Chapter 65

Chapter 65

In a fit of rage, Jiang Chengyan stabbed Yan Xun twice, one of the stabs piercing his kidney.

Due to the depth of the wound, Yan Xun's left kidney was severely damaged, and the doctors had no choice but to perform a nephrectomy.

When Yan Xun woke up, he received two text messages from Li Yang.

One was a video showing him and Jiang Chengyan on a hotel bed, and the other was a text message —

"Stop bothering my brother."

The arrested Jiang Chengyan claimed that he had an argument with Yan Xun, and in the heat of the conflict, he stabbed him.

Now, one was lying in the hospital, and the other was detained in a holding cell, neither able to harass Kang Qiqiao anymore.

Kang Qiqiao felt it inappropriate to disturb Shen Tingzhou further and prepared to return to his hometown with his grandfather.

On the day they were leaving, Shen Tingzhou sorted through the list of plastic surgery hospitals Ling Yun had sent him and handed it over to Kang Qiqiao.

Shen Tingzhou said, "If one day you want to remove your scars, you can visit these hospitals for consultations."

Kang Qiqiao felt warmth in his heart and sincerely replied, "Thank you, Mr. Shen."

Shen Tingzhou smiled, "It's nothing, just asked a friend who knows about medical aesthetics. Live well with your grandfather from now on."

Kang Qiqiao nodded solemnly, "I will strive to move forward. I hope everything goes smoothly for you, Mr. Shen."

Shen Tingzhou waved at him, "Have a safe journey."

Seeing Li Yang approach, Shen Tingzhou felt a subtle unease.

Li Yang’s eyes were warm, and his voice gentle, "Mr. Shen, we're leaving. Thank you for taking care of my brother during this time."

Shen Tingzhou shook his head, "I didn't do much..."

Seeming to sense Shen Tingzhou's hesitation, Li Yang asked, "Mr. Shen, is there something you want to say to me?"

Shen Tingzhou looked into Li Yang's gentle, dark eyes, paused, and then spoke, "Nothing much, just that your brother has been through a lot, both mentally and physically."

Li Yang understood the unspoken words, "Don't worry, Mr. Shen, I understand."

Shen Tingzhou didn’t say anything more, watching them leave.

After returning to his hometown, Kang Qiqiao called Shen Tingzhou to report that he had arrived safely.

Relieved that he was home safe, Shen Tingzhou put his mind at ease.

Qin Shiyao was very concerned about the progress of the case and called Shen Tingzhou seven or eight times a day to discuss it.

Finally, Shen Tingzhou couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you busy?"

Qin Shiyao replied, "Of course I am! But even if I'm busy, I can always find time for gossip. If life is only about work, how boring would it be?"

It seemed like a valid point, and Shen Tingzhou remained silent.

Qin Shiyao brought the topic back, "So how did those two end up sleeping together?"

Shen Tingzhou had a hunch but wasn't sure, so he didn't elaborate.

Qin Shiyao clicked her tongue, "It must be that artsy guy; he looks pretty twisted and deranged."

Shen Tingzhou began to doubt his ability to judge people, "Does he look deranged?"

Qin Shiyao affirmed, "Absolutely."

Shen Tingzhou opened his mouth, closed it again, and finally resignedly shut it.

Alright, he admitted he wasn't great at judging people.

-

Xu Xun had already booked their vacation spot, waiting only for Shen Tingzhou to free up his schedule.

Shen Tingzhou's fixed arrangement was to visit Su Yu every Wednesday, and Xu Xun booked a flight out of the capital on Wednesday evening.

After receiving the tiny gloves Shen Tingzhou knitted for the baby, Su Yu took out his yarn and sat with Shen Tingzhou on the sofa, untangling the messy yarn.

Suddenly, Su Yu asked, "Doctor Shen, are you going on vacation soon?"

Shen Tingzhou was surprised, "How did you know?"

Su Yu looked up and said, "Not only do I know you want to go on vacation, but I also know where you're going."

Though Shen Tingzhou admired Su Yu's ability to read people, he didn't believe he could be that accurate.

The next moment, Su Yu accurately guessed, "Are you going skiing?"

Shen Tingzhou, a staunch materialist, almost believed in mysticism at that moment, staring at Su Yu in disbelief.

Su Yu grinned, "I was joking. When you were flipping through the photo album, I saw the skiing precautions you made."

Shen Tingzhou chuckled helplessly and continued winding the yarn into a ball.

Su Yu added, "If you have any skiing questions, you can come to me. I used to ski frequently with Ah Yan."

Shen Tingzhou nodded, "Okay."

Su Yu tugged at the yarn ball, and Shen Tingzhou looked up at him. Su Yu asked, "Are you going with Xu Xun?"

Shen Tingzhou felt a bit embarrassed, "Yes."

Su Yu lifted his chin and said casually, "I've met him before."

Given the relationship between the Steward and Su Yu's father, Shen Tingzhou wasn't surprised that they had met, but he still felt uncomfortable, unable to imagine the scene of their meeting.

Su Yu: "When I was little, I went with my dad to visit his grandmother for the New Year. I remember that day, he made his uncle cry."

This... isn't surprising either; Mr. Fu's emotions are indeed quite rich.

Su Yu tattled, "Because he cut his uncle's hair."

Xiao Xu couldn't possibly be that naughty.

Shen Tingzhou instinctively defended him, "That can't be true, right? Maybe Mr. Fu's hair got tangled somewhere and needed to be cut?"

Su Yu fiddled with the ball of yarn, pouting, "Maybe, I forgot."

Yu Mingyan returned from the company, and Su Yu got up and ran over to hug him, "Doctor Shen is upset that I can't ski now and wants to elope with that Xu Xun."

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Yu Jurong, leaning in the corner behind Yu Mingyan, crossed his arms, looking like he was enjoying the show.

Yu Mingyan comforted him, "Doctor Shen is just momentarily confused. Once he realizes that Xu Xun can't ski, he'll come back."

The ultimate breakup reason—your partner can't ski.

Su Yu's head rubbed against Yu Mingyan's shoulder as he grumbled, "Xu Xun, just hearing his name, you know he can't ski."

Shen Tingzhou: ...I'm not that obsessed with skiing either.

Yu Jurong interjected, "Whether he can ski or not doesn't matter; what matters is that Doctor Shen is willing to ski with him."

Shen Tingzhou finally understood why Big Qiang didn't like Yu Jurong; his mouth really was asking for it.

Su Yu's eyes began to fill with intense love and hate.

Shen Tingzhou interrupted the brewing drama, coaxing, "I can knit rabbit ears with this yarn."

Su Yu, attracted by the rabbit ears, said, "I don't believe you," but his body walked over all the same.

Yu Jurong added, "You must have knitted them for Xu Xun already, right?"

Su Yu stopped and slowly started to back away, walking as if in a heavy rainstorm, head raised in sorrow.

Shen Tingzhou hurriedly said, "I haven't knitted any for him."

Yu Jurong shrugged, "Believe it or not, I don't."

Shen Tingzhou wanted to stuff the ball of yarn into Yu Jurong's mouth, but Su Yu beat him to it, shoving a handful of grapes into his mouth.

"Shut up! Doctor Shen is willing to lie to me, which means he loves me. Otherwise, why would he lie to anyone else!"

Shen Tingzhou: ...

Yu Mingyan cooperated by grabbing Yu Jurong's hands, then with a swift move, struck the back of his neck, "Spreading lies, you shall be punished on the spot!"

Su Yu huffed at the culprit Yu Jurong, then sat down next to Shen Tingzhou, obediently saying, "Doctor Shen, I want rabbit ears."

Looking at Yu Jurong, who was pressed against the wall with no expression, Shen Tingzhou felt he shouldn't, but he couldn't help laughing.

No matter how powerful one might be outside, at home, they're still subject to familial bonds.

Shen Tingzhou knitted a rabbit ear headband for Su Yu, successfully winning over the pregnant man.

It proved that artisans are always appreciated in any era.

-

That night, Shen Tingzhou flew with Xu Xun to a ski resort.

Xu Xun had been skiing since he was very young, and his skills were definitely top-notch among ordinary people.

Shen Tingzhou's skills were relatively weaker. He first practiced on the beginner slopes, then moved to intermediate, and finally advanced.

The advanced slope was steep, long, but narrow, perfect for Xu Xun to show off his skills.

Watching him glide through the snow with each movement clean and graceful, like a fish swimming in snow, when he hit a high slope, Xu Xun flipped and leaped, sending Shen Tingzhou's adrenaline soaring.

As Xu Xun landed, he leaned sideways, scooping up clean snow from the side of the slope, and brought it back to Shen Tingzhou.

Just as Shen Tingzhou was about to take it, Xu Xun suddenly raised his hand and blew the snow at Shen Tingzhou's cheek.

The fine snow dusted Shen Tingzhou's face, and Xu Xun grinned like he had pulled off a prank.

Shen Tingzhou laughed and scolded, "How old are you?"

Xu Xun didn't speak, removing his gloves to brush the snow off Shen Tingzhou's cheek, then kissed the corner of his mouth, saying, "No matter how old, it doesn't stop me from teasing you."

As those slightly cool lips touched, Shen Tingzhou's eyelashes fluttered.

Xu Xun asked vaguely, "Are you hungry?"

Shen Tingzhou nodded.

Xu Xun released Shen Tingzhou, taking his hand, "Let's go eat."

After changing clothes and heading to the restaurant, Shen Tingzhou and Xu Xun unexpectedly ran into someone familiar halfway there.

The person probably hadn't expected to meet them here and paused, adjusting his glasses on his nose.

A voice from behind growled, "Song Ziqing, where did you run off to?"

The boy wearing glasses jumped in surprise and quickly hid in the nearby passage.

Soon, an aggressive young man walked over.

It was the same young man they had encountered at the cinema restroom entrance that day.

At that time, Shen Tingzhou was mocked by this domineering young man for his age, saying that someone of his age should not be out trying to pick up boys. Xu Xun then reprimanded him.

Upon seeing Xu Xun, the young man frowned, clearly remembering what had happened that day.

He quickly scanned the corridor, confirming that the person wasn't there, and without a word, turned into another corridor to continue his search.

Hearing the footsteps fade away, Song Ziqing poked his head out from the passage.

Shen Tingzhou asked him, "Did you have an argument?"

Perhaps it was the emotional impact of encountering a familiar face in a foreign land, and being cared for by someone, Song Ziqing's emotions welled up, and his eyes reddened.

Remembering that he was staying at the young man's house, Shen Tingzhou understood his sensitivity and loneliness, so he led him to the restaurant.

Seeing that Song Ziqing couldn't get used to the local cuisine, Shen Tingzhou went next door to order a bowl of seafood stewed noodles.

Shen Tingzhou pushed a hot drink towards him, "Fill your stomach and go back to talk to him properly. I can see that he cares about you."

Song Ziqing stopped chewing, his expression darkening, "He doesn't care about me..."

Shen Tingzhou said, "If he didn't care, he wouldn't have brought you out to play."

Song Ziqing shook his head and explained softly, "That's because Uncle Jiang asked me to come here to watch over him."

Shen Tingzhou asked, "Do you like him?"

Song Ziqing's body tensed up, and he looked at Shen Tingzhou nervously.

Shen Tingzhou smiled; he could easily read the mind of a naive young man.

Xu Xun placed the peeled shrimp on Shen Tingzhou's plate, who ate it and then encouraged Song Ziqing, "Go back and talk to him. Tell him what makes you uncomfortable."

Shen Tingzhou imparted many tips on how to interact with others.

Song Ziqing listened attentively and even regarded Shen Tingzhou's advice as gospel.

After eating, Song Ziqing bid farewell to Shen Tingzhou and went back to talk to Jiang Sheng as advised.

Just as he stepped out of the restaurant, Song Ziqing was called back. Turning around, he saw Xu Xun and immediately felt uneasy.

Although Xu Xun had never made things difficult for him during their two encounters, Song Ziqing still felt intimidated by him.

Xu Xun walked over, "If you want Jiang Sheng to like you and confess to you, act as if nothing happened when you go back."

This was different from what Shen Tingzhou had said, leaving Song Ziqing stunned.

Xu Xun continued, "Then do two things: first, don't wear your glasses for the next few days; second, find someone from your WeChat contacts who has time and is willing to chat. Chat with them every day. Laugh at whatever they say, and make sure Jiang Sheng calls you at least three times before you look up from your phone, pretending you just heard him. Can you remember all this?"

Song Ziqing could remember these instructions, but...

He hesitantly asked, "Should I still go back and talk to him?"

Xu Xun decisively replied, "No need."

Song Ziqing was unsure which advice to follow, but he nodded at Xu Xun, "I understand. Thank you."

Xu Xun said indifferently, "You're welcome. Helping you is also helping myself, after all, it's not easy for us to take a vacation together."

Only after Xu Xun left did Song Ziqing realize something—

Did I interrupt their vacation?

-

Shen Tingzhou rarely fell ill, but from the few times he had caught a cold or fever, he had deduced a pattern.

Whenever his throat started acting up, a high fever was sure to follow.

After dinner, Shen Tingzhou watched a movie with Xu Xun. Near the end, his throat began to feel uncomfortable, and sure enough, he developed a fever in the middle of the night.

He had prepared fever-reducing medicine by his bedside and took two pills when the fever became unbearable.

The next morning, his fever had subsided slightly but was still above 38 degrees Celsius. Shen Tingzhou sent a message to Xu Xun, briefly explaining the situation, and then went back to sleep.

When Shen Tingzhou woke up, he felt a cool sensation on his forehead. Reaching up, he touched a fever patch.

Xu Xun walked over with a glass of water, "You're awake?"

Shen Tingzhou blinked, "Why are you here?"

Xu Xun said, "I got a key card for your room from the front desk. Drink some water."

Xu Xun helped Shen Tingzhou sit up and held the cup to his lips.

Shen Tingzhou chuckled, "I'm not so sick that I can't hold a cup of water."

Xu Xun hummed in agreement and continued to feed him water.

Shen Tingzhou took a sip and looked over, "Did you add honey?"

Xu Xun said, "I checked online, and it says drinking honey water is good for a cold."

Dr. Shen approved and drank a couple more sips, wanting more, but Xu Xun took the cup away.

Shen Tingzhou looked at him in confusion, and Xu Xun said, "I called for a meal."

Actually, Shen Tingzhou wasn't hungry at all, but he still drank more than half of the bowl of rice porridge to save face.

He lay back down on the bed, rubbed his stuffy nose, and said to Xu Xun, "I'm fine. I'll be better after another nap."

Xu Xun brought over a hot towel and placed it on Shen Tingzhou's nose. "Go to sleep; don't worry about me."

Looking at the considerate Xiao Xu, Shen Tingzhou felt warm inside.

After Shen Tingzhou fell asleep, Xu Xun kissed the corner of his eye, then got up, soaked the towel in hot water, wrung it out, and continued to apply heat to Shen Tingzhou's nose.

Under Xu Xun's meticulous care, Shen Tingzhou's fever subsided by evening, and his nose was no longer stuffy.

Finally having an appetite, Shen Tingzhou went downstairs with Xu Xun to have dinner.

As soon as they entered the restaurant, Shen Tingzhou saw Song Ziqing and Jiang Sheng. He had intended to greet them but was stopped by Xu Xun.

Shen Tingzhou didn't insist and found a relatively quiet spot to sit down.

Shen Tingzhou glanced at Song Ziqing and Jiang Sheng. "I wonder if they've talked yet."

Xu Xun poured a glass of water and handed it to Shen Tingzhou, casually replying, "They probably did."

Shen Tingzhou took a sip of water and suddenly frowned. "It seems like it didn't go well."

Jiang Sheng looked displeased. "Are you here to eat or play with your phone?"

Although Song Ziqing didn't understand Xu Xun's strategy, he followed his instructions. After Jiang Sheng called him three times, he finally looked up. "Wh-What is it?"

Jiang Sheng angrily said, "Put your phone down!"

Song Ziqing's breathing hitched, and he subconsciously reached for his glasses, but his nose felt empty.

Jiang Sheng tried to grab Song Ziqing's phone, gritting his teeth. "Who have you been chatting with all day? Smiling like that, aren't you worried about getting sunburnt?"

Song Ziqing blocked him, accidentally hitting Jiang Sheng's chin with a crisp sound.

Jiang Sheng immediately widened his eyes, shocked and annoyed. "You hit me for him!"

Shen Tingzhou, who was unintentionally eavesdropping, felt this sentence sounded familiar and glanced at Xu Xun.

Xu Xun's brows were lowered as he flipped through the menu, looking for light dishes for Shen Tingzhou.

Song Ziqing stammered, unable to speak.

Seeing this, Jiang Sheng became even angrier and got up to leave.

Song Ziqing hurriedly chased after him, but without his glasses, he forgot about the step and stumbled, losing control of his body.

Jiang Sheng seemed to sense something and quickly turned to support him.

After steadying Song Ziqing, Jiang Sheng angrily asked, "Where are your glasses?"

Song Ziqing was still shaken.

Seeing his eyes wide with fear, Jiang Sheng softened but still couldn't help teasing, "Chatting too much, did you wear out the lenses?"

Song Ziqing remained silent.

Jiang Sheng huffed and pulled him along.

Song Ziqing, with over 300 degrees of myopia, was not used to being without his glasses.

Noticing this, Jiang Sheng slowed down and lectured, "If you're nearsighted, you should use your phone less. What's so interesting about chatting all day?"

But Jiang Sheng soon discovered the benefits of Song Ziqing not wearing his glasses.

On the way back to the hotel room, Song Ziqing's fluffy pendant fell off again.

This was a prize Jiang Sheng won years ago by popping balloons, which he gave to Song Ziqing. He always wore it, but the chain kept breaking, and the floor was covered with beige carpet.

Song Ziqing squinted to find the pendant, while Jiang Sheng, with excellent vision, picked it up unnoticed and started giving misleading directions.

"It's ahead, no, you're going the wrong way, further ahead, yes yes yes, right there, can't you see it? I can see it from here."

After searching for a while, Song Ziqing realized Jiang Sheng had hidden it and walked away silently, slightly angry.

Jiang Sheng caught up and bumped into Song Ziqing's shoulder. "Are you mad?"

Song Ziqing ignored him.

"Talk."

"Bookworm."

"Song Xiaodai."

Seeing Song Ziqing still ignoring him, Jiang Sheng stepped in front of him, cupped his cheeks, and squeezed them together. "Are you getting temperamental? How many words have I wasted on you today? And now you dare to be mad at me! Tell me, who were you chatting with today?"

Song Ziqing kept his mouth shut.

Seeing he still refused to talk, Jiang Sheng became frustrated and tried to pry open his mouth. "Open your mouth and talk!"

Song Ziqing closed his eyes and clenched his lips tighter.

But Jiang Sheng stopped moving. Song Ziqing peeked open his eyes and saw Jiang Sheng suddenly make a fierce expression, scaring him into closing his eyes again.

Watching Song Ziqing's fluttering eyelashes, Jiang Sheng found him unexpectedly cute and endearing, feeling a tickle in his heart as his fingers caressed Song Ziqing's lips.

-

After filling his stomach, Shen Tingzhou felt his energy return instantly.

Walking back slowly, Shen Tingzhou saw Jiang Sheng and Song Ziqing kissing at a corner.

Shen Tingzhou was shocked, "…Have they developed so quickly?"

Xu Xun didn't even glance that way, taking Shen Tingzhou's hand and continuing to walk forward.

Shen Tingzhou, having recovered from his shock, sighed, "Communication is indeed the bridge of humanity. Look, after their conversation, how rapidly they've progressed."

Xu Xun smiled slightly, "Mm."

Shen Tingzhou strongly believed in this theory, "We should communicate more; communication really works."

Xu Xun didn't contradict him, continuing with an "Mm."

After Shen Tingzhou finished expounding on the importance of communication, Xu Xun communicated with him, "I'm afraid you might have a fever again tonight. Let's sleep together tonight."

Shen Tingzhou, who had just expressed himself freely and had no sense of danger, agreed without much thought.

When he went to take a shower alone later that night, Shen Tingzhou began to feel something was off. After coming out and seeing Xu Xun already in pajamas, the discomfort intensified.

Lying down in bed after the lights were turned off, darkness engulfed the entire room.

Shen Tingzhou breathed lightly, only an arm's length away from Xu Xun. The warmth from the other side seemed to transmit through the fabric and air.

Shen Tingzhou was also an adult man, and with Xu Xun lying beside him, it was impossible for him not to be nervous or have wild thoughts.

His hand suddenly brushed against something, causing a nerve to twitch, and his voice started to stutter, "Wh-What's wrong?"

Xu Xun's voice became exceptionally deep and pleasant in the night, "I wanted to check if your temperature is high."

Shen Tingzhou shook his head, "No… not really."

Xu Xun moved closer, and Shen Tingzhou's body tensed up. Xu Xun's fingers touched his face, asking, "Why does your face feel so hot?"

Shen Tingzhou's heart pounded wildly, trying to stay calm, "Really? I don't think so. Maybe the room is too warm."

Xu Xun turned to face Shen Tingzhou, "Should we put some pillows between us?"

Shen Tingzhou's mind was a mess, not fully understanding Xu Xun's meaning, "Huh?"

Xu Xun looked at him, "I'm staying over because I'm worried about your fever, but I am a physiologically normal man. Lying next to you, I can't help but have reactions."

Re… reactions?!

Shen Tingzhou was stunned by his straightforwardness.

Xu Xun moved closer, his eyes glowing like a smoldering ember in the dark. He gazed at Shen Tingzhou and asked again, "Should we put some pillows between us?"

Shen Tingzhou swallowed, feeling something precarious.