Chapter 45: Confession

Jian Mingzhou’s mind went blank for a few seconds.

Now there was no tense atmosphere, nor had they just finished running. Xie Jing was silently lying against him for so long, but his heartbeat was still so fast…

It was as if he were saying—

He was momentarily speechless, looking into Xie Jing’s eyes.

Xie Jing just looked at him, his eyes clear and bright. He took Jian Mingzhou’s fingers and entwined them, bringing them even closer.

The strong and clear heartbeat thudded against Jian Mingzhou’s palm.

It was like a silent declaration.

Jian Mingzhou’s fingertips trembled, his breath held in chaos. “Xiao Jing, are you…” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

His fingers retracted, pulled back by Xie Jing.

Xie Jing just smiled and said, “Uncle, isn’t it obvious enough that I like you?”

His voice echoed in Jian Mingzhou’s ears like a thunderous explosion!

With the flow of blood and the drumming heartbeat, Jian Mingzhou was left dumbfounded, his face turning completely red.

Xie Jing confessed that he liked him.

–

The next day at the editorial department was still busy and cheerful.

“Have you read this month’s new issue? With Tk’s stable performance, the new work is at the top of the popularity ranking!”

“Not yet; what’s the theme?”

“Taboo, younger partner…”

Brush— The pen scratched across the paper.

Jian Mingzhou sat behind his desk, trying to calm the emotions that had just settled down, but the warm waves surged again.

Ink soaked the paper, and the tips of his ears turned subtly crimson.

His mind was instantly pulled back to the night before.

Last night, Xie Jing confessed to him.

The impact was so great that he seemed to have been unable to give a response at the time. He could only watch as Xie Jing leaned against him, smiling, and pulled him up to eat.

But even if he had regained his senses at that moment, how should he respond?

This kind of situation was something he had never dared to imagine before.

Not only were they both men, with a significant age difference, but also his friend’s nephew, a college athlete who was living with him…

It was like the taboo level was off the charts!

Just thinking about it made Jian Mingzhou’s lower back tremble.

His hands still seemed to retain the tingling sensation from the impact of the heartbeat. He couldn’t help but ponder:

What were they now?

After Xie Jing’s confession, he didn’t say anything else…

While he was contemplating, a message suddenly arrived on his phone: [Jing]

Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat, he took a moment to mentally prepare, and then he opened the message.

[Jing]: [Big dog spotted]

He was instantly charmed and asked, Aren’t you supposed to be training?

[Jing]: Resting halfway, spotted ^^

The conversation continued as usual, discussing work, training, security, dogs, and Duan Zingfang, who climbs through windows. After finishing, Xie Jing asked what he wanted for dinner with an apparently casual attitude.

Jian Mingzhou, feeling a slight relief, was still somewhat concerned.

It was as if the confession from last night was just his imagination.

In the midst of his chaotic thoughts, Xie Jing asked again: Is there anything else you want to eat? I can bring it to you on the way.

Jian Mingzhou suppressed his emotions and replied, No need to bring me anything…

The phone vibrated, and the message popped up.

[Jing]: Can’t I buy delicious food for the person I like? ^^

Damn it! Jian Mingzhou’s hand trembled.

A quick [That’s totally fine] was sent, and he immediately turned off his phone! He took a deep breath. Damn it. What was he even chatting with Xie Jing about?

The surroundings were still noisy and bustling.

Jian Mingzhou stood up, preparing to calm down in the tea room.

–

Walking out of the corridor, turning around a corner.

He saw a familiar figure standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the tea room, bathing in sunlight, quietly beautiful.

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

Had He Luchen grown roots in the tea room?

Hearing movement, He Luchen turned smoothly and said, “Hey, Jamy~”

He walked over and said, “Hey, Lusen.”

It seemed like He Luchen’s gaze lingered on him for a few seconds, and Jian Mingzhou was busy fetching water when Heluchen spoke:

“Do you have something on your mind today, Jamy Zhou?”

Critique rained down like raindrops! Jian Mingzhou opened his mouth but didn’t have the mood to criticize.

He paused. “Is it obvious?”

“Mm-hmm~”

After a few seconds of hesitation,.

The events of the past two days were tugging at his heart. After a moment, Jian Mingzhou tentatively asked, “Chief Editor He, have you… been in a relationship before?”

He Luchen elegantly leaned against the floor-to-ceiling window, sipping his hand-brewed coffee. “My lover is literature.”

Jian Mingzhou choked.

Actually, wouldn’t Heluchen be more suitable for the literature department? Considering the relatively normal people around him, Jian Mingzhou pondered for two seconds and continued to ask, “If there’s a somewhat taboo relationship in front of you, how would you consider it?”

He Luchen was surprised. “Wouldn’t that be more exciting?”

“…”

“Or are you concerned about something?”

Jian Mingzhou was dumbfounded.

“I can’t provide you with advice on this matter.”

He Luchen turned to look outside the window, seemingly casual. “Isn’t the most important thing whether you like the other person or not?”

Whether he liked…

Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat. “I…”

He raised his head, only to see He Luchen leaning against the bright floor-to-ceiling window, his profile reflected against the backdrop of tall buildings and the blue sky, the glow of light circulating on the edge of the coffee cup.

… Like a mural uttering a poem.

His mind suddenly went blank! His thoughts were interrupted.

Jian Mingzhou barely regained his composure. “Uh… thanks.”

Then he picked up his water cup and left the tea room.

Once his figure disappeared at the corridor junction, He Luchen’s gaze fell, and he slowly sipped his coffee.

When seriously contemplating this question, you’ve already begun to fall, Jamy.

…

Back in the editorial department, Jian Mingzhou felt a bit dazed.

He vaguely felt like he had been poked.

But the impact of that mural was too strong, so much so that he couldn’t contain his thoughts to ponder it now.

“Jian Mingzhou, where did you go?”

Xia Ye called him from the other end and said, “The contract for Xiaolu’s work has arrived. Decide if you want to send her an email or go there in person.”

Jian Mingzhou temporarily put away his thoughts and said, “I’ll give it to her in person.”

The copyright contract required signatures from three parties. After sending it to Xiaolu for her signature, they still had to wait for her to return it. It was more efficient to get it signed in person.

Xia Ye handed him the contract and said, “Alright.”

She then asked, “So where did you just go? You looked absent-minded, as if your soul had left your body.”

“To the tea room,” Jian Mingzhou replied. “Chief Editor He was in there too.”

Xia Ye’s eyes suddenly sharpened. “Did you meet the enemy again?”

Jian Mingzhou took the contract, not forgetting to feed himself a mouthful of rice. “Don’t be jealous. If you go over now, he should still be in the tea room.”

He said that and turned away.

“…” Xia Ye’s face suddenly turned eight shades darker!

–

Xiaolu’s home was not far from the company.

Jian Mingzhou hailed a taxi and went there with ease.

As soon as he entered the door, he met four pairs of shining eyes. Xiaolu and her three assistants rushed to the door.

“Master!”

“Carryme—”

“Humanity’s savior!!!”

Jian Mingzhou almost got pushed down the stairs.

He steadied himself against the door frame, speaking warmly, “Calm down. I almost became the guardian star in the sky.”

“…”

The four heads lowered, respectfully welcoming him inside.

The contract was placed on the table, and Jian Mingzhou said, “Check the content. Although the Copyright Department has already verified it, take a look at the personal information to confirm.”

 Xiaolu nodded vigorously. “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm!”

While she confirmed the contract on her end, her three assistants began reminiscing. A-Cheng sighed, “When you, Editor Zhou, came last time, we were literally working ourselves to death here.”

Oguri followed, “Death was better than life.”

Xiaoji pondered for two seconds, “We barely survived in the end!”

All three of them burst into laughter. “Haha, haha, haha…”

Jian Mingzhou looked at them deeply. They still loved playing idioms relay so much…

The contract was quickly confirmed.

Xiaolu swiftly signed it, and Jian Mingzhou prepared to take it back to the company, saying, “I’ll be going now.”

“Editor, let me accompany you downstairs.”

Jian Mingzhou didn’t refuse, “Sure.”

They chatted all the way down to the ground floor.

This area was all residential, and once they stepped out, the street was clean and quiet, bathed in the lazy sunlight.

Jian Mingzhou, having just finished giving some instructions about a new work, was about to leave when Xiaolu suddenly stopped him and said, “Hey, wait!”

She slyly added, “Editor, how did you find the fan art I sent you last time? Any useful references?”

Jian Mingzhou’s body suddenly froze.

The image from that drawing flashed in his mind—the one with Xie Jing hugging him from behind…

The place where he was hugged last night faintly warmed up.

“Editor?” Xiaolu raised her head.

Jian Mingzhou snapped back to reality, looking straight ahead. “I feel like it was all freely interpreted, with no reference at all.”

Xiaolu shyly lowered her head. “Hehehe…”

After laughing for two seconds, she suddenly remembered, “Oh! I almost forgot. I faxed it over. He didn’t see it, did he? I edited it myself. If he saw it, would he mind?”

Jian Mingzhou, “…”

No, he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he wanted to thank you in person.

Thinking about it, he remembered Xie Jing saying he liked him…

Jian Mingzhou was slightly lost in thought.

Suddenly, he heard an “Oh!” beside him. “But, if it’s a real couple, they wouldn’t mind!”

His heart skipped a beat, and he returned to his senses. “What?”

Xiaolu said, “Isn’t it a common plot in comics? If they like each other, the situation of being seen with a couple picture is completely different!”

Jian Mingzhou held his breath. “…How so?”

Xiaolu looked up, the sunlight reflecting on her face, bursting with dazzling brilliance. Joyful and high-pitched, she exclaimed, “They’ll be bathed in sunshine!”