The Missing Piece: 貌合神离

Chapter 10

 

Turning around with difficulty, Shen Mo gazed at Ji Mingxuan and said, “I have always been yours.”

 

Ji Mingxuan took a deep breath and immediately embraced Shen Mo tighter. After several thrusts, he released inside of Shen Mo.

 

Shen Mo shuddered, his body growing more sensitive after the orgasm. His legs were so limp that he couldn’t even stand; he slowly slid down the glass window.

 

Ji Mingxuan reached to wrap his arms around Shen Mo’s waist, helping him get up before bringing him to the bathroom. The sex had exhausted them both. Once they showered, they collapsed onto the bed in each other’s arms.

 

Shen Mo fell asleep the moment he closed his eyes. He slept soundly until the middle of the night, when he felt a hand on his waist. The hand moved skilfully, stroking his waist in slow, wandering motions that stirred a familiar desire. Shen Mo murmured, “Mn.” Eyes half closed, he said, “Mr Ji?”

 

“It’s nothing.” Ji Mingxuan hugged Shen Mo from behind and said in Shen Mo’s ear, “You can keep sleeping.”

 

But the hand continued to move, gradually sliding downward.

 

Shen Mo hurried to grab Ji Mingxuan’s hand. “Mr Ji, I’m out of strength…”

 

Ji Mingxuan kissed Shen Mo’s temple and coaxed him, “You don’t need any more strength.”

 

As Ji Mingxuan spoke, he took off Shen Mo’s trousers, searching for the spot where he had taken Shen Mo’s body. Reaching inside, he stirred with two fingers. From their previous lovemaking, Shen Mo had long since been softened and was soon getting used to Ji Mingxuan.

 

So Ji Mingxuan withdrew his fingers. He pressed his body close against Shen Mo’s and entered from the side.

 

“Ah...”

 

Shen Mo let out a short cry. He no longer felt like sleeping. Ji Mingxuan, holding Shen Mo in his arms, slowly moved. This time, he did it gently, but he also dragged it on until Shen Mo’s voice grew hoarse. In the end, Shen Mo couldn’t help but beg.

 

Ji Mingxuan kissed Shen Mo’s nape and asked, “Do you like it?”

 

“I do…” Unable to withstand Ji Mingxuan’s teasing, Shen Mo stammered, “Nng… I love you, Mr Ji…”

 

These words clearly pleased Ji Mingxuan. He held Shen Mo for a while longer and finally came. This time, neither of them could be bothered to shower. Their bodies drenched in sweat, they embraced each other, waiting for their breathing to calm down.

 

The sky outside the window still looked dim. It hadn’t fully brightened yet. Shen Mo was so exhausted that he no longer felt drowsy. Lying in Ji Mingxuan’s arms, he asked, “You really aren’t married, Mr Ji?”

 

Ji Mingxuan chuckled. “You know who’s in my heart.”

 

Shen Mo smiled wryly. Had he not lost those memories, surely he would’ve understood Ji Mingxuan’s heart. But fate had played a trick on him. He had been so close to losing Ji Mingxuan.

 

“If that’s the case, Mr Ji, why did you break up with me four years ago? I asked Mr Chen to contact you. Why did you never give me a response?”

 

Ji Mingxuan went silent.

 

Little by little, the sky grew brighter. A long time passed before Shen Mo finally heard Ji Mingxuan utter, “An’an…”

 

Shen Mo’s heart throbbed. This was the last thing Shen Mo wanted to face. If it weren’t for all those things between him and Zhou Yang, Ji An’an wouldn’t have…

 

“After An’an woke up in the hospital that day, she listened to me tell her the truth behind everything, but she didn’t shed a single tear. You don’t know this, but she had always cried easily. Ever since she was young, she burst into tears at the smallest matters. But at the time, she was extremely calm. She only asked one thing of me.”

 

“What was it?”

 

“Growing up, I tried my best to do whatever An’an wanted. I hated Zhou Yang so much, yet I still let him be my brother-in-law. It was the first time An’an had ever begged me so earnestly. How could I let her down?”

 

Shen Mo asked again, “What did Miss Ji ask of you?”

 

Ji Mingxuan closed his eyes before he said, “She asked me to set you free, and let you and Zhou Yang be together.”

 

Shen Mo’s eyelid twitched. He would never have expected Ji An’an to ask this of Ji Mingxuan. After all, she was the one who had been deceived.

 

“An’an said that only two people who love each other should be together, and the person who’s not loved… can only let go,” Ji Mingxuan said. “She was much wiser than me, wasn’t she? I was wrong right from the beginning. I thought that by binding two people together, feelings would occur sooner or later, but who could have known that the opposite would happen? I exposed your relationship with Zhou Yang, and I hurt you. I had An’an be engaged with Zhou Yang, and I….”

 

Ji Mingxuan struggled to finish his words.

 

Shen Mo hurried to hold Ji Mingxuan’s hand. “No. I know you never meant for any of it to happen….”

 

“But it was too late to make up for what had happened. So I promised An’an to break up with you, never to disturb you and Zhou Yang from then on.”

 

“Zhou Yang and I have been over for a long time.”

 

“I didn’t know until I heard you say it that day.” Ji Mingxuan kissed Shen Mo and said, “I kept my promise with An’an, and I haven’t gone back once. I never thought I’d meet you here. That day, at the swimming pool, you just stood there…”

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t finish his words, only kissing Shen Mo again and again. Shen Mo wondered if Ji Mingxuan had really never thought that all this would happen. Why had he invested in this hotel on this island, then? Perhaps he held out the slightest ray of hope as he waited for Shen Mo on this island, just as he had waited for Shen Mo at Jinxiu Villa. But Shen Mo didn’t expose Ji Mingxuan.

 

Ji Mingxuan took Shen Mo’s hand and pressed it against his chest. “Shen Mo, you fell in on your own.”

 

Shen Mo admitted calmly, “I did.”

 

It was only because Mr Ji was at the other end of the trap that Shen Mo had ignored everything else and jumped right in. Shen Mo knew Ji Mingxuan better now. He realised that there were things Ji Mingxuan would never admit to doing, so Shen Mo had to be the one to show more love. The sky outside the window was growing paler.

 

Shen Mo asked, “Mr Ji, will you be going back early to keep Xiao-Ning company?”

 

Ji Mingxuan replied, “Yes.” Still holding Shen Mo in his arms, he said, “Let’s stay like this for a little longer.”

 

“Mr Ji, if you’re not married, then Xiao-Ning is…”

 

Ji Mingxuan suddenly hugged him even tighter.

 

“While you were in China, you must have heard some news about An’an as well.”

 

“Yes. I heard about her from Mr Chen.”

 

“After An’an went abroad with me, for some time, her condition had been stable. But she didn’t listen to me and insisted on giving birth to Ji Ning—just like my mother had.”

 

Shocked, Shen Mo sat up from the bed and asked, “So Xiao-Ning is Miss Ji’s child?”

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t deny it. Shen Mo counted the years in his head. Three years ago had been when Ji An’an… Ji Ning was three years old now; the times did correspond. But, as for the child’s father…

 

Shen Mo hesitated for a moment, but in the end he still asked, “Is Xiao-Ning’s biological father… Zhou Yang?”

 

Eyes darkened, Ji Mingxuan drew Shen Mo back into his arms. His voice sounded somewhat hoarse. “No.”

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t regain his composure for a while. He then continued, “Ji Ning’s surname is Ji. He has nothing to do with anyone else. An’an wanted things to be this way.”

 

Shen Mo immediately understood. Ji Mingxuan took Ji Ning into the Ji family to avoid further involvement with the Zhou family. Shen Mo couldn’t help but say, “Miss Ji must have truly loved Xiao-Ning.”

 

Ji An’an had known that her life could be in danger, but she still decided to give birth to the child. After everything, did she still love Zhou Yang? Shen Mo didn’t dare think about it.

 

Ji Mingxuan said, “But she was so cruel to me.”

 

Shen Mo knew that Ji Mingxuan’s parents had long since passed away, leaving Ji An’an as Ji Mingxuan’s only family. For this matter, Ji Mingxuan must have blamed himself so much. All that Ji Mingxuan had ever wanted was to give his sister the entire world, but he used the wrong methods and lost her instead.

 

The sky had brightened completely. Lying in Ji Mingxuan’s arms, Shen Mo wanted to look up at Ji Mingxuan’s face, but Ji Mingxuan covered Shen Mo’s eyes with his hand. He called, “Shen Mo.”

 

Feeling sadness in his heart, Shen Mo planted a hard kiss on Ji Mingxuan’s chin and said, “Yes, I’m here.”

 

Shen Mo regretted that he hadn’t come to find Ji Mingxuan earlier. When Ji Mingxuan had lost Ji An’an, when he was feeling so dejected and so hurt, Shen Mo couldn’t stay by his side. But in the future, that won’t happen again, Shen Mo thought.

 

The two lay together quietly. Neither spoke again. Only when time was running out did Ji Mingxuan stroke Shen Mo’s hair and sit up. He said, “I’ll go check on Ji Ning.”

 

Shen Mo also got up. The clothes they had taken off last night were still scattered across the floor. Shen Mo pretended to pick up the clothes so Ji Mingxuan could use the bathroom first. Ji Mingxuan went in and washed up. When he came out, he recovered his usual impeccable self. Only his eyes were still a little red. Shen Mo pretended not to notice, handing Ji Mingxuan his clothes.

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t have a change of clothes, so he had to put on the shirt he’d worn yesterday. After he got dressed, he played with the pair of cufflinks for a while before he tossed them to Shen Mo.

 

For a moment, Shen Mo was surprised. He examined Ji Mingxuan’s expression before he finally understood what Ji Mingxuan meant. Walking over, he put on the cufflinks for Ji Mingxuan. Ji Mingxuan seemed to take it as a matter of course.

 

Ji Mingxuan’s shirt, having lain on the floor throughout the night, was a little wrinkled. Shen Mo helped Ji Mingxuan fix his shirt collar, smoothing out the wrinkles. Ji Mingxuan didn’t say anything, but the corners of his mouth lifted a little. Obviously, he was rather satisfied. Before he went out, he turned around and glanced at Shen Mo once more, asking, “Will you still be going back today?”

 

He seemed to be afraid that Shen Mo would run away.

 

Shen Mo replied immediately, “I’ll cancel the return ticket right now.”

 

Ji Mingxuan nodded. “Stay here for a few more days. I’ll show you around.”

 

In truth, Shen Mo visited S Island on holiday every year and had been to most of the tourist attractions. But touring with Ji Mingxuan was different, of course. Even now, he was a little reluctant to part with Ji Mingxuan. He asked, “How about I go see Xiao-Ning too?”

 

“His temper is terrible in the morning. Don’t bother. And you didn’t rest well last night. Sleep for a little longer.”

 

Shen Mo was tired indeed, so he didn’t insist.

 

Ji Mingxuan then said, “Let’s have lunch together.”

 

Ji Mingxuan thought about it some more and added, “But before that, there’s something you must do.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Ji Mingxuan raised his left hand to show Shen Mo the ring—it hadn’t faded yet. He then pointed at Shen Mo’s hand and said, “Paint a matching one on your hand too. I’ll inspect it at lunch.”

 

Shen Mo said, “What I painted was my own heart. As for yours, Mr Ji…”

 

“You’ll paint it too, of course.” Ji Mingxuan’s gaze turned back toward him. “You know where my heart lies, don’t you?”

 

Shen Mo certainly knew.

 

Feeling his face burn somewhat, he was too embarrassed to answer. So Ji Mingxuan smiled. Waving his hand, he turned around and left.

 

Shen Mo stood at the door for a while and then lay back down in bed, wrapping himself in the blanket. He hadn’t slept much last night, so he slept soundly this time and didn’t even dream. When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.

 

Remembering Ji Mingxuan’s words, Shen Mo found the paint he’d used last night and painted a matching ring on his own left hand. Although it was only to pass Ji Mingxuan’s inspection, he still painted quite carefully. 

 

After he finished, he raised his left hand, looked at the ring in the sunlight, and gloated alone for a while. Soon, Ji Mingxuan knocked on the door again. He’d already changed his outfit. By car, he took Shen Mo to an outside restaurant.

 

Looking around, Shen Mo couldn’t find Ji Ning, so he asked, “Where is Xiao-Ning?”

 

“The nanny is looking after Ji Ning,” Ji Mingxuan said. “We never have the chance to eat alone, just the two of us.”

 

As Ji Mingxuan spoke, he took Shen Mo’s left hand and scrutinised it from every angle. Only when he confirmed that they were indeed wearing matching rings did he go forward, holding Shen Mo’s hand.

 

“Mr Ji.” Shen Mo felt a little embarrassed. “We’re in public.”

 

Ji Mingxuan only gripped Shen Mo’s hand more firmly. “What are you afraid of? No one knows who we are.”

 

Ji Mingxuan behaved more naturally. Holding Shen Mo’s hand the whole way, he walked out of the hotel and drove to a restaurant that captured the local culture well. The restaurant was built by the water. Decorative greenery was everywhere, and a green pond was right beside the dining table. The environment was quiet and peaceful.

 

Ji Mingxuan ordered a few specialities and talked with Shen Mo while they ate. Neither of them was talkative, so they only chatted about how they’d been after they had parted.

 

Ji Mingxuan’s life was rather boring. Apart from business matters, most of his energy was spent on Ji Ning. Shen Mo then realised how difficult it must be for a man to raise a child alone. The extent of Ji Mingxuan's love for Ji Ning was beyond doubt.

 

Shen Mo, on the other hand, had even less to talk about. He’d only opened a studio and was living a leisurely life.

 

“You even hired someone?” Keenly, Ji Mingxuan captured this information and asked, “A man or a woman?”

 

Shen Mo answered honestly, “A woman.”

 

So Ji Mingxuan uttered, “Hm,” as if he was thinking about something.

 

Shen Mo added immediately, “She has a boyfriend. They’re already talking about marriage.”

 

Ji Mingxuan still replied, “Hm.”

 

His expression brightened, however. He added more meat to Shen Mo’s bowl and commented, “You look thinner.”

 

Shen Mo didn’t feel like he’d lost weight, but because Mr Ji thought so, he still ate more than usual. He felt quite full after lunch, so Ji Mingxuan dragged him to the beach for a walk.

 

Shen Mo had already grown tired of the seaside scenery. Paying it no attention, he followed Ji Mingxuan wholeheartedly. Once they got tired of walking, they found a random spot and rested there for a while. They had no destination.

 

The sea wind blew slowly. To Shen Mo, time like this felt both short and long. So short that the sky darkened in a blink of an eye. So long that they might just spend their entire lives like this.

 

They watched the sunset at the beach before they went back. It was already late when they returned to the hotel, so they had dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

 

Shen Mo had been wondering why the paint on Ji Mingxuan’s hand hadn’t faded yet. Only later, after watching Ji Mingxuan wash his hands, did Shen Mo realise what was going on. Ji Mingxuan took great care to wash his hands, deliberately turning the faucet so the water flow was as slow as possible to avoid the tiny area.

 

Shen Mo felt both touched and embarrassed. For once, he took the dominating role and forced Ji Mingxuan to wash off the ring.

 

It displeased Mr Ji quite a bit; his face was dark all night. However, Shen Mo didn’t have time to indulge Ji Mingxuan, as Ji Ning kept asking him to tell a story.

 

Ji Ning didn’t see the two until it was right before his bedtime. After a short while of excitement, Ji Mingxuan told him to go to sleep. Aggrieved, he lay in bed and demanded the story of the big bad wolf and the little white rabbit. So Shen Mo sat by the bed and told Ji Ning the story.

 

After Ji Ning listened to it, he blinked and pouted. “It’s different from how Daddy told it to me last time.”

 

“How did Daddy tell it?”

 

“Daddy said the big bad wolf and the little white rabbit lived together forever.”

 

Shen Mo felt a little moved. He turned around to look at Ji Mingxuan. Only then did he notice that, while he had been telling Ji Ning the story, Ji Mingxuan had already fallen asleep by the bed.

 

Ji Ning pounced on Ji Mingxuan and called, “Daddy!”

 

Shen Mo hurried to hold Ji Ning back, lowering his voice. “Shh, let Daddy get a good night’s sleep.”

 

From last night to today, Ji Mingxuan must have been exhausted. Shen Mo stuffed Ji Ning back in bed and coaxed Ji Ning to sleep. Then, he brought over a blanket from the next room and carefully draped it over Ji Mingxuan. Ji Mingxuan was still sleeping soundly.

 

In the dim light, Shen Mo realised that Ji Mingxuan’s eyelashes, especially long, cast faint shadows on his face. Gazing at him, Shen Mo felt somewhat distracted.

 

Both Ji Mingxuan and Ji Ning were asleep. No one else was in the room. Shen Mo remembered that day many years ago. When he was so tired that he fell asleep on the sofa, Ji Mingxuan circled him many times.

 

Shen Mo’s heart sped. He felt a little nervous. Placing his hands on the edge of the bed, he inched toward Ji Mingxuan and pressed his lips against his cheek, gently kissing him just as it had all those years ago.

 

Shen Mo spent a few more days on the island. Only once he felt satisfied did he re-book the return ticket. 

 

Ji Mingxuan had been developing his business abroad these years; the centre of his business had moved overseas as well. He wouldn’t be able to return to China on just a whim, so he didn’t go back with Shen Mo this time and booked a ticket for a later date. On the day of Shen Mo’s departure, he took Ji Ning to the airport to see Shen Mo.

 

Although they would part soon, Ji Mingxuan didn’t say anything romantic. He only told Shen Mo, “I’ll go find you once I’m done with work.”

 

Shen Mo smiled and said yes. On the other hand, Ji Ning was reluctant to part with Shen Mo, ceaselessly asking questions like “Where are you going?” and “When are you coming back?” and “Why won’t you be leaving with us?”

 

Patiently, Shen Mo answered each of Ji Ning’s questions, “I’ll be going home. I won’t be coming back in a while, but you can come play at my house in the future, Xiao-Ning.”

 

“Really?” Ji Ning still didn’t believe Shen Mo, insisting on a pinky promise. So Shen Mo bent over and hooked his pinky around Ji Ning’s. He said, “How about, if I lied, I would… get caught by the big bad wolf?”

 

Ji Ning finally believed Shen Mo. He said childishly, “Don’t let the big bad wolf catch you, Uncle, or I won’t be able to see you anymore. Daddy has your photo, but I don’t have one.”

 

Shen Mo was surprised. “What photo?”

 

“The one Daddy puts in his wallet….”

 

Before Ji Ning could finish, Ji Mingxuan scooped him right up. Pretending that he would smack Ji Ning on the buttocks, Ji Mingxuan said, “Uncle is boarding the plane soon. Let him rest for a bit and don’t keep on bothering him, understood?”

 

Ji Ning replied unwillingly, “Okay.”

 

Ji Mingxuan praised him, “Good boy.”

 

Shen Mo couldn’t help but call out, “Mr Ji.”

 

Ji Mingxuan looked into Shen Mo’s eyes as though nothing had happened, giving him no explanation.

 

Speechless, Shen Mo thought for a while and said, “I’m thirsty. I want to buy a bottle of water. Could you lend me your wallet, Mr Ji?”

 

Ji Mingxuan’s dark eyes narrowed. He said, “I’ll buy it for you.”

 

When Ji Mingxuan finished, he picked up Ji Ning and went to buy water. Standing at the same spot, Shen Mo watched the two figures from afar.

 

No wonder Ji Ning had been so friendly toward him, even upon their very first meeting. So it seemed there was a reason, after all. But… just which photo did Ji Mingxuan keep in his wallet?

 

Shen Mo did not like taking photos. He had no memory of taking photos with Ji Mingxuan either. The photos he’d taken before were all left in his rental. Where could Ji Mingxuan have got such a photo?

 

Shen Mo was beyond curious. When Ji Mingxuan came back with the water, Shen Mo tried to beat around the bush. Ji Mingxuan, however, kept up his defence; despite Shen Mo’s persistence, he revealed not a single word.

 

It was almost time to board the plane. Shen Mo’s only option left was to ask Ji Ning, “Is it a good photo?”

 

Before Ji Ning could reply, Ji Mingxuan pulled him into his arms. Then, he came over and kissed Shen Mo on the lips. He whispered, “It’s beautiful.”

 

Startled, Shen Mo pressed a finger to his own lips. “That’s not what I was asking…”

 

Ji Mingxuan just smiled. He let go of Ji Ning and said, “It’s time for security.”

 

Seeing that his time was almost up, Shen Mo said goodbye to Ji Mingxuan and Ji Ning, then walked over to check in.

 

Shen Mo went to S Island every year, but this time his mood was so different. Sitting in the plane, he looked back on what had happened in the past few days, feeling as if he’d been dreaming.

 

Because of the layover, the return trip took quite some time as well. It was almost midnight when Shen Mo got back home. He texted Ji Mingxuan to report that he’d arrived safely, then crashed out from fatigue.

 

He didn’t get up until noon the next day. After casually making himself some noodles, he drove to the studio in the afternoon. Of course, there were still no clients. Yang Yue was so bored that she even started swatting flies. Upon seeing Shen Mo, she was naturally pleased.

 

“You’re finally back, boss! Why were you gone for so long this time?”

 

“Yeah. I couldn’t help staying a little longer.”

 

“Did you bring me any good food?”

 

“Of course.” Shen Mo took out the local specialities he had bought. “I bring you food every year, don’t I?”

 

Grinning, Yang Yue accepted them. “You’re the best, Boss. Did you meet someone special this time?”

 

Someone special? Did meeting Ji Mingxuan… count? Shen Mo paused. For a moment, he couldn’t answer.

 

Yang Yue immediately picked up the scent of gossip. “Really? Did you really? What’s she like? Exotic beauty with long legs?”

 

Shen Mo shook his head. “You think too much. Go do your work.”

 

“There isn’t any business at all—what work is there to do?”

 

“There’s no business now, but it’ll come later.” Shen Mo tidied up the place as he said, “School starts in just a few days. Many students will probably be interested in painting. Let’s print out some ads; we should be able to get some business soon.”

 

He glanced at Yang Yue and added, “If you think there’s too much work, I’ll hire someone else to come help.”

 

Yang Yue’s eyes widened in surprise. “What happened to you, boss? Didn’t you use to be as lazy as a person could be? Why are you suddenly so diligent now?”

 

Shen Mo was a little offended. “I was never that lazy, was I?”

 

Then, he sighed. “But things are different now.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because…” As Shen Mo thought of the two who were still overseas, a faint smile spread to his eyes. “I have to support my family.”

 

Yang Yue’s expression was one of indescribable astonishment. She walked a few steps closer and stared at Shen Mo. “Boss, if I remember correctly. you’re single, aren’t you?”

 

Shen Mo’s answer was subtle. “I was.”

 

Just those two words were enough to arouse the young woman’s vivid imagination.

 

“Ahhh—are you getting married, boss? Or are you already married? Love at first sight while you were travelling? A romantic encounter by the sea? Like what you see in movies?”

 

Shen Mo did not reply. Pointing to the cobweb in a corner, he said, “You haven’t cleaned the place in a long time, right? Since we’re free today, let’s do some cleaning.”

 

“Don’t change the subject, boss!” Yang Yue caught up to him and asked, “Is the Missus a foreigner? Oh no, my English is terrible; how will I communicate with her?”

 

Shen Mo chuckled in his heart. He found “Missus” a befitting term in every way and almost wanted to praise Yang Yue for it. His relationship with Ji Mingxuan wasn’t set in stone yet, but he was quite confident. He’d introduce Ji Mingxuan to Yang Yue sooner or later, so he revealed to her, “Don’t worry. Mandarin is fine.”

 

“Oh, good.” Yang Yue sighed in relief. She then asked, “What does she look like? Does she have a good temper?”

 

Shen Mo took up the broom and swept the floor, a smile lingering on his lips throughout. “A few years older than me. Really good-looking. As for temper… just a little too proud.”

 

The image of a cold, seductive beauty immediately came to mind. She didn’t think her boss could handle this type of person, but seeing Shen Mo’s determination in making money to support his family, she knew he must have fallen deep.

 

“She spends a lot of money, doesn’t she?”

 

“Probably.”

 

Judging from the brands that Ji Mingxuan wore, Shen Mo knew that Ji Mingxuan’s clothes were definitely expensive. He didn’t need to buy a car or a house yet, but he liked to make long-term considerations.

 

“And the child’s education expenses…”

 

“The child?” Yang Yue looked Shen Mo up and down. “Boss, you’re really a man of action!”

 

Shen Mo knew that she had misunderstood. He didn’t know what sort of expression to put on. “He’s already three years old.”

 

“This is her second marriage?”

 

“No. It’s a little complicated.”

 

Yang Yue nodded. “I understand, I understand.”

 

Premarital pregnancy, right? The woman had been working hard, raising the child alone, when she finally met the love of her life, namely, Yang Yue’s boss.

Yang Yue gave Shen Mo a thumbs-up. “You’re a good guy, boss.”

 

Shen Mo sensed that Yang Yue had misunderstood even more. He knew he wouldn’t be able to explain everything in just one sitting; she’d understand after she met Ji Mingxuan, anyway. Thus, Shen Mo didn’t talk about it any further and focused on cleaning.

 

All on her own, Yang Yue imagined an arduous yet beautiful love story, which somewhat satisfied her curiosity. The afternoon passed quickly.

 

Yang Yue got off work in the evening. When Shen Mo was about to order delivery, he received a call from Ji Mingxuan. Of course, there was nothing important to discuss, so they had only a casual chat. Even so, they were on the line for quite some time. In the end, it wasn’t until Shen Mo’s phone started overheating that he finally hung up.

 

Ji Mingxuan still had much to deal with, and probably wouldn’t be back for another month. So Shen Mo spent this month keeping himself busy. After he sketched the pair of rings on paper, he worked on other things as well. He was out and about all day, and even on the rare occasion when he came back to the studio, he immersed himself in painting.

 

Yang Yue tried to sneak a look at what Shen Mo was painting, but Shen Mo refused to show her.

 

A month, compared to the days they had spent on the island, felt far too long. Finally, Ji Mingxuan came back. Shen Mo drove to the airport early to pick him up.

 

Carrying not much luggage, Ji Mingxuan strode out of the exit with confidence. Ji Ning wasn’t with him.

 

Shen Mo walked up to him and asked, “Where’s Xiao-Ning?”

 

“Ji Ning is still too young. It wouldn’t be easy for him to adjust to a new place, so I’ll bring him over after we settle down here.”

 

Shen Mo asked, “Where will you be living, Mr Ji? Your house from before?”

 

For a moment, Ji Mingxuan was quiet. Shen Mo knew the house was where Ji Mingxuan and Ji An’an had grown up. Living there now would inevitably remind Ji Mingxuan of the haunting memories. So he said, “How about my place?”

 

Hearing this, Ji Mingxuan didn’t even respond. He only took Shen Mo’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”

 

Like so many times before, Shen Mo followed Ji Mingxuan with all his heart. But when they got into the car, Shen Mo was still the one driving. Ji Mingxuan asked him, “Where do you live now?”

 

Shen Mo smiled and said, “You’ll see when we get there.”

 

Shen Mo drove all the way downtown. Ji Mingxuan had been abroad for a few years now. At first, he only noticed how H City had changed over the years. But later, he gradually realised that he found the street somewhat familiar. 

 

Without turning to look at Shen Mo, he faced straight ahead and asked, “Shen Mo, where are you going?”

 

Shen Mo reached out to hold Ji Mingxuan’s hand. What he said was still the same: “We’ll get there soon.”

 

At the prime location of the city centre was a residential area, quiet amid its noisy surroundings. A boulevard separated it from the downtown hustle. It was where Shen Mo was headed.

 

Ji Mingxuan’s eyelid twitched, his palm growing slightly sweaty against Shen Mo’s. The car stopped slowly. He already recognised this place—Jinxiu Villa.

 

Shen Mo parked the car and pulled the door open. “Mr Ji, please come out.”

 

Ji Mingxuan sat still. With eyes deep and dark, he looked at Shen Mo. “Why did we come here?”

 

“Did you forget, Mr Ji? You asked Mr Chen to take back the house here in Jinxiu Villa, but I never agreed to it, so I still have the key.”

 

Ji Mingxuan’s expression changed. “Yes. You kept the key.”

 

This time, Ji Mingxuan opened the door and got out of the car before Shen Mo had to press him.

 

Jinxiu Villa hadn’t changed much over the years. Only the security guards at the gate were different. These days, Shen Mo had been frequenting this place, so all of the security guards knew him. When they saw him, he was granted access quickly.

 

Shen Mo’s house was on the seventh floor. One would normally take the lift, but he told Ji Mingxuan, “Mr Ji, how about we walk up the stairs? I have something to tell you.”

 

Ji Mingxuan didn’t object. The two slowly walked up the stairs, floor by floor.

People rarely passed through the stairwell, so it was naturally quiet inside. As Shen Mo walked, he recounted what had happened all those years ago.

 

“... I was sent to the hospital after I fell down the stairs. My injuries weren’t serious, but I couldn’t remember what happened in those six months.”

 

When Shen Mo finished his words, he halted and gazed at Ji Mingxuan. “If not for this, I would have come to Jingxiu Villa a long time ago.”

 

And… he would have also walked into Ji Mingxuan’s heart a long time ago. Ji Mingxuan listened quietly. He showed no emotion on his face, as though he was completely indifferent to the story, but he looked so calm that perhaps a storm was on its way.

 

Shen Mo felt nervous. A long while passed before he heard Ji Mingxuan ask, “Did it hurt?”

 

“What?”

 

“You fell down the stairs, didn’t you?” In the end, the myriad emotions hidden within Ji Mingxuan’s eyes only melted into a watery gaze, falling on Shen Mo. 

 

“Did it hurt?”

 

For an instant, Shen Mo felt that there was nothing in the world but his own heartbeat.

 

When he was ill, he had mistaken the man for Zhou Yang; when he recovered, he forgot about the man completely. But now that he remembered everything, the man mentioned not a single word about the past, and only asked him if he had been hurt.

 

“Ji Mingxuan…”

 

Somewhat losing his composure, Shen Mo squeezed his eyes shut to force his tears back inside.

 

Ji Mingxuan reached out and pulled Shen Mo into his arms. Smiling, he touched Shen Mo’s cheek. “Looks like it really did hurt.”

 

Shen Mo clung to Ji Mingxuan’s collar. He didn’t even use “Mr Ji,” calling the man by his full name again and again.

 

Ji Mingxuan answered several times and said, “There are three more floors. Let me carry you up.”

 

Only then did Shen Mo look up, his eyes still red. “I’m just a bit sad. It’s not as if I can’t walk anymore.”

 

In all seriousness, Ji Mingxuan said, “When you can no longer walk, I’ll carry you this way too.”

 

Hearing this, Shen Mo couldn’t turn Ji Mingxuan down again. Ji Mingxuan bent down and let Shen Mo onto his back. He took Shen Mo’s weight onto him, and then carried him up the stairs.

 

Leaning against Ji Mingxuan’s back, Shen Mo finally felt a little more settled. He asked, “Mr Ji, you didn’t know I lost my memory, and all those years… you thought I was ignoring you on purpose?”

 

Ji Mingxuan mocked himself, “I was no more than a stranger, wasn’t I?”

 

Shen Mo mumbled, “No…”

 

Thinking about how Ji Mingxuan had been back then, Shen Mo felt heavy-hearted again. A while later, he asked, “Did you visit Jinxiu Villa very often, Mr Ji?”

 

Ji Mingxuan replied immediately, “Only once in a while.”

 

Shen Mo knew he had to interpret the answer the opposite way, so he asked again, “What were you doing here, all alone?”

 

Ji Mingxuan only ignored Shen Mo now. No matter how many times Shen Mo asked, Ji Mingxuan refused to reply, carrying Shen Mo steadily on his back. He soon walked up the three floors. 

 

On the seventh floor, when Shen Mo got off Ji Mingxuan’s back, he heard Ji Mingxuan whisper a few words. Ji Mingxuan’s voice was so low that Shen Mo would have missed it if he weren’t so close.

 

Ji Mingxuan said, “I was thinking about you.”

 

Shen Mo froze where he was. Ji Mingxuan quickly walked to the door and waved at Shen Mo. “Where’s the key?”

 

Regaining his composure, Shen Mo fumbled for the door key. His hand trembled slightly. Holding the key, he couldn’t slide it into the keyhole, even after a few tries.

 

It was Ji Mingxuan who held Shen Mo’s hand and helped Shen Mo insert the key.

 

Click. The door finally opened. Shen Mo and Ji Mingxuan met each other’s eyes. An indescribable feeling arose in their hearts.

 

The house had been cleaned beforehand. The furniture and decor were the same as Ji Mingxuan remembered. Only a few places had changed: corner guards on the walls, safety covers on the outlets, and childproof locks on some appliances… These were the achievements Shen Mo had made during the busy month.

 

Ji Mingxuan opened the bedroom door. He found that the master bedroom was essentially the same as before, while the second bedroom was now a child’s room.

 

Shen Mo explained, “The furniture is all store-bought. Nothing was painted. Xiao-Ning can move in right away.”

 

Ji Mingxuan nodded. Only the study was left now, but Ji Mingxuan’s footsteps were somewhat hesitant. After pacing back and forth in front of its entrance for a while, he slowly pushed the door open.

 

The study was still the same as how he had personally arranged it back then. The room’s lighting was particularly good. The floor was covered with various paint tools, and all kinds of paintings hung on the walls. But the paintings were different from before.

 

The subject of all the paintings was the same person. Ji Mingxuan recognised himself at first sight, smiling, frowning, and expressionless too. Every painting seemed to come alive.

 

The signature at the bottom consisted of two characters he was all too familiar with.

 

Shen Mo.

 

Ji Mingxuan turned around, looking for Shen Mo.

 

Standing right behind Ji Mingxuan, Shen Mo asked, “How do they look?”

 

Somewhat nervous, Shen Mo added, “It was too much of a rush to get them finished in just one month, and I used my right hand so that I couldn’t paint in too much detail.”

 

Ji Mingxuan, having already met Shen Mo’s eyes, quickly averted his gaze. He said calmly, “Not bad.”

 

Perhaps he was imagining things, but Shen Mo noticed that a small patch of skin behind Ji Mingxuan’s ear was blushing slightly. Holding back the impulse to kiss Ji Mingxuan, he took what he had prepared from his pocket and reached out to hold Ji Mingxuan’s left hand.

 

Ji Mingxuan asked, “Shen Mo?”

 

Shen Mo didn’t say anything. Instead, he squeezed Ji Mingxuan’s fingertip and slowly slid the ring in his palm onto Ji Mingxuan’s ring finger. He didn’t even dare to let out a single breath; it was as if he was adding the finishing touch to a masterpiece.

 

Shen Mo had designed the ring and had it custom-made accordingly. It looked quite similar to the one Shen Mo had painted on the island.

 

Ji Mingxuan looked down at it, stunned. “What does this mean?”

 

“It’s a proposal.” Shen Mo swiftly put on his own ring and clasped Ji Mingxuan’s hand. The two rings were identical. “I want to spend my life with you, Mr Ji.”

 

Ji Mingxuan had already done too much. This time, it was Shen Mo’s turn to take the initiative. Shen Mo had no idea why Ji Mingxuan had fallen in love with him, but now that they were together, he would be worthy of Ji Mingxuan’s love only by becoming a better person.

 

“I’ll work hard to make money and support the family. Mr Ji, your answer is…?”

 

For a long time, Ji Mingxuan didn’t say anything. Ji Mingxuan studied the ring over and over again. He then gazed at Shen Mo and, all of a sudden, pushed him against the wall. On the wall also hung the portraits of Ji Mingxuan.

 

Ji Mingxuan’s expression was more beautiful than anything found in any painting. With the hand that wore the ring, he lifted Shen Mo’s chin. “This is my answer.”

 

Shen Mo was entranced for a moment. The whole room was filled with the man’s handsome features, but the real Ji Mingxuan, standing right in front of him, leaned down and kissed him with infinite tenderness.