In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 43

Chapter 43: “Tell Me I’m Great… Praise Me…”

The script reading was scheduled for the afternoon.

Chen Jingming slept until 9:00 AM, had breakfast, and reviewed his materials. At noon, he received a message from Chu Feng saying he had landed safely back home, and Jingming took a short nap.

He brought some local specialty beef jerky that Chu Feng had packed for him to share with the team. One particular soft, spicy variety was a massive hit; the parents of the child actors even added Jingming on WeChat, asking him to help them buy more.

“I’ve never had beef jerky like this,” Penny said, looking at the packaging. “Changling Beef? Is Changling a place?”

Jingming nodded proudly. “Yes! My brother raises the cattle on his own ranch and has a factory process it.”

“Really?” Penny was surprised. “I thought you came from a family of civil servants or teachers. You don’t look like someone who does ‘rough’ work.”

Jingming scratched his head sheepishly. “My brother is the rough one.”

The lead actors arrived soon after. Shao Yuting, the only true star in the cast, treated everyone to coffee. He told his assistant she could go rest or play and just pick him up at 6:00 PM. Seeing how well Yuting treated his staff made Jingming loathe people like Tang Song even more.

The first day of reading was tedious. The story, The Child, followed three kids from oppressive families who get involved in a murder case. They cover for a murderer—their teacher, “Xiao Ma”—believing him to be a good person, attempting to control adults the way adults controlled them. Shao Yuting played the teacher.

After the session, Yuting offered Jingming a ride back to the hotel. Inside the luxury van, Yuting opened up. “I’m an orphan too. I was adopted once but then returned to the orphanage. That’s where I grew up.”

Jingming was stunned. “People probably assume you’re a rich second-generation kid.”

“I was lucky,” Yuting smiled thinly. “I started modeling in high school to pay for art exam classes.” He looked at Jingming with a hint of melancholy. “I envy you… I envy that you had a happy childhood to support you through the hard times.”

…

The Video Call

Back in his room, Jingming missed Chu Feng terribly. Chu Feng wasn’t great at “digital dating”—he was very stiff over text. Tonight, Jingming badgered him into video calling while he showered.

“No way!” Chu Feng said, his upper body already bare but the camera only showing his face. “These apps have audits. What if the video gets leaked?”

“No one is watching us!” Jingming complained, kicking his legs under the covers. “And you’re not even showing your chest, just your big face!”

“Oh? Does the baby only want to see my chest and not my face?”

“I… that’s not what I meant.”

“Be good. You can see it when you get back.”

“I want to see it now!!” Jingming wailed.

Sighing, Chu Feng propped the phone on the sink, revealing his entire torso. The low angle made his chest and abdominal muscles look even more massive—a perfect inverted triangle. The waistband of his branded underwear peeked out from his jeans.

Jingming, who had demanded to see, was now the one blushing. He pulled the duvet up to hide his face, leaving only his wide eyes visible.

As Chu Feng brushed his teeth, the silence of the bathroom was filled with the sound of the duvet rustling. Suddenly, Jingming let out a sharp gasp and disappeared completely under the covers, dropping the phone. The camera only showed a corner of the shaking duvet.

Chu Feng realized what was happening. His face flushed a dark red as he picked up the phone. “Baby, be careful with your body.”

Muffled moans came from the phone. Chu Feng stood before the mirror, his own body burning with heat. If Jingming were here, his face would be buried in Chu Feng’s chest right now.

The screen went black as Jingming pulled the phone under the covers with him. “Brother, talk to me…”

Chu Feng’s throat moved convulsively, his voice turning raspy. “Baby.”

“Say it… say something!” Jingming’s voice was high and strained, his breath hitched. “Tell me I’m great… praise me…”

Chu Feng’s knuckles turned white as he gripped the sink. The sound of Jingming’s sweet, needy voice echoed in the bathroom, a longing that pierced deeper than any physical touch.

…

Home Sweet Home

Jingming returned to Changxi a few days later, exhausted but happy. Chu Feng was waiting at the exit and spun him around in a hug.

“Let me see if you’re missing any parts,” Chu Feng teased. “I’m all here. Not a single hair missing.” “Can’t have that,” Chu Feng whispered. “You don’t have many hairs to begin with, all fair and tender…” “Brother!” Jingming bit his arm playfully.

They went for a late-night bowl of mutton noodles. The rain outside reminded them of the night Jingming first returned to town, a broken soul.

“I remember that night,” Chu Feng sighed. “You looked so bad. My heart hurt so much.” “Don’t think about that anymore,” Jingming held his hand. “You said we have to look forward. If you sink into the mud, I’ll sink with you.”

Back at their small home in Changling, Jingming felt like a cow returned to its pasture. He bossed Chu Feng around to get him fruit. “It’s late, eating fruit isn’t good for you,” Chu Feng said, peeling exactly three lychees. “Three? Are you feeding a cat?” “Just three. Too many will make your stomach bloat.”

At 11:30 PM, after Chu Feng finished his paperwork, he climbed into bed and pulled Jingming into his warm embrace. “Goodnight, Brother,” Jingming mumbled, half-asleep.

He felt his pajama bottoms being tugged off. “Ah! Brother, it’s late… I’m tired, I have no strength.” “Go back to sleep,” Chu Feng whispered. “Oh…” Jingming thought that meant they weren’t doing it. But a second later, he was being pried open. “It’s okay, Baby. You sleep. Don’t mind me.” Jingming, in despair, tried his best to relax: “…”