Chapter 57: “Call me husband.”

The next day, during the project team’s routine morning meeting, the subordinates collectively felt a gentle spring breeze emanating from their young boss, Mr. Jiang.

It wasn’t that Mr. Jiang was usually unkind; rather, compared to the usually spirited and flamboyant man, the person in front of them seemed to have restrained his momentum. All his sharp edges had been softened and wrapped up, leaving only a thin layer of gentle light around him. When sitting at the conference table and speaking, he would inexplicably smile at random moments.

Jiang Yao, who was used to being the center of attention, was completely unaware of the scrutiny around him. After the meeting, he went straight back to his office to review documents. When he had some leisure time to drink coffee, he suddenly thought of someone.

And then he couldn’t stop thinking.

He picked up his phone and glanced at it: 32 unread messages, none of which were from the profile picture of a snow globe.

Though slightly disappointed, he wasn’t surprised.

Duan Zhuxian, having been exceptionally promoted to the position of vice president at Hua Yan at such a young age, was clearly being groomed by the old chairman as a successor. His work and social engagements were continuous, leaving little time for idle chat.

When they first moved in together, Jiang Yao had speculated that, with this level of consumption, Duan Zhuxian would one day resemble those business men in their thirties with bald heads and beer bellies.

However, after observing for a while, he discovered that not only was Duan Zhuxian’s hairline in good shape and his physique and temperament perfect, but he was also increasingly attractive.

Except in bed, Duan Zhuxian’s level of self-discipline was astonishing. He was simply a natural-born workaholic.

Now it was eleven in the morning. Jiang Yao exited WeChat without sending a message first, because he didn’t want to appear too idle in front of him.

Because of habit, when facing Duan Zhuxian, he always felt a competitive desire to win or lose.

This was something he would never change in his lifetime.

*

At lunchtime, Jiang Yao went downstairs to the restaurant. Behind him, a man was on the phone with his girlfriend, discussing how to celebrate their first anniversary.

Jiang Yao treated it as background noise while eating, and unconsciously listening for a while. Then, he suddenly remembered that today could be considered the first day he and Duan Zhuxian officially confirmed their romantic relationship.

His hand paused while holding the chopsticks. After a moment of thought, he took out his phone and searched: [What to do on the first day of a relationship.]

He opened the first Q&A post, and the top-voted answer was:

1. Pick up your partner from work.

2. If possible, greet with a kiss when you meet.

3. Have a romantic dinner together.

4. Watch a movie.

…

Jiang Yao slowly chewed the rice in his mouth and finished reading with a frown.

This was so unoriginal, yet it had over six thousand likes. Were these six thousand people really that perfunctory with their partners?

He continued scrolling, but the other answers were similarly unoriginal, their redundancy comparable to recycled content.

Relationships are so boring, he thought.

Jiang Yao exited the browser, pinched his brow, and continued eating.

By the time the evening came and work was over, he still hadn’t come up with any good ideas.

Just then, the secretary brought in a stack of documents.

“Young Mr. Jiang, these are materials sent over by the PR department.”

Perfect timing, he thought, as he could use some extra work time to continue thinking.

Jiang Yao nodded, “Hand them over.”

Just as the secretary passed the documents to Jiang Yao, his phone screen lit up.

Duan Zhuxian: [I’m downstairs at your office.]

“Wait, I’ll look at these tomorrow. I’m leaving now; you should finish up and leave too!”

The secretary was still contemplating whether to order food for Jiang Yao or make a cup of coffee when she saw Jiang Yao slam the documents onto the desk.

He got up, put on his coat, grabbed his bag, and swept out of the office like a whirlwind.

It snowed again today.

The moment Jiang Yao stepped out of the office building, his hair was tousled by a sudden cold wind.

He looked around and spotted Duan Zhuxian standing by his car in a quiet corner not far away. His composed demeanor and black overcoat made him stand out conspicuously amid the gently falling snowflakes.

Jiang Yao walked over, this time restraining himself from running.

With his hands in his pockets, he stood in front of Duan Zhuxian and raised his eyebrows, “Why are you here?”

“To pick you up from work.” Duan Zhuxian reached into Jiang Yao’s pocket, took out a warm hand, and placed it into his own pocket, continuing to hold it.

Duan Zhuxian’s fingertips were slightly cool, and Jiang Yao clasped his hand back, saying, “Why didn’t you wait in the car? Did you have to stand outside posing?”

Duan Zhuxian smiled. He stood outside just to hold Jiang Yao’s hand a little earlier.

He had originally planned to go into the company to find Jiang Yao directly, but considering the constant flow of people in the office and knowing how easily embarrassed Jiang Yao could get, he restrained himself.

So, let it be seen as posing.

Without a word, Duan Zhuxian led him to the passenger seat.

After they got into the car, before Jiang Yao could fasten his seatbelt, Duan Zhuxian leaned in and kissed him.

Jiang Yao was caught off guard and was stunned for a moment.

Picking up from work, kissing… Why did this script feel so familiar?

Could it be that Duan Zhuxian had read the same post as him?

But he didn’t have time to think further, as Duan Zhuxian skillfully pried open his lips and tongue, stealing his breath.

Perhaps because he had been standing in the snow, Duan Zhuxian’s lips were a bit cold, but his tongue was fiery, like the meeting of ice and fire.

The kiss lasted a little longer, and he was bullied a little harshly. The corners of Jiang Yao’s eyes were red and filled with a thin mist. His eyes that were absent-minded and mixed with complaints made Duan Zhuxian feel hot in his heart, and he became increasingly unable to contain his mischievous thoughts. 

He leaned close to Jiang Yao’s ear and whispered, “My car has enough space. Let’s find a chance to try it out inside the car someday.”

Then he released Jiang Yao and fastened his seatbelt for him.

Jiang Yao was still catching his breath, and it took him a while to realize what Duan Zhuxian meant. Then his face suddenly burned with embarrassment.

He maintained his expression and deliberately questioned calmly, “A car is a means of transportation, meant for going out. Won’t you feel ashamed and awkward thinking about that every time you drive?”

Duan Zhuxian started the car and said calmly, “You think I don’t already think about it?”

Jiang Yao: “…”

Alright, he couldn’t win against this rogue!

Jiang Yao didn’t ask where Duan Zhuxian was taking him, but just as he guessed, the destination was a restaurant. Moreover, it was a rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view of the snowy landscape through transparent glass, surrounded by fireplaces that filled the air with a sweet warmth. And there was live piano music playing.

Romantic, indeed, especially with an eye-catching dinner companion whose deep gaze always made Jiang Yao’s heart race.

But it matched the top-voted answer too well.

When Jiang Yao had read the top-voted answer, he thought it was perfunctory and unoriginal. Yet, Duan Zhuxian copied it without blinking an eye, step by step!

However, after their meal, Duan Zhuxian didn’t take him to the cinema but to a dessert shop next to their high school called “Dreamy Whispers.”

No wonder there was no dessert in the meal Duan Zhuxian ordered.

Jiang Yao was surprised, but he also felt a sense of tacit understanding with Duan Zhuxian. A few days ago, he had been thinking about visiting this place when he had the time.

Since the high school students hadn’t finished their classes yet, the shop was quiet, with only a college-aged boy sitting alone with a birthday cake.

They ordered two servings of the dessert they used to eat ten years ago, “Hidden Feelings.” Jiang Yao chose the seats while Duan Zhuxian went to get the desserts.

The shop’s seats were a bit cramped for tall adult men, so Jiang Yao had to awkwardly bend his long legs. Under the warm light from the hanging lamp, he looked over at Duan Zhuxian.

Suddenly, similar scenes that he had deliberately buried surged up in his mind, escaping their restraints. They moved forward in chronological order, finally settling on the moment when Duan Zhuxian sat across from him with two pieces of cake.

As usual, Jiang Yao started with the strawberry on top and asked casually, “Back in school, weren’t you almost driven crazy by me picking on you every day?”

Duan Zhuxian, as usual, gave half of his strawberries to Jiang Yao. “Without you, high school would have been just a thousand identical days.”

Jiang Yao was slightly taken aback.

Is this guy getting carried away with the romance?

For three years, they had fought tooth and nail as rivals, and now Duan Zhuxian was talking as if he had liked him all along.

Duan Zhuxian then shifted his tone, “But being sworn enemies was quite exhausting. I was always worried about going too far and driving a certain young master away, although in the end, I did drive him away.”

Jiang Yao chuckled, “I can understand. After all, you wanted to be buddies with me back then but were too stubborn to say it. You deserved it.”

Duan Zhuxian smiled and lowered his head to eat the cake.

Looking past Duan Zhuxian’s shoulder, Jiang Yao noticed the college-aged boy seemed to be waiting for someone who never showed up. He was now sitting alone, opening his cake, blowing out the candles, making a wish, and celebrating his 20th birthday by himself.

Jiang Yao thought the boy looked familiar but couldn’t place him.

It wasn’t until they left the dessert shop and saw the boy standing at the entrance, braving the cold wind, that Jiang Yao remembered who he was. He overheard a man from the nearby supermarket calling the boy to come back and mind the store, and then he realized this boy was the son of the supermarket owner next door.

The first time he saw him was back in their first year of high school when he and Duan Zhuxian were reviewing a debate competition at “Dreamy Whispers.” They had coincidentally encountered this boy arguing with another, seemingly very composed, little boy. In the end, the two boys reconciled after some guidance from Duan Zhuxian.

Jiang Yao had a vivid impression of the boy in front of him, who used to always wear a sullen face and acted like a little troublemaker, always needing the patience of the other boy. Now, he has grown into a young man.

Jiang Yao took a couple of steps forward with his hands in his pockets, and stood beside the young man. “You’re 20 already, time flies.”

The young man turned his head, as if just coming out of deep thought.

“You probably don’t remember me. Twelve years ago, right here, you and your friend were fighting over a rocking horse.” Jiang Yao pointed to Duan Zhuxian, who was paying inside the store. “We helped you two make up.”

The young man said, “I remember you guys.”

Jiang Yao was surprised. “You remembered things from when you were that young?”

The young man nodded. “You two came to Dreamy Whispers a lot. He always said you guys had a good relationship and were our role models, telling me not to be upset with my friend and that he would be good to me too.”

Jiang Yao didn’t expect that he and Duan Zhuxian, as rivals, would have such a lasting influence on these two childhood friends.

The young man glanced at Duan Zhuxian’s back. “You two look like a couple. Is he your boyfriend?”

Jiang Yao didn’t know how to answer that question for a moment, so he raised his left hand and waved it in front of the young man’s eyes.

The boy’s eyes widened slightly, and his tone seemed a bit envious. “That’s nice.”

Jiang Yao put his hand back in his pocket and asked, “Are you spending your birthday alone today? Where’s your friend? Isn’t it winter break yet?”

The boy replied, “He just sent a message saying he’s on a date with his partner.”

He said it with a smile, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Jiang Yao was uncharacteristically perceptive, and noticed it.

In the vastness of life, drifting apart and missing out is the norm. There aren’t that many chances for everything to come full circle.

As they left “Dreamy Whispers” and walked toward the parking lot, Duan Zhuxian asked, “What were you talking about with that kid just now?”

Jiang Yao replied, “We talked about why his friend didn’t come to celebrate his birthday. He and his friend are the kids we mediated back in our first year of high school.”

Duan Zhuxian thought for a moment and remembered those two children as well.

Jiang Yao asked, “And you? Why did it take you so long to pay?”

Duan Zhuxian said, “I ran into the owner and chatted for a bit. She said the rent in this area has been rising too fast, and the shop is having cash flow problems. They can’t hold on any longer and plan to close the shop soon.”

Hearing this, Jiang Yao’s heart skipped a beat, as if something suddenly went missing. He asked hesitantly, “Is there no way to save it?”

“Yes,” Duan Zhuxian said, taking Jiang Yao’s hand and intertwining their fingers. He gazed at Jiang Yao’s eyes, which had shifted from disappointment to hope. “I’ll invest in the shop, but I won’t take over. The owner will remain the manager, keeping the shop as close to its original form as possible.”

Jiang Yao stared at Duan Zhuxian for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

The person in front of him seemed increasingly reliable, as if he could always patch up every hole, ensuring that every moment related to them wouldn’t be washed away by the passage of time, preventing them from ultimately missing out.

As night fell, the snowfall grew heavier, even more so than the three previous snowfalls they had experienced together.

But this time, there was no heated argument, no dejected brushing past each other, no teary-eyed unwillingness. They simply shared a clichéd date, then enjoyed colorful and sweet cakes at a dessert shop filled with many shared memories, and finally returned to their shared home together.

After getting into the car, Duan Zhuxian took out two snow scene badges from his pocket, and placed one in Jiang Yao’s hand.

“These were given by the restaurant, for couples who visit the rooftop on snowy days.”

The badge was made of metal, but warmed by Duan Zhuxian’s body heat, as if he had been holding it in his palm for a long time.

“So, don’t be afraid of snowy days anymore,” Duan Zhuxian said.

Jiang Yao looked down at the badge in his hand. It was exquisitely carved, depicting two figures huddled together in the snow.

So, Duan Zhuxian didn’t just copy the answers from the internet. This was the real purpose behind his actions today.

Duan Zhuxian wanted to tell him, to promise him, that future snowy days would no longer bring sadness like before.

Not wanting to show too much emotion, Jiang Yao sniffed and raised an eyebrow at Duan Zhuxian. “This is for couples?”

Duan Zhuxian replied with a soft “Mm,” and seeing that Jiang Yao seemed to have more to say, he asked, “What’s on your mind?”

When that boy earlier mentioned the term “couple,” Jiang Yao had hesitated. Although they had the legal bond of marriage, their union was a commercial alliance, and marriage alone didn’t fully reflect the true nature of their relationship.

Yet, he couldn’t think of a more fitting description.

Being bad at literature since childhood had its drawbacks.

Jiang Yao said, “Duan Zhuxian, what exactly is our relationship? When people are dating, they call each other boyfriend and girlfriend. But what about us, who got married first and then started dating?”

Duan Zhuxian responded, “Lovers, or beloved.”

His calm and composed voice, in the midst of the snowy night, added a touch of deep affection and tenderness.

Jiang Yao couldn’t help but feel moved.

Duan Zhuxian continued, “That’s the formal expression. But verbally, you can call me ‘husband.'”

“…”

Jiang Yao’s moment of sentiment ceased abruptly.

Duan Zhuxian slowed the car and glanced at Jiang Yao, “Let’s hear you call me husband.”

Jiang Yao’s face turned red, and he glared coldly, “Get lost, don’t even think about it in this lifetime.”

Author’s Note:

After some calculation, the next chapter will be quite the face-slap.