Chapter 51: I’ll Take You Home

Chapter 51: I'm Here to Take You Home

Xu Zhou immediately led Xu Xingli to the bathroom.

They stopped by the sink. Xu Xingli took a deep breath, then weakly pushed Xu Zhou.

"Put me down."

Xu Zhou's expression softened slightly. He set Xu Xingli down, thoughtfully steadying his arm, and asked, "Can you stand?"

With his hands braced on the cold ceramic tiles, and the cloying, hot fragrance no longer assaulting his senses, Xu Xingli's mind finally cleared a little, and strength gradually returned to his limbs.

He nodded, turned on the faucet, scooped up a handful of cold water, and unceremoniously splashed it onto his face.

He splashed water on his face rapidly, handful after handful, appearing anxious and agitated.

Finally, most of the tell-tale flush on his cheeks faded, and his physical and mental faculties returned to normal. He finally stopped.

Xu Zhou handed him a pack of tissues. He roughly wiped the water droplets away and turned to leave.

After just a few steps, Jian Ran ran towards him.

He was panting as he shoved the discarded white suit into Xu Xingli's hands, saying, "Change your clothes first."

Xu Xingli was momentarily stunned. Jian Ran then pushed him into a cubicle, closed the door, and said, "How can you go out all wet like this? Change your clothes, and we'll go to the main hall."

After his frantic dousing just now, Xu Xingli's clothes were thoroughly soaked. He indeed looked a bit disheveled, so Xu Xingli didn't hesitate and changed into the white suit.

When they returned to the main hall, impeccably dressed, the master of ceremonies was congratulating the two families on their union, spouting platitudes without repetition.

Xu Xingli and Jian Ran exchanged glances, nodded, and split up. Jian Ran ran towards the control room, while Xu Xingli directly snatched the microphone from the master of ceremonies.

Xu Zhou didn't know what they were planning and was about to follow Xu Xingli closely, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Xu Xingli's first sentence.

"I will not marry Jian Ran." Xu Xingli's opening statement instantly silenced the entire hall.

Because the effects of the drug had not yet worn off, his voice still trembled slightly, but his tone was resolute.

Before speaking his second sentence, he glanced down at the audience. Unsurprisingly, his eyes met Xu Zhou's.

"The person I like is Xu Zhou. I like my brother. I've liked him for a very long time, even when we were still biological brothers!"

At these words, the scene fell silent for a second. Xu Ming, who was in the audience, suddenly shot to his feet and angrily shouted, "Xu Xingli!"

"I've fantasized about him, desired him. I once hated him for only seeing me as a younger brother, but I still love him."

Xu Ming almost overturned the table in front of him: "You lunatic!"

Xu Xingli curled his lips into a smile: "Yes, I'm a lunatic. Do you think your biological son is that normal?"

As soon as the words fell, the large screen behind Xu Xingli suddenly changed. A video of Xu Yu and a man kissing was played so directly and unexpectedly for all to see.

Almost instantly, the sound of tables being overturned and chaos spread to every corner of the hotel lobby.

Xu Yu stood up in astonishment, grabbing Xu Ming's arm, almost speechless: "Dad, it's not like that, you can't believe what he said..."

Before he could finish, his own voice came from the video again—

"The matter has been exposed. Kill him. Don't spare the girl either."

Xu Yu looked up blankly and saw his own distorted face on the big screen, strangling his adoptive father. Looking down again, back to reality, he saw Xu Xingli's cold, sneering face.

Before he could say anything, the banquet hall doors burst open, and a wave of people in black uniforms rushed in, heading straight for Xu Yu and handcuffing him with a "click."

"Police, we have collected valid evidence, and we are now arresting you according to the law."

The scene immediately descended into chaos.

Everyone warily distanced themselves from this troublesome area. Xu Xingli merely watched coldly, put down the microphone, and walked off the stage.

Wherever he walked, the crowd's gaze followed, accompanied by muffled whispers.

Xu Xingli originally intended to leave directly, but as he passed Xu Ming, he saw Xu Zhou.

Ever since he started speaking, Xu Zhou had remained in that spot, neither moving forward nor backward, his expression unchanged, just staring intently at him, his gaze inscrutable.

Thinking of something, Xu Xingli suddenly smiled, looked at Xu Ming and Ye Jiating beside him, and dropped a bombshell: "You don't know, my brother kissed me."

These words were like a heavy punch to the heads of the two. Xu Ming and Ye Jiating both widened their eyes, their expressions so ugly they looked like they wanted to devour someone.

Xu Xingli was delighted, his eyes curving into a smile, and he lifted his feet to leave.

"Xu Xingli! Don't even think about entering the Xu family again! The Xu family doesn't have a child like you!" Xu Ming roared at him from behind.

Xu Xingli couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

"Alright, it's a good thing you're going to the police station. Let's handle it together."

After saying this, he didn't linger any longer, turning and walking towards the main entrance. He didn't stop even when passing Xu Zhou, instead quickening his pace, seemingly eager to leave.

When he finally stepped out of the main entrance and into the brightly lit lobby, he could no longer hold on, leaning on the doorknob and gasping for breath.

The previously tense emotions instantly disintegrated, and the drug's effects exploded in an instant, making him dizzy. He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, fanning himself with the collar.

It was late now, the night was thick, and dark clouds pressed down heavily, with rain pouring down.

Xu Xingli walked out of the hotel's revolving door, and the rushing sound of rain instantly became clear, accompanied by a cool wind that swept towards him.

His phone rang. It was Jian Ran, and Duan Yi.

They were simply offering to take him home, call him a car, and so on.

Xu Xingli refused them all. In his current state, it wasn't suitable for him to be with anyone.

The rain was blown askew by the wind, with some even falling at Xu Xingli's feet.

A doorman approached him, holding an umbrella over him, and asked where his pick-up car was.

In his current state, anyone approaching him made him feel very strange. Xu Xingli immediately shook his head, moved aside, and despite the doorman's attempts to stop him, walked directly into the rain.

It was indeed a summer night's downpour, relentlessly pounding on him, a dense, stinging pain.

Xu Xingli could barely keep his eyes open, but the cold rainwater dissipated the abnormal heat in his body, pulling him back to his senses.

He walked alone in the downpour for a good while until he felt cold. Realizing that continuing would likely make him ill, he stopped under the eaves of a building by the street and took out his phone to call for a car.

The phone screen was covered with water droplets and wasn't very responsive. His entire body was soaked, and wiping it only made things wetter. Xu Xingli fiddled with it for a long time but couldn't successfully open the app.

He let out an annoyed "tsk" and was about to continue battling with his phone when a white light suddenly flashed in front of him.

Streetlights lined both sides of the road. Xu Xingli first looked up, then glanced around, vaguely seeing a car approaching in the distance. He immediately pursed his lips, turned his back, and continued to tinker with his phone.

However, the white light drew closer and closer, and the splashing sound of the car tires grew louder and louder, until it stopped right behind him.

The light was blocked by a person, and Xu Xingli was enveloped in shadow. He frowned. Before he could turn around, he felt arms wrap around his waist, and then his feet suddenly left the ground.

"Whoa! Who is it?" He was startled, struggling, kicking and punching, and turned his head to see who it was.

"Don't make a fuss." A clear, cold voice sounded out of place in the wild rain.

Xu Zhou held an umbrella in one hand and carried Xu Xingli in the other, looking quite strained.

Xu Xingli said somewhat helplessly, "If you can't hold me, put me down! What are you trying to show off?"

Perhaps thinking it made sense, Xu Zhou loosened his grip, allowing Xu Xingli's feet to touch the ground.

Xu Xingli immediately breathed a sigh of relief, then, catching Xu Zhou off guard, his eyes darted around and he tried to slip away.

But just as he took a step, Xu Zhou hooked his collar from behind, and a sudden pull brought him backward.

Xu Xingli stumbled a few steps and was about to hit the hard car door when Xu Zhou caught him.

Then he was pressed against the car door by Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou approached him step by step, finally trapping him between his arms.

"Why are you running?"

Xu Zhou's voice habitually deepened, and the end of his words rose slightly, carrying a teasing tone.

The pungent smell of asphalt wafted into Xu Xingli's nostrils, yet he could still smell the faint oak scent on Xu Zhou.

His nose twitched slightly, and the temperature of Xu Xingli's cheeks soared again.

Oh no!

He raised his hand to push Xu Zhou away, saying urgently, "Stay away from me! Get lost! You said you wouldn't come looking for me!"

But no matter how he pushed, Xu Zhou remained unmoved, even finding time to point out a flaw: "I said if you were doing well, I wouldn't bother you again, but in your current state, in what way do you look good?"

Xu Xingli was dumbfounded: "Are you tricking me again?"

Xu Zhou curled one side of his lip and chuckled. It was very much like an acknowledgment.

Xu Xingli was furious, pushed him away, and said, "Get lost!"

Xu Zhou pulled him back: "Where are you going?"

Xu Xingli shook him off: "None of your business!"

Xu Zhou pulled him back again, quickly opened the car door, and shoved him inside.

The man leaned over him, in his shocked state, and whispered into his ear, his warm breath brushing past his ear, his voice low: "I'm here to take you home."

The next second, the car door clicked shut.

It wasn't until the car turned onto an unfamiliar road that Xu Xingli came to his senses and said, "Where are you taking me? My home isn't this way."

Xu Zhou glanced at him, saw the abnormal flush on his face, and replied, "To my home."

Xu Xingli frowned in surprise. Xu Zhou had a property, which Xu Ming had given him, but the route wasn't right either.

Before he could think too much, he heard Xu Zhou say, "From now on, it will be our home."

Xu Xingli's eyes widened, and then he immediately grabbed the door handle, saying, "Xu Zhou, what are you going crazy about again? I want to get out of the car!"

Xu Zhou clearly didn't listen to what he said and continued, "You're not an adult yet, so you can't establish your own household. I will fight for your guardianship."

Xu Xingli found him unreasonable: "Uncle Zhou is still alive!"

Xu Zhou put on the turn signal, his tone flat: "It will take some time for his household registration to be re-processed, and besides, he doesn't seem willing to do a paternity test with you. So for now, you can only stay with me."

Not knowing what he was thinking, Xu Xingli lowered his eyes and bit his lip, struggling for a moment, then finally compromised: "One year. When I come of age, we'll go our separate ways, and I'll establish my own household."

Xu Zhou smiled: "Of course, we're not family anyway."

Hearing this, Xu Xingli was stunned for a moment.

Before he could react, Xu Zhou added, "Xu Ming already knows about the apartment you rented. You'll stay with me for this period; it's for your safety."

Xu Xingli pursed his lips, lowered his eyes for a moment, and then spoke: "You're not allowed to do anything out of line, and we need to maintain a safe distance."

Xu Zhou was silent for a while before speaking: "Just now at the banquet..."

"I was just talking nonsense, don't take it seriously, that's long over." Xu Xingli immediately interrupted him, turning his gaze to the window.

The car was silent for a long time before Xu Zhou finally spoke: "I'm sorry about what happened in the previous life."

Xu Xingli fell silent, blinked, and asked, "Actually, I really want to know, what were you thinking when you saw me die in that car accident?"

Xu Zhou didn't speak.

But Xu Xingli didn't let him off: "Was it also an apology? Yes, it could only be an apology. Then how did you come back to this life? Were you too guilty, so God took you back?"

Xu Zhou gripped the steering wheel, his expression gradually chilling: "You don't need to know that."

Xu Xingli scoffed and said nothing more.

The car quietly drove towards a two-story villa in the suburbs. After parking in the garage, Xu Xingli and Xu Zhou got out of the car one after another.

There was no butler, no servants, only a kind-faced aunt who cooked ginger soup and dinner before leaving.

Xu Xingli, wrapped in the towel the aunt had given him, had just walked into the spacious and bright living room when he saw the cat tree that occupied half of the wall.

He was immediately stunned.

He had been busy organizing evidence recently and hadn't seen Calico for several days. He just remembered.

Xu Zhou followed behind him and said, "The kitten can be picked up in a few days. You can think of a name first, and then we can register its household with yours."

Before Xu Xingli could react, Xu Zhou pulled him upstairs again, into the bathroom. Warm water was already in the bathtub, and a set of clothes was hanging on the rack.

"Soak for a while. The drug's effects haven't worn off yet, and you've been in the rain for so long. You'll be lucky if you don't have a 40-degree fever tomorrow."

Xu Xingli tightened his lips, unable to retort.

"I'll wait for you downstairs. Call me if you need anything." After saying this, Xu Zhou turned and left.

However, Xu Zhou's words were still conservative.

He didn't wait until tomorrow, or even through tonight. After getting out of the bathtub, Xu Xingli was already feeling dizzy.

It was all Xu Zhou's fault. The fortune teller was killed.