LNTSWJLY Chapter 7

Daytime

After Yu Zhi took Xiao Pang away, Yin Xu also left.

He went back to the orphanage.

The director was delighted to see him and invited him in warmly.

“Why didn’t you call before coming back? Have you had lunch?”

Yin Xu smiled apologetically, “Thank you for your concern, Director. I’ve already eaten.”

But the director still enthusiastically invited him to eat more, “Today for lunch, we have your favorite cabbage noodles. Since you’ve been out for so long, I don’t know if you’ve eaten yet. Come, have some more.”

Yin Xu couldn’t refuse and ended up having another meal with the director in the cafeteria.

However, he had already eaten, so he didn’t eat much.

The director, who was observing quietly, only relaxed secretly after seeing this.

Yin Xu had been away from the orphanage for several months. Initially, he often called back and talked to her about various things, like finding his biological parents or the situation at home. But after a while, Yin Xu’s calls became less frequent. When he did call, he didn’t talk about his family situation anymore, only showing concern for the children in the orphanage. He would hang up after a few sentences.

The director was experienced and could easily sense that something might be wrong with the child. However, she understood his temperament well. He wouldn’t speak about things he didn’t want to, no matter how much she prodded.

His experience of begging during his childhood had made him reserved and stubborn, not inclined to open up to people.

They say crying children get candy, but the director could never forget the look Yin Xu had when he first arrived at the orphanage. He seemed calm but his eyes were full of fear and caution. He couldn’t sleep at night and would wake up at the slightest sound.

Later, people were willing to adopt him, after all, he was so handsome. But Yin Xu refused, preferring to stay in the orphanage until he reached adulthood, even working part-time while finishing high school and getting into a mediocre university.

She thought that finding his biological parents would bring him some closure, but it seemed to be the opposite. She could feel that the current Yin Xu was even more closed off and silent than when he left the orphanage.

“You always say you’re doing well on the phone, and I try not to worry, but hearing your voice, I can’t help but feel concerned. Now that I see you with my own eyes, I can believe it a bit more.”

Seeing Yin Xu’s appearance and demeanor, the director could tell that at least he hadn’t been mistreated in terms of his living conditions. She figured his biological parents were not ordinary people, as they didn’t seem to care much about money.

Regardless, with them around, this child can always fare better. As for familial love, it’s best not to force it.

“Are your biological parents treating you well?”

Yin Xu didn’t know how to answer. He didn’t want to speak well of those scumbags, but he also didn’t want to worry the director.

“I don’t live with them.”

“Someone is supporting me. He’s a… good person, treats me well.”

He didn’t mention his biological parents at all, but instead praised someone who was supporting him as a good person, implying his gratitude.

The director didn’t know about his relationship with his biological parents or how he found a sponsor. But even if she asked, it wouldn’t make a difference. Seeing him doing well was all that mattered.

“Well, then you should repay their kindness.”

Yin Xu lowered his eyes and softly replied, “Yes.”

“I will.”

After dinner, Yin Xu spent time playing with the kids he hadn’t seen in a while, and they all eagerly surrounded him.

“Brother Yin, what does it look like outside? Is it nice?”

“Brother Yin, I feel like you are getting more and more beautiful! Can I kiss you?”

“Brother Yin…”

A group of children, all a few years old, chattered incessantly, seemingly noisy, but Yin Xu felt a calmness in his heart.

Unconsciously, a touch of tenderness appeared in his eyes as he slowly responded to their questions.

At three in the afternoon, the director of the orphanage arrived with several staff members, all smiling. Before they could say anything, the children rushed over excitedly, shouting, “We’re having milk and egg sandwiches!”

Yin Xu turned his head and saw them lining up to receive a box of milk, a bag of bread, and an egg from the director.

These items appeared to be made uniformly, with logos printed on them.

The familiar logos left Yin Xu momentarily stunned.

After the director distributed the nutritious meals to each child, she noticed Yin Xu still standing there, seemingly perplexed. She smiled and explained, “Recently, a generous benefactor donated to support the orphanage. They not only provide afternoon meals for the children here but also donated new school bags and stationery to each child. They even promised that outstanding children could receive sponsorship for high school and college.”

With life improving for many people nowadays, many are inclined to charity, whether for fame, profit, or superstition. But they do benefit from it, and gratitude should be in our hearts.

Yin Xu just stared at the logos on the packages.

He had seen the same logo many times before, scattered around the man’s house. Xiao Pang had even proudly boasted, “These are all from our family. Our things are the best!”

Yu Group.

He spoke up, asking, “When did this start? What’s the donor’s last name? Is it…” Yu?

The director thought for a moment before responding, “It hasn’t been long, about half a month ago. The benefactor didn’t show up personally; it was all handled by his assistant. But the donation was made under the Yu Group, a large corporation.”

Seeing Yin Xu’s unease, the director asked with concern, “What’s wrong, Xiao Xu? Do you know about the Yu Group?”

Yin Xu forced a smile, “How could I not know such a big company? They… are good people.”

Yin Xu didn’t know how he spent those few hours; it seemed like he was in a daze the whole time. When the director reminded him and he snapped out of it, it was already six o’clock in the evening.

It’s a long journey from the orphanage to the man’s house, traversing through half the city. Yin Xu could only leave in a hurry.

He disliked crowded subways because someone would always intentionally or unintentionally take advantage of him.

Even if it took longer, he preferred taking the bus.

So, by the time he got off the bus, it was already between eight and nine o’clock due to the delay.

It started to rain, and he hadn’t brought an umbrella, so he squeezed into the bus shelter, intending to wait for the rain to stop before continuing.

His phone rang, and hesitantly, he answered when he saw the caller’s name on the screen.

The rain made it hard to hear the man’s voice.

But Yin Xu easily sensed the concern in his tone.

He stared at the rain curtain absentmindedly.

After ending the call, he didn’t wait any longer. Instead, he walked into the rain, slowly making his way back.

He felt he needed to calm down, yet he also felt he might need this rain.

He walked back in the rain, unsurprisingly catching a cold.

The lights were intentionally left on, the door intentionally left open, and the cup intentionally smashed.

Even his appearance on the bed… was intentionally staged.

He wanted to see, wanted to understand.

When he saw those eyes, he finally understood.

“Don’t tempt me,” Yu Zhi said calmly.

As his hand touched the boy’s eyes, he unintentionally felt the smooth skin, and before he could withdraw, he felt the warmth above.

Yu Zhi frowned. “Are you running a fever?”

After alternating between cold and warm water several times, it would be strange if he didn’t have a fever.

Yin Xu, with his eyes glazed, softly murmured with a nasal tone, “Hmm…”

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m sorry to bother you…”

Yu Zhi knew that people who were sick were uncomfortable, so he didn’t say much to him. He turned to the living room to find cold medicine and then boiled some hot water to bring it to Yin Xu’s bedside.

After cleaning up the water and broken glass on the floor, Yu Zhi watched as the young man frowned and finished the medicine before saying, “The body is like a friend or a lover, it needs careful care to avoid injury and pain. Just a rain shower can give you a cold, showing how weak your constitution is. Starting tomorrow, make sure to allocate time every day to exercise.”

Yin Xu: “…”

“This time was just an accident, I promise it won’t happen again.” He didn’t like exercise.

“No, you can’t.” Yu Zhi’s decision was not up for debate, despite his gentle appearance, he was still quite strict.

Yin Xu: “…”

Just… there was suddenly a hint of regret.

Yu Zhi saw that he didn’t argue anymore, feeling satisfied with his compliance, he turned and left the room.

There was porridge still cooking in the kitchen.

The aroma slowly spread, and even closing the kitchen door couldn’t block it out.

In one of his previous lives, Yu Zhi’s task was to teach cooking, so his culinary skills were almost top-notch. Thinking that the children probably couldn’t eat greasy food, he cooked a pot of fragrant and savory porridge with the ingredients in the refrigerator.

Before it was even done cooking, Xiao Pang smelled it and came out, “Dad, are you having a midnight snack alone? I want some too!”

Yu Zhi looked at his chubby figure and said firmly, “You just had dinner not long ago, have you digested it? Go back to bed.”

After stirring and checking, Yu Zhi felt the porridge was ready, so he turned off the heat, scooped a bowl of hot porridge, and prepared a side dish, then brought it to Yin Xu’s room.

The rejected Xiao Pang clenched his fists, “They were right after all, with a stepmother, comes a stepfather!” Now he had two stepfathers?!

No, this wouldn’t do! He had to find a way to save himself!

“The maid’s food might not be suitable for your cold, so I made some porridge for you.”

Even before seeing it, Yin Xu smelled the fragrance. Despite feeling unwell and having a poor appetite, he wanted to taste it.

The combination of vegetables, meat, and rice in the porridge was rich in flavor, color, and aroma, incredibly tempting.

It’s hard to imagine that this man would cook.

On normal days, he either had the decisive demeanor of an elite or the knowledgeable appearance of a scholar. Today, looking at this bowl of porridge, Yin Xu couldn’t help but feel stunned, wondering how many facets this man had and how many people had seen them.

Such a man, couldn’t find the kind of lover or partner he wanted, did he need to play tricks on this still immature bean sprout like Yin Xu?

No need.

Yin Xu believed it.

This man didn’t want to sleep with him.

Seeing him holding the bowl in silence, Yu Zhi, thinking there was nothing else to say, instructed, “Take your time eating. Have a good night’s sleep tonight. If you still feel unwell tomorrow, I’ll ask for a day off with your class teacher.”

With that said, he turned to leave but then stopped in his tracks, turned slightly to glance at the teenager, his lips curling slightly, his tone gentle as he said, “Goodnight.”

Yin Xu looked up at him as he walked away step by step, watching his figure disappear from sight. After a while, he withdrew his gaze.

Putting down the bowl, he straightened his clothes.

The man took his previous demeanor as seduction.

Little did he know, it was this illness that was the real test.

And now the result was out.

He did indeed care for him.

Helping him retrieve his household registration, dealing with the Lin family for him, assisting him in going to school, teaching him to read, sponsoring the orphanage where he once lived, taking care of him when he was sick…

Yet, he didn’t want to sleep with him.

What else could it be because of?

Yin Xu pondered for a long time, eventually only able to come to the same conclusion he had suspected from the start.

For a moment, his feelings were complex and indistinguishable.

It felt like panic yet happiness.

———He likes me.

……………………………………..

Author’s Note: 

Yin Xu: He likes me.

Yin Xu: He’s a good person. How can I reject him without hurting his feelings?

Later…

Yin Xu: What do I have to do for him to accept me?

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