Chapter 42
“Ah ha ha…” Jiang Zhong awkwardly laughed a few times, then casually greeted, “Mom, good morning.”
“Hmm, good morning.” Zheng Yinqiu looked Jiang Zhong up and down, eyeing his pajamas and messy hair, and said with a half-smile, “What are you doing, sneaking around like that?”
“I…” Jiang Zhong was at a loss for words.
On the sofa in the living room, Jiang Chengye and Xi Qin both looked over at the sound. Jiang Zhong racked his brain for an excuse but turned his head and saw the expression on Xi Qin’s face as if he were watching a show.
Damn Xi Qin.
Jiang Zhong thought of something: “I came down to wake Xi Qin up.”
“But why do I look like you’re about to go upstairs?” Zheng Yinqiu clearly didn’t believe him.
“I saw that he was already awake when I came over here,” Jiang Zhong said again. “I figured there was no need to wake him, so I was going back to freshen up.”
Jiang Zhong silently applauded his own quick thinking. This excuse was flawless.
Zheng Yinqiu nodded in agreement: “I see.”
“Yes,” Jiang Zhong quickly added, “Exactly.”
“Little Xi has been up for a while,” Jiang Chengye, from the sofa, spoke with obvious disdain, “Why do you need to wake him when you’re just getting up now?”
“That’s true, but…” Jiang Zhong argued, “Mom only got up now too. Why are you only pointing out me?”
Jiang Zhong clearly saw his dad’s expression shift multiple times, and in the end, his dad didn’t reply, only gave a light “hmph,” turned his head, and pretended nothing had happened as he picked up his oolong tea from the coffee table and took a sip.
“Who said I just got up?” Zheng Yinqiu, without hesitation, stood by Jiang Chengye’s side in front of the four people, “Doesn’t picking clothes take time? Doesn’t putting on makeup take time?”
Jiang Zhong glanced at Zheng Yinqiu’s meticulously done makeup, then looked at Xi Qin, who was outside of the scene. He knew that Xi Qin on his side was unreliable, and his own combat strength was no match for both of his parents, so he had to take another approach.
“I’m not arguing with you guys anymore,” Jiang Zhong dragged Zheng Yinqiu down, then went up the stairs, “I’m going to freshen up.”
In the past, whenever his dad scolded him, Zheng Yinqiu always sided with him, but today, she was questioning him instead. Really…
It was all Xi Qin’s fault for not helping him.
As Jiang Zhong walked up the stairs, he looked through the glass railing at Xi Qin, just in time to meet Xi Qin’s gaze, who had been staring at him.
Forget it, Jiang Zhong couldn’t help but smile. It was his own fault for waking up late. He shouldn’t be blaming his boyfriend.
When he came downstairs later, only Jiang Chengye was left in the living room, watching the news.
“Dad.” Jiang Zhong greeted, twisting his body and looking around.
“In the kitchen.” Jiang Chengye said flatly.
“What?”
“You’re not looking for Xiao Xi, are you?” Jiang Chengye kept his eyes on the TV and said in a calm tone, “He and your mom are in the kitchen making breakfast.”
“I’m not looking for him,” Jiang Zhong touched his nose, “I’m just browsing around.”
Jiang Chengye glanced at him briefly: “What did you see?”
“I didn’t see anything,” Jiang Zhong quickly slipped away, “I’ll go to the kitchen to check.”
“Brat…”
Jiang Zhong ignored him and adjusted his collar as he walked toward the kitchen.
“Xiao Xi’s cooking technique is pretty skilled,” Jiang Zhong heard Zheng Yinqiu’s voice as he reached the door, “I was worried that you and Jiang Zhong, two big guys, would have to order takeout every meal.”
“I know some home-cooked dishes,” Xi Qin’s voice was humble, “I cook when I have free time.”
“And I can cook too,” Jiang Zhong interrupted before Zheng Yinqiu could speak, “How could we only order takeout?”
Zheng Yinqiu nearly jumped at Jiang Zhong’s sudden voice: “With your cooking, you still dare to say you can cook?”
“Why not?”
Zheng Yinqiu shook her head and sighed without saying anything.
“Don’t believe me? Ask Xi Qin,” Jiang Zhong felt offended, “I cooked for him once, and it tasted pretty good.”
“Right,” Xi Qin held back a laugh, “It was very delicious.”
Jiang Zhong proudly raised his chin: “See?”
Zheng Yinqiu: “……”
Her son really thought too highly of himself.
“Since that’s the case,” Zheng Yinqiu untied her apron and handed it to Jiang Zhong, “Then you and Xiao Xi can cook this meal.”
Breakfast was pretty easy to make. With Jiang Zhong’s “assistance,” Xi Qin quickly prepared enough for four servings.
Jiang Zhong’s family didn’t have the “no talking while eating” custom, so Zheng Yinqiu kept praising Xi Qin at the table, and Jiang Zhong’s expression grew more proud with each of his mom’s compliments.
“By the way,” Zheng Yinqiu said to Jiang Zhong, “Later, you should go to your uncle’s house to wish them a happy new year.”
“Sure,” Jiang Zhong nodded.
Zheng Yinqiu then turned to ask Xi Qin: “Xiao Xi, are you coming too?”
Xi Qin swallowed his food and said, “I think… I’ll pass.”
“Okay,” Zheng Yinqiu nodded approvingly, “Next year or the year after, when you both graduate, I’ll take you to meet them.”
Xi Qin’s eyes brightened, and he said seriously, “Thank you, Auntie.”
Jiang Zhong quickly understood Zheng Yinqiu’s intention and hurriedly followed Xi Qin, saying, “Thanks, Mom.”
Zheng Yinqiu waved her hand, signaling that it was unnecessary, then said to Xi Qin, “Well, your uncle will drive you home first, then we’ll head over afterward.”
“No need to trouble him,” Xi Qin said, “I can take a taxi home myself.”
“That’s convenient,” Zheng Yinqiu said with a smile, “Since Jiang Zhong brought you here, there’s no need to be polite to your uncle and aunt.”
“Thank you, uncle and aunt,” Xi Qin politely said, “But really, there’s no need. I live near the school, it’s quite far, and it takes a lot of time for a round trip.”
“H University?” Zheng Yinqiu first glanced at Jiang Zhong, then turned to Xi Qin and asked, “Do you live there by yourself?”
“Mm,” Xi Qin nodded.
Jiang Zhong’s eyes shifted, and he remembered that when he visited Xi Qin’s place a couple of days ago, he had mentioned to Zheng Yinqiu that Xi Qin lived there.
“Okay,” Zheng Yinqiu didn’t ask any further, “Be careful on your way back.”
Jiang Zhong wasn’t sure why Zheng Yinqiu didn’t press further, but in order to avoid making Xi Qin uncomfortable, he decided to take the initiative to tell his parents about Xi Qin’s situation.
After breakfast, Jiang Zhong first saw Xi Qin off. He waited until he got into the car before returning to go with Zheng Yinqiu and Jiang Chengye to his uncle’s house to wish them a happy new year.
Jiang Chengye drove, Zheng Yinqiu sat in the passenger seat, and Jiang Zhong sat in the back seat, mentally preparing himself.
“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Wait,” Zheng Yinqiu turned to look at him, “Should I prepare myself for this? The last time you used that tone, you were telling me that your partner is a guy.”
Really? Jiang Zhong thought for a moment, Zheng Yinqiu’s memory was really good, he couldn’t even remember what he had said.
“Is it something that will require your dad and me to make a big decision to accept?” Zheng Yinqiu asked again.
“Probably not,” Jiang Zhong wasn’t entirely sure, “It’s about Xi Qin.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
Then Jiang Zhong exaggeratedly recounted Xi Qin’s experiences from middle school to now, using countless conjunctions and exclamatory phrases in the process.
Finally, he concluded: “…So now he basically lives alone because no one at home cares about him.”
“I see,” Zheng Yinqiu’s expression shifted from slight concern to a furrowed brow, “Little Xi has really had a hard time.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Zhong nodded solemnly, “Last time I went to find him, I happened to see him running back to school from his house. He was so upset he almost cried.”
“That’s too much,” Zheng Yinqiu said angrily, “But we can’t interfere in other people’s matters. Next time, during the holidays, just invite Little Xi to our house to hang out.”
“Okay,” Jiang Zhong nodded again.
“Hey,” Zheng Yinqiu thought for a moment and still felt upset. Both she and Jiang Chengye were always worried that Jiang Zhong would blame them for not spending enough time with him, and they couldn’t stand hearing about bad parents, “If it’s really necessary, let Little Xi move in during the holidays. That way, when we’re busy, he can keep you company.”
“Okay,” Jiang Zhong nodded once more.
“Forget it, forget it,” Zheng Yinqiu reconsidered and dismissed her previous suggestion, “Kids like him are very sensitive. Doing that might make him uncomfortable.”
“Alright then,” Jiang Zhong seized the opportunity to say, “When you and Dad are busy, I’ll go to the school and keep him company.”
“Okay,” Zheng Yinqiu agreed, “Just like that.”
【Xi Qin: Did Aunt really say that?】
Jiang Zhong chatted openly with Xi Qin at his uncle’s house.
【Jiang Zhong: Yeah, Mom said that things between adults shouldn’t affect the kids.】
【Jiang Zhong: So they don’t mind your family’s situation.】
【Xi Qin: Uncle and Aunt are really nice.】
Jiang Zhong smiled slightly.
【Jiang Zhong: You’ve said that a lot of times already.】
【Jiang Zhong: Mom also said that when I have free time, I should spend more time with you.】
【Xi Qin: Thank you.】
【Xi Qin: Boyfriend is also very nice.】
【Jiang Zhong: Now that you’re calling me your boyfriend, don’t say thank you.】
【Xi Qin: Okay, I won’t say thank you.】
【Xi Qin: Boyfriend, I love you.】
Jiang Zhong froze for a few seconds, then slowly muttered a word: “Damn…”
“Hmm?” The younger son of his uncle’s family turned around and asked, “What did Jiang Zhong say?”
“Nothing,” Jiang Zhong flipped his phone over and placed it on his thigh, “Nothing.”
“Is it hot?” The younger son of his uncle’s family asked innocently, “Your face and ears are so red.”
“A little,” Jiang Zhong awkwardly nodded, “Your house has really good heating.”
“It’s okay, maybe you’re just wearing too much,” the younger son of his uncle’s family picked up an orange from the coffee table, “Here, eat some more fruit.”
“Okay,” Jiang Zhong ruffled his cousin’s hair, “Thanks.”
Jiang Zhong ate three oranges in one go, and only then did he feel the warmth on his face subside.
Damn Xi Qin.
Saying something like that so suddenly…
The phone in his pocket vibrated again, and Jiang Zhong hurriedly threw the orange peel into the trash.
【Xi Qin: Still not shy after such a long time?】
【Xi Qin: Don’t tell me you got scared off?】
Jiang Zhong puffed up one cheek.
【Jiang Zhong: Who’s shy?】
【Xi Qin: I don’t know, but it’s not me.】
【Jiang Zhong: It’s not me either.】
【Jiang Zhong: It’s just a message, what’s there to be shy about?】
【Xi Qin: Got it.】
【Xi Qin: Next time we meet, I’ll say it to you in person.】
Jiang Zhong flipped his phone over and placed it on his lap again, thought about it, and then stuffed it back into his pocket, deciding not to look at it again before leaving his uncle’s house.