Shen Changqing firmly declared: "You really cried."
As soon as these words came out, Sheng Qingyan immediately got agitated: "Nonsense! How could I possibly! Aqing, don’t take advantage of our familiarity to slander me..."
Shen Changqing pursed his lips, his clear eyes quietly gazing at Sheng Qingyan.
Sheng Qingyan stiffened his neck, adamantly denying: "Listen here, Aqing, if you keep this up, I’m not playing with you anymore."
A few seconds of silence.
Shen Changqing suddenly said: "Ayan."
After calling Sheng Qingyan’s name, he fell silent again.
It was very quiet all around.
Sheng Qingyan, who had been swearing, also suddenly stopped speaking. His eyebrows were still lightly furrowed, and his exceptionally handsome—and even more lovely—face was filled with discontent.
The two of them were staring at each other, one on the left and one on the right.
After a while.
Shen Changqing spoke softly: "It must be hard, missing someone who’s already gone, isn’t it?"
Sheng Qingyan pursed his lips, remaining silent.
Silence.
The atmosphere around both of them was shrouded in a heavy air.
A few seconds later.
Sheng Qingyan was still silent.
Shen Changqing said in a low voice: "Me too."
Sheng Qingyan’s body shook slightly, but it was just a moment, immediately after, his tall figure grew even more rigid.
Shen Changqing stretched out his foot, moving a few steps closer to Sheng Qingyan, raising his hand, intending to pat Sheng Qingyan’s shoulder.
But!!!
Sheng Qingyan with a startled look on his face, quickly stepped forward, covering his chest with his hands, and said in disgust: "Don’t come closer, what kind of man are you, acting all clingy and mushy."
Shen Changqing: "..."
Sheng Qingyan: "Greasy..."
Shen Changqing: "..."
Shen Changqing’s hand that was hanging mid-air awkwardly withdrew, and he braced himself for Ayan’s continued mockery...
But!!!
Sheng Qingyan suddenly turned his back.
Shen Changqing was stunned.
With his back to Shen Changqing, Sheng Qingyan spoke in an extremely calm tone: "Aqing, you go eat, I’m fine."
Shen Changqing was silent for a moment, then said: "I’ll keep you company."
Sheng Qingyan, with his back straight, said: "No need."
Shen Changqing opened his mouth: "Ayan..."
In the direction that Shen Changqing couldn’t see, Sheng Qingyan gently lifted his hand, rubbed his cheek, and then said, with an unusually clear and cold voice: "I haven’t cried, the tears that have dried up won’t come again."
Leaving the words behind.
Sheng Qingyan didn’t say anything more and walked briskly ahead.
Shen Changqing almost didn’t hesitate and followed him.
The two, one in front and one behind, silently walked forward. If Sheng Qingyan sped up, Shen Changqing did too. If Sheng Qingyan stopped, Shen Changqing stopped as well... neither yielding to the other, neither speaking again.
The air around them was filled with the molecules of silence.
...
After a long pause.
Sheng Qingyan turned around with a hint of helplessness, "I admit I cried, okay?"
Shen Changqing: "..."
Sheng Qingyan took a deep breath, again with helplessness, "Ancestor, could you please stop following me? See how people around us are looking at us?"
Shen Changqing: "..."
Previously not paying attention, Shen Changqing now reflexively looked around and noticed indeed quite a few passing students were casting glances at them, especially some girls with seemingly inquisitive eyes, which was extremely uncomfortable.
Sheng Qingyan said with disdain, "I don’t like this, you know."
Shen Changqing’s mouth twitched, "I don’t like this either."
Sheng Qingyan sighed with relief and finally, a slight smile appeared on his face, "Then you better go quickly, don’t stand so close to me."
Shen Changqing: "..."
Without needing another prod from Sheng Qingyan, Shen Changqing also felt the urge to leave, and he stepped back a few paces before suddenly approaching with a serious expression, "Ayan, remember to clean the horse stable at six-thirty."
After dropping the words.
Shen Changqing turned around and left, his departing steps slightly flustered.
Sheng Qingyan watched Shen Changqing’s retreating figure, his snow-white cheeks taut, his rosy lips clenched tight—
A warm sensation seemed to stealthily reach the corner of his mouth.
Startled, Sheng Qingyan hurriedly raised his hand to wipe it away.
...
Unlike the left-behind child Shen Changqing, Sheng Qingyan was born into a harmonious family with a grandpa, grandma, father, mother, brother, sister, and himself.
He was the youngest child, the little treasure held dear in the family. Although everyone in the family was busy, he was never left behind alone at home, as someone would always stay to take care of him.
Even if—
If it was too busy, his school-going brother and sister would take him, the ’little oil bottle’, to school with them. Or, if it was absolutely necessary, his parents would take him to the Mecha research lab at Starship, holding him in turn while they worked. As for the elderly Grandpa Sheng and Grandma Sheng, whenever they were home, they would certainly take Sheng Qingyan to the Main Star square to dance...
Therefore, Sheng Qingyan always felt sympathy for the unfortunate boy next door, Shen Changqing, thinking it was so pitiful for his family members to not be around every day.
Basking in the glow of his family’s love, Sheng Qingyan even once suggested lending his brother, sister, parents, and grandparents to the pitiable Shen Changqing for a while, but Shen Changqing refused.
That’s right.
Shen Changqing refused.
What was the situation back then?
Sheng Qingyan remembered that it was spring that year, the Main Star blooming with flowers, the grass grew and birds sang... The pitiable Shen Changqing hadn’t emerged with his tattered Mecha parts for several days, and just then, Sheng Qingyan received a Mecha model from his brother as a gift. Delighted and with a bit of a show-off attitude, he ran to Shen Changqing’s house.
The Shen Family’s home was still cold as ever, but that day, as Sheng Qingyan walked in, he felt an even colder chill than usual. His small frame couldn’t stop shivering as he looked through Shen Changqing’s bedroom, toy room, training room, living room...
No one was found.
In the end, he found Shen Changqing in the Shen Family garden; at that time, Shen Changqing’s face was pale, no longer holding his broken Mecha parts, but tightly embracing Granny Shen.
Granny Shen’s eyes were closed, her face pale and tinged with blue...
Sheng Qingyan thought it was strange, but still mustered the courage to call out, "Granny Shen."
There was no response.
In little Sheng Qingyan’s heart, Granny Shen, who was always kind and hiding sweets in her pocket, would always have a smile for him. Whenever she saw him, she would gently raise her hand to pat his head, give him a candy, and say with a smile, "Ayan is here, go play with Aqing."
But Granny Shen wasn’t speaking now.
Sheng Qingyan tried to call out again, "Granny Shen..."
Still no response.
By this time, Sheng Qingyan was a bit panicked. He anxiously stepped forward, attempting to tug on Granny Shen’s hand when suddenly, Shen Changqing beside him stopped him. Sheng Qingyan, face pale, asked, "Aqing, is Granny Shen sick?"
Shen Changqing’s face was somber as he shook his head, "No, she’s dead."