Qin Youyou opened up a window, then went to grab a broom and began tidying up. Wei Dong kept his eyes on him.

When he was done, Qin Youyou said, “I’m going to make food.”

Wei Dong called out to him. “Youyou—”

Qin Youyou turned around. Wei Dong’s chest heaved, but no words came out.

Qin Youyou turned back around and walked out.

No matter how trampled his mood, Qin Youyou took cooking a meal very seriously, taking care to balance the nutrition of the meat and vegetables as per usual.

Never before had Wei Dong struggled to swallow food.

Before, he’d loved to watch as this kid ate big mouthfuls of delicious food—it always made him feel good and increased his enjoyment of the food. But this time, Qin Youyou kept his head down and didn’t say a word. Ever since they got together, the two of them had never shared such a stifling meal.

As before, Qin Youyou gave Wei Dong the meat and fish, added vegetables to his bowl, and then quickly ate to the bottom of his own bowl. When he was done, he took his empty bowl and walked off.

He didn’t even pretend to eat more.

Wei Dong struggled to breathe, his chest so choked up he was about to lose his mind.

Qin Youyou had practically never lost his temper in front of Wei Dong. He’d always been demure and well behaved. Wei Dong came to the realisation that when he’d been angry about not going to his birthday party before, his anger back then was restrained.

But now the situation was completely different. Qin Youyou didn’t speak unless it was necessary. Although he still was attentive and careful with his care like before, he no longer chatted incessantly to Wei Dong, no longer joking or teasing him. His clear expression had become expressionless, the once glistening eyes that were glued to Wei Dong’s body seemed to have disappeared.

Wei Dong had never felt so distressed before, nor so anxious and uneasy. This situation was something he never had anticipated happening, and he suddenly had no idea of what to do about it.

Since the moment Qin Youyou had answered Chen Yushen’s call in front of him, Wei Dong had been stunned. He was astounded that Qin Youyou had resumed contact with Chen Yushen, and was even more at a loss to discover the kid had borrowed money from him for his sake. Whenever he recalled what Chen Yushen had caused Qin Youyou to go through in the past, and thinking of what that person’s intentions were at the present time, Wei Dong’s mind twisted and turned, exploding with pain.

When the words “break up” were spoken—whether spoken easily or with great difficulty—Wei Dong’s only concern had been to stop Qin Youyou in sharing his hardship. He’d caused this kid heartbreak countless times because he was full of misgivings, and for what? Because he wished this kid could have a good life in the future. But back then, he couldn’t let go and decided to follow his heart without care. Then, he experienced this unexpected disaster. The world is fickle, and he felt that this time he really couldn’t do anything but to go… He’d only thought of pushing Qin Youyou away, but hadn’t carefully considered where he would push him to. He said he wanted Qin Youyou to be with someone better, but if someone like that actually appeared, Qin Youyou would then accompany them every day, overjoyed and filled with their presence… Just like…

Just like Qin Youyou had been with him…

Wei Dong couldn’t continue that thought.

He lowered his head and scrunched his brows, closing his eyes.

There seemed to be a flame in his chest, rolling around and licking, giving off acrid smoke. Wei Dong spark of anger couldn’t be aimed at anyone—this fire could only exist in his heart, and could burn only him. Wei Dong was in so much pain, and he realised he couldn’t withstand this type of pain at all. He seemingly simply could not accept this as calmly as he could accept everything else.

Wei Dong had never been disappointed in himself before, and he knew that Qin Youyou was even more disappointed. The kid should have hardened his heart towards him.

Wei Dong was also appalled at himself.

In the evening, Qin Youyou went to the fetch water, squeezed the toothpaste for him, handed over the towels—silently caring for Wei Dong. When he was done washing up he wiped his hands and sat down in front of the computer to continue working.

The light from the desk lamp was very faint because he’d moved the aperture of the lamp as low as possible. With pursed lips he stared intently, the cold light emitted from the laptop screen shone on his face, which in turn seemed cold and hard. This expression on his face was so unfamiliar.

Wei Dong was leaning against the headboard looking at him, his head unable to think of what to do.

After a long while, Qin Youyou raised his eyelashes. “Do you want some water?”

He’d even stopped calling him Ge.

Wei Dong lowered his face a bit, his eyes unblinking as he looked at him, without saying a word.

Qin Youyou, as before, was still expressionless. Seeing he had nothing to say, he turned his eyes back to the screen.

“Are there still cigarettes?” Wei Dong asked.

Qin Youyou’s mouse clicked. “You can’t smoke. It’s harmful for the recovery of your bones.”

“I’ve already had a lot of second-hand smoke this afternoon.”

Qin Youyou regarded him silently. “Which is why I opened the window for ventilation.”

Wei Dong’s eyebrows knitted.

Qin Youyou spoke. “I’m sorry, I won’t smoke anymore.”

“Where did you learn to smoke?” Wei Dong’s voice was hoarse. “Was it when I was hospitalised?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Qin Youyou continued his work. “You should go to sleep early.”

Wei Dong slowly lowered himself to lie down, his arm resting over his eyes. He lay there for a long time but he wasn’t at all sleepy.

Qin Youyou didn’t speak again.

Wei Dong picked up his phone for the umpteenth time and looked at the time.

“If the light is disturbing you, I can go work in the living room,” Qin Youyou said.

Wei Dong froze.

Qin Youyou closed his laptop, stood up with it in his hand, turned off the lamp and walked out.

“Youyou,” Wei Dong called out to him.

Qin Youyou’s footsteps stopped at the doorway. He turned around and looked.

“… Can you come over and sleep?”

The light coming through the window was not bright enough. Qin Youyou looked towards Wei Dong in the darkness, but was unable to clearly see his eyes, nor discern his expression.

His tightly pursed lips gradually opened, the breath coming through deep and slow as he forcibly controlled his voice to be calm. “I’ll sleep in the living room from now on.”

Wei Dong propped himself up to look at him. He wanted to say something, but in an instant he forgot what it was.

“Didn’t you want to break up with me? What’s the reason you now want me to sleep next to you?” Qin Youyou asked.

Wei Dong’s figure was obscured by the darkness and he remained quiet.

Qin Youyou continued. “Or, if you take back those words, so long as you take back what you said, I’ll pretend it never happened and I’ll love you like I did before. Even more than before.”

Qin Youyou stood by the door for a long time, stubbornly waiting.

He just wanted Wei Dong to know he was waiting for one sentence.

Just a single sentence.

But his response was, as usual, always silence…

Qin Youyou sniffed, turned around and walked out. Then he gently closed the door.

After a long time, a low sigh was heard in the bedroom.