Shen Ningyu sat in the living room playing on his phone. He was a Young Master so obviously cooking was not a skill he needed. Earlier when he said “we” he meant Duan Yuchen. Because of his family circ.u.mstances Duan Yuchen was very good at cooking despite his age. In fact, he’d already cooked a soup course and several dishes just in the short period of time they were downstairs.
Although Duan Yujing was CEO of his own company, at home he was just an ordinary older brother. They didn’t have any servants so the two brothers relied on each other and did everything themselves.
“Big Brother, do you want to eat? Is Brother Qingge hungry?” Duan Yuchen had just finished the last dish when he saw his brother come down.
“No, let him sleep a little longer. I don’t think he slept very well at the hospital these past few days. I gave him some porridge earlier before the flight so he should be OK for now.” Duan Yujing went to the fridge and took out a small squash and a few red jujube dates as well as a bottle of milk and a bag of oats. These should help warm up his body. Qingge likes sweet things so he should be amenable to eating them.
He knew the characteristics of some foods because he was in the industry. Although he wasn’t a professional dietician, he figured he knew enough to keep Qingge healthy.
“Are you making something delicious?” Shen Ningyu had never seen Duan Yujing make anything with that combination of ingredients before despite coming over a lot. He normally stayed over because it felt comfortable here. His own house felt too empty because his parents were usually out and his younger brother was at college. Although his older brother lived at home, he was too serious to play around with. So there really wasn’t anyone for him to interact with. As for girlfriends... he was a playboy. He had several but no one he was serious with.
Duan Yujing ignored the question and instead said, “I’m taking Qingge out to the hospital for a check up early tomorrow so I won’t have time to go into the company.” He didn’t look up as he spoke, intent on cutting the squash into small bite size pieces. Then he poured the milk and jujube dates into the pot and adjusted the temperature.
“No way! You can’t do that. It’s summer now and the orders are coming in like crazy. Do you know how busy it’s been these past few days? Don’t start behaving like Emperor Tang Xuanzong with his consort Yang Guifei.”[notes] Shen Ningyu declared pa.s.sionately. It took him a lot of work but he finally got a date with a really hot actress. He didn’t want to cancel tomorrow.
His official t.i.tle in the company was Deputy Chief, and although it was a position that entailed a great deal of responsibilities, he was normally able to get by with just three days of work in the office. Even when he did show up, he ducked out early to go on dates with his girlfriends. This was all possible because Duan Yujing was such a workaholic. Shen Ningyu didn’t have to worry about the company with him there, so he himself was able to slack off a great deal of the time. To suddenly be told he’d have to spend all day at the office was too harsh! Unbearable!
Duan Yujing could pretty much guess the reason for Shen Ningyu’s outburst. “You know I don’t normally get in the way of your dates, but I need you in the office tomorrow. Also, Qingge is not like Yang Guifei,” he said before taking a few bites of food on the table.
Shen Ningyu looked at Duan Yujing and decided to take pity in him. “OK, but you have to come in the day after tomorrow. Don’t let a beauty distract you from fulfilling your obligations. After all, the best way to keep a beauty is by making sure everything is taken cared of.”[notes]
“I know.” Duan Yujing glanced over at him. Shen Ningyu was the type of person who was happiest when he slacked off. He wasn’t incompetent though, in fact he was really good at his job… when he took it seriously. Otherwise his older brother would never allow him to fool around outside the house. Who knew what suspicious people would take advantage of him then?
After awhile Duan Yujing kicked Shen Ningyu out and went to his study to work. He was only teasing him for he knew his friend’s personality pretty well, that guy was used to being spoiled. It was nice to have him around but right now he wanted to have some peace and quiet to work on company matters. In a short time he had everything in order.
Qingge woke up around 6pm after sleeping for several hours. He unconsciously gripped a corner of the bed. Ah… soft. Warm. Quilt? Am I not on the plane?
Qingge bolted upright accidentally pressing down on the spot where the doctors had given him his shots. So painful! He turned his head left and right looking around the room. “Yeah. Not the plane.” From the decor he figured it was Duan Yujing’s room. It was a style he had seen before.
Am I going to live with Brother Jing now? Do I get to lay around in bed all day? Ah! This is great! He’s such a gentleman. I have to treat him right. He even put my pajamas on me. I wonder how long I was asleep for. It’s so comfortable here. It’s like I’m being lulled to sleep.
Even though it was really comfortable he felt it was time to get out of bed, so he got up and walked to the bathroom, his hair a complete bed head. His guess was correct. Duan Yujing did make a good husband. Definitely a ten out of ten!
Speaking of Duan Yujing, he was in the study just finishing up. When he saw that it was already 6:30pm he got up intending to wake Qingge. It was good to sleep, but he didn’t want Qingge to get hungry in the middle of the night and be uncomfortable. It was just the two of them in the house since Duan Yuchen had left some time ago to study at the library.
Qingge had just finished showering and was feeling quite refreshed and comfortable. Previously at the hospital he wasn’t able to wash up. It really was too sad to even remember. He opened the bathroom door only to find Duan Yujing standing on the other side.
“Ah, Brother Jing.” Qingge smiled with a head of hair still dripping water down his face and neck. He had loosely put his pajamas back on so a bit of skin was exposed. Qingge’s mother really did give him some great genes. He looked fantastic standing there.
“You didn’t dry your hair?” Duan Yujing frowned at the sight. “Come here.”
Wow even a frowning Brother Jing is good looking. Qingge felt a little weird inside but nonetheless obediently walked over. “OK.”
Yujing made Qingge sit on the side of the bed while he went to get a blowdryer. He carefully smoothed Qingge’s hair out as he moved the blowdryer around making sure the heat never touch Qingge’s skin too much. Soon every strand was dry. Duan Yujing saw the look of contentment on Qingge’s face as he pulled his hands away. He gave Qingge’s bangs a slight push and watched as the hair strands scattered on Qingge’s forehead. He had such a babyface. Don’t want him to get cold. With that thought in mind Duan Yujing went to a drawer and pulled out a cardigan.
Qingge was just enjoying the wonderful hair service when he felt a something go around him. Their eyes collided when he turned his head to look. So deep, so hot, so mysterious! His heart about leapt out of his chest. Too close! It was no use! He really couldn’t control himself. His ears turned bright red and his heart thumped like a drum.
Being able to see a beauty so often, he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to maintain a proper outward appearance. The little devil in his heart was urging him to throw himself at that hot body in front of him. Must.. practice... restraint! He tried with all his might to keep his body still.
He wasn’t the only one trying. For his part Duan Yujing was trying to maintain a calm and gentlemanly facade. He didn’t want to appear too emotional or aggressive, otherwise he feared he would scare Qingge. It was hard when he looked at that defenseless face that seemed to completely rely on him.
He couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he asked, “Qingge do you want to stay in my room with me? There’s s.p.a.ce for your clothes in the wardrobe and the shelves are clear for you. Feel free to use the computer too.”
How could Qingge turned down such a good offer? He nodded like a bobble head, and then became embarra.s.sed at his own enthusiasm. “Brother Jing I don’t sleep very quietly. I tend to toss and turn a lot. But don’t mind it. Please, continue to stay with me.”
“Silly melon head. Stop being so polite towards me. We’re lovers. Whatever you need, just let me know,” Duan Yujing could not stop smiling. “You should be hungry now right? Let’s go eat something.”
Qingge sat in the living room pretending to watch a television program when in reality he was secretly perking his ears and straining his eyes towards the kitchen where Duan Yujing was. Something wonderful and warm bloomed in his heart. So happy! This life… this life is the best! He was miles away from the leech Liu Yang and he was living with the one who loved him most, who coddled him, and spoiled him. This life was turning out really well!
But he had to think ahead. The results for the entrance examinations would come out soon. In his last life he’d tossed everything aside, including his spot at the prestigious Haishi University in order to follow Liu Yang to Qing City. Although they were able to enter the same university there, they had different majors, so were in different departments and different cla.s.s rotations. Liu Yang’s major was in computer science while his was in economics. It was mind bogglingly hard for him. He didn’t understand a single lesson. His brain was practically fried everyday, he tried so hard! But Liu Yang wanted to start his own company and having someone knowledgeable about the financial aspect of a business would be useful. Because of this he stuck it out and kept his major in economics.
So that was the previous life. What profession should he choose for this life? Duan Yujing was strong and capable, smart and rich; he certainly didn’t need someone to grease the wheels or prop him up financially. Can too much competency make a person annoying? I know he wouldn’t mind being my sugar daddy, but I mind. Besides, it’s not like I’m short on cash. If I want to stand tall beside him and be his equal then I have to find something to do. Can’t be something too physical, this body won’t holdout. Can’t be something too time consuming, won’t have time to spend with Brother Jing. So what kind of career should I go for? It has to be something that lets me earn money but won’t be too tiring and still lets me spend time with Brother Yujing. As a result of his deep concentration and lack of answers Qingge had a very confused look on his face.
When Duan Yujing came out with the congee he caught a glimpse of that expression. His heart crumbled into a complete shamble at the sight. To outsiders he always appeared calm and cool headed, but to Qingge he was very gentle and considerate. “What are you thinking?”
Qingge looked at the porridge in Duan Yujing’s hand. This wasn’t the first time Qingge had one of Duan Yujing’s porridges. When he was chronically ill and teetering on the brink of death in his previous life Duan Yujing had attended to him very conscientiously, catering every meal to his tastes. His sweet tooth was left very satisfied. His meals had a lot of variety so he never got tired of eating. There was always some kind of nutritious soup as well. On top of that, Duan Yujing would always watch over him and made sure he finished everything.
In fact in the end of it all he had indeed fallen in love with the gentle Duan Yujing. Perhaps it was at that moment that the Heavens yielded and gave him a second chance, allowing him to give it his all and cherish every moment.
Drinking Brother Yujing’s porridge now felt very different, unlike in his previous life. This time around there was no regret, his heart felt full and his mind was clear. How can I let such a wonderful target get away? This handsome considerate gentle kitchen G.o.d is worth more than gold! I need to move towards Brother Yujing and build a good and proper intimate relationship with him. Got to hurry up and devote my talents to him so we can live together well!
“Your porridges are tasty Brother Yujing.” Qingge fluttered his lashes opening his eyes wide as he looked at Brother Yujing.[notes] “Brother Yujing, what do you think I should major in?”
Duan Yujing thought carefully before answering. “Do you have a major you prefer?”
“Oh. Let me think... There’s nothing specific that I like. Stuff like banking and financing just make me confused. I enjoy reading though.” Qingge tilted his head to one side. Thinking about it he probably liked reading because he couldn’t do the same things as other people. His physical limitations meant he couldn’t join in on the hubbub, go out, or goof around like everyone else. So gradually he learned to love reading.
“The literature department here is good. All the professors are nationally renowned authorities in their field. The official website has a lot of detailed information, so if you look there you should be able to find out alot. Or if you want, later I can bring you to the campus and you can explore in person.” He felt that Qingge shouldn’t rush so much. He just wanted to protect Qingge and allow him to be happy and do what he liked.
Literature Department? That sounds good. Reading books everyday would be nice, especially for people like me who prefer to just mind their own business. Plus I’ve actually already written some stories on Jinjiang. I won’t tell Brother Jing about that though. But if I pursue a degree in literature I could actually do it professionally.
Jinjiang was a nationally recognized website dedicated to publishing stories online. As long as you were motivated and had something to write, you could post. He had registered for the site when he was at the hospital two days ago. Originally it was just a way to pa.s.s the time.
Being reborn again he had some ideas about upcoming literary trends. He wasn’t picky about what he wrote, any genre was fine be it romance, fantasy or even s.m.u.t. Even if I haven’t actually eaten someone’s tofu I’ve seen how it works! All those novels I read were not PG! I definitely have exposure and can be considered a pro at this![notes]
Consequently Qingge decided to set his ambitions on being an author. Good writers can even make enough to support themselves. Yeah! I definitely have to give it my best so I can stand next to Brother Jing!