Tit For Tat (Beloved Enemy) - Chap 121 END
Beloved Enemy – Epilogue 3: Being Each Other’s Support
The company had been very busy recently with the bidding of a municipal project. As the company’s bosses, YuanYang and GuQingPei obviously haven’t had any rest for a long time.
YuanYang felt heart-ache for GuQingPei having to stay up late and attend all the social engagements so he basically took all the work he could and did all the drinking in GuQingPei’s place. GuQingPei was also not willing to see YuanYang looking so tired so the two men often got into disputes over their attempt to allow the other person more time to rest.
On this rare day, they managed to complete a phase of their project. For the first time ever, they didn’t have to work overtime nor were there any social engagements so they could actually go home for dinner. They were thrilled. After work, they conveniently went to the supermarket to buy some groceries, fully intending on spending a night belonging to just the two of them.
However, GuQingPei realized that YuanYang had been a little absent-minded all day, not looking too spirited. When he (GuQingPei) spoke to him, he was often distracted and was even tailgating other cars when driving on the road.
“YuanYang, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” GuQingPei stretched his hand out wanting to touch YuanYang’s face.
YuanYang evaded without a bit of hesitation, “I’m fine. It’s likely from sleeping late recently. I’ll be fine after some rest.”
GuQingPei sighed, “Yeah, we’ve been staying up very late. After we’re done with this project, let’s take a vacation and have a good rest. Money is not everything, we can’t just risk our health anymore.”
“Aiyah.” YuanYang laughed lightly, “These words actually came out of workaholic Director Gu’s mouth? I thought I had to wait at least another 30 years.”
GuQingPei smiled, “After being with you, my way of thinking has changed a lot. Career is no longer the priority of my life.”
“Then what is it? Me?” YuanYang blinked at GuQingPei.
“Family.” GuQingPei revealed a contented smile, “A family with you in it.”
YuanYang’s eyes glimmered affectionately, the warmth in his heart brimming fully, “You’re right. We should change the routineness of our lives… Fuck, why is it that the way I talk now is so refined? It’s all from being infected by you. ”
GuQingPei laughed, “You should thank me.”
After getting home and changed, YuanYang went to cook in the kitchen. GuQingPei planned to take a shower and then come out to help him.
When GuQingPei came out of the bathroom and walked to the kitchen, he saw YuanYang’s two hands gripping the table, standing still.
“YuanYang?” GuQingPei’s heart thumped as he quickly walked over and supported him, “What’s going on with you? Are you…” When he touched YuanYang’s skin, GuQingPei’s heart tightened, “You have a fever?”
YuanYang looked at GuQingPei hazily, “Can’t be, right? I’m just a little sleepy.”
“You have a fever!” GuQingPei said angrily with remorse, “I’ve been with you for an entire day and actually didn’t realize it. Why didn’t you say anything?!” He dragged YuanYang to the sofa and sat down.
YuanYang was not in the least bit concerned, “I have a fever? No way, right? I haven’t been sick for a long time, my health is really good.”
“Does having good health mean that you won’t get sick or have a fever? You’re not made of iron.” GuQingPei touched YuanYang’s forehead, it was already burning hot. His brows creased deeply, “What is wrong with me, how could I not have realized it at all…?”
YuanYang took his hand and smiled, “You’ve also been very tired recently. If there’s that chance, you’d close your eyes to rest a bit. How could you be as sharp as when you’re full of energy? It’s not your fault.”
GuQingPei felt horrible, “I shouldn’t have urged you to do this project. In fact, this project somewhat exceeded our current carrying capacity.”
“I’ve also agreed to it. It wasn’t your decision alone. As you said, if the company needs to develop further, we can’t impossibly just stay within the scope of our capabilities.” YuanYang leaned on GuQingPei and ridiculed, “Just a small fever, why are you so anxious, Great Director.”
“Because you’ve never been sick.” GuQingPei softly muttered.
In his heart, YuanYang had always been very strong. The two have been together for a long time, with the exception of having to go to the hospital from fighting those gangsters back then, he’s never had any minor illnesses or problems. Even if there was, YuanYang would never let him know or let him worry. This time is the same, if it wasn’t’ because YuanYang couldn’t hide it anymore, he certainly would have no intention in telling him.
“I’m fine. I’ll take some medicine and will recover very soon.” YuanYang thought for a moment, “I still have to make the spicy chicken.”
“Don’t move.” GuQingPei pressed him down onto the sofa, “Rest first, I’ll do it.”
“But you’re also very tired.” YuanYang stared at GuQingPei. “Let’s just not cook, call for takeout.”
“This is the peak time for dinner. Takeout will take at least an hour. I’ll be done very soon.”
GuQingPei caressed YuanYang’s hair softly and said with heartache, “Stupid boy, why do you have to be so strong in front of me? If you’re even lying to me over a small fever, then aren’t I too unqualified as a partner?”
“Of course not.” YuanYang rubbed his cheek in GuQingPei’s palm, “I just don’t want you to worry.”
“How can I not worry about you?” GuQingPei lowered his head and kissed YuanYang’s forehead, “Just like how you’ve always been worried about me.”
YuanYang reached out and hugged GuQingPei’s waist; his heart feeling sweetness, “My wife is the best in the world, no one can be compared.”
GuQingPei scoffed and pulled his hand away, “Talking nonsense in your feverish state. Wait for me to cook. Sleep for a while. I’ll call you after it’s done.”
GuQingPei took a thin blanket and draped it over YuanYang. Then he rolled up his sleeves, tied the apron around himself and skillfully started to prepare the ingredients that YuanYang hasn’t yet finished prepping.
When he was an employee working for other people in those years, he mostly had to cook for himself. But ever since he’s been with YuanYang, the little wolf dog has taken up all the chores around the home so he essentially didn’t have to do anything. YuanYang is not good at expressing himself, but have always used his actions to show his affections. GuQingPei never thought that in his life, he would be able to experience such happiness and contentment. After all, this is a luxury that even wealth could not buy.
After he became a boss, he certainly didn’t want to touch any housework when he comes home from an exhaustive day. At this time, even though he is sleepy and tired, but to be able to still make a meal for YuanYang, he gladly endured his body’s fatigue.
After half an hour, he quickly whipped up three dishes and a soup. Removing his apron, he went to the living room and saw that YuanYang had already fallen asleep. He kneeled beside the sofa and gazed softly at YuanYang, recalling everything from the time they met till now. He just wanted to be thankful for the miraculous power of fate. Who would have thought that the two people who can’t get along back then will now join their hands for a lifetime?
However, seeing YuanYang trying to be strong in front of him, refusing to show his weakness, could it be that he’s always felt unease in heart? After all, in the two years that they were separated, YuanYang have always felt that GuQingPei left him because he wasn’t strong enough…..
GuQingPei sighed, feeling a bit of guilt. They are always so busy with work, so he regrettably would have overlooked the feelings of the people around him. Even though YuanYang never complained, it doesn’t mean that he didn’t have these anxiety and restlessness hidden within himself. Seeing YuanYang sleeping so serenely, he really can’t bear to wake him up.
But, GuQingPei still woke YuanYang up. YuanYang needed to eat something before he can take medicine. Otherwise, it would take even longer to recover.
YuanYang woke up and smiled weakly, “You’re already done cooking so fast? I felt like I’ve just closed my eyes, how about I don’t eat?”
“After you eat, take some medicine. Then you can sleep for as long as you want.” GuQingPei coaxingly voiced, “Be good, come and eat.”
“That won’t do ah.” YuanYang struggled to sit up, “There are still matters to take care for work tomorrow.”
“The company still has me tomorrow.” GuQingPei’s tone became stern, “Your only task right now is to get well.”
YuanYang can’t help laughing, “Just a small fever, it’s not that big a deal. I’ll be fine after some sleep. There a lot of work needing to be done. I can’t just leave it.”
GuQingPei held YuanYang’s face and said softly, “YuanYang… in my heart, you are a real man. You are courageous, reliant and responsible. You are very strong in all aspects. So you don’t have to force yourself to prove it to me. You understand?”
YuanYang is stunned, “What are you talking about…”
“You didn’t even want to tell me that you’re sick. Could it be that in your subconscious, you’re afraid that I’ll think you’re weak?” GuQingPei couldn’t help but feel pained, “The matters from before have all passed. I don’t need you to prove anything. You’re already very perfect in my heart.”
YuanYang gripped his hair tensely, “I didn’t think that way.”
“You might not even have realized that you’re thinking this. But regardless of whether it was with work or our daily lives, you’ve wanted to do as much as possible for me.” GuQingPei said seriously, “You’ve already done very well, can’t be any better. I’m very content, very happy. But when two people are together, they need to support each other. I hope that I can be the person you can lean on for support.”
YuanYang’s eyes slightly heated. He hugged GuQingPei tightly and whispered, “You are my support. You are my life’s biggest support.”
GuQingPei also hugged him, “You are also my support. You don’t have to force yourself, you’re already strong enough.”
YuanYang’s face is full of emotions and contentment, even if his face is red from the fever, it is tinged with happiness.
GuQingPei patted his back, “Come on, let’s go eat.”
YuanYang kissed GuQingPei and smiled near his ear, “I haven’t tasted my wife’s culinary skills for a long time. Aigh, no, I haven’t tasted my wife for a long time.”
GuQingPei pinched his face and smiled, “You…. first you need to get well. Hurry, eat.”
“Got it, obeying Director Gu’s command.”
