Chapter 33: Boomerang

The cool air still carried the remnants of the QiXi Festival.

Outside the platform, signs and pedestrians holding roses mixed into the sensory experience. With a touch of sweetness blossoming on taste buds.

In this situation, everything seemed particularly…

Jian Mingzhou suddenly froze.

The soothing temperature seemed to become scalding, and his heartbeat unconsciously accelerated.

Turning his head, “What’s wrong, Uncle?”

Jian Mingzhou raised his eyes. Seeing that his attitude was natural, he steadied his mind. It should be that he was thinking too much.

No matter how you looked at it, it wouldn’t have that kind of meaning.

Holding the paper cup, he took a sip and said, “…Nothing. Hot chocolate, just bought?”

“Yeah, from the nearby beverage shop.”

Just as he expected, it was a casual purchase.

Because of the cold weather, he bought a high-calorie drink.

Jian Mingzhou also relaxed a bit, nodded, and joined him. Just as they approached, someone asked,

“Don’t like it?”

He said, “No, it’s quite good.”

The person in front looked at him and suddenly smiled. “Oh, then you like it.”

The profound face in the cold background suddenly became vivid, and it instantly made people feel palpitations.

Jian Mingzhou’s just-calmed heartbeat accelerated again. He casually took a sip, trying to appear calm. “Oh.”

Between the two of them, there was a moment of silence.

It was the tail of the QiXi Festival. The two of them sat in the back seat, one eating the chocolate banana pastry brought by the other and the other drinking the hot chocolate purchased by the former.

It seemed very natural, yet it also seemed…

Jian Mingzhou suppressed the subtle feeling in his heart. In the short silence, suddenly, the person in front spoke.

“It’s really sweet.”

He shook slightly, almost not holding the paper cup steadily.

Looking forward, he saw the driver lowering the window. The driver was swaying a bit and spoke with a slight accent.

“Eating something so sweet in the car. I can’t stand the smell. I’ll open the window for some air~”

The entire back row, “…”

Jian Mingzhou opened his mouth and said, “…Yes, go ahead.”

—

They arrived at the mall, where they first stored their luggage.

They had lunch nearby.

The signs and couple sets for the QiXi Festival were still there, and Jian Mingzhou maintained a calm demeanor, taking a few pictures for reference.

“Xiao Jing, look. It’s good that we came out after the holiday. There aren’t as many people, and the signs haven’t been taken down.”

Xie Jing looked at him, seemingly smiling, and said, “Uncle, you really think about work all the time.”

“Now it’s my passion to work in shifts.”

After finishing their meal, they directly went upstairs to the mall.

Xie Jing didn’t choose any top luxury stores. Following him in the elevator, Jian Mingzhou was surprised: “Don’t you wear private, custom-made clothes? Also, silk robes…”

“That kind of thing, only my cousin He Yi would do.”

Xie Jing’s profile reflected the surrounding pedestrians, seemingly smiling, then turned to him and said, “Pure cotton, cool.”

“…” Jian Mingzhou glanced sideways. “You can even say ‘cool.'”

Not in line with the character.

Xie Jing nodded approvingly. “I saw it while browsing BL news. It said, ‘Loyal dog topping, cool.'”

“…” Jian Mingzhou turned his head slowly. “You even browse BL news!”

This is not good…! He slowly turned his head back. Xie Jing has evolved.

…

When they arrived at the sleepwear section, Jian Mingzhou realized that things were not simple.

The whole area was filled with the atmosphere of home and privacy. He and Xie Jing came together, both outstanding in appearance, and suddenly became even more eye-catching.

The salesperson glanced, then glanced again.

That look resembled the one he had when he first entered the BL (Boys’ Love) world by mistake.

Jian Mingzhou tried to avoid eye contact as much as possible and casually said, “Go ahead and choose, Xiaojing.”

Xie Jing responded with an affirmative sound and chose quite seriously, “Uncle, which one do you think looks good on me?”

…It’s just sleepwear; is he going to model it?

Jian Mingzhou spoke gently: “Any of them looks good. Since you’re at home and no one else will see, just choose what you like.”

Xie Jing replied naturally, “But you can see it, so I’m asking for your opinion.”

It sounded like he was dressing up for him.

The salesperson threw a third glance.

Jian Mingzhou felt his face heat up. …Xie Jing, are you naturally like this? No, maybe I’ve watched too much BL, and my thoughts are too impure.

He focused, picked one, and asked, “Do you like this? Dark colors suit you.”

“Then this one,” Xie Jing said again. “This light-colored one suits you, Uncle.”

He took it off the rack and raised it for a moment.

Firm arms were stretched out in front of him.

Holding the soft sleepwear, it brushed against Jian Mingzhou’s shoulders. His heart skipped a beat!

A large mirror on one side reflected their figures.

Jian Mingzhou averted his gaze, and his breath caught.

Maybe it’s just a psychological effect, but ever since he knew that Xie Jing received “Chinese Valentine’s Day Chocolates,” everything seems a bit subtle…

As he thought about this, a voice sounded from above: “How is it? I think it looks good.”

Jian Mingzhou collected himself and said, “I still…”

“I think it looks good too!” Suddenly, a brisk voice interrupted from the side. The salesperson finally seized the opportunity to promote, “It suits you, sir! And both are now at 15% off.”

Discounts have always been tempting.

Jian Mingzhou hesitated for a moment! Afraid the salesperson would say something extraordinary, he nodded and said, “Then wrap them together.”

“Sure!” The salesperson took the clothes away.

Beside him, Xie Jing suddenly lowered his head, turned, and, with undisguised joy, said, “I’ll pay, Uncle.”

Suppressing the warmth in his heart, Jian Mingzhou said, “It’s okay; just pick what you like.”

–

Coming out of the sleepwear section, Xie Jing was carrying the bags.

It was only two in the afternoon, and Jian Mingzhou asked people around, “Should we continue shopping or go back?”

“Do you have something you want to buy, Uncle?”

“Nothing in particular, just taking some photos for reference.”

As he was saying this, a voice suddenly came from the side, “Mingzhou?”

Jian Mingzhou paused and turned his head.

An acquaintance was coming out of the elevator, dressed in work clothes on a Sunday, wearing glasses.

He took a moment to react. “…Squad Leader?”

Xie Jing also stopped, looking over.

“It really is you, Mingzhou!” Zou Wensong walked over with surprise, exchanged a few words, then added a contact, “Let’s catch up next time; I have to go change shifts now!”

He left in a hurry.

Xie Jing looked at Jian Mingzhou and asked, “Your classmate? Why did he ask if there was some festival recently because of Qixi?”

Jian Mingzhou still felt a bit shocked at this moment. “Yeah, for that reason. And he,” he paused, a bit embarrassed to say, “was our high school class monitor and a fellow BL enthusiast.”

Beside him, Xie Jing paused for two seconds. “…BL enthusiast?”

– Don’t say it out loud!

Jian Mingzhou nodded and quickly changed the topic, “Alright, let’s go downstairs.”

This little episode quickly passed.

After taking some photos in front of various shops downstairs, they headed home.

After returning home, two sets of sleepwear were taken out.

Jian Mingzhou was about to go and collect luggage when he turned and saw Xie Jing unbuttoning the sleepwear on the sofa with a meticulousness that suggested he was about to change directly.

He quickly stopped him. “Xiaojing, throw them in the washing machine first!”

Xie Jing seemed indifferent. “They look clean to me.”

Jian Mingzhou walked over, took away the two sets of sleepwear, and sensibly threw them into the washing machine. “Respect objective facts; reject subjective idealism.”

“…” Xie Jing.

The busy and eventful weekend ended like this.

The next day was Monday.

After the department meeting, a group of people returned to the editorial department. The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed after the holiday.

People were chatting in the office.

Qian Qian was talking about the festival, and Xiao Yu was discussing the discount on facial cleansers for activities.

Xiao Fu was snacking and listening to gossip, occasionally letting out a tinkling laugh. “Hehehehe…”

Amidst the laughter and chatter, Jian Mingzhou sat down.

Just as he was about to open his email for review, he felt a gaze from the side.

He turned, and Xia Ye was sitting behind the desk, looking at him.

“You…” the other person paused.

The eyes behind the glasses were full of inquiry, curiosity, suspicion, and a hint of confusion. As if saying, Why didn’t you come to interrogate me? Did nothing happen?

 Jian Mingzhou disdainfully chuckled, “Heh.”

After his scoff, he ignored it and turned back to focus on his work.

However, the gaze from the other side continued to linger, seemingly undeterred.

Amidst the lively chatter, the entrance suddenly echoed with two knocks, carrying a familiar sense of design.

The surroundings quieted down as everyone turned to look.

Jian Mingzhou raised his head and saw He Luchen leaning against the door, elegantly tapping the door frame. “Xia, the chief editor.”

…Damn! Jian Mingzhou pursed his lips and quietly observed.

Xia Ye frowned slightly behind his desk. “Chief He? What’s the matter?”

He Luchen walked straight in, placing a gift box on Xia Ye’s desk with politeness and silkiness. “This is a return gift.”

“…What return gift?”

“It’s the chocolates you sent to my house last Saturday.”

As the words fell, the entire office fell into silence.

Amidst the faint sounds of inhales, Jian Mingzhou saw Qian Qian’s mouth already wide open, ready to blow the whistle…

Xia Ye seemed frozen, not reacting yet. He Luchen added smoothly, “It goes well with my Lafite. Thanks a lot.”

After saying that, he turned and left the editorial department’s door.

In the instant his figure disappeared behind the door, Xia Ye’s face turned black! Simultaneously, the entire office erupted into a deafening uproar.

“Ah, ah, ah, ah! What’s going on with the chief editor!?”

“Damn! Chinese Valentines Day Chocolates!! Chief Editor, you—!!”

“He’s the archenemy! The archenemy…!!!”

Jian Mingzhou, amidst the waves of shock, quietly buried himself in the documents: Mingzhou disappearing technique…