I’m Face-Blind, But I Devoted Myself To Three Guys - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: “Gege” (Older Brother)

Chi Hui rested his hand on the marble countertop, eyes half-lidded, staring somewhat distractedly at his damp palm.

A strange sensation still lingered where Qi Xu had touched him.

A moment later, the person who had just run off returned: “The clothes are washed. Should I put them away directly?” He was clutching two pieces of dried clothing in his hands.

Chi Hui turned his head to glance at Qi Xu, then quickly averted his gaze: “…The sun is quite nice today. Hang them on the balcony to air out for a while.”

Qi Xu nodded while clutching the clothes. His gaze swept over the ingredients next to Chi Hui’s hand, and he cautiously lowered his presence.

Chi Hui turned to watch the silhouette of the person slipping away without a word, pursing his lips.

By the time Chi Hui had already started the stove and heated the oil, that certain someone finally finished hanging the clothes and dawdled back to the kitchen.

Qi Xu stood at the kitchen door, silently marveling at Chi Hui’s practiced movements.

Even though he could only use his left hand, Chi Hui remained methodical. However, because of the injury to his leg, his body instinctively leaned to one side.

Qi Xu stared at the other man’s leg, suddenly remembering Xu Changshu’s instructions. He blinked twice and then left the spot.

Chi Hui took a moment to glance behind him, only to find that the person who had been peeking through the doorway was gone again.

Like a naughty cat that couldn’t be caught.

…

A few minutes later.

Chi Hui was flipping the seared fish when something suddenly bumped against the side of his leg. He looked down and met the eyes of the person crouching there.

Qi Xu’s eyes were curved into crescents as he patted the white seat in front of him: “Sit here.” He had brought over a bar stool from somewhere.

Chi Hui glanced at the stool, which was at the perfect height, and sat down after a moment of hesitation.

He didn’t remember having such a high stool in his house.

The pressure on his leg was relieved, and Chi Hui’s brow smoothed out. Feeling more inclined to talk, he asked, “Do you know how to cook?”

Qi Xu stood to the side, watching Chi Hui’s nimble left hand for a few seconds before pinching his fingers together to show a tiny gap: “A little bit.”

Hearing the lack of confidence in his voice, the memory of that box of cookies surfaced in Chi Hui’s mind.

“If your definition of ‘knowing how to cook’ refers to those cookies from last time that even a dog wouldn’t look at, then that’s a total scam.”

“…” Qi Xu pressed his lips tight and slowly looked away.

Seeing him go quiet, Chi Hui knew he had guessed correctly and couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter.

He had probably recruited an ancestor who knew how to do absolutely nothing.

No wonder he had been reduced to picking up trash; with this level of clumsiness, the money he’d earn from a job probably wouldn’t be enough to pay for the things he’d break.

“Are there any foods you don’t eat?” Chi Hui asked without turning around, guessing that the other was staring at him.

Qi Xu watched the slight upturn of Chi Hui’s lips and scratched his cheek: “I don’t eat mutton or duck. I don’t eat animal organs. I don’t like vegetables with large roots, or fruits with strong smells. I don’t like the yolks of boiled eggs, and yogurt that is too sour…”

Seeing as he was going on without end, Chi Hui couldn’t help but turn around with a look of speechlessness: “Do you think anything you just said is relevant to what I’m cooking right now?”

He only wanted to ask if Qi Xu ate spicy food or had allergies so he could avoid them; he didn’t ask him to recite a whole menu.

Qi Xu blinked his round eyes blankly.

“Can you eat spicy food?” Chi Hui asked again.

Qi Xu stared at the fish in the pan, which was already seared golden-brown on both sides. He nodded, then shook his head a moment later.

“I can, but you probably shouldn’t.”

Chi Hui’s movements paused.

After a beat, Qi Xu pointed at the arm hanging in a sling across the man’s chest and repeated firmly: “You can’t eat it. You need to eat light food.”

“The manager said I have to look after you.”

Chi Hui remained silent for a moment. Finally, his train of thought seemed to have been infected as he asked a strange question.

“Why do you call Xu Changshu ‘Mr. Xu,’ but you just call me ‘You’?”

Qi Xu hadn’t thought about that.

He turned his brain for a couple of laps, recalling the banquets he had attended with his sister: “Then… Teacher Chi?”

Chi Hui: “…”

Being called that by someone with such an obedient face made him feel like he was about to put on a headset and start teaching a class.

Noticing the deadpan expression on the other’s face, Qi Xu pursed his lips and tried another: “Mr. Chi?”

Mr. Chi didn’t react.

Qi Xu then remembered some of the nicknames he had seen fans using online.

“Gege? (Older Brother?)”

Chi Hui’s expression froze. Once the momentary shock passed, the look he gave Qi Xu was beyond words.

Since nothing worked, Qi Xu got a bit grumpy: “Then what should I call you?”

Chi Hui added water to the pot and said expressionlessly: “Forget it. Call me whatever you want.”

Qi Xu licked the corner of his lip: “Oh, then, Ge—”

“Don’t call me ‘Gege’,” Chi Hui interrupted in time.

Qi Xu’s “Lickspittle Plan: Sweet Nicknames” had failed right out of the gate, and he shut his mouth, feeling a bit dejected.

Chi Hui glanced at him. Seeing his disappointed, drooping look, he sighed softly: “It will take a while to finish. You can go watch TV on the sofa for a bit. There are slippers in the shoe cabinet at the entrance; get a pair for yourself.”

At the mention of being allowed to use the other’s things, Qi Xu’s eyes lit up again: “Oh, okay!”

He happily ran off to change his shoes, then scampered back, standing to the side as he watched Chi Hui finish three dishes and a soup.

Crucian carp soup, shredded pork with celery, stir-fried pork, and the leafy greens that Qi Xu had ruined while washing.

They were all very homey dishes.

Since Chi Hui’s hand was inconvenient, Qi Xu took the initiative to serve the rice.

Not knowing if the “Lickspittle Points” were calculated by volume, he packed the rice into the bowl very tightly.

Chi Hui: “…That’s enough. Are you planning to press it into a brick to build a wall?”

Qi Xu gave a sheepish smile: Hehe, I was caught.

…

Chi Hui’s cooking was excellent. Even the usually picky Qi Xu accepted it well.

However, there was another reason he ate so much.

—This was cooked by Chi Hui himself; it should be worth a lot of Lickspittle Points.

So, when Chi Hui finished his meal, he saw Qi Xu still persistently stuffing food into his mouth. He was clearly so full he was about to pass out from a carb coma.

Chi Hui opened his mouth and couldn’t help asking: “Are you always unable to get enough to eat?”

Otherwise, why would he be eating like a starved ghost, grabbing every chance to shove food into his mouth?

Qi Xu choked and gasped for air: “No.”

Chi Hui frowned: “Don’t eat so much at once.” Otherwise, even if he didn’t have stomach problems, his stomach would hurt.

“I’m just afraid I won’t get another chance,” Qi Xu said woozily, speaking his mind.

Chi Hui: “…I’ll still be cooking tomorrow.”

Qi Xu’s tone turned expectant: “Will you still cook for me tomorrow?”

Chi Hui looked into his sparkling eyes, turned his gaze away, and took a sip of water: “I have to eat myself tomorrow, too.”

Only then was Qi Xu willing to put down his chopsticks, and he took the initiative to shoulder the heavy responsibility of washing the dishes.

Chi Hui sat on the sofa resting, occasionally glancing toward the kitchen, fearing Qi Xu would cause another disaster. However, aside from the clinking of porcelain, the expected sound of smashing plates didn’t occur.

Ten minutes later, Qi Xu emerged.

With two soaking wet sleeves.

His face beamed with a sense of glory from successfully completing a mission. His eyes sparkled with joy as he looked at Chi Hui, seemingly waiting for a compliment.

Chi Hui silently looked away, taking a tactical sip of water.

The ignored Qi Xu didn’t mind and walked straight to the sofa to sit next to Chi Hui.

Chi Hui had already lost his temper regarding Qi Xu’s lack of boundaries and silently moved half a step to the side.

Seeing that Qi Xu was about to move with him, he picked up a box of medicine he had prepared and pressed it against Qi Xu’s arm: “Just sit there.”

Qi Xu looked down at the medicine handed to him and found it was a box of digestive tablets.

“Is all of this for me?” Qi Xu smiled, feeling quite happy.

Chi Hui: “…If you plan to eat them like a meal, then take the whole thing.”

Qi Xu had no intention of eating them as a meal. He popped one out and put it in his mouth, quietly stuffing the rest into his pocket.

It’s all Lickspittle Points.

…

After dinner, the two rested on the sofa.

Chi Hui shifted from sitting to leaning against the sofa armrest, while Qi Xu sat at his feet, looking at him from time to time.

“…” There was a weird sense of awkwardness in the silence.

Chi Hui scrolled through his phone irritably for a moment, then grabbed the remote from the coffee table and turned on the TV.

A comedy variety show was playing, and the sounds of laughter and playfulness were quite lively.

Qi Xu’s attention was drawn by the noise, and he turned to watch.

Finally not being stared at, Chi Hui breathed a sigh of relief and stood up, intending to move around to stretch his muscles.

He picked up a watering can, intending to water the flowers on the balcony, only to turn around and see his orchid sitting on the floor, pot and all.

“…” Chi Hui glanced toward the kitchen.

He was wondering where that bar stool had come from.

Sitting on the sofa, Qi Xu seemed to remember as well. He immediately scrambled up and ran to the kitchen to bring the flower stand back.

“I’ll help you water them,” Qi Xu said, curling his eyes at Chi Hui to please him.

Chi Hui ignored him, watering the plants on the balcony while removing weeds from the pots.

Qi Xu followed behind him, imitating his actions.

Chi Hui had to pull the weeds while carefully making sure Qi Xu didn’t pull his flowers out as weeds.

However, Qi Xu didn’t make any mistakes this time.

“This Cymbidium grandiflorum looks really good,” Qi Xu remarked, tending to a lush plant.

Next to him, Chi Hui looked over in surprise: “You recognize it?”

Qi Xu squinted and smiled: “My grandfather has many like this at his house.”

As soon as he said it, Chi Hui’s gaze became searching. Qi Xu realized he had let something slip.

“Uh… my grandfather is an orchid seller.”

Only then did Chi Hui withdraw his gaze and nod understandingly.

But if the family had a small business, he shouldn’t be in such difficult straits.

Chi Hui: “You can give me your grandfather’s contact information. Next time I have a need, I can get some stock from your family.”

Qi Xu looked away: “Oh, okay. I’ll give it to you next time.”

Chi Hui looked at him strangely, not understanding why it had to be “next time.”

However, he didn’t press further.

After tending the plants, Chi Hui planned to organize the messy cabinet top. Qi Xu still followed at his side.

He went to the study to get a book; Qi Xu followed.

He went to the kitchen to pour water; Qi Xu followed.

Even when he went to the bathroom to wash his hands, Qi Xu followed.

…

Pata pata, pata pata—

In the space that wasn’t very large to begin with, the air was filled with the sound of Qi Xu walking in ill-fitting slippers.

“…”

Chi Hui, holding a disinfecting spray bottle, finally couldn’t help but turn around.

“Don’t you think it’s noisy?”

Qi Xu blinked, looked down at himself, then turned to look at the TV.

He decisively ran over and turned off the TV that was playing the comedy show.

Chi Hui: “…”

Pata pata, Qi Xu ran back.

Chi Hui felt a headache coming on: “Just sit and rest for a bit. I’m going to take a bath.”

Upon hearing this, Qi Xu immediately raised his hand: “I’ll help you.”

Chi Hui: “…” What nonsense are you talking about?

“I’ll run the water for you,” Qi Xu said seriously, his eyelashes fluttering. “It’s inconvenient for you to shower; you’ll get your cast and bandages wet. So use the bathtub; you can keep your injured hand and leg outside.”

Qi Xu seemed determined to help him bathe this time. Chi Hui was pushed and nudged back to the sofa in the living room.

Qi Xu poured him a glass of water and then turned to happily dive into the bathroom.

Soon, the sound of water came from the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, unable to sit still, Chi Hui stood up and walked toward the bathroom.

He pushed open the door, and a wave of hot steam hit him, carrying the scent of milk and chamomile.

Qi Xu was sitting by the edge of the tub, his cheeks flushed red from the steam. He looked at the person at the door, his lips curving up, and patted the edge of the tub: “Come and soak.”

Chi Hui’s gaze fell into the tub. A bath salt ball that hadn’t completely dissolved was still rolling around, and a layer of pink and blue foam soon floated to the surface.

“…”

Wait, and what the hell was that yellow duck floating on the water?

Qi Xu poked the plastic little yellow duck, his eyes curving: “Hurry up, I’ll scrub your back for you.”