Chapter 45 – How to Wear the Lapel Chain

The meal ended past ten o’clock. Bian Ji was concerned that Yan Ankuo might need an early night, so he specifically hailed a taxi back to the hotel.

Chang Qing and Yang Tianru also needed a cab, so the three shared one. Due to fatigue, they didn’t talk much on the way, until they arrived at the elevator entrance, when Chang Qing finally spoke up, “Brother Bian, was the person you were talking to on the phone just now your boyfriend?”

Yang Tianru was getting off on a different floor, so she left the elevator before hearing this question. Bian Ji looked at the closing elevator doors, sighed, then turned around with a smile, “That’s right.”

Chang Qing immediately lowered his head, looking very helpless, “So, you don’t like people younger than you, do you?”

“It has nothing to do with age,” Bian Ji patiently explained, “I just like him, that’s all.”

Chang Qing paused, then nodded, “I understand, goodnight.”

The elevator doors opened just then, and Bian Ji reached out to hold the sensor area for Chang Qing, “Rest well, we have a meeting at nine tomorrow morning.”

Chang Qing had already stepped out, waving his hand from behind, “Got it.”

Back in the hotel bed, Bian Ji lay flat as usual, elevating his legs to relax his weary calves and lower back. Because of his fatigue, while playing with his phone, he lost his grip, and the corner of his forehead got a slight scrape.

Fully awake now, Bian Ji rubbed his sore face and furrowed his brow as he checked the incoming messages

It was from Bian Cheng, asking when he would be in Shanghai and suggesting they have a meal together at home.

This name had been absent from Bian Ji’s life for too long, causing him to ponder for a while about which “home” was meant.

When Bian Ji’s sexual orientation came to light, he was scolded by Bian Cheng for half a year. At that time, Bian Cheng was having intense arguments with Tang Pingxia, and this incident became the catalyst for their divorce. Neither wanted to take custody of the child during the divorce, and eventually, the court awarded Bian Ji to his father.

Within a few months, Bian Cheng remarried a teacher from the same school, making Bian Ji an outsider in that household.

Bian Ji stared at the message from Bian Cheng for a long time, ignored it,then tossed his phone aside before drifting into a deep sleep.

Bian Ji was abroad for a long time this time, only returning to Shanghai at the end of the second week. The newly formed couple couldn’t bear the separation, starting to plan the details of their meeting days before the weekend.

Bian Ji sent Yan Ankuo his flight number and arrival time, then calculated the commute duration, planning for Yan Ankuo to leave later. He added, “Go straight to People’s Square after work; I won’t arrive until at least six.”

Yan Ankuo also sent a screenshot, “Just received notice that I have to go on a business trip. I’ll return with you over the weekend.”

Bian Ji opened the image, saying, “You land at four? Go home first then, wait for my call before heading out.”

Yan Ankuo refused quickly, “No. I’ll wait for you at the airport.”

“You really don’t have to; you’ll have to wait for more than two hours. Why don’t you go home and eat first?” Bian Ji felt sorry for him.

Yan Ankuo said, “I want to see you as soon as possible.”

With such a declaration, Bian Ji couldn’t refuse further, and indeed, he himself wanted to see the other party sooner, so he agreed, “Alright then, I’ll hurry.”

On the day of his return to Shanghai, there was air traffic control, causing him to disembark an hour later than scheduled. As soon as Bian Ji finished tidying up the cabin, he grabbed his suitcase and headed out, sending messages as he walked briskly: [Sorry, delayed again.]

Yan Ankuo replied, [It’s fine, my plane was also delayed, just arrived, at Blue Bottle Coffee.] Bian Ji responded, [Great! I’ll be there soon!] Due to the quick pace set by the chief attendant, several flight attendants and stewards teased with smiles, “Brother Bian is rushing off to a date?”

“That’s right!” Bian Ji didn’t deny it, “I’m off then.”

As he spoke, he pushed his luggage and took large strides forward.

Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and the exit of the Pudong Airport was too far away, requiring a lengthy ride on the station’s subway to reach Terminal 1. Despite Bian Ji’s haste, he could only watch helplessly as the subway passed by his eyes, leaving him to catch the next train with his colleagues.

Yang Tianru laughed, “It’s fate, looks like you’ll have to meet up a bit later.”

“It’s alright, doesn’t make much difference.” Bian Ji smiled.

Yang Tianru made an OK gesture, “Don’t worry, when we meet him later, we’ll definitely speak nicely and won’t embarrass you.”

“What nonsense are you talking about? With you guys around, it’s a plus for me,” Bian Ji politely replied.

They chatted along the way until they finally arrived at the station, but the coffee shop was at the exit, still a kilometer away from the subway.

Bian Ji was about to send a message to inform Yan Ankuo that he’d be there in about ten minutes when he looked up and saw a familiar figure.

Yan Ankuo, dressed formally today due to attending a meeting, wore a well-tailored black shirt and suit, adorned with glasses he rarely wore and the lapel chain Bian Ji had given him last time.

Bian Ji was slightly surprised, “Why did you come so far? Weren’t you waiting for me at the store?”

Yan Ankuo glanced around at the curious colleagues and whispered, “I couldn’t wait, I wanted to see you earlier.” After saying this, he naturally took Bian Ji’s suitcase, “Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?”

“Not hungry, I’ve already eaten the crew meal,” Bian Ji handed him the suitcase, introducing him at the same time, “By the way, these are my colleagues.”

Bian Ji introduced each flight attendant to Yan Ankuo by their position number, and Yan Ankuo nodded in greeting to each one, pausing slightly upon hearing the name “Chang Qing,” then smiling and greeting him.

After the introductions, they slowly walked behind the group.

Once the other flight attendants had walked far enough ahead, Yan Ankuo suddenly asked, “Is it him?”

Bian Ji found the question odd, “Who?”

Yan Ankuo said cryptically, “My rival in love.”

Bian Ji gave a bitter laugh, “Nonsense, it’s not even a thing.”

“He’s pretty handsome,” Yan Ankuo commented.

Bian Ji made a tsk sound, tapping his forehead lightly, “Attorney Yan, how childish are you to get jealous?”

As they reached the familiar black Lincoln, Yan Ankuo opened the car door, “Get in.”

As soon as the car door closed and before Bian Ji could settle down, he was pressed onto the seat by Yan Ankuo and kissed.

Their tongues carried the scent of lemons, the taste of the soda they had just shared, making the kiss soft and slightly cool.

“The button…it’s tangled,” Bian Ji whispered when they parted.

Today, Bian Ji hadn’t changed out of his uniform in a rush to see someone, and the insignia and buttons on it had gotten tangled with Yan Ankuo’s lapel chain, forming a complicated knot.

“I’ll untangle it later,” Yan Ankuo pulled away slightly, wiping him gently and smiled, “We haven’t seen each other for a long time, let me kiss you a little longer.”

Yan Ankuo wrapped his arm around his waist as he spoke.

The uniform was tailored slim-fitting, accentuating Bian Ji’s already slender shoulders and waist, making him appear taller, thinner, and more upright.

Yan Ankuo, feeling the slightly rough texture of the fabric, believed that the person in front of him could beat the male models outside the parking lot in terms of aesthetic appeal and couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Bian Ji was puzzled, “What’s wrong?”

“So thin,” Yan Ankuo said, continuing to kiss his lower lip, “How is your uniform designed?”

Bian Ji was amused, “This is the most common style, everyone wears it the same way, the chief attendant’s uniform is only different in color and sleeve decoration.”

Yan Ankuo expressed doubt, “Chang Qing’s uniform is the same as yours?”

“Hey,” Bian Ji warned, but not very forcefully.

Yan Ankuo didn’t bring up the matter again, stating, “Seems your uniform designer isn’t that great.”

Bian Ji laughed, “What should I do then, not wear it to work anymore?”

Yan Ankuo shook his head, punishingly biting his lip bead somewhat hard. Busy with his mouth, he could only mumble unclearly, “Lapel chain, help me take it off.”

“Okay.” Bian Ji looked at the tightly tangled metal chain, flicking it a couple of times with his fingers.

Then, after a brief hesitation, he lowered his head, opened his mouth, and skillfully untangled the metal chain with his teeth. He drew a circle with his tongue around the chain, effortlessly separating the button and lapel chain..

Yan Ankuo watched him the whole time, even turning on the dim light inside the compartment to see more clearly.

The reflection of the metal danced across Bian Ji’s face, and he presented the unhooked lapel chain like a prize, saying, “Here, I got it undone, for you.”

Yan Ankuo’s voice turned husky, his breathiness becoming evident as he pressed hard against Bian Ji’s lips, his fingers moving back and forth, “Your mouth is amazing.”