Chapter 24

Chapter 24 (Three-in-One)

The bedroom temperature was just right, and the lighting was soft. After spending a lot of energy playing sports these past few days, Yu He felt drowsy after lying down for just a short while.

Being next to Fu Yunzheng always made him sleepy, as if he was trying to make up for the sleep he lost over the previous years.

In a state between sleep and wakefulness, he heard Fu Yunzheng saying to him, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

Yu He opened his eyes, subconsciously sitting up, intending to support Fu Yunzheng.

Fu Yunzheng pressed on Yu He’s shoulder, coaxing him back down, “There’s no need. Since we're living together, you can't possibly get up every time I make a move. I’ve always done these things by myself.”

Yu He hummed in agreement. He knew that Fu Yunzheng had a strong, independent personality, and was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, even in a wheelchair.

The last thing Fu Yunzheng wanted was for others to treat him as a disabled person in need of care.

So, Yu He didn’t move further, unconsciously holding his breath as he watched Fu Yunzheng support himself with his left hand on the bed's handrail, and using his right hand to pull on the hanging ring, shifting himself to the wheelchair with his arm strength.

The expensive electric wheelchair was steady enough, showing no sign of movement. Fu Yunzheng sat down securely and wheeled out of the bedroom.

It was only after Fu Yunzheng left that Yu He finally let out the breath he was holding.

After a good while, the sound of running water came from the bathroom. It seemed like Fu Yunzheng was taking a bath after using the bathroom.

Nearly forty minutes passed before Fu Yunzheng finally returned to the bedroom.

Yu He turned off the live stream he was watching, sat up in bed, and noticed the hem of Fu Yunzheng's clothes was somewhat wet. He handed over a towel, asking, "Did you take a shower?"

Fu Yunzheng returned to the bed, undid his pajamas, and took off the top that was wet at the hem. His expression was dark, clearly somewhat displeased. Fu Yunzheng is a perfectionist, very demanding of himself. At this moment, he seemed to be upset over the wet hem of his clothes. Yu He guessed that he was brooding over it.

Yu He rested his chin on Fu Yunzheng's shoulder and asked, "What are you looking at?"

"Nothing." Fu Yunzheng casually hung the pajamas on a hanger, took the initiative to wrap his arms around Yu He, and whispered in his ear, "I just did some cleaning."

Yu He’s breath caught, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and the flag that had been lowered rose again, "Don’t do it anymore in the future, I’ve heard it's very uncomfortable."

"It’s alright."

Fu Yunzheng slowly lay back down on the bed.

His skin had a sickly pallor, the veins on his neck and chest were prominent, and his abdomen was not only free of any excess fat, but you could also see the contours of what used to be abdominal muscles. However, he had not been exercising for quite some time, so he wasn't as toned and tight as those who frequented the gym.

Still, he looked good.

Yu He leaned over and kissed him, “Really, you don’t need to do it. Many people don’t."

"It's itchy," Fu Yunzheng shifted, pushing Yu He's head away, and stared at a patch of light and shadow on the ceiling, "Do they all not do it?"

Yu He lifted his head to look at Fu Yunzheng.

Fu Yunzheng’s jawline was clean-shaven, hardly a hint of stubble in sight, making him appear younger. However, Yu He knew that if he were to kiss him, he would feel a slight prickle.

Yu He had kissed him before.

"Who are 'they'?" Yu He asked.

Fu Yunzheng spoke calmly, "Those... friends of yours from before."

Yu He furrowed his brow, taking a moment to understand what Fu Yunzheng meant. He looked seriously into Fu Yunzheng's eyes, but the other party was not looking at him.

Yu He said earnestly, "Fu Yunzheng, I've only been intimate with you."

Fu Yunzheng's eyes snapped to meet his.

The moment their gazes collided, a tremor ran through both their hearts.

It was like a gentle breeze in March, swirling around the newly bloomed pear blossoms, creating a strange itchiness. The petals were restless, and a slight movement would cause them to fall from the branch, drifting away with the spring breeze.

The spring breeze carries intention, while the falling flowers bear affection.

The pitch-black pupils reflected Fu Yunzheng’s image; Yu He didn't know what Fu Yunzheng was hesitating about. He didn’t hesitate, lowering his head to kiss the corner of Fu Yunzheng’s lips. Their cheeks rubbed together, the invisible stubble leaving behind a slight sting, exactly as Yu He had imagined it would feel.

Fu Yunzheng escaped from Yu He’s gentle kisses, breathing slightly heavily. His voice was more pleasant than a cello made of spruce, “Xiao He, are you sure you’ve never been with anyone else?”

Yu He caught Fu Yunzheng’s fingers that were pinching the corner of the blanket, bringing them to his lips. His voice was hoarse, clearer than the cello, carrying the unique vitality of youth, “You dare to bring someone to bed without even investigating them first?”

Fu Yunzheng’s fingers curled up as if they were scorched by the heat of Yu He's lips, “I did investigate. You're famously... playful in Fengcheng.”

“But not playful in this way.”

Yu He’s eyes and brows were tender, in such a sentimental atmosphere, even steel would melt, let alone his feelings towards Fu Yunzheng which were no longer strictly professional.

Yu He said, “I played with drinking, cards, and dice, that’s all.”

Fu Yunzheng lifted his eyes to look at Yu He, stopping abruptly, choosing not to continue. They were both adults, and they clearly understood the unsaid implications.

Yu He gazed at Fu Yunzheng, “Before I met you, I never had these desires for anyone.”

Fu Yunzheng’s eyes shifted away, his Adam's apple moving slightly.

Yu He leaned in for a quick kiss.

He was a person who had little patience for explanations. In Yu He's view, either you believe, or you don’t. The moment doubts arise, the other person has already made up their mind.

He never cared whether others’ perception of him was accurate.

But Fu Yunzheng was not just anyone else.

Yu He wanted to rewrite the answer in Fu Yunzheng's heart. He racked his brains, yet he didn't know how to prove himself. His straight nose wrinkled as he dryly uttered two words: "Really."

"Mm," Fu Yunzheng responded, not saying whether he believed it or not. He glossed over the topic, propping himself up with his arms to sit up, "Come here.”

Yu He was no longer his former self, and wouldn’t lose his sense of propriety simply because of Fu Yunzheng’s inviting ‘come here’, forgetting about important matters.

He put his hand on Fu Yunzheng’s shoulder, speaking very seriously, “If you don’t believe me, I really would be wronged, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t clear my name.”

“Alright, I believe you,” Fu Yunzheng spoke solemnly: “Come here, I've missed you.”

This is the first time Fu Yunzheng has expressed his longing for Yu He.

Yu He had been away from the Fu residence for two days, thinking about Fu Yunzheng countless times each day, yet Fu Yunzheng didn’t even give him a single phone call, which made Yu He very unhappy.

Now that he finally heard Fu Yunzheng say he missed him, Yu He was instantly enraptured and flipped over to him.

Whether the answer in Fu Yunzheng’s heart has changed remains unknown, but from Yu He’s overall performance, it’s not hard to see—

He really hasn’t made much progress.

*

Early the next morning, when Aunt Zhou brought in the casserole to the dining room and saw Yu He sticking closely to Mr. Fu, she instantly felt relieved. The young couple had reconciled after a quarrel in bed. Fortunately, Young Master Yu He wasn’t a petulant person, and the villa, which had been gloomy for two days, finally brightened up again.

Aunt Zhou’s face was filled with a kind smile as she ladled a bowl of porridge for Yu He.

Yu He stood up to receive it with both hands, but Aunt Zhou raised her arm to avoid him, “Don’t touch it, it’s hot.”

Yu He said, “Aunt Zhou, from now on, you can just bring the food to the dining room.”

Aunt Zhou glanced at Fu Yunzheng, silently asking for his opinion.

Fu Yunzheng said, “Just listen to him.”

Aunt Zhou brought the casserole back to the kitchen island, expressing her disapproval, “Mr. Fu, last time you told me to listen to Young Master Yu, you even let him drink iced cola while he was running a fever. His cold then developed into pneumonia.”

Fu Yunzheng: “......”

Yu He: “......”

They exchanged glances, neither able to find a good reason to refute Aunt Zhou, and tacitly scooped up a spoonful of porridge, skillfully changing the subject.

Aunt Zhou was at an age where she tended to be a bit naggy, and now that she had a valid point, she finally had the chance to speak her mind.

“Simply bringing the food over and leaving is definitely not okay. Just like this casserole,” Aunt Zhou, wearing oven mitts, lifted the lid of the casserole, and the hot steam billowed up, “How would Young Master Yu know how hot it is? If he directly reached out to carry it, wouldn’t he burn himself?”

Yu He looked up and sneaked a peek at Aunt Zhou, who was also looking at him. Yu He immediately buried his head in his bowl of porridge, pretending to eat seriously.

Aunt Zhou continued to nag about various things, such as Yu He sneaking downstairs to eat ice pops at night, and her finding three ice cream wrappers in the trash the next morning; or how he would eat leftovers from the fridge without reheating them; she even brought up the time when Yu He went downstairs at night without turning on the lights, bumped into the cabinet corner, and scratched his leg.

“Oh my, that night wasn’t enough for Young Master Yu to make a fuss. When I came in the morning, the tiled floor was all dotted with blood. It scared me to death.” Aunt Zhou patted her chest, pointing at Yu He, “Young Master Yu is just like a child, he’s too reckless. If you don’t take care of your body when you’re young, you'll suffer when you're old.”

Yu He tugged at the corner of Fu Yunzhe's clothes and looked towards him for help. He really didn’t want to be scolded during meals; the experts on public accounts have said that being in a bad mood while eating could easily lead to stomach cancer.

"Alright, Aunt Zhou, don’t scold him anymore." Fu Yunzhe put down his chopsticks: "I’ll take care of him from now on."

Yu He’s heart skipped a beat, and the ‘rabbit’ hiding in his chest started to frantically thump again. No wonder he could never successfully play the part of a meek little rabbit – his ‘rabbit’ was insane, even crazier than Rabbit Bugs.

Yu He bowed his head and took a big gulp of porridge, only to burn his mouth.

Fu Yunzheng: “......”

Aunt Zhou: “......”

Shaking her head, Aunt Zhou turned to leave the dining room to fetch some burn ointment.

“Clumsy.” Fu Yunzheng examined the burn in Yu He’s mouth, saying, “What are you panicking for? I’m not really going to control you.”

Yu He’s eyes flickered, and he vaguely responded, “Control me; I’d be happy to let you.”

“I can’t be bothered to control you. As long as you don’t hurt yourself, even if you poke a hole in the sky, I’ll be there to cover for you,” Fu Yunzheng stated, embodying the unique logic of a capitalist tycoon.

“If I control you, it wastes my time. If I have to clean up your mess, it also wastes my time. Since this time cost is unavoidable, what reason is there to stop you from doing as you please?”

It seemed like there really was no reason.

Yu He felt that something was amiss but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

Fu Yunzheng’s words made a lot of sense, with flawless logic and self-consistency. It wasn’t until Fu Yunzheng received the watermelon frost from Aunt Zhou and sprayed it on the scald in his mouth that Yu He was unable to find any loopholes in his argument.

After breakfast, Yu He kept Fu Yunzheng company in the living room; he played with his phone while Fu Yunzheng listened to the morning news.

Fu Yunzheng’s daily routine was incredibly healthy. It was not even eight o’clock after breakfast, and the streamers that Yu He usually watched only broadcasted in the afternoon and evening. Flipping through his phone, he found nothing of interest.

Just then, he received a text message notification:

[Bean Sprout Live Broadcast: Dear host yh123456, you registered on the platform on October 19, 20xx. As of November 18, 20xx, your total live broadcast duration is 0 hours and 0 minutes.

Friendly

Reminder: If you do not start a live broadcast within 72 hours, your host status will be automatically canceled, and you will be required to compensate the platform with a penalty of 100,000 yuan. For details, click......]

Yu He

He clicked the link, leading him to the contract he had signed when he helped Sean gain support that day.

Yu He thought to himself, "Just do whatever and compensate with a hundred thousand? Why not just rob? Is this how they throw money around on Douya Live?"

Yu He glanced at Fu Yunzhe and suddenly remembered what he told him on the second day at the Fu residence: "Don’t just sign any contract without thinking."

But there are so many words, who is going to read every single one?

Yu He, frowning, sent Sean a WeChat message asking if Sean had also become a host.

Sean quickly replied.

[Sean: What host? We've all registered as users. Did you accidentally register as a host when entering the interface?]

Yu He: ......

He hadn't read it himself; no wonder Sean said to click once, and he ended up registering for half an hour! He even uploaded his ID!

After investigating for a while, Yu He found that the duration would count as long as he opened the live broadcast interface. He then covered the camera with a band-aid, opened the Douya Live floating window.

The live broadcast screen was pitch black. Yu He went upstairs, threw his phone back into the bedroom to accumulate viewing time. As a new host with zero followers, no one was watching anyway. He wasn't about to pay a penalty to Douya Live.

Having nothing better to do, he was determined to fight to the end against these unscrupulous capitalists!

Walking downstairs, Yu He bumped into another even more daunting capitalist.

The ruthless capitalist from the rumors, sitting in a wheelchair, looked up at Yu He on the spiral staircase and asked, "Shall we go check out your basketball hall?"

The indoor basketball hall had an extremely high ceiling, stretching from the second basement level to the first floor above ground, transforming the underground basketball court into a semi-above-ground facility.

The high areas were fitted with tempered soundproof glass instead of walls, providing not only excellent lighting but also a view of the outdoor garden. It was also equipped with the most advanced forest fresh air system, eliminating the stuffiness and dampness typical of basements.

The entire basketball hall occupied nearly 500 square meters, with the floor covered in NBA-standard wooden flooring. The court was 28 meters in length and 15 meters in width, fully meeting the standards of the International Basketball Federation. In the center of the court was a massive ring-shaped screen, and around the top were 28 spotlights, creating an atmosphere akin to an NBA arena.

Next to the door of the changing room stood a row of two-meter-tall glass display cabinets, showcasing every kind of basketball shoe and jersey Yu He could imagine, including limited edition and out-of-print versions. The most eye-catching among them were the Reebok commemorative edition sneakers from 2004.

"Impossible."

Yu He swiftly turned around, staring at Fu Yunzhe in disbelief: "It's impossible to gather all these sneakers in just two days, even if you are Fu Yunzhe."

Fu Yunzhe took a remote control off the wall and gently pressed a button.

All 28 spotlights lit up at once.

Yu He stood in the center of the light, the sole superstar in this indoor basketball hall that cost tens of millions to build.

"It wasn’t two days; it was two months." Fu Yunzhe spoke, his voice echoing in the vast space. "On the second day we met, you told me that you like playing basketball."

Yu He could hear every word Fu Yunzhe said clearly, but those words turned into chaos in his mind, creating an almost surreal feeling.

Memories flashed by quickly. Yu He suddenly remembered that after he had declined the position of executive manager, Fu Yunzhe had indeed asked him about his interests.

At that time, Yu He had casually mimed a shooting action and said he liked playing basketball.

Then the topic quickly changed, and even Yu He himself didn’t take it to heart. However, Fu Yunzhe spent a full two months building an NBA-level basketball court in the villa for him and collecting a whole wall’s worth of basketball shoes and jerseys.

The jerseys had all the numbers available, as Fu Yunzhe didn’t know which basketball star Yu He liked, so he collected all of them.

Each jersey carried the history of the NBA, inheriting memories and honors that only true NBA fans could appreciate.

This place was not just an underground basketball hall; it was paradise.

Standing in this basketball hall built specifically for him, Yu He’s confidence reignited.

He didn’t believe that Fu Yunzhe had no feelings for him at all.

But why did Fu Yunzhe step back so far as soon as Yu He moved half a step forward?

Forget it. In any case, there was no one else by Fu Yunzhe’s side right now. Although they weren’t in a romantic relationship, they did things that couples do, and also things that couples don’t do.

Fu Yunzhe, with a net worth in the hundreds of billions, wouldn’t rashly commit to a relationship, which was completely understandable. Moreover, although Yu He did like Fu Yunzhe and was willing to be with him, it was indeed too early to talk about marriage.

Although same-sex marriage is now legal, Yu He still hasn’t reached the legal age for marriage.

He’s still young; there’s plenty of time. If Fu Yunzhe wants to take things slow, then let it be.

Yu He wasn’t in a rush.

Really.

＊

Yu He spent some time playing basketball in the gym.

More than the opulence and splendor of the court, there was another subtle sign that confirmed to Yu He that Fu Yunzhe had feelings for him—

Fu Yunzhe was actually playing basketball with him.

At first, Fu Yunzhe just sat on the sidelines, watching him.

After Yu He made a few three-pointers, he looked triumphantly at Fu Yunzhe: "Mr. Fu, do you play basketball?"

Fu Yunzhe rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned his cuffs, maneuvered his wheelchair to the three-point line, took the basketball, and made a three-pointer.

The ball traced a perfect parabola through the air and fell into the hoop with a clang.

Yu He exclaimed in admiration, "Wow, that was awesome!"

Zhang Shan had told Yu He that after Fu Yunzhe became disabled, he even gave up playing his favorite violin. Yu He had seen with his own eyes that the equipment in the gym was rusted, and in these two months, he had never seen Fu Yunzhe engage in any physical activities. Even mentioning swimming would cast a shadow of sadness on Fu Yunzhe's face.

But all it took was a single question from Yu He – "Do you play basketball?" – and Fu Yunzhe, who generally avoided sports due to his disability, was in the center of the court, sleeves rolled up, throwing that basketball.

Yu He, in his shorts and tank top jersey, ran to the side of the court. His long and athletic legs were particularly eye-catching. He grabbed a chair and placed it next to Fu Yunzhe’s wheelchair.

Sitting down, he held up the basketball and turned to Fu Yunzhe, saying, “How about a little competition?”

Fu Yunzhe's eyes sparkled; his black pupils were deep and mysterious. "Alright," he agreed.

This was Yu He's first time shooting from this height, and it took him a while to find the right angle before he finally threw the basketball.

The moment the ball left his hand, Yu He realized that something was off.

Just as he had thought, the basketball hit the edge of the backboard and missed.

“That one doesn’t count.” Picking up the ball, Yu He settled back down onto the chair, a strange competitive desire rising within him. "That was just a practice shot."

Fu Yunzhe hummed in agreement, his voice gentle, "This is Young Master Yu's basketball court; Young Master Yu has the final say."

Yu He threw the ball again, missing once more: "A small mistake, a small mistake. One more time."

Yu He threw the ball, and missed again: "Tch, this is pretty hard, but I’m getting the hang of it."

He shot the ball; it missed.

Another shot, and another miss.

He took another shot; it still didn’t go in.

"Give me one more chance."

"This time for sure, I've got the feel of it now, it's going to go in."

"Just one last try, just one more. It almost hit the hoop last time."

Holding the basketball, Yu He turned his head just in time to catch Fu Yunzhe's eyes brimming with amusement and indulgence.

Those beautiful, expressive phoenix eyes seemed to speak to him, telling Yu He that even if he wanted to try a hundred more times, Fu Yunzhe would indulge him.

Seeing Yu He suddenly turn his head, Fu Yunzhe shifted his gaze to the basketball hoop, his expression returning to its usual calm.

A tight feeling gripped Yu He's heart as if he had realized something.

Fu Yunzhe concealed his amusement.

Yu He tilted his head, puzzled, but quickly gave up trying to understand.

He threw another ball, which again grazed past the hoop. Picking up the basketball, Yu He couldn’t help but doubt whether Fu Yunzhe’s successful three-pointer had just been a stroke of luck.

"Your turn to shoot," Yu He said.

Fu Yunzhe casually tossed the ball.

It went in.

Yu He was stunned: "!!!!!!"

"How about you try standing and shooting?" Fu Yunzhe suggested, his voice laced with a teasing tone.

Cheating against Fu Yunzhe in a competition wasn’t enough; he had to make fun of him too?

This was utterly humiliating.

Instead of experiencing ten failed attempts, Yu He chose to endure humiliation. He moved the chair away, held the basketball under one arm, and made a solemn wish to the god of basketball.

"Please let me make this shot, I beg you!"

Calming his mind, Yu He seemed to hear the theme song of an inspirational anime ringing in his ears. In this moment, he threw the ball with a determination akin to burning his boats.

Holding his breath and focusing intently, Yu He’s gaze followed the basketball, which was now a vessel for his belief.

"Thank heavens, it went in."

This was the three-pointer on which he staked his entire career!

Two hours later, drenched in sweat, Yu He leapt high for a slam dunk. The ball went through the hoop, bounced out upon landing, but Yu He didn't go after it. Instead, he picked up a bottle of mineral water from behind the basketball stand, took two big gulps, and said, "I'm tired, no more playing."

Before leaving, Yu He took one last look at the empty, luxurious gym.

One by one, the spotlights on the ceiling went out, and the once bright and bustling gym gradually returned to darkness and silence.

The previous excitement now seemed like a dream.

A sense of emptiness and desolation filled Yu He’s heart, realizing that such a professional and well-equipped gym only came alive when he was there to play.

Most of the time, it was utterly silent.

The gym doesn't feel loneliness, but what about Fu Yunzhen?

Living alone in a villa resembling an ancient castle, does Fu Yunzhen feel lonely?

Pushing Fu Yunzhen's wheelchair back to the bedroom, Yu He was drenched in sweat from his intense workout. Sweat dripped down from his forehead and the tip of his nose. He lifted his shirt to wipe his sweat, revealing a section of his toned abdomen.

Fu Yunzhen averted his eyes, choosing not to look at Yu He’s slender waist.

"Do you want to take a shower?" After wiping his sweat, Yu He threw his sports vest into the laundry basket. Supporting himself on his knees, he bent down to look at Fu Yunzhen, "How come you never sweat?"

As Yu He came closer, his youthful scent enveloped Fu Yunzhen, the warmth and freshness distinctly surrounding him.

Fu Yunzhen leaned back slightly, resting his back against the wheelchair, "You go take a shower first."

Holding Fu Yunzhen's knees, Yu He picked him up, leaving no room for refusal, "Together."

*

In the bathroom, warm water gently filled the bathtub.

Yu He carried Fu Yunzhen into the bath, letting him lean against his chest, and gently massaged his arms, “Does it feel sore?”

It was common knowledge that muscles needed to be massaged to relax after exercising. Moreover, Fu Yunzhen hadn't exercised for a long time, and the sudden use of his upper body strength to throw the basketball would inevitably result in sore shoulders and arms the next day.

Yu He's hands were strong and skillful as he massaged from Fu Yunzhen’s shoulders down to his wrists. Then, holding Fu Yunzhen’s hand, he used his thumb to rub the palm and the base of his fingers to alleviate the fatigue.

Fu Yunzhen clenched his fist, looking at his slender back of the hand, and let out a helpless, self-mocking chuckle.

Yu He felt a pang in his heart and planted a kiss on Fu Yunzhen’s ear.

Fu Yunzhen covered his ear and glanced sideways at Yu He, “What are you doing?”

“Don’t think about unhappy things.” Yu He kissed the back of Fu Yunzhen’s hand, “You are only allowed to think about me.”

Fu Yunzhen laughed softly, his voice resonating in his chest, creating a pleasant harmony, “So domineering.”

Yu He massaged Fu Yunzhen’s Jianyu acupoint, “How's my service this time?”

Fu Yunzhen remembered the first time Yu He helped him bathe; he ended up catching a cold, which then was passed on to Yu He, and Yu He’s cold eventually turned into pneumonia.

He was still haunted by the memory.

“It’s pretty good.” Fu Yunzhen turned his head and politely refused, “Stop fussing, you really don’t have to...”

Suddenly, Yu He lowered his head and sealed Fu Yunzhen’s lips with his own, silencing the rest of his words.

Their breaths intertwined, and the steam filled the air, stirring deep emotions.

Fu Yunzhen was a man of his word, and while others would tread carefully when mentioning his injured leg, Yu He knew that Fu Yunzhen would not be angry with him.

He wanted to do something for Fu Yunzhen.

“I’ve been learning massage techniques from live streams.” Yu He pulled back slightly, his breath mingled with the steam, whispering in Fu Yunzhen’s ear, “I can give you massages in the future... They say online that it’s beneficial for blood circulation and has no harm.”

Yu He did not specify where he would massage, but they both clearly understood he was referring to Fu Yunzhen’s legs.

After lower limb paralysis, the leg muscles would gradually atrophy. It was very difficult to recover from this type of disability caused by spinal damage, and even if a small number of people managed to stand up again, most did so within a year. After a year, even if the spinal injury was treated surgically and sensation in the lower limbs was restored, rehabilitation for the legs would still be extremely difficult.

Fu Yunzhen understood this better than anyone else.

In the six months following the car accident, he underwent three lumbar spine surgeries, all of which ended in failure.

The treatment effects even regressed after the last surgery.

The doctors told him that this was because the human body could not withstand such frequent and intense treatments, and rash surgery could likely lead to further deterioration of his condition.

Fu Yunzhen had tried every treatment method conceivable to the average person, and even those beyond their imagination.

Fu Yunzhen closed his eyes and then opened them again, his voice low and heavy, “It’s useless.”

Yu He wrapped his arms around Fu Yunzhen’s shoulders, resting his chin on his hairline, “Just give it a try, I’m not charging you.”

Fu Yunzhen moved his head slightly, “Little Crane, let it be.”

Yu He insisted, “I really learned it.”

He demonstrated his newly acquired skills on the spot, supporting Fu Yunzhen to lean on the edge of the bathtub, while Fu Yunzhen grasped the handrail, lifting his arm.

Yu He went around to Fu Yunzhen’s legs, pressing and kneading the acupoints on his legs, pushing, pressing, kneading, and tapping. His techniques were quite professional.

“How does it feel?” Yu He asked.

Fu Yunzhen’s eyes drooped slightly as he looked through the water at his pale legs, sighing lightly, “No sensation. I can’t feel needles or electric shocks; let’s not waste any more effort.”

“Needles?” Yu He lifted his head, “I haven’t learned acupuncture yet. Yeah, acupuncture probably would be more effective, but I faint at the sight of needles. I've ordered some moxibustion supplies from a live stream. Master Meng said that moxibustion can warm the meridians, dispel cold, and promote the circulation of Qi and blood in the body. Winter is just around the corner, and your feet are always so cold.”

Yu He reached into the water to touch Fu Yunzhen’s toes, “See? They are ice cold even soaking in hot water.”

Last night, they slept together. Yu He had a habit of moving around in his sleep, and he accidentally kicked Fu Yunzhen’s leg. The coldness was startling, waking him up instantly. Unable to fall back asleep, he started researching relevant information online.

While browsing live streams to lull himself back to sleep, big data recommended a recovery live stream by Master Meng to Yu He. After listening for a while, Yu He felt that what was being said made a lot of sense.

Massage, moxibustion, and scraping are all basic healthcare methods. The treatments are gentle and moderate; even if they couldn't cure the condition, they wouldn’t make it worse.

Why not give it a try? What if it works?

Fu Yunzhen sat in the water, feeling the warmth of the flow on his upper body, but his legs felt as if they were not there. He couldn’t feel the warm water, not to mention scalding hot water. He, too, once held hope and longing for the recovery of his legs, just like Yu He, but now, he had none.

Fu Yunzhen lifted his hand to wipe away the water from Yu He’s brow bone wound, changing the subject and speaking lightly, “Did you get into a fight outside?”

The water’s sting on his wound caused Yu He to close his eyes for a moment. Determined to have Fu Yunzhen agree to the leg massage, he stubbornly steered the conversation back, “I won’t fight anymore, I’ll listen to everything you say. Just let me have a say in this matter of massaging your legs, alright?”

Fu Yunzhen remained silent for a long time.

Yu He couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Fu Yunzhen was extremely sensitive about his injured legs. After the treatment abroad failed, he seemed to have completely extinguished any hope of standing up again. According to Zhang Bo, Fu Yunzhen even stopped going for his bi-monthly routine check-ups, resigning himself to his fate and letting things take their course.

For a moment, the bathroom was very quiet, filled only with the subtle sound of water.

Drip, drip.

Water droplets fell onto the water's surface, creating ripples that spread out in circles.

After a while, the water in the bathtub had grown somewhat cool. Just as Yu He was about to add some hot water, he turned on the shower and heard Fu Yunzhen's response amidst the sound of flowing water.

Fu Yunzhen said, “Do as you wish.”

Yu He’s beautiful eyes curved into arcs as he smiled, his handsome face radiant.

Seeing Yu He happy brought a faint smile to Fu Yunzhen’s eyes as well, softening his usually cold and melancholic expression. His deep and obscure eyes gained a touch of warmth in the mist, resembling the recondensed light of shattered stars.

Yu He pinched Fu Yunzhen’s chin, scrutinizing his expression.

Fu Yunzhen was also looking at him.

After making eye contact with Fu Yunzhen for a while, Yu He’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he averted his gaze.

Yu He’s voice was slightly husky, with a faint nasal quality, sounding as if he were unconsciously acting coquettishly, “If you keep looking at me, I’m going to react.”

Fu Yunzhen: “......”

Fu Yunzhen sighed lightly, all his unprecedented patience and indulgence expressed in that single sigh.

No one had ever dared to talk to him like this. Yu He didn’t dare to when he first arrived.

He brought this upon himself.

Fu Yunzhen lowered his head, hesitating slightly before kissing, but ultimately, he did not land the kiss on Yu He’s face.

They were pressed incredibly close together.

Fu Yunzheng closed his eyes, calming his mind: "Xiao He, you really are..."

Yu He couldn’t wait for Fu Yunzheng's lips to descend, and took the initiative to tilt his head up and plant a kiss at the corner of Fu Yunzheng’s lips, "What is it?"

Fu Yunzheng: "Spoiled and arrogant."

After taking a bath, the spoiled and arrogant Yu He carried Fu Yunzheng back to bed, insisting on showing Fu Yunzheng the massage techniques he learned last night.

"I bought a lot of health care equipment in Master Meng's live broadcast room," Yu He said as he picked up his phone to show Fu Yunzheng what he had purchased the night before.

Knee heat pad joint massager, air wave leg pressure device, sole low-frequency pulse acupuncture therapy electroacupuncture, therapeutic patch electrode cabinet foot massager, jade moxibustion Guanyang cup...

Fu Yunzheng: "..."

“What kind of master is this?” Fu Yunzheng took Yu He’s phone, scrolled through a few of Master Meng’s short videos, and commented, “Why does it look like he’s selling health care equipment for the elderly?”

Yu He: "..."

Fu Yunzheng clicked into the product details page, casually browsing through the reviews.

[Fast shipping, bought it for my mom, she said it feels very comfortable and warm.]

[Second purchase, it’s good for massaging when my joints are uncomfortable, it relieves joint pain effectively. I bought one before and my dad took it.]

[Bought it for the elderly at home, I tried it myself, it’s all good, very convenient to use. I bought a magnetic therapy massage pillow for the elderly before, but it had too many buttons and was complicated to operate, and the instruction manual was incomprehensible, they couldn’t use it, so I bought this for them.]

Fu Yunzheng: "..."

Master Meng’s shopping cart had many links in it, and Yu He bought quite a few items last night. Coincidentally, he did not buy the magnetic therapy massage pillow.

Fu Yunzheng handed the phone back to Yu He, his eyes showing a rare hint of hesitation, "I am not so old that I can’t understand an instruction manual, right?"

Yu He certainly saw that review, but he didn't buy it because it was complicated to operate, not because he thought Fu Yunzheng was old. How did it end up sounding like he thought Fu Yunzheng was old in Fu Yunzheng’s interpretation?

On my honor, absolutely not.

Fu Yunzheng opened the main page of a massager, only to see a prominent line of golden advertising copy:

Elders will be moved to tears when they receive this.

Yu He: "..."

Fu Yunzheng, expressionless: "Young Master Yu, do you need me to cry for you right now?"

Annoyed and embarrassed, Yu He put his phone back into his pocket, shoved his hands in his pockets as he looked down condescendingly, and lifted his chin: "Cry when you receive it then. It just got shipped; it will take a few days to arrive. You can start getting in the mood for it now."

"That doesn’t leave me much time," Fu Yunzheng quipped with a smirk, "The first review even mentioned that the shipping was fast."

"Fast shipping doesn’t mean fast delivery..." Yu He wanted to say more, but just then his phone rang. He sighed in relief, didn't even check who it was, and answered, "Hello? Who is this?"

Yu He: “Hello, may I ask who is calling?”

A refined male voice came from the other end: “Yu He, this is Yu Qingyan. Where are you right now?”

Yu He frowned, glanced at Fu Yunzheng, and gestured with his phone to indicate he was stepping out to take the call.

Fu Yunzheng nodded, indicating that he could go ahead.

Yu He then walked to the balcony, partially closing the balcony door behind him: "What’s the matter? How did you get my number?"

Yu Qingyan: "I heard... you are in Yun Su and that you’ve been sick. How are you doing now?"

Yu He thought to himself, what’s happening today? Why is even the weasel paying a New Year's visit to the chicken?

"I am quite well," Yu He responded.

Yu Qingyan: "Yu He, I heard that after you left the Yu family, Zhou Wenxiao introduced you to work at Jinse Tai..."

Yu He raised his eyebrows slightly: "Yeah, all my cards were frozen. I still had some unpaid bills at Jinse Tai from before, so I'm working there to pay off my debts. What about it?"

Yu Qingyan seemed to find it hard to speak; after a long hesitation, he finally said, "I am in Yun Su right now. I would like to meet you."

Leaning casually against the door, Yu He felt a wave of irritability rise from within. He couldn’t help wanting to smoke to calm his nerves.

He tapped on the glass window, catching Fu Yunzheng’s attention. He then nonchalantly gestured with his middle and index fingers at his mouth, cheekily beckoning Fu Yunzheng to bring him a cigarette.

Indulgently, Fu Yunzheng allowed Yu He’s wilful behavior. He really moved from the bed to the wheelchair, wheeled himself to the study to fetch a cigarette for him.

Fu Yunzheng didn’t have a smoking addiction and didn’t usually smoke. There were some cigars and exclusive cigarettes in the study; some were gifts from others, and some were bought by him to give away. He took out a pack of cigarettes, placed it on his knee, and began unwrapping the plastic seal while wheeling back.

The electric wheelchair didn’t require constant operation. By the time it stopped beside the window, Fu Yunzheng had just finished unwrapping the entire pack of cigarettes. He opened the inner window, took out a box of cigarettes along with a match, and handed them to Yu He.

Clamping the phone between his shoulder and ear, Yu He put his hands together in an extremely grateful gesture, and then reached out to take the cigarettes from Fu Yunzheng’s hand.

However, Fu Yunzheng withdrew his hand, pulled out a cigarette from the pack, placed it in his mouth, and struck a match to light it for himself first. Only then did he hand the pack over to Yu He.

Yu He clicked his tongue: “Since when did you start smoking?”

He reached out, took the cigarette from Fu Yunzheng’s lips, and put it in his own mouth: “I’m confiscating this one.”

He then closed the window with a swift motion to prevent the second-hand smoke from drifting into the bedroom.

As the smoke filled his lungs and nicotine did its work, Yu He’s mood improved, and even Yu Qingyan’s voice on the other end of the line sounded more pleasant.

Yu Qingyan seemed to be acting oddly, insisting on asking whether Yu He was being kept by someone.

Yu He couldn’t be bothered to argue: “Yeah, sure.”

Yu Qingyan: “Where are you? I’m coming to find you.”

Yu He took another drag of his cigarette: “What for? Planning to steal my business?”

“Yu He!” Yu Qingyan’s voice carried a hint of frustration and disappointment, “How could you degenerate to this? Your biological parents would be so heartbroken if they knew.”

Yu He’s nonchalant gaze turned cold: “Yu Qingyan, on your first day at the Yu family, I asked you about my biological parents. What did you say?”

Yu Qingyan had said that the elderly couple was in poor health. He had intended to be honest with Yu He’s biological parents, but as soon as he mentioned the hypothetical situation, they nearly suffered heart attacks. It took two nitroglycerin tablets to stabilize them, and Yu Qingyan didn’t dare to bring it up again, quickly covering it up by saying he was just joking.

Yu Qingyan’s voice was gentle and he spoke slowly, trying to explain to Yu He: “I've tried to bring up the topic, but dad and mom just can’t accept it.”

Yu Qingyan's adoptive father also had the surname Yu. It was precisely because of this that the hospital had mixed up the two baby boys all those years ago. It wasn’t Yu He’s fault, and although many people thought he would hate or resent Yu He, that wasn’t the case.

Before Yu He left the Yu family, Yu Qingyan still regarded him as a rival. But now, he only felt pity for Yu He.

Yu Qingyan used to be the pride of his adoptive parents, having excelled academically and been admitted to a prestigious university. They were proud of him, and now he had also become the pride of his biological parents.

Compared to him, Yu He, who had dreamed of being a young master in a wealthy family for nineteen years, was the one who had been played by fate. Yu He didn’t even have the ability to survive on his own; he had fallen so low, voluntarily becoming a plaything for others just because he owed Jinse Tai some money.

When everything is going well, people tend to feel that everything can be forgiven. Faced with such a vulnerable opponent, Yu Qingyan only felt pity in his heart.

Yu Qingyan made up his mind to pull Yu He out of this hellish situation, as a way to repay his adoptive parents for raising him.

At the very least, I cannot let Yu He remain by the side of that perverted individual.

Zhou Wenxiao told me that Yu He has been having a hard time and even had to be rushed to emergency. If I continue to neglect this, I might really end up only being able to collect his corpse after a while.

What if one day my foster parents find out the truth? How am I supposed to explain this to them?

Yu Qingyan lowered his eyelids, gripping his phone tightly as he spoke to Yu He, “Have you not always wanted to know about your birth parents? I will tell you after we meet.”