CH 67

Chapter 67: He Loves Me Very Much

When Jin Yang came back, it was just 9 o’clock, and tomorrow happened to be the weekend. Friday night always feels especially relaxed and free.

Zhou Mushi was lying on the sofa fiddling with a large bag of potato chips, wondering whether to fill his stomach with the bag of goodies after brushing his teeth.

Since officially reconciling with Jin Yang, his appetite seemed to have broken free from a seal; everything tasted delicious, and even a slice of cucumber tasted refreshing.

Although he had a good appetite, the added weight gave him feedback by sticking to his already not-so-obvious abdominal muscles.

At only twenty-five years old, Zhou Mushi was not yet at risk of middle-aged weight gain, but he was still intimidated by the extra weight, and his cravings and indecisiveness had already lasted more than ten minutes.

When Jin Yang opened the door, he saw a pitiful figure rolling on the sofa.

He brought back a box of hot and spicy hot pot, and when he placed it on the coffee table, the person lying on the sofa was no longer hesitating about whether or not to eat potato chips.

Zhou Mushi felt that it might be because he was getting older that he now desired meals far more than he needed snacks.

Two minutes later, he sat excitedly in front of the table with two small bowls, and opened the hot pot packaging.

A burst of hot steam rushed towards them, and the sensation of spiciness and freshness was so satisfying that even just smelling it made him feel extremely content.

He picked up a piece of sweet and spicy fish cake , coated it with sesame sauce, and put it in his mouth. The taste of the ingredients and the sesame sauce burst out in his mouth, and the flavor was incredibly delicious. He immediately salivated, and before he could swallow it completely, he set his sights on the lobster in the packaging box.

“Why did you buy this at such a late hour? Eating after 9 pm will make you gain weight,” complained Zhou Mushi as he happily ate.

Jin Yang gave him a piece of broccoli in his bowl but remained silent.

He thought to himself: It’s okay to gain a little weight; it feels good to touch someone who is a little plump.

But he couldn’t say this to Zhou Mushi. Regardless of whether or not he was fat, if he intentionally wanted him to gain weight, it would be like stepping on a cat’s tail.

“Being happy is the most important thing, and exercising more will prevent you from gaining weight.”

Because of his craving, Zhou Mushi agreed with Jin Yang’s to eat the hot pot at such a late hour and found it increasingly delicious.

However, Jin Yang’s bowl was indeed empty. Apart from picking up a piece of broccoli with his chopsticks earlier, he hadn’t touched any of the dishes.

The portion of the spicy hot pot was not small and was enough for two people’s supper.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Zhou Mushi asked with a mouthful of beef balls.

Jin Yang smiled lightly and said a seemingly random sentence, “Today, a pair of twin brothers came to the orphanage, they seem to be less than half a year old.”

Zhou Mushi’s chopsticks paused for a moment. He knew some of Jin Yang’s background.

“Perhaps they will meet good foster parents,” Zhou Mushi said.

Jin Yang nodded, sitting on the carpet against the sofa, and said, “I remember when my brother earned some money for the first time by handing out flyers, he took me to eat spicy hot pot. It was slightly spicy and had a piece of instant noodles added. At that time, I felt that that bowl of spicy hot pot was the best thing in the world…”

Zhou Mushi listened quietly. He didn’t quite understand. From the bits and pieces he had heard about Jin Yang’s brother, he knew that Jin Yuan should be a very good person. How did he end up in prison and still be locked up after all these years?

But this is a scar in Jin Yang’s heart, and he couldn’t ask about it without Jin Yang mentioning it first.

“I often feel like I’m holding him back. If it weren’t for him not being able to let go of me, he would have been adopted by a good family a long time ago, and things wouldn’t be like this now.”

Zhou Mushi covered Jin Yang’s hand with his own and said, “Your brother definitely doesn’t think that way.”

Jin Yang smiled, like a child showing off his most precious possession. “Of course, he loves me very much.”

Zhou Mushi was struck by Jin Yang’s smile. It was the first time he heard Jin Yang say the word “love”.

He has never heard Jin Yang say “I love you” to him in all these years they have been together. Initially, he thought it was because men are not good at expressing such sweet words to each other, but now it seems that it may not be the case.

After Jin Yang said those words, he was incredibly proud. However, that happiness quickly dissipated, and he huddled up on the couch, with his knees pulled up and his hands wrapped around them. He tried to make the movement seem casual and not show any vulnerability.

Meanwhile, Zhou Mushi was eating a bowl of spicy hot pot, pondering their relationship.

In Jin Yang’s eyes, he was probably an unstable factor; someone he liked to have around but couldn’t completely rely on with his heart and soul.

Jin Yang never showed any signs of insecurity; he appeared strong, confident, sunny, and healthy. But the truth was, as someone who grew up without parents and even had his only brother locked up, he walked through the world alone. How much confidence could he really have?

Zhou Mushi’s brain raced for a while, but he couldn’t think of anything good to say that would make Jin Yang completely rely on him. Finally, after struggling for a while, he blurted out a stupid and awkward sentence.

“Can you tie me to your waistband1This phrase is often used figuratively to express a strong desire to stick together or be close to someone, almost like wanting to be physically attached to them. It can also be used in a humorous or lighthearted way to express affection or playfulness in a relationship or friendship.?”

Jin Yang: “…What do you mean?”

“Nothing.” Zhou Mushi licked the bone broth from the spicy hot pot off his lips, feeling that his words were really bad.

Jin Yang paused for a moment, then burst out laughing and reached out to caress Zhou Mushi’s chin like he was petting a kitten, saying, “If I could tie you to my waistband, wouldn’t I have to be three or four meters tall?”

Zhou Mushi hooked his finger around Jin Yang’s collar and pecked him on the mouth, leaving a spicy kiss mark.

“Well, Mr. Jin, you should try harder. I heard that drinking milk can make you taller. Do you want to give it a try?”

Jin Yang narrowed his eyes. Men at his age weren’t exactly good guys, and he lightly chuckled with an implied meaning, “I think if you’ve eaten your fill, we could both use some protein.”

Zhou Mushi didn’t realize what “protein” meant until it was too late. He was already lying naked on the bed.

If there were a pill for regret in the world, he would buy more of it now. It was too laborious.

There really is no such thing as a free lunch.

After their passionate encounter, Zhou Mushi lazily snuggled up in Jin Yang’s arms, half asleep and half awake, thinking, “It’s great that I don’t have to work tomorrow. I can sleep in and be lazy.”