Chapter 32.2

When Wen Xiaohui finally got through the day at work, he forced himself on the bus to Luo Yi’s house.

Luo Yi was as considerate as always; he had already cooked dinner and was waiting for him. As soon as he saw Wen Xiaohui coming through the door, he revealed his sunny and dashing smile. "Xiaohui-ge, you’re back."

"Yeah, I'm back."

"A bakery has just opened near our university, and it's really popular. I bought you a slice of the cheesecake that you like, but I don’t know if it’ll be nicer than the ones that Luo Rui ge makes."

"It can’t be as good as the ones made by Xiao Ma. When his bakery opens, we can freeload some afternoon tea every few days."

Luo Yi laughed, "Sure. Let’s eat dinner."

During dinner, Wen Xiaohui had his head in the clouds as he thought about what he wanted to say. The more he thought about it, the more he dreaded bringing it up.

"Xiaohui-ge, what's up with you today? You seem distracted."

"Yeah, I feel a little tired." Wen Xiaohui scooped a couple of mouthfuls of rice into his mouth. "I'm full, I'm off to lie on the sofa for a bit."

"Okay, off you go. I'll make you a hot drink after I've tidied the kitchen."

Wen Xiaohui lay on the sofa mumbling excuses to himself. Luo Rui was right; he would regret asking, but the problem would remain unsolved if he didn’t ask.

Shortly afterwards, Luo Yi carried a hot drink over. "Xiaohui-ge, I steeped some lavender tea for you to help you sleep. Get some rest once you’ve finished it."

Wen Xiaohui took the teacup, but he couldn’t stop staring blankly at Luo Yi. Luo Yi was gentle and considerate, showing his beautiful smile as always, and taking care of him. Regardless of what Luo Yi did, he couldn’t fault how he treated him… He suddenly felt like backtracking1.

Luo Yi said softly, "Xiaohui-ge, did you have something to say to me? Just speak your mind and don’t keep it in or you’ll have a bad night’s sleep."

Wen Xiaohui felt like a part of his heart had caved in, rendering it unusually soft. He barely had the urge to question Luo Yi and instead, only his concern for Luo Yi remained. He drank a mouthful of tea and gently placed the teacup on the coffee table. He rubbed his hands together nervously. "Actually, I have something I want to ask you."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Yesterday… I had dinner with Shao Qun." After he finished speaking, he deliberately scrutinised Luo Yi’s expression.

Luo Yi looked normal and he said "Oh, what happened after that?"

"He asked me for an update on the studio, and he also said that he wanted me to be the assistant manager for the beauty department."

"That’s great."

"He also said that... Director Luo is looking to sell his shares so he wants me to go out drinking with him to find out the reserve price."

Luo Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, "You turned him down, I presume?"

"Of course I turned him down. How could I still meet up with Director Luo?" Wen Xiaohui fidgeted as his nervous heart continued to pound. "He told me as well that he has some compromising material of Director Luo in his hands and that’s what he used originally to force Director Luo to deal with Raven…" He gathered his courage to look at Luo Yi, trying to determine a hint of a clue from the peaceful and calm look in his eyes. Unfortunately, the look in Luo Yi’s was profound - it was so deep that it seemed bottomless.

Luo Yi nodded. "I get it, do you think that the compromising material in Shao Qun’s hands are those photos?"

Wen Xiaohui never expected Luo Yi to be so blunt to say it out loud, he felt shocked. His heart also trembled, and all of a sudden, he found himself unable to speak.

Luo Yi smiled faintly. "So you were nervous all night about this?"

Wen Xiaohui began to feel angry about Luo Yi’s nonchalant attitude. "Is it true?"

Luo Yi said confidently, "Yes, it’s those photos. I sent them to Shao Qun anonymously."

Bang! When the buzzing in his brain stopped, his mind went blank.

Wen Xiaohui jumped off the sofa and he stared at Luo Yi as his chest heaved violently.

Luo Yi grabbed his hand, "Xiaohui-ge, don’t get so worked up. Sit down."

Wen Xiaohui shook his hand off like he'd been burnt, and his voice trembled. "Luo Yi… How could you do something like this? How could you have the audacity?!"

Luo Yi replied calmly, "I did it for you."

Hearing these words was Wen Xiaohui’s greatest fear, because with these words, he could no longer place the blame on Luo Yi. He shook his head vigorously. "Have you gone mad? Do you know that you’ve broken the law? You’re so clever, don’t you know that it’s a crime?!"

Luo Yi grabbed Wen Xiaohui’s hand again, and dragged him to a sitting position. He was so forceful that Wen Xiaohui couldn’t resist. Luo Yi held Wen Xiaohui’s hand, smiling faintly as he said, "Xiaohui-ge, you worry too much. I’m willing to accept the consequences of my actions. I don’t mind taking a risk to ensure Raven and Director Luo leave you alone."

"I mind!" Wen Xiaohui finally found his voice. He said sternly, "Luo Yi, do you understand that what you did is wrong?! You’re only 16; you can’t rely on your intelligence to take such risks. Don’t underestimate grown ups - what if Director Luo calls the police? What if Shao Qun rats you out? Your future will be ruined."

"Luo Zhigao wouldn’t dare call the police, and Shao Qun won’t let such shameful matters come to light. This was supposed to end when Raven left." Luo Yi let out a little sigh. "But you exposed the truth to Shao Qun."

"I… I didn’t know this would happen..."

"It's fine, I'm not trying to blame you. Calm down and answer a few questions. Number 1, does Shao Qun know that we took the photos?"

"He only knows that I’m aware of the nude photos and the rest is speculation."

"Okay, number 2. Did he ask you to hand over the photos?"

"No."

"That’s good. If Shao Qun tries to contact you again, you should say that Raven told you about the photos. As for how Raven knows, you don’t have a clue, so just continue to insist that you don’t know."

"Okay..." Then Wen Xiaohui shook his head firmly, "No, that wasn’t what we were talking about - we were talking about how you could do something like this! Luo Yi, you don’t think that you’ve done anything wrong, do you?"

Luo Yi cocked his head to look at Wen Xiaohui. "Raven is gone, Luo Zhigao wouldn’t dare disturb you anymore, and Juxing values you. Aren’t you satisfied with the outcome?"

"I..."

"Since you’re satisfied, how could it be wrong?" Luo Yi held Wen Xiaohui’s hand as he said gently, "Xiaohui-ge, as far as I’m concerned, I’m glad that I can help you clear away any obstacles that makes you unhappy. If it makes you happy, it must be right."

Wen Xiaohui glanced at Luo Yi’s face which still retained a sense of childlike innocence2 and he felt a sudden chill creeping up his back. He soon became covered in goosebumps. Luo Yi’s argument was too frightening - he was willing to clear away any obstacles that made Wen Xiaohui unhappy. He could take the risk of committing a crime just for the sake of Wen Xiaohui’s job. What was most unacceptable was the fact that Luo Yi didn’t think he was in the wrong, and instead he admitted it calmly and gave a frank explanation.

The first time that Wen Xiaohui thought that Luo Yi was different from others was when he didn’t seem upset about Yaya’s death. When the incidents happened one after another, he became conflicted about Luo Yi’s way of thinking. The youth that possessed such a sunny smile used his intelligence to commit these acts that went beyond his imagination. He really didn’t want to use the term, but there was a voice inside which kept repeating: "Luo Yi doesn’t seem normal."

His way of thinking was different from others - it was surprisingly audacious, disregarding morality, and lacking in empathy… Could this be the real Luo Yi?

Wen Xiaohui was shocked into silence by his own conjecture. No, how could he think like that? Luo Yi only did something wrong in order to protect him - how could he reject him? His memories of their time together were filled with the thoughtful and sunny side of Luo Yi.

Luo Yi had been watching Wen Xiaohui’s facial expression; his eyes captured all of Wen Xiaohui’s thoughts and internal struggles, which were evident from the minute changes in his facial expression. He grasped Wen Xiaohui’s hand without letting go, and both his demeanour and his voice became softer. "Xiaohui-ge, are you angry with me?"

Wen Xiaohui replied coldly, "Yes."

"I'm sorry..." Luo Yi said remorsefully, "I saw how you were bullied by Director Luo and Raven, but there was nothing I could do. Do you know how it feels to be so helpless? I know it was very risky, but that risk is nothing compared to you. I’m willing to do anything as long as it makes you happy."

Wen Xiaohui looked at the rims of Luo Yi’s eyes which had turned slightly red and his heart felt so painful like it had been stabbed. Luo Yi’s face resembled Yaya, which made Wen Xiaohui think that he was almost the spitting image of her. Any heartache suffered by Luo Yi was equivalent to Yaya’s suffering, and this resulted in a direct hit to Wen Xiaohui’s heart. How much pain did his jiejie have to secretly endure? It was just like Luo Yi’s childhood which he wasn’t part of - what had he experienced growing up? Perhaps Luo Yi was a bit extreme and inappropriate, but it sprang from his desire to protect him. Thinking about this, there was no way that Wen Xiaohui could continue to blame him. He frowned as he looked at Luo Yi. "Luo Yi, I don’t want you doing these sorts of things, even if it’s for me. In future, don’t use me as an excuse to take risks."

Luo Yi nodded. "I won't do it again."

"Then... Do you understand that what you did was wrong?"

Luo Yi nodded obediently.

Wen Xiaohui sighed, "I really don’t know what I should say to you. Do you understand that this cannot happen again? The worst that can happen to me is that I lose my job - it’s not that serious."

Luo Yi nodded again in agreement.

Wen Xiaohui stroked Luo Yi’s hair. "I thought you didn’t need anyone to worry about you."

Luo Yi smiled faintly.

"I’m really worried that Shao Qun will do something."

"He can’t do anything to you if you refuse to admit it, so don’t worry."

Wen Xiaohui nodded. "I wish he could leave me alone."

Luo Yi hugged him around the shoulders. "Don't worry, nobody can hurt you."

Wen Xiaohui felt like there was a pent-up gush of emotions in his chest and nothing could make it dissipate. Although Luo Yi had apologised and guaranteed that he wouldn’t do it again, it didn’t do much to improve his mood. His mum had taught him from an early age not to do anything that he would regret, because it would lead to trouble sooner or later. Therefore, his heart began to tremble when he thought about what Luo Yi had done.

Would Director Luo be able to let the matter go? Would Shao Qun let him off? How could Luo Yi remain so calm?

Although the dust seemed to have settled on this matter3, Wen Xiaohui continued to lose sleep. He thought about how it had nearly been a year since he first met Luo Yi and sometimes he felt that he completely understood him. In the end, he discovered that it wasn’t the case, but he didn’t want to continue looking into it. Maybe with the passage of time and the gaining of life experience he would be able to work it out. Perhaps Luo Yi didn’t have bad intentions, but he definitely wasn't as innocent as Wen Xiaohui had first imagined.

—---------------

After holding it in for several days, Wen Xiaohui couldn't resist going to find Luo Rui.

Luo Rui had finished recruiting and he was about to find an auspicious day to open the bakery. He was busy inside the store over the past few days, cleaning and preparing the ingredients.

He prepared some fresh cake and floral tea when he saw that Wen Xiaohui had come to visit, and they sat in the empty patisserie that exuded a sweet and comforting vibe. Wen Xiaohui felt that his heart had calmed down a lot in such an environment, and he took his time to tell Luo Rui about his discussion with Luo Yi from that day.

Luo Rui had a shocked expression after he finished listening to it all, and Wen Xiaohui thought dejectedly that this was how a normal person was supposed to react.

"Oh god, you really can't tell… How could he be so reckless? Is he able to do such things because he’s young and doesn’t know the meaning of fear?"

Wen Xiaohui shook his head. "I don't think that’s the reason. I think Luo Yi only does things after careful consideration."

Luo Rui shouted, "Isn’t that more frightening?!"

Wen Xiaohui covered his ear. "Please don't shout in my ear."

"Xiaohui, Luo Yi’s like one of those abnormal, genius teenagers that you see in Japanese dramas."

"What a right mess!"

"It’s true, haven’t you watched them before? The type that is especially intelligent, but they’re also callous and dangerous. Let me give you some advice, you should go…"

Luo Rui pouted. "It's not only women who watch them..."

Wen Xiaohui banged his head on the table as he tried to rest his upper body on it. "It's so annoying."

Luo Rui sighed, "Luo Yi is really hard to decipher; he protects you really well and gets rid of those who bully you. But he can actually do something like this…" Luo Rui rolled his eyes. "Baby, do you remember Luca?"

"Yes, I remember. What's up?"

"We talked about how ever since you met Luo Yi, people who make life difficult for you end up with bad luck. It’s like you’re possessed by a maleficent being and we even joked about how Luo Yi is your guardian angel. Say, what if…"

Wen Xiaohui sat upright suddenly, and he stared at Luo Rui like he’d seen a monster.