Chapter 46: The Dark Red Mark

Li Xiao took half a step forward, instantly shortening the distance between them.

In the dim living room, his tall figure almost completely enveloped Jiang Yu.

“A life-saving favor…” Li Xiao’s voice lowered, carrying a dangerous magnetism that slowly spread through the narrow space. “At the very least… I should get a kiss to show gratitude, right?”

As he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned in another step.

Jiang Yu, caught off guard, instinctively stepped back.

One step, two—

His back slammed against the cold wall.

Nowhere left to retreat.

Li Xiao’s hand pressed against the wall beside Jiang Yu’s ear, forming a complete enclosure.

His body nearly pressed against Jiang Yu’s, their noses only inches apart.

Jiang Yu could clearly see the dark turbulence in Li Xiao’s eyes and feel the warmth of his breath brushing against his cheek.

“Li Xiao…” Jiang Yu’s voice was strained. His left hand pressed against Li Xiao’s chest, fingertips meeting the firm, warm expanse beneath the sweater, along with a strong, rapid heartbeat.

Li Xiao looked down at him.

In the dim light, Jiang Yu’s cheeks flushed faintly, his eyelashes trembling with tension.

His eyes, usually calm or distant, now reflected Li Xiao’s image with startling clarity.

His lips were slightly pressed, their color redder than usual from nervousness.

Li Xiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

He slowly raised his other hand and touched Jiang Yu’s cheek.

The moment his fingertips met skin, Jiang Yu’s entire body tensed.

That hand was hot; the sensation of fingertips brushing his cheek made Jiang Yu’s scalp tingle.

He thought Li Xiao was going to kiss him.

His heart pounded wildly in his chest, making his ears ring.

Jiang Yu closed his eyes.

His fingers curled at his sides, nails digging into his palms.

But the expected kiss didn’t come.

Li Xiao’s movement halted.

A few seconds later, Jiang Yu felt the hand gently rub his cheek, then pull away.

He opened his eyes, bewildered.

Li Xiao had already stepped back half a pace, watching him with a helpless, doting smile.

“Seeing as you’re injured…” Li Xiao’s voice had returned to its usual laziness, though still a bit husky. “I’ll stop teasing you.”

Jiang Yu stared at him blankly, the spot on his cheek still burning.

Li Xiao reached out and lightly ruffled his hair.

“Go change out of the hospital gown. It’s uncomfortable to wear.”

Only then did Jiang Yu snap out of it, his ears instantly turning crimson.

He practically fled from under Li Xiao’s arm, hurrying toward the bedroom.

“I—I’ll go change!”

The bedroom door slammed shut with a bang.

Jiang Yu leaned against the door, gasping for breath.

His heart was still racing, his cheeks blazing.

He raised his hand to touch the cheek Li Xiao had stroked, as if the sensation and warmth still lingered.

‘Was he crazy?’

Just now, he had actually… been waiting for that kiss.

Jiang Yu shook his head hard, trying to rid himself of these chaotic thoughts.

After calming down for a moment, he began clumsily removing the hospital gown with his left hand.

His right arm was immobilized, making the movement extremely awkward.

After changing into a soft gray loungewear set, Jiang Yu finally felt a bit more at ease.

He lingered in the bedroom for a few more minutes before taking a deep breath and pulling the door open to step out.

In the living room, Li Xiao was sitting on the worn-out sofa, on the phone.

“…Yeah, for two. Light but nutritious. I’ll send you the address on WeChat.”

Seeing Jiang Yu come out, Li Xiao smiled at him and said into the phone, “Send it as soon as possible.”

After hanging up, Li Xiao tossed his phone onto the sofa.

“I ordered lunch. It’ll be here soon. I’ll stay until you finish eating, then I’ll leave.”

Jiang Yu nodded and sat at the other end of the sofa, deliberately keeping his distance from Li Xiao.

Just then, Jiang Yu’s phone on the coffee table rang.

It was Wu Qi calling.

Jiang Yu answered with his left hand.

“Hey, Jiang Yu!” Wu Qi’s voice was loud, especially clear in the quiet living room.

“How are you? I wanted to call you last night, but I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to pick up at the hospital. Is it serious?”

“It’s okay.” Jiang Yu said calmly.

“Ulnar fracture. Got a cast on, need to immobilize for two months.”

“Two months?!” Wu Qi exclaimed.

“So you can’t work during that time?”

“Yeah, I already asked the manager for leave.”

“Sigh…” Wu Qi sighed.

“Then… you won’t be able to participate in the cocktail competition at the end of the month? What a shame! The first prize is a hundred thousand!”

Jiang Yu was silent for a few seconds.

His gaze fell on his bandaged arm, his eyes dimming.

“It’s fine.” Jiang Yu finally said, his voice very soft.

“Even if I participated, I might not win.”

Li Xiao sat nearby, watching him quietly.

Jiang Yu’s eyes were downcast, his lashes casting small shadows.

The lines of his profile appeared clear and serene in the winter sunlight.

But Li Xiao could see the fingers of his left hand, resting on his thigh, curl slightly.

“Oh, right.” Jiang Yu suddenly remembered something, his tone a bit unnatural.

“I left in a hurry yesterday. I left something at the bar. Could you… put it away for me?”

He couldn’t directly mention the gloves, because Li Xiao was sitting right there.

But Wu Qi immediately understood.

“You mean that pair of half-finger gloves? Don’t worry, I already put them away. They’re in your locker!”

Wu Qi’s voice came through the earpiece, echoing in the living room.

Jiang Yu’s ears turned bright red in an instant.

He instinctively turned to look at Li Xiao.

Li Xiao was leaning back on the sofa, watching him leisurely with a mischievous grin.

“No…” Jiang Yu tried to salvage the situation, his cheeks burning.

“I mean… my notebook with cocktail recipes.”

“That’s put away too!” Wu Qi completely missed Jiang Yu’s embarrassment, still speaking loudly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve kept everything safe!”

Jiang Yu closed his eyes.

“…Thanks. I’ll come by the bar in the next couple of days to pick them up.”

“Sure! Come anytime! Take care of your injury!”

After hanging up, an awkward silence fell over the living room.

Jiang Yu stared at his phone screen, wishing he could bore a hole through it.

“Gloves…” Li Xiao drawled, amusement in his voice.

“So precious? Even injured, you still think about them?”

Jiang Yu didn’t reply. The blush had spread from his ears to his neck.

Li Xiao chuckled, leaning toward him.

“It’s cold out, and your hand’s not convenient. Don’t go out. If there’s anything at the bar, I’ll get it for you.”

“No need.” Jiang Yu refused immediately.

“I can take the bus myself.”

As he said this, he turned to look at Li Xiao.

In that moment, Jiang Yu’s gaze froze.

Li Xiao’s turtleneck sweater covered most of his neck.

But now, because of his leaning posture, the collar was slightly askew, revealing a small patch of skin on the side of his neck.

On that patch of skin, Jiang Yu saw a dark red mark.

“Li Xiao.” Jiang Yu suddenly spoke, his voice tense.

“Hmm?” Li Xiao raised an eyebrow.

Instead of answering, Jiang Yu abruptly leaned closer and used his left hand to pull aside the collar of Li Xiao’s sweater.

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