Chapter 78 End of the Main Text
After a few days, Jiang Yao returned to the Jiang family to visit his parents.
While waiting for dinner, Jiang Yao opened the door of his bedroom. The moment the cool and quiet breeze hit his face, he felt a sense of strangeness.
Since living with Duan Zhuxian, he rarely returned to the room where he had lived for more than ten years.
When he's not around, the room stays spotlessly clean. If he were to live there, the order of everything would be disrupted. He likes the messy feeling; it makes the room seem more lively and populated.
He thought of the bedroom where he and Duan Zhuxian slept. It was originally neat and tidy with cool colors. Since he moved in, there were some small objects with exaggerated colors and shapes, but it was still tidy overall.
Perhaps it was because there was someone in that bedroom who was constantly disturbing his mind, and he no longer needed the illusory sense of fulfillment brought by the environment.
Jiang Yao looked around and found that all the items had returned to their proper places. The storage cabinet in the corner, which had been covered by miscellaneous items for many years, was finally exposed.
An idea suddenly struck him, and he walked over in two or three steps, opened the cabinet door, and the things inside instantly poured out like a flood.
He was stunned for a moment, picked up a gold medal for swimming competition, touched the astronaut doll that fell to the ground, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.
Almost all the items in Duan Zhuxian’s box can be found in this box.
Like some kind of silent response.
For a moment, Jiang Yao felt the pleasure of having unearthed a treasure, but it was soon replaced by a feeling of "so that's it".
These shared memories, which he had deliberately or unintentionally put aside over the years, seemed insignificant.
But in fact, from the moment Duan Zhuxian appeared, this person has always existed in his life, and those fragments about Duan Zhuxian have long become weighty, or substantial, due to the accumulation of years.
Jiang Yao looked at them one by one, and finally took out a blue windbreaker from the bottom of the box.
This was something Duan Zhuxian bought for him as emergency clothing at a grocery store in the countryside during his freshman year of high school.
During a charity event, he accidentally fell into a mud pit and sprained his foot. Duan Zhuxian, wearing the same blue windbreaker as him, did not mind that he was dirty. He used his thin but tough body, which was unique to teenagers, to carry the injured man all the way.
When choosing wedding dresses, Duan Zhuxian mentioned this matter. Later he found out that Duan Zhuxian had secretly imagined these two clothes as couple outfits.
Duan Zhuxian started planning much earlier than he imagined.
Because it had been stuck in the dark for too long, the fabric of the jacket was filled with dust and a musty smell, but Jiang Yao half-knelt, holding the jacket tightly in his arms, with a smile and sad curve at the corner of his lips, as if this could resist the chest tremors caused by past invasions.
He even took advantage of the chaos to boldly speculate: if Duan Zhuxian had confessed to him back then, where would they be now?
Perhaps he was too immersed in memories, and when he heard a cough behind him, Jiang Yao suddenly stuffed his coat back into the closet, like a child who was caught in a premature love affair.
Looking back, the person leaning against the door was Jiang Chen.
Jiang Yao immediately regained his composure.
However, Jiang Chen was sharp-eyed and caught the panic that flashed across his face. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "Boy, you look so happy the moment you get home, and you sneak back to your room and become amorous. Could it be that you are in love with Duan Zhuxian?"
Jiang Yao stood up and admitted generously: "Yes, I'm envious?"
Jiang Chen looked at Jiang Yao with a smile and suddenly asked, "What does it feel like to be in love?"
Although he was nearly thirty years old, he had no experience in love. As the eldest son of the Jiang family, he devoted almost all his heart and soul to his own development. After finally achieving something, before he had time to catch his breath, he was pushed into the wedding hall and married to a woman he didn't even know.
Jiang Yao fell into deep thought upon hearing this, unable to come up with a definite answer. He waved his hand and said, "Why don't you talk to your sister-in-law and find out?"
Jiang Chen's eyes drifted away for a moment, a strange color appeared on his face. He put his finger to his lips and coughed softly: "It's just a business marriage, what's the point of talking about love? Besides, your sister-in-law can't stand me the most."
Jiang Yao narrowed his eyes. Even a shameless old sly like his brother would blush. Something must be going on!
He followed Jiang Chen with malicious questions, and chased him all the way to the dining table like a duck.
During the meal, Yuan Li asked about Jiang Yao's recent situation. After listening to Jiang Yao's report on his honeymoon with Duan Zhuxian, she suddenly asked, "Did you open a construction company with Xiao Duan?"
Jiang Yao was stunned. He didn't expect his parents to know about this so soon. He could only promise, "I won't delay Jiang Li's work."
After saying that, he subconsciously glanced at his father, and surprisingly, he did not see the look of opposition on his father's face as he expected.
When he was a child, he expressed his interest in architecture to his parents, but his father rejected it as "not a proper career" and he never mentioned it again.
Jiang Qingtian sighed: "If I hadn't heard Xiao Duan mention it a few days ago, we wouldn't have known that you have never given up this hobby."
Jiang Yao lowered his head and poked the rice with the tip of his chopsticks.
He didn't say it because he was afraid that his parents would be disappointed in him. After he was kidnapped, the whole family began to be cautious with him and did not dare to place too many expectations on him, as if he were a porcelain doll.
But because of this, he always felt lost and always wanted to be a good son worthy of his family's trust and concern, so he willingly followed the path arranged for him by his parents.
Yuan Li looked at the ordinary smile on Jiang Yao's face, and suddenly felt distressed and self-blame. As a mother, she seemed to have never really understood what her child wanted. She always thought that Jiang Yao was so confident and cheerful, and must not have any major worries. In the end, her son-in-law had to remind her.
After a moment of silence, Jiang Yao gave a self-deprecating smile, determined to confess his latent rebelliousness to his parents. "Well, I certainly haven't given up on studying architecture. Back in college, I secretly earned a double degree without telling you. A few months ago, a friend goaded me into it, and on a whim, I applied to study abroad. I figured since I'm already married and most of my life goals are already accomplished, I might as well go all out and secretly go study in Country A... But don't worry, I won't go."
"Why not?"
Yuan Li interrupted him.
"Yaoyao, your father and I have discussed this. We will no longer predetermine your life path. You can do whatever you want. As for your work at Jiangli, we can find someone else to take over."
Jiang Yao was stunned when he heard this, his heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and joy flashed in his eyes, but these were only a momentary disturbance and soon calmed down.
Studying abroad for further studies and making rapid progress in the path he loves is of course his dream future, but now, he has a bond that he cannot let go of.
That person had waited for him for so many years, and he couldn't bear to let him wait for another two years.
Seeing Jiang Yao's hesitation, the old couple thought that Jiang Yao was afraid that they would not support him, so they tried their best to express their opinions one after another, asking him to plan his life with confidence.
Jiang Chen also urged from the side: "Yes, Yaoyao, why not pursue your dreams while you are still young."
*
In the evening, I washed up with Duan Zhuxian.
After drying his face, Jiang Yao looked at the man in the mirror and spoke with some difficulty: "Duan Zhuxian, there is something I want to..."
"I support your idea."
Duan Zhuxian said.
Jiang Yao turned his head suddenly, his gaze swept from the mirror to Duan Zhuxian himself, and he let out a loud "Ah".
Duan Zhuxian said: "Your brother has already told me."
Jiang Chen speaks so fast!
Jiang Yao complained in his heart, but suddenly his eyes turned red and he couldn't control himself.
Duan Zhuxian raised his hand and rubbed Jiang Yao's head, chuckling softly: "If you cry now, what will you do when the day comes to go to school?"
"Who's crying?" Not wanting to be looked down upon, Jiang Yao forced back the tears in his eyes. He asked, "Why did you bring this up with my parents?"
Duan Zhuxian said, "A while ago, I accidentally saw your application to study abroad."
Jiang Yao was stunned and quickly explained, "That happened when we first got married. You didn't tell me you liked me at the time, so I thought you were tired of me and didn't want to see me. It just so happened that I was going abroad to study, so everyone was happy. Besides, I was just impulsive and didn't really want to go..."
"I know," Duan Zhuxian said. "My grandfather has a lot of connections in the architectural world. I told you that he and your idol are old friends. That Ms. Wu happens to be teaching in Country A, and I even showed her your thesis."
Seeing Duan Zhuxian's serious expression, Jiang Yao suddenly became furious and punched Duan Zhuxian in the chest: "I'm about to abandon you to pursue my dreams, how can you still be so calm?"
Duan Zhuxian pressed down Jiang Yao's fist on his chest and rubbed it carefully: "Emotionally, of course I hope you will never leave me, but I have already let my emotions get the better of you many times, including letting your life be confined to marriage at such an early age."
Taking advantage of Jiang Yao's moment of daze, Duan Zhuxian embraced Jiang Yao's body, and with a force of his arms, he carried him to sit on the sink, looking up at Jiang Yao: "For my own selfish reasons, I want to kill a talent who will make great achievements in the field of architecture in the future. Human history and civilization will blame me."
"Get lost, stop flattering me..."
Jiang Yao raised one of his feet whose slippers had been shaken off and lightly kicked Duan Zhuxian's thigh, but he still managed to laugh at Duan Zhuxian's words to coax him.
He lowered his eyes, gazing deeply at the man in front of him, his lips moving slightly: "Let's talk about something else, Duan Zhuxian."
"Okay, what to talk about?"
"I want to do it."
Upon hearing this, Duan Zhuxian took Jiang Yao's hand, gave him a light kiss between his fingers, and then, as if following an order, carried him down from the sink.
*
In April, the spring scenery is at its peak.
With the introduction of Mr. Qin, Jiang Yao exchanged contact information with the architect he had long admired, and the result of his study abroad application came out, with the start date set for August.
A brand new journey dotted with greenery and flowers slowly unfolded before him like a festival.
Compared to the peaceful life on Jiang Yao's side, the Duan family is in the midst of a bloody storm.
After Duan Feiyi and He Lu were imprisoned, Duan Song suddenly suffered a brain disease and became bedridden. His whole body was fixed with tubes and he couldn't even speak. He could only utter a few broken single sounds with his throat.
Duan Zhuxian would visit him every week, sitting by his bed for half an hour, watching Duan Song's deteriorating health like a spectator, including the fear in his cloudy eyes.
As for the accomplices of the Duan family, Duan Zhuxian did not deal with them directly, but kept them.
For those with ulterior motives, this is tantamount to greater torture. Every second before being sanctioned, they will live in fear and torture, fearing that the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads will be swung down one day.
*
In June, the long rainy season arrives.
The continuous rain lingers on the world, making people feel itchy.
Jiang Yao worked overtime today. Half an hour ago, Duan Zhuxian said he would come to pick him up.
While waiting for the secretary to get the documents, Jiang Yao suddenly looked towards the window. Looking down through the rain, he saw Duan Zhuxian standing next to the car, holding a black umbrella in his left hand and playing with a small object in his right hand.
He sent a message to Duan Zhuxian: "What are you looking at?"
Soon, Duan Zhuxian replied with a picture.
It was a little fox keychain, bright red, made of metal, and with some paint peeling off.
Jiang Yao: "It's so old, but you haven't thrown it away yet. Based on the facts, could it be that I gave it to you?"
Duan Zhuxian: "You guessed right, this little fox looks a lot like you. When I miss you, I take it out and look at it."
?
Jiang Yao clicked on the picture again. The little fox had its eyes narrowed, its butt stuck out, and its tail raised higher than its head.
Jiang Yao was dissatisfied: "How could I be so arrogant?"
Duan Zhuxian didn't reply.
After reading the documents, I finally finished my work and the rain stopped.
Jiang Yao quickly left the office building. Just as he approached Duan Zhuxian, he saw someone who had taken the lead and asked Duan Zhuxian for his contact information with a blushing face.
He had experienced this kind of situation many times, and he knew what the other party was planning at a glance.
Jiang Yao walked over leisurely, put his arm around Duan Zhuxian's shoulder, and smiled brightly: "Sorry, he's married."
The man was stunned for a moment, looking at the two men in front of him who were extremely well-matched. Only then did he notice the ring on Duan Zhuxian's hand. He apologized and left in embarrassment.
Jiang Yao made a "bye" gesture towards the man's back. There was no jealousy or anger on his face, but instead there was a hint of showing off.
Duan Zhuxian glanced at the little fox keychain in his hand showing off its power, then looked at the man beside him with a calm smile.
They are simply carved from the same mold.
After getting in the car, Jiang Yao teased, "Since when did someone dare to approach you on the street?"
Duan Zhuxian: "I don't know either. They've suddenly become more common recently."
Jiang Yao snorted twice and glanced at Duan Zhuxian with a sidelong glance.
Although Duan Zhuxian is handsome and outstanding, and is secretly admired by many people, due to his temperament as a human freezing machine, few warriors dare to rush up and confess to him in person.
But at this moment, Jiang Yao inexplicably found that Duan Zhuxian seemed to be different. The most intuitive manifestation was his face. The corners of his eyes and eyebrows were no longer cold and harsh, and the frequency of his laughter became higher, so that a warm magnetic field surrounded his body.
Jiang Yao has been busy with work recently and hasn't ridden in Duan Zhuxian's car much. He reached out and touched the little fox pendant hanging in front of him, then looked around the console and found that there were several more fox-shaped decorations in the car.
He narrowed his eyes: "You really like foxes."
Duan Zhuxian smiled and looked at the traffic ahead: "I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and I haven't noticed it yet."
Jiang Yao paused, realizing what Duan Zhuxian meant, and patted him on the shoulder: "If you miss me, come and see me like you did today. I haven't left the country yet, have I? Learn from me and be more free and easy."
Duan Zhuxian looked helpless.
I don’t know who it was, but I started crying before I even made a decision.
That night, the free and easy Jiang Yao had a dream. In the dream, he lived a normal life, but he could not find Duan Zhuxian, as if this person had never appeared in his life.
He was terrified, collapsed, and desperate, then he opened his eyes in a cold sweat, and his hand subconsciously reached to the side and touched a warm body.
He couldn't describe the relief he felt as his heart fell from his chest into the soft water of the lake.
*
In July, we unexpectedly entered the height of summer.
Less than a month before I left the country, a relative from my hometown in the south was marrying off his daughter and was going to hold a wedding banquet in my hometown.
Jiang Qingtian and Yuan Li were unable to attend the event, and Jiang Chen was abroad on business, so Jiang Yao represented the entire family.
The wedding was very lively. According to custom, a banquet was held at the doorstep for three days.
Listening to the bride and groom expressing their feelings to each other on the stage, Jiang Yao couldn't help but think of his own wedding and Duan Zhuxian, and then he couldn't stop himself and didn't even realize that the newlyweds were toasting him with wine.
He has been thinking about Duan Zhuxian too often recently. If this continues, he might not be able to bear the longing during school.
After finishing the meal, Jiang Yao left the banquet, walked into the bustling long street, and headed back to the hotel. He tugged at the collar of his T-shirt to let the warm evening breeze blow in. He hadn't taken two steps when he received a call from Duan Zhuxian.
Duan Zhuxian asked him, "Are you going back to Lingbei tomorrow?"
Jiang Yao: "I originally planned to come back in two days."
Because he had been drinking, his steps were a little unsteady. He lowered his head to kick the stones blocking the road, and he became more and more angry. In the end, he even kicked the stones that were less than half a meter away from him.
There was a pause on the other end of the phone: "Why postpone it?"
"I want to do a rehearsal, to get used to the separation in advance."
Jiang Yao said.
"But I suddenly regretted it. I miss you very, very, very much right now."
Jiang Yao lowered his head and mumbled something, then heard a chuckle coming from the phone.
Damn Duan Zhuxian! He was so sad, yet you still had the heart to laugh at him!
Jiang Yao sniffed a little aggrievedly.
Perhaps it was because I was in a slightly tipsy state, and every little emotion was magnified infinitely and became sticky.
If longing had a physical form, it would be a thousand kilometers long at this moment.
Then, he heard a gentle call from the phone: "Baby, look up."
He suddenly looked forward, and the person he had been thinking about was standing under the street light, with a slender figure and shining eyes.
A thousand kilometers of longing was instantly shortened to ten meters.
Then 8 meters, 6 meters, 4 meters...
When you like someone, even the wind around you is running towards him.
When Jiang Yao came to his senses, he had already crashed into Duan Zhuxian's arms like a candy-filled cannonball.
Ignoring the sidelong glances from passersby, he grabbed Duan Zhuxian's shoulders and kissed him directly, making a loud "baji" sound.
A few months ago, Jiang Chen asked him what it felt like to be in love.
He seemed to have a concrete idea.
It is an inexhaustible collection.
It is the rhythm of the chest's rise and fall, the blank space left after the breath overflows from the lips and teeth, the unbreakable longing that can't be cut off across thousands of mountains and rivers, and the ten thousand expressions that belong only to the two of them...
Love is so beautiful.
He wants to be in love with Duan Zhuxian for the rest of his life.
To this end, he has an endless urge to become a better person.
He knew that Duan Zhuxian had the same impulse as him.
They will all shine in their respective fields, illuminate each other and bear witness to each other.
Jiang Yao didn't ask Duan Zhuxian why he suddenly left his work and ran so far to find him. He just took Duan Zhuxian's hand, clasped his fingers with his, and proposed in the most ordinary sweet tone of love: "Zhuxian, go on a date with me tomorrow. I will show you the place where I was born and grew up."
Duan Zhuxian had actually visited this southern town many times. In order to get close to Jiang Yao on his own initiative and by deceiving himself, he had tried every possible means.
But he still nodded happily: "Okay, I'm interested."
*
Back at the hotel, they caressed and kissed each other, spending two hours together like a newlywed.
Afterwards, we exchanged a long, long kiss, took a shower, and got into bed.
The next day, we woke up in the morning hugging each other tightly.
-End of text-
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