Category: Love Genius Qian Xiaoke (Page 2 of 7)

       Jiang Tongyan had a dream of being the male lead in an idol drama.

Jiang Tongyan was the kind of man who harboured a dream of being the male lead in an idol drama.

       Of course, this was something he absolutely could not let anyone else know. After all, it would be pretty embarrassing if it got out.

       He couldn’t say it, but he could act it out.

       For this Christmas, he had spent over a week planning everything from start to finish, even going so far as to personally selecting each dish at the restaurant with great care.

       So far, it looked like nothing more than the two of them going out to eat after work, but Jiang Tongyan had a plan.

       Qian Xiaoke had no sense of romance and no flair for atmosphere. Aside from having a sweet mouth and calling him ‘gege, gege’ all day long, he didn’t really know how to do anything else. Naturally, the responsibility of creating romance fell squarely on Jiang Tongyan’s shoulders.

       Being a domineering CEO was exhausting.

       A domineering CEO had to manage his career and manufacture romance.

       But the domineering CEO did it willingly.

       Because the domineering CEO really, really liked this sweet-talking, fluffy little bunny.

       The taxi came to a stop, and Qian Xiaoke leaned forward to look outside.

       He knew this restaurant.

       When he used to take the bus home, he often passed by it. The clean, minimalist exterior design had once made him think nothing of the place. Later, a coworker told him that the average meal cost here exceeded their monthly salary.

       And hidden within that statement was another important detail: the coworker who said it earned two thousand more than Qian Xiaoke.

       Qian Xiaoke’s eyes went wide. “We’re… eating here?”

       Wasn’t this a bit too extravagant?

       Qian Xiaoke knew he was just a small, bottom-tier city dweller who had never experienced the life of the wealthy. Every month’s salary had to be stretched and split carefully. Spending that much money on a single meal honestly made his head feel like it was about to explode.

       “Get out of the car.” Jiang Tongyan got out first and held the door open for him. “Weren’t you hungry?”

       Qian Xiaoke wasn’t hungry.

       Qian Xiaoke was feeling guilty.

       Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Tongyan smiled and physically pulled him out of the car. “Come on—don’t delay the driver from picking up his next passenger.”

       Qian Xiaoke snapped back to his senses, quickly thanked the driver, and got out.

       The two of them stood by the roadside, and Qian Xiaoke stared at the three-story white building in front of him.

       “I’m really broadening my horizons by sticking with you,” Qian Xiaoke said. “Old Jiang, aren’t we being a bit too luxurious?”

       “It’s only Christmas once a year. A little extravagance is fine.” And besides, this wasn’t just any ordinary Christmas—Jiang Tongyan had a surprise waiting for him.

       Jiang Tongyan tugged at the sleeve of Qian Xiaoke’s down jacket and led him inside like he was guiding a child.

       “Remember, stay calm later.”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke said. “Oh.”

       Qian Xiaoke assumed Jiang Tongyan was worried that he—a poor, inexperienced nobody—might let out ghost-like exclamations upon entering such a high-end restaurant.

       But he wouldn’t.

       Even though he was dying to know what it looked like inside, and whether the food was made of gold or diamonds, now that he was here, he knew he had to put on a calm, indifferent front. Qian Xiaoke understood that much.

       Hearing his ‘oh’, Jiang Tongyan laughed inwardly. Oh my ass—just wait, you won’t even be able to say ‘oh’ later.

       As soon as they reached the entrance, two handsome men in uniform stepped forward to open the doors for them. Qian Xiaoke immediately grasped something important—this place was expensive for a reason. Hiring such handsome guys just to stand guard at the door couldn’t have been cheap.

       Qian Xiaoke stole a couple more glances at the handsome men, and just as he turned back, Jiang Tongyan caught him in the act.

       “You’re the most handsome,” Qian Xiaoke said. “They’re nowhere near your level.”

       Jiang Tongyan smiled with satisfaction. “Very good.”

       The exceedingly well-behaved fluffy bunny followed Jiang Tongyan inside. Before they even sat down, a waiter took their coats, and another pulled out the chairs. Everything, absolutely everything, was arranged neatly by the staff.

       Having never enjoyed this kind of service before, Qian Xiaoke felt extremely embarrassed. His little face flushed red, like a pink, ripe peach.

       Jiang Tongyan was tempted.

       He wanted to eat.

       After sitting down, Qian Xiaoke cautiously glanced around and whispered to Jiang Tongyan in an extremely soft voice, “Wouldn’t this restaurant go bankrupt?”

       “Hm? What’s wrong?” Jiang Tongyan asked him.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “It’s peak dinner time right now, but the entire restaurant only has the two of us.”

       Jiang Tongyan smiled faintly. “Probably because…everyone else had other plans today.”

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips, feeling a bit sorry for the restaurant.

       In winter, night fell early, and by the time they got off work, it was already completely dark.

       The restaurant was lit with warm orange lights, and just by turning his head, Qian Xiaoke could see the night outside through the nearby windows.

       Jiang Tongyan handed the menu to Qian Xiaoke and said he needed to go to the restroom first.

       The moment he stood up, Qian Xiaoke’s eyes stayed fixed on him.

       With Jiang Tongyan gone, Qian Xiaoke felt even more unsettled. He glanced down at the menu and immediately felt dizzy.

       The text on the menu was neither Chinese nor English. He had no idea what language it was. It was something foreign, with thin, worm-like letters that he couldn’t read at all.

       Not being able to read it was one thing. Qian Xiaoke thought he might just pick something that seemed reasonably priced, but then he realised that none of the dishes had prices listed.

       Did rich people order food without looking at prices?

       It was truly headache-inducing.

       Qian Xiaoke decided not to put on airs. He would just wait for Jiang Tongyan to come back and let that experienced rich man do the ordering.

       As he was thinking this, the lights in the restaurant suddenly went out.

       Was there a sudden power outage?

       Qian Xiaoke muttered, “Even a place this fancy can lose power?”

       With the interior lights gone, the night view outside looked even more captivating.

       Qian Xiaoke propped his chin on his hand and looked out the window, planning to ask Jiang Tongyan when he came back whether they should just go home instead.

       Back home, he still had a gift prepared for his fierce boyfriend.

       However, Qian Xiaoke’s plan to go home was interrupted because in the pitch-dark restaurant, piano music suddenly began to play.

       He turned toward the sound in surprise. Before he could react, candlelight flickered to life throughout the room.

       A candlelight dinner?

       Qian Xiaoke’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

       With not a single electric light on, the entire restaurant was bathed in gentle candlelight, glowing with warm tones.

       At the very centre of the restaurant stood a white grand piano. When they had entered earlier, Qian Xiaoke had thought it was merely a decoration, but now, someone was seated there, playing.

       The piece was one Qian Xiaoke knew extremely well. Years ago, countless people had used this very song, ‘Wedding in a Dream’, as their phone ringtone.

       But that wasn’t the important part. What mattered was that the person playing looked oddly familiar. It seemed like…

       “Old Jiang?”

       Qian Xiaoke’s voice reached Jiang Tongyan’s ears. The domineering CEO, elegantly playing the piano, merely curved his lips upward and smiled discreetly.

       Qian Xiaoke, who had been sitting there, unconsciously stood up and began walking toward Jiang Tongyan step by step.

       He hadn’t known that Jiang Tongyan could play the piano.

       Of course, a domineering CEO like Jiang Tongyan had many skills; he just hadn’t had the chance to show them before.

       As Qian Xiaoke slowly approached, he looked at the sensual curve of Jiang Tongyan’s profile, then at his fingers dancing nimbly across the piano keys. His heart pounded wildly; he was practically being enchanted to death by his boyfriend.

       The piece wasn’t long, and Jiang Tongyan soon brought it to an end.

       He turned to look at Qian Xiaoke and smiled slightly.

       Qian Xiaoke exclaimed, “That sounded so good! You’re amazing!”

       He had never been stingy with his praise for Jiang Tongyan—men were meant to be praised!

       The hearts in Qian Xiaoke’s eyes were practically shooting straight at Jiang Tongyan’s forehead.

       Jiang Tongyan was so happy he could barely contain himself. He raised his hand and snapped his fingers.

       At the same time, music filled the restaurant again. This time, it was violin music, but not Jiang Tongyan playing. Instead, a small ensemble suddenly appeared not far away: two men and two women, dressed in formal attire, playing violins.

       Qian Xiaoke thought to himself that this was kind of amazing.

       Wasn’t this the sort of scene that only showed up in idol dramas?

       High-end restaurants really were different!!! Service this attentive was on another level!

       Little did he know that none of this had been arranged by the restaurant at all. It was entirely designed by his Old Jiang himself, and it had cost quite a lot of money.

       Along with the violin music came one of the restaurant’s handsome waiters.

       Qian Xiaoke watched as the handsome waiter pushed over a small cart. On it stood a Christmas tree covered with decorations, and beneath it were several beautifully wrapped gift boxes.

       The handsome waiter wheeled the cart right up to Qian Xiaoke. Jiang Tongyan said, “Your Christmas present.”

       “A tree?” And a handsome guy?

       The tree he could accept. The handsome guy, no.

       Qian Xiaoke thought to himself that handsome guys were great, but one Jiang Tongyan was more than enough for him.

       He really wasn’t greedy at all.

       Jiang Tongyan couldn’t hold it in and laughed. “Yes, a tree.”

       Idiot.

       Jiang Tongyan pointed at the tree. “Look for it. There’s a special gift.”

       Qian Xiaoke glanced at it, walked over to the Christmas tree, bent down, and picked up the gift box on the far right.

       There were six gift boxes in total under the tree, each labelled with a number. The one Qian Xiaoke picked up was marked “No. 1.”

       He opened it. Inside was a slip of paper, on which Jiang Tongyan had written, in handwriting barely better than an elementary schooler’s: Wife, muah muah muah!

       Qian Xiaoke laughed so hard he nearly blacked out.

       “What is this?” he said, laughing as he lightly punched Jiang Tongyan’s shoulder, the note still in his hand.

       But as he laughed, his nose started to sting. It was clearly just a piece of paper. It wasn’t as if no one had ever kissed him before. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, he was so moved he wanted to cry.

       Qian Xiaoke complained to himself that he really was a delicate little flower, moved so easily.

       “There’s more,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Open them one by one, in the order they’re placed.”

       This was obviously planned out. Even though Qian Xiaoke wanted to rebel a little, he knew this wasn’t the right time to do so.

       He obediently opened the gifts in order.

       Wife, muah muah muah!

       My precious sweetheart, today is the who-knows-how-manyth day since we met!

       You little pig probably don’t even know how long we’ve known each other!

       But that’s okay—your husband loves you, muah muah muah!

       Comrade Qian Xiaoke, Merry Christmas. When you open the last gift later, don’t cry. Stay calm!

       Clutching all five notes in his hand, Qian Xiaoke looked at Jiang Tongyan.

       “Go on,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Open the last one.”

       For no apparent reason, Jiang Tongyan felt nervous. His back was already slick with sweat.

       Qian Xiaoke turned to look at the final box and asked, “What is it?”

       As he spoke, he picked it up and carefully opened it.

       The moment Qian Xiaoke opened the box, a ring flashed before his eyes.

       At the same time, as if by magic, a bouquet of roses appeared in Jiang Tongyan’s hand. It set off his domineering CEO face so much that it even seemed to be tinged with red. He dropped to one knee and asked,

       “Qian Xiaoke, would you be willing to marry me, this unsophisticated rich man?”

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       Qian Xiaoke said he was unhappy, but the smile on his face never stopped.

       Jiang Tongyan said, “You’re really something—getting the benefits and still acting coy.”

       ‘Boss’s wife’ Qian Xiaoke straightened up, put on a serious expression, and said, “No, I’m genuinely worried.”

       “I can’t tell,” Jiang Tongyan said. “You look pretty happy to me.”

       Qian Xiaoke was grinning so wide his gums were almost showing. He had already started planning how he would deal with everyone calling him ‘boss’s wife’ once he got to the office the next day.

       However, his expectations fell flat.

       No one called him ‘boss’s wife’. Instead, several people crowded over and asked, “Xiaoke, how did you manage to win over Chairman Jiang?”

       That immediately displeased Qian Xiaoke. “Why does it have to be me chasing him? Couldn’t he be the one chasing me?”

       A coworker narrowed their eyes. “You are cute, sure, but someone like Chairman Jiang—a domineering CEO who’s seen the world—he must’ve seen plenty of cute people. Seems unlikely. Very unlikely.”

       “Why is it unlikely?!” Qian Xiaoke pouted. “He was the one who chased me!”

       After vaguely brushing off his coworkers, Qian Xiaoke sat there and began to reflect seriously on the development of his love story with Jiang Tongyan.

       Who had chased whom first?

       Who had fallen for whom first?

       Qian Xiaoke puffed his cheeks and held his chin to think about life, and then he was called into the office by Cheng Sen.

       The office area upstairs had finished renovations and would be put into use after New Year’s Day. Cheng Sen had called Qian Xiaoke over to discuss a job transfer—from this floor to the one upstairs.

       From working in front of Cheng Sen…to working in front of Jiang Tongyan.

       To be honest, Cheng Sen was rather reluctant. Qian Xiaoke had worked here for many years and had always done well. He was diligent, reliable, and quick-witted, and he was extremely well-suited for the job. Handing such a capable employee over to Jiang Tongyan just like that felt a bit wasteful.

       Still, reluctant or not, he had been the one to bring it up first. A man had to keep his word.

       Cheng Sen said, “After New Year’s Day, the upstairs offices will officially be in use. Tongyan’s side is hiring new staff, and there’s no suitable candidate for the front desk.”

       He then played a small tactical move. “I figured I would see what you want. If you’re willing, you can go upstairs and help him. If you feel it’s inconvenient, you can stay here.”

       He took a sip of tea and said in a very official manner, “After all, you’re one of our company’s outstanding employees. Any position transfer should prioritise your own wishes.”

       What Cheng Sen was thinking was: if Qian Xiaoke didn’t want to go, he could reasonably keep him.

       But how could Qian Xiaoke possibly be unwilling?

       After hearing Cheng Sen out, Qian Xiaoke put on an affected, shy act. “Oh, but Old Jiang and I… oh dear…”

       “You don’t want to?” Cheng Sen saw hope. “Then—”

       “No!” Qian Xiaoke hurried to explain. “I’m not unwilling at all. I just got shy for a moment.”

       Alright then.

       Cheng Sen really should have expected this from the two of them.

       “Okay, then it’s settled,” Cheng Sen said, reminding him, “But I still have to say this—although our company doesn’t prohibit office relationships, the two of you should… well, watch your boundaries.”

       Cheng Sen was very serious when he said this.

       Recently, he had noticed that the two of them were being a bit too clingy.

       Jiang Tongyan was shameless enough to post intimate photos of the two of them on his Moments every day. At first, Cheng Sen had been puzzled—weren’t they supposed to be keeping things secret? Why was he posting photos so openly?

       Only later did he learn that Jiang Tongyan had learned how to set up audience groups in Moments. Every time he posted, aside from himself and Qian Xiaoke, only two people could see them—Cheng Sen and Shen Huiming.

       Childish. Extremely childish. He had never seen someone so childish at thirty years old.

       Cheng Sen really wanted to complain—people like Jiang Tongyan deserved to be complained about for a thousand and one nights.

       “Don’t worry, Chairman Cheng, really, don’t worry!” Qian Xiaoke raised his hand and swore to the heavens, making solemn promises. “We will absolutely control ourselves. Even though I’m a beauty, I will not be a femme fatale! Please rest assured!”

       A beauty?

       A femme fatale?

       Cheng Sen looked at Qian Xiaoke and smiled faintly. “Alright. I’ll try.”

       I’ll try to be reassured, but it’s not very promising.

       Feeling extremely pleased, the so-called beauty turned femme fatale Qian Xiaoke returned to his seat and even began imagining various indecent scenarios of himself and Jiang Tongyan in different corners upstairs.

       After finishing his daydream, Qian Xiaoke blushed and fell into self-reproach.

       Qian Xiaoke, how could you think like that? You must love your job and respect your work. You absolutely cannot do such obscene, vulgar, shameful things in the workplace!

       He took a deep breath and corrected his attitude.

       After all, he was the boss’s wife now. He had to act like one.

       ==============

       ‘Boss’s wife’ Qian Xiaoke had a wonderful Christmas. While the other single coworkers went out for a group dinner, he went on a sweet date hand in hand with his boyfriend.

       From the very beginning, the relationship between Jiang Tongyan and Qian Xiaoke had never followed the usual path. They had never really gone on a proper date, and Jiang Tongyan felt that simply wouldn’t do. If others had it, his Qian Xiaoke had to have it too. A cool, flashy, luxurious date—arrange it immediately.

       Originally, Jiang Tongyan had planned to let Qian Xiaoke choose the restaurant, but then he suddenly realised that if he did, there was a good chance their Christmas would end up being spent in a snail noodle shop. He promptly abandoned the idea.

       He would arrange this date and take Qian Xiaoke out to properly ‘see the world’.

       So after work, Jiang Tongyan wrapped an arm around his ‘little darling wife’ and swaggered out of the office building, openly showing off their affection as if no one else existed.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Old Jiang, you know, here in China, when people are gay, they usually aren’t this open.”

       “So what?” Jiang Tongyan shot him a sideways glance. “What does it have to do with me whether they’re open or not?”

       Qian Xiaoke poked him. “I just mean people usually keep a low profile.”

       “Then let them keep a low profile.” Standing by the roadside, Jiang Tongyan waved down a car. “I’ll be able to pick up my car the day after tomorrow. After that, we won’t have to take taxis to work every day.”

       He raised an eyebrow at Qian Xiaoke and smiled. “The gas money gets reimbursed by Cheng Sen.”

       Qian Xiaoke blinked. “Isn’t that kind of like fleecing the company?”

       “I raised this sheep myself. What’s wrong with shearing a bit of wool?” Jiang Tongyan opened the car door and let him get in. “You need to start adjusting your mindset now.”

       “What mindset?” Qian Xiaoke fell silent, calculating in his head. He felt this couldn’t go on forever. Ever since they got together, it seemed he had been constantly taking advantage of Jiang Tongyan.

       Living in his rented apartment, using his car, and soon even taking a salary paid by him.

       Qian Xiaoke understood that Jiang Tongyan did all this because he liked him, but he still felt uneasy accepting it so readily.

       Since childhood, his parents had taught him not to owe others. Even in a romantic relationship, giving and receiving should be equal. Qian Xiaoke truly couldn’t accept all this with a clear conscience.

       For days now, he had been thinking about what he could do to respond to Jiang Tongyan’s efforts.

       But he was honestly confused.

       Jiang Tongyan was better than him in every way and lacked nothing. Aside from love, what else could he possibly give?

       Qian Xiaoke felt incredibly foolish. He felt so foolish that he couldn’t even handle something like this, and it made him feel miserable.

       “What are you thinking about?” Jiang Tongyan noticed his distraction and thought he might be hungry. “It’s not far. Hang in there a bit longer. Eat more later.”

       Qian Xiaoke tilted his head to look at him and nodded heavily, full of worry.

       Jiang Tongyan had been quite busy lately. The two of them rarely went out to eat. Even when they did, it was usually just a simple late-night snack at a small restaurant downstairs from their place.

       He found it refreshing. Late at night, wrapped in coats, the two of them would run downstairs to eat a bowl of noodles. It felt full of everyday charm.

       He realised that he had already adapted to Qian Xiaoke’s way of life—frugal, careful, treating everything and everyone seriously.

       Growing up, Jiang Tongyan had always been extravagant with money. Having never lacked money, he had no real concept of ‘saving’. And precisely because of that, he rarely felt an intense desire for anything, because if he wanted something, he could easily get it.

       After getting together with Qian Xiaoke, Jiang Tongyan felt that he had drawn closer to real life.

       Still, after walking close to the ground for a while, he wanted to take the one he loved up into the sky for a bit.

       Qian Xiaoke had taken Jiang Tongyan to ‘see the world’ in his own way, and Jiang Tongyan also wanted Qian Xiaoke to experience things he’d never experienced before.

       He wanted to lay out everything good in front of Qian Xiaoke and let him choose freely.

       Back when they had just gotten together, Jiang Tongyan had proudly said to him with his tail practically in the air, “Comrade Qian Xiaoke, you’ve now latched onto a rich man. You can spend freely. If there’s anything you’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford, say the word—this rich man will make your wish come true!”

       But Qian Xiaoke’s response back then had shocked Jiang Tongyan so much that his jaw nearly dropped.

       Qian Xiaoke had said, “I don’t want you to help me fulfil my wishes.”

       At the time, Qian Xiaoke was naked, curled lazily in Jiang Tongyan’s arms. He yawned languidly like a little cat and snuggled closer.

       “Why?” Jiang Tongyan asked.

       Poking Jiang Tongyan’s belly button, Qian Xiaoke said, “You’re not Santa Claus. I’m not with you to collect gifts or have my wishes granted.”

       “I know,” Jiang Tongyan said. “I just feel like now that you have me, you can have whatever you want.”

       Qian Xiaoke looked at him and smiled. “Nope.”

       Smiling sweetly, Qian Xiaoke climbed onto Jiang Tongyan and pressed him down until Jiang Tongyan let out an ‘ow’.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “You’re here to satisfy my desire for love, not my material desires. The things I want, I’ll work hard to earn myself. I don’t want to rely on you.”

       Jiang Tongyan was a lover, not a tool for making wishes come true.

       Qian Xiaoke was very clear about that.

       Still, many things really couldn’t be avoided, simply because the gap between them in so many aspects was too wide.

       At this moment, the two of them sat in the taxi as countless Santas passed by outside the window, handing out small gifts to pedestrians.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Oh right, I also prepared a gift for you.”

       Jiang Tongyan was a little surprised. “Aren’t you the reindeer? Giving Christmas presents is Santa’s job.”

       “The reindeer also wants to give his Santa a present!” Qian Xiaoke said. “I’ll give it to you when we get home tonight. You’re not allowed to dislike it!”

       Jiang Tongyan smiled at him and pinched his little nose. “I’ll think about it and decide depending on the situation!”

       Even though he said that, even if Qian Xiaoke only bought Jiang Tongyan a pair of three-yuan socks, Jiang Tongyan would treasure them like a priceless heirloom.

       Love really did make people blind.

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       Jiang Tongyan was enjoying his love life to the fullest, and after returning to the country, his career development was going quite smoothly as well.

       The office had not even finished renovations yet, but several deals had already been closed. Everything was going so well that Jiang Tongyan was riding high, feeling full of confidence and already starting to plan how to spend Christmas with Qian Xiaoke.

       For Qian Xiaoke, Christmas was really just an ordinary workday—at most, a bit more festive. The company would put up a Christmas tree in the lobby, and the boss would hand out big apples to everyone.

       But for Jiang Tongyan, Christmas was a major occasion.

       He was a kid who had grown up overseas. To him, Christmas was equivalent to the Spring Festival in China. It was something that had to be celebrated in a big way.

       He started making preparations early, even hauling an enormous Christmas tree straight into Qian Xiaoke’s apartment.

       Qian Xiaoke actually liked holidays too, but when he had been on his own before, he always kept things simple. The main reason was to save money. Now things were different. With Jiang Tongyan around, even if Qian Xiaoke wanted to save, his man would not allow it.

       “This is the first holiday we’re celebrating together,” Jiang Tongyan said. “We can’t be careless about it.”

       When he said this, he was in the middle of measuring Qian Xiaoke’s waist, hips, and head circumference.

       He was being ridiculously extra. He insisted on having Santa Claus and reindeer costumes custom-made. Buying them online was not acceptable. As a wealthy man, Jiang Tongyan had high standards and strict demands when it came to life, so everything had to be custom.

       Qian Xiaoke said, “Santa outfits are big and baggy, so you don’t need to measure so accurately.”

       “Who told you you’re wearing Santa’s outfit?” Jiang Tongyan smiled faintly. “You’re the reindeer. The one I’m going to ride.”

       Nasty!

       Shameless!

       Qian Xiaoke blushed and swung his little fist, lightly punching Jiang Tongyan in the chest.

       Jiang Tongyan had far too many unspeakable thoughts. Who would have guessed that Boss Jiang, who looked so handsome, suave, and refined on the outside, actually had a head full of colour-coded, adults-only PowerPoint slides?

       To satisfy his own twisted tastes, he even personally designed Qian Xiaoke’s reindeer costume.

       Anywhere that should be exposed had to be exposed.

       Cute and sexy—Qian Xiaoke deserved it.

       The day before Christmas, the head of the administrative department went to Cheng Sen with a proposal: they could organise a dinner outing for single employees after work on Christmas Day.

       At the time, Qian Xiaoke was helping Cheng Sen tidy up the tea set on the office coffee table. When he heard the supervisor say that, his hand jerked, and he nearly dropped one of Chairman Cheng’s teacups, each worth several thousand yuan.

       Still shaken, Qian Xiaoke held the teacup with both hands and pricked up his ears, desperately hoping Chairman Cheng would disagree.

       So far, Qian Xiaoke’s relationship with Jiang Tongyan was still a secret. Although he had always lived openly and honestly, Jiang Tongyan was different—he was a partner in the company, practically a boss. Qian Xiaoke worried that if everyone found out he was the ‘boss’s wife’, people would start keeping their distance from him.

       Qian Xiaoke thought about a lot of things.

       He was also a little embarrassed. Back when he and a few coworkers had agreed that whoever got into a relationship first would be a dog, yet he had gone and secretly gotten a boyfriend and such a fierce one at that. He was afraid that others would feel envious or jealous and end up under psychological pressure.

       Of course, that last reason was entirely his own overthinking—pure self-directed drama when he had nothing better to do.

       In any case, he simply was not ready to make the relationship public yet. He always felt the timing was not right.

       Jiang Tongyan had been preparing for this Christmas for a long time. No matter what, Qian Xiaoke could not let his mighty Jiang be disappointed.

       Reject it!

       Please, Chairman Cheng—reject it!

       “You decide how to arrange it,” Cheng Sen said. He had never been very enthusiastic about group employee activities. He felt that most people probably did not enjoy company gatherings anyway. Even if coworkers went out to eat together after work, they likely would not be able to relax truly. That said, as a boss, and knowing that collective activities were sometimes unavoidable, he could not be bothered to manage them. He left it to the admin team to handle, as long as they didn’t go overboard.

       Hearing Cheng Sen say that, Qian Xiaoke internally collapsed. He felt like he had gone bald on the spot.

       The head of the administrative department left with light, cheerful steps, leaving Qian Xiaoke behind to pack up the tea set with a deeply worried expression.

       He had to come up with a proper excuse to turn down the event tomorrow night!

       He absolutely could not go. Otherwise, his fierce boyfriend might blow up the entire apartment building.

       Qian Xiaoke was anxious and racked his brain, but he could not come up with a reasonable excuse.

       That evening after work, Jiang Tongyan was busy with business and had to work late. He messaged Qian Xiaoke, telling him to leave first and not wait for him.

       But how could Qian Xiaoke not wait—especially at a time like this?

       Qian Xiaoke stood at the front desk, watching his coworkers leave one by one, playing Candy Crush on his phone while waiting for Jiang Tongyan.

       Jiang Tongyan had no idea Qian Xiaoke was still waiting outside. He and Cheng Sen discussed a project proposal until after eight in the evening.

       By a little after eight o’clock, the entire floor was left with only the three of them.

       Qian Xiaoke had used up all his energy in the Candy Crush game, and out of sheer boredom, he had no idea when he ended up slumped there and fell asleep.

       After Jiang Tongyan finalised the plan with Cheng Sen, he prepared to leave. His delicate wife was waiting at home—there was no way he was going to keep wasting time with Cheng Sen.

       When he stepped out, the motion-sensor lights in the hallway turned on. He had not expected anyone else to be there, and when he suddenly saw someone lying at the front desk, it startled him.

       Qian Xiaoke was wearing his white down jacket, hood pulled up, sprawled there fast asleep, looking like a small cake that had just been baked.

       Jiang Tongyan took a closer look and smiled, his heart growing warm and soft.

       He walked over quietly and used his phone to secretly take a dozen photos of Qian Xiaoke. The guy was sleeping so soundly he was almost drooling—who knew what sweet dream he was having.

       After taking the photos, Jiang Tongyan poked Qian Xiaoke’s cheek with his finger.

       Soft and plumper.

       Ever since Qian Xiaoke had gotten together with Jiang Tongyan, his life had been carefree. He ate well every day and had gained weight straight from happiness.

       But a chubbier Qian Xiaoke was even cuter. Every time Jiang Tongyan held him, it felt like hugging a fat little rabbit.

       Of course, Jiang Tongyan dared not tell Qian Xiaoke that he had gotten fat. Ever since he found out he would be meeting Jiang Tongyan’s parents after New Year’s Day, he had been yelling nonstop about losing weight. If he took it seriously and stopped eating properly, the one who would worry would still be Jiang Tongyan.

       When Jiang Tongyan poked him like that, the person sleeping there jolted awake.

       Still half-asleep, Qian Xiaoke lifted his head and instinctively raised his hand to wipe his mouth.

       Jiang Tongyan laughed at him. “Were you dreaming about me?”

       “Huh?”

       “Was I in your dream also a feast for the eyes?”

       “Huh?”

       “Look at how greedy you are. Come on, let’s go. Go home. Go home and your husband will satisfy you.”

       “Huh?”

       Qian Xiaoke looked at him. He was too embarrassed to admit that he really had been dreaming—but there had been no Jiang Tongyan in the dream, only a gigantic piece of cheesecake.

       “Don’t just stand there. It’s already past eight,” Jiang Tongyan said as he pulled his hand. “Let’s go. Eat first, then go home and have sex.”

       “Sex again?” Qian Xiaoke stood up and obediently zipped up his down jacket.

       “What do you mean by that?” Jiang Tongyan instantly became alert and glared at him. “Are you tired of me?”

       He turned around and pinched Qian Xiaoke’s cheek. “You’re really a love scammer! We’ve only been together for how long? And you’re already bored?”

       Qian Xiaoke did not feel any pain at all. He smiled like a little candy ball. “No, no. What I meant was, husband, your stamina is really amazing.”

       Jiang Tongyan was pleased. He rubbed Qian Xiaoke’s face, picked up his small backpack, took his hand, and left.

       Sometimes, the more you fear something, the more it happens.

       Qian Xiaoke was still thinking about what excuse he should use tomorrow to get out of the group activity when he followed Jiang Tongyan into the elevator. The moment they stepped out of the company building, they ran straight into several coworkers.

       Jiang Tongyan had long wanted to make their relationship public. He wanted to send a message in the company group saying “Thanks everyone, we’re together,” tag Qian Xiaoke, and even hand out red envelopes. He had been fully prepared. But Qian Xiaoke had always felt too shy, so it never happened.

       In hindsight, it would have been better to tell everyone earlier.

       Usually, the two of them did not walk too close after work. They would only take another side road before hailing a taxi together.

       Jiang Tongyan’s house and car were still not settled yet, and he complained about it all the time, but Qian Xiaoke thought this was actually quite nice.

       Because they left late that day and most coworkers were already gone, they had let their guard down and walked out holding hands. Who would have thought that a few coworkers—the most gossip-loving ones—had not gone straight home after work? They had gone to a small restaurant nearby to eat together, and just happened to come out at that moment, passing by the company on their way to the subway station.

       Several pairs of eyes met.

       Qian Xiaoke’s soul left his body.

       Jiang Tongyan looked smug.

       As for those coworkers, the flames of gossip burned fiercely in their eyes.

       Was this a case of unspoken rules¹being sugar baby?

       Or a proper, legitimate relationship?

       Qian Xiaoke was impressive—Chairman Jiang had only been here for a short time and the two of them were already together!

       They would have to learn from Qian Xiaoke’s flirting techniques. Maybe next month they could also land a rich partner!

       After a moment of delicate silence, Jiang Tongyan calmly held Qian Xiaoke’s hand and walked over to greet everyone.

       “You guys are still here this late?” he said, composed and unhurried.

       Chairman Jiang truly lived up to the title. Even in a situation like this, he remained unfazed.

       “Be careful on the way,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Xiaoke and I will head home first.”

       Xiaoke and I.

       Going home.

       Qian Xiaoke lowered his head and pressed his lips together. He was so guilty that he did not dare look at his coworkers. He was dragged along by Jiang Tongyan straight into a taxi.

       Once inside, Qian Xiaoke immediately sprawled across Jiang Tongyan’s lap.

       “Oh no, oh no, we’re done for!” he whined. “How did we get found out?”

       “So what if they found out?” Jiang Tongyan did not care. “They should have noticed long ago.”

       This was good. At last, they did not need to keep up a secret relationship anymore.

       “Let me ask you,” Jiang Tongyan said sourly, a little unhappy. “Do you think I’m something to be ashamed of? Is that why you’re always sneaking around?”

       Qian Xiaoke lifted his head, clicked his tongue, and said, “You don’t understand.”

       “How do I not understand?” Jiang Tongyan flicked his forehead. “Say it. I’m listening.”

       Qian Xiaoke replied in a sticky, mumbled voice, “I was just worried.”

       He let out a small ‘ah’ and flopped back onto Jiang Tongyan’s lap. “What if they find out about us and start calling me the boss’s wife every day? Wouldn’t that be so embarrassing?”

---

T/N:
Merry Christmass
★˛˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛.*★˚˛*˛°.˛*.˛°˛.*★*★* 。*˛.
˛°_██_*.。*./ \ .˛* .˛。.˛.*.★* *★ 。*
˛. (´• ̮•)*.。*/♫.♫\*˛.* ˛_Π_____.e ˛* ˛*
.°( . • . ) ˛°./• ‘♫ ‘ •\.˛*./______/~＼*. ˛*.。˛* ˛.*。
*(…’•’.. ) *˛╬╬╬╬╬˛°.｜田田 ｜門｜╬╬╬╬╬*˚ .˛

---

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       Ever since Qian Xiaoke started dating Jiang Tongyan, their sense of shame seemed to be completely eaten by dogs. They were sticky and cloying, utterly shameless, and the things they said when chatting were frankly unbearable to hear.

       To avoid any ‘accidents’, Qian Xiaoke had sternly ordered Jiang Tongyan not to talk to him at the company.

       But rules were rules, and outstanding young people of the modern age had never been known for obeying them.

       Jiang Tongyan went to the company after having sex at home. Whenever he had nothing to do and passed by Qian Xiaoke’s front desk, he did not care whether there were people around and would openly throw him flirtatious looks.

       They had only been dating for half a month, yet rumours were already spreading like wildfire.

       For example: the newly arrived Chairman Jiang seemed to flirt with Qian Xiaoke every single day, but their Xiaoke did not fall for it at all—his heart belonged solely to work!

       For example: the newly arrived Chairman Jiang seemed to be trying to have a hidden relationship with Qian Xiaoke, but their Xiaoke had principles and had never agreed!

       And another example: the newly arrived Chairman Jiang seemed so hungry for Qian Xiaoke’s body that he could hardly contain himself, even wanting to transfer Xiaoke upstairs to be a front-desk receptionist there—and this time, Xiaoke had agreed!

       Qian Xiaoke was someone who was very slow on the uptake in this regard, and it was not really his fault. When people gossiped about him, they were definitely going to avoid the person involved. By the time Qian Xiaoke had muddleheadedly become the centre of company gossip, he himself still knew nothing about it.

       He continued to bounce around every day, dutiful and devoted to his post. When Cheng Sen told him that after New Year’s Day, he would be going upstairs to work, he pretended to be coy and shot a few reproachful looks at Jiang Tongyan for abusing public power for private gain, then happily agreed.

       When no one else was around, Qian Xiaoke and Jiang Tongyan stood in the pantry, each holding a small teacup as they filled it with water to drink.

       Qian Xiaoke wanted to laugh, but still had to put on a reluctantly troubled expression. “How can you be like this? You can’t do this anymore. It really puts me in a difficult position.”

       Jiang Tongyan laughed at him. “What’s so difficult for you?”

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips, then glanced around furtively to make sure no one else was nearby before answering him. “Wanting to have sex with you in your office but not being able to—that’s what’s difficult for me!”

       Jiang Tongyan had finally realized that Qian Xiaoke was not pure at all.

       If anyone ever said Qian Xiaoke was pure again, he would kill them on the spot.

       That said, he liked Qian Xiaoke exactly like this.

       No, that was not quite right. To be precise, no matter what kind of Qian Xiaoke he was, Jiang Tongyan liked him so much it was practically life or death.

       Pathetic.

       He did not look anything like a domineering CEO at all.

       “No need to feel conflicted,” Jiang Tongyan deliberately teased him. “I absolutely won’t have sex with you in the office.”

       As soon as Qian Xiaoke heard that, he was unhappy. He rolled his eyes, turned around, and left, and did not pay any attention to Jiang Tongyan all the way until they got home after work.

       Qian Xiaoke might be small, but his temper was not.

       Still, ‘throwing a tantrum’ was one thing. After getting home, Qian Xiaoke changed clothes and went straight into the kitchen, opened the cooking app, and tied on an apron printed with Sailor Moon.

       Jiang Tongyan sidled over. “Baby.”

       Qian Xiaoke snorted. “Hmph!”

       Jiang Tongyan smiled ingratiatingly. “Bao-bao.”

       Qian Xiaoke snorted again. “Hmph!”

       Jiang Tongyan went straight over, wrapped his arms around him, and shook him. “Wife, wife, wife, can I have a kiss, mwah mwah mwah.”

       Qian Xiaoke got goosebumps all over from how cheesy it was.

       “What are you doing?” Qian Xiaoke pushed him away. “Are you crazy?”

       “Cheng Sen taught me,” Jiang Tongyan said very seriously. “This afternoon I told him I would made you angry, and he said comforting someone like this works amazingly well.”

       Qian Xiaoke rolled his eyes and pushed the person clinging to him again. “Stop learning this stuff!”

       “It’s so cheesy it can kill people,” Qian Xiaoke said.

       Even though Qian Xiaoke himself was a little monster who went crazy saying cheesy things once he was in love, he really could not stand Jiang Tongyan being like this—so tacky and so stupid. Absolutely not acceptable.

       “So you’re not angry anymore?” Jiang Tongyan asked.

       Qian Xiaoke curled his lips, muttering while preparing the ingredients. “Actually, I wasn’t angry to begin with.”

       He had just been deliberately messing with him.

       Commonly known as throwing a tantrum for no reason.

       It could also be called having nothing better to do.

       “Not angry?” Jiang Tongyan poked his butt cheek. “Doesn’t seem like it. When I wanted to walk home with you after work, you didn’t even acknowledge me.”

       Just because Qian Xiaoke ignored him, and because Jiang Tongyan could not bear to let Qian Xiaoke walk home alone, the end result was that the two of them ended up squeezing onto the subway again.

       On the subway, Jiang Tongyan kept edging closer to Qian Xiaoke. As it happened, there was a strange guy who insisted on wedging himself right between them, and from time to time he even sent covert flirtatious glances toward Jiang Tongyan.

       Of course, Jiang Tongyan did not receive any of those signals at all. His entire attention was fixed on Qian Xiaoke—he kept stretching his neck to look at him. However, that guy’s behavior did not escape Qian Xiaoke’s notice, and Qian Xiaoke muttered to himself: Stop dreaming—this man is my husband!

       Qian Xiaoke was the classic type who completely failed to perform in the heat of an argument and started to reflect after quarreling with others. So it was not until he and Jiang Tongyan had already exited the subway that he regretfully thought: back on the subway, he should have kissed Jiang Tongyan passionately right in front of that little vixen!

       Forget it. This time counted as that guy being lucky. If they ran into each other again on the subway, Qian Xiaoke would absolutely let him know what a French wet kiss was!

       That was what Qian Xiaoke thought. Whether he could actually do it was another matter—thinking it through felt great anyway.

       Jiang Tongyan rested his chin on Qian Xiaoke’s shoulder. “You were angry.”

       “I wasn’t,” Qian Xiaoke said, pouting as he started cooking. “I’m very understanding.”

       He really was quite understanding.

       Jiang Tongyan laughed. “Right. Not only are you understanding, but you also know how to add a little spice to life.”

       “Huh? What do you mean?” Qian Xiaoke did not understand at all, thinking: What spice did I add to life?

       “This right here is spice,” Jiang Tongyan said, and suddenly pulled Qian Xiaoke into his arms and kissed him hard. The big potato in Qian Xiaoke’s hand rolled straight onto the floor.

       The scene was extremely like an idol drama.

       Though in the dramas, typically the leads were not usually peeling potatoes at moments like this. What they held were rosy little apples.

       Held in Jiang Tongyan’s arms and kissed until he felt light-headed, Qian Xiaoke lost all other thoughts.

       He realised that he was really far too easy to subdue.

       One good meal.

       A few sweet words.

       A kiss.

       Or a completely shameless round of sex.

       When Jiang Tongyan finally let him go, Qian Xiaoke tilted up his small face and said, “I really wasn’t angry today. I was just messing with you.”

       “I could tell,” Jiang Tongyan said. Of course he could tell; he was not an idiot.

       If he really counted it up, the two of them had not known each other for very long. Excluding that period when they were ‘online hook-up buddies’, the time they had actually spent together was even shorter.

       But Jiang Tongyan felt that he had already seen Qian Xiaoke through.

       Qian Xiaoke was actually a very simple person—simple and optimistic. He did not overthink things, had no scheming thoughts, and although he could be a bit slow at times, he was not stupid. He was the adorably clumsy type.

       He did not easily get angry over a few joking words, not because Qian Xiaoke had an exceptionally good temper, but because he had a genuinely good nature.

       The most precious parts of his personality were probably his optimism, positivity, and kind sincerity.

       Jiang Tongyan both liked him and admired him deeply.

       Jiang Tongyan kissed his cheek. “If I couldn’t even tell what you’re thinking, I really wouldn’t be fit to be your husband.”

       Qian Xiaoke pursed his lips. Even as he did, there was a smile hidden in his eyes.

       “So annoying!” Qian Xiaoke reached out. “Go—pick up the potato for me. Wash it clean. Peel it.”

       “Yes, Your Majesty!” Jiang Tongyan briskly picked up the potato and went to the sink. As he washed it, he asked, “If you’re going to peel it anyway, why do you still need to wash it first?”

       “Because I’m a clean freak!”

       Jiang Tongyan laughed. “Alright, you really do pick things up fast when it comes to this stuff!”

       In a great mood thanks to his outstanding learning ability, Qian Xiaoke decided to add a little extra meat to Jiang Tongyan’s dinner that night.

       “Oh right, there’s something I want to ask you,” Qian Xiaoke said as he sliced the meat. “If one day I made you angry, how would I have to comfort you for you to stop being mad?”

       “Me? Angry?” Jiang Tongyan scoffed. “Am I an idiot? Why would I get mad at you?”

       That answer made Qian Xiaoke happy, but he still pressed on. “What if, though? Teach me in advance, so I don’t panic when it happens.”

       Qian Xiaoke was very earnest. “You know my brain doesn’t work that well. I’m afraid I wouldn’t calm you down and would end up messing things up even more.”

       Jiang Tongyan glanced at him and smiled. “You really don’t need to worry about that. I’m not someone who likes to get angry in the first place.”

       He finished washing the potato and carefully began peeling it.

       “If something comes up between us, we can just talk it through properly,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Why insist on getting mad? Sulking doesn’t solve anything, and it hurts the relationship between the two of us.”

       Qian Xiaoke nodded in agreement.

       “I’m even more curious now.”

       “What are you curious about this time?” Jiang Tongyan said to him. “Read fewer web novels when you’ve got nothing to do. Those melodramatic tropes aren’t going to happen in our home. Don’t keep imagining things and adding extra drama for yourself.”

       “Hehehe,” Qian Xiaoke had been called out and lowered his head with an embarrassed smile. “They’re fun to read.”

       “Fun?” Jiang Tongyan looked completely baffled. “That day, I just went to the bathroom for a moment. When I came out, you were holding your phone, crying over a novel like your husband had died. You scared me so badly I almost knelt down on the spot. And you’re telling me that’s fun?”

       Qian Xiaoke pressed his lips together and smiled. “Hey! Don’t change the subject!”

       He looked at Jiang Tongyan and nudged his arm with his elbow. “How about you tell me what situation would actually make you angry? I’ll behave myself and avoid stepping on your landmines.”

       Jiang Tongyan blurted out instinctively, “No matter what you do to me, I wouldn’t get angry with you.”

       But after saying it, he felt the answer might be a little careless. He thought about it seriously and suddenly straightened his expression.

       “There really is one,” Jiang Tongyan said, suddenly turning serious.

       “What?” Qian Xiaoke perked up. “Tell me.”

       As he continued peeling the potato, Jiang Tongyan said very earnestly, “If you stopped loving me, I would be very angry.”

       Qian Xiaoke froze. He had not expected Jiang Tongyan to say that.

       “But I guess it wouldn’t really be anger at you,” Jiang Tongyan continued, keeping his head down as he peeled. “I would probably be more angry at myself.”

       “Wh… why?” Qian Xiaoke’s voice was soft and careful, as though he were holding Jiang Tongyan’s heart in his hands, afraid of startling it or dropping it.

       Jiang Tongyan thought for a moment and curled his lips. “Do we really have to take the sentimental route?”

       “Yeah, stir it up a little. Go on, I want to hear it.”

       Jiang Tongyan accepted the order and obediently went full sentimental.

       “Because I would feel that if one day you stopped loving me, it would have to be because I hadn’t done well enough—because I hadn’t made you feel my love, and that was why you wanted to leave me.” Jiang Tongyan pursed his lips. “I have to eliminate the possibility of that ever happening.”

       He looked at Qian Xiaoke. “Wife, come here and give me a kiss. Right now, immediately—feel your husband’s blazing love for you!”

       Qian Xiaoke laughed, put down the knife, and pounced on Jiang Tongyan. The two of them stopped cooking altogether and kissed in the kitchen, sticky-sweet and shamelessly affectionate.

       When Jiang Tongyan said those words earlier, he had deliberately used a joking tone, but Qian Xiaoke knew that he was being completely serious.

       This version of Jiang Tongyan made it impossible for Qian Xiaoke not to love him.

       Qian Xiaoke even felt that while Jiang Tongyan was speaking, he could see his heart beating, and right in the centre of that heart were three words written clearly—Qian Xiaoke.

       He was deeply moved.

       As Qian Xiaoke kissed Jiang Tongyan, he decided that later he would have another commemorative banner custom-made for him. This time it would read:

       China’s Most Touching Boyfriend — The Peerless Mighty Top, Jiang Tongyan!

---

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       Qian Xiaoke now understood that no matter what he did, he had to be careful, or else he would suffer the consequences himself.

       For example, carrying a huge box of condoms home.

       Awkward.

       Very awkward.

       Extremely awkward.

       Qian Xiaoke felt that he could practically write an entire poem using just the word ‘awkward’.

       When the elevator reached the first floor, his colleagues all made way for him, letting him go first.

       Under everyone’s gaze, Qian Xiaoke hugged the big box of ‘instant noodles’ and walked out of the elevator. Because the box was so large, the way he carried it made him feel like he had been pregnant for three years without giving birth, which was ridiculous to the extreme.

       After exiting, Qian Xiaoke deliberately slowed down, lagging behind the others. He smiled brightly and said goodbye to every colleague who passed him, walking slower and slower, slower and slower, until he finally couldn’t help turning his head around and said to Jiang Tongyan, who was walking behind him with a beaming smile, “Why aren’t you walking faster?”

       “I’m quietly admiring your beauty,” Jiang Tongyan said, sounding very convincing. “For some reason, I find the way you walk while carrying condoms very charming.”

       “Shh! Shut up!” Qian Xiaoke panicked and looked around. “Keep it low-key!”

       Jiang Tongyan had been holding in his laughter for ages, and now he could finally laugh freely.

       Laughing loudly, he reached out to help Qian Xiaoke take the box, but Qian Xiaoke dodged away.

       “Oh? You don’t even need my help?”

       “Don’t talk to me!” They still hadn’t left the office building. If someone saw them, it would be impossible to explain!

       Qian Xiaoke—be cautious.

       Jiang Tongyan followed behind him helplessly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

       With the way Qian Xiaoke’s brain worked, it was no wonder he hadn’t been able to find a boyfriend before.

       Thinking this, Jiang Tongyan actually felt a bit smug. After all, interesting souls weren’t that easy to come by. There was no way he wouldn’t feel proud, being able to capture such an interesting soul into his arms was like catching a butterfly.

       The box of condoms wasn’t heavy; it was just too bulky. Holding it made it hard for Qian Xiaoke to see the road ahead.

       Jiang Tongyan directed him from behind. “There’s a manhole cover ahead. If you step on it, I’ll smack your butt three times.”

       Qian Xiaoke snorted. “Pervert!”

       Then he stepped on it anyway—on purpose.

       Jiang Tongyan laughed. “So which one of us is the pervert, exactly?”

       “You are!”

       The two of them swayed along to another road, finally distancing themselves from any colleagues who might appear. Jiang Tongyan hurried over and took the huge box of condoms from Qian Xiaoke’s arms.

       Standing by the roadside, Qian Xiaoke said, “Looks like we can only take a taxi home.”

       Totally not worth it.

       When he had bought those condoms, he had stayed up until midnight competing with others for deals. In the end, all the money he saved went into the taxi fare.

       Totally not worth it!

       Jiang Tongyan asked him, “Why do you look so miserable? What are you thinking about?”

       “Doing the math,” Qian Xiaoke said. “I think I’m at a loss.”

       “At a loss for what?”

       “Happiness.” The joy of 12.12 bargain-hunting was just gone like that. He hadn’t gained any advantage at all. Qian Xiaoke leaned against Jiang Tongyan and put on an exaggerated act, letting out pitiful ‘waah-waah’ sounds.

       No matter how much he ‘whimpered’, carrying such a big box on public transportation was clearly impossible. The two of them took a taxi home. The moment they entered the apartment, Qian Xiaoke collapsed onto the sofa in utter despair, while Jiang Tongyan eagerly opened the delivery box.

       Condoms were something only people who could actually use them knew how to appreciate.

       Jiang Tongyan sat on the floor, taking out box after box.

       “Gold-series ultra-thin, smooth passion, extended endurance…” Jiang Tongyan turned his head to look at Qian Xiaoke sprawled on the sofa. “You bought this model—do you think I’m not enduring enough?”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke sat up, looking at him innocently. “What?”

       “This one.” Jiang Tongyan held up a box of condoms. “This model is called ‘long-lasting.’”

       He brought it closer and read the words on it. “Classic delay formula, shared endurance…”

       “Ahhh! I’m not listening!” Qian Xiaoke covered his ears. “So embarrassing!”

       Jiang Tongyan let out a cold laugh. “Qian Xiaoke, you’ve offended me.”

       “Hm?”

       “You buying this is definitely hinting at something,” Jiang Tongyan said as he stood up. He walked toward the lovely person on the sofa while pulling down his pants. “Today, gege won’t wear this crappy ‘long-lasting’ condom and can still last long enough to make you kneel and beg for mercy!”

       Sitting on the sofa, Qian Xiaoke watched him stride over aggressively, feeling both excited and a little panicked.

       “I didn’t—I didn’t mean that at all,” he said. He really hadn’t meant it that way.

       Ever since Jiang Tongyan’s ‘problem’ had been cured, the man had become ridiculously fierce. No matter how one evaluated him, from any angle, he was a top-tier, full-on ferocious top. Qian Xiaoke could personally vouch for that.

       The only reason he had bought that particular model was that he hadn’t paid attention.

       Who was Qian Xiaoke?

       A pure, innocent boy!

       Before dating Jiang Tongyan, this pure boy would blush just walking past the condom shelf at the supermarket, okay? He had zero research or understanding of this kind of thing.

       He couldn’t tell the difference between ‘smooth passion’ and ‘long-lasting’. To him, condoms were all the same.

       But whatever.

       What mattered now wasn’t researching the unique features and charms of each condom type, but taking off his pants and fooling around with his boyfriend on an empty stomach.

       Qian Xiaoke opened his arms and sweetly wrapped them around Jiang Tongyan.

       ==============

       As if to prove that he really could last that long, Jiang Tongyan actually did make Qian Xiaoke almost kneel down and beg for mercy.

       He just wouldn’t finish, while Qian Xiaoke had long since finished and was still hungry, so aggrieved that he kept urging him on.

       Mr Ferocious Top Jiang Tongyan was delighted. He forced Qian Xiaoke to say a whole lot of mushy, shameless things—words that would make anyone else blush, race their heart, and curse him for having no shame, but that left Jiang Tongyan feeling refreshed and ready to fight another five hundred rounds. Finally satisfied, he let Qian Xiaoke go.

       Qian Xiaoke had already slid off the sofa onto the floor, lying on the warm winter floor like a little turtle flipped onto its back, unable to right itself.

       Not far from him, the half-opened delivery box lay scattered on the floor. One box of ‘long-lasting’ faced him directly, letting out an evil grin.

       Jiang Tongyan happily leaned over to kiss and hug him, taking full advantage and feeling extremely pleased.

       “Baby.”

       “…That’s so cheesy,” Qian Xiaoke said. “I can’t take it.”

       “Wife.”

       Qian Xiaoke snickered. “You’re so annoying.”

       “Don’t like it? Then I won’t say it.”

       “Hey, that’s annoying!” Qian Xiaoke clung to his arm. “Say it, say it—say it again.”

       Jiang Tongyan was so happy his eyebrows practically flew off his face. While kissing him, he kept calling him ‘wife’ in a sweet, affectionate voice.

       These two really had no shame at all. Even the furniture in the house would have wanted to roll its eyes if it could.

       After they had had enough of clinging to each other, Jiang Tongyan carried Qian Xiaoke off to take a bath.

       “You soak first,” Jiang Tongyan said, giving himself a quick rinse. “I’ll go make you some food.”

       Qian Xiaoke was shocked. “You? Cook?”

       He knew Jiang Tongyan could cook a little, but it was all Western food.

       Pan-seared steak, fried eggs, and boiled pasta.

       But Qian Xiaoke wasn’t used to those, and Jiang Tongyan didn’t make them especially well either.

       “I learned a couple of moves from Cheng Sen,” Jiang Tongyan said. “I’ll show off today.”

       After drying himself off, he leaned over and kissed Qian Xiaoke’s rosy, springy lips again. “Just watch, my precious wife.”

       With that, Jiang Tongyan strutted out naked, leaving Qian Xiaoke behind, pursing his lips and smiling shyly. “Who’s your precious wife? You’re so nauseating!”

       After muttering that, Qian Xiaoke smiled until his eyes curved into little crescents. He sank into the bathtub, so sweet that he wriggled in the water like a loach.

       When Jiang Tongyan said he was going to cook, he really wasn’t joking.

       He opened the fridge, took out the ingredients, sorted them one by one, then opened his phone.

       Cheng Sen had sent him a ‘cooking tutorial video’, which was actually just Zhou Mo recording Cheng Sen while he cooked, complete with heart effects added on.

       The reason Jiang Tongyan had thought of cooking wasn’t really to cook, but because he also wanted to practice until Qian Xiaoke could film a video like that for him, with heart effects too. No need for background music—just Qian Xiaoke’s praise, ‘Hubby is amazing!’ or ‘Hubby, mwah mwah!’

       He was immersed in these beautiful fantasies, and then the cooking failed.

       When Qian Xiaoke came out, what he saw was a plate of tomato scrambled eggs that had neither proper colour, aroma, nor taste. He didn’t even dare ask what the dish should be called.

       Still, Qian Xiaoke was a broad-minded person, and he loved Jiang Tongyan deeply.

       Relying purely on his love for Jiang Tongyan, he ate two bowls of rice with that dish-that-dared-not-speak-its-name.

       Love could save everything.

       Qian Xiaoke was the bravest warrior in love.

       Jiang Tongyan asked, “Do you like it? If you do, I’ll make it for you again tomorrow.”

       “No need!” Qian Xiaoke’s delicate body trembled. “Husband, tomorrow I’ll do it.”

       “Don’t,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Work is too hard for you. I’ll do it.”

       He knew there was a gap between his cooking and other people’s, but he had a filter for himself and didn’t think it was bad at all. Plus, Qian Xiaoke had eaten so much, so he assumed he had hit his sweet spot. His Xiaoke just liked this kind of thing.

       He inflated again.

       Jiang Tongyan inflated again.

       “It’s not hard at all. How could I be more tired than you?” Qian Xiaoke said. You really didn’t see couples fighting over who got to cook at home.

       Qian Xiaoke was afraid that if Jiang Tongyan kept cooking like this, it might eventually affect his love for the man. So he said, “Husband, how about this—going forward, I’ll be in charge of cooking, and you’ll be in charge of washing the dishes.”

       “That won’t do,” Jiang Tongyan said, gazing at Qian Xiaoke with deep affection. “Cooking is too tiring. How could I let you do it every day?”

       He said, “Leave it all to me. I’m a fierce top. Cooking, washing dishes, chopping wood, fvcking you—I’ll do it all.”

       Qian Xiaoke said, “…No need. I’ll do the cooking and dishes. Chopping wood… there’s no need to chop wood nowadays.”

       Qian Xiaoke blinked. “You just be responsible for doing me, that’s enough.”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke said so vaguely that Jiang Tongyan didn’t hear it clearly at all. “What did you say?”

       “I said…” They were already this close, already in this kind of relationship, but the essence of a pure boy never changed. Even at eighty, he would still be shy. Qian Xiaoke’s ears turned red at the tips as he practically buried his face in his bowl. He lifted his eyes to glance at Jiang Tongyan and said shyly, “I said… You can just be responsible for fvcking me.”

---

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       Jiang Tongyan was feeling extremely proud now. When he got hard, he got hard—clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

       Ever since his problem in that area had been resolved, he felt more valiant and more manly every single day. He even forced Qian Xiaoke to make him a ceremonial banner: red background, gold lettering, with shiny golden tassels on both sides. Written on it were the words—

       And at the bottom, the signature read—

       Jiang Tongyan hung this banner in Qian Xiaoke’s living room, right above the sofa, dead centre.

       Jiang Tongyan said, “This spot will keep it. When we take our wedding photos someday, then we’ll replace it.”

       Qian Xiaoke felt that Jiang Tongyan was both tacky and adorable. Who hung something like this at home?

       “Don’t you think this banner doesn’t really match the vibe of the house?” Qian Xiaoke asked sincerely. He felt that with this hanging there, he would be too embarrassed to invite friends over in the future. It was genuinely mortifying.

       But Jiang Tongyan didn’t feel embarrassed at all. He wished he could take a hundred photos with the banner and post them across every social media platform.

       Inflated.

       Extremely inflated.

       Qian Xiaoke had no choice but to let him have his way. That said, after getting used to seeing it, the banner actually looked fairly pleasing to the eye. When the two of them were doing those embarrassing things on the sofa, Jiang Tongyan would look up at the banner and immediately feel greatly encouraged, getting three degrees harder on the spot.

       Very nice.

       And at this very moment, Qian Xiaoke’s cheek was pressed against the other man’s scorching chest, listening to him say, “Don’t move around. I’m about to get hard.” Wasn’t that basically telling him to move around like crazy?

       “You’re so annoying,” Qian Xiaoke said shyly, smiling coquettishly as he nestled in Jiang Tongyan’s arms. “I’m going to sleep!”

       Jiang Tongyan was half-asleep and didn’t understand what he meant. He tightened his hold and pressed the person firmly into his arms, continuing to snore away.

       It was comforting to be hugged by someone to sleep, especially in winter.

       Just imagine… Outside, freezing cold with heavy snow falling; inside, affection lingering, passion blazing. Who wouldn’t envy it? Who wouldn’t be jealous?

       The Qian Xiaoke of the past would get up immediately once he woke, heading to the company early every day. But now, he had changed.

       Ever since he got a boyfriend, he had stayed up late at night and couldn’t get up in the morning. Even when the alarm went off, he still had to linger in his boyfriend’s arms for a long time, hugging Jiang Tongyan’s neck and calling out ‘husband, husband’ for ages.

       Jiang Tongyan, of course, was delighted. He felt like getting into a relationship had launched him straight to the peak of life. He was radiant every day, and even his temper improved.

       Not many days after they got together, Jiang Tongyan began thinking that maybe he should buy a house, then buy a car. In the future, the two of them could commute together every day. They couldn’t seriously keep taking taxis daily, right? Besides, Qian Xiaoke didn’t even take taxis—he dragged Jiang Tongyan along to squeeze into the subway.

       Although hugging each other in an overcrowded subway was pretty sweet and romantic, being jostled around was still somewhat uncomfortable.

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t really mind it himself, but he absolutely couldn’t stand Qian Xiaoke being squeezed like that.

       Everything else was negotiable, but in packed places, it was inevitable that someone might take advantage. Even if someone only accidentally brushed against Qian Xiaoke’s butt, Jiang Tongyan could stay angry about it for half the day. After all, that was his boyfriend’s butt!

       This man’s possessiveness was very strong.

       He was secretly making plans, while Qian Xiaoke knew absolutely nothing about it.

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t become inflated just because he had found a wealthy boyfriend, nor did he feel like he had suddenly turned into a phoenix perched on a branch²when a person rises in status. For him, the biggest change love brought was probably that life became sweeter, and he now had a happy sex life.

       Even though he no longer wanted to wake up early every day or rush to the office to clock in, when it came to work, he was still diligent and conscientious.

       Sometimes Cheng Sen would tease him. “Xiaoke, how about quitting your job and going home to be a rich housewife?”

       Qian Xiaoke would put on a serious face and say, “Chairman Cheng! Please don’t fire me!”

       Going to work was so interesting!

       Qian Xiaoke bustled around every day, continuing to serve as Chairman Cheng’s company mascot. When Jiang Tongyan came by, the two of them would act as if they didn’t know each other, thoroughly enjoying the performance.

       The two of them were carrying on a secret relationship. Apart from Cheng Sen and his wife, no one else in the company knew about their relationship.

       The upstairs offices were almost done being renovated, and Jiang Tongyan started selecting desks, chairs, and furnishings for his office. Initially, he had wanted to leave this task to Qian Xiaoke—letting Qian Xiaoke handle everything inside the room would make him happy.

       However, this proposal was vetoed by Cheng Sen.

       The reason was—

       If Qian Xiaoke chose, he would probably keep everything as simple as possible.

       After all, Qian Xiaoke was a master of frugality and good household management.

       Jiang Tongyan thought about it and agreed. Between a ten-thousand-yuan office desk and a one-thousand-yuan one, Qian Xiaoke might choose neither—he would pick the two-hundred-yuan option.

       That wouldn’t do. A two-hundred-yuan desk wouldn’t be sturdy. What if they were in the office doing something, things were getting intense, and the desk collapsed?

       It had to be the ten-thousand-yuan one.

       While Jiang Tongyan was busy with these things, Qian Xiaoke was busy receiving his 12.12 deliveries.

       And Qian Xiaoke made a mistake. A huge mistake.

       He usually didn’t shop online much, or rather, he generally didn’t buy things for himself. A large portion of the orders on his Taobao account were purchases he made for the company, which he would then submit for reimbursement from accounting.

       That 12.12, he had been busy grabbing discounted condoms. With one careless slip, he placed the order using the default address. He didn’t notice at the time, and when it came time to receive the package, he was completely dumbfounded.

       As the front-desk receptionist, it was rare for Qian Xiaoke to have a package of his own, and this one was a huge box, filled entirely with condoms.

       When the delivery arrived, it was hard to tell what was inside from the box itself, but he felt guilty. So guilty that his palms were sweating even as he signed for it.

       The delivery guy asked him, “What’s wrong with you?”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke asked, his hand shaking as he spoke. “What’s wrong with me?”

       “You’re acting weird today. Your hands are shaking just signing your name,” the delivery guy said alertly. “There isn’t anything prohibited in that box, is there?”

       “No, no,” Qian Xiaoke was scared half to death and hurried to explain. “Daily necessities. Just daily necessities.”

       The delivery guy and Qian Xiaoke were familiar with each other. Seeing him act like this, he immediately sensed that something was fishy.

       “Qian Xiaoke, what did you secretly buy?”

       “Nothing!” Qian Xiaoke finished signing and immediately hugged the big box to himself. “You should go! Go do your job! You’re not welcome here!”

       The delivery guy laughed a few times and raised his eyebrows at him with ill intent. “I get it, I get it. We’re all men. I understand.”

       With that, he strolled away leisurely.

       Qian Xiaoke watched him, baffled. What do you understand? You single dog—what do you understand!

       After the delivery guy left, Qian Xiaoke looked around and, seeing no one nearby, carefully placed the big box of condoms next to his chair. He even deliberately covered it with other things.

       He couldn’t let anyone see it.

       Even though there was nothing written on the box, it still couldn’t draw too much attention. If someone got curious and came over to ask, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep from giving himself away.

       Qian Xiaoke actually really wanted to open the box and put the contents into his small backpack, but the problem was that he was afraid the backpack wouldn’t fit everything, and also afraid someone would see him halfway through.

       So embarrassing!

       Everyone else bought food, drinks, clothes, and daily items during 12.12.

       He bought condoms.

       Too serious!

       He was in the middle of stacking things on top of the box when he heard someone ask, “What did you buy?”

       Qian Xiaoke raised his head warily and discovered that the one asking wasn’t anyone else—it was his valiant boyfriend.

       “Hey, don’t ask,” Qian Xiaoke waved his hand, shooing him away. “You’ll know when we get back.”

       “Why don’t you open it?” Jiang Tongyan leaned over the front desk. “You can’t seriously carry such a big box home after work, can you?”

       “Why not?” Qian Xiaoke said. “I’m carrying it.”

       “That’s dirty,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Delivery boxes are the dirtiest.”

       He looked around. “Is there a bag? Open the box and put the stuff into a bag.”

       “Hey! Stop it!” Qian Xiaoke stood up and chased him away. “You don’t know anything! Go away!”

       Seeing such a big reaction from him, Jiang Tongyan suddenly understood something. He grabbed Qian Xiaoke’s hand and said with a mischievous grin, “Oh? I think I know what it is now!”

       With that expression, he looked like he was teasing an innocent married man—very wicked, very indecent.

       He was about to say more when Qian Xiaoke slapped a hand over his mouth.

       Just then, Cheng Sen passed by. He looked at the two of them with a smile and said, “Your relationship seems pretty good.”

       “It’s not!” Qian Xiaoke said shyly, dodging to the side and pretending to be busy with work.

       Jiang Tongyan straightened his back and said proudly, “Yes, that’s right. Our relationship is very good!”

       Cheng Sen rolled his eyes and strolled away.

       As soon as Cheng Sen left, Jiang Tongyan immediately leaned in close to Qian Xiaoke’s ear. “Is it condoms?”

       “Hey, don’t say it!” Qian Xiaoke was a pure, innocent little guy, so talking about this at the office was too embarrassing!

       Jiang Tongyan held back his laughter and reached out to give his cheek a squeeze. “Alright. When we get back, your husband will reimburse you. Tonight, we’ll do it all night long!”

       With that, Jiang Tongyan also strolled off, busying himself with his work.

       As for Qian Xiaoke, who had originally been a diligent employee, he now couldn’t focus on work at all thanks to that shameless partner. His mind was full of ‘do it all night long’.

       Doing it all night was not possible; he still had to work tomorrow.

       Even though he thought that, Qian Xiaoke couldn’t help but lie face down on the desk and laugh, his shoulders shaking. When a colleague passed by, they asked suspiciously, “Qian Xiaoke, did you win the lottery or something?”

       Qian Xiaoke sat up straight and said proudly, “No, but I’m happier than if I had.”

       His boyfriend was far more valuable than a lottery ticket.

       Lottery winnings would eventually be spent, but the love his boyfriend gave him would last a lifetime.

       Proud!

       Happy!

       Sweet!

       Qian Xiaoke was getting inflated too.

       So when he got off work that day, Qian Xiaoke really did carry the big box out with him. When colleagues saw it, they all asked, “What did you buy?”

       After spending the entire afternoon, Qian Xiaoke finally came up with an explanation that could fool people. “An online shop had instant noodles on sale. I bought a lot. It’s more convenient to carry them like this.”

       What he hadn’t expected was that everyone in the elevator asked him for the link to that shop. Qian Xiaoke could only say, full of frustration, “It—it’s been taken down!”

       And at that moment, his boyfriend Jiang Tongyan, who knew everything, was hiding among the crowd, standing in the corner of the elevator, and was injured from trying to hold back his laughter.

---

T/N:
I had time ahaha

---

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       Jiang Tongyan said, “Didn’t expect this. You’re being so coquettish, huh.”

       Qian Xiaoke snatched his phone back, head down as he hurried outside.

       Smug as could be, Jiang Tongyan swaggered along behind him, whistling at the retreating figure. “Wife, come back!”

       Qian Xiaoke let out an ‘Awoo’, covered the bunny ears on his hat, and ran off.

       It was way too funny.

       Jiang Tongyan, following behind, watched him and laughed so hard he almost choked on the cold air.

       Who covered the hat’s ears when trying to cover their own ears?

       Wasn’t that stupid?

       Silly.

       But cute.

       Jiang Tongyan was basically done for. No matter what Qian Xiaoke did, he found it cute, and that was fatal.

       As the saying goes, a person shouldn’t put love first. One should stay calm, rational, and look at emotions and one’s partner objectively.

       Jiang Tongyan had wanted to do exactly that, but he failed.

       The moment he was in front of Qian Xiaoke, all that calmness, rationality, and objectivity instantly turned into holy shit he’s so damn cute!

       Jiang Tongyan didn’t know whether everyone in love became like this. All he knew was that he had completely fallen, and he was falling very happily.

       Qian Xiaoke was still running with his head down, and Jiang Tongyan chased after him.

       It had snowed not long ago, and the ground was more or less slippery. After catching up to Qian Xiaoke, Jiang Tongyan used slipping as an excuse and wrapped his arms around him.

       Qian Xiaoke was panting from running. He stood there and said to him, “Don’t drag me along. I’m really tired.”

       “Nope. I’m dragging you.” Jiang Tongyan said. “I’m dragging my wife. What about it?”

       “Who’s your wife?” Qian Xiaoke got embarrassed, fidgeting so much he couldn’t even look Jiang Tongyan in the eyes.

       But embarrassed as he was, his little heart was pounding wildly because of that line.

       Having read countless danmei novels, Qian Xiaoke genuinely liked being called that. He thought words like ‘husband’ and ‘wife’ sounded so sweet when spoken.

       Back when he was lonely and cold, having erotic dreams alone under the covers, he used to hug a pillow and hum, calling out ‘husband’.

       At that time, he thought every day about where in the world his real husband might be, in which corner or back alley, stubbornly refusing to come find him.

       Now things were good. His husband had arrived, and even in a winter with biting cold winds, there was someone to warm his hands.

       “You’re my wife,” Jiang Tongyan said. “I need to take a look and pick a good day to get the paperwork done.”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke looked up at him. “What paperwork?”

       “Marriage registration.” Jiang Tongyan said. “To marry you.”

       Smoke practically rose from the top of Qian Xiaoke’s head, from happiness.

       That one sentence from Jiang Tongyan set his heart on fire. The fire burned recklessly, exactly like how Jiang Tongyan was on him when he did this and that.

       It was pretty…cool.

       “What’s wrong with you…” Qian Xiaoke pushed him away, tugged his hat down again, and kept walking forward.

       “What’s wrong with me?” Jiang Tongyan hurried after him. Not caring how passersby looked, he directly slung an arm around Qian Xiaoke’s shoulders and walked on. “Why am I so lovable?”

       “Your skin is so thick,” Qian Xiaoke laughed as he said it. “I’ve never seen anyone as annoying as you.”

       “Annoying, or irresistibly charming?”

       “Annoying!” Qian Xiaoke smacked him. “You haven’t even proposed yet. I’m not marrying you like this!”

       The moment Jiang Tongyan heard that, oh boy—that was a good idea!

       “Alright, then you wait. Your husband will arrange the flashiest proposal for you another day, make Shen Huiming and the others envy, jealous, and hate us!”

       Qian Xiaoke lowered his head and smiled, stealthily slipping his hand into Jiang Tongyan’s coat pocket.

       He didn’t know why, but he felt that the other man’s pocket was warmer than his own.

       Jiang Tongyan followed along and slipped his hand in as well, clasping Qian Xiaoke’s curled fingers.

       “Don’t compare,” Qian Xiaoke said, though his heart still held a bit of anticipation for Jiang Tongyan’s proposal. “Keep everything simple.”

       Still, they seemed to be moving too fast. Was a whirlwind marriage really okay?

       Qian Xiaoke and Jiang Tongyan walked hand in hand down the winter road. Everyone else hurried along because of the cold. Only the two of them, with love and no fear of the chill, strolled leisurely through the freezing wind.

       ================

       Although he kept saying out loud that couples shouldn’t move in together so quickly, the very first day they got together, the two of them already ‘broke the rules’. After that, Jiang Tongyan practically wished he could smash down the wall between their two homes, turn the two households into one, just like how the two of them would occasionally merge into one person.

       It was both sexy and romantic.

       Jiang Tongyan spent all day daydreaming about it.

       But the place wasn’t his, and the owner had no intention of selling, so Jiang Tongyan’s plan was strangled in the cradle.

       Their arrangement became today at your place, tomorrow at mine.

       On 12.12¹Double 12 Shopping Festival, Qian Xiaoke waited for midnight, phone in hand, scrambling to buy condoms.

       Jiang Tongyan said, “Your husband has plenty of money. You don’t have to stay up late to grab these.”

       “That won’t do,” Qian Xiaoke said. “Even if you have money, you can’t just spend it recklessly. It’s just some unnecessary expenses—if you can save them, you should.”

       After paying, he put his phone aside with great satisfaction.

       Just from tonight, the condoms Qian Xiaoke bought were enough for the two of them to use for two years.

       He couldn’t buy more. If he bought more, they would end up using expired ones. He didn’t know what would happen if they expired, but the word ‘expired’ just sounded unsafe.

       Jiang Tongyan glanced sideways at him. “Wouldn’t it feel pretty good if we didn’t use them once in a while?”

       “I’m afraid of getting pregnant,” Qian Xiaoke said, nestling into Jiang Tongyan’s arms and yawning. “Premarital pregnancy isn’t encouraged.”

       Jiang Tongyan laughed at him. “It’s fine. If there’s an accidental pregnancy, we’ll get married immediately.”

       Jiang Tongyan held his hand, fingers interlaced. “I’ll marry you properly, with all the formalities. I’ve already discussed it and gotten agreement from my parents.”

       “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke, who had been about to fall asleep, instantly jolted awake. “You told your parents already?”

       Jiang Tongyan lay there, looking at him frankly. “What else would I do? I’m thirty. Am I supposed to hide a relationship and sneak around like it’s some underground affair?”

       Qian Xiaoke covered his face with both hands.

       “What’s wrong?” Jiang Tongyan poked his belly button. “Regretting it? Scared? Don’t want to take responsibility for me anymore?”

       Qian Xiaoke peeked out through his fingers.

       “Little liar!” Jiang Tongyan poked his belly button again. “Love scammer!”

       “No, it’s not that,” Qian Xiaoke flopped to the other side, casually grabbed the blanket and hugged it, pulling it over his head. “I’m embarrassed!”

       “How are you embarrassed all the time?” Jiang Tongyan laughed as he tugged at the blanket. “Give me some. I’m freezing to death.”

       Qian Xiaoke used his foot to kick the other corner of the blanket toward Jiang Tongyan, but he himself clutched his side tightly, head still covered.

       “I’m just someone who gets embarrassed easily,” Qian Xiaoke said, muffled. “You didn’t tell me first. You suddenly told your parents. I wasn’t prepared at all.”

       Jiang Tongyan directly pulled him over, person and blanket together. “I didn’t say you had to meet my parents right away. Why are you adding drama on your own?”

       Qian Xiaoke froze and poked his head out. “Mom and Dad don’t want to see me?”

       Jiang Tongyan laughed and pressed straight down on top of him, squashing him until he yelped.

       “You want to see them that badly? That’s fine. I can arrange it soon.”

       “No no no,” Qian Xiaoke said. “I’ve gained weight recently. I need to slim down. I got my hair cut last week, and it turned out ugly. I can’t meet your parents like this.”

       Holding onto Jiang Tongyan’s arm, he said, “Wait a bit. When I’m thinner and prettier, then I’ll go meet them.”

       Jiang Tongyan hugged him and laughed, casually giving his butt a squeeze.

       “Relax,” Jiang Tongyan said. “They’re coming back on New Year’s Day. You still have time to prepare.”

       With Jiang Tongyan soothing him, Qian Xiaoke finally settled down and lay obediently under the covers, curled up in his husband’s arms.

       Jiang Tongyan was sleepy, but Qian Xiaoke’s eyes were still shining in the dark.

       He stared wide-eyed at the wall opposite, his mind spinning rapidly.

       He hadn’t expected to be meeting Jiang Tongyan’s parents so soon. After all, they had only been together for a few days.

       And also…

       Qian Xiaoke turned and looked at Jiang Tongyan in secret, feeling inexplicably moved.

       He genuinely felt that Jiang Tongyan was wonderful—wonderful in every way. He was no longer impotent, and his sexual ability was also extremely good.

       He was such a good person, he liked him too, and even wanted to take him home to meet his parents—it was so moving he wanted to cry.

       In the past, although Qian Xiaoke longed for love, he always felt he might never encounter it. He envied Zhou Mo and Cheng Sen, envied colleagues in the throes of passionate relationships, but he believed he didn’t have what it took to be loved, so he could only envy them.

       A perfect love—he could only experience that in novels.

       But after meeting Jiang Tongyan, he suddenly realised that the heavens were actually quite fond of him, giving him not only a super handsome man, but a handsome man with a heart.

       By the bed, there was a small gap in the curtains. Moonlight squeezed through that gap and fell right onto Jiang Tongyan’s face.

       Qian Xiaoke lay against him, tracing the contours of his face with his gaze in the moonlight. The more he looked, the more his heart stirred.

       He leaned forward a little. With that movement, the sleeping Jiang Tongyan subconsciously held him tighter.

       Qian Xiaoke laughed silently, then stole a kiss.

       He didn’t know why he had suddenly been treated this well.

       Zhou Mo had once told him his coming-out story, and Cheng Sen’s as well. Despite how smooth and sweet their lives looked now, things hadn’t been easy at the beginning.

       Because Zhou Mo dated a man, his father had beaten him severely and even locked him up.

       When Cheng Sen went to find Zhou Mo, he knelt down and begged Zhou Mo’s father, swearing oaths to the heavens—it had been tragically dramatic.

       When Qian Xiaoke heard those stories back then, he felt both admiration and heartbreak. His own parents had discovered his sexual orientation long ago. After a brief period of struggle, they seemed to accept it and would even occasionally ask him, “Baby, with how you are, can you really find a boyfriend?”

       His parents were very accepting, but Qian Xiaoke had always imagined what he would do if the family of a future boyfriend disapproved. He could endure getting beaten alongside his partner, but he was afraid that the other person might waver because of it.

       There were several hurdles that were always hard for gay people to overcome, and this was one of them.

       Now, it seemed that Jiang Tongyan’s family was quite open-minded as well.

       Qian Xiaoke looked at Jiang Tongyan’s sleeping face and smiled, feeling that his luck was so good it was like he was dreaming.

       He lifted his leg and dr4p3d it over Jiang Tongyan, comfortably pressing his face against the other man’s chest. He smacked his lips and decided to stop thinking and continue the sweetness in his dreams.

       Just as Qian Xiaoke closed his eyes, the half-asleep Jiang Tongyan turned his head and kissed his forehead, then mumbled hazily, “Don’t move around. I’m going to get hard.” 

---

T/N:
Hehe, I will start posting this again regularly since I have more time now
The end for this series is near too after all~

---

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       Qian Xiaoke was feeling a little frustrated today, but as long as Jiang Tongyan gave him some encouragement and stood behind him, he could immediately bounce back with renewed energy.

        He poked Jiang Tongyan in the belly button and said, “I’m not crying.”

        “Oh? Then why are your eyes red?” Jiang Tongyan asked. He just adored this little furball so much. How could anyone be this cute?

        In the past, Jiang Tongyan had never seriously thought about what ‘cute’ really meant. There were so many cute things in the world, but how exactly should one define ‘cute’?

        Now he knew.

        To him, Qian Xiaoke was the very definition of cute.

        Kind, resilient, and optimistic.

        How could someone like that not make people want to cherish him?

        Jiang Tongyan squeezed his hand. “Let me ask you something. Answer me seriously.”

        “Go ahead.”

        “Just now, was there even a moment where you regretted being with me?” Jiang Tongyan thought to himself: If this brat dares say he wants to break up with me because of this, he’s dead meat!

        “No.” Qian Xiaoke looked at him calmly and replied with firm conviction, “Why would I regret something like this?”

        Qian Xiaoke chuckled. “I’ve climbed the social ladder and become a phoenix! I’ve landed myself a sugar daddy! Who would ever turn down a rich guy?”

        He only said that to cheer Jiang Tongyan up.

        Qian Xiaoke had never imagined he would one day meet a wealthy man—one who liked him, and whom he wanted in return.

        In his world, love had nothing to do with money.

        What mattered to him was whether two people truly loved each other.

        Even though his relationship with Jiang Tongyan had started off a bit ridiculous, overly dramatic, and frankly not all that proper, he liked Jiang Tongyan now—this ridiculously handsome guy who, despite being supposedly serious and professional at work, turned into a complete child around him.

        Out of all the handsome men in the world, Jiang Tongyan was the most attractive.

        He wouldn’t let money or lifestyle dictate their relationship. He wasn’t going to run away, and he would work hard instead.

        Qian Xiaoke lowered his head and pressed his lips together, the tips of his ears turning red.

        He scratched Jiang Tongyan’s palm and said, “Haven’t we been in the bathroom too long? Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep people waiting. That’s rude.”

        Jiang Tongyan hugged him with a smile, full of love and tenderness.

        A treasure, he was an absolute treasure!

        Jiang Tongyan kissed his hair and said, “Alright, let’s head back.”

        After the kiss, Jiang Tongyan let go of him and took his hand, leading him back.

        As the two walked hand in hand, Jiang Tongyan said, “No need to be nervous, and you don’t have to act a certain way for my sake. Just be yourself. It’s just a normal get-together with friends. If you have any questions, just ask me. Don’t hold back.”

        He squeezed Qian Xiaoke’s hand. “Don’t wrong yourself.”

        That sentence made Qian Xiaoke feel both happy and touched. His heart felt soft and sweet.

        “You’re so good to me.”

        Jiang Tongyan laughed. “You’re only realising that now? So slow.”

        Qian Xiaoke looked at him and laughed all the way back to their table, even as Jiang Tongyan stuffed a piece of steak into his mouth—he was still smiling.

        He was just too happy.

        In fact, Qian Xiaoke was a little worried before going to the bathroom. Even though he knew he shouldn’t be, he was still afraid that Jiang Tongyan might look down on someone as clumsy as him.

        He was someone who knew nothing, who couldn’t do anything right—someone who even had to think for a while to figure out which hand to hold the knife and which hand to hold the fork.

        In the past, Qian Xiaoke would always tease Jiang Tongyan like a joke, saying he was the one who lacked worldly experience, but in truth, the one who really lacked it was himself.

        He had, for just a moment, truly been a bit worried.

        But Jiang Tongyan had told him personally—not to worry, and to just be himself.

        Qian Xiaoke really wanted to apologise to Jiang Tongyan for even having such a thought earlier. How could he think that way about his own boyfriend?

        Jiang Tongyan continued chatting with Shen Huiming, every word full of praise for Qian Xiaoke.

        Qian Xiaoke grew a little shy. He hooked his pinky around Jiang Tongyan’s, as if to tell him to tone it down a bit. This clumsy little ugly duckling wasn’t as good as he made him sound.

        But Jiang Tongyan clearly didn’t catch the message.

        Jiang Tongyan turned to look at him with a smile, then raised his brows at Shen Huiming and said, “See that? Our little darling loves me so much he even has to hold hands while eating.”

        Shen Huiming and Suo Yang both smiled helplessly and, with perfect unspoken agreement, decided not to argue with someone so clearly lost in love.

        Halfway through the meal, Qian Xiaoke finally began to relax.

        Actually, the western food wasn’t as complicated as he had imagined. Jiang Tongyan taught him how to cut the meat, explained how to taste the wine, and Qian Xiaoke obediently followed along. The two sitting across from them watched with eyes full of amusement.

        Shen Huiming said, “After all these years, I guess the curse is finally broken.”

        “Huh? Curse? What curse?” Qian Xiaoke looked up in confusion.

        Jiang Tongyan let out an awkward cough. “Well, it’s all in the past. Not worth mentioning.”

        Shen Huiming laughed. “You never told him?”

        Qian Xiaoke looked at Jiang Tongyan warily. “Did you lie to me about your feelings?”

        Shen Huiming, ever the instigator, had only said half of what he knew and left the rest for the two of them to deal with.

        Suo Yang had heard about it before. He gave Shen Huiming a quick look and silently told him to quit poking where it hurt.

        But Qian Xiaoke’s curiosity had already been thoroughly stirred. He blinked at Jiang Tongyan, eyes full of one clear message: Confess now and get a lighter sentence; resist and face harsher punishment.

        Jiang Tongyan had no choice but to confess. If he didn’t make things clear and let a misunderstanding fester, and his hard-won boyfriend ended up running off, he would be too devastated even to find the right tune to cry to.

        “It’s like this,” Jiang Tongyan took a sip of wine and already felt a little tipsy, “sometimes, between people, there can be… ill-fated relationships.”

        Qian Xiaoke tilted his head and took a bite of steak.

        “You mean, between you and me?”

        “No no no no, the two of us are a perfect match, a fated and beautiful love! How could it be an ill-fated relationship?” Jiang Tongyan quickly cut another piece of meat for him. “I mean, the guy sitting across from me, we were college classmates during undergrad.”

        Qian Xiaoke looked at Shen Huiming, and his mind began to spin rapidly.

        Two handsome men.

        Ill-fated relationship.

        He started thinking of some very unspeakable stories.

        “Back in school, we got along pretty well,” Jiang Tongyan emphasised deliberately, “and you had better stop whatever strange drama your brain is playing right now—we were pure and innocent good friends.”

        Qian Xiaoke pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.

        Pure and innocent.

        Somehow, that phrase didn’t sound so pure at all.

        But Qian Xiaoke quickly straightened his attitude. Imagining his boyfriend doing this and that with another man was completely inappropriate, way too inappropriate.

        “Mm, pure and innocent,” Qian Xiaoke replied with a look of utter sincerity.

        Jiang Tongyan rubbed his forehead, certain that Qian Xiaoke was completely misunderstanding something.

        “Back in the day, I was one of those legendary campus figures, the unrivalled heartthrob among all the pretty boys.”

        “Hey,” Qian Xiaoke couldn’t hold back his laughter much longer, “less of the dramatic self-praise, just get to the point.”

        Any more of this and he was going to burst out laughing.

        Jiang Tongyan really just wanted Qian Xiaoke to know that back then, he had actually been quite popular. It was just that the one person he had his eye on had really terrible taste.

        But Qian Xiaoke wasn’t buying it. He just lowered his head and surrendered.

        “It’s just that, back then, everyone I had a crush on ended up chasing Shen Huiming instead.” Straightforward. Brutally honest.

        Jiang Tongyan said with a blank expression, “Ill-fated bond. Curse. Got it?”

        Qian Xiaoke stared at him for a long moment, then couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into laughter in his arms.

        Now he finally understood why, that time in bed, Jiang Tongyan had immediately gone soft the moment he heard Shen Huiming’s name. So it was true—there really was no hatred without reason!

        Qian Xiaoke laughed like a little goose, trembling all over in Jiang Tongyan’s embrace.

        At first, Jiang Tongyan still felt awkward, but Qian Xiaoke’s laughter was so infectious that he couldn’t help laughing along with him.

        “Alright, alright, that’s enough laughing.” Jiang Tongyan gently stroked the back of Qian Xiaoke’s head and said with a smile, “If you laugh too hard and get a stitch in your side, you won’t be able to finish your meal.”

        “Mm… not laughing anymore—hahaha.” Qian Xiaoke clung to Jiang Tongyan, and after all the clinging was done, he said something that surprised everyone present.

        He said, “You’re so cute.”

        Jiang Tongyan froze.

        Shen Huiming was full of question marks.

        Suo Yang also looked visibly startled.

        Shouldn’t the proper reaction have been—You’re so pitiful!?

        Jiang Tongyan asked, “Where did that come from?”

        Qian Xiaoke beamed, eyes bright and curved into crescent moons. “I don’t know, I just think you’re cute.”

        He sat up straight, calmed himself down, then suddenly turned again to look at Jiang Tongyan. “I really, really like you.”

        Jiang Tongyan puffed up immediately, raised his eyebrows at him, then blew him a kiss right in front of everyone. “Gege loves you too.”

        The two people sitting across from them once again lowered their heads in perfect synchronicity, then looked at each other and couldn’t hold back their laughter.

        Lovestruck Jiang Tongyan had finally gotten his sweet revenge and had pulled off a solid public display of affection right in front of Shen Huiming. He couldn’t help but sigh: his little darling really was something else.

        The four of them finished eating and drinking, and there was still time to spare.

        Jiang Tongyan asked Shen Huiming and Suo Yang if they had any plans, and whether they would like to go watch a movie or stroll around.

        Shen Huiming said, “Suo Yang has a flight tomorrow morning. We’ve got to turn in early tonight.”

        Jiang Tongyan was perfectly satisfied with that answer. Nothing beats a romantic evening for two over a group hangout.

        But Qian Xiaoke felt a little disappointed. He hadn’t gotten a chance to ask Suo Yang for tips yet.

        He blinked and was reluctant to part. He took out his phone from his pocket. “Suo Yang ge, can I add you on WeChat?”

        Jiang Tongyan’s whole body tensed. “What’s going on? Qian Xiaoke, what are you doing?”

        Qian Xiaoke pouted. “I just want to learn from him—see how an ugly duckling becomes a swan.”

        Suo Yang, who was usually quiet around strangers, actually had a soft spot for this boy. He smiled and said, “I don’t think you need to learn from me. But sure, I can add you.”

        Qian Xiaoke happily added Suo Yang on WeChat, right in front of Jiang Tongyan, and even set his contact note as—Handsome Flight Attendant.

        Jiang Tongyan squinted sideways and asked, “What’s my contact note, then?”

        Qian Xiaoke wouldn’t show him. He just slipped his phone back into his pocket.

        Once Shen Huiming and Suo Yang had left, Jiang Tongyan grabbed one of the bunny ears on Qian Xiaoke’s hat. “Little bunny, I’ve caught you.”

        “What are you doing?” Qian Xiaoke said. “I’m stuffed. Let’s go take a walk.”

        “Let me see.”

        “See what?”

        “Your note for me.”

        Jiang Tongyan narrowed his eyes, trying to intimidate him. “Let me see what kind of wicked nickname you’ve given me.”

        He had a gut feeling that it definitely wasn’t anything pleasant. Otherwise, Qian Xiaoke wouldn’t be so secretive about it.

        Qian Xiaoke bashfully pulled out his phone. “I’ll be embarrassed, okay?”

        “You? Embarrassed?” Jiang Tongyan said, and then saw the contact note Qian Xiaoke had given him. Suddenly, he was the one who got embarrassed.

        Because the note Qian Xiaoke had written for him was—Hubby.

---

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        Jiang Tongyan nearly ground his teeth to bits—he had never seen someone as untrustworthy as Shen Huiming!

        They had agreed he would come alone, so why did he bring his partner along?

        What was his name again?

        Right, Suo Yang.

        As soon as Jiang Tongyan walked in with Qian Xiaoke, he immediately spotted the two men sitting there.

        In fact, it was hard not to notice those two.

        Shen Huiming and Suo Yang both had good looks and a graceful air around them. Wherever they went, they were bound to draw attention, and no one could deny that.

        Qian Xiaoke, like a shy little rabbit, half-hid behind Jiang Tongyan, peeking out with his head tilted.

        Jiang Tongyan said, “Baby, how about we just leave?”

        “Huh?” Qian Xiaoke tilted his head, “What’s wrong?”

        “Shen Huiming broke his word,” Jiang Tongyan fumed. “He said he would come by himself, but he actually brought Suo Yang.”

        “…Suo Yang… What a nice-sounding name.”

        Even though Qian Xiaoke told himself not to mind since it was just a blind date, and one that had already failed, he couldn’t deny it: compared to Suo Yang, he really was just a dull, dusty little rabbit, while the other was a swan, and not just any swan, but a flawless white swan. The contrast made him feel like he couldn’t even lift his head.

        Jiang Tongyan’s ideal type was someone like that. Yet in reality, he had been awkwardly paired with someone like him. Qian Xiaoke couldn’t help feeling a little bitter about it.

        Still, Qian Xiaoke had never been the type to belittle himself. He knew his own worth well enough, and he never thought of himself as useless. In his eyes, everyone had their own value. Sure, he wasn’t striking in looks, or in ability, or in anything at all, really, but he still had his own unique charm.

        He had never been someone who felt inferior.

        But now, Qian Xiaoke suddenly felt a pang of insecurity.

        Even that guy’s names sounded better than his!

        Qian Xiaoke secretly pouted.

        “What are you thinking about?” Jiang Tongyan suddenly grabbed his hand.

        Qian Xiaoke’s hand was always warm. It was like a little heated pouch; no matter how cold it was outside, his hand felt like a little hot-water bottle.

        Jiang Tongyan liked that.

        “Nothing,” Qian Xiaoke perked up, smiling brightly. “Don’t throw a tantrum. We’re already here, so go say hi.”

        He tugged Jiang Tongyan over, then added worriedly, “Be nice to them.”

        Being pulled along, Jiang Tongyan couldn’t help laughing. “Well, well, now you’re lecturing me?”

        Qian Xiaoke looked back at him with a smile, his eyes curved like crescent moons, and in that moment, Jiang Tongyan’s soul was utterly hooked.

        What Qian Xiaoke didn’t know was that he never needed to feel insecure in front of Suo Yang because, to Jiang Tongyan, no one could ever be cuter than him. Jiang Tongyan liked a cutie, and he liked his cutie Qian Xiaoke.

        Shen Huiming had been on the phone with his assistant, but Suo Yang noticed them first. He lightly patted Shen Huiming’s leg, signalling that the two had arrived.

        Shen Huiming quickly finished giving his assistant a few instructions, hung up, and stood up together with Suo Yang, turning toward Jiang Tongyan and Qian Xiaoke.

        Qian Xiaoke led Jiang Tongyan over, then obediently stepped aside. He didn’t say much, didn’t do much—just stood there like a thoughtful little mascot.

        Jiang Tongyan put an arm around Qian Xiaoke’s shoulders and led him to the table. “Let me introduce you,” he said.

        He gave Qian Xiaoke’s shoulder a little squeeze and proudly declared, “This is my little one, Qian Xiaoke.”

        Little one.

        Qian Xiaoke’s eyes went wide, his face full of question marks as he looked at Jiang Tongyan.

        He had never heard Jiang Tongyan call him that before.

        Shen Huiming and Suo Yang both greeted Qian Xiaoke very politely, gentlemanly and graceful, so handsome that Qian Xiaoke felt dizzy just looking at them.

        When Qian Xiaoke shook their hands, Jiang Tongyan immediately said, “Just this once. After today, no one touches my Xiaoke’s hand again.”

        Shen Huiming laughed at his childishness, but Jiang Tongyan shot back, “I like it this way—none of your business.”

        Qian Xiaoke ducked his head with a shy little smile, his face burning red.

        They took off their coats, and Qian Xiaoke also removed the knitted hat with bunny ears that looked so out of place in a restaurant like this.

        A waiter came to take their coats. The service was so attentive that Qian Xiaoke, who had never been in such a restaurant before, suddenly didn’t know what to do with himself.

        He sat beside Jiang Tongyan. He stared at the neatly arranged plates and cutlery, at the delicately folded flower in the wine glass, and suddenly felt lost.

        Up until now, it had always just been the two of them. He would drag Jiang Tongyan to eat spicy hotpot, street food, and weird little snacks, and sometimes even serve him instant noodles that were boiled until they were mush. Jiang Tongyan accepted all of it without complaint, even looking completely satisfied.

        Back then, Qian Xiaoke hadn’t realised at all that Jiang Tongyan’s daily life was nothing like his own.

        The man stayed in hotel suites that cost more than three thousand yuan a night, and dined in restaurants where a single piece of meat could cost thousands.

        Sitting there now, Qian Xiaoke suddenly felt uneasy.

        For the first time, he truly realised they belonged to different worlds, and the impact hit him head-on.

        He sneaked a glance at Jiang Tongyan, who seemed to sense it and instinctively took his hand.

        With Jiang Tongyan holding his hand, Qian Xiaoke felt much calmer, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t belong here.

        He listened as Jiang Tongyan chatted happily with the two men across from them, and it was obvious that Jiang Tongyan’s joy came from having him by his side.

        That moved Qian Xiaoke, and it made his nose sting.

        Even so, among the four of them, he alone looked like a shabby outsider. He couldn’t help feeling a little out of place.

        The waiter began bringing dishes and pouring wine.

        The food was so delicate that Qian Xiaoke didn’t even know what it was, let alone how he was supposed to eat it.

        When the waiter poured the wine, he watched curiously, worrying that with his own crude tastes he wouldn’t be able to appreciate how fine and expensive it was supposed to be.

        He had thought this night would just be about happily meeting new people, maybe even making friends with these handsome men—but now he suddenly realised he was just some small-town boy. Simply managing not to embarrass himself was already draining all his energy.

        At first, Jiang Tongyan had been gleefully showing off to Shen Huiming, boasting about how cute Qian Xiaoke was, how thoughtful he was, and how much he liked him, as well as how much he liked him back. But as the conversation went on, he suddenly noticed—why was his Xiaoke so quiet?

        That didn’t fit Qian Xiaoke’s usual self at all.

        Watching closely, he realised Qian Xiaoke seemed a little down.

        Leaning close, Jiang Tongyan asked softly, “What’s wrong? Is it because you don’t like the dishes Shen Huiming ordered?”

        “No, no,” Qian Xiaoke panicked a little. “Um… I just want to go to the toi..washroom.”

        Jiang Tongyan looked at him, suddenly realising something. Then he took his hand and said, “Let’s go, I’ll come with you.”

        Qian Xiaoke wanted to say he could go alone, but Jiang Tongyan insisted on accompanying him.

        With the waiter guiding them, the two went into the restroom. Qian Xiaoke couldn’t help thinking that even the bathroom in this place was so luxurious…

        As soon as they stepped inside, before Qian Xiaoke even had time to react, Jiang Tongyan had already trapped him against the wall.

        Qian Xiaoke blinked. “…You’re doing a kabedon on me.”

        “Huh?” Jiang Tongyan didn’t move. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

        Qian Xiaoke chuckled. “Nothing.”

        “Nothing?” Jiang Tongyan pinched his cheek. “Why do I feel like it’s not nothing?”

        Qian Xiaoke tilted his head back slightly to look at him. “What’s wrong?”

        “Shouldn’t I be the one asking what’s wrong with you?” Jiang Tongyan leaned closer and kissed him. “Is it because I was talking to Shen Huiming and ignored you, so now you’re upset?”

        Qian Xiaoke was caught off guard.

        What surprised him was that Jiang Tongyan, who usually seemed so careless, had actually noticed that something was off with his mood. At the same time, he felt a little guilty, as if he had dragged Jiang Tongyan down.

        “I wasn’t—”

        “Don’t be stubborn. If I don’t understand you by now, that would be a real problem.” Jiang Tongyan pinched his face again. “Come on, tell me. What’s really the matter?”

        Qian Xiaoke hesitated, unsure if he should tell the truth.

        He was afraid of upsetting Jiang Tongyan, but between lovers, there shouldn’t be secrets.

        “Old Jiang.”

        “…Call me gege.”

        “Gege.” Qian Xiaoke lifted his hands to rest on Jiang Tongyan’s waist. “I don’t know why, I just like you so much.”

        The moment Qian Xioke said that, Jiang Tongyan’s spirits soared, and his ego swelled even more.

        “Of course you do,” Jiang Tongyan said smugly. “I’m just that likeable.”

        Qian Xiaoke laughed. “True, but I feel like there’s such a big gap between us. It makes me a little insecure.”

        At that, Jiang Tongyan froze.

        He wasn’t stupid. He immediately understood why Qian Xiaoke had been so quiet earlier.

        He pulled him into his arms, feeling a pang of guilt and tenderness.

        For people like him and Shen Huiming, coming to restaurants like this was nothing unusual. But he hadn’t stopped to think more carefully about Qian Xiaoke.

        He had just wanted to lay all the good things in front of him, without considering how it might make him feel.

        “I’m sorry, baby.”

        Qian Xiaoke felt a bit of a sting at the mention of ‘baby’.

        “Don’t be so cheesy.”

        “I mean it.” Jiang Tongyan hugged him tighter. “Did it make you uncomfortable?”

        “Uh… not exactly uncomfortable,” Qian Xiaoke hugged him back. “It’s just, I feel like I should learn a bit.”

        “Learn what?”

        “Learn how to fit into your life.” Qian Xiaoke looked up at him, even tiptoeing to kiss his chin. “I was just thinking a lot about it.”

        “What’s that little head of yours thinking?” Jiang Tongyan ruffled his hair.

        “Just that… we live in completely different worlds.” Qian Xiaoke pouted. “I’ve never lived like rich people do.”

        Jiang Tongyan burst out laughing. “Then I’ll just have to show you from now on.”

        “No, that’s not what I meant.” Qian Xiaoke shook his head. “I mean, I want to learn to go along with you, so I don’t embarrass you.”

        “What kind of nonsense is that?” Jiang Tongyan tugged at his face. “You’re cute no matter what. If anyone dares say you embarrass me, I’ll deal with them.”

        Qian Xiaoke laughed and whined a little, but his heart was deeply, deeply touched by Jiang Tongyan’s words.

        “How are you so good?” Qian Xiaoke said. “You’re making me want to cry.”

        “Hold it in,” Jiang Tongyan told him. “The only place you’re allowed to cry is in gege’s bed.”

---

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       Jiang Tongyan could finally hold his head high. Only God knew how many years of grievance he had swallowed since meeting Shen Huiming.

       But now, the curse was broken. Jiang Tongyan had his sweetheart in his arms, and he could finally show off in front of Shen Huiming with pride.

       Shen Huiming listened to the voice on the other end of the line and glanced at his phone, double-checking that it really was Jiang Tongyan calling.

       “An absolute darling?” No matter how he heard it, the phrase felt a bit much.

       Had Jiang Tongyan been possessed?

       “What? You free tonight?” Jiang Tongyan said smugly. “Don’t tell me, you’re scared?”

       Shen Huiming laughed. “Me? Scared of you?”

       He returned to his office and checked the calendar. “I’ll book the restaurant. I’ll message you.”

       “No problem,” Jiang Tongyan added purposefully, “Book somewhere nice. Don’t you dare shortchange my boyfriend.”

       Leaning back in his chair, Shen Huiming chuckled and cursed him affectionately before they hung up.

       Cheng Sen gave him a look of disgust. “You really are the picture of a petty man finally getting his moment.”

       “This is me being restrained. You wouldn’t understand.” He really wouldn’t. Cheng Sen had no idea what Jiang Tongyan had been through. All these years… Every time he liked someone, it ended in failure. And each of them ended up with Shen Huiming. His love life had been one long string of defeat. No wonder he had trauma.

       But now? Now he was finally basking under the sun of liberation, so how could he not show off a little?

       Jiang Tongyan downed the tea that Qian Xiaoke had brewed. After all, it wasn’t just any tea—this was tea made by his boyfriend. Every drop of water, every tea leaf, was soaked with affection. Not a drop should be wasted!

       After draining his cup, Jiang Tongyan stood up to leave.

       “I’m going upstairs to have a look.” The upstairs office was already under renovation. Since Cheng Sen had agreed to assign Qian Xiaoke as his receptionist, he had to pay close attention to the setup.

       His personal motives were overflowing.

       “I’ll go too,” Cheng Sen said. The two of them walked out together, just in time to see Qian Xiaoke signing for a delivery.

       Jiang Tongyan walked past without interrupting, but in his heart, he sighed: A man focused on work is so adorable!

       Cheng Sen said, “How did I never realise you were such a hopeless romantic?”

       “Because I was never in relationship before!” Jiang Tongyan was surprisingly self-aware.

       Cheng Sen laughed. “Can’t you be a little more composed? You’re acting like you’ve lost your mind over a relationship.”

       “I’m in the honeymoon phase! You expect me to be calm? That wouldn’t be love!” Jiang Tongyan side-eyed him. “And don’t say anything about me. Who was it, huh? You fell for a flight attendant and started flying around the world every other week. You of all people have the nerve to say that I’m a love-brained person?”

       Cheng Sen gave up talking, he couldn’t argue.

       They reached the upstairs floor and walked around to inspect the renovation progress. Jiang Tongyan even took out his phone to carefully photograph the front desk from every angle so he could show them to Qian Xiaoke later and ask for feedback. If there was anything he didn’t like, Jiang Tongyan would have someone fix it right away.

       Once they were done, they left for a meeting. Though the office space wasn’t ready, the new project had already begun.

       And while Jiang Tongyan was very much love-drunk, he wasn’t slacking at work either. His boyfriend Qian Xiaoke was a career-focused man and he couldn’t afford to drag him down.

       The meeting of the new project team lasted for several hours. When it was finally over, Jiang Tongyan checked his phone and saw that Shen Huiming had messaged him long ago.

       Restaurant booked. Dinner at eight. Don’t be late.

       He glanced at the time. It was 5:10 PM. It wasn’t long before Qian Xiaoke would get off work.

       So he headed back with Cheng Sen and sat in Chairman Cheng’s office, sipping tea while waiting for his boyfriend to clock out.

       Cheng Sen sighed, “I really should ban office romances.”

       “Too late,” Jiang Tongyan grinned. “I’m a partner now. Once you reassign him to my department, you don’t get a say.”

       Cheng Sen snorted. He grabbed his keys, and headed out.

       “You wait, then. When you leave, have Qian Xiaoke lock up for you.”

       “Go ahead, go ahead,” Jiang Tongyan waved him off. “Let me wait quietly for my love.”

       Cheng Sen looked at him like he had lost his mind, chuckled a few times, and walked away.

       Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoke had gotten unexpectedly busy near the end of the day. A batch of outgoing deliveries had to be sorted for the evening pickup. By the time he finished, it was exactly 6 PM.

       He looked up and there was Jiang Tongyan, leaning against Cheng Sen’s office door and smiling at him.

       His eyes practically had pink hearts in them.

       Qian Xiaoke felt a little embarrassed being stared at like that, but couldn’t help smiling sweetly as he sneaked a glance at Jiang Tongyan. Before he could say anything, coworkers from other departments began leaving for the day and habitually said goodbye to Qian Xiaoke on their way out.

       Qian Xiaoke was well-liked. He chatted with anyone who passed by and was practically the company’s mascot.

       By the time he finished seeing off his enthusiastic coworkers, Jiang Tongyan had already walked up beside him.

       He was holding Qian Xiaoke’s puffer jacket in his arms, and opened it up, “Put this on.”

       Qian Xiaoke’s cheeks turned rosy pink. As he slipped one arm into the sleeve, he mumbled shyly, “Come on, don’t do that here… What if someone sees? So embarrassing!”

       Jiang Tongyan helped him into the coat and even pulled his bunny-ear knit hat over his head. “So what if they see? It’s not like we’re doing anything shady.”

       He wanted the whole world to know he and Qian Xiaoke were dating.

       “No way!” Qian Xiaoke raised a hand to adjust the hat and gave his little ‘bunny ears’ a quick pat.

       That tiny motion tugged hard at Jiang Tongyan’s heartstrings. It was like a little paw patting directly on his soul and it stirred his already smitten heart even more.

       Completely unaware of his boyfriend’s inner turmoil, Qian Xiaoke zipped up his coat and said earnestly, “This is a workplace, we should act professional.”

       Jiang Tongyan grinned. “Okay, we’ll be professional.”

       Then, taking full advantage of the fact that no one was around, he suddenly leaned in and kissed Qian Xiaoke on the cheek.

       It was warm and soft.

       He was obsessed.

       Right after that, someone came out of the office.

       A gossip-loving coworker didn’t catch the kiss but definitely saw the handsome man standing next to Qian Xiaoke, clearly waiting just for him. Their eyes practically lit up.

       Everyone recognised this guy—he was the Chairman Jiang they often collaborated with. What they didn’t know yet was that this same Chairman Jiang would eventually be one of their future bosses.

       When they looked at Qian Xiaoke, their eyes were full of speculation and stories. Qian Xiaoke knew what that meant—tomorrow, he was definitely in for some ‘heart-to-hearts’.

       Whatever.

       Qian Xiaoke wasn’t stingy about this kind of thing. Why enjoy happiness alone when you could share it with everyone?

       He was generous.

       Mostly, he wanted to show off a little.

       By the time the two of them walked out of the building together, night had fully fallen.

       It had snowed a few days ago, so the roads were slippery and the air was icy.

       Jiang Tongyan said, “Almost forgot, we’ve got a date tonight.”

       “Just the two of us?” Qian Xiaoke suddenly realised they hadn’t actually had a proper, traditional date since getting together.

       What kind of date would Jiang Tongyan like?

       If it were a real date, maybe hot pot or spicy snail noodles wouldn’t be right. After all, they hadn’t really celebrated being together either. Maybe he should order a cake?

       While he was still lost in thought, Jiang Tongyan had already hailed a cab.

       “Shen Huiming’s treating us to dinner,” Jiang Tongyan said. “He insisted on celebrating for us.”

       “Shen Huiming?” Qian Xiaoke blinked, then the memory clicked. “Oh! I remember!”

       “You don’t need to remember him,” Jiang Tongyan said. “Just remember him for tonight, then forget all about him after dinner.”

       Qian Xiaoke tilted his face up and grinned, “Jiang Tongyan, you sound so jealous.”

       Jiang Tongyan gave him a sideways glance. “Do you know who his partner is?”

       “Who?” Qian Xiaoke blinked. “Someone I know?”

       “The person I was supposed to be matched with on a blind date.”

       Be jealous, dammit!

       Jiang Tongyan screamed internally: Qian Xiaoke! You’d better be jealous right now!

       But not only did Qian Xiaoke not get jealous—he actually looked kind of excited.

       “Will we get to see him tonight too? That really handsome guy?” Qian Xiaoke remembered that man. He was super good-looking, quiet, and rarely smiled.

       At Zhou Mo’s birthday party, Qian Xiaoke had secretly stared at him for ages. But since that guy had two people practically glued to him the whole time, Qian Xiaoke hadn’t dared go over and get a closer look.

       Looking back on it now, the two people who had been clinging to that handsome guy… Weren’t they Shen Huiming and Jiang Tongyan themselves?!

       Qian Xiaoke genuinely liked Jiang Tongyan. He had no intention of cheating and he wasn’t that kind of person. It just wouldn’t be right.

       But it should be totally okay to look at handsome guys, right?

       Especially since he clearly remembered Jiang Tongyan had once said that guy was his ideal type.

       Zhou Mo had been the one to tell him that. But at the time, Zhou Mo had made it very clear that Jiang Tongyan liked him, and had only brought it up to tease him.

       Qian Xiaoke didn’t get upset about it. After all, an ‘ideal type’ was just ideal. Real life was something else entirely. His ideal type wasn’t Jiang Tongyan either, and yet here they were happily dating.

       Qian Xiaoke was very clear-headed about all this.

       Still… he did want to see that handsome guy. It was a pleasing thing to the eyes and happy!

       “…Qian Xiaoke, could you not be so obvious?” Jiang Tongyan frowned, suddenly sensing something fishy.

       Something was off. Qian Xiaoke hadn’t reacted much at all to Shen Huiming, but hearing that they might meet Shen Huiming’s boyfriend had him all excited?

       What was he up to?

       “I’m always very reserved,” Qian Xiaoke replied sweetly, tugging on Jiang Tongyan’s sleeve and pulling him into the cab waiting by the curb.

        “I just want to see what your former blind date looks like.”

       Which wasn’t true. Qian Xiaoke just wanted to look at a handsome guy. That was all. His motives was very pure.

       If there must be a selfish motive under the surface of the simple purpose, maybe it was that he wanted to personally observe what kind of special qualities the other guy had—qualities that he didn’t have.

       Maybe he could learn a thing or two. Help fulfill Jiang Tongyan’s ideal-type fantasy a little.

       Thinking that way, Qian Xiaoke actually moved himself.

       The award for the most touching Chinese boyfriend must be given to him.

       “Don’t look,” Jiang Tongyan said flatly. “Forget about him.”

       “Why?” Qian Xiaoke snuggled up beside him in the backseat. “You afraid I’ll get jealous?”

       Jiang Tongyan screamed internally: I WISH you’d get jealous!

       But jealousy could wait. Today, his main goal in bringing Qian Xiaoke wasn’t to make him jealous, it was to flex his relationship in front of Shen Huiming.

       He had very specifically told Shen Huiming not to bring his boyfriend.

       Eye for an eye. Back in New York, those two had shown off so much, it was his turn for revenge tonight.

       But of course, if Shen Huiming actually listened to him, he wouldn’t be Shen Huiming.

       By the time Qian Xiaoke, red-cheeked and looking like a timid little bunny, followed Jiang Tongyan into that upscale restaurant, Shen Huiming and Suo Yang were already waiting for them.

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T/N:
Hello, sorry again for the barely there updates… I’ve been busy because I will be moving and also my laptop is kinda broken and it limited me to use it until it gets fixed (•̀⤙•́ )
But I hope when all things are done and fixed, I can translate again a lot!

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