Chapter 6 – Long-Legged Uncle

He Qing, who was lame and blind, stayed at Lin home just like this. A big soft bed, Lin Chi’s attentive service, and being able to listen to TV all day without having to take classes. For He Qing…

【This is practically paradise ah! 】

All He Qing could see was black, but it did not prevent him from sitting in the living room while hugging a pillow and listening to the TV. On one side, listening to the you love me but I don’t love you, and on the other side, he said contentedly: 【Everything is perfect, if Lin Chi’s dad didn’t appear, it would be even better!】

When Lin Chi persuaded him to live here, he vowed that his father was a workaholic, and that being able to come home once a month was already pretty good. But He Qing lived there for two days, and that Uncle Lin got off work at precise times for two days. Sometimes he came back for lunch at noon, which was completely different from Lin Chi’s described lonely and widowed situation. [tl: I don’t think Lin Cheng is actually a widower, but the sentence means a lonely, single man.]

【Eh~ There is such a light bulb, not easy to tease~】[tl: light bulb = third wheel]

He Qing’s cheap tone succeeded in letting the system pay attention to him. That cold mechanical tone didn’t fluctuate, but it made people clearly feel the contempt: 【Who is the light bulb is not necessarily certain.】

【Eh, what do you mean?】 He Qing asked.

【Give me a thousand points and I’ll tell you.】

There was a sound from the front door, He Qing immediately shut up and turned around while holding the pillow. He heard that person change his shoes and come over step by step. That person sat beside him, and he carefully sniffed while opening his spiritless eyes. A few seconds later, “Uncle Lin, you are back.”

“En.” Lin Cheng’s voice was always cold and indifferent. It was as if even this short reply was forced by courtesy. His indifferent attitude did not hurt He Qing’s heart. After all, he knew he was living under someone else’s roof, it was already fortunate enough to not be kicked out.

His hands nervously tightened around the pillow. The teenager felt the heat of the person next to him and wanted to move to the other side, but he was too embarrassed to do so. Instead, he had to sat stiffly, so awkward that he didn’t move a muscle.

There was the sound of a page from a book flipping, and He Qing let out a relieved breath, his body relaxing. Uncle Lin seemed to really like reading books. Every time he came back these two days, he sat by his side while reading books. Although there were no warm greetings, for this orphan who was not good at dealing with people, this non-interference was the best way to get along.

The young man who had just relaxed his upright back didn’t realize this his series of reactions had all fallen into the eyes of the man who was flipping through the book.

When it comes to flipping through books, it is really just flipping through the books. Lin Cheng held the book in his hand, but his eyes are fixed young man with the tender and fair face holding the pillow. He Qing couldn’t see, but he habitually opened his eyes. From Lin Cheng’s angle, he could see his slightly curled eyelashes, a perfect arc, trembling slightly with every breath.

He ought to be listening very seriously to the soap opera on TV. His expression changed from time to time. In Lin Cheng’s eyes, but no matter what expression was made, it was all very cute.

How could there be such a person? Whether smiling or frowning, they all revealed a lovable taste, which makes people want to see those two dull eyes to light up again.

Without the slightest idea that Lin Cheng was staring at him, He Qing somewhat uncomfortably clamped his legs. He just drank too much water and wanted to go to the toilet…

He touched the crutches that Lin Chi helped him buy, and pushed himself up to stand. Before he had time to figure out whether to say something or not, he heard the sound of the man closing the book, and then came the cold and magnetic voice from above: “What do you want to do?”

Suddenly being questioned, the young man felt a bit overwhelmed and a little bit ashamed, and whispered, “Go to the bathroom…”

“I’ll take you.”

He Qing was obviously startled, “No, no need…”

“Go.” Lin Cheng ignored his rejection directly. One hand supported He Qing’s arm, and the other hand was naturally placed on his slim waist, leading him to walk forward.

Since it was already like this, He Qing could only follow along with a dazed face, and very soon walked to the bathroom. Lin Cheng was very intimate: “Do you want me to help you take off your pants?”

“No need!!!” The teenager was so ashamed that his cheeks were stained with pink, his head hung low and he weakly thanked him: “Thank you uncle…”

He stood there waiting for Lin Cheng to go out, but the faint scent of mint around him made it impossible for He Qing to ignore. He clasped his crutches anxiously, and He Qing whispered timidly: “Uncle, can you please go out…”

Then, he heard that pleasant yet cold voice say: “These two days, didn’t Lin Chi also watch you this way?”

The next second, Lin Cheng saw that He Qing initially perplexed expression, before understanding and showing an embarrassed appearance. The teenager hurriedly explained: “No, Uncle, don’t misunderstand. Ah Chi just sent me to the bathroom then went outside to wait!”

He was spoke urgently, afraid of revealing his romantic relationship with Lin Chi, but he (HQ) was unaware of the flicker of satisfaction on Lin Cheng’s face as he (Lin Cheng) listened to his (HQ) explanation. The man said unhurriedly: “Then I’ll wait for you outside.”

After saying that, the footsteps slowly went away. He Qing had a feeling of narrowly escaping with his life. Before he could relax, he heard Lin Cheng say in the distance: “Oh right, don’t call me Uncle in the future.”

There was the sound of the door closing, and He Qing blinked in confusion.

【Does Lin Chi’s daddy hate me? 】

System: 【Where did you see that? 】

Lin Chi was very confident: 【He wouldn’t let me call him Uncle! Even won’t let me call him Uncle, how much does he hate me! 】[tl: Supposed to say “He Qing” here, I think]

—

Lin Cheng waited outside the door. He used to hate waiting the most, but now standing like this, he did not feel impatient at all. He listened with his ears, and the sound of the crutches hitting the ground gradually approached. The door opened, and He Qing leaning on the crutches appeared before him.

Lin Cheng naturally stretched out his hand to support him, but when he touched the delicate hand, he was dodged by the young man. His expression froze, his eyes obscure as he looked at He Qing. He saw him shyly put his hands behind his back, and said awkwardly: “Lin…” He paused for a second, and called somewhat uncertainly: “Uncle?” [tl: this “Uncle” (叔叔) is different from the previous “Uncle” (伯父). The first means “father’s younger brother” while the second is can mean “father’s older brother” or be a general term to call older men. From here on, “uncle” refers to “叔叔”]

Lin Cheng didn’t want to be called “uncle”. What he wanted was to be even closer and have the young man call him more intimately, but this was not possible at present. The man’s eyes are stared straight at the teenager. Because he (HQ) couldn’t see, that indulgent gaze fell upon his slightly pursed lips. He (Lin Cheng) responded: “I’m here.”

Hearing that there was no anger in Lin Cheng’s tone, the teenager leaning on the crutches let out a sigh of relief. Still holding one hand behind his back, he explained awkwardly: “I haven’t washed my hands…” After saying that, as if afraid that Lin Cheng might misunderstand, he quickly added: “I haven’t been to this restroom and can’t find the place to wash my hands…”

After he finished speaking, he felt that he was troublesome. He freeloaded in someone else’s house and still wanted to be taken care of. The hand behind his back anxiously gasped the his clothes on his back, waiting for Lin Cheng’s response like he was waiting for a verdict. [tl: verdict like a court sentence]

At the next moment, the hand behind him was wrapped in a slender big hand, and in his ear was a man’s hoarse and magnetic voice, “We wash together.”

Thus, a minute later, Lin Cheng stood behind He Qing, grabbing a hand that was small and delicate compared to his own hand. From this angle, he could see the boy’s slender neck seemed like he could easily snap it with one hand, and his supple black hair whorl. He slowly wiped the teenager’s hand with his fingers.

He Qing felt something wasn’t quite right, so he turned his head slightly, trying to find some topic to discuss, “Uncle Lin, is Ah Chi coming back tonight?”

“No.” From a place where He Qing couldn’t see, Lin Cheng leaned down slightly, his breath brushing on the white neck. Seeing that the teenager shrank back uncomfortably, the man’s lips hooked slightly, and the magnetic and pleasant voice lowered a pitch: “Tonight he went to a meeting on behalf of the company, so not coming back.”