Seeing this, Weng Yinlin, standing at the side, patted Lu Bai on the shoulder.
"Zhan Yu has actually been by our side the whole time. Even if Zhan Yu never woke up, you still have to take care of yourself or he'll be sad."
"I know, Mom." Then, Lu Bai continued, "The child's name will be Lu Chenan...Mom. I'll call Dad and Grandpa to talk to them about this."
"Alright."
So, three weeks after the birth of the Lu family's youngest member, the child finally received his name—Lu Chenan, nickname Anan.
Anan had been clinging to Lu Bai since he was very young. No matter whether he was drinking his milk or sleeping, he would cry as long as Lu Bai wasn't the one helping him with his needs. But if Lu Bai were to walk over while he was crying and reach out to hold him, he wouldn't even need to say anything. Just one look and the baby will stop immediately. He would even wave his small little hands, smiling happily.
The elders said that this child was very smart. He was able to recognize faces already at such a young age.
Lu Bai thought so as well. How could their child not be smart?
On the day the child reached one month old, Shi Shi died in prison.
The cause of death was suicide.
When Lu Bai's friend told him the news, he was silent.
"How could she choose to end her life at this time? I seriously don't get it."
But Lu Bai didn't tell him that she must have wanted to leave this "false world" since her wish had come true anyway.
Zhan Yu won't ever wake up again.
But Shi Shi was dead.
And the world continued running as usual.
Their days still had to go on.
Lu Bai seemed to have gotten used to his life of watching over Zhan Yu while raising their child. He accepted the fact that he had no idea when Zhan Yu was going to wake up and began slowly reverting back to his old self.
During the day, Lu Bai donned a suit and went to work. At night, he would accompany her and the child.
Lu Chenan really was a smart child. He learned much faster than any other kid. But of course, he was also very naughty. Ever since learning to turn over, it would spend the whole night awake, tossing and turning in his own crib, having the time of his life.
During the three months that Zhan Yu was asleep, he never went a day without visitors.
Mao Shiyuan watched with his own eyes how Lu Bai thinned with each day. He hoped every single time that he came to the hospital that the lifeless Zhan Yu could sit up to scold him. At the very least, it was better than nothing. But there was much he wanted to say to Lu Bai. But when he saw him, he didn't know where to start.
Should he persuade him to stop waiting for Zhan Yu? That's too cruel.
Should he tell him to leave his days well? Too weak.
Mao Shiyuan believed that the only thing he could contribute was to support him silently at the side.
Zhuang Zhe visited the hospital often as well. Only, he had also been getting a little anxious lately.
One time after he finished playing with Lu Chenan, he said to Lu Bai with a smile, "Your son is a delight, makes me want a baby of my own! Only, I wonder where the mother of the child is? We're truly brothers in pain aren't we, Lu Bai?"
Zhong Qin and Gu Tong who was just about to enter the room looked at each other for a moment, but neither of them said anything. Their own best friend had mysteriously fallen into a coma. From being unable to accept this fact, they had now given up hope.
By now, hope had become a faraway thing.
Whether or not Zhan Yu would be able to wake up, they no longer knew. They figured that if he didn't wake up, then they would run out of strength and courage to hold on.
Only Lu Bai always believed that Zhan Yu would definitely wake up.
On this weekend, Lu Bai filled up a basin of warm water to help Zhan Yu wipe his face and hands.
The sun was glowing brightly.
As Lu Bai wiped Zhan Yu's fingers skillfully, he said, "The weather is wonderful today. Mom brought Anan back home to see Grandpa. It feels really quiet without him around. It would be nice if you could talk to me at a time like this. Darling, I know you'll wake up so I'll keep waiting. I'll wait for the day you wake up again."
Lu Bai continued to tell Zhan Yu many things. By the time he was done and went up to pour out the water, he did not realize that as the winds blew the curtains over the bed, the fingers of the person who had been lying quietly on the bed moved ever so slightly.
What kind of thoughts ran through Zhan Yu 's mind when he went to the disaster area?
Perhaps Zhan Yu himself had no idea. Only, in that instant when all his colleagues had taken a step back, Zhan Yu unexpectedly said, "I'll go!"
As soon as Zhan Yu said that, he could feel the changes in everyone's gaze.
Zhan Yu did not try to understand the deeper meanings of their looks. All he knew was that the team leader asked, "Do you know what this trip means?"
Zhan Yu nodded and smiled. "I know."
There was a huge risk and even a threat to his life.
But Zhan Yu wanted to go.
It felt like Zhan Yu couldn't find a reason not to.
When Zhan Yu was packing his bags, he suddenly saw the book by his pillow and he froze. Looking at that book for a long time, he did not move. Then, he resolutely put that book into his luggage. With it, he felt like he could gain a boost of courage.
Before he left, he wanted to leave Lu Junxing a message. But he figured it would be superfluous to make Lu Junxing worry in vain if he were to tell him.
Lu Junxing was better off living an unrestrained life.
But unexpectedly, the situation in the disaster area was worse than Zhan Yu expected. After recording the situation almost in a hurry, he rushed to the people's aid.
The aftershocks caught Zhan Yu by surprise. By the time he wanted to run, there was no way out.
Stone pillars came crashing down, landing heavily on Zhan Yu 's weak back. Zhan Yu could feel the sticky blood staining his clothes. The bag he carried with him had long fallen apart, and though he could see the book splayed out on the ground, he could no longer see the words.
It took Zhan Yu a lot of effort to reach out and a long time to bring the book in front of him.
In the darkness, Zhan Yu heard her feeble breaths.
Zhan Yu wanted to call for help but he was already out of breath.
Zhan Yu 's head was growing heavier and heavier, and he saw the book turn red.
It was his blood.
Everything felt like it had gone back to the beginning again.
Back to the moment Zhan Yu fell down that stairwell.
Only, things were a lot different now.
All the sweet and bitter moments played back in her mind just like a film.
Zhan Yu was only in his twenties, but he felt like he had already walked through a very, very long life.
Reality truly was tiring.
When Zhan Yu shut his eyes weakly, he figured that release may be a good thing.
Perhaps he would be able to see that person he missed so much before he passed on.
"Lu Bai..."
"Baby, wake up!"
"Darling, wake up!"
His voice...
Lu Bai's voice...
"Wake up! Xiao Yu!"
Why are there so many voices ringing in his ears?
"Wake up!"
Did he wake up?
It was still dark all around him. Would he be able to see the light if he opened his eyes?
"Wake up, Zhan Yu !"
"Lu Bai..." Zhan Yu's lips moved. His voice was very quiet, but it excited the man who was waiting by his side.
"He's awake! He's awake! I'll go call the doctor!" Zhan Qiancheng quickly said.
"Hurry!" Lu Bai quickly leaned down to stroke Zhan Yu 's cheek. "You've finally woken up! Finally!"
"Lu Bai..." Zhan Yu slowly opened his eyes and saw that all-too-familiar face. Only, his cheeks were much thinner.
"Are you Lu Bai?"
"Baby!" Lu Bai buried his head between Zhan Yu's shoulder, his own trembling uncontrollably.
Zhan Yu could feel the hot feeling through the fabric on his shoulder. Zhan Yu's heart moved and he subconsciously said, "I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize. Everything is fine now that you're awake."
Zhan Yu wanted to reach out to hold Lu Bai, only to find that his hands were weak and frail.
Lu Bai sensed Zhan Yu's intentions and quickly told him not to move.
After the doctor came over and finished his examination, he said, "Everything is normal. He's woken up after being asleep for a long time so his body needs some time to adjust. He'll be fine as long as proper care is taken."
"Thank you, doctor." Zhan Yu thanked him and realized that this doctor seemed to be not much older than himself. He was young and very handsome.
The doctor looked at Zhan Yu and said, "No need to thank me. I'm the one who should thank you instead." Then, he gave a meaningful glance to Zhan Qiancheng who was standing at the side and said, "Mr. Zhan, may I ask if my reputation is saved now?"
Zhan Qiancheng raised his eyes and also shot him a meaningful glance, but he did not speak.
But in the next second, the doctor looked away. "Mrs. Lu, please have a good rest and pay attention not to eat anything too heavy these two days."
"Alright." Zhan Yu smiled faintly.
Lu Bai was by Zhan Yu's side, tidying up his pillow and thanked the doctor as well.
Zhan Yu clearly noticed that the doctor had a very strange expression.
After the doctor left, Zhan Qiancheng looked at his phone and said, "I'll go get Mom and Dad."
"Okay." Then, Zhan Yu began to think again and he asked Lu Bai, "Does my brother know that doctor from earlier?"
But Lu Bai wasn't interested. "You just woke up so don't bother your mind over thinking about these things. Just rest."
Zhan Yu pursed his lips.
Zhan Yu had already rested for so long that he didn't feel tired at all.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"101 days," Lu Bai answered without a second thought.
"Where's the baby?"
"Mom took him back home. They're on their way."
"Oh. I want to see him."
"Don't worry, you'll get to see him in the near future. That little boy it a really troublesome one, just like you."
"Hey, how am I troublesome?" Zhan Yu did not agree.
"You make me worry over you before we're married, and you make me worry over you after we're married. Tell me, when have I ever been given a break?" Lu Bai retorted casually.
Zhan Yu was speechless for a moment. Indeed, Lu Bai was rarely at ease after meeting him.
"So, do you regret it?" Zhan Yu asked.
"Not at all." Lu Bai said. Then, he held Zhan Yu's face and kissed him. "I'm afraid of losing you. I've always been afraid."
Lu Bai looked at him and Zhan Yu's eyes reddened slightly.
"Lu Bai..."
"So, after brushing shoulders with death, are you still going to leave?"
Zhan Yu shook his head with his eyes blurred with his tears. "No, I won't leave again. I'll never leave for the rest of my life."
"Yeah. I love you!"
"Ahem!"
Just as Lu Bai was about to kiss Zhan Yu, they were interrupted by a deliberate cough at the door.
Lu Bai looked helplessly at Zhan Qiancheng, but Zhan Yu was holding back his laughter. Only, with the tears in his eyes, it was hard to tell.
"Grandpa, you're all here?" Lu Bai stood up and looked to the door.
"I came to see my grandson-in-law," Grandpa Lu said as he walked straight inside. When he saw the person on the bed, he first sat down before his eyes reddened from hearing the words "Grandpa". He couldn't hold it in and said, "Good! It's good that you're awake!"
Weng Yinlin was originally holding Lu Chenan, but as soon as the little baby saw Lu Bai, he broke away from her embrace and stretched out his tiny little arms towards Lu Bai desperately.
Naturally, Lu Bai picked him up.
The little one clapped his small hands happily, his black pearl-like eyes glistening as they looked around nimbly.
Weng Yinlin looked towards Zhan Yu. Seeing that he had truly woken up, she was overcome by emotion and took his hand, saying, "You really worried us sick sleeping for so many days. Lu Bai had been watching over you day and night, hoping that you'd wake up. But now, what a joy! My child, how could you sleep for so long!"
Zhan Yu held deep guilt over this matter. "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm sorry for making you all worry so much!"
Weng Yinlin said to Zhan Yu, "Everything is fine now that you're awake."
"Thank you, Grandpa, thank you Mom. Lu Bai, I want to hold him."
"Anan, this is your Mama!" Worried that Zhan Yu's energy hadn't returned yet, Lu Bai came closer to Zhan Yu while holding the baby.
Zhan Yu looked at his big round eyes and the little bubbles on his mouth and couldn't help but feel warm. "Anan..."
Weng Yinlin said, "The child is healthy and very cute, Zhan Yu. You've worked hard."
"No, Mom. It's you all who have been working hard." Zhan Yu could imagine how difficult it was for them to keep up their hopes while he was in a coma.
"It wasn't hard at all, as long as the family's together," Grandpa Lu said.
"Yes, Grandpa!"
Zhan Yu looked at the child without turning away, gently picking up his hands with his fingers.
Lu Chenan immediately gripped onto Zhan Yu's fingertips and watched him firmly.
"Anan, I'm your Mama!"
Lu Chenan was compliant and did not move.
"Anan..."
Zhan Yu reached out to touch his smooth little face, and Zhan Yu couldn't help but bend down to give him a kiss. "My son..."
Lu Bai on the other side said, "After some time, you'll know what your son's character is really like."
Zhan Yu said to him, "What, he's not your son?"
Lu Bai was speechless. Well, he was his son too.
The two Zhan family elders were also overjoyed to see Zhan Yu awake. Bai Ning even hugged Zhan Yu and cried for a very long time. Zhan Yu was unable to restrain himself and the two cried in each other's embrace for a very long time.
In the end, Lu Bai and Zhan Qiancheng reluctantly had to tell Bai Ning to go home first to prepare a lovely dinner.
After news of Zhan Yu waking up went out, many of his friends rushed over to see him.
Zhong Qin skipped work just to rush to the hospital. Crying and smiling at the same time, he said, "If you don't wake up, I would've shaved my head and become a nun!"
Zhan Yu laughed. "Miss Zhong, that's not something you should joke about!"
"Who asked you to sleep for so long? Me and Gu Tong were both getting desperate. Fortunately, good people are favored by heaven. I told Gu Tong that if you dared abandon such a good family as yours, then you really have no class."
"Yeah, I got it. That's why I fought my way out and woke up!"
When Zhan Yu heard this, Gu Tong really cried. "Don't scare us like that anymore! That really did a number on us!"
"I won't do it again."
Zhan Yu rested a few days at the hospital. After the checks came out clear and he had no other issues, he was discharged. A vast entourage came to pick him up from the hospital.
Even Lu Chenan who was only a few months old realized that something good had happened. When Bai Ning held him, he waved his hands more joyfully than usual, looking all around the place with a wide grin on his face.
The director of the hospital saw off the group personally. Zhan Yu's attending doctor, Su He, was invited to join as well.
But actually, this patient, Zhan Yu, was the most frustrating patient Su He had ever had. They couldn't figure out the cause of Zhan Yu's illness, and when all hope was lost, Zhan Yu mysteriously woke up again.
The uninformed members of the hospital even praised Su He for his good medical abilities.
Zhan Yu had his arms crossed in front of his chest at that time. He wished he could roll their eyes at them and say, "Medical ability my ass!" He barely had to do anything medical related, okay?!
What's more, Zhan Yu couldn't stop thinking about the time when Zhan Qiancheng was in his office, asking in contempt, "It's been so many days, Doctor Su. Are you sure you're a real doctor?"
How could he refute him at that time?
"Doctor Su..." The dean called out to him while he was distracted.
Su He immediately came back to his senses and said to Zhan Yu, "Congratulations on being discharged. Remember to get enough rest."
"Thank you."
Su He looked at the man standing in front of him with his clear eyes and warm smile, and he couldn't help but recall all the comments the nurses made about his in private.
It was said that Zhan Yu was a famous host of this city's TV station.
Su He had just returned to the country so he was busy with work. Naturally, he hadn't been paying attention to the news.
It was also said that Zhan Yu was a very lucky man. He got married to one of the top talents in Shengjin City with a fortune of billions. They have a happy family and successfully created an heir. It's just that after the birth of the child, they were met with this unexpected fortune.
But the gossips concluded unanimously that even if Zhan Yu was in a coma, Zhan Yu had still received three lifetimes worth of blessings with what Zhan Yu already had.
Su He witnessed how Lu Bai and Zhan Qiancheng treated Zhan Yu, he agreed with those gossips as well—Zhan Yu really was blessed.
On the night when Zhan Yu was discharged from the hospital, Lu Bai had plans to hold a celebration party in the old home and invited some of his good friends to participate.
Zhan Yu invited Su He as well. "Doctor Su, would you happen to be free tonight? We would like to invite you to the celebration we're hosting tonight."
"Well..." Su He hesitated. That was because he did not, in fact, had extra work tonight.
Zhan Yu was well aware of the situation and immediately said, "That's decided then. When you're off work, I'll get someone to come pick you up, Doctor Su." Then, he happened to look at Zhan Qiancheng, whether purposefully or not.
Su he had also followed his gaze over to Zhan Qiancheng.
But Zhan Qiancheng had his body turned to the side and only his profile could be seen.
Su He quietly spat in his heart. Hah! Then, he smiled to Zhan Yu, "Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Lu. I'll definitely go if I have time."
"Sure. We'll be waiting for your grand visit this evening, Doctor Su."
Su He tugged the corners of his mouth up into a smile. Even though he could sense that Zhan Yu was very extroverted and Zhan Yu didn't mean anything bad by inviting him, Su He just had a hunch that things may not be as it seems.
Zhan Yu had dug out a huge pit and he was just waiting for him to jump in.
But Su He couldn't bother with such thoughts after, he saw away the Lu and Zhan families. He had an important surgery to deal with that would take quite a few hours. He didn't have the energy to think about this.
On the way back, Lu Bai held Zhan Yu and said in dissatisfaction, "Can you not rack your mind over things like these as soon as you wake up?"
"What kind of things?" Zhan Yu didn't understand.
Lu Bai glanced at Zhan Yu and said, "You invited that doctor because you're trying to matchmake him with Zhan Qiancheng, aren't you?"
Zhan Yu blinked and looked at Lu Bai with gleaming eyes. "So you found out?"
Lu Bai was unsurprised. "I know what you're thinking about just by looking at your eyes. You're just trying to fool that doctor and your muddle-headed brother with your little tricks."
Zhan Yu couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Oh, so turns out I'm married to such an amazing person?"
"You just found out now?"
Smiling, Zhan Yu curled up in Lu Bai's arms and said, "Actually, I realized after coming back this time that I still have a lot of things holding me here. I was worried that Mom and Dad would be sad if I died, and that my brother would never find weather it is a boy or a girl he liked, being left alone forever. He's not an expressive person. Even if he cares about you a lot, he'll never say it. You have to feel it yourself. I'm just worried such a stiff person like him will never find happiness in his life."
Lu Bai sighed and asked, "What about me, then?"
"I'm worried too." Zhan Yu looked up at Lu Bai and said, "I'm worried that you'd be foolish enough to wait for me your whole life..."
"Yeah, I'll wait for you to wake up for the rest of my life."
Zhan Yu smiled and reached out to wrap his arms around Lu Bai's neck. "Fortunately, everything is going well."
The celebration that night could almost be described as a gathering of friends. There was Mao Shiyuan, Zhuang Zhe, Ji Yi, Gu Tong, Zhong Qin, and even Xia Qiao were all present.
As soon as Zhan Yu saw Xia Qiao, he realized that he still looked the same as usual.
So, Zhan Yu smiled and said, "Long time no see."
It seemed like the two had never seen each other since Zhan Yu's wedding.
When Xia Qiao saw Zhan Yu, it felt like it was a lifetime ago. "I'm relieved to see you alive and well. If you didn't wake up, then I might have been the next receiver of the Host's Golden Microphone."
Zhan Yu smiled. "We all have our strengths."
Xia Qiao smiled as well.
Zhan Yu looked around at everyone. Yeah, everyone Zhan Yu was close with was here with Zhan Yu.
It was a good feeling.
Su He wasn't able to arrive before the celebration began. It took a lot of convincing for Zhan Yu to finally talk Zhan Qiancheng into going to the hospital to pick the doctor up, and in the end, Zhan Qiancheng still returned empty-handed after they waited two hours.
When Zhan Yu asked for the reason, Zhan Qiancheng just told Zhan Yu plainly, "He had a surgery to do."
Zhan Yu eyed the ashen look on his face, but it wouldn't be good for him to ask anything more.
Su He did not come tonight, but Mo Bei did.
When Zhan Yu saw how less he smiled tonight, he asked Lu Bai in secret, "Is Mo Bei not doing well at work or is it love related?"
Lu Bai reached out to bring Zhan Yu into his arms and said in dissatisfaction, "You're worrying a lot about other people."
"Hehe, just concerned about them."
"Are you concerned about him or Chu Hu?" Lu Bai suddenly asked.
"Chu Hua?" If Lu Bai didn't mention him, then Zhan Yu would've forgotten about him and Shi Shi.
"Oh, that's right! How's he doing? And what about Shi Shi?"
Lu Bai avoided the question and responded simply, "Shi Shi is dead. It was suicide."
In fact, what he didn't tell Zhan Yu was that while Zhan Yu was unconscious, Chu Hua came many times to see him like a ghost that wouldn't let go. She thinks that she was the only one who can accompany him through the rest of his life, and naturally, Lu Bai ignored her.
But Mo Bei was different. It was normal to be sad, frustrated, and disappointed to know that the person you loved with all your heart had such thoughts from start to end.
Lu Bai felt that this was good. At the very least, Mo Bei would be able to see early on that Chu Hua wasn't the right one for him.
The topic of this conversation gradually drifted off with Zhan Yu's silence.
After seeing everyone off, Zhan Yu went into Lu Chenan's room to play with him for a while before Lu Bai told him that time was up. It's time to put the baby to bed.
Zhan Yu was at the side, watching Lu Bai change the diaper of the baby skillfully and preparing the formula.
Zhan Yu lamented, "You're much better at being a dad than I am at being a mom now."
Lu Bai looked at Zhan Yu and smiled, "There's still many days in the future and lots of time and opportunities for you to practice."
Zhan Yu smiled and nodded. "You're right."
Little Anan must have exhausted himself today with all the excitement. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep.
After Zhan Yu went back into the room to take a shower, he found that Lu Bai who had returned when Zhan Yu didn't realize it was on the bed, reading a book.
Zhan Yu had no idea how deep into the book he was.
After hearing the noise, Lu Bai looked up towards the bathroom and saw Zhan Yu standing at the bathroom doorway with a Black nightgown on.
Zhan Yu's skin was fair to begin with, and now his complexion had become alabaster after these three months.
Lu Bai's unscrupulous gaze ran over Zhan Yu's exposed skin for a long time. Putting his book down, he said, "Come here."
Zhan Yu looked at Lu Bai's dark eyes and naturally knew what was in his mind. Smiling, he went over and was just about to pounce on him. But expectedly, Lu Bai grabbed Zhan Yu's hand first before he could do anything and pulled Zhan Yu to bed.
Being flipped over, Zhan Yu's back landed on the soft sheets. Lu Bai moved extremely fast and pressed Zhan Yu down underneath himself.
The two of them were so close that Zhan Yu could almost count the number of eyelashes on Lu Bai's eyes. Zhan Yu couldn't help but reach out to touch his face from his brow bone, down to his nose, and then his cheek.
"Did you miss me?" Lu Bai lowered his head and dropped a kiss on Zhan Yu's ear.
"I did." Zhan Yu tilted his head slightly. "I missed you so much."
Lu Bai stopped his kisses and looked at Zhan Yu's eyes, asking, "What did you experience during that period?"
All those painful things that seemed so distant resurfaced frame after frame at his words as if they had just happened.
"When I woke up, I realized you weren't next to me anymore. I had returned to my previous world. Before I met you, I fell down the stairs and hit my head. I was unconscious there too. For my sake, my mother sold the house and took out a mortgage to pay the debts. After I found out about this, I did my best to work so I could improve me and my mother's lives. I also tried hard to find that book, but when I found out that Shi Shi had already passed away there, I lost hope. I searched for that book for so long and never found it, that was until, I met Lu Junxing..."
"Lu Junxing?" Lu Bai squinted at the words.
"Yeah. Lu Junxing."
"Who's that?" Intuition told Lu Bai that this was not any ordinary man. And his surname was Lu?
"Yeah. I'll be honest, so don't get angry with me," Zhan Yu quickly reminded Lu Bai first.
Lu Bai looked silently at Zhan Yu.
Was he such a petty guy in Zhan Yu's heart?
"Do you think I'm that easily angry?" Lu Bai asked.
Zhan Yu smiled, his eyes curving into crescents. "Well, you're not that petty."
"So, who's this Lu Junxing person?"
"He looks just like you, and even more amazingly, he's in the same career with you too. Only, he's engaged in the industry while you're not."
"Is that so?" Lu Bai's reaction was light.
"Both he and Shi Shi used to live in the same neighborhood, and Shi Shi knew him. She burned all the existing copies of that book and left him one single copy. I had only realized the truth after many years, and after finishing that book, I found out you were waiting for me. So, I desperately wanted to come back to see you."
When Lu Bai heard that, hen was deep in thought for a long time. He asked, "How did you come back?"
"I ended up working for a magazine at that time as a reporter, and one of the provinces was hit by an earthquake. Nobody else would go, so I volunteered."
Lu Bai seemed to have guessed something from Zhan Yu's words. "Did...something happen to you?"
Zhan Yu gave him a light smile. "Yeah. it was the aftershocks. I was busy trying to help with the rescue efforts, and I didn't manage to escape."
Even though Zhan Yu was lying intact in Lu Bai's arms at this time, just thinking about the situation back then and how helpless Zhan Yu must have been, how Zhan Yu was all alone before hisown [Zhan Yu's] death made Lu Bai's heart clench.
This person Lu Bai loved so much that he wished he could keep in the palm of his own hands and pampered was, in a place he had no knowledge of, endured so much pain. He had so many things he wanted to say, but he didn't know where to start. He said in a deep voice, "I'll protect you in the future."
"Yeah, I know. Lu Bai, my mom died of stomach cancer. "She said she was glad I was safe and sound, and in the half-month before she died, she was glad that I could be there for her. But I still feel guilty. I was still useless and unable to protect her."
"No, it's just fate. She left in peace and that is enough."
Zhan Yu recalled what his mother told him before her death and said to Lu Bai, "My mom also felt regretful that I never found someone I could live out the rest of my lives with. I told her I did find him." Zhan Yu looked at Lu Bai and said in a gentle voice, "I've already found him. Only, I never had the opportunity to show him to her." That was a regret Zhan Yu would never be able to mend.
Lu Bai was silent for a moment. Then, he reached out to stroke Zhan Yu's long hair and whispered, "She'll watch us being happily together from heaven, so don't be sad."
"Yeah, I know." As long as you're by my side, I'll have endless confidence and strength.
Zhan Yu blinked his eyes and felt sleepiness gushing over him. Hee was just about to close his eyes when he heard Lu Bai ask, "So, what's your relationship with that Lu Junxing?"
"Huh?" Zhan Yu opened his eyes to look at Lu Bai. "What do you mean?"
"He looks the same as me and is in the same profession. Even his personality is almost like mine..."
When Zhan Yu heard the deeper meanings of his word, Zhan Yu deliberately put on a smile and said, "Oh, you're wrong. His character is different from yours. He's gentler and more gentlemanly than you."
"Oh? Gentler? And more gentlemanly?"
"Yeah! Lu Junxing is really a good person. It's just a pity..." Zhan Yu's voice softened as his gaze deepened.
"A pity what? Is it a pity you couldn't stay with him?"
"Well, I just think it's a pity I never got to see him obtain happiness."
Zhan Yu would always remember Lu Junxing's kindness. Even if he wasn't there for him during his most difficult period where he lost his family, he was afraid that he wouldn't have been able to hold on.
"Lu Bai..."
"Yeah?"
"No matter where I go, I will not abandon you as long as you remain in my memories. No matter where you are, I'll remain as loyal to you in our relationship as you are to me." Zhan Yu said softly, "Even though he looked exactly like you, and is the same as you in many places, I know he isn't you. You are you, you are my Lu Bai...My Ah Bai..."
Each and every one of Zhan Yu's words shook Lu Bai's core.
This was perhaps the deepest confession he had ever heard in his life.
Zhan Yu wouldn't leave him, wouldn't abandon him. The two of them shared the same loyalty in their feelings.
"Zhan Yu, you are also mine, Lu Bai's." Then, without waiting for Zhan Yu to respond, Lu Bai captured Zhan Yu's lips tenderly and kissed him.
The End...