Chapter 61

Chapter 61

Jiang Chen never imagined that anyone could resist someone like Ling Sheng.

Ling Sheng looked so stunning in red—especially in that red dress. And it was very practical, too.

Jiang Chen turned and wrapped his arms around him, beginning with kisses along his neck, nibbling at his collarbone, then gripping Ling Sheng’s waist and lifting him up. He trailed kisses down to his chest, where the silk felt cool and smooth like water—almost like a second skin. He licked the fabric until it was soaking wet, while Ling Sheng cradled his head and gazed upward, breathing softly.

“You look so beautiful in this,” Jiang Chen sincerely complimented him. Yet in his muddled state his mind jumped to something else. Holding him even tighter, he explained, “I mean, you look beautiful in any clothes. The clothes look beautiful, but you look even better in them. Nothing else.”

*(He wasn’t treating him like a girl—he simply thought he was gorgeous.)*

Ling Sheng knew what he meant. He cupped Jiang Chen’s face and lowered his head for another kiss—a kiss that was both tender and moist. Jiang Chen chased his tongue, invading his mouth as he delicately sucked in his flavor, tasting every inch.

The dress was a camisole style, impossible to layer under. Jiang Chen had been wearing nothing but a pair of underwear; as soon as he’d come in, he’d removed and tossed the dress. At that moment, he was wearing only his underwear. Leaning against the headboard, with Ling Sheng sitting on his lower abdomen, they kissed passionately. His hands roamed over Ling Sheng’s neck and back, feeling the taut muscles slowly tighten.

He let out a soft moan, his waist growing soft as he shifted lower—until something brushed against him. The hand gripping his waist suddenly lifted Ling Sheng’s dress.

For a moment Jiang Chen’s hand hesitated, then it began kneading him with unrestrained fervor. His breath became erratic as a faint blush spread across his eyes. “You… have taken it all off.”

Ling Sheng had been wearing nothing but that dress.

From the bedside drawer, Jiang Chen retrieved a bottle of something he’d bought earlier that year—it was new and still sealed. Yet with his experience, his fingers quickly became coated. He handed another small packet to Ling Sheng; the instant it landed in Ling Sheng’s hand, his fingers trembled and he let out an unguarded hum.

Jiang Chen was a quick learner—and with his excellent physique and long fingers, he was especially enthusiastic about exploring Ling Sheng’s body. On the night before Jiang Chen went home earlier that year, both had been reluctant to part due to their impending separation. That night, just his touch on Ling Sheng’s waist made him go soft several times.

After half a month without intimacy, he still needed a moment to readjust. But as those familiar sensations surged in, the body’s memory completely overpowered his reason.

“Brother, I like it when you wear a dress.”

In moments like these, Jiang Chen always called him “brother.” Normally, he wouldn’t use such flirtatious words in bed, but Ling Sheng loved to hear them. In these heated moments—when adrenaline surged—any usual shyness or embarrassment vanished.

Ling Sheng would even encourage him, telling him that in these moments, as long as he was happy, he could do anything.

“I also love seeing you in pants—I love every side of you.”

Jiang Chen withdrew his hand and, gripping his waist, lifted him slightly. Ling Sheng had already been prepared for this. Jiang Chen lingered a moment; as Ling Sheng’s waist trembled with softness, he relaxed his hold and allowed Ling Sheng to sit back down.

“Mmm~” Ling Sheng’s toes curled as his fingers tightly clutched Jiang Chen’s shoulder, and he gasped deeply, “Xiao Chen…”

Jiang Chen’s temples pulsed with visible veins. At that moment, Ling Sheng softly leaned against his shoulder, his lips pressed against Jiang Chen’s earlobe as he sighed, “…You’re amazing.”

Ling Sheng was an excellent guide—he loved watching Jiang Chen become both enraptured and fierce during their passion, only to turn sweet and obedient right afterward. Sometimes, if things became too intense, he would carefully hold him and kiss him, afraid he might get upset. Ling Sheng found all of this utterly endearing, and he never held back his praise.

It was for that reason that when Jiang Chen simply couldn’t stop, Ling Sheng willingly shared the responsibility.

After things had calmed down, Ling Sheng emerged from the bathroom to find that the bed now had fresh sheets and a duvet. Glancing at the clock, it was already one o’clock.

Jiang Chen went in to take a shower. When he emerged, Ling Sheng, though drowsy, was still waiting for him.

Crawling into the duvet, Jiang Chen wrapped his arms around him once more, pressing himself hard against Ling Sheng’s neck a few times. Ling Sheng stirred awake, cradling his head and laughing happily.

“You’re just like a little puppy,” Ling Sheng murmured as he massaged Jiang Chen’s earlobe and kissed through his hair. “My good puppy.”

Jiang Chen stuck out his tongue and licked Ling Sheng’s ear. Finding it ticklish, Ling Sheng pulled away slightly—but Jiang Chen grasped him and continued licking, until Ling Sheng burst out laughing.

After playing around for a while, Ling Sheng took the initiative: “Once I buy a house, I’ll go meet your parents.”

Jiang Chen pressed his forehead against his and replied, “I don’t have a house either; whether you have one or not doesn’t really matter.”

Even in the darkness, Ling Sheng’s eyes shone brightly. His fingers slowly traced Jiang Chen’s cheek, satisfaction clear in his gaze as he said, “A house isn’t the issue—but planning is important. I have to be responsible for you, for your future, so that they can feel safe entrusting you to me.”

“You’re practically courting a wife,” Jiang Chen teased.

Ling Sheng laughed, “Yes, exactly—I’m courting a wife.”

Jiang Chen held him tighter. “Then marry into my family, and I’ll make you my wife.”

Ling Sheng didn’t mind the titles at all. Still smiling, he replied, “Alright then, husband.”

The word “husband” made Jiang Chen blush, and Ling Sheng could feel the heat rising at his ear from Jiang Chen’s fingertips. Watching his little boyfriend—both delighted and shy, nearly burying his head in the pillow—Ling Sheng found it irresistibly amusing. Leaning in once more by his exposed ear, he whispered, “Husband.”

Suddenly, Jiang Chen flipped over and pinned him down. His eyes burned with a fiery intensity—a mix of shyness and excitement, dazzling and almost unbelievable. With both anticipation and bashfulness, he gazed at Ling Sheng and whispered, “Wife.”

“Mmm.” Ling Sheng nodded slightly, smiling warmly in agreement.

Jiang Chen felt his happiness nearly take his breath away. Cradling Ling Sheng’s face, he kissed his lips, then his face, then his chin, neck, collarbone—kissing his way downward.

That kiss was like the spontaneous peck of an excited child—devoid of lust, pure in its joy and love. He pushed Ling Sheng’s clothing up, kissing all the way to his belly, then hugged his waist and buried his face in his stomach.

While Ling Sheng lay relaxed with his soft belly exposed, Jiang Chen kissed and nuzzled it, like a dog that had finally found its cozy little den.

“Wife…” Jiang Chen adored that word, as if they were truly married already.

Pinned down by him, Ling Sheng soon found himself a bit breathless. Gently pushing Jiang Chen’s head aside, he said, “You’re pinning down the baby.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chen grew even shyer. A suppressed, bashful hum emerged from his throat as he nuzzled a while longer, then kissed Ling Sheng’s belly button and whispered, “He’s kicking me.”

And Ling Sheng playfully kicked him.

This little game was childish, but both of them enjoyed it immensely. Looking at Jiang Chen’s laughing face, Ling Sheng suddenly felt as if he’d returned to his university days—back when life was simpler and joy was pure.

Lately, Jiang Chen had been so blissfully happy that it was obvious to everyone. By day, Ling Sheng had work and Jiang Chen had school, theses, entrance exams—the last six months had been a whirlwind. After their busy days, once night fell, Jiang Chen would always go to pick Ling Sheng up. In private, the affectionate “wife” was frequently exchanged. Seeing how happy he was, Ling Sheng was more than willing to indulge him. So much so that whenever Jiang Chen saw him, he transformed from the steel man of the day into a sticky, gooey taffy that clung to Ling Sheng, refusing to let go.

That very night, when Jiang Chen answered a call from his brother Jiang Jian, his voice still carried a hint of that lingering stickiness.

“Hello~~”

“…Where are you?” came the cool, detached voice of his brother.

Jiang Chen, upon hearing his brother’s tone, suddenly became half-alert. Clearing his throat, he quickly reined in that affectionate tone. “At home—as it would be anywhere else.”

“Fujiang Garden?” Jiang Jian inquired.

“Yeah.”

“I’m outside. Come open the door for me.”

A pause.

Jiang Chen, who had been lounging on the sofa with Ling Sheng, sat up straight. “Why are you here?”

Jiang Jian curtly replied with two words: “Open door.”

Choked, Jiang Chen finally managed, “…I just went out to buy something at Sam’s. It might take a while. What’s up, bro?”

The tone in Jiang Jian’s voice was cold. Only then did Jiang Chen realize that his brother’s tone was off—and as he wondered why he’d suddenly come, Jiang Jian snorted with restrained anger, “Really? Then how about I go to Shengshi Mingyuan to pick you up?”

Jiang Chen’s expression immediately changed. Shengshi Mingyuan was Ling Sheng’s residence. How could his brother possibly know that? Did he know Ling Sheng? Did he know about them? Jiang Chen hadn’t been home recently. Where had his brother heard it?

Noticing his changing expression, Ling Sheng mouthed, “What’s wrong?”

After several shifts in his expression, Jiang Chen simply said he’d be heading home immediately and then hung up.

Ling Sheng glanced at the phone left on the coffee table and asked, “Is something wrong at home?”

For a moment, Jiang Chen’s thoughts raced. He wasn’t sure what his brother meant and decided not to tell Ling Sheng yet. He’d go home first to gauge his brother’s intentions. Besides, the fact that his brother had come looking for him—instead of simply calling him to come home—implied that nothing had yet been said to the family. In any event, he was about to come out; whether his brother knew beforehand didn’t matter.

Thinking this over, Jiang Chen smiled at Ling Sheng and said, “My brother said he wants to come over because there’s something at home he needs to discuss with me. I probably won’t be back tonight—go ahead and sleep.”

Ling Sheng’s gaze shifted over his face a few times. He could tell that things weren’t as simple as they seemed, but trusting Jiang Chen completely, he said nothing more than a quick kiss. “Okay.”

Jiang Chen dressed and left. At the door, he paused to give Ling Sheng one more kiss, pressing his forehead against his and saying, “Wait for me, wife.”