Chapter 47
Tan Ning set up a small table on the bed and placed his laptop on it to write his case report.
Lin Song’an was sleeping beside him, his arm draped over Tan Ning’s waist. His body was restrained by the small table and could only lie next to Tan Ning. As the evening darkened, after Tan Ning finished the outline and looked up, he saw a patch of orange-red twilight above the distant forest.
Time seemed to slow down when he was with Lin Song’an.
He watched as the wind passed through the forest, birds startled into flight, and sparse branches held the lingering sunlight, like orange-red brushstrokes outlining the sun sinking into the clouds. Tan Ning, who was suffering a headache from the all-English case study, couldn’t help but hold his breath and gaze, his troubled mind being soothed.
In the next moment, he was teased awake by Lin Song’an.
“Ning Ning, is your waist still sore?”
Tan Ning’s expression suddenly stiffened; he didn’t want to recall what had happened at noon.
Lin Song’an rubbed his waist, then reached his hand into the blanket, finding the spot without fumbling, as he wasn’t fully awake, relying entirely on his familiarity with Tan Ning’s body. “Is your waist still sore? Let me massage it for you again.”
“No,” Tan Ning replied coldly.
Lin Song’an was fully awake, burying his face against Tan Ning’s body and rubbing against him. Then he propped himself up to sit, tilting his head to rest on Tan Ning’s shoulder. “Ning Ning, you’re so diligent. What is this?”
“It’s the case report due next semester.”
Lin Song’an clearly had no recollection. Tan Ning asked him, “Why exactly are you attending classes at the Law and Business Base?”
“To accompany you, you silly cat.”
Tan Ning was at a loss for words.
“It’s not to accompany you. What would I be wasting my time on? I’m about to graduate.”
Tan Ning blinked, and Lin Song’an asked him, “Are you thinking of striving for that study abroad spot because of this?”
“Yeah, it’s exactly the school I want to go to. They have guaranteed spots for graduate studies, and if I have an excellent case report, I can get a full scholarship. Why not strive for it?”
Lin Song’an looked at Tan Ning’s case report outline. “Ning Ning, you’re so excellent. If I get kicked out by my family later, will you take care of me?”
Tan Ning furrowed his brows, as if he believed Lin Song’an was making it up, and asked seriously, “Why would your family kick you out?”
Lin Song’an paused for a moment, burying his face in Tan Ning’s neck. “Just kidding. My mom is getting more and more fed up with me, and maybe one day she’ll kick me out. I won’t have money, a house, or a car. Ning Ning, will you take me in?”
Tan Ning wasn’t someone who joked, and Lin Song’an rarely said things like “if”. He looked down at Lin Song’an. Lin Song’an was teasing him on purpose, persistently asking, “Would you? Would Ning Ning take me in?”
After a long while, Tan Ning answered, “Yes, I will take care of you.”
Lin Song’an was stunned.
Tan Ning’s expression was very serious, as if making a promise. Lin Song’an thought he would burst out laughing, but instead, he stared straight into Tan Ning’s eyes, which were calm as the sea. Suddenly, Lin Song’an remembered the moonlit sea on the night they eloped. They lay on the beach, Tan Ning quietly resting in his arms as they were eloping.
Tan Ning said “hate,” “no,” “stay away” with his mouth, but every time Lin Song’an reached out to him, he never backed down.
Tan Ning was much braver than Lin Song’an had imagined.
Lin Song’an lifted his head to kiss Tan Ning and said with a smile, “Good boy, but how could I bear to let you suffer?”
Tan Ning frowned in confusion.
Lin Song’an massaged Tan Ning’s brow with his finger, “Don’t always frown. It’ll leave lines.”
Tan Ning immediately relaxed.
Lin Song’an continued massaging Tan Ning’s waist, “Still sore?”
Tan Ning tried to twist his waist to avoid Lin Song’an’s hand but ended up twisting his own waist, and the noon scene flashed back into his mind. Lin Song’an’s eyes held a meaningful smile as he leaned close to Tan Ning’s ear, whispering, “Ning Ning, you’re so good at twisting.”
Tan Ning’s cheeks turned red. He pushed away the small table and tried to get out of bed, but Lin Song’an grabbed him. Tan Ning didn’t dare move randomly and risked hurting Lin Song’an’s hand, so he was firmly restrained. Lin Song’an continued to nibble on his ear, “At first, you didn’t know anything, now you quickly got me hooked.”
Tan Ning glared fiercely at Lin Song’an, but Lin Song’an was completely shameless, carefully helping Tan Ning recall what happened at noon. “But fortunately, Ning Ning is a good student with a very serious attitude towards studying.”
“Lin Song’an!”
“Ning Ning was very proactive.”
“Stop talking! Are you annoying me or what!”
“I’m saying, Ning Ning, you can’t be so straightforward. You need to learn to twist your waist, Ning Ning—” Before he could finish, Tan Ning tightly covered Lin Song’an’s mouth.
Lin Song’an couldn’t stop laughing, removed Tan Ning’s hand, then held the back of his neck, pressing him down to kiss him. He nuzzled Tan Ning’s lips and said, “Ning Ning, so good. Your skin is as thin as your belly.”
Tan Ning collapsed onto his chest, too lazy to respond.
Lin Song’an accompanied Tan Ning in reviewing the case study. When there were parts Tan Ning didn’t understand, he would analyze them using real cases from Tianhe, and when there were things he couldn’t grasp, Tan Ning would explain business law theories to him. Tan Ning had won first place in the undergraduate group of the provincial translation competition for English to Chinese, but his spoken English wasn’t fluent. He said he wanted one-on-one spoken English training, and Lin Song’an said, “I’ll help you find one.”
He had many friends who had studied abroad since middle and high school, so finding spoken English tutors was not difficult.
Tan Ning nestled into Lin Song’an’s arms, took a deep breath, and then rested his head on Lin Song’an’s neck.
A wholehearted dependence.
The two of them stared blankly as dusk approached.
They hung out like this for several days. In the end, Yue Ying made several phone calls in a row, asking Tan Ning when he would go home.
Tan Ning said to Lin Song’an, “Let’s go to the mall.”
Lin Song’an replied, “Okay.”
“I was thinking, I don’t want to meet your parents first. I’ll go to your house and cook lunch, and you tell them that I made it.”
“How could I allow that?”
“I don’t know how to face them for now, and the New Year is coming. I don’t want to have conflicts with your parents on such a day. I’ve never been good at winning over elders since I was a child.”
Lin Song’an was unwilling. “Don’t force yourself to win their favor. It’s a process of mutual acceptance. Besides, my mom’s prejudice against you has nothing to do with you. It’s purely because of her own obsession. Ning Ning, don’t think badly of yourself.”
Tan Ning walked to the balcony, and Lin Song’an followed, embracing him from behind.
“Ning Ning is particularly good. Next year, he’s going abroad, securing a full scholarship through his own academic performance. His living expenses were earned through hard work as a tutor over these years. Isn’t that excellent?”
Tan Ning remembered He Qingrui’s words and suddenly said, “Also, having the heir of the Tianhe Group as a boyfriend.”
“What?”
Tan Ning bit his lip and didn’t say anything.
“Say that again, what else?”
Tan Ning stubbornly resisted for a long time, but finally surrendered, feeling itchy. He curled up in a corner of the balcony and stiffly said, “Also, having the heir of the Tianhe Group as a boyfriend.”
“Right, so excellent.”
Tan Ning spat at him, “Narcissist.”
Lin Song’an chuckled lightly, lowered his head, and said to Tan Ning, “Tomorrow I’ll take you home. Don’t be afraid.”
*
Though he said he wasn’t afraid, Tan Ning lost sleep all night.
Early the next day, he got up early again, changed several outfits, finding none suitable. Finally, Lin Song’an helped him choose a khaki woolen coat.
The two held hands and went to the mall. Tan Ning realized he had thought too simply. For things within his ability range, Lin Yexun and Fang Jin were likely to dismiss them. For things beyond his ability range, Lin Yexun and Fang Jin basically didn’t lack, and they might misunderstand that he used Lin Song’an’s money to please them.
After mulling over for a long time, he finally bought a box of red wine and health supplements. Tan Ning felt somewhat dejected. Looking at the two items on the back seat, he felt shabby. He could almost imagine how contemptuous Fang Jin’s eyes would be, but these two items had already cost him half a semester’s part-time wages. He sighed, thinking: I wish I had a lot and a lot of money.
Lin Song’an looked at him out of the corner of his eye but couldn’t help feeling sorry.
Everyone thought that Tan Ning had ulterior motives for dating him, and everyone warned him to be careful. But in this relationship, Tan Ning didn’t gain anything; he gave more than Lin Song’an.
Lin Song’an would give him birthday gifts, and Tan Ning would want to return the most expensive phone, keeping only a worthless ceramic kitten.
What had Lin Song’an brought to Tan Ning? Rather than a bit of insignificant love, it was like emotional turmoil, inexplicable friends-with-benefits relationships, his mother’s hatred, classmates’ criticisms…
Lin Song’an suddenly held Tan Ning’s hand. Tan Ning was stunned. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Song’an smiled at him and, with one hand, turned the steering wheel, “Nothing, we’re almost there.”
Lin Yexun was in the courtyard taking a phone call. Seeing Lin Song’an’s car, after saying a few words, he put down his phone and walked towards the door. “It’s just the right time. Auntie just started cooking. Your mother is in the study upstairs.”
“What is she doing in the study?” Lin Song’an walked over, draping his arm over Tan Ning’s shoulders.
“Her company’s matters.”
Tan Ning whispered, “Your mom also has a company?”
“Yeah, previously it was a chain of beauty salons. Now she’s also involved in cosmetics research and development.”
“So impressive.”
“Especially impressive,” Lin Song’an smiled. “Ning Ning, you can be this impressive in the future, with me as your support.”
Tan Ning told him to speak quietly.
Tan Ning gave the gift to Lin Yexun. “Uncle, a little token of appreciation, and, and I hope you—”
Tan Ning was awkward with words, so Lin Song’an helped him say, “I hope you accept it and don’t find it inadequate. This was bought with the money Tan Ning earned from his part-time job. The red wine is that French brand you often drink.”
Tan Ning secretly twisted him. They had clearly agreed in the car not to mention that Tan Ning had used his part-time earnings.
Lin Yexun smiled and said, “I told you all not to buy things. Thank you, Xiao Ning.”
Tan Ning was not good at dealing with elders. He swallowed and nervously said, “It’s nothing, Uncle.”
Fang Jin came down a few minutes later. When she saw Tan Ning, her steps paused slightly, but this time she didn’t deliberately create an awkward atmosphere. Like a normal elder, she smiled at Tan Ning.
Lin Song’an held Tan Ning’s waist and pushed him forward, who was frozen with fear. “Ning Ning, go greet my mother. Don’t be afraid.”
“Mom—” Tan Ning began to speak but realized something was wrong. Luckily, his voice was very soft, only heard by Lin Song’an.
Lin Song’an burst into giggles. Tan Ning’s face turned even more embarrassed. Feeling too embarrassed to face Fang Jin, he poked Lin Song’an with his elbow and had no choice but to muster up the courage, take a step forward, and initiate, “Auntie, Happy New Year.”
Lin Song’an took the health supplements and showed them to Fang Jin, “Mom, these are from Ning Ning.”
“Thank you, put them over there.”
Fang Jin didn’t respond warmly, but she didn’t reject them either. She turned and went into the kitchen, asking the nanny when dinner would be ready.
Lin Song’an, holding Tan Ning’s hand, walked towards the kitchen and asked, “Is there anything Lin Song’an and Ning Ning can help with?”
Fang Jin brought out a fruit platter with a neutral expression. “You two can divide the fruits.”
Lin Song’an and Tan Ning exchanged a glance. The smile in Lin Song’an’s eyes was about to spill over. Tan Ning took the fruit platter with both hands and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”
Fang Jin’s reaction completely exceeded Tan Ning’s expectations. He thought he would go through a storm and be frightened into running away by Fang Jin’s disdainful gaze. He had done mental preparation all night, but instead was greeted with Fang Jin’s faint smile.
Lin Song’an whispered in his ear, “We’re almost there, Little cat Tan.”
Lunch went smoothly. Although Fang Jin was cold and unfeeling, and Tan Ning was a bit reserved, the two father and son, Lin Yexun and Lin Song’an, were constantly easing the atmosphere.
“Ning Ning is really good at making soups. I’ve had the chicken soup and crucian carp tofu soup he made. They’re especially delicious.”
“Then Uncle will also have the pleasure of eating dishes made by Song’an in the future.”
Tan Ning felt a bit shy and nodded.
“Actually, it should be to let Song’an properly learn the art of making soups, so he can make them for Dad and Mom when he returns.”
Lin Song’an immediately chimed in, “Of course. I’m already learning. I can make several dishes now. Not to mention making soups, even braised pork ribs are no problem.”
“Stop bragging,” Fang Jin said.
“Where am I bragging? After the New Year, Ning Ning and I will make them for you to eat.”
Fang Jin smiled, neither agreeing nor refusing.
After lunch, Fang Jin was called upstairs by a phone call, probably something related to her company. Lin Yexun then took Lin Song’an and Tan Ning to sit in the courtyard.
The courtyard was planted with many flowers and plants, including many varieties Tan Ning had never seen. He walked over to admire them carefully.
Lin Song’an watched Tan Ning’s crouched back and then turned to smile at Lin Yexun. “Thank you, Dad.”
“It’s my duty. It should be like this. Your happiness means me and your Mom are happy.”
“Is it so that you won’t leave me with any regrets?”
Lin Yexun’s smile faltered slightly. “Yes.”
After a moment, Lin Song’an’s gaze was entirely on Tan Ning. Lin Yexun suddenly said, “I also have no regrets. As I told you before, if you miss it, it’s not fate. Your mom and I are living very well now, communicating more than before, especially well. We also thank both of you.”
Lin Song’an felt slightly perplexed, thinking Lin Yexun’s words were a bit abrupt.
He looked Lin Yexun up and down.
He remembered that long ago, in the elevator, a company director had said to him: “Your dad has been looking quite happy lately, like a young man newly in love.”
He hadn’t paid much attention to that comment before, but now it felt somewhat different to him.
“How much longer until the stitches are removed?”
“Next week.”
“If you come back to the company after the New Year, I’ll assign you to the engineering department. As previously agreed, you’ll rotate through several departments to familiarize yourself with the group’s work.”
“Are you so eager to entrust Tianhe to me? What, are you trying to retire early to spend the world alone with my mom?”
Lin Yexun gave an awkward smile. “Yes, to leave more time for myself, and for your mom.”
Lin Song’an’s gaze suddenly stopped at Lin Yexun’s hand.
“Dad.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Where is your wedding ring?”
Lin Yexun immediately withdrew his hand, smiling as he said, “The ring? My memory has gotten worse lately. I always forget to put it back on after taking it off for a bath.”
Lin Song’an sharply looked at Lin Yexun. Lin Yexun instinctively avoided Lin Song’an’s burning gaze. In the silent questioning from Lin Song’an, he suppressed his smile and softly asked, “Song’an, isn’t this good enough now?”
Lin Song’an turned his head to look at Tan Ning, who was extending his little cat paws to play with a leaf that was red and yellow.
