Chapter 69 A gentle breeze passes by, brushing against the mountain ridge...
Chapter 68
Chu Xingli specifically asked his elder brother.
What time does Luo Xiaoran usually visit his mother?
“Aunt Ming loves the sunset, so Xiao Ran often goes up the mountain at this time to watch the sunset with her.”
As Chu Lianqing spoke, her gaze remained fixed on her younger brother's face.
He knew that his younger brother's heart was being warmed and softened again by Xiao Ran without anyone noticing.
Even if it takes ten, a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand times, Luo Xiaoran will remain the same, persevering without giving up.
Chu Xingli was slightly taken aback upon hearing his elder brother's answer.
Sunset.
Every year, Luo Xiaoran would visit his mother at sunset.
...Sunset.
Those are moments that would naturally cause people to feel frustrated and depressed for no reason.
Luo Xiaoran always did this alone.
How heartbroken Luo Xiaoran must have been back then.
Chu Xingli's eyes burned.
He didn't want his older brother to see him cry.
But Chu Lianqing, who had been Chu Xingli's elder brother for over twenty years, surely understood what kind of person his younger brother was.
A paper tiger, a crybaby.
Anything that is even slightly heartbreaking or sad will make him shed a couple of tears.
Moreover, it concerns Luo Xiaoran.
"Xingli," Chu Lianqing raised his hand to squeeze his younger brother's shoulder, then rubbed his face, and comforted him gently, "Everything will be alright."
Xiao Ran will get better.
You will too.
***
Chu Xingli was pulled back to sit on the sofa in the living room by Luo Xiaoran.
When I came to my senses, my older brother and Gu Zezhou were already gone.
"Hug me, what's wrong?" Luo Xiaoran half-squatted in front of Chu Xingli, holding his slightly cool fingertips. "Are you feeling unwell?"
As she spoke, she raised her hand and touched Chu Xingli's forehead to check his temperature.
"I'm fine." Chu Xingli kept looking at Luo Xiaoran's face, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
He feels very lost right now.
The nightmares that haunted him every night constantly reminded him that Luo Xiaoran, both physically and mentally, would never belong to him forever.
The time he spent with Luo Xiaoran... every day they spent together was one day less.
"A hug?" Luo Xiaoran's eyes were full of Chu Xingli.
He could clearly see every subtle change in Chu Xingli's expression, and naturally he could also sense the other person's mood at that moment.
Very bad.
"Want a hug?" Luo Xiaoran opened his arms.
Chu Xingli suppressed the stinging sensation in her nose and leaned forward, only to be tightly embraced by Luo Xiaoran.
"Hugs, you were amazing today," Luo Xiaoran's voice was gentle and tender as she whispered in Chu Xingli's ear, "You bravely accepted the python needle treatment and were even willing to bring such a big bag of Chinese medicine home to drink."
Chu Xingli, who was in a relaxed state, retorted with a wry smile, "It was you who insisted on bringing it back for me to drink."
As he spoke, he began to bring up old grievances again: "Also, I was terrified of that python needle, and when I tried to run away, you grabbed me and wouldn't let me go out."
Luo Xiaoran couldn't help but laugh: "It seems that our Hugs' memory is getting better and better. They can even remember such a small thing. That's amazing."
Chu Xingli blushed from his continuous praise, but stubbornly turned her head away, saying, "This is no small matter; I'm really angry."
“Then I apologize. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have grabbed you,” Luo Xiaoran was surprisingly patient. No matter what Chu Xingli said, he did as she said. “I caused you to get pricked by the python needle.”
These words left Chu Xingli speechless.
What Luo Xiaoran gave was never a stepping stone, but a slide down with cheers all the way down.
He would stand by the exit, catch Chu Xingli steadily in his arms, and then ask him if he had fun.
"It's all prickly," Chu Xingli said unconsciously as she brushed the cat hair off Luo Xiaoran's back, whispering, "Actually, it's quite comfortable, so I'll reluctantly forgive you."
Luo Xiaoran was smiling.
Chu Xingli felt much better.
He really enjoyed watching Luo Xiaoran smile.
I feel very at ease.
"Hug me. It's late, we should rest," Luo Xiaoran pulled Chu Xingli's collar close and kissed the tip of his nose. "You must be very tired today."
Hearing Luo Xiaoran say, "We should rest now," Chu Xingli was in a great mood.
It wasn't for any other reason, it was simply because he was willing to sleep with Luo Xiaoran.
...It's the pure kind of sleeping.
Since being discharged from the hospital, Chu Xingli has often felt very cold.
Although he was like this before the car accident, he had no recollection of it.
Luo Xiaoran's palms were warm, as were his neck and everywhere else.
It made Chu Xingli feel very comfortable whether she was holding it or leaning against it.
"Okay~" Chu Xingli hurriedly stood up from the sofa, ready to go back to the master bedroom bathroom with Luo Xiaoran to wash up.
He received python needle treatment today and cannot take a bath; he can only wipe his body simply with a hot towel.
Therefore, he could finish washing up first and lie in bed waiting for Luo Xiaoran.
Unexpectedly, after taking only two steps, she realized that Luo Xiaoran seemed to be walking back to the room at an odd angle, as if he was heading towards...
"Aren't you going to sleep with me?" Chu Xingli asked in surprise as Luo Xiaoran walked towards the next bedroom.
Luo Xiaoran shook his head: "Hugs, you need to get a good night's sleep. I'll be in your way if I lie next to you."
Chu Xingli didn't know what Luo Xiaoran was thinking. He only knew that he shouldn't let Luo Xiaoran face the moment he opened his eyes tomorrow morning alone.
He will be sad.
"I want to sleep with you." Chu Xingli spoke frankly and directly, expressing her thoughts without beating around the bush.
Luo Xiaoran's attitude was even more resolute than Chu Xingli's: "Goodnight, hug."
After saying that, he pushed open the door to the next bedroom and went inside.
Chu Xingli was slightly taken aback, and after a long while, he sighed softly.
.
Chu Xingli slept alone that night.
But he barely slept a wink all night.
I was constantly tossing and turning in bed.
For the first time, she even hated herself for losing her memory in the car accident.
He was afraid that he might do something wrong tomorrow.
It will make Luo Xiaoran even more heartbroken.
Fortunately, Luo Xiaoran has never had any problems controlling his emotions.
When Chu Xingli set her alarm early, wanting to go to the kitchen ahead of time to make breakfast for Luo Xiaoran and herself, she saw Luo Xiaoran's busy figure in the kitchen as soon as she opened the bedroom door.
Luo Xiaoran has ears that can hear everything.
He would not overlook any subtle movement concerning Chu Xingli.
"Good morning, hug," Luo Xiaoran turned to look at him, the smile on his lips never betraying his true thoughts. "Have you washed up? Time for breakfast."
Chu Xingli looked at him, but the rebellious Er Gou forcefully rammed his thick back against her knee, causing her to stagger forward two steps uncontrollably.
He also came to his senses in the process.
“…Ah, all done washing.” Chu Xingli sat down at the dining table.
He placed both hands neatly on the dining table, like a primary school student ready to answer the teacher's questions at any time.
"How about we go shopping later?" Chu Xingli stiffly offered the first suggestion that came to mind.
He couldn't let Luo Xiaoran calm down.
People usually get emo when they are in a quiet state.
As long as Luo Xiaoran has something to do and is busy all day, he won't have time to be sad.
At least I can stay with him until dusk, when the sun is about to set, and then we can go up the mountain together to visit Aunt Ming.
...Aunt Ming.
This title sparked Chu Xingli's thoughts.
If he is on the same level as Luo Xiaoran, then the "Aunt Ming" that his older brother refers to is his mother.
A mother just like Ms. Ye Huihui.
Luo Xiaoran was quite surprised when Bao Bao suddenly asked him this question.
However, he didn't have the habit of refusing Chu Xingli, so he nodded and said, "Okay, where do you want to go, Hug?"
Looking at cars? Looking at houses?
I used to hate these kinds of situations.
It shouldn't be.
Luo Xiaoran held the milk glass in his hand, not picking it up, as he pondered the place Chu Xingli wanted to go.
"You didn't expect that, did you?" Chu Xingli raised her head with a knowing smile and said, "Then listen to me today and come with me."
Luo Xiaoran was amused by his appearance and compromised, saying, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."
*
Luo Xiaoran didn't expect that when Bao Bao said she wanted to go shopping, she really meant shopping in the literal sense.
The commercial streets in the city center are bustling even on weekdays.
The area is surrounded by densely packed office buildings, where the activity and quiet of the commercial street intersect.
Many young couples, taking a break from their busy schedules, still dressed in their work attire, came out for lunch together during their lunch break to ease their longing for each other.
Chu Xingli raised her hand to push up her sunglasses and turned to look at the tall young man walking beside her.
He allowed Luo Xiaoran to wear a full set of sportswear today, and even took the initiative to suggest that the other party wear sportswear.
All so that Luo Xiaoran could have a good mood because of comfortable clothing.
Chu Xingli couldn't be more impressed with her own ability to tolerate this kind of pairing.
"Want some milk tea?" Chu Xingli patted Luo Xiaoran's arm and pointed to the milk tea shop on the right.
Luo Xiaoran was somewhat surprised by Chu Xingli's tone of voice.
The milk tea is secondary; the hug is what you shouldn't miss.
“Okay.” Luo Xiaoran nodded and took out his phone to scan the QR code to place his order.
"I asked you, so I'm treating you," Chu Xingli said with a smile, pressing down on his phone. "What flavor would you like to drink?"
Inviting people here and there is nothing more than an expression of emotion and a matter of personal interest.
Luo Xiaoran was quite pleased with Bao Bao's domineering and assertive manner, and pointed to the "Oolong Tea" in the center of the LED screen in cooperation.
Chu Xingli placed her order decisively and also ordered herself a full-sugar taro ball pearl milk tea. Standing by the decorative lamp on the street, she happily drank it through the straw.
While he wasn't looking, Luo Xiaoran had already taken two photos on his phone before asking with a smile, "Is it delicious?"
It's like when Frozen Pear was little, after drinking goat milk, she lazily spread herself out on the carpet, spreading out her mangosteen petals to bask in the sun.
Chu Xingli's mind was full of milk tea, and he thought Luo Xiaoran asked because he was craving it, so he quickly reached out and handed it to him: "Try it."
He gave Luo Xiaoran too many unexpected surprises today.
This gave Luo Xiaoran an inexplicable feeling of gain and loss.
"Don't you want to try it?" Chu Xingli noticed Luo Xiaoran was in a daze, and her gaze shifted to the straw in her hand that she had bitten a few times. She then withdrew her hand embarrassedly. "I'll buy you another one with pearls and taro balls?"
Luo Xiaoran grasped his hand as it recoiled, and in that position, he lowered his head and took a sip of Chu Xingli's milk tea.
"It tastes very good."
It wasn't until Chu Xingli saw Luo Xiaoran's Adam's apple bob that she belatedly realized what was happening.
Just how ambiguous was his invitation to Luo Xiaoran to drink milk tea?
Even with part of their faces obscured, the two were still strikingly good-looking, and their frequent intimate interactions made it hard not to attract the attention of passersby and curious glances filled with well-meaning blessings.
Chu Xingli swallowed hard, trying to cover up her embarrassment, her ear tips burning uncontrollably.
Just then, the door of the office building not far away was respectfully opened by two security guards, and a tall, thin man walked out.
He glanced casually at the corner of the commercial street and his eyes widened suddenly.
The next second, it rushed towards Chu Xingli.
"Xing Li!"
Luo Xiaoran reacted quickly; before the other party could even get close, he raised his hand and pressed down on his shoulder.
Then, with a forceful shove, the man was forced back three or four steps before regaining his footing.
"Xingli, Xiaoran, I'm your brother-in-law."
Chu Xingli certainly recognized who he was.
I also guessed why he had become increasingly disheveled recently.
"Sun Hengyang," Chu Xingli said, taking two steps back in disgust to distance herself from the other person, "Aren't you disgusting?"
Perhaps worried that arguing here would be embarrassing, Sun Hengyang hid behind the back door of a shop, so that passersby wouldn't see his face.
“They forced me to do this, Xingli. Your brother-in-law has his reasons,” Sun Hengyang said, his back hunched, a stark contrast to his usual domineering demeanor. “Please, speak to your sister for your brother-in-law, help him out, okay? I really can’t live without her!”
Chu Xingli laughed out of exasperation at his annoying appearance: "Sun Hengyang, where's your face? Oh, you were skinned alive when you cheated on me, huh? Otherwise, how could you be shameless?"
Sun Hengyang certainly didn't think it was his fault; he only felt that Ye Yan was ruthless and cruel.
It was already incredibly difficult for him to act like a grandson and beg Chu Xingli for such a few words.
Hearing Chu Xingli's words, which left no room for negotiation, Sun Hengyang decided to stop pretending and raised his hand, intending to point at Chu Xingli's nose and curse at her.
Then I saw Luo Xiaoran standing next to me.
Clearly, he was acting as if he would be thrown into some nameless alley the moment he dared to raise his hand, so he immediately cowered and withdrew his hand, glaring at him and making threats.
"There's not a single good person in your Chu family!"
"Get the hell away from me," Chu Xingli said, utterly annoyed. "And I advise you not to keep trying to take advantage of my older sister, or you might not even know how you died."
After Chu Xingli finished speaking, he turned and left.
Luo Xiaoran, of course, noticed the vicious gaze that Sun Hengyang was fixed on Chu Xingli.
He held the milk tea that Chu Xingli hadn't finished in one hand, and casually took out his phone to arrange for someone to keep an eye on Sun Hengyang's recent movements.
In order to prevent him from taking a desperate gamble and going to the Chu family to take revenge on his elder sister and the children.
Even other family members.
*
Ever since her eldest sister divorced Sun Hengyang, Chu Xingli has never treated Sun Hengyang as a living being.
Therefore, the events that just happened will not affect my mood.
They continued strolling along the commercial street, with Luo Xiaoran calculating in their minds when the sun would set.
When it's almost time, I'll accompany Luo Xiaoran to visit his mother.
"Hey? Hug? Brother Ranzi?" A girl's surprised voice came from behind.
Before Chu Xingli and Luo Xiaoran came out, they put on sunglasses or masks respectively.
If someone covers half their face, they won't attract attention when walking on the street.
Unexpectedly, Chu Xingli was still too naive.
Even disregarding their faces, their physiques and demeanor alone were enough to draw attention to them.
So much so that in just a couple of seconds, they were recognized.
Chu Xingli turned around and saw a girl walking a small dog. She greeted her in a natural and friendly manner: "Hello."
The girl was finally certain after Chu Xingli responded.
She walked quickly over, leading the dog, and almost whispered to Chu Xingli, "Oh my god, it really is you guys. I'm so happy!"
Chu Xingli was amused by her reaction: "Just speak normally, otherwise your throat will feel uncomfortable."
He and Luo Xiaoran weren't thieves, so they weren't that afraid of being watched.
Wow, what an adorable puppy!
Seeing that he had been recognized by others, Chu Xingli squatted down and clapped his hands at the little Alaskan Malamute that the girl was holding.
"Waaaaah~"
The little Alaskan Malamute wagged its tail happily at Chu Xingli.
Seeing that its master didn't object, it wiggled its short legs and ran towards Chu Xingli, burying its head in his arms and snuggling close.
"Hugs, can we take a picture together?" The girl happened to have a Polaroid camera with her. "And, could you also sign my autograph?"
Luo Xiaoran was very happy to see Hugs being liked and treated kindly.
It's true that he's prone to jealousy, but it's also true that he feels a sense of accomplishment from seeing hugs.
"Sure." Seeing that the girl was having too much trouble taking her camera out of her bag, Chu Xingli offered to help her hold the dog's leash so that the dog wouldn't run away in the chaos.
"Oh, thank you so much!!! Hugs, you're such an angel," the girl happily introduced herself. "My name is Shanshan, and my dog's name is Dingding. Could you please sign my and Dingding's names for me later? Please~"
Chu Xingli smiled and agreed, and was about to take the Polaroid camera and stand at the front to take pictures.
This way, Shanshan can stand in the back and her face will look better in the photo.
"Luo Xiaoran, take this," Chu Xingli handed the Polaroid camera to Luo Xiaoran, then bent down to hug the dog. "I'll pick up Dingding to take a picture, otherwise you won't be able to see the little guy..."
Chu Xingli hadn't finished speaking.
Machi, who had been grinning and sticking out her tongue, suddenly made a gesture that Chu Xingli was extremely familiar with.
The little guy was too close to the ground, so there wasn't even time for anyone to stop him.
Its two short, stubby hind legs bent slightly, its chubby little face tensed, and it exerted a little force—
The scene that followed was too much for Chu Xingli and the other two to bear watching.
After standing there for a long time, Shan Shan finally recovered from her petrified state.
She didn't even dare to take the Polaroid back from Luo Xiaoran's hand, and took a deep breath to ask Chu Xingli, "Hug, do you... have some kind of magic power?"
Or did you put some kind of laxative on your hands? Why does the dog poop on the spot as soon as I touch it?
Chu Xingli looked down at the little Alaskan Malamute blinking its innocent puppy eyes, and the two of them fell silent for a moment.
He's starting to doubt himself.
Is there really anything that can speed up a dog's intestinal motility?
*
On the way to the parking lot, neither Chu Xingli nor Luo Xiaoran spoke.
They remained quiet until they got into the car.
Chu Xingli was already a little embarrassed.
But he thought, this isn't a live broadcast after all, so surely no one will see the dog suddenly pooping while he's playing with it.
However, Chu Xingli was still too young.
Amidst the barrage of news from Gu Zezhou, Lin Ningzhu, Sister Lu, Anna, and others, Chu Xingli finally realized—
Life is a constant spectator.
From the moment he and Luo Xiaoran were spotted by passersby, who stopped them to say hello.
Then he squatted down to play with the dog, and took off his mask to take a photo with the girl and the little Alaskan Malamute.
Finally, the little Alaskan Malamute stuck out its rear end—
Each scene was recorded from different perspectives.
Some were taken from the diagonal front, some from the diagonal rear, and some from nearby buildings.
It records Chu Xingli's amazing ability to make puppies poop from all angles and perspectives.
And the wonderful scene of him skillfully working with the dog owner to scoop poop for the little Alaskan Malamute.
Hugs, and please remember, Alaskan Malamutes also have "La" in their names.
[Hahahaha, this is hilarious! Hugs! You really can't laugh at Zhu Daniu anymore, you're the originator of making a fool of yourself, ahhh]
My dog hasn't pooped for two days. Hugs! Where are you? I'll bring him to you (doge)
[Hugs: Thanks for the invitation, I'm already behaving myself]
Chu Xingli: "..."
*
Chu Xingli did not know the way to the mountain.
But when he got into the car, he expressed to Luo Xiaoran his wish to accompany him to visit his mother.
Luo Xiaoran was in a good mood after spending time with Chu Xingli today.
Every year when I visit my mother, she always has a hug by her side.
The same is true this year.
Luo Xiaoran had assumed that he would most likely be the one to come here today.
Little did I expect that from early morning onwards, Baobao, just like in previous years, wouldn't let herself be alone for even a second.
...The more this was the case, the more Luo Xiaoran felt that he would never be defeated in this protracted battle.
When Chu Xingli took out a bouquet of flowers from the trunk that completely covered Luo Xiaoran's face, Luo Xiaoran's heart skipped a beat.
Kneeling before my mother's tombstone, I spoke words of pure, carefree happiness to her.
Before Luo Xiaoran could even stand up from in front of his mother's tombstone...
Chu Xingli knelt down beside him.
He wasn't very skilled at kneeling.
When his knees hit the ground, he didn't control the force and distance properly, making a "bang" sound and causing Chu Xingli to wince in pain.
Luo Xiaoran was about to speak when Chu Xingli grabbed his hand, interrupting him and making him stiffen.
He stared blankly down at his fingers, which were being held in the palm of Hug Hug's hand.
“Mom, don’t worry, Xiao Ran is in good health,” Chu Xingli gently held Luo Xiao Ran’s hand, looking at the smiling woman in the tombstone photo. “Besides, he took good care of me.”
Luo Xiaoran was amused by his words.
"How can you do this?" Luo Xiaoran squeezed his hand back. "Shouldn't you be saying that you've taken good care of me?"
“Mom doesn’t like children who lie,” Chu Xingli raised an eyebrow at him, then turned to face the tombstone. “Am I right, Mom?”
A gentle breeze passes by, brushing against the mountain ridge.
It's like a mother's response to her two children.
Chu Xingli had one more thing to say, but she didn't say it aloud.
It was something I kept in my heart.
—I will find Luo Xiaoran a truly soulmate—
—It might be someone else—
—Maybe it's me—
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