On the way home, Luo Yun passed the brightly lit supermarket near his residential complex. He went inside and picked up two strawberry-flavored lollipops.
While he was paying, the young woman at the register scanned the barcodes and casually asked, “Only two lollipops for dinner today?”
“No.” Luo Yun took out his phone and finished paying, then tucked the lollipops into his pocket and smiled. “They’re for my little sister. Someone’s cooking at home today.”
The cashier rarely saw Luo Yun smile like that. The corners of his mouth lifted in a shallow curve, his eyes bending gently. The overhead lights fell evenly across him, making his eyes look filled with starlight. They were already a beautiful amber, with full, clear irises, and his smile made him look fresh and bright. With a backpack over his shoulders and the lively energy of a student, his entire face was strikingly beautiful.
Even though the cashier saw him often, the sudden direct hit to her heart still left it fluttering.
“That’s good. Eating simmered snacks all the time isn’t healthy either. You’re still growing at your age,” she added.
Luo Yun gave a quiet acknowledging sound, turned around, lifted the supermarket’s door curtain, and let his slender back disappear into the night.
Grade Eleven at No. 1 High had three evening self-study periods. By the time Luo Yun finished class and walked home, it was nearly nine-thirty.
The moment he pushed open the door, the aroma of food drifted toward him.
At the same time came a rapid patter of footsteps. Luo Yun’s younger sister came rushing out of the bedroom in fluffy slippers.
“Big Brother!” The little girl wrapped her arms around Luo Yun’s waist and whined sweetly, “I haven’t seen you for one, two, three, four…”
She counted on her fingers but could not remember exactly how many days it had been. Eventually she simply gave up, rubbing her cheek against Luo Yun instead. “Anyway, I haven’t seen Big Brother for lots and lots of days.”
Tang Qi, who was cooking, stood at the kitchen doorway holding a spatula, her smile warm and tender. “Luoluo, you’re home? Dinner’s almost ready.”
Luo Yun looked up and answered. After changing his shoes, he scooped his little sister into his arms and carried her to the living room to watch television. She took out the milk candy the nurse had given her. “Big Brother, this is for you. It’s really sweet.”
“Yunyun is such a good girl.” Luo Yun pinched her cheek. The little girl cried “Ow!” twice, then burst into giggles when she saw Luo Yun take out two strawberry lollipops.
The table was covered with dishes, all Tang Qi’s specialties. In the center sat a large bowl of fish with pickled mustard greens. The broth was golden, the fish slices tender and silky, and the fragrance rich.
Tang Qi filled a bowl with fish soup and handed it to Luo Yun. “It’s been hard on you, Luoluo, staying home alone these past few days. Drink some fish soup to warm yourself up.”
“Mom, I want some too.” His little sister held out her own special bowl to Tang Qi.
Luo Yun took a small sip. It was a familiar taste, pleasantly sour and appetite-opening. Setting down the bowl, he casually asked, “Didn’t you say you were making spicy fish?”
Tang Qi reached out to stroke her daughter’s little head. Fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes when she smiled. “Yunyun hasn’t been well. The doctor recommended lighter food.”
“Mm.” Luo Yun picked up a small piece of snow-white fish and slowly ate with his head lowered. For a while, the only sound in the living room was the soft clink of chopsticks.
During dinner, Luo Yun remembered that he had not properly thanked Feng Ye yet.
If Feng Ye had not appeared in time, Luo Yun’s face would probably be swollen by now.
He opened their chat. The previous message was still from the New Year.
It was a New Year greeting Feng Ye had sent him. At the time, Luo Yun had barely looked at it, assuming Feng Ye had sent the same message to everyone, so he had casually replied with a “Happy New Year.”
Looking at it now, it did not seem to have been a mass message after all, because Luo Yun’s name was included in the text.
Luo Yun shook his head, remembered what he was supposed to be doing, and typed a message: [Thanks for what happened at the gym this afternoon.]
Feng Ye happened to be looking at his phone and replied almost immediately: [?]
Luo Yun frowned slightly. He did not quite understand what the question mark meant. What he had written should have been perfectly clear.
The top of the chat showed: The other person is typing… Only a second later, a new message appeared.
[Feng Ye]: This is the first time you’ve ever messaged me first.
[Feng Ye]: I’m a little shocked.
“……” Luo Yun thought he was far too surprised. He slowly typed: [You really don’t need to be that shocked.]
[Feng Ye]: Oh. So you were only planning to say a simple thank-you?
[Luo Yun]: ……What else?
[Feng Ye]: Show a little sincerity through your actions.
[Luo Yun]: .
[Luo Yun]: Tell me what you want. If I can do it, I will.
The reply came quickly: [Of course you can. Bring me breakfast tomorrow morning. I want exactly the same thing you eat.]
It was a simple request, so Luo Yun agreed.
Meanwhile, at the dining table in another living room, Feng Ye held his chopsticks between his teeth and grinned foolishly at his phone screen.
His grandfather had lived long enough to understand at a glance. “Dating someone? What happened to make you grin so hard your face is about to split?”
“My wife said he’s bringing me breakfast tomorrow?”
“That person you have a crush on?”
“Yeah! He’s bringing me breakfast!”
“Look at how little it takes to make you happy.”
The next morning, Luo Yun finished a biology test paper. When he came out of the shower, he saw Tang Qi sitting on the sofa sorting through some bills.
He walked over and casually picked one up. It was a medical bill from River City First People’s Hospital.
Every item listed was related to treatment for Omega immune-deficiency disorder: Omega pheromone-regeneration injections, AB-type alpha-protein active pheromones……
Luo Yun paused when he saw the price.
More than eight thousand yuan for a single injection, and she had received several during only a few days in the hospital, not even counting the other hospitalization costs.