Tan Janglin’s demeanor was as if he had “I have a problem” written all over his face.
Of course, Mu Nianwen wouldn’t believe what he said.
But one thing is clear: Tan Janglin undoubtedly knew that it wasn’t appropriate to send such things given their relationship at the time.
So, did he regret doing it afterward, or did it accidentally end up there?
A person’s cognition doesn’t change so quickly, and Tan Janglin had always been cautious in his dealings with people. Therefore, logically speaking, the latter possibility was more likely.
Mu Nianwen sat up straight, leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms, and crossed his legs, his face impassive as he looked at him.
This obvious attitude of scrutiny had a powerful deterrent effect on Tan Janglin.
He looked tense, his Adam’s apple rolling unnaturally, and his fingers on the table intertwined.
Just as Mu Nianwen was thinking about what to say to make this Alpha give up resistance and confess, he saw Tan Janglin take a deep breath, then raise his hand to touch his face, and then visibly relax.
“Sorry, I actually knew,” Tan Janglin said, unable to look at him, “It was too embarrassing, so I wanted to pass it off.”
He confessed so easily? Mu Nianwen was genuinely surprised.
He lasted no more than ten seconds!
Mu Nianwen couldn’t help but wonder if he looked too intimidating.
Seeing him frown in silence, Tan Janglin continued, “But it wasn’t intentional, I only found out recently that this thing was mixed in with the gifts I sent you.”
Seemingly to relieve the tension, he picked up the smoothie he had just bought and took a big sip. The icy liquid immediately made him shiver, and his eyebrows furrowed.
Mu Nianwen wanted to laugh a little, but he was worried it might seem inappropriate given the serious atmosphere, so he tried to suppress it.
The effect seemed a bit strange.
When Tan Janglin cautiously observed his expression, he became even more nervous.
“It’s true, I wouldn’t deliberately do something so abrupt,” he explained, “For me at that time, just seeing you was enough to make me happy, I didn’t dare to have more expectations.” He paused for a moment and then continued, “…Of course, I did consider pursuing you, after all, I really, really…”
“What?” Mu Nianwen asked.
“Like you,” Tan Janglin said.
Mu Nianwen’s lips moved, but he didn’t speak. He put down his leg, scooped up a spoonful of the slightly melted ice cream, and put it in his mouth.
“For me, this is something that needs to be treated with caution,” Tan Janglin said, “I wouldn’t do something so obviously abrupt that would make you feel uncomfortable, or intentionally damage the image I have in your mind.”
The ice cream was sweeter than expected, and Mu Nianwen couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
“It’s true,” Tan Janglin seemed to misunderstand, his tone becoming more urgent, “I asked my assistant to wrap up everything on the table and send it over, but I neglected to notice that the condom was also on the table.”
On the table? Why would that kind of thing be on the table?
This sounded very strange no matter how you listened to it!
Mu Nianwen was about to speak, but Tan Janglin noticed his change in expression in time and continued, “It’s a product from my friend’s company. I designed the outer packaging, so they gave me a sample before the official launch. I… have a bad habit, I just put it on the table casually.”
So that’s it, there was such a twist in the middle.
Mu Nianwen didn’t even have a chance to ask, he only said two words throughout the whole process, and Tan Janglin had already confessed everything clearly.
The truth was not at all difficult to accept, why did he pretend to be ignorant at the beginning? And he didn’t pretend well, he seemed really dumb.
“So, did you only realize after seeing it on the livestream that it had been sent to me?”
Mu Nianwen asked.
Tan Janglin shook his head, “No.”
“Huh?” Mu Nianwen looked puzzled.
But Tan Janglin seemed to suddenly realize something, quickly changed his tune, and loudly said, “Yes!”
“…”
“…”
Mu Nianwen narrowed his eyes again.
Tan Janglin fell back into the same anxious and awkward state as before.
Wouldn’t it be better to be honest instead of lying? Mu Nianwen thought helplessly. I feel like I’m getting embarrassed just by looking at him.
But if it wasn’t discovered during the livestream, how did Tan Janglin know about the condom?
The seemingly reasonable explanation just now suddenly became suspicious.
“Really? Can you swear that you aren’t lying to me?” Mu Nianwen asked him.
“Uh…” Tan Janglin hesitated noticeably.
“Raise your hand and swear,” Mu Nianwen said, “Just say, if there was a single lie in what you just said, then… we’re completely done.”
Tan Janglin pursed his lips tightly.
It’s so obvious, too obvious. And it’s this obviousness that made Mu Nianwen realize something.
If the explanation just now was false, Tan Janglin wouldn’t have been so natural and sincere in his expression. This person clearly didn’t have the talent for lying, at least not in front of him.
“I’m sorry,” Tan Janglin apologized again, “I didn’t know during the livestream, but… it’s not convenient to say the specifics.” He then quickly raised his hand, “I swear everything I’m saying now is true. If there’s a single lie, we’re completely done.”
This felt really strange. Mu Nianwen wondered, ironically, it was because Tan Janglin lied twice just now that he now seemed particularly trustworthy.
After all, this Alpha was full of flaws once he tried to hide something.
“What if I insist on you saying it?” Mu Nianwen asked.
Tan Janglin looked extremely embarrassed, and after a long silence, he suddenly said, “I have evidence that proves it was indeed a sample.”
Mu Nianwen thought to himself, I never doubted this.
“When we last met, this product hadn’t officially launched yet, and it wasn’t available on the market,” Tan Janglin said, “Also, I have the original design drafts. I left it casually because… I don’t usually need this thing, and it’s not good to just throw it away…”
“So you put it together with the things you were going to give me?” Mu Nianwen said, “Do you subconsciously think there might be some connection between them?”
“…”
Mu Nianwen clicked his tongue deliberately twice, “Really suspicious.”
After saying that, he admired Tan Janglin’s slightly blushing cheeks due to embarrassment.
“I only told two people about the condom in the gift, one of whom you don’t know, and the other is Xiao Xiao,” Mu Nianwen held up two fingers, “I didn’t tell Xiao Xiao exactly what it was, but it’s reasonable for you to make the connection after hearing about it.”
While analyzing, he carefully observed Tan Janglin’s expression, and then easily determined that his guess was absolutely correct.
“Xiao Xiao has a big mouth, and she has a good impression of you,” Mu Nianwen said, “Did she tell you?”
Tan Janglin sighed, “I promised her I wouldn’t let you know.”
If Tan Janglin were really a hypocrite, and Xiao Xiao had spread the message like this, Mu Nianwen would definitely be unhappy. But now, judging from the result, it’s thanks to her loose lips that his relationship with Tan Janglin didn’t get ruined over this little misunderstanding.
So, there was no point in dwelling on it.
“You didn’t say it, it was my guess, and I won’t bring it up with her,” Mu Nianwen suddenly laughed as he spoke, “I’m just afraid you won’t be able to keep it to yourself. You don’t seem to have a talent for this.”
Tan Janglin picked up the smoothie, drinking awkwardly.
Mu Nianwen was about to tease him again, but two girls approached their table, seeming to want to strike up a conversation.
Mu Nianwen looked up at the girl closer to him, but she showed obvious delight upon recognizing his face.
“Xiao Wen?” she tentatively called out, “You’re Xiao Wen, right?”
What a day today, there are always unexpected encounters.
These two people looked completely unfamiliar, and they didn’t use his full name to address him, so they shouldn’t be acquaintances.
“Yes,” Mu Nianwen immediately replied, adjusting himself.
“I’m the one,” he said with a friendly smile.
The two girls exchanged glances, their faces filled with excitement.
“We often watch your live streams and really like you!” one of them said, “We’re your fans!”
Mu Nianwen had some fame online, but being recognized in real life was rare. Excluding events where he was expected to be recognized, the number of times he’d been approached in public over the years didn’t exceed ten. It still felt quite fresh.
“Thank you,” he offered, “Would you like to take a photo together?”
“Can we? Of course!” the girls exclaimed excitedly, grabbing their phones.
They took turns taking photos with him and then wanted to take a group photo. Selfies were inconvenient, so they looked to the fourth person at their table.
The usually silent Tan Janglin naturally took the phone and carefully chose an angle to photograph them.
The resulting photos received strong praise from the girls.
“Your friend is so talented at taking photos!” one of the girls praised Tan Janglin, her eyes showing obvious curiosity.
Tan Janglin looked refined, but it was also clear he was an Alpha.
The online streamer Xiao Wen and a remarkably handsome Alpha appeared together at a dessert shop on a weekend afternoon, which naturally led to wild speculations.
“He’s a great designer, so of course his sense of aesthetics is impeccable,” Mu Nianwen said, then turned to Tan Janglin and asked, “You’re a designer, right?”
Tan Janglin nodded.
“I have a somewhat bold question,” one of the girls bent down, getting closer and asked quietly, “Is he your boyfriend?”
It seemed they were truly loyal viewers, to have guessed that.
Tan Janglin probably didn’t hear clearly, still maintaining a polite smile on his face. He had completely shed his previous embarrassment and regained his usual courteous and proper demeanor, looking elegant once more.
Mu Nianwen was quite sure he saw stars in the girls’ eyes.
“… what do you think?” Mu Nianwen asked with a teasing smile to Tan Janglin.
The girl looked understanding, nodded as she stood up, and said, “It must be, then!” Then, she glanced at Tan Janglin and muttered, “He’s so handsome!”
Tan Janglin still didn’t hear clearly and asked, “What?”
“We’re just curious, we don’t know what your relationship with Xiao Wen is?” the other girl hastily replied.
Tan Janglin thought for a moment and replied, “Friends.”
Before the girl could respond, Mu Nianwen jumped in and asked eagerly, “Just friends?”
Tan Janglin hesitated for a moment, and the two girls were quicker to react than he was, letting out surprised sounds.
“Also… a suitor who’s trying his best,” Tan Janglin added after some thought.
He’s really too cautious. With such a personality, he couldn’t possibly have sneaked something like that into a gift.
“Go for it, mate,” the girls cheered him on, fists clenched in support. “We’re rooting for you!”
“How did you know…” Tan Janglin was surprised.
“Do we look good together?” Mu Nianwen asked.
Both girls nodded in agreement.
Mu Nianwen made an OK gesture, satisfied. “Thank you.”
Tan Janglin kept silent.
After the two girls left, Mu Nianwen laughed, “Anyone who didn’t know would think you’re a really cool Alpha.”
“Aren’t you angry anymore?” Tan Janglin asked.
“Huh?”
“About what just happened,” Tan Janglin said, “We only got halfway through our conversation.”
“No, it’s just…” Mu Nianwen chuckled, “Considering how unfavorable the topic was for you, it’s been a bit dragged on.”
“Why do you keep circling back to that?”
“Avoiding the issue won’t make it disappear,” Tan Janglin smiled. “I was just thinking, if I had been brave enough to confess at the first sign of trouble, things would have been much simpler.”
“Then why didn’t you say it at the time? Am I that scary?” Mu Nianwen asked.
“I don’t know, it’s not really my style,” Tan Janglin said. “Maybe I was just too concerned. I’m not very smart when it comes to these things.”
“You’re really good at saving face,” Mu Nianwen said. “And ‘not very smart.”
“… “
“But you’re nothing like that pig-headed guy,” Mu Nianwen said. “He’s good at pretending, lying without batting an eyelid.” He smiled at Tan Janglin. “But, you live and you learn. I now realize… there’s some advantage in not being so smart.”
“So… am I off the hook?” Tan Janglin asked.
Strictly speaking, Tan Janglin’s performance was far from perfect, and even exposed some comical shortcomings.
But as Mu Nianwen carefully pondered his feelings at that moment, he realized there was no resentment in his heart, all emotions were positive and constructive.
The Alpha he wanted didn’t need to be perfect, and everything about Tan Janglin was just right, all of it genuinely made him happy.
Mu Nianwen reached into his pocket with one hand and gestured with the other to hook fingers with Tan Janglin.
“I also have something to give you,” he said.
Tan Janglin leaned closer. “Hmm?”
Mu Nianwen took something out of his pocket, held it in his hand, gestured for Tan Janglin to reach out, then placed the warm object, warmed by his body heat, into Tan Janglin’s palm.
A condom.
