Chapter 30

Qu Yanting and Ruan Feng are biological brothers, related by blood.

There is a six-year age difference between them. Qu Yanting took his father's surname. He was born in the third month of spring, a time when returning swallows filled the courtyards. Ruan Feng took his mother's surname. The night before he was born, his mother dreamed of crabapple blossoms and named him Ruan Mengtang.

Ruan Feng had a fair complexion and was timid. His name sounded like a girl's, so he was often teased as a child. When he debuted, he wanted to change it and chose the simple and memorable name Ruan Feng.

Their father passed away early, when Qu Yanting was eight and Ruan Feng was only two.

Their mother took them south to Sichuan. A single woman raising two young sons, she fell ill from overwork after five or six years. When their mother passed away, Qu Yanting had just finished his first year of middle school, and Ruan Feng had just started elementary school.

From then on, Qu Yanting shouldered all the burdens—studying, earning money, and taking care of the family—even though he was just a boy who had yet to enter puberty.

Qu Yanting raised Ruan Feng for a full five years. As his own schoolwork became heavier and tuition fees increased, he struggled more and more. After he finished his college entrance exams, to ensure his younger brother could eat his fill and have warm clothes, he had no choice but to find a new "home" for Ruan Feng.

The person who adopted Ruan Feng was a single old lady who had no children and wanted a child to keep her company. Qu Yanting proactively signed an agreement stating that as long as she treated Ruan Feng well, he would take care of her in her old age.

Qu Yanting attended university with financial aid. Reserved, or perhaps due to low self-esteem, he never spoke of his family, sealing away his bleak and difficult upbringing deep in his heart.

Years later, Qu Yanting became a screenwriter, and Ruan Feng entered the entertainment industry.

It was a circle prone to gossip and disputes, and for other reasons as well, they chose to keep their brotherly relationship a secret. Besides, legally, after the adoption, Ruan Feng and Qu Yanting were no longer relatives.

To this day, with both of them in the same film crew, not even Ren Shu knew that Ruan Feng was Qu Yanting's biological brother.

To Ruan Feng, Qu Yanting was his only blood relative, his greatest reliance and pillar of support during his childhood. He was used to being clingy, so upon learning Qu Yanting was sick, how could he care about anything else?

After asking, Ruan Feng touched Qu Yanting's forehead. It was slightly warm, a sign of a low-grade fever.

"Much better." Qu Yanting took Ruan Feng's hand, held it, and squeezed it hard enough to make the kid grimace. He scolded him softly, "Who told you to run over here? Do my words go in one ear and out the other?"

Ruan Feng felt extremely wronged, and even worse inside. "You're my big brother. I'm right here in Chongqing, yet you get sick and don't call me. And now you're blaming me for coming to see you?"

Qu Yanting was at a loss for words and released his hand. He wouldn't call anyone. Sickness, loneliness, disappointment—he had learned to deal with it all by himself since his father's death. He simply had no habit of seeking support.

"It's just a minor illness, don't worry," he said.

Ruan Feng already knew Lu Wen was in room 6207. He said, "It's all thanks to Brother Lu Wen today."

'He's already calling him 'Brother'?' Qu Yanting subconsciously glanced at the door. 'The pretty nurse Lu Wen mentioned, was it the one who changed his IV bag? Did he get her number?'

Ruan Feng noticed the food on the table, pulled the order receipt out of the bag, and recognized from the restaurant's name that Lu Wen had gone out of his way to buy it. He recalled that when he first entered the room, Lu Wen seemed to be holding this very bowl of congee.

Ruan Feng exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, he even fed you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about," Qu Yanting explained. "It was too hot, so he was blowing on it."

Ruan Feng's surprise didn't fade. In their childhood, their mother was overworked, so it had always been Qu Yanting who took care of his food and clothes. Ever since he learned to use chopsticks, Qu Yanting had never blown on his food for him again.

"Brother Lu Wen is that considerate?"

"...Mhm." Qu Yanting felt something was off. "It's because it was inconvenient for me with one hand, so he helped."

Ruan Feng said, "But he's a star, after all. Keeping you company during your IV drip, buying you good food, that's one thing. But he even damaged his own image for you."

Qu Yanting didn't understand.

Ruan Feng relayed the housekeeper's words: "It was Brother Lu Wen who demanded the door be opened. They were hesitant, but Brother Lu Wen yelled at them. If word of this got out, it might be seen as him acting like a big shot."

Qu Yanting was completely unaware. "Really?"

"I'd be a puppy if I'm lying to you," Ruan Feng said. "The housekeeper said Brother Lu Wen was extremely anxious and even said that nothing was more important than you, a living person, and that he would bear any consequences."

Qu Yanting hadn't heard enough. "Is there more?"

Ruan Feng recalled, "Brother Lu Wen was originally heading out and had already gone far, but he was worried and came back."

Qu Yanting had been dizzy with fever at the time. In a daze, he heard someone call out "Teacher Qu," and when he opened his eyes, he saw Lu Wen squatting by his bed. He had thought the other man was just passing by, but it turned out he had come specifically to "rescue" him.

He owed a huge favor tonight.

Ruan Feng, feeling very much like a family member, said, "I'll have to thank Brother Lu Wen properly some other day."

Qu Yanting flicked his forehead and said helplessly, "You just behave yourself."

He was getting a headache. With Ruan Feng running over like this, Lu Wen must find it very strange. How to explain it was a problem.

"Brother, don't worry." Ruan Feng's forehead had a red mark from the flick, which looked strangely festive. "I knew Brother Lu Wen was here, so I already thought of an excuse on my way over. I'll explain."

Ruan Feng picked up the congee. It wasn't hot anymore, and he was about to feed it to Qu Yanting.

After this bit of conversation, Qu Yanting gave a strict order for Ruan Feng to leave as soon as possible. The hospital was full of people coming and going; it would be troublesome if he were recognized.

He picked up the phone on the table, stuffed it into Ruan Feng's hands, and reminded him to wear his hat properly.

Ruan Feng wanted to linger a bit more, but when he felt his pocket, he froze. "Huh? My phone is right here."

Qu Yanting also froze. Then whose phone was this? He pressed the power button, and the screen lit up with a photo of Lu Wen in long boots, riding a horse.

Ruan Feng exclaimed, "Wow, so handsome!"

In the hallway, Lu Wen had his trench coat open, planning to make a cool exit, but he forgot his phone.

He wandered through the ward area, finished his hot chocolate, read the medical tips posted on the wall, learned that the old man in the next room was surnamed Zhang, and even watched ten minutes of a TV drama with him.

Lu Wen returned to the outside of the hospital room, wanting to get his phone and also to peek at the situation inside. Just as he was about to knock, a patient's family member rushed past, bumping his shoulder. He leaned forward, pushing the door open a crack.

Suddenly, Lu Wen saw Ruan Feng hugging Qu Yanting.

"Brother, you have to call me if anything happens," Ruan Feng said softly, patting Qu Yanting's back, just like how Qu Yanting would hold him when he was sick as a child.

Lu Wen froze in the crack of the door, hearing Qu Yanting's low, hoarse, yet gentle words.

"Go back now."

"Don't worry."

"Be good."

'This is strange,' he thought. 'Qu Yanting is a sickly weakling himself, yet he still has the mind to coax his little lover? He's quite good at doting on people, huh?'

While Lu Wen was in a daze, Ruan Feng left and walked to the door. Seeing him, he said, "Brother Lu Wen, Teacher Qu told me to leave first. I'll go down through the emergency exit."

Lu Wen used his tall frame to provide cover for Ruan Feng. One after the other, they crossed the hallway and turned into the emergency stairwell.

The lighting was dim. The two stood at the turn of the stairs. Ruan Feng said, "Brother Lu Wen, thank you for taking care of Teacher Qu today."

Lu Wen had his hands in his trench coat pockets. "We're in the same crew, it's just lending a hand."

Ruan Feng said, "You must be very curious about why I came to visit Teacher Qu."

Lu Wen knew perfectly well, but he feigned confusion and nodded.

"Actually, Teacher Qu and I know each other," Ruan Feng confessed. "To be precise, I'm indebted to Teacher Qu."

Inwardly, Lu Wen was as steady as a mountain, but his face showed a hint of astonishment. He didn't actively gossip, but everyone has a curious heart. He wanted to hear about the emotional journey of Qu Yanting and Ruan Feng.

For example, how did they meet? Who initiated it? In what way?

He understood that Ruan Feng would explain away love as a debt of gratitude.

Ruan Feng presented his prepared excuse: "When I was filming my first movie, I was fortunate enough to meet Teacher Qu on set."

Lu Wen thought to himself, 'What a coincidence, he also met Qu Yanting on a film set.'

"Back then, I was just a rookie and inevitably made a fool of myself, but Teacher Qu didn't blame me for being offensive."

Lu Wen was slightly taken aback, remembering the huge fool he made of himself when he first joined the crew. Qu Yanting hadn't held it against him either.

"My acting was raw, and I encountered many difficulties. Teacher Qu had no airs at all; he would always pull me aside to explain the scenes to me."

Lu Wen paused for a moment, feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"It was very tough on set, and Teacher Qu quietly looked after me."

Lu Wen was completely dumbfounded.

His loosely clenched fist in his pocket broke out in a sweat. Only now did he understand that this was how Qu Yanting treated Ruan Feng, whom he had taken a fancy to—helping him, being considerate, and ultimately capturing him, step by step.

But each and every one of these instances felt so familiar, so personally experienced.

Ruan Feng didn't notice that Lu Wen was already stunned and concluded on his own, "That's how we met. Teacher Qu is a low-key person, can you help keep this a secret?"

Lu Wen didn't react. Ruan Feng asked, "Brother Lu Wen, are you okay?"

Grinding his teeth, Lu Wen slowly nodded in agreement, squeezing out the word "Fine" from between his teeth.

Ruan Feng's eyes curved into a smile. "Thanks a lot, I'll be going then. I'll treat you to a meal some other day!"

The light footsteps faded into the distance, disappearing on some floor. Lu Wen stood alone in the dimness, the words from just now replaying in his ears, hammering on his nerves like a gavel.

The IV drip was almost finished. With one hand, Qu Yanting put away the order receipt. Including the medical fees, he would have to pay Lu Wen back for everything later.

His phone received several messages from Ruan Feng. Qu Yanting opened them—

Brother, I explained it to Brother Lu Wen.

I made it very realistic, fitting our identities as a screenwriter and an actor. No bugs to be found.

Brother Lu Wen didn't suspect anything, he even seemed quite touched.

I'm leaving! You have to call me if anything happens!

Qu Yanting was temporarily relieved. He couldn't help but look at the door. Ruan Feng had probably already gotten in a car, so why wasn't Lu Wen back yet?

Speak of the devil. The next moment, Lu Wen pushed the door open but didn't come in, standing there at the entrance with a solemn and grave expression.

His face was so grim it was as if he were possessed. Qu Yanting couldn't help but wonder, 'Did he get rejected when asking for her number?' He said, "Your phone is here."

Lu Wen acted as if he hadn't heard. "I've asked some questions before, but I want to confirm them again."

Qu Yanting: "What questions?"

Lu Wen took a deep breath, lowering his naturally deep voice even further.

"When I joined the crew and offended you, did you hold it against me?"

"What would count as holding it against you?"

"Changing the script, adjusting my scenes, was that getting public revenge for a private grudge?"

"Of course not. You can ask Ren Shu."

"For scene 14, when you criticized me, was that just explaining the scene? To help me find the feeling?"

"Yes."

"My acting was terrible, didn't you despise me?"

"You just needed to be taught."

"You never looked down on me at all?"

"No."

"Arranging for an assistant, was that purely out of sympathy because I was short-staffed?"

"There was also a bit of concern."

Lu Wen choked for a moment. "Do you... think I'm handsome?"

The photo of him on the horse came to mind. Qu Yanting answered, "...Very handsome."

After the last question was asked, with a bang, Lu Wen slammed the door and left.

Qu Yanting was completely bewildered, not understanding what had just happened.

Lu Wen walked to the nurse's station and collapsed onto the counter, causing the three nurses on duty to gather around. He pleaded with the head nurse, "Ma'am, I'd like to check my blood pressure."

He rolled up his sleeve, wrapped the blood pressure cuff around his arm, and looked up at the ceiling, feeling his pulse and heart constrict violently together.

Soon, the numbers on the monitor stopped fluctuating.

The head nurse said, "Your blood pressure is fine, but why is your heart rate so fast?"

Lu Wen buried his head on the counter, clutching his chest. His pounding heartbeat was palpable.

How could it not be fast?

So there were clues to everything all along.

Qu Yanting actually... had a crush on him.

The author has something to say:

Qu Yanting is also to blame, right? Letting one not-so-bright person talk things over with another not-so-bright person, what good could possibly come of it?