Chapter 39
“Alright, alright,” Jiang Zhong compromised. “Dating young is bad. But the two of us were destined. We missed each other in high school, but college was waiting for us.”
Xi Qin gently pinched Jiang Zhong’s fingers. “Hmm.”
The owner, in between grabbing red envelopes on his phone, managed to prepare the two drinks Jiang Zhong ordered. When he brought them over, he still couldn’t bear to put his phone down.
“Oh wow, boss, you’re really busy,” Jiang Zhong teased. “You might as well just grab red envelopes at home. Hardly anyone comes around here during the New Year.”
“If I hadn’t opened the shop, you wouldn’t have had the chance to come here now, would you?” the owner retorted.
“Fair enough,” Jiang Zhong replied, turning to Xi Qin with a grin. “I guess I’m a bit slow.”
Xi Qin inserted a straw into one of the drinks and placed it in front of Jiang Zhong, smiling as he nodded. “A little slow is cute.”
After a while, the owner brought over a plate of popcorn chicken.
“Complimentary, consider it a New Year’s gift,” the owner said with a cheerful smile. “A little snack for you both.”
“Thanks, boss,” Jiang Zhong immediately replied. “Wishing you a prosperous new year, booming business, and a bigger shop soon!”
“Haha, thanks,” the owner laughed heartily. “Kid, you’re great with words.”
Jiang Zhong smugly turned and winked at Xi Qin.
“Ah,” the owner sighed after laughing, “Nowadays, everyone sends New Year’s greetings on their phones. You’re actually the first to greet me face-to-face this year.”
“Whether it’s in person or on the phone, the sentiment behind the blessings is the same,” Jiang Zhong said.
After the owner left, Xi Qin gave Jiang Zhong an admiring look. “You’re so good with words. If it were me, I’d probably just manage a ‘thanks.’”
Jiang Zhong cleared his throat theatrically, clasping his hands together in mock formality toward Xi Qin. “I wish you another year of handsomeness, a goodbye to troubles, and endless good vibes every day.”
Xi Qin was about to reply, but Jiang Zhong leaned in closer and whispered, “Happy New Year, boyfriend.”
Before Jiang Zhong could pull back, Xi Qin quickly planted a kiss on his cheek and then lowered his voice. “Baby, I wish you happiness—not just for the New Year, but always.”
“Damn,” Jiang Zhong covered his face, first glancing toward the owner’s direction to make sure he wasn’t seen, then turned to Xi Qin, wide-eyed. “You’re so modest. Turns out you’re pretty good with words yourself.”
“Only for you,” Xi Qin said with a serious expression.
Jiang Zhong burst into a wide grin. Xi Qin had this way of effortlessly making him feel utterly smitten.
“Not as good as you,” Xi Qin added. “You can sweet-talk anyone…”
“Just shut up,” Jiang Zhong’s smile barely lasted a second before it turned into exasperation. “Are you about to call me a scumbag again?”
“Pfft,” Xi Qin laughed. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought of it if you hadn’t brought it up. I was actually trying to compliment you. Your personality is so likable.”
“Oh, I see.” Jiang Zhong awkwardly scratched his nose. “Talking like this became a habit. When I was little, I used to follow my parents around to give New Year’s greetings, and saying those words always got me red envelopes.”
“Then should I give you a red envelope too?” Xi Qin pulled out his phone.
“I don’t want it.” Jiang Zhong pressed down on his hand. “You already sent me New Year’s money last night.”
Xi Qin tried to resist, but Jiang Zhong simply grabbed his phone. “Now it’s settled—your money is all in my hands.”
“Take it all,” Xi Qin said softly. “My little housekeeper.”
“Speaking of New Year’s greetings,” Jiang Zhong awkwardly changed the subject, “do you want to come to my house to celebrate?”
“Your house?” Xi Qin suddenly tensed. “To give New Year’s greetings to your parents?”
“Yeah.” Jiang Zhong was a bit nervous himself, but he tried to act casual. “It’s the New Year, nothing much is going on. I thought I could take you to my place to hang out.”
“Jiang Zhong,” Xi Qin grabbed one of Jiang Zhong’s hands, his expression serious. “Have you thought this through? Meeting the parents—it’s like making it official.”
Jiang Zhong’s heart pounded. Meeting the parents? That sounded way too formal.
“We’re not doing anything else anyway,” Jiang Zhong muttered. “I just want my parents to meet you, and for you to get to know them. Why make it sound so serious?”
“I don’t care,” Xi Qin, for once, acted willfully. “For me, meeting the parents means we’re set for life.”
“Alright, alright.” Jiang Zhong’s phone was on speaker. “I’ll bring him back tomorrow morning.”
Zheng Yinqiu’s voice came through the phone. “Should I cook for you?”
“No need to rush, Mom,” Jiang Zhong replied. “We’ll have breakfast before we come.”
“Alright, I’ll prepare lunch.” Zheng Yinqiu insisted. “By the way, does your… um… boyfriend have any dietary restrictions?”
“His name is Xi—Qin—” Jiang Zhong deliberately answered off-topic.
“Alright, does Xiao Xi have any dietary restrictions?”
Xi Qin, listening beside him, hurriedly waved his hands.
“He doesn’t,” Jiang Zhong said, holding back a laugh. “Just make the dishes I like. He likes the same things I do.”
“Got it. Hanging up now.”
“Okay, Mom. Bye, see you tomorrow.”
Once Zheng Yinqiu hung up, Jiang Zhong put his phone away, only to be immediately pulled into a tight hug by Xi Qin.
“I…” Xi Qin shook Jiang Zhong slightly. “I’m a little nervous.”
“It’s fine,” Jiang Zhong half-heartedly comforted him. “My dad doesn’t talk much, but that’s actually good for you since you’re not much of a talker either. My mom might easily read your thoughts, but she’s pretty easygoing on the surface.”
Xi Qin: “…”
Xi Qin: “The way you’re saying it is making me even more nervous.”
“Aiya, there’s really nothing to worry about,” Jiang Zhong said as Xi Qin swayed him back and forth. “Don’t be nervous. Look at me.”
Xi Qin held Jiang Zhong’s face with both hands and stared straight at him.
“That’s not what I meant by ‘look at me,’” Jiang Zhong pried his hands away. “I mean, look at my personality. My parents can’t possibly be that strict.”
Xi Qin nodded half-believingly.
“Besides,” Jiang Zhong turned and pointed at the pile of items on the dining table and the floor, “You’ve prepared so much already. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Jiang Zhong had originally planned to take Xi Qin to his house in the afternoon, but Xi Qin insisted on stopping by every shop that was open on New Year’s Day. He bought a lot of things based on what he had learned about Jiang Zhong’s parents’ preferences.
When they got back to the apartment, Xi Qin asked Jiang Zhong to notify his parents in advance to avoid surprising them and possibly offending them.
“I’m worried your parents won’t like me,” Xi Qin said dejectedly. “I should have asked you earlier what they like. There were so few stores open today, and I couldn’t buy half of what I wanted.”
“Listen to me,” Jiang Zhong said seriously, wrapping his arms around Xi Qin’s neck. “My parents won’t dislike you because of that. What they care about is your attitude towards me and our relationship. Don’t you have confidence in us?”
“I do,” Xi Qin replied.
“Also,” Jiang Zhong continued, “we’re still students. My parents won’t care if you brought gifts or not.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Xi Qin sighed.
“Then stop being so nervous,” Jiang Zhong said, looking into Xi Qin’s eyes. “You’ve already bought plenty of things. We won’t even be able to bring them all tomorrow. Just pick a few as New Year’s gifts, okay?”
“Alright.”
“Good.” Jiang Zhong gave him a quick peck on the lips as a reward.
Xi Qin leaned in for a proper kiss, and after they parted, he sighed again. “Actually, I’m worried your parents might mind my family situation.”
“That… I don’t think they will,” Jiang Zhong said, a bit surprised. “Those things aren’t your fault. My parents are reasonable people.”
“Okay,” Xi Qin said, pushing the worry aside for now. He pulled Jiang Zhong upstairs. “Help me pick an outfit. I don’t know what’s appropriate to wear.”
“The clothes you usually wear are fine,” Jiang Zhong said helplessly. “They’re cool and stylish.”
“Will your parents like them?” Xi Qin fretted. “Will my style make me seem unreliable?”
“Of course not,” Jiang Zhong said, rubbing his forehead. “And besides, you dress for me to see. As long as I like it, it’s fine. It’s not like you’re wearing anything outrageous. My parents won’t care about that.”
“That makes sense,” Xi Qin agreed, then teased Jiang Zhong, “And you get to see how I look without clothes too.”
“Right,” Jiang Zhong surprisingly didn’t call him a pervert. “If we have the time, we might as well do something fun.”
In the end, Jiang Zhong gave in to Xi Qin’s insistence and picked out an outfit that was appropriate for meeting the parents.
“Your parents are used to your style. If I dress similarly, it might actually earn me some extra points,” Xi Qin said.
In the end, they didn’t do anything “fun.”
“I’m worried you won’t be able to get up tomorrow morning,” Xi Qin explained.
“It’s still early,” Jiang Zhong countered. “As long as we don’t stay up too late, I’ll wake up just fine.”
“Better not,” Xi Qin thought about it and gave up. “I wouldn’t be able to stop. If we go tomorrow and your parents notice your legs are weak when you walk…”
“Alright, alright, stop talking,” Jiang Zhong interrupted, waving his hand. “We won’t do anything. Let’s just go to sleep early.”
Xi Qin couldn’t help laughing for a long time. He hugged Jiang Zhong tightly and held him close for a while. “I’ll make it up to you next time.”
“Get lost,” Jiang Zhong said.
This shameless guy, talking as if Jiang Zhong was the one eager for it.
The next morning, Jiang Zhong still woke up late, despite the fact that nothing had happened between them the night before. They had only kissed a few times before Xi Qin restrained himself and simply held Jiang Zhong as they slept.
The reason Jiang Zhong woke up late? No particular reason. He just liked to sleep in.
Actually, using Jiang Zhong as a reference point, it might be more accurate to say that Xi Qin woke up early.
“My schedule is what you’d call a normal college student’s winter break routine,” Jiang Zhong said as he ate the breakfast Xi Qin made. “Waking up at this time is already pretty early for me.”
“Alright, alright,” Xi Qin didn’t bother arguing. “Just hurry up and eat. We’ve got things to pack afterward.”
“I’m telling you, there’s no rush,” Jiang Zhong said at his usual eating pace. “When my mom’s not working, she likes to sleep in too. She might not even be up yet.”
“But what if Auntie knew we were coming and got up early to wait for us?”
“That,” Jiang Zhong said with a laugh, “is also possible.”
After all, it was the first time meeting her future daughter-in-law—uh, son-in-law. There was a chance Zheng Yinqiu might have gotten up early.
Xi Qin: “…”
Xi Qin stopped urging Jiang Zhong. He quickly finished his own breakfast, changed clothes, picked out the gifts, and even styled his hair.
“Does this look good?” Xi Qin asked, full of anticipation.
Jiang Zhong, who had just finished eating unhurriedly, looked up and seriously assessed him. “It looks great. So handsome, my legs feel weak.”
Then he pounced and gave Xi Qin a long, lingering kiss.
Jiang Zhong was in an excellent mood. The more nervous and serious Xi Qin was about this “New Year’s visit,” the more it showed how much he cared.
Ten minutes later, Xi Qin, panting slightly, withdrew his hand from under Jiang Zhong’s shirt and used his thumb to wipe a bit of saliva from Jiang Zhong’s lips. “Alright, no time for more. We’ll pick this up next time.”
Jiang Zhong laughed at Xi Qin’s antics for quite a while.
“Blow-dry my hair too,” Jiang Zhong said, “I want to look as handsome as you.”
Under Xi Qin’s apparent fear of being late—though it was really just a cover for his nervousness—the two finally left the apartment at 9:15.
It took over an hour to get from their school area to Jiang Zhong’s home by car. By the time they stood in front of the villa’s gate, it was nearly 11 o’clock.
Xi Qin quietly took a deep breath.
This was his second time entering this place. The last time he came, he and Jiang Zhong weren’t together yet. He hadn’t expected that this time he’d be coming to meet Jiang Zhong’s parents.
Jiang Zhong glanced at Xi Qin before pulling out his keys to open the gate.
Once they were inside and about to unlock the first-floor door, Jiang Zhong asked, “Should I open it now?”
“Yes,” Xi Qin nodded, adjusting his expression. “Go ahead.”
“Wait a second.” Jiang Zhong hung the two gift bags he was holding onto Xi Qin’s already full hands. “This way, you can really show off your boyfriend power.”
Just as he was about to insert the key into the lock, Jiang Zhong pulled it back.
“How about we ring the doorbell and let my mom open the door instead?” Jiang Zhong suggested. “That way, you can greet her right away. If I unlock it myself, you’ll have to wait for them to come over.”
Xi Qin quickly nodded. “That makes a lot of sense.”
So, Jiang Zhong pressed the doorbell twice, while Xi Qin stood slightly behind him to the left, wearing a polite smile.
Soon, they heard the sound of the lock being undone from inside. The door swung open, revealing Bai Xuyang standing there.
Jiang Zhong, who had been about to blurt out “Mom,” quickly corrected himself and said, “Brother?”
Before Bai Xuyang could respond, Xi Qin, standing behind Jiang Zhong, greeted, “Good morning, brother.”