In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: werwerwerwe……

Chen Jingming wanted to show Chu Feng a photo of Xue Dongni beforehand, but after scrolling through his phone and finding nothing but goofy, distorted selfies of the two of them, he gave up.

Back when they both worked in Shanghai, they met up whenever their schedules aligned. Jingming often wanted to spend holidays with her, but his adoptive parents always insisted he return home for their massive family gatherings. If he didn’t, they would guilt-trip him with talk of being “lonely” or “losing face.”

Even though some relatives were kind, Jingming never felt like he truly belonged. Over time, a sense of guilt became like a tiny thorn embedded in his skin—invisible and barely painful, yet he always knew it was there.

“Nini will be so happy when she finds out you prepared all this for her,” Jingming told Chu Feng. “It’s only right,” Chu Feng replied, pulling Jingming into a natural embrace. “Mhm, your hair smells so good. It’s grown quite a bit.”

Despite using the same shampoo, Chu Feng insisted Jingming smelled different. Jingming just leaned into his chest, swaying slightly.

“Chen Jingming!!” Hu Xianyun’s voice boomed from downstairs, startling Jingming. He’d forgotten she was already down there starting the charcoal. “Coming!”

Chu Feng laughed and told him to slow down. He opened the guest room windows to air it out and placed the activated carbon bags on the bed before taking the packaging downstairs.

…

The “Vegetable Salad”

“Need help?” Chu Feng asked. “No!” Jingming and Xianyun shouted in unison without looking up. Chu Feng headed to the cold storage for a spot check, leaving the “two kids” to handle dinner.

They were making a local specialty nicknamed “Vegetable Salad”—actually a cold dish of charred peppers and century eggs. “Is this healthy? It’s all burnt and black,” Jingming asked, watching the peppers char on the grill. “It’s a salad, how could it be unhealthy?” Xianyun retorted.

After roasting the peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant until the skins were blistered and black, they began the task of peeling. Jingming yelped at the heat, while Xianyun remained stoic. “Don’t you feel the heat?” Jingming hissed, shaking his hands. “Habit,” she said coolly. “Professionals don’t feel the burn.”

Determined to become a “local,” Jingming gritted his teeth and peeled furiously. Once the vegetables were torn into strips, mixed with crushed century eggs, garlic, scallions, vinegar, and salt, the dish was complete.

…

Dinner and White Lies

Chu Feng and Chen Lang returned from the cold storage, smelling of frost. They discussed the rising rent for the storage units and the stability of their supply chain. Chu Feng was proud of the “farm-to-table” system he’d built despite the heavy debt he’d once carried.

When they reached the house, Lang was skeptical about the meal. “Did Jingming help?” “Yes,” Chu Feng beamed. “He’s making us a ‘love dinner.’ Don’t you dare say it’s bad.”

Jingming greeted them in an apron, his face smudged with soot and a faint red burn mark on his arm. Chu Feng immediately fussed over him. “Guess which dishes I made!” Jingming challenged them.

The table held charred Coke chicken wings, minced meat with edamame on soggy lettuce, and a local bean soup where the vegetables were clearly cut with a knife rather than torn (the amateur way). It was obvious which ones were Jingming’s.

Under Chu Feng’s threatening gaze, Chen Lang tasted them all. “How is it?” Jingming asked eagerly. “All delicious,” Lang lied smoothly. “I can’t even tell the difference. They’re all equally good!” Jingming, satisfied, ate a chicken wing and declared it “Delicious!” while Lang looked on, resigned to the performance.

…

Preparing for the Guest

A week later, the museum’s structural renovations were done. Jingming finally had time to prepare for Xue Dongni’s arrival. He put out fresh towels and toothbrushes, while Chu Feng went on a cleaning frenzy.

Chu Feng even took Jingming to the city to buy new clothes to look “presentable” for the guest. Jingming realized Chu Feng wasn’t just being extra—he wanted to show Nini that he was taking excellent care of Jingming. He knew Nini was Jingming’s best friend, and her opinion mattered more than the adoptive parents’.

…

The Arrival

At 5:00 PM, they stood at the airport. “Is Nini aware of our relationship?” Chu Feng asked suddenly. Jingming blushed. “Yes.” “What did she say?” “She said… I’m very brave. Apparently, she used to have to ‘climb the firewall’ to see stuff like us.”

Before Chu Feng could process that, a booming voice shouted: “Chen Jingming!”

A tall, strong woman with a 60L hiking backpack—complete with a sleeping mat and boots dangling off—approached them. “That’s… Nini?” Chu Feng whispered.

Jingming and Nini collided in a massive hug. “Is this your brother?” Nini asked, eyeing Chu Feng. “He doesn’t look like the photos. He’s so tall and buff!” She slapped Jingming’s arm. “You two…” “Don’t ask! Please!” Jingming begged.

Chu Feng took her massive bag. He expected it to be light, but it nearly pulled his arm down. It had to be at least 40 pounds! “Not heavy at all,” he grunted, playing it cool.

On the drive back, Nini and Jingming talked non-stop. “I’m so dark now.” “The sun is brutal. My underwear was soaked every day in the wrap-up!” Chu Feng: “…” “Is raising cows fun?” “Yeah, I shovel manure every day. Once I fell in it and Brother had to scrub me twice.” Chu Feng: “…” “The lead actor was so hot, though. Great chest, perky butt.” Chu Feng: “…”

…

The Welcome Feast

They headed to a “Stall Hotpot” (地摊火锅) where the vegetables are unlimited. Chen Lang and Hu Xianyun joined them.

Chen Lang was shocked by Nini’s muscle definition. “Damn, sister, look at those arms!” He flexed his bicep. Nini flexed back. “About the same as yours.” “How’d you get those?” “Carrying cameras,” Jingming laughed.

The three of them—Lang, Nini, and Jingming—started chatting like a pack of excited beagles, making so much noise (“wer wer!”) that Chu Feng’s head began to throb. He retreated to the kitchen to slice the beef he’d brought from the ranch.

As they ate, Nini noticed Chu Feng tirelessly cooking and serving everyone. “Why do you call him ‘Old Cow’ (老牛)?” she asked. “Because he’s the local cattle tycoon,” Jingming explained. “And some people call me ‘Little Cow’.” Nini looked at Chu Feng, who was essentially a hardworking ox serving the table. “I get it now. Can I call you ‘Old Cow Brother’ too?”

Chu Feng laughed. “Sure. Anyway, rest tomorrow. The day after, I’m taking you all rafting. We need one more person since it’s best to have two per boat.”

Jingming and Chu Feng glanced at Chen Lang. Lang cleared his throat, suddenly acting cool. “Oh… I’ll give him a call then.”