SABA Chapter 38

“Are you not supposed to take off your clothes to shower?”

Huo Shen returned to the country in a hurry. Although the matters in California were largely arranged, there were still many details that needed to be verified. He took a work call and when he returned, he saw Jiang Tiao furiously beating and rubbing a throw pillow as if it were a sandbag.

Huo Shen: “…”

There was no need to ask, it must have been another argument with Jiang Mingyan.

Jiang Tiao was so angry he looked like a pufferfish, “Huo Huo!”

Huo Shen, who had dealt with this kind of situation eight hundred times a year, was extremely adept. “Mm, your brother is indeed too much.”

He’s such a grown man, yet he always picks on his younger brother. He’s quite mature when he’s out, so why is he so childish when he gets home…

Jiang Tiao’s mood immediately brightened when he saw Huo Shen on his side.

Perhaps it was because Huo Shen was just too good. No matter how close a friend was, their focus would shift towards family once they had a partner. Besides, Huo Shen was the kind of person who, once he cared about someone, found it hard to let go. If the person he liked didn’t like him back, or treated him badly…

The thought of Huo Shen being sad because of it made Jiang Tiao feel as if he were being pan-fried, unbearable.

What’s the point of finding a partner, of dating? Could anyone in this world be better to you than me? Who would be sad for half a day over your slightest unhappiness, who would rack their brains to find ways to make you smile, who would unconditionally hate everyone you hate and like everyone who is good to you…

Jiang Tiao felt more and more sad as he thought about it, more and more wronged, almost to the point of resentment.

Jiang Tiao’s emotional changes were very obvious, and Huo Shen was uncharacteristically confused. Besides arranging an assistant for Jiang Tiao, his recent contact with Jiang Mingyan had been purely for work matters. What had Jiang Mingyan and Jiang Tiao argued about that made Jiang Tiao extend his anger to him as well?

“What’s wrong?” Huo Shen stood in front of the chair where Jiang Tiao was sitting and gently stroked his head, comforting him, “What did your brother say to you?”

Jiang Tiao found it very strange. He realized that no matter how bad his mood was, as long as Huo Shen comforted him, he could let go of everything. Jiang Tiao rubbed gently against Huo Shen’s hand, picked up his other hand that was hanging by his side, and fiddled with it. Huo Shen’s hands were always cooler than his, which felt very comfortable in the summer, cool and refreshing, like a stream stone in a mountain ravine.

“Have you always worn this watch?”

Huo Shen wore a custom Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, which Jiang Tiao had given him as a gift for his eighteenth birthday. Jiang Tiao had spent nearly a year collecting, designing, engraving, polishing, and assembling this gift. The watch face used black enamel inlay techniques, inlaid with various rare diamonds and gemstones, simulating the luster of the aurora. It was low-key and restrained, reflecting the blue, green, and purple ethereal glow through the case. At first glance, it was as if the aurora they had watched together in Iceland had been eternally engraved into the watch face, ethereal, flowing, dreamlike, and brilliant.

Huo Shen was slightly stunned. He subconsciously stroked the watch that had accompanied him through countless hopeless nights.

“Yes,” Huo Shen’s eyes revealed a touch of tenderness, softer than moonlight. “Last year, there was a slight problem with the movement, so I took it to Geneva to find a watchmaker, and they told me a lot about this watch.”

He only then learned that Jiang Tiao had actually spent that entire summer in the watchmaking workshop in Geneva, and each of the 708 components in the watch had been hand-polished by him.

“Tristan said you broke your hands so many times learning how to polish them.”

Jiang Tiao was uncharacteristically a little embarrassed. He was able to participate in the production in the workshop thanks to Chu Qingchao’s connection. When he first arrived, he was full of confidence, intending to do the entire manual part himself. However, after he had ruined countless parts, he had to admit that there was a specialized field for everything, and masters were masters for a reason. Centuries of accumulated technology and craftsmanship were not to be underestimated. In the end, he had to settle for less…

Although it was said that every component was hand-polished by him, in reality, the master watchmakers in the workshop had all helped with some of the processing.

Huo Shen’s eyes curved into a smile. “You were already very impressive. They told me that many master watchmakers in the workshop at the time wanted to take you on as their closed-door disciple, thinking you had a lot of talent.”

And especially able to endure hardship.

No one would be unhappy when praised, and Jiang Tiao’s lips curved upwards involuntarily. “Come on, this kind of intricate work isn’t suitable for me.”

Sitting for a whole day, many techniques had to be operated under a microscope, like carving flowers on a grain of rice. If it weren’t for the constant thought that this was a gift for Huo Shen, he would have lost his patience and run away on the first day.

“You don’t know, I almost went bankrupt ordering this watch back then.”

Not only did he empty all the pocket money he had accumulated for years, but he also borrowed a huge loan of nearly nine figures from his brother.

“I know,” Huo Shen’s smile was faint. “Your brother told me. He said you were afraid that if you spent too little money, I wouldn’t be able to take it out.”

“That’s not true!”

His brother always talked nonsense.

He didn’t have any special thoughts at the time, he just felt that Huo Shen deserved the best things in the world.

The bright full moon slowly climbed into the night sky from the end of the horizon where the sea and sky met. The warm yellow moonlight made the light of the surrounding stars become reserved and restrained. Jiang Tiao looked up at Huo Shen standing in front of him. Actually, if Huo Shen really found someone who could make him happy and treat him very, very well in the future. Then he thought, he would probably bless them too—even if the thought of such a scene made him inexplicably sad.

But the prerequisite was that the person had to be really, really, really good to Huo Shen! And he had to have seen them and felt that they truly deserved Huo Shen in all aspects!

Otherwise, he would absolutely not agree! Even if he threw a tantrum and was scolded by his parents, he wouldn’t agree!

Jiang Tiao grabbed Huo Shen’s collar and put on his fiercest expression that he could manage when facing Huo Shen. “I remember you said you’d let me vet your future partner, right?”

Jiang Tiao exerted force too suddenly, and Huo Shen was pulled forward and down. One of his hands was already held by Jiang Tiao, so to maintain balance, he had to support himself with his other hand on the back of the sofa where Jiang Tiao was leaning.

This pose was really…

Huo Shen looked at Jiang Tiao’s tightly pursed lips, his Adam’s apple bobbing slightly.

He sighed silently, suppressed his wandering thoughts, and comfortingly squeezed Jiang Tiao’s hand. “I know, don’t worry, the sofa is about to tip over.”

It wasn’t that easy to tip over. Jiang Tiao mumbled and loosened his grip on Huo Shen’s collar, feeling that Huo Shen’s answer was more perfunctory than usual.

Anyway, Huo Shen always kept his promises, so he would trust him for now.

…

As the night deepened, Huo Shen watched Jiang Tiao following him around, sticking to him like a shadow. Huo Shen knew that Jiang Tiao would act like this when he kept something bottled up. He pondered for a long time, thinking it might be related to Jiang Mingyan, but every time he asked Jiang Tiao, Jiang Tiao would skillfully evade the question and change the subject.

Seeing Jiang Tiao go to get water, Huo Shen took out his phone and sent a message to Jiang Mingyan.

[What did Jiang Tiao talk to you about just now?]

Jiang Mingyan: [Nothing much, he’s sick.]

Huo Shen: “…”

To be honest, it wasn’t his personal bias, but the daily arguments between these two brothers were indeed largely due to Jiang Mingyan’s relationship.

Huo Shen took the warm water Jiang Tiao poured for him, drank half of it, and placed it aside. He grabbed Jiang Tiao’s forearm and gently pulled him closer. “Besides chatting with your brother, what else did you do just now?”

“I didn’t do anything much,” Jiang Tiao thought for a moment. “Oh, I sent the dating show information to Chu Yanhao and the others. Guess what? Guan Yuyun actually asked for the application form and wanted to participate!”

Jiang Tiao was still quite surprised by this.

It didn’t seem to be about that either.

Huo Shen was puzzled. If it wasn’t Jiang Mingyan’s problem, nor his friends’ issues, then what could it be?

Jiang Tiao looked at Huo Shen’s thoughtful expression and his eyes carried a hint of scrutiny. “You don’t happen to know anything about Guan Yuyun, do you?”

Huo Shen reacted, finding it both funny and exasperating. “I really don’t know about this.”

Jiang Tiao narrowed his eyes, appearing not entirely convinced.

Huo Shen smiled. “You ask me about things, have I ever lied to you?”

Well, that was true.

Jiang Tiao stretched his arms. “It’s quite late, and we need to watch the sunrise tomorrow. Let’s take a shower and get some sleep, otherwise, we’ll really be staying up all night.”

…

The resort hotel focused on comfort. The bathroom was large, over eighty square meters. The bathtub made of glacial white rock was spacious enough for four or five people to fit comfortably.

Huo Shen tested the hot water for Jiang Tiao. “You go first, I’ll go to the next room.”

Mist diffused upwards with the flowing water, and the humidity and warmth quickly dispelled the dryness in the bathroom.

Seeing Huo Shen about to leave, Jiang Tiao felt a sudden emptiness in his heart. His already uneasy mood became even more unsettled.

He grabbed Huo Shen’s arm. “Why bother doing that? Let’s shower together, a quick rinse, it’ll be faster.”

Huo Shen almost choked. He looked at Jiang Tiao’s frank eyes and really wanted to sigh. “Don’t mess around. You wash here, I’ll wash in the next room. It’s about the same time, and I won’t keep you waiting.”

Jiang Tiao felt that Huo Shen’s attitude all night could be described as erratic. He had just made a perfunctory promise, and now he was deliberately trying to keep his distance.

“Who else is in the next room? Why do you always want to go to the next room?”

Huo Shen didn’t understand Jiang Tiao’s sudden anxiety and irritation. He looked at Jiang Tiao’s furrowed brow and knew that if he couldn’t give a convincing reason, Jiang Tiao would probably think about it all night. “It’s strange for two grown men to shower together, I feel a bit awkward.”

Jiang Tiao’s complexion slightly softened, but he was still not very satisfied. “What does it matter? We’ve showered together before.”

Huo Shen found it both funny and exasperating. “That was before we were ten years old, and it was because you sprained your ankle.”

They were at a swimming pool back then. Jiang Tiao sprained his ankle when he got out of the water. He insisted on showering before letting the doctor examine him. He hopped on one foot to the bathroom and slipped, falling and crying out in pain.

Jiang Tiao didn’t care.

“As expected, friends are just two intersecting straight lines; they only travel together for a segment of their journey. I think you’re not as good to me now as you were when we were kids! As soon as my brother came back, you ran off to California, leaving me, who was seriously injured and just discharged from the hospital, alone in the country. You didn’t agree to let me find you, leaving me alone and helpless without anyone to care for me.”

How was he alone and helpless without anyone to care for him?

Besides, wasn’t he going to California for Jiang Tiao’s better recovery…

Huo Shen patiently tried to explain.

Jiang Tiao interrupted, “And you said you missed me, you’re a liar!”

Huo Shen: “…”

Jiang Tiao became more animated as he spoke, feeling like a vengeful spirit fed emotions all night. “I think you don’t like me anymore. Am I still your best friend? Are you secretly dating someone outside without telling me? And hiding it from me! Otherwise, why would you stay in California for half a month!”

This was pure unreasonable fussing…

Huo Shen looked at Jiang Tiao’s persistence in his unreasonable demands and was almost amused to the point of anger.

“Fine, then we’ll shower together.”

He rolled up his sleeves and unbuttoned a few buttons.

His black linen casual shirt was half open, revealing a patch of pale skin. The lines beneath his long neck were firm and sexy, flowing just right. The linen fabric became particularly visible when wet. A wet patch from the splashing water clung to his waist, making his abdominal muscles faintly visible, looking firm and strong.

Jiang Tiao’s mind went blank for a moment, like a firecracker that exploded halfway and then fizzled out.

He watched Huo Shen take a step closer. Huo Shen’s thin lips moved, as if he was saying something.

However, Jiang Tiao heard nothing. He felt all sounds become distant. Everything around him seemed to enter a vacuum, and in this space, only he and Huo Shen existed.

Jiang Tiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he inexplicably felt thirsty.

It wasn’t until Huo Shen’s slightly cool hand gripped his clothes and touched his waist that he snapped back to reality.

Like a startled deer, he almost jumped up. “Damn, what are you doing?”

“Showering,” Huo Shen said, a smile playing on his lips, as if teasing, but his height made him seem somewhat imposing. “Don’t you need to take off your clothes to shower?”

Jiang Tiao’s face turned so red it looked like it could bleed. “I…” He stuttered “you” for a long time without being able to form a complete sentence.

“What? Shy?” Huo Shen deliberately said, “Didn’t I help you take off your clothes back then?”

Take off what nonsense? What clothes were there to take off when swimming? Huo Shen did help him, but at that time, he was only wearing swimming trunks.

Sometimes, having an active imagination wasn’t a good thing. Jiang Tiao suddenly realized. The scene seemed almost tangible, juxtaposed with the two of them in the bathroom.

Jiang Tiao’s face was flushed. He subconsciously leaned back against the washbasin, but his hand slipped, knocking over bottles and jars on the vanity.

Huo Shen looked on leisurely, about to speak again…

“I don’t want to shower with you anymore!” Before Huo Shen could speak, Jiang Tiao pushed him out of the bathroom. “Go to the next room!”

Huo Shen looked at the closed bathroom partition, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Jiang Tiao heard Huo Shen say goodbye before leaving the room. He listened intently for a long time, and after confirming there was no movement, he opened the bathroom partition and peeked his head out to look around the room.

He breathed a sigh of relief, yet felt a strange, indescribable emotion. He calmly picked up the bottles and jars that had fallen on the washbasin, most of which were various skincare products provided by the hotel.

Lube? What is that? It’s really not easy being a girl, having so many steps just to take care of your skin…

Just as Jiang Tiao was about to put it away, he suddenly realized. Damn! He felt like he was holding a hot potato. His hard-won composure almost collapsed again.

Can’t the bedding be put where it belongs? Is the bathroom a place for this kind of thing?!!

Jiang Tiao was extremely annoyed and decided to stuff it into the cabinet to get it out of sight and out of mind. He opened the cabinet door, only to be nearly blinded by a cabinet full of adult products.

Extreme anger could indeed make one laugh. Jiang Tiao slammed the cabinet door shut. Only then did he truly believe that Huo Shen’s return to the country and his booking of this hotel were both impromptu decisions—otherwise, they wouldn’t have left the hotel’s usual setup in the room.

So, Huo Shen really returned to the country just because of his phone call last night? Because he said he missed him before hanging up?

Jiang Tiao’s mood, which had been gloomy all night, was considerably lessened by the subtle happiness.

Forget it.

Jiang Tiao decided not to think about these things and to take a good shower.

However, once one’s thoughts are opened, many things can be discovered, such as why such a large bathtub was installed, why so many mirrors were mounted on the bathroom wall, such as…

Jiang Tiao shook his head, stopping himself from observing further.

The steamy hot water slowly filled the entire bathtub. Jiang Tiao inexplicably remembered Huo Shen bending down by the bathtub to adjust the hot water for him, his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and straight, long legs…

Jiang Tiao jumped into the bathtub with a spirit of defiance, and took a slow, thirty to forty-minute bath.

He attributed this reaction to the decadent and corrupt hotel environment! Why would a nice hotel have so many irrelevant things? It was clearly a legitimate resort hotel, so why was it like a love hotel?

So, it was normal to have some reaction in such an environment, just like how most guys would react to pop-up ads on pirated websites…