I’m Face-Blind, But I Devoted Myself To Three Guys - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: “You Can Even Help with Going to the Toilet?”

The snow on the ground had been trampled into slush by pedestrians, mixed with mud and water, looking quite dirty. Qi Xu followed behind Xu Changshu, stepping into his footprints while observing the surroundings.

“Does Chi Hui live here?” Qi Xu asked curiously.

Although it was very close to the residential complex he currently lived in, based on the internal facilities and the state of the buildings, this was clearly an old neighborhood. Given how glamorous celebrities look on screen, he had assumed they would live in a better place.

Xu Changshu seemed to know what he was thinking and explained with a smile, “This is the place Chi Hui rented during college. He bought it after he started making money. He said he’s more used to living here after so long, though once he got busy with work, he rarely stays here anymore.”

Qi Xu thought, So that’s how it is. After a while, he couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to his hand?” It had seemed fine when he saw it before.

“His hand was already a bit sprained,” Xu Changshu explained while looking down at his messages. “But last night while he was out running, he took a fall trying to protect a kid. Now both his hand and leg are injured.”

Qi Xu knew what he meant by “already a bit injured”—he must be referring to the injury he saw in the police station parking lot that day. He hadn’t expected Chi Hui, who looked so unapproachable, to actually be quite kind-hearted.

Sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, just like my sister, Qi Xu thought, feeling inexplicably more at ease.

Soon, the two reached a building and took the elevator.

“Originally, you’d only need to handle some simple chores, but now that he’s injured and finds many things inconvenient, you should help out more. If there’s something you don’t know how to handle, just ask him directly.”

“Also, make sure he rests properly during this period. There’s work waiting for him later. He’s the type who can’t stay idle; don’t let him wander around.”

Qi Xu nodded, taking mental notes of all Xu Changshu’s instructions.

Xu Changshu didn’t visit this place often and didn’t have the door code. After ringing the doorbell, they waited outside for a moment before hearing shuffling footsteps from inside.

The front door slowly opened, letting out a puff of warm air. The person behind the door was leaning half-heartedly against the frame, looking quite listless. He lifted his eyelids to scan the two outside.

“Tch,” his gaze swept over Qi Xu, and Chi Hui couldn’t help but frown. “Didn’t I say there’s no need to come yet?”

Xu Changshu ignored him and nudged Qi Xu inside. “If he doesn’t come, what are you going to do with your broken limbs?”

Following Xu Changshu’s words, Qi Xu glanced at Chi Hui. Chi Hui’s right arm, which was already injured, was now in a worse state, encased in a cast and hanging in a sling. He was wearing loose, flowing lounge pants, so the leg injury wasn’t visible, but judging by his noticeably tilted gait, he had likely injured his right leg as well.

He really did have “broken limbs.”

Chi Hui uncharacteristically didn’t talk back. He simply turned and walked into the apartment. Xu Changshu followed with the things he brought, and Qi Xu followed a beat later.

The apartment wasn’t large, but the decor was quite cozy with warm tones. The air conditioning was on, and a faint woody fragrance drifted through the air. Unlike the sharp impression Chi Hui usually gave, the place was unexpectedly peaceful and soft.

“Alright, I’ve said everything that needs to be said. I have things to do, so I’ll head out first. Contact me if there are any problems.” Not long after entering, Xu Changshu took a call and prepared to leave in a hurry.

Chi Hui sat on the sofa playing with his phone, not even looking up. Qi Xu had to take the initiative to see the manager out.

After returning, only the two of them were left in the room, and the atmosphere was strangely awkward.

“Um… what should I do?” Qi Xu scratched his cheek, looked around, and spoke up. “Or do you have clothes that need washing?”

During the interview, he had said he could do anything, but in reality, he could only do simple tasks like picking things up and putting them down—things that didn’t require much skill. Like using a washing machine.

Chi Hui looked up briefly and said flatly, “No need. Just find a place to sit. I don’t have anything for you to do.”

Qi Xu rubbed his hands together, stared at the person on the sofa for a few seconds, and said, “Oh.”

Seeing that he was quiet enough, Chi Hui didn’t plan to pay him any more attention. But just as he looked down, a shadow approached from his peripheral vision. Before he could react, the sofa beside him sank.

“…”

Chi Hui looked at the person sitting next to him, speechless. “What are you doing?”

Qi Xu looked even more confused than him. “Didn’t you say I could sit anywhere?”

Chi Hui stared at Qi Xu’s “I’m not sitting on your lap, so what’s the problem?” expression and was actually at a loss for words.

“…You should go wash the clothes,” Chi Hui said, feeling a bit of a headache.

Qi Xu looked toward the balcony where he pointed and answered obediently, “Okay!”

Chi Hui leaned back on the sofa. But only a few minutes of peace passed before a head popped out from the balcony:

“Um… where is the laundry detergent?”

“Top left, second cabinet,” Chi Hui replied dismissively while scrolling through his phone.

A few seconds later:

“What’s the stuff in the box on the counter for?”

“Those are color catcher sheets.”

“What about this little square that looks like a pastry?”

“…Washing machine cleaner.”

“Oh. Do tops and pants need to be washed separately?” Qi Xu asked again, looking like he was learning something new and exciting.

Chi Hui put down his phone and looked expressionlessly at the boy who was acting like a curious toddler. “No need.”

Seeing the obvious signs of impatience on the other’s face, Qi Xu pursed his lips and retreated back to the balcony. He grumbled inwardly: Xu Changshu clearly said I could ask if I wasn’t sure about something.

Chi Hui stared at the balcony for a while. Once he was sure the “curious toddler” had no more questions, he looked away.

However, five minutes later, a shaky, unconfident voice floated over again: “Um… I don’t know how to use your washing machine.”

“…” Chi Hui felt speechless for the umpteenth time today.

In the end, he had to get up from the sofa and wash the clothes himself.

Pushed to the side, Qi Xu felt a bit embarrassed. He stood nearby, fiddling with the leaf of a green plant, watching Chi Hui skillfully operate the machine with its many buttons and functions.

Chi Hui glanced at the person hovering there and called out, “Hey.”

It took Qi Xu a long moment to realize he was being addressed.

“My name isn’t ‘Hey’,” Qi Xu whispered his dissatisfaction. His upbringing told him that using such terms to address someone was impolite.

“Su Yue,” Chi Hui corrected himself, suppressing his temper.

Qi Xu froze again, realizing after a moment that Chi Hui had mistaken the name he used for the autograph as his own. “But my name isn’t Su Yue either.”

Chi Hui’s temple throbbed. “…” Then what is it? Chu Yu Xun?

“My name is Qi Xu,” he introduced himself formally.

Chi Hui frowned as he understood. He had wondered why a guy would have such a feminine name. So the autograph that day was for someone else. He hadn’t expected Qi Xu to give up the chance for a personal autograph.

Qi Xu seemed to remember that too and peered up at him. “The one from last time wasn’t for me. Could you write one for me again?”

Chi Hui frowned. “Didn’t Xu Changshu tell you not to bring fan-behavior into the job?”

Qi Xu remembered Xu Changshu had indeed mentioned that. He could only pout and nod. “He did.”

Seeing him looking like a pitiful, wronged puppy, Chi Hui instinctively looked away. However, mentioning the fan meeting reminded Chi Hui of something. “That watch you gave me before…”

Qi Xu’s heart skipped a beat when he mentioned the watch, and his disappointment vanished. Did he realize late that the watch I gave him wasn’t cheap?

“I’ll have Xu Changshu bring it back to you later,” Chi Hui continued, unaware of the other’s internal reaction. Even if it was a knock-off, judging by the quality, it couldn’t have been cheap. Giving it back would at least let the kid return it or sell it for a few thousand yuan.

The unexpected answer stunned Qi Xu. Once he realized what was happening, he shook his head vigorously. “I don’t want it!”

This wasn’t just returning a watch; this was a direct threat to his life. Every point of “Simp Value” was hard-earned; Qi Xu could not accept a decrease due to non-natural causes.

“…” Chi Hui stared at the person who looked like he was facing a great enemy, wondering if he had said something wrong. I just said I’m returning the watch, so why does he look like someone is trying to rob him?

“No, it was a gift for you,” Qi Xu repeated.

Chi Hui looked at his tightly pressed lips, didn’t push further, and nodded. “Fine, suit yourself.”

Qi Xu breathed a shallow sigh of relief. Then Chi Hui walked past him toward the front.

Watching his gait as he struggled to put weight on his right foot, Qi Xu remembered Xu Changshu’s instructions and immediately followed. “What are you doing? I can help you. The manager said you need to rest and move around less.”

Chi Hui glanced at him. “You can even help with going to the toilet?”

Qi Xu opened his mouth. “…Then I can help hold it for you.”

Chi Hui: “…” Hold it? Hold what?

Despite the blunt refusal of help, Qi Xu still followed him to the bathroom door. When Chi Hui finished and came out, he saw him leaning against the wall picking at his fingernails.

“If you’re bored, go play by yourself. You can turn on the TV.”

Qi Xu looked at him and shook his head. “I want to help you.” And farm some Simp Value along the way.

Chi Hui said nothing and continued toward the kitchen. Qi Xu thought he wanted water and volunteered again, “I can help!”

Chi Hui stopped halfway this time. “I need to prep ingredients. Can you help with that?”

Qi Xu had guessed wrong. He blinked blankly and nodded instinctively.

“Fine, then you do it.” Chi Hui led him to the kitchen sink and pointed with his chin at the live fish inside. Xu Changshu had just brought it.

“Cut it open from the belly, remove the guts, and then scrape off the scales.”

“You do it,” Chi Hui said this time without asking. Before Qi Xu could react, he left the kitchen on his own.

Qi Xu looked at the fish. The fish swam over and looked at Qi Xu. Then, with a flick of its tail, it splashed a small burst of water.

“…”

Qi Xu had only ever seen such energetic fish in his family’s aquarium.

In order not to be fired on his first day of work, Qi Xu had to complete at least a few tasks to prove his ability. So, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to try.

Outside the kitchen, Chi Hui didn’t go far. He stared at the flustered silhouette in the kitchen and unconsciously curled his lips. Seeing how clumsy he was, Chi Hui didn’t expect him to do a good job.

Sure enough, after ten minutes of stalemate, someone walked out slowly with dripping wet hands. The person who had gritted his teeth to try had quickly given up.

Chi Hui raised an eyebrow, asking knowingly, “What’s wrong?”

Qi Xu had worked hard enough to break a fine sweat on his nose. He looked at Chi Hui. What he was thinking was “I can’t catch it,” but what he blurted out was: “It can swim.”

The fish was slippery and strong; he couldn’t catch it in the water at all. Aside from getting splashed all over, Qi Xu hadn’t even managed to scrape off a single scale.

Chi Hui actually laughed, his sharp-tongued nature beginning to show. “Oh, then congratulations. You actually discovered that fish can swim. Should I give you an award for that?”

Qi Xu blinked, only hearing what he wanted to hear: “Are you giving it? Then I want it. Can you give me an autograph while you’re at it?”

Qi Xu tried his best to seek benefits for himself, completely ignoring the “are you for real” look the man was giving him.

Chi Hui: “…”

He was starting to regret his decision. If he had known, he wouldn’t have agreed to let Qi Xu stay. Now he didn’t just doubt Qi Xu’s physical capabilities; he also doubted his mental state.

This train of thought didn’t seem quite human.