"How About I Carry You…"

"Hey, why are you here alone?"

Jiang Ruoling had spent the entire night at the hospital with Xu Duwan. Finally, after sneaking out for breakfast, he returned with a bag of soup dumplings in hand. As he sipped his soy milk and kicked open the door to Shen Mingjin's hospital room, he was expecting to see Xu Duwan still glued to Shen Mingjin's side.

But instead, the only person inside was Shen Mingjin, who sat there staring blankly at the air, looking utterly confused.

Jiang Ruoling paused mid-sip on his straw, blinking in confusion as he glanced around the room.

"Where's Xu Duwan?"

Shen Mingjin, still a little slow to react after losing his memory, took a moment before moving his eyes and finally pointing at the door.

"He left."

After thinking for a second, he added in a small voice, "He left very angrily."

It seemed like he was recalling the way Xu Duwan had stormed out with a dark expression. Shen Mingjin shivered slightly at the thought, unconsciously pressing his fingertips into his palm. His soft black hair drooped over his ears, making him look pitiful.

Jiang Ruoling set down the hot breakfast on the table next to Shen Mingjin and raised an eyebrow at his complaining tone. He couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you so scared of? You look like a mouse that just saw a cat."

Shen Mingjin thought of course I'm scared! Xu Duwan's mood was unpredictable—one second he was fine, and the next he was fuming, acting like he was his ancestor or something.

"Alright, spill it. What happened between you two?"

Jiang Ruoling took another sip of his soy milk, hooked his foot around a chair, and sat down next to Shen Mingjin like he was settling in for some drama.

If he weren't the youngest in his family—with two capable older sisters and a strong older brother taking care of everything—he definitely wouldn't have time to meddle in Xu Duwan and Shen Mingjin's business.

…But Xu Duwan was his closest friend.

That guy, always cold and lifeless, only ever seemed alive when it came to Shen Mingjin. Jiang Ruoling figured if he could help his friend find someone to warm his bed, maybe Xu Duwan would finally look a little less like a walking corpse.

And if Xu Duwan got tired of Shen Mingjin later, he could always just break up with him. Shen Mingjin didn't have any background, and honestly, he didn't seem that bright either. There was no way he'd cause trouble for Xu Duwan's inheritance.

Jiang Ruoling casually thought it over, but the more he considered it, the more sincere his smile became. His eyes practically glowed with amusement, making Shen Mingjin nervous. Instinctively, Shen Mingjin scooted back until his back was pressed against the headboard, looking like a virtuous wife trying to protect his dignity.

Jiang Ruoling's smile stiffened for a second before he nearly burst out laughing.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Shen Mingjin hesitated, then decided honesty was the best policy. After a moment, he added seriously, "You look like you're about to hit me."

For some reason, ever since he woke up from his coma, he had become extra sensitive to certain things.

Jiang Ruoling clicked his tongue. "I wouldn't hit you. This is a law-abiding society. Why would I randomly beat you up?"

Besides, Xu Duwan practically looked at you like you were his most treasured possession. Even if Jiang Ruoling wanted to lay a hand on Shen Mingjin, he'd have to think about Xu Duwan's reaction first.

"Really…?" Shen Mingjin hesitated. Just as he was about to say something else, a sudden image flashed through his mind—several muscular men with fierce expressions.

A sharp pain stabbed through his temple, as if a nail had been driven into his skull. He clenched his teeth, pressing his wrist against his forehead as his fingers tangled in his hair, trying to suppress the sudden wave of agony.

Why? Why would he suddenly remember something like that?

Was this something he had experienced before losing his memory?

Fragments of images floated in his mind like snowflakes in winter—visible from afar, but the moment he reached out to grasp them, they melted away, leaving nothing behind.

"You okay? Are you feeling sick again?"

Jiang Ruoling frowned. Shen Mingjin had turned deathly pale right after he mentioned hitting people. No way his courage is that tiny, right?

For the first time, Jiang Ruoling felt a tiny pang of guilt. He got up and awkwardly poured a glass of water, placing it beside Shen Mingjin. "I was just joking. I wouldn't actually hit you."

So weak, Jiang Ruoling thought. No wonder Xu Duwan protects him like a treasure. He even has to fight people in secret just to keep him safe.

Jiang Ruoling made a mental note: if he ever found himself a partner, they definitely couldn't be this fragile.

"I wasn't…" Shen Mingjin wanted to explain what he had just remembered, but when he saw Jiang Ruoling already deep in his own thoughts, he gave up. Instead, he changed the subject.

"I just noticed Xu Duwan had injuries. I think he got into a fight."

"Oh? Of course, he did it for you!"

Jiang Ruoling grinned and shot Shen Mingjin a knowing look. His expression was full of mischief.

"When you were unconscious, he beat the crap out of Gu Zhe—the guy who forced you to drink. You didn't see it, but Xu Duwan was completely ruthless, like he didn't care if he lived or died."

Jiang Ruoling suddenly recalled something else, smacking his fist against his palm with an angry glare.

"But that bastard Gu Zhe? He had the nerve to call for bodyguards! Xu Duwan ended up taking a serious beating."

He scoffed. "What happened to one-on-one like a real man?"

Jiang Ruoling didn't notice how Shen Mingjin's pupils suddenly widened. He was too busy kicking the edge of the bed in frustration, his anger growing the more he spoke.

"That bastard! I hope he stays impotent for the rest of his life! Otherwise, I'll never be able to get over this grudge!"

"......"

Shen Mingjin's expression gradually became serious. His gaze kept shifting toward the door, his mind replaying the fight he just had with Xu Duwan over a brawl. Regret gnawed at him.

If only he had known earlier. If only he hadn't made Xu Duwan angry over this...

He had always disliked fighting. To him, it was nothing but trouble—either you got hurt, or you hurt someone else. So when he talked to Xu Duwan about it, his tone had been harsher than usual. In the end, he had made Xu Duwan so angry that his face turned pale before storming out of the room.

But now, knowing that Xu Duwan had fought because of him... Shen Mingjin felt a strange mix of emotions.

Before Jiang Ruoling could even finish speaking, he yanked out the IV from his arm. Jiang Ruoling barely had time to shout in shock before he bolted out the door.

—

Xu Duwan stormed out of Shen Mingjin's hospital room, his face dark as ink. His stomach, which had been empty all day, suddenly chose this moment to churn violently.

Frowning, he gritted his teeth and leaned against the wall, trying to steady himself. He gagged a few times, but nothing came out. The only thing he got from the effort was an even worse complexion.

A mother, carrying her daughter in her arms, happened to walk by. When she saw Xu Duwan in such a miserable state, she gasped, instantly assuming he had some severe illness. Alarmed, she took a few steps back.

Xu Duwan: "......"

Damn it. He never should've gone drinking last night with that idiot Jiang Ruoling.

The thought of last night—of running into him—made the pain in his stomach intensify. He scanned the area for a place to sit, but all he could find was a dirty flower bed.

The tiles on the edge were cracked and lifted by the thick tree roots pushing through them. Shards of broken ceramic were scattered about, and a few ugly little weeds had forced their way through the gaps. Ice cream wrappers stuck out from the soil, the sugary residue inside melting into a sticky mess that had begun to rot. Black ants swarmed all over them.

Xu Duwan, who had a severe cleanliness obsession, wrinkled his nose in disgust. He hesitated, standing at the edge of the flower bed for a long time, unwilling to sit.

But the pain in his stomach only worsened. It felt like a giant hand was twisting his insides like a wet rag. He groaned, gripping his abdomen as his knuckles turned white. The veins on the back of his hand bulged as he clutched the tree for support. The faint taste of blood seeped into his mouth—he must've bitten his lip too hard.

—

Meanwhile, Shen Mingjin rushed out of the hospital room, only to realize his phone was dead. Even if it wasn't, he didn't have Xu Duwan's number. With no other choice, he wandered the hospital like a headless fly, searching blindly.

When he finally found Xu Duwan, the other boy was crouched by the flower bed, his face completely drained of color. He looked as if he could barely stand.

Shen Mingjin's heart clenched. Without a second thought, he rushed over, sliding an arm around Xu Duwan's waist and half-carrying, half-supporting him.

Xu Duwan stiffened immediately. He tried to push away, his fingers brushing against Shen Mingjin's shoulder—only to flinch back like he had touched something scalding. His expression was tense, his voice strained.

"What are you doing here?"

Shen Mingjin opened his mouth to respond, but the moment his gaze landed on Xu Duwan, he froze.

Xu Duwan wasn't broad-shouldered or muscular—he was small. Slim enough that Shen Mingjin could wrap an entire arm around his waist.

Now that they were close, Shen Mingjin noticed something else.

Despite his usual sharp, aggressive demeanor, Xu Duwan was actually... tiny. Even when he stood on his toes, he could barely meet Shen Mingjin's eyes. If Shen Mingjin so much as tilted his head downward, all he could see was a small, round crown of hair resting near his collarbone.

Like a little animal waiting to be taken care of.

"......"

Seeing Xu Duwan curled up like a wilted jellyfish, Shen Mingjin's heart softened.

Without another word, he tried to guide Xu Duwan to sit down, but the moment his hand tugged him toward the flower bed, Xu Duwan resisted fiercely.

"It's dirty," he muttered.

He despised bugs and filth. There was no way he was sitting down.

Shen Mingjin was growing anxious. He tried coaxing, persuading, even gently pulling, but Xu Duwan was being unusually stubborn today. Probably because he wasn't feeling well, his temper was worse than usual.

Crouched low, he stared up at Shen Mingjin with reddened eyes. His pale skin was almost translucent under the light, making him look vulnerable, fragile. Seeing him like this, Shen Mingjin couldn't bring himself to force him anymore.

The mother who had passed by earlier came back, carrying a water bottle. Sitting on the flower bed, she fed her daughter some medicine. As she glanced over at Shen Mingjin crouching down to comfort Xu Duwan, she muttered in her local dialect:

"Boys these days are so delicate. So hard to deal with."

".....Who's delicate?"

Xu Duwan had always been prideful. The moment he heard that, he shot up in anger—only for his vision to blur completely.

The world tilted. Everything spun.

His stomach clenched violently, and he stumbled forward, clutching his forehead. The next thing he knew, he was falling.

Right into Shen Mingjin's arms.

The little girl sitting on her mother's lap blinked and spoke up.

"Big brother is afraid of ants," she said. "I'm afraid of them too."

She hugged her water bottle, swinging her legs. Then, in a soft, thoughtful voice, she added:

"But when Mommy holds me, I'm not scared anymore."

She tilted her head, giving them both a bright, innocent smile.

"Big brother can hold the other big brother too! Then no ants will get on him!"

A heavy silence fell.

Shen Mingjin: "......"

Xu Duwan: "......"

The air suddenly felt... awkward.

Shen Mingjin lowered his gaze. Xu Duwan's fingers were still gripping his shirt tightly, his knuckles trembling slightly from exertion. It was unclear whether it was from embarrassment or fury.

For a long moment, Shen Mingjin hesitated.

Then, he slowly spoke.

"How about... I carry you?"

"No way," Xu Duwan croaked.

He was a grown man! What kind of nonsense was this? Sitting on someone's lap? Being carried? That was ridiculous! He absolutely didn't want that...!

His lips trembled as he tried to refuse.

But before he could say a word, another sharp pain stabbed through his stomach, crushing his resistance.

Shen Mingjin didn't give him a chance to react.

With a swift motion, he slid one arm lower, brushing against the curve of Xu Duwan's back. His hand skimmed downward, hooking behind Xu Duwan's knees. Then, without hesitation—

He lifted him up.

Xu Duwan: ".....!!!"

His eyes widened like a startled kitten. Every hair on his body stood on end.

Shen Mingjin carried him with ease.

"See?" The little girl giggled. "Now the ants can't get you!"