Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Jiang Songen watched You Nan dash into the room and, assuming the outdoor chill had affected him, promptly closed the door.

But when he entered You Nan’s kitchen as if it were his own, washed the vegetables, and heard movement behind him, he turned to find You Nan had changed into a light brown fleece sweater and brown and off-white plaid pants, wearing the fluffy slippers Jiang Songen had bought for him.

A gentle smile touched Jiang Songen’s lips as he noticed the slippers.

“Do they fit?”

You Nan glanced down and hummed in affirmation.

“Are you cold? I’ll turn on the air conditioner for you.” You Nan rummaged through the coffee table drawer, retrieving the remote.

He also pushed open the small bedroom door. The rented apartment wasn’t large, so a single air conditioner in the living room was enough to warm the entire space.

Jiang Songen noticed Xiao Ruan and the kitten snuggled together in the bedroom. “Do you two sleep together at night?”

You Nan set down the remote. “Yeah, it gets too cold at night. Running the AC all night makes the air too dry, but it’s much warmer when more people sleep together.”

Relieved that You Nan wasn’t just being stingy with electricity, Jiang Songen relaxed.

Who doesn't use air conditioning in winter? Without it, it’s freezing—he didn’t want You Nan to catch a cold.

Jiang Songen picked up a knife to slice the eggplant.

He had a rough idea of You Nan’s current financial state—not great, but not terrible.

He wanted to offer financial help but struggled with how to phrase it without You Nan refusing or getting angry.

Everyone has their pride, and Jiang Songen didn’t want You Nan to misunderstand.

You Nan didn’t leave Jiang Songen to cook alone. After checking on his brother in the room, he came out and stood beside Jiang Songen.

The kitchen was filled with the sizzle of hot oil and the aroma of cooking, yet Jiang Songen keenly detected the faint scent of laundry detergent on You Nan.

The smell wasn’t particularly pleasant. Jiang Songen had seen it in You Nan’s bathroom—a large bag of camellia-scented laundry detergent. You Nan bought it simply because it was cheaper than liquid detergent.

It had been on promotion then: buy a large bag, get a free bottle of dish soap.

But laundry detergent doesn't smell as good as liquid detergent. The scent was faint, almost imperceptible. Yet Jiang Songen always caught this particular fragrance on You Nan, and was even somewhat captivated by it.

He’d bought a bag himself at the supermarket and washed his clothes with it. Perhaps it was a different manufacturing batch, but he felt his didn’t smell as good as You Nan’s.

The scent was so distinctive that whenever he caught it, he knew You Nan was nearby.

You Nan handed him two drinks and, noticing Jiang Songen’s reddened nose and a slight sniffle, asked with concern, “Did you get cold on your way here?”

Jiang Songen wouldn’t admit to his slightly peculiar behavior earlier. He kept his eyes on the pot and said, “No, I just added some chili—it stung my nose a bit.”

You Nan glanced doubtfully at the pot; the broth looked clear, with no chili in sight.

But noticing Jiang Songen’s reddened earlobes, You Nan simply said “Oh” and pretended to believe him.

The aroma of lunch wafted into the room. Without even opening their eyes, the two under the covers pushed aside the blanket and stumbled out half-asleep, drawn by the smell.

You Ruan, clutching 007, yawned in unison with the kitten. “Brother, what smells so delicious?”

You Nan listed a few dishes, and You Ruan instantly perked up.

His eyes lit up as he dashed into the kitchen, sweetly calling "brother" to both his left and right, then emerged carrying several sets of bowls and chopsticks.

Jiang Songen actually delivered this time—he really cooked two dishes.

Stir-fried eggplant and scrambled eggs.

Though his culinary skills were a bit lacking, it was quite impressive for a young master from a wealthy family to pull it off.

You Nan and You Ruan generously showered him with praise.

Their compliments made Jiang Songen gulp his Orange Juice with Pulp as if it were a shot of whiskey.

You Nan and You Ruan both laughed.

Seeing such an expression on Jiang Songen’s striking, handsome face was quite a contrast.

A little embarrassed by their laughter, Jiang Songen glanced at You Nan once, then again. He didn’t realize that his eyes shone whenever he looked at You Nan.

In the evening, Jiang Songen joined them to watch the fireworks show. With Chinese New Year approaching, the streets were lively even at night.

Jiang Songen stood beside You Nan, while in front of them, You Ruan played with sparklers.

Both watched You Ruan play.

They felt they were no longer children and ought to display adult composure.

“I told my Mom this time,” Jiang Songen paused for a second. “I don’t plan to study abroad like Li Qiutian. I want to attend university here in China.”

You Nan was surprised but quickly composed himself. “That’s good too. There are many excellent universities domestically.”

Jiang Songen murmured in agreement, and then it seemed there was nothing left to say. They stood together quietly.

Between close friends, even standing together without speaking doesn’t feel awkward.

Jiang Songen hadn't mentioned to You Nan how, when he told his mother he didn’t want to go abroad, she had given him an odd look.

He didn’t know what she was thinking.

But since she didn’t ask why he didn’t want to leave, he was secretly relieved.

Because he didn’t know how to explain it either.

He wanted to stay in China to continue being friends with You Nan.

Jiang Songen couldn’t imagine going two or three years without seeing You Nan.

These days, he yearned to see You Nan every single day.

Jiang Songen’s heart was pounding so hard he could hear it, so loud it felt clear even amidst the surrounding fireworks.

The sound of his heartbeat, in his ears, was even louder than the noise of the fireworks and firecrackers.

Jiang Songen licked his lips and sneaked a glance at You Nan. Jiang Songen asked You Nan, "You Nan, do you hear that?"

He worried his heartbeat was too loud, that You Nan could actually hear it.

You Nan asked, sounding confused, "Huh?"

"I just feel like my heart is acting up a bit..." Jiang Songen casually made up an excuse to brush it aside, but You Nan stepped closer.

"If your heart's bothering you, let's go to the hospital right now."

You Nan grabbed Jiang Songen's hand and asked urgently, "Are you still doing okay? I'll call a taxi right away."

With that, You Nan unlocked his phone and opened the ride app.

Jiang Songen's discomfort wasn't that kind.

He quickly stopped him, "It's... it's nothing serious. Maybe it's just heart palpitations. I stayed up late last night thinking about winter break starting today. It's really nothing."

You Nan still wasn't fully convinced, "Maybe we should still go to the hospital later?"

Jiang Songen met You Nan's eyes, and the refusal died on his lips.

The worry in You Nan's eyes was clearly visible—it was genuine concern for him.

Jiang Songen couldn't bear such a look from You Nan. He nodded hastily in agreement, then pursed his lips and looked away, pretending to gaze into the distance.

Ugh, with such a smart brain, how did he come up with such a lame excuse?

And the same thing happened when cooking before.

Jiang Songen felt his behavior was not normal. Perhaps he really needed to go to the hospital for a check-up.

Just to make sure he doesn't miss getting into You Nan's ideal university when they take the college entrance exam together.

As the fireworks show was about to end, You Ruan, completely worn out, couldn't hold on any longer.

He ran over, his sleepy voice: "Brother, I'm so tired. I want to go back and sleep."

The little child leaned against his brother, holding onto his clothes, and stood there dozing as he leaned against You Nan.

His small body swayed, making You Nan nervous.

You Nan quickly caught him to prevent him from accidentally slipping and falling.

"Maybe we should head home," You Nan suggested to Jiang Songen. "The fireworks show runs for a few more days. We can always come back another time."

Jiang Songen, of course, agreed with him. Besides, if they left now, they could still come back together again in a couple of days. "Okay."

He had no objections to You Nan's arrangements.

It was almost 9 p.m. when they arrived at You Nan's house. The alley had no streetlights, and it was completely dark. Jiang Songen didn't let You Nan walk him out and instead headed out alone.

You Nan hurriedly got his younger brother tucked in and then rushed out after him. "Jiang Songen."

Jiang Songen stopped on the stairs and turned his face slightly. The dim light in the hallway fell on his face, making him look as beautiful as an alluring spirit.

"What is it?" His clear voice broke the strange atmosphere.

You Nan pushed the thoughts away that had just crossed his mind and clenched his fist. "It's dark outside now. Why don't you crash at my place for the night?"

"I don't know if your family's driver is still working this late..."

Before You Nan could finish, Jiang Songen, who had been heading down, turned back.

"Sure, I'm a bit tired too," Jiang Songen said without batting an eye, blatantly lying. "That part of the road without streetlights is really dark. Without you with me, I’m actually kind of scared."

You Nan couldn't help but laugh. There was no way Jiang Songen was the timid type.

But You Nan didn't call him out. Seeing that Jiang Songen was willing to stay, he went to his own room to fix up the bed.

"Are we sleeping together tonight, you, me, and your brother?" Jiang Songen followed behind You Nan, joking.

You Nan said no, "It would be too crowded sleeping together like that."

He put out fresh sheets for Jiang Songen. "You can sleep in this room."

You Nan worked with his back to Jiang Songen when the boy behind him suddenly said, "How about we sleep together?"

You Nan's fingers paused. "This bed isn't very big either. I think it's just right for you alone."

You Nan wasn't comfortable with the idea.

In his heart, he only felt comfortable sleeping with children or his partner.

Jiang Songen noticed the nostalgic expression on You Nan's face and felt a sudden surge of irritation.

This again, always like this.

Jiang Songen was curious about who You Nan was thinking of.

Sometimes, when You Nan looked at him, it felt like he was seeing someone else through him.

This feeling made him anxious and annoyed.

He didn't like it.

Jiang Songen gripped the chair cushion. Later, he would have someone find out who You Nan had been particularly close to in the past and if anyone looked like him.

Jiang Songen was so lost in thought that he didn't pay attention to his own mental state.

His interest and concern for You Nan had unknowingly reached an extremely high level.

You Nan finished making the bed and went out to run a bath for Jiang Songen.

Jiang Songen sat on the bed and called his mom on his phone.

On the other end, Mom Jiang was still awake. She was sitting in the living room wearing a face mask, waiting for her son to come home.

She answered her son's call: "Sweetie, when are you coming home?"

Jiang Songen lay on You Nan's bed, the familiar smell of laundry detergent in his nose. "Mom, I'm not coming home tonight. I'm staying at a friend's place."

Mom Jiang thought she misheard. "What? Where are you staying?"

Jiang Songen repeated himself.

"At a friend's house."

"You've never stayed at someone else's house before."

Mom Jiang knew her son well. He was particular about cleanliness and didn't like sleeping in other people's beds. Aside from hotels, Jiang Songen had never stayed anywhere else overnight.

Jiang Songen's voice was lazy, "Well, I guess there's a first time for everything."

Jiang's mother had a hunch and a name popped into her mind, "Which classmate is it?"

"You Nan."

The answer her son gave matched her guess.

For a moment, Jiang's mother was speechless.

She wanted to ask her son to pass the phone to You Nan so she could warn him to be more careful and not just let anyone stay overnight.

Her son's own feelings—he didn't even understand them himself, but as his mother, she saw it all too clearly.

But before she could even just bring it up, her son already thought she was nagging and was ready to hang up.

"Mom, I’m going to take a shower. I’ll hang up now."

Jiang's mother managed an "Eh—", but the phone was already emitting the dial tone.

Jiang's mother gritted her teeth.

That kid better not actually do anything reckless!