MLROCSHR Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Living Life Properly

Chapter 18: Living Life Properly

Taking a sudden, unexpected beating from behind, Lian Xun instinctively protected his head, quickly dodging to the other side of the table and standing up.

“Who are you? I’m not a thief.”

He saw an auntie wearing an apron, looking at him warily while holding a broom.

“Mr. Qi isn’t home, what are you sneaking around in the study for? I think you’re a thief.” The auntie sternly rebuked.

Lian Xun explained helplessly, “I’m really not, my name is Lian Xun, I’m Qi Luzhi’s friend.”

“Mr. Qi’s friend?” The auntie frowned, clearly not believing Lian Xun’s words. “How come I’ve never seen you before?”

Lian Xun: “I only moved in yesterday, I really am Qi Luzhi’s friend, if you don’t believe me, I’ll call him right now.”

Saying that, he intended to take out his phone to call Qi Luzhi, but realized he left in such a hurry that he forgot to bring it.

Lian Xun gave an awkward smile, “Um… I forgot my phone.”

“Hmph, I think you’re just making excuses to stall.” The auntie snorted, rushing forward and grabbing Lian Xun’s arm. “When Mr. Qi comes back later, the truth will come out. Until then, you’re not going anywhere!”

She had called Mr. Qi the moment she heard movement in the study, saying that there was a thief in the house, and Mr. Qi should be back soon.

When that time comes, she will see what this little thief has to say.

Lian Xun was tightly grabbed by the auntie, and he didn’t dare to struggle too hard, afraid of hurting her. He had no choice but to stand helplessly to the side, waiting for Qi Luzhi to return.

Before long, Qi Luzhi hurried home. As soon as he entered, he saw Lian Xun standing in front of the desk and Aunt Liu holding a broom with a wary expression.

“Mr. Qi, you’re finally back, this is the little thief, sneaking around in the study. After I caught him, he insisted he was your friend, but couldn’t provide any proof.” Aunt Liu pushed Lian Xun in front of Qi Luzhi.

Qi Luzhi immediately noticed a purplish bruise on Lian Xun’s forehead, and his expression changed.

How did he manage to get himself into this state in such a short amount of time?

He’s really a handful!

He looked at Aunt Liu and explained in a deep voice, “This is Lian Xun, my friend.”

Then, he introduced Lian Xun, “This is Aunt Liu, she came to clean today, I told you about it yesterday.”

“I know,” Lian Xun said with a aggrieved expression.

He figured out Aunt Liu’s identity right away, but she insisted on believing he was a thief.

She even hit him with a broom. His forehead still hurts.

It must be swollen!

With the misunderstanding cleared up, Aunt Liu felt a little embarrassed and quickly apologized to Lian Xun.

“Oh dear, I misunderstood, and even hit Mr. Lian, I’m so sorry.”

Lian Xun waved his hand, “It’s okay, Aunt Liu, you were just being responsible for Qi Luzhi.”

“Let’s go, I’ll put some medicine on you first.” Qi Luzhi naturally took Lian Xun’s hand and led him out of the study.

Lian Xun hurriedly said, “I haven’t found the USB flash drive yet.”

“You can look for it later.”

His tone was steady and overbearing, brooking no refusal.

In the Living Room.

Lian Xun sat on the sofa, Qi Luzhi held his chin with one hand and gently applied ointment to his forehead with the other, his expression focused.

The slightly cool temperature of Qi Luzhi’s fingertips traveled along Lian Xun’s cheek, reaching his heart, like a small pebble causing ripples in a lake.

Lian Xun was dazed, staring straight at the close proximity of Qi Luzhi, temporarily forgetting the pain.

Aunt Liu felt very sorry for hurting Lian Xun, so she specially got an ice pack, planning to let him apply it so that it would recover faster.

When she walked to the Living Room, Aunt Liu saw such a warm scene between the two and suddenly smiled.

“Mr. Qi, it seems you finally have a companion, and you’re not lonely anymore.”

“In today’s society, it’s not uncommon for two boys to be together. Now that you’ve decided to live together, you must take care of each other and live life properly from now on.”

Aunt Liu had a gratified expression.

Actually, she had long regarded Qi Luzhi as her own younger relative.

Over the years, she watched Qi Luzhi without relatives and no reason and felt sorry for him, so she often sent some homemade food over during festivals.

But now it’s good, Mr. Qi has his own lover, so he shouldn’t be alone in the future.

“Here, apply the ice pack, it’ll reduce swelling and relieve pain.” Aunt Liu handed the ice pack and towel to Qi Luzhi.

“Thank you, Aunt Liu.”

Qi Luzhi thanked her and considerately wrapped the ice pack in a towel, gently placing it on Lian Xun’s forehead.

“The room has been cleaned up, I’ll go back first if there’s nothing else.”

After Aunt Liu left, Lian Xun’s eyes rolled around, and he cautiously glanced at Qi Luzhi. Aunt Liu misunderstood that they were lovers, why didn’t he explain?

Does this count as tacit approval?

Lian Xun shifted his stiff body and asked tentatively, “Aunt Liu said, let’s live life properly.”

Qi Luzhi: “Mm.”

Mm!

Mm?

Is that it?

“So, why didn’t you explain? She seems to have misunderstood our relationship.” Lian Xun continued to ask.

He looked at Qi Luzhi, his eyes filled with a hint of expectation.

“It’s not important, what’s there to explain?” Qi Luzhi looked indifferent.

Lian Xun was unhappy.

Sure enough, Qi Luzhi was still the same Qi Luzhi, unable to say anything nice.

Lian Xun took the ice pack from Qi Luzhi’s hand, his tone low, “I’ll do it myself.”

“Okay, then I’ll go find the USB flash drive.”

Qi Luzhi agreed readily and got up to leave.

“Hey…” Lian Xun was at a loss for words, he’s really leaving.

This person is like this again, sometimes close, sometimes distant, making him unpredictable.

*

Days passed by, and the water pipe in Lian Xun’s house had been fixed long ago. He didn’t say anything, and Qi Luzhi didn’t ask, so they continued to live together like this.

During this time, Lian Xun tried to sound out Qi Luzhi several times without success, so he simply stopped asking questions like “Do you want to get back together?”

Life now, apart from not having a formal status, seemed to be no different from that of a couple.

They went to and from work together, ate together, and occasionally slept together.

So, what else was there to want?

In case he asked and got a negative answer, wouldn’t he have to pack his things and get out immediately?

The two maintained a delicate and harmonious relationship, which was surprisingly tacit.

As New Year’s Day approached, the weather became colder and colder. Lian Xun’s favorite thing now was the large fireplace in Qi Luzhi’s house. He would get a beanbag chair and curl up next to it, make a cup of hot tea, and it couldn’t be more comfortable.

“Qi brother, what are your plans for New Year’s Day?” Lian Xun held the warm cup, looking at Qi Luzhi on the opposite sofa through the rising mist.

Qi Luzhi leaned back on the sofa leisurely, reading a magazine, and said lightly, “I never celebrate holidays.”

Holidays are celebrated with important people, but he was alone, and one day out of the 365 days of the year was no different for him.

Lian Xun naturally guessed this, so he smiled and said, “This time I’ll accompany you. We can go see fireworks for New Year’s Eve together like we did in college, then buy a lot of delicious food and watch movies all night, okay?”

Qi Luzhi was brought into the memory by Lian Xun’s words, and his deep eyes gradually became sad.

Seven years ago, Lian Xun suddenly left him right after New Year’s Day.

“I don’t like celebrating holidays now,” he said.

“Times have changed, just like flowers won’t bloom in winter, and you and I can’t go back to the past.”