Translator: Lynn
Thank you Kizuna for your continuous support! Here’s your bonus chapter <3
Sponsored chapter (1/1)
Jiang Yuduo’s kiss felt rather perfunctory, a quick nibble at Cheng Ke’s lips before he retreated. Cheng Ke found himself wanting to chuckle.
“Let’s go,” Cheng Ke said.
“Sure,” Jiang Yuduo replied, moving past the front of the car and hopping into the driver’s seat.
Cheng Ke cast a glance at the three individuals on the roadside, deeply engrossed in their smoking session, facing away from the car. “Aren’t you taking them with us?” he asked.
“Bring them back to Shentang,” Jiang Yuduo replied with a slight frown and honked the horn to catch their attention.
The trio turned around, and Chen Qing seemed to say something, his mouth forming the words “hurry up.”
Cheng Ke glanced sidelong at Jiang Yuduo. The latter sat quite rigidly, possibly due to embarrassment or some other emotion, looking straight ahead.
As Chen Qing and the others settled into the car, Jiang Yuduo pulled away before they had even steadied themselves.
“What’s the rush?” Chen Qing was taken aback. “You planning to chase after him?”
“Chase who?” Jiang Yuduo was equally baffled.
“Cheng Yi,” Chen Qing clarified, “You’re seriously going to chase him? Damn it, chase him! Take his other leg too…”
“…Why on earth would I chase him?” Jiang Yuduo sounded exasperated.
“Didn’t you want to chase after him just now? Damn, if you’re not going to chase, ease up on the gas.” Chen Qing retorted.
“Just keep quiet and sit in the car,” Jiang Yuduo said through gritted teeth.
Silence descended in the back seat.
Suppressing a smile, Cheng Ke cleared his throat, leaned back into his chair, and gazed out of the window.
He couldn’t exactly pin down his mood from this encounter; it was an odd blend of amusement and other emotions, yet he found himself wanting to laugh a little, with no profound thoughts swirling in his mind.
Jiang Yuduo drove back to his home, and after stepping out of the car, Chen Qing took charge of getting Da Bin and the others back.
Before he hopped into his car, Chen Qing called out to Jiang Yuduo: “Hey, San-ge.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Yuduo responded.
“That…” Chen Qing’s brows furrowed, and he seemed to struggle with his words. “Whenever you’re free, let’s have a meal, just the two of us.”
“Tomorrow,” Jiang Yuduo promptly agreed.
“Okay,” Chen Qing nodded, casting another glance at Cheng Ke, and then in a hushed tone, he added, “Just us, no one else.”
“Got it!” Jiang Yuduo said with a determined nod.
Chen Qing climbed into the driver’s seat and drove away.
“Want to talk?” Cheng Ke grinned.
“He wants to know what happened,” Jiang Yuduo said, “He’s never seen me being so cordial to anyone before.”
“True,” Cheng Ke concurred, and he followed Jiang Yuduo into the house.
The lamp in the backyard was still hanging, and as Cheng Ke approached, Miao trailed along. It clambered up the clothesline pole a couple of times, then leaped onto the lamp, swaying gently.
“Hey!” Cheng Ke pointed at Miao. “Don’t break it!”
“It’s pretty sturdy,” Jiang Yuduo remarked, reaching over to lift Miao off. “And if it breaks, we’ll make another one. I’m pretty skilled at it now. The next one will definitely turn out better.”
“Let’s make another one for my birthday next year,” Cheng Ke suggested.
Jiang Yuduo fell silent.
“What’s wrong?” Cheng Ke clicked his tongue. “You’re not planning to celebrate my birthday next year?”
“No,” Jiang Yuduo said, “I… haven’t thought that far ahead.”
With a gentle exhalation, Cheng Ke approached Jiang Yuduo, using his left hand to rub his face affectionately. “You can think about it when you have the time. I’ll be here next year.”
“Yes,” Jiang Yuduo agreed with a nod.
Next year.
For Jiang Yuduo, it felt like an immensely distant concept, or perhaps, from certain perspectives, next year simply didn’t exist.
He mostly focused on the “now,” on the upcoming days, on tomorrow, and the day after—the tangible moments right in front of him that he could grasp.
Words like “next year” or “future” were rare visitors in his thoughts, and even when they did appear, they held little significance, just markers of time.
Yet, something had shifted now.
The next year had transformed from an empty phrase into something meaningful.
Cheng Ke’s birthday was coming up next year.
A sense of anticipation suddenly arose within him.
However, this joy soon gave way to a sense of unease.
A year was an expansive expanse of time. Once time stretched beyond hours and days, how many changes could it bring?
Mental illness.
Cheng Yi’s words echoed in Jiang Yuduo’s mind.
“I’m mentally ill.”
When he had uttered this sentence to Cheng Yi, his hands had quivered slightly. The words felt so unfamiliar, and he was afraid. Not only did he refrain from sharing this phrase with others, but he also wouldn’t even allow it to linger in his thoughts when he was alone.
How had Cheng Yi come to know? It didn’t matter. What did matter was that Cheng Ke had found out, which left him feeling unsettled.
Even though he had told Cheng Ke that he was okay, Cheng Ke hadn’t pursued further questions. He had tried his best to ignore those who were impossible to ignore, but Cheng Yi had openly stated that he was “mentally ill” in front of everyone. Those three words still left him bewildered.
How long could he hold onto his “okay” facade? How long would Cheng Ke continue to trust him? And how long could he maintain his silence?
Was it even possible… for this to last until next year?
Jiang Yuduo had remained seated on the sofa, lost in thought, for nearly half an hour, while Cheng Ke sat beside him feeling like he was almost going bald out of sheer impatience.
The phone buzzed, and Cheng Ke picked it up to see a message from Xu Ding.
– Is it solved?
– Solved~
– Okay, we’ll have the grand opening on the 1st of next month. I’ve put together a basic schedule and sent it to you. Could you take a look?
– Sounds good.
Quickly, Xu Ding shared the outlined plans, which included the necessary preparations prior to the launch, the activities scheduled for the opening day, and a few promotional strategies after the launch.
Cheng Ke thoroughly reviewed the details, made a few additions, and sent the updated version back to Xu Ding.
Xu Ding responded promptly.
– Are you available tomorrow to meet up? We could catch a meal together.
– I can make it in the afternoon.
Chen Qing likely intended to question Jiang Yuduo, and it’s possible Xu Ding had similar inquiries for Cheng Ke.
However, their perspectives might differ. Chen Qing would probably phrase it as “Is San-ge getting it on with a man?” or “Did San-ge actually kiss Jaeger-LeCoultre?”
Meanwhile, Xu Ding… Cheng Yi had likely already informed everyone about him. The grapevine would now be buzzing with the revelation that Jiang Yuduo was dealing with a mental condition and Cheng Ke’s partner was considered a lunatic.
Perhaps Cheng Ke was also entering the realm of the eccentric. After all, he had initiated a huge commotion involving Cheng Yi’s company with his so-called crazy boyfriend, resulting in Cheng Yi even suffering an open fracture.
Turning his head, Cheng Ke saw that Jiang Yuduo remained lost in thought, his expression hinting at deep contemplation.
With a slight tap on Jiang Yuduo’s ear, Cheng Ke drew him back to the present moment.
Jiang Yuduo’s grip on Cheng Ke’s wrist was swift, pressing his thumb onto the back of Cheng Ke’s hand before guiding it back, twisting it slightly, and pushing it onto the back of the sofa.
It wasn’t painful, but a rather tingling sensation surged through Cheng Ke’s hand. Yet, before he could even deduce if it was an involuntary reflex or some kind of reaction connected to their personal history, Jiang Yuduo had already released his hold.
“You…” Jiang Yuduo took hold of Cheng Ke’s hands, rubbing them together, “I got startled.”
“It’ doesn’t hurt,” Cheng Ke assured him, looking into his eyes.
However, Jiang Yuduo averted his gaze, focusing on Cheng Ke’s hands. “I got distracted.”
“What’s on your mind?” Cheng Ke withdrew his hands, giving Jiang Yuduo’s head a couple of affectionate pats.
Jiang Yuduo fell silent for a moment before speaking, “Do you understand the situation between you and Cheng Yi? Will he come after you again in the future?”
“Probably not,” Cheng Ke replied, smiling, though he felt a bit disheartened again. “Didn’t he clearly state that he wants nothing to do with his brother?”
When Cheng Yi voiced such sentiments, he didn’t seem particularly bothered. There had been hardly any genuine sibling bond between them, except perhaps in the few early years when they couldn’t recall much.
Still, it was the first time someone had plainly expressed the desire for him to never have been born or to exist. Even though he hadn’t sensed anyone eagerly awaiting his arrival in his previous life, hearing such candid words was still somewhat dispiriting.
“Let’s step out for a moment,” Cheng Ke proposed. “We can go over the accounts.”
“Review them again?” Jiang Yuduo seemed surprised.
“The funds in that card,” Cheng Ke elaborated. “Let’s verify the balance.”
“Sure,” Jiang Yuduo stood up and grabbed his coat. “He probably won’t skimp on such an amount; it would affect his reputation.”
“Just curious,” Cheng Ke grinned.
“Someone who discards watches worth hundreds of thousands won’t make a fuss about a mere million, right?” Jiang Yuduo remarked.
“Merely your uncle,” Cheng Ke retorted.
“I’ve never even seen a million in cash,” Jiang Yuduo confessed, “Let me get used to counting ten million first.”
“I’ll transfer it to you,” Cheng Ke said.
“Huh?” Jiang Yuduo looked puzzled.
“Haven’t you seen it before?” Cheng Ke chuckled. “I’ll send it over to you.”
“Alright,” Jiang Yuduo nodded.
Cheng Ke had already anticipated his affirmative response, and Jiang Yuduo’s reaction was indeed quite something. He chuckled, saying, “Then take the card and head to the bank to transfer the funds in a little while.”
Jiang Yuduo gazed at him wordlessly.
“What’s the matter?” Cheng Ke took a couple of steps toward him.
“You’re not concerned about the money,” Jiang Yuduo stated, “or…”
“I’m aware you won’t squander the money thoughtlessly since it’s given to you,” Cheng Ke reassured, patting his cheek gently.
Jiang Yuduo enveloped him in a hug, burying his face into Cheng Ke’s shoulder.
“…Is it that touching?” Cheng Ke rubbed his back tenderly.
“I’m truly moved,” Jiang Yuduo confessed in a muffled voice.
“What’s that supposed to be?” Cheng Ke attempted to gauge his expression, but Jiang Yuduo held him tightly. Cheng Ke continued to rub his back, saying, “Don’t cry; you have to go outside.”
“Crying all day long,” Jiang Yuduo quipped.
“Seriously,” Cheng Ke smiled and playfully patted his rear, “Let’s get going.”
“Stop blindly touching me, I’m warning you,” Jiang Yuduo cautioned.
“But didn’t you mention that you like it when I touch you?” Cheng Ke grinned.
“Not like that,” Jiang Yuduo let go of him, “You’re being a ruffian.”
“Just a playful ruffian,” Cheng Ke playfully smacked his rear again. “So, can you teach me how to act like a ruffian? Demonstrate the posture of a ruffian touching his own butt.”
“Cheng Ke!” Jiang Yuduo turned and pointed at him, “Isn’t your injury convenient for you, huh?”
“This birthday boy is indeed quite something,” Cheng Ke exited the room with a smile.
The card appeared a little outdated, even though it still had a magnetic stripe. Nevertheless, it seemed to have been well-preserved, as it functioned properly when inserted into the ATM.
“Do you still recall the password?” Jiang Yuduo asked softly, leaning against the side.
“I remember,” Cheng Ke replied, “it’s my mother’s birthday.”
“Oh,” Jiang Yuduo responded, his gaze fixed on Cheng Ke’s hand.
As Cheng Ke entered the password, he quipped, “Hey, San-ge, did you know that you stare more at someone entering a password than you do at your phone screen?”
“Then don’t let me watch,” Jiang Yuduo retorted.
With a smile, Cheng Ke completed entering the password and asked, “Do you remember it?”
“Yes,” Jiang Yuduo affirmed.
Cheng Ke tapped on “Balance Inquiry.”
“Ten million, one hundred thousand…” Jiang Yuduo glanced at the screen alongside him and then was taken aback, exclaiming, “Why is there still a fraction?”
The fraction amounted to over five thousand.
Five thousand was the money Cheng Ke had initially deposited, earned from his sand painting performances as appearance fees.
A sense of emptiness settled in Cheng Ke’s heart all of a sudden.
Cheng Yi had likely deposited this money using the card, perhaps for this very purpose. The thoughts that had lain dormant within him for so long were now returned to him in an unexpected manner.
“Did you bring the card?” Cheng Ke inquired, “Let’s go transfer the money.”
“I don’t need it,” Jiang Yuduo hurriedly replied, “I didn’t actually want it, just said it casually.”
Cheng Ke cast a glance at him.
“I’m serious!” Jiang Yuduo grew somewhat flustered, “Why would I need so much money from you? It’s not like I’m broke.”
Cheng Ke chuckled, “You’re such a fool.”
“You’re the clever one, the smartest,” Jiang Yuduo stated.
“Get out of here,” Cheng Ke playfully tapped the screen a few times, then withdrew five thousand yuan, “This is for you.”
“Rent?” Jiang Yuduo inquired.
“No,” Cheng Ke put the card away and handed the money to Jiang Yuduo, “This money…”
“This is the first sum you earned from sand painting, right?” Jiang Yuduo deduced.
“Yes,” Cheng Ke confirmed.
“Wasn’t it meant for your mother?” Jiang Yuduo probed.
“She doesn’t need it, the card has been there all along,” Cheng Ke grinned, “But these five thousand yuan still hold sentimental value for me, so I’m giving them to you.”
“Sure thing.” Jiang Yuduo accepted the money, pondering, “Is it a present?”
“It’s a present,” Cheng Ke replied, “But there’s more to it than that.”
“What else?” Jiang Yuduo tucked the money into his coat pocket and patted it down.
“Perhaps, starting from that day, I officially became worthless,” Cheng Ke smiled.
“You’re not worthless,” Jiang Yuduo’s brow furrowed in earnestness, “You are… you are…”
Cheng Ke looked at him.
“You are…” Jiang Yuduo let out a mock frustrated sigh, “My boyfriend.”
This might have been the answer Jiang Yuduo had been contemplating for a while before he finally came up with it, so he seemed a little enthused. He ended up blurting it out at a volume not quite in check, attracting the attention of several people nearby who glanced over.
Upon noticing the stares, Jiang Yuduo’s expression shifted, and he abandoned his boyfriend momentarily to swivel around, appearing to vanish as if performing a magic trick.
Exiting with a smile, Cheng Ke found Jiang Yuduo looking a tad sheepish outside, and he questioned, “Did they hear that?”
“Yep!” Cheng Ke chortled, They’ve got to hear that I’m your man…”
Jiang Yuduo swiftly covered Cheng Ke’s mouth, then tugged him forward, whispering, “Shut up!”
Cheng Ke found himself quite naive at times. He realized that due to Jiang Yuduo’s words, his good mood lasted until bedtime.
As Jiang Yuduo lay down, Cheng Ke immediately flipped over, adjusting a plaster on his abdomen. “Hey, I’ve got a question for you.”
“What is it?” Jiang Yuduo sat up, holding the plaster.
“What’s up?” Cheng Ke inquired.
“What do you want to ask?” Jiang Yuduo regarded him.
“What’s there to ask?” Cheng Ke shot back.
“You asked first!” Jiang Yuduo’s voice rose, “Ask already!”
“…I wanted to ask if you tied my hands to the table yesterday because you were afraid I’d turn around?” Cheng Ke inquired.
Jiang Yuduo looked baffled, “No, it was your plaster cast that smacked my face.”
“Oh.” Cheng Ke burst into uncontrollable laughter and said, “I’m sorry.”
Jiang Yuduo lay back down, returning his plastered arm to his abdomen.
“Now it’s your turn,” Cheng Ke said, “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Yuduo shut his eyes, “Turn off the lights and let’s sleep, I’m tired.”
Cheng Ke didn’t budge; he just kept staring at him.
Jiang Yuduo sat up after a while, reopening his eyes. “What the hell are you staring at?”
The corners of Cheng Ke’s mouth began to rise uncontrollably.
Jiang Yuduo maintained his gaze.
“Aren’t you,” Cheng Ke burst into laughter again the moment he spoke, “Aren’t you trying to say that you can’t fall asleep?”
Jiang Yuduo didn’t utter a word. After two seconds of staring, he suddenly sprang up and smacked the wall beside the bed to switch off the light.
In the dark, Cheng Ke had a hearty chuckle all by himself, to the point where his face ached.
“Cheng Ke,” Jiang Yuduo’s voice came through, “I never realized before that you’re a total idiot, why the hell are you laughing so much?”
Cheng Ke let out a long sigh, his laughter subsiding, and he rubbed his face, saying, “Hey…”
Jiang Yuduo clicked his tongue in response.
Cheng Ke raised himself onto his elbows, peering down at Jiang Yuduo, and then gradually descended. Illuminated by the incoming sunlight, he noticed Jiang Yuduo’s gaze trailing him, their eyes locking in a deliberate connection.
This kiss felt considerably more composed and lucid than the one shared yesterday. Perhaps the quiet ambiance, the absence of alcohol, and his own emotional equilibrium contributed to its clarity. Each movement, from lips and teeth to the tip of their tongues, seemed etched onto his hyper-aware nerves.
Disengaging from Jiang Yuduo’s lips and easing back onto his pillow, Cheng Ke could hear a soft exhale escape Jiang Yuduo.
“Running out of lung capacity?” Cheng Ke teased.
“I never dared to breathe,” Jiang Yuduo confessed.
“…Why?” Cheng Ke rolled onto his back, crossing his arms over his stomach.
“I was afraid I’d gasp,” Jiang Yuduo rubbed his nose, “You gasped yesterday.”
“My nose gasped? Talked?” Cheng Ke was taken aback.
“Just tell me if your IQ has taken a nosedive!” Jiang Yuduo sighed, “You were panting!”
“…Ah.” Cheng Ke chuckled, “Ridiculous, if I didn’t pant, it would mean I’m overly thrilled and reciting the alphabet.”
Jiang Yuduo remained silent.
“Panting is perfectly normal,” Cheng Ke pondered for a moment, then added.
“I know!” Jiang Yuduo retorted, “I’m not three and a half years old!”
“Then why hesitate to breathe?” Cheng Ke inquired.
“I’m sorry,” Jiang Yuduo said, preemptively adding, “If you dare to laugh, I’ll toss you out to sleep on the couch!”
“Good night,” Cheng Ke replied.
“Good night.” Jiang Yuduo tapped his cast and then his arm.
Perhaps due to the events of the past couple of days, Cheng Ke didn’t sleep soundly. He sensed Jiang Yuduo gently rising from the bed during the night, but he didn’t stir. Groggily opening his eyes, he spotted Jiang Yuduo leaving the bedroom and softly closing the door behind him.
Cheng Ke woke up several times throughout the night, and each time, the space beside him remained vacant. Jiang Yuduo hadn’t returned to the bedroom.
When morning arrived, Cheng Ke lingered on the bed in a daze before finally getting up. He walked to the bedroom door, peering out through the slight gap.
Jiang Yuduo stood by the living room window, gazing outward.
Returning to the bed, Cheng Ke settled down and retrieved his phone.
After selecting Xu Ding’s name, he hesitated for a prolonged moment before sending a message.
– Could you please check the call history for a specific number for me?
Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.
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