Chapter 33: First World: Hugs

Hugs since ancient times have been a symbol of cherishing one another imitating the action of enclosing one in a hedge but because of the modern culture hugging amongst men has always been heckled as unmanly or weak. Hence Wen Qinxi's first reaction was to push Qie Ranzhe away feeling uncomfortable hugging his boss. But he restrained himself and endured when he recalled the gift he had given Qie Ranzhe, this was probably his way of showing gratitude.

In the game, Qie Ranzhe had lived a hard life with everything as real to him as the NPCs which also deterred Wen Qinxi from rejecting him. Plus once in a while, we all need someone to embrace us regardless of gender or size. Wen Qinxi just wished Zhao Huangzhi could just show up now so he didn't have to hug this big bear. After the initial shock wore off, he wasn't as unease as before though he wasn't sure if Qie Ranzhe should have lingered this long tickling his neck especially when the man whispered earlier saying thank you.

"What the Fuck!" yelled Lin Mingxu effectively separating the two with one annoyed by his yelling and the other glaring at him like an angry beast that had been robbed of its dinner.

"Seriously Ming-er, why are you yelling like that? You will get us into trouble," said Wen Qinxi pushing him back inside the room, "You want father to see that bump on your forehead? I am not going through that manure punishment because of you." Qie Ranzhe followed behind Lin Jingxie feeling dissatisfied while craving for more. That embrace opened his eyes to a whole new congenial mellow sensation which diffused from their point of contact spreading all over his body causing his heart to flutter. That particular feeling was addictive urging him to do it again.

Lin Mingxu wanted to expose Qie Ranzhe but that threatening aura suppressed him into keeping his mouth shut. "Ming-er why don't you go sleep early, Ran-ge and I have some matters to discuss," he said while tenderly soothing the reddish bump on Lin Mingxu's forehead to ease the pain.

"No Jin-ge let me stay with you tonight," said a mewling Lin Mingxu. He stooped as low as acting meng (cute) just as long as it chased off this big bad wolf. Lin Jingxie would have to drag him out of the room, that's was the only way he was leaving. Nothing could shake his foundation, resolute in his decision.

Wen Qinxi sighed while taking out a piece of paper from the chest by his bedside. He opened it slowly before flaunting it in front of Lin Mingxu as though waving a lollipop in front of a toddler. The drawing on the paper had been Wen Qinxi's initial design for Qie Ranzhe's sword but Lin Mingxu had taken a liking to it so he set it aside for bribery reasons though he didn't expect to use it this early.

Lin Mingxu had a sword gifted to him by his father which he practised with under the supervision of an expert swordsman but that sword was in no way as remarkable as the one designed by Lin Jingxie and he wanted it. With sparkling eyes, he followed the paper that was being flaunted in front of his face going as far as trying to snatch it. "Its all yours if you behave. Now be good and go to bed otherwise I will chew up this piece of paper and swallow it right now," said Wen Qinxi moving the paper closer to his mouth.

The boy didn't want to leave his brother in the clutches of an alpha but that sword was all he could dream about ever since he saw the design. He glanced over at Qie Ranzhe who had a sly grin on his face before glancing back at the paper with an arching heart. "Wait, wait, wait....," he said seizing Lin Jingxie's wrist that was inching closer and closer, "I will listen just don't hurt my precious baby," with a pained expression.

"Good boy, run along before I change my mind," said Wen Qinxi with a victorious grin which he would regret in the future. Lin Mingxu ran as fast as a storm thinking, 'Watch your back Qie Ranzhe, you might have won the battle but I haven't lost the war.'

Qie Ranzhe closed the door behind him and just like a greedy pup he shamelessly went in for another hug but Wen Qinxi blocked his path with an outstretched hand. "No need to thank me again," before strutting past him towards the table. Qie Ranzhe followed behind him struggling to repress the brewing feelings with a fixed smile on his face.

"Is there anything you want to say to me?" asked Wen Qinxi ready to enjoy his well-deserved gloating moment. 'Hotheads like Qie Ranzhe deserve to have things rubbed in their faces,' he thought with his arms on the table wearing a cunning smile while leaning forward towards Qie Ranzhe.

Faced with such a handsome face taking great pleasure in his atonement, Qie Ranzhe's cheeks felt so hot. He was slightly flushed which Wen Qinxi assumed to be due to embarrassment. 'Fuck! If only people in the office knew we have a bashful CEO,' thought Wen Qinxi making a decision to spare this overbearing man who looked cute while blushing.

'Your fucking fangirls would be screaming their eardrums off if they saw you blush like that,' he thought leaning back before sincerely asking, "Did you like it?"

Qie Ranzhe shook his head in agreement while placing the sword on the table, "Mm, I love it. Thank you."

Wen Qinxi stood up and sat next to him reducing the distance between them that their shoulders were practically rubbing against each other. 'You're playing with fire Jin-ge,' thought Qie Ranzhe watching Lin Jingxie unsheath the sword with a focused expression. He couldn't think of anything else gazing at Lin Jingxie like a lovesick puppy ogling at a defenceless bone. If it weren't for his vigilance, Qie Ranzhe would have been caught staring as Lin Jingxie abruptly turned to face him while asking, "Have you named it yet?"

Qie Ranzhe shifted his eyes looking at the sword while scolding himself internally vowing to get a portrait of Lin Jingxie so he can ogle at it to his heart's content. "Uhm not yet, I wanted you to help me with that," he said supporting his tilted head with his hand and his elbow on the table.

"How about Zhifa zhe (the enforcer)?" suggested Wen Qinxi with a brooding countenance, "Or maybe Sishen (grim reaper)."

"Whichever one you like," said a mesmerised Qie Ranzhe focusing on Lin Jingxie rather than his new toy.

"Okay, let me sleep on it. By the way, this is on loan till you get a better one," he said sheathing the sword back before handing it to him. He stood up to change his clothes as Qie Ranzhe nodded in agreement knowing too well that there was no way he was going to let go of that sword even if he found one ten times better. The sword had his freaking name on it for heaven sake.

While Lin Jingxie was changing behind the folding screen, Qie Ranzhe took advantage swiftly taking off his boots before jumping into bed while covering himself with the quilt pretending to be asleep. When Wen Qinxi emerged from behind the folding screen this is what he saw. A bulging bundled up furball under his quilt as quiet as a mouse. He couldn't believe this idiot actually thought he was going to sleep here and so he reprimanded Qie Ranzhe.

"Fuck this! Qie Ranzhe get up! You have a king-size bed at the shelter, a bed even more comfortable than mine!" trying to remove the quilt but he was fooling himself because Qie Ranzhe was much stronger than him tiring him out till he gave in. With a puffed up chest, he lay next to him expressing his grievances with no avail.

"One more night I promise," said Qie Ranzhe inching closer to him faced with Lin Jingxie's back.

"Fine in exchange I get to have your king-sized bed all to myself for two night," said Wen Qinxi turning to face him with a crafty smirk. He really loved Qie Ranzhe's new bed, it was like sleeping on a fluffy cloud.

Wen Qinxi suddenly leaned in closer sniffing an enticing scent coming from Qie Ranzhe while crossing the boundary with innocent intentions. He had smelt it when Qie Ranzhe hugged him the first time and was now curious. The teenager was so close that Qie Ran could count Lin Jingxie's lashes if he wanted too but that was the least of his concerns. His back stiffened with sweaty palms while cursing out of his mind. 'Fuck is he trying to kill me?' thought Qie Ranzhe before Lin Jingxie retreated back.

"What did you use?" asked a curious Wen Qinxi. He was genuinely asking wondering if some girl had gifted Qie Ranzhe with a fragrance or something. He didn't care if it was from a girl as long as Qie Ranzhe committed himself to Zhao Huangzhi when she finally made her debut. 'You can have your fucking harem, no judgement here,' thought Wen Qinxi applauding the handsome playboy but soon fell in disappointment when he found out where the scent came from.

"It was in the bathroom, your mother gave us some fragranced bars. The whole shelter smelt like flowers today," he replied finally calming his fluttering heart.

"You always fucking get the good stuff. You know l am stuck with fucking lavender yet you are bathing in roses. So unfair," said Wen Qinxi before turning around with his back facing Qie Ranzhe again.

A disappointed Qie Ranzhe didn't say anything for a long time fighting off the urge to cuddle Lin Jingxie. "I can give it to you," said Qie Ranzhe but only got a snore in response. With a warm smile, he turned to lie on his back saying, "I will give you everything I own as long as you stay by my side."