His Venomous Former Boss Chased Him And Beat Him Fiercely Chapter 13

Tragedy—A Bitter Fruit is Still a Fruit

Kong Xunwen didn’t hold Qiu Zhijie’s gaze for long, quickly pulling his eyes away: “Come in.”

Withdrawing his gaze, he turned and walked toward the courtyard.

His shoes were also white, though perhaps the tops hidden beneath his trouser legs had some orange-red…

Ah, they really did.

Qiu Zhijie watched the figure walking ahead, then squeezed sideways through the narrow doorway the young man had just opened.

Although he didn’t seem particularly welcome to the host, Qiu Zhijie had already prepared himself to be refused entry when he came to find Kong Xunwen.

Being allowed in was already great.

He thought optimistically.

As expected, he was just as Kong Xunwen understood him to be—someone who didn’t view rejection as a big deal.

Kong Xunwen didn’t linger in the courtyard. The previous cleanup had only involved removing the weeds, not eradicating them completely. In just a few days, fresh green sprouts were already emerging from the ground.

This time, he needed to not only weed again but also dig out the roots from the soil.

After running through his thoughts, he glanced back. The man had indeed followed him. He was probably surveying the courtyard, but upon seeing Kong Xunwen look over, he immediately looked back.

He seemed… very obedient.

Kong Xunwen shook off his random associations. Seeing the man follow, he turned back and immediately spotted the bowl of noodles on the table.

…He had a good idea.

“Have you eaten breakfast?”

Qiu Zhijie didn’t react immediately. Realizing the question was directed at him, he paused for a few seconds before answering honestly: “No.”

It was the truth, but he didn’t know if it was the answer Kong Xunwen wanted.

It was exactly the answer Kong Xunwen wanted.

A hint of relief showed in his eyes: “Then you can have this bowl of noodles.”

Qiu Zhijie understood the implication—the noodles were originally for Kong Xunwen? Then he…

Just as he was about to refuse, he saw the messy noodles on the table and blurted out: “Did you make this yourself—” Can it be eaten?

He stopped himself just in time, paused, and looked back at Kong Xunwen. Seeing the young man’s true intention, he changed his tone: “Thank you.”

Kong Xunwen nodded, went to the kitchen to wash a pair of chopsticks, and brought them over: “Go ahead and eat. I haven’t touched it.”

With someone to take care of this, he could follow the tutorial and make the delicious version.

He was in a good mood.

So Qiu Zhijie sat at the table, chopsticks in hand, eating the bowl of tomato and egg noodles that looked unappetizing and tasted equally mediocre, while Kong Xunwen, with quick, cheerful steps, started over in the kitchen following a tutorial.

Qiu Zhijie picked up a piece of tomato. Hmm, half raw, half cooked, strange, but edible.

The unmistakable sound of a video tutorial drifted from the kitchen.

“First, the eggs…”

The eggs were completely scattered; he couldn’t pick out a single piece from the bowl of noodles. Forget it, he’d eat the tomatoes first.

“Then, we can stir-fry the tomatoes first to bring out all the juice. Here’s a little trick…”

The video tutorial paused, and the sizzling sound from the kitchen stopped shortly after. Qiu Zhijie finally finished eating all the half-raw, half-cooked tomatoes.

He picked up a mouthful of noodles, coated in scattered egg. The noodles were cooked, and the seasoning was fine, but the texture of the egg coating was unpleasant.

The video tutorial resumed playing from the kitchen: “Next, add the eggs you just scrambled…”

As the tutorial ended, the kitchen gradually quieted. Qiu Zhijie had eaten most of the noodles. Hearing approaching footsteps, he turned his head.

Sure enough, Kong Xunwen was approaching, carrying a bowl of noodles.

His gaze followed him.

Kong Xunwen noticed, of course, but didn’t care. He very naturally placed the bowl of tomato and egg noodles, perfectly made according to the tutorial, in front of himself, creating a stark contrast with the bowl in front of Qiu Zhijie.

He felt a little embarrassed.

He cleared his throat lightly: “It was my first time, so I was a bit clumsy. I forgot to scramble the eggs first. Since you’re a guest, I couldn’t keep you waiting.”

It was an explanation.

It really was his own cooking, verifying Qiu Zhijie’s guess. He glanced at the young man’s eyes, which were already glued to the noodles. What else could he say? He should be happy to eat breakfast personally made by the person he liked… right?

So Kong Xunwen watched Qiu Zhijie pick up another mouthful of noodles, chew a few times expressionlessly, swallow, and then smile: “It was actually quite good, thank you.”

The guilt in Kong Xunwen’s heart immediately intensified.

“How about you just tell me the truth? I don’t mind.” That expression, if it were before, would have been a prelude to his sharp-tongued remarks.

He was starting to believe that Qiu Zhijie genuinely liked him.

Qiu Zhijie, however, raised an eyebrow and smiled: “Are you sure you want the truth?”

Kong Xunwen immediately regretted it: “Did you eat enough? How about I make you another serving?”

“No need.” Qiu Zhijie didn’t actually want to say anything harsh. Ultimately, he chose to eat it. Besides, this wasn’t work, and Kong Xunwen was no longer his intern designer.

“I definitely didn’t eat enough, but I don’t need that much. Could you share some from your bowl?” He changed the subject.

Kong Xunwen paused, then nodded, fetched a bowl, and divided some of his noodles for Qiu Zhijie.

Qiu Zhijie immediately took a bite, swallowed, and praised: “The flavor is excellent.”

Kong Xunwen: …

He felt even more guilty.

After breakfast, Kong Xunwen gathered the dishes and took them to the kitchen, planning to wash them later. He wanted to clarify things with Qiu Zhijie first. Turning around, he bumped into Qiu Zhijie, who had followed him.

Qiu Zhijie was already taller than him, so the collision meant Kong Xunwen’s forehead hit the other man’s chin. Fortunately, it wasn’t a hard knock.

“Why did you follow me here?” He frowned, rubbing his head.

“You made the noodles, so I’ll wash the dishes.” Qiu Zhijie reached out, his long fingers stopping a short distance from the young man’s hand covering his forehead. In the end, he didn’t touch him.

“No need, you’re a guest.” It was another stiff refusal.

“I’m not a guest.” Qiu Zhijie’s voice was also somewhat rigid. He seemed unsure how to respond, pausing for a few seconds before saying that sentence.

“You are a guest!” What else could he be if not a guest? Kong Xunwen wanted to say this, but ultimately didn’t.

“I’ll wash the dishes.” Qiu Zhijie dropped the subject.

Kong Xunwen pursed his lips, feeling annoyed: “Suit yourself.”

He left the kitchen after throwing out that sentence.

Qiu Zhijie remained in place, his gaze following the young man’s retreating back. He lowered his eyes, stood still for a moment, then turned back to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Kong Xunwen had tidied up all the other cooking utensils after making the noodles, leaving him only this one task.

Getting angry isn’t good. He shouldn’t make him angry.

Kong Xunwen felt a bit regretful after leaving, but when he thought about how to handle the situation… there was no answer.

He felt like his CPU was going to explode.

So, heavens, why did things turn out this way?

He couldn’t figure it out, so he stopped thinking. He would just clarify things later, refuse him, and tell him not to come back.

But if Qiu Zhijie insisted, Kong Xunwen would be helpless.

Annoying.

Yet, if Qiu Zhijie insisted, the one who might give in first was himself.

Kong Xunwen lowered his eyes. So why did he have to be the one who got sick?

*

Kong Xunwen poured the honeysuckle from the basket into a basin he found at home and tossed them around.

His luck was decent; only some parts were slightly wilted.

He poured water in and washed them several times, picking out the bad ones and discarding them, then took the basin to the kitchen.

Qiu Zhijie had finished washing the dishes and was walking out. They looked up and met each other’s eyes.

Kong Xunwen immediately withdrew his gaze, holding the basin in his hands. He walked past Qiu Zhijie and turned on the tap, coldly saying: “I messaged you before. Why did you still come today?”

Qiu Zhijie was silent for a moment: “I wanted to come.”

“I don’t want you to come.”

“I can help you with things, anything.”

“No need, I can manage myself.” Kong Xunwen lowered his head, putting his fingers into the water basin to clean the flower buds and pick out the bad ones. In the deep red basin, his fingers, selecting beneath the water’s surface, appeared extremely white.

Qiu Zhijie seemed to be blocked, remaining silent for a long time.

Kong Xunwen finished washing the honeysuckle, poured out the water, and rinsed them twice more. He thought Qiu Zhijie was giving up and secretly sighed in relief. Honestly, facing his former boss with this attitude made him uncomfortable too.

But when he turned around holding the basin, he bumped into Qiu Zhijie, who had suddenly appeared in front of him, standing rigidly, like he was being punished.

Kong Xunwen froze: “Why are you still here?”

As soon as he said this, Qiu Zhijie’s face clearly showed a hint of grievance that was instantly imprinted in Kong Xunwen’s eyes. Though fleeting, Kong Xunwen was sure he hadn’t misread it.

“Don’t talk like that.” Qiu Zhijie didn’t know what he should do, only managing to say this sentence. He finally lifted his lowered eyes to look at the young man, whose attitude was so cold.

It shouldn’t be like this. He actually had so many things he wanted to say, so many questions he wanted to ask, but for some reason, the moment he faced the young man, he became like this.

It made him look even more wronged.

Kong Xunwen shifted his gaze. Was this… Qiu Zhijie?

He felt like he must still be dreaming.

But he quickly closed his eyes and opened them again, and it was still that face with slightly pursed lips.

He was usually dressed so flamboyantly, so ostentatious, and always maintained a distant, aloof demeanor. Why was he acting like this now?

Although his impression of Qiu Zhijie had completely changed, it didn’t affect Kong Xunwen’s previous plan—to distance himself from Qiu Zhijie, clarify things, and reject him!

He avoided looking into those black eyes, which once again held a pleading look like on the day of the confession. He stared at the bridge of his nose and his lips, and suddenly his light-colored pupils trembled.

Pink…

!

What was he thinking!

Kong Xunwen quickly spoke: “That’s just how I talk!”

Realizing his emotions were running high, he calmed down slightly: “I was going to clarify things with you… no, I thought I made it very clear in the voice message.”

“I don’t like you. You don’t need to waste time on me. Don’t persist, it won’t lead anywhere.”

Qiu Zhijie listened quietly. At this moment, he had reined in the emotions that shouldn’t belong to him, returning to the composed superior who usually had everything under control.

He looked thoughtful, staring directly at the young man who was avoiding his gaze, focusing on those light-colored pupils, as if trying to see into the young man’s heart.

Suddenly, he smiled: “A bitter fruit is still a fruit.”

Kong Xunwen tightly pressed his lips together. The hand resting on the edge of the basin began to pinch again. If one ignored that, he seemed completely unmoved by Qiu Zhijie’s words.

He suddenly scoffed lightly, said nothing more, and carried the basin, ignoring Qiu Zhijie to continue his task.

Bitter fruit? Was it the mess left after a brief period of novelty, or a tragedy separated by life and death?

He knew exactly how persistent he was. If it hadn’t been for this illness, he didn’t know how much time he would have wasted struggling for his dreams.

The same applied to relationships. If he didn’t have the Genetic Disease, he would have enough time to let go and sufficient reasons to convince himself to give up—the other person only occupied such a brief period in his life.

But now, if anyone wasted even a little bit of his time, he absolutely could not give up easily.

He would go crazy.