The Long Road Ahead

No Trouble

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 steps back.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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.

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

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

There was no reply from the other end.

"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."

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 steps back.

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 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?"

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 to 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."

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

There was no reply from the other end.

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."

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

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

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.

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 steps back.

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.

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

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.

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, 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?"

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 more 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 was flashing on the screen.

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.

"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 no fell to cloth of his clothes, where the there were slight darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

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 more 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?

"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 no fell to cloth of his clothes, where the there were slight darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

That wouldn't be good?

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

That wouldn't be good?

From 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.

That wouldn't be good?

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 more 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?

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's 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.

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.

How humiliating.

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 un...

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

"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 no fell to cloth of his clothes, where the there were slight darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

There was no reply from the other end.

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 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.

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?"

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."

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 steps, turned his direction, and heading to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

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.

"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."

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?"

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 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."

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 un...

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.

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 un...

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

There was no reply from the other end.

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, 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?"

Pulling two of them out, then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, and 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.

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.

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

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?

How humiliating.

How humiliating.

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

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'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?

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?"

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 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 strait to the right.

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

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?"

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

From 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.

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.

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.

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 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."

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?

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

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

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?"

The one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

N/A

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.

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 steps back.

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

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

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?"

Pulling two of them out, then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, and 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 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 per 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.

There was no reply from the other end.

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?"

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

N/A

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.

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

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make be 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."

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

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's 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.

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

"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 no fell to cloth of his clothes, where the there were slight darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

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 said nothing along the way, except fr 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..." Xiao Ning's breath caught a few times, causing him to reply brokenly: "I'm fine. I'm sorry I disturbed—"

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.

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

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?"

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's 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.

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

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

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

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

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.

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

There was no reply from the other end.

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.

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

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?"

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 more 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?

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 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.

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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 to 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."

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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

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

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?"

It would 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.

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

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

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

That wouldn't be good?

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

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?"

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

That wouldn't be good?

That wouldn't be good?

There was no reply from the other end.

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

Pulling two of them out, then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, and 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.

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.

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 to 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."

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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.

There was no reply from the other end.

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 per he should not trouble is the one he said such a thing to.

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

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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 sighed, a sigh causing Xiao Ning's tears to stop in an instant.

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?

From 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.

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

Pulling two of them out, then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, and 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.

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

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.

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

"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 strait to the right.

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?

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

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.

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 to 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 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.

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."

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?"

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?

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.

And with his eyes focused on the yellow glow on the 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.

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

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?"

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

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."

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.

No Trouble

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

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

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."

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 steps back.

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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

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

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

Shan Haiming withdrew his gaze, taking Xiao Ning's hands into his own, 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."

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

From 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.

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?

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?"

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'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 no fell to cloth of his clothes, where the there were slight darkened patches that could have only been made from being soaked by liquid. He smiled in shock, "That's strange? What's going on?"

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's 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.

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?

N/A

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

No Trouble

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

Pulling two of them out, then shaking them open, Xiao Ning packed his clothes into one bag, and 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.

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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?

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

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

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.

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

From 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.

How humiliating.

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 more 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?

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.

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

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

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

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

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

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

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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 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.

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make be 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."

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 had to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

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."

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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 had to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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

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.

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

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 had to pull Xiao Ning to his feet, he said, "Come on, let's go home."

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."

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."

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

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.

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

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 un...

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

How humiliating.

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

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.

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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

There was no reply from the other end.

Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except fr 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."

Xiao Ning suffering from his punch, was not included.

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 more 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?

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

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'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?"

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 to 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."

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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 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?

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's 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.

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

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.

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

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?

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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

That wouldn't be good?

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.

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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

"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 his the injury on his face which was a darkened purple mixed with splotches of red. No wonder it had hurt so much.

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

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."

"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 his 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.

Such a feeling was incredibly difficult to describe.

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?"

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

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 said nothing along the way, except fr 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."

"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 strait to the right.

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

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

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 said nothing along the way, except fr 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."

It would 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, he voice stopped. Shan Haiming pushed the door open and turned back to him, saying, "What are doing? Come over here."

Shan Haiming said nothing along the way, except fr 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 one who sent that message was Shan Haiming.

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

It would 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.

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

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?"

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 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 strait to the 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, 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?"

There was no reply from the other end.

N/A

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 steps, turned his direction, and heading to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

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

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

"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."

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

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

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

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

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 more 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?

"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."

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

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 steps, turned his direction, and heading to the apartment building and then to Lu Yan's apartment.

N/A

"I've never met someone as foolish as you. How can someone make be 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."

How humiliating.

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?"

"Oh... okay." In a daze, Xiao Ning changed out 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.

"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 the apartment Wang Hua bought in the Cuicheng community.

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

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

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

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

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

"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."

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

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

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.

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

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

"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 strait to the right.