ALCSRB Chapter 93

The next morning, when Jiang Mingyi came downstairs, he immediately felt a pair of eyes on him. Turning his head, he saw Su Wanxin smiling at him from the living room.

The moment he remembered what Shen Xingyan had told him last night—that his mother already knew about their relationship—his heart twisted with nerves and shyness.

Su Wanxin’s expression was calm as ever. She waved him over with a gentle look in her eyes. “Xiao Yi, come here to Mom.”

Hearing that, Jiang Mingyi’s steps suddenly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. He froze on the spot, eyes filled with tension. He wanted to poke Shen Xingyan in the back, but felt that would be too obvious, so he forced down his nerves and slowly walked toward her.

“Mom.” His voice was low as he greeted her, and then he was pulled down onto the sofa beside her.

Out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Mingyi glanced at Shen Xingyan, who had sat on the other side. His lips moved slightly, but before he could say anything, his gaze happened to collide with Su Wanxin’s.

“…”

Su Wanxin naturally withdrew her gaze, her eyes always carrying a soft, warm smile. “It’s raining today. Otherwise, you two could have stayed in Haishi for one more day and enjoyed the city”

Seeing that Shen Xingyan didn’t answer, Jiang Mingyi had no choice but to respond, “We already had a few days of fun before. One day less doesn’t matter.”

“That’s good.” Su Wanxin said, “Then today, just keep me company.”

She patted the back of Jiang Mingyi’s hand lightly, then suddenly said, “Ah-Yan should have already told you last night, right?”

Jiang Mingyi hadn’t expected her to bring up that topic so directly. He froze on the spot, looking dazed.

“Mom, don’t tease him.” Shen Xingyan frowned.

“You keep quiet. I’m talking to Xiao Yi.” Su Wanxin shot her elder son a warning glance, then turned back to her younger one. “Last night was just to give you a little psychological preparation, so why are you still so stunned today?”

“Mom, I…”

That “preparation” didn’t really help much, especially when you dive straight into the main subject like this.

“Don’t worry, Mom isn’t here to play the villain.” Su Wanxin soothed him gently. “I’m very happy you don’t dislike your brother. Since you’re willing to accept him, that means you truly like him. That’s a good thing.”

Her voice was soft as water, gradually calming the storm in Jiang Mingyi’s heart.

“Mm, I do like him.” But even as he admitted his feelings, Jiang Mingyi couldn’t help blushing under Su Wanxin’s gaze.

Su Wanxin smiled—a smile of genuine joy.

Her eyes lingered tenderly on Jiang Mingyi. “I know both of you are good children. No matter what conflicts arise in the future, just tell me. I’ll always be on your side.”

Jiang Mingyi didn’t know how to respond to that. He only nodded lightly.

“But as for your father, let’s not tell him for now.” Su Wanxin added. “After all, we’re not at home right now, and with his personality, who knows how he’d overreact.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to Mom.” Jiang Mingyi replied obediently.

“Your dad is too dull when it comes to feelings. Not like me—I’ve long since suspected what was going on between you two.”

“Huh? Mom, you already knew?” Jiang Mingyi’s head snapped up in shock, his bright eyes wide open, full of surprise.

“You two were too careless at home. It was hard not to notice.” Su Wanxin smiled, her gaze sweeping between the two of them. “Especially you, Xiao Yi—those occasional marks on your body. I’m not so easily fooled by a band-aid. A mother knows these things.”

Jiang Mingyi opened his mouth, face heating at her words. “That’s all Ge’s fault.” After all, his brother loved kissing his neck—always so hard that it was impossible not to leave marks.

Shen Xingyan, blamed without protest, simply stayed quiet, listening to their exchange.

But his eyes never left Jiang Mingyi, gentle and full of lingering affection.

“Your brother’s just possessive, afraid we wouldn’t see it otherwise.” Su Wanxin exposed her elder son’s little secret in one sentence. “It’s just that your father’s too naïve.”

Thinking of Shen Jili, who still hadn’t caught on to a thing, the three of them couldn’t help but laugh.

—

After staying at the Meng’s a few more days, Jiang Mingyi and the others finally set off back to the capital.

On the plane home, Jiang Mingyi clung to Shen Xingyan’s hand without the slightest hesitation this time, and held it all the way until landing, unwilling to let go.

Shen Jili turned back with a puzzled look at their joined hands. “Xiao Yi, the plane has already landed. You don’t need to cling to your brother’s hand out of fear anymore.”

Shen Xingyan: “…”

Su Wanxin: “…”

Jiang Mingyi: “…Oh.”

Shen Jili continued, “Speaking of which, when your mom went on a trip with me for the first time, she was scared to death on the plane—absolutely had to hold my hand. Back then I thought, “This woman is so timid, better not take too many flights in the future.”

As he rambled on, reminiscing, the face of Su Wanxin beside him had already darkened.

“So that’s what you thought of me back then? No wonder whenever I asked you to travel later, you always had one excuse after another.”

“I was just worried you’d be frightened.” Shen Jili hurried to explain, “I read a report saying some people develop aerophobia—they get on a plane and can’t help but imagine accidents, like what if it crashes? Basically scaring themselves for no reason. I was worried about you. If we don’t fly, then you don’t have to be afraid.”

“Heh.” Su Wanxin rolled her eyes at him. “Why, thank you so much.”

With that, she brushed past him and went straight off the plane.

Shen Jili glanced at his two sons, uncertain. “Is your mom angry?”

Jiang Mingyi had a full row of black lines on his face. “Dad, your reaction is seriously too slow.”

Shen Jili hurried after her, strides swift. “Wife, wife, wait for me.”

The left hand that was being held carried another person’s warmth. Jiang Mingyi turned his head and looked at Shen Xingyan.

Shen Xingyan was also watching him. On that strikingly handsome face rested a faint smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not like Dad.”

Jiang Mingyi knew what he meant, but still asked on purpose, “How are you different?”

Their clasped hands were lifted, fingers interlacing. Anyone with a normal level of emotional intelligence would know that this kind of intimate handholding could never exist between brothers.

Shen Xingyan’s gaze was tender as he looked at the delicate, beautiful youth before him. His eyes brimmed with a depth of affection that made Jiang Mingyi blush and his heart pound.

“The way you want to hold me is the same as how I want to hold you.” Shen Xingyan spoke slowly, “Once I’m holding you, I don’t want to let go.”

Through the spaces where their fingers wove together, they could feel each other’s skin and warmth. It was as if two different lives had melded into one, tangled deeply, inseparable.

In each other’s eyes burned raw, fervent emotion—one glance, and the heart was full of only you.

Uncle Yu, the driver, came to pick them up from the airport and drove the four of them straight home.

As soon as the family stepped inside, it was clear Su Wanxin still wasn’t appeased. Shen Jili trailed after her, trying every sweet word he knew.

Shen Xingyan took Jiang Mingyi upstairs directly. After both put their luggage away and had a quick shower, Jiang Mingyi towel-dried his hair, slipped on his slippers, and trotted over to Shen Xingyan’s door to knock.

The door opened shortly after. Shen Xingyan stood there already changed, tall frame filling the doorway. “So impatient to see me?”

Jiang Mingyi’s brows curved as he broke into a brilliant smile. “I was worried you might miss me but feel too embarrassed to come find me. So I figured I’d save you the trouble and come myself.”

Shen Xingyan lowered his tall body slightly, gaze falling on him. “Then I’m truly honored.”

Jiang Mingyi tilted his chin up. “So…” He gave him a look, wordlessly prompting.

Catching the message, Shen Xingyan wasted no time. He pressed him against the door and kissed him hard.

The kiss was fierce, overwhelming, making Jiang Mingyi’s heart quiver and his legs tremble uncontrollably.

Before he realized it, his arms had wound around the man’s neck, their bodies flush together. The freshness of a post-shower body was quickly drowned out by waves of heat.

By the time they parted, Jiang Mingyi was limp against Shen Xingyan’s chest, his collar half-open, revealing a glimpse of enticing beauty.

Shen Xingyan tugged at his collar, voice low and hoarse. “How about another shower?”

Jiang Mingyi thought it was a dangerous invitation, yet he couldn’t help nodding. “Mm.”

The next second, the door slammed shut, and the two disappeared into the bathroom.

That shower lasted a long time. In the end, Jiang Mingyi had to be carried out.

He realized that back at the Meng house, Shen Xingyan had definitely been holding back. Otherwise, how could he be so unrestrained the moment they returned home?

Jiang Mingyi lay sprawled on the bed, bare skin dotted with crimson marks. His own clothes were already wet, so he was now wearing one of Shen Xingyan’s white shirts. The hem hung just low enough to cover the tops of his thighs.

Shen Xingyan changed into fresh clothes himself, then turned back. His eyes caught on the youth’s long, pale legs and the soft curve of his rear.

His gaze deepened, though he pulled it back after a moment.

He sat down on the edge of the bed, expression calm, and ran a large hand gently through Jiang Mingyi’s hair. “What is it, sleepy?”

Jiang Mingyi leaned into the touch, eyes closed, murmuring softly, “Mm, a little tired.”

Shen Xingyan let out a short laugh. “Tired already?”

“Isn’t it because of you just now?” Jiang Mingyi cracked his eyes open halfway, glaring up at the man in quiet complaint.

“But just now, I was the one who bathed you.” Long, slender fingers slipped into the soft black hair. “Didn’t you say it felt really comfortable when I washed you?”

“It was comfortable…” Jiang Mingyi paused. “But it was exhausting too.”

Earlier, his feet hadn’t even touched the ground—he’d relied entirely on the strength of his hands and waist. How could he not be tired?

“So you really are tired.” The hand slowly slid down from his head, fingertips brushing lightly over the faintly curved back before coming to rest on his waist. “Then let me give you a massage.”

The thin shirt couldn’t block out the other’s warmth, and as the fingers moved, waves of shivers rippled through Jiang Mingyi’s body.

He bit down, refusing to let out a low gasp, working hard to steady his erratic breathing while indulging in Shen Xingyan’s massage service.

The two of them lingered in the room until dinnertime.

When they went downstairs, the dining table was already covered with a sumptuous feast.

Su Wanxin’s mood was clearly much improved as she chatted with Shen Jili.

The moment Jiang Mingyi sat down, he was pleasantly surprised. “Wow, all my favorite dishes are here!”

He eagerly picked up his chopsticks, but before he could raise his hand, Shen Xingyan had already placed a piece of sweet-and-sour pork ribs onto his plate.

“Thanks, ge.” Jiang Mingyi turned his head and gave him a sweet smile.

“Wait a minute.” Shen Jili suddenly spoke, interrupting the three of them.

Su Wanxin glared at him. “What are you doing? Don’t tell me you want the sweet-and-sour ribs too?”

Shen Jili’s gaze was fixed just below Jiang Mingyi’s collarbone. “Xiao Yi, why is there a red mark here?”