Flipping through all the photos and recounting the past, Jiang Heng didn’t know how much time had passed. He only knew that for a brief moment, his eyes felt a bit warm. Compared to the ridiculous truth about Xie An and Jiang Jin’s divorce, those photos attracted Jiang Heng’s attention even more.
Jiang Heng had always been in good health since childhood. Typically, people with differentiation disorders show signs from a young age, such as extremely unstable pheromone levels or poor physical health, which can lead to the rare condition of pheromone deficiency syndrome. Of course, there are very few exceptions where problems arise during or after differentiation.
However, Jiang Heng’s situation was far more serious than Jiang Jin had imagined. He even had a susceptibility period. Normal pheromone deficiency syndrome does not have this kind of complication. But when Xie An first contacted him, Jiang Jin was a bit overwhelmed with joy.
This was the first time Xie An had proactively reached out to him after their divorce, and it was for the sake of their son. Xie An asked him to seek out the Shen family, saying that based on the data from the gene matching database, only Shen Huaizhi could help alleviate their son’s symptoms.
At first, Jiang Jin was actually quite opposed. He didn’t want Jiang Heng, an Omega with a rare illness, to spend time with an unfamiliar Alpha. Although the Shen family was powerful and influential, and being with Shen Huaizhi would not put Jiang Heng at a disadvantage, Jiang Jin had heard about the excellence of the Shen family’s son in their social circle. Shen Huaizhi was indeed an outstanding Alpha. Despite not being an adult, many people were already trying to propose marriage alliances with the Shen family.
Among a group of people, Jiang Heng was quite ordinary. Apart from his strikingly handsome face that didn’t look like an Omega, he really couldn’t compete with others. But this didn’t stop Jiang Jin from worrying that his son might be bullied or even controlled by a strange Alpha.
Due to Jiang Heng’s illness, he was too easily controlled by an Alpha who was a 100% match for him. Jiang Jin even suggested sending Jiang Heng abroad for treatment. However, Xie An refused all such suggestions.
Xie An, an expert in this field, stated that both domestically and internationally, their laboratory was at the forefront of AO research. No one knew better than her that there was no specific medicine for this condition, and once the usage of inhibitors was prolonged, they would lose their effectiveness. Without the calming effect of Shen Huaizhi’s pheromones, Jiang Heng could fall into a long period of painful susceptibility. He had no reaction to other Alphas’ pheromones, meaning that only Shen Huaizhi could be his remedy.
Jiang Jin compromised. He quickly contacted the Shen family and communicated with them for a long time. Fortunately, the Shen family agreed. However, Xie An still had conditions.
He was not allowed to approach Jiang Heng because Jiang Heng hated him. Xie An feared that seeing him would trigger Jiang Heng’s illness. Emotions could also affect the stability of pheromones in the body, just like Jiang Jin’s prolonged susceptibility period after his arguments and divorce with Xie An. The susceptibility period for an Alpha was exceptionally painful; without the calming effect of an Omega, inhibitors were ineffective. Jiang Jin couldn’t even remember how he managed to get through it. He didn’t want his son to experience such pain.
But during this time, Jiang Jin felt something was off. Why would his son, who was determined at birth to differentiate into an Omega, develop pheromone deficiency syndrome? At least during the years before he and Xie An divorced, Jiang Heng’s health checkups had always been perfect, without any abnormalities.
However, Jiang Jin, who didn’t understand medicine, didn’t question Xie An further. He had money. He consulted several renowned professors both domestically and internationally about pheromone deficiency syndrome. The answers he received varied. Some professors said such a condition could exist, although there were no known cases yet. Others said it was very rare and that typical pheromone deficiency syndrome did not have complications like Omega susceptibility. Omega susceptibility was also a rare condition, generally seen in cases where individuals were identified at birth to differentiate into Alpha but grew up to differentiate into Omega. Such cases were uncommon but not unheard of. With advanced medical technology, such conditions could typically be detected through pre-differentiation tests, where pheromones would be extremely unstable. Patients could then choose whether to continue differentiation or use medical interventions to stop it.
Despite the differences, these professors were all very eager to meet this patient and were willing to provide long-term free treatment in exchange for the opportunity to study him.
After all, there are currently very few cases of pheromone deficiency syndrome nationwide, let alone the even rarer condition of Omega susceptibility. Some doctors in hospitals have only heard of these diseases and have no idea how they develop. Moreover, there is only one laboratory in the country that has Omega susceptibility inhibitors, and there are no channels to purchase them on the market.
Naturally, Jiang Jin would not let his son become a research subject for these medical enthusiasts. However, after listening to the professors’ opinions, he spent money and used his connections to retrieve Jiang Heng’s pre-differentiation health reports. By spending money, he could ensure that Xie An remained completely unaware of his actions.
Jiang Heng’s health reports showed no abnormalities; they were even perfect. This made the professors Jiang Jin consulted even more interested in Jiang Heng, to the point of suggesting that the patient be brought into the laboratory for study.
Although, for medical enthusiasts, this is a very normal thought, and they wouldn’t actually do anything to Jiang Heng—just draw some blood and extract a pheromone sample. However, for Jiang Jin, this was disrespectful to his son. He spent a lot of money to hire them, not to discuss how to coax a rare case into becoming a research subject.
But the attitudes of these professors reminded Jiang Jin of a research project Xie An had participated in many years ago. At that time, he and Xie An were not yet married and were in the midst of a passionate romance. Once, Xie An was preparing a data report for her mentor.
Jiang Jin had always refrained from interfering with Xie An’s studies and work, but that time, Xie An seemed unusually conflicted. Jiang Jin had never seen Xie An with such an expression, so he rarely inquired about her studies.
Xie An did not hide anything and told him that her mentor was conducting illegal research. The research aimed to balance and control Alpha and Omega pheromones to experiment with absolute fairness between ABO individuals.
Xie An said it sounded very ordinary and even good, but in reality, it was an experiment to alter the pheromones of both Alphas and Omegas. By using long-term drug interference on the pheromones within Alphas or Omegas, the goal was to make them react differently during differentiation. Alphas or Omegas would lose the ability to sense anyone’s pheromones. They could still mark others or be marked, but the marks would no longer have any effect on them—they wouldn’t develop dependencies or unconditionally obey the other party.
In simple terms, it was about turning Alphas or Omegas into pseudo-“Betas.” Although they would appear normal to others, in reality, they would no longer be normal.
Xie An said that her mentor’s experiment was still in the laboratory phase, but just hearing about it was terrifying. Xie An mentioned that she wanted to report her mentor, but the mentor had guided her for a long time and had provided a lot of help with her research projects. She didn’t know what consequences her mentor would face if she reported them.
At that time, Jiang Jin just listened and hoped Xie An could distance herself from it. He didn’t pay much attention to the matter beyond that. Later, he didn’t know if Xie An had reported it, but not long after, Xie An had a new mentor.
Thinking about this experiment now sent chills down Jiang Jin’s spine. Back then, he didn’t feel much about it, just thought the mentor was being fanciful. He believed that a person’s birth was predetermined and no one had the right to alter someone else’s life. But after so many years, recalling it now only felt horrifying.
Jiang Jin found it hard to believe that Xie An would do such a thing. Xie An was so gentle, and maybe sometimes her gentleness was a form of indifference, but her heart was still kind. Even if she wasn’t kind… Jiang Heng was still her biological son.
She couldn’t have done such a thing.
Despite this, Jiang Jin still harbored doubts. He didn’t share his suspicions with his team of professors but started secretly investigating. Out of respect for Xie An and Jiang Heng, aside from secretly observing Jiang Heng, he hadn’t investigated anything about their lives.
However, when he did investigate, he realized how foolish he had been all those years. Xie An had almost no time to accompany Jiang Heng as he grew up. In those photos where Jiang Heng was smiling so brightly, he had grown up alone. Well, maybe with the company of the household maid.
Every time Xie An told him that Jiang Heng didn’t want to see him, that Jiang Heng hated him, that Jiang Heng disliked him, Jiang Jin mistakenly believed that Xie An was there for Jiang Heng. Although Xie An was already very busy and had little time for their son before they divorced, every time he contacted Xie An afterward, she seemed very available. This led him to mistakenly think that Xie An had put her work aside for their son. At one point, he even envied their son for having such special treatment.
Only now did he realize how wrong he had been. His time was limited after all. Over the years, he had gradually taken over the family business his parents left behind, and his work became increasingly busy. Moreover, he had a new family and new children. Additionally, out of fear of being discovered, he only dared to take a quick glance at Jiang Heng, snap a photo, and then leave, using these brief moments to console himself.
Those photos were just fragments of Jiang Heng’s life, not even deserving to be called fragments.
“Does your new wife know you do these things?” Jiang Jin was lost in thought when Jiang Heng’s sudden voice interrupted him.
Jiang Heng’s emotions had calmed down. He tightened his jaw and looked straight at Jiang Jin, who was sitting opposite him, his nose slightly red as if moved by his own feelings.
Jiang Jin didn’t expect this question and took a few seconds to react before nodding affirmatively. “She knows.”
Not only did she know, but sometimes she would even give Jiang Jin advice. There were a few times when she urged Jiang Jin to meet Jiang Heng directly, saying that if he never saw him, Jiang Heng would never feel his love. Just saying it, taking photos, or writing it down was pointless. A child’s growth needs companionship, not distant observation. But at that time, Jiang Jin was really afraid—afraid that his son would have nightmares after seeing him and hate him even more.
Even bringing the photos today was her idea. The photos were evidence, proof that Jiang Jin had been paying attention to Jiang Heng all these years. With evidence, the fact that Jiang Jin hadn’t cheated would be more convincing to Jiang Heng.
Compared to a couple, Jiang Jin and his current wife were more like family, confidants, and friends. It was a very perfect business marriage, much better than most other business marriages.
Hearing this, Jiang Heng lifted his eyelids, a small smile playing on his lips, but the original sense of detachment remained unchanged. Jiang Heng just found it a bit amusing. Jiang Jin, clearly an Alpha, lived his life more like an Omega. He was indeed very gentle, whether talking to him now or interacting with Xie An long ago. But this gentleness made him seem foolish.
This involuntarily reminded Jiang Heng of Shen Huaizhi. Shen Huaizhi’s gentleness was exclusively for him and carried the unique possessiveness of an Alpha. Such gentleness gave him enough sense of security.
Jiang Heng truly didn’t understand how people with personalities like Jiang Jin and Xie An could produce someone like him. Could it be that his Omega traits were inherited from Jiang Jin’s lifestyle and personality? That was ridiculously absurd.
Jiang Heng thought for a moment and said slowly, “That’s good.”
“I almost thought you were frequently contacting your ex behind your current partner’s back.”
He said this with the intention of mocking. However, Jiang Jin didn’t seem to catch the sarcasm. Instead, Jiang Heng saw a slight unusual glimmer in his eyes.
Jiang Heng: “…”
Jiang Jin was a bit excited, “Xingxing (star) , do you believe me now?”
“I haven’t cheated. All these years, I have always…”
“I know.” Jiang Heng interrupted his explanation, “I believe you.”
Jiang Heng actually understood why Jiang Jin was so outspoken during arguments. Arguing with Xie An was truly exhausting. It’s just that Jiang Jin probably never realized how much impact that single statement had on him at the time, and how much it changed his own life.
However, over the years, even when Jiang Heng ranted about Jiang Jin in front of Xie An, Xie An never denied Jiang Jin’s infidelity. Did Xie An, from start to finish, believe that what Jiang Jin said was true?
Jiang Heng didn’t know. He just felt that he was increasingly unable to understand his own mother.
It was as if, for all these years, the mother he had known and who was his flesh and blood had always worn another face.
Xie An had never told him that Jiang Jin wanted to see him. Instead, she only hinted at it through snippets of conversation, mentioning how she had been in contact with Jiang Jin again, what Jiang Jin had done for her, and what she had asked Jiang Jin to do.
Although this is a rare occurrence, every time Xie An reveals it, it’s undoubtedly this kind of information. She has never shown any signs of preventing Jiang Jin from seeing her appearance; instead, she wants Jiang Jin to see her, including coming near the city… What Xie An said to him was for Jiang Jin to take good care of himself.
Thinking about this, Jiang Heng felt like two hands were squeezing his heart. It hurt. It hurt so much that he could hardly catch his breath. Is everything deceiving him… Jiang Heng dared not think about it anymore. He slowly lowered his head, hiding the endless disappointment and fear in his eyes.
“Th-then, can you forgive me?” Jiang Jin’s voice came out nervously, not at all fitting his age or status. Jiang Heng hesitated for a while.
Forgive? Jiang Heng remained silent for a moment, neither nodding nor shaking his head. He reached out and grasped his own clothes again, but in his mind, he thought how much better it would be if Shen Huaizhi were by his side now. He wouldn’t have to be so strong, wouldn’t have to straighten his back, and could face it all with a smile. But this was his own affair. He had to face it. Just like many years ago, he faced it alone.
“I need to think it over.” Jiang Heng smiled at Jiang Jin. Due to his appearance, his smile wasn’t very gentle. Compared to the gentleness in Jiang Jin’s appearance, not many people would think they were father and son. But in reality, their eyes looked quite similar; it was just their emotions and personalities that made them appear completely different.
Even with this response, it was enough to make Jiang Jin happy.
He smiled, “Okay, Dad will wait for you.”
Jiang Heng’s fingers under the table curled slightly, not denying this title.
Jiang Jin forced a smile, “Can you tell me why you want me to go to the hospital?”
He lowered his eyes, looking particularly pitiful for a moment. “I found some experimental data from my mom; is it related to this?”
Jiang Heng didn’t want to hide anything. Only if he spoke about what he found would Jiang Jin possibly tell him something. After all, judging from Jiang Jin’s attitude, he wanted to protect his son well. It would be best if his son knew nothing and handled everything on his own.
Jiang Heng even felt that he wasn’t usually as smart as he was now. Ah, if his brain could work this quickly during studies, would he still be fifth from the bottom in the final exams countdown?
Could it be that this thing, too, was inherited from Jiang Jin? In some aspects, to the extreme? His intelligence fell short in other areas?
Why did these two only inherit the bad traits?
As expected, as soon as he said this, Jiang Jin’s initially smiling expression froze for a moment. He seemed surprised, his eyes darting around, avoiding Jiang Heng’s face.
After a while, perhaps feeling that silence wasn’t appropriate, he nodded slowly, somewhat heavily. When he looked at Jiang Heng again, Jiang Heng noticed that Jiang Jin’s eyes were reddened.
“Yes,” his voice was much lower than before, making Jiang Heng feel for a moment that he had aged.
It was in that moment that Jiang Heng felt the hand that had gripped his heart tighten again.
Forgive him? Look, he’s crying now.
But what’s the use?
Before Jiang Heng could respond to this emotional turn, Jiang Jin hurriedly continued, “Xingxing (star), promise Dad to let me handle this matter, okay? Just focus on going to school quietly and living your own life.”
That would be enough.
The rest should be left to the adults to handle.
As for Jiang Heng’s health issues, now that Shen Huaizhi was by his side, there wouldn’t be any major problems. As long as Xie An didn’t interfere with Jiang Heng during this time.
Thinking of this, Jiang Jin’s eyes grew even redder, and his nose started to sting.
He had never imagined that the person he had loved for so many years would treat his own biological son like this. The information he found was just a little, but even that little was enough to completely shatter his perception of Xie An.
He wanted to get close to Jiang Heng, wanted to meet with him, just to rebuild Jiang Heng’s trust in him a little, to reduce Jiang Heng’s contact with Xie An. His insistence on Jiang Heng getting a medical check-up was also because he feared what Xie An might do to Jiang Heng during the Lunar New Year.
Because of this, during the Lunar New Year, he felt so desperate that he sought Ruan Shu’s help.
But things didn’t unfold as he had hoped.
At these words, Jiang Heng lifted his eyelids, and the smile at the corner of his mouth widened. Jiang Heng shook his head slowly. “No good.”
He hesitated. “If you truly love me, you should tell me.”
“I have the right to know, don’t I?” He lifted his eyelids, staring directly at Jiang Jin, calm in a way that didn’t resemble the boy who used to mock others for a word, hold grudges for a word, or pick fights over a word.
There are always things that force a person to grow up.
“Otherwise, what’s the difference between keeping it from me and keeping it from my mom?” His words became increasingly forceful, yet the smile on his face didn’t fade; instead, it seemed to carry a hint of threat.
Jiang Jin was stunned by his words for a long time. He only now realized that he truly didn’t understand his son at all.
His current partner was right. After all these years, he hadn’t been there to witness his growth. How could he know what kind of person his son was? How could he know whether his son needed the truth or blissful ignorance? Or did he believe that being good to him meant keeping him in the dark?
Indeed, what’s the difference?
All those things Xie An did…
“It’s all my fault…”
After much turmoil, Jiang Jin managed to establish contact between someone and Xie An’s lab personnel. Since all the lab experiments were confidential, it was difficult to get any information once the person left the lab. However, after Jiang Jin and that person went for drinks once, the person revealed something: Xie An and her assistant talked about almost everything. If not for their age difference, people might have mistaken them for a couple.
Before their divorce, Xie An didn’t have an assistant like this.
So, Jiang Jin shifted his investigation from Xie An to the assistant.
As a result, this assistant turned out to be the daughter of the supervisor Xie An had threatened to report years ago. He entered the lab solely through Xie An’s recommendation. At the time, the assistant was only eighteen, the same year Jiang Jin and Xie An divorced.
If all of this was coincidence, then the coincidences in this world were truly remarkable.
But none of this proved anything.
Jiang Jin also discovered that the doctor at the hospital where Jiang Heng had been going since childhood graduated from the same school as Xie An’s assistant. Privately, this doctor had contact with Xie An’s assistant. The doctor had once been a student under the same supervisor as Xie An, but Jiang Jin wasn’t sure if the doctor had been involved in the experiments back then.
On the surface, their interpersonal relationships seemed normal. However, during one phone call, the assistant mentioned to the doctor about progress in the experiments and that they had temporarily marked something, indicating that their experiments could resume soon. This phone call significantly advanced Jiang Jin’s investigation.
He finally traced it back to the hospital and the lab. He had never suspected before that the hospital could have any issues, but the reality of his investigation was terrifying.
The hospital and the lab belonged to the same organization. Initially, this organization had accepted Xie An’s report against that supervisor. Although the supervisor had been imprisoned for illegal research, Jiang Jin discovered that shortly after his divorce from Xie An, Xie An had visited the supervisor. Moreover, every year since then, she had almost always visited the supervisor.
Even though Jiang Jin may seem naive in daily life, in reality, his intelligence is quite high; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to effectively manage such a large family estate. He almost instantly understood that Xie An was indeed conducting experiments. Despite this realization, Jiang Jin still couldn’t believe it. Why would she conduct experiments, and why on her own son?
“My rights… only allow me to investigate this far.” Jiang Jin held his head in pain, unable to imagine that in the first year after his divorce from Xie An, she had reconnected with her mentor. Could it be that she started experimenting on Jiang Heng from that very first year?
“But I will continue to investigate further. Any wrongdoing will eventually come to light. Xie An has been conducting illegal experiments for so many years; there must be evidence left behind. And that evidence is likely kept in the most dangerous yet safest place for her — her laboratory. In the laboratory, no one touches another’s research data unless consent is given or they’ve given up on their own future.”
Pausing for a moment, Jiang Jin continued, “This will lead to serious consequences. If this matter is exposed, Jiang Heng, as the subject of these experiments, could be treated like a research object, possibly taken away by those medical fanatics. That’s why I didn’t want Jiang Heng to know.”
With the hospitals near the city conducting the examinations, where Jiang’s family had influence, Jiang Jin could always cover Jiang Heng’s tracks, no matter where he went.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng had almost grasped the truth. Xie An had indeed been experimenting on him all these years. So, was her love for him genuine after all?
Jiang Heng didn’t know.
He had originally thought that his life would continue smoothly, but now he realized how difficult it truly was. Even the most ordinary family affection seemed elusive to him.
“Xingxing (star), I just hope you can take care of yourself. When necessary, let Shen Huaizhi protect you,” Jiang Jin said, his voice choking with emotion.
If not for his negligence, why would Jiang Heng have to experience all this? He was only seventeen, had recently turned Omega, and should have been enjoying the happiest and most beautiful years of his life.
Jiang Heng gripped his clothes tightly, his knuckles turning white. This time, he remained silent. He simply sat quietly, staring at the table.
As the two continued their conversation, the waiter had not served the food yet, and the pile of photos still lay in front of him.
After a long silence, Jiang Heng brought the box in front of Jiang Jin, carefully placing each photo in chronological order inside.
Jiang Jin watched his actions, feeling a pang in his heart. In some ways, his son was quite like him, especially in being soft-hearted. Even without words, Jiang Jin felt that Jiang Heng’s gesture was a sign of forgiveness.
These photos were originally meant for Jiang Heng, packed by him, indeed…
“Here, take them back,” Jiang Heng interrupted Jiang Jin’s tearful thoughts, abruptly closing the box and pushing it back towards him.
Jiang Jin: …?
Jiang Heng raised his eyelids, subdued his smile, and spoke calmly, “I don’t need these.”
“Goodbye.”
With that said, he stood up without any sentimentality. It was only when he stood up that Jiang Heng realized how weak his legs were. He accidentally knocked against his chair, fortunately not too severely, but the pain sobered him up a bit.
Jiang Jin opened his mouth, wanting to say, “These are for you,” but he hesitated and couldn’t bring himself to speak.
“Then I’ll take you back,” he finally offered.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng finally turned back to look at him, shaking his head slowly as if not particularly concerned about Jiang Jin’s earlier words. It seemed as though he was just seeking the truth, and now that he knew it, he didn’t feel much.
“No need, Shen Huaizhi is waiting for me.”
It was a lie. He hadn’t made Shen Huaizhi wait outside. He had only informed Shen Huaizhi that he was meeting Jiang Jin and would tell him when he returned.
Although now, he truly wanted to see Shen Huaizhi.
Hearing him say this, Jiang Jin sighed. Tears slowly fell from his eyes and trickled down his cheeks. Once his son had an Alpha, he probably wouldn’t need his old father anymore.
Just as Jiang Heng had thought, Jiang Jin didn’t insist any further.
That was just who he was.
On the third day of the lunar new year, the weather wasn’t particularly good.
When Jiang Jin stepped out of the restaurant, he still felt a bit uneasy. The restaurant was brightly lit, making his eyes sore, but outside, there was no sun, only cloudy weather with a chilly wind.
Jiang Heng wrapped his coat tightly around himself, burying his face in it, his nose turning red from the cold. He hadn’t even worn a down jacket just to come out and meet Jiang Jin.
Damn it, it’s so cold. His nose and eyes are stinging from the cold.
He sniffed and fought back the urge to cry.
No crying.
Superman can’t cry.
He’s Superman, his own hero.
He mustn’t cry.
On the third day of the lunar new year, the streets were getting busier. Many shops had opened their doors again after being quiet for the past couple of days due to the Lunar New Year. Some shops even had couplets and lanterns hanging, bringing a festive atmosphere to the streets.
But he stood alone at the restaurant door, dressed all in black.
After standing there for a while, Jiang Heng reached for his phone, preparing to message Shen Huaizhi.
Before he could finish typing, his shoulder was suddenly touched, and then a warm down jacket was draped over him.
The down jacket still carried the warmth of a person and the most familiar scent to Jiang Heng.
It was also the most comforting scent to him.
“Are you okay now?” Shen Huaizhi had come over at some point, his hair slightly tousled by the wind, and the sleeves of his coat a bit wrinkled, as if just freed from a down jacket.
In his hand was a cup of warm milk tea, which he handed to Jiang Heng after asking the question.
“Warm up your hands.” Shen Huaizhi smiled, a hint of regret in his expression.
Due to his constitution, except under special circumstances, his hands were generally cold and couldn’t warm Jiang Heng’s hands.
Jiang Heng, who had managed to hold back his emotions just moments ago, suddenly found it difficult to do so.
But they were still out in the open.
He gritted his teeth and nodded. “Where’s the car?”
Seeing him so urgent, with his nose turning red from the cold, Shen Huaizhi began to regret why he had to go buy milk tea, or why he kept going back to buy one every once in a while.
The staff at that milk tea shop were starting to look at him strangely.
Shen Huaizhi reached out, intending to touch Jiang Heng’s cheek, hesitated halfway, and then turned to help Jiang Heng pull the hood of the down jacket over his head, so that Jiang Heng could bury himself completely in it.
“We’re nearby. Let’s go back,” he said.
He didn’t ask how Jiang Heng’s talk had gone.
These things weren’t the most important to him right now.
The car wasn’t parked far away. When they arrived, the driver was on his third cup of milk tea for the day. He even had the urge to go to the restroom again, and he regretted a bit why he didn’t just let the young master throw away the milk tea earlier—it was such a waste. He should have just let him drink it…
If he had known there would be so many cups, he would have definitely kept quiet.
Along the way, Jiang Heng quietly held the still warm cup of milk tea in his hands, obediently warming them up, behaving in a way that was quite unlike his usual self.
Shen Huaizhi didn’t dare to hold his hand, afraid of making him feel cold.
When they reached the car, Jiang Heng, who had been silent all along, lifted his eyelids and his gaze first fell on the driver’s hand, which held a milk tea identical to his own.
Driver: …
The driver quickly tried to explain himself.
Jiang Heng’s gaze was calm and deep. “Could you please let the driver uncle go down for a while?”
Although his tone was much colder than usual when speaking, the driver still sensed a hint of personal threat. Especially with Jiang Heng’s red nose and his entire head tucked under the hat of his thick down jacket, which might look harmless on someone else, but on him it really did look threatening.
Before Shen Huaizhi could respond, the driver hurriedly got out from the driver’s seat. “I’m going to the restroom!”
Once the driver left, Jiang Heng followed Shen Huaizhi into the car.
Shen Huaizhi sighed helplessly. “The milk tea was because of me…”
He was about to explain, but the next moment, Jiang Heng, wrapped in his thick down jacket, threw himself into Shen Huaizhi’s arms.
Jiang Heng’s sudden action stunned Shen Huaizhi for a moment. Before he could react, he realized something was wrong.
There was something warm rolling down Jiang Heng’s chin against his jaw, flowing down his neck.
Author’s note: Driver: Be a human being
1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you and Enjoy reading! ❤️”
