Chapter 52 Resurrection03
"Mr. Fu... Mr. Fu?"
Zhou Heng noticed that Fu Luoyin had fallen silent after receiving a text message, as if he was in a daze.
Zhou Heng watched as the driver assigned to take him to He Muya's place called. He softly urged, "...Mr. Fu? The driver's here."
"Wait a moment. I'll be down in a while. Take my luggage over first. I need to make a call," Fu Luoyin said.
He immediately dialed Lin Shuicheng's number.
Lin Shuicheng was still in the third hospital's cafeteria.
He hadn't really eaten much; after a few bites, he put his food down. After sending the text message, he kept holding onto his phone.
The digits on the caller ID seemed to have imprinted themselves into his memory. After a quick glance, Lin Shuicheng exhaled softly and pressed the green button to answer the call.
His fingers trembled slightly, taking two attempts to press the correct button.
Fu Luoyin's deep voice sounded through the phone.
His voice was highly distinctive, often referred to as a "low-pitched bass," even recognizable to Su Yu across the table. He knew Lin Shuicheng was likely on a call with Fu Luoyin and inwardly criticized Fu's shamelessness for checking up on him as casually as drinking water. Without waiting for Lin Shuicheng to stand up and leave, he got up himself, holding his tray and grinning at Lin Shuicheng. "Sis, I'll get another plate of food. I wasn't quite full just now."
Lin Shuicheng nodded slightly in response.
It was nearing lunch break, so there weren't many people dining in the staff cafeteria. No one else was nearby, and the bright sunlight streaming through the clean windows lent the space a cool, luminous atmosphere.
Lin Shuicheng remained seated, softly saying, "Hello."
Despite the distance created by the phone, it felt as if he could sense the intangible pressure and authority that emanated from Fu Luoyin. It was strange, but Fu Luoyin was gentle with him, even indulgent at times. This indulgence, however, was a controlled and restrained dominance, bordering on casualness.
Because Fu Luoyin had everything under control, his demeanor was always nonchalant.
After a moment of silence, Fu Luoyin lazily asked, "What are you doing, little kitten?"
Lin Shuicheng replied, "… I'm at the hospital with Didi."
"Have you eaten yet?" Fu Luoyin continued. "The food at Third Hospital isn't great, right? Su Yu, that glutton, wouldn't know good food if it hit him, so he took you to the hospital canteen. Should you find something to eat when you get back, or should I order takeout for you?"
His tone was as usual, so normal that Lin Shuicheng began to doubt whether Fu had actually seen the text message.
Lin Shuicheng interrupted him, "There's no need. Did you read the text message?"
"I did," Fu Luoyin replied nonchalantly. "I'm in a meeting. We can discuss it when I get back in a few days. Su Yu's mother's birthday is coming up, and he should have mentioned it to you. We'll go together to celebrate her birthday then. Start thinking about what gift we should give. It doesn't have to be expensive; it's the thought that counts. Auntie isn't picky."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Shuicheng said, "Let's talk about this now. I don't want to continue this relationship anymore, Fu... Fu Luoyin. Let's break up."
"I don't want to discuss this now, Lin Shuicheng," Fu Luoyin's voice turned slightly cold, carrying an air of command. "I don't know why you're thinking this way. Didn't I tell you to stay at home and not overthink things?"
Lin Shuicheng fell silent.
On the other end, Zhou Heng was planning to move Fu Luoyin's belongings down in batches. As the elevator climbed, Zhou Heng's scalp tingled when Fu Luoyin suddenly spoke those words.
It was rare for Fu Luoyin to use such a tone. Usually, when he spoke like that, it meant he was already angry.
Fu Luoyin was typically composed and restrained, rarely experiencing extreme emotions. He believed that emotions were useless and could only interfere with work.
Zhou Heng realized that Lin Shuicheng was on the phone and couldn't help but click his tongue. His assessment of Lin Shuicheng had been correct – he was a stubborn and oblivious person who didn't know how to appreciate kindness. Fu Luoyin was one of the most patient bosses Zhou Heng had worked for, and he treated his lover exceptionally well – always catering to his every need and entertaining him when he was free. What on earth could Lin Shuicheng have done to make Fu Luoyin so furious?
Despite his intimidating expression that warned others to keep their distance, Fu Luoyin's voice remained calm, even attempting to sound gentle. "Is it still because of the photos? The last time, or the time before that?"
Lin Shuicheng had no idea what he was talking about. He merely stated with certainty, "No, I just want to end this relationship. Let's part ways."
He calmly repeated the word "part" over and over again, causing Fu Luoyin's temples to throb. "What about Su Yu? Ask Su Yu to answer the phone."
Lin Shuicheng was taken aback.
Su Yu happened to walk over at that moment, carrying a second plate of food ready to eat.
Hesitantly, Lin Shuicheng passed him the phone. "He... wants to talk to you."
Confused, Su Yu took it. "Hello, minus two?"
Without beating around the bush, Fu Luoyin asked, "What did you say to Lin Shuicheng?"
Su Yu glanced at Lin Shuicheng sitting across from him. Lin Shuicheng lowered his gaze, quietly sipping on his soon-to-be-cold egg drop soup.
Su Yu got up and walked outside. "Minus two, what's gotten into you?"
"Why would Lin Shuicheng suddenly want to break up if you didn't say anything to him?" Fu Luoyin inquired. "You have a loose tongue. Did you mention something about Xia... Xia Ran to him?"
"Damn it! Do you take me for a fool?"
Just as Su Yu was about to swear he had never mentioned Xia Ran to Lin Shuicheng, he couldn't help but shiver as the words left his lips.
Su Yu suddenly recalled that he had indeed mentioned Xia Ran to Lin Shuicheng before. It wasn't an explicit mention, but the first time he'd eaten a meal cooked by Lin Shuicheng, he had warned Lin Shuicheng about Fu Luoyin's ex-boyfriend. Later, while gaming together, he had also explained the situation when he noticed that Lin Shuicheng was being targeted by Bai Yiyi.
After a long pause, Su Yu finally caught on to the crux of Fu Luoyin's message: "You're saying your girlfriend wants to break up with you?"
He was momentarily at a loss on how to react. From Lin Shuicheng's perspective, he believed that it would be better for him and Fu Luoyin to split up – everyone knew about the passionate campus romance between Fu Luoyin and Xia Ran, so he felt that Lin Shuicheng was not suitable to be a substitute. However, did Lin Shuicheng even know he was a substitute?
With this in mind, Su Yu cautiously asked, "Does your girlfriend know that she's just a substitute for...?"
"F*ck off, he doesn't know. If you keep talking nonsense, I'll tell Auntie, and you'll have to eat at home forever," Fu Luoyin warned him, his tone softening slightly. "He saw a picture of Xia Ran in my wallet and is probably feeling jealous right now. I'm busy and can't come back immediately, so you'll have to comfort her for me."
"I said minus two," Su Yu replied. "So, what's the current situation between you and your girlfriend? If you still see her as a substitute and don't plan on taking the relationship seriously, then let her go sooner rather than later. It's better for all of us. Dragging things out won't do anyone any favors. I won't help with this, I don't want to get involved. You dare threaten me with eating at home forever? Let me tell you, if that happens, I'll show up at your girlfriend's place every day asking her to cook for me. You know your girlfriend – she's beautiful and talented, with plenty of suitors. If you don't like her, why should she cling to you like a... well, not exactly a crooked tree, but more like a straight, sturdy poplar. But why should she cling to you alone?"
Contrary to his expectations, Fu Luoyin didn't respond for quite some time.
Su Yu secretly rejoiced – he suddenly felt that he could create more trouble than Dong Shuoye.
Fu Luoyin had seen his way through the parade of lovers, and Lin Shuicheng was his favorite and most respected one. Su Yu didn't hide his favoritism at all.
After a long while, Fu Luoyin whispered, "He's my partner, Su Yu. I'm taking this seriously. What happened in the past stays in the past. It's okay if he throws a tantrum or gets jealous, but we can't break up – he was the one who approached me first, and I wasn't serious about it at first. But when I saw that he genuinely liked me, I didn't let him down. I planned on making things work. You don't know his temperament. He's strong-willed, has a student-like innocence, and sticks to his principles. I don't know how he's feeling now since I can't get back to him right away. Su Yu, Little Fish, please... please help me out. Keep him company for me, and I'll be back in a few days."
Without waiting for Su Yu's response, Fu Luoyin hung up.
Downstairs, the driver had been waiting for quite some time. He Muya wasn't in Star City recently; instead, he was at the Old European Branch Space Station. Fu Luoyin's trip to the Space Defense Bureau would take at least two or three days.
He didn't know why this sudden surge of anxiety came over him, along with a subtle sense of tension.
It wasn't until speaking with Su Yu that he realized this. When talking to Lin Shuicheng, he answered purely out of instinct, not noticing any change in his emotions.
He could tell that Lin Shuicheng's calm, composed, and slightly impatient demeanor was similar to when he was presenting an academic report with ease.
In a blink, Fu Luoyin recalled how Lin Shuicheng had been during the famous painting case – completely independent and relentless in achieving his goal.
In his twenty-five years of life, he had never known the meaning of "anxious." Throughout the years, from struggling in District 8 to climbing the ranks of Department 7, from childhood to adulthood, the most out-of-character moment he'd ever had was that summer after graduating from military school when Xia Ran wanted to break up with him.
Without any explanation, only a vague "I'm not worthy of you," he had been joyfully preparing a Valentine's Day gift for Xia Ran the day before, only to discover the next day that all means of communication had been severed. Xia Ran had flown straight to the old North American branch without so much as a notice.
This was something beyond his comprehension, causing him a mix of anxiety and anger—how dare Lin Shuicheng leave him in such a state?
He repeatedly reminded himself: Don't be angry, don't act impulsively, or I'll scare off this little kitten called Lin Shuicheng.
Cats were creatures that softened with kindness but hardened with force.
In his competition with Lin Shuicheng, he had always held the upper hand. He accepted Lin Shuicheng's quietness, even his solitude, as well as his occasional moodiness and capriciousness. However, Lin Shuicheng abruptly bringing up a breakup without any discussion or asking for his thoughts was a major taboo.
Dark clouds gathered in Fu Luoyin's eyes as the knuckles on his phone turned pale.
Striding out, he instructed Zhou Heng, "Book me a flight for three days from now, the fastest one available. I'll head straight back to the house I share with Lin Shuicheng."
—Lin Shuicheng wants to break up with him?
Impossible.
On the other side, Su Yu, with trembling hands, handed back Lin Shuicheng's phone after seeing the call ended.
Su Yu found even the taste of his chicken leg fading—after much internal debate, he mustered up the courage to look up at Lin Shuicheng and ask, "Uh, Sister-in-law, have you been busy lately? Can I come over to your place for meals these few days?"
Lin Shuicheng was taken aback before responding, "Sure."
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief—at least Lin Shuicheng's attitude towards him remained unchanged, which probably meant that the conflict with Fu Luoyin wasn't that severe?
Then, Lin Shuicheng added, "Any day except tomorrow would be fine. I'll be moving house then and might not have the time. Let me give you my new address."