In a dim-lit closet, a man was crouched down with the light from the screen of his cellphone shining bright on his face. That man was none other than Wen Qinxi but why was he hiding in a closet literally? That's because he was hiding from someone in his apartment.
No, it wasn't a burglar he was hiding from neither was he playing hide and seek. He hid because he couldn't trust himself around that half-naked man prancing around his apartment.
While hiding he was busy typing a message to Taio Ru as he was the only person he knew who was well versed in Taoist beliefs and talismans.
Qinxi: Hey, do you know if there is a talisman to ward off handsome people.
This was probably the most ridiculous question he had ever asked anyone but there was no harm in trying because he was that desperate. Exactly two minutes later his cell phone made a distinct dinging sound.
RuRu:?
RuRu: Qi-ge, have you been drinking?
Wen Qinxi's brows furrowed while typing rapidly out of anger.
Qinxi: It's eight in the morning?
Qinxi: I am not an alcoholic.
DannyBoy:?
DannyBoy: Qi-ge who is in your house?
Qinxi: How are you here? Isn't this a private chat?
Bunny PaiDui: No, this is a group chat I created when we went out.
Bunny PaiDui: Wait, what are you two talking about talismans and warding off handsome people?
Bunny PaiDui: Don't you mean a talisman to attract handsome people?
Bunny PaiDui: I would buy it, Ru-er does it exist?
Qinxi:?
DannyBoy: Qi-ge, you haven't answered my question.
DannyBoy: Who is in your apartment?
Qinxi: Damnit.
Qinxi: Forget it.
He knocked his head a couple of times for making such a rookie mistake messaging in the group chat. He had just seen the contact Taio Ru and started typing without checking. Now his brother knew someone was in his house and based on Wen Danzhe's IQ he could easily deduce who that person was.
As soon as he sent out this message, he heard faint footsteps stepping on the tiles. He immediately locked his cellphone with the closet descending into darkness.
Thinking his ears were deceiving him, he heaved a silent sigh but his cellphone suddenly made another dinging sound. A second later the closet door was opened as the enemy had found him with ease.
To fully understand how Wen Qinxi ended up seeking Taio Ru's help to ward off a handsome person from his home one would have to time travel back almost eighteen hours ago.
Wen Qinxi arrived at his apartment and started making dinner. As soon as he was done cooking, he took a shower and changed into his grey bunny onesie. That's when he realised the time. He thought his brother was coming over but it was already getting late so he messaged Wen Danzhe asking whether he was coming to the apartment tonight.
It turned out his brother had left the city with his classmates on a five day trip after a generous donor financed a project that had already been cancelled due to lack of funds. Wen Qinxi pouted his lips while staring at the dishes laid out on his coffee table.
He reprimanded himself for not asking Wen Danzhe in advance. Thinking he would put the leftovers in the fridge he picked up his chopsticks while pushing up his glasses with his other hand.
Just as he was about to eat, he heard a knock on the door causing his actions to pause looking up. It was already seven pm and his brother was out of town so who would be coming here to visit him at this hour?
Wen Qinxi trotted over and checked the peephole but he couldn't see anything. He assumed that it was the kids from upstairs playing a prank as usual so he turned to leave but the person knocked a second time.
Thinking he was going to catch the brats in the act he flung the door open ready to cuss them out but he was tongue-tied when he saw who it was. Qie Ranzhe's lips quirked up into a sly grin seeing this cute nerd in a fluffy onesie and apple hair. How could he fall for anyone else when he had this cutie all to himself?
He didn't even wait for Wen Qinxi to invite him in pulling along his suitcase like he was here to stay. Wen Qinxi gave way with his jaw almost dropping to the floor. What was this situation?
He watched this man who had tormented him in his office a couple of hours ago take out a pair of slippers from the side pocket of his suitcase and put them on.
"What..... what are you doing here.... and wha-what's that for? Are you going on a business trip or something?" asked Wen Qinxi unable to make sense of this highly unusual situation.
Qie Ranzhe smiled at him as he took out the very same contract they signed during the day. He dangled it in front of Wen Qinxi and said, "Clause 12.9 states that Party A which is me can move in with Party B as long as party B is single... and I seem to recall a certain someone wearing a Single AF t-shirt," taking a step closer with each sentence spoken.
The two stared at each other for a while with one grinning and the other gobsmacked with his soul having flown out of his body ages ago. The atmosphere was hard to describe. Wen Qinxi held his gaze till he felt his face heat up despite it being chilly.
Having lost the staring contest, his gaze fell on the contract which he then grabbed saying, "Give me that," before striding over to the couch. He was about to go through it and check this so-called clause when it was swiped out of his hand.
Wen Qinxi glanced down at his empty hands then at Qie Ranzhe but before he could say anything Qie Ranzhe said, "Eat first then you can take a look otherwise the food would get cold."
A sly smile crept up his face as he directly sat on the contract. This meant if Wen Qinxi wanted it he would have to lift the entire person first to get to it.
As a wise man, Wen Qinxi knew he wouldn't be able to get to that contract unless he finished eating so he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat obediently but his line of sight didn't shift staring at the contract that seemed to be mocking him.
He admonished himself for not reading the whole thing putting him in the exact same situation as in the fourth world. Looking back at it, it seemed every action Qie Ranzhe took during the day served as some form of distraction. He had been conned twice by the same person.
"Does it look good?" asked Qie Ranzhe while picking up some stir fry in between his chopsticks.
Wen Qinxi's gaze finally shifted looking at Qie Ranzhe with a puzzled expression. "Wha-what looks good?" asked Wen Qinxi not understanding Qie Ranzhe's question.
"My ass.... you keep staring at it so does it look that good?" said Qie Ranzhe thoroughly enjoying teasing Wen Qinxi.