Chapter 48#

Chapter 48 Side Story — Twenty-Three

It was already past nine in the evening when the two finished their meal, gobbling it down. Mo Xi sat on the sofa exhausted, recalling the whole day. It was like filming a magical drama, quite a torment.

At this time, Pei Hao poked half of his head out of the bathroom and raised his eyebrows slightly at him: “I might need you to do me a favor.”

“What?” Mo Xi asked.

“I can’t take a shower these days, maybe…” Pei Hao stopped halfway, glanced at him carefully, and then continued, “I need someone to help wipe my body.” His expression was particularly serious when he said this, with a hint of grievance, as if he was really just making a reasonable request as a victim, without thinking about anything else.

Mo Xi was stunned. The doctor did say that his wound shouldn’t touch water for fear of infection. It seemed nothing wrong to help a patient wipe his body. But the more he thought about it, the weirder it felt. Who would go to their ex-boyfriend’s house to wipe his body after breaking up?

This didn’t fit the logical development of the story in his mind.

Besides, Pei Hao had abs and long legs. He really couldn’t guarantee that he wouldn’t have wild thoughts while wiping.

“I won’t take off my pants, just wipe my back,” seeing his hesitation, Pei Hao looked at him with pleading eyes, his tone as soft as a child acting coquettishly, “It’s sticky and I can’t sleep.”

“…” Mo Xi thought to himself, if you dare to take off your pants, I’ll leave immediately. But turning his head to meet Pei Hao’s aggrieved gaze, he surrendered immediately. He really couldn’t refuse Pei Hao who humbled himself to beg him like this.

After struggling internally for a few times, Mo Xi walked into the bathroom like a warrior cutting off his wrist, dipped a towel in warm water, wrung it out, and said to Pei Hao: “Take off your shirt.”

Pei Hao pulled his clothes up and off with a swoosh. Three terrifying wounds appeared in front of Mo Xi, one on the back and one on each arm, crawling on him like winding centipedes, looking creepy.

Mo Xi frowned tightly and wiped carefully around the wounds: “Let me know if it hurts anywhere.”

“Mm.”

Pei Hao was thinner, but the lean foundation from years of exercise was still there. His upper body was prominent and his waist was tight. The standard inverted triangle hadn’t changed at all. The lines were clean from top to bottom, and the muscles were well-proportioned, pleasing to the eye no matter how you looked at it.

Mo Xi suddenly forgave himself from a few years ago. Pei Hao was so pleasing to his eyes inside and out. He was young then, how could he resist?

To make the atmosphere less awkward and to stop his own wild thoughts, he took the initiative to start a conversation: “Do you still play basketball now?”

“Occasionally, work is too busy.” Pei Hao answered absent-mindedly. There was a large half-length mirror hanging on the wall of the bathroom. He kept turning sideways, staring intently at Mo Xi’s serious expression in the mirror. The warm, wet, and soft touch was transmitted from the skin to the nerves, crisp and itchy, and a certain desire in his lower body was eager to rise.

“By the way,” Mo Xi suddenly remembered meeting Song Wanqin today and asked, “Why does your mom know me?”

“Oh?” Pei Hao was a little surprised. He didn’t know that his mom had interacted with Mo Xi today.

“When I was waiting for you at the police station today, she came over and asked me where you were.” Mo Xi explained.

“Is that so…” Pei Hao dragged one hand to his chin and thought carefully for a while, hesitating whether to tell Mo Xi the truth.

Seeing him silent for a long time, Mo Xi couldn’t help asking: “Is that so what?”

Seeing him so curious, Pei Hao didn’t think much anymore and replied calmly: “Because I came out. My mom knows I like you.”

Mo Xi looked up suddenly, stopped his hand movements, and looked at him with a surprised face, as if trying to confirm the truth of his words, but only saw Pei Hao suddenly hook the corner of his mouth and laugh.

Damn, making such a joke! Scared him into a cold sweat!

Mo Xi threw the towel on his back, rolled his eyes, and twitched the corner of his mouth: “Wipe the rest yourself.”

Pei Hao was stunned for a second. He didn’t understand why Mo Xi was suddenly angry. He laughed just now because he thought Mo Xi’s wide-eyed and terrified look was particularly funny. Did Mo Xi think he was too unserious? He quickly closed his mouth, pulled the person preparing to go out back, circled him with both hands, and whispered: “I was wrong, I won’t laugh anymore.”

Mo Xi was surrounded by Pei Hao’s solid chest. His eyes drifted over his beautiful collarbone. Another inch forward would touch his broad chest muscles. He liked to touch them when they were in bed before…

The person by his ear whispered softly, and his thoughts became more and more uncontrollable. He quickly moved his eyes to the mirror behind Pei Hao. Just right, he saw his own shy and annoyed expression, and his heart became even more unsettled.

His mentality was about to explode… How could he be so disappointing!

Pei Hao just wanted to apologize. He didn’t know when the person in his arms suddenly blushed. At such a close distance, he could even see the fine hair on Mo Xi’s face clearly. He couldn’t help but lower his head and pecked lightly on Mo Xi’s forehead.

Mo Xi was startled and glared at him fiercely.

“Oops, slipped just now,” Pei Hao raised his eyebrows and raised a faint smile, “Sorry to touch you.”

“…” Mo Xi punched Pei Hao on the chest. It seemed heavy but actually very light. After all, the guy was still injured, so he couldn’t be ruthless. After hitting, he cursed: “Screw you!” Then he ran back to the living room in a hurry.

Pei Hao in the bathroom didn’t answer him either, but wiped himself with a towel contentedly, humming a cheerful tune.

Mo Xi hadn’t completely adjusted to the time difference. He was a little sleepy when waiting for Pei Hao at the police station in the afternoon. Now he was basically in a state where he could fall asleep as soon as he closed his eyes. He forced himself to wait for Pei Hao to finish wiping his body and come out. After taking a shower himself, he walked to the sofa, lifted the quilt Pei Hao had been using these days, got in, and said to Pei Hao with his eyes half-open and half-closed: “You go sleep on the bed today.”

“No need, you go sleep on the bed.” Pei Hao said but waited for a reply that never came. He leaned over and waved his hand in front of Mo Xi’s eyes, finding that the person had already closed his eyes slightly and fallen into a deep sleep with even breathing.

Pei Hao was stunned. How sleepy was he?

Under the dim light, the eyelashes of the person on the sofa were like the wings of a small butterfly, fluttering slightly rhythmically with the breathing in the body. Pei Hao raised a hand and touched it gently. The small butterfly trembled a few times as if frightened. Pei Hao bent down and kissed the two thin red lips under him lightly, watched with a smile for a while, and then carried the person back to the bed.

Mo Xi woke up sleepily the next morning and found himself in Pei Hao’s bed. He rolled out of bed, walked to the living room, and found Pei Hao still lying on the sofa, sleeping soundly. Mo Xi patted his head, vaguely recalling a few scenes of Pei Hao getting him to bed.

The sofa wasn’t big, and Pei Hao was tall. He could barely lie in it by curling up into a ball. Mo Xi felt aggrieved no matter how he looked at it. He walked over, picked up half of the quilt that had fallen on the floor and covered Pei Hao with it, then went back to the bathroom to wash up, changed clothes and went out to buy groceries.

The sound of Mo Xi closing the door was very light. Pei Hao was awakened by the clanging sound in the kitchen. He got up and leaned against the kitchen door, watching Mo Xi busy with a spatula, and lost his mind for a few seconds. He was too familiar with this scene. In the year he lived with Mo Xi, it happened almost every morning. In many days later, he also quietly recalled it countless times alone.

Seven years of time, pulling and tugging, it seemed they were back to the starting point.

The warm sunshine hit Mo Xi’s fine bangs. The steamer in the kitchen emitted wisps of white steam. It was such a beautiful morning, but Pei Hao felt inexplicably uncomfortable. How he wished time could stop at this second forever, but he knew he couldn’t keep it. In a few days, Mo Xi would fly to the US without looking back. As long as he wanted, a delete key would clear everything that happened these days, leaving Pei Hao alone in endless longing in memories.

Seeing him standing at the door in a daze, Mo Xi was a little puzzled and called him: “Pei Hao?”

“Mm?” Pei Hao looked up at him confusedly.

“Drink this glass of lemon water.” Mo Xi handed him a glass of prepared water. The doctor said Pei Hao should take more Vitamin C so the wound would heal faster.

“Oh.” Pei Hao was very obedient, picked it up and drank it all. He looked at the person in front of him thoughtfully, feeling that Mo Xi hadn’t changed at all. He was still the person who was gentle to the bone. He was like the spring breeze in March, always able to smooth out all the irritable emotions in Pei Hao. Often nagging, carefully caring for him from the heart, making him feel wrapped in delicacy and gentleness at all times.

How ignorant he was in the past to lose such a good person.

Mo Xi didn’t notice the disappointment on Pei Hao’s face, and pointed to the small box on the table and said: “And painkillers…”

Before he finished speaking, the doorbell rang. Pei Hao had lived here for almost half a year and never had any guests. He looked confused, unable to think of who would come to find him so early in the morning.

Property management? Wrong door?

Pei Hao walked over a few steps and opened the door, stunned when he saw the person in front of him.

Song Wanqin stood at the door carrying big and small bags. Seeing Pei Hao standing there motionless, she complained: “Carry them quickly, they are heavy.”

“How did you…” know I live here? Pei Hao stopped halfway, suddenly remembering that Lawyer Qin asked for his home address yesterday, saying he would send documents to him later.

Really… hard to guard against…

Don’t look at Song Wanqin usually being gentle, generous and harmless. In fact, she is a shrewd person. The people she finds to do things are not bad either. Pei Hao has deeply experienced this since childhood. Based on his understanding for so many years, he felt that even Pei Yixin was not her opponent when Song Wanqin became scheming.

“Um, Mom,” Pei Hao took the bags from Song Wanqin’s hand and smiled negotiably: “How about you come back in a few days?”

“Why can’t I come to the place where my son lives?” Song Wanqin glanced at him, pushed him away, and walked straight in.

Pei Hao chased after her a few steps and changed to a pleading tone: “Mom, please!”

At any other time, he wouldn’t care if his mom knew his address. It was mainly because Mo Xi was still here. If Song Wanqin came up and gave him a few looks or said a few harsh words, he would have no chance in the future.

“Alright, alright,” Song Wanqin waved her hand impatiently at him, “I’ll leave after putting down the things.” She originally wanted to come over and make soup for Pei Hao, but seeing his reluctant look, she knew there must be someone else at home.

Mo Xi was frying small fish. Hearing the sound of Pei Hao closing the door, he instructed without raising his head: “Take the painkillers quickly.”

The person at the door didn’t reply. Mo Xi turned the fish in the pan over, sprinkled some salt, and continued: “Eat lighter today. The doctor said you can’t eat too heavy flavors.”

The person standing at the door took off her scarf, walked unhurriedly to the kitchen door, calmly cast her gaze into the kitchen, and asked: “What are you making?”

The moment he heard the voice, Mo Xi’s heart jumped to his throat. Looking up to see the person clearly, he choked, too nervous to speak.

Pei Hao shrugged helplessly at him from behind, indicating that he couldn’t help it either.

After all, having had something with Pei Hao, Mo Xi felt guilty himself. At first, he was a little at a loss, but then he thought, although Pei Hao’s mom knew him, it didn’t mean she knew their past relationship. He was just making breakfast for a patient now. What was he nervous about?

Absolutely cannot mess up his own position.

A series of inner dramas flashed through Mo Xi’s mind, and finally he calmed down and said: “Steamed egg custard, vegetable porridge, and fried fish.”

Song Wanqin looked at the fish in the pan expressionlessly and said: “Eat less fried food.”

“Mm.” Mo Xi nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

After speaking, Song Wanqin walked into the kitchen and stuffed the vegetables she bought into the refrigerator. While stuffing, she wondered why there were already some of the vegetables she bought inside.

“Did you go to buy groceries this morning?” Song Wanqin asked Pei Hao.

Pei Hao tilted his head to look at the refrigerator and pointed at Mo Xi: “He went to buy them.”

“Oh.” Song Wanqin didn’t speak anymore, just gave Mo Xi a meaningful look. These vegetables were bought after she consulted the doctor this morning, saying they help wound healing. Regardless of whether this person in front of her was sincere or fake, it seemed he still put some heart into Pei Hao.

Usually, Pei Hao was so busy that he didn’t have time to cook, almost always ordering takeout. He looked at the fully stuffed refrigerator, a little worried. With so many vegetables, he didn’t know if they would pile up until next year.

Mo Xi was still busy in the kitchen. Song Wanqin didn’t enter Pei Hao’s bedroom. She was afraid of seeing something she shouldn’t see and disgusting herself. So she walked around the living room and was pleasantly surprised to find no cigarette butts in Pei Hao’s ashtray. When she first entered the door today, she felt something was different. Thinking carefully, there was no smell of smoke in the room.

According to etiquette, Mo Xi should have asked Song Wanqin to stay for breakfast, but he really couldn’t say it. If she really stayed, it might be the most awkward breakfast in his life. So when she said she was leaving, Mo Xi only replied, “Take care, Auntie.”

Song Wanqin didn’t mind either. She instructed Pei Hao a few words and closed the door and left. Out of the elevator, she immediately took out her phone and dialed a number, saying to the person on the phone: “Check that person named Mo Xi for me again, the more detailed the better.”