This time, Yan Xun didn’t use much force. As the recipient of the spanking, Chu Tingyun could clearly feel it. Compared to the vengeful and punishing spanking from that night, Yan Xun’s actions this time felt more like playful flirting.
It wasn’t painful; instead, Chu Tingyun felt a subtle pleasure.
Initially, he thought that since Yan Xun was so upset today, they could just cuddle up and have a warm, cozy sleep together. But now, his mind suddenly changed.
The man’s face, buried in the pillow, grew slightly warm, and he began to idly think—
Tsk.
As expected… he wanted something more.
Meanwhile, Yan Xun was unaware that Chu Tingyun was contemplating the nature of their nighttime activities. He was still preoccupied with the comment about his “kink” and was even thinking about previous events.
[You even tied me up and spanked me with your leather shoe.]
When Chu Tingyun had said this to Yan Xun before, he was quite skeptical. But Chu Tingyun had sworn on his “impotence,” so Yan Xun had half-believed it.
But now… he suddenly seemed to believe it.
However, Yan Xun certainly wouldn’t admit to having such an embarrassing fetish, and he was sure he didn’t!
Absolutely not!
Yan Xun turned his head and quickly moved his gaze away from the man’s buttocks.
“I just… did it on a whim.”
Even he felt that this explanation lacked persuasion, so he quickly added, “Besides, you were the one rubbing against me.”
As he spoke, Yan Xun quickly got up from Chu Tingyun’s body, also giving a punitive pinch to the man’s disobedient “rubbing” ankle.
Chu Tingyun turned over but didn’t get up, lazily lying on his side.
“What, is rubbing not allowed?”
While speaking, he used the foot he was holding to casually step on Yan Xun’s thigh.
“How stingy. I’ve rubbed against you so many times.”
As a mature man in his thirties, such suggestive talk came effortlessly to him.
Yan Xun: “……”
He was completely defenseless against such suggestive language.
And was “stingy” used this way?!
Initially, Yan Xun’s first reaction was to cover Chu Tingyun’s constantly babbling mouth, but he feared that Chu Tingyun would start licking him like last time.
After struggling for a while, the diligent Yan Xun managed to come up with a phrase—
“Distorting the facts.”
“That’s not it. It’s all about being realistic.”
Chu Tingyun lay on the bed, propping up his head with one hand while idly playing with the jade pendant around his neck with the other. When he entered the bathroom earlier, he had taken off his shirt, so now his upper body was only missing a red string to be completely undressed.
If Yan Xun, with the jade Guanyin, were compared to a serene and dignified monk, then Chu Tingyun, twisting the red string around his fingertip, was like a mischievous fox spirit deliberately stealing his most cherished possession.
“……”
Yan Xun looked at him for a few seconds, then suddenly turned his head away.
“Chu Tingyun, stop playing with that pendant.”
This sentence made it seem as if what the man was holding was not a small piece of jade, but rather himself.
But the latter was unperturbed and began to complain instead—
“Xunxun, your temper is really getting bigger.”
Fox Spirit Chu stubbornly continued to twirl the red string around his fingertip and play with the small jade Guanyin in his hand.
“When we first met at the café, you were so cute and shy and didn’t dare to look me in the eye. And now, just a short time later, you’ve got me pinned to the bed and spanking me.”
“Tut-tut, Yan Xun, you’re really a changeable man.”
Yan Xun: “……”
Stingy, bad-tempered, and changeable.
Chu Tingyun was definitely the first person in history to describe him like this.
“In that case, why do you still like me doing things?”
This kind of girlish remark surprised Yan Xun even as he said it.
“Doing hmm~”
Chu Tingyun could casually toss out such suggestive remarks.
Yan Xun: “……”
He was immediately a bit annoyed: “Chu Tingyun, what kind of nonsense are you always thinking about?!”
Chu Tingyun replied instantly—
“Hmm, nonsense about my beloved Xunxun.”
“……”
At that moment, Yan Xun finally realized that he was completely outmatched in terms of nonsense with this man.
He even had a sudden thought that if he had chosen the liberal arts back in school, he might not have been so passive in arguments with Chu Tingyun.
But he quickly dismissed this idea.
Because he realized that the reason he couldn’t counter Chu Tingyun wasn’t due to poor eloquence but because the other person was too shameless, capable of saying anything.
So such thoughts and assumptions were pointless.
Yan Xun decided not to argue with Chu Tingyun anymore. He coldly pushed the man’s foot off his thigh and got up to take a shower.
Entering the bathroom, closing the door, locking it.
After waiting a while to make sure there was no disturbance outside, Yan Xun began undressing and taking a shower.
Halfway through, his phone rang.
Yan Xun checked carefully.
—It was indeed a video call from Chu Tingyun.
Beep.
He hung up coldly.
Twenty minutes later, Yan Xun came out and found that Chu Tingyun had also finished his shower, probably in the bathroom outside.
Chu Tingyun was lying on the bed, reading a book.
The bedside reading lamp was on, casting a soft warmth in his deep blue eyes.
The bedroom was quiet, only the faint sound of turning pages, and for a moment, Yan Xun’s heart seemed to calm down along with the silence.
“Reading?”
He walked over, lifted the blanket, and sat down next to Chu Tingyun.
It was only then that Yan Xun noticed Chu Tingyun was reading the book “Three Fat Kings” that he had previously brought.
“Why are you reading this?”
He thought Chu Tingyun would read something about business or more profound literature, but instead, he was reading children’s literature.
“I followed you reading it before and thought it was quite good.”
Chu Tingyun turned to look at him, his gaze lingering on Yan Xun’s face for a moment before he suddenly smiled and said,
“Yan Xun, do you know? When you’re reading, you look a bit like… hmm, an ancient top scholar.”
“Top scholar?”
Yan Xun didn’t like this comparison. He frowned and asked,
“Why not the top scorer?”
He was obsessed with being first in learning.
Chu Tingyun raised an eyebrow.
“Hmm? Isn’t it said that the top scholar is more handsome than the top scorer?”
“You think I’m handsome?”
Yan Xun stared at Chu Tingyun’s face, slightly surprised.
He knew he looked okay, but it was just average. He was a bit different from Chu Tingyun, who was strikingly handsome at first glance.
But Chu Tingyun immediately gave a positive answer.
“Of course, otherwise, how would I have…”
He abruptly stopped mid-sentence.
Oh no, he almost let slip his true feelings.
“Ahem, otherwise, how would I have married you back then?”
After quickly correcting himself, Chu Tingyun added.
“However, I appreciate your inner qualities more.”
When he said “inner qualities,” he also touched Yan Xun’s chest, as if he were truly feeling his inner qualities.
“Really?”
Yan Xun was somewhat skeptical, but he didn’t say much. Instead, he habitually pulled the man’s hand down.
“It’s late, let’s sleep. If you like it, you can read it tomorrow.”
“Going to sleep now?”
Chu Tingyun looked at Yan Xun, who had already laid down, with a slightly regretful tone.
“I was going to tell you a bedtime story.”
“……”
Yan Xun was silent for a moment and then said,
“Chu Tingyun, I’m not your son.”
Tonight, after crying in each other’s arms, Yan Xun was quite concerned about leaving Chu Tingyun with an image of being overly weak and immature.
Especially since he was already eight years younger than Chu Tingyun.
It was as if while Yan Xun was still in elementary school with a backpack and red scarf, Chu Tingyun was already having a blast in university.
Now that Yan Xun had seen Chu Tingyun’s true nature, he had no doubt that Chu Tingyun was someone who enjoyed being the center of attention, basking in countless gazes and flattery.
“You’re definitely not my son.”
Chu Tingyun found Yan Xun’s remark strange.
“Only eight years difference, you’d at most call me ‘brother,’ and who would call their father… hmm.”
Yan Xun couldn’t help but get up to cover the man’s mouth.
“Mmm… alright, it’s my fault.”
“Just say I’m talking nonsense, alright?”
Chu Tingyun pulled his hand away, tilting his head to look at Yan Xun, his beautiful blue eyes full of laughter.
“Then say ‘gege’ and let me hear it.”
Yan Xun: “……”
Actually, the term “gege” was normal with an age difference, but in this context, it suddenly carried a hint of flirtation.
With his thin skin, Yan Xun couldn’t bring himself to say it, so he turned his head away.
“—You’re not my brother.”
“Tsk.”
Chu Tingyun wasn’t angry. He pinched Yan Xun’s earlobe and rubbed it gently.
“Even though you’re not my real brother, you can still be my ‘emotional’ brother.”
“……”
Yan Xun had still underestimated Chu Tingyun’s shamelessness.
He closed the book and placed it on the bedside table, then tucked the man into the blanket and turned off the light.
“Go to sleep.”
Chu Tingyun didn’t resist and, once Yan Xun lay down, clung to him like a koala.
Yan Xun paused but didn’t push him away, allowing the man to hold him.
After all the playful bickering, Yan Xun’s sadness, which had been buried inside, was surprisingly eased.
In the tranquil darkness, Chu Tingyun suddenly asked him.
“So, what are you planning to do in the future?”
Yan Xun knew what he was referring to.
Chu Tingyun was asking about his future attitude toward the Lin family, because now that they were married, Yan Xun’s attitude would also become Chu Tingyun’s attitude.
After the emotions had passed, Yan Xun began to consider the issue rationally.
It seemed his mother didn’t love him.
Even as a child, Yan Xun had vaguely sensed this. Unlike Lin Ran, she had never scolded him or been harsh with him. Sometimes, his mother would even be very kind to him.
So Yan Xun had assumed she loved him.
But unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Although it was hard to accept, Yan Xun wouldn’t avoid this fact.
So at this moment, he replied to Chu Tingyun:
“Since she doesn’t love me, then all that’s left between us is just gratitude.”
No family affection, just gratitude.
After coming back, Yan Xun had already learned from Chu Tingyun about the origins of the “money” issue. Of course, he didn’t know that Chu Tingyun had concealed that he accepted the relocation funds as part of the divorce.
But that didn’t affect Yan Xun’s judgment.
He truly knew that he had made a lot of effort for his family, put in a lot of work.
His father’s death was not caused by him; when it happened in the hospital, the police and doctors had made the most scientific determination of Lin Father’s cause of death.
The cause of death was mainly head trauma, and the kind police even specially explained and informed the family, especially the other party who felt guilty about it.
It was just that Yan Xun himself couldn’t get over it at that time. After being rescued from the water, he fell seriously ill, had a high fever that made him delirious and cried until midnight.
[Yan Xun, stop crying.]
That night was probably the gentlest Lin Ran had ever been with him. She stayed by his hospital bed, wiped his tears, and softly said,
[It’s not your fault.]
Even his usually indifferent brother said this, so for so many years, Yan Xun never thought that his mother had always been blaming him for this.
But now arguing about right and wrong was meaningless.
After today’s meeting, he had clearly heard all her thoughts and seen her heart.
That slap wasn’t really painful, but it shattered some invisible things completely.
Yan Xun had never seen himself as the protagonist of a tragic drama. He was willing to work hard and even sacrifice for his family before because he had confirmed the love of his adoptive parents.
He thought his adoptive parents loved him, so he was willing to reject so many better family conditions and stay with them.
Later, when he discovered the truth was not like that, although he was sad, Yan Xun would not insist on staying by her side for the past ten years.
He would firmly choose to leave her.
Yan Xun had always been that child who was abducted many years ago. As soon as he realized the human trafficker was not his loving father, he ran away without hesitation.
Whether he lost his memory or not, this principle had never changed from beginning to end.
When Yan Xun realized he had some feelings for Chu Tingyun, he ended his fake relationship with his senior. He confirmed that Chu Tingyun also liked him before engaging in intimate activities with him.
But the next day, he suddenly found that Chu Tingyun saw him merely as someone to be played with for money, and perhaps last night’s declaration of love was just flattery in bed.
Moreover, their worldviews didn’t align. So Yan Xun decisively ended this budding romance.
Even though Chu Tingyun was an exceptionally excellent and wealthy CEO in others’ eyes, with outstanding looks, abilities, and family background…
Even though this person had many advantages and once made him so infatuated, Yan Xun no longer cared.
He was someone who would never consider any sunk costs.
No matter when, Yan Xun would only fully pursue the love he wanted, confirmed, and pure.
So ultimately, Chu Tingyun heard Yan Xun’s conclusion on the matter:
“Since she thinks gratitude can be measured in terms of money and actions, then over the years, I’ve already paid it back.”
He took a deep breath, as if he were enduring some kind of pain, but still firmly said the next sentence:
“Sadness and pain are inevitable, but I will never look back.”
Chu Tingyun was suddenly stunned.
For some reason, this sentence made him suddenly recall the day three years ago when their relationship was confirmed but was reversed the next day.
On that day, Yan Xun’s appearance was similar—his clean eyes were filled with anger, pain, and sadness.
His departing back was even more resolute; not only did he not look back, but his footsteps didn’t even slow down.
Chu Tingyun had always thought it was just an argument, a cold war, and he was waiting for Yan Xun to realize his mistake and come back to him obediently.
…It wasn’t the case.
It turned out that Yan Xun had already decided to cut off all relations with him at that time, with no further involvement.
However, the nature of these two events was entirely different, so at this moment, Chu Tingyun suddenly couldn’t help but think—
If he had gone after Yan Xun then, talked to him calmly and gently, coaxed him, said some soft words.
Would the outcome have been different?
Unfortunately, there are no ifs.
At that time, Chu Tingyun was too proud, and so was Yan Xun. Both felt wronged and were unwilling to be the first to lower their heads and properly reconcile, to sit down calmly and resolve the issue. So the final result could only be parting ways.
Time is a river that can only flow forward and never turn back. The established facts cannot be changed.
“…What’s wrong?”
Perhaps because Chu Tingyun had been silent for too long, Yan Xun suddenly asked him,
“Do you think I’m heartless?”
“—Of course not.”
Chu Tingyun pulled himself out of his thoughts.
It was just surprising that Yan Xun could say such things, because Chu Tingyun knew Yan Xun was a kind and exceptionally soft-hearted person, and had been worried that he might struggle to accept and let go of family affection and eventually choose to forgive.
But he didn’t expect the other party to be so resolute.
This is a good thing.
But then, Chu Tingyun suddenly felt a bit regretful.
“So that’s it? I thought you’d be a bit more upset.”
“……?”
Hearing this, Yan Xun suddenly looked at Chu Tingyun,
“Why does your tone sound like you’re very regretful?”
“Indeed, a bit.”
Chu Tingyun admitted without hiding it.
“Because I was actually hoping you’d come crying to me again tonight. I was all prepared for it.”
Hearing Chu Tingyun mention his previous crying, Yan Xun, who had already moved past the emotional phase, felt a bit embarrassed.
He turned his head away, his tone slightly stiff.
“Chu Tingyun, I’m not as fragile as you think.”
But Chu Tingyun acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing:
“But this time, don’t hug me from behind; hug me from the front. I’ll take off my clothes so you can hug me; it’ll be more comfortable.”
“…”
It sounded like comforting words, but Yan Xun felt something was off.
At this moment, Chu Tingyun looked up and, using the moonlight from the window, vaguely saw Yan Xun’s face.
He reached out and gently stroked the young man’s slightly reddened eyes, leaning in to whisper,
“Xunxun, you don’t know how endearing you looked when you cried; it nearly shattered my heart.”
Saying this, he also took Yan Xun’s hand and guided it into his nightshirt, letting the palm rest on his left chest.
But this action and tone sounded very much like an old-fashioned flirtation from a dashing young master.
“…”
Yan Xun had no idea where Chu Tingyun had learned these sweet words.
Perhaps from his exes.
After all, this man was eight years older than him, a wealthy CEO with far more life experience and many admirers. His performance in bed also showed an exceptional level of experience.
Thinking this, Yan Xun suddenly felt a bit frustrated.
At this moment, Chu Tingyun, oblivious to his little husband’s sudden jealousy, was brainstorming ways to seduce him for a good night’s sleep. But the next second, he reflexively cried out. The large hand he had pulled suddenly pinched him twice. Chu Tingyun was caught off guard because he hadn’t expected his obedient little husband to do such a thing.
“Ugh… little rascal.”
The man gasped lightly, but actually, Yan Xun hadn’t used much force; it was just a momentary sharp pain.
“I wasn’t saying you’re bad; I was praising you.”
“…”
Yan Xun’s fingers paused, then soothingly rubbed the area.
“Chu Tingyun, how did you end up with a mouth like this?”
“What kind of mouth?”
Chu Tingyun was, of course, not satisfied with just that. He leaned in and kissed Yan Xun. After a moment, he pulled back slightly, breathing lightly and laughing.
“No matter what kind of mouth, aren’t you quite happy with the kisses?”
Indeed.
Yan Xun’s breath quickened as he realized the truth in Chu Tingyun’s words.
Even though he had seen through Chu Tingyun’s disguise—that this person was not as gentle and refined as he first appeared, but rather cunning, cynical, and deceitful—
He was still fascinated by him.
At this moment, he could only resign himself to the fact that at least they had married out of love initially.
At least in this world, Chu Tingyun’s feelings for him were genuine. There was no doubt about that.
“You do like me… right?”
This time, Yan Xun didn’t beat around the bush about the two candies in his trench coat pocket. He seemed to have gained some confidence and asked directly. Chu Tingyun’s mind was almost in a daze, but he vaguely remembered that he had heard this question before, it felt familiar.
Oh, right…
It seemed that before their first time together, Yan Xun had asked a similar question.
At that time, the pure and dignified male university student was so shy that his ears turned completely red, yet he still insisted on asking Chu Tingyun if he liked him, demanding a clear and straightforward answer. Chu Tingyun, who had persistently pursued Yan Xun for months, was thrilled when he finally got him that night. Naturally, he was ecstatic, pressing Yan Xun down on the bed and kissing him repeatedly.
When he heard the question, he answered without thinking:
“Yes! I like you!”
“I like you so much, baby!”
Such words and tone sounded like something a playboy would say to appease and deceive, but Yan Xun believed it. He finally released his hold and awkwardly began to respond to Chu Tingyun’s kisses.
Although they later found out they had mismatched astrological signs, it did not change the fact that Chu Tingyun ended up lying on the backseat of his car the next day. Even now, Chu Tingyun did not realize there was anything wrong with his words. Facing the same question, he still answered the same way.
“Yes! Of course, I like you.”
At this moment, he breathed intermittently, hummed, and laughed, speaking with an extremely ambiguous and sultry tone:
“I like you so much, Xunxun…”
Before Yan Xun could offer any affectionate response, Chu Tingyun continued speaking to himself.
“Baby, why are you so cute… so handsome and cute…”
Chu Tingyun lay back, holding Yan Xun’s shoulder, praising him for being tall and having long hands and legs. Then he clicked his tongue and praised him, saying he had grown well and everything about him was just perfect.
“Shut up… stop talking.”
Yan Xun was actually a bit annoyed by Chu Tingyun’s flippant attitude but was nonetheless aroused by his words. So he quickly made Chu Tingyun stop talking. The man was finally quiet for a while but then suddenly thought of something and asked:
“Xunxun… about that card… Do you want it? It’s originally yours, you can take it back to keep if you want…”
His voice was fragmented, and his pauses were a bit strange.
The reason Chu Tingyun hadn’t given Yan Xun the two cards before was because he was afraid it would reveal the real reason for the divorce, and he also worried Yan Xun might think of running away further with the money.
But now, Chu Tingyun no longer worried about these points.
Because he knew very clearly that once tonight was over, Yan Xun would never think of leaving but would stay by his side forever. It was simply too wonderful.
“Hmm… no.”
Since Chu Tingyun said that he used to handle the finances, Yan Xun felt that was fine.
He didn’t actually have much desire for money; it was just that when he was poor, he needed a lot of money.
But Chu Tingyun did not realize this. He thought Yan Xun liked money because when he first met him, Yan Xun was working hard to earn money.
Literally working hard.
After the college entrance examination, Yan Xun worked part-time at a tutoring agency with his top student status, organized his notes and study methods into a book, and sold it to a publisher, making several tens of thousands over the summer.
During college, he had done various part-time jobs, and even while dating Jiang Jingshu, they hardly had time together because Yan Xun was too busy.
He worked so hard and sacrificed so much to earn money, so at that time, Chu Tingyun thought Yan Xun must like money.
And like it a lot.
At that time, everyone Chu Tingyun knew, whether dating men or women, spent money generously. Chu Tingyun thought he couldn’t be stingy in this regard, at least not less generous than others. Moreover, he really liked Yan Xun.
Most importantly, if Yan Xun was always busy making money, he would have no time for romance.
So Chu Tingyun thought giving Yan Xun a card with lots of money would be exactly what he liked!
However, giving a card was a bit too ordinary, so he arranged for luxury cars, watches, and flowers, ensuring his status. The result was the opposite, and they ended up breaking up.
Now, reflecting on the situation, Chu Tingyun realized things were quite different from what he had imagined.
He finally realized he should directly ask Yan Xun:
“If someone gave you money, a lot of money, would you… would you be happy?”
Yan Xun didn’t understand why Chu Tingyun, who had tried so hard to tease him before, was now so unfocused, only talking about money. Chu Tingyun’s skin was quite white due to genetics, and in the weak moonlight, the flush was even more apparent.
“Chu Tingyun… pay attention.”
Yan Xun lightly hit him again in a punitive manner. The man groaned but finally stopped wandering off-topic. Chu Tingyun initially cooperated enthusiastically, but midway, feeling a bit tired, was taken by Yan Xun to the living room for a few sips of water. But it wasn’t over yet. Until dawn, Chu Tingyun thoroughly cried.
“I have to go to work tomorrow…”
“Xunxun, do you want me to lie down and attend meetings in the office?”
He finally confirmed that Yan Xun either didn’t want to or was deliberately toying with him. Just going to the hospital for an exam shouldn’t have resulted in such rapid improvement.
“Little husband, please, let me go…”
“…”
These words were very effective.
Chu Tingyun was finally cleaned up and carried to bed to sleep.
As he was about to fall asleep, Yan Xun suddenly embraced him tightly and whispered in his ear:
“I don’t want money.”
“…Hmm?”
Chu Tingyun was too exhausted to hear the next part.
—“I only want love.”
