Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: “Husband.”

Xu Jingmo’s bedroom was, of course, much larger than Chen Kongqing’s rental room. It even featured a sizeable floor-to-ceiling window. Originally, the curtains had been open, revealing the twinkling lights of Kun City—peaceful and warm, occasionally accompanied by the distant hum of traffic. Later, the curtains were closed via remote.

Only a single, vintage-style bedside lamp remained lit. Its design contrasted with the modern, minimalist decor of the room, creating a unique focal point that caught the eye.

Xu Jingmo leaned over, lightly grazing the boy’s face with his lips. Chen Kongqing gripped his arms, enduring the intimacy while his gaze drifted toward the only light source. “That lamp is so pretty.”

“Not as pretty as you,” Xu Jingmo murmured, his kisses never ceasing.

This didn’t sound like a mere compliment or a way to coax him. Xu Jingmo’s gaze was infatuated—beyond infatuated, actually; he was currently licking Chen Kongqing’s fingers, not even sparing the gaps between them.

It felt wet and warm, reminding Chen Kongqing of the way the neighbor’s golden retriever used to lick him back in the countryside. It tickled. Chen Kongqing bit his lip, trying to pull his hand back.

Xu Jingmo immediately clamped down on his wrist. Straddling Chen Kongqing’s sides, he held the rabbit’s hand and straightened his torso slightly. Chen Kongqing lay there, watching Xu Jingmo as he licked his fingers. The thin white undershirt had long been discarded, crumpled in a heap under the bed.

Xu Jingmo was now completely bare. His skin was a light wheat tone, with subtle tan lines on his arms from the sun. Chen Kongqing’s eyes were drawn to the abs that looked like segments of soft toast. He reached out with his free hand and gave them a pinch.

They weren’t as hard as he expected, but not as soft as toast either. They were firm and elastic. “How long do you have to train for this?” Chen Kongqing’s fingers traced the ridges of the muscles.

He noticed that below the navel, several blue veins were beginning to surface, pulsing against the taut muscle and disappearing beneath the waistband.

“Training isn’t the hard part; maintaining it is,” Xu Jingmo replied. He leaned down again, kissing the long line of Chen Kongqing’s neck. Not satisfied with just a kiss, he nipped at the delicate Adam’s apple.

“Your body fat must be so low, I can see the veins.” Chen Kongqing tilted his head back, voluntarily exposing his neck to the man’s lips.

“Do you like it? Or not? Whatever style you like, I’ll train to match it,” Xu Jingmo whispered against the soft flesh of the rabbit’s neck.

“I like it… I like it just like this,” Chen Kongqing answered breathlessly. His mind was already hazy from the overwhelming kisses, feeling as though he were floating.

…

Chen Kongqing was [censored].

Xu Jingmo could easily control him, making him feel as though he were dying and being reborn all at once. In his daze, he wondered why Xu Jingmo was only focusing on him. “I… I’m okay now, you should [censored].”

“We don’t have those in the house. As long as you’re comfortable, it’s fine.” Xu Jingmo said, dripping wet, preparing to climb out of bed. “I’ll go get clean sheets. You rest for a bit.”

Still immersed in the afterglow, Chen Kongqing reached out and grabbed Xu Jingmo’s wrist. “It’s… it’s okay even without them.”

“What are you saying?” Xu Jingmo laughed, kissing his hand.

“I’ll help you.” Chen Kongqing hadn’t missed it; even if he hadn’t seen it, he felt it earlier. [Censored] must be very uncomfortable. “I’m willing to help you. Don’t reject me.”

“Baby, saying those things in [censored] is very dangerous.” Xu Jingmo’s eyes darkened as he struggled to steady his breathing.

“I’m serious.” Chen Kongqing finally regained some strength and reached out through the [censored]. Xu Jingmo instantly threw his head back, exhaling a sharp, heavy breath.

…

“Kongqing, why do you look so out of it? Are you unwell?” Du Song asked, surprised to see his junior daydreaming in the lab. “Do you have a cold?”

Chen Kongqing rubbed his sore eyes and yawned. “I’m fine… just didn’t sleep well last night.”

As he spoke, it wasn’t just his eyes that were sore; his jaw felt tight too. His mouth had been very full last night—he had been “fed” quite a lot. The aftermath was a sore jaw today; it was a struggle to speak, and his voice was raspy, making him sound exactly like he had a cold.

“Maybe you should take the day off. Your eyes are really swollen,” Du Song said with concern. “You already submitted your competition entry. Give yourself a two-day break.”

Chen Kongqing nodded. In truth, his eyes were swollen from the uncontrollable tears last night. He didn’t even know why he was crying; it wasn’t sadness. It was purely… physiological.

At the thought, he closed his eyes, only to be met with images he shouldn’t be thinking about. It seemed he really couldn’t do experiments today. He decided to go home early.

…

He hadn’t been home all night. Although he had left plenty of food and water for Black Cat Sheriff, the cat was clearly displeased. The moment it saw him, it glared with its round, grape-like eyes and let out two angry meows.

Chen Kongqing felt like a student caught sneaking out. He couldn’t explain himself. Well, he had been out all night doing “bad things.”

He knelt down to apologize to the cat. “I’ll give you a big cat treat today. Don’t be mad.”

“Meow!” Having outgrown its awkward phase and become a large black cat, Sheriff clearly didn’t think one treat was enough. It negotiated by stepping on Chen Kongqing’s chest with its paws.

The pressure wasn’t heavy, but Chen Kongqing winced in pain. Because his chest had been… bitten last night. Even the friction of his clothes hurt, let alone a cat’s paw.

Sheriff seemed to sense his discomfort and pulled back, licking his cheek instead. “Meow~”

“It wasn’t you. Someone else bit me. It’s not your fault.” Chen Kongqing carried the cat to the shelf, tearing open a treat. The black cat used a paw to steady the treat and began licking with its pink tongue.

Just as he settled the cat, his phone started buzzing. He didn’t even need to look to know it was Xu Jingmo.

Lnk: [Just finished my clinic.] Lnk: [Still at the lab?] Lnk: [Pick you up?] Lnk: [Come to my place, I’ll make dinner.] Lnk: [Why aren’t you answering, baby?] Lnk: [Wife?]

When those two characters—”Wife”—hit Chen Kongqing’s eyes, he felt a brief moment of blindness. As if he’d been dazzled by a flashbang. How can he say that so casually… He almost threw the phone.

The messages kept coming. Lnk: [Wife?] Lnk: [Why are you ignoring me? /(pouting emoji)/] Lnk: [I’m off work. If you don’t speak, I’ll assume you’re still in the lab.]

Chen Kongqing hurriedly typed: [I’m back at my rental, not the lab.] Lnk: [So early today.] Chen Kongqing didn’t want to admit his concentration was shot because of last night’s “aftereffects,” so he just sent an “Mm.” Lnk: [Shall I pick you up?] Azurite: [Where to?] Lnk: [Dinner? Or my place, I’ll cook.] Azurite: [I’ll just grab something simple.] Azurite: [Not going to your place.] Azurite: [If I go back there, Sheriff will lose it. I just finished bribing him.]

The black ball of fur in his lap flicked its tail, like a silent warning. Lnk: [Then I’ll bring some food over to you.] Azurite: [No need, I can just make noodles here. It’s convenient.]

Xu Jingmo didn’t say anything more. Chen Kongqing thought he wasn’t coming. Half an hour later, Xu Jingmo was standing at the door with bags of food.

Chen Kongqing was initially touched; he really needed a lover who couldn’t be driven away. Until… Xu Jingmo opened his mouth and asked if his jaw was sore and said he “worked hard” last night.

Chen Kongqing: “…” The romantic atmosphere vanished, replaced by mental R-rated clutter.

…

Over the next few days, Xu Jingmo went on a short business trip. It was the first time they hadn’t seen each other for over 72 hours. Chen Kongqing spent his time between the lab and his rental. They texted and video-called at night, but Chen Kongqing still missed him. He missed the sight of Xu Jingmo waiting outside the building for him, usually in a dark cashmere coat or a crisp jacket.

Fortunately, he was busy with schoolwork. However, lately, he had started dreaming about those phoenix eyes again. The dreams were becoming more detailed. He saw a park, then moved indoors. He saw a pair of well-defined hands handing him a large carrot plushie. In the dream, he was very small, hugging the carrot and spinning around.

He tried to see the owner of those hands, to see the face, but he saw nothing. The person in the dream turned to leave, leaving only a back for him to chase. He chased while crying.

Chen Kongqing woke up with a start, staring at the old ceiling of his rental. He was breathing heavily, looking at the carrot plushie beside him. It was identical to the one in his dream. He touched the soft green leaves on the carrot’s head. His breathing leveled out, and he realized the corners of his eyes were wet.

He didn’t tell Xu Jingmo about the dream. Xu Jingmo was already sensitive about the “eye” thing. If he got jealous of a “faceless man” in a dream, it would be even more complicated. But he couldn’t help wondering: Did that person really exist? Is it related to my missing memories?

That day, his mother, Su Jingjing, called. They had a monthly check-in. Usually, it was small talk, but today Chen Kongqing asked: “Mom, do you remember a plushie I had when I was little? The carrot one I still have?”

Su Jingjing paused for several seconds. “I have some memory of it. Why?”

“Do you know where it came from? Who gave it to me?”

Su Jingjing went quiet again. “Xiao Man, are you remembering something?”

“No… I just keep dreaming about it.”

His mother’s voice hesitated. “If you don’t remember, then don’t think about it. It’s better to forget the past. The doctor said your amnesia was a subconscious choice. Maybe remembering it… would make you unhappy.”

A subconscious choice? Chen Kongqing bit his lip. Did I choose to forget because I was so, so sad? If it made his younger self that sad, should his adult self remember it?

…

The day was humid and rainy. Xu Jingmo messaged him about a heavy rain warning. Azurite: [I’m already home.] (He sent a photo of the cat and his books.) Lnk: [Good.] Azurite: [When are you coming back?] Lnk: [Miss me?] Lnk: [Baby.] Azurite: [.] Lnk: [Call me ‘husband’ and I’ll be back immediately.] Azurite: [Liar.] Lnk: [Husband doesn’t lie.] Azurite: […] Lnk: [Try saying it once?] Azurite: [What if you don’t show up?] Lnk: [Then I’m at my ‘wife’s’ mercy.]

It was just typing, after all. Chen Kongqing bit his lip and typed: [Husband.] Lnk: [Wife, open the door.]

Chen Kongqing froze. He looked at the closed door. There was no sound. But he picked up the cat and walked over anyway. Click. The door opened inch by inch, and a tall figure appeared.

“How… are you really here?” Chen Kongqing hopped toward him. The cat sniffed the man and let out a meow of recognition.

“I told you your husband doesn’t lie.” Xu Jingmo smiled, carrying bags of food. “Just got off the plane, bought some food downstairs, and came straight here. Glad you’re home.”

Chen Kongqing stepped aside to let him in, too surprised to be shy. This was the first time Xu Jingmo had called himself “husband” outside of the bedroom. He set the cat down and went to pour water.

“Have you eaten?” Xu Jingmo asked, laying out the containers. It was past dinner time, and Chen Kongqing admitted he hadn’t. Xu Jingmo frowned. “I’m not here for a few days and you don’t eat properly?”

“I was about to make noodles.” Chen Kongqing handed him the water. “Drink.”

The containers were filled with his favorites: braised eggplant, pork chops, and lettuce. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?” “Wanted to surprise my wife. When are you going to say it out loud?” The rabbit refused to speak, burying his face in his food.

After dinner, Xu Jingmo went to the sink to wash some peaches and blood oranges he’d bought. Chen Kongqing, having spent the whole meal mentally preparing, walked over. The water was running.

“Almost done, wait a second,” Xu Jingmo said. Chen Kongqing didn’t leave. He stepped into the small kitchen, walked behind Xu Jingmo, and wrapped his arms around the man’s lean waist.

“Husband.”

Xu Jingmo, holding a ripe peach, froze. Chen Kongqing pressed his face against the man’s back. For a moment, Xu Jingmo forgot to wash the fruit. Outside, the gloomy weather seemed to brighten instantly.

Suddenly, a phone rang in the living room. It was Xu Jingmo’s. Chen Kongqing, finding an escape, let go. “I’ll see who it is!” He ran to the table.

“What’s the password?” Chen Kongqing asked. He’d never looked at the man’s phone and didn’t want to seem intrusive. “Or maybe you should—”

“Your birthday,” the man’s voice drifted from the kitchen.

Chen Kongqing paused. My birthday? He hadn’t told him. Was it from his medical records? He entered the date. The phone unlocked. “It’s a WeChat message. I’m opening it.” “Go ahead.”

He clicked on the app. His chat was pinned at the very top—the only one pinned. Chen Kongqing suppressed a smile. Then, he saw his nickname:

「Xiao Man 🥕」

Xiao Man. How did he know that? That was his childhood nickname. Aside from his mother, no one else knew it.

Chen Kongqing’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, images from his dream flashed through his mind—the phoenix eyes, the park. A clear child’s voice echoed in his ears:

“Jingmo-gege, where are you going?”