52 Chapter 52- The Family You Choose (1/2)
Relating to Episode 29 of Love O2O
In exchange for Hao Mei claiming the best room for himself and KO, he was 'volunteered' for BBQ duty. Technically, they'd both been volunteered but as no one wanted to take KO's place as head chef he was off the hook for the rest of it. Which left Mei cleaning the BBQ and getting it lit while the rest of the guys hit the pool. Just in case anyone felt sorry for Mei, Ban Shan and Yong Hou had shared stories about some of his early cooking attempts when he'd just moved into the dormitories. These stories were taken as proof that Mei was great at lighting fires... so he was left to do so in peace. Fortunately for everyone, Mr Chef was very particular about his work space and had printed off instructions before leaving the office. Mei had watched him in the kitchen enough that had no trouble following the precise instructions and before long the BBQ was heating nicely.
”Senior KO and the others are swimming... you're not going to take a look?”Bei Wei Wei offered him a drink of water and he took it gratefully.
”Who says you'll know how to swim if you grow up by the sea? I only know how to eat fish.” The gods were smiling on him if Wei Wei was the first one he tried his excuse with; she was more naive than the others but if she accepted his story then no one else would question. Such was the power of being Laoda's furen.
”All right,” Wei Wei shrugged. If Mei wasn't swimming then at least she wouldn't be the only one sitting on the side watching. It didn't take long before Mei was wiping his hands on his pants.
”Okay, this is all good,” he grinned at Wei Wei. ”Let's go watch them swim.”
”This would be you forcing me to go.”
”Let's go. I'm forcingyou to go.” Mei grabbed her arm and dragged her towards the pool. they could hear raucous laughter echoing in theglass atrium and it was hard to stay apart and set up the barbecue. Especially when Mei was used to being in the centre of that much noise. ”Let's go watch them swim.”
Contrary to Mei's expectations, only Xiao Nai and KO were still in the pool. The noise came from their friends sitting on the sidelines, teasing the two men about being unable to define 'relaxation'. It wasn't long before basic male posturing led to a competition between the two... which led to Mei's current predicament.
”Eh?” He scratched his head as he watched KO swim away. ”What did I do?”
”Think it through and then go and apologise or Ban Shan will have to cook.”
”Hey!” Ban Shan hit Li Qiang over the back of the head, then smirked. ”But he's right. Hurry, Mei, and make up to your husband. We're all getting hungry.”
”Yeah.”
”Hurry, hurry.”
”Make up quick. We want food.”
Several hands pushed Mei towards the opposite end of the pool where KO was leaning against the wall with his face half in the water. He cleared his throat as he approached, squatting next to the swimmer.
”Hey, KO. What's wrong?” The clear water, Mei decided, was a curse. How was he supposed to concentrate on finding out what was wrong with KO, when he had the perfect view of his bare chest... all wet... he licked his lips then spluttered as he copped a face full of water. ”Eh? What was that for?”
”So thirsty.” KO pulled his swim cap off and ran his hand through his hair. Mei's mind went blank.
”You're thirsty? I'll get you a drink.” Another wave of water splashed over his face and into his open mouth. Coughing and spluttering, he wiped chlorinated water from his eyes. ”Eh? What was that for?”
KO turned around, facing his unimpressed partner. ”That was for cheering for Laoda.”
”What?” Mei blinked at him.
It was like shutters closed over KO's face and Mei finally clicked.
”You're mad because I cheered for laosan?” He hid a smile. Was his KO pouting because he cheered for Xiao Nai? So cute.
KO merely narrowed his eyes at Mei before pushing off from the wall, arrowing down the pool. Mei rocked back on his heels. Now what did I do?He could see the guys at the end of the pool waving their arms and mouthing obscenities at him. It was easy to see that they were worried about who was going to cook their lunch but how was he supposed to sweet talk KO if he didn't even know exactly what it was he'd done wrong... and had an overly interested audience? As KO touched the wall at Mei's feet, turning around to swim another lap, Mei waved his hands at his peers- shooing them away. The rowdy bunch left, and Mei heaved a sigh of relief. Now to try and figure out how to fix the mistake he'd obviously made. Sometimes being an adult sucked.
Mei lay on the wet floor, chin propped on folded arms, waiting for KO to reach the wall once more. This time, when the hacker touched the wall, Mei reached down and grabbed his wrist. KO held onto the wall and their faces were level.
”Sorry.”
”What for?”
”Cheering for Xiao Nai. Making you mad.”
KO sighed and leaned his forehead against Mei's. ”I'm not mad because you cheered for Xiao Nai... I'm mad because you didn't cheer for me.”
”Huh?” Mei's forehead wrinkled against KO's. ”That doesn't make sense. If I cheer for Xiao Nai then I'm not cheering for you, but if I cheer for you I'm not cheering for Xiao Nai and what am I even saying?”
”Just...” Taking a deep breath, the hacker closed his eyes. ”Cheer for me. Believe in me.”
”I do.”
Mei pulled away, cupping KO's face with his hand and rubbing the other man's cheek with his thumb until those dark eyes slowly opened.