Chapter 46: Desire to Marry
Countless lessons have been learned through blood and tears: messing with straight men will not end well. Straight men are animals that have been cut in half, their upper and lower bodies completely severed. They can kiss and have sex out of impulse, but finding love is harder than climbing to the sky.
After all, love carries a burden. Same-sex love, in particular, is like a disgusting, anti-ethical cult film for straight men. They might occasionally watch it to satisfy their curiosity, but if the film casts them as the protagonist, the weight of the burden is enough to send most straight men scurrying away.
It's easy to tell the truth, "Because I love you," without even explaining why; but when you consider the consequences of telling the truth, everything becomes complicated.
This fraudulent marriage is currently filled with too many uncertainties, but Jiang Ranxu is unwilling to bear any consequences of a mess, such as reaching the second ending: being blocked by the straight man who regrets it after a one-night stand.
Jiang Ranxu decided to be cautious and wait a little longer, waiting for the straight man to come to his senses.
Jiang Ranxu pretended to be resentful. "Meng Weishen, you had a lot of fun last night, but you regretted it the moment you woke up? I knew it, all you straight men are like this, you turn your back on us after you've had your fun."
Sure enough, Meng Weishen quickly dropped the spoon into the soy milk and explained to him in a panic: "I don't regret it."
"real?"
"real."
The spoon had already slid from the wall of the bowl to the bottom, but Meng Weishen didn't care anymore. He stood up, walked to Jiang Ranxu, leaned over and kissed the corner of his mouth.
A sweet soy milk kiss.
Jiang Ranxu was quite satisfied with Meng Weishen's way of expressing his love, so he took the opportunity to pull his arm and asked him to sit down. However, the seat was too narrow, and Meng Weishen couldn't find an empty seat, so he had to squeeze between Jiang Ranxu's legs.
"I'm glad you don't regret it." Jiang Ranxu put his arm around the man's slender waist, acting gentle and persuasive. "Who told you that being nice to you means I have to use you? "
Meng Weishen seemed a bit embarrassed. Perhaps because he felt he was too important, he didn't dare to directly attack him. Instead, he hovered a few millimeters away from him, hooking his neck for leverage. Their eyes were completely level.
Meng Weishen was stunned and said, "My boss promised me a promotion and wanted me to help him and his first love. My mother's ex-husband bought me a Ralph Lauren and wanted me to find connections to help his current son get into school. And my mother and my grandparents are all expecting me to have a promising future and repay them well in the future. In short, everyone thinks this way, right?"
Jiang Ranxu had long anticipated that Meng Weishen's unusual behavior might be related to his biological father. This elder brother was considered hazardous waste and should be sent to a garbage station for high-temperature incineration.
"I don't think so." Jiang Ranxu said seriously, "I think the investment in a relationship shouldn't be calculated in return. Especially since we're already married, it wouldn't make sense to calculate it, so we need to be one. You don't have to worry about giving and getting anything in return when you're with me."
"Aren't we having a fake marriage?"
"A fake marriage is still a marriage."
"It sounds like getting married won't do you any good at all. You should avoid getting stuck in a marriage that's too calculating and unclear." Meng Weishen carefully touched his face, as if touching a precious, fragile object. "I still don't understand why you wanted to marry me in the first place."
Jiang Ranxu's heart skipped a beat and he became nervous for a rare moment.
Indeed, he had talked a lot of nonsense, just to avoid Meng Weishen's questions. And Meng Weishen was not as easy to fool as he imagined. Although he could not understand emotional issues, his logical thinking was very clear.
Jiang Ranxu had to carefully consider his words. Meng Weishen couldn't wait any longer and bit his lips with his crooked fangs and kissed him again.
As their lips were about to part, Jiang Ranxu replied, "I told you before we got married. Because of my family's special circumstances, I've wanted to get married since I was a child. I need to get married."
Meng Weishen asked in bewilderment, "Did you say that?"
"My parents are both busy with their business, their relationship isn't good, and they don't want to take care of the kids. I live in a cold courtyard house with my nanny and driver, and I've never felt the warmth of a family. I've always wanted to know what a happy family is like. Marriage is a chance to choose my own family, and I cherish this opportunity. Sorry, my family values seem too traditional."
In fact, when he discovered he was both gay and obsessive-compulsive, he was already mentally prepared to die alone. Love isn't a necessity in life, and marriage is certainly not. Of course, if you really want to find out, there's not much point in living at all.
Jiang Ranxu thought his words were too contrived, and he inevitably felt a little guilty. But Meng Weishen acted completely convinced, kissing and hugging him:
"I understand. I will find a way to give you the warmth of family."
——
Jiang Ranxu didn't quite trust Meng Weishen's ability to understand. He suspected that Meng Weishen would spend money to install floor heating in the next few days, which literally means "giving you the warmth of your family."
That afternoon, Meng Weishen brought Qin Shi Huang upstairs, held him in front of Jiang Ranxu, and ordered the puppy, "Qin Shi Huang, this is your new dad. Let him pet you."
Qin Shi Huang hated being hugged the most, and he struggled to kick Meng Weishen's arms away: "Woo woof woof ah ah wow wow!"
It’s better to hire a floor heating company!
Jiang Ranxu fled the scene at lightning speed, locking his bedroom door and isolating himself from the dog. A few strands of brown dog hair had already clung to his sleeves, and a cold sweat broke out on his back, making him wish he had thrown away his clothes.
Meng Weishen was still lingering at the door of his bedroom. "Qin Shi Huang is actually very friendly. If you feed him a few more times, he will be happy to be intimate with you..."
"Hurry up and send it downstairs!" Jiang Ranxu would never open the door lock. "...I mean, your mother said she wanted to come and see where you live now. I heard she doesn't like dogs, so you should keep Qin Shi Huang downstairs."
The voices outside the door fell silent, leaving only the ignorant barking of Qin Shi Huang.
Jiang Ranxu completely understood Meng Weishen's escapist mentality; it was probably the same reason he didn't want to go home. His former psychiatrist had said that the pain experienced in childhood would forever remain in the subconscious, and once the adult body sensed the signal of pain, it would quickly activate its defense mechanism.
He promised Meng Weishen that if Meng Weishen disagreed with Meng Lirong's visit, he would conceal her address. If Meng Weishen agreed, he would coax her into submission. He had already mastered the trick to coax Meng Lirong.
Meng Weishen finally agreed.
The mother and son weren't particularly compatible. Meng Lirong was obsessed with prestige, and Meng Weishen constantly embarrassed her with his missteps. Meng Lirong had long been the school's literary club instructor, while Meng Weishen had no interest in Chinese. Meng Lirong was terrified of dogs, and Meng Weishen practically cuddled one to sleep.
Meng Lirong didn't rush in. She cautiously poked her head out halfway and looked around the room. After making sure Qin Shi Huang was not there, she felt relieved. "Meng Weishen, where's your spotted dog? The one with the nasty barking voice?"
"The dog is kept on the first floor, don't worry, Mom. I know you are particular, and I don't like the house to be covered with dog hair." Jiang Ranxu has learned to answer quickly.
He picked up a pack of alcohol wipes and threw them into Meng Lirong's arms: "By the way, Mom, remember to wipe and disinfect your hands before you come in."
Meng Lirong was stunned for a moment, then slowly pulled out a wet wipe and applied it to the back of her hand. She continued, "Meng Weishen, I told you to wash your hands when you come in. You're married now, not a child anymore. Don't wait for others to remind you to be careful about hygiene, okay?"
Meng Weishen hid behind the screen, his figure casting a vague outline, and his voice was also vague, "Am I not paying close attention now?"
"Yes, Meng Weishen is obviously well-educated, self-disciplined, and has good living habits. It's all thanks to your education."
In order to avoid further conflict between mother and son, Jiang Ranxu quickly sent Meng Lirong away and took her to visit the house.
At the time, Meng Lirong wanted Meng Weishen to return home to take the civil service exam. Her connections assured her that the interview would be a formality and that he would be accepted. However, Meng Weishen refused to return home, insisting on staying in Beijing to work. Meng Lirong resented this. She watched helplessly as Meng Weishen lost his graduate status, and she vented her anger by criticizing his poor living conditions.
The rented apartment was small and old, without a balcony. Dog toys and professional reference books were piled together. The refrigerator's freezer was empty, as if it had been ransacked, with only a few shriveled apples left. The freezer was filled with various frozen lumps of meat, and the lard she brought last year was growing mushrooms in it...
Meng Lirong scolded him countless times: "Meng Weishen, when can you leave work and take care of your own affairs?
You can't ask your wife to do everything at home, right? Besides, no one would be willing to be your wife if you act like that!"
But now she had walked around Meng Weishen's new home several times and couldn't find a single thorn.
The sunlight poured down from the terrace and through the thin blue gauze curtains, making all the furniture and appliances in the house look as clean as new. She even worried that the soles of her shoes would leave dust on the ground.
Meng Lirong didn't give up. She rushed to check the refrigerator.
The refrigerator also passed inspection successfully. The refrigerator drawers were neatly organized, housing fresh mangosteen, tuna, and ribs. Two rows of sodas and juices lined the door cabinets, all within their expiration dates. As for the freezer, she expected it to be well-stocked without having to search.
She was shocked and even suspected that Meng Weishen had been possessed by some demon: "Meng Weishen, did you clean the refrigerator yourself? And the living room and bedroom?"
Meng Weishen said, "Not entirely. Jiang Ranxu usually arranges the chores in advance, and I just do whatever he arranges."
Now you have learned to be obedient!
Meng Lirong was speechless.
She had never imagined she'd end up with a granddaughter and a daughter-in-law. Regardless of what they were, they'd gathered around the table for a lively meal, and even invited her to join them. The resulting stew tasted surprisingly good, and there was no reason for her to raise her voice in protest.
Meng Lirong thought carefully and realized she had no regrets about this trip. She should go home.
Meng Weishen borrowed Jiang Ranxu's car and took her back to the hotel to pack her luggage.
Without someone to smooth things over, the mother and son felt particularly awkward being alone together, and they were silent all the way. It wasn't until the car stopped downstairs at the hotel that Meng Lirong asked for her opinion:
"Meng Weishen, you will have a May Day holiday. Your grandfather's death anniversary is coming soon. Will you come back to my hometown with me?"
"Mom, let Jiang Ranxu go with us." Meng Weishen looked at her in the rearview mirror. "He has a very distant relationship with his family. I promised to give him the warmth of a family."
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