ITC Chapter 48

 

48.

Wen Ruqing rested a moment, then returned to the office with Bai Xizhou. Turning the corner, Bai Xizhou’s eyes caught a patch of wall plaster that had fallen and shattered underfoot—leaving half a footprint.

He wasn’t sure if someone had come with ill intent. The plaster didn’t fall naturally, as if someone pried it off—faint fingermarks nearby.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Ruqing asked, seeing him freeze.

“Nothing.”

He wasn’t sure if someone was spying, so he decided not to tell Wen Ruqing—for now. He patted him on the back and gestured for him to head upstairs.

“Go tell your colleagues: dinner’s on me after work.”

Wen Ruqing nodded and went up first.

On the stairs was more plaster-stained footprints. Bai Xizhou followed upward; the prints faded by the second floor corridor’s end.

A faint smell of smoke lingered. A stub of cigarette lay on the floor. Bai Xizhou crouched, wrapped the butt in paper.

“What, you like my cigarette ends? Want me to give you one?” A second stub dropped, then a sneering voice. A pair of shoes appeared before his eyes.

The paper bundle in his hand was kicked aside. He looked up—it was Song Yang.

Rude guy.

“Littering’s wrong.” Bai Xizhou quietly picked it up and tossed it into the bin behind him. “Did I offend you? You seem to dislike me.”

He didn’t want random hostility—especially from Wen Ruqing’s ex. There was no avoiding the link.

Song Yang challenged: “Need a reason to dislike someone?”

“Because I’m Wen Ruqing’s boyfriend?” Bai Xizhou sneered. “You broke up years ago. Why are you so clingy now?”

“I’m not over it. But I don’t think you and him can last. You’ll see—he’s selfish, self-absorbed, icy to the core.”

Song’s words mirrored Ruqing’s past doubt. Now Bai Xizhou saw how Song had colored Ruqing’s self-trust.

“But I don’t need him to change. If he’s cold, we’ll just be cold together.” Bai Xizhou brushed off dust. “I like Wen Ruqing like this.”

Wen Ruqing was unaware. Back in the office, he announced dinner. Everyone was eager to join, curious to meet “my man.”

Bai Xizhou messaged him instead that he’d book the restaurant; Ruqing replied “okay.”

The restaurant was nearby. After work, Wen Ruqing and Chen Qi chatted as they walked. Bai Xizhou waited at the door; Wen Ruqing spotted him and waved.

The party was small; private dining room big. Food was ready when they arrived. Chatting ensued, many questions about Ruqing and Bai Xizhou. Most were curious about him—after all, they spend so much time with Ruqing already.

They drank. After a few rounds, tipsy talk turned inappropriate. Ruqing didn’t drink—Bai Xizhou had secretly replaced his wine with Sprite. Bai Xizhou had a few glasses, warming to colleagues’ friendliness.

Xu Yuanyuan slammed her glass, pointing at Ruqing with a plaintive look.

“I wondered why your focus on the case was odd—never on the case, always on personal. Now I get it—there’s a relationship here! You tricked me, Ruqing!”

“You didn’t ask,” he shrugged, guiding her back to her seat. “If you’d asked, I’d have said.”

“I liked you before—but you’re off the market now.” Her cheeks flushed. “Make it up to me—drink one for my dead romance.”

“He’s not drinking. I’ll drink for him.” Bai Xizhou stood between Ruqing and Xu Yuanyuan, toasted with her, and drained his glass.

Laughter filled the room. Ruqing quietly sipped soda. Others tried to offer him drinks, but Bai Xizhou blocked them. Ruqing stayed sober, Bai Xizhou drank plenty.

“This is starting to feel like a wedding toast.” Chen Qi joked.

Everyone realized—it did. They teased, Ruqing noticed Bai Xizhou was tipsy, wobbling back. Ruqing guided him to a seat; he nestled into Ruqing’s neck.

“Qingqing.” He murmured drunk, kissing his neck. “Qingqing, I love you.”

“Mm, I know.” Ruqing let his fingers be toyed with, asked Chen Qi to get them home—it was time.

Few were fully sober—Chen Qi’s spouse had strict rules, otherwise he’d join them. Ruqing ushered people to cars, Bai Xizhou sobered a bit, leaning by the curb.

“You know… if he’s drunk, you could measure his ring size.” Chen Qi teased—recalling the ring discussion.

“No, he’s not that drunk,” Ruqing replied. Drunk Bai Xizhou wouldn’t be so quiet.

Chen Qi didn’t press it; his wife called. They parted, he drove off.

At home, Ruqing removed shoes. Bai Xizhou, eyes red but lucid, was a bit slow but not obviously drunk. Ruqing planned to visit the rabbits but Bai Xizhou pulled him into his arms. The alcohol scent wasn’t strong.

“Ruqing, did you reject me because of Song Yang?” he spoke slowly, each word a tingle behind Ruqing’s ear. “He said you were dull, and you believed it?”

Ruqing said nothing while Bai Xizhou’s breath warmed his nape, licking and kissing. His nape felt damp.

He didn’t wait for an answer—just found an excuse to kiss him.

“Don’t listen to him—he talked nonsense. You’re not dull. You’re cute. You don’t need to hide from me. I accept everything about you.”

Bai Xizhou turned Ruqing’s head, kissing over his eyelids: “Eyes—they’re beautiful.”

He always kissed other spots before the lips—he loved the wet half-lidded gaze, flushed ear tips, trembling lips.

He spun Ruqing face to face, focused on kissing, nibbling, teasing the tongue.

Two shirt buttons popped, exposing Ruqing’s collarbone. Ruqing couldn’t resist. His legs weakened; he held Bai Xizhou to stay upright. His collarbone heated—and suddenly, a sharp pain.

Bai Xizhou bit him!

“Ouch! No!” Ruqing cried, but instead of mercy, Bai Xizhou nibbled harder until a clear tooth mark on his collar.

Tears were kissed away. Bai Xizhou lifted him toward the sofa.

“Chen Qi said you’d measure my ring size?” Bai Xizhou kissed him: “My size is 58—remember?”

“I remember. No getting up.” Ruqing lay tight beneath him, feeling his desire.

“If he says this is like a wedding toast, then tonight—that’s our bridal night.” Bai Xizhou teased, pulling at Ruqing’s pocket.

Fabric scratched Ruqing’s fingertip. His eyes widened; face burned crimson.

…

The room quieted. Bai Xizhou wrapped Ruqing in a blanket, carried him to the bathroom to shower.

Warm water washed over skin; Bai Xizhou carefully cleaned every part, dried his hair, then carried him to bed—tucking him before showering himself.

Back in bed, Ruqing dozed awake and reached for his hand.

“Stop it. Sleep.”

“Your hands—they’re all bit marks.” His voice hoarse, slow.

“Weren’t they mine to bite?” Bai Xizhou smiled, showing his own hands—red tooth-marks on clear bone. One on the knuckle bled. The ring finger also bore marks like a pact, etched into skin.

“You covered my mouth… and made me bite.” Ruqing didn’t admit guilt. “Serves you right.”

He turned away, silent. Bai Xizhou scooped him into a hug, kissing his neck.

“Qingqing, I love you.”

He repeated it—reminding Ruqing, reminding himself.

Held in his arms, his body rejoiced. He embraced his sunshine—this was his light in darkness, the closest person who would stay forever.

“Qingqing… my Qingqing.” He pulled him closer.

“I know—but stop moving me. My back hurts.” Ruqing sighed, touching his arm. “Sleep.”

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Frozen Starlight:
About the fact that the two of them did that on the sofa

Sofa: After all, I took it all