Chapter 70: Not Just Dislike, but Loathing

Chapter 70: Not Just Dislike, but Loathing

The warm, moist night breeze tinted Yingli's face and ears a deep shade of red. Fresh out of the bath, a thin layer of sweat formed on his skin, making his clothes stick to his back, uncomfortably sticky.

"Was it when I kissed you?"

Qi Xie, with eyelids slightly drooping, watched Yingli's reaction intently. The gleaming pupils hinted at dancing flames, waiting for just one word from Yingli to ignite.

A kiss through clothes doesn’t count. Yet, he purposely phrased it that way, insinuating they really did kiss.

Yingli's face flushed deeper, the warmth on his ears intensifying. Why would he ask such a question?

As Yingli opened his mouth to deny it, Qi Xie interjected, "Don’t lie. I can tell."

The words Yingli was about to voice were swallowed back down. Head lowered, eyes averted, his flushed lips quivered as he retorted, "So what if it was, or wasn't?"

Qi Xie’s pupils constricted, replying, "If it was, I’d be pleased, as long as it didn’t discomfort you."

Yingli's cheeks grew even redder. Not discomforted? He didn’t find it pleasurable either. The bite on his lips hurt so much, even through clothes. He couldn't even fathom the pain had it been a direct bite.

Yingli bit his lower lip, remaining silent.

In the depth of Qi Xie's dark eyes, the reflection of Yingli's face appeared, as if it was about to catch fire. "Was it or not?"

Quietly clenching his clothes, Yingli found Qi Xie's actions irrational. First wanting to forcefully kiss him in the private room, then silently washing his clothes upon return, and now brazenly interrogating him. All these actions were beyond Yingli’s comprehension, and a gut feeling told him this question was dangerous.

"I don’t wish to answer. I’m leaving."

After pondering, Yingli opted for evasion. But as he turned to leave, he was yanked back by his wrist. Stumbling into the person behind him, once he regained balance, Qi Xie released him.

"Was it or not?" Qi Xie persisted, as if desperate for an answer.

This relentless questioning felt like being roasted over a fire. A mix of anger and distress welled up in Yingli, his eyes slightly rimmed with red, "Why must I answer you? Can't I choose to stay silent?"

Yingli found it peculiar and embarrassing that he had such a reaction to Qi Xie's kiss through clothing, as if he had been caught watching forbidden content, much like how high school boys would feel when discovered by their teachers. This shame made him reluctant to discuss it.

Qi Xie, eyes slightly lowered, said to Yingli, "I want to know."

Terrifyingly dominant, yet terrifyingly obstinate.

"Yes."

Yingli closed his eyes, a wave of weariness enveloping him. He took a deep breath, suddenly feeling utterly exhausted.

Raising his head, he gazed directly into those inky black eyes and calmly remarked, "And then what? You’ll claim my body responds positively, giving you an excuse to take liberties with me, watching me cry while stating how excited you are, making overt comments that scare me?"

"You said you wouldn’t bully me, yet the next moment, you do. Outside the private room tonight, there were so many people, even a live broadcast. Were you not the least bit concerned when you lured me there?"

Qi Xie's gaze shifted minutely, stating earnestly, "I didn't deceive you."

Yingli paused, his eyebrows furrowing deeper, "Fine, you didn’t deceive me. But after zipping me up, why did you corner me?"

"I wanted to touch you," Qi Xie murmured, his gaze shadowed. "I couldn't control myself."

The impulse to touch Yingli overcame him without thinking.

Yingli observed him, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips, an expression that hinted at both mockery and self-derision. His breathing became ragged, "So because you can't control yourself, I deserve to be treated this way? What did I ever do to you?"

Qi Xie slowly shook his head. "Nothing."

"Then why torment me?"

Yingli was growing increasingly confused, a sense of suffocation rising within. But he tried to keep his tone steady, "The day I learned you bought our house, I was genuinely elated. Even though I suspected ulterior motives, I can’t deny the favor you did me. I truly appreciate it, thank you."

"I didn’t even dislike you as much anymore..."

Qi Xie lowered his eyes to watch him, his expression unchanged, but his hands, hanging at his sides, clenched suddenly.

Yingli believed he was the type to easily forgive and forget, the type to be swayed by a hint of kindness after any amount of bullying. Such a nature meant he often ended up at a disadvantage, yet he couldn’t change it even if he wished to.

If only Qi Xie could be a tad kinder, Yingli might not detest him as much.

Yingli couldn’t quite pinpoint his current feelings. Finally, he added, "I'll try to repay the money for the house as soon as I can. Please stop treating me this way. I don't want to dislike you any further."

Silence enveloped the surroundings. Yingli could hear the rapid thudding of his heart and the whooshing wind, but Qi Xie's response remained absent.

He rambled on with a torrent of words, while Qi Xie merely watched him, giving no response whatsoever. It felt as if he was watching a solo performance, and Ying Li felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation.

Qi Xie continued to observe him. Tears welled up in Ying Li's eyes, but they never fell. Choking back his emotions, he asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

"I'm waiting for you to finish," Qi Xie replied, "Are you done?"

Ying Li whispered, "I'm done."

Suddenly, Qi Xie took a step closer. Startled, Ying Li retreated several steps, panic evident in his eyes.

Qi Xie stopped again, his voice husky, "How much do you detest me now?"

The distance between them was considerable and the far-off lights dim, so Ying Li couldn't really discern the emotion in Qi Xie's eyes. However, he felt an inexplicable depth to them, as intense as ink, capable of drowning someone with a mere glance.

Ying Li was unnerved by that look, so he averted his eyes, avoiding Qi Xie's gaze. He somberly stated, "I don't know. I'm leaving."

He had never really distinguished between "disliking a lot" and "not disliking that much." He wasn't sure how much he truly detested Qi Xie, so he couldn't answer.

He'd only taken two steps when someone lightly brushed against his fingers, as soft as a feather's touch, so light that Ying Li thought he might've imagined it.

"Could you dislike me a little less?"

For a moment, Ying Li was stunned, rooted to the spot, not turning back.

"Dislike me just a bit less."

The voice from behind sounded sorrowful, almost heartbroken.

Ying Li blinked, staring fixedly at the elongated shadows on the ground.

He saw Qi Xie's hand hovering in the air, fingers rigid, trembling slightly, as if intending to reach out, but eventually falling to his side in a clenched fist.

Ying Li didn't respond, grabbing his jacket and opening the rooftop door, only to unexpectedly bump into Song Ji Mo, who was about to enter.

Ying Li was instantly taken aback.

Song Ji Mo looked at Ying Li's moist eyelashes, brushed them lightly, and arched an eyebrow, "Have you been crying?"

"No," a tingling sensation came from his eyes. Recovering, Ying Li's voice had a nasal quality, "When did you get here?" he asked nervously.

"I just arrived," Song Ji Mo glanced towards the rooftop, his tone enigmatic, "Was there something I shouldn't hear?"

Ying Li was uncertain if he had overheard anything, avoiding direct eye contact, "Nothing..."

Song Ji Mo leaned in, his voice deep and magnetic, "Then can you tell me what you two discussed?"

A flustered Ying Li, sweat forming on his brow, stammered, "We didn't talk about much."

"Really? Nothing at all?" Song Ji Mo pressed, locking eyes with him, "Are your eyes red because the wind on the rooftop was too strong?"

Ying Li paused for a brief moment.

"If you don’t want to answer that, let's change the subject." Noticing the person in front of him looking pitiful and tense, Song Ji Mo hesitated and then inquired, "Lately, you've been spending a lot of time with the captain, and you seem to care about him a lot. Why is that?"

The clothes in Ying Li's hand tightened as he replied, "Have I?"

Song Ji Mo affirmed, "Yes."

Every now and then, Ying Li would glance at Qi Xie, with a subtlety that many might miss. Perhaps even Ying Li himself hadn't noticed it. But Song Ji Mo was highly observant. Or perhaps Ying Li was simply bad at hiding his feelings. His reddened cheeks and ears, clenched lips, and evasive eyes all gave him away. Song Ji Mo found it impossible to ignore.

Song Ji Mo closed the rooftop door, his arm propped beside Ying Li's face, in an imposing manner, "During the last live broadcast, you disappeared from the camera for five minutes, and tonight, those five minutes... What were you doing? Did he do anything to you?"

Each question he asked seemed to be an interrogation directed at Ying Li.

The usually mild and courteous Song Ji Mo seemed like a different person now. Ying Li didn't recognize this side of him but suddenly felt that he bore a resemblance to Qi Xie, both displaying an aggressive demeanor.

Ying Li hung his head, feeling a touch of resentment, and was reluctant to answer his questions.

Song Ji Mo seemed to sense his resistance, gently caressing his hair in a placating manner, "Don’t be scared. I'm just worried he might bully you. That's all. If you don't want to talk, you don't have to."

Ying Li nodded, "Okay."

Song Ji Mo returned to his usual gentle demeanor, looking into Ying Li's eyes, he warned, "I want you to know, Qi Xie is not easy to get along with. It's best if you keep your distance."

"Are you bad-mouthing him?"

Indeed, Qi Xie was not the easiest person to be around, but Ying Li was somewhat surprised that Song Ji Mo would say such a thing.

"Bad-mouthing?" Song Ji Mo chuckled, "It's the truth. Just remember that, okay?"

Ying Li looked down again, "I understand. I haven't washed my clothes yet. I should get going."

"Alright, go on."

Song Ji Mo watched his hurried departing figure, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

He pushed open the rooftop door, gazing at the tall silhouette in the dim night. Stepping closer, he began, "Unfortunate timing. I overheard most of it."

Probably from when Ying Li had asked Qi Xie why he bullied him.

Standing side by side with him, Song Ji Mo looked into the distance and inquired, "You like him, don't you? So, why bully him?"

Qi Xie remained silent.

Song Ji Mo continued, "Captain, it seems Ying Li doesn't have a fondness for you."

Qi Xie turned to look at him.

Song Ji Mo's laughter was unrestrained, and with a playful raise of his eyebrow, he clarified, "I misspoke. It's not that he doesn't like you. He despises you."

Author's note:

Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, disaster!