Special Effects Pheromone - Chap 17
Yu Zhao pushed Qu Jing away and said, “I’m going back to my room.”
Qu Jing sat up, popped a mint candy into his mouth, and said, “Hold on, we haven’t finished looking at the photo album.”
Remembering that Qu Jing had also chewed mint candy after their first time, Yu Zhao curiously asked, “Why do you like eating mint candy?”
Qu Jing smiled and replied, “People always say, ‘Afterward, a cigarette feels like heaven.’ Unfortunately, I’ve quit smoking. So, I have to settle for mint candy, not quite like ‘heaven,’ but at least ‘half-heaven.’”
Yu Zhao was a bit surprised, “You used to smoke? For how long?”
Qu Jing thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t smoke seriously. Just picked it up when I was young, following others.”
Yu Zhao chuckled, “I get it now. When you were a little devil, you imitated adults to look cool. As you grew up and understood things, it became a hassle to quit.”
Qu Jing shook his head, “You got it wrong.”
“Isn’t that the case?” Yu Zhao was somewhat puzzled.
“You have a point in your speculation. Most teenage smokers act cool. But not me. I’ve been sensible since I was young,” Qu Jing explained.
“Sensible?” Yu Zhao couldn’t help but recall their recent intense exchange, finding it hard to associate “sensible” with Qu Jing. But upon second thought, he realized he, self-proclaimed “sensible,” was no different.
“Yeah,” Qu Jing nodded.
“How did you develop a smoking habit, then?” Yu Zhao became curious.
Qu Jing said, “Before I founded ‘Jingmen,’ I worked as a fund trader and often had to entertain clients. If a client offered a cigarette, would you refuse? And when it comes to drinking, forget about it. In the first few years, I came home reeking of alcohol and smoke every day. For that, my dad was furious.”
Yu Zhao understood a bit.
In fact, Yu Zhao, being in the business world himself, had attended social events. He managed to avoid smoking most of the time, partly due to being “Yu Hai’s son.” However, he couldn’t escape drinking. So, for Qu Jing, a young man without a background trying to attract clients, acting “aloof” wasn’t an option.
“It’s better now. I can resist smoking and control my drinking,” Qu Jing said. “Luckily, I quit the life of drinking and smoking early on. My health is still good, and I can still take care of you.”
Yu Zhao’s face immediately turned red, “How is that related to me? Your… your good health is your own benefit!”
Qu Jing smiled and didn’t say much. He picked up the photo album, inviting Yu Zhao to lie in his arms to continue viewing it together. Yu Zhao didn’t like getting too close to people, but since things had already progressed with Qu Jing, and he was a ‘client’, he couldn’t refuse too much. So, he leaned against Qu Jing’s chest, and they flipped through the album together.
Yu Zhao’s head rested on Qu Jing’s shoulder. After staying warm for a while, he realized that being embraced like this wasn’t too bad.
Qu Jing then said, “We don’t have a photo together.”
Yu Zhao replied, “Isn’t that normal? We just met.”
“But we’re getting married soon,” Qu Jing said.
Yu Zhao also felt it was contradictory. Getting married right after meeting someone new seemed improper. However, in ancient times, this was the norm, and modern people seemed to accept such a way.
Yu Zhao said, “What should we do? Take a selfie with our phones?”
Qu Jing replied, “That won’t be a physical photo.”
With that, Qu Jing took a solo photo of himself, opened the bedside table, picked up a pen, and drew a rose next to his solo picture. It was evident that Qu Jing wasn’t good at drawing. The rose looked like a child’s simple doodle, barely resembling a flower.
“This is you,” Qu Jing said, pointing at the rose. “A rose.”
Yu Zhao knew his scent was honey rose, but being called “rose” made him feel awkward, “This nickname…”
“Is it not good?” Qu Jing asked.
“It’s a bit feminine,” Yu Zhao honestly replied.
Qu Jing laughed, “Then you choose. Which one do you think is more feminine, ‘rose’ or ‘wife’?”
Yu Zhao said, “Just call me ‘Rose.’”
Qu Jing nodded, “Then what will you call me?”
Yu Zhao said, “Mr. Qu.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“Then what sounds good?”
After thinking for a moment, Qu Jing said, “Jing, meaning thorn, fittingly complements your rose.”
“Alright, then I’ll call you ‘Thorn,’” Yu Zhao agreed.
Qu Jing shook his head, “No, that doesn’t sound good either.”
Qu Jing smiled, “How about ‘husband’?”
Qu Jing was just joking, thinking that the cold and formal Yu Zhao wouldn’t agree. Unexpectedly, Yu Zhao, prioritizing customer satisfaction, considered it a top priority. It wasn’t too difficult or excessive, so he readily said, “Sure.”
Qu Jing was quite surprised, “Then… Can you say it once for me to hear?” His tone was incredulous.
Yu Zhao, without any hindrance and emotion, said, “Husband.”
Qu Jing liked it quite a bit, thinking, “If he’s willing to do something so embarrassing, he must really like me.”
