Chapter 160 (1/2)
Qi Mu barely maintained a calm smile the entire afternoon rehearsal as he tried to persuade Wallace and the other members to give up the unrealistic idea of a rabbit mascot.
Just as Mr. Wallace looked as though he would relent, Nelly, the trumpet’s first seat, ran over and handed a small book to Mr. Wallace. “Mr. Wallace, I learned how to paint when I was little. Though it isn’t particularly good… what do you think of this cute little rabbit? It’s as cute as Little Seven!”
In the book drawn was a chubby, round, little rabbit with long ears, a short tail, and large, wet eyes. Even through the paper, it tickled the itch of one’s heart and could only be described as——
Meng God!
Wallace nodded. “Oh God, Nelly, you have such excellent drawing skills! This cute rabbit Little Seven is awesome! Let’s make it the mascot. Before the concert, send it out on the invitations!”
Nelly nodded vigorously.
Qi Mu: “……”
Mr. Wallace, do you remember who just said he would reconsider…
This mascot Little Seven was discussed throughout the orchestra——and yes, it was directly called Little Seven——such as what color it should be. Qi Mu tidied his things in silence to get as far as he could from this place where right and wrong were inverted.
He had an ominous hunch that if he stayed, something terrible would happen.
Just as he stepped out of the theater’s side door, Qi Mu received a call from Min Chen. Shortly after, he stepped into Min Chen’s car. “How did you think of coming to pick me up today?”
The handsome man held the steering wheel in one hand and looked at the young man in the passenger’s seat. A smile flashed in his dark eyes, and he whispered, “Remember what day it is today?”
Qi Mu was stunned, “Your birthday? Impossible. Isn’t your birthday in the spring?”
“…Think again.”
Qi Mu placed his violin case in the back seat and furrowed his brows in thought. “It has nothing to do with me. So… what day is it?”
Min Chen said, “It’s been a year since we met… and 23 days.”
Qi Mu: “……”
After a speechless moment, he said, “You didn’t do anything 23 days ago…”
Min Chen’s eyes darkened. “Makeup today.”
Qi Mu: “……” Can this stuff be made up!
“I’m in a good mood today.”
There was a hint of joy in the man’s low voice that had Qi Mu looking at him in surprise. A dim streetlamp flashed past the window and cast shadows on the man’s handsome face.
Min Chen said with a smile, “Today… I am in a good mood. Exceptionally good.”
Without him saying anything, Qi Mu had already noticed from his soft expression. He asked cooperatively, “Oh? Why are you feeling so good today?”
“No reason. Just exceptionally good.” Min Chen stopped at a red light and turned to look at the young man beside him, lips curled in a small smile. “En… I want to have a candlelight dinner outside.”
“… You’re not going to do the dishes again today?”
“……”
The beautiful, romantic atmosphere collapsed instantly. Min Chen’s mouth twitched, and he sat back in the driver’s seat.
Seeing him grow awkward, Qi Mu felt weird and helpless. He took the other man’s hand and patted it, hoping it would make the man’s expression better.
Seeing the other man’s face, somehow, the cute rabbit that Nelly had drawn came to mind. Qi Mu smiled. “In two days, I’ll give you a gift… en, something similar to you. You can call him ‘Little Chen Chen’.”
En, that rabbit wasn’t Little Seven, but Little Chen Chen!
Min Chen: “……”
After laughing for a bit, Qi Mu suddenly recalled, “There are no dishes tonight, but you left yours in the sink last night! They must be cleaned when we go back tonight! Little Chen Chen! Cough… I gave it away.”
Min Chen, pretending to understand nothing: “…Wash tomorrow.”
Qi Mu’s eyes were cold. “No, it’s been delayed by a day already. Must be washed today!”
“…We’ll be back late, you can’t bear to keep me up that long.”
Qi Mu smiled. “Not at all. I am very, very willing.”
Min Chen: “……”
So… they said marriage was the tomb of love?
Look, they haven’t even married yet, and someone was trying to shirk the duty of washing dishes! As time went on, how could this be good!
Of course, although he said so, Qi Mu’s heart softened. He said tentatively, “There are a bunch, so… I’ll wash with you?”
Min Chen agreed happily, “Ok!”
That night, after a romantic candlelight dinner, the two men went home, put on aprons, and washed the dishes in the kitchen. One carefully washed the tableware, and the other wiped them dry with a cloth.
When Min Chen handed Qi Mu the last spoon, he took the small, porcelain spoon and wiped it intently. He’d just finished putting it away when he lifted his head, but before he could speak, his gaze was caught in a pair of deep, fateful eyes.