Chapter 8 Zhang Qiling's Possessiveness
The bitter smell of the ointment lingered stubbornly at the tip of his nose, like some kind of silent declaration. Zhang Qiling hugged him from behind, his chin digging into his shoulder blade, a little painful, but the weight and warmth were real. Hei Xiazi stiffened, feeling all the blood rushing to his head, his ear tips burning hot enough to fry pancakes.
What the hell is going on?
“Hey,” his throat was dry and his voice was distorted, “you’re addicted to hugging, aren’t you? Let go, I’m hungry.”
The person behind him didn't move, but instead tightened their arms around him, a muffled voice coming from close to his neck: "Don't move, the medicine isn't dry."
"Bullshit! That ointment is cool and refreshing, it's already seeped in!" Black Bear cursed inwardly, but inexplicably stopped struggling. He found that he didn't seem to dislike it at all. In fact, in this tight, almost suffocating embrace, a long-hidden unease was strangely soothed.
The two remained frozen in the morning light, like two strange conjoined sculptures. Until Black Bear's stomach gave a loud, disapproving growl that echoed in the quiet room.
Zhang Qiling's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then his arm slowly loosened.
Hei Xiazi practically leaped around, creating some distance between them. He haphazardly tugged at his wrinkled vest, his eyes darting around, avoiding Zhang Qiling's gaze. "Um, well, I'll go get something to eat." He said as he slipped into the kitchen, his steps so fast it was as if a ghost was chasing him.
In the kitchen, yesterday's battle hadn't been completely cleaned up yet. Black Bear opened the refrigerator, looking worried at the meager supplies inside. A hand reached over from the side, took the shriveled potato from his hand, and then naturally took the eggs he had just taken out.
"I'll do it." Zhang Qiling's voice had returned to its usual cold tone, but if you listened carefully, there seemed to be a slight, almost imperceptible softness at the end of his voice?
As Hei Xiazi watched him roll up his sleeves, revealing his well-defined forearms, and begin skillfully washing and chopping vegetables (though his knife skills were still appalling), that sense of unreality welled up in his heart again. Chief Zhang, a man who never lifted a finger in the kitchen, was now cooking for him around the stove?
He leaned against the doorframe, lit a cigarette, and watched Zhang Qiling's busy figure through the swirling smoke. Sunlight streamed through the window, gilding his figure with a fuzzy golden edge. The scene was eerily peaceful.
"What are you looking at?" Zhang Qiling asked without turning his head, his hands still moving at the rhythm of chopping vegetables.
“Look at you,” Black Bear said with a cigarette dangling from his lips, grinning nonchalantly, “Look at how virtuous our clan chief Zhang is. Whoever marries you… uh, no, whoever follows you will be truly blessed.” He stopped mid-sentence, realizing his mistake, and nearly bit his tongue.
Zhang Qiling paused in his chopping motion. He slowly turned around, still holding the cleaver, and looked intently at Hei Xiazi.
Black Bear's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender: "Slip of the tongue! It was just a slip of the tongue!"
Zhang Qiling didn't speak, but stared at him for a few seconds, his gaze so intense it sent chills down one's spine. Then, he turned back and continued chopping vegetables, but the force with which he chopped seemed a little heavier.
Breakfast was eaten in a subtle, ambiguous atmosphere, with everyone harboring their own secrets. After the meal, Zhang Qiling silently cleared away the dishes and then began wiping down the few pieces of furniture in the room, not even missing the window cracks.
Seeing the way he was trying to renovate the whole house, Hei Xiazi finally couldn't help but say, "Hey, mute, can't you take a break? All this running around is making me dizzy."
Zhang Qiling stopped what he was doing, straightened up, and looked at him: "What do you want to do?"
"Me?" Black Bear was stunned by his question. "I...I'll have a smoke, bask in the sun, and wait to die."
As soon as he said those words, he regretted them. Sure enough, Zhang Qiling's eyes darkened instantly, and the atmosphere around him seemed to drop several degrees.
"That's not what I meant..." Hei Xiazi tried to explain.
"Go for a walk," Zhang Qiling interrupted him, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Half an hour later, Hei Xiazi stood bewildered in the largest supermarket nearby. Zhang Qiling pushed a shopping cart beside him, aimlessly moving between the shelves, throwing various daily necessities into the cart, from new towels and toothbrushes to rice, flour, cooking oil, and even a few packs of... underwear.
Black Bear looked at the several pairs of boxer shorts that were clearly his size, his old face flushed, and he reached out to stuff them back to him: "Hey, you don't need these..."
Zhang Qiling pressed down on his hand, glanced at him, and said, "It's old, it's time to replace it."
Black Bear: "..." How the hell did you know my underwear was old?!
After finishing their shopping, the two carried their bags back home. Passing a pancake stall, the aroma was enticing. Black Bear paused, taking another look.
Five minutes later, he had a deluxe version of Jianbing Guozi with double eggs and double crispy skin in his hand. Zhang Qiling didn't buy anything for himself, he just stood next to him and watched him eat.
"Aren't you going to have a set?" Black Bear asked, his words muffled as he took a big bite.
Zhang Qiling shook his head, his gaze falling on the little bit of sauce on the corner of his mouth. Suddenly, he reached out and used his fingertips to wipe it away very naturally.
The movement was so fast that even the bear didn't have time to react. The cool touch of the fingertips brushed against his skin, leaving a slight, tingling itch. He was still holding the pancake in his mouth, completely petrified.
Zhang Qiling acted as if nothing had happened, withdrawing his hand and saying calmly, "Eat slowly."
Black Bear's ears started to steam again. He lowered his head, munching on his pancake, cursing inwardly: This silent guy, he's definitely doing this on purpose!
For the next half day, Zhang Qiling demonstrated what it meant to "stay by your side" through his actions. Hei Xiazi wanted a cigarette, but as soon as he took out his pack, a slender hand snatched it away and replaced it with a cup of warm water infused with some unknown herbs. "Smoke less." He wanted to stroll to Panjiayuan to ask the shopkeepers for some information, but as soon as he stepped out, Zhang Qiling followed him like a shadow, neither too close nor too far.
It wasn't until evening that Hei Xiazi received a phone call from Xie Yuchen. He sounded a bit anxious, saying that there was a problem with a batch of goods and he wanted to ask Xie Yuchen to help take a look.
Hei Xiazi was on speakerphone, responding with "uh-huhs" and "yeahs," while glancing at Zhang Qiling out of the corner of his eye. Sure enough, upon hearing the name "Xie Yuchen," the man's face turned visibly cold, his eyes sharp as ice picks.
"I'm not going." Zhang Qiling spoke directly before Hei Xiazi could reply, his voice so cold it could freeze someone to death.
Xie Yuchen, who was on the other end of the phone, had obviously heard it too, and paused for a moment: "...Hei Xiazi? Is someone next to you?"
"Ah, well..." Black Bear was a little embarrassed, "Master Flower, I have some personal matters to attend to these past few days, so it's not convenient for me. Why don't you find someone else..."
"What could be more urgent than this shipment of goods?" Xie Yuchen asked with a hint of inquiry.
Zhang Qiling reached out, took Hei Xiazi's phone, and spoke clearly and distinctly into the microphone: "He's busy."
After saying that, he hung up immediately. The action was fluid, decisive, and swift.
Black Bear: "..."
Zhang Qiling shoved the phone back into his hand and looked at him expressionlessly: "From now on, mind your own business."
Hei Xiazi opened his mouth, as if to say something, but in the end he just ruffled his hair in frustration: "...You fucking are really..." He found that he actually...didn't dislike Zhang Qiling's almost domineering control? He even secretly...enjoyed it?
He must have been bewitched by that silent guy!
That night, they shared the same bed as before. Having learned from the previous night's experience, both seemed much more at ease this time. Hei Xiazi even moved over a bit, giving Zhang Qiling more room.
In the darkness, the two lay side by side. Just when Hei Xiazi thought Zhang Qiling had fallen asleep, a hand silently reached out, groped, found his hand, and then their fingers intertwined.
Black Bear's body stiffened, and his heart skipped a beat. He didn't break free; instead, he tightened his grip on his fingers.
"Blind man." Zhang Qiling's voice rang out in the darkness, low and uncertain.
"Um?"
"...Is it true?"
Here we go again. That insecure, taciturn guy. Hei Xiazi sighed inwardly, turning to face him. In the dim light from the window, he could see Zhang Qiling's eyes were open, filled with unease.
“Really,” Hei Xiazi said softly, awkwardly patting his back with the hand that wasn’t being held. “Go to sleep, I’m here.”
Zhang Qiling didn't say anything more, but just leaned closer to him, gently resting his forehead on his shoulder, like a child seeking support.
As Hei Xiazi felt the weight and warmth on his shoulder, the jumbled emotions in his heart slowly settled down.
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