NANSO Chapter 30

Bonus chapter 5/5

Shen Ci remained a little bewildered until the Santana pulled up outside the hospital.

Xie Yu walked ahead, then turned back to see Shen Ci slowly following, as if in a daze. He helplessly extended his hand. “Assistant Shen, what are you thinking?”

This nickname was one Xie Yu had often used five years ago. Shen Ci initially found it mocking, even humiliating, but gradually he got used to it. Whenever Xie Yu uttered it in an affectionate tone, with a radiant smile, Shen Ci felt his ears burn.

To this day, it had been a full five years since anyone had called him that.

The hand extended to him was long and beautiful, radiating warmth. Shen Ci lowered his gaze slightly and placed his hand in his.

They held each other’s hands.

The two walked into the hospital, passed through a long corridor, and stood before the glass window of the ward. The ward had a sterile setup, allowing only one person in and out at a time with a time limit. Xie Yu nudged Shen Ci, smiling, “You go in.”

Shen Ci’s emotions were complex; he didn’t understand Xie Yu’s intentions. He put on the isolation gown and walked into the ward, watching Xie Yu mouth through the glass, “Remember to introduce me.”

Shen Ci’s ears began to redden again.

…How should he introduce him?

The ward was soundproof, so Xie Yu couldn’t hear him speak. Shen Ci could introduce him however he liked. He could even say Xie Yu was his boyfriend, his lover, or even his husband.

Grandma Shen’s condition was stable now; she was just old, had low energy, and had poor memory. Most of the time, she was asleep. When she felt someone holding her hand, she woke up and smiled at Shen Ci. “Free today?”

Shen Ci knelt beside her, holding her hand. “Yes, I’m not working today.”

They usually had a lot to talk about, but this time Shen Ci remained silent. He was considering how to introduce Xie Yu, but Grandma Shen seemed to have a sudden insight and looked outside, seeing the person through the window.

Even through the glass, it was evident that Xie Yu was tall and handsome, like a celebrity or model on TV. Grandma Shen paused, then fumbled for her reading glasses.

She put the glasses on. Xie Yu smiled and waved hello. The old woman squeezed Shen Ci’s hand and suddenly said, “Who is that child at the door? I’ve seen him before.”

Shen Ci froze, unable to hide the surprise in his voice. “You’ve seen him?”

Since Xie Yu returned to China, he had mostly stayed indoors, avoiding his usual social circles and never visiting the hospital. How could Grandma Shen have seen him?

The old woman closed her eyes and pondered for a moment. “Many years ago, three or five years.”

Xie Yu was exceptionally striking in appearance. If he had a more common face, no one would remember him for so long.

Shen Ci paused again, unable to resist turning his head to look at Xie Yu.

Five years ago, that was when he and Xie Yu had just met. Xie Yu was still the undisputed rich young master of Jiangcheng, while he was a poor, unknown student at A University. The VIP ward was in a corner of the hospital, separated from other sections by a long corridor. Unless one made a deliberate detour, they wouldn’t reach here.

But why would Xie Yu make a deliberate detour? To see an old woman he didn’t even know?

Xie Yu was completely unaware that he had been recognized, still smiling and mouthing through the glass, “Did you introduce me?”

Shen Ci turned around abruptly, his eyes slightly warm.

Grandma Shen patted him and asked again, “Who is that child at the door?”

Shen Ci masked his somewhat flustered expression, held his grandmother’s hand, and after a brief deliberation, said, “He’s… someone I like. His name is Xie Yu.”

The two words “Xie Yu” lingered on his tongue, carrying a hint of lingering affection.

Grandma Shen was not a conservative person. She pondered for a moment and understood most of it—the unexpected opportunity for treatment that appeared out of nowhere, Shen Ci’s initial anxiety which gradually turned into stability, his smile that appeared more often… and this person standing outside the glass window five years ago and today.

She patted Shen Ci, her posture relaxed, as if a weight had been lifted from her mind. “Grandma trusts your judgment in people.”

Shen Ci bowed his head, peeling an apple, only humming in response, not affirming.

She trusted his judgment, yet after all this time, he still couldn’t fully read Xie Yu. He was like a blind man feeling an elephant, exploring little by little; the more he understood, the more he liked him. Rumored to be arrogant and violent, yet his personality was gentle and prone to laughter. Having suffered greatly in his childhood, he never inflicted violence upon others later. A young master raised amidst luxury, yet after months of returning to China, he seemed utterly indifferent to fame, wealth, and money. Xie Yu possessed an otherworldly detachment, as if he were merely a passerby in this world, destined to leave when his time came.

Fifteen minutes flew by. The alert sounded. Shen Ci placed the peeled apple on the bedside table and instructed the elder to rest well. The elder looked up at Xie Yu outside the door, then at her grandson before her, and extended her wrinkled, mottled hand to gently pat his hand.

Everything was understood without words.

As they talked in the ward, Xie Yu stood idly outside the door. Seeing Shen Ci push the door open, he smiled and said, “How did you introduce me…?”

Mid-sentence, he noticed Shen Ci’s eyes were slightly red, and he stopped, pointing to his eyes. “Are you always like this when you come to the hospital?”

Matters of birth, old age, sickness, and death are beyond human control. Although the elder’s condition was stable, she was still confined to the ward, leading to more separation. And though Xie Yu had never nursed a close relative, he knew it wasn’t easy, so he reached out to take his hand, comforting him, “It’s alright, they’re using the best medicine. Just come often if you feel bad.”

He took Shen Ci’s hand and led him out. The person being led, however, struggled slightly, as if trying to break free. Xie Yu paused, good-naturedly asking, “Do you want to be alone for a bit?”

Sometimes, when one is sad, they don’t want anyone to see them and just want to be by themselves.

Thinking this, Xie Yu let go. But the next second, his wrist was seized. Shen Ci’s fingers intertwined with his, lacing their fingers together, and then suddenly, he embraced him completely.

Both were wearing long trench coats and down jackets, making the hug feel soft and comfortable.

Xie Yu embraced him, rubbing the top of his head, feeling quite surprised. He thought, “Hmm, he even dares to hug me on his own now? That’s progress.”

Perhaps due to his upbringing, Shen Ci had a somewhat awkward personality. On one hand, he had achieved success in academics and was quite self-respecting, but on the other hand, he was overly cautious when it came to relationships. Xie Yu estimated that the unannounced departure five years ago had left him with considerable psychological scars. He was afraid of showing all his cards, afraid his escape routes would be cut off, and afraid he would have nowhere to hide.

Xie Yu found this slight awkwardness rather endearing to tease, so he didn’t expose it, somewhat enjoying the show from the sidelines with a touch of mischief, wanting to see what Shen Ci was truly struggling with. Now, caught off guard by the hug, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, alright, this is a hospital corridor.”

There were still doctors and nurses walking by.

Only then did Shen Ci let go.

—

They drove home, passing by a wet market along the way. They got out and walked hand-in-hand to buy groceries. Xie Yu was excellent at picking out meat. Shen Ci, who had poor living conditions as a child, ate a lot of vegetables and could discern quality at a glance. They walked around the market, carrying three or four plastic bags.

Neither Xie Yu nor Shen Ci was very good at bargaining. They would follow behind, passing uncles and aunties, and once they had bargained, they would chime in, “We’ll take some too.”

One was the former young master of the Xie family, whose stocks were still valuable even now that he was down and out. The other was a rising elite in Jiangcheng, to whom Xie Yuanhai would show some deference. Yet, saving a yuan or two here and there, carrying plastic bags worth a few cents, they actually found some enjoyment in shopping.

They returned home and sorted the groceries into the refrigerator. Xie Yu looked at the freshly bought beef and remembered his freeloading classmates. He then said, “My classmates from abroad are back. There might be a party in a couple of days. Are you coming?”

Shen Ci, who was organizing the refrigerator, paused, then continued organizing. “Yes.”

People often say the first step in a relationship is to enter each other’s social circles. Today, Xie Yu went to the hospital with him; tomorrow, he would meet Xie Yu’s classmates. It really felt like ordinary people in a relationship.

The days at Xingfu Community flowed by like water. Xie Yu initially thought Shen Ci wouldn’t get used to living here, but to his surprise, Shen Ci was even more at ease than he was. They went shopping and bought groceries every day. While Shen Ci went to work, Xie Yu would go for a stroll, and at night they would sleep embracing each other. Xie Yu gained a large human pillow, and Shen Ci’s dark circles gradually faded. Despite still being in a contractual relationship, they genuinely lived like an old married couple.

One morning, Xie Yu was woken by a rapid ringing.

He checked the time, feeling a slight headache, but answered anyway. “Hello?”

A barrage of words came through: “Yu-ge, we’ve arrived in Jiangcheng! We’ve already put our luggage in the hotel you booked. When are we having the party?”

Xie Yu rubbed his forehead. “Brother, it’s only seven in the morning.”

At least wait until noon for freeloading, right?

Despite this, facing his long-unseen friends, Xie Yu dutifully got out of bed.

About ten people came, some bringing their boyfriends or girlfriends. The apartments in Xingfu Community were small, and the small tables weren’t enough, so they temporarily rented a party venue outside. By the time Xie Yu and Shen Ci drove there, a group of people were already eagerly waiting at the entrance, longing for them to arrive.

They looked like a group of hamsters waiting to be fed.

Xie Yu: “.”

He felt a slight headache and pushed through the crowd. “Excuse me, I’m opening the door.”

Xie Yu went in first, and the remaining gazes all fell on Shen Ci.

Both of them were good-looking, though their styles differed slightly: Xie Yu was unrestrained and free-spirited, while Shen Ci was noble and refined. Many people curiously scrutinized him. “What’s your relationship with Yu-ge?”

Shen Ci paused slightly, wanting to say “couple,” but felt a little embarrassed under everyone’s gaze. Xie Yu then turned back, took his wrist, and pulled him inside, saying, “He’s my family. Don’t bully him.”

Family?

That word was even more intimate than “couple.”

Shen Ci blinked, and the next second he staggered and was dragged directly into the house. Xie Yu pulled him so smoothly, as if he had anticipated this moment.

The group first fell silent, then erupted in a huge “Oh~!”

They had all come from different parts of the country and rarely gathered. Although several had brought boyfriends or girlfriends, most of them were somewhat aware of each other’s situations, but Xie Yu’s relationship had been kept completely under wraps.

Someone then joked, “Xie-ge, I always said you were so pure and abstinent while studying. With so many people liking you, you didn’t fancy anyone. So it wasn’t purity; it was you preserving your chastity, huh?”

Xie Yu sighed. “Can you eat more and talk less?”

Several bottles of wine were opened at the table, and as everyone drank, the atmosphere grew lively. All sorts of phrases flew around, like “keeping a mistress” and “an old monk in meditation.” Someone even tried to get Shen Ci drunk, patting their chest and boasting, “If you’re Xie-ge‘s person, you have to acknowledge us as your brothers!”

Xie Yu’s face darkened. He directly intercepted the wine glass and said exasperatedly, “Get lost! I haven’t even let him drink much.”

Shen Ci’s finger twitched.

He remembered that extravagant night on the pleasure boat five years ago. Xie Yu had also intercepted his wine then, not letting anyone force him to drink, and replaced it with milk. “Xie Yu,” Shen Ci tugged at his sleeve, “I can drink.”

Xie Yu glanced at him, half-believing, half-doubting. “You can drink?”

The Shen Ci in the novel didn’t have much of a tolerance for alcohol. The original owner especially liked to get him drunk, enjoying himself after Shen Ci threw up.

Shen Ci insisted, “I can drink.”

Everyone else was drinking, so it wouldn’t be good for him to abstain completely.

Xie Yu raised an eyebrow, took a small cup, poured two sips, and pushed it over. He said with a somewhat helpless, indulgent tone. “Alright, you can try it.”

Everyone started hooting, “Oh~!”

They were all classmates and hadn’t seen each other in a long time, so their chatter was endless, ranging from interesting stories about studying abroad to plans for returning home. In the middle of it, they mentioned that Xie Yu had pursued a double major, and despite some particularly difficult courses, he had somehow managed to get A+ in all of them, ending up as the first among them to graduate.

Shen Ci was very surprised. He turned his head to look at Xie Yu; his eyes, perhaps a bit clouded by alcohol, held a mix of admiration and awe.

To impress Xie Yu’s “family member,” this group of friends dared to say anything, no matter how exaggerated. They spoke of him being top of his class, a favorite student of professors, a “god of exams,” and a “study genius,” until Xie Yu started getting a headache.

He felt a bit embarrassed showing off in front of academic god Shen and could only sigh, “Eat your vegetables, eat your vegetables.”

By the end of the gathering, everyone was in high spirits. Although Shen Ci had a few sips of wine, it wasn’t much; they primarily focused on getting Xie Yu drunk. The group egged each other on, and the atmosphere was lively. Xie Yu sighed repeatedly, but it was a rare occasion, and he didn’t want to spoil the fun. Unknowingly, he drank a lot.

By the time the party ended, he was feeling a bit dizzy.

Shen Ci was slightly worried and called a designated driver to take them home. Once they finally tidied up and lay down, Xie Yu instinctively pulled Shen Ci into his arms again and, resting his head on the pillow, promptly fell asleep.

The next day, Xie Yu woke up feeling unwell.

When Xie Yu had a hangover, he’d get a headache; this was an old problem for him. The last time he drank too much at the graveyard, his head hurt for a long time.

But this was no big deal. Even if left untreated, the headache would subside in a few hours. Xie Yu had experience, and he had anticipated being forced to drink, so he bought painkillers. He rolled out of bed, intending to find the medicine in the living room cabinet, take it, and then go back to sleep.

Waking from a drunken stupor, dizziness and blurred vision were inevitable. Xie Yu accidentally bumped against the cabinet and then kicked the doorframe. He cursed under his breath, his steps a bit unsteady. By the time he reached the living room, his stomach also felt uncomfortable; he felt a bit like throwing up.

Xie Yu thought to himself that he would never drink with this unlucky bunch of classmates again; it was simply taking years off his life. He half-knelt in front of the cabinet, reaching out to pull the drawer, when he suddenly heard a muffled thud behind him.

Shen Ci stood at the doorway. He had just returned from grocery shopping, holding colorful plastic bags. His hand went slack, and the bags plopped to the floor. Scallions rolled out, and potatoes slid to the edge of the living room.

Xie Yu pressed his throbbing forehead, wanting to ask, “Why are you up so early?” “You went grocery shopping alone? Why didn’t you wait for me?” However, his throat was slightly hoarse, and after two coughs, he couldn’t speak.

Shen Ci’s face was terrifyingly pale.

He stared blankly at Xie Yu, his beautiful eyes slightly shimmering with moisture. Before Xie Yu could ask what was wrong, Shen Ci strode over and pulled Xie Yu onto the sofa.

Xie Yu had never felt Shen Ci’s strength to be so great. Although his limbs felt weak, his body was still substantial. Shen Ci forcibly dragged him to the sofa and stuffed a pillow into his arms.

Xie Yu blinked.

When Shen Ci had pulled him earlier, his fingers were clearly trembling.

As the newly ascended elite of Jiangcheng, Shen Ci had long mastered keeping his emotions in check. Yet now he was shaking violently, his fingertips feeling electrified, his coat hem subtly trembling, and his face pale, as if something unacceptable had happened.

Xie Yu: “…?”

He thought blankly, “What happened? He just went to buy groceries; what could have happened? Did Xie Group go bankrupt? Or did Luo Group?”

Before he could figure out whose company should have gone bankrupt at this point in time, Shen Ci suddenly got up, went to the bathroom, wrung out a hot towel, and leaned over to wipe the sweat from Xie Yu’s forehead, whispering, “Has it started again? Are you feeling uncomfortable?”

He was trembling violently, yet his voice was truly gentle, and his wiping motions were incredibly careful. The feel of the hot towel on his skin was also very comfortable. Xie Yu squinted slightly, completely baffled, wanting to ask, “What has started again?”

But he couldn’t speak, and Shen Ci didn’t wait for Xie Yu’s reply. He forced out a strained smile, a smile he rarely wore. When his brows and eyes lifted, it seemed strangely vacant yet alluring. Paired with his refined and elegant face, it was particularly captivating, making one want to both embrace and cherish him and also to control and humble him.

Shen Ci softly said, “In the second drawer to your right, I’ve prepared something.”

Xie Yu: “…?”

Prepared what?

Shen Ci took his hand and gently placed it on the drawer handle, then guided him inward. Shen Ci’s fingertips were still trembling, but he held Xie Yu’s hand firmly, his actions undeniably resolute.

Xie Yu paused slightly, then reached in and touched a long box at the bottom of the drawer. It was made of leather with sharp edges and corners. There were complicated hollow carvings on the box and a protruding logo in the center. Xie Yu didn’t recognize it, but based on the packaging alone, he could guess that it was not cheap.

He didn’t use this drawer often and had no idea there was anything stored inside.

Xie Yu was baffled, not understanding why Shen Ci would hide something here. He wanted to make a lighthearted joke, asking if it was a Valentine’s Day gift or a token of their affection, but then he saw Shen Ci suddenly turn his back to him and begin unbuttoning his trench coat.

He was still trembling, but his hands were steady as he unbuttoned the coat from top to bottom.

Then, he gently shrugged it off, letting the coat fall, followed by his waistcoat and then his tie. Several pieces of clothing lay crumpled on the floor, but Shen Ci showed no sign of stopping. He lowered his gaze and placed his fingers on his shirt buttons.

Then, one by one, he peeled himself out of his shirt.

The shirt also fell to the ground.

A smooth back was revealed before Xie Yu, skin as warm and lustrous as white porcelain. His shoulder blades on either side resembled butterflies. The lines of his shoulders and back tapered inwards at his waist, then disappeared into his trousers. There were even two shallow dimples on his lower back. This curve alone was enough to evoke pity.

Xie Yu was slightly stunned; even his headache didn’t feel as bad anymore.

Without the sleeves to obstruct his view, Xie Yu clearly saw his hands clench into fists, his fingernails digging into his palms with enough force to almost draw blood.

Shen Ci turned his head to look at him, smiling faintly, his expression unreadable—whether it was relief or tension. But in the end, he simply brushed his hair aside, revealing a beautiful stretch of his neck.

Shen Ci whispered, “Go ahead.”