Chapter 27: Guilt

Chapter 27 Guilt

June 1st, 8:30 AM.

The bedroom curtains did a perfect job of filtering out the harsh glare, allowing the morning light to seep in gently.

The person still asleep could vaguely sense that the sky had cleared and the sun was shining just right, but wouldn't be woken up too early by the light; when they naturally woke up, they'd open their eyes and see the bright view outside the window.

In the big bedroom bed that could fit two grown men, aside from the comforter and pillows, there was a sleeping person, and the headboard had plenty of plush toys lined up on it.

When Xu Moxing woke up, Su Lichen had already left the house.

He opened his eyes and noticed a box placed on the bedside table.

He paused, picked it up, and saw a note sitting on top:

"Happy birthday."

He stared at the note for several seconds before remembering—today was his birthday.

The 25th day of the fourth lunar month, which this year happened to fall on Children's Day.

He opened the box and found a pink T-shirt. It was from a very expensive brand.

Xu Moxing recalled a small, everyday incident from a few days ago...

A few days ago, Su Lichen had pulled up a picture on his phone and showed it to Xu Moxing while he was studying.

"Mo, what do you think of this shirt? The pink isn't too loud; I think it would look good on you."

"Hmm? It does look pretty nice."

Xu Moxing habitually asked about the price first. Su Lichen didn't want to tell him at first, but if he didn't, Xu Moxing would keep bugging him, so it was easier to just tell him straight up.

Holding back would only make Xu Moxing more suspicious, and there was no point, so Su Lichen just told him.

"What!"

The shirt was indeed cute, and Xu Moxing really liked it.

When he first saw it, he thought if it wasn't too expensive, he might buy one.

After hearing the price from Su Lichen, Xu Moxing let out the loudest exclamation he had made since losing his memory.

"Three thousand five hundred? Three thousand five for a T-shirt?"

"Is it made of gold?"

"Forget it, I can't afford it."

Su Lichen knew this would be his reaction. "Well, the design is quite intricate, it relies on the brand and creativity. But this brand's quality is good. It's not like some so-called luxury goods that are all show and no substance."

"One day when I'm making a hundred grand a month, maybe I'd consider spending three thousand five on a T-shirt."

Su Lichen didn't say much that day, just replied, "Anyway, you do think it looks nice, right?"

"Yeah, it's pretty good-looking. Before I knew the price, I thought it was great. After knowing the price, I think it's just okay—nice, but not worth three thousand five for me."

"Hahaha, that's like people's reaction when Master Kong iced tea raised its price—four kuai is top shelf, five kuai is horse piss."

"Well, there's a way to live when you're broke. The worst is being poor but still obsessed with keeping up appearances. Anyway, I believe in living within your means."

"True, I agree."

Now, Xu Moxing ran his fingers over the pink shirt.

So there had been signs all along. This was Su Lichen's birthday gift to him—afraid of getting the wrong gift and worried Xu Moxing would catch on, so he asked indirectly.

A smile spread across Xu Moxing's face without him realizing it.

In the afternoon, Sister Zhang helped cook the meal, and Xu Moxing gave her a little extra money since she had gone to the trouble of making so many dishes.

Soon after Sister Zhang left, Su Lichen came back with Jiang Xingzhou.

"Happy birthday." Jiang Xingzhou handed his gift to Xu Moxing with a smile. "Heard from Su Lichen it was your birthday, so I grabbed this on the way."

Xu Moxing took it: "Thanks, you're too kind."

Su Lichen noticed that Xu Moxing had changed into the pink T-shirt he'd left as a gift on the bedside table that morning. He smiled.

The three of them ate together. Su Lichen acted as the glue between Xu Moxing and Jiang Xingzhou, and the conversation went quite well.

Jiang Xingzhou was just as Xu Moxing remembered—outgoing, generous, and sociable.

One difference was that Xu Moxing felt Jiang Xingzhou was more polite and cautious with him now, not as casual as before.

Several times as they talked, when their eyes met, Jiang Xingzhou would look away awkwardly, which hadn't happened before.

But Xu Moxing had only gotten to know Jiang Xingzhou because of Su Lichen in the first place.

Jiang Xingzhou and Su Lichen were brothers—they had grown up together. Su Lichen introduced Xu Moxing to Jiang Xingzhou as a way of introducing his lover to his best friend.

Xu Moxing felt only a brief hint of strangeness, but didn't dwell on it much.

After all, he and Jiang Xingzhou weren't particularly close, so it was normal to feel a bit awkward.

They'd already had alcohol yesterday, and Xu Moxing was still recovering, so they stuck to soft drinks today.

The atmosphere at the table was still pleasant.

Jiang Xingzhou talked about middle and high school, saying how Su Lichen was reserved back then, with many people chasing after him but he ignored them all. Xu Moxing found it interesting and asked a few questions.

Jiang Xingzhou glanced at Su Lichen and said with a grin, "You know how he used to reject people back then?"

Xu Moxing shook his head.

Jiang Xingzhou imitated him, putting on a deadpan face: "'No thanks, I just don't feel that spark for you. Thank you for your confession, and I wish you good luck with your studies.' And that was it."

Xu Moxing laughed out loud and looked at Su Lichen.

Su Lichen kept his head down eating, his ears turning a little red.

Xu Moxing found it amusing—so he had been like that once.

After the meal, Jiang Xingzhou stayed a while before saying he should head back to the hotel.

Su Lichen stood up: "I'll walk you out."

Jiang Xingzhou waved his hand: "No need, I'll just call a ride."

"I'll drive him." Su Lichen had already grabbed his jacket.

Jiang Xingzhou glanced at him and didn't argue further.

Xu Moxing walked them to the door. Jiang Xingzhou turned back and smiled at him. "Rest your leg properly. We'll catch up another time."

Xu Moxing nodded.

The door closed.

Su Lichen drove, with Jiang Xingzhou in the passenger seat. They sat in silence for a bit.

The car pulled out of the residential complex and got onto the main road. Streetlights flashed by one after another.

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly spoke. "He... still doesn't remember?"

Su Lichen gave a noncommittal 'Mm.'

Jiang Xingzhou was silent for a moment.

"So you're just gonna leave it like this forever?"

Su Lichen stayed silent.

Jiang Xingzhou turned to look at him. Su Lichen's face was blank, eyes glued to the road.

After a long beat, Su Lichen said, "I don't know."

Jiang Xingzhou didn't push it.

They drove a little further. As they neared the hotel, Jiang Xingzhou suddenly said, "What happened back then..."

"Don't." Su Lichen interrupted him.

Jiang Xingzhou froze for a second and looked at him.

Su Lichen stopped the car at the hotel entrance, without turning his head.

"It's not your fault. I told you yesterday. Don't feel guilty. Really, it's not on you. I'm not just saying that. Between us, we don't need to stand on ceremony," he said.

Jiang Xingzhou was silent for a few seconds, then nodded and pushed the car door open.

"Alright. I'll head up then."

Su Lichen didn't say anything.

Jiang Xingzhou stood outside the car, looking down at him, as if to say something, then held back.

He closed the car door and turned to walk into the hotel.

Su Lichen sat in the car for a while before starting the engine and driving back.

Xu Moxing was waiting for him at home.

Hearing the door open, he looked up from the couch. "Back?"

Su Lichen murmured 'Mm,' changed his shoes, and came in.

"What did you talk about?" Xu Moxing asked offhandedly.

Su Lichen paused.

"Nothing much. Just work stuff."

Xu Moxing nodded and didn't ask further.

Su Lichen sat down next to him, watching a variety show on TV without speaking.

After a while, Xu Moxing suddenly said, "Was Jiang Xingzhou a bit off today?"

Su Lichen turned to look at him.

"Off in what way?"

Xu Moxing considered it a moment. "I can't really explain it. It's just... when he looked at me, it seemed like... he was avoiding my eyes."

Su Lichen said nothing.

Xu Moxing waited a few seconds, got no reply, so he let it go.

They went back to watching TV.

After a while, Xu Moxing yawned.

Su Lichen stood up. "Time for bed."

He helped Xu Moxing to his feet and slowly made their way to the bedroom.

Once they were in the bedroom, Xu Moxing suddenly said, "A Li."

"Hmm?"

"It's been two months, and today is my birthday. The cast on my foot is off. Do you feel like..."

Su Lichen looked at him and caught Xu Moxing's hint.