Huang Yiming released a weary sigh, grappling with the weight of unspoken words. “Well…” he began, the uncertainty evident in his voice, “Did he…?”
Li Jie, caught in a moment of contemplation, responded with a heavy sigh. “I don’t think he found out,” he admitted. “And even if he did, what is he going to do? Tell my father? Then what? He’ll be on my side.”
He won’t, but Li Jie saw no necessity in burdening Huang Yiming with that knowledge.
“I…” Huang Yiming hesitated, grappling with conflicting emotions. Deep down, he felt a sense of relief that Li Jie was present, yet articulating those feelings seemed elusive. “Never mind…”
“Ge…” Li Jie broke the lingering silence, a plea embedded in the simplicity of that utterance.
“Yes…?” Huang Yiming responded, his own uncertainty echoing in the space between them.
“I’m going to have a harem,” Li Jie confessed, a bitter chuckle punctuating his revelation. “Honestly, I feel awful. I don’t think I want it. Ge, I wish no one knew…”
This much should be okay, right? Li Jie thought anxiously to himself. This level of disclosure… it won’t alter anything, will it?
Huang Yiming, his throat tight with unspoken sentiments, grappled with the gravity of Li Jie’s words. The topic, long avoided, now loomed before them, demanding acknowledgment and understanding.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Huang Yiming sighed, a wish lingering in his gaze for a solution to their predicament. “I yearn to shield you from harm. Yet, the intricate web that entwines us is complex, and unraveling it won’t be an easy feat.”
Li Jie sought reassurance and guidance in Huang Yiming’s eyes, a yearning for a sense of security again. “I refuse to accept this fate. I want to regain control over my own life.”
Maybe… Perhaps, if I convey just enough, he will understand. Li Jie couldn’t help but hope. Maybe he can offer assistance… Maybe…
Huang Yiming tenderly placed a hand on Li Jie’s cheek, his touch conveying comfort. “I comprehend, Li Jie. I pledge to fight for a brighter future for you. You won’t face this alone; I will assist you.”
A subtle, unfamiliar emotion flickered in Li Jie’s eyes, as if Huang Yiming’s words had infused newfound strength into his spirit. “Do you truly believe we can alter the course of things?”
Huang Yiming offered a reassuring smile. “With your resilience and the support of those genuinely invested in your well-being, you can surmount any obstacle.”
Li Jie’s lips curved into a smile, though a sigh lingered beneath the surface. “Thank you. Your presence by my side has always been a source of gratitude.”
But you… you’re not prepared either. Li Jie felt a wave of emotion threatening to overwhelm him. You can’t guide me either. Huang Yiming, you’re just as ensnared in delusions as I once was.
In the interim, Huang Yiming’s grasp on Li Jie’s hand tightened, a silent pledge passing between them. “I’ll steadfastly stand by you, Li Jie. Regardless of the challenges that lay ahead, I’ll help you confront them.”
I wish I hadn’t said anything…
Seated beside Huang Yiming, Li Jie grappled with doubts and apprehensions swirling through his mind. It seemed as though every decision he had made thus far had only compounded the difficulties.
Attempting to shift the focus, Li Jie’s thoughts inadvertently found voice once more. Today, an unusual vulnerability gripped him. At this juncture, all his apprehensions had materialized, and it felt as if he were deliberately sabotaging the few remaining good aspects of his life, perhaps to succumb more easily to the depths of self-pity.
“I find myself at a loss,” Li Jie admitted, his voice carrying a thread of unease. “The prospect of entering into a romantic relationship seems overwhelming. I don’t feel adequately prepared for it.”
Huang Yiming regarded Li Jie with empathetic eyes. “Such sentiments are completely natural, Li Jie.” He yearned to say more, but a sense of futility hung in the air. Despite the comforting words he had shared with Li Jie, both acknowledged the limitations of their current situation.
Still, Huang Yiming sought to allay his beloved friend’s concerns, even if it meant offering soothing deceptions.
Wearing a reassuring smile, he continued, “You have friends who genuinely care for you, myself included. We can always provide a listening ear, can’t we? And who knows, perhaps things might take a turn for the better. The future is uncertain.”
Li Jie’s tense shoulders eased slightly, though the growing anxiety within him remained palpable. “It’s not like anyone in the harem would truly love me, you understand that, right? What are the odds of finding a homosexual man in each influential household?”
Huang Yiming’s expression turned earnest, his voice sincere. “While it’s true that some may harbor ulterior motives, it doesn’t mean genuine love is an impossibility. Love has a way of surprising us, flourishing in the most unexpected places.”
A glint of ridicule flashed in Li Jie’s eyes, an emotion he couldn’t entirely conceal, but Huang Yiming remained oblivious. “You genuinely believe that?” Li Jie questioned.
Huang Yiming nodded, his hand gently resting on Li Jie’s. “I do.”
Li Jie remained silent. His mind was consumed by the persistent thoughts that had plagued him for as long as he could remember.
Somehow, conversing with Huang Yiming seemed to have added an additional weight, as if an impending force threatened to crush him.
At this juncture, it appeared that no one could fathom the true essence of his being any longer.
No one but…
Parsa… Li Jie quickly wiped away the solitary tear that betrayed his emotions, concealing it from Huang Yiming’s view. What am I supposed to do..?
