Did My Wife Break Up With Me Today? - Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Extra 1 — Study Abroad Chronicles (III): The Maid Outfit

Chen Kongqing naturally wouldn’t agree to that proposal.

Over the past two years, Xu Jingmo’s career in China had progressed smoothly. His professional title was steadily rising, and his future was bright. Suddenly running off to a foreign country—even if a local hospital offered him a position—wouldn’t be as stable as the foundation he had built at home.

However, after being rejected, Xu Jingmo remained quite unhappy. Or rather, with their separation looming, neither of them could truly be happy. Chen Kongqing did his best not to let his emotions show too much, telling jokes to tease and cheer Xu Jingmo up.

Before Xu Jingmo left, the two of them made love almost frantically, regardless of day or night. In their small apartment, every inch was “explored,” as if Xu Jingmo were doing it on purpose. Chen Kongqing cooperated—not entirely just to please Xu Jingmo, but because he too was reluctant to let go.

He couldn’t bear to separate from Xu Jingmo. He couldn’t bear to leave the embrace that was always open to him.

The bedsheets had long since become a mess. Xu Jingmo, now experienced, would lay down large dry towels in advance and cushion key areas. However, this time even the towels were useless; the “rabbit” made a complete mess.

He carried the limp, puddle-like rabbit into the bathroom to wash him clean, then wrapped his naked body in a blanket and carried him to the sofa. Afterward, he went back to change and wash the sheets. Once finished with his chores, he carried the rabbit back to bed.

He was reluctant to sleep. Chen Kongqing also burrowed instinctively into the familiar embrace. Xu Jingmo stroked the rabbit’s soft hair and leaned down to kiss him.

Chen Kongqing opened his tired eyes and looked up at Xu Jingmo.

“Don’t look at others, and don’t fall for anyone else, okay?” Xu Jingmo held him, his voice husky.

Chen Kongqing’s mind had been blank, unable to think of anything. But hearing those words, his heart felt as if it had been pricked by a very fine needle. It was tiny, but it stung. His consciousness cleared quite a bit.

He looked back into Xu Jingmo’s deep eyes—eyes that seemed to bury so many, many emotions.

“Of course I won’t like anyone else.” Chen Kongqing frowned, suddenly leaning deeper into Xu Jingmo’s chest. “How could you think that? I’ve always liked you. I only like you, Xu Jingmo.”

Xu Jingmo simply tightened his grip around the boy’s waist and didn’t speak. The two of them nestled together like that.

After nearly thirty seconds of silence, Xu Jingmo conjured a men’s platinum ring from somewhere. The design was simple and elegant, inlaid with a small but very brilliant diamond. It sparkled.

Rubbing the ring with his fingertips, Xu Jingmo’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “I finished the design a long time ago, but I wasn’t satisfied, so I never gave it to you. The custom-ordered one ran into production issues and hasn’t been delivered yet.”

Chen Kongqing bit his lip, his voice trembling unknowingly. “Are you… proposing to me?”

“No… I just hope Xiaoman can wear it so that others won’t need to ask to know you aren’t single,” Xu Jingmo said, keeping his posture very humble. “A proposal like this would be too hasty.”

Hearing this, Chen Kongqing bit his lower lip, his earlobes turning a deep red. “Even if you proposed like this, I would agree.”

With that, the rabbit reached a pale, slender finger out from under the covers and placed it by Xu Jingmo’s hand. Xu Jingmo quickly grasped his hand and slid the simple platinum ring onto Chen Kongqing’s ring finger.

The ring slid past the knuckle and came to rest at the base of the finger. The size was perfect. It wasn’t uncomfortable or loose.

Chen Kongqing looked down at the ring on his finger; it fit so well it seemed to have grown there. “When did you measure me?”

“While you were sleeping,” Xu Jingmo replied. He held the hand wearing the ring and pulled it up to press it against his lips. “Wear it always. Don’t take it off, okay?”

“Mhm.” Chen Kongqing nodded vigorously against the man’s chest. “I’ll wear it forever, and I’ll love you forever, Xu Jingmo.”

“I love you too.” Xu Jingmo never hesitated to respond. “I will also love you forever, Chen Kongqing.”

Regardless of time. Regardless of distance.

…

Xu Jingmo left. His flight was at 17:30 California time.

Chen Kongqing had wanted to see him off at the airport, but Xu Jingmo said it would be too sad for him to come back from the airport alone, so he didn’t let him go. Later, Chen Kongqing realized he was right. It would have been very sad.

However, staying in the quiet apartment was also very sad. He had assumed these feelings would be intense right after the parting and might fade over time. But… as time passed, his longing for Xu Jingmo didn’t diminish at all; instead, it became harder to endure.

He could only try his best to immerse himself in research and studies.

The courses and labs at W University were very busy. The all-English academic atmosphere wasn’t easy to integrate into at first. The professor spoke very fast with a heavy accent; in the beginning, he had to half-listen and half-guess. It took a significant amount of time before he could understand the old professor comfortably.

His studies were fulfilling, but he didn’t neglect Xu Jingmo. They messaged every day. With a fifteen-hour difference between California and Kunming, finding a time for a video call wasn’t easy, but they made a rule to call at least three times a week.

This tradition was broken when Chen Kongqing approached finals. Finals were incredibly busy—group projects, semester summaries for every course, and lab reports all piled up together. He went back to his apartment late every night, sometimes even pulling all-nighters in the lab.

For that entire week, he didn’t have a video call with Xu Jingmo. He was so busy he only ate bread when he remembered he was hungry. Unfortunately, American bread was dry enough to choke on.

Today, he finally had time to get back early. It happened to be Xu Jingmo’s day off, and he was on standby.

Just as he lay down on the sofa, he messaged Xu Jingmo: [I’m home!]

Before he could ask if Xu Jingmo was free, the man sent a video invite. Chen Kongqing blinked, trying to look less exhausted. He answered the call, aiming the camera at his face. “Did you not take a nap?”

Xu Jingmo shook his head on screen. “I was waiting for you. Have you eaten?”

Xu Jingmo knew him too well. Chen Kongqing licked his lips awkwardly, debating whether to lie. Just then, there was a knock on the old apartment door.

“Wait for me, I’m going to get the door.”

Xu Jingmo knit his brows but didn’t say much. “Okay.”

Chen Kongqing hurried to the door. The security in this area was decent, and he checked the peephole first. It was Jen from downstairs. Over the past few weeks, the two had exchanged “supplies”—like beef jerky for rice noodles. They greeted each other in the hallway, but hadn’t had deep contact.

Chen Kongqing opened the door politely. “What is it, Jen?”

“I just made some fried rice and had extra. I brought some for you to try.” Jen still spoke with a Hong Kong/Taiwanese accent. “I don’t know if it’s to your taste.”

“Thank you, Jen.” Chen Kongqing looked at the egg fried rice with ham. To a Chinese person choking on dry bread in California, this was an immense temptation. Chen Kongqing decided to accept it, planning to cook a precious bowl of River Snail Rice Noodles as a return gift when he was free.

“You’re welcome, it was no trouble.” Jen shrugged and handed the rice to him. His gaze fell upon the platinum ring on the youth’s ring finger. For a split second, his expression changed, but he quickly suppressed his thoughts.

Chen Kongqing only had eyes for the fried rice and didn’t notice Jen’s expression. He took the rice and smiled politely. Jen waved politely to leave. “I’ll head downstairs then. Goodnight, Azurite.”

“Goodnight,” Chen Kongqing replied.

Jen turned to leave, and Chen Kongqing closed and locked the door. He put the rice on the table and ran back to the sofa to pick up his phone. The video was still connected.

“I’m eating now. Hmph, eat with me.” Chen Kongqing felt this was timely—it filled his stomach and gave him something to report to Xu Jingmo. He propped his phone on the table, showing off the delicious-looking rice. “My dinner.”

Xu Jingmo’s furrowed brows didn’t relax. “Where did that come from?”

“The neighbor downstairs gave it to me. Jen.” Chen Kongqing took a big bite.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t close?” Xu Jingmo naturally remembered this “Jen.” Not only did he remember, he was constantly monitoring the situation.

“We aren’t close, he’s just a neighbor. He’s probably just helpful.” Chen Kongqing praised the food. “This Hong Kong-style fried rice is actually quite good. It’s fragrant; I wonder what he added.”

The man on the screen remained expressionless, his tongue poking against his cheek. “That delicious, huh?”

Chen Kongqing nodded, eating happily. As he ate, he suddenly felt a chill on the top of his head. The rabbit looked up blankly, meeting Xu Jingmo’s dark, gloomy eyes. They looked damp and heavy, like a cold autumn rain.

Chen Kongqing swallowed his rice nervously. “What… what’s wrong?”

Xu Jingmo lowered his eyes. “Nothing.”

His tone was flat, laced with a hint of grievance that one had to listen closely to catch.

“Are you… are you jealous?” Chen Kongqing put down his chopsticks. “It’s definitely not as good as the fried rice you make.”

“But I can’t be by your side,” Xu Jingmo said, his voice sounding a bit fragile. “Whose fault is that?”

Since going long-distance, it seemed Xu Jingmo was the one more prone to insecurity. Chen Kongqing coaxed him carefully. “Don’t be sad. I’ll be back soon.”

“But I miss you right now.”

“Then… I’ll stay on video with you. I’ll leave it on while I sleep, okay?” Chen Kongqing felt like he was coaxing a child, but he rather enjoyed the feeling of being so needed.

“Are you free tonight?” Xu Jingmo asked.

“Mhm, I can rest a bit tomorrow.”

Xu Jingmo’s brows finally smoothed out, the corners even turning up. “Then does baby have time to wear that maid outfit for me?”