Chapter 37
“By the way,” Jiang Zhong turned to Xi Qin, “In a few days, it’s New Year’s Eve. Are you going back home?”
“Mm.”
“If your brother starts spouting nonsense again, don’t pay attention to him,” Jiang Zhong said. After thinking for a moment, he felt that wasn’t right—didn’t that just mean Xi Qin would be wronged?
“No, no, no. You should just scold him,” Jiang Zhong continued. “But don’t hit him again. He’s in his senior year now, right? He must be tall and strong by now. What if he gets into a fight with you and hurts you?”
“Okay,” Xi Qin smiled lightly. “I’ll try not to mind him.”
Jiang Zhong then turned around and sat on Xi Qin’s lap, wrapping his arms around Xi Qin’s neck and looking into his eyes. “If you can’t stand being at home, don’t force yourself. I’ll find a chance to come over and keep you company.”
“It’s fine,” Xi Qin tightened his arms around Jiang Zhong’s waist. “Don’t worry. I’ve been through this for many years. I don’t really mind anymore.”
Jiang Zhong curled the corners of his mouth. Actually, he wasn’t really worried, just that he didn’t want Xi Qin to go back to how he was before, when everyone else was happily together, and he was left cold and lonely at home by himself.
“Are you still feeling bad?” Xi Qin suddenly asked, while gently squeezing Jiang Zhong’s butt.
“I’m fine now,” Jiang Zhong answered honestly, not noticing anything odd.
“Then shall we…” Xi Qin’s breath suddenly became somewhat subtle, his Adam’s apple rolling, “…go upstairs?”
“Huh?” Jiang Zhong swallowed. “Go upstairs to do… do what?”
“What do you think? It was just once before,” Xi Qin’s eyes held a hint of aggression. “Or do you want to stay here?”
If he had to choose…
Jiang Zhong, this time, had no difficulty deciding: “Then let’s go upstairs.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xi Qin pulled him close by the waist, pressing him into his arms and planting a creamy kiss on his lips.
—
Xi Qin went up and down several times to fetch water, until the early morning, when he finally, contentedly, hugged Jiang Zhong to sleep.
Jiang Zhong didn’t wake up until noon the next day, feeling sore in his waist, weak in his legs, and exhausted. The feeling was worse than when he practiced dancing all day as a child…
At least it felt like he had stretched his ligaments all day and then ran home from the dance studio, collapsing from exhaustion to the point of naturally falling asleep.
It was fine, Jiang Zhong comforted himself. Not only did he feel great, but it was also good for his health.
After enjoying a day of meticulous care at Xi Qin’s, Jiang Zhong had to go home the next day, urged by Zheng Yinqiu.
There were only two days left before New Year’s Eve, and like most parents, Zheng Yinqiu liked to do a lot of shopping for New Year’s goods at the end of the year.
Dragging his still-recovering “broken body,” Jiang Zhong spent the whole day accompanying Zheng Yinqiu shopping in supermarkets and malls.
“Why is my dad still not done?” Jiang Zhong sat down on the soft bench in the resting area and sighed. “Hurry up and finish so you can come shop with me. I’m exhausted.”
Zheng Yinqiu, wearing comfortable walking shoes, elegantly sat down beside him and cast a disdainful glance at Jiang Zhong, who was sitting carelessly. “You young people nowadays just don’t get enough exercise. You’re in your twenties, and a few steps make you this tired.”
“A few steps?” Jiang Zhong incredulously took out his phone and swiped a few times. “Look, Mom, 16,872 steps.”
“That’s not a lot,” Zheng Yinqiu glanced at the phone and feigned sadness. “You just don’t want to shop with your old mom, think it’s boring.”
“Let’s not even discuss whether it’s boring or not,” Jiang Zhong chuckled. “Didn’t you tell Dad a few days ago that you’re still a young girl? How come now you’re an old lady with me?”
“You kid,” Zheng Yinqiu smiled and glanced at him. “You were eavesdropping on me and your dad’s conversation.”
“You weren’t exactly keeping it a secret,” Jiang Zhong pressed his forehead.
“Anyway, you just don’t want to shop with me,” Zheng Yinqiu half-jokingly said, pouting. “Once you have a girlfriend, you don’t care about your old mom anymore.”
“I don’t have one!” Jiang Zhong immediately refuted. He didn’t have a girlfriend, and he could never have one. “You will always be the most important woman in my heart.”
“You’re just trying to make me happy,” Zheng Yinqiu said. “The last time you spent a whole day with your girlfriend at the mall, you didn’t even complain about being tired when you got home.”
Jiang Zhong made a sound of hesitation. When did he spend a whole day with Xi Qin at the mall?
“Um,” Jiang Zhong intertwined his fingers and pressed them together, hesitating. “Mom…”
“That ‘Mom’?” Zheng Yinqiu teased. “Do you have another mom?”
“No,” Jiang Zhong was even more nervous with her teasing. “Mom, I need to tell you something.”
“Mm,” Zheng Yinqiu turned to look at him seriously. “Go ahead.”
Jiang Zhong hesitated, “Well, maybe the timing and the place aren’t quite right…”
Zheng Yinqiu’s gaze gradually sharpened.
“But since you brought him up,” Jiang Zhong swallowed nervously, “I feel like I shouldn’t keep this from you and Dad anymore.”
“Mm,” Zheng Yinqiu nodded. “Go on.”
“Actually, I didn’t lie to you,” Jiang Zhong lowered his voice. “I never said I have a girlfriend. You’ve always thought she was a girl…”
Zheng Yinqiu narrowed her eyes with a blank expression.
“I’ve never felt that way about girls,” Jiang Zhong fumbled with his words, uncertain about her silence. “Do you understand what I mean?”
Zheng Yinqiu still didn’t say anything, her expression unreadable. She was silent for nearly two minutes. Then, suddenly, she stood up, grabbed her small handbag, and said, “No more shopping. Let’s go home.”
Jiang Zhong didn’t dare say anything more. He picked up all the shopping bags and followed her into the elevator to the underground parking lot.
After unlocking the car, Jiang Zhong placed the bags in the back seat, then sat upright in the passenger seat, fastening his seatbelt, not knowing what to say.
After waiting for a long time with no sign of movement from Zheng Yinqiu, Jiang Zhong turned his head and saw that Zheng Yinqiu had inserted the key, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, her eyes staring blankly at the open space in front of the car.
“How about I drive?” Jiang Zhong hesitated before speaking. “I brought my driver’s license with me when I went out. If I drive slowly, I should still be able to get us home.”
“No need,” Zheng Yinqiu turned her head and asked seriously, “Do you think just because your aunt and uncle stopped interfering with your cousin’s matters, your dad and I will let you do whatever you want?”
Before Jiang Zhong could answer, she started the car.
“No,” Jiang Zhong paused for a moment before answering seriously, “Even without my cousin’s issues, I was going to tell you and Dad sooner or later. I can’t keep hiding this from you all my life, and I don’t want to keep sneaking around like this.”
Zheng Yinqiu was likely caught off guard by what Jiang Zhong said. She hadn’t figured out how to respond and didn’t speak for the rest of the drive. Jiang Zhong didn’t want to disturb her driving through the busy city, so after answering her question, he remained silent.
However, when they got home, Zheng Yinqiu still didn’t share her thoughts on the matter. After sorting out the things they bought, she took her phone and went upstairs, probably to “report” to Jiang Zhong’s dad.
Jiang Zhong helplessly returned to his room. Well, he had raised the issue with Zheng Yinqiu, so he would give them more time to think about it.
【Jiang Zhong: What’s my boyfriend doing?】
【Xi Qin: Thinking about you】
Jiang Zhong smiled slightly to himself. That answer was the standard response.
【Jiang Zhong: I have something to tell you】
【Xi Qin: What is it?】
Jiang Zhong typed in the chat box, then deleted it, before finally sending a message:
【Jiang Zhong: I’ll tell you tonight】
【Jiang Zhong: Or maybe tomorrow】
【Xi Qin: Are you trying to tease me?】
Jiang Zhong chuckled. He wasn’t trying to tease Xi Qin, he just wanted to know Zheng Yinqiu and Jiang Chengye’s attitude clearly before telling Xi Qin, so that Xi Qin wouldn’t start worrying right away.
Besides, what if Zheng Yinqiu and the others agreed right away?
Although the chance of that happening was small, it was still a dream worth having. If that dream came true, he could directly tell Xi Qin the happy outcome—how wonderful that would be.
【Jiang Zhong: Yeah】
【Xi Qin: Then you succeeded】
【Xi Qin: I’m starting to look forward to it】
【Jiang Zhong: If the outcome doesn’t live up to your expectations, don’t blame me】
Actually, no matter the result, Xi Qin’s expectations probably wouldn’t be too disappointed. At least Jiang Zhong had taken an important step toward their future together.
Maybe it’s not the best way to say it, but Jiang Zhong still feels that his cousin’s situation has, to some extent, paved a relatively smoother path for him to come out.
After dealing with his cousin’s issues, Zheng Yinqiu has, more or less, gained some understanding of their group, both the good and the bad.
Jiang Zhong doesn’t expect Zheng Yinqiu to understand the hardships and difficulties involved, but he hopes she won’t just keep telling him things like “what you’re doing is wrong” or “this is a disease.”
He was also very strategic about it, telling Zheng Yinqiu first, because he knew she would then bring it up to his dad. Otherwise, if he had to face his stern father, Jiang Zhong wasn’t sure he would have the courage to say it out loud.
He had planned to tell Xi Qin the result either that evening or the next day, but Jiang Zhong waited for two days and still hadn’t been approached by Zheng Yinqiu or his dad for a conversation.
Jiang Zhong was puzzled. How could his parents remain so calm? Is this the famous “¹withdraw to advance” strategy?
Well, they had succeeded, under Zheng Yinqiu and Jiang Chengye’s attitude of acting as if nothing had happened, Jiang Zhong became more and more anxious, fearing they might suddenly drop a big bomb on him.
Finally, on New Year’s Eve, at the family dinner table.
After receiving his red envelope for the New Year, Jiang Zhong couldn’t help but speak up. “Dad, Mom, don’t you have anything else you want to say to me?”
Zheng Yinqiu pretended she didn’t understand his implication. “I hope you do well in your studies, enjoy life, and have a bright future.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Jiang Zhong automatically responded. “I wish you both good health, everything you wish for, and success in all things.”
Zheng Yinqiu and Jiang Chengye both nodded. “Mm.”
Jiang Zhong: “…”
When Jiang Zhong tried to find another chance to ask, Zheng Yinqiu let out a small sigh. “If you want us to be happy in everything, maybe you should be more well-behaved.”
“I think I’m being quite well-behaved already,” Jiang Zhong muttered in response.
“Then why are you still doing these troublesome things?” Zheng Yinqiu shook her head. “I don’t know what kind of karma you’ve built up, one after another…”
Jiang Zhong lowered his head to eat his food.
“I just don’t get it,” Zheng Yinqiu said. “Is this some kind of trend?”
“Of course not,” Jiang Zhong immediately rebutted. “Mom, don’t let what people online say confuse you. This is something beyond control.”
“Really beyond control?” Zheng Yinqiu asked seriously. “Really can’t be changed?”
Jiang Zhong nodded. “Really.”
“Then what do you want us to say?” Zheng Yinqiu shrugged.
“Mm?” Jiang Zhong didn’t quite understand. “So?”
“You’ve already said it can’t be changed,” Zheng Yinqiu sighed again. “Then if your dad and I force you to break up with your… boyfriend, you definitely wouldn’t listen to us, right?”
Jiang Zhong stared blankly at Zheng Yinqiu, then at Jiang Chengye.
“We also can’t hit you, scold you, or kick you out, or stop your pocket money,” Zheng Yinqiu said.
Jiang Zhong asked a very foolish question: “Why not?”
Zheng Yinqiu glanced at him and said, “Have we ever hit you or scolded you since you were little?”
“No,” Jiang Zhong replied. Not only had they never hit or scolded him, but Zheng Yinqiu and Jiang Chengye had never even said a harsh word to him.
Jiang Zhong had originally thought that was because he had rarely made mistakes growing up, but now that he had made what his elders considered a serious mistake, his parents were still so tolerant…
Jiang Zhong’s eyes gradually reddened.
“Actually, I noticed something strange about you the last time we were at your aunt’s house,” Zheng Yinqiu shook her head self-deprecatingly. “I didn’t think it was anything serious, but I guess I wasn’t imagining it.”
“I…” Jiang Zhong didn’t know what to say.
“However,” Zheng Yinqiu changed the topic, “Your dad and I hope you’ll think things through yourself. We’ve also learned more about homosexuality these past few days. Most of it is quite difficult, but this is your choice, and you need to be mentally prepared for the challenges you might face in the future.”
“I will,” Jiang Zhong stammered. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t dare to tell you before, I thought you wouldn’t accept it.”
“Silly child,” Zheng Yinqiu’s voice softened. “Didn’t I tell you before? The person who will walk with you for the rest of your life is your partner. The most important thing is that you love each other, and support each other.”
At this point, Zheng Yinqiu turned her head to exchange a glance with Jiang Chengye, who was also looking at her.
“There’s one more thing,” Zheng Yinqiu said, “Whether you like a boy or a girl, your dad and I hope you’ll love the right person. Don’t just find someone of the same kind for comfort. Take your feelings seriously.”
Jiang Zhong nodded quickly. “I understand. I’m serious about this.”
“Being serious alone isn’t enough,” Zheng Yinqiu said sternly. “You need to see people clearly. Don’t let yourself be the only one serious, while the other person is just playing around. If that happens, not only will you get hurt, but your dad and I will be heartbroken too.”
“It won’t happen, it won’t,” Jiang Zhong quickly shook his head. “We’re both serious about it.”
—
¹“withdraw to advance” (退一步进两步) means taking a step back or temporarily retreating to gain a strategic advantage and move forward more effectively later. It suggests a calculated approach where yielding or pausing in the short term helps achieve a bigger or more favorable goal in the long run.