As soon as he got home from work, Manager Wu loosened his tie and took off his coat.
His wife took it from him and asked, “Why are you back so early today? Dinner isn’t even ready yet.”
“The boss is back,” Manager Wu nodded. “But he’ll have to go to the U.S. again soon. He’s still at the company right now, truly a workaholic. Though lately, he’s been surprisingly kind. He said I can take two days off starting tomorrow.”
His wife smiled. “When a man falls in love, he learns to be considerate.”
“Exactly. Before, I always suspected he was some kind of robot, no blood, no heart, nothing in his mind but stock trends and shifting numbers. He’d work himself to the bone and expect everyone else to do the same.”
“Rapid economic growth breeds a new class of slave masters,” she laughed.
“Back then, I often felt like bringing a knife and taking him down with me.”
“What kind of person is Mr. Qin’s lover?” she asked.
Manager Wu lowered his voice. “Don’t spread this around but it seems to be a man. He treasures him like a priceless jewel. For a while, he was collecting antique furniture everywhere, decorating a study. I thought he was trying to cultivate some refined taste. Turns out it was all meant as a gift. That person lives in his house, he fusses over all three meals every day. Even in the middle of meetings, he’ll step out to make a call, just to check whether he’s eaten properly. He’s not as strict with us anymore either and look, the sky hasn’t fallen, the company is still thriving.”
“When his boyfriend’s mother fell ill, he went everywhere seeking medical help. He booked hotels, even sent drivers, chefs and servants ahead of time, like moving house. Even things like pillows and bed sheets were prepared in advance. I heard they were custom made satin silk, he never used to be this particular.”
“They say it’s as smooth as a second layer of skin, the highest quality, something even ancient royalty used.” He paused, then added, “One day, when we have money, we should get a set too, just to see what it’s like.”
She laughed. “No one’s going to barge into our bedroom just to admire it. What’s the point of luxury no one sees? Might as well buy me a designer bag instead.”
“Ever since he fell in love, you finally have time to come home more often. I wish him and his boyfriend a lifetime of happiness.”
The couple exchanged a smile.
After two days of rest,
Manager Wu arrived at the company early in the morning and ran into Liang Zhijie in the elevator. “Young Master Liang, here to see our boss?”
Liang Zhijie replied, “I’m here to handle things on Qin Shun’s behalf. Oh and let everyone know, he’ll be away for another three days this time.”
What for?
Everyone knew without asking.
At this point, Qin Shun had gone from a tyrant who worked from dawn till night to a negligent ruler who had no mind for governance.
At least, that’s what they thought.
The United States.
A hospital consultation room.
The doctor handed over the latest test report. “The new medication is showing very good results. Ms. Ye may be discharged and continue recovering at home. As long as she takes her medication on time and comes in for regular check ups, it should be fine.”
Lin Shuosheng was taken completely by surprise at the good news. He had never expected that one day, luck would finally fall upon him. All he could do was thank them repeatedly.
The doctor said it could extend her life by one to two years.
Lin Yansheng was overjoyed.
The moment he saw Qin Shun, he shared the news immediately. “We have to thank the advances in medicine.”
Qin Shun looked at him and smiled faintly.
They hurried back to Rong City before the Spring Festival.
Qin Shun asked for his opinion. “Uncle, would you like to spend the New Year at the old house, or here with me?”
“Either is fine, either is fine,” Lin Yansheng said with a smile. “As long as everyone is together, as one family, it doesn’t matter where we are, it’s home.”
Qin Shun had already moved many things from the old house over. If they went back, it would all have to be arranged again. In the end, they chose to stay.
Lin Shuosheng had been living there for nearly a year.
At first, he had always felt like a guest, someone who would leave sooner or later, with no real sense of belonging but as the Spring Festival approached, Qin Shun asked him to write couplets, cut paper decorations and help arrange the house. Only then did he begin to feel himself gradually becoming part of it.
One of the maids admired his calligraphy and praised, “Your writing is truly beautiful!”
“It’s just average,” he said, a little embarrassed. “I’m out of practice. I used to run a calligraphy class, only at the level of teaching children.”
Qin Shun stepped forward, joining in playfully. “Uncle, write a few more. I’ll take them to give as gifts.”
“No.”
“Why not? They’ll definitely like them.”
“What if they ask questions?”
“Let them ask.”
Lin Yansheng didn’t want to continue the conversation. He shot him a glare and walked away, slightly sulking.
It had been a long time since Lin Yansheng had celebrated such a good New Year.
His mother was there.
And A’Shun was there.
A year ago, he simply could not have imagined this.
Back then, he had drunk himself into a stupor, believing he would spend the rest of his life alone, forgotten in some corner of the city.
This time, he was drunk as well but it was a happy kind of drunkenness.
Half supporting, half carrying him, Qin Shun brought him back to the bedroom.
“I…” Lin Yansheng’s body had gone completely limp, like water, his cheeks flushed red. A dazed expression drifted across his face for a long while before he suddenly murmured in a low voice, “Don’t… don’t take advantage of me…”
“Is there anywhere else you feel uncomfortable, Uncle?” Qin Shun seemed to be smiling as he gently brushed a hand across his forehead. “I’ll get you some sobering medicine. Your alcohol tolerance is really poor.”
He said, “Alcohol tolerance is something you’re born with.”
“Don’t curl up like that, I’ll help you change into your sleepwear.”
“You’ll mess around.”
“When have I forced you recently? It’s always been because you were willing.”
“I’m not willing today.”
“Alright, alright. Then tonight, I’ll just hold you while you sleep.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m really not lying to you.”
Lin Yansheng’s resolve softened as he looked at him. “…Really?”
“Really,” Qin Shun replied, utterly serious.
He relaxed his body.
The next moment, his clothes were stripped away.
Lin Yansheng’s limbs were weak, his mind hazy. He didn’t dare look down, instead tilting his head toward the window. Somewhere in the distance, fireworks burst noisily into the night.
Without his glasses, the red, orange, yellow and green lights seemed blurred, as if crushed together, their glow hazily reflected on the glass. It reminded him of the colorful candy wrappers he had loved as a child.
The first time they had done this, Qin Shun had said, with a particularly wicked edge, “You really don’t want to? Uncle, just try it. If you miss your chance with me, no one else will ever do this for you in your lifetime. You’ll die without ever knowing what it feels like to be…”
He had trembled violently, like a leaf in the wind, both unable to believe that the A’Shun he had carefully raised could say such vulgar things and filled with shame at how easily he himself had been tempted.
After a while,
The colorful lights began to sway rhythmically.
Sweat dampened, A’Shun pulled him into his arms and lifted his chin. “Kiss me, Uncle.”
He turned his face away. “I haven’t brushed my teeth.”
They went to bathe.
The water in the bathtub surged higher and higher, spilling over in waves.
A’Shun urged him several times, “Can I kiss you? I want to kiss you.”
Lin Yansheng said, “Don’t say ‘you’ like that!”
A’Shun replied, “Uncle, kiss me.”
So annoying.
He thought to himself and then leaned in and kissed him.
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
The translator deserves a little treat too, don’t you think? (´꒳`)♡
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← PreviousNext →
ChaptersChapter 1 · UncleChapter 2 · Ran AwayChapter 3 · TimidChapter 4 · DeceasedChapter 5 · Grow upChapter 6 · CharmChapter 7 · EndureChapter 8 · Biological FatherChapter 9 · ContestChapter 10 · MisunderstoodChapter 11 · BreakChapter 12 · ReunionChapter 13 · MeetChapter 14 · To clearChapter 15 · InstructionsChapter 16 · RegretChapter 17 · SecretChapter 18 · Subtle SophistryChapter 19 · GuestChapter 20 · KissingChapter 21 · Extra 1Chapter 22 · Extra 2Chapter 23 · Extra 3Chapter 24 · Extra 4Chapter 25 · Extra 5Chapter 26 · Extra 6Chapter 27 · Extra 7Chapter 28 · Extra 8