MVCFO CH44

Chapter 44: “I Really Want to Kiss You”

Though Qi Ye and Lu Huo came back for the New Year, their jobs’ unique demands meant long vacations were impossible.

Lin Xiangqi learned from Qi Ye that her leave was planned until after the holiday, but the institute could call her back anytime. Lu Huo had it worse—he could only stay two days, leaving before New Year’s Eve.

Luckily, none of the four cared much for holiday rituals. At Lin Xiangqi’s enthusiastic suggestion, they decided to treat tonight as an early New Year celebration. Raising coconut milk glasses, they exchanged heartfelt toasts, making Qi Ye and Lu Huo beam. Red envelopes piled into Lin Xiangqi’s pockets.

At the dinner table, Lin Xiangqi was radiant.

The other three weren’t talkative, but he didn’t mind, chattering away. Three pairs of eyes watched him, responding, laughing along, giving lively feedback on fun topics. When a joke flopped, someone would toss out an even worse one to save the moment.

Lu Cong, always smiling, spoke little. He quietly served Lin Xiangqi food, peeled his crabs, kept his soup warm, and wiped oil from his lips or chin with a napkin the moment it appeared.

The house hadn’t been this lively in ages.

For years, Lin Xiangqi had refused to celebrate holidays or birthdays, thinking he’d outgrown such cheer. But tonight, immersed in it, he realized it wasn’t dislike—it was fear. Having lost this warmth before, he’d convinced himself he didn’t want it to avoid hoping for something he might never have again.

Just like he’d once told himself he didn’t like Lu Cong, didn’t need him by his side.

Maybe his lying skills were too poor, because Lu Cong always saw through him.

Lu Cong knew his “dislike” was like, his “don’t need” was need. Instead of calling him out, Lu Cong patiently gave him what he craved, bit by bit, until he accepted it.

Until he dared believe he’d already regained what he’d once stopped hoping for.

Dinner stretched until ten at night.

Qi Ye needed to join an online meeting, so she took over the study.

Lu Huo, a bit tipsy, pulled Lu Cong aside to talk about military academy. Ever since Lin Xiangqi mentioned Lu Cong might choose between the institute and military academy, Lu Huo and Qi Ye had been in a silent tug-of-war.

Lu Huo didn’t dare openly compete with Qi Ye, adopting a breezy “whatever makes my son happy” stance.

But the moment Qi Ye closed the study door, Lu Huo, arm around Lu Cong’s shoulder, eagerly said, “I won’t say whether military academy suits you, but the institute definitely doesn’t. You’d be miserable there in three days, guaranteed. Come on, let me explain.”

Meanwhile, Lin Xiangqi slipped to the foyer, changed his shoes, and prepared to leave.

Lu Cong instinctively called out, “Yanyan, where are you going?”

Lu Huo glanced over too.

Lin Xiangqi, already opening the door, waved with a smile. “It’s late, I’m heading home to rest. See you tomorrow!”

As Lu Cong started to stand, Lu Huo boomed, “Come early tomorrow, and Dad’ll whip up my specialty dish!”

Lin Xiangqi nodded obediently. “Sure, I’ll come right after waking up. Good night!”

With that, he stepped out, deliberately ignoring Lu Cong’s puzzled look, closed the door, and left.

Lin Xiangqi knew what Lu Cong was thinking.

They’d been sleeping together lately—partly out of habit, partly because Lin Xiangqi worried about Lu Cong’s susceptible period. If Lu Cong felt unwell at night, Lin Xiangqi could soothe him with pheromones.

But deep down, Lin Xiangqi was easily embarrassed. He could be as clingy as he wanted with Lu Cong in private, but with Qi Ye and Lu Huo home, bedrooms just steps apart, he couldn’t bring himself to stay over.

Even setting aside that they weren’t married yet, moving into someone else’s house felt bold. If either Qi Ye or Lu Huo was traditional, their impression of him might plummet.

He was nervous and cautious because he cared too much. It was just a few days—he figured separate homes were best.

Back home, Lin Xiangqi took a long, relaxing bath. Emerging from the bathroom, he was flushed and giddy.

His good mood made everything fun, and he wasn’t sleepy at all. In loose, thin pajamas, he flopped onto his bed, grabbed his phone, and texted Lu Cong.

Lu Cong had messaged half an hour ago, nothing special, just asking if he’d rested.

Lin Xiangqi hadn’t replied right away. He hopped off the bed, scurried to the window, and peeked through the curtains, hoping to spy on Lu Cong’s side.

But the moment he parted the curtains, Lu Cong caught him red-handed.

Their houses were close—seeing across was easy. They locked eyes unexpectedly.

Lu Cong didn’t seem surprised to see him.

Of course. Why else would he be up late, leaning by the window, if not waiting for Lin Xiangqi?

Lu Cong’s face was half-shadowed, but he seemed to smile. His usually upright posture was rare and relaxed as he leaned against the sill, raising his arm to wave his phone at Lin Xiangqi.

Lin Xiangqi got the hint and checked his phone.

Lu Cong: 【Dry your hair】

Lin Xiangqi’s eyes widened, touching his half-damp hair. He excitedly typed back: 【Are you clairvoyant? How’d you know?!】

Lu Cong, amused, lowered his gaze. 【You’re always like this.】

Lin Xiangqi had plenty of bad habits—hating to blow-dry his hair, stopping halfway, eating snacks before bed, playing on his phone in the dark, and more.

None were serious, but neglecting them long-term wasn’t great. Thankfully, Lu Cong was there to nudge him.

Lin Xiangqi listened to Lu Cong on these things. If Lu Cong said no, he’d usually stop. But alone, he’d slip back into laziness.

Lin Xiangqi: 【It’s just a little wet. I don’t wanna dry it—it’s such a hassle. Let’s chat, and it’ll dry on its own.】

Lu Cong: 【Be good.】

Lin Xiangqi hemmed and hawed, clearly tempted to slack off, sending a flurry of cute, pleading emojis. But Lu Cong, worried he’d get a headache sleeping with wet hair, kept urging him.

Lin Xiangqi pouted, pulled his head from the curtains, and obediently dried his hair in the bathroom.

When he came out, he sulkily avoided the window, flicked off the light, and burrowed into bed.

Soon, his phone buzzed. He’d expected a text but was surprised by a voice call—then realized it was a video call.

Without checking, he answered, finding Lu Cong in casual clothes, hair soft and slightly damp, likely fresh from a shower. But he sat upright in a chair, meeting Lin Xiangqi’s eyes through the camera.

Lin Xiangqi rolled over, sprawling on his bed, propping his phone against the pillow. He stared at Lu Cong for a long while, then giggled.

Lu Cong’s lips curved. “What’s so funny?”

Lin Xiangqi propped his chin in his hands. “Lu Cong, you’re so handsome.”

Lu Cong froze, caught off guard by the sudden praise, feeling oddly shy. “Hm?”

Lin Xiangqi grinned. “You’re blushing! You’re embarrassed!”

Lu Cong touched his lips, clearing his throat. “Why didn’t you stay at my place tonight?”

Lin Xiangqi said, “Your parents are home. It’d be awkward.”

Lu Cong had guessed as much. He’d thought Lin Xiangqi’s bold mention of marriage to Qi Ye and Lu Huo meant he wouldn’t mind, but since Lin Xiangqi felt this way, Lu Cong wouldn’t push. He knew Lin Xiangqi could be painfully shy at times.

Changing the subject, Lu Cong asked, “You talked with Mom about the institute’s project today. What do you think?”

Lin Xiangqi had been meaning to discuss this. “Honestly, the project’s too complex. The only thing I could contribute is my pheromones. If it’s about raw ability, I wouldn’t even get into the institute.”

The institute collaborated with Capital University but didn’t guarantee spots for specific students. Even if Lin Xiangqi got into the medical department, he’d need Qi Ye’s recommendation to join the project—and he’d likely be a minor player. Without standout results in the limited time, he wouldn’t stay.

Qi Ye’s status could pull strings to get him in, but that raised ethical issues. Whether Qi Ye was willing or not, Lin Xiangqi himself couldn’t stomach it.

If he wasn’t cut out for it, forcing his way into the institute was pointless.

Lu Cong didn’t jump to conclusions, saying, “You’ve got half a year to decide. No rush. In a few days, you can visit the institute with her to learn more.”

Lin Xiangqi nodded. “Auntie said the same.”

Lu Cong: “Hm.”

Lin Xiangqi asked, “Did Uncle talk to you about military academy? What do you think? Honestly, it feels like the best fit for us. Dr. Tang messaged me at noon, saying her senior’s teaching there, and she—”

With his fragments of “future” memories, Lin Xiangqi was convinced Lu Cong was destined to be a great general, so he rambled on about it.

Lu Cong didn’t interrupt, just watched him silently.

Lin Xiangqi’s voice trailed off, noticing Lu Cong’s gaze didn’t scream enthusiasm for military academy. Hesitantly, he asked, “…What’s up? Don’t like it? That’s fine, we can go to the institute. I’ll just study more with Auntie…”

“I really want to kiss you,” Lu Cong said suddenly.

Lin Xiangqi: “?”

It took a moment for him to get shy, covering his face. “What are you saying out of nowhere?!”

Lu Cong leaned closer to the screen, head tilted, chin in hand, gazing at Lin Xiangqi with a lazy yet intense look. “You’re right across the way, but I’m already missing you.”

“Wow, you…” Lin Xiangqi couldn’t handle Lu Cong’s blunt passion. His face burned as he rubbed his cheeks, finally noticing something off. “Lu Cong, your face is red. Are you okay?”

Lu Cong rubbed his temples. “Had a couple drinks with my dad.”

Lin Xiangqi: “What?!”

It clicked—when he’d left, Lu Huo was talking to Lu Cong, a bottle of liquor on the coffee table.

Lin Xiangqi assumed Lu Huo would finish it alone, but apparently, in the heat of the moment, he’d poured Lu Cong a glass too.

In Lin Xiangqi’s memory, Lu Cong never drank. He disliked losing control, so handing his senses over to alcohol was something he avoided.

But with his dad toasting, he’d taken a few sips.

Lin Xiangqi panicked. “Chen Qiutian said blushing from drinking might mean alcohol intolerance. Do you feel bad?”

Lu Cong shook his head. “I’m fine.”

He wasn’t the type to flush from drinking. At most, his naturally higher body temperature, plus the alcohol, made his skin slightly red. Unless you looked closely, it wasn’t noticeable.

But Lin Xiangqi wasn’t reassured. “You’ve never drunk before. You don’t know your tolerance, and Uncle’s liquor is strong. What if you get alcohol poisoning? Do you have hangover meds? Or—drink some coconut milk to dilute it!”

Lu Cong found his frantic worry adorable and chuckled.

Lin Xiangqi, annoyed, wished he could jump through the screen. “You’re laughing?”

“I want to kiss you,” Lu Cong said abruptly again. “Right now.”

Lin Xiangqi frowned, feigning anger, but soon mumbled shyly, “How would you even kiss me?”

He meant they were apart, so Lu Cong’s “kiss” couldn’t happen.

But Lu Cong—maybe tipsy, maybe not—seemed to misinterpret.

Smiling, he replied, “How else? Bite your lips open, taste your tongue, strip off your clothes, kiss from your neck to your collarbone, then your—”

“Ahhh!!!”

Lin Xiangqi nearly launched off the bed. “Shh! Shh! Are you crazy, saying that?!”

Lu Cong’s smile didn’t fade, his expression calm, as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell. “But I really miss you, Yanyan. What do I do?”

“Oh—my—gosh—”

Lin Xiangqi’s drawn-out whine showed he couldn’t handle Lu Cong’s boldness. He slammed his head into the bed repeatedly, thumping as loud as his racing heart.

Lu Cong was a bit drunk but not out of it. His mind was clear, his reason intact—just his desires amplified.

Seeing Lin Xiangqi’s flustered, mortified state, he knew Lin Xiangqi was too shy for this kind of talk over the phone. Lin Xiangqi’s boldness was a strange thing—tough in unexpected moments, fragile in others that didn’t seem to matter.

Just when Lu Cong thought Lin Xiangqi was done talking, he peeked out from between his fingers.

Leaning close to the phone, whispering as if sharing a secret, he said, “…Can you sneak over later?”