Jing Mian froze.
His mother’s voice came from nearby, tinged with a smile and a hint of helplessness. “Your brother has his own things to do; he can’t always carry you.”
Jing Mian’s small hands dropped, his eyelashes hanging with unshed tears, and he remained silent.
The person holding him didn’t move, maintaining the embrace. A moment later, the young man’s voice whispered gently in his ear, soft and clear: “It’s okay.”
“Whenever you feel better, I’ll put you down.”
Jing Mian: “…”
Perhaps because the young man was holding his hand, Jing Mian felt a bit more confident and whispered in protest, “Getting chased by a dog happens to everyone.”
Hearing this, Song Yuhang laughed even harder, his voice gentle but merciless: “Mom has only heard of people being chased by large dogs, not by a teacup dog for two blocks, crying so hard they hiccup. Hahaha…”
Jing Mian: “…”
The little boy’s cheeks gradually turned red, even the tips of his ears.
The young man noticed, feeling the small hand in his palm tremble, probably from anger.
So, Jing Mian was lifted from a side hug to a more secure embrace around his neck.
It was a very secure and comforting hug.
At the same time, a fruit candy was placed in his mouth.
It was the lemon flavor Jing Mian loved the most.
The sweet and refreshing taste spread through his mouth, and Jing Mian rested his head on the young man’s neck, thinking to himself:
—Brother is the most beautiful person in the world.
He also has the best smell in the world.
Even decades from now, even if Brother changes into a form he doesn’t recognize, the smell will help him identify Brother instantly.
…
Jing Mian woke up with a start.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in his dorm room.
It was pitch black, and the snoring from the other beds sounded like a construction site with drills.
Jing Mian sat up, dazed for a few seconds, then realized it had been a dream.
Jing Mian: “…”
He couldn’t believe he had dreamed about such a distant childhood memory.
He remembered that after saying goodbye to Mr. Ren last night, he had returned to the dorm. Song Yuhang, worried he might be hungry, had brought back a box of fried noodles.
It was now four in the morning.
Jing Mian lay back down, scratching his head, feeling a bit conflicted.
Speaking of Mr. Ren…
Jing Mian couldn’t help but recall the dream he just had.
How could one person change so much?
And now, he and Brother were legally considered lovers.
…
Jing Mian wasn’t sure which was more shocking.
He raised his hand, staring blankly at his left hand. On his ring finger was a small mole, and below it, a new ring.
In the darkness, it shimmered with a delicate glow.
Jing Mian and Mr. Ren’s engagement party was held on the top floor of a hotel near Suishui in Lincity.
Unlike a wedding, the engagement party was relatively simple, without the grandeur and complexity. Chen Nian delivered the suit to the dressing room and saw the stylist adjusting Jing Mian’s hair in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
Chen Nian put the clothes aside and couldn’t help but praise, “No wonder you’re Mr. Jing, just a little touch-up and you look like a star.”
The two stylists couldn’t help but laugh. The one adjusting Jing Mian’s hair said, “Little Chen, we haven’t even started the makeup yet. Mr. Jing just changed into a base shirt and pants.”
“…”
Chen Nian was shocked.
Having followed Brother Ren for almost two years, he had seen countless celebrities who relied on their looks, but none of them compared to Mr. Jing. Chen Nian couldn’t describe it—Jing Mian was tall and slender, different from the ‘kid’ Brother Ren often mentioned. The young man now exuded a different aura.
His long lashes cast shadows on his almond-shaped eyes, and his raised forearm, connected to the shirt sleeve, outlined his clean and sharp features. A few strands of hair softly fell, and from this angle, he looked like a still frame in a painting.
He was so handsome and pure, yet his elegant and fair neck and narrow waistline made observers feel a bit restless.
… Not relying on his looks was a waste.
Just as Chen Nian was about to speak, he heard a knock on the door.
He turned, opened it, and saw a middle-aged man in a suit, holding a high-end green gift box. He leaned in and asked, “Is Mr. Jing here?”
Chen Nian recognized him as Director Liang, a producer he had met before, so he didn’t answer directly. “What do you need Mr. Jing for?”
Director Liang smiled and said, “I heard it was Mr. Ren’s birthday yesterday, and I haven’t given him a gift yet. Since I didn’t see Mr. Ren, I thought giving it to Mr. Jing would be the same…”
Chen Nian understood. Director Liang had been trying to pitch a project for a while and had faced rejection. Since Brother Ren was in the adjacent hall and could even find Jing Mian’s dressing room, it was unlikely he hadn’t seen Mr. Ren.
Chen Nian didn’t mince words: “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Director Liang. You can leave the engagement gift at the front desk of the main hall. As for the birthday, it’s really not necessary. You should know that Brother Ren never celebrates his birthday.”
After sending Director Liang away, the dressing room became quiet.
Jing Mian was surprised and asked, “Was it Mr. Ren’s birthday yesterday?”
“Yes,” Chen Nian nodded and smiled. “But you don’t need to worry, Brother Ren never celebrates his birthday. Everyone in the industry knows that, for years.”
Childhood memories came flooding back, and Jing Mian remembered that Brother’s birthday was on November 4th.
He had forgotten it, partly because they had lost contact, and partly because yesterday was also his mother’s anniversary.
He had gone to the cemetery to clean his mother’s grave.
But to hear about Mr. Ren’s birthday from someone else, Jing Mian fell into deep thought.
As his legal partner… he felt a bit inadequate.
The engagement party went smoothly.
Jing Mian sat on a nearby bench, his legs stretched out lazily, trying to ease the soreness from standing for so long.
The refreshing sweetness in his mouth gradually relaxed his tense nerves. The lemon candy, originally round, had been flattened by his mouth.
Mr. Ren had given it to him before the engagement ceremony.
Jing Mian lowered his eyes, staring at the floor.
The ceremony wasn’t as long as he had imagined. Jing Mian planned to wait for Mr. Ren to finish up and then say goodbye.
Soon, he saw Mr. Ren approaching.
Jing Mian stood up, about to speak, but Mr. Ren asked first:
“Do you have any plans later?”
Jing Mian was taken aback and replied, “No.”
It was true; he had planned to go back to school right after the party, just in time for the curfew.
But did Mr. Ren have something in mind?
Before Jing Mian could think further, Ren Xingwan spoke again. In Jing Mian’s eyes, the man’s voice was low and indifferent, almost toneless: “Would it be convenient for you to move in with me?”
Jing Mian’s pupils dilated.
His heart skipped a beat.
If he understood correctly, this was essentially asking him… if he wanted to live together.
Realizing this, Jing Mian’s throat went dry, and he stammered, “Um… c-convenient.”
There was no long silence.
It felt like they were discussing where to have dinner, giving a false sense of normalcy.
Ren Xingwan said, “I’ll help you move your things.”
Jing Mian sat in the passenger seat, watching the bustling traffic pass by, still in shock.
“…”
So, they were on their way to his dorm.
He was really moving in with Mr. Ren?
There was no sense of reality, and when Mr. Ren asked where his things were, Jing Mian’s eyelashes trembled, and his response was delayed.
Jing Mian had packed three boxes: two to fit in the closet, and one to place on the balcony, as it wasn’t moisture-sensitive. The items were few and easy to move.
However, Jing Mian had mentally prepared for moving in with Mr. Ren, imagining countless scenarios, but none matched the current situation.
As they approached the school, Jing Mian zipped up his jacket, bundling himself up for warmth.
Before getting out of the car, he heard Mr. Ren’s voice:
“Is it okay if I tell your roommate who I am?”
Jing Mian paused.
His Adam’s apple moved. “Yes, it’s okay.”
Initially, he hadn’t told his roommates to avoid causing trouble for Mr. Ren, but if Ren Xingwan didn’t mind, Jing Mian’s concerns eased a bit.
The campus was nearly deserted at this late hour, except for the lights in the study rooms and a few couples walking on the paths and asphalt roads. With the make-up exams the next day, the cold weather kept most students indoors.
The closer they got to the dorm, the more nervous Jing Mian felt.
He had never mentioned Mr. Ren to his three roommates. It should be fine, right?
Should he send a WeChat message to prepare them?
Jing Mian thought about it but decided it wasn’t a good idea. If he posted in the group, “I’m bringing Ren Congmian back to the dorm. He’s actually my husband, so don’t be too surprised,” it would only make things worse.
Jing Mian: “…”
Forget it.
Jing Mian decided to let things unfold naturally.
After swiping his card to enter, the dorm corridor was empty since it wasn’t time for washing up. Jing Mian silently breathed a sigh of relief.
They were on the fourth floor. The young man hesitated but decided to take the stairs instead of the elevator, leading Mr. Ren to a less crowded area.
As they approached the dorm room, Jing Mian felt his palms sweating.
Soon, he stopped.
Finding the door unlocked, he knocked.
Hearing Song Yuhang’s familiar voice, “MianMian, you’re back?” Jing Mian nodded and opened the door.
The three roommates were unusually not playing games but studying under the lights, preparing for the make-up exams.
When they looked up to see Jing Mian, their gazes froze.
A stranger stood behind Jing Mian.
Jing Mian pursed his lips, unsure how to introduce him.
The man wore a black hat and mask, tall and handsome, his figure almost completely overshadowing the young man in front. Ren Xingwan’s lashes were thick and his eyes a lighter shade. His voice was cold and indifferent: “Hello.”
Familiar yet unfamiliar.
Out of politeness, the man pulled down his mask. The dorm lights cast a deep shadow under his hat, making him look mysterious and aloof. Mr. Ren’s voice was even and cool:
“I am Jing Mian’s partner.”
Jing Mian was stunned.
His heart raced.
It was a completely unexpected response, and Jing Mian swallowed hard.
The dorm fell silent.
Almost into a dead silence.
Jing Mian’s ears turned red, and he broke the silence: “Um… he’s Ren Congmian.”
…
Jing Mian couldn’t remember how he got Mr. Ren into the room and helped him retrieve the boxes from the closet and balcony.
But his usually unreliable roommates were surprisingly reliable this time.
Even with wide eyes, they didn’t forget to stand up and shake hands with Mr. Ren, greeting him politely.
The moving process went smoothly, unusually quiet.
The roommates buried themselves in their books, making no writing or flipping sounds, and even their breathing was barely audible.
Jing Mian: “…”
The effect was too overwhelming.
Just before leaving, Song Yuhang suddenly grabbed Jing Mian’s arm, turned, and took out a light gray scarf from a handbag.
“It’s getting cold outside. This is the one you bought last time. I picked it up from the station. Wear it later,” Song Yuhang said.
Jing Mian nodded.
Song Yuhang was reliable.
… If not for the slight tremor in the hand holding his arm.
The two boxes were placed in the trunk, and Jing Mian, holding the lightest box, was seated in the back.
The car started again, heading to Mr. Ren’s home.
For some reason, Jing Mian felt even more nervous in the passenger seat than on the way to the school.
After all, he was going to a completely unfamiliar place.
And he would be living with Mr. Ren, who he didn’t know well, as partners, perhaps for the rest of his life.
The thought made him nervous.
Outside the car window, the dark sky began to snow, the fine flakes slowly landing on the window and melting instantly.
… It was snowing?
Jing Mian’s thoughts were drawn to it. He realized it was the first snow of the year.
The first snow.
Seemingly remembering something, Jing Mian turned to Mr. Ren, hesitating for a few seconds before speaking: “I’m sorry, it was your birthday yesterday, and I only found out today.”
Jing Mian pursed his lips and said softly:
“If you want any gift, I can make it up to you.”
“…”
The man clearly paused.
He turned to look at Jing Mian, their eyes meeting.
After a few seconds of silence, Mr. Ren said, “It’s fine.”
Jing Mian: “…”
Okay.
He had overthought it.
It seemed Mr. Ren really didn’t like birthdays, or perhaps he didn’t like receiving gifts, which was why he had directly refused.
But that was fine.
Jing Mian felt a bit relieved.
The car entered a spacious residential area, slightly away from the city center but not remote. It was a high-end neighborhood with a pleasant environment, one Jing Mian had seen in news and newspapers.
So, this was Mr. Ren’s home.
It wasn’t in the city center, by the river, or in the villa in the suburbs.
… Not even the agent or assistant knew about this place.
Jing Mian waited for the car to stop, unbuckled his seatbelt, and obediently got out.
He had expected to go directly to the parking garage, but the car stopped outside. Jing Mian, wrapped in a light down jacket, was warm but had cold, red fingertips.
He was a bit confused.
Soon, Jing Mian understood. Mr. Ren took him to the entrance of the residential area to register his fingerprint, get a new key, and memorize the backup code.
Jing Mian nodded, repeating the numbers a few times, and trembling, he attached the key to his keychain.
They returned to where the car had stopped.
The vast night sky enveloped them, making it feel like they were the only two people in the world, with only the falling snow and jingling keys for company.
Jing Mian lowered his eyes, seeing the edge of his scarf.
Thankfully, Song Yuhang had given him the scarf before they left, keeping his neck warm. The mist from his breath, mixed with snowflakes, made his lips even redder.
Jing Mian looked up and saw Mr. Ren in his coat.
The first snow was always cold. Without a warm down jacket, wasn’t Mr. Ren cold?
Jing Mian paused.
As his legal partner, he had a sudden realization. He raised his hand, wrapped the scarf around his neck, and carefully removed it.
“Mr. Ren.”
Then, without warning, Jing Mian tied the scarf around Mr. Ren’s neck, carefully and gently, his fingers slightly cold.
Despite trying not to touch, he accidentally brushed against Mr. Ren’s Adam’s apple. Jing Mian pursed his lips, his voice soft and a bit weak: “This, for you.”
Ren Xingwan’s pupils dilated.
His fingers involuntarily curled, and the skin where he had been touched by the young man’s fingers felt a bit rough.
After finishing, Jing Mian quickly put his hands, along with the keychain, back into his jacket pocket to avoid the cold.
It was time to get back in the car for warmth.
But he suddenly noticed the atmosphere was off.
The action seemed to have created a moment of silence and tension.
Jing Mian: “…”
He wondered if he had done something unnecessary.
But.
Ren Xingwan exhaled lightly, the mist heavy and wet. The man, still expressionless, suddenly said:
“Does the birthday gift you mentioned earlier still count?”
Jing Mian was taken aback.
He was clearly confused.
Jing Mian wanted to say that the scarf was actually meant as a birthday gift for Mr. Ren. It was new, and he had only worn it on the way. Though not very expensive, he had put a lot of thought into choosing it, and it made Mr. Ren look even more handsome and stylish.
But being asked this question left him at a loss.
Jing Mian’s throat was dry, and he said, “…Yes.”
…
This time, the cold air didn’t remain silent for long.
Ren Xingwan lowered his eyes, his voice slightly low:
“Can I kiss you?”
Jing Mian’s heart skipped a beat.
…
He thought he had misheard.
The vast night sky enveloped them. After a long moment of surprise, Jing Mian managed to find his heartbeat again.
The young man swallowed, his fingers curling, and he heard his own voice, confused and flustered, ask: “Where do you want to… kiss?”
The man’s voice was low and even, almost toneless, but it sounded hoarse:
“On the lips.”