Chapter 4: He’s Going Crazy

With a soft beep, the fingerprint unlocked successfully, and the door gently swung open. Su Lixu turned to look at Fu Xingran, smiling, “Come in.” However, he noticed Fu Xingran staring blankly at the floor-to-ceiling window opposite the front door, displaying clear emotions of surprise, anticipation, and a visible fondness.

Fu Xingran gazed at the spacious and bright apartment. The collision of retro mocha green and fresh white was refreshing. The large floor-to-ceiling windows, adorned with heavy mocha green curtains, and the white gauze curtains gently swaying in the breeze were captivating.

Next, every piece of furniture in the apartment exuded the man’s taste, complemented by the vintage elegance of mocha green, and the air carried the fragrance of August osmanthus.

Closing his eyes slowly, he greedily took a deep breath. He felt like his heart was about to burst. He really liked it. He was going crazy.

“Teacher Su, your home is so beautiful,” Fu Xingran said, looking at Su Lixu with a smile, “so bright and comfortable, it feels like home. Although I don’t know if all homes are as comfortable as this one.”

Su Lixu was pondering why this guy suddenly fell silent when he heard Fu Xingran’s words. He met Fu Xingran’s smile, and the tall and fair young man in front of him seemed sunny and cheerful. However, it left a somewhat uncomfortable feeling.

During the treatment years ago, Su Lixu had learned about Fu Xingran’s family situation. When Fu Xingran was young, his mother was killed in a kidnapping case, witnessed by the five-year-old Fu Xingran.

Later on, due to his father’s busy schedule, Fu Xingran was left in the care of a nanny, lacking the emotional companionship of family members. His borderline personality disorder developed under these circumstances – extreme lack of love, intense desire for love, and a desperate need for a sense of security.

All emotions went out of control in the absence of jealousy.

Su Lixu closed the door, gently placing his hand on Fu Xingran’s back, guiding him into the house. He asked in a warm tone, “Feel free to look around, treat it as your own home, no need to be too reserved.”

Perhaps meeting again was truly fate.

Taking off his shoes and socks, he stepped barefoot onto the wooden floor. Fu Xingran glanced at the shoe cabinet, finding only one pair of slippers – good, Teacher Su lives alone. Then he saw Su Lixu bend down to remove his shoes. At the moment when he took off his socks, revealing fair insteps, Fu Xingran’s pupils seemed to contract as if stimulated.

What beautiful feet they were, akin to artworks like his hands – fair, slender, and with veins on the instep resembling art.”

If you don’t wear slippers, Teacher Su, you might catch a cold. Better put these on,” Fu Xingran took out slippers from the cabinet, squatting beside Su Lixu, reaching for his ankle to help him put them on, “I’d be worried if you caught a cold.”

Su Lixu didn’t expect Fu Xingran to do this, and in surprise, the slippers were already on. “Ah, okay, thank you, I got it.”

Fu Xingran stood up, “Teacher Su, can I bring a pair of slippers here next time?”

Glancing at the shoe cabinet, Su Lixu smiled, “Actually, these slippers under my feet were originally for guests. I don’t like wearing slippers, so why don’t you wear them? I’m used to going barefoot.”

“Guests?” Fu Xingran asked, frowning, “Have other people visited Teacher Su’s home? I don’t need to wear them; you wear them, Teacher Su.”

Su Lixu could only comply with his words, then walked inside, washing his hands at the sink near the open kitchen, saying, “No, since the house was decorated, no one has visited yet. You are my first guest. Feel free to look around.”

Perhaps the word “first” pleased Fu Xingran; he watched Su Lixu’s busy figure in the kitchen, and his lips curved deeper. Lowering his gaze, he uncontrollably brought the hand that had touched Su Lixu’s ankle to his lips.

Then, looking up at Su Lixu’s figure, he kissed the fingertips that had touched Su Lixu’s ankle.

“Nice, I’m the first. I’ll forgive you for suddenly disappearing.”

Anyway, Su Lixu wouldn’t disappear again.

While Su Lixu was busy in the kitchen, Fu Xingran roamed around the apartment. Though it was an apartment, the space was not small, especially considering its prime location in the high-rise building.

The house seemed meticulously designed, from the open kitchen connected to a delicate bar counter to a rotating collection wine cabinet on one wall – all reflecting a high-quality lifestyle.

Judging from Su Lixu’s every move, his taste was undoubtedly refined. Not to mention, he was outstanding, a high-quality man with both charm and knowledge.So how could Fu Xingran not make an effort?

Without effort, he wouldn’t be worthy of Su Lixu.Entering Su Lixu’s room, he surveyed the room’s layout – still a simple yet elegant style. The room was exceptionally neat and tidy, incredibly clean.

Walking to Su Lixu’s bed, he looked at the dark green bedding, deep-colored sheets. Sitting on the edge, he gently touched the fabric on both sides, feeling the soft texture of the duvet. Then, cautiously lying down, in close contact, he smelled the fragrance of August osmanthus on Su Lixu.

Pulling the covers over his face, greedily inhaling Su Lixu’s scent.

He liked it, really liked it.

He wanted Su Lixu to hug him.

What to do, he really wanted to.

“Xingran.”

Fu Xingran abruptly sat up on the bed, staring in astonishment at the door, his heartbeat almost bursting from his chest, trembling eardrums with nervousness.

No one was standing at the door.The sound came from the living room.

He took a breath, got up, quickly smoothed out the wrinkled bedding, then walked out of the room, his expression returning to normal as if nothing had happened.

“What happened to Dr. Su?”

Hearing the answer behind him, Su Lixu raised his hands covered in flour, turned around, and saw Fu Xingran pleading, “Can you help me put on an apron? I forgot to wear one, and I’m covered in flour.”

He pointed to the apron hanging on the side of the refrigerator.

Wear an apron?

Fu Xingran’s eyes lit up. Was there such a good thing?

He saw two aprons hanging next to the refrigerator, walked over, and took one down.

It was a dark green apron; it seemed that Teacher Su really liked the color. Then, standing in front of Su Lixu, he lifted the apron, and for a moment, his hands shook.

“H-How do I put it on?”

Su Lixu lowered his head, “Hang it around my neck, then tie the straps for me.”

Seeing Su Lixu bowing, Fu Xingran slowly hung the apron around Su Lixu’s neck. Then he saw Su Lixu turn around, facing away, and his gaze was instantly drawn to the exposed white nape of Su Lixu’s neck. Holding the straps of the apron, he slowly approached.

“Aren’t you familiar with aprons?” Su Lixu poured flour into a bowl. When he was about to pour water, he felt his waist being circled by hands from behind.

“Um, never seen one before,” Fu Xingran grabbed the straps of the apron, couldn’t help but circle Su Lixu’s waist, pretending to tie the straps in front, “Is it supposed to be tied in front like this?”

Doctor Su’s waist is so slender.

He smells really good.

Su Lixu suddenly felt amused and helpless. He turned his head and coincidentally met Fu Xingran’s bewildered look. Unable to hold back, he laughed, “No, it’s tied behind.”

Fu Xingran didn’t expect Su Lixu to laugh, especially such a gentle and beautiful laughter. The close distance allowed him to see clearly; it seemed like there was something in his eyes. “Like this? I don’t understand, but now I do.”

Saying that, he let go of his hands, lowered his head, and tied the apron behind Su Lixu in a bow.

Glancing down, he thought again.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Dr. Su wore an apron?

Definitely nice.

Wanted to see.

“Xingran, can you help me add some water? I’ll signal you to stop.”

Su Lixu pointed to the glass kettle beside him with his chin.

“Okay.” Fu Xingran obediently stood beside Su Lixu, helping him.

“Do you know how to use an egg beater?”

“I do.”

“Then use the egg beater to beat the eggs into a paste for me. Stop when the color lightens.”

“Okay, big brother.”

The kitchen was particularly harmonious.

Su Lixu poured low-gluten flour into the beaten egg paste. Due to the height at which he poured, some flour flew onto Fu Xingran’s face, who was earnestly waiting. Caught off guard, he was hit in the face by the flour.

“Cough, cough, cough—” Fu Xingran couldn’t help but turn his face and cough a few times, getting flour in his nose.

“Sorry, sorry.” Su Lixu immediately put down the flour, reached over, and wiped the flour off Fu Xingran’s face. Forgetting that his own hands were also covered in flour, with one swipe, Fu Xingran’s face turned into that of a little flower cat, couldn’t help to get laughed for a moment.

Fu Xingran looked puzzled by Su Lixu’s laughter but was captivated by those eyes. He accepted being laughed at as he thought, ‘Laugh if you want, call me silly—I’m okay with it.’

“Forget that my hands were covered in flour too, I dirtied your face.” Su Lixu apologized, raising his hands. As he spoke, he felt his own face being wiped.

Fu Xingran lightly touched Su Lixu’s face with his hand, saying, “Now it’s fair.”

The warmth of the fingertips on the cheek was comforting, the seemingly casual touch was deliberate, and the apparent confusion was strategic.

Su Lixu smiled, pouring flour gently into the pancake batter, “Childish boy, keep stirring.”

After preparing the cake batter, they filled the piping bag and squeezed it into the doughnut mold before placing it in the oven.

While waiting for the doughnuts, Su Lixu made two simple portions of pasta and two cups of sea salt lemon water.

“We can get ready to eat now.”

Su Lixu placed everything on the small bar counter, turned around, and washed his hands in the sink. While washing, he suddenly remembered something—when he touched Fu Xingran earlier, he forgot to wash his hands.

He recalled the first day he started at Jing University, on the day he took office. In the restroom, when Fu Xingran hugged him from behind, he forgot to wash his hands again. At that time, he didn’t know it was Fu Xingran, but he had mentally forgotten about this cleanliness obsession.

It was the same back then.

What a strange coincidence.

Fu Xingran sat on a high stool near the open kitchen, hands supporting his head, watching Su Lixu wash his hands. “Dr. Su, I suddenly envy your future partner. Being with someone as gentle as you must be very happy.”

“Hmm?” Su Lixu raised his gaze, smiling, “How is that happiness? Do I give off a happy vibe?”

“Yes, Dr. Su, you make me feel at home, and having you makes me feel very happy.”

Su Lixu was somewhat surprised by Fu Xingran’s words, then noticed his reddening eyes and paused.

Fu Xingran gazed at the man in front of him, “Because it’s you, Dr. Su, who gave me the courage to live, made me briefly experience what a home is like. So, Dr. Su… are you leave me again this time?”

Su Lixu met Fu Xingran’s teary eyes, sensing the vulnerability in his words and actions. It reminded him of the teenager from four years ago, desperately seeking security.

But,

Where does the concept of leaving come from?