Chapter 30 The person I like is always in my bed, whether they're asleep or awake...
Jiang Ran had barely finished speaking when he couldn't hold back any longer. He almost immediately put away his phone and strode towards Su Mu, who was still standing frozen at the gate, quickly overtaking the passengers blocking his way.
As Su Mu watched Jiang Ran rapidly approach, before he could fully react, he was firmly embraced by a familiar, cool embrace, yet with a touch of cautious strength.
Jiang Ran's arms were wrapped around his shoulders and back, and her hands even made a gesture of protection around his waist.
"You scared me to death," Jiang Ran's voice rang close to his ear, slightly panting from running and still a little tense from lingering fear. "How could you be so brave? Didn't I tell you to tell me in advance where you're going?"
The reproachful tone couldn't hide the lingering fear and tension.
Su Mu was held in his arms, his nose brushing against Jiang Ran's shirt collar, smelling that familiar and pleasant scent. Obediently and affectionately, he gently rubbed his cheek against Jiang Ran's chest.
The warmth lasted only a few seconds.
The station was bustling with people, and the exit was noisy, but the sight of the two handsome men embracing still attracted many curious glances. Su Mu nudged Jiang Ran's chest, his voice muffled by his mask: "Jiang Ran, people are watching, let's go."
Jiang Ran seemed to snap out of his daze, loosening his grip on her arm slightly, but not completely letting go. He looked down at Su Mu's slightly red and evasive eyes, and couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a low chuckle: "Now you know how to be shy? When you ran back without a word, why didn't you think about it?"
Even so, he released his embrace, took the small suitcase from Su Mu's hand with one hand, and with the other hand, very naturally and possessively put his arm around Su Mu's shoulder, leading him into the flow of people leaving the station and heading towards the parking lot.
Su Mu was half-embraced and half-led forward by him. There were fewer stares around them. He turned his head and asked, "By the way, how did you know I was coming back today? Your information network is amazing. Did my parents tell you?"
Jiang Ran replied matter-of-factly, "Because I'm a pervert."
Su Mu: "…………"
Jiang Ran half-carried, half-supported Su Mu as they walked to the parking lot and got into his familiar black sedan. The car's interior was enclosed, leaving only the two of them. Jiang Ran leaned over and carefully fastened Su Mu's seatbelt, making sure it didn't dig into his abdomen. Only after doing this did he return to the driver's seat, preparing to start the car.
"Are you hungry?" Jiang Ran asked. "Let's go get something to eat first. After we eat, we'll give you a serious talking-to about your unauthorized actions today."
Su Mu leaned back in his comfortable chair, turned his head upon hearing this, and looked at Jiang Ran's cold and handsome profile: "Jiang Ran, you're so stingy."
"Huh?" Jiang Ran seemed to have heard a joke. "Me, petty? Su Mu, I think I've been too lenient with you. Your behavior today has seriously crossed my line."
Su Mu: "...You still have a bottom line?"
Jiang Ran choked for a moment.
Su Mu brought up the old topic again: "Oh, speaking of bottom lines and self-reflection, someone seemed to have made a mistake a few days ago. I told him to reflect on it properly, but what happened? It seems that he only reflected for less than six hours before going out drinking, and..."
Jiang Ran's composure crumbled instantly. He coughed and tried to bluff his way out: "What did you say? I don't know."
Su Mu whispered in Jiang Ran's ear, helping him recall: "You said that back in college, you wanted to... have sex with me, and you even said... my body was made for you, that you wanted me to get pregnant with more..."
Jiang Ran covered Su Mu's mouth: "I was wrong."
Su Mu did not resist, but simply raised his eyes and looked at Jiang Ran.
Jiang Ran clearly did not intend to take all the blame alone: "It's all He Angxiao's fault. It was him who insisted on making me drink."
Jiang Ran released his hand from Su Mu's mouth, but did not immediately withdraw it. Instead, he stroked Su Mu's cheek, gently rubbing his fingertips against the soft skin. Then, he leaned over and quickly kissed Su Mu's lips, with a hint of flattery.
“I was wrong,” he said, pressing his forehead against Su Mu’s, “I admit, I’m a bit of a pervert, I know that.”
“I will change. Really, I know that even between lovers, sometimes a little distance and space are needed. I've never been in a relationship before, so I don't understand these things. You have to give me a chance to learn and change slowly.”
Su Mu was a little bewildered by his series of self-criticisms. He blinked and looked at Jiang Ran's eyes, which were so close to his, filled with tension, regret, and seriousness. He suddenly found it a little funny, and also felt a little soft-hearted.
He raised his hand and gently poked Jiang Ran's furrowed brow.
"Why?" Su Mu asked helplessly, "Every time before I've even expressed any opinion, you've already imagined so much on your own?"
Jiang Ran looked into Su Mu's eyes and found none of the disgust, fear, or even the slightest aloofness he had expected, only a gentle, indulgent clarity.
"...Aren't you angry?" Jiang Ran asked hesitantly.
Su Mu shook his head.
Don't you think I'm weird?
Su Mu shook his head again.
Seeing his reaction, Jiang Ran felt the weight of self-loathing that had been hanging over her heart fall to the ground with a thud, making her a little dizzy. She suddenly remembered He Angxiao's earnest teachings that day, such as "A normal person absolutely cannot stand you like this," "Intimate relationships also need a safe distance," and "You are just a fool who has been blinded by love, you have already done it and you still have a loose end."
He analyzed everything in a very logical and reasonable way, making Jiang Ran extremely uneasy. She felt that she might really be doomed at any moment, and that Su Mu would definitely dump her.
And what was the result?
As it turned out, Su Mu didn't care at all! He didn't even think it was a big problem!
The lingering unease and annoyance in Jiang Ran's heart were instantly washed away by an almost smug, childish joy.
He knew it all; that quack strategist He Angxiao knew nothing about love! He'd hardly ever been in a relationship; he'd just been keeping a young boy as a mistress. His twisted theories were all based on the premise of ordinary people, but his relationship with Su Mu was anything but ordinary.
They are a match made in heaven, soulmates!
His twisted thoughts, which might seem outrageous to others, appeared to Su Mu as understandable, and even things that didn't need to be corrected.
Jiang Ran cupped Su Mu's face in her hands, as if she had found some rare treasure. She couldn't help but lean in and kiss him haphazardly on his forehead, nose, and cheeks, her words sticky and affectionate: "I knew it, I knew you wouldn't really blame me. I was so scared these past few days, worrying every day whether you would think I was being unreasonable or whether you would break up with me."
Su Mu felt a little ticklish from the kiss, and his face felt hot. He raised his hand, touched his cheek, and muttered under his breath, "God, shut up, are you a dog?"
Jiang Ran took the opportunity to climb up the pole, getting even closer, her nose brushing against Su Mu's: "That's right, Mu Mu, I'm your dog."
Su Mu's ears burned from his increasingly aggressive directness, and she reached out to push his shoulder: "You, you need to tone it down a bit."
He took a breath and tried to steer the conversation back on track: "Also, next time you have any ideas, could you discuss them with me beforehand? Don't always think about things on your own and then scare me like that."
The main problem is that even Jiang Ran herself couldn't figure it out.
"And don't get involved with your friend either."
Jiang Ran's friend seemed to have a high IQ, but it turns out that it was just an appearance.
Jiang Ran was pushed away by him, but she still looked at him expectantly: "Yeah, yeah, I'm never listening to He Angxiao again, he's not very bright."
Su Mu thought to himself, "How dare you talk about others like that?"
Jiang Ran asked seriously, with a hint of uncertainty, "Don't you really think my actions were excessive? Spying on you, lying to you, and saying those awful things."
Looking at his cautious manner, Su Mu thought about it seriously. Then, he shook his head, his tone puzzled: "It seems, I really don't think it's particularly excessive, I just think you're wasting too much money."
He looked at Jiang Ran: "Didn't you often check my phone when you were in college? I didn't think anything of it at the time. Also, back then, I had to report to you who I went out to eat with, where I went, and what time I was coming back, right? If I forgot to tell you or didn't reply to your messages in time, you would get upset and sulk... I think I've gotten used to it."
She had grown accustomed to Jiang Ran's ever-present attention, to his involvement in her life, and to the feeling of being closely bound to him.
So much so that in the years that followed their separation, he would occasionally feel an emptiness around him, though at the time he didn't understand what that meant.
Jiang Ran listened, but her expression was somewhat blank: "...Really?"
He tried hard to recall the actions Su Mu had described. At the time, he felt that they were just showing concern and care, and that they were perfectly natural. He never considered them as crossing the line.
Looking at his completely oblivious appearance, Su Mu suddenly had a thought: Jiang Ran probably doesn't realize that his behavior has long since gone beyond the boundaries of ordinary friends, or even close classmates.
They are indeed a good match in some ways.
Su Mu realized this, still as skinny as a monkey. After learning on the phone that the two of them were together that day, she was shocked and started sending him messages like crazy, one after another, excitedly and gossipingly recounting all their suspicious behavior during college.
Skinny Monkey: I've wanted to complain about you two for a long time. What kind of two grown men have to tell each other everything they do? When you eat out, he asks who you're with; when you go to the library, he asks where you're sitting; when you go out to buy a late-night snack, he asks what time you'll be back. And the thing is, you actually report to him every single time!
Skinny Monkey: Also, are you two basically inseparable every day? You sit together in class, eat together, play ball together, and even hang out with each other for a while when you get back to the dorm at night. I felt something was off, really off. This isn't brotherhood, it's more like a couple being more clingy.
Su Mu felt a flush on his face as he watched, but a sudden realization dawned on him. It turned out that in other people's eyes, things had been going on for a while.
He himself, however, had been in the water for so long that he had become accustomed to the temperature, and only now did he belatedly realize that the water was already scalding hot.
Su Mu rubbed his stomach: "Jiang Ran, I'm really hungry now. Please take me to get something to eat."
Jiang immediately sat up straight and made a standard "yes" gesture.
The car merged into the evening traffic of the city, and neon lights began to shift and change outside the window. Su Mu leaned back in his seat and suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, I told Skinny Monkey about us."
Jiang Ran: "What was his reaction?"
Su Mu: "I felt like he was about to jump out of the phone."
Jiang Ran snorted lightly: "Ignore them. They're making such a fuss. Tonight I'll take you out for a romantic dinner. Just the two of us, no one will bother us."
However, when Jiang Ran drove up to the entrance of a romantic restaurant known for its ambiance and sophistication, and was about to look at Su Mu with a boastful expression, Su Mu peered out the car window at the elegantly decorated, quiet, and expensive-looking restaurant, blinked, and then turned around, saying in a tone that was both eager and pleading, "Jiang Ran, I don't want to eat this. I want to eat barbecue."
Jiang Ran: "…………"
"No way, that doesn't look healthy. Lots of oily fumes and lots of seasonings, and you're already..."
Su Mu: "Just a little bit, okay? I really want to eat this, I've been thinking about it for a long time."
Jiang Ran gave up, restarted the car, turned the steering wheel, and veered onto another road.
Instead of taking Su Mu to a bustling, smoky barbecue stall, he drove to a quiet clubhouse specializing in health-preserving medicinal cuisine and exquisite private dishes. He parked the car, took Su Mu's hand, and led her inside, expertly requesting a private room.
The private room was decorated in an antique style, with a faint scent of sandalwood and herbs in the air, which seemed completely unrelated to the word "barbecue." Su Mu looked at Jiang Ran, somewhat bewildered.
Jiang Ran calmly sat down, picked up the menu, and first ordered a bowl of "Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup," which was said to be slow-cooked for more than ten hours with more than ten kinds of precious medicinal herbs and mountain delicacies. She also ordered a few refreshing and stomach-soothing side dishes.
Then, under Su Mu's questioning gaze, Jiang Ran took out her phone, opened the food delivery app, skillfully found a highly-rated barbecue restaurant nearby, and placed an order.
When the takeout arrived, the steaming, fragrant soup was also served.
Jiang Ran pushed the soup in front of Su Mu: "Drink some of this first to warm your stomach."
Jiang Ran opened the takeout packaging. The skewers were in an insulated bag and were still steaming hot when she took them out.
Jiang Ran picked out a few skewers that looked less oily and had less chili, and placed them on the bone china plate in front of Su Mu.
Su Mu picked up a piece of lamb, roasted to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, sprinkled with cumin and sesame seeds, and took a bite. The aroma of the oil and spices exploded in his mouth, carrying the unique smoky fragrance of charcoal. He squinted his eyes in satisfaction and mumbled, "This is the taste! I've been craving it so much at home..."
Jiang Ran looked at the undisguised joy on his face, her eyes softening uncontrollably, and her hands kept moving as she ladled out another half bowl of soup for him: "That's enough, that's enough. Just these few skewers will satisfy your craving. Here, have some soup, it's nutritious."
Seeing that he was only focused on taking care of himself, Su Mu picked up a piece of meat and held it to his mouth, saying, "You should eat too."
Jiang Ran obediently opened her mouth and took a bite, chewing it: "Mmm, delicious."
Su Mu felt a little embarrassed by his "everything you feed me tastes good" look, so she turned her head away, but couldn't help but curl her lips upwards.
After finishing his meal, Jiang Ran remembered he needed to call home. He dialed his mother's number: "Mom, Mu Mu has arrived. We just finished eating and will be back in a bit."
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by Jiang's mother's voice, a mix of surprise and reproach: "What? Mumu's here? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Have you eaten? Why didn't you come home to eat? I would have cooked for you! Oh dear, this child, how could you suddenly arrive like this? I wasn't prepared at all. I'm so happy! Where's Mumu? Let Mumu answer the phone!"
Su Mu took the phone and held it to his ear: "Auntie, it's me. I also decided to come back at the last minute without telling you in advance."
"You child," Jiang's mother said, her voice a mix of concern and joy. "You mustn't do this again next time. You must tell me in advance, understand? Jiang Ran! Jiang Ran, did you hear me? Take good care of Mu Mu. She's all grown up now. Don't just grow tall and forget about her! If Mu Mu gets tired or uncomfortable, I'll hold you responsible."
Jiang Ran replied, "Okay, okay, Mom."
After hanging up the phone, the two didn't go home immediately. Jiang Ran drove to a large shopping mall. After parking, he took Su Mu's hand and went up to the third floor, heading straight for a cozy and lovely area—a maternity and baby products store.
They had discussed the baby's gender beforehand and decided not to find out yet. Boy or girl, it's fine; it'll be like opening a blind box, a surprise. If it's a boy, well, maybe we'll need to give him some serious advice about having children in the future.
The store was softly lit, and the air was filled with a faint, clean scent unique to baby products. They walked to the shelf displaying baby shoes. The little shoes were exquisitely made, with soft fabric, cute patterns, and even the smallest size was shorter than Su Mu's palm when held in his hand.
Su Mu picked up a pair of light yellow soft-soled shoes embroidered with duck patterns and held them on her fingertips: "They're so small, not even as long as my fingers."
Jiang Ran also picked up a pair of blue shoes next to her and gently touched the pair in Su Mu's hand: "Hmm, they are very small."
I watched for a while.
"Mumu," Jiang Ran said, "I never meant for you to have many children. One is enough. Really. I know childbirth is hard and dangerous, I just want you and the baby to be safe and sound."
Su Mu: "I know, and it's impossible for it to be that accurate every time, right?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ran's face clearly said, "Are you provoking me?"
Su Mu frankly admitted: "Actually, I don't know why I find it quite stimulating every time you say those meaningless things."
Jiang Ran's ears twitched suddenly: "...Really?"
Su Mu nodded, his ears turning slightly red, and muttered softly, "Hmm, I suspect I might have some kind of illness too."
Looking at his shy yet frank expression, Jiang Ran leaned closer, his forehead touching Su Mu's, his breath hot, his voice hoarse as if he had discovered a new continent, a mixture of surprise and some other underlying emotion: "Mu Mu, so you like this style? How about we try this style tonight?"
Su Mu flinched at his words and the sudden closeness of his breath, her face flushing even more. She subconsciously glanced around. Although it was a relatively quiet corner of the maternity and baby store, it was still a public place, so she emphasized, "This is outside."
Jiang Ran straightened up, glanced at the cute little clothes on the shelf, grabbed a few baby onesies and socks of different colors and styles, and stuffed them into her shopping basket: "Let's go check out."
After paying, he didn't rush home. Instead, he took Su Mu upstairs to the adult clothing section. He picked out a few loose and comfortable loungewear pieces and two sets of soft new pajamas for Su Mu: "Let's buy a few to change into first."
But when choosing pajamas, Jiang Ran's eyes darted around Su Mu, who seemed rather frivolous.
Su Mu regretted being too frank earlier; lovers should always keep some things to themselves.
As soon as the car entered the private driveway of the Jiang family villa, Su Mu saw the main gate brightly lit from afar, with two familiar figures standing there eagerly waiting.
They are Jiang's father and mother.
As soon as the car came to a stop, Su Mu pushed open the car door. Before his feet even touched the ground, he heard a soft "bang." Immediately afterward, colorful sequins and ribbons rained down from the sky, fluttering down and covering him from head to toe.
He looked up and saw that Jiang's father was holding a celebratory flower tube that had already been opened, with a somewhat comical shape, and a slightly awkward yet excited smile on his face.
Jiang's mother, carrying a beautifully wrapped bouquet of flowers that exuded a delicate fragrance, hurried forward and stuffed the flowers into the still somewhat dazed Su Mu's arms. Her voice was full of undisguised joy and enthusiasm: "Welcome, welcome! Welcome home, Mu Mu!"
Su Mu, holding the flowers and covered in glittering sequins, was utterly flattered.
Jiang Ran got out of the car and saw this scene. Her lips twitched. She reached out and carefully removed the colorful ribbons and sequins from Su Mu's hair and shoulders. Her tone was a mix of helplessness and amusement: "Dad, Mom, what are you doing? It's not an opening ceremony, why are you doing this?"
Jiang's mother was a little embarrassed after her son said that, and explained, "Oh, these are a few leftover firework tubes from last year's New Year. I thought they looked festive, so I thought I'd take them out to welcome Mumu and make it a little more lively."
Jiang's father: "Don't stand at the door anymore, come inside, it's windy outside."
Su Mu had met Jiang's parents during the Spring Festival before, as Jiang Ran's friend. Although he could feel their enthusiasm, there was always a layer of politeness between them.
This time was different; I felt a bit more serious, and also a little embarrassed about making my first formal visit.
He brought gifts, which Jiang Ran had helped him choose that afternoon. For Jiang's mother, it was a soft, elegant silk scarf; for Jiang's father, it was a set of antique and refined purple clay teaware.
The gift wasn't expensive, but it suited the recipient's taste, showing that thought had been put into it.
Jiang's mother took the silk scarf, unfolded it on the spot, and tried it on around her neck. Her eyes and brows were full of smiles as she said repeatedly, "Oh my, this color really suits me. Mumu has such good taste. You're so thoughtful."
Mr. Jiang also held the tea set and nodded, saying, "Not bad, not bad. Thank you for your trouble."
Jiang's mother held Su Mu's hand and chattered on and on. Suddenly she remembered something: "I was so happy, Mu Mu. Grandpa and Grandma prepared a gift for you. I'll go get it for you now."
Seeing that her mother was about to get up and start rummaging through drawers and cabinets, Jiang Ran quickly stopped her, saying, "Mom, it's so late. Let's look at it tomorrow, okay? Mu Mu is tired from the car ride today."
Jiang's mother then realized and quickly said, "Yes, yes, look at me, I forgot when I was happy. You should get some rest, and let me know if you need anything."
Su Mu stepped into Jiang Ran's room for the second time. The room was indeed much larger than his bedroom in Phoenix Village, decorated in a simple, modern, cool color scheme, with minimal furniture, making it feel exceptionally spacious. The bed was large, covered with dark gray bedding that looked soft and comfortable.
Jiang Ran went to take a shower first.
Su Mu changed into his pajamas, a soft, light gray cotton fabric. He sat on the bed, a soft blanket draped over him, texting on his phone.
After a while, the door opened, and Jiang Ran came out, steaming with warm water. He was only wearing a towel around his lower body, his hair was a little damp, and water droplets rolled down his well-defined chest and abdominal muscles.
Before Su Mu could react, she was embraced from behind by a cool and firm embrace that smelled of shower gel.
Jiang Ran wrapped her arms around his waist, her warm palms pressed against his already protruding belly through his thin pajamas. Then, she buried her face in the back of Su Mu's neck, took a deep breath, and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Mumu, you don't know, I have a dream that I've always longed for, and it seems to have come true today."
Su Mu put down his phone and asked in confusion, "Huh, what dream?"
"My dream is that one day, the person I love will fall asleep and wake up in my bed, and just looking at them will make me feel like I'm in heaven."
Su Mu's fingers unconsciously scratched Jiang Ran's slightly damp hair a few times. Jiang Ran's hair was a bit stiff, but it felt very nice to the touch. He turned his head and looked at Jiang Ran's upturned face. Her eyes, reflecting his own image, were so focused and so content.
"After that first time. When you wake up in the morning and find yourself alone in bed, when I'm not there..."
Su Mu paused deliberately, and felt Jiang Ran's body stiffen for a moment: "Were you scared to death?"
Jiang Ran: "…………"
That's really like bringing up a sore spot. Jiang Ran buried her face back down.
"Cough... That time, the situation was special, you know. It was my first time, so I was inevitably a little excited, and besides, I had no idea what it felt like to be tired."
I just gave it my all.
Jiang Ran woke up from a deep sleep feeling refreshed. She instinctively reached out to hug the bed, only to find an empty, cold blanket. She practically jumped out of bed immediately, rushing out of the room without even bothering to get dressed properly.
That's so embarrassing.
Jiang Ran's lips brushed lightly against Su Mu'er's skin, her words carrying a hint of coaxing: "Let's talk about that new style you like."
-
A note from the author:
In the next chapter, Young Master Jiang will confess his feelings, and he will have all the necessary props ready.
Young Master Jiang thinks other people's relationships are abnormal, but actually, in other people's eyes, they're both a bit sick. [glasses][glasses][glasses]
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