Chapter 46 "Anything is fine, no need to pity..."
Jiang Shan was dumbfounded.
What word just brushed past her ear?
Before she could even hear clearly, those strange words, like cunning rice noodles, fell from between her chopsticks with a thud and landed on the table, smoothing out the wrinkles in her cerebral cortex.
“…What?” She frowned, raising one eyebrow.
Zhu Mengxin steeled his heart, closed his eyes, and took off his entire coat, revealing his cunning old shoulders.
"Do you... find it too hot?"
His lips, bright red from the fever, opened and closed.
Like a flower in full bloom that has taken human form, gracefully singing, "Do not waste your golden robes, but cherish your youth. Pluck the flower while it blooms, lest you break the branch in vain when there are no flowers left." [Note]
Jiang Shan, a respectable woman, had never seen anything like this before.
Now, all the thoughts she held in her heart, good and bad, were reduced to the beautiful image of a river flowing eastward in spring.
Cough, why would you complain about it being too hot?
Her hands are cold, she needs something to warm them up.
"I don't mind the heat."
As Jiang Shan spoke, he leaned forward, slowly closing the distance between them, which was now just a step away.
Their breaths mingled, and she was caught off guard by the scalding heat of Zhu Meng's breath.
No wonder I was worried she'd find it too hot.
It's really hot, like steam.
However, it's just right for warming hands.
She didn't want to take advantage of him, but Zhu Meng not only didn't mind, but also got angry when she refused, so she had no choice but to obey.
Pink bubbles faintly appeared in the air. Jiang Shan cupped Zhu Meng's face in his hands, without getting straight to the point.
She is a gentle person who likes to take things one step at a time.
She tilted her head slightly and pressed her lips to Zhu Meng's lips.
Zhu Meng's breathing suddenly tightened.
He seemed to realize that the air he was exhaling was hotter than usual, and Jiang Shan was not used to it, so he tried his best to hold his breath, but when he was so emotional, holding his breath was easier said than done.
It only turned into more intense panting.
Facing Jiang Shan's face so close, Zhu Meng's straight back went weak. He tried to lean gently against Jiang Shan while cursing himself inwardly.
He's panting like this just from a kiss, he's so pathetic!
But what if it were real combat...?
Jiang Shan was unaware of the frantic thoughts racing through Zhu Meng's mind. She closed her eyes and savored his lips.
It's a little hot and a little soft.
It's quite similar to his cold exterior but warm interior, tough exterior but soft interior appearance.
The two of them did nothing; their four fleshy parts were just stuck together like dead bodies, seemingly without any flavor.
But it seems rather strange to lick it.
Tsk, didn't the online teachers teach this?
Jiang Shan hesitated for a moment, then decided to proceed with the formalities first.
Anyway, let's just follow the tutorials online. There's always a way out.
She reached out to touch the furry collar around Zhu Meng's neck, about to unbutton the back of his shirt, when suddenly her hand paused, and her tone became hesitant.
"Uh... how about another day?"
Zhu Meng's head, which was resting on her shoulder, stiffened.
Another day? Why another day? There's no time like the present, isn't today perfect?
Or did Jiangshan suddenly realize that he was old and unattractive, rigid and boring, and felt that he would have more in common with younger men?
But he's already trying his best to be lively...
As if afraid that Jiang Shan would distance himself from him, Zhu Meng gently wrapped his arms around Jiang Shan's waist.
"Anything is fine with me, don't pity me."
Unfortunately, Jiangshan still managed to break free.
It was only in that instant of breaking free that she was surprised to find that although Zhu Meng's movements were forceful, he didn't use much strength, just like his pitiful tone.
Jiang Shan's expression was a little strange.
"No, Mr. Zhu, you misunderstand. I'm not pitying you; I'm pitying myself."
Zhu Meng bit her lip, not daring to utter a sound.
Sure enough, being with an old man like him is too much of a waste for Jiangshan.
But that's all he's accomplished; what else can he do?
There is no magic to turn back time, nor is there a potion to make one young again. He was born before she was born, and she was born after he had grown old. Time is truly a cruel thing.
Jiang Shan cracked his wrist, making a snapping sound.
She gave an awkward twitch of her lips: "Well, without tools, I'll get very tired."
Zhu Meng's eyes lit up for a moment.
Ah, could it be that it's not his problem?
But the light went out again the next second.
Actually... it's still his problem, isn't it?
He had taken care of Jiangshan for so long, but he still couldn't make up for the damage to her health. Even just kissing him made her exhausted.
However, Jiang Shan is in a condition where he cannot tolerate strong tonics. If he were to take highly tonifying herbs all at once, it would be harmful.
It still needs to be treated gradually.
Sigh, it's his fault.
He only knew how to use his body to please Jiangshan, forgetting to prepare the necessary tools and forgetting to consider Jiangshan's weak physical condition.
As a result, Jiang Shan can only look at the meat and drool, but dare not take a bite.
He's so stupid, really.
"...Oh, you didn't bring it."
Perhaps it was because he was sick and uncomfortable that the dark emotions in his heart were amplified. Zhu Meng nodded and repeated what Jiang Shan had said. He originally just wanted to confirm that what he heard was correct, but as he spoke, his nose suddenly felt sore.
Jiang Shan was taken aback when he heard him sniffling.
With global temperatures rising, is this iceberg, Zhu Meng, starting to melt into water?
Why is he crying when he's perfectly fine?
Did she make him suffer? But she didn't say anything harsh.
...Was he really crying?
Did she mishear?
Jiang Shan slightly bent his head to look at Zhu Meng's face.
It met his gaze perfectly, revealing a tear about to fall from the corner of his eye.
Just like the dewdrops hanging on the leaves in the fields at dawn, so crystal clear that they make one's heart soften at the sight of them, and one wishes to pluck the soft clouds from the sky and use them as tissues to wipe away this tear.
"...Well, I think we can calm down a bit more. Impulsiveness is the devil."
Surrounded by pink bubbles, Jiang Shan, like a hermit, uttered the words "form is emptiness": "The main problem is that the timing isn't right. You have a fever and aren't feeling well. I'm a respectable woman, and I can't bring myself to do it."
Zhu Meng remained silent.
Actually, all of Jiang Shan's excuses are just that. She doesn't want to share a romantic relationship with him because she thinks he's too old.
He's old, he knows that.
But to keep him out of reach for this reason is too heartbreaking.
Zhu Meng looked away and silently tucked the lower half of her face, which had just been peeking out, back behind her knees, leaving Jiang Shan with only a sad upper profile.
The tear hanging at the corner of his eye seemed to be summoned by gravity, tracing a beautiful curve along his sharply defined cheek.
Steady, accurate, and ruthless.
Full, moist tears rolled down her cheeks, yet there was no unsightly snot in her nose; her tearful performance was even more perfect than that of a heroine from a Qiong Yao novel.
The first tear in Zhu Meng's left eye seemed to sound some kind of horn. Two seconds later, a tear also fell from his right eye, but this tear froze on his cheek and refused to move.
He pursed his lips, and only then did the tears flow smoothly down, silently dripping onto his meagerly made shorts, spreading out a blurry water stain.
He clearly didn't say a word or utter a sound, yet his eyes were red, and tears fell like beads from a broken string, truly like a silent performance, vividly demonstrating the meaning of grievance.
At first, Zhu Meng wasn't actually so sad that she wanted to cry, at least not to the point of crying uncontrollably like she is now.
He noticed that with each sniffle, Jiang Shan's gaze became more intense. Hoping to gain Jiang Shan's pity, he recalled Jiang Shan's indifferent expression and reluctantly let his eyes redden.
Who knew that spilled water could not be gathered up again? Once the first tear fell, a torrential downpour followed, impossible to stop.
Tears streamed down her face, as if she wanted to vent all the tears she hadn't shed in the hallway last night. Zhu Meng was being stared at by a girl ten years younger than her. Her cheeks, which were already slightly hot from the fever, became even hotter, like boiling water, and began to steam.
He covered his eyes with his large, well-defined hands, trying to hide his red, swollen, and wet eyes, but little did he know that his red eyes, combined with his bare hands, only made the situation more obvious.
How embarrassing! If there were a crack in the ground, he would definitely crawl into it without hesitation.
He's had a smooth and healthy life, and he's rarely cried. Aside from the physiological tears caused by skin hunger, this is the first time he's cried so uncontrollably because of some inexplicable grievance.
But what exactly is he feeling wronged about?
Is it fair that he paid such a huge sunk cost, yet Jiangshan remains indifferent?
But Jiang Shan had no idea that what he considered a surprise was likely a fright that would disrupt his plans.
Ultimately, it's his problem.
He first put on airs and said "disgusting," driving away Jiang Shan, who was trying to have a nice talk with him.
Just when Jiang Shan had completely given up on the idea, he cleaned himself up, dressed up in a flamboyant manner, and went to her door, insisting that she give him a formal status.
What does he consider the country to be? ...A toy that he can summon and dismiss at will?
The emotional breakdown was too sudden. Zhu Meng managed to generate a few rational thoughts in her mind, but they were swept away by the torrent of collapse within seconds. Her entire rational brain collapsed with a "boom," leaving only a mess and a large area of unfulfilled...grievances.
Doesn't Jiang Shan like this outfit?
Doesn't Jiangshan like PEG?
Why are they so cold to him? Why? What exactly is he lacking compared to that greyhound? Is it his lack of experience? But he can learn…
It's just a positive and eager-to-learn mind and a healthy body, which seems to be what most people in this line of work have.
One more of him wouldn't make a difference, but one less of him wouldn't make a difference either.
Sigh, why is he so disappointing?
The atmosphere was so nice, but he didn't know how to soften up and say anything sweet. All he did was lean stiffly on the girl's shoulder, stiffer than meat that had been frozen in the refrigerator for over ten years.
"...Okay, stop crying."
Jiang Shan originally wanted to say, "You've cried away all your good fortune," but looking at Zhu Meng's red eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say such a resolute thing.
Although Zhu Meng had spoken harshly to her before, making her feel uncomfortable, she thought that revenge only leads to more revenge. Zhu Meng had said something hurtful to her before, and she had just said something back to him. That was enough.
If she keeps thinking about Zhu Meng's hurtful words, wouldn't she be punishing herself for Zhu Meng's mistake?
She should just let herself go.
And thinking about it carefully, it's quite rare for someone as proud as Zhu Meng to clean himself up and wait for her all night in those clothes.
If both sides take a step back, the world will be a better place.
Jiang Shan scratched his head and said honestly, "President Zhu, although I don't mind doing this during the day, I left S City in a hurry and only brought my phone, keys, and wallet. I bought everything else here. I really didn't expect to bring this thing."
After all, Zhu Meng had a curvaceous figure, and the bunny boy outfit she was wearing was always provocative, practically like someone bouncing on her clitoris with sharp ballet shoes.
If the right tools were available, she wouldn't mind teaching him.
"……Um."
Zhu Meng's hands trembled as he reached for the bespoke suit jacket that he had just tossed onto the sofa.
The buttons on his coat had all popped off, and he draped it over his shoulders again, making it look like a tattered, drafty cloak.
He hung his head, leaned on the coffee table, and slowly stood up, like a young man who had been kicked out of the castle by a princess in the middle of the night, clutching a cloak to cover his body, about to slink away under the princess's guards.
"It's my fault, I shouldn't have bothered you."
He took a step forward and swayed violently. Luckily, Jiangshan's house was small and the sofa was not far from the wall. He grabbed the wall and stood up without falling.
Zhu Meng gently closed her eyes: "...I'm sorry."
He seemed to have triggered some kind of apology mechanism, repeatedly muttering "I'm sorry" and "It's all my fault."
Jiangshan's heart felt as if it were being gripped by an invisible hand, which forcefully shoved several large boxes of 100% pure lemon juice into it, making it so sour that it was dripping with acid rain with a pH value far less than 7.
Sigh, why is Zhu Meng reacting like this?
If he had reacted more strongly, collapsed to the ground, burst into tears, or become enraged and coldly scolded her for being "no good," she wouldn't feel this heartbroken now.
Yet he has such a submissive attitude.
He was so pathetic, she felt really guilty!
Such a delicious dish, served steaming hot, was presented to her, but because she didn't have chopsticks and had to eat it with gloves, she didn't take a single bite because she thought it was too tiring. What a waste!
Even the food looked unappetizing.
Is she such an incompetent woman?
No, she isn't.
She hasn't even tried, how does she know she can't do it?
At least... try it.
"Wait a minute." Jiang Shan grabbed Zhu Meng's hand as he leaned against the wall.
Zhu Meng swayed slightly, instinctively wanting to lean towards Jiang Shan, but not daring to touch him directly. He could only freeze in mid-air and ask.
"……What's wrong?"
“Come,” she pointed to the end of the slightly dented sofa where Zhu Meng had just sat, “sit down.”
Zhu Meng's eyes widened slightly: "?"
"Let me teach you."
Jiang Shan's lips curled up, a sly smile unconsciously creeping onto his face: "Didn't you just say you wanted to learn? What about now? Don't you want to learn anymore?"
Zhu Meng shook his head frantically.
How could he not want to learn? He's practically going crazy with desire.
Without anyone noticing, his eyes had quietly reddened again, like a bright red suddenly appearing in a white sketch with only black lines on white paper, so bright that it was impossible to look away.
Jiang Shan sighed softly.
Good heavens, why is he crying again?
He was crying while running a fever; didn't he feel his mouth was dry?
She let go of Zhu Meng's hand and turned to get him a glass of water.
But Zhu Meng intercepted the offer with a tearful voice.
Are you... leaving again?
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The author says: "Do not waste your golden robe, but cherish your youth. Pluck the flower while it blooms, lest you break a bare branch when it is gone." — Tang Dynasty Yuefu poem, "Golden Robe"
Insecure older man gets [milk tea emoji]
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