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Jiang Yu nearly choked on the chicken soup in his mouth. He put down the spoon and looked up at Li Xiao, disbelief written all over his face:
“Why would I stay at your place?”
“What’s there to panic about?”
Li Xiao watched his cheeks and ears instantly flush red, the smile in his eyes deepening. He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, a clear tease in his tone:
“Even if I wanted to do something to you now… your arm won’t allow it.”
As he spoke, his gaze deliberately swept over Jiang Yu’s right arm, bound in a sling against his chest, then returned to Jiang Yu’s face with a raised eyebrow.
Jiang Yu felt his face burn under that look and shot him a glare.
Li Xiao picked up his chopsticks, calmly picked a piece of fish belly into his bowl, but his tone still carried that infuriating leisure:
“Come stay with me, it’ll be easier for me to take care of you. You can’t do anything at home alone with just one hand.”
“I can manage with one hand.”
Jiang Yu looked down and awkwardly scooped a mouthful of rice with his left hand, his voice stiff:
“I’m not that delicate.”
“Can you?”
Li Xiao raised an eyebrow and pointed at Jiang Yu’s chopsticks, which he was holding awkwardly due to his unfamiliarity with his left hand:
“This?”
“I’ll get used to it soon.”
Jiang Yu didn’t look at him, focusing on struggling with the rice in his bowl, but the blush on his ears had spread to his neck.
“Then I’ll come bring you meals every day from now on.”
Li Xiao changed his strategy:
“Don’t cook for yourself.”
“No need, it’s too much trouble.”
Jiang Yu refused immediately.
“Not trouble at all.”
Li Xiao looked at him, his expression turning a bit more serious, but the roguish smile still hung at the corner of his mouth:
“You got hurt because of me; I have to take responsibility for you.”
The word ‘responsibility’ was emphasized, carrying a certain ambiguous implication.
Jiang Yu’s face instantly turned completely red, even the tips of his left fingers holding the chopsticks flushed pink.
“I don’t need you to take responsibility for me!”
He almost gritted out the words, glaring at Li Xiao, but his flushed cheeks and flickering eyes made the retort lack any intimidation, instead making him look somewhat… cute.
“That won’t do.”
Li Xiao shook his head and said seriously:
“My own sense of morality demands that I must take responsibility for you.”
Jiang Yu was choked speechless by this twisted logic and finally squeezed out one word:
“…You’re sick.”
“Mm, maybe I am.”
Li Xiao actually nodded, his gaze falling on Jiang Yu’s slightly pursed, glistening lips. His Adam’s apple moved gently as he lowered his voice:
“Lovesickness, pretty serious. Only you can cure it.”
Jiang Yu’s mind went blank at this sudden confession, his whole body feeling steamed, flushing from cheeks to neck, even the small patch of collarbone exposed above his collar tinged pale pink.
He opened his mouth to retort but found no words, finally just burying his face into his bowl, furiously shoveling rice.
Li Xiao watched his ostrich-like reaction and laughed lowly, his chest vibrating with pleasure.
He didn’t continue teasing and quietly accompanied Jiang Yu to finish the meal.
After eating, Li Xiao swiftly cleaned up the dishes and packed them into the insulated bag.
“Get some rest. I’m going.”
Li Xiao picked up the bag, his gaze sweeping over the plastic bag on the sofa containing Jiang Yu’s blood-stained shirt and hospital gown:
“Want me to take this hospital gown downstairs and throw it away? Leaving it at home just reminds you of bad luck.”
Jiang Yu glanced at the bag and nodded:
“…Mm.”
“And this shirt.”
Li Xiao pointed at the black work shirt in the plastic bag. The dark red bloodstains on the sleeves had dried, and the fabric was scratched from glass:
“Throw it away too. Can’t wear it like this. Besides… if Jiang Qing sees it when she comes back, you won’t be able to explain.”
Jiang Yu paused, realizing Li Xiao had a point.
That shirt really couldn’t be worn anymore. The bloodstains and damage were too obvious; Jiang Qing would definitely question him.
“Okay, throw it all away.”
“Then I’ll come back tonight to bring you dinner.”
Li Xiao said it naturally, as if it were already decided.
“No need…”
“Must.”
Li Xiao cut him off, walked to the door, turned back to look at him, his gaze insistent, but his tone softened:
“Be good, take care of yourself. I’m off.”
He gently closed the door behind him.
Jiang Yu sat on the sofa, listening to Li Xiao’s footsteps fading downstairs. His heart felt stuffed with something, swelling and a little panicked.
He raised his left hand, touched his still-burning cheek with the back of it, then slowly curled into the sofa and closed his eyes.
****
Downstairs, Li Xiao tossed the plastic bag containing the bloody clothes and hospital gown into the trash can and got into his car.
He didn’t start the engine immediately. Instead, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
“Young Master Li.”
The call was quickly answered, and his subordinate’s respectful voice came through.
“Find me a cook who can prepare nutritious meals.”
Li Xiao looked at the old residential building outside the window, his voice calm:
“Must be skilled, understand food pairing, and be able to adjust recipes based on the patient’s recovery needs. Every day at noon and evening, she’ll cook at my villa, pack the food, and I’ll take it away.”
“Yes, Young Master Li. I’ll arrange it immediately. Any other requests?”
“Not for now. Find someone as soon as possible; ideally, starting tomorrow.”
After hanging up, Li Xiao tapped on the steering wheel and then called the bar manager.
“Mr. Li!”
The manager’s voice was ingratiating and enthusiastic, picking up almost instantly:
“Your instructions?”
“You handled Jiang Yu’s matter well.”
Li Xiao said flatly:
“His salary will be paid as usual, medical expenses reimbursed, plus a subsidy. I’ll cover it all through the sponsorship I give the bar, so you won’t lose out. Also, I’ll prepare a separate bonus for you.”
“Oh, Mr. Li, you’re too kind! It’s all my duty!”
The manager’s voice held undisguised delight:
“Jiang Yu is an excellent employee of the bar. If he gets hurt, we must take good care of him! Don’t worry, I’ll handle it perfectly!”
“Mm.”
Li Xiao grunted, paused, and then asked casually:
“As for that cocktail competition…”
The manager immediately caught on, responding quickly:
“Oh! About that competition… I was just about to report to you! I contacted a few judges we were planning to invite, but they’re all fully booked for the end of the year and can’t adjust their schedules. So this competition… probably needs to be postponed until after the New Year. The exact date still needs coordination.”
A satisfied smile curled at the corner of Li Xiao’s mouth:
“Smart guy.”
The manager chuckled on the other end:
“It’s only right, only right. Well… what about Jiang Yu’s side?”
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, You Only Want to Chase Your Husband After Leaving the Team? Too Late! is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : You Only Want to Chase Your Husband After Leaving the Team? Too Late!
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