Chapter 32: Brother, Am I Soft? Help Me Take a Bath

Chapter 32: Brother, Am I Soft? Help Me Take a Bath

To be cared for for a lifetime... Huo Zong’s neck tensed up, but before he could speak, Jiang Fengmian’s palm covered his lips.

Jiang Fengmian lowered his dark lashes, dreading a rejection from Huo Zong. If that happened, he wouldn’t even be able to force a smile.

"Brother, I don’t wanna hear your answer now. Next time."

Next time, when he’s a bit stronger, or perhaps a bit more carefree.

Jiang Fengmian gently withdrew from Huo Zong’s back. He knew better than anyone that Huo Zong’s boundaries kept shifting simply because he was... a fool.

A fool who didn’t understand intimacy, let alone boundaries. Huo Zong always treated him as a patient, nothing more.

"Jiang Fengmian."

Huo Zong caught Jiang Fengmian’s wrist the moment he turned away. He remained seated, his back straight, his eyes calmly fixed on Jiang Fengmian.

For some reason, he sensed a hint of sadness in Jiang Fengmian’s misty eyes.

Jiang Fengmian had no home, and neither did he.

"I’ll take care of you, for life. Huo Zong’s home is yours. You can stay for as many lifetimes as you want."

Huo Zong’s palm was damp with nervous sweat. Jiang Fengmian lowered his gaze to meet Huo Zong’s, a faint smile curling his lips in response to Huo Zong’s slight tension.

"Okay, it’s a deal. You’ll take care of me for life." Jiang Fengmian’s fingers slid down, hooking Huo Zong’s pinky. "Pinky swear, a hundred years, no changes. Huo Zong, you have to keep your word."

"Mm, I’ll keep it."

The small office partition felt cramped with a bed added.

Jiang Fengmian lay down to try it out. It was just like the bed at home, even the sheets and pillowcases were his favorite style, complete with a cute plush bear.

A bird swiftly flew by the window. Jiang Fengmian carefully wrote Huo Zong’s name on the window. Today, it seemed he liked Huo Zong even more.

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: Hey, are you free?]

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: If you’re not too busy, I’d like to commission a few more pieces.]

[Dong Li: Busy. I’ve got a project from Huo Corp, no time for private work.]

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: Huo Corp, wow.]

Sheng Zhiyi figured it was the cultural tourism bureau’s project. Dong Li’s style was truly unique, way better than that shameless plagiarist.

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: Here’s the thing, I think you should also have a Weibo account. You can’t let that Xi Gu spread his slander.]

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: Since you’re working with Huo Corp, why not have their legal team handle him?]

[Dong Li: If I sue him now, what if he stops copying?]

Xi Gu was a serial plagiarist, his reputation already shot. Now he’s been snatched by the Jiang family and is on the cultural tourism bureau’s project.

In the story, Xi Gu plagiarized Yi Huo’s style, almost a one-to-one copy, but now it’s him being copied. If it weren’t for the protagonist’s luck, how could their crappy game outshine Huo Corp?

If he likes to show off, Jiang Fengmian will let him have his day. The more he shines now, the more he’ll fall later.

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: What do you mean? Do you already have a plan?]

[Dong Li: Hmm, I've been gathering evidence. If they enjoy copying, they can pay back ten or even a hundred times what they made.]

[Dong Li: Thanks for the heads-up. If I have time, I’ll sketch a couple of chibi versions for you.]

[Bo Jiu Yi Bei: Got it, got it, as long as you’ve got it under control.]

Jiang Fengmian glanced at the story outline. He could wrap it up before Huo Zong’s project was done, and then he would have time to deal with the plagiarist.

***

Planning Team.

Huo Qilin’s haughty attitude didn’t get him anywhere here. Everyone was busy with their own tasks, and no one cared that there was an extra person in the office.

His desk was in the corner by the window, far from the core members of the department. Even if he craned his neck, he couldn’t see what they were up to.

"Team leader, we can't find the third version of the planning document. Is it on your side?"

The girl looked like she was about to cry, frantically rummaging through the file boxes in the office, even pulling out the bottommost documents.

"It's not here. It should be on your side. What's wrong with that document?"

The girl: "I have the digital version, and the first and second drafts are here too. But the third draft that Huo Zong signed is missing. What should I do?"

"Don't panic, everyone, let's look for it. Think about where you might have put it."

"It shouldn't be in the box. It was bound with a blue cover, and it said 'Game Manuscript Revised Version Three' on it."

The office was a hive of activity, and the team leader even asked Huo Qilin to help look for it.

Huo Qilin pretended to get up and searched through the files on his desk. With a casual flip, the planning document was found sandwiched between a pile of scrap paper, in the most easily overlooked spot.

He made a show of searching noisily, slyly tucking the document under his chair, then sat down and loudly said, "It's not here. Keep looking, everyone."

The team leader and the girl exchanged glances. He patted her back reassuringly, "It's okay, let’s go explain it to Huo Zong."

"Okay, thank you, team leader."

The planning team’s door closed softly, and the team leader gave the girl an OK sign.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."

"Huo Zong, Huo Qilin already got the planning document. Just like you said, he didn’t suspect a thing."

Huo Zong: "Good, it's the version I signed, right?"

"Yes, it's the previously discarded version. We’ve completely shifted direction, and it has no connection to what he got."

"Alright, go back."

Huo Zong flipped through the file, unbothered. Huo Qilin was even more ruthless than he’d imagined, truly a member of the Huo family.

"Guess who it is."

Huo Zong’s vision darkened, but he glimpsed light through Jiang Fengmian’s slender fingers, glimmering like stars in his eyes.

"Hmm, is it a fluffy little kitty? But why isn’t the kitty making a sound? Let me hear."

"*Meow~*"

Jiang Fengmian leaned in closer, as if he wanted to completely nestle into Huo Zong's arms. The warm breath on Jiang Fengmian's face made his bones go soft. He straddled Huo Zong, leaning close to his ear and purring softly again.

"Brother, am I gentle?"

Jiang Fengmian pinched Huo Zong's reddened ear tip, a smile spreading in his eyes. He gently rubbed his nose against Huo Zong's ear tip.

"Huo Zong, am I a soft little kitten?"

"You're a naughty kitten," Huo Zong gritted his teeth, his heart in turmoil, completely unable to resist.

"Hmph, I'm not. It's you who's being naughty, pinching yourself for no reason."

Jiang Fengmian slipped his fingers into Huo Zong's palm, using his injured hand to trace Huo Zong's eyebrows and eyes.

"Huo Zong, you can't do this. No matter how bad Huo Qilin is, you shouldn't punish yourself."

Huo Zong pulled the swaying Jiang Fengmian even closer, his forehead pressing against Jiang Fengmian's nose, murmuring, "Mm, I won't anymore. My sweet little kitten, can you forgive me?"

"Okay, then I want a candy."

The candies in the office had long been handed out by Jiang Fengmian. He went from office to office with a bag, silently grabbing a handful of candies and leaving. Whispers spread through the company that he and Jiang Fengmian were secretly married.

He was a cad who didn't want to go public, and Jiang Fengmian had no choice but to sadly hand out candies office by office.

Now, being asked for candy again, Huo Zong was at a loss: "..."

"I'll owe you one, I'll give it to you tonight when we get home."

"No, brother, I want it now."

Jiang Fengmian, now a pitiful kitten, left Huo Zong no choice but to tear two pieces of paper and make a candy for him.

"I'll make it up to you when we get home."

"That's better."

The candy wrapper was labeled "Exclusive for Jiang Fengmian." Jiang Fengmian carefully unwrapped it, added Huo Zong's name to the wrapper, and then refolded it along the creases Huo Zong had made.

The candy he truly wanted, from start to finish, was just Huo Zong.

***

"Hello, this is the official customer service for True Love. How may I assist you?"

"I'd like to check if the watch called 'The One' at the True Love store in the capital is still available. I saw online that it's sold out."

Jiang Fengmian had finally saved up enough money, transferring all his funds to one card, and happily went to browse True Love's flagship store. As soon as he swiped, the watch he had his eye on was shown as sold out.

Without a doubt, Jiang Fengmian felt like the sky had fallen. In a panic, he contacted the customer service of the offline store to inquire.

"The Supreme Edition is sold out, but there's a Special Edition, which is ten thousand more. Sir, I should inform you beforehand that the Special Edition watch is identical to the Supreme Edition. The additional ten thousand covers engraving and a unique serial number. Once purchased, the serial number is exclusively yours, with a lifetime warranty."

"I'll take one. How do I buy the serial number?"

"Currently, the numbers 520, 521, and 1314 have been sold. If it's for a lover, there's also 8023, which means 'love' in English. Would you like that?"

"Sure, engrave 'Huo Zong, Jiang Fengmian' these five characters."

"I'm sorry, sir, five characters are a bit too much. Our watch face is quite delicate, and with the serial number, adding five characters would be too crowded."

Jiang Fengmian let out an "oh," having noticed from the flagship store's comment section that the images were indeed too cluttered, with a dense cluster of text.

"Then just engrave the three characters Jiang Fengmian, as in 'the Jiang Feng and fishing fires that face a sorrowful sleep'."

"Sure, if it's easy for you, just add my work account, and I'll send you a QR code to pay the deposit. If you can't make it to the store, just give us your address, and we'll bring it to you."

"Okay."

The rest will be charged when you get the item. Jiang Fengmian picked a time he knew Huo Zong would be at work to have the staff deliver it to their home.

After Huo Zong went to his study, Jiang Fengmian received a call and then tiptoed to open the villa door, hiding the watch under his shirt.

Jiang Fengmian checked the calendar; tomorrow was Children's Day, just right for giving Huo Zong the watch as a gift.

He sat cross-legged on the floor, his little box already packed, piles of cash ready to burst it open.

Huo Zong picked a box just like his but way bigger, sitting next to it. Jiang Fengmian opened it to find it already half-filled with money.

He figured Huo Zong had forgotten all about it.

The note on the ten grand had a date. Jiang Fengmian felt a lump in his throat; the dates on each stack could be connected.

Was Huo Zong really trying to trick him by saying ten grand was just a hundred bucks?

Wiping his teary eyes, Jiang Fengmian wondered who the real fool was between them. Who else would shower him with cash, worried he might be broke?

He stashed some cash in a hidden spot in the closet, giving him a good reason to give Huo Zong the watch, sparing him the need to think of another reason.

A knock came at the door.

Jiang Fengmian hurriedly tidied the bed, ran a hand through his hair, and then cleared his throat quietly, "Come on in, brother."

Huo Zong came in with a bag of candy, and he noticed Jiang Fengmian's red, teary eyes, looking like he'd been crying.

"My little kitten's crying again, who messed with you? I'll take care of it."

Huo Zong peeled a candy and popped it into Jiang Fengmian's mouth, his fingers pinching Jiang Fengmian's cheeks, which had only recently gained a bit of flesh.

"You."

Jiang Fengmian looked accusingly at Huo Zong, raising his injured hand, complaining pitifully.

"Brother, in the soap operas, when the lead gets hurt, it's always their husband who helps them bathe. Why don't you help me?"

"Hubby, I just bumped my head in the bathroom, can you help me too?"

Huo Zong was speechless; this little crybaby wasn't just upset, he was mad.

"Jiang Fengmian, could it possibly be that it's just a soap opera?"

"Ah, so what? You are my husband, my idol, we are our own soap opera."

Jiang Fengmian crunched the hard candy loudly, glaring at Huo Zong from head to toe, his gaze as if he wanted to dissect him inch by inch.

"Huo Zong, I can't do it myself, my head is spinning."

"Let me see."

Huo Zong parted the hair at the back of Jiang Fengmian's head, straining his eyes to see but found nothing unusual. If anything, the hair seemed better than yesterday, perhaps from using conditioner.

"Brother, it hurts."

Jiang Fengmian whimpered and burrowed into Huo Zong's arms, persistently lifting his injured hand, worried Huo Zong might ignore it.

"Huo Zong, please, I need your help."

Jiang Fengmian's voice trembled with a sob as he spoke. Huo Zong gently grasped the back of his neck and lifted him, catching a tear the size of a bean.

"Dr. Li warned you not to be alone with others like this, not even with me."

Jiang Fengmian remained silent, tears streaming down his face, each tear falling, piercing Huo Zong's heart.

"I'm sorry, brother. It's my fault. You should leave."

Jiang Fengmian hastily wiped his eyes, his palm covering the back of his head and giving it a gentle rub, then he headed straight for the bathroom.

He muttered numbers, indistinctly, as if counting down from five, and a faint smile touched his lips as Huo Zong spoke.

"Jiang Fengmian, I'll help you."

With a soft click, the bathroom door shut. Huo Zong's gaze shifted to the side, but he could still make out Jiang Fengmian's shadow through the frosted glass.

Using one hand, he carefully unbuttoned his shirt, pausing briefly when he reached the injured hand.

A sharp hiss escaped him as he brushed the wound.

"Jiang Fengmian, let me."

Huo Zong's gaze lingered solely on Jiang Fengmian's face. He assisted in removing his clothes, holding the showerhead as steam rose, forgetting to breathe.

"Brother, do I look ugly?"

The scars from the beating were still visible, standing out starkly against his smooth, fair skin.

After a long pause, Huo Zong's dark eyes finally met his, a storm brewing within. His fingers clenched into his palm, holding back from reaching out to Jiang Fengmian.

Huo Zong's husky voice whispered in Jiang Fengmian's ear, "You're not ugly."

"Huo Zong, then why don't you... touch me?"

Huo Zong didn't dare. He didn't dare to place his hand on Jiang Fengmian's back, only suppressing his breath, and he didn't dare to let Jiang Fengmian see the intense possessiveness in his eyes.

"Brother, I'm injured."

"Jiang Fengmian, you only have one hand injured."

Jiang Fengmian let out an "oh," hiding his other hand behind his back, blatantly lying, "Now, both hands are injured."

The sound of rushing water continued, and Huo Zong's thin shirt was already soaked. His Adam's apple bobbed as he desperately suppressed the overwhelming desire.

That was Jiang Fengmian, the Jiang Fengmian who trusted him completely.

He wanted to hold him, even to press the small mole on his collarbone.

"Jiang Fengmian."

"Shh, brother, don't speak."

Jiang Fengmian took Huo Zong's hand, guiding it to his neck, and leaned into his embrace, surrendering completely.

"It’s just helping with a bath, nothing more."

Huo Zong’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. His fingers trembled slightly as he held the showerhead, gently massaging Jiang Fengmian’s neck.

Like Jiang Fengmian said, it was only helping with a bath, nothing more.

He’d lost his mind, having thoughts he shouldn’t about someone as pure as Jiang Fengmian.

In the cramped space, any reaction was magnified. Jiang Fengmian’s skin flushed deeper, and Huo Zong felt flustered.

He quickly turned down the heat, apologizing, his voice rough.

Sweat beaded on Huo Zong’s forehead, whether from nervousness or the steam, he couldn’t tell.

The tingling in his fingers grew stronger. Massaging wasn’t enough anymore. He gently ran his fingers through Jiang Fengmian’s hair, repeatedly imagining devouring him.

"Jiang Fengmian, you take it from here."

The bathroom mirror was steamed up. Huo Zong faced away from Jiang Fengmian, handing him the showerhead.

As soon as the showerhead left his hand, Huo Zong’s palm seemed to be scratched, burning like fire, nearly consuming all his rationality.

He bolted out of there.

Huo Zong had never imagined that one day this term would apply to him.

Water dripped onto the floor as Huo Zong returned to the bathroom. The icy water poured over him as he panted heavily.

Huo Zong slowly crouched down, his arms pressed against his chest, biting a small patch of skin. The pain drowned out the itch, and he finally stood up, leaning against the wall.

His thoughts were a jumble. Huo Zong rubbed his fingertips, the sensation of smoothness under his fingers constantly resurfacing.

His last shred of reason was gone. Huo Zong changed his clothes and dug through the nightstand for a handful of pills, downing them in one go.

His heart palpitated fiercely, yet the lake of his heart remained undisturbed.

Calm as still water.

Having taken too much of the sedative at once, Huo Zong’s vision began to blur again, his ears filled with Jiang Fengmian’s voice—soft and cooing, angry and huffing, and faint, almost imperceptible moans.

Huo Zong grasped at the air, as if trying to hold onto something he couldn’t catch, reluctant to let go.

—Lost and confused.

The effects of the drugs became prominent. Huo Zong’s head throbbed with pain, and his stomach cramped in waves.

He turned over, pressing his arm against his body, biting down hard, not making a single sound.

Darkness spread. Huo Zong couldn’t tell if it was the darkness outside or the dizziness in his eyes. He was just mired in self-loathing, utterly despising himself.

Dr. Li said that skin hunger was related to a lack of love in childhood.

Love, what was that? Something he had never felt in nearly thirty years of life.

The old butler said that after he was born, it coincided with the time when that person was to be buried. Huo Qing was entirely focused on her, completely forgetting there was a crying child at home.

He cried for a day and a night. The nanny was told not to attend to him. He cried until he was almost out of breath. The old butler, unable to bear it, secretly changed his diaper and fed him milk.

The people from the Sheng family who came to take him were turned away by Huo Qing.

His A Lan was no longer there, and from then on, he had no connection with the Sheng family.

Huo Qing had thought that starving him for a day might kill him, but he survived, which only fueled Huo Qing's dissatisfaction. He hastily found a nanny to look after him, but no one was allowed to hold him.

Abandoned in the crib, the room was lined with soundproof panels. He would cry until he was exhausted and then fall asleep.

The old butler said that later, he didn’t even cry anymore, didn’t smile, and didn’t whimper like other children. He just stared blankly and fell asleep with his fists clenched.

Huo Zong wasn’t sure what it felt like to be held in someone’s arms. He only knew that at six, he tried to cling to Huo Qing’s leg, only to be kicked away, breaking two ribs. He was bedridden for two or three months, and Huo Qing accused him of faking it just to get attention.

He felt like a shadowy, solitary rat, hiding behind a wall, peeking at the happiness that belonged to Huo Qilin.

Huo Qing lifted little Huo Qilin high, rubbing his cheeks with his short stubble, constantly calling out, “My precious grandson.”

At his eighteenth birthday celebration, he was the only one in the entire school who was alone, with no one to hold him, just like when he was a child.

Huo Qilin was the treasure, while he was the scum that should have perished long ago.

His heart had long been dead, until Jiang Fengmian appeared.

The intense, uncontrollable desire surged even more powerfully.

He enjoyed touching Jiang Fengmian—no, Huo Zong blinked his dark eyes—he wanted to possess Jiang Fengmian.

To mark Jiang Fengmian with his presence.

The moment their fingertips met, Huo Zong knew he was lost.

He couldn’t suppress his urge to get closer to Jiang Fengmian, whether intentionally or unintentionally, or by allowing Jiang Fengmian to cross his boundaries. From the moment Jiang Fengmian embraced him, he was lost.

It was the hug he had yearned for since childhood, and only Jiang Fengmian could give it to him without hesitation or reservation.

Huo Zong clenched his fingers, struggling to rise from the bed. The stomach medicine was on the bedside table, but his gaze hardened as he stared at a pair of scissors nearby, sinking deeper into his thoughts.

He extended his hand, and just as he was about to grasp the scissors, the door suddenly burst open from the outside.

“Huo Zong.”

A worried voice called out, and Huo Zong swiftly grabbed a pill for his stomachache.

His face was drenched in sweat as he looked up at Jiang Fengmian, swallowing the pill dry.

Jiang Fengmian anxiously inspected the medicine bottle for a moment before confirming it was for stomach pain.

After showering, Jiang Fengmian reflected on Huo Zong’s condition. It wasn’t the bashfulness he had expected, but more like a bout of illness.

He called out Huo Zong’s name several times at the door, but receiving no reply, he pushed the door open without hesitation.

The act of swallowing the pill had terrified him, fearing Huo Zong might be considering something extreme.

“Huo Zong, is your stomach bothering you?”

Jiang Fengmian snatched a tissue to wipe the sweat from Huo Zong’s face. As he wiped, he noticed that Huo Zong’s lips were bitten and slightly bleeding, so he tenderly dabbed at them.

“Brother, do you need me to help massage your stomach?”

Huo Zong remained silent, just stared at him with intense, dark eyes, as if trapping his prey, fully in command.

Jiang Fengmian knelt down, gently placing his hand on Huo Zong’s stomach, massaging it haphazardly and without skill.

This doesn’t seem like an anxiety attack; it’s more like a stress response.

"Brother, if you’re not feeling well, you’ve got to tell me, or I’ll be upset."

"You help me, I help you—we’ve got each other’s backs."

Huo Zong caught the word ‘sadness.’ His brows furrowed, and he abruptly pulled Jiang Fengmian up to examine him closely. Jiang Fengmian’s eyes seemed unfocused, misty.

"Don’t be sad."

The words were forced out of his throat. Jiang Fengmian wondered if Huo Zong even recognized him.

"Brother, do you still remember who I am?"

Jiang Fengmian’s raised hand barely waved in front of Huo Zong’s eyes before he firmly grabbed it.

"Yes, Jiang Fengmian."

Mine, Huo Zong thought to himself.

My Jiang Fengmian.

"Jiang Fengmian."

Huo Zong suddenly pulled Jiang Fengmian into his arms, holding him so tightly it felt like he was trying to merge them into one.

"Don’t move—just let me hold you."

Holding him like the eighteen-year-old Huo Zong would.