Chapter 44: What Gift Do You Want

Chapter 44 What Gift Do You Want?

Xu Xingli fled in disarray after Xu Zhou's words, which sounded like a confession.

Before this, he could still tell himself that Xu Zhou's kindness towards him was merely a brother's concern for his younger sibling. This way, he could accept it with a clear conscience. If it became unbearable, he could distance himself, feign indifference, and with time, it would truly become irrelevant.

But Xu Zhou unhesitatingly tore open this protective film, almost forcefully intruding into his space. The weight of those words was too heavy, making Xu Xingli feel as if it couldn't be real. The most terrifying thing was that even though his mind told him it was unrealistic, dangerous, and illusory, he still unwillingly succumbed.

This was wrong, but reason couldn't overcome emotion; he simply couldn't help himself.

In this life, Xu Xingli still fell in love with Xu Zhou.

A Xu Zhou with specific conditions—one who hadn't been part of his previous life, existing only in this one.

Xu Zhou had never confessed to him, so Xu Xingli would never be the one to yield first.

He began to refuse Xu Zhou's daily pick-ups and drop-offs, and re-enlisted Uncle Liu. When composing music, he no longer allowed Xu Zhou into his room. Instead, he recorded it on his phone and sent it directly to Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou also seemed to notice his unusual behavior. Since that day, he had been busy with work again, leaving early and returning late every day.

However, the daily routine of a glass of hot milk and a dessert every night continued. Thanks to the cat, their chat history also grew daily.

Nothing was outwardly different. To others, it simply meant that both of them were busy, so their conversations shifted online.

Only they knew that their interactions had become very subtle.

Xu Xingli pondered for a long time before sending Xu Zhou a message. He always subconsciously acted arrogant when facing Xu Zhou, trying to get his attention. This subtle ploy was too ambiguous and needed to stop.

Xu Zhou's replies were originally short and concise, revealing little. His changes were mainly in his actions.

As if to gain Xu Xingli's forgiveness, he began actively reaching out to pet hospitals and stray animal rescue centers. After all the procedures were almost finalized, he sent Xu Xingli a notification and then flew off on a business trip without another word.

By the time Xu Xingli saw the message, Xu Zhou had already been flying for an hour.

The kitten hadn't fully recovered yet and still needed treatment at the hospital. To help the cat get more familiar with its new owner, Xu Xingli almost clocked in at the pet hospital every day on time.

The little creature, after careful nurturing, slowly transformed from dirty and skinny to plump.

After its stitches were removed and it had recovered for a few days, the nurses gave it a bath.

It was a beautiful Calico, with intricate patterns, four paws of different colors, and a white tail tip. At first glance, it looked a bit messy, but the more you looked at it, the cuter it became.

The little one's pupils were light green, and looked incredibly clear. Its personality was also unusually aloof, unlike other affectionate cats. As soon as someone approached, it would stare vigilantly and then unexpectedly extend its claws to scratch them.

Xu Xingli persisted for half a month, and while the doctors and nurses at the pet hospital had become familiar with him, the Calico remained aloof. It wouldn't let anyone hold or kiss it; one could only stand at a safe distance and stroke its fur.

Seeing Xu Xingli carefully stroking the kitten's head, Wen Man, passing by, couldn't help but smile.

Wen Man was the doctor who added Xu Zhou as a friend that night, and also the blind date Xu Ming and Ye Jiating had introduced to Xu Zhou. However, these two poor souls who were set up didn't talk much; instead, Wen Man liked Xu Xingli more.

"You can hug it. It's just a bit tsundere, but deep down it definitely likes you. Usually, it doesn't let our nurses touch it," Wen Man nodded, indicating.

Xu Xingli's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he slowly extended his hands towards the Calico.

The kitten watched him warily with half-closed eyes, extending its claws as his fingers approached, and imperiously pushed them away.

"Meow!" it meowed, sternly refusing.

Xu Xingli awkwardly pulled back his hand.

Wen Man's smile deepened: "This cat's temper is a lot like your brother's."

Xu Xingli paused. He wasn't interested in Wen Man and Xu Zhou's relationship status, and he wanted to pretend not to care, but at this moment, his heart was still touched.

Wen Man went on, "I really like your brother's face."

Xu Xingli blinked, "Everyone says he's very handsome."

Wen Man nodded, "Extremely handsome. Simply perfect." Then she smiled, "It's just that his personality is really not great. Can't flirt with him at all, not even a little bit. Alas, he has a good appearance but is like a stick in the mud, I'm really going to go crazy. Luckily, I'm only into looks and only like his face. But maybe he really doesn't like me. When facing someone he likes, he should be really charming."

Xu Xingli shook his head at the right moment, politely saying, "He has no taste."

Wen Man smiled and rubbed his head, liking him even more, "You're so good at talking, Xingxing, truly likable. You must be very popular at school, right? Have you dated anyone?"

Xu Xingli shook his head, "No."

Wen Man looked surprised, "You surprise me so much, my dear." She couldn't help but rub the teenager's head again, "You definitely don't lack admirers, or do you just not have those thoughts?"

Xu Xingli nodded, "No interest."

Wen Man sighed regretfully, "A lot of people at school will be heartbroken."

Xu Xingli waved his hand, "I'm not that great."

Wen Man immediately retorted, "Who said that? You have so many strengths, who dares to say you're not good? I'll beat them up for you."

Xu Xingli was amused by her, "I also have a lot of flaws."

Wen Man shrugged, "So what? Your good qualities outweigh your flaws. You're such a good kid, don't be so pessimistic." She raised her hand and gently tapped Xu Xingli's forehead, saying, "Don't always think you're not good enough. You deserve all the best things in this world. By the way, why did you come so early today? Usually, you don't come until evening on the weekends?"

Just then, Xu Xingli's phone rang.

He took it out; it was Lin Xie.

Jian Ran's birthday was approaching, so Xu Xingli and Lin Xie picked a weekend to go to the mall to buy a birthday present for the soon-to-be-adult Jian Ran.

Why "soon-to-be-adult," you ask?

Because Jian Ran was one year older than Xu Xingli.

And why were they in school together?

Because this person was supposed to enter elementary school on time at the age of six, but he threw a tantrum, cried, and ran back to kindergarten, and stubbornly stayed back a grade. He graduated with Xu Xingli, entered elementary school, and then went to junior and senior high school together, and practically never separated.

This experience was often brought up by adults for a laugh. Jian Ran didn't mind it much; he'd listen with a laugh and even poke fun at himself.

Thinking of this, Xu Xingli smiled faintly and told Wen Man, "I have plans with a friend, so I'll be leaving now."

Wen Man waved him off, saying, "Have fun!"

Upon arriving at the mall, Xu Xingli and Lin Xie first went to a trendy novelty store. After browsing for a while, they couldn't find a suitable gift. Unwilling to settle, they pondered for a while and finally went into a wood art experience store.

As soon as they entered, the heavy scent of wood instantly filled the air around them.

Xu Xingli twitched his nose, carefully picking out the different scents, and finally his gaze settled on a piece of wood carving with unique grain.

It was shaped like a guitar, with every string intricately carved and beautiful.

The wood art shop owner smiled and introduced it to him, "This is oak wood imported from Europe, with a very warm and rustic scent. Young people really like it these days."

The owner didn't lie; Xu Xingli really liked it.

It was oak. Xu Zhou's scent.

It seemed like more than that. Xu Zhou's scent was richer, and also a bit fresher and cooler.

Xu Xingli blinked, then nodded, "I'll take this one."

It wasn't until Lin Xie called him that Xu Xingli suddenly remembered why he came here in the first place and began to choose a gift for Jian Ran.

Lin Xie picked up a thumb piano, handed it to Xu Xingli, and asked, "What about this? We can make one ourselves."

Xu Xingli took it, and nodded in agreement, "That's great."

His thumb instinctively plucked a string, and produced a pleasant sound.

As if by some strange impulse, he played the arrangement Xu Zhou had given him, playing it note by note.

Lin Xie's eyes widened, and he gave him a thumbs-up and praised him, "Have you studied before? You play so well!"

Xu Xingli shook his head, "No."

Lin Xie was even more surprised, "Wow, that's amazing! What song were you just playing?"

Xu Xingli put down the thumb piano and was about to say it was the original arrangement for the finals, but then thought better of it. The words on the tip of his tongue took a detour: "My brother played it. I don't know what it's called either."

Lin Xie paused, then, regaining his composure, smiled and said, "Can you play it again?"

Xu Xingli paused, then, regaining his composure, smiled and said, "Of course."

In the end, each of them brought a wooden art piece as a gift for Jian Ran. It was already evening when they left the mall. Xu Xingli, as usual, drove Lin Xie home, but unexpectedly ran into Duan Yi.

The car stopped at the alley entrance, where Duan Yi was standing, blocking someone.

As they got out of the car, Duan Yi seemed to have seen a savior and hurriedly waved to them.

After seeing who was in front of him, Lin Xie ran over.

"Quick, quick, can you translate what he's saying for me? I really don't understand," Duan Yi raised a hand to rub his temples, completely defeated.

Uncle Zhou fiddled with his hands, behind him were several cardboard pieces and a small bag of plastic bottles.

He could understand other people's sign language, but his own sign language was not very standard, mostly formed by habit in daily life, so Duan Yi and Xu Xingli actually couldn't quite understand it.

Lin Xie stood beside Uncle Zhou, patting his shoulder comfortingly, and spoke at the opportune moment, "He says all these bottles he picked up from the trash can, not stolen, and he hopes you won't take them away."

Duan Yi forced a bitter smile, "I don't do that kind of bullying. I'm not very good at sign language, can you help me translate? I mainly came to ask, what's his son's name?"

Lin Xie quickly translated, but Uncle Zhou waved his hands vigorously.

This time Lin Xie was stunned, "He doesn't have a son."

She frowned, "Impossible, my mother and I both know about this, and the community has records. Although I haven't met his son, he definitely exists."

Duan Yi also frowned, pondered for a moment, and finally said, "Take me to the community, I'll check the records."

The three of them then went to the community service center. The staff there were new and knew nothing, so they opened the computer for them, but the records on the computer were also completely blank.

Lin Xie was incredulous, "How could this be?"

Xu Xingli looked at Duan Yi and asked, "Did something happen? Why do you need to find his son?"

Duan Yi furrowed his brow and replied, "According to the information I found, Uncle Zhou is currently in a state of death cancellation."

This news was incredibly shocking, and it stunned everyone around when it was dropped.

Not only Xu Xingli and Lin Xie, but even the staff standing beside them flinched in shock.

Duan Yi suddenly seemed to grow taller. He cleared his throat and said, "So now I need to figure out who his son is. This is too strange."

The others nodded in agreement.

After putting on that act, Duan Yi felt relieved and waved his hand, saying, "You two are still students, don't get too involved in this. Go home quickly."

The two high school students walked hesitantly, looking back every few steps.

Duan Yi suddenly remembered something and called out to Xu Xingli, "Xu Zhou said he might not be back on the day of the preliminary competition and asked what gift you want him to send you."

Xu Xingli's mouth instantly drooped.

He pulled out his phone and angrily typed, "You have the guts to send yourself back!"