Chapter 40
Jiang Chaochao had rehearsed this scene countless times in his mind, but after it actually happened, he still couldn’t help but panic.
He didn’t know what to do with his hands, his legs almost trembled, his palms were sweating, his mind was blank.
He only lightly touched Xiang Ye’s lips before pulling away. The first thing he did after pulling away was lower his head.
Even the cool autumn air couldn’t alleviate the heat he was feeling. His breathing was shallow, his heart racing. It took him a few seconds to compose himself and look up.
He originally just wanted to steal a glance at Xiang Ye, but this glance…
Clearly, the person in front of him was stunned. Because their eyes met, Xiang Ye blinked.
A very instinctive action.
Such a rare expression, a bit too cute. Jiang Chaochao’s thoughts instantly returned to Earth.
“Hey.”
Jiang Chaochao smiled happily because this part of his plan was complete, because the surprise attack was successful, and even more so because…
He kissed him.
Damn, his lips were so soft.
Xiang Ye also recovered at this moment. He pursed his lips.
A very ordinary action, but in Jiang Chaochao’s eyes, it was so seductive.
“Jiang Chaochao.”
Xiang Ye called out, then asked, “What was that?”
Before Jiang Chaochao could figure out how to answer this question, Xiang Ye suddenly grabbed the collar of his hoodie and pulled him closer.
Just then, Jiang Chaochao’s phone rang in his pocket.
Jiang Chaochao lowered his head to get his phone and pushed Xiang Ye away.
It was the delivery driver calling, saying that he was on the first floor but couldn’t come up because he didn’t have a key card.
The call was on speakerphone, so Xiang Ye naturally heard it. While Jiang Chaochao was still in a daze, Xiang Ye leaned closer and said to the phone, “Leave it in the elevator and press the 15th floor button.”
The delivery driver replied, “Okay.”
After hanging up, Jiang Chaochao didn’t even look at Xiang Ye, he took a step back and ran towards the door, saying, “I’ll go get the things.”
When he returned, Xiang Ye had already brought the alcohol and glasses to the table on the balcony. There seemed to be more than one bottle, but Jiang Chaochao wasn’t paying attention to that now.
He hid the bag behind his back. When he reached Xiang Ye, as if afraid of being discovered, he walked sideways like a crab, always facing Xiang Ye.
The table on the balcony was tall, so the chairs were also tall. Xiang Ye was already seated, one leg resting on the chair’s rung, the other on the floor.
Such long legs, he was also leaning against the table, looking at Jiang Chaochao with a faint smile.
Such a handsome scene.
“What did you buy?” Xiang Ye asked Jiang Chaochao.
Jiang Chaochao hid the bag further, “Close your eyes.”
Xiang Ye seemed to have guessed something. He opened his mouth slightly, as if about to say something, but in the end, he closed his eyes.
Jiang Chaochao immediately placed the bag on the table, “You can’t peek, you have to listen to my instructions.”
“Okay~” Xiang Ye continued resting his head on his hand, his other hand on the edge of the table, and said softly, “As you wish.”
Jiang Chaochao, despite his nervousness, was also distracted. Such a handsome face right in front of him, with his eyes closed, no expression, harmless.
Jiang Chaochao took a step closer to Xiang Ye.
But before he could decide what to do, Xiang Ye spoke, “Someone isn’t going to steal a kiss, are they?”
Jiang Chaochao blushed furiously and immediately took a step back, “You’re overthinking.”
“Then,” the amusement in Xiang Ye’s voice was unclear, “Baby would of course kiss openly.”
“Ah!”
Jiang Chaochao took a step towards Xiang Ye and covered his mouth.
“Stop talking,” Jiang Chaochao said, “Shut up.”
Even with his mouth covered and eyes closed, Xiang Ye’s amusement was still evident.
Now it was quiet.
Jiang Chaochao went back to unpacking.
The cake was in a large insulated bag. Jiang Chaochao must have been a bit too eager, because his hands trembled slightly as he pulled the zipper.
He bought a small 6-inch cake from a very reputable bakery, with a small 3D Rubik’s cube on top, and the words “XY HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”
It was a beautiful cake. Jiang Chaochao was very satisfied. The lighting on the balcony was also good, so Jiang Chaochao found the brightest spot and placed the cake there.
Then he took out the two packages from today. As Jiang Zhiyan said, they were identical.
Ignoring the store’s mistake for now, Jiang Chaochao opened both packages, took out the small boxes inside, and placed them side by side in front of Xiang Ye.
He inserted a candle, lit it, and opened the birthday hat.
“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”
Jiang Chaochao held the hat and stared at Xiang Ye. After he opened his eyes, he put the birthday hat on his head.
“Happy birthday!”
Xiang Ye looked at the cake and smiled, then turned to Jiang Chaochao and smiled again.
“Hmph,” Jiang Chaochao also sat down, “You guessed it, right?”
Xiang Ye shook his head: “I only guessed it when you brought in the bag.”
Jiang Chaochao was happy, “That’s good.”
Jiang Chaochao was in high spirits: “Come on, come on, make a wish first.”
He tugged at Xiang Ye’s clothes.
Xiang Ye chuckled and stood up, standing in front of the cake.
“Just making a wish?” Xiang Ye asked Jiang Chaochao.
Jiang Chaochao raised both hands and clapped along, “Happy birthday to you~”
“Happy birthday to you.”
Xiang Ye closed his eyes.
“Happy birthday to you.”
Xiang Ye opened his eyes.
Jiang Chaochao: “So fast?”
Xiang Ye nodded, then lowered his head and blew out the candle.
“Happy birthday to you.”
Jiang Chaochao finished singing the song.
“Yay!”
Jiang Chaochao was still clapping, and Xiang Ye, after making his wish, joined in the applause.
There was nothing to applaud anymore, but the two still clapped for eight beats.
“Okay.” Jiang Chaochao stopped clapping and moved on to the next stage.
He pointed to the box on the left, then to the box on the right, “These two are the same, pick one.”
Xiang Ye directly took the one on the right.
“Can I open it?” Xiang Ye asked for Jiang Chaochao’s permission.
Jiang Chaochao waved his hand grandly, “Open it!”
The small box from the store was quite exquisite, it took Xiang Ye a 360-degree inspection to figure out how to open it.
Jiang Chaochao just sat there and watched, watching Xiang Ye’s slender fingers pry open the gap and pull out the small clasp.
A gentle breeze blew, the sounds of small animals outside, the rustling background music, it was all very pleasing.
Soon, Xiang Ye pulled out the contents.
It was at this moment, seeing what was on the card, that Jiang Chaochao’s smile froze.
“Slap.”
Jiang Chaochao’s hands shot out, covering the card completely and pressing it against the table.
He looked up at Xiang Ye, and Xiang Ye looked down at Jiang Chaochao.
Jiang Chaochao blushed furiously, “You didn’t see anything.”
Xiang Ye: “I…”
Jiang Chaochao blushed even more.
Xiang Ye saw everything.
Ahhhh What was that!
Why was the drawing he posted in the group chat on the card?!
What was going on?!
What happened?!
Jiang Chaochao’s mind raced.
Thinking, thinking, he was certain that the picture he sent to the store was fine, he had checked it many times.
Thinking, thinking, he started wondering why there were two packages.
Thinking, thinking, he finally remembered Xiuxiu asking for his address a few days ago, saying she was sending him merchandise.
Jiang Chaochao closed his eyes and lowered his head.
“You, listen to my, explanation,” Jiang Chaochao’s voice was weak.
But before Jiang Chaochao could say anything, Xiang Ye asked, “You drew this?”
Jiang Chaochao’s ears, exposed in Xiang Ye’s view, turned bright red.
He was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Can you pretend it wasn’t me?”
Xiang Ye picked up the other box, his voice very gentle, “This is the actual gift for me, right?”
Jiang Chaochao seized the opportunity to take back the card, wrapping it tightly in his hand, secretly and quickly, as if it didn’t exist, putting it back in the box, and throwing it into the bag.
“Wait.”
Seeing that Xiang Ye was about to open the second box, just to be safe, Jiang Chaochao snatched it, “Let me check it first.”
Jiang Chaochao opened it discreetly, carefully pulling out the card.
“Right,” Jiang Chaochao handed the box to Xiang Ye with a despairing look, “This is for you.”
Xiang Ye acted as if nothing had happened, as if this was the first box he opened.
He smiled as soon as he saw the contents, “It’s me?”
Jiang Chaochao nodded: “It’s you.”
The card Xiang Ye was currently holding only showed one part of the drawing, himself. He looked at it very carefully, as if trying to absorb all the small details Jiang Chaochao had designed.
Thinking it was about time, Jiang Chaochao reminded him, “There’s a small surprise with this card.”
“Hmm?”
Xiang Ye made a confused sound. At the same time, his hand trembled slightly, and it was this movement that revealed the second image.
“Wow,” the corners of Xiang Ye’s eyes crinkled with a smile. He looked at it for two seconds, then exclaimed again in surprise, “Wow.”
The happiness that blossomed in Jiang Chaochao’s heart because of Xiang Ye’s reaction finally overshadowed the embarrassment from earlier.
“It’s really well-drawn.”
Xiang Ye seemed to like it very much. He looked at it from the left, then from the right, looking at the Xiang Ye Jiang Chaochao first saw, then at their first encounter in Jiang Chaochao’s eyes.
“I like it,” Xiang Ye took another look, then carefully put it back in the box, “Thank you.”
Jiang Chaochao chuckled nervously, then forced a smile.
Seeing Jiang Chaochao like this, Xiang Ye chuckled, “Can’t smile?”
Jiang Chaochao stopped forcing himself, “I can’t.”
Xiang Ye patted Jiang Chaochao’s hair again and sighed softly, “What to do?”
Jiang Chaochao: “What to do about what?”
Xiang Ye: “I have something else to tell you.”
Jiang Chaochao’s heart tightened, a very bad premonition, “Wh-what?”
Xiang Ye paused for a few seconds before saying, “Today isn’t my birthday.”
Jiang Chaochao froze, it took him a few seconds to react.
His expression perfectly conveyed his speechlessness. He slowly stood up, slowly pushed in his chair, “I’m leaving.”
Xiang Ye burst out laughing. He grabbed Jiang Chaochao’s wrist and pulled him back.
Jiang Chaochao couldn’t hold it in anymore, “Ah!!!”
Xiang Ye patted his shoulders twice and rubbed his head, “Okay, it’s fine.”
Jiang Chaochao wanted to cry, “It’s not fine,” he was in despair, “What have I been doing?”
But Xiang Ye suddenly said, “Then I have something too.”
Jiang Chaochao looked at him with a wronged expression, “What do you have?”
Xiang Ye first lowered his head slightly and stared into Jiang Chaochao’s eyes.
Before Jiang Chaochao could ask anything, Xiang Ye suddenly leaned in.
Jiang Chaochao’s breath hitched.
Those soft lips lightly touched his, a slow, fleeting kiss.
But not completely fleeting, they were still very close, their breaths mingling.
Without pausing for long, in the next second, Xiang Ye stepped closer, his hand cupping the back of Jiang Chaochao’s head, and once again captured his lips.
The fleeting softness from earlier lingered, and Xiang Ye’s thumb even gently caressed Jiang Chaochao’s hair.
Jiang Chaochao was forced to tilt his head back, and because of Xiang Ye’s approach, he stepped back, and back.
Back.
And back.
Until he reached the table. Xiang Ye’s arm wrapped around his waist, and he was sitting on the table.
Jiang Chaochao leaned back, if it weren’t for Xiang Ye holding him, he might have fallen.
The slow, lingering kiss made Jiang Chaochao’s mind spin.
He unconsciously followed Xiang Ye’s lead, feeling his lower lip in a daze.
“Mm…”
A sudden sensation on his hand made Jiang Chaochao involuntarily make a sound, and they both stopped.
They both looked down and saw that Jiang Chaochao’s finger had accidentally brushed against the frosting on the cake.
Jiang Chaochao’s mind was a bit muddled, and at this moment, he could only instinctively look for something called a tissue.
But Xiang Ye didn’t think so.
He raised Jiang Chaochao’s frosting-covered hand, and, under Jiang Chaochao’s stunned gaze, smeared a bit of frosting on the left corner of his lips.
Then smeared a bit on the right corner of his lips.
Then, Xiang Ye licked the remaining frosting off his finger.
Jiang Chaochao’s breath hitched again. Sight, nerves, and touch assaulted him simultaneously, his cells screaming.
Oh my.
Ah!
So dizzy!
