Chapter 12

Chapter 12

In the kitchen.

Lin Xingshu fumbled clumsily with the ingredients. He couldn’t cook—the kitchen had always been purely decorative—and this was his first attempt at making a meal.

The cooking process itself wasn't too difficult, but handling the ingredients was. He had bought a chicken, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t properly debone it. His fingertips were nicked in several places from the knife.

*Thud, thud—*

Suddenly, a knock came from the door. In a fluster, Lin Xingshu rushed out, still clutching the half-butchered chicken, and eagerly yanked the door open.

It was Xie Guan.

Xie Guan stood at the door, head bowed as he scrolled through his phone. He glanced up at Lin Xingshu, his eyes landing on the chicken in his hands. His brows instantly furrowed, and he reflexively raised a hand to cover his nose and mouth.

"Why are you holding a chicken like that?"

Lin Xingshu snapped back to reality and quickly apologized, "Sorry, I forgot for a second. Don’t worry about it—please, have a seat."

"Hmm."

Xie Guan responded lazily, scanning the room with a faint look of disdain before slowly sinking onto the living room sofa. He eyed the prepared fruit on the table but didn’t touch it. Instead, he called out toward the kitchen,

"Lin Xingshu, how much longer until we eat?"

Lin Xingshu, still holding the chicken, was about to head back into the kitchen. He smiled and said, "Soon. There’s fruit on the table—feel free to have some."

Xie Guan glanced at the strawberries and cherries on the table, his scowl deepening.

Lin Xingshu noticed Xie Guan’s odd mood and felt his smile fade. He asked nervously, "Is something wrong?"

"Lin Xingshu, I don’t eat cherries or strawberries."

"Huh?"

Lin Xingshu awkwardly pinched his apron and forced a laugh. "I wasn’t aware. Just wait a bit—dinner will be ready soon."

Xie Guan didn’t respond, lounging on the sofa as he played with his phone, his expression cold and indifferent.

Lin Xingshu sheepishly retreated with the chicken back into the kitchen, though he couldn’t help but wonder.

He distinctly remembered Xie Guan eating strawberries before… Why the sudden aversion today? Was he in a bad mood?

Lin Xingshu found it strange but didn’t dwell on it, lowering his head to continue chopping at the chicken, the loud chopping sounds echoing through the kitchen.

"Lin Xingshu—!"

Xie Guan suddenly shouted his name. Lin Xingshu poked his head out and saw Xie Guan marching toward the kitchen, irritation plastered across his face.

"What’s—"

"Can you *stop* chopping that chicken? It’s noisy."

Lin Xingshu tightened his grip on the knife handle and glanced at the chicken. Carefully, he said, "But I didn’t make many dishes—this chicken is the main one. I’m not skilled at preparing it… Could you help me?"

"Hah???"

Xie Guan pointed at himself, gaping at Lin Xingshu.

"You want *me* to help you with this chicken?"

He shot the mangled chicken a disgusted look, his face contorting in distaste. "Absolutely not. I’ve never cooked in my life. Either figure it out yourself or we'll eat out."

*Never cooked before?*

Lin Xingshu frowned slightly as he recalled Xie Guan’s past ease in the kitchen, skillfully deboning meat, meticulously cleaning every scrap from the bones, handling offal with practiced ease.

And Xie Guan had always seemed to *enjoy* cooking, especially when working with meat. He’d hum random tunes, always in good spirits.

Yet now, in just a few days, he suddenly didn’t know how to cook?

Lin Xingshu couldn’t understand why Xie Guan had changed so drastically. Today, he was exceptionally picky, his tone laced with impatience, reverting to his old, disagreeable self.

A stark contrast to the Xie Guan who had nursed him so tenderly while he was sick.

……

*Perhaps he's just in a foul mood because of the lost project,* Lin Xingshu thought.

He sighed at the chicken on the cutting board. "Forget it. Let’s just eat now."

Xie Guan gave a cold "Hmm" and returned to the table. Lin Xingshu carefully brought out the dishes.

He took off his apron and sat across from Xie Guan, mustering a smile. "I’m not the best cook—just whipped up a few simple things. You took such good care of me while I was sick, and I… I wanted to show my appreciation, so…"

Lin Xingshu wiped his hands nervously and slid a carefully prepared gift toward Xie Guan, his cheeks coloring slightly.

"I was passing a store yesterday and saw this men’s watch. It seemed perfect for you. I know you don’t lack these things, but… it’s my token of appreciation. I hope you’ll accept it."

Xie Guan’s gaze fell on the plush velvet box before him. Inside lay a refined, understated men’s watch. One glance told him its price range—a few thousand at most, not even reaching five figures.

His eyes lingered briefly before the corners of his lips curled up. Just as Lin Xingshu was about to pull his hand back, Xie Guan suddenly seized his wrist, his fingers tracing suggestively over Lin Xingshu’s palm.

Lin Xingshu jolted, instinctively looking up at Xie Guan before quickly averting his eyes. The blush creeping up his neck betrayed his emotions.

"You said you had something to tell me. What is it…?"

Lin Xingshu’s face burned even hotter. He couldn’t bring himself to meet Xie Guan’s gaze, stammering, "That day… when you confessed to me, I said I needed time to think… Well, I’ve thought about it now…"

He fidgeted with his burning earlobe. "After spending all this time together, I—I like you too. We did have misunderstandings before, but I don’t mind anymore. I’m willing to—"

*Screech—*

Before he could finish, the sharp sound of chair legs scraping against the floor cut him off. Lin Xingshu barely had time to react before a gust of wind rushed past him. In the next instant, he was pinned back into his chair, his shoulder blades aching from the impact.

"I knew it."

Xie Guan didn’t seem to notice Lin Xingshu’s shock. His smirk widened, eyes gleaming with amusement as he looked down at the stunned man and laughed.

Lin Xingshu stared at him in confusion, fingers tightening around the armrests. A sudden sense of unease crept into his chest.

For some reason, this Xie Guan didn’t feel familiar at all. The nervous excitement from earlier faded, replaced by growing unease.

"Knew… what?"

"Lin Xingshu, your plan worked. You’re an interesting one. Maybe we *can* be real lovers after all."

Xie Guan's words baffled Lin Xingshu. What plan? What's he on about?

Xie Guan lowered his gaze, his fingertips lightly brushing past Lin Xingshu's ear as he tucked a stray lock of hair behind it. His hand then trailed up to cup Lin Xingshu's cheek, scalding hot.

"Lin Xingshu, never been kissed before, have you?"

Instantly, Lin Xingshu broke out in goosebumps, and a wave of nausea churned in his stomach. That sickening feeling surged up again. He instinctively turned his head away, but Xie Guan wrenched it back.

"X-Xie Guan, what are you doing?"

Xie Guan narrowed his eyes, his gaze raw with desire. "Doing what couples are supposed to do, of course."

With that, Xie Guan leaned down, as if to kiss him.

Lin Xingshu stared at Xie Guan's flawless face, now looming close, and felt nothing but revulsion. An unfamiliar aura enveloped him, and he could no longer hold back—he heaved Xie Guan away with all his strength.

Xie Guan hadn't expected Lin Xingshu to resist. Staggering back from the force, he collided hard against the cold wall, grunting in pain.

Xie Guan looked at Lin Xingshu in disbelief, rubbing his sore shoulder before suddenly raising his voice.

"Lin Xingshu, what the hell's wrong with you?!"

Lin Xingshu froze for a moment before rushing forward to help Xie Guan up, only for Xie Guan to swat his hand away.

"Lin Xingshu, quit playing innocent."

By now, Xie Guan's expression had darkened completely. His dark eyes drilled into Lin Xingshu, filled with fury and malice, as if he despised him utterly.

For a moment, Lin Xingshu froze in place, gaping at Xie Guan in disbelief. He couldn't fathom how such hurtful words could come from Xie Guan's mouth.

"I... pretend to be innocent?"

"Isn't that right?" Xie Guan sneered, his gaze raking over Lin Xingshu like he was merchandise.

"You went out of your way to catch my attention, playing hard to get—wasn't it all just to make me fall for you?"

Xie Guan sent the chair screeching across the floor, then stepped closer to Lin Xingshu, bending slightly.

"You're not exactly prize material."

"But I do like you. Your face, your body—I'm very interested. It'd be even better if you behaved a little more obediently."

Lin Xingshu stared blankly at Xie Guan, who was now belittling him relentlessly, dumbstruck. His mind went completely blank.

Faintly, the image of the Xie Guan who'd once doted on him, always wearing a gentle smile, flashed before his eyes. The memory of Xie Guan cooking for him felt like it had just happened.

He never imagined that in just a few days, that kind Xie Guan would vanish, replaced by this twisted version.

Or perhaps this was Xie Guan's true nature all along.

He should've known better.

Lin Xingshu's gaze fell on the carefully chosen men's watch lying on the table. He lowered his eyes briefly before looking up again, his expression resolute.

He picked up the watch and thrust it at Xie Guan, voice glacial.

"My gratitude has been given. Whether you accept the gift is up to you. Xie Guan, let's cut contact. Thank you for taking care of me before, but from now on, you go your way, and I'll go mine. We owe each other nothing."

Xie Guan's lips, which had been curved in a smirk, gradually tightened into a thin line as he stared at the watch. His expression turned thunderous.

"Lin Xingshu, you fucking with me?"

"Are you a scriptwriter? Do you love making up stories this much? Are you dreaming?"

Before Lin Xingshu could react, Xie Guan suddenly swatted the watch from his grip. It hit the ground with a shattering clatter, the glass shattering into pieces.

"Xie Guan—! Have you lost it?! Do you even know—ugh!"

Mid-sentence, Xie Guan strode forward, kicking aside the broken watch before digging fingers into Lin Xingshu's jaw, his voice a dangerous growl.

"I'm through humoring you, Lin Xingshu. I never cooked for you, never took care of you. You made up this whole story just to get my attention—quite the storyteller, aren't you?"

"But since you enjoy role-playing so much, I don't mind indulging you... I don't like this watch, but I do like your body. If you really want to thank me, how about offering that up instead?"