Jiang Yu stiffened for a moment as Yu Shiqing hugged him tightly. Then he slowly lifted his hand to rest on Yu’s back, responding with a long, silent embrace. From what Ren Bai had said, Yu’s feelings for Lin Shuang were clear. Now that Lin Shuang had decided to leave forever perhaps never to be seen again. Jiang could only imagine how Yu must feel. He heard Yu’s labored breathing beside him, and for a moment, he thought Yu would cry. But when Yu spoke the words, the pressure against Jiang’s neck suddenly eased. Yu placed a hand on his shoulder and gently pulled back, creating some space between them. In Yu’s dark eyes, there was still a cool composure.
Jiang’s grip on Yu’s forearm tightened. “I know you’re not okay. You can tell me. You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Their eyes met, and Yu smiled softly. This time, the smile reached his eyes.
“Yu Shiqing?”
“You’re right,” Yu said. “I’m not okay.”
Those words struck hard in Jiang’s heart. Yu’s hand slipped from his shoulder and brushed his sleeve as he stood and took the family photo from the bedside drawer; the one placed there after Jiang moved in. Jiang held Yu’s hand without letting go, and Yu didn’t pull away. Together they sat on the edge of the bed, Yu holding the photo frame while looking down.
“A person must look forward,” Yu said. “Learn not to cling to the present.”
Jiang watched him in silence, his hand sliding down to firmly grip Yu’s leg. Yu glanced at him and met his gaze, smiling.
“Don’t worry,” Yu assured.
“Okay,” Jiang said quietly. “I won’t.”
They heard footsteps at the door. Ren Bai came back into the bedroom. He saw their joined hands and choked on his own breath. Jiang let go and stood, arms folded, staring at him. “Yes?”
Ren glanced at the photo on the table, then back at Yu. “I couldn’t convince Auntie to come back. What do we do now?”
“No need to try,” Yu said calmly. He turned the frame face-down and stood. “Since she’s decided, don’t disturb her anymore.”
Jiang looked at the frame, then at Yu’s retreating back. His eyes flickered.
Ren sighed. “Alright.” From that moment until the next morning, nobody mentioned it again. Yu acted as usual but Jiang knew he had come in the middle of the night, quietly sitting by the bed, silently staring at the photo.
They didn’t speak about it after breakfast. Yu stayed behind with Ren Bai while Jiang went to his study. Jiang suddenly said, “I have no schedule today. I’m home with nothing to do. Yu, I remember the book I was reading in your study I didn’t finish it and can’t find it. Will you help?”
Yu asked, “Which one?” Jiang told him the title, then looked at Ren Bai: “Come with me.” Ren stared but followed as Jiang went toward the balcony.
Jiang spoke plainly: “Give me Auntie’s contact info.”
“Why?” Ren blurted out.
“I need to talk to her,” Jiang replied, already opening the dial screen. Ren gave him the number without thinking.
“Thanks. And don’t tell Yu about this yet.” Jiang turned and left. Yu reappeared with the book, handing it to Jiang, then noticed Ren on the balcony. “Everything okay?” Yu asked him.
Ren snapped out of it: “Yeah, all good.” Yu departed. At the door, Yu told Jiang, “Rest well.”
“I’ll wait for you.” Jiang nodded.
Ren looked on, thinking they were two different people, Yu and Jiang were closer to each other than even Yu and Ren.
At the car, Ren couldn’t help but ask, “You two seem closer to each other than you are with me.”
“Is that so?” Yu replied.
Ren fell silent. He decided a cold shoulder was the best lesson, but he cracked first: “What’s the surprise?”
“I don’t know.” Yu shrugged. Ren rushed to the elevator: “Let’s see!”
They reached the door. Ren heard nothing. Jiang heard the lock and stepped forward. Ren asked, “So surprise?”
Jiang looked at Yu and smirked, then he moved aside to reveal Lin Shuang standing behind him. Yu froze. He recalled the call in the car and met Jiang’s eyes.
Jiang raised a brow. “Surprised?”
Yu stared at him deeply, then slowly smiled. A surge of warmth rushed through his chest.
“Yes,” he said.
“Yes?” Jiang repeated softly.
