Chapter 14 A-14

It wasn’t suitable to start with overly intense rides, so Yun Xiu decided to save the Big Horn for later and head to the Rainbow Slide first.

The Rainbow Slide was somewhat like a slide, with a longer track and steeper slope, but compared to the dizzying twists and turns of other rides, it was much safer.

By the time Yun Xiu was done with his shower, Yun Qian had just started, and since Fang Zicheng was taking his time washing up, Yun Xiu came out to play with Jiang Tinghan first.

Feeling too shy to look while naked, but once in swim trunks, Yun Xiu openly admired his roommate.

Jiang Tinghan appeared slender in clothes, but without them, he revealed a well-built physique—typical of “looking thin dressed but muscular undressed.” Yun Xiu couldn’t compare at all.

He glanced at his own flat stomach, then at his roommate’s six-pack, and hung his head in shame.

Jiang Tinghan, holding his swim ring for him, noticed his reaction and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Yun Xiu gazed enviously at his abs and said, “Your figure is so good—you even have a six-pack. I only have one.”

And below those abs, judging by the prominent curve even at rest, his future partner would be very fortunate.

Jiang Tinghan’s ears grew warm, but he forced himself to stay calm. “I exercise regularly. If you want to work on your abs, I can teach you.”

Given Yun Xiu’s body fat percentage, building abs would be relatively easy.

Yun Xiu thought about Jiang Tinghan’s early wake-up times and shook his head like a rattle drum. “Never mind, I’d rather sleep two extra hours.”

When he was the second male lead, he’d suffered through more workouts than paths walked just to compete with the male lead in physique. But with his natural limitations, he could never become a muscular hunk with an eight-pack.

Knowing it was impossible yet still trying, without being able to explain to anyone, was like suffering in silence—frustration with no outlet.

He was here to be a cannon fodder character, not an overachiever.

Lazing around was just fine.

Hearing this, Jiang Tinghan quickly glanced sideways, slightly stumbling over his words. “You look good like this too.”

He wasn’t used to giving compliments and wasn’t very articulate, but this straightforward praise was the best he could manage.

Yet sincerity is always the ultimate weapon. Yun Xiu couldn’t help but laugh at the blunt remark, feeling like Jiang Tinghan resembled a pure-hearted college boy facing his crush.

Of course, he didn’t mistake Jiang Tinghan’s words for romantic interest.

Appreciation was one thing, but assuming someone liked him over a single compliment would be overconfidence.

When they reached the top of the Rainbow Slide, Yun Xiu urged Jiang Tinghan to go first, unsure if the other would be comfortable sharing the same pool once he entered the water.

Jiang Tinghan accepted his consideration and took a ride on the raft first.

Yun Xiu leaned on the railing at the starting point and called out, “How was it?”

Jiang Tinghan replied, “Not bad!”

Sitting by the pool, he pushed his hair back. It was his first time at a water park, and while he wasn’t entirely comfortable, it was better than he’d expected, without the aversion he’d imagined.

Hearing this, Yun Xiu felt relieved and eagerly got on the raft, shouting, “Here I come!!”

The exquisitely featured boy’s smile was bright and radiant, like the sun overhead, unconsciously making those around him smile too.

Jiang Tinghan leaned back on his hands, squinting slightly as he watched his crush intently. When Yun Xiu’s bright yellow raft splashed into the water, his submerged legs stiffened, and he considered leaving.

But seeing the boy wriggling through the water toward him, his jade-like face fully visible and full of playful excitement, he hesitated again.

It would seem like he was rejecting Yun Xiu.

Just as he was torn, Yun Xiu grabbed Jiang Tinghan’s knees for support, half his body pressing against him, and said happily, “That was fun! Let’s go again!”

Although Yun Xiu remembered Jiang Tinghan had cleanliness quirks, he hadn’t interacted much with such people. He’d recall it when encountering new situations and be more cautious, but once he subconsciously felt it wasn’t necessary, he’d forget all about it and treat the other person normally.

So, accustomed to roughhousing with his second brother and Fang Zicheng, Yun Xiu forgot that Jiang Tinghan disliked physical contact.

By the time he remembered, Jiang Tinghan had nearly turned into a statue.

Yun Xiu immediately apologized in frustration, “Sorry, sorry! I’ll get off now!!”

The unusually soft sensation against his thigh, the smooth arm against his neck—Jiang Tinghan’s first reaction wasn’t disgust but enjoyment.

A genuine, rising pleasure from deep within.

Ever since the incident in his childhood, he couldn’t stand physical touch—it caused both physical and psychological revulsion. But even before that, he hadn’t considered physical contact particularly pleasant.

Before he could figure out the reason, feeling the softness against him trying to pull away, Jiang Tinghan instinctively held on.

A large hand pressed against the boy’s waist, pulling him back—

Instead of creating distance, under that force, Yun Xiu ended up pressed entirely against him!

From a distance, the shorter boy appeared straddling the taller one’s lap, one holding the other’s waist, the other holding a shoulder, cheeks pressed together, chest to chest, intimate as swans nuzzling by a lake.

A glance would make anyone blush and their heart race.

Faintly, someone exclaimed, “Look! I told you they’re not just friends! If you believe they’re purely platonic, you might as well believe I’m the reincarnation of Empress Wu Zetian and venmo me 50!”

Yun Xiu recognized that voice—it was the Rainbow Slide staff.

From that far away, even he heard it clearly, showing how excited the person was.

Jiang Tinghan must have heard it too, but he ignored it, his hand focused on stroking the smooth skin of Yun Xiu’s back.

Yun Xiu’s face flushed red, embarrassment finally dawning. “Um, could you let me down first?”

His knees were on the pool edge, feet in the water, with only one point of support. Without Jiang Tinghan’s cooperation, he’d have to use some awkward posture to get up.

With so many people around, Yun Xiu cared about his dignity and decided to ask his roommate to help.

Jiang Tinghan suddenly snapped out of it, his rationality breaking free from the indulgent pleasure.

Reluctantly, he gave a couple more strokes before withdrawing his hand just before Yun Xiu grew suspicious. Except for his flushed ears, he showed no other signs of abnormality.

To ease the awkwardness, Yun Xiu dragged the raft back to the Rainbow Slide. After two rides, feeling like something was missing, he returned to Jiang Tinghan and asked eagerly, “Aren’t you going to play anymore?”

Unaware that his drenched appearance resembled a rain-soaked kitten, especially with his wide, round eyes—making any request, no matter how unreasonable, hard to refuse.

Jiang Tinghan was no exception.

Considering the time, the other two should be out of the shower soon. He could tolerate water Yun Xiu had been in, but that didn’t mean he could handle water Yun Qian and Fang Zicheng had used.

Originally planning to cool off in another pool, faced with the kitten-like invitation, he agreed immediately. “One more time.”

"Great!"

Yun Xiu cheered, his mood immediately lifted.

As Jiang Tinghan had predicted, Yun Qian and Fang Zicheng showed up soon after.

As the two got into the water, he got out.

Seeing this, Yun Xiu waved and said, "Go wait for me in the nearby pool. I’ll call you when we go on the Big Horn water slide."

He had just asked if Jiang Tinghan could join them on the Big Horn water slide, and Jiang Tinghan agreed, but only if he took a shower afterward.

Yun Xiu didn’t insist on him joining the fun—the goal of their outing was for everyone to enjoy themselves comfortably.

Jiang Tinghan gave a slight smile. "Okay."

While they were talking, Fang Zicheng shot a suspicious glance their way.

Unlike Yun Xiu, who had moved in later, Fang Zicheng and Jiang Tinghan had been roommates in dorm room 10529 since their freshman year. Even after a year and a half, their relationship hadn’t improved much.

But after just a week with Yun Xiu, Jiang Tinghan’s frosty exterior had thawed?

However, Jiang Tinghan wouldn’t explain this shift in behavior. He simply nodded in acknowledgment before walking away without looking back.

Yun Qian wasn't particularly bothered. Having learned from his experience with Yun He, he understood that the best way to deal with people like this was to leave them be—they’d reach out if they needed anything.

Seeing Yun Xiu so happy, Yun Qian egged his younger brother on to go on a few more rides while he took some photos to send to their parents.

Yun Xiu didn’t want to bother his parents during their time alone together, but he agreed anyway.

They took photos in pairs, and Yun Xiu even asked a staff member to take a group photo of all four of them.

With this photo, he felt he’d made at least some progress on his recent "mission." He just wondered whether Yun He would react the way he hoped upon seeing it.

The thought flashed through his mind, but Yun Xiu brushed the thought aside and fully immersed himself in enjoying the water park.

…

City A, Yun Residence.

With his parents traveling and his younger brothers at school, Yun He’s life continued its usual uneventful pace.

Assistant Cen went over the afternoon's schedule with him and asked if he had any special requests for lunch. If not, the meal would be brought up from the employee cafeteria.

After a moment of silence with no response from Yun He, Assistant Cen looked up in surprise. The usually composed boss was staring intently at his phone with a serious expression. Thinking of the financial report delivered that morning, Assistant Cen grew similarly concerned.

Was there an issue with one of the reports? Problems meant overtime, and no employee liked overtime—Assistant Cen was naturally concerned.

A moment later, he heard his boss say coolly, "Once someone gets married, they should maintain appropriate distance from others. Don’t you agree?"

Assistant Cen was momentarily confused but quickly realized Yun He was referring to Yun Xiu.

Arranged marriages were common in high society. As a mere assistant, he didn’t need to question his boss’s motives or apply his own views on marriage. In his opinion, as long as things weren’t taken too far, it was normal for each party to have their own social lives.

But he knew that if he voiced his true thoughts, he'd be out of a job.

So Assistant Cen chose to be a dutiful employee, agreeing with his boss while adding his own interpretation to sound less insincere. "Absolutely. Once married, one should remain loyal. Should I notify the legal team to send a cautionary notice to the young master?"

"I never said it was Yun Xiu," Yun He replied indifferently, giving him a side-eye. "No need. I’ll pick him up next week to come home for a meal."

Assistant Cen put on a professional smile. "I’ll check the young master’s class schedule for you."

Inner monologue: This is going to cause trouble!