Chapter 98: Preparing for the Unexpected

The two embraced not long before kissing again.

The lipstick that the makeup artist applied on Lin Hexi’s lips was completely wiped away by You Chong. When the other person turned his head to start the car, Lin Hexi could still see the lipstick stain that had smudged onto the corner of You Chong’s lips.

He couldn’t help but burst into laughter. You Chong quickly realized what was happening. With both hands firmly on the steering wheel and unable to move away, he said to Lin Hexi without turning his head, “The tissues are in the drawer. Help me wipe it off.”

Lin Hexi lowered his head, opened the drawer in front of him, took out a tissue, and wiped You Chong’s face clean. He didn’t close the drawer immediately but casually glanced through the contents inside.

Besides some everyday items, there were a few music CDs at the bottom.

He took those CDs out to have a look and found that most of them were regular albums available on the market. However, there was one CD that didn’t have any information about a singer or songs printed on it.

Lin Hexi put the blank CD back and casually selected a more popular one to play. Soon, the ethereal and clear voice of a female singer filled the car.

He returned all the remaining CDs to their original place, then rested his hand on the edge of the car window, propping his head up as he softly hummed along with the song.

The distance from the bar to You Chong’s place wasn’t far; after about three or four songs, the car drove into the parking lot of the community.

Lin Hexi, wearing a jacket, got out of the car and followed behind You Chong to take the elevator.

The elevator happened to arrive at the basement level, and the car was empty. The two entered the elevator, with You Chong standing near the buttons while Lin Hexi stood behind him, looking down at his phone.

The elevator ascended and stopped at the first floor. When the doors opened, another resident entered. You Chong stepped back to stand beside Lin Hexi, extending his arm to wrap around Lin Hexi’s shoulders. Lin Hexi, still engrossed in his phone, didn’t pay much attention.

Two people entered, and one of them recognized You Chong. Instinctively, they looked at the person standing beside him, repeatedly confirming that the long-haired person wearing a dress was indeed a woman and that the hand on her shoulder did belong to You Chong. A look of obvious astonishment appeared in their eyes. “You Chong, didn’t you say you don’t like women?”

You Chong glanced at her, his hand still resting on Lin Hexi’s shoulder, without offering any explanation.

However, Lin Hexi, who was looking down at his phone, suddenly paused, recognizing the voice of the person who spoke. Just two days ago, he had heard that same voice in the restroom at the fashion show.

He was initially surprised that Zhuang Yixia lived in the same building as You Chong. Then, he recalled the gossip news reports from when You Chong and she were engaged, which mentioned that Zhuang Yixia had once stayed overnight at You Chong’s home. It all made sense now.

Feeling a bit playful, he didn’t look up at Zhuang Yixia. Instead, he put away his phone and turned around, facing away from her as he draped his arms around You Chong’s neck, pretending to be affectionate by burying his face in the crook of You Chong’s neck.

You Chong played along, raising his hand to touch Lin Hexi’s back, holding him closely in his arms.

Zhuang Yixia’s expression was complex, mixed with disdain. “Didn’t you say you couldn’t forget your ex-boyfriend? And now you’re already finding a new girlfriend—what kind of man does that make you?”

Only then did You Chong speak, his tone calm: “When did I ever find a new girlfriend?”

“You’re already hugging her. If she’s not your girlfriend, then what else could she—” Zhuang Yixia’s words abruptly stopped mid-sentence, her indignation growing even stronger. “Finding a fling is even more despicable.”

You Chong, amused, reached out to pat Lin Hexi’s back. “Alright, stop pretending.”

Lin Hexi finally stepped back from You Chong’s embrace, lifting his face and smiling at Zhuang Yixia. “Miss Zhuang, we meet again.”

Recognizing his face and voice, Zhuang Yixia’s expression froze. After a moment, she finally spoke with a touch of resentment, “You two really know how to play around.”

However, You Chong caught a significant detail from Lin Hexi’s words and turned to him with a questioning look. “You two have met before?”

“We met at the fashion show,” Zhuang Yixia said, raising her chin proudly. “Speaking of which, you and Lin Hexi getting back together is something you should actually thank me for.”

You Chong ignored her boastful words and explained to Lin Hexi, “Nothing she says can be trusted. My engagement with her was purely a mutually beneficial arrangement. She doesn’t like men.”

Lin Hexi was genuinely a bit surprised to hear this. His expression gradually returned to normal as his gaze shifted briefly to the young girl holding Zhuang Yixia’s hand. “I know. But she’s not wrong—I do owe her my thanks.”

Zhuang Yixia waved her hand dismissively at his words. “No need for your gratitude. I want to hear You Chong thank me in person.” As if recalling some unpleasant memories, her delicate, pretty face twisted for a moment. “During the time I was engaged to him, he wouldn’t even let me into his house. He even trained his dog and cat to stand guard outside the door for him.”

Hearing her complaints, You Chong’s expression remained unchanged, and he even calmly lowered his gaze. He raised his hand to tighten Lin Hexi’s jacket, which was loosely draped over the dress, carefully covering Lin Hexi’s exposed collarbone and chest.

Zhuang Yixia, feeling as though his actions were somehow aimed at her, curled her lips. “I already said, I don’t like men.”

You Chong lazily glanced at her. “He’s dressed as a woman right now.”

Zhuang Yixia was momentarily at a loss for words. She raised her hand, intertwined with her girlfriend’s, and emphasized with a sharp tone, “I have a girlfriend.”

You Chong coolly reminded her, “Your floor is here.”

Just as he finished speaking, the elevator’s chime sounded, signaling the opening of the doors. Zhuang Yixia let out a cold snort, pulling her girlfriend along as she walked out without looking back.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, You Chong, feeling satisfied, withdrew his gaze, only to turn and find that Lin Hexi was still looking outside the elevator.

Not wanting Lin Hexi to have too much interaction with Zhuang Yixia, You Chong, slightly displeased, turned Lin Hexi’s face back toward him. “She’s already gone, what are you still looking at?”

Lin Hexi, hearing this, gave him an amused look. “I think she’s kind of cute.”

“She held my hand, had dinner with me alone on Valentine’s Day, and exchanged engagement rings with me at our engagement party.” As he listed out Zhuang Yixia’s actions one by one, You Chong’s eyes slowly narrowed. “Do you still think she’s cute now?”

Meeting his gaze, which held a hidden hint of danger, Lin Hexi blinked slowly.

He had no doubt that if he nodded and said yes at this moment, You Chong would probably not even let him through the door, instead pinning him outside for a good scolding.

Lin Hexi put on a bright smile. “Well, that—”

Catching a glimpse of the elevator display indicating they were almost at You Chong’s floor, he suddenly changed the topic. “What’s the code for your electronic lock?”

You Chong remained unmoved. “Don’t change the subject.”

Lin Hexi replied, “Let’s trade answers. You tell me the code for your electronic lock, and I’ll give you my answer.”

You Chong readily agreed and recited a string of numbers.

Lin Hexi nodded seriously, and as the elevator doors began to open, he spoke slowly, “Right now, I think—”

The elevator doors fully opened.

Acting nonchalant, Lin Hexi walked to the door and tossed back, “Still very cute,” before bursting into laughter and darting outside. He managed to reach You Chong’s front door and unlock it just before You Chong could catch up.

Lin Hexi hurried inside, but he didn’t expect to run straight into the Alaskan Malamute, who had also come rushing at the sound. His expression froze, and he quickly braked to a halt, but the Malamute, unconcerned about its size, leapt into his arms just like it had done years ago.

He stumbled backward, falling to the ground while holding the large dog in his arms—

Lin Hexi didn’t fully land on the ground but instead sat on the top of You Chong’s foot, his back colliding directly with You Chong’s firm, straight calf.

Realizing it had caused trouble again, the Alaskan Malamute sheepishly jumped out of Lin Hexi’s arms and obediently sat down on the floor nearby.

You Chong turned on the lights in the house, bent his knee, and lifted Lin Hexi off the ground with a gentle nudge of his foot. He then bent down, hooked his hand around the back of Lin Hexi’s collar, and lifted him off his foot, setting him in front of a nearby cabinet. After closing the door behind them, he pressed Lin Hexi against the cabinet and kissed him.

The entire sequence of movements flowed seamlessly.

While Lin Hexi busied himself responding to You Chong’s kiss, he opened his eyes to look for the Alaskan Malamute.

He saw that the dog was still sitting in the same spot, now tilting its head curiously, watching him and You Chong intently.

Beside the dog, the family cat had also somehow wandered over, sitting quietly in the same position. It too tilted its head, silently observing the interaction between Lin Hexi and You Chong.

Lin Hexi reached out to push You Chong away, gesturing for him to look at the cat and dog on the floor.

Following his gaze, You Chong turned around. Seeing the Alaskan Malamute and the orange cat sitting neatly behind them, he let out a laugh, then grabbed Lin Hexi’s wrist and led him upstairs toward the bedroom.

Meanwhile, behind them, Fantuan and Shousi followed quietly, their presence barely making a sound.

The two entered the dark bedroom, and You Chong switched on the light on the wall. Looking down, he saw the cat and dog peeking in from the doorway, eager to join. He crouched down and, without mercy, pushed the two furry faces out, like one would keep out mischievous children, then closed and locked the door behind them.

At the same time, a faint sound came from behind him.

You Chong turned around to see that Lin Hexi had already climbed onto the bed and sat down of his own accord. He had casually removed the jacket he was wearing and swept all his long hair to one side, revealing a large expanse of smooth back.

His gaze darkened as he walked over, lifting a knee onto the edge of the bed. With his long, slender fingers, he gently lifted the thin strap of Lin Hexi’s dress.

Lin Hexi turned his head, tilting his face up to look at him, and said slowly, “The dress seems a bit tight. I can’t take it off.”

You Chong raised his eyebrow slowly at his words. “You want me to help you take it off?”

Lin Hexi narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone ambiguous as he countered, “Don’t you want to take it off?”

You Chong’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, his voice low and husky, “If you’re asking for help, you should at least have a better attitude.”

“You have a point.” Lin Hexi nodded thoughtfully.

He shifted from a sitting position to kneeling and, right in front of You Chong, slid his hands inside his dress. Then, he removed a pair of black briefs from his thighs, hooking the thin fabric with his fingers before casually tossing it onto the floor beside the bed.

He lifted his face, his eyes filled with a rippling smile. “Is this sincere enough?”

You Chong didn’t reply. Instead, he pressed Lin Hexi down onto the bed, one hand reaching under his dress.

The next moment, You Chong’s movements paused, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.

Lin Hexi, lying on the bed, burst into laughter and lifted his dress slightly as he explained, “What I just took off is called a pettipant. It’s an essential item for girls when wearing skirts.”

You Chong’s gaze shifted away from the undergarment and fixed on Lin Hexi’s face, his expression carrying a complex and unreadable look.

Lin Hexi froze, a sudden sense of unease welling up in his heart.

While he was momentarily distracted, You Chong’s hand had already gripped the edge of his underwear. With a sudden flex of his arm muscles, he swiftly pulled the garment down from Lin Hexi’s legs.

The thin fabric dangled precariously from Lin Hexi’s toes, but he had no time to worry about it. Instinctively, he squeezed his legs together.

However, You Chong’s move was merely a diversion, using the underwear as a ruse.

Just as his attention was focused on what was happening under his dress, Lin Hexi suddenly felt a chill on his shoulders and chest. He looked down in disbelief to see that the straps of his dress had already been pulled down to his forearms by You Chong.

He was nearly stripped bare, while You Chong remained fully clothed.

Without hesitation, Lin Hexi reached for You Chong’s belt, but that move was exactly what You Chong had been waiting for.

After a series of rustling movements, the mattress gave a slight tremor as Lin Hexi sank into the soft bed. The overlapping sounds of their heavy breathing gradually filled the room, occasionally punctuated by fragments of clear conversation.

Lin Hexi clung to You Chong’s shoulders and asked, “Did you buy everything?”

You Chong found a moment to reply, “I did.”

Lin Hexi was slightly taken aback. “When did you buy it?”

You Chong replied succinctly, “The day after I saw you at the hotel.”

Lin Hexi lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, and remained silent for a long time.