Distorted Fairy Tale - Chapter 35

“I just. I want to live an ordinary life.  please, just let me go.” Song Zhen’s eyes were swollen from crying, his breath hitching in small, pitiful sobs.

He felt that his life was finally beginning to mend, that he was truly starting anew. He couldn’t understand why Fu Yuhang refused to leave him in peace.

The man who had been most desperate to sever ties with him in the beginning was now the one refusing to let go. He spoke of love, of staying together, but Song Zhen no longer wanted his love, nor did he want to be anywhere near him.

Fu Yuhang ignored his pleas, instead offering conditions as if he were negotiating a business merger. He pressed a kiss to Song Zhen’s forehead. “You like making desserts; shall I open a bakery for you?”

“If you want to study, I’ll hire the best tutors.”

“Whatever else you want to do, you can. I’ll arrange everything.”

One chip after another was tossed onto the table, but Song Zhen remained unmoved. “What is it you actually want?” he asked quietly.

“I want Song Heng back. I want my baby. Can you return them to me?” For the first time, Song Zhen didn’t stay silent; he spoke with a chilling numbness. “You can’t.”

“So, the only thing I want now is for you to stay away from me.”

The next morning, Song Zhen arrived at work to find more flowers on his desk. He felt a surge of annoyance, convinced that Fu Yuhang was simply impossible to reason with.

He was about to bin them when his eyes caught the name “Qin Heng” on the card. He froze.

The card contained Qin Heng’s contact details. Song Zhen took a breath and dialled the number. It was picked up almost immediately.

“Hello,” came Qin Heng’s relaxed, mellow voice.

“It’s Song Zhen.”

“Ah, Song Zhen.” Qin Heng’s soft chuckle traveled through the line. “Do you like the flowers?”

“They’re lovely,” Song Zhen replied before asking with concern, “Are you… alright? I’m so sorry, it was all because of”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Qin Heng interrupted gently. “Eating like a horse, as usual.”

“I’m really okay. And don’t say those three words again; I don’t care for them.” He paused for a beat. “I just didn’t expect Fu Yuhang to be quite so. territorial. Are you two close?”

“Not at all!” Song Zhen said quickly.

“Interesting,” Qin Heng mused. “I’ve known him for years, and he’s always been about as emotional as a walk-in freezer. It’s the first time I’ve seen him lose his composure like that.”

Song Zhen remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

“Song Zhen,” Qin Heng said suddenly.

“Yes?”

“After yesterday, I’m going to be a bit presumptuous. I think you feel something for me, too. Am I right?”

“Yes.” Song Zhen gripped his phone, hesitating slightly. “I do have a good feeling about you, but.”

“Then give me a chance, Song Zhen. I truly feel a connection with you. For the first time, I understand what people mean by love at first sight.” Qin Heng brushed aside the “but.” “Let me pursue you. We can get to know each other, and if at any point you feel it’s not right, you can call it off.”

“Life is short. We clearly like each other; why not give it a go?” he coaxed. “It’s only natural for us to try and understand each other better.”

“Sometimes, overthinking makes you miss out on the people who are actually worth it.”

“Song Zhen, cherish the moment.”

With Qin Heng speaking with such sincerity, Song Zhen found it hard to refuse. That last phrase cherish the moment struck a chord. He wanted to treasure every day of his future.

“Alright,” Song Zhen agreed. “We can. try to get to know each other.”

When he finished work, Song Zhen saw Qin Heng leaning against a deep blue car outside the hotel. He was wearing a fashionable overcoat, looking impeccably groomed and every bit the charming socialite.

“Hi!” Qin Heng tilted his head and waved with a bright smile.

True to his word, Qin Heng was putting in the effort. It was the peak of the rush hour, and many of Song Zhen’s colleagues were watching them, whispering amongst themselves. Song Zhen felt a flush of embarrassment. “What are you doing here?”

“Well,” Qin Heng stepped closer, stopping just short of a half-metre. He leaned in slightly, a playful grin on his lips. “I missed you.”

Song Zhen couldn’t help but smile. “Silver-tongued,” he murmured.

Qin Heng opened the passenger door, gallantly placing his hand over the frame to protect Song Zhen’s head. Once they were inside, Song Zhen asked, “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see when we get there.”

Qin Heng took him to a trendy music restaurant. While looking at the menu, Qin Heng said softly, “I don’t mean anything by this, but if there’s anything you don’t understand, I can translate. This place likes using archaic or obscure English terms.”

Song Zhen was suddenly reminded of the time he had eaten with Fu Yuhang in F City. Qin Heng and Fu Yuhang were worlds apart.

“What does this one mean?” Song Zhen pointed at an item.

Qin Heng laughed. “That’s actually the name of a violin concerto.”

Song Zhen blushed; history really did have a habit of repeating itself.

They both ordered the signature red wine steak. Qin Heng cut the meat into bite-sized pieces before sliding the plate back to Song Zhen. “Thank you,” Song Zhen smiled.

The conversation was easy and light. Song Zhen found himself laughing often; being with Qin Heng was undeniably comfortable. Qin Heng had perfect boundaries, was a gentle listener, and was incredibly attentive. If Song Zhen so much as crinkled his nose at a flavour, Qin Heng would notice immediately and ask if he disliked it.

Moreover, Qin Heng was exactly Song Zhen’s type handsome with soft, approachable features. Song Zhen knew he had a weakness for a pretty face; he had brought Song Heng home originally because the man was simply too beautiful to leave behind.

Thinking of Song Heng brought Fu Yuhang to mind.

And thinking of Fu Yuhang made Song Zhen lose his appetite.

Qin Heng sensed the shift and began telling stories of his university days, which quickly distracted Song Zhen from any thoughts of the miserable Mr Fu.

Qin Heng was quite open; he admitted to having a few relationships in the past, though mostly fleeting student romances. He had been single since graduating, waiting for someone who truly moved him. Meeting Song Zhen at the party, he said, was a stroke of luck.

It was a delightful date. On the drive home, Qin Heng played music by a singer Song Zhen loved. Song Zhen found himself humming along, though he was hopelessly out of tune.

“You have a very cute singing voice, Song Zhen,” Qin Heng laughed.

Song Zhen felt a wave of embarrassment, thinking he was being teased. He remembered how much Fu Yuhang had loathed his singing, yet here he was, forgetting himself and singing in a stranger’s car. It was quite mortifying.

When they reached the estate gates, Qin Heng stepped out to say goodbye.

“Shall we see a film this weekend?” “I’d like that.” “It’s windy out; get inside quickly.” “It’s late; drive carefully.”

Song Zhen smiled. “I’ll head in then.”

“Wait,” Qin Heng said. He stepped closer and pressed a very light, fleeting kiss to Song Zhen’s forehead. “Good night.”

Song Zhen froze for a second, then smiled back. “Good night.”

He waved as he walked away. Qin Heng leaned against his car, watching Song Zhen’s silhouette until it vanished. He let out a soft, mocking snort. “How on earth could Fu Yuhang fall for someone like that?”

****

The lift doors opened, and Song Zhen turned left, only to jump in fright at the sight of someone sitting outside his front door.

The figure’s head was bowed, looking utterly drained. Song Zhen cautiously nudged him with his foot. The man immediately slumped to the side. Song Zhen lunged to catch him, revealing Fu Yuhang’s flushed face.

He touched the Alpha’s forehead. It was burning.

Regardless of why Fu Yuhang was there or how long he had been waiting, Song Zhen knew that if he left him there, the man would be a corpse by morning. The corridors were damp and cold, and the temperature in A City had hit a new low tonight.

No matter how much he loathed the man, he couldn’t just leave him to die.

He hoisted Fu Yuhang’s arm over his shoulder, opened the door, and lugged him inside. Mianmian barked a greeting, then, seeing his master struggling with a heavy burden, the puppy rushed over to help. Mianmian clamped his teeth onto Fu Yuhang’s bespoke suit trousers and tugged with all his might.

Between the human and the dog, Fu Yuhang was eventually wrestled onto the sofa. Song Zhen was drenched in sweat; Fu Yuhang was a massive man to move.

He rewarded Mianmian with a treat, and the puppy happily trotted back to his bed. Song Zhen found the medical kit and checked Fu Yuhang’s temperature with a scan.

38.9°C.

He checked the expiry date on some fever medication and prodded Fu Yuhang’s arm. “Wake up.”

“Fu Yuhang.” He called his name several times.

The Alpha seemed trapped in a nightmare, his brow furrowed as he muttered something under his breath. Song Zhen leaned in to listen. Fu Yuhang was repeating a single word:

“Mummy.”

Then, a single tear escaped the corner of Fu Yuhang’s eye. Song Zhen froze.

He had assumed a man like Fu Yuhang cold and detached was incapable of tears. He hadn’t realized there was still something, or someone, capable of making him cry. Then again, the butler had mentioned he had been very close to his mother as a child.

“Fu Yuhang, wake up.”

He couldn’t rouse him. Mianmian suddenly hopped onto the sofa and clambered onto Fu Yuhang’s chest, beginning to lick the man’s face.

After two licks, Fu Yuhang’s eyelashes fluttered. His eyes snapped open and he found himself nose-to-nose with the puppy.

His eyes rolled back, and he promptly fainted again.

Song Zhen suddenly remembered, Fu Yuhang was terrified of dogs.

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