Chapter 1215: Millennium Love Story 20

The morning a few days later.

Chen Zhu woke up earlier than usual, went downstairs for a walk, and on the way bought breakfast to bring back.

The morning air was fresh, the breeze not scorching, and Chen Zhu had been in a good mood these past days, his face showing a rare genuine smile.

"I'd like two plates of soup dumplings, two cups of tofu pudding, and two fried dough sticks."

Chen Zhu had just paid when he heard someone call him.

"Boss Chen, I knew you'd be here!"

When Chen Zhu turned his gaze, the smile in his eyes gradually faded, though his expression remained gentle.

"Are you here to order a cake?"

The young woman who arrived was the daughter of the mala tang shop owner, but at this moment her eyes held a complex, assessing look, completely lacking the shyness and timidity she showed when facing Jin Chen.

Xu Ni had long heard about Chen Zhu's past; normally it was none of her business, but now someone she liked was still living at his place, and the rumor that Chen Zhu liked men made her unable not to worry.

But no matter what she thought, since she had a request, she still had to keep up appearances.

"I haven't seen Jin Chen come to the shop for mala tang these days, so I specially made a clear soup version, suitable for breakfast; could you bring it to him?"

Xu Ni handed the plastic bowl to Chen Zhu, then, feeling a bit shy, said: "There's a letter inside; if he has a reply, please have Jin Chen come to our shop at noon today."

Chen Zhu stared darkly at that unique breakfast, yet still took it.

"Okay, thank you."

Xu Ni stood with her hands behind her back, biting her lip as she asked the question weighing on her mind, even though she knew it wasn't polite.

"You and Jin Chen… are really just brothers, right? You shouldn't have any feelings for him, right?"

Chen Zhu: "…"

His downcast eyes grew ever darker, and he could no longer maintain even a basic smile.

"Yes."

"Then that's fine! Thanks for the trouble, Boss Chen; I'll stop by the shop another day to buy some cake."

As Chen Zhu carried the breakfast back, his face was expressionless.

He walked to the apartment building's base and saw the stray dog in the grass whimpering, likely hungry.

"How pitiful."

Chen Zhu murmured softly, squatted, and used his free hand to pet its fluffy head, showing no aversion.

Then, he curled the corner of his mouth, placed the clear soup mala tang on the edge of the flowerbed tiles, and lifted the plastic lid.

"Go ahead and eat."

The stray dog rubbed against his palm and ate in big mouthfuls.

Chen Zhu stood up, opened the letter placed alone, his gaze dark as water, and read its contents thoroughly.

It was again an invitation for Jin Chen to go see a movie, along with a confession of feelings.

Chen Zhu couldn't help but wonder, is going to the movies how they express love?

He stood there a long time, until the stray dog had finished the whole bowl of mala tang, happily rubbing against his pant leg, before Chen Zhu reacted, feeling the still-warm steamed bun.

He strode up the stairs, disappearing into the darkness of the stairwell, not glancing back at the stray dog.

Chen Zhu placed the envelope on the dining table.

When Chen Zhu went to take a shower, Jin Chen slowly got out of bed, leaning against the doorway and yawning.

Jin Chen saw the envelope on the table, thinking it was some little surprise from Chen Zhu, opened it eagerly, then hastily stuffed it back.

"Who is it!"

"Who gave this letter! And had his wife bring it home!"

"These days, even eating mala tang is dangerous!"

Jin Chen glanced at the bathroom door, then at the envelope, pushed it away, sat up straight for a while, Chen Zhu still hadn't come out.

He again opened the breakfast in the plastic bag, an unnecessary gesture, but he ceremoniously placed it in a bowl and ate while waiting.

With a click, as Chen Zhu pushed the door open, Jin Chen nearly choked, quickly swallowing the remaining half of a soup dumpling, and continued sitting upright.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze following the fragrant Chen Zhu back to the dining table.

Jin Chen shifted his chair, leaning close to his brother.

"Brother, I read the letter."

Chen Zhu glanced at him sideways, a gentle smile on his lips: "Bao Bao is really popular."

Jin Chen shook his head in denial: "I don't even know her; you shouldn't have accepted it."

"The young lady specifically asked for you to meet her at noon; if I refused… what if I ruined your romantic luck?"

As Chen Zhu spoke, his voice grew softer, his hand resting on Jin Chen's face stroking gently: "Xiao Chen, you really won't go?"

Jin Chen, feeling a chill: "…"

"I already said I'm not going, brother, you're really messing with the mandarin duck chart."

He again took the initiative, annoyed, stuffed a soup dumpling in his mouth, mumbled: "You want me to have romantic luck so badly—what would you do if I actually got some?"

Chen Zhu's face turned pale; hearing that felt like a dull knife cutting flesh, and he dug his fingertips hard into his palm.

"What should I do…" Chen Zhu didn't know either; if one day Jin Chen truly fell for someone, how would he face it?

But for now, Chen Zhu didn't want to think about it.

He let out a faint sigh, placatingly shaking Jin Chen's arm: "Bao Bao…"

Jin Chen snorted, continued eating the steamed bun, and his free arm was pulled by Chen Zhu.

"Don't be angry; I won't accept these next time."

Jin Chen, seeing that was enough, snuggled closer, tightening his arms around Chen Zhu's waist, his low voice thick with affection.

"Brother, I don't want anyone else; I want you."

He pulled open Chen Zhu's hand, which was hanging down beside the chair, and gently rubbed his palm, saying, "Look, making you sad for no reason—how pointless."

Chen Zhu felt a sour softness in his heart, fearing his bad mood would scare Jin Chen, so he could only hide his dark thoughts deep inside, showing only love and tenderness.

He carefully stroked Jin Chen's cheek, saying, "There won't be a next time—don't argue with your brother, okay?"

"Okay."

Jin Chen readily agreed, and then heard Chen Zhu sigh, "I should have taken you out to play; everyone knows to invite you to watch a movie..."

He looked disappointed, anxiety still spreading, "My life is so boring..."

Jin Chen looked up at him, "Brother, do you want to go on a date with me?"

Unexpectedly, Chen Zhu's face turned red instantly, he flatly denied, "What... no, dating is something only couples can do."

"Oh, okay."

Jin Chen buried himself again, waiting for Chen Zhu to finish breakfast.

Ten minutes later.

"Brother, are you full?"

Chen Zhu hummed affirmatively, his tone rising, "You haven't...?"

Before he finished speaking, Jin Chen pulled him to the Living Room straw mat, they sat cross-legged, leaning against the Sofa.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Zhu didn't understand, seeing Jin Chen eager to try something, his gentle tone hinting doubt.

"Brother just said, dating is something only couples can do."

Jin Chen was quite solemn, as if saying something very important.

Chen Zhu hesitated a moment, then nodded, "Yes."

Jin Chen saw him take the bait, withdrew the smile from his lips, and began counting on his fingers.

"But I and brother occasionally sleep together, cuddle with brother, and even take off clothes to give brother a massage..."

With each thing Jin Chen said, Chen Zhu's ears reddened a bit, spreading to his collarbones and chest, his fair thin skin tinged pink.

If it weren't for today's careful discussion, Chen Zhu wouldn't have realized how intimate they already were; although embarrassed, the pleasure and satisfaction in his heart were genuine.

Finally, Jin Chen summarized and asked, "Aren't the things I do with brother also something only couples can do?"

Chen Zhu pursed his lips, thinking for a long time, Didn't Know How to Answer.

Jin Chen moved closer, within arm's reach.

"Brother... what do you say?"