Chapter 59 “So you like pure love?”

When Jiang Yao got out of the car, he could barely catch his breath. His leg muscles were trembling, and he nearly stumbled several times.

As he climbed out of the car, he thought to himself: I’m never getting into Duan Zhuxian’s car again.

He regretted coming to check on the situation today. He should have just let Wei Zhihan rile Duan Zhuxian up, and hopefully, infuriate him.

Enduring the soreness, Jiang Yao hurried towards the underground elevator like he was escaping a plague. His movements were too large, causing his down jacket to slip off his shoulders. Duan Zhuxian caught it from behind and draped it back over his shoulders.

Seeing the slight twitch of Jiang Yao’s brow, Duan Zhuxian guessed where he was uncomfortable and raised his arm to gently support Jiang Yao’s back. “Do you really not want me to carry you?”

Without a word, Jiang Yao responded with an elbow jab, answering him through action.

The elbow hit Duan Zhuxian’s chest. It’s soft and without much force, but the message was clear.

Watching Jiang Yao’s cold nape and the back that seemed to love no one, Duan Zhuxian deliberately slowed his pace to avoid causing Jiang Yao to walk too fast and aggravate his pain.

Hearing Wei Zhihan’s words today and seeing Jiang Yao rush over without even changing out of his pajamas had pushed Duan Zhuxian past his limit. He had indeed gone too far.

He wanted to see this beautiful man lose himself for him, to hear those arrogant lips utter words of love meant only for him.

These intense and almost twisted feelings of possessiveness had accumulated over the years; they didn’t develop overnight. Duan Zhuxian usually hid them well, but today he had lost control a bit. He just hoped he hadn’t scared Jiang Yao too much.

From three meters away, Duan Zhuxian said, “If you’re really uncomfortable, I can apply some ointment for you.”

Jiang Yao’s face turned red, and he cursed through gritted teeth, “Get lost, I don’t want to talk to a beast.”

Duan Zhuxian followed behind, smiling helplessly.

So fierce—how was he supposed to coax him back?

Once inside the elevator, Jiang Yao didn’t wait for Duan Zhuxian and quickly pressed the close door button. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand reached through the gap and grabbed the door edge with a bang.

Jiang Yao’s heart nearly stopped from fright, and he quickly pressed the open door button. As the doors reopened, Duan Zhuxian slipped inside.

“Are you crazy?” Jiang Yao grabbed Duan Zhuxian’s hand.

Duan Zhuxian raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a smile, and let Jiang Yao to inspect his hand.

The elevator doors had an emergency stop feature, and Duan Zhuxian’s right hand remained unscathed. His large and well-shaped hand was uninjured.

It was this seemingly warm, clean, and beautiful hand that had mischievously held onto him a few minutes ago, coaxing and deceiving him, and refusing to let him go…

Jiang Yao’s anxious expression gradually turned into one of embarrassed anger.

Then a teasing voice came from above him, “Were you worried my hand would get caught?”

Jiang Yao forcefully shook off Duan Zhuxian’s hand and snorted coldly, “It would be better if it got caught. Then, when you’re lying alone at night, you’ll miss the taste of having even one hand free. Just imagining that scene is amusing.”

He usually didn’t resort to such low blows, but Duan Zhuxian’s shamelessness deserved it. He was simply giving Duan Zhuxian a taste of his own medicine.

Duan Zhuxian responded with a calm “hmm,” and said seriously, “As long as I have you, that’s all that matters.”

Jiang Yao was left speechless.

Of all things to compete with Duan Zhuxian, why did he choose this?

When it came to shamelessness, Duan Zhuxian was unparalleled.

*

While soaking in the bath, Duan Zhuxian insisted on joining. Jiang Yao was to lazy to kick him out, especially since the tub was big enough.

Sitting at opposite ends, Duan Zhuxian nudged Jiang Yao’s calf. “Aren’t you curious about what Wei Zhihan talked to me about?”

Jiang Yao moved his leg away, “Am I the one not asking, or are you the one not telling?”

Duan Zhuxian chuckled.

He had deliberately kept things vague.

He wanted to see Jiang Yao’s secretly anxious reactions.

Duan Zhuxian said, “Wei Zhihan mentioned that you’ve been looking for him a lot lately and that you two have met several times in private.”

Jiang Yao’s heart tightened, and silently cursed Wei Zhihan for stirring up trouble, but he pretended to be indifferent, “Yes, he’s right. Didn’t you already know that?”

Duan Zhuxian’s tone was amused, “I knew you met with him. But I didn’t know it was for my sake.”

Jiang Yao’s face turned red, “Don’t flatter yourself. We have a legal relationship. If you lose money, I lose money too.”

Duan Zhuxian didn’t argue, instead his smile widening.

Having expended too much energy in the car earlier, Jiang Yao was feeling drowsy, with little energy left to bicker.

As he half-closed his eyes in the slowly flowing water, he felt two hands rest on his waist and shoulder. His eyes flashed with sharpness, and he lunged forward, sending a splash of water everywhere.

Jiang Yao pressed down hard on Duan Zhuxian’s chest, and looked down at him with a cold gaze. “What are you up to now?”

“Just trying to help relieve your muscle soreness.” Duan Zhuxian raised his hands, looking innocent and sincere.

Remembering Duan Zhuxian’s massage skills, Jiang Yao was tempted. After a moment of struggle, he decided to trust him this time.

Lying on the edge of the bathtub and enjoying the massage, Jiang Yao dozed off like a contented feline. When he woke up, Duan Zhuxian was gently toweling off his body.

In the steamy mist, Duan Zhuxian’s deep-set eyes were softened by the warm light, without any coldness at all. Every glance that fell on Jiang Yao’s skin was exceptionally gentle.

Although the issues from the car weren’t entirely resolved and Jiang Yao was still annoyed, he suddenly found it hard to stay angry. It felt like trying to light a damp firecracker.

After leaving the bathroom, Jiang Yao sat on the sofa with half-dried hair, waiting like a young master for Duan Zhuxian to bring the hairdryer.

The last time Duan Zhuxian had dried his hair, they hadn’t even gotten their marriage certificate. In just three short months, their relationship had undergone a dramatic change. It was almost surreal to think about.

As Duan Zhuxian’s fingers gently threaded through his hair, lifting the strand of red that Jiang Yao had dyed, he asked, “When did you start dyeing this?”

With his eyes closed, Jiang Yao replied, “A few years ago, I can’t remember exactly. It was probably around the time you were studying abroad.”

Jiang Yao didn’t know why Duan Zhuxian suddenly asked about his hair, but knowing Duan Zhuxian’s preference for wearing only black, white, and gray, he assumed Duan Zhuxian probably found his hair color childish and mismatched.

However, when the fingers at the back of his head smoothed his hair, Duan Zhuxian’s low, amused voice came from above, “It looks good, like a little fox.”

Jiang Yao responded a beat late with an “Oh,” suddenly recalling the little fox ornament in Duan Zhuxian’s car.

Just a moment ago in the car, that fox had bobbed and swayed almost in sync with him…

He quickly squashed that strange thought.

Duan Zhuxian turned off the hairdryer and ruffled Jiang Yao’s fluffy hair, “I have a fox ornament in my car that looks a lot like you.”

Jiang Yao: “…”

Duan Zhuxian: “Especially when the car is moving, and it wobbles back and forth.”

Jiang Yao: “…”

*

The next day, Jiang Yao went out to meet some friends for a gathering.

In the afternoon, Duan Zhuxian received a package at home. He opened it and found a belt inside.

There were three belts in the package.

Each belt buckle had a small lock attached to it, about the size of a fingernail.

At the horse ranch, Jiang Yao sat alone in a rest area, watching others ride their horses with grace and joy.

Today, Jiang Yao’s mood was particularly heavy, and his eyes were listless. No one dared to approach him, despite their interest, afraid of his foul mood.

A friend, having finished a few laps on horseback, removed his helmet and sat beside Jiang Yao, asking, “Why aren’t you riding? Don’t you see how many people are waiting to see you in action? Is work not going well lately?”

Jiang Yao took a sip of his juice and replied blandly, “The project is going smoothly.”

His friend asked, “Has some idiot annoyed you?”

Jiang Yao replied, “Ever since Li Ruizhi got locked up, fewer idiots dare to mess with me.”

The friend nodded knowingly, “Then it must be marital troubles. Marrying someone as cold and aloof as Duan Zhuxian, that must be tough.”

Hearing this evaluation, Jiang Yao nearly choked on his juice.

Yes, it was pure suffering.

So much so that today he couldn’t even get on a horse and could only be a quiet spectator on the sidelines.

After his friend returned to the horse track, Jiang Yao received a message from Duan Zhuxian: [Why did you suddenly send me something? Payment for yesterday’s service?]

Duan Zhuxian dared to bring up yesterday!

Jiang Yao laughed in anger and replied, [It’s a wedding anniversary gift. (smiling emoji)]

Duan Zhuxian quickly replied: [There are still 288 days until our one-year wedding anniversary.]

?

This person was like a walking calendar, without needing to recall or calculate.

Jiang Yao narrowed his eyes and typed, [Did you see the locks on the belts? Some things that can’t be controlled need to be locked up to behave.]

The next second, Duan Zhuxian called.

Jiang Yao answered, with an expression full of provocation.

Duan Zhuxian responded with, “So you like pure love?”

An unexpected, thoughtful tone, as if in Duan Zhuxian’s mind, Jiang Yao was originally quite wild.

Feeling accused unjustly and infuriated, Jiang Yao snapped, “At least it’s not the kind of love a beast like you offers!“

Then a low laugh from the other side hit Jiang Yao’s eardrums precisely, sending a tingling sensation through him.

Duan Zhuxian: “Got it.”

Then he hung up.

Jiang Yao: “?”

What did he understand?

And why did he laugh so seductively…

Jiang Yao wondered what new mischievous idea Duan Zhuxian was plotting.

He returned to the chat window, his fingers hovering over the keyboard for a long time before he finally resisted the urge to ask.

After all, he didn’t have high expectations.

Jiang Yao put away his phone, and his cheeks were a bit red under the glow of the sunset.

Author’s Note:

I have something to take care of tomorrow, so I’ll be taking a day off. See you on Monday evening at 8 PM!