Chapter 21 - It Was Soft and Sweet

Since he felt better, his appetite returned.

The two of them didn’t go to the cafeteria. Instead, they left the school and went to a reputable, privately-owned restaurant nearby.

Ji Liao and Yu Jin had eaten there once. The food was good but it was quite expensive, so they never came back. However, He Cheng Ming seemed to be a regular customer. The boss saw him and gave a warm greeting, then asked, “Still the same as ever?”

He Cheng Ming responded with “Same as ever,” then released Ji Liao and found a place to sit.

The waiter served them two glasses of water and Ji Liao took a sip. In his head, he was calculating if he had enough pocket money to pay after AA.

“My brother invested in this restaurant, so don’t worry about it. You can eat whatever you want.” He Cheng Ming said, seeming to read his thoughts.

Ji Liao choked up as the embarrassment of having been caught appeared on his face. He paused, then changed the topic. “You have a brother?”

“Yes, same father, different mothers. He’s the rightful prince. I’m not.” He Cheng Ming said it without any qualms. When the dishes were served, he got up to get a bowl and chopsticks for Ji Liao.

Ji Liao was flattered by the treatment. He felt that He Cheng Ming was a little too good to him and was under great pressure.

“Don’t do that&#k2026;” If He Cheng Ming was like this, it would seem like Ji Liao had no conscience if he didn’t compensate him.

“Huh?” He Cheng Ming didn’t understand and looked at him, “What’s the matter?”

What’s the matter? How could he say it? Don’t be so nice to me? Feeling unreasonable and ashamed, Ji Liao just shook his head. Forget it.

He ducked his head and focused on eating.

When he ate, he liked to fill his mouth then chew slowly. Because of this, Xu Ai Wen had said to him many times that it didn’t give a good impression. But He Cheng Ming thought that it was very cute as he looked like a hamster stuffing its cheeks.

He wanted to kiss him.

This thought lasted until they finished eating and walked back to school.

Since it was still early, He Cheng Ming deliberately led him towards the remote path. Ji Liao didn’t think too much about it and assumed that the other boy had eaten too much and wanted to take a walk, so he went along foolishly.

When someone grasped his wrist, he turned his head to see He Cheng Ming’s dark eyes staring at him intently.

“Ji Liao.”

His voice was very hoarse as his scorching gaze slowly moved from his eyes and landed on his lips.

Ji Liao understood what he wanted to do and his heart thumped. His mind recalled the tempestuous kiss from last night and his throat started to dry, but his rationality reminded him that this wasn’t right, the timing wasn’t right and the place wasn’t right…

Before he could respond, He Cheng Ming brought him to the back of an abandoned building. The relatively hidden place allowed Ji Liao to heave a sigh of relief. With his back against the wall, he met He Cheng Ming’s red eyes. His heart softened and he gave in.

He closed his eyes, indicating his consent, but his face had a scared expression.

He Cheng Ming had one hand pressed against the wall as he lowered his head to meet Ji Liao’s lips. His actions were careful, afraid to make the other boy uncomfortable.

It was a kiss, but it was only one-sided. It was better to be a one-sided kiss than none at all, He Cheng Ming thought. Just as he was preparing to pry Ji Liao’s teeth apart and dive in, he found Ji Liao clenching his teeth due to his nerves and he couldn’t continue.

In exasperation, He Cheng Ming left his lips momentarily. Ji Liao thought the kiss was over and relaxed. Upon opening his eyes, he saw a handsome, magnified face. Quickly following that, he felt the other boy’s tongue entering his mouth and tangled with his.

It was soft and sweet. As if it wasn’t enough, he tasted him over and over again. He Cheng Ming did not let him go until Ji Liao begged for mercy, and the two of them parted with heavy breaths.