Going to Work

When rage clouds the mind, what cruel words can't be said, what cruel things can't be done? Jiang Xu would never know that on that day, when he turned and left without a backward glance, there was a moment when Gu Qingzhou truly wanted to let go.

He dragged his broken body, got up and dressed, then sat on the cold floor and smoked all night. He thought and thought but couldn't understand what all these years of persistence were for. Everything that could be smashed was smashed, everything that could be thrown was thrown, but after the extreme release, everything returned to a dead silence.

Gu Qingzhou even felt like he had forgotten how to cry. When the name Jiang Xu was mentioned again, his heart was numb, devoid of any feeling. So he sat numbly for a day, thinking he could finally let go of this scourge, but little did he know that some pain just arrives later; it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

No backbone...

Years ago, when Gu Qingzhou met Jiang Xu, he had given himself that evaluation. Years later, it turned out he still couldn't escape those words.

His cold, hard heart was always soft in front of the other person. When Jiang Xu, like a wronged child, seriously admitted his mistake and apologized to him for the first time, saying word by word that they would be good from now on and never fight again, Gu Qingzhou couldn't say a single word of refusal.

He really couldn't say a single word of refusal.

The living room was completely silent. Jiang Xu held Gu Qingzhou tightly in his arms, not letting go for a long time. Finally, resting his chin on his shoulder, he couldn't help but ask, "What about your job? Are you still leaving?"

Gu Qingzhou probably hadn't completely detached himself from the emotions of the past few days and still seemed a bit withdrawn. Hearing the question, he came back to his senses slightly and shook his head, "...I'm not leaving. I'll take care of the transfer application later."

Jiang Xu knew he was still feeling down, but he didn't know what to do. He could only stroke his head intermittently. His gaze swept over some vase fragments in the kitchen trash can, and pressing his face close to Gu Qingzhou's, he whispered, "You smashed things because you were angry?"

Gu Qingzhou paused, "I dropped it by accident."

Did Jiang Xu not know his temper? What wouldn't he do in a fit of anger? Besides, how could he accidentally drop so many things? He looked down at Gu Qingzhou's hands and, seeing they weren't cut by the fragments, said, "Wait for me to wash my face, I'll clean up with you."

Jiang Xu was clearly not one for such delicate tasks. By the time he came out after washing up in the bathroom, Gu Qingzhou had already sorted most of it out. He was cleaning up the last of the mess in the kitchen, and the bowls and chopsticks were already set on the table, just waiting for the food to be served.

Perhaps it was a different state of mind. Before, he felt nothing when watching Gu Qingzhou cook, but now there was a sudden, indescribable feeling. The other man was a career-driven powerhouse, yet he was still willing to come home and cook for you. He had already compromised step after step, leaving no room for more.

Gu Qingzhou had drunk too much yesterday and was actually still groggy, but he didn't let it show. He served two bowls of porridge, sat down at the dining table, and said to Jiang Xu, "Let's eat."

He didn't really have an appetite and stopped after two mouthfuls. His face still looked pale and sickly. Seeing this, Jiang Xu checked Gu Qingzhou's forehead temperature. It was normal. He then said, "If you're not feeling well, you can eat later. Sit and rest for a bit first."

After speaking, he pulled Gu Qingzhou to the sofa, then patted his own thigh, motioning for him to lie down. "Lean on me and nap for a while."

Jiang Xu was rarely so proactive and considerate. Gu Qingzhou slowly lay down in his arms, his mind unconsciously relaxing, but his heart still couldn't settle back into place. There was always an indescribable sense of unease.

Gu Qingzhou closed his eyes wearily and said, "Jiang Xu..."

Jiang Xu stroked his head, "Hm?"

Gu Qingzhou said in a low voice, "Will you always be like this..."

He was the type to lack a sense of security, unconsciously curling up in a corner when he slept at night, occupying only a tiny spot on the huge bed. Jiang Xu paused. He suddenly wondered how Gu Qingzhou had endured the years they were separated. He instinctively reached out and held him tighter, then bent down and kissed him. "I will."

Jiang Xu rested his forehead against his and said, "I'll always be good to you."

The sofa was big enough, so Jiang Xu simply lay down on his side with him. When a person recognizes their own heart, there's nothing left to hesitate or fear. Since he had decided he wanted to be with Gu Qingzhou, it was certainly not a lie.

Whether Gu Qingzhou believed him or not, he closed his eyes at his words and ultimately said nothing. He just slowly wrapped his arms around Jiang Xu's waist and didn't move for a long time, as if he had fallen asleep.

Jiang Xu knew he was a light sleeper and didn't move around. He just took out his phone and played a few rounds of Anipop on silent. Li Si'ao had sent a few messages yesterday asking why he hadn't come to work. Jiang Xu could only make up a random excuse, saying he had fallen on the road and hurt his leg and was getting it bandaged at the hospital.

The porridge on the table, originally steaming hot, gradually lost its warmth and grew cold. Gu Qingzhou took a nap and slowly woke up around noon. When he opened his eyes, he saw Jiang Xu holding his phone above his head, playing a game. He closed his eyes and nuzzled into his embrace.

Jiang Xu looked down at him, "Awake?"

Gu Qingzhou nodded, "Awake."

Despite saying so, he still didn't move, remaining buried in Jiang Xu's arms, unwilling to come out. Jiang Xu, for some reason, glanced at Gu Qingzhou's fair earlobe and, while still playing his game, asked casually, "Did you lose the earring?"

Gu Qingzhou paused, then looked up at him, his eyes clear and distinct. "What would you do if I lost it?"

Jiang Xu said cheekily, "Nothing, but let me say this first, I don't have the money to buy you a second one."

Gu Qingzhou unconsciously pinched his own earlobe, then said, "I didn't lose it."

Jiang Xu: "Hm?"

Gu Qingzhou said softly, "I didn't lose it. It's in the drawer."

A little thought was all it took to know. He had even carefully preserved the things Jiang Xu had casually given him years ago, let alone a birthday gift given with special intention. Of course Gu Qingzhou wouldn't have lost it.

Hearing this, Jiang Xu turned off his phone, lowered his head, and suddenly bit Gu Qingzhou's earlobe, slowly and gently rubbing it with the tips of his teeth, causing the latter's body to tremble slightly. He moved up along Gu Qingzhou's jade-white neck, finally landing on his pale lips, grinding and sucking until they were stained a deep red. Only then did he say in a muffled voice, "Go get it. I'll help you put it on."

He knew full well that Gu Qingzhou's ears were a sensitive spot and shouldn't be touched, yet out of a wicked sense of humor, he left a faint teeth mark on it. Gu Qingzhou's eyes were a little red, as if he'd been stimulated, and his consciousness scattered for a moment before refocusing after a long while.

Jiang Xu's usually sly, fox-like eyes were now full of seriousness. Looking at him, he repeated in a low voice, "Be good. Go get it. I'll help you put it on."

Gu Qingzhou had no choice but to get up from the sofa, find the earring in a bedroom drawer, and then return to Jiang Xu's side, lowering his eyes as he placed the item in the other's palm.

Gu Qingzhou's earlobe was still slightly warm from the earlier encounter, and the heat was threatening to spread elsewhere. He sat down on the sofa, his downcast gaze as calm as ever, but his fairer-than-average skin couldn't hide his reactions; everything was laid bare.

Jiang Xu pinched the small earring, his cool fingertips covering Gu Qingzhou's pitiful earlobe, which still bore the teeth mark. As he fastened the earring for him, he said, "Don't lose it next time."

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou tilted his head slightly, glancing sideways at him, but could only see the distinct wrist bone of Jiang Xu's forearm. "Why?"

Jiang Xu smiled, "Because it's expensive. It would be a shame to lose it."

He was obviously joking. How expensive could an earring be? Gu Qingzhou also wanted to say that he probably wouldn't lose it again, unless Jiang Xu could make him even angrier than he had this time—

He really couldn't imagine what kind of scene that would be.

Jiang Xu finished putting on the earring for him, then leaned back to study him for a moment. He remembered back in school, the dean of political education used to say that getting your ears pierced and dyeing your hair was like being a hooligan, completely improper. He couldn't help but chuckle. He looked askance at Gu Qingzhou and said slowly and clearly, "It seems I've corrupted you..."

He had indeed been corrupted. In the past, Gu Qingzhou was never indecisive or sloppy at work, but the number of leave days he'd taken in the last month was equal to the total of the past few years. Moreover, anyone who paid attention would discover a startling overlap in the times they both took leave and disappeared.

Gu Qingzhou thought, 'We can't both return to the company at the same time tomorrow; even a blind person would notice something's up.' He glanced at the wall clock and saw it was still noon. He said to Jiang Xu, "After we finish lunch, you go back to the company first. I'll go back tomorrow."

Jiang Xu was in a remarkably good mood. He pressed a kiss to his earlobe, the sensation from his lips carrying some of the hard coolness of the earring. "Alright."

Gu Qingzhou probably found it a bit ticklish and instinctively turned his head to avoid it, the tips of his pale ears turning slightly red. He got up from the sofa, saw that the porridge in the rice cooker was still warm, and said to Jiang Xu, "Let's eat."

There wasn't much in the fridge, and it was unnecessary to order takeout now. Gu Qingzhou opened a can of meat and fried a few eggs, making do with a breakfast-style lunch. His cooking skills were neither good nor bad, but Jiang Xu ate with great satisfaction. After all, it wasn't easy to find someone willing to cook for you without complaint.

After the meal, the two of them squeezed together by the sink to clean up. Jiang Xu couldn't be of much help and could only hand over a rag or a bowl. Gu Qingzhou's dishwashing was also a bit clumsy; after all, he hadn't done this kind of chore in several years, having mostly relied on a housekeeper before.

The phone lay quietly on the marble countertop nearby when the screen suddenly lit up with an incoming call notification. It was from the HR manager of the company's head office, regarding the transfer application he had submitted. Gu Qingzhou wiped his hands clean, then leaned against the kitchen island to answer the phone. After a few pleasantries, the other party subtly tried to probe whether he was planning to transfer back to City A.

Old Master Gu's health was visibly failing, and many people had their eyes on the shares he held. The company was faintly divided into several factions that had covertly and overtly taken sides. Naturally, some people didn't want him to return. Gu Qingzhou wasn't very interested in all this. He just lowered his gaze calmly and replied with a single sentence, "I sent the application by mistake. Just withdraw it."

A capable person can survive anywhere. Gu Qingzhou didn't think he couldn't survive without that inheritance and those shares. After saying that, he hung up the phone, then wiped the last plate dry and put it back in the cupboard.

Jiang Xu, standing to the side, had only heard the gist of it. He looked at him and asked, "Is the job transfer thing settled?"

He was leaning against the sink, his posture and mannerisms still lazy and nonchalant, but a barely perceptible tension could be seen in the depths of his eyes. Gu Qingzhou had never thought that one day he, too, could stir Jiang Xu's emotions.

Gu Qingzhou didn't answer immediately. He wiped the stray water droplets from his hands and slowly rolled down his shirt sleeves. His long, well-defined knuckles, set against his inscrutable expression, added a strange touch of asceticism. Without looking at Jiang Xu, he asked, "If it wasn't settled, what would you do?"

Jiang Xu thought, 'What else could I do if it wasn't settled?' The corners of his eyebrows lifted in a half-joking smile. "I'd follow you to City A, of course. Wherever you go, I go. How's that?"

Hearing this, Gu Qingzhou gave him a deep look, and it seemed his lips curved slightly, though the smile was faint and fleeting, too fast to be caught. He didn't answer Jiang Xu's question, only saying, "It's getting late. Go to work."

Seeing his expression, Jiang Xu thought it must have been resolved and felt slightly relieved. "Alright, I'll come find you after work."

Gu Qingzhou saw him to the entryway. Jiang Xu changed his shoes, leaned down to kiss the corner of his lips, and then left. But before he could even step out the door, Gu Qingzhou called out to him again.

Gu Qingzhou said tonelessly, "Hey..."

Jiang Xu leaned against the doorframe, one hand in his pocket, and looked back at him with a smile. "What, can't bear to see me go?"

Gu Qingzhou didn't speak. He just took his hand, placed the car keys in his palm, and then said, "Go to work."