Chapter 80 Blank Space

Shen Zhi was still in the emergency room.

When Feng Ran rushed over with a strong smell of alcohol, he was hit by Shen Yuan's fist.

He cursed dirty words, saying that Feng Ran and He Chuan had an affair, and that they had been hanging out together for a night without knowing why, while his brother was cleaning up the mess at Feng Ran's house.

Feng Ran didn't understand where this frame-up came from, and before he could even explain, Shen Yuan slapped him. He was very angry and stretched out his hand to hit back.

The two of them fought fiercely.

However, Shen Yuan was at a disadvantage and soon lay on the ground unable to get up. Feng Ran stopped while he was ahead, and Shen Yuan's eyes were still bloodshot and staring at him.

Family members and patients who came to watch the excitement had already surrounded them. Doctors, nurses and security personnel struggled to squeeze in, surrounded them and criticized them harshly.

Shen Yuan's lips were broken and his face was bruised. He stared at Feng Ran. Feng Ran had an injury at the corner of his eye and looked helpless. He Chuan apologized profusely.

The farce was finally over.

Shen Yuan stormed off, and Feng Ran tugged at He Chuan, saying, "Go ask."

He Chuan returned shortly after, finally learning the entire story.

Shen Zhi had previously found some work for Liu Mang, asking him not to bother Feng Ran again. But a few days ago, he returned, his rascally nature intact, threatening to cut off one of Feng Ran's arms or legs.

Shen Zhi had no choice but to go and take care of the situation. No one knew what happened, as Liu Mang had vanished without a trace, and Shen Zhi lay bloodied in the countryside.

When Shen Yuan arrived, he was still breathing.

He Chuan recounted the story, saying that Shen Yuan had left one sentence: "Let Feng Ran handle it; he'll never forgive him.

" Feng Ran's chest was filled with turmoil. In just two days, everything had changed. He should have paid attention when Ren He reminded him; he should have asked when Shen Zhi left without saying goodbye... Shen Yuan's fists left a trace; everything was his fault, his negligence.

He Chuan held his shoulders tightly and said nothing.

This was not the first time he had waited for Chen Zhi outside the emergency room, but it was the longest and most difficult time. Every second of time was infinitely slowed down, and endless pain and guilt pierced his heart, making him feel numb.

He remembered the day when the verdict came out, and he felt exactly the same as today. What he was about to face was the eternal despair under the high wall.

Once you step into it, nothing can be changed.

Chen Zhi, Shen Zhi. He remembered their first meeting, at the door of the restaurant, Chen Zhi smiled at him, like a spring breeze.

How could he have predicted today, how could he understand that Chen Zhi was willing to pay this much for him. They had been entangled for too long before, and he didn't know how to deal with this messy and complicated relationship. In the past, his relationship with everyone was linear, and it could be cut off with a knife.

Chen Zhi, like a special bug in his life, he was helpless.

Now in front of the door of the emergency room, he understood everything. During these days of separation, he was so worried about the person inside. Why did he pretend not to care? Why did he keep making excuses in his heart?

He Chuan suddenly said, "You should think about what you will do next."

"I'm going to call the police."

"Besides, what do you want to say to Shen Zhi?"

"I..." Feng Ran's voice was hoarse and he couldn't answer. He stood up with the help of the wall and walked to the end of the stairs.

He Chuan watched him and saw him slowly squat down, like a sculpture in the deserted corner.

The piece of sunlight slowly left, and his shoulders twitched, but no sound was heard.

He Chuan had known him for more than ten years and had never seen him like this. He Chuan buried his face in his palms, unable to tell whether it was regret, hatred or heartache.

After an unknown amount of time, the door of the emergency room opened and the doctor said that Shen Zhi was not awake yet and had to be transferred to the general ward first. He Chuan came back after paying the bill, but Feng Ran was not at the stairs. When he returned to the ward, there was that familiar figure inside.

He did not move, facing the person on the hospital bed.

He Chuan closed the door for them and left quietly.

Feng Ran stared at Chen Zhi's tightly wrapped right hand, his heart aching.

The doctor said that Shen Zhi had various injuries all over his body. Besides a minor concussion and some skin injuries, the most serious one was on his right hand.

After he fell into a coma, his hand suffered a sharp object injury, completely severing the tendon. He also suffered varying degrees of damage to the nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments. Restoring it to its original state would be nearly impossible. Further treatment would require travel to a specialized hospital in another city.

Of course, the most important thing was the long period of recuperation and physical therapy.

This would require countless hours, allowing the delicate structure of the human body to gradually repair itself.

— Almost impossible.

The word "doctor" struck Feng Ran like a hammer, nearly knocking him off his feet.

Shen Zhi's hand was the one he used most for painting, and that was his right hand. Liu Mang must have seen this.

He knew that destroying Shen Zhi's hand would be more painful than killing him.

The more Feng Ran imagined the details, the more heartbroken he became. He would rather bear the consequences himself.

He sat by the bed, waiting. He wanted to be the first one to see Shen Zhi when he opened his eyes.

The door was thrown open, and Shen Yuan rushed in, saying sternly, "The police want to take your statement."

Feng Ran: "I can't leave."

"What are you pretending to be? Where were you yesterday? Now that he's fine, you're pretending to care?" Shen Yuan's words were pearls of wisdom. "Hypocritical. Disgusting."

Feng Ran turned and looked at him: "Get out."

Shen Yuan was deeply stung by his condescending attitude. He wasn't as afraid of Feng Ran as he used to be. He had the confidence and the support, while Feng Ran was just a playboy who flirted with women everywhere, and only Shen Zhi treated him like a treasure.

"Why? You should be the one to leave! Who do

you think you are—" "Don't think I don't know the dirty thoughts in your heart. If it weren't for the relationship you and he have had since childhood, for over twenty years, do you think I would have kept you until today?"

These three words were like thunder from a bolt from the blue, and Shen Yuan's face turned pale.

"...You, you..." He knew that his thoughts would eventually have nowhere to hide, yet Feng Ran had exposed them like this.

Feng Ran sneered: "I won't tell Shen Zhi, and I'm too lazy to instigate you. But if you hinder me again, I can only be rude to you. I will go to the police, but I will wait until Shen Zhi wakes up."

Shen Yuan was speechless and stood aside. It was a world of difference from his arrogant look just now.

Feng Ran turned his head away: "You can go. I will notify you when he wakes up."

It was evening when Shen Zhi opened his eyes.

Feng Ran did nothing all afternoon. In the meantime, He Chuan ordered takeout for him. The food was cold and the packaging was not opened.

He immediately noticed when Shen Zhi moved, leaned over and said, "Are you awake? Are you thirsty? Hungry? Where do you feel uncomfortable?" Shen

Zhi's face was pale, and he squeezed out a word after a while: "...It hurts."

Feng Ran was at a loss: "Where does it hurt? It hurts. Turn on the pain pump again. No, wait, I'll ask the doctor what medicine I can take. Painkillers."

He stood up and turned to leave, but Shen Zhi called his name and he stopped.

"Wait, what... happened to me." Shen Zhi frowned slightly, very confused, "My hand, probably from... the elbow down, why... can't I feel it?"

Feng Ran's head was rumbling, and his feet felt like they weighed a thousand pounds. The doctor said that Shen Zhi's hand should have been injured after he fell into a coma, so he probably didn't know what cruel things Liu Mang and his group had done.

Feng Ran said heavily: "Shen Zhi, listen to me--"

Before he finished speaking, Shen Zhi looked straight at him, tears suddenly fell from his eyes, and his body trembled uncontrollably. He understood it all at once, and didn't need Feng Ran to explain. When he saw Feng Ran's expression, he remembered what Liu Mang said before he fell into a coma...

He said he would destroy everything he had, and he wanted him to taste the feeling of losing something important.

He did it.

Feng Ran watched him weep silently, half-kneeling at the head of his bed, choking back sobs. "I'm sorry, Chen Zhi, I'm sorry... It's all because of me. He Chuan and I went to pay our respects to his grandfather, and I shouldn't have gone... I'm sorry... How could you be so stupid? Why didn't you tell me earlier? I've been dealing with them for years, I have experience. How could you handle this alone?"

Shen Zhi remained silent. Feng Ran continued, "I'll definitely heal your hand. I'll also send that group of people to jail. Don't worry, I'll find the best doctors. You have to trust me."

"Feng Ran, can I be alone?" Shen Zhi said, his voice hoarse.

Feng Ran felt as if a ball of cotton was choking his throat.

Shen Zhi was trying to get him to leave.

His heart was broken. He said, "Please don't get me to leave, okay?"

Shen Zhi stared blankly at the ceiling, his cracked lips moving slightly, his thoughts unclear. After a moment, he spoke incoherently, "My painting. I have another one."

He had an unfinished painting. It was about Feng Ran, the one he was going to give him as a birthday present.

But Feng Ran was unaware of this and hurriedly said, "It's okay. I'll finish it with you when I'm done. It's okay if you take your time."

Impossible.

Shen Zhi's eyes dimmed. At least for Feng Ran's birthday, he couldn't give him this gift.

But Feng Ran looked at him worriedly, so he had to change the subject: "For all those years... have they treated you like this?"

Feng Ran was puzzled by his sudden question, and continued, "They still needed me to make money to pay back the debt. At most, they broke my bones."

"Did it hurt?"

"No—no, I don't remember."

"Who did you tell about all this back then? The pain and suffering."

"No one."

Shen Zhi remained silent for a long time.

Feng Ran, fearing he might be imagining things, added, "If you want to hear it, I'll tell you everything. No one wanted to listen in the past. For all these years, I was the only one who knew."

Shen Zhi said slowly, "I've taken care of it for you. From now on, you don't have to worry about him harassing Qingqing, harassing you..."

Feng Ran's heart melted. He was always eloquent, but now he didn't know what to do or say to repay this unconditional favor.

However, Shen Zhi's next sentence was: "I want to... stay alone for a while. Feng Ran, let me stay alone, just for one night."

His soft plea was equivalent to a silent rejection.

Feng Ran left the ward as if his soul had been taken away.

He stood at the door for a long time.

A door separates two worlds.

Not long after, he heard suppressed sobbing in the room. He leaned against the cold wall, his cheeks unconsciously wet, wetting a part of his clothes.

Not surprisingly, Liu Mang's verdict will come out soon, because he is no longer a first-time offender and has no intention of repenting. The lawyer said that he will most likely receive a life sentence.

After leaving the court, Feng Ran went to Shen Yuan's house first.

Shen Yuan reluctantly took out the painting. The background of the picture is a dreamy and clear blue and pink, surrounded by unclear outlines of squares. Only the center seems to have not yet decided how to paint it, leaving a small blank space.

Feng Ran named this unfinished work "Blank Space" on the slap of his head. He had selfish motives and wanted Shen Zhi to give it to him.

Perhaps, in the eyes of Shen Zhi and others, this is just a rough draft.

Perhaps Shen Zhi doesn't want to see this painting again.

However, to him, it is a priceless treasure.

He didn't tell Shen Zhi and secretly hid it in the trunk.

Shen Zhi was discharged from the hospital and asked to go home for a few days. After contacting the doctor, they would leave.

Feng Ran came to He Chuan's house to pick up his things, but the house was empty, with only the luggage he had packed before.

He called He Chuan.

"Why didn't you tell me you were leaving? Are you going back to your hometown?"

"I'm with Chu Ming."

"Okay." Feng Ran felt relieved. There was some noise on the other end of the phone, and Chu Ming's dissatisfied voice came over, asking why the cat didn't eat canned food. Shen Zhi was also looking at the stairs, so he said goodbye.

He Chuan also said goodbye, and neither of them ended the call. Feng

Ran said again: "I wish you all the best. Hang up."

He Chuan hung up.

Perhaps the fate of people is like this, meeting and separation, cause and effect, there is no need to say it clearly.

The weather in his hometown wasn't as warm as Jiang City. The temperature dropped instantly, and autumn was nowhere to be seen. A light snow fell in late October, and the city switched on heating.

Chen Zhi rarely went out because it was too cold.

Fearing he'd get suffocated and cold, Feng Ran bought him seasonal clothing: a down jacket, scarf, hat, gloves, cotton pants, boots—everything, wrapping him up like a dumpling before he went out.

Chen Zhi was already quite familiar with the city, and he went for walks every day, feeling very comfortable.

One day, he suddenly noticed something and asked, "Why are you wearing so little?"

Feng Ran was wearing only a turtleneck sweater and a windbreaker, a thin scarf draped casually, revealing a large patch of white at the base of his neck, and his ears were red from the wind.

He smiled and said, "I'm used to it. When I was young, I only wore long johns in -20 degrees Celsius. Now I'm old."

"Why do you wear so little?"

Feng Ran said, a little embarrassed. "It's because I look good. But don't try to imitate me. You look good in anything."

The days that followed were a weekly visit to the hospital's rehabilitation department. Feng Ran seldom went to the Internet cafe anymore. He spent most of his time with Shen Zhi and followed the doctor's orders to do rehabilitation training at home.

He also bought some Chinese medicine to boil, and there was often a bitter smell in the house.

After a while, there were still many parts of his palms that had no sensation and could not move normally.

Feng Ran repeated the heartache and guilt every day. He said that he had never felt so uncomfortable during the years when he paid back the money. Fortunately, Shen Zhi was still calm. Because the injury to his left hand was minor, he even started practicing holding a pen with his left hand.

The painting he wanted to give to Feng Ran could not be completed on time. He secretly called Shen Yuan, but the other party did not seem to want to hand over the painting.

"You should have a good rest now that you are in this state. You won't lose it

if you leave it with me." Shen Yuan said. "Send it to me. I want to see it again."

Shen Yuan thought to himself, what should I send you, air?

"Okay, I'll look for it when I get home." He said with a stiff upper lip.

After Shen Yuan told Feng Ran about this, Feng Ran went straight home and persuaded Shen Zhi to paint a new one.

Starting from scratch, no longer having to dwell on past works and replay those painful memories. Perhaps it would be a good idea. Shen Zhi was forced to accept.

On December 20th, Feng Ran contacted a renowned doctor in Beijing and drove there with Shen Zhi.

Each repair was a huge drain on their wallets. Fortunately, Shen Yuan was there to help with the financial matters.

He remained sullen to Feng Ran, often saying stubbornly when transferring money, "I'm not doing this for you, I'm doing this for him. I want him to get better quickly. When he's fully healed, don't even think of asking me for a penny. If you want him to live comfortably, go earn it yourself." "Okay, okay,

" Feng Ran said nonchalantly.

This time, the doctor performed a minor surgery, and after two weeks in the hospital, it seemed to be working. His fingers could finally be extended.

The next surgery was expected in three months. Do your best, leave the rest to fate—the doctor told them.

It's in our hands, Feng Ran thought. In the hard times of the past, he never went to the temple to worship, but this time, he made a special trip to the Lama Temple. It

was a winter afternoon, the sky was clear and blue, without a single cloud, and the snow had not yet melted. The merit box and the incense table were filled with devout men and women.

When he and Shen Zhi were offering incense sticks, Shen Zhi said, "If you had to exchange something for a wish, what would you want?"

Feng Ran half-jokingly said, "I'd exchange it for my romantic luck for the rest of my life. I don't need it anyway."

"Really? What about me?"

"You," Feng Ran thought carefully, "you're not a romantic luck, you're an accident, a particularly beautiful accident. In the future, it will be a lover, or a family member."

"Not a sex partner, an ex-boyfriend, or a brother with no relatives?"

Feng Ran said helplessly, "You're so talkative. I was just being stupid back then. I love you the most, how could I bear to give you up."

Shen Zhi was very pleased and quietly pulled his hand in his sleeve.

However, when he clasped his hands together and knelt in the hall, what he thought in his heart was that as long as Shen Zhi was safe and sound, he would have nothing else to ask for.

When he opened his eyes, Shen Zhi was not by his side. His heart tightened slightly, and he looked around. He saw Shen Zhi standing not far away. He had made a wish to make room for the believers behind him.

Red walls and white snow, a sense of connection. Shen Zhi turned his head in the corridor and looked at him with a smile.

The tenderness in his eyes and eyebrows was like the spring breeze. This smile could really make up for all the pain and sorrow he had endured in the past 28 years. Why bother about three years of entanglement? As long as he could look at him like this, then everything he had endured would be worth it.

To love someone, you should put aside all thoughts and move forward.

At that moment, Feng Ran's heart was surging, and joy surged like a tide.

Although it was winter, his body did not feel the cold. Amid the noisy voices, he crossed all obstacles, ran to the man's eyes, and kissed his lips in his surprised sight.

They took some time to have a meal with Feng Qing.

Feng Qing brought her girlfriend along, and when he introduced her to the two of them, Feng Ran's face turned green.

But Chen Zhi couldn't stop laughing. Feng Ran asked, "You knew all along?! We kept it a secret from me?"

Feng Qing replied, "No! I haven't told anyone."

Chen Zhi replied, "I just guessed."

Feng Ran was displeased, but couldn't get angry. "When did that happen?"

Feng Qing replied confidently, "We were college classmates. You've met."

Feng Ran looked at the other shy girl and seemed to recall a woman with glasses and a long ponytail who had come to their house for dinner and stayed for a few days.

So, it was he who was slow to react.

Feng Ran couldn't say anything else; after all, he hadn't taken the lead in their relationship.

After parting with the girls, Feng Ran sighed, "I never expected it. When did you guess it? How come I hadn't noticed anything?"

Chen Zhi replied, "A long time ago. It was just a guess, I never verified it."

A friend from his hometown had found Shen Zhi a job at a private elementary school in the city that needed an art teacher. It was a leisurely job.

Feng Ran went home and asked Chen Zhi: "Do you want to go? Or if you have other ideas, such as opening your own studio or not wanting to do anything and just resting at home, I support you."

Shen Zhi said he could give it a try.

When Shen Yuan found out about this, he was very dissatisfied, saying that with Shen Zhi's talent, how could he teach elementary school students.

But Shen Zhi thought it was okay. His hand was still in the recovery period and he couldn't do other work. He could teach the kids to color and get paid. Why not? At

the end of January this year, it was Feng Ran's birthday.

The school was on winter vacation these days, and Shen Zhi accompanied Feng Ran to visit Internet cafes. His friends were no longer surprised by this. The only impact was that they could no longer smoke everywhere. Feng Ran specially set up a smoking area, and he himself had already started to quit smoking.

In the evening, Shen Zhi rarely suggested going to a bar together. Feng Ran was very happy. He hadn't been to a bar since Shen Zhi was discharged from the hospital this time.

When he pushed the door open, he could hardly believe his eyes.

——Balloons of all colors, flowers covering the sky, roses, hydrangeas, lilies, irises, and many others that Feng Ran couldn’t name, and a cake that towered over the table. He had never seen such a big cake in his life.

Several of his familiar friends were there, including Ren He and his sister.

But Chen Zhi suddenly disappeared. He called out to him, but Ren He pulled him over: "You’re finally here! We set up everything early, what were you dawdling about in the internet cafe?"

Feng Ran said: "What are you guys singing?"

Ren He smiled and patted him, then climbed the stairs: "I’m not singing today. I’m the guitarist and harmony vocalist. Are you ready, main vocalist and sound engineer?"

Feng Qing cheered from the side: "Brother Chen Zhi, come on! Come on! Brother Shen Zhi sings beautifully, he asked me to practice with him before."

Happiness came too suddenly, everything was so unreal, his mind was in a mess, Feng Ran was confused and surprised, watching the lights on the stage turn on like daylight, and Shen Zhi shone brightly.

The prelude sounded, and Chen Zhi held the microphone and started singing.

His voice was full of youthful magnetism, and he stared at Feng Ran intently, and Feng Ran was instantly struck. His body was warm, even his hair felt comfortable, as if he was drowning in a warm river.

"Silent night, silent wind,

lonely time, lonely heart,

I love you, I have said it thousands of times,

without your response, I pray to the sky:

please dance for me,

please bloom for me,

make this eternal promise,

I love you,

when you miss me, when you are boiling,

when you never let go day and night,

chewing this pain like sweetness,

don't doubt that you have fallen in love with my soul.

Don't doubt that you have fallen in love with my soul."

Shen Zhi, surrounded by the crowd on the stage, was so dazzling and charming. His temperament, voice, and the song and atmosphere were completely integrated. Everyone's eyes were focused on him, and he only looked at Feng Ran.

He was still relatively new to stage performances and had a few hiccups, but Ren He saved the day perfectly. Feng Ran, however, had no time to pay attention to these details; everything before him was a massive shock. His face flushed, and he looked drunk even though he hadn't drunk any alcohol.

Until Chen Zhi came off the stage, applause and cheers rang out, he was still staring at him infatuatedly, Shen Zhi's cheeks flushed, and he said in a voice that only he could hear: "Feng Ran, happy birthday."

"Chen Zhi!" Feng Ran suddenly rushed over and hugged him, not caring that his sister was still standing aside. The force was so great that Shen Zhi's entire center of gravity fell into his arms, and the two of them hugged each other like a swaying ball, "Thank you, thank you. This is... the first time, someone celebrated my birthday. You sing so beautifully, I have never heard such a beautiful song."

Ren He knocked on the drum twice, grabbed the microphone and laughed, "He is so happy that he is dizzy. Everyone should eat and drink, and the bill is all put on Feng Ran. We are all friends, so don't be polite today."

Feng Qing wanted to play the guitar, so Ren He adjusted the microphone, plucked the guitar strings, and the two played a song on the stage.

Chen Zhi took Feng Ran to sit in front of the cake and said, "Make a wish."

Feng Ran blurted out, "I hope you are healthy and safe, and I hope everything is fine for us. I hope every day in the future you will be as happy as I am now."

Chen Zhi smiled and said, "Don't make a wish to me, make a wish to the cake. Close your eyes, make a silent wish in your heart, and then blow out the candles."

Feng Ran did as he was told, and after blowing out the candles, he said, "This cake is..."

The cake has three layers, from top to bottom in light blue, light green and white. Each layer is decorated with chocolate butterflies of different sizes, and on the top is a little boy sitting in the cockpit, wearing sunglasses, looking very high-spirited.

"I designed it." Chen Zhi said.

"...No, Shen Zhi, how can you be so awesome? How can you do everything so well? I really, really like it."

It turns out that when you are extremely happy, you will really be incoherent and really shed tears.

Chen Zhi's smile faded, and he gently stroked his cheek. "What's wrong? Are you remembering something unpleasant?"

"No," Feng Ran whispered, rubbing his face against his palm. "Right now, I really want to be with you, just the two of us." Chen

Zhi joked, "Don't you love crowds?"

"Right now, I just want to be with you."

He wanted to escape all the noise, to be beneath the Milky Way, beside a lake, at the foot of a mountain, by the sea, at the end of the world, somewhere beautiful to be with Shen Zhi. He wanted to tell Shen Zhi how grateful he was for that song, for that big cake. He also wanted to hear Shen Zhi say he loved him, perhaps a thousand times, ten thousand times, and it wouldn't be enough.

Shen Zhi's expression shifted slightly. "We'll leave quietly later."

The other friends played cards and some came over to drink with Feng Ran, complimenting him on his singing.

Shen Zhi fetched a few bottles, swirled the glass, and poured Feng Ran a special drink.

It was sweet, just like his mood. Feng Ran drank it all in one gulp.

As the cake was sliced, playful friends smeared cream on each other, a fierce battle ensued. Others called their younger siblings over, but Ren He let them all go, and for a moment, the situation was out of control.

Feng Ran seized the opportunity and dragged Shen Zhi out through the crowd. They didn't say goodbye to anyone, and no one was aware of their sudden departure.

Shen Zhi was still considering whether leaving early would be impolite when Feng Ran opened the trunk and said, "Chen Zhi, I need a gift." Shen Zhi

's eyes flashed with surprise, and he smiled and said, "Okay, tell me."

Feng Ran went to get the painting, but found it missing. Puzzled, Shen Zhi said, "Well... I accidentally found it one day when I was cleaning the trunk of my car."

"...and then?"

"So you liked it. I called Shen Yuan, and he finally admitted that you took it," Shen Zhi said. "Thank you, Feng Ran... This painting was meant for you."

Back home, Shen Zhi retrieved the painting from the bottom of the closet. He had already framed it, but he felt a little embarrassed to show Feng Ran the unfinished painting.

"This is... the alley behind your high school, with a grocery store, a stationery store, and a bun shop. The school gate is here. The part in the middle that I didn't have time to draw is you here, and me here." He introduced his ideas one by one, "It's... you at sixteen, me at thirteen." "

Me at sixteen..." Feng Ran couldn't help but imagine as he spoke, "If I could really meet you at sixteen, how great it would be."

"It's a pity you didn't finish it."

"We can finish it." Feng Ran took his hand, "Chen Zhi, I actually named this work without your permission. It's called Blank Space."

"What a nice name."

Feng Ran said helplessly, "You're just praising me. I don't know how to name things."

Chen Zhi smiled and said, "I really think it's very good."

Feng Ran felt his eyes moisten again. It seemed that always being with Shen Zhi made his tears flow lower.

Shen Zhi cupped his cheeks and kissed him softly. They clung to each other like they had for countless nights, hugging each other and falling asleep.

This was the first day of Feng Ran's twenty-ninth birthday. He had never been more certain than at this moment that he loved Chen Zhi as deeply as ever, and Chen Zhi loved him just as much, and that would never change.

As I cling to you day and night,

chewing this pain with such sweetness,

don't doubt it, I've fallen in love with your soul.

(End of article)