Chapter 65

Chapter 65

Fu Xie sneezed, catching the attention of a passing nurse, who promptly ushered him back to his hospital bed.

Before leaving, the nurse tucked the blanket around him and told him to rest up and not push himself during recovery.

As he lay back on the bed, Fu Xie’s mind was still in a daze.

Why had he come? Why would he come here?

Had he really dared hope that he had come to see him? And if they did meet, what would they say to each other?

Questions and fragmented emotions tangled messily, eventually coiling into a tangled mess.

Fu Xie couldn’t bear to wait in bed any longer—it felt like waiting for sentencing.

At the very least… he needed to apologize to Xi Wenlun in person, and also say thank you.

Waiting for a moment when the nurses were all busy, he slipped away unnoticed.

After leaving the inpatient building, Fu Xie stood there, confused, in the small garden meant for patients.

Where had that crowd gone?

He checked the hospital map he’d been given, which clearly marked the location of every department.

There was a chance he might bump into that flashy group while walking around.

So Fu Xie followed his usual route through the hospital, hoping to get lucky.

But after circling the entire huge hospital, he hadn’t seen a trace of them.

Frustrated, he raised his phone, only to remember he no longer had Xi Wenlun’s contact information, and stuffed it back into his hospital gown pocket.

At a loss, he made his way to the parking spot where Xi Wenlun had entered the hospital earlier. A few bodyguards stood nearby, occasionally checking their watches.

Fu Xie hid behind a pillar, watching from hiding.

Good—he didn’t recognize any of these bodyguards.

Rich people really changed their security teams often.

After some deliberation, Fu Xie mustered the courage to approach and ask.

The bodyguards took in his hospital attire and striking appearance, their faces breaking into knowing smirks.

Then, in a gentle tone, they informed him that Mr. Xi wouldn’t see him and told him to scram early to avoid angering Mr. Xi.

"We’ve seen lots of kids like you. Mr. Xi has been in a terrible mood ever since his lover left him. If you know what’s good for you, don’t bother him."

The words left Fu Xie even more unsettled.

"How long will he be staying at this hospital? Will he leave soon?"

Fu Xie had eyes like clear glass—bright as spring water, with downturned corners that made him look like an innocent little animal.

Coupled with the cast on his arm, he appeared even more pitiable.

One of the bodyguards, softened by his pitiful look, couldn’t help but divulge a little more: "Probably the whole day. There’s a dinner afterward, so save yourself the trouble."

As soon as he finished speaking, the highest-ranking bodyguard among them immediately turned to glare at the one who had spilled the beans. The latter, frightened by his superior's menacing expression, smacked his own mouth with a sharp *whap*.

Fu Xie drew out a singsong "Thank youuu—" before swiftly fleeing the scene.

If that's the case, then he should be able to run into them at the hospital's administrative building!

After all, they definitely wouldn't spend the entire day just walking around.

As soon as Fu Xie approached the building, he spotted the impressive entourage.

Xi Wenlun was right at the center, swarmed by a wall of people.

Fu Xie's social anxiety kicked in hard, and he fearfully hid in a nearby flower bed, peering out, eyes only, to observe the situation.

How the hell was he gonna talk to him?

Fu Xie's shoulders sagged in defeat as he pouted and huffed through his nose.

Trying to approach a big shot like Xi Wenlun was really difficult.

After walking for so long, his legs were killing him.

The fracture wound was slowly healing beneath the thick cast, and scratching like mad did nothing to relieve the discomfort even slightly.

Watching them move toward the stairs, Fu Xie grew anxious.

The administrative building was staff-only. If they went inside, would he have to keep waiting in the corner?

Fu Xie decided to tail them unnoticed, though his current attire screamed "look at me."

So, in a moment of quick thinking, he pretended to be just another passing patient, walking slowly with his back to the crowd, occasionally stopping to rest and pretending to admire the view.

Though Fu Xie's acting was clumsy, encountering patients in a hospital was such a common occurrence that most people barely glanced his way.

Right now, everyone's attention was focused on Xi Wenlun—every word he spoke, every chuckle sent shivers down someone’s spine.

The security guard, seeing such an entourage, bowed so low his nose nearly scraped the floor.

And just like that, Fu Xie was in.

By the time the group took the elevator upstairs, he stood alone in the deserted lobby.

After tailing them all this way, he still hadn't figured out how to approach Xi Wenlun.

Fu Xie had already written off his people skills—it seemed he'd have to bide his time.

He watched as the elevator stopped on a certain floor, then pressed the button for that same level.

If anyone called him out, he'd just say he took a wrong turn. At worst, they’d go easy on him given his hospital gown.

He was still a patient here, after all. At worst, he’d get a slap on the wrist.

The elevator dinged upon arrival.

Fu Xie stepped out quickly, glancing around to find the floor just as quiet. The administrative staff had their office doors tightly shut, as if "DO NOT ENTER" was stamped on them.

He had lost Xi Wenlun again.

Fu Xie sighed; the hospital was too confusing, and it was his first time here—not getting lost was already a stroke of luck.

He tiptoed around, checking a map, only to discover a connecting corridor leading to another building.

Fu Xie searched for an inconspicuous corner to hide in, sneaking around like a cat, but before he could find a spot, a sudden commotion erupted from the opposite side.

People poured out of an office, chatting and laughing, with Xi Wenlun still at the center of the crowd. His face was expressionless, showing no emotion.

His usually well-fitted suit now seemed a bit baggy, as if he had lost weight in a short time.

Fu Xie stood frozen in place, even forgetting to hide himself.

Xi Wenlun turned his head, and their eyes met suddenly, unexpectedly.

Like two parallel lines that weren't meant to cross, they crossed paths due to a small, strange coincidence.

He knew he was looking at him.

And in his eyes, he saw him too.

From the front, his complexion was unnaturally pale with a bluish tint, as if untouched by sunlight. His cheekbones were sharper than before, his dark circles more pronounced, and his deep-set brow bones cast faint purple shadows under his eyes. There was no sign of life in his appearance, resembling an ancient vampire slumbering in a wooden coffin.

Fu Xie’s lips parted slightly, and almost instinctively, he called out, “Mr. Xi!”

Xi Wenlun hadn’t expected him to have the courage to call out directly, standing frozen for a moment.

Fu Xie saw him take a small step back.

His thoughts scattered at that moment. Fu Xie reached out futilely, as if trying to grasp something.

Xi Wenlun must be angry - after all, Fu Xie had misunderstood him and embarrassed him in front of others.

Men like him cared deeply about such things.

Xi Wenlun’s eyes, dark as a phoenix's, were like bottomless abysses, absorbing all light that fell into them.

He gazed deeply in Fu Xie’s direction, then deliberately ignored his hospital gown and arm in a cast, turning away with an indifferent expression.

A sharp, ringing noise exploded in Fu Xie’s mind—Bzzz—

If he didn’t speak now, he’d never get another chance.

Driven by this thought, Fu Xie managed to say, “I’m sorry.”

He couldn’t hear his own voice—all he could see was Xi Wenlun’s retreating figure.

Then, the world around him faded to gray, and his injured body abruptly succumbed to exhaustion.

At least he’d said it. From now on, they’d have no further connection.

Fu Xie swayed as his eyelids drooped uncontrollably, closing and forcing themselves open again.

So tired… but it didn’t matter. Everything was over now.

He struggled to brace himself against the wall, but in the end, he collapsed weakly, his casted arm hitting the ground first.

It didn't matter anymore.

The anticipated pain never came. Instead, Fu Xie fell into a soft embrace.

The familiar scent of phoenix tree wood filled the air, and a soft sigh came from above.

"How did you get into this state?"

Xi Wenlun steadied him, pulling him close and letting him lean against his chest.

Fu Xie held onto Xi Wenlun tightly with his only uninjured arm, wouldn't let go.

"Why... did you come back? Do you hate me now? I'm sorry for misunderstanding you... You must think I'm terrible."

Fu Xie's voice broke between sobs, his words choked by a flood of tears. He didn’t dare look up at Xi Wenlun’s face, afraid that this kindness was just fleeting pity—ready to shatter this fragile dream.

"I really wanted to hate you."

Fu Xie trembled, shrinking further into himself.

Xi Wenlun stared at the tiny, dark hair whorl on his head, then sighed helplessly and patted it gently in reassurance.

"But I couldn’t."

Only then did Fu Xie dare to lift his gaze, peering through tear-filled eyes.

His eyes met Xi Wenlun’s, and he saw himself reflected in them.

In Xi Wenlun’s expression, Fu Xie saw resignation, tenderness, and more—but one thing remained unchanged: his gaze still wrapped around him warmly with unwavering affection.

So… he still cared.

The realization made Fu Xie’s heart race. Emotions long suppressed burst forth like a volcano.

"I—I—"

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he sobbed uncontrollably.

"Hush, I’m here. Why are you crying again?" No handkerchief—his assistant usually had one—so Xi Wenlun dabbed Fu Xie’s tears with his sleeve.

Even as his voice wavered, Fu Xie gathered his courage to speak.

"I... I like you. I mean it."

The words left him exhausted. He didn’t know if Xi Wenlun would reject him.

But even so, he refused to let go.

"I like you too." Xi Wenlun laughed—a deep, genuine laugh, unlike the faint smiles he used to give when they were together.

Fu Xie had always wondered what his laughter looked like.

Would he throw his head back, losing all composure? Or would it be as subtle as his usual smiles, giving nothing away?

Fu Xie stubbornly believed someone as handsome as Xi Wenlun couldn’t look bad even when laughing.

Now, seeing it in person, Xi Wenlun’s smile was a hundred times more dazzling than he’d imagined. The icy beauty’s laughter was irresistibly charming.

Especially when he said "I like you" between laughs.

Fu Xie stared, mesmerized, until Xi Wenlun leaned their foreheads together.

"Seriously,"

Xi Wenlun breathed the words at such close range, yet Fu Xie could hear it with perfect clarity.

Fu Xie felt heat spreading across his cheeks, his heart leaping like a startled deer. In the other's eyes, he saw his own smiling face reflected.

So, Fu Xie took the initiative and closed the distance to kiss Xi Wenlun before the latter could.

The familiar taste, the familiar kiss—everything felt so comforting.

As if they had never been apart.

They didn’t deepen the kiss; the simple touch of lips was comfort enough.

But Fu Xie had leaned in too eagerly, and his cast dug into Xi Wenlun’s stomach, earning a pained grunt from him.

Fu Xie pulled away as if startled awake, retreating half a step. "I'm sorry!"

Xi Wenlun caught him, steadying his broken arm with a frown. "Your wound is bleeding. Let’s go back and get it treated."

Glancing at his arm, Fu Xie realized the bandage had loosened—he hadn’t even noticed earlier.

Only then did it dawn on him—they had been kissing in the middle of a hospital hallway, possibly in full view of others. Instantly, he burned with embarrassment.

"Ah! I made such a scene! Was everything seen?!" He covered his face in mortification, wishing the floor would swallow him.

Amused, Xi Wenlun pulled Fu Xie back against his side.

"No, I sent them all away. It’s just the two of us now."

Fu Xie scanned the surroundings and confirmed there was indeed no one else.

Relieved, he stepped out of Xi Wenlun’s embrace, only to be promptly escorted back to orthopedics for wound redressing. After getting an earful from the doctor, they were finally allowed to leave.

"Young people can be reckless—it’s normal to run around, but letting the wound get infected or the bones misaligned is serious. The family should keep a close eye on them," the doctor said sternly.

Playing the role of "family member," Xi Wenlun escorted Fu Xie back to his ward. When the latter tugged lightly on his sleeve to keep him from leaving, Xi Wenlun stayed without protest.

As his rationality slowly returned, Fu Xie’s gaze lingered on Xi Wenlun, watching as the man poured him a glass of water and sat in the chair beside him, still holding on.

"Do you have something to say?"

Having spent time with Fu Xie before, Xi Wenlun could roughly guess his thoughts.

Fu Xie gave a sheepish nod.

"I actually wanted to ask earlier… Are you really okay with forgiving me just like that?"

"You had your pick of anyone. There's nothing special about me…" His voice trailed off as his head dropped.

Xi Wenlun smiled. "Dropping the formalities?"

Busted, Fu Xie pouted in protest.

Xi Wenlun took his hand.

Fu Xie had lost weight—his fingers were even slimmer, still pale but tinged pink, but now seeming fragile.

"A year ago, during a networking event, I was introduced to this young man."

"This isn't the first time something like this has happened. There are always countless people, whether passively or actively, trying to befriend me."

"Most of them are smooth talkers. Even if they act all high and mighty when we first meet, they're no match for me—until I met him."

"At the time, I thought to myself, this person was shaking like a leaf with fear, could barely string two words together, yet he dared to mouth off to me."

Xi Wenlun couldn't hide the smile on his face as he reached this part of the story.

Fu Xie burned with shame, remembering just how pathetic he'd acted back then.

"So you took me in because you thought teasing me was fun?!"

Xi Wenlun continued to laugh, and seeing how amused he was, Fu Xie grew even more irritated. He turned his face away, giving him the cold shoulder, and even yanked his hand away.

Fu Xie wasn't truly angry—just sulking because he didn't like being teased during a serious conversation.

Xi Wenlun promptly admitted his mistake and whispered a few soothing words.

"But why, then?" Fu Xie dug in his heels for an answer.

Xi Wenlun didn't say that, from the very first moment he saw Fu Xie, he had recognized his crippling social anxiety.

Yet he had also spotted that tiny spark of guts in his eyes—just like his own, years ago.

So what if he had social anxiety? He still chose not to retreat. He rolled the dice.

Maybe a miracle would happen.

And so, Xi Wenlun's heart softened. In a moment of weakness, he decided to keep him.

"Probably because you're exceptionally good-looking and talented, and I'm just paying it forward."

Xi Wenlun took Fu Xie's hand again, interlacing their fingers.

Honestly? He felt a little embarrassed saying it.

Fu Xie stared at him, puzzled. "What kind of reason is that?"

"It just proves you're outstanding, and I'm a kind-hearted, good person." Xi Wenlun kissed his forehead, completely forgetting how he used to screw over his competitors.

Fu Xie thought it over and, surprisingly, found his logic somewhat convincing. Reluctantly, he accepted the explanation.

"Fine. But only because I like you and want to spoil you."

Fu Xie used their joined hands to pull Xi Wenlun closer, rubbing his face against his neck.

"Are you serious this time?" Xi Wenlun tugged his ear, rubbing it gently with his thumb.

"Of course I'm serious!"

Fu Xie shut him up with a kiss.

—The End—