Hearing You Say Love chapter 58

Still Not Bad Enough

Su Ming looked at Zou Beiyuan, knowing this silly wolf was just trying to comfort him.

But honestly, he didn’t care about such trivial matters and didn’t want Zou Beiyuan to worry about him because of it.

Feigning displeasure, he gave Zou Beiyuan a sidelong glance and typed on his phone: [Why an engagement gift?]

Zou Beiyuan chuckled lazily, “A dowry, then.”

Seeing no one around, Su Ming stood on tiptoes and quickly kissed him back.

Since the match was mentioned, Su Ming was preoccupied, thinking about Zou Beiyuan’s departure next month. Even at the panda base, he seemed distracted.

Zou Beiyuan’s friends and family knew he was leaving, but he hadn’t told him directly.

Su Ming hoped Zou Beiyuan would tell him on his own—when exactly he was leaving, for how long, and if he’d be coming back afterward.

But after mentioning it once, Zou Beiyuan hadn’t said anything more.

When they left the panda base, it was almost six. After Su Mo treated them to dinner back in the city, Zou Beiyuan took Su Ming home before heading to the boxing gym.

Su Ming was exhausted from all the walking, but he still had unfinished comic storyboards for the week. After a shower, he sat at his workstation, turned on his computer and drawing tablet.

After the injury on Rabbit Zhen’s leg healed, Wolf Jue brought Rabbit Zhen back to the wolf tribe without hesitation.

According to the agreement between the Herbivore Nation and its neighboring countries, any citizen of the Herbivore Nation who crosses the border into the Carnivore Nation’s territory will no longer be protected by the Herbivore Nation, regardless of their status or position. The Herbivore Nation couldn’t incite disputes on the grounds of any harm befalling their citizens outside.

Wolf Jue had initially refrained from bringing Rabbit Zhen back because of this reason, but now, he trusted no one and only wanted to keep the rabbit under his watch for protection.

News quickly reached the Wolf King, who immediately summoned Rabbit Zhen.

Rabbit Zhen pretended to be clueless, showing no weaknesses in front of the Wolf King or Wolf Jue’s three older brothers.

Naturally, they wanted to devour the rabbit, but in just a few months, Wolf Jue had grown fierce and powerful, instilling a sense of dread in them.

Wolf Jue took Rabbit Zhen back to his chambers, bathed him, made love to him twice in the bath, and then held the rabbit as he peacefully drifted off to sleep.

Around midnight, Rabbit Zhen gently snuck out while Wolf Jue was still sleeping.

The night sky was as clear as the one when they had spent an entire night together on the grassland. Kneeling devoutly under the bright moon, Rabbit Zhen murmured prayers.

Moments later, the spirit of a rabbit in a black robe appeared before Rabbit Zhen.

Rabbit Zhen bowed and said, “Grand Master.”

The spirit of Grand Master Rabbit Xiao extended his palm toward Rabbit Zhen: “You have done well; this sacrificial step has thoroughly earned you the trust of the Fourth Wolf Prince. You are now in a dangerous situation, so I gift you one life; it will protect you once from death. You must exert all your strength to help the Fourth Wolf Prince ascend to the throne. Remember, only the Wolf King’s willing cooperation can unlock the Sacred Tomb of the White Wolves for you. Until you obtain the White Wolf’s skull, you must never arouse Wolf Jue’s suspicion.”

Rabbit Zhen placed his hands on his forehead and lowered his body, replying, “Understood.”

A pure white light emerged from Rabbit Xiao’s palm, slowly entering Rabbit Zhen’s body as the spirit faded away.

The night breeze rustled the leaves softly, and under the moonlight, everything returned to silence.

Returning to bed, Wolf Jue was still fast asleep. The rabbit curled up into a ball and nestled into Wolf Jue’s embrace.

With this, the chapter came to an end. Su Ming looked up and realized his eyes were brimming with tears.

The plot had been planned a long time ago, and this would start the inevitable tragedy between Wolf Jue and Rabbit Zhen. When he initially discussed this plot twist with his editor, he had felt it would be thrilling, like relishing a secret satisfaction. But now, watching the rabbit and the young wolf slide toward their tragic split, he felt deeply saddened.

Su Ming lit another cigarette, reviewed the storyboards from start to finish, and closed the tablet; it was already past midnight.

Zou Beiyuan should be finishing his training soon.

Though neither of them had ever officially decided to live together, lately, no matter how late Zou Beiyuan came back, he would spend the night at Su Ming’s place.

Not wanting Zou Beiyuan to notice he had been crying, Su Ming washed his face and lay in bed, waiting for him to return.

Drowsily, after what felt like an eternity, he heard the door outside open and close. He checked his phone—it was 2:30 AM.

Zou Beiyuan had already showered, but there was still a faint scent of alcohol on him. It was unclear if he had gone out for a late-night snack with Jiang Zufan and the others or if he had gone somewhere after training.

Su Ming felt very tired; his eyes were heavy, and his mind was buzzing with scenes of wolves and rabbits, foreshadowing a sleepless night.

Without turning on the lights, Zou Beiyuan climbed into bed and used his phone’s light to look at Su Ming’s face for a while. When Su Ming didn’t move, Zou Beiyuan thought he was asleep, so he gently kissed his forehead and lips.

A little while later, Su Ming noticed Zou Beiyuan still hadn’t settled in, so he scooted closer, sneaking a peek to see Zou Beiyuan watching a sign language app, where the instructor was now teaching more complex phrases.

Hoping Zou Beiyuan would go to sleep, he wrapped his arms around his waist. Zou Beiyuan, as if soothing a child, lightly patted his back until he drifted off, though Su Ming didn’t know when Zou Beiyuan finally went to sleep.

…

On Sunday afternoon, Su Ming hosted a lunch at a private restaurant in the old district for friends who had saved him at the hot springs hotel last time, as a thank-you for their help that night.

Once seated, he didn’t see Jiang Mengyu and, overhearing Jiang Zufan and the others talking, found out she had flown back to the U.S. early that morning.

The drinking the previous night had been to bid her farewell.

Su Ming figured Zou Beiyuan’s friends all likely knew about his relationship with Zou Beiyuan by now.

Especially Xu Jiadi and Jiang Zufan, who gave him slightly awkward glances.

There wasn’t any malice in the awkwardness, but it was obvious they were observing him.

They chatted while eating, taking their time. Midway, Chen Muchao invited Su Ming to join him for a cigarette on the terrace.

The terrace was separated from the private room by a glass wall, allowing a clear view inside.

Leaning against the railing, Su Ming’s gaze unconsciously fell on Jiang Zufan and Xu Jiadi, who sat across from the glass.

Zou Beiyuan and Yu Dian had gone to the restroom, so only Jiang Zufan and Xu Jiadi remained in the room.

Su Ming noticed Xu Jiadi ask Jiang Zufan, “Did Beiyuan really just switch like that? Damn, hasn’t he always been annoyed by gays?”

Jiang Zufan replied, “He’s been in a slump since he came back, venting to me about his anxiety several times. Maybe he’s just looking for a change. He’s going back abroad soon anyway, so he’ll be back to normal.”

Xu Jiadi nodded, “True.”

Feeling guilty for having unintentionally eavesdropped, Su Ming turned away and looked out over the terrace.

In the courtyard, an artificial pond held a delicate rock formation with a few red koi swimming below.

He stared at the fish absentmindedly. Chen Muchao had to call his name a few times before he finally snapped out of it.

“What’s up with you?” Chen Muchao nudged him with an elbow.

Su Ming replied in sign language: Nothing, I was just thinking about the comic plot.

“Thinking about the plot with that expression?” Chen Muchao asked. “You’ve seemed low all day. Is something bothering you?”

If it had been before, Su Ming would have straightforwardly told Chen Muchao that he was a bit worried because everyone knew Zou Beiyuan was going to leave, yet Zou Beiyuan hadn’t told him anything about it. 

But now, what Su Ming was actually thinking was: Has Zou Beiyuan been feeling anxious lately? Why didn’t I notice at all?

The thought: Maybe I don’t really understand Zou Beiyuan, and he wouldn’t confide in me about what’s on his mind, made Su Ming feel uncomfortable.

This unfamiliar feeling worried him more than any physical distance could.

He shook his head and signed to Chen Muchao: I’m just thinking about the storyline; this chapter is hard to draw.

“Getting into the tragic part?” Chen Muchao asked.

Su Ming took a drag from his cigarette, exhaled a cloud of smoke slowly, and nodded.

Suddenly, a tall figure approached, and the cigarette in Su Ming’s hand was taken away. Su Ming turned and saw Zou Beiyuan.

“What are you two talking about?” Zou Beiyuan asked, clumsily putting Su Ming’s cigarette in his mouth.

“We’re discussing Su’s comic,” Chen Muchao joked. “You’re smoking now too? Guess you’re picking up bad habits from Su.”

Zou Beiyuan, clearly unskilled, ended up coughing and said innocently, “Yeah, he has been teaching me plenty of bad things.”

Su Ming: …

Back in the private room, Zou Beiyuan now smelled like smoke, and Xu Jiadi looked at him with disdain. “Beiyuan, maybe you should ease up a bit. Joyce would kill you if he knew you were smoking.”

Zou Beiyuan shrugged. “By the time I see him tonight, the smell will be gone.”

Yu Dian also advised, “The smell might go, but the damage to your lungs can’t be reversed. You should be careful.”

“I know,” said Zou Beiyuan. “It’s just a joke; I’m not really smoking.”

After the meal, everyone drove off in their own cars, and Zou Beiyuan accompanied Su Ming to the grocery store.

Since his aunt and uncle would be working tomorrow, Su Ming would be preparing food for his grandmother, so they needed to buy ingredients.

Su Ming’s mood had soured after leaving the restaurant, but since he rarely spoke, Zou Beiyuan didn’t notice his low spirits.

As they queued at the checkout, Su Ming tossed two items into the cart and signed to Zou Beiyuan: I’ll wait in the car.

It was then that Zou Beiyuan noticed Su Ming looked a bit low, almost as if he was upset. He paused, then said, “Okay.”

Watching Su Ming leave the supermarket, Zou Beiyuan looked down at the extra items in the cart. There was a bottle of strawberry-flavored lubricant and a box of XXXL ultra-thin condoms.