He Said, ‘I Believe You’ — And I Finally Broke Down

Even though Ye Zhiqiu knew full well that Qin Jianhe was teasing him on purpose, he still couldn’t help but laugh.

He leaned against the car door, tilting his head back slightly to look at the sun in the sky. His heart gradually felt a little lighter.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll teach you.”

“Then calling you ‘Professor Ye’ is really not a loss,” Qin Jianhe’s voice came through, carrying a faint smile. “After all, one ‘Professor’ can teach multiple skills.”

“Hey.” Ye Zhiqiu laughed.

A wind blew from afar, carrying his already soft laugh even further, making it nearly inaudible as it entered the receiver.

For some reason, the dark, somewhat heavy eyes softened. Qin Jianhe’s fingers on the steering wheel finally relaxed.

“Didn’t I tell you to wait in the car?” he said with a smile. “It’s windy out there.”

“But the sun is really nice today,” Ye Zhiqiu said.

The sun was indeed very nice today. Although the wind still carried a hint of chill, it couldn’t block the warmth the sun gave off.

As he spoke, Ye Zhiqiu bent down, opened the car door, and took another scarf from the glove compartment to wrap around his neck.

Then, he took the now-dirty silk scarf from his pocket and carefully placed it into the glove compartment.

Next time, Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t help thinking, he would make sure Lan Yue’s headstone didn’t get dusty. And he would bring much more spirit money.

“Okay,” Qin Jianhe’s low voice came from the other end. “I’ll be there soon.”

As Qin Jianhe spoke, Ye Zhiqiu’s phone buzzed against his ear.

He didn’t move, just listened quietly, focused on the call. “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”

“Don’t rush,” he added.

There was a brief silence on the line. After a long moment, the man on the other end laughed softly.

“Alright,” he said, his voice slightly deep.

As if carrying some kind of magic, that single syllable struck heavily against Ye Zhiqiu’s heart, making him instinctively a little flustered. Without another word, he hung up.

The air grew quiet again, only the sound of the wind.

After a long while, Ye Zhiqiu finally looked down and opened his chat app to check the message.

There were two messages, from Xiao Zhao, the young assistant from the director’s team.

That morning when he left the set, Zhou Lian had instructed Xiao Zhao to give Ye Zhiqiu a list of actors.

At the time, a few supporting actors’ names hadn’t been added yet. Busy with the meeting, Xiao Zhao and Ye Zhiqiu had exchanged contact information, agreeing that Xiao Zhao would send him the final list after confirming it later.

Sure enough, in the chat box now, besides Xiao Zhao’s polite greeting, was a spreadsheet of the cast and crew.

Ye Zhiqiu slowly scrolled down and saw the names Li Ling and Cui Xuan at the very bottom.

Then, he exited the chat box and sent a message to Gao Wenye.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: I already mentioned your company’s new actor to Old Zhao. It looks like there shouldn’t be a problem. You should hear something soon.]

Gao Wenye was at the set now, so Ye Zhiqiu hadn’t expected a quick reply. But surprisingly, his phone rang almost immediately.

Ye Zhiqiu frowned and hung up.

A moment later, a message from Gao Wenye came in.

[Gao Wenye: Thank you, Xiaoqiu. I didn’t mean anything else by calling. I just wanted to thank you.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: I was just keeping my promise made in front of Mom.]

[Gao Wenye: Still, thank you. How about we have a meal together sometime?]

Ye Zhiqiu: …

He didn’t reply, just turned off his phone screen and looked into the distance.

His phone buzzed again. Probably seeing he hadn’t replied, Gao Wenye sent another message.

[Gao Wenye: I know I hurt you, and you don’t want to see me yet. But one thing is separate from another. I still need to express my gratitude. If not me, then let Cui Xuan treat you to a meal. That would at least show our appreciation.]

Words like these, ambiguous and easily misunderstood, sounded as if he were having a little tiff with Ye Zhiqiu.

Besides, how could he go out alone with his company’s artist? Who knew what trick Gao Wenye might pull?

Ye Zhiqiu was silent for a moment, then typed a reply.

Between him and Gao Wenye, no matter what happened privately, in any written record, it could only show that Gao Wenye was the one who was unfaithful, always looking for more.

Every sentence, every word, every punctuation mark, he could not leave any leverage in the other’s hands.

He had done this many times before. He was experienced.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Sorry, I need to correct you. I have never wanted to see you.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Gao Wenye, since you chose Ye Zhixia, please live well with him. I think you understand what I mean. Let this matter end here. Don’t message me again, otherwise, I’ll have to put you back on the block list.]

This was effective. Gao Wenye finally stopped.

But Ye Zhiqiu didn’t know that at this moment, Gao Wenye was not angry at all. On the contrary, he was still daydreaming.

Thinking of Ye Zhiqiu’s beautiful, angry face, he couldn’t help his heart racing.

But he didn’t dare contact him again.

Last time, Ye Zhiqiu had blocked him without hesitation, driving him to use all his staff’s phones to try and reach him.

In the end, only a few of their numbers had survived.

But the more he dared not, the more he wanted to. The more he wanted to, the more it itched…

The name Ye Zhiqiu seemed to have a corrosive quality, carving itself deep into his heart through a mix of pain and pleasure. It was addictive, endlessly relished.

His lunch had barely been touched, the food growing cold in the silence. After a long time, Gao Wenye finally let out a melancholic sigh and listlessly set down his chopsticks.

****

At the same time, Ye Zhiqiu had just lit a cigarette and leaned against his car, opening the script that Zhou Lian had given him that morning.

The story was interesting, the opening very engaging. Ye Zhiqiu quickly flipped through over a dozen pages.

When the faint sound of a car reached him, he wrapped the extinguished cigarette butt in a tissue, put it in his pocket, and looked up toward the entrance of the path.

Qin Jianhe’s car appeared at the far end, approaching rapidly.

Instinctively, Ye Zhiqiu straightened up, a hint of a smile in his eyes.

The car stopped in front of him. Qin Jianhe pushed the door open and stepped out, his shiny black shoes immediately gathering dust.

But he didn’t seem to care. He came quickly to Ye Zhiqiu’s side.

The outdoor wind was cool against their faces. For a moment, neither spoke.

Qin Jianhe looked down at Ye Zhiqiu, his dark eyes unreadable.

Then, he reached out and smoothed Ye Zhiqiu’s wind-tousled dark hair, revealing his smooth forehead and delicate features.

The sunlight fell on Ye Zhiqiu’s face, making his skin look almost translucent.

Because of this, the faint red at the corners of his eyes and the slight dark circles beneath them were especially noticeable.

“Cried?” Qin Jianhe reached out, his warm thumb brushing gently but firmly under Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes.

“No.” Ye Zhiqiu shook his head. After a moment, he added, “I didn’t cry.”

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe responded, taking his hand and leading him to the car. “Let’s get you something to eat.”

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu glance back at his own car, he laughed softly.

“Wei Jie will come later and drive your car back,” he said. “He’ll leave it near the restaurant. After you eat, you can drive yourself home.”

It was thoughtful and reassuring. Ye Zhiqiu nodded.

Ye Zhiqiu’s hands were cold, even the soft hair on his head was cool from the wind.

Qin Jianhe reached out and turned the car’s air conditioning up two degrees.

The warmth, combined with the safe environment, brought out the aftereffects of Ye Zhiqiu’s sleepless night. His eyelids felt heavy.

“Qin Jianhe,” he called out, forcing himself to stay alert.

“Hm?” Qin Jianhe’s dark eyes looked over.

“Do you want to talk about it now, or rest a bit and talk while we eat?”

Instinctively, Ye Zhiqiu looked toward the hill.

Following his gaze, Qin Jianhe also looked up.

The path up the hill was paved with stone steps, but after a day and night of heavy rain, it was still somewhat muddy.

Only two sets of footprints went up and down, looking lonely and desolate.

“Is it about your mother?” he asked, his voice dropping, becoming gentle and soft.

Ye Zhiqiu nodded. After a moment, he said, “I want to talk about it now.”

He wanted to talk about it now.

At the foot of the hill where his mother slept.

The wind was so strong today; maybe Lan Yue could hear his words from up there.

If there had indeed been other factors in her death…

Then he wanted her to know, sooner, that her child had not forgotten her.

No matter how long it took, no matter the cost, he would get justice for her.

He wanted her to know that this child, who seldom visited, who even forgot to bring spirit money when he did, had grown up.

“Okay.” Qin Jianhe looked at him, his gaze very deep.

“Take your time,” he said. “Don’t rush.”

He had prepared what to say long ago, but when it came time to speak, he didn’t know where to start.

He couldn’t tell Qin Jianhe about his past life. It was too bizarre; he didn’t think anyone would believe it.

But without that past life as support, his words would sound weak, even overly sensitive and neurotic.

Certainly not convincing.

As if sensing his hesitation, Qin Jianhe unbuckled his own seatbelt.

He leaned over and pulled Ye Zhiqiu tightly into his arms.

Sunlight streamed through the car window, hitting Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes. He felt them sting uncontrollably.

The overwhelming feeling of grievance that had come before surged back.

He buried his nose in the side of Qin Jianhe’s neck, breathing in the familiar, warm woody scent of his cologne.

“Whatever you say,” Qin Jianhe’s voice was low in his ear, punctuated by soft kisses, “I’ll believe.”

Ye Zhiqiu pressed his lips together, restraining himself.

He hadn’t cried up on the hill, but now he could barely control his tears.

He didn’t speak at first, instead forced himself to look upward, the movement helping him suppress the tears in his eyes.

“My mother,” he said, his voice slightly choked. “I suspect there might be something about her death that I don’t know.”

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe immediately responded, his arm tightening around Ye Zhiqiu’s waist.

This intimacy gave Ye Zhiqiu an inexplicable sense of security.

His unspoken thoughts finally became sentences, flowing through the car.

Not too much cause, not too much effect. Ye Zhiqiu simply voiced his doubts.

“You want me to find the driver from before?” Qin Jianhe listened patiently.

“Is that okay?” Ye Zhiqiu looked up.

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe answered, reaching out to touch Ye Zhiqiu’s slightly reddened eyes. “Yes.”

Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes were a little red, and the way he looked at him with such focus made Qin Jianhe’s heart soften completely.

Unable to help himself, Qin Jianhe leaned down and pressed a hot kiss to the slightly damp, reddened corner of Ye Zhiqiu’s eye.

“I’ll help you,” he said. “Ye Zhiqiu, don’t cry.”

****

After returning from the set, Ye Zhiqiu slept until the next morning.

He went downstairs for breakfast, then loaded his four suitcases into the car with Ye Zheng, carrying them down.

As he put the luggage into the car, Ye Zhiqiu looked up again at the Ye family’s small building.

He remembered clearly that in his past life, when he was kicked out, he had also looked up at this building like this.

Back then, though he pretended to be strong, never admitting defeat, his words sharp as knives, he had been reluctant to leave.

But now, facing Ye Hongxian and Tao Ruoqing’s earnest advice and “reluctance,” he felt nothing for this place.

Once everything was packed, Ye Zhiqiu got in the car and drove out of the Ye household gates with Ye Zheng.

When they arrived, Jin Baobao, Li Shaojun, and Tang Le were already waiting downstairs.

Many hands made light work. The four suitcases, various odds and ends, and two sets of new bedding were quickly carried upstairs.

Ye Zhiqiu’s “new home” was much nicer than Ye Zheng had expected.

Leaving aside the size, just looking at the layout, environment, and decoration, it was even more upscale and comfortable than the Ye household.

When they had almost finished putting things away, the pegboard and sewing machine Ye Zhiqiu had ordered arrived.

Ye Zheng was about to help, but Li Shaojun beat him to it.

Watching Li Shaojun and Ye Zhiqiu work together to install the pegboard and sewing machine, Ye Zheng stepped forward.

“Is there any other large item that hasn’t arrived yet?” he asked Ye Zhiqiu. “Let me know when it’s coming. I’ll come help move things.”

“Nothing much really, just the worktable, clothing rack, mannequin…” Ye Zhiqiu looked up with a smile. “I can manage with the delivery guys.”

Ye Zheng nodded.

He had something he wanted to say to Ye Zhiqiu, but seeing him focused on installing the machine, he didn’t disturb him.

“Alright, then,” he said. “I’ll head back now that we’re mostly done.”

“Stay for dinner, brother,” Ye Zhiqiu said, standing up.

“No,” Ye Zheng said. “Business has picked up since we got this new equipment. I have a few orders to rush. I need to check on the factory.”

Ye Zhiqiu smiled and didn’t insist.

“Xiaoqiu,” Ye Zheng called his name just as he was about to bend down and continue working.

Ye Zhiqiu looked up, finally realizing he might have something to say, and walked over.

“What’s up, brother?” Ye Zhiqiu asked with a smile.

“Be careful living on your own. Remember to contact home if anything comes up,” Ye Zheng paused, then changed his wording. “Contact me.”

“Okay.” Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

Ye Zheng paused, then took a bank card from his pocket and handed it to Ye Zhiqiu.

“There’s a hundred thousand in there. Ask me if you need more.”

This surprised Ye Zhiqiu a little.

Ye Zheng usually gave him and Ye Zhixia a little spending money now and then. Not much, a few hundred or thousand, enough for some little thing they liked.

But in his past life, when he was destitute, Ye Zheng had never actually helped him.

Why was he being so good to him now?

Ye Zhiqiu looked down at the card, smiling faintly.

“No need,” he said. “I have money.”

“Take it.” Ye Zheng wouldn’t take no for an answer. He took Ye Zhiqiu’s hand and pressed the card into his palm. “My money is also the family’s money. You’re not wasting it. See what else you need. Don’t be hard on yourself.”

“Don’t worry about him, Brother Ye,” Jin Baobao couldn’t stand it anymore. “Would he ever be hard on himself?”

Afraid Ye Zhiqiu would refuse, he snatched the card. “We’re having a big lunch, Qiu!”

Seeing this, Ye Zhiqiu laughed and didn’t insist. “Alright. Thanks, brother.”

After seeing Ye Zheng out, Jin Baobao slapped the card back into Ye Zhiqiu’s hand.

“This isn’t like you. You used to always try to wheedle money out of the family. Now someone gives it to you and you don’t want it.”

“A hundred thousand isn’t much,” Ye Zhiqiu laughed, tossing the card carelessly. “Not even enough for a good bottle of wine.”

He raised an eyebrow playfully. “If I’m going to wheedle, I’ll wheedle big.”

In this life, he was still just as stubborn inside.

Toward Ye Hongxian, he had never regarded him as a father, nor would he accept any gift from him.

He would only take those things by force.

Including Yeding, including the Ye family’s small building.

Even if his feelings for that place had long since faded, it was the only place his mother had ever lived.

He wouldn’t let it fall into their hands.

****

Moving wasn’t easy.

Although they were all energetic, after putting everything away and cleaning up, they all collapsed on the sofa.

“How about I order some hot pot and a couple of bottles of wine,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “We can watch a movie and eat at home?”

“Sure,” said Jin Baobao, who had been the loudest about going out to spend lavishly. “I don’t feel like moving anyway.”

“Besides,” he added, “after we eat, I want to be the first to sleep in Xiaoqiu’s bed.”

Li Shaojun looked at him. “I’m sleeping there too.”

“Everyone can sleep. All four of us will fit,” Ye Zhiqiu said, looking down at his phone to order. “The bed is big enough.”

Truthfully, he had no idea what kind of person the original owner of this place was, but they had put in such a large round bed.

It looked to be at least two meters in diameter. All four of them could probably lie on it.

Thinking of the landlord, as if on cue, a message from him came in.

[HE: The door code is 5212121. If you move in soon, you can change it. You can also set up fingerprint unlocking. That way you don’t need to carry keys. It’s more convenient.]

The landlord seemed to be surnamed He, but Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t sure, so he just called him “Brother.”

They hadn’t spoken much, just the initial greeting after adding each other that first night. This was only the second time.

Ye Zhiqiu immediately stopped ordering and replied.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Thanks, brother.]

He couldn’t help being a little curious.

This password… and such a big bed… this guy must have someone he really, really liked, right?

“Such a big bed, such a waste for Xiaoqiu alone,” Jin Baobao sighed at that moment.

“What waste?” Ye Zhiqiu put aside his curiosity, out of politeness not to pry further into his landlord’s life. “I’m in a relationship. A big bed is better for moving around.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk…” Li Shaojun looked unhappy. He didn’t like Qi Xin.

Jin Baobao, however, focused on something else. He immediately propped himself up, his face full of shock. “Qi Xin is that energetic?”

It wasn’t Qi Xin.

Ye Zhiqiu thought. But he said nothing, just lowered his eyes and smiled.

“Tell us, tell us,” Jin Baobao said excitedly, cupping his face. “I want to hear.”

“Two choices,” Ye Zhiqiu said. “Order food, or hear a story.”

Grrr…

Tang Le’s stomach growled at the right moment.

Everyone laughed.

“Speaking of which, Lele,” Jin Baobao asked, noticing Tang Le yawning repeatedly, “is school still that intense?”

“Yeah,” Tang Le blinked away tears. “It was easier when Xiaoqiu was at school and could help me. Now that I’m on my own, it definitely takes more time. Plus…”

He paused. “The dorm is noisy.”

“Right,” Jin Baobao remembered. “Weren’t you going to move out? Did you look at any places?”

“Yesterday, since the weather was good, I looked at a few,” Tang Le said. “There’s a small one-bedroom in the neighborhood behind the school. Very quiet. I like it.”

“If you like it, book it,” Jin Baobao said.

“Yeah,” Ye Zhiqiu said, looking up with a smile after finishing his online order.

“I’m signing the contract Monday evening,” Tang Le said.

“Xiaoqiu,” he said, “can you come with me?”

Signing the contract meant paying deposit and rent. Tang Le was asking him to come pay.

But Ye Zhiqiu didn’t say anything, just smiled and nodded. “Sure. I have class Monday afternoon anyway.”

“Great,” Tang Le said, yawning again. “I’ll treat you to beef brisket pot Monday.”

After eating, they all squeezed together for an afternoon nap.

Mindful that Qin Jianhe was coming over, Ye Zhiqiu ordered dinner at six.

They finished before eight, and he sent them all home, then texted his address to Qin Jianhe.

He came too fast. In less than ten minutes, his door was knocked on.

Outside, Qin Jianhe, dressed in a very ascetic black long coat, was holding bags of things and smiling at him.

“So fast?” Ye Zhiqiu was a little surprised.

“Mm.” Qin Jianhe responded with a smile, then suddenly leaned down and kissed Ye Zhiqiu’s soft lips. “I’ve been waiting in the car downstairs since six.”

Ye Zhiqiu: “…”

He had wanted to tease him, but seeing the bags in his hands, he changed his mind.

He took the bags and couldn’t help exclaiming, “Did you clear out the supermarket?”

The bags contained all kinds of fruits, vegetables, snacks, along with two wild ducks and a bag of homemade sausage.

There were many kinds of snacks, but each seemed especially to have been portioned out…

“The ducks were bought when I went up the hill today. You can make soup with them,” Qin Jianhe said. “The sausage was made by my mother. It’s very clean. When you’re in a hurry, you can put one on top of the rice while it cooks.”

“Then please thank President Nie for me.” Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes curved.

“Okay.” Qin Jianhe smiled.

They worked side by side, quickly transferring everything into the refrigerator. The once empty fridge immediately felt alive.

“Qin Jianhe.” After putting everything away, Ye Zhiqiu took Qin Jianhe’s hand and gave him a tour of his new place.

It was much smaller than Qin Jianhe’s home, but he was still enthusiastic.

He wanted a home of his own. Having suffered so much in his past life because of this, reborn, he still wanted one.

But in his past life, what he had wanted was a home with a beloved partner.

This time, just himself was enough.

“Look, the landlord prepared everything. This electric soup pot is perfect for making broth,” he said, pointing. “And in here, my workspace is almost ready. Efficient, right?”

Qin Jianhe listened with a smile, his dark eyes full of laughter.

“And here, here,” Ye Zhiqiu pulled him into the bedroom and said dramatically, “This bed is f*cking huge.”

“Ye Zhiqiu,” Qin Jianhe laughed, pulling him into his arms. “Kids shouldn’t swear.”

He smiled and bit his soft lower lip lightly.

“What happens if I swear?” Ye Zhiqiu looked up at him, his smile ambiguous.

“Swearing naturally means punishment.” Qin Jianhe pressed his lips together, but couldn’t help the smile that escaped.

“After all,” he said, “this bed is so big.”

“But,” Ye Zhiqiu tilted his face up in his arms, looking innocent, “I haven’t even shown you the pretty swing chair on the balcony yet.”

“The bed first tonight,” Qin Jianhe’s movements became a bit out of control. He leaned down and kissed him, his actions warm and urgent. “Next time, we’ll consider the swing chair.”