Open World 25

Xie Xi felt that the right was his own but also that the left was his own. He struggled for a moment before closing his eyes and casually picking one. Any one of them would do since Jiang Xie had already used both of them.

He hadn't thought about it before but today, Xie Xi's face became hot and the hand holding the cup lacked strength.

He spent a while mixing warm water before taking it to the study.

Jiang Xie was still writing blessings. He was focused, his hands slender and the exposed arms were also powerful. Many times, Xie Xi felt that Jiang Xie wasn't a teacher who stood at the podium or a man holding a brush.

He didn't have the atmosphere on him but once he did these things, he made people feel it was natural.

Jiang Xie was amazing. He made people feel that he could do everything well. This type of self-confidence that came from the heart was something that Xie Xi didn't have. Even if they were alone, even if they only had themselves, they both lived different lives.

Xie Xi's lips curved and his eyes were gentle. He was really fortunate to meet Jiang Xie, really lucky.

Xie Xi came over with the water while Jiang Xie was writing. He got up just as Xie Xi leaned over, the two people nearly hitting each other.

Jiang Xie held his hand. "Be careful." If the cup spilled then all the words he wrote would be gone.

Xie Xi's eyes curved as he smiled.

"What's the matter?"

Xie Xi told him, "Teacher is stained with ink?" He pointed to the left cheek.

Jiang Xie smiled. "It isn't good to eat ink. Is it this side?" He could feel which side it was but he deliberately missed.

“It's here.” Xie Xi kept pointing.

Jiang Xie accurately missed the correct position. "Here?"

Xie Xi felt helpless. "Don't move. I'll wipe it for you."

Jiang Xie immediately put down his hand and moved his face closer. "Hurry and wipe it or I will become a big cat."

He leaned closer, his different-coloured eyes making him look like a precious cat apart from the ink. Xie Xi picked up a paper towel and carefully cleaned it.

Jiang Xie stared at him. "Can it be wiped off?"

They were close and it was like his ears were being blown on. Xie Xi was red as he said, "I can but… you should hurry and wash you fash." A dry tissue wasn't clean.

Jiang Xie smiled and deliberately asked, "How is your face so red?"

Xie Xi, "!" His eyes looked panicked and it was like a certain person's soul was gone.

“Is it red?" Xie Xi opened his mouth, his face even redder. He placed a hand on his face and reluctantly muttered, "Probably…"

Jiang Xie cleared his throat and helped find an excuse. "It is too hot in the house?"

Xie Xi immediately exclaimed, "Yes! The temperature is a little high! I'll go adjust the air conditioner!"

Jiang Xie stood still, his whole body feeling like it was floating. "Okay." It was fine to lower the air conditioner since he was in desperate need of cooling.

The two people finished writing the blessings and Xie Xi placed them on the ground to dry.

Now that he was calm, he stared at his lame words and smiled. "My writing is so ugly." It was like an ugly duckling mixed with the swans.

Jiang Xie spoke like he knew what Xie Xi was thinking. "The ugly duckling grew into the most beautiful swan."

Xie Xi wasn't interested in practicing his writing and said, "Unfortunately, it won't grow up."

"That's fine. People who know how to feel appreciation will always regard them as treasures."

This was too straightforward. Xie Xi's heart jumped and his hands clenched uncontrollably. Jiang Xie stopped and changed the topic to give Xie Xi a chance to breathe. "Let's go. It isn't early and we have to buy the new year's goods."

"Good."

They changed their clothes to go out and Jiang Xie told him, "Just go to a nearby supermarket. It is estimated that the roads would be blocked for the distant one."

It was the 26th of the 12th lunar month and many people were on holiday. The roads would undoubtedly be blocked.

Xie Xi had no opinion. He didn't think there was anything lacking at home but now was too convenient. He might not need to buy new year's goods but he could buy fresh ingredients.

Still, it was New Year's Day and something would seem missing without the goods.

He and Jiang Xie had never celebrated the new year with anyone else and they particularly valued it. There was a type of compensation mentality, as if they had to make up for what they missed previously. Even if they didn't have anything to buy, they should celebrate seriously!

The two people parked the car and entered the supermarket together. In the past few months, they had often visited the supermarket together. They ate at home all day and buying ingredients and meat was indispensable.

Jiang Xie pushed the trolley while Xie Xi chose things. Jiang Xie asked, "Do we went to add a new bowl for the new year?"

"No, we have enough bowls."

"Adding a new bowl is the custom."

Xie Xi thought about it. "I remember that adding a now bowl is to pray to add new people to the family in the coming year?"

Jiang Xie really didn't know this. "Is that so?"

"It should mean to have many children and grandchildren."

Jiang Xie instantly gave up on the new bowl. "We are enough. There is no need for more people."

His words made Xie Xi jump and his thoughts become chaotic.

Jiang Xie added, "We should buy some paper cuttings. We can't only place blessings on the windows."

Xie Xi nodded. "Okay."

Jiang Xie picked up some window paper cuttings and threw them into the trolley.

Xie Xi glanced at it and whispered, "Isn't this used for marriage?" There was a big 'double happiness' character on it. (A symbol of good luck, especially for marriage)

Jiang Xie replied, "It doesn't matter. A new year is a happy event and we should have many blessings to place on the windows."

XIe Xi stated, "This is a double happiness."

The word was for marriage but there was also the meaning of double happiness!

Jiang Xie pointed to the character. "You are on the left and I am on the right. Won't we have happy things in the next year?" (He is referring to the characters, which are 囍. Wiki link with more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Happiness_(calligraphy))

Happy events were the same as happiness! Although a happy event was truly good! But… but…

Jiang Xie pondered. "Child, your thoughts are very dangerous."

Xie Xi suddenly looked up, feeling like his mind had been read.

Jiang Xie asked him, "Is it hard to be happy in the next year? Don't you want Teacher to be happy?"

Xie Xi, "……"

He found he had no chance of winning when it came to 'reasoning.' Jiang Xie's plot succeeded and there was no need to mention how happy he was.

How could Xiao Xie be so cute? It really made people want to fool him.

Then Jiang Xie thought about it and felt distressed. The child was too lacking in love that he didn't know how to properly refuse when someone was good to him.

Jiang Xie didn't want Xie Xi to refuse. He was willing to fill up all of Xie Xi's missing things.

They were almost checking out when Xie Xi remembered the soy sauce was almost finished. The soy sauce section was slightly far away. Jiang Xie told him, "Wait, I'll get a bottle." Xie Xi asked with no confidence, "Teacher, can you recognize the right type?"

There were many soy sauce brands and he was afraid that Jiang Xie would buy the wrong one.

Jiang Xie replied, "Is it okay to buy the most expensive one?"

Xie Xi, "…" Well, there was no problem.

Xie Xi felt went to line up at the cash register. He was standing at the end of the queue when a voice was heard, "Xiao Xie?"

Xie Xi was surprised and turned to see Sun Muqing pus.h.i.+ng a trolley. He smiled, "Brother."

Sun Muqing smiled slightly and scratched his head. "It looked like you from behind but I didn't expect it to be you."

They hadn't seen each other for a while. Originally, Sun Muqing had private work that he asked Xie Xi to help with but Xie Xi accepted Jiang Xie's job. He couldn't do both and found Sun Muqing to apologize and refuse.

Sun Muqing didn't say much. He only said that he would find Xie Xi if there was another opportunity.

Xie Xi felt a bit guilty because of this and chatted for a bit longer.

Sun Muqing asked him, "Are you alone?" He looked at Xie Xi's shopping trolley and found that many of them were expensive items from the import area.

Xie Xi was slightly nervous as he replied, "There is a family member."

"Oh." Sun Muqing didn't ask much. "You look more energetic than you are at school."

Xie Xi always bowed his head to hide from people at school and they generally didn't notice his face. Sun Muqing had more contact with him and knew that Xie Xi was beautiful. He just hadn't expected that Xie Xi would be so beautiful with no gla.s.ses and his hair pushed up.

Xie Xi smiled and didn't know how to answer. He was a bit nervous and afraid that Jiang Xie would return at this time. He felt it wouldn't be easy to explain if Jiang Xie was seen by Sun Muqing.

Fortunately, the person in front of Sun Muqing finished. Sun Muqing went forward and said, "Then I'm going first. I'll see you at school."

Xie Xi nodded. "I wish you a Happy New Year in advance."

Sun Muqing repeated the same words and checked out first.

Xie Xi waited a bit longer before Jiang Xie came over with three bottles of soy sauce. "There was a promotion. It said that if we buy three, we can get one free."

Xie Xi blinked. "Buy three, get one free. Is the free one to be sent to us?"

Jiang Xie's face had a question mark. "It isn't given at the time of settlement?"

Xie Xi laughed. "Of course not! We have to bring it directly when we buy it."

Jiang Xie, "…"

Xie Xi handed the shopping trolley to him and said, "Wait, I'll go check."

It was rare to see Teacher Jiang's mistake and Xiao Xie's mood was particularly good.

The two of them bought a full trolley and filled three large shopping bags. After putting away the shopping trolley, Jiang Xie carried two bags while Xie Xi carried one.

They placed the bags in the trunk of the car and Xie Xi sorted things again because he was afraid the bottles and cans would collide with each other and break.

His back was turned so he didn't see Sun Muqing in the distance. Sun Muqing was far away and only saw Xie Xi acting intimately with a tall man.

He froze and sneered in his heart, 'No wonder why my private work wasn't accepted. He has a gold lord and took advantage of his good looks.'

It wasn't too early when Xie Xi and Jiang Xie returned home. Xie Xi started cooking while Jiang Xie wanted to help. Xie Xi couldn't stop him and had to give him the task of was.h.i.+ng vegetables.

Comrade Old Jiang did a very serious job and the skin of the tomatoes was almost washed away!

Xie Xi smiled at the sight and almost cut his own hand. They cooked the meal and both of them were a bit tired after eating.

Xie Xi told him, "I'll take a shower first." After going outside, the most comfortable thing was to take a shower.

Jiang Xie said he had something to deal with and went to the study.

Xie Xi went to the bathroom with a bath towel. He just washed his head and his body was covered in bubbles. He was able to wash them off when the original rapid water flow suddenly… disappeared!

Xie Xi's eyes widened and he couldn't believe it.

There was really nothing. Two drops of water dropped from the shower head and couldn't even wash away a small bubble.

Why did the water stop? Surely they didn't forget to pay the water bill because of the new year?

No, the water would stop just because they forget to pay the bill! A notice would just be posted on their door.

It was over. Surely a water pipe wasn't broken…

Then Jiang Xie's voice was heard from outside, "I received a text message stating that a water pipe in the area burst and is being repaired. Can you wash?"

Xie Xi couldn't wash. He was covered in bath bubbles!

Added a ko-fi for the people asking for an alternative to Patreon:

Pledge any amount to my Patreon to access to the BL google drives, where you can get early access to any chapters I have completed.

You can also join my discord channel to chat with fellow readers about the novels;

Open World 26

What should he do?

If he wasn't covered with bubbles then Xie Xi could wipe himself and wait until there was water before continuing to wash.

Now… what to do with so many bubbles? Did he have to go out in such a sticky manner?

There were no movements inside for a long time and Jiang Xie swallowed dryly. "Are you covered with shower gel?"

Xie Xi helplessly let out a sound of agreement. Unspeakable images flashed through poor Jiang Xie's adult brain. He coughed and said, "Just wait, I'll go and bring you water."

Xie Xi froze. Jiang Xie explained, "There are two barrels of drinking water outside. It will be enough for you to wash your body."

Xie Xi finally reacted and hurriedly said, "This is too wasteful…"

"I don't know when the water pipe will be fixed. How can you come out like this?"

It was slippery in the bathroom and would drive Jiang Xie crazy… oh, Xie Xi was going to catch a cold!

Xie Xi didn't dare overestimate the efficiency of the maintenance team. This close to the new year, how could they repair it in a few hours? How could he wait for so long while feeling sticky?

"Then I will trouble Teacher…"

Jiang Xie told him, "Is it fine for me to come in?"

Xie Xi's eyes widened with panic. "Why do you need to come in?'

Jiang Xie's voice was inexplicably lower. "I have to get a big basin."

Xie Xi could only whisper, "Okay."

At this moment, the two people separated by a door were nervous.

Jiang Xie had long been clear about his own heart. He just thought this child was still young and anxious. He had to boil the child slowly with warm water like a frog and he had to endure the wait.

Xie Xi knew he wasn't quite right but he was still confused and didn't understand his heart.

Then the door pushed open and both people experienced a great shock. Jiang Xie couldn't help it and Xie Xi also understood.

This bathroom was big and had no obstructions. Thus, Xie Xi had nowhere to hide. He could only stand there covered in bubbles while blus.h.i.+ng.

Jiang Xie glanced at Xie Xi and couldn't remember what he was doing.

The young man's hair was wet, his eyes were teary and his body was glowing white while covered in bubbles, making the body look s.e.xier and more charming.

Jiang Xie stared without blinking and Xie Xi felt like his whole body was burning up. "Teacher?"

Jiang Xie tried hard to move his gaze away. "Hmm."

Xie Xi's voice trembled. "The basin is over there…"

"Oh, right." Jiang Xie's voice was steady as he walked straight to Xie Xi.

Xie Xi's eyes widened. "Teacher, it's over there…"

Jiang Xie's spirit returned. He managed to control his broken legs and turned to get the basin.

Once Jiang Xie left, Xie Xi placed his head against the cold tiles to cool himself down. Just now, Jiang Xie was coming over…

What did he come over here for? Xie Xi couldn't think. He felt that his head was going to explode!

Jiang Xie took a while to warm up the water before bringing in the large basin of pure water. This time, he didn't look. He just put down the water and left, his eyes clean and not daring to even glance at Xie Xi's toes. He couldn't look because he didn't have the water for a cold shower!

Xie Xi's face was hot when Jiang Xie looked and still hot when he didn't look. It was because the previous dodgy look was too… it made Xie Xi want to cover up.

Xie Xi tried to tell himself, 'We are both men. What does it matter?'

Still, his head was full of Jiang Xie's burning gaze. That… the look wasn't nothing.

Xie Xi suppressed the thoughts in his head and washed using the water in the basin.

The temperature of the water prepared by Jiang Xie was just right. It wasn't too cold or hot and a small bowl from the kitchen was also prepared as a water scoop. After all, a real water scoop was rare to see in a modern home.

Xie Xi soon washed off the bubbles and dried himself with a bath towel. He changed clothes and went out.

Jiang Xie was in the living room and the two people happened to see each other when Xie Xi went out.

Jiang Xie asked, "Is it okay?"

Xie Xi's throat was tight as he bowed his head and replied, "Yes."

The other person suggested, "It's still early. Do you want to watch a movie?”

Xie Xi wanted to refuse but his opening was, "I'll go and clean up the bathroom first."

"No hurry, I'll wait for you."

Xie Xi wiped the group, washed the small bowl and put away the big basin, dawdling for a long time before finally coming out.

Jiang Xie patted the spot beside him. "Come."

Xie Xi sat down and looked for something to say. "Would you like something to drink?"

Jiang Xie suddenly asked, "Do you want to drink red wine?"

Xie Xi, "!"

Jiang Xie got up and said, "It is fine since drinking a bit helps with sleeping."

He went to the small bar on the other side of the kitchen, took out a bottle of red wipe, opened it in one go and soon served it in two gla.s.ses.

Xie Xi stared at the red liquid for a long time before finally recovering his voice, "I'm not very familiar with drinking."

Jiang Xie joked, "We're both adults. Drinking a bit of wine is okay."

Xie Xi took the gla.s.s and spoke slightly nervously, "I don't know how to drink. It will be a waste of the wine."

Jiang Xie smiled. "It was born to be drunk by people. It isn't a waste if you drink it."

Xie Xi stared at the bottle of wine and couldn't help asking, "Isn't it very expensive?"

"Well, if you drink one bottle a day, I should still be able to afford to raise you."

Xie Xi, "…"

There were too many things in this sentence that he didn't know what to focus on! Jiang Xie tilted his wine gla.s.s and touched it against Xie Xi's gla.s.s. "Taste it."

Xie Xi took a small sip and then… he frowned. Jiang Xie knew why. "How is it?"

The child was very honest. “It isn't good to drink." It was a long way from grape juice!

Jiang Xie laughed loudly. "You are still young. You will know the benefits of this later."

Xie Xi didn't agree as he glanced at the gla.s.s of red wine. It was so expensive that it was a pity not to drink, but it was really hard to drink!

Jiang Xie took the gla.s.s from him. "If you don't like it then don't force yourself."

Xie Xi felt relieved. "I'm going to pour a gla.s.s of juice." Juice was cheap and delicious. Why didn't people drink it?"

Jiang Xie smiled., "Okay, you can drink juice and accompany me."

Xie Xi was slightly surprised. "Teacher still wants to drink?"

"I'm in a good mood and will drink a bit."

Xie Xi didn't dare think about why he was in a good mood!

The movie playing was an old film called 'The First Kiss' and entranced Xie Xi for a while. There were many rich people, talented people, sentimental people and barbarians in the world. Only this person could make you laugh happily.

Xie Xi couldn't help looking at Jiang Xie. Then Jiang Xie turned his head while the corners of his mouth curved. Xie Xi unconsciously smiled as well.

How lucky was it to have a person who made him happy next to him? Perhaps Xie Xi's smile was too moving, perhaps the atmosphere was too good or perhaps it was the alcohol. Jiang Xie finally couldn't resist anymore.

He touched the back of Xie Xi's hand and wrapped his hand around it. This was an ambiguous move. It wasn't a simple handshake but was a touch filled with affection.

Xie Xi's heart jumped, as if fire had pa.s.sed along Jiang Xie's palm to his chest cavity.

Jiang Xie didn't use any force. He just covered Xie Xi's hand and Xie Xi could easily pull it away, but…

He didn't want to. Xie Xi's face was red and slightly intoxicated from drinking juice.

Jiang Xie thought this person was going to pull away and slightly raised his hand. Unexpectedly, Xie Xi actually interlocked fingers with him!

Jiang Xie's pupils shrank.

Xie Xi bit his lip and his whole body was s.h.i.+vering, but his hand tightly held onto Jiang Xie as if afraid this person would leave him.

At this moment, the steady boiling of the frog in warm water, the waiting for this person to grow up… all grew wings and flew away.

Jiang Xie's heart was sweet, warm and slightly distressed. He pulled Xie Xi's hand hard and brought this person into his arms.

Xie Xi's heart was beating quick enough to emerge from his chest.

Jiang Xie called out, "Xiao Xi."

Xie Xi's ears were numb.

“I like you.” Jiang Xie whispered against his ear. Xie Xi's voice was blocked by heat and he couldn't speak. If he opened his mouth, he wouldn't stop crying.

Jiang Xie spoke again, "You don't have to rush to reply to me. I can…"

He hadn't finished when Xie Xi stuttered, "I, I…"

Jiang Xie's heart jumped. Xie Xi shook his head and mustered up great courage, like a drowning man grabbing onto driftwood. "I like you too."

He liked Jiang Xie. He liked the countless warmth this person brought him, the way he made Xie Xi happy and let him laugh every day.

It didn't matter if Jiang Xie was a man or his teacher. Xie Xi was certain about his feelings.

He had been alone for 18 years, waiting for this person. Jiang Xie held his face and stared at him. "Say it again."

Xie Xi stared into his eyes. He had never seen such good-looking eyes, the deep red and deep blue as beautiful as the sunset over the deep sea.

“I like you.” Xie Xi was certain of his heart.

Jiang Xie leaned down and kissed his trembling lips. The tender colour, the sweetness of the juice, the texture of the cute lips…

Xie Xi's eyes were wide and he was completely paralyzed. His heart pounded and he couldn't think.

Jiang Xie wanted to give him a gentle and delicate kiss but who knew that he would go out of control as soon as he touched the lips. He wanted to kiss Xie Xi, possess Xie Xi and convey his hot heart.

Was there anything luckier in the world? He liked a person and the person liked him.

By the time Jiang Xie released Xie Xi, Xie Xi was already dizzy.

Jiang Xie leaned against him. "I'm very happy."

Since meeting Xie Xi, every day was happier than the one before it. He always felt that it was impossible to be happier, only for the new day to give him new happiness.

All of this was given to him by Xie Xi. Xie Xi added an infinite l.u.s.ter to his pale life.

Xie Xi gasped in his arms. "I'm also happy."

Meeting Jiang Xie was the greatest luck in his boring life.

On the 28th of the 12th lunar month, Jiang Xie pasted the blessings and wedding word on the window and spoke shameless, "Look, shouldn't it come true?"

Xie Xi, "…"

"We are overcome with joy because we will receive unexpected good news and there will be two simultaneous happy events in the family…"

The front was okay but the back was crooked. Xie Xi couldn't listen anymore. "There won't be a child!"

Jiang Xie blinked. "I just wanted to say that the confession meant we got together earlier. What are you thinking?"

Xie Xi, "………………"

Jiang Xie's tail was almost up in the sky. "Then do you want a child with me? Unfortunately, it isn't possible in this life. We can make a promise for our next lives but it is dangerous to have a baby…"

Xie Xi directly stuck a blessing to the face of Old Jiang, sealing this naughty monster!

Added a ko-fi for the people asking for an alternative to Patreon:

Pledge any amount to my Patreon to access to the BL google drives, where you can get early access to any chapters I have completed.

You can also join my discord channel to chat with fellow readers about the novels;