Sissy (Niang Niang Qiang) - Chap 37
Chapter 37
Li Chengxiu wandered outside for the whole day and only came back when the sun was about to set.
Seeing the villa in front of him gave him an urge to flee.
He didn’t know how to face Shao Qun. After thinking and struggling for the entire day, he still decided not to ask Shao Qun about anything. The thought of what he might have to endure after asking such a question made him terrified.
How can one know someone’s true heart without the risk of losing everything?
Li Chengxiu rubbed his puffy eyelids and walked into the house one step after the other.
When he opened the door and entered the house, Shao Qun was leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window with his back turned to him. He was looking at the fish pond outside.
As soon as he heard the movement, Shao Qun immediately turned his head. He was holding his mobile phone. He slowly lowered his hand and frowned slightly: “Did the interview take so long? I was about to call you.”
Li Chengxiu nodded tiredly and couldn’t even summon the courage to look up.
Seeing his lost look, Shao Qun walked over to stand in front of him. He then gently lifted his chin: “What’s the matter? So dispirited… No success?”
Li Chengxiu turned his head away and hummed softly.
Shao Qun couldn’t deal with that kind of arrogant posturing. He grabbed his chin tightly and forced Li Chengxiu to turn his face towards himself: “So if you can’t find a job, you give me attitude. You’re really something, huh.”
Li Chengxiu’s nostrils puffed up and suddenly he raised his hand with some agitation.
The loud “pop” sound made both of them freeze.
Li Chengxiu looked at Shao Qun at a complete loss. Shao Qun was also stunned for half a second. His eyes gradually widened, and he looked at Li Chengxiu in disbelief.
He seemed to be too accustomed to Li Chengxiu’s total obedience. When had he ever resisted him in the slightest? What was going on today?
Li Chengxiu moved his lips. There was a little panic in his eyes.
Shao Qun pulled his arm fiercely and pressed Li Chengxiu against the wall.
“What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you on your period?” he gritted his teeth
Li Chengxiu’s eyes were slightly red. He carefully observed Shao Qun inch by inch, trying to read the answer he wanted off this perfect face that he adored.
What exactly was he thinking? How serious was this relationship for him? Could Li Chengxiu trust him? Was he the Shao Qun that he had envisioned in his mind?
He had too many questions to ask, and his heart roared desperately. But his throat was being tightly strangled by an invisible hand, so he couldn’t make a sound.
Shao Qun noticed his red and swollen eyes and couldn’t help touching his upper eyelids: “What is this? Did you cry?”
His anger suddenly disappeared under Li Chengxiu’s obviously aggrieved look.
He didn’t know what happened at Li Chengxiu’s interview today. But it must have been quite unpleasant. An honest and weak person like Li Chengxiu, when he was bullied, could only swallow the insults. When he returned home, he showed a little emotion. Shao Qun decided that he should be tolerant of that. This just shows that he doesn’t treat Shao Qun as an outsider.
Shao Qun felt a little more pity in his heart. He let go of Li Chengxiu’s arm, touched his face lightly and said softly, “Why do you feel wronged? What made you so angry?”
Li Chengxiu shook his head gently.
Shao Qun felt that it was fine if he didn’t say anything. He didn’t plan to help him vent his anger anyway. After all, if Li Chengxiu couldn’t find a job, it was only better for Shao Qun. He hugged him and coaxed softly: “It’s alright. Don’t be angry. Isn’t this just some trivial thing? You’re a grown-up. Be strong.”
Li Chengxiu lowered his eyes and fell silent in his arms.
Shao Qun thought that actually such a small Li Chengxiu with his little temper tantrum was kind of cute and occasionally could be fun.
Shao Qun put his arms around Li Chengxiu’s waist and dragged him to the porch: “Come on, put on your shoes. I’ll take you out to dinner. I haven’t eaten yet, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Li Chengxiu shook his head: “I don’t want to go out.”
Shao Qun didn’t argue: “Okay, if you don’t want to go, we don’t have to go.” Shao Qun lowered his head and gave him a kiss on the cheek, “I’ll listen to my wifey. Then let’s order some takeout.”
Li Chengxiu whispered, “No, I’ll cook.”
“Okay.” Shao Qun released his hand, “Do it. Just make something light, it’s already late.”
Li Chengxiu let out an “um” and entered the kitchen with his head down. He turned around and leaned against the kitchen table in an entirely collapsed state. Supporting his body with his hands, he quickly took a couple of breaths in this space that didn’t have Shao Qun’s presence.
How could he finally gather his courage? He either should say something or forget what happened today entirely. He had to choose one of those options, or he wouldn’t be able to face Shao Qun anymore. What should he do?
He quickly prepared some noodles, and the two of them sat face to face, having the most silent dinner ever.
Although Shao Qun kept trying to talk to him, Li Chengxiu dodged any kind of conversation, which made Shao Qun disappointed.
After dinner, Shao Qun leaned against the kitchen door with his hands folded over his chest and said to Li Chengxiu who was washing the dishes: “When you’re done, pack a suitcase for me. I’m going abroad for about a week. I’ll need summer clothes.”
Li Chengxiu paused: “Okay.”
Shao Qun shook his head impatiently, returned to the bedroom and leaned against the bedside to read.
Tomorrow he was going to Tahiti with Qi Ming for a vacation. After their return, they planned to officially get engaged in Beijing.
Everything was proceeding according to plan, and on the surface life seemed to be peaceful. However, Shao Qun felt a little uneasy in his heart, but he didn’t know where this uneasiness came from. This was something that disturbed him the most.
Buying a restaurant for Li Chengxiu.
Shao Qun didn’t know what happened, but as he abruptly moved his body around, this idea suddenly came to him. When he thought about it some more, he came to the conclusion that it was a great idea.
Didn’t Li Chengxiu love to cook? He could get him a restaurant and let him run it in any way he wanted.
The restaurant needed to be close to here, so Li Chengxiu could go home at any time. He would have flexible work hours…Yes, that was a great idea. Why didn’t he think of it before?
Shao Qun smiled smugly, threw his book away and lay down on the bed, relaxed. He planned to let Xiao Zhou find a suitable place nearby, and then he could quickly arrange everything when he came back from vacation.
After Shao Qun left early in the morning, Li Chengxiu felt relieved.
He started going out every day in order to find a job as soon as possible.
On the third day after Shao Qun left, Li Chengxiu came out of a restaurant where he just had his job interview and ran into an unexpected person.
“Li Chengxiu?”
“Adrian?” Li Chengxiu looked at the delicate little gay boy in surprise.
Li Chengxiu had met him three times in total before. It was always when Shao Qun took him to cut his hair. The place where he interviewed today happened to be on the same street as Adrian’s studio.
Adrian’s face was puffed from the cold. While rubbing his hands, he went up to grab Li Chengxiu’s arm and dragged him into a nearby restaurant just like that: “Come on. Let’s not stand outside talking in the cold. Have lunch with me!”
Adrian had a cheerful and straightforward personality. Although he was sometimes mean, he was never malicious. In Li Chengxiu’s eyes, he was the kind of person who dared to say and do anything.
“Oh, what a coincidence! You haven’t been in the studio for a long time, and your bangs have grown out. After dinner, let’s go to my shop, and I’ll fix it for you.”
“Ah… no… no… thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I managed to fix your hairstyle really nicely… Tsk,tsk, my craftsmanship is really good.” After saying that, he giggled.
Li Chengxiu smiled lightly, not knowing what to say.
Adrian was dazzling, brilliant, and Li Chengxiu felt so small in front of him. If it had been Adrian in his situation, he would have dared to act decisively when faced with a problem, instead of being a coward like him, hesitating to even ask a single question and torturing himself with sleepless nights.
“Hey, by the way, what about Shao Qun? Why are you here on your own?” Adrian asked inarticulately, as he was sticking a chopstick into his mouth.
“He’s on a business trip.”
“Oh. How have you two been recently? Having a good time?”
Li Chengxiu’s expression darkened.
“What’s wrong?” Adrian put down his chopsticks and blinked to observe Li Chengxiu’s face, “Did you argue?”
Li Chengxiu shook his head.
Adrian suddenly shouted: “Ah! Have you broken up?” There was an obvious excitement in his voice.
Li Chengxiu was stunned for a while, then quickly shook his head: “No.”
“Then tell me what’s wrong.” Adrian’s eyes flashed in an anticipation of gossip.
Li Chengxiu stared blankly at the orange pumpkin pie in front of him. He was really overwhelmed by his heavy thoughts, and he wished for someone to listen to him. But he didn’t know how to say all these things. Adrian was not his friend after all. He was Shao Qun’s friend.
Adrian grabbed his arm that was lying on top of the table and said coquettishly, “Well, let’s see what the problem is. Maybe I can help you.”
Li Chengxiu lowered his head sadly and shook it: “It’s okay.”
Adrian sighed: “Don’t think that I’m being nosy. I’m just worried about you.”
Whether what he said was true or not, Li Chengxiu felt a little warmth in his heart. He forced out a smile: “Thank you.”
“At first sight it’s clear that people like you can be bullied easily. So I’m worried about you, since I hate it the most when honest people are being bullied. You have to be tough, so that you don’t suffer. Do you understand?”
Li Chengxiu nodded. Who would argue with the truth?
“To put it bluntly, you’re so weak, that it was clear that sooner or later Shao Qun would eat you up without spitting out the bones.” Adrian wiped the corner of his mouth lightly with a tissue and suddenly gave Li Chengxiu a wink, “However, if you’ve actually broken up with Shao Qun, why don’t you get together with me?”
Li Chengxiu was taken aback.
“Hahahaha.” Adrian laughed, “Just kidding. I’m only into guys with six pack abs. Not into skinny ones like you.”
Li Chengxiu smiled awkwardly.
“But…” Adrian lowered his voice and said mysteriously, “If your thing is longer than fifteen centimeters, I might still consider it.”
Li Chengxiu’s face turned red, and he subconsciously leaned back in his chair .
Adrian said quite seriously: “You know, a lot of good-looking thin guys have unexpectedly big dicks.”
Li Chengxiu looked around awkwardly, not knowing how to keep up with Adrian’s unrestrained nature.
“But you look like you don’t have any experience in topping…I mean it, Li Chengxiu. Although you and I are not very compatible, if you’re not together with Shao Qun anymore, I could introduce you to a good man. I have plenty of resources. There will be a line of people waiting to snatch up someone like you – a kind, gentle, virtuous type that is a must-have for any traveler.”
“Uh, I…”
“There is someone! There is someone! I immediately thought of a suitable, really really handsome gentleman for you. He’s rich, and the main thing is that his techniques are good. Perfect fit for you.”
Li Chengxiu smiled bitterly.
“Hey, leave me your digits!” Adrian picked up Li Chengxiu’s cell phone, then dialed a number on it and smiled, “If you have any difficulties, you can call me. No need to be polite, we’re fellows from the same boat. And once you’re single, I’ll definitely introduce you to a boyfriend. I like being a matchmaker.”
Li Chengxiu nodded helplessly.
After the meal, Adrian took Li Chengxiu to his studio and fixed his hair before he happily sent him out the door.
Adrian was very enthusiastic and straightforward, which made Li Chengxiu feel as if he had made an instant friend. He never thought that meeting him would be so delightful.
When he got off the bus and was on his way home, his phone suddenly rang. Li Chengxiu looked at the screen and saw that it was Shao Qun.
Li Chengxiu hesitated for a long time, but finally accepted the call: “Hello.”
Shao Qun’s magnetic voice came from the other side: “Hello, darling. Miss me?”
“Um.”
“What’s with the “um”? Do you miss me or not?”
Li Chengxiu said hesitantly, “I miss you.”
“That’s more like it. What have you been doing these past two days?”
“Looking for a job. And you? Are you busy?”
“Of course I’m busy.” Shao Qun didn’t seem to want to continue this topic and added, “I really want to go home soon. It’s so boring here. I miss you.”
Li Chengxiu unconsciously smiled : “Work is important.”
“By the way, I bought a lot of gifts for you. And some very special clothes…” Shao Qun chuckled ambiguously, “When I come back, you’ll put them on for me, okay?”
Li Chengxiu didn’t understand what he meant, so he replied casually, “Okay.”
“This place is quite fun. I’ll take you here to play around some other time.”
“Where are you?”
“Even if I tell you, you wouldn’t know…”
There was a sudden knock coming from the other side, and Li Chengxiu faintly heard a delicate female voice: “Hubby, it’s me.”
Li Chengxiu paused.
Shao Qun reacted quickly and said to Li Chengxiu, “Oh, it’s Xiao Zhou’s girlfriend. We were just discussing some things with him, and he went to the bathroom. I’ll hang up to open the door. See you at home then.” Without waiting for Li Chengxiu to respond, Shao Qun decisively hung up the phone.
Li Chengxiu listened to the busy tone, as he recalled the female voice just now. Suddenly, he froze right in the middle of the road.
He was just a little slow, but not stupid.
Shao Qun was free enough to call him. So why would he use his break to also talk about work with assistant Zhou? And Shao Qun’s rush just now was really abnormal.
Li Chengxiu felt exhausted physically and mentally.
Since when did he need to doubt everything about Shao Qun? How did the two of them get to this point?
He felt that he really couldn’t hold it in anymore. He made up his mind that when Shao Qun came back, he would ask him about everything. Otherwise these doubts would overwhelm him sooner or later.
He wanted to ask Shao Qun whether what Manager Zhang said was true or not. He also wanted to know who the woman in the newspaper was. And also who the woman on the other side of the phone was.
If he doesn’t ask, he’ll only have sleepless nights from now on. No matter the outcome, it won’t hurt him more than this current torture.
He walked back home slowly, and as he approached the gate, he saw a black car parked there. At first glance it was clear that the visitor was aiming for Shao Qun’s house. The car blocked the entire driveway, and the car lights were still on.
It was a little dark, and when Li Chengxiu looked inside the car, he could only see a middle-aged man sitting in the driver’s seat.
He quickly walked over, and the driver got out of the car, nodding politely at him: “Mr. Li, hello. Please open the gate. The Third Young Miss is waiting in the car.”
Third Young Miss? What Third Young Miss? Li Chengxiu looked at the driver suspiciously.
The driver explained: “It’s the Young Master’s sister.”
Li Chengxiu was stunned. But he remembered that the last time Shao Qun’s sister came around, he clearly called her “eldest sister[13]”.
He didn’t have time to think much, so he hurried to open the gate.
The driver saw that Li Chengxiu was doing as he was told and got back into the car.
Since Li Chengxiu didn’t drive, he didn’t have the remote key to open the gate automatically like Shao Qun did. He could only use his usual key to open the lock first. Then he had to laboriously push the two large carved iron gates to both sides by hand.
The weather was so cold that touching the iron gate felt like touching ice. The temperatures had dropped a couple days ago, when Shao Qun was already on his business trip. The iron gate hadn’t been opened for several days, so it had frozen a little and became a bit sluggish. Usually, Li Chengxiu just opened the small door in the gate to go in directly. This time, he had to rely on his manpower to manually push the automatic gate open, only to realize that it was pretty damn hard.
Li Chengxiu’s forehead was already covered in sweat when he was done with one side of the gate. He turned his head and glanced back at the car. The people there didn’t have the slightest intention to help. Li Chengxiu sighed and proceeded to push the other side of the gate open with great effort.
The car pulled through the gate and parked in the yard.
Li Chengxiu put in another great effort to push the two gate doors closed again.
It wasn’t until he had locked the gate and opened the door to the villa that the driver got out of the driver’s seat and graciously opened the doors for the Third Young Miss.
An extremely delicate and beautiful woman, wrapped in thick and luxurious fur, got out of the car.
She looked a bit like Shao Qun’s eldest sister, but she was obviously younger and had a completely different temperament. Shao Qun’s eldest sister looked majestic and wise, and this person in front of Li Chengxiu, looked a bit savage, with her eyebrows also slightly upturned.
She gave Li Chengxiu an arrogant glance and walked into the house with her high heels.
