I’m Face-Blind, But I Devoted Myself To Three Guys - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: “Do you even know what ‘Male Virtue’ is?”

Qi Xu’s eyes drooped, looking more aggrieved than when he was scolded for making a mistake. Staring into those pitiful eyes, Chi Hui couldn’t help but reach out.

Though he had long grown used to the company’s nearly exploitative work arrangements, this was the first time someone had stood up for him. Something felt broken inside him—or perhaps, it felt as if someone had knocked over a bottle of apple soda in a corner of his heart, sending up bubbles of sour-sweet effervescence.

Qi Xu pouted, standing still. Chi Hui’s gaze fell on those lips, which had turned pale from being bitten so hard, and his fingertips slowly extended toward him.

Qi Xu watched the hand approaching him. He didn’t move; he only blinked rapidly, his shimmering gaze revealing a flicker of worry. Those long eyelashes couldn’t hide the clarity and earnestness beneath. Qi Xu’s innocent gaze dispelled Chi Hui’s slightly suggestive thoughts. He withdrew his gaze and flicked Qi Xu’s forehead.

A soft snap woke them both up.

Avoiding Qi Xu’s stare, Chi Hui feigned nonchalance: “It’s not like I’m going to an execution. I’ll just get a new cast put on after the shoot.”

However, Chi Hui knew very well that these two weeks were already the result of Xu Changshu’s best efforts. New jobs would keep coming; there probably wouldn’t be any more time to recover properly.

Qi Xu pressed his forehead, blinking blankly. Hearing this, the worry in his eyes faded slightly. Looking at the person who finally felt at ease, Chi Hui turned his head away and couldn’t help but let a small smile tug at his lips where Qi Xu couldn’t see.

Following Xu Changshu’s instructions, they headed home after the cast removal.

“Is the work starting tomorrow? What are you shooting?” Qi Xu asked as he supported Chi Hui. “A magazine shoot I signed for earlier.” “Do I have to come along then?” “I only have one assistant right now. What do you think?” Chi Hui glanced at him. “Then why don’t you hire a few more?” Qi Xu had been curious about this for a while. He remembered that even a minor star under his sister’s company was assigned three assistants. Chi Hui had exploded in popularity; the company should be falling over itself to provide staff.

Chi Hui saw right through him and uttered two words: “Too annoying.” “?” Qi Xu was puzzled. “If I had a few more like you, I can’t imagine how annoying it would be,” Chi Hui added.

Qi Xu: “…” Insulted again.

But Qi Xu figured he was just an outlier; surely it wasn’t impossible to find someone quiet and capable. He didn’t miss the flaw in that logic, but when he tried to press further, Chi Hui deliberately avoided the topic. Qi Xu politely let it drop.

Standing on the roadside outside the hospital, Chi Hui looked at the person in the driver’s seat with some hesitation. “…How long have you had your license?”

Qi Xu gripped the steering wheel. He didn’t know why the question came up so suddenly. He thought for a moment and replied: “A few months? I took the test this past summer break.”

Chi Hui frowned, standing outside the passenger door without moving. Seeing him not getting in, Qi Xu felt strange: “What’s wrong?” “I’m considering whether it’s safer to drive myself back or more convenient to take a taxi.”

Qi Xu was confident. He got out of the car, circled around to Chi Hui, and opened the door for him: “Taking my car is both safe and convenient.”

Chi Hui stared down at Qi Xu. Recalling this person’s “stunning” manual dexterity, he highly doubted the “convenience” meant anything other than a convenient trip to the afterlife. After another stalemate, Chi Hui eventually compromised and got in.

Qi Xu thoughtfully helped him fasten his seatbelt.

It was at this moment that Jiang Ying-shen happened to pass by. He was carrying toiletries he had bought for Old Meng, standing a few meters away. After getting Chi Hui settled, Qi Xu headed straight back to the driver’s seat.

Inside the car, Chi Hui took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, intending to keep a close eye on Qi Xu’s driving. His gaze immediately landed on the person nearby, who happened to be looking over as well. Chi Hui frowned, then glanced at the person starting the car, noting that Qi Xu hadn’t noticed his “family” outside at all.

“Did you tell your brother?” Qi Xu had just shifted gears and looked over: “What?” “Didn’t you come with your brother? You’re leaving without telling him?” Chi Hui asked.

Qi Xu realized “your brother” referred to Jiang Ying-shen. “Ah… I already told him.” Qi Xu’s gaze drifted toward the other side, coincidentally landing on a tall pedestrian outside. After staring for two seconds, he looked back at Chi Hui indifferently: “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Chi Hui glanced outside again and slowly rolled up the window. “Let’s go. The car behind is rushing us.”

Looking through the rearview mirror, Qi Xu indeed saw a car. He immediately started the vehicle and drove away.

It wasn’t until the car merged into traffic and disappeared that Jiang Ying-shen pursed his lips and walked toward the hospital. He and Qi Xu had made eye contact just now, but Qi Xu clearly hadn’t recognized him. Although he knew about the face-blindness, Jiang Ying-shen still felt a subtle pang of emotion—especially at the moment his gaze met the person in the passenger seat.

…

Chi Hui leaned his head on his hand, keeping an eye on the traffic flow, terrified that Qi Xu would miss something and cause a collision. However, to his surprise, Qi Xu wasn’t just blindly confident; he drove fast and steadily.

While waiting at a red light, Chi Hui couldn’t help but steal a few more glances at him. Qi Xu noticed the gaze and looked back: “?”

Tapping his arm with his finger, Chi Hui didn’t look away: “I thought you only knew how to cause trouble.” “Is that a compliment?” Qi Xu was good at extracting hidden praise. He smiled brightly, seeking validation: “My skills are pretty good, right? I got my license in less than a month.”

Looking at the smug, smiling face, Chi Hui uncharacteristically refrained from knocking him down a peg. “If you’re tired, you can rest for a bit. Don’t worry,” Qi Xu said considerately, turning up the car’s heater. Chi Hui was indeed tired and closed his eyes against the seat as suggested.

When he opened them again, Qi Xu had brought him back to the neighborhood. Because it was an old residential area, the underground garage wasn’t equipped with a direct elevator. There were temporary roadblocks on the way to Chi Hui’s building, so Qi Xu had to drop him off nearby.

After parking, Qi Xu pulled Chi Hui along, saying he found a shortcut. “I discovered this little path when I was commuting,” Qi Xu said, supporting Chi Hui’s arm and carefully leading the way. “And don’t worry, hardly anyone uses it.” He was still quite proud of his discovery.

Chi Hui followed behind without comment. However, a second later, with a loud psshhh, he realized he had relaxed too early. The path was indeed deserted, which meant the water spraying from a burst pipe only hit the two people trying to take a shortcut.

“…” “…” “………”

Qi Xu, drenched from head to toe, blinked his wide eyes repeatedly, unable to believe what had just happened. Chi Hui wordlessly wiped the water from his face. “…You really do have a talent for causing trouble.” “Ugh…” Qi Xu felt terrible for his “good deed” gone wrong.

Once home, Qi Xu, determined to make amends, immediately pushed Chi Hui into the bathroom. As clothes fell to the floor one by one, Chi Hui was soon stripped down to just a long-sleeved undershirt by Qi Xu.

Seeing the person about to continue with his pants, Chi Hui grabbed those wandering hands. Qi Xu looked up at him in confusion: “If you don’t get the wet clothes off quickly, you’ll catch a cold.” Especially in this freezing weather.

Chi Hui looked at the boy, whose eyelashes were clumped together from the water. “Aren’t you drenched too?” Qi Xu looked down at himself. True.

So, without a word, Qi Xu also began to strip, moving with an indifference to his surroundings. Fortunately, his jacket was somewhat waterproof, so his inner clothes were mostly dry; otherwise, Chi Hui suspected he wouldn’t have left a single stitch on.

Chi Hui lowered his gaze, staring at the boy who was now only wearing a thin white undershirt. He blinked softly. The cotton fabric was thin and slightly translucent in the light; beneath the loose cloth, a slender waist was visible. The oversized fit made him look hollow and emphasized how delicate that shadow was.

The heater hummed, blowing out warm air, and the bathtub was already half-full. The bathroom was filling with steam, blurring everything. The heat made Chi Hui feel lightheaded; his throat felt dry, and he swallowed subconsciously.

Qi Xu turned to place his jacket on a shelf, intending to blow-dry it later. As he twisted his waist, his hem rose, inadvertently revealing a strip of fair skin. The skin was as delicate as glazed white porcelain—his waist was thin, but the lines were smooth and supple.

Chi Hui’s gaze lingered for a few seconds before he hurriedly looked away. Qi Xu didn’t notice the unusual silence or the direct stare. Chi Hui’s lips were pressed into a straight line; after a moment of restraint, he couldn’t help but reach out and pull the curled hem back down.

His movement was a bit rushed, and his fingertips accidentally grazed Qi Xu’s waist. Qi Xu, being ticklish, jolted and instinctively curled his body. He looked up at Chi Hui with confusion again.

Chi Hui kept his eyes down, pretending not to see the question in Qi Xu’s eyes. “Go out first. I’ll handle it myself. You can go to my room and get a jacket to wear.”

Chi Hui’s clothes were quite wet; he had to shower. But Qi Xu had no intention of leaving: “No.” He glanced at Chi Hui’s right hand. “Can’t you not move your hand?”

From the moment they left the doctor’s office, Qi Xu noticed that Chi Hui hadn’t moved his right arm once since the cast came off. Perhaps because there was no longer a cast to stabilize it, Chi Hui was even more cautious than before, his overall range of motion severely limited. While he could manage with the cast on, it would be difficult to undress and bathe now without using his right hand.

Chi Hui frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected the boy to be so observant. “It’s not to the point where I can’t move it.”

Qi Xu stared at him for a long time. Based on previous experience, he reasonably suspected the man was being shy. “It’s okay, I won’t look.”

“…” Chi Hui looked at the person who was practically staring through him and pursed his lips.

The steam in the bathroom grew thicker. Seeing Chi Hui wasn’t moving, Qi Xu took the initiative to step forward. Chi Hui instinctively took a half-step back, catching the unruly hands reaching for him. He gritted his teeth: “Do you have no sense of boundaries at all?”

“?” A question mark slowly appeared above Qi Xu’s head. Does helping with clothes require a sense of boundaries?

Chi Hui read the confusion in his eyes, and his temple throbbed. “…” We’re at the point of stripping clothes, and you don’t think boundaries are needed?

“Do you even know what ‘Male Virtue’ is?” Chi Hui asked, half-joking and half-exasperated.

Qi Xu blinked. “Haven’t you considered saving yourself for your partner?”

Qi Xu blinked again. After a moment, he stared at Chi Hui with a look of realization.

“Oh. So you’re the conservative type.”