Chapter 22: I’m not that easy to chase

Su Lixu had never felt so anxious. When he rushed to the parking lot and saw that Fu Xingran’s car was not there, he felt like he was falling apart.

Four years ago, he learned from Mr. Fu that Fu Xingran liked to race cars, especially when he was upset or angry. Now, with Fu Xingran’s car missing, he couldn’t bear to think about the consequences.

If Fu Xingran went racing in the middle of the night because of this and something happened…

Su Lixu patted his pocket and realized he didn’t have his car keys. He hurriedly ran back home to get them. However, when he stood at the entrance holding the car keys, he fell into silence again. The problem was, where could he find Fu Xingran now? He had no idea where Fu Xingran might have gone. Going out to search aimlessly seemed futile.

Frustrated, he kicked the shoe cabinet, only to yelp in pain the next second.

Taking a breath, he looked down and saw he was still wearing slippers.

“… I must be going crazy.”

However, he didn’t have time to dwell on that. Holding the car keys, he walked out. Even if he couldn’t find Fu Xingran, he had to try. He couldn’t believe he wouldn’t find a distinctive Lamborghini. If he couldn’t find him, he would report Fu Xingran for reckless driving.

Surely they could catch him.

The elevator door ‘dinged’ open, and just as he was about to step in, he saw Fu Xingran standing inside. He froze.

In the brief moment of eye contact, neither spoke.Fu Xingran was somewhat surprised to see Su Lixu suddenly appear at the elevator entrance. Looking at Su Lixu in lightweight clothing and slippers, compared to his own cotton-padded baseball jacket, they seemed like they were from different seasons.

He furrowed his brow slightly. “You’re not even wearing shoes when you go out. It’s so cold outside. Where are you going?”

Saying this, he took off his jacket and draped it over Su Lixu.

Then he saw Su Lixu looking at him with a subtle and indescribable expression. “Why are you looking at me like that?” He instinctively raised his hand to touch his face. He had wiped away his tears; they shouldn’t be visible anymore.

The anxious feeling that had been pressing on Su Lixu’s chest disappeared in an instant when he saw Fu Xingran. It vanished as Fu Xingran draped a warm jacket over his shoulders.

The emotional confusion that had been lingering in his mind also came to a self-resolving moment in that instant. He took a deep breath. “What were you doing just now? I didn’t see your car in the parking lot.”

If he truly didn’t know what to do and didn’t know what Fu Xingran might do, but in that very moment, under Fu Xingran’s action, he felt that instead of agonizing over it, he might as well take a chance.He gambled that Fu Xingran would respect him.

Fu Xingran was surprised. “You went to the parking lot to find me?” The sorrow in his eyes caught Su Lixu’s worried expression. In an instant, joy appeared on his face. “You were worried about me?”

Seeing that Fu Xingran could still smile, Su Lixu felt a rush of frustration. He forcefully took off the jacket Fu Xingran had draped over him and threw it back at him. “Can I not worry? Your temper is so bad when you’re angry. I didn’t see your car, and I thought you went back to race.”

“I did go racing, indeed.”

Su Lixu widened his eyes. “Fu Xingran!!!”

“But I thought of you and returned the same way.” Fu Xingran caught the thrown jacket, unfolded it, and instead of putting it on Su Lixu’s shoulders, he faced him, holding it in between, and embraced him.

Through the jacket, Su Lixu could feel the powerful heartbeat against his chest, and the strong arms revealed gentleness, much like the jacket that separated them.

It was just the right balance.

Su Lixu was stunned.

“I won’t give up on you. Even if you dislike me, find me repulsive, or think I’m a pervert, I won’t give up pursuing you. I’ll change, change until you like me.” Fu Xingran held Su Lixu tightly, whispering, “The significance you hold for me, you might not understand or comprehend, but it’s okay. From the moment you saved me, I knew I would live for you.”

“Four years ago, when I couldn’t find you, I quietly thought about ending it. The wounds on my wrist were self-inflicted, but when I was weak from excessive bleeding, I thought of you again. So I regretted it; I didn’t want to die; I wanted to live.”

“I have to find you.”

“Make you see me again, like me, fall in love with me.”

“No matter how difficult or how long this process is, I won’t give up.”

“In the past, I had countless regrets and unhappiness, but when I felt most desperate and worthless, living like a waste, you appeared by my side. You walked through the darkest days with me, encouraged me, patiently waited for me.”

“My life was saved by you. Even if I pursue you my whole life without success, I have no regrets. At least I am striving for the goal of my life.”

“So, liking you, even if I can’t have you, I won’t regret it.”

The corridor echoed with Fu Xingran’s resolute and affectionate words, tapping into the conflicted and obsessive young man who had just been discovered with a secret. Contradictory yet persistent, rational yet deeply emotional.

But Su Lixu saw a completely different Fu Xingran from usual.

Not the usual cute little puppy who loved to act spoiled, nor the perverted guy filled with inappropriate thoughts. At this moment, he was Fu Xingran, firm and unyielding in pursuing his goal. Like finding a four-leaf clover among the ordinary three-leaf ones, it was a sudden discovery, an unexpected joy.

“I will continue to pursue you, starting from this moment.” Fu Xingran released Su Lixu, satisfied with the embrace. He draped the jacket over Su Lixu and then nudged him back. “It’s too cold; you should go back quickly, or you’ll catch a cold.”

After sending Su Lixu to the door, he didn’t go inside.

His steps stopped at the doorstep, without entering.

Su Lixu, holding the jacket that Fu Xingran draped over him, looked at Fu Xingran standing at the door. He took off the jacket, and Fu Xingran put on a white short-sleeved T-shirt, seemingly unaware of the cold. Like a polite and restrained gentleman, he wouldn’t cross any boundaries without permission. His expression was subtle upon hearing that the pursuit would continue.

Who gave permission?

“Go inside,” Fu Xingran smiled.

“Aren’t you taking the cake?” Su Lixu thought, wondering if Fu Xingran was playing games again. He had embraced, slept, and played; now he was acting reserved.

“Give it to me; it’s too late. I’m a single man, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to go in now,” Fu Xingran said seriously.

Su Lixu laughed immediately, “Okay.” He walked back into the room, took the cake from the counter, and handed it to Fu Xingran at the door, “Take it.”

Then he saw Fu Xingran holding the cake without any intention of leaving.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” Su Lixu thought, wondering what this guy was up to.

Fu Xingran said, “It’s not yet twelve; it’s not my birthday yet.”

The next second, a burst of cellphone ringing echoed.

Su Lixu looked at Fu Xingran suspiciously.

Fu Xingran held the cake with one hand, took out his phone with the other, and showed it to Su Lixu. He smiled, “Exactly twelve, I’m twenty-one now.”

Su Lixu saw the alarm set on the phone, precisely displaying 00:00. Suddenly, a hint of bitterness struck him. How much this guy, who once didn’t even want his own life, wanted to have a birthday.

“This is the first birthday I’ve celebrated with you.” Fu Xingran stared at Su Lixu, “I hope there will be the next one, and the one after that. So, brother, can I pursue you?”

Su Lixu’s eyes flickered slightly. Suddenly, he remembered the bet he made earlier. He bet whether Fu Xingran would respect him.

Seeking advice is a sign of respect.

In this short time, from that secretive room, Fu Xingran jumped out with the desire to possess. Reason prevailed over contradictions, giving him respect.

For someone with borderline personality disorder, this is quite challenging, as they tend to be trapped in their emotions. Yet, Fu Xingran, after being rejected just now, managed to overcome the despair and persist in a different way.

Now, Su Lixu couldn’t accurately judge Fu Xingran’s current state.

But at least for now, it seems Fu Xingran is within a safe range because he still has his sanity.

“I’m not that easy to chase.”

This statement echoed in the hallway, hitting Fu Xingran’s heart hard.

Fu Xingran tried hard to keep his lips from revealing his joy too much, but he couldn’t suppress the ecstasy in his heart. “Then I’ll pursue slowly.”

Su Lixu’s gaze fell on the depression at the corner of Fu Xingran’s lips. He inexplicably felt a warmth on his cheeks. He casually replied, “Then go back.”

What’s wrong with this guy? How can he still smile like that?

What’s wrong with him? Wasn’t he scared?

“Can you wish me a happy birthday again?” Fu Xingran looked at Su Lixu with hopeful eyes, behaving exceptionally well.

Su Lixu, worn out by this, and fearing this guy might do something impulsive, said, “Happy birthday.”

Fu Xingran heard the ‘happy birthday’ and smiled brightly. He lowered his head, took a bite of the cake, and said, “I’m very happy, thank you, brother.” He silently made a wish while cream stuck to the tip of his nose, resembling a silly dog happily holding the cake.

Su Lixu forced himself to retract his overflowing tenderness. He reached for the door handle, preparing to close it, only to find Fu Xingran standing at the door, still holding the cake.

“Why are you still here?” Su Lixu asked.

“I’ll leave once you close the door,” Fu Xingran replied.Su Lixu was about to close the door but glimpsed Fu Xingran still outside. He was somewhat worried that this guy might stay outside indefinitely. Opening the door again, he said, “You go first.”

“I won’t. You close the door first.”

“You go first.”

“You close the door first.”

Su Lixu looked expressionless at Fu Xingran, silent for a few seconds. Suddenly realizing the absurdity of standing at the door with Fu Xingran discussing who should close it first, he slammed the door shut without saying a word.Unbelievable.

As the door closed, Fu Xingran’s voice came from outside.

“Brother, I’m so happy today! Thank you for being with me!”

Su Lixu silently stared at the door, then slapped his face in frustration. What was he doing?

“Su Lixu, pull yourself together.”

Don’t let Fu Xingran confuse you.

Fu Xingran at the door stared at the closed door, lowered his head, and took a big bite of the cake, savoring its sweetness. The creamy delight wrapped around his taste buds, mirroring his current ecstatic mood.

Swallowing each bite without any hesitation, he cherished every moment of it.

“My wish is to see you every day.”

That’s enough.