Chapter 173

Su Bin couldn’t sleep the entire night. In the morning, as he looked at his reflection in the mirror and saw the dark circles under his eyes, he felt a pang of regret. He had been exhausted lately, but the thought of finally meeting Allen again made him unable to contain his excitement.

After taking a hot shower and drying his hair, Su Bin styled it with gel, trying to look as sharp and fresh as possible before heading out.

When he arrived outside Allen’s room, Su Bin touched the velvet box in his pocket. Ever since he had decided to return to M City, he had been searching for the right moment to give Allen the ring. However, various events had constantly interrupted his plans. He wasn’t sure if today would offer the opportunity.

Taking a deep breath, Su Bin sent Allen a message: “Allen, I’m here. Can I come in?”

Two minutes passed without a reply. Su Bin hesitated at the door, feeling a sudden doubt. Perhaps he had been too optimistic. After all, Allen had only said for him to come and see him. What if there was nothing more than a conversation where Allen might tell him to stop doing things that bothered him?

Su Bin didn’t understand why he felt so nervous. When he had been pursuing Chen Xiaotian, he had done so without thinking twice, charging forward without regret. But now, things were different. Every action made him anxious, worried that Allen might not like it.

He had become cautious, no longer as bold as he once was. Or perhaps, it was simply because, unlike with Chen Xiaotian, he cared deeply for Allen.

As he stood there hesitating, the middle-aged female caregiver who often came in and out of Allen’s room approached, greeting him with a smile. “Hi, here to see the Duke again?”

Su Bin scratched his head, embarrassed. “Uh, yes, he told me to come in today…”

The caregiver smiled. “Congratulations! But I heard the Duke will be leaving soon.”

Su Bin’s heart skipped a beat. “Leaving? Where to?”

The caregiver replied, “The Duke is going to D City. There are some medical equipment that can’t be moved, so he’ll have to go there. I heard that once he leaves, he won’t come back…”

Su Bin’s face drained of color. Could it be that Allen had only asked him to come see him to say goodbye?

He raised his hand to knock, but the caregiver stopped him. “He just went downstairs.”

“Went downstairs?” Su Bin asked anxiously. “When?”

“Just a little while ago… Wait…” The caregiver looked on, dumbfounded, as Su Bin rushed past her, swallowing the rest of her sentence. Today’s weather was nice, and the Duke wanted to get some sun downstairs.

The sun was shining brightly, and even though it was December, the temperature outside was unseasonably pleasant. Su Bin only wore a thick sweater over his shirt and felt comfortably warm, his body slick with sweat after the sprint.

After a while, he spotted a beautiful, almost surreal scene—a scene that looked like a painting. Allen, sitting in a wheelchair, was in the same garden where Su Bin had set up the candles the night before. With his eyes closed, he was basking in the winter sunlight. His side profile was as flawless as jade, and although he wore heavy clothing, he was wrapped in a thick blanket, his face pale and sunken.

Su Bin, holding his breath, slowed his pace. “Allen…” He lowered his voice, afraid to disturb him, but as he approached, his throat choked with emotion.

Allen had lost a lot of weight. His arms, once strong, now looked frail, and his face was pale, his eyes hollow, his features more sharply defined than before.

Hearing the sound, Allen turned his head slightly, and his gaze immediately fixed on Su Bin. No one knew just how badly he wanted to hold this person in his arms and kiss him gently.

Seeing the tenderness in Allen’s eyes, Su Bin’s own eyes brimmed with tears. He stepped forward and slowly kneeled at Allen’s feet—He’s still here; he’s still alive!

“Don’t leave me!” Su Bin trembled as he wrapped his arms around Allen’s legs, carefully holding his frail body. “I’ll never run away again…”

Allen looked down at him, moving his lips without saying anything.

Seeing Allen’s silence, Su Bin hurriedly took the velvet box out of his pocket, his eyes red, and stammered, “You once said that a ring is a symbol of a lifetime commitment. I want to commit to your life, no matter how long you have left…”

Seeing Allen’s wrist tremble, Su Bin, unable to help himself, grabbed his left hand, not allowing him to pull away. “Please, don’t leave me. Please…”

After a few seconds of silence, Allen finally spoke before Su Bin could worry about being rejected. “Look up.”

Su Bin, who had been the one confessing, was too afraid to look at Allen’s face. He raised his tear-filled eyes, looking so hurt and vulnerable, like someone who had been wronged.

Allen stared at him expressionlessly, but his tone was gentle. “…Say it again.”

Su Bin froze for a second, then instinctively muttered, “I love you. I’ll stay with you forever, no matter what happens… Master.”

During those days when he was alone in L City, Su Bin had thought a lot. Once he accepted the notion of living and dying together, it meant that he would only live until thirty. But if the remaining eight years were filled with happiness and beauty, then even if he only lived until thirty, he would have no regrets.

“If you die, I’ll die with you, but I still want to live a little longer—not alone, but with you. So, can you please try to live for me?”

Allen looked at him, and this time, Su Bin did not say “I’m sorry.”

Every rational piece of advice was overwhelmed by that “irrefutable” confession.

There was no way to refuse, no way to resist—this fool’s love.

Su Bin’s hands trembled as he slid the ring onto Allen’s finger. It seemed a bit too large, but the return window had already passed a month ago, so there was no chance to exchange it. If only he had put it on before Allen got injured, it would have fit perfectly.

“You need to gain some weight…” Su Bin touched Allen’s hand and, laughing and crying at the same time, repeated, “I want to fatten you up, make you healthy again, just like before…”

A smile tugged at the corner of Allen’s mouth, a gesture reminiscent of the first smile he had shown Su Bin three years ago when Su Bin had promised to make him fried eggs. Yet, all of his deep affection was contained in his deep green eyes.

“As you wish.” Allen said, reaching back to grasp Su Bin’s hand tightly, as though holding on to the most important thing in his life.

The transfer to D City was set, just as the caregiver had said. D City had medical equipment that M City didn’t, and after such a severe injury, Allen would need at least a year of recovery and rehabilitation before he could return to full health.

This time, however, Allen no longer rejected Su Bin. He planned to take him along to D City.

When their friends from M City learned of their departure, they came to say their goodbyes once more.

The two of them, having reconciled, seemed even sweeter than before. Su Bin, in particular, no longer cared to hide his affections. He was open about kissing and hugging Allen in front of others, and sweet words spilled from his lips effortlessly… If they were both cats, they would probably be licking each other’s fur right there!

Jin Fei crossed his arms in annoyance, saying, “Hey, you! You were the one who brought Allen to M City, and now you’re abandoning us for D City? How could you do this?!”

Yang Chengzhe chuckled, “Su Bin will still visit us when he has time, right? Besides, it’s only for a year…”

Su Bin, with a serious face, shook his head. “No, I won’t have time. I need to take care of Allen.” — They had so little time left; how could they afford to waste it?

Everyone stared at him in silence.

Su Bin eagerly turned to Jin Fei and the others, “But you guys, the free-loaders, can come visit me in D City! It’s only a two-hour train ride!”

Jin Fei snapped, “Go away!” He had already been tricked once, there was no way he would fall for it again!

Allen, smiling warmly, squeezed Su Bin’s hand, and Su Bin leaned over to plant a kiss on his lips—muah!

Everyone else just stood there, dumbstruck.

“Dammit, I swear I’m going to kill them…” Jin Fei couldn’t help but vent as he took a breather, just as Sun Yujie came over after his class.

“Are Su Bin and Allen in?” Sun Yujie asked.

Jin Fei sighed, “Yeah, they’re there. Better say goodbye now, because in a little while, we probably won’t see them again.”

Sun Yujie smiled and handed Jin Fei an orange from the fruits he brought for Allen. “Here.”

Jin Fei patted his shoulder. “You’re the best. Big Brother didn’t love you for nothing!”

Sun Yujie blushed and glanced at the figure leaning by the elevator. “He bought it.”

Jin Fei followed his gaze and almost choked on his own blood. Damn, Cheng Ang again! Why can’t they just stay out of it?

Cheng Ang looked at him expressionlessly, giving him a slight chin lift. “Hey.”

Jin Fei: “…”

Before long, Qi Xin also arrived. After a year in B Country, he had changed a lot. Although still mischievous, he was no longer as childish as before. He asked Jin Fei for a cigarette and, looking confused, started puffing out smoke. “So, Su Bin and Allen are really in that kind of relationship…”

Jin Fei chuckled. “You just figured that out?”

Qi Xin nodded. “I had some doubts at first, but Chengzhe told me not to guess…”

“Yang Chengzhe?” Jin Fei laughed, “You believe that old fox? He knew from the beginning!”

Qi Xin grumbled as he pinched the cigarette. “Damn it, I got tricked again…”

Jin Fei shook his head. “You’re really too naïve.”

After a while, Qi Xin suddenly asked Jin Fei, “Do two men really do that kind of thing?”

Jin Fei smirked. “Of course, don’t you find it disgusting?”

Qi Xin shook his head and asked, “I’m just curious… Do men with men, like, feel pleasure?”

Jin Fei replied, “Of course, otherwise, how would so many gay men survive? Men are mostly animals driven by their lower halves, feeling physical sensations first and foremost… But I advise you not to try it easily. It’s addictive. If you enjoy it, you’ll slowly lose interest in women.”

Qi Xin was surprised, “Why?”

Jin Fei explained, “It’s like someone who’s used to smoking Marlboros—when they try Red Tower Mountain, it just doesn’t feel right.”

Qi Xin stroked his chin. “Interesting…”

Jin Fei gave him a sidelong glance. “What, are you interested in a man now?”

Qi Xin squinted, grinning mischievously. “Not really interested in him, but more like… want to tease him a little.”

Jin Fei gazed off into the distance, feeling like he had corrupted yet another innocent kid…

As the seasons passed, another year went by.

Allen’s health had recovered, and he resumed his blood disease research work, though Su Bin limited his working hours.

“Boss Su” expanded his restaurant chain across D City within a few short years, making it the largest Chinese restaurant chain in B Country. Su Bin, overwhelmed by the attention, accepted interviews from official media and even participated in alumni speeches at M University.

However, in every interview and speech, he emphasized that the creation and operation of “Boss Su” was a team effort, involving a group of passionate young people. The current success wasn’t his individual achievement.

After these interviews, Su Bin officially stepped down from managing the business, passing the responsibilities to the next generation—the students who had studied abroad.

Most of the time, Su Bin stayed at Roland Manor, where he had plenty of time to care for Allen, accompany him, and prepare medicinal dishes for him.

Allen hired several teachers to help Su Bin learn nursing, piano, and French during his free time.

Occasionally, Su Bin was also responsible for trimming Mua’s nails, not wanting Allen to be scratched by the cat and lose precious years of his life.

Mua, now an old cat, was no longer as lively and spent most of the time lying on a soft cushion, dozing off.

They often invited friends over—some were Su Bin’s acquaintances from B Country, and others were Allen’s aristocratic friends. They would visit Roland Manor, and every time, Su Bin would cook a big feast, and they would gather in the living room to drink, eat, play cards, and chat.

Su Bin found that Allen’s aristocratic friends were surprisingly easy to get along with—they were all food lovers and loved playing Mahjong, though they were terrible at it!

Another year passed. Su Bin and Allen sat in the yard of Roland Manor, basking in the sun, while the elderly Mua, with freshly trimmed nails, lay on Su Bin’s lap.

Allen gently stroked Mua’s chin and said to Su Bin, “Did you hear that B Country passed the same-sex marriage law?”

Su Bin replied, “Ah, no, I didn’t know…”

Allen smiled. “Well, now you do.”

Su Bin suddenly realized and, holding Allen, pouted, “Master, let’s go register for marriage!”

Allen rested his chin on Su Bin’s head, then turned his head to nuzzle him, breathing in his scent, before gently kissing him…

After the kiss, Allen pressed his nose to Su Bin’s, murmuring, “For tomorrow’s breakfast, I want you to make those stir-fried eggs with vinegar.”

Su Bin smiled, “Okay, and I’ll roast some pepper-salted potatoes for you too.”

Allen grinned, “Put more sugar in them.”

—Actually, he had some good news: the treatment plan for hemophilia could now be put into clinical use. But he didn’t want to tell Su Bin yet. He wanted to quietly live with him, waiting for the day they turned 30… every day after that would feel like a gift stolen from God.

Su Bin smiled at Allen. “Okay, everything you want.”

[The End of the Main Story]

After the main story, there are several additional chapters. Here’s an overview of the main ones:

[Extra 1: Parallel World] Allen dies, and a heartbroken Su Bin commits suicide, only to be sent back to the past, back to the day he first arrived in B Country. History repeats itself, but this time, Su Bin decides to chase after the cold and distant Allen from the very beginning. However, Allen, who hates being harassed, thinks Su Bin is crazy… Can the fool Su Bin win Allen’s heart? ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ

[Extra 2] Su Bin and Allen’s Himalayan cat, Mua, swap souls. Will Allen notice? ︿( ̄︶ ̄)︿

[Extra 3] Allen develops a drug that turns Su Bin into a palm-sized version of himself, making Su Bin into Allen’s plaything… ( ⊙..⊙ )

[Extra 4] A secluded vacation is planned again… This time, Allen picks an isolated old castle and sets up multiple terrifying scenarios to scare Su Bin, who’s afraid of ghosts, half to death. In panic, Su Bin can only seek comfort from the vampire Allen~~~ QAQ Allen: Humph, come into my arms and let me bite your neck, little one!

 

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