In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: “If it wasn’t you, was it your brother?…”

They had agreed to try “something else,” but for the following week, both Jingming and Chu Feng were busy as spinning tops, returning home very late every day.

Usually, they’d just wash up and crash. Sometimes Jingming would get home at ten, and Chu Feng wouldn’t even be back yet. Once the weekend market in Changling Town was confirmed, Jingming was dragged in by Li Yongjing as a helper. Every day after work, he headed to the Town Government office to plan and strategize with Li’s team.

The market required a lot of booth decorations. Jingming didn’t know much about design, so he helped by writing slogans and promotional copy.

While looking at social media feedback from previous markets in Daguzhai, Jingming noticed people saying the merchandise was cute—that seeing it at home brought back memories of the trip. Changling Town’s most famous asset was its cattle, so they prepared plenty of merchandise: cartoon cow fridge magnets and badges, priced cheaply at just a few yuan each.

Jingming suddenly remembered a museum stamp-collecting event he’d attended, which was quite fun.

“Big Brother Li,” Jingming leaned toward Li Yongjing’s workstation. Everyone else was busy, so he whispered, giving Li a start.

“Huh?”

Jingming grinned like a puppy and showed Li a “stamp-collecting map” he’d searched for on his phone. “Big Brother Li, look at this. Could we make a map like this? We pick some iconic stalls as ‘check-in’ points and give the vendors a stamp. If tourists collect all the stamps, they get a small prize.”

“That’s a great idea! It feels meaningful.” Li Yongjing’s eyes widened, and he waved his colleagues over. “Come look at this, let’s discuss.”

Jingming quickly added, “But if we do this, we need prizes, which means we have to cover the cost.”

Another colleague, You Jing, piped up: “No problem at all. I ordered 12,000 cow-head magnets. That’ll definitely be enough.”

Li Yongjing: “Yeah, the unit cost for those is low.”

“Really?” Jingming was thrilled to have his suggestion accepted.

The team brainstormed the details and started designing the map. Jingming handled the copy, You Jing did the design, and they planned to post a preview on social media and rush the printing the next day.

By 10:30 PM, most people had left. Jingming and You Jing were still at the office finishing the map. Having eaten dinner at six, they were both hungry and planned to get BBQ at the New Street once they finished.

“Baby.”

Jingming and You Jing looked up to see Chu Feng entering. He was holding a bowl in each hand, with a plastic bag dangling from one finger. He smiled. “Want some fried rice noodles?”

“Brother!” Jingming jumped up in excitement. “Why are you here?”

Chu Feng, looking somewhat proud of the reaction, said, “I saw you guys working so late and brought some food.”

“Is it for ‘me’ or ‘us’?” You Jing teased. “I guess I’m riding on our Baby’s coattails for a late-night snack.”

“Sister—” Jingming blushed.

Chu Feng just smiled and unpacked the food on the table: two portions of fried rice noodles, some grilled skewers, and a box of sliced watermelon.

“I just got back too. Didn’t have time to cook, so I bought this at the New Street,” Chu Feng said, pulling up chairs for them. “Eat up.”

Jingming and You Jing dug in. They were starving. The small skewers in Changxi were made fresh daily—tiny bites of alternating lean and fatty pork, grilled with secret sauces until sizzling, then topped with scallions. Each bite was a burst of savory oil.

Chu Feng sat by, watching with a look of pure contentment. Seeing Jingming eat well was enough for him.

“Old Cow, you really dote on your brother, don’t you?” You Jing noted his expression.

Usually, Chu Feng was serious, old-fashioned, and stuck to business. He was fair to employees but strictly professional when mistakes were made. He was busy year-round and had few hobbies. Everyone understood the pressure he was under, so it was rare to see him smile like this. Ever since Jingming returned, Chu Feng seemed much happier, as if the void in his life had been filled.

You Jing added, “You’ve been in a great mood lately.”

Chu Feng: “I have.”

You Jing: “I’m happy for you. With Jingming back, the house feels like a home. Before, you lived like a lonely old widower.”

“Where would you find such a handsome widower, Sister?” Jingming said, covering his mouth as he chewed.

Chu Feng laughed. “See? Who wouldn’t like a brother like this?”

You Jing: “If I like him, can I have him?”

Chu Feng: “There’s only one. I can’t give him away.” He then handed a tissue to Jingming. “You’ve got something on your nose. Is it good?”

Jingming gave a thumbs up. “So good!”

As they finished, Chu Feng stayed to help. They finished thirty minutes later, and You Jing took the files to be printed the next day. These tasks were voluntary for Jingming, but he’d worked late for days.

…

On the way home, the two held hands. The office was only a kilometer from the house. The night was quiet, and the streetlights stretched their shadows—shadows that grew smaller as they approached the light, just as their younger selves used to follow one another.

“Tired?” Chu Feng asked.

The early summer night breeze cooled Jingming’s flushed face. He shook his head. “Not tired. It’s fun.”

Chu Feng looked down. “Hard work, Baby.”

“Brother, what will we do in the future?” Jingming asked, slightly worried. “Others might not accept us.”

Chu Feng: “Whether they accept us is their business. They can adjust their own systems.”

“Hahaha!” Jingming laughed until his stomach hurt. “You’re so overbearing, Brother.”

Chu Feng felt shy but found Jingming’s red face adorable. He wanted to kiss him. Seeing no one around, he leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Ah…” Jingming covered his face. “What if someone sees?”

Chu Feng: “There’s no one here.”

Just then, the roar of a motorcycle approached. A silver-and-black street bike zoomed past and braked hard in front of them. Chen Lang flipped up his visor. “What are you two doing?”

Chu Feng: “When did you get back?”

Chen Lang paddled the bike backward with his long legs. “At noon. I posted in the ranch group. You guys weren’t home when I got back.”

“Lang-ge!” Jingming ran over. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Chen Lang patted his head. “Why? You gonna pick me up?”

Jingming: “I have work.”

“No, you still haven’t told me—what are you two doing here?” Chen Lang looked energetic despite his business trip. Jingming explained the work at the government office.

Chen Lang glanced at Chu Feng and whispered to Jingming, “How’s it going?”

Jingming twined his fingers together and nodded with a giddy, lovesick sway.

“Tsk,” Chen Lang grinned wickedly. “Not bad, kid.”

Chu Feng walked over, and they chatted about the market. They had agreed to let Chen Lang pretend he didn’t know about their relationship to avoid Chu Feng realizing Chen Lang was also gay.

Chu Feng: “Tomorrow, take Lao Hei and help You Jing set up the booths. They’re short-staffed and over budget.”

“Sure,” Chen Lang said. He clicked his tongue at Jingming. “I’m out.”

Chu Feng raised a hand as if to swat him. “Don’t use those rogue tricks on Baby.”

Chen Lang laughed, gave Chu Feng a greasy wink, and roared off.

“That kid,” Chu Feng put an arm around Jingming’s shoulder. “Don’t learn from your Lang-ge.”

Jingming agreed obediently. “Mm-hmm.”

“Are you that happy?” “Very happy.” Chu Feng teased: “You like your Lang-ge that much?” Jingming teased back: “I do, I do.”

Chu Feng had started the teasing, but he wasn’t happy when he got the answer.

“Haha,” Jingming hugged Chu Feng’s muscular arm. “I like you most. Love you, love you.”

Chu Feng was over the moon.

He wasn’t sure if others noticed, but he knew why he was so much happier since Jingming returned. No matter what he cooked, Jingming ate it with gusto; whether shoveling manure or cutting grass, Jingming said it was fun. He was cute when hugged and would coax him with “love you” when he was upset.

“Brother, I can’t walk anymore,” Jingming said, leaning his weight onto Chu Feng.

Chu Feng laughed and scooped him up onto his back. Jingming rested there, held steady by Chu Feng’s large hands.

“Brother.” “Hmm?” “Your back is so wide. Like a big bull.”

Chu Feng chuckled softly and walked. After a moment, he let out a low “Moo—”

Under the night sky, they chatted about work. Chu Feng felt this life was perfect. Jingming did too. Jingming loved this life, and Chu Feng loved this version of Jingming—the one who ate and said “yummy,” looked at scenery and said “beautiful,” and dated and said “I like you so much.”

Jingming rested his cheek against Chu Feng’s back. Since he was a child, his mother told him to express love. It wasn’t a platitude; it was a way to make sure the person you loved felt it. Even if he were looking at a withered flower, Jingming would still be this way.

…

By Friday, the preparations were done. Xie Yan and Du Li gave Jingming the day off. Du Li gave him a camera and tasked him with taking photos for the office social media account.

It was raining Friday morning, so outdoor work was stalled. Tired from the week, Jingming and Chu Feng slept in, tangled together. Since their relationship progressed, Jingming’s sleeping habits had become even more erratic—Chu Feng often woke up to find Jingming had completely flipped around.

The 6:30 AM alarm rang. Chu Feng turned it off and realized Jingming had somehow taken off his pajama pants in his sleep; they were now wrapped around Chu Feng’s neck. He laughed for several minutes, realizing why he’d dreamed of being put in a headlock by a drill instructor.

When they finally woke up again, the rain was still falling. Jingming was sprawled on Chu Feng’s chest, a puddle of drool on his shirt. They were pressed together, their skin hot. Chu Feng usually didn’t sleep late, but he couldn’t move without waking the “grumpy sleeper.”

The thin, depressed Jingming who had first returned to Changling was gone. Now, he was well-fed, fair, and cheerful—like a piece of cream cake. Chu Feng felt an immense sense of accomplishment. He’d even solved Jingming’s “life-partner” problem. He really was the best brother in the world.

Looking at Jingming’s healthy, flushed face, Chu Feng couldn’t resist poking him gently. As his thoughts wandered, his body began to heat up. He shifted uncomfortably, which woke Jingming.

“Ugh…” Jingming mumbled, rolling off Chu Feng and turning his back to him to drift off again. As he moved, his thin cotton shirt rode up, exposing his white waist.

Chu Feng blushed, cursing himself for being a “beast.” But seeing Jingming sleeping so soundly was endearing. He held his palm up behind Jingming to measure his waist—it was barely wider than his hand.

Chu Feng smiled, took a breath, and pressed against him from behind, his lower body resting against Jingming’s thigh through his pants. He tried to go back to sleep, but his body seemed to have a mind of its own, shifting instinctively.

“What are you doing…” Jingming grumbled, kicking backward. “I’m trying to sleep.”

Chu Feng froze. Jingming’s leg had lifted and fallen in such a way that it trapped Chu Feng’s “situation” right between his thighs.

Chu Feng stared at the ceiling, breathless. Why was he so “fired up” this morning? The weather wasn’t even hot. Jingming was still asleep, and he didn’t want to disturb him.

“Sorry, Baby…” Chu Feng shifted slightly to adjust, but the pressure was too much. So this is what being gay feels like.

Jingming, in a half-sleep state, didn’t notice the struggle. After a few minutes, Chu Feng realized he couldn’t keep this up. He decided to go to the bathroom and let Jingming sleep. But first, he allowed himself one last adjustment.

“OLD COW!!” Li Yongjing’s voice suddenly boomed from downstairs.

Chu Feng let out a muffled groan of shock. Jingming kicked out irritably. “Who is that?”

“Li Yongjing,” Chu Feng calmed him. “Go back to sleep, he’s looking for me.”

“Oh.” Jingming felt something slightly sticky on his leg. He rubbed it absentmindedly and wiped his hand on his pants before falling back into a deep sleep.

Chu Feng sat on the edge of the bed, his lower half slightly numb. He eventually got up to clean up the “crime scene” with tissues. There was a faint mark on the sheet, but he figured he’d sneakily change them later after Jingming woke up.

Jingming slept until 10:00 AM. He woke up refreshed, smoothed the bedsheets with a quick flick, and went to brush his teeth. Chu Feng had messaged saying he went to the city with Li Yongjing and that there were wontons in the fridge.

Jingming cooked the wontons, added a spoonful of Chu Feng’s homemade chili oil, and checked his podcast comments. He only had one episode up, but people were already asking if he was actually raising cattle.

…

The sun came out at noon, drying the stone paths. Jingming walked to Chen Lang’s house to help with the market setup. He’d been walking for ten minutes when he saw Chen Lang’s motorcycle parked outside.

“Lang-ge!” Jingming called. “Are you home?”

Chen Lang’s mother came down. “Jingming! Come in, I just made steamed sponge cake.”

“Thanks, Auntie. Where’s Lang-ge?”

“In the bathroom. I heard you helped with the market—you’ve really grown up!” Jingming smiled shyly. Auntie left to mind her shop, telling him to make himself at home.

Jingming took a piece of the bouncy sponge cake and stood by the photo wall, eating. Chen Lang emerged wearing an “old man” tank top.

“Good cake?” “Yeah.”

Jingming was about to say more when Chen Lang walked over and leaned down to look at the back of Jingming’s thigh.

“What’s that on you?” Chen Lang reached out to wipe it, then pulled back on instinct.

Jingming turned, trying to see. “What?”

Chen Lang: “Holy crap. You didn’t have a… ‘dream’ last night and get it on your leg, did you?”

“Huh?” Jingming touched the spot; it was indeed dry and crusty. “No, I was way too tired for that.”

Chen Lang: “If it wasn’t you, was it your brother?…”

A second later.

Chen Lang: “HOLY CRAP.”