Chapter 12: My Heart Beats For You (III)

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Chapter 12: My Heart Beats For You (III)

“Hello, Miss Jian.” Secretary Cui stood and gave Jian Xin a slight smile.

“Hello, Secretary Cui. I came to have lunch with my brother.” Jian Xin gracefully walked over to Secretary Cui’s desk. Her gaze happened to fall on Shang Ke beside him, and she froze. “S-Second Young Master Jiang? Why are you here?”

Shang Ke smiled. “I’m interning here for the time being.”

“Interning?” Jian Xin lowered her eyes, a flash of disgust passing through them. Jiang Yumo had been relentlessly pestering her just a few days ago. Things had been quiet lately, and she had thought he’d finally given up, but apparently he had only changed tactics. Her brother clearly knew she didn’t like him, so why had he let him into the company? An internship? Couldn’t he intern at Jiang Group instead?

Jian Chenfeng walked out of his office and immediately shot Shang Ke a warning glare when he saw those “lustful” eyes fixed on his sister. Then he said to Jian Xin, “Xin’er, let’s go.”

“Mm.” Jian Xin glanced at Shang Ke and hesitated. “Then Second Young Master Jiang…”

“Don’t worry about him. A boss has no obligation to eat lunch with an ‘employee.’” Jian Chenfeng’s meaning was obvious: since Jiang Yumo was working at his company, here he was an employee, not the Jiang family’s young master.

With that, Jian Chenfeng led Jian Xin out of the office under Shang Ke’s “affectionate” gaze.

Secretary Cui gave Shang Ke a sympathetic look and comforted him. “President Jian is actually softhearted beneath that sharp tongue. Don’t take it personally.”

Softhearted? Shang Ke decided Secretary Cui really had no talent for jokes.

“Secretary Cui, if you don’t mind, you can have this lunchbox.” Shang Ke handed him the lunch he had prepared for Jian Chenfeng.

“Thank you. Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” Yesterday’s lunchbox had been an eye-opener, and even more astonishingly, the notoriously picky President Jian had actually finished every bite. Clearly, Second Young Master Jiang was an excellent cook.

“Brother, why did you let Jiang Yumo into our company?” Jian Xin finally asked after they left the office building.

“Uncle Jiang asked Father for help, and I wanted to get to know him personally, so I agreed.” Jian Chenfeng glanced at her. “If he wants to pursue my sister, I at least need to know whether he’s qualified.”

Jian Xin said gloomily, “I don’t like Jiang Yumo. He’s ignorant and incompetent, simple-minded, and loves fooling around. I… I prefer someone more mature.”

Jian Chenfeng thought back over his interactions with Jiang Yumo during the past two days and felt that the man was nowhere near as awful as his sister made him sound. On the contrary, he was cheerful and broad-minded. For Jian Xin’s sake, he willingly endured Jian Chenfeng deliberately making things difficult for him, completed his work well, and never once complained.

He paused. “You just said you prefer someone more mature. Xin’er, do you already have someone you like?”

Jian Xin blushed and whispered, “Big Brother Jiang.”

“Jiang Donglin?” Wonderful. He had guarded against the younger brother only to overlook the elder one. Still, compared with Jiang Yumo and his poor reputation, Jiang Donglin really was a decent match.

“Brother, you won’t object, will you?” Jian Xin looked timidly at him.

Jian Chenfeng was silent for a moment before saying, “As long as you like him.”

Shang Ke had no time to analyze the siblings’ thoughts. When his shift ended that afternoon, he left right on time.

Jian Chenfeng and Secretary Cui still had work to handle, so they stayed late at the office. Close to seven, Jian Chenfeng began to feel hungry and told Secretary Cui, “Heat up my lunchbox for me. Then go get something to eat yourself. We’ll discuss the remaining projects afterward.”

“Lunchbox?” Secretary Cui stared at him blankly.

“Didn’t Jiang Yumo bring me a lunchbox?” Jian Chenfeng gave him a sideways glance.

“Uh…” Secretary Cui said gravely, “I’m sorry, President Jian. I ate it.”

“You ate it?” Jian Chenfeng’s icy gaze sent a chill down Secretary Cui’s spine.

Secretary Cui forced himself to remain calm. “You weren’t eating lunch at the office, and Second Young Master Jiang didn’t want it to go to waste, so he gave it to me.”

Jian Chenfeng continued staring at him.

Cold sweat poured down Secretary Cui’s back. If he had known his boss would hold a grudge over a lunchbox, he… would still have eaten it! That lunch had been way too delicious, okay?

A moment later, Jian Chenfeng said, “Forget it. Have him bring me another one tomorrow.”

Secretary Cui had no choice but to deliver another critical blow. “President Jian, tomorrow is the weekend.”

Jian Chenfeng: “…”

Taking advantage of his weekend off, Shang Ke first went to a florist and ordered a bouquet of roses for Jian Xin, then headed to an extreme-sports club to train in rock climbing, diving, surfing, bungee jumping, and other activities.

This was his next plan: chase thrills and make a profession out of risking his life. But he also had to ensure he didn’t actually kill himself. He needed to keep at least one breath left so he could reach the hospital and donate his heart. If he accidentally died during an extreme sport, the System might judge it as suicide.

Shang Ke signed up for nearly every extreme event the club offered, mainly so he could personally test which ones were most likely to leave him half-dead without actually killing him. Within twelve months, he intended to master every creative way of courting death.

Didn’t everyone say Jiang Yumo loved fooling around? Fine. Then he would show them just how hard he could play.

“How did you manage to do this to yourself?” Xu Qing asked while applying medicine to Shang Ke.

Shang Ke’s entire body was covered in bruises, while only his face remained completely untouched.

“I fell.” Shang Ke answered carelessly.

That must have been one hell of a fall. He had bruises front and back, top to bottom.

Xu Qing warned him, “Jiang Yumo, I didn’t care how you played around before, but at least rein it in now. Don’t forget there’s something wrong with your brain.”

There’s something wrong with your brain! Shang Ke lounged lazily in the chair, his eyes hazy with drowsiness.

Xu Qing’s gaze flickered. He stared at Shang Ke for a long moment before finally looking away. “Be more careful next time. If you show up covered in injuries again, I’m telling Uncle Jiang and your older brother about your condition.”

“Then I just won’t come to your hospital next time.”

So you’d rather switch hospitals than give up your right to injure yourself?

For the first time, Xu Qing realized that he didn’t understand Jiang Yumo at all. What exactly had he been doing lately? Why wasn’t he seeking treatment immediately despite knowing about his illness? Could anything in this world possibly be more important than his own life?

“Yumo, I’ve contacted several brain specialists for you. They’ll develop a reliable surgical plan based on your condition.”

“Mm, thanks.” Shang Ke stood and waved goodbye.

After returning home, Shang Ke didn’t even bother showering before collapsing onto his bed and falling asleep. From then on, his life settled into a regular routine.

On workdays, he arrived on time and used delicious food to grind up Jian Chenfeng’s affection points. Rain or shine, he ordered flowers for Jian Xin, while his days off were devoted to various forms of extreme-sports training.

A month later, Jian Chenfeng no longer treated him with cold words and colder expressions and would occasionally even invite him over. Jian Xin still disliked him, but her relationship with Jiang Donglin was growing increasingly close.

“Huh? Jian Chenfeng, why are you here?” Shang Ke stared at the man outside his door in surprise.

“I was passing by, so I thought I’d mooch a meal.” Jian Chenfeng wore the aloof expression of someone who clearly believed Shang Ke should feel honored that he had come to freeload.

Shang Ke rolled his eyes inwardly and let him inside.

The moment Jian Chenfeng entered the living room, he caught the smell of medicine. He frowned slightly and turned to examine Shang Ke. Shang Ke wore loose house clothes, his hair hanging casually around his face. His complexion was rosy and his manner lazy, giving no obvious sign that he was sick or injured.

“You came at the perfect time. Dinner’s almost ready.” Shang Ke shuffled into the kitchen in his slippers.

Jian Chenfeng sat upright at the dining table, watching Shang Ke bustle back and forth like a busy little bee as he carried dish after dish to the table.

“Let’s eat,” Shang Ke said.

Jian Chenfeng picked up his chopsticks and quietly began eating.

This was Jian Chenfeng’s first time visiting Shang Ke’s apartment. Although he had recently started driving Shang Ke home quite often, he had never come upstairs before. Why had he suddenly shown up today? Had he really come just to mooch dinner?

Shang Ke pondered this casually, failing to notice that his fingers had begun to tremble.

“What’s wrong?” Jian Chenfeng immediately noticed something was off and stared intently at his hand.

“What?” Shang Ke looked puzzled.

“Your hand.”

Shang Ke looked down and only then realized that the hand holding his chopsticks was shaking.

“It’s nothing.” He gripped his own wrist and smiled. “I moved something heavy today. My arm’s just a little sore.”

Jian Chenfeng stood and walked over, grabbing Shang Ke’s hand and rolling up his sleeve. His fair arm was immediately exposed, covered in bruises of every size, some fresh and some old.

“What happened to you?” Jian Chenfeng’s sharp gaze locked onto Shang Ke, anger simmering beneath it.

“I’ve been exercising lately.” Shang Ke smiled unconcernedly and tried to pull his arm back, but Jian Chenfeng held on tightly.

A moment later, Jian Chenfeng released Shang Ke’s right arm and grabbed his left instead, only to find just as many bruises there.

Jian Chenfeng’s expression tightened. He yanked Shang Ke to his feet, dragged him onto the sofa, and began roughly stripping off his clothes.

“What are you doing?” Shang Ke struggled continuously, desperately trying to protect his “pure and unsullied” body from being violated.

“Shut up!” Jian Chenfeng pinned him to the sofa and tore his clothes open with brute force, exposing a large expanse of bare skin.

Jian Chenfeng’s eyes darkened for an instant, but the moment he saw the injuries covering Shang Ke’s chest, his expression turned terrifying.

“This is the result of your ‘exercise’?” Jian Chenfeng asked dangerously. “Tell me, what kind of training leaves you covered in injuries? Boxing?”

“No.” Shang Ke gave him a disdainful look. “How could such a crude sport possibly suit someone as elegant as me?”

Jian Chenfeng: “…” Keep talking and see if I don’t fucking deal with you roughly right now, you elegant bastard!

“Would you mind getting off me? You’re about to crush me to death.” Shang Ke raised a foot and nudged Jian Chenfeng’s waist.

Only then did Jian Chenfeng register the position they were in. Shang Ke lay sprawled across the sofa with his clothes in complete disarray, his face faintly flushed and his eyes misty. His shirt hung loosely from his arms, while his pants had been dragged below his waist during the struggle, exposing the clean lines of his waist and his evenly defined abs. The bruises scattered across his skin looked almost like love bites and marks left behind by sex, lending the sight an almost unbearable temptation. One of Shang Ke’s legs was pinned beneath Jian Chenfeng’s knee while the other rested against his waist, their lower bodies pressed tightly together—close enough that either man could feel the slightest change in the other’s arousal.

Jian Chenfeng abruptly shot to his feet, his heart pounding violently.

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