Chapter 258 – Aggravating man

The dining hall was too quiet, save for the sound of Jian’s heavy breathing. His hands clenched around the table edge, knuckles white. The wood beneath his grip groaned before splintering— crack!—a small chunk breaking off into his palm. When he opened his fist, it crumbled into sawdust, falling onto the polished surface like a shower of dust.Eren’s brows rose as he set down his knife. "Whoa... something is definitely up with you. Come on, you can tell me."

Jian licked his lips, the gesture frustrated, almost violent, before slamming his forehead against the table with a dull thud. His golden hair fell messily over his face as he growled into the wood. "I want to fucking kill him!"

Eren tilted his head, hiding the spark of amusement that flickered in his eyes. "Umm, who? Tell me and I’ll help you."

Jian lifted his head slowly, his expression stormy, and shot him a glare sharp enough to cut.

"Come on," Eren coaxed, leaning forward, voice soft and teasing. "If you don’t talk, how will I know what’s bothering you?" He speared a piece of peach with his knife and extended it toward Jian like an offering.

Grumbling under his breath, Jian accepted it, snatching it off the blade and shoving it into his mouth. He chewed angrily, the sweetness of the fruit only stoking his irritation. "It’s your fucking general," he finally snapped. "Is he made of stone or what? Look at him—he barely reacts to anything! I feel like I’m talking to a wall sometimes. Ugh, it’s so frustrating! Ahhh!" He raked his hands through his hair and squirmed in his seat like a child in the middle of a tantrum.

Eren raised a brow, lips quirking. "Well... our general has always been stoic. Why does it suddenly piss you off now, hmm?" He leaned in, resting his chin on his hand, eyes glittering with mischief.

Jian groaned loudly, tipping his head back. "You wouldn’t understand... your man is a fucking romantic, sweeping you off your feet any time of the day."

Eren’s eyes lit up like a child handed candy. "Ohhh. We’re talking about your romantic life. What happened? What happened? Tell me, come on—I’m so invested now."

"Nothing happened!" Jian burst out, slamming his hands on the table. His voice cracked as his emotions spilled over. "That’s the problem—nothing happened between us. I get it, when I was fifteen he held back because I wasn’t an adult. But now I’m twenty! Twenty! I’m a twenty-year-old virgin who has only ever held hands in his life!"

Eren let out a low whistle before chuckling under his breath. "So you mean to say our general hasn’t done anything with you?"

"That’s what I’m saying! Are you even hearing me?!" Jian exploded, voice echoing in the hall.

Eyes wide, Eren lifted a hand in surrender before patting Jian’s back gently. "Alright, alright. Calm down. Come, let’s have this talk in private."

He tugged the younger man out of the dining hall, leading him to the small motor room in the back. The smell of oil and metal filled the air, the quiet space cocooning them in secrecy.

"So," Eren began, folding his arms, "your problem is that you two haven’t done anything yet. Have you tried getting physical with him? Because as far as I know, our general is the type of man who would hold back every single emotion, even if he’s feeling a million things inside. If you want something, Jian, you might have to take the initiative."

"I did! I did today and I was snubbed." Jian’s voice cracked, and to his own horror, his eyes stung. Tears began slipping down his cheeks, hot and shameful. "I’m not even sure he likes me. Does he even want me? Fuck, I hate feeling like this. I’ve never been so aggravated by anyone before."

For five long years they had traveled together, slept side by side, shared meals, shared silence. They had been everything to each other. How could a healthy man—how could any man—hold back for so long if he truly desired him?

The thought lodged itself deep in Jian’s chest like a knife. If Xing Yu could remain so unfeeling, then perhaps it was because he felt nothing at all. Maybe all this time, he was simply doing his duty as a mate—nothing more.

The realization left Jian’s heart raw and exposed, his pride shattered.

He sobbed, covering his face with his hands. "I feel like shit..."

"Come here." Eren’s voice softened as he pulled Jian against him. The younger man collapsed into his embrace, trembling, his tears soaking into Eren’s shirt. Eren stroked his back gently, murmuring, "I’m telling you, it’s never like that. I’ve seen the way the general looks at you. That man is smitten..."

"Then why won’t he touch me?!" Jian’s cry came out broken, wounded. His voice shook as he confessed the unbearable truth. "I even stood fucking naked in front of him today. And nothing. Not even a glance. That fucker... I just want to fucking punch him in the face!" His words spilled out like venom, curses he had never used before tearing from his throat.

Eren’s mouth fell open. "O-oh... ohhh... I see..."

Jian wiped at his heated, tear-streaked face, sniffing hard. His voice grew small, almost fragile. "I know it. He must think I’m not a good mate... or that I’m not Farian enough."

"Do you even look at yourself?" Eren gestured at him firmly.

Jian blinked through blurred vision. His golden hair glimmered faintly in the light, strands catching like molten sun, and his eyes—those eyes—carried a halo of soft golden fire unique to his bloodline. He looked every bit a royal Farian.

"It’s not your looks, I’m sure of it." Eren’s voice was certain, grounding. "Jian... did you ever try talking to him about it?"

"N-no..." Jian admitted, rubbing his nose like a child. His voice cracked with shame. "I don’t even know where to start the topic."

Eren patted his back, steady and reassuring. "Just try talking to him. Communication is very important in a relationship, okay? Maybe then you’ll finally get an answer to this dilemma of yours."

Jian nodded softly, gaze falling to his shoes, scuffed with dirt. His voice was a whisper, fragile. "I’ll try talking to him tonight... but what if he really doesn’t want me?"

"Gods, you should stop being so negative." Eren brushed the remaining tears from his cheeks, his hand firm and brotherly. "You look like a fucking radiant sun. Why wouldn’t he want you?"

Jian blinked at him, stunned by the bluntness.

Eren grinned, patting his back with a strong thump. "Come on, young prince. Go get your mate."