Lu Huai certainly would not listen to Chi Yuan and sit there obediently. He lowered his eyes to check his watch, estimated the time, and contacted his assistant via message. He could roughly gauge Chi Yuan’s situation, and he had already made up his mind that if things took a turn for the worse, he would go over there himself.
However.
Lu Huai lowered his lashes slightly. Seeing the message “Everything is going smoothly” from his assistant in the chat box, even though he had expected it, a faint smile played on his lips. His expression softened, and he unconsciously let out a breath of relief.
His eyes darkened slightly as he weighed the situation. It seemed Chi Yuan was quite adept at using the “fox borrowing the tiger’s might” tactic.
.
Chi Yuan looked with a smug smile at the crowd, who had all fallen silent. He had overheard some rumors that although the Star River contract had been signed, the company’s internal factions were not unified, and everyone beneath the surface had their own agendas. In short, Lu Huai’s reason for coming here, aside from his original goal, was also to establish authority. The Lu family was the primary partner in this collaboration, and they could not afford for anyone beneath them to ruin things.
Since that was the case, Chi Yuan thought with a faint smile, his task was quite simple.
However, exerting himself to hold up the stage for Lu Huai was a situation that still felt rather unfamiliar to him.
Should their usual daily routine not be tearing each other down? Chi Yuan mocked himself inwardly, though his expression remained unreadable. He mimicked Lu Huai’s composed demeanor, lifting his chin with a noble air and letting the people below speculate about his intentions while he remained silent.
This tactic, like Lu Huai’s, was practiced and perfect, and its effects were quite fruitful. However, he usually played the “warmth” card, and this was his first time “putting on airs” like Lu Huai.
When all discussion ceased, everyone chose silence in unison.
Chi Yuan nodded slightly, a flicker of a smile in his phoenix eyes, but his words remained firm: “If you have no objections, let us arrange it this way.”
He stood up after speaking. As he walked past the still-dazed assistant, he lowered his voice to give instructions: “I will be leaving first. Can you handle the aftermath?”
The assistant had been by Lu Huai’s side for several months and had witnessed the “grace and power” of his boss. Seeing Chi Yuan settle the situation in just a few words, even though they were on the same side, his mind was filled with the words “tyrannical and arbitrary.” He had expected some verbal comfort, given that Chi Yuan’s words had shown zero regard for Star River’s face, but instead, the man stood up and prepared to leave.
Listening to Chi Yuan’s words, the assistant smiled inwardly. I understand now. There is no “comforting stage”; he is just assigning that to me.
“I can.”
Having received an affirmative answer, Chi Yuan nodded and turned to leave without hesitation. He had come here simply to watch the fun. If not for Lu Huai’s current state and his own sense of responsibility, he would not have bothered with “overtime.” Naturally, he would be the one to show off, and he would not be the one to stay behind for the clean-up.
As for causing trouble or interfering, Chi Yuan curled his lips slightly and glanced back one last time. Forget it. This round is not entirely fair. I will wait until Lu Huai recovers.
Clutching the tube of ointment in his pocket, Chi Yuan lowered his eyes and quietly gathered his thoughts. He wondered how to pass it to Lu Huai appropriately; he feared the other man might view it as a provocation, or worse, tell him to “get lost” again just like in the car. That would be unpleasant.
Honestly, though, he was quite looking forward to Lu Huai’s expression when he saw the ointment. It should be quite spectacular.
.
Today was overcast. The sky was filled with dim, layered clouds, and while the occasional breeze made it not quite cold, it was enough to trigger a sense of reverence for the coming winter, prompting people to wrap their coats tighter.
Lu Huai watched the flow of people in front of the hospital entrance, his hand hidden under the blanket. He held half a cotton swab given to him by the nurse, who said his blood clotting was poor and he needed to apply pressure. The discomfort had indeed subsided, and Lu Huai looked down to see that the blood color had finally faded; as long as no pressure was applied, it seemed to have stopped. He lowered his lashes, gently poking at the bruise on the back of his hand, frowning slightly as he found it inexplicably eyesore.
He did not notice the person waiting only a few steps away.
Although Chi Yuan had expected that Lu Huai would not be that obedient, he still felt a surge of frustration when he saw him standing tall at the door. He walked quickly toward Lu Huai.
“You really are…”
Chi Yuan, known for his silver tongue and ability to talk his way out of anything, was speechless for a moment. He could only pull the man toward the car in silence.
Caught off guard by being pulled, Lu Huai curled his brows in pain. Chi Yuan had pressed exactly on the bruise. He wanted to tell the man to let go, but he had not prepared his words.
“Chi Yuan, let go.” Lu Huai struggled, his expression tinged with impatience. When he looked down, he saw the red stain had returned.
“I…” Chi Yuan had wanted to retort, but his gaze was captured by that red spot. He saw a large red dot on his own palm and widened his eyes in disbelief. “What is this?”
Lu Huai did not want to deal with Chi Yuan’s “fragile vase” look. He pressed his lips together and stated simply, “I just finished the IV drip.” He then added with a hint of sarcasm, “Is that not normal?”
Chi Yuan had to suppress his next questions. The two entered the car one after the other in silence. Previously, their mutual sarcasm at least provided conversation, but now, trapped in their antagonistic relationship while laced with a touch of concern and goodwill, everything felt awkward and unfamiliar.
Lu Huai was pale, his lashes drooping as he used the remaining cotton swabs to wipe away the bloodstains and pressed them against the wound, a flash of annoyance appearing in his eyes. He looked at Chi Yuan, whose cold profile seemed filled with fire, and tried to fathom his psychological state, thinking that if Chi Yuan had truly realized his conscience, he would not have taken advantage of him while he was ill. If that were the case, the atmosphere would be even stiffer. Lu Huai smiled faintly, then lowered his gaze. It could not be love, could it?
Chi Yuan was stunned by the question. He gritted his teeth, feeling that Lu Huai’s question was too loaded.
It reminded him of the ambiguous light and shadow, the chaotic breathing, and the sense of protectiveness that had inexplicably arisen after that night.
Lu Huai appeared like jade on the outside, but his heart was like a stone. He had never considered the possibility of being beneath someone. Perhaps this “piece of jade” made people afraid to desire it, so when he finally obtained it, the sense of conquest was so overwhelming that it sparked extra, unnecessary thoughts. Chi Yuan gritted his teeth and chuckled, his eyes deepening. It seems I need to change.
Lu Huai easily offered him a step down: “Since you cannot speak, let us have a truce.”
The familiar street scene was already before them. The medication was likely taking effect, making him incredibly sleepy, and his words were light and airy.
Listening to this, Chi Yuan associated it with the whispers from that night. His reaction stalled for a moment. He parked the car steadily, complying with Lu Huai’s wish. “Very well.”
.
“Are you not leaving?” Lu Huai raised an eyebrow as he saw Chi Yuan walk into his house so openly, though he did not truly intend to kick him out. He walked toward the bedroom, as if his question were merely symbolic.
“Here.” Chi Yuan rubbed the casing of the ointment box, still tangled in his own thoughts. He followed him subconsciously, only to see Lu Huai lift his shirt, revealing the red marks on his abdomen, and further up… he did not dare to look.
Seeing Chi Yuan turn his face away, Lu Huai felt a flash of surprise. He glanced at himself, immediately understood, and laughed with a complex tone, his voice carrying a touch of provocation: “Dare to do it, but dare not acknowledge it?”
Chi Yuan closed his eyes tightly, feeling that although Lu Huai looked cold on the surface, his words were full of hooks. Could he let himself be outdone? He turned around and leaned in closer, pretending nothing was wrong.
“It is mostly because I am worried that someone is thin-skinned and would be embarrassed.”
Lu Huai glanced at him indifferently, put on his robe, and said, “Then you are worrying too much.”
Chi Yuan raised an eyebrow, sensing that this was the perfect opportunity. He handed the ointment from his pocket to Lu Huai and spoke with deep meaning: “To reduce swelling and relieve pain, this is my concern for you.”
Lu Huai looked at the name on the ointment box, the same one Ling Zhi had mentioned, and its purpose was self-evident.
Chi Yuan’s hand remained steady in mid-air, clearly implying that if Lu Huai did not take it, he would not retract it.
Lu Huai smiled, casting a cold glance at Chi Yuan, his tone filled with a mix of frustration and bite: “It seems… you are quite experienced?”
Chi Yuan’s hand trembled. He was about to nod, but then he grasped Lu Huai’s meaning. As for this tone, how could it sound so… He looked up to check Lu Huai’s expression, only to see him lower his head as he accepted the ointment.
He was stunned for a long moment.
Lu Huai held the ointment box, feeling the underlying pain intensify. His expression remained unhappy, but seeing Chi Yuan still standing there, he raised his eyes with a mocking smile: “Are you not leaving yet?”
Chi Yuan was busy pondering the meaning behind Lu Huai’s words and did not think too much, nodding subconsciously. “Waiting for you to apply the medicine…”
He realized he had made a mistake after speaking.
Lu Huai smiled, cold light flashing in his amorous peach-blossom eyes, though his tone was soft.
“Oh?” Lu Huai adopted a provocative tone, deciding he would not let Chi Yuan’s malicious intentions succeed. “Could it be that you want to apply the medicine for me?”
Staring into those amorous eyes, Chi Yuan knew that the “place” for the medicine was no secret between them. Although he did not know why he felt the urge to compete even in such matters, Chi Yuan shed his previous shyness and laughed softly. “If it is inconvenient for you, I am more than happy to be of service.”
Author’s note:
Lu Huai: Why are you really taking action? Chi Yuan (reminiscing): Was I that rough? Me: Pointing fingers.