Chapter 44: Lavender

……

Pei Zhen wiped his wet hand across the phone screen, setting it down in a daze.

Outside the glass door in the courtyard, greenery bloomed under the sunlight.

Evening primrose and osmanthus were in full flower; it didn’t feel like early autumn at all, but rather like the peak of spring in April. The three people were still just as they had been moments before, grinding incense and occasionally bursting into unified laughter, a picture of harmony and contentment.

Watching them earlier, he’d been able to offer a knowing smile.

Now, a tinnitus-like ringing filled his ears. His blood pressure was uncontainable, his heartbeat drumming tight and rapid.

It felt as if an endless freight train had barreled through on steel tracks, whipping up a fierce, biting wind, stripping all reality from the world around him.

……

In the call just moments ago, Lei Yao had hesitantly told him, “That boyfriend of yours… keep an eye on him.”

Yesterday afternoon, the big star Lei Yao happened to be recording a program in the same TV station building.

During a mid-recording break, as he was headed to the bathroom, it struck him — hey, wasn’t the PA competition happening downstairs? Maybe he could swing by on his way out and surprise his dear Pei Zhenzhen with a cute little chance encounter?

Ignoring his assistant’s nagging, he insisted on going downstairs for a quick look. By sheer coincidence, in a relatively deserted corner, he bumped right into Han Fu talking with a man he didn’t recognize.

Lei Yao: “I didn’t really catch what they were saying, but the conversation sounded really strange.”

“At first, I thought it’d be better to just pretend I hadn’t seen anything and let it rot in my gut. I didn’t even tell Mai Zi about it… But after thinking about it all last night, tossing and turning without a wink of sleep, I just had to tell you.”

“I sent you the video. My assistant filmed it. Take a look for yourself. If I’m reading into things wrong, don’t be angry, I’m just a little worried.”

His phone buzzed as the video file transferred over. 10%, 45%, 70%…

Actually, just yesterday in the parking lot, Yi Changqing had said something about Han Fu and that Manager Du being involved. But Pei Zhen had dismissed it entirely as nonsense, not absorbing a single word, and had immediately forgotten about it.

But fine, let Yi Changqing spout rubbish. Why would even Lei Yao say the same thing?

It couldn’t be a coordinated scheme.

Lei Yao had always found Yi Changqing annoying. There was no reason for him to side with him.

100%, the video finished transferring.

……

The video was short, just over a minute long. After watching it, Pei Zhen’s hands trembled slightly. He rewound and watched it again.

“…So, what do you say? Three million at the very least?”

At the start, the camera wasn’t focused properly, but it was unmistakably Han Fu’s voice.

“It’s not asking for much. After all, I put in a huge effort to land this Sugar Daddy. And he treats me so well. I couldn’t possibly sell him off cheap, could I, Manager Du?”

The other person gave a cold laugh. “Forget a mere three million. As long as you cooperate well, there will be far greater benefits for you later. If you can win PA, we can push you straight onto the international stage. Following in Yi Changqing’s footsteps, gaining both fame and fortune won’t be hard.”

“No, who the hell is Yi Changqing anyway? You’re far more talented than him. The big boss has had his eye on you for a long time already…”

“…”

It finished. Pei Zhen played it again.

He tried desperately to convince himself that maybe it was just a staged entrapment, or maybe it was just someone who looked a bit like Han Fu.

But wherever Lei Yao’s assistant had trained in videography, even the secret filming was incredibly clear. The figure was completely undistorted; even the upward slant of his eye corners and the tiny teardrop mole on his right cheek were clearly visible.

In all the time he had kept Han Fu, Pei Zhen had never once seen him stand so slouched, smile so roguishly, so carefree, casual, and utterly disengaged, looking just like some little punk.

He was a completely different person from the well-behaved, artsy, adorable doggo who acted cute in front of him every single day.

When Han Fu had chased after that Manager Du, Pei Zhen had asked him how it went when he got back. He claimed he lost him halfway and couldn’t catch up.

But the truth proved he hadn’t lost him at all. Not only had he caught up, but they’d negotiated a business deal.

…Three million huh.

Pei Zhen hadn’t expected him to have such an explicit price tag.

Thinking carefully, although three million wasn’t an exorbitant amount, it was still quite a lot for an ordinary person. The “salary” he’d earn diligently working here for ten years could be scooped up effortlessly in one shady deal.

……

Beside the kitchen cutting board was a newly purchased set of German chef’s knives.

Pei Zhen picked one up, his face dark as he watched the sunlight glance across the razor-sharp blade.

Then, he continued cutting fruit.

His entire demeanor was so composed it gleamed.

If this had been a few years earlier, he’d probably have been biting his own arm, curled up in a corner, secretly sobbing by now.

…Actually, a few years ago, that was exactly what he’d done.

Pei Zhen didn’t know where he had gone wrong, what he had done so badly. He clearly wasn’t that unsatisfactory in terms of looks or status. Yet, no one ever truly seemed to like him.

The scene from years ago, though not exactly the same, bore a ridiculous, parallel resemblance.

Back then, he had just been with Yi Changqing for a year.

From the moment they’d met, Yi Changqing’s health had been poor, plagued by constant illness. He had just undergone a nearly fatal major surgery at the hospital and was staying there for observation and recovery.

Pei Zhen acted as a 24-hour caregiver, wholeheartedly devoted to looking after him.

He had been entirely willing. After all, this was the person he sincerely liked. Although Yi Changqing had probably been straight before meeting him, and although nothing substantial had yet happened between them physically, based on Pei Zhen’s feelings at the time, the two of them had already basically reached a mutual understanding, had great chemistry, and were especially sweet together. He figured he’d basically won him over.

Even though the sudden diagnosis of that severe illness had scared him half to death, luckily the surgery was a success, like sunshine after a storm.

Pei Zhen had thought that from then on, what awaited them were long, happy days of mutual love.

In a sense, it was much like his current mindset—thinking that he and his Han Xiaohua were also perfectly fine, ready to embark on a shameless, blissful little life together.

And just like that, a familiar bolt from the blue struck.

That day, the attending physician said Yi Changqing could be discharged in a few days if all continued well. Pei Zhen was overjoyed. He pestered the doctor with a barrage of questions about post-discharge care, then walked back toward the hospital room door. Looking down, he noticed his shoelace was untied.

He crouched down to tie it and just happened to overhear Mai Zixi’s voice from inside.

“You practically owe your life now to Pei Zhen.”

“I hope you can get it through your head, weigh carefully who truly treats you well. Let’s not mention the past. Regardless of what your purpose was in being with him, whatever resentment you might hold — if it weren’t for him arranging this top-tier hospital for you, contacting specialists domestically and abroad, finding so many experts for consultations, you’d probably already be sitting in an urn.”

“You’ve taken all the benefits you could. You have to give something back to make it fair.”

“From now on, settle your heart and treat him well. Since you’ve chosen to deceive him, then deceive him all the way. Don’t let him find out.”

“…”

Only later did Pei Zhen learn that by that time, even his good friend Mai Zixi—

Practically everyone could see that Yi Changqing didn’t love him, that he was compromising and staying with him merely for survival.

And he alone had been the one blind to it.

From start to finish, he had never—not even for a fleeting second—harbored the slightest suspicion or doubt toward Yi Changqing. Even after hearing Mai Zixi’s words with his own ears, even later when Yi Changqing himself admitted it, he still hadn’t wanted to believe it.

……

Back then, he was too young, and it was his first love.

Fortunately, now he was older, and highly skilled at enduring blows. Facing a cataclysm of any magnitude, he could now meet it with a dismissive smile.

He’d finished slicing the Fuji rock sugar heart apples and moved on to the Cangxi snow pears. After the snow pears, he started on the milk pineapples air-freighted from Thailand. What else could he do? Break down into a dark, messy crying fit like before?

If crying could solve the problem, he’d be willing to cry.

Problem was, it couldn’t.

The three outside were still waiting for his cookies and fruit platter. If he didn’t bring it out soon, Han Fu would come looking for him.

And right now, he had no idea what kind of expression to wear when facing a doggo who he no longer knew was a wolf or a dog.

……

Pei Zhen cut very carefully.

Although his mental state was crumbling, he clearly didn’t want to add insult to injury at this juncture by slicing his finger open, like in some cheesy idol drama.

This knife set was extremely sharp. Over ten thousand yuan a set; of course it was sharp.

When he’d bought it, he’d complained that the price was practically highway robbery. Not that he couldn’t afford it; it was just that in Pei Zhen’s mind, essential oils and custom-made glass bottles selling for that much was reasonable. A few knives selling for that much just didn’t sit right with him.

His doggo had smiled and persuaded him, saying that even though it was a bit pricey, it would last a lifetime.

“Using this to make you delicious food for a lifetime, now that’s worth it!”

“…”

When he was young, he hadn’t had the guts.

Even when he was hurting so much it felt like he might die, he had never once considered grabbing a knife to cut Yi Changqing.

Now, he had even less guts. Besides, thinking about it carefully, he had no right to feel resentment anyway — back then, Yi Changqing had truly deceived his feelings. No matter how angry he got, how hysterical, it was at least with reason.

But Han Fu was different. Their relationship had been transactional from the very beginning.

In a financial arrangement, the unspoken rule is that whoever catches feelings is the fool, the one at fault. The other party was professional, provided you with an exceptionally good “love experience,” and instead you turn around and start getting melodramatic, becoming dissatisfied? What kind of employer acts like that?

……

“Zhenzhen.”

Pei Zhen jolted, nearly dropping the knife.

The Little Wolfdog behind him, sharp-eyed and quick-handed, grabbed the handle in an instant. “Fuck, that was way too dangerous! What if that had fallen on your foot just now? Jeez, nope, this won’t do. Zhenzhen, you just have no talent for cooking, just accept it, okay? Can you just stay out of the kitchen from now on? Leave it to me!”

He had indeed noticed that Pei Zhen’s complexion was a bit pale, but assumed he’d just been startled by his sudden appearance.

Without further ado, he nudged him aside, grabbed the knife himself, and swiftly and dextrously finished slicing and plating the fruit.

While plating, he snuck a piece of pineapple. “Mm! As expected of the famous Thai milk pineapple, so delicious. Zhenzhen, wanna try?”

Saying “wanna try?”, he didn’t get a piece for him. Instead, his eyes held nothing but a sly, teasing smile.

Before Pei Zhen could react, his lips were seized.

A pineapple-flavored kiss.

The tip of his tongue was sweet, indeed carrying a hint of milky fragrance.

Han Fu kissed him for several seconds, then suddenly let go, glancing nervously toward the outside, making sure Fatty and Yu Wenzhe weren’t peeking in the kitchen’s direction. Only then, reassured, did he continue — a series of light, dragonfly-touching-water-sweet, clingy kisses, pressing the man against the wall.

“If you want good technique, you gotta practice more.”

They kissed and snuggled for a good while, until he himself was slightly breathless.

“From now on, I plan to practice every day! But right now, Old Yu wants water, I came in to get him some. Wait for me, Zhenzhen, I’ll come back and find you to practice more soon.”

Today, he was wearing a black shirt. When he bent down to open the fridge door, his casual little tie dangled down. His long legs and waistline were devastatingly handsome.

A young man’s most seductive states are always either a white shirt or all black.

In Pei Zhen’s eyes, Han Fu had looked exceptionally handsome and attractive today, right from the moment he’d gotten up. Even now, as a sour ache in his chest made it hard to breathe just looking at him, he still thought he was beautiful.

The moment Han Fu turned after grabbing the water, Pei Zhen found his hand reaching out uncontrollably.

He wanted to grab the hem of his shirt, but missed.

His heart hollowed out completely in that instant.

He didn’t even know what he wanted.

Couldn’t he just… set aside his pride and say to him: How much do you want? It’s just money. Someone else offers you three million, I can offer you more.

I just love it when you deceive me. Take the money, keep deceiving me.

What he didn’t expect was that Han Fu suddenly straightened up, turned back, and walked back toward him.

Pei Zhen stood there stunned, and was immediately lifted high into the air.

“…” He had to admire himself; even with his mind about to explode, he could still maintain a straight face.

“Zhenzhen,” the Little Wolfdog was brimming with happy delight, spinning him around in a circle, “You have no idea, Fatty was just going on again about Senior Fu Yao and her husband’s lovey-dovey relationship, and roasting Old Yu for being unable to find a partner.”

“With me, he’s got nothing to say.”

“Because I have a partner, hahaha.”

Out in the glass room, Yu Wenzhe opened the door and shouted into the house, “Han Fu, what are you doing?”

Fatty: “…”

Fatty: “Old Yu, are you dumb or what? Why you yelling?”

Yu Wenzhe looked puzzled. “But, he went to get water and took forever!”

Fatty: “This is his home! Could he get lost getting water? Could a spider demon from a cave of webs eat him up? No sense, no wonder you’ve been single for 28 years since birth.”

Faintly hearing them bickering from the kitchen, Han Fu laughed until his eyes sparkled with little stars. Decisively, he stole one more kiss, then, carrying his little fruit platter, happily and cheerfully bounced back out.