After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: You Don’t Actually Like Me Do You

Jiang He had originally planned to spend the night at the rescue station and head home the next morning. However, just as the sun dipped below the horizon, Qi Hanchuan’s Bentley looking entirely out of place pulled up to the entrance.

Squatting under a window, Jiang He whispered to Fang Zhiyi, “Xiao Yi, check if Jiang Xu is with him.”

Fang Zhiyi peered out the window. He only saw Qi Hanchuan alone; there were no other cars following. He looked down at Jiang He and said, “Nope. Just your husband.”

Jiang He breathed a sigh of relief. He stood up and glanced downstairs. Qi Hanchuan had already entered the courtyard, and Jiang Xu was indeed nowhere to be seen.

“Let’s go. Downstairs,” he said, grabbing Fang Zhiyi’s arm. The heart that had been in his throat finally settled.

Jiang Xu probably wasn’t angry anymore, otherwise, he would have come to catch him himself. Come to think of it, Qi Hanchuan had technically saved him this morning; otherwise, he definitely would have been taught a lesson by his brother.

They met Qi Hanchuan head-on at the bottom of the stairs. Jiang He feigned indifference. “What are you doing here?”

This morning, it hadn’t seemed like Jiang Xu went there specifically to cause him trouble; he likely had business with Qi Hanchuan. Jiang He still wasn’t sure if the two had reached some sort of agreement that would be disadvantageous to him.

“Picking you up to go home,” Qi Hanchuan said.

“Did you take the wrong medicine?” Jiang He blurted out.

Realizing that was a bit rude, he quickly clarified, “I mean, why are you coming to pick me up? This doesn’t seem like something you’d do.”

Given Qi Hanchuan’s personality, he should be happy if Jiang He didn’t come back. At most, he’d send a driver. Why would he come personally? Was it at Jiang Xu’s request? But Qi Hanchuan didn’t seem like the type to follow orders from others.

Jiang He let go of Fang Zhiyi’s arm, stepped forward, and suddenly blurted out in a local dialect: “What’s up with you?”

The phrase made Qi Hanchuan chuckle. “Where did you learn to speak like that? It sounds ridiculous.”

“Oh, so you can laugh.” Seeing the smile vanish instantly from Qi Hanchuan’s face, Jiang He cleared his throat. “I learned it from someone while traveling. I think my pronunciation was perfect.”

Actually, the guy is pretty handsome when he smiles.

Qi Hanchuan returned to his usual icy demeanor. “Let’s go.”

Jiang He didn’t refuse, but he added, “Fang Zhiyi is coming too.”

Before he could finish, Fang Zhiyi spoke up: “I’m not going. Someone is coming to adopt a dog soon, and I have to be at the lab early tomorrow. It’s closer from here.”

Jiang He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll stay with you. It’s not safe alone.”

Fang Zhiyi shook his head helplessly. “The adopter is a junior from my school. Stop worrying and just go home.”

Jiang He’s focus shifted oddly: “Are you annoyed with me?”

Fang Zhiyi laughed and ruffled Jiang He’s soft hair. “Alright, stop being dramatic. Go home with your husband. I’ll come find you at the cat café tomorrow after I’m done.”

Before Jiang He could react, Fang Zhiyi turned around, went inside, and shut the door.

The nerve! He actually dared to mess up my hair.

Jiang He grumbled a few words, smoothed his hair, and turned to shout at the closed door, “Call me if anything happens!”

Fang Zhiyi’s voice drifted through the rusted iron door: “Got it. Go on, get going. Be safe on the road.”

Jiang He shouted a few more instructions before finally turning back to follow Qi Hanchuan, glancing back every three steps.

In the car, Qi Hanchuan personally helped him with his seatbelt. Jiang He couldn’t help but ask again, “What is with you today?”

It was too abnormal. It really felt like his brain had malfunctioned.

Qi Hanchuan sat back in his seat, expressionless. “Nothing.”

His speech was the same as usual, but his behavior was bizarre. The air around them seemed to linger with the cold, woody scent of Qi Hanchuan’s cologne. Jiang He waved his hand to clear the air. Then, he heard: “Let’s eat out tonight. Any restaurant you’d like to go to?”

“Is today some sort of special occasion?” Jiang He turned to look at him, then suddenly realized something. “I’m not going to any business dinners. If you have one, go by yourself.”

A flicker of helplessness crossed Qi Hanchuan’s eyes. “It’s not a business dinner. I just thought you might be tired of the food at home and wanted a change of pace.”

Jiang He hissed, his expression becoming even more serious. “If you didn’t take the wrong meds, then your conscience must have suddenly kicked in. You want to treat me well?”

The helplessness in Qi Hanchuan’s gaze fully set in. “Just take it as my conscience kicking in.”

Since they had registered their marriage and he was several years older than Jiang He, he felt he should treat him well. At the very least, he shouldn’t let the young master feel mistreated.

The shock on Jiang He’s face didn’t fade. “But I went to the club to book male models last night. You aren’t angry?”

“You already promised not to go again,” Qi Hanchuan said. “Yesterday was just you being spiteful. I’m not angry.”

Truthfully, he hadn’t cared initially, but Jiang Xu had asked him to keep an eye on Jiang He. After thinking about it, he agreed it wasn’t very safe; he really did need to manage the boy a little.

Jiang He waved his hands and shook his head, his pretty face scrunched up. “No, no, no. Don’t be like this. It’s terrifying. Go back to being that ‘giant iceberg’ who keeps everyone at a distance. Don’t make such a huge change so suddenly.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t want to waste time on this. He asked directly, “So, is there a restaurant you want to go to?”

“You really want to go out to eat with me?” Jiang He’s almond-shaped eyes went round. He said in an exaggerated tone, “Aren’t you afraid of people finding out you married a male wife?”

Their marriage hadn’t been made public. However, Qi Xu’s mother had spent a lot of money promoting the idea of Jiang He marrying Qi Xu. If he went out with Qi Hanchuan now, who knew what people would say. He didn’t mind it wouldn’t affect him but Qi Hanchuan was the President and Chairman of the Qi Group. What if it affected the company’s stock?

Qi Hanchuan asked back, “Are you afraid?”

He had never intended to hide the fact that he had married Jiang He. There was no agreement for a “secret marriage,” nor was there a need for one. But looking at it now, the young master seemed to be the one who wanted to keep it a secret.

Jiang He answered bluntly, “Not really. I’m just worried about the impact on you.”

“It won’t,” Qi Hanchuan said concisely.

Jiang He leaned back against the seat and replied lazily, “Fine then.”

Qi Hanchuan instructed his secretary to book a restaurant and then went back to his work. Jiang He actually wanted to ask what happened when his brother visited this morning; he felt Qi Hanchuan’s change was directly related to Jiang Xu. But seeing how busy the man looked, he decided against it. He’d just ask Jiang Xu directly once his brother cooled off.

They went to a restaurant under the Qi family’s umbrella. The entire third floor was booked, so no one would see them. Jiang He’s lip twitched—his worries were redundant.

Qi Hanchuan handed him the menu. “Order.”

Since he was already here, Jiang He didn’t hold back. He ordered a huge spread of everything he liked. As soon as he finished, Qi Hanchuan took the menu, crossed out half the items, and handed it to the manager waiting nearby. “Not these.”

Jiang He craned his neck to look, protesting, “Those were all things I wanted to eat! Why did you cross them out?”

“Which of the things you ordered didn’t you want to eat?” Qi Hanchuan explained. “You can’t finish that much. Don’t waste food.”

Jiang He looked defiant. “How do you know I can’t finish it?”

Given his small appetite, he wouldn’t even finish a third of it. But Qi Hanchuan didn’t want to make him angry today. He offered a rare bit of coaxing: “You can always order more after you finish these.”

Jiang He found it hard to lose his temper given Qi Hanchuan’s change in behavior. He took a sip of juice. The food was excellent, and because Qi Hanchuan was being different, Jiang He ate a bit more than usual. He left the restaurant with a smile on his face.

Qi Hanchuan stole a glance at him. I should bring him here more often.

Back at home, the young master was in high spirits. He even received the coaster Qi Hanchuan had promised exactly like the one on the office desk, just a different color.

Jiang He turned it over in his hands for a while, then looked up at Qi Hanchuan with a grin. “Thank you, Hubby.”

“You’re welcome,” Qi Hanchuan said, turning toward his study to finish some work.

Jiang He uncharacteristically didn’t disturb him. After showering, he spent his time in the bedroom playing with Prince, his cat. While he didn’t know why Qi Hanchuan had changed, it wasn’t a bad thing. At least he wasn’t getting the cold shoulder anymore.

When he got tired, Jiang He collapsed onto the carpet. Prince curled his tail and nestled onto Jiang He’s stomach to sleep.

Jiang He poked the cat with a teaser toy. “Prince, get off. You’re so fat and you’re pressing down on me. Are you trying to crush me to death?”

Prince let out two “meows” and remained as immovable as a mountain. Jiang He was too lazy to move, letting the lazy cat stay on his belly. Lazy cat, lazier human.

When Qi Hanchuan finished his work and pushed the door open, he saw a man and a cat slumped there, exhausted. Jiang He was lying flat on the carpet, his fair, delicate feet swinging back and forth while he hummed a song.

Qi Hanchuan watched from the doorway for a while. Jiang He didn’t notice him at all. Worried the boy would fall asleep there, Qi Hanchuan spoke up: “Go sleep in the bed.”

Jiang He shifted his waist but couldn’t shake Prince off. He looked at Qi Hanchuan. “Help me get this fat cat off. He’s so heavy, I’m about to pass out from the pressure.”

Lazybones, Qi Hanchuan thought. He stepped forward and lifted Prince away. The cat shook his fur and walked off, wiggling his round butt.

Jiang He still wouldn’t move, so Qi Hanchuan had to pull him up. Seeing how attentive he was being, Jiang He couldn’t resist being mischievous. He intentionally fell into Qi Hanchuan’s arms, a cunning smile on his pretty face.

“Qi Hanchuan, you don’t actually like me, do you?”

Qi Hanchuan pushed him away expressionlessly. “You’re overthinking it.”

“You’ll like me sooner or later. I want to see how stubborn you can be then.” Jiang He stood up, smoothed his clothes, and used a lint roller on his shirt before tossing it aside.

Qi Hanchuan didn’t bother to argue. He picked up a finance book and sat in a chair by the bed to read. Jiang He climbed into bed and ducked under the covers, revealing only half his face as he stared at Qi Hanchuan’s sharp profile. “Are you going to watch me sleep?”

Qi Hanchuan’s eyes never left the book. “Mm. Go to sleep.”

Jiang He pushed his luck. “Then come up and stay with me. Sleeping alone is so lonely.”

Qi Hanchuan set the book down, his cold gaze landing steadily on Jiang He. “Do I need to call two male models to the house for you?”

Jiang He’s brow furrowed instantly. “You’re so annoying. I said I wasn’t going to find male models anymore. Yesterday was just because I was tired and wanted to relax.”

The corners of Qi Hanchuan’s mouth curled into a very faint arc. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.”

Jiang He caught the look and realized the man was teasing him. Feeling a bit disgruntled, he scooted to the edge of the bed and grabbed Qi Hanchuan’s sleeve, shaking it gently. “Hubby, sleep with me. I don’t want to sleep alone. I want to feel Hubby’s abs and lean on Hubby’s big chest muscles. It feels very secure.”

Qi Hanchuan looked down at the pale hand on his sleeve. His gaze slowly moved up until it met Jiang He’s mischievous eyes. Before he could speak, Jiang He’s hand slid into his sleeve like a snake, his slender fingertips boldly stroking his arm.

“Wow, Hubby’s arm feels so strong. Could you pick me up with one hand?”

Seeing Qi Hanchuan’s earlobes turn visibly red, Jiang He grew even more emboldened. He tried to reach further up, but Qi Hanchuan grabbed his arm and gave him a gentle push back. He fell back onto the bed uncontrollably.

Jiang He was stunned for a second, then started fussing. “You put your hands on me again! You said you’d treat me well, you’re going back on your word!”

“It seems you aren’t sleepy yet—”

Before Qi Hanchuan could stand up, Jiang He rolled to the other side of the bed, wrapped in the quilt, and looked at him with wide, innocent eyes. “Don’t go, Hubby! I’m sleepy. I’m sleeping right now.”

Qi Hanchuan let out a long breath and picked up his book again.

In truth, Jiang He was a little afraid of falling asleep alone, but with Qi Hanchuan nearby, his heart felt settled. The faint sound of pages turning acted like a lullaby; it wasn’t long before he couldn’t hold out and fell asleep.

Qi Hanchuan sat for a while longer. Once the person on the bed was soundly asleep, he gently moved him back to the center of the bed so Jiang He wouldn’t fall off in the middle of the night.