Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: “Are You Suspecting Me of Cheating?”

As soon as those words were spoken, an eerie silence fell over the room.

One could call it a deathly stillness.

Xu Jingmo: “…”

If this were an anime, a string of cawing crows would have likely flown across the screen at this exact moment.

Aside from the kitten, who was still blissfully smacking its tiny lips, everything else seemed to have been put on mute.

Chen Kongqing licked his dry lips, feeling the air around them turn to ice.

Xu Jingmo remained crouched on the floor, continuing to feed the kitten until the small bottle of milk was completely finished before he slowly stood up.

The kitten, clearly not having had enough, let out a few “meow meows” in a feisty manner.

However, the “wicked human” paid it no mind.

Finally, Xu Jingmo spoke in a casual tone: “Yeah. Divorced with two kids.”

“Huh?” The simple-minded “rabbit” took him seriously, his eyes—as clear as if washed in spring water—widened, and his mouth fell open.

Xu Jingmo let out a helpless, low chuckle: “You actually believed that?”

He reached out and tousled the hair on top of Chen Kongqing’s head.

The broad palm pressed against his crown for just two short seconds. It was warm and slightly calloused.

Chen Kongqing froze, every pore on his body seemingly snapping open all at once.

“What on earth is going on in that head of yours?” Xu Jingmo quickly withdrew his hand.

He hadn’t intended to pet him. But for some reason… he just did.

When the soft strands of hair brushed against his palm, it felt like his heart had suffered an electrical short circuit. He had to pull away quickly to avoid making any more inappropriate moves.

The ice in the air broke, but for some reason, it was replaced by a layer of thick, unshakeable tension.

Another meow.

“Meow-woo!”

The heavy atmosphere finally dissipated with that cry.

Chen Kongqing touched the top of his head, wondering if his hair was a mess.

“Just because I have a baby bottle?” Xu Jingmo shook the empty bottle in his hand. “That’s why you suspected I’m a dad?”

“And… the way you were feeding it just now was very… professional,” the young man answered sheepishly.

Xu Jingmo joked: “Then why didn’t you suspect my side job is being a male confinement nanny?”

Chen Kongqing took the joke seriously and replied with grave sincerity: “Nannies are usually women, right? It might be inconvenient for a man.”

Where did such a cute rabbit come from?

The man couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile again: “My sister had a baby last year. I helped take care of him. She left the bottle at my place.”

“So that’s it,” Chen Kongqing nodded his head.

Xu Jingmo: “Yes. I’m single. I always have been.”

Chen Kongqing blinked. It was a perfectly normal explanation, but he was a bit confused as to why the man emphasized the word “always.”

However, he didn’t have time to dwell on it; it was getting very late.

“Um… I should probably head back now.” The young man glanced at the wall clock.

“Alright,” Xu Jingmo nodded, not saying much more. “I’ll drive you.”

“No need, the rain has stopped. I’ll just take the subway,” Chen Kongqing shook his head. “I saw it earlier; there’s a subway entrance right downstairs. It’s very convenient.”

The man wanted to insist.

“Oh, right,” Chen Kongqing interrupted him. “I’ll come tomorrow to take the kitten to the hospital for a check-up. You don’t have to worry about it, Dr. Xu.”

The kitten in the box, full of milk, was now fast asleep on the soft towels, no longer crying. It seemed to be adjusting well.

“We’ll see. Let me drive you,” Xu Jingmo suggested again.

“No, really, no need.” Chen Kongqing walked to the entryway to change his shoes. He had already troubled the man enough; he couldn’t keep pushing his luck. “I’ll send you a message when I get home.”

He hurriedly finished changing his shoes and turned to open the door as if afraid Xu Jingmo would chase after him.

In fact, Xu Jingmo did follow him to the door: “Chen Kongqing.”

“Y-yes?” Chen Kongqing halted his steps.

The man’s phoenix eyes seemed to have something to say. After several seconds:

Xu Jingmo: “I’m actually quite good at making pig’s trotters too. I’ll let you try them some other day.”

Chen Kongqing didn’t process it immediately and simply nodded.

The man then reminded him not to let the wound touch water and other medical advice. He continued to nod.

Walking along the still-damp pavement after heading downstairs, he suddenly remembered Dr. Xu’s abrupt comment.

Eating pig’s trotters.

He happened to be going home to braise pig’s trotters.

Did Dr. Xu… hear his phone conversation with Ling Xiao? Did he hear those greasy “babes”?

He closed his eyes in despair. What a mess. He didn’t know how he was supposed to face Dr. Xu anymore.

Chen Kongqing returned to Tianyue Community feeling dejected. As soon as he entered the door, Ling Xiao was sitting in the living room playing games.

“You’re back. There, the pig’s trotters are on the table. Hurry up and cook them, I’m starving.”

Great. As soon as “pig’s trotters” were mentioned, he thought of Dr. Xu.

He responded listlessly.

Ling Xiao glanced over. Chen Kongqing was wearing a V-neck sweater, his jacket was wet, and he was limping slightly: “What’s wrong? Does your leg hurt again?”

Chen Kongqing shook his head: “I fell just now. Scraped some skin.”

“Why weren’t you more careful?” Ling Xiao said with a hint of blame in his voice.

“How am I supposed to be careful about falling?” Chen Kongqing didn’t know why, but he was becoming less and less tolerant of Ling Xiao. In the past, he never would have talked back.

Ling Xiao was stunned but didn’t lose his temper: “What’s wrong with you?”

Ling Xiao seemed to have changed too; in the past, he definitely would have flared up.

“I’m fine, I’m going to cook.” Chen Kongqing lowered his eyes and took the bag of pig’s trotters into the kitchen.

He couldn’t help but wonder—why was Ling Xiao’s temper getting better? Was it because he really wanted a serious relationship? Or was it because… he was seeing someone else and felt guilty?

The kitchen tap hissed as the water ran. He washed the trotters absently.

At some point, Ling Xiao walked over to his side. Ling Xiao almost never entered the kitchen before. Chen Kongqing paused his hands and looked at him sideways.

The man was wearing a red hoodie, his posture tall and his face handsome as ever: “Where are you hurt?”

“Just on my leg. I’ve already applied medicine,” the youth replied.

Ling Xiao: “Then… let me help you with something. Should I peel the garlic?”

The youth didn’t say anything, only stared at him with those clear, clean eyes.

Ling Xiao couldn’t deny that Chen Kongqing was beautiful; otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked to be together in the first place. His looks and figure were enough to make anyone envious. His personality was soft, he was a great caretaker, and he was a fantastic cook.

The more Ling Xiao thought about it, the more he felt like he wasn’t losing out. It was a good deal.

But why did this “sponge” look at him so differently now? It was nothing like before. There was a cold edge to his gaze.

“Ling Xiao,” Chen Kongqing spoke, his expression tense.

A flash of panic crossed the man’s eyes: “W-what is it?”

Chen Kongqing: “We are in a relationship, right?”

Ling Xiao: “Yeah.”

“I think the most important thing in a relationship is loyalty.” The youth spoke word for word, a mist appearing in his eyes. “What do you think?”

“O-of course,” the man rubbed his nose. “Isn’t that the most basic thing?”

“It is the most basic thing.” Chen Kongqing looked at the cloudy water in the glass bowl after washing the trotters. “I think trust is also basic, so…”

Ling Xiao lowered his hand, gripping the hem of his hoodie: “W-what?”

The youth stared at him, those cold eyes seemingly able to see right through him: “As long as you say you haven’t, I’ll believe you.”

“Haven’t what?” Ling Xiao let go of his hoodie and leaned against the counter instead, his voice getting louder: “Are you suspecting me of cheating? You don’t trust me?”

He seemed angry. Chen Kongqing began to feel uncertain—had he wronged him?

“I just…” He wanted to explain.

Ling Xiao continued, his eyes avoiding the youth: “I’m exhausted from training every day, where would I have the time to cheat? My competition is coming up soon, and you’re still upsetting me like this.”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Chen Kongqing frowned; he didn’t want to upset anyone. “I… I didn’t say I don’t believe you.”

“Then that’s that. I’ve definitely never done anything like that.” Ling Xiao lowered his head to start peeling garlic. “My competition is in a few days. I’ve saved a good seat for you.”

“Okay.” Chen Kongqing watched Ling Xiao clumsily peel the garlic.

Maybe Ling Xiao really did want to love him properly, which was why he was controlling his temper and helping in the kitchen. Was he being too cynical?

He thought back to their school days. He remembered Ling Xiao smiling at him with those tiger teeth. He remembered Ling Xiao pointing his fist at the people who bullied him.

And Ling Xiao telling him: “My parents aren’t around either, it’s no big deal…”

Clearly, the person beside him was still that same boy. Why was he hesitating? Why didn’t he dare to believe? He should believe him.

…

That meal of pig’s trotters left his mind in a jumble; he couldn’t settle his heart at all. Ling Xiao didn’t stay long after dinner before rushing back to training.

Before leaving, he uncharacteristically said goodbye: “I’m going to training, the coach is rushing me. Next week is all closed-door training, so I won’t be back. Don’t start overthinking things again.”

Chen Kongqing poked his head out from the kitchen: “Okay…”

Ling Xiao looked at that round head and suddenly felt his blood run hot. At that moment, the electronic watch on his wrist lit up with a message notification.

Cheng Jing: [Not coming over yet?]

The man pursed his lips and turned to leave: “I’m off.”

Chen Kongqing watched the front door close. The large space was once again empty, with only him left.

After washing the dishes and taking his medicine, he didn’t shower—afraid of getting the wound wet—and simply wiped himself down. Then, he crawled into the cold bed alone. His constitution wasn’t great; his hands and feet were always cold in winter, and he could never seem to get warm in bed.

As he dozed off, his muddled brain suddenly remembered something. He had forgotten to message Dr. Xu to say he was home.

The youth scrambled for his phone and found two unread messages.

Lnk: [Are you home?] 19:35 Lnk: [Not yet?] 20:02

Just as he was about to type, a voice call invitation popped up. It was from Dr. Xu.

He picked up quickly: “Dr. Xu, I’m so sorry, I forgot to check my phone. I’m already in bed.”

The voice on the other end was deep, sounding brittle and somewhat “cracked”: “Then… is it convenient to talk?”

“It’s convenient. What is it, Dr. Xu?” Hearing his tone, Chen Kongqing couldn’t help but feel worried. He had never heard Dr. Xu sound so dejected. “Did something happen?”

The male voice on the phone paused. “Are you… sleeping alone?”