Chapter 12
On his first day at work, Ye Xiyao had a fulfilling experience. None of the things he had worried about—such as being asked to do a last-minute medical checkup or being ignored and not knowing what to do—happened.
Qiao Linchuan was a very responsible team leader, and Xing Xu was a gentle and thoughtful leader who gave a strong sense of security.
Although his colleagues often forgot about him or didn’t hear him speak, whenever they did notice him, they were willing to guide him.
It was the perfect new job.
So, when it suddenly started raining on his way home, Ye Xiyao had no complaints.
After all, he’d been lucky all day, so encountering rain without an umbrella was something he could accept.
At that moment, he had already left the subway. The exit was crowded with people waiting for the rain to stop.
Ye Xiyao calculated that he was only a few hundred meters from home, so he decided to run through the rain.
He hugged the rabbit plushie that Xing Xu had given him and dashed into the downpour.
But before he had gone very far, the rain suddenly stopped.
Ye Xiyao marveled at his good luck.
He looked up and saw a large, oppressive black umbrella overhead, shielding him from the sudden heavy rain.
For a moment, Ye Xiyao thought he was imagining things. He rubbed his eyes. It was Xing Xu.
He rubbed his eyes again.
It was still Xing Xu.
Ye Xiyao called out, “Manager Xing.”
“Mm.” Xing Xu didn’t waste any words and simply said, “Come on, I’ll walk you part of the way.”
And so, the two of them quietly walked in the rain together.
Each was nervous in their own way.
Xing Xu was nervous that he might have shown up too suddenly. Ye Xiyao seemed too shocked and didn’t seem particularly happy or grateful… Could he be getting suspicious?
Ye Xiyao, on the other hand, was nervous about the simple fact that he and Xing Xu were sharing an umbrella and walking in the rain together.
Of course, the key wasn’t walking in the rain—it was walking together.
He had always been alone.
In the past, he went to and from school alone, ate alone, went home alone, and talked to himself alone. He had never done anything together with anyone.
Ye Xiyao didn’t think of himself as pitiful, nor had he ever complained about it. After all, this was the life he had chosen.
He had chosen to live like a “person,” and so he had to live in a human way.
But deep down, Ye Xiyao knew that he longed to be loved and cared for.
He had just learned to suppress that desire, to control it.
But that part of his nature was still there.
The moment someone approached him, he couldn’t help but want to respond.
“Manager Xing, why are you here?” Ye Xiyao asked softly, his voice almost drowned out by the rain and wind.
“I was driving by and happened to see you,” Xing Xu replied, his gaze falling on the rabbit plushie in Ye Xiyao’s arms for a moment before continuing, “I happened to have an umbrella in the car.”
It was a rather awkward explanation.
If one listened closely, they might pick up on the unnatural tone and the stiff logic.
But Ye Xiyao believed it. “What a coincidence.”
What a coincidence indeed.
In truth, Xing Xu had followed him all the way from the company.
In Lucheng City, it rarely rained heavily in the summer. It would sometimes drizzle for a bit and then stop, so most people didn’t have the habit of carrying an umbrella.
Xing Xu was definitely not the type to carry an umbrella.
Forget rain, even if it hailed or rained acid, he would still stroll through it without a care.
The umbrella was something he had just bought, and he had driven to the subway station specifically to wait for Ye Xiyao to come out.
Before Xing Xu could even figure out how to give him the umbrella, he had already seen Ye Xiyao, the little daredevil, charging straight into the rain without a second thought.
And so, Xing Xu made his entrance.
He hadn’t even thought of a proper excuse for their “chance encounter” yet.
After walking for a while, Ye Xiyao suddenly realized something was off and asked, “Manager Xing, are we just going to walk like this? Shouldn’t we go to the car?”
Though the umbrella was large, the wind occasionally blew the rain onto them, wetting their clothes. It was uncomfortable.
Naturally, Ye Xiyao assumed the best plan would be for them to walk to the car together under the umbrella. Xing Xu could then drive off, and Ye Xiyao would borrow the umbrella to walk home. But from the look on Xing Xu’s face, it seemed like he intended to walk him all the way home, which made Ye Xiyao feel a bit embarrassed.
Xing Xu, however, countered with a question, “Do you want to ride in the car?”
Then, he seemed to figure it out on his own. “Oh, you’re cold, aren’t you?”
Before Ye Xiyao could explain, Xing Xu quickly handed him the umbrella and said, “Find somewhere to wait for me. I’ll go get the car.”
He moved swiftly, with the agility of someone seasoned in combat, and with his long legs, he quickly pulled ahead, putting a significant distance between them.
In the pouring rain, Xing Xu was the only person running who didn’t look the least bit disheveled.
“Manager Xing, manager. Xing… Xing Xu!” Ye Xiyao called after him, running a few steps, but he couldn’t catch up.
It was then that he realized the subway station didn’t allow parking, and Xing Xu had parked at the previous intersection.
It was pretty far.
Wait… why was he so fast? If only he’d let me say one more thing!
Ye Xiyao was a bit anxious and annoyed at the same time.
He was anxious because Xing Xu had gone out of his way and gotten caught in the rain for him. And he was annoyed because, deep down, he felt a little happy about it.
When the car finally arrived, Ye Xiyao quickly jumped into the passenger seat without wasting a second.
The car’s heater was already on.
Even though it was summer and windy with rain, it was still around 25 or 26 degrees Celsius. Ye Xiyao knew Xing Xu had turned on the heat just for him, and it warmed his heart even more than his body.
After closing the umbrella, Ye Xiyao immediately pulled out some tissues and handed them to Xing Xu. “Quick, wipe yourself off. You’re soaked.”
Xing Xu didn’t even look at the tissues and declined, “No need.”
He really didn’t need it.
He was already wet, and wiping himself wouldn’t make a difference. Besides, a little rain didn’t bother him. Unlike Ye Xiyao’s more delicate constitution, Xing Xu didn’t care if it was cold or hot, or if he was wet or injured—it didn’t matter.
But Ye Xiyao didn’t quite grasp Xing Xu’s nonchalance.
He just assumed it was inconvenient for Xing Xu to wipe off while driving, so he leaned over and started wiping the rain off Xing Xu himself.
Xing Xu saw Ye Xiyao getting closer out of the corner of his eye but didn’t move away.
Ye Xiyao was very gentle as he pressed the tissue onto Xing Xu’s face, bit by bit.
For some reason, Xing Xu thought to himself: These tissues aren’t great, they’re too rough—they don’t feel as smooth as Ye Xiyao’s hands.
Ye Xiyao brushed aside a lock of Xing Xu’s wet hair, gently pressing the tissue to his forehead to absorb some of the rainwater. He then moved from his brow to the bridge of his nose and down, finally wiping over Xing Xu’s thin lips.
Xing Xu’s hair wasn’t very short, and he usually left it a bit messy. His slightly curly bangs often obscured his eyes, but now, soaked by the rain, the soft strands hung down, fully exposing his facial features.
Although it was an undeniably handsome face, the sharp contours gave him a fierce, intimidating look.
As Ye Xiyao wiped down to his chin, he suddenly noticed a slight unevenness. Leaning in closer to get a better look, he discovered an old, healed scar.
The scar had faded so much that it was barely visible, but if you touched it, you could still feel where the skin had once been torn.
Ye Xiyao didn’t ask how he got the scar, as he didn’t know if the story behind it might bring up painful memories for Xing Xu.
But his movements became even gentler and more careful.
The car was already quite cramped, and with the heat blasting, it made the air thick and stifling. Xing Xu’s attention was entirely focused on Ye Xiyao, especially as he leaned in closer, his body nearly pressing against Xing Xu’s shoulder.
Xing Xu could smell a faint, maddening scent.
Not only did the fragrance invade his breath, but it also seemed to linger on his skin wherever Ye Xiyao’s breath passed over.
He couldn’t help but absorb a bit of Ye Xiyao’s scent.
Ye Xiyao had already used several tissues and was about to wipe his neck when Xing Xu suddenly grabbed his wrist, speaking calmly, “That’s enough.”
“But it’s still wet here.” With the pad of his finger, Ye Xiyao wiped away a droplet of water from Xing Xu’s Adam’s apple. “Now it’s fine.”
He retracted his hand and obediently sat back in the passenger seat, tightly fastening his seatbelt, presenting a harmless, well-behaved appearance as if he hadn’t done anything at all.
But the Adam’s apple was sensitive, and after Ye Xiyao’s touch, the sensation lingered, refusing to fade. Xing Xu clenched his molars tightly—
He’s at it again.
He’s always like this!
Every time, Ye Xiyao would innocently make little gestures that were clearly enticing, only to then act as if nothing had happened, as though if Xing Xu took it seriously, it would be his own overthinking.
Xing Xu swallowed the heat rising within him, gripping the steering wheel tightly, struggling against a sudden wave of frustration.
Suddenly, Ye Xiyao said, “Manager Xing… you passed the turn.”
He seemed completely unaware that his actions had caused Xing Xu any trouble, his tone and expression were utterly composed.
So calm that it made Xing Xu feel as if he had lost.
“Give me directions.”
Xing Xu deliberately took a longer route, pretending to be unfamiliar with the area.
The apartment complex had been built a long time ago. The environment was average, and the place was packed with residents. Aside from its good location and low rent, there didn’t seem to be many advantages.
Xing Xu parked downstairs.
For a moment, they were both silent, each lost in their own thoughts.
Outside, the heavy rain hadn’t stopped. There were almost no pedestrians, not even a security guard in sight.
It was eerily quiet.
Neither of them knew what the other was thinking, but they were both secretly speculating.
Ye Xiyao wondered when would be the right time to speak, worrying that what he wanted to say might sound too abrupt.
In the end, he couldn’t resist the urge building up inside him and spoke first, “Xing… Xing Xu.”
He mustered the courage to change his way of addressing him.
Not calling him manager Xing, but Xing Xu. It indicated a personal connection now, rather than a superior-subordinate relationship.
Xing Xu glanced at him, “Hmm?”
“…Would you like to come to my place?” Ye Xiyao’s voice trembled slightly—he was nervous.
After all, it was his first time inviting someone over.
He had been thinking, are we friends now?
They should be, right?
Although they had just met that day, Xing Xu had treated him to dinner, given him a stuffed toy, sheltered him from the rain, and drove him home.
Ye Xiyao had never had a friend before, but he’d seen friendships between others.
Many people who called each other brothers didn’t seem to be as considerate as Xing Xu.
Xing Xu was a genuinely good person, and most importantly, Xing Xu could see him.
Ye Xiyao secretly hoped to have such a friend.
But Xing Xu asked, “What would I do at your place?”
“Well, just…”
Ye Xiyao racked his brain.
He thought about what other friends usually did together, what activities he’d seen buddies and besties enjoy on TV, and what kind of things he could offer to do if someone came over.
In the end, he could only piece together a bland response, “Sit, have some water, watch TV, chat…”
Even just saying it felt boring.
Maybe Xing Xu also thought it sounded dull, which is why he asked.
Ye Xiyao couldn’t come up with anything more exciting.
He licked his lips, feeling a bit embarrassed.
And Xing Xu caught that little movement.
His lips, moistened by his tongue, looked plump and glossy. Xing Xu knew that when bitten, they would be as soft as jelly, and with a gentle suck, they’d turn a deep, inviting red.
Suddenly, Ye Xiyao pressed his lips together, as if denying him the view.
Xing Xu, expressionless, pulled his gaze away and asked, “Have you invited anyone else up before?”
Ye Xiyao shook his head immediately, “No, never.”
He didn’t have any other friends.
Xing Xu made a sound of acknowledgment.
Ye Xiyao began to panic.
He didn’t know what Xing Xu meant by that.
Was he simply too lazy to go upstairs, or did he think they weren’t close enough yet? Or maybe he really did find the idea of visiting Ye Xiyao’s place too boring?
“Your clothes are wet, it’s uncomfortable,” Ye Xiyao clumsily came up with a reasonable excuse. “I thought you might want to come up and change.”
Xing Xu raised an eyebrow, “Change into what?”
Ye Xiyao froze. “…”
He was disappointed. “Oh, right, you wouldn’t fit into mine.”
The car fell silent again.
After a long pause, Xing Xu finally spoke, “Not today.”
He turned his head, speaking to Ye Xiyao but looking out the window.
The statement left room for interpretation.
Xing Xu said ‘today,’ which implied that perhaps on another day, it would be okay.
Ye Xiyao’s face lit up with a bright smile, showing his white teeth as he eagerly nodded, “Then next time.”
“Okay.”
Xing Xu continued to stare at the rain outside.
He thought, this devil is far too skilled at being seductive, with one trick after another.
He almost fell for it.
—
Ye Xiyao: Wants to be his friend.
Xing Xu: Wants to be with him.
