"Swish—"
The fish was turned over again and again. On the grill, it made soft sizzling sounds as sweet, fresh juices sprayed out.
Adrian Carter held Riley Palmer's hand and slowly walked toward Leonard Sterling by the grill."Where's Caleb?"
Riley Palmer also looked around but didn't see Caleb anywhere.
Leonard Sterling raised his head, scanning the surroundings, his gaze calm as it settled on the figures below.
"Caleb, come up."Leonard's voice was cold, like the seawater beneath them, crashing hard into Caleb's heart.
Caleb quickly lifted his foot, smiling toward Leonard's direction, and trotted upstairs.
Leonard stood upstairs, watching Caleb step by step as he came closer. Leonard frowned, staring at Caleb's wet feet.
Everywhere he walked, there were marks—his own exclusive imprints.
Leonard tossed him a cloth. "Dry your feet."
Caleb looked at the footprints he had left on the floor and chuckled softly. He sat down on the nearby sofa and wiped the soles of his feet.
Leonard watched him, then sat down as well, continuing to brush the marinade.
Adrian glanced at Riley Palmer as she took her seat, then leaned slightly closer to Caleb."What happened?"
Caleb raised his head to look at him. His cold foot kicked heavily at Adrian's knee."Mind your own business!"
Adrian lifted an eyebrow lightly and dodged the attack."Let's talk."
Caleb sighed helplessly."The Polly family suddenly came knocking. They want a marriage alliance. My brother agreed for me."
Their voices were very low. Even though Leonard pricked up his ears, he couldn't hear anything clearly.
Riley Palmer was busy talking with the construction crew about reform plans and didn't notice the subtle tension between them.
"You're getting married?" Adrian asked slowly, glancing toward Leonard.
Caleb lowered his head and stayed silent for a long while, then shook it."I don't want to, but I have no choice."
"Mr. Carter, you know this. If I hadn't accidentally saved Leonard back then, I'd probably be dead somewhere by now."
Caleb gave a bitter smile as he looked at Leonard, who was turning the fish. His heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Leonard seemed to sense something and glanced at Caleb, but quickly lowered his head again.
Adrian didn't say anything more. He took off his jacket and draped it over Riley Palmer's shoulders.
Riley Palmer lifted her head slightly and smiled at him.
Adrian casually pulled her into his arms and held her tightly."Riley, stop working," he murmured, rubbing his head gently against her shoulder like a soft fox seeking affection.
Riley Palmer pushed him lightly."Adrian, stop it."
Her gaze shifted toward Leonard and Caleb. At some point, the two of them were already sitting together, quietly watching the moon slowly rise, neither speaking.
Riley Palmer looked up at the moon and called softly,"Adrian…"
"Hm?" Adrian opened his eyes and looked at her. "What is it?"
"Look, it's a full moon."
Adrian followed her gaze upward."Yeah, it's very round."
Clang—
A metal tray with grilled fish was placed in front of Adrian and Riley Palmer by Caleb.
Riley Palmer looked at the fish, still steaming, and swallowed.
Adrian took the chopsticks Leonard handed him and held them over the plate.
He carefully picked out the bones one by one, then brought the boneless fish to Riley Palmer's mouth.
The fish was tender and springy. With the prepared sauce, the fresh flavor spread instantly across her tongue.
Riley Palmer nodded in satisfaction again and again.
Caleb looked at the fish Leonard handed him, still full of bones, and frowned. He glanced at Leonard beside him, then put the fish from his own bowl back into Leonard's bowl.
Leonard frowned at the extra fish."You don't like it?"
"I don't." Caleb stuffed some beef into his mouth, his eyes constantly drifting toward the fish.
Seeing his reaction, Leonard sighed and slowly began picking out the bones.
The fish Leonard prepared for Caleb didn't have many bones to begin with.
Soon, Leonard placed the fish back into Caleb's bowl."All done."
Caleb looked at the fish, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, and put it into his mouth.
He swayed his head as he chewed.
Leonard watched him, the corners of his lips lifting faintly.
"Seafood sashimi and seafood porridge are here!"The chef Caleb had specially hired for the yacht came into view carrying steaming hot porridge.
Adrian stood up, took a bowl, and handed it to Riley Palmer."Warm your stomach."
Riley Palmer looked at the steaming porridge, gently blew on it, and brought the bowl to her lips.
Caleb stared at the fragrant porridge and kicked Leonard lightly.
Leonard slowly stood up, took a bowl, and set it in front of Caleb.
Caleb happily ate the porridge. When his eyes met Adrian's, it all felt perfectly natural.
Leonard had always taken care of him like this since they were very young.
From initial discomfort, to acceptance, to habit—everyone had grown used to it.
Caleb himself had never thought about what his life would be like if Leonard were no longer there.
Adrian glanced at Leonard several times. He still clearly remembered what had been said earlier.
Leaving… what would Caleb be like then?
After eating, the yacht slowly began heading back toward shore.
The stars were especially bright tonight. The four of them leaned back on the yacht, gazing up at the sky.
Caleb swung his legs, constantly bumping into Leonard's feet.
Leonard looked at him several times, but Caleb ignored him each time.
Adrian watched the girl beside him counting stars and smiled softly, counting along with her.
One, two, three, four…
A round moon, twinkling stars, a vast starry sky—you and I, together.
When the yacht docked again, Leonard and Adrian both stood up and looked at each other.
They then glanced at Caleb and Riley Palmer, both sound asleep, and smiled softly.
Adrian scooped Riley Palmer up in his arms. Looking at Leonard gently lifting Caleb, he murmured,"You're already that practiced at carrying him, and you still managed to hold back until now."
Leonard looked at Adrian for a long time before lowering his gaze to Caleb in his arms, tenderness flashing in his eyes.
"Then will you still chase him?"
Leonard paused, shook his head slowly, listened to Caleb's gentle breathing, and pressed a kiss to his forehead."No. I won't chase anymore."
"From now on, please help take care of him."
"What do you mean? Leaving and never coming back?" Adrian freed one hand and grabbed Leonard's arm.
Leonard smiled faintly."Maybe."
Adrian watched Leonard walk to the Bentley, carefully placing Caleb inside.
He also settled Riley Palmer into the back seat and gently covered her with a jacket.
He then looked at Leonard, who was smoking beside the car, for a long time.
"Want one?" Leonard held out the cigarette case.
Adrian glanced at it and declined."I don't smoke."
"When did you start?"
Adrian leaned lightly against the Bentley's door and looked at Leonard.
"I don't know. A long time ago. But I quit later—he doesn't like it."
Adrian considered himself very familiar with Leonard, so much so that he was the first to realize Leonard liked Caleb.
They had navigated the business world together for years, creating countless brilliant achievements.
Adrian thought they would never drift apart. But if Leonard truly stayed in the capital, what would he face?
Leonard didn't want to force him, nor would he ever do so.
He would only watch Caleb marry and have children, standing by as he lived a happy, fulfilled life. Perhaps Leonard would even be one of the planners at Caleb's wedding.
"If you leave, what will he do?" Adrian asked.
Leonard exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked up at the stars."He'll live a normal life."
He was willing to give everything he could for Caleb—including watching him walk toward his own happiness.
Far away from himself, Caleb would only be happier.
"Mr. Carter, I hope that in the future you can help look after him. When there are things he can't handle on his own, please step in."
Leonard took a deep drag from his cigarette."Mr. Carter, just take this as a debt I owe you."
"If you ever need my help in the future—legal or illegal—I'll give everything I have in return. I…"
"Stop."Adrian reached out, snatched the cigarette from his hand, tossed it to the ground, and crushed it with his foot."Leonard, Caleb is my friend too. Even without your request, I would still help him."
Adrian stepped closer."Leonard, I don't think Caleb will be happy after you leave."
"The moment you leave, the only person who ever gave him happiness leaves with you. Where would his happiness come from then?"
"I'm leaving."Adrian waved, got into the Mercedes, and lowered the window."Leonard, you should quit smoking properly. It damages your lungs."
The Mercedes drove off, disappearing from the Bentley's sight, leaving behind exhaust fumes and tire marks.
Leonard stared at those marks for a long time, then looked quietly at Caleb sleeping soundly in the car.
"Will he really care about me…?"
The night wind in the capital was cold, stirring Leonard's hair and striking his heart bit by bit.
Leonard looked at the crushed cigarette on the ground and smiled faintly."Let's wait a little longer."