In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Keep Going! Don’t Let Them Break You…

Having received the gift, Jingming worked with even more enthusiasm.

The vendors arrived one after another, and the food area began its operations. Since tourists hadn’t arrived in large numbers yet, the vendors visited each other’s stalls. Jingming wandered over to Hu Xianyun’s family stall in the food section.

“When did you get here?” Hu Xianyun was setting out ingredients her mother had prepared in large containers.

Jingming handed her a coffee he’d bought from a nearby stand. “Early. I’ve been helping out at the handicrafts section.”

Hu Xianyun put a hand on her hip. “You’d help strangers but not me!”

Jingming smiled instantly. “I’ll help! I’ll start setting things out for you right now.”

“I’m kidding,” she waved him off. “You’re clumsy; what could you possibly do?”

“I was kidding too,” Jingming shot back.

“You—!” Hu Xianyun lunged as if to hit him, and Jingming laughed, jumping out of reach.

“Actually, I invited one of the horse-tail embroidery masters. She has a big booth and no help, so I promised to be her assistant. Can I help you this afternoon instead? She even gave me several gifts.”

Jingming pulled out the small cloth bag from Wei Hongwen. “There’s a pair of earrings that are beautiful. See if you like them?”

Hu Xianyun put down her coffee to look and immediately spotted the body chain.

“Chen Jingming… I didn’t realize you were so ‘extra’ behind the scenes.”

“It’s not for me to wear!” Jingming blurted out, regret hitting him the second the words left his mouth.

Hu Xianyun leaned in close. “For Old Cow-ge?”

Jingming: “…” I’ve done it now.

“Is there something you haven’t told me?” She stared intensely into his eyes. “I’ve read nearly a thousand web novels. I eat tropes for breakfast. Not a single movement or look of yours escapes me.”

Jingming squeezed his eyes shut. “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“That means there is something! You bought this for him because you want to admire his ‘scenery.’ Why would a little ‘0’ [submissive/bottom] want to admire his own brother’s scenery, and why would a rugged straight man like Old Cow-ge wear this for you?”

“Well…” Jingming peeked with one eye.

“Wait, there’s a bug in the logic.” Hu Xianyun stroked an imaginary beard. “Old Cow-ge dotes on you too much; he’d do anything you ask. So it’s your fault—you like your brother! You have inappropriate thoughts about him!”

I’m dead, Jingming thought, trying to turn and flee.

“Stop.” Hu Xianyun grabbed him. “Tell me the truth.”

Jingming gave a guilty smile. “We’re brothers.”

“Brothers? I see. In the world of Danmei [Boys’ Love], that’s just a synonym for ‘husband’.”

Jingming was beyond embarrassed.

“Tell me, tell me!” Hu Xianyun switched to a softer tone. “If you tell me, I’ll take you mushroom picking in two days. The rain has definitely brought them out. I have a secret spot only my mom and I know.”

Jingming was genuinely tempted. What city worker hasn’t scrolled through mountain-foraging videos late at night in a shared apartment?

“I can also take you to catch crawfish,” she added.

“Fine,” Jingming gave in. “I am… together with my brother.”

Hu Xianyun took a sharp breath. “Holy crap. I ship it.” She immediately started imagining some very “adult” scenarios involving a rugged man and his delicate partner.

“Don’t be like that, Xiao Yun, you’re scaring me.” Jingming poked her arm. “Our feelings are complicated. There’s family affection and…”

“Incest-lite,” she finished.

Jingming wailed in frustration. “Didn’t you tell me we weren’t blood-related and to be brave and go for it?!”

“Well, yeah,” she laughed. “I said it, but I didn’t think you two would actually do it! Who knew Old Cow could actually turn gay?”

“Anyway… it’s complicated.”

Hu Xianyun put an arm around his shoulder. “I think it’s great, Jingming. I’m happy for you. As long as you’re happy, I support whatever you do.”

The usually brash Hu Xianyun’s sudden warmth made Jingming’s nose sting with tears.

“Don’t you dare cry.” “Okay.”

She had been saying that to him while holding up a fist since they were kids.

…

Jingming returned to Wei Hongwen’s stall to find people already browsing. He helped out until 1:00 PM when Chu Feng called to pick him up for lunch.

“Go on, you’ve worked hard. I can handle the afternoon alone,” Wei Hongwen said.

Jingming walked out of the market area and saw Chu Feng waiting at the bridge.

“Brother!”

“Baby.” Chu Feng raised an arm from a distance, pulling Jingming into a side-hug as he reached him. “Tired?”

“Not tired. Where are we eating?”

The market was getting crowded. At the other end of the stone bridge, the college band was tuning their instruments. Chu Feng led Jingming through the crowd. “Li Yongjing and I have to eat with the production crew. I’ll take you home, stir-fry a couple of dishes for you, and then head back.”

“Is Shao Yuting there?” Jingming asked.

Chu Feng gave a grunt of affirmation.

“I want to go too,” Jingming said.

“If someone recognizes you, I’m afraid there will be trouble.”

“Even if there is, I’m going,” Jingming insisted. “I want to see Shao Yuting. Besides, if I keep hiding, it makes it look like I really was the one at fault.”

Chu Feng had initially tried to keep Jingming away, but Li Yongjing and You Jing had disagreed. They argued that being at home was safe, and that hiding only made Jingming look guilty. But Chu Feng remained uneasy; he didn’t want a repeat of the past. He wasn’t some all-powerful CEO in a novel; he was just a man who wished he’d been able to protect Jingming better thirteen years ago.

“Let me go,” Jingming pleaded again.

Chu Feng sighed, figuring that as long as he was there, it would be safe. “Fine. I’ll listen to you.”

…

They went to Jinmei Restaurant, the biggest place in town, owned by Hu Xianyun’s family. They had a large private room on the second floor. Li Yongjing and You Jing were already there.

“Jingming, sit here,” You Jing patted the seat next to her.

Jingming looked at Chu Feng, who nodded. Chu Feng then sat on Jingming’s other side, effectively shielding him between himself and You Jing.

Soon, the production crew arrived. Jingming gripped his pants, and for a split second, he locked eyes with Shao Yuting. The idol quickly looked away and took his seat gracefully.

The director, a pleasant middle-aged man, introduced everyone. “This is the ranch owner, Chu Feng. These are my colleagues, You Jing and Chen Jingming; they planned the market.”

“Thank you, thank you,” the director said.

The conversation was mostly between Li Yongjing, Chu Feng, and the director. Jingming ate quietly, but he could feel Shao Yuting glancing at him. Finally, Jingming just looked back and gave him a polite smile.

As the meal wound down, the director said, “We’ll need the three of you to appear on camera for today’s shoot, if that’s okay.”

Chu Feng almost refused by reflex, but he looked at Jingming first.

“No problem,” Jingming said with a smile, reaching under the table to rest his hand on Chu Feng’s thigh to comfort him.

The show was called Eat Whatever Is There. It was a popular series where stars explored local food. This season focused on the Southwest, and Changxi was a key stop.

As the group prepared to leave, a celebrity assistant suggested the stars leave first to avoid the fans gathering downstairs. Jingming and Chu Feng stood by the stairs to let them pass.

As Shao Yuting walked by, he stopped. Chu Feng tensed up, stepping forward instinctively, but Jingming caught his hand. “Brother, it’s okay.”

“Hello,” Shao Yuting said, extending a hand with a friendly smile. “Sorry for the trouble today.”

Seeing the goodwill, Chu Feng relaxed. Jingming shook his hand and noticed a skin-colored patch on the inside of Shao Yuting’s wrist—the kind used to cover tattoos.

Shao Yuting smiled gently. “I hope this doesn’t bother you.” He said it specifically to Jingming, indicating he knew about the past scandal.

Jingming smiled back. “Good luck with the filming.”

After they left, Jingming couldn’t help but think about that patch. In that location, it was hard not to wonder if it covered a scar of self-harm rather than a tattoo.

“What are you thinking about, Baby?” Chu Feng squeezed his shoulder.

Jingming shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just a bit sleepy.”

…

After a quick thirty-minute nap on the sofa at home, they headed back. The afternoon crowd was even larger.

Participation in the stamp-collecting event was huge. Jingming and You Jing recorded a short interview and then went to the “Changling Cattle” stall to help.

Chu Feng was wearing a cartoon cow T-shirt (the ranch uniform) and was busy moving crates of beef jerky.

“Hey!” a voice shouted. It was Hu Xianyun. She was holding onto a girl wearing a mask, who was accompanied by three others. The girl wrenched her arm away. “What are you doing?!”

Jingming sensed trouble and hurried over. “What’s wrong?”

“I was coming back from the bathroom and saw her holding up her phone, filming you the whole time,” Hu Xianyun said.

What Jingming had feared finally happened. Since Shao Yuting and Tang Song were in the same former group, their fanbases overlapped.

“Could you please let me see your gallery?” Jingming stepped forward. “If you have videos or photos of me, please delete them.”

“No,” the girl said, looking Jingming up and down.

Jingming took a deep breath. He couldn’t get physical, so he tried again. “Just let me see the gallery.”

“By what right?!” the girl shouted. A crowd began to gather. Seeing the audience, she grew bolder. “This is my private property! Who do you think you are? You love overstepping boundaries, don’t you? A toad trying to… Hey! You dare?!”

Hu Xianyun didn’t care for the drama. Being tall and strong, she snatched the phone. “He doesn’t dare, but I do.”

“Xiao Yun!” Jingming tried to intervene, worried she’d get hurt or in trouble.

Hu Xianyun made quick work of it. “You think you can talk to him like that here? Unlock it!”

“She stole my phone! I’m calling the police!” the girl screamed. “What’s your name? Just you wait!”

“Gonna cyberbully me? My name is Wang Xia!” Hu Xianyun yelled back.

The girl lunged to grab her phone back. When Hu Xianyun pushed her away, the girl raised her hand to slap her.

“What do you think you’re doing!” Jingming caught her wrist. “You’re going to hit her now?”

The girl started screaming “Assault!” and “Phone theft!” Her companions looked terrified and stayed silent. Someone in the crowd shouted, “Weren’t you the one trying to hit them?”

Cornered, the girl broke down. “F*ck you, Chen Jingming! Everyone knows you harassed Tang Song! Believe me, I’ll…”

“Who harassed who?” A girl in the crowd suddenly stood up. She had a massive camera around her neck and was also masked. “Whose fan are you anyway? If you were a real group fan, wouldn’t you know why members really left? That trash video was edited and AI-generated—who really put it out? Do you really not know who the actual ‘sister-in-law’ [secret girlfriend] is?”

“You’re lying!” the girl screamed, turning back to Hu Xianyun. “Give it back!”

She lunged again. Jingming was shoved twice as he tried to block her. “Calm down! We just want the photos deleted.”

Enraged and feeling abandoned by her friends, the girl swung her bag at Jingming’s face. Instinctively, Jingming flinched, but a massive hand reached out and caught the bag mid-air.

Chu Feng, looking as solid as a bull, stood in front of her. “Try that again.”

The girl froze, then burst into tears. “I want the police!!”

“Who wants the police?” a booming voice came through. Li Yongjing arrived with two officers. “I’m the person in charge here. The police are here. Who’s reporting what?”

…

Half an hour later, at the Changling Police Station.

The four girls deleted the surreptitious footage and apologized to Jingming. It likely wasn’t sincere, but they were clearly shaken.

Jingming sat on the blue bench. Li Yongjing stood by him, while Hu Xianyun and Chu Feng double-checked the girls’ social media to ensure nothing had been posted.

The girl with the camera and her friend were about to leave. Jingming went over to thank them. Seeing their stamp maps, he realized they might have missed out due to the delay, so he pulled some magnets from his pocket to give them.

“Wow! So cute,” the girls smiled.

“Thank you,” Jingming whispered. “I’m sorry you had to come to the station.”

“It’s fine,” the girl smiled. “I’m a Shao Yuting fan—half-fansite, really. You probably saw him at lunch.”

“Yeah, he’s a good person.”

The girl glanced over at Chu Feng. “It’s good that you have family and friends supporting you. If only someone had been there for our ‘Boss’ back then. Tang Song’s fans have done this many times. The rest of the group’s fans know you were framed. You’re Chen Jingming, right?”

“Yes.”

“I remember you’re a screenwriter. Keep going! Don’t let them break you!”

Jingming smiled. “I won’t!”