BTMDY Chapter 70

No one expected something like this to happen on the very first day of school.

 

After hearing the details from Lu Chengxuan, the homeroom teacher was visibly worried. He spoke with the administration and finally approved a medical leave for Lin Wangye, which would last until he fully recovered.

 

Shi Yuan also called in that same morning to ask for time off.

 

At first, the teacher said no—he was worried that taking time off so close to the college entrance exams would mess up his studies. But Shi Yuan was dead set on it, even to the point of saying that if he didn’t approve it, he just wouldn’t come to class at all.

 

Since the whole situation had something to do with his dad, the teacher eventually gave in.

 

But when Lin Shen tried to take time off too, he got shut down on the spot—with a scolding thrown in for good measure.

 

As soon as school let out at noon, Lin Shen and Lu Chengxuan rushed straight to the hospital.

 

The whole thing gave Lin Shen a weird sense of deja vu. For a second, he couldn’t quite place it—until it hit him. Not long ago when he was the one stuck in a hospital bed, Lin Wangye and Lu Chengxuan had been doing this same little routine every day.

 

Seriously, it’s like patients come and go, but Lu Chengxuan’s the one constant.

 

Lu Wei had pulled strings to get Lin Wangye the best hospital room in the entire place. It was big, cozy, even had a full sofa set and a coffee table. The window ledge was packed with lush green plants, all looking super alive and healthy.

 

When Lin Shen and Lu Chengxuan pushed open the door, Shi Yuan was feeding Lin Wangye something.

 

It had only been a night and a morning since they last saw him, but Lin Wangye’s face still looked pretty pale. That said, he didn’t look nearly as out of it as he did yesterday right after surgery. If anything, he looked lively—bright-eyed and smiling as he turned to greet them.

 

“You guys came.”

 

“Well hey, you’re looking way too good for someone in recovery,” Lin Shen walked over, glanced at the IV bag, then grinned and teased, “Guess love really does heal, huh? I thought once the meds wore off, you’d be crying your eyes out and flooding this whole room.”

 

Lin Wangye was lying there with his left hand wrapped in gauze and an IV stuck in his right. He could barely move.

 

But that didn’t stop him from shooting back right away.

 

“I’ve never been scared of pain! I wasn’t gonna cry!”

 

“For real?” Lin Shen leaned in close with a smug little smirk, dragging out his words on purpose.

 

“Ugh!” Lin Wangye couldn’t swat him, so he frowned and turned to call for backup. “Look at him! He walks in just to mess with me! Help me smack him!”

 

“Alright, alright, don’t move. You’ll pull your stitches.”

 

Shi Yuan quickly set the spoon down, reached out to smooth his hair gently, then glanced at Lin Shen with a helpless look. “Calm down a bit, will you? He’s already stuck in bed and bored out of his mind—don’t wind him up.”

 

Lin Shen knew what was up. Grinning, he straightened up and dragged over a chair to sit by the bed.

 

“Alright, alright, I was just messing with him.”

 

“Not talking to you!” Lin Wangye shot him a glare, then turned back to Shi Yuan, opening his mouth wide: “I’m hungry, feed me—ahhh—”

 

Since he’d just had surgery and couldn’t get out of bed, he wasn’t allowed to eat solid food yet. For now, he had to stick with mushy stuff for nutrition. Shi Yuan was holding a small bowl—it looked like some kind of thick porridge made from rice and other grains. It definitely didn’t look like something the hospital made.

 

Lin Shen glanced around and spotted a familiar-looking lunchbox on the nightstand.

 

“My sister was here this morning?”

 

Shi Yuan nodded as he patiently fed Lin Wangye tiny spoonfuls. “Yeah, she brought some stuff and chatted with him for a while.”

 

Lin Shen looked puzzled. “How’d she know? I didn’t tell her anything.”

 

“I called Sister Qianqian myself,” Lin Wangye said after swallowing, smacking his lips like he was tasting heaven. “I love the porridge she makes. Smells amazing. Gives me strength.”

 

In his last life, after Lin Qianqian got married, she didn’t go back to doing star-styling gigs or take on high-profile work. She didn’t have kids either. She helped run a mid-sized snack company Lin Shen had handed over to her, so life wasn’t all that hectic.

 

She raised Lin Wangye like her own, and he’d always been well taken care of.

 

This rice porridge? He’d basically grown up on it.

 

It wasn’t that hard to make—just pick the grains, wash them well, and toss them in a blender until it turns thick. But figuring out which grains to use, and the exact ratios that made it taste this good? That had taken Lin Qianqian ages to figure out. She was super proud of it and refused to teach anyone else. Only she knew how to make it just right.

 

Last night, when the anesthesia wore off, the pain hit like a truck. Lin Wangye felt like he was dying, but he didn’t want to show it in front of Shi Yuan. So he sucked it up, gritted his teeth, and stayed quiet, even though his stomach was growling like crazy. All he could think about through that fog of pain was this bowl of porridge.

 

So in the morning, he called Lin Qianqian, vented a little, cried about how much it hurt, and slipped in the food request while he was at it.

 

Lin Shen straightened up like a proud sibling, his chest puffed out.

 

“Good taste, kid. My sister’s porridge is legendary.”

 

“You’re not getting any!” Lin Wangye huffed, then his eyes caught on the faint dark circles under Shi Yuan’s eyes. The spoon was already at his lips, but he didn’t eat. Instead, he said softly, “Go lie down for a bit, okay? You didn’t sleep all night.”

 

“I’m fine,” Shi Yuan murmured, tapping the spoon gently against his lips. “Open up.”

 

But Lin Wangye turned his lips down into a pout, staring back without saying a word.

 

“What, going on a hunger strike now?”

 

Shi Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. He dipped the now-lukewarm porridge back into the bowl, gave it a stir, then scooped up a fresh spoonful and blew on it gently before offering it again—his voice full of warmth and quiet affection.

 

“Be good and open up.”

 

Lin Wangye gave in and opened his mouth, chewing obediently and swallowing the spoonful.

 

“Good boy,” Shi Yuan pinched his cheek gently and spoke in the same soft tone people use with kids. “Now what do you want as a reward?”

 

Lin Wangye tilted his head and pointed at his mouth. “A kiss.”

 

Shi Yuan didn’t even hesitate. He set the bowl down properly, leaned in, and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Lin Wangye caught it with a bright smile and even let out a playful ‘mua’ as he pulled away.

 

When they’d first gotten together back at Yingtian Mountain, their affection wasn’t this over-the-top. Even during those couple of days when they ate and lived with Lin Shen, it wasn’t so in-your-face. But now? Now that they were alone during break—yeah, the gloves were off.

 

Lin Shen, who hadn’t looked away fast enough, got front-row seats to the whole thing. He felt like he’d been struck by lightning.

 

It was the first time in his life he truly felt what it meant to be force-fed dog food. His scalp tingled, his heart itched and ached all at once, and goosebumps popped up all over him.

 

What the hell!

 

Damn it! He hated clingy couples the most. He couldn’t take another second in this room.

 

Not even the strong smell of hospital disinfectant could cover up the stench of love in the air!

 

Lin Shen turned his head toward Lu Chengxuan like he was begging for help, ready to bolt—only to see the guy sitting calm as ever on the couch, like a freaking decorative backdrop, quietly witnessing the whole love fest like it was nothing.

 

“How are you just sitting there so chill?” Lin Shen looked at him, totally baffled. He couldn’t help asking, “You seriously don’t have anything to say about this?”

 

Lu Chengxuan blinked at him, looking genuinely confused.

 

“Should I say something?”

 

Lin Shen smacked his forehead and practically saw stars. He was just about to come up with some excuse to escape when he felt someone tug on his sleeve.

 

He turned back and saw Lin Wangye staring at him with big pleading eyes, blinking like crazy.

 

One look at the way Shi Yuan looked like he was barely hanging on, and Lin Shen instantly got it. He walked over and patted Shi Yuan on the shoulder.

 

“Dude, you should get some rest. There’s still over an hour before class starts. Me and Lu Chengxuan will stay with him, and the nurse is just a call away. Don’t wear yourself out—we don’t want you crashing before he even recovers.”

 

Before Shi Yuan could respond, Lin Wangye moved his right arm slightly. Shi Yuan immediately leaned over to steady the IV line, worried the needle might get pulled.

 

“Go on…” Lin Wangye gently grabbed his hand and gave it a soft squeeze. His voice was low, like he was coaxing him. “Your eyes are all red from staying up all night. I’m fine. With him, Brother Lu, and the nurse around, I’ve got more than enough people here.”

 

Shi Yuan felt like he could probably push through, but the worry in Lin Wangye’s eyes was hard to ignore.

 

He put himself in his shoes for a second and finally let out a quiet sigh, giving in. He held Lin Wangye’s fingers tighter and asked softly, “You want any more?”

 

“Nope, I’m full,” Lin Wangye shook his head.

 

“Alright then,” Shi Yuan tipped the bowl back and finished the last bit of porridge himself. He quickly tidied up the lunchbox, stood up, and gently patted Lin Wangye’s head. “I need to call the doctor over at Suihe. I’ll swing by there to rest for a bit, then I’ll come right back to see you.”

 

Lin Wangye nodded right away, as obedient as ever.

 

“Okay.”

 

After putting on his coat, Shi Yuan glanced at Lin Shen. Lin Shen immediately waved a hand and gave him a look that said ‘Relax’: “Go on, me and Lu Chengxuan will stay here with him. Before we head back to school, we’ll wait for the nurse to show up. She’s a pro—way better than us. Just rest up and come back when you’re good.”

 

Lu Chengxuan chimed in too. “Don’t worry.”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Shi Yuan finally let out a long breath, visibly relieved. He looked back at Lin Wangye one last time, and the two of them exchanged a quiet smile before he looped his scarf around his neck and left the room.

 

Lin Shen walked him to the door. The moment he came back and sat down, he was stunned to see Lin Wangye staring at him with teary eyes. Before he could even ask what was wrong, tears started rolling down Lin Wangye’s face like beads coming loose from a broken string.

 

“…You’re still smoking… I—I told you so many times, and you still don’t listen…”

 

He’d been totally fine just a second ago—and now he was suddenly bawling his eyes out. Lin Shen was caught completely off guard. He instinctively raised his arm and sniffed his sleeve, then scratched his head in confusion and glanced at Lu Chengxuan like, ‘What the hell?’

 

Wait, seriously?

 

He’d only snuck a quick smoke in the bathroom between classes this morning—it’d been hours! How was there still a smell?!

 

He even asked Lu Chengxuan before they came in—he said he couldn’t smell anything!

 

Did this guy lose his sense of smell or what?!

 

Lu Chengxuan, who’d never been good at comforting people, wasn’t any help. He just sat there cool as ever, watching TV like none of this had anything to do with him.

 

Lin Shen cursed silently, snatched a tissue, and scrambled to wipe Lin Wangye’s tears. His words tumbled out in a panic: “Ahh no no no, don’t cry! I didn’t smoke, seriously! It’s just someone else’s smoke that got on me, I swear! I swear to God I didn’t smoke—if I did, I’m a damn scumbag!”

 

But more tears came pouring out. Lin Wangye cried even harder. “You’re still lying…”

 

“I…”

 

“You promised me… You said you’d quit… but you didn’t mean it…”

 

Lin Shen wanted to argue, but the look on Lin Wangye’s face—heartbroken, hurt—and the way he sniffled through his sobs completely shut him up.

 

He slid a hand into his pocket and curled his fingers around the half-empty pack of cigarettes he hadn’t finished. All of Lin Wangye’s nagging and reminders echoed in his head, and suddenly he just felt… awful.

 

After a long pause, he pulled a chair over and sat down by the bed. He reached out to gently wipe the tears from Lin Wangye’s face and said quietly, his voice firm:

 

“I swear. I won’t smoke again.”

 

Lin Wangye looked at him with red-rimmed eyes, his voice thick with tears. “Really?”

 

“Really,” Lin Shen nodded seriously.

 

Lin Wangye stared at him for a long while, still sniffling, and said in a pitiful little voice, “If you lie again… I won’t hang out with you anymore…”

 

Lin Shen raised his hand, way more solemn than when he’d just sworn he wasn’t a scumbag. “I swear to God I’m not lying. If I smoke again, I’ll never win a game for the rest of my life.”

 

That finally convinced Lin Wangye.

 

Just when Lin Shen thought he’d calmed the crying down—thinking he’d successfully cheered him up—Lin Wangye only paused for maybe ten seconds before tears came rushing down his face again, even worse than before.

 

“My hand hurts so bad… I’d rather be dead… Can’t they just knock me out until it heals? Wuwuwu why does it hurt so much…”

 

That kind of deep wound needed full anesthesia for the surgery, and once the meds wore off, the next couple days were hell—there was no escaping the pain.

 

Lin Shen had known from the second he walked in that Lin Wangye had been trying to act tough so Xu Suiyan wouldn’t worry.

 

But seeing him like this? Anyone would feel awful. Even Lu Chengxuan, who’d been quiet this whole time, stood up and walked over.

 

“What do we even do? I can’t take the pain for him…”

 

Physical pain like this couldn’t really be talked away—it had to be managed with painkillers and distraction. Lin Shen was freaking out, pacing like a cat on a hot roof, not knowing what to do or say. In total desperation, he turned to Lu Chengxuan and blurted out something dumb as hell:

 

“Can’t they give him another shot of anesthesia or something?”

 

“Of course not,” Lu Chengxuan frowned slightly, bent over to check the bandages, then stood up again after confirming there was no bleeding. “There’s no way around it. He just has to ride it out for the next few days.”

 

Lin Shen let out a curse, furious.

 

“Did they catch those two sons of bitches who did this?!”

 

“All of them,” Lu Chengxuan said calmly. “Not a single one got away.”

 

“They should just shoot them all!” Lin Shen’s anger flared even higher at the sight of Lin Wangye’s tears. He snapped, completely losing it. “And you! Don’t just stand there—think of something!”

 

Lu Chengxuan paused for a second, then turned and walked out of the room.

 

Lin Shen, absolutely convinced he was running away to avoid the mess, cursed again. When he turned back around, his whole demeanor did a complete 180 like one of those quick-change opera performers. He grabbed some tissues and gently wiped Lin Wangye’s tears, his voice suddenly sweet and gentle.

 

“Alright, alright, I know it hurts. It’s just these couple of days, it’ll pass real soon. Then you’ll be bouncing around again and making out with your boyfriend like nothing ever happened.”

 

“When you get better, I’ll take you out to play, and we’ll eat all the best food, sound good?”

 

“I’ll buy you whatever you want, okay?”

 

“Let Lu Chengxuan buy you a whole street, and put your name on all the property deeds.”

 

The words were sweet, the tone was gentle.

 

But somehow, the more Lin Shen tried to comfort him, the worse it got.

 

The harder he worked to make Lin Wangye feel better, the more wronged Lin Wangye felt—and the more he cried. He was sobbing so hard, it looked like he couldn’t even catch his breath.

 

By the time it got to that point, Lin Shen honestly wanted to dig up those guys’ ashes from jail and scatter them himself.

 

Thankfully, a few minutes later, the door to the hospital room opened with a soft click, and Lu Chengxuan came back.

 

Lin Shen, just about ready to explode, immediately saw a target for all his pent-up frustration—but before he could even move, Lu Chengxuan calmly shoved him back down into his seat.

 

A moment passed.

 

And miraculously… Lin Wangye finally started to calm down.

 

Lu Chengxuan didn’t say a word. God knows where he got them, but he pulled out a few black plastic hair ties—the kind used to tie up little ponytails—and, with surprising focus, began twisting them into Lin Shen’s hair, ending up with two tiny lopsided pigtails on top of his head.

 

Lin Shen knew he looked ridiculous.

 

But he didn’t move. Didn’t say a word. Just sat there, stiff as a board, and forced himself to hold still.

 

Because—somehow, someway—Lin Wangye really had stopped crying.

 

He lay on the bed, turned his head a little, and blinked up at Lin Shen with swollen red eyes. Every now and then he sniffled or let out a tiny sob, but his eyes were stuck on Lin Shen like he was watching something out of a cartoon—either an amazing performance or a strange alien from outer space.

 

Still staring at Lin Shen’s head, Lin Wangye asked:

 

“Brother Lu… do you know how to braid?”

 

Lin Shen peeked at his own reflection in the phone screen—those messy, uneven little puffs of hair sticking up like sad fireworks—and his face instantly went darker than the phone’s lock screen.

 

“You’re out of your damn mind, Lu Chengxuan!”

 

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