Chapter 89

Chapter 89

"089"

This was the first time Lu Ao had ever heard Xiao Lancui curse, and he was too surprised. The next second, he caught Xiao Lancui's hand as he moved to pull it away, lowering his eyes to examine it.

As expected, Xiao Lancui's palm was slightly red and a bit swollen.

Lu Ao quickly bent his head, gently massaging his palm, frowning as he asked, "Does it hurt badly? It's really red."

He even blew gently on Xiao Lancui's palm.

Xiao Lancui tried to pull his hand back but couldn't, as the warm breath tickled his palm. He looked at Lu Ao's nose bridge—he had hit hard, and Lu Ao's nose was strikingly red.

His face seemed a bit swollen too. But after being soaked in seawater for so long, it was hard to tell if it was from the water or the slap.

He stared at Lu Ao for two seconds before suddenly speaking. "What's wrong with you?"

Lu Ao, worried about bruising on his palm, was still carefully rubbing it and casually replied, "Nothing. Perfectly healthy."

Xiao Lancui tried to pull his hand back again, still unable to. A fierce, indescribable irritation welled up in him. "You're crazy. I hit you, and your face is swollen."

Lu Ao finished rubbing Xiao Lancui's palm, gave it a final little squeeze, and looked up with a flashy grin. "Swollen? I didn't even notice."

He withdrew his hand and made a show of touching his face. "Yeah, a bit. Probably from the water." Suddenly, he grabbed Xiao Lancui's hand again, this time pressing it against his cheek, staring at him intensely. "A Lan, I'm really happy you're worried about me. It really doesn't hurt."

He turned his face and kissed Xiao Lancui's palm, saying, "You're too weak. Eat more, stay healthy, and maybe next time you can actually hurt me."

Xiao Lancui pulled his hand back—this time he got it free. Under the streetlight, Lu Ao's smiling face was lit up. Xiao Lancui was quiet for a second before saying, "Let's go. I need to give my statement."

Lu Ao followed Xiao Lancui to give his statement. When they left the police station, it was already 3 a.m.

Xiao Lancui pulled out his phone and fiddled with it for a moment. Rather than staying somewhere close, he took a taxi to a five-star hotel three kilometers away. At the front desk, Lu Ao handed over his ID. "One king bed."

At the same time, Xiao Lancui's voice came from behind him. "Two rooms."

The front desk clerk paused, her eyes darting between the two before landing on Lu Ao, who was standing in front.

Lu Ao's brow twitched. His Adam's apple bobbed as he corrected himself. "Two rooms."

The clerk quickly processed their check-in and handed over two room cards and their IDs. The tension was too thick—she didn't look up, speaking rapidly. "2101 and 2102. The power card is already inserted; just press down. Turn left for the elevators."

Xiao Lancui walked ahead first. Lu Ao grabbed the cards and hurried after him.

At this hour, they were the only two in the elevator. Xiao Lancui stood in the corner. Lu Ao opened his mouth several times but closed it each time. The elevator quickly reached the 21st floor. They stepped out one after the other. 2101 and 2102 were right next to each other. Lu Ao took out a room card and handed it to Xiao Lancui.

Xiao Lancui took it, glanced at it, then swiped the card to open 2102. He said tonelessly, "Good night."

As he stepped inside and moved to close the door, Lu Ao suddenly forced his way in, slamming a hand against the door. The hallway light was blocked out, plunging the room into darkness.

Lu Ao dropped the art tube and wrapped his arms tightly around Xiao Lancui from behind. His clothes, dried by the police station's air conditioning, were wrinkled and stiff. They rubbed against the skin of Xiao Lancui's neck. Lu Ao's breathing was rapid. "A Lan, don't be upset. I was wrong. I won't do it again."

In the darkness, there was what seemed like a silent sigh.

Xiao Lancui lowered his head, his eyes adjusting to the dark. The hands locked firmly around his waist came into view. He raised his hand to remove Lu Ao's, but instantly, the grip tightened. Lu Ao's lips pressed against his earlobe, in a pitiful voice. "I'm not letting go!"

Xiao Lancui stopped moving and said, "I'm not mad. Let go. I need to take a shower."

Lu Ao paused. "Really?"

In the dimness, Xiao Lancui's laugh was soft. "You're the one who got hit when you jumped into the sea. If you're not mad, why would I be?"

Lu Ao loosened his grip slightly. Xiao Lancui still didn't move, waiting for Lu Ao to fully let go. Then he reached out and pressed the power card. The room filled with light instantly. Lu Ao squinted against the sudden brightness and saw Xiao Lancui heading to the bathroom.

"I'm showering. When you've had enough, go back."

The bathroom door closed, and soon the sound of water came from inside.

Lu Ao's eyes darkened. Xiao Lancui wasn't angry—but this was worse than being angry.

So worried about this Lu Ao, huh?

Afraid he'd melt if you fished him out of the water?

Lu Ao yanked his collar open violently, two buttons popping off and clattering to the floor.

He hadn't known how to swim before. It was only after coming to this world that he'd learned, because he didn't want to reveal any flaws. And now he'd put it to use in a way he never expected.

Listening to the sound of running water, Lu Ao took a deep breath, picked up the art tube, and set it down in the small living area. Then he hurried to the bathroom door and said, "I'm leaving. Get some rest after you shower."

A faint "Mm" came from inside with the sound of the water.

The door clicked shut, and at the same time, the shower inside turned off.

In the warm, steamy bathroom, Xiao Lancui put on his bathrobe, dried his hair without blow-drying it, and came out.

His eyes immediately fell on the art tube on the coffee table.

His still-damp lashes blinked twice. Xiao Lancui stepped forward and opened the art tube.

The material was waterproof and fireproof—even after falling into the sea, the scroll inside was undamaged. Xiao Lancui slowly unrolled the scroll.

He revealed one corner, then stopped. He froze for two seconds, then rolled it back up and sealed it back into the tube.

That night, Xiao Lancui had several fragmented dreams. When he opened his eyes again, a few slivers of light were seeping through the gaps in the curtains.

Xiao Lancui picked up his phone. It was 8 a.m.

There were a few texts.

All from the usual people, all asking about last night's incident.

Xiao Lancui only replied to Qi Ying: "I'm fine, thanks for asking."

Qi Ying replied instantly: "You're up this early? I'm having breakfast too."

Xiao Lancui didn't respond further. He called Lu Ao directly, who also picked up instantly. "Brother!"

Lu Ao always reverted to "brother" when he was being clingy.

Xiao Lancui hummed in response, threw off the covers, and got out of bed. "I'm hungry. Going to grab breakfast."

"Okay, I'm ready and waiting outside your door!"

Xiao Lancui hung up, got ready, and changed. When he opened the door, he was greeted by Lu Ao's big smile.

"Morning!"

His smile immediately faded. He leaned in closer. "What's with the dark circles? Didn't sleep well?"

Xiao Lancui walked past Lu Ao toward the elevator. "Mm."

Lu Ao quickly caught up. "Then sleep on the way back. I've booked the high-speed rail tickets."

Xiao Lancui was a bit drained. He nodded, and once Lu Ao stepped in, he swiped for the top floor.

The restaurant was on the top floor. As soon as the elevator doors opened, Lu Ao's gaze turned icy cold, staring at the man outside.

Can't shake this guy!

Xiao Lancui glanced at Lu Ao from the corner of his eye.

Qi Ying, seeing Xiao Lancui inside the elevator, was very surprised. He had finished eating and was about to enter, but instead said, "What a coincidence—you stayed over too. Here for breakfast? Me too."

Xiao Lancui replied, "Mm, join us?"

He stepped out of the elevator.

Qi Ying couldn't have been happier. He smiled and followed Xiao Lancui. "Sure." Then, as if offhandedly, "Is this your friend?"

Qi Ying was asking about Lu Ao.

He'd seen Lu Ao before—at last night's banquet, Lu Ao sat beside Xiao Lancui and bid against him for that painting.

Though neither of them had won the painting, he was certain that Lu Ao was the boyfriend Xiao Lancui had mentioned.

Qi Ying smiled at Lu Ao. "Hello, I'm Qi Ying."

Lu Ao gave him a cold look. "I'm his boyfriend, Lu Ao."

The confirmation hit Qi Ying hard. He looked back at Xiao Lancui, who showed no reaction. Xiao Lancui walked over to an empty table and sat down, and Lu Ao brushed past Qi Ying to take the seat next to Xiao Lancui.

His rational side told him to bow out gracefully, but emotionally, he still couldn't bring himself to give up.

This was the first time anyone had made his heart race like this. He wanted to fight for him.

Qi Ying pulled out the chair across from Xiao Lancui and sat down. A waiter came over, and after ordering breakfast, Qi Ying spoke first. "Mr. Lu, you look pretty young. Are you a student at City University too?"

Lu Ao's tone was icy. "And you?"

He shot back, looking down his nose, and Qi Ying was taken aback, thinking it absurd.

Age-wise, he was older and more senior; background-wise, he came from a prestigious scholarly family. Lu Ao had no right to be so rude to him.

Xiao Lancui was as refined as an orchid—Lu Ao simply wasn't good enough for him.

Qi Ying smiled. "I'm a graduate student at City University. Graduating next year." He then looked at Xiao Lancui and asked, "What are your plans after you graduate this year? With your caliber, getting into a grad program should be a breeze."

Lu Ao suddenly laughed. "Hasn't anyone told you that ogling someone else's boyfriend like that is just asking for a beating?"

An awkward silence fell.

Qi Ying's smile stiffened. He knew he'd been obvious, but he hadn't expected Lu Ao to call him out so bluntly. His expression darkened. He looked at Xiao Lancui, but Xiao Lancui, as if he hadn't heard a word, calmly sipped his water.

Qi Ying couldn't stay there any longer. He stood up. "Sorry, something came up. I'll get going."

Qi Ying hurried away.

Xiao Lancui set down his glass and said, "I'm not some prize everyone's after. You don't have to be so territorial."

Lu Ao leaned in, whispering by his ear, "A dog guarding its food—that's just instinct."

Xiao Lancui didn't argue, just smiled faintly.

Breakfast came—three servings. Xiao Lancui ate half of his, and Lu Ao polished off the rest. After checking out, they grabbed a cab to the high-speed rail station.

The ride was under an hour. Lu Ao had booked business class—only four seats, and it wasn't sold out, so it was just the two of them. As soon as they boarded, Xiao Lancui closed his eyes to rest. Lu Ao didn't bother him, booking a car on his phone.

Xiao Lancui had a follow-up appointment today, so they headed straight to the hospital once they hit the capital.

After booking the car, Lu Ao set down his phone and turned to look at Xiao Lancui.

The man was asleep, wrapped in a soft wool blanket, his chin half-buried in it, breathing steadily.

Lu Ao just watched him. After a moment, those pale, thin lips parted. "How much longer?"

Lu Ao glanced at his phone. "Fifteen minutes."

Xiao Lancui went still again, burrowed quietly in the wool blanket. It wasn't until they arrived that he opened his eyes. He was about to get off when a call came in.

From a landline at the detention center—Xiao Liqin.

"I need to see you."