Agreed to Just Once - Chapter 21: Stop Talking

Chapter 21: Stop Talking

Jiang Yinian sat on the corridor chair, staring at He Wenshuo’s latest reply that had popped up on his phone screen.

He Wenshuo: Okay.

It seemed he had managed to deceive him. Jiang Yinian put down his phone and slowly let out a sigh of relief. Since He Wenshuo wasn’t home anyway, it shouldn’t matter if he told him in a couple of days.

Another half hour passed before Grandma Jiang tiptoed out of the hospital room and sat down on the chair with a sigh.

Grandma Zhu has fallen asleep. She’s scheduled for major surgery this afternoon. I’m too worried to leave her alone here.

I overheard the doctor telling the family that this type of surgery has a very high success rate. Grandma, you shouldn’t worry too much.

No surgery is completely risk-free. Grandma Jiang understood this well and patted Jiang Yinian’s hand. I’ll stay at the hospital. You should go home first.

Jiang Yinian: It’s fine. I’ll wait here with you. We can go home together after Grandma Zhu’s surgery is over later.

This time, Grandma Jiang didn’t refuse, though she continued to gaze worriedly toward the hospital room.

Jiang Yinian was back!

The moment this thought crossed He Wenshuo’s mind, he became completely restless. After pacing aimlessly around the small courtyard with his phone for several rounds, he resolutely opened the ticket booking page.

He had to go back and check, otherwise he definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

Anyway, his grandparents’ house wasn’t too far from home – just a 45-minute high-speed rail ride direct. Even including travel time to and from the stations, it would take no more than three hours at most.

He Wenshuo browsed the booking page, purchased the earliest available high-speed train ticket, pocketed his phone, and set off immediately.

On his way out, he ran into his grandmother and specially informed her.

Grandma, I’m going home for a bit.

Going home? His grandmother was puzzled. Why would he suddenly leave when he had promised to stay for the entire summer vacation? Don’t rush off. Let me pack some things for you to take back.

No need to trouble yourself, Grandma. I’ll be coming back after I go. I’ll return very soon.

You’re coming back? Oh, alright then.

Two and a half hours later, He Wenshuo got out of the return taxi and stood at the entrance of the residential complex, gazing intently at the apartment building not far away.

He felt both excited and angry.

He would see Jiang Yinian soon – they hadn’t seen each other for a whole month. He wondered if Jiang Yinian had been eating properly and sleeping well while he wasn’t around.

But the moment he remembered that Jiang Yinian had actually lied about not being back, his chest tightened with discomfort.

Harboring these two completely conflicting emotions, He Wenshuo headed straight for Jiang Yinian’s apartment. He entered the passcode, pushed the door open, and immediately scanned the room with his eyes.

The room was empty and deserted, with no sign of anyone. A thin layer of dust covered the floor.

He Wenshuo stood frozen in the doorway, all his emotions instantly drained away.

He wasn’t back?

Damn it. He had misunderstood Jiang Yinian this time. That crappy chat app’s system must have malfunctioned.

He was just about to turn back the way he came.

But in the next second, he heard the elevator in the corridor ding, followed by approaching footsteps. Then came an all-too-familiar voice filled with astonishment.

What are you doing here?

Jiang Yinian, carrying his backpack, stared wide-eyed in shock. Just hours earlier, He Wenshuo had been vacationing at his grandparents’ house. How had he suddenly appeared at his doorstep in the blink of an eye!

He Wenshuo stared fixedly at Jiang Yinian and asked the same question: Why are you here?

Jiang Yinian:
He hadn’t been mistaken.

He Wenshuo quietly let his gaze roam freely over Jiang Yinian.

Jiang Yinian looked well – his eyes were bright, his lips pink, and his cheeks still appeared plump. There were no signs of weight loss after a month abroad; he seemed to be doing quite well.

It was good that he was doing well.

But when He Wenshuo thought about how Jiang Yinian could do perfectly fine without him, he couldn’t feel happy about it at all.

Under He Wenshuo’s overly intense scrutiny, Jiang Yinian pushed him forward. Why aren’t you coming inside?

He Wenshuo followed Jiang Yinian into the house and sank heavily onto the sofa, bluntly accusing: You lied to me. You were clearly back already, yet you told me you were still walking dogs abroad.

Well… Jiang Yinian never expected the lie he’d told just hours earlier would be exposed so quickly. Actually, I planned to tell you once I got home. But how did you know I was back?

How he knew wasn’t that important.

From the moment he entered the house, He Wenshuo’s gaze had been glued to Jiang Yinian. After struggling with himself, he still wanted to say: I missed you a lot.

That’s why he couldn’t wait even a moment before coming back.

He felt his feelings for Jiang Yinian seemed to be getting more serious. Although they hadn’t spent summers together before either, this summer had been the hardest. Every day when he opened his eyes and couldn’t see Jiang Yinian, he felt empty inside.

Jiang Yinian fell briefly silent, avoiding He Wenshuo’s gaze as he put his bag back in its proper place.

This was nothing.

Between good friends, it was normal to miss each other after not seeing one another for a long time.

Perfectly normal.

Receiving no response after a long wait, He Wenshuo called out again: Nian Nian.

Jiang Yinian looked up: Hmm?

Just then, rhythmic knocking came from the front door. Jiang Yinian immediately changed direction to answer it – the cleaning service had arrived.

The house hadn’t been lived in for some time and had inevitably accumulated dust. While at the hospital earlier, he had booked a home cleaning service online.

The cleaner worked meticulously, taking considerable time. By the time the entire house was cleaned, it was quite late, and Grandma Jiang had already returned by taxi from the hospital.

With no groceries at home just after returning, Jiang Yinian simply ordered dishes from the restaurant downstairs to be delivered.

After many days apart, the three of them sat around the dining table together for dinner again.

As Grandma Jiang picked up her chopsticks, the familiar flavors made her sigh with feeling: Eating at home is always the most comforting.

Sometimes it was strange – even when using the same ingredients to cook the same dishes abroad, they never tasted quite right compared to home.

Jiang Yinian felt the same way; when eating out, he always felt something was missing.

True. He Wenshuo, who had recently been learning to cook, found seasoning both troubling and fascinating. Grandma, you probably haven’t had proper local food for many days. Would you like to come with me to my grandparents’ house for a few days? My grandparents love having guests – they enjoy preparing lots of delicious food.

Grandma Jiang smiled, not doubting He Wenshuo’s words. Elderly people all enjoy liveliness, but she shook her head regretfully, I won’t go. Grandma Zhu just had surgery in the hospital. Her children are busy with work, so I need to visit her at the hospital these days to keep her company and chat.

He Wenshuo only just learned this news: Grandma Zhu is sick? Is it serious?

It’s not serious now. Grandma Jiang had only returned after feeling reassured following the surgery. You and Nian Nian go have fun.

He Wenshuo turned to look at Jiang Yinian: I already said I’d take you there. Let’s go tomorrow.

Jiang Yinian:
To be honest, over the years he had indeed enjoyed many good meals through He Wenshuo, but actually going to He Wenshuo’s grandparents’ home to freeload felt somewhat embarrassing.

Jiang Yinian: Won’t it be inappropriate for me to go eat and drink for free?

There’s nothing inappropriate about it. He Wenshuo said decisively. My grandparents have long wanted me to bring you over to play. It’s settled then – we’ll leave tomorrow. Anyway, my luggage is still over there and I haven’t brought it back.

Jiang Yinian: But I came back to accompany Grandma.

Grandma Jiang: Go have fun if you want. I don’t need your company – I need to visit Grandma Zhu at the hospital and won’t even have time to cook for you. I’ll actually worry less if you go have fun.

Jiang Yinian: … That wasn’t what he meant either. He just felt it wasn’t quite appropriate to go with He Wenshuo.

He Wenshuo made the final decision: Alright, it’s settled then.

Jiang Yinian: But I just got back.

In the past, he would have agreed to go without hesitation, but now, for some reason, he felt he needed to have some reservations.

But all his buts were useless because He Wenshuo’s execution ability was too efficient.

While Jiang Yinian was still hesitating, he was already dragged to the high-speed rail station. By the time he finished hesitating, they had already gotten off the train and arrived at the not-too-distant small town nestled between mountains and rivers.

The town had many trees, and the streets were all shaded. When the wind blew, the leaves swayed everywhere, blocking the scorching sun.

Jiang Yinian liked the scenery here – lush and green, free from the city’s noise, even more beautiful and atmospheric than in the photos He Wenshuo had sent him.

He Wenshuo had been watching Jiang Yinian the whole way, and now seeing satisfaction in his eyes, he finally felt relieved: See? I told you this place is nice. I’ve wanted to bring you here before, but you always refused to come with me.

Jiang Yinian repeated his usual line: Who would feel comfortable traveling all this way just to eat and drink for free?

How can this be considered eating and drinking for free? He Wenshuo lifted the package in his hand. And you insisted on buying so many gifts. My grandparents will scold me.

Jiang Yinian: It’s only proper. I’ve eaten plenty of their delicious food before.

To be more specific, at least half of the delicious food that He Wenshuo’s grandparents had sent over had ended up in his stomach. He would have felt too guilty coming here empty-handed.

He Wenshuo asked quietly: Do you have to draw such clear boundaries with me?

Jiang Yinian looked up at the sky, pretending not to hear:
With guests arriving, especially their grandson’s good friend who was so likable, the grandparents were particularly happy. They went all out, preparing the kind of feast they usually reserved for honored guests, neatly arranging a full table of dishes.

Jiang Yinian had eaten a table even more sumptuous than what He Wenshuo had shown him in the photos. Combined with his lack of mental fortitude to resist the constant food additions from his grandparents and He Wenshuo, he successfully overate himself.

After the meal, the two took a casual stroll outside the courtyard to aid digestion.

A narrow path paved with concrete slabs was flanked by unnamed weeds and vines on both sides, exuding a rustic charm.

He Wenshuo walked beside Jiang Yinian, turning sideways to look at him. Every day when I walk this path, I think about bringing you here to see it.

Jiang Yinian’s gaze fell on a small enclosed garden nearby, where free-range chickens, ducks, and geese roamed—each lively, robust, and looking quite clever.

He Wenshuo asked thoughtfully, Which one do you want to eat? I’ll catch it for you.

Locally raised poultry makes wonderfully fragrant soup.

Jiang Yinian replied, …Not right now.

He felt that the lavish lunch he’d just eaten would likely keep him full for the rest of the day.

Past the garden, the two walked a bit further and came across a small fishpond. The water level reached about thigh-high, with sparse lotus leaves, lotus flowers, and seedpods floating on the surface.

Jiang Yinian stopped by the pond and took a longer look at the lush green lotus seedpods—something he had only seen in videos before.

Pointing at them, he asked He Wenshuo, Can we pick them?

Of course. He Wenshuo stepped forward, ready to take on the task. I’ll pick them for you. The lotus seeds here are edible—they’re tender and sweet at this stage.

No need. Jiang Yinian wanted to try it himself. I’ll do it.

He Wenshuo quickly interjected, Wait, if you want to pick them, we should go to the other side—

But he was too late.

In the next moment, he saw Jiang Yinian’s shoe sink into the muddy puddle at the edge of the pond.

Jiang Yinian hissed in discomfort.

The sole of his foot slid unpleasantly in the slime.

But since he’d already stepped in, he went ahead and plucked the large lotus seedpod—at least it wasn’t a total loss.

He Wenshuo pulled Jiang Yinian out and led him to the other side of the pond, where a wooden frame was set up along the edge and the water was clearer.

He seated Jiang Yinian by the wooden frame, letting his feet dangle down. Looking down, he saw He Wenshuo already starting to remove his shoes, which were stained with black mud and decaying leaves.

Hastily setting the lotus seedpod aside, Jiang Yinian said, I can do it myself.

Do it himself? He Wenshuo paid no attention, pulling off the damp shoes from Jiang Yinian’s feet, then removing his socks, and began washing his feet with the water from the pond.

Having his feet held by someone else felt ticklish and awkward.

Jiang Yinian squirmed slightly. Alright, alright, I can do it myself. No need to trouble you with washing my feet.

He Wenshuo held onto Jiang Yinian’s ankle, not letting go. He disliked how Jiang Yinian always kept such a clear boundary between them. It’s no trouble. Why do you always think I’d find you troublesome?

During the days Jiang Yinian was away, He Wenshuo had been thinking constantly about when would be the right time to confess his feelings.

He had considered many times and places, but none felt suitable. He even recalled the failed confession they’d witnessed at the cinema.

Overthinking had made him cautious, afraid that if he spoke up, they might not even remain friends.

But suddenly, he felt that now was just the right moment.

Now there were only the two of them, and in this situation—Jiang Yinian had nowhere to run.

The mud-stained feet were washed clean.

He Wenshuo looked up, gazing intently at Jiang Yinian. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke: Nian Nian, I really like
Jiang Yinian sensed danger and hastily reached out to cover He Wenshuo’s mouth: Don’t… don’t say it.