OFBL Chapter 38

Because Ge Haoran’s operation was successfully completed, the old dean was very happy and gave Zhang Yuze and Xu Li a day off to go home to rest.

 

Although he lay down on the stairwell and slept for a while, Zhang Yuze was still feeling sleepy and numb. The most fatal thing was that he was previously way too anxious and now, after suddenly relaxing, he was too depressed to answer any of Xu Li’s questions.

 

Back home, Dr. Zhang took a shower and washed his clothes, then promptly grabbed the back of Xu Li’s neck and showed him toward the bathroom as well. Finally… He could get back to the loving embrace of his bed. The moment his head made contact with the pillow, his entire world became extremely wonderful.

 

And so, Zhang Yuze lay on his back in bed, eager to die on the spot.

 

At that moment, not even Big Bang could make him get up from bed.

 

Xu Li wiped his hair and came out of the bathroom, sharing the same smell of shower gel as Zhang Yuze. Seeing his boyfriend’s appearance, he smiled and teased him: “Hey, don’t be in such a hurry to sleep. I haven’t forgotten what you said at the barbecue restaurant last night.”

 

Zhang Yuze thought for a long time before remembering what it was that he said. The dog… Indeed had a good memory. He didn’t even open his eyes before scolding him: “You’re really young and restless. I’m too tired to take care of your needs. Get out.”

 

“You’re taking back your words.” Xu Li sighed, and his voice seemed full of regret.

 

“You can spend money and rent a little boy.” Zhang Yuze turned over and took away most of the quilt. “I’ll allow it.”

 

“No, you won’t.”

 

“…”

 

“I don’t care. Anyway, you can’t take back your words.”

 

Zhang Yuze changed his posture, feeling quite irked that his rest was disturbed. Raising his eyelids, he said lazily: “Will a kiss be enough for you to let me sleep?”

 

Xu Li tilted his head slightly and stood by the bed to look down at him, smiling evilly with his eyes full of water. Pausing for three seconds, he lifted the quilt with a bright face, bent down on the bed, and said excitedly: “Yes!”

 

Zhang Yuze rolled his eyes and answered: “Get out of here… You’re really good at climbing into a man’s bed.”

 

“I’m only good at climbing into yours.” Xu Li rubbed close to him, stretched out his hand over Zhang Yuze’s shoulder, and said without missing a beat: “I’m sorry, is it okay to kiss you?”

 

Zhang Yuze looked at him guardedly and asked: “Will you go to sleep after kissing?”

 

“Yep.” Xu Li’s eyes looked eager.

 

“Damn, as if I believe you.”

 

In order to get the desired silence in his ears as soon as possible, Dr. Zhang did not hesitate. He pinched Xu Li’s chin neatly and gently touched his lips, just like when they participated in that couple’s tacit understanding challenge in the mall before.

 

It was very perfunctory, but it could barely be regarded as a kiss.

 

The two mouths touched for a moment, and before even a little breath could be exchanged, Dr. Zhang quickly separated. He just wanted to push that idiot to sleep, and also curse him on the way. However, he suddenly felt Xu Li’s hand covering his neck, forcefully pulling him back and deepening the kiss.

 

The word “sleep” was instantly blocked back in his throat.

 

Now poor Dr. Zhang was no longer sleepy at all. He felt that the calm heartbeat in his chest soared rapidly, accelerating all the way to the sky. Damn… He didn’t even have time to think about the kiss carefully. His first reaction was: Zhang Yuze, hey! Zhang Yuze! You’re no longer a teenager! What’s wrong with your heart?!

 

Xu Li was damn worthy of being the scumbag ex-boyfriend in a romance novel since he had plenty of experience and the way he kissed was truly amazing. He turned his face, and his eyelashes were dense and soft while he gently bit Zhang Yuze’s thin lips with his teeth. When it was slightly stinging, the tip of his tongue fell on it just right, licking soothingly.

 

… Fuck you!

 

Zhang Yuze was kissed by him. Although he had kissed Shen Mo once or twice in those years, the pull and shove of that relationship was nothing compared to the naked and straightforward passion he felt now. It could even be said that his previous experience was similar to that of a kindergartner.

 

At first, Zhang Yuze was still consumed by thinking nonsense about what was wrong with him to even initiate a kiss, why his broken heart beat like that after seven or eight years, and why, for the love of God… Why did he enjoy kissing this fool so much?!

 

But soon enough, all those thoughts promptly left his head. He was also an adult man, and he also had hormones to dominate his brain! And so, Zhang Yuze closed his eyes and refused to admit defeat, raising his hand to put his arms around Xu Li’s neck and immersing himself in the road.

 

It was only when his lips were about to swell, he was out of breath, and his head felt heavy, that the short passion finally ended.

 

“Boyfriend, your heart beats so fast.” Xu Li was panting, and his low voice went soft in Zhang Yuze’s ear.

 

In order not to make himself look inexperienced and laughed at, Zhang Yuze sneered unyieldingly: “Bullshit, who stays calm when kissed?”

 

“Then you touch mine.” Xu Li grabbed his hand, put it on his chest, took a deep breath, and said innocently and sincerely: “It’s beating really fast. My heart rate is estimated to be 180 now.”

 

“…” Zhang Yuze didn’t know what expression to put on. Inexplicably, he knew that Xu Li’s heart was also affected by hissing him, and an inexplicable satisfaction overflowed from the bottom of his soul. However, he still said firmly: “That’s a lie. Why are you pretending to be innocent?”

 

“You don’t believe me.” Xu Li gritted his teeth and continued. “I should go to the hospital and bring you an electrocardiogram then.”

 

The impact of that realization was too great. Zhang Yuze slapped the lamp to turn it off and ended the topic strongly. However, in the dark, of course, he couldn’t fall asleep. His eyes were as wide as bronze bells, and his breath still rugged, doing its best to hold back.

 

“Dr. Zhang, have you fallen in love with me yet?” Xu Li finally asked.

 

“How is this about love?” Zhang Yuze was not angry. “Don’t tell me you still want to talk about love when it’s obviously just hormones.”

 

However, Xu Li didn’t blame him for his bad response, instead saying something else: “If you don’t want to talk about love, then we won’t. But let me ask you, can you leave me now?”

 

“Get out of here!” Zhang Yuze covered his head in the quilt. “Whoever speaks again is a dog!”

 

“…”

 

…………

 

Xu Li woke up in the early afternoon, stretching lazily as the soft winter sunlight filtered through the curtains. Turning his head, he saw that Zhang Yuze was still sound asleep beside him, breathing steadily.

 

Looking down at himself, Xu Li noticed something amusing: his sleeping posture had become oddly disciplined. In the past, he used to sprawl across the bed, rolling around like a restless cat, much to Dr. Zhang’s endless frustration. After countless scoldings, he now slept properly, wrapped snugly in the quilt, not even turning over.

 

The Internet was right once again. Cohabitation changed people in subtle, unexpected ways.

 

Shaking his head with a smile, Xu Li got up, washed his face, and checked his phone. A new message on WeChat caught his attention.

 

Little Rainbow: Mr. Xu, I’m sorry for disturbing you. Can we meet in person? There’s something I need to talk to you about.

 

Xu Li frowned thoughtfully. It had been almost a month since Little Rainbow and his mother moved into his place, supposedly for temporary shelter while she recovered from surgery. Her condition was stable now, so it made sense for them to finally move out.

 

And so, he replied with the address of a nearby café and agreed to meet. After leaving a note for Zhang Yuze, he grabbed his coat and headed out.

 

When he arrived at the café, Little Rainbow was already there, sitting stiffly in a corner booth. He looked timid as always, shrinking into his seat like he expected to be scolded.

 

Xu Li pulled out a chair and sat down across from him, skipping any pleasantries. “Alright, what’s this about? Your mother’s condition is stable, so it’s time to pack up and move out. You’ve overstayed long enough.”

 

Little Rainbow’s eyes widened, clearly not expecting such bluntness. After a few moments of awkward silence, he lowered his head and said softly: “Mr. Xu… Can I not move out?”

 

Xu Li froze. What?!

 

His brows knitted as he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “What are you saying? You plan on staying forever?”

 

Little Rainbow lifted his gaze, his expression unexpectedly firm despite the lingering sadness in his eyes. “If it weren’t for you, my mom and I wouldn’t have survived. I have nowhere else to go.”

 

Xu Li’s sympathy had run dry. His voice turned cold. “I helped you out of kindness, not obligation. Don’t mistake that for weakness. You’ve got one more month, so pack your things and leave. Don’t push me, or I’ll call the police.”

 

Little Rainbow’s fingers curled around the edge of his coffee cup. His tone became soft yet sharp, a blade hidden in silk.

 

“I have… Photos of you on my phone.”

 

Xu Li’s expression didn’t change, though his eyes sharpened. “And?”

 

“I know you have a boyfriend,” Little Rainbow continued. “I could send them to him.”

 

For a moment, Xu Li stared at him in disbelief. That was his grand plan?! He almost laughed. Raising his chin, Xu Li smirked. “Go ahead. Send them to Zhang Yuze. Make sure you pick a flattering one while you’re at it, maybe add some filter as well to make me look dashing.”

 

Little Rainbow blinked, stunned. “You’re… Not afraid?”

 

“Afraid of what?” Xu Li chuckled, his usual cocky demeanor returning. “I’ve never hidden anything from him. He knows every flaw, every stupid thing I’ve ever done. I promised him I’d be faithful, and I’ve kept my word. If you think you can stir up trouble between us, you’re way out of your league.”

 

He stood up, pushing his chair back into place with a casual flick of his foot. His gaze turned icy. “One month. If you’re still squatting in my house by then, I will call the police.”

 

As he turned to leave, Little Rainbow shot up, spilling coffee in his desperation. He lunged across the table, grabbing Xu Li’s arm.

 

“Mr. Xu! Please… Reconsider! I… I could be your lover! I won’t interfere with your relationship and only stay in the shadows. Just… Keep me around. I’ll do anything you want.”

 

Xu Li recoiled, wrenching his arm free with a look of utter disgust.

 

“Are you insane?!” He hissed. “Do you think this is the Qing Dynasty?! What the hell do you mean by ‘keep you around’?! This isn’t some historical drama, and I’m not a bored emperor collecting concubines!”

 

He then leaned in, voice cold and cutting. “I’m with Zhang Yuze. He’s the only one I care about. I can’t even pretend to be interested in anyone else. Got it?”

 

Tears welled up in Little Rainbow’s eyes, but Xu Li remained unmoved.

 

“Then… I’ll wait,” Little Rainbow whispered, trembling. “I’ll wait for you two to break up… And when you do… Think of me, please.”

 

Xu Li let out a dry, humorless laugh. “You can wait all you want. In this life, the next one, or whatever comes after… It still won’t be your turn.”

 

Without sparing another glance, he strode out of the café, leaving Little Rainbow frozen in place. Defeated and utterly alone.