Chapter 35

Chapter 35

The next day, Fu Yao came to deliver some company documents to Fu Yunzheng.

By the time Fu Yunzheng went downstairs, Yu He still hadn’t gotten up.

He had lain in bed for half an hour, restless and unable to sleep. So he put on a long-sleeved sweatshirt and went to the gym for a live broadcast, hoping to chat with the audience to distract himself from his jumbled thoughts.

However, it was a workday, and at 9 a.m., nobody was watching the live stream.

Yu He exited the live stream room, lay back on the bench press, and stared blankly at the gym’s ceiling.

Footsteps approached, and Yu He sat up, looking toward the newcomer: “Fu Yao, what brings you here?”

Fu Yao, dressed in a cashmere plaid suit, felt a bit warm as he entered the heated gym. He unbuttoned and took off his coat, nodding as he said, “I brought some materials for cousin, and thought I’d check up on you. Wanna go out?”

Yu He, sprawled on the bench press bar, responded listlessly: “Don’t feel like it.”

Fu Yao asked again: “How about basketball then? Didn’t you ask me to come over and play last time?”

Yu He stood up, devoid of energy, and walked out of the gym: “Let’s play.”

Fu Yao placed a hand on Yu He’s shoulder: "What’s wrong? Why so down? I haven’t done anything to upset you, have I?"

Yu He sighed, not bothering to speak, and walked dejectedly into the basketball arena. He raised his hand to touch the wall, turning on the arena’s lights.

Fu Yao had long known about Cousin building a basketball arena for Yu He and was aware that, given Fu Yunzheng’s generosity, the basketball court would be nothing short of lavish. However, standing at the entrance of the underground basketball arena and watching the 28 circular spotlights light up one by one, he was still immensely impressed.

“Damn,” Fu Yao exclaimed as he casually hung his suit jacket on a coat rack by the door and headed to the changing room. “This is just extravagant. Two teams could play an NBA game right here; it even looks more advanced than the national team’s training facility.”

Yu He commented, “That training facility has been around for years. Besides, basketball isn’t like skiing or ice-skating where the venue is crucial. It’s not about how technologically advanced it is.”

Distracting Yu He’s attention proved to be an easy task. With just one sentence from Fu Yao, Yu He engaged in a conversation about the NBA, quickly forgetting his troubles for the moment.

Yu He pointed to the two large display cabinets filled with basketball shoes and jerseys, “There are clothes and shoes here; feel free to wear whatever you like.”

Fu Yao gave Yu He a deep and meaningful look.

Building a basketball arena at home to please a lover is extremely cost-inefficient, especially when it is a professional-grade and costly facility like this one.

Fu Yunzheng, not being athletic, would never use this basketball arena himself. Additionally, having the arena at home means that if he ever parts ways with Yu He, the arena loses its purpose. Aside from demolishing it, there would be no way to recoup the investment.

If the goal was simply to please Yu He, giving money, watches, or cars would have been far more straightforward and convenient than building a basketball arena.

Yet, the usually shrewd and wise Fu Yunzheng bypassed all the better options, choosing the worst one.

Fu Yao could only describe the basketball arena with the phrase ‘going to great lengths’.

But could it be that Fu Yunzheng hadn’t considered the hassle of building a basketball arena?

That seems unlikely.

Did Fu Yunzheng not think about what would happen to the basketball arena if Yu He ever left?

Even more unlikely.

And yet, despite all these considerations, Fu Yunzheng still chose to build such an arena for Yu He.

In Fu Yao’s view, this basketball arena is a very failed gift. From both Fu Yunzheng’s and Yu He’s perspectives, this gift has a short lifespan.

It can only ‘live’ as long as Fu Yunzheng and Yu He are together. Once they part ways, this multimillion-dollar basketball arena will become nothing more than an expensive ruin—

Yu He can't take it with him, and keeping it is of no use to Fu Yunzhen.

Why choose this as a gift? Fu Yao couldn’t comprehend and couldn’t force himself to understand. Given his understanding of Fu Yunzhen, his cousin doing such a thing was already extraordinary.

The phoenix nestles in the parasol tree; could it be that my cousin is planting a parasol tree? Using a basketball gym to keep a simple-minded immortal crane.

Impossible, this is too absurd.

Fu Yao shook his head, casting this terrifying speculation out of his mind.

Let's not say that it's impossible for my cousin to fall for someone; even if he did, he wouldn't pursue them in such a foolish way.

That’s Fu Yunzhen we’re talking about!

Would Fu Yunzhen really need to secretly plant a parasol tree if he fell for someone?

This is too indirect; it’s simply not Fu Yunzhen’s straightforward and decisive style of doing things.

And it’s also too obscure; considering Yu He’s intelligence…

Fu Yao silently thought: I’m sorry, Yu He, I don’t think you’re stupid at all; it’s just that you simply wouldn’t understand.

Yu He tilted his head, not understanding why Fu Yao was suddenly looking at him with such depth.

"What are you looking at?" Yu He pushed Fu Yao: "Are you playing or not?"

Fu Yao came back to his senses and couldn’t help asking: "How on earth did you convince my cousin to build a basketball gym at home?"

Yu He was startled: "I didn’t say anything."

Fu Yao’s eyes widened, surprise evident even behind his glasses: "Then why would he?"

Yu He took out a pair of blue and white basketball shoes, sat on a low stool to change his shoes, and gave an answer he wasn’t even sure of himself: "Because I like to play basketball?"

Fu Yao’s face was indescribable, as if he had swallowed ten pounds of raw eggs. Yu He choked him without knowing what to say. The saddest part was, Yu He probably didn’t even mean to choke him; he was probably just telling the truth.

But this logic simply doesn’t hold up.

Yu He says he likes to play basketball, so Fu Yunzhen builds a basketball gym? If Yu He said he liked the moon, would Fu Yunzhen have to buy a manned spaceship to bring back?

No matter how you look at it, there seems to be a missing link in this logic.

There's no discussion at all about whether it's necessary! At least Yu He should say 'I want XX' to make it reasonable.

Fu Yao also sat down to change his sneakers, speaking earnestly: "...Well, it seems that your cousin really likes you."

Hearing this, Yu He's hands paused momentarily while tying his shoelaces, as all the forgotten troubles came rushing back.

He lowered his eyelids, his dark lashes trembling like butterfly wings, and said dejectedly: "I feel like he doesn’t like me."

Fu Yao: ???

Fu Yao adjusted his glasses: "What makes you say that? He’s been quite nice to you."

Yu He sat on the stool, hugging his knees: "Hey, I’m not saying he's not nice to me. What I mean is... like, like-liking."

Yu He lowered his eyes, filled with a sense of loss and grievance: "He doesn't like me."

Fu Yao finally understood why his cousin had sent him down, asking him to take Yu He out for a change of scenery.

It seemed that the two of them had recently argued and were in a bad mood. Fu Yunzhen was at a loss on how to approach the situation, but he was also worried about Yu He, so he sent Fu Yao to talk and comfort Yu He.

This was really too difficult; how should he go about talking and comforting him?

"Let’s play basketball," Fu Yao changed the topic.

Yu He, patting the basketball, asked Fu Yao: "What have you been busy with lately?"

Fu Yao gave Yu He a brief introduction to the projects he was currently discussing, explaining everything very earnestly. When it came to professional terminology, he would even take the time to explain it in detail, showing no signs of perfunctory behavior. He had never looked down on Yu He because of his background. When Yu He asked, he answered truthfully without giving it another thought.

Hearing that Fu Yao was raising funds for the project, Yu He casually said: "I have some money; I can invest in your project first."

Fu Yao instinctively refused: "There's no need, Yu He. You should keep your money for yourself." He admonished Yu He with concern: "Don't just invest blindly; some people might seem wealthy, but they've actually prepared to default on their debts long ago. It’s easy to invest money, but getting it back is hard."

"Fu Yao, I don't really have anything to spend money on," Yu He said with a smile: "From the day I left the Yu family, I've had no relatives. When you said that day that you consider me as a younger cousin, whether it was just courtesy or not, I took it to heart."

Fu Yao quickly responded: "Of course, it wasn’t just courtesy; my mom really likes you.."

Yu He: "Then I'll take your word for it. Send me your bank account details later. You have the resources, and I have the money; are you planning to make money without including me?"

These words left Fu Yao with no room to refuse. After a moment of silence, he said: "Alright, I’ll give you a share of the profits next quarter."

Fu Yao accompanied Yu He in a basketball game for a while, but truly had no idea how to complete the task Fu Yunzhen had given him. As for matters of the heart, Fu Yao also didn’t know what to say. He always felt that getting involved in other people's relationships was wrong no matter how you tried to advise them, so he ended up dragging Yu He out for a shopping spree instead.

After spending the entire day with Yu He in Yun Su, it was close to nine in the evening when Fu Yao finally sent Yu He back to the Fu residence, just in time.

Yun Su was currently hosting a Lantern Festival, resulting in severe traffic congestion in the evening.

Yu He didn't get carsick on the way out, but on the way back, they hit traffic. The constant acceleration and braking from Fu Yao had Yu He feeling nauseous, and just two streets away, he couldn’t hold it in any longer.

Knowing that he had caused the trouble, and afraid of being nagged by Fu Yunzhen, Fu Yao left Yu He at the villa’s gate and drove away.

Leaning against a tree, Yu He vomited until his stomach was empty, wiping away the tears that had welled up from the nausea. He felt so weak that he just wanted to lie down right there.

Fu Yunzhen saw this scene from the window and cursed Fu Yao in his heart for being more of a hindrance than a help.

By the time Yu He returned upstairs, Fu Yunzhen was already in bed.

Seeing that Fu Yunzhen hadn’t waited for him, Yu He said, “You should go to sleep; I’m going back to my room.”

Fu Yunzhen called out to Yu He, “Xiao He, I was waiting for you.”

Fu Yunzhen sat up, holding onto the bed rail, and the duvet slipped down from his chest. There was a fading kiss mark just below the neckline of his pajamas—

Left by Yu He the day before yesterday.

Yu He’s heart skipped a beat.

But he was no longer the innocent and naive Yu He of the past. After last night’s intensive training session with Sean, he was working on developing a heart of steel!

Yu He’s face remained expressionless as he pulled the duvet back up over Fu Yunzhen, taunting, “Waiting for me? All I have here are crude emotions. Mr. Fu, you surely don't need those.”

Fu Yunzhen sighed softly, thinking in his heart about this little grudge-holder who was also quite difficult to appease.

“Indeed, I’ve never had those before, neither crude nor refined,” Fu Yunzhen closed his eyes, sitting up straight against the headboard, and said indifferently, “I only have you.”

Yu He’s mind buzzed.

It was as if a bell had been struck, or as if millions of fireworks had exploded at once, leaving him even more dazzled and disoriented than when blood rushed to his head during a handstand.

Even after he finished showering and returned to the bedroom, Yu He didn’t utter a single word.

Drying his hair with a towel, he tilted his head to drain the water from his ears. He patted his other ear and looked doubtful, wondering if water had gotten into his brain. Otherwise, how could he not understand the meaning behind the words "only you"?

What does "only you" mean? If we break it down for analysis, this "you" clearly refers to him, Yu He. But how should we interpret this "only"?

Considering the context, Fu Yunzhen’s original words were: “Indeed, I’ve never had those before, neither crude nor refined (pause)—only you.” Fu Yunzhen paused in the middle, so does this "only you" come after a period or a comma?

If it’s a period, then the sentence “I’ve never had those” ends there, and it probably can’t be connected and understood together. But if it’s a comma...

“Neither crude nor refined, only you.”

What does that mean? Can’t he elaborate?

Yu He’s heart fluttered wildly, beating furiously.

Casually hanging the towels on the back of a chair, Yu He turned and climbed into bed.

The mattress in the bedroom was quite firm. He forgot where he read it, but it said that people with back problems shouldn’t sleep on soft beds; firmer beds make it easier to get up.

Resting on his elbows on the mattress, Yu He directly sought help from the man in question: “Mr. Fu, are you asleep?”

Just now, when Yu He went to take a bath, a dim night light was left on by the bed.

Under the light, Fu Yunzhen opened his eyes and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Fu Yunzhen’s calm and composed demeanor highlighted Yu He’s flustered and agitated state.

If this issue wasn’t resolved, Yu He wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight, tomorrow night, or the night after.

For the sake of his precarious sleep, Yu He humbly sought guidance.

“What does that mean...” Afraid that Fu Yunzhen would play dumb, Yu He added another question: “What does 'only you' mean?”

Fu Yunzhen was silent for a moment, as if weighing something. He ultimately didn’t answer until Yu He asked again. Finally, Fu Yunzhen sighed, “It means just you.”

Yu He was so nervous he almost forgot how to breathe.

Crackling—

The sounds of bells and fireworks in his mind exploded simultaneously.

His heart fluttered wildly amid the loud noises, violently trembling. Fu Yunzhen would never know how his brief words could create a tidal wave of emotions in Yu He’s heart.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, Yu He clenched the quilt corner, propping himself up with one hand beside Fu Yunzhen's pillow, and leaned in to press further: “What do you mean by 'only me'? Your exact words were: 'Indeed, I’ve never had anyone, neither the unrefined nor the refined,’ and then you said ‘only you.’ Is that one sentence or two? Make yourself clearer.”

Fu Yunzhen, usually articulate and persuasive, surprisingly found himself at a loss for words. He thought he had made himself quite clear, but Yu He seemed to think otherwise. Did he really need to spell it out for him?

Seeing that Fu Yunzhen wasn’t responding, Yu He grabbed Fu Yunzhen’s shoulders and began to shake him, as if trying to shake out all the unsaid words from his mind.

He succeeded.

Fu Yunzhen finally spoke up: “Only you means just that, only you. I’ve never been with anyone else, neither the unrefined nor the refined, only you.”

He was helpless against the stubbornness of the young man, retreating continuously until he was leaning against the headboard: “Kissing, sleeping together, sleeping with our feet intertwined – my first time for all of that was with you. I don’t want and won’t be with anyone else. How much clearer can I make it?”

Yu He’s eyes widened, his breathing quickened. Young and impudent, pushing his luck, he was still caught up on the word 'unrefined' even after receiving such a surprising response.

Yu He challenged Fu Yunzhen: “Then why did you say it like that?”

Fu Yunzhen slightly furrowed his brows, speaking in a deep voice: “You are still young, with a long journey ahead. If you are kept by me and one day it’s discovered, you could say I forced you. People would sympathize with you, treat you kindly. But if… if you are with me, they would call you depraved, sneering at your shamelessness.”

Fu Yunzhen continued: “No one will believe in our ‘affection.’ They will only say that you, Yu He, would do anything for money, keeping company with a disabled old man and even enjoying it, dressing up this dirty transaction with the guise of affection.”

Only a young person in their teens or twenties would initiate a reckless romance without considering the consequences. Fu Yunzhen, as a mature man, had his own independent understanding and contemplation regarding the establishment of intimate relationships.

This relationship was already stable enough without the involvement of love, both parties felt happy and at ease, and there was absolutely no reason to rush into making it public, attracting attention.

Gossip is the most secretive poison.

He had to consider Yu He’s future.

Fu Yunzhen didn’t care how others viewed him, but he cared deeply about how they viewed Yu He. Fu Yunzhen's life was already set, whether his actions were noble or base, nobody dared to critique him to his face.

But Yu He was different. He had a long life ahead of him and couldn’t be with Fu Yunzhen every moment. If Fu Yunzhen wasn’t there and Yu He was ridiculed because of this matter, even if Fu Yunzhen took revenge a thousand or a hundred times over afterwards, it couldn’t alleviate Yu He’s embarrassment at that moment. That’s why he couldn’t and shouldn’t talk about feelings with Yu He.

He didn't need an escape route and could act recklessly.

Yu He couldn’t.

Fu Yunzhen seemed completely indifferent to others' opinions, even suggesting Yu He claim he was forced into a kept relationship. But if he truly didn’t care, why was he so worried about Yu He being criticized?

Yu He never imagined that Fu Yunzhen's reason for avoiding a romantic relationship was all because of him.

Fu Yunzhen was older than Yu He, had been in a high position for many years, and was sufficiently mature and steady, with far more comprehensive thoughts.

In Yu He's heart, there were countless reasons why Fu Yunzheng might not want to confirm their relationship, but no matter what, he never imagined that Fu Yunzheng's biggest concern was actually himself!

With one hand cupping the back of Fu Yunzheng's head, Yu He looked directly into his narrow, elongated eyes, "Fu Yunzheng, the worries you have are not a problem for me. My feelings do not need approval from anyone other than you. I won't allow you to feel sorry for yourself. What do you mean by 'an old, disabled man'? Can't you feel how fascinated I am by you?"

Fu Yunzheng averted his gaze and unfolded a blanket to drape it over Yu He's shoulders, "I'm old and disabled, what is there for you to be fascinated by?"

Such sharply self-deprecating words, it was unclear whether they hurt Yu He more or inflicted more pain on himself.

Yu He lifted his hand to pinch Fu Yunzheng's chin, "I don't care about your disability, and you're not old. How is thirty-two years old considered old? You're as handsome as a movie star. I was stunned the first time I saw you..."

Yu He scrutinized Fu Yunzheng's handsome and elegant face, his tone slightly sour, "And you're this handsome now. I really can't imagine how stunning you must have been at nineteen. How could you possibly have never been in a relationship?"

Fu Yunzheng tilted his head back along with the force of Yu He’s hand.

This upward angle was the ultimate test of one's facial features; most people could not withstand this deadly angle. But as Fu Yunzheng lifted his chin, the smooth and defined line of his jaw became exceptionally clear, his almost perfect facial features stunningly beautiful, transcending gender and age.

Each time Yu He took a close look, he was amazed at Fu Yunzheng's extraordinary handsomeness.

Even when bedridden or even beneath Yu He, none of this diminished Fu Yunzheng's sharp and imposing masculinity. Fu Yunzheng was always quiet, his sword-like eyebrows slightly furrowed in endurance, and even warm kisses couldn't make those handsome brows and eyes flush with color.

Fu Yunzheng’s gaze was always restrained, as if he could instantly withdraw from warmth and affection, calmly planning out the corporate blueprint for the next fiscal year of his business empire.

He was so powerful, like the vast ocean, able to carry all of Yu He’s love and desire.

Contrary to his indifferent demeanor, Fu Yunzheng's breath and body were fervent. Each time, Yu He used all his tricks, inviting Fu Yunzheng to sink into depravity with him, forcing Fu Yunzheng to utter, "Xiao He, be gentle."

Fu Yunzheng said, "I really haven't been with anyone else."

Under Yu He’s intense questioning, Fu Yunzheng breathed out hastily and finally uttered the words Yu He loved to hear.

Yu He’s breath was equally hurried as he lay beside Fu Yunzheng's ear, asking softly, "Fine, there's been no one else in bed, but what about in your heart? Who has been in your heart?"

Laying his ear against Fu Yunzheng’s chest, Yu He listened to the vigorous heartbeat. He heard Fu Yunzheng chuckle softly, a pleasant resonance filling the space between their chests.

It was as if he knew what Yu He wanted to hear, but Fu Yunzheng deliberately said, "I won’t tell you."

Yu He was somewhat annoyed, and his frustration was fully manifested in his movements.

His strength grew increasingly stronger.

Long after, Fu Yunzheng was so tired that he was almost asleep.

Yu He slowed down his pace at work, asking softly, "I have you in my heart. Do you have me in yours?"

Fu Yunzheng closed his eyes, feeling drowsy, and Yu He didn’t press any further. He embraced Fu Yunzheng in his arms, soon overwhelmed by drowsiness.

In a state between waking and sleeping, Yu He seemed to have plunged into a shimmering river, surrounded by dazzling light and shadow. Amidst this brilliance, he heard Fu Yunzheng’s reply, but he was too exhausted to discern whether it was a dream or reality.

In a daze, Yu He heard Fu Yunzheng say, "There is someone in my heart."

Groggily, Yu He asked, "Who is it?"

A slightly cool hand brushed away the stray hairs on Yu He's forehead, and that person told Yu He, "It’s the one I can’t bear to fall asleep."

What?

The person in Fu Yunzheng's heart? Cherished to the extent of not wanting to sleep?

Who is it!!!

Yu He tried hard to deduce the answer from what he knew, attempting to unravel this complex relationship. However, logic that was already hard to grasp when awake became even more elusive in his dreams. He repeated the sentence three times in his mind, afraid that he would forget it, wanting to wake up and immediately jot it down in his phone’s notes. Sadly, he just couldn’t fully awaken.

Forget it, he remembered it very clearly now. When he wakes up tomorrow, he must thoroughly investigate who this person is.

Yu He gave up the struggle against his sleepiness for the moment, his breathing deepened, and he completely succumbed to a deep, sweet slumber.

The outcome was predictable.

The next morning, Yu He's simple brain reset and rebooted. Not to mention that sentence, he didn’t even remember that he had forgotten something very important.

When Yu He opened his eyes, Fu Yunzheng was still asleep.

The morning light seeping through the gaps in the curtains fell on the cheeks of the person beside the pillow; his beloved person seemed to glow.

A heart full of joy overflowed, filling the entire bedroom with sweet, honey-like happiness, and the whole space was filled with pink bubbles of love hormones.

Remembering who he was, was already good enough for Yu He.