Chapter 61 Steve

Chapter 61 Steve

Lu Nanzhou's knowing look made Jiang Jiang shrink back, obediently pulling the suit jacket that still carried the other's warmth tighter around himself.

Warmth enveloped him under the bathrobe, gradually calming the fluster in his heart.

"Hungry?" Lu Nanzhou glanced at the time—it was already past nine. "Did you have dinner?"

Only then did Jiang Jiang remember that, for the mission, he hadn't eaten yet. His stomach rumbled on cue.

"No," he replied, feeling a bit sheepish.

Lu Nanzhou picked up the hotel menu from the bedside table. "What do you feel like eating?"

Jiang Jiang leaned over to look at the menu, his eyes lighting up. "This, this, and this!"

Lu Nanzhou jotted down each item he pointed to, then added two light dishes and a soup before calling room service.

While waiting for the food, Jiang Jiang sat cross-legged on the bed, finally in the right frame of mind to process everything.

Lu Nanzhou knew about the system.

Lu Nanzhou wasn't angry.

Lu Nanzhou was even going to help him with the missions.

He stole a glance at the man sitting on the sofa, on his phone.

"Lu Nanzhou," Jiang Jiang murmured.

"Hmm?" Lu Nanzhou looked up at him.

"You really don't think it's strange?"

Lu Nanzhou put down his phone, walked over, and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached out and gently ruffled Jiang Jiang's dry hair. "Beyond that, I care more about whether you'll get hurt. That electric shock—did it hurt?"

Jiang Jiang hadn't expected him to know that, too. He nodded, then quickly shook his head. "It only hurts for a second. 404 said it doesn't harm the body."

"That's still not okay," Lu Nanzhou said seriously. "From now on, if there are missions, we'll figure them out together to minimize the risk of punishment."

Jiang Jiang shuffled forward, resting his head on Lu Nanzhou's shoulder. "Heh, you're the best."

Lu Nanzhou slipped an arm around him, resting his chin against the top of Jiang Jiang's head.

*Knock, knock.* A knock came at the door—it was room service.

An array of dishes filled the small round table in the suite's living room.

Jiang Jiang was starving and forgot all about table manners, eating heartily.

Lu Nanzhou was in no hurry. He ate at a leisurely pace, mostly watching Jiang Jiang and occasionally telling him, "Slow down."

"Oh, right," Jiang Jiang said between bites of fish, suddenly remembering something. "Weren't you supposed to be working today? What made you come over?"

Lu Nanzhou filled a bowl of soup for him. "Lu Xingye sent me the photos."

Jiang Jiang nearly choked. "What did he do that for?"

"Probably figured I should be the one to rein you in," Lu Nanzhou said calmly. "But it's just as well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known my little friend would go this far to complete a mission."

Jiang Jiang's face flushed, and he mumbled, "It wasn't like I had a choice..."

"Well, you do now," Lu Nanzhou said, pushing the soup toward him. "Drink some soup."

After the meal, Jiang Jiang sprawled on the sofa, patting his full stomach.

Lu Nanzhou cleared away the containers and sat down beside him.

"I'll take you back in a bit," Lu Nanzhou said. "Or would you prefer to stay here tonight?"

Jiang Jiang jolted upright. "Back, back! My big brother says I have an eleven o'clock curfew!"

Lu Nanzhou raised an eyebrow. "A curfew?"

"Yeah," Jiang Jiang replied, avoiding eye contact guiltily. He didn't mention it was set because his brother knew they were dating.

"Then go change quickly. I'll take you back."

Jiang Jiang jumped up to change.

The clothes Lu Nanzhou had prepared were newly delivered—a simple white T-shirt and casual pants that looked especially fresh on Jiang Jiang.

On the way back, Jiang Jiang leaned against the passenger seat, watching the night scenery speeding past.

"Lu Nanzhou."

"Hmm?"

"Lu Nanzhou!"

"Hmm."

"Lu Nanzhou, Lu Nanzhou, Lu Nanzhou..."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just calling your name."

"Hmm."

The car stopped at the entrance of the Jiang family villa.

Jiang Jiang unbuckled his seatbelt but didn't get out immediately.

He leaned over and quickly kissed Lu Nanzhou on the cheek. "Goodnight, boyfriend."

With that, he pulled the car door open and was about to run off.

"Wait," Lu Nanzhou called out to him.

Jiang Jiang turned back.

Lu Nanzhou pointed to his own lips. "Here."

Jiang Jiang's face instantly flushed bright red.

He glanced around to make sure no one was nearby, then hesitantly leaned in and gently brushed his lips against Lu Nanzhou's.

A fleeting touch, and then he pulled away.

"I-I'm heading back!" Jiang Jiang jumped out of the car and ran into the house without looking back.

Lu Nanzhou watched his retreating figure disappear behind the door, gently touched his own lips, and let out a low chuckle.

Jiang Jiang, his face still flushed, got out of the car and returned home. The house was quiet.

He opened the door on tiptoe; only a wall lamp was on in the living room.

He let out a sigh of relief and was about to sneak upstairs.

"You're back?"

Jiang Jiang froze and slowly turned around.

Jiang Huaijin, dressed in loungewear, came out of the kitchen with a glass of water, his expression calm.

"B-big brother..." Jiang Jiang forced a dry laugh, "You're not asleep yet?"

"Just came down for some water." Jiang Huaijin walked over and sat on the sofa, glancing at the time. "Exactly eleven. Very punctual."

Jiang Jiang shuffled over. "I said I'd be on time."

Jiang Huaijin looked at Jiang Jiang's look of exaggerated innocence and helplessly patted his head. "Alright, off to bed now."

Jiang Jiang nodded obediently. "Okay, big brother, you should get some sleep too."

......

The next day was Saturday. Jiang Jiang woke up on his own, sunlight already flooding the room.

He stretched, reached for his phone, and saw several unread messages on the screen.

There was a "good morning" from Lu Nanzhou, and also a question mark sent by Lu Xingye.

He had unblocked the other person after returning home yesterday.

Jiang Jiang opened the chat with Lu Xingye, thought for a moment, and replied with just a dot.

Lu Xingye replied instantly: What did you mean yesterday???

Jiang Jiang: What do you mean, what did I mean?

Lu Xingye: Why did you send me that photo!!!

Jiang Jiang: Oh, that was just to annoy you [grinning face emoji]

Lu Xingye: ????????

The two of them bickered like elementary school kids for a while, finally ending with Lu Xingye saying, "My wife's calling me for dinner, gotta go."

Jiang Jiang tossed his phone aside, in a great mood.

After washing up and heading downstairs, only the housekeeper, Aunt Wang, was there preparing lunch.

"Young master, you're awake?" Aunt Wang asked with a smile. "Breakfast is on the table. Should I warm it up for you?"

"No, it's fine, I can do it." Jiang Jiang walked into the kitchen and saw a plate of exquisite pastries on the counter. "Aunt Wang, are these new?"

"Ah, these," Aunt Wang said with a smile, "Mr. Lu sent someone to deliver them this morning."

Jiang Jiang was taken aback. He walked over, picked up a piece, and took a bite. It was the signature egg custard puff from Liang Ji, still warm.

He felt a sweet warmth. He took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Nanzhou: "Got the pastries, they're delicious~"

Lu Nanzhou replied quickly: Glad you like them.

Jiang Jiang happily picked up another and took a big bite.

......

During this time, whenever Jiang Jiang received a task, Lu Nanzhou would immediately help him figure out a way.

Only Lu Xingye had it worse.

"Task Context: Last time, you successfully made Lu Xingye furious. This time, using Jiang Heyao's secret as bait, you demand that Lu Xingye accompany you to the amusement park."

"Task Content: Ride the Ferris wheel with Lu Xingye. When the Ferris wheel reaches its highest point, say: Brother, I heard that making a wish when the Ferris wheel reaches the top is the most effective. My wish is to always be with you, no matter what."

"Task Countdown: 36 hours, 58 minutes, 45 seconds."

Lu Xingye: ???

Under Lu Nanzhou's coercion and persuasion, Lu Xingye arrived on time.

The result was that he inexplicably ended up on the Ferris wheel with his brother and Jiang Jiang.

Jiang Jiang and Lu Nanzhou sat on one side, while Lu Xingye sat opposite them.

When the Ferris wheel rose to its highest point, Jiang Jiang cleared his throat, took Lu Nanzhou's hand, and said, "Brother, I heard that making a wish when the Ferris wheel reaches the top is the most effective. My wish is to always be with you, no matter what."

Lu Xingye said nothing, staring expressionlessly at the two people opposite him, his mind full of question marks.

Who am I?

Why am I here?

Why am I watching these two show off their affection right in front of me?

"Task completed. Reward issued."

The Ferris wheel slowly descended to the bottom, and the three of them got off together.

Lu Nanzhou, holding Jiang Jiang's hand, looked at Lu Xingye. "Alright, you can go now."

Lu Xingye: ???

Lu Nanzhou frowned. "Do you still want to play with us?"

Lu Xingye instinctively shook his head.

Who would want to play with them.

"Then go."

After saying that, Lu Nanzhou took Jiang Jiang's hand and left, heading towards the next attraction.

Lu Xingye stood there dumbfounded for a few more seconds.

He replayed everything that had just happened and pinched himself to confirm he wasn't dreaming.

Seriously, are they sick?

"Task Context: After the amusement park, you sent the photo you secretly took of you all on the Ferris wheel to Jiang Heyao, causing the two of them to have a big fight. You seized the opportunity to show concern and care for Lu Xingye."

"Mission Content: Message Lu Xingye daily and comfort him with manipulative 'green tea' sweet-talk for at least a week straight."

"Mission Time Remaining: 3 hours, 25 minutes, 35 seconds."

Lu Nanzhou: Let me use your phone number for a week.

Lu Xingye: ???

That evening, Jiang Jiang received a text message from "Lu Xingye."

"Lu Xingye": It's time.

Jiang Jiang couldn't help but laugh, knowing it was actually Lu Nanzhou on the other end.

He sent the pre-written lines Lu Nanzhou had provided for him.

Jiang Jiang: Don't be sad, *gege*, I'll always be here for you.

"Lu Xingye": Mm.

Jiang Jiang: *Gege*, only I truly understand you.

"Lu Xingye": Mm.

Jiang Jiang: *Gege*...

"Lu Xingye": Mm.

......

A week later, when Lu Xingye asked his brother for his phone number back, all he got was a bank transfer.

Lu Nanzhou: [The other party has transferred 500,000 yuan to you]

Lu Nanzhou: Payment for your phone number.

Lu Xingye: ?

In the end, he tearfully accepted the money and had to get a new SIM card.

And so, thanks to Lu Nanzhou's meticulous planning and Lu Xingye's unwitting cooperation, Jiang Jiang's mission went off without a hitch.

......

"Mission completed. Rewards have been issued."

Jiang Jiang and Lu Nanzhou were snuggled together on the couch when they both received notifications of the bank transfer.

"This actually worked," Jiang Jiang couldn't help but marvel.

Lu Nanzhou ruffled his hair. "I told you I'd handle it."

Meanwhile, somewhere else entirely, Lu Xingye: Achoo!

-----------------------

Author's Note: Lu Xingye's BGM:

Do do do do do do do Steve!

There should be another update sometime after midnight, not sure exactly when.

The main story is almost wrapping up! Does anyone have any ideas for side stories? [glasses]