The Long Road Ahead: C20

Chapter: 20 | No Trouble

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No Trouble

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This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?}
Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?

_{Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"}Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

_{Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"}And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."

Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

_{Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"}Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others. So even at this moment, as he cried before Shan Haiming, his cries were issued noiselessly and laden with fear. He was afraid Shan Haiming would grow impatient with him, that the man would scold him—that he would turn around and leave.

Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

_N/A
Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

N/A

_{{He said he's going to come.} Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."}Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."

_{"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."}He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.

"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."

_{With embarrassment, Xiao Ning revealed, "It's my luggage."}Shan Haiming shook his head, feeling a bit speechless by Xiao Ning. He lifted his head, looking up at Xiao Ning's face, inspecting it from the bottom to the top while a frown creased his face. "If it's really nothing, then you shouldn't be crying, should you?"

With embarrassment, Xiao Ning revealed, "It's my luggage."

_{With embarrassment, Xiao Ning revealed, "It's my luggage."}
He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.

With embarrassment, Xiao Ning revealed, "It's my luggage."

_{"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."}
Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."

"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."

_{"Thank you..." Xiao Ning took the juice, feeling very ashamed. He kept his turned out the car window and recognised the road they were on was the one that led to the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.}Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

"Thank you..." Xiao Ning took the juice, feeling very ashamed. He kept his turned out the car window and recognised the road they were on was the one that led to the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

_{No Trouble}
Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

No Trouble

_{Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"}Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?

Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

_{Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.}Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

_{"You? Made someone mad?" Shan Haiming's gaze fell on the packed garbage bags beside Xiao Ning. "Did you come out to throw out trash?"}
Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

"You? Made someone mad?" Shan Haiming's gaze fell on the packed garbage bags beside Xiao Ning. "Did you come out to throw out trash?"

_{All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.}How humiliating.

All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

_{"It's really late, so why don't you stay at my place for a few hours?" Carrying the two garbage bags, Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming stood in the empty elevator. There, Xiao Ning looked into the mirror inside it, finally seeing the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.}
Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

"It's really late, so why don't you stay at my place for a few hours?" Carrying the two garbage bags, Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming stood in the empty elevator. There, Xiao Ning looked into the mirror inside it, finally seeing the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

_{"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.}Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.T/n: These are words you'd say to a kid/someone younger or close to you when someone messed with them."

_{The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.}Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

_{He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.}
Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?

He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.

_{Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."}"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."

_{"Hey—you're going the wrong..." When Xiao Ning saw Shan Haiming pull out a key and open the door, his voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."}
That wouldn't be good?

"Hey—you're going the wrong..." When Xiao Ning saw Shan Haiming pull out a key and open the door, his voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...}
Perhaps it was because Xia Li's tears were too infectious. Or perhaps it was because the punch he just received was simply too close to his eyes. Whatever the case me be, Xiao Ning too found himself feeling the rims of his eyes also starting to sting. But there was no way he could do that. To others, what reason would he have to shed tears? He was too grown. It was far too insensible for someone like him to cry. So all he could do was ignore it as if it didn't matter, just as he had done when he was a child.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

_{Later, when he no longer cried as fiercely, Shan Haiming handed him the half-filled garbage bag, taking up the other one himself. Then using his empty hand to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."}
If you feel wrong by anything, if you don't have even one person who cares, you won't feel it any more.

Later, when he no longer cried as fiercely, Shan Haiming handed him the half-filled garbage bag, taking up the other one himself. Then using his empty hand to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

_{Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"}Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

_{He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.}Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.

_{Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."}He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."

Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

_{Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.}
Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

_{Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"}Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

_{Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."}
All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."

_{He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: {It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?}}Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?

_{Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.}Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

_{Perhaps it was because Xia Li's tears were too infectious. Or perhaps it was because the punch he just received was simply too close to his eyes.}Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."

Perhaps it was because Xia Li's tears were too infectious. Or perhaps it was because the punch he just received was simply too close to his eyes. Whatever the case me be, Xiao Ning too found himself feeling the rims of his eyes also starting to sting. But there was no way he could do that. To others, what reason would he have to shed tears? He was too grown. It was far too insensible for someone like him to cry. So all he could do was ignore it as if it didn't matter, just as he had done when he was a child.

_{Perhaps it was because Xia Li's tears were too infectious. Or perhaps it was because the punch he just received was simply too close to his eyes.}
Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it. He then took one final look back, and afterwards, simply turned off the light and closed the door, taking his bag down the stairs one by one.

Perhaps it was because Xia Li's tears were too infectious. Or perhaps it was because the punch he just received was simply too close to his eyes. Whatever the case me be, Xiao Ning too found himself feeling the rims of his eyes also starting to sting. But there was no way he could do that. To others, what reason would he have to shed tears? He was too grown. It was far too insensible for someone like him to cry. So all he could do was ignore it as if it didn't matter, just as he had done when he was a child.

_{Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."}Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."

Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

_{Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."}He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.

Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."

_{Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"}
He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.

Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

_{Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."}
He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?

Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."

_{He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.}Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.

_{Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"}If you feel wrong by anything, if you don't have even one person who cares, you won't feel it any more.

Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

_{Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"}
It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.

Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

_{He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."}
So, slowly, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone, never expecting to an unread text message, bearing the simple sentence: "My mother likes lilies."

He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."

_{Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"}No Trouble

Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

_{Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."}No Trouble

Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."

_{Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)}N/A

Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

_{But, without knowing how he managed it, Xiao Ning had tapped on the call graphic under Shan Haiming's contact info, and before he could react, the call had already gone through.}
The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

But, without knowing how he managed it, Xiao Ning had tapped on the call graphic under Shan Haiming's contact info, and before he could react, the call had already gone through.

_{Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)}
But, without knowing how he managed it, Xiao Ning had tapped on the call graphic under Shan Haiming's contact info, and before he could react, the call had already gone through.

Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

_{Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."}He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.

Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."

_{That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.}
Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?

That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.

_{"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"}And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."

"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

_{Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"}Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

_{"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."}
But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.

"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."

_{There was no reply from the other end.}
Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.

There was no reply from the other end.

_{Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"}Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.

Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

_{He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.}The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.

_{Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."}
Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."

_{The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.}Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

_{Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.}Shan Haiming looked at him silently, a silence when compared to Xia Li's weeping and Lu Yan's partiality was even more infectious, and all the more made it impossible for Xiao Ning's tears to stop.

Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.

_{Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."}
There was no reply from the other end.

Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

_{Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.}"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

_{A million words eventually boiled down into one breath-filled "Ah." Then, turning, Xiao Ning walked back to the living room.}Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

A million words eventually boiled down into one breath-filled "Ah." Then, turning, Xiao Ning walked back to the living room.

_{The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.}"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out of his shoes and into the slippers then made his way to the bathroom and washed up, carefully using some paper towels to wipe around his wound.

The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.

_{He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.}
Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."

He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.

_{Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"}Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

_{{It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.}}"Hey—you're going the wrong..." When Xiao Ning saw Shan Haiming pull out a key and open the door, his voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."

It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.

_{Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.}"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."

Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

_{Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"}
Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

_{Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it.}
"I..." Xiao Ning's breath caught a few times, causing him to reply brokenly: "I'm fine. I'm sorry I disturbed—"

Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it. He then took one final look back, and afterwards, simply turned off the light and closed the door, taking his bag down the stairs one by one.

_{Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"}Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

_{"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.}
"Where are you? Are you at home? Outside?" Shan Haiming interrupted him, unable to bear it.

"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.

_{Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.}
And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."

Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.

_{All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.}That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.

All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

_{But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.}"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."

But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.

_{Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"}
Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."

Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

_{Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."}"Hey—you're going the wrong..." When Xiao Ning saw Shan Haiming pull out a key and open the door, his voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."

Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."

_{The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.}Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

_{{It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.}}He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?

It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.

_{Shan Haiming looked at him silently, a silence when compared to Xia Li's weeping and Lu Yan's partiality was even more infectious, and all the more made it impossible for Xiao Ning's tears to stop.}
He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."

Shan Haiming looked at him silently, a silence when compared to Xia Li's weeping and Lu Yan's partiality was even more infectious, and all the more made it impossible for Xiao Ning's tears to stop.

_{Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."}Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."

_{But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.}
Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.

_{Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others.}"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others. So even at this moment, as he cried before Shan Haiming, his cries were issued noiselessly and laden with fear. He was afraid Shan Haiming would grow impatient with him, that the man would scold him—that he would turn around and leave.

_{"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out of his shoes and into the slippers then made his way to the bathroom and washed up, carefully using some paper towels to wipe around his wound.}
"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out of his shoes and into the slippers then made his way to the bathroom and washed up, carefully using some paper towels to wipe around his wound.

_{Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.}
That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.

Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.

_{Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?}
Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?

_{"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"}
Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.

"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

_{Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.}Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.

_{Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others.}
The car door opened, revealing a familiar-looking tracksuit-clad Shan Haiming, who then made his way over to Xiao Ning, then stood before him. Xiao Ning lifted his head, his mouth moving, but no expression graced his face, "You came?"

Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others. So even at this moment, as he cried before Shan Haiming, his cries were issued noiselessly and laden with fear. He was afraid Shan Haiming would grow impatient with him, that the man would scold him—that he would turn around and leave.

_{Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.}There was no reply from the other end.

Shan Haiming did not live too far from where Xiao Ning currently was, because about twenty minutes after he had hung up, Shan Haiming had arrived. On the pavement, Xiao Ning sat with his head buried in his arms, so when the car stopped beside him he was given a start.

_{Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"}
Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

_{iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like.}Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_{He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: {It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?}}Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?

_{He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.}
Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."

He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.

_{Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."}
"You? Made someone mad?" Shan Haiming's gaze fell on the packed garbage bags beside Xiao Ning. "Did you come out to throw out trash?"

Shan Haiming, possibly hearing it was quiet on Xiao Ning's end, and there was nothing, asked, "Send me your location."

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. {This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...}}Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

_{So as he sat there unable to restrain his tears, he also repeated again and again the words: I'm sorry.}
With embarrassment, Xiao Ning revealed, "It's my luggage."

So as he sat there unable to restrain his tears, he also repeated again and again the words: I'm sorry.

_{Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. {It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?}}"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."

Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?

_{All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.}How humiliating.

All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

_{Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"}Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

_{That wouldn't be good?}
Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

That wouldn't be good?

_{"Where are you? Are you at home? Outside?" Shan Haiming interrupted him, unable to bear it.}
Upon realising what it was he was looking at, a chuckle was pulled out of Xiao Ning. "It's too embarrassing. But I'm fine, it's nothing."

"Where are you? Are you at home? Outside?" Shan Haiming interrupted him, unable to bear it.

_{There was no reply from the other end.}Shan Haiming looked at him silently, a silence when compared to Xia Li's weeping and Lu Yan's partiality was even more infectious, and all the more made it impossible for Xiao Ning's tears to stop.

There was no reply from the other end.

_{Upon realising what it was he was looking at, a chuckle was pulled out of Xiao Ning. "It's too embarrassing. But I'm fine, it's nothing."}Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

Upon realising what it was he was looking at, a chuckle was pulled out of Xiao Ning. "It's too embarrassing. But I'm fine, it's nothing."

_{iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like.}"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_{Shan Haiming easily found the way to the underground parking lot as well as an empty parking spot. He seemed to be more familiar with the place than Xiao Ning.}
Shan Haiming shook his head, feeling a bit speechless by Xiao Ning. He lifted his head, looking up at Xiao Ning's face, inspecting it from the bottom to the top while a frown creased his face. "If it's really nothing, then you shouldn't be crying, should you?"

Shan Haiming easily found the way to the underground parking lot as well as an empty parking spot. He seemed to be more familiar with the place than Xiao Ning.

_{The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.}
"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.

_{Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.}
He had no idea why he would be crying like that for no reason. It was indeed quite strange.

Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

_{Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.}The car door opened, revealing a familiar-looking tracksuit-clad Shan Haiming, who then made his way over to Xiao Ning, then stood before him. Xiao Ning lifted his head, his mouth moving, but no expression graced his face, "You came?"

Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.

_{And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."}
Shan Haiming looked at him silently, a silence when compared to Xia Li's weeping and Lu Yan's partiality was even more infectious, and all the more made it impossible for Xiao Ning's tears to stop.

And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."

_{He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?}
Since his father was imprisoned, and his mother had run off with someone, he had never let himself cry. As a foster child who lived under someone else's roof, who had to rely on others to live, he understood crying was not something he had the right to, that it was something he should avoid at all costs because it was very annoying to others. So even at this moment, as he cried before Shan Haiming, his cries were issued noiselessly and laden with fear. He was afraid Shan Haiming would grow impatient with him, that the man would scold him—that he would turn around and leave.

He stood there for who knows how long, then gradually, he walked over to a street light and sat on the curb. His body was limp and weak, and his eyes felt heavy and stung. He then thought absent-mindedly: It's a night at the beginning of summer, so why does it feel cold enough to make a person tremble?

_{And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."}Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the road from the street light above him, Xiao Ning replied, "Outside."

_{There was no reply from the other end.}Later, when he no longer cried as fiercely, Shan Haiming handed him the half-filled garbage bag, taking up the other one himself. Then using his empty hand to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

There was no reply from the other end.

_{Shan Haiming shook his head, feeling a bit speechless by Xiao Ning. He lifted his head, looking up at Xiao Ning's face, inspecting it from the bottom to the top while a frown creased his face. "If it's really nothing, then you shouldn't be crying, should you?"}
So as he sat there unable to restrain his tears, he also repeated again and again the words: I'm sorry.

Shan Haiming shook his head, feeling a bit speechless by Xiao Ning. He lifted his head, looking up at Xiao Ning's face, inspecting it from the bottom to the top while a frown creased his face. "If it's really nothing, then you shouldn't be crying, should you?"

_{So, slowly, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone, never expecting to an unread text message, bearing the simple sentence: "My mother likes lilies."}
Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.

So, slowly, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone, never expecting to an unread text message, bearing the simple sentence: "My mother likes lilies."

_{Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.}
"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.T/n: These are words you'd say to a kid/someone younger or close to you when someone messed with them."

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

_{Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. {This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...}}Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.

Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

_{iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like.}"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.

iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_{Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."}Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

Xiao Ning smiled, but his tugged lips pulled at the injury on his face, so he couldn't help but crease his brows in a wince as he replied, "No, I just accidentally made somebody angry."

_{"Thank you..." Xiao Ning took the juice, feeling very ashamed. He kept his turned out the car window and recognised the road they were on was the one that led to the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.}
Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.

"Thank you..." Xiao Ning took the juice, feeling very ashamed. He kept his turned out the car window and recognised the road they were on was the one that led to the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

_{Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.}Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

Right then, Xiao Ning's head spun and his vision blurred, the feeling of pain setting in. He held his cheek, holding himself back from releasing a hiss, not wanting to disturb the other people during such a time.

_{Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"}
Later, when he no longer cried as fiercely, Shan Haiming handed him the half-filled garbage bag, taking up the other one himself. Then using his empty hand to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

_{Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"}
Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

_{Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.}There was no reply from the other end.

Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

_{All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.}He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.

All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

_{iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like.}Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_{Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.}
How humiliating.

Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.

_{{That wouldn't be good?}}Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it. He then took one final look back, and afterwards, simply turned off the light and closed the door, taking his bag down the stairs one by one.

That wouldn't be good?

_{Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"}He could either go back to the apartment in the suburbs, back to his new apartment in the city, or directly to his place of work. Xiao Ning had these few places he could go to in any case. But he just stood on the dark street where not another soul lingered, holding those garbage bags of his things, and for a moment, had no idea where he should go.

Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

_{Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."}Flying into a rage, Lu Yan rushed over. "Are you crazy! God—"

Prompting Xiao Ning to whisper, "I'm sorry."

_{The car door opened, revealing a familiar-looking tracksuit-clad Shan Haiming, who then made his way over to Xiao Ning, then stood before him. Xiao Ning lifted his head, his mouth moving, but no expression graced his face, "You came?"}
Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."

The car door opened, revealing a familiar-looking tracksuit-clad Shan Haiming, who then made his way over to Xiao Ning, then stood before him. Xiao Ning lifted his head, his mouth moving, but no expression graced his face, "You came?"

_{But, without knowing how he managed it, Xiao Ning had tapped on the call graphic under Shan Haiming's contact info, and before he could react, the call had already gone through.}Later, when he no longer cried as fiercely, Shan Haiming handed him the half-filled garbage bag, taking up the other one himself. Then using his empty hand to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

But, without knowing how he managed it, Xiao Ning had tapped on the call graphic under Shan Haiming's contact info, and before he could react, the call had already gone through.

_{That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.}iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That sentence of his wasn't particularly special, and it had a bit of a mocking tone. But to Xiao Ning's ears, hearing such words, brought him to the brink of tears. He had spent his entire life doing his best to cause the least amount of trouble to others, yet in the end, the person he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.

_{The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.}
"Thank you..." Xiao Ning took the juice, feeling very ashamed. He kept his turned out the car window and recognised the road they were on was the one that led to the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

_{Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.}So, slowly, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone, never expecting to an unread text message, bearing the simple sentence: "My mother likes lilies."

Shan Haiming sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.

_{Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. {It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?}}Xiao Ning whispered, "I'm sorry for troubling you." (Please come.)

Xiao Ning's heart shrunk from the sheer nervousness, his fingers moving quickly to end the call. It was almost four in the morning, so isn't calling someone this late in the middle of the night just a way to look for a fight?

_{Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.}
He figured Wang Hua was the one who told Shan Haiming the address, ad he didn't think it was strange.

Xia Li used his full strength, and because Xiao Ning was hurrying over to him, leaving his body in an unstable position, being hit out of the blue caused him to fall a couple of steps back.

_{Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"}N/A

Shan Haiming's head cocked to the side, giving Xiao Ning a once over before tugging the cloth lining his thighs, then plopping down into a squat making him resemble a little thug. "Did somebody bully you?"

_{Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it.}"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.T/n: These are words you'd say to a kid/someone younger or close to you when someone messed with them."

Pulling two of them out, and then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, while the remaining bits and pieces were packed into half the other. Using the shoe cabinet, he left a note with a message, resting the key for the apartment on top of it. He then took one final look back, and afterwards, simply turned off the light and closed the door, taking his bag down the stairs one by one.

_{"I..." Xiao Ning's breath caught a few times, causing him to reply brokenly: "I'm fine. I'm sorry I disturbed—"}
Shan Haiming easily found the way to the underground parking lot as well as an empty parking spot. He seemed to be more familiar with the place than Xiao Ning.

"I..." Xiao Ning's breath caught a few times, causing him to reply brokenly: "I'm fine. I'm sorry I disturbed—"

_{"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.}Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.T/n: These are words you'd say to a kid/someone younger or close to you when someone messed with them."

_{He had no idea why he would be crying like that for no reason. It was indeed quite strange.}So, slowly, Xiao Ning pulled out his phone, never expecting to an unread text message, bearing the simple sentence: "My mother likes lilies."

He had no idea why he would be crying like that for no reason. It was indeed quite strange.

_{How humiliating.}
"It's really late, so why don't you stay at my place for a few hours?" Carrying the two garbage bags, Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming stood in the empty elevator. There, Xiao Ning looked into the mirror inside it, finally seeing the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

How humiliating.

_{Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.}
Shan Haiming folded his arms around his chest, his gaze fixed on the numbers marking the stops for the floor. "Why do you want to stay there? Your place still doesn't have anything, right?"

Dryness filled Xiao Ning's mouth, the uncertainty of whether he should answer or not overtaking him. He wanted to answer, but he was afraid. His phone kept ringing, ringing non-stop. It was only a simple built-in ringtone, however, it gave a sense of not giving up until it reached its goal.

_{Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. {Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?}}All his suitcases were at the other place, and not so much as a bag was left at Lu Yan's place. Xiao Ning looked around sadly, doing so for a long time, until he remembered there were still garbage bags in the kitchen, ones he had bought, and they were pretty large ones too, meaning they could be packed quite well.

Looking at the two who stood before him hugging each other, Xiao Ning thought carefully of whether leaving quietly would be better, or if him giving some sort of notice would be preferable. Even though Lu Yan isn't paying any attention to me during a time like this, what if he remembers it later and thinks I did it to show I was resentful or something?

_{But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.}No Trouble

But not so much as thirty seconds had passed since he hung up before his phone started ringing, and Shan Haiming's name was flashing on the screen.

_{"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.}
"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make me this sad, huh?" Shan Haiming used his thumb to wipe the corners of Xiao Ning's, his words carrying a slight trace of teasing as he further asked, "Who bullied you, huh? Tell me who it was, I'll go get them back for you.T/n: These are words you'd say to a kid/someone younger or close to you when someone messed with them."

_{Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."}He never got to finish his words, because Xia Li had rushed over to hug him, gaining the upper hand, sobbing, whimpering as if he was the one who was wronged. Those restrained sobs were simply heartbreaking to listen to, enough to make the one hearing them weep.

Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except for when he stopped at a twenty-four-hour 7-Eleven to buy two bottles of juice and said, "So much water flowed out so you need to replenish it."

_{"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"}
"Hey—you're going the wrong..." When Xiao Ning saw Shan Haiming pull out a key and open the door, his voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."

"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

_{A million words eventually boiled down into one breath-filled "Ah." Then, turning, Xiao Ning walked back to the living room.}
Xiao Ning made his way over in a few steps, his voice dripping with disbelief as he asked, "Y-you... why do you have a key to this place?"

A million words eventually boiled down into one breath-filled "Ah." Then, turning, Xiao Ning walked back to the living room.

_{Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.}
Shan Haiming, looking annoyed, bent over to change out of his shoes, and took out an extra pair of slippers. "You're such an idiot, like, seriously. Can't you see I live here?"

Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

_{"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."}Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, and inspecting the back of them. "You didn't fight them back, did you?"

"." Shan Haiming yawned. "Who made you my boyfriend, huh? Don't go running off somewhere, wait for me, I'm coming."

_{Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.}Unable to take it, Xiao Ning answered. "Hello..."

Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.

_{Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.}
"You're living right across from me!" Xiao Ning yelled, he couldn't hold back his shock. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Xiao Ning poured all his energy into running things over in his mind and seeing the two still hugging for a while, he decided to turn and walk away silently. He took a couple of steps, turned his direction, and headed to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

_{{He said he's going to come.} Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."}"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

He said he's going to come. Xiao Ning forced out a smile, reluctant to part, so in the end instead of saying what he should have said—instead of voicing what he would have said "I'm alright. You don't need to trouble yourself."

_{The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.}Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.

_{It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.}
"I figured you'd find out sooner or later, so why go through the trouble of making a special announcement." Shan Haiming looked up at him and replied casually, then went on to tell him, "Now go wash up first, and don't touch that wound."

It would be better to send Lu Yan a message too, wouldn't it? At least to mention I just left because I didn't want to disturb them.

_{Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."}
"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out of his shoes and into the slippers then made his way to the bathroom and washed up, carefully using some paper towels to wipe around his wound.

Lu Yan's anger had no defence against these tears, with it just slipping away. His frown held for a few seconds, but in the end, it too was relaxed by the tears. Then, with a sigh, he embraced Xia Li in return and spoke a few chiding words. "It wasn't smart of you to just run out like that. You even took your phone off, which made people worried."

_{Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"}Hearing those clear words of protection, made Xiao Ning completely and utterly, breakdown. Lifting his hand to cover his eyes, he finally dared to cry out loud, to cry out uncontrollably.

Shan Haiming clicked his tongue, his voice sounding as if it was still drenched in sleep. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

_{But despite him feeling a lot happier, the thought of himself crying in front of Shan Haiming made him feel so embarrassed he had no idea what he should do.}
The man staring back at him in the mirror there had cried so much his eyes were all red and swollen—even his nose was red.

But despite him feeling a lot happier, the thought of himself crying in front of Shan Haiming made him feel so embarrassed he had no idea what he should do.

_{He had no idea why he would be crying like that for no reason. It was indeed quite strange.}
But despite him feeling a lot happier, the thought of himself crying in front of Shan Haiming made him feel so embarrassed he had no idea what he should do.

He had no idea why he would be crying like that for no reason. It was indeed quite strange.

_{If you feel wrong by anything, if you don't have even one person who cares, you won't feel it any more.}
A million words eventually boiled down into one breath-filled "Ah." Then, turning, Xiao Ning walked back to the living room.

If you feel wrong by anything, if you don't have even one person who cares, you won't feel it any more.

_{"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.}Hearing this, Xiao Ning followed him back to the car and got in. When he finally managed to calm down a bit, he was overcome with enough regret to blot out the sky and cover the earth. He was almost thirty years old, yet he actually broke down and cried in front of someone younger than him. This... t-this... this was just too unsightly...

"But if you head back this late you..." Xiao Ning paused as he watched Shan Haiming walk out the open door. The floor he lived on had three apartments, and the one he would live in was to the left when you left the elevator, where two small apartments were side by side. But Shan Haiming didn't turn in that direction and instead went straight to the right.

_{"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"}Xiao Li gripped the back of Lu Yan's jacket, crying his heart out even more pitifully as if he were some kind of wounded animal.

"I'm not..." Xiao Ning stopped, feeling a warm sensation over the sensitive broken skin of his wound. He blinked, and even more tears were squeezed out by the act. His gaze then fell to the fabric of his clothes, where there were slightly darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

_{Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.}That wouldn't be good?

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

iana: The thing that stuck with me the most is Xiao Ning standing there after being punched not worried about his head spinning, or being in pain, but only about how Lu Yan might view him leaving as some kind of dig against him. Like... I can't... Remember that cnt of a man asking if their brotherhood—their"friendship"—was just for show, and after this, the answer is a resounding yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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