Chapter 59

Perhaps struck deeply by Xu Er’s passionate confession, Song Ruichi was exceptionally playful that evening.

With tomorrow being the weekend, Song Ruichi had no work, and since the two of them hadn't seen each other for several days, things quickly escalated beyond control.

Ever since the last time Song Ruichi used a tie to bind Xu Er’s hands, it was as if Song Ruichi had unlocked a completely new side of Xu Er. Lately, the two of them had been getting increasingly wild.

Well, primarily Song Ruichi was the wild one, while his obedient little treasure simply cooperated.

Song Ruichi truly adored how willingly Xu Er complied with everything.

Though somewhat naive and inexperienced, Xu Er possessed a strong grasp of understanding, incredible execution skills, and a remarkable aptitude for learning.

And his feedback was even more intense.

Returning from his business trip this time, Song Ruichi had brought back a small bell.

Initially, Xu Er thought it was bought for Soso, but right in the middle of things, the little trinket suddenly made its appearance.

Song Ruichi fastened it around Xu Er’s ankle.

At first, Xu Er didn't understand the appeal of it, not until it chimed at certain moments—a soft *ding*, and then another *ding*.

Indeed.

It was wonderfully fun.

After nights like that, half of the following day was invariably wasted.

When they finally managed to get out of bed, it was entirely thanks to Soso.

After Soso scratched at the door several times, Xu Er finally carried the cat into the bedroom. Cradling Soso in his arms, he muttered into the cat's ear: "It's not that I wouldn't let you in, I wanted to open the door for you, but your daddy wouldn't allow it. What a bad daddy."

Soso seemed to understand, glancing over at Song Ruichi.

Before Xu Er could claim his victory, however, Song Ruichi scooped Soso away, and the cat began to rub affectionately against Song Ruichi's hand.

Xu Er: "......"

Well, well, Xu Er had somehow been cast as the villain.

It had rained last night, leaving the temperature a bit chilly today.

Having woken up so late, neither of them had much of an appetite, so Song Ruichi simply prepared a quick plate of tomato pasta.

While Song Ruichi was cooking the noodles in the kitchen, Xu Er sat in the dining area waiting, resting his chin in his hands as he watched Song Ruichi and daydreamed.

Daydreaming was truly a wonderful thing; it felt as though one were soaring through outer space, yet completely empty-headed at the same time.

Even though his gaze was unfocused, his eyes still managed to trail after Song Ruichi.

When Song Ruichi moved to the left, Xu Er's eyes followed to the left; when Song Ruichi moved to the right, Xu Er's eyes followed to the right.

Until Song Ruichi put the lid on the pot and turned to look at Xu Er.

Xu Er immediately flashed Song Ruichi a standard, polite smile.

Song Ruichi smiled back, hooking his finger downward: "Come in."

Xu Er: "Coming."

With short, hurried steps, Xu Er trotted into the kitchen: "What are your orders, Teacher Song?"

"No particular orders," Song Ruichi said. "Just giving you a chance to look at me a little closer."

Xu Er let out a dramatic "Whoa" and played along instantly: "Thank you, Teacher Song. I will deeply cherish this opportunity. Teacher Song, please give me your autograph."

Whereupon Song Ruichi used his finger to draw a random little doodle on Xu Er's forehead.

Xu Er: "Thank you, Teacher Song. I am never washing my face again for the rest of my life."

Song Ruichi pressed a kiss to Xu Er’s lips: "How about this then?"

Xu Er made a peeling motion over his face: "Painted skin!"

Indeed, Song Ruichi had no real tasks for him; he had simply wanted Xu Er to come in and keep him company.

At first, Xu Er just stood there watching, but after a while, he felt he was being too well-behaved. So, he walked up behind Song Ruichi and wrapped his arms around his waist.

There was nothing wrong with that initially, and Xu Er held on obediently, but as Song Ruichi shifted a few times, Xu Er's hand brushed against a gap in Song Ruichi's clothing.

Well, in that case, he wouldn't stand on ceremony anymore.

Xu Er slid his hand inside, his expression involuntarily turning alluring and seductive.

Hearing Song Ruichi emit a low, muffled groan at this sudden, unexpected move, Xu Er's excitement skyrocketed instantly.

Flirting success.

"Someone's learning bad habits." Song Ruichi caught Xu Er's wrist.

Xu Er: "Hehe."

Xu Er felt the texture beneath his hand change: "Someone's playing rough."

Not only did Song Ruichi play rough, but he also pulled Xu Er's hand upward.

Xu Er's mouth instantly formed an "o" shape.

Clearly, Song Ruichi was much more seductive.

Days spent at home without work were always leisurely and long. Xu Er had now learned Song Ruichi's habit of savoring every moment slowly, and when nothing pressing was happening, he too became unhurried and unbothered.

The rain had stopped by the time they finished eating. They went downstairs for a brief stroll, and figuring they had nothing else on their minds, decided to invite everyone out for dinner tonight.

Once decided, they just had to ask. Xu Er shouted out in the group chat, and since everyone was bored anyway and someone was treating them to a meal, they naturally agreed with joyful enthusiasm.

Among all these friends, the most bored of them all was the college student Xu Chen, who could no longer bear staying in his dorm and announced he was coming over to Xu Er's place to play video games.

Xu Chen: "Let's play the one we saved last time. Let's beat it today, how about that?"

Xu Er turned on the speakerphone and placed his phone on the coffee table: "But the game console is at my place."

"You're not home?" Xu Chen let out an 'oh': "You're at Song Ruichi's place?"

Xu Er: "Right."

Xu Chen: "Oh, well then."

Beside him, Song Ruichi spoke up: "If you want to play, we can go pick it up now."

Xu Er thought about it for a moment: "That works too?"

Naturally, Xu Chen replied on the other end: "Sure, absolutely."

No sooner said than done. After hanging up the phone, the two of them headed over to Xu Er's apartment.

Truth be told, it had been quite a while since they had been back.

Xu Er quickly found the game cartridge he and Xu Chen had been playing. After packing it into a bag, Song Ruichi suggested, "Bring everything along."

Xu Er thought that was reasonable and turned back to empty out the entire drawer.

Song Ruichi then asked about some mugs on the table and a few of his small ornaments.

Deeming that acceptable as well, Xu Er packed those too.

Finally, watching Song Ruichi load two large suitcases into the car, Xu Er suddenly felt that this trip might be a bit more complicated than anticipated.

The apartment had been practically emptied.

Picking up Xu Chen at the subway station exit, they headed back to Song Ruichi's place.

Upon getting out of the car, Xu Chen saw Song Ruichi hauling two suitcases and wore an expression of utter astonishment: "Your game console got this big?"

Xu Er chuckled: "It's the 3D version."

Xu Chen: "Ah, right, right, right."

Perhaps the setting in the car had felt a bit too casual, but now that Xu Chen was actually inside Song Ruichi's home, he instantly turned remarkably polite.

"Hello, Teacher Song," Xu Chen said with utmost politeness: "It's a bit sudden coming to Teacher Song's place for the first time, and I didn't bring anything. I'm terribly sorry."

Song Ruichi replied, "It's fine. Your brother didn't bring anything either when he first came."

Xu Er: "......"

Xu Er: "???"

Xu Er immediately retorted: "I did bring something."
Song Ruichi: "What did you bring?"
Xu Er: "I brought a body full of alcohol fumes."
Song Ruichi pinched Xu Er's cheek: "You have the nerve to say that."
Xu Er: "Blech."
Xu Chen: "......"

Right, right, right.

Could someone please hand him a pair of slippers first?

Stepping into the living room, Xu Chen caught sight of the legendary Soso.

"The real thing—oh wait, the real cat looks even better than the photos," Xu Chen evaluated.

After a moment, Xu Chen remarked, "You've posted a photo of this coffee machine."

Xu Er nodded: "Yeah, it works really well."

Xu Chen pointed to the sound system: "Whoa, I recognize this sound system."

Finishing his exclamation, he left himself speechless: "...I feel like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden."

Xu Er laughed: "It's completely normal to be curious when visiting your idol's house."

Xu Chen nodded: "Makes sense." He let out a 'whoa': "My brother is actually dating my idol."

Xu Er chimed in: "Yeah, he is."

Xu Chen: "......"
Xu Er: "......"
Xu Er: "Let's play video games."
Xu Chen: "You got it."

Meanwhile, Song Ruichi leaned against his suitcase, quietly watching the performance of these two brothers.

The living room was promptly commandeered by the pair.

Engaged in fierce combat, the two brothers cleared the game within an hour.

"Yay!"
"Woohoo!"

The moment the victory screen appeared, they both raised their hands and slapped a high-five.

Their excitement subsiding, Xu Er looked left and right, finally spotting Song Ruichi seated on the sofa behind him.

"Remembered I exist?"
Song Ruichi was popping a grape into his mouth.

Xu Er let out a chuckle and put down the controller: "We haven't unpacked the suitcases yet."

Song Ruichi popped a grape directly into Xu Er's mouth: "I already unpacked them."

Xu Er chewed on the grape: "Big brother is so amazing."

Xu Chen shuddered involuntarily.

Knowing his brother called Song Ruichi 'big brother' and actually hearing his brother call Song Ruichi 'big brother' were two entirely different matters.

It was sweet enough to give him tooth decay.

Xu Chen popped a grape into his mouth as well.

The grape was sickeningly sweet too.

"Those two still don't know your partner is Song Ruichi, right?" Xu Chen asked Xu Er.

Xu Er shook his head: "No idea."

Xu Chen narrowed his eyes: "Didn't you say last time I knew? You're planning an ambush."

Xu Er raised an eyebrow at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen: "Colin is bringing his girlfriend tonight. She's going to scream her lungs out."

Xu Er was puzzled: "What's wrong with his girlfriend?"

Xu Chen laughed: "Didn't you know? His girlfriend is a veteran Danmei novel reader."

Xu Er: "What's a Danmei novel?"

Xu Chen: "Uh."

So Song Ruichi took the time to explain it to Xu Er.

Xu Er let out an 'oh', followed by an 'ah': "So, will something happen?"

Xu Chen pondered: "She's going to adore you guys."

Xu Er let out another 'oh', suddenly understanding: "Shipping us."

For reasons unknown, there was nothing particularly funny about that statement, yet Xu Chen and Song Ruichi burst out laughing together.

Xu Er looked bewildered: "Huh? Am I wrong?"
Song Ruichi: "You're right."
Xu Er: "Then what are you laughing at?"
Song Ruichi: "Laughing at how cute you are."

Xu Chen quietly raised an eyebrow.

Right, right, right.

"What is this?" Xu Er pouted: "I get it."
Song Ruichi: "Alright, you get it."

Xu Er glared at Song Ruichi, then asked Xu Chen, "Still playing or not?"
Xu Chen: "I'm down."

Xu Er turned to Song Ruichi: "You want to play?"
Song Ruichi shook his head: "You guys go ahead."

They spent the entire afternoon immersed in video games.

As night fell, the dinner Xu Chen had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived.

The three of them reached the restaurant first. After Song Ruichi finished ordering the dishes, Xu Chen started squawking in the group chat, urging Chen Nan and Colin to hurry up, asking if they were even functional and warning them that they were almost done eating.

Pestering them relentlessly, they managed to lure Chen Nan over first.

Naturally unaware that Song Ruichi would be there, Chen Nan froze for a moment upon pushing the door open and entering.

Not thinking too much of it, he simply assumed Xu Er had brought along an extra friend. He offered Song Ruichi a friendly smile and took a seat.

Then he asked, "Xu Er, where's your girlfriend? Hasn't she arrived yet?"

Xu Er: "Huh? I don't have a girlfriend."

Xu Chen began holding back a laugh.

Chen Nan looked confused: "You don't have a girlfriend? Didn't you say you were bringing your girlfriend out for dinner tonight?"

Xu Er: "I said I was bringing my partner."

"Is there a difference?" Chen Nan finished speaking, then turned to look at Xu Chen: "What are you laughing at?"

Xu Chen burst into uninhibited, loud laughter: "Hahaha."

Clueless, Chen Nan joined in the laughter despite not understanding: "What is this? What's going on?"