TLLKTBD CH 53

Chapter 53: I Will Move Out as Soon as Possible.

Some time ago, that scumbag Ye Qinghe and a group of his buddies held a grand celebration for finally completing their “Zodiac Collection.” They partied wildly and then started suggesting new targets for their next round of “collecting”—twelve Chinese zodiac signs, specific nationalities, and even more absurd ideas were thrown around. Eventually, some heartless bastard proposed, “Let’s help the disabled,” and to everyone’s horror, the group unanimously agreed.

Ye Qinghe found the idea novel and, with great enthusiasm, joined in on selecting their targets—blind, deaf, mute, crippled, or missing a finger.

The notes clearly stated the next target: Qi Shaobai, the one with a limp.

Xu Yang shut his eyes for a moment, as if unwilling to see those piercing words.

“You still haven’t answered me. Why did you have him investigated?” Qi Shaobai insisted on getting a clear answer.

Xu Yang rubbed his nose, feeling a little uncomfortable. “I just thought there was something off about him. The first time we met at Basement, I got the sense that he wasn’t sincere. He knew too much about bar culture, so I instinctively felt that he was a player.”

“That’s it? Just because he knows a little about alcohol, you suspect him? Don’t you know a lot about it yourself? Why not call yourself a player then? Oh, wait—you have played around before.”

“What do you mean by that?” Xu Yang slammed his hand on the table in frustration. “I was just worried he’d trick you, so I had him checked out. If he had been serious, then fine, I’d have been overthinking. But who knew he’d actually turn out to be—”

“Who knew he’d really prove you right?” Qi Shaobai let out a quiet chuckle. “It wasn’t because of some alcohol knowledge—let’s be real. You just didn’t believe anyone would genuinely like a country bumpkin like me.”

“That’s not true!” Xu Yang was stunned by his interpretation and wanted to explain, but Qi Shaobai had already stood up.

“I know that someone like me isn’t worthy of your regard, and I’m well aware that I don’t have the qualifications to be your friend. I can’t reach your level. Since we find each other unpleasant, I won’t impose on you any longer.

I will move out as soon as possible.”

His words left no room for negotiation.

Xu Yang was also furious—he felt that his good intentions had been completely misunderstood.

“I don’t look down on you. If you insist on thinking that way, I can’t change your mind. If you want to move out, I won’t stop you. But shouldn’t you take responsibility for the injury I got because of you?”

“I never asked you to hit anyone,” Qi Shaobai replied.

“How can you be like this?” Xu Yang was about to scold him again, but Qi Shaobai spoke first. “Forget it. I’ll stay until your hand heals. That should take two days, right?”

“You have to wait until all the wounds close up for it to be considered healed,” Xu Yang pushed his luck. “With my hand injured, I can’t wash the dishes. You’ll have to do it.”

Qi Shaobai said nothing and simply collected the bowls from the table, taking them to the kitchen to wash. When he finished, he didn’t linger in the living room for even a second and headed straight back to his room. Just before stepping inside, he paused, his back still facing Xu Yang.

“Regardless of everything, I still have to thank you for today.”

“Wait a second,” Xu Yang, despite his frustration, was still curious. “If you hadn’t found out today… would you have agreed? Agreed to date him?”

Qi Shaobai lowered his head and shook it. “No. I never planned to agree in the first place.”

“Why? I thought you really liked him.”

Qi Shaobai turned his head slightly, glancing at Xu Yang with a complicated expression. “What made you think I liked him? I’ve been more enthusiastic toward Xiao Lang than I ever was with him.”

“You like Jin Lang?” Xu Yang was even more shocked. “But Jin Lang—”

“Tsk,” Qi Shaobai impatiently interrupted him. “I don’t like Xiao Lang, and I don’t like that guy named Ye either. I just couldn’t understand why he was so passionate toward me.” He paused before letting out a bitter laugh. “Now I know. It’s because of my limp. Heh.”

With that self-mocking chuckle, he opened the door, stepped inside, and locked it.

“Xiao Qi…” Xu Yang murmured in the living room, but he didn’t know what to say. The truth he had feared Qi Shaobai would learn had been revealed in the cruelest way possible tonight. Staring at the tightly shut door, he felt an overwhelming worry gnawing at him.

But life went on. Qi Shaobai continued going to work as usual, following his daily routine. When Jin Lang came over to deliver food, he still joined them for meals, acting completely normal. Even when Jin Lang, unaware of the situation, casually brought up the topic of Ye Qinghe’s pursuit, Qi Shaobai simply brushed it off with a chuckle, saying he didn’t have feelings for him and had already turned him down.

Qi Shaobai seemed perfectly fine, but only Xu Yang knew better.

One night, Xu Yang got up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water. As he passed by Qi Shaobai’s door, he faintly heard the sound of muffled sobbing.

Xu Yang froze in place.

Listening to that suppressed crying, his heart twisted with pain, wave after wave.

(To be continued…)