Chapter 27 Part 1
Perhaps because he was going home today, Shi Xu dreamt of his older sister.
His sister had always been a beauty, with countless admirers.
She was gentle and kind, even when rejecting obsessive stalkers.
Judging by her appearance alone, no one would believe this gentle, seemingly fragile woman could single-handedly defeat numerous opponents.
Shi Xu loved watching her fight. She was impressive.
He learned his combat skills from her, yet he still considered himself inferior. If they were to spar, he would still lose.
This wasn’t a nightmare.
In the dream, his sister stood in the kitchen, decorating a freshly baked cake.
She had once said, “I’m always tired after a fight. Eating cake makes me feel better.”
Shi Xu’s love for sweets stemmed from his sister.
He stood at the kitchen entrance, watching her. She put down the empty piping bag, turning to face him.
Her phoenix eyes, the same shape as his, crinkled when she smiled.
“Xiao Xu, the cake is ready. Come try some.”
Her gentle smile made him smile too. He walked towards her, his steps slow and deliberate, afraid of shattering the dream.
But the dream shattered anyway, just as he reached her.
He stared at the familiar ceiling, thinking for the first time that his internal clock was annoying.
Downstairs, the aroma of food filled the air. He walked quietly, reaching the kitchen entrance unnoticed.
He stared at the figure busy at the stove, wondering if he was still dreaming.
For a moment, he mistook Gu Sui for his sister, but the illusion quickly faded.
His sister wasn’t as tall as Gu Sui, nor as broad-shouldered.
“Wife, you’re awake! Today’s breakfast is sticky rice!”
Shi Xu looked at the pot behind Gu Sui.
The sticky rice, glistening with oil, was mixed with various ingredients. It looked and smelled delicious, but…
“Sticky rice for breakfast?”
Gu Sui: “Aren’t you going home today?”
Shi Xu, puzzled: “What does that have to do with breakfast?”
Gu Sui: “I’m worried you won’t eat well there. Sticky rice is filling, it’ll last you.”
Shi Xu: “…”
Gu Sui didn’t ask about his family, seemingly aware that he wouldn’t answer, and might even get angry. He didn’t ask, yet he still understood, having seen into Shi Xu’s heart.
Shi Xu no longer resented the pollutant’s insight, grateful for its consideration.
But he didn’t express his gratitude, afraid of encouraging it.
Gu Sui filled a large bowl with sticky rice.
Shi Xu said helplessly, “I can’t eat that much.”
Gu Sui removed a tiny portion, a truly insignificant amount. If Shi Xu hadn’t protested, he would have added more.
Shi Xu looked at the still overflowing bowl, falling silent.
Gu Sui was truly worried about him going hungry.
“I really can’t eat this much,” Shi Xu repeated.
Gu Sui placed the bowl at Shi Xu’s usual seat, pulling him down. “Just try some. If you can’t finish it, I will.”
Shi Xu: “…”
Human food didn’t provide sustenance for pollutants. They didn’t need to eat.
Gu Sui ate only when Shi Xu was present, simply to accompany him. If Shi Xu wasn’t there, he wouldn’t eat anything.
Shi Xu took the chopsticks Gu Sui offered, along with Gu Sui’s face, which was now very close.
He pushed Gu Sui’s head away with the chopsticks. “What?”
Gu Sui pouted shyly. “Wife, you… haven’t given me… a good morning kiss…”
Shi Xu sneered. “Did I promise you a good morning kiss?”
“No need to promise!” Gu Sui said matter-of-factly. “We’re together now! All couples in love do this!”
Shi Xu regretted giving Gu Sui the laptop. It never learned anything useful, only absorbing nonsense.
He was curious about what exactly Gu Sui had been watching.
“All?” Shi Xu asked. “What else do couples in love do?”
Gu Sui covered his blushing face, unable to contain his excitement. “Good morning kiss, good night kiss, goodbye kiss before leaving…”
It all revolved around kissing.
Shi Xu: “Didn’t I say I don’t want to kiss you?”
“I know! I remember everything Wife says!” Gu Sui pointed at his cheek, chuckling. “Wife… doesn’t mind… kissing my… face. You can… kiss me… more…”
“…” Shi Xu regretted kissing Gu Sui’s forehead yesterday. It had emboldened him.
He pushed Gu Sui’s face away with the chopsticks again. “Stay away from me.”
Gu Sui instantly deflated, pouting and retreating slightly.
He served himself a bowl of sticky rice, sitting opposite Shi Xu, eating with him.
His own bowl contained a normal portion, while Shi Xu’s was three times larger.
Halfway through, Shi Xu was full. He put down his chopsticks, hearing Gu Sui’s hopeful question, “Wife, are… you… full?”
Shi Xu: “Yes.”
Gu Sui’s fingers twitched excitedly. “Can… I… finish it?”
Shi Xu pushed the bowl towards him. Gu Sui immediately started eating.
He ate his own portion slowly, as if it were a chore. But when eating from Shi Xu’s bowl, his pace quickened, his expression one of pure enjoyment, as if savoring a delicacy.
Shi Xu felt a shiver run down his spine.
Gu Sui wasn’t doing anything to him, yet he felt like he was the food, being consumed by Gu Sui.
He could even guess Gu Sui’s thoughts: [It has Wife’s taste, Wife’s saliva, I like it~~~]
Shi Xu reaffirmed his conclusion: this creature was a pervert.
Spending so much time with a pervert was making him a pervert.
Before he completely lost his mind, Shi Xu abruptly left the dining room, a strange urge to flee washing over him.
Even those without OCD wouldn’t usually eat someone else’s leftovers, especially something covered in their saliva.
Shi Xu couldn’t imagine exchanging saliva with someone. The thought was repulsive.
But…
He covered his mouth, his clear eyes filled with conflicting emotions.
He didn’t want to admit it, but for a moment, he had wanted to kiss the pollutant, not finding the idea of exchanging saliva repulsive.
He must be crazy!
Shi Xu had informed Shi Yan that he would be visiting this morning.
It was a courtesy call. Shi Yan would be angry if he didn’t inform him. He didn’t expect a warm welcome.
For the past 19 years, since his brother’s death, he had always visited alone.
This time, he had company, although not quite human.
Knowing Shi Xu’s feelings towards Shi Yan, Gu Sui didn’t dress up, still wearing the hoodie and jeans Shi Xu bought him.
Since Shi Xu had complimented them, he wore them constantly, washing them immediately when they got dirty, somehow managing to dry them instantly.
Fortunately, the white hoodie didn’t fade. The black jeans weren’t so lucky. At this rate, they would soon turn white.
On the way, Shi Xu wondered if he should compliment Gu Sui’s other clothes to encourage some variety.
He didn’t realize his focus wasn’t on the impending confrontation with his father, but on Gu Sui.
This was Gu Sui’s first outing with Shi Xu. Like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time, he stared out the window, pointing out interesting things to Shi Xu.
His constant chatter was distracting, but Shi Xu didn’t silence him.
“This… is… Wife’s… old home?” Gu Sui pointed at the large estate.
Shi Xu glanced at it. “Yes.”
“So big…” Gu Sui marveled. “Much bigger… than your… current home. Many people… live here?”
Shi Xu scoffed. “Not many.”
For some reason, wealthy people always lived in large houses, occupying vast spaces, seemingly oblivious to the emptiness.
Gu Sui leaned against Shi Xu’s shoulder, testing the waters. Seeing no resistance, he snuggled closer.
“I… like… Wife’s… current home… more. Very… cozy.”
Cozy?
Shi Xu was puzzled. Even he, the owner, didn’t find his home cozy. Why did Gu Sui?
Seemingly sensing his confusion, Gu Sui said, “Wherever… Wife is… is cozy…”
“…” Shi Xu frowned. “Disgusting.”
Too cheesy.
