CH 11

“Jiang Heng doesn’t quite match the description in the “blind date profile,” Ji Yao thought.

In Ge Xing’s blind date profile, there were over ten pages of detailed PDFs about Jiang Heng, filled with images and text, captivating and varied. The information was mixed with a lot of subjective evaluations, making it difficult to guess Ge Xing’s true intentions—whether he wanted to quickly promote his old friend or make Ji Yao give up.

In Ji Yao’s impression, those who were popular in social circles mostly fell into two categories: those who were passionate but shallow, and those who were deep but reserved.

However, Jiang Heng seemed to not fit into either of these categories. He carried a shining “record” with him, able to form a lineup of ex-boyfriends and suitors, yet he didn’t exhibit the kind of irritating arrogance associated with such achievements. Even when admitting hidden motives, his words lacked the frivolous tone of mockery; instead, they sounded like sweet, indulgent jokes. He balanced his words perfectly, making people feel comfortable and close.

Ji Yao’s restless heart was inexplicably soothed by Jiang Heng, and upon careful consideration of his implied meaning, he even detected a subtle “special” flavor within.

He looked at Jiang Heng for a while with his eyes lowered, then leaned in again and kissed him.

This kiss was entirely different from the fiery retaliatory act before. It was tender and gentle, as if they weren’t acquaintances of just a few days with ambiguous intentions, but rather intimate confidants who had been together for years.

“You were saying,” Ji Yao mumbled vaguely, “If you were out to deceive for money and lust, I wonder how many people you could fool.”

“Ah—” Jiang Heng’s fingers slid into Ji Yao’s slightly sweaty hair, and he lazily drew out his words, “You can’t accuse me of that. I’m a law-abiding citizen.”

Ji Yao knew he was telling the truth—Ge Xing’s information mentioned Jiang Heng’s top-notch qualities on the second page: he never cheated or deceived, he liked what he liked, and if he didn’t, he’d part ways without stringing anyone along.

Perhaps because he set a limit on how far “limits” could be pushed, his reputation was actually quite good.

Where should I even begin to argue, Ji Yao wondered.

Jiang Heng’s neatly ironed white shirt had been ruffled, his skin pressed against it glistening with a thin layer of sweat, mingling with a faint bitter aroma of moxa. It gave him an oddly enticing feeling.

Ji Yao felt an itch in his heart as he watched, unable to resist reaching out and touching Jiang Heng’s tense thigh.

“It didn’t happen today, but maybe someday.” Ji Yao wasn’t planning to let him off so easily, “What excuse are you going to come up with then?”

“Actually, I’m a traditional man.” Jiang Heng seemed unaware that he was being toyed with, and said seriously, “I think this kind of thing should be based on a deep mutual understanding—”

“Hmm?” Ji Yao narrowed his eyes, lightly interrupting his rambling, then pulled open Jiang Heng’s collar and left a deep kiss mark on his neck.

“I don’t care much about positions.” Jiang Heng’s eyes curved, and he followed along, speaking honestly, “If feelings reach that point, things will naturally work out.”

Anyway, it was Jiang Heng who gave in first. Ji Yao felt a bit satisfied. He licked the kiss mark on Jiang Heng and finally moved away from him.

Their intertwined hands hadn’t separated yet; the slightly sweaty palms were sticking together, slightly slippery when gripped.

Jiang Heng’s hand tightened for a moment and then loosened, withdrawing his hand from Ji Yao’s grasp before he could pull back, and he wiped the corner of his mouth.

“Spicy.” Jiang Heng lightly touched his slightly swollen lips, making a soft sound, “Good thing tomorrow is the weekend.”

“Are you afraid of being seen?” Ji Yao asked.

“Of course, who wouldn’t want to keep their treasures hidden?” Jiang Heng said.

As he said this, his collar was still open, and the kiss mark on his neck was exposed to the air. Its color deepened quickly, making it particularly noticeable.

Ji Yao’s gaze lingered on it for a while, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. His ankles crossed, and he couldn’t help but shake his legs twice.

Jiang Heng saw his good mood and also felt quite content. He didn’t mind Ji Yao’s territorial behavior without permission. On the contrary, he found it rather interesting.

Jiang Heng had never seen someone like Ji Yao, where two contrasting qualities of rebellion and submissiveness naturally blended in him. It was hard not to be intrigued.

He inevitably felt something for Ji Yao, but he also remembered Ge Xing’s “advice.” He knew Ji Yao was the type to change faces without warning. Today could be all sweetness, but tomorrow he might turn away.

However, fortunately, Ji Yao was also wary of him in the same way.

They were like walking on a tightrope over a cliff, both drawn to each other’s charm, simultaneously cautious yet indulging in the dangerous thrill. It was a matter of who would lose control and fall first.

Jiang Heng unfastened his seatbelt, straightened his crumpled white shirt, and adjusted the buttons reluctantly. Then he reached for his coat from the back seat and put it on.

“Going out?” Ji Yao unexpectedly looked outside and realized there was nothing besides the several trendy stores from before—two of them had even closed down, leaving only a drab-looking storefront not far away that was still lit.

“Wait for me in the car.” Jiang Heng said.

Saying that, he opened the door and got out of the car. Ji Yao propped up his head, watching him walk a few steps quickly and enter the dimly lit store about ten meters away.

The store wasn’t large, and the width of the main entrance was just a little over a meter. Squished in a crooked alley, it looked a bit pitiful.

Warm yellow light spilled from the clear glass door, illuminating a small handwritten blackboard outside. Ji Yao squinted at it for a while and found that it displayed the weather forecast, that day’s special vegetables, and a horoscope guide, a quirky combination.

—What kind of store is this? Ji Yao wondered, confused.

He waited in the car for three to five minutes before Jiang Heng came out of the store.

He was holding a paper box slightly larger than a palm, and Ji Yao couldn’t tell what was inside, but it was tied with a ribbon and looked quite exquisite.

Jiang Heng got back in the car, started the engine, turned up the air conditioning, and then turned on the light. He casually placed the small box in Ji Yao’s lap.

Ji Yao was puzzled and asked to confirm, “For me?”

“Both of us.” Jiang Heng smiled and said, “You can have half.”

Saying that, he leaned over and opened the ribbon on the box, revealing a delicate logo-printed box inside.

“I really enjoyed our first kiss.” Jiang Heng pointed to the corner of his lips and said with a smile, “So, I’m rewarding you with a small secret.”

Saying that, he lifted the lid of the paper box, and only then did Ji Yao notice that there was a small, round strawberry cake inside.

“Today is my birthday.” Jiang Heng said.

Ji Yao was taken aback.

He instinctively wanted to ask Jiang Heng why he didn’t mention it earlier, but as the words were about to come out, he remembered that Jiang Heng had originally planned to take him to Wangfujing for hot pot, but for some reason, he changed his mind and came here instead.

—In other words, he wasn’t planning to tell him about it.

Considering this, Ji Yao finally realized that Ge Xing’s exhaustive “blind date profile” indeed didn’t include Jiang Heng’s birthday.

It’s quite unusual, Ji Yao thought, given that the profile even mentioned trivial matters like Jiang Heng’s dislike for truffles and avocados.

Jiang Heng seemed to sense what he was thinking and explained in advance, “I don’t celebrate my birthday with others, so they don’t know.”

He started to open the box with the attached fork, scooped out a spoonful of cake firmly, and brought it to Ji Yao’s lips.

Ji Yao opened his mouth and instinctively accepted it. The rich strawberry sauce flavor instantly spread in his mouth, slightly sour.

He swallowed the first bite of the birthday boy’s cake and then remembered to ask, “Why?”

“Because I usually don’t feel very happy on my birthday.” Jiang Heng said.

He took a bite of cream himself, seemingly quite satisfied, and followed up with another bite.

Ji Yao looked at Jiang Heng’s side profile, just inches away, and felt a bit puzzled.

If he enjoyed this day, there was no reason for him to hide his birthday; if he disliked it, he wouldn’t have gotten himself a birthday cake.

“Then why tell me?” Ji Yao asked.

“No reason.” Jiang Heng said, “Maybe because I’m quite happy right now.”

Saying this, he wiped his lips with a strawberry and then playfully rubbed it against Ji Yao’s lips.

“Does being happy need a reason?” Jiang Heng retorted.

Seemed like it really didn’t, Ji Yao thought.

Ji Yao began to faintly understand why so many people were willing to choose such risky individuals.

When he looked at you, his gaze was focused and gentle, reflecting a bit of dim light. The smile at the corner of his mouth carried an unwitting hint of happiness. One unit of affection could express tenfold, as if he had waited through a thousand journeys just for you.

Stopping before going over the cliff, turning back, both were exhilarating and brought a sense of accomplishment. Once you tasted the sweetness, it was hard not to be moved.

So Ji Yao lowered his head instinctively, bit into the strawberry, and shared it with Jiang Heng.