Silent Confession

 Ch.28 – A liking that got hens flying and dogs running*

*utter chaos

          Xin Yi’s grades and his confession came all together, at a quarter past eight, his teacher had searched once already for him, and sent it to him, Xin Yi’s snot bubble hadn’t even broken yet, and was caught off-guard by his own grades. 

          “Zhou MuHui…”

          Xin Yi called him with a trembling voice, raised his head while holding tears, Zhou MuHui stiffened, and held his breath along with him.

          He looked at the kid’s screen, it was a white background with his college exams grades, Zhou MuHui also received one in the past.

          “It’s nothing.”

          Zhou MuHui held the hand he stretched out, he knew that the kid was nervous, maybe he didn’t carefully look at it, he turned around Xin Yi’s phone, but just when he was about to lower his head, Xin Yi’s scream fluttered over.

          “Zhou MuHui!!”

          He was crying and laughing at the same time, and pounced at Zhou MuHui knocking him to the ground, and was going crazy in his arms.

          The ambiguous and anxious feeling vanished without a trace, Zhou MuHui was stunned, lowering his head to look at the kid in his arms, and couldn’t help but also laugh.

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          Xin Yi was giggling the whole way, holding Zhou MuHui’s hand and chattering nonstop, Zhou MuHui just carried him on his back to go return to the store, and put on medicine for him, the boss lady waited for them at the store for a while, seeing that both of them were safe and sound, hurriedly pushed them to go home. 

          Zhou MuHui sent him back, but Xin Yi didn’t want to call a car, took out two coins from his pocket, and gave them to him, wanting him to carry him to the bus station. 

          “There is no one at home, it’s okay to be a little slower…” Xin Yi said sheepishly, “I want to talk to you for a little bit longer.”

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          A gust of wind blew over when they got off the bus, only then did Xin Yi remember what he had forgotten, he blinked, looking at their intertwined hands.

          Zhou MuHui was very easy to talk to tonight, and did not push him away the whole way.

          But Xin Yi was a bit uneasy, he slowly was reminded of Zhou MuHui’s reproachful question, Xin Yi didn’t know if he was still angry or not, but was he easy to talk to now because he was interrupted by his sudden grades that came out.

          Xin Yi was absent-minded, having to glance downward once in a while, Zhou MuHui noticed that, but said nothing, and didn’t loosen the hand that was holding his. 

          Summer nights were messy, making people’s hearts restless, Zhou MuHui couldn’t think like usual, only deciding that at this moment he was going to follow his heart.

          “Zhou MuHui…”

          After a while, Xin Yi called him.

          His eye rims were still red, because of crying too fiercely just then, Zhou MuHui silently came to a stop, lowering his head to look at him.

          They were walking very slowly, because the little kid didn’t want to be carried by him.

          “Don’t be angry at me, okay?” 

          Xin Yi opened his mouth first, looking up at him carefully, he felt that Zhou MuHui was really very nice, not at all like what the yellow head had said, Xin Yi was just angered by his nonsense, thus raising his hand on the other party.

          “I won’t be this reckless next time…”

          Xin Yi saw that Zhou MuHui didn’t speak, he was feeling a bit panicked in his heart, sneaking a glance at him from the corner of his eyes, asking for pardon in a quiet voice, “Zhou MuHui, don’t be angry.”

          The corner of his mouth was still blue, it seemed a bit swollen when looking at it, Zhou MuHui looked at him quietly, and nodded.

          Maybe he replied a bit too fast, Xin Yi didn’t react for a while, he looked at Zhou MuHui foolishly, then pursed his lips into a smile, as a result, his smile got wider and wider, and even Zhou MuHui frowned.

          “I like you, I am not afraid of you.”

          He smiled with his head raised, and said to Zhou MuHui, “You’re not like what they said, I know it all, you’re particularly good.”

          He stretched his hand to touch the scar on Zhou MuHui’s face, Zhou MuHui seldom wore his face mask in front of him, Xin Yi stood on his tippy toes and pulled on his shoulders, and before he reacted, suddenly kissed him.

          A burning hot and soft kiss landed on the slightly protruding skin, Zhou MuHui was startled, looking at the kid before him who was chuckling.

          “Zhou MuHui! Is very cool!” Xin Yi limped backward, saying to Zhou MuHui, “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but it’s okay, I’ll protect you anyway, always, always.”

          The little kid’s eyes were like starlight, Zhou MuHui thought, or maybe it wasn’t the case.

          He was the light itself. 

          “My always is worth a lot of money, Zhou MuHui, don’t look down on me!”

          “I won’t let others bully you.”

          Xin Yi bumped against the iron door behind him, letting out an aiyo, Zhou MuHui watched him laugh, even if he hurt himself, he was still laughing. 

          Xin Yi returned home, but Zhou MuHui didn’t leave, he put in his pocket the hand that Xin Yi held for a whole night, looking at the lights that switched on not long ago not far away.

          It was probably Xin Yi, he ground his fingertips together while thinking, then quietly turned around. 

          Summer nights were restless, the bugs were calling and chirping and his heart was also calling, Zhou MuHui looked at the faint shadows under the street lamps, thinking in his heart, he did his best already. 

          But rejecting Xin Yi, was really too difficult.

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(back to the present)

          Xin Yi was startled when he woke up because Zhou MuHui still hadn’t left, he carefully flipped around, looking at the man sleeping at his side, and slowly moved closer.

          He found it a bit strange, but also couldn’t really understand, because he knew that Zhou MuHui has to go out today, moreover, Zhou MuHui never overslept.

          Zhou MuHui isn’t like him.

          But Zhou MuHui really didn’t wake up during the whole time, even his deep eyebrows didn’t even wrinkle up.

          Xin Yi was quietly laying, watching him without moving, Xin Yi should wake him up, but even after a long while, he didn’t open his mouth.

          Xin Yi couldn’t bear to, Xin Yi wanted to take a good look at him like this.

          Maybe his breathing was a bit heavy, or maybe his gaze was overwhelming, thus Zhou MuHui was woken up by him, Xin Yi look at that pair of eyes slowly open up, and he wanted to dodge in a delayed reaction, but the next second, he was grabbed by the waist and dragged under the blanket. 

          “Don’t move.”

          Zhou MuHui called him in a hoarse voice, and pinched the back of his neck in this position.

          The other party’s hot breath sprayed against the side of his back, Xin Yi blinked ignorantly, looking at Zhou MuHui who was before him, and stretching out a hand to touch the somehow messy hair on his forehead. 

          Zhou MuHui was rarely this… lazy, no matter if it was before, or now.

          Xin Yi attributed the reason to yesterday, thus nodded at him, dragging his sore and weak arms and hugged Zhou MuHui.

          “You’re going to be late…”

          He reminded Zhou MuHui in a murmur.

          But Zhou MuHui didn’t move, only hugging him even tighter, and said with a hoarse voice, “It’s fine.”

          His palms went down along Xin Yi’s spine, his fingers slowly stopping on his waist, slowly appeasing him.

          “……”

          Xin Yi felt a bit sore, but also a bit itchy, but he couldn’t get away, because Zhou MuHui was hugging him very tightly, as if he was afraid that Xin Yi would slip away.

          Not knowing when the cat at their feet had woken up, lazily meowled twice, gripping the end of the bed sheets and wanting to climb down the bed, but was driven away by Zhou MuHui in the next second. 

          Xin Yi hurriedly looked at him, and said, “What are you doing-ah.”

          Zhou MuHui didn’t move, only saying in a low voice, “It’s not like you can hug him.”

          “……”

          Xin Yi paused, then covered up his mouth hastily. 

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          He felt that Zhou MuHui was a bit unusual, Xin Yi thought thoroughly, and felt that the change had started from the moment Xin Yi found that divorce agreement paper. 

          He would often accompany him, tell him nice things, and even clumsily try to make him happy.

          A being completely different from the Zhou MuHui from before, who was introverted and didn’t like to speak. 

          Xi Yi should be sad, but he couldn’t help but indulge in it.

          Xin Yi thought, even if it was the compensation that Zhou MuHui is giving him, he’ll take it.

          Who let Xin Yi be stupid and useless, not able to withstand the sweetness that the other party is giving out. 

          Zhou MuHui went out for a moment in the afternoon, but then came back very quickly, Xin Yi was reading a book at home at that moment, and he picked up Zhou MuHui’s call.

          “Come down.” 

          On the other side of the call was Zhou MuHui’s low voice, Xin Yi slowly closed his book, and asked while sprawled on the carpet, “For what.”

          Thinking that Zhou MuHui was joking with him.

          The man was very busy, how could it be possible for him to go to the company and come back immediately.

          “Taking you to play.” 

          Zhou MuHui said. 

          Xin Yi only realized after going down that Zhou MuHui was really waiting for him, he dizzily opened the car’s door, and was pulled by the man at one side to sit properly, Xin Yi slowly lowered his head, asking him as if he was bewitched, “Where are we going?”

          He came down confusedly, and randomly wore some clothes, Xin Yi looked at his own t-shirt and shorts, lifting his arms blankly, “My outfit doesn’t look good…”

          Zhou MuHui helped him put on the seatbelt, caressing his head, “It’s fine.”

          His fine was very short, his tone even carrying a faint smile, making Xin Yi even more confused, looking at him foolishly.

          Xin Yi was dazed after getting out of the car, because the place they came to was very familiar, it was somewhere Xin Yi loved to bring Zhou MuHui to.

          Xin Yi had just started to go to college at that time, and also loved to stick to Zhou MuHui, but Zhou MuHui was very busy, and didn’t have the time to accompany him every day, they would go to the outdoor cinema next to the barbecue restaurant during Zhou MuHui’s break.

          Because there were not many places of entertainment that didn’t require money, Xin Yi was reluctant to make Zhou MuHui spend money. 

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          “It’s Love Letter today.” Zhou MuHui said, “Let’s sit in the back ok?”

          Xin Yi blankly nodded, and was pulled by the hand by Zhou MuHui to sit behind the crowd of people.

          The shouts at one side were incessant, a familiar face was passing through the group of people, Zhou MuHui asked for two cups of water, Xin Yi saw him talk to the other party, and even his brows were relaxed.

          “You guys didn’t come for a long time.” The other party laughed, then wiggled their brows at Xin Yi, “Little brother, what are you in a daze for.”

          Xin Yi was startled, and hurriedly took the water that he passed over. 

          They indeed haven’t come for a long while, since Zhou MuHui works in the entertainment circle, Xin Yi hasn’t sat here with him like this for a long time, watching a movie they wouldn’t really watch, under the lights and candles of myriad families. 

          “Are you hungry?”

          Zhou MuHui tidied his hair, hugging him from behind, he was wearing a regular long-sleeved shirt, not looking at all like someone who was almost thirty.

          But it might be because he was always good-looking, Xin Yi secretly thought.

          “Not hungry.” 

          Xin Yi shook his head, leaning on his body.

          “Why did you want to come here?”

          Xin Yi asked him.

          Zhou MuHui put a jacket on him, pausing a moment after hearing that, and said in a low voice, “You said it before.”

          It was long ago, they don’t know why they got into an argument, the little kid shut him outside the door for a whole night and ignored him, Zhou MuHui doesn’t like to speak, and could only change to another way and send him texts, asking him where was the broom for a moment, then saying that the gas in the kitchen was broken at another moment, making the kid so angry that his head was hot, dashing out after opening the door, biting him fiercely.

          Making him apologize, and also wanting him to take him here.

          Zhou MuHui agreed, but didn’t take him here in the end.

          Because something went wrong with the artist he was in charge of, Zhou MuHui sent Xin Yi back midway, afterward… they did not come again.

          Xin Yi didn’t speak, only quietly leaning against him, the projection screen was showing the end, but the crowd of people didn’t disperse, because it was barely night, and the time was still very long.

          Xin Yi often felt like it was a dream, he fell in love with Zhou MuHui in his teens, then asked for love, and got married. Although Zhou MuHui didn’t really like to speak, his character was also quite cold, but he was still very nice to Xin Yi, and was willing to accept Xin Yi’s childishness, and his liking that got hens flying and dog running. 

          “Zhou MuHui…” Xin Yi called him in a whisper amidst the noise. 

          Zhou MuHui let out a hum, moving his eyes away from the front, but before he asked what was wrong, the kitten at one side stretched out his paw stickily, tightly holding his hand. 

          “I want, I want to always be with you.”

          Xin Yi said, but his eyes were lowered, not daring to look at him, “It’s Xin Yi’s kind of always…”

          Zhou MuHui was stunned, and said, “Okay.”

          “……”

          This time it was Xin Yi’s turn to be stunned, raising his head and looking at Zhou MuHui stupidly, “You are not going to reconsider it?”

          “Reconsider what?”

          Zhou MuHui frowned, touching his quite messy hair after rubbing it around. 

          “Your always is worth a lot of money, I remember.” Zhou MuHui helped him to sit straight, his sight looking at the movie in front of them, and said, “Alright, don’t fiddle around anymore.” 

          “Oh.”

          Xin Yi nodded, then after a while said in a loud voice once again, “OH!”

          “……”

          The audience line of sight on one side was attracted by him and looked at him curiously, but Xin Yi didn’t notice that, Zhou MuHui lowered his head, looking at Xin Yi who buried his head and laughed like a fool, and wrinkled his brows in surprise.

          Don’t know what his family’s little kid saw that made him happy. 

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          Xin Yi was especially excited when he returned home, holding Zhou MuHui’s hand, and could help but giggled the whole way, Zhou MuHui asked him what happened to him, but he didn’t say why, until Zhou MuHui pushed him to take a shower, he was still sprawled on the sofa, saying that he wanted to be carried by Zhou MuHui. 

          Zhou MuHui was getting water for him, and paused after hearing that, calling him, “Get up.”

          Xin Yi wasn’t willing, Mao Mao chimed in on one side, sitting next to Zhou MuHui’s feet and biting his shoes, Xin Yi seeing that, exposing a pair of eyes from the crook of his arms, calling in a soft whisper, “You hurry up.”

          Zhou MuHui has no status in this family, so ultimately he got what he wished, when he was done he went back to carry him out, as if he was coaxing a living ancestor.

          The living ancestor was wrapped in a bath towel and sat on the bed, prettily looking at him, on the half-exposed right side of his neck was a touch of red, Zhou MuHui walked over while maintaining his composure, using the blanket to cover that place.

          “Why haven’t you washed up yet.” Xin Yi urged him, pursing his lips into a smile, “Hurry and go.”

          He felt that his courage had been filled to the brim, Xin Yi thought, Zhou MuHui already promised him, so he can ask Zhou MuHui the reason now.

          If Zhou MuHui still wants to leave, then Xin Yi is going to be angry at him, and is going to act shamelessly with him.

          Because Zhou MuHui has already promised him tonight, to always be together with Xin Yi.

          Zhou MuHui always kept his word.

          The more Xin Yi thought about it the happier he was, his face tinted with red, waiting for Zhou MuHui to finish showering and he was going to ask him. 

          But Zhou MuHui didn’t move, on the contrary, he sat on the bedside.

          “To do what.”

          Xin Yi wanted to fall on him, but he remembered that he still hadn’t taken a shower, his body was half bent then hurriedly sat back.

          “Xiao Yi.” 

          “Ah?”

          Xin Yi crookedly stole a glance at him, rubbing his eyes to hide his gaze, “What’s wrong?”

          Zhou MuHui was silent for a moment, using a strange gaze to look at him, that gaze seemed to carry forbearance, but it was a bit weird, Xin Yi saw it from the gap of his peripheral vision, and was startled for some reason.

          He slowly lowered his hand, dull-wittily asking him, “Zhou MuHui?” 

          Zhou MuHui hummed, softly gripping him.

          The seemed to be a hard object between the intertwined palms, Xin Yi lowered his head, but couldn’t see it clearly yet, and heard Zhou MuHui call him.

          “The code is your birthday.”

           Xin Yi ignorantly raised his head, he didn’t know where that instinct came from, his eyelid furiously twitched, Xin Yi sat up surprised, wanting to stop Zhou MuHui from continuing speaking, but it was too late, Zhou MuHui already said it.

          “There is one million inside.” 

          Zhou MuHui said softly, not letting him loosen his grip.