Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 257: Don’t go

Jian Ci disappeared again briefly, then came back with a bottle of wine. He poured it into two glasses, the liquid catching the light, and then picked up his plate before sitting down right next to Yu Xi, leaving only a few inches of space between them.

He hadn’t had an appetite before, but the fact that Yu Xi had brought the food for him seemed to awaken it. Jian Ci ate happily, his expression softening, his mood visibly lifted. Yu Xi, meanwhile, watched him from the corner of his eye, his own plate barely touched.

"Mmm, this is so good," Jian Ci murmured, looking at Yu Xi with a smile.

Yu Xi quickly looked away from those glossy lips, his voice quiet. "I am glad you like it."

Jian Ci noticed the untouched food and his brows furrowed. "You don’t like it? I can make you something else," he said.

Yu Xi shook his head quickly. "No, no. It’s really good. Don’t mind me."

Jian Ci’s gaze lingered on him, heavy and searching. "Are you sure?"

Yu Xi met his eyes briefly, then nodded. "I am sure."

Jian Ci’s gaze lingered, his tongue darting out to lick his lips as he stared at Yu Xi’s soft, pink mouth. The sight made his chest tighten, and he quickly looked away, clearing his throat to mask the heat rising in him.

"You came to see me because you want me to apologise to Jian Rui?" he asked, his tone carefully neutral.

Yu Xi didn’t answer immediately. The silence stretched, heavy with implication.

Jian Ci pushed his food around with his fork, his voice quieter now. "Or... because you were worried about me?"

Yu Xi tilted his head, his eyes steady. "What do you think?"

A smile tugged at Jian Ci’s lips, faint but genuine. He said nothing more, simply continued eating, the warmth of Yu Xi’s words settling in his chest.

When they finished, Jian Ci got up, gathering the plates. He disappeared into the kitchen, the sound of running water filling the space. Yu Xi leaned back into the couch, sipping his wine, his eyes half-lidded as he listened to the domestic rhythm of Jian Ci washing dishes.

Moments later, Jian Ci returned, carrying two bowls, ice cream for himself, and a less sweet frozen yogurt for Yu Xi. He set them down with a small smile. "Here."

He knew Yu Xi couldn’t handle the sugary things he loved, so he had brought something tailored for him instead.

Yu Xi reached out, taking the bowl. Their fingers brushed, a fleeting touch, but Jian Ci felt it like a surge of electricity. His body shivered with excitement, though outwardly he kept his composure, his face calm.

He sat down beside Yu Xi, close enough that their shoulders brushed. Jian Ci scooped a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth, leaning back with a satisfied grunt. "Mmm," he murmured, eyes closing briefly. It was his favorite flavor.

Yu Xi smiled, watching him and said, "You like that, don’t you?"

"Of course," Jian Ci replied, his eyes gleaming. "You know me so well."

Yu Xi chuckled softly, dipping his spoon into the yogurt. The cold chill slid down his throat, but it did nothing to cool the heat in his cheeks or the fire in his heart. If anything, it only stoked it further.

Jian Ci took another spoonful, savoring it. "It’s so good," he said, his voice warm.

Yu Xi’s gaze softened. "I am glad that cheered you up."

Jian Ci scratched the side of his nose with his thumb, a nervous habit that betrayed the storm brewing inside him. He knew they would have to talk about what had happened between him and Jian Rui sooner or later, but for now, his focus was on Yu Xi.

Clearing his throat, he said softly, "Little Xi."

Yu Xi looked up from his yogurt, his eyes calm but attentive. "Mm."

"You know," Jian Ci began, meeting Yu Xi’s gaze, "just because we saved you... you don’t have to work for my brother, right?"

The words hung in the air. The two of them sat in silence, the tension palpable. Finally, Yu Xi said, "I know."

"Then why put yourself through all that?" Jian Ci pressed, his voice tight. "I mean, you could have a normal life... and stay with your family."

Yu Xi’s brow arched, his tone sharp. "Are you trying to chase me away? Why, have you grown tired of me?"

The accusation hit Jian Ci like a blow. He quickly set his ice cream bowl down on the table and shuffled closer, his body almost enveloping Yu Xi. "No, no, no," he said urgently. "I just..."

Yu Xi raised his brow, waiting, his silence demanding honesty.

"I just don’t want you doing his dirty work anymore," Jian Ci admitted, his voice low, almost pleading.

Yu Xi’s gaze sharpened. "Do you know why I really do it?"

Jian Ci frowned as he said, "Because he forced you."

Yu Xi shook his head. "No. I do it because whoever is funding those labs, the ones like the one I was in, is still out there. They are still doing it. I want their head... and your brother’s access allows me to do just that."

The words landed heavy. Jian Ci hadn’t expected him to say this. His chest tightened, his breath caught.

"So there is a connection," Jian Ci said slowly, almost to himself.

"Yeah," Yu Xi replied, his voice steady. "Why else would you think I was doing this?"

For a moment, Jian Ci was speechless. His mind raced, his emotions tangled. He wanted to protect Yu Xi, to shield him from everything but Yu Xi’s resolve was iron, his purpose clear.

And Jian Ci didn’t know what to say. He only knew that the thought of Yu Xi walking into danger again made his heart ache in ways he couldn’t put into words.

Jian Ci scratched his head, his voice low and uncertain. "I thought you did it because you were being forced to."

Yu Xi chuckled, the sound warm but edged with confidence. "Who in this world can force me to do something I don’t want to?"

Their eyes met, holding each other’s gaze for a long, charged moment. Then Yu Xi reached for the glass of wine Jian Ci had drunk earlier. He lifted it casually, his tone firm. "Now stop making a fuss at your brother and listen to him."

Jian Ci’s mouth twisted unhappily. "Do I have to apologise to him?"

"Yes," Yu Xi said without hesitation. "And you tell him how you feel in a nicer way."

"But I don’t want to," Jian Ci muttered, sulking.

Yu Xi shrugged, his voice cool. "Fine. Don’t listen to me then."

He tilted the glass back, drinking the wine Jian Ci had touched, his adam’s apple bobbing with the motion. Jian Ci froze, his breath catching. He wanted to say I drank that, but then he remembered how often they shared water bottles, how he was usually the one stealing things from Yu Xi without a second thought. This time, though, it was different. This time, Jian Ci had feelings for Yu Xi, and watching him drink from his glass felt like an indirect kiss.

His lips parted, then closed again. He bit his lower lip, the dryness in his throat unbearable. The only thing that could quench his thirst was Yu Xi’s lips. Jian Ci swallowed hard, his pulse racing.

Yu Xi set the glass down, his voice calm but final. "I am leaving."

He shifted, about to rise from the couch. But Jian Ci moved before he could, wrapping his arms around him in a sudden, desperate hug. His voice cracked with urgency. "No... don’t go."

The embrace was tight, raw, and unguarded. Jian Ci’s emotions spilt out in a way he could no longer restrain. Yu Xi froze, caught between surprise and the weight of the moment, the air around them thick with everything unspoken.