Chapter 76 Peaceful Coexistence

Jiang Xia wiped the table clean, covered his fingers, pulled him to the dining table, and pressed him down to sit.

Jiang Xia looked at the large table of dishes in front of him, then glanced at Wu Zhou and Zhan Lintian.

They got along so well that whenever the old lady downstairs saw them, she would greet them warmly with, "Are you here to play with Xiao Jiang again?"

Every time Jiang Xia went down to deliver things, the old woman would ask with satisfaction, "Your two new friends are so good to you. What about the previous one?"

At first, Jiang Xia was slightly taken aback, but when she found someone she didn't want to mention in her memory, she pretended to be nonchalant: "He went abroad to study."

The old woman was stunned for a long time upon hearing this: "You went abroad? That's really far away. When are you coming back?"

Jiang Xia couldn't say for sure either: "Two or three years, I guess."

The old woman had a bad memory and would always ask him about Wu Ming in bits and pieces, trying to piece together everything and gather information about Jiangxia's current situation.

Later, Jiang Xia became accustomed to telling her that Wu Ming had gone abroad to study, got engaged before leaving, and was living a happy and fulfilling life.

The old lady added, "Your two new friends are quite nice, it's lively, and you look much healthier and more radiant."

Jiang Xia rubbed his face. "Really?"

However, it's true that I've stopped contacting Wu Ming.

After blocking Wu Ming, the other party tried to call with other phone numbers, but Jiang Xia rejected the calls from overseas addresses.

Due to the time difference between them, he was fast asleep in the middle of the night, not dreaming of Wu Ming, and naturally didn't care about the phone call he received from a foreign country.

Jiang Xia looked up, and Zhan Lintian shoved chopsticks into his hand: "Try it quickly."

Wu Zhou lowered his head and pushed a bowl of rice in front of him: "It's noon, you must be hungry."

Jiang Xia: "..."

It has to be said that their skills are truly excellent, but Jiang Xia didn't know what to say. Fortunately, they didn't insist.

When the topic of birthdays came up...

Zhan Lintian asked, "What kind of birthday present do you like?"

Jiang Xia looked at him upon hearing this: "I don't have any particular favorites."

"How about I give you a ring? Let's try on the sizes in a few days," Zhan Lintian said with a smile.

Jiang Xia quickly shook his head.

Wu Zhou watched coldly from the sidelines.

Wu Zhou said softly, "Can you finish the project you're working on before your birthday?"

Jiang Xia chimed in: "Phase two can be completed, but phase three will have to wait until after the New Year. I plan to change jobs, so the editor-in-chief won't be putting any big projects on my plate anymore."

"However, I may have to travel frequently for work recently."

Jiang Xia explained, "There are some event translators."

The two men stared at him, and Jiang Xia explained with a smile, "There is no itinerary for Du Liang."

They finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Usually when the two of them come over, Wu and Zhou have to leave first, but Mr. Wu will come over late at night without finding it troublesome. At first, he would knock on the door, but later he simply begged and pleaded until he got the password.

If he finished work too late, he wouldn't notify Jiang Xia. He would just come over, open the door, wash up in the public bathroom, and then tiptoe into the room, lie down on the bed, and hug the sleeping Jiang Xia.

He hadn't been back to the Wu family home for a long time.

Grandpa Wu misses his grandson Wu Ming terribly and is considering whether to go abroad to see his good boy this year. However, the country is too far away, and he would have to overcome the pain of a long journey.

Wu Zhou remained noncommittal, and after having lunch, he spent the afternoon at Jiangxia's house.

Jiang Xia was looking at some documents in the afternoon, but the food was so delicious that he dozed off after an hour.

He rested his head on Wu Zhou's shoulder, and the setting sun outside the window fell between his eyebrows and eyes.

Wu Zhou's fingers brushed across the surface, and Jiang Xia's pale gold hair slipped through his fingers.

Zhan Lintian sat to one side and covered Jiang Xia with a small blanket: "I'll carry him to the bedroom to sleep."

Wu Zhou shook his head: "He slept too much during the day, which makes him dizzy. He's just a little lightheaded, not really sleepy."

When I got home at 10 p.m. last night, Jiang Xia was already asleep and didn't wake up until 7 a.m. this morning. That's more than nine hours. Jiang Xia must have had enough sleep.

Zhan Lintian chuckled: "You seem to know him quite well."

“What’s the use of knowing?” Wu Zhou looked at Jiang Xia’s trembling eyelashes and gently brushed them with his fingertips. “He doesn’t plan to choose anyone, does he?”

Wu Zhou looked at Zhan Lintian in front of him: "If you plan to get married and have children in the future, please leave. Even if we have a project collaboration, I will terminate the collaboration directly."

Zhan Lintian shrugged, resting his hands on the back of the sofa: "If I wanted to get married, I would have done it a long time ago."

My maternal grandmother was a foreigner, so she had deep-set eyes. Her eyes looked at everyone with affection, but there was a coldness in them. Only when she looked at Jiang Xia did her gaze soften.

“I want him to choose, but I’m also afraid of hurting his feelings and putting him in a difficult position…” Zhan Lintian gently pinched Jiang Xia’s cheek.

Wu Zhou pushed his hand away and lowered his voice: "Since you don't lack admirers, you can try dating other people first. Maybe you can find someone you like even more."

Zhan Lintian looked at him coldly: "Wu Zhou, has anyone told you that you're incredibly irritating? How could Jiang Xia possibly accept someone who isn't committed in a relationship? You seem to be doing this for my own good, but you're actually quite malicious. Otherwise, I can introduce you to a blind date, and you can give it a try."

Wu Zhou snorted coldly.

The two were at loggerheads, yet both were very rational.

Zhan Lintian gently stroked Jiang Xia's cheek and smiled, "Your cheeks are so soft."

As she spoke, her tone softened again: "If he doesn't choose either of them, does he plan to be alone and miserable for the rest of his life?"

Zhan Lintian narrowed his eyes; he was even more unable to accept this kind of life than Jiang Xia.

Jiang Xia, who once dared to run away alone through several foreign thugs, cannot have his next life ruined by Wu Ming.

Wu Zhou gently stroked the hair on Jiang Xia's forehead: "He can't get over it. Over the years, I've tried to help him get over it, but he... his sense of morality is too strong."

Zhan Lintian raised his eyes, his tone icy: "What?"

Wu Zhou's voice was soft: "When he couldn't let go of his feelings for Wu Ming, he felt that liking someone else was a sin."

Zhan Lintian chuckled, a hint of gritted teeth in his voice: "So, you think you can just force him to agree and take responsibility?"

The two looked at each other, and although they didn't say anything explicitly, they agreed on the general direction. However, the plan was still in the planning stage and was gradually taking shape.

Jiang Xia was completely unaware of their conversation.

When he woke up, Wu Zhou was already gone.

After Jiang Xia went to the bathroom to wash up and wake up, he was rubbing his face when he felt a warmth on his back. Zhan Lintian hugged him from behind and rubbed his face against Jiang Xia's shoulder: "You slept for two hours. I've made dinner."

Jiang Xia leaned against the sink and said, "I really don't want to spend my birthday too extravagantly..."

He changed the subject: "By the way, Mr. Zhan, you seem to value birthdays a lot? Then let me think about what to get you for your next birthday?"

Zhan Lintian felt a warmth in his heart and quickly replied, "Well, Jiang Xia, my birthday is at the end of February, which is... February 29th, so I'm quite particular about it. Could you celebrate my birthday with me?"

Jiang Xia was shocked. This was supposed to be a birthday celebration...

Zhan Lintian continued, "We usually celebrate my birthday on the evening of the 28th."

He put his arm around the person and took them to the restaurant for a meal.

Dinner was simple; considering that Jiang Xia couldn't eat much, he only made some soup.

Zhan Lintian wanted to stay the night, but Jiang Xia could only shake his head when he thought of Wu Zhou, who might come back at any time.

“Wenwen is definitely still waiting for you, her uncle, at home,” Jiang Xia said softly.

Zhan Lintian countered, "Maybe she still wants to see Uncle Jiang."

Jiang Xia coughed forcefully.

As expected, he could not gain the upper hand over Zhan Lintian verbally.

Jiang Xia thought for a moment, then took out a small box from the bedside table in the bedroom and took out a crystal wind chime chain. The top was a butterfly crystal, and the bottom was strung with natural crystals of various colors, sizes and shapes.

The moment he took it out, the light fell on it, and as it spun, colorful fragments of light and shadow swirled, making the room seem as if sunlight had shattered throughout it.

Jiang Xia lowered her eyes, then opened them wide to look at President Zhan in front of her: "This is something I found when I went on a business trip abroad a few years ago. I think the young lady would like this kind of thing. Could you help me give it to her?"

Zhan Lintian replied, "Since you've put it that way, I have no choice but to agree."

Jiang Xia emphasized: "You can't keep this to yourself. Last time Wenwen said that you only gave her three of the cookies I baked for her."

As he spoke, he made a three-pointing gesture.

Feeling guilty, Zhan Lintian glanced to the side and said, "Haha, that's because kids shouldn't eat things that are too sweet."

Jiang Xia narrowed her eyes, exposing his lie: "But you told me she doesn't eat things that are too sweet, so I basically didn't put any sugar in. She only ate three pieces, so the rest..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhan Lintian sat him on the edge of the bed, holding him in his arms, and kissed the small mole on his cheek: "Saving food is a traditional virtue, I'll eat it."

This person is shameless. Jiang Xia was so embarrassed that he was about to get up, but his waist was forcibly held. He had just sat down and his toes hadn't even touched the ground when the other person mischievously bounced him up and down.

Jiang Xia leaned forward and quickly grabbed his collar.

Zhan Lintian kissed his cheek again: "Smells so good."

Jiang Xia covered his mouth with both hands.

But it couldn't stop his voice.

"Jiang Xia, can you really bear to see me spend the rest of my life alone and without a wife?"

"Don't tell me you're not going to talk to me. I can find someone better. Don't I know that already?"

Zhan Lintian stared intently at him, a storm brewing in his eyes.

"I briefly told you about my sister's situation before, and if you've been looking into it, you probably already know something about it. She said it's not easy to find someone you like, and it's even harder to find someone you like who is also an upright person."

“I never planned to date or get married in my life. I thought I could just talk about projects every day, go out with friends, and lie down in bed every night.”

"But now, I want to hold you while I sleep every night, Jiang Xia, I will never give up."

He spoke at length, and Jiang Xia was about to speak.

But Zhan Lintian said in the end, "Jiang Xia, I will not give up until you find happiness."

The next moment, Zhan Lintian pulled Jiang Xia's hand away, lowered his head and kissed him. It was an extremely quick kiss.

Just as Jiang Xia was about to speak, he seized the opportunity and their tongues intertwined. When they separated, they made a soft "pop" sound.

President Zhan's voice was hoarse: "Admit it, Jiang Xia, you're also attracted to me."

"I'll always find a way to make you my partner."

He left with his head held high tonight.

Those who knew him would think he had been rejected, but those who didn't would think he had succeeded.

Jiang Xia sighed in embarrassment, rubbing his forehead. How shameless! His momentary leniency had backfired, leaving him in a difficult position.

When Wu Ming was still in China, if he had any unwanted romantic advances, he would help him resolve them privately.

The solution is not limited to arguing with people.

Now Wu Ming has been sent abroad by Wu Zhou... Jiang Xia thought about it again and realized that Wu Ming was useless in the country. Zhan Lintian was his older brother, with a large family and business, and he seemed to be very strong. One punch from him could send someone to the hospital.

Jiang Xia was feeling confused and wanted to do some housework to calm down, but ended up just wandering around the house.

The kitchen was spotless, without a trace of grease, and the floor was immaculate. Jiang Xia sighed and rubbed his hair, deciding to wash up first and then iron the clothes he would wear the next day.

Jiang Xia saw Wu Zhou's clothes...

He has been living in his own home recently, and everyday items have gradually appeared in different corners of the house.

Jiang Xia sighed and ironed his shirt as she did so, thinking to herself that President Wu was quite busy, having social engagements on weekend evenings... Maybe once his career is on track, he won't be so tired anymore.

When Wu Zhou returned home tonight, Jiang Xia smelled a faint smell of alcohol. He took a long time to shower in the public bathroom before coming out.

As soon as he came out, he saw Jiang Xia standing at the bedroom door in her pajamas, with the door only slightly ajar.

Jiang Xia looked at him with some concern: "Have you been drinking?"

Wu Zhou dried his hair with a towel: "Yeah, I drank a little, not much."

Jiang Xia found him some hangover remedies, boiled a pot of water, and made a hot drink with some fruit and vegetable powder to warm his stomach.

Jiang Xia then took out a hairdryer and saw that the person was sitting on the edge of the bed drinking a hot beverage. He was probably a little tipsy from the alcohol, so he dried the person's hair.

Wu Zhou asked with a hint of jealousy, "When Wu Ming was drunk, did you take care of him like this? I remember you were a few months younger than Wu Ming..."

"It has nothing to do with age; he was drunk after all."

Jiang Xia thought to himself, "You're a few years older than me."

After getting ready, the two lay on the bed, Wu Zhou holding Jiang Xia tightly, making no attempt to hide his burning passion.

"Jiang Xia, I have longing for you..."

His thin pajama pants were stretched taut, unable to suppress his desire, and Wu Zhou, emboldened by alcohol, embraced Jiang Xia tightly.

In the darkness.

Jiang Xia, unable to move: "Then you're being a scoundrel..."

Wu Zhou chuckled, his lips brushing against Jiang Xia's neck: "This is flirting... No matter how far ahead you think about me, it's useless. Unless you're in a relationship and married, I won't disturb your happy life, otherwise..."

Wu Zhou rolled over and pinned Jiang Xia down: "Otherwise, you'll have to get used to it..."

He kissed Jiang Xia's neck: "Jiang Xia, please help me... I miss you so much..."

A note from the author:

Previously, General Manager Wu and General Manager Zhan were panicked about Wu Ming, but now that they've discovered Jiang Xia has his own set of theories that are in their best interest, theories that even they can't refute, they're even more anxious. [Sunglasses]

So he kept testing Jiang Xia's bottom line. Jiang Xia did have feelings for the two of them, but since she didn't choose either of them, she didn't think there was a problem.

The problem lies with General Manager Wu and General Manager Zhan.

Zhan Lintian: If you don't agree, you're just trying to make sure I'm single for the rest of my life.

Wu Zhou: I kissed you, I hugged you, you can kill me, I won't resist.

However, Wu Ming couldn't learn from this, because Jiang Xia's favorability towards President Zhan and President Wu had been steadily increasing in the early stages, and both of them had clearly stated that they would not mess around and would be devoted to each other.

Jiang Xia grew increasingly disgusted with Wu Ming with each passing day. If Wu Ming were to truly emulate his elder brother, Jiang Xia would gladly fight him to the death at the police station.

Jiang Xia: Infectious diseases, get out of my way. (Two people holding health reports gave him a thumbs up.)