Chapter 60: A Loving Encounter

Chen Shuhui sat in the passenger seat, his thoughts slowly settling.

He didn’t hide anything, quietly confessing what had happened.

“You did nothing wrong,” Ji Xiao said after listening, his voice carrying affirmation. “There’s no need to resign. If anyone should step aside, it’s him.”

Chen Shuhui nodded deeply. He agreed—a man like Fu Ying didn’t deserve to make him quit his job.

Ji Xiao spoke gently: “Wait a little longer, okay? We’re still on the road, not a good place to stop. When we get home, hm?”

“Mm.”

Chen Shuhui turned his head slightly, looking out the window to hide the blush creeping across his face.

Even as a child, he had never acted spoiled with the mothers at the orphanage.

Growing up, he never had anyone to be spoiled with.

But just now… was he being spoiled?

His fingers curled into the seat, his face burning.

He was already a grown man—how could he lose his composure like this in front of his lover?

At first it was fine. Their first few meetings, he was drawn to that steady, mature personality. But once they were truly together, he found himself utterly captivated by Ji Xiao’s tenderness and acceptance.

It wasn’t just about compatibility.

Chen Shuhui let out a soft breath.

Love had come to him at twenty-six.

Not too early, not too late.

The car stopped.

Still a minute left on the red light.

“Xiaohui.”

Chen Shuhui turned his head.

Ji Xiao pressed a hand against his back, pulling him closer, while the other hand lifted his chin and kissed him.

Chen Shuhui closed his eyes, feeling the gentle reassurance, and wrapped his arms around him.

Fifty seconds later.

Ji Xiao pulled back, his thumb brushing Chen Shuhui’s lips. “Just a little taste to satisfy the craving. When we get home, I’ll feed you more.”

Chen Shuhui: “?”

No, wait.

When he said ‘hug,’ he meant just a simple hug.

Feed what? What?

The car started moving again.

He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and played dead.

Then he gradually fell asleep.

Ji Xiao parked the car in the garage, got out, walked to the passenger side, and lifted the sleeping Chen Shuhui into his arms.

Chen Shuhui rested his head on his shoulder, not waking.

Ji Xiao kicked the door shut, locked it, and walked briskly to the elevator.

As they entered the elevator, a voice rang out sharply in the quiet parking lot: “Wait!”

Chen Shuhui’s eyes fluttered open, momentarily disoriented.

Ji Xiao held the elevator door.

Chen Shuhui quickly stood up straight. “Why didn’t you wake me when we got home?”

“We’re not there yet.”

“…”

A girl suddenly ran in, breathing a sigh of relief: “Thank you, thank you.”

Ji Xiao didn’t respond.

Chen Shuhui smiled politely: “You’re welcome.”

The girl reached up to press the elevator button, then turned to them with an apologetic look: “Can we wait a moment? My grandma has trouble with her legs, and the elevator takes a while. I was afraid she’d get too tired waiting, so I called out. Sorry for bothering you.”

“It’s fine.”

Chen Shuhui looked outside and saw an old woman leaning on a cane, shuffling toward the elevator.

As soon as she stepped in, she immediately apologized to them, then tapped the girl’s head: “Don’t do that again. Waiting a few minutes for the elevator won’t hurt anything. It’s rude to disturb others.”

The girl stuck out her tongue and hooked her arm through her grandmother’s, acting spoiled: “I won’t do it again. But lately it’s been cold, and your legs hurt.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a few minutes.”

“Okay, okay.”

Chen Shuhui watched their interaction, quietly moving closer to Ji Xiao.

Ji Xiao took his hand and whispered in his ear: “When you’re old and your legs are weak, I’ll hold the elevator for you too.”

Chen Shuhui was speechless: “I wasn’t thinking about that.”

“I know. I won’t let your legs hurt. If they do, I’ll carry you.”

“… We’ll both be old then. Can you still carry me?”

“There’s a saying: ‘Old but still strong.’ Even when I’m old, I can carry you.”

“…”

Chen Shuhui noticed the girl’s curious gaze and pulled his hand free.

Just then the elevator reached their floor, and he hurried out first.

Ji Xiao chuckled and followed.

Behind them, the girl’s amazed voice: “Grandma, their relationship is so sweet! Just like Dad and Uncle. I wish I had a brother too.”

“Then go home and tell your mom and dad to give you a little brother.”

“Okay~”

…

Once home, Chen Shuhui went straight to take a shower. He was about to toss his clothes into the hamper, but remembering how Fu Ying had hugged him in the dorm, he felt disgusted. He walked over and threw the clothes into the trash.

Ji Xiao was sitting on the sofa, smoking.

Chen Shuhui walked over and sat down on his lap: “Why are you smoking again?”

Ji Xiao wrapped an arm around him, leaned forward, and stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray: “Habit.”

“Taste it.”

Chen Shuhui gave a low hum, bit his lip, and lightly…

Ji Xiao’s eyes darkened: “That’s not how you taste it.”

He pressed a hand to the back of Chen Shuhui’s head, pushing him down, teaching him the flavor.

The mix of tobacco and Ji Xiao’s scent wasn’t unpleasant; instead, it stirred an inexplicable thrill. Chen Shuhui closed his eyes, leaning completely against him.

…

Afterwards, Chen Shuhui fell asleep, deeply and peacefully.

Ji Xiao covered him with a blanket, changed clothes, and headed out.

[Cat.]

Black Cat: “I know. Fu Ying’s house is at…”

Fu Ying had waited at the station entrance for a long time without seeing anyone. Convinced Chen Shuhui had run off, he went home in a huff and crashed into bed.

The incessant doorbell jolted him awake. Irritated, he got up to open the door: “Who… You? What are you doing here!”

Ji Xiao kicked him straight into the house, strode inside, and slammed the door shut behind him.

Fu Ying felt like his ribs had been broken, gasping in pain as he clutched his chest, staring at him in disbelief: “Do you dare to break into someone’s home and assault them?”

Ji Xiao took the cigarette from his mouth, his expression calm: “You dared to break into the bathroom and harass my man. Is it so strange that I’d come to your house to beat you?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll call the police?”

“Were you afraid when you harassed my baby?”

“…”

Fu Ying tried to prop himself up, but Ji Xiao stomped him back down.

Tearing pain made his vision go dark. He gritted his teeth: “Don’t go too far! I didn’t do much to Shuhui—just hugged him once. This is intentional injury, you could be sen—”

“Heh.”

Ji Xiao’s foot shifted.

Fu Ying was sweating profusely, trying to struggle free, but the pain in his chest spread everywhere, making him unable to move or even dodge. Panicked, he cried out:

“Don’t, don’t move there! I was wrong, I won’t ever—Ah!”

Fu Ying’s mind went blank. Was he… crippled?

Ji Xiao leaned down and stubbed the nearly spent cigarette out on his face, his expression flat but his voice icy: “From now on, stay out of my baby’s way. Otherwise, imagine your own consequences.”

His footsteps faded as the door opened and closed.

Fu Ying wanted to get up and call for help, but the pain was too intense—he couldn’t move. Most of all, his face was tinged with fear.

…

Ji Xiao calmly walked down the stairs and got back into his car: [All taken care of?]

[Mm.]

He started the engine.

“Um, host,” Black Cat asked carefully, “did you really cripple him?”

“No. He might have a few fractures, but I controlled the force,” Ji Xiao said, a smirk playing on his lips. “It’ll hurt, but it won’t cripple him. If he dares to have any wrong ideas next time, then I’ll really cripple him.”

Black Cat gulped.

What a ruthless guy.

When Ji Xiao got home, Chen Shuhui was still asleep.

He was curled up hugging a blanket, lying on his side, his face glowing red.

Ji Xiao leaned down, feeling his forehead and cheeks. Confirming there was no fever, he withdrew his hand.

He gently stroked his cheek, amused.

He’d even managed to flush his face from sleeping.

“Brother, hmm~”

“…”

Ji Xiao’s expression didn’t change; he pinched Chen Shuhui’s cheek: “Who’s your brother? Hm?”

Chen Shuhui’s eyelids fluttered. He opened his eyes, still half-lost between dream and reality: “Brother?”

Ji Xiao smiled tenderly, lowering his head until his nose brushed against Chen Shuhui’s, rubbing lightly: “So you were calling me ‘brother’ in your dreams? Say it again.”

Chen Shuhui: “…” His eyes cleared, and his face flushed even redder.

Ji Xiao: “Say it.”

Chen Shuhui pushed his face away: “It’s all your fault… you went so long before letting me sleep. I was doing it before sleeping, so of course I dreamt about it. It’s not strange.”

Ji Xiao pulled the blanket aside: “Blame me? Who was the one who pounced first? Hm?”

“You’re so annoying.”

Ji Xiao reached out: “Seems like the dream was pretty hot. You’re already… shall I help you?”

“Qin Che…”

“No, call me brother.”

“…”

“Not saying?”

“Um… brother.”

“Good boy.”

…

The mosaic made another appearance.

Black Cat felt like he’d been splashed in the face and silently retreated deep within.

…

After they both showered, Chen Shuhui lay in Ji Xiao’s arms.

Ji Xiao took the ashtray from the nightstand and lit a post-coital cigarette.

Chen Shuhui: “… Smoke less.”

Ji Xiao patted his head.

Chen Shuhui: “…” Fine.

Just then, the phone rang.

Ji Xiao answered, pressing it to his ear, his voice still husky: “Hello?”

Liang Fei’s voice came through, tinged with gloom: “Dad, what are you doing?”

“Nothing much. What’s wrong? Did someone bully you at school?”

“Yeah, I got bullied. Dad, are you so old you’ve become forgetful?”

“?”

“When you dropped me off this morning, you said you’d pick me up. Now? All my classmates are gone. I’m the only one left. Where are you?”

“…”

The hand holding the cigarette went stiff.

Ji Xiao coughed lightly: “Actually, Dad’s on the way. Wait a bit, I’ll be right there.”

Liang Fei hung up. Facing the teacher’s worried look, he lifted his stubborn little face: “My dad said he’s on the way. He’s stuck in traffic. He’ll be here soon.”

…

Ji Xiao quickly put out his cigarette, opened the wardrobe, and grabbed clothes: “I’m going to pick up Xiao Fei. You lie down a bit longer.”

Chen Shuhui took out his phone to check the time, feeling a bit guilty: “Okay.”

Ji Xiao left the house: [Liang Fei’s school let out. Why didn’t you remind me?]

Black Cat, whose head was spinning from binge-watching dramas, took a moment to process what he was saying, then replied innocently: “I didn’t dare disturb you while you were busy.”

Ji Xiao: “…”

At the entrance of Third Elementary School.

The teacher looked at Ji Xiao, who had rushed over, then at Liang Fei: “Traffic?”

Liang Fei said firmly: “Yes, traffic. Dad must have been afraid I’d worry, so he got out of the car and ran all the way here.”

The teacher patted his head: “Since your dad’s here, go home with him. Teacher’s leaving too.”

“Goodbye, Teacher.”

“Goodbye, Xiao Fei.”

Ji Xiao stopped in front of Liang Fei, bent down, and caught his breath: “Sorry, Xiao Fei. Dad lost track of time.”

Liang Fei’s eyes reddened. “Boo.”

Ji Xiao wiped away his tears: “Don’t cry. It was Dad’s fault. I won’t be late again. Forgive me, okay?”

Liang Fei was still upset, still crying.

Ji Xiao picked him up and started walking back: “Alright, I was actually picking up your other dad. He was being bullied. Even though you’re my son, in my heart, your dad is still more important than you. Understand?”

Liang Fei: “Wah—”

Ji Xiao frowned: “Are you trying to say that you want me to ignore your dad from now on? That it’s okay if he gets bullied, as long as you come first?”

Liang Fei sniffled: “Dad first. Which bully picked on Dad?”

“A bad guy.”

…

Seeing that Liang Fei had stopped crying and was following Ji Xiao’s lead in cursing the bad guy, Black Cat couldn’t bear to watch.

‘Liar! He already picked up Chen Shuhui and got his revenge! Did you? Really?’

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