Ch36 - So freakin' unfortunate

This annoying ass gave no shit about whether he’d be welcomed and decided to search for Xie Zhuxing anyways.

When he arrived, the landlord had just left. Xie Zhuxing was discussing the logistics of moving out tomorrow with his assistant when they heard a knock.

The assistant answered the door: “Eh? Leo’s here.”

Wang Chao did not expect the assistant to be there. Curious, he asked: “What are you doing here?”

Xie Zhuxing did not expect Wang Chao to be here either. “Why are you here?” He interjected as he approached the entrance. He thought he had gone to meet that Zhou bastard again.

“You’re asking me?” Wang Chao complained, “We decided to have dinner together, how come you left before that? You are the annoying ass!”

Instead of retorting, Xie Zhuxing replied to his accusation with a smile on his face: “I had to meet with my landlord in a hurry, though we couldn’t reach an agreement at the end. I have to move again.”

“What’s the situation?” Wang Chao questioned, “Why do you have to move again?”

“The landlord was afraid that Xiao Xie would bring random people back to the apartment for “unspeakable” activities,” the assistant explained, “because he thought our entire industry consisted of addicts, drunkards, or swingers. Fussing over nothing, that’s why.”

To that, Xie Zhuxing only commented: “Everyone has different opinions. Forget it, let’s find another place.”

Meanwhile, Wang Chao was delighted. “Haiya, what are you looking for?” He offered, “This is a sign from God that you should move back with me again.”

“That’s right.” their assistant chimed in, eager to relieve the headache that is apartment hunting, “You should move into Leo’s place, it’s massive anyways. In addition, you can assist me by waking him up on time so that I won’t need to remind him multiple times before any public event.”

Wang Chao didn’t bother wasting any words with the assistant. Determined to convince Xie Zhuxing, he even sweetened his offer: “If you’re afraid of rumors and gossips, you can pay me rent, how does that sound?”

While in the past, Xie Zhuxing would be genuinely opposed to this arrangement, his attitude had changed since then. “Then I’ll pay rent to you at the market rate,” he nodded with feigned reluctance.

Upon his agreement, Wang Chao was simultaneously elated and afraid that the other man would change his mind. Hastily, he instructed the assistant to help pack up the other man’s belongings in preparation for an immediate move.

Truthfully, there wasn’t much to move. Xie Zhuxing was particularly savvy at making do with what he had. Not even mentioning furniture and electronics, he didn’t even purchase any pots and pans after he moved; the only items he needed to bring were a few clothes, shoes, and various certificates.

Ultimately, he only needed a large suitcase and a cardboard box, which he stuffed with ease into the trunk of Wang Chao’s car.

With one less to-do to complete, their assistant headed home with content.

Then followed Xie and Wang’s delightful spicy crawfish time.

Once they had finished and headed home, both of them showered with a preoccupied mind and afterward, relaxed side by side by the headboard.

Since the protective film hadn’t arrived, Wang Chao was reluctant to play mobile games on his new phone. Instead, he opened his old phone – the one with the cracked screen – and tapped absent-mindedly, dying every once in a while.

Meanwhile, Xie Zhuxing was scrolling through Weibo and reading fan comments. He, too, was unable to focus; he even accidentally upvoted a comment by an anti.

Wang Chao surreptitiously glanced at the man next to him. Damn, he silently exclaimed, he is so freakin’ gorgeous. What did he eat growing up that endowed him with such a handsome face and shapely figure?

He abandoned his facade first. Lifting his phone with one hand, he leaned over and gently pinched Xie Zhuxing’s arm with his other hand.

Xie Zhuxing’s heart leaped at the skin-to-skin contact. Composed, he asked: “What’s up?”

Wang Chao only pretended: “Nothing, I’m just a little bored.”

Xie Zhuxing followed suit: “Then let’s go to bed.” He laid his phone down and pretended to reach for the light switch.

Wang Chao hastily blurted: “Wait!”

Xie Zhuxing never intended to reach the switch to begin with. He turned to look at the other man.

Wang Chao gulped and said: “My eldest brother is trained in Sanda, did you know?”

Xie Zhuxing had no clue why he abruptly brought this up. Confused, he answered: “Yeah.”

Wang Chao couldn’t hide the lewdness of his expression when he continued: “I learned a bit of close combat from him before, ’twas pretty fun. Wanna try with me?”

He’s used this lousy trick before when flirting with girls. He may have made it sound official, but the actual purpose is different: when you’re close with one another, it’s much easier to make a move.

Xie Zhuxing guessed his intention right away, and replied: “Sure, let’s try.”

Both of them stood up on the bed, facing one another.

Wang Chao thought secretly: Don’t make it too obvious. Sneaking a few touches is enough.

Xie Zhuxing thought to himself: No time like the present. Today is the day.

Wang Chao laid his hands on Xie Zhuxing’s shoulders and gave them a light squeeze, deciding on the leg to use to trip the latter up later and take advantage of the opportunity afterward.

Xie Zhuxing asked: “Do you remember what you said the first time we stretched for dance practice?”

Wang Chao: “……Huh?”

Xie Zhuxing smirked and said: “Let’s put it to practice.” Didn’t he claim that stretching had loosened his legs until they weren’t able to close, as if he had gotten fucked? Then let’s put it to practice to see what the difference is.

Wang Chao had long forgotten what he had said. Instead, he was mesmerized by the smirk on the other man’s face. Such an impish look was rare on Xie Zhuxing, yet it suited him well. Wang Chao couldn’t contain his urge any longer.

Xie Zhuxing suddenly raised his hand and pulled the other man’s arm forward, tripping his leg underneath.

Wang Chao was completely unprepared. He had no idea what happened besides the world spinning and collapsing around himself, and the next second, he dizzily realized that Xie Zhuxing had crushed over him on the bed.

This is so fucking embarrassing, he thought. Defiantly, he shouted at the man perched over him: “You! This is foul! I haven’t said “start” yet!”

Xie Zhuxing: “……” How could he be such an idiot?

He lowered his head and kissed this idiot on his lips.

This idiot suddenly became even more idiotic: “……What are you doing?”

Xie Zhuxing felt the heat rising in his ears. He wanted to confess his feelings but couldn’t voice it out loud. Instead, he said: “We are the closest, right?”

Wang Chao couldn’t detect the hint of shyness in the other man’s question. The only thought that occupied his mind was how attractive Xiao Xie was at that moment. Hastily, he replied: “Of course.”

He curled up and kissed Xiao Xie on the lips too, staring at the latter with eyes that brimmed with affection and love.

Xie Zhuxing’s heart softened instantly. He whispered: “How long can we be the closest for?”

His question stumped Wang Chao. How long could they be the closest for? He thought for a while, then replied: “Until you get married.”

Taken aback by his reply, Xie Zhuxing questioned: “Do you want me to get married?”

Wang Chao tried his absolute hardest to stifle his actual answer. Afraid that the other man would see through his lie, he dialed up his cheerful facade, grinning from ear to ear as he answered: “That’s of course! When that time comes, I will prepare a huge red packet for you. If you still can’t afford to purchase a house then, I will cover that too.”

Xie Zhuxing: “……”

The basis for making love is love, otherwise, there’s no point.

He turned over and sat up on the bed. With a sullen expression, he said: “Your combat skill is only mediocre. If may suffice for flirting with other girls, but don’t embarrass yourself in front of me again.”

Wang Chao sat up too, completely baffled by the other man’s reaction: “Why are you mad again? Did I say something wrong? I shouldn’t have said that you couldn’t afford a house? Houses in Beijing are expensive, even if you aim for one in the Fifth Ring, that would take at least a few years. I happen to have loads of money, and I’d love to spend them on a house for you newlyweds – what’s wrong with that?”

Xie Zhuxing’s blood almost boiled from the other man’s words. He rebuffed: “Whether or not I can afford a house here – how’s that any of your fucking business?”

Disgruntled, Wang Chao retorted: “What’s the matter with you? Am I wrong for being nice to you? You just said that we were the closest to each other. Was that bullshit?”

Xie Zhuxing was further enraged: “How are you the closest to me? Because we kiss each other? Because we have spicy crawfish together? Then forget it, Yan Jiajia is the closest to me.”

Wang Chao’s face instantly soured: “Why did you bring her up all of a sudden? Don’t you know that I hate this green tea bitch the most?”

Xie Zhuxing replied frostily: “I wanted to tell you this a long time ago. Don’t use that word to talk about her in the future.”

Immediately, Wang Chao bounced off the bed and yelled: “I knew! She’s always been bitchy and treated you as an ATM. Only you idiot would treasure her!”

Xie Zhuxing had always detested the nasty comments that Wang Chao made about his ex, but he tolerated it to avoid provoking him. Yet, as their argument escalated, he could no longer restrain his anger: “Between you and me, who knows her more? She spent half a year with me in a crampy old basement, and for months, we couldn’t afford to eat anything beyond plain noodles. She chose to suffer through hardships after hardships with me during her best years, now that she’s struggling and needs to borrow some money from me, what’s wrong with doing her this favor? Sure, I’m not as rich as you, but at least I could tell who genuinely cares about me.”

Despite his rage, he was serious. He meant what he said. He had been willing to help Yan Jiajia because he was grateful for the fact that during all those bleak years, that girl had once given him the warmth he needed.

Yet, Wang Chao was unconvinced, and in fact, concluded that Xiao Xie was biased in her favor. Jealousy exploded within his chest as he shouted at the other man: “Then go look for her! You two broke asses are perfect for each other! Continue to live in that crampy old basement and eat plain noodles together! Get lost!”

Xie Zhuxing: “……Alright.”

If he could swallow his pride and remain seated after such humiliating comments, then he would no longer recognize himself. The moment he slammed the door and left, however, Wang Chao instantly regretted his outburst and chased after the other man, only to be greeted by a descending elevator.

He feared that Xiao Xie had followed his words and gone to Yan Jiajia. Without a second thought, he hurried down the stairs to intercept the other man in his flimsy slippers, pitter-pattering from the twenty-sixth floor. Once he even missed and tripped over a step on the ninth floor, but he didn’t bother to pause to check for any bruises on his hasty descent.

Once downstairs, he panted rapidly as he searched back and forth for the other man’s silhouette. Yet, he couldn’t locate anyone in the barren neighborhood, not even a shadow.

He then sprinted to the front gate. Xiao Xie only had a copy of his house key, not a pass for the neighborhood. He knocked on the security station’s window. The idling guard inside raised his head toward him. When he asked whether the latter had let anyone out, however, the answer was no.

Did Xiao Xie return to his place then?

That thought sent him sprinting back toward his apartment, yelling: “Xiao Xie! Xie Zhuxing!” Only a stray cat inside the nearby bushes glanced over at him.

To his misfortune, Xiao Xie hadn’t returned to his apartment. He grabbed his new mobile phone and wanted to call him, but then held back once he realized that he was the one who told the other man to get lost. What would he even say in the call? Moreover, had Xiao Xie really gone to Yan Jiajia?

If he had, then he’d never hang out with him again.

He pondered for a while before he dialed Cheng Yao’s number and asked: “Do you have Yan Jiajia’s phone number?”

Confused, Cheng Yao answered: “Yeah, I have one, though I’m not sure whether it’s up-to-date. Captain, what do you need from her?”

Wang Chao wouldn’t explain his motive but only hurried the other man to send the number to him. Once he received the message, he immediately called the number, but a man answered instead and told him that Yan Jiajia was in the shower. More certain that Xiao Xie wouldn’t seek her now, he hung up, yet his anger flamed further.

Did he lose to this woman? Xiao Xie prefers her over him?

He went to get a can of beer. Maybe he gritted his teeth too much, he actually bit his tongue while drinking it. It was so painful that he had to inspect the wound in the mirror: one side of the tongue was injured. Suddenly, he felt the prickling pain on his knees and rolled up his pant legs: both of his knees were scraped.

He didn’t feel much of the pain when he didn’t see the wounds. But now that he has, he could feel 100% of it. He walked just fine a minute ago, but all of a sudden, he started to limp. He struggled to lug his body over onto the bed, and once he stuffed his face into the pillow, he began to sniffle.

His tongue was bitten, his knees were scraped – even his relationship with Xiao Xie was broken.

Why is he so unfortunate today.

The evaporated Xie Zhuxing didn’t even leave through the gate. He climbed over the fences guarding the neighborhood.

Then, he hailed a cab to the closest five-star hotel, not because their scuffle had sent him on a spending spree, but because he preferred its management over that of a regular hotel. Much less likely for those with ulterior motives to catch wind of his movements.

He swiped into the room with a belly full of pent-up anger. Not even a cold shower had relieved it; only after he did over ninety push-ups on the floor did the anger diffuse.

He only wanted to confess his feelings. How did that lead to an argument?

He left without a word – and Wang Chao didn’t even bother to call? Did he go looking for that Zhou bastard again?

Though, he didn’t want to call Wang Chao either. He scrolled through his WeChat moment to check for the latter’s updates. This idiot really loves spamming updates – he could send over ten moments in a day, most of them being screenshots of mobile games and occasionally a few other ones. The latest moment, posted tonight at eight o’clock, was in fact a profile photo of him captioned: “Spicy crawfish time with Xiao Xie again. So fun!”

When did this idiot sneak a photo of him?

Then, he spotted a recent post from someone else: “In urgent need of a roommate. Must be male with no pets, no girlfriend, who lives in Olive city. Contact me ASAP if interested.” From Liang Xi’s assistant Zhao Zhengyi.

While walking Liang Xi’s dog, he had contact with Zhao Zhengyi for a few days. To make this process easier, they exchanged phone numbers and WeChat accounts. They were more or less amicable to each other – being Liang Xi’s assistant, Zhao was a natural conversationalist. He could be a bit too clever, but he wasn’t annoying overall.

He quickly considered the listing. Both the neighborhood and Zhao Zhengyi seemed fine. In particular, Zhao belonged to the same industry yet bore no conflicting interest with him. Since every aspect seemed suitable, he gave Zhao Zhengyi a call.

He may have left a wonderful impression on Zhao Zhengyi, as the latter immediately welcomed him as his new roommate and walked him through the basic information on the surrounding area and the cost breakdown.

During their conversation, his phone vibrated from an incoming call. He hastily glanced at the screen, but the number wasn’t Wang Chao’s. It was Cheng Yao’s.

After they had arranged for Xie Zhuxing to visit the apartment the day after tomorrow, he hung up and dialed Cheng Yao’s number.

Cheng Yao answered: “Xiao Xie Ge, the captain called me just now asking for Jia Jia Jie‘s phone number. I was super sleepy so I gave it to him, but afterward, I realized I probably shouldn’t have. Is everything okay with you two?”

Xie Zhuxing: “……Everything’s fine, go back to sleep.”

After hanging up, his mood instantly lifted. He couldn’t help but laugh, even a bit at himself.

Being with Wang Chao made him such an idiot. Why could he be jealous of that Zhou bastard, but Wang Chao couldn’t be jealous of Yan Jiajia?

When he arrived at the company for class the next day, however, Wang Chao was absent.

Duan Yikun beckoned Xie Zhuxing over outside the classroom, and instructed: “Give him a call and ask what happened with him.”

Xie Zhuxing refused: “Kun Ge, you should do it instead.”

Duan Yikun said: “I already did. He didn’t answer.”

Xie Zhuxing knew Wang Chao was most likely throwing a tantrum from their scuffle yesterday. He replied: “If he wouldn’t even answer your call, then he definitely won’t answer mine.”

Duan Yikun smirked and said: “I’m not sure about that. I think he’s probably waiting for your call.”

Xie Zhuxing: “……”

Duan Yikun smirked even more suggestively: “You should hurry up and call him over, don’t delay the class for everyone else.”

Xie Zhuxing: “……Alright.”

He’s always felt that Duan Yikun insinuated something in everything he said. Before, he didn’t have anything to hide and treated the older man’s words as one of his wicked ideas; but now he feels guilty. Even though he thinks Duan Yikun misunderstood his relationship with Wang Chao, that would be hard to explain anyway. What would he even say, “Kun Ge you overthink. I only wanted a romantic relationship with the captain?”

Wang Chao was lying at home, waking up intermittently to check his phone for incoming calls.

Kun Ge has already called him multiple times, how come Xiao Xie still hasn’t?

After a long while waiting, he finally received a call from Xie Zhuxing.

He answered with feigned composure: “What?”

Xie Zhuxing said: “Come to class.”

Wang Chao retorted in a particularly annoying tone: “No.”

Xie Zhuxing said: “Okay.”

And hung up.

And hung up?

Wang Chao was so pissed that he immediately returned the call, yelling: “You asshole! Is it impossible for you to coddle me a little?”

Xie Zhuxing only said: “Why should I? Didn’t you tell me to get lost?”

Upset, Wang Chao complained: “I was angry! Do you understand? I chased after you when you left, and even scraped my leg while doing so. It bled so much and hurts so fucking bad.”

Xie Zhuxing: “……Then are you coming or not?”

Wang Chao wouldn’t answer. Instead, he asked: “Where did you sleep yesterday?”

Xie Zhuxing answered: “A hotel.”

Wang Chao continued to ask: “By yourself?”

Xie Zhuxing replied: “Yes. Are you coming or not?”

Grinning from ear to ear, Wang Chao answered: “All right, since you begged me. I’ll be there soon.”