Ruan Qiuping hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's a friend of mine here."
Butler Zhang's expression trembled slightly after hearing this, but Dan did not say anything.
The last time the current housekeeper saw Ruan Qiuping was sixteen years ago, at the funeral home.
At that time, Ruan Qiuping was such a young man in his early twenties.
But everyone present knew that this young man was the same old man who had appeared by chance a few years ago.
—He is Mr. Yu’s homosexual partner.
"Friend..." Yu Huan frowned, and suddenly a strange feeling flashed through his heart, "Does your last name also belong to Yu like mine?"
Yu is not a very common surname.
“…No.” Ruan Qiuping lowered his head and lied, “It’s the same pronunciation but different characters.”
As if to increase the credibility of the lie, Ruan Qiuping took Yu Huan's hand and wrote the word "喻" (Yu) on it.
“He is this metaphor.”
"Mr. Ruan, Mr. Yu." The butler respectfully gestured to them, "Please come in and rest first."
Ruan Qiuping nodded.
But when the housekeeper opened the door for them, Ruan Qiuping paused and his eyes suddenly widened.
Wait! There is a whole wall of photos next to the stairs in this villa. On it are wedding photos of him and Yu Huan when they were young, as well as photos of the two of them in their seventies and eighties. You can see them as soon as you open the door!!!
It would be the end if Yu Huan saw it!
But it was too late to stop it.
Before Ruan Qiuping could say anything, Yu Huanjing stepped in.
Ruan Qiuping's heart sank suddenly.
“…Ruan Ruan.” Yu Huan spoke.
Ruan Qiuping closed his eyes, almost unable to bear to face the bleak scene.
Finished.
was exposed.
"This friend has good aesthetic taste. The decoration design here is very comfortable." Ruan Qiuping heard Yu Huan say.
… What
Ruan Qiuping suddenly raised his head.
Only then did he realize that the wall of photos that Yu Huan once cherished so much had disappeared, and in its place was a medieval oil painting.
Ruan Qiuping was stunned for a moment. He looked at the painting and said absentmindedly, "... He has always had a good taste."
Butler Zhang had left to prepare tea for them, leaving only Yu Huan and Ruan Qiuping here.
Ruan Qiuping looked around and found that everything was too familiar.
He had been away for sixteen days, and sixteen years had passed in the mortal world.
But sixteen years seem to have left no trace on this place.
Ruan Qiuping sat on the sofa for a while, then suddenly bent down and opened the secret compartment under the teapot.
He took out a music box from the secret compartment, opened it, and saw familiar candies inside.
It’s the same candy as sixteen years ago, in the same packaging, but the production date is last month.
Ruan Qiuping grabbed a handful of candy and smiled at Yu Huan, "Yu Huan, come and have some candy."
Yu Huan walked towards Ruan Qiuping, sat on the sofa next to him, and asked casually, "Is Ruan Ruan the mortal you met in the practical course last stage?"
Ruan Qiuping blinked: "... Did the teacher and I mention the practical courses we took in the last stage?"
"I mentioned it briefly, but didn't go into detail. I just said that our practical task is to observe the various aspects of the mortal world."
It is not about observing the various aspects of the mortal world, but about observing the immortals who have experienced many tribulations.
But Ruan Qiuping did not correct the mistake. He just nodded and lowered his head to select the flavor that Yu Huan liked from the candies: "Yes, this mortal is me... I met him by chance when I was observing the various aspects of the mortal world."
Yu Huan suddenly asked, "During the last Conferred God Ceremony, the mortal boy my sister mentioned who hugged me and kissed me, is that my friend?"
Ruan Qiuping was stunned for a moment, then handed the candy he had picked out to Yu Huan: "You have a really good memory."
So that's it.
Yu Huan lowered his eyes. He overlooked one thing at that time: the little boy also grew up.
Yu Huan slowly peeled off the yellow wrapper of the candy and asked, "Ruan Ruan once said that although the apple tree was planted by me, it was not my own, but belonged to a mortal. So is the owner of the apple tree also my friend?"
Ruan Qiuping was silent for a while, then nodded: "Yes, it's him too."
Ruan Qiuping turned his head and looked out the window, and continued, "He said... he didn't want a tombstone, he just wanted me to plant a fruit tree on his grave, saying that he wanted me to be able to pick some fruit to eat when I see him."
… It turned out that there was a grave under the apple tree.
It turned out that Ruan Ruan's grave was placed in the sky, where it can be seen at any time.
Yu Huan put the peeled candy into his mouth.
A sour feeling began to spread from the tip of his tongue and soon filled his entire mouth.
The sourness was so strong that Yu Huan couldn't tell for a moment: at this moment, was the sourness in his mouth or in his chest more sour
It's sunset outside the window again.
Ruan Qiuping stood up involuntarily and walked to the window step by step.
There really hasn't been any change here. Even the two wheelchairs in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows are still there intact.
The two wheelchairs, one black and one white, were placed side by side, like the shoulders of two old people leaning against each other to watch the sunset.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, Ruan Qiuping slowly stretched out his hand and gently stroked the leather backrest of the wheelchair. The corners of his lips curled up slightly and his eyes were unspeakably soft, as if he was missing something.
Yu Huan watched all this quietly.
Suddenly, he wanted to destroy the wheelchair that Ruan Qiuping was looking at so tenderly.
But just think about it.
Yu Huan walked to Ruan Qiuping's side and said in a gentle voice, "The sky is beautiful."
Ruan Qiuping looked up at Yu Huan and suddenly smiled: "Yu Huan, every time I'm with you, I seem to be able to see a beautiful sky."
It rained for several days after he was deified in heaven. Before Yu Huan had time to think about when and where he and Ruan Qiuping had encountered the beautiful sky, Ruan Qiuping looked up at him and asked softly, "Yu Huan, can I hug you?"
Yu Huan was stunned for a moment, then nodded.
The next moment, Ruan Qiuping threw herself into his arms and said with a smile: "Thank you for still looking at the sky with me."
Yu Huan did not think deeply about the meaning of this sentence, because he was distracted by Ruan Qiuping's movement.
In the blink of an eye, Mr. Yu, his earthly friends, the apple tree… all disappeared like clouds and mist.
He didn't care at all whether Ruan Ruan had any close friends.
Because his Ruan Ruan took the initiative to hug him, kiss him, and dreamed of him in her sleep.
Ruan Ruan likes him.
… They are a loving couple.
The renewed recognition made Yu Huan's heart beat gently, and he even felt that the candy in his mouth, which was originally sour and astringent, began to emit a little sweetness after it was completely melted. But the sweetness was not obvious and could not cover the original sourness. It just melted into it and became a fragrant sweet and sour taste.
"Ruan Ruan." Yu Huan lowered his head and looked at Ruan Qiuping, and said softly, "What flavor is the candy you gave me?"
Ruan Qiuping blinked blankly and said, "I don't know, I just think you might like it."
In my memory, Yu Huan seemed to like the candy in the yellow package very much. Every time he took a candy from that hand, he would take that one.
Naturally, Ruan Qiuping always left the yellow candy for Yu Huan.
"Hasn't Ruan Ruan tried it?"
Ruan Qiuping shook his head: "No."
"Aren't you curious about what it tastes like?"
Ruan Qiuping thought for a moment, nodded, and said, "I'm a little curious."
Yu Huan smiled with his eyes bent: "A little curiosity is enough."
As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head and gently kissed Ruan Qiuping's lips.
Ruan Qiuping opened his eyes wide in daze.
The scent of the candy soon reached his lips and lingered on the tip of his tongue. It had a hint of sourness and sweetness, but it quickly filled his mouth and slowly invaded his consciousness, making his entire brain feel dizzy.
"Ruan Ruan, what does it smell like?" Yu Huan let him go, but after asking, he couldn't help but peck his lips.
Ruan Qiuping blinked blankly: "...Lemon flavor."
Yu Huan smiled and stroked his hair, praising him: "Ruan Ruan is amazing."
Ruan Qiuping: “…”
Ruan Qiuping suddenly reacted. He pushed Yu Huan away, his face flushed: "Yu Huan..."
"What's wrong with us?" Yu Huan's eyes were as clear as water. He didn't feel guilty at all and was smiling.
Ruan Qiuping took a deep breath and said, "You promised me at the time that we would just live together... You also shook my hand and said that we were very happy..."
Yu Huan nodded, he looked up at Ruan Qiuping, his eyes teasing: "So after Ruan Ruan made a promise to me, she took off my clothes and climbed into my bed that night. Did she want to do anything bad to me the next morning?"
Ruan Qiuping: “…”
Drinking really messes things up!
He is totally unreasonable now!!!
At this moment, the bracelet on Yu Huan's hand suddenly emitted a red light. At the same time, a voice called out, "Assistant, assistant! I'm in trouble! Come and help me!"
Yu Huan frowned.
Ruan Qiuping breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand hurriedly at Yu Huan: "Hurry up and go. We have used the new function to make an emergency call. Something must have happened."
After Yu Huan left, Ruan Qiuping let out a long sigh and slumped down in his wheelchair.
He touched his lips and lowered his head in frustration.
How should I put it? He felt like dying in a game, going back to the previous game, and then dying again the second time.
What is the probability that Yu Huanxin will fall in love with him
What is the probability that he can give Yu Huan the same love
If he tries hard enough, can he give Yu Huan the love that others can recognize
If he tried hard enough... would he not hurt Yu Huan again
Just then, Butler Zhang came over with afternoon tea and snacks.
"Has Mr. Yu left?" asked Butler Zhang.
Ruan Qiuping nodded: "By the way, when was the photo wall replaced with oil paintings?"
Butler Zhang placed the afternoon tea and snacks on the small table next to Ruan Qiuping and said, "Mr. Yu ordered someone to replace them three months before his death."
Ruan Qiuping: "Why?"
Butler Zhang: "Mr. Yu said that if Mr. Ruan brings new people here in the future, those photos may cause trouble to you."
Newcomer…
Yu Huan really imagined him to be cold and indifferent.
Ruan Qiuping lowered his eyes: "Where did those photos go?"
Butler Zhang: "It's in the safe. It's been kept for more than ten years. I'll go get it for you."
Ruan Qiuping followed Butler Zhang to get the photos.
The photos are well preserved.
After opening the safe, you have to open layer after layer of sealing film.
When the last layer of film was opened, the wedding photo on the top came into view.
When housekeeper Zhang saw the face of Yu Huan, who was in his thirties, in the photo, his hands trembled and he almost dropped the photo on the ground.
"Mr. Yu when he was young and Mr. Yu just now..."
They look exactly the same.
Ruan Qiuping smiled and touched Yu Huan's face in the photo: "It is exactly the same."
Butler Zhang was hesitant, but he suppressed his doubts.
I didn't dare say a word more.
After all, it’s not just Mr. Yu who is strange.
At the same time, when he saw Ruan Qiuping really bring the "newcomer" to the villa and deny his relationship with Mr. Yu in front of the "newcomer", the subtle touches and emotions in his heart disappeared instantly.
He knew nothing, so what right did he have to question the affection between these people
After Ruan Qiuping sent the housekeeper away, he looked at the photos over and over again, and finally put them all into his Qiankun bag.
Then he sat on the sofa, picked up the practical task card given to him by Siming, and began to study how to complete the task.
By the time Ruan Qiuping had finished his thorough research and planned the specific tasks for tomorrow, it had already become completely dark.
He stretched, looked at the empty villa, turned on the TV, and watched a show while waiting for Yu Huan to come back.
When Yu Huan returned to the villa, it was only nine o'clock in the evening, but Ruan Qiuping had fallen asleep on the sofa.
The TV in front of the sofa was still playing a TV series, but the housekeeper had considerately muted the volume.
The pictures on the TV kept jumping, and the bright and dark light and shadows were reflected on Ruan Qiuping's face, making his sleeping face look even more peaceful.
Yu Huan couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips, walked over, gently picked up Ruan Qiuping, and took him to the bedroom.
Ruan Qiuping was not sleeping very soundly. Even though Yu Huan's movements were very light, the moment he picked her up, Ruan Qiuping still frowned and opened her eyes drowsily.
After seeing clearly that the person coming was Yu Huan, Ruan Qiuping closed his eyes again. He stretched out his arms and wrapped them around Yu Huan's neck. His soft black hair gently swept across Yu Huan's chest, and his face showed a look of full trust.
Yu Huan heard Ruan Qiuping muttering, "You're back."
Yu Huan licked his lips and said hoarsely, "... Well, I'm back."
It was just a simple conversation, but Yu Huan felt his heart beating wildly involuntarily.
Because for a moment, Ruan Qiuping at this moment gave him a very serious illusion - as if he and Ruan Qiuping were a couple who loved each other very much and had been married for ten years.
Then, Ruan Qiuping continued to sleep in Yu Huan's arms.
Yu Huan tried very hard to restrain himself, but failed.
He lowered his head and couldn't help but kiss Ruan Qiuping's soft lips.
Ruan Qiuping turned his head, with a strong smell of sleep in his nose, but the tone of his voice was soft and sticky, as if he was acting like a spoiled child: "Don't make trouble, I'm sleepy..."
Yu Huan's breath hitched, and he almost heard the sound of blood rolling in his body.
He took a deep breath and walked towards the bedroom.
Perhaps because the decoration here was in line with Yu Huan's aesthetic, he almost found the master bedroom at the end of the corridor in one go.
When Yu Huan put Ruan Qiuping down, he felt a strong sense of reluctance.
He almost couldn't control his urge to kiss Ruan Qiuping again.
But he was afraid that after he kissed Ruan Qiuping, he would not be satisfied and continue to do his things.
Therefore, he tried his best to suppress his thoughts and just kissed Ruan Qiuping lightly on the forehead.
"Good night, Ruan Ruan."
After doing all this, he was about to get up, but his wife stopped again.
He saw that the thin rope pendant hanging around Ruan Qiuping's neck slipped off at some point and landed just above Ruan Qiuping's collarbone.
It's a ring.
An old ring with blurred lines that seemed to have been worn for ten years.
There is a row of capital English letters written on the inside of the ring.
ruanruan.
— Nguyen Nguyen.