In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Otherwise, as Your Big Brother, I Would Truly Die of Shame…

Even after making the decision, Chu Feng remained somewhat somber.

He was the eldest. No matter how understanding his two younger brothers were, in his heart, it was his responsibility to manage the ranch and their lives steadily.

Fourteen years ago, he promised Chen Chunyi he would take good care of Chen Jingming; thus, ensuring Jingming lived a good life was his duty. Six years ago, he guaranteed Chen Lang he would grow the ranch; thus, ensuring Chen Lang prospered alongside him was his duty.

If Chen Jingming and Chen Lang were to share the burden with him, then he had to shoulder the heaviest part.

As he calculated the procedures for loans and land leases, he was so preoccupied that he didn’t even notice Chen Jingming walking into the shower buck-naked.

With plastic wrap around the bandage on his head, Chu Feng was busy lathering himself in body wash. Chen Jingming reached out to his back, but his hand slipped on the soap, causing him to stumble.

“Baby,” Chu Feng snapped out of it. “You’re here.”

Chen Jingming rarely saw Chu Feng so distracted. He found it funny but felt a pang of heartache. “Brother, let me scrub your back.”

Chu Feng hummed and propped one hand against the wall. “Go ahead.”

Chen Jingming worked hard, scrubbing until his arms were sore. Because Chu Feng was much taller, Jingming had to press close to reach the upper back. His soft body brushed against Chu Feng’s sturdy thighs, causing a certain reaction.

“Brother,” Chen Jingming reached around Chu Feng’s waist to touch him. It was soft.

Chu Feng turned around, smiling. “What are you doing, baby?”

“Washing you clean,” Chen Jingming said, leaning down to meticulously wash him.

Last time, when Chen Jingming was depressed about work, Chu Feng had comforted him this way. Although Chu Feng wasn’t in the mood initially, once they started, the pleasure cleared his mind and eased his anxiety.

However, as Chen Jingming’s ministries became more intimate, Chu Feng felt a bit self-conscious given his heavy heart. He gently lifted Chen Jingming up.

“It’s really okay, baby,” Chu Feng said, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Chen Jingming frowned. “Why?”

Chu Feng’s preoccupation was affecting his physical responsiveness. He tidied Jingming’s hair and used the showerhead to rinse his head instead. “Are you still unhappy, Brother?”

“No, just… I don’t know. If you want it later, I’ll help you, okay?”

Chen Jingming muttered something incoherent and didn’t directly answer.

…

The Seduction Attempt

It was late, and Chen Jingming assumed they would just sleep. But Chu Feng went down to the first-floor office to look at documents.

Chen Jingming lay in bed, desperately searching his phone for “learning materials” to pique Chu Feng’s interest, only to get scammed out of 19 yuan by a VPN seller.

“Why is this so hard to find?” he grumbled. He looked in the mirror—cartoon T-shirt, “primary schooler” white cotton underwear, and messy hair. He looked anything but a seducer.

Frustrated, he stripped off the T-shirt. Thanks to the physical labor at the ranch, his shoulders and arms looked more defined, though his chest and belly were still soft. He opened the closet but only found round-neck T-shirts. Then, he spotted Chu Feng’s shirts.

He picked a crisp white one. It was huge on him, the hem covering his butt and the unbuttoned collar revealing a deep V of his chest.

Downstairs, Chu Feng was exhausted. The documents for livestock farming were a headache. When Chen Jingming appeared behind his computer screen, he jumped.

Then, he took a sharp breath. “Baby…”

“Brother,” Chen Jingming’s ears were burning. He stood with his hands behind his back. “Go to sleep, okay?”

“I…” Chu Feng’s throat tightened. His eyes were glued to Jingming’s legs. “Wait for me in bed, I’ll be right there.”

Chen Jingming stepped forward and gently pushed the laptop shut. “Don’t work anymore, Brother.” He leaned over the desk, licking his lips.

Chu Feng couldn’t hold back anymore. Chen Jingming, overcome by a sudden burst of boldness, crawled under the desk to kneel between Chu Feng’s legs. He looked up with beautiful eyes and kissed Chu Feng through the fabric of his trousers.

“Do you want to?”

Chu Feng’s lower abdomen trembled. He tried to pull Jingming up, but Jingming tilted his head away. “I’ll use my mouth, okay?”

Surrounded by the scent of orange blossom body wash and the musk of the office, Chu Feng’s chest heaved. He placed a hand on the back of Chen Jingming’s head and, in a rare display of roughness, pressed him down.

…

Later, under the sheets with pillows propping him up, Chen Jingming was dazed and sweaty. Seeing the lingering worry on Chu Feng’s brow, he reached out a soft hand to smooth away the crease. Chu Feng felt an unprecedented surge of tenderness and passion.

…

A New Chapter

By late August, Chen Jingming officially started his job at the Wanyi Group, working at the Folk Museum in town.

He had started working out with a colleague from the ranch, and the results were showing. His “soft” body was becoming firmer. While Chu Feng initially teased him for his “straight-man” aesthetic, he soon began to enjoy the benefits of Jingming’s newfound stamina and strength during their intimate moments.

One morning, over a breakfast of white porridge and beef patties, Chu Feng told him, “I have a meeting in the city today and might not be back for dinner. Eat at Xiao Yun’s place.”

“Can I come find you in the city?” Chen Jingming asked. “I want to try a Thai place I saw online.”

“Sure,” Chu Feng’s eyes lit up. “We can go shopping too. I haven’t bought you clothes in a long time.”

They planned to visit a dessert shop on the same street called Brookside to deliver a gift to Boss Zhuang, who had given them hotel vouchers previously.

…

Brookside and the Script Dilemma

At Brookside, they met Chu Feng’s friend, Zhuang Shuo, and his partner, Lang Yangyang.

Zhuang Shuo teased, “So you really are an old bull eating tender grass.”

Lang Yangyang, a gentle and handsome pastry chef, brought them moss pound cake and apricot cream tarts. Chen Jingming was immediately charmed by Yangyang’s kindness. They exchanged gifts—a set of designer ceramics Chen Jingming had picked out—and spent a pleasant afternoon.

Later, over Thai food, Chu Feng noticed Chen Jingming was troubled. “What’s wrong?”

Chen Jingming finally confessed his dilemma regarding his script. He had two offers: one from a reputable company for a lower price, and one from a company known for hoarding scripts and plagiarism for 90,000 yuan more.

“Pick the company you actually like,” Chu Feng said firmly. “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll handle that.”

“But it’s not easy for you to earn money either,” Chen Jingming murmured.

Chu Feng looked him in the eye. “A man is supposed to earn money to support the family. You just do what you love.”

Seeing Jingming’s hesitation, Chu Feng added, “Baby, you must choose the one you truly want. Otherwise, as your big brother, I would truly die of shame.”