Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: “Let me help you.”

He pulled his hand away in a panicked rush, the sound of bedsheets rustling against his skin. Following closely behind was a surge of dampness and hollowness that flooded his palm the moment it lost that clinging warmth.

The sense of moisture in his palm grew more intense.

Chen Kongqing tucked his hands back under the quilt, his fingers rubbing hard against his palm. “Sor… sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Xu Jingmo slowly raised his gaze, the corners of his eyes lifting slightly. “Do you feel any better now?”

The youth nodded, instinctively pursing his lips. He was still thinking about the fact that he had been holding Dr. Xu’s hand. So, it was because I was clutching him that he couldn’t leave, right?

Suddenly, the man’s hand reached out. It entered his field of vision carrying that faint, lingering scent of Earl Grey tea.

Because his body craved touch so desperately, Chen Kongqing became even more guarded against physical contact when he was conscious to avoid losing control. This time was no exception.

He instinctively flinched backward.

The man’s hand retracted just a split second before it would have touched the youth’s forehead. “Apologies. I was just focused on trying to check your temperature.”

Damn.

What was I saying?

“I’ll go get the thermometer.” Looking somewhat chagrined, the man lowered his gaze and stood up hurriedly to find it.

In bed, Chen Kongqing blinked, watching Xu Jingmo’s solitary busy figure with a bit of confusion. He sat up slowly, leaning against the headboard. His gaze drifted until he spotted the thermometer right there by the bed.

Wasn’t the thermometer right here?

He pressed the power button, tucked the thermometer under his arm, and tried to tell Dr. Xu. However, his throat was too raspy, and his limited volume failed to catch the man’s attention.

A few minutes later, Dr. Xu walked back in, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought the thermometer was in the living room. I’m a bit muddled.”

“It’s here. I’ve finished measuring,” the youth answered quickly. He relaxed his arm and pulled out the device.

The man stepped closer. “Still hot?”

Chen Kongqing obediently handed it over. “The fever is gone.”

Xu Jingmo took the thermometer and glanced at the reading: 37.2°C.

“Thank you, Cousin, for taking care of me all night. I… I’m fine now. You should go back and rest.” Chen Kongqing noticed the bloodshot veins in the man’s eyes again; they looked even redder than a moment ago.

Xu Jingmo’s complexion was indeed poor, especially after hearing those two words: “Cousin.” He couldn’t help but wonder—is this rabbit trying to chase me away? The gloom in the depths of his eyes was hard to suppress.

The electronic thermometer let out two beeps as it auto-powered off, followed immediately by a sound that didn’t come from a machine.

Gurgle.

Upon realizing it was his stomach growling, Chen Kongqing’s cheeks suddenly flared with heat, a flush that traveled all the way to his ears. Embarrassed, he clutched the quilt over his stomach tighter, coughing to cover it up.

It only made things more awkward.

The gloom in the man’s eyes vanished completely upon seeing the two pink clouds on the “rabbit’s” face. His lips curved up naturally. “Your fever just broke. I’ll make some porridge for you.”

“No… no need,” Chen Kongqing refused immediately, looking so anxious he nearly scrambled out of bed.

“I’m hungry too. Let me eat something before I head back, Mr. Chen. I don’t have the strength to drive.” The man’s tone was sincere, and those handsome phoenix eyes didn’t hesitate to focus on the youth. “I’ll cook. You get up and wash up, then come have some porridge, okay?”

Okay?

Chen Kongqing couldn’t remember the last time someone had used such a phrasing with him. Ling Xiao never asked him “okay.” He usually just informed him of what was happening.

He spaced out for a second before finding it impossible to refuse. He nodded. “Okay.”

…

Xu Jingmo turned and left the bedroom again.

Chen Kongqing sat on the bed in a daze, instinctively picking up his phone to check his messages. Aside from group notifications, there was nothing. His life seemed to always be like this—unnoticed by anyone. His chat with his own mother had been stagnant for over a month.

His eyes grew misty. He didn’t even click on his chat with Ling Xiao; instead, he turned off the screen and slowly got out of bed. Perhaps a lingering effect of the fever, his head was still a bit dizzy.

Still, Dr. Xu was cooking right now. He should go help. With that thought, he splashed cold water on his face, finished a quick wash, and left the room.

In the small kitchen, Xu Jingmo was standing sideways, chopping vegetables. He looked even taller than Ling Xiao and likely had a habit of regular exercise; even a simple apron looked like he was a professional model for it. Because of his height, the kitchen seemed even smaller.

The knife made a rhythmic sound against the cutting board, and the pot beside him puffed out steam mixed with the fragrance of rice. Warm sunlight spilled through the window facing the stove. Chen Kongqing felt the scene looked like a painting; he was almost reluctant to step in and ruin it.

The man put the shredded carrots into a bowl, turned, and poured them into the pot. As he turned, he saw Chen Kongqing standing outside the kitchen.

The dazed Chen Kongqing snapped back to reality and stepped forward eagerly. “Cousin… is there anything I can help with?”

Xu Jingmo’s eyes flickered. He ladled a bowl of pear soup from a small pot. “Yes. Take this bowl of soup over.”

“Oh, okay.” Having received a task, the youth actively reached out to take the warm pear soup, placed it on the dining table, and then walked back to the kitchen obediently, waiting for the next instruction.

Xu Jingmo was stirring the porridge, his face turning toward Chen Kongqing, whose complexion was still far from good.

The youth pursed his lips. “What’s next to…?” …to do?

Xu Jingmo: “There is. Go sit at the table.”

Though confused by the instruction, Chen Kongqing obeyed absolutely and sat down. Once seated, he watched the man in the kitchen expectantly.

Xu Jingmo turned off the stove, lifted the small pot of porridge, and brought it to the table. “Eat.” The man continued his solitary bustle, going back to fetch utensils and side dishes.

Chen Kongqing didn’t know what had happened. He had intended to help, so how had he ended up being the one being fed?

“Don’t just sit there. In this weather, it gets cold easily.” Xu Jingmo placed the side dishes in front of him and sat down opposite him. “Ingredients in the fridge were limited. You’ll have to make do.”

Chen Kongqing licked his lips. Before picking up his chopsticks, he said sincerely once more, “Thank you so much… Cousin.”

“Was the ‘thank you’ before fake?” Xu Jingmo raised his eyes slightly, a brow arching.

“No,” Chen Kongqing denied a bit frantically. “It was… it was all real.”

the man’s lips quirked into a very small smile. Chen Kongqing didn’t dare look up, so he didn’t see Xu Jingmo smiling. He lowered his head and took a sip of the pear soup. It was warm but not scalding, feeling wonderful as it slid down his throat.

“I put some carrots in the porridge. You should like it.” Xu Jingmo naturally served a bowl of porridge for Chen Kongqing.

Looking at the neat carrot cubes, Chen Kongqing found it strange. How did “Cousin” know I liked carrots? Did his medical file even include dietary habits? He didn’t recall telling the nurse.

He didn’t have time to think further because… his phone suddenly rang.

It was Ling Xiao.

When the youth saw the caller ID, his face lit up with undeniable joy. Xu Jingmo lowered his gaze appropriately, stirring his own porridge.

“Hello, Ling Xiao.” The youth’s tone was cautious, yet filled with a bit of excitement.

Xu Jingmo couldn’t appropriately lower his hearing, so he could only continue stirring his bowl. The man on the phone didn’t sound particularly pleasant: “How are you?”

“I… my fever broke,” Chen Kongqing answered. “When are you coming back?”

Ling Xiao: “Is my cousin still there?”

Chen Kongqing instinctively looked up at the man across from him. “He… he is.”

With that look, his gaze was captured. This look wasn’t Dr. Xu’s usual faint, polite gaze. Instead, it possessed a certain intensity. Chen Kongqing didn’t know how to describe it; it was as if the man were trying to stare right through him.

He couldn’t help but swallow. Ling Xiao was still talking in his ear, but for once, he couldn’t focus on Ling Xiao’s words, to the point where he didn’t hear a single syllable.

Not until the voice on the phone grew increasingly irritable: “Hello? Are you there?”

“Ah, I… I’m here.” Chen Kongqing snapped back to reality and quickly lowered his head, dodging that powerful gaze.

Ling Xiao’s tone was already terrible: “If you’re better, get my brother to go back and rest already.”

Chen Kongqing asked softly, “Um… then when are you coming ba—”

“Tsk… I’ll be back when I’m free.”

The call was hung up the next second without surprise.

Chen Kongqing knew that at this distance, Xu Jingmo could hear the contents of the call. Consequently, he almost buried his face in his bowl.

A few seconds later, Xu Jingmo spoke up: “Eat.”

“Mm…” The youth nodded and began eating slowly.

Actually, the porridge tasted great, and it had his favorite carrots. He had been starving just a moment ago, but for some reason, he felt full after just a few bites. His body began to react again—that abnormal heat and itch.

After finishing the porridge, he hurried to the balcony, hoping the breeze would clear his head. After about ten minutes, the heat and itch on his skin finally subsided. He walked back into the living room.

Xu Jingmo had already finished the cleaning. He had taken off the apron and was standing at the entryway, preparing to leave. “There’s more pear soup in the pot. Remember to drink it.”

“Okay.” Chen Kongqing nodded and stepped forward. “Cousin, are… are you leaving?”

He hadn’t controlled his tone well; he sounded a bit anxious to confirm. In truth, his mood was poor, though he didn’t know why. Perhaps it was the thought that once Dr. Xu left, he would be alone in the apartment again. That feeling of emptiness and loneliness breached his heart first.

Damn it. The urge he had just suppressed was surging back up.

He couldn’t help but clench his fists. Fearing he would look too abnormal, he silently put his hands behind his back, standing still and making small adjustments to his breathing.

The man put on his shoes, his hand already on the door handle. He gave a muffled “Mm” through clenched teeth.

Click.

The door popped open slightly. Unable to help himself, he turned back to look at Chen Kongqing. The youth was dressed thinly, yet he had gone out into the wind; his face and chest were flushed, his hands strangely hidden behind his back. The red on his face carried a hint of something abnormal.

Chen Kongqing knew he should step forward to see him off. He endured the discomfort, pretending everything was fine, keeping his features relaxed. “Be… careful on the road.”

But he didn’t realize how stiff his “relaxed” features were.

Xu Jingmo just stared at him, not responding. Chen Kongqing felt guilty and hurriedly lowered his eyes again.

A few seconds later, the man said slowly: “Nothing else you want to say to me?”

His tone sounded like a teacher questioning a student. Chen Kongqing knew he had never been a good liar; even as a child, he couldn’t hide things from his teachers. So he didn’t dare look up, only shaking his head slowly.

“Alright. Get more rest.” The man’s tone was a bit stiff, accompanied by the heavy thud of the door closing.

The vast space instantly fell into dead silence.

Xu Jingmo was gone. He was going to be alone again. The apartment had plenty of furniture; it wasn’t empty. Yet Chen Kongqing felt it was terrifyingly hollow.

It was unbearable. That abnormal sensation began to seep into his limbs again. He clutched his chest, panting heavily, stumbling to lean against the door. He suddenly remembered so many moments from childhood to now—always alone.

Perhaps he should go to the bedroom. At least the carrot pillow was there.

He tried his best to regulate his chaotic breathing when the door behind him suddenly was knocked upon again.

Chen Kongqing touched the cold metal handle, his Adam’s apple bobbing. The door opened again.

“Cou… Cousin.” Chen Kongqing’s voice was trembling; this heart-piercing sensation was truly too much to endure.

Xu Jingmo stood outside. Before him was the fragile Chen Kongqing, the flush on his face having spread to his ears and even his neck. His whole body was shaking.

“Call me Dr. Xu,” the man said with abnormal calmness, both in his gaze and his voice. “Let me help you.”