Gu Changheng made a “shh” sound, signaling Zhou Li to be quiet, and quickened the movements of his hands. Gradually, he could hear the voice of Zhou Li’s suppressed desire.
Afterwards.
When the lights were on, Gu Changheng went to get a tissue.
Zhou Li’s face was still flushed. He felt like he was dreaming as he watched Gu Changheng focused on wiping between his legs.
Gu Changheng turned off the lights and lay down next to Zhou Li again. In the dark night, his voice sounded a bit muffled. “This is probably all we can do.”
They were cautious all the time, afraid of passing the disease to Zhou Li. The most they could do was for Gu Changheng to use his hands to help Zhou Li relieve himself.
Zhou Li tightly hugged Gu Changheng, almost wanting to merge him into his body and blood.
The Young Master Gu, whom he had been thinking about for so long, was actually doing this for him just now.
It was real.
Zhou Li’s voice was hoarse and low. “Changheng, my life has already been worth it, really, especially worth it.”
Gu Changheng suddenly felt a pang in his heart and murmured, “Why didn’t I meet you sooner? Why didn’t I meet you sooner?”
That was all that needed to be said. Both of them understood that even if they had met earlier, it wouldn’t change anything. A few years ago, the arrogant Gu Changheng would never look at someone like Zhou Li.
…
The next morning, Zhou Li went to work to earn money. Gu Changheng secretly asked the supervisor for half a day off to go to the CDC and pick up some AIDS medication.
Previously, Gu Changheng felt that living was meaningless and hadn’t taken his medication regularly as prescribed by the doctor. Now, he decided to take medicine seriously.
When Zhou Li celebrated Gu Changheng’s third birthday, Gu Changheng made a wish on the candles atop the cake.
—He hoped to live a little longer, just a little longer.
In their fifth year together, Zhou Li and Gu Changheng bought a pair of custom platinum couple rings.
Zhou Li had initially crafted a “ring” from a yellow 50-cent coin using an electric drill, for which Gu Changheng then bought a string, turning it into a pendant to wear around his neck. It became Gu Changheng’s most treasured possession.
Zhou Li resigned from his job as a security guard.
Gu Changheng also quit his nine-to-five[mfn]from 9am to 5pm[/mfn] clerical job. Even though his boss had high hopes for him and offered a raise, Gu Changheng politely declined and resolutely quit.
The two had saved enough money to buy a shop and planned to open a specialty barbecue restaurant with great fanfare. Zhou Li had accumulated considerable experience and customers in this area.
Both were confident about the restaurant and began bustling about with renovations.
After installing the water and electricity and setting up the framework, they reached the final stage of choosing wallpaper. Zhou Li looked at the two choices but couldn’t decide. Finally, he called Gu Changheng to help him choose wallpaper.
Gu Changheng took a taxi to the wallpaper store where Zhou Li was. As soon as he walked in, he saw Zhou Li waving to him. “Changheng, over here. I feel like these two wallpapers are similar to the designs the designer gave us. Which one do you think we should choose for our shop?”
Gu Changheng walked over, compared the two wallpapers carefully, and pointed to one of them. “Ah Li, let’s go with this one.”
After he finished, without waiting for Zhou Li’s response, Gu Changheng looked up to Zhou Li. “You don’t like this one?”
“That’s not it!” Zhou Li was staring at Gu Changheng’s neck, and suddenly his eyes turned red without warning.
Gu Changheng suddenly felt uneasy and forced a smile. “What’s wrong?”
There was a large bright red rash on his neck.
Both Gu Changheng and Zhou Li knew the various symptoms that might appear when AIDS becomes active, and a widespread rash was one of the main signs of onset.
The incubation period of AIDS for several years had passed. It was as if the grim reaper was beckoning to Gu Changheng.
He wouldn’t live much longer.
😭😭😭😭