Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Nan Feng had a wide network of connections and soon obtained the reporters' question list and sent it over.

Uncle Li carefully read through all the questions, most of which were conventional financial or management questions, and Nan Feng had written the answers to every question in exhaustive detail.

Although Nan Liujing's intelligence had regressed to that of a six-year-old, he displayed exceptional memory and recitation abilities; no matter how awkward or difficult the financial terms were, he could repeat them verbatim without error.

But there was a serious problem: they had obtained the questions from some reporters, but one or two held out and refused to give theirs, and it wasn't hard to figure out that the questions they had prepared would be strange and tricky, the kind that even a normal person would need a while to even think through.

After much deliberation, they decided to have Nan Liujing wear a miniature earpiece, with someone outside ready to search for answers at any time and transmit them to the earpiece for him to read aloud.

To ensure foolproof execution, they rehearsed multiple times in advance, prepping for every possible hiccup that might arise during the process, and made ample preparations.

But Nan Liujing only cared about one question: "On the day of the press conference, are you coming, babe?"

Although it was a day off, Shen Gali didn't want to go. He worried that some reporters might take advantage of his presence and ask tricky, bizarre questions. He had zero faith in his own vacant brain and was dead sure he was nothing but a useless screw-up.

"Not going," he blurted out.

Nan Liujing took his fingers and played with them in his palm, lowering his eyes as if to hide his disappointment.

"I really want you to come. I want to see your face no matter when or where. But since you're tired, then rest well. If... if I perform well that day, can I have a small reward?"

"Why should I give you a reward? Are you doing this for me?" Shen Gali didn't understand. Where does he get the audacity to ask for a reward?

Nan Liujing lowered his head even further, and without even looking, you could tell he was upset.

Shen Gali was speechless.

He hated people with no sense of boundaries, and even more, he hated his inability to keep his soft heart in check.

"Fine, what reward do you want?" Shen Gali finally gave in.

Upon hearing this, Nan Liujing immediately looked up, joy written all over his face, but he insisted on keeping it a mystery: "I haven't thought of it yet. Let's talk about it after the press conference, okay?"

Shen Gali pulled his hand back and turned over: "How boring. I'm going to sleep."

Nan Liujing hummed twice in a fawning tone, scooted forward, gently pressed his cheek against Shen Gali's back, and reached out to wrap his arms around him, like a giant bird nestling against its person.jpg

Meanwhile.

Yu Huaisu held her phone, keeping her voice down: "Okay, then I'll owe you one. Of course, there will be a reward for you after it's done."

After hanging up, she glanced at Nan Feiyao beside her, saw that he seemed distracted, and said she would go to sleep first, then left the room.

As soon as Yu Huaisu left, Nan Feiyao immediately took out his phone and called Shen Lanqing.

Shen Lanqing was rummaging through his mother's study in the moonlight. The sudden ringtone of his phone startled him, and he held his breath as he fumbled to pull it out and silence the call.

He wanted to leave the study quickly, but it was too late. As soon as he opened the door, he saw his mother standing at the doorway in a robe, her eyes sharp, a faint, knowing smile on her lips: "Qingqing, why aren't you asleep? What are you looking for in my study so late?"

Shen Lanqing tried to calm his emotions and pretended to be casual: "Mom, did you take my USB drive? I need it urgently. I've been looking for it but couldn't find it."

His mother smiled, walked over to the desk, and casually unplugged the USB drive from the computer: "Was it that hard to find? You're always so careless, child. Once you marry into the Nan family, you can't be so careless anymore, or your mother-in-law will dislike you."

Shen Lanqing took the USB drive, muttered "Got it," and quickly left.

His mother watched his retreating back, then glanced at the bookshelf, letting out a cryptic laugh.

*

The day of the press conference.

Shen Gali was woken by a rustling sound, mixed with a whispered voice: "Uncle, be careful. Don't wake my wife."

Shen Gali half-opened his eyes and saw Uncle Li helping Nan Liujing change clothes.

During his amnesia, Nan Liujing had also thrown his aesthetic sense out the window. He no longer spent a lot of time styling his hair every day, and the monthly fashion magazines sent by the office lay untouched, piling up in a corner gathering dust. During this period, he had fallen in love with hoodies with various patterns, and those patterns were either little bears or little dogs, perfectly matching an elementary school student's taste.

The days when he wore suits seemed like a distant past.

For today's press conference, he put on a suit again. The crisp, stiff fabric draped perfectly, straight and form-fitting, outlining broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. The sliver of shirt cuff peeking out at the sleeves was as white as fresh snow, adorned with luxurious and exquisite diamond cufflinks, gleaming brilliantly.

Nan Liujing stared longingly at the little bear hoodie on the bed, touched the underarm seam, and said dejectedly: "Uncle, can I not wear this? It's too tight. I can't even move my arms."

He tugged at the newly tied tie: "This is also tight. I can't breathe."

Uncle Li quickly grabbed his hand and whispered soothingly: "Young master, don't mess with it; it'll ruin the suit's shape. It won't be for long, just bear with it."

Nan Liujing was unconvinced: "Why should I bear it? It's uncomfortable. Why can't I wear my little bear?"

Seeing that persuasion didn't work, Uncle Li pulled out the trump card: "Because Mr. Shen really likes you dressed like this. He once said that in a suit, you look like a god come down to earth, suave and drop-dead gorgeous."

Nan Liujing perked up at this, joy spreading all over his face: "Really? My wife really thinks so? Then I'll wear it every day and never take it off."

He immediately looked at Shen Gali in bed. Sensing his gaze, Shen Gali quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, afraid he'd come over and pester him.

But he came over to pester him anyway.

Nan Liujing approached Shen Gali, leaned down and gently kissed the corner of his lips, looking at him with a tender, bright gaze: "Wife, I'm off. I'm gonna do great. Wait for me to get back."

Then he bent down and gave him another kiss.

The sound of wheels rolled away until the door clicked open and shut. Finally, Shen Gali opened his eyes.

He couldn't get back to sleep.

He wondered if that guy would get scared by all the strangers at the press conference and start bawling for his wife. Although the preparations were foolproof, but you know what they say: plan for the worst, hope for the best. Even though he couldn't handle emergencies himself, at least he could provide Nan Liujing with some emotional comfort.

After a fierce internal struggle, Shen Gali reluctantly got up, going back and forth between "I should have just stayed in bed" and "If he causes trouble, I really won't get any sleep." He washed his face, brushed his teeth, changed clothes, dug through drawers to find a baseball cap, pulled the brim down to cover his face, and took a taxi to the press conference venue.

He couldn't let reporters discover him for now, otherwise, under their trick questions, he'd become a weak link.

The press conference was held at the television station center. The spherical building was surrounded by layers of journalists from all directions. But media without an invitation from Huanhai Electronics could only wait outside. Shen Gali was no exception; without an invitation, he couldn't enter, so he could only sit on a bench in the hallway outside the press room and wait.

Strangely enough, although he had left late, Nan Liujing and the others arrived even later.

Attending the press conference were Nan Liujing, Yu Huaisu, and Nan Feng. Today, they were more serious and formal than ever. Nan Liujing was wheeled in by Uncle Li to the center seat. As soon as they appeared, a swarm of reporters rushed forward, asking all kinds of strange questions, which Nan Feng dismissed with a curt "No comment."

Shen Gali secretly observed Nan Liujing's expression. You could tell he was a little scared facing all those strangers; his brows were tightly furrowed, and his hands rested on his thighs, fingers fidgeting nervously.

When the group passed by Shen Gali from a distance, Nan Liujing seemed to suddenly sense something and abruptly turned to look his way.

Shen Gali immediately ducked down and pulled his hat brim down further.

Even as they moved further away, Nan Liujing kept twisting his head to stare fixedly in this direction.

"What's wrong, young master?" Uncle Li asked softly.

Nan Liujing leaned in close and whispered in his ear: "Is that the guy in the black hat? Is that my wife? I can smell him."

Uncle Li turned back to look and chuckled lightly, "Yes, Mr. Shen must be worried about you and came specially to see you."

Nan Liujing reluctantly looked back again, his gaze lingering, as if yearning across endless autumn waters.

Not until everyone entered the press hall and the doors closed did the earlier noise finally die down.

The sound equipment in the hall was excellent, so even sitting outside, one could hear what was happening inside.

As the press conference began, under the flashing lights, Nan Liujing looked a bit uneasy. When he accidentally locked eyes with a reporter, he immediately turned away guiltily.

But he was someone who had seen the world, and he quickly got used to the setting.

The conference started, as usual, with Nan Feng's long-winded speech. Yu Huaisu kept a poised smile, fielding reporters' questions with ease.

The reporter finished taking notes and looked up: "Thank you, Mr. Nan and Mrs. Yu, for clearing things up for us. Next, we have a few questions for the person in question, Mr. Nan Liujing."

Nan Feng quietly patted Nan Liujing's hand under the table, reassuring him not to worry and to just stick to the script they'd rehearsed.

The first few questions had pre-prepared answers, and Nan Liujing delivered as expected. Although his delivery was a bit stiff and professionals could tell he was reciting from a script, the reporters didn't seem to notice, blaming it on his nerves after appearing in public for the first time since his injury.

Nan Feng's anxious heart finally eased, and he let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief.

Yu Huaisu quietly sat up straighter, scanning the reporters in the audience until her eyes met a specific reporter's. She raised an eyebrow just a bit, as if giving a signal.

The reporter who got the signal understood and raised a hand:

"Mr. Nan Liujing, I have a question that's not work-related I'd like to ask you."

As soon as the words were spoken, Nan Feng beside him, and Shen Gali and Uncle Li in the corridor, all looked up, their hearts were in their throats again.

Uncle Li quickly opened his laptop, holding the mic and whispering, "Young Master, can you hear me? If you can, cough once."

A soft cough soon came through the earpiece.

Nan Feng also jumped in to protect him, saying to the tactless reporter, "Liujing hasn't fully recovered yet. He had a severe brain injury and is sometimes disoriented. I hope you'll all go easy on him."

The reporter smiled meaningfully: "Don't worry, anyone with an IQ over sixty-five can answer this."

Nan Liujing: "Ask away."

Once I'm done, I can get back to my wife sooner.

The reporter asked, "Mr. Nan, if a museum catches fire, would you save the world's only priceless painting or a stray cat that wandered in?"

Everyone stared: What kind of question is that?

If he chooses the painting, he'll be called cold-blooded; if he chooses the cat, he'll be criticized for having no sense of honor. With all the world's opinions, neither choice is correct.

Nan Liujing stared at the reporter in silence, not saying a word.

Outside, Uncle Li frantically searched online for an answer, but this was less a question and more a debate—both answers had solid logic and values, both were right, yet both were wrong.

Seeing Nan Liujing stay silent, the reporter got more aggressive: "Mr. Nan, the answer to this question is actually pretty simple. Or do you need more time to think it over?"

In everyone's eyes, as long as Nan Liujing gave an answer and his reasoning, it would prove his logical thinking was fine. It wasn't about right or wrong—it was a bare-faced test, the only way to prove his intelligence was unaffected.

If Nan Liujing remained silent, the claim that his "intellect wasn't damaged" would fall apart on its own.

Shen Gali heard the question from outside the hall and, after a moment's thought, came up with an answer:

I'm not as fast as the cat, and the painting's got plenty of people to save it. So the only one who ends up hurt is me.

Nan Liujing's silence made Nan Feng and Uncle Li break out in a cold sweat, and they didn't even realize it was a trap the reporter had set.

In the live-streamed chat room, comments flooded in like a tidal wave. They didn't care about the right answer, only:

"Nan Liujing really is dumb, that's for sure."

"Poor guy, look at him, dumb and crippled. Hurry up and divorce him so he stops dragging Li Li down."

"Even if he just said something, the old Nan Liujing would have chosen the painting, right? For a businessman, it's always about profit."

As time ticked by, Nan Feng couldn't bear to watch anymore and lowered his head in despair, thinking this press conference was the worst decision he'd ever made.

Seeing him silent, the reporter smirked arrogantly and said, "Mr. Nan, this question is actually unsolvable. Whether you save the painting or the cat, both have their meaning. I didn't ask this to make you judge right from wrong, but to encourage you to think."

Nan Liujing: "Mm."

Everyone: What does "mm" mean?

But then Nan Liujing met the reporter's gaze directly and said softly, "Why not put out the fire first?"

Everyone: ...?

Why not put out the fire first... Right, why the hell not put out the fire first? Who said this question had no answer? This was the most fitting answer!

The reporter was left speechless by this unexpected response.

It made so much sense; there was no refuting it.

"Hmm? Why not put out the fire first?" Nan Liujing pressed on, his tone dripping with disdain for the reporter's stupidity. "If the fire spreads, the painting, the cat, and the visitors could all be in danger. As the museum's director, failing to prevent the fire is negligence. After the fire starts, pondering such meaningless questions is shameless. Why not put out the fire? Why not take preventive measures? Why ask such an ignorant question?!"

His words came out like a rapid-fire barrage, his three "whys" hitting home like pearls of wisdom. His suddenly raised voice stunned everyone present, leaving them speechless.

Nan Liujing: "Why?"

"Why treat me like a fool?"

At this, the entire hall fell into dead silence, with only the echoing "whys" replaying in everyone's minds like a stuck tape.

Nan Feng's expression shifted from joy to shock.

This clear, logical response was just like the old Nan Liujing. As the company's head, shouldn't the priority be minimizing losses in a crisis, rather than choosing between sacrificing the pawn or the chariot?

Could this kid... have regained his memory?

Outside, Shen Gali was pondering the same question. Had the reporter's pressure triggered Nan Liujing's memory recovery?

Unlike Nan Feng's barely concealed joy, Yu Huaisu looked at Nan Liujing with a strange expression, her fingers quietly clenching.

Could he have recovered...? But thinking it over, Nan Liujing had studied management since childhood. Though his intellect was impaired, he still retained a six-year-old's IQ. Such a response was within reason.

Hopefully, it was just her overthinking. If Nan Liujing truly regained his memory and returned to the company, his embezzlement of public funds would surely be exposed, and then it would be truly irreversible.

Seeing the reporter stunned by the barrage, Yu Huaisu cleared her throat and subtly exchanged a glance with him, signaling him to implement Plan B.

Nan Feng, afraid that the longer they stayed, the more issues would surface, quickly interrupted the reporter:

"Everyone, since Liujing is still in recovery, the doctors advise plenty of rest. We've been out for quite a while now, and we're worried about his injury. So, I'm sorry to announce that today's press conference ends here. Thank you all for coming, and for your hard work."

Let's take one last group photo and then quickly send him home to ask for details and see if there is hope for his recovery.

Upon hearing the sound, Uncle Li hurried in to help push the wheelchair. As they faced questions from the reporters who hadn't been allowed in, they repeatedly said, "No comment," and quickly left under the escort of bodyguards.

Just as they reached the door, they suddenly heard something fall to the ground, followed by a burst of colorful lights and a rough musical jingle.

Curious, everyone looked over and saw a little yellow duck toy car, flashing lights and singing, rushing out of the crowd toward Nan Liujing, finally stopping at his feet and spinning around.

At that moment, everyone held their breath, and the cameras all focused on Nan Liujing's face.

What a six-year-old child can't resist is... toys! In the past, Nan Liujing would have ignored it and walked quickly past, but today, if he picked up the toy and showed great interest, it would prove that he really had lost his mind.

Nan Liujing frowned, quietly gazing at the uninvited little yellow duck, a flicker of joy passing through his eyes.

After a long moment, he bent down and picked up the little yellow duck.

Yu Huaisu, who had been tense the whole time, saw his action and couldn't help but shoot an appreciative glance at the reporter.

After all, he's still just an idiot.

Nan Liujing examined the little yellow duck carefully, then suddenly looked up and stared straight at Yu Huaisu.

The sudden, scrutinizing gaze made Yu Huaisu catch her breath. Had he discovered something?

Nan Liujing said, "If this thing is left in the hallway, someone might step on it and fall, causing injury. If they end up in a wheelchair like me, that would be an undeserved misfortune for them. I'll take it for now. Whoever owns it can come to me later to claim it."

A reporter chimed in, "Maybe Nan had a narrow escape from death, and this experience has made him more at ease, more compassionate, caring about others' safety."

"Yeah, it seems the rumor about Nan's intellectual impairment is completely unfounded. Let's wish him a speedy recovery and hope he returns to the company to take charge again, leading the Huanhai Group toward a brighter future."

Nan Feng listened to the reporters' praise, smiling so much that his eyes became slits, and humbly said, "I'm honored by your praise."

Shen Gali, who had been watching the whole scene, secretly sighed in relief.

Nan Liujing must really like this little yellow duck, but when he was six years old, his mother passed away. Since then, he had learned to conceal his emotions, even when he wanted something badly, he could put on an air of righteousness and speak with such eloquence without betraying any sign.

Nan Liujing, that's just like you.

Everyone was beaming with joy, except for Yu Huaisu, who was so angry she was panting heavily.

This couldn't kill him; Nan Liujing really has his tricks. If his memory was gradually recovering, she couldn't sit idly by—she had to strike first.

In the car.

As soon as Shen Gali got in, Nan Liujing eagerly leaned over, shaking the little yellow duck, "Wife, look, I found a ducky car."

When he said "ducky car," although his tone was meant to be cute, his naturally deep voice combined with the attempted cute tone created a strong sense of dissonance.

Shen Gali couldn't help but ask, "When that reporter asked you about saving the painting or the cat, why did you think putting out the fire first?"

Nan Liujing thought for a moment and replied, even more puzzled, "Shouldn't you put out the fire first?"

"That's not it either..."

"Then what do you think I should save, wife? Tell me who to save, and I'll save that person."

Shen Gali: ...

Uncle Li laughed, "It seems that no matter what the question is, the young master's answer is always the same: it's you, Mr. Shen."

Shen Gali slowly looked at Nan Liujing, who was cherishing the little yellow duck as if it were a treasure, and finally couldn't help but laugh.

Sometimes, he felt that Nan Liujing was quite adorable too, having shed his former arrogance and overbearingness, his deliberate pretense and concealment. After peeling back the layers, he had finally become his true self.

The hardest thing in life is to be oneself. Congratulations to him for achieving that.

A cause for celebration.

*

Perhaps Nan Liujing was too tired; he dozed off after returning home. Uncle Li knew he was uncomfortable in his suit and tried to coax him into taking it off, but he insisted that his wife liked him this way and refused to take it off, eventually falling asleep in his suit.

Shen Gali received a text reply:

"See you at the Huaihai Road coffee shop."

He was going out to meet someone.

When he arrived at the coffee shop, the person he was meeting was already there. Seeing Shen Gali, she looked somewhat uneasy, keeping her head down and not daring to look him in the eye.

Shen Gali didn't bother with meaningless pleasantries and cut straight to the point:

"You saw the whole thing on the day Nan Liujing fell."

It was a statement, not a question.

Zhong Lin across from him shuddered, lowering her head even more. "I didn't see anything. I don't know why you'd say that..."

"You were the only one not at your desk at the time of the incident. You said it was because you screamed at a cockroach, but during my management of the company, I learned that cockroach poison has always been kept in the restroom. Additionally, the security guard said that from the time the scream was heard to when you returned to your desk, twenty minutes passed. Even if there was a cockroach, you ran at the sight of it—a distance of a few dozen meters doesn't take twenty minutes."

Zhong Lin still insisted, "I don't know what you're talking about. I was so scared of the cockroach that I ran in a panic to the stairwell and only came back after I calmed down."

"Even if that's true, the restroom exit is directly opposite the scene. You couldn't have missed it."

"The power was out, it was pitch black, and I'm nearsighted. Of course I couldn't see clearly," Zhong Lin said with increasing irritation.

Her mother was having surgery today, and she had shamelessly asked for leave again. She wasn't here to listen to Shen Gali's thinly veiled accusations; she needed to get back to the hospital to see her mother.

Shen Gali also felt exhausted. Why were there so many foolish people?

Sooner or later, the police would follow the clues and uncover the truth. Her false testimony would then collapse. Clearly, someone had threatened her or bribed her into keeping silent.

That was why Shen Gali still hated this world.

Back then, it was Nan Liujing who had insisted on keeping her job despite opposition. Instead of showing gratitude, she repaid kindness with enmity. How could someone have such a heavy burden that they would abandon their conscience?

"You might not know this, but in the position Nan Liujing was in, even the smallest decisions were watched by countless eyes. One wrong move could bring him down. He risked his own future for you. Now, all he's asking is for you to tell the truth. Is that so hard?"

Zhong Lin lowered her head and fell silent.

She was already cornered. Even if she returned the 500,000 yuan, what difference would it make? The financial magnates were ruthless; if she betrayed them, it would be certain death.

So after a long silence, she still said, "Don't push me. I understand you want justice for Nan, but I didn't see anything, so I can't go against my conscience."

Shen Gali felt weary. No matter how much he said, it was futile. Wasting time with this woman, thinking she might have a change of heart—he was the fool.

He put down money for the coffee and stood up. "When I was a child, I also told a lie out of necessity. But when the lie was exposed, it only brought me more embarrassment. At that moment, I realized that people cannot be so cowardly as to lose all sense of right and wrong. That's all. I'm leaving."

Zhong Lin stared at the latte art in her cup, gradually melting into a shapeless mess.

After a long time, she slowly lowered her body, resting her forehead on the edge of the table. Countless emotions surged within her, and the tears finally broke free.

There's no need to wait for the lie to be exposed; Shen Gali's words alone have already made him feel ashamed.

These days, he often lies awake all night. He can't forget who lent him a hand when he was in despair, but can the torment of his conscience truly outweigh his mother's life?

Yet in the midst of his painful choice, he suddenly recalls his mother's last critical illness, gripping his hand and repeating: "You must live as an upright person with a conscience."

Oh, Mom, there are too many helpless things in this world, and they've already made the choice for me before I had a chance.

*

At Nan Liujing's place.

Shen Gali came out of the bathroom, his loose bathrobe still untied, when he heard the notification from his phone.

He picked up the phone and saw a message from Secretary Yan:

"The board meeting will be held this Friday. The meeting documents have been sent to your email."

The board meeting...

Shen Gali instantly got depressed. He had no idea what to do at the board meeting; he only knew that if Nan Liujing didn't snap out of it soon, he'd lose his mind.

When Nan Liujing entered the room, Shen Gali still hadn't fastened his bathrobe; it hung loose around his waist, leaving his entire upper body exposed.

Nan Liujing stared fixedly at his bare upper body—his snowy neck connected to sharply defined collarbones, a lean but not bony frame covered in porcelain-like, fair skin. Two small moles, red as blood jade, dotted his neck and chest, scattered across the snow-white skin, exuding a decadent beauty.

However, a pink surgical scar on his left chest ruined the overall look.

"What's that?" Nan Liujing pointed at the scar.

"Surgical scar," Shen Gali said bluntly.

"Are you sick?" Nan Liujing wheeled himself closer, trying to get a better look at the scar.

Shen Gali's gaze was fixed on the documents, and he replied absentmindedly, "I was sick. Now I'm better."

"Then... does it hurt, honey?"

As soon as Shen Gali heard this, he felt a warm touch sweep across his chest. Looking down, he saw Nan Liujing's hand already on his chest—it was hard to tell his true intention.

"A little. So don't touch it." The pain had long passed, but to avoid the restless hand, he had to say that.

He thought that would get Nan Liujing to back off, but just as he opened the file, a different warmth spread across his chest—not from a hand but from something else.

Soft lips gently kissed the scar, spreading a fiery heat.

"What are you doing?" Shen Gali grabbed Nan Liujing's hair and yanked his head back.

Nan Liujing winced in pain as his hair was pulled.

"My mom used to say that if something hurts, a kiss will make it better."

"You're such a pervert."

Although Nan Liujing now had the mind of a five-year-old, his muscular build was nothing to scoff at. With a slight effort, he pinned Shen Gali onto the bed. His lower body remained in the wheelchair, but his upper body leaned forward, putting all his weight on Shen Gali.

Shen Gali: weak, helpless, and pitiful.jpg

Shen Gali thought: Should I call for help or not? Right now, only Uncle Li is home, and if I call him, he'll probably help Nan Liujing hold me down so he can have his way with me.

Forget it. I give up.

Nan Liujing hugged him tightly around the waist, his eyes clear but with a hint of foolishness.

"Honey, didn't you say you'd give me a reward if I behaved well?"

Shen Gali looked away and cursed him under his breath.

"Then can I kiss your wound? When I fell off my bike as a kid, my mom would kiss it, and it really wouldn't hurt anymore," Nan Liujing said earnestly. "Honey, I don't want you to be in pain."

Shen Gali sighed. This man, even with amnesia, couldn't forget his mother. She must have been the one light in his unfortunate childhood, but in the end, even that single light was extinguished by his own hands. How unforgettable must that be to overcome physiological amnesia and recall the past again?

His heart ached slightly.

Gradually, he relaxed his body, spread his arms, and said softly, "Go ahead. Be gentle and don't hurt me."

Soft strands of hair brushed across his chest, and the warm breath from Nan Liujing's nose and mouth swirled and lingered on his skin.

Shen Gali lay like a dead fish, flat on his back in a starfish position, staring blankly at the pattern on the chandelier. The glaring light made him squint, and when he briefly looked away, the sensation on his chest became even clearer.

It felt strange—itchy and hot. Occasionally, when the lips brushed against that little cherry, an electric current shot through him, as if nursing a baby.

After a long while, Nan Liujing lifted his head, grabbed Shen Gali's hand and shook it, asking with a smile, "Does it still hurt?"

Shen Gali looked away and almost said, "Hell no it doesn't." But somehow, he found himself saying, "It still hurts a little."

A large hand traced along the texture of his skin, drawing gentle arcs across his arched neck and shoulders.

Nan Liujing's voice was tender and gentle, his smiling eyes curved like crescent moons: "Then I'll try harder."

Outside the door, Uncle Li, holding a glass of warm milk to help him sleep, fell into deep thought:

Should I go in or not?