Chapter 30: Remember to Miss Me

Chapter 30: Remember to Miss Me

Shen Mian was so flustered by his teasing that he was about to turn beet red. He huffily tugged his pajamas back into place and made a move to hang up the phone: "Alright, I'm going to sleep now."

"Wait." Jiang Yancheng's hoarse voice called out to stop him. "Baby, I'm still fired up over here!"

The guy on the other end said shamelessly, "You're the one who got me going. You gotta take responsibility."

Shen Mian pursed his lips. He wasn't about to fall for Jiang Yancheng's tricks again—that guy was a total liar.

"Don't hang up. Lie down on your pillow, hold your phone up high, and let me look at your face..." On the other end of the line, the deep voice coaxed him gently, his gentle tone laced with a hint of seduction.

"............"

Shen Mian still caved and did it, much to his own chagrin.

He half-propped himself up and lay back, his eyes on Jiang Yancheng on the screen. The man's face was flushed, his dark eyes glazed with a hazy, lustful sheen.

Jiang Yancheng's lips were slightly parted, his ragged breathing coming through the earbuds straight into Shen Mian's ears. These earbuds came with his new phone—the build and sound quality were top-notch, making it feel like he was right there in the room.

It was like Jiang Yancheng was breathing right next to his ear...

Shen Mian's cheeks burned red from the weird sound, and he simply closed his eyes, refusing to look at him anymore.

Finally, when the guy on the other end was done, Shen Mian heard Jiang Yancheng's voice again: "Alright, baby~ open your eyes."

Shen Mian cautiously opened his eyes. On the screen, Jiang Yancheng was watching him with a faint, knowing smile.

"Baby was such a good boy today~ time for a reward."

"How about a goodnight kiss as your reward!"

The man on the screen smiled, lightly pressing his lips to the corner of his own mouth, then blew him a kiss.

"Goodnight, baby~"

Shen Mian's face was still flushed when he set his phone down. His cheeks were so hot that even pressing them against the cold bed frame didn't help cool him down.

...

Time flew by, and before he knew it, Thursday rolled around.

Even though Shen Mian had quit his part-time gig at the coffee shop, he was still working at the dessert shop. Since he had to go to Jiang Yancheng's place on weekends now, he could only work on weekdays when he didn't have classes. He had Thursday afternoons off, so he headed in.

Winter was creeping in, and sunny days had been few and far between lately. Today, the sun happened to peek through the glass windows. The dessert shop was filled with the sweet scent of cream and caramel.

Weekdays meant fewer customers, so it was a rare slow moment. Shen Mian propped his chin on one hand at the counter, staring blankly at the rows of dainty little cakes in the display case.

Until a big shadow suddenly loomed over him, and a familiar woody scent hit his nose.

He looked up abruptly and found himself staring straight into Jiang Yancheng's warm eyes.

Shen Mian's eyes went wide in disbelief, his breath catching.

The man in front of him was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark tailored suit that looked completely out of place in this cute, sugary dessert shop.

But it really was Jiang Yancheng. How... why was he here all of a sudden?

Jiang Yancheng could see the shock on his face, and his gaze grew even softer. He said softly, "Mianmian."

Shen Mian had never heard him call him that before, and he blushed, stammering nervously, "How... how did you find me?"

He remembered he hadn't told Jiang Yancheng where he worked, and Jiang Yancheng had never asked. How could he have tracked him down so precisely?

A slight smile tugged at Jiang Yancheng's lips. "I missed you, so I came to see you."

He found a seat by the window in the seating area and gestured for Shen Mian to come over.

"Something urgent came up at the company—I have to go on a business trip for a few days, and I'm leaving tonight." Jiang Yancheng told him. "You don't have to come to my place this weekend. I probably won't be back in time."

Shen Mian was stunned for a long moment before finally letting out a quiet "Mm."

Jiang Yancheng noticed his flat reaction and couldn't help teasing him: "What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy to hear this good news."

After all, he could tell from the last two times that Shen Mian didn't really want to come to his place.

Shen Mian pursed his lips and stayed silent. He didn't really know what was wrong either. He should've felt relieved, but somehow, he wasn't as happy about it as he'd thought he'd be.

"You could've just told me on WeChat. You didn't have to come all the way out here."

Jiang Yancheng sat in the chair and looked up at him: "But I wanted to see you!"

"I won't be able to see you for days. Won't you let me come see you one last time before I go?"

He smiled, picked up the menu, and asked Shen Mian what he wanted to eat.

Shen Mian frowned, glanced around, and said quietly, "I'm still on the clock!"

He was just a part-timer at the dessert shop—what employee sits down with a customer to eat and chat during their shift?

"Then I'll go talk to your boss and ask to borrow his employee for a bit. I'll pay extra for the service." Jiang Yancheng pulled him down to sit next to him and handed him the menu. "You've been working here a while—recommend me some good desserts?"

Shen Mian had no idea which desserts were good. He'd never actually tasted any of them the whole time he'd worked here. But since Jiang Yancheng asked, he rattled off a few of the shop's signature desserts.

The desserts arrived quickly. Shen Mian arranged the delicate little cakes neatly and was about to leave when Jiang Yancheng grabbed him possessively.

Jiang Yancheng gently pushed a cake that smelled of rich, sweet cream toward him: "Try it and see if it's good."

Shen Mian stared at the cake for a long moment, unable to stop himself from swallowing. But his mouth still insisted, "I'm really on the clock..."

A good employee with proper work ethics wouldn't accept a customer's invitation during work hours.

Seeing how stubborn he was, Jiang Yancheng went straight to the counter to talk to the boss. He politely explained that he was Shen Mian's friend, that the shop wasn't busy right now, and asked if he could treat Shen Mian to something to eat.

The shop was nearly empty, and Shen Mian had always been a good worker, so the boss liked him. He agreed almost without hesitation.

Only then did Jiang Yancheng press Shen Mian down to sit beside him.

"Sit down and eat." Jiang Yancheng moved all the desserts he'd ordered in front of Shen Mian. "I don't like sweets. If you don't eat them, they'll just have to be thrown away."

He didn't like sweets, so why did he order so many?

Shen Mian's eyes widened in dismay: these little cakes were so expensive—how could they be wasted?

He stared at the desserts placed in front of him, their tempting aroma wafting up, and finally couldn't resist picking up the utensils beside him.

The spoon scooped gently through the little cake, the soft sponge wrapped in smooth, sweet cream. The cream melted on his tongue—sweet but not cloying, leaving only a lingering fragrance in his mouth with each bite.

Shen Mian's eyes lit up as he held the little cake and ate it seriously. He'd never tasted cake this good before. These were things he could only stand in front of the display case and stare at longingly. He never imagined that one day, he'd be able to sit down quietly and enjoy them.

Jiang Yancheng sat quietly beside him, watching him eat, as if seeing Shen Mian enjoy his food was the most enjoyable thing in the world. Every now and then, a faint smile flickered in his eyes, with a hint of doting tenderness.

Shen Mian was focused on eating his little cake, then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Jiang Yancheng and suddenly remembered something. He couldn't help but ask, "This business trip of yours... when are you coming back?"

Jiang Yancheng rested his chin on one hand, and a slight smile curved his lips at the question.

He asked softly, "What's wrong? Can't stand to see me go?"

Shen Mian's cheeks warmed at his words, and he mumbled with cake still in his mouth, "Just asking."

He was still chewing his food, his cheeks puffed out into little bulges, making him look like a tiny hamster.

Jiang Yancheng grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the cream from the corner of Shen Mian's lips, replied in a warm voice, "This trip is domestic, so not too far. I should be back sometime next week."

"Ohh~" Shen Mian nodded slightly and hummed in response.

"Remember to eat properly, and stop eating those breads with no nutritional value." Jiang Yancheng looked down and told him, "When I get back, I'm going to weigh you. If your weight hasn't gone up or has gone down, there'll be consequences..."

Shen Mian nearly choked on that, staring at him wide-eyed in bewilderment: He'd get punished if his weight didn't go up? What kind of logic was that?

Jiang Yancheng was such a scoundrel, deliberately finding an excuse to mess with him.

But since they were in the shop, Shen Mian didn't feel like arguing with him. He just quietly finished his cake.

Seeing that he was almost done, Jiang Yancheng got up and went to the counter to pay. He also asked the owner about the store's membership recharge deal and loaded ten thousand yuan onto a card.

"Wh-why did you put so much money on it?" Shen Mian asked in surprise and confusion. "You don't even come here that often."

"Who says I don't come here often?" Jiang Yancheng raised an eyebrow and asked Shen Mian, "Is there a bathroom here?"

"Yeah, but it's the staff bathroom, in the back. Shen Mian, take your friend back there!" the shop owner said from the side.

Shen Mian didn't think much of it and led Jiang Yancheng to the back of the shop. Behind the counter was a hallway, with the kitchen on the left, and the bathroom was at the end of the hall on the right.

"It's right here. Go ahead!" Shen Mian pointed at the door ahead.

Jiang Yancheng looked down at him and, without warning, took his hand.

Shen Mian: !

Oh no!!!

Before he could even react, Jiang Yancheng had already pulled him into the bathroom.

The door was quickly shut, sealing the cramped space into a tiny private room with just the two of them inside.

By the time Shen Mian snapped back to reality, he was already in Jiang Yancheng's arms.

His embrace was solid and warm, the familiar scent of woody cologne filling his nose. The hands around his waist tightened gently, pulling him into a firm hug.

Shen Mian panicked, his scalp tingling, and quickly pushed against him: "Th-this... this is a public place."

What was Jiang Yancheng trying to do now? He was at work!

"Mm, I know." Jiang Yancheng lightly nuzzled his forehead and said in a low voice, "The door's locked. No one's gonna come in."

"Just a hug."

Shen Mian stopped pushing him and nestled quietly in his arms, letting himself be held for a long while.

But this guy didn't seem to be behaving himself. After a moment of hugging, he started kissing him—a gentle kiss on Shen Mian's brow, then brushing over his trembling eyelashes, before landing on his soft, rosy lips.

By the time Shen Mian tried to push him away, it was too late. All he could do was tilt his head back and accept the passionate kiss.

He'd said it was just a hug, so why was Jiang Yancheng going back on his word and kissing him!

What's more, a hand was already lifting the hem of his shirt, vaguely brushing against his waist.

Shen Mian blocked him in panic, his face flushing bright red: "No... you can't bite!"

"You can't bite there." He stopped him, flustered and anxious.

Jiang Yancheng actually paused. He lowered his head and looked at Shen Mian seriously, a hint of teasing laughter in those dark, deep eyes.

"Hm? Where?" Jiang Yancheng deliberately dragged out his tone and asked, "Where can't I bite?"

Shen Mian's face flushed even redder as he lowered his head: "It's just... you can't..."

Jiang Yancheng pinched the flesh on his cheek and said in a low voice, "Who told you to seduce me the night before last?"

"Only allowed to look, not to taste. Hm?"

"You stirred up a fire in me, and you won't let me get my revenge today?"

Shen Mian pressed against his head, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "No..."

"Then I won't bite." Jiang Yancheng blinked and whispered a few words into his ear, making Shen Mian's face grow even redder.

But the strength in his hands pushing him away lessened considerably.

Jiang Yancheng took advantage of the moment.

Before long, Jiang Yancheng finally released Shen Mian. He licked his lips, seeming still a bit unsatisfied.

The area beneath his collar was damp with moisture, burning intensely. Shen Mian's ears reddened as he lowered his head to straighten his clothes, avoiding Jiang Yancheng's gaze.

Jiang Yancheng gently pulled him into his arms, skillfully zipped up Shen Mian's jacket, and then slipped something into his palm.

It was cool to the touch, like a small card.

"Keep this. I don't need it." Jiang Yancheng pressed the freshly recharged dessert shop membership card into his hand, his fingertips brushing across his palm with a light, lingering touch.

"Alright, we need to head out." Jiang Yancheng ruffled his soft hair and opened the bathroom door.

Shen Mian walked him to the entrance of the dessert shop.

"Remember to reply to my messages on time, and don't pretend you didn't see them on purpose." Jiang Yancheng added one last instruction before leaving. "No silent treatment for me."

Shen Mian remembered the incident he'd deliberately caused last time, and nodded with flushed cheeks: "Mm."

"And, remember to miss me." Jiang Yancheng waved at him and said softly.

Shen Mian stared blankly at his figure disappearing around the street corner, only snapping back to reality after a long while.

The newly recharged VIP card was still clutched in his palm—a cold piece of plastic, yet carrying a comforting warmth.

Shen Mian steadied himself and returned to the front counter.

The owner teased him with a smile: "It's rare to see you have a friend visit. He's quite handsome, and has good vibes too. How long have you two known each other?"

Shen Mian thought for a moment, then replied, "Only... a few months."

"Only a few months?" The boss was taken aback. "I can tell he really cares about you—I thought you guys had known each other for ages!"

"No." Shen Mian shook his head.

"That friend of yours seems pretty loaded—came in and dropped ten grand on a card right away, and even asked if the commission should go to your name." The boss chuckled. "He really looks out for you."

Shen Mian smiled shyly, feeling his cheeks heat up again.

He lowered his head awkwardly and busied himself straightening the pastry display, as if afraid the boss might dig into his real relationship with Jiang Yancheng.

Because they'd hugged in the restroom just moments ago, his clothes carried the scent of woody cologne, and his whole body felt warm, as if Jiang Yancheng's warmth was still on him. Shen Mian took a gentle sniff, catching that familiar scent mixed in with the sweet, creamy smell of the pastries, and found it oddly nice.

*

Late autumn had arrived, and each day got colder than the last. Many of the plane tree leaves along the campus paths had fallen, leaving just a few scattered ones clinging to the branches.

Shen Mian had been worn down by Cheng Hui's persistent nagging and finally agreed to help out at the anime club.

Their performance was missing a female game character—a white-haired goddess. The role had demanding requirements: the right height, a slim figure, long pretty legs, and a face that was both innocent and alluring, with an elegant, gentle vibe. The anime club had searched for candidates for a long time, but every one fell short—just the white wig alone was more than most people could handle.

Cheng Hui had only brought Shen Mian in on a whim, but unexpectedly, once he actually changed into the cosplay outfit and got his makeup and hair done, he fit the role perfectly.

Even Shen Mian himself couldn't help but freeze for a second when he stood in front of the mirror.

The beautiful girl in the reflection had flowing waist-length white hair, a fringed short skirt that showed off a lovely waistline, and two long, straight legs under the skirt. As she moved, the fringe swayed with the hem, giving off an indescribable charm.

Shen Mian's features were delicate and gentle by nature—clean brows, soft eyes, and an eye shape that didn't need much to look beautiful. He was almost a perfect match for the anime character.

The anime club members were all stunned, clapping and praising him: "Perfect fit! It's like the goddess literally stepped out of the anime into reality!"

"Yeah! Such a perfect match!"

"Wahhh, I'm coming for you guys, you modeling gods!"

"The white hair and long legs are the hardest parts of the goddess to cosplay, but he pulls it off effortlessly!"

"Cheng Hui, are you sure your friend won't consider joining our club? I feel like he was made for the cosplay world!"

Cheng Hui raised her chin proudly and giggled. "See? I told you! My friend is the perfect fit for this role. My judgment is never wrong."

Shen Mian found himself surrounded by the anime club's crowd of otaku enthusiasts, their eager stares and sincere compliments making him feel embarrassed.

For the first time in his life, he was being praised so lavishly for something other than his grades. He felt flustered, but also a little excited and happy.

Plus, everyone in the anime club was easy to get along with—warm and polite. After going a few times with Cheng Hui, Shen Mian started getting more into anime. People often gathered to discuss characters and plots, and he'd listen quietly on the sidelines. Because he was good-looking and had a gentle personality, many club members loved to strike up conversations with him. One freshman girl named Qi Fei was especially enthusiastic, recommending tons of stuff to him and explaining the backstory of the character he was cosplaying.

"I really love the goddess! It's just that the game company is so scummy—the artist they hired recently is basically a hack. They designed my girl's new skin all flashy and ugly, and I've completely lost the desire to spend money."

Shen Mian listened with a smile as the girl beside him vented, occasionally adding a few words of agreement.

Plane tree leaves carpeted the ground, painting a picture of late autumn's loneliness. It was Saturday, and Shen Mian had just finished rehearsal at the anime club, walking to the library on the same route as Qi Fei.

As evening approached, the sky darkened quickly. He looked up at the gray sky, a flicker of distraction in his eyes.

Jiang Yancheng had been on a business trip for over a week now and still hadn't come back this week. He'd managed to dodge two weekends of "repaying his debt," but somehow he didn't feel very happy about it.

The trees by the roadside swayed in the cold wind. Shen Mian wrapped his coat tighter, burying half his chin in his scarf, leaving only the tip of his nose and his hazy eyes exposed.

The cream-colored scarf was soft and warm, wrapped around his neck, keeping out the cold.

This scarf was a gift from Jiang Yancheng before. At the time, he'd stuffed it in a bag and shoved it into his closet, only digging it out a few days ago.

It was perfect for the weather now—comfortable and cozy.

...

At the gate of Jing University, a silver Bentley slowly drove onto campus and stopped in front of a male dormitory building.

After the car came to a stop, the door opened, and Jiang Yancheng, dressed in a dark overcoat, bent down to step out.

He stared at a small red dot moving slowly across the map on his phone screen, frowning slightly.

Not in the dorm, not in the dining hall either.

This direction... was Shen Mian heading to the library?

Jiang Yancheng hadn't expected this business trip to drag on so long—a project had held him up for days, and he'd only just finished today. He hadn't seen Shen Mian in so long, and the longing was unbearable, so he'd come straight to Jing University the moment he got off the plane.

Following the location tracker on his phone, he walked quickly toward the red dot, his heart brimming with restless yearning.

Turning down a tree-lined path, Jiang Yancheng drew closer and closer to the red dot on the map, until they were nearly about to overlap.

He looked up, his gaze locking onto a familiar figure.

Jiang Yancheng curved his lips, about to step forward, when he suddenly halted, his smile fading as he stared at the scene.

Shen Mian was listening to Qi Fei talk about a newly released anime character. The two stood close together, Shen Mian smiling warmly as he listened attentively, while the girl's face lit up with a bright smile. They were similar in age, chatting happily together, both with striking looks and refined temperaments. To any unknowing passerby, they looked like a young couple deeply in love.

Jiang Yancheng pressed his lips together, silently watching the picture-perfect scene of the "golden boy and jade girl" in the distance. Especially the smile curling at the corners of Shen Mian's mouth—it stung his eyes more and more.

As if sensing something, Shen Mian finally looked up.

When he saw Jiang Yancheng standing right in front of him, he was visibly taken aback.

Shen Mian thought he was seeing things and took another uncertain look.

It really was Jiang Yancheng? He was back?

Why hadn't he told him!

Shen Mian instinctively wanted to walk over to Jiang Yancheng, but quickly noticed something off about him.

The man's face was cold, almost expressionless. Though he said nothing, the gloomy, icy aura radiating from him was utterly intimidating.

It was a signal of danger.