Chapter 94: Chapter 94 “Don’t Bite Me…”

Chapter 94 "Don't bite me..."

With thoughts weighing on his mind, Lu Zhishi finished dinner, quickly showered, dried his hair, and headed to the Chi family home.

Chi Yuehang and Bai Yansheng were chatting in the living room. Seeing him arrive, both smiled in unison.

Bai Yansheng set down his water glass: "Fat Cheese, here to see Xiao Chen? He went upstairs to look for something."

"Uncle Chi, Uncle Bai, I'm here to see Chi Chen," Lu Zhishi said with a warm smile, joining the two uncles in the living room for a chat. Then, holding the calming tea Chi Yuehang had poured for him, he went upstairs to find Chi Chen.

The door to Chi Chen's bedroom was open and the light was on, but he wasn't there.

Looking around, Lu Zhishi noticed light spilling from the study within the room. He went over and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Lu Zhishi pushed the door open. Chi Chen was standing in front of the bookshelf, searching for something, and turned to look when he heard the door.

Seeing it was him, Chi Chen put down the photo album in his hands and quickly walked over to greet him. "It's so cold outside, what brings you here?"

Holding his hand, Lu Zhishi followed him toward the bookshelf and replied, "I missed you, so I came. What were you looking for just now?"

"I was originally looking for a book on growing cacti, but then I came across some old photos of you."

Chi Chen showed him the photo album. Lu Zhishi took it and opened it.

Inside were old photos of them together, a few taken with Lu Zhiyu, Zhao Xiaoxing, and Zhao Qiyun. Back then, he was still a little chubby kid.

A smile unconsciously spread across Lu Zhishi's lips.

Without realizing it, they had all grown up. But aside from getting older, not much else had changed.

He was still the same as before, and Chi Chen remained cold on the outside but warm inside—just a bit more attached since they started dating.

Lu Zhiyu and Zhao Xiaoxing were still their old selves, and even Zhao Qiyun and Zhou Nianjing hadn't changed much, just matured a little.

"It's been a long time since we took a group photo. Let's take one together for the New Year. Brother Xiaoyun and Brother Xiao Jing should be back from their honeymoon by then."

"Mm, sure. New Year photos are nice."

Lu Zhishi flipped through the photos one by one, closed the album, and placed it back on the bookshelf. "I'll ask them later."

Chi Chen found the book on cactus care, took Lu Zhishi's hand, and led him out to sit on the sofa in the room's living area.

Lu Zhishi wrapped his arms around Chi Chen's waist. "Master Lu is right here, why didn't you ask me how to take care of the cactus?"

Chi Chen chuckled. "Then, Master Lu, how should I take care of the cactus? It's been looking droopy lately."

Lu Zhishi got up and went to the bedside table to check on the cactus, which had grown considerably plumper.

When Lu Zhishi first gifted it, the cactus was a small, round, chubby pot. Over the years, Chi Chen had carefully nurtured it with nutrient solution and special soil, and it had grown significantly. It would probably need a bigger pot by next spring.

"It's probably because there hasn't been much sun lately. Without sunlight, it's wilting. Just put it in the greenhouse to bask under simulated sunlight, and it should be fine."

Chi Chen walked over as well, instinctively wrapping his arm around Lu Zhishi's waist, listening attentively. "I want to keep the cactus in the room."

When he missed Lu Zhishi, he would poke the cactus's spines. Chi Chen had grown accustomed to having the cactus nearby.

He had brought the cactus back today to look for the book. Usually, it was kept in the bedroom at their new home, but the greenhouse there wasn't fully equipped yet. If he wanted simulated sunlight, he had to come back to the Chi family home.

"That's easy. My place has small sun lamps. I can bring one over to shine on the cactus."

Lu Zhishi turned to go get it, but Chi Chen held him back, saying he would go get it himself tomorrow.

"Are you staying the night?"

Tempted, Lu Zhishi hesitated but eventually shook his head. "I haven't written my invitations yet."

"The wedding invitations?"

"Yeah." Distracted earlier, Lu Zhishi had almost forgotten why he came to the Chi family home. He looked at Chi Chen. "My brother said you already finished writing your wedding vow letters and invitations a long time ago. Is that true? You're all so fast."

Chi Chen turned his head away slightly awkwardly. "Mm, they're done."

Lu Zhishi nuzzled his chin with his head, blinking and grinning. "When did you write them?"

His hair tickled Chi Chen's chin, making him chuckle softly. "Guess."

Lu Zhishi looked up and kissed his cheek. "Was it when we first got together?"

Chi Chen smiled without answering, his arms wrapped around Lu Zhishi's waist, his eyes gentle.

Lu Zhishi was overjoyed. He hugged Chi Chen's waist back and pecked his lips a couple times.

Chi Chen held him and kissed him back.

After a long while, Chi Chen rested his forehead against Lu Zhishi's, breathing even heavier than him. "The vow letters were written back then, but not the invitations."

Lu Zhishi was breathing even more heavily, his arms and legs went weak, so he buried his head in Chi Chen's chest and leaned against him.

Weak and breathless, his voice softened, almost like a whine. "I haven't written mine yet. I'm the slowest, and none of you reminded me..."

Chi Chen's heart melted completely. He lowered his head, resting his chin on Lu Zhishi's shoulder, and turned to kiss the side of his neck. "My fault."

It tickled. Lu Zhishi shrank his neck, his ears turned crimson.

After another moment, Lu Zhishi reached up and covered Chi Chen's mouth, his voice hoarse. "Don't bite me..."

"Sorry."

Chi Chen apologized, but his actions didn't seem very sorry. His eyes were half-lidded with a dazed expression, his breathing heavy, and his arm around Lu Zhishi's waist was tight.

Lu Zhishi let him kiss for a bit longer before gently pushing him away, saying he needed to go home.

Chi Chen reluctantly let him go, held his wrist to make him wait, and stepped out briefly. When he returned, his coat was dusted with fine snow, and he carried a large gift bag.

"Newly made sweater and hat, and a rabbit plushie—just the right size for you to hug comfortably."

Lu Zhishi was displeased. He brushed the snow off Chi Chen's shoulder and scolded him, "I could've gotten them tomorrow. Why did you have to go back to the new house in the snow? It's so far!"

Chi Chen couldn't help but laugh. "Is the new house really that far?"

It was just across from the Lu and Chi homes, a two-minute walk away—less if you walked fast.

But that wasn't Lu Zhishi's point. He glared at him, bristling. "And you're still laughing."

Chi Chen held his hand, lowered his head, and said softly, "I just wanted you to wear the clothes I made sooner, to sleep holding the plushie I made, and dream about me."

"Which dream doesn't have you in it?" Lu Zhishi pulled his hand back. "Don't do this again, or I'll really get angry, Chi Not-Listening."

"Won't happen again." Chi Chen hesitantly reached for his hand, and seeing that he didn't pull away, gently laced their fingers together.

After hugging Chi Chen for a moment, Lu Zhishi released him and glanced at the clock.

It was getting late; time to go home and sleep. Besides, Chi Chen hadn't freshened up yet. If they lingered any longer, Chi Chen would likely stay up late again.

That won't do—Chi Chen had work tomorrow, and staying up would leave him worn out.

Taking the gift bag from Chi Chen, which was quite heavy, Lu Zhishi headed out of the room.

After switching off the lights, Chi Chen followed him downstairs, first walked Lu Zhishi home before heading back to the new house.

Setting down the gift bag, Lu Zhishi stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, peering through the telescope toward the new house. Seeing the lights on and confirming Chi Chen was home, he drew the curtains.

Opening the gift bag, he unpacked the contents. The stuffed rabbit was placed on the bed—Chi Chen had washed it, carrying a faint gardenia scent.

The sweater and hat fit perfectly. Lu Zhishi even tried them on. Digging deeper into the bag, he blushed—did Chi Chen get this for him too?

Feeling somewhat awkward, he set the underwear aside with the sweater, sorted through some little-worn clothes to put in the closet, and hung the new items in the wardrobe.

After washing his face and brushing his teeth in the bathroom, Lu Zhishi lay on the bed, gazing blankly at the ceiling.

Did he forget something?

A moment later, he got up, went to the wardrobe, and took out the underwear.

Trying them on, he found they fit well. The thought of how Chi Chen knew his size made him flush again.

The underwear was picked out by Chi Chen—there were several pairs—and he planned to wear a pair tomorrow.

Stalling until 10 p.m., Lu Zhishi was so tired he let out a yawn, bid Chi Chen goodnight, snuggled under the covers, and closed his eyes to sleep.

Half-awake, he remembered what he had forgotten—he hadn’t written the marriage certificate and invitations. But it was fine; he’d burn the midnight oil to finish them tomorrow.

Outside the window, snow fell softly; inside, the heating kept it cozy. The young man under the covers slept with a soft flush on his cheeks and a faint smile on his lips, as if lost in a sweet dream.

...

In the following days, Lu Zhishi was swamped with his thesis. After finishing the thesis, he went to work working nine-to-five. Only after returning home in the evening did he have time to tackle his marriage certificate.

Something this important needed a draft first. Lu Zhishi slowly wrote down what he had in mind. Instead of a marriage certificate, he ended up writing a long, heartfelt love letter.

Holding this cringingly sentimental love letter, Lu Zhishi hesitated, pacing around in his room.

Well, it's written now, should he just give it to him?

Nah—it was too embarrassing. He'd be too embarrassed...

He decided to tuck it away for now and include it with the marriage certificate once it was finished, sending it along with the wedding gifts to Chi Chen.

After deciding, Lu Zhishi wrote another version and spent the next three days polishing it. Fortunately, his language skills were still sharp, and he wrote the classical-style text quite well.

After temporarily finishing the marriage certificate, Lu Zhishi hurried to write the invitations. There weren’t many, so he finished quickly.

The other invitations had already been arranged by Lu Tingan and written by others. The ones he was writing now were for close friends and family, handwritten to show sincerity.

During this busy period, Lu Zhishi and Chi Chen saw little of each other. As the year-end approached, everyone was occupied with their own tasks.

Chi Chen, needless to say, was working every day and often overtime after returning home in the evening.

Lu Zhishi was even busier—juggling work, his thesis, and wedding preparations, his schedule packed. He even had to work overtime occasionally at night.

He still had it relatively easy, though, since Lu Tingan and Song Qinian hadn’t retired yet—most of the company’s affairs were still in their hands. Besides, Lu Zhiyu was also around, and some of Lu Zhishi’s work had been handed over to Lu Zhiyu to handle.

When you feel like life is peaceful, it might be because someone is carrying the weight for you—like Fat Cheese’s good older brother, Fatty Fish.

Lu Zhishi brought a cup of hot milk to Lu Zhiyu’s room. Lu Zhiyu was still in his study, working overtime reviewing documents, looking utterly drained.

Seeing him come in, Lu Zhiyu put down the documents and rubbed his temples, saying wearily, "Why aren’t you asleep yet?"

Lu Zhishi set down the cup, went behind him, and massaged his temples with just the right pressure. "I’m about to sleep. I just finished the invitations and worked on my thesis for a bit."

"Mm." Lu Zhiyu closed his eyes, frowning, and sighed. "Go to bed early. I noticed your light was on the past couple of nights. Don’t stay up late."

"I know." Lu Zhishi replied quietly. "Brother, if you’re tired, take a break. I can work overtime."

Lu Zhiyu suddenly laughed. "Overtime where you doze off by nine?"

His teasing lightened Lu Zhishi’s mood, making him both annoyed and amused. "Who asked the Fat Cheese biological clock to be so punctual?"

Lu Zhiyu nodded. "That’s a good biological clock you have."

Lu Zhishi yawned, blinking slowly and scratching his head.

Lu Zhiyu laughed heartily. "No need to check the time. It’s nine o’clock—more accurate than a clock."

Lu Zhishi: "…"

Glancing at the time on the computer, it was indeed just past nine.

Patting the back of his hand, Lu Zhiyu told him to go back to his room and rest—he wasn’t needed here.

"You should rest early too." Lu Zhishi didn’t leave immediately, massaging his brother a while longer before finally going.

Lu Zhiyu waved him off. "It’s fine. I’m almost done—I’ll definitely be asleep before midnight."

Lu Zhishi: "?" This is almost done?

Chased back to his room by his brother, Lu Zhishi left Lu Zhiyu’s bedroom and detoured to the large study to check on his fathers. After spending some time with them, he returned to his room to wash up, then texted Chi Chen to ask if he had finished work.

Chi Chen directly video-called him.

"It’s past nine. Aren’t you asleep yet? You should rest early."

Lu Zhishi scratched his cheek, feeling warm inside—everyone knew he went to bed at nine.

Holding his phone, he lay under the covers, turning on his side to look at Chi Chen on the screen, dressed in a suit and working overtime. "Almost, getting ready to sleep. How about you? Finished work?"

Chi Chen gently stroked his lover’s face on the screen, hiding the fatigue in his eyes, and said softly, "I’m almost done too. I’ll finish tonight. Don’t wait for me—sleep first."

"My brother just said he was almost done too, but he meant he’d finish by midnight." Lu Zhishi rubbed his temples again. "Are you also going to finish work and rest around midnight?"

Chi Chen was silent for a moment. "Probably."

Lu Zhishi’s headache worsened. So when you say "almost done," you mean you’ll be busy for another three hours?

But Lu Zhishi understood—this was how it was at year-end. Once this busy period passed, things would settle down.

He turned over and sat up. "I should go help my brother."

Chi Chen said, "He and Xiao Xing might be video calling, just like us. If you go over, you'll turn into a third wheel."

Lu Zhishi: "??"

After stroking his chin and thinking it over carefully, he realized it was indeed possible. Lu Zhishi grabbed his phone, left the room, and went to peek into Lu Zhiyu's study.

Sure enough, there was faint whispering, too soft for Lu Zhishi to make out. He returned to his room with his phone and crawled back into bed.

"You guessed it right."

"Couples in the honeymoon phase are all like that."

Lu Zhishi giggled, "Hehehe, so are we."

Chi Chen smiled, "Yeah, we are too—couples in the honeymoon phase."

On the video call, one closed his eyes to sleep, offering silent companionship, while the other lowered his gaze, focused on work, occasionally looking up to glance at his lover's sleeping face.

Three months later, it would be Lu Zhishi sleeping in bed while Chi Chen was going over paperwork in the living room of the room, just a few meters apart—just a few steps away.

As the saying goes, a day feels like a year; time passed so slowly, with every night's dreams filled with thoughts of his beloved.

...

Seeing clearly how hard Lu Zhiyu was working overtime, Lu Zhishi told his secretary not to transfer any more of his tasks to Lu Zhiyu. That evening, he brought a stack of documents to Lu Zhiyu's study.

Lu Zhiyu told him to go rest, but he didn't listen. Instead, he adjusted his body clock and worked overtime until 10 p.m.

After finishing, he waited until Lu Zhiyu came out to wash up and go to bed. Only then did Lu Zhishi collect the processed files and head to the main study to see his fathers. Seeing that they were also preparing to rest, he finally returned to his own room.

Too stubborn and unwilling to listen to anyone, Lu Zhishi kept at it for over half a month, working alongside his family until they finished the year-end work. When the holiday came, he slept like the dead at home.

New Year’s Day happened to fall on a weekend, giving them a three-day weekend. Lu Zhishi started sleeping right after dinner on the first day of the holiday and didn't wake up until noon the next day.

In the end, he was so hungry that he stumbled out of bed to do his morning routine, then drifted downstairs in a daze to eat.

Lu Zhiyu, sitting on the living room sofa, turned around and said, "I was just about to say that if you didn't get up soon, I was going to drag you out to eat."

"Good morning..." Mumbling his greeting, Lu Zhishi wandered groggily and unsteadily to the dining room, sat down, and began hungrily shoveling food into his mouth.

Lu Zhiyu: "..."

Zhao Xiaoxing: "..."

Chi Chen: "..."

Lu Zhiyu: "...Is this kid still half-asleep?"

Zhao Xiaoxing: "Six Cheese is starving. Don't scold him. If he says good morning, then it’s good morning. It’s only 11:58 AM, not quite noon yet."

Lu Zhiyu turned to Zhao Xiaoxing, blinking as if wanting to say something but holding back, then finally nodded. "You’re right."

Chi Chen stood up, walked to the dining room, and sat across from Lu Zhishi, watching him eat and occasionally clearing away empty plates.

After finishing a bowl of rice, Lu Zhishi finally perked up and asked Chi Chen, "When did you get here?"

Chi Chen poured him a glass of honey water and placed it beside him. "Around 9 a.m."

That meant Chi Chen had been waiting for him for three hours. Yesterday afternoon, too, he’d hurriedly sent Chi Chen a "good night" and fallen asleep, probably without replying to his messages...

Wiping his mouth, Lu Zhishi pulled out his phone and promptly replied to Chi Chen with "Happy New Year" and "Good morning." While he was at it, he replied to other messages as well.

So, Chi Chen in the dining room and Lu Zhiyu and Zhao Xiaoxing chatting in the living room all randomly received New Year’s greetings from Lu Zhishi.

Chi Chen: "?"

Lu Zhiyu: "?"

Zhao Xiaoxing: "?"

Lu Zhiyu turned toward the dining room: "Fat Cheese, was your WeChat account hacked? Someone just sent us a late New Year’s wish, half a day late."

Lu Zhishi: "..."

That annoying brother, asking something he already knew the answer to and deliberately teasing him!

Lu Zhishi: "...It’s me."

Lu Zhiyu: "Oh~~~"

Lu Zhishi: "..."

Lu Zhishi bristled, wolfing down his food, planning to finish eating and then go pick a fight with Stinky Fish Bro!

After downing five bowls of rice, Lu Zhishi charged over flailing wildly, only to be easily pinned by Lu Zhiyu, who wrapped an arm around his neck and ruffled his hair, laughing, "Your big brother is still your big brother."

Lu Zhishi: "Ow!"

Zhao Xiaoxing ducked his head and rushed forward, shouldering into Lu Zhiyu and giving his side a pinch in the process.

Lu Zhiyu: "?"

As Chi Chen walked past Lu Zhiyu, he reached out and messed up his hair, then continued without a word to sit beside Lu Zhishi.

Lu Zhiyu: "??"

Lu Zhishi laughed triumphantly: "Your little brother is still your little brother!"

Lu Zhiyu: "..."

A world where only Lu Zhiyu gets hurt was complete...

Since it was still early on New Year’s Day, they decided to go out for a stroll. Lu Zhishi pulled Chi Chen along, also calling Lu Zhiyu and Zhao Xiaoxing to join. They all got into one car and drove around.

Zhao Qiyun and Zhou Nianjing didn't come—it was said the newlywed couple had gone to Zhou Nianjing’s place to watch a movie and have some time to themselves.

As soon as they entered the main streets, they were met with huge crowds. The car couldn't move forward, so they found a parking lot midway and continued on foot, slowly mingling with the crowd.

Chi Chen held Lu Zhishi’s hand, worried he might be cold, and asked, "It’s chilly outside. Do you want to go indoors, maybe watch a movie or something?"

Lu Zhishi thought it over seriously, took in the bustling streets, and shook his head. "Let’s go later. For now, let’s walk around with everyone. It’s really lively here."

Sometimes he loved crowds, especially during festivals—the more people, the better.

Lu Zhiyu and Zhao Xiaoxing, who had been walking behind them, turned off at a corner to go to a boba shop, saying they wanted boba milk tea.

After splitting up, Lu Zhishi held Chi Chen’s hand and continued forward. When he felt cold, he tucked their interlocked fingers into Chi Chen’s coat pocket.

It had been snowing heavily for the past two days, with another light snowfall last night. Now, thick snowbanks lined the streets. Everyone was out walking, occasionally slipping and taking a tumble.

Lu Zhishi was no exception, needing to hold onto Chi Chen to keep from falling. He walked carefully, afraid of slipping and taking a spill.

But it was still quite fun, especially when he saw his siblings slip and slide far away, then get up awkwardly while complaining. He laughed along with the crowd around him—after all, nothing beats laughing at someone else's expense.

Lu Zhishi was cracking up, and infected by his and the surrounding laughter, a smile tugged at Chi Chen's lips.

“Let’s come walk the streets during New Year’s too, maybe on New Year’s Eve or the Lantern Festival. It’ll be even livelier then,” Lu Zhishi suggested.

He had an ulterior motive—he wanted to invite Chi Chen for a walk and, incidentally, take care of some business.

As if thinking of something, Chi Chen’s eyes flickered, and he nodded in agreement.

Lu Zhishi’s lips curved into a smile, happy that he had completed the first step of his plan. He grinned so widely his eyes nearly disappeared, and the hand that was held in Chi Chen’s pocket unconsciously pulled out as he tried to rub his stiff, smiling cheeks.

The consequence of letting go of Chi Chen’s hand and screwing his eyes shut too tightly was accidentally slipping and going flying.

Lu Zhishi hadn’t even processed what happened by the time he bumped into a lamppost. It was only when Chi Chen hurried over to help him that he belatedly felt the pain in his head.

The crowd around them snickered—this time, Lu Zhishi was the main character of their laughter, another unlucky soul who had slipped and fallen.

Lu Zhishi touched his forehead; there seemed to be a bump. He closed his eyes and whined tearfully, “Chi Chen, Chi Chen…”

Chi Chen felt both heartache and amusement. He supported Lu Zhishi, letting him lean into his embrace, and gently rubbed the swelling bump on his head.

Hearing familiar voices, Lu Zhiyu and Zhao Xiaoxing came around the street corner. As they approached, Lu Zhiyu said with a mix of concern and exasperation, “Stinky Cheese, are you trying to hand out New Year’s red envelopes early?”

Lu Zhishi opened his eyes, saw them, then closed them again and continued to whimper pitifully. “I fell, my head hurts, my butt hurts, and you’re still making fun of me—”

While Lu Zhishi was speaking, Zhao Xiaoxing let go of Lu Zhiyu’s hand and rushed over anxiously. “Six Cheese, are you okay—ow!”

“Slow down!”

Lu Zhiyu reached out but wasn’t fast enough to stop him. He watched as Zhao Xiaoxing slipped just a few steps away, landing hard on his bottom before sliding even farther away with a whoosh, finally crashing headfirst into a roadside trash can with a loud thud.

Face down, buried in the thick snow, he lay motionless except for the trembling of his shoulders.

Lu Zhiyu: “…”

Chi Chen: “…”

Lu Zhishi: “…?”

The surrounding crowd: “?!”

Chi Chen was stunned and couldn’t react immediately. Lu Zhishi stopped crying and stared in disbelief. Lu Zhiyu rushed over anxiously to help Zhao Xiaoxing.

Lu Zhishi also hurried over, only to manage to get himself hurt again—slipping and falling motionless next to Zhao Xiaoxing.

Lu Zhiyu had his hands full, helping one and then the other, exasperated yet amused.

Chi Chen’s composure nearly shattered. Forgetting his usual demeanor, he rushed over, skidded to a halt, and half-knelt beside Lu Zhishi, helping him up while anxiously checking his condition.

After a moment of silence, a wave of laughter erupted, with some even slapping their companions’ thighs in hysterics.

“This is hilarious! Watching others’ misfortune really is the best, hahahaha—”

“Coming out for a stroll and getting a show too, not bad at all. I’ll come again next time.”

“Two little unlucky ones, this is too funny—going to be laughing about it all year, hahahaha!”

“No need to rush when trouble strikes, just post it on Moments first…”

“What unlucky fools, hahahaha—ow!”

Lu Zhishi slowly buried his face in Chi Chen’s chest, his gaze vacant and weak. “I don’t want to live on this planet anymore. Let’s go, to Mars…”