Translator: Helliot
Editor: P’Raikantopeni
–
The face of a drug addict was ghastly, terrifying as if their bones were going to break out of their skin.
Despite believing that one could control it, how could they?
Gu Ze grew used to following him with his gaze, used to touching his shoulder blades, used to leaning over him, as if had to press his lips onto his skin no matter what, used to venting inside his body.
When he saw Meng Fu talking and laughing with the female employees, he couldn’t help but feel his anger rising, and agitation swept over him.
Business has been busy these recent years. He figured it may be caused by the pressure of work.
On the last day of work before the annual vacation, Gu Ze saw a relaxed expression on Meng Fu’s face. “Are you pleased?”
Sure enough, Meng Fu frowned and shook his head gently. How could he dare be in front of Gu Ze?
“Meng Fu.”
He called his name. Meng Fu waited for him to continue, but there was a long silence.
But then, he got into his car and left, as if leaving a blank for Meng Fu to speculate on the words never spoken aloud.
Perhaps, even he himself had no idea what he wanted to say.
In the car, he looked out the window at Meng Fu who walked past the car, and watched him walk into the familiar lane. Holding his forehead, he lit a cigarette. “Drive.”
Secretary Wang read out the newest report. When he mentioned that the He Group was facing insolvency and was about to be acquired by another company, he saw a cold smile emerge on Gu Ze’s face.
Secretary Wang thought that Gu Ze would never stand aside and do nothing for the He family based on the feelings he had for He Manyu, but he didn’t expect him to be so ruthless. He was a man steeled for revenge, never going soft on others.
He watched Meng Fu, who gradually move further away from them, and suddenly pitied the man, pitying him for running into He Manyu, for meeting Gu Ze.
The empty atmosphere of the large house was finally filled by servants and the color red.
In the blink of an eye, it was the New Year’s. There were couplets, decorations, and firecrackers, all highlighting the New Year’s aura.
It was rare that Gu Rongsheng was cordial with Gu Ze at the table. Everything was peaceful, until Mother Gu brought up Gu Ze’s age. “Son, you’re already thirty-two after New Year’s. Isn’t it time to…?”
Mother Gu did not continue her words because Gu Ze’s face changed. He picked at some food with his chopsticks, his face expressionless. “Mom, your daughter-in-law and grandson died long ago.”
Awkwardness spread.
Gu Ze quickly finished his food and went upstairs.
“I saw Zhang Ming’er with another man two days ago. What a nice girl she is. How come Gu Ze doesn’t like her?” Mother Gu sighed.
“Isn’t it because that He Manyu’s bewitched him?” Gu Rongsheng grunted.
In the drawer lay an old photo from a distant time. The girl in the photo was beaming beautifully like a flower.
Gu Ze brushed his fingertips gently over the girl’s face.
“Manyu, how did you die just like that?”
Soft words like those of a dream, like a charm upon his heart, keeping him stuck in the thicket with nowhere to escape.
Then, he took out a photo album. The person in the photo was only nineteen that year, and from the angle it was taken from, it must’ve been a candid photo from when he was released from prison. That man had a childish look to his face as he stood daydreaming at the corner, looking up at the sky.
One by one, he flipped past the photos before closing the album.
“Son, where are you going?” Mother Gu called out to Gu Ze from behind.
“I’ve got work to finish.”
“What work is there to do on New Year’s? Just go next time.”
However, Gu Ze had already left out the door before she could finish. Mother Gu shook her head and sighed. “If only we hadn’t objected to their relationship back then…”
“She’s already dead. What are you still bringing her up for?!” Gu Rongsheng fumed.
–
New Year’s Day has always been the happiest time for Meng Yi since he could wrap dumplings. He liked wrapping the dumplings into all sorts of pretty shapes and showing them off to Meng Fu for his praise. “Meng-Meng, look at how nicely I wrapped them!”
“Yeah, they’re good, but the filling is almost spilling out.”
Meng Fu took the dumplings from Meng Yi and skillfully removed some of the filling before re-wrapping them into a small and delicate shape.
“Meng-Meng is amazing!”
Meng Fu smiled and quickly wrapped another one.
The knock on the door sounded like a threatening alarm bell. Sure enough, he saw Gu Ze as soon as he opened the door.
It had been a long time since they’d last seen each other. Gu Ze never appeared during the New Year’s holiday. They had already finished dinner, and the dumplings they were wrapping now were the leftovers they never finished wrapping before. He had no idea whether Gu Ze had eaten or not, or how to even greet him.
“Mr. Gu.”
“You’re wrapping dumplings?”
“Yeah.”
He nodded. He watched Gu Ze take a seat at the table and look at the thirty dumplings wrapped on the table. “Did you wrap these?”
“Big Brother, I wrapped these pretty ones!” Meng Yi announced proudly while pointing at the dozen oddly-shaped ones.
Gu Ze turned his eyes back to Meng Fu. “Make a bowl for me.”
He had actually eaten dinner earlier, but he wanted to try them anyway.
“Oh, sure.”
When he came out of the kitchen with a steaming hot bowl of dumplings, he realized that Gu Ze was clumsily wrapping dumplings. Meng Yi was even teaching him as if there was nothing wrong with this.
“Aiya, that’s not right, Big Brother! How can you be so clumsy?” Meng Yi quickly grabbed the dumpling from Gu Ze’s palm. “You made it look so ugly, what a waste.”
But Gu Ze didn’t get angry. Instead, a smile had even surfaced on his lips.
But when his eyes turned to Meng Fu, he suddenly retracted his smile. Blowing on the hot air from the bowl, the rising steam hid the look of comfort in his eyes.
“Meng-Meng’s dumplings are really yummy, aren’t they?” Meng Yi asked, lifting his head.
Eight dumplings quickly finished, Gu Ze said, “Yeah. They’re good.” Then, he looked at Meng Fu who continued wrapping dumplings. “Who taught you how to make them?”
“I learned it from my mom.”
“Meng-meng, it’s been so long since we went to see mom and dad,” Meng Yi said.
“We’ll go next time.”
Their parents were locked up in the prison in Lin City for their repeated offense, and since they were too busy, Meng Fu could only take Meng Yi there to visit them once in a long while since he was always busy.
“Meng Fu, does criminality run in your family?” Even though they were just habitual words, Gu Ze regretted it as soon as the words were blurted from his mouth. He couldn’t stand it. He just had to rub salt in Meng Fu’s wound in the New Year’s.
Sure enough, Meng Fu looked down. The forgotten wounds quickly tore apart once more.
Knowing that he’d already hurt him, Gu Ze said nothing more. Taking his phone out to play, Meng Yi sat beside him, watching. After a while, Gu Ze passed his phone to Meng Yi.
At night, the man stripped bare after his shower endured the pain coming from behind as a wilful hand caressed his back, moving inch by inch.
Suddenly, the man leaned over and his fingers touched his chest.
But was so shocked that he threw his elbow back to stop it, but seemingly shocked, the hand retreated even faster.
But before he could relax, that hand seemed to touch the point at his chest again.
Tentatively, under temptation.
Meng Fu couldn’t see Gu Ze’s face as his own face was buried into the pillow, but his heart was beating hard. He tried to move the mischievous hand away, but as soon as he did, he heard Gu Ze’s deep voice ring, “Why are you evading me?”
As if his secret had been exposed, a wave of excitement faintly surfaced in Gu Ze’s heart. He was only touching him lightly before, but then he began rubbing it back and forth with his fingertips.
The point on the man’s chest gradually stood up.
“Mr. Gu.” Meng Fu’s breath was unsteady.
Gu Ze did not pay him any attention.
“Mr. Gu.”
A strange feeling flowed through him. He raised his hand to try and push Gu Ze’s hand away, but it was caught by Gu Ze and pressed down on the bed.
“Meng Fu.”
Again, only his name was called, but no words were said.