ATULGW chapter 2

Baixi took his time in the shower, wearing Qi Xun’s bathrobe as he blow-dried his hair in front of the mirror. He found the robe too big for him, loose and baggy, exposing his long neck and a large expanse of chest skin.

In truth, he was quite good-looking. He had shoulder-length light brown hair, fair skin, delicate features, round and moist eyes, and when he smiled, he’d reveal a small dimple, a look that would instantly endear him to people.

Over the years, there had been quite a few men and women who pursued him. If he hadn’t been fixated on Qi Xun, he might have had seven or eight lovers by now.

However, no matter how many people he attracted, he never managed to capture the one he truly desired.

Baixi sighed and put down the hairdryer. He stood in the bathroom for a while but knew he couldn’t delay any longer, so he reluctantly left the bathroom.

By the time he reached the dining room, Qi Xun had changed into his gray home outfit and was sitting at the dining table waiting for him. In the morning light, his eyes took on a distant amber color. When he wasn’t smiling, he appeared even more aloof, like a judge on high.

On the table were two bowls of white porridge, a variety of side dishes and snacks, all light and from the Cantonese restaurant that Baixi liked.

Baixi sat down across from Qi Xun in silence. His chair had cushions and a backrest, so it wasn’t too uncomfortable for him.

“Let’s have some breakfast first,” Qi Xun said, looking at him.

Baixi thought about it and agreed. He picked up a spoon and began to eat the porridge.

At the moment, he was feeling somewhat nervous. After all, he had never had the upper hand in front of Qi Xun. He decided to wait for Qi Xun to declare the outcome of their relationship after what happened last night.

After Baixi had eaten enough, Qi Xun also put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

He looked at Baixi and asked, “Is there anything you want to say to me about last night?”

Here it comes. Qi Xun finally asked him.

Baixi put down his spoon, and his heart, which had been pounding rapidly, seemed to thump even louder against his chest. He didn’t dare to meet Qi Xun’s eyes and instead stared at the table. He struggled to find a way to brush the matter aside.

“Last night was an accident. I drank too much, and so did you. How about we just forget about it?” He bit his lip and spoke even softer, “Let’s pretend it never happened…”

Privately, he hoped they could just sweep this matter under the rug. He couldn’t bear for Qi Xun to remember it.

Qi Xun, however, raised an eyebrow in disbelief. He knew Baixi had always been timid, but he hadn’t expected him to be this timid.

His gaze fell on the hickey near Baixi’s collarbone, a deep mark he had left there yesterday.

Although what happened yesterday was indeed an accident, their brains were both impaired by alcohol. Yet, he hadn’t been so intoxicated that he lost his senses. He could still remember most of what happened when he woke up this morning.

He knew that he hadn’t been gentle yesterday; in fact, he could describe his actions as rough.

Even though this encounter couldn’t be classified as one-sided coercion, and it wasn’t particularly affectionate either, Baixi had every right to demand accountability.

But instead, Baixi was saying that they should just let it go.

Qi Xun looked at Baixi with a somewhat incredulous expression.

“Baixi, don’t lower your head. Look at me,” he said.

Baixi reluctantly raised his head, feeling like a primary school student called upon by a teacher.

He looked at Qi Xun, and Qi Xun continued, “Regarding what happened last night, it was indeed an accident. Both of us were drunk. But I won’t shirk my responsibility because of that.”

Baixi heard this and quickly shook his head, trying to say that he bore most of the responsibility. He was the one who had been lusting after Qi Xun’s beauty, and there was no need for Qi Xun to take it upon himself.

But before he could speak, he heard Qi Xun drop another bombshell in a calm and casual tone, which left him feeling shattered.

“Perhaps you don’t remember, but you were holding onto me yesterday and said you liked me.”

Qi Xun said these words calmly, without any accusation or disgust, as if he were discussing the weather.

However, Baixi was completely stunned. His lips parted slightly, and his eyes widened.

Because he truly didn’t remember. He couldn’t believe that he had blurted out those words yesterday. If he had any remaining sense, he would never have allowed himself to say those things.

How had alcohol managed to betray him like this?

Baixi stammered, “No, I was, I was drunk…”

But Qi Xun didn’t give him a chance to lie. He continued, “You said you’ve liked me since high school, for six years. You even asked me why I hadn’t noticed your feelings.” Here, Qi Xun glanced at him. “Sorry, I really never noticed.”

Baixi wanted to disappear into the ground. Secretly crushing on Qi Xun was one thing, but having it revealed by Qi Xun so casually made him feel an indescribable embarrassment. It was as if all his secrets had been laid bare in the sunlight.

He heard Qi Xun asking across from him, “Do you really like me a lot, Baixi? I mean, do you want to date me seriously?”

This question pinched Baixi’s heart a little. He looked at Qi Xun, pursed his lips, and, compared to his own embarrassment and unease, Qi Xun remained emotionally detached, not demanding or showing any rejection, just a calm demeanor.

But it was precisely because of this that Baixi’s heart sank even more.

After a brief silence, Baixi nodded. With the truth out, there was no point in hiding anything. Qi Xun had asked the question in such a way that left no room for evasion.

“Yes, I like you.”

Baixi’s grip on his bathrobe tightened and then relaxed. Besides feeling sad, he also felt a hint of relief. After six years of secretly liking Qi Xun, he could finally speak his feelings out loud.

But those six years had been excessively long and heavy. He didn’t even know where to start.

He forced a smile at Qi Xun, answering his question, “Of course, I want to date you. I’ve liked you for six years, even in high school, I liked you, and you were one of the reasons I chose S University. I wanted to be closer to you. Becoming friends with you was also intentional, but I knew you wouldn’t accept me, so I never thought about taking it further.”

“I originally thought that with time, one day, I wouldn’t like you anymore, but I didn’t even know when that day would come.”

Baixi bit his lip, and only in the end did he dare to look into Qi Xun’s eyes. “I’m sorry, but what happened yesterday wasn’t intentional. I… I never thought of getting you this way.”

He found it difficult to say these words, yet he also felt sincere.

It truly wasn’t intentional, and he was afraid Qi Xun might misunderstand him, thinking that he had deliberately intoxicated him. He anxiously watched Qi Xun, fearing to see a disgusted expression on his face.

But fortunately, Qi Xun didn’t show any disgust; there was only a hint of surprise.

Baixi sniffled, feeling like he might cry. If he had known that his years of secret affection would be revealed today, he would have chosen a more romantic way to confess, even if he were rejected. That way, at least he could have a romantic ending to remember.

He timidly asked Qi Xun in a low voice, “Do you now, maybe, feel quite repulsed by me…”

He didn’t even dare to use the word “hate,” afraid that he couldn’t bear it.

But Qi Xun lifted his head as if he didn’t understand why he asked that question.

“No,” Qi Xun shook his head calmly, “Liking me isn’t a crime.”

Baixi found himself wanting to laugh at this inappropriate moment. It was such a typical Qi Xun-like response.

He picked up the glass on the table, took a sip of water, and now that his biggest secret was exposed, he felt somewhat calm.

The worst-case scenario would be that he and Qi Xun could no longer be friends.

Since the day he started secretly admiring Qi Xun, he had prepared himself mentally for this outcome. After all, only a few secret admirations turned into reality, and a tragic ending was more common.

He might just need a long time to move on from Qi Xun…

Baixi’s mind was in turmoil, and his thoughts were drifting far away. However, before he could finish thinking, he heard Qi Xun call his name again.

“Baixi.”

This brought him back to reality, and he raised his head.

He locked eyes with Qi Xun across the table.

In the morning light, Qi Xun seemed to be bathed in a soft glow, his handsome features exuding a charming laziness, like a nonchalant leopard, sated and displaying a touch of tenderness after the satisfaction.

Qi Xun looked at him seriously and, in his usual indifferent tone, asked, “Do you want to try dating me? With marriage as the end goal?”

For a moment, Baixi felt like he was hearing things.

He wore a bewildered expression and wondered if the shock this morning was too great, turning his fantasies into reality.

He foolishly asked Qi Xun, “what?”

 Qi Xun calmly reiterated, “I asked if you want to date me.”

There was a loud crash in the living room.

The cup in Baixi’s hand fell to the ground, shattering into pieces, and the water inside spilled all over the light wooden floor.

He began coughing violently, and his face turned red.

Five seconds ago, he thought he could handle any outcome, but this scene was truly beyond his imagination.

He wouldn’t even dare to dream of something so absurd!