Chapter 46 “It’s All Your Fault.”

The hurried final note dissolved into the sound of wind and snow.

Seeing Duan Zhuxian suddenly freeze in place, seemingly indifferent, a rush of biting wind filled Jiang Yao’s chest.

He subconsciously raised his hand, intending to grab Duan Zhuxian’s collar. Halfway up, he stopped, and in the moment his hand fell dejectedly, it was tightly gripped by another hand.

The next second, Duan Zhuxian pulled him into his embrace. As their chests collided, the gap in Jiang Yao’s heart that let in the cold was firmly sealed.

This hug was unlike any they had shared before; it lacked all the ease Duan Zhuxian usually exuded, urgent as if delaying any longer would mean disappearing with the wind and snow.

Duan Zhuxian tightened his arms inch by inch. Jiang Yao neither pushed him away nor complied, just standing rigidly.

“Actually, that night, I came back, but you had already left.” Duan Zhuxian said softly, his lips close to Jiang Yao’s ear, “I’m sorry, I was a step too late.”

Clearly, Duan Zhuxian felt the stubborn body in his arms tremble slightly and suddenly go half limp.

“I won’t leave you again, Jiang Yao.” He placed one hand on the back of Jiang Yao’s neck, speaking in a slow, solemn tone, “From now on, anytime you need me, I’ll be there.”

As his words settled, the remaining coldness and resolve in the person in his arms softened.

From a direction Jiang Yao couldn’t see, Duan Zhuxian smiled helplessly, with a faint ache rising in his heart.

Jiang Yao was so easy to coax, without a hint of the pickiness and arrogance his exterior suggested. Just hearing a few words of promise, he let his guard down.

The person he liked had always been so good, with a soft heart that made Duan Zhuxian fall for him. As long as he received a little kindness from others, he was eager to give his heart in return.

How did he ever bear to lose such a wonderful person?

But he also wished Jiang Yao wasn’t so good.

At least, not so easy to coax.

Otherwise, it would make him, the one at fault, seem especially undeserving, tempting him to be greedier for more.

It was late, and passersby, hurrying along, glanced at the two figures hugging under the streetlamp, noting they were both wearing school uniforms. They couldn’t help but think, are high school students these days really this blatant about early romance?

At this moment, the lips pressed against Duan Zhuxian’s shoulder moved, “How long do you plan to hold me?”

It seemed like Jiang Yao had recovered, and his tone carrying a deliberate coldness and awkwardness.

Duan Zhuxian said, “Until you’re properly coaxed.”

Jiang Yao was stunned, not expecting Duan Zhuxian to say something so cheeky.

If he remembered correctly, this was the first time the usually aloof Duan Zhuxian had softened towards him.

It felt like walking barefoot across a frozen river for a long time, with his feet and heart numb, then suddenly a hole melted in the cold, hard ice, releasing a burst of warm steam. He accidentally stepped into it and fell straight into an unbelievable warmth.

The person in front of him, with such sweet words, didn’t seem like Duan Zhuxian at all. Normally, Duan Zhuxian wouldn’t miss a chance to argue with him.

Jiang Yao snorted, “Don’t set yourself too high a goal. I’m afraid you might end up doing this for the rest of your life.”

Duan Zhuxian chuckled softly, then let go of him and turned to walk towards the car.

Jiang Yao: “…”

His body that had just been warmed was suddenly surrounded by cold wind without any warning.

Jiang Yao’s temple throbbed a few times as he expressionlessly stared at Duan Zhuxian’s back, who walked away without a word. He saw him open the back seat door, and take something out of the car, then walk back towards him against the wind and snow, while holding something in his arms.

“There are still two hours left. Happy New Year.”

Jiang Yao lowered his gaze in a daze, and a bouquet of roses was handed to him.

Delicate yet resilient red roses bloomed strikingly in the bitter cold night, their rich fragrance making him momentarily dizzy, masking the rapid beats of two hearts.

Another voice fell by his ear: “Will you accept them? Before they freeze.”

“Stop rushing me.” After a while, Jiang Yao grumbled, his voice muffled and fierce, “I’ve never seen a gift-giver using moral coercion.”

But he still reached out and took the roses.

For the sake of the flowers.

While they had been delayed, a thin layer of snow had already accumulated on the ground.

Tonight’s snow was unusually bright. The dark red petals of the roses seemed to emit a silver-white glow from within, like souls carrying hidden messages about to be revealed.

On the black wrapping paper, there was a small logo that read “Dreamy Whispers.”

Years ago, it was in front of this flower shop that they had their falling out.

*

On the main road in Duan Zhuxian’s car, Jiang Yao held the flowers and felt his mood calming down.

After reflecting on the recent events, his face heated up, feeling that he had been overly sentimental.

But there was still one thing he hadn’t asked.

He had to be a bit sentimental one last time.

Looking ahead, Jiang Yao tried to sound casual, speaking slowly, “That night, when you came back, can I take it as you actually wanted to be friends with me?”

Duan Zhuxian paused at his words.

At that time, he didn’t just want to be friends with Jiang Yao; he wanted to be Jiang Yao’s boyfriend. He was jealous of Shen Tang.

Duan Zhuxian replied calmly, “I never denied our friendship; I just didn’t agree with what you said.”

Jiang Yao glared at Duan Zhuxian, “I said we had a friendship, and you should have given me some leeway. What part of that was wrong?”

Just then, as students were leaving their evening classes, it was a bit congested near the school. The traffic light ahead turned red, and the car slowly stopped in the flow of traffic.

Duan Zhuxian said, “You didn’t say ‘we have a friendship’; you said ‘we have a bit of a small friendship’.”

“Is there a difference?”

Jiang Yao was puzzled, meeting Duan Zhuxian’s eyes. Beneath that calm gaze, there seemed to be suppressed waves from ten years ago.

A light bulb went off in his head.

Wait, maybe there is a difference.

As he gradually realized an incredible possibility, Jiang Yao’s thoughts suddenly became chaotic again, almost too afraid to continue thinking deeply.

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened, and he asked each word carefully, “Are you telling me you were mad because I downplayed our friendship, didn’t rank you highly enough in my heart, and that’s why you walked away like a jerk without looking back?”

Duan Zhuxian responded with a “Hmm.”

This time, he admitted it quickly.

Jiang Yao was completely stunned. He exclaimed, “I was being euphemistic! Don’t you understand the relationship between us? I saw you as my only rival, always at odds with you, always wanting to outdo you. What if you were just aloof, looked down on emotions, or had a problem with me, thought I always wanted to steal your spotlight, and saw me as someone delusional?”

Duan Zhuxian’s hand, which had been loosely resting on the steering wheel, suddenly tightened.

“Besides, when I called out to you back then, your attitude was so cold. It didn’t seem like you cared at all. I’m a person who values face too. I was afraid… damn…”

Jiang Yao choked up, suddenly unable to continue.

He avoided Duan Zhuxian’s increasingly astonished gaze and turned to look out the passenger side window.

Outside, the world was filled with swirling snow. Everyone was avoiding the cold wave, but the snow accumulated in a corner of his heart for ten years melted at that moment.

“Duan Zhuxian, we were supposed to be buddies. It’s all your fault.” Jiang Yao said, staring at the sidewalk where two boys in school uniforms were walking with their arms around each other’s shoulders, feeling a bit agitated.

“Yeah, it’s my fault.” Duan Zhuxian admitted it all.

Jiang Yao was silent for a moment, then muttered, “Actually, it’s my fault too.”

In truth, Duan Zhuxian was pretty decent. Even though they had become rivals, he still wanted to be friends with Jiang Yao, despite being such a proud person.

Duan Zhuxian replied warmly, “It’s not your fault.”

As the light turned green, Duan Zhuxian restarted the car, his heart also in turmoil. He thought that being able to reconnect with Jiang Yao had exhausted all his luck. But it turned out that fate had favored him far more than he had imagined.

It turned out that he wasn’t the only one who had been cautiously probing the other back then.

Always holding on to childhood grievances, blaming each other, made them seem petty and lacking in the decisiveness of adults.

Jiang Yao decided to stop arguing there.

He touched his nose and, before the air fell into dead silence, quickly changed the topic, pointing at the flowers in his arms. “Is this a New Year’s gift?”

Duan Zhuxian said, “Sort of.”

Jiang Yao pouted. “Why roses? Was the flower shop out of other flowers?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “When we were picking out cufflinks for the wedding attire, you said you liked red the most.”

Jiang Yao thought back and vaguely remembered. At the time, he was quite impatient, just wanting to get it over with. He hadn’t paid much attention to the wedding details, leaving most of the decisions to his mom and Duan Zhuxian.

Later, when the custom cufflinks arrived at his house, he saw they were set with a large ruby. He was a bit puzzled. Though ruby cufflinks matched his taste, the color was too flashy and didn’t suit Duan Zhuxian’s cool demeanor.

It turned out Duan Zhuxian had accommodated his preference.

But there are other red flowers besides roses…

Jiang Yao thoughtfully stroked the dew-covered petals with his fingertips, noting their moist and plump feel, as if they hadn’t been in the car for long.

He turned to Duan Zhuxian and asked, “Did you leave the class reunion early just to buy flowers?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “No.”

“…”

Jiang Yao responded with an “Oh.”

He silently cursed himself for being self-indulgent.

“Buying flowers didn’t take much time,” Duan Zhuxian added, glancing at the roses.

Following Duan Zhuxian’s gaze, Jiang Yao noticed that some of the flowers near the edges were more spread out.

He reached in, feeling around the edges, and pulled out a flat rectangular box. Because it was black, it had blended almost seamlessly with the wrapping paper, and he hadn’t noticed it until now.

It seemed this was the real New Year’s gift.

Jiang Yao didn’t hesitate and began to open it right away, his actions somewhat aggressive. However, upon seeing the contents, he was first shocked, then his movements slowed, and his expression grew serious.

Inside was a certificate of authenticity.

He stared down at the item in the box, opening and closing his mouth before finally finding his voice. “Recently, my architect friends have been talking about some foolishly rich guy who actually bid a million to buy a Michel painting at an auction.”

Even though Michel was a monumental figure in the architecture world, his paintings weren’t well-known and had little value for collection or resale.

But at the same time, Jiang Yao felt a bit regretful that he hadn’t received an invitation to the auction. Otherwise, there would have been a second foolishly rich guy. After all, Michel was his most admired architect, and his passion was sparked by a documentary about Michel.

Like all fervent fans, Jiang Yao had collected many items related to his idol and visited every building designed by Michel. He had even asked people to find Michel’s paintings, but this was the first time he had ever touched an original.

Whether it was the color red or the painting, Jiang Yao realized that Duan Zhuxian seemed to have always been paying attention to him, and responding to him.

Hearing the term “foolishly rich,” Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow and said, “That was me. There was a small issue with the auctioned item, so it was only officially delivered today. I personally went to pick it up.”

“Mr. Duan, you got ripped off. His paintings aren’t worth that much; you’re really a sucker.”

Jiang Yao’s words carried a tone of mockery, but his eyes couldn’t hide the gleam of joy, and his fair cheeks seemed to be tinged with the redness of the roses, making him look captivating.

Duan Zhuxian’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I may not know much about the field, but if I like it, it’s priceless.”

The word “like” was spoken so lightly by Duan Zhuxian, almost deliberately, that it fell into Jiang Yao’s ears and made a deep impression.

Secretly liking someone is like playing hide and seek. When hiding, you hold your breath, stay still, and are afraid of revealing even the slightest clue.

But when the other person passes by many times without noticing anything and eventually leaves without looking back, the heart hidden away can’t help but feel a sense of loss, hoping they might try one more time, even if it means being found.

However, by now, Duan Zhuxian no longer wanted to play hide and seek. His seeker was too slow in this regard and might never find him.

But now was not the right time. Just clearing up the misunderstanding from years ago had left Jiang Yao mentally unsettled, carrying a heart that had been through so much, and standing in the cold wind for so long, with his usually spirited face was full of fatigue.

If Jiang Yao knew he had even more audacious intentions, tonight would definitely not go well.

Duan Zhuxian felt a pang of heartache.

Better to let Jiang Yao take some time to process everything, get some rest, and have a good night’s sleep.

As they neared home, Duan Zhuxian said, “The reward for the information you provided me will remain outstanding. Come to me when you’ve thought of what you want.”

Jiang Yao replied, “Didn’t I already ask for it earlier…”

Just thinking about what happened a few minutes ago made Jiang Yao feel embarrassed.

He wasn’t a child anymore; he shouldn’t need to be coaxed.

But at that moment, his whole body had felt like a machine controlled by emotions, completely overriding his rational mind.

“That doesn’t count,” Duan Zhuxian said softly. “Coaxing you is my duty.”