Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Zhang Shixu’s internship wrapped up smoothly, and before he knew it, summer vacation had come to an end.
Returning to their modest rented apartment, he found Qi Junhe sitting cross-legged on the sofa, packing his things.
“Almost done packing?” Zhang Shixu asked as he placed vegetables into the fridge.
Qi Junhe hadn’t been in the best mood these past few days—he seemed reluctant to let go of their simple, quiet days together in this small place.
After washing his hands and drying them on his pants twice, Zhang Shixu noticed Qi Junhe coming over to help fold clothes, a small smile on his face.
“What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t want us to be apart,” Qi Junhe admitted quietly.
Zhang Shixu sighed and touched his head. “But you’re going back to school, right?”
“This feels different,” Qi Junhe replied, suddenly a bit flushed and more animated.
Zhang Shixu pulled him close and gently patted his back.
“I’m guessing I’ll have to move out once I’m a senior. Would you still want to live with me then?” he asked soothingly.
Though reluctant, Qi Junhe nodded obediently. They still had plenty of time before that moment arrived.
Zhang Shixu took his hand and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. “Soon.”
Since they didn’t own many clothes, packing didn’t take long. Zhang Shixu didn’t need to go to the office the next day, so after tidying up, he planned to take Qi Junhe out for a special meal.
Qi Junhe’s spirits were low, so Zhang Shixu held his hand and guided him along.
They had been living here for nearly two months but never really explored the night market.
“How about some casserole porridge?” Zhang Shixu asked, squeezing his hand.
Qi Junhe, who usually went along with Zhang Shixu’s suggestions without hesitation, nodded.
They found a corner seat. At first, Qi Junhe was bothered by the red rubber stools—they looked a bit grimy—but he endured the rough surface and wiped it clean.
Zhang Shixu watched quietly and fetched some tissues to wipe the seat again in front of Qi Junhe.
The place was bustling. After a couple of minutes, a young waiter approached with menus and tea.
“What would you like to order, sir?” the boy asked, setting the tea down and pulling out his pen.
Qi Junhe took the tea and handed it to Zhang Shixu to warm the bowl, and Zhang Shixu ordered dishes according to their preferences.
“Just no green onions, please,” Zhang Shixu added.
They shared a mutual dislike for green onions—a little unspoken agreement between them.
Soon, the waiter returned with a plate of coleslaw and some sour radishes, greeting them politely before leaving.
Zhang Shixu replied to messages in their WeChat group while chatting with Qi Junhe.
“When are you heading home?” he asked.
A few days ago, Xu Xinyi had called to ask Qi Junhe when he’d be back. After spending so long away, it seemed like everyone else had already returned.
Qi Junhe tried a bite of the sour radish, grimaced at the sharp taste, and quickly sipped his tea to wash it down.
Zhang Shixu laughed and refilled his cup. “Not used to this, huh?”
Qi Junhe nodded. “I want to stay with you a bit longer.”
That answered Zhang Shixu’s earlier question.
Qi Junhe was a genuine guy from City B who wasn’t accustomed to spicy food, so the sour radishes and kelp threads were eaten in Zhang Shixu’s order.
“Don’t stay too long, alright? Go home and visit your mom,” Zhang Shixu said, chewing on some kelp.
“And you?”
“My mom was busy this summer, so I’m not going back,” Zhang Shixu replied as an older man brought over their seafood casserole porridge. Zhang Shixu helped arrange the dishes.
The restaurant got busier as the evening wore on.
Qi Junhe served a bowl of porridge to Zhang Shixu and himself.
“Where will you go if I’m not here?” he asked.
Zhang Shixu feigned sadness. “Back to school alone.”
Qi Junhe was speechless.
“Wait, do you want me to take you home again?” Zhang Shixu teased, nudging him.
“Let’s go home together,” Qi Junhe said simply.
Zhang Shixu took a spoonful of porridge, blew on it, and shook his head. “No, you should spend time with your mom.”
Qi Junhe sighed, wondering how Zhang Shixu always managed to dodge him so cleverly.
After finishing their meal, Qi Junhe slowly indicated, “I’ll come back early to keep you company.”
Zhang Shixu paused, realizing Qi Junhe meant he’d return to school early just to be with him.
Smiling, he hugged Qi Junhe. “You’re too sweet.”
Qi Junhe blushed and returned the hug, pretending to be shy.
Before it could last long, Zhang Shixu pulled away and mock-scolded him with a serious expression.
“Hugging and eating in public? I absolutely hate clingy couples like you!”
Qi Junhe was speechless.
When Qi Junhe saw that Zhang Shixu had finished eating, he was ready to get up to pay, but Zhang Shixu stopped him.
“I got this, I’m treating you,” he said with a grin.
Qi Junhe didn’t argue—his boyfriend was quite capable and always determined to handle things himself.
After pouring tea and placing Qi Junhe comfortably, Zhang Shixu took the bill to pay.
The same young waiter came over, smiling when he saw them.
“Enjoyed your meal, sir?”
Zhang Shixu nodded. “Very good.”
As he was about to leave after paying, the boy suddenly stopped him, cheeks reddening.
“You come here often,” he said shyly.
Zhang Shixu smiled. “That’s true.”
The boy seemed about to say more when Qi Junhe silently appeared behind Zhang Shixu, giving the waiter a cold glare.
Who was this guy? Could he scare him off?
“Why did you come here?” Zhang Shixu grabbed Qi Junhe’s hand and asked.
Qi Junhe didn’t answer.
Zhang Shixu was speechless.
“What were you going to say?” Zhang Shixu asked the boy, turning back.
The boy was intimidated by Qi Junhe’s icy expression, looking a bit overwhelmed.
“N-nothing! Just walk safely,” he stammered and quickly left.
Zhang Shixu nodded and led Qi Junhe outside.
He let Qi Junhe pull him along for a bit, but soon he was out of breath from eating too much.
“Why are you walking so slowly? My stomach hurts a bit,” he said.
Qi Junhe stopped and looked at him.
“Where does it hurt?” He reached out to touch Zhang Shixu’s stomach.
Qi Junhe’s touch tickled, and Zhang Shixu squirmed to avoid it. “Hey, don’t!”
Qi Junhe’s face darkened.
Without another word, he turned and started walking away, ignoring Zhang Shixu who was stunned in place.
Zhang Shixu hurried after him, grabbing his arm. “What’s wrong?”
Qi Junhe kept walking, not answering.
“Ouch, my belly,” Zhang Shixu groaned, crouching down.
Qi Junhe was alarmed and hurried back, ready to check on him.
“Hehe,” Zhang Shixu chuckled twice.
Qi Junhe realized he’d been tricked and stood up, preparing to leave.
Zhang Shixu held his hand, sounding pitiful. “Don’t go, baby. My stomach really hurts.”
Qi Junhe, expressionless, asked, “What’s going on?”
“I ate too much, and then you made me walk like a racewalker, which upset my stomach,” Zhang Shixu explained. “Please rub it for me.”
Reluctantly, Qi Junhe helped him sit on a flower bed by the roadside, ignoring the dirt.
Zhang Shixu leaned against Qi Junhe’s arms, closing his eyes and enjoying the so-called “master’s” random rubbing technique.
After a while, Zhang Shixu slowed his breathing and quietly asked, “Are you jealous?”
Qi Junhe’s hands stopped moving.
Zhang Shixu looked up with a teasing smile. “Am I right?”
Qi Junhe didn’t like Zhang Shixu’s playful grin, so he grabbed his head and gave it a little playful nibble.
“Ah,” Zhang Shixu said, pained from the bite.
Qi Junhe bit Zhang Shixu’s lower lip a few more times before letting go.
“That hurts,” Zhang Shixu murmured, touching his swollen lip.
Qi Junhe ignored the complaint and resumed rubbing his stomach.
“That’s better,” Zhang Shixu said, relaxing.
Qi Junhe stopped, put his hands down, and was about to pull away when Zhang Shixu grabbed his coat.
“Don’t go.”
Zhang Shixu stood and hugged him from behind.
“Even though I don’t understand your jealousy or temper, I only like you. I haven’t done anything wrong by treating a guest to dinner, have I?”
He spoke in his usual charming way.
Qi Junhe couldn’t resist anymore and turned around, kissing Zhang Shixu deeply, swallowing all his worries.
Zhang Shixu tried to say more but melted under Qi Junhe’s affectionate assault.
“Don’t be mad, baby,” Zhang Shixu whispered, exhaling softly.
“I don’t want you talking to anyone else.”
“You can’t say that,” Zhang Shixu protested.
Qi Junhe kissed him again, and when they parted, he bit his lower lip once more.
“Ouch.”
“I don’t add other people’s WeChat contacts, especially not those who like me,” Zhang Shixu said, causing Qi Junhe to bite him in pain.
“So now you understand why I get jealous?”
Zhang Shixu paused but admitted it anyway.