On the third day after giving his coat to Li Shanqing, on Tuesday morning, Zhuang Xu received a call from Lawyer Zhou.
Her tone was unusually excited, bringing good news: she had successfully retrieved all the necessary surveillance records, compiling a solid timeline proving that on the date and time the letter of intent was signed, Dr. Zhuang was in a lab in the north, while the witnessing lawyer, though in the same city, was in a different location.
Although this surveillance evidence alone might not be fully admissible in court to prove the document was forged, it would certainly cast doubt on its legitimacy, serving as a significant bargaining chip in negotiations with Han Miao.
After hanging up, Zhuang Xu immediately informed his mother, Zhou Kaiqi, and his uncle, and they headed to the law firm to discuss the next steps.
It was still raining lightly that day, Zhuang Xu remembered clearly.
Chen Zhou Liang Law Firm was on the thirty-seventh floor of the tallest office building by the harbor. Gray clouds pressed against the windows, veiling the outside world in mist, obscuring the streets below. But the meeting room’s lights shone brightly, and everyone’s spirits were as if injected with adrenaline. His uncle’s tone grew animated, Zhou Kaiqi showed visible joy, shedding the occasional confusion of the past two months.
Lawyer Zhou, dressed in a white suit, had organized all the materials and sent a letter to Han Miao’s lawyer. Twenty minutes later, Han Miao’s lawyer called, requesting a preliminary meeting.
A smooth and bright chapter of Zhuang Xu’s life began on this rainy day.
Leaving the law firm, even his mother had a faint smile. The elevator had several diamond-shaped mirrors, and in them, Zhuang Xu saw his family’s expressions, feeling that this long, bleak winter had gained a subtle touch of color and hope.
Zhou Kaiqi insisted they celebrate that evening.
He picked up his wife and Zhou Silan, and Zhuang Xu’s uncle brought his wife and cousin to the restaurant they used to frequent, sitting in their usual private room, though one seat was removed because someone was missing.
During the meal, Zhou Kaiqi and his uncle drank heavily, both getting quite drunk. His uncle kept saying it was his brother’s spirit watching over them.
Zhou Silan, sitting beside Zhuang Xu, ate most of his meal before raising his glass to toast him, saying slowly, “Brother, congratulations.”
It wasn’t pure joy, but Zhuang Xu wouldn’t dampen the spirits of the younger brother he’d watched grow up. He clinked glasses, smiled slightly, and said sincerely, “Thank you.”
Glancing at the emblem on Zhou Silan’s school uniform, Zhuang Xu suddenly recalled someone’s presumptuous bet: “Bet with me, it’s lucky. You’ll have good fortune, and you won’t lose the lawsuit.”
What he thought would be a protracted battle had turned around after Li Shanqing’s auspicious words. With the lawsuit’s resolution in sight, per Li Shanqing’s terms, Zhuang Xu was supposed to take him out to play.
Zhuang Xu no longer disliked Li Shanqing, so while taking him out felt like a hassle, he didn’t mind too much. He didn’t message Li Shanqing about it, knowing he’d come asking himself.
Sure enough, before dinner ended, Li Shanqing’s message arrived. Zhuang Xu saw his phone light up but didn’t read it immediately, listening to the adults’ conversation before checking.
“Zhuang Xu, where are you taking me to play?” Li Shanqing asked. “Have you decided? Tell me quick!”
His tone was so presumptuous that if Zhuang Xu had to reply, he couldn’t help but retort, “I never agreed, so if I need to plan, don’t bother going.”
“I take that back, I’m already thinking,” Li Shanqing said, quickly acting obedient. “But I haven’t been to many fun places, so I might pick something bad, and you might not like it.”
Zhuang Xu naturally wouldn’t discuss this with him and didn’t reply.
Over the next two weeks, Lawyer Zhou efficiently negotiated terms with Han Miao. Han Miao relinquished management rights, and Zhuang Xu and his mother repurchased his shares at above-market value.
His parents were avid philanthropists, so their cash reserves were low, forcing Zhuang Xu and his mother to quickly sell two properties to raise funds.
During this time, Zhuang Xu barely had time to respond to Li Shanqing’s messages, let alone discuss outing plans. Oddly, Li Shanqing didn’t pester much, as if preoccupied with something new, temporarily setting Zhuang Xu aside.
Zhuang Xu certainly wouldn’t initiate contact, assuming the teenager’s interest was fleeting, naturally fading.
Time passed quickly.
Finally, the acquisition agreement was reached, and his mother prepared to hold a meeting to announce Zhuang Xu and Zhou Kaiqi as co-CEOs. Zhuang Xu informed General Qian by phone beforehand.
General Qian was more supportive than Zhuang Xu expected, saying proactively, “If you need help in the future, let me know.”
At the meeting, the executives’ faces suddenly turned warm, as if the tensions of the past months had never existed. Sitting in his father’s former seat, Zhuang Xu felt the family and business’s new life begin, as the entire group opened up to him again.
When everything settled, December had quietly slipped away, and the new year was approaching. Young people gathered in the city square and under the clock tower, loudly counting down the final ten seconds.
Zhuang Xu was in his father’s office, sorting old company files, when his phone buzzed repeatedly with New Year’s greetings, reminding him he’d crossed into a new year and a new age.
He replied to a few important ones. Li Shanqing’s name appeared in the notification bar.
“Happy New Year!”
Zhuang Xu replied, “Happy New Year.”
Li Shanqing asked, “Are you done with everything now? Got time to take me out? My mom’s finally relaxed, and she and my dad are going on vacation. I’m so jealous.”
“You’re not going?” Zhuang Xu asked.
“I can’t,” Li Shanqing said. “I can’t be in the sun or run, and flying’s risky for me.”
Zhuang Xu responded to a greeting from General Qian, then saw Li Shanqing’s new message: “Have you noticed I’ve been messaging you less? I was in the hospital again for the past two weeks, just discharged yesterday.”
For some reason, Zhuang Xu felt an indescribable discomfort. This time, he didn’t leave Li Shanqing hanging, asking quickly, “What happened?”
“Nothing much,” Li Shanqing said. “Maybe I’m not used to you suddenly caring, got spooked and allergic.”
Zhuang Xu was speechless, then received another message: “While my parents are on vacation, take me out. And Sunday’s Mary’s day off. I made a plan while hospitalized!”
He sent a schedule from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., only playing, no eating, ending after sunset, as Mary returned early on her days off lately.
“Is this okay, is this okay, is this okay? It’s a light schedule, right?” Li Shanqing asked.
Zhuang Xu noticed the date seemed familiar, then realized it was his birthday. He’d never liked birthdays, finding them boring, especially this year. Li Shanqing likely picked it unknowingly. Zhuang Xu, not one to fuss, didn’t ask him to change it and agreed, “I’ll pick you up then.”
The day before his birthday, Zhuang Xu was at the company, finishing a meeting with lab supervisors when Zhou Kaiqi knocked: “Zhuang Xu, come to my place for dinner tomorrow.”
“We ordered you a big cake this year,” he said with a grin.
Refusing would hurt feelings, so despite not wanting to celebrate, Zhuang Xu agreed, “I’ve got something in the afternoon, so I might be late.” They settled on 7 p.m. at Zhou Kaiqi’s for the birthday.
To pick up Li Shanqing, Zhuang Xu arrived right on time.
Since it was a personal outing with Li Shanqing, he didn’t call the driver, driving his father’s old electric car instead. He parked across from the community, called Li Shanqing, and saw him walk out.
Li Shanqing wore Zhuang Xu’s coat, looking even thinner than last time, ambling to the crosswalk while answering the phone.
Zhuang Xu saw his mouth move, hearing his voice: “Hi.”
“I’m across the street,” Zhuang Xu said. “White sedan.”
Li Shanqing glanced over as the light turned green, saying, “Got it,” and hung up, crossing the road slowly like a snail, reaching the car, and getting in.
“Wow, alone time with me today?” Li Shanqing said, closing the door, starting with his usual nonsense.
But turning to him, Zhuang Xu saw he’d lost more weight, his once-rounded cheeks gaunt, shadows under his eyes, lips pitifully pale, his expression tinged with a sickly indifference.
Zhuang Xu should’ve clarified it wasn’t about alone time, just avoiding the driver’s hassle, but seeing Li Shanqing’s face, he held back, asking instinctively, “Why were you hospitalized?”
“Just a minor illness,” Li Shanqing shrugged, buckling his seatbelt, his hand revealing IV bruises under Zhuang Xu’s oversized sleeve.
Since he didn’t want to elaborate, Zhuang Xu didn’t press, driving to the first destination on Li Shanqing’s list.
They headed to a small suburban zoo for a drive-through tour diga. Li Shanqing had bought tickets, so Zhuang Xu only needed to lower the window for the staff to scan his phone.
The weather was overcast, no rain, but the zoo was quiet, the animals listless.
Zhuang Xu had never been here, following the car ahead slowly. Li Shanqing leaned on the window, looking out, seeming low-energy.
They didn’t talk at first. Passing the deer area, Li Shanqing turned and asked, “Zhuang Xu, what’s up with the volunteer recruitment you promised?”
“It’s not finalized yet,” Zhuang Xu said.
“Okay, I’m a bit worried my body can’t handle the implant surgery,” Li Shanqing said, sitting upright, no longer watching the animals. “I read more of Dr. Zhuang’s papers recently, and I might not meet the minimum implant criteria.”
As he spoke, two does walked nearby. Li Shanqing looked worried, and though Zhuang Xu should’ve watched the road while driving, he later recalled Li Shanqing’s face more clearly than the path.
“Technology will advance,” Zhuang Xu said.
“Will it?” Li Shanqing tilted his head, frowning. “Are you just comforting me, lying?”
Likely spoiled by constant affection, his whining came naturally, saying “lying” with mild displeasure, then shifting to seeking Zhuang Xu’s reassurance.
Zhuang Xu, somehow swayed, comforted him: “You’re only sixteen, no rush.”
“Seventeen,” Li Shanqing corrected instantly. “My birthday was last week. You didn’t send wishes, so make it up today.”
“…Happy birthday,” Zhuang Xu said after a pause, adding, “It’s my birthday today.”
Li Shanqing was surprised: “For real?”
“You’re taking me out on your birthday?” he asked.
“I don’t celebrate,” Zhuang Xu explained simply.
Li Shanqing’s eyes widened: “Who doesn’t celebrate their birthday?”
The zoo was small, and their drive-through ended here. Zhuang Xu drove out the gate, parked, and dropped the birthday topic, asking if Li Shanqing wanted to visit the animal sheds on foot.
Li Shanqing hesitated, rare for him: “I’m a bit scared of allergies.”
Zhuang Xu thought he’d stay in the car, but Li Shanqing pulled out goggles, a mask, and plastic gloves from his pocket, gearing up like he was heading to a crime scene, not a zoo. Zhuang Xu hadn’t realized his coat’s pockets could hold so much.
“Let’s go,” Li Shanqing said smugly.
They got out and visited a straw-roofed rabbit shed first. Li Shanqing, truly wary of allergies, stuck close to Zhuang Xu, as if he’d push him forward to block fur or dust.
Zhuang Xu, seeing how hard life was for him, let him stay close.
The rabbit shed had origins, names, and photos for each rabbit, mostly viewed by kids. Li Shanqing and Zhuang Xu, squeezed among children, stood out awkwardly.
Li Shanqing checked the photos against the rabbits in the grass, then dragged Zhuang Xu out, switching to clinging to his arm like he couldn’t walk alone, treating Zhuang Xu like a gymnast’s rings.
Zhuang Xu wanted to pull away but, seeing Li Shanqing’s pale face, let it go.
After visiting the peacock and lamb sheds, Li Shanqing was satisfied, saying they could return to the car. Before removing his gear, he pulled out disinfectant spray for Zhuang Xu to spritz him.
Zhuang Xu complied reluctantly, but back in the car, Li Shanqing had an asthma attack, only easing after using his inhaler.
Seeing him slump in the seat, looking detached from life, Zhuang Xu couldn’t help saying, “If you have asthma, avoid animals next time.”
“Don’t say that,” Li Shanqing wrinkled his nose, waving dismissively. “I don’t want to hear it.”
Zhuang Xu, already disinclined to talk, drove to the next destination.
Not far along, Li Shanqing said, “Zhuang Xu, I don’t dare let others take me out. If I get sick, I’m afraid they’d feel guilty. You don’t seem like you’d feel guilty. And I feel safer with you.”
“Safe how?”
Li Shanqing sat up, his tone lively, launching into a dramatic speech: “With our relationship now, if I suddenly got sick, would you break protocol and order the lab to implant SyncPulse in me?”
“Stop making up stories,” Zhuang Xu said, ignoring him.
“Would you? Would you save me?” Li Shanqing pressed, leaning closer to grab his arm. Zhuang Xu shifted away, not letting him touch.
Zhuang Xu drove to the planned desolate rocky shore. But the weather forecast was off; the evening clouds didn’t thin, and there was no sunset to see on an overcast day.
Even someone as clever as Li Shanqing couldn’t plan perfectly.
They sat in silence for a bit until Li Shanqing said, “Wait here a sec,” and got out.
While waiting, Zhuang Xu felt a flicker of doubt: had Li Shanqing snuck off? —Using Zhuang Xu to get out and escape to somewhere no one could control him.
But ten minutes later, Li Shanqing returned, carrying a small white bag.
He got in, breathing heavily, warmed from walking, unzipping his coat to reveal a white hoodie and neck nearly as pale.
From the bag, he pulled out a small paper box, revealing a plain mini donut, no frosting.
“The bakery only had this left. If you don’t celebrate your birthday, celebrate mine,” he said to Zhuang Xu. “Sing me a birthday song.”
Then Li Shanqing started singing “Happy Birthday to Me.” Zhuang Xu didn’t join, but he sang freely. Zhuang Xu laughed watching him, and Li Shanqing stopped, pretending to make a wish, then said, “I can’t eat it. Will you eat it for me?”
Zhuang Xu ate it, cloyingly sweet with no other flavor.
After, Li Shanqing said, “You can take me home now. I feel like Mary’s on her way back. I’ve got no credit with her anymore.”
Zhuang Xu dropped him off, then picked up his mother to go to Zhou Kaiqi’s.
Zhou Kaiqi had decorated with colorful balloons and flowers for Zhuang Xu’s birthday, hiring a chef instead of cooking himself.
Everyone brought gifts, with Zhou Silan thoughtfully presenting a complete set of journals featuring Zhuang Xu’s father’s articles.
“Brother Zhuang Xu, I know you probably have these at home, but you can keep this set in your office,” he said.
Zhuang Xu had given his mother a gift in the car earlier. They cut a large, beautiful cake, everyone treating this birthday as if to make up for the absence of Zhuang Xu’s father and his mother’s husband.
Yet, every time Zhuang Xu recalled his twentieth birthday, all he tasted was cloying sweetness. It belonged to the overcast afternoon by the shore, not the lively birthday dinner.
In the end, he blamed the overly sweet donut someone bought, making him forget the taste of other foods.
