very nice
The sun shone warmly on his back. Lin Xiyan buried his burning cheek deeper into Jiang Yibai's shoulder, trying to block out any possible gazes from the outside world. It was so humiliating. In his over a decade of life, he had never experienced such... such a conspicuous presence. But the firmness of the arms around him, the steady, reliable sound of his heartbeat against his chest, strangely soothed the panic he felt at a loss for what to do.
Jiang Yibai held him in his arms, taking steady and quick steps, oblivious to everything around him, as if he was holding the most precious and fragile item in the world, and his only mission was to deliver it safely.
When they reached the car, the driver had already cleverly opened the backseat door. Jiang Yibai carefully bent down and, as if placing a priceless treasure, gently placed Lin Xiyan into the soft backseat. As he did so, his fingertips inadvertently brushed the back of Lin Xiyan's neck, causing a slight shudder.
"Be careful with your head." He reminded in a low voice, protecting Lin Xiyan's head with his palm until he was completely seated.
The car door closed, isolating the outside world. The cabin suddenly became quiet, with only the subtle sound of the air conditioner and the unsteady breathing of each other as the voices rang out.
Lin Xiyan lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously scratching the leather seat beneath her, the heat on her face still not completely subsiding. The seat next to her sank, and Jiang Yibai sat down, sitting very close, his warm body temperature transmitting through the thin fabric.
"Does it still hurt?" Jiang Yibai turned his head to look at him, his eyes falling on his injured foot that was carefully placed on his leg.
Lin Xiyan shook his head, his voice still a little muffled: "...much better." In fact, the wound was still aching slightly, but compared to this, the "trouble" just now made him more upset.
Jiang Yibai seemed to see through his insincerity and did not ask any more questions. He just reached out and naturally took his uninjured left hand into his palm, gently stroking his slightly cold knuckles and the protruding bones on his wrist with his fingertips.
"Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?" he asked, his tone as casual as if he was discussing the weather today. "I didn't eat much just now."
Lin Xiyan had no appetite and subconsciously wanted to shake his head, but when he caught a glimpse of Jiang Yibai's expression, which said, "If you dare to say you're not hungry, I'll keep nagging you," he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. He hesitated for a moment and whispered, "...anything is fine."
"Then I'll make the decision." Jiang Yibai squeezed his fingers, took out his phone, and began typing rapidly, apparently instructing someone to prepare food. As he typed, he kept glancing at Lin Xiyan out of the corner of his eye, as if afraid he'd disappear if he wasn't paying attention.
The car moved steadily. Lin Xiyan tilted his head to look out the window at the flowing street scene. The embarrassment in his heart slowly subsided, and another, more complicated emotion quietly surfaced. A sour, swollen feeling filled his heart. He couldn't help but secretly glance at Jiang Yibai beside him.
He was looking at his phone screen with a slight frown on his face, his profile sharp and defined. Occasionally, his fingertips tapped rapidly, making a soft, clicking sound. He was a stark contrast to the aloof, seemingly uninterested nerd at school. Only when facing her did he reveal so many... vivid, tender, even childish, expressions.
Why...it had to be him?
This question, like a pebble dropped into a lake, sent ripples through his heart. Did he deserve this? Did he deserve to be treated so cautiously, yet so overbearingly and directly?
As if sensing his gaze, Jiang Yibai suddenly raised his head and accurately caught his gaze before he could look away.
"Spying on me?" He raised his eyebrows, a playful arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, and there was a tiny glint in his purple eyes.
Lin Xiyan's heart skipped a beat, as if he'd been caught doing something bad. He hurriedly looked away, his ears burning uncontrollably. "...No."
Jiang Yibai chuckled, put down his phone, turned his whole body towards him, and moved closer: "Does it look good?"
A warm breath brushed against his ear. Lin Xiyan leaned back slightly, trying to create some distance, but his back pressed against the car door. There was nowhere to escape. He pursed his lips, saying nothing, but his fingers curled quietly.
Seeing him so shy and trying to pretend to be calm, Jiang Yibai felt itchy inside, but he didn't force him anymore. He just reached out and rubbed his burning earlobe very lightly with his fingertips, his action full of pity.
"There'll be plenty of time to read it later." He lowered his voice with a lazy tone, as if he was making a promise.
Lin Xiyan's heart beat faster.
The car finally drove back to the old building. This time, before Lin Xiyan could react, Jiang Yibai had already gotten out of the car, walked around to open the door on his side, and then without saying anything, he picked him up again.
"!" Lin Xiyan exclaimed softly, and subconsciously wrapped her arms around his neck, "I... I can do it myself..."
"The stairs are dark, what if he falls?" Jiang Yibai reasoned, carrying him steadily up the narrow corridor. The voice-activated light was still broken, but in the dim light, his steps showed no hesitation, and he steadily avoided all obstacles.
After returning to the small room, Jiang Yibai gently placed the man on the bed and carefully looked at his ankle. He heaved a sigh of relief after confirming that it was not swollen from the trip just now.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Jiang Yibai had gone out for a moment, returning with several exquisitely insulated food containers. As soon as the lids were opened, a rich aroma instantly filled the room. It wasn't the heavy, oily, salty aroma of a restaurant, but rather the light yet fragrant aroma of home-cooked dishes, still steaming hot.
"Try it. It's made by the chef at home. It should suit your taste." Jiang Yibai handed a small bowl and a spoon to his uninjured left hand.
Lin Xiyan looked at the bowl of soft, glutinous porridge and the delicate side dishes, and the sour feeling in his heart surged back. He lowered his head and ate in small sips. It tasted delicious, and the warmth comforted his empty stomach.
Jiang Yibai sat beside him and watched him eat, but he didn't pick up his chopsticks. His eyes were as focused as always, as if watching him eat was the most interesting thing.
Halfway through the meal, Lin Xiyan suddenly remembered something, raised his head, and searched the room: "Cat...Where is Bai Yan?"
"I'm full, sleeping on the balcony in the sun." Jiang Yibai pointed out the window. Sure enough, the orange-and-white kitten was lying on the small cushion on the windowsill, sprawled out, its soft belly exposed.
Lin Xiyan looked at the little ball of warm life, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously curled up slightly.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Yibai cleaned up the dishes neatly. Then he took out the medicine prescribed by the doctor and watched Lin Xiyan take it obediently.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly, pouring in through the windows and casting large, bright patches of light on the floor. The room fell silent, with only the sound of the two people's light breathing and the occasional purring of the kitten in its sleep.
A peaceful and warm atmosphere flows slowly.
Jiang Yibai didn't say he was leaving, nor did he do anything else. He just dragged the old chair over, sat on it with his legs crossed, rested his chin on the back of the chair, and looked at Lin Xiyan who was leaning against the headboard of the bed.
"Bored?" he asked. "Want to watch a movie? Or listen to some music?"
Lin Xiyan shook his head. He rarely had moments like this where he could completely relax and not think about anything. Just being there quietly like this seemed... not so bad.
Jiang Yibai stopped talking. He just stared at him quietly, his gaze like a soft paintbrush, slowly painting Lin Xiyan's eyebrows, nose, and lips. The sunlight cast a light shadow under his eyelashes, coating his pale skin with a warm hue. He looked a little more lively and softer than when they first met.
As he watched, Jiang Yibai suddenly spoke in a very soft voice, as if he was afraid of disturbing the tranquility:
"It seems... I've gained some weight."
He spoke incoherently, but Lin Xiyan understood instantly. He was referring to the words "90 pounds" and "fattened face" that the doctor had said in the hospital.
Her cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably again. Lin Xiyan subconsciously wanted to lower her head, but she heard Jiang Yibai laugh softly again, his tone full of undisguised sense of accomplishment and joy:
"very nice."
These two simple words, like honey, seeped sweetly into Lin Xiyan's heart. He raised his eyes and looked at Jiang Yibai.
The other person was looking back at him, her purple eyes filled with a gentle light, surprisingly bright. There was no trace of joking or teasing in them, only pure, sincere happiness for him.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to thicken at that moment.
Lin Xiyan's heart felt like it was being gently gripped by something, leaving him feeling completely limp. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat was blocked, and not a single word came out.
In the end, he just pursed his lips and smiled very lightly, but truly, in the direction of Jiang Yibai.
Like the first ray of light breaking through the cold when the ice and snow melt in early spring.
Jiang Yibai looked at the faint smile and was slightly startled. Then, the light in his eyes became brighter, almost overflowing.
The sun is quiet and the years are peaceful.
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