Bai Shi slowly opened his eyes to the sight of the chessboard-patterned ceiling. Memory flooded back in an instant, and he bolted upright. A rush of blood to his head turned his vision black for a moment before the world gradually came into focus. He saw Pei Cangyu’s back at the foot of the bed.
Pei Cangyu turned to look at him. "You’re awake."
He stood up, grabbed a thermometer from the table, and handed it over. "Check your temperature." Then, he began unwrapping a loaf of bread. The packaging looked exquisite, suggesting it wasn't cheap. As Pei Cangyu tore it open, he muttered to himself, "Charging this much for such a tiny bit... might as well be highway robbery."
Finishing his complaint, he shot an impatient look at Bai Shi. "It’s all because you’re too delicate."
Bai Shi watched him intently. He took the bread offered to him and slowly brought it to his mouth. "Have you eaten?"
"Of course. I even found a noodle shop. Pretty impressive, right?"
So, Pei Cangyu had gone out.
Bai Shi swallowed a bit too quickly and began to cough. Pei Cangyu poured him a glass of water.
Taking the glass, Bai Shi murmured, "I don't usually get sick."
Pei Cangyu chuckled at that, sitting down in a chair to watch him. "Then when was the last time you were sick?"
Bai Shi thought for a moment. "A fever as well, when I was about sixteen."
"Also from the rain?"
Bai Shi shook his head. "Because of an injury."
"What kind of injury?"
Bai Shi pulled up his shirt and pointed to a small scar on his abdomen. "This one."
Pei Cangyu leaned in, reaching out to touch it with his finger. Bai Shi flinched slightly.
"How are you feeling now?" Pei Cangyu felt his forehead; it wasn't as burning hot as before.
"Better," Bai Shi answered honestly, lowering his head to take another bite of bread.
Pei Cangyu checked the thermometer. He was indeed better, though he still had a low-grade fever.
Bai Shi noticed the bandages on his hands were new. "You changed these for me?"
Pei Cangyu nodded.
"Did I sleep for a long time?"
Pei Cangyu looked at him and gestured with his hand. "It’s the third day. I’ve reached the point where I can go shopping on my own—what do you think?"
Bai Shi froze for a second. His gaze drifted away before snapping back. "So, you didn't leave."
Pei Cangyu leaned back in his chair, spreading his arms. "Isn't that obvious?"
Bai Shi pursed his lips and asked with quiet persistence, "Why didn't you leave?"
"Well, I couldn't just leave by myself. I have to drag you back," Pei Cangyu said nonchalantly. "After all, I got involved in this to investigate you. Now we've reached the final showdown."
Bai Shi gazed at him, a faint, unreadable smile touching his lips. He lowered his head and continued eating his bread.
Pei Cangyu stood up to look out the window. The sun was blazing; the rain had only lasted one night. "It’s damn hot. If I’d paid attention in geography, I’d know what kind of climate this is. Pity I was a science student."
Bai Shi glanced at him. "Some science students know that, too."
"I wasn't just any science student," Pei Cangyu turned, looking at him seriously. "I was an academic dreg."
Bai Shi let out a small laugh.
After eating a little and taking his medicine, Bai Shi knew another nap would set him right, but he was still afraid to sleep. Pei Cangyu kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, shed his jacket, and burrowed into the covers. He reached out, pulled Bai Shi down with him, and closed his eyes.
"Alright, let's sleep."
Bai Shi stared at his face.
Pei Cangyu opened one eye. "What?" Then he clutched his clothes. "No way. You're still sick."
Bai Shi gave a soft laugh and closed his eyes as well. He reached out to hold Pei Cangyu’s hand, though his grip wasn't as desperate as before.
Pei Cangyu whispered, "I almost thought you were going to die."
Without opening his eyes, Bai Shi asked, "Is that why you stayed? Afraid I’d die in a foreign land?"
Pei Cangyu huffed. "If I hadn't found a doctor, fed you medicine, and stayed by your side, do you think you'd be sitting here enjoying the sunshine?"
Bai Shi opened his eyes to look at him, his gaze bordering on soulful. "Thank you."
Pei Cangyu was dazed by the look again. He sighed. "Damn... you really are too handsome for your own good..."
"..."
***
They set out that evening. In Bai Shi’s words, traveling at night had a "unique flavor," and in a moment of impulsiveness, Pei Cangyu had agreed. Consequently, they found themselves driving through pitch-black darkness. The occasional streetlights looked dejected and dim. Though the night breeze was cool, combined with the whistling wind and the sudden chills down his neck, it felt like they were filming a damn horror movie.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Pei Cangyu was constantly worried he’d see a ghost in the rearview mirror. His nerves were shot. Bai Shi, on the other hand, was quite relaxed, even enjoying himself. He looked at Pei Cangyu. "What are you so nervous about?"
Pei Cangyu looked solemn. "Do you watch horror movies? Road trip horrors?"
Bai Shi shook his head.
"These headlights you’ve got on—they’re dim as hell, and they only light up a tiny stretch of road. And then—" Pei Cangyu lunged his hands toward Bai Shi to create a jump scare, "—an animal darts in front of the car. You slam on the brakes—*screech!* You get out to look, and then *whoosh, whoosh*, a cold wind blows. You turn around and—damn, a ghost." He ended his narration flatly.
Bai Shi nodded calmly. "What do ghosts in movies look like?"
"You don't even know what a ghost looks like?" Pei Cangyu looked at him with disdain. "There are all kinds. Old ones, laughing ones, men, women. Generally, the women are scarier. And did you know they all wear dresses? Red ones, white ones. I mean, why don't they ever have short hair, shorts, and boots?" Pei Cangyu started getting excited by his own thoughts. "Imagine if Sadako didn't crawl out of the TV in a white dress, but in trendy athleisure hot pants and a streetwear collab, wearing Nikes on her feet, and then she crawls—"
Bai Shi reached out and touched Pei Cangyu’s waist.
Pei Cangyu yelped and lunged forward, banging his forehead. He looked around frantically, only realizing it was Bai Shi’s doing after a moment. He slowly sat back down.
"I won't mess with you while you're driving, but I'm putting this in my ledger," he said, tossing his hair.
"We can mess around while driving," Bai Shi said, glancing at him. "You talked about the movies you watch. Let me tell you about the ones I've seen."
Pei Cangyu laughed. "The ones you watch? Aren't they all..." He remembered. "...not suitable for a 'flower of the motherland' like me."
"For example, in a car, there are many variations," Bai Shi continued to himself.
Pei Cangyu watched in disbelief as filth poured from Bai Shi’s composed face. He pointed a trembling finger at him. "How dare you... Dirty. Truly dirty. I’m deaf now. I can't hear you."
"The steering wheel can also be used, for instance—"
Pei Cangyu turned to glare at him. "This is sexual harassment."
"There’s a reason I watch those things," Bai Shi explained, glancing at him. "I want you to be happy."
Pei Cangyu: "..."
"I’m jumping out of the car."
"Hey, don't." Bai Shi actually brought the car to a stop.
Pei Cangyu raised an eyebrow at him, having no actual intention of opening the door.
Bai Shi leaned over to look at his hands, then asked, "Do you know how to drive?"
"No. I don't even own a car."
"Want to learn?"
"Now?" Pei Cangyu looked around. They were on a remote highway lined with trees. The streetlights were sparse, and there wasn't a soul in sight. All he could hear was the wind and the cries of unknown animals from deep within the woods. He turned back and saw that Bai Shi wasn't joking.
"Give it a try. I'll teach you." Bai Shi got out and walked around the front of the car. Pei Cangyu shuffled from the passenger seat to the driver's seat. "This guy really just does whatever pops into his head."
He gripped the steering wheel. Bai Shi pointed out the brake and the clutch, then patted the back of his seat. "Go ahead."
"?? That's the whole lesson?"
Bai Shi nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You'll figure it out as you go."
"Fine. You said it. If you're brave enough to sit there, I'm brave enough to drive..." He gritted his teeth and started the car.
The start was a bit slow, but after a while, he realized it was just like that—nothing to it.
He turned to Bai Shi. "It's actually pretty simple?"
Bai Shi smiled and nodded.
"Then I'm going faster."
He watched the speedometer climb. The wind rushing through the window seemed to grow stronger.
A surge of excitement made him decide to push it even more. He turned to Bai Shi. "Tell your big brother if you're scared."
Bai Shi chuckled and leaned back.
"You should put on your seatbelt," Pei Cangyu, the 'good driver,' reminded him. "My skills are terrible."
"I trust you."
"It's not a matter of trust..." He noticed a curve ahead and licked his lips. "Now, watch your big brother teach himself how to turn."
He jerked the steering wheel hard. Beside him, Bai Shi immediately spoke up. "Wait—"
The car let out a loud *screech* as it skidded. The rear end fishtailed. They made the turn, but they were careening toward the shoulder. As Pei Cangyu started shouting in panic, Bai Shi lunged over. Since he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, his entire body shifted across the gap. He grabbed the wheel while simultaneously stomping the brake and pulling the handbrake in one fluid motion. He forced the car back onto the path. The car let out a piercing mechanical scream, making one wonder if the tires had been shredded.
Then Bai Shi pulled back. Pei Cangyu gripped the wheel again.
"..."
"Not bad. For a first time, it was very good."
Pei Cangyu turned to him. "So you're the 'encouragement-based' type of teacher, huh?"
Bai Shi smiled.
To be honest, driving was quite boring. Doing it for a long time was even worse. After driving on the straight, flat road for a while, Pei Cangyu began to yawn. Beside him, Bai Shi was still full of energy. Wasn't this guy just sick?
"Do you remember telling me before that you only sleep a few hours a day?"
Bai Shi turned to him and nodded.
"Why?"
Bai Shi thought about it. "I'm not sure. I just don't feel like I need much sleep. How many hours do you sleep?"
"To be honest, ten hours is ideal. But I haven't had enough sleep in years. My brain only feels clear after ten hours."
"How so?"
"I noticed that if I sleep ten hours, I make fewer mistakes on my practice exams. If I don't get enough, I make more."
Bai Shi looked at him with interest. "On which subjects do you make fewer mistakes?"
"Literature."
"And more?"
"Biology."
After hearing this, Bai Shi hesitated before asking cautiously, "Could it be because your Literature grades were already good to begin with?"
Pei Cangyu stared blankly, as if hit by a sudden revelation.
After a long silence, he abruptly changed the subject. "How much further?"
Bai Shi smiled. "We'll be driving through the night."
"Sigh..." Pei Cangyu was getting bored of driving. He turned to Bai Shi, about to say something, when a loud horn blared from the opposite direction. Immediately after, a massive truck swung around the bend, its bright yellow headlights blinding as it sped toward them, heading straight for their car.
Pei Cangyu cursed repeatedly, swerving the wheel to the left while shouting insults. Fortunately, there was an open patch of land to the left. Without time to think, he steered toward it. Beside him, Bai Shi said steadily, "We have to go down."
Pei Cangyu steered with all his might, intending to drive completely off the road onto the empty lot rather than trying to bypass the truck. With his skill level, he wouldn't have made it anyway.
The truck's lights were as bright as day, so blinding he could barely keep his eyes open. Pei Cangyu drove down purely by instinct. The car seemed to bounce over several ledges before slamming onto the ground with a *thud*. Pei Cangyu’s foot didn't leave the gas, and the car lunged forward for a bit longer before he finally managed to brake with Bai Shi’s help.
As soon as the car stopped, Pei Cangyu threw the door open and jumped out, pointing at the vehicle as he made a solemn declaration: "I am never driving again!"
He looked at Bai Shi, who had climbed out with him. "Holy crap, did you see that? How could that driver be so arrogant while driving the wrong way?! He didn't even honk coming around the bend. I'm furious! And why is this road so narrow?"
Bai Shi nodded along with him. "It’s a one-way street. But you're right, there are all sorts of people out there."
Pei Cangyu took a few more deep breaths. Having vented his frustration, he turned around and realized he had driven onto a beach. In the distance was the sea.
"Whoa..." Pei Cangyu’s eyes lit up as he walked toward the water.
In the dark, the water was invisible, save for a distant lighthouse whose beam was occasionally obscured by clouds. Beyond that, the stars in the sky seemed to merge with the sea at the horizon. On the opposite side of the coastline, bright lights twinkled—the glow of buildings, marking a populated area. Here, it was pitch black, save for their car’s headlights shining behind Pei Cangyu, casting a long shadow at his feet.
It was exceptionally quiet.
He felt Bai Shi walk up behind him and wrap his arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace. Pei Cangyu shifted uncomfortably, and Bai Shi began to loosen his grip, but Pei Cangyu quickly reached out to hold him. He didn't turn around, and his voice was very soft. "I didn't mean..."
Bai Shi tightened his hold.
Pei Cangyu decided it wasn't actually that cold.
The wind felt cool against his face. Bai Shi’s body temperature was no longer terrifyingly high. Looking across the sea at the bright city from this desolate, island-like place gave Pei Cangyu a sense of being in exile.
Bai Shi held him gently, as steady and unmoving as a rock. Pei Cangyu realized he had envied Bai Shi since they were kids—that sense of absolute resolve. Perhaps that was the difference between them.
When another gust of wind blew, Pei Cangyu shivered. Bai Shi held him even tighter and leaned down to kiss his cheek.
Pei Cangyu suddenly turned and asked, "Bai Shi, in the movies you watch... are there any set by the sea?"
Bai Shi looked into his bright eyes. That spirited, willow-like vitality and the slight hint of provocation in his gaze made Bai Shi tremble with excitement. He swallowed hard and nodded.
Pei Cangyu asked, "So, what happens next?"
Bai Shi scooped him up and turned. Pei Cangyu felt himself suddenly leave the ground; he let out a small cry, but in the next heartbeat, he was placed on the hood of the car. Bai Shi gripped his waist, hoisting him up, then pressed down on his shoulders to lay him flat before burying his head.
Pei Cangyu stared up at the black sky, feeling waves of pleasure from below. He reached down, but there was nothing to grip on the smooth metal of the hood. In his desperation, he grabbed Bai Shi’s hair.
Bai Shi caught his legs and pulled him down until they were flush against each other. He slowly undid his zipper. Pei Cangyu swallowed hard.
As the car began to rock, the headlights shone into the distant sea, the beams of light swaying up and down. Pei Cangyu clung to Bai Shi, forcing his eyes open even as tears gathered at the corners. He had to admit, he loved this. His boots scraped against Bai Shi’s back, leaving red marks on the pale skin. It was so quiet that the only sound was his own raspy, rising and falling voice—soft and clinging. Pei Cangyu’s face flushed at the sound of himself, so he demanded Bai Shi say something. His voice was hoarse, unconsciously softening. "Bai... Bai Shi..."
"Mm..."
"Ah... say something, please..." He clung to Bai Shi’s neck, his head pressed close. Bai Shi turned his head to kiss his earlobe. Pei Cangyu tilted his head and bit Bai Shi’s neck.
"Mm... The one going the wrong way wasn't him. It was us."
Pei Cangyu froze. Bai Shi lunged forward.
"You idiot, Bai Shi, you motherf—"
***
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Stolen Jade | Chapter 125 | The Wrong Way | Novela.app | Novela.app
