Unexpected Incident : Chapter 9

Rong Liu rested for quite a few days this time, and his illness had not fully cleared. The fever was gone, but he still had a slight persistent cough, no appetite, and low spirits.

Xiao Teng could not help but worry about this condition, but Rong Liu smiled and said: “It’s fine, I just have a weak constitution, nothing else.”

He did not bring up that day’s matter again. He was still smiling as if nothing had happened, the previous dispute already like floating clouds, dissipating like smoke in his heart.

But Xiao Teng knew this was not so. Even if it was no longer a dark cloud, it had shrunk into a thorn.

Because Rong Liu was clearly not as noisy anymore, and from time to time would show a thoughtful expression.

As Xiao Teng was about to leave for work, he saw that Rong Liu had somehow already come downstairs, sitting idly on the living room sofa reading the newspaper. He walked over and asked: “Will you be bored staying home?”

“Not really.” Rong Liu smiled.

He still showed him a smiling face, gentle and friendly.

Xiao Teng did not know how to express concern. After a while he said again: “If you want to go out for a walk, tell me.”

He could spare some time from his busy schedule to accompany him for a stroll or something.

Rong Liu smiled: “I’m a grown man now, I can manage on my own.”

“Oh.”

Xiao Teng suddenly realized that although he seemed to be the one holding all the cards, the one who truly controlled the rhythm of their conversations was actually Rong Liu.

When Rong Liu was willing, even the most boring topic, even if it was just an “Mm,” could be continued endlessly, joyfully.

When Rong Liu was unwilling, even if he very much wanted to chat with him, there was truly nothing to say.

Xiao Teng stood for a moment, then said: “Then I’m off to work.”

“Mm, be careful on the road.”

Xiao Teng naturally sensed the young man’s slight distance, and deeply knew the reason. Yet he still had a strange confidence that Rong Liu was, after all, sticky toward him.

Rong Liu had said with his own mouth that he had lost from the very beginning.

Between him and Rong Liu, from the beginning of their acquaintance until now, it had always been Rong Liu bending over backward to please him, being submissive and lowly, while he had always been the unmoved, high and mighty one.

This was certainly unreasonable and unfair, but Xiao Teng felt this should continue, ought to continue.

When he walked out the main gate, Xiao Teng looked back. Rong Liu was standing by the window, looking at something unknown. Through a few branches of green calyx plum just forming buds, the smile on the young man’s face seemed casual and absentminded.

Xiao Teng got in the car with an indescribable mood.

How should he treat Rong Liu?

He could not figure out his own thoughts either.

What kind of existence Rong Liu was to him, in his heart it was now a confused fog.

Indeed as Rong Liu said, he was “a very useful person.”

But more than merely useful, there was actually something more.

After a busy day of work, Xiao Teng left the company wearily. He was not used to work hours without Rong Liu by his side, like he had lost his right arm and left arm.

He had already experienced this when Rong Liu fell ill last time, and this time the feeling was even deeper.

If only Rong Liu would never get sick.

If only Rong Liu could always stay by his side…

On the way home, Xiao Teng casually saw from the car window that a roadside stall was selling candied hawthorn skewers.

Not those newfangled varieties with strawberries, apples, kiwis, tangerines and whatnot, but the very original old fashioned hawthorn fruit kind.

Xiao Teng had absolutely no interest in such pointless little trinkets, but Rong Liu liked them very much, and specifically liked this simple traditional kind. Rong Liu had many childish preferences that did not match his status at all, most likely because he could not eat them when he was little.

The car had already driven past. Xiao Teng thought for a moment, told the driver to stop by the roadside, then got out himself and walked back.

Bringing home two skewers of candied hawthorn, Xiao Teng had already decided to only allow one in the evening and one tomorrow. But after entering the house, he did not see Rong Liu.

Faced with questioning, the family members were quite at a loss. Mama Huang said: “Young Master Rong Liu? Young Master Rong Liu was still sitting there drinking tea this morning. I went out to buy groceries, and when I came back he wasn’t there, so I didn’t think much of it…”

“I didn’t notice either…”

“Did Uncle Rong Liu go somewhere again?”

“Isn’t he sleeping upstairs?”

“…”

Indeed, Rong Liu was a guest, not a prisoner. Naturally he moved about freely, and no one would particularly pay attention to his whereabouts.

Xiao Teng quickly went upstairs and checked Rong Liu’s bedroom. There were no signs of disorder at the scene, only changed loungewear casually tossed on the chair. Opening the wardrobe, one set of clothes Rong Liu often wore was missing, and a warm outer coat had been taken. The documents in the drawer were also gone.

It was indeed Rong Liu who had left on his own.

Xiao Teng immediately called the other party’s mobile phone, but it rang for a long time without being answered. He called twice more, with the same result.

For the first time, Xiao Teng felt uncertain, slightly panicked.

This was different from when Rong Liu threw a tantrum last time and ran to the racecourse to catch wind. This was too sudden, too unexpected.

He felt this should not be, because after that day they had not had any further conflict. So it could be said that Rong Liu’s departure was not so logical, at least not fitting his predictions of Rong Liu’s behavior.

But Rong Liu had truly left.

That evening Xiao Teng sat alone in his study. As night fell, the air became as cold as water, making his skin break out in tiny bumps. He had been staring at pages he had flipped through for a long time, when he suddenly heard a light knocking on the door.

Xiao Teng hurriedly turned around and saw his youngest daughter in her nightgown, hugging her teddy bear, looking like she had woken up mid sleep, her eyes hazy as she stood in the doorway.

“Daddy…”

Xiao Teng asked as gently as he could: “What’s wrong?”

“Where did Uncle Rong Liu go?”

Xiao Teng paused for a moment, then said: “…He went home.”

He had sent people to check. Rong Liu had safely returned to the Rong family.

Since that was the case, then it was fine.

Xiao Zi asked again: “Why did Uncle Rong Liu suddenly go home?”

“…Maybe something came up at his home.”

“Will he come visit us again?”

“…”

Xiao Teng said: “Daddy doesn’t know. Go back to sleep.”

He called a few more times later, all unanswered. In the end the prompt said the other party had turned off their phone.

Xiao Teng stopped dialing that number.

Rong Liu left not a single word, not even a brief response was willing to be given. But the message conveyed in this silence, those who should understand would naturally understand.

Xiao Teng appeared very calm and composed about this.

He thought, actually it was no big deal. Rong Liu was originally a guest of the Xiao family, and even more just a passerby in his life.

The departure was indeed quite abrupt, but it was only a matter of time, not worth making a fuss over.

Right.

During this period after Rong Liu left, Xiao Teng was unavoidably busy with work. Extremely exhausted, his mood was terrible, his sleep poor, his whole person in an anxious, unstable state, like a machine about to lose control and go on a rampage at any moment.

Because it affected work efficiency, he took time out of his busy schedule to see a doctor and got some medicine. But taking it had no significant effect.

The pathology was unclear, and he did not want to dig deeper. It was just some mental pressure. When had he ever not had pressure?

Sometimes he would think of Rong Liu, scenes and fragments flashing in his mind, and a stinging question would arise: “But why?” But this thought usually did not survive three seconds before he swiftly cut it off.

Some things that troubled the mind could not be thought about. Once thought of, it was like a spark in an oil field. If not immediately extinguished, it would blaze out of control with unstoppable momentum.

And he should not waver or suffer for any past matter or departed person.

The weather grew increasingly cold. Winter was a gloomy, thoroughly unpleasant season that dampened the mood. Fortunately there were many holidays to liven things up.

Soon it was near the end of the year. Xiao Teng himself did not feel much, but people around him became cheerful, the streets started hanging lanterns and decorations, all kinds of grand and magnificent New Year advertisements and event promotions. In any case it was a joyful season.

Of course, this joy had nothing to do with him. He had not even noticed that Christmas had already passed. Xiao Teng only remembered there was such a thing when he saw the enormous Christmas tree in the center of the first floor of the city’s largest shopping mall.

And he could barely remember when Christmas Eve came and when it ended. Anyway he just endlessly worked worked worked, operating like a machine, unable to feel anything outside himself.

Xiao Teng stood beneath that tree. The holiday was over, and this once lavishly decorated fir had lost its purpose, reduced to a simple decoration awaiting disposal. The ornaments had been mostly removed, looking rather desolate, somewhat forlorn.

He suddenly remembered that the time he and Rong Liu had known each other was not even a year, so they had not spent this holiday together. If Rong Liu were still here, with that playful and sociable personality, he would probably…

Xiao Teng did not let himself continue thinking, because that stinging feeling came again.

He was somewhat surprised at his own adverse reaction. The time since Rong Liu’s departure was not too long, but not a day or two either. Yet he still could not let it go.

He thought, probably because Rong Liu left without saying goodbye, without the minimum courtesy, making this an unpleasant knot that he was so hung up on.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Xiao Teng turned around and looked at the woman before him.

She was dressed very appropriately, elegant and beautiful, her smile warm and generous. Most men at this moment would be pouring out sweet words, but Xiao Teng did not know what to say in response, only: “No, it’s fine.”

This was the lady from the blind date last time. Xiao Teng not only could not remember her face, but tragically could not recall her name either. But she had conveyed another invitation to him through Old Zhang, and he had no reason to deliberately refuse.

Since Rong Liu had already left.

The two went upstairs to the restaurant, sat down and ordered as a matter of course. After looking at the menu for a while, she suddenly looked up, fixing him with her dark eyes, and said: “You didn’t remember my name at all, did you?”

“…”

Although very rude, Xiao Teng was not good at and unwilling to deceive women, so he could only tacitly agree. Fortunately she did not blow up, only smiling and saying: “I knew it.”

“My name is Liu Ning.”

“Oh, I’m Xiao Teng.”

“I know that.”

“…”

Liu Ning said: “How can you be so adorably clueless.”

“…”

“Ah, you’re so wooden, so I won’t beat around the bush with you. Let’s speak plainly.”

“…”

“Are you completely not interested in me?”

“…”

Xiao Teng was a bit overwhelmed. He was indeed the type to get straight to the point, hating beating around the bush. But he knew that when communicating with women, one must avoid being direct and needed to be subtle. Yet this girl in front of him had torn off the previously shy, hesitant mask right away.

How was he supposed to answer this?

So he could only choose silence once again.

Liu Ning said: “Even if you don’t expect love at first sight, you should at least have some impression of me to be reasonable. I saw just now, you didn’t even recognize what I looked like, right?”

“…”

Xiao Teng silently took a sip of tea.

“Ah, this is the first time I’ve encountered someone like you,” Liu Ning sighed, complaining, “Not to boast, but since I was young, which man wouldn’t look at me a few extra times. Originally my uncle said he wanted to set me up on a blind date, and it was with a divorced man with four kids. I was almost struck dead, thinking what the hell, I’m not doing charity to save all beings, why would I marry so far beneath me. Who knew that it would actually be you who was dissatisfied with me.”

Xiao Teng was too embarrassed, and could only defend himself: “It’s not that I’m dissatisfied…”

Liu Ning saw through him: “You have no impression at all, right?”

“…”

Correct.

“Why though? My conditions aren’t bad,” Liu Ning said, “Could it be that you don’t like women?”

Xiao Teng sprayed out a mouthful of tea.

Fortunately the food arrived quickly, so he could at least bury himself in eating to ease some of the awkwardness.

After using his chopsticks for a while, Xiao Teng could not eat anymore, because the woman across from him had been openly and unabashedly staring at him the whole time. He, a grown man, was actually being looked at until he felt uncomfortable all over.

Liu Ning propped her cheek, looking at him with leisure: “Actually, I think you’re quite interesting.”

“…”

“You’re very standoffish. But how to put it, that kind of person makes others want to understand you instead.”

“…”

Liu Ning smiled: “Maybe because you’re handsome.”

“…”

After finishing this meal in a mess, Xiao Teng quickly left. He felt that if there was another invitation he should firmly refuse. Since he had already made his attitude clear, there was no need to continue socializing. Moreover, she gave him a somewhat familiar feeling.

That initiative, that openness, that casualness, that smiling teasing.

He did not want to get close to this type of person again.

On New Year’s Day, Xiao Teng took the family to the temple to pray for blessings. He did not believe in ghosts and gods, but traditions passed down through generations could not be avoided. Not believing did not mean disrespect. A man his age would not have frivolous rebelliousness.

So Xiao Teng properly offered incense, entered the main hall from the side door, and worshipped the Buddhas in order.

The scent of incense made one feel peaceful and solemn. The hall was crowded with people but very quiet, no one making noise. Many worshippers came to pray, offering incense, kowtowing, muttering prayers in low voices, or silently praying, as if they all had many wishes.

Xiao Teng’s heart was calm and blank, without any thoughts. He only worshipped according to custom one by one, and soon was almost done.

After worshipping at the Heavenly King Hall and the Mahavira Hall, he suddenly heard Xiao Yin say behind him: “Are you going to make a wish, Dad?”

“No.”

Praying to gods was clearly not something he would do.

And praying for blessings could not ask for wealth. For a businessman like him, there was even less to ask for, just household peace and whatnot, which he had already recited formulaically with the first stick of incense.

Xiao Yin said: “I made a wish, hoping to come back to fulfill it.”

“…”

He very much wanted to scold his son for having ideals but not relying on his own hard work, actually placing hope in the power of ghosts and gods. But this was clearly not the appropriate place to say such things, so he could only helplessly look up.

He saw the compassionate and silent face of Manjushri Bodhisattva, and his heart suddenly stirred.

This bodhisattva representing great wisdom rode a blue lion, holding a wisdom sword. The lion’s roar could awaken deluded beings, and the diamond sharp sword could cut through all the troubles of sentient beings.

As if possessing the wisdom to transcend everything and cut through foolishness.

Xiao Teng gazed at the statue for a few seconds, then finally bowed his head beneath that kind and dignified face.

Anyway no one could hear the words in his heart.

Xiao Teng quickly and hastily recited a few words in his mind, then promptly stood with palms together and turned to leave.

Even though besides himself, no one knew what he was thinking, he still felt somewhat flustered and uncomfortable. He felt like he had done something embarrassing.

Praying to the gods for his own pain, this was too incompetent and seemed weak. This should not be his conduct.

Fortunately no one knew.

Except for that tall silent statue.

Winter nights were always especially long. Xiao Teng was very irritated by this. Even in a heated room, he felt cold and uncomfortable all over. Plus he could not wait for dawn no matter what, which was simply torturous.

Even when he finally slept, it was restless. He could only toss and turn between light sleep and wakefulness until he was utterly exhausted, so sleepy he reached his limit, and helplessly lost consciousness.

After an exhausted deep sleep, Xiao Teng suddenly woke up. In his drowsiness, he habitually reached to touch the alarm clock to check the time, but sensed something unusual.

The blanket was warmer than usual. That was the body heat from another person.

Xiao Teng hurriedly turned his head. In the faint dawn light, he saw the sleeping face of the young man nestled beside him.

“…”

Even someone as composed as Xiao Teng was startled, unable to move for a moment. A full minute passed before he came back to himself. He extended a finger, cautiously, and touched the young man’s cheek.

It was solid. Not an illusion.

He looked at the young man’s face, still as if in a dream.

The young man seemed to sense something, slightly moving his eyelids, squinting at him, and mumbled: “Morning…”

In that familiar voice, Xiao Teng found some sense of reality, and finally opened his mouth to ask: “How did you get in?!”

“I haven’t seen you in so long, I missed you.”

The young man’s voice was fuzzy, with a half asleep honesty.

Xiao Teng asked again: “Why did you come back?”

The young man was still sleepy eyed: “I finished my business, so I came to find you.”

Xiao Teng was still somewhat uncomfortable, unreal. He had many many questions, but for a moment did not know where to begin.

It was like he had returned to the human world from a frozen hell.

Wait, perhaps this was still a dream?

No, he could not lose his composure even in a dream.

He called out again: “Rong Liu.”

The sleepy young man moved this time, hugging his arm for warmth like seeking heat.

That was very real body temperature. The young man’s palm was a bit cool, but his chest was warm. Xiao Teng could only take a deep breath, then exhale, repeating this several times before he could calm down.

It was not a dream.

He lay with eyes open, looking at the young man sleeping beside him. The faint morning light filtering through the curtains fell on the young man’s brows and eyes. He still felt as if a lifetime had passed.

Rong Liu slept until nearly noon before rubbing his eyes and waking up with a string of yawns.

Opening his eyes to meet Xiao Teng’s face, Rong Liu greeted him quite frankly: “Morning…”

Xiao Teng said expressionlessly: “It’s already noon.”

Rong Liu smiled: “Is it…”

Scratching his hair, Rong Liu said again: “Hey dear, you didn’t go to work today?”

Xiao Teng frowned: “You’ve been grabbing my arm the whole time, how could I go?”

“…I thought you would kick me off the bed like usual.”

“Next time I will.”

Rong Liu hurriedly smiled apologetically: “Of course it would be best if you didn’t, the floor is so cold…”

The two looked at each other for a few seconds. He noticed Rong Liu had slimmed down a bit, that unhealthy fairness more obvious, yet his eyes were still dark and bright, with a breathtaking beauty on that snow white face.

Before he could speak, Rong Liu said first: “Dear, you seem to have lost weight.”

Caught off guard, Xiao Teng was somewhat embarrassed. He had not shaved these past two days, unusually casual and unkempt.

He had not imagined he would see Rong Liu again, and in such a sloppy state that he had never let anyone see before.

He had thought Rong Liu would never appear again.

Rong Liu looked at him for a while, then suddenly said: “Aren’t you going to ask where I went?”

“I know, you went back home.”

“Then, aren’t you going to ask why?”

“…”

He wanted to know, but could not bring himself to ask.

So Xiao Teng said: “What does that have to do with me.”

Rong Liu laughed, a layer of unconcealable weariness on his young face: “My father is ill.”

“Can’t tell outsiders,” Rong Liu smiled, “You know, or it would cause panic.”

Rong Liu’s father had Rong Liu late in life. By now he was advanced in years, but still the pillar and backbone of the Rong family. If anything happened to him, there would inevitably be no small turmoil, with forces watching from all sides ready to make their move. If there was truly a power transition, it would not avoid a bloody storm.

Rong Liu spoke lightly, but he could imagine the undercurrents beneath the calm surface during this time.

Xiao Teng wanted to ask what illness, to what degree, whether it was serious, but feared the timing was sensitive and such probing would be taboo. And in the time he hesitated, Rong Liu had already continued: “I think I may need to go back and stay for a while. Always wandering around outside, I’m too unfilial.”

Xiao Teng had many hot and cold words in his heart, but in the end they could only become a short “Mm.”

Rong Liu looked at him, then smiled again: “Dear, you really, never care about other people.”

“…”

He was originally a person with a heart of stone, heartless and unfeeling, so Xiao Teng did not plan to argue. Especially since he remembered Rong Liu’s leaving without a word, ignoring him completely.

Xiao Teng went to wash up, carefully shaving off his stubble. Rinsing off the foam, he looked in the mirror. The expression on his face was neither joy nor anger, sorrow nor hatred, a hundred conflicting emotions, not calm at all, so much so that he himself found it unfamiliar.

Half the day’s time had already been wasted, so he might as well be decadent to the end and not go to the company. Yet staying home with Rong Liu was, for the current him, not so comfortable either.

So Xiao Teng went to his study on his own, and before he could sit steady, Rong Liu followed him in step by step.

The young man complained: “Dear, you’re so cold.”

“…”

“I’ve been gone so long and just came back, you should at least show some reaction.”

Xiao Teng suddenly felt he could not endure it anymore, and said coldly: “Why didn’t you answer the phone?”

Rong Liu looked at him: “Huh?”

“…”

“You called me?”

“…”

The young man’s face broke into a smile: “Ah, I left in such a hurry, I forgot my phone.”

“…”

“It must have fallen somewhere on the bed, anyway I couldn’t find it when I needed it on the road.”

“…”

“Originally when I got home, I should have called to tell you, but there was really too much to deal with over there,” the young man paused, “And also, I didn’t know how to tell you those things.”

This Xiao Teng could imagine. The state of being so busy one’s head was spinning with no time for anything else, he had experienced countless times himself. As for family shame, who would want to bring it up, especially someone as proud as Rong Liu.

Rong Liu asked again: “So, you called me?”

“…”

“Many times?”

“…”

Rong Liu smiled: “Let me go check.”

Xiao Teng immediately said: “Don’t you dare!”

The young man smiled, just smiling like that, silently looking at him.

Xiao Teng suddenly realized that Rong Liu was indeed very good looking. Excessively so.

The man’s aura enveloping him made Xiao Teng somehow tense up.

The young man bent down and kissed his forehead. The soft warm touch left Xiao Teng speechless for a moment.

Then the young man had him sit on the piano.

The chaotic piano notes sounded quite beautiful too.

He could not keep his balance. The piano notes made one even more confused and at a loss.

Xiao Teng suddenly felt a sense of fear.

For the first time, very uncertain.

His heart was numb, with a feeling similar to pain. But he did not dare make a sound.

Once a person possesses something, they fear losing it.

Especially something as fickle as a person’s heart.

Possession instead makes one become timid.

He heard Rong Liu say softly: “I don’t want to go on like this anymore.”

“…”

“Be a little nicer to me. Okay?”

“…”

This could perhaps be considered the young man reaching out his hand to him.

Only he did not know, and was not certain, whether he wanted to, should, or how he could grab hold of it.

After Rong Liu returned, many things seemed different. What was originally troublesome became un-troublesome, what was originally unlucky became not unlucky, luck went more smoothly, sleep was more peaceful, and there was not so much inexplicable anger to vent.

Xiao Teng’s mood improved somewhat, with a feeling of clouds parting in gloomy weather. He thought, this was probably because Rong Liu was indeed his lucky star.

After such a gloomy period, he admitted that he needed Rong Liu, in many ways.

So he had to guard against Rong Liu’s true departure.

Xiao Teng also did some rare self reflection. Indeed, in their past interactions, the treatment Rong Liu received was somewhat unfair. After all, supply and demand determines market price. When not in demand, the market being a bit worse was only natural.

Now, the situation was somewhat different. Supply and demand had changed. Rong Liu’s market was rising.

Perhaps he really did need to be a bit nicer to Rong Liu, Xiao Teng thought.

But, what exactly was “a bit nicer”?

He could not exactly give him a bonus. Gifts? Dinner? None of those common tricks would work, since Rong Liu lacked for nothing.

That year’s winter was exceptionally cold. That day the temperature dropped sharply again. Although there had been weather forecast warnings, overnight snow had fallen outside. Compared to the overly long summer before, it was suddenly so cold one could not endure it.

Fortunately it was a rest day, so lazy people could nest at home for warmth.

This lazy person included Xiao Teng. He felt he had been a bit decadent lately, spending this fine time in the living room facing the TV, reading books unrelated to business.

As for the person beside him, even less needed to be said. With the heater on full blast he still wrapped himself in a blanket, cocooned on the sofa like he was hibernating.

“So cold.”

Rong Liu sighed, shrinking his head and squeezing closer to him.

Xiao Teng said: “If you’re cold, put on more clothes.”

This person in winter completely lost the capital to be handsome and dashing, and could only dress like a ball trying to act cute.

“No need,”

Rong Liu said shivering, “Let me borrow some warmth.”

Rong Liu treated him like a pillow, or a heater, curling into a ball and pressing against him, hugging his arm.

Xiao Teng continued reading his biography. Being stuck to like this, he really could not read, but he did not kick Rong Liu away either.

Seeing that Rong Liu’s fear of cold did not seem feigned, Xiao Teng said: “You’re wearing so much and still cold?”

“Mm hmm…”

Rong Liu leaned against him like a sleepy little animal, then grew even lazier, and boldly rested his head on Xiao Teng’s lap, squinting his eyes, half awake and half asleep watching TV.

Xiao Teng could no longer focus on his book.

Outside the window he could see the deep blue sky after snow. This day could freeze one through, yet the green calyx plum before the window bloomed even better. The TV was playing a documentary, the narrator’s deep and pleasant voice telling the story of rivers and life on its own. The young man nestled warmly on his lap. Everything made one drowsy.

Just as he was gradually being invaded by sleepiness, the door suddenly banged open from outside. Xiao Pu led her younger siblings laughing and rushing into the room, bringing in a gust of cold wind. Everyone’s nose was red from the cold, but beaming with joy.

“Uncle Rong Liu, come play with us.”

Xiao Teng hurriedly stood up, and Rong Liu immediately thumped onto the floor with a plop: “…”

The children had not yet reacted when Rong Liu had already climbed up, dusting off his clothes as if nothing had happened, and said with graceful bearing: “Sure, what are we playing?”

“Let’s build a snowman!”

Rong Liu said: “Huh? I’ve never played this, I really don’t know how to build one.”

“What does it matter, the one Xiao Yin built is still ugly as hell!”

“You’re one to talk, yours is totally an ET.”

“That’s because I used two big walnuts!”

In this heated discussion, Xiao Teng was about to walk away when he heard Rong Liu ask him: “Dear, want to join us?”

“…”

No one had invited him, because they knew he did not participate at all, and was not suited for this childish entertainment.

“Come play with us.”

Xiao Teng firmly refused: “No.”

Rong Liu said again: “Then, watch us play?”

“…”

“A parent supervising and guiding is always needed!”

After the snowfall, the sky was unexpectedly clear, simply washed clean blue. The wind on one’s face carried a very clean and clear scent. Xiao Teng stood motionless under the plum tree, watching them build a snowman.

Rong Liu was born in the Jiangnan region, and clearly had few chances to play in such icy snowy weather, his skills even less practiced. Xiao Teng watched him trying to roll out a decent snowball, attempting to complete his snowman masterpiece through one collapse after another.

In the end he managed to produce a snowman that could almost enter an ugly contest. The head was not round enough, the body like an upside down bowl on the ground. The worst was the face. The features were also made of twigs, but for some reason after completion it looked so tragic, like it was in a bad mood.

Rong Liu smiled and claimed credit with him: “This is you.”

“…”

After building the snowman, they started a snowball fight. That group of varying ages all played with extreme enthusiasm, overjoyed. Xiao Teng still remained unmoved, standing so straight watching them.

A snowball flew over, failing to hit the dodging Rong Liu, but hitting him instead, exploding into powder on his meticulous coat.

The joyful frolicking on the field seemed to be paused, laughter cut off as if by a knife, even the air freezing.

He saw a trace of fear in Xiao Zi’s eyes.

Almost everyone, more or less, feared him, including his own children.

Xiao Teng looked at her for a while, then bent down to grab a small handful of snow, squeezed it tight, and lightly threw it at her.

The snowball hit her shoulder, and Xiao Zi burst into happy laughter, screaming and running away.

Xiao Teng had just turned around when a large snowball flew at him head on, hitting him square in the face.

He looked too wretched this time. The scene fell into dead silence once again.

“Uh… dear, I didn’t mean to,” Rong Liu was quite embarrassed, “I was trying to throw from behind, but you just turned your head, so…”

Xiao Teng, covered in snow from head to face, looked at Rong Liu expressionlessly for a while. Before he could say anything, Xiao Zi cried out in dissatisfaction first: “Uncle Rong Liu is so mean!”

“To sneak attack like that.”

“So excessive.”

A snowball whooshed toward Rong Liu, someone avenging him.

Xiao Teng silently watched his not very filial children swarm up this time, united in hatred to pin Rong Liu down. Rong Liu was outnumbered, cried out and fell backward onto the snow, suffering abuse. The laughing and shouting was so loud it shook snow plopping down from the trees.

The family had four little troublemakers, plus Rong Liu this chaos demon, which once gave him headaches as big as a bucket, splitting headaches.

Xiao Teng now actually found it quite lively, and not bad lively at all.

After returning inside, Rong Liu hurriedly went upstairs to change clothes. His collar and cuffs had gotten quite a bit of snow in them. With the heater on, the snow that had not been shaken off melted, looking somewhat wretched.

Rong Liu said plaintively: “After all they’re your biological children. I’m usually so good to them, and I accidentally hit you once, and they ganged up on me so ruthlessly!”

Xiao Teng said: “I didn’t expect that either.”

Hearing this, Rong Liu laughed: “How could you not, of course they protect you, you’re their father.”

Xiao Teng said flatly: “Not necessarily.”

Rong Liu looked at him: “You’re really silly. They fear you, but they love you more.” He paused, then smiled: “Actually me too.”

Xiao Teng was quiet for a moment, seeming to think about something, then asked: “What do you fear about me?”

The young man was stunned, then smiled: “Oh, I thought you would pretend not to hear.” Then he lowered his eyelids, adjusting his coat while saying softly: “Fearing that one day…”

“What?”

The young man smiled: “Nothing. I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

Rong Liu had something on his mind, he could clearly sense it. Only that smiling and amiable face hid things better than his own cold and hard shell.

That evening he took Rong Liu to a cocktail party together. Amidst the fragrance of clothes and hair, and the clinking of wine glasses, Xiao Teng suddenly heard a crisp voice calling his name.

“Xiao Teng~”

Xiao Teng was slightly startled, turning around. This time he at least would not fail to recognize her.

Liu Ning directly expressed her admiration for him: “I knew it was you from behind! I discovered you look best in gray suits. Better than that black one last time, and the dark brown one from the time before that.”

Xiao Teng had nothing to say: “…”

Rong Liu smiled beside him: “This is…”

Xiao Teng could only introduce formulaically: “This is Miss Liu Ning, this is Rong Liu.”

The two greeted each other politely, shook hands, and exchanged a few smiling pleasantries. Just then Rong Liu’s phone rang, so he politely stood up: “Excuse me, I’ll step away for a moment.”

The moment Rong Liu stepped away, Liu Ning lowered her voice and exclaimed to Xiao Teng in gossipy volume: “He’s so handsome!”

“…Is he.”

“Is it really true that handsome guys flock together?”

“…”

Liu Ning smiled: “But although he’s more handsome, I still prefer someone like you.”

“…”

Please don’t be so direct.

When Liu Ning left and Rong Liu returned, he asked: “Who was that just now…”

“A friend.”

Rong Liu smiled: “Could it be the one from the blind date last time?”

“Yes.” He basically had no young female friends, so it was not hard to guess.

Rong Liu looked at him, smiling slightly: “She’s quite pretty.”

Xiao Teng had nothing to feel guilty about, so he did not avoid or evade: “Yes. You’re not bad either.”

Rong Liu burst out laughing, for a moment simply radiant with spring light.

After a moment, they still returned to this topic. Rong Liu said again: “From what she said, you two later, went on more dates?”

Xiao Teng was concise: “You left at that time.”

Rong Liu smiled: “Oh, I understand.”

“I have nothing with her, and there’s nothing between us.”

“Mm, I know.”

Xiao Teng felt this should count as clarification. After all between him and Liu Ning there was truly nothing unclear. Anyone with eyes could see. And Rong Liu’s personality was not the type to get stuck in a dead end.

His love life had always been very dull and bland, impossible to be ambiguous, hard to be moved. Private interactions with people were all flat and uneventful.

Rarely when there was some fluctuation, the object was always someone rather inappropriate.

He glanced at Rong Liu. The young man was looking at the wine glass in his hand, with a seemingly smiling yet thoughtful expression. The amber glow of the champagne reflected in those young dark eyes, looking dreamy and unfathomable.