Chapter 7
Fang Jing Yao and Long Yu kissed for a while. Long Yu stopped at the right moment, but Fang Jing Yao felt a little unsatisfied.
Long Yu leaned sideways, his breath brushing Fang Jing Yao’s neck. Fang Jing Yao squinted and reached to place his hand on Long Yu’s broad shoulder when he heard a faint “click”—the seatbelt at his side had been undone.
Long Yu chuckled softly. “All right, go get a good sleep.”
Fang Jing Yao hooked a finger in his tie and smiled, eyes half-closed. “Okay.”
When they went upstairs and turned on the living room lights, Fang Jing Yao went to the window and saw the car downstairs start up again and drive off around a corner.
He stood on the balcony for a while, watching it leave the neighborhood, smiled while touching his mouth, then pulled the curtains and went back to his room. It had been an interesting encounter and an interesting time together. Fang Jing Yao was the type to be easily won over by first impressions, and Long Yu met his every expectation. Even after only a few days, it felt as if they had known each other for years.
If it was this person, perhaps he could try trusting again.
Stretching lazily, Fang Jing Yao went to his study. His little yellow cat wound around his legs, affectionate as always. Few people lived in the house permanently, so Huang Bao was extremely clingy, greeting everyone warmly, especially Fang Jing Yao, who had personally raised it from a tiny furball. Even if Fang Jing Yao returned only a few times a year, it still recognized him.
Fang Jing Yao picked it up, carrying it to the study. “Bao’er, come work with me, fighting until dawn!”
Huang Bao lay softly on his shoulder, purring and kneading his clothes with tiny paws, softly mewing.
Fang Jing Yao worked on comics all night again. This time, at least he had made more progress—the most urgent pieces were finished, and the rest could wait. He finished around 3 a.m.
Huang Bao slept soundly on a small sofa, belly exposed. When carried into the bedroom, it didn’t wake, and even gently stepped on Fang Jing Yao’s face a few times with its tiny paws, still half-asleep.
Fang Jing Yao was exhausted, pushed the cat aside, and picked up his phone. He remembered that Long Yu had added him on Weibo today and recalled the things he had caused earlier.
After leaving the comic studio, he posted a departure statement on Weibo. He hadn’t thought much about Long Yu following him before. Opening his homepage, he saw it already swarming with activity.
Comments were roughly half supportive readers and half mysterious allies.
The top-liked comment came from another comic studio.
That studio boldly reposted Fang Jing Yao’s departure decision in support, claiming their boss would personally invite him back with any position and conditions he wanted.
If it were any other supporter, it would be one thing—but this studio had been “plagiarized by Fang Jing Yao.”
When he reposted it, the internet exploded.
The “victim” supporting Fang Jing Yao? Clearly, something was up! Most of the online crowd attacked Luo Yi instead. The two main artists involved in the plagiarism controversy were Fang Jing Yao and Luo Yi. The victim supported Fang Jing Yao—why not target Luo Yi?
The previously settling plagiarism controversy flared up again, even trending on social media.
Fang Jing Yao looked at the top account—Zhuo Xiaohei Studio—and his head ached just seeing it. He quickly closed Weibo, not wanting to see the mess.
Thinking of this reminded him of Long Yu. Fang Jing Yao hoped Long Yu hadn’t seen the dispute, but it wasn’t a big deal. If Long Yu asked, he would tell him everything.
Long Yu didn’t ask. He had just registered Weibo and wasn’t familiar with it yet. Most of his contact with Fang Jing Yao was via text. Since returning home, he had sent only two messages: the first to report he got home and confirm their weekend meeting; the second, about ten minutes later: I miss you again.
Fang Jing Yao’s lips flushed, and he couldn’t help but grin foolishly. He buried the phone under his pillow, then pulled it out again to look at the message with delight.
Just two texts, but he read them over and over, savoring even the punctuation. Seeing the time Long Yu sent the message, he grinned. It was before ten, so he probably went to bed right after. Very disciplined. And the trial cohabitation contract specified sleeping times—they were fairly early too…
Fang Jing Yao was a night owl and didn’t remember the exact time. He just thought it was very early and healthy. Doctors knew about health, and if they lived together, Long Yu could probably regulate his schedule. That made cohabiting with Long Yu seem like a very good deal.
Lost in thoughts, he gradually fell asleep, dreaming of Long Yu. In the dream, Dr. Long was meticulously dressed, shirt buttoned to the last button, icy as ever. It drove Fang Jing Yao crazy with desire. He leaned in several times, but Dr. Long looked surprised each time. Even in the dream, he remained a gentleman. It was Fang Jing Yao who broke the rules, dragging him into chaos for the night.
The next day, he woke groggily to the sound of the door opening. Mrs. Fang came to deliver breakfast for him and Huang Bao. While putting down the keys, she called out, “…It’s almost 1 p.m. and you’re still asleep! Didn’t I tell you to come for lunch? It’s just a three-minute walk in the neighborhood—you lazy thing!” Then, in a gentler tone: “Ah, Bao’er, don’t be afraid. I’m not scolding you. My little darling is the most obedient. You must have been sharpening your claws on the balcony this morning—so much better than your brother!”
Fang Jing Yao twitched his eyelids, just waking, and immediately felt something under him. He opened his eyes, flipped over, and dashed to the small bathroom in his bedroom. “Mom, I’ll take a quick shower—be out soon!”
Mrs. Fang heated the food and waited a while before seeing Fang Jing Yao come out. She served him the food, scolding lightly: “Why take so long? The food is getting cold!”
Fang Jing Yao mumbled something, said nothing, and sat down to eat heartily.
Huang Bao didn’t eat properly, circling and nudging Mrs. Fang’s leg, purring affectionately. Mrs. Fang guided it to a small stool and fed it with a spoon, after which Huang Bao finally began eating with decorum.
While feeding the little one, Mrs. Fang scolded Fang Jing Yao: “Just walk a few steps and eat with us—it counts as exercise! You’re grown up, stop being so inactive… At least move your legs in bed!”
Fang Jing Yao choked on a bite of food he hadn’t chewed properly, coughing a couple of times, his face flushing red. After all, he had spent the entire previous night “exercising” with Dr. Long in his dreams—his waist was still sore, and it had been no light workout.
Mrs. Fang kept complaining, “You can’t even eat properly! Bao’er is more sensible than you!”
The little yellow cat licked the spoon, signaling for more food from Mom. It absolutely refused to eat on its own and would only eat if fed with a spoon!
Though she complained, Mrs. Fang efficiently cleaned up the bowls and utensils and tidied the place for her son. Fang Jing Yao reached out to help, but she gently pushed him aside. “No need for you to worry. These are just little chores—your mother took care of them. You just focus on your work. After you finish, remember to go out for a walk—don’t stay cooped up at home all day.”
Fang Jing Yao followed behind, hugging his mom and saying, “Thanks, Mom.”
After finishing mopping, Mom cautiously asked, “So, you and Long Yu… how’s it going?”
Fang Jing Yao scratched his face. “It’s fine… really good.”
She pressed on, “How do you mean ‘good’?”
Fang Jing Yao mumbled vaguely, “We had dinner together yesterday. I didn’t understand all the technical stuff he talked about… just chatted a bit casually.”
Mrs. Fang scolded him sternly, “Aren’t you usually very good with words? You talk nonstop at home, yet now you don’t know how to coax someone? Just say sweet things, make him laugh, win him over—then you can take him home…”
Fang Jing Yao couldn’t help shouting, “What kind of image do I have in your heart, huh!!”
Mrs. Fang ignored him, turned around, and patted his face gently. “Do a few more face masks these days—your face is your best feature.”
Fang Jing Yao: “……”
The weekend quickly arrived. This time, Fang Jing Yao had marked the date in advance and dressed slightly more formally. Though he was usually casual, “formal” for him just meant jeans without rips and a slightly fitted gray top under a casual jacket. Coupled with his handsome face, he naturally exuded an irresistible charm.
He checked the time and went downstairs. Long Yu’s car was already parked outside. He walked up and tapped on the window, immediately hit by the familiar scent of menthol. Fang Jing Yao leaned close, looking at Long Yu curiously. “You’re here—why didn’t you call me? Were you waiting a while?”
Long Yu looked up at him. “It’s fine. I just wanted to see you a little earlier.”
Fang Jing Yao’s ears warmed at that, and he laughed, getting into the car. Before fastening his seatbelt, he leaned over and kissed Long Yu. “What a coincidence—I was thinking the same thing.”
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