I'll Peel the Potatoes

The bright midday sun pierced through the lush green foliage, casting dappled light on the ground. A gentle breeze rustled, making the light spots shimmer beautifully.
Jiang He received gifts sent by his grandparents.
His grandparents were traveling in W City. Seeing anything delicious or interesting, they wanted to send it back to Jiang He, a large bag that made him both happy and burdened.
But there was no other way; that was his grandparents' love. No matter how heavy, he had to carry it back.
Just as he was about to carry the items, three or four car horns suddenly blared in his ear. Jiang He turned to look, and the window of a nearby car rolled down, revealing the handsome face of a middle-aged man.
"Uncle Zhao?" Jiang He happily walked over, a shy smile on his face.
"Little He, what a coincidence." Uncle Zhao looked behind Jiang He, surprised: "Oh, so many things."
"Get in, I'll drive you home." Uncle Zhao raised his hand to open the car trunk for Jiang He to put his things in, then opened the passenger door.
Jiang He had lived there for a long time as a child. Even as he grew up, every year Gui Yue returned to the village, Jiang He would visit once or twice, so he could be considered to have grown up under Uncle Zhao's care.
After Jiang He got in, the car slowly started moving.
Uncle Zhao asked about Jiang He's recent situation while backing up the car. He obediently answered a few questions. A moment later, Jiang He tilted his head to look at Uncle Zhao: "Uncle, are you here for something this time?"
Uncle Zhao nodded. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.
Jiang He watched Uncle Zhao put on his Bluetooth headset, occasionally humming in acknowledgment, his expression serious, as if something urgent had happened on the other end of the line. After hanging up, Uncle Zhao still frowned.
"Uncle, if you're busy, you can just drop me off by the roadside. I can take a bus home," Jiang He said proactively, fearing Uncle Zhao had urgent matters.
"It's okay, we're almost there." Uncle Zhao relaxed his furrowed brows: "But, Little He, after dropping you off, I have to leave immediately. I have something to deal with over there and won't have time to go to Gui Yue's place. Please give Gui Yue and his boyfriend the bracelets Uncle Chen made."
Jiang He blinked: "Oh, yes, Uncle."
Brother Gui's boyfriend, it must be Jiang You. Brother Gui likes Jiang You so much, after all.
Jiang He was a perceptive Alpha, not as dense as Lan Yun Jie, who noticed nothing.
But were they together yet? It didn't quite look like it.
Jiang He didn't voice his doubts, only burying them in his heart, intending to ask Gui Yue later.
Jiang He's house wasn't far. Uncle Zhao quickly drove him home. Although the alley wasn't narrow, cars still passed through, and getting through would likely cause a traffic jam for a while.
"Uncle, you can drop me off here."
"Alright, you be careful on your way, watch out for cars." Uncle Zhao handed Jiang He the item his wife had made.
The bracelets were in two small boxes. One light blue box had no patterns, only a small seal stamped at the bottom; the other box had a frosted texture, looking very exquisite.
Jiang He took the box, put it in his bag, and nodded vigorously.
After the car turned a corner and was out of sight, Jiang He carried the large bag towards his front door.
The area he lived in had a very good environment. Birds chirped along the road, occasionally rustling through the leaves. Walking past, his mood also improved.
It seemed his luck was very good today. His grandparents could happily do what they wanted, he received the specialties they sent back, and even met the enthusiastic Uncle Zhao. Nothing bad had happened.
Jiang He thought this, and despite carrying heavy items, his steps were light. His house was also close; he reached the door in less than three minutes.
Huh? Who's that?
Jiang He looked at the figure in front of his house, pushed up his glasses, and his peach blossom eyes behind the lenses slowly widened, filled with immense joy.
"Little He!"
"I'm back!"
The youth, carrying the scent of white peach Omega, rushed into Jiang He's arms, his green cat-like eyes full of coquettish smiles: "Surprise?!"
Jiang He put his belongings aside, hugged the youth, and patted his head. Though happy, he still sternly admonished: "It's a surprise, but don't do that again next time. Where are your bodyguards?"
"They're behind, don't mind them. Oh, just this once, please forgive me!" The youth pleaded.
Jiang He hummed, released him, opened the door, and carried the items into the room.
"Don't be coquettish." Jiang He said in a deep voice as he walked: "Brother Gui won't be happy."
The youth looked at Jiang He's retreating back, following closely: "Alright, let's go find Brother Gui to play! Give him a surprise!"
Gui Yue didn't know the "surprise" that was about to happen. He looked at the Omega beside him, his gaze a little distracted.
His eyesight was really good.
Jiang Qi wore a knitted vest and a white shirt, both fitting perfectly, accentuating his slender waist. Below was a short pleated skirt, revealing his fair, long, and straight legs, looking very pure.
It was very hot in the room, and the English-style jacket had been cast aside. Jiang Qi obediently sat on the sofa, his amber eyes looking at Gui Yue.
He knew he had been exposed to Gui Yue a long time ago, but he still couldn't help but pretend to be obedient to make a better impression on Gui Yue.
"I'm looking for a shooting game disc."
Gui Yue remembered how much fun he and Jiang Qi had playing shooting games at the arcade last time. Before that, Lan Yun Jie had also sent him some pretty good zombie shooting game discs.
He opened the drawer full of CDs, rummaging for a while before finding the one he was looking for. The disc cover depicted a post-apocalyptic setting, with two zombies sprawled on a barren wasteland, green blood splattered everywhere, and a bullet lying beside them.
If Jiang You was a study genius, then Jiang Qi was definitely a gaming genius.
Gui Yue had discovered last time that he and Jiang Qi had great synergy when playing games. He wondered how it would be this time.
His voice hummed a tuneless song, but set against the gloomy background music of the game, the singing gradually became eerie.
Jiang Qi held the gamepad, uncomfortably tugging at his skirt, changing his sitting posture. He glanced at the Alpha who was focused on the game screen, the corner of his mouth curving up, his gaze also turning towards the game.
The characters on the screen were a male and a female. The male had a muscular build, wearing a tight-fitting tracksuit. The female also wore a tracksuit, her eyes sharp, clearly a cold older sister.
The plot of this game disc was old—going to a laboratory to find an antidote left by a doctor to save all humanity. But the image quality, the smoothness of the combat, and the characters' fighting skills were all top-notch.
Dense tangled vines obscured the view ahead; only about a meter around could be seen, and there was no telling when zombies would emerge. This game required two people to cooperate to have a chance of survival.
Gui Yue held his gun, cautiously clearing the way. He shot at the vines ahead until they were shattered, leaving no obstacles. Only then did he step forward.
Jiang Qi followed closely behind him, eliminating the remaining zombies.
As they delved deeper into the storyline, the sky gradually darkened, night enveloped the world, and their vision was limited only to each other.
Gui Yue walked carefully, a guttural growl echoing, followed by heavy footsteps and rustling through the leaves.
A wave of enemies was approaching.
"Be careful." Gui Yue had his character pull the other back. Before he could give any further instructions, the forest was suddenly pushed aside by a strong force. The leading monster had chains on its feet, its massive body covered in skulls, and blood-red drool oozed from between its teeth, utterly disgusting.
Gui Yue raised his hand and fired rapidly, retreating while blocking the opponent's attack.
"Jiang Qi, you..." Gui Yue was about to tell Jiang Qi to retreat and provide support when he saw Jiang Qi's character charge forward. His slender fingers continuously pressed the black buttons, taking a tricky angle to jump over Gui Yue's head, then raising his gun and shooting the monster in the head.
The swift, decisive action left Gui Yue stunned.
"What are you standing there for?!" Jiang Qi stood powerfully at the front. The zombies behind the monster also gradually crawled out. Jiang Qi turned around and saw Gui Yue motionless, frowning as he said: "Hurry up!"
Only then did Gui Yue snap back to reality, firing two more shots at the zombies, quickly following Jiang Qi to help him fight the monster.
"Boom," the massive monster fell to the ground. Gui Yue's eyes and movements paused. It just died like that?
Jiang Qi looked at the fallen monster, letting out a soft breath, then turned to Gui Yue: "This game is more fun than last time. Last time was too easy; this time is more interesting."
His voice gradually softened, eventually fading into silence, as Jiang Qi met Gui Yue's complex gaze.
Jiang Qi's heart thumped. He unconsciously curved the corner of his mouth, wanting to act coquettishly, when he heard Gui Yue's surprised voice: "Jiang Qi, you're amazing! You cleared such a difficult stage so easily!"
Jiang Qi blinked, rubbing his nose. A moment later, the Omega's eyes lit up, his smile carrying the characteristic arrogance of youth: "This stage is simple. Even without me, Brother Gui could have passed."
Gui Yue looked at the Omega with a "praise me more" expression and couldn't help but laugh. It turned out Jiang Qi also wanted to be praised; how adorable.
"Being humble at a time like this would be hypocritical. Your technique in this game is definitely at a Great God level," Gui Yue deliberately said.
Of course, this was also because Jiang Qi's technique was genuinely good; otherwise, Gui Yue wouldn't have been able to utter such a string of flowery praises.
Jiang Qi was very happy to be praised. His ears flushed red, and his fingers unconsciously fiddled with the hem of his skirt, trying to suppress the rising curve of his lips: "Let's continue to the next stage. This game is too interesting."
And so, Gui Yue and Jiang Qi played shooting games all afternoon.
Jiang Qi himself was fine; after all, two consciousnesses took turns, so he only played for one afternoon. Gui Yue, however, was different. Playing with Jiang You in the morning and Jiang Qi in the afternoon, he already felt a slight headache.
Gui Yue didn't intend to say anything; for a young, healthy Alpha, this was nothing.
"Let's continue to the next stage," Gui Yue excitedly turned to look at Jiang Qi. The two played games with great synergy; a good experience truly brought joy.
"No more playing." Jiang Qi tossed the gamepad onto the sofa, looking at Gui Yue, "I'm tired."
Super Adorable really knew how to endure. While playing this stage, he had seen Gui Yue occasionally frown. If his body wasn't well, why play games?
Gui Yue didn't think much of it, only assuming the Omega was tired and didn't want to play anymore.
"It's almost dinner time. What do you want to eat?" Gui Yue asked.
Jiang Qi looked up and blinked: "You want to cook for me, Brother Gui? Do you know how to cook?"
The three words an Alpha could least say in front of the Omega he liked were: "No," "don't know," and "can't."
Although Gui Yue's cooking skills were only at an edible level, he still confidently nodded: "I told the housekeeper not to come. I'll cook for you."
The Gui family wasn't used to having others stay in their home. The housekeeper who cooked and cleaned arrived on time, finished her work, and left, not staying long.
The Alpha really wants to cook for me?
Jiang Qi had only been joking, but now his eyes lit up, his amber eyes filled with anticipation.
True to his word, Gui Yue went into the kitchen to check the food in the refrigerator. After some thought, he decided to make shredded cabbage and sweet and sour shredded potatoes.
Jiang Qi followed Gui Yue closely, unable to take his eyes off the Alpha's practiced movements.
Gui Yue took an apron from the hanger and tied it himself. The black apron strings made Gui Yue's shirt fit even better, accentuating his slender waist. Broad shoulders and a slim waist, he looked especially attractive from behind.
Jiang Qi's eyes trembled slightly. He cleared his throat, feeling a little dry.
"I'll wash the vegetables," Jiang Qi stepped forward a few paces to help.
"Okay, if it's just the two of us, two potatoes should be enough," Gui Yue said while shredding cabbage.
Leaving aside other matters, both Jiang Qi and Jiang You shared an obsession with cleanliness.
Washing one potato was like washing one's face.
Gui Yue finished the cabbage. Seeing Jiang Qi still diligently washing the potato, he fell silent. He didn't know how to tell Jiang Qi that he needed to peel it and didn't need to be so meticulous.
Water ran over the potato, his pale hands caressing it. Even though it was no longer covered in dirt, Jiang Qi always felt it wasn't clean enough.
"Ding."
Just as Gui Yue couldn't bear it any longer and wanted to snatch the sparkling clean potato from Jiang Qi, the doorbell rang.
Gui Yue's eyes lit up: "Jiang Qi, you go open the door. I'll peel the potatoes."
Jiang Qi didn't notice Gui Yue's excitement. He hummed, handed him the potato, wiped his hands, and went to the door.
Gui Yue watched Jiang Qi leave the kitchen, breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately took a knife to peel the potatoes.
He absolutely had to finish before Jiang Qi returned!
Gui Yue was engrossed in peeling potatoes, completely unaware that his beloved was still wearing female clothes.
The doorbell rang continuously, and Jiang Qi also didn't notice anything strange about his clothes.
When the doorknob was pressed down, the door slowly opened, and a cheerful voice of a youth echoed from outside.
"Surprise! Brother Gui, do you miss me?!"