I’ve Never Had a Husband Since I Was Young 42

Chapter 42

Jiang Chaochao searched online for ways to cure a hangover. There happened to be honey in Xiang Ye’s refrigerator, so he made some honey water for him.

Although he was perfectly fine himself, he still drank some too.

Fortunately, Xiang Ye wasn’t in that bad of a state, unlike his father, who would come home reeking of alcohol and covered in dirt after a night of drinking.

After drinking a glass of honey water on the living room sofa and resting for a few minutes, Xiang Ye felt much better.

How much better?

He stood up smoothly and spoke fluently.

“I’ll go get you some toiletries,” Xiang Ye asked Jiang Chaochao, “You can wear my pajamas, is that okay?”

Jiang Chaochao nodded, “Sure.”

So Xiang Ye left, also taking the empty glasses from the table.

Seeing how alert he was, Jiang Chaochao even suspected he was faking it earlier.

But Jiang Chaochao didn’t think too much about it, because he was facing another problem.

Should they sleep in separate rooms, or together?

Sleeping separately was reasonable, but sleeping together wasn’t impossible either.

Sleeping together…

Jiang Chaochao had never slept with anyone before, but if this person was Xiang Ye…

He shouldn’t lose control and make a move, right?

Just thinking about it made him dizzy, images of the two of them under the same blanket flashing through his mind.

He instinctively reached for a glass, but there was no more alcohol, no more honey water.

Xiang Ye not only rinsed the honey water glasses, but also went back to the balcony and cleared the empty alcohol bottles and trash.

But his steps were a bit unsteady, and his movements were slow and deliberate. Jiang Chaochao watched him, thinking he was probably trying to sober up a bit.

After finishing, Xiang Ye said, “I’ll go get you some pajamas,” and went back to his room.

The balcony lights had already been turned off by Xiang Ye. Sitting in the living room lit only by the outside lights, Jiang Chaochao felt strangely warm.

For as long as he could remember, he didn’t have a concept of “home.” His parents’ relationship was bad, and they never bothered to pretend in front of him. Unlike other children, he didn’t have childhood memories of his parents taking him out to play. After his mother left, that house was just a place to live. He couldn’t feel any familial affection for anyone living there.

Just now, Jiang Chaochao watched Xiang Ye walk back and forth between the kitchen and the balcony. Passing by the sofa, he turned to Jiang Chaochao, smiled, and then continued with his tasks.

Because there was someone he cared about in this apartment, even though they only had small interactions, Jiang Chaochao felt enveloped by love.

Soon, Xiang Ye came out holding a pile of things. In the dim light, he could make out a bath towel, pajamas, and a new pair of disposable underwear.

Xiang Ye walked up to Jiang Chaochao, and Jiang Chaochao took the things from him, then gave him a big smile.

He didn’t know what effect his smile had, but Xiang Ye also smiled.

“What’s wrong?” Xiang Ye asked.

This time, Jiang Chaochao didn’t pretend. Perhaps because of the dim surroundings, he felt much bolder.

He looked up at Xiang Ye with wide eyes, perhaps sighing inwardly, perhaps not.

“I really like you,” Jiang Chaochao said.

A clear and distinct voice. Jiang Chaochao was startled by his own words.

His love was overflowing.

Xiang Ye was clearly stunned by these words. He pulled Jiang Chaochao down to sit beside him and, as if to confirm his state, looked at his expression intently.

Jiang Chaochao smiled, “I’m fine.”

Xiang Ye touched Jiang Chaochao’s face: “Really fine?”

Jiang Chaochao chuckled: “Why can’t I like you?”

Xiang Ye smiled helplessly: “You can.”

Jiang Chaochao continued, “If you don’t let me like you, then forget it.”

Xiang Ye was very patient, “I said you can.”

Jiang Chaochao hummed.

Xiang Ye patted Jiang Chaochao’s head: “Okay, go take a shower.”

Although Jiang Chaochao hummed again, he didn’t forget to check on Xiang Ye, “Are you okay?”

Xiang Ye: “Much better,” but he then said, “You go shower first, I’ll rest for a bit.”

Jiang Chaochao stood up, “Okay then.”

Xiang Ye: “The blue toothbrush is new, the toiletries are on the shelf inside, put your used clothes in the hamper, call me if you need anything.”

Jiang Chaochao: “I know, I know.”

Their hands were still clasped together, until they reached the maximum distance and slowly let go.

Xiang Ye watched Jiang Chaochao’s retreating figure, watching him walk slowly, then quickly disappear into the bathroom.

This was the real Jiang Chaochao.

Not long after, Jiang Chaochao came out of the bathroom. Xiang Ye’s clothes were a bit too big for him, but he could manage.

While in the bathroom, Jiang Chaochao had imagined the scene of him coming out, after all, they had never been in such a private space together before. Would it be awkward? What should he do? Where should he wait for Xiang Ye?

Like in TV dramas, where the characters practice their lines in front of the mirror, everything that happened after Jiang Chaochao came out was different from what he had imagined.

Very simply, Xiang Ye was at the door. He patted Jiang Chaochao on the shoulder, said “Go to sleep if you’re tired,” and then entered the bathroom.

In less than five seconds, Jiang Chaochao was alone again.

It was also relaxing. He stared at the bed for a moment, decided there was no need to hesitate, and threw himself onto it.

Ahhhhh, it’s gege’s bed, gege’s bed, so soft, so fragrant, so comfortable.

Gege, gege.

Okay.

Stop it.

After his momentary craziness, Jiang Chaochao started finding his spot.

He smelled the pillow on the left, then the pillow on the right, then back to the pillow on the left, confirming that the left pillow had a faint scent of shower gel, so the right one would be his new spot today.

After lying down, Jiang Chaochao felt his actions just now were a bit creepy.

Xiang Ye, burdened with thoughts, took a slightly longer shower. The moment the bathroom door opened, Jiang Chaochao, for some reason, immediately closed his eyes.

Xiang Ye’s voice was soft, the sound of the door closing was soft, his footsteps were also soft.

Not long after, the footsteps reached the bedside.

Jiang Chaochao secretly opened one eye, saw Xiang Ye turn around, and then closed it again.

The bed sank.

Even though nothing happened, and nothing was going to happen, Jiang Chaochao’s heart suddenly started racing.

A stronger scent of shower gel wafted through the air.

The bedside lamp was also turned off. Now, the room was completely dark.

Jiang Chaochao secretly opened his eyes and heard Xiang Ye softly ask, “Asleep?”

Jiang Chaochao thought, wouldn’t it be funny if he replied with “Yes”?

Of course, he didn’t say anything, still pretending for some reason.

The bedroom fell silent again, so silent that Jiang Chaochao could clearly hear his own heartbeat.

Was Xiang Ye asleep?

He seemed quite tired, he should be asleep, right?

No way, really asleep?

With such a handsome boyfriend beside him, he could sleep?

He suggested deleting the function of falling asleep instantly.

Just as Jiang Chaochao was overthinking, his hand was suddenly held.

Jiang Chaochao held his breath.

The bed sank again, this time right beside Jiang Chaochao.

The air also became warmer. Before Jiang Chaochao could open his eyes, his lips were captured.

“I know you’re not asleep.”

Xiang Ye murmured this against his lips, then propped himself up and wrapped his arms around Jiang Chaochao’s waist.

Unlike the kiss on the balcony, this time, Xiang Ye’s kiss was very lingering.

A sweet, clinging kiss. Plus, under the covers, Jiang Chaochao felt incredibly hot.

After the kiss ended, Xiang Ye held Jiang Chaochao for a while before returning to his pillow.

He placed one hand on his forehead and let out a long breath, “Go to sleep.”

Jiang Chaochao replied softly: “Okay.”

Xiang Ye then said, “Good night.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Good night.”

Jiang Chaochao was truly sleepy now. He had been forcing himself to stay awake, wondering if Xiang Ye would kiss him again before sleeping.

Now that his wish was fulfilled, and he even got a long kiss, he was naturally very satisfied and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

He retracted his earlier suggestion of deleting the function of falling asleep instantly.

Just kidding, thank you.

The next day, when he fully woke up, it was almost eleven o’clock.

Why “fully woke up”? Because around eight o’clock, Xiang Ye woke up, and he also woke up for a bit, vaguely hearing Xiang Ye say something about danbing (egg pancake) and doujiang (soy milk), then Xiang Ye kissed him and it became quiet again.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Chaochao slept quite well in the unfamiliar environment. After waking up, he rolled over to Xiang Ye’s side. The bed was empty and cold, but Jiang Chaochao still buried himself in the blankets for a while.

Just like his pillow-sniffing last night, a secret, creepy behavior.

Xiang Ye had left instructions about the danbing and doujiang on WeChat again. It wasn’t very complicated. Jiang Chaochao heated them up according to the instructions and then sent Xiang Ye a message, “I’m awake.”

While waiting for the food to heat up, Jiang Chaochao sat at the dining table, lost in thought.

Logically speaking, this was his first time at Xiang Ye’s apartment, he should be feeling reserved, embarrassed, and polite, but he was incredibly at ease.

It was all thanks to Xiang Ye, who had also made him much more shameless.

A “ding” sound came from the microwave. Jiang Chaochao snapped out of his thoughts.

Seemingly very familiar with the place, he put on oven mitts and took out the heated food. Jiang Chaochao smiled inexplicably.

He didn’t know who was in such a good mood after waking up.

Xiang Ye hadn’t replied yet, so…

Jiang Chaochao found Xu Hengzhi’s WeChat and sent him a red envelope.

Xu Hengzhi, who was slacking off at work, first sent a “?”

Then: “[The other party has accepted your red envelope]”

Then again: “????????? 200?”

Xu Hengzhi: “What’s this for?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Guess.”

Xu Hengzhi: “You two are together?”

Jiang Chaochao: “You guessed right.”

Xu Hengzhi: “????”

Xu Hengzhi: “!!!!?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Thank you for your blessings.”

Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, okay, okay, okay.”

Xu Hengzhi: “A hundred years of love, hearts entwined forever.”

Xu Hengzhi: “Ah, finally together.”

Xu Hengzhi: “Congratulations, congratulations.”

Jiang Chaochao sent a picture of Xiang Ye’s balcony.

Jiang Chaochao: “Surely not, surely not, sleeping over at his place on the first day?”

Xu Hengzhi: “?”

Xu Hengzhi: “Jiang Chaochao, your progress is beyond my imagination.”

Xu Hengzhi: “How was it?”

The words “Slept very well” were already typed on the keyboard, but he deleted them one by one.

Jiang Chaochao: “What are you talking about?”

Xu Hengzhi: “What are you talking about?”

Jiang Chaochao: “It was just too late, so I stayed over.”

Xu Hengzhi: “HAHAHAHAHA, what else?”

Jiang Chaochao: “…”

Jiang Chaochao: “You better not have any other meaning.”

Xu Hengzhi: “I do, though.”

Xu Hengzhi: “I really do.”

Xu Hengzhi: “I thought you guys did it.”

Xu Hengzhi: “Speaking of which, I know how guys do it.”

Jiang Chaochao: “…Wow, you’re so amazing, how do you know everything?”

Xu Hengzhi: “Hahaha, so what!”

Jiang Chaochao: “I’m going to Yunnan next week.”

Xu Hengzhi: “What for? A performance?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Nope.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Going with Xiang Ye, to celebrate his birthday.”

Xu Hengzhi: “I understand, fake vacation, real sex.”

Jiang Chaochao: “?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Where do you even learn this nonsense?”

Xu Hengzhi: “Haha, awesome, right?”

Xu Hengzhi: “So are you going to be the top or the bottom?”

Jiang Chaochao took a deep breath and locked his phone.

What kind of creatures were straight men? Truly terrifying.

Just as Jiang Chaochao was still processing this, the next round came.

He unlocked his phone and saw…

Xu Hengzhi: “I think you’re probably the bottom. Just looking at your physiques, Xiang Ye is definitely the top.”

Xu Hengzhi: “I heard it’s quite painful. Can you handle it, being so afraid of pain?”

Xu Hengzhi: “Just take care, prioritize your own experience.”

Jiang Chaochao: “…”

Xu Hengzhi was concerned about him, no mistake.

Jiang Chaochao: “That’s not…”

Jiang Chaochao: “Just how, do you know these things?”

Xu Hengzhi: “Hey, you meet gay colleagues at work sometimes.”

Xu Hengzhi: “They talk about these things.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Listening to everything will only lead to misfortune.”

Just then, Xiang Ye replied, and Jiang Chaochao quickly escaped.

Gege here was much more pure.

XY: “Morning, baby.”

Jiang Chaochao: “It’s not morning anymore.”

XY: “Have you eaten?”

XY: “If you haven’t, I’ll order you lunch.”

Jiang Chaochao: [Picture]

Jiang Chaochao: “Eating now.”

Jiang Chaochao: “No need to order, I’ll go home after I finish. I have other things to do this afternoon.”

XY: “Okay.”

XY: “Pick you up at six tonight?”

Jiang Chaochao: “Okay.”

XY: “I’ll be wearing blue today.”

Jiang Chaochao exclaimed: “What should I do, I don’t have any blue clothes.”

XY: “I do.”

XY: “Check the leftmost side of the wardrobe.”

Jiang Chaochao: “You!?”

XY: “What about me?”

Jiang Chaochao could even imagine Xiang Ye’s triumphant expression on the other end of the screen.

Jiang Chaochao always felt like he was constantly falling into Xiang Ye’s traps, but he couldn’t remember what they were, or which incident it was.

It was like he was being sold but still wagging his tail obediently and counting the money for Xiang Ye.

It was great that there were clothes. Jiang Chaochao was still wearing Xiang Ye’s pajamas. His jeans from yesterday were still wearable; his shirt was already in the laundry basket.

He quickly finished his breakfast, took his phone, and went to the master bedroom to open the leftmost side of the wardrobe as Xiang Ye instructed.

He thought it would take some effort, but unexpectedly, as soon as he opened the wardrobe, a blue sweater was neatly displayed.

No wonder he said to open the wardrobe and he would see it.

Jiang Chaochao took it off the hanger, including the hanger, and went to the mirror to try it on.

It was a bit too big, but it looked good.

A very youthful sweater.

Jiang Chaochao: “Is this something you used to wear?”

XY: “Wore it a few times in university.”

Jiang Chaochao: “Why don’t you wear it anymore? It looks good.”

XY: “Too bright, made everyone look bad, I didn’t dare to wear it anymore.”

Jiang Chaochao: “…”

XY: [Speechless Xiao Chao]

XY: “Not my style.”

XY: “Suits you very well. Sunny, handsome boy. Wear it and make me swoon.”

Jiang Chaochao: “If you don’t swoon tonight, you’re dead.”

XY: “What should I do, Jiang Chaochao?”

Suddenly, what should I do?

Jiang Chaochao: “What’s wrong?”

XY: “I’ve been thinking about you all morning.”