Chapter 6: A Sweet Dinner
“Ah, right, right, right.”
Thinking of what Fu Rangyi had said downstairs just now, Zhu Zhixi lightly patted his own mouth.
Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad.
Mom, I don’t know if this counts as good news, but I’m about to have a mom again.
But this has nothing to do with my dad.
“Don’t give us away.”
He felt Fu Rangyi pinch his elbow and lowered his head to glance at the countdown.
[53 days, 07 hours, 24 minutes, 40 seconds]
All of a sudden, Zhu Zhixi felt a little puzzled. He himself truly needed this relationship. He needed to have physical contact with Fu Rangyi, so naturally, he had to perform “being affectionate” in front of outsiders to have a chance at prolonging his life. But what about Fu Rangyi?
“Wait.” He tugged at Fu Rangyi’s hand. Seeing him turn back, Zhu Zhixi stood on tiptoe, leaned close to his ear, and asked softly, “Do we have to pretend we really like each other?”
“What else?”
“Why? Wouldn’t a marriage alliance with no emotional foundation work too? That would be easier for you too, right?”
Fu Rangyi paused for a second and said in a low voice, “I have my reasons.”
Fine.
Zhu Zhixi had originally been trying to be considerate of him. After all, this person looked like he had a strong sense of boundaries and disliked being touched or handled casually. Zhu Zhixi did not want to force himself closer either. Besides, acting like a couple who looked harmonious on the outside but were distant inside was much easier than acting like they were mutually in love. But since the person involved had already decided, Zhu Zhixi could conveniently go along with it.
So, the instant the door opened, he directly held Fu Rangyi’s hand and put on his social-mode smile.
Ever since childhood, Zhu Zhixi had been the type to become livelier the more people were around. The bigger the crowd, the better he fit in. As soon as he entered, he warmly greeted and introduced himself to everyone seated inside, open and lively.
“Little Zhu is prettier than any Omega I’ve ever seen!”
“He looks like his mother. Our eldest son looks more like me.” Zhu Yu waved, asking Zhu Zhixi to come over and sit beside him.
Listening to the compliments from the older generation, he obediently sat down. Unexpectedly, Zhu Yu, who had been praising him a second ago, immediately put on a stern expression and pretended to scold him.
“Very good. Getting your marriage certificate is such a major matter, yet you didn’t discuss it with us and decided first, reported later? Zhu Zhixi, these past few years outside really have made you wild. You don’t even have me, your father, in your heart anymore.”
What are you acting for, Dad? Weren’t you the one who sent me that tear-jerking essay and made me go on a blind date with Iceberg Bro?
Beside them, Zhu Zeran held a cup of hot tea and blew on it. His gaze swept back and forth over the two of them before finally stopping on Fu Rangyi’s face.
“Looking at it this way, there really was sufficient reason to act first and report later.” He put down the cup and joked with a smile, “But I seem to remember someone once saying, ‘I’d rather die than get married.’”
Brother, the word order of that sentence might be a little reversed. The correct order is: If I get married, I won’t die.
Zhu Zhixi squeezed out a smile and acted spoiled toward his father. “Old Zhu, weren’t you looking forward to me getting married? Stop pretending.”
After saying that, he immediately poured a cup of alcohol and stood up, familiarly addressing the other elders at the table. “I’m really sorry. The road was too congested, and the two of us arrived late. I’ll punish myself with one glass first.”
Zhu Zeran, who enjoyed watching the fun and did not mind making things worse, pointed out, “Hey, and there’s also the matter of getting the certificate without greeting anyone first.”
“Fine, I’ll punish myself with another glass.” He gritted his teeth and poured himself another glass. “I made such a big decision on my own. I really should be punished.”
“Look at this child.” Seeing this, Fu’s mother immediately smoothed things over. She smiled and pushed Fu Rangyi’s arm. “Rangyi, how can you let Zhixi drink alone? You don’t know how to care for people at all. Ah, our family’s child is also so thoughtless.”
The show paused.
Fu Rangyi had no choice but to pour himself a glass too. Before he could pick it up, Zhu Zhixi, who was sitting beside him, snatched the cup and downed it in one gulp.
“I’ll drink for him. He drove here, so he can’t drink.”
Fu Rangyi froze for a second, watching as Zhu Zhixi returned the empty cup and placed it back in front of him with a smack.
So it had begun?
“Oh my, look at that. We didn’t even think of that. Zhixi is really careful and considerate, and so sensible too.” Fu’s mother’s eyes and heart were full of satisfaction, and she could not stop smiling. “No wonder Rangyi said he liked you the first time he saw you.”
Hearing this, Zhu Zhixi almost choked on his last sip of alcohol. He turned his face and widened his eyes at Fu Rangyi.
No, dude, you opened with a frame-one move?
You should have said earlier that we were using a love-at-first-sight script. Going straight on stage without even matching lines first makes it very easy to mess up, okay?
Fu Rangyi was very obviously avoiding his gaze and casually poured himself a cup of tea.
At the other end of the round table, the tall young man sitting beside Fu’s mother suddenly spoke, teasing with a smile, “Why does sister-in-law look so surprised?”
Sister-in-law?
Zhu Zhixi looked over. Judging by his looks, he was also an Alpha. On his own, he could definitely be considered handsome, but compared with Fu Rangyi, he was far from breathtaking.
His facial features were not as deep-set, and his temperament was also very different. This person was much more cheerful, unlike Fu Rangyi, who was cold as ice. To put it nicely, Fu Rangyi was detached from worldly affairs. To put it badly, he did not seem like a living person.
As if noticing Zhu Zhixi’s gaze, he smiled brightly. “I forgot to introduce myself earlier. I’m his younger brother, Fu Liaoxing.”
At this moment, Fu Rangyi suddenly spoke. “He’s just a little embarrassed.”
Zhu Zhixi thought about it for a while before realizing that Fu Rangyi was answering his younger brother’s previous question.
“That’s right.” He looked at his newlywed husband, smiling on the surface while bumping Fu Rangyi’s knee under the table. “I didn’t even know when you told Mom and Dad these things.”
“When you were playing tug-of-war with the kitten,” Fu Rangyi replied with a fake smile, not to be outdone.
Zhu Zhixi’s face fell. “No, when did I play tug-of-war with a kitten?”
“I have evidence. Do you want to see the photo?”
Seriously? Zhu Zhixi quickly shook his head and refused.
Fake. Who would take pictures of you? What a waste of storage.
The people at the table suddenly all laughed, making both of them freeze at the same time, thinking they had revealed some flaw and been discovered.
“You two don’t seem like you just met at all.”
Zhu’s father’s eyes were full of relief, and the others at the table also chimed in.
“Right?” Zhu Zhixi shrugged, deliberately trying to disgust someone. “Who told a certain someone to fall in love with me at first sight?”
Seeing Fu Rangyi’s tightened fingers, he became even more pleased.
“The food is getting cold.” Fu Rangyi picked up some celery and lily bulb with his chopsticks and placed it in Zhu Zhixi’s bowl. “Eat more.”
Beside them, Zhu Zeran suddenly laughed. “Zhu Zhixi, since when did you start liking celery? In the past, if you smelled it, you’d tell people to take it farther away.”
Their chopsticks paused, and the two quickly exchanged glances.
This was actually the first meal the two of them had ever eaten together. Fu Rangyi had no idea about his food restrictions or preferences, and he had made a mistake right away.
He thought the situation would fall into an awkward state, but to his surprise, Zhu Zhixi actually smiled and picked up the celery in his bowl, eating it very happily like a rabbit nibbling grass.
He already had two not-so-obvious rabbit teeth, and because he had directly downed three glasses of alcohol earlier, his eyes were red, making him look even more like one.
“I like it now. I love it.”
Zhu Zhixi smugly shook his head at Zhu Zeran and deliberately linked his arm through Fu Rangyi’s.
“Big Zhu, are you starting to pick on me again? We already said it was love at first sight. Who would reveal bad habits like picky eating during a blind date? You’re not allowed to expose my shortcomings, and you’re not allowed to bully our Teacher Fu either.”
“Already turning your elbow outward, huh?”
“Dad, look at how worthless he is.”
“Oh my, how sweet.”
Amid the lively atmosphere, Fu Rangyi’s body even stiffened a little, somewhat dazed. But very quickly, that warm hand quietly withdrew.
In the laughter and chatter, he said nothing. His gaze could not help following that hand, only to discover that Zhu Zhixi had opened his left palm under the table and lowered his head to glance at something.
This seemed to be this person’s habitual movement. Sometimes after looking, he would clench his fist. Sometimes he would excitedly pat it, then raise his head and let out a long sigh.
What a strange guy.
One delicate and delicious dish after another was served. The elders of both families chatted warmly. The topic briefly moved away from the two of them, and the Fu family took the lead, starting to talk about the two families’ companies.
Fu Rangyi did not have much appetite, but Zhu Zhixi ate very happily.
He noticed that this person did not really follow rules. Even when facing so-called in-laws and elders, he could very naturally pick up food. Whatever he wanted to eat, he would point at it toward his father or brother, or give them a look. Without needing to speak, the other party would turn the lazy Susan with an expression of helplessness, moving the dish he wanted in front of him.
After watching for a long time, Fu Rangyi became a little distracted.
“Look, I only just realized that these two children didn’t even prepare wedding rings. How can that do?” Fu’s mother suddenly spoke beside them, saying to Zhu Zhixi, “Little Zhu, which brand do you like? Or do you prefer independent designers? If there’s one you like, tell me. Tomorrow, I’ll have the brand come over and make a custom design for you two.”
“Ah?” Zhu Zhixi subconsciously looked at Fu Rangyi.
He kept feeling that this person was not very happy, as if he was dissatisfied with his parents’ interference.
The countdown in his palm was still flickering. Zhu Zhixi simply held Fu Rangyi’s hand and pressed his palm against the back of Fu Rangyi’s hand.
“We’ll handle it ourselves.” With some difficulty, he called her “Mom,” then added, “We discussed it before. When he’s not busy, we’ll go shopping together.”
He could feel Fu Rangyi’s hand stiffen slightly, but he did not pull away.
Fu Rangyi gave a soft “mm.” “Mom, there’s no need to trouble yourself. We’ll buy them ourselves.”
“Actually…” Zhu Yu seemed to think of something and looked at his younger son. “The one your mother left behind before…”
Before he could finish, Zhu Zhixi smiled and said, “Dad, don’t worry about it. We’ve already picked the style.”
Fu Rangyi noticed that this was the first time Zhu Zhixi had interrupted his father.
He also noticed Zhu Zeran’s questioning gaze.
In order to dispel the concerns caused by someone’s terrible acting, Fu Rangyi pulled his own hand out slightly and instead held Zhu Zhixi’s hand in return. He held it with proper restraint, his grip very light.
Zhu Zhixi’s clenched hand gradually relaxed as well.
“This certificate was indeed obtained a little hastily.” Fu’s father clinked glasses with Zhu Yu. “But many later procedures that should be followed still need to be followed. For example, the wedding. It’s also a great joyful event of our two families being joined together. I think it’s still worth holding on a grand scale. There will be many guests to invite when the time comes: people from the business world, the media, and also your younger brother’s side…”
Hearing this, Fu Rangyi, who had always cared about etiquette, directly interrupted, “I don’t think it’s necessary. There’s no need to hold one.”
“You child.” Fu’s father’s tone clearly carried reproach. “How can you not hold one? If you don’t, what will Little Zhu think? This is a once-in-a-lifetime major event. A sense of ceremony can’t be missing.”
Not necessarily once in a lifetime. The contract ends in half a year. With the grand scale you people are planning, maybe it won’t even be ready before we split. The invitations will go out, and then we’ll break up. Friends and relatives can all eat at the divorce banquet together.
Zhu Zhixi muttered in his heart, but his actions immediately stayed consistent with Fu Rangyi’s.
“I also don’t think there’s any need to hold one.” He still had a fish ball tucked in his cheek.
“This…”
Zhu Yu smiled generously. “Old Fu, let’s still follow the children’s wishes on this. I can understand Rangyi’s thoughts. He’s a university teacher and does research, so he likes to keep a low profile. Don’t be fooled by how our Xiao Xi seems quite familiar with people. He actually doesn’t like lively occasions either, especially big scenes. He has almost never shown up at our group’s annual meetings, banquets, or public events.”
Beside him, Zhu Zeran also agreed and joked, “Let’s talk about it when they want to hold one. Getting the certificate was already rushed enough. If they rush into a wedding too, it’s a good thing Zhu Zhixi is a Beta. If he were an O, people would definitely start saying the two of them got on the bus first and bought the ticket afterward.”
This joke made Fu Rangyi’s younger brother laugh.
Zhu Yu glanced at his eldest son and clicked his tongue. Then he turned his face and smiled at his in-laws. “Since Zeran brought this up, actually, we also feel rather embarrassed. Look, someone like Little Fu, so good-looking and with such a promising future, should properly find an Omega from a matching family background, get married, and have children. But our Zhixi is a Beta, so in that regard…”
Before he could finish, Fu’s father, who had drunk too much, began waving his hand. His voice also rose a few degrees. “Don’t say that! Being able to marry Little Zhu is our Rangyi’s good fortune. We don’t care about that.”
You really don’t care about that.
Fu Rangyi leaned against the chair, lowering his eyes as he stared at the ripples in the tea caused by his father slapping the table.
What you care about is the Zhu family’s background, their group, and Zhu Zhixi’s uncle, who is thriving in the Foreign Trade and Economic Commission. For the Fu family, which runs a multinational trade business, gaining access to these resources and connections is like finding a treasure, especially at a time when the company is beginning to show signs of decline.
“It’s already a new era. Plenty of young people get married and don’t have children.” Fu’s mother also smiled and said, “Continuing the family line, bloodline inheritance—none of that matters to us. What’s most important is that they live well together.”
Zhu Zhixi did not participate in the topic, but for some reason, he sensed a very subtle emotion from Fu Rangyi beside him.
He turned his head and looked at him quietly.
Whenever these things were discussed, Fu Rangyi became unusually silent, and his expression did not look very good either.
Was he unhappy?
Or did he actually really want children?
Zhu Zhixi did not want to think too deeply about it either. He deliberately swung his legs back and forth under the table, lightly bumping Fu Rangyi’s knee several times.
Sure enough, this person finally pulled himself out of his thoughts, frowned, and glared at him, asking with his lips, “What are you doing?”
Zhu Zhixi stuck out his tongue and leaned closer, saying softly, “Sorry. Once I’m full, I get very happy. And when I’m happy, I can’t help swinging around.”
Fu Rangyi suspected that he actually had ADHD. He might have quite a few hidden illnesses.
“Take some medicine.”
“Mm, I brought digestive tablets.”
“…”
As if to show his sincerity, by the end of the conversation, Fu’s father slapped the table again, raised his wine glass, and announced very boldly, “To celebrate the happy union of this young couple, and to celebrate our two families becoming in-laws, I’ll transfer a property under my name to Xiao Xi and Rangyi. The apartment Rangyi lives in now isn’t big. Now that he’s married, don’t live there anymore. Just move straight into the marital home.”
Marital home??
This topic changed way too quickly.
Zhu Zhixi almost lost his grip on his chopsticks and glanced at Fu Rangyi. He still had that half-dead expression.
“The house is at Qiyin Mountain. I bought it as an investment before. The view is very good. You can overlook the entire nightscape of S City, and the privacy is also good…”
Zhu Zhixi had no interest at all in rich people’s mansions, and he could even predict that Fu Rangyi would definitely refuse.
“No need.”
Sure enough. Nailed it.
“You child, this won’t do, that won’t do either.” Fu’s father did not seem to want to ask his opinion. His face remained turned toward Zhu Yu as he continued, “This is a little gesture from us.”
That location was half a city away from S University.
“Um, Uncle…” The moment the word slipped out, Zhu Zhixi immediately corrected himself. “Dad. We appreciate Dad’s kindness, but as for the house…”
Hearing this “Dad,” Zhu Yu was somewhat unused to it, but what he was even more unused to was his younger son moving out just like that. It had taken so much difficulty for this child to finally finish playing around outside and come home.
So he directly made the decision. “The house we live in now is quite empty and convenient too. Zhixi is already used to living there. Why don’t Little Fu come over as well? With more people, it’ll be livelier.”
As soon as he said this, Zhu Zeran beside him could not hold back his laughter.
Zhu Zhixi’s eyes widened.
Why was his own father so lacking in tact? Wasn’t he turning Fu Rangyi into a live-in son-in-law?
Beside them, Fu Rangyi, who had been silent for a long time, finally could not hold back either. Although he truly was extremely unwilling to express his stance on this matter, he still had no choice but to speak.
“Regarding the marital home, I…”
“No, no, no.” Zhu Zhixi directly stood up and lightly tapped his wine glass. “Everyone, please listen to me.”
“Qiyin Mountain is really too far from S University. Our family home is also very far. Teacher Fu has to commute by car every day, and that’s very tiring. His time is precious and should be used for academic research. We appreciate the elders’ kindness. As for the marital home…”
He paused, then smiled and said, “I’ll move into Teacher Fu’s current apartment! I quite like it there. It’s very cozy.”
After saying this, Zhu Zhixi sat down, wrapped his arms around Fu Rangyi’s arm, leaned against his shoulder, and revealed a sweet smile. A very smooth little combo.
“We’re newlyweds after all, still in our honeymoon phase. Let the two of us enjoy our little world together!”
Author’s Note:
Actually, Teacher Fu falls in love little by little as they spend time together. As you read chapter by chapter later, there will be many more details. By contrast, Xiao Zhu’s feelings are because of a few particular moments. The difference between them on this point is very big.
