In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: You’re Only Half Gay at Most!

“If they don’t agree, we’ll go through legal channels. No matter what anyone says, no matter if people think it’s right or wrong, Brother will get you home. I promise.”

Chu Feng spoke with a steady, repeating rhythm, as if trying to cement the courage for both himself and Chen Jingming.

Chen Jingming didn’t speak for a long time. He stared at Chu Feng without blinking until his eyes grew sore and he finally lowered his thick lashes. He let out a long breath—a release.

Even though he had been back in Changxi for a while, and even though his dispute with Tang Song was settled and his relationship with his “brother” had shifted, Chen Jingming could finally admit it now: he had never truly felt 100% relaxed. The invisible boulder pressing on his chest had finally been lifted.

“Baby, don’t feel pressured. This is my decision,” Chu Feng said, taking Jingming’s hand and gently smoothing out his curled, tense fingers. “I swear, I’ll never let you go again. We’ll be together for life. Wherever you go, I follow.”

Jingming looked at the calloused, dry hand holding his. He looked up and smiled.

“Seriously,” Chu Feng added. “Even if I end up broke, crippled, or old, I’ll take care of you.”

Jingming laughed. “How can you take care of me if you’re broke, crippled, and old?”

“I’ll haul cement, pick through trash, or beg on the streets. I’ll still feed you.”

Jingming wanted to laugh, but his smile came out accompanied by tears. I’m such a crybaby, he cursed himself internally.

“Baby.” Seeing him cry actually made Chu Feng feel at ease. “Come here, let Brother hold you.”

He had tasted them before; Chen Jingming’s tears were sweet.

…

The Cow, the Telescope, and the Apricots

As June arrived, the temperature rose. The willow branches by the river grew wildly, and the stone paths of Changling Town were perpetually damp.

One afternoon, Chen Jingming found a pair of binoculars in Chu Feng’s office. He stood on the second floor, scouting the horizon. He saw the old yellow cow wandering near the calf shed, the electric tricycle hauling grass, and Chu Feng—hands on his hips—arguing with Chen Lang outside the duty room.

He also spotted a tree at the foot of the mountain laden with bright orange fruit.

Driven by curiosity and a desire for a distraction from his stagnant writing career (he had just declined a screenwriting gig to stay near Chu Feng), Jingming hopped on his electric scooter to investigate.

When he passed the duty room, he found the argument was serious.

“Your brother is a stingy bastard!” Chen Lang fumed, glaring at Chu Feng. “We agreed to buy new equipment for the expansion, and now he wants to buy second-hand.”

Chu Feng remained stubborn. “We need to keep cash on hand for risks and bank loans. Second-hand isn’t broken.”

After the two partners stormed off in different directions, Jingming went to comfort Chu Feng. He sat on Chu Feng’s lap, wrapping his arms around his neck. “Are you short on money, Brother? I can give you my salary.”

Chu Feng burst out laughing. “How much? Three thousand?”

“Brother—!” Jingming huffed, offended by the mockery of his modest earnings.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Chu Feng chuckled, pulling him back into a kiss.

…

The Apricot Incident

Jingming eventually made it to the tree. They were apricots—not quite fully ripe, but fragrant and tart. He picked a large pile before realizing he hadn’t brought a bag.

He improvised by taking off his T-shirt and tying it into a makeshift sack.

He rode back to the dorms shirtless, grinning at his haul. But when he saw Chu Feng, the man’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“Baby!” Chu Feng sprinted over.

It was dusk, but Jingming’s pale torso and the “two pink cherries” on his chest were visible. Chu Feng, acting as if Jingming was “indecently exposed,” hurriedly stripped off his own shirt and shoved it over Jingming’s head.

“Why aren’t you wearing clothes?!”

Jingming, lost inside the oversized T-shirt, poked a finger out. “Neither are you!”

“That’s different!”

“Brother,” Jingming said weakly, “let me say it again: I am a man.”

Though lean, Jingming had developed a bit of muscle from working at the ranch. But in Chu Feng’s eyes, there was a strange, protective cognitive dissonance.

“Baby, I know you’re a man, but… it’s different,” Chu Feng whispered.

Jingming felt a flash of annoyance. He felt that Chu Feng was treating him like a girl. He pulled the T-shirt off, threw it at Chu Feng, and stomped toward the dorms.

…

“Half Gay”

Inside the dorm, Jingming slammed the apricots down. “Get out of the way, I need to find a shirt.”

“I’m not a girl,” Jingming snapped, turning around and puffing out his chest. “I’m a guy! Just like you!”

Chu Feng stared, his mouth almost watering. “I know. I won’t say it again.”

“You don’t know!” Jingming huffed. “And you’re not even a real gay!”

“I am!” Chu Feng protested.

“You’re… you’re at most half-gay!”

Chu Feng stepped forward. “Who says things like that…”

“You’re afraid to watch porn, and you don’t like oral sex. Gays love that stuff!”

Chu Feng was at a loss for words. What kind of twisted logic is this?

“See? No comeback?” Jingming challenged.

“I do have one,” Chu Feng said helplessly.

Jingming stepped closer, eyes flashing. “Then take your pants off right now.”