CHAPTER 54: BOYFRIEND OR GIRLFRIEND

Jian Rui stood silently, watching Yu Xi with a tight jaw and unreadable eyes. He didn’t know what to say. He truly didn’t know how to comfort someone who had just relived a nightmare for the sake of someone else.

Yu Xi’s blood had been drawn, the vial now in Jian Wei’s hands. "I will work on it," Jian Wei said quietly. "Go get some rest."

Yu Xi nodded and rose, staggering slightly. Jian Rui stepped forward and caught his arm, steadying him. "Are you sure you don’t want to sit a bit longer?"

"No," Yu Xi said, voice low. He just wanted to take a shower and wash off the sweat... and the memory of that vile beast. Even thinking about Gander made his skin crawl, made him feel like he had been stained all over again.

He walked out, his steps slow but determined. Jian Rui followed, keeping close. Yu Xi deliberately avoided the kitchen, heading straight upstairs.

Jian Ci, still in his apron, heard the footsteps and tilted his head toward the passageway. He spotted Jian Rui and narrowed his eyes.

"You have been acting sneaky," Jian Ci said.

Jian Rui raised a brow. "Why would you say that?"

Jian Ci untied the apron and tossed it aside. "I went for a nap, and suddenly you guys are forming a clique and having secret discussions. What’s going on?"

Jian Rui reached for the fork, eyeing the neatly sliced pieces of steak with anticipation. "What secret discussions?" he asked, tone casual.

Jian Ci snatched the plate away before the fork could land. "No, you can’t eat it right now."

Jian Rui blinked. "Why not?"

"Because I asked you a question," Jian Ci said, arms crossed. "Where’s Yu Xi?"

Jian Rui sighed. "Yu Xi, Yu Xi—every day it’s his name. It’s on your lips so much I am starting to think you want to be attached to his hip."

Jian Ci shrugged. "If I don’t attach myself to his hip, what else am I supposed to do?"

Jian Rui raised a brow. "What if he gets a boyfriend in the future? Are you still planning to stick to him and be a light bulb?"

Jian Ci walked over, leaned in close, and whispered, "He has someone he likes? Which guy is it? Wait—how do you know before I do? I spend more time with him!"

Jian Rui smacked the back of his head. "I meant in the future, idiot."

Jian Ci narrowed his eyes. "Mm. That’s oddly specific. How do you know he likes a guy though?"

"I didn’t say that," Jian Rui replied quickly.

"You said boyfriend," Jian Ci pressed, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Jian Rui paused. "Boyfriend or girlfriend—either way, you know what I meant."

"Okay," Jian Ci said slowly, but his expression didn’t soften. He kept staring at Jian Rui with narrowed eyes, lips pursed, as if silently declaring, I am watching you.

***

Yu Xi stood beneath the shower, his body leaning heavily against the glass wall, forehead pressed to the cool surface. The water streamed down his face, soaking his hair, masking the tears that fell silently. He let it run, let it hide him.

His father’s voice echoed in his mind, ’Xiaobao will die on the street, destitute. Your mother had no one who cared for her.’ The words had burrowed deep, festering in the quiet hours of the night.

For months after that, Yu Xi hadn’t slept properly, the guilt gnawing at him. Had he sent Xiaobao to his death? Had he traded one prison for another?

Whenever he thought back to the past, he would cry, but never where Jian Ci could see. Whenever the ache became too much, he would go into the shower and let it all out. And when Jian Ci asked, Yu Xi blamed the shampoo, saying it stung his eyes.

Jian Ci, ever so sweet, had handed him his own bottle. Now their hair smelled the same, warm amber and vanilla, and Yu Xi liked that. It made him feel close to him.

As for Xiaobao, Yu Xi clung to hope. Jian Rui had the best people searching for him. If anyone could find him, it was Jian Rui. Yu Xi just had to believe... believe that Xiaobao was alive, healthy, and maybe, just maybe, happy.

He soon stepped out of the shower, skin flushed from the heat, his limbs heavy with exhaustion. He changed into a loose shirt and soft pants, the fabric clinging slightly to his damp skin. His body ached, his mind foggy, and all he wanted was sleep, just a few minutes, he told himself.

He crawled into bed, pulling the blanket over his shoulder, and within moments, the world faded.

Two hours passed.

The door slid open with a soft hiss. Jian Ci peeked inside, whispering, "Little Xi, are you sleeping?" But there was no response.

He tiptoed closer, voice barely audible. "Little Xi?"

Yu Xi didn’t stir. Concerned, Jian Ci leaned down, brushing hair from Yu Xi’s forehead. He reached out to check for a fever, only for Yu Xi’s hand to shoot up and grab his wrist, pulling him down with surprising strength.

Jian Ci gasped as the room spun and he landed on the bed, pinned beneath Yu Xi.

Yu Xi blinked, eyes hazy with sleep. "Oh... it’s you."

Jian Ci’s breath hitched. He stared up at Yu Xi in the dim light, heart pounding, caught in those dazzling, half-lidded eyes.

The moment lingered. Then Yu Xi released him, rolling back onto his side with a sigh.

Jian Ci lay there for a beat longer, stunned, his heart trembling in his chest. He stared at the ceiling, feeling oddly at a loss.

The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the air system. Yu Xi’s voice broke the silence, raspy and low.

"If you keep sneaking up on me, one day I might attack you."

Jian Ci turned his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You should get used to me coming in to check on you. I thought you weren’t feeling well, so I came to take a look."

"I am just a little tired," Yu Xi murmured, his voice barely audible.

Jian Ci rolled onto his side, watching him. "You should come downstairs and eat. I made you something delicious."

Yu Xi pulled the covers over his head, muffling his reply. "I am not hungry."

That stopped Jian Ci cold. Yu Xi always loved his food. For him to refuse it, something was definitely wrong.

"Okay," Jian Ci said softly. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Mm," Yu Xi replied, already drifting back to sleep.

Jian Ci left quietly, but ten minutes later, he returned. In his hands were pills, a nutrient pack, and muscle cream. He placed them gently on the bedside table.

"Little Xi," he whispered, brushing the blanket. "Wake up and eat this first before you sleep again."

His voice was gentle, but firm. He wasn’t going to let Yu Xi continue sleeping without treatment.