I’m Face-Blind, But I Devoted Myself To Three Guys - Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Xie Chengyan Looked at Him as if Staring at His Own Possession…

One minute, two minutes… exactly five minutes had passed since he rang the doorbell, yet there was still no response from inside.

This was the sixth time Qi Xu had knocked today. Just as he was considering giving up, the door opened in front of him. His hand, which was about to retract, froze in mid-air as he looked up at the person behind the door.

Xie Chengyan looked as though he had just finished exercising. His hair was slightly damp and brushed back haphazardly; the soiled sweater had been replaced by a crisp shirt. He leaned against the doorframe, showing no surprise at seeing Qi Xu. However, his gaze was deep and heavy. Unlike the playful smiles of their previous encounters, he looked listless and somewhat displeased.

“What is it this time?” Xie Chengyan frowned, suppressing the irritability in his eyes. His breathing was heavy.

Qi Xu scratched his cheek. “I want to… borrow a set of clothes.”

A blunt gaze swept Qi Xu from head to toe. Taking in a frame that was clearly a size smaller than his own, Xie Chengyan let out a short laugh. “The little young master probably wouldn’t fit into my clothes.”

Qi Xu waved his hands. “It’s not for me. It’s for the person who helped me fix the pipes… I’ll return a brand new set to you.” He was borrowing them for Jiang Yingshen. He had finally convinced the man to take off the dirty clothes; Jiang Yingshen was currently showering at his place.

As he waved his hands, his bandaged fingers flashed before Xie Chengyan’s eyes. Xie Chengyan stared at the heavily wrapped hand, then lifted his gaze to the bruise on Qi Xu’s cheekbone. Qi Xu’s face was very clean, making the coin-sized mark stand out vividly. The purplish bruise sat right over his cheekbone, partially obscuring the tiny mole there.

He looked a bit pitiful.

Xie Chengyan’s gaze swept over the other bandaged hand. Without a word, he turned back into the house. When he returned, he held a bag. “These are unworn. No need to return them.”

Qi Xu looked at the clothes gratefully. He had planned to have someone deliver a set if he couldn’t borrow one, but he hadn’t expected Xie Chengyan to be so accommodating. As Qi Xu reached out to take them, his fingertips skillfully and naturally brushed against the man’s palm. However, when the body heat transferred through the skin, Qi Xu froze.

Xie Chengyan’s hand was abnormally hot.

It reminded him of that night in the lounge. Qi Xu looked up in surprise, and as Xie Chengyan looked back, he noticed the redness in the man’s eyes.

“Are you sick?”

Xie Chengyan stared at him for a moment, then silently lowered his eyelashes, refusing to answer. Qi Xu instinctively grabbed the wrist that was being pulled back. His cool palm covered the burning skin, and the sensation caused Xie Chengyan to let out a deep, heavy breath.

Qi Xu thought he had gripped too hard and was about to apologize when Xie Chengyan suddenly snapped his eyes open. His gaze was sharp and burning, and the look he gave Qi Xu became dangerously intense. Stunned by the predatory stare, Qi Xu’s grip involuntarily loosened.

However, just as he instinctively tried to back away, the hand he hadn’t yet dropped was gripped tightly.

“Ugh!” A sharp pain shot through his wound from the grip, and Qi Xu let out an uncontrollable whimper.

Xie Chengyan tightened his arm at that sound, pulling the retreating boy back toward him. Qi Xu struggled uncomfortably, but the movement only made the pain in his wound more acute. He looked up at Xie Chengyan with a mix of panic and confusion, wondering why the man had suddenly turned aggressive.

Under that bewildered and aggrieved gaze, Xie Chengyan felt the restlessness in his body become even harder to suppress. It felt like excitement, yet also like a strange form of solace. The skin under his palm was soft and cool, making him subconsciously recall the texture of that fine handkerchief.

“Wh-What’s wrong with you?” Qi Xu swallowed, watching the veins pulsing at the man’s temple.

Xie Chengyan stared into Qi Xu’s bright eyes and couldn’t help but take a step closer. The distance closed again to less than half an arm’s length. He could even smell the unique, warm fragrance on Qi Xu. He lowered his eyes, quietly watching this person who didn’t yet realize he was in danger.

Under that heavy, silent downward gaze, Qi Xu nervously licked his lips. His dry lips were instantly moistened, appearing plump and soft. Xie Chengyan stared at the slightly parted lips, but what flashed in his mind was the glimpse of a pink tongue from moments ago.

His breathing grew heavier. As if possessed, he stared at Qi Xu’s moist lips and began to lean down, inch by inch.

It wasn’t until their breaths were fully intermingled that Qi Xu realized what the man intended to do, yet he didn’t voice a protest. As the hot breath brushed against his nose, Qi Xu’s long eyelashes trembled. He thought, distracted, that perhaps he should close his eyes.

Just as their lips were about to touch, the sound of a door opening came from behind them.

Qi Xu looked back by reflex. His small nose brushed against Xie Chengyan’s lips, breaking the man’s concentration. After a brief freeze, Xie Chengyan lifted his eyes in displeasure, meeting the gaze of Jiang Yingshen standing at the door.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly, filled with a look of dissatisfaction and warning, like a beast whose territory had been encroached upon.

“Senior? Why are you out?” Qi Xu was surprised; he hadn’t brought the clean clothes back yet.

Jiang Yingshen took in the sight of the two standing so close and said calmly, “I thought you had gone out.”

“No.” Qi Xu pursed his lips guiltily. He didn’t know if Jiang Yingshen had seen what just happened. After all, if his target saw him kissing someone else, his “simping” journey would only get harder.

Qi Xu glanced sideways at Xie Chengyan and couldn’t help but feel it was a pity. It felt like a month’s worth of life points had just waved goodbye and run away.

Xie Chengyan also belatedly realized he had almost lost control. He raised a hand to partially cover his lips and bluntly signaled for them to leave. “If there’s nothing else, go.”

The sudden coldness left Qi Xu a bit dazed. What a mean guy. It was as if he wasn’t the one who just wanted to “fight with their mouths.”

“Alright. Thank you for the clothes. I’ll take you to dinner when you’re free.”

This time, Xie Chengyan didn’t refuse.

Qi Xu carried the borrowed clothes toward Jiang Yingshen, his eyes curving into a pleasing smile. “Senior, I borrowed some clothes for you.”

Jiang Yingshen glanced at the bag. It wasn’t hard to guess who the clothes belonged to. He said flatly, “No need.”

Only then did Qi Xu notice that Jiang Yingshen was wearing a loose long-sleeved T-shirt—likely the base layer he had worn under his hoodie.

Having stood outside for a while, Qi Xu’s hands and feet had turned cold. He hurried inside. “But clean clothes will be more comfortable, right?”

Jiang Yingshen followed and closed the door. Before it shut completely, he took another look at the man still standing motionless in the opposite doorway. He hadn’t seen much when he opened the door, but the look in Xie Chengyan’s eyes was one of clear resentment, as if someone was eyeing his property.

Jiang Yingshen lowered his eyes. “I don’t like using things that already have an owner.”

Qi Xu didn’t pay much attention to the delayed response. He explained, “They are clean! They’re brand new and unworn.”

Jiang Yingshen didn’t speak, implying he still didn’t want them. Quite picky, Qi Xu thought, looking at the silent man. But it was fine if he didn’t accept them; it just meant Qi Xu could keep them to exchange for Simp Points later.

…

Across the hall, the door clicked shut. Xie Chengyan slowly lifted his head. Despite the freezing weather, he was covered in a fine sweat. Droplets gathered and slid down his forehead. He brushed his hair back irritably, his nostrils flaring as a faint fragrance seemed to linger in the air.

It was strange.

The feelings brought about by their physical contact—not just tonight, but even that first time at the intersection—were not illusions. Qi Xu’s touch truly gave him a subtle sense of satisfaction and stability when his condition flared up.

Xie Chengyan lightly rubbed a small bloodstain on his hand, his eyes darkening.

…

“Senior, would you like tea or a drink?” Qi Xu put Xie Chengyan’s clothes away and turned to ask the person packing his bag. Jiang Yingshen looked ready to leave.

“No need.” He remained entirely unreceptive to the friendly gestures.

Qi Xu looked at the dirty clothes in the man’s hands and blinked. He sidled over and spoke indirectly, “Thank you, Senior, for fixing my pipes.”

Jiang Yingshen’s hand paused while folding his clothes. He glanced at the person who had somehow crept up beside him.

“Mm.”

Qi Xu leaned closer, his arm brushing against Jiang Yingshen’s. “Senior’s clothes got dirty because of me.”

Jiang Yingshen lifted his eyes, almost predicting the next sentence. Sure enough, after several conversational detours, it came back around: “So, to thank you, I’ll help you wash your clothes.”

“…”

Jiang Yingshen couldn’t help but look at his clothes, unable to fathom why Qi Xu was so obsessed with this. Seeing him distracted, Qi Xu simply reached out and grabbed them.

After spending some time with Jiang Yingshen, Qi Xu had realized that one shouldn’t take his cold attitude too seriously. Sometimes, if you just acted directly, the man wouldn’t refuse—likely because he found arguing too troublesome.

As expected, Jiang Yingshen didn’t push back. Taking the clothes he had successfully “snatched,” Qi Xu’s eyes curved into a smile like a child whose prank had been indulged. Seeing Jiang Yingshen’s slightly helpless expression, he promised solemnly, “I’ll wash them very clean.”

To prevent Jiang Yingshen from taking them back when he wasn’t looking, Qi Xu planned to put them away. But just as he turned, his wrist was caught. Qi Xu thought the man had changed his mind and instinctively tightened his grip on the clothes, clutching them to his chest.

Looking at Qi Xu’s defensive, pursed lips, Jiang Yingshen was momentarily speechless. After a pause, he let out a soft sigh. “Your wound is bleeding again.”

Qi Xu followed his gaze to his hand and realized a small red spot was blooming through two of the bandages.

Eh?

Qi Xu instinctively curled his fingers. He quickly remembered Xie Chengyan’s grip earlier; it must have been squeezed too hard then.

“Doesn’t it hurt?” Jiang Yingshen asked, finding it strange that Qi Xu hadn’t noticed.

Qi Xu tentatively made a light fist and shook his head. “Not really.” Then he remembered something. “Ah! Because I took painkillers.” They must have kicked in by now.

Jiang Yingshen: “…” At least he’s not entirely stupid; he knows to take medicine when it hurts.

“Sit there. I’ll redo them for you.” Jiang Yingshen pointed to the sofa.

Qi Xu looked at the sofa, then at Jiang Yingshen, feeling surprised. He hadn’t even started pestering him yet, and the man had offered to take on the trouble himself. His thoughts were written all over his face, which made Jiang Yingshen let out a small laugh.

“Or would you rather do it yourself?”

“No, I want Senior to help,” Qi Xu answered decisively.

When the bandages were removed, the wounds had indeed reopened. The ointment had been diluted by blood. Jiang Yingshen crouched in front of Qi Xu, carefully dabbing away the blood with a cotton swab. He was always very serious when he worked.

Qi Xu stared at the person focused on treating the wound, his gaze wandering over the man’s excellent features—from the half-closed eyes to the high bridge of the nose, and down to the soft lips. Moving further down, Qi Xu noticed a particularly red patch of skin below the corner of Jiang Yingshen’s mouth.

That was where he had collided with Qi Xu’s cheekbone during the fall. It hadn’t looked like much earlier, but after the heat of the shower, the redness of the bruise had surfaced. Qi Xu spaced out staring at the red skin, not yet checking if his own face would leave a mark—it probably would.

At that moment, a drop of water slid down Jiang Yingshen’s cheek, hanging precisely on the edge of the red bruise. Without thinking, Qi Xu raised his hand and naturally wiped away the stray drop with the back of his hand.

Only after withdrawing his hand did Qi Xu realize what he had done. He lifted his gaze and met a pair of deep eyes looking back at him. In those beautiful, profound eyes, his own reflection was clearly visible.

Qi Xu opened his mouth. “Senior, will you come again tomorrow?”