Chapter 30: As Neighbors
Chen Jiamu was still sulking, but for the sake of the kitten, he decided to let it go.
After getting into the car, he straightened his back. Li Qi glanced at his little action, a smirk playing on his lips, but he didn’t say anything.
The two searched the map and finally found a 24-hour pet hospital.
As soon as they entered, the receptionist on duty was stunned, stammering to ask what was wrong.
“We found a kitten on the road, it doesn’t seem to be doing well, and we want you to help treat it.”
Chen Jiamu stepped forward, holding up the kitten in his palm for her to see. The receptionist’s gaze had been fixed on their faces since they entered; now, seeing the cat, she nodded. “Please wait, I’ll call the doctor!”
She immediately called the doctor, and within moments, the doctor rushed over.
The kitten was handed over to the doctor, while Chen Jiamu stood quietly beside, watching the doctor examine the kitten.
After a while, the doctor asked the receptionist to prepare a bottle of goat’s milk powder. The kitten smelled it and wouldn’t let go of the bottle.
Seeing this, Chen Jiamu understood. The little thing was starving.
“The kitten doesn’t have any major problems, it’s just starving.”
“It’s only two months old. Let’s feed it some goat’s milk and see.”
Confirming his thoughts, Chen Jiamu was relieved. At least it wouldn’t die on his hands.
“That’s good. We’ll help take care of it, and I’ll come pick it up tomorrow morning. I haven’t gotten any supplies for it yet.”
Chen Jiamu’s words caused the doctor to pause, their eyes hesitantly looking towards the receptionist.
“Don’t worry, I won’t run away.”
“I’ll definitely come back for the cat.”
“I can pay a 500 yuan deposit, and you can return it to me when I pick up the cat tomorrow.”
Chen Jiamu understood their concerns. Usually, people who find cats but are able to care for them would leave them at the pet hospital’s door. They’re gambling that the hospital staff won’t be heartless enough to ignore it. But why should others have to pay for his soft heart? The hospital is a business, not a charity.
“Alright, we’ll help feed it overnight.”
The doctor, a sensible person, immediately agreed. After the doctor agreed, Chen Jiamu took out his phone to find the payment code. Before he could even open the scanning app, he heard Li Qi’s voice behind him.
“I’ve already scanned it.”
The receptionist and doctor in the room were both stunned, and Chen Jiamu frowned at him.
This guy is so fast? He just finished speaking!
Li Qi stood behind Chen Jiamu, half a head taller. Under his white shirt, his cold face, framed by gold-rimmed glasses, suddenly had an air of abstinence about it.
Startled by his own thoughts, Chen Jiamu quickly averted his gaze. “Okay, then, I’ll come get the cat tomorrow.”
He glanced at the kitten diligently drinking milk, then turned and walked towards the door.
Li Qi didn’t speak, but quietly followed behind.
“So handsome!”
“Men who pay are the most handsome!”
After the two left, the receptionist couldn’t help but be smitten, gazing at their departing backs.
“Stop it, don’t think about it.”
“Those two handsome guys are a couple.”
The doctor patted the receptionist’s shoulder, telling her to be quiet. The doctor thought the receptionist would be disappointed and sad, but unexpectedly, the receptionist became even more excited: “A couple?”
“Oh my god! They’re so perfect!”
“So handsome! So cute! Ahhhh!”
The two outside were completely unaware of the drama unfolding in the hospital.
Back in the car, Chen Jiamu yawned lazily, his eyes becoming watery.
“If you’re tired, go to sleep early.”
“I’ll give you another day off tomorrow. Come to work whenever you want.”
Li Qi started the car, smoothly driving back to the apartment complex, glancing at Chen Jiamu’s repeated yawns.
Chen Jiamu was too sleepy to speak, lazily glancing at him. “I didn’t even say I wanted to go back, but you’ve already decided.”
“Paid leave.”
As soon as Li Qi said that, Chen Jiamu pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at him without speaking further.
After a while, Chen Jiamu suddenly said softly, “If you want me to come back to work, you need to show some sincerity, is this all?”
“What are Chen Shao’s requirements then?”
“Tell me.”
Li Qi drove while listening attentively. Seeing him so accommodating, Chen Jiamu suddenly felt a burning sensation in his chest.
When was Li Qi ever this accommodating…? In his memory, he was always the one clinging to Li Qi like a chatterbox. Now, it’s Li Qi chasing after him…?
Chen Jiamu stared at Li Qi’s face in a daze, not speaking for a long time. Li Qi frowned in confusion, “What’s wrong?”
“Is there something on my face?”
Touching his cheek, Li Qi stared ahead in puzzlement. Luckily, the apartment complex wasn’t too far from the pet hospital; they arrived at the entrance in the time it took to speak.
After the security guard opened the gate, Li Qi parked in the complex, turning on the warm light in the car. Li Qi turned to Chen Jiamu, “Why aren’t you talking?”
Under the projection of the warm yellow light, Li Qi’s features appeared more profound. Behind his thin lenses, his brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with worry.
“Nothing.”
“I was just thinking about something.”
“Back to the main topic, I’m not against going back to work. The condition is, my work hours are flexible. And my workspace must be high-end, with a good environment.”
“Second, you can’t cut my salary, and lunch break must be three hours. I refuse overtime.”
“Third… third… I haven’t thought of it yet, so that’s it for now.”
Chen Jiamu thought for a long time and only came up with these. His work wasn’t tiring, except for emergencies, he mostly spent his time idly typing.
“Okay.”
Li Qi agreed without hesitation. Chen Jiamu was stunned by such an easy agreement.
“Just… just that.”
“I’m tired, let’s talk about tomorrow’s things tomorrow.”
Putting aside work matters, Chen Jiamu yawned again from sleepiness. Li Qi nodded, a smirk on his lips as he opened the door to get out of the car.
Li Qi locked the car door and looked up. Chen Jiamu was already walking ahead.
Li Qi didn’t call him, and the two walked in the complex one after the other.
As they passed under the streetlights, their shadows grew longer and longer, finally overlapping and disappearing…
The two entered the elevator, and Chen Jiamu was quite surprised that Li Qi lived here. This complex wasn’t luxurious, at most mid-range. Why would a big boss like him live here?
“Which floor?”
“Third floor.”
That’s what he thought, but Chen Jiamu still kindly asked which floor he lived on. Hearing that it was the third floor, his finger pressing the button paused.
He raised his eyebrows, looking at him with slight surprise, “Third floor?”
“Mm-hmm.”
As soon as Li Qi finished speaking, the elevator doors opened. Chen Jiamu held his keys, feigning composure as he exited the elevator.
When he saw Li Qi standing beside him taking out his keys, Chen Jiamu’s remaining guesses were shattered.
He had assumed that there were three households on the third floor, and that Li Qi would live in the furthest one from him. Instead, he lived right next door…
Their rooms were only separated by a wall…
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