CH 75

Coming out of the closet was a big deal, unlike the small jokes and banter from before. It wasn’t a topic to be taken lightly. After Zhou Cangshan left, Zhou Qingbo didn’t mention the matter again. He ate and drank as if there was no looming issue over his head.

Initially, Pei You had some concerns, but over time, he was gradually influenced by Zhou Qingbo’s relaxed attitude. He began to let go of the tension he was holding.

“I realized something,” Pei You handed Zhou Qingbo a glass of water and casually said, “I think I’ve been influenced by you.”

“Hmm?” Zhou Qingbo sat on the edge of the bed with his legs dangling over, pausing when he heard that, curious, he asked, “Influenced in what way?”

“In my way of handling things,” Pei You said as he walked back to the couch, half-kneeling beside it, and started packing the suitcase. He continued conversationally, “If I were still following my old habits, I would be brainstorming right now about how to help you come out more effectively, rather than sorting local specialities here.”

Before meeting Zhou Qingbo, Pei You was someone who valued careful planning. Not to mention facing something as significant as coming out, even when he ran for student council president in school, he’d have to formulate a charter and follow a systematic process.

However, Pei You’s approach gradually became somewhat assimilated by Zhou Qingbo after spending a lot of time together. He had begun to believe in the idea that “everything will work out in the end,” a far cry from his previous tendencies.

Zhou Qingbo chuckled with the water glass in his hands and playfully swayed his legs. He said in a solemn tone, “Congratulations, Mr. Pei. You’ve saved yourself from about twenty years of detours.”

Pei You, who was currently cramming packets of hot pot seasonings into the suitcase, glanced at him, raising an eyebrow in puzzlement.

“People say that couples influence each other. You’re still so young, yet you’ve already achieved this ultimate goal,” Zhou Qingbo said with a smile. “Congratulations and well done.”

As he spoke, he jumped down from the bed on one leg, resembling a one-legged rooster, and hopped a few steps over to the couch with a curious bend at the waist, peering into the suitcase.

“Besides, what’s wrong with local specialties? They’re quite important too,” Zhou Qingbo confidently said, “This represents the journey we’ve taken together here in the province.”

Pei You thought this proof was quite fragile. When he looked inside the suitcase, he saw that around ninety percent of its contents were food. Most of it would be gone in less than a month.

“Alright, alright,” Pei You couldn’t argue with him, so he quickly grabbed his arm and helped him back onto the couch’s armrest, saying, “don’t move too much.”

“It’s okay,” Zhou Qingbo patted his own leg, nonchalantly saying, “I’m much better now.”

During his days in the hospital, Zhou Qingbo’s anti-infection treatment had been successful. The wound was no longer inflamed or infected, and it was slowly showing signs of healing. He had also transitioned from being a “one-legged rooster” to a “limping hero.” He could now walk somewhat normally without assistance.

However, he found walking too slow and continued to bounce around the ward as he pleased.

“We have a flight to catch this afternoon, and you can walk now,” Pei You said. After a final check of the suitcase, he closed the lid. “Why don’t you rest a little?”

Zhou Qingbo’s external injuries were under control, and he could be discharged that day. Initially, Pei You wanted to stay with him for a few more days until the wound fully healed before returning to Beijing. However, Zhou Qingbo expressed his desire to return early, so Pei You decided to book a flight for the same day.

The flight was around 5 in the afternoon. As Zhou Qingbo couldn’t walk much, Pei You borrowed a wheelchair from the airport staff to make the process easier. He settled Zhou Qingbo in a relatively quiet resting area.

“It’s too crowded over there. I’ll handle the check-in process myself,” Pei You asked, “I noticed two convenience stores nearby. Do you want me to bring you anything?”

“No need,” Zhou Qingbo leaned on his chin with one hand, smiling mischievously, “Just bring yourself back.”

“In that case, you can rest assured,” Pei You said helplessly, “At my age, I’m not at risk of getting lost.”

“You never know,” Zhou Qingbo playfully extended his arm and hooked a finger around one of Pei You’s, saying solemnly, “You’re so good-looking. What if someone kidnaps you?”

Pei You couldn’t help but think Zhou Qingbo was being silly. There probably wasn’t anyone who would kidnap a nearly thirty-year-old, mentally sound adult.

Pei You was confident in his personal safety, but he couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy leaving Zhou Qingbo alone. As he went to complete the check-in process, he frequently turned back to look at Zhou Qingbo several times, worried that something unexpected might happen that he couldn’t handle.

On the other hand, Zhou Qingbo had no awareness of being a “disabled person.” Instead, he found his first experience in a wheelchair fascinating. When Pei You returned after finishing the procedures, he found Zhou Qingbo engrossed in spinning in the wheelchair in a secluded corner.

He seemed quite focused, his face brimming with newfound curiosity, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Pei You’s brisk pace gradually slowed down, and eventually, he came to a stop, standing not far away, quietly watching Zhou Qingbo.

Zhou Qingbo seemed to possess this inherent talent. His nature was lively and free, and he was full of freshness and curiosity. He effortlessly extracted interesting fragments from the mundane daily life.

Pei You silently watched him for a while and found his mood inexplicably brightened, as if the clouds had cleared and the moon had appeared.

Zhou Qingbo was fully immersed in his play and hadn’t noticed that Pei You had returned. It wasn’t until someone manually applied the brakes to his turning wheelchair that he looked up and saw Pei You behind him.

“Having fun?” Pei You asked.

“It’s alright,” Zhou Qingbo said with a hint of regret, “It’s a pity it’s not electric. My hands are getting tired.”

Pei You suppressed a smile and casually placed his identification and plane ticket on Zhou Qingbo’s lap. He then took control of the wheelchair.

“Hey,” with Pei You present, Zhou Qingbo didn’t need to exert any effort. He leaned back on the chair, lifting his head to glance at Pei You and said with a smile, “Might as well practice now. Who knows, when we’re old and gray, you might have to push me around.”

When Zhou Qingbo mentioned being “old and gray,” Pei You couldn’t help but glance at him.

Zhou Qingbo appeared naturally relaxed, his tone carrying a sense of unquestionable rightness, as if he was just stating a completely ordinary fact.

Pei You’s heart softened slightly. He felt that Zhou Qingbo, despite his easy going demeanor, had already arranged his entire life around the notion of “growing old together.”

“Alright,” Pei You softly agreed, “Whenever you’re ready.”

The flight from Jiangbei International Airport to Daxing Airport covered a distance of 1,700 kilometers, taking a total of three hours.

When they arrived at their destination, Beijing was shrouded in darkness. A full moon hung in the sky, its glow slightly blurred by the intense lights on the ground.

The temperature had dropped since autumn had arrived. Zhou Qingbo hadn’t felt much change while in the southern region, but now that he was back in Beijing, he could sense a hint of chill in the night air.

“We’ve finally returned,” Zhou Qingbo sat in the passenger seat of Pei You’s car after a long time. He couldn’t help but roll down the window, stretching lazily in the cool breeze. He leaned back and hummed casually, “It feels like an eternity has passed.”

Surviving a life-threatening situation outside made both Zhou Qingbo and even Pei You feel that way. Having been amidst the wreckage for a while, suddenly diving back into the night of Beijing, they found that it had gained a certain degree of unfamiliarity.

The lights outside rushed by as they sped along the road, and after getting off the expressway, the traffic started to increase. Pei You merged into the crowd, and as the scenery in front of him became increasingly familiar, he suddenly felt a sense of relief that he was finally home.

“Tired?” Pei You glanced at Zhou Qingbo, who had closed his eyes and was resting by the window. He asked, “Should I drop you off at Star River Bay?”

“Drop me off?” Zhou Qingbo opened his eyes upon hearing that, raised an eyebrow, and playfully teased, “What do you mean? Aren’t you coming back with me?”