TDH Chapter 9

Throughout Li Que’s entire account, Jiang Cenglan hadn’t interrupted once. He was a good listener, just like that time when he’d opened up to Li Que about being cheated on, and Li Que had quietly listened all the way through.

 

In some ways, they were similar. And in intimate relationships, their roles… It should have been the same, or so Jiang Cenglan had always firmly believed.

 

But a few hours ago, Li Que’s gentle yet assertive guidance had, for the first time, made him doubt whether he’d misunderstood something… Even more so now, after hearing that piece of groundbreaking gossip come out of Li Que’s own mouth, followed by an invitation he really couldn’t refuse.

 

Li Que looked at him steadily, waiting for an answer. Jiang Cenglan couldn’t tell whether he was drunk or not, or whether that invitation was serious.

 

After a long silence, Jiang Cenglan frowned and finally asked what haunted his thoughts, feeling incredulous: “You’re the top? With Zhang Ruien, you were the one on top? I thought… I thought you were—”

 

“Ah, I’m a bottom,” Li Que cut him off, taking over where he left off. “I’m a 0. Always have been.”

 

“But you said—”

 

“He has erectile dysfunction, probably caused by a mental block. We saw a doctor, but they couldn’t treat it. And yet, it didn’t matter. Platonic love is still a kind of love, so back then, I thought I could live with it.”

 

“……”

 

“In our marriage, it’s hard to say whether he was a top or not. After all, he couldn’t get hard. But I definitely am a bottom.”

 

There was a rustling sound. Jiang Cenglan looked up and saw that Li Que had gotten up, leaving the couch they were cuddling on. He then walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, opened a small vent, and lit a cigarette.

 

But the wind wasn’t cooperative. Instead of carrying the smoke away, it pushed the scent straight back into the room, flooding Jiang Cenglan’s nose with the smell of oranges.

 

It seemed to be Li Que’s favourite brand since he was smoking the same kind as last time… Long, slim women’s cigarettes with a citrus scent, looking particularly elegant between his fingers.

 

His voice held a trace of laughter, but within it was a hint of self-mockery, giving it an oddly hollow ring as he said: “Wanna know why my WeChat name is “Toy Story”? How about it, Xiao Yun? Want to give it a try with me? I promise I’ll make you feel good.”

 

………………….

 

Li Que’s extensive collection of toys left Jiang Cenglan utterly amazed.

 

They walked one after the other from the living room into the bedroom, as if performing some kind of secret ritual. Jiang Cenglan’s expression was solemn; Li Que, meanwhile, cheerfully opened the nightstand drawer.

 

A few seconds later, Jiang Cenglan murmured: “Richard, can I ask…? You have shares in Disney, right?!”

 

Li Que raised an eyebrow, casually picking up a small item and asking: “Why do you say that?”

 

Because you use these for your private amusement, and Disney’s legal department still hasn’t sued you into oblivion yet!

 

And just like that, Jiang Cenglan’s first lesson in life had been taught by his ex-boyfriend’s wife… The legally wedded kind.

 

Personally and thoroughly, with patience and care.

 

………………

 

By the time he opened his eyes the next day, it was already close to noon. Jiang Cenglan sat on the edge of the wide bed in a daze, staring at the unfamiliar room for a moment before the memories of last night came rushing back to his head.

 

Since he hadn’t had a drop of alcohol last night, every detail was perfectly clear.

 

Including that final moment before exhaustion claimed him, when he felt a hot kiss pressed against his cheek.

 

“Why did you kiss me?” Jiang Cenglan had meant to ask why it was a kiss on the cheek and not on his lips… However, he was too tired. The words came out half-formed, sounding like a pout in the end.

 

The man had answered: “Because I’m a collector. I like beautiful things and you’re just my type, little doll.”

 

Now that his head was clear, Jiang Cenglan realized it was their fourth kiss.

 

Second meeting. Fourth kiss.

 

“Collectors like beautiful things?” he muttered, rubbing his cheek. “Well, thank you, Mom, for giving me a pretty face.”

 

Jiang Cenglan got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

 

Just as Li Que had said, he was a true master. Very skilled at both playing with himself and others, giving Jiang Cenglan a truly wonderful experience. Physically speaking, Jiang Cenglan barely felt any discomfort…

 

…But of course, that might’ve been because he’d pitifully begged Li Que last night not to use the big ones.

 

In any case, he was feeling perfectly refreshed~

 

There was a note stuck to the bathroom mirror in the master bedroom, positioned so Jiang Cenglan would see it the moment he got up. It was obviously from Li Que, saying he had an appointment with his therapist and had gone out first. There were sandwiches left for him in the kitchen, and if he was free, he could wait at home. By the way, they could also sign the collaboration contract.

 

Jiang Cenglan carefully peeled off the note, then began washing up.

 

Afterward, he found his phone on the living room sofa, right where he’d dropped it last night, and checked his emails first.

 

Good. No class make-up notices.

 

Going forward, he opened WeChat, but there was also nothing urgent. Even his senior sister had wisely given him the day off, probably guessing something had happened between him and Li Que.

 

Which meant he had the whole day free and…

 

…He could absolutely wait for Li Que to come back!

 

Happily, Jiang Cenglan tucked the note behind his phone case, planning to take it home and treasure it. Just when he was about to eat the sandwich Li Que had left for him, a WeChat call came in.

 

“Had lunch yet?” Li Que asked.

 

“Not yet. I just woke up,” Jiang Cenglan said, and only then realized how hoarse his voice was. “I was just about to eat.”

 

A soft laugh came from the other end. “The sandwich was supposed to be for breakfast,” Li Que said. “You really slept until noon… So adorable.”

 

Jiang Cenglan mumbled something, unsure how to respond, but Li Que still went on: “I was planning to come home after my session and eat lunch with you, but the kid before me deals with some pretty serious trauma, so it took way longer than expected. That’s why I called, to help order lunch for you.”

 

So that’s how it was.

 

Meaning, Li Que’s appointment hadn’t even started yet?

 

“I can come to you!” Jiang Cenglan said quickly. “I mean, if it’s okay, can I come and find you? I’ll wait outside, and we can eat lunch together…”

 

“…I want to have lunch with you.”

 

He just suddenly really wanted to see Li Que. And since Li Que had planned to have lunch with him anyway, wasn’t it perfect?

 

However, there was a brief, subtle pause on the other end, sounding very much like a sigh of resignation. “…Alright,” Li Que said. “I’ll send you the address.”

 

“I’ll be there soon,” Jiang Cenglan added. “I want to see you.”

 

After a few more sweet exchanges, Li Que hung up. Looking up, his attending psychiatrist was watching him with a smile.

 

Since the call had been made right there in the consultation room, there wasn’t any real issue of privacy.

 

“Richard, so… Who was that?”, the doctor asked. “I notice you’re not wearing the rubber band today.”

 

“I’m not wearing it anymore,” Li Que said mildly, “because the person who used to trouble me has already been taken care of.”