Hot breath sprayed against his skin. Chen Jiaojiao tilted his head back, eyes blurred with tears, as the fireworks from that day appeared before him, dissolving into a dazzling white light. His fingers unconsciously dug into Meng Jin’s slightly damp hair. Unable to bear it any longer, he pleaded, “Stop, wait a moment.”
Only when he had climbed to the peak, his fingers slipping away unconsciously, did Meng Jin leisurely lift his head. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed something. The moisture left from the climb still clung to his chin and the side of his face, even his eyelashes glistening with tiny specks of light. He licked his moist lips, a sight so breathtakingly sensual it stole one’s breath away.
Chen Jiaojiao stared in disbelief. Meng Jin had actually swallowed it.
Meng Jin pulled the trembling figure into his embrace, lowering his head to kiss him, only to be dodged in a fluster. A low chuckle sounded by his ear, “Do you dislike your own?”
Chen Jiaojiao’s long lashes fluttered as he panted rapidly, as if he had just run a thousand meters. Summoning his courage, his fingertips trailed down Meng Jin’s firm chest, finally coming to rest on the cool metal buckle of his belt.
He pressed his lips together without speaking, then suddenly burrowed under the covers, kneeling beside Meng Jin. With his teeth, he gently bit the metal clasp, his clumsy movements making it all the more enticing.
Meng Jin abruptly pulled him out, his eyes dark with turbulent emotion, a vein throbbing at his temple. Gripping Chen Jiaojiao’s chin, even though he knew the other was just as inexperienced as he was, he couldn’t help but press him, his voice terrifyingly hoarse, “Who taught you this?”
“Teacher.” Chen Jiaojiao whispered, burying his flushed face into Meng Jin’s chest, then added softly, “Teacher Meng.”
Those words were like a spark falling into oil. Meng Jin’s eyes darkened, and he abruptly pressed the other into the mattress, kissing Chen Jiaojiao’s soft fingertips.
“Ah!”
Chen Jiaojiao suddenly woke with a start. Rubbing his temples, his gaze fell on his sleep pants. His fingers, still bandaged, tightened around the edge of the blanket, a mix of shame and anger flashing across his cool, composed face.
It had been two days. Ever since that day, he had been having dreams like this for two nights in a row!
Pursing his lips, he took advantage of Meng Jin’s absence to quickly strip off his pajamas and pants, tossing them into the laundry hamper before grabbing fresh clothes and heading into the bathroom.
After his workout and morning routine, Meng Jin went straight to the master bedroom. Yes, he had slept in the guest room for two nights straight.
Knock knock!
No answer.
He glanced at his watch, waited another ten minutes, and when there was still no response, he took out a key and pushed the door open.
The room was empty. He stepped inside, hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom. His eyes flickered as he scanned the room once more, until his gaze landed on the sleep pants. A faint smile touched his lips.
Having slept in the guest room for two nights, he didn’t dare take the initiative to wash the clothes this time, afraid of angering the other again.
He left as silently as he had entered, as if nothing had happened.
Worried about the sleep pants outside, Chen Jiaojiao washed up quickly. When he emerged and saw the pants still there, he sighed in relief, gathered them up, and tossed them into a basin of water.
When Meng Jin entered again, he saw Chen Jiaojiao carrying the basin, about to leave. He strode over, reaching out to take it from him.
“No need…” Chen Jiaojiao replied with unusual curtness, sounding particularly abrupt, almost as if protesting too much. Realizing this, he added stiffly, “Don’t bother getting your hands wet. I’ll be done in a moment.”
Meng Jin took in his reaction, suppressing a smile as he watched him finish hanging the clothes. Then, from behind, Meng Jin wrapped his arms around him. Before Chen Jiaojiao could push him away, a weary voice sounded, “I have to go on another business trip this afternoon.”
Ever since Chen Jiaojiao started school, Meng Jin’s business trips had significantly decreased. Hearing about another trip so suddenly made him particularly uncomfortable. He turned sideways, clearly unhappy, “How long will you be gone this time?”
Meng Jin tightened his embrace, turning him around so they faced each other. Lost in this tender moment, he was filled with reluctance, “My flight is this afternoon. I expect to be back next Friday.”
Chen Jiaojiao lowered his gaze, fiddling with Meng Jin’s clothes. After hearing his words, he silently headed downstairs to eat without another word.
So annoying. Why does he have to travel so often, and for five days at a time?
Chen Jiaojiao realized he wasn’t quite himself lately as if he had some psychological issue, like separation anxiety, like a child who never grew up. But he couldn’t share these suspicions with Meng Jin.
He slowly peeled an egg, naturally placing the yolk on the plate across from him, then instructed the butler, “Don’t cook any eggs for the next week.”
Today’s porridge was red bean milk porridge, not too sweet, just perfect.
Chen Jiaojiao stirred it with a spoon again and again, watching the wisps of steam rise, savoring the soft, sweet red bean porridge.
For some reason, the meaning people ascribed to red beans longing echoed in his mind.
“What’s wrong?” Meng Jin’s voice chimed in at just the right moment.
Chen Jiaojiao’s heart skipped a beat. Meeting Meng Jin’s gaze, the thought of red beans symbolizing longing suddenly made him set down his spoon, his appetite gone.
Meng Jin reached out to feel his forehead, relieved to find no fever. “No appetite?”
“Not very hungry.” Chen Jiaojiao shook his head. He knew exactly why he couldn’t eat, but he absolutely couldn’t let that infuriating man Meng Jin find out. “It’s easy to lose your appetite early in the morning.”
Lester, doing his best to stay unnoticed in the corner, understood better than anyone: it was probably because Mr. Meng mentioned his business trip.
Losing your appetite over worries perfectly normal.
Meng Jin looked at Chen Jiaojiao with a disapproving gaze but ultimately relented, instructing the servants to keep the food warm.
After the meal, while Meng Jin was on a phone call, Chen Jiaojiao quietly slipped into the kitchen. Rummaging through the cabinets, he finally found the box storing red beans.
He took out the empty ring box he had prepared in advance, selected a plump, round red bean, placed it inside, snapped the lid shut with a “click,” and tucked it into a small drawstring pouch.
After finishing everything, he restored the items to their original places and calmly walked out of the kitchen.
Just then, Meng Jin ended his call. The two locked eyes across the long staircase. Chen Jiaojiao’s heart missed a beat. Guiltily, he touched his nose and gestured for the sticky rice cake behind him to follow.
Meng Jin leaned against the staircase railing, looking down at Chen Jiaojiao from above. His gaze swept over him subtly, pausing when he noticed the bulging pocket. Got you.
He knew Jiaojiao was hiding something from him, but he hadn’t expected the thing in his pocket to be a gift for him. This was the second gift he’d ever received the first was the wristwatch he now wore.
“You can only open this on the third day of your business trip,” Chen Jiaojiao held the bag tightly, her ears tinged with red. “No peeking ahead of time.”
Meng Jin sat in the car, leaning out of the window, his palm upturned as he waited patiently. His gaze was soft. “Alright, I promise.”
Only then did Chen Jiaojiao let go, watching as the driver started the engine. She instinctively took half a step back but was gently held by the nape of her neck by Meng Jin.
A tender kiss followed, and as their lips met, she heard Meng Jin’s low voice, “Remember to miss me.”
Remembering the driver, the butler, and the servants were all present, Chen Jiaojiao flusteredly pushed him away, her entire ears flushed red. “I-I know!”
The car slowly drove away. Through the rearview mirror, Meng Jin saw Jiaojiao still standing in place, her fingers unconsciously brushing over her lips where he had just kissed her.
He looked down at the small bag on his lap, a gentle curve unconsciously lifting the corners of his mouth. He felt the contents of the bag square and firm, very much like a ring box.
The thought made Meng Jin stiffen all over. A ring something he had never dared to hope for, and one given to him by Jiaojiao herself.
He fought back the urge to open the bag, silently counting the days.
After Meng Jin left, Chen Jiaojiao fell back into a listless mood on the first day, though it was much better than before.
Besides Mels and a few others, she had also made other friends at school. Though not many, it was still progress.
“Chen, want to grab dinner together this afternoon?” Vida turned to her deskmate after finishing her classwork. “The five of us, there’s a new restaurant nearby that’s said to be amazing.”
Chen Jiaojiao looked up from her textbook. With Meng Jin away, she had nothing to do after class, so she nodded in agreement. “Sure.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Vida lean in mysteriously again. “Mind if I bring one more person?”
“Huh?” Chen Jiaojiao found it odd. If it was a group outing, why ask only her? Instantly, her guard went up. “Who?”
Vida sighed, leaning back and spreading her hands helplessly. “Caitlin. You know, we’re friends. She likes you, so she’s trying to get to me to help.”
Chen Jiaojiao frowned, looking seriously at Vida. “I told you from the start that I have a boyfriend.”
Vida looked unconvinced. “No one has ever seen your other half. Everyone doubts whether your boyfriend is real.”
“…”
Chen Jiaojiao considered the possibility of canceling. She had met Caitlin a few times a bright, likable girl.
Vida sensed her hesitation and immediately clasped her hands together, pleading. “Chen, please go. Even if it’s just to properly reject her afterward, at least it’ll help Caitlin move on.”
The afternoon classes were light, and after they ended, the group headed to the restaurant. As they reached the school gate, Caitlin joined them.
“Hello, Chen. Nice to see you again.”
Caitlin’s voice reached her ears, but Chen Jiaojiao was no longer listening. Her attention was fixed on Meng Jin, standing under a tree not far away.
The tension around Chen Jiaojiao melted away. Without even explaining to her companions, she dashed across the street and threw herself into Meng Jin’s arms. “Didn’t you say it would be five days?”
Meng Jin held the person firmly in his embrace and also caught sight of Chen Jiaojiao’s friends, naturally noticing the way Catherine looked at Jiaojiao. Suppressing the jealousy in his heart, he chuckled lightly, “The process went smoothly, but darling, would you like to introduce your friends to me?”
Vida and the others were stunned. Although Chen Jiaojiao had mentioned having a boyfriend before, they had never seen him and didn’t take it seriously, assuming he was just a made-up person.
Who would have thought she actually had a boyfriend!
Meng Jin took Chen Jiaojiao’s hand and walked over to the group, his smile just right. When his eyes met Catherine’s, his smile deepened. “Hello, I’m Jiaojiao’s partner. Sorry I’ve been busy before and didn’t get the chance to meet you. Today, it’s my treat shall we head out?”