Chapter 17
Author: Mr. Big Horn
Even though Yan Zhen’s car looked unassuming, its price was five to ten times that of an ordinary car. Amidst the airport traffic, it was impossible for it not to stand out.
No matter how far away it was, it was easily recognizable.
Su Jinxin stood by the window in the international arrivals hall, gripping the railing, watching as the car slowly moved through the congested traffic, gradually becoming smaller until it finally disappeared from sight.
His eyes were a bit red, and there was a hint of mistiness in his gaze.
But he didn’t cry.
Yan Zhen always teased him for being a “crybaby,” saying he was “made of water.” Yet Su Jinxin knew he wasn’t like that. In nearly twenty years before meeting Yan Zhen, he had cried maybe two or three times. Now, even if he felt like crying, he couldn’t unless he was with Yan Zhen. Tears didn’t solve anything when he was alone; they were utterly useless.
Su Jinxin bit his lip. With Yan Zhen’s car out of sight, there was no point in standing there. He thought for a moment, then shook his head with a self-deprecating smile and murmured, “Stop dreaming about things that are out of reach.” He turned and walked back to the waiting area.
He had been to this arrivals hall many times.
The first time was three years ago during the first holiday after Shi Lei went abroad. He stood in the waiting area, stretching his neck and standing on tiptoe like a waterfowl being lifted. He was so excited, like a bird chirping joyfully on a branch.
Why did those memories slowly change color over time?
He could never figure it out.
It seemed the further back in time he went, the blurrier Shi Lei’s face became.
In the past two years, almost all his memories of this arrivals hall involved Yan Zhen.
Sometimes, he would follow Yan Zhen, pushing the luggage slowly, planning what to cook when they got back to the villa. Other times, flights were delayed due to weather, and they would arrive after midnight. Half-asleep, he would feel Yan Zhen drape a coat over him, cradling him, and softly telling someone, “Keep it down, he’s tired.”
Yan Zhen often took him on trips abroad during various holidays, always knowing exactly where he most wanted to go.
The most recent trip was to Russia.
The destination was kept secret until they left. Yan Zhen blindfolded him with a black cloth. Most of the time, Yan Zhen held him, fed him, and even assisted him with bathroom breaks. Yan Zhen wasn’t exactly a saint, and for him, Su Jinxin was always more than just a companion. They had played many extreme games, and the suffocating, near-death experiences were not unfamiliar, but this time was particularly memorable.
Probably because when the blindfold was removed, he found himself in front of the magnificent building of the Repin Academy of Fine Arts in the Russian architectural style. Yan Zhen leaned down and whispered in his ear, “I’ve arranged for you to audit classes here for three weeks. Good luck.”
At that moment, Su Jinxin almost wanted to kneel at Yan Zhen’s feet and kiss them, calling him “Master.”
…Just thinking about it still made him excited.
Su Jinxin shook his head vigorously, wondering where he had gotten the naïve courage back then. He had thought it was just a transaction, thinking he could walk away unscathed after it was over.
But how could that be possible?
He had been by Yan Zhen’s side for three years, gazing into those deep, dark eyes filled with affection.
How could he possibly walk away unscathed?
Meanwhile, Yan Zhen was pulling his car to the roadside, calling the driver to report his location, then silently stepping out and lighting a cigarette.
Yan Zhen rarely smoked.
Especially not around Su Jinxin—who, with an artist’s sensitivity, could detect where Yan Zhen had been and whom he had met just by the smell. Yan Zhen didn’t want smoke to ruin that sensitivity, so he had almost quit smoking.
Today was an exception.
Yan Zhen deeply inhaled the smoke and then slowly exhaled. He hadn’t expected to lose his composure to the point where he couldn’t even drive properly. Afraid of causing an accident, he had to stop and wait for the driver.
It took nearly an hour to get back home.
Upon entering, Su Jinxin’s presence was everywhere.
When Su Jinxin was around, it all felt sweet. Now, it felt somewhat bittersweet.
Yan Zhen sat alone in Su Jinxin’s studio for a while, then sighed, got up, went to his study, took out a prepared red envelope, and called the butler. He made arrangements for the staff—Su Jinxin had moved into the guest room-turned-studio on a whim, causing chaos among the staff. Yan Zhen couldn’t let that go unrewarded.
The butler was surprised. “Mr. Su isn’t coming back? I thought he’d be here for the holiday…” He was an old hand in the household and spoke more freely but stopped when he saw Yan Zhen’s expression. “Sorry, young master, I overstepped.”
Yan Zhen rubbed his temples. “It’s fine, I also thought…” He smiled, “Next time. The next holiday, winter break, I’ll try to have him stay for Christmas and New Year.”
Well…
Yan Zhen spoke confidently, but he wasn’t sure if he could follow through.
It was just an optimistic wish.
He originally thought it was achievable.
After all, he was known for being calm, collected, and methodical.
This time—in his mind—was supposed to be no different. He planned to stay calm, proceed according to his plan, slowly integrate into Su Jinxin’s life, and gradually eliminate the influence of that “boyfriend.”
However, things didn’t go as planned.
Watching Su Jinxin’s figure shrink into the distance and finally disappear around the corner at the airport, Yan Zhen realized he had already lost his composure.
As the saying goes, “It’s easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.” This applies to everything in life.
He had never spent such a long period living with Su Jinxin before.
Their interactions beyond three days were almost always during trips, and the feeling of traveling is different from daily life.