ATLT Chapter 12

| Previous | Table of Contents | Next |

(34)

Zhang Lingrui’s senior year winter break had begun. Aunt Fang, noticing how hard her son had been studying, suggested taking him on a trip for a few days. She asked Zhang Linghao if he wanted to join.

Zhang Linghao proposed, “Going too far will disrupt his studies. Let’s just go to Shanghai.”

Zhang Lingrui initially wanted to say that there wasn’t much fun in Shanghai, but then he suddenly remembered that Yi-ge was there. Immediately, he happily agreed.

Chu Yi warmly hosted the family of three. The three adults accompanied the almost-adult teenager to Disneyland for a day. That night, Zhang Linghao said he was going out for drinks with some friends, leaving Lingrui and Aunt Fang to return to the hotel.

However, he didn’t go to a bar. Instead, he went to another hotel that Chu Yi had booked. There was no time for conversation—they immediately embraced, entangling themselves in a passionate reunion, easing the longing their bodies had endured.

Gasping for breath, Zhang Linghao thought to himself that while they were incredibly in sync when not speaking, it was strangely difficult to have a serious conversation.

After the storm had calmed, Zhang Linghao wrestled with his thoughts for a long time before finally speaking. “My biological mom is in Canada. She wants me to move there. I’m thinking… after Lingrui finishes his college entrance exams, I’ll go.”

Chu Yi was stunned. “What do you mean? You’re moving to Canada?”

Zhang Linghao gave a quiet “mm.”

A flood of questions rushed into Chu Yi’s mind. He picked the most practical one to ask. “Are you immigrating? Are you not coming back?”

Zhang Linghao smiled. “Of course, I’ll come back. The old man is still here. I might just find a university there to pass the time, then see how things go. If it turns out to be a good place to settle down, maybe I’ll bring the old man and Aunt Fang over in the future.”

Chu Yi responded with a simple “oh,” unsure of what else to say.

This was a major family decision—what could an outsider like him say? All he could do was silently offer his best wishes.

Zhang Linghao waited a long time, but his expectations gradually emptied. Chu Yi had no intention of persuading him to stay, just as he himself hadn’t tried to stop Chu Yi from coming to Shanghai back then.

Turning on his side, he mischievously ran his hand over Chu Yi’s abs. “Not bad. Worth a million followers.”

Chu Yi grabbed his hand, pinned him down, and pressed against his neck to take in his scent—before going for another round.

(35)

After spending three days in Shanghai, Zhang Linghao and his family returned home.

As the Spring Festival approached, he wanted to ask Chu Yi where he planned to celebrate the New Year. But before he could, Chu Yi sent him a news article: a suspected SARS-like pneumonia virus had emerged, with over a hundred confirmed cases in a certain city.

Chu Yi warned him, “Stock up on some masks. They’re already impossible to get in Shanghai.”

Zhang Linghao replied, “I’ll send you some.”

Chu Yi refused. “No need. Our company secured a batch for employees. We’ll use them sparingly. I’m planning to stay in Shanghai for the holiday and go out as little as possible.”

Zhang Linghao offered, “I can drive to Shanghai and bring you back.”

Chu Yi responded, “Don’t bother. You guys should stay home and go out as little as possible too. Oh, and get some disinfectant as well.”

In the following months, the situation escalated far beyond what people had imagined.

Chu Yi’s work was forced to halt. Employees worked remotely, but many tasks couldn’t be completed, and business took a huge hit. The company quickly responded by downsizing operations and laying off staff. Chu Yi and Xiao A were lucky to be retained on minimal base salaries, but Dai Yanyan was let go. Chu Yi lent him some money again, advising him not to worry—maybe once things improved, the company would hire him back.

Zhang Linghao drove out a few times with the housekeeper to stock up on food and household supplies, as well as the scarce masks and disinfectants. Then, the family stayed put, only going out when absolutely necessary. He himself made a few trips outside—to check on the place where his father was confined, ensuring it was secure and that his father was still in good health. Only then did he feel reassured.

The two of them, now in different cities, suddenly found themselves with endless time but no way to spend it together in bed.

They started video calling more frequently. When video wasn’t convenient, they switched to voice calls. They spent nearly every moment of the day with each other’s voices in the background.

Neither of them voiced their longing or love outright, but they both sensed it.

You show me your heart from afar, and I show you mine. That makes this relationship equal. The world has turned grim lately, but our souls are no longer lonely. We have each other to get through this bleak and difficult time.

(36)

By March and April, things were finally improving in China.

Although intercity travel was still inconvenient, Chu Yi’s company resumed normal operations. Dai Yanyan didn’t return to his previous company but found a new job, starting over from scratch. He sighed to Chu Yi, “My unlucky streak has lasted way too long. Once things settle down, I’m going to a temple to pray and get rid of this bad luck.”

Chu Yi wanted to visit a temple too—specifically, Nanjing’s Jiming Temple. He had heard it was known for granting wishes related to relationships. Though he wasn’t exactly wishing for a romantic partner, it was close enough. Buddha helps all living beings—surely there’s no discrimination based on sexual orientation, right?

He started paying attention to the situation abroad, frequently sending Zhang Linghao alarming news and statistics, followed by, “It’s too dangerous overseas. You should stay here for now.”

Zhang Linghao replied, “Yeah, true. I’ll wait until the second half of the year to decide. No rush.”

Chu Yi wanted to say, Come to Shanghai instead. But every time he typed out the simple sentence, he hesitated and deleted it before sending.

By June, life in China had almost completely returned to normal, but the situation abroad was deteriorating, with numbers growing more terrifying by the day.

Chu Yi took a few days off to return home and celebrate Zhang Lingrui finishing his college entrance exams. Although the scores weren’t out yet, the kid was confident. “I’m sure I can get into a university in Shanghai.”

Zhang Linghao flicked his forehead. “Your dad says you should aim for Peking University. If not, Renmin University. If that’s not possible, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Either way, you’re going to Beijing.”

Zhang Lingrui stuck out his tongue and made a funny face at his brother, while Chu Yi laughed and smoothed things over: "There are good universities in Shanghai too. If you go there, I've got your back!"

Zhang Lingrui received an Apple top-tier gift set from Chu Yi. Although it wasn’t an expensive gift for him, he was still super happy—so much so that he wished he could pull Chu Yi, this honorary big brother, over to his household registration book and have him press his fingerprint on the same page as Zhang Linghao.

That night, after having dinner outside, Zhang Linghao asked his stepmother to drive Lingrui and the nanny home first, saying he wanted to hang out with a friend for a bit.

This time, they didn’t go to a hotel. Instead, they wandered over to the moat, roughly the same place where Zhang Linghao had first declared his intention to pursue Chu Yi.

The humid summer night in the south wasn’t any cooler by the river. The two of them walked for quite a while, working up a bit of sweat, but they still sat shoulder to shoulder on the steps by the riverbank, leaning against each other, all sticky and warm.

Zhang Linghao pulled out a box of mints from his pocket, popped one into his mouth, and then asked Chu Yi, "Want one?"

Chu Yi held out his hand, watching as Zhang Linghao dropped a mint into his palm. He raised it to his mouth and tasted the lemon flavor—sour, sweet, and refreshing.

He smiled and asked, "So you really quit smoking this time?"

Zhang Linghao replied, "Yeah, I quit for real. Not even e-cigarettes."

Chu Yi nodded. "That’s good. Healthy."

Zhang Linghao sighed. "I had all the money ready to go to Canada, and now I can’t go. What do you think I should do?"

Chu Yi turned to look at him. Their eyes met, and Chu Yi felt a sudden wave of panic. His mouth, however, remained as nonchalant as ever. "Why don’t you come to Shanghai? My company’s boss has been scrambling for investors since we had to halt operations for a while. The company has good prospects—you could consider investing in some shares."

Zhang Linghao smiled in satisfaction. "Wouldn’t that make me your boss?"

Chu Yi kept up the nonsense. "That’s true… In that case, never mind. You should invest somewhere else. I don’t think our company is all that reliable anyway—it might just go under one day."

Zhang Linghao was displeased. "Why do you keep changing your tune? So, am I welcome in Shanghai or not?"

Chu Yi feigned ignorance. "Come if you want."

Zhang Linghao huffed, "If no one invites me, I’m not going."

They stared at each other, Zhang Linghao’s eyes reflecting the glow of the streetlights. To Chu Yi, they sparkled even brighter than the stars in the sky.

The stars accompany the moon. I want you to accompany me.

After a few seconds, Chu Yi gave in with a helpless yet indulgent smile. "I’m inviting you. Happy now?"

_

Author’s Note: Main story complete! Sweet little extras coming occasionally.

T/N: Please give support on my ko-fi page, thank you💮💮💮