TMWTGD CH7

Xie Jianwei immediately thought of the “sister” Lu Li had conjured in the previous dream.

After a sister, did he now have an ex? Hadn’t the background files stated that before meeting Lu Li, he only casually messed around with women? Where did this man suddenly pop up from? Massaging his forehead, Xie Jianwei felt thoroughly defeated by his lover.

He had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol and felt lightheaded, and now, juggling all these random thoughts, his reactions were naturally a bit sluggish. This slight hesitation gave the unfamiliar man an opening. Grasping Xie Jianwei’s hand, he pleaded with overflowing devotion, “I was wrong back then, and I’ve regretted it ever since. Jianwei, could you give me another chance?”

Xie Jianwei thought to himself, I don’t even know who you are. What kind of chance would I give you?

With Lu Li nowhere in sight, he could not be bothered to act, coldly commanding, “Let go.”

The stranger paused, seemingly somewhat intimidated by Xie Jianwei.

“What is in the past is in the past,” Xie Jianwei said as he wrenched his hand free, an icy chill settling over his features. “You didn’t want a chance back then, and there is no chance now.”

Dropping those words, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Growing frantic, the man hurried to say, “I was too young back then and didn’t understand my own heart. I…”

Xie Jianwei turned his head back. “I’ve already forgotten everything from that time. Do you truly believe you still matter to me?”

As he spoke, the stranger turned deathly pale, looking completely crestfallen. “Impossible, that’s impossible…”

Ignoring him entirely, Xie Jianwei returned to the banquet hall.

The party was still in full swing, but Xie Jianwei was in no mood to entertain these guests. He sent a text message instructing his people to look into the identity of the man outside.

Information reached his hands shortly after.

Using intoxication as an excuse, Xie Jianwei took an early leave.

Up on the cruise ship’s top deck, Xie Jianwei gained a general understanding of the stranger’s background.

The man was named Xu Li, a junior schoolmate from the same university as Xie Jianwei. One had been the soon-to-graduate heir of the Xie family, while the other was an impulsive commoner who loved photography.

Who knew what had blinded “Xie Jianwei” back then, but he had fallen for this junior and treated him exceptionally well.

Throughout all four years of college, he had cared for him with meticulous devotion. Academics aside, he poured vast sums of money into the boy’s hobby, spending lavishly while keeping Xu Li entirely in the dark.

Xu Li had always regarded Xie Jianwei as an admirable, benevolent senior, gratefully soaking up all his care.

It was only after graduation, when Xu Li proposed traveling to distant Egypt for a study tour, that Xie Jianwei refused permission.

Xu Li could not fathom why he was forbidden to go.

Xie Jianwei laid bare his feelings, asking him to remain by his side.

Xu Li was terrified. Perhaps he had noticed Xie Jianwei’s affection over the years, but he had chosen self-deception, pretending to be oblivious. Hearing it out loud provoked an intense reaction. Not only did he distance himself from Xie Jianwei, but he also swiftly found a girlfriend, dealing a crushing blow to the naive, pure-hearted CEO Xie of that time.

In short, Xie Jianwei had raised an ungrateful wolf. Xu Li had played him for four years, delivering a brutal shock right at the end.

This drove Xie Jianwei to detest emotional attachments, transforming him into the notorious scumbag CEO Xie, a playboy flitting among blossoms without a single leaf sticking to him.

Now, Xu Li had returned.

Whether he had genuinely seen the light and realized his love for Xie Jianwei, or simply remembered his wealthy patron after squandering his money and running his life into ruin, was anyone’s guess.

Reviewing the dossier, Xie Jianwei could hardly fathom what Lu Li was thinking.

Was he truly that foolish?

Would he ever treat a scumbag so generously for no reason at all?

In his entire life, he had only ever poured his heart out to Lu Li. But how could the Lu Li of that time compare to someone like Xu Li?

The young Lu Li on the desolate planet had been fierce, unyielding, and sincere. He…

Xie Jianwei blinked, suddenly remembering that they seemed to have stayed on that barren planet for four months.

Four years, four months, was there a connection?

Pondering this, Xie Jianwei felt the idea was somewhat absurd.

Lu Li was prone to jealousy, but would he go so far as to become jealous of himself?

Although his personalities had splintered later, back then they were undivided, sharing those memories in common.

Xie Jianwei shook his head, thinking he was overanalyzing.

Although he had to play along with Lu Li in the dream, certain developments could still be averted.

Take this Xu Li, for instance. Lu Li likely intended to make a dramatic fuss using him, but if Xie Jianwei arranged an unavoidable accident, it would save a world of trouble.

Logic always had loopholes waiting to be exploited.

This wasn’t him refusing to cooperate, since accidents were beyond human control.

With a few concise instructions, Xie Jianwei had the arrangements handled.

Celebrating a birthday with such difficulty, even if inside a dream, this date was indeed Xie Jianwei’s actual birthday, as Lu Li remembered everything about him with flawless precision.

On past birthdays, Lu Li always prepared a surprise. In this dream, however, he couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the man.

Tossing and turning, Xie Jianwei felt rather disgruntled.

He missed Lu Li and wanted to see him.

Evidently, Lu Li missed him too.

His phone buzzed.

Xie Jianwei swiped the screen, revealing a message from Lu Li that read, “Open the window.”

The corners of Xie Jianwei’s lips lifted. Getting out of bed, he pushed open the window before him.

The cruise ship was out at sea, surrounded by inky darkness. Because the weather was poor, not a star could be seen. Black sky met black water, and standing before the window felt like peering into an endless void.

Right at that moment, brilliant fireworks suddenly burst across the sky.

Xie Jianwei’s eyes widened in pleasant surprise.

The view was breathtaking.

As dark as the night was, the fireworks blazed just as bright. Fleeting streaks of light plummeted from the sky like falling stars, yet in the next instant, the sea mirrored the dazzling spectacle, reflecting each burst to redouble its splendor.

Marshal Lu always indulged in these impractical forms of romance.

Xie Jianwei never said it aloud, but he secretly loved it.

Who wouldn’t cherish their lover’s devotion?

Retrieving his phone, Xie Jianwei replied, “Where are you?”

Lu Li asked, “Want to meet?”

Xie Jianwei’s lips curved. “I’ll wait for you here.”

A certain someone never took the conventional route, insisting on boarding the ship like a pirate and slipping through the window like a rogue.

Xie Jianwei was quite fond of this rogue, however.

Wrapping his arms around him, he leaned in to initiate a kiss.

Swatting his rear playfully, Lu Li laughed softly. “What’s the rush?”

Xie Jianwei felt warmth and sweetness bubbling in his chest, almost blurring the line between dream and reality. He called out softly, “Xiao Li.”

Lu Li paused, then curved his thin lips into a suggestive smile. “Is it small?” (T/N: Xiao means little)

Xie Jianwei had no words.

His nature remained unchanged; whether in reality or inside a dream, he was cut from the exact same cloth.

Before they became physically intimate, Xie Jianwei had always called him that. Being five years older, the address was natural enough.

Once they hit the sheets, however, Lu Li forbade him from using it. Whenever Xie Jianwei called him that, Lu Li would ruthlessly make him experience whether it was “Little Li” or “Big Li.”

Now, inside the dream, Xie Jianwei had to evaluate the difference all over again.

Once driven into a daze of pleasure, Lu Li teased him wickedly, asking whether it was big or small.

Xie Jianwei whispered an answer.

Big Li willingly labored through the night.

Exhausted, Xie Jianwei fell fast asleep.

Lu Li held him tightly, his expression brimming with deep affection that could not be concealed.

Over the past six months, though their relationship was twisted, it had been surprisingly harmonious.

In brief moments, Lu Li even felt that Xie Jianwei genuinely liked him.

Perhaps it was not merely about physical desire. With time, Xie Jianwei might come to love him.

Lu Li reminded himself to stay clear-headed, but looking down at Xie Jianwei curled defenseless in his arms, his heart softened like cotton candy, light and wonderfully sweet.

How could he love someone this much, so deeply that letting go was impossible?

“You heartless little rascal,” Lu Li muttered, tracing Xie Jianwei’s nose with a touch of reluctance.

Xie Jianwei nuzzled against his arm. Kissing his forehead, Lu Li entertained the absurd notion that spending a lifetime like this would be enough.

Even if the man lacked a heart, he still needed him.

If he could be needed like this for a lifetime, he would be content.

Lu Li and Xie Jianwei slept in each other’s arms.

When morning sunlight streamed through the cabin window, Lu Li opened his eyes first.

He had fallen asleep.

After half a year, he had finally slept beside him once more.

Xie Jianwei had not yet awakened, but a sobered Lu Li knew it was time to leave.

Not wanting to disturb him, he slipped out of bed with gentle care.

The previous night, their reckless kissing had started right by the window, scattering clothes across the cabin floor.

A stateroom on a cruise ship could never match the expanse of a mansion on land. Lu Li gathered and pulled on his clothes, a faint smile resting on his lips the entire time.

That was, until he spotted the stack of documents scattered across the desk.

Furrowing his brow slightly, Lu Li picked them up as if compelled.

A single glance caused his pupils to contract sharply.

Xu Li?

A person Xie Jianwei had devotedly cared for across four full years.

Lu Li flipped through the pages in haste, feeling an icy chill seep into his chest as he finished reading.

Xie Jianwei was not heartless after all.

His heart had simply been placed with someone else.

Xu Li, Lu Li.

Xiao Li, Xiao Li.

When looking at him, whose name had he truly been calling?