Chapter 69: I Command You to Bring Out That Dominance of “Not Enough”
Chi Wang waited until evening, but Xiao Fu still hadn’t returned. He borrowed the auntie’s phone to call Xiao Fu.
This time, Xiao Fu answered. “Hello.”
Chi Wang was still contemplating what to say when Xiao Fu’s tone softened a bit. He asked, “Could you see what Chi Wang is doing?”
Chi Wang replied, “Chi Wang is calling you.”
Xiao Fu: “…”
He fell silent instantly, instinctively wanting to hang up.
Sensing his intention, Chi Wang quickly said, “Don’t hang up! Come back. I’ve been waiting for you all afternoon. If you don’t return, I’ll go back to Xie Sicheng’s place.”
Xiao Fu: “…So you really are living with Xie Sicheng.”
When he said this, his tone sounded flat, as if he had no emotions left.
Feeling a bit awkward, Chi Wang said, “I don’t want to hide it from you. After all, you’re my brother.”
Xiao Fu held back his emotions and finally said nothing. “I understand. I’m coming back now.”
Sure enough, Xiao Fu returned quickly, just in time for dinner.
He accompanied Chi Wang for the meal and said calmly, “I’ll take you over.”
Chi Wang glanced at his expression. Contrary to his usual self, he wasn’t smiling; his face was calm, and even the hostility in his brows seemed subdued. It felt a bit strange.
Once they were in the car, Xiao Fu asked, “Have you had your prenatal check-ups?”
Chi Wang obediently replied, “Yes, the baby is doing well.”
Xiao Fu inquired, “When did you find out you were pregnant?”
Chi Wang felt the atmosphere was a bit too casual but still answered, “Around two months in.”
“Do you like Xie Sicheng?”
Chi Wang: “…”
He couldn’t help but look up at Xiao Fu and jokingly asked, “You don’t have a knife on you right now, do you?”
Xiao Fu tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, his posture relaxed. “No.”
Only then did Chi Wang answer, “I think Xie is a good person.”
He didn’t say whether he liked him or not, feeling that the word was a bit too much. But he didn’t deny his good feelings toward Xie.
Xiao Fu fell silent and, after a while, said, “I’ll keep an eye on him.”
Chi Wang: “?”
What does that mean?
Xiao Fu didn’t elaborate.
Remembering what he wanted to say to Xiao Fu, Chi Wang began, “By the way, brother, I don’t blame you. I said those things before just to shift some responsibility, so I piled a big one on you. Thinking about it now, I shouldn’t have. You’re not really that responsible.”
Of course, Xiao Fu wasn’t entirely innocent, but at times like this, shouldn’t he show his stance?
He also hoped Xiao Fu would remember this incident and at least refrain from doing illegal things on a whim. Who knows, karma might come back to bite his little brother someday—well, that’s actually quite possible. Since Xiao Fu was superstitious, he might as well use that angle.
Thinking this, Chi Wang actually voiced his thoughts.
Sure enough, Xiao Fu’s face changed, and he said softly, “Alright.”
Chi Wang didn’t know if he’d taken it to heart, but he hoped he did. Otherwise, after a few years of recognizing him as family, he’d have to deliver meals to him in prison.
Chi Wang still hoped for the best for his brother.
Xiao Fu dropped him off at the gate of H University and asked, “Won’t you invite me to visit Xie Sicheng’s place?”
Chi Wang instinctively refused, “That’s not necessary.”
Xiao Fu said, “I know where he lives—No. 52, Wenyuan Community.”
Chi Wang: “…”
Cold sweat broke out on Chi Wang’s back. Isn’t it illegal to check this information at the Housing Authority?
“Wait, let me ask Xie.” Chi Wang picked up his phone and sent a message to Xie.
After sending the message, he earnestly said to Xiao Fu, “Brother, a child can’t grow up without a father.”
Xiao Fu smiled, with an indescribable expression. “I know.”
Xie quickly replied. Chi Wang told Xiao Fu, “He said it’s fine.”
Xiao Fu then started the car and drove them over.
On the way, he casually remarked, “This street is too deserted, and the streetlights aren’t bright. It’s not safe.”
Chi Wang said, “It’s fine. Isn’t it good that it’s quiet? I like tranquility. Besides, overly bright streetlights consume too much energy; as long as they provide some illumination, it’s enough.”
Xiao Fu: “…Hmm.”
Chi Wang confirmed again, “You won’t fight with Xie, right?”
Xiao Fu said, “No, we’ll get along peacefully.”
If he’d said this with a smile, it might have looked fake. But saying it without any expression made it seem oddly sincere.
Chi Wang felt that Xiao Fu’s change was a bit too drastic and didn’t know whether to believe him.
Unaware of Chi Wang’s thoughts, Xiao Fu drove into the community and stopped in front of Xie’s villa. Xie was already waiting outside for them.
After Xiao Fu parked, Chi Wang opened the door and got out. Xie approached and reached out to support him, but Chi Wang avoided his hand, saying, “I’m fine; no need to help.”
Didn’t he see Xiao Fu was watching? Now was not the time to appear too close!
Xie said in a low voice, “You shouldn’t put weight on a sprained ankle.”
Chi Wang replied, “It’s not like both my feet are sprained. I can stand on one leg like a golden rooster.”1
Xiao Fu got out of the car and locked eyes with Xie. They hadn’t seen each other in years, and every meeting was full of sparks. It was a bit unavoidable now. But surprisingly, Xiao Fu, who was usually the provocative one, was silent this time.
He walked over and reached out to support Chi Wang.
Chi Wang didn’t refuse; at this moment, he needed to give Xiao Fu some face.
Xiao Fu asked, “May I go in and take a look?”
Although he seemed to be addressing Chi Wang, it was clear he was speaking to Xie.
Xie calmly said, “Of course, you’re always welcome.”
Xiao Fu: “…”
His brow furrowed, the corner of his mouth twitched, but he said nothing. Leading Chi Wang, they entered the house. As soon as they stepped in, a Border Collie wagged its tail and trotted over.
Chi Wang happily exclaimed, “Xiaomi!”
Xiaomi seemed aware of his condition and didn’t get too close, keeping a short distance while wagging its tail enthusiastically to express its affection.
Chi Wang bent over and reached out to pet its head, introducing it to Xiao Fu, “Brother, this is Xiaomi. It’s eight months old now. See how well it’s been raised?”
Xiao Fu didn’t like dogs, but seeing Chi Wang’s fondness, he slightly curled his lips and said, “Not bad.”
Chi Wang led him to the living room and said, “This is where I usually work. The entire sofa and coffee table are my domain.”
The sofa was covered with warm-colored cushions, and the throw pillows had a bit of a cartoon theme—they were shark-shaped. The coffee table was cluttered, full of a lived-in feel.
Xie followed them in and, with a sense of ownership, brewed a cup of black tea for Xiao Fu.
Seeing this, Chi Wang said, “I want some too; I’m thirsty.”
Xie replied, “You shouldn’t drink black tea while pregnant.”
Chi Wang protested, “I can drink a little.”
Seeing his insistence, Xie didn’t argue and poured him half a cup. “Wait until it cools down.”
Chi Wang brought the teacup to Xiao Fu, smiled at him, and said, “Brother, have some tea.”
Chi Wang also enjoyed tea; he’d loved drinking it since he was a child, especially fond of its bitter taste.
But after staying with Xie and tasting good tea leaves, he realized that what he’d been drinking before was of poor quality. Truly good tea had a hint of sweetness, a bit of bitterness, but the taste was gentle, so gentle it became sweet. Drinking it felt like your entire soul was being purified.
Xie usually didn’t let him drink tea, hiding the leaves in places he couldn’t find. Now that he had the chance, he wouldn’t miss it.
Xiao Fu glanced sideways at their conversation, noticing an indescribable intimacy in their smooth exchange.
When the topic turned to him, he picked up his cup and took a sip, noticing Chi Wang holding his cup and sipping delicately like he was enjoying a fine beverage—like a little bird, very cute. Subconsciously wanting to pick faults, he ended up saying nothing.
After sipping a few mouthfuls of tea, Chi Wang directed Xie, “Shouldn’t tea be accompanied by some snacks? Do we have any at home? Bring some out for my brother.”
Surprisingly, Xie nodded calmly, “Wait a moment.”
He went to the kitchen and brought out several plates of snacks, all freshly made today. One was red date cake, and the other was osmanthus cake—traditional pastries that paired well with tea.
Chi Wang took a piece to eat and then pushed the plate towards Xiao Fu. “Brother, have some snacks.”
Xiao Fu lowered his eyes and, giving face, picked up a piece to eat.
Now that he’d brought Chi Wang over, had tea, and eaten snacks, it was time for Xiao Fu to leave.
He stood up and said to Chi Wang, “I’m leaving.”
Chi Wang quickly nodded, “Brother, take care on your way.”
Standing beside Chi Wang, Xie added indifferently, “Take care.” His tone was much colder than Chi Wang’s.
Xiao Fu: “…”
A vein throbbed on his forehead, his fist clenched tightly, but in the end, he said nothing and left in silence.
Chi Wang, balancing on one leg, hopped over to another seat and downed the remaining black tea from Xiao Fu’s cup in one gulp.
Xie frowned slightly and reminded him, “That exceeds the allowed amount.”
Chi Wang wiped his mouth and said, “Don’t waste it. The tea isn’t strong; it’s fine.”
He added, “Where did you get this black tea? I haven’t seen it before.”
Xie said, “I just bought it today.”
Chi Wang praised, “Good purchase; it’s delicious. Must be expensive, right?”
Xie recalled, “A thousand yuan per tael. Not too bad.”
Chi Wang scratched his head. Ten thousand yuan per jin, and that’s considered “not too bad”?
But quality has its reasons; it was indeed tasty.
With the tea topic concluded, Chi Wang remembered something and said to Xie, “Earlier, I was bossing you around for my brother to see; don’t mind it.”
A faint smile crossed Xie’s calm face. He said evenly, “I don’t mind.”
Chi Wang said, “It seems he won’t interfere with us anymore. You’re safe now.”
Xie said, “Thank you for protecting me.”
As he spoke, he looked directly at Chi Wang. Those dark eyes, usually covered with a cold frost, always showed a focused and passionate flame when looking at Chi Wang. Meeting his gaze felt like experiencing the heat of the sun’s surface.
Honestly, Chi Wang always felt a bit embarrassed when Xie looked at him like that. Naturally shy, he couldn’t help but step back and said, “I’m protecting the baby’s father.”
Xie asked, “Is there a difference?”
Chi Wang: “…”
Of course there is.
Chi Wang fidgeted a bit but eventually admitted, “No difference.”
Xie was a very important person; he acknowledged that.
Perhaps even more important than his brother—not because of who came first, but because of the weight of his feelings.
That night, he was to return to Xie’s bedroom and sleep together.
Previously, he hadn’t thought much of it, but now it all seemed tinged with a layer of sensual meaning.
Chi Wang resisted the thought, so when he showered, he took care of himself.
But without comparison, there’s no harm. Chi Wang felt his own skills were as crude as a gorilla unable to flexibly use its fingers.
Chi Wang: “…”
He couldn’t help but recall scenes of Xie helping him.
Xie’s fingers were long, with unexpectedly thin calluses—the pads of his fingers, below the knuckles, even the webbing between thumb and forefinger—all contributing to a mesmerizing skill.
He was craving it (x)
An apprentice wanting to secretly learn the master craftsman’s heritage skills (?)
After hastily finishing, Chi Wang donned a proper set of pajamas. Normally, the collar would be a bit loose, but now he neatly buttoned it all the way up.
He looked particularly well-behaved.
But Chi Wang knew he wasn’t being entirely proper.
Sliding into bed, he placed his sprained foot outside the covers. Watching Xie take off his jacket, he asked, “Aren’t you going to shower?”
Xie looked down at him, eyes deep. “I showered this afternoon.”
Chi Wang: “Oh.”
He wriggled a bit, feeling shy under Xie’s gaze. His whole body sank down, the blanket rising to cover his face.
Xie seemed to recall something and reassured him once again, “I won’t touch you. Don’t worry.”
Chi Wang: “…Oh.”
Don’t state it so definitively!
I command you to bring out that previous dominance when you said “Not enough.”
Chi Wang: “…”
He silently burrowed into the covers.
- Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg: A balance exercise in Chinese martial arts, standing on one leg.
- Xiaomi: The dog’s name, meaning “Little Rice.”
- A thousand yuan per tael: A tael is approximately 50 grams. So, about ¥20,000 per kilogram (~$3,000 USD/kg).
- Per jin: A jin is approximately 500 grams, so ¥10,000 per jin means ¥20,000 per kilogram.
