Chapter 35: I Miss You Too
The restaurant had an elegant atmosphere, with soothing piano music playing softly in the background. Beautiful roses adorned the table, creating a romantic ambiance.
Located in the tallest building in the entire city of S, this restaurant offered a panoramic view of the entire city.
Xie Yang looked out the window at the city below, enveloped in the night’s darkness, illuminated by colorful neon lights. It gave him a sense of dizzying opulence and an unsettling emptiness.
He turned back to look at Qi Xu, who was busy cutting the steak for him.
An inexplicable palpitation surged in his heart.
He took out his phone, intending to secretly capture this moment with a photo.
Unexpectedly, Qi Xu suddenly glanced at the camera of his phone, his usually stern face softening with indulgence and tenderness.
“Are you taking a photo of me?” Qi Xu asked.
Embarrassed, Xie Yang tried to retract his hand. He didn’t expect Qi Xu to notice his sneaky action.
Qi Xu lowered his gaze and continued to slice the steak, allowing Xie Yang to relax a bit.
“Go ahead and take photos, I’ll cooperate,” Qi Xu said casually.
Xie Yang nervously took several pictures of him.
Originally, he had planned to post one of these photos discreetly on his Moments (WeChat), setting it to be visible only to himself. On his secondary WeChat account, which only Qi Xu had added as a friend, they hadn’t contacted each other for a long time.
Since that incident where he had fallen from grace, Xie Yang had been using his previous WeChat account. The secondary account had become his secret hideout, hidden from Qi Xu’s knowledge.
However, he hadn’t expected Qi Xu to catch him in the act of taking his photo. Xie Yang wished he could find a hole to hide in.
He didn’t want Qi Xu to think he was doing something strange by secretly taking his photos. Xie Yang quickly tried to distract him, shifting his attention.
“Can I post your photo on Moments?” Xie Yang asked.
Qi Xu looked at him in surprise. He had thought Xie Yang would wait until they had been dating for a long time before choosing to go public. He didn’t expect Xie Yang to compromise so soon.
Although he didn’t know what had changed Xie Yang’s mind, he hoped Xie Yang would continue to be brave like this.
A smile gradually spread across Qi Xu’s lips, his eyes revealing his pleasant surprise. “I would be very happy.”
Blushing, Xie Yang shyly avoided his gaze and opened Moments, selecting the photo he had just taken. However, he struggled for a long time with the caption.
[My boyfriend…]
It didn’t seem right. Xie Yang deleted it word by word.
[A pleasant weekend…]
Why would a photo of Qi Xu be posted with “a pleasant weekend”? That would be odd too, so he deleted that as well.
[Dinner…]
Xie Yang sighed and finally deleted it.
Watching Xie Yang frown in frustration, Qi Xu couldn’t help but chuckle. “Give me your phone.”
Xie Yang looked at him warily, clutching his phone tightly.
He had a feeling that if he let Qi Xu post on Moments, he might end up with something strange.
Qi Xu pushed the plate of sliced steak toward him and said lightly, “Eat well.”
Under Qi Xu’s authority, Xie Yang reluctantly handed over his phone.
Qi Xu opened the photo, smiled as he typed a few words, then turned off the screen.
Seeing Xie Yang’s tense expression, he pocketed the phone and reminded him again, “Eat well.”
Xie Yang had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and focus on his dinner.
It wasn’t until Xie Yang finished his meal that Qi Xu returned the phone to him.
Xie Yang eagerly opened Moments and looked at it, his expression showing disbelief.
He only had about thirty friends on Moments, but the photo had received twenty likes.
It was the first time he had seen so many likes. His emotions were mixed.
Usually, even getting five likes on a post about attending a business event was difficult.
He repeatedly looked at the post Qi Xu had edited for him on Moments.
[My boyfriend.]
Qi Xu had also put the child’s bracelet back on him, looking at his flushed face and kissing his forehead.
His darling would be shy because of a little action of his.
Especially cute.
After dinner, the two walked around the mall.
The shopping cart was filled with various snacks that Xie Yang liked to eat.
Xie Yang watched Qi Xu buy fruit for him and quickly refused, “I won’t be able to carry it later.”
Moreover, the holiday was about to start, and he couldn’t stay for long.
Qi Xu said indifferently, “I’ll help you carry it upstairs.”
He originally had this idea and wanted to go to Xie Yang’s dormitory.
Xie Yang could only follow him and fill the shopping cart, but unfortunately, the instant noodles he selected were put back on the shelves one by one.
Qi Xu was particularly insistent on this point and didn’t allow him to eat only instant noodles when he was hungry.
He always felt like Qi Xu was raising pigs.
There was even an electronic scale at home, and Qi Xu would hold him every day to see.
He was like a little pig waiting to be slaughtered, and maybe he could be killed after he was fat and white.
On the way back to school, Qi Xu carried two large bags of snacks in front, and Xie Yang obediently followed behind him.
Xie Yang didn’t know if it was his illusion, but he always felt that the eyes around him intentionally or unintentionally fell on him and Qi Xu.
There were various complex looks of curiosity, shock, dissatisfaction, and so on.
When they took the elevator, Qi Xu protected Xie Yang in the corner and used his tall figure to separate him from others.
Xie Yang looked up at him eagerly, clutching his clothes.
Cute.
Qi Xu found his little expression cute.
He really wanted to pinch Xie Yang’s soft face, but he couldn’t free his hands for now.
After staring at him for a while, he couldn’t help but lean down and kiss his cheek.
In the narrow elevator, there was an instant exclamation followed by a sudden silence.
The atmosphere was electric.
Xie Yang’s face quickly turned red as he glared at Qi Xu.
How could he kiss him in front of so many people? The elevator was crowded, and everyone saw it.
Qi Xu just smiled smugly.
Just as he was about to lean in and kiss Xie Yang again, the elevator reached the fifth floor.
Xie Yang, head down, hurriedly pushed Qi Xu out of the elevator.
Even as the doors closed, he could still hear the murmurs from inside.
Feeling defeated, Xie Yang followed behind Qi Xu.
Click—
The dormitory door opened, and the three roommates who had been chatting inside instinctively turned to look at the entrance.
Seeing the familiar face, they were stunned.
“Old Qi?”
“What are you doing here?”
Qi Xu, tall and imposing, completely blocked the view of Xie Yang, who was behind him.
Xie Yang peeked out from behind Qi Xu and waved, “Uh… good evening.”
Song Xingyu said, “I knew there had to be a reason for Qi Xu to suddenly show up.”
Seeing the two large bags of snacks Qi Xu was carrying, Xi Rui teased mercilessly, “So you’re Xie Yang’s errand boy now.”
Ignoring their teasing, Qi Xu placed the bags on Xie Yang’s desk.
Xie Yang pulled out a chair for him to sit on, “Thank you for your hard work.”
Seeing the children’s bracelets they were wearing, Su Huai couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s like you’re babysitting. You two really do look the part.”
Xie Yang, who only reached Qi Xu’s shoulder, had a small and delicate appearance, looking especially youthful. It wouldn’t be strange to mistake him for Qi Xu’s younger brother.
Embarrassed, Xie Yang started to take off his bracelet. Seeing Qi Xu extending his hand, he lowered his head and helped him remove it.
Listening to his roommates’ teasing laughter, Xie Yang grew anxious.
Qi Xu, seated on the chair, wrapped his arm around Xie Yang’s waist and pulled him onto his lap.
“Don’t rush, take your time,” he said.
Xie Yang struggled to break free, whispering in Qi Xu’s ear, “They’ll make fun of us.”
Qi Xu glanced at the gossiping Xi Rui and Song Xingyu and snorted, “Ignore those who are single. Let them be envious.”
Xie Yang glanced timidly at his roommates and the observing Su Huai.
Xi Rui exclaimed, “Hey, who’s envious? Not me!”
Song Xingyu added, “Honestly, it still feels unreal that you two are dating. How about a kiss to prove it?”
Xie Yang: “…”
Qi Xu shot him a cool glance.
Su Huai, watching their intimate interaction, squinted slightly.
Xie Yang’s little face was moist, and Qi Xu was emitting hormones all over his body.
It seemed these past three days had been quite eventful for them.
Embarrassed under Su Huai’s gaze, Xie Yang jumped off Qi Xu’s lap and began organizing the snacks Qi Xu had bought for him.
Taking this chance, Qi Xu looked around the dorm.
Xie Yang had very few belongings, unlike Song Xingyu and Xi Rui, whose walls were covered with brand-name sneakers, their desks cluttered with figurines and electronic devices. Even Su Huai’s desk was filled with skincare products.
Xie Yang only had a simple laptop and some study supplies, plus the instant noodles in his cabinet.
Watching Xie Yang’s busy figure, Qi Xu tugged on his hand and pulled him into his arms, coaxing, “The dorm conditions aren’t great. Why don’t you come stay with me?”
Xie Yang was puzzled. Their dorm was among the best, recently renovated and still feeling new.
Seeing Qi Xu’s serious expression, Xie Yang asked, “If we live together, can I sleep in the guest room?”
Qi Xu raised an eyebrow, “Of course, you can sleep wherever you want.”
Xie Yang didn’t believe him. He had learned the hard way. So he softly refused Qi Xu, “The dorm is really nice. I don’t plan to move for now.”
Though disappointed, Qi Xu realized that the winter break was coming soon.
Xie Yang checked the time and urged, “It’s getting late. You should head home.”
Qi Xu: “Are you kicking me out?”
Xie Yang quickly shook his head, “No!”
He took Qi Xu’s hand and led him out of the dorm.
Song Xingyu watched their backs as they left, shaking his head and sighing. The entire dormitory was filled with the unmistakable scent of love.
It was clear that being in a relationship could change a person completely.
Xi Rui couldn’t help but vent in their group chat.
Xi Rui: [Suddenly, I understand what Sheng Fei meant.]
Sheng Fei: [What?]
Xi Rui: [Old Qi is just in a relationship, but he seems like a completely different person. Is he still the cold, ruthless guy we knew?]
Song Xingyu: [He’s totally a love-struck fool now.]
Sheng Fei: [What did Old Qi do this time that’s so out of character?]
Xi Rui: [He brought Xie Yang back to the dorm just to check it out, then complained about the dorm’s conditions, trying to get Xie Yang to move in with him.]
Xi Rui: [It’s ridiculous. I think our dorm has the best environment in the whole city. It’s clean and neat, where’s the problem?]
Xi Rui: [We all keep the place spotless. How can it be considered bad?]
Song Xingyu: [I get it. Old Qi is just cunning, using his looks to charm Xie Yang and make him fall for him completely.]
Sheng Fei: [Old Qi has always been sneaky! He’s not a good guy. Only someone as pure and gentle as Xie Yang would be fooled by him.]
Xi Rui: [Agreed.]
Sheng Fei: [By the way, I set them up. Shouldn’t Old Qi treat me to a meal? @CX330]
Xi Rui: [I want a meal too.]
Song Xingyu: [Count me in.]
CX330: [Did you get less meat at the last hotpot?]
Sheng Fei: [That’s different. Don’t you dare say that. I was just a tool last time.]
CX330: [Alright, I won’t call you next time I need a tool.]
Song Xingyu: [You can call me. I like being a tool. @CX330]
Xi Rui: [Me too. I won’t even charge. @CX330]
Sheng Fei: […]
It’s easy to invite guests, but hard to get rid of them.
After agreeing to several unfair terms, Xie Yang finally returned to the dorm.
When he came back, his lips were even redder than before, and his face was flushed with an unnatural shyness.
Su Huai glanced at him and shook his head.
He could tell that Xie Yang had been thoroughly teased.
Su Huai: “By the way, have you checked the forum these days?”
Xie Yang: “No, I haven’t been on the forum in a while.”
Su Huai nodded, “Then you probably don’t know. The forum is quite interesting right now. It’s a big scene of heartbreak and disappointment.”
Xie Yang: “Why?”
Su Huai: “Remember when you went to wait for Qi Xu at the Economics and Management building?”
Xie Yang recalled the incident, remembering that many students had seen them.
Su Huai: “At first, everyone was speculating about your relationship. Qi Xu had said he wasn’t gay and wasn’t interested in men. Even after you two held hands, they didn’t believe it until someone posted a photo of you together and screenshots of your Moments. Now everyone’s freaking out.”
Xie Yang’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pulled out his phone to check the forum.
Was all his information exposed on the forum?
Would there be a lot of people attacking him, and what about Qi Xu?
His previously shy expression vanished, turning pale, and his hands trembled.
Seeing this, Su Huai quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry. There are no posts revealing your identity. The admins have been deleting any posts with your information. It seems Qi Xu has a legal team ready to act if any of your details get leaked.”
Xie Yang was stunned for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief, “How…”
Su Huai: “I heard Qi Xu prepared a legal team. If any of your information gets leaked, they’ll take immediate action. The admins have been constantly deleting posts about you.”
Xie Yang hadn’t expected things to develop this way.
It turned out Qi Xu had been prepared all along, knowing exactly what he was afraid of and worrying about, and had silently done so much for him behind the scenes.
He felt an indescribable sense of gratitude.
He scrolled through the forum posts one by one. Although there were various opinions, there was very little personal information about him, and his photos had been thoroughly deleted.
Most posts were simply curious about how he had managed to win Qi Xu’s heart.
There were also some malicious speculations, and he saw Su Huai, using a pseudonym, arguing with those spreading rumors.
Xie Yang sniffled, his eyes reddening.
A message from Qi Xu popped up.
CX330: [Baby, I’m home.]
CX330: [I miss you.]
Caramel Pudding: [I miss you too.]
CX330: [I don’t have classes the morning after tomorrow. Come stay at my place tomorrow night, okay? Baby?]
Xie Yang’s heart softened for only a few seconds before it hardened again.