The six eyes met, and they stared at each other in shock; both sides were caught completely off guard.
Qi Beichen was the first to react. He immediately let go and climbed down from Bai Muxuan’s back. Standing on the ground, his legs still felt a bit weak, and he swayed slightly.
“It’s not a big deal!”
Liang Han widened his eyes, pointing his trembling fingers at the two of them. He looked at them both with an expression of disbelief. “You two, don’t tell me you are…”
“Don’t overthink it…” they said in unison.
“Mutual aid!” they added, again in unison.
“Perhaps I’m about to fall in love, but the River God said, ‘Don’t forget to dispose of trash responsibly,'” Qi Beichen sighed. “I suppose I must be the trash.”
“So, I’m a second-hand recycler? A dumpster?” Bai Muxuan laughed, ruffling the cowlick on Qi Beichen’s head.
“Not at all. You’re a large-scale waste identification center. You recycled me, a recyclable item, performed some modifications, and now I’m considered renewable energy.”
“Serious nonsense…”
“Hey, hey, you two! Don’t just sing in harmony; pay attention to me!”
Qi Beichen kept his head down, biting his lip and tugging at his sleeve. He rubbed the soles of his shoes against the floor and looked at Liang Han shyly. “Well, it’s just… I’m afraid of heights, so my legs went weak. Brother Muxuan figured that if we delayed any longer, it would likely get dark. There are a lot of wild forests around here; if we were spotted by a tiger or a wolf…”
Liang Han burst out laughing. “I’m telling you, Qi Beichen, why are you so timid? You believe whatever he says? This is a scenic area! Look around, there are bed-and-breakfasts everywhere. You don’t actually think there are wild animals, do you?”
“I trust Brother Muxuan.”
“Damn, you lovesick fool. You two should just be locked together.”
“I’d like that. Preferably with an eternal lock, for a lifetime.”
Bai Muxuan was clearly stunned for a moment. “Don’t talk nonsense. Liang Han, why are you here?”
Liang Han shrugged. “I told you, I was on a business trip in Hai City. Once I finished, I decided to take a look at Nanshan Temple. Who would have thought the world was so small? I was just about to go to a casual bar. Do you two want to come along?”
“Yes!”
“No!”
“Hey, what is this? Are you doing this on purpose? Have you played too many Turtle Soup riddles?”
Qi Beichen’s large, watery eyes blinked incessantly. He was both excited and worried. He tugged on Bai Muxuan’s sleeve and pleaded, “I want to go…”
“No!”
“Why not? I’m an adult! Besides, a casual bar has a better environment than a nightclub, and I won’t get kidnapped. Plus, with Liang Han, you two can at least keep an eye on me.”
“You’ll drink too much and act crazy.”
Qi Beichen blinked at Liang Han again, seemingly sending a jolt of electricity that rushed straight to his head. Liang Han shook his head, but the suppressed emotions within him were beginning to quietly grow.
“Brother Liang Han…”
“Forget it, I’ll just go by myself. It’ll be less of a headache.”
Qi Beichen pursed his lips, his eyes watering as if he had been bullied.
Seeing Qi Beichen looking so aggrieved, Bai Muxuan’s heart suddenly softened. “Fine, let’s go together.”
“Really!”
Qi Beichen grabbed Bai Muxuan’s arm, practically flying with joy, skipping around him in a circle.
“Yes, but you can only drink lemonade.”
Qi Beichen felt a little dissatisfied, but he still nodded.
“Oh, non-alcoholic is fine…”
“Mm.”
Qi Beichen was incredibly happy, running swiftly ahead, with the two of them following behind.
“Tell me, Qi Beichen, is this the same person who was just acting so weak?”
Qi Beichen turned around. “When there’s fun to be had, my mood gets better! It’s different!”
The entrance to the casual bar was not very conspicuous. It was called “Corner Space,” and the door was made of black solid wood.
“Creak…” Liang Han pushed the door open.
“This place is actually owned by Xie Zhixu, you know.”
“Like a ghost that won’t leave…” Qi Beichen muttered softly, observing the layout.
The bar wasn’t very large. It was long and narrow, decorated like an American Western cowboy movie set. Even in the corner of the bar counter, there was a large wine barrel, though it was unclear if there was any wine inside.
There were only a few people in the booths in front of the bar, and the bartender was discussing their preferences with them.
The seating area was designed with partitions, offering just the right amount of privacy. The back wall was a wine rack filled with many bottles. Qi Beichen didn’t understand much, but he was just enjoying the atmosphere.
Soft, mellow jazz music drifted through the air, mixing with the rich aroma of wine and the subtle scent of sweet orange. The lighting was dim, full of atmosphere.
“Welcome. How many people?”
The owner of the bar came to serve them personally. He looked to be in his early twenties, with a messy, non-mainstream yellow hairstyle and an earring that shimmered in the light.
“Three. Which spot is quieter?”
“A private room, perhaps? It’s crowded today, so the outer booths will be louder than usual. Please, this way.”
They followed the owner inside, walking on soft carpets. The walls of the corridor were hung with abstract art—the kind that looked like something Xie Zhixu would like.
“Here it is.”
The owner opened the door, and the sweet scent of wine wafted out. The room was also a long rectangle, with tables and chairs against the wall and a wine rack on the table.
The environment was nice.
Perhaps because he was too tired today, Qi Beichen suddenly felt that his body was not quite right. He felt hot and cold by turns, even though the room temperature was a normal twenty-something degrees.
“Aha! Finally, I can rest! What drinks do you have? I want one of your signature ones.”
Qi Beichen casually opened the menu. The names of the drinks on it: Sigh… Blue Danube, Martini, Manhattan…
He had always been a “good boy” who never entered bars. Looking at the names on the menu well, he couldn’t understand them, so he decided to point at one randomly.
Before he could order, and before he could look enough, Bai Muxuan snatched the menu from his hand. “Don’t even think about it. I’ll handle it.”
Qi Beichen pursed his lips in dissatisfaction, glanced at Bai Muxuan, and grumbled, “Why not? It’s not like I don’t know how to drink, I…”
Bai Muxuan flipped through the menu. “Liang Han, what would you like to drink?”
Liang Han waved his hand. “Leave it up to you.”
Bai Muxuan ordered a few cocktails and took the opportunity to mention that they wanted a large glass of lemonade.
When the owner disappeared, Qi Beichen huddled in the booth. “This is unfair. None of the drinks I wanted are here.”
“You cannot drink alcohol. Don’t forget, your cold has only just gotten better. If you develop a fever again, that would be terrible.”
Bai Muxuan reached out and touched his forehead; the tips of his fingers carried a trace of warmth, but the temperature was still within an acceptable range.
“I say, there should be a limit to showing off your affection. I am still here, after all. I… though, Muxuan, you look exactly like an old father worried sick about his children.”
“Ah, my old father, the one who worries about me all his life, looking at your calloused hands and the tears of time!” Qi Beichen paused. “Do I sing well?”
“Brother Muxuan, are you moved?”
“I dare not be. Get away from me.”
Bai Muxuan brushed his sleeves with disgust. He had originally wanted to take off his outer layer, but after being pulled by Qi Beichen earlier, his inner shirt had torn at the seam. With no other clothes available, he had to make do.
“Clang, clang, clang…”
There was a knock at the door. The drinks for the three were ready. Bai Muxuan immediately took the large glass of lemonade and placed it in front of Qi Beichen. “You can only drink this…”
Qi Beichen swallowed his saliva, looked at the colorful cocktails again, and felt deflated.
“My cocktails have flown away!”
He hugged his bear backpack, twisting the bear’s feet back and forth. Resignedly, he picked up the large glass of lemonade in front of him and took a sip.
Something felt wrong. His throat felt a bit like it was being cut by a small blade. No, the pandemic had passed four or five years ago; it couldn’t be that. The only explanation was that his condition was recurring slightly.
“Liang Han, I’m going to the restroom. Keep an eye on him. Not a single sip of the wine on the table. Do you understand?”
Liang Han nodded. “Go, go.”
Seeing Bai Muxuan leave, Qi Beichen tugged at the corner of Liang Han’s shirt. “Um, just one tiny sip. I promise I won’t be found out!”
He held up his right hand, extending three fingers toward the ceiling, looking earnest. His cheeks were flushed a light pink from the warm air, and his lips were the color of a juicy peach.
Liang Han was a bit mesmerized, but he shook his head. “No. Muxuan already gave orders.”
“How about you eat this instead?” Liang Han held the large fruit-filled yogurt from the small wooden table strawberry flavor and shook it toward Qi Beichen.
Qi Beichen took the yogurt from Liang Han’s hand. “This is barely acceptable. But I still want to drink. Just one sip, okay?”
Liang Han couldn’t bear it when Qi Beichen blinked at him and acted so coquettishly. “You said it, just one sip.”
He picked up the drink with the best color. Liang Han didn’t think much of it, figuring that one sip wouldn’t hurt. He tacitly agreed.
The moment Qi Beichen’s paw reached for the cocktail, Bai Muxuan came out of the restroom.
He immediately raised the glass and, with the speed of flowing water, gulped it down in one go.
It was spicy extremely spicy. Tears welled up in his eyes. It was really, incredibly spicy.
His small face turned red in an instant, and his eyes were a bit unfocused. His hands began to restless tug at his collar; he felt an inexplicable, sweltering heat in his body.
Seeing Bai Muxuan walk over, he hurriedly opened the yogurt and scooped up a spoonful. “This tastes really good…”
However, his head was a little dizzy, and the ceiling light was spinning. In his heart, he silently cursed his luck. Damn it, this is the precursor to being drunk.
When Bai Muxuan came out, he didn’t see Qi Beichen drinking; he only saw him acting sneakily, opening the yogurt and saying it tasted good. Perhaps because he had drunk it so fast, the scent of alcohol hadn’t dissipated from his body yet.
There was still a trace of milk-white residue on his lips. Bai Muxuan casually took a tissue and wiped the corner of his mouth carefully. “How did you get food on your mouth again?”
Qi Beichen was stunned for a moment, then pushed Bai Muxuan’s hand away. “Um, I, it was just… an accident.”
A strange emotion flashed in the depths of Liang Han’s eyes, but it quickly dissipated.
“Muxuan, come and have a drink. You two are having a great time, but I haven’t heard anything about the situation in Jiang City!”
“What situation? If there is an issue in Hai City, we can’t interfere anyway. Worrying about it won’t help.”
Qi Beichen put down the yogurt cup, blinking his eyes. “Hey, hey, I know about the situation in Jiang City! And I even know the inside story!”
Bai Muxuan tapped him on the forehead. “What could you possibly know?”
“The Xie family, obviously. Didn’t they say Gu Ting accidentally fell into the pool and drowned?”
Liang Han held his glass and took a sip. “What? Do you really have the potential to be a fortune teller, or some kind of omniscient power?”
Qi Beichen crinkled his nose and smiled at both of them. “Well, with my abilities, this little thing is nothing at all!”
“Then tell us, was it really drowning, or was it fake…”
Qi Beichen sat still, blinked his eyes again, and said seriously, “Of course, it was…”
“It was what?”
Qi Beichen hesitated to speak, and the soft, lethargic feeling in his body rose again. Something was very wrong.
“Achoo… Achoo… Achoo…”
“Someone is cursing me!”
“No, you have to tell us what’s going on.” Liang Han was a gossip pioneer and really wanted to know the truth.
“Three hundred and sixty trades, all lead to a breakthrough!” Qi Beichen said, dizzy, leaning on the table.
“Hey, no, Qi Beichen, what state are you in?” Liang Han pulled his arm.
“Beep… Battery low… Beep, shutting down… Beep…”
Before he could ask a second question, Qi Beichen had already leaned into Bai Muxuan’s arms, limp.
The smell of hard liquor suddenly erupted from Qi Beichen’s body. The private room was small, and the strong scent of gin came rushing in, causing Bai Muxuan to glare at the so-called “supervisor” on the side.
“I’ll take him back first, we’ll settle accounts later.”
Bai Muxuan pulled Qi Beichen’s arm, placed his hands beneath his knees, and used a bit of strength to carry him in a bridal style. Qi Beichen nuzzled against him as if recognizing his owner, and continued to sleep, muddled and unconscious.
He walked out of the private room with long strides, with Liang Han following closely behind.
“Hey, I said, I didn’t know he couldn’t handle his liquor.”
Bai Muxuan walked out without looking back, completely ignoring the shouting behind him.
Liang Han walked a few steps, stopped in his tracks, scratched his head, and did not follow.
Thud. Bai Muxuan was forced to kick the door open with his foot.
The person in his arms was limp, like a puddle of water. His fingers brushed against Qi Beichen’s back, trying to make him feel a little more comfortable. He then lifted the corner of the quilt, placed him on the bed, and covered him up.
“I must say, you are something else, falling asleep the second you get drunk.”
Qi Beichen, muddled, mumbled something. Even Bai Muxuan’s voice sounded distant. A wave of heat climbed up from his stomach; his cheeks were so hot, his body felt like it was floating. So hot, I want to take it off…
His hand restlessly wandered to the edge of the quilt; it was still so hot.
“Cover yourself up properly, or you’ll catch a cold later.” Bai Muxuan pulled the quilt up higher.
His voice echoed in his ears, with a touch of anxiety and a touch of unexplained huskiness.
Qi Beichen tugged at the buttons of his shirt, pulling at it with soft, weak movements, but it didn’t budge. Tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead; he felt an abrupt alternation of cold and heat.
Bai Muxuan looked at his unusually rosy cheeks, feeling an inexplicable restlessness in his heart. He placed his palm on his forehead; the heat was already rising.
Qi Beichen longed for that hint of coolness and leaned closer toward him, subconsciously rubbing against the other’s thigh, making a satisfied purring sound.
Bai Muxuan had originally brought emergency medication, having realized earlier that he was acting restlessly and that his fever would definitely recur.
He took the fever reducer from the medicine kit and poured a glass of warm water. The person on the bed was whimpering, clutching the bear backpack tightly in his arms.
He really didn’t know what kind of treasure was in there.
Qi Beichen, dizzy, opened his eyes into a slit. The room was only lit by a dim nightlight. Bai Muxuan was facing away from him.
Qi Beichen looked like a person who had made a mistake. He lifted his hand as if to pull the other’s hem, but then pulled it back.
Bai Muxuan heard his movement and turned around. Qi Beichen closed his eyes again, his eyelashes fluttering. He clutched the bear, not moving.
He leaned down and moved closer, his warm breath scattering on the other’s cheek. “Beichen, you’re awake, aren’t you? You have a fever; you need to take medicine.”
Bai Muxuan’s voice faded from its earlier irritability, becoming gentle. He opened his eyes, squinting into a slit. “I’m telling you, I just woke up, do you believe me?”
Qi Beichen’s nasal tone was heavy, and he sneezed several times in a row.
Bai Muxuan handed the medicine to his lips. “Put down your bear backpack and take the medicine.”
Qi Beichen didn’t like taking medicine; he had disliked it since he was a child. It was bitter. Other people felt sleepy after taking medicine, but he was different—the more he took, the more energetic he became, especially with cold medicine.
He shook his head, pouting, his eyes red. He said dully, “If I take it, I won’t be able to sleep…”
“Then I’ll stay up with you until you fall asleep, how about that?”
Upon hearing this, Qi Beichen opened his mouth. His soft, red tongue curled up the pill in Bai Muxuan’s palm, and he didn’t miss the chance to lick his palm.
It caused Bai Muxuan to pull his hand back immediately. “Tsk, even when you’re sick, you can’t help but cause trouble.”
The pill pressed against the tip of his tongue, leaving a bitter, astringent taste. The warm water flowed down his throat, causing a hint of pain. I will never drink alcohol again. No, I mean, I will never drink when I have a cold again.
Bai Muxuan took a candy from his pocket and placed it in his palm like a reward, waiting quietly.
“Good children deserve rewards. This is yours.”
Qi Beichen had been muddled, but now he regained his energy. Under his special constitution, the medicine took effect. His large, watery eyes blinked repeatedly, showing no signs of falling asleep.
His clothes were disheveled, revealing his snow-white shoulders. He yawned, smacked his lips, pulled his clothes up, and rubbed his large, white legs restlessly against the bed.
“The sunrise is earlier here, around 3:00. If you really can’t sleep, we don’t have to force it. We can watch it together.”
The room they rented faced the floor-to-ceiling windows, similar to those by the sea, facing directly east. After Qi Beichen’s tossing and turning, the horizon was already showing a faint, hazy gray light.
“I want to go there to watch the sunrise…”
Qi Beichen pointed to the tatami mat in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Since he was a patient, Bai Muxuan was full of patience. He picked up the small blanket from the bed, wrapped him up like a small rice dumpling, and carried him to sit on the tatami mat.
Qi Beichen hung his head, leaning in Bai Muxuan’s arms. His body temperature was just right, and he felt extremely comfortable. He burrowed further into his arms. Bai Muxuan was always gentle with patients; he wrapped one arm around his waist, keeping them tightly wrapped together.
“Are you cold? There’s a draft here.”
Qi Beichen shook his head. “I feel a bit hot. It’s really scorching!” The tail of his sentence carried a hint of coquettishness.