Chapter 36: Touching Through the Air

Chapter 36: Touching Through the Air

Yet his own hand couldn't summon any strength, still allowing Chi Xingcun to examine him.

"Are you fully healed?" Chi Xingcun asked.

Chi Xingcun stepped back, but Xie Yean seemed to forget to let go of his hand.

"They're all healed."

Chi Xingcun looked down at his hand, and only then did Xie Yean release it. He turned his head away, his face as red as an apple.

He raised his hand to try to hide his face, but Chi Xingcun had already seen it.

"Why's your face so red?"

Xie Yean lowered his head and exhaled, trying to steady himself, his voice slightly hoarse. "It's nothing."

"You... where have you been lately?" This was what Chi Xingcun had wanted to know most during this time.

He'd been sending Xie Yean WeChat messages and calling him, but Xie Yean never responded.

That also got him down a bit.

Because he'd thought they were on pretty good terms.

Xie Yean took out his phone and pulled up a new number.

"I changed my number..." Xie Yean hesitated for a moment before asking, "Did you... text me?"

Chi Xingcun immediately perked up and said excitedly, "I sent you so many messages and called you too, but you never replied!"

Chi Xingcun's doe eyes seemed to be welling up with tears, filled with unhappiness and hurt.

"I'm sorry." Xie Yean apologized immediately. Other than saying that, he didn't know how to console him.

Looking at the number he showed, Chi Xingcun remained unmoved.

Xie Yean's voice dropped, almost pleading: "Let me add you again, okay?"

Chi Xingcun looked up at him. His eyes were too beautiful—cold and clear yet fragile, making it hard to refuse him.

"Fine..." Chi Xingcun added him again. His profile picture and bio were both blank.

"Then you have to remember to reply to me from now on."

What Chi Xingcun said wasn't "don't ignore me," but just "remember to reply," because he knew the former was too demanding and Xie Yean might not be able to do it, while the latter gave him enough room.

But Xie Yean gave no response.

Chi Xingcun looked up at him in disbelief. Xie Yean said, "If WeChat glitches and I miss your messages or can't reply, I'll come find you."

His tone was gentle yet firm, giving the impression that if he said he'd do something, he definitely would.

"Mm..."

Chi Xingcun's eyelids fluttered, and he added, "You still haven't told me where you've been this whole time. And why haven't you been going to class?"

He got the feeling Xie Yean was avoiding the question.

Sure enough, Xie Yean went quiet again: "You... went to Keda to look for me?"

"I couldn't find you, so I went to Keda, but you weren't even there."

"I'm sorry..." Xie Yean said slowly, "I'm planning to take a break from school. Don't come looking for me at Keda anymore."

Chi Xingcun was stunned: "A break from school? Why'd you suddenly decide this?"

Chi Xingcun knew it probably wasn't about money. Xie Yean had great grades and got plenty of scholarships every year, enough to cover tuition and then some for living expenses.

Xie Yean did some part-time work on the side, and since he was careful with money, it was just enough.

Besides, he could easily come work for him—the salary he offered was more than enough, so he wouldn't have to scrimp.

"Is it because of your parents?"

It probably wasn't, because Qin Liyi had people watching those two 24/7, and they never got a chance to get near Xie Yean.

"No." Xie Yean's gaze was fixed on the only person who would worry about him, unable to look away. "School wasn't great. It wasn't just my parents—the upperclassmen picked on me too. I don't want to go for now. I'm gonna take two years off and come back once I've got my head straight."

Chi Xingcun had almost forgotten about the upperclassmen who'd bullied Xie Yean.

He realized he really wanted to help Xie Yean, but he always messed it up, always too late.

Because he couldn't just do whatever he wanted—there were too many people and things in his way.

Xie Yean's fingertips lightly touched the corner of Chi Xingcun's eye. He actually saw guilt there?

Why was he looking at him like that?

"Chi Xingcun, you don't owe me anything. Don't look at me like that. Don't carry my burdens. You've already done more than enough, and you've done it well."

Chi Xingcun lowered his head, his voice muffled. "Mm..."

"So where are you headed next?" he asked.

"I've already found a job. Don't worry about me." Xie Yean's hand reached behind Chi Xingcun's neck, as if reaching through the air, but in the end, he didn't pull him into a hug.

......

Qin Liyi had been waiting at the school gate for half an hour when he finally saw Chi Xingcun come out.

He almost thought Chi Xingcun had already left with someone else.

He rushed over. "Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Chi Xingcun said, "My phone's dead."

"Why are you out so late? Did the teacher keep you late?"

"Just now..." Remembering that Xie Yean didn't seem to want anyone to see him, Chi Xingcun stopped himself. "Class just ran late."

Xie Yean had left through a different side door earlier. Chi Xingcun didn't understand why he was hiding from people.

Was it because of his new job?

But Xie Yean wouldn't tell him what job he'd found.

Qin Liyi had come all excited, planning to tell the young master about the bet with Fu Chenzhan, but the young master looked distracted.

He pulled Chi Xingcun into the car and took him to a nearby restaurant to eat.

The usual upscale restaurant.

Only places like this could catch the eye of these rich young masters.

Chi Xingcun stopped at the restaurant entrance. Did he even deserve to walk in here?

His face suddenly fell: "Qin..."

Qin Liyi turned around, puzzled, and came over to him: "What's wrong?"

"I..." he said in a low voice, "I don't want to eat here."

"Alright, not in the mood for Cantonese? Or switch to another restaurant with the same cuisine? Your choice." Qin Liyi didn't mind at all, letting Chi Xingcun pick.

After a pause, Chi Xingcun didn't finish his sentence and turned to leave.

Qin Liyi had already sensed something was off and planned to ask at the table, but now he followed right away.

He caught Chi Xingcun's arm: "What's wrong, Master?"

Chi Xingcun could barely hold it together, his chest heaving. Tears brimmed in his eyes. He turned to look at Qin Liyi:

"Qin Liyi, I don't want to eat at a restaurant like this anymore. I... let's stop eating together from now on."

"..."

Qin Liyi's eyes darkened. He hated hearing the phrase "stop eating together" with the two of them as the subject, coming from Chi Xingcun's mouth.

Before Chi Xingcun could react, he scooped him up, threw him over his shoulder, and walked out.

As Chi Xingcun panicked, he set him down on the roomy back seat of the car.

The seat was laid flat, no different from a bed.