Chapter 42 Part 2

"If we try to talk and it falls apart, we won't even be able to be friends anymore," He Lezhi said softly.

"That's a shame," Han Fangchi said in a normal tone. "It's already like this. We won't be able to be friends even if we don't talk about it."

Before He Lezhi could speak, he said, "You brought this up, not me, so I'm going to say my piece."

Only after emphasizing this point did he say, "Can you watch me date, marry, and live my life with someone else? And still give me your sincere blessing?"

He Lezhi pressed his lips together, then said after a moment, "I can."

"I can't," Han Fangchi immediately followed up. "I'm petty, not as magnanimous as you."

He closed his book and set it aside, picked up the phone from his body, and leaned against the headboard to say, "Since we've reached this point, we can't go back, whether we talk about it or not. You expect me to just stand by and watch you date someone else? And I'm supposed to offer my blessings? Impossible."

"If I don't date you, we can't be friends anymore?" He Lezhi frowned slightly and said, "You're being too domineering now."

"It'd be another story if my love was unrequited," Han Fangchi said. "If you had no other feelings, that would be a different matter."

He Lezhi turned over, facing the other way.

After a moment, Han Fangchi said, "You take your time and think it over. I'm not in a rush."

He Lezhi sighed internally.

Han Fangchi turned off the light and lay down with his phone. The rustling sound of clothes and the quilt was amplified, reaching He Lezhi's ears.

"When you've thought it all through, you'll understand. As long as you really like me, there's no other path for us." Han Fangchi's voice had a pre-sleep gentleness and calm, lower than usual.

Two minutes later, He Lezhi asked, "Are you going to sleep?"

"I'll sleep with it on," Han Fangchi said.

He Lezhi hummed in acknowledgment.

"What time do you get back the day after tomorrow?" Han Fangchi asked with his eyes closed.

"A little after two in the afternoon," He Lezhi answered.

"Can I see you as soon as I get off work?" Han Fangchi said.

He Lezhi said, "You can... I guess."

"Can we eat at home?" Han Fangchi asked.

He Lezhi said, "Sure, what do you want to eat?"

"I'm not picky about what we eat," Han Fangchi said. "I just want to spend more time with you."

He Lezhi didn't know how to respond to that. After a few seconds of silence, he asked him, "Is lamb okay?"

"Sure, I'm not picky." Han Fangchi already sounded sleepy, his voice growing mumbled and unclear. "Want to see you when I get home."

He Lezhi wasn't sure if that was what he heard. "Mhm."

This was the first time the two of them had such a long, pointless phone call. Later, they both fell asleep, and it stayed on until it disconnected on its own.

The next day, he woke up to several messages in the small group chat. Xiao Yao had tagged He Lezhi, asking where he had gone.

It was already twelve, and he was still tagging him, asking: Where are you? Don't you always say good night when you're on a business trip?

Han Fangchi had replied in the morning: Just sleep.

Xiao Yao was awake too, and it seemed his morning grumpiness hadn't faded. He said: Was I asking you?

Han Fangchi had probably gone to wash up and didn't reply again.

He Lezhi: @Xiao Yao, I fell asleep last night.

Xiao Yao: I figured as much.

Xiao Yao: Lezhi, look how annoying he is!

He Lezhi didn't join in, only replying: haha.

A moment later, Han Fangchi sent just one word: Teeth.

Xiao Yao immediately replied: !!!

Xiao Yao: How could I speak to Brother Chi with such an attitude, I deserve to die!

For the next few minutes, He Lezhi watched Xiao Yao repent. Xiao Yao's maternal grandfather was expected to need six to eight dental implants. He was still down south and hadn't returned yet, and they didn't know if his bone mass was sufficient. He didn't dare offend Han Fangchi in the slightest right now.

He Lezhi: hahahaha.

He Lezhi was on the trip for two nights, and for both nights, he fell asleep with the voice call on. Han Fangchi wouldn't let him hang up, and He Lezhi was obedient, so he could only leave it on.

After getting off the plane, his Little Aunt called and told him to come directly to He Qi's house for dinner. It was on the way, and He Qi was there too.

He Lezhi asked with a smile, "What delicious things are you all eating?"

"Oh, a whole lot." His Little Aunt listed many dishes for him and said, "Hurry over."

As soon as he heard that, He Lezhi asked, "Auntie Lin is here, right?"

Auntie Lin was the two sisters' childhood friend. Her husband had been the head chef of a high-end restaurant when he was young and now ran his own. Auntie Lin's cooking was exceptionally good.

He Lezhi said, "I'm on my way."

It was past three when He Lezhi arrived. The house was filled with a dozen or so people and was quite lively. He was familiar with all of He Qi's friends; when he was little, He Qi often took him to their gatherings.

He Lezhi greeted them one by one. A designer auntie grabbed him and said she wanted to introduce him to a boyfriend.

He Qi never hid her sexuality from others and didn't think it was anything to be ashamed of. Besides, none of her friends were particularly conventional, so they weren't surprised by it.

He Lezhi quickly refused with a smile, "No need, no need, I'm not in a hurry, Auntie."

This auntie started flipping through photos on her phone. He Lezhi held her hand down and said, "I really don't need one, Auntie!"

He Lezhi had come back mainly to see these elders, as it had been a while. After greeting everyone, He Lezhi asked, "What time are you all eating?"

"Why? Are you hungry?" Auntie Lin asked.

"I'm hungry," He Lezhi said.

"Then have a snack first. We're eating later."

Since he was already back, he didn't plan on leaving empty-handed. He Lezhi took a tour of the kitchen. Some ingredients were already prepared. He lifted this pot lid to look, and uncovered that basin to peek.

"What time are we eating?" He Lezhi asked again.

He Qi couldn't stop laughing. Biting into a pear, she nudged her chef friend. "My son is really hungry. Go make him something to eat."

"I've never seen anyone spoil their kid like you." After saying that, Auntie Lin came into the kitchen and asked He Lezhi what he wanted to eat.

He Lezhi picked a couple of quick dishes for her to make, praising her lavishly from the side and providing ample emotional value. He found a container himself and packed some shrimp, and also took two small lamb shanks.

"He Qi, look what your son is doing!" Auntie Lin called out to her.

He Qi looked back to see He Lezhi packing up the dishes that had just been cooked for him. He Qi burst out laughing and asked, "You're not eating here?"

"Nope, I'm going home," He Lezhi said.

It was already four-thirty. He Lezhi packed up his ingredients and dishes, shouldered his bag, and went to the door to put on his shoes.

His Little Aunt asked in astonishment, "Lezhi, where are you going?"

He Lezhi finished putting on his shoes and said with a smile, "I have something to do at home." After saying that, he took the opportunity while his Little Aunt wasn't looking and ran off.

The designer auntie from before commented from the side, "He Qi, your son is up to something."

"Your son is the one who's up to something!" He Qi gave her a light kick.

"I don't have a son," her friend replied.

He Lezhi was both obedient and kept his promises.

When Han Fangchi returned to his own home after work, the first thing he saw upon opening the door was He Lezhi's shoes. The air in the house was thick with the smell of butter-fried shrimp. He Lezhi was in the kitchen; hearing the sound, he leaned back from the stove to look over. Seeing Han Fangchi was back, he smiled and said, "Doctor Han is off work?"