CHAPTER 983: CHAPTER 983: BRO, I LIKE YOU—A LOT

The joy lasted only a few seconds before a cold bucket of water was poured over it, leaving Qing Yi stunned in place.

Hometown?

Which hometown?

"...What did you say?" Qing Yi thought he had misheard.

"Brother, I’ve gone back to my hometown."

This time, he heard clearly.

Qing Yi’s hand, hanging at his side, slowly clenched into a fist, his chest filling with rage, yet he held back, not letting it burst out.

"...Where are you? I’ll come find you."

He really was a good-tempered person; no matter the situation, he wouldn’t get angry, especially not at a drunkard.

"No need, I’m quite far from you. I want to be alone for a while."

Qing Yi gritted his teeth, paused for a moment, then continued: "Then when will you come back?"

"Maybe three months, or longer..."

So long that, perhaps, there may never be a way back.

"Is something wrong? Why did you suddenly go back to your hometown? Are there still people in your hometown?"

"Nothing, just got a bit tired of the big city, missed my master, so I came back to visit, to light some incense for the old man. Don’t worry."

"How can I not worry, you never answer your phone, don’t reply to messages..." As Qing Yi spoke, he couldn’t help but his eyes reddened.

He slightly raised his head, looking upward, trying hard to swallow his tears back down.

"The signal here is poor."

After a brief silence, Qing Yi continued: "...Where is your hometown? Can you tell me? I’m afraid you won’t come back, and I won’t be able to find you."

His tone was almost pleading.

The drunkard moved his lips, wanting to say: If I’m not back in half a year, don’t wait for me anymore, fall for someone else, preferably a girl.

But he lacked the courage. He was afraid he really might leave, and even more afraid that Qing Yi truly wouldn’t wait for him.

People are selfish, and he was no exception.

"...You really don’t need to worry about me, I’ll take good care of myself."

Qing Yi turned around, swinging his fist hard into the wall.

He almost crushed the phone in his hand.

Hearing the noise over the phone, the drunkard felt immense guilt towards Qing Yi.

"...Brother, there’s something I’ve never told you."

"Shut up." Qing Yi gritted his teeth, almost shouting spontaneously.

This was the first time Qing Yi had rudely interrupted someone, especially someone like the drunkard.

Right now, he was really terrified of hearing anything bad from the drunkard’s mouth.

Hearing Qing Yi’s "shut up," the drunkard couldn’t help but laugh.

He hesitated for a moment again, then finally said the words:

"Brother...actually, I like you..."

He was scared that if he didn’t say it now, he’d never have the chance to say it again.

He was also afraid that this confession might entangle Qing Yi for a lifetime.

Afraid too that after all Qing Yi had given, he would receive nothing in return.

So he chose to be selfish one last time.

Qing Yi’s eyes suddenly widened, his entire being frozen.

He held the phone, maintaining the posture of making a call, standing there dumbly.

He doubted what he had just heard.

After a while, he, somewhat incredulously, asked: "...What did you just say?"

Waiting for an answer, Qing Yi was so nervous that he almost forgot to breathe, his heart twisting tight, his hands and legs trembling with anxiety.

The drunkard laughed and said again:

"I said I like you, like you very, very much. Like Jun Moyan likes Wen Xiao’ai."

The drunkard was talking about how Jun Moyan liked Wen Xiao’ai, not "how you like me."

Now, he only dared to admit his love for Qing Yi, but didn’t dare to accept Qing Yi’s love.