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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