He Ning called Li Xuan.
The call was brief but the intention was clear: she invited Li Xuan to visit their old home in Ling’an. Still unable to completely put aside her pride, she used the excuse that the family’s pickled duck and beef were ready for him to try.
When Li Xuan received the call, he was bewildered. Standing beside him, Su Xingchuan softly said, “If you want to go, go. If you don’t, you don’t have to.”
After thinking it over, Li Xuan decided to accept the invitation, but he still felt unprepared and unsure of how to communicate amicably with He Ning. So, he handed the phone to Su Xingchuan, asking him to speak instead.
Su Xingchuan happily took the phone.
After hanging up, he walked to the balcony.
Li Xuan leaned against the edge of the balcony, enjoying the breeze. Su Xingchuan came up from behind and pulled him into his arms. “Aren’t you cold?”
Li Xuan shook his head.
Su Xingchuan said, “I want to apologize for my mom again.”
“You’ve already apologized like eight hundred times.”
Su Xingchuan chuckled. “It feels like no apology could ever be enough. Baby, what exactly did my mom say to you that day?”
“I don’t remember.”
Li Xuan looked back at Su Xingchuan, a smile forming on his lips. “I used to remember it before we met again, but after reuniting with you, I forgot.”
He leaned into Su Xingchuan’s embrace. “If you want to make it up to me, then—” He suddenly paused.
“Then what?”
Li Xuan thought for a while but couldn’t think of anything. With a long sigh, he said, “I guess there’s nothing I want you to do.”
Su Xingchuan was already the perfect husband, a loyal helper, a dedicated driver, and even a warm and caring partner. Asking for more felt a bit excessive to Li Xuan himself.
Biting his ear, Su Xingchuan whispered, “Think about it some more.”
Li Xuan’s eyes twinkled. “I want instant noodles.”
“Why the sudden craving?”
“I don’t know, I just want some.”
And so, at 10:30 p.m., with the bright moon above and stars twinkling, the city slowly quieted down. Li Xuan sat at the dining table, waiting for Su Xingchuan to place a steaming bowl of instant noodles in front of him, topped with an egg and slices of sausage.
Through his actions, Su Xingchuan gave Li Xuan a tangible sense of “home,” and Li Xuan’s heart was filled with warmth. After staring at the bowl for a long time, he finally took out his phone, snapping a picture of the instant noodles—set against the walnut wood table with warm yellow lighting, all in a cream-colored bowl.
The photo even captured the muscular arm of Su Xingchuan.
Pleased with the composition, Li Xuan admired the photo, then saved it to his private album.
Noticing but unable to read the name of the album, Su Xingchuan leaned in curiously and asked, “What other photos are in there?”
Li Xuan pouted. “I’m not telling you.”
Su Xingchuan playfully flicked his nose.
He then made himself a bowl of noodles, and they sat facing each other. When Li Xuan found his noodles too hot, Su Xingchuan cooled them for him.
Su Xingchuan was skilled at boiling eggs, always timing it perfectly to achieve a runny yolk. Li Xuan loved the taste of soft egg yolk mixed with noodles.
“Is it good?” Su Xingchuan asked.
Li Xuan, just like he did in his student days, bobbed his head up and down.
Under the table, he playfully stepped on Su Xingchuan’s feet.
Both his feet were now resting on Su Xingchuan’s foot, but instead of getting annoyed, Su Xingchuan let him do as he pleased.
Not long after they reconciled, Li Xuan had reverted to his old self around Su Xingchuan, his conversation flowing freely as he chatted about his work at the hospital—sometimes scoffing, sometimes reflecting—while Su Xingchuan listened quietly.
“Why did you choose the urology department back then?” Su Xingchuan asked.
“Specialty hospitals are relatively less hectic.”
“So…”
Li Xuan knew what he was about to ask and huffed, “Yeah, I’ve seen so much, it doesn’t interest me anymore.”
Su Xingchuan laughed softly. “That’s not good.”
Li Xuan stepped harder on his foot, and Su Xingchuan feigned pain, “Ow—so fierce.”
Li Xuan had a naturally slim build, unlike Su Xingchuan. After they finished eating, Su Xingchuan put the dishes in the dishwasher, but as he stood up, he wondered if his abs were still there.
Since he had some health issues, he hadn’t been to the gym.
He reached down to feel.
The good news was, he could still feel the outline;
The bad news was, it was just an outline.
He told Li Xuan, “Starting tomorrow, I’m resuming my workouts—at least three times a week.”
Li Xuan wasn’t too happy. “Then what time will you be home?”
“Before ten.”
Li Xuan shook his head. “Not allowed.”
Sitting down on the sofa, Su Xingchuan pulled Li Xuan onto his lap. “Didn’t you say you liked my abs the most?”
Li Xuan straddled his lap, not wanting to be apart for too long. “I can pretend you have them.”
Su Xingchuan’s face darkened. “…I do have them.”
Lying in his arms, Li Xuan replied, “Then I’ll go with you.”
Jokingly, Su Xingchuan said, “Alright, you can watch me work out and shout, ‘He’s my boyfriend!’ if anyone tries to hit on me.”
Surprisingly, Li Xuan nodded seriously.
Su Xingchuan’s hand slid from the back of Li Xuan’s neck to his lower back, lingering there for a moment. Li Xuan buried his face in his shoulder as Su Xingchuan whispered in his ear, “Ten more days, right?”
Li Xuan murmured, “That’s not how it’s counted.”
“So how long then?”
Li Xuan’s breathing quickened as he gripped his collar, struggling to stay calm. “After your follow-up, we’ll talk.”
.
On New Year’s Eve, Su Xingchuan brought Li Xuan home.
He Ning glanced at Li Xuan with a small smile before turning to head into the kitchen. Li Xuan’s eyes sought help from Su Xingchuan.
Just as he was about to follow and reason with his mother, He Ning came out carrying a plate of fruit. Li Xuan stood frozen.
He Ning spoke first, “I want to apologize. Seven years ago, the things I said were… too harsh.”
Li Xuan remained silent.
“From what I’ve seen recently, I was clearly too biased. You’re not what I had imagined. As your mother said, you’re a good kid.”
Not the disgusting, life-ruining person she once thought, but a good kid.
Setting down the fruit, He Ning looked at Li Xuan. “I’m sorry.”
The weight that had been on Li Xuan’s heart for seven years felt like it had finally lifted.
Su Xingchuan squeezed his hand.
It felt like one of the dreams Li Xuan used to have—on some quiet night, Su Xingchuan would knock on the door of his heart, walk up to the twenty-year-old Li Xuan hiding in the corner, and lead him out.
Free-spirited, sweet, and carefree.
The old Li Xuan was back.
The atmosphere at Su Xingchuan’s home could never match that of Li Xuan’s. On New Year’s Day, Li Xuan brought him home for dinner.
While Su Xingchuan helped in the kitchen, Li Xuan sprawled lazily on the sofa, snacking.
Xu Zhengdong walked in, shrugged off his coat, and sat beside him, reaching into his snack bag. Li Xuan wasn’t having it, pulling the bag away. “These chips and cookies are from Xingchuan.”
Since they often stayed home, Li Xuan’s snacking had increased. Worried about the impact of too many processed snacks, Su Xingchuan had started making homemade ones, including chips and cookies, which tasted great.
Xu Zhengdong clicked his tongue. “You’ve forgotten your uncle now that you have a husband.”
Li Xuan asked, “Uncle, did you change boyfriends again?”
“Yeah.”
“Why did you break up with the last one?”
“He was too much trouble, always asking me to go abroad to get married. Like that’s possible.”
Li Xuan looked puzzled. “Why not? Didn’t you really like him?”
“Liking someone doesn’t mean getting married. It’s just liking.”
Li Xuan shook his head. “That’s not liking.”
Xu Zhengdong gave him a sideways look, “Then what is?”
“Liking means wanting to get married and spending this life and the next one together.”
Xu Zhengdong got goosebumps and waved his hand. “I’d rather not. I plan to have fun until I’m fifty.”
Just then, Xu Nianzhi’s voice came from above, “What? Until fifty? You wouldn’t dare!”
Startled, Xu Zhengdong quickly explained, “Just kidding, sis! Don’t take it seriously!”
Taking advantage of the moment, Li Xuan snatched back his
chips and went to find Su Xingchuan, who was preparing a salad.
Li Xuan said, “I want to go somewhere.”
“Where?”
“Abroad, to get married. On a snowy day, we’ll find a chapel and bring our rings.”
He painted the picture, and Su Xingchuan paused to look at him.
Tilting his head, Li Xuan asked, “How about that?”
With a smile, Xingchuan replied, “I think it’s perfect.”
After the final dish was served, the family finally sat down. Xu Nianzhi asked, “Are you still with Zhongjin, Xingchuan?”
“I’ll return to my company soon,” he replied. “The preliminary work for the IPO is done, so I’ll just go back and forth when needed.”
“That sounds tough.”
“It’s not too bad. This time was easier.”
Xu Nianzhi smiled. “That’s true. Xu Zhengdong didn’t give you a hard time, did he?”
“Of course not.”
Xu Zhengdong defended himself, “What do you mean? I had my eye on him from the start—”
Li Xuan glared at him. “What?”
“For you, as a boyfriend.”
Only then did Li Xuan relax.
“Why would I give him trouble? I’ve always looked out for him.”
Su Xingchuan added, “Yes, Uncle has taken good care of me. My supervisor is very kind to me now.”
Li Xuan picked up on that, “Was he not before?”
Laughing, Xingchuan replied, “Not really.”
Frowning, Li Xuan poked at his bowl with his chopsticks.
Noticing, Xu Zhengdong said to Su Xingchuan, “He’s already holding a grudge. Our little Dr. Li is the champion of grudges. Don’t let him run into your boss, or there’ll be trouble.”
Smiling, Su Xingchuan gave Li Xuan a piece of rib.
Whispering in his ear, he said, “I’m highly valued at the company. Don’t worry.”
After dinner, Xu Zhengdong called him over.
He and Li Xuan’s father had been drinking and were a bit tipsy. He waved Xingchuan over, “Xingchuan, come here. I want to show you something.”
Curious, Xingchuan walked over.
“It’s a video from five years ago, right after Li Xuan graduated,” he said, watching the screen with a fond smile. “You two missed seven years, so here’s a little catch-up.”
The video was taken by Xu Zhengdong, his voice in the background.
It started in the living room, bright and tidy. Xu Nianzhi and Li Xuan’s father were making dumplings.
The television played a holiday show while two kittens bounced on the sofa.
The whole house was filled with festive cheer.
“What’s the filling today?” Xu Zhengdong asked.
Xu Nianzhi smiled, “Three delicacies and pork with shrimp.”
He then pointed the camera at the kittens. “You two are so fat, you’ve turned into little balls.”
A kitten rolled over, showing its belly.
“I’m not touching you. I don’t even like you.”
Despite his words, he crouched down to pet the soft, pink belly. “Where’s Xuan?”
Xu Nianzhi looked around. “Haven’t seen him.”
The camera panned around the house before finding Li Xuan on the balcony of his room.
He was sitting on a stool, hugging his knees and staring out the window. Hearing footsteps, he sniffled and turned to face the corner, his back to Xu Zhengdong.
“Let’s see what we have here—a little crybaby.”
Li Xuan mumbled, “Go away.”
“Crying again. It’s just a breakup. You’ve been crying from the start of the year to the end. Don’t you care about your eyes?” Xu Zhengdong said.
He approached, and the camera zoomed in, making Li Xuan’s swollen eyes even clearer.
“Tell your uncle, what’s your New Year’s wish?”
Hugging his knees and resting his chin on his arms, Li Xuan’s sobs quieted. “I don’t have one.”
“Still thinking about him?”
Su Xingchuan watched the 22-year-old Li Xuan, still with a bit of baby fat, looking so young. Seeing those tears fall broke his heart.
Li Xuan asked, “Uncle, will I ever move on?”
“Of course you will. You two were only together for a few months. How deep could it be? Give it six months, and you’ll be over it. Then I’ll introduce you to someone new.”
Li Xuan shook his head. “I don’t want to date.”
Taken aback, Xu Zhengdong asked, “What?”
Crying uncontrollably, Li Xuan clung to his knees and whimpered, “I never want to date again. I hate it.”
“—Uncle!”
Before the video finished, Li Xuan stormed out to the balcony and snatched the phone from Xu Zhengdong. “What are you showing him?”
Startled, Xu Zhengdong jumped.
From the phone, Li Xuan’s voice continued, “I don’t want to date again…”
His face flushed, Li Xuan was clearly embarrassed.
Xu Zhengdong laughed heartily as Xingchuan reached to pull him into a hug, but Li Xuan pushed him away. “I’m mad at you.”
He then turned to Xu Zhengdong. “And you too.”
With a loud slam, Li Xuan shut the glass door, leaving them on the balcony to reflect on their actions.
—
Translator Note:
Tomorrow is the last chapter >.<
I’m sobbing right now… Love how well-written this novel was. Thank you yall for staying tuned to this series till now.
See you all tomorrow~
