Rong Xu hadn’t expected that on the very first day back, his secret would be sold out.
Right after the surgery, both his legs were wrapped in thick gauze. Even the slightest movement brought a bone-deep, skin-tearing pain.
No matter how much pain tolerance he had, there were several times he nearly passed out. Even with painkillers, the effect was minimal.
As the doctor had put it, he just had to grit his teeth and get through this stage.
So the only moments Rong Xu could feel any relief from the pain each day were the times he called Chi Han.
But back then, Chi Han was still preparing for the college entrance exams. Because of the time difference, they barely exchanged a few words before Chi Han had to hang up.
The moment the screen went black, the overwhelming, devouring pain would crash over him like a tidal wave. He’d lie helplessly in bed, hands clenching the sheets so tightly that veins bulged on the backs of his hands, enduring it all by holding on to memories of Chi Han.
Later, once he could sit up for short periods, he asked his assistant to buy him a sketchpad.
At first, he wasted a lot of paper. But day after day, Rong Xu held his sketchpad and slowly traced the features of the person he remembered so vividly.
He imagined what Chi Han might be doing at that exact moment.
From a blurred outline to a clear face, Rong Xu drew Chi Han stroke by stroke.
His fingertip brushed over the drawing. What he loved most was that pair of eyes.
Eyes filled with starlight that could never be dimmed.
After enduring the healing period post-surgery, what followed was the even more painful rehabilitation.
No matter how exhausted he was each day, Rong Xu would always pick up his pencil and draw for a while. It had become something irreplaceable in his life.
At first, the doctor opposed it a little, thinking that the patient should rest more.
The assistant reached out to stop the doctor, tilting his head to glance at the tall, solitary figure sitting before the sketchpad in the hospital room. Under the doctor’s puzzled gaze, he said softly, “Please give him some private time. This is the only way he can forget the pain.”
…
Rong Xu stood at the doorway, hesitating for a moment before finally opening the door and stepping inside.
In truth, he hadn’t wanted Chi Han to know about those sketches. He was afraid it would make him feel distressed.
At that moment, Chi Han was squatting on the floor, examining the pots of flowers. When he heard the sound of the door, he quickly turned around. Upon seeing that it was Rong Xu, a smile unconsciously spread across his face.
“Why were you gone so long? How did it go?”
Rong Xu took off his jacket and casually hung it up. He carefully studied Chi Han’s expression. Only after making sure there wasn’t anything unusual did he say, “Nothing serious. I can start the final treatment cycle tomorrow.”
Chi Han nodded, pulling Rong Xu over and pressing him down onto the bed. “Lie down first. I asked the assistant. He said it’s best if your legs get massaged every day. It’s my fault for overlooking it before. From now on, I’ll help you every day. I don’t want you to be left with any aftereffects.”
Rong Xu, seated on the bed, grabbed Chi Han’s wrist and gently pulled him into his arms with a bit of practiced force.
He kissed Chi Han lightly on the temple, eyes filled with indulgence. “No need to listen to him. My legs are already fine. Are you hungry? Want to eat something? I’ll have them make it for you.”
Chi Han shook his head, wrapping his fingers around Rong Xu’s in return. “I’m not hungry. What about you? Are you cold after the exam?”
Rong Xu glanced at the time. It was almost midnight.
Worried Chi Han might get hungry later, he sent a message to the assistant, asking them to prepare some easy-to-digest snacks in advance.
Chi Han insisted on massaging Rong Xu’s legs. Half helpless and half indulgent, Rong Xu leaned back against the bed, letting him roll up the cuffs of his pants.
This semester, Chi Han had even taken elective courses related to rehabilitation. While he couldn’t compare to professionals in the field, he was still able to accurately locate most of the pressure points.
He massaged seriously and, afraid Rong Xu might feel cold, even rubbed his hands warm in advance.
Rong Xu’s heart melted at the sight.
And truthfully, Chi Han did seem to have a gift for this kind of thing. After just over ten minutes, Rong Xu already felt a noticeable loosening in his legs.
Since massaging required quite a bit of strength, he didn’t want Chi Han to get too tired. Seeing that the time was about right, he quickly stopped him and reached out to wipe away the bead of sweat on the tip of his nose.
“Not bad at all,” Rong Xu said with a smile, pulling him down into his arms. His hand slowly caressed the smooth, slender curve of Chi Han’s waist as he teased, “Dr. Chi, how much do you charge per month? Name your price.”
Chi Han pulled his hand out from under his clothes and tossed it aside, raising his eyebrows with a straight face. “I’m not cheap. You can’t buy me with money.”
Rong Xu tilted his head back and gently bit Chi Han’s lower lip, lightly sucking on it as he chuckled in a low voice, “Then what should I do? My legs already can’t go without Dr. Chi.”
He licked the corner of Chi Han’s lips, the slightly upturned corners of his eyes now tinged with a trace of desire. His hand slid around to the small of Chi Han’s back, slowly moving downward.
“There are other places… that also need Dr. Chi’s attention…”
“Doctor, you’ll help me, won’t you?”
Chi Han’s lower back went weak, and his whole body collapsed onto Rong Xu’s chest, trembling slightly as his heart skipped a beat.
What he really couldn’t handle the most was when Rong Xu spoke to him like that.
Like a devastatingly seductive demon who could bring kingdoms to ruin.
Yet he was all too willing to play the foolish emperor.
Rong Xu looked at Chi Han, then tilted his head to softly whisper something in his ear.
The wager from earlier in the day.
Chi Han buried his face into Rong Xu’s shoulder hollow. A moment later, he gave the faintest, nearly inaudible hum of assent.
Seeing Chi Han agree, Rong Xu’s breathing deepened noticeably. Without delay, he scooped Chi Han up and carried him straight into the bathroom.
…
1 a.m.
The bathroom floor was covered in splashes of water, with thick white mist lingering heavily in the air.
The surface of the bathtub water rippled constantly, sloshing over the sides and dripping onto the tiles below.
Chi Han’s arm rested along the edge of the tub, his head pillowed on his forearm. The corners of his eyes were terribly red, still showing traces of having cried.
“Stop already…”
Rong Xu was behind him. Hearing the tears in his voice, he bit gently on the back of Chi Han’s neck with a touch of heartache. “Why are you so afraid of pain?”
Chi Han shrank his neck in slightly, his entire body soft and languid.
He truly was in pain—otherwise, Rong Xu definitely wouldn’t have let him off tonight.
But they’d already gone at it for so long. If they really kept going until the end…
Chi Han imagined the miserable state he’d be in by then and couldn’t help but tremble slightly.
Then how could he possibly survive it?
Afraid Chi Han would catch a chill, Rong Xu got up and ran a fresh tub of hot water. He gently washed Chi Han off before preparing to carry him out.
By the time they had cleaned up, turned off the lights, and settled into bed, it was nearly two in the morning.
“Are you hungry?”
Rong Xu lay on his side, supporting himself slightly as he leaned close to gently pinch the flushed tip of Chi Han’s ear, rosy from the heat. “Do you want to eat something?”
Chi Han yawned, on the verge of falling asleep, and felt like he didn’t even want to lift a finger. “I’m not hungry, just really sleepy.”
“Then sleep.” Rong Xu turned off the light and kissed Chi Han tenderly on the lips, pulling him into his arms.
Chi Han, drowsy and dazed, mumbled softly like he was talking in his sleep: “Rong Xu… I saw those drawings. It made my heart ache so badly…”
“I really regret not going with you back then.”
Rong Xu patted his back, soothing him in a low voice. “You’re by my side now. That’s all in the past.”
Chi Han gave a soft “mm”, his voice growing lighter and lighter until it was almost inaudible.
But Rong Xu still heard it clearly.
He had said: “Rong Xu, in the next life, and the one after that, in every lifetime after, we have to stay together. I won’t ever let you feel that kind of pain again.”
Rong Xu’s eyes dampened slightly as he exhaled softly. He rested his chin on the crown of Chi Han’s head, closed his eyes, and pressed down the surge of emotion that nearly splintered his bones.
There is nothing more beautiful in this world than realizing, when you thought you were chasing after the light, upon looking up, you see that very light running toward you, too.
