In truth, both of the bathrooms in Shangguan Yu’s home had been modified to accommodate someone with a leg disability. However, after Zuo Zhou moved in, Shangguan Yu only used the one in his bedroom, leaving the other for Zuo Zhou’s exclusive use.
Zuo Zhou pushed him into the master bedroom, but instead of stopping there, he seemed ready to roll him straight into the bathroom.
Feeling slightly uneasy, Shangguan Yu quickly spoke up, “Alright, this is far enough. I can take it from here.”
In fact, ever since Zuo Zhou had started working as his caretaker, Shangguan Yu had only needed his help while showering. When it came to using the bathroom, he had always handled it himself. Not once had he needed Zuo Zhou’s assistance.
“Oh, okay.” Zuo Zhou immediately released his grip upon hearing that, his expression serious and attentive. Then, with a smile, he said, “Alright, Brother Yu, go ahead. I’ll wait here for you.”
“…That’s not necessary. Just wait for me in the living room.”
“It’s fine. We’re going to keep watching TV together anyway. Plus, I can chat with you while you’re in there.”
Shangguan Yu: …Who needs conversation while using the bathroom?
But his need to relieve himself was growing urgent, so he didn’t bother arguing further. He simply wheeled himself into the bathroom.
Once inside, he moved toward the toilet and picked up the urinal bottle from the nearby rack.
Shangguan Yu had just unzipped his pants and was ready to do his business, he suddenly heard Zuo Zhou’s voice from outside, “Brother Yu, are you going out for the National Day holiday?”
“……”
The urge he had built up vanished in an instant. “…No.”
“Oh.”
After finishing, Shangguan Yu washed the urinal bottle and put it back in its place before moving to the sink to wash his hands.
While washing, a thought crossed his mind, and he found himself imitating Zuo Zhou’s earlier behavior, calling out toward the door, “If you’re planning to go home for the holiday, you can. Just make sure to buy some supplies for the house in advance.”
The moment he finished speaking, Shangguan Yu froze. …Why didn’t he wait until he was out of the bathroom to say that? He was starting to pick up Zuo Zhou’s bad habits…
Zuo Zhou’s response was immediate. “I’m not going back. It’s only been a month since school started.”
“Oh.” Shangguan Yu hummed in reply, guessing Zuo Zhou probably didn’t want to spend money on the train ticket.
As soon as he stepped out of the bathroom, Zuo Zhou, who had been waiting outside, immediately stepped forward. “Brother Yu, I’ll take you back to the living room first, then come back to clean that.”
“?” Shangguan Yu was momentarily confused. “Clean what?”
“The urinal bottle you just used,” Zuo Zhou replied matter-of-factly as he started pushing Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair—his tone as casual as if they were discussing what to have for dinner.
“……”
Shangguan Yu suddenly felt uncomfortable. Because of his disability, he couldn’t stand like other men to relieve himself. Instead, he had to remain seated in his wheelchair and rely on a urinal bottle, and after each use, he had to wash it himself.
This was just a part of his daily routine. But he never wanted anyone else to know about it, much less get involved. To him, this was a red line—one that upheld the last shreds of his dignity.
As long as that line remained intact, he could convince himself that he was still self-sufficient, that he could still pretend to live like a normal person. But if that line were crossed, he would be forced to confront the cold, unchanging truth of his disability.
His voice turned cold. “No need. I already washed it.”
“Oh,” Zuo Zhou’s voice drifted down from above him, but his next words were spoken right beside Shangguan Yu’s ear. “Brother Yu, let me handle things like this from now on. I’m your caretaker. It’s my job to take care of you—completely.”
The warmth of Zuo Zhou’s breath sent an involuntary shiver down Shangguan Yu’s spine. His body tensed, and he shifted slightly, stiffly, trying to put some distance between them.
Zuo Zhou noticed his discomfort but didn’t back away. He was doing this on purpose—he wanted Shangguan Yu to slowly get used to his presence, to his proximity, to his warmth.
“Let me do it,” Zuo Zhou repeated, his tone unwavering. “Brother Yu, you hired me so that your life could be easier, more convenient. If I can’t even handle something this simple, then I don’t deserve my paycheck.”
“……”
Zuo Zhou spoke with sincerity, his words sounding like nothing more than the professional concern of a caretaker looking after his employer’s well-being. There was no hint of any ulterior motive.
This made it difficult for Shangguan Yu to reject him outright or respond coldly. In the end, all he could do was offer a vague, noncommittal, “We’ll see.”
Even though he hadn’t received a clear answer, Zuo Zhou’s lips still curved into a subtle smile. Straightening up, he pushed Shangguan Yu’s wheelchair back to the living room, where they continued watching a drama together.
Since Shangguan Yu never left the house, the farthest he went was the balcony to enjoy some sunshine. Wanting to keep him company, Zuo Zhou also stayed home most of the time, except for grocery shopping and taking out the trash. With so much free time during the holiday, the two of them ended up binge-watching two entire suspense dramas, engaging in lively and in-depth discussions about the plot twists. The days passed by in a flash.
In the blink of an eye, the last day of the National Day holiday arrived.
That morning, just as Shangguan Yu finished breakfast, his rarely used phone suddenly rang.
Zuo Zhou, who was clearing the table, momentarily paused before casually asking, “Is it that guy selling the apartment? He’s been calling every day lately.”
“Hmm, maybe.” Shangguan Yu wiped his mouth and maneuvered his wheelchair toward the coffee table to grab his phone.
Wanting to catch more of the conversation, Zuo Zhou deliberately slowed his movements, lowering his gaze as he pretended to focus on wiping the table.
Shangguan Yu glanced at the caller ID, his brows knitting slightly before he pressed the answer button.
“Hello.”
“Hey.”
The last time Wang Hao left, things had been a little awkward. But having been close friends for years, neither of them would hold a grudge over a single argument, especially after this much time had passed.
As expected, on the other end of the line, Wang Hao was just as lively and enthusiastic as ever, his voice carrying a familiar hint of chatter:
“Shangguan! Xiao Qiu and I just got back from a trip out of town. I’m free tomorrow—mind if I drop by and see you?”
“Mm. Want to have dinner at my place?”
“Nah,” Wang Hao thought for a moment before adding, “I’ll arrive after dinner.”
Shangguan Yu immediately understood—it meant Wang Hao planned to have dinner with his girlfriend first. So, he didn’t insist.
“Alright.”
“Need me to bring anything?”
“No need.”
“Oh, right! I almost forgot you hired a caretaker.” Wang Hao chuckled over the phone. “His name’s Xiao Zuo, right? You haven’t switched to someone else, have you?”
“…No, it’s still him.”
“Alright then, see you tomorrow.”
After hanging up, Shangguan Yu noticed that Zuo Zhou was still standing by the dining table, head lowered, diligently wiping the surface. As if sensing his gaze, Zuo Zhou suddenly lifted his head and looked at him.
“Was that Brother Hao?”
It wasn’t hard to guess. After all, the only friend Shangguan Yu still kept in touch with was Wang Hao.
“Mm. He said he’s coming by tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s good,” Zuo Zhou smiled, sounding genuinely pleased. “That works out perfectly—I was planning to make pork rib soup.”
“He’s not eating here. It’ll just be the two of us.”
“Oh, then just us two.” Zuo Zhou’s grin widened slightly. “Brother Yu, what do you think would go better in the soup? Winter melon or corn?”
“Both,” Shangguan Yu considered. “And add some mushrooms too.”
“No problem.”
After quickly settling the menu, Zuo Zhou picked up the dishes and carried them to the kitchen. Shangguan Yu watched his tall figure disappear inside, only then realizing—almost belatedly—that his taste had become increasingly refined under Zuo Zhou’s care.
The next evening, in preparation for Wang Hao’s visit, Shangguan Yu had Zuo Zhou prepare dinner earlier than usual. He even arranged a lavish fruit platter, neatly arranged in a plastic tray they had received as a freebie from the supermarket after buying rice, and placed it on the coffee table.
To set the mood, Zuo Zhou played soft, soothing music on the television. The vibrant greenery around the room made the space feel lively, and the spotless, neatly arranged living room exuded a sense of ease and comfort. Just sitting there felt relaxing.
The two of them sat in the living room, engaging in light, casual conversation until a knock sounded at the door.
“That should be Brother Hao,” Zuo Zhou said with a smile, standing up. “I’ll open the door.”
“Mm.”
Zuo Zhou quickly made his way to the door, his face still carrying a warm smile as he pulled it open. Just as he was about to greet Wang Hao, however, his expression froze.
Because standing behind Wang Hao was an unfamiliar man—tall, refined, and undeniably handsome.
The man wore a perfectly tailored black long coat, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested elegantly on the bridge of his nose. His lips had a natural, subtle upward curve, giving him an air of calm composure and undeniable charm.
Alarm bells rang in Zuo Zhou’s mind. An uneasy feeling welled up in his chest, and a troubling thought took root—could it be…?
Sure enough, before he could say anything, Wang Hao stepped aside slightly and cheerfully introduced, “This is Xiao Zuo,Shangguan’s housekeeper. Xiao Zuo, this is Xu Jun—the guy I mentioned before.”
“Oh.”
Although Zuo Zhou had absolutely no desire to let this Xu Jun inside, he knew he had no real reason to refuse. So instead, he maintained a polite, harmless smile and greeted them respectfully, “Brother Hao, Brother Xu, welcome.”
Wang Hao waved a hand with a smile, while Xu Jun, standing behind him, gave Zuo Zhou a slow, scrutinizing glance from head to toe. His gaze, hidden behind the lenses of his glasses, was unreadable. After a brief pause, he gave a slight nod.
Once they stepped inside, Zuo Zhou closed the door and followed them toward the living room.
At the same time, Shangguan Yu maneuvered his wheelchair toward the entrance. But the moment he got a clear look at the visitor, the faint smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an expression of cold rejection.
“Shangguan! Look who I brought with me!” Wang Hao, as oblivious as ever, failed to notice the sudden change in Shangguan Yu’s demeanor. He continued speaking with his usual enthusiasm. “I was chatting with Xu Jun last night, and when he heard I was visiting you today, he insisted on tagging along.”
As he spoke, Wang Hao extended his hand, gesturing toward Xu Jun.
“Xiao Yu, long time no see.”
Xu Jun’s voice was deep and magnetic. After uttering this simple greeting, he pressed his lips together and fell silent. His gaze locked onto Shangguan Yu—intense, unreadable, and brimming with a storm waiting to break beneath the surface.
Shangguan Yu sat rigidly in his wheelchair, his hands gripping the armrests so tightly that if one looked closely, they would see a slight tremor running through his body from the sheer force of his grip.
He remained silent for a few seconds. Then, his voice rang out—cold and sharp.
“Get out.”
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