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Chapter 127: Are you living with Huo Niansheng now?
Chen Wengang had already realized that, unconsciously, his dependence on Huo Niansheng had exceeded a necessary limit.
It was not just material dependence but also in daily life, even spiritually. Huo Niansheng gradually became the only lifeline he could grasp. Originally, he could seemingly find the courage to survive on his own, but now, he wasn’t sure anymore.
He was like a mass of dark gray paint, while the other was a bright color, continuously seeping into him, potentially merging into a new hue. However, no one could guarantee the result would be good. In the end, it might just turn into an indistinguishable mess of black and gray.
Huo Niansheng saved him, and helped him. Undoubtedly, everything was worth Chen Wengang’s gratitude towards this benefactor.
The next question: How long can a person’s patience and kindness last?
When would he lose interest in this matter?
Chen Wengang withdrew his gaze, while Huo Niansheng was still looking at him. That intense gaze was fixed on his back, impossible to ignore. Chen Wengang stood still, not moving. He quietly waited, feeling the man’s breath behind him drawing closer, two arms embracing him.
Huo Niansheng slowly reached under his Adam’s apple, unbuttoning his shirt. He kissed Chen Wengang’s ear, his intentions already clear.
Chen Wengang sighed softly.
He reached out and turned off the switch on the wall, and the room was immediately plunged into the dimness of dusk.
It wasn’t completely dark, but visibility was poor. He then turned around, tilting his head up to reach Huo Niansheng’s lips.
Chen Wengang was carried to the bed, and he groped to grab Huo Niansheng’s hand. That hand was long and strong, with calloused knuckles. He interlocked his fingers with Huo Niansheng’s, their hands tightly entwined. After a while, his vision adapted to the darkness, and he began to make out shapes and shadows. In the dim light, Huo Niansheng bent one leg, kissing his sweaty body.
Chen Wengang had thought about it: living each day like a monk striking the bell was not a long-term solution.
He had thought about it many times, but human inertia was too great. In the end, he not only relied on Huo Niansheng’s care but even wanted to take more. He needed a place to shield him from the wind and rain, and Huo Niansheng gave it to him. He needed food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, and Huo Niansheng took care of it.
Including spiritual comfort and physical pleasure, what he got from Huo Niansheng had already exceeded normal bounds.
It started raining outside, spring rain pattering softly against the glass.
Chen Wengang held Huo Niansheng, resting his chin on Huo Niansheng’s shoulder.
For his sudden affectionate gesture, Huo Niansheng seemed to enjoy it, hugging his waist with one arm and patting his hair. Chen Wengang nestled in his arm, feeling like he was soaking in warm water. For a moment, he couldn’t think of anything.
The Zheng family, Zheng Yucheng, the trial, imprisonment, betrayal, fear, shame, and hurt seemed far away.
What came to Chen Wengang’s mind was his mother’s face from the photo album, his father’s back as he held his hand on the first day of school and then left the school gate. The teacher organized them into two lines, and he stood in the unfamiliar queue, nervously looking around.
He suddenly found his childhood friend Lu Chenlong in the neighboring line, who grinned at him, and Chen Wengang suddenly felt a sense of relief.
Then, suddenly, more than ten years had passed like the wind, leaving no trace.
He crossed over to the present, falling back into reality.
Chen Wengang thought for a moment and suddenly asked Huo Niansheng—
“Do you remember when we first met?”
Huo Niansheng said, “Of course I remember.”
He then asked back, “Do you remember?”
Chen Wengang said, “I remember you were wearing a black bow tie.”
Huo Niansheng said, “Your memory’s not bad. I stood up for you back then, didn’t I? Haven’t you ever appreciated my help?”
Chen Wengang leaned against his arm. “Sorry, I was immature then and didn’t understand your kindness.”
Huo Niansheng seemed to think of something, letting out a muffled laugh, but said nothing. It seemed like both were trying to capture the scene from their memories, but neither spoke it aloud. Suddenly, Huo Niansheng leaned out of bed and turned on the bedside lamp.
The room lit up instantly.
He pulled his hand back, slowly patting Chen Wengang’s back.
Chen Wengang shielded his eyes from the light. The lamp wasn’t strong, but its angle made it pierce his eyes painfully.
He smiled and said, “As for now, now I certainly know to appreciate your kindness. But if you ever realize that I’m just a burden, tell me directly. Then we can each go our own way without things getting too ugly. What do you say?”
Huo Niansheng paused in his movements. Before he could respond, there was a rumble of thunder outside.
After the thunder passed, the rain continued to pour. Huo Niansheng patted him again, “It’s alright, you’re not a burden. I don’t find you troublesome.”
No matter how good or bad things look, life must go on.
From Huo Niansheng’s perspective, he might not fully understand what cutting ties with the Zheng family meant to Chen Wengang. Ultimately, humans are social animals, living in family units. When he was nine, Chen Wengang lost the family unit formed with his father and worked hard to integrate into another. He had once been recognized and accepted.
Now, this identity was stripped away once more. In the end, all that was left was himself.
In the following period, Chen Wengang felt a sense of loss and humiliation.
But more than that, he felt no sorrow but confusion about where he belonged.
Take the housekeeper, Aunt Meng, for instance. Her family structure was clear and stable. She would talk every day about her children’s families—two grandsons, one ready for kindergarten, the other for primary school, but the tuition was too expensive, and her son and daughter-in-law always complained. Her daughter was also pregnant with twins. She accidentally revealed that she might go back to her hometown to help with the grandchildren’s birth. She only realized she had let it slip after speaking, but Chen Wengang smiled, pretending he hadn’t noticed.
As for Huo Niansheng, there were many rumors about his background, but no one would deny he was a young master of the Huo family. During holidays, he would return to the old mansion where his uncles and cousins were and where the ancestral hall was maintained. He might not be interested in it and might even detest some relatives, but no matter what, they were a family bound by blood.
Naturally, speaking of blood ties, Chen Wengang thought of his uncle, Chen Zeng.
His uncle and aunt were naturally calculating. When everything was going well, they were incredibly affectionate. Now that he was a burden, Chen Wengang knew they probably preferred he never appeared again. His cousin was married and undoubtedly had her own family to care for.
Winter turned to spring, and the days grew warmer.
The damp and cold weather passed. In March, the most pleasant time of the year, clusters of red flowers bloomed on the trees along the road downstairs.
Chen Wengang habitually marked days on the calendar. He found that Qingming was approaching.
This habit hadn’t existed last year; it started this New Year—when the supermarket cashier gave him a gray calendar, and he happened to need it to record his surgery schedule. The notes piled up, and he ended up using it as a memo book.
In his comings and goings to the hospital, he carried only two things: a sketchbook and a calendar for notes.
He found it convenient. Opening it, each month’s corresponding dates had small notes about his exams and medications. Though the medical records printed the dates, by now, all his documents and reports filled a thick folder that took half a day to flip through. Having a clear memo was easier.
After the recovery period for his reconstructive surgery, Chen Wengang observed in the mirror that the deformity of his right ear had significantly improved.
The scars on his face were still uneven and would require a skin graft. The first surgery was scheduled for another two months.
He didn’t mind anymore. At least he was more accepting of his appearance.
Chen Wengang even started going out more often.
He didn’t go far. After searching his wallet, he couldn’t find his municipal library card. It wasn’t a big deal; he went to the staff, paid a five-yuan fee, and got a replacement in under two minutes.
The main library was near the municipal government building, a bit far, but luckily, there was a branch near his apartment.
Chen Wengang went there to borrow books.
The books he brought home were all thick volumes, solidly stacked on the sofa and coffee table, very heavy. Aunt Meng, who wasn’t highly educated, had a natural curiosity mixed with reverence for them. When she cleaned, she often asked Chen Wengang what he was reading.
Chen Wengang explained, and she nodded seriously, though she didn’t really understand, then asked about the next book.
He read a wide range of books, without being choosy. One might be about physics, the next about philosophy, most of them highly academic with obscure titles, and many purely in foreign languages. Aunt Meng would click her tongue in amazement and exaggeratedly praise his knowledge.
In reality, Chen Wengang couldn’t understand everything he read, but these books did help him pass the time.
He also flipped through popular novels, skimming through them at the library.
After speed-reading a few, he mixed up several protagonists’ names. The plots were exciting but after the thrill, they all ended the same. He immersed himself in those worlds of quick justice, but by the end, it seemed everything was perfect, yet nothing was gained.
Gradually, he lost interest and preferred pondering the philosophical musings of past thinkers.
When he read, he was very quiet, sitting by the window, staying there all afternoon, only changing his position occasionally.
Aunt Meng even became envious, saying her grandson didn’t like reading and hoped he would become more studious when he grew older.
Chen Wengang smiled and said, “Everyone’s personality is different. As long as he grows up healthy, that’s enough.”
Aunt Meng considered this and agreed, saying that was true.
When Huo Niansheng saw the books at home, he only reminded Chen Wengang not to strain his eyes.
But it seemed to make him realize how bored Chen Wengang must be at home, so he took him out more often.
They didn’t just go to restaurants. When they had time, they also visited museums, attended concerts, and watched movie premieres. Perhaps because of their physical relationship or their daily interactions, a nearly warm relationship developed between them.
At least for now, Huo Niansheng showed no signs of getting tired of this relationship.
Sometimes, Chen Wengang would think of his dates with Zheng Yucheng.
Not for any particular reason, just that they did similar things, like watching movies—it wasn’t like no couple had ever gone to the movies. But Huo Niansheng wouldn’t buy popcorn and cola, unlike Zheng Yucheng who loved those sweet snacks.
Huo Niansheng also wouldn’t eat fast food like hamburgers; he always booked a formal restaurant before or after the show.
In contrast, Zheng Yucheng had no interest in highbrow concerts. He might prefer going to live sports events.
These details highlighted their personality differences, but Chen Wengang deliberately avoided comparing them.
He thought less and less about Zheng Yucheng.
He hadn’t run into Zheng Yucheng again, but going out more often, he still encountered other acquaintances.
Once, while having morning tea with Huo Niansheng, they had just entered the hall when a family of three approached.
The couple greeted Huo Niansheng. They had a boy about ten years old who called Huo Niansheng “Uncle.”
Chen Wengang stood behind Huo Niansheng, unnoticed at first.
Whenever they went out, Chen Wengang would wear a hat and mask, trying to lower his presence. Huo Niansheng’s tall figure blocked their view. The man in the family wore a casual suit, exuding the air of a successful person, his skin bronzed from a recent vacation. He spoke a few words to Huo Niansheng, and his son curiously pointed at Chen Wengang.
The man quickly hushed his son.
He introduced himself as Huo Zhenfei, Huo Niansheng’s cousin, and discreetly shook hands with Chen Wengang.
Both parties had reserved seats, so they sat separately, but Huo Zhenfei proactively came over to his cousin’s table.
Chen Wengang realized they had serious matters to discuss, though it wasn’t particularly confidential. After Huo Niansheng placed their order, they started talking about the upcoming board election, the candidates they were going to put forward, and the core business reforms of the two subsidiaries.
Chen Wengang listened attentively, focusing on his food. Eventually, Huo Zhenfei turned to him and asked, “Are you living with Huo Niansheng now?”
Chen Wengang wasn’t sure how to answer, his chopsticks pausing in midair.
Huo Niansheng answered casually for him, “Yes, why?”
Huo Zhenfei nodded toward Chen Wengang, “No offense intended. I’ve been aware of your situation for a while.”
Since they were dining indoors, it wasn’t appropriate to keep wearing masks and hats, allowing Huo Zhenfei to see Chen Wengang’s face clearly.
He didn’t react with shock, instead politely said, “Niansheng has been very concerned about you. If I weren’t so busy with work, I would have visited you myself.”
Chen Wengang hesitantly said thank you.
To dispel any doubts, Huo Zhenfei quickly explained that because he, as Huo Niansheng’s cousin, was close to him, he knew about Chen Wengang. As for the rest of the Huo family, they weren’t so aware.
Chen Wengang could see that Huo Niansheng did trust him to some extent.
Huo Niansheng would make timely jokes but didn’t outright deny what his cousin said.
Throughout the meal, Chen Wengang was constantly observing and gauging.
From his perspective, he would rather be overly cautious about Huo Zhenfei. The man was polite but clearly a seasoned player who spoke in riddles, never revealing too much.
Listening to him required constant vigilance to decipher any hidden meanings.
Huo Zhenfei showed no signs of disdain, scorn, or reproach towards Chen Wengang.
His words were as sincere as possible, but his message was clear: given Chen Wengang’s background and experiences, staying with Huo Niansheng and being seen together would inevitably attract gossip and criticism.
Especially from paparazzi and journalists, who would swarm like flies to a carcass.
Huo Niansheng merely scoffed, “What’s this about paparazzi? Is this your first day knowing about them?”
Huo Zhenfei said, “Times have changed. You can’t always ignore what others think.”
Huo Niansheng laughed, “Others? Which others?”
Huo Zhenfei pretended to be angry, then chatted a bit more before returning to his family’s table.
After Huo Zhenfei left, Chen Wengang had a pretty good idea of the situation.
He joked, “Was he trying to advise me to leave voluntarily?”
Huo Niansheng laughed, “How did you pick up on that?”
Chen Wengang lowered his gaze, his chopsticks tapping the plate. The plate still had some bones, and he frowned, eventually placing the chopsticks aside.
Huo Niansheng, with his peach-blossom eyes glinting, smiled, “Oh, now you have money too. Are you planning to leave?”
Chen Wengang looked up at him, momentarily dazed by the gentle expression in his eyes.
Huo Niansheng asked again, “Are you leaving? Where will you go? Are you planning to leave me?”
Chen Wengang instinctively curled his lips into a slight smile and shook his head.
Huo Niansheng poured him some tea, “So let him say what he wants. Why do you care?”
Chen Wengang said, “Isn’t he your cousin?”
Huo Niansheng replied nonchalantly, “Yes, but he’s not my father.”
But this didn’t ease Chen Wengang’s mind. It felt like dark clouds were gathering overhead, heavy with impending thunder and lightning.
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Mr. Huo, please don’t pretend like you would listen to your father’s opinion 😂 in fact, I’m sure you would disregard your father’s opinion even more.