Chapter 60: Letting Go

Shen Yu didn’t know why he felt so sad.

He really wanted to calm himself down.

But after a few times of struggle, he could not calm down at all.

The oppressive air imperceptibly changed into a gigantic hand, choking Shen Yu’s neck ruthlessly. The suffocation that came with it, deprived him of every little oxygen he has left.

It was so much that he had to open his mouth, resembling a fish that was on its deathbed, breathing painfully.

Somehow, even when he knew that Tang Li liked boys and also had a target of affection, he didn’t find it so hard to accept.

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That time, the cabbage that he had painstakingly grown was hogged by a wild boar [1].

{TN: [1] Shen Yu was implying that the cabbage aka Tang Li will be stolen by another person}

But this time, the cabbage took an initiative to run away.

Correct…

Tang Li chose to leave.

In fact, Shen Yu had expected that there would come such a day, and he was well prepared for the arrival of this day.

However, when it really came to this moment, he felt that the truth was so cruel and it felt unacceptable.

Just when Shen Yu thought Tang Li wouldn’t answer him, he suddenly heard the other side slowly say, “About a year ago, Tang Ming from the Tang family came to me. He said my grandfather was in critical condition. He hopes that I visit grandfather before the falling leaf returns to the roots [2].”

{TN: [2] 落叶归根/luòyèguīgēn is an idiom a fig. all things go back to their source eventually / in old age, an expatriate returns home. He probably mean grandpa will die eventually}

Finally, he added, “Two days ago, Tang Ming took me away from Grandpa Shen.”

Hearing this, Shen Yu was stunned.

A sick face showing the vicissitudes of life gradually emerged in his blank mind——in Shen Yu’s impression, Tang Li’s grandfather was always sick and skinny, almost unable to see his normal appearance.

Before Tang Li first came to the Shen family’s home, Shen Yu met Tang Li’s grandfather several times for his custody. Later, he requested Uncle Zhang to find a sanatorium for Tang Li’s grandfather and gave Tang Li’s relatives a sum of money. Then, he didn’t pay attention to this matter again.

If it wasn’t for Tang Li who mentioned it all of a sudden, Shen Yu would have forgotten the old man who was one foot from his grave.

And Tang Ming…

A very familiar name.

Shen Yu recalled before, he accompanied Tang Li to the English competition in Jincheng five years ago. He came across Tang Ming who was waiting for his cousin, Tang Wenjing, outside the library.

Based on his calculations, if he went according to the original plot line, now was a crucial time for Tang Li to return to the Tang family.

For a moment, a deep sense of powerlessness swept over Shen Yu.

After a while, Shen Yu once again picked up the hair dryer with his hand, and continued to dry Tang Li’s still wet hair.

It’s been blowing like this for nearly an hour.

Then, Shen Yu got out of bed, stumbled into the bathroom and returned it back to the cabinet.

He faced the mirror, his hands propped up in front of the sink. He motionlessly looked at the mirror. He looked pale, there wasn’t a hint of colour on his face. His complexion was so unsightly that he could not squeeze out a fake smile.

Since Tang Li wanted to go, then he will let him go.

Eventually, children grow up and their own way of thinking is to be considered.

Moreover, his initial purpose for taking Tang Li was not to keep him with him all his life. As long as Tang Li didn’t hate or detest him as he did in the original text, his plan has been accomplished.

Shen Yu constantly consoled himself, but he did not feel any better.

In the end, he gave up.

He walked out of the bathroom with a gloomy expression.

Tang Li remained seated on the bedside; there was not even any movement. He observed Shen Yu’s expression anxiously like a child who made a mistake.

Upon seeing this, Shen Yu couldn’t help but wanted to laugh. In fact, he actually laughed. Soon after, he supported himself with the back of the sofa and finally sat on it.

He beckoned Tang Li and said, “come here.”

Hearing this, Tang Li immediately got up and moved to the opposite of Shen Yu to sit down.

Shen Yu seized up Tang Li without batting an eyelash. He discovered that Tang Li’s appearance had always looked as he had remembered. His eyebrows, eyes and quiet look were the same as Tang Li five years ago.

However, circumstances had changed. They had no choice but to change.

“Have you made up your mind?”

“It’s decided.” Tang Li seems to know what Shen Yu wanted to ask. He answered it without pause, “I will be back to pack my luggage in two days’ time. If it’s inconvenient for you all, I can also acquire my stuff again.”

Shen Yu sighed while smiling, “The Shen family’s house is your second home. It’s convenient for you no matter when you come back.”

Tang Li did not speak. He silently watched Shen Yu attentively.

Shen Yu had a reluctant smile on his face. Tang Li’s blunt gaze made him uncomfortable. Hence, he turned away to avoid the other’s eyes.

Smile…smile.

He couldn’t smile at all.

His eyes and tip of the nose felt sour and astringent. His heart was letting out a stream of air that will rush up to the throat at any moment.

Only God knows how hard he had to make himself look so calm and collected.

At this time, Tang Li suddenly came closer to him. Subsequently, a pair of strong hands gently embraced Shen Yu.

“I assure you…” Tang Li’s low voice sounded in the ear, similar to some kind of irresistible magic, “This is not the end. This is the beginning.”

Shen Yu blinked. He didn’t understand the meaning of Tang Li’s words.

Obviously, Tang Li didn’t need him to understand. He rubbed Shen Yu’s head and touched his hair gently,”I will come back to you. I never intended to leave.”

Deep down, Shen Yu understood him. He chuckled then he sighed,”I never thought of tying you by my side.”

Although he was very sad, it was good for him to wait and figure it out.

He will only try to persuade himself and accept reality. He will not force Tang Li to stay.

Tang Li lowered his eyes and without saying anything, he held Shen Yu’s hand. His hand gradually tightened on his.

Shen Yu didn’t struggle and allowed Tang Li to hold him. After being held for more than ten minutes, he placed his hands on Tang Li’s chest and gently pushed him away.

“Who is Zhou Che exactly?” Shen Yu asked, “He said he is your colleague.”

Tang Li hummed, “I was helping him in the company, just like a colleague.”

Shen Yu was stunned for a moment, “When did that happen?” he asked.

Tang Li sensed that Shen Yu was not happy. He touched his nose again and again. Despite his heart being very anxious, he still told him the truth, “After graduating from third year of middle school.”

Shen Yu, “…”

He only found out that whether it was the Tang family who came knocking at the door or Tang Li and Zhou Che were acquaintances, in those matters, he was not included. He didn’t even know a bit of this inside story.

In Tang Li’s world, he was a complete stranger. He was not even qualified to take part in it.

Perhaps, the only thing he knew was that Tang Li liked boys.

Shen Yu thought he would be deeply hurt for quite a time. However, he didn’t feel anything at this very moment. He was so numb that he could even show Tang Li a smile that evolved from his heart.

“It’s late. Go to sleep.” Shen Yu stood up. He thought about it again and said, “There is only one bed in this room. I’ll go look for another room.”

Tang Li hurriedly got up to follow him, “You are already here. I will go to other rooms.”

Shen Yu raised up his head and shrugged, “Alright.”

“I’ll be leaving then. If something matters, you can call me.” Tang Li said.

Shen Yu nodded. He suddenly had no will to talk.

He helplessly watched Tang Li take a step and leave the room. Before closing the door, he suddenly noticed from the corner of his eye that there were two pink objects falling from the sofa.

That’s where Tang Li sat.

“Chestnut!” Shen Yu hurriedly shouted.

Tang Li had already put on a good show earlier, then he was called back by Shen Yu. Hearing Shen Yu’s shouted voice, his two eyes shone and his suppressed emotion was replaced by joy in an instant.

Before Shen Yu could say the following words, Tang Li stopped his pace, went back to the room and slammed the door.

“I’ll just sleep on the sofa.” Both Tang Li’s eyes were bright. He took an initiative to say, “Let the attendant bring the bedding and pillow later.”

Shen Yu was stupefied, “Eh?”

Tang Li soon realized that something was wrong. For a moment, He was confused, “What’s the matter?”

“Aren’t you going to sleep in another room?” Shen Yu asked.

Tang Li was silent for a while. Only then, he weakly spoke,”But you have called me back…”

“That’s because something of yours has fallen.” Shen Yu raised his hand. The two pink squared were sandwiched between his index finger and the middle finger was shining in the light. If he looked carefully, he could see the plastic cover sprinkled with gold powder.

Tang Li was at loss. He stepped forward and snatched it from Shen Yu’s hand.

In the next second, he suddenly remembered that this was what Zhou Che forced into his pocket before he left.

Maybe it fell down when he sat on the sofa earlier.

Tang Li looked at what was on his hand and raised his head to ask Shen Yu, “What is this?”

“…” Shen Yu’s mouth twitched a bit. He didn’t answer the question, “Where did you get it from?”

“Zhou Che gave it.” Tang Li said.

Shen Yu looked at Tang Li’s expression suspiciously. He found that Tang Li really didn’t know what the object was in his hand. He suddenly felt speechless.

At the same time, he also recalled——Although he and all of his teachers had taught Tang Li numerous things, they never explained that aspect to Tang Li.

After thinking about it, Shen Yu sighed, “You, open it up and have a look.”

Tang Li didn’t doubt him. He tried to tear up one of the pink squares and opened it. Just as he was preparing to move, he was instantly aware of something. His body froze.

Shen Yu was enjoying the bustling scene and folded his arms. He turned around to sit on the sofa. He was calm and unruffled in the midst of chaos [3] and looked at Tang Li’s face that became red in an instant.

{TN: [3] 好整以暇/hàozhěngyǐxiá is an idiom means to take it easy}

He jokingly asked him, “Do you know what it is now?”

It was rare for Tang Li to show his wits’ end expression. He still had those two pink squares in his hand. For a moment he thought, to keep holding them was wrong, to throw them away was also wrong and he could only stand in the same place.

“I-I’m just…” Tang Li’s face was red like a monkey’s butt. He suddenly stammered, “I really don’t know what it was just now. It’s mainly because the package is so strange. I’ve never seen such a fancy package before.”

Shen Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “It’s just because you haven’t seen it before. In fact, there are more bizarre packages.”

Tang Li sighed and threw it into the trash can.

“Then I’ll go now.”

“Go on.”

Shen Yu was sitting on the sofa and didn’t move. He watched Tang Li walk towards the door without blinking. For a moment, he didn’t know whether there was something in his brain and unexpectedly asked, “By the way, you said Zhou Che bought it for you. Who are you going to use it with?”

In a split second, Tang Li was stunned.

Shen Yu continued to ask, “With the person you like?”