After Marrying Bigshot Vegetable Boss - Chapter 49

Chu Wang’s grip was actually quite gentle, but the moment he was embraced, Yu Lan’s eyes instantly turned red.

 

He bit his lip hard to force himself to calm down.

 

“I almost thought you wouldn’t remember me,” he said softly, not as a complaint or reproach, but with a hint of grievance.

 

“There were so many people around you, I didn’t know how to ask,” Yu Lan continued, burying his head on Chu Wang’s shoulder. “I didn’t mean to make you communicate with me right now, I just…”

 

“I know. It’s alright,” Chu Wang said, his voice slow but clear. Even though Yu Lan didn’t need to say anything, Chu Wang still wanted him to hear, so he spoke.

 

The current Chu Wang seemed different from the semi-transparent version Yu Lan used to know, but upon closer thought, the difference wasn’t significant.

 

Yu Lan felt dizzy and decided to reach out and lightly embrace Chu Wang’s back.

 

He had touched it many times during these days, but this time his fingertips trembled slightly upon contact.

 

Yu Lan said, “I’m so scared.”

 

“Even though I… had anticipated that you might not remember anything when you woke up, I was still really scared.” He said, unable to find another way to express his fear, which he had wanted to keep hidden but couldn’t.

 

His hand gently patted Chu Wang’s back twice in a soothing manner.

 

Suddenly, Yu Lan felt a wave of calm wash over him.

 

They didn’t speak for a long time.

 

The embrace was not particularly comfortable because Chu Wang was sitting up, and Yu Lan was worried about pressing on him too long, so he could only lean forward slightly to get closer.

 

But neither of them moved, as if they both felt this was the right thing to do at the moment. There was no need for dramatic gestures or elaborate setups…

 

Just to reach out and embrace.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

Yu Lan wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he heard Chu Wang’s voice beside his ear.

 

He was handsome and tall, sitting quietly, looking at him with calm eyes.

 

“I didn’t say those things to make you apologize to me.” Yu Lan bit his lip. “I just…”

 

Just afraid.

 

Even now, he was still shaken.

 

He lowered his head and changed the subject abruptly. “Before I came back today, I also went to see the aunt who took care of me when I was young.”

 

“I bought her a new gravestone,” Yu Lan glossed over the detail of only being able to buy a gravestone and not the ashes. “I told her, when you get better, I’ll take you to visit her.”

 

“Alright,” Chu Wang replied.

 

Perhaps because Yu Lan had been communicating with Chu Wang daily over the past two months, Chu Wang’s ability to speak was quickly awakened. Although his speech was still slow at first, within a few hours, it was somewhat smoother.

 

“I think if the doctor saw this, they’d have to marvel at a medical miracle,” Yu Lan said.

 

Chu Wang’s eyes softened, as if he were smiling, though he didn’t say anything.

 

They seemed to fall into a delicate state, not quite awkward but with an unspoken understanding between them.

 

Yu Lan had thought he had it all figured out when he returned from the cemetery and rushed home from the taxi. He thought, as long as Chu Wang woke up and remembered him, he might agree to anything.

 

But when it actually happened, he started to feel disoriented, with too many things he wanted to say and not knowing where to start.

 

But he was definitely happy today.

 

“Yu Lan,” Chu Wang said slowly, “I want to get out of bed and walk a bit.”

 

Yu Lan snapped back to attention, surprised. “Now?”

 

Chu Wang nodded.

 

“But you’ve just woken up…” Yu Lan was concerned and looked up, but when he saw Chu Wang’s eyes, he couldn’t continue.

 

“Well, let’s give it a try,” he said, not sure if his face was flushed, but his gaze was momentarily confused. “I’ll help you.”

 

Yu Lan pulled back the blanket and cautiously massaged Chu Wang’s calves to relax the muscles. Chu Wang raised his hand, and Yu Lan naturally took it. “Be careful.”

 

Chu Wang’s hand was warm now, no longer cold and icy.

 

Yu Lan instinctively curled his fingers, wanting to hold on tighter.

 

Chu Wang seemed to use this moment to his advantage, pushing himself up with one hand while holding onto the bed’s edge with the other.

 

His feet felt strange when they first touched the ground, and Chu Wang frowned, trying to control the discomfort and strangeness, finally managing to stand up, albeit with difficulty.

 

Yu Lan observed Chu Wang’s seemingly calm expression and his unconscious effort on himself. He opened his mouth but didn’t say anything.

 

He helped Chu Wang walk slowly and carefully to the window, where Chu Wang turned to hold onto the window ledge.

 

Chu Wang looked out the window, his gaze seeming distant.

 

In reality, the view outside hadn’t changed much.

 

But this was the first time in a year that Chu Wang had stood up and could see outside with his own eyes.

 

Yu Lan seemed to sense his emotions and didn’t speak, just quietly stayed by his side.

 

However, Chu Wang was still somewhat frail, and Yu Lan said, “Wait a moment, I’ll get you a jacket…”

 

“No need,” Chu Wang’s voice had gradually returned to normal as he held onto the window ledge and slowly walked back. “I just… want to look around.”

 

His steps were a bit labored, but he didn’t want to stop, moving slowly toward the bathroom.

 

Yu Lan realized that he wanted to take care of his personal hygiene and cautiously followed. “Mr. Chu, maybe I can help you like before…”

 

Chu Wang raised his right hand as if to signal him to stop.

 

But as soon as he raised it, the balance he had just managed to find suddenly vanished, and he almost uncontrollably toppled forward.

 

Yu Lan didn’t have time to exclaim and hurriedly rushed to grab him.

 

But Chu Wang was larger than Yu Lan, and Yu Lan, standing beside him, was somewhat small, so he couldn’t hold on and ended up falling in the same direction.

 

Fortunately, the bedroom was furnished with soft furnishings, and with the sofa behind them, Yu Lan leaned back, barely catching Chu Wang. They ended up falling together onto the sofa.

 

Unlike the previous embrace, this time they were almost perfectly pressed against each other.

 

Although Chu Wang was still weak, he reached out and placed his palm under Yu Lan’s waist.

 

After the commotion, the room was filled only with their intertwined breathing sounds.

 

Yu Lan lay on his back on the sofa, while Chu Wang half-bowed over him. Both were breathing heavily and remained silent because of the closeness.

 

Yu Lan reached out to touch Chu Wang, feeling his trembling muscles—proof of his effort, along with the hurried breathing near his ear.

 

“Mr. Chu…”

 

He touched him, trying to comfort him but unsure of what to say.

 

Chu Wang was such a proud person; Yu Lan remembered how he had been silent to avoid others seeing him struggle on the day they first met. Rehabilitation was something that could shatter willpower and pride, so it was natural for him to care.

 

Yu Lan had seen people undergoing rehabilitation in the hospital, where pain and struggle were common.

 

He felt Chu Wang’s heartbeat against his chest, so vivid.

 

He again felt his own words were inadequate, unsure how to provide comfort.

 

But unexpectedly, after a moment, Chu Wang, lying on him, seemed to smile and said softly, “This is really nice.”

 

Yu Lan was momentarily stunned as Chu Wang’s deep voice said, “It’s really nice to hold you.”

 

Each word fell straight into his heart with no emotional disguise.

 

Yu Lan was somewhat puzzled. He had expected Chu Wang to be frustrated or angry about his situation, but instead…

 

“It’s a bit strenuous, but I can manage,” Chu Wang seemed to read his thoughts and spoke voluntarily. “It’s not embarrassing for you to see me like this, so it’s okay.”

 

Even though Chu Wang still spoke slowly, his articulation was clear enough for Yu Lan to feel that, rather than pride or self-esteem, the real joy for Chu Wang was to truly hold him.

 

“You said it yourself.”

 

Chu Wang spoke, “You’re very different.”

 

He had seen Yu Lan’s careful consideration in front of him and didn’t just dislike it but wanted to help, so at such a crucial moment, he naturally wouldn’t care about minor, temporary dignity.

 

They had secrets only they knew, and the ability to touch and converse was the most important thing.

 

Yu Lan clearly felt this and didn’t speak, only gently stroking Chu Wang’s back in return.

 

“So, we’re not the protagonists of the story,” Chu Wang’s voice was very calm as he said, “We won’t have those endings.”

 

Yu Lan didn’t know why he had been so close to tears today but had held them back, so he could only nod slightly and respond softly.

 

“There’s no need to consider different paths or disappear because of a hug,” Chu Wang remembered every ending Yu Lan had mentioned from movies.

 

His tone was calm, and his speech was slow.

 

Yu Lan strangely recalled the distant, ancient chimes he had heard as a child, coming like fate, resonating with him.

 

Chu Wang’s voice wasn’t like those chimes but was still distant and deep, like an invisible pendulum falling into his heart with each beat.

 

“So I’m still very grateful.”

 

He said.

 

“And I still really like you.”