TLLKTBD CH 30

Chapter 30: This Person Is Truly Innocent

Qi Shaobai’s feelings toward Xu Yang had undergone several transformations.

At first, his emotions grew stronger with each encounter. From initial shyness and unfamiliarity to silently following Xu Yang with his gaze, then taking the initiative to get closer, increasing their interactions, and finally, reaching the peak of passion when they met at the bar—culminating in a night of fiery intimacy.

But once sober, Xu Yang deeply regretted it. And it wasn’t just because of Lu Qian.

Even without Lu Qian in the picture, he would never have wanted to get involved with someone like Qi Shaobai—a young boy completely lacking in experience and maturity.

Xu Yang felt that he was getting old. He wanted to find someone who, even if they couldn’t grow old together with graying temples, could at least stand the test of time, going through the seasons together. Not someone like Qi Shaobai—reckless, impulsive, burning brightly like a wildfire. Xu Yang had no energy left to play that game.

So he was terrified—afraid that Qi Shaobai would cling to him because of that one night. Even though the kid had personally said it was just a one-night stand and meant nothing, Xu Yang didn’t believe him.

Later, Qi Shaobai really seemed to treat that night as nothing special. At least, he never used it as an excuse to pester him. In fact, he even started avoiding him—intentionally or otherwise. And that, in turn, made Xu Yang unhappy.

Sure enough, kids were just kids—playing around with emotions like it was a game!

After Qi Shaobai returned to work, he never brought up that night again. But at first, he still maintained his habit of seeking Xu Yang’s attention—constantly orbiting around him like an eager puppy. This both annoyed and exhausted Xu Yang.

After a few cold responses, Qi Shaobai finally learned to read the room and stopped actively approaching him. But whenever Xu Yang was around, his admiration was still written all over his face. Deep in his bones, he couldn’t help but be drawn to him, unconsciously trying to attract his attention.

Yet, Xu Yang remained indifferent.

He ignored every conversation Qi Shaobai started.
He didn’t laugh at the jokes Qi Shaobai told.
He even refused to drink the coffee Qi Shaobai made for him.

And at last—finally—Xu Yang emerged victorious.

He had erased himself from Qi Shaobai’s eyes.

He no longer looked at him with eyes full of light.

Xu Yang should have been satisfied. But just now…

Lu Qian had said, “Xu Yang, you’re being unfair.”

Lu Qian had also said, “The one truly avoiding the other is Qi. Not you. You’re the one constantly provoking him.”

Lu Qian then added, “You’re afraid he’ll cling to you, but you’re also mad that he’s avoiding you. You’re so damn contradictory.”

And finally, Lu Qian said, “You’re pushing him to his limit. Have you even figured out what you really want?”

Lu Qian sat at his desk, quietly working on his designs, no longer paying Xu Yang any attention—leaving him to sit there, dazed.

Xu Yang had never once considered that this was the true nature of his relationship with Qi Shaobai.

Ever since that reckless, drunken night, he had been guarding himself against Qi. He was afraid of this kid who didn’t play by the rules—afraid he’d act on impulse, afraid he’d cling to him, afraid he’d stir up trouble, afraid he’d neglect his work, afraid he’d have ulterior motives…

Unconsciously, Xu Yang had pinned the blame for his unresolved past with Lu Qian onto Qi Shaobai.

And the more innocent Qi appeared, the more Xu Yang resented him.

It never once crossed his mind that this person was truly innocent.

That night at the bar, Qi Shaobai had asked him, “Xu-ge, are you seeing anyone right now?”

Xu Yang had nodded. “I’m single.”

It was him—he was the one who told the kid he was unattached. A blatant invitation.

He saw the way the young man’s eyes lit up. And then—selfishly—he basked in the attention, reveling in the thrill of being pursued by someone so young and eager.

From there, everything unfolded naturally. He brought Qi Shaobai home.

In this push-and-pull game, Xu Yang had been the victor—the predator who took everything he wanted.

And Qi Shaobai?

He had been nothing more than a young beast, chased and driven away.

A prey that the hunter hadn’t even found worthy of capturing—just something to toy with.

“You’re the one provoking him.”
“You’re pushing him to his limit.”

Lu Qian was right.

Xu Yang was truly being unfair.

Xu Yang held his head in his hands, feeling troubled.

When it came to Qi Shaobai, he was powerless.

In the end, Qi wasn’t someone he could imagine spending his life with. So why keep stirring things up?

Still, just because they couldn’t be together romantically didn’t mean they couldn’t be friends.

After all, they were colleagues. And more importantly, Qi Shaobai was still living in his house.

Seeing each other every day—it wouldn’t do to keep things tense between them.

Had he figured out what Lu Qian had asked him to think through?

Now, he finally had.

He decided to go home and try getting along with Qi Shaobai properly.

Before leaving work, he suggested to Lu Qian, “Let’s go out for a drink this Saturday night. Bring Jin Lang and Xiao Qi, too—just a chance for the four of us to relax.”

“Strengthen our bond?” Xu Yang added with a smile.

“The three of us already have a good bond. We don’t need any extra strengthening,” Lu Qian replied flatly, not very interested in the idea.

Xu Yang stared at him expectantly. “…”

Lu Qian gave him a suspicious look. “What are you up to now? Don’t tell me you’re thinking about Qi Shaobai again—”

“No, definitely not!” Xu Yang immediately cut him off. “I just want to ease the tension between us, at least so things aren’t so awkward.”

Lu Qian waved him off impatiently. “Fine. But you’re paying.”

Xu Yang grinned and headed home, satisfied.

When he arrived, the moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw Qi Shaobai leaning against the door.

At his feet were several large and small shopping bags.

That’s when it hit him—he had forgotten to give Qi a house key yesterday.

This morning, Qi had still managed to go out and buy sandwiches, which meant he must have borrowed Xu Yang’s key first. But when he left the house again for the second time, he hadn’t been able to take Xu Yang’s key with him.

Xu Yang was about to hurry over and apologize, but then he noticed—Qi Shaobai was on the phone.

From the side, he looked completely relaxed, his voice calm and warm—nothing like the nervous and restrained way he acted around Xu Yang.

Xu Yang silently watched this different version of Qi Shaobai.

Qi was so absorbed in his conversation that he didn’t even notice someone watching him.

“Really, I’m fine. No need to come check on me.”

“Mm, no, I’m not hurt.”

“I’m temporarily staying at my boss’s place. He’s a really nice person, so don’t worry.”

“Hah… what are you jealous for? You’re being ridiculous.”

“Saturday night? I think I’m free. Where are we going? Nightlight again? Sure.”

Xu Yang suddenly realized—was Xiao Qi on the phone with that boyfriend Jin Lang had mentioned?

Had they already made plans for Saturday?

That won’t do.

“Ahem.” Xu Yang coughed and deliberately stomped his foot harder as he walked, trying to get Qi Shaobai’s attention.

As expected, Qi turned his head to glance at him. “Alright, I have to go. My boss just got back—I need to head in.”

He bent down to pick up his bags, but the person on the other end of the line was still clinging on, unwilling to hang up.

“Okay, okay, I know. Mm… Mm…”

Qi Shaobai seemed a little awkward about the call dragging on, his responses becoming more absentminded.

Xu Yang took some of the bags from him, unlocked the door, stepped inside, and changed into his slippers.

He even took out another pair of indoor slippers for Qi Shaobai and placed them neatly for him.

A moment later, Qi Shaobai finally ended the call and stepped in to change his shoes.

“Sorry about that, Director.” Qi Shaobai smiled at Xu Yang.

“It’s fine.” Xu Yang shook his head, then casually asked, “Talking to your boyfriend?”

“Ah, don’t listen to Jin Lang’s nonsense,” Qi Shaobai’s face flushed a little. “He’s just… just…”

He wasn’t sure how to introduce Ye Qinghe. Saying the guy was pursuing him felt a little narcissistic.

And he wasn’t even sure if Xu Yang actually cared.

Maybe he was just making small talk, and if he explained too much, it’d just make him look silly.

“Just what?” Xu Yang, unexpectedly, followed up with genuine curiosity.

“He’s… just a friend. His last name is Ye.” Qi Shaobai scratched his ear shyly. “We’ve been in touch more often lately, had a few meals together.”

“I’m still observing.”

Xu Yang gave a neutral nod. “You should observe carefully. It’s best to be cautious about things like this.”

He placed Qi Shaobai’s bags on the dining table. “Why did you buy so much?”

“I got some daily necessities and a few changes of clothes,” Qi Shaobai replied.

Seeing that Xu Yang seemed to be in a good mood tonight, he mustered up the courage to say a little more.

“I went around looking at apartments today, but I haven’t found a suitable one yet.”

He hesitated for a moment before adding, “Um… Mr. Ye said that if I was worried about bothering you, I could stay at his place instead.”

“You’re not a bother.”

Xu Yang walked back to the entryway, opened a drawer in the cabinet, and pulled out a set of keys, handing them to Qi Shaobai.

“These are the house keys. I forgot to give them to you yesterday.”

Seeing Qi Shaobai staring blankly as he took the keys, Xu Yang added, “Just stay here with peace of mind. Take your time looking for a place, no rush. I’m not kicking you out.”

“And don’t go staying at someone else’s place and bothering them either. How long have you even known him? You barely know anything about him—it’s not appropriate to move in so soon.”

So, staying with you is appropriate?

Qi Shaobai held the keys dumbfounded, unable to make sense of Xu Yang’s attitude.

Just yesterday, this man was treating him like the plague, barely sparing him a glance.

Now, all of a sudden, he’d done a complete 180 and was acting all warm and welcoming?

“But I don’t know how long I’ll be staying… I don’t want to inconvenience you, Director.” Qi Shaobai hesitated.

“What inconvenience? I live alone anyway.”

Xu Yang suddenly realized—was Qi Shaobai worried about getting in the way if he wanted to bring someone home?

“…”

Xu Yang didn’t know how to explain himself, so he stiffly blurted out, “I don’t have a habit of bringing people home.”

As someone who had, in fact, been brought home before, Qi Shaobai raised a skeptical eyebrow.

Silence stretched between them for a few minutes.

“Oh, right,” Xu Yang suddenly changed the subject, pretending not to have heard that Qi Shaobai already had plans.

“Lu Qian and I made plans to check out a newly opened bar this Saturday night. You and Jin Lang should come along.”

“Sure.”

Wait, no.

Something about Saturday…

“Ah, I can’t. I just made plans with someone for Saturday night.” Qi Shaobai said hesitantly.

“That Mr. Jiang guy?” Xu Yang asked.

“It’s fine, let him come too. We’ll help you check him out.”

His smile was a little too bright.

“It’s Ye. His last name is Ye.” Qi Shaobai sighed.

“Fine, I’ll ask him.”

(To be continued…)