Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Indeed, in the kitchen was a brand-new, sky-blue insulated bucket, still sheathed in its protective film and adorned with a tag, currently resting peacefully in the corner of the topmost cabinet.

Ye Zhiqiu reached up to take it down, feeling slightly stunned.

This spot was quite hidden.

Previously, he and Li Shaojun had thoroughly reorganized the kitchen.

Although it was already clean, they had wiped it down from top to bottom with damp cloths.

Throughout the process, no one had noticed this insulated bucket hidden in the corner.

How did Qin Jianhe manage to know his kitchen so well after just cooking one meal at his place?

Was his observation that keen?

The metal body of the bucket felt cool against his palm. Ye Zhiqiu lowered his eyes and began to clean the insulated bucket.

Then, he opened the soup pot on the countertop and ladled half of the duck soup inside.

As he put on his coat and left, gripping the doorknob, Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but look back into the room.

The house was spotlessly clean, every surface polished to perfection, and under the warm light, the beige coffee table and dining table emitted a soft glow.

It made him feel comfortable.

Even though he had only lived here for a day, and it was just a rental apartment,

perhaps because this was the first place truly belonging to him in both his past and present lives.

A deep, indescribable sense of attachment welled up within Ye Zhiqiu.

This feeling was unfamiliar.

He had never experienced it with the Ye family or with his home in his previous life with Qi Xin.

In his previous life, due to Qi Yun's success, Qi Xin had bought a luxurious four-hundred-square-meter apartment near the business district.

The interior was even more opulent.

However, out of caution, Ye Zhiqiu only found out much later that the property deed was in Qi Ruichang's name.

This gave Qi Ruichang the confidence to come and go as he pleased, bossing everyone around, always boasting about how capable his son was.

To him, Ye Zhiqiu was merely someone living off others.

Yet, Qi Yun was built through his tireless efforts, day and night.

In the end, he was the one pushed out.

That was when he realized how shameless people could be.

His efforts were never appreciated, and his kindness was trampled upon.

Of course, living with the Qi family, he wasn't eating free meals either.

Qi Xin was particular about food, insisting on only liking dishes cooked by him.

So, he ended up doing work similar to that of a housekeeper.

Every day, he cleaned the four-hundred-square-meter house and adjusted the menu according to Qi Xin's preferences.

Back then, he had no strength to resist, performing routine tasks like a programmed machine.

Days passed without meaning.

All his youthful ambitions and defiance towards Ye Hongxian had vanished.

There was nothing left of them in him.

Thus, despite the opulence of that house, he only felt coldness.

Only much later did he realize it was merely a gilded cage.

And he was the cuckoo in the nest.

How could such a place evoke any attachment?

Ye Zhiqiu stood quietly for a moment, as if trying to memorize everything in the room.

Then he turned off the lights and stepped out.

Outside, the sky had darkened, and the long street was illuminated by the red taillights of cars stretching into the distance.

Carrying the insulated bucket, Ye Zhiqiu walked about a hundred steps before reaching Qin Jianhe's neighborhood.

Entering the gate with familiarity, he arrived at the elevator, only to remember that he had returned the card to Qin Jianhe.

Taking out his phone, Ye Zhiqiu sent a message.

Moments later, the elevator door opened slowly, controlled by someone upstairs.

The elevator ascended directly to the top floor.

Almost simultaneously, the door to Qin Jianhe's apartment opened from the inside.

Qin Jianhe stood at the doorway, smiling at him.

"Come in," he said, reaching out to grasp Ye Zhiqiu's wrist and pulling him inside.

"Why did you open the door at such a perfect time?" Ye Zhiqiu asked curiously, handing over the thermal container to Qin Jianhe while bending down to change into his usual pair of slippers.

"I calculated it," Qin Jianhe said, looking down at him with a smile in his eyes.

"I smell crab," Ye Zhiqiu said with a smile, lifting his eyes after changing his shoes as Qin Jianhe led him into the room.

Steam rose from the kitchen, and the aroma of food wafted through the door, making the room feel especially warm and cozy.

Just as Ye Zhiqiu was about to go over, Qin Jianhe grabbed his hand again.

He smiled and handed him something.

It was the magnetic card that served as both an elevator key and a room key.

"Take it," Qin Jianhe said. "We can visit each other for meals whenever we want."

Ye Zhiqiu hesitated slightly.

Visiting each other for meals was fine, but taking Qin Jianhe's card...

"But..." he murmured.

"What 'but'?" Qin Jianhe looked at him with a half-smile, placing the card firmly into Ye Zhiqiu's palm.

"I enjoy cooking, and when I'm not busy, I usually eat at home," he smiled. "But cooking for one always leads to some waste. When you come over, we can share meals together."

Seeing Ye Zhiqiu still hesitant, Qin Jianhe didn't give him a chance to reconsider. "The crabs are ready. Come with me to get a bowl and pour out the duck soup first."

Indeed, after presenting a new task, Ye Zhiqiu had no time to dwell on his hesitation.

"Okay," he said, naturally slipping the card into his coat pocket.

After a spring rain, the temperature began to steadily rise. Even Ye Zhiqiu shed his heavy coat for a light, flowing windbreaker.

The pale smoky blue suited him, clean and refreshing, giving him an ethereal air as if he were untouched by worldly affairs.

Qin Jianhe watched his movements, a hint of amusement crossing his eyes.

Entering the kitchen one after the other, Ye Zhiqiu immediately noticed the vinegar dish on the cutting board.

It contained finely shredded ginger.

He pursed his lips, but a smile still crept into his eyes.

In a corner of the kitchen, next to the refrigerator, there was now a foam insulation box containing more than a dozen large crabs, tightly bound.

"Weren't you at the sanatorium?" Ye Zhiqiu asked. "Why do you have a box of crabs?"

"They were given to my mom," Qin Jianhe smiled. "There were too many, so I brought a box back when I returned."

Having a mom is great.

With a mom around, the fridge never seems to lack ingredients.

Ye Zhiqiu glanced at Qin Jianhe with a smile, feeling a twinge of envy.

But quickly, he turned away and opened the sterilizer to fetch a soup bowl.

"Just leave them there," Qin Jianhe said, placing the crabs in a shallow dish. "I'll deal with them later."

"Okay," Ye Zhiqiu said, setting the bowl down and then carrying the two vinegar dishes out.

Then, he straightened up, took off his windbreaker, and hung it on the coat rack.

Once everything was settled, he looked towards the windowsill in the dining area.

The plastic rose still stood in the glass bottle, as vibrant as the day he first saw it.

Ye Zhiqiu was about to smile when he noticed that the real flower Qin Jianhe had given him was gone.

He was slightly taken aback, his gaze shifting to see that the rose specimen in the frame had doubled from one to two.

The two roses were touching heads, reminding him of how Qin Jianhe often liked to touch foreheads with him.

Just as he was about to smile, he suddenly remembered that the rose specimen was from someone Qin Jianhe liked.

For some reason, Ye Zhiqiu couldn't bring himself to smile anymore.

As Qin Jianhe placed the crabs on the table, he noticed Ye Zhiqiu's somewhat unfriendly expression toward the frame.

"Teacher Ye," he said with a smile, "isn't my cooking pretty good?"

"Not at all," Ye Zhiqiu replied.

He knew he had his boundaries and didn't want to delve too deeply into Qin Jianhe's thoughts.

After saying this, he intended to say no more.

But...

But Qin Jianhe had placed the flower he gave him next to the one from the person he liked, their heads touching...

It felt strange no matter how he thought about it.

Would anyone pose so intimately with a rival?

Even if they were just flowers, it still seemed inappropriate.

Ye Zhiqiu was lost in thought, completely unaware that the words "rival in love" had flashed through his mind.

There was a light crack as Qin Jianhe pried open a crab shell.

He separated the top and bottom of the crab and placed them on a plate before pushing it in front of Ye Zhiqiu.

"Eat carefully," he said in a low, pleasant voice, "watch out for the sharp edges."

Ye Zhiqiu acknowledged with a sound.

But the thought that Qin Jianhe might have been this considerate to others before made him feel even more stifled.

A tiny spoon was perfect for scooping out the crab roe. Ye Zhiqiu lowered his head to eat.

"Ye Zhiqiu." Qin Jianhe suddenly called out from across the table.

"Hmm?" Ye Zhiqiu looked up.

"The vinegar dish," Qin Jianhe reminded him, "didn't you specifically ask for it? Why aren't you using it?"

Not only in taste but also in nature, ginger is warm while crab is cool, making them the perfect pair.

"I am using it," Ye Zhiqiu said.

Meeting Qin Jianhe's dark, smiling eyes, he suddenly felt himself relax.

Forget it, he thought. It's me who's sleeping with Qin Jianhe now, not someone else.

He felt proud and self-assured.

With his mood lifted, the food tasted even better.

The crabs sent to Nie Fengjun, given her status, were naturally of high quality.

Each one was plump and full of roe, and with a touch of ginger and vinegar, they were even more delicious.

"Delicious," Ye Zhiqiu said, his eyes curving into a smile.

Crab is cold in nature, and Ye Zhiqiu was very sensitive to the cold, so even though they were delicious, Qin Jianhe didn't intend to let him eat too much.

Therefore, besides crabs and old duck soup, there were other dishes on the table.

Ye Zhiqiu ate a large crab, then drank a bowl of old duck soup under Qin Jianhe's watchful eye, and naturally, he had some vegetables to supplement vitamins, followed by a few pieces of spare ribs...

When he wanted another crab, he found that he could barely breathe, so he gave up.

After dinner, Qin Jianhe washed the dishes while Ye Zhiqiu, wanting to digest, went upstairs and stood in front of Qin Jianhe's bookshelf to read comics.

After a short while, he couldn't help but turn his head again, looking towards the direction of the dining room downstairs.

Until the study door opened and Qin Jianhe walked in.

Seeing his distracted look, Qin Jianhe came forward and wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"What are you doing?" Ye Zhiqiu asked.

"Just a hug," Qin Jianhe said softly, turning his head to give a gentle suckle on his cheek.

Ye Zhiqiu found it amusing but still tilted his head slightly, and they shared a long, tender kiss.

"Are you going to work on official business?" Ye Zhiqiu asked.

"Are you going to read here?" Qin Jianhe countered.

Ye Zhiqiu blinked, not understanding how his reading or not reading was related to Qin Jianhe working or not.

So Qin Jianhe explained, "If you go downstairs, I'll work on my tablet down there."

"Hey, Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu looked at him, "you're getting a bit clingy."

"So what?" Qin Jianhe asked, "don't you like clingy people?"

Ye Zhiqiu closed the book, intending to say he didn't like it, but for some reason, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

Seeing his thoughtful expression, Qin Jianhe couldn't help but chuckle softly.

That laugh was low and light, like a feather brushing past his ear, making Ye Zhiqiu instinctively lift his hand.

Immediately, Qin Jianhe's large, knuckled hand grasped his palm.

"I won't tease you anymore," he leaned in for another kiss, then pulled back slightly, "I'll get you some snacks so you can eat while you read."

Ye Zhiqiu didn't speak, nodding instinctively upon hearing this.

After fooling around for a while, he had almost fully digested his meal, so he picked a few books and sat back in the recliner he had used before.

Just moments ago, he was thinking about the picture frame downstairs, but after a few kisses, he had completely forgotten about it.

He quickly became engrossed in the intense competition scene in the comic.

Even when Qin Jianhe placed a small dish of snacks beside him, it took him a while to notice.

Perhaps because it was evening, the dish contained no candies or chocolates, just a few slices of dried fruit, a handful of nuts, and a steaming cup of fresh milk next to it.

"I'll drink the milk first," he looked up at Qin Jianhe.

From this angle, his eyes appeared larger, and his questioning tone was obedient, making him seem like a child.

Hearing this, Qin Jianhe couldn't help but laugh and raised his hand to ruffle Ye Zhiqiu's hair.

"Suit yourself," he said, his voice low and gentle, laced with amusement. "I'll be right here. Call me if you need anything."

Ye Zhiqiu nodded, straightened his posture, and held the milk while flipping through the book.

Qin Jianhe sat down at his desk, opened the email with the project proposal, glanced at it for a moment, then couldn't resist looking up again to gaze at the figure by the window.

The young man was intensely focused as he read,

his thick, long lashes slightly lowered, his snow-white cheeks seeming even fairer than the milk in the cup, making his eyelashes appear darker and his lips more red.

Reading and drinking milk simultaneously, his movements were somewhat slow, often holding the cup to his lips for a while before taking a sip, unaware of the milk stain on his mouth.

Qin Jianhe watched him quietly, first amused, then softened, and finally feeling a warmth in his heart.

He pressed his lips together, making them flat, and after a while, shifted his gaze back to the computer screen.

The study was very quiet, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, only occasionally interrupted by the sound of Qin Jianhe typing and the rustle of pages as Ye Zhiqiu turned them.

Time passed, and when Ye Zhiqiu was almost done with his second book, Qin Jianhe walked over.

The tall silhouette of the man blocked the light, casting Ye Zhiqiu entirely into his shadow.

"No more reading," he bent down and closed Ye Zhiqiu's book. "It's eleven o'clock. Time to rest."

"So soon?" Ye Zhiqiu looked down at his wristwatch upon hearing this.

Time always seemed to pass quickly when he was with Qin Jianhe.

It was indeed already eleven o'clock.

"Just let me finish these few pages," he said, hurriedly flipping through the book.

Seeing this, Qin Jianhe sat down beside him and pulled him into his arms.

They cuddled together and finished the last few pages of the comic.

"I've read this before," Ye Zhiqiu turned his head to Qin Jianhe as he closed the book. "But it's been a while, so I forgot most of it. It's still interesting to read now."

"Hmm," Qin Jianhe looked down at him. "Teenage passion is always precious whenever you look back."

Though he hadn't asked, Ye Zhiqiu guessed that Qin Jianhe must have loved basketball during his school days.

Just from the few pairs of limited-edition sneakers he kept.

Qin Jianhe playing basketball...

Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but imagine it in his mind.

A cold and sharp youth, speeding across the court, completely indifferent to others' fervor...

It must have been really cool.

Subconsciously, he thought of Qin Jianhe practicing boxing in the gym.

It must have been sexy too.

"Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu remembered something. "In a couple of days, I'm going back to the gym to start training?"

"Oh?" Qin Jianhe paused as he held Ye Zhiqiu's hand to get up, then chuckled softly.

"What's this about?" he laughed. "Is Teacher Ye planning to start exercising under my guidance?"

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu was taken aback for a moment before realizing what he meant.

"Hey, Qin Jianhe," Ye Zhiqiu chided with a laugh.

But Qin Jianhe held him firmly around the waist, leaving him immobile.

Deciding not to struggle anymore, Ye Zhiqiu leaned back against Qin Jianhe's shoulder and turned to look at him.

Just as he was about to continue, Qin Jianhe turned his head and bit his lip.

"Hey," Ye Zhiqiu mumbled with a confused laugh, then was silenced by Qin Jianhe.

Damn, every time he tried to argue, Qin Jianhe would silence him like this. He was truly cunning.

They played around upstairs for a while until Ye Zhiqiu grew tired and they finally went downstairs.

Indeed, although nothing happened that night, Ye Zhiqiu didn't even have a chance to protest before he fell asleep nestled in Qin Jianhe's neck.

The soft glow of the wall lamp was warm, illuminating Ye Zhiqiu's sleeping face, giving his fair skin a warm hue.

Qin Jianhe raised his hand and gently touched Ye Zhiqiu's thick, lowered lashes.

Holding Ye Zhiqiu like this made him feel content and happy; he almost didn't want to close his eyes and sleep.

His fingertips slid down the smooth skin, finally resting on Ye Zhiqiu's earlobe, which he gently rubbed.

Ye Zhiqiu's skin was thin, and soon the flesh turned a faint pink.

Qin Jianhe smiled, recalling Ye Zhiqiu's expression when he saw the rose picture frame earlier.

He looked a bit puffed up but didn't say anything.

The smile deepened, and then he slightly lowered his head, placing a kiss on Ye Zhiqiu's forehead.

"Goodnight, Ye Zhiqiu," he said, reaching out to turn off the wall lamp.

The room plunged into darkness, and Qin Jianhe instinctively tightened his grip on his arm, holding Ye Zhiqiu even closer.

At that moment, all was silent; in his world, there was only Ye Zhiqiu.

*

At six-thirty in the morning, Ye Zhiqiu's alarm went off. He opened his eyes groggily and realized that Qin Jianhe was already gone.

Today was Monday, his first day back at work after returning from abroad.

Ye Zhiqiu got up, changed his clothes, and stepped out, hearing faint sounds coming from the kitchen.

He didn't go over immediately but instead opened his suitcase and took out those two sets of tools.

"Up already?" Qin Jianhe's voice came from behind him. Seeing him carrying out two medium-sized metal boxes, he raised an eyebrow. "For friends?"

"One set is for me to keep at home," Ye Zhiqiu said. "The other set is for my senior. I'll take it back to my place today and bring it to school this afternoon."

"Leave them here," Qin Jianhe said. "Later, put them in my car. When we get to the company, I'll transfer them to your trunk."

"I'll give you a spare key to my car," Ye Zhiqiu said, taking off his car key and handing it to Qin Jianhe.

Qin Jianhe accepted it.

There was a major project to discuss at the Monday morning meeting, so he needed to leave early. Breakfast was simple: two steamed crabs, a pot of golden, fragrant millet porridge, and two fried eggs.

As they were leaving, Qin Jianhe pulled Ye Zhiqiu back by the wrist, straightened his collar, and then let go.

The elevator stopped at the ground floor, and they parted ways.

Ye Zhiqiu had no special arrangements for the morning and didn't need to rush.

He first went back to his own place to pick up his car.

Qin Jianhe, on the other hand, headed straight to the underground garage to fetch his car and drive to work.

As he walked out of Qin Jianhe's apartment complex, Ye Zhiqiu received a call.

It was Qi Xin.

From the sound of it, Qi Xin seemed to be feeling better, though still coughing intermittently.

"Xiao Qiu," he said, "can we meet today? I'm near your place right now..."

Ye Zhiqiu was momentarily puzzled, thinking Tang Yue or Tao Ruoqing might have given Qi Xin his new address.

But then Qi Xin continued, "Don't worry, I'm not at your doorstep. I'm at the crossroads at the end of the lane leading from your house. Your father won't find me."

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu fell silent for a moment.

"Did you get discharged?" he asked.

"I was discharged last night. I didn't want to disturb you, so I waited," Qi Xin said, sounding particularly considerate.

"Oh," Ye Zhiqiu chuckled softly.

"Qi Xin," he said, "I forgot to tell you—I just moved out of the Ye family home."

There was a brief silence, and Qi Xin asked, seemingly confused, "What?"

"I moved out," Ye Zhiqiu repeated. "I actually wanted to tell you earlier, but with your father calling and you getting sick, I didn't mention it."

Hearing Ye Zhiqiu mention Qi Ruichang and recalling his attitude, Qi Xin felt a pang of guilt.

"Sorry," he said. "My father was wrong. I've talked to him, and he shouldn't interfere anymore."

Ye Zhiqiu laughed, seeming satisfied.

"That's good," he said, pausing before calling out again, "Qi Xin."

Ye Zhiqiu rarely spoke so gently, and Qi Xin's heart skipped a beat when he heard his name.

"All my life, my mother has spoiled me. I've never suffered at home," Ye Zhiqiu continued. "Even less so outside."

Qi Xin sensed what was coming and remained silent.

"I like you and am willing to do things for you, but that doesn't mean I can be treated like a doormat or a servant," Ye Zhiqiu chuckled, a hint of coldness in his voice. "I think both you and your father should understand this."

"I know, I know," Qi Xin assured him. "I'll make sure he understands."

"Just understanding isn't enough," Ye Zhiqiu said. "Your family marrying into ours is already a step up. You marrying me is even more of a climb."

He laughed, then suddenly asked, "Do you know why Gao Wenye chose Ye Zhixia?"

"To elevate his status," Qi Xin said, disliking Gao Wenye and unwilling to speak well of him.

"Do you realize your family is even lower than Gao Wenye?" Ye Zhiqiu sneered. "Gao Wenye at least managed to stand firm in the entertainment industry. What about you, Qi Xin? Without me, Qi Yun would still be buried in obscurity."

His tone was full of mockery and disdain, yet every word was true.

Qi Xin's pride was deeply wounded. He didn't speak but gripped his phone tightly.

"Even Gao Wenye, to change his status, could endure being looked down upon by the Ye family. Your father..."

He laughed again. "You'd better tell him to look in the mirror and think clearly before asking to meet me."

Ye Zhiqiu was being too harsh.

Even if his father had overstepped, did he really deserve such humiliation?

And yet, that was his father. Ye Zhiqiu showed no respect whatsoever.

When these words were spoken, they weren't just about his father; they were also about him...

Qi Xin held his breath, almost hearing the sound of his teeth grinding.

But upon hearing the last sentence, he slumped down helplessly.

"He has already figured it out." After a long while, Qi Xin said, accompanied by violent coughing, sounding quite pitiful.

Regardless, they needed to pacify Ye Zhiqiu first. Whatever happened with their own father and son could be discussed later.

"That's good," Ye Zhiqiu smiled.

"Xiao Qiu..." Qi Xin called Ye Zhiqiu's name but was cut off again.

"Today I have work," Ye Zhiqiu said, "My schedule is packed. Let's do it tomorrow."

Ye Zhiqiu agreeing to meet finally eased Qi Xin's mind.

"Alright," he said, "I'll come pick you up tomorrow."

Ye Zhiqiu hung up the phone without another word.

The matter of Qi Ruichang was something Ye Zhiqiu could hold over them for a lifetime.

Moreover, the smaller the issue, the more intense the humiliation felt in such a situation.

Ye Zhiqiu didn't care what others said about him lacking upbringing.

He wanted to embarrass and humiliate Qi Xin and Qi Ruichang.

In his previous life, they had been so arrogant; this time around, he would make them grovel.

After hanging up, Ye Zhiqiu entered the residential area expressionlessly, changed his clothes at home, and drove to the company.

Having been away for so long, he had accumulated a lot of work.

Especially on Zhang Lan's side, there were many documents and data needing his attention.

Knowing he still had classes at school in the afternoon, Zhang Lan bought two lunches from the restaurant and brought them up. The two ate casually in the office before getting back to work on the data.

A little past two in the afternoon, Ye Zhiqiu glanced at his watch, closed his laptop, put on his coat, and headed downstairs.

By the time he reached the underground garage, he suddenly remembered the two toolkits.

He had arrived late, and Qin Jianhe must have been busy Monday morning. He wondered if Qin Jianhe had remembered to return the items to his trunk.

Initially thinking to call and ask, Ye Zhiqiu ultimately decided to check his trunk first.

There, the two metal boxes were neatly placed inside.

On top of the boxes lay a peach-flavored lollipop, pink and wrapped in transparent candy paper, sparkling and beautiful.

Underneath the candy was a note with a few hastily scribbled words.

"Ye Zhiqiu, this candy is a bit like you."

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, finding it a bit cheesy and couldn't help wanting to curse but also couldn't help smiling a little.

He held the candy in his hand, slipped it into his coat pocket, and then took out his phone to send a message to Qin Jianhe.

"Yi Ye Zhiqiu: Does Mr. Qin usually coax boys like this? However, one candy can't buy a heart."