My Romance With The Cold-Blooded Heartthrob - Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Ever since that night’s conversation with Wen Shu, Pei Xian had been turning down drinking invitations from Chang Xu and Zhang Xi, throwing himself entirely into the intra-team competition. Wen Shu was gratified to see Pei Xian being so serious and patiently answered every single one of his questions.

On the night before the competition, Wen Shu felt that Pei Xian had an especially large number of questions. Thinking it was just nerves, Wen Shu didn’t think much of it. Within the limits of fairness, he answered as best as he could. That’s all for now. I can’t say too much more about my own thoughts on this topic. Don’t forget, this is a team competition; I can’t show favoritism.

Pei Xian said nothing. He merely glanced at the clock and nodded slyly. Understood, Xiao Shu, he said, thinking absentmindedly: He’ll definitely stay tonight.

Wen Shu noticed him spacing out and reached over to tap his forehead. Focus! Don’t just keep asking me—have you communicated properly with your teammates? Debating wasn’t a solo sport; it required communication to build rapport. Knowing Pei Xian’s personality, Wen Shu highly doubted they had met up to discuss anything yet.

We talked! We talked! Pei Xian clutched his forehead, acting pitiful, and pulled a piece of scratch paper over to continue asking questions.

Just as Wen Shu was about to leave, he checked the time and realized it was past the dorm curfew. Is it already this late? Come to think of it, Pei Xian really did have a lot of questions tonight. Could it be…? At this thought, Wen Shu shot a suspicious glance in Pei Xian’s direction.

As he turned his head, he saw Pei Xian looking down dejectedly, his hands unconsciously squeezing a pillow on the sofa. Seeing Wen Shu look over, he stammered, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve wasted your time.

The bubbles of guilt in Wen Shu’s heart nearly overflowed, feeling like his conscience was being pricked over and over. It’s not your fault, I didn’t pay attention to the time myself. How could he be like this? Pei Xian was such a good guy—and a socially anxious one at that. For someone like him, spending so much time with someone he wasn’t yet familiar with must be nerve-wracking; how could he possibly be trying to trap him? He must be feeling so guilty right now, yet Wen Shu had dared to suspect him.

Pei Xian, with his head still lowered, let his lips curl into a triumphant smirk. He knew Wen Shu was a sucker for the soft approach rather than the hard one. After schooling his expression, he looked up and suggested softly, Wen Shu, I have a spare room here that no one usually stays in. Do you want to just make do and stay for the night?

Is that okay? Wen Shu felt a bit uneasy. He had never stayed overnight at someone else’s house before and felt it might be awkward. I didn’t bring a change of clothes, either.

I have some! Pei Xian couldn’t suppress the delight on his face. I have plenty of clothes I’ve never worn. I’ll go get them. With that, he scurried off to the bedroom to rummage through his wardrobe.

Wen Shu tried to stop him, following him to the bedroom door. There’s no need. Just then, Pei Xian found the clothes and turned around excitedly. Seeing Wen Shu standing right there, he slammed on the brakes.

Wen Shu was also startled, his eyes widening like Little Black having its tail touched. The two were standing incredibly close. He watched as Pei Xian’s gaze moved from his hair down to his eyes, finally landing on his lips. It stayed there for a long time. Wen Shu couldn’t help but flick his tongue out to lick his lips. In that instant, the look in Pei Xian’s eyes shifted sharply. His breath hitched, and he leaned in even closer, closing the already tiny gap between them.

Wen Shu could smell the scent on Pei Xian. It was different from the usual cigarette smell; there was just a hint of candy. Pei Xian, have you stopped smoking recently?

Yeah. Pei Xian’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke in a raspy voice. I’ve been busy thinking about the debate topics. It’s been a while since I had a cigarette.

Good boy. Wen Shu didn’t quite know how to encourage people, so he thought of how he usually encouraged Little Black. Just as he stood on his tiptoes to pat Pei Xian’s head, he saw Pei Xian bend down in an awkward posture to rest his head against Wen Shu’s hand. I’ll bend down for you.

Wen Shu felt the texture under his hand. Pei Xian’s hair didn’t look like him at all—the blonde hair felt especially gentle and soft to the touch, just like patting a golden retriever. Perhaps this was Pei Xian’s true nature, not nearly as difficult as he appeared. Wen Shu gave in. Where’s the bathroom?

Pei Xian looked up and pointed to a room. There.” It wasn’t until the sound of running water started that he realized with a start: Wen Shu was actually staying the night. He couldn’t believe it. He paced back and forth anxiously, listening to the sounds from inside with a strange sense of agony until Wen Shu’s voice called out, Pei Xian? Is there a towel?

Yes, yes, yes! Pei Xian flew into the room like a gust of wind. After finding a towel, he knocked cautiously on the door. Here. It’s new—it’s been washed, but I’ve never used it!

The bathroom door opened just a crack, letting out a waft of steam. A pale hand reached out, water droplets sliding down his skin. Wen Shu’s voice drifted out, Thanks.

Soon, the rustle of clothes being put on came from inside. Realizing how strange he looked standing at the door, Pei Xian hurried back to the sofa.

When Wen Shu opened the door, the clothes were a bit loose on him. The size didn’t fit him at all, feeling empty and slightly uncomfortable. But since he was in someone else’s home, he couldn’t be picky—and Pei Xian truly didn’t have anything that would fit him.

Pei Xian stared blankly at Wen Shu as he walked toward him. He looked like a piece of warm jade, still radiating steam. Because he had washed his hair, Wen Shu had combed it back, revealing his delicate features. The pajamas were clearly too big; one side slipped down his shoulder, revealing his collarbone and a glimpse of his chest. Pei Xian looked away as if trying to hide something and rushed into the bathroom, clutching his own pajamas.

Drying his hair, Wen Shu looked at Pei Xian’s retreating back in confusion. He remembered Pei Xian had more than one bathroom in this place.

Pei Xian rushed into the steamy bathroom, his breathing slowing down involuntarily. After a long while, he turned on the water. The cold water washed away the murky thoughts in his head. He let out a long sigh, wondering what on earth he was thinking—but the swelling sensation below was impossible to ignore. “What am I even doing? Just then, a knock came from the door. Pei Xian?

Hearing that voice, Pei Xian’s hand tightened, accidentally squeezing out a large glob of body wash. The white liquid slid onto the floor. He hurriedly smeared it over himself before calling out, What is it? He realized his voice was extremely hoarse.

Where is the hairdryer? Wen Shu’s hair had grown quite a bit; it wouldn’t dry just by rubbing it anymore. He didn’t want to go rummaging through someone else’s things. Pei Xian’s voice sounded strange—not his usual self, but almost shy. It’s hanging by the balcony. Wen Shu shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

Pei Xian’s rigid body only relaxed once he heard the footsteps move away from the door.

Wen Shu looked at Pei Xian, who had been inside for a long time. You were in there forever. Because of his dyed hair, Wen Shu was always careful when drying it, which took some time—yet even after he was finished, Pei Xian still hadn’t come out.

No, I wasn’t! Pei Xian turned and froze when he saw Wen Shu. His soft pink hair was draped over his shoulders, making him look incredibly gentle. Pei Xian couldn’t help but look at the top of Wen Shu’s head. Ever since he saw Wu Yue pat it, he had wanted to try. If he controlled his strength, would Wen Shu nuzzle against his hand too?

Wen Shu looked at the dazed Pei Xian with a bit of frustration and waved a hand in front of him. Earth to Pei Xian? You’ve spaced out so many times.

Pei Xian snapped out of it and quickly countered, changing the subject: It’s late. I’m going to bed so I can compete well tomorrow. He turned and hurried toward his bedroom, his face flushed.

Wen Shu tilted his head, not understanding the panicked retreat, but said nothing and went to his own room. Before getting into bed, he thought for a moment and locked the door from the inside before finally settling down.

Late in the night, the master bedroom door opened a crack. Pei Xian crept toward Wen Shu’s door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, he suddenly woke up. What was he doing? Trying to open someone’s door in the middle of the night—in ancient times, he’d be a common thief. He turned to leave, but his hand stayed glued to the handle, betraying his true desires. He whispered to himself, I just want to check if he’s sleeping well. If I get caught, I’ll just pretend to be sleepwalking. He nodded to himself in self-affirmation.

Finally gathering his courage, he pulled but the door didn’t budge. He tried a few more times before accepting the reality: Wen Shu had locked the door. He felt a bit dejected after all that mental preparation.

Creak. The door suddenly swung open. Wen Shu stood there, eyes bleary with sleep but looking alert, holding a decorative ornament as a weapon. He rubbed his eyes, relaxing once he saw it was Pei Xian. Pei Xian? Why are you at the door? I saw the handle move a few times and thought it was a thief.

They were very close—close enough for Pei Xian to feel the warm breath as Wen Shu spoke. In his drowsiness, Wen Shu didn’t realize the proximity. Pei Xian’s Adam’s apple bobbed nervously. I, I have a bit of a sleepwalking problem. Probably because of the nerves. I only realized where I was just now.

Sleepwalking? Wen Shu had looked up all sorts of random data for his debates; some sources did say extreme stress could cause sleepwalking. Don’t be too nervous. Just say the points you want to say. Wen Shu stepped a bit closer and patted Pei Xian’s shoulder comfortingly. Good luck.

Okay. Pei Xian pushed the dazed Wen Shu back. I won’t bother you. Go to sleep.

The moment Wen Shu hit the bed, sleep washed over him. Okay if you get nervous again, just wake me up.

Pei Xian pulled the duvet up for him. He looked at the other side of the bed, knowing that even if he pretended to be nervous and slept next to him, as long as he explained it well tomorrow, there wouldn’t be a problem. But instinctively, he didn’t want to use such low-handed tricks to satisfy his own desires.

Besides, once he made the team, he’d have plenty of time to be with Wen Shu. He was determined to win this competition. Pei Xian looked down at the sleeping Wen Shu, whose face was flushed pink. He crouched down, staring at him from a few inches away for a long time, slowly resting his head near Wen Shu’s hand, yet not quite daring to touch.

Half-asleep, Wen Shu felt a fuzzy sensation on his hand. He struggled to open his eyes, seeing only a golden blur. Since when did we have a golden retriever at home? He was confused, but instinctively, he reached out and gave it a pat.

Pei Xian froze and looked up in disbelief, only to hear Wen Shu mumble: Little golden retriever! Grandpa… I told you I wanted to raise a golden retriever… Pei Xian chuckled softly and returned to his room to continue preparing for the next day.