Chapter 52 - There’s A Pervert Peeking at the Screen
Translated by Eve
Edited by Kara
17. There’s A Pervert Peeking at the Screen
Deng Jingwen suddenly stood up. He knocked over a glass of water on his desk with his arm, causing the water to splash all over his hand and wetting the gauze wrapped around his hand. However, he seemed to not even notice. His gaze was fixed on the screen in front of him, the boy on that screen, and his tiny, broken, toy house….
He remembered. His memory had always been very good. It was just that he hadn’t cared about it at the time, so he didn’t recognize it at first glance.
It had already been several years since then. That day, he had just gotten a good business deal sealed. When he returned home, he saw the boy sitting on the carpet of the living room, staring at the model pieces on the ground with furrowed brows and a vexed expression. It was clearly such a simple model to put together, but the boy couldn’t do it. At that time, he thought that the boy really wasn’t like him. The boy was so stupid in comparison…but he had been in a good mood, so he casually went over to help the boy put it together.
The boy had been so happy at that time. He held the toy house like it was his treasure. He pointed at the figurines and said, This is Dad, this is me…Dad is the most amazing person ever, the one I love the most is Dad….
Meanwhile, Deng Jingwen had just laughed without paying him any attention and left.
He never thought that what was an insignificant, trifling matter to him would have been remembered by the boy for so many years.
Deng Jingwen slightly raised his head, pressing his palms against his eyes.
Look at what he’d done…look at just how cruel his deeds have been.
Because of his selfishness and apathy, he had only ever cared about himself. Thus, he ended up missing his chance to have the person who would love him most in this world. Even if it was only familial love, it was still a luxury for him.
He finally understood why he had lost the boy. It was because someone like him did not deserve to receive such feelings.
【Ding, the target, Deng Jingwen’s Favourability Value +2. The current Favourability Value is 98.】
………………………………
Xie He began to work at the cafe. Because the cafe was situated in a rather secluded area, there weren’t many customers. The majority of them were nearby white-collar workers and the occasional students. It was very relaxed. Moreover, Yu Yu was very indulgent with him probably because of her sympathy towards him. Even if Liu Yan hadn’t called her, she would have treated him the same way.
Xie He was in charge of making coffee for the guests. When he had nothing to do, he would sit absentmindedly at the window.
This spot was carefully selected by him.
He chose this seat, because starting his second day of work, Deng Jingwen had booked a private room with a window on the second floor of the huge Western restaurant in front of the cafe for a long period of time. Every day, Deng Jingwen would come sit there for a long time, silently watching him. Xie He was a very considerate person. He took the initiative to go pick the best spot to get peeked at. At all times, he showed his down-and-out, sorrowful, and helpless emotions to console Dad.
【Xie He：Truly pitiful and sad, ah! A 16 year old youth has dropped out of school to work. Is this due to a tragedy in the family or the loss of virtue?】
【444：……】When you don’t know what to say, just stay quiet! _(:зゝ∠)_
【Xie He：Baby, what’s Dad’s Favourability Value right now?】
【444：98! \\(≧▽≦)/】
【Xie He：Looks like we’re just missing one last stroke. Smile.JPG】
【444：What are you planning to do?】
【Xie He：I’m going to let our slow-witted Dad learn from an outstanding example so that he can understand what the proper way of loving someone is. :)】
444：Why did he have an ominous premonition…?
Xie He had been very uncomfortable when he first started working at the cafe. He often made mistakes. After a while, he gradually became much better, much more nimble. The employees at the cafe were all very kind to him. They doted on him as if he was their younger brother. Xie He felt very moved and was kind in return. Although he remained quiet and reticent, he would occasionally take the initiative to help the other employees out.
So, that day, Xie He went out to buy lunch for everyone. By curious coincidence, he had taken a turn and ended up on the other side of the street from his old school’s entrance.
Before, he hadn’t cared about school. He frequently skipped class and immersed himself in street-racing, picking up girls, and living his life in pleasure&#k2026;now, only after losing his opportunity to go to school did he begin to reminisce about his school life that was without any worries. That was unexpectedly the only “Pure Land” in his life. He stared at it for a while&#k2026;and ended up seeing Ning Qi and a few other men leave the school gates.
Panic emerged in Xie He’s eyes. He turned around and fled.
However, Ning Qi had already seen him.
Since Ning Qi was sent home by Deng Jingwen, he had been locked up by his father.
The despairing look in Deng Zhuo’s eyes when he had been led away that day had been playing nonstop in Ning Qi’s mind, tormenting him. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even leave his house…in order to lessen his Father’s suspicions, Ning Qi said that he didn’t like Deng Zhuo anymore and agreed to no longer concern himself with him. Only then was he let out by his Father. After he left, he didn’t dare to inquire about Deng Zhuo in public. He could only constantly probe for information regarding him in the dark.
He heard that Deng Zhuo had been kidnapped by Zhao Hong and his son recently. Deng Jingwen had nearly overturned the entire city before he had been able to save him.
Moreover, there was a rumour floating out. It was said that Deng Zhuo wasn’t actually Deng Jingwen’s biological son.
Each rumour made Ning Qi’s mood become all the more heavy. Had the boy been injured while kidnapped? Was he OK now? Was he still suffering and sad?
From how important Deng Zhuo seemed to be to Deng Jingwen, the well-known, always-fickle-and-indifferent man seemed to have really been moved by the boy. Furthermore, the boy had always admired Deng Jingwen the most… if they were no longer father and son, would the boy accept Deng Jingwen’s love as if it was the logical thing to do?
If that was the case, Ning Qi may have no chance at all.
No matter if it was in strength or his standing in the boy’s heart, he could not compare to Deng Jingwen.
Ning Qi’s mood fell day by day. His hope also began to fade….
Today, he had been taken out absentmindedly by his classmates. They had reached the school gates when he saw the boy standing across the street all by himself.
Although the boy had a mask on and only exposed his eyes, Ning Qi could still recognize him with one glance! Ning Qi revealed a pleasantly surprised expression. However, before he could speak, the boy had turned and fled as if he was extremely afraid of being recognized.
Ning Qi wasn’t in the mind to think things through. He abandoned his classmates and chased after the boy. Finally, at the corner of the street, he caught him!
“Xiao Zhuo!” Ning Qi grabbed the boy’s wrist. There was sadness and questions mixed within his eyes. He felt distressed that the boy would flee from him but was also curious about the boy’s appearance. Why was the boy wearing a waiter’s uniform?
Xie He looked alarmed. He hurriedly lowered his head and lowered his voice too, “You’ve got the wrong person!”
Ning Qi’s heart, full of sorrow, was dashed with these words. He felt angry but also found it laughable. Did he think that he was blind?! He reached out to tear off the mask and laughed helplessly, “What are you—”
The next words were not spoken. All that remained was a blockage in his throat. Instantly, he couldn’t push out the rest of the words.
The boy’s perfect right side had a long, red, knife scar climbing along it. It was like a perfect statue had been hacked at by somebody, mercilessly destroying its beauty with great cruelty.
Because his face was suddenly exposed, the boy revealed a fearful and self-conscious expression. He quickly covered his face, threw off Ning Qi, and lowered his head to run.
Ning Qi stared at the mask in his hand. After staring blankly for a moment, he came back from his shock. When he saw that the boy was about to run out of his sight, he quickly caught up and wrapped his arms around the boy’s waist. He whispered, “I’m sorry.”
He rapidly placed the mask back on the boy and said, “Don’t worry, no one else saw.”
His words seemed to have a calming effect. The boy’s shaking began to cease.
Ning Qi’s heart ached gravely. Just what had happened? Didn’t they say that Deng Jingwen really cared about him and protected him very well? Why did he become like this?
He had so many things he wanted to know, but when he looked at the boy’s timid and panicked eyes, he couldn’t ask a single question. He only said, “Where do you want to go? I’ll take you.”
Xie He had his eyes fixed on him. There was a deep self-inferiority within his eyes. He lowered his gaze slightly, “I-I’m going to the cafe. You leave, ba. I don’t need you to take me there.”
Ning Qi had already noticed the boy’s uniform. With his sharp eyes, he could see the cafe’s logo and said, “It’s on the way. I was just about to buy a cup of coffee.”
Xie He looked helpless as if he didn’t know how to refuse him.
Ning Qi’s voice was a bit sad. He used a gentle gaze to look at the boy, “Did you not want to see me this much?”
He finally couldn’t stop himself from blurting this out. He had already missed the boy to the point of having nearly gone mad. How could he disregard this and walk away?
Xie He looked at him and was silent for a few seconds. Only then did he speak uneasily, “No…I just….”
Ning Qi said, “Then, isn’t it fine? Let’s go, ba.”
Xie He said, “But, I still have something to do….”
Ning Qi said, “What?”
Half an hour later, Ning Qi helped Xie He carry lunch back to the cafe. The cafe was not that far from their campus. Ning Qi couldn’t help but sigh when he thought about how the boy had actually been so close to him this whole time, but he hadn’t known.
Ning Qi didn’t want to make things difficult for the boy. He ordered a cup of coffee and then sat down, quietly observing the boy as he worked in the cafe, docilely serving the customers coffee. Ning Qi felt his eyes sting. That once-ostentatious-and-wanton, beautiful boy who was spoiled from childhood and placed himself above everyone else…had currently lost his beauty, lost his identity, and lost his self-confidence. He felt inferior and would lower his head cautiously to survive….
Ning Qi’s hand clenched, indignation and sorrow appearing in his eyes.
He nearly believed that absurd rumour! Deng Jingwen, that beast! He had unexpectedly forced the boy to this kind of place. If it was him…he would have never let the boy be hurt like this. He would never be willing to let the boy’s smile disappear.
When Xie He finished work, he discovered that Ning Qi was still sitting there. He hesitated for a while and then braced himself before coming over. He whispered, “Xuezhang.”
Ning Qi suppressed his pain and smiled, voice deep and gentle, making others feel that he was reliable and giving them a sense of security, “Xiao Zhuo, I’ve told you before. If you have troubles, you can come find me.”
Xie He looked at him, eyes turning red involuntarily, “I didn’t want to give you any more trouble. Besides, I’m doing very well here. Look, I can already earn my own living.”
Ning Qi’s heart was suffering from waves and waves of pain. He said, “Are you worried that Deng Jingwen will act against me? I…don’t need you to do anything for me. I want to protect you.”
Xie He fell silent for a moment and then suddenly said, “Xuezhang, do you still like me?”
Ning Qi nodded without any hesitation.
Xie He stared at him fixedly, slowly reached out, looking like he was standing at the gallows, and removed his mask slowly, thereby revealing his scar. He emphasized, “Xuezhang, do you see me clearly now? Do you still like me when I’m like this?”
His voice was extremely calm as if there was nothing in this world that could hurt him again…because he had already experienced the most despairing and sorrowful thing the world had to offer.
Ning Qi gazed at the boy and involuntarily reached out, gently caressing the boy’s face. His face wasn’t smooth; it felt bumpy and uneven….Yes, in the beginning, he had perhaps been attracted to this face, but was this really all he loved? No…just like he said, what he loved was the whole person. When he realized that he had fallen for the boy, his appearance was no longer everything.
Otherwise, why would there be only a desire to cherish and dote on the boy when he looked at his face and no disgust?
Ning Qi said, “I’ve always loved you. That has never changed.”
Tears suddenly flowed out of the boy’s eyes. Since he had left the Deng Family, this was the first time he had cried. He hadn’t cried before, because crying would not solve his problems nor bring him any relief—in fact, it would only increase his despair. He had to learn to be strong.
But at this moment, faced with Ning Qi’s gentle tone and words, he could not hold it back anymore…it turned out that there was still someone in this world whose love for him encompassed more than his face.
Ning Qi suddenly became flustered and helpless as he watched the boy cry. He hurried to grab a few napkins to help him wipe his tears, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Xie He grabbed his hand, voice soft as he asked, “Why are you apologizing? You’ve never hurt me.”
Ning Qi was startled. He hadn’t thought that much. It was just that without even thinking, when he saw that he had made the boy cry, he had wanted to immediately apologize.
Xie He stared at him. Although there were still tears in the corners of his eyes, the smile in his eyes was gentle. He said, “Xuezhang, thank you, really. Only, I’m not worthy of you.”
Thank you, really, for liking me even when I’m like this….
It was just unfortunate that he was not as arrogant and ignorant as he had been before. What qualifications did the current him have to be with the eldest young master of the Ning Family? He had already given Ning Qi so much trouble, how could he also make him fall out with his family, ne?
This sentence made Ning Qi’s heart feel so much pain that it nearly became numb. When did this boy begin to say such self-abased words?
He reached out, wanting to hug the boy, but he had turned around and left. Ning Qi’s hand hung in mid-air, and he could only clench the air inside his fist in vain.
Ning Qi stared at the boy’s parting figure, heart in incessant pain…but he didn’t dare force the boy. He could only forcibly endure the urge inside his heart.
In any case, now that he knew where the boy was, he could patiently guide him back, little by little.
………………………………
From that day on, Ning Qi would come every day to the cafe. He was afraid that the boy would feel awkward, so he would occasionally bring some classmates with him. He also didn’t do anything. He usually would just drink a cup of coffee and then leave. Sometimes, he wouldn’t even say anything to the boy.
So long as he could see the boy, he was satisfied.
This lasted for a month. The boy’s attitude towards him gradually became much more natural. He already would not evade him or feel inferior in front of him like when they had just reunited. Occasionally, he smiled at him. That smile that reached the boy’s eyes made Ning Qi unable to look away.
Even if he was no longer beautiful, the boy still attracted him deeply.
As Xie He’s attitude towards Ning Qi changed by the day, Ning Qi’s Favourability Value also rose steadily. Very quickly, it reached 96.
One day, there was a sudden downpour. Ning Qi hadn’t brought an umbrella that day. When he was about to leave, Xie He took the initiative to tell him to wait and that he would get him an umbrella. He then ran back to his room, grabbed an umbrella, and quickly ran back. He opened it for Ning Qi.
The two of them stood in the rain together. Xie He raised his head, those beautiful eyes of his revealed.There was a soft smile in those eyes as he handed the umbrella over to Ning Qi. Ning Qi bent down slightly to receive it.
This beautiful scene deeply stung Deng Jingwen’s eyes from where he was across the street!
He was behind a glass window that was stained by the rain, eyes rigidly fixed on the two people who were intimately nestled together amongst the rain…the hand hanging by his side clenched tight, causing his fingertips to dig into the skin of his palms.
The boy he loved deeply would only look at him with a gaze of helplessness and humiliation. He would be subservient and fawn over him. Even after doing everything he could, he still could not elicit a genuine smile or a gaze of trust from the boy. But now…the boy was giving another man the exact gentle smile he wished to have but could never attain…he was giving the love he used to have a monopoly on to another person.
He would soon throw himself into the arms of another man…and from now on begin a happy life with this other person.
When Deng Jingwen thought of this, he was so jealous that he thought he would go insane.
He thought that he could do it—he thought that he could just never appear before the boy again and guard over him quietly instead. He thought that so long as he could see the boy happy, he would be satisfied.
However, now that he was watching the boy and Ning Qi standing together, looking well-matched, looking so happy and blissful…he finally had no way to continue deceiving himself! He couldn’t do it! He couldn’t do it! He couldn’t do it!
The vines of hate and jealousy in his heart recklessly grew like mad. They constricted his heart, making it hard to breathe.
He was in so much pain that he wanted to destroy everything!
The author has something to say:
Yi…this author feels like a useless person…._(:з)∠)_
Eve: One, I need a fanfiction about the happy domestic life of Deng Zhuo and Ning Qi stat. Someone please create an AU after this chapter. It was so sweet. But of course…we all know that this will end soon. Two, author-dada, same.
Kara: AU fanfiction about happy domestic life between DZ and NQ +1