Chapter 54: Perhaps I’m Very Likable
In Zuo Qianxing’s eyes, Xie Siheng had always been a very serious person.
The Xie family was extremely wealthy. In fact, everyone in their circle was quite affluent.
A solid material foundation led to spiritual richness. Many wealthy people have a particularly high threshold for pleasure, so chaotic private lives are quite normal. Because ordinary romantic relationships no longer satisfy them, they seek different kinds of stimulation.
Of course, the circle that included Xie Siheng and Zuo Qianxing was relatively clean because Xie’s parents intentionally filtered out people with messy private lives. To gain resources, even if someone had certain desires, they would intentionally restrain themselves. Overall, they presented a relatively clean image.
Even the carefree Xiao Fu dated one person at a time, finding the next only after breaking up. There could be a gap of several years between relationships.
Although he kept things very private, no wall is completely airtight—especially since Zuo was particularly attentive to Xiao Fu, given that he and Xie didn’t get along. Zuo “Holmes” Qianxing made it his mission to investigate everything about Xiao Fu!
So privately, he knew that Xiao Fu’s preference was for mature older women with gentle and accommodating personalities. His past relationships included a high school Chinese teacher, a female corporate executive, and a wonton shop owner.
Despite being stingy, Xiao Fu would give tens of thousands of yuan as breakup fees and covered dating expenses during the relationship. None of his ex-girlfriends had anything bad to say about him. Because of this, Zuo felt that although Xiao Fu was moody and cunning, he was quite manly and respectful toward women, so their relationship on the surface was acceptable.
But these weren’t the main points. The main point was that Xie Siheng had never had a girlfriend since he was young, and now he suddenly made a big move—living with someone before marriage!
It might be normal for others, but for Xie Siheng, it was very unusual.
Zuo didn’t know whether to continue asking. Sometimes, excessive questioning is overstepping boundaries; even among friends, one should maintain a sense of propriety and not overly probe into the other’s feelings and personal life.
He wanted to hold back, but his mouth betrayed him. As if his brain couldn’t control it, he asked, “Who are you living with?”
Xie didn’t look at him and softly asked, “Do you want to stay for dinner?”
Zuo instinctively wanted to refuse, but after a quick thought, he realized that if he stayed for dinner, the person Xie was living with might appear. So he immediately agreed, “Yes, yes, I do.”
Xie responded with an “Mm,” and didn’t say anything more.
Zuo realized that Xie’s mood had worsened since he mentioned that Xiao Fu also had a similar bead bracelet. He figured that Xiao Fu had made Xie uncomfortable, so he tried to comfort him, “Xiao Fu doesn’t look as good as you when wearing that bracelet. On you, it exudes a cool and handsome aura, like a compassionate monk—it’s exceptional.”
Xie: “…”
He said, “If you can’t say something appropriate, then don’t say anything.”
Zuo: “…”
Even his compliments were wrong?
Zuo fell silent.
After some time, he ate dinner at Xie’s place, but at the table, it was only him and Xie.
Zuo: “…”
He thought as much; if Xie didn’t want to reveal anything, how could he possibly let him find out?
After dinner, Zuo prepared to leave.
Before leaving, he glanced at Xiaomi. The dog was still lying on the carpet dozing off, not even coming over to see him off.
Zuo’s tears silently fell; he felt like he had raised Xiaomi for nothing.
*
Chi Wang finished his exams!
He was free!
He went back to the dormitory to pack his things—in fact, there wasn’t much to pack, just the textbooks from the past few days of exams, which fit into a backpack.
But before leaving, he still supervised Luo Lianyun and Shu Tingyu in cleaning the dorm. They rolled up the bedding and stored it in the cabinets, bought mothballs to prevent moisture and insects, and placed them inside.
After they finished tidying up, Chi Wang said goodbye to them.
Shu Tingyu asked, “During the winter break, I can ask my sister-in-law for some old clothes. Do you still need them?”
Chi Wang nodded, “Yes, please help me ask for them.”
Shu Tingyu smiled, “Got it. But don’t work during the winter break; I’ll be worried about you.”
Luo Lianyun interjected, “I suggest you take a leave from school.”
Chi Wang said with a bitter face, “My head hurts whenever you mention that.”
“No choice; you’re too accident-prone.”
Shu Tingyu said, “It’s okay if you don’t take a leave. While you’re at school, I’ll always protect you. If you fall, I’ll be your cushion.”
Chi Wang was deeply moved and went over to hug him tightly, “Xiao Yu! You’re the best.”
Shu Tingyu was embraced fully, feeling the warm breath from Chi Wang. He couldn’t help but laugh, “Chi Wang, you’re great too.”
Chi Wang hugged him briefly and then stepped back, “I’ll consider what you said. I’m leaving now, bye.”
Shu Tingyu: “Bye, Chi Wang.”
After Chi Wang left, Luo Lianyun said to Shu Tingyu, “Why did you say that? In Chi Wang’s situation, taking a leave would be better, right?”
Shu Tingyu said, “Taking a leave isn’t good either. If Chi Wang takes a leave, he’ll wither.”
Luo was stunned. Shu continued, “Don’t persuade him to take a leave. If he does, with his restless nature, he might become depressed. Even for guys, pregnancy can easily lead to depression, right? Although he’s optimistic, hormones are unpredictable. Let him continue studying and living normally as before to reduce that possibility. While he’s at school, we’ll take good care of him; nothing will happen.”
Luo almost agreed, “But what if we can’t help, and he falls and has a miscarriage?”
Shu firmly said, “That won’t happen; I won’t let it happen.”
Luo: “…”
He didn’t know what to say for a moment; he could only admit that Shu was often more considerate than he was.
Chi Wang wasn’t aware of the conversation between Luo and Shu after he left. On the way, he did think about whether to take a leave from school.
Honestly, he didn’t want to. If he had to take a leave because of this child, he would feel very unwilling. Moreover, he felt physically fine; it’s just that he’s too accident-prone and often falls, with a risk of miscarriage.
Taking a year off because of this—what about his studies?
Chi Wang wanted to be stubborn for once, but he was indeed afraid of miscarriage. If it happened, how would it come out? Through where? The passage is too narrow; could it really come out through that narrow opening?
At this stage, the baby was already 18 or 19 weeks old. To be honest, it already had hands and feet; natural miscarriage wouldn’t bring it down.
Thinking of these things gave Chi Wang a headache. He wanted to blame his bad luck, but as soon as he started, he felt it was too draining, so he stopped.
He could only blame Xie Siheng.
Who told him to be so, uh, vigorous, hitting the target in one shot?
Thinking of this, Chi Wang paused, feeling a strange sense of embarrassment.
Some sensual images surfaced in his mind.
He intentionally dispelled these images, but they involuntarily resurfaced.
Chi Wang stopped walking, standing in place as his face slowly turned red. He didn’t know what was happening; his mood became agitated.
He stood on the road for a while, waiting for his emotions to calm down before continuing to walk to Xie’s home.
Chi Wang felt that he was a bit off lately; his mind too easily wandered to messy thoughts.
No need to ask; he must be idle.
Even during the most hormone-driven high school years, he had been pure-minded; why now was his mind full of such thoughts?
In the past, he could spend a lot of time exercising, sweating it out, and naturally clearing his mind.
But now he couldn’t exercise. Chi Wang could only focus his attention on other things.
As soon as he returned to Xie’s home, Chi Wang pulled out his computer to work online. During the exams, he had accumulated a lot of work.
Sister Yang now gave him assignments regularly every day, but she had changed her habit of urging him at set times; she didn’t push him. A lazy person might take advantage and slack off, but Chi Wang only delayed during these few days of exams. Now that the exams were over, he could finish everything in one go and send it over.
Chi Wang worked like this until after eleven at night. Xie silently walked behind him and told him to go to bed, but he refused; he wanted to finish the work in one go.
Xie then took a laptop and sat beside him to accompany him.
Chi Wang said, “You don’t have to keep me company; I might stay up late tonight.”
Xie’s voice was clear and cool like moonlight, “I can’t sleep alone.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Was he really a human sleeping pill in his past life?
No wonder he slept so well; he must have drugged himself.
Chi Wang was amused by his own thoughts.
At that moment, Xie suddenly leaned over.
Chi Wang turned his head and faced Xie’s enlarged face; his pupils shrank, “…What are you doing?”
Xie reached out, his slender white fingers wiping a stain from Chi Wang’s cheek, “Your face is dirty.”
Chi Wang wanted to avoid it but didn’t. His eyelashes fluttered as he looked at Xie’s handsome face up close, his eyes flickering, and he mumbled, “Just wipe it casually.”
Xie said, “It won’t come off.”
After saying that, he took out a wet wipe, one hand holding the back of Chi Wang’s head to steady him, and continued to wipe his face.
Because of this posture, they were a bit too close. Chi Wang felt Xie’s breath on his cheek, making his heart agitated again—a strange restlessness he couldn’t describe.
Chi Wang said, “…I’ll do it myself.”
Xie’s voice was slightly deeper, “Almost done.”
His fingers applied a bit more pressure, finally wiping it clean. He stepped back and showed Chi Wang the used wet wipe; indeed, there was a black stain on it.
Chi Wang scratched his head, his voice softer, “Probably the ink from the pen leaked.”
He didn’t know why but felt a bit embarrassed.
Chi Wang changed the subject, “I’ll continue working.”
“Mm.”
Chi Wang now experienced some back pain, so he placed a shark pillow behind his waist. The curved shape of the shark perfectly supported his back. Chi Wang leaned back a bit, seemingly unconcerned, and continued typing on the keyboard.
Xie Sichen also went back to his work without disturbing Chi Wang further.
They both worked until past midnight.
Chi Wang clicked “Send,” submitting his work to Sister Yang. She quickly acknowledged it at this hour.
Sister Yang messaged: [Take your time; there’s no rush for these tasks. Patting head emoji.]
Chi Wang replied: [Sister, I’ve finished my exams, so I’m free now. Please continue assigning work. Blushing face emoji.]
Chi Wang felt that Sister Yang was being much kinder to him lately. Although she was always polite, now she seemed almost gentle.
He thought to himself that perhaps his diligent attitude had impressed the boss, so Sister Yang’s attitude toward him had improved as well.
After shutting down his computer, Chi Wang stretched and went to take a shower.
The sound of running water filled his ears as he closed his eyes and bit his lip, slowly moving his hand downward.
It had been a long time since he’d done this—about three months.
Most people would find it hard to understand or tolerate going that long, but Chi Wang had managed it.
Such strict self-control had led to his recent restlessness.
His technique was a bit rusty and not particularly pleasurable. His delicate brows knitted together in frustration, but he bit his lip and continued.
After more than ten minutes, he finished hastily but didn’t feel any calmer; instead, he felt even more irritable.
Looking down at his slightly protruding belly, he couldn’t help but laugh, feeling a bit crazy for doing such things in front of his baby.
He turned off the water, dried himself, changed into loose pajamas, and left the bathroom.
Sometimes he showered in his own bedroom, other times in Xie’s. This time, it was in his own.
Chi Wang went to Xie’s bedroom. By now, Xie had already showered and was in bed, leaning against the headboard reading a book.
Chi Wang walked over, kicked off his slippers, and climbed into bed.
Xie suddenly looked up, covering his book with his hand, his gaze falling on Chi Wang.
Chi Wang slipped under the covers as usual. Seeing Xie looking at him, he blinked and asked, “Why are you looking at me?”
Xie said, “Your scent has changed.”
Chi Wang: “?”
Feeling a bit guilty, Chi Wang asked, “What scent?”
Wait, why was he feeling guilty? He wasn’t a child caught doing something wrong. They were both adults; even if Xie knew, it shouldn’t matter.
Xie shook his head and said nothing, placing his book on the bedside table and turning off the light.
Chi Wang slowly relaxed, smacking his lips as a craving hit him. “I want to eat glutinous rice balls.”
Xie’s voice was clear. “Now?”
Chi Wang replied, “Yes.”
Xie turned on the nightlight and picked up his phone. Chi Wang quickly said, “Are you ordering delivery? Don’t bother; you won’t find the kind I want.”
Xie looked down at him. Chi Wang pulled the covers up to hide most of his face, speaking muffledly from under the blanket, “The kind I want is sold by street vendors, usually elderly grandpas and grandmas riding tricycles. They have a tin barrel filled with pounded glutinous rice, with several holes at the bottom. By turning a handle, the rice dough is squeezed out through the holes, and they cut it into small pieces that fall onto sugar and soybean powder. They sift it, and it becomes sweet, soft glutinous rice balls with a chewy texture.”
It’s not hard to find glutinous rice balls, but it’s difficult to find the taste from his childhood.
He had been in H City for a year and a half and hadn’t seen this kind sold outside. Restaurants had them, but they were large and a bit hard—not the right taste. Chi Wang didn’t like them.
He asked Xie, “Have you ever eaten this kind of glutinous rice ball?”
Xie shook his head. Chi Wang laughed. Because half his face was covered, Xie could only see his smiling eyes, which sparkled even in the shadow of the blanket. “I figured you hadn’t. It’s a very obscure street snack, only two yuan for ten pieces. It’s cheap, so there’s not much profit, which is why elderly folks ride around selling it. I haven’t seen it in many years.”
Xie asked, “Do you want something else?”
Chi Wang said, “No, I just want glutinous rice balls. It’s okay; I’ll just think about it.”
Xie paused. “Does it have to be sold by elderly grandpas and grandmas? What about middle-aged vendors?”
Chi Wang: “…”
He couldn’t help but laugh. Xie’s earnestness was endearing.
But thinking about it, Xie might not get what he meant. After all, in normal logic, glutinous rice balls shouldn’t be that different, but they really were.
He said, “I was just saying that, generally speaking, the ones made by elderly folks taste better, at least from my experience.”
Xie said, “Then let’s sleep.”
Chi Wang laughed, “Hahaha.”
He said, “Okay, good night.”
Xie replied, “Good night.”
Chi Wang turned over, his back facing Xie, and soon fell asleep.
Although he really wanted to eat them, Chi Wang wasn’t demanding; it was fine if he couldn’t have them.
The next morning, Xie left early for work.
Chi Wang was on winter break. When he got up, he saw that his phone had over 99+ new messages.
Chi Wang: “…”
While brushing his teeth, Chi Wang opened his chat with Xiao Fu and scrolled through the messages.
Summing up what Xiao Fu had sent, he wanted to take Chi Wang abroad for the winter holidays.
Chi Wang typed back with one hand: [Read.]
Xiao Fu quickly replied, [Is that all? Baby, is it appropriate for you to be so cold to me?]
Chi Wang: [… Stop calling me ‘baby’; it’s so cheesy I can’t stand it.]
Xiao Fu: [… Where are you now? I asked your school’s office; you’ve finished your exams.]
Chi Wang replied, [I’m staying at my rental place.]
Xiao Fu said, [Where are you living? I’ll come find you. Have you had breakfast? I’ll bring you some.]
Chi Wang felt a sweet kind of frustration. [Brother, you’re too clingy.]
Xiao Fu retorted unhappily, [We’re brothers. I send you a few more messages, and you say I’m clingy. If you had a wife or a partner and had to live together for a lifetime, wouldn’t you find that unbearable?]
Chi Wang: [Uh, a wife and a nagging monk are two different things.]
Xiao Fu: [?]
His face twisted. [Did you just call me a nagging monk? I can’t believe that shortly after finding my brother, I’ve become a lonely old man. Chi Wang, you have no heart.]
Chi Wang: [Master, please stop chanting.]
Xiao Fu asked, [Be honest with me—are you cohabiting with a girl? Is that why you won’t let me come over?]
Chi Wang: [What? Absolutely not. Don’t make things up; I’m not that kind of person.]
Xiao Fu breathed a sigh of relief. He had already noticed that whenever he suggested visiting, Chi Wang would change the subject in various ways. Did he really think his deflections were subtle? Xiao Fu was just playing along.
He confirmed, [Really not?]
Chi Wang firmly said, [Really not.]
Xiao Fu said, [That’s good then.]
After finishing his morning routine and eating breakfast, Chi Wang felt exhausted from dealing with Xiao Fu.
He now fully understood how the Monkey King felt, being chanted at like he was wearing a tightening headband. His head hurt.
At noon, Xie didn’t come back for lunch. Chi Wang didn’t mind. After eating, he played frisbee with Xiaomi at the doorstep.
There was a large open space in front of Xie’s house, enough for him to play with Xiaomi.
Xiaomi had grown rapidly during this time. When they first met, he was still a puppy, small in size and features—much smaller than that husky. Now, he was about the same size as the husky.
Chi Wang stood there tossing the frisbee, not exerting much effort. He felt his limbs were getting weak, his muscles turning to mush.
He played with Xiaomi for over half an hour when a familiar car approached.
Chi Wang took the frisbee from Xiaomi’s mouth and stopped playing. His gaze fell on the car, which stopped not far from him.
Xie got out, holding a paper bag, and walked toward him.
In the warm afternoon sun, Xie’s features were outlined with a soft glow, making his chiseled face appear even more defined.
He walked up to Chi Wang and produced a paper bag from under his long black coat. “Glutinous rice balls.”
Chi Wang looked down at the bag and, after a moment of silence, said, “Hold this for me; I’m going to wash my hands.”
He turned and said to Xiaomi, “Xiaomi, let’s go back.”
Xiaomi obediently followed him back into the house.
When Xie entered, Chi Wang had already washed his hands along with Xiaomi, moving remarkably quickly.
He dried his hands and took the paper bag from Xie. Opening it, he saw cheap plastic bags containing glutinous rice balls. His heart felt like it had been struck. He murmured, “Do they sell these in the city? I’ve never seen them.”
Inside the bag were small glutinous rice balls coated with a mix of sugar and soybean powder. The mixture had slightly melted, tinting the snowy-white balls a translucent light yellow. Chi Wang knew without tasting that this was exactly the flavor he missed.
Watching him use a wooden skewer to pick up one and put it into his mouth, his cheeks puffing up happily, Xie said, “There’s a street vendor selling these near the Tianheng Plaza market in the eastern part of the city.”
Chi Wang was startled. Tianheng Plaza was quite far away.
He chewed and swallowed, then picked up another and held it to Xie’s mouth. “You try one.”
Xie paused but then opened his mouth and ate it.
Chi Wang smiled. “How is it? Tasty?”
Xie nodded.
They took turns eating until they finished the bag.
Afterward, Xie handed him another paper bag. “A gift.”
Chi Wang asked, “What gift?”
Xie said, “To celebrate your vacation.”
Chi Wang’s lips curved into a smile. “Thank you.”
He opened the gift box on the spot; inside was a cellphone.
The brand and model weren’t expensive—he could buy it with half a month’s salary.
Chi Wang didn’t stand on ceremony and sincerely said, “Thank you; I really like it.”
Xie looked at his beautiful face and softly said, “You’re welcome.”
Chi Wang immediately switched over to the new phone, inserting his SIM card and saving Xie’s number.
He felt a soft emotion in his heart. His neatly trimmed fingernails traced the edge of the phone as he lowered his head and asked Xie, “Why are you so good to me?”
He began to feel a bit childish.
Chi Wang had to admit that he often prepared himself for relationships to cool down, distances to grow, or even for people to become strangers.
His parents didn’t love him. While he appeared unaffected, not caring on the surface, it had left some kind of flaw in him.
He didn’t know what that flaw was, but he tried hard to act normal.
He could socialize cheerfully and optimistically, making everyone like him, but he never dared to believe that such liking would last.
He had many friends, and the feelings were genuine, but he also felt they could disappear at any time.
Essentially, he didn’t believe in close relationships.
Usually, he didn’t show any abnormality and didn’t think he had a problem. If he constantly thought something was wrong with him, that would be too draining.
But now he felt a bit overwhelmed. Even considering that he was carrying Xie’s baby, Xie’s care and attentiveness seemed excessive.
For an offhand comment, Xie had gone halfway across the city to buy glutinous rice balls. Chi Wang didn’t dare to dwell on the depth of that kindness.
Xie countered, “Shouldn’t I be good to you?”
Chi Wang laughed, slowly relaxing. “Why do you always throw the question back at me? I was asking you.”
Xie said, “I have no reason not to be good to you. That’s why I asked—you might have an answer.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Hmm, brother, you’ve become quite sharp-tongued; that’s not like you.
He thought silently, but a bright smile appeared on his face. “I can’t think of a reason. If I had to, perhaps it’s because I’m very likable.”
Xie nodded in agreement, his deep eyes gazing at Chi Wang. In a low voice, he said, “You can remove the ‘perhaps.'”
Chi Wang: “Cough, cough.”
His face turned red.
