Chapter 221: Chapter
Su Long turned around and quietly stepped out of the room, gently pulling the door shut behind her. She needed to rest and prepare her mind for whatever new surprises tomorrow would bring for her and Fu Sheng.
Meanwhile, at the far end of the quiet hallway, Fu Sheng stopped in front of Fu Teng’s bedroom door. He raised his heavy hand and knocked once.
There was no response.
He knocked a second time. Still, the room remained entirely silent.
Knowing that his younger brother was awake and listening on the other side, Fu Sheng let his hand drop to his side. He leaned his shoulder against the wooden frame, staring down at the floorboards, and decided to speak.
"I know you are angry at me," Fu Sheng began, his deep voice thick with exhaustion and raw honesty. "And I know I have been a terrible big brother to you lately. I’m sorry, Fu Teng. It just... it isn’t easy. Running this entire family, trying to keep everyone alive in this wasteland, and still trying to be there emotionally for all of you."
Fu Sheng swallowed hard, his throat tight. "The least I expected was for my brothers to support me. I just wanted you to be happy, to get married one day, have children, and live your best life. That was all I ever pictured for you. I just found out about your sexuality... and I sincerely don’t even know what to say."
He paused, letting the heavy silence stretch between them.
"I don’t understand it," Fu Sheng continued softly, his voice cracking just a fraction. "I don’t know how to navigate this, and I don’t know what your future looks like anymore. But I do know one thing. You are my brother. And no matter who you love, or what kind of life you choose to live, I will never turn my back on you. You don’t have to hide from me."
From the other side of the wood, there was a faint rustle of clothing. A second later, the wooden click of the latch echoed in the quiet hall.
The door slowly creaked open.
Fu Teng stood in the narrow gap, his eyes red-rimmed and his face pale. He looked at his older brother, the heavy, defensive wall he had built up finally crumbling into dust.
"Brother..." Fu Teng choked out, his voice trembling.
Fu Sheng didn’t say another word. He just stepped forward, reaching out and pulling his younger brother into a tight, fierce embrace. Fu Teng buried his face in Fu Sheng’s shoulder, his hands gripping the back of his brother’s torn tunic as years of buried fear and silent tears finally broke free.
Fu Teng gripped the back of Fu Sheng’s torn tunic tighter, his body shaking with deep, silent sobs.
"I’m sorry..." Fu Teng choked out, his voice muffled against Fu Sheng’s shoulder, raw with built-up shame and fear. "I’m so sorry, Brother... I know I disgust you. I know I broke everything you wanted for me. I’m so sorry..."
Fu Sheng froze for a split second, those words piercing straight through his chest. He pulled back slightly, gripping Fu Teng’s shoulders with both hands, forcing his younger brother to look him straight in the eye.
"Don’t ever say that," Fu Sheng commanded, his deep voice fierce and unwavering, though his own eyes were glistening in the dim hallway light. "Look at me, Fu Teng. You are my blood. You do not disgust me. I am confused, and I am scared for what this means for your life, but I could never be disgusted by you."
Fu Teng wiped his wet eyes with his sleeve, his breathing ragged as he stared at his older brother in disbelief. "You... you don’t hate me?"
"I could never hate you," Fu Sheng said firmly, shaking his head. "I spent all this time trying to protect this family from the outside, and I didn’t even realize how much pain you were carrying right inside this house. That’s on me, not you."
He placed a heavy, reassuring hand on Fu Teng’s neck, giving it a firm, affectionate squeeze.
"We’ll figure this out together," Fu Sheng promised quietly. "One step at a time. But tonight, you stop carrying this secret alone."
Fu Teng let out a long, shuddering breath, a massive weight finally lifting from his chest as he nodded, wiping away the last of his tears.
Fu Sheng looked at his younger brother, his expression turning serious and grounded.
"You need to talk to Mother tomorrow," Fu Sheng said softly, keeping his grip steady on Fu Teng’s shoulder. "She knows."
Fu Teng went completely pale, his eyes widening in sudden panic. "She... she knows? You told her?"
"I had to," Fu Sheng explained quietly, his tone calm and unhurried. "She was furious about everything happening tonight, demanding answers about why you were being kept inside. If I hadn’t told her the truth, she would have believed something far worse. But Fu Teng... she didn’t react with hate. She was confused, hurt, and scared, but she loves you. She deserves to hear your explanation directly from you, in your own words."
Fu Teng swallowed hard, his throat tight with a fresh wave of anxiety. "What... what did she say?"
"She said she could never hate her own son," Fu Sheng reassured him gently. "She just needs time to understand. Go to her tomorrow morning. Don’t hide, and don’t run. Stand before her as her son, talk to her, and let her process it with you."
Fu Teng looked down at the floorboards, taking a slow, deep breath to steady his racing heart. The thought of facing their mother was terrifying, but knowing that Fu Sheng stood behind him gave him a sliver of courage he hadn’t possessed before.
"Okay," Fu Teng whispered, wiping his face once more. "I will talk to her tomorrow."
Fu Sheng gave his shoulder a final, supportive squeeze. "Get some rest tonight. The whole family is going to need their strength for tomorrow."
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