Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: “Which Classmate? A Boy?”

Fireworks exploded one after another near his ears.

The Rabbit was still staring out the window. But he wasn’t oblivious; he had heard it. He heard everything Xu Jingmo said.

That voice was so pleasant, and the tone was so gentle. So tenderly and firmly, he had spoken of “the future” and “every year.”

The Rabbit kept his willow-leaf eyes open, the chestnut-colored pupils reflecting the brilliant fireworks.

Fireworks that could only be brilliant for a single second.

Clusters of blossoming fire flickered against the long, pitch-black night. But within three seconds, they would vanish completely, leaving nothing behind.

In those eyes lit by the fire, a layer of loneliness settled—a loneliness unique to the silent night that remains once the spectacle ends.

The sound of the fireworks gradually stopped, and the surroundings returned to tranquility. The Rabbit, who hadn’t spoken or turned away for a long time, finally looked back at this moment.

The Rabbit’s fleshy-pink lips curved up, revealing a very happy, satisfied smile: “Dr. Xu, I also wish you a Happy New Year.”

The Rabbit was clearly smiling, his eyes curving into crescents. But for some reason, Xu Jingmo felt that there was a trace of bitterness in that smile.

It was an indescribable sensation. Moreover, the Rabbit hadn’t answered his words about the future; instead, he had jumped straight to the holiday greeting.

Xu Jingmo’s Adam’s apple rolled slightly; he wanted to ask something.

But Chen Kongqing used those sparkling eyes to face him and said, seemingly from the bottom of his heart: “Dr. Xu, you are just like the fireworks.”

“Why am I like fireworks?” Xu Jingmo arched an eyebrow.

The Rabbit paused before answering: “You make people feel… very happy, very satisfied.”

Even if that happiness only lasts a few seconds.

But even if it’s only a few seconds, Chen Kongqing feels it’s enough. He is content.

Xu Jingmo knew this was a sincere compliment from the Rabbit. But truly, it sounded like a confession. He shamelessly wanted to record this as the first “love talk” the Rabbit had ever said to him.

Xu Jingmo curled his lips, not hiding his mood: “Then you are far too easily satisfied.”

“Is that so?” Chen Kongqing didn’t hold back and added another: “I think it’s because Dr. Xu is too good.”

So good that selfish and greedy thoughts were starting to sprout in his mind. For example, he truly hoped that every year in the future, Dr. Xu could spend the New Year with him.

But on what grounds?

Why should Dr. Xu spend the New Year with him? Was there any law or regulation stating a primary physician must accompany their patient? Or a landlord their tenant? Or even a friend their friend?

It all seemed forced. It all seemed inappropriate.

Dr. Xu even had a connection to Ling Xiao. But with himself, there was no official tie at all.

Although Dr. Xu had said words like “the future” and “every year,” he instinctively felt it was just polite social talk. One couldn’t take it seriously. It was a sentence where the speaker might not mean it, and the listener shouldn’t hold onto it.

The Rabbit decided not to think about it anymore. It was New Year’s Eve; at least today he was happy. As for everything else, he would wait until next year to worry.

After dinner, Chen Kongqing began preparing the New Year’s Eve feast for “Black Cat Detective.”

It was a giant cake made of canned food, adorned with cat strips and dried fish.

“Little Meow, this is our first New Year together. We’ll spend every year together from now on, okay?” Chen Kongqing pushed the canned food, decorated with boiled carrots and small fish, toward the cat’s mouth.

“Meow, meow~”

Black Cat Detective actually resisted the temptation of the big cake. Instead of burying its head in food, it trotted over to his leg and rubbed against him. It seemed to be saying: “Okay, human.”

Chen Kongqing felt his heart melting for this cow cat. He reached out to rub its fluffy head: “Thank you, Little Meow.”

“Meow~” “Eat up, eat up…”

Xu Jingmo stood not far away, holding a plate of sliced fruit, taking in the whole scene.

Chen Kongqing hadn’t made any promises for the future with him. He had even automatically skipped over what Xu had said about the future. And then, he turned around and made a pact for the future with this neurotic cow cat.

So, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t jealous. But to be jealous of a cat…

Xu Jingmo lowered his eyelids, staring at the cow cat eating heartily. That cow cat… that had everything.

Chen Kongqing got up from the floor, turned his head, and saw Xu Jingmo standing there silently. For some reason, he suddenly felt the temperature in the living room drop several degrees. It felt chilly.

The Rabbit couldn’t help but tuck in his neck.

“Are you cold?” The man, who hadn’t spoken, said hollowly. He walked to the wall and turned up the heater.

Afterward, they sat together naturally to watch the Spring Festival Gala, waiting for the midnight bell. Chen Kongqing felt like he hadn’t seriously watched the Gala in years. Looking at it now… it was so boring.

He was so bored he let out several yawns.

“Sleepy?” Xu Jingmo turned his gaze slightly toward the Rabbit, whose eyes were almost closed. “If you’re sleepy, go to sleep first. I’ll wake you later.”

The Rabbit suddenly snapped his eyes half-open and shook his head: “No… we wait together.”

The ritual of waiting for midnight was something he maintained every year. Even when he spent the New Year alone, he never skipped it. It was a mark of respect for the New Year, a belief that the new year would surely be better. He thought this way every year, and indeed, every New Year, he ended up in a better place.

Xu Jingmo said warmly: “Okay.”

Chen Kongqing persisted for a little longer, but during an awkward comedy sketch, he finally closed his eyes completely.

The Rabbit fell asleep. His breathing became light and long.

There had been a small distance between them. But after falling asleep, the Rabbit’s head tilted over—like a New Year’s gift for Xu Jingmo.

The Rabbit tilted perfectly onto the man’s shoulder. His hair must have been freshly washed, carrying a faint scent of shampoo; the fluffy strands brushed against the man’s neck.

It was itchy, and a temperature that didn’t belong to him covered his skin.

Xu Jingmo sat perfectly straight, not daring to shift an inch. He was worried that if he moved, the Rabbit would wake up. He hoped this moment could last a little longer, and then a little longer.

His nose was gradually filled with the scent of herbs. Xu Jingmo could no longer hear the noise from the TV or the rustling of the maple trees outside the window. His world had stopped. He could only hear the Rabbit’s shallow breathing and feel the weight on his shoulder.

The man moved very lightly and slowly, trying not to involve other muscles. He very slowly reached out his hand. His gaze followed, tilting downward.

He wanted to touch the Rabbit.

The Rabbit’s cheeks had become a bit rounder lately; the little bit of hidden flesh looked very soft. The Rabbit’s skin was also very thin; when he was shy, embarrassed, or too hot, two clusters of tender pink would float onto his cheeks. It was excessively cute.

Just thinking about Chen Kongqing blushing made Xu Jingmo’s lips curl. His fingertips were about to touch the soft cheek.

Ding. Ding-ding. Vibrate—

An unusual vibration hit Chen Kongqing’s pocket. The Rabbit knitted his elegant brows and opened his hazy eyes.

Almost the exact instant before the Rabbit opened his eyes, Xu Jingmo quickly retracted his hand and hurriedly pulled his gaze back.

“Mm…” Chen Kongqing lifted his head, realizing belatedly that he had been sleeping on Dr. Xu’s shoulder.

Just now in his dream, he had dreamed he was napping on a huge, bouncy taro ball. So it wasn’t a taro ball.

Luckily the phone vibrated, otherwise, he might have dreamed about “taking a bite” out of that taro ball…

The Rabbit’s cheeks were now covered in a layer of pink. He awkwardly pulled his body back, wondering what he should say.

The phone in his pocket chimed twice more: “Ding-ding.”

Chen Kongqing had no choice but to take out his phone: “I’ll… reply to a message.”

Xu Jingmo: “Okay.”

Chen Kongqing unlocked his phone and opened the green app. It was New Year’s greetings from Su Jingjing and some friends.

Mom: [Xiao Man, have you eaten? Did you wrap dumplings yourself?]

Chen Kongqing sent over the photo he had taken of the meal.

Azurite: [I’ve eaten, I ate with a friend. /[Grin]]

Then he went on to reply to other friends. Among them, he was a bit surprised to see a New Year message from Zhang Cheng. He wasn’t close to Zhang Cheng—they had only met a few times. He didn’t even know when they had added each other on WeChat.

But Zhang Cheng had been very loyal in hinting to him about Ling Xiao and Gu Chengjing. If Zhang Cheng hadn’t told him, he didn’t know when he would have figured it out.

Zhang Cheng: [Kongqing, Happy New Year.] Zhang Cheng: [Wishing you academic progress in the New Year.]

Azurite: [Thank you, Captain Zhang.] Azurite: [Wishing Captain Zhang a Happy New Year too!]

Zhang Cheng: [I heard you’re spending the New Year in Kun City this year?]

Chen Kongqing was a bit confused about who Zhang Cheng had heard that from, but then thought it was probably Gao Tianyou. Gao Tianyou and Zhang Cheng were good buddies.

Azurite: [Yes.]

Zhang Cheng: [Then do you want to come out and watch a movie tomorrow?] Zhang Cheng: [I’m a local, but everyone else left for the holidays, haha.] Zhang Cheng: [That New Year comedy, how about it?]

Looking at the message, Chen Kongqing was a bit flustered by this sudden invitation. He wasn’t close to Zhang Cheng, and he didn’t particularly want to go to a movie. But Zhang Cheng had helped him after all, and during previous gatherings, he always helped Chen out. If he rejected him now… it felt a bit wrong.

Chen Kongqing pursed his lips. After thinking it over, he typed: [Okay, let me book the tickets.]

Zhang Cheng: [No need, I’ve already booked them.] Zhang Cheng: [2:30 PM, Yida Plaza.]

He had originally thought he could treat him as a way of returning the favor, so it seemed he would have to buy some New Year’s gift for Zhang Cheng tomorrow.

“What message is it that you’ve been looking at for so long?” Xu Jingmo asked calmly, sounding like he was just casually mentioning it.

“No… nothing, just a classmate invited me to a movie tomorrow,” Chen Kongqing darkened the screen and said truthfully. “I was thinking about what New Year’s gift would be good to give him.”

Xu Jingmo: “…”

The man’s hand, hanging at his side, unconsciously clenched into a fist. His jaw tightened: “Which classmate? Is it a boy?”