Chapter 21: A Declaration and a Rejection

Jiang Yu’s breathing turned ragged.

He stared into Li Xiao’s eyes, so close he could see his own panicked reflection.

“Why?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. “You could have kept me tied up with the debt. Why give me freedom?”

Li Xiao was silent for a long time.

So long that Jiang Yu thought he wouldn’t answer.

Then, Li Xiao withdrew his hand and sat up straight, looking out at the dark street.

“Because I realized…” Li Xiao’s voice was low, tinged with self-mockery. “I don’t just want your body anymore.”

He turned back to Jiang Yu, his eyes filled with a sincerity Jiang Yu had never seen before.

“Jiang Yu, this past month, I’ve been busy abroad until dawn every day, but the moment I close my eyes, all I can think about is you.”

“The way you mix drinks, the way you take small bites when you eat, the way your ears turn red when I kiss you…”

“Even the way you push me away, with that angry, embarrassed expression.”

“So I finished everything early, changed to the earliest flight, flew for over ten hours just to see you sooner.”

“This feeling… it might just be love.” Li Xiao paused and took a deep breath. “Jiang Yu, I don’t just want your first kiss or your first time. I want to be your first and only lover.”

The car fell into a dead silence.

Jiang Yu was completely stunned.

His mind buzzed, replaying every word Li Xiao had just said.

Those words were too direct, too raw, like a key that unexpectedly unlocked a tightly shut door deep in his heart.

“You…” Jiang Yu opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Li Xiao looked at his flustered state and suddenly smiled—a smile carrying exhaustion, helplessness, and a hint of relief.

“Did I scare you?” Li Xiao said. “It’s okay. You don’t have to answer me now.”

He pressed the door unlock button. “Go home and think it over. When you’re ready, tell me anytime.”

Jiang Yu mechanically pushed open the car door.

The cold wind rushed in, sobering him a bit.

He got out, stood by the roadside, and looked at Li Xiao.

Li Xiao looked back at him, his gaze tender.

“Go on up, it’s cold outside,” Li Xiao said. “I’ll watch you go in.”

Jiang Yu turned and walked step by step toward the community’s iron gate.

His hands trembled as he took out his keys to open the door.

The gate creaked open.

He stepped inside and couldn’t help but look back.

Li Xiao’s car was still there, the window rolled down.

In the darkness, the man waved at him.

Jiang Yu quickly turned and hurried into the building.

Only when he entered the dark stairwell and leaned against the cold wall did he dare to breathe deeply.

His heart pounded fast and hard, thudding in his ears.

Li Xiao’s words stirred a storm inside him.

Jiang Yu closed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously pressing against his chest.

There, something was sprouting.

****

The next evening at eight-thirty, Jiang Yu arrived at the bar on time.

He didn’t go to his usual booth but stood back at the familiar bar counter.

Last night he had tossed and turned, replaying Li Xiao’s ‘love’ over and over, along with all kinds of terrible assumptions.

Sympathy? Novelty? Or was it the ‘challenge’ that Li Xiao had never experienced in his previous relationships?

Jiang Yu forced himself to calm down.

Too many things stood between him and Li Xiao—family background, wealth, social circles, and that initial sordid transaction.

Li Xiao’s world was something he couldn’t imagine or fit into.

This sudden ‘love’ seemed more like a whim, a game to Li Xiao.

Once he got tired of it, what would Jiang Yu be?

A clingy joke? A toy discarded after being played with?

Besides, there was the two hundred and fifty thousand.

If it was just wiped out like that, they would never be equal.

If not creditor and debtor, then it would become benefactor and plaything.

No matter how down-and-out he was, Jiang Yu didn’t want to be nailed to that position.

He needed to pay back the money, honorably.

Only then, if by some chance in the future… he could retain the last shred of dignity to leave.

At ten past nine, Li Xiao arrived.

He wore a dark gray cashmere sweater under a long coat, black trousers, and carried two delicate paper bags.

He walked straight toward the booth, his eyes sweeping over the bar.

When he saw Jiang Yu, his steps faltered for a moment, then he sat down as if nothing was wrong.

Jiang Yu could feel that gaze locked on him.

He lowered his head and focused on polishing a glass that was already sparkling.

After a while, the manager hurried over and lowered his voice: “Jiang Yu, Mr. Li is here. He wants you to come over.”

Jiang Yu put down the glass. “Manager, I want to stay at the bar tonight.”

The manager’s face changed. “Nonsense! Mr. Li specifically asked for you. Go over now! Don’t annoy him.”

After a few seconds of standoff, Jiang Yu walked toward the corner booth.

Li Xiao was lounging on the sofa, opening a food container.

Seeing Jiang Yu, a smile spread across his face. He pointed at the items on the table. “Come, see what I brought you. This private kitchen is hard to book. You should like the taste.”

The table was covered with dishes still steaming, their aroma tantalizing.

“I’ve already eaten,” Jiang Yu said, standing by the booth without sitting down.

“Eat a bit more.” Li Xiao picked up a piece of meat and naturally brought it to Jiang Yu’s lips. “When I’m not around, no one keeps an eye on you. Have you been eating properly again? You’ve lost more weight.”

Jiang Yu turned his head away. “I really have eaten.”

Li Xiao’s hand froze in midair, the smile fading from his face.

He put down the chopsticks, took out two paper bags with foreign luxury brand logos, and pushed them toward Jiang Yu.

“Gifts for you and your sister. I was in too much of a hurry yesterday and forgot to bring them.” He tried to sound casual. “See if you like them.”

Jiang Yu’s eyes swept over the expensive bags, but he didn’t move.

“What’s wrong?” Li Xiao looked at him.

“I can’t accept them,” Jiang Yu said, his voice calm and flat.

“Why not?”

Jiang Yu lifted his eyes to meet Li Xiao’s. “We are only creditor and debtor. I have no standing to accept such expensive gifts from you.”

“Creditor and debtor?” Li Xiao repeated, his voice dropping. “Jiang Yu, what are you saying?”

Jiang Yu took a deep breath and said the words he had rehearsed countless times last night. “I’ve thought it over. Mr. Li, thank you for your… kindness. But between us, it’s better to maintain a purely debt-based relationship. I’ll work hard and pay back the two hundred and fifty thousand as soon as possible. As for the rest…”

He paused, his nails digging into his palm. “The rest… is unnecessary.”

The air in the booth instantly solidified.

All expression drained from Li Xiao’s face as he stared at Jiang Yu, his eyes like a layer of ice.

“Keep the debt relationship?” Li Xiao slowly stood up, his tall figure exuding intense pressure. “Jiang Yu, do you know how much you’d have to pay each month with the old interest calculation on that two hundred and fifty thousand? Can you afford it with your bartending and odd jobs?”

Jiang Yu raised his head stubbornly. “Calculate the interest however you want. I’ll pay it.”

“Pay it?” Li Xiao seemed enraged by those words. He stepped forward, grabbed Jiang Yu by the wrist, and forcefully pinned him down on the spacious sofa!

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