After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Will You Really Not Fall in Love With Me

Despite Qi Hanchuan’s “drastic change in temperament,” Jiang He’s ability to adapt had always been excellent. Moreover, compared to the previously cold husband, he preferred the current version; at least he didn’t have to perform a one-man show.

Jiang He had been busy lately. The cafe was expanding, requiring his daily presence, and he had to carve out time to care for the cats and dogs at the rescue station. Coupled with the summer heat, he had lost a noticeable amount of weight the little bit of flesh he’d managed to put on had vanished.

Jiang He was the type of person who loved to keep busy but had low energy levels. He looked infinitely vibrant, but in reality, he tired easily.

On the way home, he fell asleep in Qi Hanchuan’s car. When they arrived, he showed no signs of waking up. Qi Hanchuan called his name twice, but seeing that Jiang He was out cold, he simply pulled out his laptop to work in the car while waiting for him to wake.

Jiang He felt as if his neck was about to snap. He squinted his eyes open to see Qi Hanchuan working beside him, a blanket now draped over his own body.

He stretched his stiff neck. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“You’re awake?” Qi Hanchuan put away his laptop and pushed open the car door. “Let’s get out.”

Jiang He was sore all over. He climbed out slowly, following behind Qi Hanchuan with an awkward, stiff gait.

Qi Hanchuan had long legs and walked fast. Jiang He stopped in his tracks, staring at the man’s back. “Why didn’t you wake me? My neck hurts so much from sleeping like that.”

Not knowing why he was upset again, Qi Hanchuan stopped and turned around. “I didn’t wake you because you were sleeping soundly.”

Jiang He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression pained. “You clearly had a better option. Why let me sleep in the car?”

Qi Hanchuan: “?”

Seeing his clueless expression, Jiang He became even more annoyed. “You could have carried me inside! You don’t know how to treasure people at all. Sleeping curled up like that was bound to make my neck uncomfortable.”

It finally dawned on Qi Hanchuan. So that was an option. He had been inconsiderate.

His tone softened. “I’ll have a therapist come over later to give you a massage.”

Jiang He gave a “tsk” and walked up to Qi Hanchuan, looking up at him. “Did you hear what I said? If this happens again, you carry me in. Don’t leave me in the car.”

Qi Hanchuan looked helpless. “I remember.”

Slightly satisfied, Jiang He waved a hand. “I don’t want a therapist. You massage me later.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t speak. Jiang He’s dissatisfaction flared again. “Don’t just stay silent. It’s rude.”

Qi Hanchuan sighed. “I don’t know how to give a massage.”

Jiang He raised his eyes, taking another step forward. His thin body almost leaned into Qi Hanchuan’s embrace. The scent of cold fir and sweet peach intertwined, becoming cloying. He met Qi Hanchuan’s gaze, his brows slightly knit. “You can learn. You said yourself you’d treat me well. Are you unwilling to learn even this?”

Knowing Jiang He had been exhausted lately, Qi Hanchuan didn’t want to upset him further. He nodded. “Understood.”

Jiang He bumped his head into Qi Hanchuan’s chest, acting completely at home. “Then carry me. I’m so tired.”

Qi Hanchuan’s body went rigid for a moment. He looked down at the fluffy head in his arms, hesitating.

Jiang He burrowed deeper into his chest, urging impatiently, “Hurry up! I’m exhausted. So many things to do lately, I’m busy every day.”

Qi Hanchuan mentally measured how to go about it. Last time Jiang He was drunk and unconscious, he hadn’t had many scruples, but now…

Before Qi Hanchuan could plan his move, Jiang He unceremoniously stood on his tiptoes, wrapped his arms around Qi Hanchuan’s neck, and leaped. His slender legs clamped around Qi Hanchuan’s lean waist as he mumbled against his shoulder: “What are you dallying for? Hold me tight before I fall.”

Qi Hanchuan’s reflexes were a beat slow. He instinctively reached out to cup Jiang He’s backside. The touch was warm. He couldn’t ignore the breath brushing against his neck; his limbs felt as if they were no longer under his control, unable to take a single step.

Unable to take it anymore, Jiang He whispered into his ear, “Stop dazing. Carry me in.”

He was bone-tired and truly had no energy for anything else. All he wanted was to take a hot bath in the bedroom and have a beautiful sleep.

Qi Hanchuan didn’t quite know how he managed to get Jiang He back to the room. While Jiang He was bathing, he instructed the butler to prepare essential oils for the massage, his mind still not fully returned to its senses.

After a hot bath, Jiang He felt revitalized, but his body was still aching. He had no appetite for dinner. Seeing Qi Hanchuan still there, he flopped onto the bed, listless. “I don’t want dinner. Go do your work; I want to sleep for a bit.”

Qi Hanchuan held the essential oil. “No massage?”

“No. want to sleep..

His voice grew smaller. Qi Hanchuan turned to find Jiang He already sprawled out and asleep on his stomach. He put down the oil, walked to the bed, and tucked him under the covers. Disturbed in his dream, Jiang He frowned and mumbled something.

Looking at the boy’s noticeably thinner face, Qi Hanchuan felt a moment of daze.

When they first married, he thought Jiang He was just a pampered, idle young master. But the boy did a lot of meaningful things. The rescue station sheltered many small animals, and the young master would even personally bathe them and clip their nails—Qi Hanchuan had seen it with his own eyes. Surrounded by fluff, Jiang He would sit cross-legged on the ground, without a trace of the “troublesome” personality he showed at home, patiently coaxing the animals with a dazzling smile.

Jiang He would even worry over a drop in the cafe’s revenue or ask Qi Hanchuan to taste new drinks and provide suggestions. Previously, Qi Hanchuan thought the cafe was just a toy to pass the time, but the animals at the rescue station relied entirely on its income. Jiang He used all the money his family gave him to expand the shelter and pay for medical expenses.

Qi Hanchuan stood by the bed for a while before quietly retreating. He ordered the kitchen to prepare Jiang He’s favorite dishes, intending to wait for him to wake up so they could eat together.

When Jiang He finally woke up, he was disoriented. The sky outside was dark and the bedside lamp was on. He wasn’t afraid, just exhausted. He stared at the ceiling, calculating how much work was left. The more he calculated, the more tired he felt, so he let his mind go blank.

Qi Hanchuan timed it perfectly, pushing the door open to see Jiang He dazing. He knocked and entered. “The kitchen made the sweet and sour ribs you like. Want some?”

Jiang He’s voice was weak. “No appetite.”

“Skipping dinner is bad for your health. They also simmered soup,” Qi Hanchuan spoke in a gentle tone he’d never used with anyone else. “Why not come down and see? If you really can’t eat, we’ll forget it.”

Noticing the change, Jiang He turned and smiled. “Are you worried about me?”

Qi Hanchuan’s face remained expressionless, but a hint of awkwardness hid in his eyes. “Your brother said you lost weight. He told me to supervise your meals.”

Jiang He didn’t believe it. “Only because Jiang Xu said so? You don’t care about me at all?”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t answer. “So, are you coming down?”

Jiang He lay lazily on the pillow, his voice soft. “No energy. Don’t want to move. If you carry me, I’ll consider it.”

Without a word, Qi Hanchuan stepped forward, scooped him up, and walked out.

Jiang He laughed, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Haha! Qi Hanchuan, you’ve finally learned. I like men who do more and talk less.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t respond, carrying him into the elevator. The servants were shocked to see the master carrying the young master down for dinner, wondering if something had happened to cause such a sudden spike in their relationship.

Qi Hanchuan set him down in a chair and asked patiently what he wanted to eat. Jiang He scanned the table of delicious food and slowly shook his head. “Don’t want any of it.”

Qi Hanchuan frowned, a trace of concern in his cold voice. “Want to eat out? That restaurant from last time?”

“Too tired. Don’t want to go out.”

Qi Hanchuan offered to have it delivered, but Jiang He still shook his head. Ultimately, he didn’t eat anything. He went to the media room to put on a movie and dozed off on the sofa.

Qi Hanchuan had the kitchen prepare desserts and brought them in personally. Seeing Jiang He huddled on the sofa looking so drained, his voice instinctively lowered. “Want some dessert? Just made.”

Jiang He was going to refuse, but the sweet scent hit his nose, and he nodded. Qi Hanchuan felt relieved; at least he was willing to eat something. He used a wet wipe to clean Jiang He’s hands when the boy simply offered his “paws” without taking the wipe. After cleaning them, Qi Hanchuan held the tray out for him.

Jiang He took a bite of a sweet osmanthus cake. He immediately wanted to stop, but seeing Qi Hanchuan’s gaze, he forced himself to finish it. He took a sip of the milk Qi Hanchuan handed him and leaned in with a mischievous smile: “Will you really not fall in love with me? I feel like the way you look at me is full of love.”

Qi Hanchuan said seriously: “You’re hallucinating from hunger. Skipping dinner is indeed problematic.”

Jiang He huffed. “Stubborn. You’ve definitely fallen for me.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t argue. “Have another piece.”

Jiang He pushed his luck. “I’ll eat if you say you love me.”

In the dim light of the media room, Qi Hanchuan didn’t hide his helplessness. “Don’t joke with your health. Your brother said your stomach is sensitive; you can’t go hungry.”

Jiang He bit into a mung bean cake. “Don’t use my brother as a shield. You’re clearly the one who cares.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t respond, his eyes on the screen but his attention on Jiang He. He felt eased only when the boy slowly finished the cake.

Jiang He naturally leaned against Qi Hanchuan’s shoulder and sighed, holding out his sticky hands. “Hubby, wipe my hands and mouth. I don’t want to move.”

Qi Hanchuan looked at the remaining desserts. “Done? The cook said the macarons are good. Want a taste?”

“A bit nauseous,” Jiang He said miserably. “I’ll throw up if I eat more.”

Remembering Jiang Xu’s words, Qi Hanchuan didn’t dare push him. He wiped the boy’s hands and mouth. Jiang He felt pampered and relaxed his brow. “I want milk.”

For once, Qi Hanchuan didn’t lecture him, holding the glass to feed him a sip.

Jiang He smacked his lips and said without thinking: “If you were always this considerate, maybe I’d fall in love with you.”

Qi Hanchuan paused. His calm heart felt a ripple from those words spoken out of exhaustion.