Tan Janglin was visibly stunned for a moment, then quickly withdrew his hand and tucked it into his pocket.
“The packaging is indeed special,” Mu Nianwen said, “Very artistic!”
Tan Janglin’s face turned slightly red as he lowered his head. “Thank you.”
“This pendant is quite beautiful too,” Mu Nianwen took out the pendant again, “You have a wide range of skills!”
“I don’t usually do graphic design, it’s not my strong suit,” Tan Janglin said, “I just did it as a favor for a friend.”
Mu Nianwen held the pendant in his hand, admiring it repeatedly, and asked, “Do you hope I’ll wear it?”
“If you like,” Tan Janglin said.
Mu Nianwen looked at him. “But it’s not very convenient for me to do it myself.”
This time, Tan Janglin finally caught on. He immediately stood up at the words, took the pendant back, and walked behind Mu Nianwen.
Mu Nianwen lowered his head. The chain slid over his neck, feeling a bit cool, but not bad, reminding him of Tan Janglin’s slightly cool hand that he had just held.
Tan Janglin’s movements were very nimble. After a while, he let go and said softly, “All done.”
Mu Nianwen was about to ask if it suited him, but then heard him say, “Your ice cream has melted.”
“It’s a bit too sweet, too cloying,” Mu Nianwen said, “I don’t like it.”
“Want to try another place?” Tan Janglin suggested.
“I’m too lazy to move, let’s sit for a while longer,” Mu Nianwen said.
Tan Janglin sat back in his seat, staring at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled, “This necklace is from next quarter’s new collection, called ‘Autumn Cinderella.'”
“Why is it called that?” Mu Nianwen asked curiously, “Because it’s half simple, half magnificent in style?”
“I don’t know either,” Tan Janglin said, “I named it ‘My Heart’s Desire.'”
“… “
“The people in the product department thought it wasn’t outstanding enough, and targeting too specifically would limit the buying scenario, so it wasn’t appropriate,” Tan Janglin said.
“Why change it then? Don’t you have your own convictions?” Mu Nianwen said, “I thought big-name designers like you were pretty stubborn.”
Tan Janglin smiled, “I thought about it and realized it was indeed too specific, because it’s only suitable for my heart’s desire.”
Mu Nianwen thought, why did he suddenly become so slick?
But Tan Janglin’s demeanor seemed very serious, “Although it’s a publicly available product, this bit of selfishness isn’t suitable for sharing, nor do I want to share it,” he said, not waiting for Mu Nianwen to respond, then glanced at the melting mess in front of Mu Nianwen asking, “Can I have a taste?”
Mu Nianwen pushed the cup slightly, indicating he could help himself.
Tan Janglin took a new spoon and scooped a bit into his mouth, sighing, “It’s really sweet.” After speaking, he picked up his own ice cream and took a sip.
Mu Nianwen reached out, “I want some too.”
Tan Janglin hesitated for half a second, then got up and said, “I’ll go—”
“No need,” Mu Nianwen gestured, “I want this one.”
Tan Janglin handed the cup over, and Mu Nianwen opened the lid and took a sip from the rim of the cup, “This is quite refreshing.” He put down the cup, “What’s with that expression? Do you think I’m going to use your straw?”
Tan Janglin was obviously caught off guard, smiled awkwardly, and said, “I’m not sure if this is a test you gave me or if you just enjoy seeing me embarrassed.”
“Can’t it be… because I’m flirting with you?” Mu Nianwen said.
“…”
Seeing Tan Janglin’s dazed and adorable appearance, Mu Nianwen felt a sense of satisfaction. He beckoned to Tan Janglin again with his finger, “Come closer.”
Tan Janglin nervously complied.
“Not enough,” Mu Nianwen said as he leaned over, “Come a bit closer.”
Tan Janglin swallowed, and leaned forward again.
The round table in the dessert shop was very small, only enough for two people, so they could easily get very close to each other.
When they were less than a palm’s distance away, Mu Nianwen smiled at Tan Janglin, then closed his eyes and kissed his lips again.
They had just eaten ice cream, so their lips were still cool.
Mu Nianwen soon separated from him, but didn’t move away, opened his eyes and asked, “Is it sweet?”
Tan Janglin nodded.
“Then why do I always have to take the initiative?” Mu Nianwen asked.
Tan Janglin blinked in confusion, “You said I can’t just touch you.”
Mu Nianwen was unreasonable, “Just because I said so, you have to listen?”
“Yeah,” Tan Janglin said.
Mu Nianwen laughed. They were too close, and they could feel each other’s breath clearly on their skin. Tan Janglin seemed a bit itchy, squinting slightly.
“Then I’ll say it’s okay now….,” he told Tan Janglin.
Before the words had even fallen, his lips were once again met with the sweet touch, and he didn’t even have time to close his eyes. Tan Janglin, who had always been reserved, finally stopped being so aloof and showed his dominant side to him.
It didn’t feel bad either.
When they finally separated, Tan Janglin asked the same question for the second time today, “What are we now?”
“I’m not that kind of person,” Mu Nianwen said, “I only kiss my boyfriend.”
When Tan Janglin kissed him again, Mu Nianwen secretly thought that maybe bringing the accidental gift with him before going out was the right choice.
But after dinner, Tan Janglin actually escorted him all the way back home.
The restaurant for dinner was chosen very successfully. Mu Nianwen was very satisfied with the creative dishes, although there were a few he couldn’t get used to, but they didn’t overshadow the overall experience.
However, compared to the exquisite dishes, what he was most concerned about at the moment was his newly appointed boyfriend.
The same goes for Tan Janglin.
Whenever their eyes met, they would both smile, and their left hands under the table were almost always intertwined in strange positions.
Clearly, he was the biggest boss in his life during this time, but looking at the delicate face in front of him, Mu Nianwen had the illusion that he was raising a little white face.
He was lost in thought, wondering if he and Tan Janglin had met in a different way, would they get together?
He felt they would. At first sight of this man, he would definitely be attracted, subconsciously wanting to get closer, and then being touched by Tan Janglin’s slightly quirky tenderness, gradually falling for him.
When he expressed these feelings to Tan Janglin on their way back, Tan Janglin seemed very happy.
“I’ve always been afraid you’d find me boring,” he told Mu Nianwen. “I’m quite dull.”
“Being quiet isn’t bad at all. Otherwise, if you were chatty like me, competing to talk,” Mu Nianwen said, “Would you like to listen to me?”
“I used to pay to listen specially,” Tan Janglin said.
“You can listen for free too,” Mu Nianwen laughed. “Most listeners don’t pay.”
Tan Janglin shook his head. “I love listening, can’t help but want to pay.”
“I’ll give you special complimentary ones in the future,” Mu Nianwen whispered in his ear, asking softly, “Is there anything you’d like to hear tonight?”
“Aren’t you supposed to rest tonight?” Tan Janglin said. “Don’t overwork yourself, relax, take care of yourself.”
Such obvious flirting and he still couldn’t notice. Mu Nianwen was helpless, trying again, “I said it’s a special gift for you, just for you, is there anything you’d like to request?”
“Then sing a song,” Tan Janglin said.
Mu Nianwen sighed inwardly and asked, “Don’t you have any more adult or exciting thoughts?”
Tan Janglin blushed and after a while finally came up with what he thought was a decent answer: “We can take it slow.”
Mu Nianwen was at a loss.
Just before parting, after a kiss, Mu Nianwen suggested to him, “Would you like to come up for a while? My roommate’s not home today.”
After some inner struggle, Tan Janglin told him, “It’s too late tonight, how about next time?”
“Alright,” Mu Nianwen shrugged, reaching out his hand. “Give it back.”
“What?” Tan Janglin didn’t understand.
“The thing I gave you at the dessert shop today, give it back,” Mu Nianwen said, “When you need it, I’ll bring it out again.”
…
Tan Janglin hesitated, but still did as told.
About ten minutes after they parted ways, Mu Nianwen, who had already returned to his room, received a message from Tan Janglin.
“Sorry, my reflex arc is a bit long. Am I a bit out of touch?”
Finally realizing it, that wasn’t too bad.
Mu Nianwen didn’t answer his question, but typed with a smile:
“I like you.”
No response for a while.
Mu Nianwen sent a voice message: “Hey—! Where are you! How can you ignore me with such a grand gesture?”
After waiting for a while, Tan Janglin finally replied.
It was also a voice message.
“Sorry… I was a bit… expressing emotions during the live broadcast was too simple, just click the screen to send gifts. Now facing the chat window, I feel a bit stupid, I don’t know what to say. I also like you. The first time I saw you in the live broadcast room looking aggrieved and angry, I liked you very, very much. Now it feels like a dream, I… I also like you very much. Did I just say this? What I mean is… I… Anyway…”
The voice message stopped abruptly here, and Mu Nianwen guessed he accidentally pressed it, sending it out.
When Mu Nianwen finished listening, a new message came.
“Can we meet tomorrow? I’m not in a hurry to travel back. If you’re free, we can go watch a movie or go wherever. I… kinda miss you.”
Of course, Mu Nianwen was willing in his heart, but unfortunately, he was busy.
He simply called Tan Janglin.
“Tomorrow is not convenient, I have a serious appointment with someone,” he told Tan Janglin, “After I finish, I’ll have to start the broadcast. We can only meet on the live broadcast.”
“Okay,” Tan Janglin seemed visibly disappointed, “What about the day after tomorrow?”
“Aren’t you going back?” Mu Nianwen asked.
“My work hours are flexible,” Tan Janglin said.
“Don’t you even ask what I’m doing tomorrow?”
Tan Janglin thought for a moment. “Do you want to share something with me?”
“I analyzed that video of that guy Zhenzhu Zhuna’er and found some issues,” Mu Nianwen said excitedly. “I was going to tell you about it today, but I forgot.”
“You mean, the proxy playing?”
“Yes, his fans have been saying that sometimes his reactions and actions don’t sync up due to asynchronous live audio and video transmission, right? I spent some money, got someone to record and analyze it frame by frame. I found that the delay during the same live broadcast varies greatly,” Mu Nianwen said. “Not only that, but his performance during intense battles feels really out of place. It’s very obvious when you look at the clips separately. It’s not that I’m biased against him, but he definitely has some issues. I plan to compile all of this and make a video to expose him, along with the incident of him falsely reporting his gender. If he doesn’t die from this, he’ll at least be severely criticized.”
“…Why so silent,” Mu Nianwen frowned, “…you don’t think I’m being extreme and making a big deal out of nothing, do you? I’m telling you, I’m the kind of person who holds grudges and retaliates. Don’t mess with me in the future.”
“I was just thinking that I didn’t help at all,” Tan Janglin said.
“That’s not true,” Mu Nianwen said. “I couldn’t be bothered to do it myself, so I paid someone else to do it. It was easy because of your generous rewards.”
“If there’s anything else you need help with, let me know.”
“I’ll think about it…” Mu Nianwen said, “How about treating me to a movie the day after tomorrow?”
Tan Janglin’s laughter came through his ears. “Okay.”
“And then… treat me to dinner.”
“Mm.”
“And then… after you drop me off, come up and for a while.”
“To accompany you during your livestream?”
“You have to hide,” Mu Nianwen laughed, “Otherwise, it’ll seem like I’m too easy to pursue, and I’ll lose face.”
“Okay.”
“But I’ll tell them we’re going on a date anyway, someone saw us today.”
“Okay.”
“And then… my roommate won’t be here, so you can stay.”
“…Sure.”
“‘Sure’ what? Do you even know what I’m talking about?”
“I should know,” Tan Janglin paused, “you’re talking about the fifth gift I gave you that day, right?”
“Actually, you did it on purpose, right? You’re up to no good, plotting against me!”
“…Why aren’t you denying it?”
“I’m thinking, maybe this is also part of you flirting with me,” Tan Janglin said.
“…”
“It wasn’t intentional, but… you’ve always been attractive to me in every aspect.”
“Too ambiguous, I don’t understand,” Mu Nianwen said, “Can you be more straightforward?”
Tan Janglin was silent for a moment before saying, “…Let’s talk about it when we meet.”
“Okay, I’ll let you off the hook for now,” Mu Nianwen laughed, “But I have a good memory, you won’t be able to get away with it later.”
—End of the Extra—
