Blue Cocktail chapter 58
“Did Lu Huaiqian come back so soon?”
The phone in Cheng Shuo’s palm kept vibrating. He didn’t answer; instead, he casually tossed the phone into the duvet, and the phone’s receiver was blocked by the core, reducing the noise considerably.
If he hung up, Cheng Yu would probably call again. Might as well let it ring for now.
Wearing slippers with sleepy eyes, Cheng Shuo walked quickly, making a ‘patter-patter’ sound with the soles of his shoes dragging on the floor. It wasn’t until halfway that he realized he was wearing Lu Huaiqian’s shoes, a whole size too big. Fearing Lu Huaiqian might get impatient, he decided not to go back to the bedroom to change. He yanked the door open—
Cheng Yu?!
Cheng Shuo froze in place.
His expression became extremely unpleasant in an instant.
Apart from not being able to stay at school during the Chinese New Year, he had to face Cheng Yu’s situation in person. In the remaining time, he and Cheng Yu were supposed to have no contact whatsoever. Even if they accidentally bumped into each other on the street, it would be reasonable to pretend not to recognize or see each other.
Fortunately, Cheng Yu’s expression remained as indifferent as ever. Cheng Shuo, meeting strength with strength, could naturally show a more stubborn and arrogant attitude. There was a hint of sarcasm from his eyebrows to the corners of his eyes, and finally, his lips curved mockingly. He said, “Hello, goodbye.”
As the door was about to close, Cheng Yu hurriedly stopped it. “I want to borrow some money from you.”
“No money, no loan,” Cheng Shuo gritted his teeth secretly and exerted all his strength, trying to push the door closed. Unfortunately, he and Cheng Yu were evenly matched in strength, and he couldn’t succeed.
“Over a month ago, I helped you sign the application for off-campus accommodation. Now that I’m asking for help, is this your attitude?”
“Cheng Yu, that was just a signature,” Cheng Shuo remained silent for a long time. “You really have no shame.”
“I regret it. I feel like I chose the wrong person back then. I might as well have asked He Yin to sign for me. It’s better than asking you,” he stared at Cheng Yu expressionlessly.
Cheng Yu’s attitude softened a bit. “I need 1,500 yuan to buy medicine. I’m just tight on money recently. I’ll pay you back in a month.”
“You’re lying. Haven’t you been taking free medicine all along? Are you sure you need money to buy medicine, or is it for gambling? Don’t you have any shame?” Cheng Shuo’s attitude was resolute. “Not lending.”
“The side effects of the free medicine I’ve been taking are too severe. Moreover, the doctor said I’ve developed resistance now and can only switch to self-funded medication.”
Cheng Shuo laughed, the mockery not reaching his eyes. “Isn’t that your own fault? Who made you cheat? Did I force you to cheat? But learn from this lesson. There are more than just HIV as sexually transmitted diseases. Next time you sleep with someone, remember to use protection!”
“I’m begging you. I know you have money. Lend me 1,500 yuan to help me get through this difficult time. I’ll pay you back next month.”
“I don’t have a job. Where do you think the money comes from?” Cheng Shuo found it amusing. “You’ve slept with so many lovers; why don’t you borrow from them? Aren’t they richer than me?”
“You do have it; I know you do. After high school graduation, I haven’t given you any money. How have you survived until now without money in your hands?”
“That’s true, but it’s all He Yin’s money. Do you use it?”
“After passing through your hands, it doesn’t count as hers; it’s yours.”
Cheng Shuo laughed out loud. “You’re still good at deceiving yourself.”
Cheng Yu thought Cheng Shuo had eased up and his facial expression softened.
To his surprise, Cheng Shuo changed his tone in the next second. “If you’re willing to use He Yin’s money, then go ask He Yin for it. Why come to me?”
Cheng Yu’s features suddenly became ferocious. “I am your biological father. Without me, you wouldn’t even exist in this world. When you were a child, you used all my money. Otherwise, you would have starved to death a long time ago. When I had money, didn’t I spend it on you? Now that I don’t have money, and I come to ask you for some, you won’t give it to me? People should be grateful; 1,500 yuan is my life-saving money. I need it to buy medicine. Will you just let me die?”
“Cheng Yu, you don’t need to exaggerate things so much. It’s not like you treated me so well back then,” Cheng Shuo’s tone was light, “I remember there was a time when you were particularly poor, couldn’t afford rent, and couldn’t pay utilities. So, you ran away, leaving me locked in the room. I had a high fever at the time, and almost died.”
“But you’re still alive and well now, right? What’s the point of bringing up these past events?”
Cheng Shuo laughed, “That’s because the landlord was a good person! The tenant didn’t pay the rent and ran away, leaving behind a child with a high fever. Fortunately, the landlord was kind-hearted, repaying evil with good by sending me to the hospital. If she had kicked me out, I would have died of illness on the street, waiting for you to come back and realize two days later!”
With that, he exhaled a long breath.
He squinted slightly, calming down his emotions. “Actually, it’s not that I can’t lend it. However, there are some conditions. Of course, they won’t involve anything illegal. As you mentioned, this is your life-saving money. It depends on how far you are willing to go to stay alive.”
He suddenly loosened his grip on the door.
Cheng Yu, caught off guard, stumbled forward.
Cheng Shuo calmly closed the door as if he hadn’t noticed.
“What conditions?” Cheng Yu asked.
“First, answer me, how did you find this place?”
“I asked your counselor.”
“Cheng Yu, you’re really something.”
The school collected addresses of off-campus students, and the counselor would know. Cheng Shuo wasn’t surprised. What surprised him was that Cheng Yu would actually go to the counselor to ask.
“What medicine did you switch to?”
“Bituowei.”
Cheng Shuo opened his phone to search. A few minutes later, he sarcastically smiled. “Isn’t the price 1,125 yuan per box? Why are you asking me for 1,500? Planning to use the extra three hundred for gambling?”
A hint of exposed panic crossed Cheng Yu’s eyes. He compromised, awkwardly smiling, “1,200 is fine.”
“Dream on,” Cheng Shuo scoffed. “Four hundred sixteen yuan, two mao, and five fen. With medical insurance, it’s just enough for you to buy one box of medicine. Not a penny more, take it or leave it.”
“Do you have to be so ruthless, Cheng Shuo?”
“If you have the ability to pay for them yourself, don’t come to me for money.”
“Fine, fine, fine.” Cheng Yu gritted his teeth, nodding three times in a row. After a moment of silence, he displayed his payment code. “Transfer the money.”
“I haven’t mentioned the conditions yet. Are you in such a hurry? I don’t even know if you’re willing to accept them.”
So Cheng Yu asked again, “What conditions?”
“Sever the father-son relationship.”
Author’s note:
Severing the father-son relationship has no legal effect. Cheng Shuo knows this; he’s just venting verbally. (The following chapters will explain further, but here’s an early explanation.)