AAWOMAHI Chapter49

The rain outside was getting heavier.

 

This heavy rain brought the hot temperature down.

 

Outside the window was the sound of pouring rain, and inside the house, the scene was warm and cozy.

 

Lu Xingmian obediently sat on the sofa, listening to Lu Shiran’s explanation.

 

Only then did he realize that they had met so early. It turned out that the person in the car he mistakenly got in that one time was Lu Shiran. At that time, he really hadn’t paid attention to the man beside him.

 

After hearing Lu Shiran’s explanation, Lu Xingmian understood why he chose to conceal his identity.

 

Lu Xingmian knew himself well. If he had really known Lu Shiran’s true identity back then, he would have deleted Lu Shiran’s WeChat without hesitation.

 

To him, the head of the Lu clan was someone from a completely different world.

 

When Lu Xingmian first returned to the Lu family, he knew he couldn’t fit in with them, nor could he fit into the high society that Lu Yan and Xia Yuefang spoke of. Because he couldn’t play the piano, the violin, or any of those instrument, Xia Yuefang was very dissatisfied with him. It seemed that in their hearts, being able to play one or two musical instruments was the standard for a child from a wealthy family, and his lack of skills was a disgrace to the Lu family.

 

At that time, Lu Yanchun and Xia Yuefang were unwilling to take him to banquets.

 

The period when he met Lu Shiran was when Lu Xingmian’s insomnia was at its worst and he was most sensitive.

 

Lu Xingmian hugged Lu Shiran and apologized to him, “Ge, I’m sorry.”

 

Although they had added each other by a twist of fate, Lu Shiran didn’t delete him. Instead, he kept his promise to lull him to sleep every day.

 

Over this past year, Lu Shiran’s care, his attention, and his gentle and considerate nature—none of it was fake.

 

But on Lu Shiran’s birthday, he had said those things. The more Lu Xingmian thought about it, the sadder he got. “Ge, I’m sorry, I was wrong.”

 

Lu Shiran’s heart instantly softened. He gently held his chin and wiped away his tears. “Zai Zai, you didn’t do anything wrong. I hope that when you’re with me, you can be happy and truly be yourself.”

 

He had intended to comfort Lu Xingmian and stop his crying, but as soon as he said that, Lu Xingmian started to cry even harder.

 

Lu Shiran continued to comfort him, “Zai Zai, can you promise me one thing?”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Mmm.”

 

Lu Shiran: “Zai Zai, can you stop crying now?”

 

Only then did Lu Xingmian’s sobs stop. He looked at Lu Shiran with red, pitiful eyes, which made Lu Shiran’s heart soften once more.

 

Lu Shiran rested his forehead against Lu Xingmian’s and made a pact with him, “Zai Zai, can you promise me one more thing? No matter how angry you get in the future, can you please not run away from home?”

 

Lu Xingmian promised, “Mmm.”

 

That night, Lu Xingmian fell asleep within a minute of hugging Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Shiran held him, placed Lu Xingmian’s phone to the side, and looked down to find that Lu Xingmian had already fallen asleep.

 

Lu Shiran was filled with surprise, joy, and a sense of relief, but also heartache.

 

It must have been a while since Lu Xingmian had slept or eaten properly. He felt much thinner in Lu Shiran’s arms.

 

Lu Shiran pulled him even closer until there was no space left between them. Only then did he feel content enough to close his eyes and sleep.

 

He himself hadn’t had a good rest for several days already.

 

When Lu Xingmian woke up, he found himself in someone’s embrace.

 

He smiled to himself, knowing it was Lu Shiran.

 

He remembered falling asleep in Lu Shiran’s arms the previous night almost instantly. Lu Shiran truly was his sleeping pill; it was so easy to fall asleep next to him.

 

During the days he had been staying in the dorm, even though he was angry, he couldn’t stop thinking about Lu Shiran. He missed having Lu Shiran by his side and missed holding him while sleeping. Sometimes, when the longing became unbearable, he would listen to Lu Shiran’s messages on repeat. He realized just how dependent he had become on him.

 

Lu Xingmian nuzzled closer contentedly. This feeling was wonderful.

 

He must have nuzzled Lu Shiran’s chest a little too hard because he felt Lu Shiran stir, as if he was waking up. Lu Xingmian quickly shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

 

Even with his eyes shut, Lu Xingmian sensed Lu Shiran’s piercing gaze fixed on him, a presence he could feel even without seeing. His body temperature began to rise, his cheeks started to feel hot, and Lu Xingmian gently pursed his lips, trying to stay calm.

 

Then he felt Lu Shiran’s gaze move to his right ear. He gave his ear a little pinch, then fiddled with the earring in it, as if he had suddenly become very interested in it.

 

He kept pinching and playing with it.

 

Lu Shiran held Lu Xingmian’s ear while watching his expression. Lu Xingmian’s eyelashes were trembling.

 

Lu Xingmian wondered what was so interesting about his ear. The earring was even a gift from Lu Shiran. What was he looking at? How long was he going to keep pinching it? It was ticklish but also quite comfortable.

 

Lost in thought, Lu Xingmian suddenly felt a gentle warmth brush against his ear, Lu Shiran was kissing his ear.

 

He heard himself swallow. He was now certain. Lu Shiran was kissing him.

 

A small hand under the blanket suddenly clenched. Lu Shiran had even taken his earlobe between his lips. Lu Xingmian’s mind went blank. He only felt this way when he was kissing Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Xingmian remained motionless. He had thought Lu Shiran was just kissing his ear, but then Lu Shiran continued, kissing his forehead, eyes, and cheeks.

 

The kisses became gentler and more passionate.

 

Lu Xingmian’s eyelashes trembled more and more intensely. He wondered if he should wake up. He was already having a physical reaction. If Lu Shiran kept kissing him, his reaction would become very obvious.

 

Forget it, I’ll just wake up now.

 

Opening his eyes, Lu Xingmian saw Lu Shiran’s handsome face and still couldn’t help but feel his heart flutter.

 

Lu Shiran looked a bit disappointed. “You’re not pretending to be asleep anymore? I wanted to kiss you more.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “……” So he had known all along that he was faking it.

 

Lu Shiran’s voice was a little hoarse from sleep. “But I really did want to kiss you.”

 

A warm breath brushed against his neck, making it tingle. Before he could say anything, Lu Shiran leaned in for a kiss.

 

Their hands intertwined, fingers locked together.

 

The loose collar slipped down, revealing half of Lu Xingmian’s shoulder, flushed a delicate pink.

 

When Lu Shiran’s hand gently stroked his shoulder, Lu Xingmian couldn’t hold back, and a soft, delicate sound escaped his lips.

 

Lu Shiran paused for a moment, then the corners of his mouth turned up. “Thanks for the affirmation, Zai Zai.”

 

When the kiss ended, Lu Xingmian’s face and neck were flushed. He quietly shifted a little.

 

How could Lu Shiran, who was ten years older, not notice his subtle movements and expressions?

 

Lu Shiran said, “Zai Zai.”

 

Just after kissing him and then calling his name in that low voice, Lu Xingmian couldn’t handle it at all.

 

Lu Xingmian said he needed to use the bathroom and ran straight into it. After closing the door, he looked down, thinking he ran fast enough that Lu Shiran shouldn’t have noticed anything.

 

Lu Shiran looked at the sight of Lu Xingmian running off like a little rabbit and couldn’t help but laugh. He wanted to say he could help, but Lu Xingmian seemed to be very shy.

 

In the morning, Lu Shiran drove Lu Xingmian to work. Before Lu Xingmian got out of the car, Lu Shiran said, “I’ll pick you up tonight and help you pack your things.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “Okay.”

 

Lu Shiran ruffled his hair. “Have a good day at work.”

 

Lu Xingmian: “You too.”

 

He had promised Lu Shiran he wouldn’t run away from home and that he would move back that night.

 

But now he had to go talk to the store manager, and he felt a little embarrassed.

 

He procrastinated until his lunch break, then went to find the store manager and told him he wouldn’t be staying in the dorm anymore.

 

The manager smiled with relief when he heard this.

 

“You and your boyfriend finally made up.”

 

Lu Xingmian was stunned, his face turning red. “Huh?” How did the manager know?

 

The manager remarked that, as an outsider, he could clearly see the way Lu Shiran looked at Lu Xingmian, his eyes brimming with tenderness and love. A biological brother wouldn’t be so concerned about Lu Xingmian, especially not staying outside the dorm every night.

 

Lu Xingmian said, “Thank you, manager.” If the manager hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have known Lu Shiran had been silently watching over him.

 

The manager smiled. “You’re welcome.” He was happy to see the two of them reconcile.

 

Ever since seeing Lu Xingmian at Lu Shiran’s house, Lu Yu had not received a reply from Lu Shiran at all. He had sent messages during this time, but they all went unanswered.

 

Another two weeks passed, and Lu Yu finally couldn’t sit still anymore. That afternoon, he went directly to Lu Shiran’s company. He was determined to get a clear explanation from Lu Shiran.

 

When the serious-faced Lu Yu appeared at the company, the receptionist was taken aback. This President Lu was usually approachable and had a completely different personality from Lu Shiran. It was rare to see him look so grim; it was as if he had come to fight Lu Shiran.

 

In the office, only Lu Shiran and Lu Yu remained.

 

Lu Yu looked at his younger brother, who looked refreshed, with his suit and tie perfectly neat, a stark contrast to how he looked the other day.

 

Lu Yu got straight to the point. “What’s going on with you and Lu Xingmian?”

 

Lu Shiran replied, “He’s my boyfriend.”

 

What?!

 

Lu Yu almost couldn’t catch his breath. Although he had a hunch, hearing Lu Shiran say it himself still left him astonished.

 

He knew Lu Shiran wouldn’t joke about such things.

 

After a long pause, Lu Yu murmured, “Lu Xingmian is an adult, right?”

 

Lu Shiran glanced at him. “Of course.” It was as if the question was completely unnecessary.

 

Lu Yu breathed a sigh of relief. That was a good thing.

 

Lu Yu then asked, “How old is he this year?”

 

Lu Shiran pursed his lips. “Eighteen.”

 

Lu Yu shot up from his seat. “Lu Shiran, have you lost your mind? He’s only eighteen! You two are ten years apart! How could you do this? Did you corrupt this good kid? Did you force him?”

 

He had met Lu Xingmian before and thought he was a very nice guy, and he had a good impression of him. How could such a clean, handsome boy fall for someone as boring as Lu Shiran?

 

Lu Shiran shot him a look. “Lu Yu, what are you talking about? And don’t overthink things. I confessed to Lu Xingmian after he turned eighteen. We only got together then.”

 

Lu Yu sat back down. “Lu Shiran, are you serious? Don’t you dare hurt him.” He couldn’t help but feel the age difference was quite significant, and he didn’t want this to be just a fleeting interest for Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Shiran said, “Of course I’m serious.”

 

As his elder brother, Lu Yu knew Lu Shiran’s character. Alright, his brother had finally found someone he loved, and Lu Yu was also happy for him.

 

He suddenly thought of the Lu family. He heard that the Lu family was facing bankruptcy and was desperately trying to find connections and favors. If they knew about Lu Xingmian’s relationship with Lu Shiran, he wondered if they would regret kicking Lu Xingmian out of the family.

 

That evening, Lu Shiran was on time to pick Lu Xingmian up from work.

 

Pulling Lu Xingmian’s suitcase, he finally brought Lu Xingmian home completely.