Chapter 38
“Oh,” Zheng Yinqiu teased, “So sure about it? Like I said before, when you think it’s the right time, bring him to meet me and your dad.”
“Sure,” Jiang Zhong smiled widely, “you’ll definitely like him.”
【Jiang Zhong: Boyfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend】
【Xi Qin: I’m here, I’m here, I’m here】
Jiang Zhong’s smile hadn’t faded since dinner.
【Jiang Zhong: The thing I mentioned to you the other day】
【Jiang Zhong: I can tell you now】
【Xi Qin: Okay, tell me】
【Xi Qin: I’ve been looking forward to this】
Jiang Zhong’s fingers were filled with joy as he typed.
【Jiang Zhong: I told my parents about us】
【Jiang Zhong: They agreed!】
Xi Qin was stunned for a few seconds. His emotions became complicated in an instant—surprised, moved, and in disbelief…
In the end, all these feelings combined into a desire to see Jiang Zhong, to hug him, to kiss him, to be close to him.
After Jiang Zhong sent the message, he didn’t wait for Xi Qin’s reply but received a video call invitation instead.
“Um,” Jiang Zhong smiled, gesturing with his phone to his parents, who were sitting together watching the Spring Festival Gala, “I need to take a call.”
Zheng Yinqiu glanced at Jiang Zhong’s face and immediately knew who he was going to talk to. She gave him a knowing look and said, “Go ahead.”
Jiang Zhong felt a little awkward. He stood up from the couch and went upstairs.
“Why the sudden video call?” Jiang Zhong answered as he walked up the stairs, speaking softly, “I was just watching the Spring Festival Gala with my parents.”
“Sorry,” Xi Qin said, gazing at Jiang Zhong in the video with longing, “I couldn’t resist.”
Jiang Zhong winked at Xi Qin, not saying anything.
Xi Qin felt a spark and became even more eager to tease Jiang Zhong, staring at his jawline, wanting to bite it.
Back in his room, Jiang Zhong propped up his phone on the pillow, leaning against the headboard. He lay on the bed with his elbow supporting his chin, facing the screen.
“Alright,” Jiang Zhong said, “Now we can talk freely.”
“Did you tell your uncle and aunt the other day?” Xi Qin asked eagerly.
“Yeah,” Jiang Zhong recalled, “It was the first day after I came back from your place.”
“Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” Xi Qin said, a little scared, “You waited so long before telling me the result.”
“Because I didn’t plan on it,” Jiang Zhong laughed, “It just suddenly felt right to be honest with my mom that day. I did want to tell you sooner, but my parents didn’t tell me what they thought until I asked them during dinner.”
“What did your uncle and aunt say?” Xi Qin asked urgently. “They didn’t make things difficult for you, did they?”
“No,” Jiang Zhong squinted his eyes and smiled, “Didn’t I tell you they agreed?”
“They just said they agreed?”
“Not exactly,” Jiang Zhong replied, “They said that as long as I was sure about it, they couldn’t force me. They said my life was my responsibility.”
Before Xi Qin could respond, Jiang Zhong continued, “They also said that I need to make sure I understand your character. If you ever hurt me, well… hmph.”
“Good,” Xi Qin sighed with relief, then smiled happily. “Then you’d better look carefully, so your uncle and aunt won’t worry.”
“But,” Jiang Zhong hesitated, “I’m looking at you through a hundred layers of filters, so I probably can’t see through you. What should I do?”
“Yeah, what should we do?” Xi Qin thought for a moment, then playfully suggested, “How about letting your uncle and aunt help you take a look?”
“That’s a good idea,” Jiang Zhong nodded in agreement. “Next time, I’ll bring you over to my house and formally introduce you to my parents.”
“You…” Xi Qin paused, “Are you serious?”
“Seriously,” Jiang Zhong said seriously. “My parents want to meet you too.”
Xi Qin stared blankly at him through the phone for a long time without saying anything.
“Ah,” Jiang Zhong suddenly realized something, “Do you think it’s too fast? It’s fine, we can wait until you’re ready…”
“No,” Xi Qin’s voice was a bit hoarse. “Jiang Zhong, how can you be so good?”
“This…” Jiang Zhong chuckled, suddenly unsure of how to respond. “I can’t help it, I’m just this good. Anyway, it can’t be changed, so you’ll just have to slowly get used to it.”
Xi Qin chuckled a few times and softly said, “How could I feel wronged? I’m about to fall in love with you.”
Jiang Zhong opened his mouth, then closed it again. It seemed like this was the first time the word “love” was mentioned between him and Xi Qin.
Although it wasn’t said in a very formal way, it still made him feel very moved.
“By the way,” Jiang Zhong awkwardly changed the topic. “Are you at that house right now?”
“Yeah,” Xi Qin adjusted the camera to the back and turned it around. “It’s the room I used to live in.”
Jiang Zhong wasn’t really concerned with that. “Nothing happened, right? Did your brother say anything unpleasant?”
“Nothing happened,” Xi Qin turned the camera back to his face. “Don’t worry, after all, it’s the New Year, and no one wants to cause trouble.”
“That’s good,” Jiang Zhong sighed in relief. “I don’t think I’ve ever asked you, where is your home?”
“XX district, not far from your place,” Xi Qin lowered his head and sent Jiang Zhong a location pin.
Jiang Zhong checked the distance between them, and indeed, it wasn’t far.
It made sense, they both attended the same school during high school, commuting every day. Even with the school as the center point, the straight-line distance wouldn’t be too far.
Coincidentally, they were actually in the same direction, which made it even closer.
The next day at noon, Jiang Zhong took a taxi to the location Xi Qin had sent him the night before.
He and Xi Qin had video-chatted for a long time last night. Although Xi Qin didn’t mention it, Jiang Zhong knew that Xi Qin had spent the New Year’s Eve alone in his apartment.
It wasn’t that he didn’t celebrate with others, but after a shared family dinner, Xi Qin had returned to his room by himself. The laughter and liveliness outside had nothing to do with him.
Jiang Zhong didn’t want Xi Qin to feel lonely amid the festivities. Now that Xi Qin had a boyfriend, if he was still by himself everywhere like before, it would mean that Jiang Zhong wasn’t fulfilling his role as his boyfriend.
【Jiang Zhong: What are you doing?】
When Xi Qin received Jiang Zhong’s message, he was changing shoes, getting ready to go out.
Ten minutes ago, Xi Qin had told his dad that he had a boyfriend.
Xi Qin spoke calmly, as if he wasn’t seeking his father’s opinion, just informing him politely.
Since he had moved into this house, the conversations between Xi Qin and his father had mostly been like this: no need for consultation, just informing each other of things like dinner or which university he got into.
Xi Qin knew that even if his dad disliked that he was gay, he wouldn’t interfere much.
As a father, Xi Qin’s dad hadn’t paid attention to him in the past few years, and it was too late to intervene now.
When Xi Qin’s parents divorced, he had been in junior high and was given to his mom. After all, his dad had more than one son.
After his mom passed away, his dad had brought him to live together, but it was clear that his dad was more focused on his younger brother.
Just as Xi Qin expected, after hearing about his boyfriend, his dad’s expression was clearly disapproving, but he didn’t say much.
It was likely, as he had predicted, that it was because it was the first day of the New Year, and his dad didn’t want things to get ugly.
However, some people didn’t care about whether it was the New Year or whether it would cause trouble. They just seized the opportunity to mock Xi Qin sarcastically.
Xi Qin had promised his boyfriend that he would try not to argue with foolish people, so he ignored them.
Unexpectedly, his younger brother thought Xi Qin was “guilty” and kept on mocking, even almost bringing up his boyfriend—Jiang Zhong.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xi Qin slammed his chopsticks onto the table, startling his brother, who immediately fell silent but kept glaring at him.
“Some people are just both stupid and cowardly,” Xi Qin chuckled in embarrassment.
Without waiting for his brother to say anything more, Xi Qin stood up from the chair and looked at his dad. “The main reason I came back this time was to tell you about this. Now that you know, I’ll be heading back.”
After speaking, without considering the thoughts of the other three people at the table, he directly walked to the entrance to change his shoes and prepare to leave, while simultaneously receiving a message from Jiang Zhong.
Seeing the small red dot pop up on the “Little Scumbag” profile picture, Xi Qin’s mood instantly improved.
【Xi Qin: Just getting ready to head back】
【Jiang Zhong: Head back?】
【Jiang Zhong: To school?】
【Xi Qin: Mm, don’t want to stay in this house anymore】
Jiang Zhong read the message from Xi Qin and thought to himself that he was really making his boyfriend feel so wronged.
【Jiang Zhong: Well, can you give me a ride then?】
【Jiang Zhong: I happen to be near your place】
Jiang Zhong stood under a large tree on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets and chin buried in his scarf. He spotted his boyfriend running quickly out of the community in the distance.
When Xi Qin saw him, he didn’t stop and immediately ran over to hug Jiang Zhong tightly.
“What are you doing here?” Xi Qin asked, panting.
“I don’t know,” Jiang Zhong’s face was buried in Xi Qin’s shoulder. “My legs just suddenly moved on their own. By the time I regained control, I was already here.”
Xi Qin chuckled softly a few times. “Liar, you clearly missed me.”
“Now that you know, why ask?”
“I want to hear you say it,” Xi Qin coaxed, “Say it to me, okay?”
“Alright,” Jiang Zhong obediently replied, “I felt that you missed me, so I came.”
“Yes, yes, yes,” Xi Qin laughed for a while. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” Jiang Zhong whispered.
“Baby,” Xi Qin called out, unable to resist, “If I kissed you on the street, would you hit me?”
Jiang Zhong was startled and immediately pushed him away, nervously looking around in all directions.
Fortunately, it was New Year’s, and most people were probably at tourist spots, so there weren’t many people on the usual street. They were also hidden behind the tree trunk, so no one saw them.
“What are you doing?” Xi Qin pretended to be aggrieved. “Making it look like we’re having an affair.”
“Get lost,” Jiang Zhong adjusted the scarf and clothes Xi Qin had messed up. “In broad daylight, be mindful of how it looks.”
“Isn’t your reaction a little slow?” Xi Qin chuckled. “We’ve been hugging here for ages. If anyone wanted to see, they’ve already seen.”
“Then let’s hurry up and leave.” Jiang Zhong nudged Xi Qin forward.
“Where to?” Xi Qin relaxed, letting Jiang Zhong push him along.
“Aren’t we going back to the apartment? Let’s grab a ride.”
“I don’t feel like going back,” Xi Qin grabbed Jiang Zhong’s wrist and, using their clothes as cover, refused to let go. “Let’s just wander around.”
“That works.” Jiang Zhong tugged his sleeve down a little.
The streets were relatively empty, and the two walked on the innermost edge of the sidewalk. Xi Qin held Jiang Zhong’s hand the entire way, not caring if anyone saw.
Eventually, they arrived at the entrance of their old high school.
During the Spring Festival, even the most studious senior students, who usually wished for more hours in a day, were on break. The school grounds were especially quiet, and only a few of the stores near the gates were open.
Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin walked into a milk tea shop. The only person inside was the owner.
Milk tea shops near high schools were never big, and this one was no exception.
Standing at the counter, the two browsed the menu while the owner’s phone played WeChat voice messages aloud.
“I used to buy drinks here all the time,” Jiang Zhong said. “They’ve added so many new options now.”
“I’ve never bought from here,” Xi Qin turned to Jiang Zhong. “What was your favorite back then?”
“This one.” Jiang Zhong pointed to an item on the menu.
“Then I’ll have this too.”
Jiang Zhong glanced at Xi Qin with a smile. “Alright, boss, two of your signature drinks.”
“Got it,” the owner responded while fiddling with his phone. “You two can sit inside and wait. Let me grab this red envelope first.”
Not in a rush, Jiang Zhong and Xi Qin sat down inside.
“I used to love sitting here,” Jiang Zhong led Xi Qin to a table in the corner near the wall.
Xi Qin smiled and sat where Jiang Zhong indicated. “What else did you like back then? Tell me everything.”
“Oh, there’s so much, I couldn’t finish listing them,” Jiang Zhong said regretfully. “Too bad I didn’t know you then.”
Xi Qin didn’t reply, so Jiang Zhong continued, “If we had known each other back then, it would’ve been so much fun—secretly dating behind the teachers’ and parents’ backs, going to school together, heading home together, doing homework side by side, and sneaking little hand-holding moments when no one was watching…”
Under the table, Xi Qin grabbed Jiang Zhong’s hand. “I remember you once said you thought dating young was a bad idea.”
“Did I?” Jiang Zhong widened his eyes. “No way. I really wanted to date back then, there just wasn’t anyone suitable.”
“You did,” Xi Qin nodded earnestly. “You really said that.”
“You must’ve remembered wrong,” Jiang Zhong denied. “Dating young is bad, sure, but only for people with weak willpower. If I had dated you back then, we’d have worked together and gotten better and better.”
“No, no, no, dating young is really bad,” Xi Qin insisted. “Good thing you didn’t date back then. Otherwise, I might not have had a chance now.”