After a great many years, Ruan Yan was finally back in the workforce.
Though at present that workforce consisted of just him and Lin Dong.
A new employee’s first day always came with a little flutter of excitement.
Ruan Yan got up bright and early, dug through the heap of clothes he’d brought, and put outfits together in front of the mirror.
Jiang Tingnan got up even earlier. He’d slipped the manager two packs of cigarettes the day before and successfully secured the use of the kitchen, then gone to the market at first light to buy fresh vegetables to cook.
By the time Ruan Yan had finally finished dressing and washing, Jiang Tingnan already had the food on the table. The ingredients weren’t anything costly, only simple home-style dishes, but the smell alone made Ruan Yan hungry, and he shoveled down two mouthfuls of rice before he could even get a word out.
It had been so long since he’d eaten Jiang Tingnan’s cooking.
Ruan Yan gave him the highest praise he could. “Husband, why don’t you go and be a chef? At this level you’d have absolutely no trouble.”
Behind him, Jiang Tingnan was folding the clothes Ruan Yan had just thrown into disarray, folding each piece square and neat, and whenever he came across something worn close to the skin he’d lower his head and sniff it twice.
He frowned. “You want me to cook for other people?”
“Why be so stingy about it? Your cooking is delicious.”
Jiang Tingnan refused without a moment’s thought. “No. I can only cook for you.”
That single sentence sent Ruan Yan’s heart into full bloom.
He dropped his bowl and came scampering over, rose onto his toes and smacked a kiss against Jiang Tingnan’s face, leaving a greasy lip print behind.
Jiang Tingnan didn’t mind in the least. He picked Ruan Yan up instead and said quietly, “If you don’t like those clothes, there’s a mall nearby. We get a day off at the weekend, so I’ll take you to buy new ones.”
He knew Ruan Yan far too well. One look at the clothes strewn everywhere told him exactly what was going on.
Ruan Yan used to love shopping more than anything, and was terribly fond of dressing up besides. Most of his clothes he’d wear once, and some he’d go off the moment he brought them home and never wear at all.
But now, hearing Jiang Tingnan say it, he shook his head. Something suddenly came back to him, and he kicked his legs to be let down, then went and dug a bank card out of a pocket and held it out to Jiang Tingnan.
It was the tuition and living money his mother had pressed on him as he left.
Jiang Tingnan didn’t take it, only looked at him. “What are you giving me this for?”
“I won’t be needing it right away. Keep it with you.”
Jiang Tingnan knew Ruan Yan’s family’s financial circumstances, and this money was certainly meant for Ruan Yan’s schooling. He knit his brow. “Don’t be absurd. Put it away yourself.”
Ruan Yan pouted. “But I haven’t got any other money on me. When this job pays me I’ll give you that too.”
A dense, prickling ache spread through Jiang Tingnan’s chest. How could his Yan Yan be this good? In all the world there was no one better than his Yan Yan. Jiang Tingnan often had no idea how he could possibly be any better to him. He wanted to pile everything he had in front of Ruan Yan. His money, himself, and that heart of his with Ruan Yan’s name written all over it.
Ruan Yan was displeased. In the end Jiang Tingnan never did take his card, and he took that as contempt for his standing in the household.
He indulged in a vision of life once he was the one keeping Jiang Tingnan. Then he’d be the one calling the shots at home. He’d get up at whatever hour he pleased, eat cold things and spicy things as he liked, and at night they’d do it however he wanted. Jiang Tingnan didn’t care for talking, did he? Well then, he could rap while he did it.
Picturing the scene, Ruan Yan burst out laughing.
Jiang Tingnan was packing his bag for him, putting in cut fruit and water he’d boiled that morning and left to cool to lukewarm.
At the sound he turned to look at him, somewhat incredulous. “You like working this much?”
He’d never noticed that before.
Ruan Yan’s mouth curved. “Of course. Once I work hard and make a fortune, you won’t have to work anymore. I’ll support you.”
Jiang Tingnan said mildly, “Working a job won’t make you rich. It only makes the boss rich.”
Ruan Yan, “……”
Never mind, it really was better when Jiang Tingnan said less.
Though they’d gotten up early, they had been busy with one thing and another, and by the time Ruan Yan hurried over it was already past eight. Lin Dong watched Ruan Yan arrive with a little backpack and pull things out one after another, fruit, snacks…… until they covered half the desk.
His mouth twitched. “Are you here for a picnic?”
“This is called slacking off.” Ruan Yan informed him with the air of a seasoned veteran. “You’ll understand once you’ve had a proper job.”
Then he switched on the computer and started playing Minesweeper.
There was hardly any work all morning, only someone calling the two of them over partway through to help sort some documents. As noon approached, Ruan Yan didn’t linger a minute longer, rushing out like a bird released from its cage.
Lin Dong barely had time to get a word in, and could only call after him, “Do you want to have lunch together?”
Ruan Yan waved a hand as he went bounding out. “My husband’s cooking!”
Lin Dong blinked.
He must have misheard.
What did Ruan Yan just say? Husband?
Jiang Tingnan had barely rested all morning, working without a moment’s pause, until even the old hands beside him couldn’t bear to watch him work so hard and said he was young and full of strength.
The manager came over with a cigarette between his teeth and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good form, young man. Work’s finished, so head back early at noon and get some rest.”
Ignoring the looks from the men around him, Jiang Tingnan nodded, his face impassive. “Thank you, manager.”
But there was no time left now to buy groceries and cook, so Jiang Tingnan went back, poured beaten egg over the leftover rice from the previous night, added diced carrot and diced cucumber, and made fried rice.
Ruan Yan came through the door just as Jiang Tingnan was carrying the fried rice into the room.
“Husband!”
Ruan Yan ran over and jumped straight onto him, and Jiang Tingnan caught him under the bottom, holding him securely.
“Was your first day of work fun?”
Jiang Tingnan sounded exactly like a parent taking a child to kindergarten.
“It was fun! I won two rounds of Minesweeper!”
Jiang Tingnan said at once, “Don’t keep your eyes fixed on the computer the whole time. Look out the window now and then, or your eyes will ache.”
Ruan Yan tipped his head back. “How do you sound exactly like my mom?”
Jiang Tingnan bent and kissed his lips. “Mom means well for you. Remember to go back once more before term starts.”
“You’re coming back with me!”
Jiang Tingnan paused and didn’t take the topic any further, setting him down instead. “Be good, go wash your hands and eat.”
When Ruan Yan saw the fried rice his face fell. “Carrots again.”
Jiang Tingnan had done it deliberately. Ruan Yan had a mild case of dry eye, and at this point they had no money for supplements of any kind. A bit of carrot was good for the eyes, and afraid Ruan Yan would pick them out, he’d diced them especially small before stirring them into the rice.
Ruan Yan pouted and sat down at the table at a crawl, eating one grain of rice at a time with his chopsticks.
Jiang Tingnan didn’t mind him dragging it out, and pushed all the loose change from his pocket into Ruan Yan’s hands. “Baby, will you eat at a restaurant outside tonight?”
Ruan Yan’s head shot up, his eyes wide as copper bells. “Where are you going?”
That was how closely he kept watch over his husband.
“I need to make a trip to the internet cafe. I might be back a little late.”
Jiang Tingnan couldn’t afford to spend much more time at this construction site. He had to hurry and earn money. Every extra day of living like this felt to him like he was wronging Ruan Yan.
Ruan Yan’s hand shot up at once. “Husband, I’m coming too!”