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Join the Server“Have you seen enough?”
Jiang Yu asked, his voice flat.
“The place is small, but it’s enough to live in.”
Li Xiao’s throat tightened.
He remembered the word “rental” from his subordinate’s report, but the text and seeing it with his own eyes had completely different impacts.
For over five years, Jiang Yu had lived in a place like this with his sister.
Working during the day, bartending at night, coming back to sleep on the living room sofa.
And he himself had been in a villa, forcing Jiang Yu in that way…
Somewhere in Li Xiao’s heart, a sharp pain struck.
“Where’s Jiang Qing?”
He looked away, setting the bag he was carrying on the folding dining table, his voice lower than usual.
“She’s at school.”
Jiang Yu closed the door and walked to the bathroom to continue washing clothes.
“She won’t be back until after evening self-study.”
“Every day?”
“Monday through Friday.”
Li Xiao nodded and didn’t speak again.
He watched Jiang Yu squat in the cramped bathroom, rolling up his sleeves to scrub clothes.
Water splashed. Jiang Yu’s hands were red from the cold water.
Li Xiao walked over and leaned against the doorframe.
“I brought desserts and fruit.”
He pointed to the bag on the table.
“There’s chestnut cake, your favorite, and strawberries.”
Jiang Yu didn’t stop.
“Thanks.”
“First, put on the clothes and let me see.”
Li Xiao said, his tone returning to its usual lightness.
“See if they fit.”
Jiang Yu turned to glare at him.
“Is that the only reason you came?”
“Mainly to see you.”
Li Xiao smiled.
“And check the clothes on the side.”
Jiang Yu was silent for a few seconds, but eventually dried his hands, walked to the bedroom closet, and took out the cashmere coat from the bag.
He put on the coat.
Li Xiao leaned against the doorframe, his eyes fixed without blinking.
The coat was light gray, structured, making Jiang Yu’s figure look long and lean.
The cashmere was soft, shimmering with a fine luster in the light coming through the window.
It fit perfectly, as if made to measure.
“Beautiful.”
Li Xiao said softly, his gaze deep.
“Really handsome.”
Jiang Yu’s ears felt warm, and he looked away.
“Done looking?”
“There’s a sweater too.”
Li Xiao walked over and took out the cream-colored turtleneck from the bag.
“Try this on.”
Jiang Yu sighed, took the sweater, and glanced at Li Xiao.
Li Xiao turned around knowingly.
“I won’t look.”
Jiang Yu quickly took off the coat and his home clothes, then put on the sweater.
The sweater was loose-fitting, the turtleneck wrapping around his neck, the soft cashmere against his skin, warm and comfortable.
The cream color made his skin look cleaner, his whole appearance softer.
“Done.”
Jiang Yu said.
Li Xiao turned around. The moment he saw him, his eyes darkened.
Jiang Yu stood in the small bedroom wearing the cream turtleneck. The winter sunlight from outside fell on him, enveloping him in a soft glow.
The sweater collar slightly covered his jaw, outlining his elegant neck. He looked… very huggable.
“See?”
Jiang Yu felt uncomfortable under his stare.
“Satisfied?”
Li Xiao didn’t speak. He walked over step by step.
Jiang Yu sensed the change in his expression and instinctively stepped back, but the bedroom was too small; after two steps, he hit the edge of the desk.
“Li Xiao, you…”
Before he could finish, Li Xiao suddenly reached out and pulled him into an embrace.
Jiang Yu’s whole body stiffened.
Li Xiao’s arms were tight, encircling his waist, his chin resting on his shoulder, taking a deep breath.
The soft touch of the sweater, the faint scent of soap on Jiang Yu, the warmth of the person in his arms.
Li Xiao closed his eyes, rubbed against the sweater, and said in a muffled voice:
“It really is soft and warm.”
Jiang Yu was startled by his sudden move and struggled as soon as he regained his composure.
“Did I allow you to hug me?”
“I’m hugging the sweater.”
Li Xiao played dumb, tightening his arms.
Jiang Yu was speechless and pushed him hard.
“Let go.”
“No.”
“If you don’t, I’ll get angry.”
Li Xiao’s body stiffened. He loosened his grip and stepped back half a step, but his eyes were still fixed on Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu’s cheeks were flushed from the struggle and embarrassment. The sweater collar was askew, revealing a bit of collarbone.
Li Xiao stared at that spot for two seconds, then forced himself to look away.
“I’m being so obedient, do I get a reward?”
His tone carried a hint of grievance.
Jiang Yu straightened the sweater collar and said curtly:
“What reward?”
“Hug for one more minute.”
Jiang Yu looked up and glared at him, the meaning in his eyes clear—’You wish.’
Li Xiao laughed and raised his hands in surrender.
“No more hugging.”
He changed the subject.
“What’s the plan for later? Let’s go have lunch together.”
“I still have my part-time job at the restaurant.”
Jiang Yu glanced at the clock on the wall.
“I start at eleven.”
“Don’t go.”
Li Xiao’s tone turned plaintive.
“Didn’t you say you’d treat me to a meal? You haven’t kept your promise yet.”
Jiang Yu was taken aback.
It was true. Li Xiao had grabbed the bill for the hotpot, and he hadn’t fulfilled his promise to treat.
After a moment’s hesitation, Jiang Yu took out his phone.
“Then I’ll ask for leave.”
He sent a message to the restaurant manager, saying something came up at home and he couldn’t come today.
The manager replied quickly, acknowledging but clearly displeased.
Jiang Yu put away his phone and looked at Li Xiao.
“What do you want to eat?”
Li Xiao’s eyes lit up.
“You decide.”
“I’m treating you, so of course you decide.”
“Then I’ll pick something expensive.”
“As you like.”
Jiang Yu took off the sweater and changed back into his home clothes.
“Wait on the sofa for a bit. I’ll finish washing the clothes and hang them up.”
Li Xiao nodded.
“Need any help?”
“No.”
Jiang Yu went to the bathroom, crouched down, and started washing.
Li Xiao sat on the sofa, took out his phone, and sent a message to his subordinate:
– I’ll send you a location. Get someone to install a water heater that connects to all the pipes in the house.
Below, he attached Jiang Yu’s address.
His subordinate replied quickly:
– Understood.
Jiang Yu finished washing soon.
He hung the clothes, dried his hands, and went to the bedroom to change.
Li Xiao leaned against the doorframe, watching his back, unable to suppress a smile.
Jiang Yu changed into the cream turtleneck and jeans, and put on the down jacket Li Xiao had given him.
The jacket was dark blue, very warm, with a soft fur-lined hood.
Li Xiao watched him dress, and suddenly felt that buying clothes for someone you like and watching them wear it was incredibly satisfying.
The two went out and walked downstairs.
The old hallway was dim. Li Xiao reached out to hold Jiang Yu’s hand, but Jiang Yu dodged.
“Watch the stairs.”
Jiang Yu said, walking quickly down.
Li Xiao looked at his empty hand, smiled, and followed.
Once in the car, Li Xiao asked:
“Any restaurant in mind?”
“You decide.”
Jiang Yu buckled his seatbelt.
“I don’t eat out often, so I don’t know where’s good.”
Li Xiao thought for a moment and started the car.
“Then let’s go to a private kitchen I frequent. Good food, quiet atmosphere.”
The car drove out of the old district toward the city center.
On the way, Li Xiao turned on the car stereo. Soft piano music played.
While waiting at a red light, he suddenly spoke.
“I’ve arranged a meeting with a professor from the Computer Science department at Jing University.”
Jiang Yu whipped his head around to look at him.
“What?”
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