Chapter 110 Don’t Cry, I’m Here

Chapter 110: Don't Cry, I'm Here

The rain continued to fall.

Shen Qingci finished his shower and walked out of the bathroom.

His wet hair hung loosely over his shoulders, droplets sliding off the ends of his hair, soaking the collar of his bathrobe.

He habitually glanced toward the sofa.

It was empty.

He looked away.

Finally, with his hair still dripping, he reluctantly picked up the hairdryer.

His face was expressionless, but he dried his hair with a dismissive half-heartedness.

He stopped when his hair was half-dry and put the hairdryer down.

He walked to the window and stood there.

Outside, rain and mist filled the air.

The streetlights blurred into fuzzy halos through the curtain of rain.

The whole world was soaked, wet and icy.

He just stood there, staring into the rainy mist.

His cold eyes betrayed no emotion.

A long time passed.

So long that the sound of rain outside seemed to have softened a little.

Only then did he lean on his cane, turn, and head to bed.

He lay down and closed his eyes.

The rain pattered on, like a never-ending lullaby.

After an unknown amount of time, the roar of a car's engine came from the villa courtyard.

The sound was especially clear in the rainy night, piercing the curtain of rain and into the bedroom on the second floor.

Shen Qingci opened his eyes.

He lay still for a moment, then slowly sat up.

He grabbed his cane, got out of bed, and casually draped a shawl over his shoulders.

He went to the window and looked out, his eyes cold.

The car had been turned off, parked silently in the rain.

He watched for a while, then turned and walked slowly toward the door.

When he was two steps from the door, it was yanked open.

The damp air rushed in instantly, carrying the chill of rain and the night's cold.

Shen Qingci barely had time to look up before he was suddenly pulled into an embrace.

That embrace was icy, damp, and trembling.

Shen Qingci swallowed the question that had been on his lips.

He could feel the man's body trembling as he held him tightly, felt the cold wetness seep through the bathrobe onto his own body, felt the familiar scent mingled with rain washing over him.

He thought to himself:

This kid—does he not have any common sense?

Did he go stand out in the rain?

He's an adult—why's he making such a mess of himself?

Shen Qingci frowned and tried to push him away.

But just then, two warm drops landed on his neck.

Then more and more.

One drop, two drops, three drops…

The drops hit the back of his neck, sliding down his skin and into his pajamas, scalding hot.

Shen Qingci's hand froze.

He stopped mid-motion.

He just stood there quietly, letting the ice-cold, trembling man hold him.

Letting those scalding drops land on him, one by one.

Shen Qingci's hand gently settled on Lu Lin's back.

He patted his back, slow and steady.

Very light, with a gentleness he'd never shown before, a silent comfort.

Time moved slowly amid the rain.

After what felt like a long time, Lu Lin's trembling gradually subsided, and his muffled sobs slowly faded.

Only then did Shen Qingci speak in a low voice, his voice cold but with a hint of softness even he hadn't noticed:

"Go take a shower."

But Lu Lin stubbornly held on, refusing to let go.

His arms tightened even more, as if afraid that if he let go, the man before him would disappear.

Shen Qingci sighed silently.

He spoke again, his voice still cool and distant, but now tinged with helplessness:

"Xiaoye, I'm cold."

Lu Lin's body stiffened instantly.

He let go as if scalded.

He lowered his head to look at Shen Qingci, at the thin pajamas he was wearing, now soaked through from his tears.

The tears he'd held back started falling again.

Shen Qingci raised his hand and gently wiped the tears from Lu Lin's cheek.

His touch was light, fingertips cool and smooth like jade.

His tone carried a rare tenderness:

"I'm fine. Go take a shower first."

Lu Lin cried even harder.

He looked at Shen Qingci, at that cold, ethereal face and those calm, untroubled eyes, and walked into the bathroom crying.

After a moment, he came back out.

Shen Qingci paused in the middle of changing clothes.

When he saw Lu Lin still looking like a drowned rat, he frowned and asked:

"Why aren't you taking a shower?"

Lu Lin shook his head stubbornly and said:

"The water's ready. Brother, you go first."

He paused, his voice hoarse:

"Brother got wet."

Shen Qingci pressed his lips together.

He looked into Lu Lin's stubborn eyes, at his tear-streaked, haggard face that was still defiant, and sighed silently.

He picked up his cane and walked into the bathroom.

Just before closing the door, he glanced back at Lu Lin, a hint of warning in his voice:

"Go shower in your own room. Don't wait for me out here."

Lu Lin nodded obediently.

The door closed.

Lu Lin stood there, staring at the closed door, motionless.

After a long time, he lowered his head, turned slowly, opened the door, and walked out.

When Shen Qingci came out, Lu Lin was already waiting.

---

He glanced at him, confirming he'd obediently showered, then he walked to the bed with his cane and sat down.

He looked at Lu Lin.

Lu Lin looked back at him.

They stared at each other, neither one speaking first.

After a tense standoff, Shen Qingci spoke first, his voice cool as he asked:

"What's wrong?"

No sooner had he spoken than

Lu Lin's tears fell without warning.

Unlike the gentler crying before, these tears came like a dam had burst, pouring out in an instant.

He sobbed, wiped his tears, and suddenly burst into loud, wailing sobs.

His crying was heartbreaking, as if all his pent-up emotions had finally burst out in a flood.

Shen Qingci was startled by his outburst.

He instantly dropped his usual cold demeanor and stood up, flustered.

He paced toward the bedside, his peripheral vision catching the button. He went over and pressed it, his voice carrying a note of urgency he didn't even notice:

"Uncle Fu, come up."

With that, he stepped forward, pulled Lu Lin over to the bed, and sat him down.

Then he just stood there, staring expressionlessly at Lu Lin, who was still crying and wiping his eyes.

His expression was as serious as if he were studying some rare disease.

Uncle Fu came up shortly, carrying a tray.

Shen Qingci sighed with relief at the sight of him.

He said, his tone pleading for help:

"Uncle Fu, see what's wrong with him. He keeps crying."

Uncle Fu was taken aback by his words.

He wanted to say, "Sir, he's a person, not a machine. When a person's emotions break down, crying is normal."

But seeing Shen Qingci's cold, ethereal face with a hint of worry, and the deep helplessness and tenderness in his eyes, he held back his words.

He sighed to himself.

Forget it.

Both boys have suffered enough.

He took the medicine from the tray and handed it to Lu Lin, along with a glass of warm water.

His movements and tone were practiced, like he'd done it a thousand times:

"Young Master Lu, it's time to take your medicine."

Lu Lin did not move.

He was still crying, tears streaming down without end.

Fu Bo did not urge him.

He simply continued speaking, his tone steady and gentle:

"Before he left, Mr. Shen asked me to look after you. He told me to make sure you take your medicine—he will check when he returns."

Lu Lin's movements paused.

He was still crying.

Hearing Fu Bo's words, he slowly reached out and took the medicine from Fu Bo's hand.

Then, he put the medicine directly into his mouth, crushed it with his teeth, and swallowed it down.

A bitter taste filled his mouth.

But he seemed not to taste it at all.

Fu Bo straightened up and placed the untouched glass of water back onto the tray.

He looked at Shen Qingci and explained:

"Ever since you came back, Mr. Lu hasn't had an episode for a long time. I thought..."

He paused:

"...he would never have an episode again."

Shen Qingci looked at Lu Lin, who was sitting on the edge of the bed like someone in a daze, and his brows furrowed deeper:

"Did he often do this before?"

Fu Bo shook his head, but then nodded:

"Mr. Lu rarely ever came back to the villa. He only returned when he had an episode."

His voice lowered:

"Sometimes it was just like this—he thought he was still living ten years ago, thought that you were only away on a trip. Only in this state is Mr. Lu easy to calm down."

"Other times, Mr. Lu would just stay in his room, always making a mess of himself until he was a complete mess, and leave again."

Shen Qingci was silent for a few seconds.

He nodded, not asking anything else.

Fu Bo said nothing else and quietly left.

The room went quiet again.

Only the steady drizzle outside the window and Lu Lin's occasional sobs filled the silence.

Shen Qingci walked over to the bed and sat down.

He looked into Lu Lin's swollen and bloodshot eyes.

Shen Qingci was silent for a moment.

Then, he reached out and gently placed his hand on Lu Lin's eyes.

His touch was very light, a soothing gesture.

"Stop crying."

His voice was clear and calm, and he said slowly:

"I'm here."