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“Where are you staying?” Xiao Yuanmu asked.
Song Xuanhe told him the name of the hotel he was staying at. Xiao Yuanmu chuckled. “Are you avoiding me?” 4LjEkC
Although the hotel was very good, it was in a different district, which meant that it was far from both Xiao Yuanmu’s company and apartment.
“I need a quiet place to find inspiration,” Song Xuanhe said, “Since the banquet’s over, you should head home. I should be going too.”
“I came with Louis and them,” Xiao Yuanmu said.
Song Xuanhe raised a brow, and Xiao Yuanmu clarified: “They took the car. My phone’s dead, so I can’t call for anyone to come pick me up.” khIKJH
“What a coincidence,” Song Xuanhe said, “I don’t have an international license, so I called for a cab. Since you don’t have a ride, I’ll have the driver take you back first. You live close by, so it won’t take much time.”
Xiao Yuanmu stared at him and asked, “Do couples usually live apart after finally reuniting after a year-long absence?”
“No,” Song Xuanhe spread out his hands, “But, it’s normal for couples who have already broken up.”
Xiao Yuanmu then said, “Then, we’ll do what’s normal.” Fg7jdm
Song Xuanhe was a bit surprised by how fast Xiao Yuanmu had accepted it this time. He didn’t think too much of it as he followed the other out to the car.
The driver was a Chinese man, but he didn’t speak much. Not only was he not chatty nor enthusiastic over meeting a compatriot, but also when Song Xuanhe had asked him to go to a different address, he only nodded.
Xiao Yuanmu’s apartment was very close to the hotel. In less than fifteen minutes, the car had arrived at the foot of the building.
The driver opened the door for Xiao Yuanmu. Xiao Yuanmu got out but didn’t step away from the car. KvZTId
Song Xuanhe had thought that he wanted to say goodbye, so he waved his hand. “See ya.”
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The driver didn’t reply. He simply kept holding the door open as he stared at Song Xuanhe. b3dG4B
The vein in Song Xuanhe’s forehead throbbed. He then turned to face Xiao Yuanmu, who was standing outside. His smile didn’t reach his eyes as he said, “Is he one of yours?”
“The Xiao Family has been unstable as of late,” Xiao Yuanmu said flatly, “I don’t feel rest assured, letting an outsider receive you.”
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
Song Xuanhe smiled in anger. “So, you were misleading me just now? You said all that just to get into the same car as me? You had even said that we should do what normal people do.”
“Normal couples stay in the same place. Didn’t you agree?” Xiao Yuanmu’s lips curled up. The smile in his eyes was completely undisguised. r90KN
“But, I said that we’ve already broken up.”
Xiao Yuanmu was still smiling—the smile even deepening as he said, “You had also said that we should just act upon what we think is true.”
Only then did Song Xuanhe understand what Xiao Yuanmu had meant.
Xiao Yuanmu believed that they were still together. Therefore, he wanted to do what other couples typically did. Moreover, he didn’t mind that Song Xuanhe acted like they had already broken up, because he had ways to force him to have no choice but to follow along. trEx1H
After having found out that the driver was one of Xiao Yuanmu’s people, Song Xuanhe knew that there was no way he’d be able to go back to the hotel today. In any case, he was exhausted. He also knew that Xiao Yuanmu wouldn’t be able to do anything to him even if they spent the night together. Therefore, Song Xuanhe finally got out of the car after side-eyeing Xiao Yuanmu.
After ten months apart, Xiao Yuanmu had completely changed.
Song Xuanhe was also very puzzled over who he had learned these tactics from!
Louis, who was in a nearby apartment, arm wrapped around his girlfriend as they watched a movie, suddenly sneezed. GHpt4V
“Dear, are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Louis tightened his robe and smiled, “It’s probably because it’s a bit chilly today.”
*
Song Xuanhe followed Xiao Yuanmu into the elevator, his arms crossed as he watched the elevator climb floor after floor. From the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Yuanmu’s slightly raised lips, so he turned away. rmNsSD
The elevator door opened. Tap, tap, tap…Something seemed to be coming closer. A fat Chinese Field Dog that reached Song Xuanhe’s knees came running over, whimpering. His tail swung side to side, and it seemed like he wanted to pounce onto Xiao Yuanmu. When he saw Song Xuanhe, he barked at him.
Song Xuanhe stared at the chubby dog, which was about to jump on them, in shock. After taking a moment to consider his words, he said, “If I’m not mistaken, this should be the puppy we had picked up at the orphanage, right? The one that was only the size of my palm? What do you feed him? Did you inject hormones into him?”
Song Xuanhe emphasized the words: “Only the size of my palm.”
“It’s just normal puppy chow.” Xiao Yuanmu bent down and rubbed the dog’s head, the sliver of a laugh in his voice. “But, he’s good at finding the dog food. He’s usually unable to jump onto chairs, but if it’s for dog food, he manages to do it somehow. So as that kept going on, he ended up a bit chubby.” dkTPs
When Song Xuanhe heard him say “a bit chubby,” his lips twitched. “If you wash him, his fur won’t be able to hide his fat.”
“Woof, woof, woof!”
Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.
The dog didn’t understand Song Xuanhe’s ridicule, but he seemed to remember him. He ran over to Song Xuanhe and bumped his leg with his nose. He then laid down. It seemed like he wanted Song Xuanhe to rub his tummy.
Song Xuanhe took a step back, his tone becoming a bit complicated. “Is he always this friendly?” VEoLf2
“Only to you.”
Xiao Yuanmu pulled out a pair of slippers from the shoe rack. “Xiao——Once you do, you’ll never be able to stop. vo6QcJ
Eve: SXH not being able to deal with the dog is so funny.