Chapter 34

The two of them sat at the dining table, staring at each other in silence, neither willing to speak first.

In the end, it was Jing Chi who broke the stalemate. He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat.

“Hey, you still haven’t explained what happened this morning.”

Yu Xingzhou frowned, eyeing the man across from him with clear displeasure.

Just recalling the events from when he woke up filled him with anger and frustration.

Jing Chi calmly swallowed his bite and replied offhandedly, “What is there to explain? That I’m your boyfriend? Nothing to say about that.”

Yu Xingzhou glared at him, enunciating each word with unwavering resolve. “I don’t believe you. I don’t have a boyfriend, and I don’t need some weird relationship like that.”

Jing Chi let out a sigh, his gaze lifting slightly with an air of indifference. “Aren’t you hungry? If not, I’m putting the food away.”

The young man snatched up his chopsticks at once, dropping the earlier topic entirely.

As he ate, though, he shot fierce glares at Jing Chi, as if that might cow him into submission.

Little did he know, in the other man’s eyes, he simply looked rather endearing.

Propping his chin on one hand, Jing Chi watched the young man’s amusing eating habits and couldn’t suppress a faint smile.

Once the meal was over, Jing Chi cleared the dishes and settled onto the sofa with his phone.

Yu Xingzhou watched him from the side with an odd expression.

“Why are you ignoring me?”

Jing Chi glanced over before returning his attention to the screen. “Didn’t you say you don’t need a boyfriend? If I’m not your boyfriend, why should I pay you any mind?”

His logic was impeccable, but it made Yu Xingzhou clench his fists. He pouted in anger, at a loss for a comeback, and could only huff, “As if I care.”

With that, Yu Xingzhou began inspecting the unfamiliar room, peering here and touching there.

Eventually, after dawdling about, he plopped down beside Jing Chi.

Jing Chi feigned ignorance, eyes fixed on his phone while his focus remained entirely on the young man.

When the boy finally settled back in, he nearly laughed aloud.

Talk was cheap, but actions spoke louder.

Bored out of his mind, Yu Xingzhou eyed Jing Chi’s phone with envy—it looked like so much fun.

“Um… could I play with it for a bit?” he asked awkwardly, eyes darting everywhere but at Jing Chi.

He knew he was in the wrong, so his voice came out softer than intended.

Jing Chi looked up at the fidgeting figure beside him. “You want to play this?” He jiggled the phone.

Yu Xingzhou nodded despite himself, staring at Jing Chi with naked longing.

“But you’re not my boyfriend,” Jing Chi said innocently. “Why should I let you?”

Yu Xingzhou felt a pang of grievance. Just yesterday, this man had taken him out for fun; today, he wouldn’t even share his phone.

Refusing to back down, he snapped stubbornly, “Hmph, forget it. I don’t want it.”

He slipped on his shoes, flung open the door, and stormed out.

Jing Chi shook his head in exasperation and trailed after him discreetly. Losing the kid would be no laughing matter—he’d be heartbroken.

Yu Xingzhou gazed in wide-eyed wonder at the cars whizzing past on the street and the towering skyscrapers scraping the sky.

Everything was so alien and fascinating to him. He wandered on and on.

He lost track of the intersections he crossed. When he finally snapped out of it, he realized he was utterly lost.

Panic crept in. The whole city was a stranger to him, and Jing Chi was the only familiar face he had.

He regretted picking a fight and storming off like that.

On top of it, breakfast had been light, and all this walking had left him exhausted and ravenous. He sank down by the curb in dejection, mumbling to himself, “Sorry, Jing Chi. I shouldn’t have been so stubborn or run off like this. Where are you? Sigh.”

The more he dwelled on it, the worse he felt. Yesterday, Jing Chi had been so kind; today, here he was, stranded on the streets.

He hadn’t meant any harm—he just wasn’t ready to accept this surprise boyfriend.

“Oof, looks like someone’s lost little kitten.”

Jing Chi stepped in front of him, peering down with a teasing grin.

He’d followed the whole way, watching as the boy zigzagged and dashed about, certain he’d end up turned around.

Jing Chi had planned to let him stew a bit longer as a lesson for the disobedience, but seeing him huddled there so pitifully, he couldn’t bring himself to.

Hearing the familiar voice, Yu Xingzhou quickly raised his head. When he saw that familiar face again, his eyes heated up. He immediately stood and threw himself into Jing Chi’s arms, apologizing profusely.

“Sorry. I won’t be stubborn anymore. I won’t run off again.”

Jing Chi patted the young man’s back but said nothing.

Yu Xingzhou assumed he was still angry. He pulled back slightly, then looped his arms around Jing Chi’s neck and kissed him.

From the memories he had, he knew Jing Chi enjoyed this.

It’s not like we haven’t kissed before, he reassured himself.

Jing Chi froze at the young man’s boldness. He hadn’t expected the one who’d shied away from him that morning to now take the initiative.

His hand tightened slightly on Yu Xingzhou’s waist as he deepened the kiss.

After all, it was being offered right there—why pass it up?

At last, perhaps sensing the occasional passerby’s burning stares, Jing Chi broke the kiss. His voice came out husky as he teased into the young man’s ear.

“Too embarrassed at home? Does a crowd bring out your best?”

The brazen remark infuriated Yu Xingzhou. He shot Jing Chi a glare, but mindful of his earlier apology, he bit back his retort. He merely wiped his lips and strode ahead.

“Angry again? If you wander off, I’m not coming after you this time,” Jing Chi called from behind, his tone deliberately provoking.

Sure enough, Yu Xingzhou halted at once. Puffing out his cheeks, he turned a sulky glare on Jing Chi, then seized his hand with a smug declaration.

“Now I won’t get lost.”

Jing Chi chuckled and let the matter drop.

The pair found a restaurant nearby and settled in for a meal.

As they ate, someone plopped down beside Jing Chi.

Jing Shao clapped his brother on the shoulder, his face lighting up with feigned surprise and delight.

“Bro! What a coincidence, bumping into you two here.”

Jing Chi rubbed his temple in exasperation. First that one yesterday, now this today—what sort of luck was this?

“Yeah. Quite the coincidence,” he replied tonelessly.

Jing Shao, accustomed to the cool reception, turned his attention to Yu Xingzhou. Leaning in, he murmured into Jing Chi’s ear.

“Bro, he’s awake? Any side effects?”

Jing Chi gave him a look that spoke volumes and shot back, “What do you think?”

Yu Xingzhou watched Jing Shao with open curiosity. Noting their easy familiarity, he couldn’t resist asking, “Who’s he?”

Jing Shao caught on instantly. He flashed an awkward grin, realizing his ill-timed pessimism from before had come true.

The kid had clearly lost his memory; otherwise, he’d never have forgotten him.

“I’m Jing Shao, Jing Chi’s cousin.”

Yu Xingzhou nodded thoughtfully.

Something about the man seemed familiar—and irritating, for some reason.

“Oh, right—Bro, did you run into Nan Musheng yesterday?” Jing Shao’s expression shifted.

“Old sparks flying again?” Jing Chi needled, shooting him a sidelong glance.

Jing Shao shook his head vigorously. “No way. I just heard Nan Musheng lost it. After he got back from wherever yesterday, he was totally off. His roommate called the counselor, who got his parents to come take him home.”

A trace of lament crossed his eyes. It had only been a few months, yet everything felt so changed.

Jing Chi merely uttered a flat “oh,” showing scant interest.

Sensing his brother’s disengagement, Jing Shao pivoted to another topic.

“Anyway, Bro—Grandpa’s turning eighty next week. You bringing the little sister-in-law home?”

His gaze settled pointedly on Yu Xingzhou.

Jing Chi arched a brow; he’d clean forgotten. He turned to Jing Shao.

“Ask him. If he wants to go, we’ll go together.”

The phrasing struck Jing Shao as odd, but he plastered on a smile and directed the question at Yu Xingzhou.

“Little sister-in-law, you heading home with Bro next week?”

Little sister-in-law?

Yu Xingzhou’s face darkened in an instant.

“I’m not—don’t call me that!”

The young man fixed Jing Shao with a ferocious glare and stormed away from the table.

Jing Shao touched his nose helplessly. Glancing back, he caught the brief flicker of amusement on Jing Chi’s face and knew he’d been played.

“Bro,” he groaned in exasperation.

Jing Chi grew serious once more. “He doesn’t remember anything from before right now. We’ll see if it comes back in a few days.”

He paused, his eyes drifting to Yu Xingzhou, who was peering about outside the restaurant. With a soft sigh, he went on.

“We’ll have to go back regardless—to return the Soul-Storing Casket. And I ought to introduce him to the family.”

Jing Shao couldn’t help but feel a touch of admiration upon hearing this. “Bro, aren’t you afraid Uncle’s going to beat you senseless?”

Jing Chi narrowed his eyes slightly in warning. “I think you’re the one begging for a beating.”

At those words, Jing Shao promptly clamped his mouth shut. He knew his brother wasn’t joking around. He quickly pledged his loyalty. “No worries, Bro. I’ll have your back when the time comes.”

Jing Chi stepped out of the restaurant. This time, the teen had learned his lesson and didn’t wander off. He waited obediently by the door.

When he emerged, Yu Xingzhou glanced up. Noticing one person was missing, he breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Otherwise, he truly wouldn’t know how to face that awkward form of address.

Little sister-in-law? He was clearly a guy—hardly the image of dominance.

“Heading home?”

Yu Xingzhou shook his head at once. “Not going back.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

The teen pouted, feigning casualness as he said, “You took me out yesterday, so today we should go out too.”

As he spoke, he dragged the tip of his shoe across the ground, stealing a furtive glance at Jing Chi.

Amusement flickered in Jing Chi’s eyes. “Yesterday was boyfriend treatment. Today? Not quite.”

Yu Xingzhou’s eyes widened in accusation. “I kissed you! Isn’t that enough?”

Jing Chi shook his head with feigned innocence. “A kiss won’t cut it. You have to say it out loud.”

Gritting his teeth, the teen finally relented. “Fine, I admit you’re my boyfriend. Happy now?”

Jing Chi furrowed his brow, looking troubled, before conceding reluctantly. “That barely passes muster.”

Yu Xingzhou huffed, but his mood lifted all the same.

Jing Chi then took him to catch a 3D movie.

By the time the film ended, Yu Xingzhou had put the earlier matter behind him.

Once they returned home, however, the question of sleeping arrangements arose once more.

Jing Chi declared righteously, “This is my room. I’m not budging.”

The teen shrugged indifferently. “Hmph. It’s not like there’s only one room anyway.”

With that, he snatched up his pillow and marched out.

Jing Chi began a silent countdown in his mind. Sure enough, less than a minute later, the teen was back.

“Why’s the door to that room locked?”

Jing Chi feigned puzzlement. “Huh? Locked? No idea.”

“You did that on purpose,” Yu Xingzhou grumbled. “Guess I’ll crash on the sofa then.”

Watching the teen’s stubborn expression, Jing Chi offered a kind reminder. “It gets cold at night, you know.”

Yu Xingzhou rolled over, yanking the blanket over his head and ignoring him.

Jing Chi let out a soft chuckle.

That night, as silence deepened and a chill seeped into the air, the narrow sofa proved unforgiving. After tumbling off once more, Yu Xingzhou groped at his icy blanket.

In the end, he caved. Tiptoeing cautiously to Jing Chi’s room, he gave the door a push—and it swung open easily. Fortune truly favored him.

Clutching his pillow, he slipped soundlessly to the bedside. Lifting a corner of the covers, he slid neatly underneath.

At that moment, Jing Chi suddenly rolled over.

Yu Xingzhou froze, not daring to move a muscle or even breathe.

In the next instant, a warm arm draped across his waist.

The lingering chill vanished, banished by the embrace’s cozy heat.

He thought Jing Chi had woken, but the man’s eyes remained closed. Yu Xingzhou exhaled in relief.

Then he scooted closer to the source of warmth.

He couldn’t help it—the nest was just too inviting.

Before long, the teen drifted off to sleep, content.

It was then that Jing Chi opened his eyes. Gazing at the figure nestled back in his arms, he couldn’t suppress a smirk. He pulled him a fraction tighter.

The next morning, Jing Chi awoke to the teen’s direct gaze once more.

The scene felt eerily familiar.

“Who are you?” he heard Yu Xingzhou ask, eyes brimming with curiosity.

Jing Chi: ???

This trick wouldn’t fly a third time!