Chapter 68 - 2#
Chigui’s fingertips brushed through his hair, gently pressing and massaging to help him relax. “Tired?”
Jing Shun said, “A little.”
Chigui knew he was in a bad mood, but deliberately avoided mentioning Jiang Keshan and Xu Jia. “Then sleep early?”
Jing Shun couldn’t sleep and couldn’t help speaking his mind. “I originally thought she just made up some excuse to fool me. I didn’t expect it to be true.”
After learning about the Jiang family’s situation over the past two years—that Xu Jia even had to sell her handbags and jewelry to get by—an indescribable sadness welled up in his heart.
Maybe human nature is truly complex and multifaceted.
Jing Shun had once resented Xu Jia for “giving up” on him, for not being willing to care for him even a little after he became disabled.
But when he put himself in Xu Jia’s shoes and looked back at everything from her perspective, he realized she really had encountered difficulties—maybe she simply didn’t have the ability to look after him anymore?
Jing Shun hugged Chigui tightly and continued, “Last time we met, I was actually pretty cold to her. I could tell she kept trying to reach out to me, but I was afraid of getting hurt again. I either pretended not to see and ignored her, or brushed her off with half-hearted replies.”
After that meeting, Xu Jia had sent him messages more than once asking after him—
Xiao Shun, where do you live? Can Mom come see you?
Xiao Shun, if it’s inconvenient for me to find you directly, can we meet up and have a meal together?
Xiao Shun, Mom dreamed of you again last night. Did you sleep well?
Greetings like these, along with daily good morning and good night messages, but Jing Shun always read them more often than he replied.
Jing Shun took a light breath and judged himself, “Deep down, I’m also a pretty bad kid.”
Chigui chuckled softly and kissed the tip of his nose. “Baby, don’t think that way.”
“Hmm?”
“Everyone is in different circumstances and sees things from different angles, so the feelings they get are never the same.”
Chigui gently stroked the back of Jing Shun’s neck and analyzed it for him.
“No matter how much what you heard today moved you, it doesn’t change the sadness and hurt you suffered before.”
After all, after Jing Guanhai and Xu Jia divorced, the person most deeply wounded was Jing Shun!
The one who had to live on his own after turning eighteen was Jing Shun!
The one who had no family with him after the accident on set was also Jing Shun!
“Baby, in my eyes, you are the one who suffered the most. It was Jing Guanhai and Xu Jia who caused all of this, more or less. I hope you don’t carry any unnecessary sense of indebtedness.”
“…”
“If you want, we can maintain a relationship with her and respond to her concern. Beyond that, you don’t need to bear any burden or pressure from an unequal emotional return.”
To put it more cruelly and realistically—
Xu Jia already has a new family, and Jing Shun has his own life. There’s no possibility of forcefully merging them anymore.
Of course, if Xu Jia is truly willing to keep pouring maternal love into Jing Shun, then time will tell, and nothing more needs to be said.
Listening to Chigui’s comfort, Jing Shun suddenly felt enlightened. His mood turned from gloomy to bright, and he laughed. “Chigui, I understand. But you know what?”
Chigui kissed the tip of his nose. “What?”
Jing Shun said, “Every time you guide and counsel me like this, I get the real feeling that you’re five years older than me. I don’t know how to describe it, but as long as you’re by my side, I feel so at ease.”
Chigui smiled along and promised, “I’m holding your hand, I’m with you. Just feel at ease and live according to your own heart, okay?”
“Okay.”
Jing Shun’s heart suddenly raced, and he voluntarily pressed his lips to Chigui’s.
As they rubbed against each other, the strange, wonderful taste from two nights ago suddenly came back to his mind, stirring an unexpected urge. He quickly pulled out of his lover’s embrace, his cheeks burning.
Chigui leaned in to continue the kiss. “What’s wrong?”
Jing Shun was too shy to say it directly, but his eyes were full of shy longing. “I…”
It was the unique tacit understanding between lovers—Chigui immediately saw his intention and laughed teasingly. “Oh? Didn’t you say you wanted a platonic relationship?”
Jing Shun grew even more bashful. “Are you still messing with me?”
Chigui lowered his head and gently nibbled on his lover’s collarbone, which still carried the scent of bath products.
Jing Shun’s whole body tensed, and he couldn’t help pressing closer—only then did he realize that his lover was also unbelievably aroused at the moment.
Chigui asked knowingly, “Want me to help you?”
Jing Shun whimpered. “…Yes.”
“Okay, be good.”
Kisses overwhelmed all senses.
Until a certain moment arrived, Jing Shun let out an involuntary groan. He felt as if he were drifting on clouds, floating and weightless.
Chigui’s breathing was rapid and hot. “Baby, help me.”
Jing Shun was still dazed, his whole body limp and weak. He didn’t know what to do.
Until Chigui turned him around, wrapping his arms around him from behind, pressing them together inseparably.
Jing Shun shuddered, and Chigui immediately soothed him. “Baby, don’t be afraid. I won’t do anything reckless. Just stay still like this.”
Jing Shun felt the air under the blanket was full of heat, but he still let his partner do what he wanted.
“Mm.”
“…”
Goubao had already fallen asleep.
In his dream, someone suddenly yanked the blanket he was lying on. The dog, who had been sleeping on top of it, was caught off guard and tumbled straight to the floor.
An indescribably intimate aroma wafted from the bed. Goubao lifted his head and sniffed. “Woof woof!”
He whined twice at the culprit on the bed, then picked up his little toy and obediently returned to his own dog bed to sleep.
…
Although Jing Shun could now walk normally, the muscle strength in his legs still needed improvement. He had a set of customized training plans developed by experts and followed them step by step every day.
After another day of training, Jing Shun took a couple of sips of energy supplement, and his phone buzzed.
He opened it—it was a message from Xu Jia:
“Xiao Shun, how are you? The day after tomorrow is Mom’s birthday. Could you please take some time to have a meal with me and your little sister? Mom really misses you.”
“…”
Jing Shun stared at the message and checked the date.
Today was already November 15th—the 17th was Xu Jia’s birthday. If he remembered correctly, this year she would be turning fifty?
Footsteps sounded, interrupting Jing Shun’s thoughts.
Chigui walked in. “Done with training?”
“Yeah.”
Jing Shun stood up and didn’t hide anything. “I just got a message from my mom. She asked if I could make time to meet the day after tomorrow. It’s her birthday, and she wants me to come.”
Chigui nodded, not making the decision for Jing Shun. “Do you want to go?”
Jing Shun thought it over carefully and nodded. “I want to go see.”
Warmed by Chigui’s love and with his health restored, maternal love was no longer something Jing Shun sought or longed for. His attitude toward Xu Jia had gradually settled back to normal.
“Like you said that night—if she truly wants to repair our relationship, I’m willing to try to accept it. But if… she has other motives, I won’t fall for it or get hurt again.”
Time reveals a person’s heart; he would have to see the truth from the details of their interactions.
Chigui knew his lover had come to terms with it and felt reassured. “Then go. Same as last time—I’ll wait outside for you. The moment you feel uncomfortable, just leave directly, and I’ll take you home.”
Jing Shun broke into a smile. “Okay. I’ll reply to her, then?”
“Yeah.”
Chigui wouldn’t stop Jing Shun from the possibility of receiving more love. “Since it’s Auntie’s birthday, do you want to bring her a gift?”
Jing Shun thought for a moment. “Maybe? I haven’t gone out shopping in a while. How about we go out to eat tonight? My treat, and you can help me pick out a gift?”
Chigui went along with him. “Whatever you say.”
…
The Chi Group owned its own commercial district, and the restaurants and brand stores on the upper floors operated on a membership system.
Jing Shun wrapped himself in a thick coat and put on a mask—it wasn’t easy for passersby to recognize him. The two of them had dinner, picked out a necklace for Xu Jia, and then headed back to the Chi mansion together.
At the mansion gate, Jing Shun had a sudden whim to get out of the car and walk a bit to digest. Chigui simply handed the car keys to the guard at the gate and held his lover’s hand as they slowly strolled back to the North Pavilion.
The lamplight cast their shadows, stretching them extremely long.
In his past life, Jing Shun could only sit alone in a wheelchair under the streetlights. But now, things had changed. Looking at his hand intertwined with Chigui’s, an indescribable happiness overflowed in his heart.
But as they walked, Jing Shun’s right leg suddenly gave way, and he nearly stumbled forward.
Chigui caught him with lightning speed, his face full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
Jing Shun laughed. “Nothing, just a cramp.”
“Don’t push yourself.”
Chigui took half a step ahead and crouched slightly. “Come on, I’ll carry you back.”
Jing Shun was taken aback. “No need, it’s just a few steps.”
“Get on quickly.” Chigui insisted, turning his head to ask, “Or do you want to be carried?”
Jing Shun didn’t hesitate anymore. He looped his arms around his lover’s shoulders and lightly hopped onto his back.
Chigui caught him steadily and even bounced him a little. “Hold on tight.”
“Mm.”
Jing Shun rested his head against Chigui’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of tea on his partner. The more he smelled it, the more he loved it.
He remembered reading a magazine article before that said there is a physiological attraction between lovers, to the point where even the scent of each other’s body can make them intoxicated.
Jing Shun hadn’t believed it then, but after being with Chigui, he had truly experienced this fatal attraction.
He really, really loved the scent on Chigui—the mix of tea fragrance and refreshing body wash surpassed any perfume brand in the world.
Jing Shun couldn’t help himself; he buried his face deep into Chigui’s neck and sniffed hard.
“…”
Chigui felt the faint warmth of his lover’s breath and caught a glimpse of his little move in the corner of his eye. He couldn’t help laughing. “Baby, are you a puppy too?”
Jing Shun fully revealed his childish side in front of Chigui. Grinning mischievously, he kissed his ear. “Woof!”