Chapter 47
After Long Yu’s meeting ended, Fang Jing Yao felt his courage grow a little. Long Yu, knowing him since childhood, had no sense of shame in front of him, fully expressing himself. Fang Jing Yao saw many sides of Doctor Long he hadn’t before. He pretended to be angry, but it was playful; he wanted to cherish and pamper Long Yu.
If it weren’t for Huang Bao’er, Doctor Long would have firmly held first place.
After the seminar, Long Yu took a few days off to stay longer in Hainan. He packed and said to Fang Jing Yao: “Come with me to Sanya.”
Fang Jing Yao thought they were going on a trip, intrigued: “Sure! How should we go, train or rent a car? Let’s rent a car. We can drive around the island a few days. East line there, west line back—three or four days and we can see everything. Some places are really interesting…”
Long Yu pinched his nose, smiling: “Not a trip. We’ll travel next time. This time, I’m taking you to meet my dad.”
Fang Jing Yao, held by the nose, widened his eyes, looking a little foolish. Long Yu found the foolishness cute and couldn’t resist kissing him.
Driving along the east route, it took only three hours to reach Sanya. Fang Jing Yao was reluctant to get out of the car.
Long Yu leaned down at the car door, laughing: “Come on, no matter how much you delay, you have to meet him.”
Fang Jing Yao groaned.
Long Yu tapped the car door, raising an eyebrow: “Didn’t you say after Hainan we’d meet the parents?”
Fang Jing Yao: “Yes, but I didn’t expect it so soon! We haven’t even returned yet and you’re making me meet him! I’m not ready…”
Long Yu ignored him, dragged him out, holding his luggage in one hand, him in the other.
Long Yu’s father was a retired cardiac surgeon, now mainly teaching. He was highly respected, with a brief yet illustrious resume showing his achievements—a real-life inspirational story. Professor Long had gradually risen from a small city to Beijing, then recruited by the military hospital, handling mainly high-profile leaders’ health. Occasionally, he accompanied them to Hainan for recuperation. This was one such visit.
Fang Jing Yao, very nervous, approached. Although he had met Long Yu’s mother, he had never met his father and didn’t know his opinion on their relationship. As a same-sex couple, they were still uncommon to outsiders.
Professor Long was a kindly-looking old man, round-faced, not much like Long Yu—Long Yu resembled his mother more. Their eyes curved similarly only when smiling. Long Yu usually maintained a cold exterior, unnoticed by anyone but Fang Jing Yao. Professor Long studied Fang Jing Yao, then smiled: “Not bad. You look energetic and healthy!”
Long Yu smiled. Fang Jing Yao stood straight and replied: “Thank you, uncle. I’ve always been in good health!”
Professor Long was warm, perhaps feeling some guilt over the divorce. He spoke politely, respectful, occasionally mentioning Long Yu’s deeds, clearly proud of his son.
He treated Fang Jing Yao well too, chatting with him, then asked Long Yu: “Any plans these days? Jing Yao rarely comes, show him around.”
Long Yu: “We plan to go to Wuzhizhou Island. We booked a hotel on the island, going this afternoon, stay nearby, dive, and play for a couple of days.”
Professor Long advised: “Rare chance to come back. Stay at home instead of a hotel.” He looked at Fang Jing Yao and smiled: “Drive from home tomorrow; it’s not far anyway.”
Long Yu glanced at Fang Jing Yao and nodded: “Okay.”
Professor Long seemed pleased, his son settled in, as if receiving some honor.
Watching them unload the luggage, Professor Long finally felt at ease. Happily, he had the housekeeper prepare the meal and, as an exception, even brought out a bottle of fine wine. Professor Long’s home was a comfortable four-story villa. It was spacious but a bit empty; he lived there alone. When busy, he would stay at the Sanya Military District branch, leaving the house in the care of the housekeeper.
The housekeeper was efficient, and since Professor Long had asked her to prepare everything early, they hadn’t been sitting long before the meal was ready. She informed them, then left for the day.
The three of them sat down to eat and drink. Professor Long was particularly happy and poured a full glass for Fang Jing Yao: “Try it—this has been stored for many years. I rarely part with it!”
Fang Jing Yao drank it and praised it loudly. A blush instantly spread from his cheeks down to his neck and chest, like a boiled shrimp, yet he still sat upright with a straight back.
Fang Jing Yao could handle a little beer, but strong liquor was another matter.
When Professor Long refilled drinks, Long Yu intentionally blocked a few glasses for Fang Jing Yao. Normally, Fang Jing Yao’s face would flush easily when drinking, but his tolerance was actually okay. With Long Yu helping, he smiled and let it slide.
Professor Long hadn’t seen his son in a long time, especially Long Yu, who was unusually candid today. Happy, he couldn’t help but drink a few extra cups. While he sipped lightly, Long Yu had already drunk two cups for every one of Professor Long’s.
Soon, Long Yu became drunk, leaning on one hand, not fully conscious.
Fang Jing Yao helped him up: “Uncle, should I take Long Yu upstairs first so he can rest?”
Professor Long waved with a smile: “Go ahead. The bedroom on the east side of the third floor. Long Yu always stayed there before; the bed is made.”
Fang Jing Yao agreed, helped Long Yu upstairs, and gave him a glass of water. Seeing him sleep drowsily yet quietly, he didn’t linger and hurried downstairs to keep Professor Long company.
Professor Long had already cleared the dishes, stacking them in the kitchen sink for the housekeeper to clean the next day. Everything was done with practiced efficiency. He went to the living room to set up Gongfu tea and waved at Fang Jing Yao: “Jing Yao, come, let’s chat, just the two of us.”
Fang Jing Yao obediently sat down.
Professor Long asked: “Jing Yao, do you like it here?”
Fang Jing Yao: “Yes, I do!”
Professor Long: “Long Yu showed you around, right? There’s an Atlantis Hotel nearby, see the tall one? The roads have been landscaped with lots of bougainvillea these past few days.”
Fang Jing Yao knew the place—it was a seven-star hotel. He nodded: “Yes, I saw it. The landscaping is great; so many flowers along the road, it makes you feel relaxed. No wonder so many people retire here—it really is nice, haha!” Nervous around new people, he smiled easily. Sitting alone in the living room with Long Yu’s father, he felt even more tense.
Professor Long nodded in satisfaction: “Good, you like it. The houses there are nice. A few old friends bought property there. I even prepared one for you both—whenever you have time, go handle the transfer.”
Fang Jing Yao, still smiling nervously, froze at that: “…Huh??!”
Professor Long chuckled: “I bought it early; it’s in a good spot right next to the hotel. Phase one was just completed. It hasn’t been renovated yet, so it’s a bit messy.” He had a little wine, so his speech was slow but sincere. After thinking for a moment, he analyzed the pros and cons: “The yard isn’t as big as here, but there’s a swimming pool. Young people like this. Remember Han Qiaoye? He loves throwing parties. You can invite friends too—it’ll be lively.”
Fang Jing Yao twitched at the corner of his mouth: “Han Qiaoye?”
Professor Long: “Yes. When he heard, he insisted on buying one too. That’s good; I heard from Long Yu that you two get along well. Being neighbors will let you look out for each other.”
Fang Jing Yao blushed and tried to decline: “No, no, it’s too valuable. Give it to Long Yu instead—it’s not suitable for me…”
Professor Long smiled warmly: “What’s suitable or not? Long Yu cares for you. As parents, we can rest assured. You don’t know, I always worried that the divorce between me and his mother might have affected him… Luckily, there’s you. I worried he’d spend his life cold and alone!” He sighed, then after a moment handed a set of keys to Fang Jing Yao, saying kindly: “Take it. I’m old and enjoy quiet. Don’t worry about us. Whenever you have time, come chat with me.”
Fang Jing Yao took the keys upstairs, feeling an inner calm. Holding the keys, he wondered if it was because Professor Long was drunk or if it had really happened.
Next to him, Long Yu murmured. Fang Jing Yao approached quietly: “Long Yu, are you uncomfortable? Do you have a headache?”
Long Yu groaned softly, reaching for Fang Jing Yao, fumbling in his direction: “Want…”
Fang Jing Yao reached out: “Want what? Want water?”
Long Yu clung to him, sticky and warm, whispering in his ear as he kissed him: “Want you.”
