Chapter 35 "The Last Arrow of the God of Love."

Jiang Yao was in high spirits and started to talk nonsense. Duan Zhuxian was slightly stunned, as if he was caught off guard by his sudden frivolous behavior.

Jiang Yao was very satisfied with Duan Zhuxian's reaction. After teasing him, he planned to leave. Just as he loosened Duan Zhuxian's tie and was about to stand up, he was grabbed by the waist and dragged back.

He was caught off guard and fell towards Duan Zhuxian. He was still in the upper position, but his posture became a little awkward.

Jiang Yao propped up half of his body and glared at Duan Zhuxian.

Duan Zhuxian asked, "Are you going to move or am I going to move?"

Jiang Yao didn't say anything and continued to stare at him, with only a little red appearing on the tip of his ear.

Duan Zhuxian raised his lips and said, "I understand."

Jiang Yao:?

What do you understand?

The next second, the hand around his waist suddenly moved, reaching into the hem of his suit, touching it inch by inch through his shirt, taking care of the sensitive parts of his back with varying degrees of intensity, and finally stopping on the raised shoulder blades.

Jiang Yao's shoulder blades are thin and protruding, with a very beautiful shape. He was originally very satisfied with this. He often took pictures of his back muscles in the mirror in the gym and posted them on WeChat Moments, enjoying a group of people queuing up in the comment section to drool over them.

But ever since he started having an affair with someone, his shoulder blades have been touched and kissed so many times that it seemed like some kind of obscene signal. He hasn't posted a photo of his back muscles since then and has deleted all the ones he posted before.

The warmth from the palm of his hand was transmitted to his shoulder blades through the palm lines and the shirt, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. Jiang Yao's deliberately tense body seemed to have its strength drained away, and gradually softened.

The next second, Duan Zhuxian grabbed his shoulder blades and easily brought him closer.

The hot lips fell on the open collar, from the collarbone to the chest, even the barely visible mole in the middle was not spared.

Jiang Yao sat astride Duan Zhuxian, face to face. He was half a head taller than Duan Zhuxian, and his vision was just facing the closed office door. He stared at the black square for a long time in confusion, and suddenly felt embarrassed.

He was crazy. He had been infected by some shameless person. He actually had an office play with Duan Zhuxian in a semi-public place...

At this moment, there was a sudden sound of hurried footsteps at the door.

Jiang Yao's eyes flashed, and he suddenly arched his back like a vigilant animal.

"Don't be afraid, no one will come in casually." Duan Zhuxian said slowly, and patted his hips soothingly with his hand.

Jiang Yao said angrily, "Who's afraid? This is your company, not mine. You're the one who's embarrassed."

Duan Zhuxian said, "I'm close to my wife, what's so shameful about that?"

Jiang Yao blushed and his voice became softer: "Have some shame..."

After all, things couldn't go too far in the office. The two of them entangled on the sofa for a while and stopped before something went wrong.

Jiang Yao's breathing was a little heavy, and he was gasping for breath while holding Duan Zhuxian's neck.

Duan Zhuxian brushed aside the hair that fell in front of Jiang Yao's eyes and whispered, "There's someone coming over here later. His last name is Lu Xuanshen."

Jiang Yao raised his eyebrows slightly. He had heard that he was the youngest heir of the Lu family who was engaged in real estate.

"Since you have an appointment, I'll leave first."

Jiang Yao quickly stepped away from Duan Zhuxian, straightened his clothes, and was about to turn around when Duan Zhuxian grabbed his wrist.

"Stay and be my advisor."

Jiang Yao was surprised: "Is there still a time when Mr. Duan needs an advisor?"

Duan Zhuxian: "Well, you are better than me in this area."

Jiang Yao became interested immediately after hearing this. He had never seen Duan Zhuxian lower his head to him before.

About fifteen minutes later, there was a knock on the office door.

When Duan Zhuxian opened the door, Jiang Yao stood behind him and looked over.

The man outside the door was wearing a well-tailored suit. His elite style was no less than Duan Zhuxian's, but he was a little more serious than Duan Zhuxian and had an innate nobility. Of course, it was not ruled out that the more he looked at Duan Zhuxian, the more beastly he became.

Jiang Yao inexplicably felt that this person was familiar. He narrowed his eyes and quickly recalled something.

The man who had a secret meeting with Ying Wan in the emergency passage at noon turned out to be Lu Xuanshen.

Over Duan Zhuxian's shoulder, Lu Xuanshen looked at Jiang Yao and paused: "Is it convenient for you to come in?"

"It's convenient..." Jiang Yao said with a wooden face, and buttoned the top button of his shirt, silently covering the kiss mark on his collarbone.

*

When Duan Zhuxian and Lu Xuanshen were talking, Jiang Yao listened for a long time and figured out what was going on.

Lu Xuanshen plans to set up an architectural design company and wants to recruit Duan Zhuxian to join. He came here to lobby him today.

"Mr. Duan said that he knows a professional, and whether to invest in the company will depend on that person's advice." Lu Xuanshen said, his eyes falling on Jiang Yao's face.

Jiang Yao slightly widened his eyes, looked at Duan Zhuxian, pointed at himself, and received a slight nod from Duan Zhuxian in response. He was speechless for a moment.

Although he has a strong interest in architectural design, is often praised for his talent, and has studied related majors, he has never had any practical experience. All his drawings remain at the two-dimensional stage. To put it bluntly, he is an amateur who only knows how to talk about it on paper.

It was rare for him to feel less confident, but he didn't want to let down Duan Zhuxian, so he still gritted his teeth and continued to answer Lu Xuanshen's words.

An hour later, as it was getting dark, Jiang Yao and Lu Xuanshen were enjoying their conversation, and Duan Zhuxian suggested having dinner together.

After the meal, Lu Xuanshen and Jiang Yao added each other’s contact information and left first.

The place where they had dinner happened to be near Jiang Yao and Duan Zhuxian's high school alma mater. The rain had stopped outside, and the two of them, without any prior arrangement, decided to stroll around and digest their food.

Walking side by side along the sidewalk outside the school, the air was filled with the freshness after the rain.

Duan Zhuxian asked Jiang Yao, "What do you think about Lu Xuanshen's invitation?"

"The Lu family itself started out in real estate, so they naturally have plenty of connections and resources in this area. Furthermore, his think tank is comprised of renowned experts in the construction industry, so it can be said that everything is in place. However, I'm just giving this a casual analysis; the final decision is up to you."

Jiang Yao looked ahead and spoke carefully. It was the first time he spoke so subtly and restrainedly in front of Duan Zhuxian.

Duan Zhuxian said: "I mean, we join together."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yao suddenly looked at Duan Zhuxian, and the light of the street lamp happened to be reflected in his eyes.

At this moment, it would be a lie to say that I wasn't moved.

According to the life path planned for him by his parents, he should become a successful businessman. He did not want to disappoint his parents, so he did move forward step by step in the business world.

It's all business anyway, so instead of exploring areas he's not interested in, it's better to get involved with something he likes.

But after a struggle, he lowered his head and walked around a puddle, waving his hand and saying, "Forget it. If I lose, I will suffer too."

His family has just gone through a difficult period, and his current assets are not enough for him to squander.

Duan Zhuxian said: "The loss is mine, it has nothing to do with you."

Jiang Yao rolled his eyes at him and said, "How can it have nothing to do with me? What we lost is our joint property. I have to lose at least half."

Duan Zhuxian laughed after hearing this.

Jiang Yao's nitpicking words are very useful.

"I trust your vision and will not let my money go to waste. Similarly, you can also try to trust my judgment to protect your half of the assets."

The students had not yet finished their self-study session, and there was silence outside the school. After turning a corner and entering an even quieter path, Duan Zhuxian's tone became softer, but to Jiang Yao's ears, it sounded like autumn raindrops falling on a lake, inexplicably stirring his heartbeat.

But he feigned disdain and asked Duan Zhuxian casually, "Where does Mr. Duan get his confidence from?"

Duan Zhuxian said, "I've read the paper you published on building drainage systems during your dual degree studies. I sent it to Hailey a while ago, and she commented that it's not without merit, that it's noteworthy, and that it has unlimited potential."

Jiang Yao's eyes flashed with surprise. "Hailey? Is that Hailey Wu? The legendary Chinese woman known as 'chattel property in the architectural world'?"

Duan Zhuxian hummed, "My grandfather and she are old friends."

Jiang Yao was shocked for a moment before he suddenly realized something was wrong. He squinted his eyes and looked at Duan Zhuxian: "You are secretly investigating me."

"Knowing your significant other's hobbies isn't stealing."

Duan Zhuxian had a frank expression on his face. He said the word "other half" in an official way, but his voice left a soft lingering sound.

Jiang Yao rubbed his nose and averted his gaze. He always felt that Duan Zhuxian looked very much like a human at this moment, and he was a little uncomfortable with it.

After walking a few steps in silence, Duan Zhuxian asked, "Why are you interested in architecture?"

Jiang Yao raised his hand to pick up a wet fallen leaf, playing with it for a moment before saying, "A towering building rises from the ground. I love that process of creating something from nothing. When I was little, looking at those crisscrossing masonry of steel and concrete, I often felt that buildings had life. Designers are very powerful. They nurture a hidden life through their brains, and this life, to some extent, allows a small part of the designer's soul to survive and continue to live."

At the end of his speech, Jiang Yao lowered his voice a little, and in the damp and cool autumn wind, his cheeks felt a little hot for no reason.

This was the first time he had seriously discussed his ideals with someone, and the person he met was his mortal enemy of ten years.

Duan Zhuxian asked, "If you like it so much, why didn't you work in a related field after graduation?"

Jiang Yao's expression faded as he heard this. He threw away the leaf in his hand nonchalantly. "My dad says this isn't a proper job. Come to think of it, it makes sense. You could be sitting on your original capital and making money, but you're stuck in the shabby construction business."

Duan Zhuxian raised his eyebrows: "Giving up your independence and obeying your parents' orders is unlike the you I know."

Jiang Yao was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Duan, do you know what you look like right now?"

"Um?"

"For example, in school, parents usually keep their children away from bad students who lead other children astray."

Jiang Yao said this and made a move to move away. Just when he was about one meter away, his wrist was grabbed and pulled hard, and he slammed into Duan Zhuxian's chest.

After walking a few steps close together, Jiang Yao lowered his eyes and his gaze fell on Duan Zhuxian's hand, which he still had not let go of.

Jiang Yao couldn't help but sneer: "Are you in elementary school? You still want to play hand in hand?"

Duan Zhuxian said calmly, "Hold on tight, or your parents will separate you."

Someone happened to be walking towards him, and Jiang Yao quickly shook off Duan Zhuxian's hand: "How childish."

He put his hands in his pockets with a dignified look on his face. "I'll think about what you said. I have to finish the Ledong project first."

He always sees things through to the end.

Duan Zhuxian said: "Don't worry, the initiative is in our hands. It's okay to give way to Lu Xuanshen and wait."

As Jiang Yao walked from the slightly dark sidewalk to a brightly lit alley, he suddenly stopped and his expression became strange.

He suddenly realized that the route they had just taken was the same route they often took together after school before they broke up. Because there were not many people around, no one else would discover that these two famous enemies were actually keeping in close contact with each other.

No one suggested it tonight, it was just done unconsciously.

The alley in front of him was the place where he and Duan Zhuxian broke up.

Looking at this alley through my memory, there are only knife-like snowflakes, moon frost covering the snow like salt, and Duan Zhuxian's cold and hard back without even turning his head.

From that day on, he never dared to come again.

Duan Zhuxian asked, "What's wrong?"

Judging from Duan Zhuxian's calm expression, he had probably forgotten what happened here a long time ago. If he turned around deliberately, it would seem that he cared a lot.

Jiang Yao raised his chin and said in a somewhat cold voice, "Nothing."

After saying that, he walked into the alley first.

Not far away, the door of a small shop was open. On the oil-painted flower wall, hung a wooden sign with the words "呓语" written on it. A circle of yellow star lights was embedded on the edge of the wooden sign, emitting a warm light.

It was around here that Duan Zhuxian denied his intention to be friends with him.

Seeing Duan Zhuxian's gaze, Jiang Yao realized that he had been staring at the flower shop for too long, so he pretended to be casual and said, "There's a new flower shop here."

Duan Zhuxian said: "It's not a new store, it has been open for ten years."

When Jiang Yao heard the number "ten years", his heart suddenly trembled.

It turned out to be a flower shop.

He had always thought it was a grocery store, and an old store that was as dark and messy as his mood at the time, and would only make him more upset.

Jiang Yao stared at the small wooden sign, unable to describe his feelings at the moment.

Duan Zhuxian stared at Jiang Yao's profile, whose expression kept changing but he tried hard to conceal it. The petals scattered at his feet reminded him of the memory of that winter night.

It was Valentine's Day at the time, and Jiang Yao probably chose this time specifically to confess his love to Chen Tang.

After he confiscated Jiang Yao's love letter, Jiang Yao chased him and questioned him. His footsteps were heavy and hurried, and the withered flowers on the ground were trampled into mud and sank into the snow.

When flowers fall into the human realm, they become carriers of thoughts and should not be treated as such.

After he left, he came back and Jiang Yao was gone. He stood at the door of the flower shop for a long time until it was about to close and then went in. There was only the last bunch of blue irises left in the bucket.

The clerk didn't take his money, wrapped it up and gave it to him with a smile: "Congratulations, handsome boy, you didn't miss the last arrow of Cupid."

Didn’t you miss it?

He asked himself this at the time, feeling that the bouquet of flowers in his arms was extremely ironic.

But at this moment, his eyes fell on the faces of the people around him.

Maybe I really didn't miss it.

No matter in what way or for what purpose, at least Jiang Yao returned to him. Even when he opened his eyes every day, he could see Jiang Yao's sleeping face.

Duan Zhuxian said, "You punched me here that day."

Jiang Yao's eyes flickered, then he immediately frowned and said nonchalantly, "Really? I don't remember."

When they were about to pass by the flower shop, Jiang Yao said, "Stand still and wait for me for ten minutes."

After saying that, he walked straight to the flower shop without waiting for Duan Zhuxian to answer.

The flower shop is not big, like an inconspicuous little flower, quietly blooming on the street corner, waiting for people to visit.

When he came out again, he was holding a bouquet of blue irises in his arms.

"It's too late. There's only one bouquet left."

Duan Zhuxian's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Why do you suddenly want to buy flowers?"

Jiang Yao said, "To improve the quality of life, the girls in the project team said that flower arranging can help cultivate one's sentiments."

He was talking nonsense.

In fact, he didn't know why he had such a sudden idea.

Perhaps it was because the inherent impression he had maintained in his mind for so many years suddenly turned upside down, changing from one extreme to another, he felt it necessary to go in and see more clearly, but it would not be good to go in and shop without buying anything.

Well, not so good.

*

After returning home, Jiang Yao did not take the flowers into the small room where he kept his personal belongings, nor did he put them in his exclusive study. Instead, he put them in an empty glass bottle and placed it on the coffee table in the public area of ​​the living room, then went upstairs to take a shower.

Duan Zhuxian stood by the coffee table for a long time, and suddenly a silent smile appeared on his lips. He reached out and pulled out an iris flower, as if stealing an arrow from Cupid's quiver.

【Author’s words】

The god of love will also come tonight