Category: Replica (Page 5 of 5)

Chapter 6: The Beautiful Lady Yu

 

As winter approached, the weather in Lincheng became very dry. The trees outside the residential area had bare branches, and the fallen leaves covered the ground. The property management had already sent someone to sweep the roads early in the morning. While still half-asleep, the sounds of sweeping outside were already echoing. Tan Xilu was awakened by the noise, and he stared at the ceiling for a while before fully waking up.

 

Outside, Xu Huaiming had already started preparing breakfast. When the toast was done, he entered the room and called for Tan Xilu to get up.

 

On weekends when there was no work, Tan Xilu was exceptionally lazy and loved the warmth of his blanket. But every time, Xu Huaiming would ruthlessly pull him out of bed, and today was no exception. Xu Huaiming pulled back the covers, gently rubbed Tan Xilu’s face, and spoke in a soft voice, “Wake up quickly.”

 

“No,” Tan Xilu grabbed Xu Huaiming’s hand. “I don’t want to move.”

 

“You don’t have a say,” Xu Huaiming rubbed his nose against Tan Xilu’s face and lightly bit his lips. “Skipping breakfast can lead to various illnesses. Eat first, and then you can stay in bed.”

 

“The same old routine,” Tan Xilu lazily stretched and, with both hands, hooked around Xu Huaiming’s neck. He clung to him and coquettishly said, “Carry me to brush my teeth.”

 

“Okay,” Xu Huaiming hugged Tan Xilu tightly around the waist and carried him to the bathroom.

 

Tan Xilu didn’t even bother putting on shoes; he stepped on Xu Huaiming’s feet. Xu Huaiming squeezed the toothpaste for him and gave his earlobe a pinch. “Brush by yourself.”

 

“I know.” Tan Xilu put the toothbrush in his mouth.

 

In the mirror, Xu Huaiming hugged Tan Xilu, resting his chin on his shoulder. His gaze was deeply affectionate, and his eyes were fixed on Tan Xilu. In fact, Tan Xilu found it quite mysterious. The Xu Huaiming from seven years ago wasn’t like this; he was always cautious, as if afraid of being discovered. Even when they went out, he wouldn’t openly hold hands. The most daring thing they did was perhaps sharing a brief kiss in a movie theater. Even at home, they lived like an ordinary couple, kissing and going to bed, but being this affectionate was simply impossible back then.

 

The Xu Huaiming from seven years ago and the one from now were so different, which made Tan Xilu really wonder what had happened to Xu Huaiming during these seven years. However, every time he broached this topic, Xu Huaiming would skillfully change the subject. Later, Tan Xilu stopped asking. He thought as long as Xu Huaiming was by his side and didn’t disappear, that was enough.

 

Thinking this, Tan Xilu rinsed his mouth and couldn’t resist giving Xu Huaiming a minty kiss.

 

Xu Huaiming was indeed a skilled cook, even their regular breakfast had a variety of styles. He cooked lean meat and century egg congee because Tan Xilu liked to have some stir-fried vegetables in the morning. He also prepared stir-fried greens, fried eggs, and toasted bread.

 

Tan Xilu placed the fried egg between slices of bread, mixed it with a forkful of vegetables, and ate it together. Tan Xilu wasn’t picky about food; he could combine anything and eat it together. His mother used to say that he looked shy and polite, but secretly, he could mix stir-fried shredded potatoes directly into his congee, much like feeding pigs. In other words, he was easy to please.

 

Halfway through the meal, there was suddenly a commotion outside. It sounded like someone was banging on the door, and there were angry voices, occasionally mixed with female cursing.

 

Xu Huaiming had just stood up, but Tan Xilu pressed his hand and shook his head, saying, “Don’t get involved. Let’s eat first.”

 

Xu Huaiming glanced at him and sat back down.

 

After a while, it became quiet outside, and only then did Tan Xilu put down his spoon and stand up.

 

He opened the door, and outside, it was a mess. Various fruits and vegetables were scattered on the ground. Lin Xiaozhi was squatting down, picking them up. Lin Changyu leaned against the door. He had initially had his eyes closed, but when he heard the sound of the opposite door opening, he slowly opened his eyes. He looked at Tan Xilu, suddenly laughed, said nothing, and turned back into the house.

 

Tan Xilu and the behind-him Xu Huaiming exchanged a glance, sighed, and began picking up the fallen items.

 

There were still many things scattered under the stairs. Lin Xiaozhi ran to pick them up, panting, and then carried them upstairs. His forehead was covered in sweat.

 

“Thank you, Teacher Tan,” Lin Xiaozhi took the fruits from Tan Xilu’s hand, then looked at Xu Huaiming and said, “And thank you, Uncle Xu.”

 

Out of the blue, hearing the word “uncle,” Xu Huaiming’s face turned pale, but it brought a smile to Tan Xilu’s lips. “Call me Uncle Xu.”

 

Seeing Tan Xilu smile, Xu Huaiming didn’t argue with Lin Xiaozhi. He enjoyed seeing Tan Xilu smile. Tan Xilu actually looked quite gentle; his hair was always a bit messy, and even though he was a teacher now, he appeared younger than some of his students. At first glance, one would think he was well-behaved. In fact, he rarely got angry. When Xu Huaiming left the laboratory, he had wondered what it would be like for someone who had lost their lover for seven years to see them again.

 

His programming told him they might quarrel, they might go crazy, but Tan Xilu didn’t do any of that. It was like he had forgotten everything, just cried for a while. But Xu Huaiming was an intelligent AI, much more sensitive than humans. He could sense Tan Xilu’s emotions very keenly. Tan Xilu was generally not the type to smile much. This was partly because of his compliant personality. He never refused anyone, no matter how troublesome or unpleasant it was, because of social etiquette and obligations. Xu Huaiming didn’t like that about him.

 

His Tan Xilu should be carefree, argue, be spoiled, like a typical couple.

 

So, when they were together, Xu Huaiming preferred to be the compliant one.

 

“Well, I am Uncle Xu,” Xu Huaiming pinched the back of Tan Xilu’s neck.

 

Tan Xilu was momentarily ticklish and gave Xu Huaiming a sideways glance. He was about to say something when they heard a crashing sound.

 

Lin Xiaozhi was startled by the noise, but the child quickly reacted and rushed into the house.

 

Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming exchanged a tense look and followed him.

 

Inside the bedroom, Lin Changyu sat on the wet floor, clutching a handful of glass shards. Bright red blood was slowly dripping from his fingers, forming a sharp contrast with the white pills scattered on the ground.

 

“Bro…ther,” Lin Xiaozhi ran over in panic, trying to pry Lin Changyu’s hand open. “Let go, let go!”

 

“Get the first aid kit, Xu Huaiming,” Tan Xilu remained calm in this situation.

 

Cooperating seamlessly, Xu Huaiming turned and went to get the first aid kit.

 

Lin Changyu seemed slow to react, and it was only after Lin Xiaozhi forcibly opened his hand that he moved.

 

At first, his impulse was stronger when he clenched the glass shards, but as he regained his senses, the pain intensified. The glass shards embedded in his palm were painful, scattered across the surface but not too deep, stuck in the skin and flesh. But it hurt.

 

Xu Huaiming quickly brought the first aid kit, and Tan Xilu squatted down, took out a pair of tweezers, and began carefully extracting the glass shards one by one.

 

At this moment, Lin Changyu behaved unusually compliant, quite different from his usual carefree personality.

 

Xu Huaiming frowned as he watched Tan Xilu tend to Lin Changyu’s wound, removing the bloody glass shards and disinfecting the area with alcohol. The stinging sensation from the alcohol made Lin Changyu break into a sweat.

 

Xu Huaiming found humans to be quite strange. He knew that such behavior resembled self-harm, but his impression of Lin Changyu was that of a cheerful gamer who often came over for leftovers and enjoyed a carefree atmosphere. Xu Huaiming never thought he would resort to self-harm. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that Lin Changyu’s wrists had many fresh scars, indicating recent healing.

 

It was already ten minutes later when they finished bandaging Lin Changyu’s hand. White bandages were wrapped neatly around his palm, and Tan Xilu tied a knot, saying, “Fortunately, the wounds weren’t too deep. If the glass had penetrated deeper into the flesh, we would have had to go to the hospital.”

 

“Thank you, Teacher Tan. I’m sorry for troubling you again this time,” Lin Changyu forced a smile, but the pain made it difficult for him to smile genuinely.

 

“It was quite troublesome,” Tan Xilu sighed. “Once you can completely recover, I won’t have to be bothered anymore.”

 

Hanging his head, Lin Changyu muttered an apology after a while.

 

Tan Xilu rubbed his head and said, “You don’t need to apologize to me. Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore. Get some rest.”

 

With that, he pinched Lin Xiaozhi’s cheek. “Take good care of your brother. If anything happens, come and find me.”

 

“Thank you, Teacher Tan,” Lin Xiaozhi said.

 

After leaving Lin Changyu’s home, Tan Xilu helped close their door. When he turned around, he saw the confusion in Xu Huaiming’s eyes. He held Xu Huaiming’s hand and said, “I’ll tell you when we get back.”

 

The situation with Lin Changyu was actually quite complex. People who had met him couldn’t imagine that such a cheerful young man could suffer from depression. Tan Xilu hadn’t thought so the first time he met him either.

 

Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming had rented this apartment together when they first got together. Later, when Xu Huaiming went missing, Tan Xilu bought the apartment directly. In the third year of owning the apartment, a family moved into the unit next door, which had been vacant for a long time.

 

Tan Xilu wasn’t good at socializing with people, but due to his job, he had to interact with teachers and students every day. When he returned home, he would turn off his phone to avoid outside distractions and enjoy a quiet and solitary environment. However, that day, as soon as he returned home, someone knocked on his door.

 

“Changyu was holding a basin of strawberries and said to me, ‘Hello, this is the extra strawberries I bought. I can’t store them at home because I don’t have a refrigerator, so I’m giving them to you.’ ” Tan Xilu recalled that time. He thought of Lin Changyu, who used to be so cheerful, wearing red in-ear headphones around his neck, and even had dimples when he smiled. Tan Xilu looked at him and, for a moment, thought of the serious-faced Xu Huaiming when he was in his teens.

 

Tan Xilu couldn’t remember whether he had eaten those strawberries or put them in the refrigerator and returned them to Lin Changyu the next day. He only remembered that Lin Changyu would occasionally bring fruits, and not long after, Lin Xiaozhi came to live with them.

 

The two brothers were lively and playful, but this was before that woman arrived.

 

One day, as Tan Xilu was leaving work, he encountered a woman in a white dress. She was quite attractive with pale lips, but her beauty was no less than that of a TV actress. She wore a pair of high heels but behaved in a manner completely incongruent with her appearance.

 

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T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 5: Lover’s Quarrel

 

At the time, Tan Xilu had thought too simplistically. He genuinely believed that Xu Huaiming was nervous and didn’t want to meet his parents so soon. It was only later, when he realized that Xu Huaiming had no intention of associating with people related to him, that their conflicts escalated to such an extreme.

 

The incident occurred during a club-building activity at Tan Xilu’s university. In his freshman year, Tan Xilu was forced to join a club because his advisor noticed he was quiet and didn’t participate in any social activities. Eventually, he joined the Literary Society, or so it was called. In reality, aside from the president and a few members who enjoyed writing, the rest were just there to make up the numbers. Tan Xilu was one of those who attended occasionally, and he was one of the few who bothered to come for every event, unlike some who made excuses not to attend.

 

At that time, it was the end of the year, and the club president organized a club-building activity. By that time, Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming had been together for a while, and Tan Xilu had intended to introduce Xu Huaiming to his club friends. So, they decided to hold the event at Xu Huaiming’s dessert shop.

 

When Xu Huaiming brought out the desserts and drinks, Tan Xilu stood up and took Xu Huaiming’s arm, taking the initiative to introduce him, saying, “This is my boyfriend, Xu Huaiming.”

 

“Oh, you have a boyfriend? That’s why Xiao Lu hasn’t been participating in activities lately,” the club president said, surprised but not shocked. He looked at Xu Huaiming and said with a smile, “Your boyfriend is really handsome.”

 

“Yeah, very handsome. Why didn’t you introduce him earlier?” the vice-president chimed in.

 

Tan Xilu felt a bit shy. “We weren’t stable before, so I’m telling you now.”

 

“Fair enough, fair enough,” the club president said, gesturing toward the cakes and drinks on the table. “Your boyfriend’s desserts look really good, too. He’s quite the domestic type.”

 

“What do you mean ‘domestic’? Are you using the right word?” one of the club members playfully slapped the club president. Then, he looked at Tan Xilu and said, “But it’s not entirely wrong. I remember Xiao Tan loves desserts. Are you with the boss just to get free desserts?”

 

“No,” Xu Huaiming spoke up. His face showed no expression, and his tone was somewhat cold. “It’s because Ah Lu likes desserts that I opened this shop for him.”

 

“I see,” the club member said, smiling and casting an envious glance. “That’s nice.”

 

Tan Xilu glanced at Xu Huaiming, sensing a bit of tension. They didn’t realize Xu Huaiming’s emotional turmoil, but Tan Xilu knew him too well. He knew that Xu Huaiming was angry.

 

But Tan Xilu couldn’t understand why Xu Huaiming was angry. All he wanted was to introduce him to his friends, to let everyone get to know him.

 

After serving all the club members, Xu Huaiming went to the kitchen and didn’t come out until the club activity was over. He even sent off the club president and the others alone.

 

Tan Xilu was also holding in his frustration. After seeing the club members off one by one, he came back inside. Xu Huaiming was in the back room, whipping cream. The sound of him mixing the cream was quite loud, almost to the point of being ear-piercing. Tan Xilu wasn’t stupid; he knew that Xu Huaiming was venting his frustration in an extremely childish way. He was trying to tell Tan Xilu that he was angry.

 

But Tan Xilu didn’t understand. He couldn’t comprehend why Xu Huaiming was so resistant to letting his friends know about them. Even though they were in a relationship, Tan Xilu hoped that their love would be blessed by others.

 

“Can you tell me why?” Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming, his tone calm. “Why don’t you want others to know that we’re in a relationship?”

 

“No reason, I just don’t want to,” Xu Huaiming replied indifferently.

 

Tan Xilu clenched his fists secretly. He remembered what his mother had said: Maybe he doesn’t want to marry you at all.

 

Tan Xilu took a deep breath and clumsily tried to find an excuse for Xu Huaiming. He said, “Are you nervous? Afraid they won’t like you? That won’t happen. You’re so outstanding. Sometimes, I feel like I’m the one who’s lucky to have you. You can make cakes, and you’re so smart, unlike me, so clumsy. I can’t do anything well except loving you…”

 

As Tan Xilu continued to defend Xu Huaiming, he began to speak incoherently. When he looked up, he suddenly saw Xu Huaiming’s indifferent expression, just for a moment. But in that instant, Tan Xilu knew that he had been deluding himself.

 

Tan Xilu was a clumsy person. Ever since he was young, his teachers had taught him the phrase “clumsy birds have to start flying early.” So, while his peers enjoyed joyful summer vacations at swimming pools, amusement parks, and on trips, Tan Xilu replaced their enjoyment with a series of math problems. Even so, in his first year of junior high school, due to carelessness, he ranked at the bottom of his class. His teacher had a conversation with him, saying that if he wasn’t good at anything else, he should put in more effort. After that talk, Tan Xilu’s grades remained consistently in the top three.

 

Because clumsy birds have to start flying early, he was clumsy, so he had to put in more effort. But this principle didn’t seem to apply to Xu Huaiming.

 

Tan Xilu never refused Xu Huaiming for anything. Xu Huaiming’s confession was not romantic; it was more like a joke. He just stood in front of Tan Xilu, without even a bouquet of flowers, only pale words, “I quite like you. Do you want to give it a try with me?”

 

Just give it a try, without even specifying what they were trying. But Tan Xilu agreed like that. The first time they kissed, when Xu Huaiming leaned in to kiss him, Tan Xilu didn’t refuse. Afterward, when they went to bed, drenched in sweat, Tan Xilu finally asked, “Are we dating like this?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t give a direct answer. He thought for a moment and said somewhat uncertainly, “I guess.”

 

That meant they were dating. Tan Xilu thought that he should cherish this person. In fact, he loved Xu Huaiming very much. He had already regarded him as a part of his life, wanting to introduce him to his parents, introduce him to his friends, and even spend the rest of his life with him in their twilight years, watching the sunset together.

 

He used to believe that Xu Huaiming must love him too. But now, Tan Xilu was uncertain. Xu Huaiming refused to meet his friends, and he began to wonder, “Does he really love me?”

 

From that day on, Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming began a silent battle. Tan Xilu gradually stopped going back to the apartment they shared with Xu Huaiming and chose to stay in the school dormitory instead.

 

He used the excuse of nearing graduation and having to rush his thesis. Xu Huaiming actually believed him and didn’t contact him for many days. Tan Xilu stared at the blank chat screen on his phone every night. He knew he was being unreasonable, but he couldn’t help but wonder, “Does this person really care about me?”

 

Why didn’t he come to the school to see him? He said he had to work on his thesis, but was that really what he was doing? Weren’t they in a relationship? Why did something as simple as introducing him to his friends lead to such a situation?

 

Later, after Xu Huaiming disappeared, Tan Xilu learned from his roommate that Xu Huaiming had actually come to see him. He had thought Tan Xilu didn’t want to see him, so he watched him from a distance at the school every day, occasionally waiting downstairs near the dormitory building. His roommate had bumped into him several times, but Xu Huaiming had asked him not to tell Tan Xilu.

 

Both of them were clumsy in love, two people who didn’t know how to express their feelings. It wasn’t until they lost each other that they understood their regrets.

 

Tan Xilu thought that Xu Huaiming still didn’t want others to know about their relationship. So, he didn’t expect that today, at the school gate, Xu Huaiming would take the initiative to hold his hand and tell his students, “I’m Ah Lu’s boyfriend.”

 

Inside the noisy bus, only Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming were quiet. It was so quiet that Tan Xilu could clearly hear his own heartbeat.

 

No one could understand the beauty of regaining something thought to be lost. The person he thought would never return was now with him, giving him a strong sense of security. Tan Xilu felt that he really loved this person.

 

The bitterness of love during their dating days, the anger during lover’s quarrels, and the frustration of not being able to find each other had all turned into sweet threads entwined around Tan Xilu’s heart. 

 

“Xu Huaiming, did you just say you’re my boyfriend?” Tan Xilu gently hooked his fingers with Xu Huaiming’s.

 

Xu Huaiming turned his head and met Tan Xilu’s eyes. Perhaps it was the setting sun’s light, but his eyes looked excessively beautiful, filled with himself. Xu Huaiming knew that he should be like the male lead in a romance drama, gently curving his lips and answering Tan Xilu tenderly, “Yes.”

 

And that’s exactly what Xu Huaiming did. His words were even more gentle, and he tightly clasped Tan Xilu’s hand. “I’m your boyfriend, forever.”

 

“Good, forever,” Tan Xilu’s eyes curved, an unmistakable happiness, like a child’s. 

 

As Xu Huaiming looked at Tan Xilu’s profile, he recalled memories from his database. There were few memories of no. 7 accompanying Tan Xilu on a bus ride like this. no. 7’s love was restrained, as he was afraid of being discovered by his creator. His love was hidden carefully during the early stages.

 

For example, when Tan Xilu was tired on the bus, his head would unconsciously lean towards the window side, and no. 7 would carefully pull him closer, letting him rest on his shoulder. They never held hands in public places like buses, at most, their palms would touch each other’s backhand. This kind of love was difficult, but Xu Huaiming felt fortunate. He had obtained a Tan Xilu who had been hurt before. At this moment, Tan Xilu cherished him immensely. So much so that Xu Huaiming even believed that if he suggested kissing now, Tan Xilu probably wouldn’t refuse.

 

However, Xu Huaiming wouldn’t act so impulsively. He possessed a rationality programmed clearer than that of a human.

 

Ten minutes later, the bus arrived at the station, and they got off together.

 

Things they couldn’t do on the bus, they thought about doing once they got home.

 

The passion of young love blazed fiercely. Right at their doorstep, the two couldn’t bear to part, and before Tan Xilu’s fingertips even touched the door lock screen, Xu Huaiming was already kissing him, holding his slender waist.

 

Xu Huaiming seemed to find this position uncomfortable, so he turned Tan Xilu forcefully, and they faced each other. Tan Xilu leaned against the door, his hands reaching for Xu Huaiming’s neck.

 

Tan Xilu noticed that Xu Huaiming, after returning home, seemed unusually fond of kissing. They didn’t go to bed again, but they would kiss, whether it was a morning kiss or a goodnight kiss. Sometimes, when Xu Huaiming passed by Tan Xilu while getting something, he would peck his lips, like an affectionate big dog.

 

But Tan Xilu enjoyed it. He never thought that love would deteriorate over time. On the contrary, just like the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder,” he believed he loved the current Xu Huaiming more because he only realized his significance after losing him. He believed Xu Huaiming felt the same way.

 

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T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 4: Every Day

 

Tan Xilu absentmindedly drank the now cold water that had been left sitting for a while. His lips, which hadn’t fully healed, stung as the water touched them. He took a sip, maintaining his composure as he watched Xu Huaiming cooking in the kitchen.

 

It had been a week since Xu Huaiming returned, and Tan Xilu still found it hard to believe that he was here in the flesh.

 

He couldn’t help but pinch his palm. It hurt.

 

After a few seconds, he couldn’t help but chuckle. Xu Huaiming had really come back; this wasn’t a dream.

 

With that thought in mind, Tan Xilu lifted his lips slightly and stood up from the sofa. He walked to the kitchen door, leaning against the frame as he said to Xu Huaiming, “Don’t overcook the noodles, okay?”

 

The boiling pot of noodles rolled and frothed, spilling white foam. Xu Huaiming gently stirred the noodles, sprinkled some fine salt, and covered the pot with a lid, reducing the heat.

 

“Sure,” Xu Huaiming replied. He continued to prepare the broth on the side. This was a clear noodle soup that he had learned from a short video platform today. Tan Xilu was still recovering from his illness and couldn’t eat overly spicy food, so Xu Huaiming had started making some milder dishes.

 

Perhaps due to his intelligent AI nature, Xu Huaiming quickly picked up various skills. He could remember everything like a program after just one run-through, much like the saying, “photographic memory.”

 

Xu Huaiming poured some vinegar into the bottom of the bowls and then lifted the lid of the noodle pot. The noodles were cooked perfectly, breaking with a light touch. To maintain their chewiness, he rinsed them in cold water briefly before placing them in the bowls. Finally, he sprinkled chopped green onions and a fried egg on top of the noodles.

 

Two bowls of clear noodle soup were placed on the dining table.

 

After observing for a week, Xu Huaiming noticed that Tan Xilu had a particular fondness for noodles. Whether it was knife-cut noodles, hot dry noodles, or dan dan noodles, he enjoyed them all. So, Xu Huaiming made various noodle dishes to cater to his preferences.

 

Xu Huaiming handed a pair of freshly rinsed chopsticks to Tan Xilu and said, “I lost track of time just now, and I’m not sure if the noodles are overcooked.”

 

Tan Xilu took the chopsticks and picked up a strand of noodles, bringing it to his mouth and tasting it before answering Xu Huaiming’s question. “It’s not bad, quite delicious, and not too soft.”

 

“That’s good,” Xu Huaiming replied, and he began to eat his own noodles.

 

Xu Huaiming’s bodily functions were similar to humans, and he had his own digestive system. However, unlike humans, he only needed to excrete waste once a month. In other words, he could eat for a month before needing to eliminate waste. But Xu Huaiming didn’t like the process of digestion. His method of waste elimination was different from humans, requiring him to go to a specialized waste disposal room at the lab, where he would connect to a professional waste disposal system through his mouth and expel the waste, similar to human vomiting.

 

Xu Huaiming had more sensitive senses than humans. The discomfort in his throat when he vomited made him uncomfortable for half a day. During this time, he couldn’t drink water because it would make him feel even more uncomfortable. Therefore, in the lab, he usually chose to eat liquid food. However, in front of Tan Xilu, this was not an option. He was supposed to be a “human,” and he couldn’t live like an AI. As a result, he ate very little.

The taste of the noodles was indeed good, and the fried egg was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. When you took a bite and dipped it in the soup, it was very flavorful. However, Xu Huaiming didn’t particularly like eating eggs; he always found such food to be somewhat fishy. The only exception was food where you couldn’t see the eggs, like cakes. But Tan Xilu loved this type of food, and sometimes in the morning, he would eat a fried egg along with a boiled one.

 

So, Xu Huaiming placed the fried egg from his own bowl into Tan Xilu’s bowl and said, “You can have mine too.”

 

“Thanks,” Tan Xilu replied without looking up, as if it was a common occurrence.

 

Because in the past, Xu Huaiming had always taken good care of Tan Xilu, he was well aware of Tan Xilu’s preferences, and he would avoid foods that Tan Xilu didn’t like when cooking. He had taken care of Tan Xilu so well that Tan Xilu couldn’t handle his sudden absence.

 

— How could the person who loved me and took care of me so much just disappear like that?

 

Fortunately, Xu Huaiming was back now, and Tan Xilu would be well taken care of again.

 

The meal didn’t take long. Tan Xilu had another class in the afternoon, and he needed to prepare his lecture materials in advance. This public class was important because a professor would be attending, and there were also other students from the department who were interested in the topic.

 

After the meal, Xu Huaiming washed the dishes and changed his clothes before driving Tan Xilu to the university. After dropping him off, he headed to the dessert shop that used to be run by no. 7 at the university.

 

The dessert shop had been closed ever since no. 7 returned to the lab. It had been closed for seven years, during which time the city had changed a lot, but the shop’s front remained dusty.

 

Tan Xilu wanted Xu Huaiming to reopen the shop, and Xu Huaiming couldn’t refuse. However, he had no previous experience making desserts; it would take him some time to learn. The shop’s renovation would coincide with his learning period.

 

When Xu Huaiming arrived at the shop, the renovation workers had already started installing the counter. The renovation was not very complicated, so it progressed quickly. A few days ago, the shop had just been repainted, and today, with the counter in place, they only needed to purchase some equipment.

 

Inside the shop, the workers were busy, while Xu Huaiming sat outside and opened his laptop to watch dessert tutorials. He had been doing this for the past few days. He and Tan Xilu would come to the university together, and then Tan Xilu would attend classes while Xu Huaiming watched tutorials outside the dessert shop. When Tan Xilu finished his classes and returned home, they would go back together.

 

Tan Xilu’s public class lasted for two hours. Xu Huaiming had drained his laptop’s battery by the time he finished watching tutorials. However, he had learned quite a bit today, mastering the techniques for at least five different desserts. Now he just needed to put them into practice.

 

When Xu Huaiming reached the university’s entrance, Tan Xilu had just come out of the school building. He was accompanied by a tall and seemingly cheerful guy who was talking to him. The guy said something that made Tan Xilu smile, and in response, the guy also smiled.

 

Tan Xilu had originally been smiling, but when he raised his head and saw Xu Huaiming across the street, he suddenly became serious. He turned to the guy and said, “Someone’s here to pick me up. About what you mentioned, I’ll consider it. Don’t stay out too late tonight, and don’t drink too much. I don’t want to have to come and rescue you guys like before.”

 

“I got it, Teacher Tan,” the guy said, wearing a slightly teasing expression. “Does Teacher Tan have a girlfriend now? Lately, you’re not working overtime at all. You leave right on time.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t deny the first question, but he had an explanation for the second one. “It’s not that I’m getting old, it’s just that as soon as I’m at school, you guys drag me into having fun. I’m not as young as you all anymore.”

 

In reality, part of it was because he wanted to spend more time alone with Xu Huaiming.

 

“What do you mean you’re not young anymore, Teacher Tan? You’re not even thirty yet. Don’t call yourself old,” the guy said playfully. As he finished speaking, he noticed someone blocking their path. He was about to step aside, but then he realized that Tan Xilu, who was beside him, had stopped moving. He followed Tan Xilu’s gaze and saw a tall man standing in front of them. The man had an expressionless face, possibly because he was wearing golden wire-framed glasses, giving him a distant look.

 

He stood in front of Tan Xilu and looked at him without saying a word.

 

“Teacher Tan, is this your friend?” the guy asked tentatively.

 

Tan Xilu made an “ah” sound, seemingly considering how to explain his relationship with Xu Huaiming.

 

Before he could say anything, Xu Huaiming took the initiative to hold Tan Xilu’s hand. His voice had a distinct metallic quality as he said to the guy, “I’m Ah Lu’s boyfriend. My name is Xu Huaiming.”

 

The bus moved slowly, and it was around four or five in the afternoon, which was the time when schools let out. The bus was crowded, and at every stop, many students in blue and white uniforms got on.

 

Tan Xilu and Xu Huaiming sat in the last row of seats. The twilight sun shone through the windows, casting their figures in a warm glow. Both of them had no particular expressions on their faces, but their hands were intertwined on their laps.

 

It was unclear who looked at the other first, but both of them broke into smiles.

 

Xu Huaiming was looking at Tan Xilu when he smiled, and Tan Xilu smiled back, sweetly.

 

Since Xu Huaiming’s return, Tan Xilu had refrained from asking where he had been all these years, not because he didn’t want to know, but because he didn’t dare to ask.

 

Their first major argument back then had been about whether or not to publicly acknowledge their relationship.

 

Although same-sex marriage had been legal for several years, it was still unacceptable to many people. Tan Xilu claimed that he had no such concerns. His parents had received a higher education, and when Tan Xilu had just started dating, they had expressed the hope that he would bring his boyfriend home to meet them. At first, Tan Xilu thought that their relationship wasn’t stable enough for that, but later, after he and Xu Huaiming had solidified their relationship, he decided to introduce Xu Huaiming to his parents. However, what caught Tan Xilu off guard was Xu Huaiming’s strong resistance.

 

Xu Huaiming appeared quite unhappy, his brows furrowed. He asked, “Did you tell your parents about us?”

 

Tan Xilu was taken aback by Xu Huaiming’s reaction, freezing in place. He stammered, “Uh, is that not allowed?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t say it was not allowed; he simply shook his head.

 

Tan Xilu forced a smile, tugging at Xu Huaiming’s arm awkwardly. He said, “It’s okay; my parents will really like you.”

 

Xu Huaiming still shook his head, and this time, he spoke, “Ah Lu, I don’t need others to like me. It’s enough for me if you do.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t insist further, and that night, the two of them lay on the same bed in silence.

 

The next morning, Tan’s mother called, asking when Tan Xilu and his boyfriend would be coming home. Tan Xilu looked at Xu Huaiming, who was tending to plants on the balcony, and said to his mother, “Mom, he’s been busy these past few days. We’ll come home when we have some free time.”

 

Tan’s mother seemed disappointed but didn’t say much.

 

The excuse of being busy was quite weak, and it only took two times for Tan’s mother to suspect that something was amiss. Perhaps it was because she had watched too many soap operas, making her quite astute. She said to Tan Xilu, “Don’t tell me your boyfriend doesn’t want to marry you, so he doesn’t want to meet your parents. Why else wouldn’t he want to come with you?”

 

“How could that be, Mom? Don’t make wild assumptions. He really likes me,” Tan Xilu replied.

 

“Then why doesn’t he come with you? What’s the matter? Would it hurt to be with you for a while?” Tan’s mother said, “I think he simply doesn’t care about you.”

 

 

---

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 3: Lost You

 

Tan Xilu had a dream, a dream of his twenty-year-old self and a twenty-two-year-old Xu Huaiming.

 

At that time, they were still in the ambiguous stage of their relationship. Tan Xilu was majoring in Chinese literature at a normal college, and Xu Huaiming had a dessert shop near the school.

 

Tan Xilu had a sweet tooth, and whenever he had free time, he would visit the dessert shop. However, desserts were often high in calories, so Xu Huaiming tried to make some low-calorie yet delicious desserts for him.

 

During that time, Xu Huaiming created a dessert using toast, milk, and various fruit jams. It had less cream and lower calories but was incredibly delicious. Tan Xilu loved it, and Xu Huaiming even gave it a rather romantic name – “Love Harmony.”

 

Tan Xilu would eat it three to five times a week because it was simple to make and tasted amazing. The dessert became popular, with many regular customers. However, after Xu Huaiming disappeared, no one had tasted that dessert again.

 

It had been a long time since Tan Xilu dreamt of eating dessert, and he was surprised to find himself standing in front of a cooking counter with Xu Huaiming.

 

Xu Huaiming was very serious when making desserts. He would decorate ordinary pieces of bread into various shapes, adorn them with strawberries, kiwis, and other fruits, and sprinkle them with powdered sugar, making them look incredibly enticing.

 

The Xu Huaiming in Tan Xilu’s dream was the same Xu Huaiming who had kissed him for the first time at the dessert shop.

 

Xu Huaiming had just prepared a strawberry dessert and placed it in front of Tan Xilu, who was sitting at the bar counter. Tan Xilu picked up a fork and played with the strawberry. It was the largest one Xu Huaiming had chosen, and when Tan Xilu took a bite, he could only eat half of it. He ate very elegantly, keeping his mouth closed, chewing slowly, and then swallowing.

 

However, because the strawberry was so large, juice overflowed when he took a bite, flowing down to the corners of his mouth. Tan Xilu’s lips were as red as if they were painted with rouge.

 

Xu Huaiming watched him, and his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. Tan Xilu, still unaware, continued to eat the remaining half of the strawberry. Then he heard Xu Huaiming’s voice, “Ah Lu, do you like the strawberries?”

 

Tan Xilu glanced up at Xu Huaiming and nodded.

 

“I want to eat too,” Xu Huaiming smiled.

 

Xu Huaiming rarely smiled, but he was undeniably attractive, with his eyes that could easily make people’s hearts flutter, just like Tan Xilu, who couldn’t resist such a person.

 

Tan Xilu fell silent for a moment, then made a sound of agreement and reached out to stroke Xu Huaiming’s face.

 

The dessert shop was empty at this time, so Tan Xilu felt free to be more forward. With one hand supporting himself on the counter, he closed his eyes and leaned in to kiss Xu Huaiming’s lips.

 

Xu Huaiming’s lips were cool, without much warmth. As their lips met, he fed the strawberry into Xu Huaiming’s mouth.

 

Xu Huaiming seemed surprised by Tan Xilu’s sudden initiative, but he quickly reciprocated. His large, firm hand gently cupped the back of Tan Xilu’s head.

 

This was their first kiss at the dessert shop. The strawberry was soft and juicy, but very sweet.

 

Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of the shop’s entrance bell as a customer walked in. When they pulled away, Tan Xilu’s lips were even redder.

 

Tan Xilu didn’t understand why he had this dream. Later, in the dessert shop, they would often exchange kisses, but such intimate feeding was rare. It was too ambiguous, and at that time, they hadn’t officially become a couple.

 

Both of them were slow to express their feelings and slow to warm up to each other, even in their relationship. It wasn’t until they had been in bed together a couple of times that they realized they were in love.

 

Tan Xilu’s dream was romantic, as it involved kissing, and, for him, kissing was the most passionate act. While intimacy in bed was a physical response, kissing, when their lips met, was an irresistible display of emotion.

 

Why was it irresistible? Tan Xilu’s rigid belief was that it was because they were in love.

 

When Tan Xilu woke up, his heart was still racing. It had been a long time since he had dreamed of Xu Huaiming. In fact, shortly after Xu Huaiming had left, it was as if this person had gradually faded from Tan Xilu’s mind like a slowly erasing file.

 

Tan Xilu often had to look at their photos to remind himself. He felt that he loved Xu Huaiming, but after Xu Huaiming left, he could quickly forget the person’s face. Tan Xilu was afraid that one day he would forget everything.

 

“Are you awake?” Xu Huaiming reached out to touch Tan Xilu’s forehead, which was no longer as hot as before.

 

Tan Xilu blinked, feeling the slightly cold touch of Xu Huaiming’s palm. It took him a moment to realize that this was a living person in front of him, the real Xu Huaiming, not the one from his dream.

 

“Xu Huaiming,” Tan Xilu called out.

 

Xu Huaiming looked at him and responded, his hands busy with the hot water he had just poured from the bedside table.

 

Lin Changyu had suggested giving Tan Xilu a cup of hot water once he woke up.

 

“Have some hot water first,” Xu Huaiming said.

 

Tan Xilu didn’t move. He called out again, “Xu Huaiming?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t understand why Tan Xilu kept saying his name, but he didn’t contradict him. His programming told him to respond to Tan Xilu, so he spoke again, “I am Xu Huaiming.”

 

Xu Huaiming thought that Tan Xilu would be satisfied now, but suddenly, Tan Xilu burst into tears. Tears flowed from his eyes, traced his temples, and wet the pillow.

 

Tan Xilu looked very well-behaved, at least in Xu Huaiming’s definition. His chin was sharp, indicating his leanness, and his face still had a hint of baby fat. His almond-shaped eyes made him look innocent. Xu Huaiming thought that perhaps no. 7 had created him this way so that Tan Xilu wouldn’t feel lonely.

 

Tan Xilu climbed out of bed, reached out to touch Xu Huaiming’s face, as if to confirm that this person was real.

 

Of course, Xu Huaiming was real. He was a replacement created by no. 7, a genuine AI. Tan Xilu didn’t know this; he would only think that this was his Xu Huaiming.

 

So, for the next five minutes, Tan Xilu held onto Xu Huaiming tightly and cried. This was the culmination of seven years of waiting, and his Xu Huaiming had finally returned.

 

“Don’t cry,” Xu Huaiming said, pressing Tan Xilu’s head against his shoulder, letting Tan Xilu’s tears wet his clothes. However, he felt uncomfortable with the dampness, so he used his hand to cover Tan Xilu’s eyes, feeling the tears falling into his palm, wet and itchy. He repeated, “Tan Xilu,don’t cry.”

 

Tan Xilu didn’t stop crying because of his words; instead, his sobbing intensified.

 

Xu Huaiming found human emotions strange. He had once taken emotional courses in his AI training at the lab, but he had performed poorly in the “sadness” category. He couldn’t empathize with human emotions like this. He had never cried, never felt like he would shed tears for someone or something.

 

But now, he seemed to understand a bit, because Tan Xilu was crying so intensely. Xu Huaiming realized that he had come seven years too late. In those seven years, Tan Xilu had missed someone whose fate was unknown, and this longing had likely become a habit. Now that the habit was broken by Xu Huaiming’s return, it released seven years of pent-up emotions like a flood. Tan Xilu needed to vent.

 

So, Xu Huaiming didn’t tell Tan Xilu not to cry again. Instead, he found another way to comfort him.

 

The pressure around his neck was slightly heavy, and Tan Xilu could smell a faint, refreshing scent from Xu Huaiming’s body. Xu Huaiming gently bit Tan Xilu’s lips, silencing his cries.

 

Tears streamed down Tan Xilu’s cheeks like fine threads, falling at the corners of his mouth. Xu Huaiming could taste the saltiness of his tears.

 

Xu Huaiming’s kiss came suddenly, and Tan Xilu wasn’t prepared for it at all. His lips were seized, and Xu Huaiming’s kiss, just like before, was not a gentle lip-to-lip kiss, nor was it a wet one. It was a bite. Tan Xilu felt like a lamb, and Xu Huaiming was a hungry wolf eager to devour him. However, his actions were clumsy at best, like a newborn wolf, lacking any real threat.

 

But Xu Huaiming didn’t see it that way. He had learned about kissing in his training, and he had kissed a silicone model back then. The model’s lips were very soft, and Xu Huaiming felt that Tan Xilu’s lips were even softer. He couldn’t resist the urge to take a bite, so he did.

 

“Mmm…”

 

Tan Xilu found it hard to breathe. He resisted by pounding Xu Huaiming’s shoulders and finally, Xu Huaiming let go of him, realizing that his actions had been somewhat extreme.

 

“It hurts,” Tan Xilu said, and Xu Huaiming saw that the corner of his mouth was cut, and it had turned slightly red.

 

Xu Huaiming felt like he had made a mistake. Although Tan Xilu had stopped crying, he had hurt him.

 

“Is it really painful? I’m sorry.” Xu Huaiming furrowed his brow. “I’ll get some ointment.” With that, he stood up and was about to leave.

 

“Hey…” Tan Xilu grabbed Xu Huaiming’s arm lightly and smiled, “It’s not that painful, actually.”

 

Xu Huaiming paused, pondering the meaning of Tan Xilu’s words. Was it painful or not? Did this mean he didn’t want him to leave?

 

After a ten-second pause, Xu Huaiming decided to let it go. Humans seemed much more complicated than he had imagined, and he couldn’t understand these strange word games.

 

At this moment, blood began to flow from Tan Xilu’s lips. Blood droplets emerged from the cut, and Xu Huaiming was about to grab a tissue to help him wipe it away, but Tan Xilu had noticed and reacted quickly. He extended his tender, red tongue and licked it away.

 

Xu Huaiming’s hand holding the tissue froze in mid-air. He watched as Tan Xilu bit his lip, and his heart couldn’t help but stir. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to keep his emotions calm and steady.

 

Tan Xilu was really playing dirty.

 

Were all humans like this? Xu Huaiming understood why the no. 7 was so reluctant to let him go.

 

“Thank you,” Tan Xilu said when he saw Xu Huaiming holding the tissue, completely unaware that he was a replica.

 

---

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 2: The two of us

 

After getting off on his stop, he felt like he was perfectly clear-headed, yet also terribly confused. He had seen Xu Huaiming, but it couldn’t be him. It wasn’t until a familiar voice spoke out, “Ah Lu, it’s me.”

 

Only then did it hit him. It had indeed been him.

 

In his blurry vision, Tan Xilu rubbed his eyes with his wet hand, the rainwater stinging his eyelashes, making them ache. He desperately tried to see Xu Huaiming clearly, fearing that this might be an illusion, that the person he had longed for might not be real.

 

“Mr. Tan, is this your friend?” Lin Zhiyuan asked, looking at Tan Xilu, who seemed dazed.

 

Tan Xilu seemed to come to his senses at this point. He turned to Lin Zhiyuan and let out an “Hmm,” followed by, “Mr. Lin, maybe you should go ahead. I might have some personal matters to attend to.”

 

Lin Zhiyuan hesitated, glancing at Xu Huaiming and then at Tan Xilu. He felt that there was a story between these two, so he said, “Alright.”

 

Tan Xilu had thought that when he saw Xu Huaiming again, he would be overwhelmed with emotions, perhaps shouting and hitting him, crying and asking, “Where have you been all these years? Why couldn’t I find you?”

 

Or maybe they would have a good cry together and formally break up. After all, he had spent seven years waiting.

 

However, when he actually saw the person, Tan Xilu found himself surprisingly calm. The intense desire he had once had to find Xu Huaiming had gradually faded over the years, replaced by a sense of emotional stability. He felt no strong emotions, just a slight physiological chill when he laid eyes on him.

 

He walked up to Xu Huaiming, gazing at this person he hadn’t seen in seven years.

 

Xu Huaiming seemed unchanged, at least in Tan Xilu’s eyes.

 

He was still not prone to smiling, and he was undeniably good-looking. That was why when Xu Huaiming had confessed to Tan Xilu all those years ago, he had accepted without hesitation.

 

Tan Xilu, someone who swung the other way, couldn’t resist when a handsome man confessed to him. Why would he?

 

Tan Xilu’s gaze moved down from Xu Huaiming’s beautiful peach blossom eyes to his rosy lips. He had kissed those soft lips countless times, even leaving a scar from a love bite during one passionate encounter.

 

“Ah Lu, are you feeling unwell?” The man’s voice was deep and magnetic.

 

Xu Huaiming lowered his head, his peach blossom eyes gazing at Tan Xilu affectionately. If Tan Xilu tilted his head just a bit, he could kiss Xu Huaiming.

 

But he didn’t, because his body felt weak at the moment.

 

Just as he was wondering why Xu Huaiming had suddenly asked if he was feeling unwell, the next moment, he got the answer.

 

His vision turned black in an instant, and then he felt numbness. In his fading consciousness, he sensed himself falling into warm arms. It was different from the unfamiliar embrace on the bus; this one radiated safety, familiarity, and comfort.

 

—He had fainted.

 

Xu Huaiming lifted Tan Xilu’s limp body into his arms. It was like a programmed memory; as soon as he touched Tan Xilu’s body, he recalled all the things they had done together.

 

Kissing, watching movies, going on dates… and being in bed together.

 

They had been so intimate, deeply in love.

 

With the implanted programs, Xu Huaiming remembered that Tan Xilu’s apartment was on the second floor, but he didn’t know the door code.

 

—The previous door had a lock.

 

He carried Tan Xilu to the front of the apartment door, where Tan Xilu’s face was flushed due to the rain, his entire body drenched. His wet hair clung to his cheeks, and he frowned, looking uncomfortable.

 

He must be sick, Xu Huaiming thought.

 

Tan Xilu’s body was burning with fever. For a normal human, their body temperature should be around 37 degrees Celsius, but Xu Huaiming felt that Tan Xilu’s temperature was higher than that. He needed medicine or something to bring down the fever.

 

The door code was a mystery after failing to input it the second time. Xu Huaiming attempted to rouse Tan Xilu, using his slender fingers to move aside the wet strands of hair and gently massaging his forehead. He leaned down, whispering softly in Tan Xilu’s ear, “Ah Lu, what’s the door code?”

 

Tan Xilu seemed to respond slightly but didn’t fully wake up. He just moved a bit and weakly called Xu Huaiming’s name, “Xu Huaiming…”

 

Xu Huaiming paused for a moment, realizing that it was pointless to ask a sick person for a door code. But Tan Xilu’s body was so hot that he was worried it might get worse. So, he cradled Tan Xilu in his arms, providing some temporary relief from the fever.

 

But this could only be a temporary solution.

 

Xu Huaiming hadn’t expected that on the first day of his visit to Tan Xilu, he would encounter such a challenging situation.

 

No. 7 had implanted many memories, but it hadn’t prepared him for how to handle a situation like this.

 

With Tan Xilu in his arms, Xu Huaiming pondered for a moment. He couldn’t just stand there indefinitely, waiting for Tan Xilu to wake up. It might take a while.

 

After some thought, Xu Huaiming heard some noise from the neighbor’s apartment.

 

He adjusted Tan Xilu’s position, holding him closely. Then he approached the neighbor’s door and knocked.

 

The door was opened by a seven or eight-year-old boy holding a video game controller. He looked up at the unfamiliar man and asked, “Mister, do you need something?”

 

Xu Huaiming didn’t expect a young boy to answer the door. He hesitated for a moment and said, “My partner has a fever, and I can’t get into our home. Can you help us?”

 

“Your partner?” The young boy hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the drenched person in Xu Huaiming’s arms. “Is that Mr. Tan?”

 

Recognizing him, Xu Huaiming breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, we need help.”

 

The young boy turned and called out to someone inside, “Brother, Mr. Tan is here, and he’s sick. There’s another man who says he’s Mr. Tan’s boyfriend, and they came to our house.”

 

“Boyfriend? How is that possible?” A male voice from inside called out, “Mr. Tan’s boyfriend isn’t…?”

 

But when the voice trailed off and the person saw Xu Huaiming, he stopped abruptly. “…dead?”

 

“You’re not dead?” The man named Lin Changyu widened his eyes in surprise.

 

In the seven years since Xu Huaiming had disappeared without a trace, no one had been able to contact him. Most people had assumed he was dead. Xu Huaiming paused for a moment, then awkwardly replied, “I’m still alive.”

 

“Ah,” Lin Changyu said, looking at him and then at Tan Xilu. “Is Mr. Tan running a fever?”

 

Before Xu Huaiming could answer, Lin Changyu added, “I don’t have any medicine at home. Mr. Tan should have some at his place. I usually go to his place to get it.”

 

As Lin Changyu spoke, he stepped out of the door, bypassing Xu Huaiming and heading to Tan Xilu’s apartment. He pressed a few buttons and, with a beep, the door unlocked.

 

Xu Huaiming, still holding Tan Xilu, watched Lin Changyu’s actions with a slight squint in his eyes.

 

“Seems like there’s no hot water,” Lin Changyu said as he walked to the kitchen, filling a kettle with water and plugging it in.

 

Seeing Xu Huaiming standing in the living room without moving, Lin Changyu shook his head and said, “Big brother, Mr. Tan is still wet. You should at least change his clothes for him.”

 

Xu Huaiming seemed a bit slow to react, but after Lin Changyu’s reminder, he replied with an “Hmm” and carried Tan Xilu into the bedroom.

 

Xu Huaiming remembered where the bedroom was; it was the room furthest inside. Program 7 had implanted the memories, and he pushed the door open with his arm, entering the room.

 

The room was clean, and there was a faint scent of lemons in the air.

 

Xu Huaiming laid Tan Xilu on the bed and then turned to search for clean clothes in the wardrobe.

 

Tan Xilu’s wardrobe was unusually monotonous, filled with light-colored clothes, particularly white shirts. Xu Huaiming found a gray T-shirt and knee-length shorts that seemed suitable for home wear, hidden deep inside.

 

However, when he was about to change Tan Xilu’s clothes, he hesitated.

 

Tan Xilu’s white shirt was completely soaked, clinging to his body and outlining his slim, beautiful figure. Xu Huaiming could even see the buttons fastened tightly under the collar, revealing the prominent collarbones.

 

Xu Huaiming furrowed his brows and pursed his lips. In the past, it had been no. 7 that had been intimate with Tan Xilu. Now, having to undress Tan Xilu, who was essentially a stranger to him, felt somewhat awkward.

 

“Uh, that someone… Mr. Tan’s boyfriend, are you still with him? And has Mr. Tan’s clothes been changed?” Xu Huaiming heard Lin Changyu’s approaching footsteps outside, and he looked at Tan Xilu, pausing for a moment, uncertain of what to do next.

 

---

T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

If you like my translations, feel free to donate to my ko-fi!

I really, really appreciate all the support from my readers <3 It goes a long way and motivates me lots!

https://ko-fi.com/hoenibean

 

Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

Thank you for all your support <3 Leave a comment if you like 🙂 I love reading them!

Chapter 1 : The wind is picking up

 

The sky was gloomy, covered with thick dark clouds, and there was a hint of rain in the air. Outside, a chilly wind was blowing, not too strong but making a howling sound. The creaky window let in a cold breeze and Tan Xilu was abruptly awakened from his slumber due to the cold. His desk was right in the path of the wind and it ran past his legs, making them shiver uncontrollably. He couldn’t help but want to cough but was afraid of disturbing others, so he covered his mouth and suppressed it instead.

 

The wind grew stronger and Tan Xilu couldn’t bear it any longer. His long eyelashes trembled and his brows furrowed slightly. He looked at the other teachers in the office and spoke in a low but hoarse voice, “Could someone please close the window?”

 

There was an unnatural flush on Tan Xilu’s cheeks, tiny beads of sweat dotted his forehead, and his lips were an abnormal pale color, making him look very weak.

 

One middle-aged male teacher, seeing his condition, couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Tan, is your illness not better yet?”

 

Tan Xilu pursed his lips, his amber eyes watery. He raised his gaze to the teacher, his expression somewhat distant. “It might be because of the cold weather. I almost recovered, but then I caught a cold.”

 

“Young man, you should take better care of your health. Back in my day, I could go for several years without getting sick,” the male teacher sighed and turned to close the window. “I say, Mr. Tan, you should find a companion. There’s no one to take care of you now if you get sick. What about Mr. Lin I introduced you to last time? He seemed nice. Did you not continue to contact him?”

 

Tan Xilu reacted a bit slowly since he was ill, He paused for a moment, searching in his mind for the Mr. Lin that was mentioned by the teacher. He seemed to be a young and promising male professor from the neighboring medical school, who bore some resemblance to Xu Huaiming but was a few centimeters shorter. Tan Xilu had tried to be with him, but the memories of Xu Huaiming were too deep, making it difficult for him to wholeheartedly pursue a relationship with Mr. Lin.

 

Shaking his head and hoarsely clearing his throat, Tan Xilu replied, “We’re not quite suitable for each other.”

 

“That’s a pity,” the male teacher said. “I’ll introduce you to someone better next time.”

 

“Oh, come on! Why are you in such a rush?” A female teacher next to him teased. “Not everyone is in a hurry to find a spouse like you, we’re not almost forty and ready to settle down.”

 

“Hey, you wicked woman,” the male teacher retorted playfully. “I’m just worried about the young people nowadays.”

 

The two of them started bickering.

 

Tan Xilu furrowed his brow slightly. His head felt like it was about to explode from the noise in the office.

 

How annoying.

 

If only Xu Huaiming were here.

 

He would surely take him away from here, to a quiet place, buy him a bottle of hot milk, and pinch his cheeks while he drank it. Whenever he got angry, he would placate him with a kiss tasting of milk.

 

That way, he wouldn’t stay angry for long.

 

Xu Huaiming understood him the most and loved him the most.

 

But now, he was all alone.

 

Tan Xilu managed to endure it until the end of the workday, spending it in a daze. Unfortunately, it even started raining outside.

 

—And he had forgotten to bring an umbrella.

 

At least the rain wasn’t too heavy. As long as he walked quickly, Tan Xilu could reach the bus stop outside the school gate before the rain poured down, avoiding getting soaked.

 

However, Tan Xilu clearly hadn’t expected to encounter an unexpected person while waiting for the bus.

 

When Tan Xilu saw that face so similar to Xu Huaiming’s, he was momentarily dazed. It wasn’t until the person waved a hand in front of him and spoke with a cold but very pleasant voice, “Mr. Tan, are you waiting for the bus?”

 

It was too polite. This warmth and the lack of Xu Huaiming’s usual slowness made it clear that it wasn’t him.

 

Tan Xilu snapped out of his brief daze and nodded, “Yes, Mr. Lin.”

 

“Mr. Tan, there’s no need to be so formal. Just call me Zhiyuan,” Lin Zhiyuan smiled.

 

With a mumbled “Hmm,” Tan Xilu lowered his head to check the time left for the bus to arrive on his phone.

 

“Excuse me, coming through.” A student with a backpack hurriedly passed by, and Tan Xilu, caught off guard, swayed to the side.

 

“Be careful.” Lin Zhiyuan instinctively reached out and steadied Tan Xilu’s body. His hand touched Tan Xilu’s waist, and Lin Zhiyuan froze for a moment. His first thought was, ‘Why is his waist so slender?’

 

“Thank you, sorry… Mr. Lin…” Tan Xilu straightened his posture, seemingly recalling that Lin Zhiyuan had asked him to call him Zhiyuan earlier. He tried to find the right words but felt awkward, finally saying in a dry tone, “… Zhiyuan.”

 

The person in front of him looked so obedient and cute, clearly not at fault, yet seemed a bit aggrieved. His gaze lowered, and his ears turned bright red. Lin Zhiyuan noticed a small mole on his earlobe, tempting him to reach out and touch it.

 

However, the next moment, the bus’s announcement sounded, and Tan Xilu raised his head, turning to board the bus.

 

Lin Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment and then followed him onto the bus.

 

The rain fell steadily, and the sound outside the bus was hollow.

 

“You…” Tan Xilu looked at Lin Zhiyuan, who sat beside him, and paused. “Why did you get on the bus too?”

 

“You don’t look too well. I’ll take you home,” Lin Zhiyuan said.

 

Tan Xilu responded with a simple “Oh” and didn’t say anything more.

 

Two minutes later, the bus’s engine started and it moved slowly. Tan Xilu sat by the window, gazing outside. The fine raindrops tapped against the window, making a crisp sound, which had a somewhat hypnotic effect. His vision gradually blurred and his consciousness became a bit hazy.

 

“Don’t lean against the window, especially when it’s rainy and windy. No matter how tightly the window is closed, it can still be drafty. You know what’s the point of having a boyfriend? When you have a boyfriend, you can lean on him, Ah Lu,” Lin Zhiyuan said gently.

 

Suddenly, a shadow of the past flashed by the window. Tan Xilu saw a familiar figure and panicked. He got up from his seat and hurriedly approached the driver to try and get him to stop the bus.

 

The driver, already irritated by the complaints of the passengers, was getting impatient. When Tan Xilu pushed the issue, the driver snapped, “We don’t have such a rule. We don’t stop midway; we only open the doors at bus stops!!!”

 

Just then, the green light came on, and the driver accelerated, continuing on his route.

 

Tan Xilu watched helplessly as that figure disappeared from his view, his heart suddenly aching once more. It was always like this, over and over again.

 

How could he ever see Xu Huaiming again?

 

Standing there in a daze, Lin Zhiyuan grew concerned when he saw Tan Xilu’s intense reaction. He gently touched Tan Xilu’s arm and asked with care, “Mr. Tan, are you okay? Did you see someone you know?”

 

“Oh,” Tan Xilu snapped out of it, swaying a bit. He shook his head and sat down, saying, “I must have mistaken someone else for him.”

 

Indeed, how could someone who had been gone for seven years suddenly appear on a busy street in broad daylight?

 

“You got so worked up just now, your forehead was sweating. It startled me,” Lin Zhiyuan took out a packet of tissues from his jacket pocket, and his slender fingers picked out a tissue, using it to wipe Tan Xilu’s forehead.

 

As Tan Xilu settled into his seat, he gradually calmed down. The intense emotions that had surged within him a moment ago subsided, replaced by a sense of absurdity.

 

It had been seven years, and he had remained trapped in this deep bondage, unawakened and unwilling to wake up.

 

He couldn’t believe that the person who had promised to be with him for a lifetime had suddenly passed away.

 

“I’m sorry for scaring you,” Tan Xilu looked at Lin Zhiyuan with remorse in his eyes. “I’m too useless, Lin… Zhiyuan. I know you like me a lot, but I’m not ready to start anew with someone else. Please… don’t waste your time on me.”

 

Even in rejecting someone, Tan Xilu was gentle. Lin Zhiyuan wondered what kind of person could make him lose control on a bus like this.

 

“I understand, Mr. Tan,” Lin Zhiyuan reached out and ran his fingers through Tan Xilu’s hair, feeling the wet strands before embracing him.

 

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T/N: Hey there! There is plenty more where that came from, so stay tuned! And stay healthy! Straighten your posture, so some stretches and drink some water before continuing hehe~

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Also, check out the other series we have on HoH!

If you like cats, check out Revenge of the Garfield

If you like dragons, check out I’m Pregnant with the Hope of the Entire Planet and The Dragon and the ‘Princess’

How about some mystery or showbiz? Check out Morbid Addiction & Perfection

What about the perfect, most non-toxic male lead ever? Laws of Love

How about MC nursing ML back to health? Forced into the Deep

 

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