AFM Ch 14

Snowflakes drifted down from the endless night sky, and the car was parked right by the roadside. The darkness deepened, limiting visibility, creating a disorienting illusion of an endless expanse.

Jing Mian felt his breath quicken.

He first hoped Ren Xingwan only wanted to kiss his cheek or forehead. That would be more innocent than what was unfolding now. But at this moment, Jing Mian admitted he was flustered.

He could tell that Ren Xingwan was serious, wanting to kiss him.

In the interval of his racing heartbeat, the man, who hadn’t received a response, repeated, “Can I kiss you?”

Jing Mian pressed his lips together, his face flushed: “Y-yes.”

After all, they are legally married now. So, kissing was natural and expected.

But Jing Mian hadn’t anticipated that Ren Xingwan would have such a need for him as well.

“…”

Jing Mian remembered it was Ren Xingwan who made the first move.

The streets were silent under the first snowfall. Every sound was magnified in the stillness. Jing Mian heard the man’s footsteps crunching softly on the thin layer of snow, moving slowly toward him.

The sound was quiet, yet it felt like a hammer striking his heart.

He felt his legs stiffen.

Jing Mian’s breath quickened. His cheeks were hot. His thoughts were scattered. Should he lean in or pull away? In that moment, he forgot to react or move.

“Um…”

Just as he was about to speak, he felt an arm wrap around his waist.

In the next second, the grip tightened.

Jing Mian was pulled into Ren Xingwan’s embrace.

His heart raced, his fingertips trembling: “… Mmm!”

The man had already bent down, sealing his lips against Jing Mian’s.

A completely unfamiliar sense of invasion washed over him.

It felt as though there was no escape, even their lips fit together perfectly, with no gaps. A small spark ignited where they were tightly pressed together. They seemed a natural pair, casting aside their family commitments.

Jing Mian felt Ren Xingwan’s hand slightly twist from the inside of his wrist.

They soon interlocked fingers.

“…”

Despite having secretly held hands at the banquet, the sensation was still undeniably unfamiliar. Jing Mian’s eyelashes fluttered.

But the one thing that was familiar was the scent that belonged to his brother.

Realizing this, Jing Mian’s face turned scarlet.

It felt as if he had crossed over a decade to kiss the brother he had once been closest to and relied on the most.

Their pure childhood friendship had changed after they became adults and signed a marriage contract. It now had an indescribable taboo.

Feeling this reality, Jing Mian couldn’t help but feel a shiver run down his spine.

Maybe a few snowflakes landed on Ren Xingwan’s shoulder. They lingered there, unmelted. But, Jing Mian had no energy to think about it.

His mind had gone blank, he didn’t know what he was doing or what Ren Xingwan was doing to him.

The light was dim and flickering.

The car lights alternated with the night. They half-illuminated the man’s hair, but deepened the shadows on his nose.

Warm breaths washed over them, making hearts race and faces flush.

Every sensation he could hear and feel was Ren Xingwan.

Jing Mian didn’t know how long the kiss lasted. It was long enough for him to feel he could no longer hold on. Warmth spread to the back of his neck and the tips of his ears.

He forced his hand up to push against Ren Xingwan’s arm, but the force was so light it barely take effect.

Jing Mian: “…”

At some point, his back had pressed against the car, almost without a gap. The man leaned down, wrapping his arms around Jing Mian’s waist and pinning him against the car window.

Trapped in that confined space, he kissed him.

Jing Mian felt as if his heart might explode.

No one could withstand such a kiss, especially not a first kiss.

He didn’t even know when they separated.

The small birthday gift came to an abrupt end at that moment.

“Should we head back to the car?” the man asked.

Jing Mian nodded.

For some reason, his legs felt a bit weak. The man pulled him slightly. At least they were close to the car door and didn’t have to walk far. He just needed to stay standing.

However, as he reached out to pull the car door open, he found it wouldn’t budge.

Jing Mian: “?”

The force he usually used to open the door effortlessly suddenly felt insurmountable.

Seeing that Ren Xingwan was in the car, Jing Mian paused. He looked at his hand, fell silent, then pretended nothing had happened.

This time, he exerted a bit more strength, and the car door opened.

Once seated in the passenger seat, the car slowly started to move.

Jing Mian felt disheartened after realizing what had happened. He squeezed his thigh.

The kiss left him so flustered that his body felt weak. Jing Mian suddenly thought he had wasted the past twenty years.

The short walk to the house let his wobbly legs regain strength. But, his heart still raced.

Jing Mian wondered why Ren Xingwan had suddenly proposed a kiss.

Had he been celibate for too long? Just when Jing Mian showed up as his marriage partner, was he finally unable to hold back after this birthday?

Jing Mian recalled Ren Xingwan’s complaint that he was still a child, not mature enough.

A bit sadly, he thought that even if he were someone else, Ren Xingwan would likely still act this way. He had merely appeared in the wrong place at the right time.

Jing Mian sighed inwardly.

It felt like a rabbit going out for a stroll… only to be caught by a hunter. The hunter brought it home, but didn’t cook it. He placed it on the chopping board and nibbled its ears and paws, making it wet and disheveled.

Then the hunter said, “I’m done eating!”

The little rabbit was tossed back into the forest, trembling and running away, its fur all messed up. The other rabbits stared in shock and gathered around to watch.

Though it was unharmed, it suffered a mental blow.

How to describe it… It felt humiliated, exploited by the hunter. Yet, it was oddly grateful. At least, the hunter hadn’t eaten it.

What a damn conflicting feeling.

Still, Jing Mian tried to be open-minded.

He had prepared himself mentally before entering into the marriage contract. It was a family arrangement. He and Ren Xingwan would fulfill their marital duties, leaving feelings out of it. That was not worth thinking about.

Following Ren Xingwan, Jing Mian turned left, then right. Finally, he passed through a small bend to reach the man’s home.

Jing Mian had meant to note the house number or building, just in case he might get lost on future grocery trips. With that he could ask other residents for directions.

Now, it seemed unnecessary, as the residence was easy to locate. Jing Mian could tell it was a two-story duplex villa. It was in a prime location, very close to a fresh produce market they had just passed. It was convenient but not noisy.

With no obstructions, it would certainly be filled with abundant sunlight during the day. The scenery was pleasant, featuring an independent courtyard, making it an ideal private residence.

No wonder Jing Mian had heard that many celebrities lived in this upscale community.

At this thought, Jing Mian suddenly felt choked up.

Ren Xingwan was a celebrity himself.

Given their limited time together, Jing Mian sometimes forgot that his partner was an acclaimed actor. He knew so little about Ren Xingwan’s life.

Before long, the man unlocked the courtyard gate with a key.

He turned to Jing Mian and said, “It’s the one I just gave you.”

Jing Mian nodded.

He saw that a card could be used, too. But, he wouldn’t get the key card until tomorrow. So, Ren Xingwan was now giving him a demo on purpose.

Following Ren Xingwan into the courtyard, the pebbled path was clean and bright. The melted snow left the small path looking smooth and exquisite.

On either side were flowers and plants. Despite a recent cold snap, they were perfectly trimmed. They were neither overgrown nor sparse. They provided a refreshing atmosphere.

Beside the villa stood a tall, small tree. Its thick roots and branches began to reach for the second floor.

Such a pleasant environment was like a dream home.

Jing Mian felt a bit surprised, just looking at it made his mood lift.

Before long, the two arrived at the front of the villa.

The man lowered his gaze, his long fingers fiddling with the surface of the door lock.

Then he stepped aside, signaling Jing Mian: “Press it.”

Jing Mian obediently extended his index finger and pressed it against the blue light.

Soon, a mechanical voice prompted: “Fingerprint has been recorded.”

So that’s how it is.

From now on, he could use his fingerprint to unlock Ren Xingwan’s home… no, their home.

A feeling of becoming a co-owner of the house surged within him.

Jing Mian was filled with a warm and somewhat solemn emotion.

However, lost in thought, he habitually licked his lips, and unlike the usual dry sensation, they felt a bit moist.

Suddenly realizing something, Jing Mian’s face flushed bright red.

Ren Xingwan said, “If the fingerprint fails, contact the property management or use the password below.””

Jing Mian nodded and asked, “What’s the password?”

There seemed to be a moment of silence from Ren Xingwan.

Then he replied, “020423.”

Jing Mian: “……”

Why did it sound so oddly familiar, and why did it match the passwords for his bank card and several payment apps?

Is… that his birthday?

Jing Mian was a bit surprised, so he casually asked, “Mr. Ren… is this a new password?”

Ren Xingwan replied, “No.”

Jing Mian: “?”

Before he could respond, Ren Xingwan paused. Then, he said: “We are registered partners.”

His voice was low and serious, and after a pause, he added: “So we are legal lovers, right?”

The statement was a bit formal and lacked context. It stressed the importance of the term “legal.” This left Jing Mian somewhat taken aback and confused.

Jing Mian didn’t quite understand but still concealed his surprise and nodded, “Uh… yes, legal.”

Ren Xingwan continued, “Then calling me ‘Mr.’ seems a bit inappropriate, doesn’t it?”