As the surgery date approached, Aaron’s team had arrived in City A. Xia Yang noticed that Han Yi seemed more withdrawn than usual over the past few days, almost never leaving the bedroom or study, as if something was weighing on his mind.
He guessed it might be pre-surgery anxiety. No matter how powerful a person is, once they’re on the operating table, they become the “fish on the chopping block.” It’s natural to be afraid, no matter how much one tries to deny it.
Feeling the need to offer some comfort, Xia Yang decided to provide some pre-surgery care. If the “fish on the chopping block” was scared, he could generously offer a shoulder to lean on—a comforting hug, even if just metaphorically.
The next morning, just past 6 AM, Xia Yang got out of bed, quickly freshened up, and headed downstairs straight to the kitchen.
The chef, just starting to prepare breakfast, was taken aback: “?”
What was going on? The young master of a wealthy family personally cooking—was he trying to take over his job?
“Young Master Xia, have I done something wrong? Please, let me know, and I can change.”
Joking aside, losing one’s job isn’t a laughing matter.
Xia Yang was momentarily confused but then patted the worried chef, reassuring him, “Don’t worry, you haven’t done anything wrong. I just felt like cooking a big meal for my husband.”
“Oh, oh, oh,” the chef sighed in relief, feeling reassured.
With his job secure, he felt more energized and complimented Xia Yang. “Young Master Xia, you’re truly virtuous and talented, both gentle and romantic. You’re so considerate. What are you planning to cook?”
Xia Yang replied, “I haven’t decided yet.”
Chef: “…”
Maybe he overdid the compliments.
“How about making seaweed egg drop soup?” The chef suggested the simplest and safest dish, one that posed no risk to anyone’s safety, “Seaweed brings to mind auspiciousness, like the arrival of good fortune.”
“But egg soup…” Xia Yang mused, rubbing his chin, “also makes people think of ’empty nests,’ which is an ominous sign.”
“…” The chef was speechless, at a loss for words.
After a multi-layered, carefully considered selection process, Xia Yang finally decided on a dish called “Smooth Sailing.”
Whether it tasted good wasn’t the point; the name was auspicious and meant to bring good luck.
It was a way to cheer on the one about to go under the knife.
The chef helped prepare the necessary ingredients and then left half the kitchen to Xia Yang. The dish wasn’t particularly difficult, but it wasn’t easy either. Though Xia Yang didn’t consider himself a novice in the kitchen, it still took him nearly an hour and a half to complete.
“Li Ge, Li Ge,” he called out to the chef, holding the finished “Smooth Sailing,” “does this dish look like a ship sailing towards the stars and sea?”
The main ingredients were okra and shrimp. The okra, with its pointed ends, looked like small boats. The shrimp were minced and mixed with seasoning, then stuffed into halved okra and steamed.
Green onion slices were cleaned, cut, skewered with toothpicks, and inserted into the shrimp to resemble sails.
The chef looked at the dish from several angles, then gave a high-praise response, “…It’s quite cute.”
It was a diplomatic answer, avoiding potential pitfalls.
After a while, and feeling safe, the chef offered a small suggestion, “Based on my experience, the ‘sails’ for ‘Smooth Sailing’ should ideally use the white part of green onions. How did you come up with using onions instead?”
The onion “sails” gave off a somewhat strange vibe, like a large sword or spear.
“I specifically chose them,” Xia Yang explained confidently. “I read in a men’s health guide that eating onions helps protect the prostate.”
“Pro…” The chef choked, stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling shallow.
It turned out that everything was done with care for his husband’s prostate, for the harmony and happiness of their marriage.
How wise, how thoughtful, how forward-thinking!
With great admiration, the chef gave a thumbs up and sincerely praised, “I underestimated you. Young Master Xia has a broad perspective!”
“You’re too kind,” Xia Yang grinned.
Once the dish was plated, with a few spoonfuls of aromatic sauce drizzled on top, everything was just about ready as Han Yi came downstairs.
As soon as he entered the dining room—
“Good morning, Mr. Han! Look at what I’ve made for you!” Xia Yang greeted enthusiastically, gesturing with a flourish.
On the large dining table, there was only this one dish for now; the others hadn’t been brought out yet.
Han Yi glanced at the table, pausing for a few seconds, then looked up, “What is this?”
“What does it look like? Pointy at both ends, bulging in the middle, with a flag on top.” Xia Yang tried to guide him, nearly giving away the answer.
Han Yi looked at it for a moment and then said, “A crocodile with a spear in its back?”
Xia Yang: “…”
All the emotions he had been building up collapsed in an instant, leaving nothing behind.
Even if it didn’t look like “Smooth Sailing,” what on earth was “a crocodile with a spear in its back”?
What did the crocodile do to deserve this?
“Dear…” He pinched his brow, took a deep breath, and gently explained the name, “This dish is called ‘Smooth Sailing.'”
Han Yi: “.”
“Honey, you work with watercraft; is it so hard to see that this is a little ship sailing far away?” Xia Yang found it hard to believe.
Han Yi: “…It is.”
Precisely because he worked with watercraft, it was hard to see.
He didn’t say this out loud, instead lowering his eyes for a while before looking up at the young man in front of him.
“Why did you make this dish for me?”
Xia Yang’s doe eyes sparkled, “Because you’re going to the front lines tomorrow. Before you leave, you need a hearty meal.”
Han Yi: “…”
Han Yi: “So this is a last meal.”
Xia Yang burst out laughing. Alright, if he could joke about it, then the pre-surgery anxiety wasn’t as severe as he had thought.
However, jokes like this shouldn’t go too far.
“What last meal? Hurry, spit it out,” he grabbed Han Yi’s hand, flattened it, and smacked it twice on the table.
He slapped Han Yi’s palm until it turned red.
Then he pushed the plate in front of him, grinning confidently, “After eating my ‘Smooth Sailing,’ you’ll be the most lively person in the global village.”
Han Yi pinched the bridge of his nose, calming himself. Before he could speak, a spoonful of fragrant okra and shrimp paste was already at his mouth. Xia Yang’s face, hidden behind the dish’s steam, looked even more handsome and clear, his eyes especially bright and beautiful.
“Okra and shrimp paste, fresh and delicious. And don’t forget the onions; they’re good for… your sincere soul and source of happiness.”
Han Yi didn’t catch the euphemistic phrase. His focus wasn’t there.
The soft shrimp wrapped around his tongue, the fresh scent filling his mouth, and the sauce tantalizing his taste buds, creating a lasting taste memory.
It wasn’t about whether it was delicious…
“How is it? Do you think I can match our house chef’s skills?” Xia Yang’s slightly proud voice pulled him back to reality. Looking up, Han Yi met Xia Yang’s bright eyes and quietly replied, “Yes.”
Xia Yang, delighted with the affirmation, grabbed a pair of chopsticks and popped a piece of “Smooth Sailing” into his mouth.
Xia Yang tasted the dish and commented, “Hmm, the sauce is a bit sweet. It seems I added too much sugar.”
Han Yi didn’t respond, still watching him intently.
“But a little sweetness is good,” Xia Yang continued, “It symbolizes that after you get through this surgery, the days ahead will be sweet, that each hardship is planting the seeds for greater blessings. Don’t you think?”
Han Yi still didn’t reply, his gaze fixed on Xia Yang’s face, a faint, unreadable emotion flickering in his eyes, which he then concealed under his long eyelashes.
The silence hung in the air for over a minute.
“Xia Yang,” Han Yi finally spoke, his thin lips moving.
The young man’s bright eyes blinked, “I’m here~”
As far as Xia Yang could remember, Han Yi had never addressed him by his full name like this before.
“If this time…” Han Yi started, then stopped suddenly, his Adam’s apple bobbing. He lowered his eyelashes, hesitating before he continued, “…if this surgery fails, you can end our agreement early.”
“What? End it early?” Xia Yang was taken aback, his eyes widening slightly. “Do you mean I can choose to divorce you early?”
“Yes.”
Xia Yang: “…”
“Are you okay?” He leaned closer, “Do you need some pickled plums?”
Han Yi: “…”
He didn’t acknowledge the comment about pickled plums, nor did he look at Xia Yang. His dark eyes glanced sideways at the table’s corner, and he continued, “You can terminate the agreement early, and I’ll still pay the compensation…”
“In your dreams!” Xia Yang interrupted him without hesitation, “I’ve been drinking walnut milk every day recently; you’re not going to trick me that easily!”
Han Yi: “?”
“Divorcing after four months versus three years makes a huge difference in the compensation! I suggest you give up on this idea!”
Han Yi: “…”
Han Yi: “Maybe those walnuts you’re drinking aren’t genuine.”
“Whether they’re genuine or not, I’m not agreeing,” Xia Yang rolled his eyes and returned to the previous topic. “Don’t worry, we will divorce, but not now. For now, you just need to clear your mind and stay calm for the surgery.”
Han Yi tried to say something, but Xia Yang quickly put a finger to his lips.
“That’s enough, don’t say anything. Just eat up and save your strength for the front line!”
Han Yi felt the warmth of Xia Yang’s finger on his lips, his fingers on the table twitching slightly.
…
Tuesday morning, 7 AM, at a well-known hospital in City A.
The surgery was scheduled to begin in two hours. The international team of specialists was preparing for the procedure. Tang Siming and Liang Yue arrived early, bringing an orange banner they had made somewhere.
“Come on, let’s hang this up. Healing vibes are all the rage now.”
Both Han Yi and Xia Yang looked at the “healing vibes” and couldn’t help but find it rather juvenile.
Emblazoned in bold characters on the velvet cloth was the slogan: **”In unity we stand, through thick and thin, Boss Han Yi, regain your strength!!”**
Xia Yang: “…”
Han Yi: “…”
The two awkwardly hung the banner, then turned towards Han Yi with big smiles.
Liang Yue adopted a broadcaster’s voice, “Yi Ge, we want you to know that you are not alone.”
“…”
It sounded almost insulting.
Noticing Han Yi’s darkening expression, Tang Siming quickly covered for his clueless friend, “What we mean is, Yi Ge not only has his wife but also his good brothers. We’re all here supporting you.”
“Exactly,” Liang Yue jumped back in, “Once Yi Ge is in surgery, we’ll take good care of your wife.”
“No need. He’s very independent,” Han Yi seemed less than grateful for the gesture, his voice low and somber.
As Xia Yang looked over, Han Yi averted his gaze and changed the subject, “Make sure to keep your mouths shut about the surgery; we can’t let Grandma find out.”
“Don’t worry,” Liang Yue pulled out his phone and showed Han Yi a photoshopped picture. “I made this just in case. Look! You and your wife riding hippos by the Nile River, with such sweet smiles~”
Han Yi: “…”
Xia Yang: “…”
Riding hippos by the Nile River. This isn’t a honeymoon; it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Half an hour later, a nurse knocked on the door, beckoning Xia Yang to the adjacent room.
Family members had to be briefed on the surgery risks and sign a consent form, a standard procedure.
Xia Yang followed her in, where the doctor was already waiting.
“Mr. Xia, we’ll discuss the risks of this surgery with you in a moment. But first, there’s something else you should know, even though Mr. Han didn’t want you to. As a family member, you have the right to be informed.”
“Alright, please go ahead,” Xia Yang said, pulling up a chair.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and continued, “The success rate for Mr. Han’s surgery is 30%. We had a final pre-surgery discussion with him last night, and he mentioned a contingency. If the surgery fails, he wants us to…” The doctor paused, sighing softly, his serious expression making Xia Yang’s heart sink.
“What does he want you to do?” Xia Yang urged.
“He requested an amputation.”
“!”
The cold, heavy words hit Xia Yang like two heavy stones, leaving his mind blank and his fingers curling involuntarily.
“What kind of sick joke is this? If the surgery fails, he wants an amputation? Why! Did I hear that right?”
The doctor shook his head, “We didn’t expect this either…”
Xia Yang didn’t sign the consent form. He stood up and marched back to Han Yi’s hospital room.
By now, Tang Siming and Liang Yue had stepped out to get something, and Han Yi was reading financial news on his tablet.
He glanced up as Xia Yang entered, his demeanor steady as ever. “Han Yi,” Xia Yang called, his expression serious. It was the first time he had directly addressed him by name.
Han Yi looked up, his gaze cool, “What is it?”
“How could you be so ruthless to your own body?” Xia Yang walked over, brows furrowed.
Those legs of his were long, straight, and attractive—many would envy them!
And he wanted to just chop them off?
Han Yi’s throat moved slightly as he looked away, “If this surgery fails, it means I’ll be in a wheelchair for life. I’d rather choose prosthetics. If I can’t stand, there’s no point in keeping my legs.”
Xia Yang bit his lip, “That’s too cruel to yourself…”
“I’ve made up my mind,” Han Yi’s dark eyes gazed out the window, where the rain had started to fall lightly. A few birds sought shelter on the windowsill outside, then quickly flew away.
He turned back to Xia Yang, his voice steady, “Just sign the consent form. You don’t need to think about anything else.”
Their eyes met, a heavy emotion lingering in the air. Xia Yang couldn’t think of any reason to stop him, only feeling a knot in his chest and a vague discomfort.
A strong person like Han Yi didn’t want to spend his life in a wheelchair. He had made the worst-case scenario plans and chosen the harshest, coldest path for himself.
This path was harsh beyond measure, one that no one else would choose but him.
That’s why he tried to keep it from his grandmother and made it clear to Xia Yang, his contractual partner—that if he wished, he could end their agreement early.
This man was used to carrying everything himself, not wanting anyone else to get caught up in his struggles.
Even someone as inconsequential as a contractual partner.
What a… truly genuine, undiluted 24K pure man. Impressive!
Xia Yang felt waves crashing in his chest, heavy and surging, pounding against his heart. In the end, he signed the consent form.
After signing, he set down the pen, his eyes flickering as he looked at the man in front of him. “There’s something I want to say, Mr. Han.”
“Go ahead.”
Facing those deep, contemplative eyes, Xia Yang gently hugged Han Yi, his fingers threading through his hair, and pressed his warm chest against Han Yi’s head.
“Listen, your long legs perfectly match my aesthetic preferences. Please treat them well and make sure the surgery is a success!”
R : Amputation ?! Please no !!
Keep me fueled with caffeine! Support me on Ko-fi! ★~(◡‿◡✿)
Discover more from Shy shy shy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Obrigado pelo capítulo!