Chapter 133: The Cold, Crazy School Heartthrob x Spoiled, Clingy Little Brat 41
At the Jiang residence, Mother Jiang removed the scarf from around Jiang Luoluo’s neck and chided him, “You slept until now? It’s only because Niannian spoils you so much. If you had a mother-in-law, she’d have made you come home long ago!”
Hearing Mu Jianian’s name repeatedly, Jiang Luoluo’s eyelids twitched. He was about to launch into the rehearsed lie he’d prepared.
Before he could speak, Mother Jiang continued, “Niannian told me he’s incredibly busy with the company’s recent IPO. He won’t be able to come until the evening.”
“Honestly, what’s the point of earning so much money? Enough to live comfortably is all you need. It’s already the 31st, and he still can’t come home for the New Year.”
“You should talk to him about it later. Since you two can’t have children, who is all that money even for? There’s no need to work so hard.”
Jiang Luoluo mumbled a sullen “Mm.”
“Are you unhappy? Do you resent him for not being here with you?”
Mother Jiang pulled Jiang Luoluo’s hand and brought over the sweet soup she’d prepared earlier. “Niannian practically gave you the company. He’s working so hard, isn’t it all for you?”
She tapped his nose. “What more could you want, baby? Seeing your mother, your little mouth could hang a whole oil bottle!”
“Alright, Niannian sent over too many things. Mom needs to go count them. You finish this sweet soup, Luo Luo, and then go play upstairs.”
Jiang Luo Luo lowered his eyes, staring at the bottom of his bowl. His eyelashes fluttered twice.
“Did he deliver them himself?”
Mother Jiang nodded. “He brought them over before you arrived. A huge pile of gifts! I saw the Ru Kiln porcelain vase set your father has been wanting for ages! Who knows how much all this costs!”
Mother Jiang sighed, pulling Jiang Luo Luo’s hand. “Niannian hasn’t had an easy time getting where he is today. But your father and I can see he truly cares for you. He’s as filial to us as if we were his own parents.”
“You’ve been spoiled since childhood and have a terrible temper. It’s a relief for your father and me to see him treating you so well.”
“But just because he’s good to you doesn’t mean you can take advantage of his affection. Don’t let his love make you arrogant and unreasonable.”
“I’m not being unreasonable…” Jiang Luo Luo mumbled slowly, not wanting to hear any more about Mu Jianian. He stood up, holding his bowl of sweet soup with both hands. “Mom, I’m going back to my room.”
Winter days are short. Before five o’clock, the sky had already begun to darken.
Large snowflakes drifted through the air, quickly piling up into a thick layer on the ground.
Looking down from the windowsill, Jiang Luoluo saw servants sweeping snow in the garden.
A path cleared of snow stretched out to the gate, and the air was filled with the continuous crackling of firecrackers, near and far, creating a lively atmosphere.
Jiang Luoluo lowered his long eyelashes, unconsciously gazing out the window.
A familiar black car approached from the distant road, heading toward his home.
His fingers tightened around his coffee cup as he watched the car draw closer.
He quietly pressed himself against the window, his soft fingers resting on the glass. His watery eyes widened as he stared at the black car.
His heart pounded faster and faster.
In that moment, he couldn’t tell whether his racing heart was due to fear or anticipation of seeing that familiar face.
As the car neared their villa, it didn’t turn into the driveway but instead followed a small path.
The license plate number flashed into view. Jiang Luoluo quickly drew the curtains and patted his chest.
Then, shuffling in his soft slippers, he walked to the edge of his large bed and stared out the window, lost in thought.
Jiang Luoluo didn’t know how much time had passed when a knock sounded at his door. He nearly jumped out of bed, his eyes fixed nervously on the entrance. Sliding off the bed, he slowly padded over.
His fingertips tightened on the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, Jiang Luoluo pulled the door open, only to meet the nanny’s face.
“Young Master, it’s time for dinner.”
He ate his meal distractedly, barely registering his parents’ questions, mumbling vague replies.
*What was Mu Jianian doing here?*
*He didn’t even come inside the Jiang family home. Instead, he parked his car by the wall outside my building…*
*Could he have regretted it? Was he planning to sneak in through my window in the dead of night and drag me back?*
*But he’s injured. Even if he tried to climb in, he couldn’t possibly carry me away.*
Jiang Luoluo buried his head, shoveling down a few quick mouthfuls. *Besides, he hasn’t even seen me. He’ll probably leave soon.*
He couldn’t quite pinpoint the emotion that was stirring within him.
He remained seated on the sofa downstairs, idly watching a dull television program, unwilling to go upstairs.
As he cracked sunflower seeds, he overheard his father answer a phone call and mention Mu Jianian’s name.
Jiang Luoluo perked up his ears.
Jiang Luoluo heard his parents chatting with someone on the phone. During the conversation, they glanced at him.
“Without you, he eats like a zombie. He almost shoved a dumpling up his nose.”
Jiang Luoluo’s face flushed crimson. He felt humiliated in front of Mu Jianian, but unsure how to stop his parents, he puffed out his cheeks in anger and stomped upstairs.
Back in his bedroom, facing the tightly drawn curtains, a complex mix of emotions surged within him.
He wanted to pull back the curtains and see if the black car was still parked outside.
If it was still there, he’d probably be terrified.
But if it wasn’t, he’d probably… still be terrified…
Jiang Luoluo tiptoed forward and carefully peeked through a gap in the curtains.
Outside, the world was a vast expanse of white, with no trace of anyone having lingered there.
A profound sense of inexplicable loss welled up within him, even a feeling of abandonment.
It was like a caged kitten finally escaping its confines.
It’s hard to imagine that when it opened its eyes, instead of seeing the cage that had held it captive, it saw the boundless freedom of the outside world. Its first reaction wasn’t excitement or joy, but an inexplicable, pervasive sense of emptiness and resentment.
His curled eyelashes drooped, the fingers gripping the curtain clenched, and the corners of his full lips turned downward.
*I must be sick.*
Jiang Luoluo sniffled and slowly sat on the floor.
He had loathed Mu Jianian so much that when he finally left, he couldn’t help but yearn to see him again.
Biting his lip, Jiang Luoluo slowly wrapped his arms around his knees.
*I must be sick.*
*It must be because I spent too much time with Mu Jianian. His twisted nature has infected me.*
Another knock came at the door. Judging by the time, it must be the housekeeper bringing her milk.
Jiang Luoluo sniffled again and slowly rose, opening the door.
Her slightly red-rimmed eyes lifted, and her moist pupils suddenly widened.
Jiang Luoluo instinctively reached to close the door, but Mu Jianian pushed it open with one hand and slammed it shut with a loud click, locking it behind him.
Jiang Luoluo took two steps back as Mu Jianian strode forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace.
He lowered his head, his sharp nose nuzzling against the soft, fragrant skin of his neck, as if addicted to the familiar scent.
His voice hoarse, Mu Jianian whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I just want to hold you.”
His strong arms held him captive, resisting his struggles.
Jiang Luoluo pressed his lips together, saying nothing.
“I know you don’t want to see me.”
Mu Jianian’s throat tightened as he tightened his grip on the other person’s arm. “But Luo Luo, I miss you so much…”
“I’m going crazy without you…”
Even though they had parted only last night.
Even though he knew which floor Li Chuan lived on, just downstairs.
Even though he had seen the small figure by the window in his car not long ago.
Even though he was holding the person so tightly in his arms at this very moment.
He still couldn’t control the heart-wrenching longing for him.
Without Jiang Luoluo by his side, his entire heart felt hollowed out.
The person in his arms struggled again, their soft voice like a kitten’s paw scratching at his ear.
“You’re hurting me.”
Mu Jianian paused, then realized what the other person meant.
He loosened his grip slightly, moving his lips from the soft, tender neck to gaze down at the delicate, pitiful face.
A faint pink blush bloomed on the snow-white skin, and long, thick lashes fluttered, unable to conceal the misty, tear-filled eyes.
The full lips were pressed together, soft and crimson.
The person seemed afraid to meet his gaze, shyly avoiding his eyes.
Perhaps wanting to say something, those soft lips parted, the spot where they had been pressed together turning an excessive, almost dripping red.
Mu Jianian’s Adam’s apple bobbed once.
Before the other person could speak, Jiang Luoluo lowered his head and fiercely kissed his lips.
Like a parched traveler in the desert finally spotting an oasis, he couldn’t bear to wait a moment longer and urgently pursued it.
His tongue was bitten, and his tear ducts were stimulated, causing tears to well up in his eyes. Jiang Luoluo tried to pull back, but he couldn’t escape the other person’s hold.
He felt even more wronged.
He had already escaped, hidden in his own home, yet he still couldn’t escape the other person’s grasp.
Mu Jianian was truly detestable.
The most detestable person in the world.
The moment he was released, Jiang Luoluo, his eyes red-rimmed, gasped softly.
His entire being was now permeated with the other person’s crisp, clean scent. Jiang Luoluo was both ashamed and furious, glaring at him fiercely.
But the sight of this teary-eyed beauty glaring at him made Mu Jianian’s Adam’s apple bob, and he could barely restrain himself.
Mu Jianian instinctively pressed his hand against the other person’s head, about to kiss him again.
“Slap!” A small hand in his arms raised and slapped him.
Mu Jianian tilted his head.
His baby’s strength wasn’t great; the slap felt like a kitten’s paw scratching.
He turned back to see the person in his arms looking frightened. Their eyes, still wet with tears, were clouded with a misty haze as they gazed at him timidly.
The hand that had struck him now shielded them, fingers curled protectively as if afraid he might try to kiss them again at any moment.
Mu Jianian gently stroked the back of their head and apologized, “I’m sorry, baby. Husband couldn’t resist.”
Hearing the endearment, Jiang Luoluo snapped back to reality and struggled to escape his embrace.
“Mu Jianian, don’t call me that!”
His struggles grew more frantic. Mu Jianian simply bent down, hooked his arms under Jiang Luoluo’s knees, and carried him in a princess hold toward the bed.
