DASB Ch27

1. Huo Rulan wasn’t the least bit embarrassed about being kicked out. He lay lazily on the sofa with one hand propping up his head, eyes fixed intensely on Ye Xi.

Under the heat of that gaze, a blush slowly crept up Ye Xi’s face. He turned and glared at Huo Rulan, annoyed by the smirk on his lips. “Still smiling? Look at the fabric you cut.”

 

Huo Rulan pulled out the jagged piece of fabric from behind him and waved it. “It’s really not that bad. I think it looks great—very suitable for the babies’ head shape…”

 

But when he saw Ye Xi’s expression, he immediately changed his tune: “…This kind of crooked pillow just won’t do. Our babies deserve the most perfect, beautiful pillows—like the ones made by their little daddy. Those are neat and pretty.”

 

Ye Xi couldn’t help laughing and glanced at him before lowering his head to continue cutting fabric.

 

Huo Rulan spun the piece of fabric in his hand while still staring intently at Ye Xi. The heat of his gaze made Ye Xi’s face feel hot, and his heartbeat started to race.

 

“Stop staring at me—I can’t concentrate on making the pillow…”

 

Huo Rulan smirked mischievously, pretending to be innocent. “Why can’t you concentrate?”

 

Ye Xi turned his back to him in embarrassment and said nothing. From behind, all Huo Rulan could see were his flushed ears.

 

“You turned your back on me. I can’t even see your face now.”

 

“You’re so good-looking, and you won’t let me look?”

 

“From behind, all I see are your ears and the back of your neck… So red. I want to bite it.”

 

“Can I bite you?”

 

“If I’m not allowed to bite, can I just suck a little?”

 

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

 

Ye Xi: …What could he even say? His whole body felt like it was burning up.

 

This shameless, pervy old rascal!!

 

Ye Xi angrily balled up the pillow fabric and shoved it into a bag, grabbed his tool pouch, and stormed off.

 

Huo Rulan quickly got up and followed. “Where are you going?”

 

“…I’m going to Xiao Yu’s place to make pillows. I can’t focus here.”

 

Huo Rulan caught his arm to stop him. Ye Xi’s eyes darted around, clearly too embarrassed to look at him directly.

 

After putting on Ye Xi’s coat and shoes, Huo Rulan pinned him against the wall, cupped his waist, and leaned down to kiss his lips.

 

After a long moment, he licked away the dampness at the corner of Ye Xi’s lips and kissed him again.

 

Then he let go of Ye Xi’s waist, stroked his hair, and said with a hoarse voice, “Come back in time for dinner.”

 

Ye Xi gave a messy nod, then suddenly buried himself into Huo Rulan’s arms, rubbing his forehead against his chest before gently bumping into him once—and then ran out the door.

 

Leaning lazily against the doorframe with arms folded, Huo Rulan watched Ye Xi head into the neighboring villa carrying his bag. He finally rubbed his chest and let out a quiet laugh.

 

***

 

Wen Yu was sitting next to Ye Xi and playfully bumped his shoulder, teasing, “Your man’s so fierce, huh? He even bit your lips all swollen~”

 

The blush that had just faded from Ye Xi’s face immediately returned. He lowered his head, lips pressed together in a smile, and gently bumped Wen Yu back.

 

Wen Yu laughed so hard he was holding his belly and leaning on Ye Xi. “You and your man are so sweet!”

 

“I never expected your man to be such a flirt. I thought he’d always be the mature, gentle type. Turns out men with wives are completely different.”

 

He straightened up and started telling Ye Xi about when he first met Huo Rulan. “When I first saw your man, he seemed super scary. I had just started university and he was sitting at the registration desk doing check-ins for new students.”

 

“He didn’t lose his temper or anything, and he answered all our questions, but his face was so serious, he looked fierce.”

 

Then Wen Yu burst out laughing. “Later, I heard from Lu Chuanning that he actually was really gentle at first, smiling and answering everyone patiently.”

 

“But there were some gutsy freshmen who kept touching his hand or asking super inappropriate questions. Eventually, your man just couldn’t keep smiling anymore, hahaha—”

 

Ye Xi laughed so hard he collapsed onto the couch. He could totally imagine Huo Rulan with a face full of exasperation.

 

“Later on, I ended up in the same mentorship as him, and the more I got to know him, the more I realized he’s really a good guy. He’s like a big brother to me. Back when we were abroad, he always took care of me. He’s generous, humble, mature, gentle, and super dependable.”

 

Wen Yu suddenly sat up, buzzing with excitement, and hugged Ye Xi, rubbing against him. “And the best part, he set me up with someone!!”

 

“Oh my god, I was shocked. He introduced me to one of his best buddies. A super handsome, elegant hunk!! Your man is literally the matchmaker for me and Lu Chuanning!!”

 

As Wen Yu spoke, his whole body radiated sparkles of joy. He scooped up the little toddler playing with toys next to him and gave him kisses all over before putting him down again.

 

The little guy pouted, teary-eyed, and trotted off to find his father and complain.

 

Wen Yu looked back at Ye Xi and added, “Now that I’ve seen how you two get along… I’ve realized your man has a whole different side.”

 

“You two are seriously so sweet!”

 

Ye Xi couldn’t stop smiling either. Just thinking of Huo Rulan made his eyes crinkle with joy. “You and Lu-Ge are sweet too.”

 

Wen Yu puffed up his cheeks and grumbled, “He just bullies me all the time. Last night he wouldn’t stop. That jerk! We are not sweet!!”

 

Just then, a glass of warm milk was placed in front of Wen Yu.

 

Lu Chuanning came over holding the little one and handed another cup to Ye Xi. “Old Huo texted me and said to make sure you drink a whole cup of warm milk.”

 

Ye Xi’s ears instantly turned red.

 

That Huo Rulan…

 

Ye Xi took the milk with a sweet smile in his heart and said, “Thank you, Lu-Ge.”

 

Lu Chuanning turned to Wen Yu with a warm smile. “Sweet milk—have a sip and see if it’s sweet. If not, I can add more sugar. I promise it’ll be very sweet.”

 

Wen Yu, flustered, drank his milk while hugging the cup.

 

Lu Chuanning asked, “Is it sweet?”

 

Wen Yu replied, “…Pretty sweet.”

 

Once Lu Chuanning took the child and went upstairs, Ye Xi finally burst out laughing.

 

Wen Yu downed his milk in a few gulps and pouted. “See? He always bullies me. He was so fierce last night. And then he won’t even let me complain about it.”

 

Ye Xi held his milk and couldn’t stop laughing.

 

***

 

Ye Xi didn’t return home until dinnertime. Not finding Huo Rulan on the first floor, he ran upstairs.

 

In the study, Huo Rulan was wearing loungewear and black-rimmed glasses, sitting at the desk attending a remote meeting on his computer. Even though his father handled the company, important matters still required Huo Rulan’s attention.

 

The meeting atmosphere was tense. No one was speaking; everyone was staring silently at the folders in front of them.

 

Huo Rulan had a stern expression as he looked at the screen, also not speaking.

 

“Huo Rulan! Huo Rulan—”

 

The study door was pushed open as Ye Xi cheerfully ran in. But upon seeing him working, Ye Xi immediately fell silent and froze in place.

 

Huo Rulan looked up and smiled at him gently. “Wait a bit. I’ll be done soon.”

 

When he turned back to the screen, his expression became stern again. He said in a low, commanding voice, “All department managers, go back and reorganize your project files. Wrap things up as quickly as possible. If I find anyone slacking off or shirking responsibility again, go straight to HR and hand in your resignation—this company doesn’t support freeloaders.”

 

“Meeting adjourned.”

 

He took off his glasses and leaned back in his chair, spreading his arms. “Come charge me up.”

 

Ye Xi slowly walked over, sat on his lap, and wrapped his arms around his neck. “You were kinda scary just now.”

 

Huo Rulan held his waist and buried his face into Ye Xi’s neck. “Some of them started slacking off while I wasn’t in the office. If I don’t scold them, they won’t get their act together.”

 

After recharging in Ye Xi’s arms, Huo Rulan carried him downstairs for dinner.

 

Dinner was medicinal cuisine, specially prepared by an experienced chef to help Ye Xi recover physically.

 

Ye Xi only managed half a bowl before losing his appetite. He slumped in the chair and chatted with Huo Rulan. “Let’s go to the supermarket later. I want to buy some stuff.”

 

Huo Rulan pointed to the food in front of him. “We can go, but you have to finish one full bowl first.”

 

Ye Xi hugged his arm and stared at him with pleading eyes.

 

But Huo Rulan stood firm. He picked up Ye Xi’s bowl and began feeding him. “You haven’t been eating well lately. Look at how much weight you’ve lost.”

 

“Be good. Just finish this bowl and we’ll go.”

 

Seeing that acting cute didn’t work, Ye Xi obediently lowered his head and finished the bowl of rice that Huo Rulan fed him, one bite at a time.

 

He also had to drink a bowl of nourishing soup. Luckily, the soup tasted good, so Ye Xi gulped it down quickly.

 

Afterward, Huo Rulan massaged his belly and then picked him up to place him on the scale.

 

Looking at the number on the scale, Huo Rulan turned to Ye Xi silently.

 

Ye Xi met his gaze with a hint of grievance. “I already ate a whole bowl of rice and soup…”

 

Huo Rulan quietly lifted him off the scale, then put him back on again.

 

…No change.

 

Huo Rulan sighed. “Fattening you up is going to be a huge project…”

 

“…You just never gain weight. It’s so unrewarding for the one feeding you.”

 

Still holding him, Huo Rulan took Ye Xi upstairs to get changed, his tone a little discouraged.

 

Ye Xi cupped his cheeks and gave him a few loud kisses. “I’ll gain weight, I will! Just give me a few days.”

 

But Huo Rulan still looked gloomy. He quietly helped Ye Xi change into new clothes and shoes, grabbed his phone and car keys, and led Ye Xi out to the supermarket.

 

“Just tell me what will make you gain weight, and I’ll buy all of it,” Huo Rulan said, hands on the steering wheel, glancing at Ye Xi during a red light.

 

Ye Xi curled up in the seat, hugging his belly and shaking his head. In a soft, sticky voice, he said, “I don’t know…”

 

Huo Rulan sighed all the way to the supermarket. After parking the car, he pushed the shopping cart and followed behind Ye Xi.

 

“Where do you want to go?” he asked, seeing that Ye Xi had been wandering around for a while, yet the cart was still empty.

 

Ye Xi ran up to him and sheepishly poked Huo Rulan’s waist.

 

Huo Rulan caught his mischievous hand. “Fine, but let’s agree. If it’s something you can’t eat, we’re not buying it.”

 

Ye Xi let out a long, “Ahhh~ Can’t I buy just a little bit?”

 

Huo Rulan raised an eyebrow with a smirk. “And what exactly does ‘a little’ mean to you?”

 

Ye Xi looked down and pinched Huo Rulan’s fingers, his voice a bit guilty. “Just one bag…”

 

“Hmph,” Huo Rulan snorted with a laugh, holding his hand and walking toward the snacks section. “I honestly thought you’d say two bags.”

 

Ye Xi looked up at him with a bright smile and asked, “Then can I buy one bag now?”

 

Huo Rulan replied, “One bag is okay, but you’re only allowed to eat two chips—just to satisfy the craving.”

 

Ye Xi pouted and followed beside him without saying a word.

 

Then Huo Rulan bent down and whispered into his ear, “I’ll buy you some mini cakes later.”

 

Ye Xi’s smile lit up again. “Okay! Two of them!”

 

He held up two fingers in a “V” sign. Huo Rulan nodded and chuckled. “Alright, we’ll get two.”

 

Ye Xi pulled him over to the snack aisle and headed straight for the chip section.

 

Holding two different flavors in his hands, he frowned in indecision.

 

“Cucumber… or tomato…”

 

Huo Rulan didn’t rush him and just stood quietly beside him, resting his hands on the shopping cart.

 

In the end, Ye Xi placed the tomato-flavored chips into the cart and returned the cucumber one to the shelf.

 

Huo Rulan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you usually like cucumber flavor more?”

 

Ye Xi tugged on his arm as they walked toward another shelf and casually replied, “But you like tomato and don’t like cucumber.”

 

“You never waste food, so whatever chips I don’t finish, you’ll definitely eat yourself.”

 

Huo Rulan froze for a second. Then he gently pulled Ye Xi to a stop and looked at him seriously. “If you like cucumber flavor, get the cucumber one. Follow what you like.”

 

“Ye Xi, you don’t need to give up what you like just to accommodate others—not even for me.”

 

Ye Xi looked right back at him, hands on his hips, and responded just as seriously, “Why not? You’re not ‘others.’”

 

“You always give in to me. Why can’t I give in to you once?”

 

“Besides, I like tomato flavor too—not like you, such a picky eater, won’t even touch cucumber.”

 

Before Huo Rulan could fully be touched by his words, he got smacked with a backhanded jab. He couldn’t help but pinch Ye Xi’s

cheeks. “You’ve got the nerve to call me a picky eater? Who’s the one that won’t eat greens, won’t eat carrots, and now doesn’t even want to eat rice?”

 

He poked Ye Xi’s soft cheeks again and gave him a nickname. “Little Picky Ye.”