Chapter 44

Chapter 44

After breakfast, Cheng Yuan sat on the sofa and turned on the TV as usual, but he was still staring blankly into space.

The servant called out several times.

"Madam, madam? You..."

She was calling him.

Cheng Yuan didn't react at first. Sister Chen and Assistant Lin had always called him Mr. Cheng.

Even though the servants had been calling him "madam" these past few days, the sudden change in how he was addressed still took him a moment to register.

Cheng Yuan came back to his senses and asked.

"Is something the matter?"

The servant had noticed that Cheng Yuan kept zoning out, which seemed a bit off.

She hesitated about whether to go up and call him.

Just then, Pei Qingji walked over, his brows slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Following the servant's gaze, he saw Cheng Yuan's expression and froze for a moment, his lips pressed tightly together.

He had been acting like this a lot lately.

Even the little rabbit he'd bought to keep him entertained only got the occasional glance.

He gave the servant a signal, and she understood, bringing a glass of water as she walked over, speaking in a cautious tone.

"Would you like some water?"

Cheng Yuan shook his head.

The servant glanced at Pei Qingji.

"Would you like to take a walk outside?"

Cheng Yuan didn't say anything, but he didn't refuse either.

The scenery outside the villa was beautiful. It was spring now, and many flowers were blooming in a riot of color.

Vibrant colors were everywhere.

The servant tried to support Cheng Yuan, but he gently declined.

"I can manage on my own."

The servant had no choice but to say, "Then please be careful."

Cheng Yuan nodded. Today's sunlight was warm, and a gentle breeze swept by, creating ripples on the lake.

The villas here were spaced far apart, and few passersby could be seen.

The scenery was indeed beautiful and worth the price, but after looking at it for a while, it became a bit dull.

He stood by the lake, quietly gazing at the surface. Some small fish swimming in the water scattered in all directions the moment they saw someone approach.

Cheng Yuan lowered his eyes.

"Let's go back."

His tone was flat and indifferent.

The servant felt worried inside. She had hoped that going for a walk might lift his spirits, but it seemed no different from before.

She reported this to Pei Qingji.

Pei Qingji's brows knitted tightly upon hearing this, and his expression darkened.

Looking at Cheng Yuan, who remained indifferent with no change in expression, his heart tightened.

Pei Qingji's lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but the next second, Cheng Yuan stood up and left with a single remark.

"I'm a bit tired. I'm going upstairs."

It was the exact same scene as yesterday.

These past few days, he would either go for a walk, read a book on the sofa, or watch some TV, but before long, he'd go upstairs to sleep.

Although he knew pregnancy could cause drowsiness, sleeping all day like that wasn't good for his health either.

At that thought, worry surfaced in Pei Qingji's eyes.

His hands hanging at his sides clenched tightly, and his lips pressed together.

But all he could do was watch the man go upstairs, powerless to do anything.

Just then, he heard some noise. It was the little rabbit, excitedly scratching at its cage and making rattling sounds, trying to attract attention when it saw Cheng Yuan.

Unfortunately, Cheng Yuan had already gone upstairs and hadn't seen it at all.

The little rabbit suddenly became dejected, its ears drooping down.

The servant in charge of the rabbit sensed the tense atmosphere, but the rabbit wouldn't stay still at all.

He was so anxious that cold sweat broke out on his back, and he quickly spoke up.

"Sir... sir, I'll keep it under control."

"It's hungry, that's why it's making so much noise. I'll go feed it right away."

Pei Qingji suddenly called out to him and said something.

_

Not long after, just a few minutes after he'd gone upstairs, there was a knock at the door.

Cheng Yuan was leaning against the bed, not asleep.

He slowly opened his eyes, assuming it was the servant. "What is it?"

There was a moment of silence from the other side of the door, then Pei Qingji's voice came through.

Standing outside the door, his voice carried a hint of hesitation.

"It's me."

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Cheng Yuan's tone had turned somewhat cold. "What is it?"

Pei Qingji hesitated for a long while before carefully speaking up.

"The little bunny's hungry. Wanna feed it?"

When there was still no answer from the room, and not daring to barge in without a reply, he added.

"If you don't want to feed it, I'll have the servant do it."

Pei Qingji's heart was pounding with nerves.

Still, no sound came from the room for a long while. Just as he thought he'd been turned down, the door suddenly swung open.

Cheng Yuan stepped out.

As they headed down the stairs, Pei Qingji instinctively reached out to steady him, but Cheng Yuan tensed up slightly and didn't react.

The little rabbit was brought over, still whimpering at first, but the second it spotted Cheng Yuan, it perked up again and pressed itself against the cage.

Cheng Yuan just stood there watching, not making a move.

Pei Qingji gave a subtle nod of his head.

Then the little rabbit was released from its cage.

Its eyes lit up, and the moment it was free, it scurried over to Cheng Yuan's feet, as if waiting for him to give it a pat.

Cheng Yuan hesitated for a beat, then slowly reached out a finger and stroked the rabbit's head.

It was fluffy and soft—felt amazing.

The little rabbit got even more worked up, rubbing against him hard, then rolling around on the floor like it was putting on a show.

A flicker of tenderness seemed to cross Cheng Yuan's eyes.

Pei Qingji stood off to the side, quietly studying his face.

He spoke up out of nowhere.

"I had the servant bring its favorite food. Wanna feed it?"

He waited patiently until, after a long pause, Cheng Yuan let out a soft "Mm."

He reached out and rubbed the belly of the little rabbit, which was sprawled on its back with all four paws up, making it even more excited.

When Cheng Yuan fed the little rabbit a carrot, it was on its best behavior.

Pei Qingji was even scared the rabbit might bite his hand, his face tense, his eyes glued to the scene without blinking.

Once the little rabbit was full, it even licked Cheng Yuan's fingertips with its wet tongue, blinking its big red eyes up at him.

Cheng Yuan grabbed a tissue from the servant, wiped his hands, and headed back to his room.

The whole time, he barely said a word to Pei Qingji.

Brother Zhou video-called him, and he picked up.

"What's up? You seem a bit off."

"I'm fine, Brother Zhou. Just a little tired."

Brother Zhou's voice was full of concern.

"Then make sure you get some rest."

Cheng Yuan pressed his lips together and asked, "How's Grandma... doing these days?"

"Same as always. Now that you're back, swing by when you get a chance."

"That girl Xiao Ling's back too, keeping Grandma company."

"She says she misses you a ton and hopes you'll come back soon. She's been bugging me about you on WeChat every day."

A faint smile flickered in Cheng Yuan's eyes.

"Mm, I'll be there."

"Also, I got you something. Can't make it over, so I had it shipped to you."

"You can pick it up at the front gate of the complex when you get a chance."

Cheng Yuan's lips parted, like he was about to say something.

"Hey, hold on." Brother Zhou knew what he wanted to say and explained. "This time it's nothing pricey. I made it myself. Just something to snack on when you're bored, to give you a little taste."

Cheng Yuan was speechless for a second.

"Fine."

Just then, a girl's voice cut in—Xiao Ling's voice coming through.

"Brother An, when are you coming back? I miss you so bad."

At that moment, Pei Qingji pushed the door open and walked in. Hearing that, he froze, rooted to the spot.

Cheng Yuan noticed but didn't react.

"I miss you too, Xiao Ling."

His voice was thick with a smile he couldn't hide.

That smile left him stunned for a long while.

Ever since that incident, he'd never seen him smile again. Toward him, there was only wariness and coldness.

At that thought, Pei Qingji's heart flooded with panic. If he hated him, it meant they still cared. But if there was no hate, it meant there was really nothing left between them.

And who was that woman calling him Brother An? He didn't recognize her. And she sounded so happy.

Pei Qingji's brow knitted tighter and tighter, but he didn't dare ask, didn't dare interrupt. He just waited in silence for him to end the call.

Not long after, Cheng Yuan hung up, clearly not intending to say another word to him.

Pei Qingji lowered his eyes, his fingers curling slightly.

He stood by the bed for a long time without moving, his gaze fixed on Cheng Yuan, as if he wanted to say something but held back, the words reaching his lips only to be swallowed back down.

Pei Qingji lay down on the other side of the bed, and just as he was about to fall asleep, his phone lit up.

He glanced down and saw a message from Lu Mingzhe.

Pei Qingji unlocked his phone and opened the message.

"Hey, I heard he's moved back now. How are you two doing? Has he forgiven you?"

"Also, I was thinking of coming by your place in a few days to see him—that cool?"

Lu Mingzhe had always felt a pang of regret. He always thought Cheng Yuan looked familiar but couldn't quite place him.

He and Pei Qingji went to the same high school, and he had seen Cheng Yuan before, but not often.

He only remembered that back then, Pei Qingji had been really close to some guy.

He never would've guessed it was Cheng Yuan.

Lu Mingzhe had heard that Pei Qingji, in order to beg for Cheng Yuan's forgiveness, had moved across the hall from Cheng Yuan's place to take care of him, and he knew his friend was really serious this time.

His buddy had been smooth sailing in his career, never facing many setbacks, but in love, he'd definitely hit some rough patches.

Lu Mingzhe shook his head, sighing inwardly.

Pei Qingji froze for a moment. He glanced at Cheng Yuan, who had his back to him. Lowering his eyes, he let out a bitter laugh and replied.

His mistake was something he'd have to pay for for the rest of his life.

"Perfect timing—he's been pretty bored lately."

Pei Qingji had noticed that Cheng Yuan sometimes watched Lu Mingzhe's TV dramas, and from the looks of it, he seemed to like them.

Plus, since they're both actors, they'd have stuff to talk about.

"Seriously, you've got a wife now and you've forgotten your bro. The stuff you did to him—honestly, I think you're... a real piece of shit."

Lu Mingzhe typed out the scolding.

He'd accused him without reason and treated him so harshly.

Any other time, Pei Qingji would've fired back, but this time he didn't argue.

Because it really was his fault.

Pei Qingji lowered his eyes and said nothing.

Seeing no reply, Lu Mingzhe sighed, hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke up.

"Do his folks know about this?"

"I heard from my old man that after Grandpa Pei found out, he chewed your dad out and sent him off to deal with the Africa project."

"They might come to see you guys in a few days."

Pei Qingji was taken aback, didn't reply again, and turned off the screen.

In the dark, he lowered his eyes and stared at Cheng Yuan's back for a long, long time.

Author's note:

None