Zhou Fan understood clearly what the Chihui Group and the Jiang Group represented even as a child from an ordinary family. Under the strict surveillance of the Chi family, forced entry or private dates were impossible. However, this did not stop him. After making the promise to his boyfriend, he went home and sat beside his mother with a smile. He could not do it alone, but he could call for backup.
After hearing the request, his mother looked at him with a half-smile. She teased that she thought the task of landing a golden son-in-law would fall on Miaomiao, but he had beaten her to it. When she realized he was talking about the only son of the Chihui Group, she became serious.
Zhou Fan, she said while resting her chin on her hand. With a family background like his, whether you two can stay together is not something you can decide. Do you understand that?
I do, Zhou Fan admitted frankly. I haven’t really thought about a permanent future. I just, he paused, I just want to make things a little easier and happier for him while we are still together within the scope of what I can do.
This was the only thing an ordinary person with no power or wealth could do for Chi Hanqing. His mother smiled and patted his shoulder. She agreed to help and noted that a bit of heartbreak might actually be good for him to keep his mischievous nature in check.
The Strategy
Since Zhou Fan told him to get ready, Chi Hanqing had been uneasy. He wanted to believe Zhou Fan, but he could not imagine how a full weekend could be secured. By Thursday, with no news, he felt a familiar and numbing disappointment. He was used to things staying the same.
At the end of school on Thursday, Zhou Fan tapped his desk. He winked and told him that a stranger would come looking for him and he should act as if they were acquaintances. Before Chi Hanqing could ask questions, Zhou Fan left to avoid suspicion.
Chi Hanqing walked out of the school gates and got into his car. Suddenly, there were two soft taps on the window. Outside was a friendly and capable woman with a ponytail.
Young Master, the driver asked, do you know her?
Chi Hanqing remembered the words of Zhou Fan and hesitated before saying yes. He stepped out of the car. The woman smiled warmly and patted his shoulder. She noted that Hanqing had been tutoring her son lately and added that his progress on the monthly exam was all thanks to him.
Chi Hanqing realized this must be the mother of Zhou Fan. He looked at the driver nervously and whispered to ask if she was the mom of Zhou Fan. Li Yuan saw the cautious and hopeful look in the boy’s eyes and understood why her son had begged for her help. She confirmed she was and then turned to the driver to ask if he was the uncle of Hanqing.
The driver explained he was just the driver. Li Yuan proceeded with her performance by claiming her son had a major breakthrough in his grades. She noted she wanted to celebrate by inviting the hero of the story, Hanqing, over for a big meal and a weekend of fun.
The driver was speechless. He noted that the Young Master has other classes this weekend.
It is okay to miss one week, Chi Hanqing interrupted while his heart trembled. I will tell the teachers myself and they will understand.
The driver looked troubled and stated he could not make the decision. Li Yuan suggested he call the parents of Hanqing right then so she could prepare the ingredients. As the driver turned away to make the call, a warm hand rested on the back of Chi Hanqing. He turned to see Li Yuan’s encouraging gaze. She whispered for him to trust her. Chi Hanqing bit his lip and nodded hard.
The Confrontation
The driver returned and handed the phone to Chi Hanqing while saying his mother wanted to speak to him.
Chi Hanqing, his mother’s icy voice came through the line. Did I not warn you not to try any more little tricks?
Chi Hanqing felt a suffocating sensation just hearing her voice. He whispered that he wanted to go just this once. Before she could continue, Li Yuan took the phone from his hand. She introduced herself as the mother of Chi Hanqing’s classmate.
Li Yuan was usually as laid-back as her son, but facing the cold Mother Chi, she did not lose an inch of ground. She spoke with perfect politeness and poise. After a few minutes, she hung up and handed the phone back to the driver.
Hanqing, she smiled. Have Zhou Fan bring you over Friday night. You will go to school with him on Monday.
From Friday to Monday was a whole weekend. The cold mask of Chi Hanqing shattered and was replaced by a look of pure joy. He asked if it was really true. Li Yuan confirmed it was. After apologizing to the driver for the delay, she told Hanqing to get in the car.
Once inside, the tears began to fall silently. He pinched himself to make sure it was real. It hurt so much that he finally believed it. These years of unreasonable demands had made him numb, but this warmth had pierced through.
When he got home, the butler told him his mother was waiting in the study. He washed his face and tried to hide his red eyes before entering. As soon as he walked in, a stack of documents hit his face.
What were you thinking, she yelled.
Chi Hanqing felt an expected calmness. He just had to get through today. Tomorrow he would be with Zhou Fan, as well as Saturday and Sunday.
Have you gone mad, she asked after venting her anger. How many more times will you disappoint me and your father?
He stood there silently. He used to wonder how to satisfy them, but he realized now that he never would. No matter his achievements, he would always be a disappointment in their eyes.
I could not refuse that woman today, Mother Chi said while prioritizing appearances. Tomorrow you will go and apologize in person. Say you have no time but appreciate the thought. I never imagined you were tutoring people instead of coming home at lunch.
No, he said.
She froze and asked what he said.
No, Chi Hanqing looked her in the eye while his body shook with fear but his gaze remained steady. I am going.
The room went silent. She let out a cold laugh and told him to get out.
The Promise Fulfilled
Chi Hanqing retreated to his room and collapsed on the floor. His fingers shook as he checked a new message from Zhou Fan asking about the situation. After a long time, he replied that it was very smooth.
The next morning at the Chi residence, the atmosphere was heavy. His father sipped his coffee and noted that he heard Hanqing was spending the weekend at a classmate’s house.
Yes, Chi Hanqing said while gripping his utensils.
Don’t let it happen again, his father said lightly. It was a simple sentence, yet it felt more suffocating than his mother’s rage.
At the Zhou household, the mood was the opposite. Zhou Fan’s parents were already discussing preparations. His mother teased his father that their son landed them a golden son-in-law. His father looked at Zhou Fan with shock and noted that if his mother said he was a golden catch, he must be special.
Miaomiao hugged the leg of Zhou Fan and asked what a golden son-in-law meant. Zhou Fan told his mother to stop using such terms while Miaomiao was learning to speak. At dinner, his father suggested they should decorate the house and asked where his high-end suit was. His mother told him he could not wear a suit while everyone else was in pajamas.
So how did you meet the young master of Chihui Group, his father asked.
He, his violin teacher lives near where I play ball. We just got to know each other, Zhou Fan said while rubbing his nose to hide his smugness.
Not bad, his father laughed while clinking glasses with him. You have always had your own ideas, Zhou Fan. I won’t say much.
Zhou Fan knew what his father meant. He was clear-headed about the fact that he and Chi Hanqing had no permanent future. To the young master, he was likely just a passerby. But as he said before, he just wanted to do what he could for the boy in the time they had. That was all.