhou stood behind the sofa, both hands resting right against the backrest directly behind Yu Xi’s neck.
Over in the corner, a massive, towering figure silently entered the frame as well.
Sheng Yunjuan rolled her eyes straight to the ceiling: “…”
“Since it’s like this, let’s just take a group photo together.” Sheng Yunshu called a waiter over to render assistance, successfully causing her sister’s face to light up with joy once more.
The group photo of the seven individuals was fresh out of the oven. Yu Xi stared at it for a very long spell, appearing entirely unable to tire of looking at it.
The photo wasn’t convenient to export immediately, so he first used his phone to capture a picture of the preview screen on the camera, sharing it with his mother.
Qi Qingyun was rarely free from work and was currently having a group meal as well, replying rapidly: 【Our Xiao Xi looks completely full of happiness while smiling.】 【How wonderful.】
Yu Xi harbored the exact same thought within his heart: How wonderful. After a separation of twelve years, everyone could still gather together happily.
Although… the development of certain matters was entirely different from what he had envisioned, he still felt incredibly fortunate to be able to be together.
“Xiao Xi, come over quickly to eat something!” Sheng Yunjuan was calling out to him once more.
Yu Xi hastily tucked his phone away, walking over.
Midway through the meal, the tip of his shoe was gently nudged. He stared blankly toward Lin Shuhuai, who was seated directly across from him.
Using minor movements, Lin Shuhuai gestured for him to check his phone.
Yu Xi pressed open his phone screen.
Lin Shuhuai: 【I feel a bit uncomfortable, it seems like my condition is acting up.】 【Can Xiao Xi please accompany me to the restroom for a bit?】
Yu Xi’s fingers tightened. Lifting his head to look at Lin Shuhuai, he discovered the man’s complexion was indeed somewhat off. Without a single second thought, he nodded his head.
Thus, he first waited for Lin Shuhuai to leave his seat in an unobtrusive manner, before locating an excuse to follow along afterward.
The exact moment he crossed the threshold of the washroom, Yu Xi was caught into a tight embrace by Lin Shuhuai, who had been waiting right by the vanity sink.
He was slightly startled, instinctively reaching out his hands to push the man away, yet he was only held all the tighter.
“I’m sorry, Xiao Xi.” Lin Shuhuai rested his frame against Yu Xi’s shoulder, his breathing appearing somewhat labored, his voice entirely husky as he spoke, “I feel a bit dizzy and nauseous. Let Brother lean against you for a bit, I’ll be fine in a moment…”
Hearing that Lin Shuhuai was in such intense discomfort, Yu Xi retracted his pushing hands to embrace him back, helping to soothe his back: “Did you bring your medication? If it’s truly that uncomfortable, should we find a lounge room?”
“No need, just holding you is enough,” Lin Shuhuai merely replied.
Yu Xi thus stood there obediently, letting Lin Shuhuai hold him for a good while, until he felt a sudden itch creeping across his neck. Glancing into the mirror, he discovered Lin Shuhuai’s nose bridge was buried deep within the side of his neck, appearing to surreptitiously nuzzle and sniff him. That exposed half of his profile didn’t carry the slightest hint of weakness or pallor; instead, his eyes were brimming with sheer pleasure and absolute satiety.
One simply couldn’t tell whatsoever that he was supposedly in discomfort.
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