Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Huh? What kind of out-of-character nonsense is this?

The assistant swallowed his snarky comment, since he still wanted to keep his job.

"Probably... he'll like it," the assistant mumbled under his breath.

"Probably like it?"

Xi Wenlun shot back with a pointed question.

The assistant braced himself for a scathing tirade from his high-maintenance boss, but Xi Wenlun seemed too preoccupied, lost in his own thoughts.

A rare trace of distress flickered in his eyes. "I just hope that's the case."

The assistant stayed silent. He really wanted to remind him: Sir, you’re supposed to maintain your tough CEO image, not act like a lovesick middle schooler.

But then it occurred to him—he’d been working for Xi Wenlun ever since graduating college, back when Xi Wenlun was still the young scion of the family.

Even from day one, Xi Wenlun had kept to himself. The assistant had never seen any romantic entanglements.

Countless people sent his way—whether through gifts, would-be suitors, or those drawn to his looks—had all failed.

The assistant even suspected that if he’d known Xi Wenlun earlier, the man wouldn’t have gotten involved with anyone at all.

Except for Fu Xie.

Putting it all together, wasn’t President Xi like a dried-up tree blooming in spring, or an old house catching fire for the first time?

Turns out this is his first rodeo!

The assistant suddenly found the CEO’s random antics understandable. First-time romance—totally normal.

In fact, seeing the president like this was downright entertaining.

Completely unaware his staff were getting a kick out of his antics, Xi Wenlun scrolled obsessively through "marriage proposal" searches online.

Before long, the car stopped in front of the villa.

Xi Wenlun returned to his room and spotted a blanket burrito on the bed.

The coldness in his eyes melted into an amused smile as he patted the soft bundle.

"Not in the mood for games today? Sleeping so early?"

Fu Xie threw off the covers before Xi Wenlun could react, crashing straight into his arms.

Xi Wenlun, who maintained a regular fitness routine, scooped him up with ease and pulled him close.

"What’s wrong? Who upset my sweetheart today?" Xi Wenlun picked up on his subdued mood right away.

Calling me "baby" again... Is that person at Xi Corporation your "baby" too?

Fu Xie didn’t voice his thoughts, just buried his face against Xi Wenlun’s chest with a sullen hum.

Xi Wenlun’s sharp eyes narrowed thoughtfully, as if replaying the day’s events.

"Couldn’t find me today? Or did someone at the company give you trouble...?"

Fu Xie immediately raised his head and lightly pressed a finger against Xi Wenlun's lips.

"No," he avoided the latter's piercing gaze.

This gesture seemed to confirm Xi Wenlun’s suspicions.

He thought Fu Xie had made a special effort to surprise him but ended up not even seeing him, which might have made him feel insecure.

Xi Wenlun's brows knitted slightly. "I'm really sorry. I was swamped with work back then and didn’t notice you came."

"Getting stir-crazy at home? If you want to go out, I can have my assistant clear my schedule to accompany you."

Listening to the gentle words, Fu Xie suddenly felt his eyes prickle with tears.

No one but him knew that behind Xi Wenlun’s icy demeanor lay such tenderness.

No—perhaps someone else had already experienced this warmth.

Fu Xie steeled himself.

"That... has Ji Shaoting come to see you recently?"

"Ji Shaoting?" Hearing the unexpected name from Fu Xie, Xi Wenlun was even more baffled. "Why would you think of him?"

"Well..." Fu Xie hadn’t actually prepared an explanation. Should he say he happened to bump into him downstairs at Xi Corporation?

But even if he admitted it, what if Xi Wenlun denied it?

He had no proof—not even the card, which he’d already thrown away at the restaurant.

Fu Xie kicked himself.

If he confessed, and Ji Shaoting—a backstabber—was forgiven so easily, it must mean their connection ran deep. He was just an afterthought.

As for Xi Wenlun claiming him in front of everyone at Patriarch Xi’s birthday banquet, if Xi Wenlun was serious, why would he still secretly meet with Ji Shaoting?

And not tell him.

The more Fu Xie thought about it, the more despairing he became, his voice growing quieter. "Oh, I just figured it was rare to meet someone who looks so much like me, so I got curious."

He pasted on a smile. "Actually, Lin Yubin also looks like me, though the two of them aren’t really alike."

Fu Xie’s words caught Xi Wenlun’s attention.

Could such a coincidence really exist? Meeting so many lookalikes in succession.

Or perhaps some of them were actually Fu Xie’s relatives?

Xi Wenlun found this speculation quite plausible. Ji Shaoting, as someone in their world, had a known background—unlikely to have any distant relatives.

But Lin Yubin was different. He had left the circle long ago, and Xi Wenlun wasn’t particularly interested in him, barely knowing anything about him.

Maybe they were actually family.

"Really? If anything upsetting happens, let me know."

Xi Wenlun mussed his hair.

Fu Xie settled back into his embrace but winced when the hard belt dug into him, letting out a soft "ah."

Xi Wenlun glanced sideways, his gaze locking onto the young man quietly sucking in a breath.

Fu Xie met his stare with wide, dark eyes. "I haven't showered or changed yet today."

Xi Wenlun raised an eyebrow as he half-reclined against the headboard, one arm propped behind his ear.

His other hand wasn't still either, moving to trace Fu Xie's face—from his eyes down his cheeks before stopping at the nape of his neck.

Fu Xie shivered at the electric tingle of the touch, then gasped as his earlobe was teased and played with.

Though not particularly sensitive, the sensation still made heat rise to his cheeks.

Within moments, his earlobe was toyed with until bright red, the redness spreading to his cheeks.

Fu Xie turned away with a huff and batted the mischievous hand aside.

"I'm going to shower!" Not waiting for a response, he slid his slender legs off the bed.

In the bathroom, Fu Xie tugged his shirt up, biting the hem as he tried to close the door.

Only to find... it wouldn't budge.

He turned to see Xi Wenlun leaning against the doorframe, his burning gaze tracing the strip of bare waist revealed by the lifted shirt.

The rushing water filled the steamy air as heat crept through Fu Xie's body.

"Not showering?" Xi Wenlun's lips curved as he watched with amusement.

Fu Xie barely resisted rolling his eyes.

How was he supposed to shower with you standing there, dude?

He bit his lip, dropped his shirt, and pushed at Xi Wenlun's chest.

It was no use.

"I really need to shower," Fu Xie insisted, gripping the door handle.

"Mm." Xi Wenlun nodded. "Go ahead."

The steam thickened, making the air humid and heavy.

Fu Xie held his glare.

It was impossible to ignore the man's impressive physique—his fitted shirt hugged broad shoulders, outlining powerful muscles beneath.

If his suspicions were right, would he ever find another man like this?

Fu Xie swallowed hard.

Xi Wenlun didn't miss the reaction, his gaze darkening.

"Oh." Fu Xie turned his back abruptly, starting to pull off his shirt.

The pale, slender waist came back into view, his graceful shoulder blades still marked with faint red spots from before.

Xi Wenlun could almost recall the exact moment each mark was made.

His breath hitched unconsciously, yet Fu Xie seemed completely oblivious as he placed his hands on his waistband.

But the movement halted just before his hips.

Fu Xie leaned forward slightly, causing his backside to arch prominently.

His tone carried a hint of distress, "Seems like it's stuck."

This blatant teasing—only an idiot would miss it.

"Let me take a look?"

Though Xi Wenlun played at "helping," the moment his hands gripped Fu Xie, he ripped the pants clean in half!

Fu Xie shuddered in shock, his chin seized by Xi Wenlun, who crushed their mouths together.

Tongues tangled, their body heat merging.

Like any other couple in the world.

Fu Xie seemed drunk on the kiss, unaware as his clothes disappeared one by one.

Sometimes, he wondered—if only he and Xi Wenlun could actually be together?

He didn’t want to let go of anything about this man.

Water sloshed violently in the tub, waves spilling over the edges.

Steam fogged his vision, his consciousness growing hazy.

The water eased the way—and hid everything.

Fu Xie forgot all those supposed rules, focusing only on his *patient*.

It seemed to be working... so maybe now...?

After all, this was in water—it should be easier than anywhere else.

Gathering his nerve, he attempted the final step. If all went well, it would make their shared longing real.

To his shock, it slid in effortlessly. With enough softness and relaxation, he didn’t even feel discomfort.

Fu Xie couldn’t help but feel excited—his *problem* could actually be cured by himself!

Would this make Xi Wenlun want him more?

If he could claim this part of him, he could become someone special in his life.

No matter what, this would carve him into Xi Wenlun’s memory forever.

But his imagination jerked to a stop as Xi Wenlun pulled away.

"Sorry."

Fu Xie stammered, "Wh-what’s wrong?"

Wasn’t this everything he’d wanted? Didn’t he desperately need to solve this problem?

Xi Wenlun kissed him on the forehead.

"Maybe we should wait?" His tone was gentle, but his actions left no room for argument.

Fu Xie was no match for Xi Wenlun’s stamina—if the latter refused, there was nothing he could do.

His heart was a tangled mess, like yarn shredded by a cat, unraveling into frayed threads.

"Alright." Fu Xie took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside.

Even after Xi Wenlun dried him off and carried him back to bed, he couldn’t shake the sting of rejection.

Xi Wenlun, exhausted from work, had already fallen asleep.

Fu Xie brushed a finger over the dark circles under his eyes.

He must’ve been swamped...

Yet Fu Xie still didn’t understand why Xi Wenlun had refused.

Wasn’t this the very reason they’d gotten together? Why push him away now?

Then, a horrible suspicion dawned on Fu Xie.

Given recent events, was he just a pawn in Xi Wenlun’s game to get closer to someone else?

A guy like Xi Wenlun could have anyone.

Hadn’t Ji Shaoting come crawling back anyway?

Looking back, all he’d done this past year was party—nothing else.

Just a pretty face with nothing else going for him. How could he ever hold Xi Wenlun’s interest?

And now that his ED wasn’t an issue, maybe Xi Wenlun wanted to save himself for someone he actually loved.

Fu Xie’s eyelids turned pink with unshed tears, threatening to spill over.

After all, they’d only ever had an arrangement—Xi Wenlun had never mentioned a future together.

Was this really the end for them?