Marrying the Scumbag Gong’s Villainous Older Brother [Transmigration] - Chapter 9

“If possible, I hope we can live together. Please rest assured, I will fulfill all duties as a husband. Whether before or after marriage, in all aspects, I will not mistreat you.”

The “Gentleman with Long Legs” spoke again, his voice deep and gravelly, like the ancient, profound sound of a cello. “Of course, you have the right to refuse at any time.”

While he was saying this, Jing Xun was still looking at the medical report.

To be honest, he didn’t discriminate against the sick. In fact, rather than intentional concealment, he was more satisfied with this method of laying everything out before him from the start and giving him the right to choose.

As someone who had been ill since childhood, Jing Xun, unlike others, understood the kind of dignity a patient wants to maintain. No one wants to be labeled as “sick” by others, especially when it concerns mental health issues…

Baring one’s situation so nakedly before another person requires immense courage in itself. Let alone the fact that he was doing it just to seek Jing Xun’s opinion.

In fact, if Jing Xun really acted as a stabilizer for him, the man could have easily deceived him in many ways. But he didn’t.

Jing Xun quite admired him for that. It seemed that the high society of Long City in this book wasn’t entirely composed of hypocrites like the scum gong.

Strangely, the man’s image in Jing Xun’s eyes didn’t diminish; instead, it grew a notch taller. Even though his face remained indifferent and his brow carried a cold sharpness that made people instinctively want to stay away.

However…

“But why must we get married?” Jing Xun still didn’t understand.

To avoid discouraging the ill gentleman or causing a misunderstanding that might hurt his feelings, he quickly added: “If you don’t mind, you can come find me whenever you’re in a bad mood…”

Suddenly feeling that these words might be ambiguous, Jing Xun’s ears turned red. “Ah, I mean, sir, if you’re willing, we can do other things, just… not that, but simply reading books or playing chess…”

Gosh, why does this sound weirder the more I say it!

“Because we’ve slept together.”

The man didn’t misunderstand his meaning, but regarding Jing Xun’s question, he was clearly also quite puzzled. Confusion flickered in those peach blossom eyes: “This is the best way, is it not?”

Jing Xun: “…”

He seemed to understand the other’s logic. How could things that have happened be treated as if they never occurred? Just like how his cheek felt burning after being brushed by the man’s finger earlier.

He would remember. They would both remember.

Was the man’s meaning that since they had done that and happened to be compatible, progressing to marriage partners was perfectly natural…?

Jing Xun looked up, for the first time proactively meeting the man’s gaze.

The man was not only tall but had an exceptionally upright posture. Sitting in this lavishly decorated, vintage cafe, he looked like a true prince stepped out of a French court—so surreal he resembled an oil painting.

To tell the truth, no one could refuse being seen with such a person. Whether based purely on appearance or his conduct so far.

But…

“But sir, getting married… I still feel it’s too fast,” Jing Xun expressed tactfully. “And I’m only a junior this year.”

“If that is your concern, we can get engaged first.”

The gentleman continued: “A wedding cannot be handled carelessly; originally, it shouldn’t be held too hastily anyway.”

En… gaged?

Living together as fiancé and fiancée?

Jing Xun’s attention was entirely focused on the first half of the sentence. For some reason, this realization made him heave a sigh of relief. Jing Xun had always taken contracts very seriously; suddenly getting a marriage certificate with someone who was essentially a stranger was too much pressure.

But engagement… he had heard from his doctoral seniors that engagement was like dating with the goal of marriage. That was much more relaxing.

To be safe, Jing Xun specifically asked the man for his definition of engagement to align their understanding.

The “Gentleman with Long Legs” froze slightly, his peach blossom eyes lowering as he truly considered the question seriously. Just as Jing Xun began to wonder why he needed to think for so long, the man said: “Dating with the goal of marriage—I agree with that point. However…”

He sat tall, his gaze lingering slightly on Jing Xun’s face, his eyelashes lowered, looking less sharp than usual. “For such matters, especially given my condition, I should give you enough time to consider. If mentioning marriage caused you pressure, I apologize.”

“Ah… it has nothing to do with your condition.”

Hearing his words, Jing Xun denied it repeatedly. He didn’t want the man to misunderstand and hurt his self-esteem.

Jing Xun said directly: “I can agree to it.”

His agreement wasn’t out of pity or an inability to refuse. Jing Xun’s thought process was simple: he’d treat it as helping someone treat an illness while experiencing the feeling of being in a relationship. A win-win.

He wasn’t a person who liked to beat around the bush and, to be fair, he didn’t dislike the man before him. He had even felt for a moment that living together with such a person… should be quite a nice thing. So since the opportunity had arisen and the choice was his, he wouldn’t be coy.

If he wanted something, he’d go for it openly. Jing Xun had always understood carpe diem and didn’t like overthinking things.

But he hadn’t expected that as soon as he agreed, the man’s eyes would widen slightly. The indifferent peach blossom eyes were the same as usual, but they seemed brighter, carrying an emotion… Jing Xun didn’t know if he should call it appreciation or joy.

In short, being stared at by those shimmering eyes, the usually un-coy Jing Xun became rare and bashfully embarrassed.

Shifting his gaze elsewhere, Jing Xun said: “I mean, I feel like we can try it first…”

“It’s decided?” the man asked softly.

“Ah.” Jing Xun nodded stiffly but firmly: “Decided.”

“Then let’s go.” This time, the man stood up very decisively.

Jing Xun was confused: “Where to?”

The man looked at him and said naturally: “We’ve finished talking. Let’s go eat.”

That’s… it? Finished talking?

Uh, not to be nitpicky, but for a moment where a relationship is established, shouldn’t it be more… exciting? Not that it had to be very exciting. Mainly, the tone in which this man said “let’s go eat”… was exactly like a teacher announcing lunch break after the bell rings!

Regardless, Jing Xun followed him out. The aisle to the door was a bit narrow; the “Gentleman with Long Legs” automatically walked ahead to lead the way. Jing Xun’s vision was filled with the man’s broad shoulders and tall, upright back.

…But thinking about it carefully, in this situation, what else could they do besides eat? If they were dating, it seemed to be just eating and watching movies. Doing anything else… Jing Xun found it hard to imagine. After all, their situation was special; they weren’t actually well-acquainted.

It’s not like they’d have a passionate kiss or something.

Thinking this, he didn’t feel there was anything wrong with the current situation. Except for…

The summer night was very muggy, but the car was very cool. Especially the moment the man personally pulled the car door open for him and the cold air rushed out.

“…Thank you,” Jing Xun said.

There was a driver in the car who eagerly got out to shout “President Shen,” but the man still insisted on opening the door for Jing Xun himself.

After settling Jing Xun in the car, the man entered from the other side. He asked Jing Xun: “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything is fine.”

The two sat side-by-side in the enclosed space. Even though there was an armrest and cup holders between the seats, Jing Xun instinctively tensed his body. Not from nervousness, but from excitement. Regardless, this was his first date.

With a boyfriend.

…Since he had agreed to the engagement proposal, before the actual engagement, this should count as his boyfriend, right? Truly perfect logic. No matter how you deduced it, there was no flaw. Yes, that’s right, he actually has a boyfriend!

Jing Xun expressed no objection: “You choose.”

The man didn’t stand on ceremony either and gave a location to the driver. The car slowly pulled out of the parking lot.

On the way, the man suddenly spoke: “Is it convenient for you to reach your hand over for a moment?”

Jing Xun: “?” Reach… reach out my hand?

There was no music playing in the car, and they were sitting close. Jing Xun could clearly feel the man’s magnetic, raspy voice spreading through the air.

Thump, thump, thump.

Jing Xun, having zero experience in dating, was confused and inexplicably nervous, but he still slowly reached his hand over…

Then he felt a weight on his wrist.

Looking down, the man’s two long fingers were busy at his wrist—he was putting a watch on Jing Xun’s hand. The watch was likely one the man had just taken off his own wrist; Jing Xun could feel the warmth on the strap.

The man expertly fastened the watch for him. Jing Xun’s gaze followed the man’s fingers upward, seeing his concentrated expression.

Cold and aloof. But he didn’t seem quite that cold anymore.

The man said: “I didn’t expect to run into you suddenly and haven’t prepared anything. This will serve as a temporary gift.”

“…Thank you.” Jing Xun turned his wrist. There wasn’t enough light in the car, so he didn’t look closely at the watch, nor was he embarrassed to. He only felt that the spot where the watch sat seemed even warmer.

“Ah, right, sir…”

During this gap, Jing Xun finally had the chance to ask the most important question of this entire conversation, one he hadn’t had the chance to ask. He looked at the man with the handsome, god-like profile: “I still don’t know your name?”

“Mhm?” The man immediately turned to look at him, his expression changing for the first time, showing a hint of surprise.

It was as if he were saying—did he really not introduce himself?

The eternal iceberg finally showed a crack; this contrast was likely not something just anyone could see. Under the circumstances, it was actually a bit funny. Jing Xun couldn’t help but think: We’re already in this kind of relationship, yet we don’t even know each other’s identities…

What an unbelievable and wonderful experience!

Jing Xun took the initiative to introduce himself: “My name is Jing Xun… Yan Jingxun.”

“I know,” the man said. “I just spoke with Professor Huo; he mentioned your name.”

“Mhm?” Now it was Jing Xun’s turn to be surprised. This person went to talk to Professor Huo? And they mentioned my name??

But what surprised him was clearly more than this little matter. A flicker of chagrin passed through the man, and he pulled a business card from the car’s compartment, handing it to Jing Xun with a rigorous and upright posture. His tone was also full of apology: “Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.”

Neon lights streaked across the car window. Under the shifting light inside the car, Jing Xun took the card. It was hard and had a matte texture; he could tell it was high-quality just by touch. Jing Xun couldn’t help but rub it a couple of times.

At the same time, the man’s deep voice boomed in his ear again:

“My name is Shen Yijin.”

Shen… Shen what?