Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Before his voice even fell, Fu Yunzhen had taken the cup from Yu He’s hand, clinked glasses with Chen Sijian, and drained it in one go.

Chen Sijian was stunned.

Since his car accident, Fu Yunzhen had abstained from alcohol. This was a fact known by almost everyone. No matter the occasion or the status of the other party, Fu Yunzhen never touched a drop.

Today, he actually drank a glass for Yu He and Chen Sijian. Who would believe it if word got out?

The project on those two plots of land in Feng City was indeed substantial, but what did such an amount of capital flow mean in the eyes of Fu Yunzhen?

Only those with substantial assets, who are not afraid of losses, would dare to single-handedly take on the project on those two plots of land in Feng City, proceeding with such decisiveness. This was facilitated by Fu Yunzhen’s absolute authority in the Fu Corporation, sparing them the endless meetings and back-and-forth negotiations with various shareholders that other public companies had to endure for a new project.

Chen Sijian was pleasantly surprised and swiftly emptied his cup, inevitably reassessing Yu He's standing in Fu Yunzhen's heart.

Fu Yunzhen set down his wine cup; the faint crisp sound it made when the porcelain base tapped the tabletop reverberated subtly yet strikingly into Yu He’s heart, causing the coldness there to pulsate back to life.

The disheartened part of himself said: Stay calm, Yu He, it's just a sip of wine, right?

But the part of him that had just revived argued: But he drank from your cup!

Yu He felt dizzy and overwhelmed by this covert intimacy. The alcohol he had consumed seemed to rush instantly to his brain, causing the arteries on his forehead to throb rhythmically. It was as if his energy had been sapped away, leaving him weak and powerless.

Under the influence of alcohol, Yu He was in a state of exhilaration, which lasted until a waiter helped him into the car.

"Little Crane, Little Crane..."

Who was calling him?

The voice was so pleasant, like a cello.

Yu He hung his head for a moment before slowly turning around. Night had fallen, and the car's interior was dark. Yu He’s world was a blur, and it took him a good fifteen seconds to focus his eyes on the person in front of him.

“Mr. Fu.” Recognizing the person beside him, Yu He smiled, “Did you call me?”

Fu Yunzhen: "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"

Fu Yunzhen’s voice sounded as if it was muffled, and Yu He listened carefully for a while, trying hard to decipher the meaning behind his words.

Yu He: “I’m not drunk.”

Fu Yunzhen sighed, reached out, and drew Yu He’s shoulder towards him: "Fine, you’re not drunk. Come here, lean on me, don’t fall.”

This Rolls-Royce Cullinan had been specially modified; Fu Yunzhen’s wheelchair could move directly in and out. However, because he was sitting in a wheelchair, Yu He couldn’t lie across Fu Yunzhen’s lap.

Yu He leaned on Fu Yunzhen’s shoulder, and for some reason, he suddenly felt like crying.

This was normal; people tend to become sensitive when they’re drunk. But he wasn’t so intoxicated that he lost control of his emotions and actually cried.

Yu He closed his eyes, listening as Fu Yunzhen instructed the driver to contact the family doctor and have him wait at the manor.

“I'm not drunk.” Yu He insisted, “We don't need a doctor.”

Fu Yunzhen responded with a nod: "Alright, no need for a doctor."

Yu He was adamant about his level of sobriety. After a while, he reiterated to Fu Yunzhen, "Mr. Fu, I'm really not drunk, I'm just... a bit uncomfortable."

He felt Fu Yunzhen's hand touch his forehead and cheek. Yu He knew that Fu Yunzhen was checking if he had a fever. This touch was completely within the bounds of social etiquette, devoid of any personal affection.

Tears welled up in Yu He’s eyes again.

He realized that Fu Yunzhen rarely initiated any intimate gestures; hugs and kisses were always instigated by him. Fu Yunzhen... had never taken the initiative to kiss him.

There was only one time when Fu Yunzhen held his chin, leaned in slightly, but his lips ultimately landed on the hand that was pinching him, not on his face.

Now, Fu Yunzhen’s fingers were once again on Yu He’s neck, checking his pulse.

Yu He’s heart was racing, and he knew it even without Fu Yunzhen checking. He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth and coolness of Fu Yunzhen’s fingers, as he swallowed hard.

After a moment, Fu Yunzhen said, "Your heart rate is too fast, almost two beats per second. Where do you feel uncomfortable?"

Where do I feel uncomfortable?

Isn't it because you don't like me that I'm uncomfortable? But how can I say that?

Yu He’s mind was in a haze, but suddenly, he had a flash of insight.

He could say that he felt uncomfortable in his heart, then Fu Yunzhen would ask him why, and he could sadly say, "Because you don't like me."

Knowing Fu Yunzhen’s emotional intelligence, he definitely wouldn’t bluntly say 'yes, I don’t like you.' He might just go along and say ‘I do like you,’ but it's more likely that he would turn the question around and ask, 'Where did I ever show that I don't like you?'

If Fu Yunzhen directly says he likes him, mission accomplished; if Fu Yunzhen turns the question around, Yu He would then say ‘then why don’t you kiss me?’

That would at least solve one problem.

Yu He curled his lips into a smile, thinking to himself, I am truly a genius.

Yu He proceeded with his plan: "I feel uncomfortable in my heart."

Fu Yunzhen: "......"

"Old Zhang, go to the emergency room." Fu Yunzhen pressed his suit pocket before realizing that he hadn’t carried a phone in a long time. He continued instructing the driver, "Contact the traffic police team and adjust the traffic lights. We have a sick person in the car."

Yu He grabbed Fu Yunzhen’s hand, "It’s not that kind of discomfort, I..."

"Suffering is not an option." Fu Yunzheng's voice was deep, and for the first time, he strongly went against Yu He's wishes, assertively stating, "You must go to the hospital. No discussion."

Seven minutes later, Yu He was lying on a stretcher, being rushed into the emergency room by several nurses clad in white coats, with a sense of urgency.

Everything had taken Yu He by surprise; Fu Yunzheng's actions were unpredictable, and Yu He couldn't fathom how things had escalated to this point.

The number of patients in the emergency room at night far exceeded Yu He's imagination. The unspeakable moments of life and death were constantly unfolding, and the seats on both sides of the corridor at the entrance of the emergency room were filled with people.

Many people were hurrying, running to pay fees and pick up medicine, or standing at the entrance of the emergency room, waiting blankly for the results.

A nurse shouted, "Make way! We have a patient here!"

The crowd in the corridor parted like the Red Sea, and with the rumbling sound of wheels rolling on the ground, the stretcher passed through the crowd.

The hospital lights were chillingly cold, casting a ghastly pale light that seemed to sprinkle salt on people’s hearts.

Yu He could clearly see the faces of these people. There was no place more enlightening about life and death than the emergency room at dawn, and at nineteen, Yu He was far from death.

But at this moment, due to an unfortunate mistake, he vaguely touched upon something profound.

In this instant, Yu He suddenly felt that his love and hatred were so insignificant. Compared to life and death, what did this bit of sorrow matter?

This epiphany lasted until Fu Yunzhe appeared in front of Yu He.

The moment he saw Fu Yunzhe again, Yu He, who was leaning over a bucket vomiting, suddenly sprang up: "I'm not getting my stomach pumped!"

In an instant, everyone's gaze focused on Fu Yunzhe.

Fu Yunzhe: "......"

The doctor scolded: "You're vomiting like this and you still refuse to have your stomach pumped?"

Yu He felt wronged: "I didn't vomit because of drinking. I'm carsick."

Fu Yunzhe wheeled closer to Yu He: "Don't drink anymore in the future."

"It really has nothing to do with drinking. The driver was driving too fast on the way here." Yu He leaned close to Fu Yunzhe and whispered, "No stomach pumping, no blood tests."

Fu Yunzhe asked the doctor, "How is he?"

The doctor replied, "Heart rate 103, blood oxygen 93, blood pressure 130/70, other tests haven’t been done yet."

It's easy to get into the hospital but hard to leave. Even when Fu Yunzhe arrived, they could only follow the doctor's arrangements. Despite Yu He’s strong resistance, he didn’t have his stomach pumped, but blood tests were inevitable.

Yu He had four or five tubes of blood drawn, his eyelashes trembling as he thought, is this the retribution for faking illness and seeking sympathy?

Fortunately, the test results were all normal. Yu He refused to be hospitalized for observation, eagerly looking at Fu Yunzhe with a face full of desire to go home.

Fu Yunzhe had no choice but to say, "Let's go home first."

After all the hassle at the hospital, on the way home, the effects of alcohol gradually started to hit Yu He, leaving him feeling profoundly exhausted from head to toe.

He leaned listlessly against the car window, his head knocking against the glass every time the car jolted. He did this repeatedly without changing his position, seemingly oblivious to the pain.

The street lights flickered on and off, casting a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow on Yu He’s face. As the vehicle entered the estate and came to a stop in front of the villa, Yu He remained in the car.

Fu Yunzhe asked the driver, Lao Zhang, to leave first, and Lao Zhang handed the car keys to Fu Yunzhe.

Once the car door was closed, only Yu He and Fu Yunzhe remained inside the vehicle.

Yu He couldn’t quite put his finger on what was wrong with him. He felt extremely tired, utterly exhausted, as if he had been wandering aimlessly in the snow with no origin and no destination in sight.

Most of unhappiness in life stems from unfulfilled desires. Yet, the conundrum was that even though Yu He was aware of the reason behind his unhappiness, he couldn’t help but develop feelings for Fu Yunzhe, as well as a desire to possess him.

But who could ever possess Fu Yunzhe?

Yu He didn’t know what to say and didn’t feel like moving.

They sat in the car for several minutes. After turning off the ignition, the air conditioning was off, and the temperature inside the car gradually dropped as the cold night air seeped in from the car's underside.

After a long period of silence, Fu Yunzhe was the first to speak: "Xiao He, what do you want?"

Yu He closed his eyes.

Fu Yunzhe seemed to be able to discern all of Yu He’s emotions. After ruling out any physical reasons for Yu He’s melancholy at the emergency room, Fu Yunzhe skipped over the tedious and redundant questions like ‘what’s wrong’, ‘why aren’t you happy’, or ‘are you throwing a tantrum’.

He went straight to the point and hit the nail on the head by asking Yu He what he wanted.

Fu Yunzhe was well aware that, fundamentally, Yu He’s unhappiness stemmed from unfulfilled desires. Therefore, he found verbal persuasion to be meaningless.

If Yu He wanted something and he could provide it, the problem would be solved.

If Yu He wanted something that he couldn’t provide, then no amount of talking would help.

That’s just how Fu Yunzhe was.

Yu He thought somewhat sadly: How long would it take for him to become as goal-oriented as Fu Yunzhe, able to bypass the detours and head straight to the destination?

Yu He turned his head to look at Fu Yunzhe and softly asked, "If I ask for it, will you give it to me?"

In the darkness, Yu He couldn't see Fu Yunzhe's expression clearly. The interior of the car fell silent. Fu Yunzhe remained quiet for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.

After a short pause, Fu Yunzhe responded, "As long as it's within my power."

Yu He's breathing lightened, and he unconsciously clenched the fur cushion beneath him. Bolstered by the alcohol, he said, "I want you to like me."

It seemed as if a weight was lifted off Fu Yunzhe's shoulders as he responded almost immediately, "Xiao He, when have I ever not liked you?"

The lights in the garden cast faint and wavering shadows. The interior of the car was shrouded in darkness, creating a perfect cover of secrecy.

One could see the outlines of the other person but not their facial expressions. In such a hidden environment, it was easy to muster up courage that one wouldn’t normally have.

Trying to conceal his nervousness, Yu He swallowed before saying, "You've never said that you liked me."

Fu Yunzhe, usually so direct and to the point, surprisingly started to beat around the bush. Even though he knew that Yu He just wanted to hear him say ‘I like you’, he brought up other considerations instead, "Yu He, have you thought this through? Our relationship... might not be as suitable as you think."

Yu He blurted out, "But it definitely isn’t as unsuitable as you think it is."

Yu He was nearly frantic. He keenly sensed that this was the most wavering he had ever seen Fu Yunzhe. In dealing with other matters, Fu Yunzhe was as cunning as a fox. But when it came to relationships, he was like a snail— not only slow, but also quick to retreat at the slightest touch.

Fu Yunzhe asked in a low voice, "What about the criticisms from the outside world?"

"Fu Yunzhe!" Yu He raised his voice, "I don’t care what other people think; I only care about you."

This is bad.

Fu Yunzhe closed his eyes. Even though it was Yu He who was drunk, it felt as if the alcohol had poured into his heart.

His thoughts had never been as blurry as they were now, yet they had also never been as clear. Rationality and emotion ran parallel to each other, each having its own say— on one side was a broad and level road, on the other, a bottomless abyss.

Yet, Fu Yunzhe still wanted to walk towards this abyss.

Even if feelings erode over time and reality, transforming into a scattered wind and fallen stars, leading us to mutually grow weary of each other.

He is well aware that it's not possible, not suitable, and won't last long; he also knows that the temporary burst of hormones will lead to endless troubles afterwards, and that the romantic and intoxicating moments in love often end in arguments and resentment.

People often talk about falling in love, saying that love makes one lose control and become irrepressible. At this moment, Fu Yunzhen knows that he can maintain boundaries, restrain his feelings, and abandon his desires.

He even has a way to resolve Yu He’s overwhelming emotions and chaotic feelings.

As long as Yu He leaves him, it will only take a week or two at most, or two to three months at the slowest, for Yu He's novelty to fade away.

Fu Yunzhen’s fingertips trembled slightly, and the thought of completely parting ways with Yu He flashed through his mind for a moment. Even though cutting off these thoughts was simple, he was unwilling to do so.

He couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Yu He didn't want to leave him, and he was even less willing to leave Yu He.

However, if he takes a step towards these feelings, it would be nearly impossible to completely withdraw from them.

Love is a double-edged sword hanging between two people; once you cross the boundary, you will get hurt. No matter who it is, one can only go with the flow in the torrent of love.

Fu Yunzhen stood at the edge of a cliff, consciously jumping into this river named ‘Love’.

“I like you.”

Fu Yunzhen opened his eyes; he had adjusted to the darkness and could clearly see Yu He’s face.

He saw Yu He’s eyes light up like a sky filled with stars, brightening in an instant as if a spark had entered the Milky Way.

A meteor also crashed into Fu Yunzhen's heart.

Fu Yunzhen said, “Xiao He, I like you, I really do.”

Confessing to someone more than a decade younger than himself, no matter what he says, it seems somewhat improper.

Fu Yunzhen nervously kneaded his knuckles and moved his lips.

The usually eloquent Fu Yunzhen was at a loss for words at this moment: “Alright, I’ve said it, let’s go home.”

Fu Yunzhen turned to open the car door, but just as a small gap appeared, the door slammed shut again with a bang.

Yu He reacted quickly, lunging forward to pull the car door closed, lying across the back seat in an extremely awkward position.

"Make yourself clear." Yu He lifted his eyes, staring intently at Fu Yunzhen. "Don't you dare brush me off."

Fu Yunzhen furrowed his brows, looking at Yu He with a bit of astonishment. "Aren't you night-blind? How did you manage to grab the car door so precisely?"

Distracting Yu He's attention was incredibly easy.

Yu He's focus quickly shifted under Fu Yunzhen's guidance, and he responded, "Did you know that in life-or-death moments, a person's adrenaline can spike dramatically?"

Fu Yunzhen didn’t understand what "spike dramatically" meant; it seemed to be a phrase commonly used by young people. The exact meaning wasn't important; the goal of diverting Yu He's attention had been achieved.

Fu Yunzhen curved up his fox-like eyes, smiling absentmindedly as he continued the conversation, "Still, it might be more reliable to eat more Vitamin B."

Perhaps the adrenaline was indeed at work, as Yu He, who was usually night-blind, actually saw the smile on Fu Yunzhen's face.

He saw not just those curved, fox-like eyes, but also seemed to see, through Fu Yunzhen's animated expression, a wagging fox tail.

Seeing such a smile, akin to a successful cunning plot, alarm bells rang in Yu He's heart, prompting him to replay the entire conversation in his head.

This old fox was clearly feeling smug about successfully changing the subject!

Not everyone is born with a mask of calm composure.

It turned out that when no one was looking, the expressions on Fu Yunzhen’s face could be so rich and easy to understand.

Fu Yunzhen knew about Yu He's severe night-blindness and never thought that a simple “I like you” could cause a surge in Yu He’s adrenaline, momentarily curing his night-blindness. Thinking that Yu He couldn't see, Fu Yunzhen let his guard down, revealing the rich emotions hidden behind his calm facade.

This was a golden opportunity.

That night, even the heavens were on Yu He’s side, granting him the chance to understand Fu Yunzhen’s thoughts.

This opportunity was too good to miss. Feeling satisfied and emboldened, Yu He leisurely returned to his seat, pushing his luck further as he boldly declared, "Fu Yunzhen, I want to be your boyfriend."

In the dark, Fu Yunzhen did not hide his expressions, so Yu He saw the initial shock on his face, followed by a deep furrow of his brows and eyes filled with hesitation.

However, Fu Yunzhen's voice remained calm, in stark contrast to his expressions.

"Xiao He, you’re only nineteen," Fu Yunzhen said lightly.

Yu He was getting anxious. He didn't understand why Fu Yunzhen always had so many reasons to hold back. He straddled Fu Yunzhen’s legs, sitting face to face with him, and said, "I’m nineteen, not thirteen. It’s not illegal to date me!"

Fu Yunzhen lifted his head, looking at Yu He with his usual calm and steady tone, eloquent and effortless. However, his expression was filled with sorrow, as if he had already foreseen some dreadful ending.

Fu Yunzhen spoke, "Isn't this fine? Xiao He, as you know, relationships maintained by emotions are far less stable than those maintained by interests."

"Yes, I know. My dad has always told me, 'One must be useful to avoid being eliminated.'” Yu He did not deny it. He supported himself on the back of the wheelchair, trapping Fu Yunzhen completely in his embrace, his breath carrying a faint scent of alcohol: “I tried to talk about interests with you, but I couldn't do it, because I don’t want anything else, I just want you."

Fu Yunzhen’s eyes showed panic, his eyelashes trembled slightly as he averted his gaze, avoiding Yu He’s burning eyes: "That's because... I've given you everything. If I had no money, no power, no status, you wouldn't think this way."

Yu He gripped Fu Yunzhen’s shoulders firmly, stating with conviction, "I would still think this way. Fu Yunzhen, you just emphasized that I’m only nineteen. Go and ask around on the streets; who would date for power and status at nineteen? You can't think that I'm impulsive and fickle due to my age, and at the same time not admit that my impulsive nature is sincere and passionate. That's not fair to me."

Fu Yunzhen has always been eloquent, whether it was persuasive or sophistical arguments, he was articulate and responded fluidly. He had won the upper hand in countless negotiations before—

But at this moment, under these circumstances, those shining achievements were of no use.

He had no valid arguments to make.

He liked Yu He, had liked him for a long time now.

From the first fleeting glance at the charity event, from the initial attraction, to now being deeply infatuated and completely ensnared.

And Yu He liked him too.

What reason could he possibly give to reject him?

Fu Yunzhen resignedly closed his eyes, leaning back against the wheelchair: "I might never be able to stand up again, Xiao He. Getting involved with me is not a smart choice. I am far less tolerant and generous than I have appeared to be in front of you. Being stuck in this wheelchair, I can’t help but feel insecure. I would be equally jealous of everyone who can stand up. If we are together, I would inquire about your whereabouts, investigate who you are in close contact with, and even have people follow you. You wouldn't be able to bear it."

Fu Yunzhen thought this would be enough to scare Yu He away, but Yu He just laughed lightly, seemingly unbothered, and even pulled out his phone.

Yu He rolled down the car window and threw the phone out, saying calmly, "I can go nowhere, contact no one, and just stay by your side."

Fu Yunzhen’s eyes widened in shock.

No one could remain unmoved by such determination.

Yu He had obviously thought this through. He said, "Fu Yunzhen, if you are willing to let me be your boyfriend, then making my lover feel trust and security is something I should do. It’s only right for you to make such requests. Even if you didn’t, I would still try my best to give you peace of mind."

Fu Yunzhen’s breath caught, and he asked, "Xiao He... why are you so good to me?"

Yu He smiled helplessly, cupping Fu Yunzhen’s face with both hands, "Good to you?"

Fu Yunzhen looked at Yu He, saying in a deep voice, "Very good."

Yu He asked again, "Then, would you fall for me?"

This time, Fu Yunzheng didn’t look away; he only answered with one word, "Yes."

Lowering his head, the two of them touched foreheads. "So... is it so strange for me to fall for you? From the first day I came to the Fu residence, you’ve been creating a sense of security for me. You never take the initiative to enter my bedroom, you don’t interfere with my life, you let me be, afraid that I might feel uncomfortable. You even seldom touch me proactively, never kissed me, so I trust you. I feel safe and happy just being by your side. How can I not like you?”

Fu Yunzheng's heartbeat raced, and he could hear it.

He guessed that Yu He could hear it too.

However, Yu He probably thought his heartbeat wasn’t fast enough, and continued to speak those enchanting sweet nothings.

"Just a few words from me, and you feel good, you feel moved. What about you? Over these past six months, you've done so much. Shouldn’t I be moved?" Yu He’s lips landed near Fu Yunzheng’s ear. "If you didn't want me to like you, you should've been meaner, beaten me up at our first meeting, and hung me up. Do you think I would still like you then?"

Fu Yunzheng's voice was hoarse as he said, “I will never hit you; I like you, Yu He."