Chapter 21

Lin Hening never thought he would one day find himself in a cliché drama where he surprises his boyfriend, only to be met with an even bigger surprise.

It wasn’t that he turned a blind eye to the ambiguous relationship between Xia Zhile and An Nian. Rather, he had always adhered to one principle—if you’re catching a thief, catch him red-handed; if you’re catching a cheater, catch them in the act.

Baseless suspicion was a sign of disrespect—to Xia Zhile’s character and to his own deep love over the past two years.

Besides, without solid evidence, Xia Zhile could always deny it over and over again. And when it came to verbal sparring, he was no slouch either.

Well, now there was no need for arguments. And no way to argue.

Xia Zhile’s face turned deathly pale, sweat beading on his forehead. “When did you get here?”

Lin Hening answered seriously, “Right when you were lovingly telling Nian Nian not to cry.”

Xia Zhile looked like he had been struck by lightning.

Lin Hening almost wanted to laugh.

These two had been so into it that neither of them even noticed when the door opened. They had unknowingly given an uninvited audience member quite a show.

Even Lin Hening himself hadn’t expected to remain so calm while watching for so long.

Xia Zhile quickly let go of An Nian, panic-stricken as he rushed over. “Hening! Hening, let me explain!”

Lin Hening really wanted to laugh now.

At this point, what was there to explain?

He was actually curious to hear how Dr. Xia would try to twist this one.

“I—he—it’s like this.” Xia Zhile stammered, clearly flustered. “An Nian’s car broke down. I happened to run into him on my way home from work. It was snowing heavily, and he was dressed too lightly, so I brought him back to warm up so he wouldn’t catch a cold.”

Lin Hening glanced at An Nian, who stood frozen in place, clearly at a loss.

Barefoot. Light-colored sleep shorts. An oversized button-up shirt that was so long it covered his hips. The sleeves were far too long, leaving only five delicate pink fingertips peeking out.

Ah. So cute and pitiful. Absolutely adorable.

This was the legendary boyfriend’s shirt, wasn’t it?

Xia Zhile frantically continued, “His coat wasn’t waterproof. It got soaked from the melting snow, so I let him wear mine. I couldn’t just let him sit there naked, could I?”

“I know this looks bad, and I know I can’t explain it away, but I swear—our relationship is not what you think! I swear!”

“Hening, say something, please? Give me some kind of reaction?”

Lin Hening: “Your soup is about to burn.”

Xia Zhile stood there, stunned, momentarily unable to process the words.

When he finally realized that Lin Hening was referring to the pot of soup on the stove, he hesitated, his guilt making him too afraid to move.

An Nian reached out to turn off the gas but accidentally burned his hand.

Xia Zhile’s heart clenched as he turned back to Lin Hening. “An Nian’s lips were turning purple from the cold. He was freezing and starving, and since I happened to have ingredients in the fridge, I just…”

Lin Hening waited. And waited. But Xia Zhile never quite got to the point.

So Lin Hening simply asked, “Are you done explaining?”

Xia Zhile’s lips turned white.

Lin Hening: “Then let me summarize for you. Xia Zhile—you cheated.”

A loud buzzing filled Xia Zhile’s mind. “What cheating? I didn’t cheat!”

Lin Hening’s gaze was cold, his lips curling into a barely-there smirk. “Cheating isn’t just about physical betrayal. Emotional betrayal is cheating, too.”

Judging by the heartfelt love confession he had just overheard from An Nian, filled with such gut-wrenching sincerity that it could move anyone to tears—who wouldn’t be swayed?

Especially someone like Xia Zhile, who was already teetering on the edge of infidelity.

I get it. Oh, I get it. I completely understand!

So hurry up and embrace your long-lost love, the one you regret letting go of, and live happily ever after together!

Lin Hening turned to leave.

Xia Zhile scrambled after him, grabbing his arm in desperation. “Hening! Hening! I was wrong! I lost my head for a moment! I should have pushed him away immediately! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please don’t go! Don’t leave me!”

“Mr. Lin!” An Nian suddenly rushed forward. “Don’t blame him! I was the one who kissed him! It’s my fault! I’m the despicable one!”

Lin Hening couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh? At least you’re self-aware.”

An Nian’s face went deathly white.

Lin Hening ruthlessly shook off Xia Zhile’s hand, his composed expression as unshaken as ever. “If you had the guts to openly admit you liked him, I would have at least respected you as a man.”

Xia Zhile looked like he had been struck again. “Lin Hening… no matter what I say, you won’t believe me, will you?”

“You think this is reasonable? According to you, I should have just left An Nian stranded on the street?”

Here we go again. Now he was trying to slap Lin Hening with the ‘heartless and cruel’ label.

Lin Hening really wanted to curse him out.

Xia Zhile glanced back at An Nian, who stood there helplessly, eyes glistening with unshed tears. His heart wavered—then hardened.

His entire demeanor shifted. Gone was the desperate, remorseful man from moments ago. Instead, he straightened his back and said, “Fine. I lost control. I have feelings for An Nian.”

“But there’s a reason for everything! Is it entirely my fault that I fell for someone else? Maybe you should take a look at yourself too!”

… Excuse me?

Lin Hening was truly stunned.

What a masterpiece. Shifting the blame onto the victim? Now that takes skill.

Now that Xia Zhile had started, he might as well unload everything he had been suppressing for years. “Be honest with yourself—do you even love me? Have you ever loved me the way I love you? To you, I’m just something replaceable, aren’t I?”

Xia Zhile let it all out. “You have everything—wealth, status, power—and you always look down on me! No matter what I do, you never truly care. I know I’m nothing compared to you, and no matter how hard I work, I’ll never make you proud!”

Lin Hening: “???”

Wow. Just wow. The audacity. The sheer nerve.

Xia Zhile’s voice was full of grief and resentment. “When I was at my lowest, it was An Nian who stood by me and encouraged me. When I was at my highest, it was him who genuinely celebrated my success. And you? You only ever poured cold water on me!”

“Look at yourself, Lin Hening—the untouchable prosecutor, the arrogant heir. Fine! I get it! I, Xia Zhile, was never good enough for you!”

Listen. Just listen to him.

His mouth, oh, that mouth—when it came to sweet talk, he could bend iron bars with his words. But when he wanted to cut you down, he’d go straight for the softest, most vulnerable spot and jab mercilessly. With just a few words, he’d make himself look like the poor, innocent victim. Anyone who didn’t know the full story would be completely spun around by his ability to twist the truth.

Dr. Xia definitely picked the wrong career. He should have been a divorce lawyer—he’d be brilliant at it.

Xia Zhile stormed back to An Nian’s side, glaring at Lin Hening with fury. “He’s gentler than you, more understanding than you. I’m willing to make soup for him every day. I like him!”

Oh, fantastic. Just great.

Lin Hening almost wanted to applaud. “Well, that’s perfect. You two should just lock yourselves together forever.”

He turned to leave, but his nature wouldn’t let him walk away without saying his piece. Some words might not change anything, but keeping them in would be bad for his health.

Men have mammary glands too, you know.

“Look me in the eye and tell me—I didn’t love you? You really think I’d get up at one in the morning, drive all over Yunzhou looking for a place that sold cheesecake, just because of a random comment you posted in your friend circle?”

“You really think I’d wake up at six every morning just to wait for you at 6:30 so we could take the subway together? Do you even remember what time I got home during that period? Midnight. What time do you think I actually got to sleep? Do the math.”

“You think I’d come out to my dad, come out to all my friends and family, just for some random fling?”

“When you worked yourself to the bone under your department head, did I not support you?”

“When you were harassed by a patient’s family, did I not stand up for you?”

“When you were so stressed you broke down, when you got drunk and stood on the rooftop acting crazy, did I not hold you all night in the cold wind?”

“Yes, I was born into a good family. Sorry for choosing the right womb, I guess! But have I ever used that against you? Who’s really the one looking down on whom here? Is it me thinking you’re not good enough, or is it your own damn inferiority complex eating you alive? Is it me belittling your achievements, or is it you constantly shoving them in my face, flaunting them like a prize?”

“When you boss me around, do I ever say anything?”

“We went out for fancy dinners, rode the Ferris wheel—was that not a celebration? I bought you a designer belt, a luxury watch—were those not gifts of congratulations?”

“If you think all of that was just me playing the arrogant rich kid, throwing money at you and trampling on your fragile ego, then fine. Consider my love fed to the dogs.”

Xia Zhile trembled violently, as if falling into an abyss. “Hening…”

Lin Hening turned and walked away.

The elevator doors closed. He shut his eyes, his chest rising and falling sharply.

Damn it.

He had come here all excited to spend the Winter Solstice with his boyfriend, and now it was “Happy Breakup Day” instead.

If this were a TV drama, this would be the moment the protagonist lost all strength—the carefully prepared meal in his hands would slip from his fingers, spilling everywhere.

He’d also lose all composure—clutching his mouth to muffle his sobs, running away in despair.

But no.

The dumplings remained perfectly intact in their container, firmly held in Lin Hening’s grasp.

And he didn’t run.

He stood there at the doorway, watching the scene unfold like a spectator, even feeling a little disappointed that they had noticed him too soon. If he’d come in just a bit later, they would’ve been kissing, then stripping, then—well, then it wouldn’t have been suitable for broadcast.

Hah. Even more exciting.

Lin Hening used to think those female protagonists in dramas were such cowards. Why run away, why cry? Just slap the scumbag across the face and walk out with your head high!

But now that he had experienced it himself, he understood. Running away wasn’t about being weak—it was about not wanting to witness your lover betray you so openly, so brazenly.

Lin Hening wasn’t unbreakable. He just wanted to be disappointed enough to finally give up. To kill every last shred of hope.

He pulled up his contact list, found the name “My Little Puppy Lele,” and blocked, then deleted it.

Starting his car, he drove off.

Halfway home, he pulled over.

The city was blanketed in snow, the wind whispering through the frozen streets. Everything was wrapped in a peaceful, silvery silence.

On the sidewalks, couples strolled hand in hand, admiring the snowfall. Near the bus station, families reunited for the holiday, embracing with warm smiles.

Lin Hening reached for the takeout box. The food had cooled down a little, but it wasn’t completely cold yet.

Breaking apart the disposable chopsticks, he laid out some napkins.

The food wasn’t at fault.

Lin Hening took a big bite.

Happy Winter Solstice. Damn, these dumplings were delicious.

Xu Fenli clutched her small bag tightly, even though its contents weren’t worth much. “I brought you some dumplings, raw ones—you just need to boil them at home.”

Gu Fei sighed. “Mom…”

“I know what you’re about to say, but they won’t taste the same as the ones from your restaurant.” Xu Fenli smiled warmly. “It’s your favorite filling. Eat up.”

“I was going to say, give me the bag—I’ll carry it.” Gu Fei shook his head. “The way you’re holding it, you look like you just withdrew money from the bank.”

Xu Fenli let out an embarrassed chuckle.

Gu Fei hailed a taxi and helped his mother get in first. As he walked around to the front passenger side, his gaze suddenly landed on a familiar Bentley parked across the street.

The license plate matched.

Xu Fenli asked, “Xiao Fei, what are you looking at?”

Gu Fei was surprised to see Lin Hening here.

Looking closer, he saw the prosecutor holding a meal container, scarfing down dumplings and garlic with reckless enthusiasm.

“I’m officially informing you—I broke up with Xia Zhile,” Lin Hening said as he scooped some Kung Pao chicken onto his plate.

Behind him, Jian Xiaoxi, who had been in line for food, froze like a statue, staring at Lin Hening with a complicated expression.

Lin Hening figured his friend was debating whether to congratulate him with joy or offer words of sympathy. His brain had temporarily crashed.

By the time Lin Hening was torn between sweet and sour pork or braised ribs, Jian Xiaoxi had rebooted and blurted out, “Caught him in bed?”

Damn, that’s a homicide detective for you—straight to the point, no sugarcoating.

Lin Hening snorted. “They were all over each other, crying and kissing—you should’ve seen it. So tragic.”

Jian Xiaoxi observed his friend’s expression and immediately knew how to react. With a grin, he clapped Lin Hening on the back—hard. “Congratulations on seeing the scumbag’s true colors early! Stay strong, Hening! Breakups are nothing—your next one will be even cuter!”

Lin Hening staggered from the impact, nearly face-planting into the iron food tray.

Jian Xiaoxi grabbed the serving spoon and piled both sweet and sour pork and braised ribs onto Lin Hening’s plate. “This meal doesn’t count—tonight, I’m treating you to a feast. We’ll gather the guys and celebrate! Our Hening is back on the market!”

Lin Hening had intended to decline, but then he realized refusing would make it seem like he was actually heartbroken over his ex.

His ex-boyfriend cheated. So what? His job had exposed him to every kind of messed-up relationship imaginable—cheesy, tragic, and downright disturbing. He was long past being fazed by drama like this.

This was just child’s play. No need to let a scumbag ruin his mood or cut him off from his social life.

Lin Hening smirked. “Alright. You plan, I’ll show up.”

Jian Xiaoxi grinned. “Roger that!”

Jian Xiaoxi was genuinely happy that Lin Hening had broken up with Xia Zhile.

At first, he had thought Xia Zhile was charming—polished, articulate, and humorous. Sure, he was a bit slick with words, but hey, a man who was willing to sweet-talk someone must have feelings for them, right? Jian Xiaoxi had been satisfied with the guy, thinking he and Lin Hening were a perfect match.

Who knew people could change so fast? Jian Xiaoxi had always prided himself on his ability to judge character, but Xia Zhile had completely fooled him.

Luckily, even if he was blind, Lin Hening wasn’t stupid. The clean, decisive breakup was worth celebrating.

Let the scumbag and his little homewrecker be locked together forever—just don’t let them out to harm others!

The vice-captain suggested, “Let’s go to Xinghua Restaurant. The food’s great, and we know the owner.”

Jian Xiaoxi’s expression stiffened. “No, not Gu Fei’s place.”

The vice-captain frowned. “Why not, Jian? I thought you liked Gu Fei? Didn’t you even try to set him up with Lin Hening? Now that Lin broke up, isn’t this the perfect chance?”

“You don’t get it.” Jian Xiaoxi popped a piece of bubblegum into his mouth and chewed. “Yeah, I like Gu Fei, but my priority is being Hening’s friend. I have to consider whether he’d feel awkward. Things between him and Gu Fei… are complicated. It’s not the right time to go to Gu Fei’s restaurant.”

“Oh.” The vice-captain didn’t fully understand, but he didn’t ask further. Probably wouldn’t get it even if he did.

After work, Jian Xiaoxi personally drove to pick up Lin Hening.

As expected, their destination was Jian Xiaoxi’s second favorite place—Meizu Bar.

His first favorite was a cat café.

Under Jian Xiaoxi’s enthusiastic planning, a few close friends, including the vice-captain, raised their glasses high in celebration.

Here’s to Lin Hening kicking a scumbag to the curb and welcoming a better tomorrow.

Lin Hening was never a fan of alcohol—he found it sour, bitter, and unpleasant to drink, something his father often teased him about, saying he was like a kid.

But tonight, after taking a small sip, he realized it wasn’t so bad. The tingling sensation of the carbonation on his tongue was actually refreshing and stimulating. Before he knew it, he had finished an entire bottle.

A friend, half-joking and half-serious, said, “Hening, why not consider me? I’ve been drooling over you for ages.”

Lin Hening laughed and cursed, “Get lost.” His friend got even more excited and suggested, “Then how about pairing up with Officer Jian? A tough prosecutor and a crime-fighting detective—it’s a match made in heaven. Besides, we should keep the good ones within the circle.”

Jian Xiaoxi kicked him. “Get lost, you idiot!”

“Oh? Officer Jian, why are your ears turning red? Something going on here?”

“Don’t tell me you actually like our Hening?”

Lin Hening couldn’t hold back his laughter. He put on an exaggerated expression and looked at Jian Xiaoxi. “Oh, Jian, please don’t. You’re not my type.”

Jian Xiaoxi dramatically grabbed Lin Hening’s shoulders and shook him wildly. “Why?! Why?! I have Daniel Wu’s face shape, Tony Leung’s eyes, Leslie Cheung’s lips, Andy Lau’s nose, Chow Yun-fat’s hairstyle, and Eddie Peng’s six-pack abs! What’s wrong with me? How could you be so heartless and abandon me?! Waaaaah!”

The whole group burst into laughter.

Jian Xiaoxi had a bit too much to drink and went to the restroom. On his way out, he saw a familiar back and sobered up almost instantly in surprise. He hesitated for a second before calling out, “Boss Gu?”

Gu Fei, who was chatting with a bartender in the distance, turned around. “Officer Jian?”

“Hah! It really is you!” Jian Xiaoxi’s excitement was evident as he strode over. “You come here to have fun too?”

Gu Fei replied, “A friend’s birthday. What about you, Officer Jian—”

His gaze casually drifted across the bar, just a passing glance. But even in the dim, chaotic lighting of the club, surrounded by a sea of people dressed in all kinds of extravagant styles, his sharp eyes immediately locked onto a familiar figure sitting in a booth.

Lin Hening.

Jian Xiaoxi knew that Gu Fei and Lin Hening were familiar with each other—but not too familiar. And although Lin Hening wasn’t at fault for his boyfriend’s infidelity, there was still a sense of humiliation in being “cheated on.” Especially for someone as proud as Lin Hening—handsome, from a good family, an all-around high achiever—being the one who got “dumped” was undeniably embarrassing.

Jian Xiaoxi, always Lin Hening’s loyal supporter, smoothly replied, “Just hanging out after work.”

Gu Fei’s eyes stayed on Lin Hening as he asked, “Is he in a bad mood?”

Jian Xiaoxi nearly choked. Holy crap, this guy is sharp! The bar was packed, the lighting was chaotic, and people kept walking past, blocking the view—yet somehow, Gu Fei could still tell that Lin Hening wasn’t in a good mood?

Jian Xiaoxi felt conflicted for a moment.

But only for three seconds.

Even though he hadn’t known Gu Fei for long, Jian Xiaoxi had this unshakable gut feeling that Gu Fei wasn’t the type to mock people behind their backs. One thing was for sure—he wouldn’t make fun of Lin Hening.

Actually, it was probably best that Gu Fei knew about this.

Without hesitation, Jian Xiaoxi said, “Hening broke up with that bastard Xia.”

Gu Fei’s deep, calm eyes contracted slightly. “When?”

Jian Xiaoxi thought for a second. “Two days ago? No, wait—three days ago.”

Gu Fei’s voice was steady, but there was something unreadable in his tone. “On Winter Solstice?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Jian Xiaoxi confirmed.

Jian Xiaoxi only mentioned the outcome, not the process, and surprisingly, Gu Fei didn’t ask either.

It wasn’t hard to figure out. Obviously, there was a third party involved, things got exposed, and they broke up cleanly and decisively.

“He…” Gu Fei glanced at Lin Hening from afar before turning to Jian Xiaoxi. “You’re not going to comfort him?”

“Huh? No need, no need.” Jian Xiaoxi laughed. “Don’t underestimate Hening. He’s the type who knows when to let go, lives freely and clearly, and loves himself even more than he loves others. Forget about getting depressed over a scumbag—he wouldn’t even shed a single tear. He’s as carefree as ever.”

Gu Fei was about to say something when Lin Hening called out from a distance.

“Jian Xiaoxi, are you hiding in the restroom to escape? Huh? Gu Fei? What are you doing here? What a coincidence.”

Gu Fei’s fingers twitched slightly inside his pocket, for no apparent reason.

Lin Hening weaved through the crowd and walked toward them.

Tonight, he was dressed in a white turtleneck sweater paired with a beige cardigan, making him look both gentle and youthful, like a vibrant college student.

“Join us?” Lin Hening said. “I broke up with Xia Zhile. A few friends are celebrating my return to single life—it’s quite lively. You coming?”

Gu Fei froze for a moment.

Lin Hening thought the news was too shocking and explained, “It happened on Winter Solstice. After I dropped you off at the bus station, I went to Xia Zhile’s place. Guess what I saw? Those two hugging and confessing their love to each other, crying and kissing like some tragic scene out of Titanic!—Sorry, that’s an insult to Jack and Rose.”

Jian Xiaoxi was dumbfounded and quickly tugged at Lin Hening’s sleeve. “Hening, are you drunk?”

Lin Hening knew what he meant but just smiled nonchalantly. “Relax, Jian Xiaoxi. What’s there for me to be embarrassed about? He’s the one two-timing, not me.”

Jian Xiaoxi looked at him with admiration and then turned to Gu Fei, winking furiously.

See that? My Hening is dashing, confident, and a real man!

Lin Hening smirked, exuding self-assurance. His slender fingers held a wine glass, swirling it lightly. The vibrant cocktail reflected in his clear eyes, casting a dazzling array of colors—elegant, untouchable.

“If people hear about this, no one would mock me for being dumped. Instead, they’d sneer at Xia Zhile for being a complete idiot with downgraded taste. His close friends will be heartbroken for him, scolding him for being an utter disappointment. Strangers will take it as a cautionary tale, rolling their eyes every morning and night, thinking, ‘This guy must have a serious brain condition. He should probably get a new doctor and book an appointment ASAP.’”

……

The birthday boy was Zhou Zhou, but he was already dead drunk before the cake was even cut, hanging onto Fatty and refusing to get down.

Well, no need for formalities then. Lin Hening patted Zhou Zhou on the shoulder and said, “Happy birthday.”

Zhou Zhou, too wasted to tell north from south, blurted out, “Dad!”

Lin Hening quickly sent him a red envelope. Fatty, thoroughly impressed, exclaimed, “Lin Jian, you’re way too generous!”

The crowd erupted, and in no time, everyone was shouting, “Dad! Dad! Dad!”

The party lasted until the middle of the night. By the time they were leaving, Zhou Zhou had completely blacked out, and Fatty had to throw him into a taxi.

Lin Hening’s friends were just as wasted, so he had no choice but to shove them into cars one by one. “You all promised to party with me, but it looks like you just came to drink yourselves unconscious!”

The ever-sober Jian Xiaoxi asked, “You feeling dizzy?”

Lin Hening thought about it—he hadn’t actually drunk that much—so he waved a hand dismissively and said, “Bathroom break.”

He had barely taken two steps before his legs wobbled, and he stumbled to the left. Just as he was about to fall, a strong arm caught him.

Lin Hening had this strange feeling—like even if he completely lost his strength, this solid “crutch” would still hold him up.

“Thanks. I’m just going to the restroom.”

Gu Fei looked at him, a little worried. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” To prove his point, Lin Hening even made a wobbly attempt at walking in a straight line.

Gu Fei followed him for a couple of steps, then stood back and watched as Lin Hening crossed the street to the public restroom.

The night air was freezing. Jian Xiaoxi lit a cigarette, then casually offered the pack to Gu Fei. Gu Fei shook his head, declining.

His gaze remained fixed on the restroom door, arms crossed over his chest, his expression unwavering—he looked just like a loyal guard dog waiting for its owner.

Jian Xiaoxi couldn’t help but laugh.

“Don’t worry about him, I mean it.”

Gu Fei turned to look at him. Jian Xiaoxi exhaled a slow puff of smoke and said, “Hene’s mom passed away early, and his dad… well, let’s just say he’s good at making money, but emotionally fragile. Sometimes, Hene even has to comfort him. So he had to grow up fast. He sees relationships differently than most people. He once said that in the face of life and death, nothing else really matters. As long as he stays out of two places—the hospital and the courthouse—then boyfriends cheating and husbands having affairs are nothing.”

He flicked the ash from his cigarette and added, “But don’t mistake him for being coldhearted or emotionless.”

Gu Fei’s eyes darkened slightly.

Jian Xiaoxi sighed. “Hene cares deeply. He’s sensitive and thoughtful. He’s not the type to date casually—he was serious about being with Xia Zhile for the long haul. They weren’t together for long, but they had a long story. Xia Zhile cheating? Of course, it hurt. But his logic and pride won’t allow him to dwell on that pain. Crying over a jerk? He’d never stoop that low—he’d despise himself for it.”

Gu Fei felt a strange tremor in his heart.

His mind conjured up the image of Lin Hening—proud, confident, always composed. No matter how chaotic the situation, he remained elegant and dignified.

Not melodramatic, not fragile. Never arrogant, but never weak either.

At first glance, he seemed untouchable, difficult to approach. But once you got to know him, you’d realize he was easygoing, warm, and down-to-earth despite his privileged background. He was open-minded, decisive, and strong-willed.

Jian Xiaoxi took his last drag of the cigarette, then grinned. “Our Hene has no flaws, only an endless list of strengths. Boss Gu, interested?”

Gu Fei: “?”

“No rush. Start by getting to know him.” Jian Xiaoxi’s tone turned mysterious. “Our Hene isn’t just some nobody. Google his full name—you’re in for a surprise.”

Gu Fei was about to respond when Lin Hening stepped out of the restroom. Standing by the curb, he crooked a finger at them.

Jian Xiaoxi nearly choked from holding back laughter. Just a moment ago, Gu Fei was standing there like a well-trained dog, and now Lin Hening was literally “calling” him over.

Jian Xiaoxi smirked. “Too drunk to walk?”

Lin Hening scoffed. “I’m steadier than you.”

Then he turned to Jian Xiaoxi. “Take my vice-captain home.”

Jian Xiaoxi hesitated. “And you…?”

Gu Fei cut in, “I’ll take him.”

Jian Xiaoxi’s eyes lit up instantly, full of approval. Finally, he’s getting it!

Without a second thought, he handed Lin Hening over to Gu Fei and made a quick getaway.

Lin Hening usually didn’t drink, but the lively atmosphere had gotten to him tonight. He’d downed a bottle of beer, two cocktails, and half a glass of some unknown whiskey handed to him by a mischievous friend. The mix of drinks was just now hitting him.

The dizziness wasn’t the worst part—his stomach was. It felt like it was on fire, burning with pain.

That’s when he realized he had been drinking all night without eating a thing.

Nope. This was bad.

Lin Hening had no choice but to sit down on a stone block.

Meanwhile, Gu Fei had already hailed a cab and was waiting for him to get in.

Lin Hening glanced at the car, then at the ground. Not happening. No way I can make it over there, even if I crawl.

He waved his hand weakly. “Not getting in.”

Gu Fei walked back. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Hening looked up at him, dazed.

Ha!

Whenever Lin Hening met Gu Fei, he always seemed to be starving!

At first, Gu Fei thought Lin Hening was just unsteady because of the alcohol, but now he realized something was off. “Stomachache?”

Lin Hening said in a deep, regretful tone, “If I could turn back time three hours, I’d eat a cheese crayfish pizza before drinking, even if it smells like stinky feet.”

Gu Fei: “…”

Gu Fei turned and walked away. Lin Hening saw him enter a pharmacy across the street.

Two minutes later, Gu Fei came out carrying a bag of stomach medicine. The road was wide, with a pedestrian crosswalk and traffic lights, so he waited for the green light.

A minute later, Gu Fei jogged back, only to find Lin Hening with his head lowered.

Gu Fei called out to him, and when Lin Hening looked up, the tip of his nose was red.

Gu Fei’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you… crying?”

Huh?

Lin Hening blinked, realizing what Gu Fei was implying. He felt his dignity had just suffered a severe insult. “Cry my ass! I’m freezing!”

“Ah-choo!” He sneezed right on cue, then sniffled, making his nose even redder.

Damn it, saying he was crying? Cry for what? For whom? For Xia Zhile?

What an insult!

Lin Hening sneezed three more times in a row.

Then, warmth spread over his back. Gu Fei had taken off his own jacket and draped it over him.

Lin Hening originally wanted to act cool and refuse, but the weather was too damn cold, and Gu Fei’s jacket was just too damn warm.

Weird. Why was it so warm? He checked the tag—it was a familiar brand. Xia Zhile had worn it in the past.

But it wasn’t that warm, right?

Suddenly, realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. It wasn’t the jacket that was warm—it was Gu Fei who was warm!

Most people used clothes to keep their bodies warm. But Gu Fei? He was using his body to warm the clothes!

Damn. Impressive.

With newfound admiration, Lin Hening let himself be led into a 24-hour congee shop.

His stomach was still a mess, and he couldn’t eat much. He just kept stirring the porridge with his spoon. When Gu Fei asked, he simply said it was too hot.

After forcing down half a bowl, Gu Fei asked if his stomach still hurt and if he needed to go to the hospital.

Lin Hening shook his head decisively. No need to waste medical resources on something this minor. Besides, it wasn’t as bad as before.

Gu Fei: “Are you okay?”

Lin Hening: “I’m fine.”

Gu Fei thought to himself, That’s not what I meant.

Xia Zhile, for all his faults, was still a doctor. Back when they were together, if Lin Hening wasn’t feeling well, his doctor boyfriend would’ve been there to take care of him. But now, going through a stomachache alone—it was bound to bring up memories of Xia Zhile’s care and affection.

People tend to feel the loneliest late at night and the weakest when they’re unwell.

Gu Fei didn’t assume Lin Hening was secretly fragile, but he couldn’t help but think—maybe he wasn’t as strong as he seemed.

On the surface, Lin Hening appeared untouchable, like he was made of steel. But was he really?

Lin Hening had strong personal boundaries. With close friends like Jian Xiaoxi, he could be open and share anything, but with people he wasn’t that familiar with, he guarded his privacy. And Gu Fei knew he was still in the latter category.

To truly get close to someone, you needed shared experiences—something to relate to.

Gu Fei wasn’t sure if Lin Hening was just pretending to be strong and bottling everything up, but he couldn’t stop thinking about that night on the winter solstice. The freezing cold, the city lights glowing in the distance, and Lin Hening sitting alone in his car, eating cold dumplings.

Gu Fei shifted slightly and, after a moment’s hesitation, said seriously, “The woman I call my mother now isn’t my biological mom—she’s my adoptive mother. Like you, I lost my mother at a young age. I—”

“Hold up.” Lin Hening looked baffled, gripping his spoon. “Who told you I don’t have a mom?”

“?”

Now Gu Fei looked confused. “Officer Jian said your mother passed away early.”

Lin Hening: “???”

Lin Hening: “…”

He carefully set down his spoon. Then, with the same careful precision, he set down his bowl of congee.

“My mom left early, yes,” he said slowly. “She left using her feet, not her soul. She went from Yunzou to Italy, not from Earth to Heaven.”

Gu Fei: “?!”