Qingge Chapter 6

I’ve been really into another story I’m translating… so forgot about Qingge for a bit there. Apologies. Raw links can be found on the Index page. The MTL isn’t too bad so I’d encourage you to give it a shot. If you’re not into that here’s chapter six translated with a short recap since it’s been a while.

Previously: Qingge moved in with Duan Yujing (male house G.o.d of awesomeness) and is being spoiled like a pampered Young Master. Currently they’re in the kitchen/dining area and Qingge is having a light meal. Duan Yujing kicked Shen Ningyu (his bff) out some time ago, while his little brother left to go study at the library, so it’s just Qingge and Duan Yujing in the house right now. 

Also Guest Editor!!! My co-worker volunteered to help check my stories so hopefully you won’t see so many errors. 

[Translator: otwentyfirst // Editor: poledancer1985]

[Host: justreads.net]

[August 20th, 2018]

“If I have time later I’ll look at their presentation online. If the conditions are too strict I won’t bother. I am the kind of person who enjoys being idle after all.”[notes] Qingge confidently expressed his views as he handed the empty bowl to Duan Yujing for seconds. He demolished the refilled bowl like it was his final meal, practically inhaling the food making his cheeks look like an overstuffed hamster’s.

Duan Yujing smiled softly gazing at Qingge in front of him. In his mind he was thinking that it would be good for Qingge to be idle. His body was so weak it made Duan Yujing anxious just thinking about him going out and working. What if he gets tired? What if he’s rebuffed by others? Plus Qingge’s only eighteen, he shouldn’t have to worry about earning a living. Him working… we can talk about it later. But right now it’s out of the question. Even if he wants to be a professor… students these days were really fierce, what if they bully him? Duan Yujing couldn’t help but be anxious.

“Good! We’ll do it that way then. We’ll figure out what your likes and dislikes are and just take it from there.” Duan Yujing ruffled his sweetheart’s hair. This carefree att.i.tude of his is good too!

“OK! *hiccup*” Qingge’s hunger was satisfied after drinking both bowls of porridge. His stomach was completely crammed full of food so he could only sit and watch as Duan Yujing cleared up the tableware and brought everything to the kitchen. Eventually he got up and leaned against the door frame of the kitchen watching as the other man cleaned up. It wasn’t that he was trying to behave like a Young Master in front of Duan Yujing, it was just that his body was weak so he could only laze around unable to help with the housework.[notes]

After Daun Yujing finished cleaning up he turned around to find Qingge leaning against the doorframe looking around like a curious cat with its tail wagging, strands of his hair rebelling and waving around making him look adorably silly.

“What is it? Did you want to go out for a walk? We can take a const.i.tutional walk around the neighborhood if you want. The doctor did say you needed more exercise.”

“Yeah!” Qingge nodded his head excitedly. It had been a while since he’d gone outside and since it would just be him and Duan Yujing alone together.. well that was practically a date!

“OK go and change first. Make sure to dress warmly, it’s cool outside.” Duan Yujing smiled at Qingge’s obvious excitement. He wanted to take the opportunity to buy some fruits, especially the peaches that Qingge loved.

Qingge quickly ran back to his room to change. He dressed casually in a pair of light colored jeans and a long sleeved shirt. It was a slim fit and drew the eyes to his slender hips and pert bottom. This combined with his fashionable high top sneakers gave him the graceful air of the cool bro next door lady-killer type. He looked youthful and lively, gone was the sickly pale appearance he had at the hospital.

The reality was that although Qingge’s debility was congenital, the severity was mutable. Depending on what he did it could be serious or light. For example, although his const.i.tution was worse than average - often getting sick when the seasons changed - as long as he was nursed back to health and didn’t stress his body too much, then he would be fine. He just needed to exercise and maintain a good level of physical fitness to keep his health in good shape.

However he had been living in the Lin House without a mother since early childhood. His father ignored him and his stepmother and her children weren’t exactly kind to him. There had been no one to support him or nurse him when he got sick.

Duan Yujing couldn’t help but stare at the young man in front of him. He exuded such a relaxed pleasant demeanor. His understated style complimented his personality really well, serving to make him even s.e.xier.

Originally Qingge was pretty confident in his appearance, after all his mother was a beauty and he had inherited all her good traits. His eyes and brows were delicate and fine, yet didn’t appear too effeminate. However, Duan Yujing’s silent stare made him question his fashion choice and doubt rose in his heart. Did he not look good in Duan Yujing’s eyes?[notes] He nervously tugged at his clothes before asking, “No good?”

Duan Yujing couldn’t contain his smile. “You look great. It’s just that it’s my first time seeing you dressed this way. It’s quite good on you, simple and uncomplicated. Suits you very well.”

“Ah! Say that sooner next time! You scared me.” Qingge mumbled to himself under his breath. He quickly broke out into a smile though. “Let’s go!”

Duan Yujing laughed and walked over to hold Qingge’s hand. The action made Qingge quite happy.

Duan Yujing led Qingge around the neighborhood. It was an expansive area with lush greenery acting as a natural divide between the houses and apartments. Qingge enjoyed the pleasant feel of the breeze as it ruffled through his hair. The sound of the leaves rustling and the critters chirping were wonderful. Eventually they came upon a neighbor who’d just returned from his white collar job.

“Ah! Mr. Duan is this your friend? What a nice looking young man.”

“Hm.” Duan Yujing gave a noncommittal reply. He and Qingge were more than just friends, they were romantic partners. Although same s.e.x relationships were becoming more acceptable and few had to fear discrimination, it still wasn’t common enough that it wouldn’t raise eyebrows. He didn’t want people to judge Qingge and give him any grief, thus the evasive reply.

They only had a nodding acquaintance and Duan Yujing was a nice person who was easy to get along with, so the neighbor didn’t pry and simply nodded his head before heading on his way.

“Brother Jing the atmosphere here is really nice. The elderly and the young all look happy.” Qingge smiled as he spoke. A breeze blew by and he couldn’t help but shrink into his clothes a bit. Strange. The wind wasn’t so strong before. How did it get so cold all of a sudden?

Duan Yujing noticed Qingge’s slight movement. “Cold?” He reached his arm over and hugged Qingge to his side. The two of them looked like an ordinary couple taking a stroll together, enjoying the evening air after supper.

Two men embracing each other’s shoulders as they walked was a little unusual and was bound to arouse people’s curiosity. Qingge didn’t mind though, if anything he wanted the whole world to know Duan Yujing, this amazing man, was his. I’ve lived through a lifetime already and the people here don’t seem to mind about that kind of stuff. There’s really no need to be secretive.

Qingge got a pretty good feel for the neighborhood after walking around for a bit. He felt a lot more comfortable and found he really liked the quiet and the slow pace. He didn’t have to think about work or stress out over anything. It was a home that truly suited him.

Qingge turned his head slightly and peeked at Duan Yujing out of the corner of his eye. I really do feel at ease here. Brother Jing has such a discerning eye. But with such an eye, why did he fall for me? Mm. It makes no sense. Wanting to understand Qingge finally worked up the courage to ask directly.

“Brother Jing.” Qingge leaned towards Duan Yujing slightly as he spoke. “Why do you like me? It can’t be for my wealth, you’re plenty rich on your own. There’s nothing special about me and I’m so sickly. If you’re doing this because you feel you have to repay my mom’s kindness… you really don’t have to.”

He had wondered about this question since his previous life. Although he himself fell in love with Duan Yujing, he didn’t understand why the other cared for him so much. Especially since in this lifetime they had only met once before.

Duan Yujing looked down and saw the melancholy expression on Qingge’s face. He pulled the other closer to him. “I like what I like. If you want a reason, then I guess… It was the first time I met you. I remember me and Little Chen[notes], we were going through the hardest times in our lives back then. Actually thinking back on it, I didn’t even think much of it when your mom invited us to meet you. Maybe I was a little curious, but that was about it. But that first time I saw you… I remember not being able to look away. It was like I’d just found the love of my life.”

Qingge could feel his ears burning. It was the first time he’d heard Brother Jing use terms of endearment. It was crazy he’d conclude something like that based on one glance.

“This will sound weird, but it’s like your body filters out all the wickedness and corruption in the air making it easier to breathe. I can’t help but want to be near you. You’re like my salvation. Honestly, you don’t have to do anything. Just having your quiet calmness near gives me the motivation to keep moving forward.”[notes]

Duan Yujing recalled that summer he met the ten year old Qingge. He had been facing the world alone and desperately trying to survive when Qingge’s mom miraculously appeared. Although she gave him financial support and provided for his physical necessities it was Qingge who saved his soul. His heart was dark and overflowed with resentment. He resented the accident that killed his parents, he resented the relatives who tried to kick him while he was down, he resented even more those who looked on with cold indifferent eyes. He hated that he and his brother were left behind. He hated that they had to struggle so hard just to stay alive.

He had been spiraling into a black abyss, but when he saw Qingge it was like a ray of sunshine finally reached him. It made him feel like it was OK to discard his pent up resentment. It made him want to live a good life and keep moving forward. As corny as it may sound, it was like I’d found my salvation that day.

“Oh, so I was really that awesome huh?” Qingge couldn’t help but grin at the ASCription. He really had to thank his mother for giving him such a wonderful partner.

“Yes.” Duan Yujing nodded his head very seriously.

This guy is too much. I really want to just kiss him! But there’re too many people around. How crummy! Qingge was so preoccupied with this thoughts that he was surprised to look up and find they had somehow made their way to the supermarket.

Duan Yujing was careful to protect Qingge, so despite the stream of people around them no one jostled even a strand of Qingge’s hair. Eventually they arrived at the specialty produce section.

Holy c.r.a.p! Peaches! Snacks! In an instant, a greedy dragon took possession of his heart. Qingge immediately thought of the best way to take all the peaches home. He wanted to cram the refrigerator full of them!

Duan Yujing watched helplessly as his gluttonous lover pushed the cart around and heaped it high with all kinds of goodies. Qingge’s eyes darted left and right all around the store. It was the best supermarket in the district, with fresh inventory stocked everyday. Even though he had a.s.sistants who could get him lunch, he would come over sometimes on his own to get food and drinks here too.

“Oh my goodness, you’re like a greedy fruit worm. Only pick out a few apples and peaches. This way we can test out if your body can handle them. If it’s OK and you’re craving more we can always come back and buy more.” Duan Yujing brought over a red plastic produce bag as he spoke and selected a few pink ripe looking peaches out of the bunch.

Qingge looked bitterly at the partially full bag of peaches. Eh?! The bag isn’t even stuffed full! There’s still s.p.a.ce left. Brother Jing is too wasteful. Plastic bags are expensive, we should at least utilize every available square inch![notes]

Qingge began listing several fruits and counting them off on his fingers. “Can’t eat mangos, can’t eat gooseberries, can’t eat green dates. These three things will definitely make me break out in hives. Other things I’m not sure about. I have eaten a fruit salad at the Lin House before though.”

Duan Yujing laughed at that. “Ah I see. Is there anything you like? Other than peaches that is. If you like fruit salad why don’t we make some when we get back home tonight?”

“Yeah! Yeah! Definitely!” Qingge nodded his head like it was on a spring. It was obvious he wanted to try eating all the foods he had been afraid of trying before. With Brother Jing there I won’t have to worry. He’ll definitely take care of me if I get sick from any of the stuff I eat. Life is great!

In the end they ended up buying a bag of peaches, pears, dragon fruit, pa.s.sion fruit, strawberries, walnuts, and chestnuts. Qingge was delighted, his eyes sparkled as he watched Duan Yujing checkout with the produce. He looked around at the crowd in the store as he waited. It seemed he wasn’t responsible for anything other than eating and drinking. Wasn’t this just like being a kept woman? Qingge shook his head to get rid of the image in his mind. But no matter how I look at it Brother Jing is the one taking care of all my expenses. But it’s not like I don’t have my own stash though! I have to tell Brother Jing about it, otherwise he might think I’m a broke mooch. Him thinking that… it was just too embarra.s.sing!