Xie He stared at the man in front of him. He was finally able to see his lover again. Not only could he touch him and hold him, he could now see what he looked like. Was there anything that could make him happier than this? As long as he could continue to stay by his lover’s side and never again return to that despairing darkness, he would be willing to give anything.
He would never hurt him or disappoint him again.
Xie He used all his strength to raise his arms again, wrapping them around Liang Chengshan’s neck. He kissed the other passionately, his body sticking close against the other’s. He could feel the warmth radiating off of Liang Chengshan’s body, Every part of Xie He felt like it was begging for the other. He wanted him.
Liang Chengshan could feel Xie He’s yearning. He gently caressed the skin near Xie He’s eyes. Actually, the moment he had taken off the blindfold...the moment Xie He had opened his eyes...Liang Chengshan had been extremely worried. After all, the young man’s willpower was so strong. Liang Chengshan had been concerned that the moment he saw what Liang Chengshan looked like and heard his own name, he’d remember everything.
This was...the last obstacle.
Luckily, he had succeeded.
Xie He didn’t recall the past. He accepted everything before him as fact. He rebranded Liang Chengshan’s image into his brain, carving him into his soul. But this time, it was not as his enemy, but as his beloved, who he trusted and relied on with both body and soul.
Liang Chengshan smiled, warmth filling his eyes, and he returned his lover’s kiss.
You can love me and rely on me without any qualms because I will never disappoint you. I will love you and protect you for all eternity.
Liang Chengshan once again entered Xie He. All this time, because Xie He was too weak, Liang Chengshan had only ever held him to sleep. He had never done anything with him. After so much time, he finally got to become one with the person he loved again. This time, he could see the other’s beautiful eyes and watch every change in his expression. They worked so well together. There was no one who was more compatible with him than Xie He.
Xie He held onto Liang Chengshan tightly. Liang Chengshan didn’t only delight him physically, but also satisfied his soul. It was like every cell in his body was crying out in joy.
Liang Chengshan kissed his eyes gently. He licked away the tears at the corner of Xie He’s eyes. With a soft voice, he said, “Get better soon. I can’t wait for the day you can stand next to me.”
Xie He could hear the hope and love in Liang Chengshan’s voice. He nodded earnestly. For Liang Chengshan, he would definitely get better.
..............................
The road to rehabilitation was painful and long. Liang Chengshan’s medical team designed the best plan for Xie He and used the best equipment. But a lot of Xie He’s progress had to do with his own willpower and perseverance.
After a long period of receiving massages and doing exercise, the muscles in Xie He’s limbs gradually reformed and he gained a bit of strength. His face was no longer as emaciated and his skin slowly regained its lustre. He was now able to eat soft foods. He was slowly getting back to normal....
But he still could not stand. This vexed him greatly.
Xie He had fallen down and climbed back up many times. Liang Chengshan had taken in all of his effort and persistence. It made him love and admire Xie He even more. His lover’s spirit was as strong as ever. But this time, his unwillingness to lose and his dazzling beauty were all blossoming only for him. Liang Chengshan was his only motivation to persevere.
Most of the time, Liang Chengshan stayed at home. Even if he had to go out occasionally for business, he would only leave during the day and would return home before the sky was dark. He no longer accepted just anyone who wanted to climb into his bed. Many people wondered if Liang Chengshan had fallen into the river of love, but that thought was too preposterous.... This was Liang Chengshan. Was there a person in this world that could make him fall in love?
There were no metal chairs or similar objects at home so as to not trigger Xie He. He had even reduced the number of metallic objects in general. He replaced them with items made of wood or other material. Most areas were covered in soft material now and as long as Liang Chengshan wasn’t with Xie He, all the lights would be left on. Furthermore, there was always a specialist watching over Xie He.
Today, Liang Chengshan had once again rushed home before dark. When he came home, he found Xie He waiting for him, as always. The other flashed him a brilliant smile.
A warm smile appeared in Liang Chengshan’s eyes. He walked over and hugged Xie He. He asked, “Are you hungry?”
Xie He shook his head, leaning into the other’s chest. In a docile tone, he said, “I’m fine.”
“Really?” Liang Chengshan bore into him, eyes full of affection. “I hope that you’ll tell me how you feel, whether you feel cold, hungry, happy or sad. That way, I can take better care of you and help you get better. You don’t have to hide your feelings from me. Dishonesty will only make me upset.”
Xie He looked afraid. When he heard Liang Chengshan speak like this, he felt really scared. He felt like he had done something wrong. He had been dishonest and had lied to his lover despite having vowed never to make such a mistake again. He didn’t want to go back to the darkness....
Actually, he hadn’t been eating much, so he was kind of hungry right now.
Xie He held Liang Chengshan’s lapel tightly, apology lacing his voice. He lowered his gaze, eyelashes trembling. “I’m a little hungry. Sorry...I just didn’t want to worry you....”
Liang Chengshan wasn’t angry. He smiled. “But I’ll be more worried if you don’t tell me when you’re unwell. Understand?”
Xie He nodded at once. He firmly noted these words down in his heart, just like when he had been deeply reflecting on himself in the darkness....Just now, he had lied, but Liang Chengshan hadn’t scolded him. This only made him feel more guilty. He had made a mistake.
“You can tell me anything. Don’t feel afraid or embarrassed. Can you do that for me?” Liang Chengshan gazed into Xie He’s eyes and spoke earnestly.
Xie He nodded forcefully and looked at Liang Chengshan with determination and admiration. “I can do that.”
Liang Chengshan smiled. “Very good.”
After saying this, he carried Xie He to the dining table and ate with him. However, he didn’t sit beside Xie He. Instead, he had the other sit in front of him and had him eat on his own using his own utensils. He didn’t help Xie He either. Even if it was a laborious effort for Xie He to eat on his own, even if his utensils slipped from his hands several times, Liang Chengshan did not help him even once. He thought that since Xie He had already begun to recover, what held him back must be, in part, his mentality. Xie He had to slowly overcome this on his own.
There were easy-to-digest foods on the table. Everything had been custom-made for Xie He. It tasted good and was enough to nourish his body.
Every day, Liang Chengshan would eat with Xie He. He was very patient and would wait for long periods of time for the other to finish. He would never leave first or eat other things. What Xie He ate, he ate.
Xie He held onto his fork tightly. His hand was shaking, but he didn’t ask for help. He wanted to become healthy again sooner so he could stand next to Liang Chengshan sooner. He didn’t want to be a useless person who could not do anything. He wanted to be with his beloved like a normal person. He wanted to overcome all his hardships for his lover’s sake.
Because he persevered in eating every day, Xie He no longer vomited. It was just that he ate very slowly. Each meal would take him one or two hours to complete.
Halfway through his meal, he glanced up at Liang Chengshan, worried that the other would get impatient with him. But Liang Chengshan was still eating, movements leisurely and graceful. He even looked like he was eating slower than Xie He was.... When Liang Chengshan saw Xie He looking at him, he gave him an encouraging smile.
Xie He immediately felt reassured. He continued to struggle with his fork.
After Xie He finished dinner, he received another massage and completed some rehab exercises before Liang Chengshan carried him to the bathroom to wash. Xie He still could not wash himself yet.
Liang Chengshan peeled off Xie He’s clothes. When he saw the scrapes on Xie He’s knees and elbows, his heart ached. To prevent Xie He’s injuries from getting wet, he used a wet towel to wipe Xie He clean. He then applied ointment onto the wounds. With a quiet voice, he asked, “Does it hurt?”
Xie He was going to say no but when he remembered Liang Chengshan’s warning today, he didn’t dare lie. He said, “It really hurts but I want to be able to stand up sooner and to be able to go out with you sooner...I don’t want to be left at home by myself anymore....”
He was honestly very scared of being left here all alone. But he knew that Liang Chengshan could not stay here forever, never going out. If Xie He were to remain invalid like this forever, he would never be able to be at Liang Chengshan’s side. One day, he would be thrown away.... It had been so difficult for him to leave that place. If he were to be thrown away again, he would go mad.
Tenderness emerged in Liang Chengshan’s eyes. He held Xie He tightly in his arms and earnestly told him, “Don’t be scared. I will never leave you again. Never.”
This was the first time Liang Chengshan had ever said anything so irrational. Being able to imprison Xie He in the darkness was his greatest power move against the other. If he were rational and cool-headed enough, he wouldn’t say such a thing so that Xie He would never forget his fear and awe towards him.... But he suddenly couldn’t find it inside himself to say such a thing to the young man. He didn’t want to lie to him and tell him that he would take Xie He back there.
He would not do it again. He couldn’t bear to destroy the person he loved again. He couldn’t bear to see him suffer like that again...so he told Xie He his true feelings in order to comfort the other.
When Xie He heard this, he was no longer afraid. Moved, he hugged Liang Chengshan back. “You treat me so well. I love you, forever and always.”
Liang Chengshan stared into Xie He’s eyes. There was pure, unadulterated love within them. He couldn’t help but crane his neck down, kissing the other on the lips.
I will also love you forever and always, my enchanting beauty. Only you could ever make me willing to stay in place.
【Ding, the target Liang Chengshan’s Favourability Value +1. The current Favourability Value is 91.】
..............................
The next morning, Liang Chengshan didn’t have any business to deal with so he stayed inside with Xie He. He patiently sat down, reading his book while he watched Xie He practice standing up.
Xie He had already practiced for many days. However, he could only take four steps at most before he would fall. But he did feel like he had improved. Moreover, Liang Chengshan was home today. He couldn’t wait to show Liang Chengshan the fruits of his labour. He couldn’t wait to stand up in front of the other with his own efforts.
Liang Chengshan sat on the sofa less than ten steps away from Xie He. Xie He really wanted to try walking to him.
Xie He had fallen down multiple times. Although the floor was covered in a thick carpet, it still hurt every time.
Liang Chengshan placed the book down. A flash of reluctance to see Xie He suffer like this flitted through his eyes. His fingertips curled slightly. He really wanted to go over and help the other but he knew that it would only hinder Xie He’s recovery. It would also be disrespectful towards Xie He’s hard work. Therefore, he endured it.
He focused on Xie He. After some time, he said, “I have something to do this evening. I won’t be able to come back. If you can walk over here, I’ll take you with me.”
Since Liang Chengshan had brought Xie He back, he had never stayed out overnight. This was the first time he had said such a thing to Xie He, the first time he had said that he might leave Xie He on his own for the night.
When Xie He heard this, his expression changed. He panicked. Liang Chengshan wouldn’t come back at night? He was going to leave him at home alone? He stared at Liang Chengshan, stupefied, his legs splayed out beneath him on the floor.
Liang Chengshan gazed at him warmly. There was hope in his eyes. His voice was low. “But I really hope that you can be with me. Can you come over here on your own?”
Xie He looked into Liang Chengshan’s eyes and his heart gradually calmed down. Liang Chengshan wasn’t abandoning him. He had always wished for Xie He to be able to stand up and be with him, ah.... It’s Xie He who had disappointed him again. He was too useless.
No. This could not go on. He had to stand up!
Xie He grit his teeth and stood up again, unsteady. His legs trembled intensely. It always felt like his legs were not under his control. However, he could not continue to fail again! He would definitely make it over!
One step, two steps, three steps...he kept getting closer. Just one more step and he’d be there. He could do this....
Xie He’s eyes were glued onto Liang Chengshan. It was like he was a believer, walking towards the god he worshipped. He used up everything in him to get a little closer to his god so that they would never be apart again.
In the end, he stood in front of Liang Chengshan.
Liang Chengshan reached out and held the young man, who had fallen into his arms, against his chest. He planted a kiss in the other’s hair, a gratified smile in his voice. “You did very well. I’ll give you a reward tonight.”
Xie He craned his neck up, looking pleased at this surprise. He was looking forward to it.
Liang Chengshan didn’t plan on letting Xie He work too hard at once. Since he could now stand up, he would naturally recover slowly. Therefore, he carried the young man and then brought him to a luxurious hotel. He had booked the entire top floor.
The top floor had a huge swimming pool that protruded out of the building. When someone was inside the pool, they could see everything on the ground through the glass bottom. It was like looking down at ants.
Liang Chengshan took off his bathrobe and entered the pool. He beckoned to Xie He with a smile from within the water. “Come in.”
Xie He stood on the side, hand on the railing. He was a bit afraid. The cold water and the transparent glass made him feel like he would step onto thin air.... But Liang Chengshan was calling for him in the water. Hesitation rippled through Xie He’s eyes.
Liang Chengshan didn’t force him. There was still a comforting smile on his face. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Xie He would never refuse Liang Chengshan. He undid his own robe with trembling hands and shut his eyes before hopping in. The cold water filled his nose and wrapped around his body. Suddenly, he was so frightened he screamed. It was like he had returned to that dark world. The cold extended as far as the eye could see. He sank and sank and sank.
However, in the next moment, a warm, sturdy body wrapped around him. That body was scorching hot. Soon after, something even hotter entered his body, gradually dissipating the chill and darkness.
A gentle, deep voice echoed by his ears. “Open your eyes.”
Xie He opened his eyes. Through the glass, he could see the flow of pedestrians and cars beneath his feet. They looked like ants. They were so high up.... Because he had been startled, he had drunk a few mouthfuls of water. He struggled, wanting to get out. He didn’t like it here.
But Liang Chengshan kept a firm hold on him. Only when Xie He nearly drowned did he hold him up and transfer air to him via mouth to mouth.
This happened a few more times. Xie He didn’t know how to react anymore. He could only hold onto Liang Chengshan tightly. He felt like he would die. But the strange thing was that it didn’t hurt. He didn’t feel afraid either, because Liang Chengshan held him the entire time. They were always tightly intertwined. It was like they had returned to the darkness. But the difference was that Liang Chengshan kept holding him throughout the entire experience. He never let go.
He would never leave him again.
Liang Chengshan kissed Xie He softly and whispered into his ears. “Don’t be afraid. I will never let anything hurt you.”
Xie He’s chest heaved up and down. His arms were tightly wound around Liang Chengshan’s neck. He used a lot of force. Because he had been so frightened, he had clutched onto Liang Chengshan like his life depended on it. He felt like there was no more energy in his body. He let out a weak voice. “I’m not afraid as long as you’re here....”
Liang Chengshan smiled and then teased, “Then do you like this?”
Xie He wanted to shake his head but he hesitated. He recalled how it felt to have nothing but this person just now. Because the water was so cold, he could more clearly feel the man’s warmth. The other’s body felt even hotter. He was better able to concentrate on the unique feeling of being held by the man.... He...slowly nodded.
Liang Chengshan peered into Xie He’s prepossessing eyes and once again kissed him hard. There was an intense love brewing in his deep eyes that had never shown emotions easily.
He was so intoxicated with his beauty that he had personally forged. Just like how his beauty was intoxicated with him.