Su Yi’an sat upright with his back straight, both hands resting neatly on his knees, his posture stiff and formal.
Across from the sofa sat Bai Yunchi’s mother, Xu Lerong.
Su Yi’an felt as though he were sitting on pins and needles. He had only gone out to drink his sorrows away, how had he suddenly ended up being brought home by Teacher Bai to meet his parents?
Panic churned in his chest. He wanted to seek help from someone but Teacher Bai’s mother was seated directly across from him, watching.
Bai Yunchi walked over carrying a plate of freshly washed fruit and set it in front of the boy, easing the tension. “Don’t be nervous. Have some fruit. Madam Xu won’t eat people, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
It was the first time Xu Lerong had seen her son defend someone so openly. Amid her surprise, she also felt annoyed that he had brought the boy home without warning.
“What do you mean? You asked me to send your Aunt Zhao and Shuangshuang away and then turned around and brought a young boy back home?”
Xu Lerong was a high school teacher. Teenagers at that age could be mischievous and rebellious, so her tone in class was often stern. Over time, it had simply become a habit.
Hearing her words, Su Yi’an mistakenly thought Teacher Bai’s mother was dissatisfied with him. His hands and feet turned cold and just as he felt completely at a loss, the left hand resting on his leg was gently grasped and squeezed.
While quietly comforting the boy, Bai Yunchi explained, “I told you on the phone that I was bringing someone home.”
Xu Lerong caught sight of the small gesture and was even more astonished.
Her son had always had a good temperament since childhood, gentle and courteous as he grew older but she knew that was only on the surface. Deep down, he was distant and rarely let people get close. For so many years, he hadn’t even had a woman by his side.
She had once thought her son might remain single for life. She had never imagined he would like men, especially since he had disliked boys when he was young. Even after graduating from university, Yan Yi had been his only close friend.
Bai Yunchi’s younger sister, Bai Yunna, sat nearby, quietly observing.
She had met her brother’s boyfriend before. The last time she went to her brother’s place, he wasn’t home and it had been this boy who opened the door.
Her brother had even given him a key, there was no way their relationship was ordinary. After relentless pestering, her brother had admitted he liked the handsome neighbor, though they weren’t officially together yet.
She had even planned to teach her brother a few dating tricks, thinking he had no experience yet in less than a week, he had already brought the boy home.
Still, she quite liked this little sister in law. Her brother and Shuangshuang weren’t suitable for each other anyway and besides, Shuangshuang had a girlfriend abroad, something Aunt Zhao simply didn’t know.
Bai Yunshan’s eyes rolled mischievously. She decided to give them a helping hand so her brother might transfer her more pocket money later.
“Mom, stop frowning so much, you’ll get wrinkles,” she said, linking arms with Xu Lerong and acting coquettish. “When are we eating? Your precious daughter is starving.”
Xu Lerong glanced at the pile of snack bags on the coffee table that had nearly formed a small mountain. “Really? I don’t think your mouth has stopped once.”
Bai Yunshan grinned. “Don’t you always say snacks can’t fill your stomach?”
“Alright, go wash your hands and get ready to eat.” Xu Lerong stood and walked a few steps toward the kitchen before turning back to Su Yi’an, who was still sitting stiffly on the sofa. “Have you eaten?”
Su Yi’an froze for a moment, only reacting when Bai Yunchi gave his palm a gentle squeeze.
He shook his head honestly.
“Come and eat with us.”
When Bai Yunchi’s father, Bai Boming, returned home and saw the family gathered at the dining table, with a strange boy sitting beside his son, he immediately knew this must be the “daughter in law” his wife had mentioned over the phone.
Remembering his wife’s instructions, he maintained a stern expression from the moment he sat down.
Under the alternating scrutiny of the two elders, Su Yi’an barely dared to reach out with his chopsticks. Whatever Bai Yunchi picked up for him, he ate.
Then Bai Boming suddenly asked, “How old are you? Are you still studying?”
Su Yi’an quickly set down his chopsticks and straightened his posture.
“I’m twenty. I’m not studying anymore.”
Bai Boming frowned. “So young and you’ve already stopped studying.”
He continued, “How many people are in your family? What do your parents do for a living?”
Bai Yunchi’s hand paused slightly as he placed food into the boy’s bowl. Without drawing attention, he cast a subtle glance toward his sister.
Understanding immediately, Bai Yunna raised her chopsticks and placed a chicken wing into Bai Boming’s bowl. “Dad, you’ve worked hard. Have a chicken wing to nourish yourself.”
“Oh, thank you, sweetheart.” Bai Boming’s stern facade collapsed in an instant, his face breaking into deep smile lines.
Under the table, Xu Lerong lightly kicked his foot. Bai Boming cleared his throat and asked, “Little Su, right? Do your parents know about you and Yunchi?”
Seeing Teacher Bai about to speak, Su Yi’an reached out beneath the table and held his hand, signaling that he could handle this himself.
“Uncle, I’m the only one in my family. I grew up in an orphanage.”
“Oh… I see.” Bai Boming glanced at his wife. Xu Lerong shot him a glare, then turned to Su Yi’an with a look of gentle sympathy. “Little Su, your Uncle Bai isn’t good with words. Don’t mind him. Auntie supports you and Yunchi. From now on, treat this place as your home, come whenever you like.”
Her attitude was completely different from before, leaving Bai Boming momentarily stunned.
So he was the only one meant to play the bad cop.
On the way back to Jianghuai Shuixiang after dinner, Su Yi’an’s mind was still spinning.
That very morning, he had run to a bar to drown his sorrows because Teacher Bai was going on a blind date yet in less than half a day, not only had he confirmed their relationship but he had also met the parents. The progress was faster than riding a rocket.
Holding the snacks Aunt Xu had made herself, he turned his head to look at the man driving.
Sensing the gaze, Bai Yunchi asked gently, “What’s wrong?”
Su Yi’an looked dazed. “I thought when you said you’d take me home, I was dreaming.”
He hadn’t drunk much; his tolerance was simply poor. The faint smell of alcohol had long been blown away by the wind when they left the bar.
He remembered everything Teacher Bai had said. At the time, he had been half conscious, assuming it was all part of a dream, because only in dreams would Teacher Bai kiss him so tenderly.
Bai Yunchi chuckled softly. Reaching out, he lightly tugged at the boy’s cheek and asked with a smile, “Does it hurt?”
Su Yi’an looked startled. “No.” His lips drooped as he murmured, “So it really was all fake…”
“It’s not fake.” Bai Yunchi took the boy’s hand and gently squeezed his fingertips.
This time, Su Yi’an felt the pain, however faint.
He tightened his grip around their intertwined hands and broke into a bright smile. “Teacher Bai, I really, really like you.”
Something stirred in Bai Yunchi’s heart. At a red light, he leaned over and pressed a kiss to the corner of the boy’s lips.
“Me too.”
The End
✦ ✧ ✦
Fleurveil
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
(￣ω￣;) the translator is staring at the coffee button
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
← Previous
ChaptersChapter 1 · New neighborsChapter 2 · Let’s just wash it.Chapter 3 · Pretty little girlChapter 4 · It’s impossible for us.Chapter 5 · Not as handsome as Teacher BaiChapter 6 · Happy cooperationChapter 7 · Making breakfastChapter 8 · LostChapter 9 · He’s hopelessly in love.Chapter 10 · Three CloudChapter 11 · Am I Old?Chapter 12 · Victory celebration banquetChapter 13 · Power outrageChapter 14 · Online dating meetupChapter 15 · Am I really that bad?Chapter 16 · Boyfriend?Chapter 17 · ConcertChapter 18 · Use Privileges.Chapter 19 · A night AloneChapter 20 · Do You Like me?Chapter 21 · The End