Chapter 17 Confession (Revised)

G City Branch of China Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

At this moment, Chen Yuanchuan stood in the examination room, his eyes sharp as he identified each herb and its corresponding year. He held the pen in his hand and moved quickly across the paper, his handwriting elegant.

Outside the one-way glass wall, Meng Xinning stared intently at Chen Yuanchuan inside. She crossed one arm over her chest, the other lightly holding her phone, her head tilted slightly upwards, a delighted smile on her face.

"Boss Xi, what happened to this kid?"

"It's nothing. Just do what I asked you to do. I owe you a favor." Xi Qing's voice came from the other end of the phone, calm and composed.

Seeing Xi Qing's reluctance to speak, Meng Xinning raised a brow, unconcerned. After all, it was an easy way to gain favor with the new medical elite, so why not? Her smile grew ever more alluring, like a blooming mandala, emitting a dangerous allure.

In the closed assessment room, Chen Yuanchuan went through the assessment of observation, auscultation, massage, cupping and other aspects. He walked out of the assessment room with confidence and sat on the waiting chair against the wall to rest.

More than an hour later, the person in charge appeared at the door.

"I'm sorry, you failed the assessment and cannot receive the certificate." The voice of the person in charge was like a muffled thunder, which froze Chen Yuanchuan's smiling expression.

The shocking blow left Chen Yuanchuan almost unable to react. He stood up abruptly and spoke in a hurried tone, "Excuse me, what did I do wrong?"

A trace of sympathy flashed across the person in charge's eyes, but he quickly returned to his expressionless face. "No comment." He spat out these words coldly, turned around and went back to the office, as if Chen Yuanchuan was just an insignificant passerby.

Chen Yuanchuan didn't notice the look in the director's eyes, and stood there, lost in thought. He'd put so much effort into this, so much suffering he'd silently endured... Xi Qing cared so much about him, letting him take a vacation, yet he still failed the exam. Was he destined to be a loser even with a golden finger?

Chen Yuanchuan was walking home in a daze when he suddenly saw a can blocking his way. It was so annoying... He suddenly raised his foot and kicked it, but surprisingly did not hear the crisp sound of collision. Chen Yuanchuan looked up and saw Xi Qing in front of him. His leather shoes had stopped the can.

Xi Qing didn't say anything, but kicked the can lightly with his toes, and the can fell back to Chen Yuanchuan's feet with a clang.

Chen Yuanchuan instinctively kicked back, then realized Xi Qing was playing a football trick on him.

The evening sky was stained a brilliant orange-red, casting a gentle afterglow all along the way. Taking advantage of the deserted space, the two of them became childish, kicking the can back and forth several times until Xi Qing lost control of his kick and sent it flying far away. Then, the two of them walked side by side, and Xi Qing picked up the can and threw it into the trash can.

"Don't be unhappy. Do you like playing video games? I'll take you somewhere." Xi Qing dusted off his hands, leaned against the metal bar and turned his head.

Chen Yuanchuan glanced sideways, not expecting Xi Qing to see through his condition right away and then quietly use childish tactics to divert his attention. Chen Yuanchuan couldn't see his expression clearly in the backlight. "Okay, where are we going?"

Xi Qing smiled slyly and kept the question in suspense, "Just get in the car." He pointed to the brand new white Porsche on the side of the road.

Chen Yuanchuan's eyes lit up. Although Xi Qing's previous Maybach was expensive, it was more reserved and business-like, not quite in line with the aesthetic tastes of young people. This time, the car he changed was obviously much more flamboyant.

What man doesn't like cars? Even Chen Yuanchuan couldn't escape this habit. He quickly stepped forward, his hands itching to touch it.

Xi Qing said: "Like it?"

Chen Yuanchuan nodded vigorously. The smooth and cool car body made him feel excited.

"Then I'll give you one?" Xi Qing said softly.

Uh... huh?! Chen Yuanchuan suddenly tilted his head, unable to tell the truth from Xi Qing's smile.

Chen Yuanchuan quickly waved his hands, "I'm just saying, I don't want it!"

"Really?" Xi Qing tilted his head slightly and asked suspiciously, looking like a typical prodigal son.

Chen Yuanchuan nodded his head several times with a serious expression. But in fact, he was crying inside. What a mistake!

"Okay." Seeing that Chen Yuanchuan refused to accept the bribe, Xi Qing helplessly spread his hands. He had thought that he could use money to improve Chen Yuanchuan's favorability.

Xi Qing pressed the remote control, opened the car door, and invited Chen Yuanchuan to get in, saying, "By the way, the brake failure was investigated this morning. It was my uncle who embezzled public funds."

"He bribed the maintenance personnel to do something. Fortunately, the maintenance personnel was scared at the time and only did something. Otherwise, our lives would be in jeopardy." Xi Qing sat in the driver's seat and said to Chen Yuanchuan sideways.

Chen Yuanchuan listened to Xi Qing's calm tone and once again refreshed his understanding of the wealthy. "You rich people... are quite cruel."

Xi Qing smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Fasten your seat belts and let's go."

Chen Yuanchuan sat in the passenger seat, turned his head to look at the scenery passing by outside the window, and the fragmented memories in his mind gradually pieced together. This road... is the road leading to Xi Qing's residence!

After Chen Yuanchuan realized this, he felt a chill running down his spine. He felt like he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The memory of humiliation was still vivid in his mind, and every word of his vow of revenge was etched in his heart. Now, unexpectedly...

The scar has healed and the pain has been forgotten, right?

Were you fooled by Xi Qing's sugar-coated bullets?

How shameless!

Chen Yuanchuan blamed himself masochistically. The harsh voice stirred Gao Zishuang's body and mind like a sharp blade, making him feel so painful that he couldn't breathe.

Chen Yuanchuan's face turned pale. Xi Qing noticed this through the rearview mirror and quickly stopped the car on the side of the road. He took Chen Yuanchuan's hand and said, "Yuanchuan! What's wrong?"

Feeling the warmth on the back of his hand, Chen Yuanchuan smiled sadly and shook off Xi Qing's hand, "Where are you taking me?"

Xi Qing paused for a moment, only to see that Chen Yuanchuan's eyes were red, and his brows, which should have been majestic, were filled with infinite sadness. He understood, leaned forward and looked up, "I'm sorry, I forgot for a moment. I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to invite you to play games in my game room..."

Looking at Chen Yuanchuan's shoulders trembling with anger, Xi Qing's hand moved forward and then quietly retracted.

"Or... just beat me up to vent your anger." Xi Qing's eyes showed a hint of sadness as he grabbed Chen Yuanchuan's arm and said.

Chen Yuanchuan kept his hands still, his thin eyelids drooped, and he remained silent.

When Xi Qinglian was still AI, he had studied so many novels. By calculating various possibilities, he could try to break the current deadlock.

Xi Qing's eyes changed, and he grabbed Chen Yuanchuan's arm with his other hand and whispered, "Yuanchuan, can you still listen to me?"

Chen Yuanchuan seemed to be still lowering his head, but in fact, when he heard Xi Qing's words with a certain seriousness, he had a guess in his mind and suddenly became confused.

As expected, Xi Qing's next words were: "I like you, will you be my boyfriend? I promise I won't hurt you again."

As soon as the words fell, the air in the car almost stagnated, and the world around them seemed to have pressed the pause button. All the noise came to an abrupt end, and only the breathing of the two people was particularly clear.

Chen Yuanchuan pretended to look out the window, then after a few seconds, returned to Xi Qing's face. His carefree demeanor had vanished, and a subtle undercurrent of sinister intent shone through his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Xi Qing answered without hesitation.

Chen Yuanchuan asked himself, the thought of becoming a homosexual was disgusting, but once he thought of Xi Qing... his heart would beat uncontrollably, telling of unfamiliar emotions.

Do you want to agree? Chen Yuanchuan's breathing stuttered for a moment. Ever since this thought came to mind, his heart had been like a dead tree reborn, entangled tightly and tightly by the thorns of hope.

He seemed to really like Xi Qing.

But perhaps Xi Qing was just acting on impulse? Not only were they both men, but they were also worlds apart in social class. Even if he didn't care now, what about later? What was the shelf life of this love?

And what about Xi Qian? How should he explain this to his sister? And how can I face shame?

Countless thoughts filled Chen Yuanchuan's mind. There were too many practical obstacles between them. Gender, status, and family all turned into an invisible net, covering his almost bursting emotions. While he was thinking about refusing, his heart ached uncontrollably.

Xi Qing seemed to understand Chen Yuanchuan's entanglement and pain. He placed his hands on his shoulders, and with tender affection, he spoke loudly.

"Yuanchuan, I will always be by your side, believe me."

These words undoubtedly struck Chen Yuanchuan's heart. He paused at Xi Qing's face for a long time, and decided to be brave and throw away all rationality, "I will only trust you once..." The unfinished words turned into a warning look in his eyes.

As soon as Chen Yuanchuan finished speaking, Xi Qing's eyes turned and he smelled the turbulent atmosphere of the small world again. The indescribable emotion disappeared in an instant and no one noticed.

"No problem." Xi Qing curled her lips and smiled, gently put her arm around Chen Yuanchuan's waist, supported the back of his hairy head with one hand, and leaned forward almost forcefully.

Chen Yuanchuan: “!!!”

What the hell? Kissing right after confessing? Xi Qing really has bad intentions.

Xi Qing's handsome face gradually approached. Chen Yuanchuan's pupils dilated and he stared blankly, his mind turning into a complete mess.

Xi Qing had no idea that Chen Yuanchuan was complaining about him just a second ago. He lowered his eyes and found Chen Yuanchuan's silly look really funny. His palm slid to the back of his hot neck and kneaded it, causing Chen Yuanchuan's body to tremble and his tense muscles to relax suddenly.

Seeing Chen Yuanchuan's expression as if he was facing a great enemy, his eyelashes fluttering. Xi Qing's hand slid down his neck to his face, gently rubbing his lower lip. In an instant, Chen Yuanchuan's ears turned red enough to bleed.

Xi Qing's chest vibrated and he chuckled.

Chen Yuanchuan's heart was filled with excitement: What kind of man is Xi Qing, who's so hesitant? And he's still laughing. If he doesn't do it, then I will! Determined to die early and be reborn soon, Chen Yuanchuan suddenly cupped Xi Qing's slightly deformed cheeks with both hands and resolutely kissed her.

Xi Qingyeli's eyes were filled with astonishment. Feeling Chen Yuanchuan snatching the air from her mouth like a young leopard, she chuckled silently and gently bit his round lips.

Chen Yuanchuan opened his mouth in pain, and Xi Qing began to take the initiative. Like a gurgling stream, it gently but lingered, invading Chen Yuanchuan's lips and teeth, melting his rationality and making his scalp numb with comfort.

Is this what kissing feels like? Chen Yuanchuan groaned unconsciously from his throat, feeling extremely ashamed at once, and his face flushed more and more obviously.

Xi Qing stroked Chen Yuanchuan's back with his hands. The affectionate caress made the man in his arms feel the heat, making his heart tremble slightly. He couldn't help but pull at Xi Qing's sleeve, feeling at a loss as to what to do with the tenderness at this moment.

Chen Yuanchuan, a novice, was devastated. He could clearly feel the other party's awkwardness at the beginning, but how come Xi Qing's kissing skills improved by leaps and bounds without him noticing? Damn it.

However, how could Chen Yuanchuan, who was kissed to the point of being breathless, know the terrifying learning ability of future AI?

Inside the cramped car seat, hormones filled the ambiguous atmosphere, stirring up a wave of passion. The car music also played melodious and romantic songs about lovers finally getting married.

When the two arrived at Xi Qing's home, Chen Yuanchuan, looking at the lavish layout of Xi Qing's residence, couldn't help but recall a year ago... a completely different mood. Life is unpredictable. The person I once considered a lifelong enemy has now become a close friend. My lifelong reputation!

Seeing Chen Yuanchuan's expression changing from happy to sad, Xi Qing tilted his head and said with a smile, "Yuanchuan, what are you thinking about?"

Chen Yuanchuan glanced down at their interlocked hands, sighed in resignation, and shook his head silently. Who made me like him?

Xi Qing thought that Chen Yuanchuan wanted to go back on his word, and an unfathomable dark light flashed in his eyes. He raised his lips again and took Chen Yuanchuan's hand to a room.

Upon opening the door, a dazzling array of electronic devices greeted the view. To the left was an oversized TV screen, and behind it sat a loveseat with two controllers. To the right, a curved computer connected to a futuristic VR headset.

This is a paradise for game fans, with so much to see and do.

"Have you ever played VR?" Xi Qing asked softly.

Chen Yuanchuan shook his head, his eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity. Xi Qing smiled slyly. He expertly operated the computer and then placed the VR headset on Chen Yuanchuan's head.

"What game?" Chen Yuanchuan couldn't help but ask curiously before the screen started displaying.

Xi Qing's smile grew gentler, and he kept it a secret, "You'll know after you play it."

Chen Yuanchuan knew Xi Qing's character well. The gentler the tone, the more malicious intent he harbored. He once saw Xi Qing as hypocritical, but now he saw her as endearing. Human nature is double standards.

As expected, the game was a horror thriller. Chen Yuanchuan gripped the VR controller, dancing with excitement. Xi Qing sat elegantly beside him, observing his movements with great interest.

Suddenly, a monster jumped out from his face unexpectedly. Chen Yuanchuan was frightened and staggered back, almost falling. Fortunately, Xi Qing was quick-witted and stood up quickly to hold his waist.

Chen Yuanchuan took off his headset, and the moment his eyes met Xi Qing's, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He couldn't help but hold his breath—

Xi Qing's eyebrows were curved, and his tall shadow cast a shadow over Chen Yuanchuan. His dry lips touched the other's forehead, as light as a feather.

Such an innocent kiss made Chen Yuanchuan feel like he was electrocuted, and numbness spread throughout his body.

The author has something to say:

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My aunt is smiling while typing, so sweet

(I only realized after being reminded in the comments section that today is Chinese Valentine's Day. What a coincidence, hahaha. Happy Chinese Valentine's Day everyone)