Sang Li did not wake up until past four in the afternoon. His sleep was interrupted twice along the way, once when Jiang Xiucheng came over to hug him and coax him into eating, and another time when Jiang Xiucheng fed him strawberries in the afternoon.
The disturbed Sang Li was extremely unhappy, kicking the stinky man in the face with his foot, letting out grunting noises, and loudly cursing Jiang Xiucheng. It had no effect, and he even had his toes kissed, which made him pull his foot back in anger while a water-stained bite mark remained lingering on his toe tip.
The sapphire anklet on Sang Li’s left foot made a jangling sound, and the skin beneath the jewelry’s luster made Jiang Xiucheng’s gaze grow increasingly heavy.
He rolled his Adam’s apple and fished Sang Li out of the blankets: “Baby’s feet are so pretty.”
Sang Li drowsily lifted his eyelids, struggling hard to push his little bottom outward from Jiang Xiucheng’s embrace, weak and listless: “You are such a pervert.”
“Mm, I’m about to explode from looking at you.”
Jiang Xiucheng felt no shame, acting like a moving mountain as he effortlessly recaptured Sang Li. “Baby, show some love to your husband.”
Jiang Xiucheng was simply too hot, like a fast-burning branding iron that scorched the skin Sang Li exposed outside the covers into a pinkish white. Every time he was kissed, he turned even redder from that pinkish white.
Sang Li had always suspected that the reason he didn’t gain weight despite eating so many snacks was because he was being bounced around by Jiang Xiucheng!
Using both his hands and feet to push the man on top of him, he tilted his head up to fight for a breath of freedom, caring not that his delicate neck was repeatedly rubbed against by Jiang Xiucheng’s sharp canine teeth as he panted and said: “I want to get up.”
Jiang Xiucheng was already losing his restraint. He took a deep breath, buried his face in Sang Li’s hair, and spoke after a long moment: “Then husband will help baby get dressed.”
Forty minutes later.
Sang Li’s lips were swollen, his shoulders clad in loose pajamas bore a dozen covered marks, and his buttocks and waist sides were covered in the man’s finger marks.
With a gloomy face, he was carried downstairs by Jiang Xiucheng and placed on the sofa.
Like a well-fed and satisfied big wolf with a wagging tail, Jiang Xiucheng patrolled the room once before returning to Sang Li’s side: “What does Lili want to eat for dinner today?”
Sang Li’s whole body was sore. Jiang Xiucheng had refused to let him go wash up when dressing him earlier, so his body felt sticky, smelling entirely of that rutting scent belonging to the stinky man: “I don’t want to eat.”
Jiang Xiucheng persevered: “Deep-sea abalone? Or lobster, would you like some mountain mushrooms?”
Sang Li raised his eyes gloomily: “I want to buy a big rocket.”
Jiang Xiucheng disapproved: “Space travel is very dangerous. What does Lili want a big rocket for?”
Sang Li: “To launch you into outer space.”
Jiang Xiucheng extended his arm, pulled Sang Li back into his embrace, and pecked him: “Silly baby, how can there be such a wonderful thing? Come, let husband spoil you for a while.”
Sang Li: “…”
Reaching out, Sang Li tried hard to push away the big face leaning in close: “I want to wear underwear.”
“No one else will find out.”
Jiang Xiucheng’s wicked hand slid into Sang Li’s loose pajama pants, quickly causing the person sitting in his lap to tremble all over.
With a satisfied sigh, he personally and securely tied Sang Li’s waistband into a pretty butterfly knot. “So good. Baby’s secret will be guarded by husband, hmm?”
Sang Li was furious.
Sitting up angrily from Jiang Xiucheng’s embrace, he turned and pressed down on top of the man, saying maliciously: “Buy me a big luxury yacht! I’m going to spend all your money!”
Jiang Xiucheng naturally supported the curve of Sang Li’s hips: “Alright, what kind does Lili like?”
Sang Li was completely unreserved: “The biggest one, with the deepest draft, covered in bling bling luxury goods. I want to host parties on it for ten days and ten nights straight!”
Jiang Xiucheng kissed Sang Li’s plump, pink lips: “Big yachts are very expensive. What should baby call me?”
“Husband.”
Sang Li was quickly coaxed into a good mood by sugar-coated artillery shells.
Having been raised by Jiang Xiucheng before even graduating from college, he rarely went out, only ever seeing yachts belonging to top-tier wealthy families online, alongside the envy, jealousy, and hatred in the comment sections below.
Lili wants one too!
Sang Li’s original vanity and aversion to hard work had been nurtured by Jiang Xiucheng like a sturdy, thriving poisonous weed, multiplying crazily within his barren and withered heart.
Lili also wanted the world’s most expensive jewelry, the most luxurious rides, the most top-tier luxury watches, and a world-class yacht that even the ultra-wealthy had to plan ahead to own.
Wrapping his arms around Jiang Xiucheng’s neck, Sang Li eagerly rubbed against him: “Husband, husband, when will the yacht be ready? Can we go on a sailing trip and bring baby along too?”
At a glance, Jiang Xiucheng saw the unconcealed desire and cheap flattery in Sang Li’s eyes.
Ten years of marriage, swallowed whole on the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, from crying back then with a face full of marks as he begged him, to today nesting in his arms and tilting his face up to beg him all the same.
The raw and naive Sang Li back then only wanted a Louis Vuitton bag, which Jiang Xiucheng had his assistant buy for him.
Later, Sang Li wanted a Rolex Green Submariner to show off to his classmates.
And later still, desires grew wildly.
It was a rainy afternoon when Berry led Sang Li into the Jiang family’s office building located right at the center of City H’s CBD.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Jiang Xiucheng wore a gentle expression, looking like a good person: “I can satisfy all your wishes, luxury goods, high fashion, ultra-seasonal collections.”
“Think carefully, do you want to be with me?”
He was still just as pretty, still just as prone to crying at the slightest touch, with eyes that seemed suffused with springtime water.
Even knowing he was shallow and cheap, he still made one’s heart itch unbearably.
Jiang Xiucheng’s Adam’s apple rolled as he leaned down to press against Sang Li’s ear: “The harder baby works every day, the faster the yacht will be finished.”
His ear was one of Sang Li’s most vulnerable spots.
Trembling violently all over, wanting to push Jiang Xiucheng away yet remembering his big yacht, Sang Li had no choice but to close his eyes and let Jiang Xiucheng bully him severely.
At the very last step, the man stopped.
Sang Li looked somewhat bewildered: “Husband?”
Jiang Xiucheng said softly: “The guests coming over for dinner tonight have arrived. Baby, come meet them with me, okay?”
Sang Li: “!”
Sang Li had no idea there were guests coming over tonight. To be more precise, he didn’t know any of Jiang Xiucheng’s friends, and Jiang Xiucheng never let him meet outsiders.
Today, he was suddenly allowed to host guests.
Sang Li was even a bit happy: “Am I really going too?”
“Of course.”
Lifting Sang Li off the sofa, Jiang Xiucheng took his hand. “The guests have already arrived in the front hall. When Lili sees him, you might even be surprised.”
The villa they currently lived in was enormous, built in the Suzhou garden style.
Getting from the leisure room to the front hall required crossing a corridor of flower walls and walking through a rain pavilion.
Dressed in soft loungewear, Sang Li was led by Jiang Xiucheng around a corner and saw Jiang Zhi sitting on a nanmu chair.
The air froze briefly.
Looking unrestrained, Jiang Xiucheng pulled Sang Li into his arms and introduced him: “Lili, this is the youngest son of the Jiang family, the Jiang family that runs the six-star chain hotels.”
Then, turning to Jiang Zhi, he said: “Azhi, this is my wife. You should address him as little sister-in-law.”
Winter had just passed, and spring rain was impending.
The yellow rattan on the curtain was rippled slightly by the wind, blowing into the depths of Jiang Zhi’s eyes as he looked at Sang Li, stinging him with a hint of pain.
Yet Sang Li was far more versatile and theatrical than an innocent college student.
Disregarding the bar camaraderie between the two entirely, Sang Li tugged on Jiang Xiucheng’s hand: “Husband, why isn’t he greeting me?”
Jiang Xiucheng looked at Jiang Zhi: “Azhi.”
Staring blankly at Sang Li, Jiang Zhi looked over at Jiang Xiucheng. The Jiang and Jiang families’ ancestors had been relatives by marriage and were very close before liberation; he had practically been watched growing up by Jiang Xiucheng, counting as half an older brother.
Therefore, even without Jiang Xiucheng spelling it out, Jiang Zhi could guess the second half of his sentence: “Azhi, be polite.”
Jiang Zhi opened his mouth: “Little sister-in-law.”
Having taken massive advantage in terms of seniority, Sang Li instantly became happy. Reaching out to pat around inside Jiang Xiucheng’s arms, he withdrew his hand with a hint of disappointment: “I couldn’t find a greeting gift. I’ll remake one for you separately tomorrow, okay?”
Years later.
The person across from him was still glamorous and unruly, his movements carrying an unconscious allure, yet none of it was meant for him.
Trying to squeeze out a smile, Jiang Zhi felt that his expression was even uglier instead: “No need. I…”
Pausing, he suddenly blurted out: “I should be the one giving you a greeting gift. What does little sister-in-law like?”
“I like anything that is worth money!” Sang Li’s eyes sparkled brightly. “For example, diamonds and bags.”
His voice was interrupted.
Right in front of Jiang Zhi, Jiang Xiucheng kissed Sang Li’s lips, his tongue lingering to trace the fullness of his lip before straightening up with lingering satisfaction: “Those were just Lili’s jokes, so we won’t trouble Azhi with that.”
Wrapping an arm around Sang Li’s waist, Jiang Xiucheng swept his gaze past Jiang Zhi: “Alright, Yun’er has just returned from school as well. Let’s eat first.”
The Jiang family’s chef team was personally selected by Sang Li after tasting his way across City H to find the flavors that best suited him. There were six head chefs alone, each specializing in different culinary styles and crafting the menu according to the capricious tyrant Sang Li’s daily tastes.
Walking through the villa’s rain corridor, Sang Li felt deeply dissatisfied when he saw the light and bland diet spread across the dining table tonight.
“I want to eat boiled sliced pork and spicy blood curd!”
Sang Li protested.
Instead, Jiang Xiucheng scooped a bowl of rare shellfish and white jade soup for him: “You cannot eat spicy food tonight.”
“My foot! I want…” Plumping himself down onto a chair, Sang Li immediately stood back up.
His expression shifted a few times before he tugged softly on Jiang Xiucheng’s sleeve, speaking in a low voice: “Husband, where is my soft cushion?”
With a righteous expression, Jiang Xiucheng replied: “It was probably taken to be washed this afternoon. I’ll have them bring it over.”
Stealthily glancing over to see that none of the other chairs had soft cushions either, Sang Li refused to lose face: “No need! I can manage!”
Jiang Xiucheng’s tone remained unchanged: “Really can manage?”
Gritting his teeth, Sang Li muttered: “I just can, you’re not allowed to speak anymore!”
Jiang Yun finally sat down beside his beloved daddy. Having been cultivated with excellent dining habits since childhood, he could not only take care of himself but also casually scoop the dishes Sang Li liked into his bowl.
Very naturally, Jiang Xiucheng picked the fish bones out of a tiger grouper for Sang Li, shelled some shrimp, and even personally dismantled a crab before placing it onto Sang Li’s plate: “You can only eat one tonight, it’s too cooling.”
Sang Li was the most comfortable one of all.
Bothering only about himself, he attacked from both left and right, not only dumping all the cilantro, scallions, and green vegetables he disliked onto his husband, but also mischievously rubbing his slippers against Jiang Xiucheng’s under the table, though missing twice and accidentally brushing against Jiang Zhi’s leg instead.
Jiang Zhi stiffened all over, momentarily relaxing his leg in hopes of leaning closer, but that slender little calf never reached back over.
Just as the culprit was preparing to act again, Jiang Xiucheng finally spoke in a husky voice, pinning Sang Li’s legs in place: “We have a guest, stop messing around.”
Sang Li: “Oh.”
Obediently raising his bright face, Sang Li said: “Husband, can you go to the kitchen and make me a red bean and rice wine sweet soup? I want to eat what you make.”
Lowering his gaze for a moment, Jiang Xiucheng flashed a smile: “Understood. Then you keep the guest company, and I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Mm-hmm, go on quickly.”
Giving Jiang Xiucheng a gentle push, Sang Li turned to Jiang Yun: “Baby, you go too so we can finish faster!”
The kitchen was on the other side of the dining room.
Just as Jiang Yun stepped out behind Jiang Xiucheng, he saw his father’s footsteps halt, his dark gaze turning back to stare at daddy like a python lurking in the jungle.
“Father…”
Jiang Yun was still young: “Since you’re worried about daddy and Uncle Jiang Zhi being together, why did you agree to go make soup?”
Having resumed his stride, Jiang Xiucheng looked back upon hearing this, his voice cold and arrogant: “Remember this, relying solely on defense always makes you the loser.”
“We must occupy, we must plunder.”
Withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Xiucheng added: “You have to make your daddy feel like everything is going his way so he will willingly stay by our side.”
The dining room finally grew quiet once more.
Wishing for Jiang Xiucheng’s figure to disappear, Sang Li immediately spoke up: “You…”
Jiang Zhi spoke at the same time: “You…”
Pouting, Sang Li said: “Fine, husband said you’re a guest, you speak first, make it quick.”
Suddenly, Jiang Zhi realized that the words he least wanted to hear were Sang Li constantly saying “husband, husband.”
Rising abruptly, he pressed his hands against the thick nanmu tabletop: “Sang Li, leave Jiang Xiucheng! You don’t understand him at all, you are completely unsuited for him.”
Sang Li: “?”
Wide-eyed, Sang Li retorted: “I do understand, we’re already married!”
“You can get a divorce even after getting married!”
Jiang Zhi declared: “I’ll take you away, Lili. Trust me, there’s nothing good about him, and he’s old too.”
Reaching out, Jiang Zhi tried to grab Sang Li’s wrist: “I’ll be better than him, more capable, last longer, and I’ll have more money than him in the future. I can give you happiness too!”