Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Jiang Songen knew how to ride an electric bike, though he seldom used it to get around. So this occasional ride felt strangely new to him.

At times, he rode very slowly, happily watching other vehicles pass them by and leave them far behind.

Other times, he sped up, the wind rustling their clothes and tousling Jiang Songen’s already slightly messy hair.

You Nan couldn’t get a good grip on the small handle in front. In a moment of panic, he grabbed Jiang Songen’s clothes to steady himself.

Jiang Songen felt the tug on his clothes like a light, tingling grab right over his heart.

His grip loosened, and the bike lost momentum, returning to its previous leisurely pace.

“What are you doing! Speeding up and slowing down, you’re just messing with me!” You Nan said anxiously, “I still have to get to work. Hurry up! This seat is so tiny, it's killing my butt.”

Jiang Songen laughed heartily, “Alright, I'll get you there in ten minutes flat!”

Jiang Songen kept his word. After that, he didn’t need any urging from You Nan and cranked it to max speed.

The wind whistled past their ears. You Nan could hear only the wind, and he clung tightly to Jiang Songen’s clothes to keep his balance—all because the back seat was too small.

“Can I hold onto you? I can’t sit steady.”

You Nan spoke loudly, his words getting torn away by the wind.

Jiang Songen pricked up his ears, his sharp hearing catching You Nan’s words. “Sure! Go ahead.”

As he spoke, Jiang Songen suddenly reached out, grabbed You Nan’s wrist, and guided it forward, wrapping it around his own waist like it was no big deal.

You Nan’s hand touched something burning hot—the feel of lean muscle beneath his clothes—and immediately pulled back. Jiang Songen wasn’t feeling so calm either; even through the fabric, his waist was sensitive, and his muscles stiffened.

He had never let anyone hold him so intimately before.

But Jiang Songen didn’t make a big deal of it. He took You Nan’s hand again and securely wrapped it around his waist.

You Nan, sitting behind him, found the wind rushing toward them completely blocked by Jiang Songen. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and braced himself.

The main character is a bottom, and so am I!

There’s nothing wrong with two bottoms being close!

With that thought, he positively wrapped his arms around Jiang Songen’s waist and pressed his face against Jiang Songen’s strong back.

For the last few minutes of the ride, Jiang Songen didn’t say a word, nor did he play around by speeding up and slowing down like before.

It was very quiet.

The boy straightened his back to make the person behind him more comfortable.

Jiang Songen stopped the bike at the entrance of the restaurant. A girl who often worked with You Nan saw them and covered her mouth to laugh. “You Nan, why did you come on such a small back seat? Your butt must be hurting.”

You Nan got off the bike, and even walking a few steps felt uncomfortable. “A little.”

He turned to speak to Jiang Songen, “You can go now.”

Jiang Songen remained quiet, only giving a noncommittal “mm” in response. He watched You Nan enter the restaurant before twisting the throttle and taking off.

The girl glanced at You Nan going inside, then at the handsome guy who had dropped him off for work, and couldn’t help but hold her slightly flushed cheeks.

You Nan didn’t see the look full of tender affection the handsome guy had just given his retreating figure—what a shame!

She felt embarrassed just watching.

The bike didn’t have enough battery for Jiang Songen to ride from there to his home.

So Jiang Songen called for the driver to come get him in a larger vehicle so he could bring You Nan’s bike back with him.

As soon as Jiang Songen got home, he didn’t even bother dropping his backpack. His first task was to charge You Nan’s electric bike.

Only when the charger’s humming sound started did he go back to his room to shower and wash his hair, then change into clean clothes.

Jiang Songen took his sweet time getting ready. It wasn’t until it was almost time for You Ruan to get out of school that he went downstairs.

As Jiang Songen passed by his mom, who was watching a movie in the living room, she felt a sudden wave of fragrance waft past her.

“Mom! I’m going out to eat with a friend today! I’ll probably be back around nine or ten!” Jiang Songen’s voice floated over like the wind.

This was the first time Jiang’s mom had seen her son gussying himself up. She walked over to watch him put on his shoes. Jiang Songen put on his favorite pair of limited-edition sneakers.

Jiang’s mom put two and two together. “A girl?”

She spoke abruptly, hoping to startle her son.

Jiang Songen wasn’t fazed by his mom’s question and remained very calm. But the eagerness in his tone couldn’t escape an adult’s notice. “A boy.”

“You’re going out with a boy and you smell that good?”

Jiang’s mom scrutinized her son and realized he had meticulously groomed himself from head to toe. She clicked her tongue mentally. “Son, are you really going out to eat with a boy?”

Jiang Songen didn’t look up, just mumbled in response. He stood in front of the mirror by the door to check his appearance. “Can’t talk more, I have to go pick up his younger brother for him.”

Jiang’s mom watched as her son bolted out the door, dashed into the garage, and rode out on an unfamiliar electric bike.

Jiang’s mom: “?”

Jiang’s mom turned to the butler nearby. “When did our family buy an electric bike?”

Did her son steal it from the nanny?

The ever-present, all-knowing butler materialized. “No, this electric bike belongs to the young master’s friend, You Nan.”

You Nan?

“That sounds like a boy’s name.” Jiang’s mom watched her son leave the house.

The butler confirmed that it was.

“When my son went out with his other buddies before, did he ever wear perfume?”

Jiang’s mom felt her son was acting strange.

The butler’s lip twitched. After a moment, he replied softly, “No.”

Jiang’s mom pressed further, “Did he wash his hair, shower, change into fresh clothes, and put on his favorite sneakers?”

The butler continued expressionlessly, “No.”

Their young master used to be quite casual around his close friends, at most changing from pajamas to clothes to go out in. Getting dressed up was out of the question; he'd just wash his face and go out without even drying off.

He could still look handsome, which was entirely because of his good genes.

Mrs. Jiang clearly understood her son's personality well.

"Help me check what kind of person this You Nan is."

Mrs. Jiang sighed.

Jiang Songen had little contact with girls since he was young; almost everyone around him was male. Now in his senior year of high school, he still hadn't shown any romantic awareness.

Besides, Jiang Songen never needed their urging or supervision—his grades had always been good, and he still had plenty of energy for fun and other activities.

She and her husband weren't strict, traditional parents who insisted their child focus solely on studies and forbid him from dating.

That rascal Jiang Songen had plenty of time to date! But he just never did!

Nor had they seen him show any special interest in anyone.

Such a waste of the good looks she and her husband had given him!

Mrs. Jiang had always been waiting for her son to develop some romantic awareness.

She never expected her son might actually like boys—this really surprised her.

A mother's intuition is usually spot-on, and she had the example of how Jiang Songen's father pursued her.

A man who usually doesn't care about his appearance suddenly dressing up clearly indicates he has love on his mind.

Either he has someone he likes or he wants to start dating!

Mrs. Jiang hadn't decided what to do after investigating You Nan's background.

Might as well vet him first for her son, to see what kind of person he is.

The butler acknowledged Mrs. Jiang's instructions with a "Yes."

After Mrs. Jiang sat back on the sofa to continue watching the movie, he immediately had someone do a background check on You Nan.

.

Before You Ruan even stepped out of the school gate, his eyes were already searching the open entrance for his brother.

His brother was easy to spot—with a young, youthful face and a certain presence that made him stand out immediately.

You Nan would usually unabashedly squeeze into the front row with the grandpas and grandmas waiting for their grandchildren, so his little brother could see him as soon as he came out.

You Ruan would normally spot his brother at a glance, but today You Ruan didn't see him.

The child grew anxious—why hadn't his brother arrived yet?

You Ruan obediently walked in line, following the teacher, looking left and right, but still didn't see that familiar figure.

He felt a bit disappointed, but thought maybe his brother's shop was too busy today, or he was running behind, or maybe there was traffic, so he hadn't arrived yet.

Suddenly, a square object wrapped in oil paper was waved in front of him, and a rich, delicious aroma wafted over. Hungry by the afternoon, You Ruan immediately looked up and saw a face that, once seen, would never be forgotten.

The child's eyes lit up. "Brother Jiang!"

"Aye!" Jiang Songen laughed cheerfully, picking the child up into his arms.

Hearing You Ruan's voice, the teacher immediately turned around, momentarily stunned by the newcomer's good looks.

You Ruan waved to the teacher. "Teacher, goodbye! My brother's friend is here to pick me up!"

Jiang Songen gave the teacher a polite smile.

Before the teacher could fully process it, Jiang Songen had already left with the child.

You Ruan was very happy sitting on the back seat of the small electric bike. This was the first time Jiang Songen had picked him up after school. The child's thin, short legs dangled, and he said softly, "Brother Jiang, why are you picking me up today?"

"Your brother asked me to come, so I did."

Jiang Songen negotiated with the child. "How about I take you around first, then we go find your brother for dinner?"

You Ruan happily agreed. "Then we can go ride the rocking rides! It costs two yuan per person. Big brother gave me ten yuan today, and I haven't spent it yet. Later, I'll treat Brother Jiang to a ride!"

Jiang Songen was surprised and touched. "You Ruan is so good! Then I won't hold back."

You Ruan proudly patted his chest.

Soon, the two of them took over the rocking rides in the mall's play area.

When others were around, they stepped aside; when no one was there, they took their turn.

At first, You Ruan paid.

Though the child was restrained, he couldn't help showing a pained look when spending money, but he quickly hid it and happily pulled Jiang Songen to ride.

Jiang Songen sighed inwardly. Maybe it was loving someone means loving what they love, or maybe because You Ruan was just too well-behaved, but he couldn't help but dote on the child too.

After that, Jiang Songen paid for all of You Ruan's rides.

Jiang Songen patiently stayed with You Ruan until it was almost time for their meeting. Then the two got up from the rocking rides and hurried to meet him.

When they arrived, You Nan had already changed into his own clothes and was sitting at a cleared table waiting for them.

You Nan passed them the menu. "Order whatever you like."

Jiang Songen took it, selected a few dishes. You Ruan was reluctant to order, afraid his brother would spend too much money. You Nan eventually picked for him.

"Just order what you like. Brother works to give us a better life."

You Ruan nodded, half-understanding, engraving "work hard to earn money" in his mind.

Jiang Songen ordered affordable dishes, while You Nan added a few delicious signature items.

The whole table came to about three hundred yuan.

The old You Nan would have felt stingy about spending this much. But not the current You Nan.

This was money that fool Yi Jiahe practically threw at him—spending it felt light, without a second thought.

After eating for a while, Jiang Songen said he needed to use the bathroom and asked You Nan where it was.

You Nan told him.

Jiang Songen got up and left. After a while, he made his way to the front desk.

"I'd like to pay the bill, table 47."

The hostess was just about to search for the table number when she knew right away from hearing it.

She said to Jiang Songen, "Table 47's already been taken care of."

Jiang Songen had a good memory and remembered the prices of the dishes You Nan had ordered.

He opened his wallet, took out several bills, and placed them on the counter. "This covers me. Please give You Nan his money back."

The lady glanced at him in surprise, then couldn't help but look toward You Nan, whose back was turned to the front desk.

Jiang Songen pushed the bills a little closer. "It's alright. When he gets his salary, just refund the money into his paycheck."

You Nan waited a few minutes before Jiang Songen returned.

He joked, "What took you so long? Xiao Ruan and I almost ate all the good stuff here."

Though he said that, the bowls Jiang Songen had emptied before leaving were now filled back up.

Jiang Songen smiled and passed out three bottles of drinks he had just bought. "I was craving a Coke, so I went to get some."

You Nan had ordered sour plum drink, and there was still some left in the pot on the table. He didn't question it.

"Alright, I’ll remember you like Coke."

You Nan’s eyes crinkled into a smile.

Jiang Songen didn’t explain further. He opened a bottle of Coke and clinked bottles with You Nan and You Ruan.

He didn’t actually like carbonated drinks much. He bought them only because You Nan’s younger brother liked them—he was just humoring him and making that the excuse.

But there was no need for You Nan to know that.

When You Nan received his salary in the middle of the month, he was surprised to see over 300 yuan in his bank account.

You Nan went to see the boss privately. "Boss, was my paycheck wrong?"

The boss said there was no mistake. "Didn’t you take your classmate out to a meal before? You paid for it yourself first, but later your classmate came and picked up the tab for you. He asked us to refund the money into your salary account."

You Nan was kind of stunned upon hearing this. He recalled the time during the meal when Jiang Songen had excused himself to go to the restroom.

You Nan pursed his lips, his emotions suddenly growing complicated.

"Okay, I understand."

You Nan left the boss’s office and sat on a chair in the break room, looking thoughtful.

Jiang Songen was really too good to him.

How could he be so kind?