OFBL Chapter 40

Since transmigrating into this book, Zhang Yuze has never seen Xu Li so angry. His boyfriend was usually carefree, taking life in stride. But now, his face was twisted with fury, his chest rising and falling rapidly, while his hands trembled as he held the phone.

 

” Just say it!” Xu Li’s voice was chilling. “Did you transfer all of my money to that useless man?! Say it quickly!”

 

On the other side of the phone, Mother Xu was so aggrieved that she didn’t dare to breathe. In the end, she was forced to admit it while crying: “Your father had a heart attack… He’s in the ICU. If we can’t pay for the surgery, he… He won’t make it!”

 

Xu Li’s knuckles went white as he clenched the phone. “What the hell does that have to do with me?!” He roared, voice cracking. “He abandoned you for some rich woman ten years ago! Why are you still acting like you owe him your life?!”

 

His mother’s sobs echoed through the phone, fragile and pleading: “I know… I know… But how could I just watch him die?”

 

Her crying was heard even by Zhang Yuze, sounding particularly pitiful. However, unfortunately for her, Zhang Yuze did not have much pity. In contrast, Xu Li, who was right in front of him, was panting and quickly going pale, a sight way more distressing than everything else.

 

Xu Li was upset by his mother’s crying. In fact, he also felt like crying, but he really couldn’t. He also wanted to get angry, but it felt like punching cotton. All of his nerves and patience were stretched to the max, feeling like he was tortured to collapse.

 

In the end, he hung up the phone and gave up communicating with her. He hated it so much that he impulsively thought about pulling his father’s teeth or something… Anyway, sad and angry enough that he longed to beat him to death. His breath hitched and his body trembled, not crying just yet, though it seemed like he was close to breaking. His fingers twitched as if he were ready to smash the phone against the wall.

 

But he didn’t.

 

Instead, he let out a bitter, guttural curse, threw his phone away, and sank onto the sofa like a man defeated. His head fell into his hands, fingers digging into his scalp as though trying to rip away his own helplessness.

 

From across the room, Zhang Yuze watched the scene unfold, his chest tightening at the sight of Xu Li’s collapsed figure. Normally, he wasn’t one to meddle in personal matters. But seeing Xu Li… His always confident and always strong boyfriend crumple like that stirred something protective in him.

 

And so, he set down the water glass he’d been holding and walked over.

 

Xu Li didn’t even lift his head when Zhang Yuze crouched down in front of him. He just sat there, his shoulders weighed down by an invisible burden he couldn’t shake off.

 

“Hey.” Zhang Yuze gently tapped his knee.

 

Xu Li exhaled shakily. “Don’t worry about me… I’m used to this.” His voice was hoarse, strained, yet still carrying a hint of forced indifference. “She’s always been like this… It’s nothing new.” Even at that point, Xu Li still didn’t want his private affairs to affect Zhang Yuze, so he forced a twisted smile and continued: “Anyway… I still owe you for dinner, right? I’ll pay you back. No interest.”

 

However, Dr. Zhang resisted the urge to roll his eyes and said in the softest tone he could muster: “Stop trying to act tough, you idiot.”

 

Xu Li’s smile faded, his expression hollow, as if the light in his eyes had gone out, replaced by grey ashes.

 

Zhang Yuze sighed deeply. He wasn’t good at comforting people and he never had been… But he just couldn’t stand by and do nothing. In the end, he chose to spread open his arms and lean toward Xu Li, whispering in his ear: “I… Really don’t know how to comfort people.” He then rubbed the back of his boyfriend’s neck awkwardly, before continuing: “But I remember when I got dumped before, my grandma told me that hugs help. Something about regulating hormone levels, giving positive reinforcement… Whatever.”

 

Xu Li blinked, startled by the awkward confession.

 

“Maybe it’ll work for you too.” Zhang Yuze mumbled, opening his arms a bit more.

 

For a moment, Xu Li just stared at him, his vision blurred by unshed tears. The warmth in Zhang Yuze’s usually sharp eyes and the soft light from the lamp made the world seem less cold. Less suffocating.

 

And so, the strong facade he’d built shattered. His chest tightened as he folded into Zhang Yuze’s arms, burying his face against his shoulder, just like a migratory bird that finally found its way back to the safety of its nest. For a moment, and only a brief one, all of his complicated and confused emotions were well soothed. “Zhang Yuze…”His voice cracked.

 

“I’m here,” his boyfriend whispered, patting his back gently.

 

“Sometimes… I just…” Xu Li’s voice broke completely. “I hate it. I hate everything…” Xu Li’s voice became quieter and quieter until, finally, it became a sob. He clutched the clothes on Zhang Yuze’s chest and almost squeezed out words from between his teeth: “I hate love brains.”

 

Dr. Zhang didn’t ask what he meant by that. He didn’t need to. He just nodded slowly and muttered: “Yeah… Love brains are stupid… Only fools believe in love.”

 

He held Xu Li closer, letting him vent and letting him feel… Letting him be vulnerable without judgment. In terms of comforting people, Dr. Zhang wasn’t lying when he claimed to have no experience. If he really insisted on saying something fancy, he was afraid that a stupid phrase like: “Don’t be sad,” might come out of his mouth.

 

At that moment, he could only hope that his existence as Xu Li’s “family” could be the most reliable. After all, he truly wanted Xu Li to feel that there was someone next to him he could rely on. He was no longer alone and there was no need to face this all by himself. He now had a person who would tolerate all of his vulnerabilities, a person who was willing to complain alongside him about all of life’s fucked ups.

 

Time stretched, the room falling into a peaceful silence broken only by Xu Li’s uneven breathing. Finally, Xu Li pulled back, his eyes swollen and red, but shining with something lighter. Something calmer.

 

“Thank you, Zhang Yuze.”

 

Zhang Yuze glanced down at his tear-stained shirt and sighed. “Great. Now you also owe me dry cleaning.”

 

Xu Li snorted, wiping his face with the back of his hand. “You’re such a jerk.”

 

But he smiled- a real, genuine smile. He took a deep breath and stretched his shoulders, regaining some of his usual confidence.

 

Compared to the past, when he fought alone, he now had one Zhang Yuze standing behind him.

 

…………

 

Later, Xu Li went to wash his face in the bathroom. Zhang Yuze followed, shaking his head at the mess of water Xu Li was making.

 

“God, you’re hopeless,” he muttered, handing him a clean towel and thinking that his OCD was really on its way to being cured by Xu Li.

 

Xu Li took the towel, his eyes crinkling with gratitude. The water clung to his eyelashes, and his damp bangs stuck messily to his forehead, making him look like a drenched, scruffy dog.

 

And Zhang Yuze… Zhang Yuze couldn’t help but think how utterly ridiculous—and endearing—he looked.

 

Xu Li stared at him thoughtfully, voice soft but steady: “Zhang Yuze.”

 

“What now?” Dr. Zhang asked warily.

 

“I still think this whole ‘getting stuck in a novel’ thing is insane.” Xu Li’s eyes curved into warm crescents. “But… Thanks for showing up in my life.”

 

Zhang Yuze averted his gaze, clearing his throat. “Is it too late to change my mind now?”

 

“Nope.” Xu Li grinned cheekily. “You’re stuck with me forever.”

 

Zhang Yuze sighed dramatically, but his lips twitched upward. “Guess I deserve it… Whatever, I’m willing.”

 

…………

 

The next day, Xu Li requested a day off, determined to deal with a personal matter he could no longer ignore. As he slipped on his jacket, ready to leave, Zhang Yuze watched him with concern.

 

“Where are you going? Do you have enough money? Borrow from me if you need it,” Zhang Yuze offered, his tone steady but touched with worry.

 

Xu Li smiled faintly. “I appreciate it, but I can’t let that man take your money as well. I know where he lives now—I’ll be back.”

 

Still uneasy, Zhang Yuze pressed on. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

 

Xu Li shook his head firmly. “It’s okay. You’ve got a surgery this afternoon. I’ll handle it.”

 

“Be careful,” Zhang Yuze warned, his voice softer now. “And keep your phone on.” Although he knew that Xu Li was a person who knew when to progress and when to retreat, he still felt the need to say that sentence since Xu Li was particularly anxious and jittery that day.

 

With that, they parted ways—Xu Li heading into the cold streets of Yanjing while Zhang Yuze left for the hospital.

 

In fact, Xu Li didn’t know exactly where his father lived since they hadn’t spoken in years. But people like Xu Hai never changed. His father’s two lifelong addictions—gambling and chasing women—left obvious trails. After a few calls to old acquaintances, he found out which mahjong hall Xu Hai frequented.

 

And so, he rode directly to the old community filled with crumbling buildings draped in grime and neglect. The streets even reeked of stale cigarettes and rotting garbage, making Xu Li wrinkle his nose in disgust, kicking aside a soggy cardboard box. “Fitting,” he muttered coldly.

 

After questioning a few locals, he pinpointed the right mahjong hall. The rusty metal door groaned as he approached, ready to barge in—when suddenly, the door burst open from the inside.

 

“Get out of here!” A rough voice barked, shoving a disheveled old man out. “If you’ve got no money, don’t waste our time!”

 

The old man stumbled, clutching a grimy canvas bag. “I still have something! Let me check—” He frantically patted his worn-out coat pockets, looking for any remaining cash.

 

“Save it, Xu Hai! You’ve been here three days straight. Lost everything! Get lost before we throw you out ourselves!”

 

The door slammed shut with a harsh metallic clang.

 

Xu Hai stood on unsteady feet, his threadbare cotton jacket barely holding out the icy wind. His once-sturdy frame had withered to something hollow and frail. White hair poked out from beneath a stained cap, giving him the appearance of a forgotten, dusty relic. He rooted around his pockets for a crumpled ten-yuan bill—just enough for a stale breakfast bun.

 

As he stumbled toward the street, a cold but familiar voice sliced through the frigid air: “Stop right there.”

 

Xu Hai froze. For a fleeting second, he was back in that memory from years ago… Him getting caught sneaking out of a rich woman’s apartment by a furious teenager. There was the same cold steel in the boy’s voice, sharp and merciless. At that time, Xu Li was just like now, carrying his schoolbag with his hands in his pockets and calling after him in a cold tone.

 

But ten years later, his son was much more stable than before, and way less prone to talking nonsense.

 

Xu Hai turned around slowly. Standing right in front of him was Xu Li—taller, broader, and far more intimidating than the boy he once dismissed as weak… Clearly, no longer the young child he once smacked with a chair. However, there were still some similarities. For example, his hands were yet again stuffed in his coat pockets and his eyes still blazed with barely contained fury.

 

“Fifty thousand yuan,” Xu Li said, his tone icy. “Pay it back. Now.”

 

Xu Hai snorted, his lips curling into a sneer. Despite his miserable state, he still carried that infuriating arrogance. “I’ve got nothing,” he said, spreading his empty hands mockingly. “I lost it all gambling. It’s gone.”

 

Xu Li stepped closer, his expression unflinching. “You stole my money. You think you can walk away after that?”

 

Xu Hai licked his cracked lips, still trying to assert control. “What are you gonna do, huh? Hit your old man? Go ahead.” He said while smiling faintly, pushing his white and bloated face in front of Xu Li.