novelHehehe
| ← Ch.101 | Ch.103 → |
He Yun Chen pulled Ruan Tang along, all the way through the back exit of the Chefs' Association's branch office. Ruan Tang had planned to go straight home by suspended car. However, what he did not expect was that the branch office had been surrounded by reporters who had heard the news. When they were spotted, the reporters immediately swarmed in like sharks that had smelled blood. All kinds of cameras were aimed at them and the reporteHehehers began to scramble to ask questions.
"Marshal He, the Imperial Army defeated the Valen Army and returned in triumph today. His Majesty even personally went to greet the soldiers. But despite being a marshal of the Empire, why did you leave first, hide your identity and come to serve as a judge for the chef's competition?"
"Marshal He, do you have any connection with any of the contestants?"
"Marshal He..."
Today was the day when the Imperial Army returned in triumph. Even His Majesty the Emperor personally went to greet the victorious army. No self-respecting reporter would dare miss it. As the leader of this campaign, He Yun Chen earned great military achievement. Naturally, he was the one everyone wanted to interview. Only that, when they arrived, he was nowhere to be found. Even if His Majesty the Emperor knew his whereabouts, they didn't dare ask. They all had to suppress their curiosity and continue the interview.
Surprisingly, not long after they finished their interview they saw news on the Star Network saying that He Yun Chen had appeared on the cutting-edge chef's contest as one of the special judges!
The long days of continuous fighting and the long journey back home inevitably made the marshal look a bit weary. Thus it was truly odd that despite this, he had gone to this chef's competition. Although this cutting-edge culinary contest was currently very popular in the Empire and had effected a lot of changes, it was, after all, only a variety show. How can it compare to real military achievements? Was it worth standing up the Emperor?
For what reason did He Yun Chen come rushing to this competition? For whom?
If they could figure out the reason for this, it might be big news that could attract a lot of heat!
However, no matter how excited they were, He Yun Chen turned a deaf ear to these questions. He used his strong arm to guard Ruan Tang beside him, hurriedly taking him through this siege of reporters.
The reporters wanted to block them but didn't dare to. They could only change places and chase behind them.
These reporters had directed all their attention to He Yun Chen, and they had failed to pay attention to Ruan Tang. Only when the two rushed out of their encirclement, holding hands and rushing to the suspended car parked not far away did they notice Ruan Tang.
"Was that Chef Ruan?"
"Could it be that Marshal He came here to meet Chef Ruan?"
"I heard that Chef Ruan has a personal relationship with Marshal He. Apparently, he's neighbors with the He family. Did Marshal He come to pick him up?"
Everyone talked and discussed this matter but they still couldn't figure it out. But just letting this material go, or writing a simple story about friendship and brotherhood, obviously wouldn't satisfy them. It didn't take long for all sorts of juicy gossips to appear fresh off the press.
"I stood up the Emperor just to take you home"
"He Yun Chen and Ruan Tang: The Empire's Power Couple of the Century! 》
...
If Ruan Tang had seen it, his face would have probably been rendered like 囧 by how big their brain holes were.
After he was pulled into the car by He Yun Chen, the two of them sat face to face, and unexpectedly, for a while, there was only silence between them.
"I......"
"You......"
The two spoke at the same time and also stopped at the same time.
Ruan Tang's face turned red from embarrassment. When he raised his eyes to look at the other, he locked eyes with He Yun Chen and he immediately turned even redder.
"A'Tang, do you have something to say? Then you go first." He Yun Chen touched his nose, coughed, and gave Ruan Tang the opportunity to speak first.
Ruan Tang quickly shook his head."I... Maybe you should go first."
"Alright." He Yun Chen has never been one to wade in mud and water. He said directly, "Do you remember when we were on the 19th planet, we went to look for Xiao Yu?"
"Ah? I remember." Ruan Tang nodded, not quite sure why he suddenly brought it up.
"At that time, Xiao Yu was in the intensive care unit, and only family members could enter." After finishing this sentence, He Yun Chen looked straight at Ruan Tang, as if waiting for his response.
"Ah, yes." Ruan Tang still couldn't make sense of the matter, so he dazedly agreed. He remembered that there had been a rule like that. He got a blood relationship certificate issued by the local government before he could enter. Later, he had no idea what identity He Yun Chen had used but he also managed to enter the ward...
"So I told the doctor that I'm your husband."
Ruan Tang: "... Ah."
Ruan Tang: "... Huh?!"
–husband?!!!!!!!!
If Ruan Tang had been drinking water at this time, he might have sprayed it directly on He Yun Chen's face. He remembered that he had also asked how he'd managed it at the time, but he was distracted and later he didn't think much about it. He never would have thought that He Yun Chen would have unexpectedly used this reason to follow him into the ward...
He murmured, tilting his head hesitantly: "But... We're both men..."
But if same-sex marriage hadn't been allowed since a long time ago, then how could he be his husband? He's also a man, why isn't he the husband?
Wait... what was he thinking!
He Yun Chen stared intently at the other, watching the expression on Ruan Tang's face constantly change. It finally turned into a big red apple, and he couldn't stop his lips from ticking up slightly.
As though he had just brought up this matter casually, he suddenly changed the topic and continued."When we were fighting the Valens, those insidious and deceitful Valens constantly tried to trick us, they lured us into a violent cosmic storm. I almost thought I wouldn't be able to make it back..."
Ruan Tang finally managed to breathe a sigh of relief but when he heard this, he was immediately keyed up."Are you injured?!" He looked at He Yun Chen who was sitting in front of him. He stretched out his hand and felt him all over."Ah, you should be okay... when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?"
Seeing his nervousness, He Yun Chen couldn't help laughing again. The expression in the handsome, cold and stern man's eyes suddenly softened. It was like the winter snow had started to melt and seeing it made people unable to look away.
"I'm okay. You can see I made it back safe, right?" He Yun Chen reached out and held the palms that were still on his body. He looked straight at Ruan Tang.
Feeling that what he was about to say next was something very important thing, Ruan Tang cleared his throat. He wouldn't have been able to run away even if he wanted. He couldn't move his eyes away from where they were locked onto He Yun Chen's.
"I thought then, if I could come back safely, I must tell you something–"
It seemed as though Ruan Tang could clearly hear the beating of his heart going faster and faster.
"Wh, what... ?" His throat was very dry.
"I like you."
As if something exploded in his mind, he had an incredible feeling of absurdity. It was like a voice said in his head, 'finally, things are as it should be'.
Despite the panic he felt, there was a feeling of recognizing that this was meant to be. It finally turned into a strong sense of weightlessness, Ruan Tang's entire brain was dizzy. His head was spinning. His limbs felt useless and numb.
He froze, not knowing what to do for a while. He had on a somewhat ridiculously blank expression on his face.
"In spite of the danger, you insisted on personally going to the frontline, was it for me?" He Yun Chen held Ruan Tang's hand and looked straight into his eyes. His voice was a little tight, "Do you... maybe... like me too?"
At this moment, without them noticing, the suspended car had stopped in front of Ruan Tang's door. The prompt from the vehicle's system rang out.
Ruan Tang sobered up and flung away He Yun Chen's hand.
"I, I'm going home..."
He Yun Chen's complexion suddenly turned ashen.
It was impossible to say that he wasn't disappointed at not being able to receive Ruan Tang's answer immediately. Based on his previous observations of Ruan Tang's reactions, he thinks that Ruan Tang has a favorable impression of him. Even if it hasn't reached the level of 'like', he definitely wasn't detested.
It's alright. He'll wait.
He Yun Chen was a very patient person. He was willing to wait for Ruan Tang to get his thoughts in order and give him an answer.
"It's okay, I won't force you. I'll give you time to think it through..." He Yun Chen stood up and opened the door. Bright white light from outside suddenly flooded into the dim and ambiguous inner cabin.
Ruan Tang looked at He Yun Chen's back as he left, almost doubting that he would melt in this bright white light. His mind woke up. With a cry of alarm, he embraced He Yun Chen from behind.
The outside sun shone on them equally. Ruan Tang was forced to strip away all his pretenses, laying bare all his feelings of shame.
He Yun Chen's body suddenly froze.
Ruan Tang had his arms around his waist, his chest pressed against his broad back. They could feel each other's heartbeats as they gradually mixed together, beating rapidly for a moment.
"I like you too..."
The faint voice was quiet as a fly's, but it was like a sound of nature in He Yun Chen's ear.
He Yun Chen couldn't believe his ears, and immediately turned around and pulled the other out of the car. Although he was in a hurry, his movements were extremely gentle.
"What did you just say?!" He Yun Chen's eyes were opened wide, bright and full of expression. They burned hotter than the sun, and Ruan Tang even felt like he was being burned.
Under his intense gaze, Ruan Tang felt his throat go dry. He licked his lips unconsciously, braced himself and said, "... I said, I like you too."
He closed his eyes slightly in embarrassment, his lashes were covered with dew. But with the release of these words, he suddenly felt lighter and like he'd tasted something sweet, like honey.
He Yun Chen said hoarsely: "... may I?"
"What?"
He Yun Chen's eyes fell on his still-parted lips and his faintly discernible soft tongue. He wrapped his arms around Ruan Tang's narrow waist, bowed his head and kissed him.
"Ng–!"
Ruan Tang suddenly opened his eyes wide. He was pushed back by He Yun Chen's movement and was pressed against the curve of the suspended car.
He Yun Chen's lips and teeth resembled sweet knives and forks. He sucked his lips and slowly licked against his teeth. When Ruan Tang opened that last line of defense, he drove straight in and caught that soft tongue.
The lips and tongue met and they were sharing their first kiss. For the first time, they tasted this subtle pleasure. Saliva slipped through the crack at the side of their lips. Although they were feeling out of breath, they couldn't bear to release the other.
He Yun Chen said, "You taste so sweet."
Ruan Tang tasted just like his name, like a soft candy, extremely sweet.
He watched Ruan Tang's flushed face. Even his pale neck was stained bright red. He couldn't help bowing his head once again and kissing his slightly swollen lips.
Ruan Tang raised his head, closed his eyes, and surrendered to his demand.
Their relationship had just been established, and it was also their first time experiencing their first kiss. Both of them couldn't stop. They stood before Ruan Tang's door, letting themselves get lost in each other's kiss.
Until a tender, curious voice came from beside them.
Ruan Yu: "Brother, what are you doing QvQ"
| ← Ch. 101 | Ch. 103 → |