The Villain in the Quick Travel is My Wife

Chapter 108

Chapter 108.4.21

He took An Shuting's hand, his eyes filled with deep emotion. "Brother, I could have resisted, but I didn't."

"I've liked you for a long time."

"I like the way you play chess with me on the balcony, and the way you concentrate when you're doing homework. You're so outstanding, someone many people admire. I'm happy just being able to watch you from the shadows."

Zhou Xiaobai's cool fingers brushed against An Shuting's face. "Maybe I didn't realize it at first, but later, I accepted it. It made me happy. Brother, do you feel disgusted?"

An Shuting didn't respond, simply listening to Zhou Xiaobai's words. His ears, however, turned slightly pink.

Zhou Xiaobai smiled softly. "In a few days, when I feel better, I'll return to the capital. The last thing I want in life is to be a burden to you."

An Shuting watched him, noticing his calm demeanor. It reminded him of the rumors that had circulated in high school. "So... that diary?"

Zhou Xiaobai nodded, his expression serious. "It's about my brother. There's never been anyone else."

"Those people are so self-righteous, but I can't explain it. I don't want you to be tainted by any of their filth."

The young man in front of him looked pale and fragile, and An Shuting's heart ached slightly as he squeezed his hand tighter.

Since coming to this world, An Shuting had been focused on the plot, never paying much attention to Zhou Xiaobai, who had always quietly followed him. The boy's love had been so deep and sincere, yet it led him to a place of suffering. An Shuting had never known what it meant to feel indebted to someone before.

Today, when the situation had escalated, An Shuting thought he was saving himself, only to realize that all the harm had been caused by his own actions.

Maybe, he thought, he should take responsibility for Zhou Xiaobai. "Xiaobai, I-"

Zhou Xiaobai covered An Shuting's mouth with his hand, stopping him gently. "Brother, don't say it. If one day you accept me, I want it to be because you like me, not because of guilt or responsibility."

That night, An Shuting sat on the balcony, smoking his father's cigarettes until dawn.

Neither Mother An nor Father An slept that night either.

Zhou Xiaobai stayed for two days, then quietly left a note, saying he had a performance to attend.

With his departure, the An family seemed to fall into an unnatural calm, but everyone knew things had changed.

Father An watched his son, usually so confident and carefree, sitting on the balcony smoking again. Unable to stay silent, he patted his son's shoulder.

An Shuting turned to him. "Dad, I want to find Zhou Xiaobai. Even though I'm not sure if I feel for him because of love or something else, I don't want to run away or use escape to calm my conscience."

Father An smiled softly. "I understand. It doesn't matter. Whatever decision you make, I'll support you."

Despite her concerns, Mother An knew deep down that she couldn't stop him.

The moon was bright, the stars few and far between. As Zhou Xiaobai returned to the dormitory after practice, the streets were empty, the temperature drop causing a chill to settle over him. He wrapped his sweater tighter around himself.

Then, he heard an all-too-familiar voice from nearby, making his heart skip a beat.

"Sorry, my phone died." An Shuting, with a practiced smile, politely turned away a female classmate who had approached him.

Zhou Xiaobai's face lit up as he sprinted toward An Shuting. "Brother, why are you here? Why didn't you call me when you arrived?"

An Shuting turned at the sound of his voice, and a smile appeared on his face before he could stop it.

But as Zhou Xiaobai got closer, An Shuting noticed how much thinner he looked. His brow furrowed. "Why are you so thin? Have you been sick, or are you troubled by something?"

He fell silent, realizing that he already knew the answer to his own question.

Zhou Xiaobai grabbed An Shuting's arm and led him toward the dormitory. "Brother, you used to say I was overthinking things, but now, it seems like you've become the one who worries."

An Shuting couldn't argue and followed him inside.

After opening the door, Zhou Xiaobai tossed his book and keys onto the table, pulled out a stool for An Shuting, and poured him a cup of hot water. As he moved around the room, An Shuting stopped him, grabbing his arm.

"Actually, I have something to tell you," An Shuting said.

Zhou Xiaobai paused, waiting quietly for An Shuting to speak.

An Shuting took a deep breath, meeting Zhou Xiaobai's eyes. "I've thought about this for a long time. You are very special to me. In my heart, you're like a younger brother... but I think the way I feel is more complicated than that. It might not be entirely brotherly love, but... I think we can change how we relate to each other."

Zhou Xiaobai had never once been let down by An Shuting, and when they had crossed a line once before, it was An Shuting's character that Zhou Xiaobai had trusted.

Zhou Xiaobai bowed his head slightly, his voice soft as he nodded. "Okay."

His answer was so simple, so easy, that it gave An Shuting the illusion that Zhou Xiaobai would accept anything he said.

An Shuting paused, then added, "If you have any thoughts or ideas, feel free to tell me."

Zhou Xiaobai remained silent, his gaze never leaving An Shuting.

An Shuting, seeing his hesitation, spoke again. "Go ahead. It's okay. I can't keep taking advantage of your love for me."

Zhou Xiaobai's voice was hoarse as he finally said, "Let's sleep again."