One-way Passage

uchuan said nothing.

“Did I really crash my car after having dinner at your house?” Xia Wennan whispered again.

“…Didn’t you know?”

Xia Wennan was a little suspicious.
“Why didn’t you leave with me?”

Ming Luchuan didn’t answer.

Xia Wennan had always felt that there was something fishy going on, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.
His memories of the last few years were a blank slate, and he hadn’t been able to—and still couldn’t—make heads or tails of why he’d made the choices he had during that time.

Slightly distressed, Xia Wennan reached out for his wine glass and brought it to his lips, only to put it back down when he realised it was empty.

Aunt Zhang fed Ming Sichen with a spoon.
He felt full earlier than the others.
He sat in his wheelchair and played with chopsticks.
Shortly afterwards, Aunt Zhang wheeled him back to his room so that he could rest.

It had long been dark outside by the time everyone else finished eating.

Ming Qin summoned their family driver to send Lu Huaiye home.
Ming Siyan accompanied him outside.

Ming Qin had drunk a significant amount of alcohol tonight, and the rims of his eyes were flushed red.
He stood at the head of the stairs, a coat draped over his shoulder, and said, “Wennan, you guys rest well.”

Xia Wennan nodded.

Ming Qin swayed on his feet, gripping the handrails as he made his way upstairs.
Yin Zejing trailed behind him, climbing the steps with his head down and eyes on his phone.

As they turned a corner, Ming Qin staggered, and Yin Zejing immediately stretched out a hand to support Ming Qin’s back.
The two men smiled at each other then proceeded up the stairs.

Right as they were about to leave Xia Wennan’s line of sight, Xia Wennan glimpsed Yin Zejing ducking his head and casting a glance their way, a smile flashing across his face mere seconds before he vanished round the stairs.

Xia Wennan lowered his voice and said to Ming Luchuan, “I don’t really like your dad’s boyfriend.”

Ming Luchuan, however, didn’t respond.

Xia Wennan turned to him and found that his head was lowered.
He was looking at his phone, apparently texting.
As if sensing Xia Wennan’s gaze, Ming Luchuan locked his screen and looked up, saying, “What did you say?”

“I don’t like your dad’s boyfriend,” Xia Wennan repeated.

“That’s normal.
I don’t like him either,” Ming Luchuan replied indifferently.

“Is there anyone you don’t dislike?” said Xia Wennan.

Ming Luchuan looked at him wordlessly.

Xia Wennan said, “Look at that ugly face you’re making.”

Ming Luchuan took off.

After a bout of contemplation, Xia Wennan rushed after him and grabbed his wrist.
“I’ve been thinking—shouldn’t we go home?”

Ming Luchuan halted and looked at him over his shoulder.
“Why?”

“There’s only one bed in your room, right?” said Xia Wennan.

Ming Luchuan narrowed his eyes.
“What do you think I’m going to do to you?”

“Who knows?” Xia Wennan mumbled.
His thoughts flittered back to the red mole that allegedly dotted his ass.

Ming Luchuan sneered.

Right then, they heard footsteps going down the stairs.
Xia Wennan turned around to see Ming Siyan approaching.

Ming Siyan took two steps before stopping once he spotted Xia Wennan.
“Not in bed yet?” he asked with a smile.

“I was thinking of going home,” said Xia Wennan.

“Why?” Ming Siyan took two more steps down until he was in front of Xia Wennan.
“Or… how about you sleep with me tonight?”

Xia Wennan’s eyes widened in surprise.
At a loss, he replied, “Won’t that be inappropriate?”

Ming Siyan laughed and pulled at his hand.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a chance to talk.”

Before Xia Wennan had time to react, Ming Luchuan had his other hand in his grasp.

Ming Luchuan dragged him up the stairs in large strides.
“We’re going to bed.”

When Xia Wennan tripped on a stair, Ming Luchuan steadied him with a tight grip on his arm, and he had no choice but to follow Ming Luchuan to the second floor.

Ming Siyan appeared somewhat regretful.
“Rest well then, you two.” He waved at Xia Wennan.

Xia Wennan staggered after Ming Luchuan, barely managing to wave back.
“Good night.”