Don’t Ignite It chapter 54

Call Me Brother

After a night together, Lu Zhao accompanied Xia Yu to work.

Xia Yu’s art gallery had moved to a new location, an old Western-style house on Yufu Road. Lemon trees were planted in the garden, and in April and May, they would bloom with delicate flowers, while in the summer, they would bear pale yellow fruit, filling the courtyard with a fresh fragrance.

Unfortunately, it was currently winter, so the garden appeared somewhat desolate. Nonetheless, Xia Yu was quite satisfied with his new gallery. He proudly introduced it to Lu Zhao, saying, “I’ve set up a coffee corner on the first floor, complete with a bar. Customers and friends can come here to enjoy coffee and chat by the French windows. In the summer, we can move outdoors, and the courtyard is perfect for hosting parties. As soon as the weather warms up a bit, I’ll organize a barbecue.”

Lu Zhao quietly listened.

As Xia Yu talked about his work, his eyes always sparkled.

He held Xia Yu’s hand and kissed it lightly. He asked in a low voice, “Will you invite me to these events?”

He watched Xia Yu quietly, his gray-blue eyes appearing rather shallow in the sunlight, reminiscent of glacial icebergs—deep, silent, and inscrutable blue.

“I’ll consider it,” Xia Yu said.

He withdrew his hand from Lu Zhao’s lips. He needed to go to work. Even as the boss, he couldn’t afford to skip work for two consecutive days.

“I’m off” he opened the car door, “See you after work.”

“Alright.”

Lu Zhao silently watched Xia Yu walk away.

He had accompanied Xia Yu to work many times before, but Xia Yu always reminded him to park farther away, out of sight of his colleagues, to avoid trouble. However, this time was different; he parked the car directly outside Xia Yu’s studio.

Xia Yu entered the gallery, greeted his colleagues one by one, and then went to the break room to pour himself a cup of cocoa milk. He had already had coffee in the morning and now he wanted something sweet.

Holding the milk, he discussed an upcoming themed party with his colleagues during a break. With their gallery relocating, it was essential to reconnect with both old and new clients. It was also a good opportunity to invite more friends from the art world.

During the meeting, halfway through, they took a break for twenty minutes. Xia Yu lowered his head while flipping through some documents, but he overheard the new director beside him saying, “Boss, you seem to be in great spirits today.”

Without lifting his head, Xia Yu smiled and asked, “In what way?”

The new director also smiled. She was a thirty-five-year-old woman, competent yet gentle. She reached out and gently touched the corner of Xia Yu’s mouth. “I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I sense that you’re in a good mood. Before, when you used to wake up early to come to the gallery, it would take you quite a while to get into the groove. But today, you got into it quickly.”

Xia Yu didn’t refute her.

He was often grumpy when he had to work early in the morning, so it usually took him a while to adjust. “Maybe it’s because the coffee was good this morning,” he said absentmindedly.

The director laughed and then showed him their planning documents and client information.

Xia Yu continued working until the afternoon when he remembered something he needed to do.

He wanted to retrieve the painting he had put up for sale in his gallery.

It was a painting he had created when he had wanted to propose to Lu Zhao. The painting depicted varying shades of blue intertwining to form a captivating seascape. At the time, he had envisioned Lu Zhao’s eyes—a deep, enigmatic blue like the ocean. So, even though the painting was a seascape, he had titled it “Eyes.”

When he painted it, he was thinking of Lu Zhao’s eyes. Mysterious, like an ocean—silent yet unfathomable.

However, he didn’t bring the painting home when he found it again after reuniting with Lu Zhao. Instead, he hung it in a discreet corner of the gallery, waiting for someone who might appreciate it to buy it. Back then, he had thought that he and Lu Zhao would eventually part ways, and he didn’t want any reminders of his past love for Lu Zhao. It was like wanting to destroy a piece of evidence.

But now his mood had changed again.

He might never tell Lu Zhao about the existence of this painting, but he also didn’t want to sell it to someone else. He felt that he should keep his own things.

However, after searching both the gallery and the warehouse, Xia Yu couldn’t find the painting anywhere. He checked the computer, and it showed that the painting had already been sold.

He was momentarily stunned and asked his assistant, “Do you know when ‘Eyes’ was sold?”

The assistant hesitated for a moment and then recalled, “It was just the day before yesterday. We had just put it on display, and a customer came in and bought it right away. We delivered it yesterday. The customer’s name and contact information are recorded if you want to check, boss.”

Xia Yu had seen it too. The buyer was surnamed Ye.

The assistant watched Xia Yu’s expression carefully, wondering if there had been a mistake at work.

She cautiously inquired, “Is there something wrong, boss? Do you want me to contact that customer?”

Xia Yu didn’t speak. He felt an indescribable sense of frustration.

Originally, he had desperately hoped that someone would take this painting off his hands, as if he were trying to destroy a piece of evidence.

But now the painting had truly disappeared, and he felt somewhat blocked in his heart. He couldn’t say he was upset, but he did feel somewhat defeated, as if luck was not on his side.

“Never mind. There’s nothing wrong. No need to contact them,” Xia Yu finally said. “You can go back to work now.”

One couldn’t go back on their word in business, and perhaps this was fate. There were always some twists and turns between him and Lu Zhao, and someone was always a step behind. He needed to get used to it.

However, his heart felt empty, not exactly sad, but somewhat discouraged, as if his luck was indeed not that great.

After work, Lu Zhao came to pick him up. Xia Yu still seemed a bit low-spirited.

Lu Zhao thought Xia Yu might be tired from work and asked if he wanted to go home and rest.

Xia Yu shook his head. “No. It’s just that something bothered me earlier.”

Lu Zhao didn’t inquire further. He took Xia Yu to a bus-themed restaurant in an outdoor park, a place Xia Yu had wanted to visit for a long time.

The restaurant was small, with only a few tables. Lu Zhao arranged it in such a way that they were the only customers that evening.

The owner, who had previously been an artist but later changed careers to open this restaurant, chatted amicably with Xia Yu. After they finished dinner, he mixed three cocktails, and the three of them sat at a small table outside the bus, chatting.

“When I first opened this restaurant, nobody came. It was just me every day, opening and closing the shop. Occasionally, a customer would come in for a cup of coffee,” the owner cheerfully recalled his early days. “But I was happy. I found it more enjoyable than my previous career as a painter. Besides, I had saved up enough money in the previous ten years, so I wanted to do something that made me happy.”

Xia Yu agreed. He clinked glasses with the owner. “I feel the same way. If you keep busy with things you don’t enjoy, it’s really uninspiring.”

This kind of emotional topic wasn’t something Lu Zhao was accustomed to discussing, so he quietly listened.

Xia Yu asked the owner, “So, do you still paint now?”

“I do,” the owner smiled. “But the one I paint the most is my wife.”

Xia Yu recalled seeing several portraits of the same woman on the wall, all by the same artist.

“Is that your wife in those paintings?” Xia Yu asked.

“Yes,” the owner glanced at them. He was in his forties but had a few strands of gray hair. “She passed away a few years ago. This little restaurant was her idea. She encouraged me to open it.”

Xia Yu felt like he had misspoken and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

The owner shook his head, “It’s okay. Customers often ask if the person in the painting is my wife, and I’m happy to say it is,” he smiled, with a good-natured demeanor. “I feel like she’s still running this little restaurant with me.”

He paused for a moment and looked somewhat proud, “We’ve known each other since college, and this year marks our twentieth anniversary.”

Twenty years was indeed a long time.

Many couples couldn’t make it that far.

Xia Yu clinked glasses with the owner, “Happy twentieth anniversary.”

But when he raised his eyes, his gaze collided with Lu Zhao’s.

After leisurely finishing their drinks, Xia Yu and Lu Zhao bid farewell and received a hand-drawn business card from the owner.

Because they had both been drinking and couldn’t drive, Lu Zhao had initially wanted to call their driver, but Xia Yu suggested they take a walk and use the subway to get home.

They walked through the park’s pathways, dimly lit with lights, and surrounded by tree shadows.

When they arrived at the subway station, it was a busy time of day with a large crowd. The subway car was almost full, but luckily, Lu Zhao’s tall and broad-shouldered figure allowed him to create a safe space for Xia Yu.

Xia Yu chuckled, “Have you not taken the subway in a long time? You seem a bit out of place.”

The subway car was indeed packed, and Lu Zhao bent down slightly, standing close to Xia Yu. His coat was open, and from a distance, it almost looked like he had wrapped Xia Yu inside.

Lu Zhao considered for a moment and replied, “I occasionally take it when there’s traffic, but mostly during my college and Ph.D. years.”

The subway car swayed slightly.

Xia Yu looked at Lu Zhao, “I remember one time you took me back to school, and we also took the subway. We even ran into one of my classmates.”

In reality, Lu Zhao didn’t need to accompany him.

The subway went directly to his university’s doorstep, just a few minutes’ walk away. Xia Yu was no longer a twenty-year-old and wouldn’t get lost on the subway.

But perhaps due to his indulgent and clingy nature, he had dragged it out a bit because he didn’t want to part ways. Lu Zhao had frowned at him and seemed a bit impatient, but he still held Xia Yu’s hand, saying, “Alright, I’ll take you. Stop sulking.”

That day, the subway had been crowded as well, and the subway car was swaying slightly.

It was summer then, and Lu Zhao wasn’t as composed as he was now. He was wearing an oversized, clean white T-shirt, exuding a pleasant scent that mixed lemon and pine trees. In the noisy subway car, he had carved out a small space for Xia Yu.

Although Xia Yu liked the current Lu Zhao, he occasionally missed the Lu Zhao from his college days.

Back then, Lu Zhao hadn’t cultivated his calm demeanor yet. He had a bit of a bad temper, was aloof and reserved, exuded a natural arrogance, excelled in academics, yet wasn’t a bookworm. He also had strong athletic abilities, causing cheers to fill the court as he played, just like a senior from a manga.

Thinking about this, Xia Yu couldn’t help but smile.

Lu Zhao looked at him in confusion.

Xia Yu asked, “Do you still play basketball now?”

Lu Zhao used to be on the university basketball team.

Lu Zhao shook his head. “Not often, I don’t have much time.”

“What a pity.”

Xia Yu grabbed Lu Zhao’s shirt as the subway entered a tunnel. The noise suddenly increased countless times, and even the lights inside the car seemed to dim a bit. The tired crowd around them was completely focused on their phones, paying no attention to this corner.

Xia Yu tilted his head and pressed his lips against Lu Zhao’s ear.

His lips were warm and soft.

“Every time I saw you dunk on the court, I really wanted you to wear that basketball uniform and… just like that time in the locker room.”

Lu Zhao’s pupils contracted for a moment.

The tunnel passed, and the noise suddenly decreased. Xia Yu leaned back against the wall, smiling innocently at Lu Zhao.

When they got off the subway, Lu Zhao was noticeably more impatient than before, even walking with impatience.

Xia Yu knew why but deliberately walked slowly, smiling mischievously.

When they finally arrived at Lu Zhao’s villa, even before entering, Xia Yu’s clothes were already stripped off at the entrance.

“I still have my college basketball uniform,” Lu Zhao nibbled on Xia Yu’s ear.

Xia Yu hummed but even his hum lacked conviction, “Then… put it on.”

However, that basketball uniform ended up on Xia Yu, not Lu Zhao.

They didn’t go to the bedroom; instead, they stayed in the dressing room.

Xia Yu wearing Lu Zhao’s basketball uniform was obviously too big for him, revealing only his round shoulders and fair legs.

Lu Zhao looked at him and remembered that locker room incident that Xia Yu mentioned.

That was indeed a rare absurdity in his life.

It was during his Ph.D. days when he had finished playing basketball with the neighboring department, and he was the last one to leave.

Xia Yu had been trailing him, annoying him to no end, intentionally provoking him and pretending to be angry because he had been introduced to the teammates as his younger brother.

The locker room was empty, and Xia Yu had irritated him beyond measure, especially when Xia Yu kept chattering, asking if he was sleeping with his own brother, calling him a pervert.

He had directly grabbed Xia Yu and showed him that he could go even further.

But now they were past the age of their university days, and Xia Yu was no longer the reckless and easy-to-bully college student.

But Xia Yu looked at him with moist eyes, still wearing an innocent expression.

Lu Zhao pinched Xia Yu’s cheek with his fingers, revealing a trace of his inherent mischievousness.

It was like coaxing, and it was also like a gentle persuasion. “Do you remember what you called me in the locker room?”

Xia Yu glared at Lu Zhao, but because his eyes were teary, he had no fighting spirit.

“Say it again.” Lu Zhao coaxed him. “Say it once, and I’ll let you go.”

It was a bit hard to say, past the age of their university days, he couldn’t act so self-righteous when whining.

“…Brother.”

He looked at Lu Zhao with misty eyes, and the next moment, he was kissed by Lu Zhao.

They slowly fell to the ground.

Lu Zhao’s hands cushioned Xia Yu’s back to prevent him from being hurt by the floor.

Xia Yu grabbed Lu Zhao’s collar, panting, his cheeks flushed. He said to Lu Zhao, “If I were really your brother, this would be a crime.”

Lu Zhao chuckled lightly.

“Then arrest me, but make sure we’re locked up in the same cell.”

…………………………..

After a period of indulgent living, Xia Yu finally had time to deal with his divorce from Xu Zhan.

They had been in contact over the past few days, and the divorce documents were almost ready.

They agreed to go through with the divorce proceedings in a week. They didn’t have much shared property, even though it was a business marriage. Neither of them was the one inheriting the family business, and they both had their own careers. There wasn’t much joint property to divide.

On the day of the divorce, Xia Yu didn’t let Lu Zhao accompany him, even though Lu Zhao seemed eager to do so.

But Lu Zhao drove him to the Civil Affairs Bureau and agreed to come back in two hours to pick him up.

Xia Yu wore a black knitted sweater and a long dark gray coat. He had black casual pants on and a light gray scarf around his neck. It looked good but wasn’t very warm, and he shivered as soon as he opened the car door.

It was very cold that day, and there was a light snowfall outside. Lu Zhao handed him an umbrella. “Take this with you.”

Xia Yu took it from him, turned to look at Lu Zhao, and wanted to say something but didn’t know what to say.

In the end, he could only say, “I’m leaving then.”

“Okay.”

Lu Zhao watched Xia Yu walk away.

In the wind and snow, Xia Yu’s figure was tall and straight, as if nothing could defeat him.

He didn’t drive away, just parked under a pine tree, quietly waiting for Xia Yu to come out again.

He thought, sending his beloved to get a divorce, this must be a rare experience in the world.

Outside the window, snowflakes tapped against the glass, and pedestrians passed by continuously. There were couples coming to register their marriages and resentful couples coming to divorce.

The world was full of ups and downs, but that was life.

Lu Zhao leaned back in his seat, cracked the car window open slightly, and lit a cigarette.

He was a patient person, used to quietly controlling the situation.

But this time, he felt an unprecedented sense of unease.