When Rong Xu came out of the bathroom, Chi Han was dozing off on the sofa. Still, he immediately noticed that the phone on the table had been moved.
Rong Xu paused mid-step. “……”
Remembering the screen he’d just looked up, something flickered in his eyes.
Could it be that Chi Han actually liked that kind of style?
He didn’t say anything. He sat on the other end of the sofa, reached out to grab Chi Han’s ankle, massaging it for a while before his hand trailed upward along the calf.
Chi Han instantly yanked his leg back with a sharp movement, eyes snapping open, his breathing quickening.
This man really couldn’t help teasing him whenever his guard was down. Unbelievable!
But Rong Xu didn’t let go. With one firm tug, he pulled Chi Han toward him, thumb gently caressing the inside of his ankle. “Chi Han, I looked into that domineering CEO thing you mentioned earlier… So this is what you’re into? Seven times in one night?”
Suddenly, Rong Xu pressed one of Chi Han’s legs to his chest, gripping his chin with the other hand to force him to look up.
The air was nearly knocked out of Chi Han’s lungs. He almost passed out. He was pinned so tightly he could barely move.
When he heard “seven times in one night”, he nearly blacked out from rage.
“Like hell I do!”
Chi Han craned his neck and bit Rong Xu’s shoulder hard, though he held back just enough. Clinging fiercely to his shoulder, his expression was fierce as he growled, slurred, “Quit learning all that ridiculous crap!”
Rong Xu simply pulled Chi Han into his lap with one arm. Not only did he not push him away, he held him even closer.
He tilted his head to look at Chi Han, a flicker of confusion in his eyes, and said softly, “I thought you liked it.”
Although Rong Xu was far more mature and steady than most his age, this was his first time falling for someone. He wanted to give Chi Han the best of everything. So whatever Chi Han liked, he’d do it without hesitation.
Rong Xu wanted to fill all the space in Chi Han’s heart, leaving not even a sliver for anyone else.
Chi Han let go of Rong Xu’s shoulder. Though he hadn’t bitten hard, a patch of fair skin had already turned red. Heart aching, he leaned in and gave it a gentle lick.
Rong Xu let out a heavy breath and rested his chin on Chi Han’s shoulder. His arms tightened around him without realizing it.
Chi Han slid his fingers into Rong Xu’s hair and rubbed gently. “Stop torturing yourself with all this. I don’t like anything in particular. What I love most is you.”
Rong Xu trembled, eyes shimmering like they were about to spill over. He buried his face in the crook of Chi Han’s neck, heart in full bloom.
Chi Han had said that what he loved most was him.
That night, Chi Han proved those words with action. The result? Neither of them got out of bed the next morning.
⋯⋯
A few days later, Fang Chen’s plea for help once again landed in front of Rong Xu.
But this time, the arrogant tone from before had vanished completely between the lines.
Rong Xu lowered his gaze to skim the message. After hearing from his assistant that Fang Chen had nearly been beaten to death at home, a cold, thin smile tugged at his lips.
“Tell him I’ll agree. But I want another ten percent of the shares.”
The assistant nodded, quietly sighing to himself.
Given the current circumstances, it seemed that whatever Young Master Rong said, Fang Chen would agree to it.
Because if he lost this inheritance battle, Fang Jingluo would absolutely destroy him.
Chi Han had just started the new semester, and his clinical classes were tightly packed. Though he still saw Rong Xu every night, it was basically just dinner, a quick chat, and then straight to bed.
He grabbed the rabbit’s ears and injected a tube of air, face blank as his mind began to drift, thoughts sliding into the original novel’s plotline.
The other members of the lab group watched as Chi Han moved with cold efficiency, his long fingers pressing the rabbit’s head into place. Unconsciously, they all swallowed nervously and took a step back.
Good grief. So savage.
The rabbit, feeling pain, began to struggle violently.
Chi Han calmly observed its reactions while his thoughts churned.
In the original book, Rong Xu had been dragged into the protagonist’s melodramatic mess because of Xu Ting’s meddling. If Xu Ting hadn’t approached Rong Xu back then, most of the chaos that followed probably wouldn’t have happened.
Chi Han’s eyes turned cold, and his hands tightened. The poor rabbit kicked a few times, then stopped.
Now the goal was clear: Xu Ting must never be allowed to get close to Rong Xu. The root of the problem had to be cut off completely.
Having sorted out his thoughts, Chi Han’s lips curved slightly. He peeled off his gloves, went to wash his hands, and sat down to write the lab report.
Yin Hao, one of his lab mates, glanced instinctively at the rabbit on the workbench and felt a chill run down his spine.
Was it just his imagination?
Why did it feel like Chi Han had come back from winter break looking more and more like Rong Xu?
Is it a case of husband resembling husband?
…
Chi Han’s thoughts were beautiful, but reality always had a way of playing cruel jokes when one least expected it.
That afternoon, Xu Ting intercepted Rong Xu in the underground parking garage of the Twin Towers.
“Are you Young Master Rong? I have a few things I’d like to say to you.”
The garage lights cast a cold, eerie glow. There wasn’t a trace of human warmth, which made Xu Ting’s figure seem even thinner and fragile.
The assistant turned to look at Rong Xu, awaiting his instruction.
Rong Xu sat in the back, eyes frosted with chill.
Xu Ting stood in front of the car, his eyes, so much like Chi Han’s, held a quiet melancholy as they stared unwaveringly at Rong Xu in the back seat, showing no sign of backing down.
“Drive forward.”
The voice from the back was flat, utterly indifferent.
The assistant shuddered and slowly started the car.
As the vehicle inched closer without slowing down, Xu Ting’s clenched fists at his sleeves began to tremble instinctively. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Was Rong Xu really going to just run him over?!
Just as the car was about to hit him, Xu Ting couldn’t hold back and shouted: “Fang Jingluo is planning to make a move against Chi Han!”
“Screech—”
A piercing screech of brakes rang out, and the front of the car stopped just short of brushing against his abdomen.
Xu Ting gasped for breath, heart pounding wildly, ears ringing faintly.
Lunatic.
This man was a complete and utter lunatic!
The assistant rolled down the window. From inside the vehicle came a cool, chilling voice.
It should have been like a lotus before the Buddha—serene and pure—but instead it sounded like a vengeful ghost demanding a soul, sending shivers down one’s spine.
“If you’ve got something to say, then follow us.”
The assistant looked at the weak-kneed Xu Ting and said with a polite smile, “Mr. Xu, please follow our car on your own. This seat isn’t meant for outsiders.”
Xu Ting watched as the black Maybach sped away. Unable to control himself, he staggered two steps back and collapsed to the ground. Cold sweat beaded across his temple.
…
In a private room on the second floor of Hua Xi Pavilion.
The assistant cast a glance filled with faint pity at Xu Ting, who was struggling to contain his fear, a trace of mockery surfacing in their eyes.
Why bother?
So scared, and yet he still insisted on coming. Was he really that desperate to die?
Rong Xu sat tall at the head of the table, not even bothering to take off his coat, making it crystal clear that Xu Ting wasn’t worth his attention.
Xu Ting gripped the cup in his hand, eyes lowered in embarrassment, the corners tinged red.
“I don’t have time to waste on you,” Rong Xu glanced at his watch, his gaze cold and unreadable.
Xu Ting gave a strained smile. After a few seconds, he looked at Rong Xu and spoke in a low voice, “Young Master Rong, I’m sure you’ve heard the rumor. Chi Han and I look quite alike.”
Rong Xu let out a cold, dismissive laugh. “You?”
He crossed his long legs and leaned back, eyes filled with contempt.
“You think you’re worthy?”
Xu Ting’s hands clenched tightly on his knees, tendons standing out against his slender neck.
Since childhood, he’d been adored and admired. Even after his family declined and he separated from Fang Jingluo, no one had ever humiliated him like this.
Rong Xu rose and walked toward the door. Xu Ting’s words had killed his appetite.
The assistant followed close behind. As he passed Xu Ting, he shot him a look full of ridicule.
What a complete fool.
Just as the assistant reached for the door, Xu Ting suddenly spoke from the table behind them:
“Rong Xu… did you know? Before Chi Han met you, he used to chase after Fang Jingluo like a madman.”
Rong Xu halted. His eyes darkened instantly.
Xu Ting didn’t turn around. Holding in a breath like a blade between his ribs, his eyes took on a trace of wildness. “He never told you, did he? Back then, it was these eyes, these eyes that look just like mine, that made him Fang Jingluo’s lover.”
“Are you sure he truly loves you?”
The moment Xu Ting finished speaking, his heart thudded violently.
He hadn’t come here today to provoke Rong Xu. His plan was simply to use him to agitate Fang Jingluo.
But Rong Xu’s words had been so vicious, he lost control and lashed out.
Regaining his composure, Xu Ting softened his tone and said, “I didn’t mean anything else by it. I just thought I should give you a heads-up. If you’re willing, I…”
He spoke as he turned around, only for his words to jam in his throat.
At the door, there was no sign of Rong Xu. Only the assistant remained, wearing a not-quite-smile that made Xu Ting feel like a clown in a cheap farce.
“…Where’s Rong Xu? Why are you the only one here?”
Xu Ting stood, brows furrowed. Tonight, he had deliberately worn a mask that left only his eyes visible. This is his way of baiting Rong Xu into believing his story. But now Rong Xu had left, and only the assistant remained. What was the point anymore?
The assistant adjusted his cufflinks and smiled. “Finished your performance, Mr. Xu? Then I suppose it’s my turn.”
“Our boss’s message is simple. Good luck. You’re on your own now.”
“After all, people accidentally sinking to the bottom of the ocean… that happens all the time, doesn’t it?”
Xu Ting went pale in an instant. Gripping the table, he collapsed back into his chair, unable to recover for a long while.
Rong Xu… he really was someone who meant what he said.
The assistant cast him one final cold glance, smile now gone, and turned to leave.
Did this fool even realize who he was trying to play games with?
…
Rong Xu stared out the car window, his eyes void of any emotion.
Until the phone in his pocket rang. It was Chi Han’s exclusive ringtone.
Rong Xu lowered his gaze. Though his face remained expressionless, his voice had lost the cold detachment it held earlier when facing Xu Ting.
“Rong Xu, you’re not off work yet?”
“I’m off. On my way to pick you up,” Rong Xu said as his index finger brushed along the edge of his phone, his tone as steady as ever. “Hungry? What do you want to eat?”
Chi Han greeted a couple of passing classmates with a smile before replying, “Anything’s fine. Maybe some vegetables?”
“Alright.”
Listening to the laughter on the other end, a fog settled over Rong Xu’s eyes.
During dinner, Chi Han sensed something was off. Once they got home, he pressed Rong Xu against the wall and “interrogated” him.
“What’s wrong with you today? Not happy again?”
Rong Xu didn’t answer. He just looked at him with those ink-drenched eyes, dark and unreadable.
Chi Han felt a headache coming. He was anxious and heartbroken at once.
Every time, this man just bottled it all up, always trying to digest things on his own.
Rong Xu knew he should trust Chi Han. But the thought of him once being alone with Fang Jingluo made his bones ache beneath his skin.
He was too greedy.
He wanted to claim even the part of Chi Han’s past that had nothing to do with him.
Rong Xu pulled off his tie and wrapped it around Chi Han’s eyes, silently leading him down the corridor.
Caught off guard and suddenly plunged into darkness, Chi Han was enveloped by a vague sense of unease. Yet, wary of upsetting Rong Xu, he didn’t dare pull the blindfold off.
“Rong Xu… where are you taking me?”
This was definitely not the way back to their room. Chi Han clutched tightly to his hand, throat bobbing with tension.
A door opened and then closed behind them, sealing off all sound.
Chi Han stood still, reaching out in search of Rong Xu.
He was genuinely scared now.
Not of what Rong Xu might do, but of the dark.
Luckily, Rong Xu’s hand quickly found his again, tugging him gently forward.
Then, came a sound like wheels rolling.
Chi Han tilted his head, trying to listen. “?”
He was completely bewildered.
“Chi Han.”
A husky voice called out. Before he could respond, he was yanked forward and fell into a familiar embrace.
“I like you.”
Chi Han propped himself up and responded instinctively, “I like you, too.”
The person in front seemed to let out a light chuckle.
A warm palm stroked along his waist, then moved down to his thigh, the movement carrying an unmistakable hint of suggestion.
Chi Han’s ears flushed red from the kneading. Especially now that he couldn’t see anything, the sensation only became more stimulating.
“I want all of you.” Rong Xu leaned his upper body forward and kissed Chi Han’s neck, slowly trailing downward, sucking as he went, leaving behind a faint string of red marks. “Even the time before you knew me… I want that, too.”
Chi Han’s heartbeat thumped wildly, his whole body stirred up by it all. Dazed and hazy, he murmured, “Then what do we do… we can’t go back to the past…”
Rong Xu’s eyes were tinged with red. He used his arm to forcefully lift Chi Han’s legs onto the armrests of the wheelchair, pressing him tightly into his embrace, then reached out to undo his belt.
Rong Xu’s lips brushed along the rim of Chi Han’s ear, kissing him over and over, his low, hoarse voice enough to drive a person mad.
“Then we’ll start over and make up for all that lost time.”
He looked at Chi Han, whose tears had soaked through his blindfold, lifted him up a little higher, his smile rippling like water.
“Chi Han, love me.”
