Chapter 13 Possessiveness

Chapter 13 Possessiveness

In his softest voice, Shen Junlan uttered words that struck Huo Yanchi's heart.

Xiao Yezi missed him.

A pebble dropped into the lake of Huo Yanchi's heart, sending ripples that took a long time to settle.

"I missed Xiao Yezi so much today, wondering if he had enough water, if he was afraid of the sun, if he got hurt, if he rested well."

"Huo Yanchi, I'm doing fine."

Shen Junlan pulled out several outfits, chose the one that best matched what Huo Yanchi was wearing, and hung it up to wear tomorrow.

"Huo Yanchi, don't you think this outfit looks good? Doesn't it look cool with my elevated hole-pattern shoes?"

"My Xiao Yezi is truly getting more and more handsome—so vibrant green, so full of life."

Seeing Shen Junlan cheer up, Huo Yanchi swiftly pulled the black tie draped over his shirt—the one he had worn today, carrying his scent. It probably wasn’t suitable for Xiao Yezi to wear tomorrow.

Under the crescent moon, Shen Junlan fiddled with the slippers at the bathroom door. He tried opening it several times but failed—the bathroom was locked. He had originally wanted to go in and shower with Huo Yanchi, but now he had to wait for him to come out.

The lock clicked, and Shen Junlan popped to his feet. He handed the towel to Huo Yanchi and complained, "You almost hit my face when you closed the door."

Shen Junlan pressed close against Huo Yanchi. The steam from Huo Yanchi's body rushed over, making Shen Junlan's face flush with warmth. He uncomfortably rubbed his itchy nose.

Huo Yanchi's gaze lowered, taking in Shen Junlan's fair nape exposed before him. Shen Junlan leaned in unconsciously, his fingers hooking the hem of Huo Yanchi's bathrobe. His innocent, clear eyes stared straight at him, with the devotion of a sacrificial offering.

"Huo Yanchi, let me blow-dry your hair."

"I heard from the little cat in the garden that its owner always has someone blow-dry their hair, and they even whisper sweet nothings during it."

Huo Yanchi's eyelids twitched violently. Why did his Xiao Yezi always hear about such things? Who whispers sweet nothings while blow-drying hair? That’s just a trick couples use to flirt—it’s not like him and Xiao Yezi.

Though he thought so, Huo Yanchi still moved his hand holding the hairdryer away. Expressionless, he turned his head and reluctantly sat in front of the mirror, fiddling with his fingertips while watching Shen Junlan's eyes through the reflection.

Since Xiao Yezi insisted so much, he would reluctantly accept. If he resisted any longer, Xiao Yezi might get sad—maybe even cry—and be hard to comfort once he starts.

Shen Junlan clumsily adjusted the temperature. A blast of hot air scorched his palm, making him purse his lips in a pout and blink his eyes, which grew moist a couple of times, but he didn’t make a sound.

Sigh, he had become much more delicate lately, but he couldn’t cry out at every little pain.

Cool air blasted onto Huo Yanchi's head, chaotic and without any technique. Under Shen Junlan's cold-wind method, Huo Yanchi somehow ended up with a towering crown.

Shen Junlan tugged at Huo Yanchi's hair until not a drop of water remained.

"Huo Yanchi, how do you feel?"

Huo Yanchi with difficulty averted his gaze, letting out a soft, helpless chuckle. His head felt a bit sore.

"You look very handsome—handsomer than you've ever been. Mostly because my blow-drying skills are so good."

Shen Junlan had a particular taste. Huo Yanchi couldn’t bear to interrupt his self-praise, so he played along, praising his own skills—how he could even style hair so effectively.

Xiao Yezi worked hard blow-drying his hair—fighting with the tangled mess, his unruly hair texture, and even his hairline. It was quite the ordeal.

"Okay then, as long as you like it. Huo Yanchi, you get some sleep first. I’m going to take a shower too."

Shen Junlan didn’t treat Huo Yanchi as an outsider—certainly didn't treat him as just another person.

He stripped off his shirt right outside the bathroom door.

Huo Yanchi sucked in a sharp breath, catching just a flash of pink before quickly turning away, pinched his scorching earlobe, grinding his teeth. His usually stern expression faltered slightly.

The sound of water in the bathroom sped up and slowed down erratically, making Huo Yanchi's heart leap into his throat then sink to his stomach, stretched taut, almost to the breaking point.

Just as Huo Yanchi was randomly wondering whether he should help Shen Junlan dry his hair, Shen Junlan had already climbed into bed, burrowed under his covers, hogging most of the quilt.

Shen Junlan’s body was icy cold, like he'd rinsed with ice water. His hair was dry, without a trace of moisture.

The minty scents mingled, and Huo Yanchi couldn’t tell whether it was from himself or Shen Junlan.

They used the same shower gel and shampoo, and chances were Shen Junlan had used the same towel Huo Yanchi had just used.

The thought sent Huo Yanchi's blood boiling. A feverish heat weighed on his chest, and his dark, clear eyes turned hazy. Only when he heard Shen Junlan’s steady breathing did he slowly turn over.

Huo Yanchi swept aside the strands of hair covering Shen Junlan’s eyelids and tugged at the shirt that was slipping off his shoulders. In the dark, he could see it was his own shirt—Xiao Yezi was covered in his scent.

Huo Yanchi jerked his hand back as if scorched, forcing himself to lie still despite his pounding heartbeat, questioning his own sanity.

[President Huo: Dr. Zhou, how do you take care of a flower that’s like a person?]

[Dr. Zhou: ?]

[Dr. Zhou: You mean that Clivia of yours that never blooms? I don’t think it’s like a person or a flower—it’s more like grass.]

[Dr. Zhou: President Huo, are you asking how to make it bloom?]

Huo Yanchi glanced sideways at Shen Junlan. Blooming or not blooming—it didn’t seem to matter.

Truthfully, Huo Yanchi didn’t even know what he wanted. He’d inexplicably messaged Dr. Zhou and inexplicably felt like going out for a run.

[President Huo: No, I just feel like I’m not taking good care of it.]

[Dr. Zhou: No need for that, President Huo. I understand how you feel.]

[Dr. Zhou: It’s natural to see the flower as an emotional anchor, especially since you found it and nurtured it when you were on the verge of breaking down. It’s not that you’re not taking good care of it—you’re just anxious again.]

[Dr. Zhou: By the way, President Huo, have you been taking your medication lately?]

[President Huo: No, I’m fine.]

To be honest, Dr. Zhou couldn’t see it. Staying up past midnight, worrying about not being attentive enough to a flower—how was that “fine”?

There wasn’t another person like Huo Yanchi in the entire capital—the water for the flower was flown in, the fertilizer was specially developed in a lab, and the pot was an antique. If this wasn’t “good,” what was?

[Dr. Zhou: Sometimes, a Clivia not blooming is related to the gardener’s mindset. Maybe the Clivia senses your tension and becomes tense too. It’ll be fine after a while.]

[Dr. Zhou: Plants are very sensitive, especially to changes in their environment.]

Huo Yanchi tapped the small dimple at the corner of Shen Junlan’s mouth. Not only was Shen Junlan not tense, he even grabbed Huo Yanchi’s finger and rubbed it against his cheek.

Xiao Yezi was quite emotionally sensitive—he’d even cry if he wasn’t allowed to call someone “master.”

[President Huo: Dr. Zhou, I’m going to rest.]

[Dr. Zhou: Alright, alright. Let me know if you feel unwell—I can come over anytime.]

Before falling asleep, Huo Yanchi was still thinking about whether there was any better water to be found—wherever it was, he’d get it for Xiao Yezi.

***

After discovering Shen Junlan suffered from carsickness, Huo Yanchi switched to using a sports car for transportation. He couldn't keep a low profile even if he tried—the company gossip group he lurked in was already speculating whether he was preening like a peacock, trying to attract a mate.

Huo Yanchi expressionlessly turned off his phone and stood at the entrance, waiting for the unsteady Shen Junlan to catch up.

“Huo Yanchi, let’s switch to a car with more space.”

Shen Junlan leaned his cheek against Huo Yanchi’s back, dragging himself forward weakly. Commuting to work was pure torture—he never should have come.

“Mr. Huo, aren't you coming up?”

Zhao Qi held the elevator door open, waiting for Huo Yanchi to enter.

“Zhao Qi, join me.”

“Yes, of course.”

Zhao Qi usually only took Huo Yanchi’s private elevator in emergencies. Standing behind Huo Yanchi, he caught a glimpse of his slightly piercing gaze reflected in the glass.

Zhao Qi held his breath, trying to figure out what he'd done wrong. His attire was formal today, and he hadn’t slacked off at work—what did Mr. Huo’s look mean?

Huo Yanchi cleared his throat.

“Hey, Huo Yanchi, is your throat bothering you?”

Shen Junlan, who was leaning limply, straightened up a bit, studying Huo Yanchi’s face with a hint of accusation.

Shen Junlan was puzzled. His eyes darted between Huo Yanchi and his assistant, finally detecting a hint of irritation from Huo Yanchi’s clenched fingertips.

He roughly measured the distance—he was about four or five centimeters closer to the assistant than Huo Yanchi was.

Huh, it can't be…

Shen Junlan edged to Huo Yanchi’s right side, linked arms with him, and moved away from the assistant.

In an instant, Huo Yanchi’s demeanor softened. His throat no longer felt dry, his gaze turned gentle, and his steps out of the elevator became noticeably lighter.

“Huo Yanchi, I feel like you can sense me. Also, you…”

Shen Junlan trailed off. Even with his palm almost hitting Huo Yanchi’s face, the latter remained calm and composed, giving no indication he could see him.

Besides, what he wanted to say was that Huo Yanchi seemed pretty possessive. Shen Junlan reflected on himself—he was also quite possessive of Huo Yanchi. After all, he was the flower Huo Yanchi raised, so it was only natural.

Shen Junlan quickly made peace with it in his mind, completely missing how Huo Yanchi was all ears, itching to hear what he would say next.

“Mr. Huo, there are two documents that need urgent processing. Let me go over them with you.”

“Hmm.”

Zhao Qi hung back a few steps. Noticing Huo Yanchi freeze for a moment, Zhao Qi scratched his right cheek, completely baffled, and returned to his office.

Huo Yanchi getting angry was normal. As an eight-year veteran employee, Zhao Qi had seen him during his bad episodes—a hundred times scarier than now. What was unusual was Huo Yanchi’s mood changes. If he wasn’t mistaken, Huo Yanchi had definitely smirked.

The office had a faint floral scent. Before Shen Junlan could open his mouth to question it, Huo Yanchi had already placed an air freshener on the desk.

“Hmph, I thought you were raising another flower behind my back.”

Huo Yanchi’s move of taking out the air freshener had truly anticipated his anticipation.

“Huo Yanchi, you can only raise me. No matter how pretty or vibrant other flowers are, you’re not allowed to keep them.”

Shen Junlan poked Huo Yanchi’s lower back and, without permission, grabbed his finger for a pinky swear, sealing it with a thumb press.

The contact was brief but warm. Huo Yanchi rubbed his thumb over the spot, then clenched his palm, trying to preserve the lingering warmth.

“In my heart, my Xiao Yezi is the most beautiful in the world.”

Huo Yanchi’s phone on the desk lit up. Shen Junlan immediately noticed the screensaver was a picture of himself—he had no idea when Huo Yanchi had changed it.

Bathed in a ray of sunlight, his leaves were fully stretched and glossy. Shen Junlan was absolutely delighted.

“Huo Yanchi, you took such a beautiful photo of me. I’ll allow you to keep it as your screensaver.”

Huo Yanchi responded inwardly: Honored.

His Xiao Yezi was proud and a bit vain—how dare he use an ugly photo? What if Xiao Yezi refused to stick close to him anymore?

Come to think of it, it probably wasn’t his imagination—his Xiao Yezi’s color had deepened significantly, now a deep, rich white.

In a little while, would his Xiao Yezi be able to turn into a normal person?

A normal person—someone he could talk to openly and honestly. Huo Yanchi narrowed his eyes, feeling a surge of anticipation.

Author's Note:

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