Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Sophomore summer break arrived, and Zhang Shixu—soon entering his junior year—chose to stay in City B for an internship instead of going home.
“I found a place near campus,” he told Ye Xu over the phone. “Don’t worry, it’s settled.”
Ye Xu only reminded him to stay safe. Then he casually mentioned he was broke and hung up.
Zhang Shixu had rented a small one-bedroom apartment near the university. It wasn’t fancy, but it would do for the summer. Helping him clean and settle in was none other than Qi Junhe.
Watching Qi Junhe sweep and mop like a pro, Zhang Shixu was taken aback. He never imagined someone so pampered could handle housework with such ease.
Feeling his gaze, Qi Junhe wiped the sweat off his brow and looked over.
“What?” he signed.
“Nothing,” Zhang Shixu replied, turning on the air conditioner before joining him in tidying up.
After finishing, the two of them flopped down on the small sofa, exhausted. Qi Junhe was so tired he could barely lift an arm.
“Hungry?” Zhang Shixu asked. “I’ll make you scallion oil noodles.”
Luckily, he had picked up some hand-rolled noodles from the shop downstairs earlier.
Qi Junhe’s stomach gave an approving growl.
Zhang Shixu chuckled. “Wait here.”
He headed into the kitchen, but Qi Junhe didn’t listen—he trailed behind him like a little tail, watching him cook from behind.
“Go sit on the sofa,” Zhang Shixu warned as the oil sizzled. “This could splatter on you.”
Qi Junhe shook his head, refusing to budge.
Zhang Shixu gave him a light kick. “Seriously. If you get burned, I’ll feel guilty.”
Reluctantly, Qi Junhe retreated.
A few minutes later, Zhang Shixu expertly strained the noodles and tossed them in the fragrant scallion oil. The aroma filled the apartment.
Qi Junhe drifted back toward the kitchen, following the scent.
“Smells amazing.”
Zhang Shixu picked up a bite and held it to his mouth. Qi Junhe leaned in and accepted it without hesitation—like they’d been living together for years.
“This is the first time I’ve had something you cooked,” Qi Junhe signed with a smile.
Zhang Shixu gazed at him with affection. “Then I’ll cook for you every day from now on.”
He divided the noodles into two bowls, giving the larger portion to Qi Junhe. Zhang Shixu was too tired to eat much anyway.
They sat on the floor by the coffee table, eating dinner across from each other.
Once they were full, Qi Junhe stood up and started washing the dishes on his own initiative.
Zhang Shixu turned on the TV but kept glancing toward the kitchen, watching him with a soft expression.
When Qi Junhe returned—hands clean and gloves off—he nestled right into Zhang Shixu’s side on the sofa.
Zhang Shixu ruffled his hair affectionately. “When are you going home?”
It was nearing 8 PM.
Qi Junhe looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
“You don’t want me to stay?”
Zhang Shixu raised an eyebrow. “Why would you stay?”
“To be with you.” Qi Junhe looked a bit disheartened, like he’d hoped for more enthusiasm.
Zhang Shixu let out a small laugh. “And what exactly are you going to tell your parents?”
“Already told them I’m staying out for summer break.”
That threw Zhang Shixu for a loop. “And… they were okay with that?”
Qi Junhe nodded confidently.
“…What did you even pack?”
In response, Qi Junhe got up and dragged out a small suitcase from the bedroom. It had apparently been smuggled in earlier during the chaos of moving. Inside: clothes, toiletries—everything he needed.
He’d come fully prepared.
Zhang Shixu was speechless. He had been so caught up in unpacking that he hadn’t noticed at all.
Ignoring his stunned silence, Qi Junhe snuggled back into his side, watching a variety show with him.
Zhang Shixu gently patted his back. “Go shower and get some rest. Long day.”
Though reluctant, Qi Junhe got up and dug into his suitcase, picking out pajamas and toiletries.
As he passed Zhang Shixu on the way to the bathroom, Zhang Shixu caught him. “Don’t toss your stuff all over the living room. Put your clothes in the closet.”
Zhang Shixu’s wardrobe was already neatly organized from earlier that day. Qi Junhe quietly slipped into the bedroom and began folding his clothes into the wardrobe alongside Zhang Shixu’s.
The bathroom was outside the bedroom. Qi Junhe, carrying his neatly selected items, walked past shyly.
Zhang Shixu sighed to himself. This boy…
About half an hour later, steam billowed from the bathroom as the door opened. Qi Junhe stepped out, hair damp and skin glowing from his skincare routine.
Standing in front of the mirror, he looked like a character straight out of a fairytale.
Zhang Shixu returned to the bedroom with his own clothes, expecting the bathroom to be free. But Qi Junhe was still inside, carefully applying various creams and serums.
He had tied his slightly long hair back and was now dressed in those cartoon pajamas Zhang Shixu remembered seeing on video calls.
The damp air made his pale skin look soft and almost translucent.
Qi Junhe noticed Zhang Shixu at the door and sped up a bit.
Zhang Shixu leaned against the frame, silently watching him pamper his face with all those bottles and jars.
“Do I look good?” Qi Junhe asked softly.
He leaned in and gave Zhang Shixu a light kiss on the nose.
Zhang Shixu frowned. “You’re still damp.”
Before Qi Junhe could reply, Zhang Shixu gently shut the door on him—locking it for good measure.
Qi Junhe didn’t mind at all. Humming to himself, he crawled under the covers and waited in Zhang Shixu’s bed.
The sheets had just been bought that morning and aired out in the sun. They smelled faintly of softener and sunshine—Zhang Shixu’s scent, through and through.
By the time Zhang Shixu emerged from the bathroom, he noticed that the living room was dark and Qi Junhe had disappeared.
Sure enough, Qi Junhe had already claimed one side of the bed and was tucked in neatly under the covers.
“You asleep?” Zhang Shixu asked.
No response.
“Then I’ll just go sleep on the sofa—”
Before he could turn, Qi Junhe bolted upright. “You tricked me.”
Zhang Shixu sighed, lifted the blanket, and climbed into bed on the other side.
“If you’re not going to sleep, go take the sofa.”
Qi Junhe immediately cocooned himself in the blanket, unwilling to budge.
Zhang Shixu chuckled and reached over to pat his back. “Alright, alright. Settle down.”
Qi Junhe finally relaxed, curling up close to him. Realizing Zhang Shixu didn’t have enough blanket, he adjusted the covers and tucked them around him, then found a cozy spot in his arms.
Zhang Shixu sat up briefly to switch off the ceiling light, leaving only the soft bedside lamp glowing.
“Is the small light okay for you?” he whispered.
Qi Junhe nodded in his arms, eyes big and shining.
“Go to sleep.” Zhang Shixu gently patted his back.
Zhang Shixu closed his eyes. But Qi Junhe didn’t—he just kept staring at him, quietly, like he wanted to memorize every detail of his face.
Zhang Shixu peeked through one eye. Qi Junhe’s gaze was so intense it felt reverent.
“Still awake?” he murmured.
“I’m just… nervous. And really happy,” Qi Junhe replied softly.
He took Zhang Shixu’s hand and placed it over his chest. “My heart’s beating so fast.”
Zhang Shixu cupped his chin and kissed him.
Their mouths tasted like the peach-flavored toothpaste they both used.
Qi Junhe deepened the kiss immediately, his tongue sweeping inside with fierce intent—like he was trying to devour every part of Zhang Shixu.
For the first time, Zhang Shixu felt how dominant Qi Junhe could be—how unmistakably Alpha he was when he wanted something.
“Ah…” Zhang Shixu gasped, breathless, finally pushing him away.
He didn’t know when it had happened, but somehow the roles had completely reversed.
Their lips parted with a strand of glistening saliva still clinging between them.
Qi Junhe’s cheeks were flushed red. He leaned in again, licking Zhang Shixu’s lips and swallowing that last shimmering thread.
Zhang Shixu, lips swollen and eyes dazed, managed to whisper, “No more. I have work tomorrow.”
Only then did Qi Junhe exhale and let him go—reluctantly, but with a smile on his face.