PBMM CH6

With a crippled leg and blind eyes, He Qing thus settled down in the Lin household. A soft, large bed, Lin Chi’s attentive service, and being able to listen to the TV all day without having to go to class—for He Qing…

[It’s simply paradise!]

It was completely pitch black in front of He Qing, but that didn’t stop him at all from sitting in the living room hugging a throw pillow, listening to the TV. While listening to the “you love me but I don’t love you” dramas inside, he said with utmost satisfaction: [Everything is perfect. It would be even better if Lin Chi’s dad didn’t show up!]

When Lin Chi convinced him to move in, he had sworn that his father was a workaholic and that it would be a miracle if he came home even one day a month. However, in the two days He Qing had been living there, this Uncle Lin had gotten off work right on time both days. Sometimes he even came back at noon for lunch. This was completely different from the situation he had imagined of being two single guys alone in the house with Lin Chi.

[Sigh~ With such a third wheel around, it’s hard to flirt~]

He Qing’s cheeky tone successfully prompted the system to pay attention to him. Although the cold mechanical voice clearly had no fluctuations in tone, it genuinely made one feel its contempt: [Who the third wheel is isn’t necessarily certain.]

[Eh, what do you mean by that?] He Qing pressed.

[Give me a thousand points and I’ll tell you.]

A sound came from the entryway, and He Qing immediately shut his mouth. Hugging his pillow, he turned toward the noise, listening as the person changed their shoes and walked over step by step. Someone sat down beside him. Opening his lifeless eyes, he sniffed carefully, and a few seconds later said, “Uncle Lin, you’re back.”

“Mn.” Lin Cheng’s voice was always cold and aloof, as if even this brief response was forced out of politeness. His indifferent attitude didn’t hurt He Qing’s feelings; after all, he knew he was living under someone else’s roof. Just not being kicked out was already extremely fortunate.

Hands nervously clutching the throw pillow tighter, the teenager felt the heat radiating from the person beside him due to their close proximity. He wanted to shift to the other side but felt too embarrassed to do so, so he could only sit there stiffly and awkwardly, not even daring to move an inch.

The sound of pages turning came from beside him. He Qing breathed a sigh of relief, his body relaxing slightly. Uncle Lin seemed to really like reading. These past two days, every time he came back, he would just sit beside him and read. Although there were no warm greetings, for him, an orphan who wasn’t good at dealing with people, not interfering with each other was the best way to get along.

The teenager, whose previously straight back had relaxed once again, was completely unaware that this entire series of reactions had fallen entirely into the eyes of the man currently turning the pages of a book.

He was supposedly flipping through a book, but in reality, he was only flipping pages. Lin Cheng held the book in his hands, but his gaze was fixed steadily on the teenager hugging the pillow, whose fair and tender little face was practically sunk into it. He Qing couldn’t see, but his eyes were habitually open. From Lin Cheng’s angle, he could see his slightly curled eyelashes, possessing a perfect arc, fluttering slightly with the boy’s breathing.

He must be listening very earnestly to the TV drama, as his expression changed from time to time. However, falling into Lin Cheng’s eyes, no matter what expression he made, it was incredibly cute.

How could there be such a person? Whether he was smiling or frowning in distress, he always exuded a pitiable, endearing charm, making one uncontrollably want to see those dim, lifeless eyes reignite with light.

Completely oblivious to the fact that he was being stared at by Lin Cheng, He Qing uncomfortably squeezed his legs together. He had drunk too much water earlier and needed to use the bathroom…

He felt around for the crutches Lin Chi had helped him buy and supported his body to stand up. Before he even had time to debate whether he should say something, he heard the sound of the man closing his book. Following that, a cold, magnetic voice came from above: “What do you want to do?”

Suddenly being asked, the teenager felt a bit overwhelmed by the attention, but at the same time, felt a little bit ashamed. He answered in a small voice, “Going to the washroom…”

“I will take you.”

He Qing was clearly startled. “N-no need…”

“Let’s go.” Lin Cheng directly ignored his refusal. Supporting He Qing’s arm with one hand, he naturally placed his other hand on the boy’s slender waist, guiding him forward.

Since things had already come to this, He Qing could only follow along with a bewildered face. They soon reached the washroom, and Lin Cheng was exceedingly considerate: “Do you need me to help you take off your pants?”

“No need!!” The teenager was so embarrassed his cheeks flushed pink. Keeping his head down, he weakly expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle…”

He stood there waiting for Lin Cheng to leave, but the faint, fresh scent of mint surrounding him made it impossible for He Qing to ignore it. Gripping his crutches uneasily, He Qing timidly whispered, “Uncle, could I ask you to go out…?”

Then he heard that pleasant yet aloof voice say, “These past two days, hasn’t Lin Chi been watching you like this as well?”

The next second, Lin Cheng saw He Qing’s initial confusion, followed by an expression of extreme embarrassment as he realized what had been said. The teenager hurriedly explained, “No, Uncle, please don’t misunderstand! Before, A-Chi would always just walk me to the washroom and then wait outside!”

His tone was urgent, terrified of exposing his romantic relationship with Lin Chi, completely unaware of the flash of satisfaction that crossed Lin Cheng’s face upon hearing his explanation. The man unhurriedly replied, “Then I will wait outside for you.”

After speaking, his footsteps slowly faded away. He Qing felt as if he had just escaped with his life. But before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, he heard Lin Cheng say from a distance, “By the way, don’t call me Uncle (bófù – older uncle) from now on.”

The sound of the door closing came through, and He Qing blinked his lifeless eyes in bewilderment.

[Does Lin Chi’s dad hate me?]

System: [Where did you get that idea from?]

He Qing was extremely certain: [He won’t even let me call him Uncle! Not even letting me call him Uncle, just how much must he hate me!] 

————

Lin Cheng waited outside the door. He used to hate waiting the most, but standing here now, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of impatience. He listened intently; the thud, thud, thud sound of crutches striking the floor gradually drew nearer. The door opened, and He Qing appeared before him, leaning on his crutches.

Lin Cheng naturally reached out to support him, but the moment he touched that soft hand, the teenager dodged away. His expression paused, and he looked at He Qing with a dark, indecipherable gaze. However, he saw the boy awkwardly hide his hands behind his back, his tone embarrassed: “Lin…” He paused for a second before calling out uncertainly, “Uncle (shūshu – younger uncle)?”

Lin Cheng didn’t want the title of ‘Uncle’ either. What he wanted was a closer title, one that made the boy rely on him more. But that was impossible for now. The man stared fixedly at the teenager; because the boy couldn’t see, his gaze fell even more brazenly onto those nervously pursed lips as he answered, “I’m here.”

Hearing that there was no hint of anger in Lin Cheng’s tone, the teenager on crutches breathed a small sigh of relief. Still keeping one hand behind his back, he awkwardly explained, “I haven’t washed my hands yet…” After saying that, as if terrified Lin Cheng would misunderstand, he hastily added, “I’ve never been in this washroom before, I couldn’t find where to wash my hands…”

After speaking, he himself felt like he was a troublesome burden, living in someone else’s house and still needing them to take care of him. The hand hidden behind his back anxiously gripped his clothes as he waited for Lin Cheng’s reply like someone awaiting a sentence.

The next moment, that hand hidden behind his back was enveloped by a large, slender hand. By his ear came the man’s magnetic voice, raspy for some unknown reason: “We’ll wash them together.”

And so, one minute later, Lin Cheng stood behind He Qing, holding onto hands that were somewhat small and tender compared to his own. His viewpoint was of the teenager’s slender, fragile neck, looking as though it could be snapped with just one hand, and his soft, black hair whorl. Very slowly, he used his own fingers to leisurely rub over the boy’s hands.

He Qing felt like something wasn’t quite right. He tilted his head slightly, trying to find a topic of conversation. “Uncle Lin, is A-Chi coming back late tonight again?”

“No.” In a place He Qing couldn’t see, Lin Cheng leaned down slightly, his breath brushing against that fair neck. Seeing the teenager shrink back slightly in discomfort, the corners of the man’s lips hooked up slightly. His magnetic, pleasant voice lowered: “Tonight, he is representing the company at a meeting. He’s not coming back.”