In a Relationship With the Rugged Guy Next Door - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: “Watch out, your brother is straight.”

After Chen Lang left, Chen Jingming didn’t feel sleepy anymore. He changed the water for the snapping turtle and washed the cherries Chen Lang had brought. Sitting on a small stool in the courtyard, he popped a handful of cherries into his mouth, using his nimble tongue to separate the pits, spitting them one by one into the small vegetable patch like a “Pea Shooter” from Plants vs. Zombies.

Occasionally, cars drove past the gate, and he even heard a vendor pushing a cart selling tofu. As the sunset glow bathed the courtyard, Chen Jingming looked up at the rose branches climbing over from the neighbor’s wall, dotted with several pale pink flowers.

He suddenly had a strong urge to see the courtyard where he and his mother used to live, but he didn’t have a key. The courtyard next door was now the office for the Changling Town Livestock Committee; it used to be the staff dormitory for the town hospital.

Chen Chunyi was an only child with no parents. She had been raised in the countryside by her grandmother, who made incense to pay for her medical vocational school. When Chen Chunyi returned after her divorce, the old country house was uninhabitable, so the town hospital arranged for her to stay in that house. Although it was called a staff dormitory, it was just the two of them living there. Chu Feng’s family was in a similar situation, though they eventually bought their house.

Chen Jingming dragged a chair over to peek over the wall. He hadn’t seen any movement next door for days and assumed it was overgrown with weeds. He had already started playing a sad soundtrack in his head, but to his surprise, the yard was tidy. There were roses, a pebble path, and a chalkboard against the wall with chalk-written notes on livestock epidemic prevention.

“Did Ge write this?” he muttered, imagining the massive Chu Feng hunkered down, holding a tiny piece of chalk. The door to the house was closed, but the second-floor corridor looked exactly as it did thirteen years ago. Back then, little Jingming would wake up alone and walk to the balcony crying for his mother, or for his brother, since Uncle Chu Yi was rarely home.

…

Chu Feng, who had promised to be back when Chen Jingming woke up, didn’t even make it home for dinner. He called to say he had to attend a business banquet and had ordered food from Jinmei Restaurant near the bus station.

Chen Jingming felt embarrassed and said he could cook for himself. Chu Feng: “No, you don’t know how to cook.” Chen Jingming: “That was before, Ge. I cook for myself all the time now.” Chu Feng hesitated. “Really, Ge, don’t trouble the owner,” Chen Jingming urged. “No,” Chu Feng said. “You’ve made yourself so thin; you must be a terrible cook.”

Through the phone, Chen Jingming heard the noisy background of the banquet. Chu Feng reassured him: “Do you remember the owner? The chubby one who used to argue with your mom—Hu Xianyun’s mother.”

Chen Jingming frowned, remembering those arguments. He and Hu Xianyun had once tumbled down the stairs while playing; their mothers, protective of their kids, started bickering. The owner had called Chen Jingming “girly,” while Chen Chunyi retorted that Hu Xianyun was so tomboyish she didn’t look like a girl. While they were busy fighting, the two kids had already made up over a marshmallow Chu Feng gave them.

When the gate knocked, Chen Jingming was prepared to greet an “Auntie,” but instead, he saw a girl his age. She had sharp features and a slender, high-fashion look. He immediately thought she was very photogenic.

“Hello, are you from Jinmei Restaurant?” he asked politely. “Chen Jingming,” the girl said, one hand in her pocket. “You’ve been away for a few years and you don’t recognize me?” “You’re…” “I’m Hu Xianyun!”

Chen Jingming was stunned. She had been so chubby as a child! The local air in Changling really did wonders for people.

Hu Xianyun was as bold and familiar as ever. She pushed past him into the yard. “I recognized you at a glance. Why didn’t you say anything when you came back? And what’s with that Tang Song guy? Did you piss someone off? Is the video fake? You’re such a softie, there’s no way you’d hit on a celebrity—I wouldn’t believe it even if you gave me five million. Also… why are you just standing there?”

Chen Jingming stood awkwardly by the door. Hu Xianyun kicked the gate shut. “Come eat. Feng Ge asked my mom to stew fish soup. It’s delicious.”

Chu Feng had been walking on eggshells to protect Chen Jingming’s feelings, never mentioning the scandal. Hu Xianyun, however, laid it all out the second she walked in. Surprisingly, Chen Jingming didn’t feel triggered. He didn’t cry. Thinking about those events through her words made them seem less terrifying.

As he sat down to eat the three dishes she brought, Hu Xianyun ate cherries from his bowl. “I have to take the dishes back when you’re done.” “Are you living at home too?” he asked. “Yeah, just got fired. You too?” Chen Jingming picked up a piece of cured meat. “I guess so.” “Because of that idiot Tang Song?” “Yeah. I haven’t resigned, it’s more like a suspension.”

“Are you suing? His fans definitely harassed you. I saw them leak your ID online.” She grabbed the ashtray from the coffee table. “Not gonna lie, your ID photo is pretty hot. When I was arguing with his fans on Weibo, even they had to admit you’re good-looking, haha.” “…” “Can I smoke? I don’t dare do it at my house.” Chen Jingming nodded. “Go ahead. You saw all of that?” “Of course,” she said, lighting a cigarette. “His fans reported my account until it got banned.” Chen Jingming laughed, gnawing on a rib.

Hu Xianyun continued her non-stop chatter. “Tang Song is a pretty boy, he’s nothing compared to your brother. Honestly, even ‘Xiao San Ge’ (Chen Lang) is more handsome than him.” She then dropped a bombshell: “By the way, did you know Xiao San Ge is gay? He had an online relationship once, but the guy dumped him when he found out he was a cattle farmer in the countryside.”

“Really? Was the guy handsome?” “He was okay. What about you? Ever had a boyfriend?” Her bluntness made the atmosphere lighter. Chen Jingming shook his head. “Not yet.” “Good. I thought I was the only one going solo.”

“And your brother… he treats you like a precious treasure. He even told my mom to make sure there are no bones in your soup so you don’t choke,” she laughed. “Does he still dress you and wash your feet at twenty-four?” “No, no!” Chen Jingming lied quickly. Hu Xianyun stared at his ears. “Your ears still turn red every time you lie.” Chen Jingming whispered, “I don’t want to, but he insists…” Hu Xianyun smirked. “In that case, why don’t you just date your brother? Great body, can cook, makes money, clearly a doting man.” “What are you saying!” Chen Jingming panicked. “He’s my brother!” “But not related!”

Chen Jingming was defeated by her wild suggestions. For the next half hour, she spent half the time telling him to ruin Tang Song and the other half telling him to be brave and sleep with Chu Feng.

…

After dinner, Hu Xianyun wouldn’t let him wash the dishes and told him to come find her tomorrow. Chen Jingming hesitated. “What? Busy tomorrow?” “No,” he admitted. “I was stalked by Tang Song’s fans. I’m worried people will throw eggs at me.” She raised her voice: “Damn! Don’t they know whose territory this is? Let them try, I’ll kill ’em!”

Chen Jingming felt much better. He tidied the living room and watched a military channel, waiting for Chu Feng. He didn’t expect him to return until after midnight.

Chen Lang pounded on the door. “Jingming! Baby, open up!” “Lang Ge, what happened?” Chen Jingming helped support Chu Feng. “Why did he drink so much?” “Business,” Chen Lang sighed, exhausted from carrying him.

They got him to the bedroom. Chu Feng insisted on showering. “I smell,” he muttered, fumbling with his shirt buttons. Chen Jingming stepped in to help unbutton it. Chu Feng’s skin was flushed from the alcohol, making his muscular physique look even more suggestive. Chen Jingming averted his eyes.

“Ge, I’ll just wipe you down with a towel. It’s not safe to shower when you’re drunk.” “No, I’ll stink up the bed.” “I don’t care about the smell, Ge.” Chu Feng touched his cheek. “Must wash. Baby is always fragrant.”

Chen Lang, leaning against the wall, puffed out a breath. “Stop bickering and just sleep. I’m going home.” Chen Jingming looked at him. Chen Lang smirked and whispered: “Watch out, your brother is straight.” “Watch out for what?!” Chen Jingming’s face turned scarlet.

As soon as Chen Lang left, Chu Feng hugged him from behind. His skin was burning hot against Chen Jingming’s back. “How about Baby helps me wash? Give me a scrub.”

Chu Feng half-dragged him into the bathroom. He leaned against the door to undo his belt. When the jeans dropped, Chen Jingming didn’t know where to look. “Ah… so tired,” Chu Feng sighed. “That bunch of drunks.”

Chen Jingming saw how exhausted he was and felt a pang of sympathy. Chu Feng stepped into the shower. “Baby, come here.” Chen Jingming swallowed hard. He’s a straight man, he told himself. He wouldn’t think twice about this. It’s just a brother helping a drunk brother scrub his back.

“Okay,” Chen Jingming said, gritting his teeth. “Coming.”