His Venomous Former Boss Chased Him And Beat Him Fiercely Chapter 76

Was he sober, or was he drunk?

The surroundings gradually grew lively, and Kong Xunwen also slowly woke up completely. He squinted outside, directing the driver while trying to identify familiar landmarks.

The area was somewhat remote, and the surroundings had changed, making recognition difficult. It took some time to reach the place Kong Xunwen had specified, but…

The pork shop before them was empty, completely renovated, and the sign above the storefront was entirely different. It didn’t look like a place where one could eat.

Qiu Zhijie quietly glanced at the young man beside him.

Kong Xunwen’s face was blank. Because there were many people around and many eyes on them, he didn’t even have time to feel embarrassed. He grabbed Qiu Zhijie’s wrist and turned to leave: “Wrong place.”

Qiu Zhijie obediently followed, suppressing a laugh as he seriously asked, “Really?”

Kong Xunwen was very calm. His slightly red ear tips were not so noticeable under the colorful lights of the surrounding shops: “Really.”

“Then where are we going to eat next?”

Kong Xunwen: “…”

Finally, he led the other man to the place where he had eaten the first time he went out after resigning and returning—a noodle shop with decent flavor.

After ordering, the noodles arrived. After a bite, both fell silent. Kong Xunwen didn’t look up, silently eating some of the bowl, though he still left some behind.

Looking across, Qiu Zhijie had actually eaten most of his.

Kong Xunwen was slightly surprised. After paying and getting into the car, he couldn’t help but ask, “You actually managed to eat that much?”

Qiu Zhijie drove, glancing at the rearview mirror: “I’m not picky about food.”

“Bad luck today,” Kong Xunwen glanced at him, then turned to look out the car window, rubbing his stomach: “The flavor at that shop is inconsistent. It was quite good last time, but this time, it felt like I ate nothing.”

Qiu Zhijie’s voice held a smile: “Didn’t you say we went to the wrong place?”

Their luck was indeed poor. First, the shop he wanted to take him to was closed, and then they ate at a place that wasn’t good.

Staring at Qiu Zhijie’s profile, feeling a bit deflated, Kong Xunwen suddenly withdrew his gaze, sighing: “Yes, I didn’t go to the wrong place. That spot used to be a barbecue joint, and it was really good.”

As he spoke, he recalled his school days, feeling a little wistful.

“Want to go eat something else?”

Kong Xunwen’s thoughts were instantly pulled back: “Something else? You know of another good place around here?”

He paused, then added, “Can you still eat?”

Qiu Zhijie didn’t answer, tilting his chin to indicate the phone placed beside him: “Ask the netizens.”

Kong Xunwen hadn’t brought his phone, so he naturally picked up Qiu Zhijie’s. As soon as he raised it, the phone automatically unlocked via facial recognition. He started searching for the local area, and recommendations for good food immediately appeared below.

“Did you think you were the only one who felt like they ate nothing?”

Kong Xunwen laughed.

The two found another barbecue restaurant. This time, after careful comparison, the flavor finally didn’t disappoint them.

However, due to their eyes being bigger than their stomachs, they didn’t finish the barbecue they ordered and packed the leftovers to take home.

Qiu Zhijie went to ask the owner for packaging bags to pack the food, while Kong Xunwen squatted by the roadside. As soon as he squatted down, his full stomach felt uncomfortable, and he wanted to stand up again. Just then, a silver shaded kitten kept by the owner wandered over.

It had been staying quietly in a corner outside the barbecue shop, sometimes going inside to lie down, but now it had run out for some reason.

It poked its head out, sniffing with its nose. Kong Xunwen stared at it, and its round eyes immediately looked back.

When Qiu Zhijie came over, he saw this scene: one large and one small figure staring at each other, neither moving nor looking away.

It was like a silent standoff.

Qiu Zhijie’s arrival ended the confrontation. Kong Xunwen’s gaze followed the kitten as it left, then he looked at Qiu Zhijie.

Qiu Zhijie said nothing, reaching out his hand to pull him up.

Kong Xunwen watched for a few seconds, then raised his hand and slapped the offered hand away. He stood up, let out a breath, and the two walked toward the car door together.

The noise of the barbecue shop gradually faded away.

Their two hands still found each other, and Kong Xunwen was led along, not needing to focus on the road. Just before getting into the car and separating, he said, “I don’t like keeping cats.”

Qiu Zhijie didn’t have a chance to respond, and once they were in the car, he still didn’t speak.

Kong Xunwen enjoyed the evening breeze. The car swayed gently, arriving home quietly. As soon as the car stopped, the wind also ceased, and a familiar smell immediately rushed to his nose.

He wrinkled his nose in distaste: “Such a strong barbecue smell.”

Qiu Zhijie had just gotten out of the car to retrieve the barbecue from the trunk. When he opened it, the smell was indeed strong. He casually replied, “You were eating quite heartily just now.”

Kong Xunwen ignored him, muttering to himself: “I’d better take a shower quickly.”

The ignored man shook his head helplessly, carrying the packed barbecue behind him. After entering the door, he only saw a figure hurrying inside.

Qiu Zhijie went to put away the packed barbecue. If they worked up an appetite later, it would be best to finish it tonight.

There wasn’t much left, but he didn’t want to waste it. They could pair it with something to drink later.

For example, alcohol.

Qiu Zhijie paused slightly, lowering his eyes, a curve forming on his lips.

Kong Xunwen only came out after blow-drying his hair. These days, after being nagged by Qiu Zhijie, he had developed this habit. His hair was still a bit frizzy, with some flyaways sticking up on top.

He opened the door with a frown, but relaxed when he saw the clean man who had also showered and come downstairs.

He had been afraid that Qiu Zhijie might still smell, and he would have to figure out how not to show his distaste, but clearly, this person was also meticulous about cleanliness.

“Want a drink?” Qiu Zhijie saw him and raised a hand: “After you apply the hair oil.”

Kong Xunwen hesitated at the mention of drinking. He wanted to, but couldn’t help but recall what happened the last time he got drunk…

Hearing “hair oil,” he blurted out what was on his mind: “I want to cut it. It’s a bit troublesome… Tomorrow, then.”

“Ah—” Qiu Zhijie looked at the slightly long ends of his hair, letting out a sound of regret.

He remembered the sight of the black hair soaked with sweat on his shoulders, like a black snake, beautiful, like winding jewels, and the contrast of black and white, sometimes with that extra bit of red in the contrast…

It was truly unforgettable.

Kong Xunwen, however, had moved on to another topic: “A little bit of alcohol is fine, right?” he asked hesitantly.

“It’s fine,” Qiu Zhijie said, walking downstairs and smoothing down the frizzy spot on the young man’s head. “Since you’re cutting it, all the more reason to take good care of it now.”

“However, I heard that hair is part of a person’s vital energy,” Qiu Zhijie’s expression became serious: “The weapons of many legendary female ghosts are their hair, and they are very powerful. So shouldn’t you keep it long?”

Kong Xunwen watched the man’s expression gradually become strange, but he looked… genuinely serious about this matter.

But: “Didn’t they also say that overly long hair drains vital energy?”

Qiu Zhijie: !

“Really? Then let’s cut it. How short is appropriate? Should we cut it all off? I can accompany you…”

Kong Xunwen raised his hand, and Qiu Zhijie finally stopped talking.

“That’s just a saying, it hasn’t been scientifically proven, okay? I just want a haircut.”

Qiu Zhijie paused behind the hand, then nodded.

Kong Xunwen finally withdrew his hand, satisfied: “Let’s go.”

Fortunately, Qiu Zhijie hadn’t forgotten the activity they had just proposed. He just suddenly thought of something on the way to the kitchen and looked like he wanted to speak but held back.

Kong Xunwen noticed the unusual behavior out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw the man’s rare, awkward expression. Speechless for a moment, he said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Qiu Zhijie opened his mouth: “Does that count for hair other than the hair on your head?”

Kong Xunwen: “Huh?”

Qiu Zhijie remained quiet.

Kong Xunwen finally realized what he meant and turned his head away, exasperated: “Don’t talk to me.”

Qiu Zhijie followed behind. Midway, he finally remembered the packed barbecue that had been forgotten in the kitchen and was now heated up, along with the wine poured with ice cubes. He went to retrieve them before catching up.

This time, he didn’t say anything else.

The matter seemed to have passed. Kong Xunwen didn’t bring it up again when he saw Qiu Zhijie following him.

Qiu Zhijie had originally thought that since Kong Xunwen was drinking tonight, he might talk about the second floor they cleaned during the day, which related to his parents. In fact, he didn’t.

He was only slightly tipsy, or so he thought.

Kong Xunwen thought so too, which is why he obediently put down his wine glass after Qiu Zhijie stopped him: “Okay, I won’t drink anymore then.”

Qiu Zhijie realized something was off. He seemed… a little too obedient. Not in his actions, but in his expression and his words.

Kong Xunwen propped one hand on the table and slowly leaned his head onto it. He blinked very slowly, touching his cheek to the back of his hand to feel the temperature. He said, “I’m cutting my hair tomorrow, on stream.”

“Mhm, so now we’re going to brush our teeth, wash our faces, and go to bed,” Qiu Zhijie said, getting up to help him.

He must be drunk.

“Mhm.” Kong Xunwen nodded vigorously, looking uncomfortable, and raised a hand to cover his head.

Qiu Zhijie quickly helped press his forehead: “Does it hurt badly?”

“It hurts badly.”

“Do you want some honey water?”

Kong Xunwen started to nod again. Qiu Zhijie quickly held his head still: “Okay, I’ll go pour you some. You sit still first.”

He paused, feeling uneasy, and continued: “You can just hum ‘Mhm’ if you can.”

“Mhm.” Kong Xunwen obediently complied.

However, when Qiu Zhijie returned with the honey water, the young man was standing under the air conditioner vent, squinting as he blew cold air on himself.

Qiu Zhijie quickened his steps, handed over the cup, and pulled the man away from the vent.

Kong Xunwen hadn’t been extremely drunk to begin with, and the cold air had sobered him up considerably. The warm honey water entering his mouth helped even more. A warm hand covered his forehead, and he lowered his eyes.

He only spoke after the hand left: “I’m fine.”

“Is this a farewell to the hair you’ll lose tomorrow?” he asked.

Qiu Zhijie was momentarily stunned, thinking he was drunk again, so he nodded: “Yes.”

“Drink the water first, then go wash up and sleep.”

Kong Xunwen drank it all in one gulp, then tilted his head: “But you drank too. Don’t you want to drink this?”

Qiu Zhijie stared at him, then nodded: “Then I’ll go drink some too.”

“I’ll prepare it for you,” Kong Xunwen offered proactively.

Was he sober, or was he drunk?

Qiu Zhijie couldn’t tell anymore.

But perhaps he didn’t need to. He followed behind, watching the young man prepare the honey water for him step by step.

The steps were simple: get the honey, scoop the honey, pour hot water, and stir.

The water was even water he had boiled himself, but it was late now, and the house, which only held the two of them, was very quiet. There seemed to be the sound of frogs croaking, a sign of summer.

Qiu Zhijie tilted his head, then turned back, stepping forward to wrap his arms around the young man from behind. He raised his hands, grasping the young man’s wrists, and lifted them together.

Kong Xunwen looked up. The light fell into his light-colored eyes, reflecting the sheen of the honey water in the cup that also fell into his gaze.

Because of the posture, the rim of the cup didn’t touch Qiu Zhijie’s lips. The honey water fell from a distance, and inevitably, some spilled from the corner of his mouth.

The cup became clear and empty. Kong Xunwen swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

The person behind him guided him to put the cup down, then lifted it again, bringing it to rest against the side of his jaw. With a slight pressure from his knuckles, another person appeared before his eyes.

Black and light-colored pupils met.