Gentlemen's Friends

Chapter 21 Part 6: Lu ([-])
I took a leave of absence at home and spent most of the time lying in bed, just thinking about a simple word "pain", or moving extremely slowly.This is the leisure and slow pace he hasn't had in a long time.

Ren Ningyuan brought food to bed for him, finished eating with him, helped him to the bathroom, wiped his body, let him lean on at night when he slept, and let him grab the hem of his clothes when he was in severe pain.It's all tenderness that he never dared to dream of.

Now that I am about to be freed from this limited physical pain, I will return to the old endless mental torment.It's like a big rock is tied to my heart.He thought it might have been better if the wound had been bigger and deeper.

"Xiao Ke should be back tonight."

"Well. I'll go back and clean up later. Don't let her know about this. She's still young, so I think it's better not to know..."

No matter how complicated the emotions are, he doesn't want Qu Ke at this age to see all the embarrassments and ugliness in the adult world.

Ren Ningyuan looked at him: "Can you behave naturally?"

Qu Tongqiu hesitated worriedly.A child is a creature with delicate minds and sensitive senses, and even if he is a good father, he is not a good actor.

"Let me arrange it, you don't have to worry about it." Ren Ningyuan always made people feel calm and reliable when he spoke. Before he picked up the microphone to dial, he looked at Qu Tongqiu with a smile, "Do you hate fish soup?"

Qu Ke was very happy to be able to go on vacation for two days on the weekend, especially with her father and Uncle Ren. Island H's warm climate and hot spring seafood filled her with anticipation, and she held travel magazines all the way on the plane looking forward to it, so that she didn't notice anything except that her father was a little tired.

When Qu Tongqiu closed his eyes and fell asleep, he heard her talking to Ren Ningyuan in a low voice.

"Uncle Ren, my dad doesn't have much energy. Is he feeling unwell?"

"Well, he just had an operation and was airsick again. It's okay, uncle will accompany you."

After a while of silence, there were some rustling movements, and then something slipped on him.

Qu Tongqiu felt a little sad in his sense of happiness.

It seemed to belong to him, and it seemed to not belong to him.

Entering the hotel suite, the layout of the parent-child room made Qu Ke very happy, running back and forth between the large and small bedrooms.

"Uncle Ren and Dad sleep in this room, and I sleep in this room. It's great, we are like a family."

Ren Ningyuan smiled and watched her play.

"It's really a family," Qu Ke pointed with her finger, "Father, mother, and me."

Qu Tongqiu took a sip of tea suddenly, Ren Ningyuan still smiled calmly: "Why am I a mother?"

"Because I already have a father."

Ren Ningyuan looked at the embarrassed man beside him, and said with a smile: "If we have to make such a division, I am the father and he is the mother, wouldn't it be more appropriate?"

Qu Ke was very honest: "Ah, Uncle Ren, of course you are more like a man than my father."

Qu Tongqiu was suddenly a little embarrassed: "Uh..."

"But dad is always the best dad," the youngest daughter hugged her father's knee, with a bit of seriousness in her mischief, "I can call someone else's mother, but I can't call someone else's father."

Qu Tongqiu saw her rubbing her face in his palm, just like when she was a child, and felt confused.Thinking of Yang Miao's matter, and thinking of her daughter's usual obedience, she didn't know whether to be relieved or sad, her heart trembled, she couldn't speak, and she was afraid of being noticed that he was strange, and she didn't know what to do for a while.

Ren Ningyuan suddenly smiled and said, "Xiao Ke, have you always wanted to take a Finnish bath? The hot spring area in the hotel is still open. You can take whatever you like."

The little girl's eyes lit up immediately, and after thinking about it, she hesitated: "But Dad can't go soaking, I'd better chat with Dad."

"It's okay, I'll accompany him," Ren Ningyuan said with a smile, "Go back to sleep when you feel comfortable. Remember to drink a bowl of health porridge when you're hungry."

After all, Qu Ke was a child, she got permission, took out her swimsuit and jumped out.Qu Tongqiu breathed a sigh of relief, looking at his daughter's innocent and happy back, before he had time to worry, he let Ren Ningyuan say, "How about playing a game of chess?"

Go is a good thing, and he played two games against Ren Ningyuan wholeheartedly. Qu Tongqiu felt that his mood was much more stable, and he didn't have the uncomfortable feeling just now.

There is also a hot spring pool on the balcony of the guest room. The two put away the chessboard, and after bathing and cleaning, they went to soak and rest.

Qu Tongqiu couldn't go into the water, so he just sat on the edge of the pool, put his legs in the water, and soaked his feet warmly to relax.

Ren Ningyuan leaned against the edge of the pool, closed his eyes and meditated, as if he had fallen asleep.The surroundings are silent, with the faint chirping of insects, the wind blowing in through the gaps in the bamboo curtains is a bit cold, but the water is warm.

Qu Tongqiu looked at his quiet face that made people hold their breath, and unconsciously froze for a while, and when he recovered, he called him in a low voice: "Ren Ningyuan."

The man opened his eyes: "Huh?"

"I'm thinking about Xiao Ke..."

"Well, what happened?"

"I've heard a lot of things like this. Once a child knows that he is not his own, he will wholeheartedly find his biological parents. You also know that blood relationship is a wonderful thing..."

Ren Ningyuan smiled: "Xiao Ke is not ignorant. Blood relationship is not as good as you have raised her for so many years."

"What if it's someone much stronger than me? She follows me, and her life is not very good..."

Ren Ningyuan smiled: "Don't worry. You are good enough."

After a pause, he said, "Really."

Qu Tongqiu felt full of courage all of a sudden, as if a flame had been lit in his heart, it was much brighter and warmer, and his whole body was relaxed.

"Ren Ningyuan."

"Ok?"

Qu Tongqiu called him, but he didn't know what to say, he just felt that he had to do something to this person.Then moved a little closer and stuck to him.

"Let me help you squeeze your shoulders."

Ren Ningyuan also indulged his approach, and said with a smile, "Okay."

For the convenience of exerting force, Qu Tongqiu sat with his legs spread out, and let Ren Ningyuan lean between his legs. He felt that the posture was a little awkward, but he only focused on pressing and beating Ren Ningyuan's shoulders to relax the slightly tense muscles.

After getting up from the water, Ren Ningyuan changed into his nightgown, looked down at Qu Tongqiu as he tied the straps for him, and said, "Is it time for you to change your dressing?"

Qu Tongqiu let out an "ah".Before he fully recovered, he needed to change his dressing every day. Before that, he had to go to the hospital. The doctor suggested that he could handle it at home, but he didn't have the guts to ask Ren Ningyuan to help him.

"You brought everything with you."

"Bring..."

"Then get ready. Go to bed after changing." Qu Tongqiu anxiously took out the bottles and cans, went to the bathroom, and climbed onto the bed when he was ready.He has recovered a lot, and the touch on the surface doesn't feel much pain, but when he feels Ren Ningyuan approaching, putting his hands on him, wiping and disinfecting him, he feels very nervous, and his whole body is tense.

"Take it easy. Relax."

Ren Ningyuan's voice was low and dark, and Qu Tongqiu felt his heart beating wildly for no reason.

"It won't hurt."

Qu Tongqiu's scalp was numb and tense, unable to relax at all.

"Just be patient."

Feeling Ren Ningyuan's touch, Qu Tongqiu inhaled hard, trying to make his muscles less tense.

"Relax, or I'll hurt you."

"..."

When Qu Tongqiu recovered his breath, the medicine was ready.Turning around to see Ren Ningyuan packing his things expressionlessly, thinking about everything he had done for himself, he was filled with extreme gratitude and shame, and panicked: "Thank you, thank you."

"It's ok."

Ren Ningyuan remained calm, got up and got out of bed, went to the bathroom to clean his hands.

It hurts just after changing the medicine, and I usually can't sleep well. Qu Tongqiu lay on his stomach leaning against Ren Ningyuan, relaxed and satisfied.

Ren Ningyuan had helped him a lot, but it was the first time that he had condescended to do so recently.The human touch in it far exceeded his expectations.He thought that Ren Ningyuan really took this friendship seriously.

With this thought in mind, I felt relieved, full of joy, and had a good dream all night.

On the second day, Qu Ke met a few kids who lived in the hotel on the same floor. People of the same age were easy to get along with, and they soon went out to play together.There were two big men who stayed in the room with nothing to do.Ren Ningyuan acted leisurely, and continued to play chess with him patiently, Qu Tongqiu gradually became a little embarrassed.

Except for a sick patient like him who has difficulty walking, no one would be willing to stay in the room in this weather. Ren Ningyuan was very kind and was spending time with him.

"Aren't you going outside for a walk?"

Ren Ningyuan curled his fingers and supported his chin slightly, his eyes were still fixed on the chessboard: "Huh?"

"The weather is nice outside."

Ren Ningyuan raised his eyes and smiled and said, "Well, you want to go out for a stroll too?"

Qu Tongqiu blushed: "I'm afraid I won't be able to go far. You should play more, you don't have to stay with me here. I'm such an adult, it's good to be able to entertain myself, watching TV or something."

While talking, there was a knock on the door outside, Ren Ningyuan smiled and said: "It's pretty fast." He got up and answered the door.

Qu Tongqiu heard him talking to the waiter, then the sound of closing the door, and then saw Ren Ningyuan walking back, pushing a wheelchair in front of him.

"Let's go. The chessboard is here. You change your clothes."

Qu Tongqiu was flattered but couldn't believe it, Ren Ningyuan laughed again: "Otherwise, do you want me to carry you?"

Qu Tongqiu was sitting on a borrowed wheelchair, letting Ren Ningyuan push it in fear and fear, not knowing which posture to use was more comfortable.No matter in the elevator or on the road, everyone gave him sideways glances. He knew it was not because he was special, but because the person pushing him was Ren Ningyuan.

Ren Ningyuan really didn't look like someone who would serve others, he was born with the air of being served, but he was helping him push the wheelchair, his expression was not unusual.Passers-by looked at him with a little more awe in their curious eyes, which made Qu Tongqiu even more terrified.

"Ren, Ren Ningyuan..."

"Ok?"

"I, I'll come down and go by myself."

"Huh? Are we sightseeing with an empty wheelchair?"

"Then, I can push you..."

Ren Ningyuan laughed: "I'm fine now, so I don't need this. When I get old, I will trouble you."

Qu Tongqiu felt his breath above his head, thinking that if he could push Ren Ningyuan out for a walk every day in his old age, that would be the best life prospect, and he couldn't help but yearn for it.

"Then you must remember to call me when the time comes."

Ren Ningyuan smiled and said, "Yes."

In addition to sightseeing, Island H is also a mecca for shopping. There are many second- and third-tier brand-name stores along the way, and there are also many first-tier stores. Qu Tongqiu himself has nothing to buy. Instead, he saw a girly satchel on a model in the window and couldn’t help but take a few more glances. .

"Is that suitable for Xiaoke? It seems to be very popular among girls now." He was impressed by the unique pattern design of this brand of bags after reading a magazine discussion among female colleagues. He heard that it was the most popular among girls, and he also felt that Very nice, although expensive.Compared with the children today, Qu Ke's clothes are very simple and simple, but she never begged him to buy this or that, and if she was asked to choose, she would most likely not be sensible.In fact, which girl doesn't like to be beautiful, being gregarious is very important, he doesn't want her to suffer from poverty.

Ren Ningyuan helped him choose one that looked generous and affordable, and Qu Tongqiu happily paid for it. One month's salary would be gone, but it was still worth it as a commemorative gift for his lost daughter. of.

"Do you have anything to buy yourself?"

"No. I don't need anything."

Ren Ningyuan smiled and said, "The briefcase you use for work should have been replaced long ago."

"Actually, it's pretty good..."

"Let me change it for you."

Qu Tongqiu hastily declined: "No, no, no..."

"It's not a big thing, it doesn't matter." Ren Ningyuan said, he had already turned the direction of the wheelchair, and pushed him into the men's clothing store whose name alone made him shudder.

He never even approached the door of this kind of store, so there was no need to wait and see. The clerks' faces without smiles in line with the spirit of the brand also made people like him who couldn't afford it feel timid and timid, and it was a pain to go in.

But this time Ren Ningyuan pushed the wheelchair for him behind his back. Qu Tongqiu received a courtesy that he had never had in his life. His whole body was stiff and he was so nervous that he couldn't even speak.

Seeing the clerk take down the bag that Ren Ningyuan was pointing at, and hand it to him for a look, Qu Tongqiu became more restrained in his hands and feet, and after taking it, he sat in the wheelchair and didn't dare to move around, and didn't know what to say.The tall clerk confronted him in Shen Moli, and the atmosphere was awkward, but Ren Ningyuan leaned over and asked him, "How is it?"

"……it is good……"

"That's it?"

"……it is good……"

Then Ren Ningyuan went to check out for him, he sat and drank tea tremblingly, Ren Ningyuan stood beside him with a slight smile, it seemed that he was more noble than Ren Ningyuan.

After leaving the store, Ren Ningyuan smiled and said, "Does it feel good to be the boss?"

Qu Tongqiu still trembled: "...Okay...but it's more suitable for you..."

"It's okay to be the opposite once in a while."

Qu Tongqiu felt that he was a little too kind to him.

Going back that night, both father and daughter were very happy. Qu Ke carried the bag bought by his father around the house. Qu Tongqiu was reluctant to take out the new briefcase Ren Ningyuan gave him, but he was also excited for no reason. , I couldn't help but went to see it several times.

He was happy when Ren Ningyuan gave him something, no matter what he gave, it always represented some mutual friendship.As long as it is from Ren Ningyuan, it is different.

After that, he massaged Ren Ningyuan.Because of the gratitude and joy of this day, the massage is extra hard.Ren Ningyuan lay quietly on the bed, smiled and let him ride on his waist and beat him.

At this time, I feel that Ren Ningyuan's figure is really good, more or less innate, without this pair of skeletons, it is estimated that he would not be able to train so decently.Massage those stiff shoulders, back, arms, and sides with admiration.

I pressed it too hard, and my hands were sore, but the effect didn't seem to be obvious. After one pass, although Ren Ningyuan said gently, "That's enough, it's good", he didn't relax much.

Even this little thing couldn't do well for Ren Ningyuan, Qu Tongqiu felt guilty, and planned to do his best to press it all over again.If Ren Ningyuan doesn't take good care of him, he won't be able to sleep tonight.

Qu Tongqiu tried his best to help the man under him squeeze his shoulders and arms, and when he reached Ren Ningyuan's waist, he tried his best to relax the tense muscles. Ren Ningyuan suddenly grabbed his wrist hard and grabbed him. trembling.

But the touch was only for a moment, and then he immediately let go and took it back.

"Okay, don't press it again."

Qu Tongqiu was a little at a loss, and withdrew his hands: "Otherwise, I'll beat you up?"

"You go down."

What Ren Ningyuan said was like an imperial order, and he hurriedly climbed down.Seeing Ren Ningyuan got up and sat leaning against the head of the bed, with no expression on his face, eyes downcast, it was not pleasant.

"Then... shall I pour you some water?" He had to do something.

"no need."

Qu Tongqiu sat restlessly on the edge of the bed, watching Ren Ningyuan close his eyes and rest, not knowing what went wrong.His eyes moved down... He couldn't help being taken aback.

It was the first time he saw Ren Ningyuan's reaction with his own eyes.Although this kind of physical change, as long as it is a healthy man, will definitely have it, but it happened to Ren Ningyuan, which made him surprised, embarrassed, and novel for a while.

Sensing his gaze, Ren Ningyuan frowned slightly, but his tone was still gentle: "Don't mind. It's none of your business if you touch a sensitive place."

Qu Tongqiu responded, still inexplicably nervous.

The man sitting there did not lose his composure, he remained calm, silently waiting for the impulse to subside automatically.

"Does that... need me to do something?"

Although he didn't know what he could do about it.

Ren Ningyuan smiled wryly: "No need."

"That……"

"It's alright, go to sleep."

Qu Tongqiu climbed onto the bed in a bit of confusion, and stretched out the quilt beside Ren Ningyuan to sleep.

Ren Ningyuan is different from anyone else.It was kindness that was unrequited to him.

He didn't meet Ren Ningyuan's standard for making friends, and Ren Ningyuan still treated him so well.Any little thing he can do for Ren Ningyuan can make him feel happy.

It's just that there are obviously some things that he can't do or is not suitable for doing.

(End of this chapter)