Chapter 64: Jiang Liannan
Li Dong spent the whole morning reading history books at home until his head spun.
From a True Records of Imperial Dynasties volume, he realized real history could be even more dramatic and messy than TV dramas.
After lunch, he washed up and came downstairs.
“Chen Can, heading out?” Su Ye was in the living room. Seeing him, she smiled right away.
“Mm.” Li Dong was polite but cool with her, answering when asked and never starting the conversation himself.
“It’s like this,” Su Ye stood and said, “you’re starting as a freshman at Z University, right? I’ve got a niece who’s also a ZU freshman. Could I trouble you to keep an eye on her?”
“I’m afraid not. I’m not good at talking to girls.” Li Dong refused without hedging. He couldn’t be less interested.
In the original book, that niece was a classic scheming second female lead whose endgame was marrying Chen Can.
And in the original, she really did become his girlfriend.
“Alright then.” Su Ye’s smile turned a touch awkward.
“See you.” Li Dong picked up the car keys and swaggered out.
He got in the car and while backing up, called Jiang Liannan. After connecting, he asked, “Uncle, where are you right now?”
“Can-can?” The voice on the other end was full of surprised delight. “What is it, are you coming to see me?”
“Yeah. Where?”
“Cat Ears,” said Jiang Liannan, sounding about as aggrieved as a kicked puppy.
“Why didn’t you call me this morning?” Li Dong merged into traffic.
“You didn’t call me either.” Jiang Liannan slipped out of the small back room and waved a free server over to clear the smoke and bottles. “Answer me this: are you my boyfriend or not?”
“I’d like to be,” Li Dong said, honestly. In every world, only the protagonist shou could get under his skin. “But have you given me any reason to believe it?”
Who said an old hand at love wouldn’t mind things? When it came to feelings, he minded plenty and could get jealous too.
“I’m already yours in every way. Where exactly do you lack confidence?” Jiang Liannan retreated to a corner to take the call. “I’ve said it crystal clear about your dad. I don’t love him at all now.” His voice choked as he spoke.
“Uncle.” Li Dong sighed. “Let’s stop on the phone here and talk in person, alright? When you cry, it messes with me. I’m driving.”
If something happened on the road, the uncle would cry to death.
The gentler Li Dong sounded, the harder the tears fell. In the glass of the liquor cabinet, Jiang Liannan saw his own reflection: as wretched as a pitiful creature.
“Then hurry.”
“Mm. Mix a drink and wait for me.”
He hung up. Jiang Liannan drew a long breath, splashed his face with water, and went back behind the bar.
“Why are your eyes red?” Gao Yue had just finished drinking and was about to leave. When he saw Jiang Liannan, he sat back down. “Don’t tell me you fought with your boyfriend?”
He thought, I bet I guessed right. A man like Jiang Liannan was never going to have a smooth love life.
“You wanted to see my boyfriend, didn’t you? Then wait. He’ll be here soon.” Jiang Liannan was betting no one in the scene knew the recently returned Chen Can.
And very few people knew the rumor about a certain someone having a son.
“Then I really will wait.” Gao Yue settled in. “Boss Jiang, mind mixing me a drink?”
That smirky face was grating. “Why not,” Jiang Liannan said. “I’m in a good mood. It’s on me.”
He turned to the backbar, pulled the base spirits with practiced hands, and mixed Gao Yue a Green Ghost.
A little jab: lingering like a ghost who wouldn’t leave.
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Jiang Liannan turned and started another drink.
This time he made the one he’d mixed for Li Dong before, his specialty.
Gao Yue stared without blinking, but the motions were too quick; he couldn’t track the sequence or the pours.
Two drinks landed side by side, both clear and bright.
Gao Yue could tell at a glance these weren’t for him. They were waiting drinks for the boyfriend.
Li Dong drove fast. He pushed the door to Cat Ears and stepped in to lazy afternoon music that loosened the whole body.
“Welcome.” The front desk girl remembered him; her eyes lit up.
“Is your—” He almost asked if the boss was in, then spotted Jiang Liannan. “Never mind.”
Behind the bar, hands braced on the counter, body leaning forward, Jiang Liannan looked up. The corners of his mouth lifted, his whole face lighting.
“You’re here.” With customers around, he kept himself from calling him Can-can.
“Yeah.” Li Dong came to the counter and kissed him on the lips with an audible smack. “Your rash cleared up fast. You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks.” Joy bloomed. It was the first time Li Dong had called him pretty.
He’d heard that word his whole life, but who said it mattered most.
From his boyfriend’s mouth, it felt sweet as sugar. In thirty-something years, he’d hardly tasted this kind of happiness.
“These are mine?” Li Dong pointed at the two lined-up drinks and sat down.
“They are.” Jiang Liannan handed him one and lifted the other. “You said you liked it last time, so I made you another.”
He could feel eyes on them. His mood soared.
Li Dong clinked his glass lightly against Jiang Liannan’s and stole another peck. “Of course it’s good.” He took a sip with an easy smile.
“Boss Jiang.” Gao Yue called down the bar. “So this is your boyfriend? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Li Dong glanced over. “And you are?” he asked, side-eyeing Jiang Liannan.
“He’s Boss Gao from the bar across the street. Gao Yue.”
“Hello, Boss Gao.” Li Dong offered his hand. “I’m Li Dong. I’m… Jiang’s boyfriend.”
“Hello…” Gao Yue shook it, dazed. The kid was striking, barely twenty.
With Old Jiang pushing forty, finding a boyfriend like this… must be money.
Even if it wasn’t, the kid probably liked his wallet or his looks, not the man inside.
“Sizing me up? My clothes?” Li Dong’s lips tilted. He looked toward the door. “There’s a Maserati outside. Don’t worry, it wasn’t paid for by my wife.”
Gao Yue coughed out a laugh. “You’re funny. I was just admiring your style.”
Ahem. The “wife” line knocked the wind from Jiang Liannan for a second.
“Are you and my… partner friends, Boss Gao?” Li Dong asked.
“Wouldn’t say friends,” Jiang Liannan answered. “Boss Gao used to be a regular here. Then he opened a bar across from mine. Business is… okay.”
Gao Yue could’ve throttled him. “Haha. And what line are you in, Mr. Li?”
“Me? Still a student.” Li Dong rubbed his neck, embarrassed. “Might do something with history down the line. I’m not that keen on taking over the family business.”
“I see. Culture’s good too, haha.” In the capital, too many powerful Lis, he wasn’t starting that fight.
Wait, student?
“Pardon me, are you in grad school?” That would make him late twenties.
“No. I start freshman year this fall.”
Freshman?
Gao Yue went slack.
“Hey.” Jiang tugged Li Dong’s sleeve, reminding him to keep details to a minimum. Still, he couldn’t deny the rush of satisfaction.
Back when he was single, the scene had mocked him for being a flower with no bees.
Now he could finally straighten his back. Having someone at your side changed the whole weight of a room.
“Got it.” Li Dong had a good sense of the line. “Wrap up what you need to. Let’s head out.”
“Okay.” Jiang nodded fast. “Give me a minute.” He stole a kiss and went to find the floor manager.
“I’m thinking picnic. See what we can bring from the bar,” Li Dong said.
“On it!” Uncle shot him a salute, then happily flitted around gathering supplies.
A pretty cottagecore tablecloth, dessert wine and glasses, fruit, pastries.
By now even Gao Yue believed it: the handsome student really was Old Jiang’s boyfriend.
There was no faking it, his mortal enemy was radiating the aura of being in love from head to toe.
“Alright then. Have fun.” Gao Yue stood to go. Someone finally bagged the old fox; maybe now folks would stop calling him eternal number two.
“Thanks. Take care,” Li Dong said.
A real countryside picnic was impractical, so they set their sights on a big natural-style city park.
“Can-can, I was terrified just now. I kept thinking you’d slip and call me Uncle,” Jiang said, clinging to his arm to calm down.
“You think I’m as dumb as you?” Li Dong hauled the two little wicker cases. “Where do you like?”
The grounds were lovely and the afternoon crowd was light.
“By that flower bed.” Jiang pointed, ignoring the “dumb” completely.
“You must really like plants. Then why dress so plain?”
“When you live alone, who am I dressing up for?” He glanced at Li Dong and looked away. “So… when are you really taking me shopping like you said?”
Having a boyfriend over ten years younger had reignited his appetite for clothes.
“Thursday or Friday.” Li Dong set the cases by the flower bed and pulled out the tablecloth. “Then wear something nice and come to my place for dinner.”
“Bullsh**.” Jiang snatched the cloth and shook it out. “If I dress loud at your dad’s, I’m basically telling the world I’m baiting the both of you.”
Li Dong thought about it. Everyone there would be an old acquaintance except Su Ye.
He remembered Su Ye’s face that somewhat resembled Jiang Liannan's. He immediately felt Chen Wuhou was really screwed up. This was an insult to Jiang Liannan, very disrespectful.
“What is it?” The moment Li Dong went quiet, Jiang’s nerves spiked. He worried he’d misspoken. “Don’t get me wrong. I really don’t want your dad. He’s not a good person.”
All those years of funding “startups,” the hot-and-cold ambiguity, coming when called and vanishing when waved off, he’d known for ages Old Wu wasn’t decent.
The second and third brothers knew he’d been wronged, but what could they do? Family ties and business made a snarl. No one was going to blow it all up over this.
Keeping his heart clean of business was the best way he knew to protect what he thought love should be.
He didn’t want to drown in the marketplace or see through everyone’s masks.
“Mm.” Li Dong finally understood why Jiang could feel so hard to pin down. At the core, he was mature and thought things through. It wasn’t the usual kid-in-love vibe.
“I used to like him,” Jiang said, “because back in school he was clean and spirited like you.” He tilted his head, eyes warm. “But not the same. He was sharp. You’re gentle.”
The uncle stuck his butt out arranging food on the tablecloth, movements careful and steady. It seemed his fussiness only manifested in feelings.
“Do you ever think you’re super dramatic?” Li Dong asked.
“Unanimous verdict,” Jiang said.
He opened the jammed bread, then lowered his head and licked a streak of red from his finger.
“Will you change it?” Li Dong asked.
Jiang looked over, cheeks puffed, then shook his head.
“Hahaha.” Li Dong leaned down, and Jiang shut his eyes on instinct. “The jam’s good.” Li Dong bit the bread in Jiang’s hand.
Jiang’s eyes flew open, misting over with offended tears. He slapped the whole piece into Li Dong’s face.
“Hahaha.” Li Dong caught it, took two bites, and held it to Jiang’s lips. “It’s too good not to share. Your husband’s got you.”
Jiang Liannan directly collapsed on the tablecloth, whole body weak, burying his face with no face to see anyone.
“What did you say?” First wife, now husband. Giving people no preparation at all.
“What did I say?” Li Dong teased.
“Is this how you like me?” Jiang Liannan said, exposing one eye to look eagerly at Li Dong.
“Not really. But—ow.” He took a kick. “It’ll do.”
Then he saw Jiang Liannan pulling out tissues, tears threatened.
“You think anyone can kick me without payback?” Li Dong covered the spot he’d been kicked. “He kicks me, I don’t kick back?”
Uncle rolled onto his side, popped a grape, and smiled with eyes gone wet.
“Pretty uncle,” Li Dong said, pinching his cheek.
“Can-can, you’re not like anyone I’ve ever known.” Jiang Liannan said, nuzzling Li Dong’s fingertip. “You’re the first person I feel I can be willful with, that I can pout at and throw a fit.”
The circle’s shous called it “a sense of security.”
“Pout~ throw a fit~” Li Dong sang in an obnoxious tone.
“Get lost…” Jiang laughed and fumed, tossing an orange at him.
From head to toe, Jiang’s best features were his eyes, starlit when he laughed, mountain-fresh after rain when he cried.
Beautiful, truly.
So age didn’t bother Li Dong much. It wasn’t like he hadn’t loved someone with a head of white hair before.
He preferred peeling away the world’s glossy surfaces and looking straight at a person’s core.
Good or bad didn’t matter first. Only mattered whether they fit harmoniously.
By that measure, Jiang clung to a small, ordinary kind of peace without losing a man’s ease and largeness when it counted.
That night, at a hotel.
At least in bed, Li Dong was certain they were perfectly matched. Every time left them both wrung out and grinning.
“Hiss…” Uncle had one bad habit: scratching.
Scratch marks all over Li Dong's back. The harder the uncle scratched, the harder he went. The harder he went, the harder the uncle scratched. A death loop with no solution.
“Uncle,” Li Dong said suddenly.
“Mm?” Jiang looked up with watery eyes.
“How about calling me ‘husband’ once?”
“…” The person underneath shuddered and… finished…
So much for dignity… The uncle was stunned, then grabbed a pillow to cover his face. He didn’t know how to face the most embarrassing moment of his life.
“It’s fine. Just means you like me.” Li Dong moved the pillow and kissed his forehead.
“I don’t dare…” Calling a man over a whole zodiac cycle younger “husband” scared him. It’d carve itself into his memory and never leave, and that would hurt later.
“Then I won’t force you.” Li Dong had other priorities anyway. Uncle was done; he wasn’t.
Thursday morning, he dropped Uncle home and set Friday as their next date. Today’s day and night were his to arrange.
Jiang nodded. He knew even lovers couldn’t be glued together every minute.
Back at his place, though, the hollow came surging in. It was awful.
Good thing Li Dong called at night and talked with him until they fell asleep. Friday they met up again, strolled the streets, hit the mall, ate and drank, and laughed all day.
“Wear this set tomorrow. Don’t forget.”
The words still rang in his ears as Uncle hugged the freshly dried outfit and headed upstairs, grinning.
“Dad, I’m going to Old Wu’s for dinner today,” he said as he met the old man on the stairs.
Old Mr. Jiang stood there. “You little punk. The man’s married. Have some dignity.”
He’d told his dad about liking Chen Wuhou long ago. His father was the best friend he’d ever have.
“I’m in love, but not with Old Wu.”
“Hm?” the old man grunted.
“With Old Wu’s son. The precious baby of their family. Can-can,” Jiang said.
“Hm—?” The old man’s eyes went wide.
By the time he came back to himself, his son was gone.
On his way out, Uncle messaged his boyfriend: Can-can, I’m driving over. Give me about half an hour. What are you up to?
This early? Lunch was for noon. Eleven made sense. Li Dong checked the time. It was only 8:30. Coming for breakfast?
Coming to your room to play.
You dare?
If your dad swings at me, who do you protect?
You.
Click, screenshot saved for posterity. No takebacks for life.
Showing up early at Chen Wuhou’s place was something Uncle had always done. Before, it was to sneak extra looks at Old Wu. Now… the unmentionable someone else.
He was filled with both hope and dread for their future.
“Lao Si?” Chen Wuhou sounded surprised. “This early?” With no news from him lately, he’d thought the man had finally moved on.
“Wu-ge.” Dressed to cut ten years, Jiang shone in front of him. “Uh, did I come too early? Am I in the way?”
“Of course not.” Old Wu gave him a longer look than usual. “Come in, let’s catch up.” He slung an arm over Jiang’s shoulder. “We’ve both been busy. It’s been a while since we sat and talked.”
“Yeah.” Jiang shrugged off his arm and let his pretty eyes sweep the living room. “Where’s Sister-in-law? And Can-can?” The latter was the point. His husband.
“Su Ye’s in the kitchen getting things ready,” Old Wu said. “Can-can’s upstairs reading.”
“I heard he picked history?” Jiang sat on the sofa, having already sent Li Dong a message when he arrived. “Why not finance?”
Didn’t Old Wu plan to have him inherit?
“I tried to push finance,” Old Wu said. “But the kid’s stubborn. He loves history. Nothing I can do.”
Li Dong came into view. Bare-toned loungewear, young and handsome, all gentle grace.
Jiang bit his lip before catching himself. “Ahem.” He lifted the tea Old Wu had poured and took a sip.
“Come on,” Old Wu beckoned. “Your Uncle Nan’s here. Say hello.”
“Uncle Nan.” Li Dong walked over and gave him a casual nod. “You’re very early. Had breakfast?”
Basking in his boyfriend’s soft gaze, Jiang nodded. “I have.”
He could feel himself being looked over. Li Dong had picked this outfit himself yesterday and praised his slim waist and long legs. Said he looked great.
“Sit with your uncle and have some tea,” Old Wu said. He still had a few things to handle.
“I heard Uncle Nan graduated from XX University,” Li Dong said. “I’m reading and there are a lot of things I don’t get. Can I ask you?”
Old Wu’s smile was a touch too bright. “Yes, your uncle graduated from XX. You can’t go wrong asking him.” He glanced sideways at Jiang, eyes complicated. An outstanding, accomplished gay man.
“Can we go to my room?” Li Dong asked, already turning for the stairs.
“Mm.” Jiang carefully tucked away his glee and followed primly behind his boyfriend.
“This is my room,” Li Dong said, still playing the part.
“I know~” Jiang dropped the act but kept his voice down.
Once the door clicked shut, he rose on his toes and looped his arms around Li Dong’s neck. “Can-can.”
“Mm,” Li Dong answered at once.
“Twenty-one hours since I saw you,” Jiang said.
“…” Terrifying.
How was school going to work.
Close to eleven, Old Wu wrapped up his errands and came downstairs just as two brothers arrived.
“Old Feng, Old Yin!”
They greeted each other. Feng Mantang glanced around. “Huh, where’s Lao Si? I saw his car.”
“Oh.” Old Wu pointed upstairs. “Old Fourth’s in Can-can’s room, helping him with his reading.”
“Pfft—” Fu Changyin sprayed tea. “Lao Si…” The man just wouldn’t quit. He’d slithered in under Old Wu’s nose. Did he have a death wish?
“What?” Old Wu frowned.
“Nothing,” Fu said quickly. “I just thought he wouldn’t show… I saw him a few days ago… he said so.”
Old Wu smiled. “No, he came especially early today.” Probably Lao si hesitated back and forth but ultimately couldn’t resist his inner heart and hurried over eagerly.
Author’s Note:
Good morning, brothers~
Lao Si: Yes, missing your son urgently.
Li Dong: Dare say it in front of his face?
Lao Si: Joking~ really don’t dare.
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