Chapter 55: “Weren’t you always secretly in love with him before?”

Most of the time, Duan Zhuxian was a person whose rationality bordered on harshness.

In Jiang Yao’s memory, the few times Duan Zhuxian had acted emotionally were all related to the same person, such as when he changed his college application and hurriedly went abroad, and tonight as well.

Despite Duan Zhuxian’s somewhat sanctimonious demeanor—being forceful and unreasonable in front of Jiang Yao—his morals weren’t that degraded. He wouldn’t say he liked Jiang Yao while still harboring feelings for his white moonlight, especially considering Shen Tang was married and his wife was right there.

His concern was likely a reflex.

After all, having secretly pursued someone for so many years, certain habits weren’t easy to break.

Holding the bottle of lemon soda, which he hadn’t even drunk yet, Jiang Yao felt a slight bitterness rise in his chest, bubbling up his throat.

This feeling was extremely unfamiliar.

It wasn’t until Duan Zhuxian finished talking with Shen Tang and his anxious expression returned to normal that Jiang Yao walked towards the three under the streetlight.

From a distance, Jiang Yao asked Duan Zhuxian, “Why did you still come over?”

Duan Zhuxian looked at him and said, “I was worried.”

Jiang Yao stood with one hand in his pocket, his gaze shadowed under his brow bones as he faced Duan Zhuxian. “Do you think I can’t handle it?”

His tone was a bit sharp, and he realized it himself, then consciously relaxing the tension on his face.

Duan Zhuxian replied, “You’ve always handled things well.”

If he knew things were handled well, why did he come to check personally?

Jiang Yao let out a couple of hums, turned to hand the hot milk to Shen Tang and his wife. He opened his lemon soda, took a few swigs and  frowned.

Why is it so sour?

He looked down at the brand, and mentally noted to avoid it in the future.

As they walked out of the cold and oppressive police station, aside from the bruises on his cheekbones, Shen Tang had mostly returned to his usual gentle and refined demeanor. He opened the milk bottle for Xu Yuewei and said to Jiang Yao, “Because of my matter, you rushed over here around five and spent three or four hours. You probably haven’t eaten yet, right?”

Jiang Yao replied, “Not yet.”

Shen Tang suggested, “How about we go for a late-night snack together? My treat. There’s a nice food stall nearby.”

Jiang Yao hadn’t felt hungry initially, but as soon as Shen Tang mentioned it, his stomach growled faintly. And it had been a while since he had enjoyed a good barbecue.

Jiang Yao agreed and then turned to ask Duan Zhuxian behind him, “Are you going back to the banquet?”

Duan Zhuxian took a step forward, his body unintentionally brushing against Jiang Yao. “I’ll go with you for dinner.”

Jiang Yao was surprised. “We’re eating at a street food stall, and you want to come too?”

Duan Zhuxian simply said, “Yes.”

Jiang Yao didn’t expect someone as particular as Duan Zhuxian to be willing to eat at such a humble place. Ultimately, he didn’t stop him and said to Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei, “Alright, let’s go.”

Since parking was not allowed at the police station entrance, they walked towards the street corner guided by the streetlights. Jiang Yao walked alongside Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei for a few steps, then remembered something and turned around, intending to look for Duan Zhuxian.

At that moment, Duan Zhuxian stepped forward and nonchalantly positioned himself next to Shen Tang, and effectively separating Jiang Yao from him.

“…”

Jiang Yao frowned.

He had initially wanted to ask Duan Zhuxian where his coat was and if he wasn’t cold wearing so little, but now he suddenly didn’t feel like asking anymore.

With Duan Zhuxian now walking beside Shen Tang, Shen Tang naturally shifted the conversation to Duan Zhuxian, chatting with him casually.

Jiang Yao didn’t say a word throughout, pursing his lips and keeping his head down as he walked faster and faster, getting further and further away, until a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him in the opposite direction, causing him to collide with Duan Zhuxian due to the inertia.

“You walked past it,” Duan Zhuxian reminded him.

Only then did Jiang Yao realize they had reached the parking area.

Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei hadn’t driven, so just as Jiang Yao was about to offer them a ride in his car, Duan Zhuxian said, “I’ll drive Shen Tang and Xiao Xu.”

Seeing Duan Zhuxian so eager to play chauffeur, Jiang Yao nodded and got into his own car.

The place wasn’t far, it’s just a ten-minute drive. The restaurant had an old signboard, a big reputation, and was bustling with business, so they needed to wait for a table at the entrance.

Duan Zhuxian, in his banquet attire, stood out awkwardly among the noisy diners, looking out of place.

After twenty minutes, they finally paid extra to secure a spot.

Shen Tang was the first to toast Jiang Yao, thanking him for the trouble he went through to get him out of the police station.

Since Jiang Yao still had to drive later, he substituted tea for wine.

The table was small and a bit cramped, with pairs sitting across from each other. The warm yellow light overhead added a slight sense of stuffiness. Jiang Yao took off his down jacket and stuffed it between himself and Duan Zhuxian, creating a puffy barrier to avoid physical contact.

Shen Tang remarked, “This is the first time our two families have sat down to eat together.”

Although Duan Zhuxian and Jiang Yao had been married for a while, Shen Tang still found it somewhat unreal. After all, they were old friends he had known since their student days. Two exceptionally outstanding individuals, who were always at odds and competing with each other, had suddenly seen eye to eye. Though he had long sensed the unique magnetic field between them.

Jiang Yao rested his face on his hand, scratching his brow with his index finger. “There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”

His words were polite, but also a bit uncertain.

Since setting the engagement with Duan Zhuxian, Jiang Yao had consciously avoided meeting Shen Tang together with Duan Zhuxian. He always met Shen Tang alone and had no idea how often Duan Zhuxian saw Shen Tang privately.

Shen Tang said, “You’re right. Today was quite rushed. Once things settle down, Xiao Wei and I will properly invite you both for a meal.”

After scanning the code and placing their order, Duan Zhuxian called the waiter over to specify their preferences, including the saltiness and doneness of the grilled meat skewers. Although he sounded somewhat picky, he was surprisingly adept at it.

Jiang Yao watched from the side, feeling that the scene was particularly strange.

After the waiter left, Jiang Yao asked Duan Zhuxian suspiciously, “Have you eaten at street food stalls before?”

Duan Zhuxian nodded. “I have.”

Jiang Yao was shocked.

The Duan family was unlike the Jiang family, which had risen to wealth midway; the Duan family had been wealthy for three generations, a bona fide aristocratic family. To Jiang Yao, Duan Zhuxian seemed to be born on a cloud, each step taking him higher, making him seem disconnected from the ordinary world.

Shen Tang explained, “Back in elementary school, Fu Yang and a few others dragged him to these places. At first, he was very resistant, complaining about everything, refusing to even sit on the stools. But we eventually got him used to it. After all, if he didn’t go, he’d have no one to play with.”

Jiang Yao was even more shocked upon hearing this.

A ten-year-old Duan Zhuxian, afraid of being isolated, worked hard to fit in.

He had always thought Duan Zhuxian was a natural-born ice prince from the womb.

How did a sensitive and meticulous child turn into the cold and indifferent teenager he first met, who seemed to care about nothing in the world?

Jiang Yao murmured, “Duan Zhuxian had such a phase?”

“More than that! It seems he was concerned about his image and hid it from you,” Shen Tang teased, counting on his fingers. “Skipping class, fighting—he did it all, but it didn’t stop him from being the top student in the teachers’ eyes and the perfect male god in his classmates’ hearts.”

Duan Zhuxian calmly poured a cup of barley tea and pushed it in front of Jiang Yao, never once stopping Shen Tang from revealing his past.

Jiang Yao internally repeated and pondered over Shen Tang’s words, sketching and painting a vivid image of a Duan Zhuxian he had never seen before—one that felt somewhat unfamiliar and distant, yet evoked a desire within him to reach out and touch it.

Jiang Yao rested his chin on his hand, and asked Duan Zhuxian sideways, “What were you doing when you skipped class?”

Duan Zhuxian, whose posture had been slightly angled towards Jiang Yao, looked down at his face. “Attending someone’s birthday.”

Jiang Yao paused, suddenly withdrawing his gaze, not pursuing that line of questioning further. Instead, he asked, “What about the fights?”

Duan Zhuxian responded calmly, “The fights were accidental. In middle school, a senior confessed to me. Her admirer found out and confronted me several times. I got tired of the hassle and fought back.”

Shen Tang nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes, I was there too. I saw him single-handedly take on three guys, leaving them crawling on the ground.”

That was really an exaggeration…

Jiang Yao pinched the bridge of his nose.

What happened to the persona of the aloof nobleman?

He realized that he knew very little about Duan Zhuxian, especially before the age of fifteen. He couldn’t even imagine what Duan Zhuxian, who always exuded an elite aura, would look like in a fight. Would he, like most people, lose his composure, baring his teeth and losing control, turning into a beast driven by adrenaline?

After the dishes were served, Xu Yuewei distributed the sauces prepared by the waiter. Just as she was about to place a bowl filled with crushed peanuts in front of Duan Zhuxian, Shen Tang stopped her.

“He can’t eat peanuts. He’s allergic.”

Xu Yuewei nodded and replaced it with another bowl without peanuts.

Duan Zhuxian is allergic to peanuts.

Jiang Yao silently noted this.

The earlier topic hadn’t concluded, so Shen Tang continued talking.

In high school, Jiang Yao and Duan Zhuxian were in different classes and were rivals whenever they met. Although he knew Shen Tang and Duan Zhuxian were childhood friends, he had never learned about their past together.

He found it quite interesting and listened attentively, even urging Shen Tang to share more embarrassing stories about Duan Zhuxian.

As he listened, he made humorous comments, subtly observing the slight changes in Duan Zhuxian’s otherwise indifferent expression.

However, as he got more into it, he felt a slight tightness in his chest. Maybe it was because the restaurant was crowded, the air conditioning was on, and the ventilation was insufficient.

A plate of crispy, enticing potstickers was brought to the table. Jiang Yao grabbed a few and, despite the heat, dipped them in vinegar and ate them fervently.

When the drinks on the table were finished, Xu Yuewei stood up to get more, and patted Shen Tang on the shoulder. “Come with me.”

Shen Tang followed his wife’s lead.

Once they were a bit away from the table, Xu Yuewei said, “You should say less later.”

Shen Tang, still enthusiastic, asked, “Why?”

Clearly, Duan Zhuxian didn’t mind, and Jiang Yao seemed eager to hear more.

Xu Yuewei felt her husband’s obliviousness was beyond help. After a moment of silence, she simply said, “Just listen to me.”

Though he didn’t understand, Shen Tang decided to obediently follow his wife’s advice and didn’t mention Duan Zhuxian’s past again.

After finishing their late-night snack, the four left the bustling food stall.

“Ride in my car, I’ll take you home,” Jiang Yao said to Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei before Duan Zhuxian could speak. He then glanced at Duan Zhuxian, “You should go back.”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “I’ll go with you.”

“Suit yourself.” Jiang Yao tossed out three words, opened the backseat door for Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei, and got into the driver’s seat. Without waiting for Duan Zhuxian to get in, he started the car and sped away from the temporary parking spot.

Duan Zhuxian followed in his own car, trailing Jiang Yao as he dropped off Shen Tang and Xu Yuewei at their place, and then continued following him back to their home.

Halfway home, the car’s navigation system indicated an incoming call from “A Certain Duan.” Jiang Yao, who was annoyed and already feeling irritable, ignored the call. Just as he entered a less crowded stretch of road, he abruptly accelerated, hoping to lose Duan Zhuxian.

However, Duan Zhuxian quickly reacted, matching his speed within a second, sticking close behind him as if magnetized, maintaining a five-meter gap that was impossible to shake off.

Realizing the public road wasn’t a race track and unable to outmaneuver him, Jiang Yao gave up.

Returning home with the smell of barbecue clinging to him, Jiang Yao received a work call as soon as he entered. He spent the entire walk from the living room to the bedroom verifying details, with a brisk and efficient demeanor.

After hanging up, Jiang Yao leaned against the wall to check his emails. Duan Zhuxian, behind him, was removing his watch and tie, preparing to shower.

Duan Zhuxian’s gaze fell on the slightly drooping back of Jiang Yao’s head, where a tuft of red hair hung languidly against the black. It looked both listless and restless. Duan Zhuxian asked, “Shower together?”

“No.”

Jiang Yao rejected the offer with a single word.

Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow slightly. “Something bothering you?”

“Who said I’m bothered?”

Jiang Yao immediately retorted, still not turning around.

He found it amusing how he had acted like a reconnaissance scout at the dinner table, observing Duan Zhuxian’s every move and expression at the slightest provocation.

Jiang Yao was used to being carefree and had always had a bad temper. The phrase “grin and bear it” wasn’t in his vocabulary, especially when it came to Duan Zhuxian. In the past, if he felt dissatisfied, he would have lashed out at Duan Zhuxian to vent his frustration.

But now, he couldn’t find the words. No matter how he phrased it, it would seem like he was making a fuss over nothing.

With just the two of them, the silence felt overwhelming, broken only by the sound of Duan Zhuxian’s clothes rustling as he undressed. Jiang Yao aimlessly scrolled through his emails, feeling a sudden, inexplicable sense of grievance.

Still facing away from the bathroom, he couldn’t restrain his pressing nature and asked, “That time you skipped class, whose birthday was it for?”

“Fu Yang’s,” Duan Zhuxian replied.

Jiang Yao was momentarily stunned, his tense posture relaxing slightly. “Oh, I thought it was for Shen Tang.”

Duan Zhuxian was puzzled. “Why would it be Shen Tang? I’ve known Fu Yang longer; you should know that.”

Jiang Yao couldn’t stand Duan Zhuxian’s deliberate pretense of calm. He scoffed lightly, and ruthlessly exposed the truth: “Shen Tang and Fu Yang, how can they be the same?”

Duan Zhuxian paused in the middle of unbuttoning his shirt, “How are they different?”

?

So you’re really going to play dumb, huh?

Jiang Yao’s anger flared up. With a determined heart and gritted teeth, he blurted out, “Weren’t you always secretly in love with him before?”

His knuckles turned slightly white as he gripped his phone tightly, trying to say it as calmly and nonchalantly as possible, but he still couldn’t hide the trace of frustration in his voice.

The room instantly fell into dead silence.

“Jiang Yao.”

It was unclear how much time had passed when suddenly, Duan Zhuxian’s voice, sounding almost like a sigh, came from behind.

Jiang Yao abruptly turned around and met Duan Zhuxian’s gaze a few meters away, immediately becoming entangled in his stare.

Those eyes that were usually as dark as the sea, rapidly filled with emotions like colored ink dripping in water—first surprise, then contemplation, followed by realization, gradually spreading into a mixture of helplessness and amusement.

For the first time, Jiang Yao saw such a range of emotions on Duan Zhuxian’s face.

Duan Zhuxian stared at him for a long moment before slowly speaking, “So, in your eyes, we’re not only arch-enemies but also love rivals?”

Author’s Note:

Jiang Yao: Feeling wronged.

Duan Zhuxian: Let’s see who’s more wronged.