Ling Xinlu stared blankly at Yuri. He blinked with a strange expression, silently looked at Yuri for a while, then tilted his head as if thinking about something and chuckled softly.

“It seems there’s been a little misunderstanding. I said ‘troublesome’, not ‘don’t want to do it’…. Now I also understand Mr. Gable’s personality somewhat, so I also understand why you said that… and now you also know my personality clearly, so I’ll be frank. I don’t not want to do it because those things are wicked. I just find them troublesome. And ‘troublesome’ doesn’t mean ‘don’t want to do it’.”

Ling Xinlu found it amusing and burst out laughing, murmuring: “Strange, you understand me so well, but why did you misunderstand like that?”

“You know. Once I take on a job, I don’t want to be said to be doing it worse than others. And to do that, I have to focus, and that’s really troublesome. It’s not that I’m afraid of the work itself because of its nature.”

Yuri didn’t reply. He thought to himself: ‘So that’s it’. If that was the case, he wouldn’t say anything more. From the beginning, he himself wasn’t a very righteous person, so he didn’t intend to lecture Xinlu about morality.

If he didn’t mind the work, then Yuri had no objections.

There was only one thing that Yuri was concerned about.

“You already knew I was this kind of person, right?”

Ling Xinlu looked at the silent Yuri, and asked with a mischievous smile, as if asking if he was disappointed.

Yuri stared intently at Xinlu and shook his head.

“I don’t want Mr. Ling Xinlu to do dangerous work.”

That’s right. He didn’t want him to.

It could be said to be selfish, but he would rather he do immoral things than let him be in danger.

He felt the gaze of Ling Xinlu sitting in the passenger seat fixed on him. He didn’t know what kind of expression he had.

He didn’t dare look at him for fear of seeing a mocking expression on his face: ‘You’re more selfish than I thought, aren’t you? Why are you saying such cheesy things?’. Although it seemed like Ling Xinlu had just smiled.

“Stop the car for a bit.”

Ling Xinlu’s voice dropped. Perhaps because his voice was a little languid, sounding a bit softer than before, Yuri unconsciously slowed down and looked over at him.

Ling Xinlu was smiling. A faint and vague smile, like when he was truly happy.

“I suddenly feel so lazy, probably a little tired. It’s alright to visit that heartless family slowly, they only care whether my eyes can work, not if I’m worried about anything. Anyway, I’ve just finished my eye exercises, so my eyes are sore and tired, so let’s rest for a bit.”

Ling Xinlu pointed forward: “Pull over there, you can park in this section.” Yuri drove to where he pointed, beneath the shade of a large willow tree by the road. He felt slightly worried about whether it was okay to leave everyone waiting at home, but since it was still early, he wasn’t in a hurry.

“I’ve been unlucky since this morning. My mood hasn’t been good all day.”

Ling Xinlu leaned back in his seat and murmured.

Yuri recalled the events that had transpired since morning and nodded slightly. Today hadn’t been a good day for either Ling Xinlu or Yuri.

But it seemed that Ling Xinlu realized what Yuri was thinking just from that nod in silence. Perhaps the word ‘morning’ had reminded Xinlu of what happened this morning. Ling Xinlu paused then glanced at Yuri.

“It’s not because of Taei-hyung.”

“… Yes.”

Yuri was silent for a moment, then obediently replied and nodded.

“You don’t seem to believe me very much?”

“… I believe you.”

“No, you don’t.”

Ling Xinlu frowned, his eyes fixed intently on Yuri. Yuri maintained a calm expression, and said once more: “I believe you.” Ling Xinlu continued to look at Yuri like that, but having no basis to deny those words, he could only bitterly purse his lips.

“Hmph” – He let out an annoyed sigh.

“It’s really not because of Taei-hyung…. Well, to be honest, it is because of Riegrow.”

He muttered: “I still haven’t cultivated my mind and nurtured my character…”, while clicking his tongue and sighing.

“Hearing that he’s living so comfortably really bothers me. I wish he would just die.”

The words spoken so casually were yet so heartfelt.

Yuri thought that there were many people in the world who would rejoice if Riegrow died, but he himself didn’t have any great animosity towards Riegrow, so he just remained silent.

Ling Xinlu seemed to be bothered again thinking about Riegrow; he frowned for a while then fell silent. Yuri didn’t intend to awkwardly comfort or agree with him, but just quietly started the car. Seeing Ling Xinlu push his seat back, Yuri guessed he wouldn’t be leaving immediately.

Yuri also adjusted his posture by leaning back in his seat a little. Just then, he froze as he felt a weight on his shoulder.

Ling Xinlu had turned around and leaned against Yuri, treating him like a backrest. He put his weight on Yuri’s shoulder, rested his head there, and fidgeted for a while until he found a comfortable position, then stopped and sighed in relief.

Suddenly becoming a backrest, Yuri could only blink at Ling Xinlu, but seeing that he showed no signs of moving his head, he gave up and also leaned back in his seat. His shoulder was a little heavy but not uncomfortable.

“Do you like me that much, Mr. Gable?”

Ling Xinlu, who was closing his eyes as if about to fall asleep, suddenly asked. Yuri, who had also just closed his eyes for a moment, opened them. He looked down at Ling Xinlu, who was resting his head on his shoulder.

“… Yes, I like you.”

Yuri answered honestly. He had said this several times before.

Even without saying it aloud, his eyes, gestures, countless times he had shown it to him. There was no way Ling Xinlu hadn’t noticed.

“Aren’t you bothered that I like Taei-hyung?”

Ling Xinlu’s next question was completely unexpected. He very rarely actively mentioned Jeong Taeui.

Yuri was silent for a moment, then shook his head: “No.” Ling Xinlu murmured as if he didn’t care much: “Is that so.”

For a long time, there was no reply. He was silent as if lost in thought—or as if sleeping.

Then suddenly, he spoke as if talking to himself.

“Being with him is fun, very interesting. From the first time we met, I clearly saw him staring at me with a dazed look. I thought he was just an ordinary bug, but it turns out that bug is the younger brother of a famous genius, that’s interesting too, so I paid a little attention to him…. But, he’s a good person. So good that I want to keep him by my side forever.”

“Although there are some small differences in opinion, Taei-hyung also likes me, and I also like Taei-hyung, there doesn’t seem to be any problem.” – Ling Xinlu spoke, his tone sounding as if he was laughing.

“That was the first time I felt that way. Wanting to keep someone by my side forever, wanting to play together, talk together, sleep with that person, I’ve never felt that way before…. So, I thought, ah, so this is what it’s like to like someone.”

Ling Xinlu’s voice trailed off. The faint smile in his voice gradually disappeared. He was silent as if lost in thought, then after a long while, he continued.

“He once told me. That I just hate Riegrow…. When I brought Taei-hyung to Johannesburg, he said the same thing. That I wanted to have him just because I hated Riegrow.”

Yuri silently looked down at Ling Xinlu. Although he could only see his back because he was resting his head on his shoulder, Yuri only glanced at him and listened quietly.

“I thought I liked him. I still think so now. But it’s clear that I brought him to my side to see Riegrow’s distorted face. I also seriously thought about getting him addicted to drugs so that man couldn’t have him…. But if that’s not liking, what is liking?”

Ling Xinlu tilted his head slightly. Even without turning to look at Yuri, it was clearly a question for him.

But Yuri couldn’t answer. No one could answer that question. What is liking?

Joy. Sadness. Pain. Delight. Hatred. Suffering. Who could draw the line and say which of those could never be considered liking?

“If those feelings aren’t liking, then I don’t like anyone at all…. So then, am I someone incapable of liking anyone?” – A bitter smile flickered at the corner of his lips. But perhaps that smile was distorted. The expression hidden behind his face must have been like that.

Yuri felt a pang of sympathy. His heart felt heavy and ached. He took a deep breath.

That was the question Ling Xinlu had asked himself countless times, even after torturing himself countless times, tempering himself through pain to the bone tens and hundreds of times to finally forge his instability into solid firmness. If he was wrong, then what was right? Could he accept that rightness? And if not, would there come a day when he would have to suffer like this again?

“The way each person likes can’t be the same.”

Yuri quietly spoke.

He himself couldn’t draw the line between right and wrong. In matters like these, there wasn’t a common standard. But…

“I still don’t agree with the way Mr. Ling Xinlu tried to coerce Mr. Jeong Taeui. I also don’t think that’s the way to truly express affection for someone…. But, well. I think liking someone doesn’t necessarily have to be intense.”

Yuri spoke each word thoughtfully. Each person would be different, but he thought so. Just catching a glimpse of that person from afar is enough satisfaction, hearing that they are living well brings joy, seeing things that person once liked also makes one happy and remember them, things like that are enough for happiness.

Ling Xinlu didn’t say anything. He continued to lean on Yuri’s shoulder, slightly turning his back to listen quietly. Then he chuckled, as if he had just bitten into a weed.

“Is that really considered liking?”

Ling Xinlu murmured, his tone slightly sarcastic. Yuri looked at him for a moment, then quietly said:

“But I like you, that way.”

Ling Xinlu couldn’t tell Yuri that it wasn’t liking. Even though it was a silent and persistent love like a weed.

Suddenly, Yuri wanted to kiss Ling Xinlu’s hair that was leaning on his shoulder, but he held back and only looked at him. Perhaps this was the difference between him and Xinlu, Yuri thought.

“Mr. Gable, you’re really so different from me…”

After a period of silence, Ling Xinlu sighed.

“I can’t do that. Just staring blankly at someone isn’t my style.”

“That’s not the way I choose.” – He said firmly.

Ling Xinlu also knew that between him and Yuri, there was a large gap like between a leopard and a weed*. They were two people who inherently had nothing to do with each other. So, just as he bluntly rejected Yuri’s words, he also couldn’t like someone in Yuri’s way.

(*This likely refers to a difference in nature or status, not a literal leopard and weed.)

“But,”

After a moment of silence, Ling Xinlu frowned slightly but spoke calmly.

“I don’t hate your way. I like it. It’s very much like Mr. Gable.” – His voice was tinged with a hint of laughter. No, he was actually laughing. His mood seemed to have improved, he laughed aloud for a moment.

Yuri looked at Ling Xinlu, then smiled as well. He didn’t know what had made him happy, but as long as he was comfortable, it was fine.

Yuri himself also felt relieved, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Raise your shoulder a bit, so I can lean comfortably.” – Ling Xinlu said as he adjusted Yuri’s posture to his liking, then comfortably leaned on his shoulder, and stretched out as if about to fall asleep. He nuzzled his head against Yuri’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Ling Xinlu stopped moving, was silent for a moment, then tilted his head.

“Ah, there it is again, the scent,” – He murmured, then turned and buried his face in Yuri’s chest. He inhaled deeply.

“You don’t wear cologne, do you?” – Ling Xinlu confirmed what he already knew, burying his face in Yuri’s chest and not budging from there.

“… Are you smelling something again?”

“Hmm… what is this scent? It’s definitely familiar. Don’t be upset, I already said it’s not a bad smell…. Hmm, how should I describe it, a relieving and warm feeling… like—”

Ling Xinlu lowered his voice, then suddenly fell silent.

He quietly pressed his cheek against Yuri’s chest and took a deep breath, then closed his eyes comfortably as if about to fall asleep.
A moment later.

“… Ah…. The smell of water.”

A faint whisper.

“So that’s it. That’s how it is.”

The whisper like a sigh, he buried his face in Yuri’s chest. The hand gripping Yuri’s arm tightened slightly.

Yuri looked down at Ling Xinlu, who remained motionless with his face buried in his chest. Xinlu clutched Yuri’s arm as if even a slight loosening would cause him to lose that faint and vague fragrance, he burrowed deeper into Yuri’s embrace.

…The smell of water.

Yuri quietly tilted his head, bringing his nose closer to his own body, but still couldn’t smell anything in particular. Ever since Ling Xinlu mentioned that he had a familiar scent, Yuri hadn’t been able to figure out what it was.

The smell of water.

The scent of a place that makes one’s heart feel peaceful and relaxed.

Ling Xinlu closed his eyes in his embrace and sighed softly. A small, almost inaudible voice escaped his lips.

“You’re right. It’s like it’s melting away. A heavy heart. Like salt.… That’s right. That’s exactly it.”

Disjointed and muddled words were uttered, he murmured as if talking to himself: “That’s exactly it.”

Ling Xinlu remained motionless for a long time, as if he had fallen asleep.

Yuri held him in his arms, also not moving, afraid that even a small movement would wake him.

But it seemed he hadn’t fallen asleep yet.

After a long time holding the same posture that made his back stiff, Yuri very carefully, very gently straightened his back. Immediately, Xinlu raised his head, and left his embrace.

“Were you uncomfortable?”

“Yeah, a little… It’s okay now. You can lean back again.”

Yuri said after adjusting his posture, Ling Xinlu chuckled.

“Any position held for too long will become uncomfortable.”

“I’m alright, but Mr. Ling Xinlu leaning on me in the passenger seat like this will definitely be more uncomfortable.”

“Not uncomfortable.”

Ling Xinlu replied immediately. When Yuri looked at him, he smiled, his eyes responding with a gentle look. He said casually: “Really, not uncomfortable at all.”

However, perhaps seeing that Yuri had been stiff for too long, Ling Xinlu only tilted his head to the side and gently rested it on his shoulder.

“This is fine, now then… I suddenly feel relieved, I really want to sleep. I’ll sleep for a bit.”

“Should I wake you up?”

“Hmm… no need. Just let me sleep.”

Those were Xinlu’s last words. After that, only the sound of even and soft breathing could be heard. Yuri didn’t say anything more either.

Not long after, the weight on his shoulder increased slightly. He must have really fallen asleep.

Yuri looked down at Ling Xinlu, then yawned widely. He was also starting to feel sleepy. Yuri glanced at the clock, then closed his eyes. Nothing was sweeter than a short nap.

But. The smell of water.

Yuri raised his hand again and quietly took a sniff.

He still didn’t know what that smell was, but if it could soothe Ling Xinlu’s heavy heart, then that was enough.
Yuri rested his head against the headrest. Sleepiness washed over him like waves.

The weight on his shoulder felt comfortable.

Yuri thought that this car, containing his warmth, his breath, and even his presence, was like being underwater. He gradually drifted off into this peaceful sleep.