Chapter 27 I’ll Hold Him as He Sleeps

Chapter 27: I Will Hold Him as He Sleeps

Li Wangyue finished dealing with the people who came over to chat him up, then turned aside to pick up a glass of wine. Just as he was about to drink, he realized it was a strong drink.

After a moment’s thought, he still took a sip.

He had been sleeping well lately and no longer needed sleeping pills, so he could ease up on the alcohol, no need to be so strict.

The hall wasn’t packed; most folks were huddled in their own little cliques, talking shop only they got. Li Wangyue stayed in a corner, looking around.

Someone had just come over to talk to him. From bits and pieces of their talk, he could tell they were distant Ting relatives or in-laws. Their words were polite but nosy, trying to fish something out of him without coming right out and asking.

Li Wangyue played along, keeping up appearances.

He dropped his eyes, fiddling with the lemon squeezer, squeezing it lightly. Clear, pale gold juice dripped into the liquor. Li Wangyue just watched, his Adam’s apple bobbing without him noticing.

He grabbed half a lemon, dropped it in, and squeezed.

Ting Zhenxi still hadn’t shown up.

The old man seemed a little ticked off, holed up in his room. After a bit, he called in Ting Zhenxi’s cousin, and they talked about something. When the cousin came out, the look on his face was something else—frowning, he muttered something to the woman next to him. They scanned the hall, their eyes finally landing on Li Wangyue. They shot each other a look, then looked away, whispering.

Li Wangyue figured he’d shown up too early.

Qingyu

Ting Huayi and Li Ping hadn’t shown up either. This banquet was bound to be a mess. As an outsider’s outsider, he couldn’t chime in or fit in with anyone.

On a nearby shelf were newspapers, old and new, stuffed in carelessly. Li Wangyue pulled one out—a business paper from Liming News. He flipped to the back and found a crossword puzzle.

The author was Yinghuo.

He found a pen and started working the puzzle while drinking.

“Four letters, a word for a star, but not ‘Star’… Mars.” Li Wangyue jotted down four letters.

“I don’t drink tea on the patio because I’m nearsighted…” Li Wangyue stared at the clue, racking his brain, the pen tip resting on the paper. “Nearsighted, huh?”

He tried “Myopia,” and the letter count fit.

After just a few blanks, he was wiped out.

Word puzzles were for people with twisted, sharp, and sneaky minds—good at making connections and quick on the uptake. He figured Yinghuo must be that type.

The folks sitting nearby stood up—it was Ting Huayi and Li Ping arriving.

Ting Zhenxi was still a no-show.

In the end, he never turned up.

Everyone knew it, but they kept quiet about it. The mood at the table was subtly tense. In the end, Ting Huayi barely got a mention, like no one cared.

Li Wangyue watched the old man’s face, then dropped his eyes, raising an eyebrow a little, gently poking at his food with his chopsticks.

He wasn’t hungry.

He ate a little for show. When the dinner wrapped up, most folks headed to the side hall for tea, and Li Wangyue said he needed some air.

“Is it too stuffy in here?” Ting Huayi asked with a smile.

Li Wangyue smiled back and replied, “With Grandpa and Grandma around, I felt too awkward to smoke. Now I’ll go outside to relax a bit.”

Ting Huayi’s smile didn’t change as he patted his shoulder. “Your mom is in the garden. There’s a night-blooming cereus that might bloom tonight, and she insists on watching it. No one can stop her.”

Li Wangyue nodded. “Okay, I’ll go see if I can get lucky too.”

“It’s cold outside; put on an extra jacket.” Ting Huayi turned and left.

Watching his stepfather’s back disappear down the corridor, Li Wangyue finally let out a sigh and headed to the garden.

The old mansion’s garden was fairly bright. The candle lamps on the outer walls of the building stayed lit all night, and the flower pavilion was also bright enough to see clearly.

Li Wangyue recalled that awkward encounter in the hotel’s rooftop garden and put away his phone, which he had just taken out to take a photo.

Better to just look with his eyes, so he wouldn’t get too absorbed.

Maybe he was also hoping that tonight, he might run into Ting Zhenxi in the garden by chance. But unfortunately, Ting Zhenxi was always elusive. Li Wangyue walked through the garden, which was completely empty and very quiet.

He found Li Ping in the southern flower pavilion, indeed waiting for the night-blooming cereus to open. Li Wangyue couldn’t help but feel helpless—it was only a possibility that it would bloom, but that was Li Ping’s way: if there was a chance, she wanted to try.

Li Wangyue had almost forgotten the experiences of his youth, following his mother to watch meteor showers, auroras, and red moons.

Most of the time, they were unlucky and didn’t see anything, but he remembered his mother’s youthful smile, her determination as they traveled around, and, from even earlier, the warmth in his parents’ arms.

Back then, the night wind was strong. His parents lay on either side, shielding him in the middle. He didn’t feel a single gust, only his parents’ body heat and the white noise of their quiet conversations.

He envied other families who had cars to shelter them from the wind and rain. His father said they would buy one next year, so he would never have to face the wind and rain again.

But next year never came. His father fell into bad habits, and from then on, there were only nightmares.

“Mom.” Li Wangyue approached and called out.

Li Ping made room for him and asked, “Did you eat enough?”

Li Wangyue wanted to joke and say no, but looking at his mother’s face, he nodded instead. “I’m full. When will the flower bloom?”

“I don’t know.” Li Ping shook her head, then gently touched the petals. “It would be best if it blooms, but it’s okay if it doesn’t.”

Following her gesture, Li Wangyue looked at the flower for a while, then looked up at her.

“I was just doing a crossword puzzle.”

“How was it? Fun?” Li Ping asked.

Li Wangyue looked troubled. “Not fun. I can’t do it.”

Li Ping laughed. “It’s obviously very simple. The puzzles in the newspaper are all beginner-level; you can see the answer at a glance. Why can’t you figure it out?”

“Maybe I really don’t get it.” Li Wangyue felt helpless. “I can’t understand what the puzzle maker is thinking.”

Li Ping said, “You’ll know after trying a few more times. I also went from not knowing to knowing. I… cough, cough…”

A cold breeze blew, and Li Ping covered her mouth to cough. Li Wangyue quickly helped her sit up properly, reached for her thermos, and poured her a cup of water.

“Still not better? It’s been so long.” Li Wangyue couldn’t help but worry.

“It’s flu season, and coughs are the hardest to shake off. It’s normal.” Li Ping drank the water. “You should take care of yourself too. Don’t drink cold things, rest well, and don’t be such a workaholic…”

“I know.” Li Wangyue comforted her, then added, “If it’s not better in a few days, I’ll go with you to the hospital again. A cold might not be a serious illness, but it could trigger some complications.”

Li Ping, a nurse herself, naturally understood this and didn't want Li Wangyue to worry, so she agreed to it.

"It's getting cold at night, these flowers might not bloom. Let's head inside first," Li Wangyue urged.

Li Ping's face fell a little, but after finishing a glass of water, she felt a bit better. She nodded and let Li Wangyue put his coat over her shoulders.

Back at the main house, all the guests had left. Ting Huayi was already waiting in the car. Li Wangyue gave his mother a few words of advice before sending her off.

With Uncle Zhong not around to take care of things, Li Wangyue had to drive himself back, even though he'd just been drinking.

He'd thought Ting Zhenxi would come over. Earlier, from Ting Huayi's hints, it seemed like Ting Zhenxi had been behaving lately, and he was happy with that. But in the end, he still did whatever he wanted, breaking his promise without a second thought.

Li Wangyue stood on the porch by the side door, found a quiet, dark spot, and lit up a cigarette.

After a couple of drags, he chuckled.

Ting Zhenxi was really self-centered. Even with plans they'd agreed on, if he didn't want to come, he just wouldn't—no one could change his mind.

Li Wangyue envied that—being able to live so boldly.

Someone came out the side door. Li Wangyue put out his cigarette and waved away the smoke.

A little boy, about eight or nine, struggled to push the door open and squeezed out. He was in his pajamas, barefoot, clutching a shark plushie.

He looked around, spotted the figure in the corner, and said, "You're not supposed to pee here."

Li Wangyue stepped out, put his cigarette case and lighter away, and asked, "You should be in bed at this hour. Are you looking for your mom?"

He remembered this kid—he was Ting Zhenxi's cousin's son. He'd been put to bed before the dinner party.

The boy nodded. "I had a nightmare. Is Little Uncle here?"

"He didn't come," Li Wangyue said, sounding regretful, reaching out to pat the shark plushie on the head. "It's cold here. Let me take you back to your room, alright? I'll tell your mom later, and she'll come check on you, okay?"

The boy was quiet for a moment, then nodded and took Li Wangyue's hand.

"Where's your room? Can you show me?" Li Wangyue said gently.

The boy led him by the hand, his feet pattering on the floor. Seeing he was barefoot, Li Wangyue asked if he wanted to be picked up. The boy turned and jumped into his arms, settling on his hip and wrapping his arms around his neck.

"You smell just as nice as Little Uncle," the boy mumbled, leaning against his shoulder.

Li Wangyue paused, then gently rubbed his back. "We use the same laundry soap."

"Do you guys live together?"

"Kind of."

"How come you live together?"

"I dunno."

"Do you guys eat together?"

"Sometimes."

"Do you guys sleep together?"

"No."

"What stuffed animal do you sleep with?"

"I don't sleep with a stuffed animal."

"Oh, how come? Little Uncle told me he sleeps with a stuffed animal."

"Really?"

Li Wangyue had no idea Ting Zhenxi slept with something. He figured it was probably just something the kid made up to tease him.

The boy nodded seriously. "Little Uncle told me he sleeps with a big stuffed animal—a huge, huge one."

Li Wangyue laughed at how he spread his arms wide and played along. "Then he must really like that stuffed animal."

The boy hugged his shark plushie, biting its fin. "I love Little Blue Shark the most. My big brother gave me a cobra stuffed animal once, but I didn't like it—it was too small and not scary at all."

They reached the third floor. As they turned a corner, Li Wangyue stopped in his tracks.

"Little Uncle!"

The boy raised his arm toward Ting Zhenxi, nearly tumbling out of Li Wangyue's arms. Li Wangyue quickly steadied his waist and gently handed him over to Ting Zhenxi.

Ting Zhenxi took the boy and looked down. "No shoes again."

The boy kicked him hard and giggled. "I won't wear them!" He then turned back and swung his legs at Li Wangyue triumphantly, landing a kick on his thigh. "Little Uncle's here, you can go now."

Li Wangyue was taken aback. How did this kid's attitude change so fast?

Ting Zhenxi raised an eyebrow slightly, grabbed the boy's ankle with one hand, and flipped him over in his arms.

Li Wangyue was startled.

Ting Zhenxi held the boy upside down near the stairs, dangling him in the air. "Apologize."

"No, no, it's fine!" Li Wangyue's heart was in his throat. He waved his hands nervously. "It's nothing. Please put him down."

"Apologize," Ting Zhenxi repeated.

The boy still clutched his shark plushie, struggling a couple of times. Realizing Ting Zhenxi was serious, he said sulkily, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have not worn shoes."

"And?"

"And what?" The boy's face flushed red, his neck stiff.

"Kicking people for no reason."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have kicked you all..."

Ting Zhenxi finally pulled him back and set him on the ground. "Go back to sleep."

The boy, no longer the cute and docile one who had been on Li Wangyue's shoulder, glared at him and turned to go back to his room.

Li Wangyue was still shaken.

Ting Zhenxi looked down, gently smoothing the wrinkles on his sleeve.

Li Wangyue said, "Next time... you don't have to do that. Don't scare the kid."

"Are you talking about yourself?" Ting Zhenxi asked teasingly. "He wasn't scared at all."

Li Wangyue was stumped by his words and could only say, "It's dangerous for a child."

"You really like kids."

"Not really." Sensing he was annoyed, Li Wangyue changed the subject appropriately. "He said you sleep with a plush toy, a really big one."

He'd only mentioned it as a joke, but Ting Zhenxi replied, "That's right."

Li Wangyue froze, grinning in confusion. "You seriously sleep with a plush toy? Like, hugging it to sleep?"

Suddenly, Li Wangyue felt jealous.

Jealous of whatever Ting Zhenxi held, what could accompany him to sleep every night.

"That's right." Ting Zhenxi repeated, meeting his gaze with a smile. "I hold him to sleep."

A noise from the hallway cut their conversation short.

It was the butler calling Ting Zhenxi to the study, saying the old master was still waiting for him.

Ting Zhenxi walked over and said to Li Wangyue, "Wait for me downstairs."

"What?"

Ting Zhenxi looked at him, then tossed the car keys over. "You can head back on your own if you want."

Li Wangyue caught the keys, slow on the uptake. "...No, I've been drinking alcohol."

"There are no cops patrolling on West 29th Avenue tonight."

Li Wangyue shook his head. "No, that's not okay."

"If you know it's not okay, then why aren't you waiting downstairs?"

"...Alright." Only then did Li Wangyue realize he was being mocked.

The alcohol had slowed his brain.

The room was kinda stuffy, with a faint fragrance, that fake fresh air from the AC, and the lingering burn of strong liquor in his throat.

Li Wangyue went downstairs and found a place to sit. The butler thoughtfully brought him some tea to sober up. Occasionally, one or two people came from the side hall, politely bidding him farewell before leaving the building.

Bored, Li Wangyue fiddled with Ting Zhenxi's car keys in his hand and glanced down. The keychain held not only the car key but also the house key and the room key.

Li Wangyue found one of them very familiar. Looking closer, it was the key to his own room.

Every bedroom key had a number engraved on it. Li Wangyue had one too, but he had never used it—he never locked his door, since this room wasn't really his.

Ting Zhenxi's room key was on the same ring as his. Perhaps his room had once belonged to Ting Zhenxi as well.

He was actually really curious about Ting Zhenxi's bedroom.

He wanted to know what it looked like, and even more, what Ting Zhenxi looked like inside that bedroom—the other side of Ting Zhenxi he had never seen.

Staring at the key to Ting Zhenxi's bedroom in his hand, his throat tightened, and his heartbeat quickened.

If he could have a copy made, he could go into Ting Zhenxi's bedroom, gently lie on his bed, his pillows and blankets, and the plush toy he hugged to sleep every night—what would it all be like...

Li Wangyue was stunned. He had such a strong urge to snoop. He closed his fist and shoved the keys into his pocket.