Chapter 62: “Measured it with my legs.”

The next morning, the electronic bird chirping startled Jiang Yao from his sleep.

Smack.

Jiang Yao slapped his phone, precisely turning off the preliminary alarm. He turned over, with half of his body pressing on Duan Zhuxian, and slipped back into a light sleep drowsily, waiting for the main alarm to go off.

Not long after, he felt the human cushion under him move. As Duan Zhuxian freed himself from his hold, something brushed lightly against him.

It was hard.

Jiang Yao woke up instantly.

Through the blinding daylight, he glared at Duan Zhuxian’s back as he walked toward the bathroom.

The information he had searched for last night while hiding under the covers resurfaced in his mind. One of the suggestions was that if it wasn’t a physiological issue, one should be wary of whether he’s getting satisfaction elsewhere.

This answer had garnered much empathy and agreement from many people.

Some had even used this insight to successfully catch their partners cheating.

He didn’t actually think Duan Zhuxian would mess around outside, as Duan Zhuxian knew his temper too well. Unless Duan Zhuxian had a death wish.

But for a beast in human clothing to suddenly become a gentleman, there had to be an unspeakable reason.

*

As the year-end approached, all the major companies became increasingly busy, and Jiang Yao naturally became the busiest person in the entire project team.

The general manager of the branch company was worried about exhausting the young boss and hinted several times that Jiang Yao should delegate tasks to his subordinates.

However, whenever Jiang Yao saw everyone working tirelessly, he couldn’t help but take on more work himself.

He resigned himself to the fact that he could never comfortably exploit his employees and be a proper capitalist. Fortunately, his family’s company had his brother at the helm, so there was no pressure on him to take over.

This morning, Jiang Yao went with Duan Zhuxian to meet Lu Xuan Shen, and they formally decided to partner with Lu Xuan Shen to start a company. The three of them then had lunch together.

Jiang Yao was eager and full of ambition about starting a construction company, feeling like his long-held, elusive dream finally had a solid foundation to build upon.

After finishing their meal and leaving the private room, Jiang Yao ran into an acquaintance and told Duan Zhuxian to wait for him outside.

Outside the restaurant, Lu Xuan Shen raised an eyebrow with interest. “I actually figured it out a while ago. This company is really for your husband, right? Yet you insisted on having me take the lead, while you pretended to be just joining in.”

Duan Zhuxian didn’t deny it, nodding calmly. “I won’t let you lose out, Mr. Lu.”

Lu Xuan Shen replied, “I trust in your abilities, both of you. But you’re not planning on telling him the truth?”

He and Duan Zhuxian had met at a social event, initially just acquaintances. Until one day, Duan Zhuxian approached him with the idea of starting a company.

Someone like Duan Zhuxian, with his invaluable connections, was not someone Lu Xuan Shen would let slip away. Moreover, Duan Zhuxian’s business plan was highly professional and well-thought-out, with strong financial backing, making it a highly probable profitable venture. But before finalizing the partnership, Duan Zhuxian had asked him to play along in a little act.

Duan Zhuxian said, “I’ll tell him later.”

He had given this a lot of thought.

Jiang Yao, despite his seemingly arrogant and unrestrained demeanor, was actually very considerate and hated to owe anyone anything.

When the plan was initially conceived, Jiang Yao still harbored hostility towards him, and it wasn’t convenient for him to reveal his feelings. Although he had since made his intentions clear, he feared Jiang Yao would feel burdened by it. After all, even the smallest expression of affection had Jiang Yao declaring he couldn’t repay it.

If Jiang Yao found out that this company was being set up for him, who knows how uncomfortable he’d become? Duan Zhuxian worried that it would hinder Jiang Yao’s freedom and confidence in managing the company.

A sedan approached, and Lu Xuan Shen’s typically indifferent gaze softened somewhat. “Someone’s here to pick me up. I’ll be leaving first.”

Duan Zhuxian asked casually, “A lover?”

Lu Xuan Shen paused, “It’s my younger brother.”

When Jiang Yao walked out of the restaurant, he happened to see Lu Xuan Shen getting ready to get into the car.

From a distance, he could see a slender young man sitting inside, so pale that he seemed to glow in the dim light. It was none other than Ying Wan, the promoter he had signed for the Le Dong platform.

Ying Wan seemed to notice him too and nodded in greeting.

After the last time he stumbled upon Lu Xuan Shen and Ying Wan’s private matter, Jiang Yao was no longer surprised by such things and had no particular interest in investigating further.

He returned the smile and was about to look away when he noticed Duan Zhuxian watching him. So he deliberately stared at the car a few seconds longer, his gaze lingering as if something had captivated him.

Duan Zhuxian walked up to him and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Jiang Yao squinted, “There’s a beauty in that car.”

He used a playboy’s tone, exaggerated and theatrical.

After saying this, Jiang Yao glanced slowly at Duan Zhuxian, and subtly observed his expression for any change.

Duan Zhuxian nodded, “I can’t see clearly, but your taste should be pretty good.”

Jiang Yao: “?”

No jealousy.

Still no jealousy…

Jiang Yao was completely baffled.

This was the same person who could make a big fuss over a tiny bit of jealousy before.

Under the driver’s polite invitation, Jiang Yao sulkily got into the back seat of Duan Zhuxian’s car, his pretty face wearing a somewhat sour expression.

Duan Zhuxian got in from the other side. He pulled out a thermos from somewhere, unscrewed the lid, then handed it to Jiang Yao. “Drink some warm water.”

Jiang Yao turned his face away. “I don’t want it.”

Duan Zhuxian spoke softly, as if coaxing, “You talked too much during the lunch, making your voice a bit hoarse. And you have a meeting to host in the afternoon, so you won’t overstrain yourself.”

Jiang Yao was taken aback, and half of his deliberately cold expression was fading. He turned to look at Duan Zhuxian, “How did you know I have a meeting this afternoon?”

Duan Zhuxian said, “Your project team has a routine meeting at this time every week. You mentioned it once two months ago.”

Jiang Yao, who didn’t even remember mentioning it, mumbled, “You remember that? How do you have such a good memory?”

“I told you, I remember all your little things.”

Duan Zhuxian’s tone was calm, but his voice was deep, as if reminding Jiang Yao that this wasn’t just a casual remark.

Half a cup of warm water flowed down his dry throat, and Jiang Yao pursed his lips, temporarily soothed by Duan Zhuxian.

*

It was Saturday again.

Chen Yiqi invited Jiang Yao for a drink and to get some business advice.

The venue was a quiet bar, with no pounding music, just a folk singer with a guitar on a corner stage, singing about the sweetness and bitterness of love. The gravelly voice of the singer gave a restless edge to the atmosphere.

Taking a break from the melancholic love songs, the two stepped outside the bar to the nearby alley for a smoke.

Chen Yiqi teased with a mischievous smile, “Young Master Jiang hasn’t been in a good mood lately? Did Duan Zhuxian bully you again?”

“Nonsense,” Jiang Yao snorted with a laugh. “I’m always the one bullying him.”

Chen Yiqi was at a loss for words.

He couldn’t help but remember who, on the night he broke up with Duan Zhuxian, played video games with teary eyes, angrily trying to defeat the game’s boss as if it were Duan Zhuxian.

He didn’t want to expose his brother, so he changed the question, “So, you bullied him?”

Jiang Yao flicked his cigarette ash and looked up at Chen Yiqi. “Can you guess something else? It’s like all my emotions are tied to Duan Zhuxian.”

Chen Yiqi raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.

After saying that, Jiang Yao felt a bit guilty. After a moment of silence, he pulled out his lighter and lit another cigarette for Chen Yiqi.

His recent low spirits were indeed partly due to overwork, but he couldn’t deny that Duan Zhuxian was also a factor.

In truth, Duan Zhuxian had been very good to him, even more attentive than before, giving him plenty of personal space. But it was this thoughtfulness and tolerance that made Jiang Yao feel uncomfortable.

Because at the same time, Duan Zhuxian seemed to have lost interest in that aspect of their relationship.

He had even secretly reflected on whether he was too slow in romance, unable to respond properly, which might have hurt Duan Zhuxian’s pride as a favored child of heaven, causing him to gradually lose patience and cool his enthusiasm.

He was too embarrassed to ask, and there was a subtle fear of the unknown, as if he was afraid that poking at an ant hole would cause everything to collapse like a house of cards.

After a week of this, he was already tired of repeatedly falling into self-doubt.

But he couldn’t turn to Chen Yiqi for help either, as that guy would likely laugh at him until next year if he heard about it.

Jiang Yao pinched the bridge of his nose and noticed Chen Yiqi staring intently down the alley. Following his gaze, he saw two teenagers who looked like middle school students standing under a streetlamp, seemingly in a romantic conversation. They were holding hands and whispering into each other’s ears. The girl, shy and blushing, playfully hit the boy’s chest, and the boy grabbed her hand.

Chen Yiqi watched them for a while and blew out a smoke ring. “Tsk tsk, the pure love warrior has fallen.”

Jiang Yao was puzzled. “What’s a pure love warrior?”

Chen Yiqi explained, “It’s a term from the otaku culture. My sister told me about it. It refers to people who love watching pure, innocent romances. Extending the meaning of ‘pure love,’ it refers to a kind of relationship that isn’t based on physical intimacy.”

Jiang Yao bit his cigarette, and his brows slowly furrowed. Suddenly, an idea flashed in his head.

The events of the past week flashed through his mind like a slideshow, including the incident in the car and the time he gave Duan Zhuxian the locked belt.

The final moment crystallized in his mind was that phone call at the racecourse, with the sunset’s glow and Duan Zhuxian asking him if he liked pure love.

Damn it!

He finally figured out what the problem was!

At that time, he was still in pain and genuinely felt that Duan Zhuxian’s behavior in the car was quite inhumane. Giving him the locked belt afterward was an impulsive warning.

But it wasn’t that he couldn’t handle Duan Zhuxian’s beastly ways. In fact, he never thought that with Duan Zhuxian’s strong personality, he would actually learn to restrain himself.

Who could have thought that Duan Zhuxian would take it to heart and practice restraint for an entire week…

Pure love was certainly beautiful.

One look at the shy couple under the streetlamp would tell you that.

But unfortunately, he was a bona fide adult, married, and not suited for this kind of teenage romance.

Chen Yiqi’s gaze had shifted from the young couple to Jiang Yao’s face, witnessing his expression change from furrowed brows to gritted teeth, then a slight eyebrow raise, and finally a broad smile.

“Are you performing a Sichuan opera face-changing act?” he asked curiously as he leaned closer.

Jiang Yao reached out and ruffled Chen Yiqi’s curly hair, then extinguished his cigarette with a smile. “I suddenly have something to take care of. I’ll head back now.”

*

The designated driver was an experienced one, driving smoothly without any abrupt stops or bumps.

However, Jiang Yao’s heart in his chest was restless, bouncing uncontrollably, and even the cold wind blowing on him the whole way couldn’t calm him down.

Unable to hold back, he pulled out his phone and called Duan Zhuxian.

It was picked up almost instantly.

He asked, “Duan Zhuxian, where are you?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “At home.”

Jiang Yao gave a silent smile, lowering his voice, “Don’t go anywhere. Wait for me.”

After hanging up, Jiang Yao told the driver to speed up.

After racing home, Jiang Yao quickly unlocked the door with his fingerprint, kicked off his shoes, and hurried through the hallway, only to come face-to-face with a well-dressed Duan Zhuxian in the living room.

Jiang Yao was taken aback, “Why are you dressed like that?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “I was just about to go pick you up when I got your call.”

Jiang Yao nodded and smiled, “Then you better catch me properly.”

With that, he pounced on Duan Zhuxian, pressing his cool night-chilled lips forcefully against Duan Zhuxian’s.

Despite having kissed many times before, Jiang Yao was still not very skilled. He nibbled here and there, assertively exploring like a conqueror, quickly turning Duan Zhuxian’s pale lips a fiery red. Soon tiring of the exterior, his tongue forcefully pried open the gap between Duan Zhuxian’s lips, invading through the space between his teeth.

With what seemed like great effort, Duan Zhuxian turned his head away, and pinched Jiang Yao’s flushed face. He lowered his eyes and asked, “Did you drink too much again?”

Jiang Yao panted, speaking in broken sentences, “No, just seven, eight, nine, ten drinks. I can handle it.”

He hooked one arm around Duan Zhuxian’s neck, counting on his fingers as he spoke, looking as if he were quite drunk. Yet his eyes were bright and clear, full of a direct invitation.

Duan Zhuxian met those eyes, seeming to receive some silent message. His Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably.

Jiang Yao asked, “Where’s the belt I gave you?”

Duan Zhuxian replied, “In the closet.”

Jiang Yao extended his hand to Duan Zhuxian, and demanded playfully, “Give it back. I don’t want to give it to you anymore.”

After a few seconds of standoff, Duan Zhuxian fully understood. He gripped Jiang Yao’s waist and squinted, teasing him, “No way. You gave it to me, so it’s mine now. Besides, all three fit perfectly.”

Jiang Yao’s eyes widened. “You actually tried them? The key to the lock on the belt buckle is with me. Aren’t you afraid it might lock and not open?”

Duan Zhuxian chuckled, “Even if the gift you gave me had a bomb inside, I’d still accept it gladly.”

Jiang Yao froze, and the blush on his face spread to his ears.

He knew he’d been teased by Duan Zhuxian again, but he couldn’t help feeling embarrassed. In these matters, he always seemed less composed than Duan Zhuxian.

But today, he was determined to prove to Duan Zhuxian that he wasn’t that delicate, that he didn’t need the tender care meant for some pure love-stricken youngster. Even if it hurt a bit, enjoying themselves was the most important thing.

Though they hadn’t done anything yet, he was already sweating profusely. Jiang Yao thought he might actually be a little drunk. He had felt fine earlier; it was only after seeing Duan Zhuxian that he felt intoxicated.

Duan Zhuxian raised his hand, burying his fingers into Jiang Yao’s hair, and pulled his blushing face closer to his own. “How did you know my waist size?”

Jiang Yao steeled himself, ready to cross the final boundary.

“Measured it with my legs,” Jiang Yao whispered.

After hearing this, Duan Zhuxian rubbed his nose against Jiang Yao’s affectionately. “I’ve been focusing on waist and abdominal training recently in fitness, and my muscles have become tighter. Your database may need to be updated.”

Listening to Duan Zhuxian’s most serious tone while saying the most suggestive things, Jiang Yao finally felt at ease.

He still preferred this unrestrained version of Duan Zhuxian.

He grabbed Duan Zhuxian’s collar, raised his flushed face and met Duan Zhuxian’s already turbulent gaze with defiance.

“Fine, then let me measure it again.”