Chapter 6

Zhuo Xiang Ming was very punctual, he saidthat he would arrive home at three o’clock at the latest, and at two fifty, thecar stopped at the door.

TongYan waited for him with his ears perked, when he heard the sound of the carpulling up, he immediately ran out. When he opened the door, Zhuo Xiang Ming hadjust gotten out of the car. Seeing him rush out, he halted, keeping his hand onthe door, “I was just about to come in and get you, let’s go.”

TongYan nodded excitedly, and said, “Wait! I’ll go get my bag.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “Okay … ah walk, don’t run.”

TongYan’s joyful dash was interrupted by this shout, he stopped and obedientlywalked to the patio swing. He picked up his backpack, hugged the tablet in thecrook of his arm, and held the bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy that Xuan Guihad just foisted upon him. Then he got into the passenger seat.

Zhuo Xiang Ming was driving back personally. He’d taken off his suit jacketand placed it on the passenger seat. When Tong Yan tried to pick up the clothes,his tablet almost fell down. Zhuo Xiang Ming helped him organize the things inhis arms, then leaned over to help him fasten his seat belt.

This kind of movement brought them very close together, but Tong Yan didn’teven notice until Zhuo Xiang Ming paused, asking when Tong Yan looked at him doubtfully,“This won’t make you feel uncomfortable, right?”

TongYan sniffed, taking in the dense smell of pheromones. There was a strong presence,but it wasn’t aggressive, it seemed as if it would really awaken the memory ofa certain snowy morning.

“It’s not uncomfortable.” He leaned back, leaning his headagainst the headrest, he raised his face slightly and smiled at Zhuo Xiang Ming.His face was a little red, but there wasn’t much discomfort, “Thank you,brother.”

Notknowing whether Tong Yan was referring to the soothing pheromones, or fasteninghis seat belt. Zhuo Xiang Ming moved back into his seat and checked the bolts, saying,“You’re welcome.”

Theback seat was filled with gift boxes, Tong Yan realized that they should beZhuo Xiang Ming’s visiting son-in-law gifts. He felt a bit ashamed, thinking thathis own consideration was a bit lacking, he basically only knew how to eat, drink,and have fun.

Buthe didn’t know that when he smiled flatteringly at Zhuo Xiang Ming, he almostlooked like a puppy wagging its tail. He’d insist that he was only expressinghis apologies, but it was better to say that he was trying to act cute.

Zhuo Xiang Ming couldn’t help but glance athim a few times. He took his bag and turned to place it on the back seat, thinkingthat just his phone and wallet would be inside, but when he lifted it, it feltheavier than expected. He asked without thinking: “Why did you bring somany things?”

Tong Yan swallowed a spoonful of mashedpotatoes before replying: “It’s not much, just the things I’ll need,toothbrushes, towels, etc. My dad and brother haven’t been home recently, Ireckon that nobody remembered to make up my room.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming paused for a moment before sighing out an “Ugh”-but thecar was started, and the sound was covered up by the sound of ignition, so TongYan wasn’t sure if he’d really heard it.

XuanGui came out to send them off, and Tong Yan excitedly waved it goodbye. Afterthe two’s heartfelt goodbyes were over, Zhuo Xiang Ming backed out of the driveway.

Whenthe drive started, Tong Yan bowed his head and dug into his mashed potatoes. Heate very carefully and cleanly, not fooling around with the bowl and spoonfulof food. He ate half of it before he suddenly froze, then asked Zhuo Xiang Ming:“Brother, can I eat in your car?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “Yes.”

TongYan sighed in relief, then smiled, his eyes curving: “Phew, that scared me, TongYang never lets me eat in his car. Sorry, I got distracted by Dudu.”

But although Zhuo Xiang Ming said that he could eat, he covered the bowlof mashed potatoes and held it in one hand as he watched the shops pass by.

After moving here, except for the 24-hour convenience store at the communitygates that he often frequented, Tong Yan hadn’t come out to take a look around,so this felt quite fresh.

The weather was fine today, and Tong Yan was in a good mood too. Hedidn’t even feel awkward about traveling with Zhuo Xiang Ming. Perhaps it wasbecause he was going home soon, or it might be because Zhuo Xiang Ming had smiledat him so many times today, but he felt very relaxed.

TongYan sat obediently, and Zhuo Xiang Ming paid attention to the road while followingTong Yan’s movements out of the corner of his eye. He stared out the window, thenopened a Sudoku app and played for a while, then he fiddled with his bowl of mashedpotatoes, randomly shaking it around.

After a while, Tong Yan finally quieted down, and just continued watchingthe cartoons he’d started watching with Xuan Gui on his tablet. Stopping at ared light, Zhuo Xiang Ming glanced at the screen, and Tong Yan immediately introduced:“This is Sailor Moon.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming followed his words, “What’s it about?”

TongYan thought about it, then said, “Cosplay game.”

Coincidentally, Tsukino Usagi began to transformat that moment.

“… Oh.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said, “Do you like things likethis?”

TongYan took off his headphones and quickly denied: “No! Dudu begged me to watchit with it.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “But it’s not here right now, you don’t have towatch it.”

TongYan covertly glanced at Zhuo Xiang Ming, after studying his expression for awhile, he felt that Zhuo Xiang Ming really wasn’t implying anything, and said,“Never mind, it’s already on, I’ll just watch to the end.”

Atthe next red light, Zhuo Xiang Ming said: “Do you like watching it too?”

“What?”

“…. Sailor Moon.” Zhuo Xiang Ming pondered fora bit before speaking out the name, he glanced at Tong Yan, his expression veryearnest. “You were smiling while you watched it.”

“Yes.” Tong Yan had no choice but to admit, “It’s good.”

He stared guardedly at Zhuo Xiang Ming: “Do you think I’m childish?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming asked: “Why do you say that?”

TongYan: “I originally wanted to watch the Avengers, that’s about, umm, many superheroesfighting against evil forces and saving the world … that’s cool … this, thisisn’t so cool.”

ZhuoXiang Ming suddenly smiled, the kind of “Really is a child ah” smile, but forthe first time, Tong Yan didn’t feel such a smile was annoying, probablybecause, no matter what was said, Zhuo Xiang Ming’s meaning was always literal.

If another person said “Really is a child ah”, then they mightbe trying to express, “As immature as a child” or “Incapable inevery aspect, like a child”.

But Zhuo Xiang Ming truly just meant, “Tong Yan really is achild.”

TongYan certainly knew that he was still a child, so he didn’t hate Zhuo Xiang Ming’ssmile.

“You’re already very cool.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said.

Having obtained Zhuo Xiang Ming’s, who was powerfulin all aspects, recognition, Tong Yan suddenly felt a little shy. He blinkedbefore asking, “Really?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming was steering the car onto the fast lane, confirming,“Really.”

TongYan was very much convinced by every word he said, after that, Tong Yancontinued watching Sailor Moon with confidence.

Pasthumans were so interesting, how could they draw such an amusing cartoon? TongYan thought, at least from a plot point of view, it was much more interestingthan the current animations, that were all fully simulated.

–

Thetwo houses were quite a distance apart, if Tong Yan took the subway home, it’dtake about forty minutes, but driving with Zhuo Xiang Ming, crossing two districtson a Friday afternoon, the traffic was very high. As a result, they weredelayed on the road, after a while, Tong Yan fell asleep, and when they arrived,it was almost five o’clock.

As soon as the car was turned off, Tong Yang walked out, waiting to receivethem at the door.

Whileon the road, Tong Yan hadn’t thought about anything, at this moment, looking atthe house’s entrance, he felt a little shy. Regardless of if it was true or fake,this was his first-time returning home after getting married, furthermore, his marriagepartner was accompanying him.

Fortunately, Tong Yang didn’t tease him in front of Zhuo Xiang Ming likehe did on OUKM, he only greeted Zhuo Xiang Ming, then silently put a hand on TongYan’s shoulder, pulling him to his side. Looking him over, he asked him if he hadlunch, when Tong Yan said that he’d eaten, he nodded okay, then helped Zhuo XiangMing get the things from the back seat.

TongYan wanted to help, but the two blocked him. Not wanting to watch, he straightforwardlyheaded into the house.

TongYang was an undergraduate from Zhuo Xiang Ming’s college, but he was two gradeslower than Zhuo Xiang Ming. They’ve known each other for a while, and have meteach other many times for work, but neither of them expected that they wouldhave this kind of relationship someday.

—

“That’s natural. Before, you could only worship him as an untouchableidol. Who would’ve thought that he’d have to contrariwise call you big brotherone day? Of course, you’re pleased with yourself.”

TongYan was lying on the bed with his feet raised, still watching Sailor Moon. Havingwatched eleven episodes in one day, he decided to watch one more episode beforegoing to bed.

TongYang originally came in to say good night, but the two brothers immediately starteda battle of words. Tong Yan’s mouth was ruthless, he knew exactly how to poke TongYang where it irritated him.

But seeing Tong Yang coming over with a wicked expression, he knew thatthe outcome wouldn’t be fun. Tong Yan was just about to beg for mercy when TongYang halted: “Why do you smell like that?”

TongYan scrunched his nose and sniffed: “Smell like what?”

TongYang’s expression was strange: “Like……an alpha.” Then he reached out and grabbeda lock of damp hair on Tong Yan’s forehead, “Didn’t you take a bath? Why is it stillso pungent? “

TongYan: “How would I know …”

Hisface slowly reddened, and Tong Yang immediately leaned closer, asking sleazily:“Yeah?”

“Go away!” Tong Yan pushed Tong Yang’s face away, then kickedat him, but he was easily restrained by Tong Yang. Seeing that he was about tobe tickled to death, he had no choice but to surrender, “Since I’m going backto school on Monday, he gave me a temporary mark.”

TongYang: “A kiss??”

TongYan: “???”

TongYan’s face flushed beet red, and he started struggling in earnest. Tong Yang obviouslydidn’t truly want to restraint him, so he let him escape.

–

WithTong Yang gone, Tong Yan didn’t feel like watching more cartoons, but he also couldn’tfall sleep.

Zhuo Xiang Ming hadn’t kissed him, but the thing he did easily broke TongYan’s shame limit –

Afterdinner, he walked Zhuo Xiang Ming to the car. Thinking that he would just headback in after waiting for the car to leave, Zhuo Xiang Ming unexpectedly mentionedtoday’s desensitization treatment.

Theywouldn’t see each other for the next two days, so the hug needed to last alittle longer. There was limited space in the car, so he had no choice but tosit on Zhuo Xiang Ming’s lap, with only a short-sleeved shirt and a blouse separatingthem. It was the first time he was embraced so sturdily.

In the narrow compartment, the alpha pheromones, body temperatures, and heartbeatsall felt abnormally distinct. When Zhuo Xiang Ming released him and let him getout of the car, Tong Yan’s legs were a little weak.

Fortunately, Zhuo Xiang Ming didn’t laugh at him.

TongYan thought, they were both big brothers, but Zhuo Xiang Ming was a hundredtimes better than Tong Yang, he would never laugh at him.

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T/N:

Cosplay- couldalso be dress-up or cross-dressing, but those make no sense in this context.

big brother – 大舅哥 – A way to call your wife’s older brother. Since ZXM is older, it’s a little weird for him to call TYang big brother. I’ll just translate it as brother-in-law if it comes up again. This was just to explain the joke.