Chapter 76 "Good baby..."
Chu Yi didn't know when he fell asleep again. Perhaps it was the double sense of security brought by the sunshine and Zhou Ai's company that made his consciousness quietly sink into a warm dream.
Zhou Ai was flipping through a medical journal when he noticed the dimming light outside the window. Looking up, he saw a dense, fluttering snowflakes falling again, silently adorning the world. He put the journal down and walked over to the recliner, where he found Chu Yi curled up in a deep sleep. His breathing was shallow, and his long eyelashes cast a small, quiet shadow under his eyes.
He bent down and gently lifted the man up sideways. Chu Yi seemed to be aware of something in his sleep, unconsciously nuzzling into his arms and mumbling a few words, but he didn't wake up. Zhou Ai's heart instantly softened. He carefully carried him back to the bedroom. Just as he had safely placed him in the soft quilt and before he could tuck in the corners for him, Chu Yi's phone on the bedside table rang at an inopportune time.
The buzzing sound was particularly abrupt in the quiet room.
Zhou Ai looked over subconsciously, and the name jumping on the screen made him frown imperceptibly - Cheng Zhi.
He was familiar with the name: Chu Yi's distant and controlling father. The phone rang persistently once, hung up, and then immediately rang a second and third time, as if it wouldn't stop until it got through.
Zhou Ai stared at the name flashing on the screen, then glanced down at Chu Yi, who was lying on the bed, his brow slightly furrowed, disturbed by the ringing of the phone. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes. He could have hung up or muted the call, but he knew there were some things Chu Yi needed to face and handle on his own.
He leaned over and carefully wrapped Chu Yi in the quilt to ensure he wouldn't catch a cold. Then he reached out and picked up the still-vibrating phone. His fingertips gently touched Chu Yi's cheek, and his voice was low and gentle: "Hey, wake up, someone's calling you."
Chu Yi was awakened from a deep sleep, his eyes half-closed with some discomfort, his consciousness not yet fully restored.
He subconsciously followed the sound and touch and took the phone from Zhou Ai. The light from the screen made him squint. When he saw the name on the screen clearly, the last trace of sleepiness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a calm clarity.
He didn't answer the call immediately, but raised his hand and waved at Zhou Ai, motioning him to come over.
Zhou Ai obediently sat down beside the bed. Chu Yi naturally moved closer to him, sinking her body into his warm and reliable embrace, her back pressed against his chest, and even adjusted her position to make herself more comfortable.
Only after finding the most stable fulcrum in Zhou Ai's arms did Chu Yi answer the phone in a dozed state and press the hands-free button.
"Hello."
The voice carried the lazy and distant response of someone who had just woken up, completely different from the soft and sweet voice when he usually spoke to Zhou Ai. It was a voice that was so cold that it was almost unfamiliar.
This voice made Zhou Ai, who was hugging him tightly, stiffen slightly, and then she hugged him tighter, as if to confirm the real temperature of the person in her arms.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if they hadn't expected him to be in this state. Then Cheng Zhi's emotionless voice came: "Why did you answer the phone so late?"
Chu Yi closed his eyes, the reassuring scent of Zhou Ai lingering on his nose. His sleepiness had not yet completely dissipated, and his tone was perfunctory and careless: "What's the matter?"
"My birthday is the day after tomorrow." Cheng Zhi's purpose for coming was simple, he just informed her directly instead of inviting her.
Chu Yi was indeed a little surprised. His long eyelashes trembled slightly and rubbed against Zhou Ai's chest.
In the past 27 years, this was the first time Cheng Zhi had been so persistent in contacting him, and it was even more unprecedented for him to proactively mention his birthday. In the past, no matter who in the Cheng family had a birthday, Cheng Zhi's attitude towards his youngest son was mostly to turn a blind eye, as if he were just an insignificant bystander.
A hint of sarcasm flashed through his heart, but Chu Yi's voice remained calm, even more so, "See if I have time."
This response, which was almost a rejection, obviously touched Cheng Zhi's nerve, which was accustomed to being in control.
A very light, disdainful snort came from the receiver: "Chu Yi, enough is enough."
The warning in the words was self-evident, as if Chu Yi's evasion was an ignorant and childish trick.
Chu Yi silently curled the corners of his lips. Instead of being angered by these words, he buried his face deeper into Zhou Ai's chest, like a little animal seeking shelter, and took a deep breath of the breath that made him feel extremely at ease.
Zhou Ai lowered his head and looked at Chu Yi, who had isolated himself from all the troubles and relied completely on him. Then he listened to his cold response to the person on the other end of the phone. He simply loved his cold and arrogant attitude, the way he looked down on everyone.
This was completely different from the softness he usually showed in front of her. It was a kind of thorny beauty that belonged only to Chu Yi.
But Zhou Ai also knew in her heart that if Chu Yi's cold and distant look was directed at her...
Then he would probably be so upset that he would go crazy.
So, it’s fine now. He just stands by and watches quietly how Chu Yi copes with that world with ease, and then provides an absolutely warm harbor when he needs it.
"Mr. Cheng," Chu Yi changed his address, speaking as distantly as a stranger, "I'm telling the truth. If I have time, I'll consider it. If not, we'll talk about it next time."
On the other end of the phone, Cheng Zhi seemed choked by Chu Yi's distant "Mr. Cheng" and his blunt attitude. After a brief silence, he warned in a low voice, suppressed with anger: "Chu Yi, you'd better know who you're talking to!"
Chu Yi seemed not to hear the threat from the other side. He didn't even reply immediately. He just raised his head and looked at Zhou Ai with his eyes filled with water.
When Zhou Ai saw those wet eyes, her heart seemed to be tightly grasped, becoming soft and swollen.
He lowered his head and kissed Chu Yi's slightly frowned brows, then reached out and took the phone without hesitation, hung up the call directly, and even turned the phone to silent mode and threw it on the sofa beside him.
The world suddenly became quiet, leaving only the breathing sounds of the two people.
"It's so noisy." Zhou Ai's voice was hoarse. She raised her hand and stroked Chu Yi's slightly red cheek. "If you don't want to listen, don't listen."
In the chaotic breathing, no one knew who took the lead.
Unlike the gentle and lingering kiss before, this kiss was eager and deep, with a sense of release and confirmation.
In a trance, Chu Yi passively endured it, with tiny sobs coming out of his throat, and his fingers unconsciously clutching the fabric on Zhou Ai's chest.
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