Chapter 33: Winter Break Plans
The sound of water in the bathroom echoed once again. Xie Yang had lost count of how many times it had been.
Qi Xu was holding him as they sat in the bathtub.
Warm water slowly filled the tub.
Xie Yang’s voice was hoarse, tinged with tears as he pleaded with Qi Xu, “It’s too hot.”
Qi Xu kissed away his tears, lifted him out of the water, and carried him to the mirror.
In the steam-filled bathroom, Qi Xu held his hand, wiping the mirror clear bit by bit.
“Mm.”
Xie Yang was forced to look at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes tinged with red, breathing erratic, his face flushed.
He weakly propped himself against the mirror, falling into Qi Xu’s arms before collapsing.
Qi Xu picked him up, his arms hooked under Xie Yang’s knees.
He made him watch the scene.
Xie Yang’s faint whimpers spilled from his lips as he lay limp in Qi Xu’s arms, softly crying.
Qi Xu’s kisses roamed his neck, his heavy breathing filling Xie Yang’s ears.
“Ah…”
Xie Yang trembled all over, his pupils dilated, his mind a blank.
Qi Xu placed him back in the warm water. Xie Yang leaned against the bathtub, exhausted, on the verge of slipping underwater.
Feeling Qi Xu’s touch, Xie Yang mumbled, “No more.”
Qi Xu soothed him, “Sleep, baby. I won’t bother you anymore.”
About ten minutes later, Qi Xu gently placed Xie Yang on the bed.
The warm, soft bedding finally gave Xie Yang a sense of security, the familiar scent of gardenias calming him.
By the time Qi Xu returned from the bathroom, Xie Yang was already asleep.
Qi Xu sat beside the bed, tenderly gazing at his sleeping face, his fingers lightly tracing his features.
Xie Yang’s pale pink lips were now swollen. Qi Xu frowned with concern.
He gently lifted the blanket covering Xie Yang and applied ointment to his bruises.
His chest was covered with bite marks, red and swollen. Qi Xu barely touched him, and Xie Yang instinctively covered his chest, curling up.
Not wanting to wake him, Qi Xu stopped.
He climbed into bed quietly, laying beside Xie Yang, draping an arm over his waist, and fell asleep with their feet touching.
…
The next day at noon.
The winter sun filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a gentle light. Xie Yang slept soundly, wrapped in the blanket.
His eyelashes fluttered as he slowly woke up in the warm bed.
As Xie Yang tried to turn over, pain shot through his body, and memories of the previous night came flooding back, dispelling his drowsiness. He opened his eyes in a daze.
The events of the night before played in his mind.
Xie Yang’s face turned crimson at an observable speed.
Click—
The soft sound of the door opening drew Xie Yang’s attention, and he met Qi Xu’s gaze. The memories of the previous night flooded back, making Xie Yang quickly turn away, hiding his face under the blanket in embarrassment.
Qi Xu chuckled quietly, placing a glass of honey water on the bedside table. He lifted the blanket and gently pulled Xie Yang into his arms.
Xie Yang’s legs were sore, and the sensitive areas felt a slight, tearing pain.
“It hurts.”
Xie Yang managed to whisper, his throat dry and raspy.
Qi Xu quickly handed him the water, watching as Xie Yang gulped down the entire glass, feeling sorry for him: “Do you want more?”
Xie Yang shook his head.
Seeing Qi Xu holding the ointment, Xie Yang pushed against him, his face flushing hotter. He grabbed the ointment and mumbled, “I’ll do it myself.”
Qi Xu originally wanted to argue that Xie Yang wouldn’t be able to reach, but seeing his embarrassed expression, he relented, “Okay, I’ll prepare lunch. Apply the ointment and come out to eat?”
Xie Yang nodded obediently.
Qi Xu kissed his forehead and said, “If you need help, just call me.”
Xie Yang didn’t respond, only pushing him away, signaling him to leave quickly.
After Qi Xu left the bedroom, Xie Yang got out of bed. As soon as he stood up, his legs felt weak and wobbly, almost causing him to fall back onto the bed.
Step by step, he slowly made his way to the bathroom, his pace uneven.
Finally reaching the bathroom, Xie Yang stared at his reflection, stunned.
The loose pajamas couldn’t hide the numerous love bites on his chest, and the faded bite mark on his neck was covered with fresh ones.
The skin on his chest was broken and bleeding, his waist bruised with purple marks.
His thighs were covered with dense love bites and deep fingerprints.
He felt like a rag doll that had been chewed up by a puppy.
Xie Yang took a long time in the bathroom, and when he came out, he smelled faintly of herbal medicine.
As soon as he opened the door, Qi Xu put down what he was holding, came straight to him, picked him up, and gently placed him on the soft cushion of the sofa.
Qi Xu knelt beside him on one knee, holding his ankle, and asked worriedly, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
Xie Yang looked at him, unable to suppress a smile, and patted his head.
“Just a bit tired.”
His voice was hoarse and tinged with exhaustion.
Qi Xu: “How about you eat and then take another nap?”
Xie Yang looked at him for a while without speaking, then opened his arms and softly called out, “Hug me.”
Qi Xu was slightly stunned. He reached out, slipped his arms under Xie Yang, and lifted him onto his lap, holding him gently.
Xie Yang lay against Qi Xu’s chest, hugging his slim waist and inhaling the faint gardenia scent.
Suddenly remembering something, Xie Yang lifted his head and kissed Qi Xu’s lips, smiling as he said, “Happy New Year, brother.”
Qi Xu, with one arm around his waist and the other hand cupping the back of his neck, smiled warmly.
“Happy New Year, baby.”
Qi Xu held him close, gently massaging his sore waist.
Xie Yang’s waist was sensitive; even the light touch made him squirm and protest softly, almost like he was pouting, “It tickles.”
Qi Xu had to adjust his position, letting Xie Yang sit on the sofa with his legs stretched out so he could massage them.
Xie Yang leaned against him, watching Qi Xu’s long, slender fingers, his face flushing red.
Qi Xu paused his massage, laughed suddenly, and pinched Xie Yang’s flushed cheeks, teasing, “What are you thinking about?”
Xie Yang, shy and stumbling over his words, replied, “N-nothing.”
At that moment, his stomach growled with hunger. Qi Xu touched his flat belly and whispered in his ear, “Last night this was all puffed up.”
The blatant teasing left Xie Yang speechless.
He tugged at Qi Xu’s shirt and buried his face in his chest.
Qi Xu loved teasing him.
After lunch, Xie Yang lay in a rocking chair, basking in the sun.
He was browsing his social media when a call came in.
Frowning slightly, Xie Yang chose to answer.
“Mom.”
Rong Man had called to invite him to stay at home during the winter break. Hearing Xie Yang’s voice, she quickly asked, “Yang Yang, what’s wrong with your voice? Do you have a cold?”
Xie Yang coughed lightly, clearing his throat, “Yes, just a bit of a cold.”
Rong Man: “How did you catch a cold again? Are you not wearing enough clothes, or is your blanket not warm enough?”
Xie Yang: “No, I just got careless and caught a draft. I’ve already taken medicine, so don’t worry.”
“Alright.” Rong Man couldn’t say much more and reminded him to come home during the break.
Hearing the words “winter break,” Xie Yang’s good mood faded.
Xie Yang: “I want to go back to the countryside.”
Rong Man paused, then slowly spoke, “Are you unhappy staying at Mom’s house?”
She blurted out the question instinctively, only realizing afterward what she had said.
But once said, it couldn’t be taken back.
There was silence on the phone.
Xie Yang hadn’t expected her to bring up this topic so directly.
For some reason, he didn’t want to hide it anymore.
“Yes,” he replied.
There was a few seconds of silence from Rong Man, then she suddenly continued, “Mom and Uncle have secured a house in the city, a three-bedroom one. You can move in anytime. Mom has set aside a room for you.”
Xie Yang thought for a moment, then just smiled lightly, “The cherry tree in front of Grandma’s house is blooming. I want to go back and see it.”
Rong Man didn’t say anything more, exchanged a few pleasantries, then hung up the phone.
Thinking about the winter break, Xie Yang’s thoughts drifted far.
There were only a few days left until winter break started.
Would he have to be apart from Qi Xu for many days?
Just the thought of not seeing Qi Xu for so many days made him anxious.
And when the school closed for the break, he couldn’t stay on campus for too long.
Xie Yang’s thoughts were in disarray.
Should he proactively mention to Qi Xu that he wanted to stay here for a few days and return to his hometown later?
When Qi Xu walked up to Xie Yang with a fruit tray, he noticed Xie Yang lost in thought, occasionally furrowing his brows as if troubled by many things.
Qi Xu gently touched his head and softly asked, “What are you thinking about so deeply?”
Xie Yang looked at him, wanting to speak but hesitating, the words stuck in his throat, unsure how to say it.
Qi Xu prompted, “Is there something you can’t tell me?”
Xie Yang shook his head, “Do you have any plans for the winter break?”
Qi Xu smiled knowingly, seeming to understand his dilemma.
He smirked lazily and said, “Oh, yes. I plan to stay in the apartment with you for ten days or half a month without going out, and every day, we’ll study the contents of romantic movies.”
Xie Yang: “…”
Suddenly, he felt that not seeing each other for two months of break might not be such a bad thing.