Chen Yi's words had an immediate effect. Ling Xie flushed and couldn't shake them off as they stubbornly ran in circles in his mind. The worries that had burdened him since his memories returned were completely washed away, leaving him stunned and helpless, unable to decide how he should react.
Chen Yi sighed in relief, seeing that Ling Xie was now distracted by him. He had been extremely shaken when he realized Ling Xie's memories had come back.
"Oh, and one more thing." Chen Yi pinched Ling Xie's chin and made him look at him to get his attention. "What should I call you?" He was very careful with his question. Chen Yi knew that the name "Cao Chang" was quite sensitive for his Xie'er, but he still wanted to give it a try. He hadn't forgotten his mission of easing Ling Xie's disgust with his own self, after all.
Ling Xie blanked out for a moment, then he understood what he meant. "Ling Xie. Call me Ling Xie."
There was no hesitation in Ling Xie's voice, and Chen Yi felt as though a needle had poked a hole in his heart.
It seemed he had a lot of work to do.
Chen Yi carefully placed Ling Xie back on the bed and pulled the abandoned rolling cart closer.
The porridge had been scalding hot when he brought it, as he thought it would be a long time before Ling Xie woke up. He worried that it might still be too hot, but when he took a sip to test the temperature, it had turned lukewarm due to their earlier confrontation.
Ling Xie's mind was elsewhere as he was fed meticulously by Chen Yi, who seemed to take pleasure in serving him. He looked like a humble servant despite his dry throat and the glinting eyes that often lingered on Ling Xie's moist lips.
He was tempted, testing his resolve.
Absorbed in his thoughts, Ling Xie only realized he was being fed when he heard the click of the spoon against the now empty bowl. It was already too late. His face and ears turned red with embarrassment.
Chen Yi saw him blush and chuckled heartily. He didn't let Ling Xie get the chance to say anything before pulling him off the bed. "Let's go downstairs. Everyone's been worried about you."
Ling Xie could only swallow the words he wanted to say and followed Chen Yi obediently. His head was low as they descended the large, grand staircase, missing the playful light that danced in Chen Yi's eyes.
Three pairs of eyes quickly glanced at the lovers, their gazes lingering on their entwined hands with a knowing look. Two of the three even had stars in their eyes. It was Auntie Cao and a lady who looked like her carbon copy, though much younger. Uncle Liang stood beside Auntie Cao.
"Little Xie!" The lady who resembled Auntie Cao stood up and opened her arms.
Ling Xie abruptly looked up at the familiar voice. His eyes brightened, and a smile bloomed on his beautiful face. "Jiejie!" He pulled his hand out of Chen Yi's grasp and pounced on his older sister, whom he hadn't seen in so long.
Chen Yi smiled bitterly at the now empty space in his hands.
Cao Lie, Ling Xie's one and only sister, noticed Chen Yi's bitter smile and teasingly grinned back, as though she had won some unspoken contest.
"Jiejie, welcome back!" Ling Xie hugged his dearly missed sister tightly. She was the one he could count on when his memories were lost, and the one who had suggested he change his appearance to prevent himself from breaking anything tied to his identity as Cao Chang.
She had given him so much that he didn't know what to offer in return.
"Mn! I'm back! How is little Xie?" Only then did Cao Lie stop teasing Chen Yi and focus on her precious younger brother.
'Ah, he's actually grown at least one centimeter taller. That's good.' Cao Lie patted Ling Xie's soft, curly hair. 'And his hair is still curly. Good, good. It should be another month before it starts straightening again.'
She patted his slender arms, nodding in approval that he hadn't gotten skinny once more. She looked him up and down, noticing the absence of his glasses. Her heart warmed, and she quickly flashed a thankful smile at Chen Yi.
But her smile faltered when she noticed Ling Xie's slightly swollen lips. One of her eyebrows quirked up as she gave Chen Yi a warning look. Control yourself!
Chen Yi's smile couldn't have been more bitter. He awkwardly scratched his cheek and dodged her warning gaze.
Ling Xie, unaware of the exchange, was tossed and turned by his sister for her usual inspection. He had grown used to this—every time she came home, she would give a thumbs up or thumbs down depending on any changes to his body.
"Jiejie, are you going on a tour again?"
He knew it was his sister's job, and it was inevitable, but it had become a habit for him to ask, just in case. He wanted to know how long she was going to stay before going back to sing for millions of people again, leaving him and their mom in A City while she went off to entertain her fans.
Ling Xie felt a bit aggrieved, but he held it in.
Cao Lie smiled wryly. "I'm actually on a tour right now. I came home because I was worried, but I only have until tonight. After that, I have to go back."
As soon as she said that, she saw her younger brother pout and lower his eyes. Ahhh! The effect is even stronger without his glasses! No wonder Chen Yi can't hold back. She pinched his bulging cheeks and laughed. "I'll have a break soon, okay?"
She tried to comfort him, but seeing that her words were useless, she glanced at Chen Yi.
She whispered into Ling Xie's ear with mischievous eyes. "Don't sulk now, Chen Yi is here, isn't he? He'll play with you while I'm away, alright?" She finished her sentence with a smirk and quickly dodged Ling Xie's incoming attack.
The people around didn't hear her words but guessed them nonetheless and broke into a round of laughter.