Xu Jin spent exactly one hour scolding himself.
Out loud.
In detail.
On the sofa.
"You absolute idiot." "What kind of grown man grabs someone like that?" "What were you thinking—no, you weren't thinking." "Congratulations, Xu Jin, you've unlocked a new low."
Yun Hu lay beside him, tail flicking lazily, ears twitching every time Xu Jin raised his voice.
At the forty-minute mark, Xu Jin buried his face in his hands.
"…I scared him," he muttered. "I really scared him. What would he thinks about me ? I just made a promise with grandma and now I've done that."
That realization sat heavy.
Finally, he exhaled, straightened, and stood up.
"Alright," he said decisively. "We're fixing this. If I don't they my love story is ended before it start."
He scooped Yun Hu into his arms. The cat protested briefly, then settled, clearly sensing a mission.
Xu Jin walked out, crossed the hall, and stopped in front of Room 1207.
He hesitated.
Then knocked.
Chen wasn't calm as he thought he would be . He knew who came and take long breath.
Xu jin felt like it was heaven sent trail.
Inside, the sound of light movement paused. A familiar voice called out, calm but slightly distant.
"Come in."
Xu Jin swallowed and opened the door.
The apartment smelled warm—oil, garlic, something simmering softly. Liang Chen stood at the stove, sleeves rolled up, apron tied neatly around his waist. He didn't turn around, clearly knowing exactly who had arrived.
Xu Jin stepped in, Yun Hu cradled against his chest. He took steps hesitating.
He walked closer to the kitchen.
Then—
He knelt.
Both knees.
Right there on the kitchen floor.
"I'm really sorry, brother," Xu Jin said earnestly.
The word slipped out naturally.
Brother.
And in his heart, he decided—it would stay.
Chen's hand paused mid-stir.
Xu Jin continued quickly, voice low but steady.
"It was quiet," he said. "Too quiet. Grandma left, the house felt empty. I kept thinking… and thinking it was like sinking in sea. I had a nightmare last night. Old stuff. Family. Things I don't usually let linger."
He clenched his fists lightly.
"It stuck with me all day," he admitted. "So when you appeared… it felt like my last straw. I didn't think. I just—hugged you."
He lowered his head.
"I'm sorry to scare you like that."
It wasn't the truth.
But it wasn't a lie either.
He couldn't tell him that it was just a momentary jealousy that got him act like that
A moment passed.
The sound of the stove clicked softly.
Then Chen spoke.
Quietly.
"…I'm sorry too."
Xu Jin's head snapped up.
Chen turned slightly, expression gentle, eyes soft behind his glasses.
"I shouldn't have run like that," Chen said. Xu jin quickly reacted "Anyone would've been frightened. You don't need to apologize for that it was genuine. I was wrong there."
Chen laughed " but you really got me there"
The tension in the room loosened.
Just a little.
Chen looked at him.
Then smiled.
Not wide.
Not dramatic.
Just… warm.
And that smile hit Xu Jin straight in the chest.
Thump.
His heart raced traitorously. He thought this man in front of him will be death of him someday. Owner lady was right to be aware of seduction of foxes, but he really looks like an angel. It is thrilling to be in love.
At that exact moment—
"Meow."
Yun Hu wiggled, clearly offended at being ignored.
Chen's expression softened immediately.
"Oh," he said fondly, reaching out. "My little hero you were very brave there truly heroic"
He took Yun Hu into his arms with practiced ease.
"You saved me earlier," Chen murmured, rubbing the cat's head. Yun hu was satisfied with praises he proudly settled himself in chen's arms and gave side eyes to xu jin who was in disbelieved state to see the taunting eyes of this demon cat. Chen spoke"I was preparing something special for you. Big treats."
Yun Hu purred like a small engine.
Chen glanced at Xu Jin. "Dinner's almost ready."
Xu Jin blinked. "…Huh?"
"Make the table," Chen said naturally. "You can help by not kneeling anymore."
Xu Jin laughed—soft, relieved, a little shaky.
"Yes, brother," he said, standing up immediately.
As he moved to set the table, he thought:
This is dangerous.
Very dangerous for his heart he really want to relive the moment where he held Chen in his arms. He really want to hug him again. He noticed chen's hair have grown a little. He thought it would really look good if chen has long hairs. Chen already called him three times but he was in daze. Yun came like a warrier and again scratched him but this time gently just to woke him up. He scooped yun hu in his arms and tickled him . Chen came and took yun hu from his arms " don't bully him". Xu jin was wronged by this demon cat got scolded. Chen gave yun hu his treats he started gulping it. Chen said " slow down, xu jin will not take it from you". Xu jin said " brother that's not fair". He came near them but stumble on something, fall onto chen. He was too huge for chen chen was about to fall backwords , xu jin noticed he wrapped his arms around chen's waist and pulled him, use his legs strength to stable. They were too closed chen ears turned pink with a blush on his cheeks too. He stammered " xx... xu jin ". Xu jin jerked away " i.. I'm sorry brother I'm going to make a table now" then ran away tail between his legs. He was flustered he murmured " oh god you really listened me it was truly.. felt good. Then God make him fall onto me this time okay" He started making table for dinner. Then he remembered the sound of click when he kidnapped professor chen from the corridor. * Is someone stalking chen? I should take an eye from now on".
But these thoughts aside he was happy today.