FIO CH70

Chapter 70 ：End

His eyes snapped open, and in front of him, Lu Fangchi was frowning slightly with a worried expression. “Did you have a nightmare?”

Ignoring the cold sweat drenching his hair, Zhou Zheng suddenly sat up, quickly pulling Lu Fangchi into his arms and holding him tightly. The solid feeling and warm body temperature from his embrace gradually filled the void in the alpha’s heart, which had been shattered by the nightmare. The sweat on his temple slid down to his cheek.

Zhou Zheng’s grip was too tight, and Lu Fangchi felt like he was about to be strangled and unable to breathe. However, seeing the alpha’s body trembling and the mumbled words in his sleep as if he was possessed, Lu Fangchi, in that suffocating position, reached up and gently patted his back, softly comforting him, “It’s okay. Dreams are just the opposite. Don’t be afraid.”

Zhou Zheng buried his face in Lu Fangchi’s neck, nuzzling for a while before finally responding with a soft “Mm.”

After a while, he seemed to have recovered from the nightmare. The tightness in his grip loosened, and his tense body relaxed, but he still lingered on Lu Fangchi, unwilling to get up. He shifted his head from side to side, nuzzling for a bit, and finally spoke, “I can’t make it alone…”

“Hm?” Lu Fangchi raised an eyebrow.

“I’m going to live with you,” he said with a tone that brooked no argument, then pursed his lips and curved them into a pout, “Will you agree or not?”

Without responding, Zhou Zheng wrapped his arms around Lu Fangchi’s waist, nuzzling his neck and whining, “Can I? Please? Will you let me?”

Eventually, he started acting like a spoiled child, looking up into Lu Fangchi’s eyes and saying, “I don’t care. Either I go to yours, or you come to mine. Choose one.”

Lu Fangchi, feeling helpless and knowing it was just a playful tease, smiled warmly with affection and said, “Alright, I’ll go to yours.”

Zhou Zheng was still thinking of how to persuade him, but Lu Fangchi agreed so easily that he couldn’t believe his ears. He released Lu Fangchi and blinked at him in disbelief for a while before finally finding his voice, “Are you serious?”

Without giving Lu Fangchi a chance to respond or change his mind, Zhou Zheng sprang out of bed, hurried out of the bedroom with quick steps, and dragged out two extra-large 24-inch suitcases. He began throwing his belongings into them in a manner that seemed like he was emptying his entire home.

In his haste, Zhou Zheng stuffed his high-end suits, neatly ironed shirts, and ties into the suitcase indiscriminately. Lu Fangchi, who was sitting on the bed, couldn’t bear to watch and got up to help fold the clothes, saying, “Take your time. There’s no need to rush.”

“Okay,” Zhou Zheng agreed verbally, but his actions didn’t slow down at all.

This time, once he moved in, he wouldn’t be coming back, so he had a lot of things to bring. The kitchen, living room, bathroom, and bedroom were all emptied out in an instant.

Yes, he also needed to bring his computer and books. Although he had locked the photos in the safe, the study was still his secret base, off-limits to others.

Zhou Zheng’s tall figure blocked the entrance to the study, looking hesitant and hesitant. He didn’t know how to tell Lu Fangchi not to follow him in.

Lu Fangchi always had a strong sense of boundaries. He noticed Zhou Zheng’s embarrassment and considerately raised his chin, saying, “I’ll wait for you in the living room.” With that, he walked over and sat down on the sofa.

Zhou Zheng glanced at Lu Fangchi a few times, making sure his attention was elsewhere, before quietly pushing open the study door. He took several more glances inside, then closed and locked the door.

Leaning against the door, Zhou Zheng took a deep breath, then walked over to the lift table to start packing.

He was pulling out four or five books from the bookshelf and stacking them together when he realized he was missing one… Where had he put it?

After scanning the bookshelf without finding it, Zhou Zheng bent down to search through the drawers. He opened the three rows of drawers on the right side and found nothing. Then he opened the left side, and in just one glance, he noticed something was wrong.

The alpha’s hand froze as he pulled open the drawer, his eyes falling on a stack of envelopes buried under a pile of thick books.

He hadn’t opened them for a long time and couldn’t remember what they contained. But something was different, and he immediately noticed it. The alpha’s expression turned hesitant, and then he reached out and pulled out the stack of envelopes.

It wasn’t a hallucination; the stack had thickened significantly, with several additional envelopes inserted among his own.

Zhou Zheng took a look. Apart from his first envelope, which was an old white one, and a light pink envelope, the other three were made of kraft paper. The extra envelopes, exactly five in number, were off-white and were interspersed with his own envelopes one by one.

…This was definitely not a coincidence.

Zhou Zheng’s brows furrowed tightly as he quickly opened the letters to check.

Dear Lu Fangchi,

Hello, I don’t know if you remember me. I’m the boy who got beaten up in the alley of the urban village. My name is Zhou Zheng.

I moved house very suddenly and didn’t have time to tell you. We won’t be able to eat at the convenience store together anymore. Thank you for the oden, milk, and bread. They were delicious.

I’ve eaten so many meals from you for free. I’d like to repay you in the future. How can I get in touch with you? Or can you contact me? I’m Zhou Zheng from Class 2, Grade 5 at the Second Primary School.

I hope to hear back from you.

The envelope and the letter were both crumpled. Written in pencil, the handwriting was childish and not very neat, but still legible.
It was written by himself. After quickly glancing over to confirm there were no mistakes, Zhou Zheng refolded the letter and opened the second one.

Dear Zhou Zheng,

Hello, I have received your letter. I am in Class 3, Grade 8 at the First Middle School.

The person replying: Lu Fangchi.

Zhou Zheng’s eyes widened, and his hand holding the envelope trembled slightly. He read the two lines of writing over and over again. The handwriting was neat, clear, and elegant—definitely Lu Fangchi’s.

How could he… Zhou Zheng swallowed hard and immediately reached for the next one.

Dear Lu Fangchi,

Hello, I’m not sure if you still remember me. I’m the boy who got beaten up in the alley of the urban village. It has been such a long time, and perhaps you have forgotten.

It doesn’t matter. Let me introduce myself. My name is Zhou Zheng. I graduated from the Second Primary School, and this year, I was admitted to your school, the First Middle School. Unfortunately, you have already graduated.

I heard that you were the top student in this year’s middle school exams. Congratulations.

I plan to take you as my role model and aim for the same school. I hope that one day, I can be recognized by you and have a conversation with you.

The handwriting here had become neat and tidy, with a hint of style and a well-formed font.

Dear Zhou Zheng,

Hello, and congratulations to you as well.

I am waiting for you at Haiyuan High School. Be bold; we can become friends right now.

Zhou Zheng’s eyes blinked rapidly, and he frowned to suppress the warmth rising within him. He continued to flip through the letters.

Dear Lu Fangchi,

Hello, congratulations on being admitted to university.

I am your junior, studying at Haiyuan High School.

(A dot, an ink stain.)

Perhaps knowing that this letter would never be delivered, from this one onwards, the content of the letters became shorter. There were so many things he wanted to say, but in the end, they all remained unspoken, turning into an ink-stained period.

Dear Zhou Zheng,

I hope this letter brings you joy.

Thank you, and congratulations on being admitted to high school.

Coward, still haven’t been able to get to know you.

(Pink envelope)

Dear You,

Hello, Lu Fangchi. My name is Zhou Zheng.

You may not remember me, or have any impression of me at all, but you truly illuminated the darkness in my life.

Thank you for saving me in the alley of the urban village seven years ago, and for taking me to eat oden and milk.

I have taken you as my role model and followed you from elementary school all the way to university. (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a stalker.) It started with gratitude, and by the time I reached university, I realized my feelings.

Today, I received a job offer from a major company. I am no longer a powerless teenager, and only now do I dare to express my feelings to you.

I’m sorry I’m a science student with poor literary skills. I wrote and rewrote, revised and revised again, but in the end, I just wanted to say one thing—I like you.

I hope my confession doesn’t trouble you and I look forward to your reply.

Zhou Zheng’s hands were trembling, and his breathing became heavier. What would Lu Fangchi’s reply be?

Dear Zhou Zheng,

Hello. Lfcxxx.

Zhou Zheng was both amused and frustrated, having forgotten that Lu Fangchi was also a science student with a more straightforward and blunt way of thinking. He directly provided his WeChat ID.

The last one.

Dear Lu Fangchi,

Why don’t you remember me?

Why?

Why?

Why?

The handwriting was messy and forceful, with the paper punctured by the pen. It was evident that the writer was furious.

Zhou Zheng recalled his own feelings at the time, which could be described as furious. At that time, Lu Fangchi and Xie Xing had become a couple, and his secret love had ended in failure.

So why was he so angry? Because later, they entered the same industry and inevitably had work-related interactions. They had collaborated on several projects, but Lu Fangchi didn’t remember him at all. This completely shattered Zhou Zheng’s defenses and further distorted his psyche. As a result, after achieving success, he harbored resentment towards Lu Fangchi, fueled by unrequited love, and never had a pleasant expression when they met.

The good news was that this terrible attitude finally made Lu Fangchi remember him. The bad news was that Lu Fangchi also came to despise him because of it.

Zhou Zheng raised his hand to his face and opened the last reply.

Dear Zhou Zheng,

Greetings.

I’m sorry, I really don’t remember. I can’t recall it now, and I can’t lie to you.

Reading your previous letters, I feel both heartbroken and bittersweet. Thank you for your affection; it has been a long and hard journey for you.

I’m not as good as you say. I have many bad habits, and my cold demeanor often frustrates people. Thank you for putting up with me.

I’m not good with words, and I don’t think I’ve ever formally told you that I “like” you. So I’ll say it here.

I like you, Zhou Zheng. Very, very, very much.

I find your petulance endearing. When you pout, I am utterly defenseless. Your mischievous behavior is also charming, as long as it doesn’t cross the line (no talk of breaking up).

I used to think you were arrogant and couldn’t speak plainly. But you are still so handsome. How can someone be so good-looking? You were born to be the type I like. (I don’t think I’ve ever said this, but you have always been my type.)

I think you are the best, the very best. The meals you cook are delicious, and you are very diligent. I gained five pounds when you were with me and lost them again when you left. (Come back and fatten me up again.)

My love, come out. I’m waiting for you at the door.

Lu Fangchi stood at the door, his breathing slightly rapid, his heart pounding with nerves.

Creak, the door opened.

Lu Fangchi opened his arms wide, smiling warmly as he welcomed his beloved.

Zhou Zheng lowered his eyes, and a large tear fell to the ground. He buried his head in Lu Fangchi’s shoulder, his voice choked with emotion: “I have loved you for so many years.”

Lu Fangchi smiled, his eyes glistening with tears. He slipped a ring onto the alpha’s ring finger and said, “Let’s get married.”