EAY Chapter 50

Transgression

Transgression

50

Shi Ran’s heart was pounding. Qi Ye’s beautiful eyes reflected his image. He was nervous and at a loss, vaguely understanding something, yet afraid to confirm it.

Was it what he thought it was?

Perhaps, otherwise, why would Qi Ye be so good to him? Guiding his studies in high school, taking care of his life in university, meticulously and patiently. Would a mere good friend go to such lengths?

Shi Ran had always lived with his grandfather. Although his grandfather loved him, he was inevitably rough around the edges in life, which led to Shi Ran’s personality being the same. He rarely took the time to examine his own heart. No one had ever told him what it was like to like someone, or where the line between friendship and love lay.

He had told himself countless times that Qi Ye was just a genuinely good person, that’s why he was so nice to him. But tonight, at this very moment, another answer was almost on the verge of bursting out.

Shi Ran slowly reached out his hand, preparing to confirm further. However, a cough suddenly came from the ward. The sound immediately pulled him back to his senses, causing him to quickly put away his dreamy thoughts and turn to walk inside.

Qi Ye relaxed, exhaling softly, unsure whether he felt more relieved or disappointed.

Grandpa Shi was awake. His expression revealed that he knew he had made a mistake. He smiled ingratiatingly at Shi Ran, “Did I scare you?”

Shi Ran, magnanimous, didn’t hold it against him, sighing, “Luckily, we don’t have to spend the New Year in the hospital this year.”

Grandpa Shi said, “I’m perfectly fine. I can get out of bed and walk right now. I feel like I’m completely fine, I—”

Qi Ye and Shi Ran stopped him in unison. Shi Ran glared at him, “You stay put and don’t move!”

Qi Ye added, “Yes, Grandpa, the doctor said you need to be observed for one more night. You can only go back tomorrow. Please rest well first.”

“Xiao Qi, ah, thank you for your hard work. Why did you come along too?” Grandpa Shi said with a smile, “Shi Ran must have been scared, so he called you over.”

As expected, a grandfather knows his grandson well.

Shi Ran felt a little embarrassed and quickly changed the subject, “Are you hungry? I’ll order something to eat.”

Grandpa Shi shook his head, “I’m not hungry. I ate little tonight. You guys go eat. Don’t worry about me. I’ll rest for a while.”

Shi Ran bent down to tuck him in, then followed Qi Ye out. They were in a triple room, one bed was empty, and another was completely curtained off, so you couldn’t see inside. The occupant probably didn’t want to be disturbed.

Once outside, before Qi Ye could speak, Shi Ran immediately said, “I just remembered, how much were the fees you paid just now? I’ll transfer it to you.”

Qi Ye shook his head, “That’s not urgent. Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?”

Such a gentle tone made his eyes sting. Shi Ran stubbornly lowered his head, “I’m not hungry. Just tell me quickly.”

“How about we calculate it together after Grandpa is discharged?”

“No, I’ll pay for what comes after.” Shi Ran said, reaching for his phone.

Qi Ye had no choice but to send him the payment interface.

After transferring the money, Shi Ran urged him to leave, “It’s late. Hurry back, or your family will worry. Thank you for today.”

“Shi Ran, I—” Qi Ye wanted to say he would stay here with him tonight. He could just call his family.

But he was immediately interrupted by Shi Ran, “Don’t say anything, don’t say anything. Just go back quickly.”

Including what he shouldn’t say, and those unconfessed feelings.

Qi Ye went back. Shi Ran went in to check on his grandfather. He was still asleep. Shi Ran came to the empty corridor, the uncomfortable silence pressing on him. He sat back down in his previous seat, remembering Qi Ye’s affectionate gaze just now. His face felt a little hot, but it also felt as beautiful as a dream, as if Qi Ye had never been there.

With a ‘ding’, his phone rang. Qi Ye had sent a message.

——I ordered you ribs rice and soup. You’re not allowed to calculate this with me.

Shi Ran smiled. Thankfully, it wasn’t a dream.

Early the next morning, Shi Ran hadn’t woken up from sleeping on the folding bed when he heard Qi Ye’s voice.

He rubbed his eyes and sat up, discovering that Qi Ye had really come. Grandpa was also awake. The small table on the hospital bed was set up, piled with breakfast. Grandpa was drinking porridge with a spoon.

Qi Ye was peeling a tea egg for Grandpa, smiling at Shi Ran, “Awake?”

Shi Ran nodded groggily. Grandpa said, “Xiao Qi came early in the morning. You get up too. We’ll go back after we finish breakfast. I can’t get used to sleeping on the hospital bed.”

Shi Ran felt the same way. He barely slept last night and didn’t dare to turn over. The bed creaked with every movement.

The sound of flushing came from the bathroom. The neighboring patient, whose curtain had been drawn yesterday, turned out to be a boy about the same age as Shi Ran. It wasn’t obvious what was wrong with him. He just looked indifferent. After coming out of the bathroom, he went back to bed and stared at his phone.

Qi Ye called Shi Ran and handed him a disposable toothbrush and face towel, “Go wash up.”

Shi Ran looked at him, so fresh and clean in his sweater. He must look very sloppy. He suddenly felt a little embarrassed. He took the toiletries and whispered a thank you before hurrying into the bathroom.

The mirror in the bathroom was covered in a layer of water stains that couldn’t be wiped clean. Shi Ran leaned closer to look. Luckily, his blush wasn’t obvious, just his cheeks were slightly flushed.

After completing the discharge procedures, Shi Ran called a car home.

Even though he had only been away from home for one night, Shi Ran missed it dearly. Really, nothing was better than home. Old Man Shi felt the same way. As soon as he reached the door, he hurriedly said, “Home is the most comfortable. One’s own home is the most comfortable.”

He could walk on his own, but he walked very slowly. Qi Ye and Shi Ran watched him carefully.

After sitting in the living room for a while, Grandpa Shi became sleepy again. He hadn’t rested well yesterday either. Old people were naturally light sleepers, and the wound also hurt after the anesthesia wore off, but he was in the habit of enduring without saying anything. Shi Ran wanted to help him to the room to sleep, but he waved his hand, insisting on walking slowly into the room on his own.

After coming out, Qi Ye stood up and said, “You should go rest too. You have dark circles under your eyes.”

“I’m, okay.” Shi Ran touched his head. He was sleepy, very sleepy, but Qi Ye was here, and he was a little reluctant to sleep.

“Not okay at all. Go to sleep.” Qi Ye urged. He was stubborn when it came to taking care of Shi Ran’s body, unlike his usual easy-going self.

Shi Ran hesitated and asked, “Then, are you going back?”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t want you to go back so soon.” Shi Ran looked at him, then quickly came up with a reason, “No matter what, I should treat you to a meal.”

Qi Ye said gently, “Don’t be so clear with me, okay?”

“It’s not calculating. It’s that I want you to stay a little longer.” Shi Ran spoke his true thoughts, then quickly stared at the ground.

Qi Ye’s heart warmed. How could he not agree? He said softly, “Then I’ll go to your room and read comics.”

Shi Ran didn’t read much when he was younger, but he collected a lot of comics.

The curtains in the room were drawn, making the room dim, but a small night light was left on for Qi Ye to read comics. He sat cross-legged on the cushion by the bed, with several stacks of comics next to him, courtesy of the room’s owner.

Even though it was daytime, the room felt like evening. Although you could occasionally hear the sounds of busy traffic outside, at this moment, the room still gave a sense of peace.

Shi Ran lay on his side, facing outwards, watching Qi Ye’s cross-legged back, watching the back of his head, feeling a soft spot in his heart sink endlessly, sink down…

He didn’t know how long he slept, but when he groggily opened his eyes, he saw that Qi Ye had also fallen asleep by the bed. So quiet. Shi Ran was afraid to wake him.

Shi Ran quietly moved closer to him, stared at him for a while, gently raised his hand, and touched his hair. It was very soft.

Shi Ran held his face in his hands, quietly watching him. So his eyelashes were this long, obediently drooping at the moment. His nose was also very straight. Did it suddenly become straight? People said that the nose determines one’s appearance. Did he suddenly become so good-looking because his nose became better-looking?

It probably wasn’t. It was because his face had thinned down, making all his features stand out.

Qi Ye’s lips were a little thin, and when he was too tired, they looked bloodless, a little pitiful. That was how they looked now.

Shi Ran thought, did he become like this because he was worried about me?

Then should I take responsibility?

These were all excuses, all pale explanations for his transgressing behavior, because it was only when he kissed him that the thought of taking responsibility vaguely emerged.

Warm, soft, even better to kiss than he had imagined.

It was just a sneaky kiss, nothing much. Shi Ran let lust cloud his judgment, futilely comforting himself. But, if the person being secretly kissed found out—Shi Ran’s palms were sweating, like a thief caught red-handed, surrounded by Qi Ye’s gaze, with no way out. What should he do?

Qi Ye blinked, seeming a little puzzled, “Shi Ran, what are you doing?”