“I really don’t want to try anymore.”
Chen Jiaojiao held a new set of clothes, his voice tinged with obvious exhaustion. Meanwhile, Meng Jin leaned leisurely against a black sofa, flipping through a fashion catalog with his long legs crossed, a cup of coffee resting before him.
“I think it’s already more than enough,” he added softly, gently placing the outfit Meng Jin had meticulously selected though not to his own taste aside.
Meng Jin propped his chin on his hand, his fingers turning the pages of the catalog as he browsed accessories with keen interest. Hearing this, he immediately looked up and reached out to pinch Chen Jiaojiao’s slightly cool fingertips. “Tired?”
Chen Jiaojiao sat down beside him, his tone carrying a rare hint of complaint. “Why don’t you try them on instead?”
“No more trying,” Meng Jin replied smoothly, closing the catalog with a smile as he tidied the stray strands of hair on Chen Jiaojiao’s forehead, tousled from trying on clothes. “Shall we go out for a walk? This outfit looks just fine.”
He was referring to what Chen Jiaojiao was currently wearing: a sea-blue cotton shirt casually draped over a plain white T-shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal slender wrists, a black leather belt loosely accentuating his waistline, and khaki wide-leg trousers that further emphasized his long legs. He looked like Lake Zurich after a rain clear, bright, clean, and relaxed, with just the right touch of aloofness.
Meng Jin’s gaze lingered on him as his broad hand naturally took hold of Chen Jiaojiao’s wrist. “But it’s missing a watch.”
Before the attendant wheeled over the watch display, Chen Jiaojiao hadn’t realized there were so many styles of wristwatches. Fearing Meng Jin might get the urge to try them on again, he quickly pointed to a retro-style square-faced watch. “This one will do.”
“Good taste.”
A low, approving voice sounded beside his ear.
Meng Jin leaned in from behind, his warm chest almost enveloping Chen Jiaojiao completely. His arm wrapped around Chen Jiaojiao’s waist as he picked up the watch, meticulously fastening it around his wrist. The cool watch face pressed against his skin, and the brown strap made his wrist appear even paler and more slender.
“It suits you well.”
Meng Jin’s breath once again brushed against his ear.
Chen Jiaojiao held his breath. Though they weren’t fully pressed together, the tantalizing proximity made his heart tighten, and his earlobes grew uncontrollably warm.
He could feel Meng Jin’s gaze resting on his flushed ears. As the other man pulled away, his cool jaw inadvertently brushed against Chen Jiaojiao’s burning earlobe.
Meng Jin calmly returned to his seat, his fingertips lightly tracing the spot where their skin had just touched, a lingering smile in his eyes.
The earlobe was indeed quite warm.
He selected several watches and handed his exclusive membership card to the attendant nearby. “Wrap these up, along with all the clothes we tried on.”
After leaving the clothing section, Meng Jin didn’t take him to famous landmarks for photo ops. Instead, he showed Chen Jiaojiao the city’s most basic elements, how to ride trams, cable cars, and trains, and how to purchase train tickets to neighboring cities and countries.
In a way, he was willing to give Jiaojiao a measure of freedom, teaching him the fundamental rules of life in this city. He hoped that even when he wasn’t around, Jiaojiao could take good care of himself.
By around five in the afternoon, the two finally paused at a café for coffee and afternoon tea, enjoying the tranquil and cozy atmosphere.
Just as Chen Jiaojiao was about to pick up the newspaper on the table to read, Meng Jin took it away and replaced it with a detailed map.
Meng Jin spread the map smoothly on the table and pointed to the center. “We’re here right now.”
“Jiaojiao, when you have time, you should go out more. Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.”
Chen Jiaojiao lowered his gaze to look at the map. It not only marked detailed transportation recommendations but also highlighted the famous features of each region and emergency contact numbers. It could be said to be exceptionally thorough.
He thought back to the days when Meng Jin was away on business. Actually, Mels had invited him out many times, but with Meng Jin gone, he couldn’t muster the energy. For some reason, he always wanted to stay and guard their home when Meng Jin wasn’t there.
Chen Jiaojiao lifted his eyes to look at Meng Jin again. The man before him wore a simple-styled shirt with no extra accessories, not even a watch. Thinking of all the things Meng Jin had bought for him, a thought rose in his heart, growing stronger and stronger he also wanted to give Meng Jin an accessory.
Meng Jin raised an eyebrow, tilted his head to look at him, and snapped his fingers. “Snap out of it.”
After saying that, he placed a thin metal card in Chen Jiaojiao’s palm, his meaning clear without words.
Chen Jiaojiao tightened his grip, then placed the bank card back on the table and pushed it toward Meng Jin. Feeling somewhat awkward and unwilling to spend his money, he said, “I don’t need it.”
After speaking, he secretly glanced at the man beside him, his voice very soft. “Is it… very expensive to take care of me?”
All kinds of staggering medical bills, hiring tutors, and buying him various gifts.
Meng Jin hadn’t expected Chen Jiaojiao to ask this question. He chuckled, placed a hand on his shoulder, and blinked. A reassuring voice sounded, “Just this second, my income reached eight figures. Don’t underestimate your man.”
Then he added, “But come to think of it, Jiaojiao also has shares. I’ve been managing them all these years, so don’t worry, okay?”
“The last thing Jiaojiao needs to worry about in this lifetime is money.”
Chen Jiaojiao shamelessly laughed out loud. Probably even the coldest person would laugh upon hearing such words. “Thank you, Meng Jin.”
“If you want to thank me,” Meng Jin said halfway, then chuckled softly, leaning close to whisper in Chen Jiaojiao’s ear, “how about wearing that outfit for me tomorrow?”
Chen Jiaojiao bit his lower lip, as if genuinely considering the feasibility of the matter.
The café wasn’t far from where they lived. After leaving, the two walked slowly along the roadside, leisurely making their way home.
Chen Jiaojiao deliberately slowed his pace, letting Meng Jin walk ahead so he could openly watch him, watch his back.
The evening sun bathed them in its glow. Meng Jin walked unhurriedly ahead, and for a moment, it felt like they had returned to their childhood.
Actually, at first, Meng Jin hadn’t liked this younger brother. Because his brother was doted on and was the center of the family, when his brother had just learned to walk and stumbled along behind him, he would deliberately quicken his pace, leaving him far behind.
He didn’t know when it started, but he too learned to slow down, occasionally even stopping to wait for that annoying, clingy, and spoiled younger brother.
Meng Jin stopped and turned to look at Chen Jiaojiao. Walking like this, they had walked for eighteen years. He extended his hand, waiting for Jiaojiao to place his hand in his palm.
The moment their palms touched, their eyes met. Meng Jin thought to himself, God, please let us continue walking like this.
“Brother…”
Once again, familiar images flashed through Chen Jiaojiao’s mind still unclear as always but his body instinctively called out, “Brother.”
Meng Jin calmly responded with an “Mm,” his fingers interlocking tightly with Jiaojiao’s. Yet his heart suddenly felt as if gripped by an invisible hand. Jiaojiao’s simple, trusting gaze constantly reminded him that all of this was “stolen” it could be exposed and taken away at any moment.
He couldn’t imagine what would happen if Jiaojiao ever regained his memories. He hadn’t thought about the consequences; he only wanted to use every possible means to keep Jiaojiao from remembering.
Chen Jiaojiao touched his own chest, feeling an inexplicable familiarity with the term “brother,” yet he was unwilling to call Meng Jin by that name.
“Brother, can you tell me about the past?”
“Brother, can you tell me a bedtime story?”
The present voice overlapped with the one from childhood. The veins on Meng Jin’s arms bulged, his eyes darkening as he gazed into the distance, seemingly lost in memories. He carefully selected fragments of the past to share with Jiaojiao.
The slanting light cast their elongated shadows, swaying gently but never once separating.
Happy times always pass quickly. As the two-day break came to an end, Meng Jin looked at the person in his arms and once again felt the urge to skip work.
Chen Jiaojiao’s schedule underwent significant changes. Language classes continued as usual, but his specialized courses were adjusted by Meng Jin. Art class, originally held daily, was reduced to once a week. Over the five-day week, the remaining four days were filled with various other subjects.
At first, Jiaojiao didn’t understand why Meng Jin arranged things this way and asked him directly.
Meng Jin gently took the paintbrush from his hand and said earnestly, “Jiaojiao, since you’re not sure whether art is something you truly enjoy, let’s try different classes until we find what you love.”
“If a subject causes you pain, there’s no need to force yourself to learn it. Don’t create unnecessary troubles.”
Moreover, these classes weren’t mandatory. They could be adjusted based on his daily activities.
That day, Jiaojiao had plans to visit the art gallery with Myers.
On the way, Myers recalled his recent encounter with Meng Jin and couldn’t help but shudder. Rubbing his arms, he asked, “Chen, am I really not going to get into trouble?”
Jiaojiao didn’t quite catch his meaning and asked, confused, “Huh?”
“Your boyfriend,” Myers clicked his tongue, recalling the scene. “The way your boyfriend looks at you it’s like he wants to devour you.”
Jiaojiao found Myers’ description amusing and couldn’t help but smile. Before he could respond, Myers shook his head, took a step back, and sighed deeply. “Just look at that expression of yours.”
“You’re completely smitten, Chen. Haven’t you noticed? When your boyfriend isn’t around, you never agree to go out with me.”
“He’s different,” Jiaojiao shrugged, speaking with exaggerated emphasis for the first time. “Myers, he’s my boyfriend, after all.”
Myers rubbed his face with a mix of envy and jealousy. “Damn, now I want to fall in love too.”
Jiaojiao fell silent, focusing intently on each piece of artwork in the gallery. Even someone with no understanding of art would find the place dreamlike and captivating.
Meanwhile, Meng Jin finished work early that day and even brought some pastries for Jiaojiao. However, his good mood vanished the moment he stepped out of the car and saw Meng Qingye.
Meng Qingye stood at the door wearing a flat cap, his wrist wrapped in thick gauze, his expression blank as he stared at Meng Jin.
Meng Jin’s eyes were icy cold. He casually handed the pastries to a servant, then irritably and violently undid the buttons of his shirt. He stopped in front of Meng Qingye, looking down at him from above. “Who allowed you to come here?”
Thankfully Jiaojiao had gone out today, otherwise…
At the thought, his heart grew even more restless and impatient, his voice dropping another degree colder. “Get out. Right now.”
“I’ve told you before if there’s something, contact me by phone.”