Guo Chengyu was shooting pool when Li Wang bent over to his ear and murmured, “Jiang Xiaoshuai’s here.”
TOK! One smooth stroke and the ball clattered into the pocket.
Guo tossed the cue to Li Wang, strode toward the door still wearing a pleasant smile—yet the instant he reached the threshold he wiped the grin away and stepped outside with an icy look.
For someone so fiery, he’d shown remarkable patience: ever since Wu Suowei had cleared up that rumor about him and Chi Cheng, he’d leaned on his “spotless innocence” and refused to contact Jiang for a solid month.
In Guo’s mind: You misjudged me. Now that you know the truth, you should be the one to come bow your head, right?
Sure enough, Jiang actually delivered himself. How could Guo pass up the chance to pin him down?
So the very first thing out of Guo Chengyu’s mouth was, “What are you here for?”
Jiang smiled. “Nothing much, came to see you.”
Guo kept his face taut, though Jiang’s grin had already turned him to mush inside.
Look at that flirty little face… I’d love to cuff you to the bed and fuck you till you can’t stand.
Out loud, though, he only said, “See me for what?”
“Haven’t seen you in ages, had to check if you’re still breathing,” Jiang shot back, sharp-tongued as ever.
Hand braced on the doorframe, Guo’s thorny gaze drilled into Jiang. “I was alive and kicking when everyone maligned me; now the truth’s out, I’m doing even better.”
Please, Jiang cursed inwardly. So you pulled yourself from a mess, doesn’t mean your dick grew an inch. If my grip weren’t on your balls you’d have floated clear off the ground.
He thought it, yet still threw Guo a scrap of dignity. “What’s past is past. Let’s talk inside.” He tugged Guo’s arm.
Guo yanked him back, voice all roguish drawl. “Who said anything about letting bygones be bygones? Talk about what? Didn’t you say Chi Cheng and I were screwing? Go on, beat it, don’t waste my time. My heart’s filthy; I’m not worthy of a white lotus like you.”
Jiang ignored him and tried to shoulder inside.
Guo was thrilled but kept baiting him. “Who said you could go in? Shameless, aren’t you? That hide of yours is thick enough to stuff dumplings. And you know what, Jiang Xiaoshuai? You were right: Chi Cheng and I are a thing. We’ve been making eyes for years. Never felt it till you said it, but now, turns out I quite fancy Chi Cheng.”
He flapped a dismissive hand. “Run along, quit being the third wheel, make room for Chi Cheng, you hear?”
Jiang glared, face black. Guo pinched his cheek. “What’re you glaring at? You’re the one who blurted it out. Too late to regret now, my heart’s with Chi Cheng. Go crawl under the covers and cry.”
At last Jiang burst. “Guo Chengyu, don’t you fucking push it!”
“How am I pushing it? I’m just speaking the truth!”
They were in full swing when a sudden voice cut through, “I can confirm that.”
Guo Chengyu froze.
Chi Cheng came up steadily from behind, slinging an arm around Guo Chengyu’s neck, his tiger-like eyes sweeping over Jiang Xiaoshuai with disdain.
“Guo-zi’s mine, how about you stop getting in the way?”
“H-hey…” Guo muttered, lowering his voice, “you actually showed up?”
“What kind of question is that?” Chi said, calm as ever. “I even brought my bedding and furniture, from now on we’re one big family.”
Guo’s face darkened. “Cut the overacting, will you? My little pretty-face at home can’t handle too big a scare.”
“Who’s acting?”
No sooner had Chi said that than he called past Guo’s shoulder, “Carry it up to the sixth floor, Guo Chengyu’s place, make sure someone guides you, don’t send it to the wrong unit.”
Guo turned to look, well, damn! Quilts, mattresses, blankets, a wardrobe, a shoe cabinet, a bookcase… the whole works!
“You’re seriously doing this?”
Before he could get an answer, Jiang Xiaoshuai spun around and headed for the door.
Guo started after him but Chi’s strong elbow hooked him back, dragging him the other way. “Quit indulging his rotten temper.”
Guo bristled. “Who’s indulging him? I’m not half as bad as you!”
Chi’s big hand forced Guo’s hard skull around, making him face him.
“I’m Chi Cheng, your childhood pal. Want a private chat with me, am I not qualified?”
Guo’s shoulders relaxed; he punched Chi hard in the chest. “Damn, you really know how to pick a moment, could’ve come earlier or later, but no, you had to barge in right now.”
With that, the two buddies slung arms around each other’s shoulders and headed upstairs.
188
Chi Cheng let out a cold snort. “Have Jiang Xiaoshuai say to your face that he’s never loved you—see how that feels.”
“We’re not as melodramatic as you two; we don’t go around mouthing off about love or no love. And even if he did say it, I’m not as petty as you are, if he doesn’t love me, I’ll fight like hell to make him love me.”
——
Before long, Jiang Xiaoshuai showed up as well.
This time Guo Chengyu dropped the act—he worried that if he strutted around too long Chi Cheng might finish up in the other room. (Given Chi Cheng’s usual pace that was unlikely, but accidents happen.) Since Jiang had come looking for him a second time, it meant he’d realized his mistake; Guo decided to give him a chance to “mend his ways.”
So the moment Jiang stepped inside, Guo pressed him into a corner and kissed him.
Jiang struggled for a bit; deciding the taste wasn’t bad, he let Guo have his way. Guo’s hand had barely started to slide downward when strange noises erupted from the other room.
Bang!
The door was kicked open.
Lord Chi barked, “Move your asses and get out!”
Jiang jolted, shoving Guo off at once. “Didn’t you say you were alone?”
Guo hadn’t yet answered when a woman’s sobs drifted in, and Chi Cheng strode through the doorway.
“Wait, why are you out here?” Guo blurted.
Chi made his disgust for the beauty plain. “Her voice quivers—grates on my ears.”
Guo flushed. “Seriously? She hadn’t even undressed and you threw her out?”
“The second she opened her mouth she killed the mood—how was I supposed to keep going?”
Sweat beaded on Guo’s brow. “Didn’t you say ‘as long as she’s busty’? Fine, I found you a busty one, and now you’re hung up on her voice? You just like picking fights, huh?”
Chi slipped onto the bed in his slippers, quick as anything. “You two do whatever, don’t mind me.”
Click, he flicked a lighter, striking a cigarette in a show-off pose.
Jiang’s eyes lingered on the two supersized slippers at the rack, then shifted to Guo. “Guo Chengyu, you’re really something.”
With that he turned and left. Bang!—a door-slam every bit as dramatic.