Chapter 238

Chapter 238

During the polar night patrol, considering Jiang Nian was the entire base's "priority protection asset," Department Head Wang personally instructed him to patrol with Cheng Jing.

Cheng Jing was more than happy with the arrangement, and Jiang Nian had no objections. Being with Brother Jing was great in every way—except for not being able to cut loose—but hey, he could always mess with Jing instead!

Moreover, their combined strength was formidable, allowing them to operate as a standalone unit responsible for a designated area. Work could feel just like a date.

Every day, they left home together and returned together, revisiting their old attached-at-the-hip routine.

"Brother Jing, did you see those two people kissing in the corner we just passed? I guess sneaking around makes dating more exciting, huh? Aren’t they afraid of inhaling polluted dust and getting sick?"

Walking hand in hand through the alleyways of the outer district’s prefab housing, Jiang Nian chewed gum while murmuring gossip. Normally, chatting about this with Tang Ji and the others was just banter, but discussing it with Brother Jing gave him a slightly different feeling.

Cheng Jing kept his eyes forward, scanning their surroundings, and replied flatly,

"At this point, even ordinary people have developed some tolerance to pollutants. It’s not like they’re chugging it—they won’t die."

That said, he didn’t get the appeal either. Why not just go inside instead of making out in the dark? Was it a kink or just a quick hookup?

Jiang Nian chuckled.

"True, heh. Speaking of which, Brother Jing, do you remember where we had our first kiss?"

Cheng Jing: "…" See? There it is. He knew the gossip wasn’t that simple—this was the setup.

When he didn’t respond, Jiang Nian’s tone shifted.

"You didn’t forget, did you?"

Even through the protective helmet, Cheng Jing could feel the pressure. He was quick to deny it.

"I didn’t forget."

The other man kept pushing.

"Then tell me."

"…"

After a moment of recollection, Cheng Jing squeezed his hand and said,

"In that dark alley next to your school where you used to get into fights all the time. It was August 17th, right after your 18th birthday. You’d just gotten your admission letter and went all out celebrating with your classmates and teachers. At night, you asked me to take you home."

How could he ever forget? After drinking just one small cocktail at the gathering, someone decided to "play the drunk card," texting him to pick him up and then acting up, insisting on taking him down the alley where all his "legendary brawls" had happened.

Then, he’d pushed Cheng Jing against the wall and kissed him—their first kiss, clumsy and inexperienced, even busting their lips.

That was also the day they officially became a couple, waiting together to leave for Qingyun City for school.

Jiang Nian nodded in satisfaction.

"You even gave me a fancy pen back then… I still have it, stashed away in a junk pouch in my space."

Such a peak straight-dude gift. If he hadn’t been head-over-heels for Brother Jing, he might’ve rolled his eyes. Who still gave gifts like that these days?

"Mhm, and then you immediately went to the pharmacy next door and bought a box of condoms," he added drily.

While recounting the story, Cheng Jing couldn't help but chuckle. Back then, during their restless teenage years, someone had acted particularly 'flirty' in front of him.

"Hahaha..."

Jiang Nian laughed:

"I still remember how startled you looked. Too bad we didn’t get to use them—you made me return the condom box."

He had genuinely wanted to, but Brother Jing 'refused,' preferring to get on his knees for him instead.

Cheng Jing cleared his throat lightly:

"At the time, I thought we should wait until after college. Besides, the medium size ran small anyway."

"Hehe."

Jiang Nian smirked slyly:

"I totally did that on purpose. Otherwise, you wouldn’t let me touch you—how else would I know your size?"

Back then, Brother Jing had truly embodied aloofness, restraint, abstinence, reserve, innocence, and just the right amount of detachment to perfection. Combined with their interaction in that dark alley, it had completely 'hooked' him!

Even later, when he realized he’d been playing hard to get, the memory still made his heart race—both physically and emotionally, the pleasure and the thrill of pursuit had skyrocketed.

Cheng Jing gritted his teeth inwardly: "You’re the worst."

Jiang Nian teased:

"And you love me for it, don’t you?"

"Yeah."

Cheng Jing didn’t reply further, just quirked a smile and tightened his grip on the other’s hand.

Back then, his restraint wasn’t his choice—it was upbringing.

The first time Jiang Nian had looked at him with that heated look, something had stirred in his heart. After Jiang Nian confessed, he couldn’t help but tell his family he was serious about him.

His mother hadn’t objected, only warning him that if he touched Jiang Nian before college, she’d break his legs.

So even after they were both adults and officially together, he hadn’t dared to cross the line.

Yet this little troublemaker, completely unaware of consequences, was all over him—even questioning if there was something wrong with him.

Looking back now, he was so damn glad his lover had such a personality.

"..."

After midnight, after patrolling their assigned alleys, they had a 40-minute break.

The rest spot was a security booth with only a few low stools inside, its entrance wide open and dusty as hell.

Cheng Jing drove the Hummer over and parked nearby so they could rest more comfortably in the car.

He’d have been fine alone, but with Jiang Nian, he had to go the extra mile.

"Crash for 20 minutes. I’ll wake you when it’s time to eat."

Cheng Jing brushed the dust off his clothes and climbed into the backseat. He unfolded the modified pull-down table inside the car and deftly pulled out MREs to prepare. They still had five more hours to go—they’d need the fuel.

Jiang Nian followed in and closed the car door, taking off his protective helmet as he replied:

"I'm fine, not tired either."

Just as Cheng Jing was about to say, 'If you're not sleepy, at least rest your eyes,' he heard the rascal tease:

"Brother Jing, I want a kiss."

Since first kisses came up, we might as well have one now, right?

"..."

Cheng Jing’s breath hitched as he seriously reminded him:

"Nian Nian, we're working."

This guy...

Jiang Nian leaned closer:

"I just want a kiss, nothing more. Can’t I get my 'feel-good fix' during break time?"

Then, he breathed softly toward him and lowered his voice:

"Brother Jing, the gum I was chewing was mint-flavored. Don’t you want a taste?"

"..."

Cheng Jing gritted his teeth silently, finishing arranging the food before looking at him:

"Step outside."

Jiang Nian blinked. "Why?"

Cheng Jing pulled open the door:

"I don't want to spill everything."

Besides, closed spaces are too tempting—doesn’t he get it? Do we even want to finish our shift?

"Fine."

Jiang Nian understood and followed him out.

The moment the door shut, Cheng Jing pushed him against the car and devoured him in a kiss, greedily drinking in his minty taste.

Of course he wanted it—it was just work and duty forcing him to stay composed. If both of them acted recklessly, the whole base couldn't handle them.

The wind blew from the other side, blocked by the car, so they were spared most of the dust.

After over ten minutes, Cheng Jing stuffed the slightly winded and compliant troublemaker back into the car. The little rascal wasn’t exactly skilled—just that type who talks big but can't back it up.

Looking at his flushed face, Cheng Jing asked softly:

"Food's here. Need me to feed you?"

"No, I've got it..."

Jiang Nian shook his head, pursing his tingling lips as he spoke:

"Brother Jing, let's figure out how to put together or get our hands on an RV. It'll be more convenient for free travel when things calm down at the base."

The idea hit him out of nowhere, and he thought it was feasible. If they had an RV now, they wouldn’t have to step outside just to kiss.

Cheng Jing agreed without hesitation:

"Alright, I’ll ask about it tomorrow."

"Yeah."

Success. Jiang Nian didn’t say more. If Brother Jing said it was possible, then it was no problem—and he’d definitely arrange everything properly. That’s how dependable he was.