Chapter 30 (1/2)

Qi Mu had to fully prepare himself before he entered the apartment next door. Taking a deep breath, he slowly exhaled and stepped inside. He couldn’t help but be astonished at the difference between his apartment and this one.

It was decorated in postmodern minimalism. Everywhere when looked, it was mostly a black and white contrast. The warm sunlight shone in through the large windows and gave the room a sense of cleanliness and comfort. But most importantly. . .

Wasn’t it at least four or five times bigger than his own?

The idea flashed through his mind, but he shook his head and drove away the thought. Looking around, he couldn’t find the evil creature, so he turned to helplessly look at Min Chen but froze the minute he saw him.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

What are you doing standing so far away? It’s a bug, not a lion!!!

Min Chen’s eyes were hidden, and the man stood just outside the door, refusing to come inside. Looking at Qi Mu, he immediately pointed in the direction of the sofa and said in a low voice, “There. Black. Bug.”

Qi Mu nodded and walked towards the sofa. He searched for quite some time and finally found something near the foot. . . it was only as big as his fingernail. It was such. A. Small. One. It. Wasn’t. Even. Big!!!

Qi Mu expressionlessly took a tissue paper from a side table and caught the bug. He instinctively wanted to toss it into the rubbish but suddenly had the realization that he’d better throw this “biochemical weapon” away in his own apartment.

Qi Mu, with the crumbled tissue in hand, walked calmly to the door. He saw the taller man was still standing behind the door refusing to take even a step forward. When he saw Qi Mu coming out, Min Chen’s eyebrows twitched, and he asked, “There are . . no others?” His tone was calm but definitely relieved.

Qi Mu had been surprised to see him at the beginning. But, after battling with this “biochemical weapon,” the respect and regard he held for the man had completely vanished, at least for the moment. Xiao Qi nodded slowly and said, “Yes, it’s just this one. It isn’t dead yet, so I’ll take it to mine and throw it out.” As he spoke, Qi Mu suddenly thrust his hand forward, pushing the crumpled tissue right in front of Min Chen.

Min Chen took half a step back instantly, and his Phoenix’s eyes widened. His face was unnaturally blank, “Yes. . . throw it away.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

It wasn’t easy for Qi Mu to hold back his laughter. He sealed his mouth shut to prevent it from bursting out, but he couldn’t completely hide his shaking shoulders. He sped up and hurried into his apartment.

Min Chen: “. . .”

Min Chen let out a sigh, and his tense muscles eased when he saw the crumpled paper balled up and tossed into the trash can. By that time, he noticed the youth was all packed up.

He frowned. After thinking for a while, Min Chen asked seemingly casually, “You’re packing? Going somewhere?”

He had just found out who his neighbor was, but after that. . . funny incident, even Qi Mu couldn’t maintain his usual alienation from the man. This turned out to be the key that opened up the door for communication. Qi Mu lowered his head and packed up a few other things with a nod.

“Yes, I have a flight to Hong Kong this evening.” Qi Mu suddenly seemed to think of something the moment he finished speaking. He set down the things he was organizing in his suitcase, having remembered the man was currently a guest. “There’s a music festival next week, but I’m going early because I want to participate in it.”

Qi Mu quickly stopped packing and stood to pour a glass of water. He set it on the coffee table with a smile, “Mr. Min, I never thought I would see you here. It surprised me.”

Xiao Qi couldn’t be blamed for his negligence. If you suddenly had your idol knocking on your door to get rid of a bug the size of your nail for him, you would also be blinded in an instant and not understand what was going on too.

Min Chen nodded and took a sip. After finding out it was lemonade, he nodded once more in praise for the young man’s taste for quality.

Well, there was only plain water in his house.

Min Chen looked up and said, “I didn’t know you were my neighbor. When did you move in?”

There was a guest present, so Qi Mu didn’t continue to pack. Instead, he sat up on the sofa opposite Min Chen, holding a glass of lemonade, and answered politely, “Just over a month ago. The environment here is good, and it’s close to the orchestra. I moved last month.”

A dim light flashed in his narrow eyes. Min Chen just replied with a, “Hmm,” but thought in his head: When I saw him on the street last time, he already lived here?

Although Qi Mu’s apartment wasn’t very large, everything was well-organized and nicely arranged. The few accessories added a little character to the space. Compared to his neighbor (the great god Min Chen), his apartment looked more lived in, and everything was neat.

Min Chen pretended to casually look around then asked, “Next month. . . there’s a music festival in Hong Kong?”

Qi Mu nodded with a smile, “Yes, it’s a grand music festival. I heard the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Salt Lake City’s Symphony Orchestra, and masters like Sweet Sherri and Claude Porter will also be there.”

Min Chen’s eyebrow suddenly raised and he looked somewhat interested, “New York is going too?”

“The promotion went out a few days ago. If I remember right, New York has a performance at the beginning of the second week.” The youth’s slender fingers tapped on the glass table. He thought for a moment then looked up, “The music festival will last for two weeks, but I want to familiarize myself with the area, so I booked a flight for this evening.”

In the quiet apartment, the chatter of the two continued on. It was the first time Qi Mu discovered that this man was quite talkative and didn’t put up any airs at all. Talking with him was like talking to a familiar friend, someone you’d never lack a topic to talk about with.

After they talked for a while, Min Chen stood and planned to leave. Qi Mu immediately stood to send him off, but Min Chen’s steps abruptly stopped when he passed the table. He looked at the different dishes on it.

There was still no expression on his elegant face, but he turned to Qi Mu and asked, “Did you cook this yourself?”

QI Mu took a look at the dishes on the table and smiled at Min Chen, “I did. . . um. . .”

The man’s dark eyes were profound as if the endless sea was staring out of them. His expression seemed indifferent, but the message in his eyes made Qi Mu want to both laugh and cry.

After a bit, Qi Mu tentatively asked, “Since we’ve been talking for a while, would you like to. . . stay for a meal?”