The two in the car remained silent the entire way.
He Wenqi had nothing to say, and didn’t know what to say even if he did.
“Want to listen to some music?” Han Ji caught a glimpse of the person dazing in the passenger seat out of the corner of his eye.
He Wenqi’s gaze was fixed out the window, as if he hadn’t heard him speak.
Han Ji went ahead and played an English song.
As soon as the intro started, He Wenqi knew immediately it was Right Here Waiting.
Back when they were students, they loved singing this song. Usually, He Wenqi would start humming the tune, and then Han Ji would join in. When they reached the chorus, He Wenqi would strike a mock-sentimental pose with exaggerated emotions, until his pitch eventually drifted off into some unknown territory.
The version playing now wasn’t the original; the melody was brisker and had a stronger sense of rhythm. It sounded more like “quietly waiting for the flowers to eventually bloom.”
The melody collided with his inner thoughts. He Wenqi turned his head back to look straight ahead, tilting his head just a tiny bit toward Han Ji’s direction.
He saw the other man’s hands resting lightly and skillfully on the steering wheel, long fingers slightly curved, tapping along to the beat of the song.
He Wenqi tilted his head a bit more. He could see Han Ji’s profile—from the brow bone to the bridge of the nose down to the jawline, the lines were as sharp and handsome as if carved by a chisel. A smile played at the corners of his mouth, softening his cold aura; he seemed to be in an excellent mood.
Top-tier looks, in the prime of his youth, distinguished status, wealthy family… why didn’t he have a girlfriend?
When they kissed last night, He Wenqi had relied entirely on instinct—nibbling and biting, even stirring things up wildly in the other’s mouth. He had no technique and didn’t know how to take things slow. Han Ji’s scent had constantly stimulated him; he only wanted to take and possess…
Thinking back now, Han Ji’s performance at the time was more restrained than his, tugging at his hair to exercise deliberate control.
He Wenqi thought of Han Ji’s former “girlfriend.” Right, he had a past; he definitely had more experience than himself.
Since he’d had experience, why would he be curious about “kissing”? And up until now, he hadn’t said a single word meant to explain the matter.
On one hand, He Wenqi felt he was overthinking it—it was just a kiss, why couldn’t he let it go? It wasn’t like he’d lost his virginity. To take ten thousand steps back, even if they really had done that, as long as it was consensual, it wouldn’t be a big deal; adults can take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.
On the other hand, he felt off-balance because of Han Ji’s attitude of not mentioning a word.
Why should the other person be so nonchalant while he was here agonizing over it, making himself look like some sort of pure-hearted soul?
“What’s wrong?” Sensing the persistent gaze from the person beside him, Han Ji glanced over and asked, before quickly refocusing on the road. “If you don’t want to hear this one, pick a song you like. Just connect your phone’s Bluetooth.”
“Why don’t you have a girlfriend?” He Wenqi suddenly asked.
Han Ji countered with a question: “Then why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
Before He Wenqi could defend himself, Han Ji continued: “Don’t say it’s Gu Han. I know you two just met recently; you haven’t reached that level of relationship yet.”
He Wenqi fell silent. What he really wanted to ask was, “Why did you kiss me?” Did it mean what he thought it meant?
But he didn’t dare. Han Ji had said with his own mouth that he didn’t like men. He still remembered the dull ache of being rejected back then—it felt like the breath of life was being sucked out of him, like a giant hole had been poked in his chest, with the wind whistling through.
He Wenqi finally gave up agonizing over the question. He took out his phone, connected the Bluetooth, and selected an insert song from the movie Mirage.
The music fit the movie’s style perfectly; scenes of the fairyland in Mirage seemed to reappear before his eyes.
“What do you think of this movie?” He Wenqi asked.
“The story isn’t particularly novel, but the visual quality is good and the visual impact is strong. It can be considered a good domestic animated film from recent years; it might even start a trend.”
He Wenqi nodded; he thought so too.
“Is it hard to lead an animated short film?”
“If you’ve never directed one, it’s naturally hard. Interested? Everything is digital imaging now; short films are easy to learn.” Han Ji remembered that He Wenqi hadn’t studied the Animation Design major he originally got into. “The production department at the company does short film production. I’ll make arrangements later for you to follow along and learn; you’ll understand then.”
He Wenqi shook his head: “Wouldn’t it be considered ‘going through the back door’ if you arrange it? It’s not legitimate or proper.”
Han Ji curved his lips into a smile: “What kind of ‘status’ do you want?”
Why did these words sound a bit off?
Then he heard Han Ji continue: “If you want to direct a truly meaningful animated short, I suggest starting from the initial sketches, to the transition frames in the middle, including color rendering and post-production dubbing—participate in the whole process from start to finish. You don’t need to be an expert in every step, but if you want to direct, you at least have to be familiar with these links.”
He Wenqi was listening intently when his phone suddenly rang. He instinctively pressed answer.
He Yanqiu’s voice rang out inside the car: “Xiao Qi, where have you reached?”
“Mom—” The phone was still connected to the car’s Bluetooth. He Wenqi scrambled in a panic, not knowing for a moment how to switch it to the handset.
“Auntie Qiu, we’re at Dasheng Plaza, just passed the traffic light,” Han Ji replied, glancing at the navigation.
He Yanqiu paused for several seconds on the other end before saying: “Xiao Qi, is that your friend speaking? Ask him to come along.”
“Ah, he… he’s a colleague from my company. We just happened to be going the same way, so I caught a ride. He has things to do later, he doesn’t have time.” He Wenqi looked at Han Ji guiltily.
Han Ji knitted his brows.
He Yanqiu said: “I see. Then we won’t delay his business. Make sure to thank him properly. Your Uncle Ping and I are already out. If you arrive first, just wait for us at the entrance.”
“Okay, Mom.”
After hanging up, the car fell into silence again.
“Why didn’t you tell Auntie Qiu it was me?” Han Ji’s brow was twisted into a pretzel.
“The timing wasn’t right,” He Wenqi made up a random excuse.
“Then when do you think is the right time?” Han Ji felt that He Wenqi was dodging this matter repeatedly.
“Why won’t you let me see Auntie Qiu? He Wenqi, what exactly are you considering? And what are you worried about? I treat Auntie Qiu like half a mother; is there a problem with me seeing her?”
He Wenqi explained thinly: “I have my reasons.”
“I know you must have reasons, but can’t you tell me what they are?” Han Ji’s good mood had been knocked back down. “I treat you as my own family; what do you treat me as?”
“Stop the car at the intersection ahead,” He Wenqi said flatly.
Han Ji braked to a halt. He Wenqi said thanks, and without another word, got out of the car and walked away.
Watching that thin, gaunt back, Han Ji truly felt a headache.
…
Having received He Yanqiu’s silent permission, Liu Ping accompanied her almost every day. He Wenqi felt very relieved. He Yanqiu’s mental state was very good, and her complexion was rosy.
The three met at the entrance of a restaurant and had a meal together, treating it as a birthday celebration for He Wenqi.
“Xiao Qi, happy birthday!” He Yanqiu and Liu Ping raised their cups, using tea instead of wine to show their wishes.
He Wenqi also raised his cup.
“Xiao Qi, your cup…” He Yanqiu reminded him.
The glass cup was empty; he hadn’t poured any water.
He Wenqi realized, gave a self-deprecating smile, and grabbed the bottle next to him to add liquid.
“Xiao Qi!” Liu Ping reached out his hand but was too late to stop him, watching helplessly as he filled the cup with a dark liquid.
What he had grabbed was a bottle of vinegar.
“Xiao Qi, you seem a bit restless today. Is work not going well?” He Yanqiu asked with concern. “That… whatever-it’s-called University, if you can’t go, then don’t go. Abroad is so far; it’s not as convenient as being at home.”
“No, Mom, it’s going quite smoothly. Maybe I just didn’t sleep well last night.” He Wenqi asked the waiter for a new cup and refilled it with a drink. “We’re all moving in a good direction. Look at how well you and Uncle Ping are doing now.”
He Wenqi stood up, holding his cup toward He Yanqiu: “Mom, today is my birthday. Thank you for bringing me into this world, allowing me to see its novelty and color. Your son toasts you.”
He Yanqiu hadn’t expected He Wenqi to say such words. She was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes turned red.
She turned to Liu Ping: “Did you hear that? Xiao Qi… Xiao Qi said thank you for bringing him… I… I…”
Liu Ping put his arm around her shoulder and wiped the corner of her eye for her: “I heard it. Xiao Qi is sensible; don’t think too much.”
“Mm, mm.” He Yanqiu’s tears kept falling the more she wiped them. “He… he doesn’t blame me…”
“Alright, today is Xiao Qi’s birthday. Don’t cry, he’s still standing there,” Liu Ping comforted her.
“Xiao Qi, quick, sit down. My good son.” He Yanqiu was laughing and crying at the same time; the tears simply wouldn’t stop.
He Wenqi assumed his mother was just deeply moved by the sentiment and didn’t think deeper into it: “Mom, don’t worry, I will make something of myself.”
“I don’t need you to be overly successful,” He Yanqiu calmed down, finally no longer so agitated. “Mom only wants you to be safe and healthy.”
“Right, right. As long as you are safe and sound, your mom and I will be at peace,” Liu Ping agreed with He Yanqiu.
He Wenqi: “Uncle Ping, thank you.”
Liu Ping: “We’re family, no need for thanks.”
Family, huh? Han Ji had also just said he treated him as family. What kind of family? Surely not the same kind as his mother and Uncle Ping.
“Alright, enough talk. Eat, eat.” He Yanqiu served them food.
After the three finished eating, He Yanqiu had a check-up at the hospital in the afternoon, and He Wenqi accompanied them.
The nurse wheeled He Yanqiu away, leaving He Wenqi and Liu Ping sitting on a long bench outside waiting for her.
“Uncle Ping, you and my mom being like this now… it’s really good.” Seeing the two finally together, He Wenqi felt a genuine sense of relief.
The joy on Liu Ping’s face was also impossible to hide. He gave a long sigh: “It is good. Life is getting better day by day.”
“Uncle Ping, you really are persistent. If my mom had stayed the way she was before, were you prepared to wait like this for a lifetime?”
He Wenqi teased him casually, not expecting Liu Ping to answer seriously.
But Liu Ping said with certainty: “Xiao Qi, at your age you might not understand yet, but in this life, having someone worth waiting for is a very happy thing.”
“Back then when your mom rejected me, I planned to give up and just wish her well. But she wasn’t living a good life; she needed someone by her side then. I know, she felt she was a burden to me at the time, but I…”
It wasn’t easy for these words to come out of a middle-aged man’s mouth, but Liu Ping spoke quite frankly: “But I love her. So it’s not a burden; it’s something I do gladly.”
“Uncle Ping, what exactly happened back then? Even if you say that man deceived my mom… looking at her reaction… what exactly did he deceive her about? Can you tell me?”
At the mention of the past, Liu Ping’s reaction was either indignation or sighing.
It was the same now. He remained tight-lipped and only sighed deeply.
“Uncle Ping, I don’t want to hide it from you anymore. My mom being… pushed into this state by me back then, it wasn’t just because of my accidental slip.” He Wenqi decided to tell the true origin of the incident.
Liu Ping comforted him: “Xiao Qi, this isn’t your fault. You don’t need to blame yourself.”
“No, Uncle Ping, we didn’t tell you the truth about this matter.” He Wenqi made a decision. “I slipped because I was having an argument with my mom.”
Recalling the situation at the time, his heart was still filled with regret.
“My mom… found out that I am gay.”
As the words left his mouth, Liu Ping stood up abruptly, staring at him in a flash of disbelief: “What did you say?!”
He Wenqi nodded: “Yes, Uncle Ping. My mom had this exact reaction back then, but besides the shock, she also lost emotional control.”
“You… you just told your mom like that? Xiao Qi, how could you be so impulsive!”
“Uncle Ping, I know it’s hard for you to accept all at once. But you are my closest family; the people I shouldn’t hide this from most are you. I would have had to say it sooner or later.”
Liu Ping sighed and sat back down. He took a breath as if wanting to say something, but finally just slapped his own thigh heavily.
The two sat in brief silence on the bench for a while.
“Uncle Ping, you guys always said that man deceived my mom… was he also…” He Wenqi chewed on those words, his lips opening and closing repeatedly, but in the end, he didn’t say them aloud.
But Liu Ping understood the words he had swallowed back. Gritting his teeth, he nodded heavily: “You’ve already guessed it.”
Yes, He Wenqi had suspected this for a long time.
He was born gay. Within the limited knowledge he had, he wondered if it might be hereditary.
He Yanqiu’s reaction to learning about his sexuality back then was too abnormal, coupled with that man’s appearance and Liu Ping’s secrecy.
So, that man—his biological father—was perhaps also gay.
Now that it was confirmed, his mood was unusually calm.
Liu Ping said: “Xiao Qi, your mom loves you very much. If it was just because of this reason, she wouldn’t have been pushed to such a huge shock. That man… he doesn’t deserve to be called a person.”
He Wenqi felt a chill in his heart; Liu Ping’s words implied more.
But beyond that, Liu Ping said no more, only emphasizing again: “Just remember, your mom loves you very much.”
He Wenqi: “Uncle Ping, you seem to accept me being gay very quickly?”
Liu Ping looked at him and smiled: “What, do you think Uncle Ping is some old fogy who hasn’t seen the world? What era is this? We are all people who have received proper education.”
“Xiao Qi, don’t feel like you are different from others. I can accept it, and you must accept it too. Accept your whole self, go love, and be loved.”
Liu Ping: “You’ve turned twenty-two today; it’s about time you found a boyfriend. If there’s someone suitable, don’t delay.”
Liu Ping’s words warmed He Wenqi’s heart over and over, but thinking of He Yanqiu…
He Wenqi hesitated: “Uncle Ping, my mom… she can’t accept that I’m…”
Liu Ping guessed what he was going to say and interrupted: “Believe me, it’s not that your mom can’t accept this point.”
She just had a large trauma in her heart that needed to be healed by herself or by him.
As they were talking, He Yanqiu had finished her check-up and was wheeled out by the nurse.
“What were you two talking about? Did you get bored waiting for me?”
Liu Ping: “No, we were discussing where the three of us should go travel once you’ve recovered.”
“I’m not going with you two; do you want me to be a third wheel?” He Wenqi joked.
He Yanqiu glared at him: “Don’t you have anything else to do today? If you have business, go on ahead. I have your Uncle Ping.”
“Mom, you have Uncle Ping and now you don’t want me anymore?”
“That’s right. It’s ‘two’s company’ for me and your Uncle Ping. Don’t come and disturb us.” He Yanqiu joked back.
He Wenqi accompanied He Yanqiu in the hospital’s leisure area grass to soak up some sun for a while, before being “driven away” forcefully again.
Thinking that her son should have friends to play with on his birthday, He Yanqiu wouldn’t let him stay at the hospital.
Liu Ping walked him out: “Xiao Qi, do you have a friend coming to pick you up?”
“No, Uncle Ping, why do you ask?”
“I see that car over there is the same one that dropped you off. I saw it earlier at the restaurant entrance, parked far away. It followed us all the way to the hospital too. Isn’t it your friend?” Liu Ping pointed at a black car parked in the distance.
—It was Han Ji.
Observing He Wenqi’s expression, Liu Ping added: “Xiao Qi, don’t worry about your mom. I will talk to her when the time is right. As for you, don’t miss out on a good person because of this.”
He Wenqi felt a mixture of emotions. After bidding farewell to Liu Ping, he walked toward where Han Ji was parked.