Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Birthday Party

Transparent raindrops went “patter-patter,” falling one by one as if they would never end.

Chen Kongqing turned around.

Standing before him was Xu Jingmo, who had taken off his white coat and was wearing only a grey knit sweater that wasn’t too thick. He held a folding umbrella in his hand. The sound of rain was mixed with the distant and near honking of cars.

“No… there’s no need. I’ll try calling a taxi again,” the youth parted his lips to refuse, showing his phone screen.

The app displayed: 109 people currently waiting for a ride nearby…

Chen Kongqing: “…”

He pulled his phone back toward his chest, feeling a bit guilty.

“It’s raining; it’s very hard to get a car near the hospital,” Xu Jingmo said calmly, his gaze deep. “Where do you live?”

Amidst the sound of the rain, Chen Kongqing pursed his lips and replied, “Tianyue Apartments.”

“It’s on my way.” The man had already unfurled his folding umbrella. “Let’s go.”

Xu Jingmo stepped forward, moving closer to the youth to share the umbrella. A very faint scent of Earl Grey tea brushed past Chen Kongqing’s nose, mixed with a hint of body heat. He instinctively took a small step back.

“I… I have an umbrella, thank you Dr. Xu.” He hurriedly fished a small folding umbrella out of his backpack and blinked at the man.

Because many medicinal herbs required “sunbathing” recently, Chen Kongqing had developed the habit of checking the weather forecast. Although he remembered to bring the herbs back into the shop, he had forgotten the Trumpet Vines on the balcony. Thinking of this, the youth spaced out for a moment.

At that moment, Xu Jingmo stepped back, increasing the distance between them. The man’s expression remained composed, though the tips of his fingers gripping the umbrella handle turned a bit white. “Alright.”

…

Chen Kongqing didn’t know how he ended up in his attending physician’s car in such a daze. By the time he snapped out of it, the man beside him had already opened the passenger door. “Get in quickly.”

Since things had come to this… Chen Kongqing didn’t plan to be polite anymore. He nodded and hurriedly sat inside.

The dripping wet folding umbrella felt like a hot potato in his hands, leaving him unsure of what to do. Raindrops fell from the canopy one by one. He held the umbrella over his knees to prevent the water from dripping into the car, but the drops still hit his denim jeans, blooming into dark circles.

He heard the muffled thud of the car door closing. Before he could look up, the top of his wet umbrella was grasped by a hand with distinct knuckles. That long, broad hand instantly became soaked as well.

“Give it to me. I’ll put it in the back,” Xu Jingmo said. His palm wrapped around the cold, wet umbrella as he applied a bit of force.

Chen Kongqing obediently let go. While the man turned to place the umbrella in the back, the youth pulled out a few tissues from nearby. When the man turned back, the dry tissues were held out to him.

The youth spoke, his voice as clear as rainwater. “The umbrella is very wet. Dr. Xu, please wipe your hands.”

“Thank you.” The man kept his gaze down, not looking up. He took the tissues by the edge and lightly wiped his hands.

After this small interlude, Xu Jingmo started the car. It was the peak of the evening rush hour, and the traffic near the hospital was severe. The rain grew heavier, and the windshield wipers were moving so fast they almost seemed to be smoking.

Inside the sealed car, there was a faint, unique scent of herbal medicine mixed with a hint of dampness that had somehow seeped in from outside. The man looked straight through the windshield at the glowing taillights ahead.

Chen Kongqing felt the car was a bit stifling, but with the rain so heavy, he couldn’t open a window. He didn’t know what to say to Xu Jingmo, so he turned his head to look out the window.

“I saw on your medical record that you are a student at Kun University. Why are you living off-campus?” The man spoke up, perhaps because the atmosphere was a bit stagnant. “I hope that doesn’t sound too gossipy. Sorry.”

“Not at all,” the youth turned his head back. He didn’t find the question offensive and replied naturally, “I live with my boyfriend.”

In today’s society, the level of tolerance for same-sex relationships was quite high. Since Dr. Xu was his doctor, Chen Kongqing felt there was nothing wrong with admitting it.

“I see.” Those two words took several beats to leave the man’s lips, followed immediately by a sudden brake.

The youth in the passenger seat lurched forward from the inertia and let out a soft gasp. Xu Jingmo held the brake and turned his gaze over. “Sorry…”

“It’s the car in front; it stopped suddenly,” the youth said with a slight frown, his tone a bit defensive on the doctor’s behalf as he glared at the small car ahead.

The torrential rain finally lost its momentum two minutes before they reached the apartment complex. Chen Kongqing thanked the man while opening his umbrella to get out. “Thank you, Dr. Xu. Please drive safely…”

The rain was still somewhat heavy. Chen Kongqing stayed under his umbrella and hurried through the complex gates, keeping close to the eaves. Consequently, he didn’t notice that the Mercedes behind him didn’t move for a long time.

The wipers continued their rhythmic work. The man in the car stared intensely at the receding figure of the youth. He had originally wanted to tell Chen Kongqing to message him when he was safely inside. But at the moment he opened his mouth, he lost his voice.

They didn’t have each other’s contact information.

Outside the window, damp mist slowly spread and invaded. Inside the car, the air gradually became heavy and difficult to breathe.

…

As soon as Chen Kongqing returned to the apartment, he kicked off his shoes and ran to the balcony. Fortunately, the Trumpet Vines were sturdy; they hadn’t been knocked over by the wind, though they had lost several leaves and the petals were covered in frost and rain.

He quickly moved the flowers indoors and tidied the stray branches before going to take a shower. By the time he was finished, it was past seven, and Ling Xiao wasn’t back yet.

The rain was still falling. He couldn’t help but feel worried. Previously, Ling Xiao would get annoyed when he sent too many messages, so he restrained himself from asking. But the rain was so heavy today.

He pursed his lips, and just as he was hesitating whether to send a text, his fingertips suddenly felt an itch. It was starting again. His chest began to feel hot as well.

He gritted his teeth and, regardless of whether he’d had dinner, went to boil a pot of water first. Just as Chen Kongqing swallowed his medication, the sound of the front door opening came from the entryway.

Ling Xiao was back.

The man was wearing a basketball jersey, drenched in sweat and seemingly caught in the rain, as a large patch of his back was soaked. Seeing this, Chen Kongqing asked with concern, “How did you get so wet? Go take a shower quickly.”

Ling Xiao looked down to change his shoes without even lifting his eyelids. He gave a faint hum of acknowledgment and went straight to the bathroom.

Chen Kongqing didn’t mind. Well, actually, he minded a little. But Ling Xiao was wet and needed a shower; it was normal. Thinking this, he went to the kitchen and brewed a pot of ginger soup to ward off the cold.

When the ginger soup was ready, Ling Xiao emerged from the bathroom. The moment he came out, he furrowed his brows deeply. “What are you making? The smell is so strong.”

Chen Kongqing brought the soup out from the kitchen, feeling a bit awkward. “Ginger soup. Didn’t you get caught in the rain?”

“Don’t bother with that. I’m not drinking it,” Ling Xiao said, his tone slightly more controlled but his face still cold as he sat on the sofa.

“Alright.” Chen Kongqing silently took the warm bowl of ginger soup back to the kitchen and closed the glass door tightly to prevent the smell from spreading further. Then he walked over and sat on the edge of the sofa. “What were you busy with today?”

Ling Xiao pressed the TV remote. “Training. What else?”

Chen Kongqing looked up, his eyes seemingly only able to see Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao had very beautiful eyes, very similar to the ones he had seen in his dreams long ago. Because of this, he always felt there was a deep destiny between them.

“I went to the hospital today,” he leaned a little closer to Ling Xiao. “I’m really sick. It’s the kind of illness that can only be relieved by holding hands or hugging someone.”

The man was a bit distracted, lost in thought. He answered after a delay, “There’s actually an illness like that?”

“Yes…” Chen Kongqing bit his lip, mustering up a bit more courage. “Give me a hug. I don’t feel very well right now.”

He and Ling Xiao had been together for almost three months, but Ling Xiao had always been unwilling to get too close. Let alone kissing, the number of times they had held hands or hugged could be counted on one hand. Ling Xiao said it was because he didn’t like the herbal smell on him, but even when he showered, Ling Xiao always found other excuses.

“Didn’t you take medicine?” The man spoke as he stood up from the sofa. “Where is the medicine? I’ll get you some warm water. You should feel better after taking it.”

Chen Kongqing froze on the sofa, not looking up at Ling Xiao. “I just took it.”

“Then hang in there and see if the medicine works,” the man said as he walked toward his room. “I’m going to watch the game in my room. I’m a bit tired today.”

“Oh, okay,” Chen Kongqing replied with a smile, trying his best to sound upbeat.

Until he heard the crisp sound of the bedroom door locking. Click. Ling Xiao had closed the door.

Chen Kongqing sat on the sofa, reached for a throw pillow, and pulled it into his arms. The soft sponge filled his embrace—but it could only fill his embrace.

…

The sound of rain outside never stopped, pitter-patter. It should have been a good type of white noise, but Xu Jingmo slept fitfully.

Between being awake and dreaming, he dreamed again of Chen Kongqing wearing those cotton pajamas with little rabbits on them.

“Big brother, are you leaving? I’ll remember you forever!” A pair of bright, watery willow-leaf eyes curved as the boy smiled at him without restraint.

At this point in the dream, the man woke up again and opened his eyes. Remember forever. Rabbits really love to lie.

The lying rabbit, meanwhile, was currently bear-hugging the carrot-shaped pillow that had accompanied him for many years, finally getting a rare good night’s sleep.

Because of the medication, his condition was somewhat under control. For the next few days, Chen Kongqing was able to immerse himself in the lab working on specimens without distractions. The lab was filled with a thick aroma of herbs. The scent of herbs was never just bitterness; there was the sweetness of He Huan (Mimosa tree), the sourness of Mei Shi (Plum fruit), and the pungency of Ling Xiao (Trumpet Vine).

He picked up a dried Trumpet Vine flower and sniffed it. it was a bit sharp to the nose, but he liked it.

It just so happened that during these busy days, it was Ling Xiao’s birthday. Ling Xiao had originally told him he didn’t have time and that Chen Kongqing didn’t need to come. But this was Ling Xiao’s birthday—how could he not go?

So on that day, he hurried out of the lab with a prepared gift: a signed jersey from Ling Xiao’s favorite basketball star. Before even reaching the private room, he was already imagining what Ling Xiao’s expression would be when he received the gift. Just thinking about it made him happy.

Walking through the restaurant hallway, the youth pushed open the door to the private room. First, he heard the noisy sound of conversation, and then he saw Ling Xiao sitting on the sofa with a group of people.

“Kongqing, you’re finally here.” The first one to look up wasn’t Ling Xiao, but their mutual friend, Gao Tianyou. “Come over and sit. We’re playing games. We’ll eat once we finish the round.”

The youth agreed and walked over, clutching the gift box. There were several people sitting next to Ling Xiao, so it wasn’t a good time to squeeze in and give the gift. Instead, he sat on the edge of the sofa.

The man never looked up at him, focused entirely on his game. The others were mostly playing together in a group.

“Old Gao, Old Gao! Come over here, we’re counter-jungling!” “Where’s the support? Keep up…”

Chen Kongqing placed the gift box to the side, looking a bit awkwardly at the clean floor tiles. Suddenly, the heavy door of the private room was pushed open again.

“Sorry, I’m late.” A tall man stepped into the room.

Hearing the voice, Chen Kongqing looked up. Without any defense, he fell straight into those ink-like phoenix eyes.