Chapter 40: “Does it hurt?”

Half an hour later, Duan Zhuxian was still sitting in the same place, the drunkenness in his eyes completely gone.

As Jiang Yao said, he did change his college preference back then because he learned that Jiang Yao also applied to B University.

But the deeper reason was to escape.

To escape from the increasingly uncontrollable and even twisted affection in his heart.

Later, he went to study abroad in Country A with the same mindset.

Duan Zhuxian never expected that Jiang Yao would hold a grudge over this matter.

He thought Jiang Yao wouldn’t care where he went, and disappearing completely from his sight would be the best.

But he couldn’t explain these things to Jiang Yao. He was afraid of scaring him, afraid that such a carefree person like Jiang Yao wouldn’t be able to bear the heavy feelings he had accumulated over ten years.

In the end, no matter how overwhelming, it was just his own deep affection.

For Jiang Yao, it might not bring any touch, but instead, it would be a shackle—a chain that would bind Jiang Yao’s otherwise unrestrained soul in front of him.

Jiang Yao is stubborn by nature and would never truly compromise. Once he couldn’t get over that hurdle in his heart, the only outcome would be to “escape from him.”

Because he had tasted the pain of losing him, Duan Zhuxian did not want to live another day without Jiang Yao.

In fact, after spending so much time together, Jiang Yao was already softening, or more precisely, he was slowly starting to accept him.

But Jiang Yao himself was completely unaware of this, still thinking he was in the usual mode of being at odds with his rival.

But who would let their rivals do as they please, automatically give up thinking, and be repeatedly swayed by them?

Before Jiang Yao could sort out his feelings, every step Duan Zhuxian took was risky. He couldn’t act rashly; he could only try to guide him.

Duan Zhuxian rubbed his temples, dispelling a bit of fatigue.

Just now, he almost strode forward to embrace Jiang Yao’s disappointed yet pretended cold back. Luckily, his reason prevailed.

A few minutes later, Duan Zhuxian stood in front of the master bedroom. His raised hand paused, his fingers curled for a moment before he pushed the door open. And a rush of dead air greeted him.

Jiang Yao had indeed moved out.

Like a whirlwind, he had taken away everything he had gradually put there over the past few days, leaving behind only a mess.

Duan Zhuxian smiled wryly.

It seemed that tonight’s wedding chamber would be without the celebratory candles, only a long, lonely night.

Difficult to monopolize, difficult to share.

That pretty much summed up his feelings towards Jiang Yao now.

*

Jiang Yao was naturally rebellious and never backed down, especially not in front of Duan Zhuxian.

Coincidentally, Wei Zhihan had been contacting him frequently during this time, so for several consecutive days, he hung out with Wei Zhihan.

Since Duan Zhuxian couldn’t stand it, Jiang Yao deliberately chose to provoke Duan Zhuxian’s friend, hoping to infuriate him even more.

Before heading out that day, he specifically made a point of talking to Wei Zhihan in front of Duan Zhuxian, facing the window, but most of his glances were aimed at the man on the sofa.

He intended to annoy Duan Zhuxian, but he didn’t feel any better himself.

Duan Zhuxian stared at his tablet, showing no reaction, as if the outburst that night was an illusion. He had returned to his usual calm and composed self.

Duan Zhuxian was always like this, never knowing how to be soft with him or coax him. All the indulgence and care Jiang Yao had shown Duan Zhuxian during high school seemed to have gone to waste.

In the evening, Jiang Yao had arranged to meet Wei Zhihan at an outdoor Western restaurant. When Jiang Yao arrived, Wei Zhihan, as usual, was already waiting.

Jiang Yao sat opposite him and asked, “Why are you here early again? I’m the one asking for your help; I should be the one to show more enthusiasm.”

Wei Zhihan smiled and said, “I’m on vacation in the country right now, unlike you, who’s always busy. Besides, you think you’re asking me for help, but to me, it’s more like I’m seeking your company to chat and relieve boredom.”

Listening to Wei Zhihan’s familiar tone, Jiang Yao felt a bit puzzled.

Is this guy this friendly with everyone?

In his impression, their relationship wasn’t particularly close, and Wei Zhihan had plenty of old classmates in Lingbei besides him. Jiang Yao assumed Wei Zhihan was just making small talk and responded with a perfunctory smile.

After the dishes were served, Wei Zhihan said, “You’ve asked me so many questions about the construction industry, but you haven’t told me what you’re planning.”

Jiang Yao unconsciously twisted the wedding ring on his finger and replied, “Duan Zhuxian plans to invest in a construction company.”

Wei Zhihan was surprised. “I thought it was you who wanted to make an investment.”

He hadn’t expected that Jiang Yao would sacrifice his precious rest time amidst his busy schedule to meet him, humbling himself to seek advice, all for the sake of Duan Zhuxian.

This brought to mind what Duan Zhuxian said at the wedding, “Let him fall in love with me first,” which made Wei Zhihan narrow his eyes.

Wei Zhihan remarked, “You seem quite invested in Duan Zhuxian.”

Upon hearing “invested,” Jiang Yao almost choked on his steak.

Wei Zhihan poured a glass of red wine and handed it to him. Jiang Yao took a few gulps, then replied calmly, “We got the marriage certificate, so his matters are my matters.”

“I thought you two had a non-interfering marriage agreement,” Wei Zhihan half-joked. “After all, you used to say you hated Duan Zhuxian the most.”

Jiang Yao was taken aback and looked up, “I said that to you?”

Wei Zhihan nodded, “At a gathering when you were drunk.”

Damn, alcohol really can cause trouble…

His entanglement and overstepping with Duan Zhuxian also started from getting drunk.

Jiang Yao frowned slightly, silently pushed the wine glass away, and rubbed his throbbing temples.

It looked like he needed to quit drinking from now on.

*

A few days later at noon, Jiang Yao returned to the Jiang family home, accompanied by Duan Zhuxian.

He hadn’t originally planned to bring Duan Zhuxian, intending to say that Duan Zhuxian was too busy to come. However, his parents bypassed him and personally invited Duan Zhuxian, who even arranged for a day off for this visit.

As they were about to enter the lane for residents of the community, Jiang Yao retracted his gaze from the window and turned to look at Duan Zhuxian. He was caught off guard by Duan Zhuxian’s deep gaze. The words he wanted to say got stuck in his throat, accompanied by the pounding of his heart, and he couldn’t get them out.

After a long stare, Duan Zhuxian spoke, “Do you want to call a temporary truce?”

Jiang Yao’s throat moved slightly, and he responded, “Yes, a temporary truce for today.”

Although Duan Zhuxian and he were like magnets with the same polarity, repelling each other fiercely whenever they got close, they rarely aligned with each other’s wishes. However, they did have some tacit understanding when it came to project cooperation.

Jiang Yao’s family lived in a two-story detached villa. It wasn’t very large, and the location was average, reflecting the Jiang family’s low-key and practical image, likely an attempt to shed the label of “nouveau riche from out of town.”

This was Duan Zhuxian’s second visit to Jiang Yao’s home.

The last time, when he accompanied Jiang Yao to pick up his luggage, the large house had been cold and quiet, with only one housekeeper keeping watch.

This time, the whole family was present. The air was filled with a faint aroma of cooking oil, and the noise of a family drama playing on the TV mixed with voices, creating a lively but not unpleasant atmosphere, which actually felt quite warm and cozy.

Yuan Li was cooking in the kitchen and called out to Jiang Qingtian, “We’re out of vegetables, go get some from the backyard.”

Although the elderly couple had been rooted in Lingbei for many years and were seasoned in the business world, they still retained the habit of growing vegetables from their days in a small southern town.

Jiang Qingtian, feeling too lazy to move, directed Jiang Chen, “Go help your mom get some vegetables.”

Jiang Chen, chatting with Duan Zhuxian, pretended not to hear.

Then Jiang Qingtian turned to Jiang Yao, “You go then.”

Jiang Yao nodded and was about to get up when Duan Zhuxian held him down, “Let me go instead.”

Jiang Yao brushed off the hand on his shoulder and said, “You’re a guest, just sit and drink tea.”

A few minutes later, Duan Zhuxian still went to the backyard. From a distance, he saw a small patch of red hair swaying in the wind in the vegetable garden.

The young man, dressed in trendy clothes, bent over, revealing long, straight legs accentuated by short boots. His bright and striking demeanor seemed out of place in the simple surroundings.

Although he looked much more arrogant than Jiang Chen, he unexpectedly showed obedience to his parents.

Standing at the edge of the vegetable garden, Duan Zhuxian recalled how Jiang Yao had given up his passion for architectural design to enter the business world, all because his parents had business expectations for him.

Jiang Yao dug two radishes and when he straightened up to take a breath, he was startled when he saw the man beside him.

“I told you not to follow,” Jiang Yao said with furrowed brows. Since there was no one else around, he didn’t have to pretend to be friendly.

Duan Zhuxian stepped into the vegetable garden and said, “Let me help you dig.”

Jiang Yao replied irritably, “You’re a pampered prince; you can’t handle a farmer’s work. Get lost and don’t cause trouble.”

Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow and, without a word, picked up the shovel leaning against the wall.

Seeing Duan Zhuxian quickly dig up a cabbage with a few strokes, Jiang Yao’s competitive spirit was ignited.

He too started digging with determination, and within ten minutes, the two of them had made a mess of the entire vegetable garden.

It was Jiang Yao’s first time digging vegetables so intensely. Holding a chubby white radish he had finally managed to dig up, he straightened his slightly sore back and was about to wipe his sweat when he suddenly heard a “click” above him.

The next second, he saw Duan Zhuxian half a meter away rushing toward him, shouting, “Watch out!”

As Duan Zhuxian’s body covered his, he reached out and swatted something off Jiang Yao’s shoulder.

Pushed backward by Duan Zhuxian, Jiang Yao stumbled a few steps before his back hit the wall with a thud. He was about to curse when his gaze inadvertently crossed over Duan Zhuxian’s shoulder, and he froze.

He saw a gray brick lying in the mud where he had been standing, with specks of blood on it.

Realizing what had happened, he quickly threw away the chubby radish and grabbed Duan Zhuxian’s hand.

Seeing the blood marks covering the back of Duan Zhuxian’s hand, Jiang Yao’s breathing and heartbeat simultaneously stalled for a moment, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

He hurriedly and carefully checked, and was relieved to find that the injuries were mostly scratches.

“Does it hurt?”

Jiang Yao asked, his voice a bit dry, staring at the dirty, glaring red blood but not daring to touch it.

“A little.”

Duan Zhuxian said, but his gaze, falling on the side of Jiang Yao’s face, showed no sign of pain. Instead, it quietly and gently traced and observed, looking calm to the point of tenderness.

Perhaps it was Duan Zhuxian’s overly gentle voice that startled Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao was momentarily stunned before he snapped out of it and quickly let go of Duan Zhuxian’s hand. His brows furrowed sharply and said. “You deserve it if it hurts! Why did you rush to me when you saw the brick falling?”

His tone and expression were fierce, but he hadn’t managed to hide the anxiety in his eyes.

Duan Zhuxian replied, “If I hadn’t moved closer, you would have been the one injured.”

Jiang Yao: “…”

What kind of logic is that? Did he take the wrong medicine?

He didn’t know that this usually sharp-tongued person had a self-sacrificing side.

As he grumbled internally, a strange discomfort rose in his heart.

Seeing the changes in Jiang Yao’s expression, as if confirming something, Duan Zhuxian’s lips curled into a barely noticeable smile.

He allowed Jiang Yao to grab his uninjured hand and pull him back to his room. And, with a cold expression, Jiang Yao began to stop the bleeding and apply medicine to his wounds.

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