Chapter 32: Trust
Xi Muyuan had long known about Jiang Chenghan's marriage, but due to certain reasons, he couldn’t let Jiang Chenghan’s colleagues know about their relationship, so he hadn’t attended the wedding banquet the day before.
Originally, he had planned to visit the next day, but unexpectedly, Jiang Chenghan suddenly sent someone to summon him today. Though he found it a bit strange, he still brought the gifts he had prepared in advance and followed Fang Ping to the Jiang residence.
Yan Jingshu had recognized Xi Muyuan in his past life, but this was their first meeting in this lifetime. After Jiang Chenghan introduced them, he smiled and said, “I’ve long heard from my husband that Mr. Xi is exceptionally capable and has helped him greatly. I must thank you as well.”
“You flatter me, Madam. This is merely my duty. Without Brother Jiang, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Xi Muyuan hurriedly replied, shaking his head in humility.
Then, as if remembering something, he picked up a wooden box beside him, stood up, and said to Jiang Chenghan and Yan Jingshu with a smile, “Congratulations on your marriage, Brother Jiang and Madam. This is a small token of my regard, wishing you both a happy union and the blessing of children soon.”
Normally, Jiang Chenghan wouldn’t casually accept gifts, but since this was a wedding present, he couldn’t refuse. He stood up and personally took it, saying with a smile, “Thank you. I’ll take your kind words to heart.”
Yan Jingshu also expressed his gratitude but then added, “Since you’ve given us a gift, I too have something for you.”
Xi Muyuan was surprised, and Jiang Chenghan also looked curiously at Yan Jingshu, wondering what he intended to give. Soon, Wen Xiu, the maid by Yan Jingshu’s side, placed a wooden box on the table next to Xi Muyuan.
At Yan Jingshu’s prompting, Xi Muyuan opened the box. Upon seeing its contents, he was shocked. “Madam, this—?” If he wasn’t mistaken, the box was filled to the brim with banknotes.
Jiang Chenghan also saw what was inside and couldn’t hide his surprise, unsure of Yan Jingshu’s intentions.
Yan Jingshu smiled and said, “There are 25,000 taels’ worth of banknotes in total. I’m not particularly skilled in managing finances, and these banknotes would just sit idle in a chest, unable to reach their full potential. So, I’m entrusting them all to you, Mr. Xi. Use them as you see fit—consider it doing me a favor.”
Xi Muyuan hadn’t expected Yan Jingshu to hand him such a large sum for business purposes. Overwhelmed, he said, “Madam, your trust honors me, but this amount is too great. I truly… I truly don’t deserve it…”
Jiang Chenghan, equally taken aback, was about to speak when Yan Jingshu preempted him with a smile. “My husband has often praised your character and abilities, Mr. Xi. There’s no need for such modesty. As for these banknotes, this was entirely my idea. Any losses incurred will be my responsibility alone, and I won’t blame you. Please rest assured.”
Though some of the shopkeepers and estate managers among his dowry were skilled in business, none could compare to Xi Muyuan in terms of ability and trustworthiness.
With Yan Jingshu speaking so plainly, Xi Muyuan would be ungrateful to refuse further. Seeing that Jiang Chenghan no longer objected, he stood up and bowed solemnly. “Madam, your trust moves me. I will spare no effort to live up to your expectations.”
Only after Xi Muyuan accepted did Yan Jingshu smile in satisfaction, urging him to rise and not stand on ceremony.
By the time Xi Muyuan arrived, it was already late in the morning. As noon approached, he stayed for lunch. In the afternoon, after some conversation about his plans with Yan Jingshu, he finally left, carrying the box full of banknotes.
After Xi Muyuan’s departure, Jiang Chenghan looked at Yan Jingshu with mixed emotions. He hadn’t expected Yan Jingshu to entrust such a vast sum to someone he’d just met, based solely on a few words from him.
“What’s wrong?” Yan Jingshu asked, noticing Jiang Chenghan’s gaze.
“Nothing. I’m just surprised,” Jiang Chenghan replied.
Surprised by Yan Jingshu’s trust in him—and the boldness with which he handed over more than 20,000 taels to a stranger at first meeting.
Yan Jingshu understood Jiang Chenghan’s surprise and smiled. “If you don’t trust a man, don’t employ him; if you employ a man, don’t distrust him. Besides, he’s your friend—someone you trust. Naturally, I trust him too.”
As he spoke, the corners of his lips curved softly, his gentle eyes reflecting Jiang Chenghan’s figure, gazing at him with such focus it seemed his heart held no one else.
Jiang Chenghan felt a surge of warmth spread from his chest to his limbs, his heart trembling with an indescribable emotion. His fingers twitched, and for a moment, he longed to pull Yan Jingshu into his arms. He remembered all too well how soft Yan Jingshu’s body was and how comforting it felt to hold him.
His body grew abruptly warm. Realizing he was reacting so intensely to just a smile and a few words from Yan Jingshu, Jiang Chenghan was ashamed of his lack of self-control.
Afraid Yan Jingshu might notice if this continued, Jiang Chenghan stood up abruptly while his physical reaction was still subtle and said, “I need to use the washroom.” With that, he strode out of the room.
Before Yan Jingshu could react, Jiang Chenghan had already vanished like the wind. He blinked in confusion, thinking to himself that he hadn’t noticed this urinary urgency in their past life.
Since Jiang Chenghan’s health was Yan Jingshu’s top priority, he considered calling a doctor. But given the embarrassing nature of the issue, he decided to ask Jiang Chenghan for details later.
Yan Jingshu had a habit of napping in the afternoon, and today was no exception. He was already drowsy but wanted to sleep with Jiang Chenghan, so he forced himself to stay awake. However, after waiting for Jiang Chenghan’s return in vain, he began nodding off, his head drooping.
By the time Jiang Chenghan finally calmed his urges and returned, Yan Jingshu had already fallen asleep slumped over the desk.
Not wanting to wake him, Jiang Chenghan moved quietly. But he couldn’t let Yan Jingshu sleep like this—it would lead to a stiff neck or worse. So, he carefully lifted Yan Jingshu and carried him to the bed.
As he moved, Yan Jingshu stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Only when Jiang Chenghan tucked him in and turned to leave did Yan Jingshu suddenly grab his sleeve.
Looking back, Jiang Chenghan saw Yan Jingshu’s pale hand clutching his sleeve, his drowsy, misty eyes gazing up as he murmured, “Aren’t you going to sleep with me?”
Jiang Chenghan hesitated but couldn’t bring himself to refuse. With a resigned smile, he removed his outer robe and climbed into bed.
Yan Jingshu had already released his sleeve by the time Jiang Chenghan undid his belt. The moment Jiang Chenghan lay down, Yan Jingshu snuggled close, pressing against him, resting his head on Jiang Chenghan’s shoulder, wrapping an arm around his waist, and burying himself in Jiang Chenghan’s embrace. Satisfied, he curled his lips and closed his eyes.
Trapped as a human pillow, Jiang Chenghan felt Yan Jingshu’s warmth and sweet scent enveloping him. He ruefully thought that the hundreds of stone-lock lifts he’d done in the yard earlier had been for nothing…
Worried that too much daytime sleep would disrupt his night rest, Yan Jingshu woke after just an hour. But Jiang Chenghan, who rarely napped, was still asleep.
The sleeping Jiang Chenghan looked peaceful, his brows relaxed and lips slightly parted—neither as stern as when serious nor as bright as when smiling. Yet to Yan Jingshu, this was still his favorite version. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently traced the familiar contours of Jiang Chenghan’s face, long engraved in his heart.
Jiang Chenghan’s years as an undercover agent and soldier had honed his reflexes to exceptional sharpness. Thus, the moment Yan Jingshu woke up, Jiang Chenghan—a light sleeper—stirred as well. But for some inexplicable reason, he kept his eyes closed, pretending to still sleep.
As Yan Jingshu’s fingers brushed his cheek, Jiang Chenghan’s heart fluttered. Yet he remained still. When the touch withdrew, he was about to wake up when suddenly, warm breath grazed his face.
Before he could wonder, soft, moist lips pressed against his. His eyes flew open to find Yan Jingshu’s face magnified before him, filling his vision.
Yan Jingshu’s eyes were lowered, his lashes trembling faintly, completely unaware Jiang Chenghan was awake. Not wanting to disturb him, Yan Jingshu kept the kiss feather-light and brief. But as he pulled away, he met Jiang Chenghan’s dark, alert gaze and froze.
“When did you wake up?” Yan Jingshu blurted out. Then, realizing what he’d just done, his face burned with embarrassment. He pushed against Jiang Chenghan’s chest, trying to sit up.
Though he’d taken the initiative in many affectionate gestures before—even clinging to Jiang Chenghan on their wedding night—this covert kiss was entirely different. Under Jiang Chenghan’s intense stare, he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
Jiang Chenghan’s eyes darkened, his expression unreadable. Just as Yan Jingshu tried to rise, Jiang Chenghan yanked him back down. Yan Jingshu fell against him, and in the next instant, Jiang Chenghan flipped them over, pinning Yan Jingshu beneath him.
Dizzy from the sudden movement, Yan Jingshu barely registered what was happening before Jiang Chenghan’s face loomed over him. Then his lips were captured in a searing kiss, Jiang Chenghan’s heat and scent overwhelming him, stifling his gasp—
Time lost meaning. Yan Jingshu felt his strength drain away, his vision blurring with unshed tears, his mind growing hazy. Only when he was nearly senseless did Jiang Chenghan finally release him—though he didn’t move away, merely resting his forehead against Yan Jingshu’s shoulder as both caught their breath.
When their breathing steadied, Jiang Chenghan sat up first. Noticing Yan Jingshu’s slightly swollen lips, guilt pricked him—though it couldn’t overshadow the deep satisfaction. Unable to resist, he leaned down for one last kiss before fetching Yan Jingshu’s clothes.
With Yan Jingshu’s lips in such a state, their plans to stroll the streets that afternoon were postponed. Instead, Yan Jingshu took Jiang Chenghan to the storeroom holding his dowry, asking if he knew Kou Shijun and his wife’s preferences.
Since the couple had helped greatly with their wedding, and Kou Shijun was Jiang Chenghan’s superior, a formal visit of gratitude was in order. Jiang Chenghan knew little of Madam Kou’s tastes, but Kou Shijun, like him, enjoyed wine.
When Jiang Chenghan proved unhelpful, Yan Jingshu shooed him away and selected two exquisite jade pieces, several jewelry sets, premium silks, and fine furs from his dowry.
The next day, they brought these gifts to the General’s residence.
Kou Shijun and his wife welcomed them warmly. Though the couple refrained from overt displays of affection in front of others, the harmony in their occasional exchanged glances was unmistakable. Relieved to see no signs of marital discord, the hosts relaxed.
After lunch, instead of heading straight home, the couple lingered in the capital to shop for return gifts—preparations for Yan Jingshu’s homecoming visit the following day.
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