Chapter 29 Part 2
Having vented his frustration, Qi Yu remembered something else, frowning. “Why did Director Shen choose Lin Quan as your successor?”
Shi Xu countered, “Why, do you want to be captain?”
Qi Yu immediately waved his hands dismissively. “No way! Whoever wants that position can have it. Being vice-captain is good enough, less pressure.”
So many people craved that position, while the two of them despised it.
Shi Xu chuckled. “I recommended Lin Quan to Director Shen.”
Qi Yu stared at him in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
A knowing smile curved Shi Xu’s lips. “Lin Quan and his brother constantly targeted me for that position. Since he wants it so badly, I’m doing him a favor. He should be grateful.”
Qi Yu: “…No, I think he’ll be furious.”
His brother went insane and died for that position. To receive it as a handout, after someone else discarded it, would be the ultimate humiliation.
Putting himself in Lin Quan’s shoes, Qi Yu felt a pang of sympathy, knowing the torment wouldn’t end there.
Lin Quan would soon experience the burdens of leadership, understanding why Shi Xu resigned. He wondered how Lin Quan would feel then.
Shi Xu: “Well, he’s difficult to please. Too many demands. Such a hassle.”
“…” Qi Yu avoided Shi Xu’s gaze, glancing at him cautiously.
He was glad to be Shi Xu’s friend, not his enemy. Being Shi Xu’s opponent must be incredibly painful.
Qi Yu suddenly fell silent.
His phone buzzed incessantly. Since Shi Xu left for the bureau, Gu Sui had been sending him messages every five minutes.
Shi Xu didn’t have the patience to read them all. He glanced at the latest one, understanding the gist: Gu Sui was apologizing.
His anger was long gone. He hadn’t been truly angry, just uncomfortable with the intimacy, especially with a pollutant.
He had used anger to mask his strange emotions and physical reactions. He had forgiven Gu Sui after the first apology.
But he still wanted to make Gu Sui sweat.
If he didn’t discipline it, it would become uncontrollable.
It had taken liberties with his finger today. What would it do next?
He put down his spoon, the clinking sound echoing in the room, pushing away the unsettling thoughts.
His phone buzzed again. He glanced at it. This time, it was a video.
Intrigued, he opened it.
The seven-second video showed the open front door, the camera panning from the entrance to the lawn outside. A transparent jellyfish rolled from the entrance to the lawn.
As soon as the video ended, a new message arrived: [Wife, I rolled out of your house. Please don’t be angry anymore.]
Shi Xu: “…”
He didn’t realize he was smiling.
Qi Yu, who had been silently observing, was startled by his expression. He wanted to know what Shi Xu was looking at.
Knowing Shi Xu so well, this unusual display of emotion was alarming.
He leaned closer, pretending to reach for a dish on Shi Xu’s side, his gaze fixed on the phone.
Just a peek.
But Shi Xu quickly turned off the screen, placing the phone face down.
Qi Yu: “…”
“What?” Shi Xu turned to look at him.
Qi Yu quickly sat back, lowering his voice. “Nothing.” Afraid of being caught, he quickly changed the subject. “What are your plans?”
Shi Xu thought for a moment. “Live a normal life.”
“…” Qi Yu, “What does a normal life look like to you?”
Shi Xu had actually considered this. “A nine-to-five job, marriage.”
His requirements were surprisingly simple. Qi Yu focused on the latter. “Marriage? With who? Do you have someone in mind?”
He used “someone in mind” instead of “someone you like” because he knew Shi Xu rarely formed genuine attachments. If he were to marry, it wouldn’t be out of love, but practicality, choosing someone suitable for a stable life.
In short, settling.
Shi Xu: “Sort of.”
Qi Yu’s curiosity exploded. “Who? Do I know them?”
Shi Xu: “You don’t.”
Qi Yu: “Can you introduce me?”
Shi Xu: “Yes.”
Qi Yu, excited: “When? Today?”
“Another time,” Shi Xu said. “I haven’t proposed yet. We’ll talk after that.”
Qi Yu grinned. “I didn’t know you were the type to propose. Need any advice from your bro?”
Shi Xu: “You’ve never even been in a relationship. What advice can you offer?”
Qi Yu: “…” That was harsh.
His curiosity unsatisfied, he pestered Shi Xu with questions, wanting to know everything about this mystery person, but all he learned was that the person’s name was Gu Sui, and he was male.
Same-sex marriage was legal. Qi Yu wasn’t homophobic. He was just surprised Shi Xu liked men.
But then again, he would have been equally surprised if Shi Xu said he liked women. He didn’t think Shi Xu liked anyone.
“I thought you wouldn’t marry until my kids are in middle school. I didn’t expect you to find someone so quickly…” Qi Yu marveled, his gossip senses tingling. “What made you decide he’s the one?”
Shi Xu: “He’s having my baby. I have to take responsibility.”
Qi Yu: “…”
Qi Yu: “???”
Upon arriving home, Shi Xu saw a large, gelatinous blob sprawled on the lawn, tinted green by the grass beneath it.
Hearing his footsteps, the blob inflated, revealing familiar golden eyes, shouting excitedly, “Wife, you’re back~”
The thought of someone welcoming him home had once seemed overly sentimental, but having experienced it, Shi Xu found it surprisingly pleasant. He wanted this to continue.
He stopped before the pollutant, looking down at the jelly. “What are you doing out here?”
The pollutant whispered, “Wife… angry. I… listened… rolled out…”
“Then stay there.” Shi Xu turned to enter the house, but the pollutant grabbed his pants leg.
He turned back, seeing the pollutant’s teary eyes. “Wife… don’t leave me! I’ll be… obedient! I won’t… do it… again…”
His heart softened. He crouched down, poking the pollutant’s head.
It was soft, just like his heart.
“Why are you like this?” Shi Xu asked.
The pollutant nuzzled his finger happily. “Like this… Wife… happier…”
Shi Xu remembered dismembering the pollutant, forbidding it from reforming. It probably thought this form would please him.
How foolish.
He poked its head again. “Become human.”
Instantly, the handsome young man reappeared. As its body grew, Shi Xu’s finger slid from its head to its lips.
Gu Sui blinked, not daring to ask for the promised reward, nor to suck on Shi Xu’s finger.
He froze, hoping Shi Xu’s finger would linger.
Somehow, he was still wearing the same clothes Shi Xu bought him.
The same outfit he had been wearing for days, a testament to his devotion.
“I resigned,” Shi Xu said suddenly.
Gu Sui gasped, then quickly produced a pile of gems, offering them to Shi Xu. “I… can… support… Wife! I have… many gems! All… for Wife!”
Shi Xu chuckled. Gu Sui stared at his smile, producing even more gems, piling them up, hoping to prolong Shi Xu’s amusement.
“Wife, do… you… like?”
Shi Xu’s finger traced Gu Sui’s lips, stopping at the dimple on his right cheek.
“Marry me.”
Gu Sui froze. Shi Xu pressed his finger harder, seemingly displeased by his lack of reaction. “You don’t want to?”
“Yes!” This time, without hesitation, Gu Sui dropped the gems, wanting to embrace Shi Xu, but remembering his earlier rejection, restraining himself, his excitement undiminished.
Marriage!
He was going to marry Wife!
“I haven’t given you your reward yet,” Shi Xu smiled.
“Marriage… is… the biggest… reward!” Gu Sui said dreamily.
Shi Xu’s arm snaked around his neck. Before Gu Sui could react, soft lips pressed against his.
