As the two made their way downstairs after freshening up, Li Qingci felt the party host’s disapproving gaze, sharp as daggers, flying towards them.
Li Qingci stepped forward, shielding Xu Jinghan behind him. He cleared his throat to gather courage. “I think you were right yesterday. I’ve taken a liking to him. I was wondering…”
He paused, realizing he didn’t know how to address the party host. “Um, how should I address you?”
“Xu Ruchu.”
Braving Xu Ruchu’s icy stare, Li Qingci pressed on, “Mr. Xu, would you be so kind as to let him go? To part with him, so to speak, and allow me to have him?”
Xu Ruchu scoffed, “Who do you think you are? What’s your status? And what’s his? He’s far too good for you! Or rather—you’re not worthy of him!”
Xu Ruchu was seething, but suddenly remembering what Xu Jinghan had told him earlier, he bit his tongue, nearly stumbling over his words.
Li Qingci found Xu Ruchu’s words odd. He couldn’t tell if the man was praising or insulting him. What a strange person.
He glanced at Xu Jinghan, who innocently shook his head and pointed to his temple.
Xu Ruchu noticed their interaction but pretended not to see it. He swirled the wine in his glass before downing it in one gulp. “If you want to take him, fine. How much are you willing to pay?”
Li Qingci felt uneasy. His family were nouveau riche—extremely new nouveau riche at that. Though he had plenty of money, he worried about what would happen if he couldn’t afford the price.
Just as Xu Ruchu held up five fingers, Xu Jinghan quickly interjected, “I’m not expensive.”
Xu Ruchu: …
“Give me five million, and he’s yours.”
Li Qingci breathed a sigh of relief. “Alright, it’s a deal.”
Though Li Qingci had more than enough money, he’d been raised to be frugal. Although he was relieved, he still felt a twinge of pain at the cost.
Waiting at a red light, Li Qingci glanced at Xu Jinghan, who seemed in high spirits in the passenger seat. He realized that what had started as a desire to broaden his horizons had turned into spending five million to keep a lover overnight—a fake lover at that.
“What are your plans now?” Li Qingci asked carefully, trying to sound like a friend having a heart-to-heart. “Though I’ve bought you, you’re still free. As we agreed, this is just a pretend arrangement.”
Li Qingci didn’t understand why Xu Jinghan seemed to become unhappy after hearing his words.
“I’ll pay you back! The five million.”
“Well, if you don’t, it’s fine. Consider it my good deed for the day. Doing good never hurts. That’s just how I am. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t help you, but I’m not trying to pressure you.”
Li Qingci thought for a moment and added, “If you really feel bad about it, you can pay me back slowly. After all, you’re penniless right now. There’s no way you could come up with five million.”
“I will!” Xu Jinghan’s tone grew urgent as he turned to look out the window. “I’ll sell my kidney, my body, my ass, my dick—whatever it takes to pay you back.”
Li Qingci: ?!?!
“That’s not what I meant! I just got you out of the fire; how could I watch you jump back in?” Li Qingci was getting irritated too.
“Isn’t that exactly what you meant? Aren’t you trying to get rid of me now?”
Li Qingci was angry at first, but when Xu Jinghan turned to face him, he saw the redness in his eyes and couldn’t bring himself to say anything harsh.
Xu Jinghan spoke in a humble tone, “Since you’re doing your daily good deed, couldn’t you take me in? Don’t send me away. I’ll do the laundry, cook, clean, wash windows, even warm your bed every night.”
Talented in both the arts and martial arts, able to cry and act, suitable for both refined and menial tasks, full of schemes—this delicate (not!) creature.
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