Chapter 29: Each With Their Secrets
These past few days, Fu Rangyi’s browser search history, aside from archaeology-related content and a newly added travel video blogger, had gained many metaphysical things.
For example: What does it mean if someone sees things others can’t?
Most of the answers were pseudoscientific superstitions, such as yin-yang eyes.
Off track.
Zhu Zhixi had not run into a ghost.
Although, with his powerful social talent, even if he did run into a ghost, he could probably recruit the ghost into becoming his good friend.
Fu Rangyi suddenly became curious whether Zhu Zhixi could cash out a lot of money on a certain group-buying shopping platform.
Even more off track.
Search: Countdown appearing on hand, but others can’t see it.
As with the previous searches, most of the results were unreliable. They were either novels or film and television dramas. He roughly browsed through them and found no real-life cases of anyone experiencing something similar.
No matter how he researched or searched for information, he could not find an identical case.
This kind of thing, no matter who it happened to, sounded like a prank or a fairy tale. In any case, to the knowledge system he had built over so many years, it was an unsolvable problem. But the more carefully he reviewed every detail of how he had met Zhu Zhixi, the more he felt it might be true.
Looking back to their first blind date, at first, Zhu Zhixi had not had such a strong desire to get married. Instead, he had come right out and said he was a Beta who could not have children. Clearly, he had been giving up.
It was not until their hands accidentally touched that Zhu Zhixi had taken the initiative to hold his hand. Just like many times afterward, Zhu Zhixi had, intentionally or unintentionally, found ways to make physical contact with him. After it ended, he would subconsciously look at his palm.
Looking at it now, all of that had been him relying on Fu Rangyi to “extend his life.”
If these details had all been acted out, then Zhu Zhixi truly was a veteran actor. He had completely become one with the role.
He sent Li Qiao a message.
Living Ancestor: I have something medical I want to consult you about.
He roughly described the countdown and told Li Qiao about it, asking whether it could be an eye disease similar to “floaters.”
Li Qiao: I knew your wife had to have something wrong with him. That brain of his isn’t like normal people’s.
Living Ancestor: There’s no need to speak so harshly.
Li Qiao: ? Let me hear who’s criticizing me for speaking harshly? Ah, it’s Fu Rangyi, the harshest speaker in the whole world.
Li Qiao: You don’t actually believe him, do you? No way, right? We received a materialist scientific education!
Living Ancestor, old-age health supplement scam edition: He’s been having nosebleeds lately, and he said he has a very serious illness and won’t live long. Whether the countdown is real or not, I want to take him for a comprehensive physical examination. Help me arrange it.
Li Qiao: Am I the family doctor who has to make house calls in the middle of the night in your little love game?
Living Ancestor, old-age health supplement scam edition: That single Omega teacher you met last time when you came to our institute—I can introduce you.
Li Qiao: !
Li Qiao: Hey, isn’t it just a little physical exam? Leave it to me, bro. I guarantee the highest specifications. Not a single tiny stone or small cyst will be missed. Absolutely reliable.
Living Ancestor, matchmaker edition: Waiting for your update.
Li Qiao: Wait, you just said Zhu Zhixi told you he has a serious illness. Then why don’t you directly ask him what illness he has? Why go through so much trouble for a full-body checkup? If you want it as comprehensive as possible, there are tons of items. It’ll take a whole day.
Fu Rangyi stared at this sentence and did not type immediately.
Of course he had thought about asking directly, but the next morning, Zhu Zhixi had completely blacked out. When he heard that physical contact was allowed, he was so happy he almost bounced up. Fu Rangyi was very worried that if he mentioned what Zhu Zhixi had said about his mother last night, it would make him sad again. For the moment, he could not find a suitable opportunity to ask.
Later, he, who had not called home in eight hundred years, specifically called his father and indirectly asked about Zhu Zhixi’s mother. Only then did he learn that Zhu Zhixi’s mother had died of cancer, and it was even a cancer with a high hereditary probability.
Connecting it all this way, Fu Rangyi had more or less guessed it. But from the bottom of his heart, he was unwilling to accept this matter. He felt that, most likely, Zhu Zhixi had made a mistake, or the hospital’s examination had been wrong. Perhaps the test report had been mixed up. These things happened often too.
Mm. Fu Rangyi corrected himself inwardly again. Fine, it could not be considered “often,” but there was still a certain probability.
Living Ancestor, matchmaker edition: I don’t think the doctors he found are as reliable as your connections. I’ll leave it to you. After you schedule it, please tell me the time and location in advance.
Exiting WeChat, Fu Rangyi opened the note Little Rabbit Rearing Plan and added another line at the bottom.
- Request leave in advance and accompany him to the physical exam.
When it was almost time to get off work, his colleague mentioned the dinner gathering again. Fu Rangyi was doubtful whether Zhu Zhixi would have time to attend, because he seemed especially busy these days and often came home very late at night. But museums were only open during the day.
Even so, he really had changed his old habit of sleeping in. Every day, he insisted on getting up early and routinely came to the entrance to see Fu Rangyi out. Before work, Zhu Zhixi proposed holding hands to extend his life, and Fu Rangyi secretly released pheromones. These things had almost become a daily check-in item. Even when Zhu Zhixi was so sleepy in the morning that he could barely open his eyes, half-asleep and dazed, he still came over and handed him his hand to hold.
A not-yet-awake hand was warm and soft, softer than usual.
Very nice to hold.
After finishing his recollection, Fu Rangyi was just about to indirectly ask about the very busy person’s recent schedule when the very busy person sent a message first.
Bad Bunny: Fu Rangyi!
Bad Bunny: Isn’t tomorrow S University’s New Year Cultural Festival? My junior is in the drama club and gave me two tickets. He’s performing too. I heard the script is pretty fun. Do you want to go watch it with me? I can also visit your school while I’m there.
Bad Bunny: To refuse, please reply “YES.” To accept, please reply “YESYES!”
Pretty Widower: NO.
Bad Bunny: “NO” means “I can’t wait to go watch it!” See, I hadn’t even finished sending everything and you rushed to answer. You really are impatient ^^.
After typing rapidly, Zhu Zhixi stuffed his phone into his pocket and pushed open the gate of the stray animal shelter alone.
Ever since that day, when he accidentally discovered that Liang Yi’en was hiding something and was taking different animals to class every day, he had tried every possible way to gossip. But Liang Yi’en’s mouth was very tight, and he could not get anything out of him. The moment Zhu Zhixi asked whether he was dating someone, the kid immediately changed the subject, saying he was so busy rehearsing recently that his feet barely touched the ground, and invited Zhu Zhixi to watch the cultural festival drama performance.
Senior Zhixi: What script? Don’t tell me it’s Snow White.
Xiao’En: ?? Why Snow White?
Who else besides Snow White has a tragic background, is pretty, and has the skill to summon all kinds of small animals? You’re way too suited to play her. If Disney saw you, they’d send a lawyer’s letter.
Xiao’En: No. A junior wrote the script. Simply put, it’s about a human girl with a terminal illness who meets the angel who comes to collect her. During her final dozen or so days, they spend time together and fall in love. In the end, the angel exchanges his own power to save the girl, but disappears himself.
What a clichéd fairy tale script.
Yet also strangely familiar.
For some reason, the first image that popped into his mind was Fu Rangyi with a pair of big wings. But very soon, he scattered that image.
It would be more normal for him to wear a black cloak and carry a scythe to come collect me.
Senior Zhixi: An angel comes to collect her? Is this a grim reaper-type angel or Bai Wuchang?
Senior Zhixi: You’re playing the angel?
Xiao’En: No.
Senior Zhixi: You’re playing the terminally ill girl? Cross-dressing? Your drama club director has taste?
Xiao’En: I was originally in charge of props. The director felt there wasn’t enough dramatic conflict, so she temporarily added an unrequited-love, devoted second male lead character. She said I have a second male lead face, and the audience would feel sorry for me and get into the story just by looking at me, so she made me go onstage…
Zhu Zhixi laughed at this message for ages. Thinking that he could watch the performance and also go to S University to find Fu Rangyi, killing two birds with one stone, he readily agreed, asked him for one extra ticket, and used this opportunity to ask about Liang Yi’en’s rehearsal schedule. Then he chose a time when Liang Yi’en absolutely would not be at the animal shelter and secretly came over himself to see whether there was anything strange.
Having known him for so many years, he understood Liang Yi’en’s personality too well. If it was something difficult for him to speak about, then it must be a serious problem. And before he himself understood the cause and effect, he absolutely would not say anything.
But Zhu Zhixi just happened to be an extremely curious person and could not wait at all.
As soon as he entered the small courtyard, the dogs they had taken in gave him a passionate welcome, their barks rising one after another. Zhu Zhixi immediately ran over and rubbed each dog’s head one by one to soothe them. He opened the canned food he had brought and fed it to the cats and dogs. While he was at it, he opened the cages of a few large dogs and let them run around the front and back yards by themselves.
The cameras in the rooms had all been turned off. He had thought the rooms would certainly have changed drastically, but when he went in and looked, there was not much difference from the last time he had come. They were still as neat and clean as ever. The shelves were full of dog food, cat food, and some basic medicines. There was one bed, one sofa, and a secondhand television left by the landlord. Other than that, there was nothing.
That was strange. If Liang Yi’en really had a bird or a snake, there should at least be a cage or a box.
And changing the little animal companion every day—what was this, a summoned beast?
46 days, 10 hours, 31 minutes, 28 seconds.
Looking at his palm, he suddenly fell into thought.
When had this countdown appeared? Wasn’t it the day he returned to the country and picked up that puppy?
Picked up puppy. Fainted. Woke up. The countdown was printed on his hand and could never be shaken off.
Could it be… that little white dog was not a real dog, but some kind of dog spirit? After I saved it, it wanted to repay me and remind me I was about to die, so it cast a spell on me and let me see the countdown?
Liang Yi’en also said he picked up a dog. Liang Yi’en took different animals out every day.
Zhu Zhixi suddenly sucked in a cold breath.
Could it really be a spirit? A great little white dog spirit who could transform into other animals!
He immediately called Liang Yi’en. Perhaps Liang Yi’en was busy rehearsing for the play, because it took a long time before the call connected.
“What is it, young master?”
Zhu Zhixi said with a smile, “I just suddenly remembered you told me before that you picked up a puppy. My puppy addiction is acting up. Do you have a photo? I want to see.”
“A photo… I think there’s one. I’ll look for it.”
The moment Liang Yi’en finished speaking, Zhu Zhixi suddenly keenly noticed the sound of a child in the background, soft and childish. It seemed to be calling…
“Brother?” He accidentally muttered aloud.
Liang Yi’en: “Who are you calling? Is Teacher Big Zhu beside you?”
“Ah, no.”
“…Your husband? You two are getting along that well now? Calling him brother already?”
How are you turning this back on me?
His phone vibrated. It was the puppy photo Liang Yi’en had sent.
“I sent you the photo. I’m still busy here, so I’ll hang up first.”
Zhu Zhixi lowered his head and opened it, somewhat disappointed.
This dog was clearly a Samoyed. The one he had met back then had been a small dog, skinny, wearing a blue collar, with its left paw curled up.
They did not match. Had he really overthought it? After all, spirits and demons were indeed not exactly high-probability events…
Clang—
A loud sound came from the back courtyard. Zhu Zhixi followed the sound and found that two puppies had accidentally bumped into the drying rack set up across the yard while fighting.
“You two really know how to make work for me.” Zhu Zhixi walked over, propped the rack back up, and bent down to pick up the clothes from the ground one by one.
As he picked them up, he froze. He lifted one item from among them, raised it, and unfolded it.
Wasn’t this a child’s clothing? Looking at the size of the sweater, Zhu Zhixi estimated it.
About… four or five years old?
He suddenly thought of the child’s voice he had heard in Liang Yi’en’s room and over the phone.
He ran to the bedroom and checked under the bed. As expected, he found children’s cotton slippers. Then, in the bathroom, he found a little green frog children’s toothbrush and a children’s towel.
Zhu Zhixi launched another brainstorm. Between the two possibilities of Liang Yi’en secretly having tasted forbidden fruit with some Omega years ago and having a baby, and Liang Yi’en encountering a shapeshifting little spirit, he decisively chose the latter. For no other reason—forget secretly having a child; even if Liang Yi’en had killed someone, he would dare tell Zhu Zhixi.
Thinking of this, Zhu Zhixi suddenly grew excited.
If the strange thing Liang Yi’en encountered really had something to do with my countdown, then does this thing also have a chance of disappearing?
Even though he did not have a single piece of substantial evidence yet, Zhu Zhixi was already blissfully wandering through his own fantasy, until another call from Zhu Zeran dragged him back to reality.
“Where are you right now?”
Zhu Zhixi did not understand why he was asking, but still answered honestly. “At the stray animal shelter. What’s up? Are you coming to find me? Then donate some money to me while you’re at it, President Zhu.”
In less than half an hour, Zhu Zeran arrived. Zhu Zhixi was teasing a cat.
“How many times have I told you? If you’re allergic, don’t keep burrowing toward cats. Do you think your life is too long?”
“It’s the cats burrowing toward me.” Zhu Zhixi stood up and pursed his lips. “And I’m keeping some distance, aren’t I? Why are you looking for me? I called you back, okay? President Zhu was too busy to answer. Don’t pick a fight with me.”
As soon as Zhu Zeran came closer, he frowned.
He was wearing an expensive haute couture coat and probably feared getting fur on it, so he did not even intend to sit. He cut straight to the point and threw Zhu Zhixi a sealed folder, like something out of a television drama, saying directly, “Divorce Fu Rangyi.”
“Huh?” Zhu Zhixi was dumbfounded. Wasn’t this script a little wrong?
Whose brother are you, exactly? Shouldn’t you be throwing this at Little Professor Fu and saying, “Divorce my brother and all this is yours”?
But a five-million check probably would not move Little Professor Fu. Finding him five undiscovered archaeological sites would be more like it.
“Big Zhu, is your domineering CEO disease acting up again? What scene are you playing with me?” Zhu Zhixi did not even want to look at what was in the folder. “If you want to do something, just say it directly.”
Zhu Zeran gave a cold laugh. “Who exactly loves drama and acting? Have you two acted enough in your fake marriage show? I’ve had enough of watching it, at least. I didn’t want to expose you in front of Dad. I thought kids playing house couldn’t cause any real trouble, so I just treated it like watching a show.”
“Then keep watching. Stop meddling in my business.” Zhu Zhixi tried to change the subject. “Hey, let me see sister-in-law…”
Zhu Zeran’s expression darkened. “Fu Rangyi has malignant susceptible-period syndrome.”
“I know.” Zhu Zhixi let out a breath of relief. “I thought it was something new. I’ve known that for a long time.”
“You already knew?” Zhu Zeran laughed in anger. “Do you think this is some minor illness? Having this disease means he can’t control himself at all during his susceptible period. He may hurt people. He may have violent tendencies. Once he loses his reason, you can’t even imagine what could happen. Stop being childish.”
“It’s not as serious as you’re making it sound.” Zhu Zhixi looked at him. “A few days ago, during his susceptible period, I stayed with him the whole time. Nothing happened. He controls himself far better than you imagine.”
“Every episode is different. This time was mild. Maybe next time he’ll lose control completely.” Zhu Zeran had a headache. “You’re not suited to be with someone this unstable. It’s safer to separate, or you move back home.”
“I won’t.”
“Since it’s a fake marriage, why not?” Zhu Zeran looked utterly unable to understand. “Zhu Zhixi, don’t tell me you’ve turned fake into real and actually fallen for him.”
Zhu Zhixi’s face heated. “What nonsense are you saying!”
Zhu Zeran opened fire at full power, his mouth like a machine gun. “Then what’s with the pheromones on you? He put them on you to warn other Alphas, didn’t he? You say nothing happened during his susceptible period, then why is there a bandage on the back of your neck? What, did you fall and land the back of your neck on his teeth? In a few days, are you planning to fall onto his bed and sit on him?”
Zhu Zhixi had always been sharp-tongued and quick-witted. In over twenty years of arguing with Zhu Zeran, he had rarely lost. For some reason, however, facing Zhu Zeran’s interrogation this time, he was actually somewhat speechless. This made him even angrier.
“You! Anyway, it’s not what you think. Our relationship is very pure. It’s mutually beneficial, each taking what we need. And he already confessed all this stuff you found out to me a long time ago. We…”
Zhu Zeran crossed his arms over his chest and stared at him as he questioned, “Then what about when he hurt his own physics teacher during his susceptible period in high school? Did he confess that to you too?”
Author’s Note:
Mini-Theater: Failed Pre-Work Check-In
For several days in a row, because of Liang Yi’en’s secret and the countdown, Zhu Zhixi’s imagination ran wild. He could not sleep even in the middle of the night. The moment he closed his eyes, all sorts of fantasy stories appeared, seriously affecting his sleep.
So on this morning, he was not woken up by his alarm. When he opened his eyes again, it was already ten-thirty in the morning.
Fu Rangyi had an eight o’clock class and had left long ago. He was probably nearly done teaching by now.
Zhu Zhixi got up, reheated the cold breakfast, and ate alone, staring blankly at his palm.
But in fact—
Before going to work, Little Professor Fu pretended to choose shoes and change shoes by the entrance, dawdling for quite a while, yet still did not see Little Zhu come out. So he quietly went to the guest bedroom, raised his hand, knocked twice, and pushed the door open.
On the bed was a bulging lump. The curtains were drawn tightly, and Student Little Zhu was still sleeping soundly.
Thinking about whether to wake him, Fu Rangyi hesitated for a precious ten seconds. In the end, he stood at the door and softly said, “I’m coming in.”
He entered the room, carefully stepping over the various obstacles on the floor, came to the bedside, stood there watching for two seconds, then crouched down and tucked in Student Little Zhu’s quilt. He found his warm hand, held it, intertwined their fingers for five seconds, then let go.
“Did it pause?” Fu Rangyi muttered to himself. He put Little Zhu’s hand back under the blanket and tucked it in properly. Then he left the room quietly.
In the daily check-in item in his notes app, he marked a check, then drove to work.
