Thanks to what Ji Xie had said before leaving, Li Xian found himself pacing outside his own room, too conflicted to go inside, for the first time in his life.
Just as he placed his palm on the handle for the third time, the door opened before he could turn it.
Ji Xie leaned against the doorframe with his arms folded, his expression as casual as ever. "You're back?"
Li Xian immediately glanced around. Only after confirming that no one was passing by did he breathe a sigh of relief, then quickly slip into the room and shut the door.
Standing off to the side, Ji Xie tilted his head and watched the whole sequence before commenting:
"Why are you so nervous? It's not like we're having an affair."
Li Xian paused at those words, a hint of embarrassed indignation coloring his face.
"What does this have to do with an... affair?"
The word "affair" seemed to burn his tongue, making him hesitate briefly.
"True, it doesn't."
As Ji Xie answered, he produced their Marriage Certificate from somewhere and opened it in front of Li Xian.
"After all, we're legally married."
As Li Xian walked past him, he caught his wrist, gently stroking the smooth skin beneath his fingertips as he teased:
"Or do you like sneaking around like this?"
The skin beneath his touch felt hot. Li Xian made a less-than-determined attempt to pull his hand away.
"Let me ask you something."
"When did you... get in touch with him?"
"Him" naturally referred to Li Yuanqing from the previous instance. After hearing the question, Ji Xie fell silent for a moment, then drew Li Xian closer and wrapped his arms around him from behind.
"The night you first went to the Toy Factory."
Their bodies rested lightly against each