ASFSODS 60

Late at night, when all was silent, Jiang Siheng sat in his study, reading the emails that had arrived that evening, his expression growing colder by the minute.

“How’s it going? Did your company’s secretary dig up anything else?” The study was clearly empty except for Jiang Siheng, yet another voice spoke.

Jiang Siheng lifted his gaze to the video call, where Qin Xiyu’s face appeared. His brows were sharp, his voice cool. “Yes.”

Qin Xiyu studied the email Jiang Siheng had sent over, his expression becoming just as grim as Jiang’s had been moments ago. “Is he insane? I checked and he has no disputes with Wen Chi. So what’s the point of contacting so many people like this? What’s he after?”

“His target isn’t Wen Chi. It’s me.” Jiang Siheng printed out the documents, casually picked up a pen, and circled several points.

“…You?”

Jiang Siheng didn’t answer Qin Xiyu’s question. Instead, as if amused by some private realization, he gave a quiet laugh. “I think I know why Xu Yuqing’s been doing all this.”

Qin Xiyu scanned the papers again, still not spotting anything obvious. “Let’s hear it.”

Jiang Siheng was about to speak when a soft knock sounded on the study door. The room was quiet enough that Qin Xiyu heard it too.

Jiang Siheng set the documents down beside his computer, covering them with other papers, and called, “Come in.” The door swung open, and a fluffy head poked inside.

Wen Chi, dressed in loose, comfortable clothes, hugged a throw pillow he had “stolen” from the sofa and looked toward Jiang Siheng behind the computer. “You’re not resting yet?”

“In a bit.” Jiang Siheng saw him lingering at the doorway and beckoned. “Why stand there?”

Wen Chi shuffled in with a soft slap-slap of his slippers. Jiang Siheng asked, “Why are you up again? Not feeling well?”

He had just been to the guest room earlier and found Wen Chi asleep, leaving only after confirming he was resting. But barely twenty minutes later, Wen Chi had shown up clutching a pillow.

“No.”

Wen Chi shook his head, curling into Jiang Siheng’s arms and perching on his lap. “Thirsty. I wanted some water.”

Focused entirely on Jiang Siheng, Wen Chi didn’t notice that on the computer screen, Qin Xiyu had raised an eyebrow at the sight of him sitting in Jiang Siheng’s lap.

With Wen Chi’s soft hair brushing his neck, Jiang Siheng leaned over to take the water cup from the desk. Without needing Wen Chi to move, he held him with one arm and brought the cup to his lips with the other.

Wen Chi sipped a few mouthfuls, then pulled back and shook his head. “No more.”

“Alright.” Jiang Siheng set the cup back down.

With his throat no longer dry, Wen Chi smacked his lips, then turned his head casually, only to meet Qin Xiyu’s half-smiling gaze on the computer screen.

Wen Chi: “…”

Wen Chi: “…?”

Hesitantly, he reached out and poked the screen with a finger, only to see Qin Xiyu raise his brow again.

“What the—!” Wen Chi sprang from Jiang Siheng’s lap, pointing at the computer in shock. “You were on a video call with Mr. Qin?!”

Jiang Siheng nodded, utterly unapologetic. “Yes.”

“And just now I…” Wen Chi recalled his own actions and let out a wail. Mortifying.

Before Wen Chi could fantasize about fleeing the planet, the ever-amused Qin Xiyu finally spoke, with feigned kindness. “Don’t worry, I can pretend I didn’t see anything.”

Wen Chi: “…”

Jiang Siheng chuckled at the sight of Wen Chi glaring fiercely at him from behind the computer. Qin Xiyu then asked, “So, you’re together?”

Wen Chi’s earlier behavior had been far too natural, and since this wasn’t for a variety show, there was no reason to act intimate unless it was genuine. So when Jiang Siheng answered, “Mm,” Qin Xiyu wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Qin Xiyu: “Congratulations.”

Jiang Siheng: “Thanks. When we get married, I’ll have you sit at the main table.”

Qin Xiyu: “Pfft.”

Wen Chi: “?!”

Married? What married?? Didn’t we only make things official just over four hours ago? And now he’s already thinking about marriage?!

Jiang Siheng glanced at the computer clock, told Qin Xiyu they’d talk later, and ended the call without giving him a chance to respond. Looking up, he found Wen Chi standing with his hands on his hips, glaring furiously.

Jiang Siheng rose, stepped over to him, took the pillow from his arms, tucked it behind his waist, and tapped his nose with a bent finger. “What are you being so fierce for?”

Pressed against the desk, Wen Chi held his breath as Jiang’s handsome face came close. He shifted slightly, only to accidentally meet Jiang Siheng’s gaze, and in that moment, saw himself reflected in those dark eyes. His heart gave a faint, involuntary squeeze.

As if bewitched, Wen Chi steeled himself, closed his eyes, and pressed his lips against the man’s soft ones.

Wen Chi didn’t know how to kiss. He had no technique at all, just licking clumsily like a little animal savoring something it loved, almost driving Jiang Siheng crazy.

“No more kissing.” Jiang Siheng pulled the boy, who had somehow ended up hanging on him, off his body, lifted him onto the desk, and glanced at Wen Chi’s flushed lips. His gaze darkened as he leaned in and gave them a firm peck. “If we keep going, we won’t be sleeping tonight.”

Wen Chi wasn’t some clueless kid. Hearing that, his eyes instinctively flicked downward to the area below the man’s waist.

Before he could get a clear look, his vision was covered, then released a few seconds later.

Jiang Siheng looked at Wen Chi’s innocent face, both exasperated and amused. “Where were you looking, Teacher Wen?”

Realizing belatedly that his behavior was rather rogue-like, Wen Chi’s eyes darted around. “I didn’t see anything.”

It was already late, and Wen Chi hugged his pillow again, saying he was going back to sleep.

Jiang Siheng leaned against the study doorframe. When Wen Chi was almost in the guest room, he spoke up. “Good night.”

Wen Chi paused mid-step, turned back, and seeing the man’s gentle smile, his own eyes curved unconsciously. “Good night.”

—

The next day, the phone alarm Wen Chi had left on the bedside table the night before beeped several times. He cracked his eyes open groggily, but within three seconds his eyelids felt too heavy, and he let them fall shut again. Reaching blindly toward the bedside table, he couldn’t find the phone, and the alarm kept blaring, loud and irritating.

After a few seconds, it stopped on its own, and the arm Wen Chi had stretched outside the blanket was tucked back under the covers.

He heard someone calling his name, and though his mind was still foggy, he made a muffled “Mm?” from his nose.

“I need to head out for a bit. Breakfast is ready in the pot, just heat it up when you get up,” Jiang Siheng said, tucking the blanket around him. “I’ll be back early to make lunch. Remember to eat breakfast.”

Jiang Siheng’s deep, magnetic voice and gentle tone nearly lulled Wen Chi back to sleep again.

Wen Chi blinked his eyes open slightly, looking at him in confusion. His voice, usually clear and crisp, was now sticky with sleepiness. “Where are you going?”

“Got some errands. I’ll be back soon.” Jiang Siheng brushed aside his fringe and kissed his forehead.

“Okay, be safe.” Once he got his answer, Wen Chi, like a scoundrel dismissing a lover, swatted away the hand pinching his face, turned over to face away, and lazily waved a hand. “Go on.”

“….” Jiang Siheng patted him on the butt, then stood up before Wen Chi could kick him.

The door closed again, and silence returned to the room. Wen Chi slept a little longer before getting up.

The house was quiet with only the sounds that he made himself. After brushing his teeth and washing his face, he shuffled to the kitchen in slippers to reheat breakfast.

A chime came from the phone in his pocket. Wen Chi took it out to see a message from Jiang Siheng reminding him to eat.

Leaning against the counter, Wen Chi snapped a photo of the pot and sent it back.

【Jiang Siheng: Good boy [pat]】

Wen Chi replied with a cute bunny sticker, then glanced at the contact name at the top of the chat. Something about it felt like it needed changing.

After a moment’s thought, he edited Jiang Siheng’s contact name. Just as he finished, another message came in.

【A Heng: (image)】

【A Heng: Status update】

Wen Chi stared at the new contact name for several seconds, managing to make himself blush. He opened the photo—

It was taken indoors, the setting serene and elegant, with a tea set on the table and an older man sitting across from him.

【Wen Chi: Got it [bunny salute.jpg]】

—

“Chatting with that kid?” The middle-aged man poured Jiang Siheng a cup of tea, smiling kindly. “I heard from your mother that you’re in a relationship?”

“Thanks, Uncle Wen. Yeah, I am.” Jiang Siheng had no intention of hiding it from the man who had watched him grow up.

“That’s good. At your age, it’s the perfect time to date.” Uncle Wen didn’t ask who it was. The reason he had invited Jiang Siheng out today was because he had heard he would return to Linquan City and needed to discuss something about the Jiang family’s side branches. “Your uncles and aunts have been acting a bit out of line lately. I told your father, but he asked me to speak with you.”

Every powerful family had a few troublesome relatives, and the Jiang family was no exception. Even though Jiang Siheng hadn’t inherited the family business and had gone into the entertainment industry instead.

Jiang Siheng wasn’t surprised his father had kicked the matter to him. “I understand. Please keep an eye on them for now, Uncle Wen.”

Uncle Wen agreed. After a brief pause, he studied the handsome young man before him and asked tentatively, “Xiao Heng, are you planning to come back and help your father?”

Jiang Siheng lifted his gaze slightly toward the man opposite him, the black pottery teacup setting off his fair, well-defined fingers in an even more pleasing way.

At Uncle Wen’s question, Jiang Siheng gave a faint chuckle—neither confirming nor denying.

Having followed Father Jiang, Jiang Lixiao, for more than a decade, Uncle Wen knew that Jiang Lixiao had once planned to hand over the vast company to his son to manage. No one had expected Jiang Siheng to suddenly enter the entertainment industry to act. Uncle Wen had thought Jiang Lixiao would be furious, but instead he merely waved his hand and said nothing more. Clearly, Jiang Lixiao neither opposed his son’s choice nor forced him to take over the company.

The president of the Jiang Group, who was a formidable force in the business world, was remarkably gentle when it came to his family.

Seeing that Jiang Siheng had no intention of answering his question, Uncle Wen wisely dropped the subject. He had been out for a while already, and the company still had a pile of matters waiting for him to handle. He stood to leave, and Jiang Siheng rose to see him off.

“That’s far enough,” Uncle Wen said, patting Jiang Siheng’s shoulder, letting him know he didn’t need to walk him any further.

Jiang Siheng watched Uncle Wen get into the car, then returned to the teahouse to settle the bill before leaving as well. He wondered how Wen Chi was doing at home after he had been out so long and whether Wen Chi was thinking about him.

The thought made him press down harder on the accelerator.