TMWTGD CH11

Xie Jianwei naturally knew what he was saying.

He felt a little nervous, afraid that if he pushed too far, Lu Li would splinter again, but if he did not say enough, the man would run off.

Thinking about it was truly exhausting.

Fortunately, even though Lu Li loved stirring up trouble, he remained remarkably persistent when it came to securing personal benefits.

Without needing Xie Jianwei to elaborate, he interpreted it on his own, asking, “Do you want to use me to make Xu Li give up?”

As someone blessed with both a high IQ and EQ, Xie Jianwei was momentarily stunned.

It took him several seconds to catch up with Big Li’s mental gymnastics.

Lu Li remarked with biting sarcasm, “President Xie truly harbors such boundless devotion for Xu Li.”

Xie Jianwei roughly understood. In Lu Li’s mind, Xie Jianwei still loved Xu Li, but the two could never return to the past, especially since Xie Jianwei’s current standing could not offer Xu Li a future or even guarantee his safety. The Xie family was vast, wealthy, and powerful, but with its sprawling reach came countless enemies. Xie Jianwei could not afford to have a weakness, yet being with Xu Li would turn the man into his ultimate vulnerability. Rivals unable to harm Xie Jianwei would target Xu Li instead, putting Xu Li in grave danger.

Perhaps Xie Jianwei possessed the strength to shield Xu Li, but in Xie Jianwei’s eyes, Xu Li loved freedom and would never tolerate being confined to a cage. Protecting him would inevitably clip his wings.

Unable to find a way to have both, Xie Jianwei had no choice but to reject Xu Li against his own heart.

An ordinary rejection would never extinguish Xu Li’s hopes, which was why he had to use Lu Li.

Honestly speaking, being able to follow his reasoning to this degree was already an impressive feat for Xie Jianwei.

Even so, a stampede of chaotic curses charged through his mind.

Why did Big Li never exhibit this level of overthinking when dealing with tangled political intrigues?

Xie Jianwei had to play along, saying, “It isn’t really using you…”

Lu Li narrowed his eyes at him.

Letting out a soft sigh, Xie Jianwei said, “I am destined to have a partner eventually, and you are quite suitable.”

Lu Li offered a self-deprecating sneer, “Suitable in bed, you mean?”

Xie Jianwei was speechless. What a pity he could not voice that he was even better outside the bedroom.

Because he stayed silent, Lu Li continued with his own deductions. “President Xie truly extracts value from everything. Having me as a bedmate wasn’t enough, so now I must serve as a shield to protect the person you care for.” Stepping closer to Xie Jianwei, he lowered his voice. “Did you ever stop to consider whether I am willing?”

Xie Jianwei knew what he wanted to hear. “I won’t force you. If you refuse, there are always…”

Before the words “other people” could leave his mouth, Lu Li seized his cheeks and kissed him fiercely.

Though it was somewhat overwhelming, provoking Little Li meant Big Li was bound to make an appearance.

Xie Jianwei feigned a token struggle before giving in. When it was all over, he felt he needed a hearty dose of chives to nourish his kidneys.

Although Lu Li was indignant, Xie Jianwei truly had him wrapped around his finger.

He could never stomach Xie Jianwei seducing someone else, and he needed closer access to the Xie family anyway. A lover status was far more practical than being a mere bedmate. If he truly wanted to possess Xie Jianwei, he had to tear down the Xie family backing him from the roots.

The difference between lovers and bedmates was that bedmates met once a week on schedule and acted like strangers otherwise. After becoming lovers, Xie Jianwei put on a thorough act. In Lu Li’s eyes, of course, Xie Jianwei did this purely to antagonize Xu Li, but one had to admit this arrangement felt wonderfully comfortable.

Moving swiftly, Xie Jianwei began scouting a new residence for the two of them a few days later, asking, “How about living by the sea? If you dislike humidity, we can consider a higher floor.”

Lu Li feigned indifference, “Up to you.”

Xie Jianwei was merely asking for form’s sake, knowing Lu Li’s preferences all too well.

So he finalized the choice, “This place is quite nice. The first and second floors will be living areas, the third and fourth will serve functional purposes, and we will reside on the fifth.”

Lu Li’s lips parted slightly, but he ultimately remained silent.

Xie Jianwei sketched and noted with genuine enthusiasm, “We can knock down the wall between the two rooms on the fifth floor to make a larger master bedroom. The walk-in closet is poorly placed, so let’s shift that. Hmm, the elevator is in the way here, so we will dismantle it and install an exterior glass elevator instead. The bathroom is too small as well, so we can knock through the adjacent room and merge them together…”

He chattered on, making Lu Li’s heart itch with fondness.

On a lazy afternoon, sunlight filtered into the warm study. The handsome young man sat bent over the desk, sketching and speaking in a melodious voice with focused attention, appearing completely sincere as he designed their shared nest and painted a blueprint of domestic warmth and bliss.

Sitting across from him, Lu Li weathered the sharp, conflicting aches of ice and fire warring within his chest.

One side warned him to stay rational and resist the illusion, while the other could not stop daydreaming about how wonderful it would be if this were genuine.

If Xie Jianwei offered even a tiny fraction of genuine feeling, Lu Li would halt all schemes and cherish him above the heavens with his whole heart.

Yet there was none.

Xie Jianwei’s heart was small, and having accommodated Xu Li, everything else was locked outside.

Lu Li lowered his eyes to stare at the verdant tea leaves in the celadon cup, his expression dark and inscrutable.

After planning for a while, Xie Jianwei asked Lu Li, “Can we use warm white as the primary tone for the house?”

Having campaigned across the stars for years, Lu Li was renowned throughout the Milky Way as an iron-blooded Marshal. Strikingly handsome by nature, donning a uniform made him look as upright and commanding as a pine, the ultimate aloof idol in the hearts of countless admirers.

People always imagined that their idol was cold and austere, assuming his favorite color was black, his home was decorated in cool hues, and even his undergarments were deep shades.

In truth, Lu Li’s favorite color was warm white.

A color carrying warmth, just like sunlight.

This likely stemmed from his childhood. On that barren planet, sunlight was visible for only a few fleeting days each year. Living year-round in such a bleak and brutal environment, whenever he saw sunlight, it felt like beholding the world’s most magnificent treasure.

Therefore, his favorite color was warm white.

In fact, there was another reason that even Xie Jianwei did not know.

On that barren planet, the day Lu Li first met Xie Jianwei was bathed in radiant sunshine.

Xie Jianwei had collapsed unconscious on a smooth stone, sunlight washing over him, plating his fair skin in a delicate, breathtaking shimmer.

When Lu Li touched him, it was the first time he had ever felt a white that held warmth.

It was as beautiful as anything he could have imagined.

Having his heart gently struck over and over by Xie Jianwei, Lu Li finally could not resist murmuring softly, “…All right.”

Xie Jianwei smiled, his eyes curving into crescents, “Then it’s settled.”

Lu Li had to exert immense willpower to keep himself from walking over to kiss him.

Once they established their relationship as lovers, Xie Jianwei became practically inseparable from Lu Li, keeping nothing hidden from him.

This was entirely intentional on Xie Jianwei’s part. He wanted nothing more than to help Lu Li topple the Xie family as quickly as possible, quietly placing vulnerabilities before him to generate opportunities.

Yet Lu Li’s movements began to slow down. After reflecting on it, Xie Jianwei could guess why.

Xie Jianwei was treating him too well, and the fool had gone soft-hearted again.

Just as Xie Jianwei was considering whether to provoke him or seek another angle, Lu Li began tormenting himself again.

That evening, the two walked downstairs after dinner, stepping into the parking garage only to spot Xu Li.

Lu Li stopped in his tracks, and Xie Jianwei paused as well.

Seeing Xie Jianwei, Xu Li stepped forward immediately and asked, “Why are you avoiding me?”

Xie Jianwei frowned, “There is no reason for us to meet again.”

Xu Li looked rather haggard, likely having spent the past few days searching everywhere for Xie Jianwei while being repeatedly turned away. Unable to eat or sleep with any peace of mind, he appeared thoroughly worn down.

Unwilling to waste words, Xie Jianwei turned to leave. Highly agitated, Xu Li stepped forward to catch his arm, pleading, “Don’t be like this, Jianwei. Don’t treat me this way.”

Xie Jianwei paused, slightly uncertain about what kind of plot development Lu Li wanted to see.

Taking this pause as an opportunity, Xu Li pleaded in a low voice, “Jianwei, I truly miss you, I miss you so much. Please, don’t avoid me. Every single day, I…”

“Mr. Xu, please conduct yourself with dignity,” Lu Li stepped forward with a chilled expression, putting himself between Xie Jianwei and Xu Li.

Xu Li looked up at him, disgust flashing in his eyes, “Who do you think you are…”

Before he could finish, Xie Jianwei spoke up, “He is my lover.”

Xu Li’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Xie Jianwei said, “I believe I have made myself clear. What is past is in the past. I have a lover now, so please do not…”

“You are lying to me!” Xu Li interrupted him, pleading in sheer denial, “I know you are angry, but how could you possibly love someone else? That’s impossible!”

Xie Jianwei held not an ounce of sympathy for him, speaking harsh words without mercy, “Believe it or not, Lu Li and I have been together for over half a year.”

Flustered, Xu Li glared at Lu Li with bitter resentment, “You are only trying to spite me on purpose, picking a random person just to make me…”

Xie Jianwei tugged on Lu Li’s necktie, pulling him down to press a firm kiss onto his lips, then turned sideways toward Xu Li, asking, “Do you need me to do anything more?”

Xu Li turned completely pale, his eyes filled with despair.

Lu Li smiled faintly, placing a hand on Xie Jianwei’s waist to deepen the fleeting kiss.

Unable to bear the sight, Xu Li fled in complete disarray.

Once the man was gone, Xie Jianwei pushed Lu Li away.

In broad daylight in a public space, a brief kiss was one thing, but continuing endlessly was inappropriate.

Unfortunately, that push only deepened the sullen frustration already simmering inside Lu Li. Gripping Xie Jianwei’s wrist, he shoved him into the passenger seat.

Xie Jianwei blinked, instinctively sensing trouble, but it was already too late.

The two ended up in a half-round of car-rocking intimacy.

Although the vehicle was spacious enough, it was hardly suitable for such a full-scale battle.

Thus, Lu Li did not take him all the way, merely bringing Xie Jianwei to release.

Afterward, Lu Li planned to drive Xie Jianwei home, but the car seemed disgruntled by all the rocking and stubbornly refused to start.

Xie Jianwei was speechless.

Lu Li dialed his assistant’s number.

Looking at the disheveled interior, Xie Jianwei felt it would be rather awkward to wait for the assistant right here, so he suggested, “Let’s leave the car for now and take a walk outside?”

Lu Li’s temper had mostly cooled, and knowing the man had thin skin, he agreed, “All right.” He took off his coat and draped it over Xie Jianwei’s shoulders.

Several buttons on Xie Jianwei’s shirt had popped off, making it unsuitable to walk around uncovered.

Wrapped in his coat, Xie Jianwei felt warm inside, a smile touching his brows and eyes as he said, “I hope the weather outside is nice.”

When they arrived for dinner, overcast clouds had hung overhead, and the forecast had predicted a chance of rain tonight.

It was already past eight in the evening, and they did not know if it had started raining yet.

Stepping outside, they discovered that not only had it not rained, but the weather was pleasant. The gloomy clouds had dispersed, revealing sparkling stars that made the night sky exceptionally lovely.

Walking shoulder to shoulder along the roadside and enjoying the gentle night breeze, they found themselves momentarily unsure of what to say.

Xie Jianwei wanted to hold his hand, yet worried the gesture might seem too bold for their current pretense.

Soon, as if linked by telepathy, Lu Li reached out and took his hand.

The corners of Xie Jianwei’s lips lifted, trying hard not to let his smile show too clearly.

Lu Li asked him, “Are you cold?”

Striving to conceal his contentment, Xie Jianwei said, “Not cold. The weather is wonderful.”

Lu Li said, “I was wrong earlier.” He was referring to their rough session in the car, where Xie Jianwei had resisted at first, but Lu Li had ignored him.

How could Xie Jianwei possibly mind that? Never mind that Lu Li had spared him by not going all the way, even if he had, Xie Jianwei would never stay angry over such things.

He was far less prudish about sex than Lu Li imagined, he simply did not dare indulge him, because heaven only knew how thoroughly the man would abandon his duties once indulged.

The atmosphere between them was surprisingly harmonious. Perhaps because they had spent the past few days getting along so well, or perhaps because the night was too enchanting, a strange conviction surged in Lu Li’s heart, feeling that as long as he continued walking forward while holding Xie Jianwei’s hand, Xie Jianwei would eventually belong to him.

Truly, heart and soul, belonging to him alone.

Time was a formidable force. One day, perhaps on some distant day, Xie Jianwei would forget Xu Li, notice the person who had remained faithfully by his side all along, reopen his guarded heart, and welcome him inside.

Lu Li knew he was indulging in wishful thinking, yet humans were greedy creatures. Even when caught in a raging storm, one still hoped to glimpse a rainbow in the very next second.

If he allowed himself to imagine it just a little, only an idle thought, surely it would be…

A sudden crack of thunder rumbled without warning. The clear sky was instantly blanketed in dense, dark clouds at the deafening sound, blotting out the moon and stars, turning the night breeze chillingly cold.

Lu Li’s heart seized as his eyes locked onto the scene before him, his brain and heart nearly detonating at the same time, completely stripped of the ability to think.

The blare of a car horn shrieked in deafening fury as Xie Jianwei collapsed in a pool of blood.

Xu Li, who should have been the one lying there, wore a face of frantic panic, crying out in horror, “Jianwei! Jianwei, you… you can’t die…”

To save Xu Li, Xie Jianwei had thrown away his very life!

Lu Li had no idea how his legs carried him forward. Lifting the frost-pale man into his arms and inhaling the pungent stench of blood, his entire mind went blank.

He could never have Xie Jianwei, never, not for all eternity.

Xie Jianwei snapped awake from the dream.

Yan Ke asked, “What happened?”

Pressing between his brows, Xie Jianwei asked in a raspy voice, “Why was I pulled out?”

Yan Ke explained, “It is the magnetic field’s self-protection mechanism. When your consciousness experiences severe shock in the dream, you are immediately returned to reality.”

His brows knitted tightly, Xie Jianwei murmured, “I am going right back.”

Yan Ke pressed, “What on earth happened?” For Xie Jianwei’s spiritual consciousness to suffer such a violent shock, it had to be a catastrophic event.

Pausing briefly, Xie Jianwei said slowly, “I saw Lu Li get hit by a car.”

Yet that person was clearly supposed to be Xu Li!