Chapter 50
After staying in Hainan for nearly a month, the two finally returned.
Compared to before the trip, their relationship was much closer. The slight awkwardness they had before the honeymoon was gone. They were inseparable, acting almost as one person, going everywhere together.
At Long Yu’s apartment, a part-time cleaner came regularly, so there wasn’t much to tidy up when they got back. But the way the two of them interacted had changed. After wearing their rings, Long Yu felt a sense of security, like a seal had been placed on his heart. During the day at work, he remained cold and distant as usual, but at home, he clung to Fang Jing Yao, unable to get enough of him.
Fang Jing Yao had been away for a month and hadn’t kept up with his serialization, so for the past couple of days, he had been holed up in his study drawing. Long Yu had adjusted his daily routine quite well. Exhausted at night, he could barely keep his eyes open, but he still woke early with Long Yu. Despite backaches and soreness, he felt energetic—over time, his body adapted remarkably well.
When Long Yu complimented him, Fang Jing Yao only twitched his lips without responding. He inhaled sharply, and Dr. Long Yu, lying on his back, let out a muffled hum and silently got to work alongside him.
Fang Jing Yao hadn’t finished the new illustrations when his editor began to push again. The junior editor, genuinely passionate about her work, was sacrificing her own time, outside of office hours, to chase him for the drawings.
Fang Jing Yao joked with her. She immediately wailed dramatically: “Professor! You really can’t delay anymore!! Three days left! I can’t find anyone else! I don’t care what you do, but you have to give me the drafts!”
Fang Jing Yao replied: “I’m really sorry. I just had a minor health issue a few days ago.”
The editor immediately asked with concern: “Professor, are you okay? What happened? Was it serious?”
Fang Jing Yao: “It’s fine, I just had an appendectomy.”
On the other end: “…”
Standing at the door, Long Yu: “…”
Fang Jing Yao added: “Really.”
Editor: “…Professor, didn’t you tell me the same thing last time? I’ve never heard of having two appendectomies in six months! This clearly isn’t about your appendix! If you delay any longer, this draft will be left unfinished! Do you know what ‘unfinished’ is commonly called? Taijian! Do you want a life like that?!”
Fang Jing Yao felt a twinge and quickly said: “Haha, just joking. I’ll make it up for you right now. Three days, 20 pages—I can finish that, don’t worry!”
Editor: “Alright.” And hung up.
Fang Jing Yao exhaled, set down his phone, and stretched his wrists to start working. He had already done part of the drawings; the remaining task was refining details, which could be completed. He calculated that he could finish within three days. Back when he was most pressed, he had once completed 12 pages in a single day—fresh out of college, youth was wonderful!
As he reflected, the editor sent a video call through. Persistent, she couldn’t be ignored. Fang Jing Yao reluctantly accepted. The young woman on the other end, wearing black-rimmed glasses, looked serious and focused despite her youth. She said: “Professor, you draw, I’ll watch here. Tonight, I’ll accompany you until you finish.”
Fang Jing Yao: “You guys are so dedicated.”
Editor: “No, Professor, you’re working hard.”
Fang Jing Yao wanted to tease her, but the editor slowly began:
“One time…”
Fang Jing Yao: “Hmm?”
Editor: “One time, Professor Zhuo Yifan, like you, disappeared for a month and missed the draft deadline. Unable to make up for it, he drew a kneeling apology illustration, which the company made into a life-size board displayed at a book fair for three days.”
Fang Jing Yao: “…”
Fang Jing Yao: “Don’t worry. I’ll draw it immediately. You’ll have it tonight.”
Honestly, Fang Jing Yao’s style might not have been the most detailed in the industry. It had a rough, free-spirited feel, reminiscent of old Hong Kong martial arts comics, yet it carried an airy elegance, with a sense of freedom and adventure. A few lines could stir the reader’s heart.
In the wide world, everyone makes their own home.
Art reflects the artist’s inner self. Fang Jing Yao was open-minded about many things. Though he appeared carefree, once he committed to a feeling, he valued it deeply, protecting it like a treasure.
This time, he revised some dialogue. The protagonist, previously just, evil, and chivalrous, not the stereotypical “good guy,” still sought freedom. Now, he focused more on those around him, his gaze smiling and softer, showing more tenderness.
He drew seriously. Long Yu came to bring him a glass of water. Fang Jing Yao told him to set it aside: “Go do your own thing. I’ll keep working.”
Long Yu nodded. He tried to get closer, but Fang Jing Yao blocked him with a stretched leg, mouthing to the editor: “Don’t… bother.”
Clearly, he didn’t intend to let him kiss.
Dr. Long Yu felt a little lonely. They had just returned from Hainan, completely unprepared to continue their honeymoon, but Jing Yao had already shifted gears to finish the drawings. Long Yu didn’t bother him further and thoughtfully closed the study door behind him.
Fang Jing Yao turned back to the screen. The video remained open. The editor was still watching him without blinking.
Fang Jing Yao smiled. She was the first to see Long Yu’s reaction—his eyes only on him. Twirling the pen in his hand, he smiled at her: “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, just finishing the draft here.”
He buried himself in work, quickly getting into a flow.
While Fang Jing Yao worked on the video, the editor sat still, proofreading other drafts while constantly keeping an eye on him.
By around nine at night, Long Yu, as usual, brought a cup of yogurt with fruit: “Jing Yao, take a break.”
“Alright, leave it there. I’ll eat it later,” Fang Jing Yao said, busy with his hands.
Long Yu leaned against the table, scooping a spoon to feed him. Used to this routine, Fang Jing Yao didn’t notice, opening his mouth to eat. Chewing the coarse berries, he looked at the video call and smiled at his editor: “It’s late. Are you hungry? Want something to eat?”
The editor silently watched, feeling like she had been fed a mouthful of “couple fluff,” already full.
Although she had urged him earlier, she wasn’t cruel. By eleven, she allowed Fang Jing Yao to rest.
He sent the completed portion of the drawings, exhaled in relief, stretched, and said: “12 pages for you. I can send the rest tomorrow morning.”
Editor, puzzled: “Tomorrow morning?”
Fang Jing Yao, proud: “Yes! You don’t know—I’ve adjusted my schedule. I get up at six! Well, can’t be living alone anymore; have to consider the needs of others at home.”
Before sleeping, the editor was “force-fed” another dose of couple fluff, silently swallowing.
Fang Jing Yao went to wash and sleep. Toothbrush prepared, toothpaste in place—just like at home. Long Yu was always considerate.
In the bedroom, Fang Jing Yao found Dr. Long Yu lying on the bed, waiting, still awake. They had stayed up late in Hainan, some nights past midnight for late-night snacks, yet still looked refreshed.
Long Yu glanced at the time, raising an eyebrow: “Mr. Fang, past ten-thirty, you’re breaking the rules.” The agreement was clear; Dr. Long Yu remembered.
Fang Jing Yao unbuttoned a few buttons of his pajamas, sat on the bed, and sighed: “No choice, must compensate.”
Long Yu’s expression lasted three seconds before he smiled, hugging Fang Jing Yao and pulling him under the covers, rolling over to kiss him: “That depends on your performance.”
Fang Jing Yao, lying beneath him, squinted: “Since when did you ever doubt me? My skills are excellent.”
Dr. Long Yu smiled, deepening the kiss: “I need to try again…”
After returning from the honeymoon, the two slept together, intimately, without separation.
The next morning, Fang Jing Yao completed the drawings, submitting them before noon, resolving work matters, and even visited his own home briefly.
His neighborhood was built by the city for employees, with good greenery. But upon entering his apartment, he realized his home probably had the densest greenery. The living room was filled with flowers, extending into the hallway. Not many in number, but the bouquets were huge—some almost exaggerated, needing multiple vases. The room burst with vivid colors, lively and cheerful.
Fang’s mother was tending to the flowers when she saw Fang Jing Yao come in. Surprised, she immediately smiled and said, “You still bothered to come back? If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t have had room for all these flowers.”
Indeed, the whole house was filled—almost like opening a flower shop.
Huangmao (the cat) rubbed against his pant leg. Seeing that Fang Jing Yao was looking at the flowers and ignoring him, he pawed at his clothes, stood up, and mewed coquettishly, seeking attention.
Fang Jing Yao bent down to pick up Huangmao, holding him like a child. Huangmao, used to it, immediately wrapped his tiny paws around Fang Jing Yao’s neck and craned his head, curiously surveying the surroundings from above.
The flowers Long Yu had sent were quite thoughtful—no lilies or other flowers harmful to cats were included, showing he had paid particular attention.
Fang’s mother had bought several glass vases and arranged the flowers nicely. Seeing Fang Jing Yao watching, she smiled: “Where have you been these past few days? With Long Yu, right?”
Fang Jing Yao, a bit embarrassed, rubbed his nose and nodded: “Yes, we’ve been together.”
