KM: Chapter 42

Ji An was momentarily stunned, then nodded lightly and leaned closer to You Chen. You Chen rubbed Ji An's waist, and as people around them began to whisper, he covered Ji An's ears with his hand and glanced at Ji An's face. Ji An showed no expression. Noticing You Chen's gaze, he looked up at him and raised his hand to ask, "Do you want to hold hands?" You Chen paused in his steps, then smiled and took Ji An's hand. "Okay."

Ji An originally thought it would just be him, You Chen, and Chu Longyu, but upon arriving at the restaurant, he found the place filled with people. Next to Chu Longyu sat a boy in a school uniform, seemingly a high school student. He looked tall and broad-shouldered, comparable to You Chen. Ji An was led to his seat by You Chen and quietly asked, "Didn't you say we were having dinner with Ah Yu? Why… so many people?" You Chen squeezed his hand and said, "They're all my friends." After he spoke, Ji An became even more nervous, wanting to withdraw his hand and sit properly. However, You Chen switched hands to interlace their fingers and wrapped his free arm around Ji An's chair in a possessive manner as he introduced him to the others. "Ji An, my boyfriend."

"Oh, you've finally brought him out to meet us after talking about him for so long."

"The real-life boyfriend is even more handsome than in the photos. You're lucky, You-ge."

"I was wondering what attracted You-ge to Jiaxing. Even when President Zhou tried to stop him, he insisted on going." The group laughed together.

"So it turns out he had his eye on a model at Jiaxing, hahaha. You-ge, you're something else."

"Seems like our company's models don't catch his eye, hahaha."

Ji An's face turned red as he looked up at You Chen and asked, "What do they mean?" His upturned face was adorable, and You Chen leaned down to give him a kiss, saying, "I switched jobs to Jiaxing to see you." Ji An's eyes widened, and he couldn't react for a while.

"You-ge's quite impressive, managing to win him over so quickly."

"They've been a couple since high school, just had a fight." A familiar voice chimed in, and Ji An turned his head to find Xu Ren there as well. Xu Ren met his gaze, smiled, and continued, "After the breakup, he was down for years. It took a long time to find you. No conditions President Zhou offered could compare."

"Not to mention the models at your company." Xu Ren leaned back in his chair, smiling with narrowed eyes.

"No matter who it is, no matter how beautiful, they can't compare to the one in You-ge's heart." The group burst into laughter again, but Ji An couldn't hear what they were saying anymore. He suddenly recalled the last look he gave You Chen five years ago, and You Chen's expression at that time. Just that one glance seemed to reveal all of You Chen's despondency, as if the past five years of You Chen's life played out frame by frame in his mind. All his hesitation and unease were forced to dissipate in that moment, because the truth he should have always known but had been avoiding was finally unveiled. You Chen had been searching for him for five years.

Ji An stared blankly ahead, his lips slightly parted but unable to make a sound. You Chen covered his eyes and said to him, "Don't cry. It was my fault to begin with, those five years were my deserved punishment." Amidst the noisy voices, You Chen lowered his head. To others, it seemed like he was playfully teasing Ji An, but in Ji An's ears, he heard a soft, "I've always loved you." Ji An blinked, and tears still welled up. You Chen pulled his head into his embrace, and Ji An lay against You Chen's chest, hearing the others tease, "Isn't it excessive to cuddle in front of so many people?" You Chen patted his head and replied with a smile, "My boyfriend is shy, a bit embarrassed."

Chu Longyu chimed in with a playful tone, "Last time, you called him 'wife' in front of me. How come he's just a boyfriend here?"

"Didn't I say he's shy? There are so many people now."

"Oh my, You-ge, you're something else. Usually, you talk to us like you're going to freeze us to death, but when you're in love, you even call him 'wife.'"

"Impressive, really impressive."

You Chen couldn't help but laugh out loud. Ji An felt the vibration in You Chen's chest and also started to laugh quietly. Not expecting to be caught, You Chen pinched Ji An's cheek and lifted his face, flicking his forehead lightly, and asked, "What's so funny? They're teasing your husband, and you're laughing too." The room erupted in playful scolding, and Ji An's face turned as red as a tomato. He covered his face with one hand and buried his head in You Chen's chest again, pressing his forehead against You Chen's shoulder. With the hand that was held, he reversed the grip and bit You Chen when You Chen relaxed his hold.

"Ah—" You Chen pinched Ji An's cheek, allowing Ji An to bite his hand, and laughed softly, "How did this little puppy learn to bite?" Ji An didn't let go, and when You Chen flicked his ear, he immediately released his teeth and retreated, glaring at You Chen without much force. You Chen coaxed him for a while, then started feeding him. Ji An could now eat some rice, no longer needing congee.

The conversation shifted to Chu Longyu, with people saying he wasn't much better than You Chen, having won over a high school student. The room was warm, and Chu Longyu ran a hand through his hair. The high school student leaned over to help tie it up, and Chu Longyu said proudly, "What can I say, I look young and pretty."

"Who was it that said they'd never date someone younger?"

"Words spoken eight hundred years ago don't count anymore. Only after dating a younger brother did I realize how good they are." The high school student blushed, tying up Chu Longyu's hair, his fingers seemingly brushing against Chu Longyu's ear unintentionally. Chu Longyu shivered but didn't turn back, though his voice noticeably softened.

You Chen was seriously asking Ji An what he wanted to eat, leaning half his body towards Ji An, listening intently. Ji An had to watch him take a bite before he'd eat one himself. After the meal, the group dispersed with laughter, saying they'd gather again next time. You Chen went to get the car, and Ji An was called over by Chu Longyu. Chu Longyu took a bag from the car and handed it to him, saying it was a gift from You Chen.

"Don't worry, You Chen personally customized it. It took two or three days. He didn't have time to pick it up, so I just helped him get it. Your husband's intentions are genuine, don't overthink it, Anbao." Ji An blushed, looking down at the pink bag in his arms. Chu Longyu reached out to pat his head but was suddenly dragged into the back seat.

"Ge, what's so good about the younger brother, tell me."

"Kid, how can you be so rude? I'm still… mmm… don't… Anbao is still… don't… don't touch…!" Ji An stared blankly at the high school student's back. His shoulders were indeed broad, completely blocking Chu Longyu. Sensing Ji An's gaze, the high school student propped himself up and looked back at him, his eyes resembling You Chen's at certain moments. Filled with… desire.

"Sorry." The high school student nodded at him and closed the car door.