Chapter 26: From Forbidden Ground to Sacred Ground

Jian Mingzhou was profoundly shaken by Xie Jing’s refreshing and unconventional mindset, indifferent to the lives and deaths of others!

He looked at the sofa filled with manga, his eyes trembling.

So many, how were they all brought back?

There must be twenty or thirty books.

“You…” He swallowed and took a while before laboriously squeezing out a sentence: “Did you… clear out the entire stock?”

Xie Jing lamented, “Didn’t clear out; the backpack couldn’t fit anymore.”

Jian Mingzhou suddenly raised his eyes: So, he bought so many because he could only buy this much!

He spoke softly, “…Sorry to trouble you.”

Xie Jing nodded in agreement. “I can only buy more next time.”

As he leisurely bent down to pick up the books one by one, he asked, “Uncle, see if there’s anything you like in here?”

“…,” Jian Mingzhou closed his eyes. “No, thanks.”

Xie Jing nonchalantly acknowledged her with a sound.

While he was picking up books, Jian Mingzhou glanced around and saw:

\[First Love After Marriage\] \[Brother’s Secret\] \[Forbidden Sports Room\] \[Me and My Roommate…\]

Damn! His gaze shifted, and his ears unconsciously heated up. Xie Jing’s taste turned out to be forbidden.

He felt he couldn’t stand here any longer.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard Xie Jing speak, “Can these books be placed next to the TV cabinet?”

Jian Mingzhou looked at the only empty shelf and said, “Yes.”

Xie Jing then picked up a stack of books; his forearm stretched out with a tight and smooth line due to the weight. The deep black eyes were calm and shiny, like those of a well-behaved large dog.

“Uncle, can you help me move them over?” he asked casually.

“…,” Jian Mingzhou couldn’t walk away and had to bend down to pick up the remaining books. “Sure.”

Together, they moved the books to the TV cabinet.

In the meantime, he couldn’t help but sneak a glance:

And then, at a glance, he noticed the manga he had just seen online turned out to be the deluxe collector’s edition—

Because it was too expensive, he hadn’t even been able to afford it himself!

Jian Mingzhou’s eyes wavered for a moment.

Suddenly, beside him, Xie Jing spoke, “Do you like this one?”

He pointed with his fingertip, and the manga fell to the ground with a “plop!”

Xie Jing leaned over. “My unscrupulous junior…”

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath and slammed the manga onto the bookshelf! Quickly interrupting, “…No.” He then focused and picked up the one that had fallen to the ground.

“Sorry for dropping your book.”

“Oh, it’s okay.” Xie Jing turned around, leaning on his arm and arranging the books. “These books are placed outside; consider them shared. Take them whenever you want.”

He looked exceptionally generous.

Jian Mingzhou looked at the manga on the shelf; the level of excitement was not inferior to his own. He thought, It doesn’t matter now.

After a moment of contemplation, he made up his mind.

Casually, as if sharing, he said, “The books in my study… feel free to take them.”

There was a pause in the movement next to him, and Xie Jing turned to look.

His face was illuminated by the light in the living room, with a slightly shimmering smile in his eyes. “Oh… so, I can freely enter and exit Uncle’s ‘forbidden ground’?”

Jian Mingzhou blushed, not looking away. “Yes.”

Well, in this house, the forbidden atmosphere was already pervasive.

—

Xie Jing came back a bit late, and they hadn’t eaten yet.

“If we stir-fry now, it might be a bit late.” After Xie Jing finished arranging the books, he walked to the sink to wash his hands. “How about tomato and egg-braised noodles for dinner?”

Jian Mingzhou looked at him warmly and said, “Let me do it; you’ve worked hard today.”

Almost carrying the entire bookstore back.

Xie Jing laughed and casually took two tomatoes, “No, I’ll do it. Without uncle, it would have been hard for me.”

Every day was a struggle.

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Considering Xie Jing had helped a lot last time, he graciously walked over and assisted by the side.

The open kitchen had a sink on one side and a stove against the wall on the other. Standing in the middle of the aisle, the originally spacious space suddenly seemed smaller.

With this distance, they had to talk about something.

Jian Mingzhou was reminded of the patrol dogs downstairs in the company and engaged in small talk with Xie Jing.

“I plan to read that shameless junior’s work first.”

He almost choked. How did the conversation suddenly turn to BL topics so naturally?

Jian Mingzhou remained calm. “Oh.”

Xie Jing, cooking tomato and egg, a white smoke rising with a sizzle, enveloped his handsome and smiling profile. “However, I don’t quite understand the words on the cover. Uncle, what does ‘seme’ mean?”

He asked, “What’s the difference with ‘Nianxia’?”

Jian Mingzhou tried to stay calm: “Seme…mostly refers to positions and levels in terms of hierarchy.”

“Oh.” Xie Jing gestured for him to add some water to the pot. “What about ‘nianxia? Is it about the younger one being below?”

“No, it’s the older one who is below…”

He paused, suddenly feeling a sense of familiarity.

Then he remembered the time when they came out of the supermarket, and Xie Jing also asked him about the “still younger” question.

Jian Mingzhou subconsciously looked up and saw Xie Jing turning to look at him. The two faced away from the living room, and Xie Jing, with lowered eyelashes and a deep gaze, caught a glint of light, smiling gently.

“Oh, it’s the older one who is below.”

As they locked eyes, the shadow in front of him cast a shadow over his face.

Jian Mingzhou’s breath was momentarily unstable.

He quickly pulled back his wandering thoughts! Lowering his head, he poured water. The kettle hit the edge of the pot with a clang.

Then a pot of water was poured in.

Xie Jing also turned his head back.

Both of them stared at the pot in silence for several seconds.

Jian Mingzhou spoke softly, “Xiao Jing, can we have tomato and egg soup noodles for dinner tonight?”

Xie Jing stirred the pot considerately. “Uncle, the water is just right. How did you know I suddenly wanted soup noodles?”

He replied warmly, “I guessed it the instant I poured the water.”

“…,” Xie Jing tilted his head. “You’re very considerate.”

The next day, Jian Mingzhou entered the editing department.

He saw Xia Ye and held his breath. The cursed child…

Xia Ye met his gaze and frowned. “Do you have any thoughts about me? Why do you look at me as if there’s mosaic all over your eyes?”

Xiaolu came over, ready to twist and turn again!

Jian Mingzhou calmly returned to his seat and said, “No, I just want to block you from my world.”

“…” Xiaolu.

Xia Ye thoughtfully pushed up his glasses.

Qian Qian popped up from the opposite side. “Deputy Editor, blocking is impossible. We’re still talking about playing badminton this weekend!”

“When?”

“Of course, it’s the best Saturday.”

“I might not be available on Saturday.” Jian Mingzhou took out a manuscript to annotate, “There’s a regional youth track and field competition on Saturday, and I want to cheer for them.”

The office fell silent for a moment.

Then a group of people rushed over and asked, “Is it the sportsman from that day!?”

“The handsome guy living in your house!”

“Your younger one, the big wolf dog—”

Clang! The pen tip scratched the paper.

Jian Mingzhou’s hand trembled. He couldn’t stand hearing the words “nianxia.” Just hearing it would remind him of the tomato and egg soup pot.

“I’m going to cheer for both of them.”

Next to him, Xia Ye gave him a look.

Xiaolu immediately turned his head and whispered, “See, it’s really’many’ men…”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Such a loud whisper! He could hear it perfectly!

After the playful topic ended, he asked about the time. The badminton game was scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and he didn’t know how long the competition would last.

He thought for a moment, “If it ends early, I’ll come over.”

Qian Qian happily tossed her ponytail. “Okay!”

In the afternoon at 5:30, after work.

Jian Mingzhou had just left the company when Xia Ye stopped him.

Xia Ye stood by the car door, apparently about to get in. Jian Mingzhou saw him opening his mouth and immediately became guarded.

“Wait, I don’t want to hear you talk recently.”

“…” Xia Ye closed his mouth, pocketed his hands, and looked at him.

Jian Mingzhou, in a two-second confrontation, suddenly remembered that this person seemed to be his superior. Just as he was about to relax his guard, Xia Ye said,

“You’ve been acting strangely lately.”

He felt a sudden twinge. “What?”

Xia Ye assessed him for a few moments, his lips slightly parted. Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, but Xia Ye closed his mouth, adjusting his glasses. “You’ve been strangely cute recently.”

“…”

Jian Mingzhou was instantly suffocated by this outdated joke!

Such an old-fashioned punchline!

Xia Ye then asked, “How about it, my newly learned joke?”

Jian Mingzhou looked at him with a complicated expression, then turned and walked away. “You should open the window and look at the world three times.”

After he left, Xia Ye withdrew his gaze, pursed his lips, and coolly opened the BYD car door.

Forget it; he couldn’t even manage the Qixi Festival plan. Why bother about other people’s love affairs?

In the evening, when Jian Mingzhou returned home, Xie Jing was already there.

He sat on the sofa, immersed in reading manga. Seeing Jian Mingzhou return, he turned his head slightly.

“Uncle, you look tired.”

Jian Mingzhou floated back to the bedroom and said, “Heard an uncomfortable joke.”

“…”

When he came out after changing his clothes, Xie Jing was still on the sofa reading manga, holding it with one hand, making the manga look tiny.

Sitting there, he looked exceptionally open and aboveboard.

Jian Mingzhou looked at him. Seeing Xie Jing’s calm profile with lowered eyelashes, it was impossible to discern his emotions.

He slightly lost focus.

Didn’t Xie Jing see all this? Didn’t he have any emotional fluctuations?

Just as he was thinking, the person in front suddenly looked up and said, “What’s wrong, Uncle?” The voice had a slightly husky tone, tugging at the eardrums.

In their gaze, Xie Jing’s eyes were deeper than usual.

Jian Mingzhou blinked, “…Nothing.”

It seemed that there was some fluctuation after all…

After a pause, he turned his gaze away and asked, “Are you just sitting in the living room?”

Xie Jing continued flipping through the manga, “Hmm, sitting on the sofa is more comfortable. Shouldn’t you choose a comfortable place to do things you like?”

“?” Jian Mingzhou glanced sideways for a moment.

How did reading BL become something you liked?

…

But, reluctantly, Jian Mingzhou had to admit that Xie Jing was right.

Watching him sit there, calm and casual, a strange feeling touched Jian Mingzhou’s heart, making him feel more at ease.

He even felt a bit embarrassed to go to the study and close the door; it seemed more awkward.

Adjusting his mindset, he also grabbed a manga and sat on the lazy sofa in the living room.

After taking this step, it didn’t seem to bother him as much.

Jian Mingzhou looked at his favorite book and gradually immersed himself in it. Flipping a page with his fingertips, he unconsciously touched his lips.

Collision, it was a showdown—oh oh, oh!

…

On the other side of the sofa, Xie Jing put down the manga and looked over.

It was evening, and the warm golden sunset streamed in from the window behind them. Jian Mingzhou nestled on the lazy sofa, bathed in a warm glow.

His fingertips rested on his lips, his eyes bright with joy; even the lobes of his ears had a faint blush.

Xie Jing lightly hooked the edge of the book with his fingertip, curving his lips.

Once immersed in a manga, it was easy to forget the surroundings.

Time passed without notice.

Jian Mingzhou flipped through the pages and raised his hand to reach for a cup on the side, only to find it empty.

He sat up, intending to find water.

Suddenly, there was an extra figure in front of him.

Xie Jing was already walking over, carrying a water jug, and bent down to pour water for him. “Thirsty?”

Jian Mingzhou suddenly felt like a useless person without hands or feet and blushed. “…Thank you for coming over to refill it.”

“Well, it’s a bit far; indeed, it’s not very convenient.”

“?” He raised his eyes, completely informal!

“I also come over to make it convenient to refill the water.”

…Turns out, it’s not convenient to serve oneself!

Jian Mingzhou was shocked by his spirit.

But there was only one lazy sofa here, and it was impossible for Xie Jing to sit on the floor. He put down the book and said, “No need to refill for me; just leave it on your side. I’ll come over and drink when I’m thirsty.”

Xie Jing blinked his eyes twice, a noncommittal “Hmm.”

…

The topic shifted lightly, and Jian Mingzhou didn’t pay any more attention to it.

The next day, near the end of the workday, a sudden call came saying that Xue Yin’s new book needed to be printed.

While Jian Mingzhou was on the phone, he took a moment to send a WeChat message to Xie Jing:

Xiao Jing, I’ll be home late today. If you’re hungry, go ahead and eat ^0^

The message quickly received a reply.

【Jing】: It’s okay, I’ll wait for you to come back and eat together ^^

Jian Mingzhou estimated that he wouldn’t be too late, so he replied, “Okay,” and immersed himself back into work.

Work ended after six o’clock.

He took a cab from the company to go home, precisely during the sunset.

Jian Mingzhou pushed open the door. “Xiao Jing, I’m back…” His words abruptly stopped.

When he looked up, he saw a large lazy sofa added in front of the balcony! It was placed side by side with his own.

There was also a small table with snacks and drinks neatly arranged.

In the warm glow of the sunset, it felt warm and sacred.

Jian Mingzhou paused for a moment. Is this some kind of resort?

Seeing him come back, Xie Jing casually greeted him, “Uncle, you’re back.” Then he pointed to the new sofa and said, “Take a look at that.”

“…”

He had already seen it!!

Jian Mingzhou was stunned: The dinner Xie Jing mentioned eating together was actually this “meal”!

Xie Jing asked again, “Uncle, do you want this new nest, or do you prefer your old one?”

“…The old one is fine.”

“Then try sitting like this and see if you’re comfortable.”

A manga was considerately handed to him. Jian Mingzhou, in a daze, said, “Thank you,” and sat down.

He quickly took a seat beside him.

The comfortable, lazy sofa leaned against the balcony, and snacks and drinks were placed within easy reach. In the quiet atmosphere, the honey-red sunset flowed over the pages of the book.

Jian Mingzhou held the manga, slowly coming back to his senses.

In the tranquility of time, a familiar feeling suddenly surged in his heart.

After a moment, a memory flashed in his mind:

【If I found a girlfriend, spending peaceful evenings watching BL manga under the sunset, laughing together like silver bells…】

The manga pages rustled in his hands.

Jian Mingzhou suddenly looked up and said, Damn! Isn’t this the scene right now!?