On the day before the May Day holiday, people in the office were visibly distracted, either glued to their phones or indulging in lychees. No one seemed to be working diligently.
In the morning, Bai Sijun sent a message to Mei Yuchen, inquiring about the progress of the manuscript. Although he planned to visit him after work, there was no response from Mei Yuchen until the afternoon.
Anxious, Bai Sijun opened WeChat, realizing that Mei Yuchen was genuinely upset this time. Despite Bai Sijun having pacified him numerous times before, this time, as it involved work, he felt a bit uneasy.
Finally, after enduring until six in the evening, Bai Sijun rushed to a nearby pastry shop, bought some pastries, and joined the crowded subway during the rush hour. When he arrived at Mei Yuchen’s villa, it was around 8:10 PM, the usual time.
This time, Mei Yuchen didn’t wait for him on the second-floor terrace. Bai Sijun felt an emptiness in his heart, but he took a deep breath, suppressing the loneliness, and used the key Mei Yuchen had given him to open the villa’s door.
The living room on the first floor was lit, and Mei Yuchen, who usually spent little time in the living room when alone, seemed to be waiting for him.
Bai Sijun relaxed a bit and opened the main door. However, he suddenly noticed a pair of unfamiliar shoes by the shoe cabinet.
Guests?
Bai Sijun found it strange but decided to put on the slippers as usual. Carrying the pastry box, he walked towards the living room.
Strange sounds echoed in the living room, resembling the rustling of clothes.
Bai Sijun’s heart sank, and a bad premonition hit him. He slowed down, walking stiffly towards the living room. As he approached, the sounds became clearer.
Snap!
The pastry box made a sudden loud noise as it hit the floor, interrupting the actions of the two individuals on the sofa.
Mei Yuchen lazily leaned on the sofa, accompanied by a half-naked man. Mei Yuchen’s hand rested on the man’s shoulder, while the man’s hand reached inside Mei Yuchen’s T-shirt.
Bai Sijun, witnessing this scene, felt like his body had plunged into an icy hole, the piercing cold spreading throughout. He was furious, and Mei Yuchen, with an indifferent glance, showed no expression.
Bai Sijun took a difficult deep breath, trying to maintain composure, and asked, “What are you two doing?”
His voice sounded dry and unlike his usual tone.
Mei Yuchen didn’t answer, but the man beside him asked, “Who’s this?”
Thinking Mei Yuchen wouldn’t respond, Bai Sijun was about to speak when Mei Yuchen casually hooked the corner of his mouth and replied, “Creditor.”
Upon hearing these words, Bai Sijun suddenly felt his heart weigh as if it were filled with lead, struggling to catch his breath.
He was just a creditor to Mei Yuchen?
Just because he urged him to write a manuscript?
He kept urging him for his own good, didn’t he?
Was Mei Yuchen deliberately doing this to irritate him, engaging in such actions because he didn’t want to write?
Bai Sijun, who initially thought Mei Yuchen would understand him, now realized he was wrong.
He knew his expression was unpleasant, but the stranger seemed oblivious, even complaining, “Someone else wants to join, and you didn’t even inform me.”
Bai Sijun closed his eyes, took a deep breath, feeling on the edge of an outburst. If the stranger said another word, he might not be able to resist rushing over to hit him.
Hit one, why not hit both?
Especially Mei Yuchen. It would be even better if he could hit him so hard that those beautiful eyes couldn’t open, preventing him from flirting with other men.
The reason he hadn’t erupted into a fit of rage was entirely due to the etiquette accumulated over more than twenty years.
Opening his eyes, he coldly looked at Mei Yuchen and said, “I need to have a serious talk with you. Can you ask him to leave?”
Bai Sijun had already made up his mind. If Mei Yuchen still wanted to play games with him, then he would leave, and he wouldn’t come back. Whether Mei Yuchen could write a new book would be none of his concern.
As expected, the man’s reaction followed Bai Sijun’s expectations. He looked displeased, staring at Mei Yuchen, and said, “What’s the meaning of this? Calling me here just for a show? No wonder you’ve been so absent-minded, always checking the time…”
“Go back for now,” Mei Yuchen interrupted, showing impatience.
“I came because you asked me to. Now you want me to leave? You haven’t even reimbursed my travel expenses.”
Impatiently, Mei Yuchen tossed the BMW car keys on the tea table to the man and said, “Consider it a gift. Disappear now.”
The man’s face brightened, but Bai Sijun was surprised.
He took three or two steps forward, snatched the car keys from the man’s hand, and then pulled out two hundred yuan from his wallet, stuffing it into the man’s hand, saying, “Take it, for the travel expenses.”
The man obviously disagreed, shouting, “He said he’s giving me the car!”
Bai Sijun abruptly pointed at Mei Yuchen’s nose with his index finger and yelled at the man, “He belongs to me!”
The man took the money reluctantly. As the main entrance door closed, and the living room returned to silence, the anger in Bai Sijun’s heart towards Mei Yuchen surged again.
He thought that leaving Mei Yuchen alone for ten days would make this cat behave, but not only did he not behave, he deliberately sought to upset him.
If Mei Yuchen were really his pet cat, then he would definitely have him neutered!
Bai Sijun looked at Mei Yuchen and asked expressionlessly, “The manuscript?”
Mei Yuchen’s gaze drifted elsewhere, and he replied casually, “Not revised.”
Patiently, Bai Sijun asked, “Why haven’t you revised it?”
“Don’t want to.”
He doesn’t want to revise the manuscript but has the leisure to provoke him by bringing in a random man?
The fire inside Bai Sijun was about to reach his brain. He instinctively felt that Mei Yuchen’s hands, even if not typing on the keyboard, should have been clinging to him. Yet, just now, those hands were around another man’s shoulders. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He had never been so angry in his entire life.
Coldly, he looked at him and said in frustration, “Your hands might as well be cut off; they’re useless anyway.”
As soon as the words were out, Bai Sijun felt a twinge of regret. He thought he had spoken too harshly, but in this situation, he couldn’t afford to show weakness.
Mei Yuchen remained silent for a moment, lowered his eyes, and then suddenly stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
Bai Sijun was puzzled and quickly followed him, asking, “What are you doing?”
Ignoring him, Mei Yuchen entered the kitchen, took a chef’s knife from the knife rack, and then pretended to strike his left hand.
Bai Sijun was terrified, and he quickly snatched the knife from his hand, throwing it into the nearby sink. He shouted at Mei Yuchen, “Are you crazy?!”
Mei Yuchen leaned against the marble countertop, motionless. His shoulders drooped, and his eyes were surrounded by deep dark circles.
It was only at this moment that Bai Sijun noticed he had lost weight, returning to the appearance he had when they first met months ago.
Why did it turn out like this?
Bai Sijun felt a tightness in his heart; he didn’t want to see Mei Yuchen like this. He tugged at Mei Yuchen’s clothes and softened his tone, saying, “Mei, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have pressured you…”
Mei Yuchen let out a self-mocking laugh, gradually sliding down, finally sitting on the kitchen floor. He buried his head in his hands, weakly saying, “Do you know? Without you, I can’t even write a romance novel. What should I do?”
Bai Sijun had seen Mei Yuchen helpless before, but seeing it again was still heart-wrenching.
He suddenly realized that Mei Yuchen wasn’t just any Mei Yuchen; he belonged to him alone. Why should he make him so miserable?
Clearly, Mei Yuchen was upset, and he wasn’t feeling good either.
This big cat brought someone to provoke him because he couldn’t write the manuscript.
Bai Sijun crouched down, half-kneeling beside Mei Yuchen, supporting his shoulders, and comforted, “Then don’t write. I won’t force you.”
Mei Yuchen lifted his head, his eyes slightly red. “Are you disappointed in me? Bai, I don’t want to disappoint you.”
Bai Sijun’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he embraced Mei Yuchen, caressing the back of his neck, and said, “No, telling you that I’d be disappointed if you can’t write was all a lie.”
Mei Yuchen buried his head in Bai Sijun’s chest, his hand encircling his waist. In a muffled voice, he said, “Then when you said you don’t like me…”
Bai Sijun interrupted without thinking, “Also a lie. I’m just a big liar.”
As soon as the words were out, Bai Sijun knew he was beyond redemption. Initially, he hoped the passage of time would dilute the strange feelings, but the fact was that he couldn’t suppress his liking for Mei Yuchen.
He thought he hadn’t bent so thoroughly and could remain indifferent. However, when he saw Mei Yuchen being intimate with another man, he was insanely jealous, to the point of uttering hurtful words.
The hand around his waist suddenly tightened. Mei Yuchen lifted his head and looked at Bai Sijun, saying, “You’re not allowed to leave me again.”
Bai Sijun sighed and resignedly said, “Okay.”
That’s it then. As long as Mei Yuchen is happy, what does it matter if he doesn’t write?
Bai Sijun absentmindedly patted his back. At this moment, he suddenly felt a warm breath on his chin. He lowered his head slightly, and before he could react, two soft lips covered his.
Bai Sijun stood frozen, unsure of how to respond. The next second, Mei Yuchen’s tongue pried open his teeth, entering his mouth.
“Um… Mei Yuchen!” Bai Sijun couldn’t help pushing Mei Yuchen away, his cheeks slightly reddened.
If there had to be a boundary, Bai Sijun was on the conservative side. Although he had been intimate with his college girlfriend, they only reached that point after nearly two years of dating. As for Xiao Ai, after half a year of dating, they had only held hands and nothing more.
A thought suddenly flashed through his mind – this pet cat of his seemed a bit naughty.
“Bai.” Mei Yuchen looked at Bai Sijun with a pitiful expression. “Why don’t you let me kiss you?”
Bai Sijun awkwardly cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact, and said, “Didn’t we just kiss?”
“Not enough.” Mei Yuchen frowned. “Not nearly enough.”
Bai Sijun helplessly said, “Mei…”
“I’ve kissed you countless times while you were asleep,” Mei Yuchen innocently stated, “but I don’t know why, it’s just not enough.”
