My Little Boy is Always Teasing Me | Chapter 9 | Vulnerability and Warm Porridge | Novela.app

Qiao Song was gone. After such a scene, Jiang Yuan had lost all interest in the festivities and pulled Xie Chengnan along, insisting they go home. Both had drunk quite a bit that night. When Jiang Yuan stepped out of the car, he swayed so violently he nearly hit the ground. Xie Chengnan had no choice but to half-support, half-carry him back inside. Once they had kicked off their shoes and closed the door, the two of them collapsed onto the sofa side-by-side, neither wanting to move. Xie Chengnan usually lived a disciplined life and rarely stayed up late. Right now, his body craved rest, but his mind was in a state of hyper-arousal, causing a dull, throbbing ache in his temples. Jiang Yuan turned his head. Seeing Xie Chengnan’s furrowed brows and closed eyes as he tried to recover, he couldn't help but trace the man’s profile with his gaze. Xie Chengnan had a high bridge to his nose and deep-set eyes. While not as exaggerated as someone of mixed heritage, his features were far more three-dimensional than most. His jawline was sharp and clean, like an unsheathed blade, giving him an air of steadfastness and gravity. Jiang Yuan could sense that, at his core, Xie Chengnan was perhaps even more detached than himself. He maintained an appropriate distance from everyone—never impolite, but upon closer inspection, devoid of any real warmth. *It seems only I am the exception,* Jiang Yuan thought. Xie Chengnan always granted him an abundance of tenderness and indulgence, giving him the illusion that no matter what he did, he would be forgiven. This illusion suddenly sparked a desire in Jiang Yuan to unburden himself. He leaned his head back against the top of the sofa and spoke. "I don't actually like Qiao Song. I'm just stringing him along." Xie Chengnan opened his eyes. His brow didn't relax; he looked like a stern elder. "Why?" Jiang Yuan fished out a pack of cigarettes and lit one for himself. "To keep him from siding with that 'cheap' older brother of mine." At this moment, he felt like pouring out the whole truth, though he wasn't sure who he was trying to spite. "The reason I dare to make my father’s life miserable every day isn't because I don't care about the Jiang family fortune. That's all mine. Why should I hand it over to that woman and her son?" Jiang Yuan curled his lip. "I only have the confidence to act out because I have backing. I have the Zhang family behind me. Even if my mother is gone, my grandfather and uncles are still watching. If Jiang Hao wants to challenge me, he has to find outside help. Among the Four Great Families of South City, the only one he can try to win over is Qiao Song—because Qiao Song is just like him, an illegitimate son who forced his way into the main household. So, I have to keep Qiao Song on a leash. He doesn't have to stand with me, but he can't be allowed to stand with Jiang Hao. The Qiao family's business is too massive; if they interfere, it'll be a headache." Xie Chengnan frowned at him. "Then aren't you afraid that by rejecting him today, he'll defect to the other side?" Jiang Yuan slowly blew out a ring of smoke, his voice leisurely. "I didn't reject him." His tone was simultaneously innocent and devious. "I simply told him that as long as he’s willing to give up his fiancée, as long as he dares to come out of the closet with me publicly, I’m his." At this, Jiang Yuan let out a mocking laugh. "But he doesn't dare. Compared to the Qiao family inheritance, what am I worth? I can give him nothing but this physical shell, but as long as Qiao Song has money, he can get anyone he wants—except me. I want him to know that it’s not me who failed him, but him who failed me." He tapped his ash into the ashtray. Jiang Yuan’s voice fell softly upon Xie Chengnan’s heart. "There is no such thing as 'sincerity.' It’s just a one-man show where you move yourself to tears." Xie Chengnan kept his lips pressed thin and said nothing. He didn't approve of Jiang Yuan’s methods, but he had no right to criticize him. Jiang Yuan seemed to see through his thoughts. He mocked himself, "Xie Chengnan, I’m not some innocent, naive young master who doesn't know the ways of the world. This is who I am—a person who toys with hearts and uses any means necessary." Xie Chengnan looked down and pulled out a cigarette, wanting to clear his head. Jiang Yuan, however, thought the man wanted to drop the subject. He suddenly grabbed Xie Chengnan’s hand, biting his lip as he stared at him with stubborn intensity. "Xie Chengnan, the Jiang Yuan from childhood is dead. All that’s left is this lying shell. I’m already rotten to the core." His voice faltered, suddenly tinged with a hint of grievance. "A person like this... do you still want him?" Xie Chengnan let out a soft sigh. He reached out and ruffled the younger man’s hair. The strands were a bit stiff from the hair wax, lacking their usual soft texture, but Xie Chengnan knew that *this* was the real Jiang Yuan. Even after carrying his hatred alone for all these years, he was essentially still a clean, soft-hearted child. It was just that he had worn the mask for so long that perhaps even he could no longer see himself clearly. Xie Chengnan said warmly, "A-Yuan, I will stay with you until the day you no longer need me." Jiang Yuan finally showed a trace of vulnerability. He reached out his arms. "Xie Chengnan, give me a hug." Xie Chengnan turned and pulled him into an embrace, patting his back. "It’s all in the past. You have me now." Jiang Yuan couldn't quite remember how he fell asleep later. When he woke up the next morning, he found himself lying in the master bedroom. Although he had been changed into a clean set of pajamas, he still smelled of alcohol. Clearly, his mental state last night hadn't been enough to support taking a hot shower. He hadn't felt it while drunk, but now, even though he could barely keep his eyes open, he felt sticky and uncomfortable all over. Forcing himself to take a quick shower, the young master then began to fret over the alcohol-scented bed. He was a bit of a neat freak; he couldn't stand it if the sheets and duvet were even slightly dirty. After a moment of internal struggle, he finally shuffled over in his slippers to knock on the guest bedroom door. Jiang Yuan hung his head, knocking for quite a while before the door finally opened. Xie Chengnan had clearly been woken up; he was rubbing his brow as he asked, "What's wrong?" The slightly raspy, deep voice sent a tingle through Jiang Yuan. With bleary eyes, he tumbled into the man’s arms and mumbled, "Sleepy. Borrowing your bed." The scent of alcohol on Xie Chengnan wasn't heavy; it was mixed with the citrusy fragrance of shower gel, crisp and warm. Young Master Jiang was very satisfied. He buried his face in the man’s chest and took a deep breath, his entire body relaxing. Xie Chengnan had no choice but to half-carry him to the bed and tuck him in. Jiang Yuan turned over and buried himself in the clean pillows. Smelling the faint citrus scent in the room, he let out a contented sigh. Xie Chengnan was amused by his childish behavior. He glanced at the alarm clock—it was already 6:30 AM. After this commotion, his sleepiness had mostly vanished, and his biological clock finally began to kick in. Afraid of waking the other, Xie Chengnan walked barefoot into the bathroom. After a quick wash, he changed his clothes and went out for a morning run. Jason was still in standby mode. Before leaving, Xie Chengnan instructed him to clean up Jiang Yuan’s room. He guessed the young master had found his own bed "dirty" and run next door to crash. These little quirks from childhood were ones he hadn't forgotten at all. By the time Jiang Yuan woke up again, the sun was high in the sky. He didn't mind that Xie Chengnan wasn't in the room and headed back to the master bedroom with a yawn. Upon opening the door, he found the curtains drawn back and the previously closed windows wide open for ventilation. The room was filled with the scent of sunlight and greenery. The sheets and duvet had been replaced with new ones, smoothed out as perfectly as those in a five-star hotel. Jason brought in a glass of warm water. [Dear A-Yuan, Nan instructed you to drink a glass of water first thing upon waking.] Jiang Yuan pointed at the room and asked, "Who cleaned this?" Jason replied with a digital smile. [Nan ordered Jason to clean it. I hope you are satisfied.] Jiang Yuan gave a thumbs-up. After finishing his morning routine, he took the glass and downed it in one go, finally feeling his throat relax. "Where's Xie Chengnan?" Jiang Yuan finally remembered to ask. Jason’s display changed to a >.< face as it complained: [Nan is working. He told Jason not to disturb him.] Jiang Yuan laughed and patted its head. "Once I've eaten, I'll take you to play games." Jason perked up again and informed him: [The porridge is in the pot. It can be eaten once heated.] Jiang Yuan strolled into the kitchen and found that Xie Chengnan had made a pot of Cordyceps and shredded chicken porridge. It was savory and fresh. After one bowl, his stomach felt warm and his entire being felt comfortable. The young master squinted his eyes, thinking that Xie Chengnan really was like a mind-reader who knew him inside out. ***