Chapter 17 (Revisions)

Boss Zhou: Open the door…

Thump.

Thump-thump.

Shen Jichuan’s heart began racing again.

Though this pitiful appearance was somewhat wretched, it strongly evoked protective instincts. Perhaps he could appear even more pitiful—Shen Jichuan didn’t notice this fleeting thought crossing his mind.

I only left for one afternoon.

Shen Jichuan hurried over to help him up. How did you end up like this?

Shen Zhi rose with his support, sighing helplessly. As a mature adult, I don’t want to be like this either. It makes me seem completely incompetent. Please believe me—I’ve lived alone for many years and managed perfectly fine.

Shen Jichuan believed he’d lived independently for years—the grown man before him proved that much. But managed perfectly fine? He had his doubts.

Did you apply medicine to your foot?

He reached out to check.

Shen Zhi’s brow twitched. How could he let him actually touch it? It would be awkward if the color rubbed off.

It’s itchy, he deftly avoided, I already applied medicine. You can smell it.

Shen Jichuan sniffed and indeed caught the scent of burn ointment. After examining the injury—which didn’t look severe, with no blisters—he relaxed. I’ll clean this up. Go wait outside.

Shen Zhi was helped to a chair at the dining table.

His eyes immediately fell upon Shen Jichuan’s backpack by the entryway—the same one he’d carried out that afternoon and brought back that evening.

The zipper wasn’t fully closed, clearly indicating its owner had left in a hurry.

Before rushing over, Shen Jichuan mentioned he was having dinner, likely with his granduncle. The thought of the Shen family’s displeasure at his abrupt departure secretly pleased Shen Zhi.

Leaning on the table, he watched Shen Jichuan tidy the minor mess remaining in the kitchen.

When Shen Jichuan brought out dish soap, Shen Zhi offered, Let me mop.

No need, I’ll be quick.

The scent of lemon detergent spread as Shen Jichuan worked efficiently. The floor’s slippery, Brother Shen, you… just stay out here.

Shen Zhi protested, What’s wrong with me? I won’t cause trouble.

Shen Jichuan fell silent.

He meant the slippery floor.

Their acquaintance had begun when Shen Zhi sprained his ankle after being bumped into by him. Mr. Shen’s subsequent half-month on crutches firmly cemented his fragility in Shen Jichuan’s mind.

Now with a burned foot, what if he fell again and fractured his tailbone or sprained something?

During New Year’s celebrations, that would be terribly unlucky.

Shen Zhi poured a glass of water, found it too hot, and cooled it with his icy hands.

By the time Shen Jichuan finished cleaning, the water had reached a tepid temperature.

He slid the glass over. Thanks for your help. Have some water.

Shen Jichuan drained it in one go.

Unlike Shen Zhi, the youth brimmed with vitality, radiating warmth. Though he’d only spent ten minutes cleaning, the simple activity had already made the veins on his hands bulge slightly.

After he drank, Shen Zhi asked, Are you going back?

Shen Jichuan paused briefly before setting down the glass. With your foot injured, I’m staying. He quickly changed the subject. Were you burned anywhere else?

Shen Zhi shook his head.

Let me check your foot again. Before Shen Zhi could react, Shen Jichuan knelt and grasped his ankle through the pajama pants. Don’t worry, I won’t touch your foot directly. It won’t itch.

Shen Zhi inwardly noted his only concern was the color rubbing off.

Shen Jichuan’s gaze was gradually drawn to a small brown mole on the inner side of Shen Zhi’s ankle.

Huh?

Brother Shen has a small mole here too.

Why does it seem like it’s in the same position as the one on his left ankle… No, it appears to be the exact same spot.

He wasn’t one to procrastinate, so he immediately sat down on the floor, took off his left shoe, and pulled off his sock: Brother Shen, look! I have one too.

As if discovering some new continent, he pointed at the tiny spot on his own ankle.

With his legs spread apart, one calf slightly raised, one hand supporting him from behind as he leaned back naturally, he looked up from below with sparkling eyes.

…………

What a terrible posture.

Shen Zhi subtly pulled his pajama pants down to cover his ankle: They do seem similar.

How could they not be similar?

They were practically identical.

Shen Zhi: If someone didn’t know better, they might think we were the same person.

Shen Jichuan laughed: How could that be? This world isn’t that fantasy. He patted his clothes and stood up, retrieving a thermometer from the home medical kit. Let’s check your temperature, see if you have a fever.

It’s fine. I made ginger tea with brown sugar just because I felt cold indoors, wanted something warm to drink.

Better check. If you have a fever, you should take medicine promptly.

Shen Zhi placed the thermometer under his arm.

Shen Jichuan brought out the dumpling filling he had prepared that morning from the refrigerator, along with the perfectly proofed dough that had risen to a bread-like consistency in the bowl – the dough had proofed exceptionally well.

Shen Zhi: Are we making dumplings now? Isn’t it a bit late?

Not at all, Brother Shen. Check what time it is.

Shen Zhi glanced at his phone.

It was only 6:30 PM.

…Only a few hours had passed since Shen Jichuan left in the afternoon.

But he felt like so much time had passed that he subconsciously thought it was already very late.

Shen Zhi looked at the endlessly energetic Shen Jichuan and chuckled softly: After I finish taking my temperature, I’ll roll out the dumpling wrappers while you fill them. That’ll be faster.

Sure.

After about five minutes, Shen Jichuan had prepared the dough, and Shen Zhi had finished taking his temperature.

37.3 degrees.

Low-grade fever.

Shen Jichuan muttered: No wonder you felt cold. Good thing we checked, otherwise if your temperature rose you’d need an IV drip. Brother Shen’s constitution was truly weaker than most people’s.

No wonder he came here to recuperate.

…Just didn’t know what illness he had – probably not just here because of poor immunity.

He prepared cold medicine for Shen Zhi. After drinking it, Shen Zhi didn’t want to rest and picked up the rolling pin to make wrappers. Shen Jichuan initially doubted he could do it well, since Mr. Shen seemed like someone who never did manual work.

Unexpectedly, Shen Zhi was only slightly awkward at first but quickly became proficient, making each wrapper exactly to Shen Jichuan’s liking.

Perfectly round and thin, beautiful!

Shen Zhi: How are they? Not bad, right?

Shen Jichuan: Impressive. Take it slow, don’t strain your right hand.

Shen Zhi: Just enough for the two of us. This little work won’t tire me out.

Soon the dumplings were made and put in the pot, just as someone knocked on the door.

Could it be the Shen family coming to find them?

Shen Zhi put on a mask and opened the door to find the portly Boss Zhou from the bookstore downstairs. The gloom between his brows instantly dissipated as he smiled: Ah, Boss Zhou.

Boss Zhou looked at his face: Mr. Shen, wearing a mask even at home?

Shen Zhi coughed twice: I have a bit of a cold, don’t want to infect anyone.

Oh dear, your constitution… I remember Xiao Shen mentioned you caught a cold recently. Haven’t recovered yet?

Shen Zhi smiled and shook his head without speaking. Clearly, Boss Zhou didn’t actually intend to inquire further, as he had come to deliver something. When you have a weak constitution, you need more nourishment. You’re still young – if your health fails, finding a partner and having children will become troublesome later.

He pushed the liquor he was carrying toward Shen Zhi, rubbing his hands together somewhat apologetically. I saw the New Year gifts you had Xiao Shen buy for me. Ah, really, we’re just neighbors living upstairs and downstairs, no need for such formality!

Shen Zhi replied, When I injured my foot earlier, Boss Zhou took good care of me. This is only appropriate.

Boss Zhou laughed heartily, pleased. Well, I don’t have anything particularly valuable, but this liquor is quite strong and very nourishing! Drink it before bed tonight, guaranteed to warm you up completely!

Uncle Zhou? Shen Jichuan came out wearing an apron and holding a spatula. Happy New Year, Uncle Zhou.

Happy New Year… Huh?? Weren’t you supposed to go home? Shouldn’t families spend New Year together? Why was he celebrating at Mr. Shen’s place?

Boss Zhou stared wide-eyed. This isn’t proper, Xiao Shen.

He’s taking care of me, Shen Zhi explained helplessly. I accidentally scalded my foot with boiling water and have a slight fever.

Your foot got injured again??

So unlucky.

Taking care of someone is fine, Boss Zhou hesitated before finally saying, But Mr. Shen, maybe you should find time to consult a fortune teller? With such bad luck, you’re either in an unlucky year or offending the Year God.

Thank you, I’ll consider it.

I’ll be going then. Remember to check it out.

Alright.

Though Shen Zhi handled the conversation smoothly, Boss Zhou still felt something wasn’t quite right.

Before the door closed, he glanced back one more time.

The masked young man was tilting his head, his eyes gentle and smiling as he looked toward the youth holding the spatula.

They looked exactly like a newlywed couple… No, no.

Boss Zhou shook his head, his whole body shuddering. Really, what was he thinking? How could two men… too disturbing.

The room returned to quiet.

Shen Zhi placed the liquor from Boss Zhou on the dining table. The flask wasn’t large, holding about five liang of alcohol. Since there were no liquor glasses at home, Shen Zhi brought two plastic cups.

He poured a little and smelled it.

How fragrant.

Shen Jichuan brought over two plates of dumplings, leaning in close. Such aromatic liquor. Uncle Zhou must have splurged, definitely brought out his best collection.

Shen Zhi agreed, Indeed fragrant, though I don’t know what kind of liquor it is.

Let’s eat!

Shen Jichuan poured himself half a cup.

Shen Zhi raised an eyebrow, Hmm? You’re drinking too? You’re still a student, drinking so much. He himself had only poured a little, not daring to drink more due to his sensitive stomach.

Shen Jichuan insisted, I want to drink.

Shen Zhi paused, carefully observing the young man’s expression.

He hadn’t noticed earlier, but now he could see some gloominess between Shen Jichuan’s brows.

He wasn’t someone who wore his emotions openly, only showing them when truly unhappy.

Shen Zhi didn’t bother with unwelcome advice, instead slowly savoring the small amount of liquor in his cup while occasionally picking up a dumpling, preparing to be a listening ear.

Sure enough.

They had just started eating when Shen Jichuan had already drunk half his cup. The high-proof homemade liquor going down filled their nostrils with rich aroma of alcohol and herbs, along with a faint fishy smell barely masked by the herbal fragrance.

He said in a muffled tone, Actually, I felt really relieved when I came from home to your place, Brother Shen.

Shen Zhi: What’s wrong? Family issues?

Family matters were all trivial, messy, and chaotic.

During the New Year period, Uncle-Grandfather Ke brought up again about him dropping out of school – asking him to give up his studies to help support the family and assist Chengzong. Truthfully, he was really unhappy about it.

The Shen family had indeed shown him kindness, but he didn’t want to sacrifice his own future to repay it.

He was clear-headed about this, but that didn’t stop him from feeling stifled when being called ungrateful.

Shen Jichuan didn’t know where to begin. He picked up a dumpling and stuffed it into his mouth, then took a sip of alcohol: …It’s hard to explain.

There was also the matter of Grandma’s new miracle drug.

If it really worked wonders, she would need to keep taking it. If Uncle-Grandfather Ke was willing to lend them some money, the burden on his shoulders would be much lighter.

Unfortunately, getting money from Uncle-Grandfather Ke was as difficult as climbing to heaven.

If they switched to the miracle drug, it would be another pressure weighing on him.

He had thought that with the high salary he got from Brother Shen this month, the next six months would be easier, at least allowing him to focus on reviewing for the college entrance exam.

These things he couldn’t discuss with his family, but he could mention them to Mr. Shen.

Yet when it came down to it, he worried that saying these things might seem like he was trying to gain sympathy and cheat money out of him. Mr. Shen might use raising his salary as an excuse to help him.

He didn’t want that.

So all the words remained stuck in his throat.

Shen Zhi: Go ahead and talk.

Perhaps the alcohol was too strong, as a faint redness had already spread across Shen Jichuan’s face.

Shen Zhi: Don’t worry about anything. You talk, I’ll listen, and we’ll treat it like a story – I’ll forget it after hearing it.

He buried his head in eating dumplings, and Shen Zhi didn’t rush him.

Halfway through the meal, Shen Jichuan said quietly: Actually, it’s a pretty boring story, the kind you’d find in novels.

He spoke slowly, and Shen Zhi listened quietly.

Perhaps because he had been holding these feelings in for too long, and finally found someone he could talk to to relieve some pressure, Shen Jichuan took a sip of alcohol after every few sentences.

Eventually, all the alcohol Boss Zhou had brought went into his stomach. Seeing he hadn’t stopped, Shen Zhi went to the refrigerator to get him some low-alcohol cocktails.

I really hate seeing his face…

Shen Jichuan’s cheeks were flushed red as he lay on the table, loosely holding chopsticks and pointing fiercely at the air several times, I really hate it.

And Grandma… I don’t hate her, I’m just sad.

She blames me for bringing misfortune to the Shen family, thinks I caused Grandpa and my parents’ deaths. Every time she scolds me, I actually feel really hurt.

Really hurt.

His voice was nasal with slight sobs, eyes red but no tears.

Shen Jichuan rarely cried.

Shen Zhi kept listening to his rambling, occasionally responding to show he was paying attention.

When Shen Jichuan’s emotional outburst was nearly over, Shen Zhi fetched a warm towel, supported him, and gently wiped his face, speaking in a soft, gentle voice.

Yes, I know you’re very hurt.

Shen Jichuan looked up, his eyes dazed.

Shen Zhi: Things will get better in the future, I promise.

Shen Jichuan was drunk, his mind completely muddled, only feeling Brother Shen’s hand wiping his face – each wipe sending waves of scalding heat churning through his body.

Seeing he wasn’t speaking, Shen Zhi said softly: You’re tired, aren’t you.

Between making dumplings, drinking, and chatting, it was indeed getting late.

He helped Shen Jichuan up: Go to sleep. You take the bed today.

When they reached the bedroom door, the teenager froze stiffly, staring firmly at the wall as he declared: I’ll sleep on the sofa.

Shen Zhi: ?

Even this drunk, Shen Jichuan remembered: You’re injured and have a low fever. You should take the bed.

Shen Zhi sighed helplessly, pressing five fingers against Shen Jichuan’s head to turn the dazed boy’s face toward him.

I’m right here.

…Oh. Anyway, I’ll sleep on the sofa. It took Shen Jichuan a long moment to focus his eyes before looking at him. You should… take your temperature again. See if you still… still have a low fever after eating hot food.

I’ll take it later, Shen Zhi humored the drunkard, helping him onto the sofa.

Shen Jichuan didn’t close his eyes immediately, instead staring at him for quite a while before finally falling asleep.

But he seemed extremely hot – Shen Zhi covered him with the blanket several times, only for him to kick it off each time.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead once more, Shen Zhi wondered to himself:

What kind of wine did Boss Zhou give him? It’s made this kid so overheated.

Downstairs.

Boss Zhou took a sip of wine, wiping away the fine sweat it induced, and gave his wife a proud eyebrow raise.

Deer blood wine. That Mr. Shen upstairs looks so pale, clearly lacking vitality. I gave him those five liang of wine – enough to last him quite a while. Just wait until he finishes it, guaranteed to improve his circulation and make him vigorous and energetic!The boss lady: …

She said: He doesn’t even have a partner. Wouldn’t that make him miserable?

Boss Zhou: Hai, it’s not like he has to drink it all at once. He’ll be fine.

The couple continued their quiet nighttime conversation.

Completely unaware that of the deer blood wine, the physically weaker one had only taken a small sip, while the rest had been enthusiastically consumed by the eighteen-year-old high school boy brimming with youthful energy.

Occasional fireworks bloomed into brilliant flowers in the distant sky.

The cold air crystallized into frost.

The night grew deeper.

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