After Marrying Bigshot Vegetable Boss - Chapter 42

He said… what?

 

Yu Lan didn’t immediately react.

 

After Chu Wang spoke, he seemed much more relaxed and wasn’t in a hurry for a response, just staring at him intently.

 

He watched Yu Lan’s expression shift from shock to confusion, his eyes wide and reflecting a clear bewilderment.

 

Yu Lan’s first reaction was: How could this be?

 

Who is Chu Wang? He has so many untouchable labels, and now he says he likes someone with nothing?

 

Yu Lan’s heart was pounding, his lips involuntarily pressed together in nervousness. After a long while, he managed to force a smile, trying to appear natural: “Mr. Chu, I… I of course like you too! After all, you’ve given me so much—”

 

“You know what I mean.” Chu Wang’s voice remained calm, “Unless, you like me in that way too?”

 

Yu Lan’s mouth fell open, unable to respond to this rhetorical question.

 

He knew exactly what Chu Wang meant.

 

But he suddenly felt anxious, afraid that everything might change, fearful of uncertainty.

 

During his time with Chu Wang, the latter had seemed very indulgent towards him.

 

Even though his expressions didn’t always show it, Yu Lan remembered that Chu Wang had never rejected him. Despite being a decisive leader before the incident, he always patiently listened to Yu Lan’s trivial matters, asking if the osmanthus smelled good and answering questions about when the clouds would clear.

 

Yu Lan lowered his head, unconsciously fiddling with his fingers.

 

“I… I hadn’t thought about this.” He felt that speaking had become simpler, “Mr. Chu, I do think you’re very…”

 

His words were halting, but Chu Wang didn’t seem to want to give him a chance to play dumb.

 

“Did you also reject others like this before?” He asked, looking at Yu Lan with a hint of a smile.

 

“No!” This time Yu Lan spoke more fluently, quickly adding, “I used to ignore those people!”

 

As if finally finding something to talk about, Yu Lan spoke rapidly, as if speaking faster would make him less nervous: “Back then when people came to approach me, I’d just come up with a reason to brush them off. Oh, when I first returned to school, someone wanted to flirt with me, and I said I was married! I haven’t done this before!”

 

He was speaking incoherently for the first time, eager to explain, to prove something, or perhaps deal with emotions he hadn’t faced.

 

“So I’m the first one you’ve rejected like this?” Chu Wang asked.

 

“I’m not, I’m rejecting,” Yu Lan’s face turned involuntarily red, and he didn’t dare look at Chu Wang, his gaze wandering, “I am, I am…”

 

He couldn’t clarify what he meant.

 

“If it’s not rejection…” Chu Wang tilted his head, “Is it acceptance then?”

 

Yu Lan first nodded, then suddenly realized and shook his head: “…”

 

Perhaps his confused expression was too endearing and pitiable, and although Chu Wang seemed to want to tease him a bit more, he finally spoke again: “It’s okay, Yu Lan.”

 

For a soul, time is inherently the least important thing.

 

“I’m not really looking for an answer, so don’t be so troubled.” Chu Wang genuinely wanted to touch Yu Lan’s fluffy head.

 

Thinking this, he reached out and gently touched Yu Lan’s hair, just as if he had made contact.

 

“You can think about it slowly or never answer me.” Chu Wang’s tone was gentle, with a sense of calm.

 

Yu Lan felt this and believed that Chu Wang had indeed expressed it so naturally, nothing more.

 

He finally relaxed a bit, nodding lightly, like pecking at rice.

 

The unasked question was the reason.

 

He had a feeling and confidence, believing that Chu Wang wasn’t confessing just because of his appearance. But he himself had lied and acted in front of Chu Wang; how could he?

 

But he didn’t dare ask, as he had just managed to calm down a bit. If Chu Wang said anything more, he didn’t know how things would turn out.

 

However, after briefly reflecting on their conversation, Yu Lan suddenly realized something.

 

The key point was…

 

“You’re much better than Song Sijue!” Yu Lan thought back to Chu Wang’s earlier words and felt that even setting the confession aside, this still needed to be clarified, “You’re inherently better than him!”

 

Chu Wang saw his serious expression and smiled: “Really?”

 

“Really!” Yu Lan quickly said, “Mr. Chu, you’re better than him in every way. When he came to see me that day, he was so arrogant, even blocking me from meeting Zhong Jiale. After he left, he came back to talk nonsense…”

 

Yu Lan recounted the details from that day and then looked at the present Chu Wang, nodding with certainty: “In every way.”

 

“Yu Lan,” Chu Wang actually enjoyed this feeling and was even glad for his earlier impulse, but still couldn’t help reminding him, “If you keep saying this…”

 

“I’ll really start to think you like me too.”

 

Yu Lan fell silent immediately.

 

After a few seconds, he stammered out: “I I I, I…”

 

Chu Wang looked at his face, without any trace of disappointment, and actively came to his rescue: “Alright, I was just teasing you.”

 

Yu Lan, blushing, couldn’t help but say: “You capitalists are so despicable!”

 

How can you take pleasure in teasing a pure-hearted college student!

 

He thought to himself, having been teased all evening.

 

“Is that so.” Chu Wang assumed a humble attitude, “Got it, next time I’ll tease you openly.”

 

Yu Lan: “……”

 

He was at a loss about what to do regarding this matter. After a while, he looked up at Chu Wang, who was smiling at him from a short distance, and quietly said, “You never used to be like this.”

 

“Forget it.” Yu Lan, unsure of how to express his current feelings, finally lowered his head in frustration, “Just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

 

After saying this, he kept his head down but knew that Chu Wang was still watching him.

 

The more he thought about it, the redder his ears became, but there was nothing he could do.

 

After a while, he finally calmed down, and Chu Wang seemed satisfied and stopped teasing him.

 

Just as Yu Lan was relieved that Chu Wang had stopped teasing him, the bedroom door was politely knocked on.

 

The butler’s voice came from outside: “Mr. Yu, the driver brought this from the car earlier. Could you check if it’s something you bought tonight?”

 

Yu Lan perked up, walked over to open the door, and indeed saw the butler holding a box.

 

It was indeed the item he had bought that evening.

 

Perhaps because he had encountered Song Sijue and was a bit shaken, Yu Lan had been preoccupied with bringing Chu Wang back to his room to discuss it, and had forgotten the item in the car.

 

“Yes, yes,” he took the box from the butler, nodding in thanks, “I forgot to take it when I brought Mr. Chu back. Thank you.”

 

Having received the item he bought that evening, Yu Lan briefly set aside the earlier issue.

 

He first opened the pair of cufflinks, examined them carefully, and smiled with satisfaction, then told Chu Wang: “Mr. Chu, I thought these would match your suit perfectly, and now it’s indeed true.”

 

Chu Wang responded briefly.

 

Yu Lan was buying something so expensive for the first time. Looking back, the amount seemed almost absurd compared to his past self. He pouted: “If Song Sijue hadn’t bid so high, it could have been half the price.”

 

“Well, it’s for charity.” He felt a bit better thinking about it.

 

However, Chu Wang seemed highly sensitive to the name “Song Sijue” and immediately turned his head to glance at Yu Lan.

 

Then, he was reassured by Yu Lan’s firm “you’re much better than him.”

 

Chu Wang thought it was a bit amusing that he felt this way, but he was still pleased with his impulsive decision today.

 

When Yu Lan carefully put the cufflinks back into the cabinet and then cautiously called out “Mr. Chu,” he finally picked up the evening’s most valuable item.

 

The jade piece lay quietly in its antique wooden box, exuding a natural sense of mystery.

 

Yu Lan truly knew nothing about jade collectibles. He stared at the bead with its even, dewy luster and asked: “Mr. Chu, do you think this has any use?”

 

This was a question no one could answer, and Yu Lan didn’t expect any response. He continued to stare at the item, eventually taking it out gently.

 

The oval bead felt cool to the touch, with tiny holes drilled at both ends for easy wearing.

 

Yu Lan held it in his palm, then spread his hand, and said whimsically: “Mr. Chu, do you think this can be used as a medium?”

 

The actual result was, of course, no. Chu Wang tried various ideas based on Yu Lan’s suggestions, but there was no reaction.

 

“So it’s not the same as cinnabar…” Yu Lan said with a hint of disappointment, his eyes downcast, “I thought it might be useful.”

 

“It’s alright.” Seeing Yu Lan’s clear disappointment, Chu Wang comforted him, “If you hadn’t tried, you might regret it even more.”

 

“True,” Yu Lan looked at the item in his hand with frustration, “It cost so much.”

 

“Think of it as a collectible. It’s good to keep,” Chu Wang said lightly.

 

“And there’s still cinnabar,” he added, “Next time that master comes, we can ask him for some.”

 

“When will the master come?” Yu Lan asked, looking up.

 

“Generally, he comes once every two months,” Chu Wang thought about how many times he had seen him in a year, “But the last time was a special case. After I married you… my health did improve a bit, so he came over.”

 

Yu Lan listened, nodding: “Every two months…”

 

He then began counting on his fingers.

 

The master had suggested finding someone to bring joy after his previous visit. The Chu family quickly arranged the marriage, and Yu Lan discovered he could see Chu Wang. Later, he returned to school, and during that time, Yu Ling caused a stir twice. Now, the main character had returned from abroad…

 

Indeed.

 

Yu Lan calculated that, from the perspective of the protagonist in the book, Song Sijue also returned just as Chu Wang was about to wake up. The master had come a month ago, and if he came again, based on the book’s timeline, Chu Wang would wake up before the master’s next visit.

 

“What’s wrong?” Chu Wang, thinking he had something on his mind, asked.

 

Yu Lan shook his head: “Nothing…”

 

He hadn’t expected time to pass so quickly.

 

Logically, Chu Wang was supposed to wake up in a month.

 

But the current plot was clearly falling apart. Leaving aside Song Sijue, wasn’t it said that the main antagonist was deeply in love with Yu Ling, the protagonist? Now, unexpectedly… he had confessed his feelings to Yu Lan?

 

Thinking about this, Yu Lan looked up at Chu Wang.

 

Chu Wang had been watching him the entire time. When their eyes met, Yu Lan was startled.

 

Chu Wang’s gaze was very focused. He had always been a person with a calm expression, speaking little when they first met, often preferring silence if he could avoid speaking.

 

He wasn’t as emotionally expressive as Yu Lan. It seemed like he had seen too much, and nothing could really spark his interest.

 

But…

 

It was different when he looked at Yu Lan.

 

Even though Chu Wang’s expression remained calm, his eyes were constantly on Yu Lan, smiling lightly at his little movements and being indulgent when he wanted to lazily avoid tasks.

 

Yu Lan was at a loss for words.

 

He remembered the time he had asked Chu Wang, as if to confirm something.

 

“—You really won’t fall for Yu Ling, will you!?”

 

At that time, Chu Wang’s expression was as it was now, his tone certain and steady.

 

“—I can’t possibly like him.”

 

And just now, it seemed like Chu Wang had broken that calm demeanor.

 

“—You’re so smart, and you still can’t tell I like you?”

 

Yu Lan opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

 

“What’s wrong?” Chu Wang asked, looking at his expression.

 

Yu Lan almost instinctively lowered his eyes and shook his head in confusion.

 

He seemed to truly believe now.

 

Chu Wang indeed couldn’t possibly like Yu Ling.

 

But it also seemed like he really… liked Yu Lan.

 

Yu Lan didn’t know how to stop his heart from pounding so wildly. So he simply continued to examine the bead in his hand and said softly, “Mr. Chu.”

 

“I’ll try stringing it and wearing it.”

 

“Alright.”

 

Yu Lan sighed with relief, grateful that Chu Wang hadn’t questioned why he had suddenly been dazed. He slowly found a red string and threaded the jade bead onto his wrist.

 

However, it was a bit difficult to tie the red string. Yu Lan ended up biting the end of the string and finally managed to tie it.

 

Yu Lan wasn’t skilled at appreciating or evaluating items like this, but he still wore it with a bit of hope, thinking, “Maybe it might be useful.”

 

“You know, Mr. Chu,” Yu Lan complained, “If I wear it, might it still have some effect?”

 

No one knew the answer to this question, and Yu Lan was just asking. He then sat down next to Chu Wang’s bed.

 

He held Chu Wang’s hand and said casually, “I wonder if the master still has any cinnabar.”

 

Yu Lan sighed and leaned tiredly beside Chu Wang’s bed.

 

He had intended just to rest for a moment and think about whether the item had any other use.

 

But perhaps he was already very tired when he returned, and since Chu Wang was silent, Yu Lan thought about it and closed his eyes.

 

Yu Lan had a strange dream.

 

At first, the dream seemed quite normal. He appeared to return to his original world, where he wasn’t hit by a falling brick while passing by the unfinished teaching building. He continued his routine: staying in the dormitory from Monday to Friday, and going back to the welfare home on weekends to see the director and teach the new children.

 

But that day was Aunt Liu’s memorial day. Yu Lan bought flowers and planned to visit her alone.

 

Due to the welfare home’s financial constraints, they couldn’t afford a well-located grave. Yu Lan used the money he earned in his final year of high school and the start of university to help the director, and they finally managed to afford the cheapest tombstone in a corner of the cemetery.

 

Because it was in a remote area on a hill, many of the stone steps were cracked and the path was difficult to walk.

 

Yu Lan struggled up the hill, finally reaching the tombstone. Just as he was about to place the flowers, he noticed that fresh fruit and flowers were already there, as if someone had recently visited.

 

Who could it be?

 

He looked around, and sure enough, he saw a man about to leave in the distance.

 

The figure was wearing a well-tailored suit. Even from the back, one could see his excellent physique and demeanor.

 

He must be a very handsome man.

 

Thinking this, Yu Lan set down the flowers and called out to the man’s back.

 

“Sir! Sir!” He hurried after him, “Sir, did you put these things on Liu Min’s tombstone?”

 

The conversation was left unfinished as the person turned around.

 

Yu Lan was instantly speechless.

 

It was indeed an exceptionally handsome face.

 

His features were outstanding, though the cold demeanor slightly tempered the innate sharpness.

 

Then the person spoke.

 

“Yu Lan, you’re here?”

 

“I thought you were in class, so I brought the flowers for you.”

 

Yu Lan’s brain seemed to have short-circuited, and he stammered, “You… you are?”

 

The man suddenly smiled.

 

It was a faint smile, but when the corners of his eyes curved upward, the original coldness seemed to disappear. He seemed to find Yu Lan’s question amusing: “What’s wrong? Can’t you remember me?”

 

Yu Lan could only mumble, unable to find the words.

 

“I’m Chu Wang.” The man sighed as if in relief, “I said, why would you joke with me?”

 

The name was like a key or a flash of lightning—

 

Yu Lan stood frozen.

 

Chu Wang.

 

Chu Wang?

 

Chu Wang, Chu Wang…

 

No, it’s Chu Wang…

 

He felt as if he had suddenly woken up from a dream.

 

—How could there be a Chu Wang in this world?

 

“Mr. Chu… Chu?”

 

Hearing this, Chu Wang seemed to finally relax.

 

“I knew it.” He said, “How could you think I was joking?”

 

In the dream, Yu Lan was trapped in an indescribable strangeness.

 

It was as if two unrelated worlds were merging here, but the people in the dream didn’t know it was a dream. He followed Chu Wang to Aunt Liu’s grave, saying, “Aunt Liu, I’m here to see you again.”

 

Chu Wang stood next to him, accompanying him.

 

Even when Yu Lan spoke to Aunt Liu, Chu Wang stood a few steps away, bowing seriously to the modest tombstone.

 

He said, “Thank you for your care.”

 

“He has become very good. Thank you.”

 

After visiting Aunt Liu, Chu Wang naturally said, “Shall we go back?”

 

Yu Lan’s mind was in a mess: “Go back where?”

 

“Home,” Chu Wang said, “There are desserts you like.”

 

Why was Chu Wang here?

 

In the dream, Chu Wang smiled at him and said, “Why aren’t you going back yet?”

 

Yu Lan didn’t remember what he said in the dream, but it seemed to be “I live in the welfare home now” and “Where should I go back to?”

 

“My bedroom,” Chu Wang said in the dream, “Don’t you like that big bed the most?”

 

“On weekends, you can lie on it and watch movies with the projector, chatting with me. But more than once, you’d fall asleep while watching.”

 

“I, I…”

 

Chu Wang looked at his face with a mix of helplessness and indulgence, saying, “You don’t need to be nervous.”

 

“I said I liked you, but I’m not asking you to decide right now.”

 

Yu Lan couldn’t speak.

 

And in the next moment, he saw Chu Wang extend his hand and gently rub his soft curly hair.

 

Chu Wang’s hand was large and warm, giving a reassuring warmth.

 

But when Yu Lan looked up, he saw that the hand touching his hair was wearing something.

 

The twisted red string and the unique, expensive jade bead.

 

—It was the cinnabar bead he had just tied on a few hours ago!

 

Yu Lan was jolted awake, the dream abruptly ending.

 

He opened his eyes and, as he saw everything around him, slowly calmed down.

 

He had actually fallen asleep holding Chu Wang’s body.

 

He remembered that they had tried to see if the stone had any use. When it didn’t work, he had given up and held Chu Wang’s hand, suggesting that he try wearing it.

 

And now, the red string and bead from the dream were still on his wrist.

 

Just a dream.

 

Just a dream.

 

Just a dream where Aunt Liu and Chu Wang appeared together.

 

Yu Lan felt an uneasy sensation, his eyelids twitching. He wasn’t sure if it was due to a lack of sleep or some other premonition.

 

But it seemed like he could still feel the warmth of Chu Wang’s touch from the dream.

 

Chu Wang’s body temperature seemed slightly lower than his own, and the cinnabar felt completely cold when it touched him.

 

Yet in the dream, his hand was warm.

 

Yu Lan looked up. It was already bright outside.

 

He exhaled deeply, trying to calm the turbulence caused by the dream, and then looked up.

 

He knew the rules of meeting Chu Wang well, so he should be able to find him immediately if he had held his hand all night.

 

“Mr. Chu?”

 

But when he looked up in confusion, he couldn’t find the familiar figure anywhere.

 

…Where could he be?

 

Yu Lan’s heart sank, but he still didn’t quite believe it. He turned around, tightly holding Chu Wang’s hand again, calling out repeatedly, “Mr. Chu? Mr. Chu?”

 

Empty.

 

No response.

 

Yu Lan looked at the object in his hand, suddenly overwhelmed by fear.

 

Clearly, Chu Wang had smiled and spoken to him just last night, clearly said he could take his time, and clearly still had a month…

 

Yu Lan was uncontrollably panicked, not knowing how to handle it. He hugged Chu Wang’s hand again, calling his name.

 

He searched the entire room but still found no response.

 

Yu Lan didn’t believe it. He walked back, stood in front of Chu Wang, held his hand, and once again, unwillingly spoke, without using formal address: “Chu Wang?”

 

It might have been just a moment.

 

But Yu Lan was certain—

 

The fingers he had been holding lightly moved at that moment.