Chapter 55 "Didn't you have a crush on him before?"

Most of the time, Duan Zhuxian is a rational to the point of being harsh.

In Jiang Yao's impression, the few times Duan Zhuxian acted emotionally were all related to the same person, such as when he changed his major and hurriedly went abroad to study, and tonight.

However, although Duan Zhuxian is a bit hypocritical and strong and unreasonable in front of him, he is not so corrupt on the moral level. He would not say that he likes him while still having feelings for Bai Yueguang in his heart. What's more, Chen Tang is married and his wife is here.

Caring should be an instinctive reaction.

After all, I've been secretly pursuing her for so many years, and the habits I've developed can't be changed just like that.

Even though I hadn't drunk the lemon sparkling water in my hand yet, a sour feeling surged in my chest, piling up in my throat and bubbling.

This feeling is extremely unfamiliar.

It was not until Duan Zhuxian and Shen Tang finished talking and their anxious expressions returned to normal that Jiang Yao walked towards the three people under the street light.

From a distance, Jiang Yao asked Duan Zhuxian, "Why did you come here anyway?"

Duan Zhuxian looked at him: "Worried."

Jiang Yao put one hand in his pocket and stood in front of Duan Zhuxian, his eyes darkly pressed under his brow: "Do you think I can't handle it well?"

These words sounded a bit harsh, and Jiang Yao himself noticed it, and the tension on his face suddenly relaxed consciously.

Duan Zhuxian said, "You always do things properly."

You knew it was all right, but you still came to confirm the situation in person?

Jiang Yao hummed twice, turned around and handed the hot milk to Chen Tang and his wife, unscrewed the lemon sparkling water, tilted his head back and took a few sips, frowning.

Why is it so sour?

He glanced down at the sign and dodged the lightning.

After leaving the cold and oppressive police station, Chen Tang had basically regained his usual gentle demeanor, save for the bruises on his cheekbones. He unscrewed the iron cap of the milk bottle for Xu Yuewei and said to Jiang Yao, "You rushed here at five o'clock because of my matter. You've spent three or four hours here. You probably haven't eaten yet, right?"

Jiang Yao said: "Not yet."

Chen Tang said, "How about we go get a midnight snack together? I'll treat you. There's a good food stall nearby."

Jiang Yao didn't feel hungry at first, but after Chen Tang mentioned it, his stomach growled slightly. It just so happened that he hadn't eaten skewers for a long time.

He agreed and turned to ask Duan Zhuxian behind him: "Are you going back to continue attending the dinner?"

Duan Zhuxian took a step forward, half of his body pressed against him inadvertently: "I'll go eat with you guys."

Jiang Yao was stunned for a moment: "We are eating at a roadside stall, do you want to join us?"

Duan Zhuxian said "hmm".

Jiang Yao had never expected that Duan Zhuxian, such a sophisticated person, would actually condescend to dine at such a place. In the end, he didn't stop him and said to Shen Tang and his wife, "Let's go."

Parking was not allowed in front of the police station, so several people walked towards the street intersection ahead following the guidance of the street lights. Jiang Yao, Chen Tang and Xu Yuewei walked side by side for a few steps. Then they remembered something, turned around, and were about to look for Duan Zhuxian.

Duan Zhuxian happened to walk forward, seemingly separating him from him inadvertently, and walked to Chen Tang's side.

“…”

Jiang Yao frowned.

He originally wanted to ask Duan Zhuxian where his coat was and whether he was cold wearing so little, but now he suddenly didn't want to ask anymore.

The person walking beside him changed, but Chen Tang didn't care. He naturally turned the conversation to Duan Zhuxian and chatted with him for a few words.

Jiang Yao didn't interrupt the whole time. He pursed his lips and walked forward silently, walking faster and faster, getting farther and farther away, until a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him in the opposite direction, causing inertia to bump into Duan Zhuxian.

"We've been there." Duan Zhuxian reminded.

Only then did Jiang Yao realize that he had arrived at the parking space.

Chen Tang and the others didn't drive. Jiang Yao pointed to his car and was about to speak when he heard Duan Zhuxian say, "I'll take Chen Tang and Xiao Xu."

Seeing Duan Zhuxian so enthusiastic about being a driver, Jiang Yao nodded and got into his car directly.

The place is not far away, only ten minutes' drive away. This store has an old sign, a great reputation, and is doing a booming business. You need to wait for a table at the door.

Duan Zhuxian, wearing a suit suitable for a banquet, stood out amid the clamor of diners. To be honest, he looked quite out of place.

Twenty minutes later, I finally got a seat by paying extra.

Chen Tang first toasted Jiang Yao, thanking him for his hard work in getting him out of the police station.

Jiang Yao had to drive later, so he replaced the wine with tea.

The dining table was not big, and it was a bit cramped for two people to sit opposite each other. The warm yellow light from overhead stirred up a faint heat. Jiang Yao took off his down jacket and stuffed it between him and Duan Zhuxian, making it bulge and separating their bodies from each other.

Chen Tang sighed, "This is the first time our two families have sat down to eat together like this."

Even though Duan Zhuxian and Jiang Yao had been married for a while, Chen Tang still felt a little unrealistic. After all, they were old friends he had known since his school days. Two extremely talented people, who were at loggerheads one moment, competing openly and covertly, suddenly fell in love. Although he had long sensed the unique magnetic field between these two people.

Jiang Yao propped up his face and scratched his brow with his index finger: "There will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

He said this politely, but also with a sense of guilt.

Ever since he and Duan Zhuxian got engaged, he had consciously avoided meeting Shen Tang with Duan Zhuxian. Every time he met with Shen Tang, he would go alone. Similarly, he didn't know how often Duan Zhuxian met with Shen Tang privately.

Chen Tang said, "You're right. Today was quite rushed. When we're not busy for a while, Xiao Wei and I will treat you guys to a nice meal."

After scanning the code to order the meal, Duan Zhuxian called the waiter over and explained the taste, including the saltiness and cooking time of the kebabs. Although he sounded a little picky, he was extremely skilled.

Jiang Yao was watching from the side and always felt that this scene was particularly strange.

After the waiter left, Jiang Yao asked Duan Zhuxian suspiciously, "You haven't eaten at a food stall before, have you?"

Duan Zhuxian nodded: "I have eaten."

Jiang Yao was shocked.

The Duan family is different from the Jiang family which became rich lately. It is a legitimate wealthy family that has been prosperous for three generations. In Jiang Yao's view, Duan Zhuxian was born standing in the clouds, and every step he takes is towards higher places. He should be isolated from the world.

Chen Tang explained, "When he was in elementary school, Fu Yang and I dragged him there. He was very resistant at first, complaining about this and that, even refusing to sit on the stool. But we eventually got him in good shape. After all, if he didn't go, no one would play with him."

Jiang Yao was even more shocked when he heard this.

Duan Zhuxian, who was about ten years old, tried hard to fit in because he was afraid of being isolated.

He thought Duan Zhuxian was a natural little iceberg since he was born.

How did such a sensitive and delicate child like Xinsi become the cold and aloof boy who seemed to care nothing about the world when he first met him?

Jiang Yao murmured: "Duan Zhuxian still has such a moment?"

"More than that? It seems he's concerned about his image and hasn't dared to tell you." Chen Tang smiled teasingly, counting on his fingers, "He's skipped classes, fought, he's done it all, but that doesn't stop him from being an excellent student in the eyes of his teachers and the perfect man in the hearts of his classmates."

Duan Zhuxian slowly poured a cup of barley tea and pushed it in front of Jiang Yao. He never stopped Chen Tang from exposing his past.

Jiang Yao slowly repeated what Chen Tang said in his heart, pondering it over and over again, outlining and describing it.

An unprecedented and vivid Duan Zhuxian slowly appeared before him. He seemed a little strange and distant, but it aroused his desire to reach out and touch him.

Jiang Yao propped up his chin and asked Duan Zhuxian with a squinting look: "Why are you skipping classes instead of studying hard?"

Duan Zhuxian sat slightly towards Jiang Yao, his eyes fixed on his face: "Celebrate someone's birthday."

Jiang Yao paused, abruptly retracted his gaze, and without further questioning, he turned and asked, "What about the fight?"

Duan Zhuxian said calmly, "The fight was an accident. A senior from junior high confessed her love to me. When her admirer found out, he brought people to talk to me. He came several times, but I found it troublesome, so I started fighting."

Chen Tang nodded and said, "Yes, I was there at the time. I saw him take on three people at once and beat them to the ground."

That's a bit exaggerated...

Jiang Yao pinched his eyebrows.

Where is the character of the independent nobleman?

He found that he knew very little about Duan Zhuxian, especially before he was fifteen. He couldn't even imagine what Duan Zhuxian, a man who exuded an elite aura in his every move, would be like in a fight. Would he be like most people, with a red face, bare teeth, lose his mind, and become a beast dominated by adrenaline?

After the dishes were served, Xu Yuewei distributed the sauce prepared by the waiter to several people. She was about to put the small bowl filled with crushed peanuts in front of Duan Zhuxian when Chen Tang held her hand.

"He can't eat peanuts. He's allergic."

Xu Yuewei nodded and changed the bowl for him without the crushed peanuts.

Duan Zhuxian is allergic to peanuts.

Jiang Yao took note of it silently.

Before the previous topic was over, Chen Tang continued to talk.

When they were in high school, Jiang Yao and Duan Zhuxian were in different classes and became rivals as soon as they met. Although he knew that Chen Tang and Duan Zhuxian were childhood sweethearts, he never knew about their past.

He found it quite interesting and listened with great interest. He even asked Chen Tang to tell him more about Duan Zhuxian's past, preferably the kind that would bring shame to his grandmother's house.

He listened and commented with great interest, observing the subtle changes in Duan Zhuxian's expression without showing any emotion.

But after he came to his senses, he felt a little stuffy in his chest again, probably because there were too many people in the store and the air conditioner was on, resulting in insufficient ventilation.

A plate of crispy and tempting pot stickers was served. Jiang Yao picked up a few and ate them with vinegar, regardless of the heat.

After finishing the drinks on the table, Xu Yuewei stood up to get some, and patted Chen Tang on the shoulder: "Come with me."

Chen Tang followed behind his wife and listened to her instructions.

When they walked a little further away from the dining table, Xu Yuewei said, "Speak less later."

Chen Tang was still in high spirits and asked in confusion, "Why?"

Duan Zhuxian obviously didn't mind, and Jiang Yao also expressed that he wanted to listen.

Xu Yuewei felt that her straight husband was hopeless. After a moment of silence, she said, "Just listen to me."

Although he didn't understand, Chen Tang decided to listen to his wife and never mentioned Duan Zhuxian's past again.

After having their midnight snack, the four of them left the noisy food stall.

"Take my car, I'll take you home." This time Jiang Yao spoke first to Shen Tang and his wife, then glanced at Duan Zhuxian and said, "You go back first."

Duan Zhuxian said, "I'll go with you."

"Whatever you want." Jiang Yao threw down these three words, opened the back door for Chen Tang and the others, got into the driver's seat, started the car without waiting for Duan Zhuxian to get in, and quickly left the temporary parking space.

Duan Zhuxian drove after him and sent Chen Tang and Xu Yuewei to their residence, and then followed him back to their home.

On the way, the car navigation received an incoming call. He glanced at it and saw that the caller was "Mr. Duan". He suddenly felt annoyed for no reason.

Just as they were driving into a road with less traffic, Jiang Yao hung up the phone and suddenly accelerated, hoping to get rid of Duan Zhuxian.

But the other party reacted quickly, and accelerated a second after he did, biting him as if he wanted to eat him to death. The five-meter distance was like a magnet, and he couldn't get rid of it no matter what.

The road is not a racetrack, so there is no way to race. Jiang Yao had to give up.

Jiang Yao returned home smelling of barbecue. After entering the door, he received a work call. He checked details with the other party all the way from the living room to the bedroom, pacing back and forth in the room, with a decisive attitude and no dragging his feet.

After hanging up, Jiang Yao leaned against the wall to check his emails, while Duan Zhuxian took off his watch and tie behind him to prepare for a shower.

His gaze fell on the back of Jiang Yao's head, where the tuft of red hair drooped behind his black hair. He looked a little listless and a little restless. Duan Zhuxian asked, "Shall we wash together?"

"No."

Jiang Yao refused with one word.

Duan Zhuxian raised his eyebrows slightly: "Are you having troubles?"

"Who's upset?"

Jiang Yao immediately retorted, still without looking back.

He found it quite funny when he thought about how he was like a scout at the dinner table today, observing Duan Zhuxian's behavior and expression at the slightest sign of trouble.

He was used to being free and easy, and his temper had never been very good. The word "swallowing one's anger in silence" never existed in his dictionary, especially when facing Duan Zhuxian. If he had felt unhappy in the past, he would have vented his anger by arguing with Duan Zhuxian.

But at the moment, he couldn't open his mouth at all, because no matter what he said, he would seem to be being unreasonable.

There was only space for the two of them, and it was too quiet, with only the sound of fabric as Duan Zhuxian took off his clothes. Jiang Yao was flipping through emails aimlessly, and suddenly felt a sense of indescribable grievance in his heart.

With his back to the bathroom, he couldn't control his aggressive temper and asked, "Whose birthday did you celebrate when you skipped class?"

Duan Zhuxian said, "Fu Yang."

Jiang Yao was stunned, and his tense back suddenly relaxed a little: "Oh, I thought it was Chen Tang."

Duan Zhuxian was puzzled: "Why Chen Tang? Fu Yang and I have known each other longer, you should know."

Jiang Yao couldn't stand Duan Zhuxian's deliberate whitewashing, so he sneered and exposed him mercilessly: "Chen Tang and Fu Yang, how can they be the same?"

Duan Zhuxian paused in unbuttoning his shirt and asked, "What's the difference?"

?

You really pretended it, didn't you?

Jiang Yao was furious. He gritted his teeth and said, "Haven't you always had a crush on him?"

His knuckles turned slightly white as he gripped the phone. He tried his best to speak calmly and calmly, but he couldn't hide the irritation in his words.

The room suddenly fell into silence.

"Jiang Yao."

I don’t know how long it took, but suddenly I heard a sighing sound from Duan Zhuxian behind me.

Jiang Yao turned around suddenly and faced Duan Zhuxian who was a few meters away, and was immediately caught in the other's gaze.

Those eyes that were as dark as the sea all day long were like colored ink dripping at a high speed. They were stunned, thoughtful, and enlightened, then gradually blurred and finally turned into helplessness and smile.

For the first time, he saw such a rich expression on Duan Zhuxian's face.

Duan Zhuxian stared at him for a long time, then slowly said, "So in your eyes, we are not only mortal enemies, but also rivals in love?"

【Author’s words】

Xiao Jiang: I feel wronged.

Xiao Duan: Who is more wronged?