Chapter Sixteen

When the sky was just starting to brighten up, Song Bai got up. He sat motionless by the side of the bed for a long time. Yesterday, Ji Suiyun seemed very anxious; after pushing him inside, she didn't even bother to close the curtains of the suite. The sky slowly brightened, warm light shining through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and falling on Song Bai's back.

This is the most luxurious hotel in Song Bai's understanding of high society's impoverished lifestyle - the Presidential Suite on the thirty-ninth floor. When he was pressed down by Ji Suiyun last night, it was as if Song Bai's soul had left his body and was wandering around. The large searchlights on the Huangpu River could shine through, and the electric sparks reflected on Song Bai's face, cold and pale. If it were any lower, it would not be visible. Song Bai only knew that it must be very lively below, and various lights had already covered the natural light of the stars and moon. No one knows that the place far away from ordinary life is not actually mysterious. No matter how expensive the hotel is, Ji Suiyun could not make what she did to him any cleaner.

When Song Baichi got out of bed, he felt a bit dizzy and took a few steps towards the bathroom while everything in front of him turned black. He suddenly froze in his tracks as he stepped on something sticky and mushy. With wide eyes, Song Baichi stumbled and rushed into the bathroom, vomiting uncontrollably. He felt that his dignity was just like a discarded condom in Ji Suiyun's eyes, cheap and worthless.

Song Bai rinsed his feet with the shower head over and over again, his eyes red as he fought back nausea. After composing himself, he gathered his things and with great courage, left the bathroom without looking back.

At noon, Lu Fucheng called. Song Bai was lying on the folding table that Lu Fucheng used for work, sound asleep. He hadn't slept well last night and had only just managed to relax after returning home.

Upon seeing the incoming call display, Song Bai's moment of strength from yesterday until now was instantly taken away by the person on the other end: ...Cheng Cheng.

Are you taking a nap? Why is your voice so hoarse? As soon as Song Bai spoke these two words, Lu Fucheng became worried, thinking, Don't catch a cold. It is not easy for you to recover from illness once you are sick.

It's nothing. Song Bai took a deep breath and tried to use the same tone as when she was talking happily with Lu Fu Cheng earlier. The weather is so good today, I lay on your little table for a long time and read some great books, the sunshine was warm and cozy. Harbin must be so cold, are you jealous of me?

I can't sleep because the hotel is too hot, said Lu Fucheng with a laugh. Also, are you getting drowsy from basking in the sun or from reading?

Song Bai cursed at him for looking down on others.

Ah Bai, I've only been here for a day, but I can hardly bear missing you. Lu Fucheng's tone became serious and profound.

Song Bai was momentarily stunned, then pretended to take it lightly and said, 'You can't love me that much.'

Lufucheng felt a slight sense of embarrassment that was not easy to detect: Yesterday was too tiring. I had a restless dream at night. I dreamt that you were crying in front of me, crying so pitifully. I wanted to wipe your tears away, but I couldn't even touch you... Lufucheng woke up in pain with icy tears on his face.

You're so melodramatic, Song Bai's tone was light and brisk, vaguely mixed with the joy and pride of a youth. But he was glad that Luo Fucheng couldn't see the tears that couldn't help but fall as soon as the words left his mouth.

This is how Song Bai is, and it's possible that all fragile children in the world are like this. When they fall down, they look to see if there is someone who loves them nearby. If not, they get up quickly and pretend nothing happened, but once they have someone who cares for them, they will cry endlessly.

Ke Songbai can only endure it now. He has already taken out the precious things and cannot give up his hard work. Whether it's one or two times, or one or two months apart, the difference is actually not that big.

There, there...

Oh, what's wrong?

Cheng Cheng. Song Baiyue repeated faster and faster, Cheng Cheng Cheng Cheng Cheng Cheng Cheng...

I will love you forever.

Upon hearing these words, Lu Fucheng once again felt willing to die and come back to life for Song Bai.

Lufu Cheng's phone call made Song Bai feel a little better. Song Bai was willing to sacrifice some things for Lufu Cheng, so as long as Lufu Cheng was behind him, Song Bai would not collapse.

He forced himself to eat something and cleaned the house thoroughly. Song Bai was neither neurotic nor obsessive-compulsive, but he just felt that the whole room had become dirty since Ji Suiyun stayed here for a while last night.

Ji Su Yun only said that he wanted Song Bai to accompany him for two months, but he didn't mention a specific time. Song Bai always felt like there was a butcher's knife hanging over his neck, not knowing when it would come down. As the afternoon passed, he became increasingly nervous, and after dark, he was even afraid of his phone ringing.

Fortunately, this night has passed. It was a very peaceful evening. Someone came to knock on the door once, and it was the cherries that Lu Fucheng had ordered for him. They were especially sweet, and even after brushing his teeth, there seemed to be a fruity taste in his mouth.

When Song Bai was in high school, he was particularly fond of eating cherries, but they were very expensive to buy in Northeast China. He didn't want to spend his limited allowance on them. Only Lu Fucheng, a man who couldn't even bear to buy a professional book for himself, was willing to buy cherries by the pound for Song Bai. Song Bai would ask Lu Fucheng for a kiss with a cherry in his mouth, and they would enjoy the sweetness together. It was so cloying sweet.

Song Bai went to work. The negative impact that Jì Suí Yún brought to him was mostly psychological, and he did not really harm Song Bai's physical health.

Li Yang noticed that Song Bai was not focused on his work and said, 'It's been two days since we had a break. Why do you still look so absent-minded and weak? Did your soul leave with your friend Cheng Ge?'

Song Bai sliced a bit of freshly baked bread and placed it into a small tasting dish. Shaking his head, he remarked, 'It seems like it caught a cold during the rainy weather a few days ago.'

Li Yang stared at him for a while, and coyly said: 'Fucheng, you can finally be considered a grown-up.'

Song Bai didn't react for a moment.

Whenever he loves you, he acts like it's his precious treasure that he cannot live without. It doesn't look like he's just in love with you, he might as well worship you like a goddess. I'm glad that the fool finally realized he ought to mark you as his. Li Yang remarked contentedly.

Through the reflection of the polished dinner knife, Song Bai vaguely saw a bit of plum-colored mark on his collarbone where a little flesh was exposed. His throat moved, and he felt a physiological urge to vomit. He forced a smile at Li Yang and quickly handed the sample pastry to the waiter to serve.

Song Bai viciously pulled up his collar and at the sight of this mark, a bloody idea entered his mind. He wished he could take a kitchen knife and cut off the entire piece of skin. He couldn't help but think, if only Cheng Cheng had left this mark for himself.

Note: I have translated it into American English.

There weren't many people in the shop in the afternoon, and Song Bai held a cup of hot water and drank it all afternoon. He was practically begging gods and Buddhas in his mind, hoping that Ji Siyun would forget about him. However, him being able to avoid her yesterday was already a rare occurrence.

As it was almost time to get off work, the Maybach stopped once again on the side of the secondary road a little further ahead. A young girl in a school uniform skirt bounced over, Big brother, it's been a long time since we last met!

Song Bai may hate Ji Suiyun, but he wouldn't take it out on a child. He forced a smile and said, 'Hm, long time no see. Do you still want some nougat?'

My big brother won't let me eat candy, Jì Suí ān tilted her head and sweetly smiled at Sòng Bái, My brother said for me to call you, and then we can go home together. You can come to my house and make caterpillar-shaped pastries for me with lots of cream inside! (Note: the translation is in American English.)

Song Bai shivered with cold.

Oh, little baby, I've come to visit you again, Brother Song Bai, said Li Yang as he changed his clothes and was about to leave. He teased Ji Sui'an with a couple of words, Nowadays, children know to talk to people who look good.

Ji Suian smiled and said to Li Yang: 'Hmm! Song Bai gege looks good, I want to invite him to play with me.'

Li Yang laughed heartily, thinking that Ji Suian was just making a casual remark and was about to leave after greeting Song Bai.

Brother Yang... Song Bai blurted out, with a hint of pleading in his tone.

Li Yang paused in surprise and confusion, 'Huh?'

It's okay, be careful on the way. Song Bai quickly turned around to disguise himself and went to install something for Ji Sui, taking advantage of the fact that Li Yang hadn't noticed anything. Please note that this translation is in American English.

Li Yang hurriedly left for his date.

Ji Sui'an walked happily with Song Bai while holding onto his arm, causing Song Bai to feel uneasy with what was about to be said: It's a good thing that it hasn't been 15 minutes since you found me, otherwise my brother would have come looking for us. He would have been angry by then.

Song Bai only realized that no matter whether he called or didn't call Li Yang, and whether he agreed or disagreed to follow Ji Sui'an, he couldn't escape.

Brother— Ji Suian opened the car door and kissed Ji Suiyun on the face: You've got a caterpillar on you, let me help you get rid of it.

Ji Su Yun pulled on Song Bai's wrist and brought him closer to her. She said, Go back and have him make it for you.

Without asking or consulting, Song Bai felt that not only was she a plaything, but also a nanny.