a man who appears once a year

Ruan Qiuping hesitated for a moment, and then said, "It's a friend of mine here."

After hearing this, Steward Zhang's expression changed a little, but he didn't say anything.

The last time the current butler saw Ruan Qiuping was at the funeral home 16 years ago.

At that time, Ruan Qiuping was such a young man in his early 20s.

But everyone present knew that this young man was the same old man who had occasionally appeared in previous years.

——He is Mr. Yu's same-sex partner.

"Friend..." Yu Huan frowned, and a strange feeling suddenly flashed in his heart, "Is your surname Yu the same as mine?"

Yu is not a very common surname.

"...No." Ruan Qiuping lowered his head and lied, "The same pronunciation is different."

As if to increase the credibility of the lie, Ruan Qiuping took Yu Huan's hand and wrote the word "Yu" on it.

"He is the metaphor."

"Mr. Ruan, Mr. Yu." The butler respectfully made a gesture of invitation to them, "Come in and rest first, both of you."

Ruan Qiuping nodded.

But the moment the housekeeper opened the door for them, Ruan Qiuping's footsteps stopped, and his eyes suddenly widened——

etc!Next to the stairs of this villa, there is an entire wall of photos. On it are the wedding photos of him and Yu Huan when they were young, and there are also old photos of the two of them in their seventies and eighties. You can see it as soon as you open the door! ! !

It would be over if Yu Huan saw it!

But it was too late to stop it.

Before Ruan Qiuping opened his mouth, Yu Huan had already stepped in.

Ruan Qiuping's heart sank suddenly.

"... Ruan Ruan." Yu Huan opened his mouth.

Ruan Qiuping closed his eyes, almost unable to bear to face the bleak scene.

It’s over.

All revealed.

"Your friend has a good aesthetic, and the decoration design here is very comfortable." Ruan Qiuping heard Yu Huan say.

……what?

Ruan Qiuping suddenly raised his head.

Only then did he realize that the wall of photos that Yu Huan cherished so much had disappeared, and what replaced those photos was a medieval oil painting.

Ruan Qiuping was stunned. He looked at the oil painting and said in a daze, "...he has always had good aesthetics."

Butler Zhang had already left to prepare refreshments for them, leaving only Yu Huan and Ruan Qiuping here.

Ruan Qiuping looked around and found that everything was too familiar.

He has been away for sixteen days, and sixteen years have passed in the mortal world.

But for 16 years, it seems that no trace has been left in this place.

Ruan Qiuping sat on the sofa for a while, then suddenly bent down and opened the hidden compartment under the coffee table.

He took out a music box from the hidden compartment, opened it, and saw familiar candies inside.

The candy is exactly the same as ten years ago, the packaging is exactly the same, but the production date is last month.

Ruan Qiuping grabbed a handful of candy, smiled at Yu Huan and said, "Yu Huan, come and eat some candy."

Yu Huan walked towards Ruan Qiuping, sat on the sofa beside him, and asked casually, "Did Ruan Ruan meet this mortal in the last stage of the practical course?"

Ruan Qiuping blinked: "...the teacher mentioned to you our practical courses in the last stage?"

"I mentioned it a little bit, but I didn't go into details. I only said that your practical task is to observe all kinds of situations in the world."

It is not to observe the various states of the world, but to observe the immortals who have experienced calamities.

But Ruan Qiuping didn't correct this mistake, just nodded, and lowered his head to choose Yu Huan's favorite flavor from the candies: "That's right, this mortal is me... I met by chance while observing all kinds of mortal worlds."

Yu Huan suddenly asked: "During the Conferred God Ceremony last time, the little mortal boy your sister mentioned hugged you and even kissed you, is that your friend?"

Ruan Qiuping was stunned for a moment, and handed the selected candy to Yu Huan: "You have a really good memory."

So there it is.

Yu Huan lowered his eyes, he overlooked one thing at that time, little boys will grow up too.

Yu Huan slowly peeled off the yellow candy wrapper, and asked: "Ruan Ruan once said that although you planted that apple tree, it doesn't belong to you, it belongs to a mortal. Then the owner of the apple tree is also yours." a friend?"

Ruan Qiuping was silent for a while, then nodded: "Well, it's him too."

Ruan Qiuping turned his head and looked out the window, and continued: "He said...he doesn't want a tombstone, but just wants me to plant a fruit tree on his grave, so that when I see him, I can pick a fruit to eat .”

...It turns out that there is a grave under the apple tree.

It turned out that Ruan Ruan placed that person's grave in the sky, where he could see it at any time.

Yu Huan put the peeled candy into his mouth.

A sour feeling spread from the tip of his tongue, and soon filled his entire mouth.

The sourness was so strong that Yu Huan couldn't tell for a moment: at this moment, whether his mouth was more sour or his chest was more sour.

It's a good time for the sunset outside the window.

Ruan Qiuping stood up involuntarily, and walked to the window step by step.

Nothing has changed here, even the two wheelchairs in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows are still there.

The two wheelchairs, one black and one white, lean side by side, like the shoulders of two old people leaning together to watch the sunset.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, Ruan Qiuping slowly stretched out his hand and gently stroked the leather back of the wheelchair. The corners of his lips were slightly curved, and his eyes were so soft that it seemed to be missing something. .

Yu Huan watched all this quietly.

Suddenly, he wanted to destroy the wheelchair that Ruan Qiuping was watching tenderly.

But just think about it.

Yu Huan walked up to Ruan Qiuping, and said softly, "The sky is beautiful."

Ruan Qiuping looked up at Yu Huan, and suddenly smiled: "Yu Huan, every time I'm with you, I seem to see a beautiful sky."

It has been raining continuously for several days since he became a god. Before Yu Huan could think about when and where he met the beautiful sky with Ruan Qiuping, Ruan Qiuping looked up at him and asked softly. : "Yu Huan, can I hug you?"

Yu Huan froze for a moment, then nodded.

The next moment, Ruan Qiuping threw himself into his arms and said with a smile, "Thank you for being able to watch the sky with me."

Yu Huan didn't think deeply about the meaning of this sentence, because he was dazed by Ruan Qiuping's rushing action.

In an instant, Mr. Yu, the mortal friend, the apple tree... all disappeared like a cloud.

He didn't care at all about Ruan Ruan's close friends.

Because his Ruan Ruan would take the initiative to hug him, kiss him, and dream of him in his sleep.

Ruan Ruan likes him.

...they will be a happy couple.

The enhanced cognition made Yu Huan's whole heart throb slightly, and he even felt that the sour candy in his mouth, after it all melted, began to reveal bits and pieces of sweetness.But the sweetness is not obvious, it can't cover the original sourness, but it just melts into it, blending into a sweet and sour taste.

"Ruan Ruan." Yu Huan looked down at Ruan Qiuping, and said softly, "What kind of candy did you give me?"

Ruan Qiuping blinked blankly and said, "I don't know, I just think you might like it."

In his memory, Yu Huan seemed to like that yellow candy very much, every time he took a candy from his hand, he would take that one away.

Naturally, Ruan Qiuping would leave that yellow candy to Yu Huan every time.

"Haven't Ruan Ruan tried it?"

Ruan Qiuping shook his head: "No."

"Aren't Ruan Ruan curious what it tastes like?"

Ruan Qiuping thought for a while, nodded, and said, "I'm a little curious."

Yu Huan smiled with his eyes bent: "A little bit of curiosity is enough."

As soon as he finished speaking, he lowered his head and gently kissed Ruan Qiuping's lips.

Ruan Qiuping opened his eyes wide in a daze.

The smell of candy quickly touched his lips and lingered on the tip of his tongue. There was a hint of sourness and a hint of sweetness, but it quickly filled his mouth and slowly invaded his consciousness, making his whole brain All became dizzy.

"Ruan Ruan, what does it taste like?" Yu Huan let go of him, but couldn't help pecking his lips again after asking.

Ruan Qiuping blinked blankly: "...it smells like lemon."

Yu Huan stroked his hair with a smile, and praised him: "Ruan Ruan is so amazing."

Ruan Qiuping: "..."

Ruan Qiuping suddenly realized that he pushed Yu Huan away, his whole face was hot: "Yu Huan, you..."

"What's wrong with us?" Yu Huan's eyes were as clear as water, not only he was not guilty, but also tainted with a smile.

Ruan Qiuping took a deep breath, "You promised me at the time that we were just working together...you even shook hands with me and said that the cooperation is pleasant..."

Yu Huan nodded, he looked up at Ruan Qiuping, with a playful look in his eyes: "So after Ruan Ruan promised me, she took off my clothes that night, climbed into my bed, and wanted to treat me the next morning. Am I doing something wrong?"

Ruan Qiuping: "..."

It's really a mistake to drink!

He doesn't care at all now! ! !

At this moment, the bracelet on Yu Huan's hand suddenly glowed red, and at the same time, there was another shout: "Teacher assistant! I'm in trouble here! Come and help me!" ah!"

Yu Huan frowned.

Ruan Qiuping heaved a sigh of relief, and hurriedly waved his hand at Yu Huan: "Go quickly, you have already used the new function to make an emergency call, something must have happened."

After Yu Huan left, Ruan Qiuping let out a long sigh and sat down on the wheelchair.

He reached out to touch his lips and hung his head in frustration.

how to say?His current feeling is the same as playing the game after dying and rewinding, and playing the death ending for the second time.

What is the probability that Yu Huan will fall in love with him again?

What is the probability that he can give Yu Huan the same love?

If he works hard enough, can he give Yu Huan the love that can be recognized by his lover?

If he worked hard enough...wouldn't he be able to hurt Yu Huan again?

At this moment, Butler Zhang came over with afternoon tea and snacks.

"Has Mr. Yu left?" Zhang Butler asked.

Ruan Qiuping nodded: "By the way, when was that photo wall replaced with oil paintings?"

Butler Zhang put the afternoon tea and snacks on the small table next to Ruan Qiuping, and said, "Mr. Yu ordered someone to replace them three months before his death."

Ruan Qiuping: "Why?"

Butler Zhang: "Mr. Yu said that if Mr. Ruan brings new people here in the future, those photos may cause you trouble."

Newcomer...

Yu Huan really imagined him to be cold enough.

Ruan Qiuping lowered his eyes: "Where did those photos go?"

Butler Zhang: "It's in the safe. It's been put away for more than ten years. I'll get it for you."

Ruan Qiuping followed Steward Zhang to get the photos.

Those photos are very well preserved.

After opening the safe, it is necessary to open one layer after another of the sealing film.

When the last layer of film was opened, the top wedding photo came into view.

Seeing the face of Yu Huan in his thirties clearly in the photo, Housekeeper Zhang shook his hands and almost dropped the photo to the ground.

"When Mr. Yu was young and Mr. Yu just now..."

They look exactly the same.

Ruan Qiuping smiled and touched Yu Huan's face in the photo: "It is indeed exactly the same."

Butler Zhang hesitated, but suppressed them all.

I dare not say more than half a word.

After all, it was not only Mr. Yu who was strange.

At the same time, when he saw that Ruan Qiuping really brought the "newcomer" to this villa and denied his relationship with Mr. Yu in front of the "newcomer", the subtle touches and emotions in his heart disappeared instantly. shadowed.

He didn't understand anything, so what right did he have to question the relationship between these people.

After Ruan Qiuping sent the housekeeper away, he went through the photos many times, and finally put them all in his Qiankun bag.

Then he sat on the sofa, picked up the practical task card Si Ming sent him, and began to study how to complete the task.

By the time Ruan Qiuping had thoroughly researched and planned the specific mission plan for tomorrow, the sky had completely darkened.

He stretched himself, took a look at the empty villa, turned on the TV, watched the drama while waiting for Yu Huan to come back.

When Yu Huan returned to the villa, it was only nine o'clock in the evening, but Ruan Qiuping was lying on the sofa and fell asleep.

The TV in front of the sofa is still playing a TV series, but it has been muted by the housekeeper.

The constantly jumping pictures on the TV reflected bright and dark lights and shadows on Ruan Qiuping's face, but it seemed that his sleeping face became more peaceful.

Yu Huan involuntarily bent his lips, he walked over to gently hug Ruan Qiuping, and led him to the bedroom.

Ruan Qiuping didn't sleep soundly, even though Yu Huan's movements were light and light, but at the moment of hugging him, Ruan Qiuping frowned and opened his eyes in a daze.

After seeing clearly that it was Yu Huan, Ruan Qiuping closed his eyes again, stretched out his arms to wrap around Yu Huan's neck, his soft black hair gently swept over Yu Huan's chest, with a very trusting expression on his face. expression.

Yu Huan heard Ruan Qiuping make a raving voice: "You're back..."

Yu Huan licked his lips and said in a hoarse voice, "...well, I'm back."

It was just a very simple conversation, but Yu Huan felt his heart beating wildly involuntarily.

Because for a moment, Ruan Qiuping at this moment gave him a very serious illusion—as if he and Ruan Qiuping were a couple who loved each other very much and had been married for decades.

Immediately afterwards, Ruan Qiuping continued to sleep in Yu Huan's arms.

Yu Huan tried very hard to restrain himself, but he still couldn't restrain himself successfully.

He lowered his head and couldn't help kissing Ruan Qiuping's soft lips.

Ruan Qiuping tilted his head, with a heavy sleepiness in his nasal cavity, and his voice was soft and waxy, as if coquettish: "Stop making trouble, I'm sleepy..."

Yu Huan choked for breath, and almost heard the sound of blood rolling in his body.

He took a deep breath, then walked to the bedroom.

Perhaps because the decoration design here fits Yu Huan's aesthetics very well, he found the master bedroom at the end of the corridor without much effort.

When Yu Huan put Ruan Qiuping down, he felt some strong reluctance in his heart.

He could hardly control his desire to kiss Ruan Qiuping again.

But he was afraid that after kissing Ruan Qiuping, he would be dissatisfied with doing other things.

Therefore, he tried his best to suppress his thoughts, and just lightly kissed Ruan Qiuping's forehead.

"Ruan Ruan, good night."

After doing all this, he was about to get up, but just as he straightened up, his movements stopped again.

Yu Huan saw that the string pendant hanging around Ruan Qiuping's neck slipped out at some point, and landed just above his collarbone.

is a ring.

An old, faintly textured ring that seemed to have been worn for decades.

A line of capitalized English letters is written on the inside of the ring.

RUANRUAN.

— Ruan Ruan.