Chapter 4 Isaac

Chapter 4 Isaac

Xie Fengshi got off work when it was already dark.

Aunt Lin planned to invite him to dinner, but Xie Fengshi declined. On his first day, though he only prepped ingredients and helped out, he had actually worked for a few hours, and now his arms were so sore he could barely raise them.

This body was still too weak.

Xie Fengshi walked toward his apartment, rolling his shoulders and mentally calculating his earnings for the day. Aunt Lin had paid him for the day; tomorrow he'd officially start work, and after a month, he'd be able to pay the rent. If he saved a bit more, he might even pay off the debt.

While he was calculating in his head, Xie Fengshi turned the corner and immediately spotted a tall figure by the convenience store entrance.

The kid next door was standing under the convenience store light, tipping his head back to drink a Coke. The light caught his messy blond hair, casting a faint halo.

Xie Fengshi had originally planned to pretend not to see him and walk past, but the kid seemed to sense something and turned his head, his gaze landing exactly on Xie Fengshi.

They looked at each other for two seconds from a short distance away.

Xie Fengshi: ...

If he pretended not to recognize him now, it would be too forced.

He walked up to the kid, stood in front of him, and gave a friendly smile. "Hey, we meet again."

The kid didn't speak, just looked at him, his gray-blue eyes appearing pale under the light, like they were covered in a thin mist.

Xie Fengshi felt uncomfortable under his gaze and forced himself to start a conversation. "Getting something?"

As soon as he said it, he wanted to slap himself.

Wasn't it obvious? The guy was standing at the convenience store entrance holding a cola; what else would he be doing?

The kid looked down at his Coke bottle, then back up at him, his expression seeming to say, "What do you think?"

Xie Fengshi cleared his throat. "Uh, my name is Xie Fengshi. I live next door. This morning was so rushed; I didn't get a chance to introduce myself."

The kid still didn't speak.

Xie Fengshi wondered: Does this kid not like talking to people?

Or did he catch him at a bad time?

Well, if he didn't want to talk, that's fine. He might as well head back.

"Alright, I'll..."

"Isaac."

The kid suddenly spoke, his voice carrying its characteristic lazy tone.

Xie Fengshi was stunned. "Huh?"

"My name is Isaac."

Xie Fengshi realized Isaac was introducing himself. Unfortunately, Xie Fengshi felt he really wasn't good at dealing with people of few words. Remembering the morning, he added, "Oh, and thanks for this morning."

Isaac raised his eyes to look at him.

Xie Fengshi said, "You asked if I was okay. I really wasn't then, but I'm much better now."

Isaac nodded, didn't ask further, just nodded.

Xie Fengshi was fine with that. He pointed at himself. "I worked today at a Chinese restaurant called Good Fortune. You know it?"

Isaac nodded.

"You've been there?"

Isaac shook his head.

Xie Fengshi: "Then what did you nod for?"

Isaac thought for a moment. "Just heard of it."

Well, that counted.

Xie Fengshi was about to come up with an excuse to end this awkward conversation when he heard a rumbling sound.

It was long and distinct. Xie Fengshi looked down to find the source—Isaac's stomach.

Isaac himself was stunned, his gray-blue eyes widening. The tips of his ears started to turn red visibly, spreading all the way to the tips of his ears, especially since he was standing under the light, making the redness stand out even more.

Xie Fengshi: ...

Isaac: ...

They looked at each other.

Xie Fengshi struggled to hold back a smile. He remembered when he had been in the hospital, the little boy about five or six years old in the next bed had worn the same expression when he did something wrong and was glared at by his mother.

Clearly dying of embarrassment, yet pretending nothing happened.

The problem was that this tall boy in front of him, with his handsome face still maturing, making the same expression—it was way too lethal.

Xie Fengshi cleared his throat. "What did you have for dinner?"

Isaac shook the Coke bottle in his hand.

Xie Fengshi: "Just that?"

Isaac nodded.

"What about lunch?"

Isaac thought about it. "Pizza."

"What about breakfast?"

"Didn't eat."

"What about yesterday?"

Isaac thought about it. "Instant noodles, pizza, instant noodles."

Xie Fengshi was speechless. "You eat this stuff every day?"

Isaac didn't say anything, but his expression said it all.

Xie Fengshi suddenly understood why this kid always looked like he wanted to keep everyone at arm's length.

It was pure hunger.

"You can't cook?"

Isaac shook his head.

"Why not order takeout?"

Isaac pointed at the convenience store: "Here."

Xie Fengshi got it. When Isaac said he ate, he meant grabbing whatever was handy from the convenience store when he got hungry.

Before his hospitalization, when he lived alone and got busy, Xie Fengshi often half-assed his meals too. But at least he could boil himself some noodles or fry an egg. If he ate this processed stuff every day, forget about growing—he'd ruin his stomach.

"Haven't you thought about changing things up?" Xie Fengshi asked.

Isaac lowered his lashes, casting a small shadow in the light. "I don't know what to eat."

It came out of nowhere, but Xie Fengshi roughly understood what he meant.

Couldn't cook, didn't know which restaurants were good, didn't know what to order for takeout. So in the end, when he got hungry, he went to the convenience store and grabbed whatever he saw, just to fill his stomach.

Xie Fengshi sighed. Fine, think of this as repaying that morning's concern.

"Come on."

Isaac looked confused. "Where to?"

Xie Fengshi turned and headed back toward the apartment building. "To my place. I'll make you something to eat."

No sound behind him.

Xie Fengshi looked back and saw Isaac still standing there, holding the cola bottle, his expression dazed, as if he hadn't processed it yet.

Xie Fengshi tilted his chin at him. "What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry?"

Two seconds later, Isaac followed.

Back at the apartment, Xie Fengshi turned on the light and saw Isaac planted in the doorway, his tall figure blocking the entrance. "Come in."

Isaac's eyes swept across the messy cardboard boxes and scattered takeout flyers in the room, then landed on Xie Fengshi.

Xie Fengshi read his expression.

—Your place is even messier than mine.

Xie Fengshi kept a straight face. "If you complain, you don't get food."

Isaac immediately stepped inside.

Xie Fengshi stifled a laugh and pointed to the only chair. "Sit there and wait."

Isaac sat properly, hands on his knees, until he saw Xie Fengshi open the empty fridge and fall silent. "...Maybe we should just stick with cola?"

Xie Fengshi slammed the fridge door shut. "Wait here. I'll go buy stuff."

Isaac looked innocent. Xie Fengshi told him to stay put and not wander off, then left.

There was a small supermarket downstairs, still open at this hour. Since it was late, many things were on discount. Xie Fengshi pushed a shopping cart, grateful that Aunt Lin had paid him for today's work.

As he tossed things into the cart, he mentally converted the prices.

This stuff cost three times as much here as in China.

Xie Fengshi sighed. Studying abroad really wasn't something the average person could afford.

The original owner's school tuition was over four hundred thousand RMB a year, plus living expenses and accommodation—at least five hundred thousand. The Xie family paid the tuition but gave zero living expenses, basically throwing him out to fend for himself.

Xie Fengshi walked back to the apartment with his shopping bag and found Isaac still sitting in the same position. When he saw Xie Fengshi, his eyes lit up.

Xie Fengshi carried the things to the makeshift kitchen area—just a small corner near the entrance with an induction cooktop, a sink, a wall cabinet, and a mini fridge.

"Wait, it'll be quick."

Isaac nodded, his gaze unconsciously following Xie Fengshi.

As Xie Fengshi boiled water, he started prepping the tomatoes he bought, cutting them with clean, efficient strokes.

Isaac watched intently. "What do you study?"

"Fine arts."

Isaac didn't say anything else, but Xie Fengshi caught his expression.

Xie Fengshi pretended not to notice.

He beat the eggs, added a pinch of salt, and stirred with chopsticks. "Do you know how to use chopsticks?"

Isaac shook his head. Xie Fengshi had expected as much, so he pulled a fork from the plastic bag and set it aside.

He heated the pan, added oil, poured in the eggs, stirred quickly until they were soft and fluffy, then set them aside. A little more oil, the tomatoes, stir-fried until the juice came out, added salt and a pinch of sugar to enhance the flavor. Then he tossed the eggs back in, stirring everything together. The aroma began to fill the small room.

Isaac's gaze had already shifted from Xie Fengshi to the pan.

Xie Fengshi noticed his expression and almost laughed. The guy had been all stone-faced earlier, and now his eyes were practically glued to the pan.

He boiled noodles in another pot. Xie Fengshi was grateful—the original owner had actually thought about cooking when he landed, and had all the essentials.

After boiling, he drained the noodles and rinsed them in cold water, then laid them in a bowl. On top, he spooned the tomato-and-egg mixture, poured a ladle of the hot noodle broth, and it was done.

Xie Fengshi made two bowls, pushing one over to Isaac. "Eat up."

The noodles in front of Isaac were snowy white, topped with a thick layer of scrambled eggs and tomatoes—golden egg chunks wrapped in bright red tomato sauce, steam rising, every bit of aroma hitting Isaac's nose.

He looked up at Xie Fengshi, who was already eating, chopsticks flying, completely undignified.

Xie Fengshi glanced at him. "Eat. What are you waiting for?"

Isaac picked up the fork Xie Fengshi had prepared. His technique for twirling noodles was clumsy, but he managed to get a bite into his mouth.

Second bite, third, fourth—Isaac's pace quickened, and soon half the bowl was gone.

This guy had been so aloof when they first met, barely wanting to say two words. Now he looked like he hadn't eaten in three days.

The big bowl was soon empty. When Isaac put it down, he looked at Xie Fengshi with something in his eyes that Xie Fengshi couldn't quite read.

"Good?"

Isaac nodded.

“And from now on—” Xie Fengshi trailed off.

What he originally wanted to say was that he could come often, as long as he had time.

But on second thought, they had only known each other for a day—saying that would be way too soon.

Isaac, however, seemed to guess what he was about to say, his gray-blue eyes fixed on him: “From now on?”

Xie Fengshi avoided his gaze while clearing the dishes: “If you ever get hungry, you can knock. If I’m free, I can cook something for you.”

You really couldn’t blame Xie Fengshi—when he was in the hospital, he hardly had anyone to talk to. Now, aside from Aunt Lin and Uncle Li, the only one who’d talk to him was Isaac, even though Isaac barely said a word.

There was no movement behind him. Xie Fengshi turned around: “What’s wrong?”

Isaac shook his head and stood up, helping Xie Fengshi carry the bowls to the sink. It was obvious he’d never really done housework before.

Xie Fengshi told him to just put the bowls down: “Do you live here by yourself? Is your family okay with that?”

Isaac paused in his movements. He didn’t answer, just said: “That was delicious, thank you.”

They didn’t talk much more after that. After Isaac left, Xie Fengshi was still a bit puzzled.

What was up with that kid? He was fine while eating just now, then suddenly his whole mood changed.

Forget it, I’m not going to think about it.

Xie Fengshi did the dishes, tidied up a little, then lay on the bed replaying the day’s events.

So much had happened in just one day, yet he didn’t feel tired at all. Instead, he only had one thing on his mind.

Being alive. How wonderful.

…

Isaac went back to his room and shut the door. The inside was a completely different world from the outside.

From the outside, it was a dilapidated apartment building, but the room was decorated extremely comfortably.

The carpet was made of high-grade wool, the mattress was from some luxury brand, the stereo in the corner cost enough to cover several years’ rent, and the beanbag by the window was even shipped in by air.

Isaac flopped onto the bed, still thinking about the taste of that bowl of noodles. He licked his lips, regretting that he’d eaten so fast.

His phone rang at that moment. Isaac picked it up and glanced at the screen. When Kaelen’s name appeared on the screen, he froze.

The phone rang for a long time before Isaac picked up: “What?”

There was a pause, then a low voice came through: “Isaac.”

Isaac listened to his brother’s voice without speaking. The other end said again: “Where are you?”

“I’m at home.”

“I know you’re at home. The specific location.”

Isaac stayed silent.

The person on the other end let out a sigh. His voice sounded tired but was still surprisingly nice to listen to: “Are you done with this tantrum?”

Isaac immediately furrowed his brows: “Who’s throwing a fit?”

“You don’t answer calls or texts. Mom and Dad are very worried about you.”

“Are they worried about me, or about their other son embarrassing them?”

“Isaac.”

“You called just to ask if I’m done with my tantrum? Why don’t you ask how I’m doing, if I’ve eaten, if I have somewhere to stay?”

The other end was silent.

Isaac tightened his grip on the phone, his voice a little hurt: “I’ve been gone for three months, and you haven’t called once. Today you call just to ask if I’m done.”

“Isaac, I...”

“You don’t have to worry about me,” Isaac cut him off. “Someone’s looking after me.”

There was a pause on the other end: “Who?”

“A friend.”

“What friend?”

Isaac thought of the bowl of noodles just now: “A friend who can cook. His food’s great.”

Kaelen was taken aback: “Since when do you make friends?”

Isaac didn’t answer.

“What’s his name?”

Isaac became alert: “Why are you asking?”

“Just asking.”

Isaac didn’t buy it, so he kept his mouth shut.

Kaelen let out a soft chuckle: “Isaac, I just want to know who’s looking after my little brother for me.”

“I don’t need you to take care of me.”

“I know.”

“I can take care of myself. Don’t come find me.”

The other end didn’t listen to that: “What if I decide to come?”

Isaac: “Then you won’t be able to find me even if you come.”

“Why?”

Isaac’s tone suddenly carried a hint of pride: “Because the place I’m living in is really run-down. Someone like you would never set foot there.”

Kaelen: ...

Isaac hung up and tossed his phone aside. Stupid big brother, take your time guessing.

...

Kaelen held the phone that had been hung up on him and let out a low laugh.

He sat on the leather sofa in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, with a brilliant night view behind him; his custom-tailored dark suit accentuated the sharp lines of his shoulders and back, and platinum cufflinks at his cuffs glinted softly in the warm light.

His blond hair was neatly combed, his mature, handsome face was sharply defined, and his deep blue eyes held their usual aloofness, now tinged with a hint of curiosity piqued by his brother.

Isaac's proud tone still echoed in his ears; in all his twenty-four years, Kaelen had never heard his younger brother, who was indifferent to everything, speak of someone in such a tone.

The second son of the Zepher family had been cold and detached since childhood, showing a careless apathy toward everything around him; the family had arranged playmates for him, but he never bothered with them, and now he was actually arguing with him over someone and being secretive about who it was.

Kaelen rubbed his forehead; he was truly curious about what kind of person could capture Isaac's attention.

He picked up the tablet on the table and told his assistant: "Find out Isaac's location."