Within The Dim Light

Lin Qiong looked at the man in the dim light. Due to the backlight, half of the man's face was hidden in the shadow, making it hard to discern his expression.

Without much thought, Lin Qiong said, "Yes, I used it for practice when I went to the traditional Chinese medicine clinic today."

"The master said progress would be faster this way."

Fu Xingyun asked, "Did you massage others before?"

"Yes." Lin Qiong nodded casually.

Fu Xingyun's face darkened, "Who?"

Without hesitation, Lin Qiong replied, "A mannequin."

"..."

"When I went there before, I massaged the designated acupoints on a mannequin. Yesterday, I happened to use Jinglin for practice. The master said it's best to practice on real people for better experience." Lin Qiong smiled, "Luckily, there was Jinglin."

Fu Xingyun observed the playful tone in Lin Qiong's voice. He realized that Lin Qiong always spoke with a playful tail, luring people in.

Fu Xingyun silently looked at the person attached to his legs, and he impatiently nudged his cheek with his tongue.

"Thank goodness for Jinglin..."

The tone carried joy, as if it also held a hint of celebration and reliance. Hearing this made Fu Xingyun feel quite uncomfortable. He looked at Lin Qiong and asked, "Did you say this to him too?"

"What?"

Fu Xingyun tried to act indifferent, but his tone was stiff and intimidating, "Thank goodness for Fu Jinglin."

Lin Qiong looked up, "No, I just promised to make spare ribs for him."

"So, was dinner for him tonight?"

Lin Qiong sat up slightly, feeling for some reason that the other's words sounded sarcastic.

Facing the other's peculiar thought process, Lin Qiong decided to play along and quickly moved to his side.

"Of course not, how could it be?" Lin Qiong's little face approached the man's, and his twinkling eyes said, "It's, of course, for you."

"It's all for you." He used his piglet-nudging-cabbage skill to nudge the man's shoulder. "Why argue with a kid?"

"He's seventeen this year."

"..."

Fu Xingyun's gaze was serious, and his deep black eyes seemed more mysterious in the dim environment, captivating and devouring.

Seeing this, Lin Qiong swallowed nervously. "He didn't eat much."

"So was the pot he ate just a figment of my imagination?"

Looking at the man's meticulous calculations without any concessions, Lin Qiong muttered softly, "Didn't you also eat a pot?"

"What?"

Lin Qiong quickly put on a fake smile, "It's nothing."

Fu Xingyun was generous with his spending; money followed him, and things were bought at his whim. Fu Jinglin had even shown off the card Fu Xingyun gave him, and they had compared cards, with Fu Xingyun's card outshining the others.

How could such a wealthy tycoon be arguing over a pot of meat?

Seeing the man displeased, Lin Qiong comforted him in a low voice, "Then next time, I won't make it for him. His crying won't move me, and I won't give him any. I'll make it just for you."

The two were close, and the young man's words fell directly into the man's ears. Fu Xingyun felt a tingling sensation in his ear as if a little beast with fur had scratched him.

Fu Xingyun frowned, his voice cold, "No sulking."

Lin Qiong looked innocent.

In all honesty, wasn't he just trying to cheer him up?!

"Stop acting cute."

Lin Qiong pouted, "I didn't do anything."

Fu Xingyun turned to look at him, "Still denying it!"

Lin Qiong raised his proud head, "Acting cute is not like this."

With an arrogant look, he glanced at Fu Xingyun.

The man swallowed, "What is it then?"

"If I do it, you have to admit that you misunderstood me."

Fu Xingyun remained silent.

Lin Qiong leaned slightly, his clear eyes looking at him. He placed one hand on Fu Xingyun's strong arm and shook it, "Admit it or not?"

Fu Xingyun felt a moment of darkness before his eyes, as if something had fiercely struck his chest. His brain momentarily stopped thinking.

Lin Qiong straightened up, "See, this is how you should act when being cute."

He pointed his finger at the man, "Don't misunderstand me in the future."

Fu Xingyun stared intently at his every move. In the dim light, it was difficult to discern his expression when not close, and he felt a sense of ignorance and fear. He grumbled and started massaging his leg again.

After a set of actions, Lin Qiong clapped his hands, "Did it feel better today?"

The man's voice was muffled as he responded, "Hmm."

Lin Qiong said, "Tomorrow I'll practice with Jinglin again."

He blurted out, "No."

Lin Qiong looked at him, "Why?"

"...He has school tomorrow," Fu Xingyun finally managed to say.

Lin Qiong nodded, "No problem, he said he has a two-hour lunch break, one hour for eating, and one hour for a massage."

Fu Xingyun frowned, "Does he need a massage?"

"Jinglin is into sports. He said if he doesn't prepare well sometimes, he feels uncomfortable. I'll practice while helping him with a massage."

Saying this, he got up from the bed.

"Lin Qiong."

Hearing him suddenly call him, Lin Qiong turned around, "What's wrong?"

"In the future, wear high-necked outfits when you go out."

Lin Qiong made a puzzled sound, "Why?"

Fu Xingyun responded while thinking about his chest showing from the gaping collar, "It's getting cold."

With this reminder, Lin Qiong remembered that it was already deep autumn, and winter would arrive soon.

Fu Xingyun had been in rehabilitation for two months. Perhaps due to not taking people out for a walk during this time and not paying attention to the seasonal changes, Lin Qiong had forgotten the time.

He scratched his head in embarrassment. Unexpectedly, Fu Xingyun also cared about him, "True, but I don't have many turtlenecks."

"Then go buy some," Fu Xingyun suggested.

"I'll go to the mall tomorrow to take a look."

Saying this, he turned and left the room, bidding goodnight.

----

The next morning, Fu Jinglin was forced to wake up early and sat on the sofa contemplating life.

Do I really need this diploma?

Lin Qiong came out of the kitchen, "Nephew, go call your uncle for breakfast."

Fu Jinglin replied listlessly, "Got it."

He then lifted the blanket and got up from the sofa. Lin Qiong looked at the length of his sleep pants, which seemed longer than usual, "Why are your pants so long?"

Fu Jinglin, being a tall and muscular athlete, was not someone Lin Qiong expected to see with long pants.

Fu Jinglin glanced at the pants piled on the floor, saying hesitantly, "They are a bit long."

Lin Qiong looked at him, "How tall are you?"

"185 centimeters," he answered, lifting his leg. "These are my uncle's pants."

Lin Qiong was surprised, "Is Xingyun taller than you?"

Fu Jinglin nodded, not understanding what was surprising.

Afterward, Lin Qiong straightened his small frame. He wasn't short; he was also around 180 centimeters, but his slender build made him not appear tall.

Once on the third floor, Fu Jinglin knocked on Fu Xingyun's door and said cautiously, "Uncle, it's time for breakfast."

The door opened, and Fu Xingyun glanced at him before focusing on his legs.

Feeling like there were dozens of needles behind him, Fu Jinglin cautiously looked at his legs, "What's wrong, Uncle?"

"Is your leg uncomfortable?"

Fu Jinglin was stunned. He didn't expect the concern, feeling touched for a moment, "It's nothing, just stretched too much during exercise."

Fu Xingyun glanced at him a few more times. Just when Fu Jinglin was ready to accept the second wave of concern, the man suddenly said, "If you're unwell, just go to the hospital."

"..."

When the two came downstairs, Lin Qiong served breakfast.

After finishing most of the meal, Lin Qiong wiped his mouth and looked at Fu Jinglin, who was about to eat a third bowl of porridge, "Don't eat anymore."

Fu Jinglin froze on the spot. Lin Qiong handed him two buns, "Let's go, or you'll be late for school."

Fu Jinglin checked the time on his phone, "There is still half an hour."

Lin Qiong smiled shyly, "I'll be driving."

Fu Jinglin stood up abruptly from his chair, "Let's go then."

"..."

Lin Qiong got up and patted Fu Xingyun's shoulder, "See you in a bit."

The man responded with a mouthful of breakfast.

On the way, Fu Jinglin ate buns and kept updating Lin Qiong on the road conditions, fearing any potential accidents.

At a traffic light, Fu Jinglin asked in confusion, "Are you always free every day? Don't you have a job?"

"Yeah," Lin Qiong looked at the rapidly changing red light, "I had a deal for an advertisement, but it got snatched halfway."

Fu Jinglin, with the temperament of a young master, got annoyed, "Why didn't you snatch it back?"

"If it's gone, it's gone. No need to make a fuss," Lin Qiong said nonchalantly.

Fu Jinglin lazily looked at him, "Why do you have no ambition at all?"

Lin Qiong didn't argue. At the moment, he indeed wanted a more leisurely life. In his past life, he had worked hard only to end up sleeping under a bridge and starving on the streets. This time, he wanted to take it easy and enjoy life. Perhaps after the divorce, he could reignite his ambition.

Fu Jinglin frowned, "Who snatched your opportunity?"

Lin Qiong glanced at him, "Don't ask too much. Focus on your studies for now."

Fu Jinglin made a face, "I don't want to."

He looked out of the window and happened to see a cake shop.

He couldn't help but say, "My uncle's birthday is coming soon."

Lin Qiong was surprised, "Birthday?!"

Fu Jinglin nodded, "Early December."

Lin Qiong calculated; that was just two weeks away!

Looking at Fu Jinglin, he asked, "What do you think I should give him?"

"I don't know, but whatever I give, my uncle never looks at it."

"What have you given him?"

"A shining Ultraman figurine!"

"..."

Fu Jinglin complained, "I sacrificed so much, but every year he never even looks at it."

"You give Ultraman figurines every year?"

Fu Jinglin scratched his head, "Not really."

Lin Qiong sighed in relief, hoping to get some gift ideas.

"Sometimes, I give card games."

"..."

After dropping him off at school, Lin Qiong went to the mall to buy some turtlenecks. However, his mind was filled with thoughts of what to give Fu Xingyun for his birthday. After parking, he walked into the mall with the changing seasons on his mind, heading straight to his goal.

"Boss, bring out the best thermal pants you have!"