That day, Tong Sui heard sounds outside that seemed like someone was moving in. At the dining table, he asked Chi Xingyu, “It sounds like we have new neighbors. Should we go say hello?”
Chi Xingyu’s gaze turned cold, “I’ll go. You just keep eating.”
“Oh, okay.”
Tong Sui was wearing home clothes and didn’t bother to change, seemingly having not stepped outside for several days.
When Chi Xingyu went out, he shut the door behind him, so Tong Sui didn’t know who had moved in. However, that night, Chi Xingyu was particularly frenzied, repeatedly asking him, “Baby, whose are you?”
Tong Sui bit his lip, unable to spare any attention to reply.
This time, Chi Xingyu was unusually persistent, nibbling on the sensitive tips of Tong Sui’s ears and asking again.
It seemed he had to hear this answer today.
Tong Sui’s lips moved, panting, “…yours.”
Chi Xingyu chuckled softly in his ear, seemingly in a much better mood, “Who am I?”
Tong Sui’s ears turned red, nearly dripping with blood, his eyelashes misted with tears as he answered in a muffled voice, “Chi Xingyu…”
“Yes, I’m here,” Chi Xingyu pressed, “Can you say it again, more completely?”
Tong Sui usually had a good temper, but at this moment he was annoyed by him. With a soft, feeble hand, he pushed Chi Xingyu’s head away and, with red eyes, scolded, “If you’re going to do it, do it; if not, get up. Where’s all this nonsense?”
Chi Xingyu, unfazed by the slap, instead laughed happily and wiggled closer, rubbing against his hand, “Does your hand hurt?”
Tong Sui: “…”
The next day, Chi Xingyu woke up early to go take a driving test.
Tong Sui turned to glance at him upon hearing the commotion and received a sticky kiss. Chi Xingyu said, “I’ll be back soon.”
At that moment, he was dead tired and buried his head back into his pillow, muffling a response.
Not long after Tong Sui fell asleep again, he was awakened by a knock at the door. He instinctively thought it was Chi Xingyu forgetting something, squinting as he reached out to open the door.
Upon opening it, he saw not just one figure but three standing outside.
It was only then that Tong Sui fully opened his eyes and realized that it wasn’t Chi Xingyu but rather three of his other task targets.
Still in his loose pajamas, the collar crookedly exposing a large area of skin marked with various possessive hickeys, resembling beautiful plum blossoms blooming on branches in the snow.
Even his slender ankles bore a kiss mark.
In that moment, Tong Sui looked as though he was a golden canary, concealed in Chi Xingyu’s private territory, completely soaked in the other’s scent.
Even though he had prepared for this, the three of them couldn’t help but have their expressions change upon witnessing the scene.
It was like being struck by a heavy hammer, leaving them breathless.
Noticing their gazes, Tong Sui thought of the marks on his body and made a move to tug up the collar, awkwardly covering some of them.
“Is there something you need so early in the day?”
Zhong Yi replied, “It’s already noon.”
“…”
Tong Sui had completely forgotten that his schedule had been messed up by Chi Xingyu.
Zhou Siyuan explained, “We just moved in yesterday. Chi Xingyu said you wouldn’t be comfortable meeting us, so we came at this time.”
“Oh, so you are the new neighbors.”
No wonder Chi Xingyu didn’t let him go say hello yesterday. He had asked those strange questions because of this.
“Can we come in to talk?” Zhou Siyuan asked, “Or would you like to come over and take a look at our place?”
They had bought out the remaining three units on the floor, clearly intending to stay close to Tong Sui.
Even if Chi Xingyu’s relationship with Tong Sui was fine for now, it was merely temporary. Living together for an extended period would inevitably lead to quarrels or boredom.
Waiting is a necessary step for harvesting.
There’s no need to rush; maintaining a friendship with Tong Sui for now was enough.
“I’m going to pass. I went to bed too late last night, and I want to catch up on some sleep.”
None of the three expected the usually easygoing Tong Sui to refuse them. They were momentarily stunned and were about to say something when Tong Sui placed his hand on the door, shutting it in front of them.
“…”
The three outside exchanged glances.
Tong Sui returned to bed and wrapped himself in the quilt.
While he wanted to catch up on sleep, he was also considering Chi Xingyu’s strange temper.
If he knew that Tong Sui was in contact with others while he was out taking the test, he would surely become upset and find ways to torment him.
Tong Sui genuinely didn’t have the energy to deal with them.
Chi Xingyu completed his practical test without a hitch and brought back some of Tong Sui’s favorite snacks. His expression shifted slightly when passing by the other units on their floor.
He truly hated these persistent bugs that clung to others, but he had promised Tong Sui to never do anything out of line.
After entering, Chi Xingyu put down his things without even removing his hat, quickening his pace to the bedroom. Though anxious, he tried to keep the sound of the door opening down.
When he saw the person quietly sleeping on the bed, he relaxed without even noticing, as if a warm current had flowed through him.
Chi Xingyu approached and squatted beside the bed.
Not wanting to wake the sleeping person, he gazed for a long while, seemingly unable to get enough of the sight.
Tong Sui vaguely sensed that something was off and struggled to open his eyes, only to see Chi Xingyu’s face hovering there. Even though he was already used to sleeping next to someone, Chi Xingyu still startled him.
“Why didn’t you make a sound when you came back…?”
Tong Sui complained, curling up like a little cat.
“I wanted you to sleep a little longer,” Chi Xingyu propped himself on the bed, leaning in to savor the fragrance in Tong Sui’s hair. “I bought your favorite dessert; do you want to get up and eat some?”