Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: “Dr. Xu, I’m a Little Sad.”

Xu Jingmo pushed the shopping cart, dressed in sophisticated but understated clothing. However, because his height and appearance far exceeded the average, he still drew people’s eyes instantly.

Ling Xiao froze in his tracks the moment he saw Xu Jingmo.

He was stuck on the answer the man had just provided—the answer he had been hounding Chen Kongqing for, only to hear it from Xu Jingmo’s mouth.

How did Xu Jingmo know?

“Dr. Xu…” Chen Kongqing looked up and walked quickly toward the man, his voice regaining a spark of energy.

It was a vitality completely absent when he had been speaking to Ling Xiao.

“Why did you run off here?” Xu Jingmo looked down at the Rabbit approaching him, his lips curving into a smile. He naturally reached out to take the two boxes of cherries from the Rabbit’s hands. “Are they heavy?”

The Rabbit shook his head. “Not heavy, just a few pounds.”

Ling Xiao didn’t want to admit it, but the atmosphere between the two was far too seamless; he couldn’t even find a gap to wedge himself into the conversation.

The cherries were placed into the cart Xu Jingmo was pushing.

Ling Xiao’s expression dazed as a realization hit him.

The two in front of him weren’t just acquaintances; they had come here together.

He remembered his conversation with Xu Jingmo at the cafe, where Xu had said he was going back to eat pig’s trotters made by Chen Kongqing.

At the time, he hadn’t believed it.

“Should we buy some filling to wrap dumplings, or wait until New Year’s Eve?” Xu Jingmo asked, seemingly casual, about the dumpling filling.

Ling Xiao narrowed his eyes.

He happened to catch the smug, triumphant look in the man’s eyes.

He understood instantly—Xu Jingmo wasn’t just making small talk.

He was using this method to let Ling Xiao know:

On New Year’s Eve, Chen Kongqing would be with him.

Ling Xiao ground his molars. “Chen Kongqing, where… where are you living now?”

He had wanted to ask this for a long time but never had the chance.

Or rather, he was afraid.

Afraid of the answer.

Chen Kongqing didn’t even turn around to look at him. “What does that have to do with you?”

“I just want to know…” Ling Xiao’s voice grew hoarse. “I just want to know… don’t worry, I won’t come to disturb you.”

The Rabbit’s face was filled with coldness and impatience. “You are disturbing me right now.”

“Shall we go look at the seafood?” Xu Jingmo asked Chen Kongqing, his tone incredibly gentle.

The gloom in the Rabbit’s eyes faded slightly as he nodded. “Okay.”

“You go ahead. I’ll be right there,” Xu Jingmo said with a smile.

Chen Kongqing sensed that Dr. Xu was likely trying to lead him away so he could speak to Ling Xiao alone.

That was fine; he truly had no desire to communicate with Ling Xiao further.

The Rabbit nodded, but then, as if thinking of something, he leaned close to the man’s ear and whispered a warning: “Don’t fight.”

Xu Jingmo looked down and nodded.

Only then did the Rabbit leave, though he still felt a bit uneasy.

Watching their intimate interaction, Ling Xiao felt like his teeth were about to shatter from clenching them. He stepped forward to follow.

Unsurprisingly, his path was blocked a second later.

Xu Jingmo stood across from him, his expression indifferent.

Ling Xiao said coldly, “Move.”

“Is that any way to speak to an elder?” Xu Jingmo wasn’t annoyed; instead, he curled his lips.

Like a victor flaunting his success.

Ling Xiao clenched his fists. “Is there any elder who acts like you? Stealing a junior’s boyfriend?”

“If you have the capability, you can.” Xu Jingmo’s tone remained flat, even carrying a hint of arrogance.

He wasn’t even acting anymore.

This made Ling Xiao tremble with rage. “You’re so f*cking shameless.”

Xu Jingmo acted as if he hadn’t heard. He arched an eyebrow. “Weren’t you asking where Chen Kongqing lives?”

With that question and that expression, Ling Xiao already knew the answer—the worst possible answer. “Xu Jingmo…”

“That’s right. He’s living in my house now.” Xu Jingmo took a slow step forward, his eyes landing on Ling Xiao’s clenched fist.

Xu Jingmo smiled, lazily lifting his eyelids. “I’m looking forward to you making a move.”

If he got injured, the Rabbit would take care of him, touch him, and comfort him.

He couldn’t wait for this idiot to throw a punch.

Ling Xiao almost swung. Even though he realized Xu Jingmo’s trick, he still almost couldn’t help himself. “You want to play the victim in front of Chen Kongqing again? Keep dreaming, Xu Jingmo.”

The smile remained on Xu Jingmo’s lips. “You’ve grown smarter.”

“Xu Jingmo, what use are all your tricks? Even if Chen Kongqing lives with you, it’s not as a couple, is it?” Ling Xiao seemed to finally find a weak point. “You’re just ‘Dr. Xu.’ What is there to be proud of?”

Perhaps he hadn’t missed the mark; the piercing smile on Xu Jingmo’s face vanished.

His lips thinned into a straight line.

Ling Xiao laughed instead, his tongue pressing against the inside of his lip.

The atmosphere between the two was tense and subtle.

Chen Kongqing, unaware of this, was pacing aimlessly back and forth in the seafood section.

He was worried—would Dr. Xu and Ling Xiao have another conflict?

Would Dr. Xu come out on the losing end?

He checked the time on his phone; ten minutes had passed.

Dr. Xu still hadn’t come over.

The Rabbit bit his lip and decided that if Dr. Xu wasn’t back in five minutes, he would go find him.

A few seconds later, a familiar voice drifted into his ear. “Did you buy anything?”

Chen Kongqing turned his head and saw the familiar figure.

His gaze scanned the man—first his face, then his arms… his hands.

Confirming that Xu Jingmo wasn’t injured.

Only then did he feel relieved.

“What are you looking at?” Xu Jingmo raised an eyebrow, clearly asking what he already knew.

The Rabbit pursed his lips. “Checking to see if you guys fought.”

Xu Jingmo’s eyes flickered. A ridiculous question popped into his mind.

He actually wanted to ask the Rabbit: Were you worried I’d get hurt, or were you worried about Ling Xiao?

Even though he had personally heard the Rabbit say he didn’t like Ling Xiao on the day he faked being drunk.

He still… had such absurd thoughts.

…

It wasn’t until they returned to the apartment that Chen Kongqing noticed something was wrong with Dr. Xu.

He was a bit quiet.

A bit… unhappy.

He couldn’t help but wonder: Is it because of Ling Xiao?

Ling Xiao truly was someone who spoiled one’s appetite.

He hadn’t noticed it before—perhaps his “filters” were too thick—but now he realized how annoying Ling Xiao was.

He thought maybe Dr. Xu was also bothered by Ling Xiao’s pestering.

After dinner, the two decorated the apartment together. They put up spring couplets and small lanterns on the front door, and placed the essential New Year calamondin trees (kumquats) in the house.

The Rabbit even decorated Black Cat Detective’s cat bed.

Now it truly felt like the New Year was coming.

The local specialties Su Jingjing sent had arrived too—delicacies from Nancheng.

Sausages, cured meats, and such, but no dumplings. Dumplings wouldn’t survive the express delivery.

“Dr. Xu, you’re off on New Year’s Eve, right?” He knew a doctor’s schedule was different from regular jobs; they often had to be on call during holidays.

Xu Jingmo, who had finished arranging the kumquats, slowly straightened up. He paused. “I’m not sure yet. The schedule isn’t out.”

In fact, he had worked the shift last year, so he had already applied for and received consecutive New Year leave this year.

But he really wanted to know: If he couldn’t spend New Year’s Eve with the Rabbit, how would the Rabbit react?

Would there be a hint—just a tiny hint—of disappointment?

“Okay, that’s fine,” Chen Kongqing, crouching by the cat bed, replied obediently. “If you’re on duty, I can make an extra portion of food. You can eat it when you get back.”

But in those willow-leaf eyes, a pool of disappointment leaked out uncontrollably.

Didn’t you promise to spend New Year with me?

Beneath the disappointment, there was even a flicker of anger.

But the Rabbit quickly withdrew that spark of anger.

Dr. Xu took such good care of him; he shouldn’t be so narrow-minded.

After all, it was a work arrangement, an act of god; he should be understanding.

Xu Jingmo’s eyes also dimmed suddenly. He gave a faint “Mm.”

How can this Rabbit be so stoic?

For the next few days, it stayed like this.

It seemed nothing had changed, and both thought they were overthinking things.

Until the night before New Year’s Eve.

While Chen Kongqing was playing with Black Cat Detective using a cat teaser, he asked seemingly casually, “Dr. Xu… is the schedule out?”

Xu Jingmo sat at the other end of the sofa, buried in a psychology magazine.

The moment Chen Kongqing spoke, the words in the magazine lost all attraction.

Is the Rabbit… concerned?

Xu Jingmo felt his throat tighten.

It felt like he was about to go on a “Truth or Dare” adventure. “A colleague is getting married during the holiday, so tomorrow… I might have to go on duty.”

“Oh…” The cat teaser in the Rabbit’s hand dropped suddenly. Black Cat Detective instantly pounced on it, the bell jingling.

Chen Kongqing spoke again a beat late, his tone very polite. “Okay, that’s fine.”

Afterward, the living room was left with only the sound of the bell and the cat’s meowing.

…

That night, Xu Jingmo lay in bed, wide awake. It felt like he’d been injected with five doses of adrenaline; he couldn’t close his eyes.

The Rabbit didn’t seem disappointed at all that he couldn’t spend New Year with him.

When he faked being drunk, the Rabbit hadn’t said he wanted to spend New Year with him either.

He only said he wanted to spend it with that cow cat whose mental state needed a psychiatric referral.

As for himself, it seemed he was the one pestering the Rabbit.

The Rabbit was so sweet and kind; of course he wouldn’t refuse.

But not refusing didn’t mean the Rabbit needed him.

Or rather…

It didn’t mean the Rabbit liked him.

The man’s gaze grew deeper. The heater continuously pumped warmth into the room.

Yet the temperature in the bedroom simply wouldn’t rise.

Suddenly, a couple of muffled knocks sounded at the door.

Xu Jingmo startled.

At this hour, it wasn’t exactly early, but not too late either.

But there was only one person who would knock on his bedroom door at this time.

The man flipped out of bed and strode to the door.

But during the time the Rabbit had lived here, he had never set foot on the second floor.

The man’s Adam’s apple rolled.

He thought to himself: If he opened the door and it was that stinky cow cat, he would decide not to give the stupid cat a New Year’s gift tomorrow.

His hand touched the metal doorknob. His breathing faltered for a moment.

The handle was pressed down.

Before him stood Chen Kongqing, wearing pajamas patterned with little carrots.

He was sure he wasn’t hallucinating.

“Dr. Xu.” Chen Kongqing had a knot of frustration in his chest that made him feel uncomfortable all over. “Sorry to disturb you now.”

“It’s okay. I wasn’t asleep yet.” Xu Jingmo leaned against the doorframe, still wearing the silk pajamas Chen Kongqing had once worn. “Is something wrong?”

The Rabbit bit his lip, as if gathering strength.

Those willow-leaf eyes were shimmering with moisture. His expression held a trace of sadness, but not just sadness—he also seemed a little angry, his cheeks puffed out.

Seeing this, Xu Jingmo grew nervous again. “Did something happen?”

“Nothing happened.” Chen Kongqing finally spoke, his eyes full of complex emotions as they met Xu Jingmo’s. “It’s just, I wanted to say… actually, it’s not ‘fine’.”

“Dr. Xu, you’re not spending New Year with me again. I’m a little angry.” When the Rabbit said this, he was huffing with indignation. But immediately after, his gaze dropped, and his voice softened.

“And a little sad.”