WMSR — QT Chapter 87

 

Chapter 87

As for Fang Ruoming, who frequently came to visit and check up on him, Bai Yichen was likewise very welcoming. After arriving in this world, he had dragged the young Fang Ruoming out of that vehicle drenched in the heavy stench of blood, and when Fang Ruoming grew up, he had used every conceivable measure to rescue him from that cage. He firmly believed there was a profound kismet binding them together.

Not to mention that Fang Ruoming possessed an exceptionally pleasant personality. While Bai Yichen preferred quietude, he was by no means so reclusive as to shun human interaction entirely. Having spent the first twelve years in this world trapped within that tiny, suffocating square inch of space, stripped of all family and friends, he certainly didn't mind having an extra companion to converse with. What was even more surprising was how seamlessly Fang Ruoming's hobbies and interests aligned with his own.

In truth, Fang Ruoming was equally astonished by how many shared interests he held with Bai Yichen. There were many things he couldn't even recall why he had developed a passion for in the first place—such as gardening and tending to plants and flowers. Given his past economic hardship, he shouldn't have possessed the luxury or state of mind to cultivate such refined hobbies. Yet for reasons unknown, he had simply cared deeply about them, gradually accumulating knowledge until he became quite an insider expert. Right now, however, he felt immensely grateful for these seemingly out-of-nowhere hobbies, as they allowed him to hold engaging conversations with the person before him.

After an exceptionally pleasant chat, Fang Ruoming's eyes fell upon the bag of fresh fruit he had brought over resting on the table. Remembering something, he picked it up with bright enthusiasm and chimed: "The fruit this time is extraordinarily sweet—I hand-picked every single piece. Let me slice them up for you to try!"

Bai Yichen looked at Fang Ruoming with a gentle smile and countered: "Why bother yourself? Let Auntie Wang handle the cutting." Auntie Wang was the housekeeper who had opened the door for Fang Ruoming earlier.

Yet how could Fang Ruoming, who was eager to prove his devotion, pass up such a precious opportunity? After all, he harbored zero desire to remain an politely entertained guest forever; taking the initiative to perform tasks outside a guest's normal domain was undoubtedly a supreme tactic to narrow the emotional distance between them.

Thus, under Fang Ruoming's persistent insistence, he carried the fruit straight into the kitchen, with Auntie Wang chuckling helplessly as she followed behind to assist. Clearly, Fang Ruoming had zero intention of letting her do the heavy lifting, only asking her to help locate two large fruit platters while he personally handled every step of the preparation.

Fang Ruoming had purchased a wide variety of fruits, intending to assemble two distinct fruit platters. One platter was rapidly arranged using a colorful assortment of mixed fruits, looking exquisitely visually appealing and appetizing. As for the second empty platter, Fang Ruoming hauled out a massive cantaloupe. After washing the rind thoroughly, he drove a knife down to slice it open; the instant the blade halved the cantaloupe, an overwhelmingly rich, sweet aroma flooded the entire kitchen, prompting even Auntie Wang to offer praise: "My, this melon smells delightfully sweet!"

Hearing that, Fang Ruoming couldn't help but smile radiantly. In truth, the primary reason he had bought so much fruit today was precisely because of this cantaloupe. For reasons he couldn't fathom, the moment he laid eyes on it at the market, a conviction surged within him that his Brother Bai would absolutely adore eating it. (Read this novel on https://donttelmewhattodo.blogspot.com/ for free.) Without a second thought, he had bought it on the spot. Even when arranging the fruit platters, he made sure to slice the cantaloupe onto its own dedicated platter, piling it exceptionally high.

Just like that, having finished slicing the fruit, a beaming Fang Ruoming carried the two fruit platters back into the living room, setting them down gently right in front of Bai Yichen.

Bai Yichen offered his thanks with a warm smile, yet as his gaze swept across the two platters—locking specifically onto that honey-hued platter of cantaloupe radiating a sweet, intoxicating perfume—his movements stiffened imperceptibly.

"Brother Bai, hurry and try some! Taste it and see how you like it!" Fang Ruoming urged cheerfully as he sat down on the adjacent sofa, completely oblivious to the shift.

Bai Yichen's pause lasted for only a microsecond before he restored his flat, usual composure, murmuring softly: "Mm, you eat too."

Following that, the two continued their casual chat while picking at the fruit platter with small forks. However, while Fang Ruoming was chatting with Bai Yichen, his focus never drifted away from the man for a second. After conversing for a while, he noticed that Bai Yichen exclusively picked fruits from the mixed fruit platter while leaving the second platter completely untouched. Unable to hold back his curiosity any longer, he prompted: "Brother Bai, give this cantaloupe a try as well—it's exceptionally sweet."

Hearing Fang Ruoming's enthusiastic recommendation, Bai Yichen lifted his head to look at the golden-orange slices radiating that sweet aroma. Yet, the expression that surfaced on his face was merely a faint, distant smile: "My apologies. I don't like eating cantaloupe."

That completely unexpected response caused Fang Ruoming to freeze dead in his tracks—or more accurately, to turn entirely into stone on the spot.

He doesn't like eating it? How could he possibly not like it?

No... wait. He had never once asked whether Brother Bai liked cantaloupe in the first place; it was entirely normal for Brother Bai not to like it. On the contrary, making an unprompted assumption that someone would adore something without ever asking was the truly bizarre behavior. Rational logic aside, Fang Ruoming couldn't comprehend why an overwhelming wave of agonizing sorrow suddenly tore through his chest. That sudden, violent explosion of shattering desolation and crushing pain almost exceeded his physical threshold of endurance. Yet what proved even stranger was that he couldn't even identify where this agony originated from.

Brother Bai merely stated he didn't like eating cantaloupe—what a completely normal detail.

Fang Ruoming forced a strained smile onto his face, striving not to appear utterly bizarre: "Ah, so Brother Bai doesn't like it. I'll make sure to remember that and never buy this fruit again."

Bai Yichen merely offered a quiet nod, offering no further comment.

Following that exchange, the atmosphere between them turned considerably more silent than when they started. Bai Yichen grew exceptionally taciturn, and while Fang Ruoming tried valiantly to initiate fresh topics, his own mind remained fragmented and distracted; both attempts ended in awkward, premature failure. Ultimately, when Fang Ruoming departed, it was much earlier than his usual departure hour, yet today marked the very first time he refrained from glancing at his watch to count the remaining minutes.

After Fang Ruoming took his leave, Bai Yichen stared down at the virtually untouched honey-colored fruit platter resting on the coffee table, slowly closing his eyes.

Certain scenes from today had unmistakably unearthed a vault of deeply unpleasant memories. That sweet, aromatic fruit radiating a honeyed fragrance had once been his absolute favorite. There had been a person who also remembered his preferences down to the smallest detail—who, regardless of time or place, would always slice up his favorite fruit and present it before him with that obedient, submissive smile.

Wasn't that remarkably thoughtful? Remarkably comforting to the soul?

Yet it was that exact person—someone who had once earned every shred of his absolute trust—who had ultimately forced him into doing things he had never once conceptualized in his wild dreams. That person had been so disturbingly "thoughtful" that, even after forcing him through such vile violations, he had never forgotten to prepare a fresh platter of his favorite cantaloupe.