Chapter 35: “Cupid’s Last Arrow”

Jiang Yao, feeling playful, teased Duan Zhuxian and noticed a slight moment of surprise on Duan Zhuxian’s face, caught off guard by his sudden forward behavior.

Jiang Yao was quite pleased with Duan Zhuxian’s reaction and planned to withdraw after the tease. As soon as he released Duan Zhuxian’s tie and tried to get up, he was abruptly pulled back by a hand around his waist.

Caught off guard, Jiang Yao tumbled onto Duan Zhuxian, still maintaining the dominant position, though now in a rather awkward posture.

Propping himself up halfway, Jiang Yao glared at Duan Zhuxian.

Duan Zhuxian asked, “Are you going to move, or should I?”

Jiang Yao said nothing, continuing to glare at him, with just a hint of red at the tips of his ears.

Duan Zhuxian’s lips curved into a smile. “Got it.”

Jiang Yao: ?

What did you get?

The next moment, the hand around his waist moved, slipping under his suit jacket, inching its way up under his shirt, applying varying pressure and care, paying special attention to the sensitive spots on his back, finally resting on his prominent shoulder blade.

Jiang Yao’s shoulder blades were slender and prominent, with a beautiful shape. He used to be very proud of them, often taking back muscle photos in the gym to post on social media, enjoying a queue of people in the comments fawning over them.

But ever since he got involved with a certain someone, his shoulder blades had been touched and kissed so many times that they seemed to have become some sort of illicit signal. As a result, he had stopped posting back muscle photos and had even deleted all the old ones.

The warmth of Duan Zhuxian’s palm transmitted through his shirt to his shoulder blades, causing an uncontrollable shiver. The tension in Jiang Yao’s body slowly dissipated, and he began to soften.

The next second, Duan Zhuxian gripped his shoulder blades and easily pulled him closer.

Hot lips fell on the open collar of his shirt, moving from his collarbone to his chest, not even missing the tiny, barely visible mole in between.

Jiang Yao was straddling Duan Zhuxian, facing him, and being half a head taller. His view was directly towards the tightly closed office door. He stared at the black-framed door for a long time, and felt a sudden rush of embarrassment.

He was losing his mind. He had been infected by someone shameless and was now engaging in office play with Duan Zhuxian in a semi-public place…

At that moment, there was a sudden rush of hurried footsteps outside the door.

Jiang Yao’s eyes sharpened, and like a wary animal, he arched his back.

“Don’t worry, no one will come in without permission,” Duan Zhuxian said softly, the hand resting near his hip giving a reassuring pat.

Jiang Yao retorted angrily, “Who’s afraid? This is your company, not mine. If anyone is embarrassed, it’s you.”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “What’s embarrassing about getting close with my wife?”

Jiang Yao’s face turned red, and his voice lowered, “Have some decency…”

Ultimately, they couldn’t get too carried away in the office. After a brief entanglement on the sofa, they stopped before things went too far.

Jiang Yao was breathing heavily, hanging onto Duan Zhuxian’s neck, gasping for air.

Duan Zhuxian brushed aside the hair that had fallen in front of Jiang Yao’s eyes and said softly, “Someone’s coming by later, a man named Lu Xuan Shen.”

Jiang Yao raised an eyebrow slightly. He had heard of him—the youngest heir of the Lu family in real estate.

“Since you have another appointment, I’ll be leaving.”

Jiang Yao swiftly got off Duan Zhuxian, tidied his clothes, and was about to turn away when Duan Zhuxian grabbed his wrist.

“Stay, help me as an advisor.”

Jiang Yao was surprised, “Mr. Duan needs an advisor?”

Duan Zhuxian nodded, “Yes, you’re more experienced in this area than I am.”

Jiang Yao immediately became interested upon hearing this. He had never seen Duan Zhuxian bow his head to him before.

About fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on the office door.

When Duan Zhuxian opened the door, Jiang Yao stood behind him, peering over his shoulder.

The man outside was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, exuding an air of elite professionalism that rivaled Duan Zhuxian’s, though with a bit more formality and an innate nobility. Of course, this impression might also be due to Jiang Yao increasingly seeing Duan Zhuxian as a beast.

Jiang Yao found the man oddly familiar and squinted, quickly recalling where he had seen him before.

It was the same man who had been with Ying Wan in the emergency exit at noon. So, this was Lu Xuan Shen.

Looking past Duan Zhuxian’s shoulder, Lu Xuan Shen glanced at Jiang Yao and paused briefly. “May I come in?”

“Of course…” Jiang Yao responded with a blank expression. He then quietly buttoned the top button of his shirt, covering the kiss marks on his collarbone.

*

While Duan Zhuxian and Lu Xuan Shen were talking, Jiang Yao listened attentively from the side and soon understood the situation.

Lu Xuan Shen planned to establish an architectural design company and wanted to bring Duan Zhuxian on board. He was here today to persuade him.

“Mr. Duan mentioned he knows a professional whose advice will determine whether he invests or not,” Lu Xuan Shen said, his gaze resting on Jiang Yao’s face.

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened slightly as he looked at Duan Zhuxian and pointed to himself. Receiving a slight nod from Duan Zhuxian, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Although Jiang Yao had a keen interest in architectural design and was often praised for his talent, having studied the relevant field, he had no practical experience. All his sketches were still in the two-dimensional stage, essentially making him an amateur theorist.

Feeling unusually insecure but not wanting to falter in front of Duan Zhuxian, he decided to take Lu Xuan Shen’s words head-on.

An hour later, as the evening darkened, Jiang Yao and Lu Xuan Shen were engrossed in their discussion when Duan Zhuxian suggested they have dinner together.

After the meal, Lu Xuan Shen and Jiang Yao exchanged contact information before he left.

The restaurant was conveniently located near Jiang Yao and Duan Zhuxian’s high school alma mater. The rain had stopped, and both felt like taking a walk to digest their food.

They walked side by side along the sidewalk outside the school, the air fresh with the scent of rain.

Duan Zhuxian asked Jiang Yao, “What do you think of Lu Xuan Shen’s invitation?”

“The Lu family made their fortune in real estate, so they have the connections and resources. Moreover, his think tank consists of renowned experts in the architectural field. They have everything ready. But I’m just giving a casual analysis; the final decision is still up to you.”

Jiang Yao looked ahead, choosing his words carefully for the first time in front of Duan Zhuxian.

Duan Zhuxian said, “What I mean is, we should join together.”

Jiang Yao abruptly turned to look at Duan Zhuxian, the light from the streetlamp reflecting in his eyes.

At that moment, it was impossible not to feel moved.

According to the path his parents had planned for him, he was supposed to become a successful businessman. He didn’t want to disappoint them and had indeed been progressing step by step in the business world.

Since it was all business anyway, he thought it would be better to be involved in something he was passionate about rather than exploring a field he had no interest in.

But after some internal struggle, he looked down, avoiding a puddle, and waved his hand dismissively. “Better not. If it fails, I’ll be in trouble too.”

His family had just gotten through a tough period, and their current assets were not enough for him to squander.

Duan Zhuxian said, “If it fails, the loss will be mine. It has nothing to do with you.”

Jiang Yao rolled his eyes at him. “How can it have nothing to do with me? If we lose, it’s our joint property. I’ll lose at least half.”

Duan Zhuxian laughed at this.

Jiang Yao’s meticulous words were well received by Duan Zhuxian.

“I trust your vision and believe it won’t waste my money. Likewise, you can try to trust my judgment of you. I am confident enough to protect your half of the assets.”

At this hour, the students hadn’t yet finished their evening classes, leaving a tranquil atmosphere outside the school. As they rounded a corner and entered a quieter lane, Duan Zhuxian’s tone softened. To Jiang Yao, it sounded like autumn rain gently falling on a lake, inexplicably stirring his heart.

Feigning indifference, Jiang Yao asked lightly, “Where does Mr. Duan get his confidence?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “I read your paper on building drainage systems that you published during your dual-degree period. Recently, I showed the article to Hailey, and she said it was impressive despite minor flaws, full of potential.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hailey? Hailey Wu? The legendary Chinese woman in architecture known as the ‘Architectural Real Estate’?”

Duan Zhuxian nodded. “Yes, my grandfather was an old friend of hers.”

Jiang Yao was stunned for a moment before realizing something amiss. He squinted at Duan Zhuxian. “You investigated me secretly.”

“Understanding the interests of one’s partner isn’t considered spying,” Duan Zhuxian said with a straightforward expression. He uttered the word “partner” in a formal way, but his voice carried a lingering softness.

Jiang Yao rubbed his nose and looked away, feeling that Duan Zhuxian seemed unusually personable at the moment, which made him a bit uncomfortable.

They walked silently for a few steps before Duan Zhuxian asked, “How did you become interested in architecture?”

Jiang Yao raised his hand to catch a damp leaf, playing with it for a moment. “I like the process of creating something from nothing, the way towering buildings rise from the ground. When I was little, watching the crisscrossing steel and concrete, I often felt that buildings were alive. Designers are powerful; they give birth to a hidden life through their minds, and in a way, this life can allow a small part of the designer’s soul to persist and continue.”

By the end, Jiang Yao’s voice had dropped, and his cheeks flushed slightly in the cool, damp autumn breeze.

This was the first time he had earnestly talked about his aspirations with anyone, and it was with his nemesis of ten years.

Duan Zhuxian said, “If you love it so much, why didn’t you pursue it after graduation?”

Jiang Yao’s animated expression faded significantly, and he casually tossed the leaf aside. “My dad said it was impractical. And thinking about it, he’s right. I could sit on the family’s capital and make money with money instead of getting dirty in construction.”

Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow. “Giving up your autonomy and following your parents’ wishes doesn’t sound like the you I know.”

Jiang Yao paused, then laughed. “Mr. Duan, do you know what you sound like right now?”

“Hmm?”

“Like a bad student in school who leads others astray. Parents usually warn their kids to stay away from people like that.”

Jiang Yao mimicked a gesture of distancing himself, but just as he pulled away by a meter, his wrist was grabbed and yanked forcefully, causing him to collide into Duan Zhuxian’s chest.

As they walked a few steps in this close proximity, Jiang Yao glanced down at Duan Zhuxian’s hand still gripping his wrist.

Unable to resist a taunt, Jiang Yao said, “Are you a grade-schooler? Still need to hold hands to play?”

Duan Zhuxian replied calmly, “Hold tight, so your parents don’t tear us apart.”

Just then, someone approached from the opposite direction. Jiang Yao quickly shook off Duan Zhuxian’s hand, “So childish.”

He then placed his hands in his pockets with a dignified air. “I’ll think about what you said. I need to finish the ‘Le Dong’ project first.”

He had always been a person who saw things through to the end.

Duan Zhuxian responded, “No rush, the initiative is with us. It’s okay to make Lu Xuan Shen wait.”

As they moved from the slightly dark sidewalk to a brightly lit alley, Jiang Yao suddenly stopped, his expression becoming peculiar.

He realized that the path they had just walked was the same route they used to take after school before their fallout. It was a secluded way where they wouldn’t be seen by others, allowing them to maintain their secret rivalry and connection.

Tonight, neither had suggested it, yet they had unconsciously chosen the same path.

And right in front of them was the alley where Jiang Yao and Duan Zhuxian had their fallout years ago.

Recalling that alley, all he could see were knife-like snowflakes, moon frost spread like salt over the snow, and Duan Zhuxian’s unyielding back as he walked away without looking back.

Since that day, Jiang Yao had never dared to return.

Duan Zhuxian asked, “What’s wrong?”

Seeing Duan Zhuxian’s calm expression, Jiang Yao figured he had probably forgotten what had happened here. If he turned back now, it would seem like he cared too much.

Jiang Yao lifted his chin and said in a somewhat cold tone, “Nothing.”

With that, he led the way into the alley.

Not far ahead, a small shop’s door was wide open. Painted flowers adorned the walls, and a wooden sign with the words “Dreamy Whispers” hung from it, surrounded by yellow star-shaped lights that emitted a warm glow.

It was near this spot that Duan Zhuxian had denied wanting to be friends with him.

Noticing Duan Zhuxian’s gaze on him, Jiang Yao realized he had been staring at the flower shop for too long. He then casually remarked, “A new flower shop has opened here.”

Duan Zhuxian said, “It’s not a new shop. It’s been here for ten years.”

Hearing the number “ten years,” Jiang Yao’s heart suddenly quivered.

So it was a flower shop.

He had always thought it was a grocery store, one that matched his mood back then—dim, chaotic, and only adding to his frustration.

Jiang Yao stared blankly at the little wooden sign, struggling to describe how he felt at that moment.

Duan Zhuxian watched Jiang Yao’s side profile as his expressions shifted and he tried to mask his emotions. The petals scattered at their feet brought back memories of that winter night.

At that time, it was Valentine’s Day. Jiang Yao had likely chosen that day specifically to confess to Shen Tang.

After he confiscated Jiang Yao’s love letter, Jiang Yao chased after him, questioning him with heavy and urgent footsteps. The withered flowers on the ground were trampled into a muddy mess, sinking murkily into the snow.

Flowers, once they enter the human realm, become carriers of sentiment and shouldn’t be treated that way.

At that time, after he left, he came back again, but Jiang Yao was already gone. He stood at the entrance of the flower shop for a long time. It wasn’t until the shop was about to close that he went inside, finding only the last bouquet of blue irises left in the water bucket.

The shop assistant refused his money, wrapped up the flowers, and handed them to him with a smile, saying, “Congratulations, handsome. You didn’t miss Cupid’s last arrow.”

Did he really not miss it?

He had asked himself this back then, feeling that the bouquet in his arms was exceptionally ironic.

But at this moment, his gaze fell on the person beside him.

Maybe he really hadn’t missed it.

Regardless of the method or the purpose, at least Jiang Yao had returned to his side. Every day, as soon as he opened his eyes, he could see Jiang Yao’s familiar sleeping face.

Duan Zhuxian said, “You punched me here that day.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes flickered, and then he quickly masked his emotions, responding indifferently, “Did I? I don’t remember.”

As they were about to pass the flower shop, Jiang Yao said, “Stand still. Wait for me for ten minutes.”

Without waiting for Duan Zhuxian’s reply, he walked straight into the flower shop.

The shop was small, like an inconspicuous little flower blooming quietly on the street corner, waiting for people to visit.

When he came out again, he was holding a bouquet of blue irises.

“Too late, this was the last one,” Jiang Yao said.

Duan Zhuxian’s expression shifted slightly as he asked, “Why did you suddenly want to buy flowers?”

Jiang Yao replied, “To improve the quality of life. The girls in the project team say that arranging flowers helps cultivate one’s temperament.”

He was making it up.

In truth, he didn’t know why he had the sudden impulse.

Maybe it was because the deep-rooted impression he had maintained for so many years was suddenly overturned, shifting from one extreme to another. He felt it necessary to go in and see more clearly, but it felt awkward to leave without buying anything.

Yes, it would have been awkward.

*

When they got home, Jiang Yao didn’t take the flowers into his private room or his exclusive study. Instead, he placed them in an empty glass vase on the coffee table in the common area of the living room before heading upstairs to take a shower.

Duan Zhuxian stood by the coffee table for a long time, and a silent smile suddenly formed at the corner of his lips. He reached out and took one of the irises, as if he were stealing an arrow from Cupid’s quiver.

Author’s Note:

Cupid will also descend tonight.