In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Everywhere Else Becomes a Contrast to Home…

Everyone at the dinner table nodded in understanding. They all agreed that “serious business” came first.

Only Chen Jingming’s head felt like it had been steamed. Chen Jiaqi, assuming the “Shrimp Sour Beef” was too spicy for him, handed him a large glass of Cola.

“I’m fine,” Chen Jingming mumbled, stuffing more beef into his mouth to hide his embarrassment.

Chu Feng let out a soft, low chuckle and whispered, “Eat slowly, Baby.”

“You still call him ‘Baby’?” Chen Jiaqi asked.

“He always has,” Chen Lang chimed in. “It’s so contagious that sometimes I almost blur out ‘Jingming Baby’ myself.”

Chen Jingming felt shy. “I told Brother to stop calling me that before.”

In front of the elders, Chu Feng was a bit embarrassed, but he stood his ground: “I have to. It’s a habit now.”

A gap of thirteen years had passed, yet somehow, he had kept that habit. Thinking of this, Chen Jingming suddenly felt that those thirteen years weren’t quite so painful anymore.

…

The Calm Before the Storm

Because Chu Feng had mentioned he had business and wouldn’t be drinking, the two headed home right after dinner. Chen Jingming purposely didn’t eat until he was full, fearing it might affect his “performance” later.

The summer night in Changling Town was cool. A breeze blew, raising goosebumps on their arms. Chen Jingming’s fingers were intertwined; the thought of what was about to happen made him incredibly self-conscious. In movies and novels, the atmosphere is always romantic and natural, but for them, it felt like preparing for battle.

He glanced at Chu Feng, who was walking with his hands behind his back, looking quite somber.

“Brother.”

“Mhm?”

“Are you nervous?”

“I’m not,” Chu Feng said, then looked at Chen Jingming and admitted with a smile, “Okay, a little.”

“Why?”

Chu Feng looked away at the stone path. “I don’t know.”

Chen Jingming knew Chu Feng was afraid of another failure or that it wouldn’t be a good experience for him. He reached out to hook his arm through Chu Feng’s. “It’s okay. Even if we can never do it, we’re still the best of friends. It’s enough that you like me and I like you.”

Chu Feng looked at him immediately. “That won’t do.”

“Why?”

“I promised you before: I won’t let you live a life of ‘widowhood’ forever.”

Chen Jingming had forgotten he’d ever said that. Recalling it made him laugh. Back then, he hadn’t tried it yet and didn’t realize how much it would hurt; he thought it was all pure pleasure like in the videos.

Chu Feng took his hand and took a deep breath. “Let’s go home!”

On such a cool night, the breath of two people was scalding hot.

…

The Turning Point

The countryside night was so quiet that every breath and every slight sound of water could be heard clearly.

…

“Brother…”

Chu Feng didn’t answer. A moment later, he withdrew his fingers, gripped Chen Jingming’s waist, and lifted him slightly. “Baby.”

“Mhm?” Chen Jingming straightened his back, his eyes hazy with moisture. He saw sweat on Chu Feng’s forehead and gently brushed it away, pushing back the stray hairs to reveal his brow. He looked at this familiar man—the sharp eyes, the high bridge of the nose, the slightly parted lips gasping for air.

“Is it okay now? Baby, sweetheart…” Chu Feng kissed his chin.

Chen Jingming was completely lost in the lingering tenderness. He nodded.

…

The first time is always nerve-wracking, but the two people who had been tense for so long finally found their balance in that moment.

Chen Jingming never knew he could sweat so much. The sheets were soaked and sticky. He felt like he had been fished out of a river. Chu Feng frowned, whispering “I’m sorry” over and over.

“Brother,” Chen Jingming, originally lying facedown, shifted on the messy sheets and reached out. “It’s fine. Come here, hold me.”

More than cleaning up, he wanted to nestle in Chu Feng’s arms. Chu Feng obliged, lying on his side to pull him close. “Does it hurt?”

Chen Jingming shook his head despite the slight discomfort. He leaned against Chu Feng’s chest, his nose brushing against the sweat on Chu Feng’s skin, smelling the faint, primal scent of their intimacy. He didn’t want to talk; he was physically exhausted but mentally exhilarated.

Listening to Chu Feng’s heart beating faster than usual, he looked up into those pained, caring eyes. “I’m really okay, Brother. I think it was great.”

Chu Feng finally smiled. “What was great about it?”

Chen Jingming didn’t know how to describe it. Those chaotic, thrilling two hours couldn’t just be called “beautiful,” but something had shifted. Both of them felt it. From this moment on, Chen Jingming was his.

…

The Morning After

The next morning, Chen Jingming walked with a slight limp, his legs instinctively tensed. His lips were swollen, and his lower lip had been slightly bitten or scraped, forming a small scab overnight.

Chu Feng wanted him to take the day off to stay home and be cared for. “It’s not embarrassing,” Chu Feng said, blowing on a bowl of porridge before setting it down. “Thinking about how tired you were last night, crying and shaking, makes my heart ache.”

Chen Jingming’s face flushed. “Well, you didn’t stop.”

Chu Feng was caught. “Baby wouldn’t let me stop.”

Chen Jingming gave a small, knowing smile and said nothing. He wasn’t angry; seeing a man as rational and rigid as Chu Feng lose control over him felt satisfying.

Eventually, Chu Feng insisted on driving him to work. When they encountered Chen Lang’s mother near the river, she saw Chu Feng carrying Chen Jingming over his shoulder.

“What are you doing? Did you two fight?” she asked.

“No, Auntie,” Chu Feng said matter-of-factly. “I’m taking Jingming to work. He’s tired.”

Chen Jingming forced a smile. “Yes, Auntie, I didn’t sleep well and I’m being lazy.”

“I see,” she smiled back. “Don’t stay up late, Jingming. You’re thin, not like your brother, who’s as strong as a bull.”

Chu Feng’s ears burned.

…

The Phone Call

At 4:00 PM, after work, Chen Jingming went to get a new SIM card. While waiting for Chu Feng at the bus stop, he decided to face his past. He dialed his foster mother’s number—a number he had memorized years ago under duress.

The call connected. After a few seconds, a voice answered: “Hello?”

“It’s me, Jingming.”

There was a long silence. “Mom, I’m sorry it took so long to call. Lately…”

“You really went back,” his foster mother’s voice choked up. “A-Ming, you’ve disappointed your father and me so much.”

“I’m really sorry.” Chen Jingming’s chest felt tight. He turned away from the crowd, leaning against a tree.

“Chen Jingming, even if you couldn’t stay in Shanghai, shouldn’t you have come home? Or is Changxi the only place you consider home? What have you viewed us as all these years? Did you never think of us as family? Come home immediately!”

The feeling of suffocation returned. He could barely breathe when a hand grabbed his arm. Chu Feng turned him around, seeing his red eyes filled with tears. Chu Feng looked at the phone and knew exactly what was happening. He had made this call countless times himself.

Even without the speaker on, words like “disappointment” and “betrayal” were audible.

“Brother…” Chen Jingming gasped. “I…”

“Give me the phone,” Chu Feng said.

“No.”

On the other end, his foster mother screamed, “Chen Jingming, talk to me!!”

Without a second’s hesitation, Chu Feng snatched the phone. He shoved Chen Jingming into the passenger seat of the car with one hand and held the phone to his ear with the other.

“It’s Chu Feng.”