Chapter 37: This Truth Serum—Ji Huaizhi Has to Drink It, Like It or Not

Ning Shuang’s throat tightened. His first thought was that he was done for—Ji Huaizhi had come to settle accounts with him.

Judging by the expression on his face, though, it didn’t quite seem that way. Instead, Ji Huaizhi looked more like a spouse who’d just caught his husband cheating…

What the hell? Ning Shuang quickly shook his head, flinging those ridiculous thoughts away.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Heyang noticed Ning Shuang’s guilty look and couldn’t help asking.

Ning Shuang had no idea how to explain. “I’ll tell you about it sometime. Gotta go—catch you later!”

With that, Ning Shuang said goodbye and hurried over to Ji Huaizhi’s side by the school gate.

“Um, Ji Huaizhi… what are you doing here at school?” Ning Shuang realized he was genuinely feeling guilty—his voice shook so badly it barely sounded like his own.

Ji Huaizhi raised his lashes to glance at Xu Heyang standing behind Ning Shuang, then looked away. In a flat tone, he said, “I came to the library to read.”

“Ha, haha, talk about a coincidence.” Ning Shuang’s smile felt forced, his cheeks aching from the strain.

Lowering his lashes, Ji Huaizhi asked softly, “Are you coming home tonight?”

Ning Shuang started to say yes, but then he remembered he’d just told Lu Yuyang he’d be crashing at his place tonight. The words caught on the tip of his tongue, and he changed them. “I’ve still got stuff to handle at my friend’s. Probably won’t make it home tonight—mind looking after Ning Dundun for me?”

Ji Huaizhi pursed his lips, his eyelids drooping listlessly. A shadow of sorrow crossed his face. “All right.”

“Oh, and about last night—don’t let it get to you. I was drunk again, so I don’t remember a thing, including whatever I did to you. If I crossed any lines, sorry in advance.” Ning Shuang noticed Ji Huaizhi’s troubled expression and figured it must be because of what happened the night before.

“You didn’t do anything too outrageous,” Ji Huaizhi said.

Ning Shuang let out a relieved chuckle. “Good to hear.”

“You just clung to me going ‘I like you, like you,’ and you had a mouthful of my hair like you were trying to kiss me… No big deal.” His tone was perfectly even, as if he were recounting the most mundane events.

Ning Shuang could hardly bear to hear it. The fact that Ji Huaizhi could say it all so straight-faced without batting an eye terrified him. He clapped a hand over Ji Huaizhi’s mouth, glanced around to confirm they were alone, then hissed an apology. “Sorry, sorry! I had no idea I’d turn into that when I drink.”

“It was all an accident!” Ning Shuang insisted. “Total accidents!”

Ji Huaizhi gazed at him with quiet reproach.

A sharp twinge of guilt pricked at Ning Shuang’s conscience. “No, wait—ugh, I’ll be home tonight.”

He simply couldn’t hold out against that face and those eyes boring into him.

Ji Huaizhi was dressed lightly for the weather, but the sun had dipped below the horizon now, and the evening breeze blowing in was far chillier than the midday air. Ning Shuang felt like the wind might just sweep him away, so he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over Ji Huaizhi’s shoulders. “Let’s head home. It’ll get even colder once it’s fully dark.”

Head down, he trudged ahead.

Ji Huaizhi pulled the warm jacket closer around himself and stared at Ning Shuang’s retreating back. His gaze darkened, but he followed all the same.

The two boarded a bus home.

Ning Shuang texted Lu Yuyang to explain the situation.

【Lu Yuyang: Isn’t he just here to catch you red-handed?】

【Ning Shuang: [sobbing.jpg]】

【Ning Shuang: But I really did go way overboard.】

【Lu Yuyang: Don’t sweat it. Since he walked right into it, just do what we planned last night.】

【Ning Shuang: The gu?】

【Lu Yuyang: Exactly. Use everything you’ve got on him.】

【Ning Shuang: But what if the answer sucks?】

【Lu Yuyang: Then come find me. I’ll hook you up with a hundred guys just like him.】

【Ning Shuang: [sobbing.jpg]】

Ji Huaizhi watched Ning Shuang fidgeting restlessly beside him and rasped, “I didn’t take last night to heart. You don’t need to feel bad about it.”

Ning Shuang turned to him and met a pair of gentle eyes. He let out another sigh. “Thanks.”

It was exactly Ji Huaizhi’s kindness that made Ning Shuang feel so doomed.

“That guy who brought you the shuttlecock earlier—is he another close friend?” Ji Huaizhi asked out of the blue at the end.

Ning Shuang wasn’t sure why Ji Huaizhi had suddenly taken an interest in his friends, but he answered earnestly. “Yeah, we’re in the same club and all.”

“You mentioned before about taking me to see your club,” Ji Huaizhi said.

It was true. Ning Shuang blinked in surprise. “Huh? You want to go? Sure thing—next time, I’ll bring you. Everyone there’s pretty cool.”

Ji Huaizhi lowered his lashes, a gloom settling in the depths of his eyes. Indifferently, he replied, “Forget it.”

The unhappiness was plain as day in his eyes now, his voice laced with utter dejection.

Ning Shuang: “…”

“Go on, go ahead. Next time I head to the club, I’ll bring you with me.”

Ji Huaizhi seemed to brighten up a little. “I’ll buy you a badminton racket. Next time, will you teach me using the one I got you?”

Ning Shuang paused for a beat, then nodded eagerly. “Yeah, of course.”

When they got home, Ning Shuang eyed the spotless living room and felt a fresh wave of unearned guilt wash over him.

At least Ji Huaizhi’s expression looked normal enough.

Ning Shuang plopped down on the sofa, scooped Ning Dundun onto his lap, and flicked on the TV.

Ji Huaizhi returned with two glasses of juice and set one down in front of Ning Shuang. “Fresh-squeezed.”

“Cool, thanks.” Ning Shuang took a sip, the bright tang of orange blooming across his tongue. He smacked his lips appreciatively, grabbed the remote, and switched to a cartoon.

“Ji Huaizhi… you really didn’t let what I said last night bother you, right?” Ning Shuang drew his legs up, cocked his head, and rested his cheek on his knee as he peered at Ji Huaizhi.

“Mm,” Ji Huaizhi replied. “I know you were drunk.”

“What if it was what I really felt?” Ning Shuang blurted suddenly.

Ji Huaizhi froze, caught off guard by the words. “What?”

Ning Shuang sighed and shook his head. “Nothing. I’m kinda tired—gonna nap here on the sofa for a bit. I’ll handle dinner.”

With Ning Shuang already curled up on the sofa, eyes shut, Ji Huaizhi swallowed whatever he’d been about to say.

Ning Shuang had only intended to rest his eyes, but after a rough night of sleep, he actually dozed off.

Ji Huaizhi came over and settled on the rug next to the sofa. He rested his arms along the edge, gently brushed Ning Shuang’s stray bangs aside, propped his chin on his forearms, and quietly watched Ning Shuang’s sleeping face. He didn’t budge for a long while.

Time slipped by.

Ning Shuang slept for a solid hour on the sofa. Even in that short span, he had a dream—a chaotic jumble of childhood memories mixed with recent events alongside Ji Huaizhi.

The savory aroma of stir-frying roused him, along with some faint rustling voices.

“Dundun, shh—don’t wake him.” Ji Huaizhi’s voice…

His head foggy from sleep, Ning Shuang pushed himself up on the sofa and peered into the kitchen. There stood Ji Huaizhi, apron tied around his waist as he cooked, with Ning Dundun circling eagerly at his feet.

Man and dog alike kept their movements light and careful, clearly trying not to disturb him.

Ning Shuang stared at the scene in a daze.

Then, all at once, he sniffed hard and felt a swell of inexplicable grievance.

He didn’t feel happy or warm or heartwarming—he felt wronged, for reasons he couldn’t name.

He flopped back onto the sofa and buried his face entirely in the throw pillow.

He didn’t lift his head again until he was gasping for air.

Right then, Ning Dundun’s big, grinning face loomed into view, tongue lolling.

“Dundun.” Ning Shuang’s voice came out hoarse and sluggish from sleep as he reached out to ruffle Ning Dundun’s head thoroughly. “Dundun, oh, Ning Dundun.”

Ning Dundun melted blissfully into Ning Shuang’s lap.

Out of habit, Ning Shuang glanced toward the kitchen—and locked eyes with Ji Huaizhi, who was leaning casually against the doorframe. Ji Huaizhi appeared to be smiling, his gaze soft and warm as he watched Ning Shuang roughhouse with Ning Dundun.

When Ning Shuang looked his way, the smile deepened on Ji Huaizhi’s lips. He spoke first. “Sleep okay?”

Ning Shuang let go of Ning Dundun’s ear and gave a stiff nod. “Yeah, I’m up now… You’re cooking?”

He sprang off the sofa. “Lemme give you a hand!”

Ji Huaizhi shook his head. “It’s all done. Go wash up—we’re eating.”

Ning Shuang felt even guiltier; the smile slipped from his face. He nodded. “Got it. Washing up now. Sorry you had to do it all.”

They ate dinner, each lost in their own thoughts.

As they neared the end of the meal, Ji Huaizhi spoke up abruptly. “The mattress is bone-dry now, and I’ve laundered the sheets and remade the bed while you were gone. Tonight, I’ll sleep in there.”

Ning Shuang: “Mm… oh. Sure.”

He was obviously distracted, agreeing on autopilot before processing the words.

Ji Huaizhi watched him, words hovering on the tip of his tongue before he held them back.

Ning Shuang set down his chopsticks. “I’m finished. Get some rest soon—I’ll handle the dishes.”

He rose to head back to his room, but Ji Huaizhi suddenly reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Ning Shuang.”

“What’s up?” Ning Shuang stopped and asked.

Ji Huaizhi gazed at him. “Do you have anything you want to say?”

“Not right now, why?” There were plenty of things Ning Shuang wanted to say, but he wasn’t ready to burst that fragile bubble between them just yet.

“All right.” Ji Huaizhi released his hand.

Ning Shuang forced a smile. “Don’t worry! If there’s something, I’ll definitely tell you!”

“All right.” Ji Huaizhi nodded again.

From then on, until they each retired to their rooms for the night, they didn’t exchange another word.

That evening, Ji Huaizhi stood on the balcony, his gaze drifting far into the distance. He took in the neon lights and bustling traffic below, then lightly touched Xuan Que where it perched on the railing. He seemed lost in thought, his mood clearly sour.

Where had he gone wrong? Or had Ning Shuang figured something out? Everything had been fine before, so why had it all changed after last night?

Ji Huaizhi just couldn’t make sense of it.

Knock knock knock. The rapping at the door shattered the quiet of the night.

Ji Huaizhi snapped back to reality.

Xuan Que flapped its wings and flew off.

Ji Huaizhi went to the door and opened it. There stood Ning Shuang in his pajamas, holding the half-finished bottle of red wine from the night before, an unopened soft drink, and two glass cups.

Ji Huaizhi blinked in surprise. “Ning Shuang?”

Ning Shuang met his eyes. “Wanna drink?!”

Ji Huaizhi’s immediate instinct was to refuse. “You can’t have alcohol.”

With a grin, Ning Shuang thrust the tray forward. “That’s why I’m sticking to the soda!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Ji Huaizhi stepped aside to let him in. “What brought this on all of a sudden?”

Ning Shuang chuckled. “Slept way too much earlier. Can’t get to sleep now.”

As if…

He had made up his mind. Tonight, he would either get crystal clear on Ji Huaizhi’s feelings for him—or the two of them would be together by night’s end.

Ji Huaizhi was drinking this Truth-Telling Gu whether he liked it or not!