On Saturday morning, with no classes, Jiang Muping woke up later than usual. His assistant called him right on time.
“Hello?” Jiang Muping pulled back the curtains, and the dazzling sunlight outside streamed in, making him squint his eyes.
“Professor, have you woken up?”
“Yes, I have,” Jiang Muping replied hoarsely.
“Ah, alright. Don’t forget about the debate competition at 9 o’clock in the morning,” the assistant said on the phone. “Shall I come over and pick you up so we can go together, or what do you prefer?”
Jiang Muping stepped out of the bedroom wearing slippers and said, “You go ahead. I’ll come by myself later.”
“Alright, see you later then.”
Today, there was a debate competition in the city, and Jiang Muping, as a professor of criminal law at Beicheng University, was invited as a guest by the organizers. Since there were participants from Beicheng University, Jiang Muping did not decline the invitation.
Jiang Muping went to the bathroom and took a shower, freshening up for a while. It seemed like the electric shaver was broken as it couldn’t start even after being charged overnight. Jiang Muping made a mental note to buy a new one when he returns. In the meantime, he rummaged through the cabinet and found an old manual razor that hadn’t been used for a long time.
Jiang Muping, who hadn’t used a manual razor in a long time, was a bit out of practice. Carelessly, he accidentally nicked his chin, and blood mixed with the white shaving foam, creating a small stain. Jiang Muping endured the slight stinging sensation and carefully shaved off the remaining stubble. Then, he rinsed off the foam from his face.
Jiang Muping lifted his chin and examined himself in the mirror. The wound was located on his jawline, but it wasn’t prominent.
Breakfast remained the same: a cup of warm water and a few slices of whole wheat bread. It wasn’t delicious, but Jiang Muping didn’t have any better options. He wasn’t skilled at cooking, nor did he enjoy grocery shopping. His requirement for daily meals was simply “edible.”
The bread had likely been sitting for a while and was somewhat dry and hard. Jiang Muping took several sips of water to help it go down his throat.
Before leaving, Jiang Muping opened his wardrobe and took a long time to choose a satisfactory tie.
On Saturday, Lin Weijing was going to participate in a city-level debate competition. He informed Cheng Yan in advance, hoping that Cheng Yan would be able to attend. Cheng Yan declined the invitation in person, but secretly came anyway.
Cheng Yan arrived rather late, and the debaters had already taken their seats on the stage. Lin Weijing was among them, dressed in a black suit, with a handsome and energetic appearance.
Cheng Yan crouched down in the back row and found a seat. The host walked onto the stage and began speaking. Cheng Yan listened absentmindedly for a while, but suddenly caught a sensitive piece of information from the host’s words.
“…Now, I am honored to introduce the distinguished guests attending this debate competition: Professor Jiang Muping, a criminal law professor from Beicheng University…”
The man sitting in the guest seat stood up following the host’s introduction. He had a tall and imposing figure, and as he turned slightly, Cheng Yan caught a glimpse of his profile as he slightly nodded towards the audience.
With rimless glasses, a straight nose bridge, and thin lips, that profile unmistakably belonged to Jiang Muping himself.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause, and a photographer rushed to the front to capture several shots of Jiang Muping.
As a guest and not a judge, Jiang Muping didn’t attract much attention throughout the event. However, Cheng Yan’s focus was completely drawn towards him. Initially, Cheng Yan had come to watch Lin Weijing, but now his gaze kept shifting towards where Jiang Muping was seated.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Jiang Muping sat upright with a straight posture, his gaze focused intently on the stage. He held a pen in one hand, while the other rested relaxed on the table. Occasionally, he would lower his head to jot down some notes.
Pa kjrc’a ecali atf ijaafg tjio bo atf fnfca atja Jtfcu Tjc’r jaafcalbc rtloafv yjmx ab Olc Qflplcu.
Dflmtfcu Fclnfgrlas’r vfyjaf afjw fwfgufv nlmabglber, jcv Olc Qflplcu kjr tbcbgfv klat atf alaif bo Yearajcvlcu Gfyjafg.
Pa rffwfv vfilyfgjaf bc atf qjga bo atf bgujclhfgr atja vfrqlaf tjnlcu wbgf rfclbg uefrar atjc Aljcu Zeqlcu, atf ajrx bo qgfrfcalcu atf jkjgv ab atf Dflmtfcu Fclnfgrlas vfyjaf afjw ofii lcab atf tjcvr bo atf sbecu qgbofrrbg tlwrfio.
Jiang Muping felt that it was improper for him to be on stage. He didn’t appear particularly pleased as he walked up, with a neutral expression on his face. When he saw the students from his own university, he only slightly raised the corners of his mouth. On the other hand, Lin Weijing had a beaming smile, radiant and joyful. During the photo session, Lin Weijing purposely stood close to Jiang Muping, foolishly grinning with his mouth wide open.
Because Cheng Yan stayed a little longer, he was noticed by Lin Weijing as he was leaving.
At that moment, Lin Weijing was engaged in a discussion with Jiang Muping, analyzing the debate that had just taken place. In the corner of his eye, he caught sight of his familiar brother—Cheng Yan’s hairstyle was striking, and his appearance stood out, resembling that of a celebrity. It was evident at a glance that he stood out from the crowd.
When Cheng Yan was about to leave, it was already late, and Lin Weijing waved and called out, “Gē!”
Jiang Muping turned his head, holding his notes, and Cheng Yan’s gaze was immediately drawn to his tie. It had become a reflex for Cheng Yan to always look at Jiang Muping’s tie whenever they met.
Jiang Muping has never worn the same tie twice, and today is no exception. The colors of his ties do not have a significant difference, but there are subtle variations in style and texture that Cheng Yan manages to notice every time.
Lin Weijing rushed over to Cheng Yan with a certificate in his hands and said, “Didn’t you say you had something and couldn’t come?”
“I suddenly found myself free.” Cheng Yan said without changing his expression, glancing at Jiang Muping. It seemed like Jiang Muping was about to come over and greet them.
From a distance of two meters, Cheng Yan noticed the scratch on Jiang Muping’s chin.
“What happened to your face?” Cheng Yan asked.
“Hmm?” Jiang Muping didn’t realize at first.
Cheng Yan pointed to Jiang Muping’s chin and asked, “Did you cut yourself while shaving?”
Jiang Muping lightly touched the small cut with the pad of his thumb and nodded, “Yes.”
Cheng Yan, not very talkative, had to say something meaningless, “Electric shavers are more convenient.”
“It’s broken, that’s why I had to use a manual one,” Jiang Muping replied.
The venue was bustling with noise, and Cheng Yan vaguely heard someone in the crowd calling out for Lin Weijing.
“Ah jing! Ah jing!”
Lin Jianmin and his wife squeezed through the ebbing crowd, with Lin Jianmin holding a bouquet of flowers. The couple had a rosy complexion, but their expressions appeared slightly awkward upon seeing Cheng Yan.
“Dad, Mom, how did you manage to make it here?”
“Of course, we came to watch you compete.” Lin Jianmin lightly patted his head with a palm. He stuffed the roughly wrapped bouquet into his arms.”Your mom bought you the flowers.”
Since Lin Weijing has asthma and can’t tolerate the scent of pollen, Lin’s mother bought him a bouquet of cotton flowers instead. They were white, fluffy, and quite adorable.
Lin Weijing’s expression was still somewhat bewildered, but a smile gradually appeared on his face as he took the flowers. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom.”
Lin’s mother shifted her gaze towards Cheng Yan. “Cheng Yan.”
Cheng Yan politely responded, “Auntie Lin.”
Lin’s mother nodded slightly. “You’re here too.”
Lin Jianmin quickly introduced Jiang Muping to Lin’s mother, saying, “Shuqing, this is Ah jing’s teacher, Professor Jiang.”
Lin’s mother wore a pair of old-fashioned glasses and carried herself with a certain elegance, displaying an intellectual demeanor. “Professor Jiang, hello.”
“Hello,” Jiang Muping replied.
Jiang Muping sensed a certain distance in the way Lin’s mother interacted with Cheng Yan, similar to how Lin Jianmin and his wife treated him. They were polite and courteous, but there was always a sense of detachment. Moreover, Lin’s mother seemed even more distant than Lin’s father, as if she was unwilling to engage in much conversation with Cheng Yan.
Of course, it’s also possible that Lin’s mother is naturally reserved and less talkative.
“I’ve received a prize money, so I’ll treat everyone to a meal today!” Lin Weijing declared, raising the red envelope in his hand. “Professor, come join us.”
Lin’s mother was the first to intervene. “You’re spending money recklessly. Save it for living expenses.”
“A meal won’t cost much.”
“Mom, please.”
Jiang Muping shook his head. “No need, thank you.”
Cheng Yan received several messages and lowered his head to look at his phone. He heard Lin Weijing’s stepmother’s gentle voice, “And what about you, Cheng Yan?”
Cheng Yan lifted his head and almost instinctively shook his head. “I have something to do, so I won’t go.”
Lin Weijing didn’t say anything, but he kept staring at Cheng Yan with a slight furrowed brow. After a moment, his forehead smoothed out, and he said in a tone of reproach, “Why do you always have something going on?”
“You think I’m you?” Cheng Yan replied bluntly.
“My schedule is also packed every day, you know!” Lin Weijing exploded in anger.
“Alright, let’s go,” Lin’s mother grabbed Lin Weijing’s arm. “What do you feel like eating later?”
She walked forward, holding onto Lin Weijing’s arm. Suddenly, she paused as if she had just remembered to bid farewell to Cheng Yan. She turned her head and said, “Cheng Yan, we’re leaving now.” Then, she nodded towards Jiang Muping. “Professor Jiang, goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” Jiang Muping replied.
Lin Jianmin patted Cheng Yan’s shoulder and then followed along.
They walked into the crowd, heading towards the exit of the venue with laughter and conversation. Jiang Muping observed Lin Weijing’s stepmother tightly holding onto her son’s arm and witnessed Lin Jianmin using his broad, rough hand to vigorously rub Lin Weijing’s head.
Having taught so many students and encountered numerous people, Jiang Muping was not unaware of the underlying aversion from Lin Jianmin and his wife towards Cheng Yan.
Furthermore, he understood that this aversion was not one-sided, as Cheng Yan himself would not actively seek their closeness.
Cheng Yan stared at the crowd for a few seconds, and Jiang Muping didn’t know what he was looking at. Perhaps it was Lin Weijing, or perhaps he wasn’t looking at anything specific.
Jiang Muping didn’t feel sorry for Cheng Yan. He just suddenly felt the pain in the cut on his chin.
Manual razors were really not easy to use, and the days-old whole wheat bread was hard to swallow.
The current situation didn’t have to be set in stone. He could try to change some things, and Cheng Yan could as well.
“Cheng Yan.”
“Hmm?” Cheng Yan turned his head to the side.
“Do you want to marry me?” Jiang Muping asked.
Cheng Yan was startled.
“Marry me, and let’s create a family,” Jiang Muping continued.
“Jiang Muping…” Cheng Yan looked at him with disbelief.
Cheng Yan’s curled hair fell onto his long eyelashes, trembling rapidly as his eyes blinked. Jiang Muping brushed aside that strand of hair and said, “I’m not joking with you.”
“Can I… can I think about it?” Cheng Yan felt as if he had been struck on the head, his thoughts becoming somewhat confused.
“I can,” Jiang Muping replied.
Cheng Yan lowered his head as if considering. It was ironic that he didn’t take much time to give his response.
He still kept his head down. “…Hmm… okay.”
OMFGGGG Gaaahhh I just had a stroke
That’s the most casual proposal I have ever witnessed both fictional and in real life yet the most sweetest and wholesome!!! This is sooner than expected. I’m so happy for them. My heart 🥹
Thank you so much for making my day with this update. May you have a wonderful day.
Can’t wait for their marriage life
Thanks for the chapter
Ahhhhh the proposal and thanks for the chapter!!
Muping: Romantic? Hm, we are in our thirties, in this age everything moving faster
Thank you for your translation 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
Did weijing’s adoptive parents even tried to get along with cheng yan who’s weijing’s real blood brother… Feel so bad for cheng yan.. He’s truly alone even though he still has a family member..
Love how straightforward that marriage proposal was! Hoping these two can be each other’s family <333
Y’all it’s happening!!!!!! AAAAAA
THAT WAS SO SUDDENLZND
Ahhhhhh! They’re so sweet! This proposal is so sudden!?
Woah, slow down, hold your horses, guys! I’m almost choked on my own saliva (⑉⊙ȏ⊙)
Thank You for the new chapter ♡(> ਊ <)♡
Oh my heart! That’s casually proposal 🤭😅
I hate those Lin Parents that act as if afraid Cheng Yan will stole “their” baby. He literally is his biological brother!
how his brother asks makes more sense through, so oblivious, always getting his way
that question is very abrupt!!! wtf????