Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 258: Dance for me

"Will you apologise?" Yu Xi’s voice was light, but his eyes carried a challenge.

Jian Ci’s reply was immediate and firm. "No."

Yu Xi tilted his head, lips curving faintly. "Then I am leaving."

Before he could rise, Jian Ci’s arms tightened around him, desperate and unyielding. "No. Don’t go."

Yu Xi wriggled, laughing under his breath as he tried to break free. Their struggle was familiar, almost ritualistic. Their bodies were locked in playful combat. Sometimes Yu Xi gained the upper hand and sometimes Jian Ci did.

"Ah—ouch! Get off me!" Yu Xi cried suddenly, feigning pain.

Jian Ci’s grip faltered in alarm. That was all Yu Xi needed. With a burst of laughter, he twisted, straddling Jian Ci and pinning him down.

Jian Ci froze his ears burning as his dream flashed in his mind unbidden. Yu Xi leaned closer, teasing. "Are you going to apologise?"

Jian Ci clenched his jaw, fighting to keep his composure, but Yu Xi’s proximity made every heartbeat louder, every breath heavier.

In a surge of strength, Jian Ci flipped them over. Yu Xi gasped as the world spun, and suddenly Jian Ci loomed above him, gaze sharp and consuming, like a predator about to strike.

"I will apologise to him," Jian Ci murmured, voice low, "if you accompany me all night."

Yu Xi’s lips curved into a slow smile. "Sure."

"Good." Jian Ci released him abruptly, rising to his feet. His heart thundered in his chest, and he turned away, recoiling as if to hide the tremor of his own emotions.

Yu Xi, unbothered, reached for the wine. He poured out some and took a sip, only for Jian Ci to snatch the cup and drain the rest in one swallow.

"Rude," Yu Xi said, arching a brow.

Jian Ci chuckled, the sound rough but warm. "Is it now?" He poured again, sliding the glass toward Yu Xi. "Then take it from me."

Yu Xi pursed his lips, reaching for the glass, but Jian Ci dodged with a mischievous grin. He tilted it back, drinking greedily until the last drops slid down his chin and dripped onto his shirt. Yu Xi’s throat tightened at the sight, a strange thirst rising in him that had nothing to do with the wine. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Jian Ci clicked his tongue, smirking in triumph. But Yu Xi snatched the bottle from him and drank directly from it, his movements deliberate.

Jian Ci’s face fell. "Not fair," he muttered, reaching for it.

Yu Xi dodged smoothly, his eyes glinting. Jian Ci lunged again, but Yu Xi rose to his feet, slipping out of reach. Jian Ci followed, his voice playful yet insistent. "Little Xi, sharing is caring."

Yu Xi wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his tone cool. "Well, I don’t care to share."

Jian Ci tried to grab him, but Yu Xi slipped through his fingers like water. The chase carried them across the room until Jian Ci finally caught him, wrapping his arms around Yu Xi from behind. They struggled for a moment, laughter and tension mingling, before Jian Ci wrested the bottle free.

He didn’t let Yu Xi go. Instead, he held him close, taking a large gulp or two, the sound of him swallowing loud in the quiet room. Yu Xi didn’t fight back. He simply stood there, listening, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that matched Jian Ci’s.

An hour later

Yu Xi and Jian Ci sat on the floor, their backs pressed together, tipsy and loose-limbed, laughter spilling out between sips. It seemed they were determined to drink themselves into oblivion tonight.

Yu Xi tilted his head, his voice teasing. "Your singing is so bad. It’s like something is stuck in your throat."

Jian Ci scoffed, taking another sip before defending himself. "I can sing. I sing beautifully."

Yu Xi chuckled, eyes gleaming. "You sound like a hen that just laid eggs."

Jian Ci frowned, indignant. "You are lying. Last time you said I sing so well."

Yu Xi’s laughter deepened, warm and merciless. "I was just being nice. You looked at me with those big bright eyes. How could I bear tell you the truth?"

Jian Ci’s lips pressed together. "I wasn’t at my best that day."

Yu Xi leaned forward, smirking. "Well, when you woo your girlfriend in the future, just don’t lead with your singing."

The words landed like a stone in Jian Ci’s chest. His smile froze, awkwardness creeping into his expression. The person he wanted to woo wasn’t some faceless girlfriend, it was Yu Xi himself. Yu Xi noticed the shift, the way Jian Ci’s shoulders drooped, and guilt pricked at him.

Maybe he had gone too far. He softened, his voice gentler now. "Okay, okay. Since you think it was just because of that day, then how about you put up a performance right now? Show me how you would woo your wife in the future."

Jian Ci’s eyes widened, his cheeks flushing crimson. He tried to hide it, ducking his head, but the bashfulness betrayed him. His face burned hotter, his heart pounding louder.

He shook his head stubbornly, his voice low but firm. "No, I have to prepare first."

Yu Xi tilted his head, lips curving into a teasing smile. "Prepare for what? You can take this as a rehearsal, and I will give you pointers."

Jian Ci hesitated, his fingers twitching nervously. Yu Xi leaned closer, poking his waist playfully. "Come on, gege, sing for me."

The word hit Jian Ci like a spark. He was a sucker for Yu Xi calling him gege, especially in that sweet tone. His heart thudded against his ribs as he met Yu Xi’s gaze. "You really want to hear me sing?"

Yu Xi’s smile widened, warm and mischievous. "Yeah."

Jian Ci bit his lower lip, his cheeks warming. "I will sing... but in return, you should dance for me."

He still remembered vividly the dance Yu Xi had done when he was drunk. It was carefree, unguarded and beautiful in its rawness.

Yu Xi arched his brow, amused. "Sure."

That was all Jian Ci needed. He pushed himself up, happiness bubbling through him, though his tipsy state betrayed him. He stumbled, nearly losing his balance.

Yu Xi’s hand shot out instantly, steadying him. "Be careful."

Heat rushed to Jian Ci’s face. "I am good," he muttered quickly, embarrassed, and Yu Xi let him go.

Yu Xi leaned back, watching as Jian Ci approached the floating screen. His fingers hovered uncertainly before selecting a song. Jian Ci hesitated, staring at the title. It was by an older artist, long retired, but the melody and lyrics had always struck him deeply.

It was a song about love, about the overwhelming, indescribable feeling of looking at someone and knowing they were everything.