YPHC Chapter 60

“Sneaking around with a big star like this…”

 

Yan Jie was indeed a good cook. The aroma of rib and corn soup quickly filled the house, and even Dunbu abandoned Jiang Nan’an’s lap, jumping down and bouncing over to the stove, looking up at Yan Jie with expectant eyes.

 

Jiang Nan’an remained curled up in the recliner, with a newly unwrapped blank notebook on his lap.

 

He removed the cap from his fountain pen, hesitated for a moment with the pen tip hovering over the paper, before finally making the first stroke.

 

[Definition of Love (Source: Baidu Encyclopedia): Love is usually an interaction and emotional connection established between two people. This relationship is characterized by romance, intimacy, support, and commitment. In marriage, love is based on the feelings, responsibilities, and commitments between spouses, including mutual respect, trust, and support.]

 

After copying the definition, he started a new line.

 

[Yan Jie Observation Notes]

 

[Yan Jie (Spring), male, 29 years old, Beijing native, height 188cm, weight unknown, occupation streamer (perhaps), dating experience unknown (estimated not to be little).]

 

[Sweet tooth, indulges in both smoking and drinking, can play games, can cook, can raise dogs, (very) good at flirting.]

 

[Seems to have his own unique understanding of love. Expressions of liking someone appear to include meticulous care, cooking, giving dogs, respect, tolerance…]

 

[Can tolerate others without limits under the influence of love (at least no limits have been tested yet)]

 

[Requirements for a lover…]

 

Jiang Nan’an’s pen paused, as he couldn’t recall Yan Jie ever making any demands of him.

 

Just then, Yan Jie called him to eat. Jiang Nan’an responded, closed his fountain pen and notebook, set them aside, and got up to walk over.

 

Besides the corn and rib soup, Yan Jie also stir-fried kung pao chicken and shredded potatoes.

 

He served Jiang Nan’an a bowl of rice, placing it in front of him along with chopsticks and a spoon:

 

“Eat first, I’ll serve more if it’s not enough.”

 

“It’s enough, I can’t eat much.”

 

“Eat more, look how thin you are.”

 

“Gaining weight doesn’t look good on camera.”

 

“…Fine, nothing to say. Being an actor really isn’t a human job.”

 

The pre-meal conversation quickly passed. Jiang Nan’an picked up a small mouthful of white rice with his chopsticks, looked up at Yan Jie, and after a moment, asked:

 

“Yan Jie?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Do you have any requirements for me?”

 

“?”

 

This question seemed a bit strange at first, but following Jiang Nan’an’s train of thought, Yan Jie understood his meaning:

 

“No requirements, just be yourself. Don’t play that social Cosplay act you do with others when you’re with me. Nothing else really… Oh, there is one thing. Although you know this, I still need to emphasize it once: kissing and such things can’t be done with others. If you feel you need a control group, you still can’t find someone else behind my back to try with. Work requirements are a different matter.”

 

Jiang Nan’an nodded: “I know, love has exclusivity and possessiveness.”

 

He could add that to his notes later.

 

“Hmm… that works.” Yan Jie chuckled lightly, and after a while, asked:

 

“How did you resolve that situation with Shanshan today? The trending topic is still hanging on the charts.”

 

“The studio will release a statement later, explaining that I’m single and the reason for the dinner.”

 

“What about that last photo?”

 

“We won’t explain that. The other person is a private citizen. Besides, Hong-jie said leaving some topics for discussion would be good for promoting the next drama.”

 

Yan Jie nodded: “Understandable.”

 

If he hadn’t brought it up, Jiang Nan’an wouldn’t have remembered this matter. Now that the topic was open, Jiang Nan’an immediately connected all the clues:

 

“You also thought that was me? So when you came to find me today, you were actually coming to confront me? To ask why I was developing a relationship with someone else without telling you, making you look like a fool?”

 

Yan Jie choked: “Ahem… concern leads to confusion. That photo was so blurry you couldn’t see clearly, just the style and color of the clothes from behind, and then connecting the context… Mainly, I even browsed the JiangJiang CP super topic, and honestly, the fans ship it like it’s real. I was almost starting to ship you two myself. But ‘confrontation’ is too strong a word. I just wanted to ask about it and get clarity.”

 

To prevent this topic from continuing, after explaining, Yan Jie quickly changed the subject:

 

“Do you have plans later?”

 

“No, why?”

 

“Let’s go for a drive and walk the dog while we’re at it.”

 

“…” Jiang Nan’an opened his mouth, instinctively wanting to refuse, but the words took a turn on the tip of his tongue:

 

“What is this, a date?”

 

Yan Jie’s lips curved upward: “Nothing so formal, but yes, it counts.”

 

“When you like someone, you want to invite them to do certain things together, is that right?” Jiang Nan’an continued to ask.

 

“Smart.”

 

“Then okay.”

 

Jiang Nan’an nodded, accepting his invitation.

 

After dinner, Yan Jie cleared the dishes, and once Jiang Nan’an had changed clothes, they went out together.

 

This apartment was purchased by Jiang Nan’an a few years ago. It came with a parking space, but since Jiang Nan’an himself couldn’t drive and didn’t own a car, the space had been empty and gathering dust for years. Its usage rate reached an all-time high after Yan Jie’s arrival.

 

Yan Jie was still driving his flashy two-seater sports car. Jiang Nan’an had no choice but to sit in the passenger seat with Dunbu.

 

The car slowly drove out of the underground garage. By this time, the sky outside had completely darkened, and the dim light cast a deep, dark shadow inside the car.

 

In the shadows, Jiang Nan’an looked outside through the glass, took a deep breath, leaned back in his seat, and unconsciously squeezed his fingers tightly.

 

His breathing began to become a bit irregular. Realizing this, he closed his eyes, probably trying to force himself to adapt, but the effect wasn’t very noticeable.

 

When the anxiety finally became unbearable, he instinctively reached for the car door but couldn’t find the window switch, making his unease even worse.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

Jiang Nan’an’s movements were quite noticeable, and Yan Jie raised an eyebrow and asked.

 

“…Open the window.”

 

“It’s cold with the window open.”

 

“It’s fine… not too much, just enough for some air.”

 

Yan Jie glanced at Jiang Nan’an and noticed something was off about his state.

 

He seemed very anxious, clearly uncomfortable and even resistant to his current environment.

 

…Does he have claustrophobia?

 

Yan Jie didn’t say anything more and opened the window for him.

 

The cold wind from outside rushed in, slightly dispelling the warmth inside the car. Feeling the fresh air, Jiang Nan’an visibly relaxed.

 

“Better now?”

 

Yan Jie looked at him again, concerned.

 

“Mm.”

 

Jiang Nan’an let out a breath, feeling his racing heart gradually calm down.

 

“If you have claustrophobia, you could have told me in advance. I could have even taken the top off the car,” Yan Jie raised an eyebrow and said gently:

 

“That’s not something you should try to endure, it’s quite uncomfortable.”

 

Hearing his words, Jiang Nan’an seemed confused:

 

“Claustrophobia? Fear of enclosed spaces?”

 

“Hmm…?”

 

“Does it count as that?”

 

“This… it doesn’t count? You were so anxious just now I was afraid you might jump out of the car and run,” Yan Jie said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry:

 

“You can’t stand being in this kind of enclosed space, right? Feeling anxious, uneasy, wanting to get out?”

 

“It’s okay, it doesn’t happen during the day.”

 

“It happens when it’s dark at night?”

 

“Mm.”

 

“There are specific conditions… did something happen in the past?” Yan Jie asked, following his train of thought.

 

But Jiang Nan’an fell silent, showing no intention of continuing to answer.

 

Since he was unwilling to talk about it, Yan Jie didn’t press further. He simply played some light music that Jiang Nan’an liked, and continued driving amid the music and the sound of the wind.

 

Yan Jie drove to a green park.

 

This park had been built recently and was still relatively unknown, at least judging by how few people were there now.

 

Yan Jie had discovered this place by chance and immediately thought it would be perfect for their widely-recognized superstar to occasionally sneak away and clear his mind.

 

Dunbu, who had been curled up at Jiang Nan’an’s feet throughout the journey, could finally run around freely. Yan Jie put on its leash and handed it to Jiang Nan’an to walk.

 

Although the park was quiet with few people around, to avoid being photographed and causing trouble online, Jiang Nan’an was fully equipped with a hat and mask, covering himself completely. He also handed a mask to Yan Jie.

 

“I need to wear one too?” Yan Jie chuckled lightly, but didn’t say anything more, obediently hanging the mask on his ears.

 

“Your features are also very recognizable. If the two of us are photographed together, netizens could easily guess who the person beside you is,” Jiang Nan’an explained.

 

“So what if they do?” Yan Jie looked at him with smiling eyes, deliberately asking.

 

“…”

 

Yan Jie’s casual teasing gave Jiang Nan’an pause.

 

Yes, so what?

 

Yan Jie was a man, and even if people discovered that the person walking a dog with him late at night was Jiang Nan’an, two men being photographed together shouldn’t raise suspicions of a romantic relationship-except among malicious rumor-spreading trolls and CP fans.

 

So what was he worried about?

 

Perhaps he felt guilty about what had happened between them, since their relationship had already reached the point where they could kiss at any time.

 

“I guess nothing would happen. If you don’t want to wear it, you can take it off. It’s fine.”

 

“Ah, I’ll keep it on.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“Sneaking around with a big star like this is exciting.”

 

“Tomorrow the big star will have you exposed on the front page of social news, even more exciting.”

 

“You just don’t understand,” Yan Jie sighed dramatically, stretching lazily while saying:

 

“To die beneath the man-eating flower on the high cliff-even as a ghost, I’d be stylish-”

 

Jiang Nan’an truly didn’t understand and found it ridiculous, so he chose to ignore him and walked ahead along the boardwalk with Dunbu.

 

Yan Jie took a few quick strides with his long legs to catch up, continuing to chat with a smile:

 

“Has Mr. Hang never gone out for a drive with someone before? Have you been photographed by paparazzi before?”

 

“…” Jiang Nan’an thought for a moment: “A long time ago.”

 

“Oh? What was it like?”

 

“I don’t remember clearly. I think there was a new noodle shop nearby with a discount promotion. I went to line up and was photographed by a passerby who posted it online, and it became a trending topic. Afterward, Hong-jie issued a strict order saying that when going out for non-work reasons, I should cover up thoroughly… I found it troublesome, so I stopped going out much.”

 

“What did you do then, stay home and read books?”

 

“Mm.”

 

Yan Jie found it somewhat amusing.

 

Being photographed by a passerby while lining up for a noodle shop discount… how funny was that?

 

“Was the noodle shop good? After paying such a high price, it would be disappointing if the food wasn’t good.”

 

“I forgot. I don’t think I even got to eat there.”

 

Jiang Nan’an originally intended to end the topic with this brief sentence, but for some reason, he instinctively glanced at Yan Jie, met his smiling eyes, and couldn’t help but add:

 

“Later I moved, and it closed down.”

 

“Ah-never mind, we’ll find other good food in the future.”

 

Hearing this, Yan Jie suddenly wanted to kiss him, but obviously, it wasn’t appropriate at the moment.

 

So he just raised his hand and patted Jiang Nan’an’s head through his fisherman’s hat:

 

“It’s not easy being our big star, not even free to eat noodles, too pitiful. But you know, people shouldn’t always stay at home reading books. No matter how wonderful books are, they’re just paper and words. How about this, when you have time, I’ll take you out to play, wherever you want to go.”

 

Jiang Nan’an was slightly taken aback and looked up at him.

 

“Didn’t you feel I was distant and strange? Well, from now on, I’ll keep you in my pocket. With me, you can be as free as you want.”

 

Yan Jie raised his eyebrows at him, gesturing upward with his gaze:

 

“Look.”

 

“Hmm?” Jiang Nan’an followed his gaze and looked up.

 

A brilliant starry sky unexpectedly entered his vision.

 

“How vast is this world?”

 

Yan Jie’s voice carried his usual smile:

 

“As long as you want it, I’ll give it all to you.”

 

–

 

After walking around the green park, seeing it was getting late, Yan Jie drove Jiang Nan’an and Dunbu back home.

 

“Alright, go on in. I’ll come early tomorrow to make you breakfast. What would you like? Fried dough sticks? Shumai? Steamed buns?”

 

“It’s fine if I don’t eat. Don’t go to the trouble.”

 

“Be bold and tell me what you want. Your matters are never trouble for me. Even if you wanted celestial peaches, I’d get them for you.”

 

“…” Jiang Nan’an thought for a moment, deciding celestial peaches weren’t necessary:

 

“Steamed buns then.”

 

“You got it!” Yan Jie responded, watching as Jiang Nan’an was about to get out of the car with Dunbu, then raised an eyebrow:

 

“Hey-”

 

“Something else?” Jiang Nan’an paused.

 

“Leaving just like that?” Yan Jie looked at him with a smile.

 

“.” Hearing this question, Jiang Nan’an tried to recall if he had forgotten anything or left something undone.

 

Finding nothing, he replied:

 

“What else?”

 

“Can I get a kiss before you go?”

 

“…Oh.”

 

Before Jiang Nan’an could pull back the leg he had already placed on the ground, Yan Jie’s hand was already on his face.

 

He closed his eyes, quietly feeling Yan Jie’s kiss.

 

Yan Jie always gave him the feeling that “he was important.”

 

It was there in his words, his actions, and his kisses.

 

Although Jiang Nan’an had never kissed anyone else and didn’t know what others’ kisses were like, he thought that probably no one could do it better than Yan Jie.

 

Whether it was experience and technique, or genuine emotion.

 

The space in the car was still somewhat limited, making the kissing position a bit tiring for Jiang Nan’an.

 

Yan Jie seemed to notice this and quickly released him.

 

Jiang Nan’an opened his eyes and pressed his moistened lips together:

 

“Done kissing?”

 

“Mm. Go on, good night, love you.”

 

Yan Jie pecked his lips, then turned his head to kiss his cheek, his hand resting on the back of Jiang Nan’an’s neck, gently stroking the delicate skin behind his ear with his fingertips, his tone carrying an affectionate smile:

 

“…baby.”

 

#

 

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 (advanced chapters available on kofi)