Chapter 53: “Jealousy.”

Early the next morning, while Jiang Yao was washing his face and fixing his hair in the bathroom, Duan Zhuxian stood next to him brushing his teeth.

Their eyes met unexpectedly in the mirror, and Jiang Yao quickly looked away.

Now, whenever he saw Duan Zhuxian’s light-colored thin lips, he thought of what Duan Zhuxian did to him last night, especially now with the white foam of toothpaste still on his lips.

After it ended yesterday, he immediately crawled into bed and pretended to sleep. He eventually did fall asleep, but it was a restless one.

In his dream, he seemed to be caught in an infinite loop, repeating the same few minutes all night. First, there was a wild throbbing in a certain part of his body, then it spread throughout his body, until it felt like even his soul was tightly bound, screaming with no power to resist.

He had never experienced such an ecstatic and bone-deep feeling in his life.

It was thoroughly satisfying.

But wasn’t Duan Zhuxian, someone with mild OCD, bothered by the mess?

He couldn’t hold back at that moment, and Duan Zhuxian probably didn’t realize it either. Who knows how much got in…

Jiang Yao couldn’t control the wild thoughts in his mind. Every time he glanced at the mirror, he would catch Duan Zhuxian’s light gaze watching him, and then he would nervously look away again.

After a few times, he felt an inexplicable mix of shame and annoyance. He elbowed Duan Zhuxian and said, “Stand further away. Don’t tempt me so early in the morning.”

Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow and said, “What did I do?”

Since he was speaking with toothpaste in his mouth, some of the white foam dripped out as he opened and closed his lips.

It looked even more like…

Unable to withstand the visual stimulation, Jiang Yao had an immediate reaction.

So, under Duan Zhuxian’s watchful gaze, he blushed, quickly fled the bathroom, and the tuft of red hair at the end of his hair hadn’t even had time to be tamed with styling spray.

*

After leaving the house, Jiang Yao became busy. In the morning, he attended a meeting at the headquarters, then immediately returned to the branch office to deploy work. In the afternoon, he even took some time to go out, and Chen Yiqi drove to pick him up.

Chen Yiqi had a meeting with an investment manager today. It was his first time making a decision on his own, and it was a crucial matter of financing, so he felt uncertain. He asked Jiang Yao to help oversee things, and the location was in an office building across the street from Hua Yan Building.

After the meeting, while driving past Hua Yan with Chen Yiqi, Jiang Yao thought of someone and asked Chen Yiqi to stop the car and let him out.

Since he was already there, he decided to visit.

Walking into the building, he was greeted by two energetic receptionists he hadn’t seen before; they must be new.

He stood at the security checkpoint in front of the elevator, initially intending to call Duan Zhuxian to let him know to come downstairs to meet him. Suddenly, he paused and turned to the reception desk. “Hello, I’d like to see Duan Zhuxian.”

The receptionist gave him a professional smile. “Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?”

Jiang Yao replied, “No, I don’t.”

The receptionist said, “I’m sorry, but you need an appointment to see Mr. Duan. Could you please register first? May I know your name?”

Jiang Yao said, “My surname is Jiang, and I’m Mr. Duan’s husband.”

Upon hearing this, the receptionist widened her eyes, her sharp gaze falling on the ring on Jiang Yao’s left hand.

She remembered seeing an identical ring on Mr. Duan’s hand, as he often used his left hand for things like holding his phone or pressing elevator buttons. Initially, she thought Mr. Duan might be left-handed.

Although she hadn’t been working there long, she had heard about the alliance between Mr. Duan and Jiang Li Technology. The boss of Jiang Li Technology was surnamed Jiang.

Jiang Yao smiled warmly and said, “My phone is dead. Could you please help me contact him?”

The receptionist, not daring to delay, dialed Duan Zhuxian’s office extension, but no one answered. She then dialed his mobile number, and it finally connected.

“Hello, Mr. Duan. There’s a Mr. Jiang here to see you. He says he’s your…”

The receptionist hesitated and glanced at Jiang Yao.

Jiang Yao smiled and nodded, signaling her to repeat his words.

Summoning her courage, the receptionist quickly blurted out, “Your husband.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Duan Zhuxian said something.

It was a pity that Jiang Yao couldn’t hear his tone or see his expression.

After hanging up, the receptionist said, “Mr. Duan is in a meeting on the 12th floor. He asked you to wait in his office.”

As Jiang Yao passed through security with his temporary access card, the two receptionists exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with gossip.

Jiang Yao’s lips curved into a smile. No surprise, he would soon be known as “Mr. Duan’s husband” in the gossip circles of Hua Yan employees.

Entering the elevator, Jiang Yao pressed 15 but stepped out early on the 12th floor.

He had been to the 12th-floor multifunctional conference room once before, to give an investment presentation to Hua Yan’s executives.

At this moment, Duan Zhuxian was seated exactly where Jiang Yao had stood during his presentation, listening to a subordinate’s report. His face was handsome but cold, and his demeanor was utterly impersonal, exuding a palpable sense of pressure when he looked at someone.

Jiang Yao felt a sudden unfamiliarity upon seeing him. 

Over the past few days, Duan Zhuxian’s gaze had been almost drowning him in affection; he no longer argued or opposed him. Jiang Yao had nearly forgotten what Duan Zhuxian used to be like.

From a spot where Duan Zhuxian couldn’t see him, Jiang Yao watched with interest as Duan Zhuxian displayed his sharp, rational demeanor, reminiscing about the man who once stayed distant from his world, and reluctant to get close. The contrast brought a sense of nostalgic bittersweetness, making him feel somewhat sentimental.

His attention was so captured by Duan Zhuxian that it took him a while to notice Duan Feiyi was also present, not at the conference table but sitting on a bench in the corner with others, looking more like an observer than a participant.

While Duan Zhuxian spoke, Duan Feiyi’s narrow eyes were fixed on him, filled with a mixture of resentment and unconscious fear.

Back when he bullied Duan Zhuxian, relying on his mother’s support, he probably never imagined their roles would reverse so drastically.

Jiang Yao sneered, took out his phone, and contacted a trusted acquaintance: “Help me look into this person, Duan Feiyi.”

Before Duan Zhuxian left the meeting room, Jiang Yao returned to his office.

A few minutes later, Duan Zhuxian pushed the door open, loosening his tie as he glanced at Jiang Yao, who was lying on the sofa, browsing his phone.

“Did I hear correctly? You’re claiming to be my husband?”

“You’ve taken advantage of me so many times; can’t I do the same?” Jiang Yao sat up quickly, with a provocative expression on his face.

Duan Zhuxian walked over to his desk, and said dismissively, “Husband or wife, it doesn’t matter. It all means there can only be one.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t resist the urge to roll his eyes.

Keep pretending!

On their wedding day, whose face turned so dark over just a term of address?

He was convinced that Duan Zhuxian’s sudden displeasure during the banquet was because someone called him “sister-in-law.”

Jiang Yao walked over to Duan Zhuxian, pinning him against the desk, and with a mischievous smile said, “Since it doesn’t matter, how about we switch things up in bed?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “That’s not happening.”

He then grabbed Jiang Yao’s waist, pushing him forcefully against the corner of the wall, and pinning him with one leg between Jiang Yao’s.

Jiang Yao groaned a couple of times. He was just talking. Before getting involved with Duan Zhuxian, he was still a virgin. Though he always considered himself a top, he had no actual experience. After being with Duan Zhuxian a few times, he got a taste of it and slowly found it hard to give up that feeling.

Duan Zhuxian continued, “But I can fulfill your wish to be on top.”

As he spoke, he picked up a remote control, and the curtains around the room all closed, plunging the room into darkness, except for the desk lamp.

Jiang Yao felt a sudden dizziness, and his slightly weakening waist was supported by Duan Zhuxian. He stared and asked, “What wish? When did I say that?”

“Last time in my office, you said you wanted to move yourself,” Duan Zhuxian said in a low, teasing voice. “Young Master Jiang isn’t someone who breaks his promises, right?”

From the evening glow to the last ray of the setting sun, Jiang Yao left the vice president’s office at Hua Yan in a fit of anger, with trembling legs.

Next time, he would never impulsively visit this beast again!

On Saturday evening, Wei Zhihan invited Jiang Yao to meet.

Thinking about how he had helped him a lot in the construction industry recently, and he hadn’t had a chance to properly thank him, Jiang Yao accepted the invitation. The location was a bar in the commercial street.

As usual, Wei Zhihan arrived earlier. Jiang Yao was already used to it, guessing that he was just an impatient person.

After sitting down, they drank for a while and watched a band performance. During a break in the noisy music, Jiang Yao raised his glass and said, “Thanks for your help recently. I owe you one. I’ll repay you when I get the chance.”

Wei Zhihan clinked glasses with him and said, “No need to repay me. I did it voluntarily.”

Wei Zhihan always seemed willing to help, even though they were just regular classmates in the past.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but tease, “Are you this eager to help everyone?”

Wei Zhihan gave a bitter smile, “It seems you really haven’t noticed. I’ve actually liked you for quite a few years.”

Jiang Yao was still laughing when he suddenly choked on his drink, spilling half of it. When Wei Zhihan tried to help him wipe his mouth, Jiang Yao quickly blocked his hand and grabbed a napkin himself.

Wei Zhihan glanced at his hand that had been pushed away and said, “Back then, you were the school’s star, and I had nothing. I was afraid you wouldn’t notice me, so I worked hard to improve myself. When I finally made something of myself and returned, the first thing I did was attend your wedding.”

Jiang Yao was shocked, trying hard to recall any signs of Wei Zhihan’s crush during their school days. He couldn’t find any hint of it and didn’t even remember Wei Zhihan very well. They weren’t close; most of their interactions were through Duan Zhuxian.

Then a thought struck him, and he asked, “Did Duan Zhuxian know? You two used to be quite close.”

Wei Zhihan nodded, “He knows.”

Jiang Yao narrowed his eyes at this and then lifted his gaze to look at Wei Zhihan. “We’ll stop drinking here today. As for the favor you did for me, I owe you for it, but once I’ve repaid it, we’ll just be old classmates.”

Wei Zhihan downed the rest of his drink and stared at the man in front of him.

Despite Jiang Yao’s always seemingly friendly demeanor, with a smile that never made people uncomfortable, his words of rejection were unexpectedly cold.

Wei Zhihan asked, “Do you need a ride? I have a driver.”

“I’ll have Duan Zhuxian come pick me up,” Jiang Yao waved his hand. “You should go first. I’m afraid he’ll get upset if he sees you.”

Wei Zhihan took a deep breath and stood up.

Most of the reason he confessed his feelings to Jiang Yao today was to give himself closure, though he did harbor a small hope. What if Jiang Yao’s relationship with Duan Zhuxian was poor and their marriage unstable? What if they divorced someday?

But from Jiang Yao’s current attitude, it seemed he had over thought things.

Duan Zhuxian’s harsh words to him at the wedding banquet more than half a month ago appeared to have achieved their intended effect.

*

Duan Zhuxian received Jiang Yao’s message while having dinner with Fu Yang.

He put down his chopsticks and said to Fu Yang, “I have to go.”

Fu Yang, who was enthusiastically talking about his business strategies, was taken aback. “Why are you leaving so suddenly? We haven’t even finished eating!”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “I need to pick up my wife.”

Fu Yang: “…”

Half an hour later, Duan Zhuxian walked into the bar and saw Jiang Yao from a distance, holding half a glass of wine, lounging lazily against the sofa. His shirt was unbuttoned down to the second button, revealing a hint of his collarbone. In the decadent lighting, he squinted his eyes, looking very much at home in the nightlife. Many eyes in a five-meter radius were glued to him.

Duan Zhuxian’s expression darkened as he quickly walked over to him.

Jiang Yao slowly lifted his eyelids. “Take me home.”

Duan Zhuxian responded with a grunt, took away the glass Jiang Yao was about to drink from, and half-dragged, half-carried him out of the bar.

Sitting in Duan Zhuxian’s car, Jiang Yao, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly stirred and asked, “That night at the wedding, you suddenly acted out of character. Was it because you saw me adding another guy on WeChat and got jealous?”

Duan Zhuxian paused for a moment and said, “Yes.”

Jiang Yao responded with an “Oh” and didn’t say anything more, continuing to keep his eyes closed.

After getting out of the car, half of the alcohol had already worn off, but he deliberately pretended to be unsteady, putting most of his weight on Duan Zhuxian.

Supporting Jiang Yao into the house, Duan Zhuxian asked, “Who were you drinking with to get this drunk?”

Jiang Yao replied, “Wei Zhihan.”

The next second, Duan Zhuxian pressed Jiang Yao against the door, and pinned his wrists and raised them to his ears, forcing him into a surrendering position.

Jiang Yao’s back hit the door, sending a numb shock through his body, and the remaining alcohol was scared out of him. “What are you doing?”

Duan Zhuxian’s thin lips moved slightly, and he spat out two concise words: “Jealous.”