After Amnesia, I Learn I'm a Scumbag Top?! - Chapter 73
Chapter 73
Time ticked by, second by second, but Chu Tinghan remained silent. Pei Ji began to wonder if the howling wind outside had drowned out his words.
Leaning closer, Pei Ji whispered into Chu Tinghan’s ear, “Your silence—does that mean you agree or disagree? If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as a yes.”
After a long moment, Chu Tinghan finally stirred, but his response was completely unrelated.
He inexplicably raised his hand, gazing at Pei Ji with dreamy eyes. “My hand is so cold,” he murmured slowly. “Can you warm it for me?”
Pei Ji froze, his smile stiffening. He frowned almost imperceptibly as his expression shifted from joy to worry.
Was his silence because the cold had frozen him stupid?
Chu Tinghan had always been sensitive to the cold. Why did they have to stand in the snow to talk? Confessing his feelings indoors, in a warm place, would have been just as good.
“My fault, my fault,” Pei Ji immediately cupped Chu Tinghan’s hand in his own, meticulously massaging the palm and back with utmost care. While warming his hand, Pei Ji kept glancing up to check if Chu Tinghan’s expression had improved. “Better now? Huh? Still cold?”
Chu Tinghan felt a faint warmth seeping through his skin, finally grounding his wandering thoughts adrift in the wind and snow.
This isn’t a dream. It’s real.
The person before him was real, his words were real, and what was happening now was even more real.
This was Pei Ji—vibrant, warm, smiling at him with genuine affection and concern.
With this realization, warmth surged through Chu Tinghan’s body and spirit. He no longer needed Pei Ji to warm his hands; instead, he gripped Pei Ji’s hand tightly, refusing to let go. “You like me?” he asked.
His expression was as solemn as if he were discussing matters of national importance. Though Chu Tinghan looked somewhat gaunt, his grip on Pei Ji’s hand was surprisingly strong.
Caught off guard by Chu Tinghan’s unexpectedly forceful gesture, Pei Ji couldn’t help but chuckle. “Of course I like you.”
Chu Tinghan tightened his grip, his eyes gradually focusing, now gleaming with light. “You really like me?”
How many times is he going to ask this question? Pei Ji wondered. If he couldn’t see Chu Tinghan’s expression, he might have thought he was just incredulous. But judging by his current demeanor…
Pei Ji’s gaze lingered intently on Chu Tinghan’s exquisite features.
Chu Tinghan’s eyes sparkled, the worry between his brows vanished, and the corners of his lips almost curled into a smile.
He didn’t look at all like someone saddened, dejected, or mired in self-doubt. Instead, he almost looked… like he was doing this on purpose?
On purpose? Pei Ji never imagined Chu Tinghan had such hidden depths.
Did he just want to hear Pei Ji say he liked him?
Pei Ji chuckled, amused. Though he didn’t quite understand, he indulged him with an affirmative hum, deliberately slowing his pace to ensure Chu Tinghan heard clearly: “Of course I like you. Absolutely, without a doubt. I, Pei Ji, like Chu Tinghan.”
He paused, meeting Chu Tinghan’s gaze with a smile: “Did you hear me clearly this time?”
Before Chu Tinghan could reply, Pei Ji pulled him away from the snowy ground.
Whether he’d heard clearly or not, they couldn’t stand in the freezing wind any longer. They weren’t some young couple hiding their romance from their parents, afraid to go home. Why linger in the snow, gazing tenderly at each other? Pei Ji was genuinely worried Chu Tinghan would catch a cold.
Pei Ji never imagined that on the very first day—no, scratch that, the very first minute—of pursuing him, he’d successfully take Chu Tinghan’s hand and lead him home.
Even contestants on dating shows might not hold hands faster than these two.
Pei Ji brazenly held Chu Tinghan’s hand under the pretext of warming it, his stated reason seemingly plausible but in truth driven by his selfish desire to keep holding on. He genuinely didn’t want to let go.
However, as a novice in love experiencing his very first real relationship, Pei Ji was still unsure whether their progress was too fast or just normal.
A few minutes later, Pei Ji abandoned his earlier thoughts and finally realized how to properly assess their current progress. Calling their progress “fast” would be an understatement; it was more like “warp speed.” Even a rocket couldn’t keep up with their romantic momentum.
Pei Ji realized he had underestimated how quickly emotions could intensify. Just moments ago, they had been reservedly holding hands outside. Yet the moment they stepped inside, Chu Tinghan had already wrapped his arms around Pei Ji’s neck, tilting his head back, and leaned in for a kiss.
No wonder Chu Tinghan had hurried ahead earlier, urging him to hurry upstairs. As soon as they stepped inside, Chu Tinghan had slammed the door shut. Pei Ji had assumed Chu Tinghan was just eager to get home out of the cold.
But it turned out the main reason wasn’t the cold at all, but rather…
As Pei Ji pondered this, he already felt the uniquely soft texture of Chu Tinghan’s lips against his own. The gentle kiss instantly paused his thoughts, leaving his cheek bathed in Chu Tinghan’s warm breath.
If I kiss him now, after just saying I’d pursue him mere minutes ago, won’t it make me look like a jerk? Pei Ji wondered.
If this got posted online, I’d probably get roasted alive.
Besides, a significant part of his decision to pursue Chu Tinghan stemmed from wanting the other man to experience the joy of being courted and loved.
He never anticipated that his carefully laid plans would be disrupted by his unconventional suitor within mere minutes.
Pei Ji, determined to salvage his precarious courtship strategy, retreated with a light chuckle.
As he leaned back and stepped away, Chu Tinghan leaned forward on tiptoe, like a bird snatching food, chasing after him with a kiss.
After barely two steps back, Pei Ji’s back pressed against the door, leaving him with nowhere else to retreat.
Chu Tinghan pressed his advantage, peppering Pei Ji’s face with light kisses.
A flurry of gentle kisses landed haphazardly on Pei Ji’s lips and chin. Pei Ji’s eyes curved into crescents with laughter as he raised a hand to block Chu Tinghan, clinging to the last shred of his rationality.
Chu Tinghan froze, staring at the palm stretched between them, looking utterly baffled.
What’s this? No kissing allowed? Did he regret confessing just now?
But even if he did regret it, it was too late. Chu Tinghan had already closed the door. There was no escape now.
Chu Tinghan’s thoughts had wandered so far from the normal path that he had no idea where they had strayed, but he showed no sign of this, his expression remaining as composed as ever.
Pei Ji, oblivious to Chu Tinghan’s inner machinations, saw this as a chance to catch his breath and salvage his supposedly perfect courtship plan. He cleared his throat and said with utmost seriousness, “I just said I want to pursue you.”
He even offered a pointed glance, hoping Chu Tinghan would understand his meaning.
Upon hearing this, Chu Tinghan blinked thoughtfully, as if he truly grasped the implied message.
Pursue?
Was he supposed to go through the entire courtship process from scratch, just like other couples?
But they’d already been married for nearly a year, and their furry child was already three or four years old. Did they really need to go through all this tedious routine?
He didn’t think so.
More importantly, if they started with holding hands and gradually worked their way up to physical intimacy, how long would it take before he could finally kiss Chu Tinghan?
By the time I finally get to kiss him, other people’s kids will be running around already!
No, this is too slow. Pursuing is fine, but we need to manually speed up the progress.
After careful consideration, Chu Tinghan replied with equal seriousness, “You’ve already caught me. I’ll allow you to kiss me now.”
Pei Ji: “?”
He hadn’t expected such a response. It seemed his meticulously planned courtship had utterly failed.
Even if I failed, as long as Chu Tinghan is happy, anything goes.
If he wants me to pursue him, I’d chase him a thousand, ten thousand times without complaint. If he doesn’t want me to pursue him, thinking our progress is too slow, then I’ll just go along with Chu Tinghan’s wishes and we’ll be together properly.
Though… this answer is rather adorable.
Yes, adorable. If someone had told me in the past that one day I’d find a man four years older than me adorable, I would have thought they were crazy. But now I only feel that I must be crazy in love.
They say beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. And since my lover is so strikingly beautiful, he’s practically Xishi herself.
Pei Ji was about to laugh and agree when, before he could react, Chu Tinghan grabbed his collar, forcing him to lower his head. Then, closing his eyes, he tilted his head back and kissed him.
The kiss was forceful and completely unexpected. Pei Ji’s eyes widened in shock as he glanced down at Chu Tinghan’s expression.
Chu Tinghan’s eyelashes fluttered like trembling butterfly wings, and a faint blush rose beneath his pale skin. His face, which usually radiated aloofness, now seemed remarkably softened.
That familiar, soft sensation flooded Pei Ji’s mind once more, his senses and thoughts now indelibly marked with Chu Tinghan’s name.
Following his heart, Pei Ji wrapped his arms around Chu Tinghan’s waist and gently cradled the back of his head as he returned the kiss.
Pei Ji’s kisses were a gradual assault, advancing bit by bit from lip to lip, probing deeper and deeper, prying open their mouths to entwine until Chu Tinghan was utterly undone, only then slowly pulling away.
Even as they parted, his peach blossom eyes, brimming with affection, remained fixed on the lover in his arms.
The intense, unwavering gaze was too direct, setting Chu Tinghan’s heart aflame with longing. He silently turned his head away.
Whether dazed by love or lightheaded from the kiss, Chu Tinghan’s mind felt muddled, incapable of clear thought.
If not for Pei Ji’s arm supporting him around the waist, he likely would have collapsed to his knees from the weakness in his legs.
When did his kissing skills become so refined?
Did he learn it or practice it?
Chu Tinghan strained to recall, but no answer came to mind.
His curiosity piqued, he stammered, “When did you… get so good at this?”
Pei Ji didn’t understand. “So good at what?”
Chu Tinghan reached out and tapped his lips.
Pei Ji lowered his gaze in contemplation, finally understanding. Anxious to dispel any misunderstanding, he quickly explained, “I taught myself. No one else was involved.”
Chu Tinghan was taken aback. “…When did you learn?”
How could I not have known?
If I’d known Pei Ji was secretly working so hard to master this, I should have tried it out with him more often, before we even talked about divorce.
What a loss.
Pei Ji thought for a moment before answering, “About half a year ago, when you asked for a ‘reward’ and I kissed your cheek.”
Chu Tinghan recalled the incident. Ah, yes, that did happen. But the conversation at the time… Forget it. I don’t want to bring that up again.
He pressed on, “Why did you even learn this?”
Pei Ji didn’t answer immediately. After a moment of consideration, he decided to tease him, feigning a playful tone. “I thought I was your kept man back then. As a proper kept man, I naturally needed to learn how to please my benefactor.”
After a beat, he stared intently into “Big Boss Chu’s” eyes, his smile brimming with mischief. “So, are you pleased now? Big Boss Chu?”
Chu Tinghan couldn’t help but laugh. When he’d chuckled enough, he deliberately straightened his expression and gave a dignified hmm.
Seeing that Chu Tinghan wasn’t angry—seeming quite receptive, in fact—Pei Ji grew bolder and continued meaningfully, “Actually… I’ve learned other things too. Would Big Boss Chu like to try them out?”
His acting skills were lacking, so he compensated with action. To match his lines, he suddenly swept Chu Tinghan into his arms, carrying him in a dramatic princess carry.
Chu Tinghan startled. “I-I’m almost thirty years old now…”
“So what if you’re thirty? Thirty’s still young, right? If you really think that’s too mature, then what a coincidence—I happen to love mature men.”
“In short, we’re a perfect match.”
Pei Ji hadn’t intended to do anything serious; he just wanted to tease Chu Tinghan a little, adding a bit of spice to their budding romance. But Chu Tinghan seemed to have taken it seriously.
He had just laid Chu Tinghan on the bedroom bed, intending to give him a restrained and gentlemanly kiss on the forehead or corner of his lips. Instead, their lips met.
As Chu Tinghan kissed him, he didn’t forget to unbutton Pei Ji’s shirt.
Pei Ji’s rationality instantly burned to ashes in the fire raging within him.
Only one thought remained: he wanted to be closer to Chu Tinghan, much closer.
But just as he unbuttoned the fourth button, the shrill ring of a phone pierced the intimate silence of the bedroom.
It was Pei Ji’s phone, but he ignored it, continuing to kiss the man beneath him.
A few seconds later, Chu Tinghan’s phone began to ring as well.
Two deafening phone rings shattered the quiet, making Pei Ji’s head throb. The relentless ringing finally wore down his patience. He paused, kissed Chu Tinghan on the forehead, and said, “Darling, wait for me.”
Suppressing his anger, he answered the call.
It was Kong Chuan, his voice frantic. “I finally got through to you! Where have you been? You’re not responding to my messages. Your manager’s tearing the hospital apart looking for you.”
Pei Ji, barely clinging to his last shred of patience, snapped, “What’s this about?”
His voice sounded a little hoarse, but Kong Chuan didn’t notice. He rushed on, “Your manager said they’ve found the hit-and-run driver. Where are you? Get back to your room right now! This is a big deal for you.”
After a pause, he remembered something else. “Oh, right! Can you get in touch with Director Chu? His manager’s looking for him too.”