Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Jiang Cheng immediately tried to grab the phone to recall the message.

Shang Zenian tossed the phone onto the bed and, taking advantage of Jiang Cheng’s attempt to retrieve it, reached out, wrapped an arm around his waist, and lifted him horizontally.

“He’s definitely waiting for your reply. The moment I sent it, he heard it. Recalling it won’t help.”

As if to confirm Shang Zenian’s words, the phone on the bed buzzed once, then the screen lit up—clearly a new message had come in.

Jiang Cheng instantly felt drained of strength and didn’t even have the courage to look at Ji Ke’s reply.

Seeing that Jiang Cheng had stopped struggling, Shang Zenian smirked triumphantly and carried him toward the bath.

It was only a few degrees Celsius outside today, and walking out bare-chested sent a shiver through him.

Luckily, the bath was just outside the door. Once he got into the water, the sulfur-scented hot spring enveloped his body, instantly dispelling the chill, making him let out a breath without thinking.

His whole body and mind felt at ease.

As soon as he entered the pool, Jiang Cheng broke free from Shang Zenian’s hold and quickly put some distance between them.

Shang Zenian found his reaction amusing. But he wasn't planning to mess with him right away at all—Jiang Cheng had finally agreed to go out and have fun, so he should at least let him enjoy himself first.

The hot spring pool was large, with water only reaching his thighs. He could sit or lie down. Jiang Cheng sat at the edge, splashing water onto his exposed shoulders, sending up billowing steam. On such a cold day, it was as comfortable as it gets.

As his body gradually warmed up and the cold faded, Jiang Cheng moved to the side facing the outside, curious to see what was down below. He discovered that from the shore, there was no obstruction—it looked like a cliff, quite dangerous. But actually, there was another terrace below with high safety railings, so there was no risk of falling.

Still, he could see the open-air pool on the first floor, with people soaking inside, a whole pool full of them.

In comparison, this place was truly comfortable and private. Damn rich people really knew how to enjoy themselves.

Shang Zenian leaned against the artificial rock, enjoying the hot spring bath while squinting at Jiang Cheng, who was curiously exploring everything around him.

The steam from the hot spring swirled upward, blurring the surrounding scenery. The moisture had tinged Jiang Cheng’s earlobes red, and even his neck had a faint flush.

Looking at a beauty through the mist—vague and ethereal, with a touch of grace—the beauty's silhouette flickered in and out of view. The section of shoulder exposed above the water was like jade, smooth and luminous, with tiny droplets slowly sliding down the side of his neck, following the thin line of his shoulder, disappearing into his chest.

The water hid his chest from view, but only Shang Zenian knew how good the scenery there was.

A dark hunger slowly crept into his eyes as his gaze traced every inch of Jiang Cheng’s figure, like he wanted to eat him alive with his gaze.

Seeing that Jiang Cheng had played enough, Shang Zenian’s voice came out husky: “There’s bath salt here. Want me to scrub your back?”

Jiang Cheng knew that tone—something was up.

He immediately said, “No need. I shower every day. I'm perfectly clean.”

“Then scrub mine.”

“Can I refuse?” At that point, it wouldn't be his back getting scrubbed—it would be something else.

“No, you can’t. My back is very dirty. I need your help.”

“…” Jiang Cheng reluctantly said, “Then come over.”

Shang Zenian pretended not to hear the reluctance in his voice and without ceremony, grabbed the bath salt and washcloth, walking over.

Clouds of swirling white steam drifted around him, and water clung to his firm, well-defined muscles, making his already impressive physique even more striking.

But the most striking thing was the single piece of wet fabric clinging to his body, outlining a terrifyingly big bulge.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes wandered, unable to look directly.

What the hell did he eat to get that huge?

Shang Zenian set the scrubbing supplies aside and turned around, revealing his broad, muscular back, waiting for Jiang Cheng to scrub him down.

Jiang Cheng mixed bath salt and shower gel, first applying it to Shang Zenian’s back with his hands. His back was so wide that Jiang Cheng’s hands looked especially small on it. He scooped up a big dollop of bath salt, smeared it across Shang Zenian’s back, then grabbed the washcloth and scrubbed vigorously.

Shang Zenian was clearly enjoying it. He lay at the edge of the pool, half-closing his eyes, and ordered, “Give your hubby a massage too.”

“…” In your dreams.

Jiang Cheng had no intention of massaging him. Seeing his back turning slightly red from the scrubbing, he grinned wickedly: “How about I give you a back-thumping spa treatment?”

Shang Zenian’s voice was lazy: “Mm.”

He actually let him do it.

“I hit hard. Don't whine if you can't handle it.”

“Bring it on.”

Jiang Cheng knew he could take a beating, so he clenched his fist and thumped it against Shang Zenian’s back. His fist bounced off the rock-hard muscle, making a dull thud.

Shang Zenian looked as if he was enjoying it, his eyes narrowing with pleasure: “Mm, a bit harder.”

“…” This guy's a beast.

Jiang Cheng gave him a series of thumps, each one with a little extra feeling behind it. Jiang Cheng had no idea if it hurt Shang Zenian, but his own hand was getting sore.

When he stopped, Shang Zenian turned around: “Feel better now that you've beaten me up?”

Cough… Jiang Cheng’s eyes darted around nervously, muttering, “What beating? It was a back-thumping spa treatment!”

“But I liked it.”

Jiang Cheng: “…”

Jiang Cheng caught on to what kind of “liked” he was talking about and instinctively tried to scurry deeper into the pool. But this was the deep end, and the water was heavy, slowing him down. After taking just two steps, his arm was caught by Shang Zenian’s big hand.

Shang Zenian yanked him back and pinned him against the stone wall. Careful not to let him hit his head, he slid his hand behind it.

He roughly wedged himself between Jiang Cheng’s thighs and reached out to feel his face, which was flushed from the steam. At that moment, his face looked like a ripe, juicy peach—pale with a blush, looking sweet and crisp.

Shang Zenian couldn’t help himself and gave his cheek a gentle bite.

“Ah!” Jiang Cheng covered his face and protested, “Shang Zenian, are you some kind of dog?”

Shang Zenian lifted his chin: “No, I’m a wolf.”

With that, he kissed him.

Jiang Cheng: “…”

This big perv!

He was forced to tilt his head back, putting up with Shang Zenian's way-too-passionate kiss. The man kissed him while running his hand down his smooth back, as if calming a scared kitten.

Jiang Cheng felt soothed, squinting, and parted his lips willingly, letting Shang Zenian's tongue sweep through his mouth, robbing him of his breath, and soon even the corners of his eyes were flushed pink.

Actually, he quite liked kissing Shang Zenian; his kissing skills were very good and always made him feel comfortable.

As long as he just kissed him.

Obviously, Shang Zenian would not be satisfied with that; soon his hand lifted the edge of the last bit of fabric on Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng, whose eyes were dazed, shuddered and his eyes cleared. He reached out to slap Shang Zenian's arm underwater, making whining sounds of protest.

Shang Zenian pulled his tongue out of his mouth and heard him panting, "Are you crazy? We're out in the open!"

"Don't worry, no one can see."

This place was at the highest point, surrounded by greenery that blocked the view. Although it was an open-air area, and if you craned your neck you could see people bathing in the large pool downstairs, it was indeed very private, and no one could see them.

Nevertheless, Jiang Cheng couldn't mentally accept doing such things in an open-air setting.

"Don't," Jiang Cheng frantically grabbed his own underwear. "Don't you dare do anything!"

He would never do this kind of thing out in the open like this.

Shang Zenian's hot breath moved to his ear: "Just once, I'll leave you alone for the rest of the day."

"...Really?"

"Mmm," Shang Zenian kissed his forehead and murmured, "I swear, if I break this promise, I'll never get to sleep with you in this lifetime."

That didn't sound too bad.

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I don't know how this hot spring water stayed warm; even on such a cold day, it showed no signs of cooling down. Soaking in it was warm and comfortable.

Jiang Cheng, his legs together, lay against the stone wall, looking at the open scenery before him. Thinking that they had been so intimate in the open, he felt a sense of shame as if the whole world were watching. He could only bury his head in his arms, as if as long as he didn't look, he could pretend it didn't happen.

But Jiang Cheng didn't know that even if he were spied on, whoever was watching probably couldn't see him. Shang Zenian was tall and broad, holding him from behind, covering him completely. Only the ripples on the water and the movements of his body could reveal he was holding someone and doing... well, unspeakable things.

Jiang Cheng was carried back to bed by Shang Zenian, his legs weak. He slept for a while and when he woke up, he smelled a strong aroma of food. His stomach growled with hunger. He looked at the time and saw it was already past two o'clock.

They had agreed to climb the mountain at three to watch the sunset.

Jiang Cheng sprang up and got up quickly, dressed, and walked to the restaurant outside the suite.

"Awake? I was just about to call you," Shang Zenian pulled out a dining chair. "Come eat."

Jiang Cheng had only eaten a little of the congee and pickled vegetables prepared by the guesthouse in the morning. He had climbed the mountain for a whole morning and then done such strenuous activities. Although Shang Zenian had been doing all the work, it was still... very draining!

By this time, he was so hungry he could eat a whole cow. In any case, Jiang Cheng didn't stand on ceremony and quickly sat down to eat.

The food here was much more lavish and delicious than the guesthouse's. After all, Jiang Cheng was a young guy with a big appetite. In a flurry, he and Shang Zenian polished off almost all the dishes on the table.

Patting his full belly, Jiang Cheng was content. Seeing that it was about time, he planned to slip away.

But as soon as he stood up, Shang Zenian reached out and pulled him. He lost his footing, and he fell into Shang Zenian's embrace.

"Let me go, I'm going to be late!" Jiang Cheng slapped his hand away.

Shang Zenian kissed his cheek. "Where are you going?"

"To watch the sunset with my classmates. We agreed to meet at three."

"I'll go with you."

"No!" Jiang Cheng refused without thinking.

Shang Zenian was a bit surprised and arched an eyebrow. "Didn't you say you didn't mind going public?"

"Now I mind!" Jiang Cheng cringed remembering the voice message he had sent to Ji Ke. "Anyway, you can't come with me."

"Alright then."

Shang Zenian didn't force it, but he didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his embrace, kissing from his cheek to his neck, lingering and affectionate. Seeing that there were still a few minutes until three o'clock, Jiang Cheng didn't resist, letting him kiss, since he'd been good about not coming along.

Until a sharp pain came from his neck.

"Sss," Jiang Cheng sucked in a sharp breath and pushed him off. "It hurts."

Shang Zenian let him go, pulled up his collar slightly, and said in a low voice, "Go ahead, take care."

Jiang Cheng touched his neck, glared at Shang Zenian, then turned and ran off.

When he arrived at the meeting place, Jiang Cheng stopped in his tracks, because there was no one else there except Ji Ke.

"..." Jiang Cheng wanted to turn and leave.

But Ji Ke called out to him, "Jiang Cheng."

Jiang Cheng braced himself and awkwardly greeted him, "Hi, where are the others?"

"Maybe they're still getting ready."

Ji Ke's gaze fell on him, seeing that the corners of his eyes were flushed and his expression was lazy and relaxed, clearly having had a very pleasant soak in the hot spring.

Moreover, looking closely, there was a faint red mark on Jiang Cheng's neck.

Jiang Cheng was wearing a thick coat plus a hoodie. The mark was on one side of his neck, mostly hidden by the collar of the hoodie. But if one looked closely with intent, one could discern it. Half-hidden, it was both ambiguous and possessive, as if staking a claim on him for anyone who might covet him.

Jealousy surged in Ji Ke's chest.

They'd only been freshmen for a little over two months, yet Jiang Cheng had already found a partner.

No, it might not necessarily be a partner. He'd run into Jiang Cheng a few times before. After afternoon classes, Jiang Cheng seemed to go every day to the upscale residential area near their school.

A poor student like him going to that kind of neighborhood was suspicious.

So, maybe it wasn't a partner. Maybe it was something you could get with money.

Jiang Cheng was so good-looking and poor; this was the fastest way to make money.

Jealousy makes people twisted; Ji Ke did not hesitate to speculate about Jiang Cheng with the worst possible intentions.

"Was the one who sent me that voice message this morning your boyfriend?"

Jiang Cheng: "..."

This Ji Ke really knows how to bring up the wrong topic.

He decided to hate this tactless, gossipy guy for five minutes.

Suppressing the urge to dig an underground palace to hide in, he muttered vaguely, "Yeah."

But he didn't realize that his evasiveness only made Ji Ke more convinced he was guilty. Ji Ke suddenly leaned in, his warm breath almost brushing against Jiang Cheng's ear, and asked, "How much does he pay per night?"

Jiang Cheng could only tolerate Shang Zenian getting that close to talk to him. Frowning, he pulled back, thinking Ji Ke was asking about the price of the suite Shang Zenian had booked, and said, "Over ten thousand."

Ji Ke's face twisted. "You've already been passed around, and you still act like you're a virgin. Three thousand, spend one night with me, how about it?"

When Jiang Cheng heard "three thousand," Lin Mo and the others arrived. Seeing them as a lifeline to finally escape the awkward conversation with Ji Ke, he hurriedly waved at them, not catching the rest of what Ji Ke said. He just thought the words were nonsense.

Was this guy still trying to join their room? Did he think they had already used the room to the fullest and that ten thousand was too expensive, so he wanted to take over for three thousand?!

This guy's got a screw loose.

Whatever. Not worth arguing with an idiot.

"Sorry, I don't really get it either." Jiang Cheng politely dropped that line, then left him behind and ran over to Lin Mo and the others.

Qin Huiru arrived with a few other girls. Having soaked in the hot springs, they all looked refreshed and energetic.

After counting heads and making sure everyone was present, Qin Huiru was about to lead the group off when a girl murmured, "Hey, aren't those Senior Shang and Senior Lu?"

Following her gaze, everyone spotted the famous seniors from Yanshan University's School of Physical Education—Shang Zenian and his usual sidekick, Lu Xiyuan.

The girls weren't necessarily crushing on them or admiring them; it's just that seeing such a big celebrity in person naturally got them excited.

"Judging by their outfits, are they going hiking too?"

"No idea. Go ask them." "I'm scared. You go."

A few of them nudged each other, but no one dared step forward. Qin Huiru had a thought and turned to Jiang Cheng. "I remember Senior Shang came looking for you before. You two know each other, right? Hehe, how about you ask him to join us for the hike? Score us some eye candy."

Jiang Cheng didn't want to go at all. He even shrank behind a pillar. "He's pretty aloof. Even if we invite him, he won't talk to us. No fun. Let's just forget it."

"It's fine if he doesn't talk. Just having him around is a treat. Wow, hiking with two of Yanda's handsomest guys side by side—practically having one on each arm. I can't imagine how cheerful a little girl I'd become!"

The other girls looked at Jiang Cheng with similar anticipation.

Clearly, they shared the same thought.

Jiang Cheng didn't get these girls' way of thinking.

He was about to refuse again when the girl who had spoken first exclaimed excitedly, "Looks like he's seen us too. He's walking this way."

The moment she finished speaking, Shang Zenian and Lu Xiyuan reached them.

The girls were thrilled and greeted them in unison: "Senior Shang, Senior Lu."

"Hey," Lu Xiyuan waved at them, then looked at Jiang Cheng. "I thought I saw Orange from afar. So it was you. What a coincidence."

Jiang Cheng resisted the urge to roll his eyes. What a coincidence indeed.

He was hiding behind a pillar. Did this guy have X-ray vision to see him?

No wonder Shang Zenian had agreed so readily earlier when Jiang Cheng told him not to come along. He'd been waiting for this.

"Are you heading up the mountain to watch the sunset?" Lu Xiyuan asked.

Qin Huiru, who wasn't shy now, immediately said, "Yeah! Seniors, want to join us?"

"Sure," Lu Xiyuan smiled. "As long as you don't mind two extra people."

"We don't mind, we don't mind. The more, the merrier."

The strategist squad all nodded, so what could Jiang Cheng say? He had to silently agree.

He just hoped these people really had the nerve to "have one on each arm" later.

As it turned out, that was impossible.

The addition of Shang Zenian and Lu Xiyuan brought a new energy to the group. They set off in a lively mass up the mountain, but no one dared to chat with Shang Zenian, who kept silent and looked unapproachable. Instead, they crowded around Lu Xiyuan, chattering away.

Ji Ke was still fixated on his "three thousand per night" idea.

Initially, he had wanted to court Jiang Cheng, but someone had gotten to him first. And Jiang Cheng clearly knew his own worth, throwing out "over ten thousand" without hesitation. He had obviously objectified himself, so the approach of trying to date him was a dead end.

It was all Jiang Cheng's fault—his body and face were just too exquisite. Since he couldn't have him, at least he could have some fun with him.

If he could record a video, he could blackmail Jiang Cheng into going along with him.

Ji Ke's little scheme was obvious, but when he turned to find Jiang Cheng, he saw Shang Zenian walking right beside him.

This big shot from the School of Physical Education was a notorious terror. The moment he stood next to Jiang Cheng, everyone else automatically gave them space—such was his intimidating presence. Ji Ke wondered how Jiang Cheng could get along with him.

Wait. Could Shang Zenian be the guy who was with Jiang Cheng just now?

But Ji Ke dismissed the thought. Shang Zenian was famously straight at Yanda. There was no way it was him.

Besides, with Shang Zenian's looks and his status as the golden boy, why would he need to spend money on Jiang Cheng? It had to be some bloated, middle-aged bald uncle willing to drop over ten thousand a night to keep Jiang Cheng.

Ji Ke didn't dare provoke Shang Zenian easily, so he held back his impulse, waiting for the right moment.

"That weakling who keeps looking back at you—is he the one who messaged you?" Shang Zenian asked, squinting.

He had been observing and noticed the guy staring at Jiang Cheng again and again.

Jiang Cheng glanced ahead and saw Ji Ke turning to look at him. He quickly averted his eyes, pretending not to notice, and whispered, "Don't go around giving people nicknames."

Shang Zenian huffed. He was just stating the truth.

That little weakling couldn't even climb a few steps without panting. And he dared to go after Jiang Cheng.

"This guy is really weird," Jiang Cheng couldn't help complaining to Shang Zenian. "Just now he wanted to take over the room you booked for three thousand. He said something like, 'You've already been passed around,' and only offered three thousand."

Shang Zenian: "..."

Shang Zenian realized things might not be what Jiang Cheng thought. He asked, "Tell me from the beginning. What exactly did he ask you?"

Jiang Cheng had a good memory. After a moment's thought, he repeated their conversation verbatim. When Shang Zenian heard it, his hands clenched at his sides, knuckles cracking audibly.

Jiang Cheng hadn't expected him to get so angry. He quickly said, "Don't be mad. The guy's got a screw loose. Just take it as a joke."

If Shang Zenian got impulsive and punched Ji Ke, given Ji Ke's frail build, they'd probably have to call an ambulance.

"..." Shang Zenian slowly unclenched his fists and looked at his naive, clear-eyed wife. He was now convinced that when Jiang Cheng posed as Chen Yin back then, he really didn't suffer all that much from that Mrs. Chen's snide remarks.

That Mrs. Chen loved being passive-aggressive, and Jiang Cheng probably missed eight out of ten of her digs.

But as for Ji Ke? He was done for.