Chapter 14
This kiss had a slightly aggressive tone. When it ended, Fang Jing Yao could hear both their breaths, especially his own, ragged and thrilling. His chest tingled. He thought it was his heartbeat, but when he reached out, he realized Long Yu’s body pressed closely against his, equally warm, equally fast-beating.
Fang Jing Yao said, “Who taught you this? You’re amazing…”
Long Yu touched his lips lightly with his thumb. “I never formally learned this. Was that comfortable?”
Fang Jing Yao gave a thumbs-up. “Extremely.”
Long Yu laughed, rubbing his head. “Then it’s decided. When I have a day off, I’ll help you move your things here.” He released him and left the kitchen.
Fang Jing Yao, still wanting more, trailed after him. “You’re so busy… maybe I should move myself? Also, when I called last time, your assistant said you were seeing a lawyer. What for? Did something happen?”
Long Yu paused at the guest room, then casually found a pillow and patted it. “Nothing much. Yifan’s legal awareness is weak. Some documents he prepared had problems, so I had a lawyer friend look them over.”
He spoke cautiously, but Fang Jing Yao thought it was just about showing the new book’s contract to Zhuo Yifan. He muttered, “You even understand this? Good, help him check. I used to do it myself, and the publisher’s terms are too harsh. Last time, if I hadn’t checked carefully, I almost sold it at a package price… Though, physical books are really in decline these days…”
After finishing his water, Fang Jing Yao wanted to leave. Long Yu still held the pillow, looking slightly surprised. “You’re not staying?”
Fang Jing Yao teased, “If I stay, you won’t be able to go to work tomorrow.”
Long Yu escorted him to the door, handing over his car keys. “Drive carefully. Send me a message when you get home.”
“I’ll take a taxi. You have work tomorrow…”
“The garage has other cars. It’s fine.” Long Yu was insistent, handing the keys over.
Fang Jing Yao changed shoes and stepped outside. For some reason, he softened, glancing back. Long Yu stood in the living room holding the pillow, slightly forlorn. His usually cold face showed a rare trace of disappointment, and Fang Jing Yao froze.
Clearing his throat, he returned inside, placing the keys by the door. “It’s almost midnight. Maybe I should stay one night.”
Long Yu’s eyes lit up immediately. “I’ll make the bed for you. Sleep here tonight. I’ll drive you back before work tomorrow.”
Fang Jing Yao nodded. “Okay. I’ll leave in the morning myself, won’t trouble you.”
Though he said “won’t trouble,” he overslept. He had expected to feel restless in a new environment, maybe get the bed wrong or suffer insomnia, but he fell asleep almost immediately. Long Yu’s disciplined routine was broken by his late return the night before. He tidied the guest room, politely said good night, and didn’t disturb Fang Jing Yao.
The guest room was immaculate. Even the pillow tags were freshly torn, looking like it hadn’t been used by a guest for over a year.
In the morning, the aroma of breakfast drifted from the living room. Rubbing his eyes, Fang Jing Yao saw Long Yu arranging chopsticks. “Go wash up. Breakfast’s ready.”
Fang Jing Yao splashed cold water on his face a few times to wake up. Beside the sink, the toothbrush and toothpaste were already prepared.
He felt like he had a “super upgraded version” of a fairy tale housekeeper.
Long Yu was skilled in the kitchen, and the way he drank his porridge made him look even more handsome. Watching Long Yu eat with such discipline triggered a childhood memory. Fang Jing Yao couldn’t help commenting, “Your family must have been strict with you.”
“Hm?” Long Yu replied.
Fang Jing Yao leaned on the table, tilting his head. “When I was little, a neighbor’s family was extremely strict. All the kids in the courtyard barely dared to go over. You had to change slippers in the hallway, speak softly, and sit on the sofa facing each other… I was very fond of that kid.”
Long Yu looked up. “You still remember that child?”
Fang Jing Yao thought seriously. “A boy, maybe a year or two older than me. He was a transfer student.”
Long Yu’s expression shifted slightly. “After all this time… you still remember?”
Fang Jing Yao sighed, “When I was little, I really loved apples. One winter, my dad’s workplace gave us a box of apples. When the kids from my aunt’s family came over, they snatched more than half of it. I was heartbroken, but I couldn’t say anything. I just watched through the window. Their parents were so doting—same box of apples, neatly stacked in a glass jar, and every day before school, they’d give that kid one apple.”
Long Yu laughed and cried at the same time. “You probably didn’t even remember him, did you?”
Fang Jing Yao honestly replied, “No, I just counted the apples all winter.”
They chatted while eating, and soon finished breakfast. Fang Jing Yao couldn’t help feeling excited about living together. Finding someone who makes you happy just by seeing them every day… maybe marriage isn’t such a bad idea.
Good moods seemed contagious. He hummed a tune, and Long Yu’s lips curled slightly in response.
As promised, Long Yu drove Fang Jing Yao home, giving him a morning kiss before heading off to work with a satisfied smile.
Fang Jing Yao hummed on his way upstairs. When he inserted the key into the door, a single turn opened it. He wondered if he had forgotten to lock the door last night. Looking up, he saw his mother sitting on the living room sofa.
Since Fang Jing Yao didn’t spend the night out this time, Mrs. Fang didn’t misunderstand Zhuo Yifan—after all, Zhuo Yifan had been sitting beside her on the sofa for over half an hour, waiting for Fang Jing Yao.
Zhuo Yifan had come to fulfill his filial duty, carrying groceries and waiting at the door, coincidentally running into Mrs. Fang bringing food to Huang Bao’er. When he tried to go to the kitchen, she stopped him. She prepared two small dishes and some congee, serving him a hot meal while casually asking about his background. The questions revealed everything, clearing up any misunderstandings that had lingered from a few days ago.
The elder and the younger ate together, waiting a while before Fang Jing Yao finally arrived.
Mrs. Fang rarely scolded her son this time. She asked, “Have you eaten? Yifan bought groceries. I pan-fried some small fish—it’s fresh. Want some?”
Fang Jing Yao had already eaten with Long Yu yesterday and wasn’t interested in fish first thing in the morning. “No, I’ve eaten.”
She gave Zhuo Yifan a small bowl of black bean congee. “Yifan, have another bowl. I specially stewed black beans—they’re good for your hair.”
“Oh!” Zhuo Yifan, a diligent boy, was at an age when he was always hungry. He took it eagerly.
Mrs. Fang nodded approvingly. “Yes, eat more. I saw on a health show that black beans prevent premature graying…”
Zhuo Yifan nearly choked, coughing several times as he struggled to chew the beans.
Fang Jing Yao laughed so hard he almost spat out his food, egging him on, “Yes, eat more!”
Zhuo Yifan, usually trendy, was a little frustrated. With his newly dyed silver-gray hair, he struggled but kept chewing.
After finishing, Zhuo Yifan went to wash the dishes.
Mrs. Fang didn’t go. She leaned toward her son and whispered, “Jing Yao, I’m not old-fashioned. If you like someone, it can be anyone. Whoever has a place in your heart. About Dr. Long—don’t keep him hanging. He’s a good kid. If you have someone else outside, don’t be unclear with him. Your dad and I are old, we’ve seen it all. Waiting a few years doesn’t matter. Just take things seriously, slowly, and sincerely, unlike before…”
Fang Jing Yao said, “Mom, what are you thinking? I didn’t do anything reckless last night.”
Mrs. Fang asked, “Then where did you go?”
“I went to Long Yu’s,” Fang Jing Yao admitted, deciding to be upfront. “He’s busy, but I really like him and want to take things seriously with him. Our schedules are tight, but my work is flexible—I can do it at home. So I plan to move in with Long Yu for a while to get to know each other better.”
Mrs. Fang agreed with the idea of deepening understanding but hesitated briefly. She handed him a bank card. “Don’t stay at Long Yu’s. It’s inconvenient for them, and we shouldn’t take advantage. This card is for you—password is your birthday. I’ve been saving for your future wife, but Long Yu doesn’t seem the type. Use this money to rent the apartment next door. You’ll still see each other every day, then you can get to know each other slowly.”
Fang Jing Yao hugged her warmly. “Thanks, Mom~”
Mrs. Fang playfully spatted him and laughed. “You little rascal, always thinking of ways to scare your mom. Keep it up, and next life I won’t be your mom!”
Author’s Note:
Mrs. Fang to Zhuo Yifan: “Eat more black beans, Yifan! They prevent premature graying—it works well!”
Zhuo Yifan: “QAQ~!”
