Chapter 48

Chapter 48 4. The Game-03

Qi Shanyu vaguely felt like he was being teased, yet before feeling embarrassed, the first thought that came to him was how unfair it was! Extremely unfair! Outrageously unfair!

Although Qi Shanyu managed the family finances, he was busy with work and generally careless about clothing, food, housing, and transportation. He never cared about brands; as long as something worked, it was fine. He couldn’t even tell the difference between a 30–40 yuan item and a few-hundred-yuan branded product.

But while he could live roughly, his beautiful teenage sister could not. So, Qi Shanyu handed over the budget for daily bathing and skincare products to his sister, letting her buy the brands she liked. Over time, Qi Zhenzhen not only bought her own items but also picked up her brother’s needs as well.

So, the milk-scented shower gel Qi Shanyu was currently using was entirely chosen by Qi Zhenzhen—and in fact, he had never noticed its scent before Liu Yi pointed it out.

Still, hearing Liu Yi say it, Qi Shanyu couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious. He raised his hand, sniffed his wrist, and said hesitantly, “Does it smell strange?”

“Although it’s a scent kids would like, it’s actually quite cute on you.”

Liu Yi removed the scarf from Qi Shanyu and set it aside. Looking down, he noticed Qi Shanyu’s ears flushed bright red and, almost instinctively, added, “Very sweet.”

The redness spread uncontrollably to Qi Shanyu’s cheeks, making him wish he could hide in a crack in the floor.

He fumed to himself, thinking he would immediately replace the shower gel, while also thinking Liu Yi was infuriating for saying such suggestive things, knowing they were both gay.

What was worse, Liu Yi didn’t step back after teasing him. Standing so close, Qi Shanyu couldn’t help but notice his scent.

In fact, Liu Yi had a very light fragrance.

It smelled like forest and flowers after rain, with a hint of citrus. Qi Shanyu guessed it was some kind of cologne, far more mature and refined than his own childish milk-scented shower gel.

Embarrassed, Qi Shanyu turned his face away.

From the moment he noticed Liu Yi’s scent, it was hard to stop paying attention.

The faint, cool fragrance clung to his nose like a hook, stirring heat in his chest, while the redness on his face deepened.

The more he tried not to notice, the worse it became. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, mouth dry. He pressed his tongue to his upper palate, swallowed, and forced himself to change the subject: “If this shower gel isn’t right… what should I use?”

Qi Shanyu asked seriously.

For some reason, he refused to let Liu Yi use words like “childish” or “young” to describe him, feeling as if he was suddenly a generation younger.

They were only six years apart, but Liu Yi was so accomplished that he exuded a reliability beyond his age, creating a subtle distance for those unfamiliar with him.

Admiring him was easy, but forming closeness or intimacy was difficult.

Yet Qi Shanyu felt that, even after knowing Liu Yi for only half a year, he already considered him an important friend—perhaps even a soulmate in the future…

He also vaguely sensed that in his heart, beyond the level of “soulmate,” he secretly wondered if there could be a possibility for them to take things further…

…As for what “further” might mean, Qi Shanyu didn’t dare think about it.

Hearing Qi Shanyu’s question, Liu Yi found it both amusing and slightly touching.

From Liu Yi’s experience with gay men, most were more “appearance-focused” than straight men, with a bit of vanity. When choosing partners, looks often came before personality, intellect, finances, or even skill.

This “love of beauty” existed both outwardly and inwardly.

When judging someone else’s looks and figure, they also cared about grooming and appearance themselves. Their potential partner or rival was the same gender, so maintaining an advantage meant having excellent looks and physique as intangible assets.

Liu Yi himself always kept himself impeccably groomed, like a peacock spreading its tail, unconsciously showing his most refined side in daily life. Even if not trying to attract anyone, being well-dressed gave him personal satisfaction.

However, during his time with Qi Shanyu, Liu Yi noticed he had no such self-consciousness.

Qi Shanyu’s hairstyle was plain, his clothes and shoes cheap, with little concept of skincare or grooming. It seemed he didn’t personally choose his hygiene products either.

Liu Yi deduced that Qi Shanyu’s personality stemmed from having almost no exposure to the social circle.

His parents died young, and he had a much younger sister to care for. He likely assumed the “eldest brother as father” role early on while taking the demanding and risky job of a detective. Even after realizing his own orientation, he had neither the time, energy, nor finances for any complicated matters.

Plus, Qi Shanyu was naturally serious, clashing with the flamboyant culture of the gay scene. If it weren’t by chance, Liu Yi might never have guessed he was gay.

Liu Yi’s eyes scanned Qi Shanyu from top to bottom, thinking it was fortunate he looked good; even a middle-aged-style loungewear couldn’t ruin his appearance.

Liu Yi imagined that if Qi Shanyu were his, he would meticulously style him from head to toe according to his own aesthetic…

But unfortunately…

Liu Yi regretted that Qi Shanyu wasn’t his, and from refusing to let him handle his clothes before, he surely wouldn’t allow him to meddle.

Qi Shanyu was also stubborn and meticulous; he couldn’t casually seduce him, leave, and maintain friendship as if nothing happened. Liu Yi still hadn’t decided whether to seriously pursue him and start a full-fledged relationship…

“What’s wrong?”

Qi Shanyu felt awkward under Liu Yi’s gaze, wondering if his earlier question had been foolish.

“Nothing.”

Liu Yi shook his head, smiling slightly. “I’ll pick some shower gel and shampoo that suit you and bring them over in a couple of days.”

He added before Qi Shanyu could reply: “They’re not expensive, so don’t bother with politeness.”

…No use overthinking. Just let it happen naturally.

&&& &&& &&&

Qi Shanyu originally thought Liu Yi was just coming to deliver a scarf, maybe sit for tea, then leave.

However, after finishing a whole pot of tea, Liu Yi was still comfortably occupying the old sofa, chatting casually, showing no sign of leaving.

Seeing the clock hit 5 PM, Qi Shanyu finally faced a practical reality—Liu Yi clearly intended to stay for dinner.

…Fine, let him be. It’s just one more person; no big deal.

“It’s already this late,” Qi Shanyu tentatively said. “Do you want to stay for dinner?”

“Sure.”

Liu Yi didn’t hesitate, immediately agreeing with a bright, curved-smile directed at the young officer.

Qi Shanyu resigned himself, letting Liu Yi sit in the living room while he went into the kitchen to cook.

He had worked all day yesterday and came home in a hurry, so the fridge was nearly empty. He couldn’t make anything complicated, deciding to cook a stew of potato and beef, along with fish-flavored eggplant and cabbage soup.

Once decided, Qi Shanyu took out the previously portioned beef to thaw, prepared the cabbage, peeled and chopped potatoes and eggplant, handling all the ingredients efficiently.

About half an hour later, Liu Yi, sitting in the living room, smelled the enticing aroma of cooking meat and vegetables and couldn’t help but feel curious.

“It smells so good. What are you cooking?”

Hearing Liu Yi’s voice, Qi Shanyu looked up to see the man in a stylish casual suit peeking into the kitchen.

“Potato beef stew.”

Qi Shanyu answered while ladling some broth into a small sauce dish and tasting it.

The seasoning was just right, the soy sauce color perfect, and the spices—cinnamon, bay leaf, and Sichuan pepper—added a subtle aroma. Qi Shanyu felt it would be suitable for guests.

Author’s note: Entering V today, three chapters updated in a row. This is the first.