Lin Qingge was laying bored in bed staring up at the ceiling when his door suddenly opened. Duan Yujing walked in wearing a dark casual suit with a solemn expression. His suit fit him well and showed off his wide shoulders, narrow waist and long legs. It made people take note of his face, deep facial features and beautiful eyes. He walked in and headed straight for Lin Qingge. Eh? Wasn’t he supposed to come tomorrow? In his first life, he would go and find Liu Yang himself after being discharged and the trio would end up meeting each other along the way. But that wouldn’t happen until tomorrow. Why was he here earlier by a whole day?
Lin Qingge looked at the man in front of him. His temperament was still good despite having a difficult childhood where he had to struggle tremendously just to survive. He had the ability to overcome adversity and rise up. Some people just had that kind of strength, while others, even if you gave them a company and made them president, would never become anything more than a small fry. And Liu Yang was the smallest fry ever.
Lin Qingge was angry and distressed. Who was Liu Yang? Would he have been able to handle it? Probably not!
“You are...?” Lin Qingge wanted to present a good image so he tried to sit up to greet Duan Yujing properly. This was technically the second time the two had ever met, at least in this life anyways. From his previous life he knew that Duan Yujing had a special place in his heart for him. Would he confess this time as well? And if he did, how should he answer? Should he hesitate and be a bit reserved or should he immediately agree, pack his bags and go home with him?
It was a pity that Lin Qingge forgot to consider the reality of his weaka.s.s body and its need for IV drips. Just as he sat up, envisioning Duan Yujing’s confession, his hand pulled the needle, yanking the IV bag towards him and slamming it straight into his face.
“Careful.” Duan Yujing thought he would see a decadent youth lounging in bed, who would have guessed that said youth would actually try to greet him properly? He helped reposition the IV bag and its stand before bringing a pillow over to help Lin Qingge prop himself up with.
After pouring a gla.s.s of water he thought about how to start the conversation. “Do you remember me? I’m Duan Yujing, I promised your mother I’d take care of you. Will you come back with me?”
Lin Qingge stopped the gla.s.s part way to his lips and blinked a few times. In what world is this considered a confession? “Eh? No sorry. You’re a stranger. I can’t go with a stranger.” He was not budging unless he heard a full on confession! Living with someone in that way just wouldn’t be right. Lin Qingge was very traditional. You didn’t live together unless you were in a declared committed relationship! He hadn’t lived together with Liu Yang in his previous life exactly because Liu Yang never declared his intentions toward him. Liu Yang only said that he liked him. In reality he was treated more like a cash machine and was coaxed by pretty words to part with all his money.
His nose turned sour and his eyes got a little red from remembering his foolish self. Was it so unreasonable to want a thoughtful lover? If Liu Yang couldn’t do it, then he shouldn’t have pretended!
Duan Yujing felt really helpless upon seeing Lin Qingge’s aggrieved expression. Were my words really that bad? Does he think I don’t care? He used a tissue to wipe Lin Qingge’s tears. “Qingge do you really not remember me? I’m Duan Yujing. Auntie introduced us once. Remember? I really like you. Come home with me OK? I promise to take good care of you.”
Lin Qingge sniffed, his eyes still red. “What did you just say?” The confession came too fast and was too basic! What about the good parts? The sweet words! The promises! There needed to be a good and proper declaration.
Duan Yujing’s face took on a hint of color as he smiled and looked at Lin Qingge. There was warmth and tenderness in his eyes as he reached out and held the youth by the shoulders. He spoke earnestly, “I said, I Duan Yujing like you, Lin Qingge, and that I Duan Yujing, want to take care of you and be with you for the rest of our lives. Are you willing?”
He spoke with confidence, clearly and slowly, with no trace of hesitation, but in reality he was dying of nervousness! Did Qingge come out of the closet because there was someone he already liked? In that case, the best he could do was guard him and prevent others from doing him wrong.
“OK.” The youth bowed his head and whispered softly. His heart was jumping with joy.
“It’s okay, you don’t-” Duan Yujing thought that maybe he was being too aggressive, maybe he was scaring him. He was about to placate him and tell him he didn’t have to reply right away when he heard the soft whisper. Wait. What did he just hear? Just to be clear he asked, “You are willing? If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Don’t force yourself.”
“Would you ever do me wrong?”
“No, I’d try to always make you happy.”
“Would you ever force me to do something I don’t like?”
“No, you can do whatever you want. I’ll make the money, you spend it.” Duan Yujing laughed.
“My health is rubbish. Are you gonna hold it against me?” Lin Qingge asked. His body was too chicken weak. Intimacy could be a problem. Even if the other really liked him, it was still troublesome.
“No problem. I have a doctor friend with awesome medical expertise. He’ll be able to help you make any adjustments you need.”
“Well that’s fine then. It’s not like I have any place to go anyways.” Although he spoke in a light tone, inside his heart was screaming. Brother Jing hurry up and take me away already! I don’t mind if I lose my virginity to you!
Duan Yujing breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Lin Qingge was willing, it didn’t matter if his heart was somewhere else right now. Just wait, he’d definitely win him over!
“Do you hurt anywhere?” Duan Yujing reached over and carefully touched Lin Qingge’s face where a red palm print still clearly showed. He was really distressed about it. This youth’s skin was really just too tender! To even hold onto a slap mark for so long.
Lin Qingge’s face felt a little hot where Duan Yujing’s fingers lay. Even though Liu Yang swindled him with sweet words, they never had much physical intimacy. This was all very new to him, so Duan Yujing’s sudden closeness nearly made him jump out in surprise. His touch combined with his words really made Lin Qingge’s heart pound. He was so nervous ah!
“It’s okay, the doctor put some ointment on it.” Lin Qingge whispered. He didn’t trust his voice and tried hard to restrain his impulses, reminding himself he couldn’t fall, definitely couldn’t fall in love.
“In that case, we can leave whenever you want to. Do you need to go back to the Lin house to pack anything?” Duan Yujing really wanted to laugh when he saw Lin Qingge’s empty blank expression. How was it that after so many years, his first time meeting him again, he would have such a dopey look, a bit shy, a bit simple? It was honestly too adorable! His defenses dropped with a few sweet phrases, it was just too easy to read this youth’s heart.
“I don’t have to go back. My things are all there.” Lin Qingge pointed to the two suitcases in the corner.
“Ok then I’ll just verify your condition with the doctors. If they clear you, do you want to leave today then?”
“Can you promise me one thing?” Lin Qingge asked, unconsciously twisting his fingers and leaning over.
“What is it?”
“I’ll go back with you, but you can’t bully me and you can’t wrong me either. And you can’t be jealous of other people. If you can’t promise me these things, then I won’t go with you.” It took a lot for him to screw up the courage to ask those things. Although he knew in his heart that Duan Yujing was sincere, he still wanted him to promise. It was just a way for him to get some peace of mind.
If Lin Qingge’s mother could witness this scene she would have sighed at how serious the two were being. It had always been like this for their family. When they fell in love, they fell wholeheartedly, never turning back, never giving up. Unfortunately, this kind of loyalty in love was what made the family decline in power and prestige. She herself had fallen in love with the wrong person. Despite knowing this, she couldn’t change her feelings. The only thing she could do was try to leave her child in the care of someone kind.
“Yes, all these things I promise you.” Duan Yujing looked at Lin Qingge in the eyes and spoke with conviction.
Upon hearing this Lin Qingge laughed joyfully, his catlike eyes shining crystal clear with charm.
Duan Yujing sighed. This youth was so honest and true. Despite knowing the treacherous hearts of people, he still chose to treat them with kindness and sincerity. His purity came from the fact that he still believed in people despite knowing how deviously they could behave.
“Brother Jing, I want to eat peaches! Since you weren’t here earlier, there was no one to help me peel them.” Lin Qingge laughed as he pointed to a peach on the cabinet. He really couldn’t contain his cheer since Duan Yujing confessed to him. Then and there he made a promise. He would treat Duan Yujing with his whole heart, honestly, and truly.
Indeed there are people with some strange abilities in this world. To be able to sell themselves with such good cheer, it was fortunate that the buyer was a normal and good person ah!
Duan Yujing wasn’t sure if Lin Qingge’s const.i.tution could handle citrus fruits yet. “Can you eat this? Let me ask the doctor to come and see. If it’s safe then I’ll cut it up for you OK?” He could tell Lin Qingge was in a good mood and he didn’t want to ruin it by denying him, but he wanted to check first with the doctor.