In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: “I Have a Job Again!!”

The Xishan Ranch in the evening was always bathed in the glow of the sunset.

The sun rose from one side of the valley and fell from the other. Sunlight and rain nourished this valley, allowing fertile grass to grow from the once-barren land, and letting flowers bloom again in a life that once felt like a ruin.

Chen Jingming sat on the back seat of the electric scooter, one hand resting on Chu Feng’s shoulder and the other holding a freshly picked broad-leaf vegetable. He glanced at the sun—150 million kilometers away—which was still a bit piercing despite being near dusk.

“Let’s go,” Chu Feng said. “Mhm.” Jingming put the large leaf on his head like a hat. “Dinner time!”

That night, while Jingming was already lounging in bed, Chu Feng was still packing for their vacation. Jingming lay on his side playing with his phone, glancing at Chu Feng from time to time.

“I’m not wearing that, it’s too loud,” Jingming said, eyeing a floral shirt. “It looks very youthful,” Chu Feng countered. He’d seen it in a shop while passing through the city and bought two on sale so they could wear matching couple outfits. Jingming refused. “We’re not going to the beach.” Chu Feng conceded and hung it back in the closet. “Fine, next time we go to the sea.”

Jingming turned back to his chat with Xue Dongni. She was supposed to visit Changxi at the end of the month, but a few actors in her crew had taken leave, forcing her to stay until the wrap-up. Her visit was delayed by another week.

Xue Dongni: [I can rest for two months after this. After hanging out with you, I want to go on a long-distance trek.] Chen Jingming: [Where to this time?] Xue Dongni: [Thinking of the Gongga Loop or Langta C+V. The season is right, I’m just worried about my stamina. I haven’t worked out since New Year.]

“Brother! Why are you bringing so much lubricant?” Jingming’s jaw dropped as he saw Chu Feng stuffing five tubes into the suitcase. “I’ll die.” “Better safe than sorry,” Chu Feng replied matter-of-factly. Jingming instinctively pressed his legs together in fear.

…

The Getaway to Yanfeng

The next morning, they drove to Yanfeng, a town about 200 kilometers away. To avoid the Dragon Boat Festival traffic, they left early. Jingming wore a long-sleeved sun-protection shirt with shorts and white canvas shoes.

“Long sleeves with shorts? What kind of style is that?” Chu Feng teased. “You wouldn’t understand,” Jingming huffed. “It looks good, don’t you think?” He even lifted a leg to show it off. “It looks good,” Chu Feng smiled. To him, Jingming looked good in anything.

Yanfeng was a remote town with a stunning canyon. After three hours of driving and a bone-rattling 40-minute ride in a hotel SUV up a muddy mountain path, they reached their destination: The Wilds Hotel.

The hotel was a rustic wooden structure tucked deep in the canyon, surrounded by rice paddies. There was no concrete in sight. A distant waterfall hummed between two peaks.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” Jingming whispered as they entered their suite. The room offered a breathtaking view of the canyon and wild azaleas.

…

Emotional Baggage

While relaxing, Jingming received a text from his adoptive father. [Ming, Happy Dragon Boat Festival. Despite everything, we still see you as our closest child. Your mother has been depressed since your argument. You should call her…]

Jingming didn’t explode this time, but he felt that familiar suffocating pressure. For thirteen years, they had used “care” to guilt-trip him for emotional value.

“I get depressed too,” he murmured. “Have you ever thought about that?”

Chu Feng walked in, saw the message, and sighed. “Want to call?” Jingming shook his head. “No.” “Then don’t. Ignore them.” “But…” “I’ll call,” Chu Feng offered. “Her tears can hurt you, but they can’t hurt me.” Jingming decided to just text back: [Happy Dragon Boat Festival, everything is fine.]

…

A Night of “Control”

After a day of swimming in the cool mountain river, they returned to the hotel. Despite the day’s fatigue, Chu Feng threw the lubricant on the bed as soon as they entered.

…

“Don’t cry…” Chu Feng knelt by the bed, looking regretful. Jingming was face-down, sobbing into the pillow. “You’re so mean,” Jingming choked out. “Why wouldn’t you let me…?”

Chu Feng massaged Jingming’s waist apologetically. “I saw you finish twice and was worried about your body, so I… controlled it a bit.” “I was right there! And you stopped!” Jingming was still frustrated. Chu Feng had teased him all night, bringing him to the edge repeatedly without the release.

Eventually, Jingming forgave him, snuggling into his chest. “It felt so good tonight, Brother. It didn’t hurt at all.” “Mhm. You were wonderful.”

…

The New Opportunity

The next morning, Jingming woke up to a message from the producer of The Child. They wanted him to join a week-long script reading session starting next week. The project was being fast-tracked because of the lead actors’ schedules.

“Teacher Chen, we have travel expenses covered. I know you’re in Changxi, but would you mind making the trip?” “Not at all. It’s my responsibility,” Jingming replied, feeling a surge of pride.

He lay on the bed in a daze. Since returning to Changxi, he had been anxious about his career. Now, his story was actually coming to life.

Chu Feng walked in with a tray of porridge. “Baby?” Jingming leaped out of bed and jumped onto Chu Feng’s back. “I have a job again!!”