Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Ning Yuyi realized his mistake the moment Xie Yezhou uttered Anxiel's name and murmured an apology.

"It's okay. You're much more approachable than your elder brother," Anxiel replied nonchalantly.

Entering the living room, both Xie Lou and Lin Yiyue, upon seeing Ning Yuyi, rushed over in concern, "What happened?"

"He injured his foot," Xie Yezhou explained, settling Ning Yuyi onto the sofa, "Brother, fetch the first aid kit."

As Xie Yinan went for the kit, Lin Yiyue asked sympathetically, "How did you get cut?"

"It's fine. I wasn't careful and stepped on a seashell." The pain in his foot had considerably lessened.

Xie Yinan returned with the first aid kit, selecting the alcohol, iodine, and bandages. He then cast a grave look at Ning Yuyi... specifically, his foot.

The seriousness on everyone's faces made Ning Yuyi somewhat anxious.

He even wondered if the seashell he stepped on was venomous and difficult to treat, hence everyone's concern.

But it turned out to be just an ordinary seashell.

Xie Yinan shot Xie Yezhou a meaningful glance. Understanding immediately, Xie Yezhou held Ning Yuyi still, warning, "The alcohol might sting when I clean the wound."

Before Xie Yezhou could finish speaking, alcohol was poured onto the injury.

The wound stung from the alcohol's bite, and Ning Yuyi reflexively tried to pull his leg away, but Xie Yezhou held him firmly in place on the sofa.

Afterwards, Ning Yuyi felt a soft cloth gently wipe away the sand on his foot. Then, the wound was dabbed with iodine using cotton, and in a matter of seconds, it was bandaged.

Xie Yezhou released Ning Yuyi, asking, "Does it still hurt?"

"It doesn't anymore," Ning Yuyi replied, glancing down to see his big toe wrapped in white gauze, looking like a tiny ball.

Because the gauze was a bit thick, Ning Yuyi felt some discomfort between his toes. He wiggled them slightly, then remembered they had guests.

"This must be your youngest," remarked the man, sporting the same golden hair as Anxiel, though with a receding hairline.

"Yes," Xie Lou responded, only resuming his seat once Ning Yuyi's wound was dressed. "Ning Ning, meet your Uncle Ellison. That's his son, Anxiel."

Ning Yuyi greeted the uncle and mentioned he had already met Anxiel.

Xie Yezhou then helped Ning Yuyi to his room to rest, while Xie Yinan and Anxiel took seats in the living room, attentively listening to the conversation between Xie Lou and Ellison.

……

After returning to the country, Fan Zhongchuan was constantly occupied with handling unexpected company matters.

A knock sounded at the office door, but Fan Zhongchuan didn't even lift his gaze.

"What brings you here?"

With a bag slung over her arm, Shu Xuan walked over to the opposite side of Fan Zhongchuan's desk, pulling out a chair to sit, "Why shouldn't I come?"

Setting aside some documents, Fan Zhongchuan rubbed his aching temples, "Mom."

"Alright, alright, I didn't come just to see you," Shu Xuan removed her sunglasses, "I wanted to ask if you've seen the recent news about the youngest son of the Xie family."

"Yes."

"Is he the one you're fond of?"

Fan Zhongchuan paused for a moment before smiling, "Yes, he is."

Gazing at Fan Zhongchuan's smile, Shu Xuan seemed lost in thought.

Her son, ever the precocious and composed one, rarely smiled from a young age. Yet now, merely mentioning someone brings a smile to his face.

"Tsk," Shu Xuan sighed, "You're in for a challenge. The Xie family is extremely protective of their youngest. It won't be easy to win them over."

Leaning his chin on one hand, Fan Zhongchuan replied, "That's no longer an issue."

"What do you mean?"

"There's no such hurdle now," he reiterated.

Shu Xuan pondered his words, her eyes widening slightly, "Did you strike a deal with the Xie family?"

"Ning Ning and I are together now."

"When did that happen?" Shu Xuan's face brightened, "Knowing your nature, I assumed you'd need an entire team to assist you in courting someone."

When indeed?

Recalling Ning Yuyi's jealous misunderstanding that day, a deeper smile formed in Fan Zhongchuan's eyes.

"Thanks to you, actually."

Shu Xuan looked puzzled: ???

"What are you talking about?"

"The day you visited Qing'an, we got together shortly after you left."

The realization hit Shu Xuan, "So, I was merely a tool in your romance."

"It's fine. Being the tool that brought you two together isn't so bad, at least you have company now."

"Speaking of which, what does Ning Ning like? I recently acquired a jewelry set, perfect for a collection. How about I send it over as a gift?"

Seeing how fondly his mother already referred to Ning Ning, Fan Zhongchuan felt a mild headache coming on, "Mom, he might find it overwhelming."

"It's okay, I'll have it prepared. You can give it to him when you bring him home."

Shu Xuan then shifted the topic to this year's Fashion Week, mentioning some outfits from the recently concluded event and suggesting that Fan Zhongchuan bring some to Ning Yuyi.

"He saw this season's menswear collection. The Xie family will buy it for him."

"No problem, I'll add a few more sets. I'll deliver them myself later, catch up with A Yue; it's been a while since I returned home and met her."

"Does that mean I can meet Ning Ning?"

Shu Xuen and Lin Yijie have been close friends for years, but Shu Xuen has been abroad recently, so they've lost touch.

"He doesn't stay with the Xie family."

"Is Ning Ning still living next door to you? I'll find an excuse to visit you then."

Fan Zhongchuan: "..."

After managing to soothe Shu Xuen and seeing her off, Fan Zhongchuan finally let out a sigh of relief.

With Shu Xuen gone, the document in Fan Zhongchuan's hand failed to engage him. His thoughts were occupied by his boyfriend. On a whim, he initiated a video call to Ning Yuyi.

Ning Yuyi was on his bed, studying acting techniques from a classic foreign film projected on his wall.

"Hello, Fan Zhongchuan."

"Ning Ning." Seeing Ning Yuyi, Fan Zhongchuan adjusted his computer's angle, "Have you reached Greece?"

"I have." Feeling discomfort in his cross-legged position, Ning Yuyi shifted, holding the phone with one hand.

"What happened to your foot?" Fan Zhongchuan noticed a glimpse of a bandaged toe on the screen.

"Ah." Ning Yuyi looked at his foot, "I stepped on a shell at the beach. It's been disinfected and bandaged now."

Seeing Fan Zhongchuan's furrowed brow, Ning Yuyi tried to wiggle his bandaged toe, resembling a chubby little fish, to reassure him he was alright.

"Don't move it," Fan Zhongchuan interjected. "Avoid spicy food for a while, and once things are settled here, I'll come to see you."

"Alright." Ning Yuyi playfully pouted at Fan Zhongchuan, "I'm genuinely fine. But you, don't neglect your health because of work. Go home and pat Sweetie for me."

Asking him to pat Sweetie was just an excuse. Sweetie wasn't particularly fond of Fan Zhongchuan, probably because he always seemed so cold. Both kittens were somewhat wary of him, though Sweetie was a tad friendlier.

What Ning Yuyi actually hoped for was that Fan Zhongchuan would take a break, instead of surviving on a single cup of black coffee after sleepless nights.

As they chatted, Ning Yuyi drifted into sleep with the sunlight streaming in.

The view outside showcased the beach, sunlight glittering on the water, accompanied occasionally by the calls of seagulls.

Fan Zhongchuan set his computer aside, not ending the video call, and resumed his work.

……

Author's Note: Please check out my friend's work; it's consistently updated. If interested, give it a read~

"Heard Someone's Playing Me" by Ya Chenzhi.

Jing Sui debuted at twelve, reaching an 18th-tier celebrity status by high school. Yet, as his resources were poached by competitors, he barely managed to stay afloat.

Ultimately, he found himself in an arranged marriage with a limping man.

The limper claimed to be powerless and unable to help.

Yet, Jing Sui's career unexpectedly skyrocketed.

The limper lamented about his disabilities, making him vulnerable to exploitation.

Still, in his presence, others were too intimidated to move.

The kind-hearted limper always said he left room for mercy in his dealings.

Suddenly, the competing company was delisted and declared bankruptcy.

景随: Jing Sui

终于景随功成名就，决心为他家小瘸子出头，而那个小瘸子口中的极品亲戚却默默递来手机: Finally, after achieving fame and success, Jing Sui was determined to stand up for the little lame boy in his family. However, that lame boy's so-called "top-tier" relative quietly handed over a phone.

小瘸子朋友圈1: My disability? I flaunt it.

朋友圈2: Got married, this is my baby with Sui.

下面各路眼熟大佬: Congratulations! / Hold on to the boss's wife!

景随: ……Damn it.

于是回家后: So, after returning home...

景随: Oh, my poor little one, let me help you wash your back.

尧逸呈: No, that's not necessary.

景随: Oh, my poor little one, come sleep with me.

尧逸呈: ……? Scared.jpg

半夜，景随: Stop kicking, remember you're disabled?

尧逸呈: I'm sorry, Sui, my mistake...