BIAS Chapter 13: A Cold (2)

Chi Ye’s voice was low, “I’ll be there soon.”

After hanging up, Yan Xu got out of bed. He didn’t notice when he was sleeping, but once he was awake, he felt hungry. He only ate breakfast and drank a glass of water this entire day. He put on a long down jacket over his pajamas, went to the living room to boil some water, and then went to the cabinet to get a new cup.

After the water was done boiling, he turned on the TV, letting the sound fill the quiet living room. He watched TV while waiting for Chi Ye.

After a minute, Chi Ye called him, telling him that he was already downstairs.

Yan Xu was astonished—so fast? He hung up the call and hurriedly dragged his weak legs downstairs to open the door.

With a “clang, clang, clang” sound, the shutter gate was pulled up two-thirds of the way.

Chi Ye held several bags in his hand, standing upright in front of the door, and there was still some snow on his hair and shoulders.

Yan Xu peered his head out and checked. “Is it snowing heavily?”

“Mhm, it’s pretty heavy.” Chi Ye moved aside to let Yan Xu look, then he immediately used his body to block the cold wind that was blowing sharply. “Strong wind, let’s go inside.”

Yan Xu also felt the biting wind, so he hurriedly moved aside to let Chi Ye in and drag the shutter gate back down.

He walked in front to lead the way. After thinking for a while, he stopped and asked in a hoarse voice, “There’s no heating in the shop. I live on the second floor, should we go up?”

Chi Ye was stunned, stuttering, “Su-sure.”

The two of them walked upstairs. Yan Xu told Chi Ye to make himself comfortable, then walked to the small table in the corner and prepared to make tea.

Chi Ye put the stuff he brought on the coffee table, then walked over. “You should sit, I’ll do it.”

Yan Xu smiled weakly, “Okay.”

Chi Ye put the glass cups on the coffee table. While taking out the things he brought, he asked, “When did you eat the fever reducer?”

Yan Xu thought about it, then answered, “In the evening, around four o’clock.”

Chi Ye looked at the box of the already opened fever reducing medicine box, asking, “Do you have a thermometer at home?”

Yan Xu shook his head. “No. I don’t think I’ll need it, I feel the fever has gone away,”

From childhood to adulthood, he had caught a cold and fallen ill only a few times, and his family had never had these things available, so the medicine was bought by Fang Jincheng.

Chi Ye didn’t say anything. He took out an unopened thermometer box from the bag, saying, “Take your temperature.” Without waiting for Yan Xu to answer, he said, “Try not to speak. Just nod or shake your head to answer me.”

Yan Xu looked at the thermometer in surprise. He moved his lips, but then pressed it closed and nodded.

Chi Ye took out the thermometer and shook it twice. He grabbed some tissues and handed it to Yan Xu. “Put it under your armpit and wait five minutes. If there’s sweat, wipe it off.”

Yan Xu took the thermometer and tissue, then considered if he should return to his room to do it, but then changed his mind, feeling that it was even more strange if he was being secretive in front of another guy. He looked at Chi Ye, then unbuttoned his pajamas calmly.

Chi Ye immediately looked down. He used the back of his hand to feel the temperature of the rice porridge brought with him and said, “It’s too cold outside, so the porridge isn’t warm anymore. Can I borrow your kitchen? I’ll go heat it up.”

He had his head lowered for two seconds but didn’t hear an answer. Chi Ye then realized that he told Yan Xu not to talk, so he raised his head to look.

Yan Xu’s pajamas were unbuttoned, revealing a pale and smooth chest. He was holding the tissues, had his head lowered, and wiping the sweat from his armpit. Feeling Chi Ye’s gaze, he slowly looked up, nodded, and answered, “Sure.”

Chi Ye lowered his head in a panic, his pupils moved restlessly, before they finally fell on the not-so-hot porridge. “I-I’ll go heat it up now.”

Five minutes later, he came upstairs with a steaming bowl of hot porridge. He placed it on the coffee table, then reached out his rough hands toward Yan Xu. “Should be ready now, let me see.”

Yan Xu felt a bit embarrassed. He wasn’t a child, he knew how to read the thermometer. However, he felt that this wasn’t convenient. After hesitating for a while, he took out the thermometer from under his armpit and handed it to Chi Ye.

Chi Ye took the thermometer and looked at it. “38.6. When I bought the medicine, the staff told me that if your fever doesn’t subside, then you should go to the hospital.” He placed the bowl of porridge in front of Yan Xu. “First eat something, then take the medicine.”

Yan Xu sat on the rug, the steam from the porridge hit his face, moistening his face. Perhaps getting sick made one easily feel gloomy, which caused them to be more emotional. Yan Xu couldn’t help but think about what happened last year, his eyes watering up.

He had appendicitis surgery last year. The doctor said he needed a family member to attend to him, so he mustered up the courage to call his mom, hoping that she’ll accompany him for one day, but the call never went through after trying four to five times. His courage was worn away bit by bit with each “temporarily unavailable” response. He had no choice but to call a vegetable stall owner he was familiar with and asked them to come over. The owner was really kind-hearted and accompanied him until he was discharged. However, even until the day he was discharged, his mom never called him back.

Yan Xu’s throat tightened. He scooped a spoonful of porridge and put it in his mouth to cover his embarrassment. He placed his lips on the edge of the bowl and almost buried his entire face in it.

Chi Ye reminded him, “Eat slowly, don’t get burned.”

Yan Xu hoarsely gave an “Mhm,” then nodded.

He slowly finished the last bite. A napkin was handed to him in a timely manner. Yan Xu took it and wiped his mouth. After drinking water and eating the porridge, his throat wasn’t as sore anymore. He whispered, “Thank you. I feel much better now, if you’re busy—”

“I’m not, I’ve already got off of work.” Chi Ye interrupted him, “You can sleep again. I’ll go back once your fever subsides.”

Yan Xu looked at the time—it wasn’t nine yet, so it wasn’t too early nor too late. He actually didn’t want to be alone, so he didn’t reject Chi Ye’s kindness.

“I’ve already slept the entire day so I don’t really want to sleep right now.” He sat on the sofa, then opened the TV. “Do you want to watch TV?”

Chi Ye nodded. “Sure, let’s watch TV.”

Yan Xu handed the remote to Chi Ye. “What do you want to watch?” After getting the standard “Anything” answer, he smiled helplessly and turned on a period drama that he had been following recently.

The TV sound wasn’t loud, it echoed softly in the cramped living room.

Yan Xu felt sore in the waist and weak in the legs after sitting for a while. Chi Ye looked over, asking him, “How about lying down?”

In fact, he had been wanting to lie down for a while now, but felt it was rude to do so, so he forced himself to keep sitting. Now he really couldn’t stand it and was feeling dizzy. He stopped being polite and slowly lied down, resting his head on the armrest.

The living room floor was small, and he was living alone, so he bought a small sofa set—a small two-seater sofa plus two single sofas.

The double sofa, which was less than 1.5 meters long, was too short for Yan Xu, so he had to bend his legs. However, this posture made him feel comfortable and safe, except his feet were a little cold after taking off his slippers.

“Where’s the blanket?” Chi Ye asked. “I’ll help you get one to cover you.”

Yan Xu felt that Chi Ye seemed to be able to read his mind, knowing what he needed at the right time. He was amused by his own thoughts and couldn’t help but raise the corner of his mouth and pointed to the room. “Can you help me get the blanket on the bed?”

Chi Ye was dazzled by his smile, slightly stunned for a moment before saying, “Okay, I’ll go get it.” He gently moved to the door of the bedroom. Almost as if he was afraid of surprising something, he slowly opened the door.

A light scent hitted him directly. Chi Ye, who was used to all kinds of foot odor and sweat odor at the construction shed, was stunned for a moment. He sniffed and walked in.

Only a bedside lamp was turned on, which wasn’t too bright. Guilty and uneasy, he quickly glanced around the room.

The room wasn’t big, the furnishings were simple. There was only one wardrobe, a bed, two bedside tables, and a small desk, but everything was clean and tidy. He had been working on construction sites with his elders since he was sixteen or seventeen years old. He would move to the next construction site after finishing one. He met all his friends on construction sites, and none of them was as approachable. His home was tidy and fragrant.

After being lost in thought for a moment, he lowered his eyes and picked up the velvet blanket on the bed that still had some remaining warmth.