Chapter 31: I Should Be Grateful

Chapter 31: I Should Be Grateful

Sheng Xiyang slowly climbed the stairs, thinking that Sheng Ai was going to scold him.

He stopped at the door and knocked on Sheng Ai's room. Sheng Ai said from inside, "Come in."

Sheng Xiyang pushed the door open and entered, calling softly, "Brother."

Sheng Ai still leaned by the window, holding a book and wearing a thin white short-sleeved shirt. He looked at Sheng Xiyang, paused quietly for a moment, then asked, "When did you learn to sing opera? Why have I never known?"

Sheng Xiyang scratched his face and could only say, "I heard it occasionally and followed along. That’s how I learned."

Sheng Ai, of course, didn't believe this, as singing opera requires years of practice from a young age. But he didn’t say anything, just leaned against the window and smiled gently, "Do you know any other songs?"

Sheng Xiyang thought for a moment and nodded, "A little bit of everything." He paused slightly, "Brother, do you want to hear me sing? I also know a bit of stage walking."

Sheng Ai smiled slightly and responded with a soft "Hmm."

Sheng Xiyang cleared his throat, not minding showing off in front of Sheng Ai. After a brief preparation, he sang the piece he had practiced the most, "The Drunken Concubine."

This segment included steps he had practiced repeatedly, led by his mother, so Sheng Xiyang remembered it clearly.

While singing, Sheng Xiyang was completely absorbed, every step and glance filled with emotion.

Sheng Ai leaned by the window, holding the book, watching Sheng Xiyang quietly.

The summer night was filled with cicadas, without the light mist of spring or the slight chill of autumn, only a gentle breeze and visible stars. When Sheng Xiyang finished the song, he met Sheng Ai's gaze.

At that moment, Sheng Xiyang felt Sheng Ai's gaze was deep.

But he couldn’t quite understand the meaning behind it and fell silent, like a student waiting for a teacher’s critique.

After a long silence, Sheng Ai gently placed the book on the table and walked up to Sheng Xiyang, asking, "Was your mother an opera singer?"

As soon as the words were spoken, Sheng Xiyang felt his heart tighten.

It was like being caught doing something wrong; cold sweat broke out on his back instantly.

Even though he knew Sheng Ai had already deduced he wasn’t his real brother, why did he still feel a chill down his spine?

He looked into Sheng Ai's eyes, opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Sheng Ai didn’t urge him, just looked at him quietly with lowered eyes.

Asking this question meant acknowledging that Sheng Xiyang’s mother wasn’t Sheng Ai’s mother. If Sheng Xiyang answered, it would be admitting he wasn’t Sheng Ai’s brother.

Sheng Xiyang didn’t know what to do.

He should admit it, but he feared if he did, Sheng Ai might... might make him leave Sheng Mansion, or even if he didn’t, treat him differently.

The silence in the room made it hard for Sheng Xiyang to breathe.

His short breaths seemed to reveal his inner turmoil.

Sheng Ai asked, "What’s wrong?"

Sheng Xiyang stared blankly into Sheng Ai's eyes.

Sheng Ai spoke gently, "If you don’t want to answer, it’s fine. I just wanted to ask, nothing more. You’re so tense..." He paused slightly, seeming somewhat helpless, "Would your brother eat you?"

Sheng Xiyang didn’t respond.

His eyelashes fluttered lightly, and inexplicably, tears welled up in his eyes.

Sheng Ai was very gentle, but sometimes this gentleness was too much for Sheng Xiyang to accept.

He lowered his head.

Not answering often implied acknowledgment.

Sheng Ai didn’t say anything more, reaching out to gently touch Sheng Xiyang’s hair, "Are you hungry? Shall I have some tea and snacks sent up..."

Before he finished, Sheng Xiyang closed his eyes, steeled himself, and said, "Brother, there’s something I need to tell you, and you must believe me."

Sheng Ai’s figure paused slightly.

Hearing Sheng Xiyang admit he wasn’t his brother must be painful for Sheng Ai.

Sheng Ai didn’t turn around.

Sheng Xiyang gritted his teeth and directly said, "My mother was an opera singer, my father was a professor. I... I am Sheng Xiyang, but I’m not your brother Sheng Xiyang, nor the previous... the previous bad-tempered Sheng Xiyang."

He paused, raised his head, and continued in one breath, "I don’t know if you believe me, but everything I said is true. I... I come from about a hundred years in the future, after a car accident. I woke up here. My name in that world was also Sheng Xiyang. I’m not lying... The owner of this body is Lin Xiaonan, who actually... passed away when he jumped into the river. I read his diary; he wasn’t the real Sheng Xiyang either."

Sheng Ai slowly turned around, staring at Sheng Xiyang in disbelief.

Sheng Xiyang knew his story sounded absurd, especially to someone from the Republic of China era—it might seem like a fairy tale.

He sighed, covering his eyes, "I... I didn’t mean to deceive you. I knew I wasn’t your brother, but I just got here, with no family or friends. Only you treated me well. I was afraid that if I left you, I wouldn’t be able to survive, so I didn’t tell you the truth. I, I—"

Sheng Xiyang didn’t know how to continue.

He covered his eyes, feeling them heat up. Confessing didn’t feel good, as he faced the prospect of not being believed.

However, the room remained silent for a long time.

Sheng Xiyang felt his hand covering his eyes being gently pulled away.

He lifted his eyes.

Sheng Ai's eyes behind his glasses gazed at him quietly and said, "Let me take a look at you."

Sheng Xiyang just stood there, staring blankly at Sheng Ai.

Sheng Ai looked at him for a while, then smiled gently and softly said, "Hmm," in a very quiet voice, "You do look quite different from that child before."

Sheng Xiyang was stunned.

Sheng Ai continued, "You said... you come from a world one hundred years in the future. Do your parents know about this?"

Sheng Xiyang shook his head, "I might be dead or in a vegetative state... lying on a hospital bed with no consciousness."

Sheng Ai remained silent.

After a moment, he reached out, his fingers lightly brushing the red corner of Sheng Xiyang's eye, and said, "They can rest assured. If I could send them a dream in the middle of the night, I would tell them that you are well here, and I will take good care of you."

Sheng Xiyang felt a pang in his nose and couldn't utter a word.

Sheng Ai seemed to find it amusing too, slightly curving his lips, his eyes carrying a faint smile, "The world one hundred years in the future... I am quite curious about it, but unfortunately, I won't live that long. Perhaps this is fate."

"Fate?" Sheng Xiyang was puzzled.

Sheng Ai paused quietly and said, "Bringing you to me always gives me a sense of destiny. It may be a coincidence for you, but not for me."

"On the day ‘you’ jumped into the river, I was planning to take a train to Beijing," Sheng Ai said, "But because of what happened to ‘you,’ I didn't go. Later, I heard that the train had an accident, and many passengers were killed."

Sheng Xiyang widened his eyes slightly, staring blankly at Sheng Ai.

"So..." There was always a gentle warmth like melted water and a faint sadness in Sheng Ai's eyes, "Perhaps I should be grateful for your arrival, Xiyang."