Chapter 3216: Saving the Zero‑Protein Bai Ze Love Story 17

Three days before the match, Yi Qi deliberately cleared the whole evening, tidied himself up, and went to Bai Ze's house. Familiar with the routine, he slipped into his slippers, nestled onto the sofa, and tucked himself into Bai Ze's arm, poking at his yogurt while watching an old movie projected on the TV.

Halfway through the movie, the male lead stood in the rain confessing to the female lead, and the mood was just right.

Yi Qi poked the strawberry chunks soaking in his yogurt with a spoon, turned his head to look at Bai Ze, and brought up the match.

"It's the 25th." He especially emphasized, waving his index finger in front of Bai Ze's eyes, "The mountain loop road at Yunlin Mountain—I deliberately chose the evening; the night view is spectacular. After the race we can still watch the stars from the summit, and if the weather's good we can see the Milky Way."

After saying that, he scooped a spoonful of yogurt with a satisfied grin and stuffed it into his mouth, waiting for Bai Ze to say he'd definitely come.

"The 25th?" Bai Ze blinked for a moment.

Bai Ze quickly glanced again at the encrypted message on his wristband, turned his head, and with an apologetic tone said, "Sorry, I might not be free that day……"

Before he could finish the sentence, Yi Qi stared blankly at Bai Ze, his brows furrowed, showing a hint of resistance.

Seeing his expression, Bai Ze leaned over and kissed Yi Qi's slightly puffed cheek.

"I'll try to finish early," Bai Ze said, changing his address, his voice softening, "Come over to watch you win the championship, okay?"

Yi Qi slowly withdrew his gaze, the spoon dipped back into the yogurt cup, he scooped a spoonful and brought it to his mouth. The strawberry sweetness melted on his tongue, but it didn't seem as delicious as before.

"... Oh," he said, "Alright."

Bai Ze had a lot on his plate; when he decided to stay in Didu, you knew that, didn't you? But… he thought that since their relationship had taken a step forward, he assumed Bai Ze had moved him up in priority.

Yi Qi scooped another spoonful of yogurt, held it in his mouth to let it melt slowly, and said, "If you're busy with something, never mind—my Dage will come watch."

He deliberately made his tone sound nonchalant, but his expression was listless; his enthusiasm for continuing to talk with Bai Ze visibly waned, and the strawberry bits in his yogurt cup were almost stirred into mush.

He even felt, faintly, as if they had reverted to how they used to be—always sensing something between them, even though the person was right beside him, it was like an impenetrable fog; reaching out, he could grasp nothing.

Bai Ze's heart tightened.

He even had a premonition that things were slipping out of his control, but he couldn't help it. More and more people sent from the Nine Districts to hunt down Yi Qi were appearing, and the matters he had to deal with were increasing uncontrollably—one wave hadn't settled before another rose, as if someone were secretly pushing all of this.

But Bai Ze felt guilty, yet dared not tell Yi Qi, for it would only drag him deeper into danger.

Bai Ze didn't want Yi Qi to stay immersed in that dejected mood, so he turned sideways and tentatively brushed his lips against Yi Qi's.

Yi Qi didn't dodge, but he didn't respond either. He closed his eyes, letting Bai Ze's lips lightly rub against his own, and after losing sight, his other senses sharpened: he could feel the restraint and cherishing in Bai Ze's motion, the affection and apology conveyed by the kiss, the warmth of his lips, and the cautious breath he took because of him.

He raised his hand, palm pressing against his chest, his heart beating a little faster beneath, filled with many unfamiliar emotions—sore and swollen, indescribable.

Yi Qi was always the type to charge straight ahead—take what he wants, explode when angry, run away when sad—but he had never before quietly felt the softness and love Bai Ze actively offered.

Bai Ze noticed his movement, suddenly stopped, and asked with some worry and anxiety, "Is your heart uncomfortable?"

Yi Qi shook his head.

He opened his eyes to look at Bai Ze; the chaotic, tangled thoughts in his mind were unwilling to stay silent as they usually were.

Cheap Dage had said before, if you don't say anything, then only he will be sad.

That's totally unfair! Why should he have to be the only one feeling miserable!

"After you're done with your work," Yi Qi said softly, as if trying to take the first step forward on the long, turbulent river named Love, stepping carefully.

"Can you spare a lot of time to be with me?"

"You've been busy lately—when you're swamped, I don't see you for days. I don't really understand your business matters…… but……"

He pressed his lips, the words left unspoken, but his eyes clearly wrote: "But I kind of miss you."

Whenever Bai Ze gets busy, they don't see each other for days or even a week; Yi Qi doesn't manage the company and has never been on a business trip, so he doesn't really understand.

Every word Yi Qi spoke made Bai Ze's heart tremble a bit.

Bai Ze's cheek brushed lightly against Yi Qi's, his voice low, "Sure, I'll make time."

Yi Qi opened his mouth and whispered two words, especially candid: "Alright."

His brows relaxed a little, and he wrapped Bai Ze in an octopus‑style hug again, "Then I won't hold it against you."

"You don't need to rush over; I'll send you the video, so be sure to enjoy my championship moment!"

Yi Qi had just eaten the strawberry‑flavored yogurt, his mouth still sweet; Bai Ze felt comforted, then a desire welled up, and he couldn't help leaning in to suck that sweet strawberry flavor, as if trying to roll every bit of that sweetness into his own mouth.

Yi Qi felt a little tickle from the kiss, couldn't help chuckling, turned his head to dodge, but Bai Ze chased him and captured his lips.

They tangled on the sofa for a while, Yi Qi's yogurt nearly spilled; he fumbled to set the cup on the coffee table, the movie unwatchable, and he surged forward with fierce energy, kissing Bai Ze into a disheveled mess, utterly wrecked.