IROAWTMTFL Chapter 14

Travelled today so could only upload one chapter.

During class, Yan Yan hadn’t been able to read his phone messages. And after class, he simply acted like he hadn’t seen it.

Who would respond to such an absurd proposal? Not him! Yesterday Zhuang Yiyun got a glimpse of his legs, so today they’re going to buy a big house together and “rule the world”? Dream on. Zhuang Yiyun saw his legs, but he hadn’t seen his(Zhuang Yiyun’s) yet.

He had agreed to meet Jiang Li at the university’s snack street for lunch together, and while eating sour and spicy noodles, he gave his phone to her and showed her the messages.

“The housing prices in Star City aren’t low. Dr. Zhuang is talking about buying, doesn’t that mean he’s really wealthy?”

“You’re missing the point. Jiang Li, why are you always so concerned about money?”

“Nonsense, if I’m not concerned about money, what should I be concerned about? Handsome guys won’t like me. I’m tall and robust; only money won’t leave me.”

Yan Yan gave a thumbs up, lifted his disposable bowl of soup and complimented her, “You truly live up to your reputation.”

“Tch… Are you planning to just play dead?”

“What can I do? I feel so tired, Zhuang Yiyun is really… he’s not completely unresponsive, but I can’t let things continue like this. If I do, they might turn sour overnight.”

“Heh, are you treating yourself as leftover food?”

Yan Yan shook his head. After finishing the contents of his bowl, he picked some peanuts from Jiang Li’s bowl, but she slapped his hand away with her chopsticks.

“Can’t you add them yourself? So rude!” Jiang Li staunchly defended her peanuts, and they engaged in several rounds of chopstick combat. Eventually, Jiang Li gave in due to Yan Yan’s downcast expression. She didn’t want to see him unhappy, so she instructed the owner to add an extra yuan’s worth of peanuts for Yan Yan.

After the playful exchange, Yan Yan got some extra peanuts and his mood improved as well. He then picked up his phone and replied to the messages.

Yan Yan: [Gege, are you considering getting a bigger house? It’s okay, I can accompany you anytime.】

Yan Yan: [However, I’ve never bought a house, so I might not be able to offer much advice.]

“Why did you agree so quickly?” Jiang Li was shocked. Wasn’t this person rejecting the idea a moment ago and feeling distressed?

“He’s spending his own money to buy a house. What right do I have to refuse?” After swallowing the last peanut, Yan Yan raised an eyebrow and said, “I can’t let this old monk off, that would be a disgrace to my charm. If he wants to sleep separately from me, it’s fine. Sooner or later, he’ll regret today’s decision. When he wants to see, hug, and kiss, Brother Yan will have the bargaining chips.”

Jiang Li frowned, feeling that Yan Yan’s attitude had changed.

“You seem a bit off…”

“Where?”

“Before, you only wanted to have some physical fun. Now, you’re aiming to get Zhuang Yiyun interested. Yan Yan, if he does become interested, how will you handle it?”

“What’s there to handle? Two grown men sharing a bed isn’t a loss for either of us. Why would I need to handle it?”

“So, if he’s interested, you’re won’t?”

“Interested in what? If it weren’t for his handsome face and good figure, I would’ve left a long time ago. He’s not gentle at all, can’t even cook, and he’s swamped with work. Am I supposed to be his mother?”

“That’s it then. But if he becomes interested and you’re not, isn’t that unfair? In fact, I don’t think Dr. Zhuang is the type to look for bedmates. Your target is wrong. You should just give up, it’s not suitable.” Jiang Li had put down her bowl and chopsticks, and her tone was serious.

“Impossible.” Yan Yan’s response was also more resolute, instinctively rejecting her opinion.

“Is it because you’ve invested too much that you’re unwilling to let go?”

“Am I someone who can afford to hold on but not let go?”

Hearing this, Jiang Li’s attitude instantly changed, and she completely dropped the serious demeanor. She snapped her fingers with a broad smile on her face, “That’s right, little Yan Yan, you’re actually starting to like Dr. Zhuang, haha~”

“Get lost, you’re laughing like a gossiping aunt.”

“Exactly, Auntie only wants to sell our little Yan Yan at a good price. Mr. Zhuang who can afford to buy a house is perfect! Little Yan Yan, when you go to see marital homes later, make sure to choose well~”

After teasing, Jiang Li was afraid of getting hit, so she grabbed her bag and fled, leaving Yan Yan alone in the sour and spicy noodle shop with a flushed face.

“Damn it, why is there so much chili in the broth today…” Could it be that Jiang Li’s teasing made him embarrassed?

After being teased by Jiang Li about looking at marital homes, Yan Yan felt something was off when he went to see the houses.

Jiang Li had just left when Zhuang Yiyun called. He asked where he was and said he’d come to pick him up. The snack street was narrow and crowded, so Yan Yan gave him the nearby intersection. Zhuang Yiyun arrived shortly after, and it was only after getting into the car that Yan Yan realized it was his first time riding in Zhuang Yiyun’s car alone.

Last time, Jiang Li had been there, and he had sat in the back seat. They were separated by a layer, and combined with his focus on the performance, he didn’t have time to feel much. But now, with just a turn of his head, he could see Zhuang Yiyun’s focused driving. The soundproofed car created a closed-off space. With less than a meter between them, every move Zhuang Yiyun made was clear. Especially when he spoke, Yan Yan could hear the surround sound effect given that the road was quiet.

Yan Yan swallowed unconsciously. He had seen many men outside, whether they were a 1 or a 10, many of them tried to look cool in front of him. But he never got into anyone else’s car, so he hadn’t seen many men drive. Forgive his lack of experience; he just felt that Zhuang Yiyun looked incredibly handsome while driving up close. Like the kind you could look at for a year.

When men drive in movies , the male lead is usually in a relaxed and composed state. But not Zhuang Yiyun. He was very serious and focused. Watching him drive, Yan Yan could imagine what he looked like while working. He clearly treated driving as work and was fully invested in it.

Actually, Yan Yan’s understanding was somewhat off. Zhuang Yiyun didn’t usually drive like this. It was because Yan Yan was sitting so close that he unintentionally tensed up.

He didn’t speak, and Yan Yan didn’t know what to say either. Two people who were making each other nervous finally started chatting when they were about to reach their destination. Yan Yan spoke first, “Are you really planning to buy a house? We are going to be together for only a year, a little inconvenience for a short while is fine.”

“The door to the closet opens into the bedroom. If I move my clothes out, I can only add a wardrobe in the study, which would be very strange.”

“There’s no need to move them, it’s not inconvenient to go in and out to get clothes.” As Yan Yan spoke, Zhuang Yiyun’s gaze turned towards him. He received his questioning look and Yan Yan seemed to hear his unspoken question — are you sure it’s not inconvenient?

“It was just an accident this morning…” Yan Yan said somewhat irritably, mumbling softly, “And it’s just two legs. Doesn’t Brother have them too? Yours are even longer than mine.”

Zhuang Yiyun: “…It’s inconvenient for me.”

“Did I pollute your eyes?”

“No.”

Zhuang Yiyun could tell that Yan Yan was a bit upset, but he didn’t know how to explain himself, let alone how to comfort him.

But Yan Yan didn’t need his comfort and after a while, he said, “I’m sorry, my tone wasn’t good. I just feel guilty that you’re spending so much money because of me.”

The tone was full of self-reproach, mixed with a bit of grievance and guilt. Zhuang Yiyun turned his head and bumped with a pair of moist eyes. He wasn’t crying, but he looked like he might cry.

He parked the car by the side of the road.

“Are we there?”

Zhuang Yiyun didn’t respond to Yan Yan’s question. His sharp jawline and tightly pressed lips carried a sense of detachment. His gaze was complex, and his words were even colder than in the morning.

“Yan Yan, regardless of anything, you should be the one taking the initiative in this relationship. I hope you remember that. I proposed the agreement, I suggested cohabiting. You not blaming me for making you uncomfortable is already your kindness. You don’t need to feel any guilt over buying a new place. I was too hasty, and didn’t plan in advance, I apologize.”

If someone else said this, it would probably be full of considerate and comforting words. When Zhuang Yiyun said it, however, it sounded like a merciless judge laying out a defendant’s crimes in court.

An ordinary college student might be scared by his attitude, but by relying on his intuition, Yan Yan caught the warmth beneath the cold exterior. Was Zhuang Yiyun teaching him, complaining for him, and fighting for him? He acted like an understanding and considerate partner, so why did Zhuang Yiyun end up being irritated?

“I didn’t mean that, I…,”

Zhuang Yiyun cut him off: “Did you understand what I just said?”

His gaze was intense, and Yan Yan could only nod. Although he sensed Zhuang Yiyun’s subtle attitude, he didn’t quite understand why he had such obvious emotions. Were those things from novels and movies true? That the less you try, the more men want to fight for you?

Before he could fully grasp it, Zhuang Yiyun spoke again.

“You should assert your own rights and interests. You would have been bullied if I were someone else.”

Once the words left his mouth, Zhuang Yiyun was briefly distracted, his own words had awakened him. So that’s why he insisted on changing houses, why he became tough – it was because he felt he “bullied” this young man.

A man standing before a half naked body might not mean much, but when he looked at it repeatedly, it could mean a lot.

The car restarted, and by the time they arrived at their destination, their attitudes had finally aligned, at least on the surface. Zhuang Yiyun asked for Yan Yan’s thoughts, and instead of saying he didn’t care, Yan Yan earnestly shared his preferences.

The first property they visited was located in the West City district. It was a bustling yet quiet environment with prime positioning, adjacent to a park with a lake. Yan Yan also noticed that it wasn’t far from his school or his home and he wondered if Zhuang Yiyun had taken this into consideration. To be honest, he didn’t dare to think too much about it. They had agreed to be married for one year, so if they were to buy a house, selling it later would be troublesome and might even result in a lower price. And now, Zhuang Yiyun had even considered the location for his convenience? The more he thought about it, the more fantastical it seemed.

Zhuang Yiyun knew about his home and his school, but he (Yan Yan) didn’t even know where Zhuang Yiyun worked. He had to ask about it later and whether this residential area was close to it.

Yicheng Waterfront was mainly deluxe houses with a variety of layouts. The sales representative who received them was a young man who seemed to be in his thirties, he was average-looking but well-groomed. He was warm and professional, first inquiring about their space requirements and space planning.

“Since you’re going to live together, may I ask about your relationship. It will help me give suitable recommendations.”

Originally, it was a very commonplace question, and no one expected it to lead to trouble. The two of them gave completely contradictory answers, without any coordination.

Zhuang Yiyun: “Brothers.”

Yan Yan: “Husbands.”

The sales representative: “…” He hadn’t intended to, but his mind involuntarily conjured up a scene from a drama where a scumbag has a hidden marriage.

Author’s Note:

Yan Yan: Someone said you’re a scumbag with a hidden marriage.

Zhuang Yiyun: It’s all because of your nonsense!

Yan Yan: What nonsense did I say? We have a marriage certificate. You just don’t want to admit it. You truly are a scumbag.

Zhuang Yiyun: Are we a real married couple?

Yan Yan: Of course!

Zhuang Yiyun: Fine, let’s not buy the house. Come over and sleep in my room. Gege will take care of you.

…

Jiang Li: Hey, wake up! Professor Li is making roll call!