Chapter 88: Is it possible? Pregnancy.

Chapter 88: Is it possible? Pregnancy.

An unexpected turn of events caught Ying Li off guard. Lately, his reactions had been slow. Though he wished to turn away, his gaze uncontrollably settled on Qi Xie’s lips and fingers.

With no lights on inside the car and dim surroundings, Ying Li distinctly saw Qi Xie's tongue circle around his finger leisurely. As his gaze shifted slightly upward, he found Qi Xie intently watching him, desire apparent in his eyes.

As the faint sound of liquid was heard, Ying Li almost forgot how to breathe. The lips that were touched felt warm and tingling. He pursed them again. Yes, it was sweet – but beyond that, it carried the distinct, crisp scent of Qi Xie.

Ignoring the unexpected stirrings within, Ying Li took a deep breath, leisurely stating, "There's still a straw after all..."

"I wanted to taste what's in your mouth."

Qi Xie's gaze was deep and intense, and his demeanor was so earnest it made every word seem genuine.

Ying Li's cheeks flushed, and while still processing, he heard Qi Xie say, "If I can't drink from your mouth, at least allow me to taste your lips."

It was pure torture.

Ying Li half-closed his eyes, his long lashes concealing the underlying sadness and a voice carrying a hint of resentment.

The more Qi Xie spoke, the redder Ying Li's face became. His ears felt as though they were on fire. He felt embarrassed and upset. Qi Xie was the shameless one; why was he blaming Ying Li?

And why this obsession with tasting from his mouth? The last time with the coconut milk was the same. Although Qi Xie had only licked his lips over his clothes, the tingling sensation, the weakness in his limbs, and the shortness of breath were things Ying Li vividly remembered. Even recalling it made his body involuntarily tremble slightly, accelerating his heartbeat.

Consolidating these two instances, Ying Li concluded: Qi Xie wanted to kiss him, just as he enjoyed touching him.

A kiss was even more intimate than a caress. His lips were no different from anyone else's. Why would Qi Xie want to kiss him? As he pondered, Ying Li had an epiphany. He was again leaning towards the notion that Qi Xie might have feelings for him.

Cut losses promptly.

With his face flushed, Ying Li petulantly remarked, "I'm not drinking anymore."

"Indeed, you shouldn't," Qi Xie replied, casting a gentle look at him. "Your belly seems swollen."

Following Qi Xie's gaze, Ying Li looked down at his stomach. It wasn't bulging at all; his abdomen was perfectly flat. He pressed his lips together, turned his head away, and said nothing.

"Is it possible?" Qi Xie inquired, warmth evident in his eyes as they lowered.

Ying Li, previously lost in thought while gazing out of the window, was a moment slow to respond, "Possible? What are you talking about?"

Qi Xie's gaze softly settled on Ying Li's slightly reddened face, whispering, "Pregnancy."

Ying Li was taken aback. He was a man; it was biologically impossible for him to get pregnant as a woman could. If it were to happen, it would be a medical marvel.

His eyes widened, filled with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. His ears heated up, and his face grew warmer, even affecting his breathing.

That was an intentionally provocative question. So unreasonable.

With a hint of hurt, Ying Li voiced, "Open the door; I want to get out..."

"No."

Noticing the change in Ying Li's mood, Qi Xie realized he might have misspoken. "I'm sorry," he began, "My thoughts were inappropriate. I won't mention it again."

Treasuring the hard-won date, and not wishing to upset Ying Li further, he softly pleaded, "Please don't leave me behind. Stay."

With an unprecedented humility in his demeanor, the car door unlocked with a click.

Ying Li paused for a moment, blinked, and said, "You seem... different tonight."

It was more than just 'different'; Qi Xie appeared transformed. This wasn't the proud, aloof, and stubborn man Ying Li knew. How could such a person change so suddenly?

Ying Li cautiously observed him, noting the rare gentleness in Qi Xie's eyes. There remained a hint of aggression, akin to a tamed beast that only retracts its claws and hides its wild nature in the presence of its master. How could it be...

"Yes," Qi Xie confirmed, "I'm imitating."

Ying Li questioned, "Imitating?"

"Imitating being in love, imitating how to care for someone — in a conventional way."

The car had already started, but Ying Li couldn't bring himself to get out. Holding an unfinished coconut drink in his hand, he glanced at the straw he'd been sipping from. There, unmistakably, was a tooth mark, a small habit he hadn't even noticed himself.

Joy Valley of Haicheng was the largest amusement park in the city. Surprisingly, the usually crowded ticket booth had no line at all. The occasional visitor would approach, ask a question, and then leave with a look of disappointment.

Qi Xie led Ying Li directly towards the entrance checkpoint.

Walking behind him, Ying Li asked, "Aren't we buying tickets?"

Qi Xie replied, "Already bought them."

"When did you buy them?" Ying Li hadn't seen Qi Xie use his phone.

"A long time ago."

In the dim light of the evening, Qi Xie's expression was indistinct. Ying Li stared at him for a couple of seconds before asking, "How did you know my national ID number?"

Nowadays, tickets were purchased under real-name registration, and he hadn't shared his ID number with Qi Xie.

Turning his head slightly, Qi Xie asked, "Do you really need to know?"

"Yes," Ying Li bit his lip, countering, "Can't you tell me?"

"I've followed you numerous times. What don't I know about you?" Qi Xie leaned in, eyes half-closed, "Your phone number, national ID, shoe size, the moles on your skin, the scars, where they're located, where you got hurt, how you feel, every minute detail... I know it all."

How could Qi Xie so casually admit to stalking him? Ying Li's hackles raised, "Stop talking."

"You insisted on asking," Qi Xie pointed out.

“……”

As if it was his fault? Ying Li pouted. Looking up, he noticed someone nearby observing them. In a blink, his line of sight was blocked.

Someone was secretly taking pictures of them. Qi Xie stepped in front of Ying Li, adjusting his hat slightly, "Let's go."

With his head lowered, Ying Li followed without uttering a word. When they reached the turnstile that required an ID scan, he hesitated. He looked for a manual entry point, but there weren't any staff on duty. He was puzzled.

Touching the tip of his nose, he murmured almost inaudibly, "I didn't bring my ID."

"I know. I brought it."

Qi Xie swiped his ID to enter, then beckoned to Ying Li, saying, "Come here."

Ying Li approached the turnstile, asking, "What's wrong?"

"Closer."

His voice, husky and alluring, prompted Ying Li to instinctively take half a step forward, "What are you doing?"

Before he could finish, Qi Xie reached under Ying Li's arms, lifting him off the ground in one swift motion.

Suddenly airborne, Ying Li was taken aback, instinctively grabbing onto Qi Xie's shoulders, his fingers digging deep into the flesh.

"You're holding on tight."

Qi Xie was strong, holding Ying Li both firmly and effortlessly. Ying Li wasn't afraid of being dropped; it was the sudden embrace that startled him.

Loosening his grip slightly, Ying Li said with a hint of embarrassment, "I could've stepped over it myself."

The turnstile only reached his waist, so he had more than enough room to step over. There was no need to be carried.

As expected, Qi Xie replied, "I wanted to hold you."

Never missing an opportunity to be close to him.

Ying Li's face reddened even more, his fair skin glowing as if blushing. After a pause, he softly murmured, "Mm-hmm."

Just as his feet touched the ground, there was a sudden "ding" from behind.

Alarmed, Ying Li turned to find the turnstile gate had opened again. "Why did it open again?"

Glancing at it, Qi Xie casually said, "It's broken."

"Oh," Ying Li replied, still a bit shaken. Catching his breath, he asked, "You don’t think anyone will accuse us of gatecrashing, right?"

Qi Xie calmly responded, "No, we bought tickets."

Although stores inside the amusement park were open and lively music echoed throughout the main plaza, Ying Li didn't spot a single visitor. The vast square seemed desolate under the cold, clear moonlight.

Not far from them was a food stall selling ice cream and hot dogs. Ying Li gave it a couple of glances before Qi Xie asked, "Hungry?"

"Not really." He had just finished his coconut water and felt rather full.

"Why is there no one around?" Ying Li glanced around, only spotting the staff in the shops and the multicolored lights twinkling. "Did everyone go to watch a performance?"

Qi Xie replied, "It's just us."

Lifting his eyes, Ying Li looked puzzled, staring blankly at Qi Xie.

Their eyes met. Qi Xie's gaze was both bright and enigmatic. Suddenly, a realization struck Ying Li, "Just the two of us?"

"Yes," Qi Xie's voice was deeper than before, emphasizing, "Just us. You and me."

Understanding dawned on Ying Li, "Oh."

So, the park had been reserved.

Such a vast amusement park, and it was only them.

Had it been reserved just for him? Ying Li wondered. A part of his mind felt sluggish, like rusted gears grinding against each other, but his heart rate inexplicably quickened. A mix of bittersweet emotions swirled within, utterly contradictory.

Clenching his fists, he felt uneasy about the unexpected surge of feelings.

Observing Ying Li's furrowed brows, Qi Xie's expression darkened, "Are you not pleased?"

"No, I'm quite happy," Ying Li exhaled, "The sparkler show was beautiful, and so were the blue tears. Thank you."

"I don't want your thanks."

Just as Ying Li braced himself, expecting Qi Xie to make another request, he heard him say, "Just... dislike me a little less."

A sudden gust of wind seemed to clear Ying Li's thoughts a bit, "So, you took me to those places and now here to the amusement park. Are you trying to bribe me?"

"Would you accept a bribe?"

"Your bribery is a bit late," Ying Li lowered his gaze, his voice barely audible, "I don't really dislike you anymore..."

He wasn't sure when it started, but at some point, his disdain for Qi Xie had faded. Perhaps when he realized Qi Xie was silently helping him, or maybe due to Qi Xie's recent change in attitude.

Ying Li sensed that his animosity was teetering on the brink.

"How much is 'not really dislike'?" Qi Xie asked, "What percentage?"

Ying Li paused, "Do we have to quantify it so precisely?"

A silent moment passed. The gaze on his face felt scorching, causing Ying Li to flinch. As he attempted to turn away, a hand grasped his face, drawing him back, then releasing. It was a simple gesture of reluctance to let him go.

Qi Xie studied his slightly upturned face, "Eighty percent?"

The breath that brushed against his face was moist and warm, reminiscent of a stifling summer cloud enveloping one's body.

Ying Li blinked, hesitating, "Not that much."

"Seventy?"

"A tad lower," Ying Li felt it could be a bit less.

Qi Xie: "Sixty."

After a moment's consideration, Ying Li lowered his eyes and nodded, "Yes, about that much."

"That's a lot."

Qi Xie, "Can't it be any less?"

Ying Li's eyes settled on the striking neckline and jaw. With conviction, he said, "No, that's already quite low."

Qi Xie looked at him for a long while, "What about the remaining forty percent?"

"Is that fondness?"

Author's Note:

Had to work overtime today. Failed to update regularly, sorry!