Chapter 97

Chapter 97

Yu He walked towards the bathroom, turned around at the bathroom door, and faced Fu Yunzheng naked: "I don’t want to be alone."

Fu Yunzheng accompanied Yu He into the bathroom.

Yu He had bruises on his body, and taking a bath would increase the subcutaneous bleeding. So, Fu Yunzheng moved to a small stool under the shower to keep him company.

Seeing Fu Yunzheng stand up while holding onto the railing, a faint smile appeared on Yu He’s face, and his thoughts returned to Fu Yunzheng.

Yu He found that when his attention was all focused on things related to Fu Yunzheng, he was less likely to get distracted by random thoughts.

He needed to increase contact with Fu Yunzheng.

Yu He fetched a shorter stool, placed it at Fu Yunzheng’s feet, and said, "Sit down to wash."

Fu Yunzheng spread his legs to make room for Yu He to sit down, "Sit down, I'll wash your hair for you."

Unexpectedly, Yu He chose to sit down facing Fu Yunzheng.

Sitting face to face, Fu Yunzheng's bath stool was about 65 centimeters tall, while Yu He's small stool was less than 20 centimeters, creating nearly a half-meter height difference between them.

Fu Yunzheng’s hands were at just the right height to comfortably wash Yu He’s hair.

However, due to this height disparity, Yu He’s face was directly in line with Fu Yunzheng’s lower abdomen.

Fu Yunzheng instinctively thought to close his legs, but as soon as he did, his knees touched Yu He’s slick shoulders.

His legs stiffened slightly before Fu Yunzheng casually moved them away.

Yu He didn’t find this position awkward at all. He crossed his arms and laid his head on Fu Yunzheng's thigh, his breaths directly hitting Fu Yunzheng's lower abdomen with each exhale.

The warmth of his breath was hotter than the water.

Of course, this was an illusion.

The water from the shower was set to a constant 42 degrees Celsius, definitely hotter than Yu He's breath. However, the flowing water didn’t give Fu Yunzheng the sensation of heat in his lower abdomen that Yu He's breath did.

Fu Yunzheng used all his self-control to suppress his physiological response.

Yu He was truly a test from the heavens to his willpower. From this angle, if Fu Yunzheng couldn't control himself, he would probably directly poke Yu He in the face.

Fu Yunzheng was absent-minded as he turned to press down on the shower gel dispenser, accidentally rubbing it into Yu He’s hair.

Yu He was still so unguarded in his contact with men. Although it was hard for Fu Yunzheng to endure, the good news was, it made him even more certain that Qiu Yang hadn’t done anything to Yu He.

As Fu Yunzheng rubbed the foam into Yu He's hair, he felt something was off.

Yu He, with his eyes closed, wiped the water off the tip of his nose, sniffed, tilted his head in confusion with white foam all over his head, and questioned, "Fu Yunzheng, why are you using shower gel to wash my hair?"

Fu Yunzheng: "......"

His mind had been completely focused on restraining his desire, and he hadn’t noticed which bottle he had pressed the shampoo from.

No wonder the foam in his hands didn't feel as fine as usual, and Yu He, with his nose as sensitive as a dog's, had caught it.

Fu Yunzheng’s rare mistake was caught red-handed.

Even with his quick thinking, Fu Yunzheng couldn’t come up with a good excuse for using shower gel to wash Yu He’s hair on the spot.

Fortunately, Yu He was not the type to fuss over details. He genuinely didn’t care what Fu Yunzheng used to wash his hair, and he didn’t need an answer to his question.

Soon after, Yu He, exhausted, nestled back onto Fu Yunzheng’s lap.

As he rinsed the foam from Yu He’s hair, Fu Yunzheng spoke in a husky voice, “Your hair is washed; time to get up.”

Yu He lifted his arm to encircle Fu Yunzheng’s waist, pressing closer to him, “I don’t want to.”

Fu Yunzheng gently pushed on Yu He’s shoulder, “I can’t wash like this.”

Yu He wiped the water from his face, opened his beautiful peach blossom eyes amidst the flowing water, and looked at Fu Yunzheng with wet eyes.

Even though he didn’t say anything, it was as if he had poured out thousands of heartfelt emotions.

Fu Yunzheng raised his hand to cover Yu He’s eyes, “Alright, alright, lie back down.”

And so, Yu He lay back down.

Back in bed after the bath, Yu He still clung tightly to Fu Yunzheng. The extensive skin contact brought a strong sense of reality to Yu He.

He had finally returned, back to Fu Yunzheng’s side.

It was very comforting.

Yu He’s hair was naturally coarse and stiff, and after being washed with shower gel, it was more unmanageable than ever, each strand expressing its own unique opinion. After drying, his hair stuck out in all directions, prickly like a cactus.

Fu Yunzheng had no choice but to press down the tips of Yu He’s hair with his palm.

They had just taken a bath, and both their skins were tender and smooth. The feeling of rubbing against each other was exceptionally nice, and Yu He was addicted to the contact with Fu Yunzheng, wriggling around under the covers.

Fu Yunzheng was at the age where his blood ran hot, how could he endure Yu He’s wriggling?

Moreover, he had been restraining himself since the bath.

As for Yu He, he seemed utterly indifferent to worldly temptations.

Fu Yunzheng, while holding Yu He tightly, said, “Little He, stop wriggling.”

Yu He lifted his head, his face innocent and clear. He really liked the angle of looking up at Fu Yunzheng from below. This angle allowed him to be enveloped by Fu Yunzheng’s breath, making him feel protected.

Yu He's eyes were filled with an innocent and pure light, alarmingly clear: "What's wrong?"

Fu Yunzheng took a slightly heavy breath: "It's nothing."

Yu He lifted his head and kissed Fu Yunzheng’s jaw: "Please ask the family doctor to prescribe me some valproate tomorrow."

Fu Yunzheng’s chin rested on Yu He’s hair: "What is valproate?"

“It’s a mood stabilizer, used to alleviate symptoms of mania and acts on patients who experience hallucinations and delusions during manic phases,” Yu He closed his eyes, “It's a common medication for treating bipolar disorder.”

Fu Yunzheng pondered, "Xiao He, is there any other discomfort you're feeling? Don’t be scared, tell me."

Yu He grabbed Fu Yunzheng’s hand, placing it on the back of his neck, and analyzed his condition objectively: “It’s a stress reaction. I can’t extricate myself from this dangerous state.”

Fu Yunzheng had also experienced psychological issues for a period of time after a car accident, so he knew very well what Yu He was going through at this moment. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is actually much more common than people think, and trauma can be widely defined.

Flashbacks of traumatic events, emotional numbness and avoidance, hyper-vigilance, and restlessness... these are all prominent symptoms.

Bystanders can’t put themselves in the shoes of those affected, but during the time after the trauma, panic and fear are indeed real and unavoidable.

Fu Yunzheng’s symptoms at that time were a stress reaction to the sound of brakes due to the car accident, resisting getting in a car, severe enough that he needed sedatives to take a car ride from the hospital back to the Fu residence—

Riding in the car while unconscious.

These symptoms are not only incomprehensible to others, but even Fu Yunzheng himself, when looking back, can't help but comment, "Was it really necessary?" However, the helplessness and panic at that moment are real and unavoidable. Fu Yunzheng puts himself in Yu He's shoes and fully understands his feelings at this moment.

Fu Yunzheng shared his experience of post-traumatic stress disorder with Yu He. Three years later, recounting it feels like telling an amusing story.

He told Yu He, “At that time, I also thought that I would be like that for the rest of my life, that it would never get better, but that’s not the case.”

Fu Yunzheng gently soothed Yu He’s turbulent emotions: “One day, when you look back, these troubles that seem as heavy as mountains will actually appear very small, and you will be able to laugh them off.”

Yu He pressed his cheek against Fu Yunzheng’s chest: “Can I really get better?”

“Of course.” Fu Yunzheng didn't hesitate for a moment: “I once thought my leg would never heal, but didn’t you help me recover?”

Faced with the sudden praise, Yu He felt undeserving. His cheeks slightly warmed: “It was Director Sun who performed the surgery on you, what does that have to do with me?”

Fu Yunzheng insisted on crediting Yu He: “After the third surgery, I had almost given up, but it was you who said to me...”

Yu He’s mind was exceptionally active at the moment, and he easily recalled what he had said back then: “Give it a try, I’m not even charging you money.”

Fu Yunzhe smiled: “Yes, it was you who helped me rebuild my courage to continue treatment. At that time, you watched Master Meng’s live broadcast punctually every day, helped massage my legs, and even went to learn massage techniques for my sake. With you trying so hard, how could I give up?”

Yu He’s fingers slightly curled, uncertain whether Fu Yunzhe had brought up the word ‘give up’ unintentionally, or if he had actually noticed her desire to surrender.

The clash of emotions was too painful. On one hand, the remnants of her rationality told her something was wrong with his mood; on the other hand, the alternating depressive and manic emotions were overwhelming her sanity.

Amidst this tug-of-war, Yu He’s last bit of perseverance was on the verge of collapsing.

Yu He wanted to give up the fight against bipolar disorder.

If it’s depression, then be it. If it’s mania, then let it be. She thought she could stabilize in one of these moods instead of bearing the triple burden of pain she was experiencing now.

Wrapping herself in numbness seemed to be the quickest remedy.

But Fu Yunzhe hadn’t given up yet.

Yu He felt so heartbroken. She wanted to tell Fu Yunzhe to stop holding onto her, to just let her shatter and lie in the mud.

She knew that as long as she voiced this out, no matter how absurd the suggestion might be, Fu Yunzhe would agree.

Fu Yunzhe was like the clouds in the sky. As long as he underwent a period of rehabilitation, it was only a matter of time before he could walk again, and this cloud would no longer have any flaws.

The president of the Fu Corporation, a global young philanthropist, shouldn’t have a boyfriend like her.

Bipolar disorder is a very serious mood disorder. If Yu He really let these emotions control her, she wouldn’t be able to go back to school or work.

By then, Fu Yunzhe might keep her in the Fu residence, allowing her to live as a well-provided-for madwoman.

After a year or two, when Fu Yunzhe’s patience ran out, he might move out of the Fu residence to get away from her, or he might send her somewhere else, such as a mental hospital disguised as a sanatorium.

Or, like in the classic novel “Jane Eyre,” she could become the madwoman locked in the attic by Fu Yunzhe, while he encounters another young, handsome, kind, and strong boy.

People would write poems about their love story, praising their love!

It might even become a must-read classic for middle and high school students!

Yu He was frightened by her own imagination. She grabbed Fu Yunzhe’s hand and hastily promised: “I didn’t want to give up. I will go see a psychologist tomorrow. I will take my medication on time. Please, don’t fall in love with someone else.”

Fu Yunzhe held onto Yu He’s hand in return. Although he was taken aback and couldn’t understand where the ‘falling in love with someone else’ part came from, he still responded: “Alright, alright, alright. I won’t fall in love with anyone else; I only love you.”

Yu He thought to himself: No wonder I dreamt of Fu Yunzhe cheating and even killing me. There were premonitions; the logic chain is all connected now!

He couldn’t give up; he had to overcome bipolar disorder.

He needed to lock away all the strange emotions, study hard, develop his career, and become someone worthy of Fu Yunzhe.

He must become a successful doctor, specializing in spinal nerve repair, helping countless people confined to wheelchairs stand up again.

In this way, one day when a reporter asks him what led to his achievements, Yu He could rightfully tell them:

“It was my lover, Fu Yunzhe. He has a kind heart, is upright and resolute, and is devoted to philanthropy.

We met at a charity gala; he taught me to be strong, optimistic, and ambitious.

Helping more people has been his persistence and my lifelong aspiration.”

The audience would be moved by their story of finding and cherishing each other.

Everyone who has received help from Yu He would be grateful for the rare fate bestowed upon him and Fu Yunzhe.

If people must sing praises of love, they should sing of his and Fu Yunzhe’s love!

As for that ‘Jane Eyre No. 2,’ with her twisted fate, still unknown where she might be tutoring—don’t even think about encountering Fu Yunzhe.

Don’t even think about it!

In his mind, Yu He said to the imaginary mistress he had concocted:

Please hold on a bit longer. Once your uncle passes away, you will inherit a huge fortune. Though you may not have love, you will have money.