The moment Su Lixu saw Fu Xingran, he immediately thought of what happened last night. Having suffered through a night of insomnia, he still has not figured out how to deal with Fu Xingran. He had originally wanted to seek help from He Shi, but this guy had just showed up out of nowhere.
“Good morning.”
“Did older brother not sleep well? You have got dark circles.” Fu Xingran walked closer to Su Lixu, raising a hand as if to touch his eyes.
The next second, his hand was grabbed.
“Kid, are you not being a bit too familiar?” He Shi stepped in and grabbed Fu Xingran’s restless hand. “Teacher Su probably did not invite you, right?”
Irritation flashed in the depths of Fu Xingran’s eyes, though he forcefully suppressed it. He shook off He Shi’s hand and smiled. “He did not, but we are neighbors. Isn’t it normal to say hello? Right, older brother?”
As he spoke, he looked over at Su Lixu, seeking a sense of validation.
Inside, however, he couldn’t help wondering why He Shi was at Su Lixu’s place. Did Su Lixu invite him over? What were they doing? And how could He Shi have the access card to Su Lixu’s home? You had to be exceptionally close to someone to hand over your house key.
“Yeah, saying hello is normal.” Su Lixu didn’t look too closely at Fu Xingran. He turned sideways and looked at He Shi with a feigned sense of calm. “Xingran lives right next door, so he really is my neighbor. Did you bring me a latte? I am starving. Come on in.”
With that, he turned and walked back into the living room.
He chanted inwardly: Don’t panic, don’t panic, don’t panic. Let’s consult He Shi, who actually has dating experience, first.
He Shi glanced at Fu Xingran, lifted the latte in his hand, and chuckled with an arched brow. “Good morning to the neighbor, then.” He walked into Su Lixu’s home and pulled the door shut behind him.
Perhaps the sound of the door closing triggered Fu Xingran, because he took a sharp step forward, seized the doorframe with quick reflexes, and aggressively forced his way inside, shouting at Su Lixu:
“Older brother, didn’t you say you were going to give me a reward? You promised me, and I want it right now.”
He had been obsessing over it all night long, and he had even woken up at the crack of dawn to head down to the corporate group headquarters and throw a massive tantrum just to vent some frustration for Su Lixu. Yet he never could have imagined that Su Lixu would invite He Shi over to his house today, only for him to catch them in the act. Was he supposed to just accept these two men spending time alone together in the same room?
That was out of the question.
Hearing the shout, Su Lixu paused in his tracks, the fingertips at his sides trembling slightly. He pressed his dry lips together, adjusted his breathing to look natural and un-panicked, and turned around.
His gaze swept past He Shi’s shoulder to meet Fu Xingran’s tense expression, and he smiled gently. “Yes, I did say that, but I made an appointment with Professor He first to discuss some matters. Let’s talk about yours later, okay?”
Normally, this was just standard social etiquette. Yet seeing the resistance on Fu Xingran’s face, he could practically feel how much He Shi’s presence was triggering Fu Xingran’s guard and suspicion.
Fu Xingran’s eyes flickered slightly, his grip on the doorframe tightening. “You made an appointment with Professor He first? Is it something very important? Are you talking about it inside the house? Is it something I can’t hear?”
“Yes,” Su Lixu nodded in response. Walking over to the entryway, he patted He Shi to signal him to go inside first, then looked back at Fu Xingran. “I have some very important matters to discuss with him. It might not be very convenient for you to listen in.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he caught the aggrieved look Fu Xingran was giving him, making him look remarkably like an abandoned puppy.
Just when he expected Fu Xingran to make a fuss about the reward:
“Is that so?” Fu Xingran tugged at the corners of his mouth, released the doorframe, and took a step back. “Fine. I guess I’m interrupting older brother, then. I’ll head back. You two go ahead and talk.”
He even thoughtfully pulled the door shut for them.
Su Lixu met Fu Xingran’s reddened eyes, watching him stare with such pitiful grievance that it looked like he was being cast aside.
He forced himself to break eye contact and closed the door.
No softening up. Once you soften up, he’s got you wrapped around his finger.
Outside, Fu Xingran stared at the closed front door, and the despondent look vanished completely. He curved his lips into a smile, pulled out his car keys, and headed toward the parking lot.
Play hard to get. Su Lixu will come looking for me.
Inside, the living room was quiet.
Seeing Su Lixu standing frozen in the entryway, He Shi asked, “What’s wrong?”
Su Lixu stared at the door for a long time, feeling a lingering wave of anxiety. “I’m afraid he’s going to loiter by the door again, or go off and street race.”
With that, he leaned over to peek through the peephole, finding no one outside. Then he opened the door again, only to find a single cup of latte sitting on the floor.
“Does he street race?”
Su Lixu opened the front door fully and walked right up to Fu Xingran’s apartment, ringing the doorbell a few times with no answer. He immediately pulled out his phone and dialed his number.
Listening to the endless ringing tone on the other end, his mood instantly plummeted to the bottom.
He tilted his head back and took a deep breath, unable to quell the irritability surging inside him as his hand clenched tightly at his side.
Fu Xingran, if you dare go street race, you’re dead.
Down in the parking lot:
Fu Xingran sat inside his car as the phone’s calling screen lit up. Staring at the caller ID labeled “Older Brother,” anticipation bloomed in the depths of his eyes.
After about ten rings, he tapped to answer.
“Fu Xingran, are you not at home?”
Hearing the anxious tone in Su Lixu’s voice, Fu Xingran replied, “I’m driving.”
As he spoke, he cooperatively stepped on the gas pedal, beginning to circle around the parking lot.
Hearing the roar of the engine over the phone, Su Lixu felt his irritation rise straight to his throat.
“Get back here right now.”
Hearing the slight hardening in Su Lixu’s voice, as he was actually scolding him again, Fu Xingran stepped on the gas a little more. “Why should I go back? Anyway, older brother, you don’t have time for me.”
His speed crept up to 20 kilometers per hour.
Perhaps the engine roar was too clear, striking terror into the heart of Su Lixu on the other end of the line. He immediately softened his tone:
“Xingran, come back.”
Hearing Su Lixu back down, Fu Xingran felt a bit better. “What’s the point of finding me? Didn’t you make plans with Professor He for noon? You didn’t make plans with me. If I go back, won’t I just get in the way of you and Professor He? That wouldn’t be good.”
“Are you upset just because I wouldn’t let you in?”
Su Lixu’s question carried an exceptional gentleness, causing Fu Xingran’s grip on the steering wheel to tighten involuntarily. “How could I possibly be mad at older brother?”
“Then will you come back for lunch? I’ll make your favorite.”
“Older brother, it’s fine. Go eat with Professor He, don’t worry about me.” Fu Xingran turned the steering wheel toward the direction of the apartment complex, skillfully keeping up the act of a demanding drama queen. “I can take care of my own meals just fine.”
Su Lixu thought to himself, Is this guy really not falling for my tricks anymore? He gritted his teeth, forced himself to keep his temper in check, and smiled. “What will it take for you to come back, then?”
I’ll get you back here and then deal with you.
The parking lot was dimly lit, casting a sharp, handsome profile onto the car window. One could vaguely see the driver curving the corners of his lips in a state of high spirits.
Hearing Su Lixu hand the initiative right over to him, Fu Xingran smiled. “I want a reward. I want that reward the moment I get back, just like you promised me yesterday. Also, as for not letting me into your place, you have to take me out on a date to coax me. Do that and I won’t be mad anymore. It’s that simple, I’m really easy to coax.”
Su Lixu thought to himself, Is this what they call giving an inch and taking a mile? “Yes, easy. Extremely easy.”
Actually, he had no idea what kind of reward to give Fu Xingran; saying that yesterday was purely to appease him.
As for a date, he truly couldn’t imagine what kind of vibe two grown men could have on a date. Much like him and He Shi, it usually just meant playing sports, reading books, finding somewhere to discuss case studies, or eating a meal and chatting at home.
“You’re just fobbing me off.”
Su Lixu bent down to pick up the latte by the door, astonished that Fu Xingran was attentive enough to know his favorite brand.
“How could I dare fob you off? Come back and I’ll grant it.” He then added earnestly, “Fu Xingran, don’t play with danger like that. I’ll worry. Hurry home.”
The word “home” seemed to please Fu Xingran immensely, making even waiting at a red light feel completely painless.
“Mhm.” Fu Xingran curved his lips into a smile.
The call ended.
Fu Xingran tapped his fingertips lightly against the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the ticking minute hand of his watch. As he watched it tick toward the number 12, his heart began to chant along:
Loves me, loves me not, loves me, loves me not. The moment the minute hand hit the 12, joy flooded Fu Xingran’s eyes:
Loves me.
He immediately reversed his car back into the parking spot, killed the engine, pulled the keys, shut the door, and sprinted toward the elevator lobby.
He had street raced his Lamborghini at a blistering 20 kilometers per hour.
And it hadn’t even taken five minutes.
Su Lixu hung up the phone and turned to head back inside, only to find He Shi standing there watching him, startling him to a halt. “You scared me.”
He Shi had already taken off his jacket, revealing a minimalist knit sweater underneath as he leaned casually against the wall with his arms crossed. “You talked him into coming back?”
Looking apologetic, Su Lixu replied, “He street races, so I was a bit worried. I had no choice but to call him back. Let’s just have him join us for lunch.”
“I don’t mind, but what I’m more curious about is what’s going on between you two.” He Shi glanced at the cup of latte in Su Lixu’s hand. “Is he courting you?”
“No.” Su Lixu brushed past He Shi and walked into the house. “Let me check what’s in the fridge.”
He Shi reached out and grabbed his arm.
Su Lixu tilted his head in confusion. “What is it?”
“Are you sure you still want me to stay for lunch?” He Shi asked.
Noticing the subtle shift in He Shi’s expression, Su Lixu figured He Shi probably didn’t have the best impression of Fu Xingran, especially since that guy had skipped He Shi’s classes a few times.
Suddenly feeling a bit troubled, he realized having Fu Xingran rush back might indeed be awkward. “Sorry, I…”
“So Fu Xingran is coming to eat too?” He Shi asked again.
Meeting He Shi’s deep, piercing gaze as if he had seen right through something, Su Lixu looked away without leaving a trace. “Yeah.”
He Shi suddenly chuckled, raising a hand to ruffle Su Lixu’s hair. “You really are something else, Su Lixu. I’ve known you for so long, and I never realized you could be so adorably dense.”
Su Lixu instinctively dodged. “I don’t like people messing with my hair.”
“Fine, fine.” He Shi acted as though he didn’t mind, rolling up his sleeves as he walked toward the kitchen. “I’ll help you prep, and then we can watch your high-maintenance little princess come home.”
As he turned around, a flash of disappointment and jealousy swept across his eyes. I want to see what expression Fu Xingran makes when he finds out I’m still here at Su Lixu’s place.
Hearing the description of an aloof little princess, Su Lixu couldn’t help laughing. “That’s actually pretty accurate.”
“I’m just using polite terminology. To put it bluntly, he’s high-maintenance. Don’t you think so? You probably will in a second.” He Shi grabbed one of the aprons hanging on the wall, slipped it on with practiced ease, and handed the other one to Su Lixu. “Anyway, I’m sticking around for the show.”
He wanted to see how that thick-skinned guy would act, just to learn a thing or two.
Meeting He Shi’s half-smile, Su Lixu took the apron with a subtle expression.
Why does something feel a bit off here?
He brushed his brief confusion aside, opened the fridge to rummage through it, and found the ingredients they’d bought yesterday. He handed them to He Shi. “I want to make sweet and sour pork ribs.”
Fu Xingran liked sweet food, so he planned to make sweet and sour pork ribs for him.
“Don’t we both hate sweet food?” He Shi looked thoroughly disgusted at the mention of sweet and sour. “You’re making that?”
“Fu Xingran likes sweet food,” Su Lixu blurted out. The moment he said it, he caught himself, glanced at He Shi, and quietly looked away.
He Shi leaned against the counter like a striking worker, bracing his hands on either side as he looked at Su Lixu with an investigative gaze. “That instinctive, instant reply of yours, if this isn’t affection, I suspect you never really considered me a friend. I’m standing right here in front of you, yet you remember what he likes to eat without even mentioning my preferences first, before bringing up Fu Xingran.”
“I… I just saw the tenderloin first and it slipped out.”
“Oh, right, you saw the tenderloin first and immediately thought of Fu Xingran’s preferences. Since when does affection come on a first-come, first-served basis? What makes Fu Xingran so special?”
“Huh?” Su Lixu looked a bit lost.
He Shi felt a bit wounded. “Never mind, you make it. After all, you have to coax him; I don’t need any coaxing, just leave me out to dry and I’ll be fine.” He sighed and walked out of the kitchen, feeling utterly heartbroken.
The kitchen was just a few steps away from the entryway. The moment He Shi stepped out of the kitchen, the door emitted a mechanical beep signaling the smart lock unlocking, and it swung open. He Shi watched as Fu Xingran walked in, his gaze darkening.
How does this guy know the password to Su Lixu’s house?
Holding his car keys, Fu Xingran stepped through the threshold and froze when he saw He Shi standing right there, entirely unprepared for this man to still be lingering at Su Lixu’s place.
In the entryway, their eyes locked.
“Why are you still here?” Fu Xingran asked coldly, his gaze dropping to the dark green apron He Shi was wearing. His brows knitted tightly together as he suddenly remembered the two aprons hanging in Su Lixu’s kitchen, and his eyes plunged into shadow.
He Shi furrowed his brows. “Why do you have the password to his house?”
Fu Xingran let out a cold laugh. “Only you’re allowed to have an access card, and I’m not allowed to have the password?”
He Shi’s expression darkened further.
Neither side was willing to give an inch in the verbal exchange.
Su Lixu turned his head to look over, realizing Fu Xingran was back, but also sensing that the atmosphere between these two men was a bit volatile.
He didn’t see He Shi’s expression, but seeing Fu Xingran return with a dark expression instantly reminded him of the fact that this guy had gone street racing.
He walked over to He Shi and patted his arm. “He Shi, keep an eye on the kitchen for me. I’ll be right back, let me talk to him for a second.” With that, he turned to Fu Xingran. “Let’s talk.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Fu Xingran grabbed his arm and yanked him forward. Su Lixu was stunned for a few seconds as he crashed straight into Fu Xingran’s chest.
What is he trying to do?
“You said you’d give me a reward once I came back, so I want it right now.” Fu Xingran cupped the back of Su Lixu’s neck and kissed him.
Su Lixu’s eyes widened in shock. As those lips pressed against his cool ones, his pupils mirrored Fu Xingran’s intense, locked gaze, just like that night when he had bound his hands with the bathrobe tie, oozing aggressive intrusion. It was forceful, impossible to break away from.
The breath was scorching.
Even without any deeper intrusion, just pressing against his lips like that, the heat of his breath felt as though it wanted to devour him alive.
This guy actually did this right in front of He Shi.
A surge of shame and annoyance left his mind completely blank. He wanted to hit Fu Xingran and pushed him away with all his might:
“Fu Xingran!”