Ch53 - Promise

Rain fell on a winter night, the noisy city returned to silence and the wet, cold atmosphere made one sluggish. The wind howled and droplets of rain rapped on the window repeatedly and unrelentingly.

At this moment, the room, separated by only a curtain, showed a very different scene.

Everything outside the window was ruthlessly shut out by the curtains and inside, it was warm and cozy. The sleeping Ji Qinghuai even kicked off the quilt on his body because of the warmth. Xie Yan opened his eyes and silently covered him with the quilt.

Perhaps sensing the movement of the person beside him, Ji Qinghuai burrowed his head into Xie Yan’s neck and smelled the unmistakable and familiar scent of grapefruit. He then fell asleep in a daze again.

He quickly fell into a dream.

He was surrounded by darkness. Not even a shred of light could be found, he couldn’t even see his fingers. He had experienced this dream before.

If it was the same dream as last time, then he would hear a soft breathing sound, as if something was slumbering. After that, a pair of bloodthirsty crimson eyes would stare back at him.

But somehow, the expected scene didn’t appear. When he strained his ears, he realised that the sound this time was not the sound of breathing but the tinkling of water drops hitting a surface, creating ripples.

Ji Qinghuai turned around and looked in the direction of the sound, but it was still pitch black and he couldn’t see anything. At this moment, a breeze blew gently in front of him, leaving a faint scent at the tip of his nose.

Ji Qinghuai sucked in a choked breath.

The blood in his body began to churn as if stimulated by something and a strong desire suddenly overpowered him. He tried his best to hold back the sudden abnormality but he suddenly sensed a presence entering his consciousness and trying to control him.

“Wu…”

In his sleep, Ji Qinghuai cried out in pain.

Xie Yan hadn’t slept at this time. “What’s wrong?” He asked softly.

Hearing the familiar voice, Ji Qinghuai’s eyes opened abruptly. His arms were wrapped around Xie Yan and the two were snuggling each other, making the embrace even warmer.

He sniffed the light grapefruit scent on Xie Yan. He frowned and shot up from the bed.

Xie Yan was startled by his sudden move. As he got up, he reached out his hand and turned on the light, bathing the room in bright light. Ji Qinghuai squinted his eyes uncomfortably but the radiant light calmed him down slightly.

Looking at Ji Qinghuai’s expression, Xie Yan was worried, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Ji Qinghuai silently avoided Xie Yan’s gaze, raised his hand and kneaded his forehead, “I…Headache.”

“Do you feel cold?” Xie Yan reached out and placed a hand on Ji Qinghuai’s forehead, wanting to check if he had a fever. It was an ordinary action but Ji Qinghuai was startled and dodged in a panic.

Xie Yan’s outstretched hand froze and Ji Qinghai was also a little stunned, but he was somewhat overwhelmed. Xie Yan retracted his hand and lifted the quilt to leave the bed. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”

Ji Qinghuai’s gaze followed Xie Yan from the bedside to the door of the room. He continued to stare blankly even after Xie Yan’s figure left his sight. His thoughts were messy and he remained in a trance until Xie Yan returned with the water. Only then did he withdraw his gaze.

After taking the cup of water passed to him, Ji Qinghuai raised his head and drank all the warm water in one breath. He sat on the bed for a while and the weird sensation gradually faded, making him relieved.

He placed his cup to the side and turned to look at Xie Yan. He remembered how he had avoided Xie Yan’s touch just now and hesitantly shook Xie Yan’s hand. When Xie Yan didn’t refuse him, he hugged him tightly.

Ji Qinghuai pressed his chin on his shoulder and took a deep breath. “I think…I had a nightmare…”

Xie Yan was a very meticulous person and wouldn’t be fooled by such an excuse. “Just a nightmare?”

Ji Qinghuai hummed.

Ji Qinghuai was unwilling to tell him the truth and could only ask, “Have you seen Xu Luo recently?”

Xie Yan looked down at Ji Qinghuai who was hugging him, “Is the poison affecting you again?”

The word “again” revealed everything. Ji Qinghuai looked over at Xie Yan and asked, “You know everything?”

“En.”

“I found out on Christmas night.”

Ji Qinghuai was somewhat surprised.

Xie Yan held Ji Qinghuai’s hand and asked him calmly, “Why didn’t you tell me for so long?”

“You were angry at the time.” Ji Qinghuai said truthfully. “I didn’t dare to call you during that time because I was afraid that you would cut our relationship in anger. I only thought about how to ease our relationship, so I didn’t feel like talking about it.”

“Anyways…” Ji Qinghuai paused and looked down. “This is my own business after all. It’s pointless if I sound like I’m trying to garner sympathy.”

This was Ji Qinghuai’s thought, but Xie Yan had never thought of it this way. He had been angry because with Ji Qinghuai before, but it wasn’t because of that night at all. How could he say he was trying to gain sympathy?

“What about tonight? If I didn’t ask, until when were you going to hide it?”

“Hiding it for one day counts as a day.” Ji Qinghuai spoke, “This poison is more powerful than I expected. I was afraid you’ll worry.”

“I’m happy to worry.” Xie Yan raised his hand and pinched Ji Qinghuai’s face. “You said you liked me. I have the right to know everything about you. From now on, don’t hide anything from me. Understand?”

Ji Qinghuai blinked his eyes, surprised by the way Xie Yan was now playing with him and saying serious things at the same time. Seeing Ji Qinghuai stare at him without saying anything, Xie Yan pinched his face again.

Xie Yan didn’t use too much force but it was enough for Ji Qinghuai to return to his senses. He hurriedly agreed, “I understand, I understand.”

After reassuring him, Ji Qinghuai also negotiated with Xie Yan, “Then you also can’t hide anything from me in the future.”

“En.”

The two looked at each other and while talking, Ji Qinghuai’s sight fell on the golden glasses that Xie Yan was wearing. Curious, he asked, “Mr Xie, why are you still wearing glasses in the middle of the night?”

Ji Qinghuai recalled that Xie Yan had never taken off his glasses during the time he spent at his house or when they were together in private.

Thinking like this, he raised his hand and directly took off the glasses.

The moment the glasses were taken off, Xie Yan closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the original pair of pitch-black eyes pupils turned scarlet.

Ji Qinghuai was stunned for a moment and then understood why he always wore glasses. It was similar to coloured contacts used to change the colour of his eyes.

Ji Qinghuai stared carefully at Xie Yan’s eyes. “Vermillion red, this kind of eye colour is rarely seen, ai.”

“En. It’s very special and easily distinguishable,” Xie Yan said. And more likely to cause trouble.

The second half of the sentence wasn’t said out loud.

When Ji Qinghuai took off his glasses, he could have avoided it, but he had just promised not to hide anything from the other, so he went along with Ji Qinghuai.

Ji Qinghuai’s thoughts weren’t even in the same channel as Xie Yan’s. He was only focused on admiring the beauty of his family’s Xie Yan. His mouth didn’t forget to praise, “But this way, your eyes are even more beautiful.”

Xie Yan heard his words and chuckled, “Thank you for the compliment.”

“You’re welcome.” Ji Qinghuai grinned at Xie Yan, and suddenly remembered what Xie Yan had said before. “Didn’t you say that very few people compliment you? Then I’ll praise you every day without repeat, okay?”

Facing Ji Qinghuai’s expectant gaze, Xie Yan refused, “Go to sleep.”

Xie Yan laid down on the bed first and pulled the quilt over his body. Ji Qinghuai turned off the light and got under the quilt to lie next to Xie Yan.

In the darkness, Ji Qinghuai was bored and opened his eyes. After a while, he spoke, “Mr Xie, I can’t sleep.”

Xie Yan answered with his eyes closed, “Go out for your morning run if you can’t sleep.”

“That won’t do.” Ji Qinghuai said, “It’s still raining outside and so windy. What will you do if you catch a cold?”

Xie Yan shot back, “I wasn’t planning to go in the first place.”

Ji Qinghuai turned his head to look at Xie Yan and realised that he was making him run alone. Aggrieved, he accused Xie Yan, “You’re so cruel.”

Xie Yan didn’t respond to the accusation and instead asked, “Does your head still hurt?”

Ji Qinghuai replied honestly, “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Then shut up.”

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

“Oh.”

After that, he really closed his mouth obediently and didn’t say another word. After a while, Ji Qinghuai didn’t hear any movement from the person beside him and he gently turned sideways to hug Xie Yan.

Xie Yan curved his lips and let Ji Qinghuai wrap his arms around him, accompanying him to sleep again.

The next morning, when he had enough sleep, Ji Qinghuai woke up. The sky outside was already bright. Perhaps due to his pleasant mood, he felt very energetic and lively even though he just woke up.

The Xie Yan in his arms was still asleep peacefully and was quietly held in his arms. His soft hair was casually scattered on the pillow, his sleepy appearance adding a bit of softness to the delicate face.

In fact, from the first time Ji Qinghuai saw Xie Yan, he had been hooked. Xie Yan’s facial features were exquisite and refined without looking aggressive.

However, his temperament didn’t follow his face. He had a face that could easily make others’ hearts flutter but he had a cold and indifferent personality. In addition, he didn’t care about his appearance and only followed the rules closely. No matter how good his appearance was, it would only make people fear and run away.

In contrast, the Xie Yan at this moment was even more attractive to Ji Qinghuai than the usual cold and reticent Mr Xie. He couldn’t help but raise his head and drop a kiss on Xie Yan’s forehead.

As a result, once he lowered his head, Ji Qinghuai was met with a pair of unperturbed eyes.

Ji Qinghuai: “…”

Caught stealing a kiss red-handed, Ji Qinghuai was a little embarrassed. He was silent for two seconds before he blinked his eyes, “How about…you kiss me back?”

Xie Yan: “…”

Xie Yan didn’t pay any attention to Ji Qinghuai, getting up to wash up, and cook breakfast using the ingredients at home.

The silly cat can be ignored for now, he still wanted to eat breakfast.

Hm im not sure why but the flow of some parts seems…odd? Idk how to describe it but hey, at least we got more cute interaction between our couple hehe