translator: Eve

editor: xiin

Five days later, Song Xuanhe and Xiao Yuanmu finally made it back to Y City.

Originally, they had planned to fly directly to Y City, but because Song Xuanhes wounds were already infected, Dr. Nathan had proposed that they stop in Z Country, which neighboured X Country, so that they could stabilize his condition and allow him to recuperate a bit before heading back to Y City. Xiao Yuanmu had thus disregarded Song Xuanhes protests and stopped their plane in Z Country. They had taken three days to ensure that his condition was stable before they continued on their way to Y City.

At a municipal hospital in Y City.

Dr. Nathan changed Song Xuanhes dressings, then brought a person to see him.

Song Xuanhe smiled at the newcomer. Long time no see, Dr. Yu.

Mr. Song. Yu Yan nodded indifferently. I heard Teacher say that were old friends, but from what I recall, weve only met a few times.

But I am good friends with Zhou Nan. Song Xuanhe smiled. Please, have a seat.

Yu Yans expression changed slightly. He looked at Song Xuanhe for a moment before sitting down beside him. Dr. Nathan said that he had something to do and left with a smile.

What did you need me for?

Song Xuanhe glanced at the shut door. I know that you used to work at the Xiao residence. I wanted to ask you about the current situation.

I was only at the Xiao residence for one month. Yu Yan said, I dont really know anything.

Were the people causing you trouble Xiao Baicongs people? Song Xuanhe asked, Xiao Family has several personal physicians. Each doctor is in charge of a different member, right?

I cannot answer your first question. Yu Yan said, As for your second question, the Xiao Family has their own medical team and each doctor is in charge of their own specializations. They are not personal doctors to specific members of the Xiao Family.

But there are certain members each doctor is closer to. Song Xuanhe said, Otherwise, why would they cause trouble for you?

That had nothing to do with the Xiao Family. Its just something that is inevitable in the workplace. Yu Yan said in a flat voice, Its normal for those in the same profession to suppress each other in the name of competition.

Song Xuanhe raised a brow. Then why are you following just Xiao Yuanmu now?

Because Dr. Nathan is my teacher. Yu Yan said, If you want to find out something about the Xiao Family, Id suggest you ask Mr. Xiao, rather than me. If he wants you to know, you will be able to hear about everything you want to hear. If he doesnt want you to know, then asking me is still useless. I know of your relationship. If a couple has to hear about their partner from others, their relationship will not last long.

Yu Yans expression grew heavy as he said the last sentence. It was clear that something had popped up into his mind.

Song Xuanhe knew Zhou Nans personality. He also knew that Zhou Nan was the one in the wrong between them. As Zhou Nans friend, he didnt want to poke at Yu Yans sore spot either. Therefore, he changed the subject. Do you know how I can quicken my recovery? I also want to eat Sichaun poached fish slices in hot chili oil. Can I eat that right now?

I heard Teacher say that your body seems to be doing well. Since the wound has been treated, you should be able to go home soon. It wont need much time to heal. As for the fish, you should wait until the wounds have fully healed before eating it.

Yu Yan got up. If nothing else, Ill be heading out.

Song Xuanhe nodded. He then said, Xiao Yuanmu took my phone away. If its convenient, could you tell Zhou Nan that Im in Y City? Oh, but dont tell him about my current condition. Thanks.

Yu Yans steps paused. His lips were pursed and he wanted to refuse, but he swallowed it down when he saw Xiao Yuanmu come in. He nodded at Xiao Yuanmu before leaving.

You wanted to speak to Yu Yan? Xiao Yuanmu walked over to Song Xuanhe and placed the congee he had cooked on the table. He opened the thermos lid and said, The chicken congee you wanted to eat.

Theres so little meat. Song Xuanhe stirred it with his spoon. His gaze was lowered. I wanted to ask about how you were doing in the Xiao Family but he didnt tell me anything.

Xiao Yuanmu set the side dishes in front of Song Xuanhes bowl of congee. You can ask me anything.

Song Xuanhe put his spoon down. How is your fatherthe Xiao patriarchdoing right now?

Hes still being treated. Xiao Yuanmu sat down on the other side of the table. Song Xuanhe couldnt read his tone. His doctor is very meticulous. His condition is good.

Dont you have to visit him? You wasted a lot of time finding me in X Country.

Xiao Yuanmu looked up and saw Song Xuanhes gaze downcast, his eyes covered by his lashes. Theres something I havent told you yet because of your injuries.

What? Song Xuanhe met Xiao Yuanmus gaze.

Dr. Nathan says that you can leave the hospital tomorrow. Ive already ordered someone to tidy the apartment. You can move in with me tomorrow.

Song Xuanhe evaluated his expression. I was shot. Is it really possible to recover this quickly?

It didnt hit any organs or bones so it shouldnt take very long to recover from. Xiao Yuanmu said coolly, Now that the infection has been taken care of, it will heal with time. Someone will be there to help change your dressings after youre discharged.

I think.

Didnt you say you didnt like staying at the hospital? Xiao Yuanmu looked at him. Or do you just not want to live with me?

Thats not it. Song Xuanhe pursed his lips. Okay. Well leave tomorrow.

Xiao Yuanmu nodded and quietly watched Song Xuanhe drink his congee.

After Song Xuanhe finished his food, Xiao Yuanmu said, When youre all better, Ill make anything you want to eat.

Song Xuanhe leaned against the pillow and looked up at Xiao Yuanmu. A thought suddenly popped up in his head and a sliver of mischievousness appeared in his eyes. Anything?

What do you want to eat?

The light in Song Xuanhes eyes flickered as he looped his arms around Xiao Yuanmus neck. His gaze was on the others lips, and there was a bit of naughtiness in the corner of his eyes. Guess.

Xiao Yuanmus eyes darkened and he leaned down to kiss him. In order to avoid opening up the others wounds, he pressed down on Song Xuanhe, preventing him from moving as their lips intertwined. As he kissed Song Xuanhe, he murmured, Anything you want, you can have.

After they broke their kiss, Xiao Yuanmu turned on his laptop to do work, as he usually did. Meanwhile, Song Xuanhe flipped through the photos he had taken. Occasionally, he would draw in his sketchbook when inspiration hit. But five minutes later, Xiao Yuanmus gaze flickered over and Song Xuanhe tactfully dropped his pencil and leaned back against his pillow. Because this had been going on for a few days now, Song Xuanhes actions were very practiced.

Dont move around.

Xiao Yuanmu reminded him coolly before continuing his own work.

Song Xuanhe raised a brow. He grabbed the sketchbook in front of him and started sketching the image of Xiao Yuanmu working.

Xiao Yuanmu looked up. Before he could speak, Song Xuanhe said, Just a quick sketch. Two minutes.

Dont reopen your wounds.

Xiao Yuanmu lowered his head and continued to work as Song Xuanhe sketched. Looking back, he had done countless quick sketches of Xiao Yuanmu these last few days in the hospital. None of the sketches were detailed, but they were infused with the others essence. With one glance, anyone would be able to tell what he was doing or what he was feeling at the time.

Louis had found Song Xuanhes drawings very novel. He didnt only have quick sketches in his sketchbook. He also had drawings he had made while relying on his memories and imagination. The one thing that was consistent was that it always became extremely easy to read Xiao Yuanmus emotions through Song Xuanhes drawings.

Song Xuanhe didnt draw Xiao Yuanmus expressions with meticulous care, but it was easy to read his emotions by looking at the drawings. It was a very magical experience.

Clearly, the person in the drawings were all Xiao Yuanmu. Clearly, the bearing and actions of the person in the drawing were very alike to how Xiao Yuanmu usually was. But it wasnt the Xiao Yuanmu they usually saw.

It was the Xiao Yuanmu in Song Xuanhes eyes.

Simple, pure, crystal clear, unfathomable.

Louis had asked Song Xuanhe, How are you able to read his emotions from that unchanging expression and expressionless eyes? Also, how are you able to translate that into your drawings? I suddenly feel like Xiaos super easy to read. Clearly, nothings changed, but it feels like somethings changed. Can you draw me? I really wonder what I look like in your eyes.

Song Xuanhe had wanted to agree because to him, it was practice all the same regardless of who he drew. But before he could reply, Xiao Yuanmu had come back and declined.

Xiao Yuanmu had said, Hes only allowed to draw me.

Louis had left in a huff and Song Xuanhe had continued to fill his sketchbook with more sketches of Xiao Yuanmu, under the others disapproving watch. Xiao Yuanmu would occasionally flip through his sketchbook and furrow his brows tightly. Sometimes, he would seem lost in thought.

One time, Song Xuanhe had asked him, Why are you frowning at my drawing?

Xiao Yuanmus gaze had not left the drawing. Quietly, he had asked, What were you thinking while drawing this?

Nothing, Song Xuanhe had said, I was just drawing.

Xiao Yuanmu had then asked, Then what did you think I was thinking while you were drawing me?

Work? Song Xuanhe guessed, Whether a case would be successful, if someones project was good or not, what the next step is going to be.

No. Xiao Yuanmu had interrupted Song Xuanhe with a mild voice. He had spread the sketchbook open in front of Xiao Yuanmu and pointed to the image of him typing. I was thinking of you.

Song Xuanhe had been taken aback. He didnt reply.

Xiao Yuanmu had continued, You had been drawing for three minutes and fifteen seconds at that moment. I had been contemplating whether or not I should remind you to stop.

Song Xuanhe had continued to keep his silence. Xiao Yuanmu had then flipped to another drawing. The man in that sketch had been looking at someone outside the picture. His features were sharp, but his expression wasntthere was even a sliver of softness within it. This was when you were acting like a spoiled child because you wanted to eat mango.

Song Xuanhe had coughed and asked with furrowed brows. When did I act like a spoiled child?

You said that your condition would worsen if you didnt get to eat mango. Xiao Yuanmu had looked at him. Is that not acting like a spoiled child?

Were you thinking of me in this sketch as well? Song Xuanhe had raised a brow and huffed.

I had been thinking whether you would kiss me if I let you eat mango, like when you were trying to bribe me to let you eat chicken drumsticks.

Song Xuanhe had glared, That was an accident!

At that time, he had just changed his dressings. When he had been on his phone, he had come across the image of someone elses chicken drumstick meal. Song Xuanhe had been forced to eat plainly for some time at this point and he hadnt been able to help but drool over it. He had asked Xiao Yuanmu for it, but the other had said no without even considering it. The other had even mercilessly said, Not only can you not eat it today, you cant eat anything greasy or spicy until you fully recover. Ill be watching you.

Song Xuanhe had been under his tight watch for the last few days. He also had some things on his mind, so he had been suffering from pent-up frustration for a long time already. In a momentary fit, he had asked, Dont you have to go to work? Its not like you can stay here 24/7 and stop others from buying it for me.

Xiao Yuanmu had cocked a brow. I have several people assigned here. No one would dare buy you anything I dont want them to.

Song Xuanhe had known that he couldnt win over him. He had then tugged on his blanket, planning to lie down. Unfortunately, he had forgotten that he had the IV attached to his hand, and his hand immediately started to bleed as the needles on his arm shifted out of place. Xiao Yuanmu had wanted to press down on his wound and call the doctor over. Unexpectedly, Song Xuanhe had been unsteady and his waist was injured. When Xiao Yuanmu tugged him, he toppled towards the other without resistance.

As soon as he fell, Xiao Yuanmu had reached out to grab him. The two of them had thus accidentally bumped lips. It was just a touch, nothing else.

Song Xuanhe hadnt expected that Xiao Yuanmu would twist the situation and change it from an accident to him kissing him on purpose while trying to bribe him by being coquettish. Therefore, he had rolled his eyes. I wouldnt bribe you for just a drumstick.

Xiao Yuanmu had said, I will always think of you when you kiss me.

These words were nothing special and they sounded even more ascetic when spoken with his chilly voice. But for some reason, they had made his ears flush. He had stopped arguing with the other just like that.

After that incident, every time Song Xuanhe drew, Xiao Yuanmus words would echo in his mind: Im thinking of you.

Back to the present, Song Xuanhe was lost in his thoughts. Without him realizing it, five minutes passed. Xiao Yuanmu looked up and saw that Song Xuanhe was staring off into space, thinking about something. His posture didnt seem like it was engaging his core muscles so he figured it wouldnt pull on his wound.

But he still reminded the other: Its been five minutes.

Song Xuanhe abruptly snapped out of his daze, but he hadnt yet fully pulled himself out of his memories. Without thinking, he blurted out: Are you thinking about me right now?

Xiao Yuanmus typing paused. His fingers hovered over his keyboard.

Song Xuanhe instantly realized what he had just said. He averted his gaze. You looked like you were thinking of me right now. But I think it would be better if you concentrated on your work. After all, Im sitting right here. You dont have to think about me so much.

Then what were you thinking about?

Xiao Yuanmu closed his laptop. He folded his hands and rested his chin on top of it as he gazed in Song Xuanhes direction. There was a dark glint flashing through his jet-black eyes.

What was I thinking about? Song Xuanhe blinked, expression guileless. You know that I dont think of anything while drawing.

Xiao Yuanmu grinned. And here I thought you were thinking of me.

Youre right in front of me, Song Xuanhe said, What would I need to think about?

Xiao Yuanmu asked, So youre saying that you think of me when Im away?

Song Xuanhe had choked. He forced out, Sometimes.

When?

When he heard the interest in Xiao Yuanmus voice, Song Xuanhe covered his wound and frowned. Im going to lie down for a bit. My wound hurts. Call me when its time to eat.

As he said this, he put his sketchbook on the table and curled up under the blankets, closing his eyes.

There was a smile in Xiao Yuanmus eyes. He chuckled. Have a good nap.

Song Xuanhe didnt reply. He acted like he was already asleep.

The warm air from the heater circulated through the room, and the sound of Xiao Yuanmu typing could be heard. Occasionally, he would also catch a whiff of a cool scent. It was very faint, and easily missed. It was Xiao Yuanmus scent.

Song Xuanhes eyes were closed. He took in the nearly undetectable scent of disinfectant and listened to the nearby taps of the keyboard. It was like the air was bringing with it warmth and comfortable satisfaction. The furrows in his brows unfurled and he gradually fell into a deep sleep.

Close by, Xiao Yuanmu stopped typing. He slowly got up and walked over to Song Xuanhes bedside. He watched the other for some time before placing a soft kiss on the corner of the others lips, a smile on his own. He then returned to his stop and continued to work.

Eve: Pure, unadulterated fluff. This is the sugar we all needed. This is the sugar we have waited for. It is so much sweeter after all that bitterness.

xiin: sweet candy~