Chapter 56: A Place for Recovery

“Are you getting out yourself, or should I carry you out?”

Li Xiao’s voice was low, laced with a dangerous magnetism, but his gaze was resolute, leaving no room for refusal.

Jiang Yu looked up at him, their eyes locked in a silent standoff.

After a few seconds, Jiang Yu suddenly hissed, his left hand clutching his right arm.

“…My arm hurts.”

Li Xiao’s expression shifted instantly. He reached out to touch his arm.

“What’s wrong? Did you—”

Before he could finish, Jiang Yu seized the chance to shrink back into the car, turning his face away.

“I’m not getting out anyway. Take me home.”

Li Xiao’s hand froze midair.

He stared at Jiang Yu for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

That smile carried resignation, affection, and a hint of ‘I knew you’d do this’ understanding.

“Fine.”

Li Xiao nodded, but then his body leaned forward abruptly. One hand reached into the car, wrapping around Jiang Yu’s waist, while the other slid under his knees.

“Ah!”

Caught off guard, Jiang Yu was lifted horizontally into the air.

Li Xiao’s movements were quick and steady. Jiang Yu felt the world spin, and the next second, he was suspended, falling into a firm, warm embrace.

“Put me down!”

Regaining his senses, Jiang Yu pressed his left hand against Li Xiao’s chest, his cheeks flushing crimson from shock and embarrassment.

Li Xiao ignored him, kicking the car door shut, and strode toward the elevator with Jiang Yu in his arms.

Jiang Yu struggled, but Li Xiao’s arms held him like iron clamps, unmovable.

“Keep squirming,” Li Xiao murmured, his lips nearly brushing Jiang Yu’s earlobe, his voice lowering with a threatening smile, “and I’ll kiss you.”

Jiang Yu went rigid, his struggles ceasing instantly.

He glared at Li Xiao, his eyes glistening with a mix of anger and shame, but he dared not move again.

Li Xiao’s lips curled in satisfaction, and he continued forward.

Occasionally, people passed through the underground parking lot, casting curious glances their way.

Jiang Yu felt his face hot enough to fry an egg, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.

He bit his lip, then, in defeat, buried his face in the crook of Li Xiao’s neck, his voice muffled and pleading.

“…Put me down. I’ll walk.”

Li Xiao felt the warm breath and soft cheek against his neck; the irritation in his heart instantly dissolved, replaced by a sweet, swelling satisfaction.

He tilted his head, rubbing his cheek against Jiang Yu’s hair, his voice laced with a smile.

“Fine.”

“I’ll put you down when we get to the elevator.”

Jiang Yu said nothing, only burying his face deeper.

Li Xiao carried him into the elevator, pressed the floor button, and then carefully set him down.

But he didn’t fully let go.

As the elevator doors closed, Li Xiao braced his arms against the handrails on either side of Jiang Yu, trapping him between himself and the cold metal.

Jiang Yu’s back pressed against the elevator wall. He looked up at Li Xiao, so close, his heart pounding as if it might burst from his chest.

“What exactly do you want?”

His voice trembled slightly, whether from anger or something else.

Li Xiao looked down at him, his gaze sweeping from Jiang Yu’s reddened eyes to his tightly pressed lips, then to his bobbing Adam’s apple, tight with nervousness.

“I don’t want anything.”

Li Xiao’s voice was very soft.

“I just want to take care of you while you recover.”

“I don’t need your care.”

Jiang Yu averted his eyes, his tone stiff.

“Take me home. Otherwise… I’ll really get mad.”

Li Xiao was silent for a few seconds.

The elevator numbers kept ticking up.

“No.”

His tone was gentle but unyielding.

“You have to listen to me this time.”

Jiang Yu turned back to glare at him, his eyes reddening with urgency.

“Li Xiao, you can’t—”

“I can.”

Li Xiao cut him off, his fingers gently stroking his cheek, his thumb brushing the corner of his reddened eye.

“Jiang Yu, I can’t stand seeing you hurt again.”

“When I see you in pain—” He grabbed Jiang Yu’s left hand and pressed it against his own chest. “It hurts me more than you.”

Under his palm, Li Xiao’s heartbeat was heavy and rapid.

Jiang Yu’s fingers trembled slightly.

He looked into Li Xiao’s eyes, which churned with too many emotions—heartache, guilt, stubbornness, and an overwhelming tenderness.

A ‘ding’ announced their arrival.

The doors slid open.

Li Xiao released his hand, but then took it again, interlacing their fingers.

“Let’s take a look first.”

He led Jiang Yu out of the elevator, his voice softening, coaxing.

“If you don’t like it, we’ll leave. Okay?”

Jiang Yu, led by him, stood before a dark gray door.

Li Xiao unlocked it with his fingerprint.

The door swung open.

Warm lights automatically illuminated the entire space.

The apartment was spacious, decorated in a modern minimalist style with gray, white, and wood tones—clean and bright.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room revealed the dazzling city nightscape.

But what stunned Jiang Yu was the arrangement in the living room.

Beside the sofa was a recliner that looked incredibly comfortable, draped with a soft wool blanket.

On the coffee table were several books on mixology and a stack of printed materials. Topmost was a document titled: “One-Handed Mixing Techniques & Adaptive Training.”

On the island counter of the open kitchen sat a new blender and a pile of nutritional supplements, next to a handwritten note in sharp, bold handwriting: “Daily Nutrition Plan.”

And most eye-catching was the small bar counter in the corner.

Though not professional-grade, it had all the essentials—base spirits, tools, ice bucket—even a small tablet stand with a mixology tutorial video paused on the screen.

Jiang Yu stood at the entrance, completely stunned.

Li Xiao closed the door and gently wrapped his arms around Jiang Yu’s waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, his voice low by his ear.

“Do you like it?”

“I’ve been preparing this since you got hurt.”

“This floor has only this unit. It’s quiet, good for recovery. Close to the hospital, easy for check-ups. And Jiang Qing’s school isn’t far either.”

“The bar is for you to pass the time. Even though you can’t actually mix now, you can watch videos, study the theory.”

“Those books and materials—I asked around for them. They’re about maintaining your technique during recovery, how to practice with your left hand.”

Li Xiao paused, tightening his arms slightly, his voice carrying a hint of nervousness.

“Jiang Yu, let me take care of you. Until you’re fully better. Okay?”

Jiang Yu didn’t speak.

He just looked at the space so clearly prepared with care, at the details hiding such thoughtfulness, feeling the warmth and heartbeat from the chest behind him.

After a long while, he let out a soft sigh, his voice barely a whisper.

“…Only while I’m recovering.”

Li Xiao’s body stiffened for a moment.

Then, he spun Jiang Yu around, careful to avoid his right arm, and pulled him into a face-to-face embrace.

“Yes!”

His voice couldn’t contain the euphoria. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead against Jiang Yu’s, his eyes startlingly bright.

“Only while you’re recovering.”

“I promise, once you’re better, I’ll take you anywhere you want.”

Jiang Yu looked at his smile, so close—too bright, too dazzling—making his heart lose its rhythm.

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