My Husband is a Younger 'Cool Dog' - Chapter 5

An unknown amount of time passed.

Suddenly, Jiang Ling moved. He returned to the car and withdrew his hand from the door, closing it behind him. The interior of the car became a private, enclosed world for just the two of them.

He turned his head to look at the man’s handsome and gentle face. At this moment, he shed his day-long disguise, leaving his face devoid of much expression. The dim interior light blurred half of his features, making his true emotions difficult to read.

“I do not hate you,” he said.

In truth, he had stopped hating him long ago. In fact, he felt a deep sense of regret. Jiang Ling met Huo Junnian’s deep, gentle gaze and apologized for his impulsive childhood self. “Uncle Huo, I was young and ignorant back then. I spoke without thinking and said many hurtful things.”

“I am sorry.”

Having finally said those words, he felt a significant weight lift from his shoulders. Silence fell over the car once more.

“I thought you would call me ‘Brother’?” Huo Junnian chuckled softly.

“Brother?”

The expression on Jiang Ling’s face froze. That title was their private agreement from years ago. The word instantly pulled Jiang Ling’s memory back eight years.

He was ten years old then, an age for play and mischief. While playing, he had accidentally fallen into a river, only to be rescued by a passing Huo Junnian. Stricken by fear and trauma, he fell seriously ill that very night. When he finally recovered, he discovered a new person in the house.

At the time, Huo Junnian had business to handle in City H and stayed temporarily at Jiang Ling’s home. Jiang Ling felt a natural affinity for the man who had suddenly appeared and saved his life.

Jiang Qicheng, seeing a small head peeking cautiously through the doorway, had said, “A-Ling, this is your Uncle Huo. Greet him.”

Huo Junnian looked up and saw a boy as exquisite as a porcelain doll hiding by the door. “Hello, A-Ling.”

Huo Junnian was only twenty-two then, young and handsome. He sat by the window, backlit by the sun, looking at the boy with a smile. Outside, the begonia flowers were in full bloom; a light breeze sent petals drifting down, some catching in his dark hair. The scene was as beautiful as a painting.

Jiang Ling was mesmerized. He had never seen anyone so beautiful. Blushing, he whispered, “Hello, Uncle.”

Later, after Jiang Qicheng left, he had whispered secretly, “I do not think Uncle Huo looks like an ‘Uncle’ at all.”

Huo Junnian could not help but laugh. He liked the quirky boy and teased him, “Then what does A-Ling think I should be called?”

“Call you ‘Brother’!” Jiang Ling said shyly. “Brother is good-looking.”

Huo Junnian’s smile grew even more charming. “All right then, A-Ling can call me ‘Brother’.”

Jiang Ling’s big eyes rolled as he thought of something. “But I am afraid Dad will say I am being impolite. How about this? In front of others, I will call you ‘Uncle,’ but when it is just the two of us, I will call you ‘Brother.’ Is that okay?”

Looking into those innocent eyes, Huo Junnian found it impossible to refuse. “Of course it is.”

Jiang Ling’s eyes lit up. “Let’s pinky-swear! This is our little secret. You cannot tell anyone else.”

Huo Junnian laughed and hooked his pinky with the small finger offered to him. “Fine, we swear. Brother promises not to tell anyone.”

Back then, Jiang Ling was clingy and playful. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would run to find Huo Junnian, pestering him to play ball or take him out. Although Huo Junnian was busy, he was exceptionally patient and even indulgent with Jiang Ling, granting almost every request. Except for work, his free time was essentially monopolized by the boy.

Even Jiang Qicheng had remarked, “If you keep spoiling him like this, the boy will become completely lawless.”

Huo Junnian had simply smiled and replied, “It is fine. If it is A-Ling, I am happy to spoil him.”

But since that final argument, the two had never met again, let alone used that title. Huo Junnian looked at the youth’s quiet face. Eight years had passed, turning the quirky boy of his memories into this quiet, well-behaved person before him.

Spending the day together, he could feel a sense of contradiction in the boy. He seemed to say the opposite of what he felt, claiming he disliked things he clearly liked, as if he were intentionally being difficult. Only occasionally, when encountering something he truly loved, would his real thoughts leak out. Perhaps it was a “small flaw” unique to teenage boys.

“The one who should apologize is me. As the adult, I also have a responsibility. I did not handle things well,” Huo Junnian said. He noticed a strand of the boy’s black hair sticking up in the breeze, looking soft and inviting. He could not resist reaching out to ruffle it, saying softly, “Now that we have cleared the air, let us be friends again. What do you say?”

Jiang Ling’s body stiffened for a moment at the touch. After a few seconds, he turned his head away awkwardly and nodded.

“Pinky-swear,” Huo Junnian said, extending his finger just like old times.

Jiang Ling stared at the offered pinky and froze. He knit his brows, looking conflicted. “Do we really have to do this?”

He no longer did such childish things. But seeing the expectant look in the man’s eyes, he bit the bullet and hooked his finger anyway, despite feeling ridiculous.

“Once we swear, it is official.”

“All right.”

As soon as they finished, Jiang Ling pulled his hand back quickly, rubbing his fingertips as if the man’s warmth still lingered there.

Jiang Ling asked, “Are you tired?”

“I am not.” Huo Junnian propped his chin on his hand, watching the youth who seemed eager to bolt. He raised an eyebrow. “Leaving so soon? Don’t you want to chat a bit longer?”

Jiang Ling shoved his hands in his pockets, acting nonchalant. “Not really. What do you want to talk about? I am fine with anything.”

A hidden smile played on Huo Junnian’s lips. He suddenly changed the subject, catching Jiang Ling completely off guard. “So, is A-Ling dating anyone at school?”

Jiang Ling’s eyes widened in shock. He looked at Huo Junnian in disbelief. “What did you, what did you just ask me?” His voice rose uncontrollably at the end. “Dating?”

Huo Junnian nodded.

Jiang Ling’s brain stalled for a moment. “Why, why are you asking me that?”

“I am concerned about you.” Huo Junnian enjoyed the boy’s panic and said with a smile, “Don’t worry, even if you are, I will not tell your father.”

Jiang Ling looked at him warily. To prevent any further wild guesses, he said quickly, “No, I am not dating anyone!”

“Really?” Huo Junnian looked him up and down. “I find that hard to believe. What about a girl you like?”

“Uncle Huo, when did you become such a gossip?”

“This is not gossip; we are having a heart-to-heart.”

Jiang Ling snorted internally. He did not believe a word of it. He immediately began to spout the standard phrases his teachers used. “I am focused on my studies. Besides, the school discourages early romances. I have too much homework every day to think about girls.”

Huo Junnian thought about it and actually believed him. “That makes sense.”

Jiang Ling looked at him and asked, “What about you?” He could not let the man do all the questioning.

“What about me?” Huo Junnian asked, prepared for anything.

“Have you broken up with that man?”

The smile instantly vanished from Huo Junnian’s face. Jiang Ling tilted his chin slightly, his expression fearless as he looked the man straight in the eye without flinching. If they were going to talk about such topics, he would ask something pointed.

The atmosphere turned dead silent. The fact that Huo Junnian liked men was not a secret to him.

“We broke up,” Huo Junnian said without hesitation.

That man had been a former lover. Their time together had been short, ending because the man did not know his place. More importantly, he had been the fuse for the fight between Huo Junnian and Jiang Ling. Huo Junnian was a cold person; through his past experiences and the battles of the business world, very few people truly mattered to him. Jiang Ling, from his younger years, happened to be one of them.

“So you actually broke up. I thought you were still together.”

Huo Junnian did not elaborate.

“And now? Are you single or…?”

“Single.”

Jiang Ling, wanting to regain his footing, continued his interrogation without giving the man a chance to breathe. “How long have you been single?”

“A year.”

“How many people have you dated before? Are you seeing anyone interesting now? How old are they?”

Huo Junnian finally interrupted the barrage. “Stop. A-Ling, are you conducting a census?”

Jiang Ling huffed. “You asked me first.”

“How about we both take a step back and stop asking? Is that a deal?”

In just a few minutes of conversation, the distance between them had closed significantly, losing the obvious coldness from earlier in the day. Huo Junnian checked the time and smiled. “All right, it is getting late. Weren’t you sleepy earlier? Go back and get some rest.”

“Are you kicking me out now?” Jiang Ling turned to look at him.

“Of course not. It is just late. If you want to come out and play tomorrow, I will come pick you up.”

Jiang Ling opened the car door and hopped out. “No need, I am busy all day tomorrow.” After getting out, he did not leave immediately. He leaned down toward the car window and said, “But if you want to ask me out next time, give me some advance notice.”

Huo Junnian raised an eyebrow. “Fine.”

“Bye.”

Jiang Ling turned and walked toward the Bai house. Huo Junnian sat in the car, watching the boy’s retreating back. His phone suddenly vibrated. He answered, and a man’s voice came through.

“President Huo is getting harder to reach these days. I went to your office today after getting back to the country, but you were gone. Your secretary said it was a private trip and could not say more. Are you with a lover? Wait, didn’t you break up with that one? Did he come crawling back? I heard his resources dried up after he left you. It is normal to regret it; a rich and handsome benefactor like you is rare. I don’t know what he was thinking. If I weren’t into women, I would want to be with you myself.”

Hearing his friend’s prying, Huo Junnian remarked, “Is the great movie star this gossipy now? It was a mutual breakup for mutual benefit. It has been a year, let it go.”

“No one new around you lately?” The actor sounded shocked. “No way. Have you really been alone for a year?”

Ignoring the shock, Huo Junnian turned the steering wheel after Jiang Ling had disappeared from sight. “I am not in the mood. I am busy with work.”

“Then where are you now? Don’t tell me you are working; I don’t believe it.”

Huo Junnian laughed. “I just dropped a kid off at home.”

“And you say there is nothing new?”

“It is a friend’s son. I was asked to look after him for a year,” Huo Junnian explained. “Let’s meet at the usual place. I am driving now. Talk to you later.”

On his way back to his room, Jiang Ling encountered an uninvited guest. Bai Zhao was leaning against the hallway wall with his arms crossed. He looked at Jiang Ling and said sarcastically, “Had a fun time out today, did we? You go out and enjoy yourself while I suffer.”

Bai Zhao had been forced to copy classical texts twenty times under his grandfather’s supervision today. It was worse than prison. He was even more annoyed knowing that while he was stuck, Jiang Ling, the culprit, was out having fun with a private chauffeur.

“It was quite fun,” Jiang Ling said flatly. He had no interest in dealing with Bai Zhao and tried to walk past him.

“You two-faced snake. You act one way to people’s faces and another behind their backs. Sooner or later, Grandfather will see your true colors.”

Seeing Jiang Ling ignore him, Bai Zhao got even angrier and reached out to block his path. “Hey, I am not finished!”

He was cut off by a cold glare.

“I am tired and I want to sleep,” Jiang Ling said coldly. “I do not have the energy to deal with you or argue. If you are really that bored, we can find a time to go outside, and I will have a ‘heart-to-heart’ with you.”

The implication was clear: a talk outside would not be limited to words. Bai Zhao was his cousin, and while he did not want to fight, he would not mind teaching the guy a lesson if he kept pestering him. Jiang Ling pushed the arm out of his way, entered his room, and slammed the door.

He was exhausted. He had not slept well the night before, and after a full day out, his energy was spent. He did not even change his clothes; he simply took off his glasses and collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

However, his sleep was not peaceful. He woke up suddenly after a short while, drenched in sweat. His clothes were damp and uncomfortable. He decided to take a hot shower.

In the bathroom, as the hot water washed over him, he relaxed, and his earlier dreams began to surface. He thought of their conversation in the car and the questions he had asked. He could not deny he had his own motives.

In truth, he knew how well Huo Junnian had treated him. He had known he was spoiled and had become reckless because of it. He had adored the older boy, who was twelve years his senior, and looked up to him. To Jiang Ling, the man was nearly omnipotent and had even saved his life. They were best friends.

The man had bought him anything he wanted and played childish games that his own father refused to participate in. He would warm Jiang Ling’s feet with his hands when it was cold and coax him to sleep during thunderstorms. In return, Jiang Ling shared everything with him first. If he got the top grade in class, Huo Junnian always knew before his father did.

He was full of attachment, dependence, and possessiveness. He thought they could go on like that forever until the day that man appeared.

“Is this the brat who monopolizes President Huo so he has no time for me?” the man had asked in front of him. He had looped an arm around Huo Junnian’s neck suggestively and planted a provocative kiss on his cheek. Pointing to Jiang Ling hiding in the corner, he added, “Look, darling, there is a little brat spying on us.”

When Huo Junnian looked at him, Jiang Ling’s mind went blank. He could not hear anything around him. He ran. He ran in a panic, feeling utterly wretched. It was raining hard outside, and he was soaked and cold, but his heart was colder.

Huo Junnian had chased him down and found him. “Jiang Ling, calm down!”

He was forcibly carried back. When they arrived, the other man was gone. It was just the two of them, the man and the boy, face to face. Huo Junnian knelt on one knee to look him in the eye. “A-Ling, calm down.”

But Jiang Ling only remembered what had just happened. With red eyes, he demanded furiously, “Why did he kiss you? Why did you let him?”

Tears blurred his vision. He cried as he reached out to the spot where the man had kissed Huo Junnian, rubbing the skin harshly with his fingers. Feeling betrayed, he tried to scrub the kiss away. A child’s possessiveness often defies logic.

Huo Junnian felt the sting on his face, but he did not move away, letting the boy lash out. Eventually, the boy’s movements slowed. Coming to his senses and seeing the bright red mark he had left on the man’s face, Jiang Ling panicked. “I, I am sorry. I did not mean to.”

Huo Junnian caught his hand. “Are you calm now?”

“Do you like men?”

Huo Junnian did not deny it. “I do.”

Jiang Ling asked stubbornly, “Can you stop liking them? Is it not enough to have me with you?” His nose began to sting again. He fought back tears and said, “I will not tell anyone your secret. Can you break up with him?”

Huo Junnian realized then that he had spoiled the boy far too much. “A-Ling, you cannot interfere in my private life.”

“But I do not like him! He took you away from me! You are mine!” Jiang Ling said bossily. He could not accept that someone else had appeared to steal the affection that belonged only to him. To him, Huo Junnian was his exclusive property, and he allowed no outsiders near.

“I can give you all my money. Just break up with him, okay?”

Support My Husband is a Younger ‘Cool Dog’