Chapter 51: A Sweater’s Scent

Instead of returning directly to the villa, Li Xiao went to the Lost Bar.

It was just after nine in the evening, right when the bar was starting to get busy.

Li Xiao pushed open the door and stepped inside. The music was deafening, the lights hazy.

He walked straight to the manager’s office in the back. The door was open.

The manager was going over accounts inside. Hearing the knock, they looked up. The moment they saw Li Xiao, they immediately stood up, their face breaking into a smile.

“Mr. Li! You’re here? Please, have a seat!”

“No need to sit.”

Li Xiao stood at the door, his tone flat.

“I’m here to pick up Jiang Yu’s things from his locker. Give me the key.”

“Oh, of course, of course!”

The manager immediately retrieved a spare key from the drawer and handed it over with both hands.

“Jiang Yu’s locker is in the second row of the changing room. Would you like me to pack things up for you?”

“No need.”

Li Xiao took the key and turned toward the changing room.

The changing room was empty, just rows of metal lockers.

Li Xiao found Jiang Yu’s locker and opened it with the key.

There wasn’t much inside—two clean spare work shirts, a pair of black trousers, and the creamy white high-neck cashmere sweater, jeans, and dark blue down jacket that Jiang Yu hadn’t had a chance to take back the day before, all neatly folded on the shelf. The gloves and notebook Wu Qi had placed at the edge.

Hanging beside it was Jiang Yu’s work name tag. In the photo, his gaze was calm, a faint professional smile on his lips.

Li Xiao’s eyes lingered on the photo for a few seconds. Then he reached out, gathered the clothes, gloves, and notebook, and held them in his arms.

He closed the locker door, locked it, walked back to the manager’s office, and tossed the key onto the desk.

“Thank you.”

“You’re too kind, Mr. Li!”

The manager rubbed their hands together.

Li Xiao said nothing more. Clutching the clothes, he turned and left.

Once in the car, Li Xiao placed the items on the passenger seat. He reached out and touched the soft cashmere of the sweater. Then he started the engine and drove toward the villa.

It was already half past ten when he got home.

Li Xiao took Jiang Yu’s things upstairs and set them on the sofa in his bedroom.

After showering and changing into dark gray loungewear, he sat on the bed. His gaze inadvertently swept over the creamy white sweater on the sofa.

He got up, walked over, picked up the sweater, spread it out, and gently hugged it to his chest.

The sweater was so soft, pressed against his cheek. He could smell Jiang Yu’s scent.

Li Xiao closed his eyes, remembering how Jiang Yu looked in this sweater—his slender neck, his chin slightly buried in the collar, the whole person appearing warm and clean.

He also remembered how Jiang Yu’s left hand had clumsily disinfected and bandaged him, his lashes lowered, his gaze focused.

And that very, very light breath blown onto his wound.

Li Xiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

Just then, his phone on the bed rang.

It was Gu Ran.

Li Xiao walked over, glanced at the screen, and answered.

– Hey.

– Have you cooled off yet?

– What do you think?

– I wanted to call you last night, but I was afraid you were still fuming, so I didn’t.

– From now on, keep your distance from people like Chen Rui.

– After you left yesterday, I already taught Chen Rui a lesson. I know your temper—you definitely won’t let him off easily. But just teach him a little lesson and let it go. Don’t make a big fuss.

– You spoke too late.

Li Xiao’s voice was cold as ice.

– I reckon his hand is already ruined by now.

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

– Li Xiao… the Chen family…

Li Xiao cut Gu Ran off.

– To insult someone of mine right in front of me, and even dare to swing a bottle. Not taking his life is already doing you a favor.

Gu Ran knew he couldn’t win against Li Xiao, so he sighed and didn’t press further.

He changed the subject.

– How’s Jiang Yu’s injury? Serious?

Li Xiao’s voice unconsciously softened.

– A hairline fracture of the ulna. He’s in a cast. At least two months before he can use his right hand.

– That serious?!

Gu Ran paused, then suddenly laughed, a teasing tone in his voice.

– But this is a great opportunity for you. Time to make your move! This time, if you can take advantage of his vulnerability… no, I mean, take good care of him, and win the beauty over, you’ll have to thank me later.

– Get lost.

Li Xiao cursed.

– I’d rather not succeed than have him hurt.

– Ooh ooh ooh.

Gu Ran jeered on the other end.

– Look how much our young master Li cares! Alright, alright, I know you cherish him. I won’t disturb you while you’re pining for him. Bye.

The call ended.

Li Xiao sat on the sofa, tossing his phone aside. He picked up the sweater again and buried his face in the soft cashmere.

He missed Jiang Yu.

Only a few hours apart, and he missed him terribly.

He wanted to see him blush, to see him flustered because of him.

Just as Li Xiao was lost in thought, hugging the sweater, his phone rang again.

This time, it was Jiang Yu.

Li Xiao’s eyes lit up. He answered immediately, a smile in his voice.

– Hey? Miss me?

There was a two-second silence on the line, then Jiang Yu’s awkward voice came through.

– No.

– But I missed you.

Li Xiao leaned back on the sofa, his fingers tracing the sweater’s cuff.

– Your sweater is so soft, so fragrant.

– …What sweater?

– The one you wore yesterday.

Li Xiao’s voice was low, carrying a certain ambiguous magnetism.

– I brought it back from the bar for you. I’m holding it right now. So fragrant and soft, just like holding you.

Jiang Yu was clearly choked up on the other end.

After several seconds, his grinding voice came through.

– Are you a pervert?

– Not to others.

Li Xiao laughed, his voice full of affection.

– I can be one for you.

– Psycho!

Jiang Yu cursed, then hung up with a click.

Li Xiao listened to the busy tone and chuckled lowly.

He could imagine Jiang Yu’s face all red, embarrassed and annoyed.

‘So damn cute.’

Li Xiao set his phone aside and continued hugging the sweater, unable to suppress the smile on his lips.

But less than a minute later, his phone rang again.

It was Jiang Yu again.

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow and answered.

– What? Regret cursing me out?

– …No.

Jiang Yu’s voice sounded a bit awkward, as if he was choosing his words.

– I forgot there was something important I needed to tell you.

– What is it?

– Just now… Gu Ran called me.

The smile on Li Xiao’s face faded slightly.

– What did he want from you?

– He apologized to me and asked about my injury.

Jiang Yu paused.

– He also said… he wanted me to persuade you.

– Persuade me about what?

– To persuade you not to teach Chen Rui too harsh a lesson, not to offend the Chen family.

Li Xiao was silent for a few seconds, then his voice turned cold.

– He sure knows who to look for.

– So…

Jiang Yu’s voice was very soft.

– Will you listen to my persuasion?

That question made Li Xiao pause.

He held the phone, his fingertip lightly tracing the sweater’s cuff.

– Jiang Yu.

He spoke, his voice much softer than before.

– You know why I went after Chen Rui, right?

– …I know.

– Then why are you trying to persuade me?

– Gu Ran said the Chen family isn’t someone to mess with.

Jiang Yu’s voice was calm.

– I don’t want you to get into unnecessary trouble because of me.

Li Xiao’s heart gave a heavy thump.

– Are you worried about me?

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