Chapter 9

Chapter 9

"Splash—"

The faucet turned on. Lin Xingshu stood wearily before the mirror, washing up, his eyes drooping, his fair skin flushed with an unnatural redness.

His mind a muddled haze, he lifted his gaze to his reflection.

The face in the mirror was unusually pale, droplets of water clinging to his skin. His lips were faint, utterly devoid of color, and his dark eyes were heavy with exhaustion—a picture of sickness.

"Cough, cough…"

Lin Xingshu coughed a few times, his head throbbing painfully. Weakly, he braced himself against the sink, his thoughts in disarray.

He had barely slept the night before, his body heavy with fatigue. From the moment he woke, he had been coughing incessantly. Now, his face burned with fever, and the fever reducers seemed to have little effect.

Another round of coughs wracked his body. Weakly, he made his way to the table and prepared a cup of instant noodles. The smell alone made his stomach churn, and he couldn’t suppress a few dry heaves.

"Knock, knock—"

A sudden knocking at the door jolted Lin Xingshu from his daze. He froze, not daring to move, his wary gaze fixed on the entrance, holding his breath.

"Is anyone home?"

A familiar voice came from outside. Lin Xingshu stiffened—it was Xie Guan’s voice.

Carefully, he rose and crept toward the door, peering through the peephole.

Sure enough, Xie Guan stood outside. Today, he wore a blue shirt that clung tightly to his frame, accentuating his perfect physique.

His head was slightly bowed, long lashes veiling his eyes. His lips were a deep red, his face delicately beautiful—almost androgynous—with a small mole beneath the corner of his mouth that only added to his allure.

He stood there holding a large shopping bag filled with fruits and various supplements. When no one answered, he knocked again lightly.

Today, he seemed different.

Given Xie Guan’s usual temperament, if left waiting this long, he would have already been fuming. Yet today, he was unusually patient, not a trace of irritation in his expression.

For a moment, Lin Xingshu spaced out. This Xie Guan resembled the gentle, patient version others often spoke of.

As if sensing his gaze, Xie Guan suddenly looked up. Those jet-black eyes seemed to meet Lin Xingshu’s through the peephole. Startled, Lin Xingshu jumped back, accidentally knocking over the umbrella stand by the door.

Xie Guan naturally heard the noise and knocked again. "Lin Xingshu, are you home? Your supervisor mentioned you were sick. I came to check on you."

Lin Xingshu hesitated. Through the peephole, he studied Xie Guan closely.

No unnaturally pale skin, no stiff features—his demeanor seemed entirely normal. Nothing like that creep’s imitation.

Outside, Xie Guan shifted his hold on the bags and knocked once more, this time with visible effort. Biting his lip, Lin Xingshu cautiously opened the door a crack, just enough to peer out with one eye.

"You are home!"

The moment Xie Guan saw him, he smiled warmly, without a trace of impatience in his expression. He lifted the gifts slightly.

"This is a token of concern from the company. We hope you recover soon."

Seeing the gifts, Lin Xingshu found it hard to refuse. Tentatively, he opened the door wider. "Did Sister Li tell you?"

"Yes… Hmm?"

Xie Guan frowned slightly, tilting his head. "Your face is so red. Are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Xingshu nodded, too worn out to explain. His head was pounding, leaving no room for coherent thought. Wearily, he stepped aside. "Thanks for coming… I’m really not feeling well…"

"May I come in?"

Before Lin Xingshu could respond, Xie Guan strode inside, bags in hand. Too drained to argue, Lin Xingshu collapsed into a chair at the table, pressing a hand to his forehead.

"Xing Shu, is this all you’re eating?"

Lin Xingshu lifted his heavy eyelids to see Xie Guan frowning at the cup of instant noodles on the table.

"Yeah, just something quick," Lin Xingshu said halfheartedly.

Xie Guan was acting so weird. After their awful fight yesterday, here he was today, acting as if nothing had happened—even bringing gifts.

And what had he just called him? Xing Shu?

Lin Xingshu shook his head, the dizziness worsening. He weakly pressed his palm to his forehead, his eyelids drooping heavily.

The next moment, a cool hand touched his forehead. Startled, he jerked his head up—only to meet a pair of dark, bottomless eyes.

Xie Guan was standing dangerously close, his cool palm pressed against Lin Xingshu’s burning skin, his gaze filled with concern.

Too close…

Lin Xingshu’s head spun. They were so close that if Xie Guan tilted his head just slightly, their lips would meet. He could even feel Xie Guan’s breath…

"Xie… Mr. Xie, could you—"

Lin Xingshu’s hands on the table had instinctively curled into fists, his palms damp with sweat. He tried to lean back, but Xie Guan suddenly cradled his face, cool fingertips pressing against his feverish skin.

"Mr. Xie… you, you’re—"

Lin Xingshu’s eyes widened, his mind in chaos. He raised a hand to push against Xie Guan’s chest, but Xie Guan held his face firmly, his gaze no longer predatory but brimming with worry.

"Xing Shu, your forehead and face are burning. You have a fever. Have you taken any medicine?"

Lin Xingshu had never been this close to anyone before. His voice faltered. "I-It’s just a mild fever. I’ve taken medicine. Mr. Xie, could you let go? This is too… too close…"

"Ah, sorry."

Xie Guan released him, lowering his eyes bashfully, a slight pink tinting his pale cheeks.

"Xing Shu… We’re supposed to be lovers. Isn’t it normal for us to be intimate?"

Lin Xingshu said nothing, finding Xie Guan’s behavior today completely confusing.

Yesterday, Xie Guan had embraced him without hesitation, even attempting to kiss him. Why was he suddenly acting so shy now?

Seeing no response, a flash of disappointment crossed Xie Guan’s eyes. But when he looked up again, his usual smile returned. Bending down slightly, he spoke softly:

"Xing Shu, since you’re sick today, don’t eat this, okay? I’ll make you something."

"You can cook?"

Lin Xingshu was shocked. In his impression, Xie Guan was a pampered rich boy who never lifted a finger since childhood. Since when did he know how to cook?

"Mhm, I can."

Xie Guan, with a smile, took out the purchased ingredients from the shopping bag. Various fruits were separately boxed, carefully peeled and cored—obviously prepped by Xie Guan beforehand.

And these fruits coincidentally all happened to be the ones he usually liked.

"Have some fruit first. I'll cook for you. I only bought beef... Is the kitchen over there?"

Xie Guan rambled on like a doting homemaker. Lin Xingshu scratched his head in confusion.

"Uh... yeah."

Xie Guan beamed as he carried the ingredients into the kitchen. Lin Xingshu watched his thoughtful, homemaker-like manner in disbelief.

Had Xie Guan undergone a change? Why was his personality suddenly so good today? He even remembered Lin Xingshu’s seafood allergy.

In the kitchen, Xie Guan hummed a nameless melody. He took off his wristwatch, rolled up his sleeves, revealing well-defined forearms, and handled the ingredients with effortless skill—especially the beef, his movements smooth and natural.

Under the light, Xie Guan lowered his head as he worked, the soft glow accentuating his well-defined features. His lips looked glossy, as if coated with lip balm, glistening slightly.

Xie Guan was exceptionally good-looking—today more than ever.

Briefly, the Xie Guan in the kitchen overlapped with the kind, patient Xie Guan others described.

Noticing Lin Xingshu watching him, Xie Guan lifted his head and smiled, his dark eyes crinkling into crescents, his expression tender. Wearing an apron, he looked the picture of a loving, handsome spouse.

In an instant, Lin Xingshu felt his heartbeat quicken, the pounding loud in his ears. He couldn’t bear to meet Xie Guan’s gaze any longer, quickly lowering his eyes and turning away to bury his face against the table.

His gaze fell on the neatly sliced fruit Xie Guan had prepared. The sweet aroma enveloped him, heady and rich.

His heart pounded faster, his ears growing hot.

Xie Guan was so good today.

If only Xie Guan were truly this gentle and considerate... But no, this was just an act to win him back.

The moment they made up, Xie Guan would undoubtedly go back to being cruel and tyrannical.

He couldn’t soften. Absolutely not.

*

In the kitchen, Xie Guan lowered his head, a fleeting smile dancing in his dark eyes. But soon, the amusement faded, giving way to sorrow.

He couldn’t help but raise a hand, his fingertips brushing against his flawless face.

He envied that man—born with such perfection, unlike himself, hideous and forced to mimic others just to exist in human society.

He knew all too well that without this face, the one he loved would never spare him a glance.

Lost in thought, a sudden sharp pain shot across his face. Xie Guan frowned, reaching up to touch his cheek. When his fingers met the abnormal bumps beneath his skin, he froze, his face draining of color.

Beneath his once smooth, pale skin, something squirmed—like worms tunneling under his skin.

Instinctively, he glanced toward Lin Xingshu, relieved to see his back turned. His dread ebbed away.

Carefully, he lowered his head, trembling hands pressing down the unnatural swellings until his skin returned to its flawless state. Only then did he exhale in relief.

It had been too long... He couldn’t stay much longer.

He had only just learned to mimic Xie Guan’s face, and his mastery of it remained shaky. Prolonged exposure risked exposing the anomalies. Ordinarily, it’d be fine—but he was in Lin Xingshu’s home now...

If Lin Xingshu saw his true form...

In his mind’s eye, Lin Xingshu stood horrified at the kitchen doorway, eyes wide with terror, screaming at him—calling him a freak, a monster. No matter how he begged or pleaded, Lin Xingshu would remain unmoved, perhaps even recoiling in disgust, those lovely eyes brimming with revulsion...

No. No.

He could never let his beloved see him in that grotesque state...