Chapter 18
Chen Ju’s heart lurched. He swallowed hard and slowly opened his eyes.
A pair of pitch-black eyes met his, carrying a hint of impatience as they stared intently at him.
“You’ll fall. Stop moving around.” Jiang Zhou bounced Chen Ju higher in his arms, holding him like a child.
The last traces of sleepiness vanished completely. Chen Ju finally came to his senses, sprawled against Jiang Zhou’s chest and blinking as he struggled to get his blank mind working.
He remembered sitting in the chair, waiting for the barber to cut his hair. Then, then he’d been so sleepy that he thought he’d just close his eyes for a moment, but ended up sleeping like a log.
At that thought, Chen Ju’s expression turned grim. This was bad. He’d messed things up, and Jiang Zhou was sure to be furious.
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and several people stepped in, casting strange glances their way. Chen Ju finally found his voice. In a hushed, anxious tone, he said, “Jiang Zhou, put me down. I-I’m not sleepy anymore.”
“Mm.” Jiang Zhou only said yes, but made no move to put him down, continuing to hold Chen Ju tightly.
More and more people entered the elevator. Chen Ju knew Jiang Zhou had no intention of putting him down, so he could only turn his head and hide his face in Jiang Zhou’s coat, breathing in its familiar, warm scent.
Seeing that Jiang Zhou didn’t look angry, Chen Ju relaxed. He blinked his dry eyes and gently rubbed his forehead against Jiang Zhou’s shoulder.
After they left the mall, with no one watching, Jiang Zhou put Chen Ju down.
Suddenly deprived of the warm embrace, Chen Ju felt a little unaccustomed to it and sneezed. Feeling Jiang Zhou’s gaze on him, he hurriedly turned his head and covered his mouth with his hand, mumbling, “Sorry, I haven’t caught a cold. I’m just a little chilly.”
“You don’t need to apologize to me.” Jiang Zhou returned to his usual cold demeanor, not a trace of warmth in his eyes. He glanced at his watch. “It’s already late. You...”
“There are still buses. I can get back by myself!” Chen Ju hurriedly said. He had memorized every clause in the contract and knew what he should and shouldn’t do. When they weren’t acting, he needed to know his place and stop bothering Jiang Zhou.
“Oh, r-right, and these clothes too. I’ll give them back to you.” Chen Ju shoved the two bags in his hands into Jiang Zhou’s palms, then looked down at what he was wearing. After thinking it over with a troubled expression, he gritted his teeth and said, “Wait here. I’ll go change in that corner, then head back.”
As soon as he finished, Chen Ju turned to walk toward the corner, but someone grabbed his wrist. The next second, Jiang Zhou’s low voice rang out, edged with restrained anger. “Chen Ju, are you doing this on purpose?”
The hand gripping his wrist was strong, and red marks immediately appeared on Chen Ju’s fair skin. He endured the pain and turned around, looking at Jiang Zhou in confusion. Then he suddenly remembered that he’d fallen asleep and ruined what was supposed to happen afterward, making Jiang Zhou angry.
“I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” he hurriedly apologized. “Next time, I...”
“That’s not what I mean.” Jiang Zhou impatiently cut Chen Ju off. He shoved the two bags back into Chen Ju’s hands and said coolly, “Take them. I bought them for you, so they’re yours.”
Chen Ju looked at the bags in his hands and said softly, “B-but these clothes are too expensive...”
“Chen Ju, you need to understand one thing.” Under the streetlight, Jiang Zhou’s eyes gleamed with a cold light. “The clothes aren’t a gift. You’re dressed so shabbily that no one would believe you were playing my lover if you stood by my side.”
The warmth drained from Chen Ju’s face, leaving it as pale as snow. Aside from his lips, there wasn’t a trace of color.
He tightened his grip on the bags, drew his hand back, and stared down at the marble pavement without saying another word.
Jiang Zhou was telling the truth. Even the padded jacket he was wearing today had been thrown to him by Chen Yifa two years ago because it no longer fit.
It really was an eyesore.
Jiang Zhou took out his phone. Its faintly lit screen reflected a deep blue glow in his eyes. “Come find me at five tomorrow afternoon. I’ve sent you the address.”
“Mm.” Chen Ju nodded.
Jiang Zhou stared at the man before him. After a moment, he pulled a red banknote from his wallet and held it out. “Cab fare.”
The red that suddenly entered Chen Ju’s vision was like a ball of fire, dazzlingly bright. He took a small step back and pressed his lips together, gently shaking his head.
“Th-thanks, but you’ve bought enough things for me today. T-too much, really.” Chen Ju put on an ingratiating smile, the corners of his eyes faintly pink. “I-I can take the bus home myself. You don’t have to trouble yourself, Young Master Jiang.”
Jiang Zhou’s hand, holding the money, paused in midair. His eyes flickered, and he said coolly, “It’s just the fare. Don’t read too much into it.”
As he spoke, he tucked the money into the pocket at Chen Ju’s chest, then bent down slightly and looked into the man’s eyes, warning him, “Make sure you’re prepared for tomorrow’s gathering. Don’t give yourself away at every turn like you did tonight.”
The money in Chen Ju’s pocket felt like a burning flame, and the heat spread to his chest beneath his clothes.
It seemed something like this had happened before. He remembered: after a gathering in high school, he’d secretly followed Jiang Zhou outside.
It had been late, but Jiang Zhou still went to the bus stop to wait for a bus. Chen Ju had scampered over, pulled a few bills from his pocket, and stuffed them into Jiang Zhou’s pocket, telling him to take a cab.
He remembered Jiang Zhou getting very angry. Without sparing Chen Ju’s feelings, he’d thrown the money away and boarded the bus without looking back. At the time, Chen Ju had felt terribly wronged. He hadn’t understood why Jiang Zhou was so angry when he’d only been trying to help.
Now, watching Jiang Zhou’s retreating figure, Chen Ju slowly raised a hand and pressed it over his pocket. It felt as if his heart were being tightly squeezed in someone’s grasp.
So this was what it felt like. No wonder Jiang Zhou hated him. If he were in Jiang Zhou’s shoes, he’d hate his former self too.
“Who is it? It’s so late.” Li Qing yawned, scratching his head as he opened the door. The moment he saw the person outside, he woke right up. “Chen Ju! It’s cold out. Hurry and come in!”
Li Qing pulled Chen Ju inside and looked him up and down. He couldn’t help asking, “What happened to you?”
“Can I stay at your place for a few days? Once I find somewhere to live, I-I’ll move out right away.” Chen Ju gripped the straps of his backpack, his exposed fingers red from the cold.
Li Qing stared at the uneasy man before him. After a few seconds, he sighed and patted Chen Ju’s shoulder. “You don’t have to be so formal. We’ve known each other for ages. Stay as long as you like!”
“Thanks,” Chen Ju said gratefully.
“What are you thanking me for? What are friends for?” Li Qing took Chen Ju’s luggage. It was so heavy that he almost lost his grip. “Damn, how did you carry something this heavy all the way here?”
Chen Ju smiled and said, “I-it’s fine. It’s not that heavy.”
Li Qing looked at Chen Ju’s thin shoulders, a trace of concern in his eyes. He sighed and said, “You haven’t eaten dinner yet, have you? I’ll make you tomato and egg noodles.”
“You don’t have to go to the trouble. I ate...”
“Instant noodles?” Li Qing cut in, seeing right through him. He patted Chen Ju on the back and said, “Don’t be so polite with me. Sit down and stay put.”
Chen Ju gripped the hem of his clothes and lowered his head, his eyes burning with tears. He murmured, “Thank you.”