Chapter 20
“Ugh.”
As if a string were tearing at his temple, Jian Huaiyi’s eyelashes fluttered, his hazy vision gradually clearing.
There was a mirror on the wall opposite the bed, reflecting the young man’s upper body. His burgundy pajamas were loose, only two buttons fastened in the middle, revealing his slender collarbones.
In the hollow of his collarbone, there was a thumb-sized red mark, like a decorative plum blossom, strikingly noticeable.
He rubbed his temples, trying to recall last night.
Playing games with Liang Xun, losing and drinking three glasses of wine, then…
His thoughts stopped abruptly.
…
Another blackout.
Jian Huaiyi: …
It must have been the wine.
That red wine had been stored for so many years; the alcohol content was definitely higher than the label indicated.
Trying again to reconstruct his memory, it still only went as far as the three glasses of wine.
Jian Huaiyi sighed resignedly, suddenly realizing something important.
His hand touched the bedsheet on the other side of the pillow; the sheet was cold, indicating Liang Xun had left some time ago.
His heart sank suddenly; he… didn’t go overboard again after drinking… did he?
Jian Huaiyi clutched the bedsheet, his clear eyes widening, his bad mood completely gone.
No… way.
The weather was beautiful, with bright sunshine outside.
Jian Huaiyi ran downstairs and bumped into Liang Xun returning from outside.
Liang Xun was wearing a black tracksuit; his top was tight, revealing his slightly bulging pectoral muscles.
After exercising, his black hair was wet with sweat; a drop of sweat rolled from his hair, down his nose, and onto his chin. The overwhelming hormonal scent was wet and hot.
Jian Huaiyi’s gaze lowered slightly, then he pursed his lips.
The man’s handsome face was as cold as ever, his brows and eyes dark as he looked directly at the person in front of him.
Jian Huaiyi tentatively asked, “The weather is nice today, isn’t it?”
Liang Xun took a clean towel to wipe his sweat, responding, “It’s alright.”
Normal reaction.
Jian Huaiyi’s anxious heart gradually settled; it seemed he hadn’t repeated his mistake last night.
Last time was definitely an accident.
“I heard from Jian Luojia that you bought a ticket to Vancouver a few days ago,” Liang Xun said while wiping his sweat.
Jian Huaiyi frowned, his tone slightly cold, “Jian Luojia?”
That Jian Luojia. A busybody.
Liang Xun paused, saying solemnly, “Mm.”
Jian Huaiyi sneered and immediately sent a message to Jian Laoda.
He hated being monitored and investigated.
Jian Laoda, on the other side, without hesitation, deducted 50,000 from Jian Luojia’s monthly allowance.
It happened to be the weekend. Jian Luojia had just finished hanging out with his friends and was about to pay the bill.
The saleswoman smiled and took the card, swiping it through the POS machine.
Insufficient funds.
Jian Luojia: ?
He unlocked his phone screen; a deduction message from the bank popped up.
Jian Luojia: ???
“Big Brother, you—”
A few minutes later, Jian Laoda saw Jian Luojia’s message, quickly typed a few words back, then set his phone to Do Not Disturb and threw it aside.
【Big Brother: Luojia, you’re older now, it’s time to start contributing to the family. Your monthly allowance will be 20,000 from now on.】
If he didn’t know Big Brother had transferred 10 million to Jian Huaiyi a few days ago, Jian Luojia would have believed it.
20,000 a month, is that even living?!!!
Jian Luojia angrily called Jian Laoda to argue, but the next second, the cold busy tone on the phone pierced his heart.
“Aaaaaah—”
Jian Laoda, Jian Laoer, I swear I’ll get even with you aaaaaah.
…
“There’s an event in Vancouver,” Jian Huaiyi explained, “It’s not important; it’s fine if I don’t go.”
Liang Xun was silent for a moment, the towel draped over his forearm. He looked at Jian Huaiyi, his deep gaze penetrating, as if seeing through everything.
“Jian Huaiyi, the fainting last time was an accident; don’t worry about me, go if you want.”
His voice was flat, without any fluctuation, yet Jian Huaiyi heard a hint of something different.
Liang Xun continued, “There’s a flight to Vancouver tonight; I’ve asked Qin Zhu to book it and send it to you.”
Jian Huaiyi’s heartstrings were plucked, ripples appearing on the calm lake.
Oops.
Subconsciously, he did want to go. Jian Huaiyi moved his lips, finally agreeing.
“Thank you.”
“Mm.”
After packing his luggage, at 3 PM, Liang Xun drove Jian Huaiyi to the airport.
Liang Xun: “It’s cold in Vancouver. Did you bring warm clothes?”
Jian Huaiyi: “Yes.”
Coincidentally, Jian Huaiyi had only been to Vancouver twice, the first time Liang Xun sent him, and the second time was also Liang Xun.
That’s the charm of a childhood friend. No matter how old you are, being with him always brings back some youthful feelings.
Jian Huaiyi gathered his slender fingers together; his originally steady heartbeat was subtly accelerating.
But soon, he would lose this childhood friend.
He sighed silently.
Immediately feeling deflated, like an inflated balloon suddenly punctured, the air quickly leaked out.
Sure enough, you can’t have it all.
In the rearview mirror, the young man’s eyes drooped; his eyelashes were curled, casting a small shadow on his eyelids.
His whole body was filled with a melancholic atmosphere.
Liang Xun’s heart trembled.
This time Jian Huaiyi would be gone for half a month.
As a boyfriend, should he do something before they part?
The airport was in the suburbs; there weren’t many people today. Liang Xun pushed the suitcase, sending Jian Huaiyi all the way to the entrance.
“Just send me here,” Jian Huaiyi said, taking the handle of the suitcase from Liang Xun.
Previously, it was almost always Jian Huaiyi who saw Liang Xun off, today the roles were reversed; Jian Huaiyi felt a bit fresh.
“I’m leaving; don’t forget to take your medicine,” Jian Huaiyi instructed.
Liang Xun responded, watching the young man’s departing figure, his palm unconsciously curling, a strange emotion filling his chest.
He pressed his lips together, “Jian Huaiyi.”
Jian Huaiyi turned around in confusion, then was gently hugged on the shoulder by the tall man.
Their shoulders touched, then quickly separated.
Liang Xun spoke unnaturally, like a machine reciting lines, his tone stiff and without warmth.
“I’ll miss you.”
Jian Huaiyi: ?
The young man’s expression was no longer as low as it had been in the car; it was replaced by a stronger emotion.
Seeing this, Liang Xun felt relieved, even the embarrassment of reciting lines he’d just learned online lessened.
He always strived for perfection in everything. Since he was Jian Huaiyi’s boyfriend, he had to fulfill the responsibilities of a boyfriend, regardless of whether he loved Jian Huaiyi or not.
Jian Huaiyi looked at Liang Xun in confusion, until Liang Xun said, “I’ll miss you,” his light brown eyes flickered, becoming completely unsettled.
His fingertips rubbed against the seam of his pants; Jian Huaiyi raised his eyelids, his voice cold, “Got it.”
Then he pushed his suitcase and walked into the hall without looking back, until he saw the sign for the restroom, when he suddenly stopped.
He turned around expressionlessly.
Damn straight man.
Damn sense of responsibility.
He looked towards the entrance; the man’s figure remained in place, like a black statue.
Jian Huaiyi paused, adding in his heart:
Damn Liang Xun.
He wasn’t leaving, was he waiting for him to say, “I’ll miss you too”?
In your dreams.
He didn’t have a sense of responsibility either.
The suitcase wheels rolled, making a grating, rumbling noise.
Jian Huaiyi gripped the metal handle, the coolness stimulating his palm, his palm burning, warming a small section of the handle.
He could already imagine Liang Xun’s expression—his brow furrowed, his lips tightened, his dark eyes faintly containing irritation.
He was inexplicably amused; Jian Huaiyi curled his lips, facing the man in the distance, and whispered, “Don’t be so responsible next time, little OCD.”
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