Chapter 56: Taking Big Steps

As the words fell, Jian Mingzhou held his breath.

Xie Jing seemed to freeze too. In the corner of his eye, Xie Chi showed a slight tremor…!

Lin Jinshi hesitated, then turned to ask, “You have a significant other?”

Xie Jing pursed his lips, then casually replied, “Yes.”

Xie Xiyun was surprised. “So what you said last time was true! You mentioned having the opportunity to introduce them to us. Since they’re here, let’s meet them today.”

Xie Jing remained silent, and his gaze shifted slightly, landing on Jian Mingzhou.

Jian Mingzhou felt a sweat on his back, lifting his eyes to meet Xie Jing’s.

Xie Jing: Uncle, how do you want to handle this?

Jian Mingzhou: Can we be more subtle?

They locked eyes for two seconds.

Several glances had already shifted their way. Jian Mingzhou felt his heart pounding. Just as he was considering whether to admit it, a sudden shout erupted beside them:

“He—”

Everyone was startled and turned.

Xie Chi seemed to be holding his breath, bravely saying, “His significant other is shy. Let’s meet next time.”

Xie Xiyun glanced at him and asked, “Have you met them?”

Xie Chi, nervous, “Met, met…”

Jian Mingzhou: “…Haven’t they met? Four years in college, and now, right under their noses.”

Xie Xiyun asked again, “What do you think?”

Xie Chi, “Good, very good.”

His descriptive abilities were, as usual.

Xie Xiyun pinched her brow and said, “Forget it.” She then turned to Xie Jing and said, “When your significant other is not shy, we’ll meet.”

Jian Mingzhou subtly felt a gaze directed at him.

Then he heard Xie Jing’s voice rise at the end, “Hmm.”

He, “…He’s not shy!”

With this issue resolved, Xie Jing and the others continued talking with the coach.

During a break, Xie Chi quickly grabbed Jian Mingzhou and took him aside.

“Quickly, tell me! What’s going on? Between you and Xie Jing, what?”

Jian Mingzhou gently stepped aside and said, “It’s just like that.”

“Are you naturally inclined that way?”

He thought for a moment: “…Probably not.”

“Then that brat forced you—”

“No…!”

There was a moment of silence beside him.

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and saw Xie Chi blushing, stuttering, “So, how far have you been bullied?”

Damn! This sounds so bad.

Jian Mingzhou also blushed. Can we discuss this?

The two of them blushed at each other.

Suddenly, an arm reached from behind. Jian Mingzhou felt a light on his shoulder, and Xie Chi was lifted away.

Xie Chi:?

Jian Mingzhou raised his head and saw Xie Jing towering over him.

“Uncle, you already know that Uncle is my boyfriend. Can you be a bit more discreet?”

Xie Chi was annoyed. “Ah!??”

He got angry and then realized, glancing at Lin Ba and his wife, who were still talking to the coach,

“No, aren’t you two nervous?”

“Nervous about what?”

“If your parents don’t accept…”

Xie Jing blinked, “Oh, then we’ll be separated forcefully, and I’ll live a lonely life. Decades later, lying alone on a hospital bed, thinking about my first love, closing my eyes with regret for a lifetime…”

He vividly described the scene.

Jian Mingzhou shivered: This is too specific!

Xie Chi was left speechless.

Then Xie Jing changed the topic, saying calmly, “So, Uncle, if you don’t want this family to fall apart, you have to navigate skillfully.”

“Oh, oh…”

Xie Chi thought about it and floated away in a daze.

After they left, Jian Mingzhou turned to Xie Jing and asked, “Are you…?”

Under the sunlight, the disappointment on Xie Jing’s face disappeared. He looked ahead, a smile playing on his lips.

“First morally blackmail Uncle, then let him go and blackmail others.”

…As expected!

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath, turning to the side. It’s puppetry!

–

The training ended, and everyone headed home.

Xie Jing’s parents and Xie Chi still used air transportation. Xie Jing didn’t want to join them, so he and Jian Mingzhou took a high-speed train.

“Going back first; call if there’s anything.”

Xie Jing put his hands in his pockets and said, “Okay.”

Jian Mingzhou watched his parents leave gracefully, then turned and saw Xie Chi’s figure, looking burdened.

He pursed his lips and asked, “Are we being too cruel like this?”

Xie Jing’s lips just moved when he heard Jian Mingzhou continue, “Hope he quickly finds someone…to recruit as an ally, so he doesn’t have to bear it alone.”

Xie Jing’s lips closed and opened again. He spoke warmly, “Uncle, you are still so kind-hearted.”

Jian Mingzhou’s eyes were bright. “It’s in my nature.”

…

Returning home by high-speed train, close to five o’clock.

They had dinner, and they cleaned up a bit.

Jian Mingzhou took a change of clothes, preparing to take a shower. He was still wearing Xie Jing’s T-shirt. Before entering the bathroom, he said,

“Xiao Jing, I’ll put your clothes in the washing machine. I’ll give them back to you when they’re done.”

Xie Jing was walking past him.

Hearing this, he stopped, his gaze falling on Jian Mingzhou. “You don’t have to return them to me, Uncle. I like seeing you wear my clothes.”

Jian Mingzhou, his hand on the doorknob, stopped and blushed, “…What?”

“It just feels…”

Xie Jing’s words stopped abruptly, and he smiled at Jian Mingzhou, lowered his eyes, and turned away. “Never mind, forget it.”

After saying that, he returned to the bedroom.

He didn’t say anything, but Jian Mingzhou was left tingling all over by the look he had just given. He stood there blushing for a while before finally turning into the bathroom.

What was that?

He still had to work tomorrow.

After finishing the shower, Jian Mingzhou returned to the bedroom and got back into bed.

It seemed that Xie Jing also went to freshen up.

There were some faint sounds outside, and Jian Mingzhou was flipping through comics as bedtime reading. Suddenly, there were two knocks on the door.

Knock, knock.

He looked up, “Xiao Jing? Come in.”

The door opened, and Xie Jing leaned against the door frame.

With long limbs and big hands, he held a large pillow in his arms and looked at Jian Mingzhou. “Uncle, can I step into your absolute territory?”

What? Jian Mingzhou opened his mouth, observing Xie Jing’s appearance, “Do you want… to sleep together tonight?”

Xie Jing nodded, “Yeah, I slept together last night. I feel a bit restless sleeping alone tonight.”

Nonsense! Did you erase the sleep of the past twenty years?

Jian Mingzhou was about to speak, but then Xie Jing continued, “Don’t worry, I won’t do anything tonight.”

“…”

He blushed involuntarily, tightening his grip on Xie Jing’s arm. “Don’t rub…”

A muffled laughter came from the soft fabric.

Xie Jing tightened his arm and nuzzled against Jian Mingzhou’s waist. “Just a hug.”

The warm sensation pressed against him, and it seemed like the excitement from the previous night was sweeping over again.

Jian Mingzhou involuntarily bent his legs, hastily holding onto Xie Jing’s arm. “Don’t rub…”

A soft laughter came from behind the fabric.

Xie Jing tightened his arm, and through the clothes, he kissed Jian Mingzhou. “It’s okay, Uncle. If you feel anything, I can help you.”

Jian Mingzhou’s knuckles turned red, “I don’t.”

Xie Jing smiled softly and whispered, “Really… When you helped me yesterday, didn’t you also feel something?”

Ah ah ah ah ah!!!

His heart thundered! He quickly covered Xie Jing’s ears with his hand. “Don’t say that.”

“…,” Xie Jing held his wrist and said softly, “Nurse, my mouth is not in that place.”

Jian Mingzhou moved his hand down with forced calmness, “Patient, if you say it again, I’ll kick you out of the ward.”

Just a second ago, Xie Jing obediently said, “…Goodnight, I’m sleepy.”

–

The next morning.

Jian Mingzhou had to go to work, and Xie Jing had training.

They were busy getting ready to leave.

Before leaving, Jian Mingzhou vaguely noticed that Xie Jing’s large pillow seemed to still be on his bed, but he didn’t pay much attention to it.

He had taken a day off yesterday.

As soon as he arrived at the company to work today, he was greeted by the enthusiastic welcome of his colleagues who had heard about his departure in the Maserati the day before.

“Deputy Editor! You’re back~!”

The whole office stood up with eyes gleaming. “Heard you left in a Maserati the day before yesterday…”

“I couldn’t come to work all day yesterday—”

Jian Mingzhou, “…You people!”

He calmly walked over, “I just went to watch a game.”

“Oh~~”

Qian Qian held her face, twisting playfully, “At the age of such a predatory young man, if the person he likes comes to watch a game, won’t something happen…”

Damn! Jian Mingzhou was hit.

He pulled out a ballpoint pen with a swish, “Stop—”

At this moment, a hum of laughter came from the side.

Jian Mingzhou turned his head to look at Xia Ye, the one who betrayed him and looked like a model dog. His gaze gradually settled, clearly thinking: Traitor…!

He had to figure out a way to shark him back.

His devious thoughts were too obvious.

Xia Ye, seeing the opportunity, walked over seriously. “There’s new progress on the promotion exhibition led by Xiaolu.”

Jian Mingzhou temporarily shifted his focus, “What?”

“Didn’t we say we could rent it the day before yesterday, but the time wasn’t settled yet? I got a call yesterday, and it seems we can rent it earlier.”

He was momentarily stunned.

…Was this from the mysterious power of Bro?

Xia Ye pushed his glasses up, saying with a hint of interest, “Why aren’t you excited?”

“Nothing.” Jian Mingzhou suppressed his speculation. “I’m overjoyed inside.”

“Hehe, I believe you.”

…

Speculating wasn’t good, but he didn’t want to ask Bro directly.

Jian Mingzhou planned to wait until he got home in the evening to ask Xie Jing.

Unexpectedly, just before the end of work, Xie Jing’s message came first. The phone vibrated, and a big dog appeared.

【Jing】: What time do you finish work later? ^^

【Mingzhou】: Around 5:30, what’s up?

【Jing】: I was caught by He Yi and Zhou Xuyang to arrange a limited edition collaboration. It happens to be near your company. I’ll come to pick you up after work.

【Mingzhou】: Okay, see you in front of the parking lot ^^

【Jing】: Good. [Big dog ready to go]

Jian Mingzhou smiled and put away his phone.

He didn’t have much work on his hands recently.

It wasn’t even 5:30 yet, and Jian Mingzhou had finished his work and went downstairs.

He waited in front of the parking lot.

Xie Jing hadn’t arrived yet.

He waited near the parking lot entrance.

Rows of cars were parked around, and nearby trees swayed gently in the light breeze, dropping a few leaves.

While waiting, a car nearby suddenly unlocked.

At the same time, a melodious voice sounded, “Jamy, are you also here?”

Jian Mingzhou turned to see He Lucheng walking towards him, holding the keys to a Porsche.

“Hey, I just got off work.”

“Do you need me to give you a ride home?”

“No, it’s okay. I’m waiting for someone.”

He Lucheng nodded, turned around, and opened the car door.

Jian Mingzhou glanced at his elegant figure; even the curve of the hem of his clothes exuded a sense of design. Unable to resist, he asked, “Lusen, didn’t you say you drive a Maserati?”

He Lucheng turned his head thoughtfully and asked, “Oh, did Xia compile tell you that?”

He shook his head lightly. “Driving a Maserati to work is too high-profile, so I changed to another car.”

Jian Mingzhou stared at him …How low-key is this Porsche?

His words choked for a moment.

Perhaps sensing that he didn’t speak, He Lucheng suddenly spoke up, “Don’t worry about the Maserati. When Editor Xia compile asked me about it on the weekend, I covered it up for you. After all, it’s taboo.”

Jian Mingzhou was stunned for a moment and then said, “…Thank you.”

So, he intentionally covered it up for him…

At that moment, He Lucheng, leaning against the Porsche, with his graceful posture, seemed to exude a divine radiance. “However, I never thought it would be such a taboo.”

Jian Mingzhou blushed. “Uh.”

“By the way, does Xie Jing know about your relationship with his dad?”

“…”

Wait a minute. He raised his head in shock. “What?”

Before he could react, a shadow suddenly cast over him. At the same time, there was a faint, dangerously tinged voice, “What’s going on?”