Xie Ji was so startled by the news that his hand trembled, and the quantum computer he was holding instantly smashed into his nose.
"Damn it..." Xie Ji covered his nose and mumbled a curse.
Normally, he would roll around on the bed twice, but now he can't even do that. He can only bury his head in the soft pillow and cry silently.
The personal terminal beeped.
With red eyes, Xie Ji picked up the personal terminal and quickly typed. "Who's saving your crazy pictures? You exhibitionist, I won't let you get away with this!"
Lu Xunji: Perhaps you're right, I might indeed have this kind of fetish. If you hadn't appeared in my world, giving my emotions and long-suppressed desires a little outlet, I might have gone down a different path.
Xie Ji:... What road?
Lu Xunji: I don't know, I'll probably become an unknown internet celebrity on some unknown website.
Xie Ji: Is it Huang?
Lu Xunji: I guess so. I like the feeling of being in control, and I also like looking up to everyone. What I mean is, it feels great to be looked up to, to see others kneeling at my feet like sycophants, no matter what aspect it is.
Xie Ji:...
Lu Xunji certainly has a lot of potential.
He experienced this advantage firsthand last night.
Xie Ji: Does "others" include me? Do I have to kneel too?
There was a long silence on Lu Xunji's end. Xie Ji, holding his personal terminal, was almost convinced that Lu Xunji wasn't going to reply when the avatar started flashing again.
Lu Xunji: No, you're different from others. You don't need to kneel. If you want, you can even sit on my face.
Xie Ji:...
For some reason, even though he knew Lu Xunji was joking, his thoughts still quickly drifted in some unsavory directions.
Xie Ji's ears turned red, and her finger hovered over the input key in the air.
He and Lu Xunji Lu Xunji had never talked like this before. In the past, as long as they didn't have a conflict, they would almost never be apart. If they were apart, it must have been because they had another argument.
It's hard to say whether it counts as an argument or not. Xie Ji had never been in a relationship before, but from the beginning he was happy to indulge Lu Xunji. He had seen all sides of Lu Xunji, in public and in private. While everyone thought Lu Xunji was a cold and aloof beauty, he saw Lu Xunji's vulnerability.
In fact, he didn't know how to date Lu Xunji, but from this moment on, he was willing to start learning for Lu Xunji's sake.
Xie Ji rubbed his lower back, feeling that talking to Lu Xunji like this was less embarrassing than when they were face-to-face. In this situation, it was actually more appropriate to say what he couldn't say.
Xie Ji: Let me just say, this is our first time dating, right?
Lu Xunji: Hmm.
Xie Ji: Can we have a proper talk and agree on some rules?
Lu Xunji: You can ask me for anything, no problem.
Xie Ji paused for a moment, and after several moments of deliberation, he carefully began to type.
Xie Ji: Then can you please stop getting angry for no reason and giving me the silent treatment? You're really going too far! No relationship can withstand the silent treatment!
Lu Xunji: When a major conflict occurs between two parties, I believe that spending time alone can help us calm down. It's not about passive-aggressive behavior; it's just that I need space to think.
Xie Ji: We may have argued, but if you're going to think things through, why are you ignoring me?
Lu Xunji: I'm sorry, it won't happen again.
Xie Ji lay on the bed with his legs crossed, satisfied.
Xie Ji: Of course, I must have my own problems too. You don't like me getting too close to Ji Shi, Mu Yao, and Shang Yan.
Lu Xunji: Would you really cut off all contact with them for my sake?
Xie Ji: Oh, no, not at all.
Xie Ji: Actually, I have a clear conscience! My relationship with them is purely platonic!
Lu Xunji: Not necessarily.
Xie Ji: You are like a suspicious husband.
Lu Xunji: And you, are you a philandering, philandering wife?
Xie Ji:... That's enough, you really overthink things.
Lu Xunji: You talk to them about everything, put your arm around them, kiss me, hug me, and tease me at night, but during the day you act like you're straight to everyone. How do you expect me to feel?
Xie Ji:...
As expected of the top scorer, his accusations were incredibly sharp.
Xie Ji scratched his bottom on the bed in a panic.
Xie Ji: But they are my friends, I don't want to choose between them.
Lu Xunji: Making friends is your freedom, but being jealous is my freedom.
Xie Ji: I'm breaking up with you.
Lu Xunji did not reply for a long time.
Xie Ji:?
Still no reply.
Half an hour later, Xie Ji suddenly sat up in bed.
Xie Ji: Holy crap, I was just kidding, I didn't really want to break up with you, don't be impulsive.
Xie Ji: I'm sorry, baby.
Xie Ji: Reply to my message, baby.
Xie Ji: Are you giving me the silent treatment again?
Xie Ji: I was wrong, I was wrong, brother. I really just said it casually. You haven't started hurting yourself yet, have you? Lu Xunji, say something!
Xie Ji: Where are you? I'm coming to find you.
Lu Xunji took a long time to reply.
Lu Xunji: Xie Ji, you're bullying me.
Xie Ji: Yes, yes, yes, I bullied you, I'm such a jerk, so where are you? I'll come find you and apologize to you in person, okay?
Lu Xunji: No need.
Xie Ji:...
Lu Xunji: I didn't harm myself. I'll be back unharmed tonight.
Xie Ji: You swear.
Lu Xunji: I would do anything for you.
Xie Ji:...
Xie Ji: I'm sorry, if you don't like it, I'll try to have less contact with them.
Lu Xunji: Xie Ji, Ji. Sometimes I don't tell the truth.
Lu Xunji: When I said "I'm jealous," I meant "please comfort me." I know you cherish your friends, and I won't hurt anything you cherish, nor will I force you to choose between two options, because I love you.
Lu Xunji: I'm trying to learn to love you like a normal person.
Xie Ji: It's not you, buddy.
He was so moved he almost cried, and said that this guy didn't know how to date, but he was so good at it!
Xie Ji, experiencing her first stirrings of love, was overwhelmed by such a sophisticated confession. After stammering and blushing for ten minutes, she finally texted Lu Xunji: "Do you ever feel that I'm useless and that I'm a burden to you?"
Lu Xunji: That's an absurd idea. Why would you think that?
Xie Ji recalled the replies on the campus post and, for the first time, felt a little insecure about himself.
Xie Ji: They say I'm not good enough for you.
Xie Ji: It's not my opinion, it's just that too many people think that way. I think that my abilities might indeed be a bit weaker compared to yours. Of course, it's not that I'm inherently weak, it's just that my abilities are locked.
Xie Ji: Aren't you tired of always dragging me along?
Xie Ji: Just like this special military academy assessment, if I were as strong as you, we wouldn't have to work so hard.
Lu Xunji: A strong person without empathy is just a machine. Humans drive machines. The world may not need machines, but it will always need humans.
Lu Xunji: Besides, my participation in the special assessment actually has little to do with you.
Xie Ji was taken aback. "Dude, you're too good at comforting people. Wasn't it because I was going to participate in the special assessment that you were worried something would happen to me, so you went with me?"
Lu Xunji: That's just one reason. Besides, you wanted to participate in the special assessment because of me, so I don't quite understand why that would be a reason for your guilt.
Xie Ji:... Because many people have mentioned it, but I don't feel particularly guilty. I was just asking casually.
Lu Xunji: It was my decision to travel with you, so you don't need to take responsibility for it. Besides, at the time... it wasn't entirely because I was worried about you.
Lu Xunji: I have a very low sense of self-worth.
Xie Ji: What does that mean?
Lu Xunji: It means that nothing in this world has any meaning for me, whether it's human life or anything else. Many things, peaks that others can hardly climb in their entire lives, are easy for me, such as studying and taking exams. I find it difficult to gain a sense of self-worth from these things.
Lu Xunji: This is the source of my misanthropy.
Lu Xunji: If life is a game, then this game is far too boring for me, so I constantly seek stimulation just to find my own value.
Lu Xunji: I applied to military academy and participated in special assessments. Rather than saving you, I was actually saving myself.
Lu Xunji: So, Xie Ji, without you, I really want to die.
Xie Ji:...
The green chat box on the quantum computer was reflected on Xie Ji's face.
Great, it's a short essay, we're doomed.
Good news, a deal has been struck. The man is handsome and talented, and most of them are multi-talented.
Bad news: The male ghost is the seme, an artsy, pretentious, jealous guy with Yu Yu syndrome. Every time he closes his eyes, he sees his wife kissing him, but when he opens them, he thinks, "Without you, I really want to die."
How did he end up in this situation?
Lu Xunji: You haven't replied to me for two minutes. You must be missing me, my sweetie.
Xie Ji thought for a moment: It's evening now. What did you say to me that evening on the island?
The next moment, the sound of the dormitory door being swung open came from inside.
Xie Ji paused for a moment, then turned to look outside the room.
Lu Xunji, dressed in a military academy uniform, stood at the door, carrying a large square box in his hand.
Before Xie Ji could even react with shock, Lu Xunji smiled, a slight curl of his lips.
"I am here."
Xie Ji threw down his personal terminal and jumped off the bed.
Ignoring the pain in her body, she suddenly rushed into Lu Xunji's arms.
Lu Xunji, carrying the box, still caught Xie Ji steadily, his strong arms supporting Xie Ji's weight. He tilted his head back, his gentle purplish-red eyes, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, filled with a tender smile.
That afternoon on the island, Xie Ji woke up feeling overwhelmed by loneliness. He frantically searched the villa for his companions, hoping to get a response.
At that moment, Lu Xunji walked in from the courtyard gate and, in the setting sun, told him in a gentle yet firm voice, "I'm here."
Around that time, Lu Xunji had actually opened the door to his heart.
Perhaps she liked him even earlier than Lu Xunji.
He simply hadn't realized that deep within his heart, Lu Xunji's image was already everywhere.
Xie Ji cupped his face, lowered his head and kissed Lu Xunji's lips, then nuzzled his nose in the sunset. "I love you."
This was the first time a sweet word wasn't obtained through Lu Xunji's persistent pursuit.
Lu Xunji carried him into the living room. "Thank you, I'm very happy."
Xie Ji then noticed the large box Lu Xunji was carrying, and rested his chin on Lu Xunji's shoulder. "What's in that box?"
"A birthday cake," Lu Xunji said. "I finished training early and went to a cake shop to have it made."
Xie Ji's eyes widened. "Whose birthday is it today?"
"Yours." Lu Xunji hugged him and sat him on the sofa, gently massaging his waist. "Our birthdays are only one day apart, today is September 23rd, my dear Little Kitty Baby."
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, because mentioning Xie Ji made him feel a little guilty. He grabbed Lu Xunji's collar, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "You remember my birthday, but I forgot yours."
Yesterday was Lu Xunji's birthday, and he even agreed to be Mu Yao's dance partner.
I clearly promised him I'd be back before midnight, but he broke his promise again.
How could there be such an irresponsible boyfriend in this world!
"I'm so sorry, Lu Xunji." Xie Ji sighed, "I was too careless."
"It's okay." Lu Xunji turned his head and kissed his ear. "I've already received the best birthday present in the world."
Xie Ji felt a chill run down his spine in embarrassment. "Huh? Am I still a pure virgin?"
"It's your love."
Xie Ji: "..."
"Of course, I also really like your body, thank you."
"... You're quite polite, aren't you?"
"Oh right, I almost forgot, what was the medal you gave me yesterday?" Xie Ji got up from Lu Xunji, ran to the bedroom, took the medal from the bedside table, and ran back.
Lu Xunji, like double-sided tape, reached out and pulled him into her arms, snuggling close to him and asking, "Does it not hurt anymore?"
Xie Ji understood Lu Xunji's meaning almost instantly.
Are you an animal?
"I've said it before, I really like it."
"You think you can do it every day just because you like it? I've been lying in bed all day! I'm only just starting to feel better!"
You need to exercise.
"I don't need it! You're actually pretty average!"
"But you cried so much yesterday it looked like I was going to beat you to death."
"I was crying at your grave, you pervert!"
"Then you can cry for yourself tonight, and we'll bury it together."
"Who wants to be buried with you? Don't change the subject, okay? What exactly is this lump of metal?"
It was a very flamboyant medal with sharp edges; Xie Ji's hand was cut by it yesterday.
Although the wound looked scary and bled a lot, it wasn't actually a big deal. Lu Xunji had already bandaged it up, and with the small medical pod repaired, it was almost completely healed by evening.
Only the bloodstains on the medal can prove the madness of last night.
"It's nothing, just a minor title." Lu Xunji turned the medal over and over a couple of times. "I took the command department's exam for the chance to be received by the royal family. With this medal, you'll have your own fiefdom in the empire, though it's not big, just a desolate little planet. But, take it slow, I'll make sure you have everything."
Xie Ji glared at him. "Why?"
"There's no reason." Lu Xunji snorted coldly, as if he had thought of something. " Shang Yan can give you, I can give you too. What he can't give, I can also give you. Xie Ji, I am your most valuable bargaining chip."
Xie Ji: "..."
He's so jealous!
With a long history and profound origins, it is sun-dried for a full 180 days.