In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 24

Chapter 24: The Purehearted “Old Cow” Is Burning Hot

Jingming didn’t sleep well that night. He had many, many dreams. He dreamed of his mother taking him on a train back to Changling Town, of Chu Feng walking him to school, and of their two families—four people in total—playing in the park.

He also dreamed that Chu Feng was hard.

When he woke up, he realized it was actually he who was hard.

The sky was still dark. Chu Feng’s arm was draped over his stomach, and he was still asleep. Jingming felt uncomfortably swollen. He gently moved Chu Feng’s hand and tried to roll over.

“Mm…” Chu Feng felt him move. Half-awake, he leaned in and hugged Jingming closer, resting his chin on top of Jingming’s head.

Jingming didn’t want to wake him. He waited until Chu Feng’s breathing steadied before slowly trying to break free. It was really uncomfortable. Last time he’d suppressed it, but now, being held by Chu Feng like this only made the pressure grow.

“Baby,” Chu Feng mumbled as he sensed the movement, waking up slightly. “It’s still early.” He scooped Jingming back into his chest.

While adjusting their positions under the covers, Jingming accidentally bumped into him.

Chu Feng let out a groggy chuckle.

Jingming was mortified. He curled his legs into a ball, praying that Chu Feng wasn’t laughing at that, but was just dreaming.

“Do you want me to help you?” Chu Feng asked suddenly.

His voice was raspier from sleep, and the low tone felt like a lover whispering sweet nothings in his ear. Jingming played dead and didn’t answer.

“Hmm?” Chu Feng’s hand slowly slid downward.

His warm, large hand slid toward Jingming’s sensitive lower abdomen. Jingming let out a sudden yelp: “Ah!!”

Chu Feng snapped wide awake, sitting up in surprise. His hair, which was getting long, was a messy bird’s nest. He sat there propped up on his arms, looking dazed. “You don’t want to?”

“No!” Jingming shrunk into the quilt, gripping the edge tightly so only his wide, blinking eyes were visible.

Chu Feng chuckled. “It’s okay. Young people have frequent… needs. Since we’re together now, I figured we’d have to do this sooner or later. Let me help you out.”

Jingming shook his head. “No.” “Why?”

Jingming still remembered the night before. He knew Chu Feng was willing to do this out of care for him—it was love, but not romance. It was the same mindset as helping a pet solve a problem during mating season.

“Your hands are too rough,” Jingming blurted out an excuse. “I’ll be fine in a bit, no need.” His voice got smaller and smaller. His ears were beet red.

Chu Feng: “You shouldn’t hold it in; it’s bad for your health. Don’t be shy, Baby. I’m your boyfriend now, right?”

Jingming immediately bristled: “Who said that!”

Chu Feng: “You feel something for me, so you like me. I like you too. If we aren’t boyfriends, what are we? Come here, get in my arms.”

Jingming wanted to cry but had no tears. He kicked Chu Feng away. “No, no! Get out, go downstairs!”

Seeing Jingming’s distress, Chu Feng sighed and got out of bed. “Fine. Solve it yourself this time. I’ll go make breakfast.”

“Mm-hmm,” Jingming agreed quickly.

As Chu Feng went to wash up, Jingming let out a breath of relief. He lay there trying to calm down, hoping he could just wait it out like last time. He heard the sound of Chu Feng brushing his teeth outside. After a few minutes of closed-eyed struggle with no result, he had to give in.

But everything he saw in the room was Chu Feng’s. It made him feel incredibly ashamed, so he slid entirely under the blanket. The enclosed space gave him a sense of security, and he finally dared to make a few quiet sounds.

Outside, the morning sounds of passing cars, street vendors shouting about vegetables, and chirping birds filled the air. It was lively outside, but Jingming hid under the covers. The space was filled entirely with Chu Feng’s scent.

Usually, it ended quickly, but today, Jingming couldn’t seem to reach the end. He whimpered in frustration, feeling like something was missing. In his desperation, he pulled Chu Feng’s pillow under the covers with him…

…

Jingming took another shower because he’d sweated so much under the blanket.

“Don’t take so long next time, Baby,” Chu Feng said, noticing he looked a bit drained. “Excessive amounts aren’t good either.”

Jingming numbly ate his preserved egg and pork congee, muttering an “Oh.”

“I’ll drive you to work today. Don’t ride the motorcycle; don’t learn from Xiao Lang,” Chu Feng instructed.

“No.” Jingming still hadn’t figured out how to deal with Chu Feng, even though Chu Feng had already labeled himself his “boyfriend.”

Chu Feng frowned. “It’s dangerous.” Jingming: “I’ll be very careful. If you say it again, I’m going to be mad.” Chu Feng: “…”

Jingming gave a small smile to appease him and changed the subject. “When is Lang-ge coming back?” He wanted to ask Chen Lang what to do.

“Probably in three or four days. Talking business in Shanghai won’t be that fast,” Chu Feng replied. “Where?” “Shanghai.” “Shanghai!?” Jingming dropped his spoon.

Chu Feng found Jingming’s jaw-dropping reaction adorable. He reached out to gently “close” his jaw and put the spoon back in his hand. “What’s wrong with Shanghai?”

“Nothing, nothing,” Jingming laughed nervously. “I just… missed Lang-ge.”

Chu Feng paused. “You miss him?”

Jingming saw the look in Chu Feng’s eyes and quickly explained: “Not that kind of ‘miss’.”

Chu Feng: “Good. Baby, we have to be faithful. And Xiao Lang is the only son in his family; we can’t have designs on him.”

“What are you even talking about…” Jingming grumbled, unable to tell him that Chen Lang was also gay.

…

After breakfast, Jingming rode his bike to work. Before leaving, Chu Feng asked for a kiss, but Jingming refused. He wasn’t going to kiss a straight man just for the sake of it!

It was the first day back after the holiday. Teacher Xie Yan and Du Li were both on time. Since the publishing house and the media center had kick-off meetings, Jingming was stuck in an online meeting at his desk.

His phone lay next to his keyboard, the screen lit up on a chat with Chen Lang. When he first started work, he’d sent, “Lang-ge, are you busy?” It had been an hour without a reply.

The meeting was discussing middle school teaching materials, which had nothing to do with the “Fengwu” project. Jingming sent another message: [Lang-ge, are you okay?]

Chen Lang replied instantly: [What could be wrong with me?] Jingming smiled, feeling a bit mischievous: [I was worried your backside would hurt.] Chen Lang: [Your worry was justified.] Jingming: [Ah? Did you really go there to find him?] Chen Lang: [He’s the one who looked for me, okay!] Chen Lang: [He specifically had his assistant tell me there was a supermarket chain channel in Shanghai to discuss, just to trick me into coming over.] Jingming: [Ah, so what’s the deal between you and President Fu now?] Chen Lang: [I don’t know, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m here for serious business. Why did you message me?]

What ‘serious business’ involves ending up in bed? Jingming thought. The office was quiet, everyone wearing headphones. He checked his surroundings; no one was paying attention to him in the corner.

Jingming: [Something big happened. My brother knows I’m gay.] Chen Lang: [WHAT! How?]

Jingming’s fingers flew across the screen, telling Chen Lang the whole story. He sent a wall of text, but Chen Lang didn’t reply again. Thinking Chen Lang might be busy, he put his phone down and listened to the meeting.

After the morning meeting, Xie Yan left and Du Li went to the media office. Jingming was alone again, editing the content he’d translated before the holiday. Teacher Xie Yan wanted it in the first person. Jingming finished the outline by noon and went to a small shop to eat.

Then, Chen Lang called.

“Lang-ge.” Jingming felt gloomy, poking at his rice with chopsticks.

Chen Lang: “I know your situation is complicated and a bit perverse, but since things have come to this, there’s no turning back. Listen to me: Sleep with him.”

“…” Jingming was stunned. “Are you joking?” “No.”

Jingming looked around. Seeing no one was watching, he whispered, “Lang-ge, I can’t be a ‘1’ (top).”

Chen Lang: “…Can you have some ambition?”

Jingming whispered, “Seriously, and I’m so much shorter than him. If I did that, it would look like a Chihuahua humping a leg. It’s too creepy.”

“Chen Jingming! How can you be so cowardly? You’re a disgrace to the Chen family!” Chen Lang yelled. “And that’s not what I meant. Does sleeping with him have to mean being a ‘1’? Can’t a ‘0’ (bottom) take the initiative? Can’t you just sit on him yourself?”

Jingming let out a muffled gasp. “Stop it, Lang-ge, I’m in public…”

Chen Lang coughed. “Is your brother really not getting hard? Have you tried using your mouth?”

“Ah?” Jingming’s face turned bright red. He quickly finished his food and ran across the street to the empty riverside path. “Lang-ge, I haven’t even touched him.”

Chen Lang was speechless. “Not even a grope?” “No.” “Kissing with tongue?” “No.”

Chen Lang: “Then that’s your problem. Jingming, tell me the truth: Do you want your brother to give up on becoming gay, or do you want him to actually become gay and be your husband?”

Jingming stammered and didn’t answer. Rationally, he felt being brothers was better; Chu Feng should marry and have kids as planned, and they could be family forever. But emotionally, he really wanted to keep Chu Feng’s exclusive affection.

“Fine, you don’t have to say it. I know.” Chen Lang exhaled some smoke. “If you want him, you have to take the lead. He doesn’t understand anything to begin with. Guide him and see how he reacts. Show him some… ‘videos’.”

Jingming: “Is that a good idea…?” Chen Lang: “If you don’t have resources, I’ll send them to you.” “That’s not what I meant,” Jingming laughed. “It means you already have plenty of resources, right?” Chen Lang laughed too. “You look so innocent, but you’re actually a custard bun (sweet and soft on the outside, yellow/dirty on the inside).”

Jingming laughed. “What if he’s repulsed?”

Chen Lang: “Then you’ll just have to play hardball. Don’t worry, I’m with you. Listen to me: tonight, use your tongue.”

“Oh, I’ll try…” Jingming’s voice was tiny, very embarrassed to talk about this. He heard a knock on Chen Lang’s end, and they hung up.

…

After work, Jingming rode to the ranch. Chu Feng wasn’t in the office; Meng Qingyu said he was at the slaughterhouse. Jingming went to work in the fodder greenhouse. On the way, he ran into the ranch veterinarian, Song Cheng. Song was two years older than Jingming and had worked at Xishan Ranch since its second year.

“Jingming, going to the greenhouse?” “Yeah, you?” Song Cheng stopped his electric scooter. “Checking on the calves. A lot of them had diarrhea recently; they’re quarantined.”

The employees knew Jingming was a “writer from the big city” who was curious about everything. Song Cheng invited him along. Song was tanned like Chu Feng but shorter than Jingming, with an outgoing personality.

“Jingming, how’s your book going?” Jingming felt embarrassed because he didn’t consider himself a writer yet. “Still writing. It’s just random stuff, not a real writer.”

“The boss says you are,” Song Cheng smiled. “I think so too. If the book about the ranch gets published, let me know. I’ll buy ten copies. I want to show my family that my work is meaningful.”

Jingming tilted his head. “Your family doesn’t support you?”

They reached the quarantine pen. “My parents are very successful people. They had high expectations for me, but I’m just not an ambitious person. I couldn’t adapt to complex office environments.” Song Cheng handed Jingming a long protective coat. “I love nature and animals. I love cows and sheep best, haha.”

Jingming laughed. “Me too!” (Cows and sheep were delicious!)

Song Cheng: “Right? Their eyes are so pure.” Jingming scratched his head guiltily: “…Yeah, yeah. Let’s go see the calves.”

They cleaned the pens and fed the calves. By the time they finished, it was dark. Jingming checked his phone; Chu Feng had called three times.

Back at the cafeteria, most people had finished eating. The cafeteria lady told him: “Jingming, your brother got food for you and went to the office.”

Jingming hurried to the office. Next door, the live stream was in full swing. He noticed they’d hired a rugged-looking guy to host—the staff’s brains worked fast!

Chu Feng was looking at purchase orders. “Baby, what took you so long? I saw your bike but couldn’t find you. Come here.”

Jingming walked over. “I was helping Brother Cheng treat the calves.” He stood next to Chu Feng, who was wearing a business-blue shirt today. His hair was natural and messy, softening his tough face.

“How are the calves?” Chu Feng pulled a chair next to his. “I’ll go heat up your food.”

Jingming said playfully, “Isn’t there a ‘little calf’ right in front of you?”

Chu Feng was startled by the cuteness. He set the food down, leaned over, and rubbed his chin against the top of Jingming’s head several times before leaving to heat the meal.

While eating, Jingming watched Chu Feng work at the messy desk. He took out his phone and made notes about Song Cheng’s story. He’d been writing about the cows, the old and new streets, and the local translators. He realized he would never run out of things to write about in his hometown. He made up his mind to keep writing. Maybe he really could be a writer.

They drove home together, Jingming riding his motorcycle and Chu Feng following behind at 20km/h with his headlights on to guide him.

When they parked and walked toward the door, they found Li Yongjing waiting with a bag of loquats. “Why so late? I need to discuss something with you.”

Jingming was startled and quickly let go of Chu Feng’s hand. “What are you afraid of?” Chu Feng pulled him back and held his hand firmly in front of Li Yongjing. “Drove slowly tonight.”

Jingming tried to pull away guiltily, but Li Yongjing didn’t even look. To them, these two brothers had always been this clingy.

“Loquats for the ‘little calf.’ Good rain this year; they’re huge.” Li Yongjing handed them over. Chu Feng took them.

While they talked business, Jingming went to shower. When he came back down, he heard a familiar term: “KEYS Boy Band.”

Jingming froze at the stairs, then hurried to the living room. With a towel over his head, he sat down and asked urgently, “What happened with the boy band?”

Li Yongjing smiled. “A food variety show is coming to Changxi to film. There will be a market in town, and the show wants to trace the source of our Changling cattle. I got the ranch a spot. One of the guests used to be in that ‘KEYS’ group.”

Jingming’s eyes went wide. That was Tang Song’s old group. “What’s the person’s name?”

“Relax, Baby.” Chu Feng peeled a sweet loquat and fed it to him. “It’s not him. It’s a guy named Shao Yuting.”

Chu Feng had researched all this when the “incident” first happened. Jingming let out a sigh of relief, nodding with the loquat in his mouth. This Shao Yuting had left the group less than a year after debut, which caused a stir at the time. He’d been quiet for a long while until a movie he was in came out last year.

After Li Yongjing left, Jingming lay in bed, lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” Chu Feng finished his shower and got into bed, naturally pulling Jingming into his arms. “Thinking about that celebrity coming?”

Jingming nodded. Chu Feng: “If you don’t want to show your face, I’ll hide you those few days.” Jingming laughed, looking up at him with bright eyes. “Hide me where?” “Hide you at home, hide you in my arms, hide you in my mouth.” Chu Feng laughed at his own words.

Chu Feng’s smile was bright and handsome. Jingming felt a stir in his heart. Such a great brother was lying next to him every day, willing to “become gay” for him, yet he had done nothing.

Chen Lang’s words from the morning echoed in his mind. Maybe…

“Brother.” “Hmm?”

Jingming burrowed into Chu Feng’s chest, blinking his big, beautiful eyes. “I want a kiss.”