Chapter 24

Ye Ji’an had actually seen a scene similar to this one before. On a cold winter night some years ago, he returned home without even changing his clothes, collapsed onto his bed, and fell asleep immediately. After lying there for more than ten minutes, he suddenly woke up, still reluctant to move, and lonely, he began scrolling through his social media feed. He saw updates from his college classmates—one girl had been proposed to on Valentine’s Day, rose petals scattered across the trunk of a car, candles flickering at each corner, and in the center, a small box containing a ring.

Perhaps too excited, the old classmate posted several times, with videos and a grid of photos. For reasons he couldn’t quite understand, Ye Ji’an clicked through each one, and when he was starving, the happiness of others washed over him like a tidal wave, leaving a sour taste that was quite memorable.

Now, a much larger pool of flowers lay before him.

It might be strange to describe it as a “pool,” but Ye Ji’an couldn’t think of a more accurate term. It wasn’t just petals; it was whole roses, crowded together, like surging waves of water. The red was so deep it almost seemed to bleed. And this pool contained not just roses; they served merely as a base. Above the flowers sat a rather unremarkable small box, next to which was a glass case. Inside, a tiny short-tailed lizard lay peacefully, its colors a mix of red and green, with a pattern resembling a small pineapple, yet smoother, illuminated by the circular light of the trunk.

“This is a baby pinecone lizard, only three months old,” Liang Xiao explained. “It was sent over from Australia; luckily, it didn’t lose its tail.”

“For me?” Ye Ji’an looked at Liang Xiao’s slightly nervous expression and couldn’t help but laugh. He thought the little creature looked round-headed and chubby, probably easier to touch than Marx, so he picked up the glass case to take a closer look. “It doesn’t seem very lively.”

“It’s too cold outside; it’s not used to it yet,” Liang Xiao said, raising his hand to gently touch the glass with his reddened fingertips. The lizard opened its mouth, as if to show off, and stuck out its blue tongue at him. Liang Xiao laughed, “The butler just brought it over from the airport, and he also drove me here, but I arranged all these flowers myself just now.”

Ye Ji’an was indeed taken aback by the term “butler,” but then he thought, what was there to be surprised about? This young master had always been treated like royalty at home. As for why the gift was brought from the airport—wasn’t it likely that such a precious living creature warranted someone being sent to escort it across the ocean? He carefully placed the shivering little pinecone back in the trunk, touched Liang Xiao’s equally cold face, and looked deeply into his eyes. “I really like it.”

“Let’s call it Engels,” he added.

Liang Xiao blinked his long eyelashes, his excitement palpable. “This species and color are super hard to find and difficult to care for. I waited in line for over three years. The day my lizard was bred, hatched, and passed the health check, I thought to myself that if I could be with you, Senior, I would give it to you.” When he talked about reptiles, Liang Xiao had his own sparkling little world, and the joy he radiated was so pure that it made Ye Ji’an want to kiss him. But since they were right outside his company, he had to hold back for now.

He held Liang Xiao’s hand tightly, giving it a gentle squeeze. The faint floral scent floated in the cold wind, like sweet rock candy. “So can I say it’s the fruit of our love?”

Liang Xiao turned his face away. “Don’t… that’s too cheesy.”

Ye Ji’an laughed heartily and stopped teasing him. He was about to close the trunk to let Engels warm up, but Liang Xiao stopped him. “There’s more!” He picked up the small box next to the glass case and shoved it into Ye Ji’an’s hands.

When Ye Ji’an opened it, he found a car key inside, the logo a stylized L—Lexus.

“I even got the license plate; it’s parked in our garage. I bought it with my own salary, and this is all I could afford. It’s an LS model, black. I think it’s perfect for commuting in the city,” Liang Xiao said earnestly. “I will earn more in the future and can buy you something better, Senior.”

Ye Ji’an stood there, stunned, unable to speak for a long time. He knew that this brand of car was imported, costing at least a hundred thousand or so, which was certainly good enough for him. However, the main reason he was at a loss for words was that Liang Xiao’s statement was just too adorable.

It left him unsure how to refuse.

“It’s just a Valentine’s Day gift…” he paused, “I mean, a car is too extravagant.”

“This is our first Valentine’s Day together; it’s a very important day.”

“I know. I’m really touched that you bought it with your own salary, and I understand your intentions,” Ye Ji’an leaned his head on Liang Xiao’s shoulder, rubbing against him. “But you could have just spent a little of that money and given me a rose. Besides, with this whole trunk full of roses and Engels, I’m already very satisfied.”

Liang Xiao didn’t say anything, just hugged him tightly again and tucked the car key into his coat pocket. It wasn’t until they both got into the car and the warm air from the heater began to blow that he spoke up. “Did I make you feel uncomfortable with what I did, Senior?”

Ye Ji’an was taken aback. “I didn’t expect it.”

Liang Xiao didn’t rush to step on the gas, his expression in the rearview mirror thoughtful. “I still can’t grasp that balance, the distance in relationships. I often forget to think from others’ perspectives,” he seemed to be carefully choosing his words. “If this puts pressure on you, I hope you can forget about it.”

Ye Ji’an thought to himself that this wouldn’t do; this wasn’t the development he wanted. Seeing Liang Xiao’s aggrieved expression, he felt that the Vietnamese food they had been waiting for would lose its flavor. “Hey, you really hit the nail on the head with that pressure. I was completely dazed just now,” he squeezed Liang Xiao’s hand. “Do you know what I was planning to give you? Compared to this, it feels utterly inadequate. I feel so embarrassed.”

Liang Xiao turned to look at him, sulking. “What is it?”

Ye Ji’an opened his bulging bag and pulled out a paper box. “Even ugly gifts have to be given to a boyfriend; let’s see what it is.”

Liang Xiao almost laughed but managed to hold it in, his face still serious. He carefully tore open the wrapping, and when he saw the Canon logo, his eyes lit up. Once he had unwrapped it completely and the model of the lens was revealed, he hugged the box to his chest. “How did you know I didn’t have this?”

“It’s all sitting on the shelf; I can’t sneak a peek,” Ye Ji’an shot him a playful glare. “You have to take more photos for me in the future. When I become an old man who looks terrible, you’ll have to rely on those photos to remember how handsome and dashing I am now.”

Liang Xiao finally broke into a smile. “This is for taking landscape photos.”

Ye Ji’an hesitated. “…Then use it for other things!”

“Yeah, I have over a dozen lenses suitable for taking portraits,” he said, rhythmically blinking his eyes like a camera shutter, pointing with his fingers. “I still want to use them.”

Ye Ji’an understood what he meant, and his previously cold fingertips warmed up. He helped Liang Xiao put the box away. “By then, you’ll be an old man too, and if you can’t take clear photos, it’ll be just right to cover up my wrinkles.”

“Senior, will you marry me? When we become old, will we still be together?”

The question came so suddenly that Ye Ji’an almost thought he was hallucinating from having consumed too much Lao Chen vinegar earlier in the afternoon. The lingering effects hadn’t worn off yet, and with Roman talking about proposals, he found himself fantasizing in a hurry.

Turning his head, he saw Liang Xiao resting against the backseat, focused on him. “I originally wanted to use the rose car for the proposal, but I thought it was a bit cliché, not solemn enough, like those influencers selling clothes for attention,” he said, shyly averting his gaze. He then looked at Ye Ji’an’s hand and softly said, “I still haven’t figured out how a proposal should be done, how to put on the ring, but it’s too early for that now. I will give you a surprise.”

Night had completely fallen, and the warm orange lights reflected on Liang Xiao’s face. Ye Ji’an focused his gaze, able to see that shade of orange, and reached out his hand; he could touch that orange. This was real, not an illusion.

As for the taste of vinegar… it dissipated with a few waves. Ye Ji’an understood that was the false thing.

“Senior?” Liang Xiao seemed a bit uncertain due to his silence.

“Hey, why can’t it be me proposing? Is it because I’m the shou? But I’m older!” Ye Ji’an frowned and pinched his cheek.

Liang Xiao’s eyes widened, and he suddenly laughed. “Don’t steal my thunder! If you propose before me, I won’t agree.”

Ye Ji’an was at a loss for how to respond to such a cheeky statement, but then he had a sudden idea. “How about this: the car can be a wedding gift. When the time is right, I, Mrs. Liang, will drive it up Chang’an Street every day, conveniently picking up Mr. Liang for work.”

“—As long as we don’t get stuck on the Fifth Ring Road,” Liang Xiao finally came to his senses, unbuckling his seatbelt and pulling Ye Ji’an into a tight embrace. Ye Ji’an laughed, wrapping his arms around his neck, and they kissed, almost igniting a spark, unwilling to part.

If one were to objectively evaluate that dinner, it could only be described as unremarkable, overall falling short of Ye Ji’an’s expectations. However, Liang Xiao, the picky one, seemed to enjoy it quite a bit, even drinking a lot of plum wine and wanting to stick to Ye Ji’an to drink together. The fragrant little cloth was parked outside, and there was no rush; the butler had already arranged for a designated driver for his young master. As for the sports car being a two-seater, what were these two supposed to do after drinking? The butler certainly wouldn’t let his young master be put out, so a Land Rover waited outside, staying until nearly eleven o’clock, when Ye Ji’an helped Liang Xiao out from the restaurant.

“Hello, my surname is Feng,” the butler said, seeing that Liang Xiao had obediently settled into the back seat, and then he extended his hand to Ye Ji’an.

Ye Ji’an felt a bit intimidated, facing the serious-looking middle-aged man, neatly dressed with graying hair, who indeed fit the image of a butler perfectly. He was probably the closest person to Liang Xiao that Ye Ji’an had met, aside from Hu-ma. Fearing he might leave a bad impression, he adopted a professional demeanor. “Hello, I’m sorry for the late hour.”

“Not at all,” Butler Feng said, shaking his wrist vigorously, suddenly breaking into a warm smile as he opened the door for Ye Ji’an. “Xiao Xiao often mentions you; it’s great to finally meet you in person!”

After that, for quite a long stretch of the car ride, Ye Ji’an noticed that the man in the passenger seat kept glancing over at him, seemingly observing him, while Liang Xiao kept his gaze fixed on Ye Ji’an’s face, cuddling him like a little animal. “Uncle Feng, I really like him! Go back and tell my dad, and don’t forget to mention this!” he said, beaming. “I really, really like him.”

Butler Feng smiled, his eyes crinkling with wrinkles, and nodded in agreement.

Ye Ji’an felt his face heat up, holding the squirming creature in his arms, like cradling a little kitten.

Of course, once they got home and settled Engels in, and after shedding their clothes, that kitten turned into a tiger. Ye Ji’an was certainly not unprepared; to be precise, he was quite eager. After the Spring Festival holiday, this was the first time, and after the stimulation he had received in the afternoon, his upper mouth couldn’t express anything, but below, he felt as if he wanted to swallow Liang Xiao whole. It was the first time he discovered how skilled he was at being petty and brooding.

They moved from the bathroom to the living room, then to the dining table, and finally rolled around on the bed. In the end, Ye Ji’an straddled Liang Xiao, twisting his waist, almost fainting from pleasure. The frustration melted away, leaving only pure bliss. In those fleeting moments, he leaned down to embrace Liang Xiao, thinking, you are mine, and you must always be.

The consequence of indulgence was a tragic morning. Ye Ji’an usually woke up fifteen minutes early, put on a shirt, and made sandwiches. Suddenly, he felt something was off; his chest was prickling uncomfortably. He set down the half-sliced tomato and rushed to the nearby bathroom to lift his shirt and look in the mirror.

The poor two nipples were already swollen, a fragile red, as if they were about to burst.

How could they withstand the friction of a shirt? Moreover, according to Liang Xiao, his tattoo could occasionally peek through; what if someone saw it?

Ye Ji’an took a deep breath, resignedly grabbed two Band-Aids, and applied them to himself, smoothing the stickers over his nipples in the mirror. This action was quite awkward, especially since Liang Xiao was washing up at that moment and had to use that bathroom.

He leaned next to Ye Ji’an, his eyes wide, silently helping him button up his shirt while also hugging him.

“We’re going to be late…!” Ye Ji’an ducked out to continue making sandwiches, reminding himself. Because he had just been enveloped in that embrace, he even entertained the thought of calling in sick.

This was too dangerous.

Fortunately, they caught the last train just in time; if they had missed it, they would have been late for their morning run. The morning’s work went relatively smoothly, except for Ye Ji’an feeling uncomfortable due to the two things on his chest, constantly suppressing the strange urge to slip away to the restroom to adjust.

A few minutes before lunch break, he put in two drops of eye drops, his eyes bright as he looked out the glass wall, of course, to see Liang Xiao. He saw that the man was surrounded by several colleagues, both male and female, chatting about something that didn’t seem work-related, but from the side, he looked like he was frowning, nodding slightly, and appeared somewhat displeased. Perhaps it was about the team-building event the next day? Who could be happy about a stormy hike? Ye Ji’an didn’t think much of it.

For lunch, they had Xinjiang hand-pulled rice from two streets away. Liang Xiao looked ordinary, but he kept staring at Ye Ji’an, mischievously asking if he needed new Band-Aids, claiming he had replacements, which made Ye Ji’an angrily devour four skewers of lamb.

In the afternoon, Liang Xiao disappeared for a while, about half an hour. Ye Ji’an didn’t remember him having any outdoor work, but perhaps he was called by some leader for a chat. As a newcomer, there were always many trivial matters. Around three-thirty, Liang Xiao returned with a document folder, sat at his workstation for a while, and about half an hour later, Ye Ji’an received the report he had just completed in his inbox. Just as he was browsing through it, there was a knock on the door, and in walked Liang Xiao again.

Ye Ji’an looked at the brown paper bag in his hand. “You printed it out? I don’t think there’s anything that needs changing; just leave it on the corner of the desk.”

“Not that.” Liang Xiao smiled brightly, holding the paper bag out in front of him. “Senior, open it now and take a look; it’s urgent.”

Ye Ji’an took it, carefully examining it. The surface of the paper bag was blank, and there was no urgent document stamp. He raised an eyebrow, looking suspiciously at Liang Xiao, who still wore a confident expression, nodding for him to hurry and look.

Inside were two sheets of paper printed with the group logo, feeling very smooth to the touch.

However, the paper was placed upside down. He opened the bag, pulled out a sheet, and just as he saw the signature, he was stunned to find it was in cursive, dated today, with a name above the date, stamped with a seal.

In vermilion red, the cursive characters were vaguely recognizable: Chu Yunfei.

Ye Ji’an tightened his grip on the page’s edge, unable to pull it out any further, staring at Liang Xiao with his mouth agape.

He had only seen that signature a couple of times in very rare circumstances, as the projects he usually worked on were not within its scope.

That was the name of his big boss.