Chapter 85 – How Fortunate

Shen Fubai flipped through Ethan’s portfolio, perusing his growth and illustrious career over the years, a faint sense of pride stirring within him.

He was his little brother.

Shen Fubai dialed back.

The phone rang twice before it was swiftly answered. Ethan’s delighted voice came through, “Brother!”

Shen Fubai acknowledged, “Long time no see, Ethan.”

There was a moment of silence on Ethan’s end before the youth asked softly, “Brother, is the man who proposed to you treating you well?”

Shen Fubai smiled, “No one could treat me better than he does.”

Ethan pressed, “Better than family?” He suddenly paused, muttering an apology.

The word ‘family’ was a good thing for Ethan. But for Shen Fubai, it wasn’t so simple.

They had been out of touch for too long. The call last night was rushed. Now that they had time to catch up properly, they didn’t know where to begin.

Ethan questioned, “Brother, why did you suddenly disappear six years ago? We couldn’t contact you, we were worried sick.”

Shen Fubai replied, “Didn’t you know? I became a big star in China. Stars are busy people, our contact information changes often to protect our privacy.”

“But you didn’t make a single call these past six years. If not for Xavier telling me he met a Chinese person, I wouldn’t have been able to reach you until now.” Ethan earnestly asked, “You must have encountered some problem. Can you tell me? I…”

Suddenly, there was a commotion on the other end, as if Ethan was talking to someone else.

Then Ethan said, “Brother, Mom wants to speak with you.”

Shen Fubai was taken aback.

A few seconds later, a woman’s cautious voice came through the receiver, as if holding her breath, “Madeira.”

Shen Fubai’s heart was jolted.

He remained silent.

The woman called again, “Madeira,” her voice trembling with tears.

Shen Fubai murmured, “Um, I’m here.”

The woman burst into sobs, “I miss you. My child. I miss you so much.”

She deeply missed this child.

Shen Fubai gave a faint smile, “But wasn’t it your choice to send me away?”

How could there be no resentment?

The neglect and injustice he suffered from childhood, the hurt of being abandoned, and the indignation of being belittled—how could they be resolved by the woman’s self-righteous attempts at making amends after realizing her mistakes.

The proud mother knew she was wrong, yet never apologized. She merely improved her actions towards him, calling him frequently when he first arrived in China.

But what difference did it make? She still abandoned him.

In those transoceanic calls, the mother repeatedly asked the boy who had just arrived in a foreign country.

“How are you adapting to the environment in China?”

“Adapting,” because it was the same anywhere.

“Do you miss your family?”

“No,” at most, he occasionally thought about his brother.

“Let’s talk next time.”

“Okay,” it was annoying.

…

He had never forgiven her, because she had never apologized.

He was just thoroughly disappointed and indifferent.

Yet deep down, he still cared. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have trembled at the sound of his mother’s voice after six years.

He always remembered the mother who stormed into the principal’s office with him, stood up for him, and warned his classmates not to bully him.

“I…” the woman hesitated on the other end, “I heard from Ethan that you have a boyfriend… Is he good to you? How are the rest of the family treating you?”

Shen Fubai calmly asked, “Are you trying to interfere in my life?”

The woman anxiously responded, “I’m your mother, I’m just concerned about you…”

“But you’ve never cared about me. Not when I was three, not when I was thirteen.” Shen Fubai sighed lightly, “Now I’m twenty-three, I don’t need an adult’s interference anymore.”

The woman muttered, “You clearly hate me…” Her voice sounded aged. She was no longer the young and beautiful female singer she once was. She now had a happy family and an outstanding younger son, but it was still incomplete.

Her eldest son, who left home at eleven, was an integral part of this family.

Shen Fubai said, “I don’t hate you. Never.”

The woman retorted, “But you haven’t called us for six years. I think your ‘never’ actually means ‘forever.'”

Shen Fubai sighed, “This has nothing to do with you. I needed to deal with something myself.”

“What could require you to be unreachable for so many years? Madeira, if you needed help, you should have told us…”

“It’s already taken care of.” Shen Fubai didn’t elaborate.

The woman didn’t know what to say for a while. After a pause, she hesitantly spoke, “I heard from Ethan that you landed a role in ‘Paradise’… That means you’ll be coming back to America in December, right?”

Shen Fubai confirmed, “Yeah.”

The woman’s voice carried anticipation, “Can I see you?” Afraid of rejection, she quickly added, “I won’t interfere with any of your decisions as your mother. If you believe you’ve found true love, then I wish you both happiness. I don’t care about his gender or background; I only hope he treats you well. I… I know I’ve wronged you too much, I just want to see you…”

“My son, I truly miss you. And,” the woman sobbed at the end, “Sorry.”

Sorry, I was an unfit mother.

Shen Fubai’s eyes flickered.

“Ok.” He whispered, “Bye, mom.”

Then he hung up.

He called her ‘mom.’

After growing up to a certain age, he had never sincerely called her ‘mom’ again. This was long overdue.

He forgave her.

All along, all he waited for was an apology. Children forgive their parents easily. For so many years, the knot in his heart seemed to dissolve in that single “Sorry.”

Those barriers and grudges could be overcome with just an apology. He wasn’t greedy.

…

In distant America, the dark-haired woman clutched her younger son in excitement upon hearing the phone disconnect, “Madeira agreed to see me! He even called me ‘mom’! Oh God, I haven’t heard him call me ‘mom’ for six years…”

The handsome brown-haired, blue-eyed teenager beamed, “We can see brother now.”

When Jiang Heng returned, he saw the youth sitting on the bed, staring blankly at the black screen of his phone.

“Fubai, what are you looking at?” Jiang Heng asked with a smile.

“Huh?” Shen Fubai looked up, tears glistening in his eyes.

He had been calm during the call, but as soon as he hung up, he couldn’t hold back his surging emotions.

Jiang Heng’s smile faded. He liked it when Fubai’s eyes reddened with passion, but he disliked it when they turned red from sadness.

Fubai should be smiling, he should always be happy.

“What happened?” Jiang Heng sat down in slight urgency, “Does it hurt somewhere? Should we go to the hospital?” He felt a pang of regret; last night was Fubai’s first time, and this morning he hadn’t been able to restrain himself…

Shen Fubai shook his head and threw himself into Jiang Heng’s arms, “Heng Heng, I received my mother’s blessing!”

He wiped away his tears and exclaimed joyfully, “We also have the blessing of family now!”

Jiang Heng was momentarily stunned, then curved his lips, “Yeah.”

Fubai chose to sever ties with his family, and Jiang Heng would naturally stand by his side. If Fubai could reconcile with his family, he would naturally share in his joy.

Regardless, he respected Shen Fubai’s decision.

Jiang Heng bought lunch, and Shen Fubai planned to get out of bed to eat, but his body tensed slightly when he moved.

…It felt like something was going to come out.

Shen Fubai decided not to get out of bed and stubbornly stayed in bed, refusing to budge.

He couldn’t bear to be so embarrassing!

Shen Fubai was so resistant to getting out of bed that Jiang Heng was initially confused, but later realized what was happening, clearing his throat, “Go clean yourself up in the bathroom.”

Shen Fubai tightened his grip on the blanket, “Leave me alone, don’t look at me.”

Jiang Heng chuckled, “Only now you’re feeling shy? Who was clinging onto me earlier this morning?”

At first, Shen Fubai was terribly embarrassed, but later, he became playful, almost shameless. Teasing Jiang Heng and acting coquettishly, like a fox spirit that could drain a person dry.

Shen Fubai peeked out from under the blanket for a second before covering himself again, “I don’t care, turn around.”

“Fine, I’m afraid of you.” Jiang Heng said, but indeed turned around.

Shen Fubai lifted the blanket and tiptoed out of bed — he tried to step out of bed as usual, but his legs went weak, and with one leg still on the bed, the other leg slid down entirely.

…Fortunately, he was professionally trained in dance, doing a split at 230 degrees; otherwise, he would have at least strained a ligament.

Jiang Heng heard the noise and turned back, startled, “You dancers are too dedicated, practicing your basics at any time…” Even the way of getting out of bed was unique.

Shen Fubai gritted his teeth, “Help me up!”

Jiang Heng walked over and lifted him up directly, “I’ll assist you. I’m really afraid you might fall in the bathroom.”

Shen Fubai retorted, “That was just an accident!”

“An accident that nearly sent you to the hospital?” Jiang Heng glanced at him, “Good thing you have great flexibility, you can bend however you want without any harm…” He paused, as if a new world had opened up to him.

“It seems we can unlock many positions.” Jiang Heng pondered.

Shen Fubai exclaimed, “Who are you, you weird creature! Give me back my pure and innocent Jiang Heng Heng!”

He certainly wasn’t a fan of this strange creature full of dirty thoughts!

His idol’s halo was gradually fading.

The person he loved was becoming more real.

Real…still in the form he loved.

When they emerged from the bathroom, the food had cooled down. Jiang Heng reheated lunch in the microwave. Although this candy house looked like something from a fairy tale, its furnishings were still rooted in reality, with all necessary household appliances.

While Jiang Heng reheated lunch, Shen Fubai sat cross-legged on the sofa, scrolling through Weibo. The large and small gift boxes from last night were still scattered around, and Shen Fubai sat among them, as if he had jumped out of a present himself.

Without needing to think, he knew his main account had been flooded with mentions. Flooded with birthday wishes, Shen Fubai simply posted a “Thank you everyone” to respond collectively.

Looking at the engagement ring on his hand, he felt a tinge of regret, wishing he could post it online.

A new message popped up on WeChat.

Shen Fubai clicked to open it, surprisingly finding it was from Xie Chian.

Xie Chian: Happy Birthday!!!

Since their departure from Mount Wu Shan, Shen Fubai hadn’t been in contact with this high school student, the obtained contact information was virtually unused. He didn’t expect the other party to take the initiative, let alone with three exclamation marks.

What a cold exterior, warm-hearted good kid.

Shen Fubai jokingly replied, “Your message is a bit late.”

Everyone else had sent messages promptly at midnight, while Xie Chian sent his during the day. But thinking about it, he was a high school student, health comes first, he shouldn’t stay up late.

Xie Chian: Because I had to sneak my phone, Brother Fubai!!!

Shen Fubai shuddered.

It was hard to imagine those words coming from that cool and aloof youth… Could this be the legendary difference between online and offline personas?

In the next second, the other party sent a few more lines.

Xie Chian: Sorry, that was my sister just now.

Xie Chian: She stole my phone.

Xie Chian: She’s your die-hard fan.

Shen Fubai was speechless.

So this kid was still cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Lunch wasn’t overly lavish, but it was delicious. Jiang Heng had Shen Fubai eat a little to fill his stomach, as they were going to celebrate his birthday properly in the evening. A cake was a must, and it had to be huge, satisfying the cravings of two dessert lovers.

Shen Fubai remarked, “Last night’s birthday celebration was unforgettable enough, unfortunately, we didn’t record it…”

“There is.” Jiang Heng took out a camera, “I filmed everything. I wanted to capture all the meaningful moments between us in vlogs, to replay every year on our wedding anniversary. Want to watch it now?”

“Yes!” Shen Fubai exclaimed in delight. He could relive that scene as many times as he wanted without getting tired of it.

Jiang Heng inserted the film, and Shen Fubai stared intently at the television.

The TV quickly replayed the scenes from last night.

“Fubai, you were born, a tiny little thing, very cute. I give you this pacifier, you must bite it well and not blow bubbles. Fubai, happy 1st birthday.”

“Hahahaha, Heng Heng, what are you doing… Why would a grown man like me use a pacifier? Also, it’s my 23rd birthday, you need to be clear-headed.”

“A long-life lock in China symbolizes longevity and safety. You grew up in America, so probably no one gave you this. So I’ll give it to you. Fubai, happy 2nd birthday.”

“This is a rattle, children all like this toy. Fubai, have fun playing, happy 3rd birthday.”

…

On the TV, Shen Fubai grinned like an idiot and then covered his face and cried like an idiot.

Outside the TV, Shen Fubai laughed from the couch, “I’m such an idiot.”

However, it couldn’t be denied that watching it again stirred an indescribable wave of emotion within him—

Someone cared for him so much.

How fortunate.