Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 

Zhang Shixu woke up aching all over. Groaning, he slapped Qi Junhe’s arm.

Qi Junhe stirred, hair a messy nest, blinking at him in confusion.

Clutching his sore waist, Zhang Shixu sighed. “It’s fine—go back to sleep.”

He swung his legs off the bed and nearly collapsed from how weak they felt.

…Yeah, they definitely needed to have a conversation about what was happening in bed.

Dragging himself through his morning routine, he grabbed breakfast downstairs and trudged to work like someone wishing a truck would just end it all.

Meanwhile, Qi Junhe spent the day sending little updates—photos and videos of what he was up to at home. Whenever Zhang Shixu had a free moment, he’d glance at his phone and reply briefly.

After work, he stopped by the market to pick up groceries, enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Qi Junhe looked surprised at the amount of food.

“Are we having guests over?” he asked.

Zhang Shixu was washing his hands and shook his head. “Nope. I’m just planning to cook ahead. That way you can reheat something for lunch tomorrow.”

Qi Junhe looked at him, puzzled. “That’s too much work for you.”

Zhang Shixu smiled, ruffled his hair. “It’s alright. I’ll pack myself a lunch too while I’m at it.”

“I’ll get up early and help,” Qi Junhe said, hugging him from behind and nuzzling into his neck.

Zhang Shixu laughed at the ticklish feeling and nudged him off. “Enough with the sneak attacks—come help me prep.”

So they stood side-by-side, chopping and sorting vegetables.

“Oh, by the way,” Zhang Shixu suddenly remembered, “what’s with the hickeys all over my neck?” He aimed a half-hearted kick at Qi Junhe’s leg.

One of his coworkers had pulled him aside today to jokingly point out the marks. He hadn’t noticed them at all in his morning rush.

Qi Junhe scratched his head, a little embarrassed. “I lost control…”

“No next time,” Zhang Shixu warned.

Qi Junhe nodded quickly like a kid caught stealing snacks.

“I told you to stop, but you just kept going.”

Qi Junhe nodded again—whatever Zhang Shixu said, he’d agree to… even if he didn’t necessarily plan to follow through.

“Are we going out tonight?” he asked suddenly.

“Out for what?” Zhang Shixu asked as he loaded the veggies into the sink.

Qi Junhe gestured.

Zhang Shixu stared at him blankly—then realization dawned.

Right. He forgot to buy… that.

He quickly focused on cooking, while Qi Junhe hovered nearby, looking hopeful.

Tonight, Qi Junhe was being extra helpful—passing him ingredients before he even asked, washing dishes as he went, handing over utensils. Completely eager.

Zhang Shixu plated the food and scooped the rice. As he sat down, Qi Junhe followed behind, pestering him with puppy eyes.

“Are we going? Are we? Are we?”

Zhang Shixu imagined that if Qi Junhe could speak, he’d never stop talking.

“Yes, yes, we’ll go.” He finally gave in, handing him chopsticks.

At that, Qi Junhe kissed him all over his face and then sat down next to him, eating with visible delight.

After dinner, Qi Junhe did the dishes while Zhang Shixu waited for him on the couch.

Once everything was packed up, they headed downstairs together. The night market had already come to life.

Their apartment was in a busy district, and the streets below were always bustling—but the upper floors stayed quiet, which Zhang Shixu appreciated.

Hand in hand, they strolled through the night air like a couple who’d been married for years.

Zhang Shixu didn’t think much of it, but Qi Junhe looked like he was on cloud nine, softly humming to himself.

“You’re in a good mood, huh?” Zhang Shixu teased, tugging his hand.

Qi Junhe beamed and kissed the back of his hand before nodding.

His happiness was contagious. Zhang Shixu found himself smiling too. “Didn’t I already say I’d be with you?”

Qi Junhe nodded again. But this is real now. You’re mine.

They headed into the supermarket, but on the way, they passed a little kid selling flowers. Zhang Shixu tried to keep walking, but Qi Junhe stopped and bought everything the child was offering, stuffing the bouquet into Zhang Shixu’s arms.

The kid grinned wide. “Wishing you two a hundred years of happiness!”

Qi Junhe looked even more pleased. Zhang Shixu couldn’t help but laugh. “You goof.”

⋯

After their walk, they showered, and then—unsurprisingly—Qi Junhe pulled him into bed.

Zhang Shixu silently cursed his own weakness. The phrase “having meat but never full” came to mind.

Qi Junhe kissed him slowly, pressing his lips over his eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth.

Zhang Shixu twisted away, laughing, “Enough, stop playing around.”

But Qi Junhe just looked up at him with those innocent, pleading eyes.

Here we go again.

“Just once, okay? I have to work tomorrow—” His words were lost in the next kiss.

⋯

After round one, Zhang Shixu lay in bed, drained. Qi Junhe cuddled up to him, still wanting more.

“No more. I have work,” Zhang Shixu mumbled weakly.

Qi Junhe nodded like he understood, but his hands said otherwise, wandering mischievously.

Zhang Shixu grabbed his wrist just as his phone lit up and began to ring on the bedside table.

He blinked. Who would be calling this late?

He let go of Qi Junhe and reached over.

“Hello?”

It was Chen Nan.

But before he could even speak, the line went dead. The call barely lasted ten seconds.

Zhang Shixu frowned, puzzled. He started typing a message to check in with Chen Nan.

Qi Junhe peeked over. Who was that?

“Chen Nan. Probably a misdial. I’ll message him.”

Qi Junhe nodded and curled back into bed.

Then he asked silently, Are they back together yet?

“Who? Jin Heng and Chen Nan?” Zhang Shixu played with his fingers.

Qi Junhe nodded.

“No idea. Chen Nan hasn’t said anything.”

Qi Junhe let Zhang Shixu touch his face, soft and pale like a peeled lychee. The more Zhang Shixu looked, the more he adored him—he could spend a lifetime tracing every curve and feature.

Eventually, they quieted down, and Zhang Shixu got up to wash up again.

Once they were both done, they curled up together under the sheets.

Zhang Shixu fell asleep quickly, breath steady and soft.

Qi Junhe stayed awake, watching him through the pale glow of moonlight spilling into the room.

At first, Zhang Shixu had kept a nightlight on, worried Qi Junhe might be uncomfortable in the dark. But he didn’t need it.

He gazed at Zhang Shixu’s sleeping face, every line and expression gently illuminated. He wanted to memorize every part of him, to carve the moment deep into his heart.

After so many years apart, he’d finally gotten him back. And yet, sometimes, that old insecurity still crept in—was he enough now? Would Zhang Shixu one day tire of being with someone like him?

Still, he couldn’t help feeling it must be fate. Somehow, he’d been lucky enough to meet someone as kind and good as Zhang Shixu again.

And in a darker corner of his heart, he was glad Zhou Ying had turned out to be terrible. Otherwise… who knows?

His mind spun with thoughts until sleep began to tug at him.

Before closing his eyes, he leaned in and kissed the corner of Zhang Shixu’s lips.

Thank goodness, he thought.

Thank goodness he’s in my arms tonight.