LCFM Chapter 36

Jiang Xinghuai ate one piece of the vegetables. Just one. Then refused to eat any more. He just stared wide-eyed at Fu Yan.

“Really not eating?” Fu Yan asked seriously.

“Not eating.” Jiang Xinghuai shook his head stubbornly.

The two locked eyes for a few seconds. In the end, Fu Yan gave in, stood up, and started walking ahead. When he realized no one was following, he turned back and said, “Come on. I’ll heat some canned beef for you when we get back.”

Jiang Xinghuai let out a little laugh, took a few quick steps, and suddenly leapt onto Fu Yan’s back.

Fu Yan bent slightly, hurriedly catching him. Just as a pair of arms looped around his neck, a clear, youthful voice whispered in his ear: “You’re so nice!”

“What?” Fu Yan tilted his head to ask.

“I really like you,” Jiang Xinghuai said, his voice softer this time.

“What—”

“Don’t pretend, old scoundrel.” Jiang Xinghuai tightened his arms around his neck. “Giddy up!”

Fu Yan didn’t get angry at being treated like a horse. He carried the boy on his back and walked toward home, but still asked, “What do you like about me?”

Jiang Xinghuai answered without even thinking: “I like that you’re old and cute.”

“……”

“I’ll only keep getting older,” Fu Yan said quietly, half joking, half serious.

“Then I’ll just keep liking you more,” Jiang Xinghuai replied, soft but unwavering.

“You’re the one who’s cute,” Fu Yan said softly.

Jiang Xinghuai laughed too, turning his head slightly. Through the gaps of swaying summer shadows and damp wind, he caught a glimpse of Fu Yan’s smiling side profile.

Fu Yan didn’t look old at all. And even if he ever did grow old, he’d be a handsome old man. He’d probably still like wearing suits, still stand tall and straight, still look at him with that same serious yet gentle gaze.

“You smell nice,” Jiang Xinghuai murmured, burying his face against the back of Fu Yan’s neck.

“Little puppy,” Fu Yan scolded with a laugh.

Jiang Xinghuai blinked, then looked back at the path they’d come from. There were still people gathered in front of the cafeteria. Jiang Liangyuan stood among them, maybe looking their way, maybe not.

He took a deep breath and quietly wiped away a small tear, smearing it onto Fu Yan’s suit collar.

When he was little, Jiang Liangyuan had carried him like this too, with the same broad back, the same strong hands.

But time swept by like the wind. Now, the person carrying him was someone else.

Jiang Xinghuai tightened his arms and closed his eyes.

Fu Yan could tell that Jiang Xinghuai wasn’t in a good mood, even though he still acted the same. Jiang Xinghuai was lively and cheerful on the surface.

But the two faint, damp spots on the back of his suit collar pricked painfully at Fu Yan’s heart.

That evening, Fu Yan didn’t take Jiang Xinghuai to the cafeteria, afraid they might run into someone. Fortunately, Zheng Yi noticed they hadn’t gone and brought back plenty of food for them.

After taking a shower, Jiang Xinghuai came out with his wet bangs dripping, saw the snacks laid out on the desk, and asked in puzzlement, “Who brought these?”

“Zheng Yi,” Fu Yan said, opening a package and handing him a small piece of jerky.

“Aunt Zheng came by for what?” Jiang Xinghuai took the jerky, popped it into his mouth, and said vaguely, “Trying to steal you from me?”

“Aunt Zheng said you should act a bit more mature,” Fu Yan replied, setting a cup of water by his hand.

“Who’s not mature? I’m the most mature one here.” Jiang Xinghuai snorted proudly.

“You said it yourself,” Fu Yan said with a small smile.

“I did.” Jiang Xinghuai nodded, then straightened up with confidence. “Tomorrow I’ll be a working man. How’s that for mature?”

“When you’re over at Captain Kang Cheng’s, you have to be careful,” Fu Yan reminded him. But when Jiang Xinghuai only nodded carelessly, his worry grew instead of easing.

Kang Cheng was an active-duty soldier, a former special forces officer with a fairly high rank. He was bound to be strict, extremely so. Though the self-defense unit wasn’t as dangerous as the search and rescue team that worked outside the base, safety inside the compound was still a top priority. The monotonous drills and high-intensity patrol duties worried Fu Yan. He was afraid Jiang Xinghuai wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“I’m sleepy! I’ve gotta get up early tomorrow.” Jiang Xinghuai rolled over and climbed into bed.

“Don’t just cover your head. It gets chilly at night,” Fu Yan said as he turned off the light. “Good night.”

“Good night.” Jiang Xinghuai echoed the words. But after a while, curiosity got the better of him. “Wait. Zheng Yi came all the way over just to bring food? Did you two talk about something else? Was he—”

“…Jiang Xinghuai.” Fu Yan took a deep breath. “Be mature.”

Jiang Xinghuai pouted, muttered a few quiet complaints, but in the end didn’t press further. He wrapped himself tightly in the blanket like a mummy, sulking until he fell asleep stiff and straight.

Jiang Xinghuai didn’t know how long he’d been asleep when he woke with a heavy, suffocating feeling pressing on his chest.

Jiang Xinghuai turned his head and coughed lightly, then sat up. When his hand pressed down on the pillow, his fingers brushed against something damp.

What was that?

Everything was pitch-black. It had to be the middle of the night. He turned to look at the glowing clock on the wall, trying to make out the time, when the metallic scent of blood finally reached his nose.

Realizing what it was, Jiang Xinghuai quickly touched under his nose. Warm blood was still flowing down.

Another nosebleed? Was it because the weather had been so hot lately? Too much internal heat?

Thinking that, he didn’t want to wake Fu Yan in the middle of the night, so he pressed one hand over his nose, used the other to grab the bed rail, and carefully climbed down. Quietly, he felt around for his slippers.

“What are you getting out of bed for?” Fu Yan’s voice suddenly sounded in the dark.

Jiang Xinghuai flinched in fright. When he didn’t answer right away, Fu Yan started to sit up, so Jiang Xinghuai hurriedly made up an excuse: “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Don’t trip,” Fu Yan said.

Still holding his nose, Jiang Xinghuai walked toward the bathroom. The light came on. When he looked into the mirror, he froze in shock.

Half of his face in the reflection was covered in blood. It had run all the way down his neck, staining the collar of his T-shirt dark red.

It took him a while to snap out of it. He quickly stripped off the shirt, stuffed it into the cabinet under the sink, and bent down to turn on the cold water, rinsing his nose.

He rinsed for a long time before the bleeding finally stopped. When he straightened up at last, even standing made his head spin.

Dizzy and unsteady, he stumbled out of the bathroom. Too tired to climb back up to the top bunk, he kicked off his slippers, bent down, and slipped right into Fu Yan’s arms.

Fu Yan instinctively caught him, patting his back gently. His voice was slightly nasal as he murmured, “Sleeping without clothes again.”

Clothes.

In his dazed, half-conscious state, Jiang Xinghuai’s last coherent thought before passing out was that he’d better remember to take his shirt out tomorrow and wash it.

When he woke again, the sky was just starting to lighten. Fu Yan came out of the bathroom and looked surprised to see him sitting up in bed. “You’re awake? It’s only six.”

Jiang Xinghuai was just as confused. He glanced at the time. Yeah, why was he up so early?

But soon, his attention shifted entirely to Fu Yan.

Fu Yan had just finished showering. Probably not expecting Jiang Xinghuai to wake up so soon, he hadn’t put on a shirt yet.

As Jiang Xinghuai’s face grew hotter and hotter, he yanked the blanket over his head and covered himself completely.

“What’s wrong?” Fu Yan reached over to pull the blanket away.

“N-nothing, I just… want to sleep a little longer,” Jiang Xinghuai stammered, sneaking a nervous glance down at his pants. That only made him clutch the blanket tighter, refusing to let go.

He really was overheated these days.

Never mind that. It was still manageable. But if he got a nosebleed right now, that would be way too embarrassing.

By the time he dared lift the blanket again, Fu Yan was already dressed, tying his necktie. Hearing the rustle, Fu Yan turned and looked at him.

Jiang Xinghuai gritted his teeth and yanked the blanket back over himself.

Something was definitely off, Fu Yan thought.

“Take it off,” Fu Yan said.

Jiang Xinghuai: “……No.”

Fu Yan said again, “Open it.”

Jiang Xinghuai had no choice but to lift the blanket.

Fu Yan paused for a moment, then said, “…Cover yourself back up.”

Jiang Xinghuai rolled his eyes and sat up, hugging his knees.

Fu Yan, both helpless and amused, reached out to ruffle his hair. “It’s normal for that to happen in the morning. Don’t be shy.”

“Oh…” Jiang Xinghuai rested his chin on his knees, his eyes drooping slightly. The tips of his ears quietly flushed red.

“You don’t look so good,” Fu Yan said suddenly, frowning as he reached out to touch Jiang Xinghuai’s forehead.

“No, I feel fine,” Jiang Xinghuai said quickly, scratching at his messy hair and looking everywhere but at him. “Just… a little hungry—”

Knock, knock, knock. Someone rapped on the door.

Fu Yan turned his head, surprised. Who would be knocking this early in the morning?

“Who is it?” Jiang Xinghuai asked curiously.

Fu Yan slipped on his jacket and went to open the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Fu,” came a man’s deep, steady voice.

“Captain Kang?” Fu Yan was taken aback.

Standing outside was Kang Cheng, fully dressed in uniform and wearing his military cap, his smile bright and open.

“Kang Cheng!” Jiang Xinghuai called out, jumping to his feet.

Kang Cheng said, “Call me brother.”

Jiang Xinghuai replied, “Uncle.”

“……”

Kang Cheng compromised. “Fine, just call me Kang Cheng.”

“Kang Cheng, why are you here?” Jiang Xinghuai asked in surprise.

“I’m here to pick you up,” Kang Cheng said in a lower voice, glancing toward Fu Yan, who had quietly stepped aside once they started talking. “I figured you’d be able to handle your guardian.”

“Of course.” Jiang Xinghuai raised his brows proudly.

“I’ll wait for you downstairs,” Kang Cheng said, lowering his head to check his watch. “You’ve got five minutes. Come down and report to me. If you’re late, I’m leaving.”

With that, Kang Cheng jogged off, turning the corner.

Jiang Xinghuai stood by the door in a daze for a moment before snapping back to his senses. In a flash, he darted into the bathroom.

While hurriedly squeezing toothpaste, he bent over to pull off his pajamas and pants, shouting, “Fu Yan! Help me get my clothes ready!”

“They’re on the bed,” Fu Yan said calmly. He came over, took the toothbrush from Jiang Xinghuai’s hand, squeezed the toothpaste for him, and handed it back. “Slow down. Don’t rush.”

Once Jiang Xinghuai started brushing his teeth, Fu Yan picked up the clothes Jiang had just taken off, along with his own from earlier that morning, intending to wash them together. But as he sorted them, he noticed something missing.

Fu Yan turned his head slightly and asked, “Where’s your pajama top?”

Jiang Xinghuai’s brushing motion froze. He didn’t dare look back. Where was his pajama top?

Oh, right. His pajama top was currently sitting under the sink cabinet, soaked in blood!

If he took it out now, how the hell was he supposed to explain that? The blood looked like a crime scene. Fu Yan might drag him straight to the lab for testing the next second…

Startled by the thought, Jiang Xinghuai gasped sharply. The dense foam in his mouth slid down his throat, choking him. He doubled over, coughing violently.

“Didn’t I tell you not to rush?” Fu Yan frowned, poured a little water, held it to his mouth, and patted him on the back.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Jiang Xinghuai finally caught his breath, eyes darting guiltily. “My pajama top… I… I forgot where I took it off.”

Fu Yan nodded slightly, then suddenly bent down to open the cabinet under the sink.

“—Wait!” Jiang Xinghuai grabbed his hand, his expression tense.

“What is it?” Fu Yan looked at him.

“What are you doing?!” Jiang Xinghuai practically yelled.

“…Getting the soap,” Fu Yan replied evenly.

Jiang Xinghuai: “…………”

“Do you have to wash clothes right now?!” Jiang Xinghuai blurted out, rambling in panic. “Just go out first! I need to use the bathroom!”

“You’re brushing your teeth,” Fu Yan pointed out.

“Who says people can’t brush their teeth and go to the bathroom at the same time?” Jiang Xinghuai said as he shoved him out of the bathroom.

Once the door shut, Jiang Xinghuai let out a long, shaky breath. Then he turned around, opened the cabinet, and pulled out the pajama top. He scanned the small bathroom from corner to corner.

This time, he stuffed it into the small compartment hidden behind the mirror!

There was no soap in there. Nothing at all!

He’d just wash the pajama top himself later. Handle his own mess, like an adult!

By the time he finished his “bathroom mission”, three minutes had already passed. Now Jiang Xinghuai was really in a hurry, running around the room in nothing but his underwear. He finally managed to throw on his clothes just in time.

“What did he say to you that got you this worked up?” Fu Yan asked, leaning down to zip up his jacket.

“He said—” Jiang Xinghuai glanced down and froze. He was still wearing slippers. Panic hit. “My socks! My socks are gone! Uncle, where are my socks?!”

“Wait—” Fu Yan turned to the wardrobe and found a pair.

Only one minute left.

Jiang Xinghuai sat on the bed to pull on one sock while Fu Yan knelt and helped him with the other.

“I’ll go with you to check in,” Fu Yan said.

“No need. Kang Cheng’s already here to pick me up,” Jiang Xinghuai replied, hopping up to his feet and slicking back his hair in the mirror, clearly proud of himself.

“I’ll come get you for lunch, then,” Fu Yan added.

“No need. I’ll eat with Kang Cheng,” Jiang Xinghuai said quickly.

Fu Yan suddenly felt that something about this didn’t sit right.

“Kang Cheng’s still waiting for me downstairs! I gotta go!” Jiang Xinghuai said, throwing open the door and dashing out.

“Wait, you—” Fu Yan still wanted to say something.

“Uncle, be a little more mature,” Jiang Xinghuai said.

“…………………….”

 

Author’s note:

Fu Yan: ╰_╯

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Moonlit: Uncle is mad, Xing Xing HAHAHAHHAHHAHA

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