I Heard You're Hard To Chase - Chapter 22
This Sunday is Jiang Xu’s eighteenth birthday.
A few months ago, Father and Mother Jiang planned to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for Jiang Xu, but a few days ago Jiang Xu told them that the coming-of-age ceremony was postponed and there was no need to hold it.
Mother Jiang looked puzzled and asked Jiang Xu why he suddenly changed his mind.
Jiang Xu remained silent for a while and finally explained the situation with Xie Huai to them.
Mother Jiang didn’t say a word for a long time. She merely crossed out the words “Jiang Xu’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony” from the schedule, then hung up the phone with teary eyes.
A preview message popped up on Jiang Xu’s WeChat. It was from his mother.
Mom: Xuxu, Mom knows you’re doing well in your studies; I’m not worried about that. Try to spend more time with him and make him happier. If you have any problems, don’t keep them to yourself. Can you do that?
Jiang Xu smiled faintly and replied:
Jiang Xu: Okay, thank you, Mom.
Xie Huai has been thinking about what kind of birthday gift to give Jiang Xu for the past two days, and feels that Jiang Xu didn’t lack anything.
Moreover, Jiang Xu stayed with him in the hospital all morning on Saturday, and Xie Huai couldn’t prepare even if he wanted to.
Furthermore, he couldn’t prepare the gift in front of Jiang Xu; that would be far from a surprise.
He had to find a way to send Jiang Xu out.
“Jiang Xu,” Xie Huai called to him.
Jiang Xu didn’t stop peeling the apple. “What’s up?”
Xie Huai smiled and said, “Could you go buy me another pack of lemon candies? I finished the ones you gave me earlier.”
Jiang Xu paused, then under Xie Huai’s gaze, he took out another pack from the cabinet on the side, tore off the outer wrapping, and handed a few pieces to Xie Huai with a light tone, “I bought these yesterday.”
Xie Huai clenched his teeth. “…”
But he wasn’t giving up.
“I also finished the dolphin gummies,” Xie Huai added.
Jiang Xu felt a little helpless and took out the pack of blue dolphin gummies from the cabinet again, but this time he didn’t hand it to Xie Huai. He held Xie Huai’s hand and said, “Darling, do you know that excessive consumption of gummy candies can be harmful to your health?”
Of course, Xie Huai knew that. He had a medical condition. But he wasn’t dumb. He didn’t finish the previous candies, but he had used it as an excuse to get Jiang Xu to leave for a while.
Xie Huai shot a fierce glance at Jiang Xu.
Jiang Xu chuckled. He divided the apple into slices and then offered them to Xie Huai.
Xie Huai wanted to eat the apple by himself, but the act of being fed reminded him of how his mother used to feed him as a child.
Seeing that Xie Huai didn’t move, Jiang Xu thought that Xie Huai didn’t want to eat it. Just as he was about to put it on the plate, he saw Xie Huai lowered his head and bit into a piece of apple in his hand.
Xie Huai hasn’t eaten apples for a long time, mainly because he doesn’t like eating them, but they were actually quite sweet.
Jiang Xu looked at Xie Huai’s lips opening and closing, and couldn’t help but want to tease Xie Huai.
He leaned over, leaned into Xie Huai’s ear, and said with a hint of teasing: “Baby, would you like to taste me? I’m sweet too, and it won’t harm your health.”
Xie Huai’s neck visibly reddened in response.
He pushed Jiang Xu away and glanced awkwardly in both directions, avoiding looking at Jiang Xu. “Jiang Xu, what kind of suggestive talk is that in broad daylight?”
Xie Huai realized that he really couldn’t resist Jiang Xu’s teasing. One simple sentence could render him speechless.
Moreover, when Jiang Xu said it, he had actually considered it for a moment.
He really wanted to say to Lu Yi and the others, look, this is your so-called good class monitor, he did one thing in front of your face, and another behind your back
He obviously looked so aloof, but when he wasn’t talking, he had “Don’t touch me” written all over his face. But as soon as he was in front of him, he turned into such… an unreserved person, and his aloof persona was nowhere to be found.
Jiang Xu is such a closet romantic, huh?
“So can you go out for a while?” Xie Huai said directly without going around the bush.
Jiang Xu raised an eyebrow, thinking back to when Xie Huai mentioned needing more lemon candies. It was clear that Xie Huai’s intention was to get him out for a while.
Jiang Xu wanted to see what Xie Huai was planning to do by sending him away.
“Alright, I’ll go back home to get a few clothes.” Jiang Xu calmly stood up before leaving and didn’t forget to give Xie Huai a kiss.
His thumb lightly traced the corner of Xie Huai’s lips. “Remember to call me if you need anything.”
Xie Huai nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
As soon as Jiang Xu left, Xie Huai took out a long box from under the cabinet on the side with a pen inside.
Xie Huai took out the pen. It was a custom-made pen. It cost more than three thousand yuan. It could be engraved and it was not too expensive. However, Xie Huai did not let anyone engrave it.
Xie Huai asked someone to give him the tools, and he wanted to carve them himself.
He held the penknife and carefully engraved Jiang Xu’s name onto the pen’s cap. People often say that on a gift for a boyfriend, it’s best to engrave one’s own name as well, symbolizing a long-lasting relationship.
However, Xie Huai chose not to engrave his name on it. He knew he wouldn’t live much longer, and leaving a dead person’s name on it would leave a bad connotation.
After the engraving was done, the two characters “江绪(Jiang Xu)” appeared somewhat crooked. Xie Huai frowned slightly. He thought his handwriting was neat, often praised by teachers when he wrote in his notebooks. But somehow, when it came to engraving, it looked ugly, very ugly.
He wondered if Jiang Xu would mind it.
The room where Xie Huai was staying was a suite with excellent soundproofing. Aside from that, it had a wardrobe, a sofa, a coffee table, a computer desk, and the most significant benefit: a large bed. If not for the hospital equipment, it would almost resemble a slightly larger-than-normal bedroom.
However, this still didn’t prevent Xie Huai from being extremely sensitive to sounds when he was alone, particularly when he knew someone was passing by outside.
As long as Jiang Xu wasn’t with him, Xie Huai became acutely aware of these noises, no matter how good the soundproofing was.
Jiang Xu had only gone out for a short while, but that was enough time for Xie Huai.
He put the engraved pen back in the cabinet. He planned to take it out at midnight and give it to Jiang Xu.
Xie Huai had no intention of sleeping early tonight. He was afraid that if he dozed off, he wouldn’t wake up at midnight, and the gift wouldn’t be delivered on time.
After dinner, Jiang Xu went to take a shower, and Xie Huai realized that his excitement was growing because Jiang Xu’s birthday was just a few hours away.
And…
When Jiang Xu came out of the bathroom wiping his hair, he saw Xie Huai standing in front of him. His hand made a subtle motion, and then, to Jiang Xu’s surprise, Xie Huai slipped into the bathroom.
He wondered if Xie Huai went in so quickly that he forgot to take his clothes.
Jiang Xu looked helplessly at the pajamas placed on the bed.
He said pajamas, but it was actually a hospital gown.
Jiang Xu took the clothes and walked to the bathroom door, raised his hand and knocked on the door: “Baby, you forgot your clothes.”
No response came from inside, just the sound of running water.
He knocked a few more times, still with no answer.
When there was still no response, Jiang Xu frowned and grew anxious: “Xie Huai?”
Without further hesitation, he pushed the bathroom door open and entered.
Inside, he found Xie Huai standing under the shower, looking bewildered, and then his pupils gradually dilated.
It was as if his eyes were asking, “Why did you just barge in like that?!”
“Jiang Xu, you… you…” Xie Huai opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say. He suddenly realized he was standing there completely naked and hastily turned away.
Seeing that Xie Huai was fine, Jiang Xu’s heart finally let out a sigh of relief. Then he walked over and turned off the shower, took Xie Huai’s hand and asked Xie Huai to turn around.
“Xie Huai, you scared me half to death,” Jiang Xu embraced him and buried his head in Xie Huai’s neck. His voice trembled, “Baby, don’t scare me like this next time. Okay?”
Seeing Jiang Xu’s body trembling, Xie Huai finally realized the extent of his foolishness. He had deliberately pretended not to hear Jiang Xu.
He deeply regretted this.
“I’m sorry, Jiang Xu.” Xie Huai hugged him back, Xie Huai held him, ignoring his own undressed state. “There won’t be a next time.”
“I did it on purpose,” Xie Huai leaned against Jiang Xu’s ear. The heat in the bathroom spread, making both of them a little hot. “I did it on purpose to get you to come in.”
“To get me…” Jiang Xu inhaled deeply, his breath growing heavy.
“I gave myself to you, Jiang Xu, and I want you.” Xie Huai finished these words with a flushed face, and curled up his fingertips. He could clearly feel the changes in Jiang Xu’s heartbeat and breathing.
“Xie Huai, do you even know what you’re saying?” Jiang Xu’s voice was low and husky as if he were suppressing something.
Xie Huai grabbed Jiang Xu’s clothes with both hands and said with certainty: “I know.”
Jiang Xu gently placed Xie Huai on the bed, and their fingers intertwined. He lowered his head to kiss Xie Huai’s cheeks, moving from his forehead to his lips.
Xie Huai’s back was numb from being kissed by Jiang Xu. He raised his waist slightly and hugged Jiang Xu’s neck, eager for more.
Jiang Xu gently put Xie Huai’s hand behind his head.
A numbing feeling suddenly swept through Xie Huai’s body.
Jiang Xu continued to lower his head and kiss Xie Huai, the kiss was deeper and heavier.
Xie Huai was right; the soundproofing here was indeed excellent.
The two of them entwined until midnight, and Jiang Xu held Xie Huai tightly in his arms.
Xie Huai moved after a while, but he winced in pain.
He reached out with some difficulty to take out the box and placed it in front of Jiang Xu.
“It’s a birthday gift for you,” Xie Huai’s eyes were red, showing traces of crying just now, and his voice sounded a little hoarse, “Happy birthday, boyfriend.”
Jiang Xu took it and opened it. It was a light gray pen with two words engraved on the cap.
—Jiang Xu.
“It’s my first time engraving, so I’m not very skilled,” Xie Huai said, and added, “Don’t you dare dislike it.”
Jiang Xu’s lips curled up slightly. He placed the pen back in the box and reached out to hold Xie Huai even tighter.
“I don’t dislike it. I really like it,” Jiang Xu closed his eyes, his heart fluttering. “I’ve never received such a wonderful birthday gift. Thank you, baby.”
It was almost noon when Xie Huai woke up the next day, and Jiang Xu had already gone back to school.
It was the first time Xie Huai had slept for this long.
After last night’s birthday celebrations, they spent hours together, and Jiang Xu finally took Xie Huai to the bathroom to clean up. Thinking about this, Xie Huai felt even more embarrassed.
Disregarding his discomfort, Xie Huai shoved his head under the covers, leaving Mrs. Zhao puzzled.
Thinking about all the strange things he had said last night under Jiang Xu’s influence, Xie Huai clenched his teeth. It was too embarrassing.
Xie Huai turned on his phone and saw a WeChat message from Jiang Xu.
Jiang Xu: I’ve given you the necessary medication. Don’t move around too much, or it will hurt. Rest well.
Xie Huai wanted to die at this moment.
Xie Huai didn’t go to school for the next half semester. He received a lot of messages from his classmates one after another, as well as calls from those who had played with him
Especially Lu Yi, who cried directly on the phone.
Lu Yi interrogated Xie Huai, asking why he had disappeared without a word and not replied to their messages.
Xie Huai didn’t want them to know that he was sick, so he had to lie and say that he had gone abroad to study and would not be able to come back for a long time.
Xie Huai knew that Lu Yi was easy to deceive.
So Lu Yi really believed it, but he cried even harder on the phone.
Perhaps because Jiang Xu said something to them, Lu Yi and the others didn’t give him these messages frequently, but occasionally Xie Huai could still receive one or two text messages from them.
All of them reminded him to remember to dress up when it was cold, and to eat well even when he was abroad, and to talk to them about anything that was bothering him.
On Chinese New Year’s Day, Xie Huai received a message from Lu Yi.
Lu Yi: Happy New Year, and don’t forget about us, we’re all waiting for you to come back.
Seeing this message, Xie Huai couldn’t hold back anymore and leaned against Jiang Xu’s shoulder, choking up.
Jiang Xu’s heart ached when he saw Xie Huai crying. He took out a photo from a file bag nearby and placed it on Xie Huai’s palm.
It was a class photo with the words “Family Portrait of Class 1, Grade 2” written on it. It was signed on New Year’s Day. Every face on it was familiar to Xie Huai. In the center was Jiang Xu, and right next to him was Xie Huai himself.
Xie Huai knew that he had been photoshopped into the picture, but there was no trace of editing. It seemed as if he truly stood there, never leaving the class, never leaving his classmates and friends.
Xie Huai’s tears fell drop by drop onto the picture, creating a watery veil that obscured his vision.
Jiang Xu’s heart ached as he wiped away Xie Huai’s tears and said, “This is the gift they gave you.”
The scorching summer arrived at the end of spring. Xie Huai had lost a lot of weight after undergoing chemotherapy.
It looked as if it only took a gust of wind to knock him down easily.
The pain in his body became more and more severe. Later, even the painkillers no longer worked, and he couldn’t sleep well all day and night.
Towards the end, even Jiang Xu dared not touch him because any contact caused Xie Huai more pain.
Jiang Xu would rather let himself suffer this than see his baby in such pain.
He could only stand there and do nothing.
Even if Xie Huai wanted a hug, Jiang Xu couldn’t give it to him.
Xie Huai asked Jiang Xu to tell him stories, and Jiang Xu told him stories every night.
He really wanted Jiang Xu to hug him, just for a moment, but he couldn’t. So, he cried silently beneath the covers.
These past few days, Xie Huai’s pain had become unbearable. He was in constant agony, his complexion growing paler, and he couldn’t eat. He had a low fever, and his waking moments grew shorter.
Until late summer.
Xie Huai’s complexion had improved compared to the days prior. He was able to eat a little again.
Mrs. Zhao sat in the hallway, hugging Mr. Xie, and cried.
Jiang Xu also seemed to be trying his best to hide something, but he didn’t say anything and just kept telling stories to Xie Huai.
“Jiang Xu, I’ve always wanted to go outside.” Xie Huai stared at the snowy-white ceiling with a vacant expression. “My parents were always too busy, but now I might never be able to go.”
Xie Huai turned his head with great effort, gazing at Jiang Xu, who had been silent, and asked, “Can you go see it for me?”
Jiang Xu lowered his gaze, and after a long while, he nodded, struggling to squeeze out a few words, “Yes, I promise you.”
Xie Huai smiled.
“I promise you, Jiang Xu, I… will come back to you in my next life.” Xie Huai’s nose was sore and he was a little out of breath. “In the next life, I will come to find you. I will be healthy then, I promise.”
Jiang Xu lowered his head, his eyes reddening.
On the last day of late summer, Jiang Xu’s parents also came to the hospital. All of them spent a long time with Xie Huai.
Most of the time, they spoke to Xie Huai while he quietly listened, occasionally being teased into laughter.
It was an ordinary day, yet it felt like everyone was silently acknowledging a certain fact.
The lanterns are on, and night falls soon after.
As night fell, with the city lights coming to life, Xie Huai spoke with a somewhat hoarse voice, “Jiang Xu, can you hold me for a while? Just for a little while. I’m not in pain.”
This time, Jiang Xu didn’t refuse Xie Huai. He sat on the edge of the bed and held Xie Huai in his arms.
“Jiang Xu, you haven’t finished telling me the story today. Can you continue it when I wake up tomorrow? Will you?” Xie Huai looked into Jiang Xu’s eyes.
Jiang Xu kissed Xie Huai on the forehead and whispered, “…Alright.”
Xie Huai looked out the window, wishing that a miracle would happen to him.
But that night, the sky was devoid of stars.
And no miracle happened to Xie Huai.
He slowly closed his eyes in Jiang Xu’s arms and never woke up again.
Storyteller Springforyou's Words
Hello, Spring here to springkle some BL energy~ Please refrain from Re-posting/Sharing it on any other platform/Social Media as you risk it being taken down!
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