Even though they had confirmed their relationship, it didn’t seem like they grew much closer. Huo Youqing no longer avoided Dai Yixin deliberately, and Dai Yixin now had the chance to pick him up and drop him off, but that was about it.
After his vacation, Huo Youqing threw himself into work. He often left Dai Yixin alone in his office while he attended meetings, and when he returned, there were always more plans, projects, and contracts waiting for him to review.
By the time he was finally done with work, all Huo Youqing wanted was to go home and rest. The only time they really interacted was during the morning car ride, as Huo Youqing was too tired to talk in the evenings.
This routine continued for almost two months, and even Huo Youqing began to feel a little guilty. One day after work, he looked over at Dai Yixin, who was sitting on the couch.
For the past two months, Dai Yixin had been spending every free moment with him, even if they didn’t have time to talk. Though the staff had noticed something off between their boss and the client, no one said a word about it. Not one person dared to probe into their relationship.
Huo Youqing suspected his cousin had something to do with that.
“Want to go out for dinner tonight?” Huo Youqing asked.
Dai Yixin closed the book he was reading. These past two months, he had silently played the role of Huo Youqing’s quiet and patient office companion, never complaining. At Huo Youqing’s invitation, a flicker of joy crossed his amber eyes, but he still asked, “Aren’t you tired today?”
“Not too tired. I’ve still got enough energy for dinner. Let’s go.” Huo Youqing grabbed his coat.
In truth, he had been deliberately distancing himself from Dai Yixin. In another timeline, they had never had a normal relationship—it was always a fight, or Dai Yixin threatening him with something.
At that time, he felt like a trapped beast in an arena. The air he breathed was murky, and the environment he lived in was suffocating. Shackles dug into his wrists and ankles, and every step he took was bloody. But the person who had trapped him, Dai Yixin, had disappeared. Still, he was haunted by a lingering fear, even though he had made the decision to date Dai Yixin.
Now, it seemed that Dai Yixin had truly recovered. Aside from being a bit clingy, most people in relationships were clingy, weren’t they?
In another timeline, Dai Yixin wouldn’t even allow him to have a normal social life. It was as if everyone else carried germs, and he had to live in the sterile world Dai Yixin had created for him. Or perhaps, Dai Yixin only allowed his eyes to see him. Huo Youqing thought that if Dai Yixin hadn’t feared he might go crazy, even the presence of his cousin would’ve been intolerable.
In fact, he had indeed come up with a way to “snatch away” his cousin by introducing him to a woman who was a perfect match, who eventually became his cousin’s girlfriend.
But now, Dai Yixin didn’t interfere with his work. When Huo Youqing spoke with his assistant or others, Dai Yixin remained calm. This gave Huo Youqing a sense of relief.
Huo Youqing chose the restaurant for dinner, as Dai Yixin had only been in the city for a few months and wasn’t familiar with the area. The place Huo Youqing picked was a favorite of his, but the dishes there were rather spicy.
What he didn’t expect was that Dai Yixin couldn’t handle spicy food. In just a few minutes, beads of sweat formed on Dai Yixin’s forehead, and his pale cheeks turned a shade of red. Dai Yixin seemed to feel a bit embarrassed, lowering his head and avoiding Huo Youqing’s gaze.
Huo Youqing paused for a moment, then leaned forward and gently held down Dai Yixin’s hand, which was still reaching for more food. “Why didn’t you tell me you can’t handle spice? Stop eating, let’s go to a different place.”
Seeing such a tall man rendered helpless by spicy food was a striking contrast, and even a bit cute. Dai Yixin blinked his amber eyes. “It’s fine, I just haven’t had it in a long time…”
“Enough. You don’t need to please me. Dai Yixin, we’re in a relationship now. In a relationship, both people have to compromise, not just one person accommodating the other. Come on, let’s go. It’s still early, we have time to find another place.”
Huo Youqing hesitated for a moment, then lightly patted Dai Yixin’s hand.
He genuinely didn’t know that Dai Yixin couldn’t eat spicy food. In the other timeline, they had eaten spicy food together, and Dai Yixin hadn’t shown any signs of discomfort. Perhaps in that timeline, Dai Yixin had secretly trained himself to handle spicy food just to match Huo Youqing’s taste.
Compared to the other timeline, this Dai Yixin could almost be described as a “silly dog.”
Huo Youqing shook his head, not wanting to compare Dai Yixin to such a lovable creature. But, looking at the man sitting next to him drinking water, he couldn’t help but find him a little cute.
With that thought, he pulled over to a parking spot, leaned in, and pressed his lips to Dai Yixin’s, lightly brushing against his heated lips.
This was their first kiss since becoming a couple. After two seconds of surprise, Dai Yixin immediately embraced Huo Youqing. When they parted, Huo Youqing’s lips were as hot as Dai Yixin’s. He coughed, trying to cover it up. “I heard this helps cool the spice.”
Huo Youqing had expected Dai Yixin to stay silent as usual, but this time, he asked, “Really?”
With just those words, both their ears turned even redder. Huo Youqing didn’t respond, only lightly pressing his lips together before letting Dai Yixin kiss him again.
By the time they got out of the car, Huo Youqing found himself avoiding Dai Yixin’s gaze, the atmosphere between them filled with awkwardness. Dai Yixin’s tone and gaze had been so serious, making Huo Youqing feel like he had tricked a child—but Dai Yixin’s actions were far from childish.
Reaching into his pocket, Huo Youqing instinctively pulled out his cigarette pack, but just as he did, another hand grabbed his. Dai Yixin hadn’t touched him without permission since they started dating, and this sudden gesture was a first since they became a couple.
Huo Youqing turned his head, and before he could react, a candy was placed in his mouth.
“Eat this instead of smoking,” Dai Yixin said earnestly.
After a moment of hesitation, Huo Youqing put the cigarettes back, though the candy didn’t do much to curb his craving. His frustration must have been obvious because even Dai Yixin noticed.
Giving up, Huo Youqing sighed. “I still want to smoke.”
As soon as he said that, a hand gently cupped the back of his head.
They were just a few steps away from the bright elevator, standing in the shadows. As their heated breaths mingled, Huo Youqing heard Dai Yixin say, “I heard this can help with cravings too.”
“Liar, mm… You’re right.”
