Chapter 25: Hot Kiss

Upon seeing Fu Xingran, Su Lixu immediately thought of last night’s events. Having spent a sleepless night, he hadn’t figured out how to deal with Fu Xingran yet. He had considered seeking help from He Shi, but then this guy showed up.

“Good morning.”

“Did big brother not sleep well? Dark circles are showing,” Fu Xingran approached Su Lixu, attempting to touch his eyes.The next second, his hand was caught.

“You’re a bit too familiar, kid,” He Shi seized Fu Xingran’s restless hand. “I don’t think Teacher Su invited you, did he?”

Fu Xingran, with a hint of frustration, suppressed it and shrugged off He Shi’s hand, smiling. “No, he didn’t, but it’s normal for neighbors to greet each other, right, big brother?”

Saying this, he looked at Su Lixu, hoping to establish some presence.

Yet, in his mind, he wondered why He Shi came to Su Lixu’s house. Did Su Lixu invite him? For what reason? How could He Shi have Su Lixu’s access card? It takes someone very close to give away their home card.

“Well, greeting neighbors is normal,” Su Lixu didn’t pay much attention to Fu Xingran. He turned to He Shi, feigning composure. “Xingran lives next to me; he’s indeed my neighbor. Did you bring a latte for me? I happen to be hungry. Come in.”

Saying that, he walked into the house.In his mind, he repeated not to panic, not to panic, not to panic. First, ask He Shi, who has dating experience, and then decide.

He Shi glanced at Fu Xingran, raised the latte in his hand, and smirked. “Hello, neighbor.” With that, he walked into Su Lixu’s house, closing the door behind him.

Perhaps the act of closing the door triggered Fu Xingran. Swiftly, he stepped forward, grabbed the door frame, forcefully squeezed into the house, and shouted at Su Lixu, “Big brother, didn’t you say you’d reward me? You promised, so I want it now.”

After an entire night of lingering thoughts, he got up early in the morning, went to the company, expressed his anger, and let off some steam for Su Lixu. But he never expected that Su Lixu would invite He Shi to his house today and that he would be seen. Does this mean he has to accept these two being together in the same room?

That’s impossible.

Hearing the calling, Su Lixu stopped in his tracks. The fingertips hanging by his side trembled slightly. He moistened his dry lips, adjusted his breath, trying to appear calm, and then turned around.

Looking past He Shi’s shoulder, he met Fu Xingran’s nervous expression. He smiled, “Yes, I did say that. But I have an appointment with Professor He first. There’s something I need to discuss with him. Can I tell you later?”

This was a normal social situation, but he noticed Fu Xingran’s resistance on his face. It was so strong that he could feel He Shi’s proximity making Fu Xingran wary.

Fu Xingran’s eyes flickered slightly, and he tightened the hand holding the door frame. “You have an appointment with Professor He first? Is it something important? Can’t we discuss it at home? Am I not allowed to hear it?”

“Yes,” Su Lixu nodded, walking towards the entrance. He patted He Shi, signaling him to go in first, and then looked at Fu Xingran. “I have something important to discuss with him, and it might not be convenient for you to hear.”

As he spoke, he saw Fu Xingran’s resentful eyes, as if he were a heartbreaker.

Just when he thought Fu Xingran might bring up the reward:

“Oh, I see,” Fu Xingran pulled a dry smile, loosened his grip on the door frame, took a step back. “Alright, I’ve disturbed big brother. I’ll go back. You two can talk.”

He even considerately closed the door for them.

Su Lixu’s gaze met Fu Xingran’s reddened eyes, watching him pitifully, like an abandoned puppy.

Forcing himself to look away, he closed the door.

No room for sentimentality; being soft-hearted would lead to manipulation.

Fu Xingran looked at the closed door, the defeated look gone. He smirked, took out his car keys, and headed to the parking lot.

Retreating to advance – Su Lixu would find him.

The living room was quiet now.

He Shi noticed Su Lixu standing at the entrance without moving. “What’s wrong?”

Su Lixu stared at the door for a long time, seeming almost regretful. “I’m afraid he’ll linger at the door again or go racing.”

After saying this, he leaned closer to the peephole, checked outside, found no one, and then opened the door. There was only a latte placed at the doorstep.

“He goes racing?”

Su Lixu opened the main door and walked straight to Fu Xingran’s apartment. Despite pressing the doorbell several times, there was no response. He immediately took out his phone and called.

Listening to the continuous unanswered tones on the phone, his mood plummeted instantly. He took a deep breath, but couldn’t alleviate the irritation. His hand, hanging by his side, clenched tightly.

Fu Xingran, if you dare to go racing, you’re in big trouble.

In the parking lot—Fu Xingran sat in his car, and the ringing of his phone echoed. He stared at the caller ID saying “big brother,” a hopeful emotion appearing in his eyes.

After about ten seconds, he answered the call.

“Fu Xingran, are you not at home?”

Hearing Su Lixu’s anxious tone from the other end of the line, Fu Xingran replied, “I’m driving.”

He then stepped on the gas pedal, circling around the parking lot.

Hearing the roaring sound from the phone, Su Lixu’s frustration rose directly to his throat.

“Come back now.”

Sensing the firmness in Su Lixu’s tone, Fu Xingran, feeling provoked, stepped on the gas again. “Why should I come back? You’re always busy, big brother.”

The speed increased to 20 mph.

Perhaps the clear roaring sound was too much, causing Su Lixu on the other end to feel uneasy. He immediately softened his tone:

“Xingran, come back.”

Feeling that Su Lixu wasn’t as harsh, Fu Xingran’s mood slightly improved. “Why do you want me to come back? You made plans with Professor He for lunch, didn’t you? Since you didn’t make plans with me, my return might affect your time with Professor He, right? That wouldn’t be good.”

“Are you angry because I didn’t let you in?”

Su Lixu’s gentle inquiry softened the hand that Fu Xingran gripped the steering wheel with. “How could I be mad at my big brother?”

“Then come back for lunch? I’ll cook what you like.”

“Big brother, it’s okay. You have lunch with Professor He; don’t worry about me.” Fu Xingran steered towards the apartment, effortlessly playing the role of a sophisticated individual. “I can have a good meal on my own.”

Su Lixu thought, this guy isn’t falling for it? He gritted his teeth, trying not to get angry, and smiled, “Then how do you plan to come back?”

Get him back and then deal with him.

The dim parking lot lights reflected a handsome and three-dimensional profile on the car window. The driver’s lips seemed to lift slightly, portraying a cheerful mood.

Hearing Su Lixu handing over the initiative, Fu Xingran smiled, “I want a reward, and I want it when I come back. You promised me that yesterday. Also, about not letting me into the house, you need to arrange a date to appease me. That way, I won’t be angry. It’s that simple; I’m easy to please.”

Su Lixu: “…Is that so? Very easy to please.”

In fact, he hadn’t figured out what reward to give Fu Xingran. Yesterday, it was just to pacify him.

As for a date, he couldn’t imagine what two grown men could feel while on one. With He Shi, it was usually playing sports, reading, discussing cases, or having dinner and chatting at home.

“You’re just placating me.”

Su Lixu bent down to pick up the latte placed by the door, surprised that Fu Xingran even knew which latte he liked.

“I wouldn’t dare to placate you. I promise you when you come back.” He added seriously, “Fu Xingran, don’t joke about your own danger. I’ll worry. Come home quickly.”

The phrase ‘come home’ seemed to please Fu Xingran. He didn’t even mind waiting at the red light.

“Okay,” Fu Xingran smirked.

The call ended.

Fu Xingran tapped his fingertips on the steering wheel, his gaze on the jumping minute hand of the watch. As the hand approached 12, he began to think, “Likes me, doesn’t like me, likes me, doesn’t like me…” until the minute hand reached 12, and Fu Xingran’s eyes lit up with joy, “Likes me.”

He immediately backed the car into the parking space, swiftly turned off the engine, pulled out the key, closed the door, and ran towards the elevator.

The Lamborghini raced at 20 mph in the parking lot.

Not even five minutes later.

Su Lixu, who had hung up the phone, turned to enter the house when suddenly he saw He Shi standing there, looking at him, startling him to a halt, “You scared me.”

He Shi had already taken off his coat, revealing a simple sweater underneath. Leaning casually with arms crossed, he asked, “Did you call him back?”

Su Lixu looked at He Shi with a hint of apology, “He tends to go racing, and I was worried about him. So, I called him back to have lunch together.”

“I don’t mind, but what I’m more curious about is, what’s going on between you two now…”

He Shi glanced at the latte in Su Lixu’s hand, “Is he pursuing you?”

“No,” Su Lixu passed by He Shi and walked into the house, saying, “I’m going to check what’s in the fridge.”

He Shi reached out and grabbed his arm.

Su Lixu: “?” He turned his head, puzzled, to look at He Shi, “What’s wrong?”

“Are you sure you still want me to stay for lunch?” He Shi asked.

Seeing He Shi’s expression seeming a bit subtle, Su Lixu probably guessed that He Shi didn’t have a good impression of Fu Xingran, especially since this guy had skipped He Shi’s classes several times.

Suddenly feeling a bit troubled, it seemed inappropriate to insist on having Fu Xingran come back quickly. “Sorry, I…”

“So, Fu Xingran is also coming for dinner?” He Shi asked again.

Su Lixu met He Shi’s deep eyes, as if sensing something, he subtly avoided eye contact, “Yes.”

He Shi suddenly laughed, reaching up to pat Su Lixu’s head, “You really are, Su Lixu, after knowing you for so long, I didn’t realize you could be so cute.”

Su Lixu instinctively moved away, “I don’t like people touching my head.”

“Okay, okay.” He Shi seemed indifferent, rolling up his sleeves as he walked towards the kitchen. “I’ll help you, and then the tsunderee little princess can go home.”

Turning around, his eyes showed a hint of loss and irony. He wanted to see Fu Xingran’s expression when he found out he was still at Su Lixu’s house.

Hearing the description of the “tsunderee little princess,” Su Lixu couldn’t help but laugh, “Quite accurate.”

“It’s just a polite term. To be more straightforward, it’s acting. Don’t you think so? You might realize it later.” He Shi took down one apron from the wall and skillfully put it on, then handed another one to Su Lixu, “Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing the scene later.”

Let’s see how shameless he can be. Time to learn.

Su Lixu met He Shi’s ambiguous smile and took the apron.

Why does it feel a bit strange?

He temporarily pushed aside his suspicion, opened the fridge, and looked inside. There were still ingredients bought yesterday. He handed them to He Shi, saying, “I want to make sweet and sour pork.”

Fu Xingran likes sweet food, so he planned to make sweet and sour pork for him.

“Don’t we all dislike sweet food?” He Shi’s expression turned slightly disdainful when he heard the words sweet and sour pork. “Are you really making that?”

“Fu Xingran likes sweet food,” Su Lixu blurted out and, realizing something, glanced at He Shi, then turned his face away.

Leaning against the counter as if on strike, hands on both sides, He Shi looked at Su Lixu with an inquisitive expression. “Your subconscious immediate response—if that’s not an expression of liking, then I doubt you ever considered me a friend. I’m standing right in front of you, and you remember that he likes sweet food, without mentioning what I like first. You mention Fu Xingran first.”

Su Lixu: “…I just happened to see pork tenderloin first and mentioned it.”

“Oh, you see pork tenderloin first and immediately think of Fu Xingran liking it. So there’s a priority in likes, and why does Fu Xingran get to come first?”

“Huh?” Su Lixu didn’t quite understand.

He Shi felt a bit hurt, “Forget it, go ahead and make it. Since you’re trying to please him, I don’t need to be appeased. I’ll just air out for a bit.” He sighed and walked out of the kitchen, feeling disheartened.

The kitchen was just a few steps from the entrance. Right as He Shi stepped out of the kitchen, there was a “beep” sound, and the door opened, with He Shi watching as Fu Xingran walked in. His gaze darkened.

How did this guy know the password to Su Lixu’s house?

Holding the car keys, Fu Xingran stepped in and saw He Shi in front of him. His steps froze, completely unexpected to find this man still at Su Lixu’s house.

At the entrance, eyes met.

“Why are you still here?” Fu Xingran asked coldly, his gaze landing on the deep green apron He Shi was wearing. He frowned, suddenly recalling the two aprons in Su Lixu’s kitchen. His eyes darkened abruptly.

Frowning, He Shi said, “How did you have the password for his house?”

Fu Xingran sneered, “Why can’t I have the password if you have a card?”

He Shi’s face darkened.

In their words, neither wanted to show weakness.

Su Lixu turned his head and noticed Fu Xingran’s return but sensed an awkward atmosphere between the two. Without seeing He Shi’s expression, he observed Fu Xingran returning with a stern face, instantly thinking about the guy going racing again.

Walking to He Shi’s side, he patted his arm, “He Shi, help me check the kitchen. I’ll be back soon. I’ll talk to him first.” Then, walking toward Fu Xingran, he said, “Let’s talk.”

Before he could finish speaking, Fu Xingran grabbed his arm and pulled him over, directly colliding into Fu Xingran’s embrace, leaving him stunned for a few seconds.

What is this supposed to be?

“You said you would reward me when I come back, so I want my reward now.” Fu Xingran clasped the back of Su Lixu’s neck and kissed him.

Su Lixu stared wide-eyed, and as his lips met the slightly cool ones of the other, his pupils reflected Fu Xingran’s gaze, just like the intrusive look from that night when he used a bathrobe to bind his hands – forceful and unbreakable.

The breath was scorching.

Even though there was no depth, no penetration, just touching lips, the breath felt as if it wanted to devour him alive.

This guy did it right in front of He Shi…

A surge of embarrassment blanked his mind, and he wanted to hit Fu Xingran, pushing him away forcefully,

“Fu Xingran!!!!”

Fu Xingran really is a naughty kid.