Chapter 19: Why is my body out of control?

Chu Fuxuan’s alcohol tolerance had always been quite good.

In the United States, there were many college pubs that had become a natural part of the social ecosystem. The vibe was casual, like passing the time, and people would often invite each other out for a drink.

Because the prices were affordable, the patrons were mostly professors and students from the university. The environment was relatively simple and pure, and sometimes people even chose to discuss assignments there.

When Chu Fuxuan was in school, he often went with his band to perform as resident singers, and the bar owners would invite them to stick around and hang out. He was definitely not a lightweight who would collapse after a single sip.

However, Chu Fuxuan failed to take into account that back then, the pouring amounts were usually self-regulated, allowing him to stop in time; he had never forced himself past his limits.

Moreover, after entering the workforce, he rarely had any entertainment or leisure activities. Although his temperament was lively, his core nature was deeply driven. Having stepped out of the ivory tower of his school days, he had spent years tirelessly busying himself with work.

Even when he occasionally couldn’t decline a friend’s party, Chu Fuxuan couldn’t possibly drink heavily. He might not even drink twice in a whole year, so his tolerance and adaptability had naturally plummeted.

He had been a bit too eager today. At his previous company, he rarely socialized. The moment he jumped ship, he was met with a table full of seasoned veterans. He drank too fast at the beginning and knew he was pushing his limits later on.

But caught up in the atmosphere, he didn’t feel anything abnormal and didn’t take it seriously. By the time he came to his senses, he was already leaning against the wall, unable to walk.

Looking at the tall man beside him, his thoughts and sentences were fragmented.

“Do you have Qi Yingzhu’s number? I lost my phone and can’t call him. What if he can’t find me?”

It was this very man who had confiscated his phone just moments ago, yet Chu Fuxuan turned around, completely oblivious, and requested help in a soft tone.

Qi Yingzhu replied, “If you disappear for more than three days, he’ll contact HR, go through the attendance protocol, and dock your hard-earned money.”

However, Chu Fuxuan disagreed, denying it with absolute certainty: “No.”

The dizzying visuals made him feel insecure. Amidst this perceived impending crisis, Chu Fuxuan acted as if he carried a heavy burden. He purposely spoke very softly, making Qi Yingzhu lean in close to hear.

“It’s not like that. If he doesn’t come, he’s going to be widowed. A twenty-eight-year-old widower, do you get what I mean?” He looked solemn.

Qi Yingzhu: ?

He told the truth: “I don’t get it.”

Chu Fuxuan noticed the floor spinning non-stop. Carefully pressing himself against the wall, he continued spouting nonsense at Qi Yingzhu with a serious expression.

“If I don’t go see a doctor, I’ll fall and die. His life is still so long, yet he’ll have to live in the shadow of having cursed his spouse to death just three months into their marriage.”

Qi Yingzhu: “…”

He felt both annoyed and amused. Initially, he had intended to let the lobby manager handle this, but seeing how utterly confused Chu Fuxuan was now, he silently abandoned the idea.

Chu Fuxuan was in an environment he deemed dangerous, and every fiber of his being was tense to the extreme.

He only spoke because he thought the man in front of him looked familiar. It was just that his brain couldn’t process the information, failing to match the face to the identity, so his attitude was still slightly defensive and reactive.

If it were completely unfamiliar hotel staff, Chu Fuxuan would definitely be even more uncooperative, perhaps maintaining a standoff until he sobered up.

What about calling a close friend to lend a hand? Qi Yingzhu suddenly realized a problem. Chu Fuxuan had been wandering abroad for so long; he probably didn’t have any close friends locally.

The only person he interacted with frequently was likely himself. No wonder Chu Fuxuan blurted out his name—after all, there was no one else he could entrust himself to.

Qi Yingzhu paused and said, “If you promise me you won’t make a fuss later, I’ll take you away. How about that?”

Chu Fuxuan had quite a bit of self-protection awareness, probably afraid of being kidnapped: “No, I’ll only go with your top boss!”

He spoke as if he were very familiar with the boss, but in reality, after downing red and white wine, he couldn’t even recognize the man standing right in front of him.

Speechless, Qi Yingzhu claimed the identity: “I am him. Can you take a closer look? If you feel the ground is spinning, stop staring at it. What, are you closer friends with these tiles?”

After he spoke, Chu Fuxuan widened his eyes, staring blankly straight at him, his expression somewhat stunned.

Just as Qi Yingzhu looked away under his gaze, wondering if his tone had been too harsh, he was shoved away in disgust. Unfortunately, the force was soft and weak; he didn’t budge an inch.

“No, you’re not. Do you think I can’t recognize the person I got my marriage certificate with?” Chu Fuxuan stubbornly insisted.

Qi Yingzhu pulled out a photo of the two of them—red background, white shirts, neither of them looking any different—and then found the digital file of their marriage document.

With conclusive evidence, Chu Fuxuan changed his tune incredibly fast, giving him a salute to show welcome and respect: “I’m sorry.”

Qi Yingzhu, who didn’t feel respected at all, yielded. Deciding not to argue with him for the moment, he scanned the surroundings at the corner to ensure they wouldn’t bump into any colleagues halfway.

Asking Chu Fuxuan to stop his welcoming ceremony, Qi Yingzhu wanted to support him but felt awkward. He slightly raised his hand, only to secretly pull it back.

He said, “Do you still remember where my car is?”

Chu Fuxuan nodded his head. The nodding probably made him even dizzier, as he pitifully propped both hands against the wall.

Immediately after, Qi Yingzhu watched him turn sideways and march off toward a dead end without looking back.

Qi Yingzhu: “…”

He shouldn’t have placed any trust in him. Qi Yingzhu quickly grabbed the person back and led him all the way to the garage.

His movements were extremely polite, merely holding onto Chu Fuxuan’s arm. Hindered by this constrained posture, their movement was extremely difficult.

Several times during the walk, Chu Fuxuan wobbled and nearly fell backward. Qi Yingzhu couldn’t help but support his back, touching his shoulder blade only to quickly move his hand away.

The doorman asked if he needed two people to support him. Qi Yingzhu was just about to aloofly decline when Chu Fuxuan perked up alertly.

With unsteady steps, he said mysteriously, “Hey, do you know what he’s capable of?”

The doorman smiled and played along: “Mr. Qi? Your boss? He must be very capable.”

Chu Fuxuan suddenly revealed excitedly: “Oh, you haven’t heard yet, have you? He can wake up before his alarm, and when he wakes up, he folds his quilt! His bed—!”

The rest of his sentence couldn’t make it out. The hood of Chu Fuxuan’s overcoat was pulled up, and his face was intentionally muffled inside it. Only a small gap was left open, and everyone could only vaguely hear him mumbling and grumbling.

The doorman’s expression was colorful and varied. Amidst his utter confusion, he was also somewhat astonished. After all, who had ever witnessed what Qi Yingzhu was like behind closed doors?!

Immediately after, Qi Yingzhu turned his head and calmly addressed him: “Apologies, this person had too much to drink and is talking nonsense to everyone.”

“Understood, understood,” the doorman said hastily. He had undergone formal hotel training and knew customer privacy couldn’t be leaked. Moreover, Chu Fuxuan clearly looked out of his mind.

When he looked again, Chu Fuxuan was released. A faint pink flush covered his face, though it was unclear if it was from feeling depressed or from being muffled for half a minute.

Chu Fuxuan was very angry, feeling there was no justice here.

“Why are you wrongly accusing me? You know perfectly well about the quilt! Just tell us, do you or do you not fold it into a tofu block every day?!”

Qi Yingzhu said coldly: “It’s a pity I don’t have one on hand. If I did, I’d tear it into strips first, so it would be convenient for you to hang yourself at the door of my office once you find your brain again.”

---

Stepping outside and feeling the cool breeze, Chu Fuxuan, whose coat wasn’t zipped up, shivered slightly, but his body felt less heavy.

He believed he could fly, which meant Qi Yingzhu had to suffer. Subsequently, he stopped him from jumping down stairs twice and forbade him from walking backwards three times, constantly reminding the other party not to hang onto him throughout the whole process.

The two finally made it to the car. Chu Fuxuan was wrapped up and unceremoniously stuffed into the backseat. Getting him to buckle his seatbelt cost Qi Yingzhu another bout of effort.

Feeling hot, Chu Fuxuan took off his coat inside the car. Afraid he would catch a cold, Qi Yingzhu directed the AC continuously toward the backseat, causing Chu Fuxuan to frequently look outside, suspecting the window wasn’t closed tightly.

“I want yogurt, or ice cream,” Chu Fuxuan lay against the window, pressing his face against the cold glass.

Qi Yingzhu said, “Are you ordering food from me? There’s neither. There’s mineral water in the car fridge, get it yourself.”

In the confined space, the smell of alcohol permeated the air. It wasn’t pungent; rather, it had a mellow, rich fragrance.

Chu Fuxuan compromised: “Malatang is fine too. I see a stall, stop, stop the car for a bit.”

Noticing his struggling, Qi Yingzhu was afraid he would unbuckle his seatbelt, so he had to temporarily pull over by the street.

Chu Fuxuan’s medical report already indicated gastritis. Having guzzled both red and white wine, his stomach was probably already suffering. If he ate greasy food on top of that, Qi Yingzhu suspected he would throw up.

“What are you looking at?” Chu Fuxuan asked, groggy and ignorant.

He found it hard to believe, acting as if he had suffered a huge loss: “Just because I don’t charge you money, you keep staring?”

Qi Yingzhu felt deeply remorseful for his momentary softheartedness, actually bringing such a troublesome burden along with him.

Usually, Chu Fuxuan possessed no aggressiveness and was always smiling when he appeared. In reality, overly exquisite appearances could easily look artificial, but that wasn’t the case with him; his clear, limpid eyes naturally drew people in, making them want to get close.

Even though he had bared his fangs in front of Qi Yingzhu a few times, at the end of the day, it was mostly just reserve and unfamiliarity.

When the two occasionally made eye contact, Chu Fuxuan would always look away first. If they bumped into each other in the elevator, he would be the one to actively step back.

He seemed to have such a good temper, with no sharp edges or vulnerabilities, able to blend in anywhere he wanted like warm water.

However, right now, with no need to play along with social pleasantries, or rather, unable to consider the intricate twists and turns of workplace politics, Chu Fuxuan raised all his sharp spikes.

Trapped in the locked car, he bared his fangs and claws: “I’m not going to be good with you anymore.”

Qi Yingzhu unlocked the doors: “Get out, I’ll take you to buy a box of hangover medicine.”

Hearing this, Chu Fuxuan froze, then refused, saying the opposite of what he meant: “Then I definitely won’t leave.”

Qi Yingzhu had an epiphany; dealing with this person really required reverse psychology.

He turned his head to look for a pharmacy, but couldn’t find one immediately, and worried that something might happen to Chu Fuxuan alone in the car.

He bought some lemons and honey nearby. By the time he returned, Chu Fuxuan was asleep. Having been ignored for less than five minutes with no one to entertain his fussing, he had boredly dropped his head.

Half asleep, Chu Fuxuan mumbled, “What did you buy?”

Qi Yingzhu made something up: “Malatang. I’ll go back and cook it for you.”

He spoke with righteous indignation. Taking advantage of a slight traffic jam ahead, he turned his head to check on Chu Fuxuan’s condition, only to find the other party had unknowingly fallen back asleep.

If he took Chu Fuxuan back to the industrial park dorms now, within half an hour, they would become the top gossip of the entire group. Qi Yingzhu wasn’t ready for mutual destruction yet.

Following a familiar route, he drove back to his apartment. Qi Yingzhu lived in a single-floor luxury apartment facing the river. Pedestrian and vehicle paths were separated, and it had private elevator access directly from the basement garage to the residence, making entry and exit extremely convenient.

However, Chu Fuxuan was woken up and stubbornly refused to leave the car. Left with no choice, Qi Yingzhu draped the coat over him and forcibly hauled him away, half-carrying and half-hugging him.

Chu Fuxuan weighed much less than he imagined, as if he had no meat on his bones, yet his bones weren’t jutting or uncomfortable; he felt like a soft, pliable lump.

His kicking in Qi Yingzhu’s arms had no strength. Because his limbs were weak, his kicking felt like a tickle. Qi Yingzhu effortlessly brought the person home and placed him on the living room sofa first.

He went to the kitchen and made lemon honey water, tricking Chu Fuxuan into believing it was the soup from malatang. A person without reason was easy to deceive. Thus, he drank half a glass and continued sinking into the sofa, motionless.

Surprised that he had suddenly gone quiet, Qi Yingzhu sat next to him and slightly raised his eyebrows: “No energy left to fuss?”

Maintaining his original posture, Chu Fuxuan’s expression was extremely sorrowful: “Water.”

“Didn’t you just drink some? Shall I get you some more hot water?” Qi Yingzhu thought he was thirsty.

Chu Fuxuan repeated: “Where is the water?”

Qi Yingzhu furrowed his brows: “Chu Fuxuan, it’s right on the coffee table.”

But the most terrifying thing happened. The other party was completely blacked out now: “Who are you calling? I’m not Chu Fuxuan.”

Incredulous, Qi Yingzhu asked, “Oh, so who is currently possessing this body?”

Perhaps because he was just fed water, Chu Fuxuan’s brain waves were making massive leaps, resulting in a mistaken self-identity.

“Fish don’t have names, I haven’t been given one yet,” he tossed out this earth-shattering sentence.

Qi Yingzhu: “…”

“Which way is the ocean?” Chu Fuxuan was very fragile right now; one wrong move and he’d make Qi Yingzhu a widower. “I’m going to die, I can’t breathe.”

What a rollercoaster of drinking behavior. It truly didn’t show on his face, nor did he yell, he merely kept switching up ways to act like a rogue.

Qi Yingzhu gave him a terrible idea: “Go straight and turn left, there’s a bathtub. Do you want to go soak for a bit?”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to have dug a hole for himself.

Chu Fuxuan said pitifully, “But I haven’t grown legs yet.”

Having served him the whole way, Qi Yingzhu’s patience had reached its limit, bereft of any sympathy.

“You’re just shivering from drinking too much, you haven’t actually been amputated.”

As if he hadn’t heard, Chu Fuxuan clumsily swung his legs, as if he truly believed he was a fish.

However, unable to swim, he instead nearly fell straight down. Fortunately, Qi Yingzhu was quick-eyed and deft-handed, catching him in time.

Not wanting Chu Fuxuan to ‘swim’ on the floor and use his white sweater to mop the ground, Qi Yingzhu hesitated for a moment before reluctantly picking him up in a bridal carry.

He had never done this kind of thing before, so it was inevitably awkward, and neither of them felt comfortable. The moment Chu Fuxuan was suspended in the air, similarly devoid of any experience, he shut his eyes tightly in panic.

Unable to find his center of gravity while intoxicated, he subconsciously wrapped his arms around Qi Yingzhu’s neck.

It felt as if the surroundings were rapidly plummeting, and if he didn’t hold on tight, he would be smashed to pieces. Even hugging tightly didn’t seem like enough; his head was practically buried in the other man’s shoulder.

His nose accidentally brushed against the skin by the collar. Chu Fuxuan seemed to discover something novel and took a few more interested sniffs.

Crisp, aloof, carrying an aggressive coldness.

The cologne, body wash, or shampoo a person used could reveal their stylistic preferences. For instance, Chu Fuxuan preferred slightly unisex narcissus notes; the fresh scent that maintained a sense of distance satisfied him.

Sometimes this habit manifested in words and actions, so much so that the scent would align with one’s personal image. Some people, in order to enhance their image in the workplace, would use the same specific type of fragrance year-round.

Chu Fuxuan’s attention inadvertently wandered. A sudden flash in his chaotic mind made him feel that this faint, biting coldness reminded him of a certain figure.

His thoughts were like mush. He had a premonition that the answer was very close, yet he couldn’t grasp it no matter how hard he tried. Before he could figure out whose name belonged to this silhouette, he was awkwardly placed into the bathtub.

As a limited-edition fish, Chu Fuxuan had finally returned to his homeland. Even if the artificial feel of this homeland was a bit strong, he didn’t pursue his previous confusion.

He gratefully craned his neck, watching as Qi Yingzhu proceeded to the next step.

Qi Yingzhu covered his shoulder with one hand. It was the side Chu Fuxuan had leaned against. Even though they were separated now, something still felt amiss, as if it were burning on its own accord.

“Hmm?” Chu Fuxuan questioned indistinctly.

Qi Yingzhu informed him of the latest development of his symptoms: “I might have cervical spondylosis now. I’ll ask you to reimburse my medical expenses tomorrow.”

Saying so, he used his other hand to adjust the water flow and temperature control, switching everything to a fixed mode, not forgetting to warily add a password lock.

A smart bathtub was more reliable than a drunkard. It was equipped with safety devices; if the user fell asleep or slipped, the machine would issue a timely alarm.

Leaving the mermaid here, Qi Yingzhu folded a set of unworn pajamas and placed them nearby. Then, feeling relieved of a heavy burden and thinking tonight’s work was successfully completed, he went to another bathroom to take a shower.

After coming out, he went to the study to handle some emails. In the blink of an eye, more than half an hour had passed, yet there was surprisingly no movement from Chu Fuxuan’s side.

Qi Yingzhu knocked on the door: “Do you need help? Is everything okay?”

The faint sound of water flowing could be heard inside, but the noisy response he expected never came. Even though the smart system hadn’t triggered an alarm, he remained cautious.

What if something terrible happened to Chu Fuxuan in his house?

Setting other troubles aside, if the Lead Game Designer had an accident in the Group Vice President’s bathtub, and the rumor leaked out, Hongni’s stock price would probably hit the downward limit for a week straight.

Pondering the consequences for a moment, he felt the situation was increasingly thorny.

He knocked on the door again, raising his volume: “If you don’t say anything, I’m coming in to check. Are you still awake?”

One shouldn’t take hot baths after drinking. If blood circulation accelerated, it would worsen the intoxication. Qi Yingzhu had specifically lowered the water temperature; logically, Chu Fuxuan shouldn’t have fallen asleep.

Still receiving no feedback, Qi Yingzhu helplessly said “Excuse the intrusion” and decisively pushed the door open.

The moment he looked inside, through the un-dissipated steam in the room, his eyes trembled momentarily before he deliberately lowered his head.

Chu Fuxuan had finished his bath. His hair hung down wetly, and he lay draped over the outside of the tub, his face full of disappointment.

Thank goodness he didn’t sink to the bottom, Qi Yingzhu thought to himself, but he didn’t relax because of it.

Because Chu Fuxuan hadn’t put on the pajamas.

He was probably feeling cold and had wrapped himself in a large bath towel, barely covering his body.

Below his knees remained uncovered. His fair calves were crossed, and his exposed skin and cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue. This appearance clearly showed he was excessively drunk.

Chu Fuxuan was unconsciously curled up, kneeling on the clean, thick, dark-colored bath mat. Against this backdrop, he appeared dazzlingly white.

Both of them were men, there was no need for taboos, yet Qi Yingzhu acted as if he had made a mistake, hastily retracting his gaze.

But Chu Fuxuan was also a man. Realizing his overreaction just now, Qi Yingzhu silently repeated his doubts twice.

Same organs, same structure, why not dare to look? I’m not gay.

A moment later, Qi Yingzhu found a reason. Even though he had nothing to do with it, Chu Fuxuan was undeniably gay, so he was being considerate on the other’s behalf.

No matter how much Qi Yingzhu refused to act like a good person, whether he teased Chu Fuxuan or opposed him, in terms of principles, he was still an honorable gentleman. Even though the other party completely lacked reason right now and would have no way of suspecting or holding grudges afterward.

Qi Yingzhu consciously took a half step back, standing by the doorframe, and stiffly turned his head away to ensure he wasn’t peeking.

“I’m not a fish,” Chu Fuxuan muttered to him dejectedly. “I tried, I can’t breathe underwater.”

“Thank you for recognizing that point,” Qi Yingzhu’s voice wasn’t entirely natural either. “Could you please put on some clothes? Dry off the water, be careful not to catch a cold here.”

Chu Fuxuan’s worldview seemed to have been destroyed, exuding fragility: “Then who am I?”

Qi Yingzhu felt his head splitting, brushing him off: “Our desks are thirty meters apart, and you don’t remember any of it?”

“So that’s how it is. I seem to remember a little,” Chu Fuxuan had a sudden realization.

Qi Yingzhu thought he had recovered slightly. Having accompanied him through his fussing until now, seeing the dawn of liberation, he actually felt somewhat moved inwardly.

Unexpectedly, the next sentence chilled him to the bone, its logic entirely incomprehensible: “I am your master.”

If Chu Fuxuan could see clearly, he would probably notice that the consistently self-possessed Qi Yingzhu was uncharacteristically dazed and confused, a blank look flashing across his handsome face.

Unfortunately, Chu Fuxuan felt everything in the world was swaying violently. By the time he sluggishly looked over, Qi Yingzhu had already managed his expression.

No longer acting awkwardly on his own, Qi Yingzhu stared straight at him, his deep gaze somewhat inscrutable.

“I turned on the voice recorder when I came in. Behave yourself. If you hand in your resignation letter and try to run away afterward, I won’t approve it,” Qi Yingzhu warned, meaning don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Failing to sense the impending storm, Chu Fuxuan was immersed in his own world and issued his master’s tasks.

“Blow-dry my hair, and get me some ice cream, chocolate flavor.” Even now, he hadn’t forgotten the craving he started with.

They had already left the dinner gathering late, and returning from the outer ring road had wasted quite a bit of time. It was currently past 11 PM; dawdling any longer, it would be past midnight.

Reluctantly, Qi Yingzhu took out the hairdryer. Chu Fuxuan gathered his bath towel closer. His hair length was above his shoulder blades, so it wasn’t too difficult to manage.

It was just that Qi Yingzhu had never taken care of anyone, let alone cleaning up the mess of a drunkard. In the more than four years he had lived here, he had never even hosted a guest.

Chu Fuxuan’s hair was very smooth, glowing under the warm light. Not holding it tightly made Qi Yingzhu feel it would slip away, treating it like a formidable enemy.

His pure, careful attitude was completely useless. When he got too close, Chu Fuxuan complained it was hot; when he moved away, Chu Fuxuan yawned and asked if it would take until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse to finish.

Barely managing to get it dry, the beautiful long hair was left in a messy state by him.

However, Qi Yingzhu evaluated his work and, considering it was his first and only time styling someone’s hair in his life, held a blind approval of the result.

He averted his eyes again to help Chu Fuxuan put on the pajamas. Trying to minimize physical contact, he fumbled cautiously, misbuttoning the buttons but ignoring it.

At this point, Chu Fuxuan’s senses were numb, but his emotions remained hyperactive. Every movement had a chance of triggering him.

Looking down and having no impression of these clothes, he spun around to show them to Qi Yingzhu, then stumbled and had to be caught.

The distance between them was completely eliminated, and their relationship plummeted into the abyss. Qi Yingzhu’s vision went dark again and again, as Chu Fuxuan, using this posture, grabbed his wrist and spun him around twice.

After dragging and pulling each other for a long time, what started with strict boundaries of non-contact was now forced interaction to the point of desensitization.

Having evolved from a fish to a human, Chu Fuxuan felt a strong sense of racial identity. No longer dreaming of the ocean, he pushed Qi Yingzhu, demanding they go to the company to work and make money.

Qi Yingzhu said, “You still know you have a job? What position?”

Unable to drag him, Chu Fuxuan threw an arm over his shoulder instead: “If we don’t have one, we can go find one.”

Just now, Qi Yingzhu had failed to stop him, letting Chu Fuxuan jump and bounce around, which probably caused him to black out again.

His eyes were misted with wetness, and even speaking very slowly, he still stuttered slightly.

“N-No,” Chu Fuxuan said. “I have people under me, sixty of them.”

Qi Yingzhu corrected: “Sixty-three.”

The total number of employees in some small businesses on the market might not be as many as the people he currently managed. Being able to handle them all, Chu Fuxuan could rightfully be called young and promising.

But this successful professional had tossed his brain aside: “That many? I can’t even memorize all their names!”

Qi Yingzhu reported the Art Director’s name: “Do you know him?”

“Oh, he sent brainwaves at me,” Chu Fuxuan said, raising his pitch. “He said he likes good-looking men the most!”

Qi Yingzhu: “…”

There’s actually such a thing. He glanced at Chu Fuxuan in surprise, wanting to help copy this to the Professional Ethics Committee.

However, the Art Director of X17 was naturally familiar with everyone and famously casual in his speech. Qi Yingzhu let him off the hook for the time being.

“What about Xie Yu?” Qi Yingzhu laid the groundwork as he watched Chu Fuxuan chattering and sharing.

Chu Fuxuan was like a TV with a bad connection, his sanity flickering in and out. One sentence he was asking who Xie Yu was, and the next he was yelling asking for directions to the moon.

A moment later, he was envious that the producer got to go to work later than him, saying being the big boss of the whole team was awesome, and he really wanted to usurp the throne so he could sleep for another half hour.

Then he heard a voice laced with a smile near his ear: “Then what do you think of Qi Yingzhu?”

“Ah?” Chu Fuxuan said slowly, seemingly confused by the name.

In a spot unreached by moonlight, they stood in the hallway of the house.

Beside them was an oil painting with tranquil colors. Yet Chu Fuxuan seemed even quieter than the painting, his expression frozen, his gaze landing on an unknown point.

Qi Yingzhu waited for a moment without receiving an answer. Realizing his attempt to fish for information had failed, he didn’t press further.

The single-floor luxury apartment they were in totaled over six hundred square meters, single-handedly elevating the quality of luxury residences in Shanghai. Qi Yingzhu had bought it right when the real estate project was launched; he had just turned twenty-two at the time.

No matter how proud and favored by heaven he was, without relying on family support at that age, just the down payment alone for one person practically emptied his savings.

Back then, housing prices hadn’t skyrocketed to such exaggerated levels. Many people advised him to wait and see for a few years, to make a move when he was about to start a family, and with his abilities, he certainly wouldn’t be strapped for cash. But he still chose to pull out his savings.

Value assessment was one aspect. School districts, medical facilities, and commercial resources were concentrated nearby, and it was a city with a continuous influx of population. Even if the real estate market crashed one day, this place possessed unique, hard advantages and was highly unlikely to depreciate.

Furthermore, perhaps because he had no origins and desperately needed a definitive place to return to, he didn’t think much about it, insisting on giving himself a fixed destination after work.

The original mortgage had long been paid off in full. It had been years since he got the keys and finished renovations. Yet, aside from property ownership rights, this place had never provided any sense of belonging.

As Qi Yingzhu walked toward the guest room, he suddenly realized this.

The entire house was the handiwork of designers and cleaners, coldly and quietly hosting his comings and goings. If he left, he couldn’t think of anything he absolutely had to take with him, or any place that required his attachment.

What was even more ridiculous was that, aside from the master bedroom, the guest rooms didn’t even have a single bedsheet. To save trouble, Qi Yingzhu had previously covered them with a layer of white cloth to prevent dust.

In contrast, during his brief stay in Yongzhou previously, the blankets had exuded a warm, fluffy scent of sunlight, making one feel drowsy and wanting to relax for a moment.

Thinking of this, Qi Yingzhu paused his steps, though he didn’t feel melancholic.

He had already achieved success and fame in the secular sense. To attribute reaching this height entirely to effort would be arrogant; he already possessed one-in-a-million good luck and wouldn’t pity himself.

It was just that letting Chu Fuxuan sleep on a white cloth was somewhat unseemly, and he truly couldn’t bear the loss of face.

Although Qi Yingzhu was in his own home, he had no idea which cabinet items like bedsheets were stored in; these were always handled and replaced regularly by the cleaning staff.

Having no choice, he let out a mocking laugh and turned to lead Chu Fuxuan toward the master bedroom.

Chu Fuxuan’s feet were weak, and he was practically glued to Qi Yingzhu. With nothing to say to this, Qi Yingzhu turned on the light and supported him to the bed.

The second he was about to let go, Chu Fuxuan suddenly hugged his arm. The force was so great it caught him completely off guard, and unable to resist, they tumbled into the bed together.

The latex mattress yielded softly under their weight. Just as Qi Yingzhu was about to warn Chu Fuxuan not to mess around, Chu Fuxuan beat him to it with a relaxed cheer.

“Qi Yingzhu, Qi Yingzhu!” Chu Fuxuan chanted, as if he had finally remembered this person after immense hardship, completely oblivious to how speechless the person next to him was.

His breath was warmer and more restless than usual. Since they were both in loose pajamas, it spilled unobstructed onto Qi Yingzhu’s collarbone.

The reprimand at the tip of Qi Yingzhu’s tongue was swallowed back down. His Adam’s apple bobbed conspicuously twice as his eyes stared blankly at the other party.

Just as he was feeling incredulous, Chu Fuxuan rolled over. Due to accidentally using too much force, and because they were too close, he practically stacked himself directly on top of the other man.

Chu Fuxuan also felt a shudder run down his back in an instant. Perhaps the stimulation was too intense, causing his delayed senses to suddenly become sharp.

“You bumped me so hard, it hurts,” he said. “Are you the Qi Yingzhu I asked about? I remembered just now; I thought for a long time about who he was.”

He shifted restlessly, trying to prop himself up on his arms, but accidentally lost his balance and fell back down beside Qi Yingzhu.

Qi Yingzhu subconsciously turned his head to check on the situation, just as Chu Fuxuan poked his head over, causing their breaths to intertwine.

At this distance and angle, even eyelashes could be counted clearly. The corners of Chu Fuxuan’s eyes were flushed red, and the moisture had not dissipated, making his gaze exceptionally hazy and even somewhat innocently childish.

When he stared intently straight at someone, even if he was still thoroughly drunk, it gave off an illusion of being chosen and relied upon.

Qi Yingzhu knew he couldn’t keep looking like this, but this time his gaze failed to stop in time, and even the rhythm of his breathing was thrown into chaos because of it.

“I’m so sad,” Chu Fuxuan said. “No yogurt, nothing at all. My clothes are uncomfortable, and my head hurts. Everything I can see has been spinning all night. Where am I? I can’t name the address.”

Qi Yingzhu wanted to remind him that he actually could. This address was written in the recipient section of the marriage documents. He had seen it with his own eyes once before; at that time, he was standing next to him, his curious gaze almost solidifying on the paper.

However, looking into Chu Fuxuan’s hazy eyes, Qi Yingzhu ultimately didn’t say a single word.

He didn’t want to force it. This was originally his place alone, with nothing worth asking about; he couldn’t even offer a blanket to host someone for the night.

Thinking of this, he tried to gently separate himself from Chu Fuxuan, only to be hugged even tighter by him.

His repeatedly yielding patience was on the verge of exhaustion. Qi Yingzhu inhaled sharply, reaching out to push the other party away.

Sensing the oppressive aura emanating from Qi Yingzhu, Chu Fuxuan helplessly lowered his head and rubbed his forehead against the man’s shoulder, almost instinctively seeking guidance.

He mumbled something indistinctly. Qi Yingzhu couldn’t digest it immediately, but soon realized the specific content.

Chu Fuxuan was saying: “Could you please contact Qi Yingzhu and trouble him to definitely come pick me up?”

At first, when he was huddled in the corner, this was the exact sentence he used to plead. Now, feeling overwhelmed once again, he murmured and repeated it twice.

Qi Yingzhu was completely stunned. And they were so intimate right now, like a pair of affectionate lovers. Chu Fuxuan, oblivious, pushed his luck by holding onto him and shaking him.

For five or six minutes, Qi Yingzhu remained in a floating state, while Chu Fuxuan, having fussed until now, finally exhausted his vigorous energy.

With no movement around him, he became even groggier. His moist eyelashes gradually closed tight, but the hand holding onto Qi Yingzhu didn’t let go.

Once Chu Fuxuan stopped being noisy, his appearance was extremely deceptive. His brows and eyes looked docile and soft, making it hard for anyone to imagine how he had provoked anger just moments before.

Unlike his chaotic state where his mind was completely dragged along by his body, Qi Yingzhu was exceptionally clear-headed at this moment.

After a long while, Qi Yingzhu carefully freed his wrist, then got up, unfolded the quilt, and draped it over Chu Fuxuan.

Chu Fuxuan’s lips moved slightly, seemingly thirsty after drinking. Qi Yingzhu fetched a cup of warm water and very clumsily fed him some.

Everything he faced tonight was unheard of. He never thought he would be feeding someone water. Holding the cup, his hands trembled slightly, inevitably spilling some.

Qi Yingzhu wiped the corners of Chu Fuxuan’s lips with a tissue. He sat at the head of the bed without lying back down, wanting to leave but having nowhere to go.

Ultimately, he still went to the living room. Chu Fuxuan wasn’t sleeping very soundly and subconsciously shifted toward him, causing Qi Yingzhu to feel annoyed and distracted.

Annoyed? Annoyed that it was too intimate? He once again found a reason for his behavior.

But this time, no matter how he explained it, he couldn’t explain why, after being drawn close by Chu Fuxuan, his body was out of control…

Thinking of this layer, Qi Yingzhu stiffly stood up from the sofa.

He paced back and forth repeatedly, but the restless heat didn’t recede, as if intentionally reminding himself.

Yes, while Chu Fuxuan was rolling around, not only did you not find him annoying, you actually had an immediate physiological urge right on the spot.

Fuck, Qi Yingzhu cursed inwardly. The mental knot returned to the previous version—But Chu Fuxuan is a man?

Even if he didn’t like women, he had never considered men. He had career ambitions very early on; while others were talking about love, his mind and eyes were completely focused on how to expand his territory.

After embarking on this path, time flew by—promotions every six months, major leaps every two years. By the time he sat in his current position, the flowing eight years felt like a fleeting moment. He had walked here with singular focus.

Could homosexuality be contagious? Qi Yingzhu pondered this question deeply. He even asked a doctor online but was criticized for being prejudiced.

It could also be because I’ve never been this close to anyone before, what with burying heads and hugging arms. Who could withstand that? he thought to himself.

He simply lacked interest in romance, not that he had a physical disorder; having a subconscious reaction was only natural.

Thinking this way, Qi Yingzhu poured a glass of ice water and took another stroll around the bedroom along the way.

Chu Fuxuan was sleeping very deeply. He was terribly drunk tonight. In fact, when they were pressed together, he had also shown restlessness, but Qi Yingzhu hadn’t catered to it, so the two had stopped just in time before crossing the red line.

If he hypothesized a bit more wickedly: if Qi Yingzhu hadn’t restrained himself then, the two might have sparked a fire. One was blinded by a desire to satisfy his greed, and the other’s conditions allowed him to do whatever he pleased.

The deep-rooted flaws in his heart were acting up; it wasn’t that he was entirely devoid of offensive desires.

And the next day?

The one fanning the flames was Chu Fuxuan. Thinking about the sequence of events, he probably wouldn’t blame Qi Yingzhu for lacking endurance.

They were all adults; a one-night stand didn’t seem like an overly excessive urban legend. Being carefree, they could toss it to the back of their minds at dawn, or at worst, tacitly agree not to mention it.

But Chu Fuxuan would probably be very sad behind closed doors, Qi Yingzhu guessed.

Venturing out alone from home, hoping to integrate into the new environment quickly, forcing himself to build networks and authority, striving to maintain his dignity during social engagements, only to end up essentially hooking up with his boss.

Qi Yingzhu rarely put himself in others’ shoes; plainly speaking, he lacked empathy. But holding the ice water, he thought about it. He wasn’t the one who was drunk; as long as he had any sense of reason, he wouldn’t cross the line.

They would still be seeing each other constantly in the future. Even if office romances weren’t uncommon in the company, sleeping with a colleague seemed incredibly bizarre to Qi Yingzhu.

This kind of thing was like having a calm sea but insisting on enduring hardships. He actually felt there was reproductive isolation between colleagues.

By now, the ice cubes had made Qi Yingzhu’s teeth ache. The wicked fire slowly dissipated, and he felt his morals were restored, allowing him to stand on the high ground and point fingers at how others could eat the grass near their nests.

Meanwhile, Chu Fuxuan was completely unaware of these twisting thoughts. Heaven knew that in just one short night, Qi Yingzhu had gone through such a complex and lengthy mental journey.

He didn’t sleep very well that night. A hangover definitely came with temporary aftereffects; a dull ache throbbed in the back of his head, his stomach was churning, and his dreams were fragmented without any coherent plot.

Nearing dawn, he struggled as if about to wake up, but unable to keep his heavy eyelids open, he practically passed out on the spot, his throat burning as if on fire.

Taking these as sufficient lessons, Chu Fuxuan inhaled fuzzily, feeling immense regret in the bottom of his heart.

At the same time, he fortunately felt the mattress beneath him was quite good. He should have had backaches after drinking, but sleeping on it felt exceptionally light, like lying in the clouds.

Chu Fuxuan didn’t remember the most important things: how he was taken away, how he brushed his teeth, washed his face, and changed clothes. He was so spacey he didn’t even consider where he was right now.

Sleeping until the afternoon, he could barely open his eyes, then stared blankly at the ceiling for a long time.

His head felt a dull dizziness. He wasn’t eighteen anymore; just sleeping it off wasn’t enough to recover. Groaning, Chu Fuxuan began to scan his surroundings in a daze.

Subsequently, he realized he didn’t recognize a single spot, and every area exuded a cold, aloof aura.

Chu Fuxuan instantly went blank. Looking at the expensive chandelier, then at the equally valuable furniture and wallpaper around him, the whole room was decorated with extreme style.

What surprised him even more was outside the window: the scenery over the river was fully visible, showing just how superior the location was.

Mom, I think I struck it rich, but I’ve lost at least thirty years of memories. As a concussion patient, he felt somewhat sad, yet seamlessly turning into a millionaire also made him overjoyed.

Just as he sat up, feeling sore and weak, his IQ suddenly returned, and his whole body jolted in shock.

After mentally preparing himself for a moment, he hesitantly turned his head.

There was nothing more terrifying than waking up to find a disheveled boss beside your pillow, but Chu Fuxuan timidly felt the scene before his eyes was just as bad.

Qi Yingzhu was right there in the room, looking at him following the movement.

Then, Qi Yingzhu spoke slowly and methodically: “Welcome to my home. But it’s useless even if I don’t welcome you. Chu Fuxuan, why don’t we first talk about why you insisted on sticking to me to come back?”