Chapter 38
“Last year’s provincial competition.”
After repeating this sentence, Jiang Chaochao fell into a light reminiscence.
Jiang Chaochao had participated in the provincial competition almost every year since junior high, but because he had participated in so many competitions and events, if there wasn’t anything particularly memorable, he easily confused them.
Last year’s provincial competition, as mentioned by Xiang Ye, belonged to the category of “nothing memorable” and had already been mixed up with other events in Jiang Chaochao’s memory.
“You’ve seen me?” Jiang Chaochao asked.
Xiang Ye was very certain, “I’ve seen you.”
The only thing Jiang Chaochao could recall at this moment was the piece he played at last year’s provincial competition.
So Jiang Chaochao asked: “Seen me how?”
Xiang Ye said: “The kind of seeing where I saw you, but you didn’t see me.”
Jiang Chaochao continued asking: “What was I doing?”
Xiang Ye: “Playing the violin.”
For some reason, Jiang Chaochao laughed at this sentence. He analyzed, “I was on stage, and you were in the audience?”
Xiang Ye: “Yes.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Anything else?”
“No,” Xiang Ye shook his head, “Your performance was right after Shici’s.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Really? What a coincidence.”
Xiang Ye: “It was.”
A coincidence, and also reasonable. Xiang Ye’s first encounter with him could only be one where he was on stage, and Xiang Ye was in the audience. He thought, if they had made eye contact in broad daylight, it would be hard for Jiang Chaochao not to notice this person.
This incredibly eye-catching handsome man.
“This year was also a coincidence,” Jiang Chaochao said.
Xiang Ye nodded: “This year was also a coincidence.”
Since that was the case, Jiang Chaochao’s “last question” became meaningless and unnecessary. After all, what he had thought was Xiang Ye’s first encounter with him, and Xiang Ye’s actual first encounter, were vastly different.
But there was a question he could ask.
“When you saw me at the party this year,” Jiang Chaochao was curious, “Did you recognize me?”
Xiang Ye didn’t hesitate, “I did.”
Jiang Chaochao was surprised, “You recognized me right away?”
Xiang Ye: “Mm-hmm.”
Then, happily, “You have a good memory.”
Xiang Ye: “Hard to forget.”
The corners of Jiang Chaochao’s lips curled up, and he said smoothly, “I know, I know, I’m very memorable, very charming.”
Jiang Chaochao’s tone was exaggerated, and Xiang Ye laughed, but also said, “Indeed.”
Jiang Chaochao was puzzled: “Why are you sighing?”
Xiang Ye: “I sighed?”
Jiang Chaochao exaggeratedly imitated him: “Well~! Isn’t~! That~! Right~!”
Xiang Ye laughed again, once wasn’t enough, he laughed again, then softly said, “Someone…”
Jiang Chaochao: “What?”
Xiang Ye: “Don’t be too cute.”
Jiang Chaochao almost became giddy with pride, his tail reaching for the sky.
But damn it, because the topic they just talked about was related to love at first sight, he easily recalled the time he loudly declared his love at first sight for a certain handsome man in the group chat.
Jiang Chaochao’s smile instantly vanished.
The car window was slightly open, the car was moving slowly, a gentle breeze blowing in.
Everything was fine, but because Jiang Chaochao remembered that incident, he felt a flush of heat and silently rolled the window down a bit more.
A stronger gust of wind hit his face.
Whether he asked or not, the result would be the same. Jiang Chaochao didn’t hesitate for long and decided…
“I have a question,” Jiang Chaochao said as he rolled the window down further.
Xiang Ye: “What question?”
Jiang Chaochao’s heart started pounding. He took a light breath, “When Shici said I mentioned you in the group chat, did she just say I met a handsome guy?”
The car fell silent.
Jiang Chaochao then realized that Xiang Ye hadn’t turned on any music during this ride home.
Silence in his left ear, the cold wind blowing in his right.
After he finished speaking, in the silence, he seemed to hear a chuckle.
A very faint chuckle, easily overlooked if Jiang Chaochao hadn’t turned to see Xiang Ye’s eyes crinkling with amusement.
A bad sign, Jiang Chaochao thought to himself, Oh no.
Sure enough, Xiang Ye’s next sentence: “She did say something else.”
Jiang Chaochao closed his eyes: “What did she say?”
Xiang Ye chuckled: “Your expression looks like you’re about to die.”
Jiang Chaochao ignored this, “Just tell me.”
“She said,” Xiang Ye paused deliberately for two seconds, “You like me.”
Jiang Chaochao immediately sat up straight: “That’s, that’s not how it is!”
He continued, “It’s because I met you that day, and you’re so handsome, what’s wrong with me noticing you?”
He continued again, “And you even picked up my brooch. Such a handsome guy picking up my brooch and interacting with me, what’s wrong with my heart fluttering?”
He continued yet again, “Humans are easily infatuated creatures, and I’m a super visual person.”
After Jiang Chaochao finished his rambling, Xiang Ye only nodded, a smile on his face, and simply said, “Okay.”
Jiang Chaochao leaned back again and closed his eyes.
Who?
Who was feeling exposed just now?
He took a light breath and placed his hand on the door handle, “Is the door locked?”
A click sound came from the car, the sound of the car doors locking.
Okay, showtime.
Jiang Chaochao pulled the door handle hard and quickly three times: “Let me out, I want to get out.”
Xiang Ye burst out laughing.
But he only laughed, without adding any words of comfort.
Jiang Chaochao continued his performance even more dramatically, “I want to get out, stop at the next intersection, I want to get out!”
Xiang Ye naturally didn’t stop, he even sped up and passed the intersection.
Jiang Chaochao silently withdrew his hand and huddled in his seat.
Then remained silent for two minutes.
“Happy now?” After the silence, Jiang Chaochao said this.
Xiang Ye chuckled, “Mm-hmm.”
Only one word. Jiang Chaochao hummed loudly, “I’ve heard that Mr. Xiang is a man of few words, aloof and indifferent, truly living up to his reputation.”
Xiang Ye nodded, “Well said.”
Jiang Chaochao turned his head and glared at Xiang Ye, “Happy to tease me?”
Xiang Ye chuckled again, then said, “Sorry.”
Jiang Chaochao paused.
Jiang Chaochao was always one to respond to softness, not harshness. Just as he thought Xiang Ye would continue teasing him, his apology came unexpectedly.
The anger that had been building in Jiang Chaochao’s chest was suddenly soothed by Xiang Ye.
“Fine then,” Jiang Chaochao said stiffly, “Then it’s fine.”
Xiang Ye laughed.
Really, who was it that jokingly asked if someone had a crush on him, then ended up tearfully confessing everything himself?
“Then you,” after a while, Jiang Chaochao asked again, “After hearing what Shici said, what did you think?”
Yes, even so, Jiang Chaochao still wanted to ask.
Xiang Ye: “I’m happy you remember me.”
Jiang Chaochao seized the opportunity to regain some ground, slightly lifting his chin and looking at Xiang Ye, “You like me.”
Xiang Ye actually admitted it openly, “I like you.”
Jiang Chaochao was instantly stunned.
He didn’t even know what to do with his hands.
His defiance vanished completely, and his voice softened, “Okay then.”
Then they went to the bingting next to Fuzhong for dessert. After finishing, Xiang Ye took Jiang Chaochao home.
Xiang Ye had to work tomorrow, and Jiang Chaochao also had his own things to do.
“You still owe me a bottle of alcohol,” Jiang Chaochao said after the car stopped.
Xiang Ye: “Two bottles.”
Jiang Chaochao nodded: “Right, two.”
Xiang Ye patted Jiang Chaochao’s head, as if it wasn’t enough, then slid his hand down and gently rubbed his cheek.
Jiang Chaochao felt his cheek being squished, but he didn’t stop him, just asked, “What are you doing?!”
Xiang Ye smiled and let go, “I really like you.”
Jiang Chaochao was appeased again, his voice softening, “Oh.”
Xiang Ye was amused again, reaching out and pinching Jiang Chaochao’s cheek, “So cute, Jiang Chaochao.”
Jiang Chaochao hummed, “Hooked by me, right?”
“Yes,” Xiang Ye sighed dramatically, “Hooked by you.”
After their last goodbye, Jiang Chaochao got out of the car and went home.
Watching the elevator numbers ascend, Jiang Chaochao smiled to himself.
He had truly experienced the subtle atmosphere of ambiguity today, really, it was amazing!
His whole heart, his whole being, was toyed with by Xiang Ye, lifted up then gently put down, his heart racing like a drum.
“I like you.”
“I really like you.”
“So cute, Jiang Chaochao.”
Jiang Chaochao really couldn’t handle Xiang Ye’s casual expressions of affection.
How could someone express their love so directly, so blatantly for Jiang Chaochao to see, so frankly for Jiang Chaochao to hear?
The smile on Jiang Chaochao’s face lasted until he got home, until he passed by the living room and ran into Jiang Zhiyan at the kitchen entrance.
Jiang Chaochao almost didn’t react in time. Before his mind could process it, his body went into emergency mode. He quickly composed his expression and lowered his head, pushing up his non-existent glasses.
“Gege,” Jiang Zhiyan held a carton of milk in her hand, “You’re back.”
Jiang Chaochao gave an “mm-hmm”: “Not sleeping yet?”
Jiang Zhiyan: “I always go to bed late.” She then said, “You have a package today, I put it on the second floor for you.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Thanks.”
Jiang Zhiyan gave an “mm-hmm”: “Sleep early, gege.”
Jiang Chaochao: “Mm-hmm.”
Jiang Chaochao only realized how big the package was after going upstairs. He tore it open and saw five penguins lined up inside.
Jiang Chaochao brought them into his room. It was so rare for his mother to buy him plushies, so he carefully found a spot and arranged them one by one, then took a picture of them together with him, a family photo, and sent it to his mother.
Jiang Chaochao: [Received them, thanks Mom, very cute.]
Half an hour later, after showering, Jiang Chaochao received his mother’s reply.
Mom: [I almost forgot about this, glad you like them, very cute.]
Jiang Chaochao curled his lip and threw his phone onto the bed.
Jiang Chaochao was very busy for the next few days. He participated in an event in A City with his teacher, then went to T City with Zhang Xinping over the weekend.
Jiang Chaochao hadn’t done a complete arrangement before, so this time he learned a lot from Zhang Xinping throughout the process.
The composer was very impressed with Jiang Chaochao’s achievements. Afraid he would leave, he even chatted with him for a long time after they finished working, hoping for future collaborations.
“I’m so tired,” Jiang Chaochao said as soon as he closed the door to his hotel room and called a certain someone.
They had been like this these past few days, exchanging casual messages during the day when they were free, and at night, whoever finished work first would call the other.
Xiang Ye had also been quite busy these past few days. Jiang Chaochao heard from Xu Hengzhi that Xiang Ye’s company had a new major project, and Xiang Ye was in charge.
“You’ve worked hard,” Xiang Ye said from the other end.
Jiang Chaochao turned around and collapsed onto the sofa: “What are you doing?”
Xiang Ye: “Looking at the proposal.”
Jiang Chaochao gave an “ah”: “Not off work yet, Mr. Xiang?”
Xiang Ye seemed to have done something on his computer, and the sound of keyboard typing came from the other end.
Xiang Ye: “Not looking at it anymore.”
Jiang Chaochao picked up a pillow next to him, “That’s not right, that’s not right, how can you not work because of me?”
Xiang Ye echoed Jiang Chaochao’s tone, “Who could be more important than you?”
Jiang Chaochao had an unspeakable problem recently, he couldn’t help but imagine extra words in Xiang Ye’s sentences.
He felt that many times, if Xiang Ye added a term of endearment to his softly spoken words…
For example, just now, Who could be more important than you, baby?
And in the past few days, if he filled in all the blanks…
It’s late, baby.
Baby is so awesome.
I’m hungry, baby.
Spacing out again, baby?
…
Jiang Chaochao’s heart itched, and he decided to take the initiative.
After all, Xiang Ye had called him that before.
He just didn’t know why only that one time.
Why only that one time!
“Gege,” Jiang Chaochao called softly.
Xiang Ye: “Hmm?”
Jiang Chaochao: “You’re smiling.”
Xiang Ye didn’t hide it, “You caught me.”
Jiang Chaochao: “I’m awesome, right?”
“Awesome,” Xiang Ye asked, “What’s up?”
Jiang Chaochao said, “I’m going back tomorrow.”
Xiang Ye: “Need a pick-up service?”
Jiang Chaochao: “No need, I’m going back with Zhang Xinping tomorrow. We have to go to the studio first.”
Xiang Ye: “I can give you a ride.”
Jiang Chaochao gave an “ah,” then said matter-of-factly, “You really want to pick us up.”
Jiang Chaochao was incredible now, especially around Xiang Ye. He was incredibly shameless, such words just slipped out of his mouth.
Xiang Ye: “I really want to pick you up.”
See, it wasn’t Jiang Chaochao’s fault, it was Xiang Ye who spoiled him.
Jiang Chaochao, super generously, “Then come, come pick us up.”
Xiang Ye chuckled, “Thank you.”
Jiang Chaochao was lying flat, his legs propped up against the back of the sofa, “Thank who?”
Xiang Ye sounded puzzled, “Hmm?”
Jiang Chaochao pretended he didn’t hear clearly and repeated, louder, “Thank, who?”
Xiang Ye laughed.
Yes, he learned this from Xiang Ye too.
Now he was returning it.
Xiang Ye: “Thank you, didi.”
Jiang Chaochao naturally wasn’t satisfied, but he took a detour, “Didn’t you want to call me xiaogui (little ghost)?”
Xiang Ye: “I realized it doesn’t sound that good.”
Jiang Chaochao: “That’s true.”
Xiang Ye: “You think so too?”
Jiang Chaochao: “I think so too.”
So Xiang Ye said, “Didi, you don’t like it?”
Jiang Chaochao said frankly, “I don’t, think again.”
Xiang Ye drew out a long “ah,” “Then what should I call you?”
Jiang Chaochao pursed his lips: “The name you called me a few days ago, that one time, you suddenly called me that.”
Xiang Ye asked: “What?”
Jiang Chaochao: “Tsk, you know what, you only called me that once.”
Xiang Ye still asked: “What is it?”
Could Jiang Chaochao not hear the soft, almost coquettish tone in Xiang Ye’s voice?
Jiang Chaochao gritted his teeth, “Mr. Xiang.”
Xiang Ye chuckled: “What’s wrong?”
Jiang Chaochao gave a “heh”: “Enjoying teasing me?”
Xiang Ye laughed even harder, his voice even softer, “How could I, baby?”
He then said, “I was wrong, baby.”
Jiang Chaochao was disarmed.
He suddenly understood how he felt all these days being teased and left hanging, and instantly melted.
At this moment, Jiang Chaochao felt incredibly satisfied.
Happy.
