Chapter 59: Kill, Counterkill

Jian Mingzhou’s head buzzed for two seconds, and he turned around!

His mother was calmly getting up and looking carefully, and a faint trace of obscure satisfaction appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Jian Mingzhou’s thoughts froze. “Why…”

She knew? How did she know!?

Qiao Shu tossed her curls and passed by him, very coolly pretending to be cool.

“Don’t underestimate photographers.”

“…”

In the moment his brain crashed, Qiao Shu had already stopped Xie Jing from juicing and asked him to sit down.

“Xiaojing, come and sit.”

With the family ready to eat, Jian Mingzhou had to temporarily suppress his emotions and walk over.

At the dining table, his parents sat on one side, and he and Xie Jing sat on the other.

Jian Mingzhou faced his mother directly, feeling exposed.

Unfortunately, Xie Jing still seemed unaware, making subtle moves. Sometimes he picked up food for him, and sometimes he handed him tissues.

Probably because Xie Jing’s responses were not enthusiastic enough, a long leg lightly bumped his thigh under the table. Thud, thud…

Jian Mingzhou clenched his hands.

Thinking that his mother might be watching closely, his face felt hot.

Finally, when Xie Jing tried to peel shrimp for him, he quickly stopped him and said, “No, no need.”

Xie Jing tilted his head and looked. “What’s wrong? Don’t want to eat this?”

Jian Mingzhou, hot and steamy, said, “…No.”

You know nothing about the strength of Miss Qiao!

…

A difficult meal was finally finished.

Xie Jing went to clean up, and Jian Chaoxing was sent to help by Qiao Shu.

Jian Mingzhou was considering how to chat with his mother when he was stopped. Qiao Shu sat on the small sofa on the balcony and waved to him.

“Son, come over.”

Adjusting his emotions, he walked over.

On the balcony, the warm floor lamp was lit.

Qiao Shu sat on his small sofa, and he sat on Xie Jing’s big sofa.

The two sat side by side, and Qiao Shu spoke.

“When did this happen?”

Jian Mingzhou, with a flushed face, confessed, “Not long ago.”

“Oh~~~ and you didn’t come to report it immediately…” Qiao Shu squinted, then asked, “Have you met his parents?”

“A few times.”

“How was it? Did they approve of you?”

“They quite approve.”

Qiao Shu sighed with relief.

Jian Mingzhou said, “They already regard us as brothers.”

“…?”

A sudden silence fell in the vicinity.

Jian Mingzhou was momentarily speechless.

After a while, with his fingertips slightly tightened, he suddenly asked, “Mom, you know everything. How do you and Dad feel?”

Qiao Shu just said, “Huh?” Then she picked up the camera beside her, flipped through the album, and inside were vast mountains and rivers. She said casually,

“We’ve traveled all over the world and seen so many people. It’s just two men being together, perfectly normal.”

Jian Mingzhou’s throat suddenly choked up.

He lowered his eyes, and tears suddenly welled up in his eyes. “Hmm.”

The floor lamp quietly enveloped this small square space.

Qiao Shu glanced at him for two seconds, then suddenly jumped up! She made an exaggerated and playful exclamation.

“What’s wrong, baby? Why are you crying?”

“…?”

Jian Mingzhou was so shocked that his tears almost retreated! He suddenly raised his head and asked, What is Miss Qiao doing?

It was suddenly so theatrical!

Before he could speak, there was a “bang” from the kitchen.

Jian Mingzhou turned his head and saw Xie Jing striding over. Regardless of whether his mother was still nearby, he took a few steps forward, squatted down, and reached out to touch his face.

“What’s wrong, Uncle?”

Jian Mingzhou hurriedly avoided. Wait a minute, his mother is still…!!

“…Xiaojing, I’m fine!”

“But you cried.”

He was momentarily flustered, and Xie Jing, being much larger, couldn’t be restrained at all.

In the midst of Jian Mingzhou’s embarrassed and chaotic state, Qiao Shu left with a string of “hehehe” laughter, looking extremely charming.

Xie Jing turned his head.

Jian Mingzhou’s inner world exploded: Ahhh!!!

–

Qiao Shu and Jian Chaoxing didn’t stay too late.

They had another house elsewhere, and this trip to China was for an extended vacation, staying for more than a month.

“If you have time, let’s go out together next time.”

Qiao Shu waved with the frogskin pouch and left with Jian Chaoxing smartly.

The door closed with a bang!

The entrance became quiet again.

Jian Mingzhou was about to turn around and go back to the living room when a pair of hands suddenly reached out, cupping his face. “Hmm…!”

The wide, warm palms almost covered his entire face. When he looked up, he met Xie Jing’s careful and low gaze.

“So, what happened just now, Uncle?”

Jian Mingzhou’s earlobes were slightly warm. After gathering his thoughts, he said, “…My mom knows about us.”

Xie Jing paused for a moment. “How did she find out?”

“The photographer’s observational skills.”

With a slight tightening of the knuckles on the side of his cheek, Xie Jing pressed his brows. “So, you cried because she doesn’t—”

“No.” Jian Mingzhou pulled away his hand. “My mom was just teasing you.”

“…?”

There was silence for a few seconds.

Xie Jing suddenly leaned his body forward, burying his head in his shoulder, reaching out to hold his waist, and chuckling softly.

“…Scared me. As long as Aunt doesn’t mind, it’s good.”

Jian Mingzhou rubbed his dog’s head, suppressing his palpitations. “Hmm.”

The travel frog was understanding.

They couldn’t help but think of Bro, wondering how well the communication was going with Xie Chi, who was still tied up.

The two of them snuggled up on the sofa together, and Jian Mingzhou opened WeChat and said, “Let me follow up.”

Xie Jing leaned over to take a look. “Hmm.”

【Mingzhou】: I came out to my family.

The response from Xie Chi shook the earth: Ah!!!???

【Mingzhou】: It’s your turn now. How’s it going on your end?

【Xie Chi】: …

【Xie Chi】: Trying my best, trying my best!!!

Jian Mingzhou felt it was a bit unbelievable. How are you trying?

【Xie Chi】: I sent them a lot of reports about broken families.

[Share link—Battering Swans! The irretrievability of spilled water in family affection.]

[Share link—Family? Marriage? The culprit of relationship breakdown is surprisingly this——!]

“…”

The sofa fell silent.

Jian Mingzhou took a deep breath. This isn’t kidnapping; it’s more like intimidation!

…

He temporarily didn’t intervene with Xie Chi’s extraordinary methods.

One day after, Qiao Shu and the others left.

In the evening of the next day, Jian Mingzhou received a WeChat message from his mother. Opening it, he saw several photos taken yesterday.

【Descending Fairy】: ^▽^

Xie Jing was taking a shower, and Jian Mingzhou sat on the sofa looking at the photos.

The images were beautifully captured.

The slanting sunset, the misty white smoke. The color was adjusted, giving it a unique ambiguity and warmth.

Xie Jing was taller than him, and in two of the photos, he almost leaned over, almost close to him.

Jian Mingzhou suddenly felt his face heating up. Did he really get that close?

With a fingertip movement, he flipped to another picture.

Xie Jing was looking down at him; the image zoomed in, revealing that his earlobes were also red.

…Damn! Jian Mingzhou’s fingertips trembled.

What expression was he making? No wonder his mother noticed…

He was immersed in browsing, and suddenly a voice came from behind, “What are you looking at?”

Jian Mingzhou was so shocked that he almost didn’t hold the phone steady!

Turning around, he saw that Xie Jing had already come out.

His slightly wet hair was draped down, carrying the refreshing scent of shower gel. He walked around and sat beside him. After looking at it for a few seconds, he suddenly laughed softly.

“No wonder Aunt found out…”

Jian Mingzhou’s heart skipped a beat. “That, um…”

Xie Jing said, “Your expression was too obvious.”

With his clues not being noticed, his heart was beating even faster. After a few seconds, he took a deep breath, held his breath, and shifted his attention to Xie Jing, sending him the photos.

“I sent them to you first.”

Xie Jing let go of his hand and sat up, took out his phone, and swiped, “Hmm.”

Jian Mingzhou took the opportunity to stand up and say, “I’m going to take a shower.”

Beside him, someone seemed to be deeply focused. “Okay.”

He then walked around the sofa and left.

As soon as he left, Xie Jing carefully scrolled through the photos, his gaze falling on Jian Mingzhou’s blushing earlobes.

His eyes warmed, and he suddenly smiled.

After a moment, he selected a photo of the backlit figure behind the countertop in the sunset, cut it in half, and set it as the background for his moments.

Then he leaned back on the sofa, disappointed. “Not enough enthusiasm from my uncle.”

–

Jian Mingzhou still didn’t know that Xie Jing had added fuel to the fire behind his back.

Two days later, it was the weekend.

Early Saturday morning, Xie Jing went out for training.

Before leaving, he glanced at Jian Mingzhou and asked, “Uncle, are we going out for dinner together this afternoon?”

Jian Mingzhou looked up and said, “Our department has a team-building activity today; we’re going cycling; not sure when we’ll be back.”

“Cycling?” Xie Jing blinked. “Just your department’s people?”

Well, not entirely… but close enough.

Jian Mingzhou nodded. “Yes, all colleagues.”

Xie Jing just nodded and left.

…

The cycling was scheduled for 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

They would meet outside Donghu Wetland Park.

Bikes could be rented there, so Jian Mingzhou simply took a taxi.

By the time he arrived, the patients from the hospital were already there, in high spirits like the sun shining above.

“Deputy Editor, you’re here.”

“What’s this? Did you come alone?”

“Can I come as half of a person?”

Jian Mingzhou was about to speak gently when his gaze suddenly froze as he turned.

A few meters away, he saw Xia Ye leaning against a yellow bike—a basket on the bike filled with vibrant rose decorations!

He was instantly dumbfounded. “…What is this?”

Xia Ye pushed his glasses up, his lips curving in a smile. “It’s inspired by your invitation. Not bad, right?”

As he spoke, the sound of an abacus clattering came from all around.

Jian Mingzhou tasted the scent of conspiracy in the air: …I don’t dare to think. If he had brought Xie Jing today, how would this dazzling display of roses play out for them?

But fortunately…

He looked at Xia Ye with a smile, also laughing: A plot that backfires.

“Heh, not bad.”

Xia Ye hadn’t yet realized the meaning behind his smile, looking around and asking, “Where are the people you brought, Mingzhou?”

Jian Mingzhou checked the time and pinched the bridge of his nose. “They should be here soon…”

Before he finished speaking, a figure suddenly drifted over! Drifting across the open space with an elegant curve, finally stopping steadily between the two—

Squeak! The swift wind stopped, and it was He Luchen, drifting on the cycling bike. His hair and small suit fluttered in the wind, greeting them with a wave.

“Hey, Xia Ye, Jamy.”

“…”

Everyone around looked over, collectively opening their mouths, “He… He Editor?”

Xia Ye also froze in place, his smile frozen.

Before anyone could ask, He Luchen gracefully pulled out an invitation from the inside of his suit jacket.

“The invitation from your esteemed department has been received. Thank you for the invitation.”

Jian Mingzhou glanced at him and said,Incredible, he even printed it out!

The invitation shimmered in the sunlight, the roses on the border above and the roses in Xia Ye’s bike basket complementing each other.

The people in the editorial department were silent for a moment, then collectively erupted:

“Ahhh—!!!”

“I get it now, I get it…! So that’s what it meant!?”

“It’s a set-up… It’s a set-up…!!!”

Xia Ye’s face turned black! Finally realizing he had been counter-ambushed, he glared at Jian Mingzhou and said, “Jian Mingzhou—!!!”

Jian Mingzhou quickly took advantage of the chaos.

…Vanishing act, escape!

He Luchen, still maintaining his elegance in the storm of cheers, put the invitation back into his pocket.

“What a warm welcome. When do we start cycling?”

Xiaoyu, trembling with excitement, said, “Anytime! Anywhere! We can start now!”

…

In the gusty wind and rain, Xia Ye watched Jian Mingzhou disappear into the distance, chuckled, and took out his phone.

【Xia Ye】: Little friend Mingzhou said he was bringing someone for cycling; why did he bring another man instead? [Adjusts glasses]

After a few seconds, the phone vibrated.

【Jing】:?