After taking care of Chen Qianqing for a month, Liu Huamei left. Before leaving, she reminded Chen Qianqing to bring Lu Zhengfei to C City during the National Day holiday, leaving Chen Qianqing unsure of how to react.
"Qianqing, you must be more careful in the future," Liu Huamei advised. "I used to worry that your personality would get you into trouble, but after seeing you now, I'm not as worried anymore."
These words made the smile in Chen Qianqing's eyes fade. He said, "Mom, I've grown up."
Liu Huamei patted his shoulder while Lu Zhengfei carried the luggage. The two of them left together.
Chen Qianqing stood with his crutches at the door for a long time, until his legs couldn't bear it anymore, before slowly walking back inside.
Liu Huamei's words made Chen Qianqing unable to smile. The real Chen Qianqing didn't know where to go anymore. He was just a sinner who came back to atone for his sins. What qualifications did he have to receive preferential treatment from Liu Huamei? He had killed his own son and taken over his son's body... Chen Qianqing sat on the sofa in the living room and sighed softly after a long time.
Lu Zhengfei returned after sending off Liu Huamei and found that Chen Qianqing was asleep.
Since Chen Qianqing's leg was broken, Lu Zhengfei felt that he had changed a lot. He couldn't define this change as good or bad, but the only thing Lu Zhengfei was certain of was that the frequency of their arguments had decreased a lot. In this month, it could be said that they hardly argued at all.
Lu Zhengfei had always been stubborn when he was young, and Chen Qianqing was also someone who wouldn't compromise. So most of the time, their relationship was in a mode of not standing in each other's opposition even if they agreed with each other, as long as they won the argument.
Chen Qianqing was in pain, and Lu Zhengfei was not at ease either.
The current change made Lu Zhengfei relieved. He felt that Chen Qianqing had finally come to his senses and would no longer oppose him.
As Lu Zhengfei walked into the living room, he saw Chen Qianqing sleeping peacefully.
Since his leg was broken, Liu Huamei made bone soup for Chen Qianqing almost every day. Lu Zhengfei remembered that Chen Qianqing used to not like this kind of soup, but now he didn't waste a drop.
He should have gained weight after eating so much, but in reality, there wasn't much change in Chen Qianqing's body. He lay on the sofa, his eyes closed, long and curly eyelashes, straight nose bridge, and fair skin making him look like a prince in a fairy tale - of course, ignoring the plaster on his right leg that was in the way.
Lu Zhengfei didn't wake Chen Qianqing up. He slowly walked to his side, lowered his head, and gently kissed Chen Qianqing's lips.
Chen Qianqing didn't wake up. His lips weren't very thin, but they were beautiful, and kissing them felt comfortable. Lu Zhengfei couldn't help but feel a sense of intimacy.
Chen Qianqing was having a nightmare. In his dream, he was coiled by a giant python, which tightly wrapped around him and started swallowing him from his head. Chen Qianqing even felt difficulty in breathing and needed more air, so he involuntarily opened his mouth, allowing the python's tongue to probe inside.
Chen Qianqing had a reaction, and this discovery excited Lu Zhengfei. Over the past month, he had been holding back because of Liu Huamei. It was only when Liu Huamei left today and Chen Qianqing was lying on the sofa asleep that he found a perfect opportunity.
Lu Zhengfei smiled - he knew, his Qianqing hadn't changed.
However, amidst the pain, Chen Qianqing unexpectedly felt a strange sense of relief. It was his fault for Chen Qianqing's hardships, and it was his fault that Chen Qianqing had suffered throughout his life. Therefore, the violation by his younger self seemed like a retribution, a price he had to pay for his wrongdoings.
"Qianqing." Lu Zhengfei didn't notice Chen Qianqing's strangeness. He softly said, "I love you."
Chen Qianqing didn't say anything. His hair was disheveled, and he stared blankly at the ceiling, as if he couldn't hear Lu Zhengfei's words anymore.
"Qianqing?" Lu Zhengfei touched Chen Qianqing's cheek and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
It was only then that Lu Zhengfei realized that something was wrong with Chen Qianqing. When he looked closely, he found that Chen Qianqing hadn't reacted at all since he woke up from his sleep.
This was like slapping Lu Zhengfei's face hard.
But it was Chen Qianqing's reaction that broke Lu Zhengfei's heart the most. He asked, "Chen Qianqing, do you hate me that much?"
Chen Qianqing looked at his younger self and after a long time, he said, "Yes." - I hate myself so much, hate my past self, hate my current self. Lu Zhengfei, without you, Chen Qianqing might have had a bright future, a beautiful life. He would have had a wife, a son, been filial to his parents, and lived a peaceful life.
But you - or rather, me - destroyed everything.
That "yes" became the end of their conversation. Lu Zhengfei didn't say anything more and proceeded to have another round with Chen Qianqing.
Chen Qianqing had no strength to resist. In the end, he just closed his eyes and sighed softly in between breaths.
After everything was over, Lu Zhengfei held Chen Qianqing in his arms. He lit a cigarette and made a phone call.
Chen Qianqing was forced to lean on Lu Zhengfei's shoulder, his eyes indifferent.
Lu Zhengfei talked about business with the person on the other end of the phone. He knew Chen Qianqing was unhappy, but he didn't let go of him until after the call ended and said, "I'll carry you to the shower."
Chen Qianqing made a sound of agreement.
In fact, Chen Qianqing's calm reaction was unexpected for Lu Zhengfei. Every time they had done this, it had always been a battlefield. Although Chen Qianqing would react, he would give him a cold look or directly accuse him of being a rapist. They would usually have a cold war period afterward until Lu Zhengfei softened.
Well, Chen Qianqing wished Lu Zhengfei wouldn't pay attention to him.
The bathwater was warm, and Chen Qianqing had cling film wrapped around his leg, half of his body submerged in the bathtub.
Lu Zhengfei's movements were gentle as he washed away the marks on Chen Qianqing's body.
"When can I go back to school?" Chen Qianqing suddenly asked.
Lu Zhengfei's movements paused for a moment. "...When your leg is healed," he said.
Chen Qianqing fell silent again.
Lu Zhengfei couldn't help but ask, "When do you want to go?"
Chen Qianqing said, "I want to go next week." Lu Zhengfei said, "Next week? That won't work." Chen Qianqing showed an expression that said he already knew that. Lu Zhengfei pondered for a moment and said, "The week after next, the paperwork is done, you can go back directly."
"Mhm," Chen Qianqing finally responded.
No arguing, no cold war, just a cold attitude. Faced with this kind of Chen Qianqing, Lu Zhengfei felt somewhat unfamiliar, but within this unfamiliarity, there was also an indescribable happiness. To Lu Zhengfei, it seemed that Chen Qianqing was finally not so stubborn.
That night, Lu Zhengfei slept in Chen Qianqing's bedroom.
Chen Qianqing didn't seem to resist being held by Lu Zhengfei, allowing him to hold him without saying anything.
When Lu Zhengfei woke up, Chen Qianqing kept his eyes closed, so he thought he was still asleep. Lu Zhengfei quietly got out of bed to use the bathroom and when he came back, he saw that Chen Qianqing was already awake.
"Awake?" Lu Zhengfei touched Chen Qianqing's forehead and, after realizing that there was no abnormal temperature, he sighed in relief. "What would you like to eat for breakfast?"
Chen Qianqing still had no expression on his face, and after a moment, he said softly, "Just some porridge."