Don’t Ignite It chapter 2
Husband
Xia Yu raced home at breakneck speed.
His husband wasn’t at work that day; he was watering the plants at home.
Xu Zhan had always been a refined man, with handsome features and a gentle personality, exuding an air of sophistication similar to a hermit enjoying life to the fullest.
However, today, he was unusually lost in thought, and the watering can in his hand veered off course, causing water to spill onto the floor.
Xia Yu didn’t immediately approach him. Instead, he silently observed for quite some time by the door.
He thought to himself with a heavy heart, “I must be blind. This man lives with me, and I didn’t notice a thing.”
This man was clearly displaying signs of infidelity. Although Xu Zhan had tried to hide it, with his vision of 1.5, Xia Yu swore that he saw faint, deep red marks around Xu Zhan’s neck once.
A few days ago, he had accidentally noticed it but, given his impression of Xu Zhan, he naively thought it was due to seasonal allergies and reminded Xu Zhan to take his medication.
Now, thinking back, not only was he blind, but he also felt like a fool.
Xia Yu let out a hoarse sigh.
He crept up to Xu Zhan and, with lightning speed, pulled open his collar.
Sure enough, there it was.
Just below Xu Zhan’s collarbone, on his fair skin, was a deep red mark, resembling a hickey—a testament to someone’s rough and passionate kisses, as if they were branding Xu Zhan’s body.
And when he looked further down…
Even Xia Yu couldn’t help but gasp in shock.
The skin below Xu Zhan’s chest was covered in various hickeys, varying in depth and color. Some were still fresh, while others overlapped with older ones.
Anyone could sense that the man who gave these hickeys must have been quite wild in bed, displaying unmistakable possessiveness, like a tyrant marking his territory.
Xia Yu couldn’t help but widen his eyes.
Although he hadn’t met this outsider face to face yet, he was already deeply impressed by his wild and passionate style.
Provocation, indeed.
It was a provocation!
He, as the legitimate spouse, wasn’t even dead yet!
He gazed at Xu Zhan with an amused look, as if he were watching a wayward rogue.
“Do you want to explain to me what this is all about?” Xia Yu finally asked.
Xu Zhan was startled, and the watering can in his hand almost fell to the ground.
“What are you doing?” He was taken aback, and it took him a while to react. When he saw the hickeys exposed, he hurriedly pulled his collar back up.
The two of them stared at each other.
Xu Zhan’s face turned red with embarrassment.
He had always been mild-mannered and composed, unlike Xia Yu, who had an outspoken and playful nature. But this situation, where he was suddenly caught having an affair by his legal partner, was unexpected.
He coughed uncomfortably and looked away, mumbling, “It’s nothing.”
“Don’t play dumb with me,” Xia Yu chuckled, folding his arms. His gaze was sharp, examining Xu Zhan from top to bottom. He teasingly continued, “You unfaithful man. You not only cheated on me behind my back but also didn’t even bother to clean up. Come on, who is it? So bold and fearless. He bit you so hard there isn’t an unmarked spot left.”
Xia Yu was genuinely curious.
It couldn’t be helped; he had been deeply scarred. These past few years with Xu Zhan had felt peaceful and content. He believed in Xu Zhan’s faithfulness.
Before he broke up with Lu Zhao, he was young and playful, engaging in all sorts of wild bedroom antics with him. It was as if he had exhausted all his indulgence during those years. Even the ordinary romance and passion between couples didn’t interest him anymore.
Xu Zhan, on the other hand, was a gentleman from head to toe, perfectly tailored by some divine hand. He was refined, courteous, and understated in every way. He lived a quiet and uneventful life.
In their first year of marriage, they had tried to cultivate their relationship, but it just didn’t work out between them as a couple. Xia Yu was fine with that, and he generously told Xu Zhan that he could date other people; he didn’t mind.
However, Xu Zhan had shaken his head and continued to be the model husband. He came home from work on time, accompanied Xia Yu to concerts, art exhibitions, and even rock climbing and camping trips. On weekends, he would cook for both of them.
Their life together was harmonious and perfect in every way.
From a selfish standpoint, if it weren’t for the fact that they just didn’t click romantically, Xia Yu would have been more than willing to spend his days with Xu Zhan.
But this Xu Zhan, this mild-mannered Xu Zhan, was having an affair.
And not only that, but he was also being devoured by a young man, kissed to the point of ecstasy, like a ripe fruit oozing sweet nectar.
Xia Yu couldn’t help but be fascinated.
Xu Zhan had always found it difficult to resist his younger partner. Despite being in name only, he had always spoiled him and secretly regarded Xia Yu as a little brother.
Xu Zhan gently pushed Xia Yu away and walked to the table. Pouring a glass of water, he didn’t panic but was obviously uncomfortable. He finally asked, “How did you find out?”
His secret relationship had only lasted for a little over a month.
This affair was private, hidden from prying eyes. Xu Zhan hadn’t told anyone about it, and their dates were often in different cities.
Moreover, Xia Yu’s social circle was relatively small, centered around his art gallery. He shouldn’t have known about it.
However, at this point, Xia Yu’s face stiffened slightly.
He was annoyed too.
A good ex should be as good as dead.
Luo Zhao did a good job in the past few years, quietly disappearing. Why has he suddenly reappeared now?
He shrugged and didn’t hide anything, saying, “Lu Zhao told me.”
He recounted in detail what had just happened when he met Lu Zhao to Xu Zhan.
As he spoke, he forcefully patted the pillow. “Do you think he’s crazy, suddenly asking me how I’m doing? I said I’m deeply in love with you, everything is great, and he just sent me pictures and said you’re cheating.”
Xia Yu patted the pillow again.
He was getting angrier.
Although he had grown older, his personality was still the same as before – competitive, concerned about his reputation. Even though his marriage with Xu Zhan was a sham, he still felt like he was being laughed at by Lu Zhao.
In fact, in these past few years, thanks to Xu Zhan’s tenderness and companionship, he had a kind of falsely inflated happiness.
So what if it’s fake?
Being with Xu Zhan was much better than being with Lu Zhao.
He had never really forgotten Lu Zhao, which is why he wanted to make himself more confident and attractive. With a considerate and handsome husband, his own career, and friends, he was happy every day. Without that bastard, he was even more content.
But now, his false bravado was like a fragile piece of paper, easily torn apart.
He thought Lu Zhao must be thinking that he wasn’t doing well now either.
Xu Zhan beside him, however, had a slight change in his expression. “How does Lu Zhao have pictures?”
Xia Yu could tell what Xu Zhan was thinking just by looking at him.
He patted Xu Zhan, “Don’t worry, he won’t spread the pictures.”
He could understand Xu Zhan’s concerns.
After all, they still had a marriage certificate hanging between them. He might not care, but outsiders might.
Although this circle was known for its chaos and numerous scandals, given Xu Zhan’s personality, if he were to get involved in some scandal, he might even contemplate suicide.
“I will handle it,” he emphasized to Xu Zhan once again. After years of close contact, he also understood Lu Zhao. “Right now, all he wants is… to mock me, to make fun of me. I will go talk to him, set some conditions, and make him shut up.”
Their families were related by marriage, and while they might not be as influential as the Lu family, they were not insignificant either.
He didn’t owe Lu Zhao anything either. If they looked back to those days, Lu Zhao had also taken advantage of him. Lu Zhao might enjoy the spectacle, but he wouldn’t necessarily insist on humiliating him.
Xu Zhan’s expression improved slightly, but he still looked a bit worried about his younger husband.
He had dealt with Lu Zhao before, and he wasn’t easy to handle.
Xia Yu didn’t want Xu Zhan to worry about him, so he cheerfully changed the subject.
“You haven’t told me yet, who is this person who left so many marks on you?” Xia Yu teased, poking Xu Zhan’s chest playfully. “Where did this little stray dog come from? It bit you quite hard.”
Xu Zhan remained silent for a moment, and then his lips unconsciously curved upward.
Little stray dog.
That nickname was oddly fitting.