Qin Youyou bent his waist so that his back was pressed up against Wei Dong’s chest.

He felt his cock gradually stiffening under the ministrations of Wei Dong’s palm, trembling as it stood to attention.

Wei Dong had an arm around Qin Youyou’s front, caressing his collarbone with one hand, while the other hand was fondling his erection. His thumb gently circled the tip, stroking in circles. Qin Youyou grabbed Wei Dong’s arm, his face pressed in to the pillow as his trembling body panted.

Maybe it was because it had been so long since they last did it and he was exceptionally sensitive, or maybe it was because he was never able to resist Wei Dong; Qin Youyou was held in his arms and after only a few minutes his entire body shook as shot a load. He moaned out loud, his entire body tensing taunt before going limp, his ears burning as he shivered and panted in Wei Dong’s embrace.

“Do you want it from behind too?” Wei Dong kissed his ears as he started groping in between his ass cheeks.

“No… There’s no need,” Qin Youyou caught his hand and turned his body around, his entire face flushed. “I’ll help you too, Ge.”

Wei Dong drew back his hand and used a wet wipe to clean it off. “For now I won’t. When this thing comes it’s going to exert my hips, and that will hurt too much.”

Qin Youyou looked at him, his expression a little helpless.

Wei Dong drew him back into his arms. “Wait a few days then I can do it, but you’ll have to sit on top and do the work…”

Qin Youyou’s face immediately flushed red. He didn’t decline, only buried his face, unwilling to say anything.

Wei Dong chuckled as he petted him for a while.

It was too late to cook up a breakfast, so Qin Youyou tidied himself up and went out to buy some steamed buns, thin congee and small side dishes.

Wei Dong ate quite a bit. Leaning up against the headboard as he finished eating, he sighed. “Being at home feels so good. The hospital is too uncomfortable—I never want to go back there for the rest of my life.”

Qin Youyou took a bite of a bun and paused for a moment with his eyes glare. “Who would wish to go there? After we’re better, we’ll definitely never go back there.”[1]

Wei Dong smiled as he looked at him. “In a few days can you go to buy a pair of crutches? When it comes time for me to get out of bed, I can use them as support to move around.”

“Don’t be so hasty, Ge,” Qin Youyou cleared away Wei Dong’s uneaten breakfast. “I’ve told you so many times before, you can’t rush your recovery.”

Wei Dong stared at him for a moment then whispered, “How can I not? There are so many things I need to do…”

Qin Youyou stuffed the last of the bun into his mouth, his cheek bulging as he tidied up. “There’s no need for you to support the household, Ge. I’m here.”

Since his hospitalisation, Wei Dong did not know exactly how much money was spent. All he knows is that those days, he’d been dazed and experienced repeated surgeries, used many types of medical equipment, had all sorts of drugs continuously pumped into his body, and up until his discharge, Qin Youyou had managed the list of expenses. He wouldn’t hand it over no matter how many times he was asked—Qin Youyou kept changing the topic every time it was brought up, not wanting him to worry.

“How much money did you lend from others?” Wei Dong asked.

Qin Youyou glanced at him but then dodged his eyes. “Not too much, just… Just from Liu-ge and Chen-ge’s crew. The money from the excavator owner Mr Wang gave shouldn’t be considered a loan, right…”

“It doesn’t count,” Wei Dong looked at him.

“Oh, then not too much…” Qin Youyou’s gaze was moving around.

Kids are truly unable to hide some things.

He was forever unable to hide or lie to Wei Dong.

Perhaps it was from his previous experiences that had been etched into his very bones, making him unable to let go of the anxiety. Even since getting together with Wei Dong, even being enveloped by his tenderness and warmth, giving him stability and strength, a single incident like this is enough to once again allow those previous fears to come flooding back. He had been forced to mature quickly, his entire mind bombarded constantly until he was numb from it, holding back his tears while carrying this reality on his shoulders. Other people would think he’d accepted this lot in life, but the reality is, he’d never had the time to think about it—the only thing he knew was to “hold on”, because Wei Dong needed him. The “lifetime” they’d spoken about had almost come to an abrupt end at that moment, and if he didn’t cling on, shouldering the burden, then that forever would be no more. So he calmly signed every document that needed signing, he kept watch over Wei Dong from behind a wall with no rest, he appraised every single cent, he planned out every next step…

But beneath the surface, he was so afraid he was almost crazy. He was afraid of what he would lose. All his composure and strength was because Wei Dong was lying there, holding on to life by a thread. All of his fears and bitter tears, were also because of Wei Dong. All of his emotions were dependant on that person, all of his worrying about hopes and dreams were tied to that person—in front of Wei Dong, he was completely exposed.

So he could not lie. So long as Wei Dong looked at him there was no need to ask any questions—Qin Youyou’s expression would reveal it. Everything he hid would be completely revealed.

Qin Youyou would never forget that time when Wei Dong was hospitalised, he’d shown such pessimism about their future together. Despite the fact that Qin Youyou believed that two people who had experienced life and death together should not be separated, he didn’t hoped Wei Dong wouldn’t show such negativity again.

Previously it had been Wei Dong who told him that the future would only get better, but now it’s changed to him holding Wei Dong’s face every day, looking into his eyes and saying, “Don’t worry, Ge, it will get better.”

Qin Youyou has experienced loss, so he believes that so long as people are still alive, money lost can be earned back and borrowing money isn’t such a bid deal because it could be paid back—no matter who the money came from, just so long as you can get through the present moment.

Never before had he been so grateful to see Chen Yushen. Qin Youyou knew the extent of his abilities, and Chen Yushen reaching out a helping hand was like sending charcoal in snowy weather[2], and Qin Youyou would not have Wei Dong’s path to recovery be impacted because of those previous grudges.

He also didn’t care what Chen Yushen thought. That time when he’d broken down in front of Chen Yushen was simply because of the overwhelming pressure and emotional burden. He hadn’t thought about saying those things to Chen Yushen, tearing open the past’s issues, whether it was appropriate or not. He’d come to realise long ago, his dignity was worthless in the face of survival. When he broke down, he’d just been overwhelmed by why he was experiencing such unbearable pain for a second time—why this disorientating, heart wrenching experience was once again, happening to him.

…

Fortunately, that time has gone, and Wei Dong has survived.

But Qin Youyou had made up his mind to not say anything about what had happened behind the scenes. He couldn’t say, nor even dare to imagine how Wei Dong would react if he found out about the money from Chen Yushen. He’d stuffed the bank card at the bottom of the drawer and not moved it. Having the money at hand certainly gave him comfort, but he wouldn’t touch it unless he had no other option.

If you can’t give a smooth lie, then you should remain silent and not say a word.

Qin Youyou could only tell Wei Dong not to worry over and over again, unbendingly evading the topic, and not offering any further explanation.

Wei Dong looked at Qin Youyou’s uneasy demeanour and could only inwardly sigh. He guessed their savings were probably used up, and he owed a lot of money to people.

He thought to himself, let’s first recover, because there’s nothing else to be done right now. If he recovers well, then he will spend the rest of his life devoting his heart and lungs to Qin Youyou[3]. If that’s not possible, if he’s a person with no future, then he shouldn’t keep Qin Youyou tied to him…

Wei Dong loved Qin Youyou, and he would hate to part with him. This reluctance was not only because he was unwilling to let him go, but also because he didn’t want Qin Youyou to suffer future hardships with him. Wei Dong thought it over and over, but in the end he kept these ruminations to himself. He knew Qin Youyou didn’t want to hear that talk, and, perhaps, also because he himself didn’t want to say it. So, neither person spoke up.

Now that the two of them were settled down, Liu Jingwen and Chen-ge came over for a meal. Wei Dong was helped to the couch to sit and eat with them. Not even two days later, Liu Jingwen sent over a small order of work. He told Qin Youyou over the phone, “You can think it over first, get a feeling for it. The price isn’t too high and it shouldn’t be too difficult, so you shouldn’t struggle too much.”

Qin Youyou moved the desk to the bedroom and set it up by the window. This way he could care for Wei Dong while he worked.

He held the phone in one hand while the other sorted out the computer files. “It’s fine, Jingwen-ge. Is it an urgent job?”

“It’s not urgent, so you can take your time with it.”

“Okay, I got it. Thank you.”

After hanging up, Qin Youyou didn’t rush to do it. He looked at the time and decided he should cook. Closing the laptop he got up and asked, “Ge, what do you want to eat?”

“Whatever you make I will eat,” Wei Dong replied.

Win Youyou laughed as he walked out and opened the fridge to take a peek. “There’s still two pork chops left over, would you like me to stew or braise them?” he raised his voiced to call out.

“Stewed, and with some soup,” Wei Dong answered.

“I can add some cucumber slices, and scrambled eggs. What about grated potatoes too?”

Wei Dong raised his head to answer. “Sounds good.”

Qin Youyou took the ingredients out of the fridge and promptly began preparing them.

The phone that had been thrown on the bed rang.

Wei Dong looked over. It was an unknown number.

“Youyou, phonecall,” he called out to the kitchen.

“Coming.” Qin Youyou wiped his hands and quickly came over. He picked up the phone and his face instantly stiffened.

He looked at Wei Dong. Wei Dong was looking back at him. Qin Youyou’s expression changed, and that change did not escape his notice.

“What’s wrong? Who’s calling?” Wei Dong asked.

“Nothing… It’s a friend.” Qin Youyou rubbed his nose, turned around and walked out.

Wei Dong watched his back as he quickly walked away, even closing the door behind him.

---

[1] Qin Youyou often uses 咱 (us/we) when he’s speaking about Wei Dong’s recovery, he never uses 你 (you, singular) – showing his recovery is something they’re doing together. He’s too sweet

[2] 雪中送炭 helping someone in their hour of need

[3] It sounds weird but it says digging out his heart and scooping out his lungs. I left it as close as I could without sounding weirder.