Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The new home wasn't close, and Ji Liao even took a few wrong turns.

When they finally got home, Ji Liao unlocked the door with his fingerprint and led Wen Qiu inside.

Compared to the villa, Ji Liao's new home felt much smaller.

But this was truly his own little nest, and Ji Liao was still overjoyed.

Moreover, the previous owner was thoughtful enough to leave everything behind—even the throw pillows were neatly placed on the sofa. It was truly a move-in-ready place.

"Mr. Wen, make yourself comfortable."

Ji Liao took off his shoes and stepped directly onto the polished floor.

The place hadn't been lived in, but the utilities had stayed on. Ji Liao headed straight to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and a blast of cold air from the empty fridge hit his face.

No weird smell—that was a relief.

Ji Liao put the food he'd brought from the villa into the fridge one by one.

Then he boiled some water in the kettle.

"Mr. Wen, you can have some bottled water for now."

After doing all that, Ji Liao took a bottle of water from his bag to give to Wen Qiu.

But when he came out of the kitchen, he saw that Wen Qiu hadn't sat down but was standing in the middle of the living room, calmly surveying his surroundings.

He was just wearing a simple off-white tracksuit, with unkempt hair and the thin-rimmed glasses he always wore.

Yet Ji Liao instantly felt the room light up.

He even wanted to sing "An Ode to My Humble Abode" for his cozy little nest.

Wen Qiu was too good-looking, completely out of place in Ji Liao's small home.

A god had descended to earth...

Ji Liao blinked and patted his chest a couple of times.

Beautiful things tend to make your heart race, and he was no exception.

Wen Qiu didn't notice Ji Liao's reaction. He looked around—the place was small, but he could hardly smell any pheromones. It was acceptable.

"This house...?"

Wen Qiu remembered looking into Ji Liao before. The college student had a very simple social circle—no wealthy relatives and no particularly close friends.

So Ji Liao must be renting this place.

But when would Ji Liao have rented it?

And why?

Had he been planning to leave this whole time?

For some reason, the thought of Ji Liao secretly planning to leave darkened Wen Qiu's mood.

But before he could ask, Ji Liao said, "I bought it!"

Wen Qiu: "?"

Ji Liao handed the water to Wen Qiu, picked up the throw pillow, fluffed it, and gestured with a beaming smile for Wen Qiu to sit down.

This wonderful news about buying a house—finally, he had someone to share it with!

"I really have to thank you, Mr. Wen. It's all thanks to your support that I could fulfill my childhood dream and finally afford a place!"

Ji Liao was genuinely happy, his face beaming as he pulled out the property deed to show Wen Qiu.

"Don't worry, no one knows about this place. No one will bother you here. You can rest easy."

Wen Qiu opened the deed and saw Ji Liao's name written on it.

The feeling that had just welled up vanished in an instant.

So Ji Liao was also fond of money.

Turning down that ten million must have hurt.

Wen Qiu felt inexplicably heavy-hearted as he returned the deed to Ji Liao:

"If the amount isn't enough, I can add more."

"Stop!" Ji Liao was genuinely afraid he'd cave, so he immediately declared solemnly:

"You're more important than any amount of money! I won't agree to cancel the contract!"

With that, he jumped up and rattled on:

"I'll bring your luggage in for you."

"I've never spent a single day in this place. Apparently the original owner moved out ages ago, and it's been empty ever since. Let me put on fresh sheets and pillowcases first. You think about what you want for lunch—I'll cook for you. Consider it a celebration of your regained freedom."

Wen Qiu: "..."

Regained freedom.

He liked the sound of those four words.

*

Because the place was small, this was technically the first time Ji Liao and Wen Qiu were living together.

There was only one bedroom—Wen Qiu slept in the bedroom, and Ji Liao had to sleep on the couch.

Neither of them worked, so they both slept in every day, and then Ji Liao would get up and cook.

Wen Qiu had been a young master since childhood, so he naturally never noticed any household chores. While Ji Liao cooked and cleaned, Wen Qiu would sit on the balcony, enjoying the breeze and reading.

Luckily, the contract cancellation was never brought up again.

Ji Liao also enjoyed this peaceful life. Whenever he saw Wen Qiu leisurely sitting on the balcony with coffee or taking a nap, the sight was so pleasing it made him feel like he was raising a beautiful, aloof Ragdoll cat.

Anyone who owns a cat knows that as long as the feline master is happy, you'd do anything gladly.

But Wen Qiu felt completely differently.

For as long as Wen Qiu could remember, he had never been this bored.

Yep, it was pure boredom.

Nothing to do all day, phone off, no interruptions, and no sense that anything was changing.

He was like a cloud drifting in the sky or a tree by the curb—so idle he itched to do something, but had no idea what.

And yet, this bored-out-of-his-mind version of him was crazy-adored by Ji Liao.

Three meals a day, always busy.

Wen Qiu suddenly wasn't in a hurry to leave.

It wasn't like he had to see the aurora.

Maybe he'd just stick around for now.

He thought to himself.

Take things slow.

Don't break Ji Liao's heart.

A few days later, Wen Qiu was so bored he was practically growing mold, so he decided to find something to do.

"Ji Liao."

He'd been lounging on the sofa, and when an idea hit him, he sat up and looked back.

The living room was small; Ji Liao was only a few steps away, wiping down the table.

"Yeah?" Ji Liao answered right away.

Wen Qiu: "I'll teach you how to drive."

"Huh?" Ji Liao looked baffled.

Wen Qiu was a man of action—the second he said it, he was already getting up.

Realizing Wen Qiu was dead serious, Ji Liao scrambled to backtrack:

"The car's not here, Mr. Wen!"

Wen Qiu: "Then go get it."

Ji Liao: "There's no parking spot downstairs."

Wen Qiu: "Then buy one."

Ji Liao: "The spots in the complex are too cramped—I can't park in them!"

Wen Qiu: "Buy two spots. Park right in the middle."

Ji Liao: "..."

By the time he finished talking, Wen Qiu was already at the door, slipping on his shoes and heading out.

"Wait!"

Ji Liao was still trying to argue, looking up at Wen Qiu.

Wen Qiu's peach-blossom eyes were even more striking up close—bright, dark pupils flecked with starlight, and a gaze so focused it was mesmerizing.

Under that gaze, Ji Liao stammered, "Once you drive a car, it loses value. I figured if you ever needed cash, you could sell it..."

His voice trailed off, like he didn't have the nerve to finish.

Wen Qiu actually froze for a few seconds.

Then it clicked.

"Ji Liao," Wen Qiu said, "you think I'm broke?"

He remembered what Ji Liao had said when he refused to sign the agreement.

Back then, he'd figured it was just an excuse.

He never expected Ji Liao was actually trying to save him money.

He was even willing to give up the brand-new car.

He liked him even when he was broke.

Ji Liao didn't dare nod.

He didn't even dare to look at Wen Qiu.

It sounded like Wen Qiu was about to get mad, but he was just telling the truth—he hadn't done anything wrong.

After a tense few seconds of silence, Wen Qiu said, "Change your shoes."

"Huh?" Ji Liao looked up and saw Wen Qiu was already out the door.

He quickly switched shoes, grabbed the keys, and followed him out.

To get the car from the villa, they'd have to take his electric scooter.

Wen Qiu waffled between calling a ride on his phone and taking the scooter, but in the end, he grabbed the helmet.

He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, then put it on.

Ji Liao quietly put on his helmet, grabbed the handlebars, and was about to get on when Wen Qiu shoved him aside.

"I'm driving."

With that, Wen Qiu took the front seat and gripped the handlebars.

Seeing that, Ji Liao had no choice but to obediently sit in the back.

Not sure what mood Wen Qiu was in, he tried to keep his distance, gripping the seat and not daring to touch him.

It was probably Wen Qiu's first time on an electric scooter—he fiddled with it for a bit before figuring out how to start it.

Then he gunned it.

Ji Liao was tense all over, terrified Wen Qiu would drive them straight into a ditch.

And Wen Qiu didn't disappoint—he shot out of the parking spot with a "whoosh."

"Slow down, Mr. Wen!"

Ji Liao, who had no intention of dying young, shouted in desperation.

As soon as the words left his mouth, Wen Qiu slammed on the brakes.

Caught off guard, Ji Liao lurched forward into Wen Qiu's back, his hands instinctively grabbing Wen Qiu's waist.

He was about to apologize when Wen Qiu turned his head slightly and said:

“Sit tight.”

“???”

Ji Liao found the words oddly familiar, but before he could react, Wen Qiu had already started the car and drove off.

Ji Liao leaned against Wen Qiu's back and caught a faint, cool scent.

It was pleasant, as if it came from Wen Qiu's clothes.

*

No matter how good a driver you are, you still have to follow traffic rules.

Wen Qiu wasn't speeding; in fact, his speed was very steady.

But Ji Liao wasn't used to sitting in the back, and he felt uneasy.

So it wasn't until they returned to the villa and Wen Qiu parked that Ji Liao finally let go, still rattled.

The cool scent faded away with it.

Wen Qiu didn't even go inside; he headed straight for the garage.

“Mr. Wen, where are we going to practice driving?” Ji Liao asked.

Seeing Wen Qiu's firm resolve, Ji Liao knew he couldn't get out of it, so he decided to be proactive.

Of course he wanted to drive.

But he knew his own skill level—if he hit the road on his own, he wouldn't even make it out of the neighborhood without crashing.

Wen Qiu said briefly: “Right here.”

Ji Liao: …

As expected, they didn't need to leave the neighborhood.

The villa area had few people and wide roads, especially during the day, with hardly anyone around—perfect for practicing driving.

Wen Qiu didn't give Ji Liao a hard time. He got in first, drove the car out of the garage, and parked by the roadside.

“You're up.”

Wen Qiu got out.

!

It was too sudden. Ji Liao waved his hands frantically: “How about you demonstrate and explain first?”

But Wen Qiu didn't pause, heading straight to the passenger seat:

“Get in. I'll explain while we drive.”

Ji Liao: …

I'm a dead man!