When I Meet the Moon - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

His knuckles bore small cuts where shrimp shells had sliced his skin, yet Yun Li uncharacteristically felt no sense of his shamelessness; she only felt that any compensation would fall short of what he was owed.

Glancing around, she tugged at his sleeve. "Let's go home first..."

Fu Shize did not move.

Utterly helpless and confirming that no one else was in sight, Yun Li reluctantly took his hand.

A soft, nimble tongue brushed across his fingertips. Fu Shize quietly watched the flushed face before him, while she occasionally lifted her gaze, only to shyly look away before their eyes could meet.

Nanwu did not seem so cold after all.

His remaining fingers cupped her face, moving with still-damp fingertips to the corner of her lips. His mouth pressed directly against hers with unquestionable aggression, his palm supporting her waist to keep her from retreating.

Only when she was breathless did Fu Shize release her, taking her hand as they walked back.

The moment they stepped inside, he reached up from behind to lift her clothes. His fingers still carried the outdoor chill, causing Yun Li to shudder all over as she grabbed his wrist. "Not that again!"

Fu Shize halted his movements, went to check her suitcase, and a few minutes later, looked at her thoughtfully.

That gaze made Yun Li's skin crawl.

He stood up without a word. Yun Li paused. "Are you going out?"

Fu Shize answered, "Mhm, going to the convenience store to buy water."

...

It was already past three in the morning. Yun Li was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open. As Fu Shize sat up, the room's light outlined every line of his physique. Yun Li wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing a kiss to his lower back.

"I'm going to sleep first."

"Go rinse off." He turned his head and gently stroked her hair. Aching all over, Yun Li spoke with a nasal tone, "No, I want to sleep."

Rationally, Yun Li knew she ought to clean up, but she lacked an ounce of strength. She burrowed almost entirely beneath the covers, leaving only a pair of half-closed eyes to follow Fu Shize.

He walked to the wardrobe and took out a set of deep blue pajamas. Remembering the uniform colors she had seen when rummaging through the closet that night, Yun Li mumbled, "Can I buy your clothes for you from now on?"

Fu Shize's movements paused. Abruptly, he asked, "Buy the same kind as Xu Qingsong's?"

Yun Li instantly snapped awake.

"You like his style?"

Yun Li was terribly embarrassed. "Surely you aren't jealous of him..."

"So you do like it?"

"..."

Speechless, Yun Li gave him a light peck. "Didn't you wear his clothes before? Don't you like them?"

Fu Shize let out a cold, mirthless laugh.

"That was because you liked it."

Yun Li paused. Someone like Fu Shize truly had done a great deal for her.

It was entirely unnecessary to begin with.

Fu Shize drew slowly closer. Seeing his taut expression, Yun Li felt her heart soften. Smiling, she hooked her arms around his neck. "Well, isn't that perfect? I like it when you wear them too."

Dancing around the subject, she finally answered his question indirectly.

Even so, Fu Shize's expression remained devoid of emotion. Conciliatory, Yun Li coaxed, "Then whatever clothes you like, I'll pick out for you."

"Pick what you like." Fu Shize's attitude softened as well, playing with a lock of her hair. "I like what you like."

This time Yun Li was smart enough to properly interpret his words.

--I like what you like.

--But you must not like what another man likes.

Due to exhaustion, the few minutes he spent showering felt agonizingly long. Yun Li closed her eyes, drifting into a half-sleep, and vaguely sensed Fu Shize lifting the covers.

A warm towel pressed against her thighs.

Initially, she instinctively tried to block his hand, but he paid her no mind, slowly and meticulously wiping her clean.

Feeling comfortable, Yun Li's furrowed brow smoothed out.

She looked docile and peaceful in sleep. Fu Shize watched her for a long while before lowering his head to kiss her forehead.

...

The next day, Yun Li slept past one in the afternoon. A few slanting rays of sunlight slipped into the room, and she habitually leaned backward, yet instead of the empty space she expected, there was another person's chest.

She turned her head. Fu Shize was holding her from behind, his chin resting lightly against her forehead, his arm wrapped around her waist. Fragmented light fell around his eyes; his skin was so thin that tiny blood vessels were visible.

Looking further down, she remembered that after the very last round last night, he had gone to take a shower.

He had clearly been wearing clothes before bed.

How did they vanish now?

Turning back around, she blankly stared at the specks of dust floating and reflecting light in the sunshine. With all sleepiness entirely gone, she debated with herself for a moment before sliding her fingers between his hand and her skin, trying to quietly edge his hand away.

Only to be enveloped entirely by his palm.

Fu Shize grasped her hand, placing it against her lower abdomen, while a flurry of light kisses landed on her neck.

Sensing his physical response, Yun Li pleaded for mercy, "Don't..."

Looking as though he had not yet fully woken up, with sleepy eyes and a lazy tone, Fu Shize murmured, "I'll be gentle."

"..."

When Fu Shize finished making brunch, Yun Li still had her face buried in the pillow. He walked over and tapped on the door.

Brimming with grievances, Yun Li deliberately turned her face toward the wall.

Leaning lazily against the doorway with an amused expression, Fu Shize deliberately tugged at Yun Li's blanket. Since she was naked, she fought tooth and nail to defend her hold on the bedding.

Which successfully forced her to sit up.

Picking her clothes up from the corner, Fu Shize obligingly turned his back to her.

Having completely lost faith in his character, Yun Li grabbed the blanket with one hand while gingerly slipping into her underwear beneath the shelter of the covers, her gaze locked firmly on Fu Shize's back.

"Hurry up," he said lazily. "If I keep hearing those sounds, I'll get ideas."

"..."

Yun Li threw her clothes on in a flash. Hearing her footsteps leaving the bed, he turned around and, catching sight of her bare feet, frowned as he pulled her cotton slippers out from under the bed.

Sliding her feet into the shoes, she shuffled slowly toward the bathroom. Fu Shize followed, drawing some warm water for her to wash up.

Noticing he was trailing her every move, Yun Li asked in bewilderment, "What is it?"

A hint of a smile touched Fu Shize's eyes. "Afraid you'll trip."

Teased once more, Yun Li grew exasperated and flicked a drop of wetness from her fingers onto him. Fu Shize raised his gaze, brushing it off with utter indifference.

The two of them had no other plans for the day and would return to Xifu on Wednesday. Eating a piece of toast that Fu Shize had torn into bite-sized pieces for her ahead of time, Yun Li asked, "When you go back to Nanwu normally, do you go see Brother Jiang Yuan?"

Fu Shize took a sip of milk and replied casually, "Mhm."

"Then should we go visit him later?" Noting his gaze, Yun Li hesitated, "Because we have meetings on Monday and Tuesday, and we're leaving on Wednesday."

Yun Li made her intentions clearer. "I want to go with you every time from now on."

Fu Shize's hand paused. The glass bottle in his hand contained chocolate milk, and across from it met Yun Li's clear eyes.

Her presence had already permeated every aspect of his life.

Without a second thought, he simply answered, "Mhm."

Jiang Yuan was buried in a public cemetery. Yun Li spent a long time searching on her map app, wanting to buy a bouquet of fresh flowers along the way to bring with her. Seeing her bustling back and forth to pack things, Fu Shize sat on the sofa playing Sudoku.

By the time Yun Li was ready to head out, it was already a little past three.

Stopping at the entrance of a flower shop, Yun Li picked out a bunch of white lilies before scrambling back into the car.

Fu Shize glanced at them and abruptly remarked, "You've never bought me flowers."

"..."

He said it without any special emotion and started the car right away. Saying "Wait a moment," Yun Li got back out of the vehicle. Propping his arm against the window ledge, Fu Shize watched in the rearview mirror as Yun Li returned holding a bouquet of purple statice.

She shoved the statice into Fu Shize's arms. "Then the first bouquet of flowers I ever give goes to you, and the second one goes to Brother Jiang Yuan."

Fu Shize chuckled. "No need."

Yet he still accepted the flowers, smoothing out the plastic wrapping to ensure the petals wouldn't get crushed before placing them in the back seat.

The cemetery was located in the suburbs of Nanwu City. Yun Li had rarely ever visited graves before, and upon entering the grounds, she did not spot anyone else around.

Fu Shize walked with practiced familiarity to a specific spot. Yun Li looked down: a modest tombstone bore a photograph of Jiang Yuan, who wore a faint smile as he looked straight into the camera.

Yun Li suddenly found the lighting, framing, and photographic clarity of the picture exceedingly familiar.

She was reminded of the ID photo on Fu Shize's identification card.

It dawned on her that their identification photos had likely been taken together.

And at this moment, Fu Shize could only face a cold piece of stone.

An unspeakable ache gripped Yun Li's heart.

Fu Shize picked up a few fallen leaves from nearby, dusting the grime off the gravestone.

Holding Yun Li's hand, Fu Shize said, "Brother, let me introduce you—this is my girlfriend."

His tone was relaxed, just like chatting with an old friend. "Lili, the one I mentioned to you last time. I told you, I didn't want to break up."

Yun Li started slightly as Fu Shize's gaze lowered. "We're back together."

"I saw your diary. I know you wanted to live." He paused for a long time, looking at Jiang Yuan's photo once more, the smile on the corners of his lips catching on his heart like a thorn.

Softly, Fu Shize murmured, "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you alive."

The air grew heavy for a few seconds.

"I know you don't blame me, and Uncle and Auntie Jiang don't either. I know you didn't want me to make a mess of my life." After another lengthy silence, he finally said, "Rest assured."

"I'm going to live well."

"I won't blame myself anymore."

"But, I won't ever forget you either, Big Brother."

With those words, Fu Shize took the white lilies from Yun Li's hands and placed them neatly in front of the grave, speaking in an easygoing tone, "Your sister-in-law brought these for you. Take good care of yourself too."

The entire cemetery was desolate and quiet; his words were swallowed by the wind.

Having spoken, Fu Shize stood up and pulled Yun Li toward the exit.

They had not walked two steps when he halted, turned to look at Yun Li, and wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye with his thumb. A helpless smile played on his lips. "What are you crying for?"

"I'll treat you well for the rest of my life, I'll treat you well for my whole life, my entire life..." Yun Li sobbed incoherently, tears streaming down like a broken dam until she finally gave up struggling and whimpered, "I don't even know why I'm crying."

Yet she did know.

It was because her heart ached so deeply for everything he had endured.

Because she knew the suffering hidden beneath his reticent, man-of-few-words exterior.

Because she hoped such pain would never touch his world again.

Fu Shize gripped her hand tighter, sliding it into his pocket.

The two of them walked back in silence. Recalling what he had said earlier, Yun Li asked, "You said just now that you didn't want to break up..."

Yet when Yun Li had brought up breaking up, Fu Shize had agreed remarkably fast.

"At the time, I was worried you'd think I was too down-and-out. When you asked to break up, I wanted to become who I used to be before coming back to find you."

Desperately trying to stem her tears, Yun Li choked out uncontrollably, "Why didn't you just say that back then?"

If he had, she would have stayed by his side through that entire year and a half.

Fu Shize lowered his gaze to the steps. Like a child, his shoes occupied only the narrow space at the edge of the step; he didn't even need to shift his posture, simply keeping his hands tucked behind his back to maintain balance.

His voice drifted on the wind.

"I was afraid I wouldn't pull it off."

"I am fragile too."

I am fragile too.

There were too many things he feared he couldn't accomplish, which ultimately would amount to nothing for her.

Fu Shize disliked making ungrounded promises, especially when facing Yun Li.

He did not want to burden the person he loved with any more guilt, nor did he want to bring any harm to the one he cherished.

Yun Li had imagined countless reasons, but never once suspected this one. Staring blankly at his retreating figure, she stepped forward and hugged him from behind.

"From now on, whatever fragility you have, I'll be right behind you to catch it."

Then your fragility will never be yours alone anymore, because we are in this together.

...

Back in the car, Yun Li operated Fu Shize's phone to connect to the vehicle's audio system, playing Eason Chan's song "Unconditional."

Noticing Fu Shize's gaze, Yun Li said lightheartedly, "I just felt that your love for me is unconditional."

No matter the breakup, no matter what happened, Fu Shize would ultimately find his way back to her side.

The electronic dashboard displayed the lyrics. Yun Li listened silently to the magnetic male voice, as if Fu Shize himself were telling her—

Please don't be alarmed

I will still listen calmly

Still stand steadfastly by your side

Resonating with you through every high and low

...

I only know how to love you more each day

...

Because the greatest love in this world asks for no conditions

Returning downstairs, Fu Shize and Yun Li first stopped by a nearby wet market to buy some fresh leafy greens and fish. Once back, the two of them naturally gravitated into the kitchen together.

While Fu Shize washed the vegetables, Yun Li simmered the fish. Mid-way through, the sound of running water ceased, and she felt Fu Shize embrace her from behind.

"Love does have conditions," he murmured against her ear.

It was not unconditional.

And the sole condition—

The person I love is you.

...

After an interval of nearly two years, returning to EAW once more, the company's layout and environment felt like yesterday. Following closely behind Zhang Yanxin, Yun Li walked up to the entrance of EAW's conference room and turned her head to spot Fu Shize at the far end of the corridor.

She was reminded of a long time ago, when he had worn a baseball cap, buried both hands in his parka pockets, and watched her with a placid gaze.

The only difference was that this time, the corners of his lips curved upward as he glanced at her before leisurely stepping into Xu Qingsong's office.

Seeing him, Yun Li couldn't help the corners of her own lips curving upward. Noticing Zhang Yanxin turn around, she reined in her smile before following her into the office.

None of the familiar faces from the past remained among EAW's liaisons. Yun Li and her team were in charge of game development, primarily communicating the details of the game design document with EAW.

This was a large-scale, highly entertaining family game where EAW would set up a dedicated venue. In each round, children and parents completed tasks across various environments; the game featured ten mini-tasks, which might involve competing for prey in desert grasslands or reclaiming wasteland in arid barrens, among other scenarios.

Virtually the entire exchange with the opposing team was handled by Zhang Yanxin. As Yun Li listened to their conversation, her attention was caught by a poster on the bookshelf in the corner.

It was the VR gaming competition Xu Qingsong had mentioned yesterday.

The virtual reality world allowed people to experience things they could never possibly experience in the real world.

It could also mend regrets in reality, providing solace at least to a past filled with missed chances.

Recalling Fu Shize's words—that he truly wished Jiang Yuan had survived—a thought suddenly blossomed in Yun Li's mind.

Since Zhang Yanxin still had matters to discuss with the others, she told Yun Li to wait for them in the lounge.

There was someone inside the lounge. The moment she opened the door, Yun Li was surprised to run into He Jiameng, whom she hadn't seen in ages.

"Oh, Idle, Idle Cloud teacher?!" He Jiameng exclaimed in pleasant surprise. "I haven't seen you in forever."

Noticing the staff badge on Yun Li, realization dawned on her. "I never expected it would be you coming over for the liaison work! Would you like to come in and sit down?"

Pulling Yun Li toward the sofa, He Jiameng chatted with her about the events of the past year and a half.

Conversations between women naturally drifted toward personal matters before long.

Noticing the small diamond ring on He Jiameng's left middle finger, Yun Li asked, "Sister Jiameng, are you getting married?"

Thinking back to the phrase "The boss is truly too handsome" that she used to hear so often, Yun Li widened her eyes slightly, half-covering her mouth with her hand. "Is it..."

Before the words "President Xu" could leave her lips, He Jiameng already knew what she was going to say and wore a face of utter despair. "It's not the boss! Ages ago, the boss called me straight into his office and gently told me he had to resign to take responsibility..."

Resign to take responsibility...?

Looking completely bewildered, Yun Li listened as He Jiameng explained, "It means an employee developing feelings for him was also his fault, so he should go work somewhere else instead..."

"..."

After a moment of thought, Yun Li decided that fit Xu Qingsong's artistic temperament quite well.

Putting on a heartbroken expression, He Jiameng continued, "How could I bear to let the boss resign because of me? I hurriedly had my mom set me up on a blind date, and as soon as I started dating, the boss never mentioned leaving again."

"Did the blind date go well?"

With an expression of pure bliss, He Jiameng replied, "The man I met on my second blind date became my current boyfriend. He treats me so well, and we're getting married next year." With that, she asked with concern, "Idle Cloud teacher, are you still single?"

When Yun Li had resigned, He Jiameng had probed around a few times and learned of their breakup.

Yun Li shook her head. Before she could reveal the true identity of her boyfriend, she heard He Jiameng say indignantly, "Fu Shize is really all show and no substance. Such a gloomy person who barely speaks a word—he must be awful to get along with in a relationship. Who knows how anyone could put up with a personality like that? Good thing you didn't hang yourself from that single tree, Idle Cloud teacher!"

"..."

"Oh right, I just saw him go look for the boss earlier! If you don't want to look at his stinky face, Idle Cloud teacher, you should just stay right here in the lounge!" He Jiameng patted Yun Li's shoulder sympathetically.

"...”