Chapter 4

Shou-wife sat on the bench on the first floor of the inpatient ward for the entire afternoon. He only slowly went up when it was the usual timing he would get off work.

Bai Yueguang had left one hour ago and while he was downstairs, Shou-wife had watched him leave.

When Shou-wife entered, Broken-Leg Gong was using the phone. When he saw Shou-wife entering, he quickly put his phone away and like “300 taels that were not hidden here” (idiom: revealing what one intends to hide) said, “I was not playing with my phone.I was resting well.”

Shou-wife’s mood was low and was not amused as usual. He asked Broken-Leg Gong, “Did anyone visit you today?”

Broken-Leg Gong was hesitant for a second before replying no.

The table at the head of the bed was half a floss cake. Broken-Leg Gong asked, “Did you order takeaway for me?”

Shou-wife nodded.

Broken-Leg Gong gave a peck on his face and said, “My baby is the best.”

Shou-wife’s mouth opened, he wanted to ask why did Broken-Leg Gong hid the fact that Bai Yueguang came. But he swallowed the words back. At night, the both of them still held hands to sleep. Broken-Leg Gong fell asleep very quickly but Shou-wife could not sleep no matter what, and started to think about the past.

After what happened, Shou-wife took initiative to leave even before the internship period ended. He deleted Way Broken-Leg Gong’s contact and continued his life as per normal. After graduating from his senior year, he found this job. The job was stable and well paid.

His family arranged a blind date for him but he came out of the closet and was kicked out so he found his own place to live alone. He also tried finding someone else to like but he did not meet anyone suitable. Sometimes at night he would dream, and dream of that unbelievably real kiss.

Another 2 years passed. Shou-wife returned to the school’s campus for the 100th anniversary. After leaving the auditorium, it started raining. There were many people crowding at the entrance. Among the crowd, Shou-wife took out his umbrella from his back and was ready to head out and get a cab.

At this time, his gaze landed on a familiar figure. He has not seen him for two years but that person looked more mature and he still looked just as handsome as he was in Shou-wife’s dreams. And Shou-wife’s heart was uselessly beating violently again at the sight of him.

The man instinctively looked towards his side. When he saw the other party, he was stunned for a second before walking through the crowd and coming over.

“Could you send me to the carpark?” Broken-Leg Gong pointed at the umbrella in Shou-wife’s hand.

Shou-wife nodded and the two of them squeezed under an umbrella to walk together. Broken-Leg Gong was taller by Shou-wife by a half a head and it was uncomfortable to bend his waist downwards. He reached up for the umbrella handle and said, “Let me carry it.”

Both their hands touched briefly and Shou-wife hurriedly pulled his hand away.

After sending Broken-Leg Gong to the carpark, Shou-wife intended leave. Broken-Leg Gong asked where was he going. Shou-wife revealed his address. Broken-Leg Gong said it was on the way and, “Let me send you.”

Shou-wife was hesitant for a moment before getting on the car.

They were both silent and the atmosphere in the car was awkward. In order to break the silence, Shou-wife found something to say, “Why didn’t you come with Senior Bai?”

“He went overseas.”

“Oh.”

“He obtained his academic degree last year. He found a job and probably would settle there.”

“Oh.”

Shou-wife did not ask further. He could tell that was sad when it came to this subject. He did not feel good either. He did not know if he sympathised with the other’s feelings or sympathised with himself.

The car arrived outside Shou-wife’s apartment building. Shou-wife wanted to alight but heard Broken-Leg Gong asking a question out of the blue. “Did you delete me off your contact list?” His tone sounded a little aggrieved.

Being exposed on the spot, Shou-wife felt embarrassed and could only take out his phone and added him back.

After adding Broken-Leg Gong back, they did not chat and both of their names were just listed quietly on each other’s lists. Once, Shou-wife sent out a rare update to his circle of friends. Broken-Leg Gong liked it.

Shou-wife was flattered and felt that he should reciprocate. So he went Broken-Leg Gong’s photo album and like a recent photo of his.

After awhile, he received a message. When he opened, he saw it was sent by Broken-Leg Gong. The hand holding the phone started trembling. Broken-Leg Gong asked, “Why did you like a photo that I took three months ago?”

Shou-wife was too embarrassed to admit that he wanted to praise him and did not take note of the timestamp. It would seem insincere. Thus, he replied, “I found it nice.”

There was no reply from Broken-Leg Gong. Shou-wife felt something was not right and went back to see the photo he liked. It was selfie that showed the forehead. Shou-wife smiled and looked at it for awhile before saving it.

Shou-wife and Broken-Leg Gong became mutual friends who praise each other in their circle of friends. It was just that Broken-Leg Gong’s rate of posting was very low and it was mostly him liking Shou-wife’s updates. But he did not miss out one at all.

One night before sleeping, Broken-Leg Gong posted an update to his circle of friends. Before Shou-wife saw the contents, he liked it first. After liking, he realized it was an advertisement for a house for rent. The place was opposite the home Broken-Leg Gong’s home. Shou-wife tossed and turned the entire night and could not sleep. Those feelings that he had long suppressed started to probe again. The next morning, he called the landlord on the advertisement.

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