A Little Sweet O Travels to a Normal World - Chapter 20

Watching Jun Yanxing’s back, which was so cold it bordered on indifferent, Tang Zhuo froze for a moment, then scratched his head awkwardly.

I guess I got a little overexcited…

But—

The dog’s fur was really so soft!

Even though Doudou had made a miserable, aggrieved face as if it were dying after he touched it, Tang Zhuo still thought it was adorable.

I’ll probably have another chance, right?

He decided to carry a few ham sausages on him so that he could feed them to the dog the next time they met.

With this in mind, Tang Zhuo hummed a cheerful tune and walked into the kitchen to start making dinner.

While he was busy in the kitchen, back in the second bedroom—

Jun Yanxing placed the takeout on the window seat. His brow was furrowed, and his handsome face, aside from its usual coldness, held a bit more gloom and irritability than usual.

Recalling Tang Zhuo’s words and brilliant smile from a moment ago, he felt waves of a slight, dull ache hitting his chest. It was a very foreign experience.

Is it because of… that Ren Liu?

Jun Yanxing’s frown deepened.

He realized he did not want to hear anything about Ren Liu from Tang Zhuo’s mouth. Every time he did, his emotions became extremely unstable.

Jun Yanxing took a slow breath and sat on the edge of the bed. After wiping his face with his hand, he gradually calmed down.

When his peripheral vision caught the two large bags of takeout on the window seat, he paused, and the corners of his mouth twitched.

“Are you being childish?”

His low, self-mocking whisper echoed in the quiet room.

Soon, Tang Zhuo walked out of the kitchen with his dinner and sat at the dining table.

Placed before him was a bowl of red bean soup and two palm-sized taro roots; this was his dinner for today. He took a few sips of the soup to moisten his throat, then picked up a taro and began to peel it carefully.

He was only halfway through when he heard footsteps behind him. Tang Zhuo looked back and saw Jun Yanxing walking out of his room with a glass in his hand.

Is he getting water?

As he thought this, Jun Yanxing passed by his side. He glanced at Tang Zhuo, stopped, and frowned. “This is all you’re eating for dinner?”

Tang Zhuo felt a bit embarrassed. He looked away and said in a small voice while peeling the taro, “I accidentally overspent today, so I have to be a bit thrifty.” Then he argued, “This taro is very fragrant, and the red bean soup I made is especially delicious!”

Jun Yanxing watched him, his frown not relaxing. A flicker of a strange emotion passed through his eyes again. He stood there for a moment, and finally, a somewhat helpless expression appeared on his face. He spoke to Tang Zhuo: “Is there extra? Serve a bowl for me too.”

“Huh?”

Tang Zhuo blinked. Once he understood the meaning, an enthusiastic smile immediately broke out on his face.

“You want red bean soup too? There is, there is! Wait a second.”

Tang Zhuo quickly put down the taro and rushed to the kitchen. By the time he returned with the soup, he saw that Jun Yanxing had brought the takeout back out from his room. He unwrapped the packaging and laid the containers out one by one on the table.

“What are you…”

“Let’s eat together.”

Tang Zhuo looked at him hesitantly. Having already hitched a ride today, he felt a bit embarrassed to “hitch” a meal as well. Jun Yanxing glanced at him, reached out to take the bowl of soup, sat down, and began to eat on his own.

Tang Zhuo’s cooking was indeed good. Even the simplest red bean soup was delicious, though… it was a bit sweet.

Tang Zhuo had been watching him and couldn’t help but ask, “Is it a bit too sweet?” He knew Jun Yanxing didn’t seem to handle sweets very well.

“It’s fine,” Jun Yanxing said matter-of-factly.

Tang Zhuo found it a bit funny. Even though the man’s expression was neutral, he could sense his true thoughts from the subtle details.

However… he was still a little bit happy.

Tang Zhuo didn’t stand on ceremony any longer and pulled out a chair to sit down. He had noticed that the takeout Jun Yanxing ordered was quite a lot—judging by the sets of utensils and containers, it was clearly a double portion.

So he had ordered a portion for me from the start.

Then why did he take it into his room first, only to bring it back out?

The answer to that question seemed quite easy to guess.

Sensing something, Jun Yanxing looked up and met Tang Zhuo’s smiling eyes, which were shimmering with a soft light. Tang Zhuo was grinning at him happily, his face steeped in sweetness.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

Tang Zhuo smiled, put his half-peeled taro back in the bowl, set it aside, and opened the takeout boxes to start feasting.

“This shrimp is so fresh!” “The beef is so tender!” “Wow, this chef is amazing; even simple mung bean sprouts are stir-fried so well~”

Tang Zhuo’s commentary rang out in the dining room from time to time. The rule of “no talking while eating” seemed very difficult for him.

But… such a relaxed and pleasant dining atmosphere was almost impossible in the Jun household. Jun Yanxing drifted into memories—intrigues, deceptions… these played out in that grand mansion almost every day. The dining table was naturally a stage. Only after moving out later did he have two years of peace.

Jun Yanxing pursed his lips, looking down at the red bean soup. He picked up the spoon and took another sip.

It was indeed a bit cloying. Yet… his mood seemed to have improved.

That evening, before the TV drama had even finished, Tang Zhuo was yawning repeatedly.

His body hadn’t fully recovered after the accident, and the original owner didn’t usually take good care of himself, so he was still a bit weak. He had been busy for a long time today and felt sleepy before his usual bedtime.

After another yawn, Tang Zhuo leaned lazily against the sofa and looked at Jun Yanxing, who was sitting a body-length away, bolt upright.

“Jun Yanxing, let’s go to sleep. I’m tired…” Because of his sleepiness, his words were slurred, and his airy voice sounded exceptionally soft.

Jun Yanxing frowned.

Another one of those easily misunderstood phrases…

He turned his head to look. Tang Zhuo was there with his eyes half-closed and a hazy gaze, causing Jun Yanxing’s body to stiffen slightly.

Tang Zhuo rubbed his eyes like a kitten and continued, “There’s a replay tomorrow morning. We can wake up and watch it then~”

So, he actually watches these mindless soap operas a second time during the day?

Jun Yanxing’s gaze landed on Tang Zhuo’s slightly pouted lips. Feeling a dryness in his throat, he forced himself to look away and gave a quiet grunt of agreement.

“Yay, off to bed!”

With his approval, Tang Zhuo happily grabbed the remote, turned off the TV, and struggled to stand up. Jun Yanxing sat on the sofa, watching him walk past. His gaze flickered, landing on the straight, fair legs beneath the shorts…

His Adam’s apple bobbed uncontrollably. He heard his own slightly husky voice ask: “Don’t you need to apply the medicine?”

“Huh? Medicine?”

Tang Zhuo thought slowly for a second, then noticed the man’s gaze. Looking at his legs, he realized he was talking about the scar cream. “Mhm! I applied it right after my shower.”

“Sorry for bothering you yesterday.”

Jun Yanxing looked up at him. Deep in his calm eyes, there seemed to be a churning undercurrent. Before Tang Zhuo could see clearly, the man had already stood up and headed for the second bedroom.

“Hey, wait for me!”

Tang Zhuo quickly turned off the lights and followed him into the room.

“Do you have a headache today?” Tang Zhuo sat at the edge of the bed, speaking to him gently.

Jun Yanxing, who was about to lie down, paused. He stared at Tang Zhuo and finally said one word against his conscience: “Yes.”

Tang Zhuo couldn’t help but worry for him. “Are you really not going to the hospital?”

“No need.” Jun Yanxing’s dark eyes gazed at him. “Tonight, you…”

“Don’t worry! I promised to help you with the massage for a week, and I won’t go back on my word!” Tang Zhuo said with a smile. “Don’t you forget your promise either.”

Jun Yanxing opened his mouth as if to say something else, but finally just nodded and closed his eyes. In truth, what he really wanted to say wasn’t that at all…

Tang Zhuo did not go back on his word. Over the next week, he spent his days researching dessert making and his nights dedicated to massaging Jun Yanxing, never missing a day.

“Tonight is the last time.”

That evening, Tang Zhuo once again brought the stool to the bedside in the second bedroom, sat down, and spoke to Jun Yanxing. Hearing his cheerful tone, Jun Yanxing’s thin lips pursed slightly. He watched Tang Zhuo, trying to read something from his face, but ultimately failed.

“Lie down quickly,” Tang Zhuo urged.

He had been busy researching desserts these past few days, which took a lot of mental and physical effort. On top of that, massaging Jun Yanxing every night had truly exhausted him. He wanted to get it over with so he could go back to sleep.

Under Tang Zhuo’s constant urging, Jun Yanxing lay down as instructed. Despite the many thoughts swirling in his mind, he unknowingly drifted off to sleep. When he regained consciousness, it was already the next morning.

Clear morning light filtered through the curtains. Having had enough deep sleep, he woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy—a feeling only those who have suffered from chronic insomnia know the beauty of.

However… last night was the last time of the agreement.

Jun Yanxing turned his head slightly, looking at the empty spot on the bed beside him. Over the past week, except for that dream-like first night, Tang Zhuo had never attempted to stay in his room.

During this time, aside from the massages and pestering him to watch TV every night, Tang Zhuo hadn’t done anything out of line. Whether it was ignoring his hints or the times he acted weak, Tang Zhuo had made no further moves. He was busy every day; he simply didn’t have any extra thoughts to spare on him.

Jun Yanxing had originally thought Tang Zhuo’s proposal to massage him for a week was an excuse to get close, but looking at it now, it seemed he had misunderstood again. This development should have been good—at least for now, Tang Zhuo didn’t seem to have ulterior motives—but…

Jun Yanxing raised his hand to his chest. There was a hollow feeling there, like something was missing. What is this?

He stared at the ceiling, a look of confusion on his handsome face.

After a moment, Jun Yanxing rolled over, pulled Tang Zhuo’s pillow into his arms, and buried his face in the soft fabric. At first, he only leaned against it gently, but gradually, his arms tightened. He hugged it tighter and tighter until the pillow was crushed out of shape.

However, the sweet scent of peach had already become very, very faint. Even breathing it in deeply could not fill the hole in his heart.

No matter how much he had restrained or suppressed it before, at this moment, Jun Yanxing finally had to face his own desire.

His… desire for Tang Zhuo.