Bath

Wu Yue took Chu Dong to the hospital the next day. He ran up and down the hospital all morning holding Chu Dong for the physical examination, unable to get a breath of rest. After the physical examination was finished, he rushed downstairs to buy two bowls of wontons, for fear of Chu Dong being hungry.

Wu Yue put his share aside, holding a bowl of hot wontons, scooping one up and letting it hang for a long time, he carefully brought it to Chu Dong's mouth, "Come on, be careful."

Chu Dong stared at him for a while and slowly opened his mouth to eat the wonton. Wu Yue said: "This wonton shop has been open for more than ten years. How is it? The taste isn't bad."

Chu Dong nodded his head at Wu Yue, and Wu Yue fed him one bite at a time. He ate the other bowl as Chu Dong slowly finished half of his before stopping. Wu Yue ate up the remaining soup, and then opened another bowl that had thickened on the side, quickly eating two in one bite. After eating, he packed the dishes and chopsticks into a plastic bag. Seeing that Chu Dong was still looking at him, he smiled gently and said: "You're like my comrades-in-arm's child when they were young."

Wu Yue went to throw out the garbage, still holding Chu Dong, and went back upstairs to wait for the results. While he waited, he zipped up Chu Dong's clothes and arranged his sleeves from time to time. Someone next to them watched and said to him, "Your dad is so meticulous."

Wu Yue naturally replied: "Shouldn't I spoil my son?"

Hearing this, Chu Dong was slightly startled.

"This leg hadn't been treated with the previous surgery, the debris in the wound hasn't been cleaned up. Did your son ever say that his leg was uncomfortable or painful?"

Wu Yue kept apologizing. The doctor showed him pictures of the leg and explained to him the situation of the amputated area one by one. He asked him to go through the hospitalization procedures for the child, pay the fee, and wait a few days before directly operating.

Wu Yue became busy for a long while before finally taking Chu Dong to a ward and settling down. A nurse came over to give Chu Dong some anti-inflammatory drip, Wu Yue sat on the bed and watched. His face was full of worry and self-blame. He chased the nurse and asked about a lot of precautionary measures, he also used his mobile phone to write them down one by one. After the nurse left, Wu Yue tucked in the quilt for Chu Dong. It seemed that he wanted to hold Chu Dong's thin hand but didn't dare, he could only rub his hand on his leg awkwardly and ask, "Is your leg hurting now?"

Leaning on the hospital bed, Chu Dong watched his movements with slightly curious eyes. He blinked at the question and replied, "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Wu Yue felt incredibly uncomfortable hearing this. The child had only said a few words since seeing him, he didn't say that his legs hurt, he didn't show it when he was hungry and didn't mention a word of request. The more quiet and sensible Chu Dong was, the more he blamed himself, and the more he regretted only learning of his birth when he was already so big. He missed the long years of growth, from Chu Dong's birth to the present, leaving his child alone in such a terrible place. He even thought that if Zhao Qian had never told him about it, Chu Dong would probably stay like this for the rest of his life. His legs would hurt, hungry, cold, and even suddenly dying one day, without ever experiencing the love and care he should've had.

Wu Yue's mood was difficult to calm, even his eyes became a little red after a while. He was unwilling to show such a side in front of his child, forcing himself to calm down. He cleared his choked throat and said, "I'll go... buy something, I'll be back soon."

He left in a hurry. Chu Dong watched his back disappear from the door, leaving only strangers in the ward. Someone glanced at him secretly, like they hadn't seen enough, he sat on the white hospital bed as quiet as a painting.

The man said that he would be back soon, but after two hours he still didn't come back. After Chu Dong's infusion was finished, the nurse came over to pull out the needle for him and left. Chu Dong leaned against the head of the bed, his thin body sinking into the pillow. His eyelashes dropped and it was unknown what he was thinking. He gently stroked the infusion wound on the back of his hand with his fingers, touching it and gently tearing. A bit of blood came out of the needle's eye.

There was a rush of footsteps. Chu Dong suddenly noticed it and raised his head to look at the door. Wu Yue came inside holding three or four big bags bringing a gust of wind as soon as he entered the ward, the eyes that drifted towards Chu Dong from time to time disappeared. Chu Dong watched Wu Yue walk to his bed and put the bags at the bedside. Despite the cold weather, his forehead was dripping with sweat. He took out books from the bag, one after another, and put them next to Chu Dong's pillow. There were novels, essays, poems, and miscellaneous fiction, all of which weren't small in size. They were piled up in front of him by Wu Yue, and there were nearly ten books in total.

"I heard that you like reading, so I went to the bookstore in the city centre. The road was a bit far away and there was a traffic jam, I'm sorry I came back so late." Wu Yue smiled at Chu Dong, "I don't know what you like and I don't read books myself, so I asked a salesperson to help pick some more famous ones. Look at this, Kovalenko Anna-Nina¹, I heard it's pretty good."

He stuffed a thick tome into Chu Dong's hands, and Chu Dong finally showed a child-like, surprised, and somewhat dazed expression. He looked down at the book, the case was hard and smooth. When he opened the paper, he could smell the new and quality ink and the faint woody scent between the pages. It was unlike the collections of novels they had in the orphanage, thin magazines that had worn leaves, splashed with oil, stained, yellowed and damaged. He had read them hundreds of times and there was nothing new.

Wu Yue watched Chu Dong repeatedly touch the cover of the book with a relieved expression on his face, but he quickly noticed the back of Chu Dong's hand. He hurriedly called in the nurse to put a new infusion sticker on him and carefully stroked the wound, he told Chu Dong: "Be careful, don't rub at it next time."

Wu Yue's palms were broad and warm, covering the back of Chu Dong's cold and thin hands, quickly warming the skin. He thought of something again and took out a mobile phone box from the bag, he opened it and took out a brand new smartphone from inside, putting it in Chu Dong's palm. "I'll come back tomorrow. You'll be bored in the hospital for two days, so read books or play with your phone. It just happens that the store's doing fine, so I'll be able to stay with you in the hospital."

He took out a newly bought thermos from the bag, washed it and poured hot water for Chu Dong. Wu Yue sat by the bedside going through the new books with Chu Dong, he then ran downstairs to buy lunch after seeing the time. He was very fast this time, returning with two lunchboxes in less than half an hour, he sat face to face with Chu Dong and ate on the bed together.

Chu Dong ate all the food this time. He was sitting on the bed and quietly reading a book, Wu Yue was beside him, pouring him water from time to time, taking him to the bathroom, and going downstairs to buy food when appropriate, all carefully prepared.

He was stuck to Chu Dong. He would handle it when something happened at the store, but wouldn't answer Zhao Qian's calls. Whenever Chu Dong fidgeted even a little, he would hurriedly get up and ask him if he was uncomfortable. Others looked at them strangely, they had never seen a father who cared so much for his son. Even Chu Dong felt a little unnatural, he expressed that he didn't need to be taken care of all the time and told him to take care of the other things.

On the day of Chu Dong's operation, his physical examination results came out. The doctor told Wu Yue that the child's health wasn't good, his immunity was low, he was prone to inflammation, lacked nutrition, was anaemic, and had some stomach problems. When it came to Chu Dong's sex, the result of the physical examination report revealed that his male characteristics were more dominant than his female characteristics. Although he had a uterus, there was no ability to conceive, his vaginal opening was narrower than ordinary women's, and his appearance would be more masculine.

The doctor prescribed a few Chinese herbs for Wu Yue to take back and nourish Chu Dong's body. Wu Yue waited restlessly reading the results outside of the pharmacy. He remembered the doctor saying that Chu Dong had problems here and there. Later, he wasn't raised well at all, even his basic nutrition couldn't be maintained.

Wu Yue finally got the herbs just as Chu Dong's operation came to an end. His broken leg had been operated on again, wrapped in thick gauze, and he was still asleep when he was sent back to his hospital bed. He was wrapped in a quilt with his eyes closed, his black eyelashes were resting on his snow-white skin, his breathing was shallow, and he lay on the bed like a white porcelain doll. He'd only look alive if he opened his eyes.

Wu Yue sat on the edge of the bed holding Chu Dong's thin fingers, rubbing his cold hand with his calloused fingertips over and over again. Only now did he have the opportunity to observe Chu Dong's face, from the eyebrows to the lips, carefully wanting to engrave into the heart, more firm and unbreakable than remembering.

Chu Dong's appearance was too dazzling, coupled with his intersexuality, Wu Yue could hardly control himself from speculating about what he had gone through without the protection of a family, whether the lonely Chu Dong had been bullied or even insulted in the past. Whenever he thought about these things, it was difficult to contain the raging anger in Wu Yue's chest. But in the end, the fire didn't know who to burn, so it could only burn himself in pain.

When Wu Yue woke up with a frowning forehead, he realized that he had fallen asleep sitting. He looked up and saw that Chu Dong had already woken up at some point, lying on the bed looking at him. Wu Yue found that Chu Dong always looked at him like that, staring at him without blinking with those pair of beautiful deer-like eyes, as if he was interested in this strange thing and didn't want to approach easily, opting to just silently observe from a distance. Wu Yue noticed that he was still holding his hand, the sweat from his palm had dampened Chu Dong's fingers. He hurriedly withdrew his hand, and leaned over to touch Chu Dong's hair, "Is there anything uncomfortable?"

Chu Dong said: "No."

"What about your leg, does your leg hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt."

Wu Yue brought over water for him to drink, and Chu Dong sipped it little by little. These past few days in the hospital, Wu Yue accidentally found out that Chu Dong liked drinking sweet freshly squeezed juice. Once, Wu Yue bought him orange juice, he held the juice and drank it seriously, licking the residue on the edge of the cup. He was anxious to finish it, but the cup was already clean and his lips had turned red. Later, Wu Yue bought him other flavours and Chu Dong liked drinking them too.

After staying in the hospital for half a month Chu Dong was finally discharged. Wu Yue happily drove him back home, carrying Chu Dong upstairs. When they arrived at the door, he told him, "Dad prepared a surprise for you."

He opened the door and entered the room, there was a brand-new wheelchair in the living room. Wu Yue put Chu Dong on a wheelchair and helped him adjust his posture, "I've tried several others and this is the most comfortable to sit on. You can press a button to make it walk automatically, or you can push the wheels by yourself." He talked about how to use this wheelchair for a long time. He drew a stick from the bag next to the wheelchair's armrest and pulled it apart. It turned out to be retractable and foldable crutches. He put the crutches on Chu Dong's hands, "You can sit on the wheelchair once you're tired and use crutches if you want to walk."

Wu Yue pushed Chu Dong from the living room to the bedroom, and then to the balcony. He walked around the house and asked with a smile, "Is it convenient?"

Chu Dong looked at Wu Yue who was more excited than him. The corners of his mouth curved up and he smiled gently, replying, "Yes, it's very convenient."

Seeing him smile, Wu Yue turned around a few times like a silly new father, he finally remembered what he wanted to say and went to the room to take out a bunch of bags and boxes. He took out newly bought sweaters, padded jackets, pants and shoes, and hurriedly showed them to Chu Dong, "I wanted to buy you new clothes, but I don't know how to choose. So I specifically asked my friend's wife, look, they picked these for you. Rest at home for a few days, after that, I'll take you to the mall and let you buy whatever you want. They heard that I've brought my son back and wanted to see you, I was afraid that you're still adjusting so I refused."

Wu Yue talked about what he remembered, he looked at Chu Dong's face and carefully said: "Don't be afraid, that friend is someone I have a good relationship with, he won't talk nonsense and no one will disturb you."

Wu Yue rambled on and talked to Chu Dong like he didn't plan on stopping, as if he wanted to tell Chu Dong all the things that he hadn't had the chance to in the past. Chu Dong sat in the wheelchair and listened, sometimes watching his actions and putting on an appropriate expression on his face.

"Clothes."

Wu Yue paused and looked at Chu Dong. Chu Dong also looked back at him with a pair of gentle and beautiful eyes, slightly curved, "They're all messed up, let me do it."

Wu Yue had been rushing around, all his clothes were untidy and messily piled on the sofa. Chu Dong rocked his wheelchair and bent over to pick up a sweater, folding it on his lap. Wu Yue finally relaxed, he sat aside watching Chu Dong patiently fold all his clothes and stack them on the sofa one by one.

He watched the way Chu Dong folded clothes. His head was lowered, his nose soft and shiny and his red lips slightly curled. Seeing Chu Dong sitting in front of him, Wu Yue's heart gradually calmed down. His lost child, the most precious treasure in his life, from now on he won't let him suffer anymore, he'll allow neither the wind to blow on him nor the rain to drench him.

Wu Yue couldn't wait to give up everything to his Chu Dong to make up for all the regrets they missed.

That evening, Wu Yue went to a crock soup store near the community and brought a can of bone soup back for Chu Dong. He urged him to have a few more sips. Later, when it was time for a bath, he took Chu Dong into the bathroom and carried him to a small stool to let him take a bath by himself.

He just got up to leave but was pulled back by a cool hand. Wu Yue turned his head and saw Chu Dong's small face looking up at him, he said, "Can you help me?"

Wu Yue squatted down with some doubts, "Weren't you able to wash yourself before?"

Chu Dong showed a somewhat embarrassed expression, "It's still not very convenient."

Wu Yue understood. Back then Chu Dong hadn't allowed him to help with bathing or changing clothes, he must've still felt unfamiliar and resisted in his heart. Now that Chu Dong was willing to take a step closer, Wu Yue's heart was naturally momentarily immersed in happiness. He immediately changed into his slippers and came in, squatting in front of Chu Dong, "No problem, Dad will help you wash."

Chu Dong smiled obediently, revealing a pair of shallow dimples on his cheeks. He sat on the small wooden bench, staring at Wu Yue with warm eyes, his white fingers touched the first button on his collar, gently unbuttoning it.

The collar spread out, revealing pale and slender collarbones, a small round pit created a slight dip in between the collarbones, the veins under the skin were slender and pale green, like the thinnest sheep's hair² outlined with the tip of a pen. Chu Dong undid the buttons one by one, moving slowly, unfolding in front of Wu Yue, from his chest to his flat lower belly. He took off his shirt, his shoulders were thin and white, like a white butterfly in front of a still upright flower. The material fell to his elbows, revealing a thin and soft waist.

Chu Dong's gaze never left Wu Yue's face, like a misty firefly in the dim forest, and like the only blooming flower on barren land, tempting the traveller to explore. His shirt fell on the tiled floor, and Chu Dong's naked body glowed faintly under the warm yellow light of the bathroom heater, giving lustre from his hair to his fingertips. He spotted the momentary expression of bewilderment and embarrassment on Wu Yue's face, like he had never expected such a scene.

But Wu Yue reacted quickly. He was afraid that Chu Dong would catch a cold, so he hurried over to carefully support him, helping him take off his pants, and then taking the showerhead to test the temperature of the water. He then began to concentrate on bathing in Chu Dong. He had large hands and rough palms, he didn't know how to control his strength on Chu Dong so he could only awkwardly wash him and then turned off the showerhead to squeeze shower gel on him.

"Just tell me if it hurts. Dad has rough hands and it's the first time I've bathed a child of your age, I don't know if I'm being too light or heavy." Wu Yue's movements were very unskilled, and his face and body were already covered with water. He squatted in front of Chu Dong and washed his calves, concentrating on rubbing the foam on his toes with shower gel to make them cleaner. He eased his hands but still rubbed Chu Dong's feet red. But Chu Dong didn't care too much. He just looked at Wu Yue's hair spinning on top of his head, his trousers wet with water, and his face was stained with foam, it looked a bit funny.

Wu Yue started washing from his toes to his calf, and knee until the pads of his fingers touched the softest and most delicate skin on the inner thighs. Even Chu Dong's bones seemed soft, like they'd break off with just a slight pinch. Wu Yue retracted his hand in shock, if he moved a little further he would've touched the depths of his thigh. Chu Dong's legs were slightly spread, revealing a seemingly nonexistent seam that seemed to be covered by foam, but you could still vaguely see the reddish penis buried between the white and tender legs, as well as the darkness further down.

Wu Yue didn't know where to put his eyes for a while. He coughed and got up to circle behind Chu Dong. He said awkwardly: "Dad will wash your back for you, you can wash yourself later."

Warm water fell on Chu Dong's back, leaving him alone in the bathroom. Chu Dong was fascinated and watched the foamy water under his feet roll into the drain. He remembered Wu Yue's red ears and dodging eyes just now, like a big and stupid bear who didn't know how to hide his feelings or where put his hands.

The corners of his mouth gently curved upwards, and he smiled.

After taking a bath, Wu Yue helped Chu Dong get dressed and carried him to bed. Chu Dong lay down in the bed and looked at him, he said in a small voice, "Can you stay with me?"

Wu Yue sat down immediately, "Of course, do you want me to sleep with you tonight?"

Chu Dong took a book by the pillow, handing it to him, "I want to hear you read to me."

"Read... I'm not a very good reader³."

"It's okay." Chu Dong said, smiling at him obediently. He pulled the quilt over his shoulder, blinking at him with big eyes like he was ready to hear the story. Wu Yue had no choice but to bite the bullet and opened the book, he choose the section according to Chu Dong and began to read word by word.

He stumbled upon reading, occasionally stopping if he couldn't understand, frowning and muttering to himself for a long time before continuing to read. Chu Dong lay on his side and faced him, like he was listening to the story seriously, but his eyes were actually on Wu Yue's face. He occasionally pursed his lips to smile when he paused and tripped.

He didn't know how long it took, but Wu Yue was very sleepy after reading. He yawned and put down the book, only to notice that Chu Dong was already in deep sleep, evenly breathing up and down, nestled in the quilt like a cute white kitten. Wu Yue put down the book he read to Chu Dong. He carefully leaned over after a long while, and cherishingly kissed him on the forehead. He then got up and left, quietly closing the door.

In the darkness, Chu Dong quietly opened his eyes.