Don't force me

get out of class is over.

As the exams approached, most students, looking slightly tired, poured out of the teaching building and headed to the library. Chu Sinian walked out with the crowd, wrapping his scarf around his neck.

As he tidied up and walked, he saw two people standing motionless in the crowd.

One is Chen Chi, and the other is Ning Zicheng.

Ning Zicheng rushed over first, wanting to grab his arm, but then let go. "Why didn't you tell me you were being discharged from the hospital? If Kong Bo hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known!"

Chu Sinian raised an eyebrow. "He said it without my permission?"

Ning Zicheng patted his shoulder lightly, "How long are you planning to keep this from me? Are you healed yet?"

Just as Chu Sinian was about to answer, Chen Chi, who had appeared beside him at some point, said, "He's not done yet, don't touch him."

Ning Zicheng said irritably, "Coach, why do you always follow Si Nian around?"

After the match, he couldn't change the title back, and he found that the title "coach" effectively expressed respect without being too distant, so he had no intention of changing it.

Chu Sinian touched the end of his eyebrow. "Can't friends stay together? What a pointless question."

Ning Zicheng sensed something was off, so she slowed down and followed the two of them.

The school grounds were covered with a thick layer of snow, and when pedestrians took a step, their legs would sink and their steps would sway slightly.

The two people ahead walked in surprisingly unison. The man in the black trench coat would deliberately slow down and loosely wrap his elbow around the other man's waist, seemingly to avoid suspicion, keeping a considerable distance between them.

Ning Zicheng was dumbfounded.

He jogged to Chu Sinian's side, almost stumbling and falling to the ground. "Nian, are we going home?"

"Go back and write your thesis."

"Where's the coach? Is the coach with you?"

Chu Sinian subconsciously looked at Chen Chi and said, "He left after dropping me off at home."

Ning Zicheng breathed a sigh of relief and secretly glanced at Chen Chi's indifferent face. "Then I have something to tell you."

"What is it?" Chen Chi looked at Ning Zicheng.

Ning Zicheng flashed a bright white smile and said silently, "So what if something's wrong? Coach, you have to worry about this too?"

The air suddenly turned cold and chilly, a bone-chilling cold that seeped into the bones. Chu Sinian closed his eyes. "Let's talk about it here."

Ning Zicheng said reluctantly, "Can't we talk about this at your place while we have dinner? It's been so long since we've gotten together."

“Sure, let’s eat together,” Chen Chi said calmly.

Chu Sinian: "..."

"Then it's decided!" Ning Zicheng said excitedly.

The three of them walked back to Chu Sinian's home.

Because the house was empty after being emptied a few days ago, Ning Zicheng was quite surprised when she came in.

"Where are those few of your 'artistic' chairs?"

Chu Sinian handed him the wooden chair he had just bought, "Sell it."

Ning Zicheng opened her mouth slightly, "Brother, if you need money, just tell me."

"No need for that. This is fine as it is. No extravagance or waste, just a simple life," Chu Sinian said, pouring a cup of tea for Ning Zicheng.

He glanced at Chen Chi, who was taking groceries from the refrigerator, poured himself a glass, and walked over. "What groceries do you have at home?"

Chen Chi said, "Tomato and egg, beef and green pepper, broccoli and chicken."

Ning Zicheng also came over, "Coach, how do you know so much?"

Chu Sinian said, "He would sometimes come to my house to cook."

Ning Zicheng looked at Chen Chi in astonishment, "Coach, your interests are quite peculiar."

Chu Sinian couldn't help but laugh out loud. Watching Chen Chi skillfully tie his scarf and wash the knives, he looked like a stay-at-home husband. Who would have thought he was a powerful figure in the business world?

Ning Zicheng couldn't really let Chen Chi do it all by himself, so he rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

Before he could even touch the green pepper, Chen Chi coldly said, "Get out."

Ning Zicheng was immediately embarrassed and stood there. Chu Sinian waved for him to come out, saying, "No need to help, he likes someone."

The two had no choice but to sit on the island counter, chatting idly under the elegant and simple chandelier overhead.

What do you want to talk to me about?

"I want to throw you a recovery banquet."

Chu Sinian immediately facepalmed. "I just told Kong Bo that if you knew I was discharged from the hospital, you might have to throw a banquet."

Ning Zicheng smiled happily, "It shows we're on the same wavelength. I'm just letting you know, you have to go."

"Why?" Chu Sinian was slightly surprised, as Ning Zicheng was rarely assertive.

“I have to announce to the world that you are one of my people, so that even if you… uh Chu… that person goes to jail, it won’t damage your prestige in the industry.”

Suddenly, a sharp scraping sound rang out, like a steel object hitting glass.

The two looked towards the kitchen at the same time and saw Chen Chi staring at them expressionlessly. Although his face was almost the same as usual, the two of them felt a sense of oppression.

Chu Sinian scratched the tip of his nose. "I don't plan to stay in Dong'an for long. Besides, I've already cleared out my circle of friends. They have nothing to do with me anymore."

"That won't do! What do you mean you won't stay in Dong'an for long?"

Chu Sinian smiled and said, "I plan to finish my credits ahead of schedule and live in South America for a long time."

Ning Zicheng's mouth dropped open. "Is this why you sell miscellaneous items?"

I guess so.

"Seriously? You're really planning to sell alcohol in that godforsaken place?"

"It's a good place for astronomical observation, far away from the hustle and bustle, allowing you to focus without distractions."

Chen Chi exerted force, the sharp blade seeping into the cutting board. "Away from the hustle and bustle? Why haven't you ever told me that?"

Chu Sinian turned his head and met Chen Chi's gaze. His eyes were sharp and gloomy, and he was extremely displeased.

His smile remained unchanged. "You work in the country, what am I supposed to say to you?"

Chen Chi didn't speak, he just stared at him.

Chu Sinian turned his gaze away and said to Ning Zicheng, "Let's not hold the recovery banquet. I need to focus on getting credits."

Ning Zicheng's expression was also not very good. "I never thought we would be so far apart. What if you forget about me when we are tens of thousands of miles apart? Besides, it's not safe abroad."

"Forget what? It's not like you're not coming back. It's still early."

Ning Zicheng's emotions plummeted. He knew that Chu Sinian's expression was not a joke, and he suddenly felt an urge to cry.

He concealed his emotions and replied, "Yeah, anyway, we haven't left yet."

Dinner was prepared much faster than usual this time, and the three of them spoke less at the table. Ning Zicheng couldn't hide her bad mood, but she forced a smile to cheer Chu Sinian up.

Chu Sinian pretended not to see it, his mood also becoming somewhat gloomy. No one noticed Chen Chi's burning gaze beside him.

After finishing his meal, Ning Zicheng left quickly, his emotions a mix of emotions. He was afraid he might burst into tears.

Seeing that slightly hurried figure made Chu Sinian want to laugh, but also felt a pang of sadness in his heart.

Ning Zicheng is just like that; she may look tough, but she's actually very soft-hearted.

He watched Ning Zicheng get off the elevator, then closed the door and prepared to go to the living room.

Who knew that Chen Chi, who should have been cleaning up the mess in the kitchen, was standing in front of him, his face expressionless, so quiet it was startling.

Having spent so much time with him, Chu Sinian knew this was a sign that he was about to go mad, and still unconsciously took a step back.

"South America? If I hadn't happened to be there tonight, how long would you have kept this a secret?"

"I never intended to hide it from you."

"Is that so?" Chen Chi suddenly sneered.

The muscles in his face twitched, giving him a sinister look. "You're trying to abandon me again."

"What do you mean 'again'? What have I abandoned you for?" Chu Sinian said calmly.

"How can you say we've abandoned each other? At most, we're just friends, aren't we?" Chu Sinian said casually, as if he were just saying he was going to sleep.

Chen Chi suddenly stepped forward, his stiff body pinning Chu Sinian against the door. "What do you mean by saying this? Are you trying to force me out?"

Chu Si's back was against the door when a scorching heat blew through his clothes. He tried to avoid it but found there was no way to escape.

Chen Chi lowered his voice and glanced at his lips, "You may not like me, but that doesn't mean I can tolerate you leaving."

His gaze was burning hot, like flames. "When did you come up with this plan? And who was the first to find out?"

Chu Sinian felt oppressed and uncomfortable all over. He turned his head and said, "The first one, you and Ning Zicheng both knew about at the same time."

Chen Chi's fierce aura softened for a moment. He reached out and rubbed his ear, his tone gentle but still gloomy, "I can compromise. I'll let you go to South America, but you must take me with you."

They were so close that Chen Chi could kiss Chu Sinian's forehead with a simple tilt of his head.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and finally he turned his head and kissed his hair. "Don't force me."

Chu Sinian kicked him, glaring at Chen Chi through gritted teeth, "You really go crazy every now and then, I've had enough of you."

Chen Chi's face was grim. "Have you had enough of me? You've been putting up with me every day, haven't you? Is there nothing I do that pleases you? Are you going to abandon me again like you did back then!"

The last sentence was practically screamed out with his lungs shattered.

Chu Sinian suddenly fell silent. Chen Chi's emotions had been stable since he was hospitalized. A sour feeling welled up in his nose as he said, "I didn't abandon you."

“I didn’t do that a few years ago, and I don’t do it now. I was just going there for medical treatment. Why do you insist that I abandoned you? Why did I stay there and let you drag me to my death?”

It will drag on until it dies.

Chen Chi grinned, a strange and incongruous smile that revealed a sinister and morbid expression.

"You regret it, don't you? You regret saving me back then."

Chu Sinian's heart skipped a beat. He unconsciously moved closer to him, frowning, and said, "That's not what I meant. I just wanted you to stop dwelling on that matter. You've brought it up so many times, and you always twist my words. I didn't mean to abandon you. I'm just sick and need treatment, you understand?"

“Back then, my family… damn it… I couldn’t stay there. I needed treatment and to clear my head. I had to leave. You…” Chu Sinian grabbed his index finger in despair. “I misspoke. Pulling you out back then was the best thing I ever did. Don’t overthink it.”

Chen Chi looked down at his fingertips, which were being gently pulled, and opened his mouth as if to say something, but felt extremely tired. He closed his eyes, weakly raised his face, and moved his Adam's apple.

He said, "I want to sleep here."

Chu Sinian tightened his grip, his heart suddenly racing. "Sleeping here tonight? Sure."

Chen Chi remained silent, letting him hold his index finger.

Chu Sinian tapped his fingertip twice against his fingertip. "I think you need to see a doctor, Chen Chi. Do you agree?"

"Need not."

As expected, Chu Sinian did not give up. Looking up at the gloomy and tired expression, he said, "Take a look, okay?"

"Need not."

—

It snowed heavily on the day of the final exam. When the students went down to the dormitory to take the exam, they had great difficulty walking in the snow that was up to their calves. They needed someone to help them with every step.

The snow-sweeping auntie tried her best but couldn't keep up with the speed of the falling snow. She could only sweep while laughing at the student: "Young man, be careful, or you'll fall into the snow and I'll have to fish you out."

The student laughed and replied, "Auntie, what's so special about me coming from Northeast China?"

The aunt, having failed to amuse him, changed her target. Seeing a handsome young man behind her, she was about to speak when she saw a tall, burly young man following behind him, looking at the person in front of her with a serious expression, his body slightly leaning forward, as if ready to catch the young man before he fell.

When Chu Sinian arrived, he wasn't wearing boots; he was wearing a pair of white sneakers, which looked a bit dirty against the backdrop of the snow.

His shoes were full of snow, which had sunk into his socks and was freezing cold.

Chu Sinian stopped and pleaded for help, "Chen Chi, help me to a chair over there."

Chen Chi moved quickly and steadily, making the snow layer that only reached his Achilles tendon seem insignificant. He picked up Chu Sinian and carried him to a chair, then put him down.

Chu Sinian's feet were so cold and painful that he sat there for a while to recover. He checked the time and there were still fifteen minutes until the exam started. He was about to get up and walk when he looked up and realized that Chen Chi had already disappeared.

He was somewhat surprised, after all, he had been like a ghost lately, with a shadow always following him whenever he went out.