Chapter 11: Coincidentally, Who's The Straight Guy After All.

To prevent Lou Dongcang from seeing them before he could get upstairs, He Guan hastened his steps as they entered to glance at the first floor.

The sofa was empty.

He Guan, holding the pumpkin and oysters, intended to make two dishes: garlic oysters and pumpkin oyster cheese bowl.

He placed the oysters in a bowl with water and salt to let them expel sand. After notifying Uncle Yue and Ren Ning who were preparing other dishes, he headed upstairs.

The second-floor living room was empty.

He Guan called out, "Lou Dongcang, I'm here."

Lou Dongcang's voice came faintly from inside, "No need to announce yourself in the future."

Approaching the door, He Guan commented, "If others come up without announcing, won't you be confused?"

Lou Dongcang replied, "I can tell."

It was rare for He Guan to see him "reading" a book—

Holding a thick volume, he was meticulously feeling each embossed word.

Lou Dongcang read slowly, his slim right hand's subtle veins showing, his fingertips moving over each raised character.

He Guan instructed, "I'm here to change the dressing. Give me your left hand."

Lou Dongcang then set his book down and offered his hand.

He Guan first inspected the fingernail of the index finger; it looked better than the pitiable sight from yesterday. He then gently unwrapped the gauze.

A person's hand is more sensitive than one might expect.

As He Guan worked, his touch occasionally brushed against Lou Dongcang's hand. His warm hand didn't linger, briefly cradling Lou Dongcang's palm as he removed the entire dressing.

He Guan inquired, "Does it itch?"

Lou Dongcang suppressed the slight itching sensation, clenched his hand, and responded, "No."

He quickly placed one of his fingers in the other's hand, advising, "Don't grip too tightly; it'll hurt the wound on your wrist."

Despite the care, a light circle was made around the finger, with a quiet acknowledgment, "I'm used to it."

The injury on the wrist had notably improved since yesterday, no longer a gruesome sight, showing early signs of scabbing.

The wound seemed to care for itself more than its bearer, healing rapidly under the effects of medication.

While applying the medicine, he sighed, thinking that he's much more cooperative when not ill.

"Such a good patient, doing whatever is told. Much easier to handle than Ren Ning."

Side note: Taking a jab at Ren Ning (1/1).

"What's with the sigh?"

He wasn't going to admit his earlier thoughts. Their relationship wasn't at a stage where jokes about him and Ren Ning would be taken lightly. So, he deflected, "Just thinking about you."

There was a missed heartbeat, "…What?"

He smoothly continued, "Wondering why you agreed to that bet. What if I fail? You trust me that much?"

"At worst, I lose some shares. They're of no use in my hands anyway."

Carefully, he peeled away the clotted and blood-streaked medical dressings from the previous day. As he spoke, the breath wafted over the injury, a gentle breeze, akin to a soft touch, "They'd be of use, for enjoyment, once your sight is restored."

"Don't worry; I'll ensure you get a return on your investment."

"I dislike doing business that benefits at others' expense."

Silence ensued.

Noticing the sudden quiet, he looked up in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Do you really think my eyesight will return?"

He smiled reassuringly, "Of course! If doctors can't find a cause, it's not a physical ailment. Surely, it's better than a confirmed corneal detachment or atrophy. That would be truly incurable."

"But I still can't see."

There was no noticeable change in tone, yet he could detect the underlying sorrow.

He responded by reapplying the dressing to the wound, adjusting the adhesive strips just right, and then tried to release the hand.

Misinterpreting the move, he raised his injured hand, trying to hold onto him.

He had anticipated the action.

Guiding the hand back gently, he reassured, "I'm not leaving. Just wait for me."

He quickly descended the stairs and said, "Uncle Yue, we bought green beans today, right? Let's prepare another vegetable dish. How about stir-frying some green beans? Add some dried chili; I'm craving it."

Uncle Yue replied, "Sure, they're in the plastic bag."

He took out a bunch of green beans from the plastic bag, used half of them, ignored Ren Ning's suspicious gaze, washed them, and then grabbed a vegetable basket.

Ren Ning inquired, "Who really wants to eat it?"

He barely spared a moment to reply, "I want to eat it. If you don't, then don't eat."

Ren Ning nudged Uncle Yue, "Uncle, isn't it my younger sister who wants it?"

Uncle Yue glanced at him, "Stop lazing around and start shucking the oysters."

Unexpectedly, he returned and took the oysters, which were already cleaned of sand and ready for shucking.

Ren Ning exclaimed, "Hey, if you take them all, how are we supposed to cook?"

He responded hurriedly, "I'll bring them down after shucking!"

Ren Ning sighed, "Uncle, he's quite a handful, isn't he?"

Uncle Yue patted him lightly, "Go prep the ingredients."

Climbing upstairs with the vegetable basket, he saw Lou Dongzang sitting on a cushion and asked, "Would you prefer a recliner or a sofa? It's too empty here; we should get a seat."

Lou Dongzang responded, "Neither. I'm fine sitting on the floor."

He then sat beside Lou Dongzang on the thick bedsheet, maintaining a distance equivalent to two fists. Handing over the vegetable basket, he said, "Here, keep this in your lap."

Lou Dongzang reached out to feel, "What is it?"

After handing over the green beans, he began to handle the moist oysters, "Green beans. Come, help with the prep. Join in the household chores."

Lou Dongzang, "…?"

He flashed a smile, "You said you can't see, so feel your way around."

"There's no such thing as a perfect 'normal' person," he remarked while shucking oysters and guiding Lou Dongzang, "Everyone has issues, big or small. In a way, isn't that normal too? If you can't see, use your sense of touch."

"Hold with your left hand, pick with your right. You shouldn't strain your wrist. Try feeling it; I bet you've never touched raw vegetables before."

Lou Dongzang obediently followed his guidance.

The sensation beneath his fingers was fascinating.

Lou Dongzang had never realized green beans felt this way.

Describing them as cold isn't quite accurate, but they certainly felt cool to touch.

Thanks to him, the house was warmed up. Lou Dongzang hadn't felt cold these past few days, and even his headaches had subsided. Hence, he felt the coolness of the green beans.

A few days earlier, green beans might have felt warm to him.

With a deft motion, he cracked open the oyster shell and placed the flesh in a small bowl, then glanced at Lou Dongzang, advising, "You've broken them too short for stir-frying. Make them longer."

Leaning in, he came very close, as if about to rest against Lou Dongzang's shoulder, and pointed to his right hand.

He swiftly resumed his position and guided, "Extend your fingers forward, roughly the combined length of your first two finger sections. That length is easier to pick up and eat in one bite. If you continue like that, they'll be mere bean bits, not ideal for chopsticks. However, if you’re spoon-feeding yourself, the bits are handier. Do you want them that way?"

His scent approached and receded rapidly. Lou Dongzang felt he had captured it, yet, on reflection, he couldn't identify it clearly.

Lou Dongzang snapped back to the present, recalling his experience with green beans, finally admitting, "I… have never eaten green beans."

With swift hands, he inquired, "Hmm? So, what do you usually eat?"

Guided by his instructions, Lou Dongzang snapped the beans one by one. The crisp sound of beans breaking had a rhythmic quality.

He explained, "I don't remember. The maid prepares and delivers it. I'm often busy, so I just eat whatever is given – to fill the stomach."

He intoned with mock gravity, "Oh, dear Lou."

Taken aback by the address, Lou Dongzang paused, "…?"

While chuckling, he remarked, "Eating is of paramount importance. Miss a meal and you're starving. Do you realize how therapeutic it is to indulge in delightful food? If you neglect it, your body won't be pleased."

"But it's fine," he continued with a grand gesture, "under my care, no one fails to gain weight. I once bet with a roommate who claimed to have a fast metabolism, saying he could eat desserts thrice daily without gaining weight. The wager? He'd handle our food expenses; I'd cook. Three months later, he was ten pounds heavier."

A hint of suspicion in his voice, Lou Dongzang queried, "Was this roommate male or female?"

He looked puzzled, "Hmm? Didn't I mention? Definitely a guy. Back then, I..."

After uttering those words, he realized this wasn’t an experience from his original life and adjusted his statement, "I was strapped for cash. I had to rent and share space with someone. Just roommates; no need to make things awkward."

Yes, that's how he treats me too, Lou Dongzang thought.

He remained silent.

While occasionally clueless in interpersonal situations, he wasn't naive. Recollecting that same-sex marriage is legal in this world, it dawned on him that Lou Dongzang might be feeling a tad jealous.

This was his first experience of being the object of another man's jealousy. It felt peculiar, but he believed clarity was needed, stating, "We were just roommates."

With only one oyster left in the bowl, he paused and spoke seriously, "Lou Dongzang, I need to be upfront with you."

Better to speak early and clear any possible misunderstandings.

With the snap of a half-broken bean in the background, Lou Dongzang calmly responded, "Go on."

Externally composed, his mind was a whirlwind.

If he were to reveal a romantic interest now, what would Lou Dongzang do?

What if he confesses to having another love interest?

Of course, his feelings for him haven't reached the realm of affection, but in these few days, Lou Dongzang has felt an overwhelming possessiveness.

A possessiveness for someone close, someone who wouldn’t flee.

Since we've agreed, stay by my side.

What if he decides to leave now?

Undeniably, Lou Dongzang harbors selfish desires.

If he departs, Lou would revert to his previous state of solitude.

It's easy transitioning from frugality to luxury but challenging vice versa.

He doesn’t wish to return to those dark, desolate days of the past two months, where he felt like discarded, expired goods.

Truthfully, ever since the last caretaker left days ago, he hasn’t read a book.

Reading seemed pointless, neither aiding his work nor his life.

Yet, he read, always distracted by thoughts of him, seeking something else to focus on.

His voice is distinct, gentlemanly yet playful. Lou can nearly visualize his expressions with every utterance, and he longs to see his face. Being a celebrity, he must be handsome.

But he can't see.

Now, if he mentions having someone he’s fond of, what should Lou Dongzang do?

Should Lou maintain distance, keeping far from him?

He's reluctant.

In a matter of seconds, his chaotic thoughts were shattered by a single statement.

"To be honest, I’m straight."

Scratching his head, he continued, "I’m clarifying this now, so you don’t get the wrong idea later. A roommate is just that—a roommate. Overthink not; our marriage, in name, is merely for the wealth—it's that simple."

Lou Dongzang...

He was visibly taken aback.

"Lou, are you okay? I told you now, before anything significant developed between us, so you won't think I'm unfaithful. I'm genuinely not interested in other men. I'm into women. And, since we're technically married, I can assure you I won't be involved with anyone else during our engagement."

Lou Dongzang opened his mouth, momentarily lost for words.

He waved a hand in front of Lou's face, then hesitated, adding, "Calling you 'wife' was, apart from that first day when I wanted your attention, only in front of others. If it makes you uncomfortable, I won't do it again. It's just a reflex."

Lou Dongzang replied, "It's fine."

He Gu: "Oh, there's something else I wanted to tell you."

Lou Dongzang: "What?"

He Gu: "It's not a big deal, just that I promised to sleep with you tonight, but I'm not feeling too well. I'm concerned that you might..."

His voice trailed off.

Lou Dongzang's eyelashes, dark as raven feathers, quivered slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.

He Gu hesitated, "No, it's just that after telling you I'm straight, I was worried that sleeping together might make you uncomfortable."

Lou Dongzang said softly, "Ever considered the possibility that I might be straight too?"

He Gu was taken aback.

His head drooped, hair disheveled, revealing a pale jaw and colorless lips. He explained painfully, "I just wanted... a good night's sleep."

"You might not know, but being near you somewhat eases my headaches, that's why I asked for your help this afternoon."

"The temperature in the room has gone up, but my headache hasn’t subsided. Being with you helps. If I gave you the wrong impression, it's my fault..."

A realization hit He Gu.

The book mentioned that after Lou Dongzang became blind, his headaches only got worse. They were neurogenic headaches, intense and hard to cure.

The doctors prescribed medication, but they weren't of much help. They made him drowsy, and when he woke up, the headaches were even more intense.

He Gu quickly replied, "No, no, no, it's not your fault. I spoke without thinking. Forget what I said."

He Gu handed him the last oyster from the bowl, "Here, there's something inside this oyster. Consider it my apology. I'll sleep with you tonight, no big deal."

Without a word, Lou Dongzang took it.

This oyster was larger than the others, yet light.

As he reached for the opening of the shell, recalling his injured left hand, he was about to speak when he noticed He Gu's hand coming forward to hold the base of the oyster.

He Gu: "Open it with your right hand."

Lou Dongzang did as instructed.

He Gu left the opened oyster for him and picked up the remaining oysters and beans, saying, "I'm going downstairs. I'll bring dinner up for you later. Wait here or in your room."

"I misunderstood you. My apologies. This is for you."

"It's adorable."

Adorable?

He walked briskly, while Lou Dongzang felt his way slowly into the oyster.

A gift? But what could be inside an oyster...

It wasn't oyster flesh inside.

It was a... tiny crab that was still moving.

A pea crab, a creature that parasitizes inside oyster shells. It's not highly nutritious, so people generally don't eat it.

Surprisingly, it hadn't died when soaked in the light saltwater earlier and was now lively and active.

Lou Dongzang was gently nipped by its tiny claw. It was neither painful nor itchy. He played with the pea crab, letting it dance around his functioning hand.

He didn’t even realize...

He was smiling.

Author's note:

Lou Dongzang: Is there a possibility that I'm straight?

The world: Nope (-ω-｀).