SABA Chapter 17

After finishing his shower and entering the room, Huo Shen saw Jiang Tiao leaning against the headboard, playing on his phone. His expression shifted between satisfaction and disdain; it was unclear what he was looking at.

“What’s wrong?” Huo Shen sat down and noticed Jiang Tiao’s phone was filled with items like curtains and sofas. “Why are you looking at this?”

Jiang Tiao replied, “I’ll help you redecorate with some soft furnishings.”

Huo Shen’s current apartment gave him an uncomfortable feeling. He wasn’t sure if it was the overall decor being too dark or too cool-toned, but it always reminded him of Huo Shen’s demeanor at his parents’ funeral. He really disliked that feeling. “Your current decor style, paired with these soft furnishings, is too cold. Don’t you feel suffocated living here?”

Huo Shen replied truthfully, “If it were just me, it’s actually fine…”

Jiang Tiao looked up at him.

Huo Shen changed his tune, “But if you’re willing to help me change it, that would definitely be better!”

That’s more like it! Jiang Tiao grinned.

Huo Shen took out his phone and recorded Jiang Tiao’s fingerprint for entry.

Jiang Tiao was a little surprised. “I can come over anytime?”

The house, from its renovation to its layout, was designed for a single occupant, giving it a strong sense of exclusivity. He thought Huo Shen lived here because he wanted a private, undisturbed space.

“Of course,” Huo Shen said earnestly, “There’s nowhere you can’t go.”

Jiang Tiao felt happy, believing the last bit of awkwardness had completely disappeared. He looked at Huo Shen seriously and suddenly asked, “Did you bring a lighter?”

Huo Shen blinked, “No.”

Jiang Tiao leaned in with a playful grin, “Then how did you ignite my heart?”

Huo Shen chuckled and pushed Jiang Tiao’s head away. “Time to sleep!”

Jiang Tiao happily put his phone away. “But aren’t you afraid I’ll make this place colorful and excessively vibrant?”

Huo Shen was unconcerned. “That’s fine too…”

Jiang Tiao quickly answered, “It’s just a place to sleep!”

Huo Shen laughed, speechless.

“Hurry and sleep, we have to wake up early tomorrow,” Jiang Tiao lay down, pulled up the covers, poked his head out, turned over, and faced Huo Shen. “Goodnight, Huohuo.”

Huo Shen looked down at him, like the calm, gentle, yet bottomless lake in a forest. “Goodnight.”

Jiang Tiao was truly tired after a day of activity, and besides, nowhere made him feel as secure as being by Huo Shen’s side. As soon as the lights were turned off, his eyelids grew heavy. Less than five minutes after lying down, he fell asleep.

In the dark and quiet environment, only Jiang Tiao’s even and steady breaths could be heard. When Jiang Tiao slept, he always liked to hold something. He lay on his side, his head resting on the side of Huo Shen’s pillow, his entire arm draped over Huo Shen.

Huo Shen lay flat on the bed, raising his hand to his chest, pressing down on his thumping heart.

Neon light peeked through the gaps in the curtains. Jiang Tiao seemed to be having a good dream, his expression relaxed. Huo Shen’s gaze fell on Jiang Tiao’s peaceful sleeping face; he remained awake all night.

…

Jiang Tiao slept very comfortably all night. When he woke up the next morning, he found that Huo Shen had already been up for a while. He stretched comfortably, hugging the duvet, and continued to laze in bed.

Huo Shen knew Jiang Tiao well. Hearing the movement, he came in shortly after. Seeing Jiang Tiao’s state, he said with a hint of helpless indulgence, “Hurry up, are you coming with me or not?”

Jiang Tiao buried his face between the duvet and the pillow, shaking his head adorably and making a soft grunting sound.

Although the pajamas Huo Shen found for him were new, they were still his size. Jiang Tiao wore them, and they were a bit loose, the collar falling wide.

Huo Shen pulled the duvet Jiang Tiao was hugging, spread it out, and wrapped Jiang Tiao snugly. Then, he turned off the air conditioning and opened the window.

August was the hottest month, and the stifling air instantly swept away the cool air in the room.

Within three minutes, Jiang Tiao couldn’t stand it anymore. He threw off the duvet that had made him sweat and looked at the instigator indignantly.

However, as soon as he saw, he was startled and quickly sat up in bed.

Huo Shen was already dressed and looked energetic, but the dark circles under his eyes did not escape Jiang Tiao’s notice.

Jiang Tiao felt a pang of concern. He had thought Huo Shen’s earlier comment about someone being around and him not being able to sleep was a joke, or perhaps an exaggeration.

Huo Shen saw Jiang Tiao’s expression and said nothing, only telling him to get ready soon.

This time, Jiang Tiao was obedient and didn’t bargain further, finishing his washing up quickly.

Huo Shen laid out the delivered breakfast and looked at Jiang Tiao, who had been following him closely since washing up. He was amused and a little exasperated, having to make an excuse: “No, it was company matters, so I got up early.”

Jiang Tiao said “Oh,” and stuffed his mouth with breakfast, looking half-convinced.

–

The first-class seats on domestic flights were not as comfortable as international ones. Apart from the airport lounge, fast track, and meals, most of the space was just widened compared to economy class. The seats changed from six seats in a row to four seats in a row, divided into left and right sides, separated by a curtain and an aisle. Many aircraft seats couldn’t even recline flat.

The plane smoothly passed through the thick cloud layer. Jiang Tiao watched an episode of “SpongeBob SquarePants,” which had become popular again due to Squidward. He found it amusing and was about to share it with Huo Shen when he turned to see Huo Shen had already fallen asleep, leaning against the back of his seat.

His breathing was light, and his eyelashes, like butterfly wings, were even more prominent when he slept. Strands of hair softly fell on his forehead, adding a touch of softness to his naturally somewhat sharp features.

The sunlight outside the window cast a warm glow on Huo Shen’s face. Jiang Tiao stared at his long, dense eyelashes for a long time.

Sleeping on the plane was not restful, and coupled with the average comfort of the seats, Huo Shen’s head, resting against the seatback, slid down. His eyelashes fluttered, and he was on the verge of waking up.

Jiang Tiao sat up straight, lowered the armrest between them, and shifted his body, allowing Huo Shen’s sliding head to rest on his shoulder.

A little over an hour later, the plane landed in City B. Huo Shen felt the vibration as the wheels touched the runway. He took a moment to adjust before opening his eyes, only to realize he had fallen asleep on Jiang Tiao’s shoulder.

Jiang Tiao met Huo Shen’s gaze and grinned, “How was it? Was your brother Jiang’s broad shoulder especially comfortable to sleep on?”

Huo Shen lightly flicked his forehead, laughing heartily, “Why are you so glib?”

Jiang Tiao grinned cheekily.

However, Huo Shen was too familiar with Jiang Tiao to miss the fleeting unnaturalness in Jiang Tiao’s expression.

“What’s wrong?” He gently pressed on Jiang Tiao’s side, which had been motionless.

Jiang Tiao almost cried out, “It hurts, it hurts, it hurts—” He couldn’t help but exclaim in a suppressed voice, his face contorted in pain. However, upon realizing himself, he quickly soothed, “It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s just a bit numb.”

Huo Shen was both angry and concerned, slowly massaging him to help circulation.

“How long have I been asleep?”

Jiang Tiao didn’t want Huo Shen to worry and continued to grin, “Not long, I wasn’t paying attention, maybe not even half an hour?”

Huo Shen knew it was definitely longer.

“Do you know that prolonged lack of blood circulation can cause tissue ischemia and necrosis?”

Jiang Tiao’s eyes widened slightly. “Really?”

Huo Shen replied, “Of course. In severe cases, amputation might even be necessary.”

Jiang Tiao: “…”

Huo Shen continued, “If you get amputated, you won’t have a sculpture and can’t become Yang Guo.”

“Ah, you’re so annoying!” Jiang Tiao punched Huo Shen. He knew Huo Shen was referring to his childish declaration from when he was little.

Huo Shen laughed heartily seeing Jiang Tiao’s ears turn red with embarrassment. He let Jiang Tiao fuss for a while before saying earnestly, “While I’m touched, I hope you can take care of yourself before taking care of me.”

Jiang Tiao was about to retort.

Huo Shen’s gaze rested quietly on him, like the calm surface of a lake in a dense forest, concealing unseen currents beneath its placid exterior: “Otherwise, I’ll be heartbroken.”

Jiang Tiao’s lips parted, he moved them, but in the end, he simply replied obediently, “Okay.” He turned his head and looked at the unremarkable airport runway outside the plane window. For some reason, his heart suddenly started beating very fast.

Could it be a sequela of the concussion?

It seemed he needed to find time to go to the hospital for a full check-up.

…