In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 46

Chapter 46: Just This Once, There’s Time.

The two girls present had no idea Chen Lang was dating anyone.

Hearing him mention a “partner” sent their gossip instincts into overdrive—especially Hu Xianyun, the reigning gossip queen of the town.

“Jingming, you know, don’t you?” Xianyun chased him with questions. “Who is it? Someone local? Or a long-distance thing?”

Jingming glanced at Chen Lang, who was pretending to be deeply focused on his food. “You’d better ask Lang-ge yourself.”

“Lang-ge, Xiao Lang, tell me! I’m dying to know!” Xianyun eagerly poured him a beer.

Lang waved her off smugly. “You have such a big mouth. I’m not telling you anything.”

“I do not!” Xianyun cried.

“Don’t think I forgot you told everyone I got dumped by an online date!” Lang narrowed his eyes. “Now everyone thinks I got dumped because I’m a cattle farmer.”

“OMG,” Xue Dongni gasped. “What actually happened? What did the cows ever do to them?”

Xianyun shrugged guiltily. “I didn’t start that rumor! Besides, that guy clearly had no taste.”

Before Lang could retaliate, Chu Feng piped up: “What? You told me it was a girl back then. You were gay even then?”

“Lower your voice!” Lang hissed through gritted teeth. “Everyone in this town knows me!”

Xianyun, desperate for the scoop, began listing potential candidates. “Is it the KTV manager? The one who gave us the extra-large fruit platter? Or that track-and-field college student you went riding with on Valentine’s Day?”

Lang shook his finger. “No. And no.”

“I’ve got it!” Xianyun snapped her fingers. “It’s Teacher Jiang from the provincial TV station! He’s been to the ranch so many times, always brings gifts, and I saw him give you flowers on your birthday in March!”

Lang smiled, about to deny it, when Chu Feng couldn’t take it anymore. “Xiao Lang! You’ve been hooking up with this many guys?! I had no idea! You told me you were busy!”

Jingming’s face ached from laughing. “Brother, I told you Lang-ge is a very popular type in our circle.”

…

The Secret’s Out

After dinner, they headed home. Since Chu Feng wanted Dongni to feel comfortable, he moved all his and Jingming’s toiletries to the downstairs bathroom so she could have the upstairs one to herself.

“Your brother is so good,” Dongni remarked as Jingming helped her unpack.

“I know,” Jingming smiled.

“He’s like a stern patriarch, but also a bit… haha.”

“He can be scary when he’s working,” Jingming admitted. “But he’s mostly just a big softie at home.”

The next day, Chu Feng offered to drive them to the city, but Jingming and Dongni wanted to go on their motorcycles. Chu Feng acted disappointed but secretly breathed a sigh of relief—managing two high-energy friends all day was exhausting.

He stood at the door like a worried mother. “Did you put on sunscreen? Don’t drink too much soda. Ride carefully! Here, take some cash for emergencies. Don’t eat at those dirty roadside stalls!”

“We know, Brother!” Jingming stood on his tiptoes and gave Chu Feng a quick, shy kiss on the cheek. “Bye!”

…

The Rafting Trip

The next morning, they met up with Chen Lang and his mystery partner at the highway entrance.

“Is he here yet?” Xianyun asked, squatting by the road eating a tea egg.

“You’ll see in a minute,” Jingming said, peeling an egg and handing the yolk to Chu Feng, who ate it without a second thought while checking his emails.

Suddenly, a black Volkswagen pulled up. A man stepped out from the driver’s seat. He wasn’t wearing his usual crisp shirt, but a casual tee.

It was Fu Yu.

Xianyun’s jaw hit the floor. “Him?! What kind of pairing is this? A chocolate popsicle?”

Fu Yu, usually cold and aloof, looked uncharacteristically shy. He shook hands with Chu Feng. “Boss Chu, we will meet again.” The atmosphere was slightly awkward—the “Big Boss” of the ranch meeting the “Elite” from the city.

They drove to the rafting site at Gaoguo River. It was a rugged, mountainous area with steep drops and icy spring water. Chu Feng led the way, looking like a pro in his baseball cap, while Fu Yu brought up the rear in his sunglasses, acting as the “sweeper” for the group of four “puppies” barking excitedly in the middle.

“Brother, take a photo!” Jingming pulled Chu Feng.

Dongni snapped the picture. “Hug him! Don’t be so stiff! Yes, yes, kiss! Now the next couple!”

Lang and Fu Yu both tried to act cool, hands in pockets, refusing to kiss.

…

The “Slight” Embarrassment

They paired up in boats. Chu Feng and Jingming were in one, Lang and Fu Yu in another. Within a minute, everyone was soaked from water gun fights.

“Quiet! Everyone is quiet!” Chu Feng shouted, getting even the other tourists to stop and stare. He gave a safety briefing, then barked, “Let’s go!”

The trip was a mix of serene floating and terrifying drops. Jingming screamed his head off while Chu Feng laughed, filming the whole thing on his phone.

Halfway through, they stopped at a riverbank for snacks. “Baby,” Chu Feng stepped into the water first. “Let me carry you down.” He lifted Jingming up onto his arm.

Dongni and Xianyun saw this. Dongni mimicked him: “Xianyun Baby, let Sister carry you down~” “Thank you, Sister~” Xianyun played along.

Chen Lang and Fu Yu arrived last. Their boat had flipped, and Lang had lost his glasses (he was now wearing Fu Yu’s). Fu Yu cleared his throat and made a move to carry Lang, but Lang jumped straight onto the shore. “Boss Fu, let’s not.”

As they stood there in their wet, thin summer clothes, the fabric clung to their bodies, revealing their silhouettes.

Xianyun glanced down, cleared her throat, and awkwardly turned away, pulling Dongni with her. “Nini, let’s go buy sausages.”

Left behind, the four men stood in awkward silence. Jingming looked down at himself, then at the others. “Wait… why am I the only one who’s flat?!”

The three older men turned away to shake the water off their clothes. “I’m a normal size!” Jingming huffed, running after the girls.

…

The Inn by the River

By 4:30 PM, they reached the finish line, shivering in the cooling air. Chu Feng wrapped Jingming in a towel. “Stick close to me, Baby. I’m warm.”

They drove to a nearby ancient town. The lights were beautiful, reflecting off the wide river. At the booked inn, Jingming collapsed onto the large bed. “So fun… so tired.”

Chu Feng stripped off his wet shirt. “Go take a hot shower so you don’t catch a cold.” “Carry me,” Jingming held up his arms.

In the bathroom, Chu Feng helped him wash his hair. “You’re the best, Brother,” Jingming sighed. “You’re definitely better to me than Boss Fu is to Lang-ge.”

“Is that so?” Chu Feng chuckled. He turned Jingming around. “Hold onto the wall.”

Jingming’s face turned scarlet. “Brother! Everyone is waiting for dinner! And I’m so tired… let’s wait until we get home, we don’t even have—”

“I brought it,” Chu Feng pulled a tube of lubricant from somewhere. “Everyone is resting for a bit. There’s time.”

“Brother…” Jingming’s legs went weak.

Chu Feng held his waist, whispering in a low, husky voice: “It won’t take long, Baby. It’s been too long, I’m going crazy.”

Outside, the street was bustling with tourists and bar singers. Jingming let out a sharp cry, then bit his lip, remembering his friends were right next door. Chu Feng, afraid he’d draw blood, slipped his fingers into Jingming’s mouth.

“Don’t bite, Baby.” “Bro-ther… mgh…” “Soon,” Chu Feng promised.