After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: To Pity Is to Like

After leaving the Old Master’s study, Jiang He prepared to go home with Qi Hanchuan. He was wide awake now. Noticing Qi Hanchuan looking at him, he turned his head and made a promise: “In the future, I’ll always go with you to see your father. I won’t give him a chance to scold you.”

Recently, Qi Hanchuan had been quite good to him. Moreover, he didn’t like how the Old Master was always scolding people he was perfectly amiable to others, yet so harsh only toward Qi Hanchuan.

He could roughly understand the Old Master’s reasoning: it was nothing more than wanting to be strict so Qi Hanchuan would become independent and strong, ensuring he wouldn’t be helpless once the Old Master passed away. But the method was too extreme and uncomfortable.

Jiang He could sense that Qi Hanchuan didn’t hate the Old Master; it was just that neither father nor son knew how to communicate with the other.

Qi Hanchuan didn’t speak. Jiang He nudged closer to him: “Have you ever sat down and had a real talk with your dad? I feel like he acts so extreme precisely because he cares about you too much.”

“No,” Qi Hanchuan said tonelessly. He didn’t think it was necessary.

Jiang He wasn’t surprised by the answer. After a moment of thought, he said, “How about this? Next time we come back, I’ll accompany you to have a good talk with him. His educational philosophy is flawed; I need to set him straight.”

Qi Hanchuan suppressed a smile. “Why didn’t you ‘correct’ him just now?”

Jiang He was exceptionally honest: “I forgot. I’ll definitely remember next time.”

Qi Hanchuan lowered his gaze and curled his lips, his entire aura softening.

“What are you laughing at?” Jiang He leaned in, tilting his head to stare at him. “Do you think I’m so great that you’re moved to tears?”

Qi Hanchuan glanced at him, the smile lingering in his eyes.

Jiang He leaned in even further: “Do you feel like marrying me was just the best thing ever?”

Seeing the faint impatience starting to surface between Jiang He’s brows, Qi Hanchuan chuckled and gave a soft “Mhm.”

Satisfied, Jiang He leaned back into the seat, swinging his feet happily. “I’m telling you, your Qi family must have burned high-quality incense in a past life to get a sensible daughter-in-law like me. Or rather, you burned the incense, Qi Hanchuan.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t argue, but he didn’t admit it either.

Suddenly, a crack of thunder sounded. Startled, Jiang He leaned against the car window to look out. “Did the weather forecast say it would rain?”

Qi Hanchuan nodded. “Yes.”

Thunder clapped one after another. Jiang He sat back and sighed with relief, “Good thing all the work is finished.”

Qi Hanchuan took a blanket and draped it over Jiang He. “Rest for a bit. I’ll wake you when we get home.”

Jiang He pulled the blanket tight, curling up and closing his eyes. “You’re getting better and better at being a husband.”

Qi Hanchuan remained silent and signaled the driver to play some soothing music. It was late, and Jiang He was indeed sleepy; he fell asleep almost instantly.

The rain poured down. The car was stuck in a traffic jam for half an hour, and they didn’t reach home until nearly 11:00 PM. Dazed with sleep, Jiang He didn’t want to walk and acted spoiled, asking Qi Hanchuan to carry him.

Today, Qi Hanchuan was very agreeable. When Jiang He asked to be carried, he actually did it—carrying him from the garage into the elevator and all the way back to the bedroom.

Seeing that the person in his arms showed no sign of waking up, Qi Hanchuan stood in the center of the bedroom holding him. “Take a shower before going back to sleep.”

Jiang He kept his eyes shut. “You wash me… I’m so sleepy.”

“No,” Qi Hanchuan refused flatly.

“Hmm?” Jiang He opened his eyes, staring at Qi Hanchuan with a frown.

Qi Hanchuan leaned over to set him down, holding Jiang He’s shoulders to prevent him from stumbling. “Wash yourself.”

“Are you shy?” Jiang He leaned in to peer into Qi Hanchuan’s eyes. “I’m not shy, so what are you shy for?”

Qi Hanchuan looked at him expressionlessly until Jiang He’s sleepiness completely vanished under the gaze. He huffed and pushed Qi Hanchuan’s hand away, stomping toward the bathroom while muttering, “Why so fierce? Fine, I’ll wash myself. It’s not like I really wanted your help anyway.”

Qi Hanchuan breathed a private sigh of relief. He glanced around Jiang He’s room—it was a mess again, despite having told him to put things back after using them.

After the shower, Jiang He was wide awake. He came out humming a tune, only to see Qi Hanchuan helping him tidy up. He ruffled his damp hair and walked over with his hands behind his back, asking knowingly, “What are you doing?”

Qi Hanchuan placed a rabbit plushie back in its original spot and said without turning around, “Next time you mess up the room, clean it yourself.”

Jiang He silently mimicked Qi Hanchuan’s movements and reluctantly squeezed out a word: “Oh.”

I’ll mess it up again next time, he thought. Qi Hanchuan will help anyway. Stubborn mouth, soft heart.

After tidying, Qi Hanchuan noticed Jiang He’s hair was still wet. He frowned and ordered, “Dry your hair.”

Jiang He turned and sat on the sofa, looking up with a smile. “Hubby, help me.”

Knowing the boy was wide awake and ready to cause trouble, Qi Hanchuan simply took the hairdryer and dried Jiang He’s hair for him. Seeing that Qi Hanchuan was being so “well-behaved,” Jiang He didn’t tease him further. Once his hair was dry, he climbed into bed. As usual, Qi Hanchuan sat nearby to handle some work.

The white light of the laptop reflected on Qi Hanchuan’s face. Jiang He was full of energy. “I’m awake. What do I do if I can’t sleep?”

Qi Hanchuan deadpanned a joke: “Go downstairs and run two laps.”

Jiang He flipped over to lie flat, propping his head on his arms. “It’s raining! Do you want me to get sick so you can take care of me? You scheming man.”

Qi Hanchuan glanced at him, looking helpless. “I have no idea what goes through your head all day.”

Jiang He blurted out, “Thinking about you!”

Qi Hanchuan prepared to get up and leave, but Jiang He quickly reached out and grabbed his wrist. “Don’t go. I’m afraid of thunder. Can you sleep here today?”

Qi Hanchuan’s gaze traveled slowly from the slender wrist up to Jiang He’s eyes, trying to discern if this was a prank or genuine fear. Jiang He put on a pitiful expression and tightened his grip. “I’m really afraid.”

Qi Hanchuan asked, “Not lying?”

“Why would I lie about something like this? If you don’t want to, then forget it,” Jiang He snapped, letting go and burrowing into the duvet, kicking his legs irritably. “Go then. Just let me be scared to death.”

Qi Hanchuan shook his head helplessly. “I’m going to take a shower.”

Jiang He was afraid of thunder, but not that afraid; he just wanted to tease Qi Hanchuan. He hadn’t expected to almost be caught out. But if Qi Hanchuan really came to sleep with him, would he sleep on the floor again? He wondered if sleeping on the floor was uncomfortable.

While Jiang He was lost in thought, Qi Hanchuan returned from his shower. His usually meticulously styled hair was now down, making him look several years younger. Jiang He lay on his side, propped up by one hand, his eyes following Qi Hanchuan. “From now on, no more slicked-back hair. It makes you look old.”

Qi Hanchuan glanced at him. He didn’t speak, but Jiang He knew he was thinking “mind your own business.”

Jiang He huffed. “I’m your wife, I have the right to manage you. No more of that ‘Old Money’ style either. It’s ugly.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t know what “Old Money” style was, but he felt like Jiang He was just being eccentric. He stood by the bed, looking down at him. “Are you going to sleep or not?”

Jiang He pouted. “I’m sleeping! Don’t sleep on the floor today. The bed is wide enough; just come up and sleep together. We’re all ‘bros’ anyway.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t want to be “bros” with him. This person was a tyrant in his sleep—he could push a person to the very edge of the bed and leave them without a shred of duvet. “No need…”

Jiang He grabbed him again, a smile spreading across his pretty face. “Hubby, are you afraid that sharing a bed will make you lose control of your ‘animal instincts’? Relax, compared to me, you’re like a eunuch in a brothel. Just lie down and sleep; I won’t do anything to you.”

Qi Hanchuan made up a casual excuse: “I’m not used to sleeping with others.”

“That won’t do! You’re married now; you have to adapt quickly. Start today.” Jiang He scrambled up and pulled at him. “Stop dallying. Get in. It’s thundering.”

Lightning flashed and thunder roared outside. Every time a clap echoed, Jiang He would shiver. He truly looked frightened. Qi Hanchuan didn’t want to argue over such a small thing, so he sighed and lay down beside Jiang He.

Jiang He lay down too, stealing a glance at Qi Hanchuan and whispering, “The light is still on.”

Qi Hanchuan took a deep breath, got up to turn off the main light and his own bedside lamp, leaving only the dim nightlight on Jiang He’s side.

Jiang He quietly scooted closer to Qi Hanchuan, his voice soft. “Are you angry? Don’t be angry. I’m most afraid of people being angry.”

Qi Hanchuan scoffed, “Little liar.”

Jiang He gritted his teeth. “If you insult me again, I’ll cry.”

Qi Hanchuan lay flat on his back, hands on his chest, and closed his eyes. “Fine. Go to sleep.”

Suddenly, a massive bolt of thunder shook the room. Jiang He jumped and huddled right up against Qi Hanchuan. “I’m really a bit scared. Can you… not sleep yet? Talk to me for a bit.” He had slept in the car earlier and wasn’t tired at all.

Qi Hanchuan knew the boy was timid and guessed it was related to that incident. “Talk about what?”

“Anything.” Thinking Qi Hanchuan was a man of few words, Jiang He took the initiative. “Is this always how you and the Old Master get along?”

Qi Hanchuan was silent for a few seconds before saying, “I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Unwilling to tell me the important things?” Jiang He laughed carelessly. “It’s fine. I’ll tell you why I’m afraid of the dark first.”

Secrets were meant to be exchanged, after all. He and Qi Hanchuan had only known each other for a little over a month; it wasn’t easy to gain full trust.

Qi Hanchuan was secretly surprised. He hadn’t expected Jiang He to volunteer this, even though he already knew the story. He waited quietly for Jiang He to speak.

Jiang He organized his thoughts. His clear voice rose slowly alongside the thunder outside: “It’s actually quite cliché. I was kidnapped. Back then, Fang Zhiyi hadn’t been recognized by the Fang family yet; he was another kid who had been… well, kidnapped—actually, he was a trafficked child.

It was raining very hard that day. That basement… I think it was a basement. It was dark, damp, and smelled of mold. They locked me in there because I helped Fang Zhiyi escape. Those two men kept hitting me, kicking me, and locking me in a space of only a few square meters. Not a single spark of light.

And I kept hearing chewing sounds. I was eight years old and scared to death. Those scratching and squeaking noises never stopped. I thought I was going to be eaten by monsters, and then I fainted from fear.”

Jiang He turned his head to look at Qi Hanchuan, offering a wide smile. “When I opened my eyes again, I was home! Jiang Xu said those ‘monsters’ were just rats, but I can’t seem to overcome my fear of the night.”

Looking at Jiang He’s seemingly relaxed expression, Qi Hanchuan felt his heart grow heavy. For an eight-year-old, a few minutes in such an environment would be terrifying, let alone several hours.

Jiang He sighed, his voice peaceful. “I know there’s nothing to be afraid of, but I can’t help it. I’m just a coward. Even the psychologists couldn’t fix it after so long. I’m pretty pathetic, right?”

Qi Hanchuan’s gentle voice reached his ears: “No. You are very brave.”

Jiang He looked up, stunned, and caught the lingering pity in Qi Hanchuan’s eyes. He laughed loudly. “Don’t pity me! To pity is to like, and to like is to love. You’re doomed.”

Still joking at a time like this, Qi Hanchuan thought.

Another piercing crack of thunder sounded, and Jiang He flinched. The next moment, Qi Hanchuan suddenly reached out and pulled him into his arms. His tone was a bit stiff: “Don’t be afraid. Sleep.