Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 609: Hangover

He watched helplessly as Wen Qinxi left him there, standing tall with a hard cock as punishment for his misdeeds. "Don’t be late for breakfast otherwise Mum will tear you a new one," said Wen Qinxi in a playful teasing tone before closing the door.

Qie Ranzhe’s head was throbbing from the hangover and now he had something else to worry about.

He got up his heart racing in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He decided to take a cold shower before going downstairs.

***

"Where is Ran Ran?" asked Nana Qie after seeing Wen Qinxi come down alone.

"He is hungover but he will come down soon," he replied and his mother gently poked Wen Danzhe sleeping on the table.

"He is not the only one who is hungover. This one didn’t even drink much," she said and Wen Qinxi ruffled his brother’s hair.

"Mm... I drank so much. Why couldn’t mum let me sleep in?" he grumbled while raising his head before resting it on Wen Qinxi’s shoulder.

Wen Qinxi stroked his head comfortingly. Qie Xieling and Luo Muchen walked in helping the auntie carry the dishes to the table.

Luo Muchen felt a splitting headache from the hangover but he barely showed it on his face. This time he managed to sit next to Qie Xieling and he couldn’t care less about the pain. He rested his hand on Qie Xieling’s thigh far from everyone’s view while adding to the miscellaneous conversation happening at the table.

Qie Xieling placed a bowl in front of him. The scent of ginger and rice wafted through the air. It was a plate of century egg congee, its steam curling up like a soothing balm.

"Here, try to eat some of this. Grandma said it’s good for hangovers," Qie Xieling said. Luo Muchen didn’t think he had noticed that he was uncomfortable.

"Thank you," he murmured, the words rough in his throat. He gently squeezed Qie Xieling’s thigh his gaze following his every move seeming in a trance.

The first spoonful was tentative, but as the warm congee slid down his throat, it was as if it carried away a part of the ache in his head. The century egg, with its creamy yolk and firm white, was a contrast of textures that somehow melded perfectly with the silky rice porridge. Each bite was as soothing as the next and soon he was starting to feel better.

Soon Qie Ranzhe came downstairs and sat beside Wen Qinxi. His mother-in-law came in from the kitchen and placed a plate of century egg congee in front of him.

"Thanks, Mum," he said and Grandma Wen patted his shoulder before saying,

"Eat up. You all drank too much last night."

Qie Ranzhe wanted to get into his husband’s good grace and placed a steam bun on the plate next to Luo Muchen.

"Here... eat more," he said and Luo Muchen smiled while thanking him but inside he was wondering if it was poisoned.

Everyone, "..."

"And here I thought after last night you two would hate each other," said Wen Danzhe. His mother’s response was quick. She smacked him upside his head and that shut him up real quick.

Qie Ranzhe had already let it go. He knew that Luo Muchen wasn’t going anywhere and soon they would be family so he should be a little nice to him. Would he stop bullying him in the future? Probably not but he would restrain himself.

Qie Xieling was happy that these two were finally getting along. He placed his hand over Luo Muchen’s and the two held hands underneath the table. Their fingers intertwined the thrill of holding hands at the risk of getting caught, coursing through their veins.

The veterans knew what was happening with these two but they dared not disturb them.

***

"You are finally back," said Luo Shih when she saw his son walk in after three days.Luo Muchen couldn’t get himself to leave. Every night he snuck into Qie Xieling’s room and they slept in each other’s arms, they would eat together, exercise together and even go on a drive. He spent every minute with Qie Xieling or at least had him in his line of sight. The only time they were separated was when Qie Ranzhe took him to the golf course.

He met Dr Machu and two other associates of his future father-in-law. Sure, Qie Ranzhe brought him over to be his caddie but when he found out that he was extremely good, he used him to crush his competitors.

After that Qie Ranzhe treated him to iced coffee on the way back and chatted about their common interests. It took him three days to assimilate into Qie Xieling’s family. If one didn’t know better they would think he grew up in that house.

The only reason he came back was because his mother was starting to think that she had been abandoned by her son. He felt quite guilty about it and decided to go back home.

"Hey Mom," he said as he changed out of his shoes. He noticed another pair of shoes at the door and realised his mother’s claims of being lonely were a lie. It was obvious that someone was keeping her company.

"He is still here?" he said. It sounded like a question but it wasn’t. He glanced at Hei Xiwen who was playing a game in the lounge.

Hei Xiwen smiled at him while saying, "Hie, welcome back."

Luo Muchen gave him a small nod before walking towards his mother. She was sitting at the dining table with her laptop and papers organised in neat piles.

He kissed his mother’s cheek before placing a gift bag on the table. "What’s this?" she asked and Luo Muchen sat down next to her while answering,

"It’s a gift from Lin Lin. He thought you would like it."

Luo Shih was touched. She didn’t think that he would buy her something. "Awww, that’s so sweet," she said as she opened it.

Her future son-in-law had brought her a pink diamond bracelet. Inside was a note stating that he couldn’t wait to meet Luo Muchen’s official boyfriend. Luo Shih loved anything that sparkled and shined. She loved feeling pretty.

"You like it?" asked Luo Muchen and she nodded her head.

"Put it on for me please," she said and Luo Muchen helped her clasp it.