Chapter 035
The scene was undeniably awkward. Ming Huai wore nothing but a bathrobe draped over her shoulders, and anyone with working eyes could tell that Xu Zhuo Yan had just emerged from her room. Add to that Ji Tingqian, a third party whose identity remained ambiguous, and the situation practically oozed embarrassment, both overt and subtle.
Xu Zhuoyan, rarely at a loss, glanced between Ming Huai and Ji Tingqian. His usually sharp mind failed to conjure any words, leaving him only able to offer a stiff nod. “I’ll leave immediately.”
Ji Tingqian’s expression was neither good nor bad. His indifferent gaze fixed on Ming Huai, as if trying to burn a hole through him. Never mind that neither Ming Huai nor Xu Zhuoyan could decipher what Ji Tingqian was thinking; even Ji Tingqian himself couldn’t distinguish his own feelings.
“President Xu,” Ming Huai dared not appear overly familiar with Xu Zhuoyan in front of Ji Tingqian, lest the other misinterpret the situation to who-knows-what extent. “Well then, goodbye.”
Xu Zhuoyan nodded, bade farewell to both Ji Tingqian and Ming Huai, and then walked toward the elevator.
Under the bright lights, Ji Tingqian’s expression was completely visible. He watched as Ming Huai walked toward him, step by step, until that tall figure finally came to a halt before the door. Each step felt as though it landed directly on Ming Huai’s heart, filling him with overwhelming tension.
“Brother Ji…” Ming Huai stood mere inches from Ji Tingqian. Lowering his gaze, Ji Tingqian looked down at him, his eyes swirling with emotions too complex to decipher. They were so close—close enough that a simple tilt of the head would bring their lips together.
Ming Huai’s palm, gripping the doorframe, was slightly damp with sweat, and his eyes had grown moist. Carrying the fresh, clean scent of a recent shower, he wore an alluring yet unwitting expression—the most captivating look imaginable.
Gazing at such a beautiful face before him, a fleeting thought crossed Ji Tingqian’s mind: Ming Huai possessed assets, far more than many others. Then another question arose—had Ming Huai ever leveraged those assets?
Memories long dormant suddenly surged forth. Ji Tingqian recalled Ming Huai from that night, lying beneath him, the corners of his eyes flushed crimson, his breaths light and rapid. He would cry, a thin mist clouding his gaze.
If someone else were to see Ming Huai like this…
Dark ink churned violently in Ji Tingqian’s eyes, a fierce anger scorching his heart. He admitted he was jealous; this sudden, overwhelming possessiveness threatened to shatter his reason. It was just as he claimed not to care, yet upon hearing Lin Zhimeng deliberately describe Ming Huai and Xu Zhuoyan together with such flippant words, he had rushed impatiently to Ming Huai’s door.
Ji Tingqian moved like an agile leopard, pushing the rabbit before him inside before swiftly shutting the door, sealing this realm entirely within his own territory.
When Ming Huai was pinned against the wall, he remained in a state of profound bewilderment. Everything unfolding before him seemed utterly illogical; based on what Ming Huai knew, there was simply no way to make sense of Ji Tingqian’s actions.
He doesn’t like me anyway, Ming Huai thought to himself.
“Ming Huai.” Ji Tingqian’s voice remained steady, yet Ming Huai keenly sensed the danger lurking within it. He couldn’t help but flinch, but the next moment, a warm, large hand caressed his neck. Having such a sensitive area suddenly touched by the one he loved, Ming Huai nearly let out a scream.
Ming Huai’s heart pounded like a drum. Under the man’s touch, he lifted his head, his lips slightly parted, his mind already a chaotic mess. This situation was far beyond anything Ming Huai had anticipated at this stage.
Ji Tingqian’s hand gently brushed across Ming Huai’s lips as he asked in a low,深沉 voice, “Did he kiss you here?”
“I…” The denial was on the tip of Ming Huai’s tongue, but at the very last second, he forcibly swallowed it back. His reason returned to his body, and his mind finally began to turn like a wound-up clock. Gazing at Ji Tingqian before him, a wave of ecstatic joy suddenly swept over him.
Ming Huai suppressed the rapidly burgeoning ecstasy. His Adam’s apple bobbed as his voice trembled, and a broad smile spread across his face. “Does Brother Ji care?”
Ji Tingqian’s expression darkened with visible speed, resembling the ominous calm before a storm.
Yet Ming Huai loved nothing more than testing his limits. Turning passivity into initiative, he reached out to wrap his arms around Ji Tingqian’s neck, bringing his own lips to hover just beside Ji Tingqian’s. The movement was fluid and seamless. He sucked gently on the other man’s thin, cool lips, laughing softly. His voice was mumbled yet clear enough for Ji Tingqian to hear.
“Ji Tingqian, are you jealous?”
That was the last thing they said to each other that night. Ji Tingqian had practically fled in panic, leaving Ming Huai in an exceptionally good mood, hugging a pillow and rolling around on the bed several times.
Xu Zhuoyan stayed on set for two days before departing. When he left, Ming Huai made sure to accompany Ji Tingqian in seeing him off at the airport. In the end, Ming Huai deliberately distracted Ji Tingqian so that only he and Xu Zhuoyan remained. With his eyes curved into a smile, Ming Huai expressed his gratitude sincerely: “Thank you so much for that day.”
“No need to thank me,” Xu Zhuoyan replied, caught between laughter and helplessness. He knew all too well just how possessive Ji Tingqian could be toward Ming Huai. “Just make sure you two are happy together. And remember, once you’ve reconciled, explain everything properly to Tingqian.”
After that night, Ji Tingqian’s attitude toward Ming Huai underwent an obvious change; at the very least, the veneer of indifference he had previously maintained around Ming Huai had vanished completely. Or perhaps it was simply that Ming Huai knew exactly how to strike where it hurt most. Relying on certain suspicions, he grew increasingly bold in his actions. While basking in self-satisfaction, he secretly reminded himself that the revolution was not yet successful and that comrades must still strive hard!
Ji Tingqian was avoiding Ming Huai—deliberately, yet subtly.
The turning point that ended this situation was Dudu’s birthday.
Ming Huai knew that Dudu adored Ji Tingqian; if Ji Tingqian could celebrate his birthday with him, the little one would be overjoyed. Ming Huai assumed Ji Tingqian would certainly not refuse such a request. The outcome matched Ming Huai’s expectations, but the process differed significantly: it was Ji Tingqian who took the initiative to approach Ming Huai and inquire about Dudu’s birthday arrangements. This surprised Ming Huai greatly; he had never expected Ji Tingqian to care so deeply about Dudu.
Dudu’s birthday falls in late August. In his heart, Ming Huai was unwilling to miss such an important day for his little treasure, but “The Decree of the Realm” had only just begun filming, and the location was simply too far from City C. Thus, regarding this matter, Ming Huai found himself willing but unable.
Although he couldn’t return to City C, celebrating Dudu’s birthday remotely was certainly no problem. To ensure he could finish early on the big day, Ming Huai explained the situation to Fu Hairong, asking if his scenes could be scheduled earlier. Naturally, such an adjustment posed no issue.
As soon as Ming Huai finished his scenes that afternoon, he rushed back to the hotel without delay, accompanied by Ji Tingqian.
Upon returning, Ming Huai immediately initiated a video call. First came Auntie Chen’s voice, followed by Dudu’s milky little tone. The camera shook slightly, and then Dudu’s small face appeared on the screen. The little one had been well cared for by Auntie Chen; his cheeks were still delightfully chubby.
“Dad, Uncle Ji!” Dudu shouted excitedly.
Ming Huai, caught up in the moment, smiled along. “Dudu, happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday, Dudu,” Ji Tingqian added immediately after.
But then, as if struck by some sudden thought, the corners of Dudu’s mouth turned downward. He looked utterly pitiful. “Dad, I missed you so much.”
Children’s emotions are easily swayed. Ming Huai had been wondering why Dudu didn’t look the least bit sad about him not coming home, only to realize the little one had been saving up his feelings for this very moment.
“I miss Dudu too,” Ming Huai said soothingly. “When Daddy gets back, I’ll bring you delicious treats and spend plenty of time with you, okay?”
Dudu poked the screen with his chubby little hand and replied with surprising understanding, “I know Daddy’s work is very busy and hard. I’ll be good at home and wait for Daddy to come back.”
“That’s right! That’s right!” A child’s mood rides like a rollercoaster, soaring high one moment and dipping low the next. Just like that, Dudu’s spirits lifted, all worries left far behind. He walked over to the toy area by the floor-to-ceiling window and began introducing each gift he had received, one by one.
When Dudu mentioned Ji Tingqian’s gift, Ming Huai cast a surprised glance at him. “When did you send that to Dudu? How come I didn’t know about it?”
Ji Tingqian tapped the desk lightly with his curled fingers and said, “A few days ago, I noticed Lego had released a new series. Thinking Dudu would like it, I decided to give it to him as a birthday present.”
Dudu was earnestly explaining something when suddenly a man’s voice drew nearer. The next moment, Dudu was scooped up into his arms. The man’s handsome face appeared on the screen; he greeted Ming Huai warmly, showing not even a hint of surprise at finding Ji Tingqian there.
He was Lu Jingyuan, Ming Huai’s close friend. Just past thirty, Lu came from a distinguished family of physicians. He and his wife, Cheng Xu, were among the few who knew the truth back then. They had been involved throughout Ming Huai’s entire pregnancy, and over the years, the couple had become Ming Huai’s dearest friends.
“Come on, come on! What did Uncle teach you? What do you say when you see Dad?” Lu Jingyuan laughed heartily.
Dudu immediately stopped squirming. He sat obediently in Lu Jingyuan’s arms, his little face tensed tight. “Dad, thank you.”
And so, Ji Tingqian witnessed a miraculous sight: Ming Huai’s ears suddenly turned completely red, that flush spreading rapidly down to his smooth neck. Glaring at Lu Jingyuan with a flushed face, he protested, “Brother Lu, don’t teach Dudu to say such nonsense.”
“What nonsense is this?” A gentle voice drifted over; the speaker hadn’t shown their face but couldn’t be far away. “Dudu, say it again—the sentence Auntie taught you.”
So Dudu spoke once more, “Dad, thank you for bringing me into this world.”
Ming Huai wished he could vanish into a crack in the earth. The statement was technically true—he had indeed brought Dudu into this world—but standing nearby was Ji Tingqian, who knew nothing of the full story. To his ears, the words carried unmistakable ambiguity.
Sure enough, the moment Ming Huai turned his head, he caught Ji Tingqian looking at him with an expression hovering between amusement and irony. Irritation flared within him unbidden; he shot Ji Tingqian a fierce glare, intending to signal that he should stop while he was ahead. Little did he know, that glare lacked any real bite. “Stop laughing!”
Besides the Lu Jingyuan couple, two men and one woman joined in celebrating Dudu’s birthday today. They were all friends Ming Huai had made after Ji Tingqian’s accident, their connection stemming solely from Ming Huai’s unique constitution. There were also a few other children at home. All in all, even though Ming Huai wasn’t physically beside Dudu, the birthday celebration was lively and joyful.
After the video call ended, Ming Huai dragged Ji Tingqian along for dinner. His excuse was rather flimsy; he claimed it was a way of thanking Ji Tingqian for spending so much time celebrating Dudu’s birthday.
It was still early, only seven-thirty, so Ming Huai searched online for good restaurants nearby. Taking Ji Tingqian’s preferences into account, the two ultimately decided on a famous barbecue spot close by.
By the time they left the barbecue restaurant, it was already eight-thirty. Since the place was very nearby, they hadn’t driven there, and now planned to walk back.
The two were fairly well concealed, each wearing a baseball cap and a face mask. Yet as they walked, Ming Huai couldn’t stay still; he reached out and firmly grasped Ji Tingqian’s hand. He held on so tightly that no matter how hard Ji Tingqian tried, he couldn’t shake him off.
Fortunately, Ming Huai still had some sense of propriety; after holding on for about two minutes, he let go. Yet the smugness on his face was impossible to hide—he looked just like a cat that had stolen fish, a very handsome cat indeed.
After the joy subsided, Ming Huai finally realized, a bit belatedly, that he ought to care about the other person’s feelings. He lifted his head and quietly glanced at Ji Tingqian. Seeing no trace of displeasure on the other man’s face, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Tilting his head, his eyes curving into crescents, he called out softly, “Ji Tingqian, Brother.”
Under the dim yellow glow of the streetlamp, Ji Tingqian looked at the young man beside him, who stood half a head shorter. The other’s eyes were truly beautiful; every time they looked at him, they seemed filled with starlight, and within that starlight was reflected his own image. Suddenly, a strange sensation surged within Ji Tingqian’s heart—a feeling that was both familiar and strangely foreign.
The two leisurely made their way back to the hotel. As soon as Ming Huai stepped out of the elevator, he received a phone call from Yu Fanglan.
Yu Fanglan was staying on a different floor. After hanging up, Ming Huai turned around and pressed the elevator button again. “Sister Lan is looking for me,” he said. “Brother Ji, you go back first. Goodnight.”
Ji Tingqian nodded, but he neither left nor spoke, simply standing side by side with Ming Huai as they waited for the elevator.
After a while, the elevator arrived. Ming Huai stepped inside and said once more, “Ji Tingqian, goodnight. And… I like you.”
The elevator doors had already closed. Ji Tingqian remained where he stood for a moment. Just as he turned to leave, his gaze fell upon a small object on the floor—a red string cord strikingly visible against the beige carpet.
Ji Tingqian bent down to pick it up. The red cord was ordinary, but the jade bead strung upon it was of fine quality. He examined the bracelet carefully, his brow furrowing slightly; it looked strangely familiar.