Chapter 25

Chapter 25

We're not together.

'Not together.' Really.

Fu Yuze stopped, one hand in his pocket as he held the door open, just stood there watching as Jiang Jining turned around, saw him, his face still a picture of surprise and innocence.

What a little rascal.

Fu Yuze thought this, but in reality, he couldn't even manage a truly cold expression. "What were you two talking about?"

Jiang Jining: "..."

He definitely heard.

Otherwise, why would he look a bit petrified?

"Ningning, come here for a moment." With that, Fu Yuze walked out.

"Sorry." Ji Huan had spoken only after sizing things up, never expecting her surefire plan to backfire. It was hard to comfort either of them. "I was just asking, nothing more."

"It's fine."

Jiang Jining immediately followed him out.

Outside the door, Fu Yuze wasn't waiting for him. Jiang Jining, intuitively, glanced around, secretly relieved, and quickly jogged to catch up with the tall figure walking at a slow pace. "Wait for me..."

Fu Yuze kept walking.

Jiang Jining, unfamiliar with the place, grew anxious and only started running after he saw Fu Yuze turn right and disappear.

Just as he reached the corner, an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him over.

"Mmm..."

His heels left the ground for a moment before settling back down.

Jiang Jining grabbed Fu Yuze's arm, tilting his head slightly to read his expression—it was as dark as a storm cloud. Cradling his face, Fu Yuze asked, "What nonsense were you spouting earlier?"

Jiang Jining: "..." He really does care.

"Yesterday's confession wasn't very formal."

Fu Yuze lowered his arm, feeling slightly reassured after holding his warm fingers. He asked, "You weren't satisfied?"

Jiang Jining fell silent for a moment, staring at him, thinking that Fu Yuze didn't seem genuinely angry.

"I was satisfied." He snapped back to attention and immediately said, "You've already given me so much. A-Han even said today she'd have the housekeeper help me display the jewelry. I like it all very much."

Fu Yuze hadn't seen him for nearly sixteen hours, and thinking about what just happened still made his blood boil.

Jiang Jining also realized what he should do.

He gently wrapped both arms around Fu Yuze's waist. Unsure if this was enough, he then lifted his chin to rest on Fu Yuze's chest, his eyes clear and pure, without any reluctance or attempt to please.

Only concern remained.

"Are you angry?"

Fu Yuze thought, how could I possibly stay angry when you're like this?

A wave of sweet fragrance wafted over. He lowered his eyes bit by bit, his slender fingers pressing against the back of Jiang Jining's head, the satin-like hair slipping through his palm.

How could someone be such a treasure?

A masterpiece of the Creator, with not a single flaw.

"Angry." Having confirmed it wasn't his own fault, Fu Yuze questioned, "Why didn't you admit it?"

Jiang Jining knew this moment would come eventually.

Fu Yuze wouldn't embarrass him in public, and he only needed to find a soothing reason.

But he didn't want to lie.

Jiang Jining decided to be honest: "I misunderstood. I always thought a relationship was between two people, but your brother and sister-in-law are so enthusiastic toward me... I'm a bit scared."

Fu Yuze frowned and pinched his cheek. "Where did you learn that?"

Jiang Jining: "Watching TV."

Fu Yuze: "..."

Watching TV really can be the death of you.

These words were spoken from the heart. Instead of showing any guilty fidgeting, Jiang Jining actually seemed more relaxed after saying them. He tugged at Fu Yuze's sleeve. "Can we not tell your family?"

He really had gotten it wrong.

Every source Jiang Jining had consulted clearly told him that dating wasn't the same as marriage; they were two different things. If it really was a matter of sequence... he wouldn't have casually accepted it yesterday.

Don't people in TV dramas fight and break up every day?

Why doesn't Fu Yuze follow the usual script?

He didn't want to be a heartbreaker. Jiang Jining was so anxious his hair was practically turning white, yet he still waited quietly for Fu Yuze's answer. He heard him ask, "Did Bian Jiacheng tell you about my family?"

Jiang Jining was startled.

How could he react so quickly? He hadn't even mentioned it yet...

Fu Yuze pulled him into an embrace. "I currently have some conflicts with my parents. The fact that I've been living alone at Xie Ting represents my stance. It's a mutual compromise between us. Ningning, this won't cause any trouble for you."

Jiang Jining fell silent.

This silence made Fu Yuze's heart ache even more. He lowered his head and gently pinched Jiang Jining's cheeks. "Or is it actually that you're shy?"

"Yes." Jiang Jining looked up at him. "I'm shy."

"Alright, then we won't say anything for now." Fu Yuze considered this his own issue to resolve and didn't want to pressure Jiang Jining to change his mindset. He mentally moved reconciling with his parents higher on his agenda.

...He agreed just like that?

Jiang Jining's mind was still reeling. Seeing the indulgent look in Fu Yuze's eyes, a hundred different emotions surged within him.

"I'm sorry."

He voiced his thoughts aloud.

"I'm not apologizing. If you don't want to say it, then don't."

Fu Yuze had steered him into a corner, his palms landing on the handrails on either side, caging him in. Backlit, Jiang Jining's face was even more striking in the dappled light. "No one's here."

Jiang Jining got the hint.

As Fu Yuze closed in, a thought struck him. He planted a hand on his chest to hold him off, dodging back as he blurted out a compromise, "Can we just kiss on the cheek?"

The last couple times had gotten a little out of hand.

Jiang Jining had lain in bed last night thinking it over—it was all just too much... Would Fu Yuze think he was frivolous and casual?

Too bold.

If things continued at this pace...

How was he going to explain this to his dad and mom when he went back home?

Fu Yuze knew all too well that his little mind could conjure up a whole mahjong set of worries. He was happy to indulge him, but not without getting something in return: "Then *you* make the move."

"..."

Jiang Jining just wanted to submit to a simple, straightforward kiss.

He wasn't in some special state now, nor was he so flustered from a confession that he'd timidly shut his eyes. He was on his best behavior.

"Guess I have no choice then." Fu Yuze used the opening to pin him against the rail by his shoulder and waist.

Jiang Jining realized he was no match for Fu Yuze. Seizing the moment when Fu Yuze's arm relaxed slightly, he immediately stood on tiptoe and grabbed onto his shoulders.

Fu Yuze played fair, turning his cheek slightly.

A firm kiss landed on the cheek.

After parting, there was a soft 'mwah,' leaving behind the lingering scent of his skin. Jiang Jining whispered shyly in his ear, "...Okay... that's it."

Fu Yuze gave him a peck in return before letting go.

"Let's go."

After that kiss, Jiang Jining wasn't hugged or held as before.

Feeling empty all around, his hands dropped, unsure where to place them. He looked at Fu Yuze, who appeared completely calm and ready to leave.

How could he be like this?

Seeing that Jiang Jining hadn't followed, Fu Yuze said, "I thought we were keeping this under wraps?"

Jiang Jining: "..."

Well, yes.

But he didn't hide his thoughts either: "It's still a long way back. If you don't like it, just say so... Why take it out on me like this?"

Fu Yuze couldn't help but laugh. He truly hadn't meant it that way.

Jiang Jining seemed to have something on his mind today.

Outside, he didn't want to acknowledge their relationship and resisted being overly intimate. Fu Yuze was just worried about crossing a line.

Fu Yuze didn't call attention to Jiang Jining's natural gift for acting cute. He found it utterly charming, and took his hand out of his pocket. "Want to hold hands a little longer?"

Jiang Jining gave him his hand.

Ji Huan had her secretary tell them to meet at the garage.

As the elevator was about to arrive, Jiang Jining gently shook their intertwined hands and said softly, "We're here."

Fu Yuze held on stubbornly until the moment the doors began to open.

A handsome couple was waiting by the car.

As they walked, Jiang Jining gradually slowed his pace.

When he stopped, Fu Yuze stopped too, introducing Fu Huaisheng openly: "My big brother."

When it came to introducing Jiang Jining, he still referred to him as a friend.

Fu Huaisheng, full of questions, glanced at his younger brother, who pretended not to notice and gave no reaction.

Fortunately, Ji Huan said, "Let's get in the car first."

Without another word, Fu Yuze pulled Jiang Jining to sit in the very back row.

Once in the car, Fu Huaisheng turned to speak to the quiet and reserved Jiang Jining: "Xiao Ning, have you been to Shishu before?"

Jiang Jining nodded obediently.

"A true regular." Fu Yuze added on his behalf.

"Then we have someone to make recommendations." Fu Huaisheng smiled, immediately turning it into a complaint: "Otherwise, Fu Yuze hasn't even invited our family to the restaurant he owns."

The topics were all easy to engage with.

Hearing this, Jiang Jining also looked at the person beside him: "Why?"

Fu Yuze said matter-of-factly, "No one ever asked me."

Jiang Jining hadn't expected such a childish response. His eyes widened, and seeing the familiar smiles of his brother and sister-in-law in the front seats, he realized for the first time that Fu Yuze seemed to be the youngest in his generation at home.

A natural contrast.

Jiang Jining couldn't help but stare at him.

Fu Yuze secretly hooked his finger, signaling him not to tempt him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his brother and sister-in-law pick up their phones one after another and type away. He pointed it out: "Are you two playing on your phones together as soon as you get in the car?"

Ji Huan smiled naturally. "There's something at the company."

"You still have the mind to peek from back there?"

Fu Huaisheng glanced at the two in the back row, hinting, "Next time, I'll have to use a privacy screen protector."

Jiang Jining also slightly straightened his gaze.

At that moment, Ji Huan reached out to Fu Huaisheng, who instinctively took her hand. Their ring fingers overlapped—one silver, one pink; one understated and luxurious, the other dreamy. "What do you want?"

Ji Huan gently patted his hand away and pointed. "My coffee." Perhaps because Jiang Jining's gaze was particularly intent, Fu Huaisheng happened to meet it when he looked back. Smiling, he asked, "What are you looking at?"

Jiang Jining spoke his mind—

“Your jewelry is even more dazzling than what I’ve seen in advertisements, sister-in-law.”

After having their child Xingxing, Ji Huan rarely wore jewelry except for events. She looked sidelong at her own hand holding the coffee cup. “The ring?”

Jiang Jining nodded gently.

“See what a good eye Xiao Ning has.” Fu Huaisheng took Ji Huan’s cup and set it down, then took her hand to look at it. The pigeon-egg-sized diamond, well-maintained, its luster was as good as new. “How many years have you been wearing this now?”

Ji Huan thought for a moment. “I don’t quite remember.”

“Tsk—”

Fu Huaisheng narrowed his eyes in warning.

Ji Huan gave a light laugh and said to the curious Jiang Jining, “It’s my engagement ring from six years ago, not an everyday piece of jewelry.”

Engagement… ring.

Jiang Jining recalled that ad from before.

It seemed he was beginning to form a budding idea about the marriage alliances between families here.

Fu Yuze also took a quick glance at the ring before his eyes returned to Jiang Jining.

Like it?

Fu Yuze was figuring out Jiang Jining’s thoughts, leaning back in his seat while surreptitiously winding a strand of his hair around his finger.

Until, when getting out of the car, he got lightly punched.

“Why do you keep messing with my hair?”

Jiang Jining waited until Ji Huan and Fu Huaisheng had both left the car before complaining, “Do you think we’re still kids? Can’t you keep your hands to yourself?”

Fu Yuze explained, “I was going to hold your hand to begin with.”

But I got disqualified at the last second.

If he wasn’t mistaken, Ji Huan’s cream-colored Birkin still held a thick stack of golden red envelopes, probably couldn’t be given out now.

“Don’t do that in public.” Jiang Jining found him overly clingy but didn’t want to brush him off coldly either, so he reached out to tug at his sleeve. “Let’s go.”

A meal meant as a family gathering turned into a casual get-together among friends.

The shift in topics felt surprisingly natural. Fu Yuze listened, mentally commending Ji Huan’s impressive ability to steer the conversation.

He excused himself midway.

Fu Huaisheng, having navigated the world of fame and fortune for so many years, had never used the excuse of holding hands with his younger brother to go to the restroom—until now. Once outside, he pulled Fu Yuze aside and asked, “What’s the situation now?”

“No title, no status.” Fu Yuze replied.

“Are you talking in your sleep?” Fu Huaisheng had clearly heard his good news this morning and wondered if he’d misheard. He frowned. “Then why were you all handsy in the car? No wonder Xiao Ning doesn’t seem to like you much.”

Fu Yuze: “…”

“Is your eye trouble flaring up again?”

“A bit.” Fu Huaisheng took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “An old issue. I’ll go find your sister-in-law.”

Fu Yuze: “…”

He’d forgotten Fu Huaisheng actually had dry eye syndrome.

Before meeting Jiang Jining, Fu Huaisheng had felt confident that his brother could win over anyone he liked. Now, all he could do was offer earnest advice: “If it really doesn’t work out, don’t hold him back. And watch your behavior.”

Fu Yuze refused to shoulder unnecessary blame. “I’m fine.”

“You’re already bothering him without even being in a relationship. If something were to happen…” Fu Huaisheng stopped halfway, realizing times had changed and this was a special case. He cleared his throat. “Health is the most important thing.”

Fu Yuze didn’t argue on that point.

With Jiang Jining’s easily flustered nature, his conservatism about certain matters was no less stubborn than an old ox grazing on wild grass. Fu Yuze didn’t know the pace of his brother and sister-in-law’s relationship back then, nor did he have the confidence to surpass it. He was simply focused on living his own ascetic life.

It wasn’t like this had just started.

If there was anything truly different…

Last night, after seeing Jiang Jining home, he’d come out of the shower feeling like a rolling pin in the kitchen had lodged itself in his pajama pants. That could count.