Chapter 115:
Cheng Peng only realized his tone had been too harsh when he saw Jiang Yunjian’s face turn red, then pale.
He clicked his tongue in his mind.
Due to his family background, Cheng Peng had faced more pressure growing up than most people. Over time, he had learned to temper his temperament. Since he was old enough to understand things, he rarely lost his temper at anyone. He knew getting angry never solved anything, and he had no interest in cleaning up the mess left behind by arguments. His two troublemaking friends already gave him enough headaches.
Even when he had been taken to the station a few years ago, he had merely chuckled and asked the officer taking his statement if they had eaten dinner.
Yet with Jiang Yunjian, he had lost control.
He hadn’t wanted to speak to him like that.
With a sigh, he asked, “Can I come in?”
Jiang Yunjian snapped out of his daze and stepped aside to let him through.
Jiang Yunjian’s place was spotless—almost excessively so. It was clear he hardly lived there. Some of the furniture was even covered with dust-proof sheets.
Jiang Yunjian walked to the window, drawing the curtains tightly. He still wasn’t reassured, so he checked them several times.
“I had someone get rid of the reporters,” Cheng Peng said. “Come sit.”
Jiang Yunjian pressed his lips together and sat beside him on the couch.
“President Cheng,” he hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, “you don’t need to take responsibility for me.”
Cheng Peng was caught off guard by his words. “Take responsibility?”
“Yes.” Jiang Yunjian seemed to struggle to say it. “I was the one who insisted on staying that night. I was the one who undid your belt. I’m an adult. Everything was my choice. It started because of me, so you don’t need to take responsibility.”
Jiang Yunjian had understood what Cheng Peng said outside the door earlier. Cheng Peng felt that since he had also been involved, he had an obligation to take responsibility.
It made sense. Someone as gentle as Cheng Peng would naturally be considerate of others.
For someone who blushed just from hearing dirty jokes, saying all this was no small feat.
Whatever anger Cheng Peng had left completely disappeared.
Back at the hotel that night, when he first saw Jiang Yunjian in the room, he really hadn’t thought about it that way. But the moment Jiang Yunjian knelt on the floor and looked up at him—
He had reacted.
Jiang Yunjian hadn’t even touched him.
He just really, really liked that look in his eyes. Brave yet timid, shy yet passionate.
Cheng Peng stared at him. “Then tell me, how do you plan to handle this?”
Jiang Yunjian said, “I’m actually quite popular. I have money. I can buy out the news.”
Cheng Peng chuckled inwardly. So capable.
“What do you think of me?” he suddenly asked.
Jiang Yunjian was taken aback. “You’re a good person.”
Cheng Peng tossed aside the good-person card. “I’m not.”
“If this had happened with someone else, I wouldn’t even be talking about taking responsibility—” Cheng Peng paused. “From the very beginning, I wouldn’t have even let them touch me.”
Jiang Yunjian stared at him in a daze.
“You’re an adult, and so am I. I’m not some animal that gets aroused by just anyone. That night, I let you stay and let you get into my bed, not because I’m a good person, but because I…”
Because what? The words were right there, yet saying them felt too impulsive. But when he saw Jiang Yunjian’s dumbfounded expression, he couldn’t hold back. Smiling, he finished his sentence, “Because I like you. Because I wanted to do something with you.”
Jiang Yunjian felt like he couldn’t breathe.
Like?
Like?
Cheng Peng said he liked him.
Even if it was just for his looks or his body, it was still like.
“So let me handle this,” Cheng Peng continued. “It’s not about taking responsibility. I’m not that noble. I just want to protect you. Do you understand?”
Seeing Jiang Yunjian remain silent, Cheng Peng simply laid it all out.
Jiang Yunjian even wondered if he was still dreaming.
“…You want to protect me?” he murmured.
Cheng Peng chuckled. “Yeah. Will you let me?”
“Yes.” A lump formed in Jiang Yunjian’s chest, but he held it down. “…Yes, I want you to.”
The entire day had felt like a daze. He had slept through the afternoon, and now, he was finally clear-headed.
He stood up. “I’ll get you some hot milk.”
His home had an open kitchen. As soon as he found a cup, he heard the person behind him speak.
“You came looking for me today.”
It was a statement.
Jiang Yunjian had been avoiding this topic, but now it was brought up openly. His movements paused for a moment. “…I did go.”
Cheng Peng took off his coat and casually tossed it onto the sofa, where it ended up stacked on top of Jiang Yunjian’s. “Since you came, why didn’t you go inside?”
Jiang Yunjian replied, “I saw that you had a guest and thought it might be inconvenient.”
Cheng Peng could tell Jiang Yunjian was trying to keep his composure, but no matter how he listened, his voice sounded unnatural.
Today, he had only entertained one guest.
“You know him?” Cheng Peng asked.
Jiang Yunjian answered honestly, “I met him two years ago at a farmhouse restaurant.”
Cheng Peng nodded. He had completely forgotten about that.
Jiang Yunjian quietly heated the milk, but his thoughts were a mess. The moment this topic was brought up, he knew his heart wouldn’t stay calm.
This was a good opportunity. He should ask.
Ask about Cheng Peng’s current relationship with that man. If they had reconciled, then there would be no reason for him and Cheng Peng to continue.
Milk overflowed from the cup, spilling onto his hand. Jiang Yunjian snapped back to reality, hastily grabbing a towel to wipe it off in a flustered manner.
“I broke up with him a long time ago,” he heard Cheng Peng say.
“He just came to pick up some things and clear things up. Once we finished talking, he left. We didn’t get back together.” Cheng Peng didn’t want to tease him anymore. He only teased Jiang Yunjian to see him blush, to see him flustered—not to make him upset. “Can you focus on heating the milk now?”
Jiang Yunjian: “…I am heating it properly.”
He brought the cup over, but his hands trembled slightly, causing the milk to shake as well.
Cheng Peng glanced at the gift boxes on the table. “Are these for me?”
Jiang Yunjian nodded.
Cheng Peng checked the time. “It’s past midnight now. Does that mean it doesn’t count anymore?”
“No,” Jiang Yunjian said. “I bought them for you in the first place. I just used your birthday as an excuse.”
Cheng Peng chuckled and pulled the two boxes closer. “Then I’ll open them.”
He picked up one of the gifts. “So, this is the legendary watch worth tens of millions?”
Jiang Yunjian corrected him, “It’s not tens of millions. The media exaggerated.”
“They didn’t exaggerate. They just have good math skills—they know how to round up.” Cheng Peng unfastened the watch on his wrist and replaced it with the one Jiang Yunjian gave him. “I’ll take it then. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Even though it was already past midnight, Jiang Yunjian still said, “Happy birthday.”
Cheng Peng asked, “Where’s the cake?”
Jiang Yunjian froze. “How do you know?”
“I saw it in a photo. The cake box was in the background.” Cheng Peng glanced around. “Is it in the fridge?”
Jiang Yunjian’s face instantly turned red. Feeling embarrassed, he admitted, “I’m sorry… I gave the cake away.”
Cheng Peng: “…”
“I’ll make it up to you, okay?” Jiang Yunjian lowered his head. “I’ll buy you another one tomorrow.”
“You don’t have a shoot tomorrow?” Cheng Peng asked. “Aren’t you afraid people will say you’re acting like a diva, not taking your work seriously?”
Jiang Yunjian quickly explained, “I ordered the cake from a private bakery. I just need to write a few words—it won’t take up much time.”
Cheng Peng raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, “What did yesterday’s cake say?”
“Nothing much. Just… ‘Happy Birthday to you.’”
“Nothing else?” Cheng Peng looked skeptical.
“Just that. If you don’t believe me, I can show you a photo.”
Cheng Peng took his phone and looked at the picture. The words on the cake were crooked, and there was a little figure drawn beside them. He actually felt a little upset.
Who lacked such basic awareness? They knew it was a birthday cake meant for someone else, yet they ate it without a second thought.
“Next time,” Cheng Peng said.
Jiang Yunjian blinked. “What?”
“Next time, make it up to me.” Cheng Peng looked up at him. “It has to be exactly the same… except for the words. You can change those.”
Jiang Yunjian replied, “Alright, what do you want me to write?”
Cheng Peng chuckled. “That’s not how it works. You have to come up with it yourself.”
Jiang Yunjian thought about it seriously for a moment and settled on a few options in his mind. “I got it.”
Just as Cheng Peng finished his warm milk, his phone rang on the table.
It was Bo Zhen, the ever-worried father figure.
“Xiao Jian, turn on your camera so I can see you,” Bo Zhen said.
Jiang Yunjian was momentarily stunned before quickly holding his phone further away. He walked to the window and asked, “What’s wrong, Brother?”
“Just turn on your camera and see for yourself—see how I’ve gone completely gray overnight because of you.” Bo Zhen sounded exhausted. “President Cheng’s secretary finally called me. Finally! I thought I’d be up all night dealing with this mess…”
If it had been any other scandal—hell, even if photos of Jiang Yunjian in bed with some actress had been leaked—Bo Zhen wouldn’t have been this anxious.
But this situation was different. One misstep, and the consequence was a total career shutdown. He was genuinely terrified.
“Xiao Jian, look at me.” Bo Zhen pleaded for the third time. “Then, for the love of God, have some mercy. At least let me live for one more year—just one more year, okay? I haven’t even dared to tell the company. If they find out, they might just cut you off completely to protect themselves…”
Jiang Yunjian was just about to let guilt sink in when he heard movement behind him.
Turning around, he saw Cheng Peng shrugging off his shirt, his well-built body exposed to the air.
“I was busy dealing with clients, then met up with a friend in the evening—didn’t have time to shower. Can I use the bathroom?”
It wasn’t just Jiang Yunjian who went silent—there was dead air on the other end of the phone, too.
After a long pause, Bo Zhen exploded, “Jiang Yunjian?! Are you trying to kill me?!”
Jiang Yunjian’s ears turned red. “Go ahead, use it.”
Cheng Peng nodded, then glanced at him again. “Want to wait for me?”
Bo Zhen: “???”
“…..” Jiang Yunjian licked his lips. “…If I can.”
Bo Zhen: “You absolutely cannot!!”
Cheng Peng just hummed. “Alright, be quick.”
Once Cheng Peng disappeared into the bathroom, Jiang Yunjian returned to his conversation. “Brother, you’ll live a long and healthy life.”
Bo Zhen sounded utterly drained. “…I feel like I might drop dead right now.”
Jiang Yunjian reassured him, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. I’ll explain everything tomorrow. I’m hanging up now.”
Bo Zhen tried to stop him. “Wait—”
Jiang Yunjian: “Goodnight.”
Bo Zhen: “…”
Jiang Yunjian was suddenly very grateful that he had bought a double bathtub.
The heat in the bathroom rose, and their figures naturally melded together. Just as things were reaching their peak, Cheng Peng stopped.
There were a few red marks on his body—Jiang Yunjian had left them.
“We don’t have anything.” Cheng Peng stated simply.
Jiang Yunjian, of course, didn’t keep those kinds of supplies at home. Wrapping his arms around Cheng Peng’s neck, his gaze was dazed. “Can we use body lotion?”
Cheng Peng lifted a hand and wiped the water droplets from Jiang Yunjian’s forehead. “It’s not just that we’re missing.”
Jiang Yunjian hugged him tighter, pressing his face against Cheng Peng’s shoulder. “…The other thing doesn’t matter.”
Cheng Peng disagreed. “It does.”
He was about to get up when he realized Jiang Yunjian was clinging to him, refusing to let go.
And with surprising strength, too. Cheng Peng chuckled. “Are you acting spoiled now?”
Jiang Yunjian never thought he’d be associated with such a term.
“It’s not that.” His voice was hoarse. “I just want to be closer to you. Really, really close. Is that okay?”
Cheng Peng couldn’t resist.
In the end, he coaxed Jiang Yunjian into taking another bath, making sure everything was properly cleaned before allowing him to go to bed.
Jiang Yunjian lay on the bed, wrapped up in the blanket with only his shoulders exposed, staring at Cheng Peng without blinking.
Cheng Peng turned to him. “Had your fill of looking?”
Jiang Yunjian muttered, “No.”
Cheng Peng switched on the TV, and the screen flickered to life with a weather broadcast. The female anchor reported that the season’s first snowfall had arrived with full force and was expected to continue until tomorrow night.
Something occurred to him, and he picked up the remote to open the curtains.
Jiang Yunjian looked outside. The world was blanketed in white, shimmering under the night sky. It was breathtaking.
“This snow hasn’t stopped. Would you say it counts as the first snow?” Cheng Peng ruffled his hair.
Jiang Yunjian’s breath hitched. “…Yes.”
“Then we’ll count it together.” Cheng Peng leaned down and kissed him. “Happy first snow.”
He had no idea what this moment meant to Jiang Yunjian.
Jiang Yunjian kissed him back with a passion that went beyond **desire**—it was more intimate than anything between lovers in the throes of romance.
Cheng Peng let him nuzzle closer, occasionally patting his head as encouragement.
A while ago, Cheng Peng had seriously considered how to handle Jiang Yunjian’s feelings.
He had always drawn clear lines with his lovers—never crossing them. The moment he sensed their feelings changing, he would immediately pull away, end things, and not even give them the chance to confess. He was always generous with breakup fees, making sure to play the role of a considerate benefactor.
After all, getting rid of someone was too much trouble.
He hadn’t been lying or being modest—he truly wasn’t a good person.
But at this moment, not only did he not want to push Jiang Yunjian away, he actually felt like it wasn’t enough. He wanted to hear him say it.
So, as he played with Jiang Yunjian’s ear, he asked directly, “Do you like me?”
Jiang Yunjian’s already-fragile sleepiness vanished instantly. He stared at Cheng Peng, unable to speak for a long time.
Seeing that he had practically forgotten to breathe, Cheng Peng chuckled. “It’s nothing… just a little reminder.”
“If you like someone, you should tell them—say ‘I like you.’ Not just ‘I’m doing fine.'”
“Understand?”
How could Jiang Yunjian not understand?
His Adam’s apple bobbed, but no sound came out.
Cheng Peng waited for a moment but didn’t get the response he wanted. He didn’t mind, though.
Because Jiang Yunjian’s face said it all, clear as day. Cheng Peng wasn’t blind—he could see, he could feel it.
“Alright, I was just saying.” Cheng Peng ruffled his hair. “Go to sleep.”
“…I like you.”
Jiang Yunjian’s voice was soft, but his tone was firm.
He met Cheng Peng’s gaze, his eyes filled with fear, nervousness, and emotions he couldn’t hide.
The person in front of him overlapped with the snow outside the window, making his eyes sting with heat.
“I like you.”
Huge shoutout to @_nyanmaru_ on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.
