Chapter 59

Yang Yunran’s sudden actions were somewhat odd, and Jiang Yi’s initial reaction was that he had a wound on his face, so he didn’t want to let him see—

But soon, Jiang Yi realized that, rather than covering his face, Yang Yunran was actually covering his eyes.

He used his arm to shield the strong light from directly hitting his eyes, avoiding Jiang Yi’s gaze.

Jiang Yi paused for a moment, then understood.

He gently placed the duckbill hat back on Yang Yunran’s head, moved his arm aside, and said, “I’ll turn off the lights.”

Yang Yunran turned his face away without saying a word.

Only when he felt the spotlight on his head dim did he start to feel better, slowly opening his eyes.

Jiang Yi crouched beside the sofa, his warm palm caressing Yang Yunran’s cheek, “What is the real reason you want to break up? Have you fallen for someone else? Or is it something else?”

“I haven’t fallen for anyone else.” Yang Yunran was accustomed to his touch. They had been separated for twenty days, almost a month without seeing each other, so this touch made him tremble slightly.

“Then why?” Jiang Yi stared into his eyes.

Yang Yunran’s voice was low, “No reason. I’m not a rich second generation anymore. My family situation is very unusual now. I was a mistaken child when I was young, and recently I haven’t been in contact with my family. So now I’m just a poor singer, definitely not earning as much as you, and I can’t give you anything.”

Jiang Yi understood. When Yang Yunran returned to the country, he seemed to have tested Jiang Yi over the phone, saying his family had gone bankrupt and he was no longer a rich second generation.

So that was the reason. But Jiang Yi still couldn’t quite grasp Yang Yunran’s mindset. Why did he think not being able to give himself anything could lead to a breakup?

Was it because those days were too painful, causing him to give up on himself and impulsively say such things?

Jiang Yi stared at him intently and said, “I remember I replied to you. Do you remember? External things are not necessary. Your aura, your identity, they belong to you alone, and have nothing to do with your parents. You…”

Jiang Yi paused for a moment. “Yunran, even though I don’t know what has happened in your family, if you have any difficulties, whether financial or emotional, you can rely on me instead of bearing it all alone and shutting out those who care and love you with silence.”

Jiang Yi’s tone was like that of an elder teacher, but it had to be admitted that his comfort and touch were effective. Jiang Yi’s warm palm brought a strong sense of reassurance. Yang Yunran felt a slight sourness in his nose, and he was also weary in his heart.

He remained silent for a while.

“Now that you’ve returned to China… have your experiments in the U.S. yielded any results?” Yang Yunran changed the subject.

“There have been some. Because it wasn’t easy to take them away, logically speaking, I shouldn’t be able to return to China. That’s why I needed to sign a lot of agreements. Because of this delay, I’ve been back in China for a week. I didn’t see you in Beijing, and then found out you were working here, so I followed.” Jiang Yi maintained his half-kneeling position on the ground and clasped his fingers with his other hand. Each of his fingers was long and slender, and his movements towards Yang Yunran remained gentle.

Jiang Yi said, “You said you broke up because you felt you couldn’t give me anything. Have you ever thought that I don’t need you to provide anything for me? I lack nothing, and besides you, what else can I get from you?”

His eyebrows and eyes were very focused, with thick eyelashes.

Yang Yunran looked at him… and couldn’t bring himself to say harsh words. Who doesn’t want to love each other well, but practical problems, issues of love or not, urgently require his consideration.

He seemed to be able to draw love from Jiang Yi but never heard it from him.

Jiang Yi squeezed his palm and said somewhat expressionlessly, “Look at me. Speak.”

Yang Yunran took a deep breath. “Even if we break up, I promise you that my uncle will not reduce what he owes you. So you don’t need to worry…”

Jiang Yi was puzzled. “What does your uncle have to do with this?”

Yang Yunran said, “He’s your teacher, right…”

“Yes, haven’t you always known?” Jiang Yi fell silent again for a moment. “I didn’t want to say this, but my uncle promised you that you would take care of me and give you additional bonuses for bringing research results…”

When he mentioned the so-called research results, Yang Yunran lowered his head, his eyelashes quivered lightly as he closed his eyes.

Yang Yunran continued softly, “He also promised to provide you with a lot of resources after you returned to China. I think none of this should be lessened, and anything else I can help with, I will try my best, but I don’t want to be in a relationship with you.”

The first few sentences were already infuriating to Jiang Yi, and the last sentence tightened his brow.

“Professor Chen increased the bonus for my scientific research results this year, which is correct. It’s also because of you that he was willing to change those terms.” Jiang Yi suppressed his anger, his tone icy. “So Yang Yunran, just because you heard about these millions from him, you thought I was in a relationship with you, kissing you, and going to bed with you?”

Yang Yunran really didn’t want to bring this up. This kind of reality of monetary exchange was too embarrassing, so he didn’t mention it when he broke up with Jiang Yi on the phone. Perhaps in the future, recalling the months of passionate love with Jiang Yi would be more beautiful.

Seeing him silent, Jiang Yi didn’t explain further. He took out his phone and dialed Professor Chen’s number.

Yang Yunran immediately looked up. “Why are you calling him?”

Jiang Yi’s face turned cold. “To let you hear what your uncle has to say about this.”

“Don’t tell him about us…” Before he could finish, the call was connected.

Professor Chen: “Hello, Jiang Yi?”

“Is the professor busy now?” Jiang Yi didn’t give Professor Chen a chance to speak. “I’ve been back in China for a few days. Regarding the application and research results of stem cells in anti-aging in medical institutions, you proposed to revise the contract twice this year, increasing the bonus by 0.1% or 0.2%.”

Professor Chen was puzzled by what he said. “Ah? hasn’t this contract been finalized? Is there any problem?”

Jiang Yi said over the phone, “I recently had some conflicts with Yang Yunran, and we’re not getting along well. Since the bonus was because I took care of your nephew,” he looked at Yang Yunran, “then I can take it back now.”

Professor Chen: “Uh… you two had a conflict? What kind of conflict? Is it serious?”

Jiang Yi said, “It’s a personal matter.”

Professor Chen: “Well, I won’t deal with this for now. Don’t upset him, he’s been… not in a good mood lately. As for the bonus, it’s already been revised. You’ve already made a significant contribution, and I still hope you’ll research more valuable stem cell topics.”

Jiang Yi said, “I will continue with the research. Stem cell anti-aging is my independent study, but I rely on the resources and equipment in the institute to achieve results. If you think giving me 5.5% is too much, you can take it back anytime.”

“Not too much, not revising the contract anymore. But why are you bringing this up?” Professor Chen had always thought Jiang Yi didn’t care about money, was devoted to his studies, and had a chaotic family situation, being extremely frugal and supporting his parents and younger brother financially. He didn’t approve of this and couldn’t say anything about it.

Hearing Jiang Yi unexpectedly start talking about money, he was surprised. “Is there something going on at home that requires money? Do you need the teacher’s help?”

“There’s nothing going on at home, but I do need help.” Jiang Yi glanced at Yang Yunran, who had been silent beside him. Jiang Yi put the phone on speaker and said, “It seems that your nephew has some misunderstandings because of this matter, yes, about the bonus. Can you help me explain to him that I never took care of him because of this bonus? Initially, it was because of your instructions, but I didn’t need to take care of him to that extent.”

Professor Chen: “Ah? What’s going on? This situation is… that’s why you argued.” He still couldn’t figure out the situation and vaguely felt that their relationship was not simple; Jiang Yi cared too much about Yang Yunran.

Before hanging up, Professor Chen asked him, “You’re interested in my little treasure, right? Why else would you always be asking about him?”

Yang Yunran looked up at him.

Jiang Yi paused and said, “Yes, interesting.”

Professor Chen interjected, “This…”

It was somewhat unexpected, but not entirely surprising. Yang Yunran being gay was something he knew, but Jiang Yi being involved was somewhat unexpected.

Professor Chen said, “Why doesn’t Babao tell me anything? What stage are you at? Does he know? Are you pursuing him?”

“I’m coaxing him,” Jiang Yi said slowly, word by word. “Do you think there’s anything wrong with my character, that I’m not worthy of him? Or that I’m not dependable enough?”

Professor Chen replied, “Your character is fine, but things are what they are. If Sheep doesn’t like you, he just doesn’t. Sort it out yourself, but don’t bully him. Don’t make me intervene…”

At least Professor Chen trusted Jiang Yi. Jiang Yi was also clean in terms of emotions. Teacher and student for ten years, he had also tried to mediate for Jiang Yi, but without success.

Jiang Yi seemed to be sexually indifferent.

Professor Chen had never considered him to be gay.

“No, it’s not,” Jiang Yi said, half-kneeling and tired. He stood up and sat on the sofa, taking Yang Yunran’s hand. “I won’t bully him. I’ll hang up first.”

He hung up decisively.

“Do you understand?” Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, holding Yang Yunran’s chin in his palm. “Any more doubts? Did your uncle make it clear enough?”

Yang Yunran understood. It couldn’t be clearer.

But he was still confused.

“In my uncle’s eyes, you’re a reliable student with good character, and you have some abilities. But that doesn’t mean…”

“Doesn’t that mean what?”

“It doesn’t mean you like me. You pretend to be gay, but actually you don’t like me, right? I don’t think I like you that much either.”

Jiang Yi’s hand, like a volcano ready to erupt, had veins bulging on the back of his hand but not using force on him, “When did I pretend to be gay? When did I stop liking you? If you don’t like me, why did you do it with me? Can you be so casual?”

“It wasn’t long. Just a few minutes… What’s the difference between me and a virgin? You said you didn’t pretend to be gay, but a normal homosexual isn’t like you. When we were dating, you wouldn’t hold hands, wouldn’t eat ice cream I’d eaten, and even pushed me away when I hugged you. You claimed to have psychological issues, but suddenly recovered overnight. Clearly you were faking it, I have a lot of evidence! You just went to therapy to appease me, I emailed them recently and they said you never went! You even asked for a refund, so how did you get better? You cured years of problems overnight?”

“…,” Jiang Yi couldn’t argue with this.

At first, he couldn’t accept intimate contact.

“Did you hold hands later, or not?” Jiang Yi asked in a tone that wasn’t questioning.

Yang Yunran stared at him. “Later, regardless of how you’ve changed, you were wrong from the beginning!”

“I didn’t like you that much back then,” Jiang Yi admitted. “I’m used to gradual progress, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t sincere.”

Yang Yunran looked into his eyes.

For a long time, Yang Yunran rarely noticed the emotional fluctuations in his dark eyes.

He… quickly felt a little lost, overwhelmed, and believed: “I can trust you for now…”

Jiang Yi didn’t smile, his long eyelashes drooping. “And you, how much of it was sincere? Did you find a new boyfriend after returning to China? Are you ready to dump the one abroad?”

“Don’t slander me. I haven’t found a new boyfriend.”

“Really? Show me your phone.” Jiang Yi reached for it from his pocket.

It was the first time Yang Yunran had been asked to show his phone. He was a little nervous and refused to hand it over, reaching out to snatch it back. “Why are you checking my phone? We’ve already broken up… It’s none of your business if I have a new love interest. Are you the Pacific Police?”

“Is it true?” Jiang Yi’s jaw tightened, his tone icy, somewhat mocking. “That night, was it with this person? Were you drunk? Or were you drugged? Was it genuine?”

“Don’t spread rumors.”

Yang Yunran didn’t want him to check his phone, trying to get up from his leg. Jiang Yi grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.

“Jiang Yi was repeatedly criticized by him for issues regarding dignity, making him furious. It wasn’t that serious, and things are fine now. Jiang Yi suppressed his anger and pulled him into his arms, sitting him on his lap. His large hand reached out, and Yang Yunran suddenly lost strength, trembling slightly as he resisted, turning his head away. ‘I can’t accept kissing my ex-boyfriend.’

Jiang Yi leaned close with a heated breath. ‘Then let’s reconcile.'”