Chapter 8: Xi Xingling
Soft and supple, fragrant and smooth. This was another product his gay bestie had recommended with blood, sweat, and tears, claiming this lipstick was absolutely a “virgin killer.”
Then again, that same bestie had sworn the last cologne was a “virgin killer” too, and Han Yubai had ended up calling it poison.
Still, the color really was lovely, a light water-red that looked both fresh and a little seductive. Xi Xingling loved it and, after gritting his teeth, bought the tube for a bit over 300 yuan. He felt the pain in his wallet for a while, vowing not to buy anything else this month.
He had been spending way too much lately. His account was running dry.
“Mmm…” Across from him, Li Dong finally leaned in to kiss him. Xi Xingling lit up at once, arms slipping around Li Dong as he happily offered his face.
The faint scent of balm curled under Li Dong’s nose. He gave a few perfunctory pecks at the corner of Xi Xingling’s mouth, not realizing that even this light indulgence sent tremors through him. Xi Xingling loved the feeling of being cherished like this.
“Hm?” Warmth vanished as Li Dong drew back. Xi Xingling followed instinctively, but Li Dong pushed him away.
“I have to drive.”
This man was always so dismissive, so cold. Even at night when he had Xi Xingling in his arms and things were getting heated, he stayed calm and almost unreadable. Xi Xingling could not help feeling a little sore about it. He was not exactly lacking in looks or figure, yet the Han brothers treated him like thin air.
Of course, they had the capital to behave that way.
Which made it hurt even more.
Whether it was Han Tianlin or Han Yubai, both were far too outstanding. Beautiful women and handsome men lined up for a chance. To avoid being tossed aside, Xi Xingling had to swallow his pride and keep stepping forward to please them.
For now, Second Young Master seemed willing to accept him, but who knew how long that novelty would last.
He could be dumped tomorrow for all he knew.
The chatterbox suddenly went quiet. Li Dong found it odd, but he also enjoyed the peace. When they reached the parking garage, he finally asked, “What happened to you? Short-circuited and forgot how to talk?”
Hopefully he was not sulking about getting pushed away just now.
That should not be it. If he truly had a temper, he would not have ended up so battered in the book.
“No,” Xi Xingling said, instantly snapping back to life. His eyes shone as he looked at Li Dong. “Second Young Master does not really like talking to me anyway.” Every time they chatted, Li Dong acted half-interested at best, or disappeared outright.
Anyone could tell that was not love.
People said Li Dong had a soft heart. Seeing Xi Xingling like this made it hard to keep the cold face. The man’s views on love might be bizarre, but he was not a bad person. “It isn’t that I dislike you. If you talk like a normal person, I can deal with it.” Like now, a little complaint tucked inside something ordinary.
If he was not groveling or acting overly flirty, with that pretty face and that nice voice, who would not like him?
“I know. I just cannot help it when I am happy.” Xi Xingling’s voice dipped.
“What does that feel like?” Li Dong asked. Why would a man enjoy acting cutesy? He really wanted to know.
“It feels intimate, like we are different from other people. If I use my regular tone with you, I feel uncomfortable,” he said, and his fingers crept to tug Li Dong’s sleeve again, as if that calmed him.
“I do not get it.” Li Dong’s mouth twitched. Truthfully, he did not get any of the male leads from those books. How did their minds even work.
“Because you are the top,” Xi Xingling said, as if that explained everything.
Li Dong had no words and no counterargument.
They got out of the car together. At the same time, a neighboring car pulled in and a group piled out. “Huh? Xingling?” someone called.
It was the senior who had invited him to tonight’s staff hangout, He Suizi, a five-year veteran of the department. Almost in the same breath, another colleague spotted Li Dong. “Second Young Master!”
All eyes swung to him. In that instant, Xi Xingling’s hands slid off Li Dong’s arm and hid at his sides.
Guilty as a thief.
“Hey, what a coincidence.” He smiled and greeted his coworkers.
Since they had run into each other, Li Dong nodded politely. “Hello.”
That snapped everyone out of it. “Hello, Second Young Master! We had no idea you and Xingling were friends. Are you two eating together?”
Xi Xingling had meant to explain, but the raw envy in their eyes made his vanity swell. He smiled and said, “Yes, the Second Young Master and I are friends. We were just heading to the restaurant upstairs.”
“That’s perfect.” He Suizi smiled. “The music restaurant? We are going there too. Why not sit together?” She noticed Xingling’s reluctance and added, “We have been with Han for years and hardly ever get to meet Second Young Master. Give us a chance to say hello.”
She played the sentiment card and let her gaze drift to Han Yubai.
It was a good play. Li Dong did not want to refuse. He nodded. “Since we ran into each other, let’s go together. My treat.”
Cheers rose from the group of two men and three women. “Thank you, Second Young Master!”
Only Xi Xingling was secretly grinding his molars.
He had chosen this restaurant himself. He had planned to book a private room and spoil Li Dong, listening to love songs and letting something romantic simmer. Now a crowd had swept in and the plan was ruined.
Worse, during the meal the unmarried women kept drifting to Han Yubai’s side.
And he did not brush them off. If someone toasted him, he lifted his drink. If someone joked with him, he joked back.
“Second Young Master, one more drink. I will finish mine. You do as you like.” A girl with a strong tolerance, it was her third toast already. Li Dong had praised her hearty style and stamina more than once.
He meant it. His own tolerance was poor, so he sincerely admired people who could drink, especially women.
He obligingly lifted his soda. “Your tolerance is impressive, but pace yourself. A little is pleasant,” he said with a smile. “Too much is bad for you.”
“Thank you for the reminder.” She tilted him a coy glance. Her name was Wang Qian. Xi Xingling knew she was one of the department’s top beauties and the elite from nearby offices chased her hard.
He really could not watch this.
“Second Young Master, I want a drink with you too.” After stewing all night, Xi Xingling grabbed a glass and marched over, then plopped himself down on Li Dong’s lap.
To hell with it. He could not take it anymore.
The sudden move stunned everyone, Li Dong included. For a moment, no one reacted.
“He is drunk,” Li Dong said with a laugh, steadying Xi Xingling by the shoulders and breaking the awkwardness.
Because he handled it easily and without fuss, the gesture did not read as overly intimate.
Friends horsing around over drinks was nothing new. If anything, it said the two were very close.
“Second Young Master and Xingling must be good friends then?” Wang Qian smiled.
In her mind she had already decided that Xingling had gotten in through connections. No wonder the GM valued him and he had been fast-tracked into Teacher Zhang’s project.
They were not happy about it, but what could they do. Connections ruled.
Before they had been able to envy his talent. Now there was only his backing to envy, and backing did not get stronger than Han’s second young master.
“Yes, we are very close,” Xi Xingling said. He lifted Li Dong’s glass to clink with his own and then pressed it back into Li Dong’s hand. “If you respect me, finish it.”
Tonight, he needed to salvage his pride or it would gnaw at him.
Everyone watched Li Dong, curious what he would do.
“Are you sure you are drunk?” he asked, but he took the glass anyway and, under Xingling’s nervous gaze, drained it in one go.
“Perfect…” Stars shone in Xi Xingling’s eyes. He wanted to throw himself at Li Dong and kiss him senseless, maybe go three hundred rounds.
But there were too many people present. He could only hold back, using the motion of tilting his head back to drink as cover for his excitement.
“Wow, Xingling can really drink…” A tall glass of strong liquor, gone in one breath. Was he not afraid of getting smashed?
He set the glass down and burped loudly, cheeks flushing pink.
Sitting so close, Li Dong caught the heavy wave of alcohol on his breath. It reminded him too much of those grim dinners where he had propped up leaders and downed shots. He said, “Xingling is drunk. I should take him home to rest.”
Leaving behind a table of people who had not had their fill, Li Dong scooped him up and headed out. He did not take him home though. He carried him straight to a hotel.
It was not a workday tomorrow. Let him sleep it off, then go about his business.
“Second Young Master…” The drunk male lead rolled across the bed, rustling around as he searched for Han Yubai. He patted all over the mattress and did not find so much as a corner of Han Yubai’s clothing.
He shut his eyes and felt tears press up. Left behind again; he wanted to cry.
“What are you doing?” Li Dong came out of the bathroom then came over and pinched Xi Xingling’s rosy cheeks. “You drank. The hot spring is canceled. Be good and sleep.”
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