Chapter 52
When Dr. Long opened the door, he was greeted by a large bouquet. Fang Jing Yao stood behind it, smiling: “For you!”
Long Yu took it and raised an eyebrow: “Isn’t this supposed to be mine for you?”
Fang Jing Yao walked in, curious: “How could you tell? Aren’t all flowers the same?”
Long Yu took a glass vase and arranged the flowers, smiling: “The flowers may look the same, but the arrangement is different. I bought them based on your birthday.” He picked a few out and showed them to Fang Jing Yao: “This one, and the Caspia… oh, the little star flowers. These small blue ones—you get them in every bouquet.”
Fang Jing Yao leaned in to look, and indeed, it was true. His birthday was in May, and he knew he was a Gemini, but he didn’t understand the specific lucky flowers or stones. “You actually know this stuff? I couldn’t tell at all.”
Long Yu cleared his throat: “I did some research.”
Fang Jing Yao looked at him, smiling: “Hey Long Yu, when we went out for dinner and movies before, you didn’t do research then too, did you?”
Long Yu pinched his nose lightly, smiling: “You’re naughty.”
Fang Jing Yao raised the rustic berry cake to him: “Here, I didn’t do any research for this. I just thought it looked nice. We’ll eat it together tonight.”
Long Yu took it, their minds almost in sync. He asked, “Is there a reason to celebrate?”
Fang Jing Yao patted his shoulder, this time encouraging Long Yu: “No reason, just cheering you on. I went to see my mom today. Are you free this Saturday noon? Come with me to have a meal and meet my parents?”
Long Yu had better composure than him. Apart from being flustered about Fang Jing Yao’s relationship matters initially, he handled everything else calmly. Hearing this, he nodded: “Okay, I got it.”
That evening, after dinner, Long Yu opened the cake box. Seeing the chocolate letters, his eyes curved into a smile.
Fang Jing Yao leaned on the table, tilting his head to watch, smiling: “Long Yu, aren’t you going to try it?”
Long Yu scooped a bit of cream with his finger, tasted it, and leaned down to kiss the mischievous one who always gave him little surprises.
So that night, Fang Jing Yao received a creamy, rustic berry-flavored kiss—dense and sweet, softening his heart.
When Saturday came, Long Yu dressed especially formally, carefully choosing a tie before deciding.
Fang Jing Yao sat nearby peeling an orange, laughing at him: “It’s fine, just be yourself. We’re just having a meal at my house. No need to dress so formally.”
Long Yu nodded but said nothing, ultimately choosing a tie with a slightly brighter color. Fang Jing Yao, being outgoing, perhaps made his family prefer someone energetic.
Fang Jing Yao had gotten used to his own home and didn’t prepare much, planning only to buy fruit on the way. Soon, he saw Long Yu loading gifts into the car trunk—high-end red wine and two boxes of bird’s nest. Then, without waiting for Fang Jing Yao to return, Long Yu drove off in a different car, the same Porsche coupe as before.
Standing by the roadside, Fang Jing Yao looked confused. A few minutes later, Long Yu came out and they drove off.
Fang Jing Yao couldn’t help laughing as he buckled his seatbelt: “You really don’t have to do all this. My parents don’t care about gifts. They’ll be happy just seeing you… Are you nervous?”
Long Yu rubbed his forehead, smiling: “It’s my first time at your home. I need to prepare.”
Fang Jing Yao teased him on the way: “It’s just a family meal. My mom’s cooking is great—her scallion-braised sea cucumber is amazing. I can’t eat much because I’m allergic. You eat extra for me.”
Long Yu nodded, still a bit tense.
Fang Jing Yao considered Long Yu part of his family. He thought it would just be a casual meal, like usual. But entering the house, he realized he was the only one thinking that. His mother dressed as if hosting guests, even a new apron for cooking. His father wore a suit and tie, also impeccably prepared.
Mr. Fang sat like he was chairing a work meeting. Seeing them enter, he looked at them with expectant eyes: “Jing Yao, you’re back! Come, sit down. Long Yu, sit too.”
Fang Jing Yao, in a T-shirt layered with a mid-length plaid shirt and worn-out pants, froze at the door. What was going on?!
Fang’s mother brought tea and called him: “Silly boy, why are you standing there? You don’t even recognize your own home? Come sit! You’re blocking Long Yu.”
Long Yu politely said: “Auntie, hello. I wanted to visit you earlier but didn’t have the chance.”
Fang’s parents kept smiling at him, delighted: “Young people are busy, we understand! Anyway, we’re family now. Visit often!”
Long Yu also gave gifts to Fang’s mother. Fang Jing Yao’s parents warmly entertained him. The atmosphere was festive, like a New Year gathering.
Fang Jing Yao looked awkward in his clothes, unsure about sitting in the living room. He sat briefly, then stood: “I’ll go help in the kitchen.”
Long Yu wanted to follow, but Fang Jing Yao stopped him. Mr. Fang laughed: “You’re the guest, no need to work. Sit, let’s talk.”
Fang Jing Yao patted his shoulder: “Talk with my dad. I’ll help my mom and be back soon.”
In the kitchen, his mother hummed while cutting fruit. Seeing him, she asked: “Why are you here? Go spend time with Long Yu. He seems introverted and polite. My husband talks too much, don’t overwhelm him!”
Fang Jing Yao took a piece of apple: “Don’t worry. Long Yu’s dad talks even more than mine!”
Fang’s mother gasped: “You didn’t tell Long Yu’s dad you were coming? You didn’t bring anything?”
Fang Jing Yao scratched his head: “It was sudden. I only bought two coconuts on the way. I haven’t met Long Yu’s mom yet, I’ll prepare properly next time.”
Fang’s mother laughed, tapping his forehead: “You’re not smart in these matters. Remember to be polite to elders. Now that Long Yu is with you, take good care of him, understand?”
Fang Jing Yao felt a pang and forced a smile: “I know, I… will pamper him.”
Last night, Long Yu had pampered him enough. His mother assumed he was taking advantage of Long Yu. Fang Jing Yao gritted his teeth, determined not to lose face.
Fang’s mother cautiously asked about Long Yu’s father’s attitude: “His mother seems open-minded. What about his dad? I think they divorced years ago.”
Fang Jing Yao: “Yes, but they still keep in touch. He treats Long Yu very well.”
Fang’s mother, a little anxious: “And you?”
Fang Jing Yao smiled, resting his head on her shoulder: “He’s great to me too. He even bought a house with both our names on it.”
Her heart relaxed. She told her son: “The house where Huangbao lives is a bit old, but it’s in a good school district. When you and Long Yu settle down, you can transfer it to both your names.” She smiled while cutting fruit: “Even if you can’t get a marriage certificate, there should be some symbolic gesture. The house is there; the paper doesn’t have to trap you.”
Fang Jing Yao said, “No need, Mom. Keep that house for you and Dad. I’ve been saving some money these past few years and was planning to gather enough to get you and Dad a bigger place. I’ll buy my own house. Well… maybe I won’t even buy one. Long Yu doesn’t lack a place to stay anyway; we’ll see later.”
Fang’s mother replied, “Use your own money as you see fit. The money your dad and I gave you, you have to keep it. We’ve worked half our lives to give it to you for marrying a wife!”
Fang Jing Yao didn’t respond. For a moment, he couldn’t argue with this stubborn old lady, so he changed the topic, chatting about other things. He mentioned Long Yu’s father a few more times, but didn’t bring up that Professor Long had gifted a villa, otherwise his mother would overthink it. That could wait.
Hearing that Professor Long liked his son very much eased some of Fang’s mother’s worries, and she became happy again. Seeing her son well was more joyful than receiving any gift. She washed peaches and grapes, sliced honeydew, and arranged them on a plate.
“Mom, you don’t have to… I used to bring so many people home, and you didn’t act like this, right?” Fang Jing Yao tried to sneak a piece, but his mother swatted his hand, scolding: “How could it be the same!” Then she carefully straightened the piece he had brought. “Go, give it to Long Yu. Remember, the red peach on top is for him. Don’t eat it yourself!”
Fang Jing Yao felt a pang in his heart. Long Yu hadn’t even entered their home yet, but he already had priority. It looked like he might compete even with Huangbao—Fang Jing Yao was thoroughly out of favor.
Long Yu sat in the living room chatting with Fang Jing Yao’s father.
Mr. Fang was from Lushi. Usually, in the office and government jobs, most colleagues were locals. At his age, he rarely spoke standard Mandarin well. Meeting Long Yu made him a bit nervous, and when nervous, his Shandong-accented Mandarin became even more pronounced.
Long Yu’s parents were from the south. Since his own parents hadn’t been able to care for him, he had lived with his aunt for a few years. Her family spoke mostly standard Mandarin, and he rarely heard local dialects. Talking with Mr. Fang, he immediately felt the full force of Shandong-accented Mandarin. Every word rolled around in his mind. Using the same focus he once used for German listening comprehension, he concentrated, carefully distinguishing each sound Mr. Fang spoke.
Mr. Fang was surprised: “You lived here when you were young?”
Long Yu decoded it in his mind and nodded.
Mr. Fang continued: “Where did you all live? That name sounds familiar… the big compound… oh, was your uncle Ji Minde?”
Long Yu recognized the name and nodded: “Yes.”
Mr. Fang chuckled: “What a coincidence! We lived in the same big compound for several years. Now that you mention it, I remember—we were neighbors for two or three years. Then, for Jing Yao’s schooling, we moved! What does your uncle do now?”
Long Yu listened for a while, then slowly gave a company name. It wasn’t local, so Mr. Fang was puzzled and shook his head: “I really don’t know this one.”
Long Yu listened carefully and realized that “don’t know” meant exactly that. He showed no expression on his face, sitting properly, drinking tea, and conversing sparingly with the elders. Most of the time, he just listened attentively. His lean, cold, sharp-featured face looked a little expressionless, but with his presence, he seemed like a refined young gentleman, untouched by worldly concerns.
Fang Jing Yao carried the fruit platter over and immediately saw Long Yu sitting on the sofa chatting with his father. He couldn’t help but smile. Long Yu’s aloof aura contrasted oddly with the lively household, yet watching him attentively listen to Mr. Fang was strangely heartwarming.
Fang Jing Yao leaned on the armrest of Long Yu’s sofa, helping him: “Dad, stop talking so much. Show Long Yu some photos instead. We take lots of photos every year. Long Yu lived in the same big compound as us when he was little—maybe there are photos of him too!”
Mr. Fang got interested and went to the bedroom to search. Their family took many photos for keepsakes, organized by year. Soon, he returned with three thick photo albums.
The three of them sat in the living room looking at old photos. Fang Jing Yao’s photos were the most, from childhood to now. The first album was old, even including a nude baby photo at 100 days old, lying in a red toy car, smiling cheerfully.
Long Yu looked at it twice. Fang Jing Yao immediately covered it: “Dad! Watch out! Why are you showing my nude photos?”
Mr. Fang beamed: “The photo was taken well. The studio even enlarged it for display. Why not show Long Yu?”
Fang Jing Yao: “…You really have no shame! Because it was free, you didn’t care that your son’s nude photo got out!”
Mr. Fang, feigning seriousness: “Nonsense. Who would do it for just a bit of money?”
Fang Jing Yao: “Then why?”
Mr. Fang sighed: “Because you peed in the toy car. No photo, no leaving!”
Translator’s Note: The next chapter contains R-18 content with sexual themes.
