Author: hoenimochi (Page 1 of 84)

MTL and currently learning HSK

Chapter 38

February 3, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Chu Yunhan had said many sweet nothings in the past. They were usually directed at women, beginning with romantic words that left the other party’s heart fluttering and gaze softening. What followed was a kiss, and if the kiss stirred emotions, it naturally led to some joyful moments. He was well-versed in this routine. 

       But now, the other party was a man—and, by their roles, that man was the one on top. That earlier confession had already drained all his courage, and the lingering kiss had left his body weak and his mind muddled, with no clue what to do next. It wasn’t until he felt the other man’s fingertips gently brush the corner of his eye that he opened his eyes tremblingly. He saw Chu Yichen looking at him, and his face flushed with embarrassment. Dryly, he muttered, “I’m hungry. Shall we have breakfast?”

       “Okay.” The man replied.

       He waited for a long time, but the other party didn’t move. Bewildered, he blinked.

       “The door is too narrow. You’ll have to let me go first before we can get out,” Chu Yichen said, a smile forming on his lips and tenderness filling his eyes.

       Even the tips of Chu Yunhan’s ears were red. Like being jolted by electricity, he hastily released the arms he had wrapped around the other man’s waist and tried to step away to flee, only to stop again. Hesitantly, he said, “I… I don’t want to go to work today…”

       “Okay.”

       “Then I… will accompany you today. Is that okay?” He pressed forward anxiously.

       “Okay.” The man answered indulgently.

 

       At the round dining table, the two of them sat on either side, separated by a little girl in the middle. While Chu Yunhan nibbled on a soup dumpling, he couldn’t help but sneak glances at Chu Yichen. But the moment their eyes met, his face turned red, like a traffic light switching to stop.

       Yuanyuan looked at him worriedly and asked: “Did Uncle Han catch a cold and have a fever? Why is your face so red?” Because she lived with two ‘Uncles Chu’, to distinguish them easily, she changed her name and called Chu Yunhan ‘Uncle Han’, another ‘Uncle Chen’.

       Seeing the teasing curve at the corners of Chu Yichen’s lips, Chu Yunhan mumbled awkwardly, “No, It’s just a bit hot.” 

       Yuanyuan let out an ‘oh’ and obediently resumed eating. Once she finished, Chu Yunhan prepared to take her to kindergarten. When she walked to the door, she found that the driver, old Zhao, was already waiting by the car and said, “Young Master said you didn’t have a good rest last night and asked me to drive.”

       That person was always so considerate toward him. Warmth filled Chu Yunhan’s heart as he nodded and got into the car. When he returned, he discovered that Chu Yichen hadn’t gone to the office either. Instead, he had temporarily moved his work into the study. In the study, the senior members of the Black Eagle Society—Hei Yu, Bai Xiao, Lan Xue, Qing Feng, and others—were sitting on the sofas in a circle, seemingly discussing something important.

       As soon as he walked in, the room fell silent. Over a dozen pairs of eyes turned to him simultaneously, some glaring at him with open hostility. Chu Yunhan understood that it was because he had put the young master they loyally protected into danger several times, leaving him battered and scarred. If not for Chu Yichen’s intervention, they would have torn him to pieces and fed him to the dog long ago. The fact that they hadn’t told him to leave was already a sign of respect for him. Feeling awkward, he said, “You guys talk, I’ll first…”

       “Didn’t you say you’d keep me company today?” Chu Yichen interrupted, looking up from his documents. He casually patted the seat beside him and said, “Come here.”

       At that, all the gazes turned to surprise. Even Hei Yu, who usually had a stoic expression, slightly opened his mouth, exchanging a glance with Bai Xiao. Bai Xiao raised an eyebrow and smirked faintly at Chu Yunhan but said nothing.

       He stiffened his neck and walked over, hesitating for a moment. The sofa was for three people, and Chu Yichen was sitting in the middle with no intention of moving. This meant that no matter which side Chu Yunhan chose, he would end up pressed close to the other man. His face grew hot again. Finally, he sat on the left, his heart pounding like a rabbit’s, though he forced himself to appear nonchalant. “You’re discussing confidential matters. It’s not appropriate for me to listen.”

       “I have nothing to keep secret from you.” Chu Yichen said this lightly, turned to Hei Yu and said, “Continue.”

       Hei Yu paused briefly before resuming, discussing plans to take over the Sheng family’s territory in J City. But Chu Yunhan didn’t hear a word. That one sentence from Chu Yichen had set his heart racing like a shrimp being steamed alive.

       He thought he could be considered good at saying sweet nothings and coaxing people.

       He hadn’t expected this man’s words to be utterly lethal… Compared to him, his own efforts were utterly insignificant.

       Distracted, Chu Yunhan sat there, pretending to flip through the documents Chu Yichen had handed him, though he didn’t absorb a single word. Just sitting side by side like this—the brush of their clothes, the touch of their elbows, the occasional meeting of their gazes—was enough to leave him completely unfocused.

       Chu Yichen indeed had a lot of work to handle and worked nonstop from morning until noon. Likely tired from the lack of sleep the previous night, he asked Du Chuan to bring in a cup of hot coffee. Chu Yunhan frowned and said, “Don’t drink that.”

       The comment was abrupt. Noticing everyone looking at him, his face turned slightly red, and he softly added, “It’s not good for your health.”

       The man smiled, his thin lips curving into a pleasing arc, “Alright, I’ll have tea instead.”

       He smiled like this, with a hint of doting, which made Chu Yunhan feel like he was trapped in a steamy sauna with a fierce stove fire, and his whole body was so hot that he was about to smoke. Hastily, he found an excuse, “I’ll step out to make a call…” and fled the study, defeated.

       The senior members, seeing their interactions, roughly pieced things together and sighed inwardly, “So the iron tree has finally bloomed.” Taking the hint, they quickly wrapped up the most important matters and left, leaving their afternoon to their young master, who had a complicated relationship.

       After lunch, the two of them walked in the yard for a while. When passing by the pond, he was afraid that Thor would come out again, so he coughed and said, “Let’s head back.” Chu Yichen said nothing and grabbed his hand.

       The warmth from the slender fingers and dry palms warmed his hands little by little, as if his heart had settled down.

       Hand in hand, they walked forward.

       Just like childhood.

       At this moment, Chu Yunhan seemed to see a vision of two children, hand in hand, laughing as they crossed a small pond. A faint ripple stirred in his heart. He clasped the other man’s hand in return, their fingers interlocking like an unbreakable lock. As they neared the doorway, neither let go. They walked inside, still holding hands, under the gaze of the household staff. Chu Yunhan felt that after today’s ordeal, his face had grown a layer thicker. Resigned, he blushed and said, “I’m a bit tired. Do you… want to take a nap with me?”

       “Okay.” Chu Yichen was like an unprincipled parent who doted on his children. This was the word he said the most today.

       Both of their intentions were the same—to ensure the other wasn’t too tired, resulting in perfect harmony.

 

       The master bedroom carried a faint sandalwood scent that was calming and soothing. Yet now, lying side by side with Chu Yichen, Chu Yunhan’s heart was racing so wildly he couldn’t settle down. Afraid of disturbing the other, he forced himself to remain as still as a corpse, not daring to move.

       “You staying like that is making it hard for me to sleep too,” Chu Yichen said with a helpless chuckle. Turning on his side, he said, “Turn this way.”

       Chu Yunhan turned his face, and under the shared blanket, he found himself face-to-face with the man. His gaze accidentally fell on the bit of neck exposed beneath the collar, and the memories of that whip strike flashed through his mind, filling him with regret. Reaching out hesitantly, he lightly touched the spot, only for his hand to be caught.

       “Want it?” Chu Yichen asked.

       Chu Yunhan was stunned for a moment before he realised what the other party meant. His face was on fire, and he said in a low voice, “No.” Then he said softly, “I just… want to see. Is that okay?”

       He wanted to see the scars.

       The man was silent for a moment before pulling the blanket up, enveloping both of their heads entirely. Then he guided the hand he had caught to rest gently on the first button of his pyjamas.

       The entire world shrunk to a blanket and two people.

       In the pitch-black space, Chu Yunhan could feel only the other’s steady breathing and the warmth of his body through the fabric. He fumbled to undo the buttons, one by one, until his hand came into contact with—

       Bare skin. Scalding. Marked with scars.

       His movements faltered for a moment, his hand trembling slightly. In the darkness, he traced his fingers over the chest inch by inch, gingerly feeling the uneven scars. His fingertips lingered over each deep groove as if he could feel the sharp pain they once caused, as though the piercing agony was cutting through his own body now. As his fingers moved, each scar became an indelible mark of guilt etched on his heart, a reminder of the mistakes he had made that could never be erased.

       Chu Yunhan’s palm came to rest over the spot where the bullet wound was—just as Zhang Juan had pressed his hand to it once before. Beneath the layers of skin, muscle, and bone, he felt the steady thumping of a heart.

       One beat. Then another. 

       Fortunately, this man is still alive.

       Fortunately, this man is still with him.

       Chu Yunhan’s eyes were filled with tears. He pressed his lips together tightly and leaned forward to wrap his arms around the man. He held him tightly, like an animal clinging to a piece of driftwood in a flood, the kind of embrace that spoke of desperation and a refusal to let go. His voice trembled as he choked out, “Does it still hurt…”

       “It doesn’t hurt anymore.” After Chu Yichen said that, he felt a little wet on his chest. He reached out and touched Chu Yunhan’s head and said, “It’s all in the past.”

       The furry head in his arms shifted slightly, accompanied by the sound of sniffling.

       “Go to sleep,” Chu Yichen said. He tried to pull the blanket down a little to expose his head, but Chu Yunhan pressed it down firmly, unwilling to let it budge. Knowing that he was trying to hide his tearful face, Chu Yichen chuckled. “Aren’t you afraid of suffocating?”

       “It’s not stuffy.” His voice was muffled, nasal from crying.

       “You’re just going to sleep like this?”

       “En.” He nuzzled into Chu Yichen’s arms again and changed into a comfortable position.

       The man smiled and hugged him.

       Under the blanket, the two of them were pressed so close together that their heartbeats became indistinguishable from one another.

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Chapter 89

February 1, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       This summer holiday, Zhan Weiyang slept in every day and read books in the afternoon. If Pei Qing didn’t work overtime, he would go to Pei Qing for dinner from time to time. Pei Qing would take him to play around on weekends. This was probably the most fulfilling summer vacation Zhan Weiyang had since he started middle school.

       Pei Qing liked to see exhibitions—all kinds of exhibitions, and Zhan Weiyang would accompany him regardless of whether he was interested or not. He happily followed Pei Qing, looking at things that he didn’t understand.

       Pei Qing also often took Zhan Weiyang to eat delicious food. This confused Zhan Weiyang, and he asked Pei Qing, “Aren’t we very poor?”

       Pei Qing said, “Yes, I spent all my money on you to eat meat.”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at the meat in the bowl and felt guilty. He said, “Then I won’t eat meat.”

       Pei Qing said, “That won’t work. If you don’t eat meat and lose weight, gege will feel bad.”

       Zhan Weiyang struggled internally and felt he still wanted to eat meat, so he said, “Then you wait for me. I will definitely work hard to make money when I start working.”

       Pei Qing smiled slightly and said, “Okay, so let’s eat meat first.”

       Zhan Weiyang nodded shyly. He lowered his head a little embarrassedly and continued to eat.

       A month passed in a blink of an eye, and Zhan Weiyang’s birthday was about to come.

       Zhan Pengcheng asked him two or three days before his birthday, “How do you want to celebrate your birthday? Let’s go out for a good meal, okay?”

       Zhan Weiyang fell into deep thought and did not respond to Zhan Pengcheng in time.

       Zhan Pengcheng thought it might be because he wasn’t appealing enough, so he added, “How about we invite Qing gege to join us?”

       Zhan Weiyang still did not answer. He actually wanted to spend the day with Pei Qing.

       Zhan Weiguang was sitting next to him, initially looking at his phone while eating, and then he looked up at Zhan Weiyang.

       Zhan Pengcheng was a little anxious, and he asked Zhan Weiyang, “Then how do you want to spend the day, tell Dad!”

       Zhan Weiyang was a little reluctant to reject Zhan Pengcheng directly, and he said, “I don’t know.”

       Zhan Pengcheng then said, “Then don’t worry, think about it again. Dad will make time that day, and Dad will accompany you wherever you want to go, okay?”

       Zhan Weiyang nodded reluctantly.

       That night, Zhan Weiyang lay on the bed and called Pei Qing to tell him about this.

       Pei Qing had just got off work and was waiting for the bus on the roadside. He stood in a corner with his cell phone, and beside him was a bright and hot advertising sign. He said, “Is that so? Then I’ll treat your Dad and your brother to a meal.”

       “Hm?” Zhan Weiyang, who had been somewhat absent-minded, immediately looked up upon hearing his words and asked in confusion, “What?”

       Pei Qing said, “I said I’ll treat you to a meal on your birthday.”

       Zhan Weiyang supported his body with his hands, sat cross-legged on the bed, and asked Pei Qing in surprise, “Do you want Dad and Zhan Weiguang to go?”

       At this time, the bus Pei Qing was waiting for came. He got on the bus, walked to the back seat and sat down. He continued to say to Zhan Weiyang, “Don’t you want to have dinner with them?”

       Zhan Weiyang whispered, “I think we can have dinner with Dad and the others a day in advance, and then we can have dinner together on the birthday.” This was the result of his consideration for a night, and he felt that this approach would not hurt Zhan Pengcheng’s feelings.

       Pei Qing smiled silently and then said to Zhan Weiyang, “There are many opportunities for us to have dinner together. I think turning eighteen is a very important day, and I need to explain it to your father.”

       “Explain?” Zhan Weiyang asked doubtfully.

       Pei Qing said, “Yes, it’s a very important day, suitable for doing important things.”

       Zhan Weiyang had a vague feeling, and he suddenly lowered his voice and asked mysteriously, “Are you going to tell my father?”

       Pei Qing smiled and said nothing.

       Zhan Weiyang blinked and said, “I understand.”

       Pei Qing said, “Be good. I will arrange it when the time comes.”

       On the night of Zhan Weiyang’s birthday, Pei Qing booked a Chinese restaurant with an elegant and quiet environment and invited Zhan Pengcheng and others to have dinner together.

       Grandma didn’t go out. She had been having leg pain recently, and it was inconvenient for her to walk. She went to bed early at night and didn’t want to go out, so there were only Pei Qing and the Zhan family’s father and son.

       When Zhan Pengcheng arrived, the first thing he said to Pei Qing was, “Uncle is treating tonight; don’t fight with me.”

       Pei Qing asked him to sit down first and said, “I have already paid the deposit in advance. This meal should be my treat, don’t worry, Uncle.”

       Zhan Pengcheng thought this was strange and said, “Why should it be your treat?”

       Zhan Weiguang hadn’t said a word since he arrived at the restaurant. He had a very bad premonition, which made his scalp numb. When Pei Qing and Zhan Pengcheng were talking, Zhan Weiguang glanced at Zhan Weiyang and found that Zhan Weiyang was still silly and happy, which made him even more uneasy.

       Although their seats were not private rooms, each table was separated by a booth, and the environment was relatively private and secluded.

       The four people sat down, and Zhan Weiyang sat next to Pei Qing. Pei Qing had already ordered the dishes. After the waiter came up to pour tea, he served two plates of cold dishes and left.

       Zhan Pengcheng was chatting with Pei Qing and asked him about his work. Pei Qing answered calmly.

       Zhan Weiguang sat next to Zhan Pengcheng, feeling uneasy. He even had the urge to stop Pei Qing.

       Zhan Pengcheng didn’t notice anything. He thought today was a good day, and he could drink a little.

       As a result, Zhan Weiguang and Zhan Weiyang stopped him in unison and told him not to drink.

       Zhan Pengcheng measured a small distance between his thumb and index finger and said, “A little bit.”

       “No!” Zhan Weiyang said.

       Zhan Pengcheng had no choice but to say, “Today is your birthday, so you have the final say.”

       Zhan Weiyang was relieved.

       Pei Qing picked up the teacup and said, “Today, we will use tea instead of wine to wish Yangyang a happy 18th birthday.”

       The other people also picked up their teacups and clinked them in the air.

       Zhan Weiyang said happily, “I’m finally eighteen years old!”

       Zhan Weiguang said to him, “What’s good about being eighteen years old? Isn’t it good to be a child all your life?”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at him, “Of course not. I’m not as naive as you.”

       Zhan Weiguang endured it and decided not to argue with him.

       At this time, the waiter began to serve hot dishes.

       Pei Qing ordered most of the dishes that Zhan Weiyang liked. Everyone ate while chatting. Later, unable to resist Zhan Pengcheng’s repeated requests, the two sons reluctantly agreed to let him drink a bottle of beer.

       When everyone was full of wine and food, Pei Qing said, “Uncle, I have something to tell you.”

       Perhaps his tone was too serious. Zhan Pengcheng, who was originally joking with Zhan Weiyang, suddenly looked at him, his smile became shallow, and said, “Just tell Uncle if you have anything to say.” Zhan Pengcheng thought Pei Qing wanted his help with something.

       Zhan Weiguang took a deep breath, unconsciously reached out to hold the teacup in front of him tightly, and anxiously rubbed the smooth cup with his fingers.

       Pei Qing said, “Do you remember when I asked you what kind of person you hoped Yangyang would be with in the future?”

       Zhan Pengcheng was a little surprised, “Why?”

       Pei Qing continued, “You answered me at the time that you hoped it would be a kind person.”

       Zhan Pengcheng glanced at Zhan Weiyang. His expression became serious, and he asked Pei Qing, “What’s the matter?”

       Pei Qing said, “I hope you can agree to let me take care of Yangyang for the rest of his life.”

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Chapter 29

January 31, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t really want to ask Jiang Tongyan for money; he just wanted to change the subject.

       “Be careful.” Seeing Jiang Tongyan bump into the table, he sent a caring words, “Don’t break the table, it’s fragile.”

       “… You’re crazy!” Jiang Tongyan yelled at him, “Is it as valuable as a broken table like yours?”

       Qian Xiaoke said, “I’ll have to pay for the table if it’s broken.”

       “What? Are you afraid of breaking it?”

       “That’s your own doing; what does it have to do with me?” Qian Xiaoke’s logic was meticulous, leaving Jiang Tongyan speechless.

       It was past six now. Qian Xiaoke usually got up at six-thirty, washed up in a daze, returned to the room to be in a daze for a while, and went out at seven. He always kept his routine well, but today, he was woken up by Jiang Tongyan a bit earlier.

       “Are you leaving?” Qian Xiaoke asked.

       As soon as Qian Xiaoke finished asking, he suddenly had an idea and said with a smile on his face, “Are you going to our company later? Directly from here? Taking a taxi? Can you give me a ride?”

       Jiang Tongyan sneered, “You really know how to take advantage of a situation.”

       If there’s an advantage to be taken and there’s a chance to turn the tables on him, of course, Qian Xiaoke wouldn’t miss out on such an opportunity.

       “Rest assured,” Jiang Tongyan adjusted his clothes, saying, “Even if I go back to the hotel first, I won’t give you a ride anyway.”

       Qian Xiaoke pouted, “Scumbag.”

       “Why am I a jerk now?” Jiang Tongyan felt extremely wronged.

       “What do you think? You stayed here overnight, didn’t pay for the room, and you won’t even give me a ride.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you’re a scumbag, then who isn’t?”

       This logic was too powerful, so powerful that Jiang Tongyan had nothing to say and left quickly.

       He opened the door, and Qian Xiaoke said, “Do you need me to see you off? Do you know how to get out?”

       Just as he was talking, the neighbour who had been howling all night also opened his door.

       Qian Xiaoke had met that neighbour several times, so they could be considered ‘acquainted’. When the other party saw him, he looked at Jiang Tongyan again and smiled knowingly, “Hi, good morning.”

       Qian Xiaoke felt he might misunderstand something but before he could explain, Jiang Tongyan had already left.

       It was pitch dark.

       It was filthy and chaotic.

       It was a mess.

       It was a group of rabble.

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t want to stay here for another second.

       After he left, Qian Xiaoke went through his usual morning routine, leaving at seven for work, buying an egg-filled pancake outside the neighbourhood, and eating it all the way to the subway station.

       Everything was going on in an orderly manner, and there was no difference just because there was one more person sleeping at his home last night.

       However, this was just Qian Xiaoke’s opinion.

       In Jiang Tongyan’s opinion, he had something important to solve.

       Jiang Tongyan first returned to the hotel to shower and then had a meal. After finishing his work, he saw it was almost time, so he picked up the phone and called Cheng Sen.

       Cheng Sen had just arrived at the company and was checking his emails. He saw that it was Jiang Tongyan calling, and he smiled when he picked up the phone, “Up so early? Are you coming over this afternoon?”

       “Something’s up.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Are you at the company?”

       “Yeah.”

       “Okay, then wait, I’ll come over.”

       Since Jiang Tongyan was back in the country for a project, Cheng Sen thought he was coming to discuss work, but to his surprise, Jiang Tongyan was in such a rush for something else.

       It was ten in the morning when Jiang Tongyan arrived at Cheng Sen’s company. As soon as he walked out of the elevator door, he saw Qian Xiaoke sitting at the front desk.

       Qian Xiaoke said naively, “Good morning, Chairman Jiang!”

       When Jiang Tongyan saw him, he avoided his eyes for no apparent reason. He dared not look directly at him, and he knew why.

       He waved his hand as a greeting and went straight to Cheng Sen’s office.

       Qian Xiaoke was too lazy to pay attention to him. He watched him walk away and then continued to do what he had to do.

       When Jiang Tongyan passed by Qian Xiao’s front desk, he stole a glance at him from the corner of his eye. When he walked to the corner, he took the opportunity to turn his head and look at Qian Xiaoke.

       He watched him, but Qian Xiaoke paid him no mind.

       Jiang Tongyan pouted and muttered in his heart: Ungrateful brat!

       Jiang Tongyan arrived at the door of Cheng Sen’s office, and Cheng Sen was waiting for him.

       “What’s wrong?” Cheng Sen asked, “What happened?”

       “Something’s up.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Does your company provide dormitories for employees?”

       “Huh?” Cheng Sen was about to get him some water, but this question threw him off, “What dormitories?”

       “A lot of your employees are from out of town, right?” Jiang Tongyan sat on the sofa, “Do you manage them all?”

       Cheng Sen didn’t understand what he meant at first and thought he was talking about himself, “If you come over, I will definitely arrange something for you.”

       “That’s not what I’m talking about.” Jiang Tongyan said, “That’s all easy to say.”

       “Then what are you talking about?” Cheng Sen realised after asking and stood there with a cup, looking at him and smiling.

       “What are you smiling at? It’s so creepy.” Jiang Tongyan reached out to take the water cup, “Don’t look at me like that.”

       “Who are you speaking up for? Qian Xiaoke?” Cheng Sen looked like he saw through everything, “What did he say to you? That kid’s getting bold, even daring to complain about the company.”

       “What complaints!” Jiang Tongyan said, “That’s not it. He didn’t say anything.”

       Cheng Sen smiled, Then what’s this about?”

       “Just asking,” Jiang Tongyan said, “I went to his place yesterday and took a look. That place is not habitable at all. If you live there for a long time, you will become a psychopath.”

       He glanced at Cheng Sen, “You wouldn’t want your employees to be psychopaths during their employment, would you? That would be terrifying!”

       Cheng Sen leaned on the table and looked at him meaningfully, “It doesn’t matter. If he becomes a psychopath and goes crazy, we can just fire him. It’s not a big deal.”

       When he said this, Qian Xiaoke happened to come to deliver a package to Cheng Sen and stood at the door and knocked softly.

       Cheng Sen smiled when he saw him, “Xiaoke, perfect timing. I want to ask you something.”

       “Sure, ask away!” Qian Xiaoke was just another person in front of Cheng Sen and Jiang Tongyan. When he stood in front of his boss, he was as well-behaved as a harmless little white rabbit. But when he was with Jiang Tongyan, he turned into a crazy rabbit.

       “Say, if an employee goes crazy, can we keep him?”

       Qian Xiaoke was shocked, “Who? Who went crazy?”

       Gossiping is a must. Even in front of the boss, if there’s gossip to be had, it must be had.

       “You.” Cheng Sen laughed, “Tongyan just said your living environment is so bad it could drive you crazy. We’re wondering if the company can continue to employ someone with such an unstable mental state, what do you think?”

       Qian Xiaoke turned around and glared at Jiang Tongyan when he heard it. The anger in his eyes had soared to Jiang Tongyan’s forehead.

       Qian Xiao: “Jiang Tongyan! Do I owe you something?”

       Jiang Tongyan thought for a moment, “It seems like you do. Have you not paid back the 20 yuan before?”

       Qian Xiaoke heard, “It’s so hard to get a stable job! Why are you doing this to me?”

       Jiang Tongyan clicked his tongue, impatiently saying to Cheng Sen, “Why are you scaring him? Could you not start trouble?”

       Cheng Sen drank water and laughed at them, thinking these two people were interesting.

       “By the way, Xiaoke, what’s going on?”

       Qian Xiaoke was full of rage but managed to hold it in front of the boss.

       “Well, there’s a package for you.” Qian Xiaoke handed the package to Cheng Sen. When he walked out, he kept looking at Jiang Tongyan viciously.

       Jiang Tongyan felt uncomfortable under his gaze, and rolled his eyes and looked out the window.

       After Qian Xiaoke left, Cheng Sen laughed, “You two get along pretty well.”

       “Who? Who gets along with him? Don’t slander me.”

       “If you don’t get along, why come here this morning to talk about this?” Cheng Sen said, “We don’t manage employees’ private lives, nor do we ban office romances. Your coming here in a while won’t affect anything.”

       “Can you stop this?” Jiang Tongyan seemed unhappy, “Who wants an office romance with him? I wouldn’t stoop so low to fall for a mad rabbit with no looks, no brains, no quality!”

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t feel like talking to him anymore. He stood up to leave, “Even if I were to date, I’d go for that person, what’s his name, the one Zhou Mo introduced, someone with style, grace, eloquence…”

       Jiang Tongyan turned around to see Qian Xiaoke standing at the door again.

       “Why are you back?” Jiang Tongyan was dumbfounded.

       He recalled what he just said, pretty sure Qian Xiaoke heard it all.

       But so what if he heard? Was anything he said untrue?

       He wasn’t afraid!

       However, when Jiang Tongyan saw Qian Xiaoke staring at him with a dark expression, he still couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.

       What was he afraid of?

       He didn’t know.

       Of course Qian Xiaoke heard everything—he had no looks, no brains, and no character.

       He remembered every word!

       Qian Xiaoke ignored Jiang Tongyan and said to Cheng Sen, “Chairman Cheng, Manager Guan came looking for you earlier and asked if it was convenient to see you.”

       “Okay, let him in.” Cheng Sen glanced at the dumbfounded Jiang Tongyan, not even bothering to mock him, “Tongyan, you’re done here, right? Then let’s talk about other things in the afternoon, I have a guest to entertain now.”

       Jiang Tongyan raised his hand and rubbed his eyebrows, “Alright, you get busy, I’ll come back this afternoon.”

       He walked out, following Qian Xiaoke with a dejected expression.

       This was the second time he got caught bad-mouthing someone behind their back, and Jiang Tongyan felt genuinely ashamed.

       He watched as Qian Xiaoke smiled and brought the person who came to see Cheng Sen in and then exited through the door. He watched as Qian Xiaoke didn’t spare him a glance and walked past him, treating him like he was nothing. His heart was clogged with panic.

       “That… Well…” Jiang Tongyan stood at the front desk, saying to Qian Xiaoke, “Just now… I’m sorry.”

       Qian Xiaoke was really angry, and he felt so wronged.

       He thought he had been quite good to Jiang Tongyan, aside from the misunderstanding that made things awkward, he had always been like a ‘benevolent father’ figure, yet Jiang Tongyan spoke of him like that in front of Cheng Sen.

       Speaking ill of him was one thing, but trying to get Cheng Sen to fire him was another.

       Qian Xiaoke felt so wronged that tears were about to burst out.

       Seeing Qian Xiaoke ignoring him, Jiang Tongyan rubbed his hands awkwardly: “I really didn’t do it on purpose.”

       “Which one was on purpose then?” Qian Xiaoke looked up and asked expressionlessly, “Was it not intentional to bad-mouth me, or not intentional to get Chairman Cheng to fire me? Jiang Tongyan, I’ve been trying to make it up to you, why do you have to treat me like this? Do you really hate me that much?”

       The two of them seemed to be acting in an idol drama, and Qian Xiao’s eyes turned red as he spoke.

       Jiang Tongyan never thought it would turn out like this. When he saw Qian Xiaoke was about to cry, he panicked.

       He quickly grabbed tissues from the desk, holding them out to catch Qian Xiaoke’s tears.

       Qian Xiaoke found his action silly and burst into laughter.

       “Annoying!”

       Jiang Tongyan saw him laughing and secretly let out a sigh of relief, “Yes, okay, good, I’m annoying.”

       Qian Xiaoke pouted and didn’t say anything.

       “Don’t cry,” Jiang Tongyan said, “It really wasn’t intentional. How about this, I’ll treat you to dinner tonight, hotpot or street barbecue, your choice, okay?”

       Qian Xiaoke looked up at him. He pursed his lips and muttered, “Is that all I’m worth to you?”

       “Huh?” Jiang Tongyan genuinely didn’t know how to soothe someone, always saying the wrong thing.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Eat spicy hotpot and also barbecue.”

       He sniffed and said, “Tonight, I want to eat snail noodles!”

       Although Jiang Tongyan didn’t know what snail noodles were, he agreed readily, saying to Qian Xiaoke, “Okay, whatever you want to eat.”

       He looked quite doting like this.

       Jiang Tongyan found that Qian Xiaoke was actually quite easy to coax. Just give him delicious food, and he wasn’t picky. He didn’t need Michelin-starred restaurants, just street food would do.

       He asked, “But, what is this snail noodle?”

       Qian Xiaoke shook his head and sighed, “You rich people are so ignorant!”

       Jiang Tongyan conceded, whatever Qian Xiaoke said today, he’d accept. He didn’t know how, but Qian Xiaoke had him wrapped around his finger. Life was indeed mysterious.

       “Then see you in the evening?” Jiang Tongyan said, “I have an appointment with Cheng Sen to discuss something in the afternoon. I guess the meeting will last until quite late. Will you wait?”

       “Why not, I’ve got nothing else to do.” Qian Xiaoke had nothing else to do anyway.

       Jiang Tongyan’s mood inexplicably improved, not even knowing why.

       After Jiang Tongyan left in a good mood, Qian Xiaoke sat there, happily checking the time. He also didn’t understand his own feelings, it was like there was a little bird in his heart, flapping its wings, making him restless, eager to fly.

       Maybe it was because of the snail noodles tonight, or because Jiang Tongyan was treating, he’d order an extra large bowl with ten quail eggs!

       Cheng Sen had no idea what had transpired outside, unaware of what ‘deal’ his partner had struck with his employee. After finishing his business meeting, he finally sent off the legendary guest who was extremely obsessed with cleanliness just before noon.

       Normally, if a client was still discussing business by noon, Cheng Sen would definitely invite them for a meal. But Manager Guan was different—he had a cleanliness obsession and couldn’t handle eating food from outside. Especially in the past couple of years since getting a partner, he had to go home for every meal.

       After seeing off the guests, Cheng Sen turned around and looked at Qian Xiaoke who was laughing foolishly.

       “What’s up? So happy?” Cheng Sen smiled and walked over, leaning against the front desk and asked, “Have a girlfriend?”

       Qian Xiaoke was shocked, “Chairman Cheng! How dare you say such a thing! It’s ruining someone’s reputation!”

       Cheng Sen laughed loudly, “Just asking casually, why are you so nervous?”

       He tapped the table lightly with his fingers, “Where do you live now?”

       Qian Xiaoke frowned and said nervously, “Chairman Cheng! Don’t believe the slander of the wicked!”

       “Hmm? Who’s the wicked one? What slander?” Cheng Sen laughed, “Don’t be nervous, just asking.”

       “Chairman Cheng, you must believe me, although the place I’m living is bad, living there won’t affect my mental health! It’s quite sunny there!” Qian Xiaoke explained, “And I’ll move out in another month and a half, although I won’t be able to rent a nice place, but it’ll be fine! You have to believe me, Chairman Cheng!”

       Cheng Sen looked at him, a little amused. As a boss, he really never asked about the employees’ private affairs, but now listening to Qian Xiaoke’s words, he realised how hard it must be for those who came to work from out of town. Their monthly salaries might be high, but the rent was even higher.

       “Okay, I understand.” Cheng Sen walked back thoughtfully.

       Qian Xiao had wanted to ask what he knew, but trying to guess what the boss was thinking was pointless. No matter how much he guessed, he would never figure it out. And if he had to guess, he knew better than to ask too much—asking would only have increased his chances of bad luck.

       During the lunch break, Qian Xiaoke thought about having a ‘big meal’ in the evening, so he bought a piece of bread and sat there. While eating the bread and playing a mobile game, Jiang Tongyan returned.

       Jiang Tongyan originally agreed to meet with Cheng Sen in the middle of the afternoon, but he was really bored in the hotel, so he came early.

       As soon as he got out of the elevator, he saw Qian Xiaoke playing mobile games and eating bread there and suddenly felt he was so pitiful.

       He was not even having a proper meal for lunch.

       So miserable.

       ‌It was pitiful to see him.

       “What are you doing?” Jiang Tongyan looked at the time, “Are you busy now?”

       Qian Xiaoke looked up at him, “Busy.”

       “… What are you busy with? Busy playing games?”

       “Busy eating!” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s my lunch break, not taking clients.”

       Jiang Tongyan wanted to ask this man to go downstairs to eat together. He was purely pitiful for Qian Xiao, but this kid didn’t appreciate it, so he just left.

       Jiang Tongyan rolled his eyes and turned away.

       Qian Xiaoke looked up at him, ignored him, and continued to eat bread and play games.

       Not long after, Jiang Tongyan returned with a packed lunch box in his hand.

       Qian Xiaoke ignored him until Jiang Tongyan put the lunch box in front of Qian Xiao.

       “Leftovers, eat it.” Jiang Tongyan said, “A reward for you.”

       Qian Xiaoke looked up and said to him, “Your leftovers are so neat?”

       “If I say it’s leftovers, it’s leftovers!”

       Qian Xiaoke pouted, “Then I won’t eat! You have a mysophobia!”

       Jiang Tongyan was happy, “What’s wrong with you kiddo? You are picky when I give you food.”

       “Although poor, but I have dignity, okay!”

       “…” Jiang Tongyan turned away, took a deep breath, then turned back, “Fine, I bought it for you.”

       Qian Xiaoke hadn’t finished the bread yet and looked at him while biting the bread.

       “What are you looking at? Just eat it.”

       “Then I won’t eat.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I won’t accept something for nothing. I can’t eat your food without knowing why.”

       His eyes lit up, “Unless you want to poison me?”

       “Why would I have the time for that? Who are you? Why would I want to poison you?” Jiang Tongyan said, “I just feel sorry for you, eating bread for lunch.”

       Qian Xiaoke stared at him and didn’t move.

       In the end, Jiang Tongyan gave in first.

       “Consider this your medical fee,” Jiang Tongyan said, “Did you not do that for me yesterday?”

       It was self-inflicted humiliation!

       Why did he have to bring that up?

       Jiang Tongyan bit off his tongue in hatred.

       Qian Xiaoke was upset, but he smiled. He put down the bread and opened the lunch box.

       “Alright, if you put it that way, I’ll accept it.” He opened it and exclaimed in surprise, “Wow, rich people are really something!”

       This restaurant had just opened recently, and Qian Xiaoke had passed by it several times. He looked at the promotional boards but never dared to go inside.

       One meal, four dishes, a mix of meat and vegetables, all colourful and aromatic!

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Chairman Jiang, you were really not that bad. Just for this meal alone, I’ll definitely give you a good massage tonight!”

       “What do you want to massage?” Cheng Sen walked out of the office.

       Jiang Tongyan gave Qian Xiaoke a glare, and Qian Xiaoke quickly shut up.

       This was Chairman Jiang’s secret, a wound that would bleed if touched.

       “Nothing,” Jiang Tongyan said, “Where are you going?”

       “I was going to ask you, why are you here so early?” Cheng Sen glanced at the lunch box in front of Qian Xiaoke and knew why Jiang Tongyan had come so early, “Have you eaten?”

       “No.” Jiang Tongyan thought: I was busy buying food for this ungrateful brat! And this little bastard still didn’t appreciate it!

       “Together?”

       “Let’s go.”

       Cheng Sen turned his head and asked Qian Xiao, “Xiaoke, let’s go eat together?”

       Qian Xiaoke almost choked and waved his hand quickly.

       Cheng Sen laughed and took Jiang Tongyan downstairs.

       In the elevator, Cheng Sen said, “If you’re going to pursue someone, do it properly; don’t act so weird all the time.”

       “Who am I pursuing?” Jiang Tongyan’s eyes almost popped out, “Who’s acting weird?”

       Cheng Sen just smiled without saying more, enjoying the drama and encouraging them to continue.

       Jiang Tongyan then had a meeting with Cheng Sen and the project team that lasted the whole afternoon.

       At around 4:00, they left the company to check out a site. Before leaving, Jiang Tongyan secretly told Qian Xiaoke at the front desk, “Wait for me to come back.”

       The two of them seemed to have a bit of that secret romance vibe.

       Qian Xiaoke got off work at six. Jiang Tongyan thought he’d be back by then, but they encountered some issues, and by the time they were resolved, it was almost six. Cheng Sen invited the project team to dinner, but Jiang Tongyan made an excuse to leave quickly.

       Cheng Sen didn’t stop him because he had guessed where he was going.

       On the way back from the site, Jiang Tongyan got stuck in traffic. He wanted to call Qian Xiaoke to let him know he was almost there but realised he didn’t have Qian Xiaoke’s number.

       That was awkward.

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t want to ask Cheng Sen because it was embarrassing, and he wanted to save his pride.

       He was really anxious as if his buttocks were growing grass on the way, making the taxi driver stop and turn around to look at him. The driver almost wanted to recommend a hospital for haemorrhoid treatment.

       Jiang Tongyan was very anxious, but Qian Xiaoke was waiting patiently.

       He didn’t really want to go home; the office environment was much better than his place.

       Jiang Tongyan rushed into the office building, waited anxiously for the elevator, and once inside, he watched the floor numbers. He took deep breaths to calm himself before the doors opened.

       When the elevator door opened, Qian Xiaoke looked up.

       “You’re back.” Qian Xiaoke was so calm, and then he continued to play games with his head down.

       Jiang Tongyan originally imagined that Qian Xiaoke was anxiously waiting and jumping up and down in the company. However, he didn’t expect that it was all in his head.

       “What are you doing?” Jiang Tongyan came over, “Still playing?”

       “Almost done.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I’m really good at this.”

       Jiang Tongyan really didn’t get what was so impressive about playing a match-3 game. If he had the ability to make him hard, now that would be truly impressive!

       “Okay, stop playing, pack up and go, I’m starving.”

       Jiang Tongyan urged, but Qian Xiaoke insisted on finishing this game.

       In fact, Jiang Tongyan was never a patient person. There were not many people who could make him wait.

       But he actually stood there and waited for Qian Xiaoke to play games, which was unbelievable.

       After finishing, Qian Xiaoke put away his phone contentedly, picked up his small backpack, and followed Jiang Tongyan off work.

       When the two walked into the elevator, Qian Xiaoke said, “Do you think we might suddenly have a power outage and get stuck in the elevator?”

       “…Qian Xiaoke, what’s in your head? Can’t you think of something good?”

       Qian Xiaoke laughed and apologised obediently.

       Fortunately, they did not encounter a sudden power outage or get trapped in the elevator. They walked into a snail noodle shop very smoothly.

       As soon as they entered the door, Jiang Tongyan frowned and rubbed his nose hard, “What’s this smell? Is this place sanitary? Can we eat somewhere else?”

       He found out Qian Xiaoke liked this kind of dirty, smelly food. What kind of person was he?

       Qian Xiaoke said, “This taste is authentic! You know, you will understand when the snail noodles come up.”

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t understand; he had never eaten this thing before.

       Jiang Tongyan stood there and ordered a portion of the snail noodles and then found a place to sit by the window.

       Jiang Tongyan was a little overwhelmed by the smell in the room. He wanted to take his head off and put it outside the window.

       At this moment, he didn’t know what was coming; when the snail noodles arrived, the smell would be even more pungent!

       Jiang Tongyan swore that he would never eat with Qian Xiaoke again!

       “What the hell!”

       When the waiter brought a bowl of deluxe snail noodles, Jiang Tongyan’s brain was about to explode.

       Are you sure there is no shit in it?

       Are you sure this thing is edible?

       Are you sure Qian Xiaoke is not deliberately messing with him?

       Jiang Tongyan rolled his eyes so hard he nearly fell out of his seat.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “I told you, rich people have no experience; this stuff is delicious.”

       “… This is a question of whether you have money or not.” Jiang Tongyan said, “Normal people would want to eat shit, right?”

       “You are the shit one! Can’t you be more civilised?!” Qian Xiaoke was annoyed; how could one insult snail noodles like that? This was one of humanity’s greatest inventions!

       Jiang Tongyan said, “If that’s the case, I’ll pay for it. You can have as many bowls as you want, but I’m leaving.”

       “No way!” Qian Xiaoke slammed the table, “You promised to have dinner with me!”

       The two people were shouting here, attracting the attention of the people around them. Those who saw thought they were a couple quarrelling.

       Jiang Tongyan, “Keep your voice down, keep your voice down, it’s embarrassing.”

       It was a Chinese virtue not to make noise in public places.

       Qian Xiaoke obediently lowered his voice, “Try it! It’s really delicious.”

       He added, “Snail noodles smell bad but taste amazing!”

       Jiang Tongyan was frowning, trying to distance himself.

       He felt like he couldn’t wear these clothes anymore; he was covered in the smell after sitting there for a while.

       Qian Xiaoke really wanted Jiang Tongyan to try it; missing out on this delicacy would be living in vain!

       Qian Xiaoke persuaded earnestly, “Chairman Jiang, remember the hotpot we had? You were hesitant at first, but you liked it after trying, right?”

       Seemed like it.

       “Also, you resisted the street barbecue at first, but who ate so much last night?” Qian Xiaoke said, “I used to blame and discriminate against you. You rich people are like this, going in and out of high-end restaurants all day but missing out on the real delicacies of the world.”

       Qian Xiaoke mixed the snail noodles in the bowl, “Do you know what the most important thing in life is?”

       “Being happy?”

       “Exactly!” Qian Xiaoke said, “The most important thing in life is daring to challenge oneself. As a seven feet tall, strong man, isn’t it embarrassing to go out and say you’ve never had snail noodles?”

       “Well,” Jiang Tongyan said, “I’m not seven feet tall.”

       “Huhh?” Qian Xiaoke was full of question marks. “In ancient times, ‘seven feet’ was roughly equivalent to ‘seven inches’ now. Calculated, it’s about 1.7 meters,” Jiang Tongyan said. “I’m almost 1.9 meters.”

       “…That’s not the point!” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s embarrassing not to have eaten snail noodles!”

       Jiang Tongyan looked at him, “Yes, it seems like no one around me has tried them.”

       “Then you should definitely try them!” Qian Xiaoke said, “Think about it, they haven’t tried it, but you have. Wouldn’t that make you look cool? More well-informed?”

       Jiang Tongyan actually wanted to say that they would not be comparing this. No one would give him a thumbs up and say ‘awesome’ from the bottom of their hearts just because he had eaten snail noodles.

       However, seeing Qian Xiaoke so seriously and earnestly in recommending this stinky thing, Jiang Tongyan was actually swayed.

       “Try it.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll eat some first.”

       Qian Xiaoke picked up a clump of noodles with chopsticks, slurping it down with evident enjoyment, good enough for an advertisement.

       Jiang Tongyan had already adapted to the taste a little bit at this time. He felt it was not as pungent and unbearable as at the beginning. Seeing Qian Xiaoke eating so deliciously, he even began to doubt whether he was really ignorant and did not know how to appreciate food.

       Jiang Tongyan looked around. Everyone was eating this thing, and everyone was eating with a flushed face.

       Try it?

       Maybe he should just try it.

       Jiang Tongyan picked up the chopsticks hesitantly.

       Sometimes, once the door to this new world was opened, incredible things would happen one after another.

       From the day Jiang Tongyan met Qian Xiaoke, he had stepped into a world he’d never known before–the ordinary, lively world of common people.

       Jiang Tongyan came from a wealthy family for generations. He was a real ‘golden’ young master and had been living a life of luxury since he was a child. He had always eaten the best steaks, drunk fresh milk, frequented high-end restaurants, and had a private car to ferry him around.

       He was the epitome of a pampered life.

       However, he was not overly spoiled except when dealing with Qian Xiaoke, where he often lost control of his temper. In front of others, he was always the epitome of grace, though his love life had never been smooth.

       Or rather, it had been completely smooth.

       In short, Jiang Tongyan never imagined he’d one day sit in an unremarkable street-side shop eating something that smelled this bad.

       What he didn’t expect was that this thing was actually delicious!

       “Why?” Jiang Tongyan couldn’t fathom how something could smell so bad yet taste so good.

       “Amazing, isn’t it?” Qian Xiaoke smiled and raised his eyebrows at him, “Try the peanuts in it, they’re amazing, my favourite!”

       Qian Xiaoke was thrilled, feeling like he’d contributed to promoting the cause of the snail noodles business today!

       Jiang Tongyan was once again amazed; this stuff wasn’t just edible; it was delicious.

       Spicy hot pot, roadside barbecue, snail noodles. He suddenly found that Qian Xiaoke was right, and he was a friend who could be deeply befriended—the premise is that Qian Xiaoke was mute.

       After eating, the people came out, and the breeze blew. The ‘wonderful’ smell of snail noodles was everywhere, which made Jiang Tongyan roll his eyes again. Jiang Tongyan, who had eaten and then destroyed the bridge, once again disliked the taste.

       “It stinks.”

       “It’s okay.” Qian Xiaoke said, “I’m happy.”

       Jiang Tongyan looked at him with a question mark on his head, thinking and wondering what there was to be happy about.

       “Chairman Jiang, do you have any plans later?”

       “What do you want to do?” Jiang Tongyan suddenly got nervous.

       Qian Xiaoke was full, standing there rubbing his bulging belly and said, “I practised a little this afternoon.”

       “Ah?”

       “I’ll give you a massage.” Qian Xiaoke said, “If you have nothing to do later, I’ll go back to the hotel with you and give you a massage.”

       Jiang Tongyan was shocked.

       “Qian Xiaoke! Are you serious?”

       “Of course, your disease hasn’t been cured yet.”

       Jiang Tongyan was starting to question his life.

       “Let’s go,” Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s been more than an hour.”

       “…During work hours?”

       Qian Xiaoke stopped and smiled awkwardly and said, “Well, you will tell Chairman Cheng, right?”

       Jiang Tongyan sneered, “It depends on my mood.”

       “So, are you in a good mood now?” Qian Xiaoke’s eyes sparkled, looking at Jiang Tongyan with pure innocence.

       “Neutral,” Jiang Tongyan pretended, “Neutral.”

       “Then if I perform a musical duo for you, will you be happy?”

       Jiang Tongyan laughed out loud, “You also know to do musical duo? Can you do it alone?”

       Qian Xiaoke looked at him and smiled, “See, you’re laughing, which means you’re in a good mood. You won’t tell Chairman Cheng then!”

       Such powerful logic left Jiang Tongyan speechless!

       “Let’s go,” Jiang Tongyan waved and called a taxi, “I’m impressed by you.”

       Qian Xiaoke followed behind and continued to ask, “So what you mean is that you are in a good mood now, right?”

       “Yes, yes, if you keep talking, I definitely won’t.”

       Hearing what he said, Qian Xiaoke immediately shut up obediently.

       Back at Jiang Tongyan’s hotel, as they walked in, Jiang Tongyan started to question his life choices again: What was he doing? Was this not better than seeing a psychologist? Why was he messing around like this with Qian Xiaoke?

       Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoke followed behind like a little assistant, reviewing in his mind what he needed to ‘study’ next.

       Hold it first, then gently and tenderly…

       It would be best to say things like ‘You’re so great’ or ‘You’re so big’ to boost confidence during the process.

       Qian Xiaoke really prepared for the lesson!

       They went upstairs together and entered the suite.

       This time, when Qian Xiaoke walked into this suite again, he had a new appreciation for the place.

       3688 for one night, which was 688 more than his rent for a month!

       Luxurious!

       It’s too luxurious!

       Qian Xiaoke put his schoolbag aside and then heard Jiang Tongyan say, “Let’s take a shower first.”

       “Okay.”

       “You go too.”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke was startled, “Do you want to shower together? That’s not part of the treatment!”

       “Shower together, my head.” Jiang Tongyan said, “I’ll use this bathroom, you use that one.”

       He removed his clothes and walked to the bathroom, “You’re covered in that smell; you’ll stink up the whole room.”

       Qian Xiaoke smelled himself, and indeed, not only his clothes but even his hair smelled of snail noodles.

       He trotted off to take a shower, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but then he thought, he had already done those things with Jiang Tongyan. Although it was ‘unfinished and ended halfway’, they had already seen each other naked. 

       There was no need to be shy.

       So, Qian Xiaoke took a comfortable bath.

       After he finished his bath, he was fragrant and soft. He walked out in a clean bathrobe hanging in the bathroom and said to Jiang Tongyan happily, “It’s so comfortable. This is the perfect time for grown-ups to do what grown-ups do!”

       Jiang Tongyan was in a good mood after taking a bath, but when he heard Qian Xiaoke’s words, he felt that the other party was mocking him.

       He stood by the window sipping tea and turned back angrily, but seeing Qian Xiaoke looking all rosy and warm, he felt an indescribable surge of desire.

       Qian Xiaoke sat on the bed and patted him, “Chairman Jiang, come on, let’s get started.”

       It was late and after the massage, he could go home.

       Or so Qian Xiaoke thought, but in Jiang Tongyan’s eyes, this gesture looked like an invitation for something else, something very intimate.

       Jiang Tongyan’s heartbeat suddenly quickened. He realized that whenever he was around Qian Xiao now, he would constantly experience that strange, inexplicable feeling—something similar to… the feeling of a crush.

       This was simply wonderful.

       He didn’t like fools or sharp-tongued people.

       But here he was, his mind and body out of his control, sitting obediently next to Qian Xiaoke.

       Qian Xiaoke tilted his head to look at him, “Then let’s get ready.”

       Jiang Tongyan’s heart beat fast, and he felt that the blood in his body was flowing backwards.

       Given the situation, shouldn’t it be enough?

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t notice his unusual behavior; instead, he calmly began his ‘treatment’.

       With the heart of a healer, Qian Xiaoke maintained his integrity and composure at this moment.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Chairman Jiang, relax, take a deep breath, and imagine the happiest moment of your life.”

       The happiest moment?

       Jiang Tongyan’s face instantly turned red.

T/N:
It’s long right? It feels like the chapter is excitingly long right?
This chapter is 2-3x longer than usual (*꒦ິ꒳꒦ີ)
I’ll try to keep the 1x/week update but this chapter makes me quite tired because it’s long, lmao
So forgive me in advance if I didn’t post anything next week ><

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Chapter 37

January 31, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Separated by a door, neither could sleep.

       The people outside the door were waiting uneasily, while the people inside were leaning on the bedside and quietly looking out the window at the moon hanging high in the night sky.

       It wasn’t until the sky began to lighten with dawn that Chu Yichen said, “Let him in.”

       Upon hearing the words, Chu Yunhan jumped and rushed into the room in a few hurried steps. Seeing the man seated on the sofa, he grew nervous again and asked cautiously, “Did you… get some rest?” He hadn’t slept all night, and his eyes were swollen and red from crying, looking pitiful like a tearful little rabbit.

       Du Chuan and Bai Xiao both retreated, leaving only two people in the room.

       The man glanced at him and said, “Sit down.”

       Chu Yunhan sat down on the nearby sofa, his gaze stopped on Chu Yichen. The memory of last night’s scene flashed before his eyes, as if he could see through the pajamas to the terrifying scars underneath. His heart trembled, and his eyes grew red again. Catching sight of Chu Yichen’s somber expression, he quickly realized and lowered his head to adjust his own expression, muttering, “There seems to be something in my eye…”

       Chu Yichen was silent for a while and said, “I didn’t let you see these scars because I felt it unnecessary. I know very well the kind of person you are, and I know the situation I might face. Rescuing you meant abandoning my responsibilities as the family head—it was my own decision, and the consequences should be mine to bear. They have nothing to do with you.” He paused and continued, “I forced you to submit because I didn’t control myself or keep my emotion in check when I saw the traces left by Sheng the fifth on your body. That was my one-sided obsession with you. I tried to turn you into my private property through my status as the head of the family, which pushed you to almost commit suicide. I will try my best to make up for these mistakes in the future. If you want, we can continue as strangers with a casual relationship. If you’re tired of it, we can end the arrangement. I can even help you find another Dom.”

       Chu Yunhan never expected that the other party would say such words, and he was stunned. “It has nothing to do with me…?” He murmured and repeated, with a layer of bitter sadness on his face, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have done this at all. If it weren’t for me…”

       “So?” Chu Yichen abruptly interrupted his words, stared at him with a pair of black eyes, and said, “Aside from guilt, what else do you plan to do? What can you do for me? What I want, you can’t give me. And the one thing I don’t want is your pity.” He added, in a soft voice that dissipated like smoke.

       But Chu Yunhan heard it. What the man said was—”I’d rather it be hatred than pity.” He froze in place, unable to say a word.

       A dry and long silence spread in the room, and a deep chasm seemed to have formed between the two of them. They were standing on opposite sides of each other, looking at each other—close yet impossibly far.

       “Leave. You should get to work,” Chu Yichen finally said, his voice laced with an indescribable weariness. He stood and walked toward his desk.

       The moment their gazes broke apart, a wave of inexplicable panic surged from the depths of Chu Yunhan’s heart. His chest felt hollow, as though he were being pushed into that abyss, tumbling downward, about to be shattered to pieces. The person before him seemed to be moving further and further away, on the verge of disappearing altogether.

       He sprang to his feet suddenly, walked over quickly, and hugged the figure tightly with both hands. He didn’t know why he did this, but he knew that at this moment, he wanted to do this. Only by doing so could he dispel the fear and unease, only by doing so could he hold on to the person in front of him. The urge was so strong it made him tremble slightly, his body pressed tightly against the man in his arms.

       Chu Yichen, who was suddenly hugged, froze, and the documents in his hand fell on the table.

       His hands trembled, his heart trembled, and his body seemed to be about to lose control due to tension. Chu Yunhan lowered his eyelashes, resting his forehead against the nape of Chu Yichen’s neck, his voice tinged with a crying tone as he murmured, “I’ll give you… anything you want… Just don’t push me away…”

       The usually cold man’s eyes now had an uncontrollable reddish colour. His hand, pressed against the desk, tightened, knuckles white. He tried his best to force his voice to remain steady and said, “Do you even know what you’re saying?”

       “I do,” Chu Yunhan said, his voice trembling. “It’s not pity. It’s regret… regret for what I’ve done, regret for my stupidity, for knowing nothing, for letting you get hurt so badly… When I saw those scars, I…” He lowered his head and couldn’t go on. The feeling of distress seemed to come up again as if it was going to tear him apart. Hot tears seeped into Chu Yichen’s back, leaving small, warm stains.  He choked out and said, “I thought about it all night yesterday. I owe you too much, more than I can ever repay. If you want, I’ll give you my heart and my life. For the rest of my time… we’ll stay entangled like this. And if you don’t want that… I still want to stay by your side…”

       A heart, a life, a lifetime. That was what he was offering.

       Chu Yichen was stunned and stood motionless as if even his breathing had stopped.

       He didn’t dare move, like a child suddenly given a long-coveted toy, too overjoyed to even touch it; like a lonely tree where, after ages of solitude, a bird finally landed, afraid to rustle its branches lest it scare the bird away; like someone lost in a long-awaited dream, holding his breath, afraid of waking the one who had never appeared in his dreams before.

       This was enough, wasn’t it? To hear these words in this lifetime, even if it were a dream, he seemed to have no regrets.

       There was moisture in the man’s eyes, and he suppressed it, rolling in his eyes.

       Chu Yunhan, who had not received a response for a long time, was full of loss and sadness. These words had drained all his courage, leaving him without the strength to demand an answer. The hand around Chu Yichen’s waist slowly loosened, and he took half a step back dejectedly. Feeling that the other party turned around to face him, without daring to raise his head, he said hastily, “Did I… make it difficult for you again? I won’t cause you any more trouble in the future…” He tried to force a smile, but it wouldn’t come. His expression was painfully forlorn, and he didn’t know what to do. Before he could even finish talking, and he said, “I’ll leave now,” 

       He suddenly felt an arm hook around his waist, pulling him into a firm embrace. His chin was tilted upward at the same time.

       A layer of soft warmth enveloped his lips, very light and shallow, like a dragonfly passing over the water or like snowflakes touching the wings of a bird.

       It took Chu Yunhan a long time to realise that it was a kiss. He stood there stunned and slowly closed his red eyes.

       It was a kiss of utmost gentleness, like an answer, like a comfort. It felt as though a patient and polite gentleman was lingering and moving tenderly, awaiting a shared, intimate dance. The more intense the emotions, the more restrained the movements became. Chu Yichen treated him with the caution one would afford an ancient, priceless porcelain artifact.

       The heat in the air gradually rose; their breathing grew uneven, their heartbeats chaotic, their thoughts tangled. It felt intoxicating, as though his entire body was aflame, each inch burning with the uncontrollable desire to get closer to the other. The phrase ‘skin-to-skin contact’ floated into Chu Yunhan’s mind. He realized that the touch of skin could indeed convey emotions. In that kiss, he seemed to sense the buried emotions within this cold and lonely man—his restraint, his sadness, and his inexpressible love and hate. Chu Yunhan gently raised his hand to embrace the other, then lifted his face and pressed his lips firmly against the man’s fervent ones.

       There was a momentary pause in the other’s movements. Then, fiery breaths surged forward with unyielding dominance, and the man roughly captured his lips. Chu Yichen’s hot and wet tongue pried his lips open, relentlessly occupying and consuming his mouth as if determined to seize even his very breath. Chu Yichen was like a wild beast, rough and aggressive, deepening the kiss with such ferocity that it felt as though he wanted to devour him whole and fuse him into his very being.

       Chu Yunhan closed his eyes tightly, raised his neck and let the other party take over. There was a chaotic buzzing in his head, and his whole body felt like it was on fire, almost burning.

       For the first time, he saw Chu Yichen’s heart clearly.

       After he tore through the dust-covered heart in every possible way and cut it open layer by layer, he finally understood.

       It turns out that within his heart, it was him.

       That man had hidden it so deeply—so deeply that it required stripping down to the bone to uncover. And he had been so foolish—foolish enough to repeatedly let him down.

       At this moment, Chu Yunhan also saw his own heart clearly for the first time.

       At some unknown point, a shadow had begun to take shape within it. Slowly, it occupied more and more space. Slowly, it grew clearer and clearer. Slowly, it became a constant attachment, a perpetual concern. 

       Chu Yichen.

       I owe you a heart, so I will repay you with this heart. Your heart holds me; my heart holds you. Only then will it be fair—only then will it be whole.

       Brotherhood, debts, entanglements, the past—none of it matters anymore.

       Even if I end up falling into hell for this forbidden love, I only hope to face it together with you.

       There were tears in the corners of his eyes sliding down his cheeks. Chu Yunhan tightened his arms around the man as if he wanted to become one with him in the scorching flames.

       Let us start over.

       No longer as ignorant and naive boys, no longer as estranged brothers, no longer as tormenting adversaries, no longer as awkwardly silent master and servant.

       I am willing to accompany you, using my life as a yardstick, to accompany you all the way until the end.

       Leave my thoughts in your ears word by word, so that I may never again wander alone.  

       Let me gather your emotions, bit by bit, into my palm, so that you may never again drift aimlessly.

       Chu Yichen, let us start over.

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Chapter 36

January 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Chu Yunhan’s hands were trembling, and so were his lips. His mind felt like a beach battered and scattered by massive waves, leaving him incapable of coherent thought. He stared blankly at the scarred body before him, then stiffly raised his eyes to look at the face behind the oxygen mask.

       Their gazes met.

       Chu Yichen closed his eyes tiredly.

       “Why… is he tied up?” Chu Yunhan’s voice was hoarse as if someone were strangling him, and every word was excruciating to utter.

       Zhang Juan took a towel and wiped the sweat beading on Chu Yichen’s forehead, speaking calmly, “As you can see, I’ve stitched him up inside and out. His physical condition is decent, but he’s recovering quickly. These injuries, for him, aren’t too serious. However…” The doctor’s expression dimmed as he continued slowly, “They injected him with a central nervous system stimulant. The dosage was too high, leading to a certain degree of addiction. When the withdrawal symptoms hit, and his body doesn’t receive the drug, it causes excruciating pain. As for how intense the pain is…”

       He paused, looked at Chu Yunhan and said, “I researched it. The data suggests that the withdrawal pain is akin to thousands of ants gnawing their way out of the body all at once. When it happened for the first time, he completely tore off the gauze from his wounds, flesh and all, injured Du Chuan, and ended up curling into a ball, begging me to shoot him.”

       Tears welled up in Chu Yunhan’s eyes, blurring his vision as he stared unblinkingly at the man lying before him.

       This was the man who had never bowed his head to anyone. This was the man who habitually endured in silence. This was the man who would swallow broken teeth along with his blood.

       What kind of unbearable pain would it take for someone like him to beg his doctor for death?

       “I originally planned to gradually reduce the drug dosage to ease the process. The pain would have been somewhat milder that way. But he didn’t want to touch the drug anymore, so now he can only rely on his willpower to endure it. All I can do is give him mild sedatives and painkillers, though the pain relief is far from effective. He’s afraid of hurting others or doing something irrational due to the pain, so he asked us to tie him up when he had an attack,” Zhang Juan sighed. “Although the frequency and intensity of his episodes have been decreasing, it will still take some time to fully recover. Judging by this situation, overexertion might have been the trigger.”

       Chu Yunhan’s chest heaved as he breathed, and the scars on the man’s body rose and fell along with the motion. Beneath his touch, the bullet wound’s scar was clear and frightening. A thought was forming in his mind, growing sharper with every passing moment, awaiting final confirmation.

       The Gray Wolf’s fierce eyes flashed through his mind.

       —Everything is up to you, Young Master Yun.

       —The person had been caught. Young Master Yun can rest assured that he will not be allowed to die so easily.

       —Just leave it to me. You don’t have to worry, and you will be the head of the Chu family soon.

       “Who…” Those two words seemed to drain all his strength, and he could no longer muster the courage to complete the question.

       Zhang Juan was silent for a moment and said, “You should already have the answer in your heart, right? There are very few people in this world who can hurt him, very few people who can deceive him, who can make him put aside his responsibility as the head of the family and sacrifice his life to save regardless of the overall situation. He issued a ban prohibiting anyone from mentioning his injuries in front of you. He didn’t want you to feel guilty, yet he’s been carrying that guilt himself. On that day, to save him, Black Eagle lost 32 people. Gray Wolf’s men decapitated them and hung their heads on the flagpoles at the junkyard.”

       So it was…really him…

       He was the demon who pushed Chu Yichen into hell.

       He was the culprit who ruined this body like this.

       It’s him…

       He had never thought about what happened in the three hours when Chu Yichen fell into the hands of Gray Wolf.

       He had never thought about what methods Gray Wolf would use to deal with Chu Yichen.

       He had never thought about how Chu Yichen escaped.

       He just coveted that position on a whim, so he followed the enemy’s instigation and made a phone call pretending to be kidnapped, deceiving the people he was supposed to be closest to into an irreversible trap.

       —I will do as you ask, provided you do not hurt him.

       On the phone, Chu Yichen’s voice was steady, unwavering. Without hesitation, he came for him, walking step by step into the trap that had been meticulously laid by his own hands.

       The thin line between life and death, covered with bruises. Unable to live, unable to die.  

       How much blood had that scarred body shed? What kind of torment and humiliation had he endured? How much pain had he suffered?

       He didn’t know.

       He knew nothing.

       He had simply acted as though nothing had happened, calling out ‘Yichen’ as if everything were normal, selfishly placing himself in the role of the victim. Shamelessly, he had told that man, “Chu Yichen, we’re brothers.” He had even brazenly accused him, “Yes, I did set a trap to deceive you. But now you’ve gained everything you wanted, and I’ve been left with nothing. I didn’t stand in your way or cause you any real harm. Why are you treating me like this?”

       How could he? How dare he say such a thing after torturing this man into such a broken state?

       Now he understood why Chu Yichen would not take off his clothes in front of him even during sex; he understood why Chu Yichen had such a complicated expression when looking at him. He understood all the things he had never understood before. It was only when he saw it with his own eyes, when he touched it with his own hands, that he realised the magnitude of his mistake. Only then did he understand how thoroughly he had destroyed this man.

       Layers of mist formed in his sour eyes, turning everything in front of him into blurry chaos. Many faces appeared in front of him; all of them were Chu Yichen. There was the way he smiled when he was a teenager, there was the way he was focused when playing ball, there was the way he played chess with himself, there was the way he looked lonely as he left, and there was the way he pressed himself on the bed coldly and ruthlessly.

       Chu Yichen’s voice echoed softly in his ears.

       —I have been wondering if it is because my tolerance and leniency towards you make you feel that no matter what you do to me, you can be forgiven?

       He never understood how much pain and sorrow this question contained. This was the person who had been by his side since they were young, who had treated him with endless patience and tolerance, who had never once voiced any grievances. And yet this person had been hurt so deeply by his selfishness, jealousy, and reckless actions, left broken beyond repair—and still, he hadn’t killed him. Still, he had let him go. Still, he had kept it all a secret.

       “If I’m willing to become a stranger?” the figure in the room on the East Shore softly said.

       “I will take good care of him. Please rest assured.” said the man standing straight before the Chu family tombstone, his gaze lowered.

       “Take him away and protect him. This is an order!” Amidst the gunshots one after another, the look that looked at him deeply was revealed.

       In the end, that man still chose to protect him. 

       The pain in his heart was sharp, as though a blade had pierced through it, so intense that he couldn’t make a sound. His strength seemed to drain away, his chest tight with suffocation. His body swayed, and large tears spilt from Chu Yunhan’s eyes, scalding as they fell onto the scarred body of the man before him.

       “I’m sorry… I don’t know… I don’t know anything… I’m sorry…” Chu Yunhan choked and spoke, trembling with every word. His hand, trembling as well, hesitated to touch the body before him, afraid of offending the man who lay there. In the end, he could only stand there, helpless and unsure of what to do.

       Chu Yichen frowned deeply and never opened his eyes.

       Seeing the two of them like this, Zhang Juan said helplessly, “Young Master Yun, you should return to your room first.”

       Chu Yunhan shook his head persistently, “I want to stay here.”

       “He needs a quiet rest.” Dr. Zhang had no choice but to persuade him again.

       “I won’t talk. I’ll just stay here… I won’t make a sound…”

       Zhang Juan sighed and hardened his heart, “Your presence here affects his mood and the treatment. I’m the doctor; you have to listen to me.”

       Chu Yunhan looked at Zhang Juan with reddened eyes, then at the man lying on the bed. After a moment of silence, he softly said, “Then… I’ll wait outside…” Finally, he lowered his head and walked out.

       Once the door closed, the doctor sat by the bed, his gaze falling on Chu Yichen’s arm, where the veins bulged as he gripped the edge of the bed tightly. With a hint of exasperation, Zhang Juan said, “I know you don’t want him to see you like this, but if he doesn’t know anything, the stalemate between you two will never end. Now that he’s gone, stop holding it in. If it hurts, just cry out.”

       The man still remained silent, his eyes tightly shut, completely motionless.

 

       Chu Yunhan didn’t return to his room, instead choosing to stay outside Chu Yichen’s door. No matter how Du Chuan tried to persuade him, he stubbornly refused to move. The butler, seeing that he wouldn’t budge, reluctantly had a single sofa brought in so he could sit for a while.

       He just sat on the sofa and waited. Sometimes, he stared blankly at the door, other times he lowered his head, lost in thought, his eyes red. Occasionally, he wiped at the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand. The slightest movement of the door would make him lift his head like a rabbit, nervously glancing around.

       More than two hours later, Zhang Juan and his assistants came out. Chu Yunhan immediately jumped up from the sofa and asked anxiously, “Is he feeling better?”

       The doctor nodded. “The pain’s passed, but he’s too weak to get up for the time being. I think that when he fully recovers, he’ll be the first to kill me, so I’m making a quick exit now.” He smiled at him, adding, “You two… really…”

       Before he finished speaking, Bai Xiao came out and said with a grin, “Doctor Zhang, the Young Master’s order has come. They want to arrest you and put you in solitary confinement. If you don’t run now, I’ll have to take action.”

       “This guy…” Zhang Juan cursed, then quickly slipped downstairs.

       Chu Yunhan was about to enter but was stopped by Bai Xiao.

       “Young Master wants you to go back and rest.”

       “I’ll just take a look at him.”

       “He… doesn’t want to see you now.”

       Hearing this sentence, the corners of his eyes turned red again. He stood dryly for a while and murmured, “I’ll stay here. Whenever he wants to see me, he can call me.”

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Chapter 88

January 28, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       They spent the entire afternoon in Zhan Weiguang’s room.

       Zhan Weiguang wanted to play games, but Zhan Weiyang said he wanted to read and didn’t want to play with him, so Pei Qing sat down to play games with Zhan Weiguang.

       Zhan Weiyang lay on Zhan Weiguang’s bed with a book spread out in front of him. While reading, he reached out to take the milk tea on the bedside table.

       Zhan Weiguang saw it and said, “If you dare to dirty my bed, I will kill you.”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at him, silently turned his back to him, and continued drinking the milk tea.

       Pei Qing played the game a little carelessly. He received WeChat messages from work from time to time and often had to stop to reply to WeChat.

       Zhan Weiguang felt very strange, “Didn’t you just join the company? Why are you so busy?”

       Pei Qing replied, “It was originally the company where I interned before. They are all familiar colleagues and familiar working environments. It’s easier to get started.”

       After that, his mobile phone rang, so he took the mobile phone out to answer a call.

       When Pei Qing came back to Zhan Weiguang’s room, he found Zhan Weiyang lying on the bed and had fallen asleep.

       Zhan Weiguang turned down the volume of the game, walked to the bed, pulled open the quilt and put it on his chest, his expression full of complaints.

       Pei Qing whispered, “You slept for so long in the morning. Why are you sleeping again?”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “He sleeps late every night, so he is used to taking a nap.”

       Pei Qing thought for a while and said, “That’s why he’s still just a kid with a mind that’s completely pure and free of worries. He sleeps well every day too.”

       Zhan Weiguang looked at him strangely.

       Pei Qing said, “What’s wrong?”

       Zhan Weiguang glanced at the sleeping Zhan Weiyang again and said to Pei Qing, “Can we go out and talk?”

       Pei Qing nodded.

       The two left the room and came to the corridor. There was no air conditioning outside. The afternoon sun shone directly through the window, and their body suddenly felt the temperature’s heat.

       Zhan Weiguang didn’t get an answer to his question in the morning, so he still wanted to ask Pei Qing, and he also wanted to add Pei Qing’s words just now, he said, “Since you think Zhan Weiyang is like a child, why can you still date him?”

       Pei Qing smiled and answered naturally, “Because he is not a child after all.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “I still don’t understand.”

       Pei Qing said, “If you don’t understand, don’t think about it. Just know that I am serious about Yangyang.”

       Zhan Weiguang looked at him and said nothing.

       Pei Qing was silent for a while and said, “If you must ask, it’s that I need to feel needed by others.”

       Zhan Weiguang tried to understand Pei Qing’s words and blurted out, “Do you want to raise a son?”

       Pei Qing couldn’t help laughing and said, “Don’t let your father hear this.”

       “You dare to say that about my father!” Zhan Weiguang said, “Have you ever thought about his reaction when the time comes?”

       Pei Qing said, “I have thought about all the consequences. It doesn’t matter. It’s just an experience that you always need to face.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “I’m afraid you can’t make it.”

       “You can always make it,” Pei Qing looked out the window, “When you think you can’t make it, just imagine the future and grit your teeth to get through it. Don’t limit yourself to the pain in front of you. Look at your brother, how hard he works to get into a good university.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Okay, as long as you think you can.”

       Pei Qing looked at him, “In fact, I didn’t expect you to be able to accept it. I thought it would be more difficult.”

       This time, Zhan Weiguang was silent for a while, and he said earnestly, “I was thinking before, do I have the qualification to oppose Zhan Weiyang’s relationship?”

       Pei Qing did not say anything.

       Zhan Weiguang said, “I don’t think I am.”

       Pei Qing hesitated momentarily and said, “I don’t think we should say whether we have the right to object. It is understandable that you and Uncle are concerned and even interfere with Yangyang’s relationship.” At this point, he paused before continuing, “But I will tell him not to listen.”

       Zhan Weiguang cursed.

       Pei Qing smiled and said, “Human emotions can be understood by each other. I will sympathise with your thoughts, but sympathy does not mean blind obedience.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “I know.” He lowered his gaze and said softly, “If it weren’t for me, Zhan Weiyang wouldn’t be like this now. I hope he can be happy in the future.”

       It was the first time Pei Qing heard Zhan Weiguang say such a thing. He said, “It’s not because of you. You were also a child at that time.”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “If I didn’t fight with others—”

       “Weiguang,” Pei Qing interrupted him, “There are no ‘ifs.’ If your uncle hadn’t taken you swimming that day, if Yangyang had stayed close to him… None of that matters. What’s done is done, and you have to accept it. Living in guilt and self-blame won’t change anything.”

       Zhan Weiguang raised his hand to cover his face and said, “Qing ge, there’s something I’ve never said before. I often think that I am responsible for Zhan Weiyang and should take care of him for his whole life. But if he stays with me for his whole life, neither of us will be happy. So, I’m grateful for your presence.” He paused, and because his hand was covering his face, his expression was hidden, but his voice was choked with emotion when he continued speaking, “I just hope you’re truly sincere with Zhan Weiyang and that he’s truly sincere with you, that you both can be happy together. It’s not that I want to get rid of him; I just don’t want to see him as a burden. I believe he shouldn’t be a burden.”

       “Of course he is not a burden, “Pei Qing said, “You can rest assured. I’m sincere, and I am very happy to be with him.”

       After Zhan Weiguang finished speaking, Pei Qing noticed that he still hadn’t calmed down from his emotional state. Pei Qing raised his hand and patted Zhan Weiguang’s back, saying, “Why are you acting like a child too?”

       Zhan Weiguang said, “These are things I can’t say, to anyone. Do you understand?”

       Pei Qing hugged him and comforted him, “I understand.”

       At this time, the door was suddenly opened from the inside.

       Zhan Weiyang poked his head out with messy hair. Just as he was about to speak, he was stunned when he saw Pei Qing hugging Zhan Weiguang.

       Zhan Weiguang’s first reaction was to stand up straight, wipe his face with his hand and walk away. He really didn’t want to lose face in front of Zhan Weiyang.

       Zhan Weiyang, however, kept staring at the two of them, and after a while, he came over, pulled Pei Qing’s sleeve, and said, “Let’s go down.”

       Pei Qing replied, “Okay, let’s go down.”

       Zhan Weiyang grabbed Pei Qing’s hand with one hand, held his book with the other, and pulled Pei Qing downstairs together. When he reached the stairs, he turned around again and looked at Zhan Weiguang angrily.

       Zhan Weiguang was in no mood to care about these things, so he went straight into the bathroom and turned on the cold water to wash his face.

       Zhan Weiyang was still unhappy until he returned to his room. He asked Pei Qing, “Why did you hug Zhan Weiguang?”

       Pei Qing said, “I just saw him crying and comforted him.”

       Zhan Weiyang sat on the bed and said angrily, “You can’t hug him too!”

       Pei Qing squatted in front of him and looked up at him, “I just hugged him a little.”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “No!”

       Pei Qing nodded, “Okay, I won’t do it again in the future.”

       Zhan Weiyang was still unhappy, but he couldn’t help but be curious and asked, “Why did Zhan Weiguang cry again?”

       “Again?” Pei Qing was surprised.

       Zhan Weiyang nodded, with a tone of disdain, “He cries more and more now.”

       Pei Qing said, “Well…”

       Zhan Weiyang thought for a moment, looked at Pei Qing, and asked tentatively, “If Zhan Weiguang has no place to live in the future, can he live next door to us?”

       At that moment, Pei Qing thought that if Zhan Weiguang knew that Zhan Weiyang cared about him so much, he might be moved to tears again. He smiled and said, “Sure.”

The author has something to say:
Doesn’t it look like He Shuhuan hugging a crying Ruping when Yiping discovers them?

Notes:
Apparently, the author is talking about a scene from Romance in the Rain

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Chapter 87

January 25, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Pei Qing passed the company interview, and those two days were also the days of Zhan Weiyang’s final exam.

       Since it was the same company where Pei Qing had previously interned, and he had performed exceptionally well during his internship, several people among the interviewers were familiar with him. Passing the interview was quite easy for him. Furthermore, as soon as he passed the interview, the company immediately offered him a contract and had him start taking over the work.

       Pei Qing met Qin Yishan, whom he had not seen for half a year. Although the two had contact information, they had never contacted each other. It was probably last month that Pei Qing saw Qin Yishan had a boyfriend in the Moments.

       This time, when Pei Qing came back, Qin Yishan took the time to treat him to a meal. They didn’t talk about feelings but about the company and work. Qin Yishan said that the manager valued Pei Qing very much and asked him to work hard and develop well.

       “Thank you,” Pei Qing thanked her sincerely.

       It was not until the weekend, when work was stable that Pei Qing bought some gifts to visit the elders at Zhan Weiyang’s home.

       He arrived at around 10 am on a Saturday morning. Zhan Weiyang was still sleeping in and hadn’t gotten up.

       Grandma always liked Pei Qing and was happy to see him. She took his hand and asked him to sit on the sofa, asking about his recent situation and his family situation.

       Pei Qing patiently chatted with Grandma.

       Zhan Pengcheng came over and sat down soon. He asked Pei Qing, “Have you really decided to come here to work?”

       Pei Qing nodded, “Yes, Uncle.”

       Zhan Pengcheng smiled and said, “It’s good for young people to come out and try their luck, but the last time I talked to your father, he said he still hopes you can help him after graduation.”

       “Actually, he doesn’t need my help. Right now, he is doing quite well running the company with Auntie; they are still young, and the two of them have a tacit understanding. They don’t need me,” Pei Qing said in a flat tone.

       Zhan Pengcheng nodded, “But parents always want their children to be around.”

       Pei Qing smiled and said, “Uncle, not every parent is as concerned about their children as you are.” He was speaking from the heart. After watching for so long, he knew that Zhan Pengcheng really gave 100% of his heart to Zhan Weiyang.

       Zhan Pengcheng said, “My situation is special. For Weiguang, I have no objection if he wants to go out and explore the world, after all, he is a boy. For Weiyang, forget it; it is best for him to stay at home.”

       At this point, Zhan Pengcheng paused for a moment and said to Pei Qing tentatively, “Yangyang said before that he wanted to take the entrance exam for C University. Can you help me persuade him not to go so far?”

       Pei Qing asked, “Is Uncle confident that Yangyang can get into C University?”

       Zhan Pengcheng suddenly sounded a little smug, “Yangyang has worked hard this semester, and his teacher said that he has made great progress. I don’t think it is impossible. What if he really gets in?”

       Pei Qing thought to himself that only the biological parents could have such strong confidence. However, he maintained his composure and said, “If he get accepted, then go ahead. After all, it’s one of the top universities in the country.”

       Zhan Pengcheng said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea. It’s still too far away.”

       At this time, Zhan Weiguang walked down the stairs in slippers.

       He was taken aback to see Pei Qing, “Qing ge, when did you come?”

       His school had just been closed for the holiday, and he had just returned from school last night. It was quite late when he got home, and he fell asleep after taking a shower.

       Before Pei Qing answered, Zhan Pengcheng said, “Your Qing ge came here to find a job.”

       Zhan Weiguang looked at Pei Qing with a complicated expression.

       Zhan Pengcheng said, “What are you doing standing there for? Go and have breakfast.” Then he stood up and said, “Yangyang should have breakfast too. If you keep sleeping, it’ll be noon already.” After that, he walked upstairs, apparently intending to wake Zhan Weiyang up.

       Zhan Weiguang walked to the dining room, looked at Pei Qing halfway and said, “Have you had breakfast?”

       Pei Qing replied, “Yes.”

       Zhan Weiguang asked, “Would you like to eat more?”

       Pei Qing smiled, stood up from the sofa, and said to Grandma, “I’ll go and have something to eat with Weiguang.”

       He followed Zhan Weiguang to the dining table and sat down. There were only two of them in the dining room. Auntie Luo quickly put Zhan Weiguang’s breakfast on the table and went to the kitchen to continue preparing lunch.

       Zhan Weiguang waited until Auntie Luo left before grabbing Pei Qing’s wrist and saying, “Don’t tell me that your coming back has nothing to do with Zhan Weiyang!”

       Pei Qing calmly glanced at his grabbed hand and said, “Of course it has something to do with it. Why are you so agitated?”

       Zhan Weiguang was indeed a little agitated, but he still remembered to suppress his voice and said, “Have you thought it through? Is it really okay to decide so casually on such an important matter as work?”

       Pei Qing said, “Is that important?”

       Zhan Weiguang was stunned, “Isn’t it important?”

       Pei Qing smiled, “It’s more important to come back to accompany Yangyang. If the job is not suitable, I can find another one.” But where in the world could he find another person who was as cute as Zhan Weiyang and so wholeheartedly devoted to him?

       Zhan Weiguang couldn’t help but say, “Are you crazy?”

       Pei Qing didn’t say anything.

       Zhan Weiguang said, “Can I ask you a question?”

       Pei Qing looked at him, “What?”

       Zhan Weiguang asked seriously, “What do you like about my brother?” He couldn’t figure it out.

       Before Pei Qing answered this question, Zhan Weiyang had already run down from upstairs, rushed into the dining room happily, raised his hands and hugged Pei Qing, “Qing ge!”

       Pei Qing patted him on the back, “Let’s go eat.”

       At this time, Zhan Pengcheng also followed, Zhan Weiyang reluctantly let go, sat down in a convenient position for Pei Qing, reached out and took a bun to his mouth to eat.

       Zhan Pengcheng sat down next to the dining table. He looked at Zhan Weiyang for a while and asked him, “Are you tired from the recent final exams?”

       Zhan Weiyang turned his gaze from Pei Qing’s face to Zhan Pengcheng’s face and said strangely, “It’s alright.”

       Zhan Pengcheng said, “Then why do you eat so much every day?”

       Zhan Weiyang didn’t say anything but just secretly glanced at Pei Qing again.

       After breakfast, Zhan Weiyang quietly told Pei Qing, “I’ll eat more meat while I’m at home, so I won’t have to eat meat in the future.”

       Pei Qing smiled with his head down. When he raised his head, he pretended to be serious and said, “Then you must eat more and eat better.”

       It was another summer vacation. Although it was just July, the weather in Chongfeng had already become hot. The bright sun outside made the plants lose their spirits.

       After lunch, Pei Qing and Zhan Weiyang moved the fortune tree on the balcony to a place near the door where direct sunlight could be avoided.

       Pei Qing hadn’t seen the fortune tree for half a year, and he felt that the tree had grown a little taller.

       Zhan Weiyang seemed to have grown a little taller, but not much, about one centimetre.

       Pei Qing said, “You grew taller together.”

       Zhan Weiyang was very happy to hear this and said, “It is me.”

       Pei Qing said, “Really? Why is it you?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “Our souls are connected.”

       Pei Qing was quiet for a while and said, “Then we must protect it and let it grow tall and strong.”

       At this time, Zhan Weiguang stood by the balcony door and shook the mobile phone in his hand, “Do you want milk tea? I’ll order takeout.”

       Pei Qing raised his head and said to him, “I don’t drink it. You drink it.”

       Zhan Weiguang raised his foot and gently kicked Zhan Weiyang’s butt, who was squatting on the ground, “Zhan Weiyang, what do you want to drink?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “Oreo Boba.”

       Zhan Weiguang expressed some annoyance, saying, “Another Oreo Boba, really?” Despite his words, he still ordered the milk tea that Zhan Weiyang wanted.

The author has something to say:
Although I said it’s almost finished, I don’t mean it would end right away. I’ll tell the story in its entirety

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Chapter 35

January 25, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       In the afternoon, there was a negotiation to cooperate with a company in Hong Kong to develop a real estate project. Both sides were stubbornly holding onto their positions regarding the investment ratio and profit sharing, resulting in a prolonged deadlock. Finally, they managed to reach an agreement.

       After it was over, Chu Yunhan entertained the guests for dining and entertainment as the gracious host. In the dimly lit private room, the hostesses sat with the guests. They were all wearing short cheongsams with high slits, and their white breasts and thighs were exposed, exuding an atmosphere of lustful allure. One sat next to him as well, trying to cosy up to him, but a single glance from him made her sit back obediently, eventually hugging a microphone and softly singing to herself.

       When the entertainment was over, and the guests were sent back to the hotel, the sky was already filled with stars. He leaned wearily against the back seat, quietly watching the neon lights flowing in the city at night, but the man’s face always appeared in his mind unconsciously.

       Cold and distant, smiling, locking eyes, asleep—frame by frame, like scenes from a movie. The more he thought about it, the more a faint heat spread over his body.

       What the hell… was he losing it?

       Was he really so sexually frustrated? 

       He shook his head irritably. Ever since the cemetery ambush incident, both of them had been overwhelmingly busy. As a result, he hadn’t made any requests to the other party, and he has been enduring them for over a month. Looking at Chu Yichen’s current state of exhaustion, he had no idea how much longer he would have to endure it…

       He was probably really poisoned by that person. Even at times like this, he wasn’t thinking about finding someone else. He was really eaten to death.

       He smiled helplessly.

       Let’s just bear with it a little longer…

 

       When he returned to the mansion, the study was still brightly lit. Standing at the doorway, Chu Yunhan glanced in to see the man seated behind the desk, engrossed in writing something with a pen. He had changed into a set of grey cotton pyjamas.

       Apparently, he had fallen asleep but had to get up to work temporarily.

       He frowned, walked in, and pretended to look for books on the bookshelf. While muttering, “Where is it?” he walked to the desk and cleared his throat.

       Chu Yichen looked up at him and asked, “Just got back?”

       “Well.” He glanced at the documents on the table and said, “Aren’t you done yet?”

       “Just a bit more.”

       With nothing more to say, Chu Yunhan casually pulled a book from the shelf and said, “Finally found it. Well… I’ll head back to the room then.”

       The man’s eyes turned from the book to his face, and he smiled and said, “Reading this at night?”

       Chu Yunhan looked down at the book and instantly felt as if his seat were on fire, embarrassment flooding him. The cover of the book, a traditional thread-bound edition, prominently displayed the words ‘Golden Lotus1Ming dynasty vernacular novel, formerly notorious and banned for its sexual content‘ in cursive calligraphy, with smaller, neatly printed characters beneath that read ‘Illustrated Edition’. His face turned red as he stiffened and said, “Just bored… reading randomly…”

       With a smile on his lips, Chu Yichen put down his pen, turned his chair towards him, and said, “Slave, come here.”

       Chu Yunhan felt his entire body heat up as though it were burning, almost steaming. Swallowing nervously, he stepped over to the chair hesitantly, stealing a quick glance at the door before kneeling down.

       A warm hand caressed his face, fingertips repeatedly rubbing over his lips before the man issued the command, “Suck.” Chu Yunhan parted his lips slightly, taking the man’s index finger into his mouth, his tongue curling around it as he gently sucked. The man gradually raised his finger, forcing him to tilt his head back, exposing the graceful, supple curve of his neck.

       In the quiet study room, the sounds of swallowing and sucking seemed particularly erotic. His Adam’s apple quivered, and his moistened lips turned a deeper red, like petals after rain—soft and alluring.

       This was the first time Chu Yunhan had willingly stepped into the role of a slave outside of the club. He could imagine how he looked right now—kneeling, sucking on another man’s finger, letting the man invade his mouth, completely yielding to his whims. The tension heightened the thrill, and coupled with over a month of abstinence, it didn’t take long for him to become aroused.

       Chu Yichen saw the bulge in his crotch and ordered, “Take off your pants and get on the desk.”

       He shamelessly did as he was told, leaning on the table and raising his fair ass high. The man stood up, but when his hand was about to touch his skin, he suddenly stopped. He frowned, then took a report and threw it before him, saying, “Read it out. You’ll be slapped if you make a mistake in a word.”

       Chu Yunhan had no choice but to obey and read a long paragraph. The man behind him remained silent the entire time, which puzzled him. He turned his head to peek at the risk of being punished, but he heard Chu Yichen say, “Get dressed. Get out.”

       Chu Yunhan froze, sitting up and turning to face him. Chu Yichen was leaning back in his chair, one hand gripping the armrest, the other pressing against the edge of the desk. His face looked a bit pale.

       “What’s wrong?” he asked.

       The man frowned deeply and said stiffly, “Get out.” He closed his eyes, his expression weary, as though he couldn’t even stand to look at him anymore. 

       Chu Yunhan was completely thrown off by Chu Yichen’s attitude. It was like having a bucket of cold water dumped over him, extinguishing all his passion. Frustrated, he said angrily, “What’s that supposed to mean? Do you find it fun to toy with me like this?”

       “Didn’t you say you were leaving? Yet here you are, refusing to go. What, do you enjoy sticking your ass out, begging me to use you? Pathetic,” Chu Yichen’s voice was cold and cutting, every word like a blade.

       Hearing this, Chu Yunhan froze completely, his face flushing red and then turning pale. It felt as if a knife had been plunged straight into his heart, and instead of being pulled out, it twisted cruelly, leaving a mess of torn flesh and blood in its wake.

       So this was Chu Yichen’s true opinion of him.

       So this was how lightly that man regarded him…  

       Chu Yunhan grabbed his pants, quickly put them on, and left the study without looking back. On his way down the stairs, he bumped into Du Chuan, knocking the cup from his hand. The scalding tea spilt onto his arm, but he didn’t even notice. He grabbed the car keys from the driver’s hand, slammed the door, stepped on the accelerator and rushed out of the door.

       He had no idea where he was going, but staying in that house—staying even one more second—was unbearable.

       Only when the car reached the highway did he realise his face was wet.

       Pathetic.

       But everyone else could call him pathetic—everyone except you. 

       It was you who made me like this. 

       It was you who made me unable to live without you…

       Chu Yichen…why do you do this to me…

       The road in front of him was blurred by the tears that kept pouring out. He finally pulled over to the side of the road, slumping forward onto the steering wheel as his shoulders shook with silent sobs.

 

       When his emotions finally calmed down, Chu Yunhan began to think about what to do. If he had been his proud and haughty old self, he would have left and never returned, preferring to bottle up his feelings rather than face that person again. But after everything that had happened, he had matured a lot compared to before. He didn’t know why the man’s attitude had suddenly changed or what he had done wrong. But because that person was Chu Yichen, there had to be a reason behind it.

       He wanted to talk to the other party and figure this out.

       In the end, Chu Yunhan made up his mind, turned the car around, and drove back to the old mansion.

       Deep down, he knew that he just couldn’t let go.

 

       Dragging his heavy footsteps to the door, he hesitated for a long time before finally mustering the courage to push it open. But the person in the study was gone. He walked up the stairs dejectedly and came to Chu Yichen’s door. He saw Bai Xiao leaning against the door and asked, “Is he in there?”

       “Young Master Yun, Young Master is resting.” Bai Xiao replied with a face devoid of any warmth, his tone respectful but cold.

       He glanced at the door and asked, “Is he… okay?” He had vaguely noticed Bai Xiao’s furrowed brow earlier. 

       The other party didn’t answer, merely stared at him in silence. 

       Chu Yunhan felt depressed and was about to leave when he saw the door open from the inside. Du Chuan stepped out, startled upon seeing him, and quickly hid what he was holding behind his back before shutting the door. Putting on a perfunctory smile, he said, “Young Master Yun, you’re back.”

       Chu Yunhan didn’t miss the little movements, and he distinctly heard a sound from within just as the door closed—a muffled noise from deep in someone’s throat. Suspicious thoughts swirled in his mind as he stepped closer to the door.

       Bai Xiao immediately moved to block his path. “Young Master Yun, Young Master is resting. It wouldn’t be appropriate to disturb him now.”  

       “Disturb…” Chu Yunhan let out a cold laugh, tinged with bitterness.

       That sound… the muffled groan… was obviously…

       He has another sub. No wonder he said those things earlier…

       Then what does the contract mean? What do they mean to each other?

       Chu Yunhan felt as if he had been thrown into an ice cellar. He was angry and desperate, and his fists clenched so tightly that they shook. He suddenly stepped forward and kicked the door. Bai Xiao reached out to grab him, but Chu Yunhan punched him so hard that he collided with the wall.

       “Young Master Yun!” Du Chuan shouted in desperation, and he rushed in like a tiger.

       Chu Yunhan stormed in, consumed by the thought of catching someone in the act, but froze in his tracks when he saw the scene before him. 

       The room was brightly lit. Three people stood by the bedside, seemingly in the middle of a discussion. Hearing the commotion behind them, they turned around simultaneously. One of them was Zhang Juan, and the other two were his assistants, dressed in pyjamas, clearly summoned in a hurry without even having time to change.

       From the gap between their bodies, Chu Yunhan saw Chu Yichen lying on the bed.

       The man’s wrists and ankles were bound to the bedframe with soft straps. His eyes were tightly shut, a towel clenched between his teeth, and his forehead was covered in sweat. Suppressed groans escaped from deep in his throat, his expression one of profound pain, as if enduring some unbearable torment.

       The sight was shocking enough, but when Chu Yunhan’s gaze fell on Chu Yichen’s exposed chest, he was completely stunned. 

       In his youth, when Chu Yichen would strip off his sweat-drenched jersey, there were always girls on the sidelines blushing and screaming. His skin was flawless, not even a single mole, and his taut muscles perfectly outlined his well-proportioned physique. 

       But now… his chest was covered in hideous scars, crisscrossing in all directions—some long, some short, of various shapes. One knife scar ran vertically downward, disappearing beneath the waistband of his pants, its stitched wound resembling a long, grotesque centipede. The sight was appalling.

       The scene before him hit Chu Yunhan like a bolt of lightning, rendering him completely motionless. He couldn’t even tear his gaze away. Bai Xiao, who had rushed in after him, was about to drag him out when Zhang Juan spoke up, “Enough, he’s already seen it. There’s no point in hiding it anymore.”

       Bai Xiao glanced at the man writhing in pain on the bed, then at the devastated Chu Yunhan, and released his grip. 

       “What… what is going on?” Chu Yunhan stammered, his tongue feeling clumsy.

       While Zhang Juan slowly pushed the remaining transparent liquid in the needle into Chu Yichen’s body, he said, “I’m afraid you have to ask Young Master Yun this question yourself.”

       Chu Yunhan’s heart jolted, his face turning pale as he looked at Zhang Juan. The suspicion that had been lingering in his mind, like wind sweeping sand, became increasingly clear and undeniable.

       At that moment, the man on the bed let out a hoarse sound, his brows deeply furrowed.

       Zhang Juan sighed and said, “How long are you planning to keep this from him?”

       Chu Yichen’s eyes fluttered open slightly, weakly glancing at the family doctor, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t. His chest heaved with difficulty due to labored breathing, prompting one of the assistants to place an oxygen mask over his face immediately.

       “I’m really tired of this hide-and-seek game you two keep playing. No one in this house dares to disobey your orders, so I’ll do it myself.”

       Zhang Juan stood by the bedside, pulled down Chu Yichen’s pyjama pants with a swift motion, then grabbed Chu Yunhan and dragged him to the edge of the bed. With a blank expression, he said, “Since you’re here to see, then see it clearly. There are 89 scars on his body in total. These circular ones are from being pierced with an awl. These shallow ones are knife cuts. These small burn marks are from electric shocks, while the larger ones are from scalding. This dent on his thigh? That’s where a chunk of flesh was gouged out. Fortunately, these are all external injuries meant to inflict pain but not fatal. The dangerous ones are twofold. First, this long slash wound—it starts under his ribs and runs all the way to his abdomen.”

       Then, Zhang Juan pressed Chu Yunhan’s hand against Chu Yichen’s chest and said slowly, “The second is a gunshot wound, right here. The bullet entered from his back and exited from the front. If it had been just a little off, he’d be dead. Young Master Yun, can you guess how long it took me to stitch up this body that was practically torn to shreds?”

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Chapter 86

January 21, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       After Chen Youyou left, Zhan Weiyang asked Pei Qing, “Where are we going to have dinner?”

       Pei Qing raised his hand to wrap it around his shoulder, and the two left from the school gate.

       “What do you want to eat?” Pei Qing asked.

       Zhan Weiyang replied, “Anything is fine!” As long as he was with Pei Qing, Zhan Weiyang felt happy to eat anything; even if he were asked to go for a seafood noodle meal, he would think it was delicious!

       Pei Qing said, “How about we buy some to take home and eat?”

       “Take home and eat?” Zhan Weiyang thought that since Pei Qing said taking it home, it meant home with Grandma and Auntie Luo. However, he wanted to have a meal with Pei Qing, just the two of them.

       Pei Qing said, “Go back to my place.”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at him strangely. Pei Qing came here in the morning and rented a flat first. He didn’t have the confidence to say that he would definitely pass the interview, but he also sent his resume to other local companies. Whether he passed the interview this time or not, he planned to stay.

       He wanted to live here. He couldn’t continue to live in the Zhan family, so he had to rent a house first.

       Pei Jingrong was very angry about his choice and threatened to cut off his source of livelihood.

       Pei Qing thought it was fine. He should have been independent and should not continue to spend the family’s money. It was just that he had no income for a while, and the rent was the living expenses he had saved before. He told Pei Jingrong that he would try to find a way to return the money to Pei Jingrong after his job was stable. Pei Jingrong was furious again but was persuaded by Zhan Yingfei.

       Later, Zhan Yingfei privately told Pei Qing she would transfer some money. Pei Qing thanked her and refused. He came here today to pay the deposit and three months’ rent, and now he really didn’t have much money.

       He rented a one-bedroom flat with only one bedroom, an open kitchen and a small dining table, which was only almost enough for two people to sit face to face.

       Pei Qing put the bought dishes on the dining table and sat down to eat with Zhan Weiyang.

       Zhan Weiyang ate a little carelessly and kept staring at Pei Qing.

       Pei Qing said, “Why are you looking at me if you don’t eat well?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “I’ve been thinking about you for a long time. I have to take a good look at you today.”

       Pei Qing picked up a piece of beef for him, “Then you can take your time to look at me. Anyway, I won’t leave in the future.”

       “Huh?” Zhan Weiyang suddenly realised something, “You won’t leave in the future?”

       Pei Qing nodded.

       Zhan Weiyang said, “If I get into C University, won’t we be separated again?”

       Pei Qing put down her chopsticks, as if thinking seriously, and said to him, “Yes.”

       Zhan Weiyang showed a panicked expression.

       This semester, he studied very hard with the goal of getting into C University. Although his grades did not improve enough to allow him to enter C University after a semester, he made a lot of progress compared to before.

       Even the homeroom teacher invited Zhan Pengcheng to the school to talk, saying that Zhan Weiyang had made great progress. If he had worked harder in the last year, he might have been able to get into university.

       When Zhan Weiyang heard that Pei Qing was not going back, he panicked for a while, then reacted and said, “Then I won’t apply to C University.”

       Pei Qing asked him, “What school does Yangyang want to apply to?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “I need to think about it.”

       Pei Qing nodded, “It’s okay, think about it slowly.”

       After dinner, Zhan Weiyang toured the small apartment Pei Qing had rented. As he walked around the place, he noticed that the new bedding Pei Qing had bought was still lying on the bed in the bedroom, not yet put in place.

       Zhan Weiyang took the initiative to help Pei Qing make the bed.

       The clean and soft plain new sheets were spread out neatly on the mattress. Zhan Weiyang couldn’t help but lie on his back and look at the bedroom.

       The furniture in the room looked very simple. In addition to the bed, there were only bedside tables and wardrobes. The ceiling above was pure white, and a simple round small lamp in the middle was on, and the light was dazzling yellow.

       Zhan Weiyang didn’t know why he liked this place very much. He lay on the bed and was reluctant to get up.

       Until Pei Qing stretched out a hand to him.

       Pei Qing asked, “Won’t you get up?”

       Zhan Weiyang shook his head, “I won’t get up.”

       Pei Qing asked him, “Going to sleep here today?”

       Zhan Weiyang was very happy, “Is it okay?”

       Pei Qing said, “No. Your father and grandmother will be worried.”

       Zhan Weiyang was very disappointed.

       Pei Qing stretched out her hand in front of him, “Come on, get up, Yangyang.”

       Zhan Weiyang slowly stretched out his hand and held Pei Qing’s hand, but he didn’t really get up; instead, he pulled Pei Qing hard.

       Pei Qing was originally bending over the bed, and at this time, his center of gravity was unstable. He fell forward, almost falling on Zhan Weiyang. He supported his body with his hands on both sides of Zhan Weiyang’s head with his arms.

       Zhan Weiyang looked at him with a smile, raised his hands to hug his neck, and said, “I want you to kiss me.”

       Pei Qing heard this, lowered her head and kissed him lightly on the lips.

       Zhan Weiyang said, “It’s not like that.”

       Pei Qing teased him, “Like what?”

       Zhan Weiyang didn’t know what to say, so he could only say, “Kiss again, not so fast.”

       Pei Qing then lowered his head and kissed Zhan Weiyang on the lips again, but this time he didn’t leave immediately.

       Zhan Weiyang tried to deepen the kiss by imitating the way Pei Qing kissed him before.

       Pei Qing knelt on the bed with one leg, reached out to hug Zhan Weiyang’s back, picked him up and sat on his legs, kissing him.

       Zhan Weiyang thought it was very interesting, and hugged Pei Qing’s neck tightly, and was reluctant to let go for a long time.

       Later, he leaned close to Pei Qing’s ear and whispered, “I will be eighteen next month.”

       Pei Qing nodded and asked him, “What birthday gift do you want?”

       Zhan Weiyang was a little anxious, “That’s not what I meant.”

       Pei Qing smiled lightly and said, “What what do you mean?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “You said that you can have sex at the age of eighteen!”

       Pei Qing said, “I said so.”

       Zhan Weiyang looked at him with great interest.

       Pei Qing let go of his hand, let him sit down on the bed, and said to him, “Being eighteen is acceptable, but there are other necessary conditions as well. It’s not something that can just be done on a whim.”

       Zhan Weiyang thought about it and was a little worried, “Will you not be interested in me?”

       Pei Qing looked at him for a while, “I really don’t know how to answer your question.”

       Zhan Weiyang became nervous; he stood up from the bed, raised his hand and started to take off his clothes.

       Pei Qing quickly stood up and hugged him to stop him, smiling, “What are you doing?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “Don’t you want to take a look? What if you are very interested?”

       Pei Qing said, “I am already very interested.” After that, Pei Qing suddenly felt a little worried, “Don’t take off your clothes in front of others in the future. Do you hear me?”

       Zhan Weiyang said, “I won’t take off my clothes in front of others.”

       Pei Qing didn’t let Zhan Weiyang stay too late. He didn’t have a car now, and he didn’t have much money to take a taxi at will. He accompanied Zhan Weiyang to take the bus to send him home.

       When waiting for the bus at the bus stop, Pei Qing suddenly felt a little emotional. He asked Zhan Weiyang, “If I am very poor in the future, will you feel wronged following me?”

       Zhan Weiyang asked him, “How poor?”

       Pei Qing couldn’t help but laugh and said, “I can’t afford meat, and I can’t afford a car.”

       Zhan Weiyang was surprised and said, “We can’t even afford meat?”

       Pei Qing nodded seriously.

       Zhan Weiyang raised his hand and touched his head nervously. After a while, he comforted Pei Qing and said, “It’s okay, I can lose weight.”

       After that, he grabbed Pei Qing’s hand nervously, “I will eat very little, please don’t abandon me.”

       Pei Qing smiled and said, “Okay, I will definitely not abandon you, and I will try my best to buy you meat, okay?”

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Chapter 28

January 21, 2025 / / 0 Comments

       Qian Xiaoke thought Jiang Tongyan was a bit amusing.

       “You’re not my boss, so how do you know my boss will pay?” Qian Xiaoke said. “If I were Chairman Cheng, I wouldn’t be friends with you.”

       Jiang Tongyan wasn’t in the mood to bicker with Qian Xiaoke about trivial matters. Right now, he felt like he had stirred up a hornet’s nest.  

       “This is just unbelievable,” Jiang Tongyan said. “We’re all neighbours living here, can’t those young couples behave a bit?”

       “Young couples?” Qian Xiaoke said, sitting there with a perfectly calm demeanour. “Not at all. The tenant of that room is a guy, and he brings back a different person every day.”

       “…Then we really have to move!” Jiang Tongyan was about to explode. “What’s wrong with you, Qian Xiaoke? No, what’s wrong with all of you?”

       “What? Who’s all of us?”

       “He’s behaving like that, and none of you neighbours are calling him out?” Jiang Tongyan felt like he was turning into a walking of thousands of whys. He looked at Qian Xiaoke, his head full of question marks. “Hasn’t anyone talked to him? No one’s doing anything?”

       “We have, but it’s useless,” Qian Xiaoke said. “Everyone living here is like an unwanted stepchild. The landlord’s nowhere to be found, and the agent’s unreachable. What can we do?”

       If there was a way out, who wouldn’t want to leave this place?

       Besides, calling the police wasn’t an option either. Did they have any evidence that the guy was engaged in something improper? No. Plus, if they really did call the police, once the authorities saw the state of this place, that’d be it. No one would be able to stay here, and they’d probably lose their rent money, too. In the end, they’d be the ones who suffered.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “We poor people have a lot of things we’re helpless about.”

       The noise outside was giving Jiang Tongyan a headache. “How are you so calm?”

       “I’ve gotten used to it.” Qian Xiaoke opened a drawer and pulled out a small plastic bag full of earplugs. “Want to try, Chairman Jiang? They work great.”

       Irritated by the noise, Jiang Tongyan took the earplugs and, under Qian Xiaoke’s patient guidance, put them on.

       The world suddenly became quiet, and even Qian Xiaoke in front of him seemed more endearing.  

       Sure enough, if Qian Xiaoke were mute, he’d be an adorable, likable little guy.  

       What a pity…

       With the earplugs on, Jiang Tongyan felt the world was a much better place. He could finally calmly inspect Qian Xiaoke’s ‘bedroom’.

       This ‘bedroom’ was really nothing to write home about.

       The room was quite spacious for Qian Xiaoke, but for Jiang Tongyan, it was so small he could barely stretch his legs.

       The window was tiny—Jiang Tongyan guessed even sunlight had to struggle to squeeze through.

       The desk by the window was the kind of old, rickety wooden school desk he’d only seen in vintage TV dramas. The paint was peeling, and it wobbled with the slightest touch.

       On the desk was an air conditioner that was supposed to be white but had turned yellow. Jiang Tongyan asked, “Does that AC even work?”

       “It does,” Qian Xiaoke said, “but I don’t use it. Keep your voice down—why are you yelling so late at night?”

       “Huh?” Jiang Tongyan’s ‘huh’ was thunderously loud.

       Frowning, Qian Xiaoke reached over and removed his earplugs. “Dude, lower your voice!”

       Jiang Tongyan had forgotten he was still wearing earplugs.

       “I said, does your AC even work?” Jiang Tongyan tilted his head to look at the filthy, outdated AC unit hanging there. It looked like turning it on would release toxic gas.

       “It works, but I don’t use it much. I only turned it on once or twice during unbearably hot summer days,” Qian Xiaoke said. “It’s too noisy.”

       “Alright, if you can avoid using it, don’t use it.” Jiang Tongyan put the earplugs back on and continued his ‘inspection’.

       Qian Xiaoke’s bed wasn’t great either.

       The bed wasn’t small, but it didn’t look comfortable. Jiang Tongyan couldn’t understand how Qian Xiaoke could live such a rough life.  

       “What’s this?” Jiang Tongyan took out the earplugs and said to Qian Xiaoke, “You don’t even have a properly sized bedsheet?”

       Qian Xiaoke avoided eye contact, looking a bit embarrassed.

       He did live a rough life, but it was all to save money.

       The bed was a double bed that came with a mattress when he rented the place. The mattress was mediocre—so mediocre it even had a few cigarette burns in it. But that wasn’t a big deal. He could make it more comfortable by laying a mat and covering it with a bedsheet. But, of course, he didn’t.

       Qian Xiaoke couldn’t bring himself to spend money on the mattress. Right now, the bed was covered with the single-sized bedding he’d used back in college.

       Back then, he had two thin, single-sized mats to switch between. Even now, he used the same setup: a single mat on one half of the double bed, with the other half piled with clothes and random odds and ends.

       Jiang Tongyan, frustrated, said, “So sloppy!”

       Qian Xiaoke pouted, “A set of bedding is expensive.”

       “Cut back on a few bowls of spicy hot pot, and you’d save enough.”

       “I only eat ten yuan spicy hot pot usually, it’s cheap, don’t lecture me.”

       Jiang Tongyan turned his head, saw Qian Xiaoke looking wronged, and waved his hand, deciding to drop it.

       Jiang Tongyan felt he was truly a good person, too soft-hearted.

       He turned around, intending to compliment the room to make Qian Xiaoke happy, but all he saw was an old, tattered sofa.

       How bad was this sofa?

       It was one of those leather sofas from who-knows-what era, with the surface ruined and the springs sticking out.

       Jiang Tongyan asked, “Why haven’t you thrown this thing away?”

       Qian Xiaoke patiently taught this clueless boss Jiang about the ways of the world, “It’s left by the landlord if you throw it away, they’ll deduct it from your deposit when you move out! Idiot!”

       “…Oh.” Jiang Tongyan learned something new, albeit useless, and didn’t even argue about being called an ‘idiot’.

       “Why don’t you put your clothes in the wardrobe?” There was clearly a wardrobe in the room, albeit small, but not so small as to justify leaving clothes on the bed.

       Qian Xiaoke sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his skinny legs, “Take a look yourself.”

       Jiang Tongyan wasn’t in the habit of rummaging through other people’s things, but with the owner’s permission, he couldn’t refuse.

       He walked over and pulled the door…

       “Damn!” The door fell off.

       Jiang Tongyan jumped, “Why didn’t you tell me it was broken?”

       Qian Xiaoke burst into laughter, falling back onto the bed, “If I told you, it wouldn’t have been funny, hahaha!”

       Jiang Tongyan, with a dark expression, turned to look at Qian Xiaoke, feeling the urge to hire a hitman.

       An eye-roll from Jiang Tongyan made Qian Xiaoke shut up.

       After looking around, there wasn’t a single part of the room that satisfied Jiang Tongyan, with the noise from outside being the most irritating.

       He put his earplugs back in and went to the window to enjoy the breeze.

       The autumn night’s wind was quite pleasant. Although Jiang Tongyan kept complaining about Qian Xiaoke’s place, now that he was full and tired, sitting by the bed to catch a breeze felt pretty good.

       Feeling comfortable, he didn’t know when he fell asleep.

       Qian Xiaoke was originally sitting cross-legged, playing a mobile game. He was about to complete his puzzle game.

       After being tired from playing, he turned around to find Jiang Tongyan asleep, looking quite comfortable.

       Holding his phone, Qian Xiaoke quietly called out, “Jiang Tongyan!”

       The sleeping figure didn’t move, like a dead pig.

       Qian Xiaoke stared at him for a while, then clicked his tongue.

       Jiang Tongyan was really handsome, good-looking, good physique, and rich, but his personality and sexual prowess were lacking.

       Lying beside him, Qian Xiaoke felt pity for him for the umpteenth time.

       An apple bitten by God, what a pity.

       Qian Xiaoke felt a sense of compassion for Jiang Tongyan, sighed, and mumbled, “Life is hard, treasure what you can.”

       The next morning, Jiang Tongyan woke up feeling disoriented. He first looked at the ceiling and then at the person beside him, snoring away.

       Everything seemed off.

       “Shit!” Although Jiang Tongyan was never one for good temper around Qian Xiaoke. His upbringing prevented him from swearing, but he couldn’t help it this morning.

       Qian Xiaoke was startled awake, jumping up from the bed.

       “Huh? What?” Qian Xiaoke was still groggy, his world not yet awake.

       Jiang Tongyan looked at him, “What’s going on?”

       Qian Xiaoke, still sleepy, continued to doze off sitting on the bed.

       Jiang Tongyan grabbed his shoulders, shaking him melodramatically, “Wake up!”

       It was no use.

       Unless it was time for work, nothing could wake Qian Xiaoke up.

       “Qian Xiaoke!” Seeing no response, Jiang Tongyan got an idea, “There’s a thief in your house!”

       Qian Xiaoke shuddered, “Where?”

       He reached under his pillow and pulled out a kitchen knife, which scared Jiang Tongyan stiff.

       “…Qian Xiaoke, let’s talk this out, what are you doing with that?”

       Qian Xiaoke, holding his knife, looked around, not seeing any thief, only Jiang Tongyan cowering in the corner.

       “Where’s the thief?” Qian Xiaoke asked.

       Jiang Tongyan took a deep breath and took the knife from him.

       “You sleep with that under your pillow?”

       “Of course,” Qian Xiaoke said, “We pretty boys are in danger; if someone breaks in to rob or worse, I need something to defend myself.”

       Jiang Tongyan wanted to mock his ‘pretty boy’ comment. ‘Pretty boy’ my foot, ‘madman’ would be more fitting.

       But seeing the rickety door that looked like it would fall apart with a kick, having a knife for self-defence seemed reasonable.

       “There’s no thief,” Jiang Tongyan said, “Why am I here?”

       “…Did you lose your memory?” Qian Xiaoke said, “You fell asleep here last night.”

       Jiang Tongyan hadn’t lost his memory, “I’m asking why you didn’t let me sleep on the bedding!”

       Why was Qian Xiaoke on the bedding while he was lying on a pile of clothes?

       Who knew if they were even clean?

       Qian Xiaoke pretended not to understand, got off the bed, and stretched.

       “Chairman Jiang, pay up.”

       “Huh?”

       “You stayed here last night, I need to charge you,” Qian Xiaoke said, “My place isn’t comparable to your five-star hotel, so I’ll give you a discount. How much is a night at your place?”

       “3688.”

       Qian Xiaoke raised his hand, digging in his ear, “How much?”

       “3688,” Jiang Tongyan said, “What’s wrong?”

       Qian Xiaoke took a deep breath, reminding himself he wasn’t anti-rich.

       “Okay, since we’re good friends, you stayed here last night, so 368 yuan will do.”

       “I’ll give you nothing!” Jiang Tongyan stood up abruptly, only to bump his waist on the table corner.

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