Love Notebook of a Reclusive Beautiful Boy - Chapter 31

Chapter 31

In the living room, Du Yanyu was discussing Du Yu’s piano lessons with Xue Xue. Glancing, he saw Jiang Sheng and Du Yu coming down, and he smiled, “I was just talking about you with Teacher Xue.”

Jiang Sheng smiled, “Good morning, Mr. Du.”

“Morning.” Du Yanyu nodded at him slightly.

Then he turned to Xue Xue and said, “This is Jiang Sheng. From now on, just like A-Yu, he will learn piano with you.”

Xue Xue glanced at Jiang Sheng and smiled slightly, “I saw him yesterday.”

After finishing, she jokingly added, “When Mr. Jiang isn’t there, Du Yu’s mind also drifts away.”

“Oh, really?” Du Yanyu laughed, “That’s perfect, then you can learn together from now on.”

Xue Xue smiled, “Then Young Master Du must be very happy.”

She still remembered that when she was teaching Du Yu yesterday, with Jiang Sheng on the side, his eyes had not landed on her at all throughout the whole time.

Now that she had to bring along a Jiang Sheng, her task would be even heavier.

Jiang Sheng stood on the side without answering. He didn’t need to answer; everything had already been decided, and whether he spoke or not had no meaning.

Outside, Old Ma came in and said, “Mr. Du, we should depart.”

Du Yanyu sat up, “Alright, then I won’t disturb you all.”

As he said this, he looked at Jiang Sheng kindly and said, “Jiang Sheng, you must learn well.”

Jiang Sheng’s face was silent. Looking at him, he suddenly said, “Mr. Du, could we speak for a moment?”

In the living room, only Xue Xue and Du Yu were left. Sitting quietly without speaking made the atmosphere a bit awkward, so Xue Xue spoke first, “Young Master Du, do you still remember the musical staff I taught you yesterday?”

Du Yu didn’t speak. He tilted his head, looking at Jiang Sheng, who was talking to Du Yanyu not far away.

His slightly bewildered face was waiting wholeheartedly for Jiang Sheng to come over.

“What? Taking leave?”

Du Yanyu didn’t hear clearly, so he asked again.

“Yes.”

Jiang Sheng replied silently.

Du Yanyu also knew that Jiang Sheng didn’t have much time to rest, and he wasn’t an unreasonable person, so he didn’t make things difficult for Jiang Sheng.

He only asked him, “Is something the matter at home?”

Jiang Sheng was silent for a while and said in a low voice, “Yes.”

Du Yanyu nodded, “Alright, when will you be back?”

Jiang Sheng did not hesitate, “In three days.”

“Three days?”

Du Yanyu frowned slightly. Three days was indeed a bit long. If it were before, it would actually be fine, but now that Du Yu valued him so much, and in Du Yanyu’s heart, Jiang Sheng’s status now was not just that of a simple bodyguard.

“Is something wrong at home? If you have any difficulties, just tell me. If I can help, I will naturally help you,” Du Yanyu said.

Jiang Sheng didn’t seem to want to bring it up much and replied simply, “It’s nothing major, thank you, Mr. Du.”

“That’s good.” Du Yanyu looked at Du Yu not far away, “A-Yu’s birthday is imminent; finish your affairs and return as soon as possible.”

Judging by this tone, he had agreed.

“Thank you, Mr. Du.”

Although Du Yanyu didn’t want Jiang Sheng to leave the Du family for so long, he was amiable on the surface and said to Jiang Sheng, “When are you leaving?”

“Leaving today.”

Du Yanyu nodded, “Before you leave, make sure to handle the handover regarding A-Yu with Fu Shan and Fang Ma. By the way, you should also take leave at the school. Don’t let A-Yu go to school these few days; wait until you return, then he can go back.”

Jiang Sheng replied, “Understood,” and Du Yanyu got into the car and left.

With so many things these past few days, Jiang Sheng had never thought about asking for leave at this juncture. Those things tempered his physical energy, but it was just tiring; nothing more.

But now, he truly felt that he needed a good rest.

At least, he needed some time to clear away those messy thoughts in his head; otherwise, how would he face Du Yu and face himself in the coming time?

The reason is the fence of impulse, and Jiang Sheng outside the fence absolutely would not allow it to cross over the restraints.

But in fact, these were just excuses he found for himself; he dared not admit it, only saying he was tired and needed a rest.

He turned his head. Xue Xue had already stood up, looking like she was prepared to go upstairs and get to work, “Mr. Jiang, are you done talking? Then shall we go up and learn now?”

She and Du Yanyu had agreed on one hour a day; the sooner she finished teaching, the sooner she could get off work.

Jiang Sheng said, “Sorry, Miss Xue, in a moment I will have Fang Ma accompany you upstairs to teach A-Yu the piano.”

Xue Xue was slightly suspicious, “Why? Is Mr. Jiang not learning anymore?”

“Yes, I have something to do, so I won’t be learning.”

“Not learning anymore…”

Du Yu heard this. He looked at Jiang Sheng and whispered.

There was confusion in his eyes. He actually wanted to ask Jiang Sheng why he wasn’t learning anymore.

Jiang Sheng was stunned for a moment. He had actually understood, but he deliberately pretended not to hear. He shouted to Fang Ma, who was by the dining table, “Fang Ma, come over here for a moment.”

Fang Ma put down her work and walked over, “What is it, Mr. Jiang?”

“I’ve asked Mr. Du for three days’ leave. I won’t be returning to the Du family these few days. Please take extra care of A-Yu’s affairs.”

Fang Ma didn’t gossip, “Mr. Jiang, you can rest assured. A-Yu is someone I watched grow up; is there anything I wouldn’t put my heart into?”

“That’s good.”

After Jiang Sheng finished speaking, he glanced at Du Yu. Seeing him standing beside Xue Xue, his innocent eyes were like a contrast to his own shameful dream.

One was the murmuring spring water in spring, clean and clear.

The other was a pile of mud in a swamp, filthy and unbearable.

Jiang Sheng found it increasingly difficult to speak.

What on earth was wrong with him?

For a long while, no one in the room spoke. Fang Ma was the best at rounding out the atmosphere, and she smiled, “When is Mr. Jiang leaving?”

Jiang Sheng did not respond to her.

Fang Ma saw that he was lost in thought, so she called him gently, “Mr. Jiang?”

“Hmm?” Mr. Jiang came back to his senses.

Fang Ma smiled, “When is Mr. Jiang leaving?”

Jiang Sheng’s complexion recovered a bit, his tone flat, “Leaving right away.”

“So fast?” Fang Ma said.

“Yes, the matter is urgent.”

Fang Ma said, “Then do you want me to call someone to pack your things for you, Mr. Jiang?”

“No need.”

There was nothing worth bringing. When Jiang Sheng came, he only brought some clothes; besides, he would be back in two or three days.

Fang Ma smiled, “That’s true, just two or three days. But Old Ma hasn’t returned yet; why doesn’t Mr. Jiang sit for a little while? Wait until Old Ma returns and have him take you.”

“No need.”

Jiang Sheng’s tone was flat.

Fang Ma felt that Jiang Sheng was a bit strange, but she couldn’t say where he was strange. She just felt that he was different from usual. Usually, his speech was flat but not cold. Seeing him like this now, perhaps there really was some urgent matter at home.

Jiang Sheng’s gaze swept over Du Yu, trying to forget that dream, and after a moment of silence, he opened his mouth, “I’m leaving, A-Yu. Learn the piano well at home these few days.”

Du Yu said softly, “Leave…”

He reached out and pulled Jiang Sheng, “A-Yu is leaving too…”

“Be obedient, A-Yu, I…”

Jiang Sheng paused; he didn’t even know how to coax him.

Fang Ma smiled and pulled Du Yu, “A-Yu, Mr. Jiang is going home. He will be back in two days.”

“Go home…”

Du Yu looked at him, bewildered, “A-Sheng’s home… is here…”

Fang Ma said, “This is A-Yu’s home. Mr. Jiang’s home is not here. A-Yu, be obedient; don’t make things difficult for Mr. Jiang.”

“Don’t…”

Du Yu murmured.

Although he didn’t quite understand the words between them, he knew what “leaving” meant; it meant departure, it meant not being able to see.

He didn’t want to not be able to see Jiang Sheng.

“Oh, this child.” Fang Ma smiled helplessly at Jiang Sheng, “A-Yu values Mr. Jiang too much. Mr. Jiang is leaving, and he is reluctant to let you go.”

Fang Ma was adept at saying nice things; once these words were out, the atmosphere improved.

Xue Xue also chimed in with a smile on the side, “Mr. Jiang, you must come back early, otherwise I won’t be able to teach this piano.”

Jiang Sheng gave a polite smile and turned to leave, but caught a glimpse of Du Yu. In the end, a spring water stream flowed in his heart; as his eyes fell, it entered his heart once more.

The thing called sentiment—it cannot be spoken of, and it cannot be forgotten.

He foolishly thought he could rationally control it, not allowing it to go out, not allowing it to come in, deciding who it should belong to—as if he could really be the one in charge.

He originally wanted to leave just like that, without a word.

But once he saw Du Yu frowning, once he saw him angry, the decisions he had made in his head were all void.

Jiang Sheng turned his face, hesitated, but still reached out his hand and smiled, rubbing Du Yu’s hair, “A-Yu, don’t be unhappy. I will be back in a couple of days.”

Du Yu’s brow was still slightly furrowed, and he stubbornly said, “Don’t leave…”

He looked at Jiang Sheng, not knowing why he had to leave. In his subconscious, he thought this was Jiang Sheng’s home, and that Jiang Sheng should stay here with him forever.

But Fang Ma told him this wasn’t Jiang Sheng’s home; besides this place, he had another home. That place would take Jiang Sheng away, privately occupy his time, and those times should have needed Du Yu.

Du Yu was very unhappy.

He stubbornly pulled Jiang Sheng, refusing to speak.

Fang Ma pulled him on the side, “A-Yu, what are you doing? Mr. Jiang has urgent business at home. Hurry up and let go.”

But Du Yu couldn’t listen to her words. He simply thought that as long as he held onto Jiang Sheng, Jiang Sheng couldn’t leave.

Jiang Sheng knew he didn’t want him to leave, and he also knew he was stubborn. He had no way to push Du Yu away, and he couldn’t speak harsh words.

“I…”

Jiang Sheng paused, feeling this topic was not very good. No matter what was said, Du Yu would only stubbornly say to him, “Don’t leave.”

He simply smiled and changed the subject, “Does A-Yu want to play with the butterfly kite?”

This was an obsession in Du Yu’s heart.

Sure enough, he was led away by the topic and nodded, “Want to.”

Jiang Sheng smiled, “Then you have to be obedient. When I come back, I will take you.”

To be honest, Du Yu’s heart was very conflicted.

On one hand, he wanted to keep Jiang Sheng; on the other hand, the condition he offered was very tempting.

Fang Ma kept pulling his hand. Although it was a pull, the strength she used wasn’t great; she was purely rounding out the scene.

“A-Yu, hurry and let go. Don’t make things difficult for Mr. Jiang.”

Pulling and pulling like this, it really pulled Du Yu’s hand away. Fang Ma smiled at Jiang Sheng, “I’m really sorry, Mr. Jiang; A-Yu just doesn’t want to let you leave.”

“I understand.”

Jiang Sheng looked at Du Yu. Many words were in his stomach—not said to Du Yu, but all said to himself.

Desperately suppressing himself, he smiled slightly, “Learn the piano well at home. I’m leaving.”

Du Yu, Fang Ma, and Xue Xue followed him all the way to the main gate, as if he wouldn’t be back for ten or eight years.

Du Yu watched his shadow disappear from his line of sight. On both sides of the road by the iron gate were full of unnamed flowers, gathering dew, shimmering with white light. In the sunlight, they looked like jade ornaments placed in a jade museum.

A fresh breeze swayed, dropping secret seeds one by one; until next year, another cluster would bloom.

“Left…”

Du Yu whispered.