Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: “I Don’t Want You Seeing Other Men.”

A deathly silence fell over the ward once again.

The “beep, beep” of the monitor continued at its steady, rhythmic pace.

Chen Kongqing did not smooth his brow; instead, he looked at Ling Xiao with a gaze full of disappointment. “You are too immature, using your own body for something so meaningless.”

“You can say that about me, I admit it,” Ling Xiao said, a weak, pale smile hooking his lips. “But I don’t regret it, Chen Kongqing.”

Chen’s frown deepened. He could feel Ling Xiao’s psyche becoming increasingly paranoid and stubborn. He let out a helpless sigh. “You clamored to see me just to say this?”

“Mhm… not entirely,” Ling Xiao’s tone turned serious. “Xu Jingmo came to see me the other day. He said you two are doing very well, that things are stable.”

Only then did Chen Kongqing recall that morning. Xu Jingmo had left in a hurry, saying a relative was ill and needed care. That relative… was Ling Xiao? Yet Xu Jingmo hadn’t mentioned a single word about it.

Thinking of this, Chen pursed his lips, but he still answered Ling Xiao directly: “We are doing very well. You don’t need to worry about it. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

“Wait…” Ling Xiao leaned back against the pillow and let out a light cough. “I wanted to say… you know how ugly my relationship with him is. He only came because my parents asked him to.”

Chen’s downward-curved lips didn’t budge. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I’m saying… he listens to his family in everything. He’s a hypocrite. He’ll never take you home to meet them. Don’t be fooled by him.” Ling Xiao spoke with growing agitation. “I’m not saying this because I’m jealous. I’m worried about you. I hurt you before, and I don’t want you to be hurt again.”

Chen Kongqing actually smiled at this. The more sincere Ling Xiao acted, the more he wanted to laugh. “Ling Xiao, when will you ever learn to cherish the person right in front of you?”

Ling Xiao: “…What?”

“You’re apologizing to me, seeking forgiveness, and worrying about me being hurt,” Chen’s eyes were cool. “But what about Gu Chengjing? The one you claimed to love so much that you didn’t hesitate to hurt me for? Have you discarded him too?”

Ling Xiao went silent instantly.

“I just saw him outside. He’s the one who has been taking care of you these past few days, isn’t he?” Chen continued. “I saw it, yet you don’t.”

The man on the bed was speechless, his face turning increasingly ashen. “I…”

“My own affairs are none of your concern. You should think about your own life.” Chen stood up from the stool, preparing to leave. “Ling Xiao, this is the last time we meet. You said so yourself, right?”

Ling Xiao remained silent, his movements stiff, but he managed a pale smile. “Mhm. I said so.”

“Recover well. Goodbye.” Chen turned and walked out without a trace of lingering attachment.

As his hand touched the doorknob, he heard a very soft “Goodbye” from behind him. He didn’t even pause his movements and stepped out.

In the hallway stood Gu Chengjing, holding the water thermos. Chen didn’t want to exchange words; he intended to walk past as if he hadn’t seen him.

But Gu Chengjing approached him and muttered through pursed lips, “You won. You must be very proud.”

Chen found it absurd, but he couldn’t be bothered to argue. He simply smiled. “It’s alright.”

Then, without another glance, he headed for the exit.

…

As soon as he left the hospital, a message arrived from Xu Jingmo.

Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: Are you in the lab? Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: I have to work late today, baby. Azurite: I took the subway back. Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: So early today. Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: Should I order something for you, or will you wait for me? Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: Actually, you should eat first. I’m not sure when I’ll finish. Azurite: It’s okay, I’m not hungry. I’ll wait for you to come over. Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: Where did such an obedient baby come from? Azurite: I’m waiting for you to come over and serve me dinner. Azurite: Still obedient? Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: Obedient. Mein Mann[Pink Heart]: At your service, my master.

Looking at the messages, Chen Kongqing felt that he must delete his chat history before he died. He had to leave his reputation intact! Who would have thought these words could come from Xu Jingmo’s mouth? And with such ease.

However, he hadn’t completely ignored what Ling Xiao said. When he first started spending time with Xu Jingmo, he had felt it too… Xu Jingmo was indeed a man of rules and boundaries. That was why he had been so afraid when his feelings started to change; he couldn’t even tell back then if Xu was straight or not.

So, Ling Xiao’s words weren’t entirely baseless. Moreover, in the time they had been together, only Chen had introduced Xu to his friends and classmates. He had never entered Xu Jingmo’s social circle.

Thinking of this, the rabbit’s willow-leaf eyes darkened.

…

He didn’t have to wait long after returning to the rental unit. He had just finished boiling some chicken breast for Sergeant Black Cat when Xu Jingmo opened the door. A few days ago, Chen had given him a key.

“Why so fast? I thought you were working late?” Chen was sitting on the furry rug, feeding the cat.

“You’re giving him meat again. He’s turning into a ball,” Xu said as he changed his shoes and walked over.

The cat seemed to understand; it looked at Xu with disdain from its high vantage point and continued eating. Chen turned his head slightly. Xu was carrying takeout from the private restaurant Chen liked.

“Stop feeding him, let him eat on his own.” Xu opened the containers and set the table. “You come eat, too.”

“Mhm.” Chen nodded, but he still carefully shredded the chicken into smaller pieces before letting the cat finish.

During dinner, Chen drifted off. Seeing Xu Jingmo reminded him of Ling Xiao’s words. He wondered if Xu had hidden the news of Ling Xiao’s injury because he was worried Ling Xiao would say those things to him. He ate slowly, lost in thought.

Xu Jingmo, of course, noticed the rabbit’s abnormal behavior.

After clearing the table, Chen sat on the small sofa, listlessly clicking the remote. Every channel was showing the evening news.

“What’s wrong?” Xu squeezed into the small space beside him.

Chen grumbled to show his dissatisfaction. “It’s so crowded.”

“Then sit on my lap.” Xu wasn’t asking for permission. The next second, Chen was pulled onto him.

Chen pouted. “Why don’t you sit on my lap?”

“Does Xiao Man want that?” Xu arched an eyebrow, looking up at the youth. “No, I’m worried I’d crush you.”

Chen Kongqing: “…” True, having Xu sit on his lap might be a bit much.

Xu leaned forward, his face close to Chen’s. “What happened today? You’ve been spacing out.”

Chen dodged, refusing to let the man kiss him, and pressed his lips tight. Then, he was teased with a malicious nip.

“Mmh…” Chen looked at him resentfully.

Xu Jingmo looked pleased. “Not talking to me?”

The rabbit in his arms looked a bit aggrieved. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke: “I went to the hospital this afternoon.”

“The hospital? Why?” Xu’s playful expression vanished, replaced by concern. “Are you unwell? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m not the one who’s sick…” Chen shook his head, playing with Xu’s collar. “I went to see Ling Xiao.”

Xu Jingmo’s expression froze.

Even though Xu had hidden the injury from him, Chen didn’t intend to hide the visit. He felt it was better to be open. “You knew he was hospitalized. Why didn’t you ever mention it?”

Xu shielded him with his arm and looked away. “I didn’t want to bring him up to you.”

“Just that?” Chen wouldn’t let him escape; he reached out to cup Xu’s face and turned it back toward him. Their eyes met.

Xu’s phoenix eyes were unreadable, a flicker of something dark swirling within. “I didn’t want you seeing him either.”

Chen stroked the man’s face. “Why?”

“I only want you looking at me,” Xu said, the darkness in his expression almost overflowing. “I don’t want you seeing other men.”

“That’s impossible. I’m surrounded by men.” Chen’s fingers moved to the man’s temple. He paused. “Is there another reason?”

Xu paused, sensing something keenly. “What reason do you think there is? Did Ling Xiao say something to you?”

“Nothing much.” Chen continued to play with Xu’s hair; the hair at the temples was cropped short and felt a bit prickly. “How long will we be together?”

“Forever.” Xu’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I told you, I will never leave you again.”

“But we are both men,” Chen said, his expression dimming. “Forever is very difficult.”

Xu reached out to stroke the rabbit’s fluffy hair. “Is Xiao Man afraid?”

“I’m not afraid.” The rabbit’s voice was firm, yet it gradually weakened. “I’m worried about you… Are you afraid? Are you… willing? Your family probably won’t accept this.”

Xu’s gaze shifted. “Ling Xiao told you that?”

“He wasn’t entirely wrong…” Chen lowered his gaze.

Xu leaned in and kissed his soft cheek. “Then come home with me this weekend, Xiao Man.”