Chapter 53 Rival's Story: I Like You

"Didn't you just start your vacation? Why did you come all this way today...?"

Xie Chi still felt something was wrong.

"Could he be the one who's been bothering you?"

Xie Changyu immediately retorted, "Of course not, what are you thinking? He's just my good roommate."

Xie Chi, carrying two large bags of things that were already packed, snorted coldly from behind his completely concealed back, "Then let's go take a look now."

Xie Changyu stood in front of him and earnestly gave him some instructions, "He's just passing by and will see me on his way, so don't say anything out of line."

"rest assured."

"Ha, I just don't trust your mouth."

"..."

Xie Changyu insisted that Xie Chi promise not to talk nonsense before leaving. He carried nothing in his hands, while Xie Chi, who felt it was unreasonable to carry two bags, directly raised a question, which was then naturally rejected by him.

The objection was invalid.

What else could he do? Xie Chi, who was already feeling frustrated, could only continue to endure it obediently. Soon, the two reached the exit.

As soon as Xie Changyu came out, he quickly spotted that eye-catching figure. His eyes crinkled with joy, and he waved his hands, "Qi Yan! This!"

The boy not far away heard his voice and looked up. His cold expression melted instantly, and his eyes brightened as he stared intently at him.

Xie Chi, who was standing next to him, could see it more clearly. He had initially been indifferent to his roommate's sudden appearance, but upon closer inspection, he suddenly felt a hidden pressure.

The guy in front of him was completely different from him. If he was the more popular pretty boy type, then this guy was the stylish man type, the kind he hated the most...

Moreover, this person's eyes were clearly off.

Thinking of this, Xie Chi's brows and eyes, which had been covered, began to furrow.

But Xie Changyu had no idea that when he took a few steps forward to greet the other person, he was suddenly and unexpectedly embraced tightly.

"We've finally met."

A secret, satisfied sigh escaped his ear.

Xie Changyu's ears, which were completely exposed, suddenly felt itchy from the heat. He felt a little uncomfortable from the hug, especially with Xie Chi watching from the side.

Thinking of this, he slowly pushed away the other person after three seconds of hugging. He stood up and looked at Qi Yan, "We only met a few days ago, right? You're making it sound like we haven't seen each other in ages."

If you think about it carefully, it's only been two days, not that long.

Qi Yan met the pair of smiling eyes in front of him, his smile unchanged, and joked, "It might be a long time for me."

Xie Changyu was used to his way of speaking and didn't think much of it, but Xie Chi, who was next to him, frowned even more.

"We can catch up later. Xie Changyu, why don't you introduce yourself to me first?"

His sudden words reminded Xie Changyu that there was someone else beside him. He quickly tugged at Xie Chi's clothes and said to Qi Yan, who looked puzzled, "This is my cousin."

Qi Yan paused for a moment, then noticed the presence of another person beside him. He greeted Xie Chi with a polite smile, "Hello, I'm Qi Yan, Chang Yu's roommate."

"Qi Yan?" Xie Chi didn't say his own name, but muttered it to himself before letting out a soft hum, his tone leisurely, "What are you doing here all this way looking for Xie Changyu?"

Although he could sense that his cousin's attitude was very unfriendly, Qi Yan did not take it to heart and said in a good mood, "I just happened to be passing by here, so I came to see Changyu."

Xie Changyu tugged at Xie Chi, signaling him to be more polite, since the other party had come all the way to see him.

Xie Chi felt the increasing pressure from his subordinates and knew that if he continued talking, he would definitely be in trouble when he got back, so he obediently shut up, but his face remained long.

Xie Changyu and Qi Yan couldn't see it. Even if Xie Changyu knew, he wouldn't care, and Qi Yan cared even less. His gaze quickly fell on the person next to him, following closely.

Ignoring the person next to him who kept his face covered, his eyes filled with warmth, he took out a black cloth box from his pocket and handed it over.

"for you."

Xie Changyu's attention was immediately drawn to this thing, and she asked him curiously, "What is this?"

Qi Yan didn't open it, but put the thing on his phone, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's a secret. You're not allowed to open it now. You can look at it when we get home."

"So mysterious?" Xie Changyu's curiosity grew even stronger. He picked up the bag, held it up to his eyes, and turned it around. Only after confirming that he couldn't see anything did he put it down. He nodded, "Okay, I'll go home and take a look."

"You came all this way just to deliver something to me?"

"Yes, I'm leaving soon."

Xie Changyu felt a little regretful when she heard him say that, "So soon? I thought you could stay here all night."

Qi Yan touched his face. The action was so sudden that Xie Changyu was startled. He immediately felt a warm touch, his eyelashes trembled wildly, and he looked at Qi Yan with confusion in his eyes.

Then, a light touch was applied to the lips, followed by a gentle caress.

What are you doing!

Before Xie Changyu could react to the sound of the bag hitting the ground, he saw Xie Chi swing his fist and punch him, looking furious.

The target of the punch didn't dodge and took the punch head-on.

Xie Changyu's eyes widened slightly, and his mind, which had been dazed by the shock, instantly cleared. "Stop, stop, stop! Don't fight anymore!"

He grabbed Xie Chi's hand, and seeing that the other was struggling and trying to move, he simply slapped the other's head, and then slowly calmed down.

Xie Chi, whose face was obscured, gritted his teeth and said, "Why are you stopping me? Didn't you see this person suddenly kiss you? He's a pervert, don't you understand?!"

"Calm down first." Xie Changyu held Xie Chi's arm with both hands. Although he and this guy often bickered and argued, he knew that they couldn't fight in the street now. "You're a celebrity! If someone sees you and takes pictures, you'll be in trouble! Calm down!"

Xie Chi's chest heaved violently, his tone clearly filled with anger, "And that's how he just let it go after he kissed you?!"

Being suddenly kissed by his roommate, whom he had always trusted and gotten along well with, Xie Changyu was naturally stunned. After the initial shock came anger and disbelief, but he was also frightened by Xie Chi's actions.

Although she felt relieved, Xie Chi was still her brother, and it would be troublesome if her mother found out that her actions had affected Xie Chi's career.

So he first subdued Xie Chi before he had a chance to look at Qi Yan, who was standing motionless to the side, and asked in a questioning tone, "What were you doing just now?"

"Feel sorry."

Xie Chi's punch was quite powerful; Qi Yan's cheek was now red and swollen.

Qi Yan slightly tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes flickering slightly, "I couldn't help it."

The man just stood there, clearly having done something wrong but still acting like he had no remorse. Xie Changyu was annoyed by this. His initial joy vanished instantly, replaced by irritation. He ground his teeth, his gums aching. "What do you mean by kissing me? Are you gay too?"

Scenes from their previous interactions flashed through Xie Changyu's mind. He felt deceived. He wouldn't be this angry if anyone else had lied to him, but Qi Yan was different. Thinking of this, his eyes turned cold, and he looked at Qi Yan as if he were looking at a stranger.

He was angry.

Qi Yan realized it, and he clenched his fist. "No."

He couldn't help himself and did what he just did, but he didn't expect the other person to react so strongly. It was his fault.

"I like you."

Xie Changyu, who was still angry, was stunned when he heard this confession. He looked at him with suspicion and asked, "You mean you kissed me because you like me?"

He now seriously doubts whether this person is really Qi Yan. It's one thing for him to suddenly come to see him, but to launch an attack and kiss him unexpectedly is another. He feels that the steady and caring persona he had before has suddenly collapsed.

Qi Yan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "I know Gu Qingjia and Jiang Yue like you too. Seeing you two getting closer and closer, I couldn't help myself. I thought I could hold back... I'm sorry."

He started apologizing again. As he mentioned Gu Qingjia and Jiang Yue's names, Xie Changyu's initial enthusiasm gradually deflated, and he even felt a little guilty towards him. He really hadn't expected that Qi Yan had known about this all along. How much did he know...?

Remembering that there was another special person beside him, he quickly stopped Qi Yan from continuing, saying, "Stop, I understand."

He sorted out his thoughts and realized that those things couldn't be kept secret any longer. He didn't know how much Qi Yan actually knew. "Don't say anything more."

He no longer wanted to see this person more, and started to shoo him away, saying, "Let me think about it, you can go back first."

"……good."

Qi Yan's voice was hoarse and his expression wasn't very good, but he didn't regret it because he knew that if he didn't completely break the status quo, their relationship would never change. He came here specifically to talk about this, and since the winter break wasn't very long, it would be enough to dilute some of the intense emotions.

I'm waiting for your answer.

After Xie Changyu and the others left, they released their grip on Xie Chi. He looked listless, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"What, you regret it now that the talent is gone?"

Xie Chi suddenly spoke up from the side, in a sarcastic tone.

Xie Changyu glanced at him, feeling speechless. How did this person manage to overhear? Now look what's happened.

"Who were those two he just mentioned? Were they gay too?"

Xie Changyu stood up, but instead of answering the question, he rolled his eyes and changed the subject, "Hurry up and pick up the things, the fruit is about to be crushed."

Xie Chi picked up the two bags. Seeing that the person in front of him didn't reveal anything, he scoffed, "Fine, you're keeping it from me again."

Xie Changyu ignored him and walked away, leaving Xie Chi, who was trying to coax him, stunned. Seeing this, he quickly followed, saying, "You didn't even wait for me! I'm carrying two bags!"

"...So slow."

Xie Chi caught up, and the two walked side by side. He hadn't forgotten what he'd just said, "What kind of weird constitution do you have? How come one gay guy after another is clinging to you?"

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Author's note: Two more chapters to go before the end.