After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 35

Chapter 35: I Want to Hold You

The engagement between Fang Zhiyi and Xie Yunting was finalized quickly, with the news breaking right after the birthday banquet ended.

Jiang He was in a bad mood, but he didn’t throw a tantrum. Instead, he earnestly reminded Fang Zhiyi to tell him if he ever felt mistreated. Fang Zhiyi agreed readily, but not knowing how to comfort Jiang He himself, he could only sneakily send a message to Qi Hanchuan.

As winter set in, the temperature plummeted. Gray rain drizzled daily, chilling people to the bone.

Jiang He sat by the window in his cat café, holding two small kittens in his arms to warm his hands. He gazed up at the thin, needle-like rain falling outside and whispered to himself, “Is this rain or ice?”

“It’s ice.” Qi Hanchuan’s voice suddenly came from behind him, followed by a cup of hot cocoa being placed in front of him.

Jiang He looked up, a flash of joy crossing his eyes. “Why are you here?”

Qi Hanchuan sat in the empty seat opposite him, his expression very gentle. “To see you. I’ll take you back to the old manor after you finish work.”

Fang Zhiyi had messaged him saying Jiang He sounded “off” on the phone, so Qi Hanchuan had dropped his work and come straight over. Lately, because of the engagement, Jiang He had indeed been down. He wasn’t his usual chirpy, rowdy self; instead, he sighed frequently.

Jiang He took a few sips of the hot cocoa, feeling slightly better. “What are we going back for?”

Qi Hanchuan said, “If you don’t want to go, we don’t have to. I’ll just let them know.”

Jiang He pushed the cup aside and slumped onto the table, saying lazily, “Then I don’t want to go.”

Qi Hanchuan noted this and asked on a whim, “Want to go skiing?”

Jiang He lacked interest. “No, too cold.”

While Qi Hanchuan was trying to think of ways to cheer him up, Jiang He suddenly looked up and said, “I don’t want to go anywhere. I want to go home for a couple of days.”

Qi Hanchuan agreed. “Okay. I’ll drive you after work.”

Jiang He gave a soft “mhm” and lowered his head to pet the cats. From Qi Hanchuan’s angle, he could see the back of Jiang He’s pale neck and the slight protrusion of his vertebrae. Though his gaze was reserved, Jiang He felt it. He looked up. “You want one?”

Qi Hanchuan froze. “What?”

Jiang He lifted the orange tabby from his lap. “The cat. You keep staring at me—do you want a kitten?”

Qi Hanchuan laughed. “No. I was looking at you.”

Jiang He went still, staring at Qi Hanchuan as if he had misheard. He put the kitten back on his legs and stammered, “What are you looking at me for?”

Qi Hanchuan, rarely seeing Jiang He act like a shy quail, couldn’t resist teasing: “Because you’re good-looking.”

“!!” Jiang He snapped his head up, meeting those laughing eyes. Realizing the man was playing tricks again, he huffed, grabbed the kitten, and marched off.

Qi Hanchuan followed Jiang He to the second-floor temperature-controlled room, where a group of cats and dogs lay bellies-up on plush carpets while customers petted them.

An employee stepped forward to take the kitten from Jiang He. “Boss.” This was a new hire who hadn’t met Qi Hanchuan yet. He looked at the tall man curiously, unsure how to address him.

Qi Hanchuan introduced himself proactively: “I am his husband.”

A flicker of surprise crossed the employee’s eyes, followed by a smile. “Hello, sir.”

Qi Hanchuan nodded. Jiang He looked up at him and complained heartlessly, “Your skin is getting thicker and thicker.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t deny it, following Jiang He into his private office. Once in the private space, Jiang He revealed his true colors—he flopped onto the sofa, rested his feet on Qi Hanchuan’s lap, and started playing games.

Since they were leaving early, Qi Hanchuan began finishing his remaining work on his phone. Jiang He hissed, wedging his feet into the gap between Qi Hanchuan’s legs, complaining, “My feet are cold.”

Qi Hanchuan opened his legs slightly to clamp down on Jiang He’s feet to warm them, then reached for a nearby blanket to cover him.

The sequence of actions was so natural that Jiang He put his phone down and stared at Qi Hanchuan. “Do you really not like me?”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t speak until he finished replying to a work message. Then he looked at Jiang He. “Hungry?”

“You always change the subject!” Jiang He grew impatient, giving Qi Hanchuan’s leg a little kick. He frowned. “Who said I was hungry? I asked if you really don’t like me.”

Qi Hanchuan caught his ankle to stop the kicking. His deep eyes locked onto Jiang He’s. “Is it important?”

Jiang He thought about it. He didn’t feel the ankle-hold was particularly ambiguous; he just analyzed it seriously: “It’s not that important, but you’re being very weird. You said you don’t like men, but you take care of me so naturally.”

Though it was likely just habit, Jiang He felt something was off. Qi Hanchuan wrapped the blanket tighter around Jiang He’s feet, a faint smile on his lips. “Didn’t you ask me to take care of you? Now that I’m attentive, you’re dissatisfied?”

Jiang He scratched his hair in frustration, his small face scrunched up. “No, I just think you’re weird. I can’t put my finger on it.”

Qi Hanchuan remained composed. “You’re overthinking.”

Jiang He blinked his large, watery eyes blankly. “Really?”

Qi Hanchuan feigned contemplation, then gave an answer a few seconds later: “Maybe it’s because you like me, so you care so much.”

Jiang He’s eyes went wide. He tried to kick Qi Hanchuan with all his might, but Qi Hanchuan held his ankle tight, preventing the strike. Jiang He’s face flushed red with agitation, his chest heaving. “You’re talking nonsense again! How could I possibly like you?”

Suddenly, Qi Hanchuan yanked him forward. The safe distance evaporated into an ambiguous space. Jiang He struggled, but Qi Hanchuan’s hand was like iron, his thumb brushing against Jiang He’s ankle bone through his sock. A dull itch traveled to Jiang He’s heart, making his pulse race.

Qi Hanchuan reached out to brush the stray hairs from Jiang He’s forehead, then stroked his cheek. His gaze swept over the boy’s face before settling on his eyes. “Really don’t like me?”

Jiang He, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, swatted Qi Hanchuan’s hand away. “I don’t!”

Qi Hanchuan ignored his reddened hand. He pressed his palm against the back of Jiang He’s head and pulled him closer. “Then why such a big reaction?”

Jiang He’s eyes darted around nervously. He swallowed hard. “Th-that’s because you pulled me suddenly! I was startled.”

“Startled?” Qi Hanchuan smiled, stroking the delicate skin of Jiang He’s nape soothingly. “Are you afraid I’ll bully you, or afraid I’ll see that you like me?”

He spoke from very close range. His cool breath brushed against Jiang He’s cheek, making it itch. Jiang He stared at him in disbelief. “Have you gone crazy?”

“Perhaps,” Qi Hanchuan replied.

Looking into those calm, bottomless eyes, Jiang He felt a surge of panic. He struggled, “Let go, you’re hurting me.”

“So delicate,” Qi Hanchuan chuckled. He loosened his grip slightly but kept his hand on the boy’s ankle and neck.

Jiang He complained, “It’s because you’re too strong.”

“Is that so?” Qi Hanchuan asked. He didn’t let go; instead, he moved Jiang He’s right leg aside, gave him a gentle lift, and pulled him directly onto his lap.

The distance was now non-existent. Jiang He wanted to get down, but Qi Hanchuan pinned his hands against his own chest and used his other hand to hold Jiang He’s waist.

Jiang He’s face was pink from the struggle, with a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. He snapped, “What are you doing?”

It was meant to be a reprimand, but because he was so beautiful, even his anger looked like acting spoiled. It only made one want to bully him harder.

Qi Hanchuan’s words were blunt: “I want to hold you.”

Jiang He gasped. This man has truly lost it. But he was trapped and couldn’t break free.

Qi Hanchuan looked at his angry little face in high spirits. “When you want to hug me, you do. Now I want to hug you too.”

Jiang He was indignant. “Who wanted to hug you?”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t argue. He smiled and said, “Didn’t you have ten boyfriends? Why such a big reaction to a hug?”

Afraid his lie would be exposed, Jiang He’s eyes darted around as he bluffed: “Th-that’s because I was the ‘Top’! I was always the one hugging others!”

Seeing him lie so frantically was adorable. Qi Hanchuan continued to tease: “Aren’t you ‘on top’ right now?”

Jiang He was so angry he couldn’t speak. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Before he could answer, an employee pushed the door open with two cups of coffee. Seeing their “intense” posture, the employee froze, unsure whether to enter or retreat.

Jiang He gave up struggling against Qi Hanchuan’s grip. He panted, “What is it?”

The employee kept her eyes down. “B-Boss, this is a new drink. Xiao Lin asked me to bring it up for you to taste before we decide to launch it.”

Jiang He wanted to headbutt Qi Hanchuan, but the man dodged easily. Jiang He bared his teeth at him while telling the employee, “Leave it there. I’ll taste it later.”

The employee put the drinks down and fled, terrified of interrupting her boss’s “good business.”

Once she was gone, Jiang He barked, “Let me go!”

Qi Hanchuan took his time. “Your attitude is too poor.”

“You… you…!” Jiang He was speechless. Just as he was about to bite him, Qi Hanchuan let go.

Jiang He scrambled off his lap to the other end of the sofa, rubbing his reddened wrists and muttering curses.

Qi Hanchuan straightened his clothes. Seeing the faint red marks on Jiang He’s pale wrists, his heart gave a sudden, heavy thud. His pulse quickened.

Oh no. He felt like he had just awakened some strange preference.

Jiang He, oblivious, held up his hands. Look! This is your doing.

Qi Hanchuan suppressed the heat in his chest and spoke gently, “Come here, let me see.”

“I’m not falling for that again,” Jiang He huffed. He pulled his sweater sleeves down to hide his wrists, put on his shoes, and picked up one of the drinks.

It tasted bizarre bitter, salty, with a hint of burnt flavor and a very faint trace of alcohol. He suppressed his grimace and smiled, handing the cup to Qi Hanchuan. “This is great. You try.

Qi Hanchuan knew he was being set up, but he took a sip anyway. “Not bad.

Jiang He scoffed. “Liar. It’s clearly terrible.

Qi Hanchuan took another sip. “It actually is quite good. It suits my taste.

Jiang He ignored him and tried the other cup. It was sweet and normal; he much preferred this one. Ultimately, he decided to launch both—after all, some people have niche tastes. Like Qi Hanchuan’s “weirdness.

As they left, the employees’ looks were strange. Jiang He didn’t realize why at first, but once he realized they thought he and Qi Hanchuan had been “doing business” in the office, his face turned beet red and he ran for it, cursing Qi Hanchuan in his mind. Now his image was ruined.

After getting in the car, Jiang He glared at Qi Hanchuan. “It’s all your fault.

“Mhm, all my fault,” Qi Hanchuan replied mildly. He even offered a helpful suggestion: “You can tell them I forced you.

“Shut up! You’re making it worse!” Jiang He rubbed his burning face and muttered, “So annoying.”

Qi Hanchuan laughed at his flustered state. Jiang He heard it and got even angrier, turning his face away and huffing like a little engine.