The Decade of Deep Love

When you really loved someone, you wouldn’t care whether it ended up with resentment or despair. When you were in a particular scene, when your memories were recalled, all you could think of is the delicious meals he had cooked for you, the snow you had watched together with him hand in hand, and the grand bouquet of “baby’s breath” that he had handed to you with a smile.

It was not his cold words or his violence that you would call to mind.

It was not about whether you were over him. It was not about mindless love or pleading for love. It was always the instinct of all living creatures to seek benefit and avoid harm.

Zhishu He got quiet suddenly as he usually did. Ziyu Ai Stopped chatting too, and just drove quietly.

At this moment, a sound came from his phone indicating a text message was received. The phone was right by his hand. Ziyu Ai opened the mailbox while driving.

After one glance of the message, Ziyu Ai got serious. He glanced at Zhishu He discreetly who was looking out of the window in fascination.

It was a text message from Wenxu Jiang.

“I’m in Beijing now. I won’t be back until I find matching bone marrow. He is unwell. Stop taking him go places just to avoid me. Please take care of him.”

Ziyu Ai deleted the message and threw the phone into the back seat. He was very upset; all kinds of emotions were stirred up. He hated Wenxu Jiang’s tone in the text message. It was like that Wenxu Jiang was biting the bullet, and Ziyu Ai himself was the one tearing the loving couple apart. Ziyu Ai thought it was funny. Had he no shame to ask me to take care of Zhishu He?

But Ziyu Ai knew Wenxu Jiang well. If he said he will not go back, then he won’t. If there was a choice, Ziyu Ai was reluctant to drag Zhishu He on the road to Yangzhou.

The car stopped at the tea garden. Ziyu Ai opened the car door and reached his arms out to carry Zhishu He, “Hurry up. Before the dog comes and pounces upon you.”

As he carried Zhishu He in his arms, he felt Zhishu got thinner than before at the hospital. His shoulder blades and collarbones stuck out, skinny and even scary. The bruises from his neck to his armpits extended to his back and almost jointed together.

It was windy and cold. Zhishu He was coughing weakly in Ai’s arms.

“Are you cold?” Ziyu Ai stood at the door while Zhishu He was unlocking the door with his fingerprint.

Zhishu He answered him with a low voice, “I don’t mind the cold. I just can’t bear the damp.”

Ziyu Ai carried him to the couch and squatted to change him into cotton-padded slippers. “You stay here and watch some TV. I’ll go find the dehumidifier and the fan heater.”

Zhishu He nodded his head obediently. When he looked down, he looked into the pair of brown eyes which were soft and tender like enchanted. Zhishu He stroked Ziyu Ai’s hair gently, like…petting a big dog.

Ziyu Ai was stunned a little; then he held He’s hand and stood up slowly, kissing He on his cheeks, “Well, You’ve learned to seduce me?”

Zhishu He blushed. He looked away awkwardly, “At most…it is like seducing a dog.”

“Then I’ll bite you!” Ziyu Ai’s growling made Zhishu He laugh.

“Quick, go find the machines.” Zhishu He frowned a little bit, which totally seized Ai’s heart, “I can’t bear the damp.”

Ziyu Ai went to find them obediently and found them soon after. He brought them to the living room, laid them around Zhishu He at an appropriate distance. “You just rest here. I’ll go fix you some food.”

Zhishu He was holding a cushion in his arms, looking up at him, “We don’t go to Yangzhou anymore?”

“Of course not. Who would look after the jasmines in your garden if we go?” Ziyu Ai turned around and went to the kitchen, leaving his voice behind his back, “You don’t have to worry about anything but yourself. I’m here for you.”